Blood In, Blood Out
by Taylor Hackford
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Benjamin Bratt, Damian Chapa, Enrique Castillo, Jesse Borrego, Victor RiversDirector: Taylor Hackford
Brand: BORREGO,JESSE
Producer: Gina Blumenfeld
Producer: Jeremy Iacone
Writer: Jeremy Iacone
Producer: Jerry Gershwin
Writer: Floyd Mutrux
Writer: Jimmy Santiago Baca
Writer: Ross Thomas
DVD: 2 Layers, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Color, Director's Cut, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Letterbox, 1.66:1
Running Time: 180 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-06-13
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Movie Reviews of Blood In, Blood Out
Movie Review: A tale from youth in the barrio to adulthood
Summary: 3 Stars
Bound by Honor (1993), appears to have been inspired from a book,
that the director has faithfully transposed onto the silver
screen.
It's a valuable DVD rental for those interested in the urban
culture of the USA (particularly, in Los Angeles and Latinos back
in the 1970's.)
Considering the length of the film (3 hours), the visual quality
(although not wide-screen) takes on special significance, and
this is the case here, showing outstanding talent in the
selection of various scenes in and around LA, in homes, barrios,
streets, and more, such that, the story is flawless in
representing all places where the actual story develops and
forms, upto and including showing a pentitentiary in its many
aspects. The importance of realism cannot be over-emphasized in a
movie dealing with this type of subject.
At the same time, the work is also another milestone in
documenting gang lifestyles, namely, its origins and the
mentalities of those belonging and taking part in it.
The acting talent is also spotless, in particular Benjamin Bratt
(as Paco, a US Marine and later DEA agent), and Jesse Borrego
(as Cruz, a graffiti artist, and painter). To a lesser degree,
Damian Chapa (as Miklo, a gangster) puts in a good effort, while
also being a bit of an oddball in the casting. His perception is
shown, as battling being of mixed-origins, only half-Latino
having to be twice as extreme to be accepted by his peers in the
gang subculture.
The movie is educational, showing the uphill struggle of those
desiring to leave the penal system, once brought into it,
considering that the outside world (as well as the inside one) is
not black and white, but different shades of grey, as many
partake in gambling, the bookie business, sex rackets, gang
violence, abuse, physical threats, etc.
The script seems well articulated, with a fair bit of slang and
jargon from the subculture ("Don't mad dog me!" or "Carnal!" -
bro, etc.)
The name of the movie, is perhaps a misnomer, as the gang members
are compelled to stand in solidarity with each other, over a
period of years, from a feeling of identity and common origins,
and not necessarily for satisfying a requirement of honor.
Indeed, the essence of this movie is about how people change, to
survive economically, realistically, and socially over a period
of years from youth to well into their adulthood, measuring that
change against a non-changing gang oath.
Particular effort was made into making the scenes stylish and
visually appealing: a Fedora hat, coupled with a white interior
shirt, or a muscle shirt being the gang uniform.
The movie has plenty of action, with street chases, wreckless
driving in streets spectacularly laid out, as well as man-to-man
combats, pistol firefights, and more.
The hardships behind bars are not left out, showing the pressures
felt, gang authority exerted , the outcome of limitated access to
help, freedom and resources in realizing one's natural potential,
or even, access to certain foods and dishes. It also suggests
payoffs occur behind the scenes which can explain a lot.
With merit, the story reminds viewers that, if there are sellers
of substances, it exists stems from a significant consumer-side
in the USA, meaning, a supply is setup, very profitably, to meet
the demand, with the resulting competition, double-crosses,
strategic take-outs of rivals, etc.
In sum, this is a long, visual movie, that will captivate the
audience, holds their interest and takes them on an impeccable
autobiographical tale from childhood in the barrio to adulthood,
with a number of hardships, struggles and successes.
Summary of Blood In, Blood Out
Now, from the director of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN and the producer of LA BAMBA comes BLOOD IN ... BLOOD OUT, a critically acclaimed modern-day epic. Within the rich and colorful Chicano culture of East Los Angeles, three cousins raised as brothers fiercely live by a generations-old tradition of family -- a power stronger than law, a force deeper than friendship. In one life-shattering moment, the trio is torn apart, forcing them to follow three separate paths: one searching for truth in the law, one expressing his passion through art, and one finding power in prison. Yet through it all, family and honor keep their lives intertwined as each strives for survival and power!Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman) directed this 1993 epic about Chicano gang wars in the California prison system and the differing and tragic paths of three boyhood friends. Half-brothers Paco and Cruz grow up with their cousin Miklo in Chicano Los Angeles, and each in turn is influenced by their violent environment and the prevalence of drugs on their streets. Cruz becomes an artist but winds up tragically addicted to heroin, while Miklo serves time for murder and Paco becomes a cop, setting the stage for a confrontation between the two when Miklo is released from prison. The film strives for an epic feel but takes too long to set up its interweaving stories. It is notable, however, for some fine acting on the part of Benjamin Bratt and Damian Chiapa, as well as smaller roles by Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames and Delroy Lindo. Its depictions of life in the California prison system are harrowing and powerful, and serve as the centerpiece of this urban drama. --Robert Lane
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