City of Men
City of Men
| 15 October 2002 (USA)
SEASON & EPISODES
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • Reviews
    PodBill

    Just what I expected

    ... View More
    HeadlinesExotic

    Boring

    ... View More
    Siflutter

    It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

    ... View More
    Cristal

    The movie really just wants to entertain people.

    ... View More
    dragokin

    I've surfed the internet in search of more information on City of God (Cidade de Deus) which i'd really enjoyed back in the day. To my surprise, i've discovered that there had been a spin-off TV show, called City of Men (Cidade dos Homens). It's been difficult to find it, but it paid off! The TV show format set some limits to City of Men, yet gave it more freedom at the same time. Given the length of each episode, the story can't develop as in a feature film. On the other hand, it gave the show the possibility to follow and develop the characters in a way that no feature film would allow.The life in a favela is depicted in such a way that you wish to travel to Brazil only to visit one of them. However, this vivid depiction doesn't fail to show the hardships these people go through on daily basis. They all embrace life with south-American easygoing attitude which is bound to create chaos. And we see that it affects everyone, from drug lords (good or bad by nature) and police (corrupt or not) to people (from favela or elsewhere).The topics covered showed that the City of Men had also an educational role, discussing the problems of the poor an depraved. The fact that it's been filmed in real favelas and mostly with actual inhabitants, conveys the message even stronger.

    ... View More
    groggo

    This is a powerful 19-part fictional series, based on real events and characters, that is ingeniously filmed on the streets, beaches and the notorious favelas of Rio de Janeiro. 'City of Men' recounts the many experiences (some very funny) of two teenagers from the slums trying to remain reasonably honest while poverty, racism, gang warfare and police brutality surround them. The close friendship of the two teenagers is brought to the screen with rare intensity by Darlan Cunha as Laranjinha, a disconnected but charismatic and streetwise figure, and the often bewildered, likable and always horny ('I don't want to die a virgin') Douglas Silva as Acerola. Both of these boys are not trained actors, and were 14 years old when the series started in 2002 (it ended in 2006). It's fascinating to watch them work.The series is bathed in brilliant day-time colour and ominous night-time danger. People in this film live close to the edge. Murder is an everyday event.The only problem I had with the series is the rapid-fire quick cuts and the shaky hand-held cameras. If this style doesn't bother you, sit tight and enjoy the ride. For me, the sizzle and the dazzle are often unnecessary and distracting. Too much focus (literally) on style, and the messages of the film are blurred somewhat because of it.

    ... View More
    pandacanon

    I myself am a huge fan of the original 'city of god' but was surprised to watch this spin off and find it very middle grounded. there are many differences between the two, most of them working negatively towards COM.In COG, the use of short, sharp editing and hand-held camera work gave the feeling of realism, the gritty surroundings of Rio were portrayed in a more convincing manner than they are in City of men.If you have an expectancy to view an insight into hoodlums' lives and actions you will most likely be let down overall, COM deals with the two main characters, both young and naive, it shows their schooling, their everyday chores instead of a real deep insight into crime.overall, it was not what i expected or even wanted, but if you liked city of god but found it maybe a wee too grim, city of men does water it down a level. the level of enjoyment does depend on what you want out of this mini series.in a nutshell; a soap opera but with violence 5/10 - not as crime based as i would of imagined,

    ... View More
    Pedro_Duarte

    Cidade dos Homens belongs to Cidade de Deus' world. However, its not such well done stuff. However, it shows the reality with a more realistic approach. If you liked Cidade de Deus, try to see this mini, but don't expect such a gorgeous creation.

    ... View More