Snow on Tha Bluff (2011)

Fear of a black planet

Curtis Snow is a drug dealer and thief who chronicles life in his Atlanta neighborhood with a stolen video camera.  Through the camera's lens, we get a glimpse into life on The Bluff, a rough and tumble part of town which is situated lies mere blocks from the revitalized and prosperous downtown.  I am a sucker for these faux-doc/ found footage type films.  This particular one was thoroughly engrossing.  It was realistic, funny, dramatic, and heartbreaking all at the same time.  Hard to separate fact from fiction in this one.

Snow on The Bluff pops off 4 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Damon Russell,
Writer: Damon Russell, Curtis Snow
Starring: Curtis Snow, Young Blo, Curtis Lockett
Rotten Tomatoes: Not yet rated
Metacritic: Not yet rated

Mesrine: L'Instinct de mort (2008)

Dehors ou mort!

When Jacques Mesrine returns home from the army to start a new life, he falls in with some unsavory characters.  Then he becomes an unsavory character as well - a murderer, bank robber, and fugitive from the law.  Part one of a 2-part story, this film is well written, beautifully shot and powerfully acted.  Plus I am a big fan of Vincent Cassell (Black Swan, Eastern Promises).  He is a great actor, but came to life in this role in a way I'd never seen him come alive before.  Fans of films based on true stories and gangster movies will love this one.  I can't wait to see part 2, Mesrine: L'ennemi public no. 1.

Mesrine: L'Instinct de mort gagne 4 de 5 Poblanos!

Director: Jean-François Richet
Writer: Abdel Raouf Dafri
Starring: Vincent Cassel, Cécile De France, Elena Anaya, (The Skin I Live In (2011)and Gérard Depardieu
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Metacritic: 71 out of 100