• Describe the film in general terms. What subjects does it cover? Describe the plot and setting. What issues does it raise? What do you see as the main purpose of the film? The film outlines crooked cops from the perspective of the cops involved and the drug dealer they decided to work for. The film is set in Brooklyn, New York where officer’s Michael Dowd and Kenny Eurell worked for the 75th precinct which serves that specific area. Michael Dowd joined in 1982, during which time criminal activity in the area was at an all-time high. Cop killings were prevalent and officers were only making a salary in the low 30’s which was barely enough to support a man with a family and a mortgage. An expensive taste for life made it merely impossible …show more content…
to survive on such a low salary. For this reason officer Dowd decided to offer services to drug dealers in exchange for $8,000 a week enlisting Kenny Eurell as his partner. The two were mere opposites that soon realized their operation would not work without them both, they each played a significant role in the process. Their first payout not only excited them but also their wives. The scheme seemed to go on for nearly a decade as the two took out multiple drug lords to keep their primary boss on top. Dowd played the hot head that flaunted his earning with extravagant items such as a red corvette. Issues arose when Dowd decided to drive the red corvette to work sparking very important questions. How can an officer making only $30,000 a year afford a car of that sort? Things turned for the worst when an investigation began to catch both Dowd and Eurell, at which time they began dealing drugs themselves. Kenny Eurell decided to cooperate with the federal agency investigating them when Dowd decided to kidnap a woman in order to get enough funds to leave the country. Michael Dowd ends up getting arrested and Mr. Eurell serves no time for his part in the crime. Issues arise such as are there real levels to snitching, when should the idea that,” cops don’t rat out cops” be neglected, is there a real meaning behind, “Protect and Serve”. The main purpose of the film was to shine a light on police corruption in the 80’s. • What are the major theme(s) of the film? (At least 4) ” Cops don’t rat out cops” This was a phrase commonly used throughout the film when characters were asked about the incident in question. Cops felt very strongly about the fact that they should not incriminate each other. Michael and Kenny were able to get away with their scheme for nearly a decade before any action was taken. Though there were many complaints this theme saved these two individuals and was the key to them not getting caught. In the end this theme did not stand as self-interest outweighed this theme. “Snitches get stiches” This theme though more modern was widely used throughout the film. In the drug world snitching was something that resulted in death though when you have police officers on your payroll the theme is treated differently. When used in association with their drug partner Adam Diaz, the theme was a way to survive in the drug world. Diaz would snitch on fellow drug dealers that proposed a threat and have Kenny and Michael raid their hangouts and put them out of business. “No Matter how Dirt, A cop is still a cop” This theme confused judges when Michael was on trial and stated that he was a cop and a drug dealer.
When faced with a situation that tested this theme the cops tended to stay together. During a drug bust a cop was shot and rather call the ambulance and wait for responders Michael and Kenny along with another crooked cop decided to drive the wounded officer to the hospital. Offended by the action Michael begged Diaz to find out who killed the cop so that actions could be taken yet Diaz denied the Michael. Diaz had no relations with the cop and felt no need to assist in avenging his death.in this moment Michael and Kenny felt more like cops yet quickly were returned to reality and could not mourn this officer’s death as they were now part of the people that killed him. “Protect and Serve” This last theme is identified in the sense that does it only apply to those who are good. There was a clear imbalance as Michael appeared very cocky in the documentary. It was as if he would not change any of the events that took place before his arrest. He reminisced on the money and great life his actions allotted him and his family. This gave him a sort of allegiance to those doing wrong. Michael was no longer protecting and serving just those doing good but bad as …show more content…
well. • Evaluate the film for quality and interest. Would a young person be interested in this film? The film was very interesting and ended in a great class discussion about the different levels of snitching. My professor suggested that snitching had levels and at certain levels it is acceptable to distribute information that may incriminate someone you are close to. In the film Kenny was risking leaving behind his family and children and decided to cooperate knowing that his partner Michael would be risking the same things. With that he still decided to only be concerned with himself despite the roe he played. There were several issues the film brought attention to as well as several problems students recognized for this reason I believe other students would find interest in the film. • Relate the film to class discussions, readings, notes or knowledge. Is the film historically (or factually) accurate and realistic? Does it contradict or support anything you have learned? The film depicts actions that really took place as well portray years of turmoil that exist within police departments. This film supports the idea that certain individuals are above the law. Kenny Eurell was a known participant throughout the film though he saw no jail time and got away freely. Crooked cops have turned from being drug dealers to active participants in murder as we are faced with police brutality daily. • Summarize briefly emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of the film. Strengths: The film clearly depicts the length cops will go to protect each other.
Many were aware of the wrong doing and chose not to report it to the proper authorities. Michael was given every opportunity to report other cops to lessen his sentence and vowed only to attest to his wrong doings. It also shows the length a person will go to protect themselves despite how close they are to others. Though Kenny and Michael viewed themselves as brothers Kenny still betrayed Michael in order to save himself. Greed was the center of their problems as the more money Michael made the more he felt he needed. Despite knowingly being investigated Michael decided to start dealing drugs himself as the film does a great job at depicting how greed can consume your
life. Weakness: Though Kenny decided to assist authorities in catching Michael the film did a bad job at depicting how certain individuals were being held accountable. Instead of giving a visual of how each major character was captured the film focused on Michael Dowd as if he was the only individual in the wrong. The film made it very easy to assume that Kenny would play a major role in the capturing of Michael Dowd though the way it was revealed was rushed. The film quickly went through how Kenny went about deciding to help authorities and quickly turned the films attention back to Michael Dowd. This was a major weakness throughout the film which depicted Michael as the underlying villain.
On the TV show, The Movie Show, David Stratton described the film as a “bold and timely film about the stolen generations.” The film is so highly rated for its amazing plot, the well-used mise en scene and the film techniques including the camera work and sound.
The film starts with an uprising after a white storeowner kills a black teenager. This incident Highlights Prejudices. The teenager was labeled a thief because of the color of his skin and the unjustifiable murder causes racial tensions that exist as a result of the integration of the high schools.
Soon after the story begins we get an insight into who Michael truly is. One could easily describe him as a Meek young man, as the narrator states Michael is very unsure of himself while asking the townspeople questions on the subject of the whereabouts of the Hangman. Though, his insecurities do not stop him from his ability to do his job. To be a decent writer you have to be observant, which fits Michaels personality perfectly. While describing the Hangman's appearance he notices small details that most people would skim over. Describing him as “a little fellow, without
The novel begins with the author’s own experiences as a law enforcement officer and his ideals on the use of deadly force. He explains that “at some deep subconscious level humans are both drawn to and repulsed by violence of any sort” (Klinger, 2004, page 8) and goes on to elaborate why the killing of a human being by an officer is acceptable in the eyes of society today. Even though this truth may seem harsh to some, the overall effects that occur when an officer fires his gun is even harsher when the light of reality is shed upon these gruesome incidences. As the novel continues, Klinger begins to share more information about the career that these few men and women choose to go into. The author describes how many of his interviewees were asked when applying to law enforcement agencies how they would feel about having to shoot someone. Most answered they would not feel any sort of hesitation, yet some men and women in their interviews with the author revealed that they never thought about themselves in that situation and were somewhat taken back by the question. Moreover, Klinger explains that shootings are uncommon incidences in the police...
The first topic covered will be the plot which was mostly accurate despite the shortened aspects of the film. The
The first thing about this film that caught my eye from a sociological perspective is that the society in the film is not depicted as a “perfect society” as most films do, instead it shows the real conflicts that society had back then with certain subjects. The film shows us the prejudices, and misconceptions that people had about things like sex, and homosexuality at the time.
Michael soon realizes that he wishes he would have simply turned himself in. Afterwards, it seemed like such a logical choice, but he knew that if he did he would be breaking the loyalty to Joe.
I'm going to provide my own interpretation on the film, writing a detailed conclusion on what I
Specifically careful examination of events in the years leading up to the film’s release, in combination with its characteristics and tones and the comparisons
The main message of the movie was represented in “I just don't think I can continue to live in a place that embraces and nurtures apathy as if it was a virtue!”- William Somerset. He is criticizing the society and how it lacked its values. He is trying to expose the deep moral problem of today. The seven deadly sins are not considered as sins anymore, these sins have become
The movie I have chosen for this assignment is “The Color Purple.” In this film, we follow the story of a young black woman, Celie, as she endures racial profiling and gender expectations during the early nineteen hundreds. This is a film, based off a novel written by Alice Walker, that portrays not only the oppression of one group, but also three (women, blacks, and black women). I have seen the workings of status, gender stereotypes, body image, and sexuality within this film as I watched this woman mature in mind as well as spirit.
Film crews do not interact with police operations, they simply shadow patrol officers often in dangerous situations. In the show negative connotation of police is rarely seen, the show often displays police doing their work correctly and without malice. Although never directly referred to, the show often finds itself humanizing police officers and portraying them as peers just doing their jobs. Their insight of police work often sides with pro-police mentality as the show spends most it’s air time displaying operations of police rather while often neglecting insight from perpetrators. COPS portrays police as everyday people who have vowed to better a community, while the show emphasizes high intensity situation for a more entertaining viewing experience. Officers are often seen exercising values of community-based policing, attempting to combat problems beyond crimes by working with community members and staying personally involved in their surroundings. Overall police are portrayed in a positive manner when police seen in the show maintain suspect rights and attempt to provide the best outcome for suspects and community members (Barbour & Langley,
This movie is filled with shocking details and scenes; it shows that each character, whom all are residents of L.A. is different, but shares the same assumptions, fears, and hopes. While watching the movie, I was feeling sorry for the couple who were car jacked, but then later saw how the lady assumed that the Hispanic man was a criminal. Peter is involved in carjacking a vehicle, but is later shot dead by Officer Hansen. Shaniqua was belittled and yelled at by Officer Ryan, but later shows her yelling and berating another driver involved in an accident, at the end of the movie. The two black males who feels mistreated and discriminated against in a restaurant and on the street are the same two who car
Also, in order to fully understand the meaning of this film we must answer two
The film’s story does not simply shines forth, but is also the foundation of the plot. The film’s plot makes the traditional guidelines applicable...