St-Georges

Amazing movie. Every character is charismatic in their own unique way. I really think that Slum Dog Millionaire is a bit of a knock off of this movie. Think about it.

10/10
turneron14@ - 71 reviews
24.8.2009 - age: 18-25

As Roger eEert says "one of the best movies youll ever see! " I bet he doesnt say that very often.

10/10
tsferg@ - 87 reviews
20.9.2006 - age: 26-35

Even though it is subtitled, this is an amazing look at Brazilian life in and around Rio de Janeiro in the 70's. Cidade de Deus (City of God) is a very poor housing project on the outskirts of Rio. Poor living conditions, crime, gangs and a time when chaos was a way of life. This movie is a must see and a great insight into the current way of life in Brazil.

9/10
lsword@ - first review
15.8.2006 - age: 26-35

Amazing... just watch it... I hope you like reading during your movies... or you understand portugues...

10/10
tommyponte@ - 2 reviews
2.10.2005 - age: 18-25

This is the best hoodlum movie I have ever seen (including The Godfather) The director gives dimension to the characters and background that explains why these kids have entered such a hellish world where drugs and turf wars are seen as ways of establishing oneself. Violent, realistic, horrifying, mesmerizing, amazing. It gave a vivid portrait of the dead-end life of most confined to the worst slums of Rio. You can be sure that I will never visit that city!

10/10
holikatz@ - 4 reviews
12.9.2005 - age: 36-49

What to Say about City Of God. Have you seen Hotel Rowanda? Similar Story. I like it but as much as you can like a movie that talks about people wanting control and corruption. Unfortunatly no Batman or Spiderman in Real life. Don't Watch if your depressed about life!

7/10
unrestraint@ - 8 reviews
16.8.2005 - age: 18-25

I really enjoyed the realism of the movie. It was a one of a kind thriller and it kept me thinking about the next scene. Masterpirce.

10/10
solon@ - first review
18.10.2004 - age: 26-35

Profound, artistic, riveting, moving the field of thought to a new level. Beautiful images of life and existence confronted with morality and reality.

10/10
laceratedflesh@ - first review
27.7.2004 - age: 18-25

What an amazing movie. I loved the style and cinematography. Very original. And obviously, the masterful story told of the various characters to portray the chaos and violence of the slum was extremely well done.

10/10
lego_my_eggo@ - 11 reviews
2.7.2004 - age: 18-25

A masterpiede that's not likely to come out of Holywood. When you've come to think that American inner cities are the worst that you'll ever see, you're confronted by the slums of Brazil where childhood has come to an end as a result of abandoned children having to make their own way through life. It's the story of greed and power and the loss of innocence.

10/10
riede2084@ - first review
14.6.2004 - age: 50+

I love this movie a lot. It's just amazing for me. I've seen it last year in Auckland, New Zealand and was shocked and moved by the movie. It touched an area deep in my heart. This year I watched it again! I was still attracted by the story.

9/10
michelle36z@ - first review
1.6.2004 - age: 18-25

This movie is amazing. It show the true and sad reallity of one of the most dangerous places in Rio de Janeiro. Although there are tons of violence, it is a true story. Another good Brazilian movies are: "Central Station" and "Carandiru"!

10/10
mescortes@ - first review
14.5.2004 - age: 18-25

I loved this movie. It depicts the life of a group of children living in a poverty-ridden area of Brazil and it is captivating from beginning to end. Some parts are difficult to watch due to the violence however every scene is well crafted and acurately illustrates the realities of that life. Amazing movie, a classic!

10/10
wugirl88@ - 4 reviews
16.4.2004 - age: 18-25

City of God shows a slice of life of a Brazilian gang. One can only empathize how some children become the product of their environment. It's unfortunate but this is reality for some. Love the cinematography, theme, acting... everything. This is an excellent movie... a must see movie.

9/10
mfrancis24@ - first review
6.4.2004 - age: 36-49

Disturbing. Violent. Horrifying. Depressing. Shocking.

7/10
pvanschi@ - 6 reviews
31.3.2004 - age: 36-49

Really good movie, a must-see. In a way it reminded me of Snatch and Pulp Fiction - with the dark humor, the editing, the time-shifting and juxtaposing - but with a powerful underlying portrayal of society. A new addition to my list of favorite movies.

10/10
revvd@ - 7 reviews
30.3.2004 - age: 26-35

Almost perfect hyper-realistic film that shows the cruel and naked underworld of the poor Brazilian streets... I am rarely chocked by a film yet this one made me shiver in a couple of scenes... It needs a solid stomach at times not because it is a "Passion of Christ" type of blood bath but because the subtle and realistic behavior of violience in it makes everyone wonders if human being can be that real and that low... Excellent performance by the actors with top notch direction. The film is very well crafted in space and time yet there are very talented brain(s) behind it no doubt. If you can accept violence when it has a solid scenario behind it go and watch some Gods in their City...

9/10
mkaram75@ - 23 reviews
22.3.2004 - age: 26-35

The best movie I have seen so far this year!

10/10
hotmama@ - first review
21.3.2004 - age: 26-35

This film is very very powerful and portrays life the way it ACTUALLY is in the favelas in Rio. It is based on a true story and leaves you thinking about so many different aspects of a life in such a strange but beautiful place. The actors are tremendous and powerful, and you can't help but long to see it again a month after you've digested it.

10/10
hari_potaraju@ - first review
18.3.2004 - age: 26-35

It's a very good movie. It really portrays the life in some parts of RIO. If you like movies with a great story line You will fall in love with this one. However it is very violent (only to reveal the reality of those people) A MUST SEE.

9/10
yayou12@ - 11 reviews
14.3.2004 - age: 18-25

It was a well played and well directed movie with a great subject. But I didn't like it at all!!!

5/10
scrooge200@ - 2 reviews
11.3.2004 - age: 26-35

Complaining because there’s a lot of violence in this movie is like complaining there’s a lot of horses in Seabiscuit. Violence is integral to the story. It’s a mesmerizing story with wonderful, naturalistic acting. For once the voiceover actually seems to fit seamlessly with the narrative. Direction is terrific. One not to miss.

9/10
larsporsena@ - 30 reviews
11.3.2004 - age: 50+

Excellent movie! Reminds me of "La haine" which shows that poor suburbs have simmilar dynamics regardless of the country.

10/10
sailingsimon@ - first review
29.2.2004 - age: 18-25

The idea of "City of God" is not original but its merit consists in depicting a rough, cruel and violent Brazilian reality artistically and even poetically, which is not surprising since its narrator is an artist. Violence is certainly omnipresent but is never overdosed. And, paradoxally, poetry somehow polishes this violence up, putting it into a "showcase", so that the spectator is never led to believe that he/she is part of it. Cruelty is shown theatrically and is thus less hard to watch. Finally, the picture is filled with wonderful images and colors, which perfectly illustrate its emotions and atmosphere.

8/10
dearmoss_@ - first review
25.2.2004 - age: 18-25

A disturbing yet true-to-life portrayal of life in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Very raw acting and beautiful direction. Don't expect to leave the theatre with a smile on your face; instead, expect to have your eyes opened to the kind of horror going on in the world that we are so protected from. Definitely a film worth seeing.

8/10
wendymarkson@ - first review
23.2.2004 - age: 18-25

Having seen every movie out, really, City of God is the BEST movie I've seen since Monsters Ball, with Halley Berry. Visually in depth, and insightful, despite the violence, a true masterpiece, a MUST SEE!

10/10
melanie@ - 6 reviews
20.2.2004 - age: 36-49

This was the most violent movie I have ever seen. Although the actors may have done well, the content was HORRIBLE. Killing at any cost and for no reason. The last straw for me was after shooting 2 five year olds in the feet, they had a 12 year old shoot one of them dead on top of that. It was simply awful.

1/10
eliz735@ - 3 reviews
17.2.2004 - age: 50+

Excellent! A masterpiece. The actors did a superb job! Most of them are amateurs and live in the favelas of Rio. Brilliant cinematography and soundtrack. Go see it!

10/10
jorgelx.pereira@ - first review
10.2.2004 - age: 36-49

Best film ever!

10/10
xxbrazileiroxx@ - first review
8.2.2004 - age: 18-25

One of a kind. Depicting a way of life that is beyond many peoples' wildest beliefs. Violent, but at the same time only to get the very disturbing pisture across. Excellent extras on the DVD giving you even more of an insight.

9/10
phillips107@ - first review
5.2.2004 - age: 18-25

Ruthless and disturbing reality with excessive repetition of the Rio slums. This movie is NOT a masterpiece or novelty just a documentary of neglected members of Brazilian society running around with guns. Do not expect to be entertained just mesmerized by the repetitive violence.

6/10
angberr@ - 2 reviews
1.2.2004 - age: 26-35

Absolutely amazing!

10/10
innuendo555@ - 41 reviews
19.10.2003 - age: 18-25

A must see!

9/10
ralmontreal@ - 4 reviews
30.9.2003 - age: 26-35

This besides Shangrila is one of the best movies of all times. It is in fact to graphical, but this is the reality of many cities in the world, specially in latin america. I really recommend it, great scenery, great acting, great soundtrack..

10/10
yaya_gt@ - first review
24.9.2003 - age: 26-35

Excellent film. Well shot, well directed, well acted! True to life!

9/10
snowlobster@ - 3 reviews
25.7.2003 - age: 26-35

One of the few perfect films of our time.

10/10
jack707@ - 6 reviews
25.7.2003 - age: 18-25

Great movie, wonder when its coming out on dvd though?

10/10
yyoung_g@ - first review
23.6.2003 - age: 18-25

Stunning cinematography, and fantastic, affecting story. One of the best films I've ever seen.

10/10
tropicana_tree@ - first review
28.5.2003 - age: 18-25

Another great movie I saw recently, I was so happy that there is such reportage I almost forgot it was fiction, the fact is we know it's reality and not just in Brazil, it's more movies like this that make me go to cinemas, and I will get the DVD it's a classic...

9/10
anartist@ - 3 reviews
8.5.2003 - age: 36-49

Couldn't decide between a 9 or 10 for this film. Stunning, amazing performances (especially considering the youth of the amateur actors) , vibrant, great directing. I settled on a 9 only because there isn't much new covered in theme/meaning of the picture though the setting and narrative are unique.

9/10
viciousaubergine@ - first review
6.5.2003 - age: 26-35

A brilliant movie in every sense of the word! Definitely worthy of an Academy Award. The cinematography, musical score, and storyline is brilliantly directed and acted equally as well. There are moments throughout the movie where you ask yourself if these are actual actors, or the real robbers and thieves of the Brazilian ghettos. A true testament to both the director and actors abilities in this movie. True, it is a violent movie, but anyone familiar with Brazil and the death squads of the Red Brigade will appreciate the directors ability to bring such realities to the screen without downplaying them. A must see for anyone who wants to spend two hours emersed in the harsh reality of life growing up in the ghettos of Brazil. Bravo!

10/10
eternlnrghotmail.com@ - 67 reviews
28.4.2003 - age: 26-35

Excellent movie... the culture of the gun is even more prevalent than in the States... Strong acting. Sad to see how peoples' lives and especially kids' lives are wasted and so cheap.

9/10
nhaerens@ - 23 reviews
22.4.2003 - age: 36-49

I think this movie is one of the best I've seen for capturing a time, location, and feeling. These kids are just struggling to survive in a brutal and deadly world. It had overtones of Lord of the Flies...

9/10
thebartman@ - 2 reviews
21.4.2003 - age: 26-35

This is an awesome film. I usually don't like violent movies, but this movie had a compelling and tragic story to tell. For those who criticize the filmakers' flashiness, get over it. They did an incredible job of telling this tale, weaving all the story threads and were creative doing it. One scene showing the evolution of the drug apartment was done beautifully, both with the actors and the deterioration of the place at the same time. I'm still stunned from this sad/shocking story and excellent film making and acting. I feel like I just watched a documentary film. A+.

10/10
ccannon707@ - first review
11.4.2003 - age: 36-49

I really enjoyed watching this movie. It's clear that it is quite violent but the story is very original. What I liked best about this movie is the music and the way the movie was filmed.

8/10
bibianapulido@ - 2 reviews
9.4.2003 - age: 18-25

I found this movie to be really an eye opener into how life is like in regions we don't necessarily know much about in Brazil and South America in general. A real life ScarFace but with many Tony Montanas who are all based on real characters. A Must See for the Big Screen.

8/10
bilal_alrais@ - 9 reviews
6.4.2003 - age: 18-25

A very powerful film, especially as it's based on a true story. Yes it's violent, but I suspect the reality was probably worse. The frightening thing that this is probably the closest thing to TRUTH that I've ever seen on screen. This story is repeated in many major cities around the world - how kids end up in a life like this and people ask why. GO SEE IT. You'll never forget it. Trust me. Wins an Academy Award in my eyes.

10/10
jay_dav@ - first review
3.4.2003 - age: 26-35

Don't turn away from this film because of the violence -- there is actually so much joy and hope in this film, and humour, contrasting the emotionally harrowing moments, that it's impossible not to be drawn obsessively into this story. Brilliant character construction. The best film I've seen since Magnolia. This is the type of story-telling filmmaking was invented for.

10/10
boomber@ - first review
29.3.2003 - age: 18-25

This is the most incredibly disturbing movie I have ever seen. It was too realistic to the point that I wanted to vomit through most of it. Deffinately well done, maybe too well done. I hated it, but I'm glad I saw it.

10/10
lfreed1@ - first review
28.3.2003 - age: 18-25

I visited the favelas last year in Rio de Jeneiro were I have friends and this film shows well how it came to be and how the culture has evolved. The movie is well made and I recommend it. The violence is crude but what can you say else about violence. Note that this movie is not Brazil... only one aspect. Viva. Simon.

8/10
sk3000@ - first review
27.3.2003 - age: 26-35

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