TV scribe Sherman Payne's script is as predictable as they come...

Full Review | Original Score: D | Aug 30, 2021

The natural style and authentic locations add a great deal of excitement and purity to 'Charm City Kings.' I just wish the story weren't so predictable.

Full Review | Apr 22, 2021

With its challenging performances, elaborate dirt-biking stunts, evocative cinematography, and unique setting for a coming-of-age narrative, it's one of the great gems of 2020.

Full Review | Mar 20, 2021

Charm City Kings has a lot of heart underpinning the flashy trappings of the bike riders' subculture.

Full Review | Dec 3, 2020

The performances, especially by Winston and Mill, are tremendous

Full Review | Nov 17, 2020

The title refers to a nickname for Baltimore.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Oct 30, 2020

A fantastic performance from Jahi Di'Allo Winston in this Baltimore based film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 30, 2020

Powerful drama highlights the power of choices; violence.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 24, 2020

The spirit of old-fashioned coming-of-age fare roars in director Angel Manuel Soto's sun-dappled Charm City Kings.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 14, 2020

Soto's winning mix of polished style and gritty authenticity, along with Winston's ace screen presence, go a long way toward making Charm City Kings' familiar story stick with us.

Full Review | Oct 13, 2020

It may be a familiar coming-of-age story, but it wears its heart on its sleeve with captivating breakout performances to boot.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 13, 2020

Charm City Kings unearths its timeless ruminations with precision and verve, throttling forward a narrative that is equally impactful and enthralling.

Full Review | Oct 13, 2020

A really engaging story worth watching for the performances.

Full Review | Oct 10, 2020

Di'Allo turns in a strong enough performance for me to want to root for him to stay out of trouble.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Oct 10, 2020

Ultimately, Charm City Kings passes the Baltimore smell test, which is saying a lot.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 10, 2020

[F]or all the energy both in front of and behind the camera, this thing rides the clutch way too much. It's not necessarily that it's disengaged; it's that it's so rocky.

Full Review | Oct 9, 2020

Even if the ending feels forced, the richly textured screenplay captures the moral dilemma of its adolescent protagonist while also effectively confronting the broader ethical questions surrounding a lifestyle it could have easily glorified.

Full Review | Oct 9, 2020

Angel Manuel Soto is a director to keep an eye on. He's sharp, passionate, skilled and fearless.

Full Review | Oct 8, 2020

Soto and screenwriter Sherman Payne ... have crafted a convincing tale ... of a kid who isn't sure what wants -- but knows he wants it right now.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 8, 2020

In its view of a world where kids make their own fun and also, sometimes, their own bad choices, it rings true.

Full Review | Oct 8, 2020