Two likable rogues from Astoria, New York wind up finding themselves in trouble with gangsters over a debt in the feature film Tomorrow’s Today by Timothy Hines.
Playing out like a comedy with dramatic undertones, Timothy Hines’ feature film Tomorrow’s Today is an odd-yet-entertaining 84-minute movie that includes some surprising cameos. Whilst the feature is not without some faults, it is obvious that a lot of effort and love went into its production.
Based around a neighborhood in Astoria, New York, Tomorrow’s Today is centered on two larger-than-life characters in Charley Boy (Greg Kritikos) and Tommy G. (Annunziato Carbone). Charley Boy is a popular man around town. If he isn’t performing stand-up comedy at one of the local venues, he can be found walking around the streets of Astoria (he does this a lot) or at the local church. As for Tommy G, he is a wannabe actor who thinks he looks like his Idol Tom Hardy (he doesn’t), thinks he can act (he can’t), and states he will one day become a star (he won’t).
After a series of montages, which are all really well shot and feature the landscape of New York, and Charley Boy interacting with many of the locals, we are soon met with the plot of the movie. Tommy G. is a gambler, and like all addicted gamblers, he finds himself in debt. Only this time his debt is to Big Angie (Dominick Martini), a big-time gangster.
After Tommy G. informs his friend that he owes three thousand dollars, Charley Boy comes up with a scheme to raise the money. They purchase a roll of raffle tickets and hit the local strip club, promising would-be customers that a huge payout will be given to the winner. Of course, there is no payout, and there is no winner.
Charley Boy then takes the three thousand dollars to pay off Tommy’s debt, but he is then told that the amount owed is actually thirty thousand dollars. Even though Tommy lied to his friend, Charley still shows his loyalty by continuously looking for ways to help pay off the debt, including a visit to his ex-wife Donna, played by every 80’s teenage boy’s fantasy Kelly LeBrock (Weird Science).
Desperate (and stupid), Tommy resorts to knocking off a liquor store late at night. Charley and their friend Shakes (Dave Morrissey Jr.) try to stop him, but they soon change their mind when they find a gym bag stuffed with two hundred thousand dollars. They think their prayers have been answered, but the money actually belongs to Big Angie and he will stop at nothing to find out who stole it and get it back.
Tomorrow’s Today is a lot of fun and is helped by some strong performances, especially that of Greg Kritikos who plays Charley as a lovable rogue aplomb. He is supported by some very capable thespians, and it was great to see Burt Young show up too. Yes, that Burt Young who played Paulie in the Rocky series.
Sometimes there is a lot going on, and there is a lot of filler used throughout, but that can be forgiven, seeing as how much we want to follow the characters offered to us on screen. Whilst there are many comedic moments throughout, some will make you chuckle others not so much, the movie also offers a few thought-provoking and heartfelt moments. The visuals are also accompanied by a lot of music…a lot. One of the songs, which is actually great, is the theme song (also called Tomorrow’s Today) by Susan Goforth and Sandy Chila.
Tomorrow’s Today is well-made. One can only imagine the amount of effort that was needed to pull off such an independent feature, and the cast and crew should be commended for their sterling effort.
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