Hood 2 Hood: Blockumentary, Vol. 2 (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)This dvd starts showing who went to jail or passed away after being filmed in the first release of 2005 "Hood 2 Hood - The Blockumentary".
Also it begins with a funeral with religious rite in the Vallejo's hood (CA); during the time after the vol.1, some actors passed away ! So you'll see who was in the Vol.1 and passed away.True soldiers of the ghetto streets ! R.I.P.: very impressive !!!!!!!
Rich Kid Entertainment did is again, following their hugely popular Hood 2 Hood they just released Hood 2 Hood, The Blockumentary Part Two which is an action packed DVD that takes viewers on a graphic detailed journey through the highest crime ridden neighborhoods in the United States of America. It contains exclusive interviews with real gang members, drug dealers pimps and killers.
Cities included are Miami FL, Baton Rouge LA, New Orleans LA, Louisville KY, Vallejo CA, Oakland CA, San Diego CA, Omaha NE, Milwaukee WI, Chicago IL, Yonkers NY, Washington DC, Atlanta GA, Baltimore MD, Brooklyn NY, Bronx NY, Birmingham AL, Chicago IL, Compton CA, Detroit MI, Gary IN, Harlem NY , Houston TX, Jackson MS, Kansas City KS, Kansas City MO, Las Vegas NV, Little Rock AR, Los Angeles CA, Memphis TN, Philadelphia PA, Queens NY, Richmond CA, Sacramento CA, San Francisco CA, ST. Louis Mo, and Richmond VA.
The neighborhoods included in the journey are those of some of today's hottest Rap and R&B stars such as Kanye West, Lil Boosie, Webbie, Gucci Mane, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Nelly, Juvenile, T.I., Suge Knight, Mac DRE, 3-6 Mafia, Cash Out Quis, Rick Ross, E-40 and Mary J. Blige just to name a few.
Viewers be prepared to witness controversial never seen before footage. This is reality TV at its best !!!!
Running Time: 3 hours
Produced & Directed by: Aquis Bryant
Edited by: Aquis Bryant, Brian Bradley & Omar Wicker
Hood 2 Hood- PART 2, The Blockumentary is an action packed film that takes you on a tour through America's highest crime rated neighborhoods. Rich Kid Entertainment contacted all the underground hood connections from hoods across the country from California to New York, to the South and Midwest. Their connections opened the doors to their hoods and allowed them to capture the day-to-day actions of life in a crime-infested neighborhoods. Film crews have never had access to footage like this, that includes everything from several pounds of marijuana and kilos of cocaine, fully automatic assault rifles, beatdowns, and thousands in cash earned in drug sales.
They traveled to over 20 different cities and neighborhoods that included the actual neighborhoods of today's top rap artists. Viewers be prepared to witness controversial and violent never seen before footage. Hood 2 Hood, The Blockumentary is reality T.V at it's best!!!!!!
DVD with 3 HOURS of footage!!
Showing Hoods In:
Atlanta, GA
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
Richmond, CA
Sacramento, CA
San Francisco, CA
Vallejo, CA
Baltimore, MD
Brooklyn, NY
Bronx, NY
Birmingham, AL
Chicago, IL
Compton, CA
Detroit, MI
Gary, IN
Harlem, NY
Houston, TX
Jackson, MS
Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, MO
Las Vegas, NV
Little Rock, AR
Memphis, TN
New Orleans, LA
Philadelphia, PA
Queens, NY
St Louis, MO
Running Time: 5 hours
Produced & Directed by: Aquis Bryant
Edited by: Aquis Bryant, Brian Bradley & Omar Wicker

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Hood 2 Hood, The Blockumentary is an action packed film that takes you on a tour through America's highest crime rated neighborhoods. Rich Kid Entertainment contacted all the underground hood connections from hoods across the country from California to New York, to the South and Midwest. Their connections opened the doors to their hoods and allowed them to capture the day-to-day actions of life in a crime-infested neighborhoods.

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Gangland: The Complete Season One Review

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(More customer reviews)"Gangland: The Complete Season One (2007)", 4 disc set, A&E Home Video, Dist. by NEWVIDEO. ISBN 1-4229-0949-2. English, Color, 611 min.
This 4 disc DVD set provides more than 611 min. (extras)of over 10 hrs. of color video, mostly excellent quality footage, with narrated soundtrack and much original recordings of gang members, police and victims interacting. Each disc contains 3 to 4 topics dealing with Gangland culture and these include American Gangster Harlem, You Rat-You Die (MS-13), Mexican Mafia & LA County, Hells Angels, Race Wars (Latino vs Afro-American, Kings of New York, Chicago's Black P. Stones, Skinheads, Chicago's Ganster City, La Nuestra (Blood In-Blood Out), Basic Training (USAF skills), Blood Oath (Racism), Root of All Evil (100,000 member MS-13 in America).
Overall, this compendium of gangland footage is especially meaningful if you've had basic introduction into the culture of gangs via more recent publications as "A World of Gangs", The Gangs of Los Angeles" or "The Mexican Mafia" and are familiar with the deep-seated cultural aspects of street and prison gangs: their codes, signing, dress style, graffito, ghettos, rap music, drugs, and their allegiances.
Interestingly, if one were to confines one's knowledge of gangs to what is available in the press or radio, one would be almost totally uninformed and misinformed and naive on the subject. These DVDs are not a substitute for researched books on gangs but is a satisfying complement - and we are privy to seeing the youthfulness of its members, 'signing' of gangs, phlethora of tattoos and ghetto conditions that often, but not always, precedes gangland activity. There is some erratic edition of certain film clips which leads to some redundancy, but overall this is a relatively minor fault, but caused me to drop it by one star in rating.

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This series tells the insider story of some of America's most notorious street gangs. We learn how they've shaped their times and affected the neighborhoods that they controlled. From the destruction wrought by the heroin kingpins in Harlem of the 1970's to today's most dangerous gang MS-13, which has spread out from the inner city to infect unexpected turf - suburban communities, gangs have a rich yet deadly history. They usually start out as a form of protection for their members and the community but then, grow predatory as they feed on the very people that they purport to defend. With exclusive interviews and rarely seen footage, this is a raw look at life inside these gangs - from those who live it and the agencies that are working to stop them.

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Death Sentence (Unrated Edition) (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)DEATH SENTENCE is a tough movie to watch, not because it is a poorly made film, but because of the degree of violence that, once started, is mayhem on a roller coaster ride. Though based on a novel by Brian Garfield, the script by Ian Jeffers is a patchwork quilt - the holes show whenever the police arrive on the scene. James Wan, of the 'Saw' movies fame, directs with a keen eye for breathless action sequences and almost intolerable suspense timing that makes the film fly through the 111 minutes of the Unrated version.
During the opening credits we are introduced to the perfect family via home movies and domestic scenes: Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is the devoted father, Helen (Kelly Preston) his bright and loving wife, Brendan (Stuart Lafferty) is the golden boy son with all the hockey laurels, and Lucas (Jordan Garrett) the younger 'also ran' son. The glitch in this family's happiness happens one night when, out of gas while driving home from a hockey game, Nick stops at a gas station and while Brendan is in the convenience store a gang comes in and murders the store owner and Brendan: the reason for the killing is not robbery but an initiation rite into a gang accomplished by young Joe Darley (Matt O'Leary) and the demand of his older brother Billy (Garrett Hedlund, in a very out of character role from his usual 'Troy', 'Friday Night Lights', 'Eragon', 'Georgia Rule' persona). Nick witnesses the killing and when the lawyers and police work with him in the aftermath to 'arrange a deal' instead of a murder trial, Nick decides to take matters in hi s own hands.
The Darley brothers are part of a ruthless gang sponsored by their own father Bones Darley (John Goodman, in a very dark and well-realized role). Nick stalks Joe Darley and murders him, and once the deed (that happens to begin a gang war against Nick) is done the terror begins. The gang is out to kill not only Nick but Nick's family also. How this pursued and pursuers game works out furnishes the remainder of the film. It is the old eye for an eye story that ends in tragedy for everyone concerned.
When the film is dealing with the 'family' and the 'gang' the dialog sparkles, but when the police, headed by Detective Wallis (Aisha Tyler), become involved the aid from the police becomes as ludicrous as the dialog placed in their mouths. Kevin Bacon gives a bravura performance as the gentle father driven to murderous madness and Garrett Hedlund matches him as the ruthless and terrifying gang leader Billy. There are enough sidebars about father/son relationships on both sides of the plot line to make the movie have a message. But in the end it is the wildly frantic camera action and directorial decisions by Wan that make this a horrifying and arresting film. Not for the queasy viewer. Grady Harp, January 08

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Beat Street (1984) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was franticly looking for this movie not more than 6 months ago, cannot find it anywhere! . This is a movie that must be seen and owned by anyone who loves hip hop and it's culture. Unlike the other breakdance movies this one is so well made, not only does it include artist that are the foundation of hip hop such and melle mel, afrika bambaataa and tina b to name a few but it outlines the culture, from dj-ing to graffity and showdowns on the dancefloor. The rocksteady crew are pure ledgens and for them to be in this movie is just a major bonus. I am propably preaching to the converted here but if you are into hip hop or just listen to the music, you have got to get this movie, hopefully it will come out on dvd 'cos the music would absolutely ROCK.

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Widely considered the most influential hip-hop movie of all time, this "gritty, streetwise musical"(LA Herald-Examiner) features a who's who of the movement's early starsKool DJ Herc, KoolMoe Dee, Doug E. Fresh, Afrika Bambaataa and Melle Melas well as the famous Rocky Steady Crew vs. New York City Breakers battle at the Roxy. Uniting the four elements of hip-hopbreakdancing, DJ-ing, MC-ing and graffitiinto an unforgettable experience, Beat Street is a true classic, packed with sharp lyrics, powerful moves and the flashiest dance sets the screen has ever seen!When rapper-DJ Kenny (Guy Davis) meets cultured jazz artist Tracy (Rae Dawn Chong), he is so inspired by her dedication that he vows to use his talents to escape the ghetto. But when his friend, a gifted graffiti artist, is killed in a tragic accident, Kenny comes face to face with the high price of artistic passion.

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The Cross and the Switchblade-DVD (1970) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've heard about this show before, and just watched it, and plan on watching it again before the night is out!
This movie is great. I expected to be let down, but it moved me like few other films have. It tells the story of God's love through a Christian witness like no other modern film that I've seen. Based on a real life story, it stars Pat Boone and Eric Estrada (who also starred in the television show Chips). This is a classic.
Don't be fooled by the above review. This has nothing to do with the world's morality, and everything to do about the love that God shows to save men.
This film was made in 1969, and may seem a bit dated in how it presents gang violence, but it presents it like the other, secular, films of that era, and quite frankly is like a long overdue breath of fresh air after watching the nth gang and detective shows of the 60s and 70s. Finally, something REAL.
It is also not surprising that the networks will not air this film, and therefore you will need to buy it. While the networks continue to promote witchcraft, a sequel to this movie was made. Nicky Cruz, the gang member who was saved in this movie tells his own story in "Run, Baby, Run" -- his family was involved in the occult and witchcraft. Another movie and another needed breath of fresh air.

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Although the original events depicted in this classic from thedrug infested, gang dominated streetshappened over thirty years ago, thelife-changing solution that David Wilkerson brought to desperate lives wasjust beginning.The beat goes on.The change in the life of notoriousgang leader Nicky Cruz, as shown in the film, proved to be wonderfullylasting and real.Nicky continues today to reach young people around theworld with the same life-changing message of the gospel of Jesus Christthat delivered him from violence and despair.And what about the skinnypreacher, David Wilkerson, who braved the meanest streets of New York totell desperate and drug crazed youth that there was a better way?Now,three decades later, he is still at it with a ministry based in TimesSquare that is still changing lives and offering genuine hope to countlesssouls who had given up on life. Now in over 25 languages, The Cross and the Switchblade, starringPat Boone and Eric Estrada, is one of those rare films that has shown itsunique power to connect with the deepest hopes and fears of youth aroundthe world.It remains today one of the most compelling stories of love,grace and the truth that no one is ever so far gone that they cannot findthe way out. DVD Features: Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German and Polishlanguage tracks with or without EnglishSubtitles: English Viewing Format: Widescreen Digitally remastered from the original 35mm negative. Bonus Material: - Director's Commentary - Producer's Commentary - Biographical information on actors, director's commentary, testimony byNicky Cruz, and a look back on the making of the film and its impact - Chapter titles for easy scene access

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The Wanderers (1979) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Wanderers is many things...an urban gang drama, juvenile comedy, changing of the times study and more. It works on all these levels and has become a certified cult classic. At it's core, the Wanderers is about the final death of the innocence of the 1950's. The Wanderers are an Italian gang in NY, still clinging to the last vestiges of the 1950's with their matching satin jackets and grease-backed hair. Early on several members run afoul of another gang, the notorious 'Baldies'. The Wanderers find themselves trapped until a newcomer, the huge Perry saves them and is immediately welcomed into the gang by their leader Richie (Ken Wahl).
The various members of the Wanderers have problems to deal with on their own. Richie has gotten his girlfriend, Despie, pregnant, Perry's mother is an Alcoholic, Turkey wants to join the Baldies and Joey has an abusive father who thinks his son doesn't measure up. The Wanderers have a verbal war with a black gang, the Del Bombers, in school and decide to settle things with an old-fashioned rumble.
When the Wanderers cannot get any other gangs to back them up, Despies father (Dolph Sweet) a neighborhood mob boss steps in and decides to stop the rumble and have the gangs settle their differences with a football game instead...with a lot of mob money riding on the outcome. The game climaxes when the two gangs, along with the rest in attendance, must join together to fight "The Ducky Boys", a group of vicious, seemingly homosexuals, who have crashed the game with hundreds of members.
Mixed in with the drama and action is a liberal amount of juvenile buddy comedy as the Wanderers 'accidently' bumb into women on the street in order to touch their breasts. This is how the meet Nina (karen Allen) a bohemian girl who Richie becomes infatuated with. There there are drunken parties, games of strip poker, etc. In one memorable scene, the drunken Baldies join the marines.
Through all of this is the theme of the changing of the times. The doo-wop of the 1950's is now being replaced by folk music. A poignant scene has Richie following Nina until she enters a club where (in sound anyway) Bob Dylan is playing. Richie doesn't enter as he seems to know that it's just not his world. The film also covers the assasination of John Kennedy as the symbolic death of innocence. It is this moment the galvanizes the strained relationship between Despie and Richie.
One wishes that the Ducky Boys had been better explained. They are a creepy group of men..older than the other gangs...who never speak and were actually seen taking Holy Communion in one part where Turkey enters their turf by mistake and his killed. What were the Ducky Boys representing? It's the one mystery of the film.
The Wanderers has a fantastic soundtrack of early 1960's hits including "Soldier Boy", "Walk Like a Man", "Runaround Sue", "Shout", "Big Girls don't Cry" and of course the title track.
This is a movie that holds up still after 25 years because it works well on so many different levels. This was mostly a cast of unknowns with Karen Allen perhaps being the most notable star a year after she did 'Animal House'. An enjoyable movie from beginning to end.

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Tully High School seniors Richie, Joey and Perry run with a gang called the Wanderers in the Bronx. The time is fall 1963 but their experiences are universal: falling in love, surviving in school and defending turf against rivals like the Fordham Baldies, the Del Bombers and the Ducky Boys.

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Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was skeptical. What does a blonde (now grey) former professional skateboarder (now film maker) from the other side of town know about gang wars in LA? And then there's me: a white guy from the suburbs in Ohio who was raised by a gun collector who is still pretty open about his use of the"N" word. When I hear about gang violence: I just shrug: "It's probably a fight over something stupid." Still, this film remained in my queue and wasn't working its way up very quickly.
I elevated this movie to #1 when Michael Vick was signed by the Eagles. In one week: I heard two accounts from completely different lifestyles: Prissy ESPN sports talk show host Mike Greenberg declared that he had never heard of the subculture known as dog fighting until the Vick case made the news. Vick stated that dog fighting in his childhood neighborhood was so common that police would stop to see a fight and then drive away. Dog fighting was the norm. It was then when I knew I had to check out Peralta's newest movie as I'd loved the Dog Town and Z Boys documentary.
The first 25-30 minutes of the movie covers pre-1970 race riots in LA and other cities. How invisible lines created "hoods" by police who would commonly question straying pedestrians about "why don't you go back to your neighborhood?" Then abruptly, the movie takes a sharp turn when vocal black leaders like MLK, Malcom X and others are thrown in jail or murdered. Suddenly, all the icons were gone. Think of the Living Colour song: Cult of Personality - "When that leader speaks, that leader dies."
For the rest of the movie I was hooked. I couldn't grasp what was happening. The Crips and Bloods seemed to come out of nowhere. Peralta seemed to have skipped something important. But he didn't. I didn't understand how there were suddenly two gangs. I didn't understand why they were divided and bent on killing each other based on territories, red or blue bandanas, or other reasons.
Before the movie ended, I got it. Young black men without fathers, mentors or real leadership took a downward turn. Image, status and bravado became a common theme in neighborhoods where there is no hope. I will admit that I'm a Republican with strong beliefs that everybody should pull their weight and not rely on handouts. In a world where police often respond by use of strong force, there's little reason to NOT question authority. I have no solutions. The oppressed respond to violence, with violence.
Jim Brown has a couple of short appearances (he's not in the film enough in my opinion) and he is quoted by someone in the extras: "If the police have not resolved the problem in 40 years, they never will resolve the problem." It's about oppression, not the gangs themselves. Stacey says the an outtake that he wanted to make this movie because he didn't understand why there is no gang violence in suburban or upscale neighborhoods. Why are people arming themselves and having gun battles with former childhood friends in impoverished communities?
This movie is a must see for anyone even mildly afraid to drive thru certain neighborhoods or better yet, the generation of kids from the suburbs who were raised on hip hop, MTV and anything that glorified the gangsta lifestyle. In the extras, Snoop Dog and Lil Wayne each give a heartfelt, unscripted point of view that really was impressive.

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