Undocumented (2010)

This is a movie which could happen. Almost to the point, it could be a true story. Whether it is or not, I am not sure. It starts out as a group of students heading South with cameras to document what it is like for a group of Mexican citizens to cross the border from Mexico to the US illegally and the students and their cameras come along for the ride, filming as they go. It starts in Mexico where they all meet up and head for the border. They use a 'drug tunnel' as their method of crossing the International border. Upon entering the US, they meet up with a U-Haul type truck near the highway where they are to be taken to a safe house. They gather in the back of the truck, and before they leave, the people in the back of the truck hear some talk, then 3 gunshots. Not knowing what happened, the truck begins to move. They end up in a compound run by masked American "patriots" who's goal is to punish the illegals for entering the US, and taking advantage of 'the system'. They all end up in some type of compound where they are questioned and tortured. During the process, some of them die at the hands of these masked 'patriots'. It seems these 'patriots' think they are protecting the US, and thus give them an excuse to torture these Mexicans and treat them like they are less than human, and torture them for crossing the border and taking advantage of the system. The American students are forced to document the torture using their cameras so the tapes will end up back in Mexico to be played in the media so other Mexicans who have a desire to enter the US illegally will reconsider their plan. There is quite a lot of torture scenes, and the captured Mexicans are treated like animals. Some of the scenes are difficult to watch, and depending on your political views, may consider some of the treatment of these prisoners justified, It is difficult to watch no matter your political views. Despite the torture scenes, it has the feel of a movie that has a higher budget than was allocated. It is well done, and the actors are well played. The movie focuses on a real problem the US faces, and shows the uglier side of this 'problem'. Despite the violence and torture, the masked 'patriots' make a point that many Americans feel. The violence borders excessive and it seems like the illegal crossing is just a way to justify torture of people. However, since this movie plays like something that could actually happen, and does it well, I rate it an 7. It's not a movie for children, though it is a well done drama that makes a point of how extreme political views can be carried out.

I'm all about horror movies, I'm always looking for the next best thing so I have an acquired taste and know when something works and doesn't in the horror industry part of the movies. There are many great horror films out there but only a certain few really push the edge of what makes a out of the ordinary smashing hit horror movie. This movie does that, its a rare breed of great horror that has came out in the last decade. Obviously movies cant cater to everyone's taste and especially in horror as everyone has limits on what is deemed acceptable more so then many other types. The only reason I guess I mention this is the low rating given at the time I viewed it was 5.8 which to me is a blunder beyond blunders. This movie, has all the aspects you want in a horror movie from, all of the aspects everything;scary,gripping,intense,relentless,etc. There really is no lull or give through out this movie, not one second, every second is like a fine wine of horror that's the only way to describe this movie. I could write a book on why this movie is great but ill just say that in thousands of horror movies out there, there are a few that stand out and once in awhile one gets it all right and this is one of those!

OK, let's discuss the cinema verite.All mexicans are good, family oriented, extraordinarily poor innocent people who only want to come to America the land of opportunity.Of course, when you are on the wrong side of of the law, things tend to go haywire.In a very obtuse way, this film reminded me of Midnight Express -- you know the film where libby liberal Hollywood wanted us to feel sorry for a guy who wants to brings back tens of pounds of pot to sell in the states, gets caught and is thrown in a Turkish prison.From the get go there's no involvement in the main characters because they are breaking the law.And to this point, if these Mexicans are so poor, how can they dig up thousands of dollars to be transported over the border? For next to nothing, they can buy a used car and drive over the border legally and just never go back.It's ridiculous.Ohm and then there's the fact they don't even look Mexican and dress way too nicely and have way too designer hairdoos to be remotely poor.So in the first 10 minutes you just don't care about them and can't wait for the violence to ensue.Parenthetically, one has to wonder why the "american" vigilantes all have Mexican accents. Jeeze this film is dumb.One more thing -- when are you hack writers and directors going to stop putting in the signal less cellphone in the picture? It's been done in every movie like this. We get it.It's dumb.Let's be frank, this flick is nothing more than a pandering exploitation flick hoping to cash in on real problems the filmmakers are too dumb and vapid to understand.It's a bore fest.The hot chicks on vacation scenario is far more believable and entertaining. Go with that concept next time.

I could not take my eyes off of the screen. The plot and performances were all top notch. My heart was racing through the entire movie and for long after. The story was totally believable and I felt sucked into the movie. This movie brings out the hero in you. Without giving anything away, it made you walk out of the theater thinking ... If I was in that situation, then I would have ____ (fill in the blank with something heroic). Many parts of the movie were very difficult to watch, yet I could not take my eyes off of the screen. This movie is a must see for anyone that likes Thrillers. It's not for weak stomachs. Scott Mechlowicz was amazing in the movie. This was his best performance yet.