Abre Los Ojos
Title: Abre Los Ojos

Director: Alejandro Amenabar

Year Released: 1997

Country of Origin: Spain

Language: Spanish

Cast: Cesar -- Eduardo Noriega
Sofia -- Penelope Cruz
Antonio -- Chete Lera
Pelayo -- Fele Martinez
Nuria -- Najwa Nimri
Duvernois (se?or TV) -- Gerard Barray
Encargado L.E. -- Jorge de Juan
Commissar -- Miguel Palenzuela
Chief Doctor -- Pedro Miguel Martinez
Paranoic recluse -- Ion Gabella
Guard -- Joserra Cadi?anos
Waiter -- Tristan Ulloa
TV Presenter -- Pepe Navarro
Doctor 1 -- Jaro
Doctor 2 -- Walter Prieto
Doctor 3 -- Carola Angulo
Secretary -- Fanny Gautier
Jury guard 1 -- Luis Garcia
Jury guard 2 -- Javier Martin
Policeman -- Jose Angel Egido
Driver -- Richard Cruz
Service boy -- Raul Otegui
The cat -- Pepe

Setting: Spain

Synopsis: This film is about the life of Cesar and his experiences with the real world and the dream world. The border between these two worlds is so faint that he cannot differentiate between the two. He experiences several tragedies, loses friends, loses his mind, and he isn't quite sure if everything is real or just a part of a grand dream. The questions that are brought about are for the most part left unanswered, but you are given information to make your own evaluations of what really went down.

Opinion: This film was excellent the first time I saw it, and got better the second time I saw it. I would recommend doing just that, watching it at least two times, especially if you are very confused the first time through. The way that Amenabar plays with the borders of reality and dreams confuses and interests you throughout the film. I was very moved by this film and was glad to see the Americanized version did it justice (Vanilla Sky).


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Como Agua Para Chocolate
Topic: Como Agua Para Chocolate
Title: Como Agua para Chocolate

Director: Alfonso Arau

Writer: Laura Esquival

Year Released: 1992

Language: Spanish

Cast: Pedro -- Marco Leonardi
Tita -- Lumi Cavazos
Mama Elena -- Regina Torne
Doctor John Brown -- Mario Ivan Martinez
Nacha -- Ada Carrasco
Rosasura -- Yareli Arizmendi
Gertrudis -- Claudette Maille
Chencha -- Pilar Aranda
Cura -- Farnesio de Bernal
Sargento Trevi?o -- Joaquin Garrido
Juan Alejandrez -- Rodolfo Arias
Paquita Lobo -- Margarita Isabel
Esperanza -- Sandra Arau
Alex -- Andres Garcia Jr.
Nicolas -- Regino Herrera

Setting: Mexico

Synopsis: This movie is about a young Mexican woman, Tita, whose older sister marries the man that Tita loves. tita's mother will not allow her to marry because she is the youngest daughter and must take car of her mother until her death. Tita release her grief through the food that she cooks, which has the power to transfer her unusually strong emotions to the eater. The oldest sister, after eating one of Tita's creations, runs off with a Mexican general. At a her older sister's wedding party, all of the party guests get sick with sadness after eating some food with Tita's tears in it. This tale is one of tradition and the sensuality of food.

Opinion: Overall, if you would like to see a great movie about the power of food over our emotions, see Chocolat, not Como Agua para Chocolate. Although this movie is a very raw, emotional film, it is just not nearly as enjoyable as others. The strange behavior throughout the movie and akward transitions in storyline make it hard to watch. The basic conflict of the movie, tradition vs. personal freedom, is a sound one, but it is just not carried out well enough in the film to make it enjoyable. The character of Tita and Tita's mother are acted out very well, but Pedro is so irritating that he hinders the ability to take in the movies' theme.


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Intacto
Title: Intacto

Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

Year Released: 2001

Language: Spanish

Cast: Tomas -- Leonardo Sbaraglia
Federico -- Eusebio Poncela
Sara -- Monica Lopez
Alejandro -- Antonio Dechent
Samuel -- Max von Sydow
Horacio -- Guillermo Toledo
Marido Sara -- Alber Ponte
Hija Sara -- Andrea San Vicente
Cautiva -- Susana Lazaro
Cautivo 2 -- Jesus Noguero
Cautivo 3 -- Ramon Serrada
Enfermera Planta -- Marisa Lull
Gerard -- Luis Mesonero
Inspector -- Pedro Beitia
Encargado -- Jaime Losada

Setting:

Synopsis: Tomas is a man that survived a plane crash and is thus picked out for a unique game by Federico, a man that survived an earthquake. In Intacto, luck is a commodity that can be won or lost -- all with tht touch of a hand. For Tomas and Federico, the ability to steal other people's luck is key to Tomas winning the game and Federico finally getting revenge on his old boss Sam, the owner of a casino. Sam, having survived the Holocaust as a Jew in a concentration camp, is the luckiest man alive, and the game is to try and challenge him and get out alive. Tomas and Federico have an uneasy relationship as they move through the different rounds of the game, with each round more and more dependent on one's acquired luck. When Tomas finally gets to meet Sam, he must decide whether or not there is more than just luck that will let him survive.

Opinion: I loved this movie. The whole concept is very intriguing, and I liked how no one knew what was going on for the first thirty minutes of the movie. As you slowly learn more and more with the progression of the story, you realize the full extent that Tomas and Federico are caught in forces beyond their control. Fresnadillo's cinematography is wonderful, with the juxtaposition of the flashing lights of the casino with the lifeless desert that surrounds it. The twist and turns in the movie are made even more intriguing with Sara, the police investigator trying to follow Tomas. As she gets pulled into the world of luck and gambling, you wonder just how this movie could possibly end, and the ending is exquisitely surprising, so be ready.


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Boca a Boca
Topic: Boca a Boca
Title: Boca a Boca

Director: Manuel Gomez Pereira

Year Released:1995

Country of Origin: Spain

Language: Spain

Cast:
Victor Ventura -- Javier Bardem
Amand -- Aitana Sanchez-Gijon
Bill/Ricardo -- Josep Maria Flotats
Angela -- Maria Barranco
Sheila Crawford -- Myriam Mezieres
Belvedere -- Jordi Bosch
Debra Reynolds -- Tres Hanley
Director Americano -- Alastair Mackenzie
Lucy -- Kiti Manver
Raul -- Fernando Guillen Cuervo
La Madre de Raul -- Amparo Baro
David -- Emilio Gutierrez Caba
Madre de Luci -- Asuncion Balaguer
Padre de Luci -- German Cobos
Padre de Victor -- Saturnino Garcia

Setting: Madrid

Synopsis: Main character Victor Ventura is down on his luck as he faces the harsh realities of life. Aspiring to be an actor, Victor goes to many auditions. However, he cannot seem to earn a part in any movie. With no way to make ends meet, Victor has no choice but to get a part time job. That job turns out to be working for a 1-900 number, which ends up complicating his life in a chaotic and hilariously funny way...

Opinion: I think that this is a very good movie. the plot is well thought-out, and you can enjoy watching it. Every challenge presented to Victor wil make you laugh, for he gets himself waist-deep in ironinc and uncomfortable situations. Although Boca a Boca is an older movie, it still has the ability to entertain. One of the highlights of the film is how it ends, which is a total surprise, so pay attention!


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La Ardilla Roja
Topic: La Ardilla Roja
Title: La Ardilla Roja

Director: Julio Medem

Year Released: 1993

Country of Origin: Spain

Language: Spanisht

Cast: Lisa -- Emma Suarez
Jota -- Nancho Novo
Carmen -- Maria Barranco
Anton -- Karra Elejalde
Felix -- Carmelo Gomez
Chica pelo azul -- Cristina Marcos
Chica pelo rojo -- Monica Molina
Psiquiatra -- Ana Gracia
Bego?a -- Elena Irureta
Eli -- Susana Garcia Diez
Cristina/Boy -- Ane Sanchez
Boy -- Eneko Irizar
Boy -- Sarai Noceda
Nicola -- Maite Yerro
Neurologist -- Txema Blasco

Setting: Campground in Spain

Synopsis: Believing he has nothing to live for, Jota is ready to commit suicide. He's ready to jump until he sees a woman crash and fall off her bike. He immediately goes to help her, or so it seems. Main character Lisa has lost her memory, and Jota has decided to take advantage of the situation. He tells everybody that they have been married, and then he flees with her to a secluded campground where they can begin a new life. However, his plan does not go off without a hitch...

Opinion: I believe that this movie could have been much better. Although it has a decent storyline, it does get hard to follow at certain points of the movie. Some people may actually lose interest in this one before they get to finish it. If the roughed up storyline isn't enough to scare you away, then perhaps the cinematography will be. Certain scenes in this film will make you laugh because of how poorly they were shot. The story has adecent moral to it, but the delivery is so weak that it is hard to pay attention long enogh to learn it. The film would have been much better had effort been put into the cinematography.


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Antes que Anochezca
Title: Antes que Anochezca

Director: Julian Schnabel

Year Released: 2000

Language: Spanish

Cast:
Reinaldo Arenas -- Javier Bardem
Lazaro Gomez Carriles -- Olivier Martinez
Pepe Malas -- Andrea Di Stefano
Bon Bon/Lieutenant Victor -- Johnny Depp
Herberto Zorrilla Ochoa -- Michael Wincott
Reinaldo's Mother -- Olatz Lopez Garmendia
Young Reinaldo -- Giovanni Florido
Reinaldo's Grandmother -- Lolo Navarro
Reinaldo's Father -- Sebastian Silva
Teacher -- Carmen Beato
Smallest School Child -- Cy Schnabel
Smallest School Child -- Olmo Schnabel
Teenage Reinaldo -- Vito Maria Schnabel
Reinaldo's Grandfather -- Pedro Armendariz Jr.
Carlos -- Diego Luna

Setting: Cuba (Havana) and United States of America (New York City)

Synopsis: Reinaldo Arenas was a gay writer who lived in Havana. He used his sexual orientation to spite the government. His homosexuality and writing got him into trouble and he spent two years in the prison. As soon as he got out he tried to get over the ocean to get to America but he didn’t succeed at first; so he tried to commit suicide by cutting his wrists. He didn’t even want to live in a place where he was so tied up and couldn’t do what he believed in. After he cut his wrists and was unconscious he was found by a friend and saved. If he would not have been found he would have probably killed himself. When he was in prison he wrote and managed to smuggle out a book. He got to America on a boat that left the country with all of the people who were not wanted in Cuba. Those people were other gays, poor people and people against the country. In the United States Arenas got what he had always wanted. He wanted to live the way that pleased him and to be free to express his ideas in his writing. Arenas got AIDS and died in New York City.

Opinion: I thought that this movie was alright. It taught a good lesson. It showed how a person struggled for what he believed in. It also opened my eyes to the situation in Cuba. I saw who got the permission to leave the country. The people were very poor and considered to be on the lowest scale of the society. Arenas had to change his name to get out of the country because the authority wanted to get him for his writing.


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El Mariachi
Topic: El Mariachi
Title: El Mariachi

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Year Released: 1992

Language: Spanish

Cast:
El Mariachi -- Carlos Gallardo
Domino -- Consuelo Gomez
Bigoton -- Jaime de Hoyos
Mauricio (Moco) -- Peter Marquardt
Azul -- Reinol Martinez
Cantinero -- Ramiro Gomez
Viejo Clerk -- Jesus Lopez
Domino's Assistant -- Luis Baro
The Boy -- Oscar Fabila
Azul's Rat -- Poncho Ramon
Azul's Rat -- Fernando Martinez
Bodyguard -- Manuel Acosta
Prisoner -- Walter Vargas
Prisoner -- Roberto Martinez
Female Bodyguard -- Virgen Delgado

Setting: A small town in the interior of Mexico

Synopsis: A Mariachi comes to town to look for a job playing his guitar. When he first enters the city he thinks that this might be a lucky city just because he got a free coconut. A free coconut does not mean that he won’t have a horrible time there. As soon as he gets there he is mixed up with the man who the local drug lord wants to get rid of. Both men carry guitar cases. Mariachi’s guitar case gets switched with the other one’s and the chase is on for the wrong man. Mariachi falls in love with a beautiful woman who owns a bar. Later he suffers for it. The drug lord wanted to woman to himself but she would not have him. The race that started for the wrong man eventually ends at the house of the drug lord with an interesting ending.

Opinion: I liked the movie and the message in it. The thing that I didn’t like very much was the violence. There was too much blood spilled. I liked that the movie told us how much drug lords dominate the lives of innocent people. Those drug lords can even be Americans living in Mexico. They are actually like the dictators in the Communist countries. Everybody is afraid of them and for a good reason too. Moco, the local drug lord, had his own men who protected him and did his bidding.

?All I wanted was to be a mariachi, like my ancestors. But the city I thought would bring me luck brought only a curse. I lost my guitar, my hand, and her. With this injury, I may never play the guitar again. Without her, I have no love. But with the dog and the weapons, I'm prepared for the future.?


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Todo Sobre Mi Madre
Topic: Todo Sobre Mi Madre
Title: Todo Sobre Mi Madre

Director: Pedro Almodovar

Year Released: 1999

Language: Spanish

Cast: Manuela -- Cecilia Roth
Sister Rosa -- Penelope Cruz
Agrado -- Antonia San Juan
Huma Rojo -- Marisa Paredes
Nina -- Candela Pe?a
Rosa (Sister Rosa's Mom) -- Rosa Maria Sarda
Lola -- Tony Canto

Setting: Spain

Synopsis: After her son's death, Manuela, a devoted mother, returns to Barcelona after eighteen years to find her son's father and tell him that his son is dead. The father, a transsexual by the name of Lola, does not even know that he had a son. The life of Manuela changes because of all the women she meets. First Agrado, an old friend and also a transsexual, introduces Manuela to Sister Rosa, who Manuela helps when Rosa gets pregnant. Also, Manuela meets Huma Rojo, the actress that her son admired.

Opinion: This is a good movie. With a good plot, it is still a little weird, as all of Almodovar's movies are. Almost all of the cast are women because the story revolves around the lives of women. this movie portrays the way to fight to keep going, even with all the problems that the women have. Todo Sobre Mi Madre reflects a lot of the problems that our society is dealing with and that are hard to understand, such as prostitution, HIV, drugs, transsexuals, and more. The story is a melodrama; we can see it in Manuela, Rosa, Huma, and Nina's lives, but Almodovar also brings a little comedy with Agrado's part.

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Chocolat
Topic: Chocolat
Title: Chocolat

Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Year Released: 2000

Language: English/French

Country of Origin: UK/USA


Cast:
Comte de Reynaud -- Alfred Molina
Caroline Clairmount -- Carrie-Anne Moss
Luc Clairmont -- Aurelien Parent Koenig
Jean-Marc Drou -- Antonio Gil-Martinez
Francoise Drou -- Helene Cardona
Dedou Drou -- Harrison Pratt
Didi Drou -- Gaelan Connel

Setting: France

Synopsis: Chocolat is a tantalizing story of a nomadic mother, Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche), and daughter who move to a strictly religious French village and set up a candy shop. Upon their arrival, it is the beginning of the 40-day and night Lenten period- a religious time of fasting and penitence. Her chocolate shop creates widespread hysteria in the town. As in the mayor’s eyes Vianne is the devil bringing corruption to townspeople. But some of the daring townspeople who drift into the shop soon encounter sensual experiences from the confectionery treats made by Vianne. Her depressed landlord becomes happy; a couple with marriage troubles become renewed; and an abused, unhappy wife gets courage to leave her husband. As the news of the sensual experiences spread through the town, more townspeople head to the shop to indulge in the chocolate and meet Vianne, with her warm, welcoming personality. All the while, the mayor is enraged by her actions, urging Vianne to leave town.

Opinion: Our class viewed this movie with the objective of comparing it with a Spanish movie, Come Agua Para Chocolat. Our intention was to view the power of food on emotions and see the sensual experiences that food brings to people. This movie is a must, bound to touch every emotion. The dancing techno priest will leave you with tears of laughter in your eyes and the abuse of the gypsies will leave you with tears of empathy. Vianne will capture your interest with her seducing smile and warm personality. She has the ability to revive a passion for life and its pleasures into the townspeople, leaving the viewer to contemplate their own lifestyles. Be prepared that it will leave your mouth watering for the hot- cocoa concoction and other chocolate treats of Vianne. Chocolat is assured to leave you inspired about life's pleasures.


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Elisa Vida Mia
Topic: Elisa Vida Mia
Title: Elisa Vida Mia

Director: Carlos Saura

Year Released: 1977

Language: Spanish

Country of Origin: Spain

Setting: Spain

Cast:
Elisa Santamaria -- Geraldine Chaplin
Luis -- Fernando Rey
Antonio -- Norman Briski
Elisa as child -- Ana Torrent

Synopsis: A contemplative writer, Luis (Fernando Rey), has abandoned his family and moved to the Spanish countryside to devote his life to writing and escape the modern world. His daughter, Elisa (Geraldine Chaplin), visits after twenty years and decides to stay, realizing her husband has become a stranger to her and she has lost her love for him. The movie progresses as Luis reads the memoir he is writing from Elisa’s viewpoint. The director, Carlos Saura uses many different narration techniques such as flashbacks, internal monologues, dreams, wishful fantasies, and stream of consciousness.

Opinion: The intellectual viewer will enjoy this brilliant film, leaving the viewer to attempt to decipher the movie. Its intricate plot, with many twists and viewpoints, leave viewers puzzled. This movie certainly left me to ponder not only the complexity of the plot but also the obscurities of life.


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