12 O'Clock Boys

A pretty unique and interesting look at urban life about some dirt-bikers in Baltimore. Which of course is most known for being the main ground for the TV-series THE WIRE.

It focuses mainly one one kid called Pug who wants nothing more but to join the 12 O'Clock Boys "gang", I use that term lightly cause they aren't really a gang per se because the only illegal activities they do is ride their dirt-bikes on the streets where they are not allowed, performing various stunts etc.

They also interview some "street-legends" of the original 12'O Clock Boys who started out years ago and is still about that life.

It's a documentary the way it should be done, it doesn't try to push an agenda on you or condone the illegal activities nor show disdain for it, it just show you the way it is and how they use the riding as a release for whatever problems they have got going on.

The audio wasn't always that good, especially in the beginning and it was difficult to understand what Pug was saying. But as I hung in there either the audio improved or I grew accustomed to his speech or both.

From some of the reviews the hatred and disdain are apparent but the fact of the matter is that this is documentary offering a slice of 'another' culture, and whether one likes it or not, that 'is' their culture that has been imposed upon them for various reasons be they political, social, or economic. So the film is showing how Pug and his family live and not how the viewers may wish that they lived.

Superficially Coco is a lousy mother and yet it made perfect sense that she was because she's doing the best she can with what she has available. She'd been a stripper ("exotic dancer") in her youth which meant someone had failed to get through to her the importance of education. So she capitalized on the only thing she 'thought' she had going for her. Now she's older and interested in health care and enrolls in a course to help get a job and seemed to do pretty well learning CPR which only went to show she'd lacked proper direction in her youth. Unfortunately the cycle continues with Pug because her cursing is basically the limit of her vocabulary and merely her frustration at her inability to effectively convey the importance of education to Pug - because she regrets the mistakes of her life and clearly sees the dangerous route he's about to embark upon.

Pug stated at least one teacher disliked him,and having experienced instances when teachers disliked me and I was wrongfully punished for things I hadn't done, I can understand the attractiveness of the freedom and notoriety of being a 12 O'clock Boy to a young boy compared with schooling. Sadly however his youth blinds him to the broader picture.

Nice little twist for an ending. After he'd successfully stolen back his bike, being in the van gave meaning to the reason he was in the van in the opening scene. I wonder what Pug and Coco think about Baltimmore being currently in the news because of the "Knockas"?

I am reviewing the DOCUMENTARY and not the actual content.

This documentary was itself, the camera work, the topic, etc was awesome. Thats was we are rating here, not a social idea or opinion. That is what FOX news and MSNBC boards are for...

Yes the content was/is graphic. This documentary in no way glorifies the content. It merely presents it. So for the two reviews below who rated the content and actual societal view/opinion, instead of rating the actual documentary with its production, etc...

If you/they want a debate on the ills of society, don't do it here. This is a website to review movies/documentary's.

I'm sorry to say it but:This little boy is so mean (cussing every 1 out, kicking pit bulls,hitting little kids)! But then when they showed his home environment-that explained some of it.He has a talent for riding the dirt bikes,and wants to join that bike group, it's a outlet for him to get away from his life (which I can see a pretty rough one) I just wish they wouldn't ride their bikes in the streets and get chased by the police. Maybe they can build a track or something for them.Maybe some club can be created. Something needs to be done to keep them off the main streets.I understand the police trying to keep them and pedestrians and others safe.

Blazeaglory-18319 provides a review everyone should consider when it comes to documentary movies.

I would however add the more content or information it does provide is also a consideration. Many documentaries may be one sided or biased which is also a point to consider.

There were some telling statements in that defined some of the issues. When one person said anytime you have 200 to 300 black men riding some people get very fearful. Too true in many communities. It did not help there was an animosity with the police to the point they would break many laws and block the police or even kick police vehicles.

It hinted at the reasons for the social issues and if it had made a clearer statement about that it would be better. It definitely would be better if it offered solutions for the issues. Loved it when I saw some of the elders in the community trying to help the young man to think of things to put his energy in the right direction.

Personally I love to see groups of these riders as long as they are riding responsibly.