Elite Squad

• An action-packed thriller that follows an elite police battalion (BOPE) tasked with cleaning up a drug-ridden Rio de Janeiro slum in advance of the pope's 1997 visit. A team of trained killers, they struggle to do what's right in a corrupt system and dangerous neighborhood. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR Age: 796019815482 UPC: 79601981

Celebrated with worldwide acclaim, this powerful true story of crime and redemption has won numerous prestigious awards around the globe! The streets of the world's most notorious slum, Rio de Janeiro's "City of God" are a place where combat photographers fear to tread, police rarely go and residents are lucky if they live to the age of 20. In the midst of the oppressive crime and violence, a frail and scared young boy will grow up to discover that he can view the harsh realities of his surroundings with a different eye, the eye of an ! artist. In the face of impossible odds, his brave ambition to become a professional photographer becomes a window into his world and ultimately his way out!Like cinematic dynamite, City of God lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular favela is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year timeframe, into cutthroat killers, drug lords, and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'il Z (Leandro Firmino da Hora--like most of the cast, a nonprofessional actor), self-appointed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul. With enough visual vitality and provocative substance to spark heated debate (and box-office gold) in Brazil, codirectors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund tackle their subject head on, creating a portrait of youthful anarchy so appalling--and so authentically ! immediate--that City of God prompted reforms in socioec! onomic p olicy. It's a bracing feat of stylistic audacity, borrowing from a dozen other films to form its own unique identity. You'll flinch, but you can't look away. --Jeff ShannonCelebrated with worldwide acclaim, this powerful true story of crime and redemption has won numerous prestigious awards around the globe! The streets of the world's most notorious slum, Rio de Janeiro's City of God, are a place where combat photographers fear to tread, police rarely go and residents are lucky if they live to the age of 20. In the midst of the oppressive crime and violence, a frail and scared young boy will grow up to discover that he can view the harsh realities of his surroundings with a different eye: the eye of an artist. In the face of impossible odds, his brave ambition to become a professional photographer becomes a window into his world and ultimately his way out! Celebrated with worldwide acclaim, this powerful true story of crime and redemption has won numerous prestigious ! awards around the globe! The streets of the world's most notorious slum, Rio de Janeiro's "City of God," are a place where combat photographers fear to tread, police rarely go, and residents are lucky if they live to the age of 20. In the midst of the oppressive crime and violence, a frail and scared young boy will grow up to discover that he can view the harsh realities of his surroundings with a different eye: the eye of an artist. In the face of impossible odds, his brave ambition to become a professional photographer becomes a window into his world ... and ultimately his way out!Like cinematic dynamite, City of God lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular favela is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year timeframe, into cutthroat killers, drug lords, and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'il Z (Leandro Firmino ! da Hora--like most of the cast, a nonprofessional actor), self! -appoint ed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul. With enough visual vitality and provocative substance to spark heated debate (and box-office gold) in Brazil, codirectors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund tackle their subject head on, creating a portrait of youthful anarchy so appalling--and so authentically immediate--that City of God prompted reforms in socioeconomic policy. It's a bracing feat of stylistic audacity, borrowing from a dozen other films to form its own unique identity. You'll flinch, but you can't look away. --Jeff ShannonLike cinematic dynamite, City of God lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular favela is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year timeframe, into cutthroat killers, drug lords, and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'! il Z (Leandro Firmino da Hora--like most of the cast, a nonprofessional actor), self-appointed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul. With enough visual vitality and provocative substance to spark heated debate (and box-office gold) in Brazil, codirectors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund tackle their subject head on, creating a portrait of youthful anarchy so appalling--and so authentically immediate--that City of God prompted reforms in socioeconomic policy. It's a bracing feat of stylistic audacity, borrowing from a dozen other films to form its own unique identity. You'll flinch, but you can't look away. --Jeff ShannonAn action-packed thriller that follows an elite police battalion (BOPE) tasked with cleaning up a drug-ridden Rio de Janeiro slum in advance of the pope's 1997 visit. A team of trained killers, they struggle to do what's right in a corrupt system and dangerous neighborhood.Though Jo! sé Padilha's action-packed crime drama won the top prize at t! he Berli n Film Festival, a steady stream of controversy and acclaim has followed in its wake. Some critics have even accused the director of promoting fascism, while Padilha (Bus 174) contends that Elite Squad argues against police brutality. Like Vic Mackey, who heads up The Shield's LA strike force, narrator Captain Nascimento (Wagner Moura) heads up Rio de Janeiro's Police Special Operations Battalion (BOPE). It’s 1997, the Pope arrives for a visit in six months, and BOPE will stop at nothing to reduce crime in the favelas. The way they see it, drug traffickers have them outmanned and outgunned, so there's no point in playing by the rules. With their black uniforms and berets, the Skulls certainly cut an imposing figure. New police recruits Neto (Caio Junqueira) and aspiring lawyer Matias (André Ramiro) turn to Nascimento when their efforts to operate by the book only lead to frustration (Matias was inspired by author/law student/BOPE member André ! Batista). The burned-out captain sees his salvation in the two childhood friends; as soon as he selects a replacement, he plans to leave the force and spend time with his pregnant wife. Nascimento may find his man, but the ending is far from happy. Brutal and bleakly funny, Elite Squad depicts 1990s Rio as Danté's Ninth Circle of Hell. Nonetheless, Brazilians made the film an even bigger sensation than City of God, to which it serves as an essential companion piece. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Nikon HB-34 Lens Hood for 55-200mm DX Nikkor Lens

• Lens hood, Designed for the Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor zoom lens
• Deflects oblique light angles that often cause flare effects
• Helps protect front of the lens scratches and dings while shooting

Andie MacDowell (FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL) stars in the compelling story of one woman's determination to find her husband Harrison (David Strathairn, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL), a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist. He is reported as missing while on a dangerous assignment covering a war in a foreign country. When Harrison is presumed dead by his colleagues and editor, only Sarah believes that he is still alive. Driven by intense passion she courageously plunges into a land ravaged by war, risking her own life as she engages in a relentless search to find him.An implausible plot doesn't prevent Harrison's Flowers from being a harrowing and moving depiction of the cos! t of war. Andie MacDowell stars as Sarah Lloyd, the wife of a photojournalist reported lost in the 1991 civil war raging between ethnic divisions in the former Yugoslavia. Refusing to believe her husband is dead, Sarah flies to Austria and then drives into the heart of the war, where she teams up with other photographers (Adrien Brody and Brendan Gleeson), who help her find a small town where her husband was last seen--while all around them rages one of the most horrific conflicts of the late 20th century. The story is barely credible, but the depiction of the war itself is stunning, and the depiction of the lives of photojournalists--partly thrill-seeking voyeurs, partly truth tellers--is complex and compelling. Though MacDowell isn't a great actress, all the performances are solid, and Brody is outstanding. --Bret FetzerAn implausible plot doesn't prevent Harrison's Flowers from being a harrowing and moving depiction of the cost of war. Andie Ma! cDowell stars as Sarah Lloyd, the wife of a photojournalist r! eported lost in the 1991 civil war raging between ethnic divisions in the former Yugoslavia. Refusing to believe her husband is dead, Sarah flies to Austria and then drives into the heart of the war, where she teams up with other photographers (Adrien Brody and Brendan Gleeson), who help her find a small town where her husband was last seen--while all around them rages one of the most horrific conflicts of the late 20th century. The story is barely credible, but the depiction of the war itself is stunning, and the depiction of the lives of photojournalists--partly thrill-seeking voyeurs, partly truth tellers--is complex and compelling. Though MacDowell isn't a great actress, all the performances are solid, and Brody is outstanding. --Bret FetzerWith a seductive painting style described as "realism with a soul," Susan Harrison-Tustain casts new light on a favourite subject among watercolourists. She captures the "essence" of her flowers in their natural settings, co! mplete with bumblebees, dew drops, and other whimsical touches of life. Artists will learn her unique priming method, along with other techniques for creating vibrant colours, realistic textures and lively light. There are three complete step-by-step painting demonstrations and 14 mini-demos.An implausible plot doesn't prevent Harrison's Flowers from being a harrowing and moving depiction of the cost of war. Andie MacDowell stars as Sarah Lloyd, the wife of a photojournalist reported lost in the 1991 civil war raging between ethnic divisions in the former Yugoslavia. Refusing to believe her husband is dead, Sarah flies to Austria and then drives into the heart of the war, where she teams up with other photographers (Adrien Brody and Brendan Gleeson), who help her find a small town where her husband was last seen--while all around them rages one of the most horrific conflicts of the late 20th century. The story is barely credible, but the depiction of the war! itself is stunning, and the depiction of the lives of photoj! ournalis ts--partly thrill-seeking voyeurs, partly truth tellers--is complex and compelling. Though MacDowell isn't a great actress, all the performances are solid, and Brody is outstanding. --Bret FetzerFor 55-200mm Zoom Nikkor Lens, Lens hood Designed for the Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor zoom lens Deflects oblique light angles that often cause flare effects Helps protect front of the lens scratches and dings while shooting