Customer Reviews

Brick City

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

BRICK CITY is a powerful and compelling documentary series that chronicles several months in the history of Newark, New Jersey as the city tries to reclaim itself, neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, and brick by brick, under the leadership of Mayor Cory Booker. Booker is often compared to Barack Obama and the resistance he faces in Newark in 2008 could easily be compared to the national opposition faced by Obama in 2009. There are some people who just want him to fail, even if the result of failure is the status quo or worse.

The series played out on Sundance Channel over five nights in September 2009. And the dynamic Booker was just one of the stars. Directors Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin built the series around several distinct characters, including Police Director Garry McCarthy, Central High School principal Ras Baraka, a young couple Jayda (a Blood) and Creep (a Crip), and a community activist called Street Doctor.

As presented in BRICK CITY, Booker's attempts to rejuvenate his city revolve around crime reduction, improved education, urban renewal and economic development. He's an inspirational personality, but that doesn't mean the whole city is buying into helping him achieve his worthy goals:

* Political foes don't like the way he brings in "outsiders" to solve the city's problems. (While you're waiting for the BRICK CITY box set, be sure to watch the brilliant documentary Street Fight: A Film by Marshall Curry about Booker's 2002 mayoral run. It offers an excellent primer on Newark politics.)

* Inside the police department, McCarthy faces internal resistance and politicking that challenges his authority, even as the murder rate is plunging 40% or more.

* Ras Baraka's dreams of opening the much-delayed $100 million Central High School in time for the new school year are threatened by ongoing construction delays. (Baraka and his vice principal Todd Warren are two of the show's real-life heroes.)

* Meanwhile, Jayda's attempts to rehabilitate her life and create a new mentoring program for at-risk teenage girls become threatened when a crime from her past resurfaces. Her relationship with Creep also faces challenges, even as the couple face the prospect of bringing a new child into the world.

As the economy turns south and the 2008 election approaches, BRICK CITY ultimately becomes a show about the power of individuals to maintain hope and deliver progress in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles. In the midst of it all, and for the first time in years, the circus comes to town, too.

Some may say that BRICK CITY wears its political heart too obviously on its sleeve. The show was clearly created and produced by people who are rooting for Booker to succeed, not fail. But it still feels honest, at times harsh, and very real.

Ultimately, the message is simple: Even in the toughest of situations, rebirth is possible, but the gestation process is lengthy, messy and there's a great deal of kicking and screaming involved.

EXTRAS (as seen on TV): Forest Whitaker served as Executive Producer, giving an on-screen introduction to each episode. After each episode, producer-directors Benjamin and Lucas discussed elements of the series and showed additional mini-stories that didn't fit the "arcs" of the show itself. These "extras" are all worth watching by themselves, adding additional layers and interest to the main story, including more footage of some of the major players (e.g. Jayda and Creep) and putting a bigger spotlight on some of the more interesting people we are introduced to during the show, such as author-activist Dashaun Jiwe Morris.

This documentary series is sadly brief but gripping, moving. inspiring, and highly entertaining. One misses the added nuance and depth that could come from more episodes, but at least it doesn't presume to answer all the questions it raises.

Required viewing for anyone passionately concerned about the American urban environment at the start of the 21st century, and recommended especially to viewers of The Wire for a view of a real Northeastern inner city, its challenges and complexity, and one that shows some things really can get better.

This documentary is about Newark New Jersey. It's very informative it gives a very detailed story about newark and the issues there. It also gives an indepth view of the mayor Corey Booker and the Newark police depart and as well as the residents of Newark. I enjoyed watching the stories about varies people on the show like jayda and Jiwe. It's very enjoyable and it gives a very realistic view of the struggles and issues that plague the city of Newark and how hard it is for people to live there.

This documentary is very well done and I enjoyed it a lot. It shows how wide spread the crime and gang murders are as well as all of the good people of newark who work in the city to try to make it better and improve the city.

So glad to see the series Brick City return! It's so inspiring to see a Mayor actually living in the heart of his city and fighting for change despite the many adversities plaguing the city. Also, love the other main characters, Jayda, Creep and Jiwe and how they've opened up their lives and are trying to promote change and positivity! A really great show!

I heard or read about this short mini series documentary, and wanted to check it out.

Having read a lot of positive things about Mayor Cory Booker, leading up to his election, I wanted to get a Mayor Koch-like gauge on "how he's doing".

It takes real guts to attempt to make a positive difference in such a rough environment.

With that being said, the story trails the mayor and his team, along with some concerned citizens, and some citizens working hard on bettering themselves and their immediate environment.

The Mayor really puts himself "out there", and shows a genuine concern for making the city a better place. (playing night basketball, chasing an elusive lower murder count, etc.) It makes for compelling TV.
Seemingly taking some pages from NYC Mayor Guliani's playbook, Mayor Booker appears relentless in his efforts.

However, somehow the story falls short. Maybe because it's a "work in progress", maybe because, I just wanted more, even so, Brick City is as close to "good" as "reality-like" TV gets.

Don't get me wrong...this is a documentary, but has elements of "exposed conflict" that might not normally be seen otherwise.

If you're concerned about the future of our cities as integral hubs of diversity, you should check this out.

Just want to give a big ups to the city of Newark and all those involved in this docu-series. I'm sure all know this is just a beginning to a long road ahead in reconstructing the city. I give thanks to Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin for reaching out to me/us, and wanting me involved in this film. More to come.

Dashaun Jiwe Morris
Author: War of the Bloods in My Veins

Peace & Safety