Goya en Burdeos
Topic: Goya en Burdeos
Title: Goya en Burdeos

Director: Carlos Saura

Writer: Carlos Saura

Year Released: 1999

Language: Spanish

Cast: Goya -- Francisco Rabal
Goya as a Young Man -- Jose Coronado
Rosario -- Dafne Fernandez
Leocadia -- Eulalia Ramon
Duchess of Alba -- Maribel Verdu
Moratin -- Joaquin Climent
Pepita Tudo -- Cristina Espinosa
Godoy -- Jose Maria Pou
Priest/San Antonio -- Saturnino Garcia
Woman in Andalucia -- Concha Leza
Doctor in Andalucia -- Franco di Francescantonio
Juan Valdes -- Carlos Hipolito
Salcedo -- Manuel de Blas
Braulio Poe -- Pedro Azorin
Jose de la Cruz -- Emilio Gutierrez Caba

Synopsis: It is based on the latter years of Francisco Goya’s life (1746-1828). Throughout the movie Goya relives many moments from his past. He is a deaf and ill old man who is married to a much younger woman. He is in exile from his native land because he does not agree with the way in which his homeland is being ruled. The best aspect of this movie is the depiction of the relationship between Goya and his young daughter. Through conversations with her, much is revealed about Goya’s life. This movie has a very documentary feel to it and its pure entertainment value is minimal. Its production is very theatrical and quite different from modern movies. Although it is not an action movie, that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat, as movies such as Amores Perros will, it is a movie worth watching on a rainy afternoon.

Opinion: If you are interested in watching this movie, it may be useful to look up Francisco Goya before you begin, because this movie is not for everyone. The film was obviously created on a small budget and it is very apparent that much more money and effort could have been spent on its production. The story line is convoluted at times and there are several very interesting scenes that some may have trouble understanding. The story of this old, deaf, and sick artist is at times very touching and is definitely worth watching if you are a movie watcher able to understand deep and confusing foreign plots and themes.


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Who was the Duchess of Alba?

Diarios de Motocicleta
Title: Diarios de Motocicleta

Director: Walter Salles

Year Released: 2004

Language: Spanish

Cast:
Ernesto Guevara de la Serna -- Gael Garcia Bernal
Alberto Granado -- Rodrigo de la Serna
Celia de la Serna -- Mercedes Moran
Ernesto Guevara Lynch -- Jean Pierre Noher
Aunt Rosana -- Susana Lanteri
Dr. Bresciani -- Jorge Chiarella

Setting: South America

Synopsis: Two young men make a trek across South America, based on the true events in the life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The two friends travel on a decrepit motorcycle through the rough terrain of the mountains and forests. They travel with minimal provisions and money and use their slick and clever personalities to solicit the help from the people that they meet along the way. They stay at a leprosy colony where they make friends and learn and help the lepers. Ernesto Guevara at this point in his life was an aspiring doctor just short of receiving his medical degree. This movie is an exciting reenactment of Guevara's travels as a young adult.

Opinion: This movie was extremely entertaining. The two young men are very spontaneous and unpredictable people, which keep the audience on their toes and continually anticipating Ernesto's next move. The trickery which they use to convince people that they are someone who they are not in order to gain food, shelter, or money is hilarious. Also, the humor in watching these two men on this little bike in a blowing snowstorm on the top of a mountain having to keep dragging themselves out of snow banks is, to say the least, entertaining.


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Biography of Che Guevara (en Espa?ol)

Amores Perros
Topic: Amores Perros
Title: Amores Perros

Director: Alejandro Gonzalez I?arritu

Writer: Guillermo Arriaga

Year Released:2000

Language: Spanish

Cast: El Chivo -- Emilio Echevarria
Octavio -- Gael Garcia Bernal
Valeria -- Goya Toledo
Daniel -- Alvaro Guerrero
Susana -- Vanessa Bauche
Luis -- Jorge Salinas
Ramiro -- Marco Perez
Gustavo -- Rodrigo Murray
Jorge -- Humberto Busto
Mauricio -- Gerardo Campbell
Aunt Luisa -- Rosa Maria Bianchi
Susana's Mother -- Dunia Saldivar
Octavio's Mother -- Adriana Barraza
Leonardo -- Jose Sefami
Maru -- Lourdes Echevarria

Setting: Mexico

Synopsis: This is a brilliant movie in which love is examined in three of its most common forms. Octavio and Susana are symbolic of new love. Love which must be fought for and won, the two are very passionate and there is much lust in their relationship. The second form of love taken in this movie is seen with Valeria and Daniel. This relationship is a very physically driven love. Daniel has left has separated from his wife in order to move in with Valeria, the stereotypicaly gorgeous supermodel. Finally the third kind of love is shown by the story of El Chivo. This is a man who gave up his wife and daughter in order to fight for his beliefs. He is looking back now and regretting his decision. He is symbolic of past love, a very nostalgic character that looks to the past to find consolation.
With those three basic storylines, this movie incorporates multiple techniques in order to keep the audience guessing and involved in the movie. Most notably can be seen by the title, Love’s a Bitch. This title explains the painful situations in which the characters find themselves in this movie. The titles alternate meaning, that of a female dog, alludes to a very key theme: dogs. Octavio attempts to provide for his love by fighting his dog, Valeria loves her dog like a son, and El Chivo cares for many dogs that keep him company in his lonely life. Many things can be said about the symbolism involved with the dogs in this movie, and each viewer is free to derive their own meanings. While watching this movie, keep in mind the relationship between the dog and its owner and the metaphorical significance of this relationship and comparison. The connection and similarities are a key factor in the plot.

Opinion: Perhaps the single most important scene in this movie is the car crash. In this one scene, which is replayed multiple times, all three story lines are brought together. After this interaction all three story lines change immensely. This single scene is the backbone of the movie, and is the point from which the drama and action are based.
All in all this movie is phenomenal. It is a very well written and directed piece of cinema that every movie lover and any person with an interest in human relationships needs to watch. There is heavy violence and this movie should only be watched by people who can look past violence and see that it contributes to the movie as a whole. Any viewer who is unable to look past this fact should reconsider judging the movie. It must be remembered that this film was produced and created in Mexico, a culture and a country entirely different than the United States. Amores Perros is most definitely one of the best movies I have ever watched and knowing that absolutely no animals were harmed in its production was very important. Any person who has already seen this movie, I ask you to judge not the violence, but the story and the movie as a whole, and for anyone who has not yet watched this movie, I advise you to go pick it up and be prepared to be amazed by this brilliant cinematic creation, just the first movie Alejandro Gonzalez I?arritu has directed.

In order to consider the brilliance and violence of this movie scan the following critique quotes. (senorcine takes no credit for the following critiques and each is based on someone else’s opinion which may differ from the reviewer posting this movie)

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Various Quotes
(taken from Movie ReviewRotten Tomatoes)

"For those willing to submit to its terrible charms, it may be the single most important debut to come out of the Americas in years."
-- Marc Savlov, AUSTIN CHRONICLE

"A truly stunning film, both horrible and beautiful."
-- Dave White, IFILM

"Grabs our attention... Innaritu is a clever visual stylist."
-- Ian Waldron-Mantgani, UK CRITIC

"It has an underlying warmth that elevates it to greatness."
-- Eric D. Snider, ERICDSNIDER.COM

"Never fails to be smart, engaging, audacious and haunting."
-- Bob Strauss, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

"The level of violence is so gratuitous and so disgusting that I picked up my coat several times and started to walk out, something I almost never do."
-- Steve Rhodes, STEVE RHODES' INTERNET REVIEWS

"Amores Perros is not simply another movie; it is a benchmark in film history."
-- David Perry, CINEMA-SCENE.COM

"Ferocious and beautiful."
-- Donald Munro, FRESNO BEE

El Crimen del Padre Amaro
Title: El Crimen del Padre Amaro

Director: Carlos Carrera

Year Released: 2002

Language: Spanish

Cast: Padre Amaro -- Gael Garcia Bernal
Amelia -- ana Claudia Talancon
Padre Benito -- Sancho Gracia
Augustina Sanjuanera -- Angelica Aragon
Dionisia -- Luisa Huertas
Obispo -- Ernesto Gomez Cruz
Martin -- Gaston Melo
Padre Natalio -- Damian Alcazar
Ruben -- Andres Montiel
Doc -- Gerardo Moscoso
Viejo -- Alfredo Gonzales
The Mayor -- Pedro Armendariz Jr.
Amparito -- Veronica Langer
Don Paco -- Lorenzo de Rodas
Padre Galvan -- Roger Nevares

Setting: Mexico

Synopsis: A young priest is introduced into a new church community as he tries to work his way up the catholic hierarchy. He falls in love with a young girl who is very involved with the church. They have a secret affair and and end up in a very difficult situation. This movie, full of sex, abuse, witchcraft, betrayal, and political corruption is a very risque and provocative movie.

Opinion: I thought this movie was a realistic potrayal of the corruption within the Catholic Church and society. The heart wrenching love story brings the movie alive, and the idea that it happened within the church made the story even more dangerous for the church. I believe that this movie was an act of criticism towards the church and an attempt to reveal the major hypocrisy that lies within the church.


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Essay on El Crimen del Padre Amaro (en Espa?ol)

Las Nueve Reinas
Topic: Las Nueve Reinas
Title: Las Nueve Reinas

Director: Fabian Bielinsky

Year Released: 2000

Language: Spanish

Cast: Juan -- Gaston Pauls
Marcos -- Ricardo Darin
Valeria -- Leticia Bredice
Federico -- Tomas Fonzi
Vidal Gondolfo -- Ignasi Abadal
Sandler -- Oscar Nu?ez

Setting: 2000 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Synopsis: Marcos, an experienced conartist, recruits Juan, a small-time conartist, to help him sell a counterfeit set of rare stamps called the Las Nueve Reinas, the Nine Queens, to Vidal Gondolfo, a rich stamp collector.

Opinion: This movie was a thrill from start to finish. Las Nueve Reinas takes so many twists and turns that you are never sure of what exactly happened until the credits are rolling. The main character, Juan, is played well by Gaston Pauls, but Marcos, played by Ricardo Darin, played a perfect character that you love to see conned by his sister, who is portrayed by Leticia Bredice. The sister is one of my favorite characters in the movie, but I do like Federico, too. This movie, overall, is a wonderful action/crime with lots of comedy in between. It is amazing to discover how all the pieces fit together.




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