City of God (DVD)

Every city has a story it is just that some are more gruesome and depressing than others, and in Rio de Janeiro's "City of God" life is more than just everyday living, it is an unimaginable struggle and in the tradition of such gangster films as The Godfather and even Scarface director Fernando Meirelles brings the underbelly of the City of God into your living room.

Nominated for four Academy Awards City of God takes you into the slums of Rio de Janeiro to follows the life of one young boy as he lives to see it all in his struggle to rise up and make something of his life outside of the world he was born into.

City of God was praised from every street corner and four Oscar nominations proves it is no slouch but having to listen to the movie in Portuguese, while watching with subtitles will surely turn some people off, but the thing this movie has is a multiple audience appeal.

Fans of independent films are sure to gush over the tremendous acting and directing in City of God as Meirelles gives the audience an amazing look at this dark and dirty world, while using the camera to its maximum capabilities. Other's will be turned on by the aggressive nature of the film as you watch one dealer rise to power in a similar fashion to Tony Montana, the only difference is that this is based on a true story, and nothing is scarier than true life.

Along with the feature this DVD also comes equipped with an hour long documentary detailing real life in the slums of Rio and you will be shocked by not only how accurate Meirelles' portrayal was, but by how it was almost tame compared to what really goes on.

As you watch you try to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys until you are floored by the comment one women makes concerning the police, "Sometimes cops don't come to arrest, they come to kill." This is obviously a much different world than many of us are used to and to see that what you just watched actually is still going on is truly unbelievable.

City of God is a movie I recommend you rent before buying since there is no telling whether or not it is a movie for you. Granted it does have sex, drugs and violence for you thrill seekers, but the story is told in such a way that it may not necessarily appeal to you as it may appeal to those exactly opposite your taste.

I do recommend, however, that you do check it out, it is at least worth your time.