A powerhouse cast turns this could-be-forgotten film into a memorable one. Dito Montiel trades in his autobiographical pen for a camera to direct Robert Downey Jr. as the successful Los Angeles writer who returns home to Queens, N.Y., when his fathers health (Chazz Palminteri) takes a bad turn. Back in his old neighborhood, Dito rekindles an old flame with his childhood sweetheart (Rosario Dawson). He also reminisces about his hard-knock life running with a band of delinquents doing what any street-wise teens would do: harass, fight, swear, yell and fight some more. The writer/director treads no new cinematic territory, but the strong performances by all, including Shia LeBeouf, Dianne Wiest and Channing Tatum, bring a fresh, intriguing feel to this must-see movie.