American Me [DVD]

good movie must watch man. Really got em at the end tho

This was a Four Star film in my opinion but the hour long documentary boosted it by half a Star. The beginning shows you how racist America was towards Mexican Americans. The so-called "Greatest Generation" was the most racist of generations. Seeing what airmen, marines, sailors and soldiers did to Mexican Americans during the Zoot Suit Riots sets my guts afire. It has me rethink the so-called "honor" of the American forces and their generation. thugs in uniforms is what they all were. They may have been no different than the Nazis & Fascists!While this film subject matter had been covered before in other films it had never been detailed from the Mexican American point of view. Kudos to Mr. Edward James Olmos. He pulled things off very well. Janet Maslin said the film was dark, slow and solemn. Violent as it is, American Me is seldom dramatic enough to bring its material to life. She's right about that. However, the film does convey its message enough for the viewer to learn about Mexican Barrios. Without being preachy or pedantic, Olmos's film pulls this off and shows us how the gangs in East L.A. are merciless--even to those within their ranks.I look at this movie and realize that that could have been me coming up as a kid had I come up in the barrio. You gotta be tough in the 'hood because if you are not you will be considered a "punk" and any and everyone will walk all over you. This is where I realize how women have it so much easier than men. They never have to join gangs and there is never any pressure on them to be "tough". Machismo exists only for men.Unfortunately for Santana he gains wisdom too late and is slain by members of his gang. Buy this film and you will like it. I want to recommend some other films like this. Colors, a Robert Duvall film discusses gangs in detail. The Warriors is another film that details gang life from the East Coast, however. As an extra, see the 21-Jumpstreet Episodes: Loc'd Out. It will show you the gangs Seattle style.I'm the 277th person to Rate this fine film. Buy it and you won't be disappointed.A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.

Classic movie coming of Age in America as an immigrant.

Shout Factory does it again, the film looks great & the bonus features are exceptional.

I love this movie, I don’t know why they named it this but it makes sense because I relate to the story so much and love the title! The violence was so real but the way he died because he wanted to change his life and they wanted it there way. The prison system is a whole different world to understand, he felt comfortable with being locked up because it was his belief that wouldn’t let him change his lifestyle. He tried but couldn’t. At the end he only had a few people in his life that loved him but he didn’t want to live that life anymore, but who would even listen to him, all the prison system wants is money but I guess that’s what makes the world better in and out.

This was an excellent movie but it made me sad.. It seemed like the institutions put a coat on him with a persona and he had no choice but to wear that coat and do what he had to to survive.. And when he was released he didn’t know how to act like a normal person His shyness with women, feeling like he didn’t belong to either world, and hating the one he knew he was going back to because he had changed and knew the man he had become could no longer survive in prison. Where is the Kleenex box?

Great movie

Good