Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

HottWwjdIam There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

lavatch I located this film in a Redbox machine, and it was refreshing to view this thoughtful independent film."Hostile Border" may not be the best title for a film that barely touches on the topic of immigration. Rather, it is primarily a character study of a young woman apparently raised in the United States and deported to her native Mexico. For this reason, the original title "Pocha: Manifest Destiny" more accurately represents the spirit of the movie.The film begins with a definition of the word "pocha," which is a slang term for a Chicana who speaks fluent English but has a limited grasp of the Spanish language. The central character named Claudia is played by a dynamic young actress named Veronica Sixtos. She carries the film on her shoulders from start to finish.There is plenty of action, including scenes of violence, in this film, and it appears as though Claudia cannot avoid trouble at every turn of her life. After her deportation to Mexico and living with her father and grandmother on a cattle ranch, Claudia meets a nice young man named Arturo. But he has been playing a dangerous game with with a hustler named Ricky.After Arturo is killed by Ricky, Claudia gets linked up in the illegal business activities of Ricky, using her father's ranch to help in his shady transactions. She also begins a bizarre and clearly unhealthy personal relationship with Ricky. The relationship may be motivated by Claudia's instincts for survival. But there are moments when she clearly stands up to Ricky and defines some boundaries for her own dignity.There is a defining moment in the film when Claudia asserts to her father that she wants it all...and now! There is the sense that her upbringing in the United States has inculcated her into a twisted version of the American Dream.To put it mildly, Claudia does not learn from her mistakes, but doubles down on her ill-defined goals of wealth. Her surface-level goal is to return (illegally) to America and pay off her mother's home mortgage. But it is also clear that Claudia really does not have deep ties to her family. It was never clear why she was so antagonistic to her hard-working father and why she would not listen to the wise counsel of her kind grandmother.Viewers may be conflicted about the true nature of Claudia's character. But there is no doubt that the filmmakers created a thought-provoking profile of a young person filled with contradictions, yet great potential that is ultimately unrealized by the end of the film.

Philipp Hertz Fantastic first effort for the screenwriter. Movie is full of nuance as well as great suspense. Viewer is constantly questioning the reasons for the action. The story works on many levels. It deserves to be shown to a wider audience on big screens. We were fortunate to see in in a special screening in a theater but most people will have to settle for downloads. To create such a great moving on a shoe-string budget is almost unbelievable. Can't wait to see the next picture which will hopefully have a bigger budget.Well worth 90 minutes of time to check out this film.

Katy_Scary I really enjoyed this Movie. Claudia is a sexy scamming chick working her way to get back into America on her Dad's ranch in Mexico and while also dealing with a violent soft spoken thug named Ricky. Claudia is pulled in so many directions from the gentle nature of her Grandma, to her unforgiving Dad and finally to Ricky who she sees as being her best chance of getting back into America. The sex scenes were short and bad ass! The actors in this movie did a great job, although Claudia's Mom looked pretty creepy. Her face was very bloated or it could've have been too much Botox. Weird. Now I finally know what 'Pocha' means and it ain't a compliment. Typically, Pochas speak English and lack fluency in Spanish. In the movie Pocha was likened to being a Fraud or Rotten Fruit. I was shocked by some of things that happened in the end but I wasn't disappointed. Watch this Movie!

marycarolmcl I have to say the adventurousness of this humanistic thriller lived up to the trailer and did not disappoint. A controversial subject matter to say the least! It' is certainly a different perspective for the movie goer to have to make so many decisions about how to feel about a main character. I find myself still shocked by some of the decisions and consequences experienced by Claudia, the main character. This film is both high action and socially and emotionally complex. The film is beautifully shot. These filmmakers did not cheat the audience of the opportunity to experience some breathtaking countryside. I will need to watch it again to see if my opinion of some of the intense situations and scenarios evolve. This movie is entertaining, thought provoking and dramatic! Definitely check it out.