Slippin': Ten Years with the Bloods

Not your average documentary. There are no talking heads here, just real-life action. I think this film can open many peoples' eyes to see that gang members are more than just thugs. While most would not agree with their tactics, there is a sense of community and love between the members, and it is great to see the people speak for themselves, not behind some faceless narrator. The filmmakers do not pass judgment, and the viewers should not either. While there are some heartwarming moments, there is also heartbreak, and the camera views both of these equally. There are no excuses here, just the good, the bad, and the reality that lies somewhere in between.

This is by far the best gang-life documentary I've ever seen. This coming from a person who has watched and read plenty material regarding this lifestyle. Most documentaries like this try to focus on the flashy violence to get everyone's attention instead of investigating the roots of the culture. The title may give the impression that it focuses on the Bloods gang, but actually the story revolves around a small group of associates, in which only one is an actual true-red Bloods member. It's a collection of interviews and segments that span over ten years.

The reason I enjoyed this film so much is that most people have the impression that gang members just hang out, get high, and get into beefs every day. Those parts do play a big part in the lifestyle and it does appear in the film, but they're also husbands, fathers, sons, and people more like the rest of us than maybe we want to admit.

It's the little details which separates this from the other gang-life documentaries, it keeps your attention without the bullets, fighting, and scantily clad women. When you see the environment these guys come from, it's hard to imagine that its in the United States, you might think that they live in a third-world country. "Slippin" is definitely a real life journey worth taking without all the glamor that Hip-Hop makes it out to be.

I didn't think this was a good documentary, but I did like all of the footage that was captured. If one is looking for a well made documentary on gang life, this is not it. If you want to see some interesting unfiltered footage of gang life without an underlying biased view, this should intrigue you. There isn't much narration, and I don't think there is a point and/or moral to the story (at least, it isn't clear). I don't see how this could be an inaccurate depiction of gang life, seeing as how all of the footage is real and the narrator never makes an attempt to indoctrinate you. You just see things the way they happened to a particular group of guys and how they reacted.

"Slippin'" is the only gang documentary I've ever seen with a true story from the hood. Most of the other gang doc's I've seen just show fragmented sections of gang life without a linear story like the one in "Slippin'". "Slippin'" is the only doc that really allows a viewer to meet a few gangmembers giving one the feeling as if you know them well by the end of the movie. Sowards and Schroeder have delivered a documentary well worth watching. It's not a piece about violence, but it's a piece about young kids suppressing their anger in a world full of violence. It's a story about true friendships and a story about friendships being tested. It's a documentary about hope and the possibility of change. The music is used well--not over powering the visuals, but enhancing the mood of the pictures on screen. Their style of long takes without quick music video cuts really pulls the viewer into what it's really like living in South Central as a gangmember. It's an excellent piece of work and I hope others receive it as well as me.

I can't think of any other documentaries that are quite as raw as Slippin'. Covering quite a duration of time (10+ years), you get a clear picture of the roller coaster emotions of gang life as you follow several members during turbulent rides. This film illuminates a captivating interpretation of street respect. It has many surprising scenes that not only test the fight or flight instincts of the gang bangers but the film crew as well. You sometimes question how far they will go as they walk a fine line of footage in the light of day meandering into the dark of night. Color and adrenaline mix a wild blend of entertainment and reality. Check it out!