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Through the Eyes of Larry Harlow: El judio maravilloso (1998)
A fun romp through the history of salsa with the irrepressible Larry Harlow as your tour guide
This is a compelling feature length video featuring the birth and history of New York salsa through the eyes of multi-talented salsa band-leader Larry Harlow, El Judio Maravilloso or The Marvellous Jew, as he has been affectionately dubbed by his Latino fans. Harlow was there, either as a participant or mover-and-shaker, throughout salsa's evolution. It may be cool these days to visit Cuba to check out happening Cuban bands, Harlow was doing this in the late '50s before the Revolution! He became one of the earliest signers with the mighty Fania label, which dominated the '70s salsa boom. In addition to issuing 26 albums on Fania under his own name, he produced and played on albums by numerous other major salsa names. Amongst his milestone recordings featured in 'The Golden Age of Salsa Music' are 'Tribute to Arsenio Rodríguez' in homage to the great Afro-Cuban musical innovator, the first and only salsa opera 'Hommy' and the Grammy Award nominated salsa suite 'La Raza Latina.' The video chronicles Harlow's part in establishing the term 'salsa' as co-producer of the hit movie 'Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa)' and his campaigning role in instituting a Grammy category for Best Latin Recording. Featured are delectable vintage clips of the Cuban legends Orquesta Aragón, Beny Moré, Roberto Faz and Septeto Nacional, many interviews and concert footage of salsa recording artists at their best, including the Fania All Stars (he was a founder member) and Harlow's Latin Legends. British viewers may cringe towards the end when various interviewees are asked to massage Harlow's ego, which you may conclude is larger than the known universe. But then when you consider the massive contribution the guy has made to the cause of Latin music - and is still making - it's easy accept that this is just the American way of doing things." (John Child)
Jake Speed (1986)
Fun Fantasy Entertainment
Most people (36) gave this movie a 10 and those who don't are being too critical or maybe expected something else. This is one of my favorite movies from the 80's, it grows on you, and has it all. I just got it on DVD and 20 years later it still does not disappoint, having plenty of action, drama, romance, and even comedy. Add to that the great car chases, automatic weapon shootouts and lots of stuff blowing up and you have a fun, edge of your seat experience! You will even be humming or whistling the main theme song for days after seeing this.
You can watch this movie with your wife/gf and you will both enjoy it lots. The premise is that of a paperback book hero, like Doc. Savage, really existing and helping people fight evil so he can write the story is almost true to life here. The actor Jake Speed is also a director, producer and writer of many films. In THIS film Jake Speed (the character) is an Indiana Jones adventurer type, he usually uses his head to get out of sticky situations but will sometimes resorts to brute firepower (yay!,and sheer dumb luck too!). Keep an eye out for his one "James Bond" hi-tech equipment, the ultimate road warrior SUV dropping out of the sky.
The heroine is the very beautiful young love interest from the early Jim Carey vampire movie "Once Bitten" and here she is a little older and still a knockout even compared to her teenage blonde little sister.
The bad guys are "real bad" men and are the worst lowlife villainous scum you love to hate. The ending is just perfect and can stand alone or invite a sequel, sadly never made - but you can just imagine what would happen next!
You have to see this movie just because it will entertain and amuse you and that's worth the price of a ticket.