‘American Me’

Edward James Olmos (left) not only starred in, directed and co-produced this powerful 1992 film about the self-perpetuating cycle of gang life in East L.A., but he also just about willed it into existence. Olmos’ relentless passion is the best thing about the film, a cautionary tale that offers a chilling look at the connections between Latino prison gangs and drug traffic in the barrio. The movie packs a considerable wallop, but, be warned, it has concentrated so hard on delivering its message that, inevitably, its value as a drama tends to fall by the wayside. With Pepe Serna (center) and William Forsythe. (TMC Monday at 12:30 a.m.)