City of God

Youth gangs make Rio de Janeiro a living hell in this violent, stunning film by director Fernando Meirelles. Based on a true story, it chronicles a young boy’s emergence as a photojournalist in the midst of frightening anarchy in the streets. There are images in this movie that will stick with you long after viewing it, and perhaps cause a few nightmares. The cast is first rate, and the direction reminds me of Scorsese. There’s a sequence involving a young boy’s murderous rampage in this movie that knocked me on my ass. Don’t see this if you are planning any trips to Rio in the near future. B.G.