National Geographic meets Goodfellas?

Rating: 8/10 (29 April 2008)

"City of God" is a really awesome film. I enjoyed it. I have not, however, watched it since viewing it for the first time about 6 months ago. I haven't felt the need.
I suppose it's the kind of movie you only need to see once. The acting is outstanding and the story is amazing too. The child growing up in the slums in a third world country who somehow manages to escape a life of crime and goes on to achieve greatness through photography. It really is a moving film, you can't argue that. Here is where I get annoyed...
This film is NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING like "Goodfellas" or "Scarface." Why it is always compared to films like that, I cannot even begin to understand. A large part of the plot surrounds gangs in Brazil, but it is also very political and extremely human. It is not about organized crime. It is, however, pretty violent though.
In short, I dig this movie but if I hear one more person compare it to "Goodfellas" I think I'll feed them a few copies of each DVD for good measure.
8 out of 10, kids.