This Puerto Rican movie is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a while. While it may seem childish at first glance, it serves a grander purpose, and sends an endearing message and moral to all of its viewers.What is the message? That love is tricky, as Emilio finds out, and even though you may believe that one girl is the girl of your dreams, sometimes true love is right beside you the whole time. Also, this movie shows viewers the importance of staying loyal to close friends. This movie has ever aspect of a captivating film - a hero, a villain, and a wonderful ending that features a moral that the viewers can take in, and apply to their own lives. The evil Principal Richardson certainly adds a sense of unpredictability, especially when the group of friends are in the computer lab, changing results of the voting.
Reviews
10 Reviews
Under the Same Moon
(2007)
Great Cast, Great Lesson.
28 March 2011
The casting of this film is amazing. Hats off to the entire cast, especially Adrian Alonso, for exhibiting the ability to deal with the tough, trying situations that are dealt with throughout this film. They act these situations out in a way that draws the viewers in and makes them sympathize with the characters. Also, they create suspense, like in the scene where Carlitos is hiding beneath the seat in the car while attempting to cross the border. Watching Carlito's journey gives a sense of hope to everyone, that if you persist and have determination, you can accomplish anything. Despite all of the hardships that Carlos goes through, he keeps a positive attitude, and that is the most important thing you can learn from this film. Although, I'm sure that is not the message that the director wanted to tell. Clearly, the purpose of this movie is to show how immigration can tear up a family, but also, how it is necessary in some people's lives because their nation does not offer them enough opportunities.
3 Américas
(2007)
Coming-of-age Story
28 March 2011
This movie is certainly a coming-of-age movie in which América is troubled because of her rough family life. She has to sort through all that has happened to her, and find her own voice and path in life. 3 Américas is a tough movie to watch because of the level of disrespect that América shows to her grandmother, after moving in with her in Argentina. However, there are more positive aspects of the movie that definitely shine through when we witness when her grandmother has a stroke, América turns her attitude around, and helps to take care of her grandmother and her grandmother's house. It is nice to see that América has positive role models in her life, like Sergio, who points her in the right direction. It is interesting to note that in this movie, there is not much continuity of time, and many scenes get cut off. After one is cut off, the next scene appears to be much later, and the viewer is left not knowing exactly what had happened in between. This leaves them wondering what they missed which I think the director may have done on purpose to make the viewer think, and fill in those left out pieces with their own imaginations.
Lost Embrace
(2004)
Ariel's Father
25 March 2011
This movie was very intricate, to the point that I was confused at times, especially in the beginning. There was very little use of music also, which made the majority of the movie feel empty in a way. I think that it perfectly paralleled Ariel's feelings toward his estranged father. He felt a lot of animosity toward his father because it seemed like he left Ariel and his mother without a valid reason. Since Ariel was the main character in this film, it caused the viewers to take his side, and sympathize with him. That is why I found myself feeling hatred toward his father as well, and when he appeared at the race, I felt that something terrible was going to happen since I viewed him as a bad guy. This opinion of him was formed too prematurely, and at the end when I discovered the truth about Ariel's father, I felt remorseful. It is definitely important to keep an open mind when you are watching the movie, especially for the first time.
Tony Manero
(2008)
Disturbing Movie
25 March 2011
This was the most disturbing movie I have ever seen in my entire life. Truly, this is not a movie for the faint of stomach. The thought that a serial killer like Raúl Peralta could be so obsessed with another human being, makes me sick to my stomach. It also makes me wonder how many other people put famous people on a pedestal like he does in this movie. The director, Pablo Larraín seemed to place too much emphasis on nudity, sex, and slander in this film. Is it possible that this is standard for many Latin American films? Better yet, maybe his plan was for this to sharply contrast his personality and the way he acts as himself, and as Tony? Whatever the reason, I believe that the director could have gotten the same message across with less of those disturbing details.
Salvador Allende
(2004)
Artistic Touches
25 March 2011
Even though documentaries tend to be slightly peculiar and boring most of the time, I found this account of the life of Salvador Allende to be quite intriguing. I loved the varied of opinions that were given from many people from his family members, to a United States government worker. Also, the variety of media used to depict certain events in his life was captivating. I especially loved watching the artist draw his house going up in flames. It made me feel as if I was there on that very day, watching the catastrophe unfold. The charcoal smudged across the page, just as I suspect the smoke veiled the scene that day. This movie has an artistic semblance that I believe goes unnoticed.
The Motorcycle Diaries
(2004)
Walter Salles... genius.
25 March 2011
I enjoyed this movie very much, and I think that Walter Salles presents the revolutionary hero, who is Che Guevara, in a politically thoughtful film. He injects politics into The Motorcycle Diaries with a careful touch, and for that, he should be commended. Also, he has a knack for showing Ernesto "Che" Guevara as a person who is accessible to everyone. He makes him seem so normal - showing his struggles with asthma and the problems they have with their motorcycle, "La Poderosa" - which are ordinary problems of any other human being. Truly, The Motorcycle Diaries is a work of art that presents Che to the entire world in a well thought out manner, so that he is as accessible to them as possible. Bravo, Walter Salles.
Machuca
(2004)
The Importance of Gonzalo's Emotions
25 March 2011
The expressions, reactions, and feelings exuded by Gonzalo Infante in Machuca are a parallel to the feelings of the people of the bourgeoisie in Chile. They were sheltered from much of the coup in their own country, and were blind to what was occurring in their own backyard. If Gonzalo did not become friends with Machuca, he may have never understood what he does now about the coup. The contrast between the expressions on his face while riding his bike in the beginning and the end of the movie, is quite striking. At first, we see him full of happiness that he has made friends with Machuca, but at the end he is totally torn apart by what he had witnessed in their neighborhood – the killing of many people, including Silvana. It is certainly important to pay attention to Gonzalo throughout this movie. If you do not, you will be missing an important aspect of the storyline.
Bolivar soy yo
(2002)
This movie intrigues the viewer
24 March 2011
If you do not know much about Columbian history, this will spark your interest. The director, Jorge Alí Triana, has a knack for intriguing the viewer and making them want to research the life Simon Bolivar. When Santiago Miranda says that Simon Bolivar did not die the way that they depict in the soap opera that he plays a role in, it is intriguing. It forces the viewer to ask, how did he really die? That is a question that many have been asking for a long time. Also, the comedic relief in this film is genius. It keeps you on your toes, and it breaks up the dismal view that the viewer gets of Santiago, who seems insane at certain points in the movie. The viewers feel pity for him, mostly.
The Official Story
(1985)
Irony in The Official Story
24 March 2011
What is the official story of this film? I find the double meaning of this film's title to be quite ironic - that a history teacher does not even understand the history of her country, or political state that it is in. She also, does not understand where her adopted came from, or who her parents are. I appreciate the way that the lighting in this film highlights that irony. Her classroom and her house are both very dark, except for the splashes of sunshine that spill in from the windows. Also, it is overwhelmingly light outside when she is witnessing the picketing and rioting of the political groups of Argentina. Truly, the absence and presence of light plays an important role in The Official Story.
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