"The house of the spirits" is quite awful. I live in South America, in a country that suffered a military dictatorship just like the one the movie tries to describe, and even though everyone knows movies may be far far away from reality, this particular movie treats viewers as both ignorant and stupid. Things are not so simple and linear as appears here, and of course political process are much more complicated and interesting that the plot in "The house...". If you can't show that complexity on screen is better not making a movie at all. There are a lot of examples of how can politics be seriously taken in cinema, without so many commonplaces. In some parts I felt that Carmen Miranda may appear within parrots and palm trees. When you talk about certain things you must be not only careful but respectful to your public's intelligence.
Reviews
6 Reviews
High Fidelity
(2000)
Does love belongs to music?
11 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I must say that "High Fidelity" is an amazing movie, and really surprised me as I expected just a comedy, which is certainly not. I love Stephen Frears, who made "Open your ears" or "My little launderette", a film that let the world hear about a guy named Daniel Day Lewis. As British Stephen don't loose the habit of letting us know stars-to-be, Jack Black's appearance almost justify the whole movie. But of course there is a lot more. I couldn't read the Nick Hornsby's novel in which the script is based, but the idea of finding out the reasons for failure in love just revisiting former girlfriends is wonderfully developed. The cast is remarkable, John Cusack plays one of his best roles, and Lisa Bonet is so beautiful that made me think that the story is -in a point at least-quite false. Who can leave her so easily? Not me. I'm a record fan myself, and we know that making a tape means a lot, and is not easy at all, specially when the woman involved is important or pretty. Near Zappa, we can ask ourselves "Does love belongs to music?" The answer is in "High Fidelity". Ah, and Jack Black can sing.
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid
(1987)
Frears and Kureishi together again
11 December 2007
The movie is probably one of the best descriptions of conservative England in the 80's ever filmed. The accurate script, written by great novelist and play writer Hanif Kureishi is absolutely touching, and describe interracial relations is a raw way that I hardly ever seen. The characters are strong and clear, and the actors and actresses may be unknown for us -except Claire Bloom, of course- but some of them are great stars in India. What make the movie so strong is probably the simple but powerful story that tells a lot about human relations. Roland Gift shows himself a good actor as was a good singer in Fine Toung Cannibals. Many scenes are unforgettable, and the end is not only unexpected but shocking. The British cinema in the 80's appeared to pay more attention to people than their government, and "Sammy and Rosie..." is a good example of that. A great film from a team that deserved to be seen, Frears and Kureishi.
El asadito
(2000)
if you have been in one...
27 June 2007
El asadito can be translated as "the little barbecue", but it is nothing like that. Is much more than just a movie for those who have been in more than one meeting like this. You can recognize the characters one by one, you can even imagine the words you would have said in almost every situation. That is not a simple thing to achieve, and Postiglione did it. The story goes only one step further than a lot of "asaditos" in which I have been. I like it, even when I can't say if it is because of everything that I just said or because of the movie itself. Maybe it's only me, but other people can surely tell.The heat and the sun, the wine and the meat are the same, the drama almost.
Gas Food Lodging
(1992)
Such a good movie, such a great Fairuza.
27 June 2007
I read about this movie in a magazine in my country, Argentina. The critics had voted "Gas, food, lodging" as the best movie in 1992 or 1993, I can't remember. As I haven't seen it at the theaters, I had to wait a few years till was shown in cable TV, quite late I must say. I usually agree with the critics that voted it, but I was really skeptic as was not a hit at all... but they were right again. Wonderful movie, a touching Fairuza Balk that appeared to be a future star and ended making small parts or characters too much below her. I became quite a fan of this film, and as I have just registered here I decided not only to vote but to write a few lines about it. Please don't miss it. It is not only another indie film but a great movie.
Bolivia
(1999)
The story of an immigrant in a hard city.
27 June 2007
There are movies that shows you how hard can life be for people considered different or out of place. We know that Adrian Caetano is quite an expert in such films. "Bolivia" is not an exception. Really good, makes you think about facts that seems quite normal in our countries.In Argentina the Bolivian or Paraguayan people are generally unwanted immigrants, as Argentinians are unwanted in other places like USA, Italy or Spain. This movie shows clearly how can individual tragedies be part of social discrimination. Considered as "Nuevo Cine Argentino", Caetano's filmography should be watched carefully, being a good director that tells simple but deep stories.
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