Hot-buttered opinion on the latest flicks

City of God

Fri., Jan. 17, 2003 12:00 AM PST

A-

If you can't handle hyperactive violence, bloody streets and kids killing kids for no reason, stay out of Fernando Meirelles' City of God. However, if wild-eyed imports like Amores Perros only got your blood boiling, then, well, dig in. Focusing on two youths on divergent paths, this sprawling tale of senseless violence in a Rio de Janeiro favela (slum city) moves like an unattended fire hose on full stream. It tells multiple stories, zips around from brutal murder to brutal murder and employs urgent camerawork that constantly keeps everything in your face. Most of the actors are unknowns and lend to the movie's raw style. It's so ugly, mean and harsh you'll want to shield your eyes. Only trouble is, it's so good you won't be able to.