| A masterpiece |
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| written by SBarnett |
March 20, 2006 - 9:08 AM PST |
A coming of age story from the favela wars (translation for US: favela = ghetto), De Sica's "Bicycle Thief" for a new century. In the wake of Katrina, is there any doubt that this film holds a mirror up to US, a mirror in which we see ourselves--the difference being the overwhelming force and efficiency with which the US marginalizes, polices, and imprisons the So Poor And So Black? There is violence in this film but it is by no means a violent film, rather a lyrical and impassioned and supremely courageous one. Watch the Special Feature, a short documentary about the favela wars, just to see and hear the clarity and resolve of Hélio Luz, police chief of Rio de Janeiro in the late 90s.
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| Watch the special feature. |
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| written by dojothemouse |
April 18, 2005 - 10:41 AM PDT |
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3 out of 4 members found this review helpful
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| City of God is fantastic. The DVD includes an excellent documentary titled "News from a Personal War" about the drug war in Rio de Janeiro. Definitely watch it. "News From A Personal War" is to the war on drugs as The Battle of Algiers is to the war on terror. |
| Do Not Move to the Burbs! |
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| written by eggshape |
February 22, 2005 - 10:08 AM PST |
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3 out of 4 members found this review helpful
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The synopsis is not accurate, but the members' ratings are on the mark. The movie follows a group of children who grow up in the slums around Rio de Janeiro. They live in the "City of God", perhaps named because its human and animal occupants live but a breath away from death. The complex and intertwined stories of the characters are told through its main protagonist, Rocket. Their lives are looped in startling violence between moments of tame beauty. In these slums, God is asleep or insane, and it is human ability, talent and will that fight to survive and thrive. Social mobility is wrought with blood and grit, molding even Rocket's amazing outcome. This movie will make you slack-jawed, wide-eyed, laugh, breathless, and leave you full of wonder. What's more, it is based on a real story. Mechanistically, the movie is simply superb.
Plus, many of the actors are from the actual City of God and are not pros! |
| Doesn't Get Much Better Than This |
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| written by villain |
July 25, 2004 - 3:19 PM PDT |
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4 out of 6 members found this review helpful
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City Of God is simply about kids doing what they must to survive some of the worst slums on earth. Survive severe poverty. Survive severe ignorance. Brazil was/and is in serious trouble, and the directors do a superb job articulating its dire condition.
The story flows beautifully with superior editing, and a first class narrative. The film has a very stylish "look" that left me in awe more than once. Most importantly, the cast is as great as some of the best assembled since the likes of Goodfellas, Reservoir Dogs, or Menace To Society. The characters they portray are both deadly and hilarious in so many ways.
Basically, if I were stranded on a deserted island City Of God is one movie I'd like to have with me. This is about as perfect as a movie can get. There's not one criticism I can come up with. Very rarely can I say that. |
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