City of Men: The Complete Series

Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund reinvent the episodic series with verve, focusing on the lives of two teenage boys—played by Douglas Silva and Darlan Cunha, both of whom appeared in the filmmakers' groundbreaking movie City of God—who live in a massive Brazilian slum, run by drug lords and teeming with too many poor, desperate people. Every day is a struggle to avoid gangs and guns (by accident or choice), just trying to stay alive in this dangerous place. Not that these 19 episodes—the complete run from the show's four seasons from 2003-06—are relentlessly grim: a lively ironic humor runs through the series, keying off the boys' own self-awareness about their limitations. In fact, the funny and poignant final episode features the two young stars—as themselves—exploring their options after the show ends (the future looks somewhat grim, but they maintain hope nevertheless). Presented on a three-disc extra-less set, this is highly recommended. (M. Johanson)