Search - American Me [HD DVD] on HD DVD

An underrated masterpiece

Volunteer of America | Austin, Texas | 07/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This poignant, exciting, realistic tale of human iniquity and eventual spiritual resurrection evokes, and is mostly equal to, "Once Upon A Time in America". Olmos' directing and acting are both brilliant; in a genre where there's a strong temptation for the actors to ham it up with gang signs and baggy pants, he has inspired real sincerity and genuine emotion. Never for a moment do any of the protagonists seem like they are trying to act cool; it's entirely convincing. The voiceovers - You Ride, Behind Pride, Thinking you can hide; the music - the killing of one of Santana's own accompanied by the desperate "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"; the wealth of expression on the actors' faces - as when Santana learns his mother has died; all add up to create an extraordinary atmosphere. Colors, light, shadows are all beautifully arranged; an especially effective scene being when La Eme and Nuestra Familia file into the prison's cinema, their light and dark blue shirts the only colors. Superb performances by JD, Mundo, Puppet, Little Puppet, Cary; sorry, I don't know all their real names, but they are to be congratulated. Make sure you wait for the closing credits to hear "Ain't No Sunshine"."

Welcome to reality

Volunteer of America | 04/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is some info for anyone who thinks this is just a movie. Welcome to the reality of L.A. gangs. This movie was not just a story made up in someone's head, it's the truth, that is why this movie is so explicit. Jail is never a place where anything is sugar coated and neither is this movie. A big thumbs up to Mister Olmos on the history of The Mexican Mafia. If you don't agree, do the research on the movie characters, it's an eye opener."

Beautiful

Daisuke Takeoka | Monterey Park, CA United States | 07/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the most brilliant film I have seen about East Los Angeles. It's about consequences which follow action, and about those victims that fall between them. It's about the true struggle that Mexican-Americans face in the Barrio and about the air of violence and hatred that these children grow up in. Violence conceives violence, and creates a cyclical conundrum in which escape is futile. I see that the Editorial Reviewer on this page wanted to see a solution to our problem. Well miss O'Gorman, if we could find a solution, trust me, we would fix it. As for now, things stay as it is (to some extent) portrayed on the film. The film uses juxtapositions of scenes of love with scenes of violence and creates an aesthetic captured only by great story tellers (such as Tolstoy which you see the main character reading in the film). This film is beautiful and Olmo's life's work. A must see for those interested in ELA culture."

Riveting - Factual - Honest

Gabriel Rodriguez | 04/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The powerful story line combined with the tremendous talent of Olmos & Forsythe brings to the screen the horrible facts of drugs, gangs and life doing HARD TIME. Olmos first directorship adds to this story the emotion he obviously feels and his concern to tell a story that needs to be told in its complete honesty. I know..I've been there & do not wish to go back."