Off the Hook

Based on the true story of two aspiring South Bronx rap artists, this very low-budget indie pic features Walter Velasquez playing himself as one-half of the duo group Pos-Neg. As a college student, he splits his time between coaching sports and preparing to cut an album. His partner Lorenzo (Jamal Mackey), more caught up in dealing drugs than rappin' tunes, gets into fights and ultimately lands in jail. Profanity often plays like a broken record in this hip-hop drama where the dialogue sometimes remains unintelligible in the problematic sound mix. Although the non-actors do what they can with the prosaic script, Off the Hook never really busts a rhyme. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Adam Watstein, producer Jennifer Lyne and costar Walter Velasquez; two “epilogue” segments: “Walter and Narine at the Park” and “Pos-Neg: Where Are They Now?” (both shaky, ad hoc pieces with poor audio); the Pos-Neg music videos “Off the Hook” and “Welcome to the Bronx”; a trailer; and web links. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so film.] (T. Rich)