A tender reminiscence about a Mexican man trying to fulfill his dreams in America after he suffers prejudice and heartbreak in his hometown of Puebla. Of course, he discovers through the years that he must deal with something similar in the U.S., but it is different enough that he is able to accommodate and make his […]
There is an emerging trend in the film industry of remaking and Americanizing foreign films for the US Market. Of course this is nothing new, it’s been happening for decades, but never in such large numbers. The level and quality of foreign films is what has changed, as seen in the 2018 Academy awards race
It’s only Alfonso Cuaron’s eighth feature film, but the Oscar-winning director of Gravity says he wanted to make Roma for years. It’s already being hailed a masterpiece and a major awards player. Also, it is the only film this season to land at all three major film festivals (Telluride, Venice & Toronto). I was skeptical of a black and
Trying to duplicate something that worked so well because it defied genre borders is exactly why the “Sicario” sequel sets itself up to fail. “Day of the Soldado” isn’t a bad movie, it certainly has its moments of suspense, but lacks the artistic vision of auteur Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival”) and the cinematic touch of Roger
Joel Edgerton’s brother Nash is the director of Gringo, his sophomore effort behind the camera. Both Edgerton’s have found success in various roles of filmmaking, but Gringo doesn’t showcase either of their skills. The second consecutive miscast role for Joel Edgerton (Red Sparrow) who began as a poor man’s Aussie heartthrob but, but now quite
When your film is directed by a former reality star, you can only expect so much. How to be a Latin Lover opens like a Ferell/Stiller type comedy, with an explosive death scene played for laughs rather than heartbreak. That low brow comedy remains through the entire film, nearly mirroring Adam Sandler’s Big Daddy. The
What begins as a basic relationship story, turns into a surprising dark comedy romance hybrid. Gael García Bernal (Y tu Mama Tambien, Neruda), has long been one of the most recognizable Mexican actors in America. His films tend to go international more than any other star from Mexico because American audiences have become so familier
Son to Academy Award winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, 34-year-old Jonás has long since followed in his father’s footsteps. The structure of Jonás script for Gravity parallel’s what he does with Desierto, his sophomore effort in the director’s chair. It’s a pocket thriller with one of Mexico/America’s biggest bilingual stars that takes a horrific look at
Blake Lively’s character repeatedly asks locals what the name of the beach she is surfing, they won’t tell her, only that it’s a secret beach. It doesn’t take the audience very long to recognize the beach however, as it’s clearly marked Imaginary Island. What begins like a lively video advertisement for Roxy swimwear, quickly turns
The second semi-mainstream western of 2016 offers a bit more excitement than Natalie Portman’s Jane Got a Gun. The Duel, comes to us from Kieran Darcy-Smith who is predominately a television director. The western reunites Hunger Game co-stars Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth, in a classic battle of good and evil. From the violent opening