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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El
Title: El

Director: Luis Bu?uel

Year Released: 1953

Language: Spanish

Cast:
Francisco Galvan de Montemayor -- Arturo de Cordova Gloria Milalta -- Delia Gaces
Esperanza Peralta -- Aurora Walker
Padre Velasco -- Carlos Martinez Baena
Pablo -- Manuel Donde
Ricardo Lujan -- Rafael Banquells
Beltran -- Fernando Casanova

Setting: Mexico

Synopsis: Francisco is rich, rather strict on principles, and still a bachelor. After meeting Gloria by accident, he is suddenly intent on her becoming his wife and courts her until she agrees to marry him. Francisco is a dedicated husband, but little by little his passion starts to exhibit disturbing traits. Nevertheless, Gloria meets with skepticism as she expresses her worries to their acquaintances.

Opinion: This movie was very enjoyable. Francisco's behavior is both entertaining and disturbing at the same time. It is easy to be sympathetic to Gloria without her becoming an absolute victim. Arturo de Cordova is wonderful as an obsessive husband that cannot get adultery out of his mind. His insanity is extremely well played out, especially with the staircase scene. Also, the priest is a character that is wonderfully abhorable, considering the way Francisco has the priest in his hold. Overall, this is a very good movie.


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La Mariposa
Topic: La Mariposa
Title: La Mariposa

Director: Jose Luis Cuerda

Year Released: 1999

Language: Spanish

Cast: Don Gregario -- Fernando Fernan Gomez
Moncho -- Manuel Lozano
Rosa -- Uxia Blanco
Ramon -- Gonzalo Uriarte
Andres -- Alexis de los Santos
D. Avelino -- Jesus Castejon
Otis -- Guillermo Toledo
Carmina -- Elena Fernandez
Roque -- Tamar Novas
Roque -- Padre Tatan
Boal -- Roberto Vidal Bola?o
Macias -- Celso Parada
Cura -- Celso Bugallo
Alcalde -- Antonio Lagares
Nena -- Milagros Jimenez

Setting: Spain

Synopsis: Butterfly, or Mariposa, in Spanish, takes place in the in the 1930s in Spain at the beginning of the Civil War. It tells the story of young Moncho, who befriends his schoolteacher, don Gregorio. It tells it from two points of view, the teacher trying to bring peace to his children and their world, and the young boy who is trying to understand the gigantic world around him. Moncho learns much about the world from his teacher, including butterflies.

Opinion: The film Butterfly is one of the most heartwarming movies I have seen. Its mix of innocence, humor and tragedy make for a compelling and beautiful story. The teachings of the butterflies are a metaphor for the change coming in Spain and in both of their lives. This metaphor rings cleverly through each character in the film. This begs the question; did the teacher know about the coming conflict? And if so, was he trying to say something to his young friend? Butterfly is a beautiful story about life and change. In my opinion, it is one of the most heart-warming films ever. I would strongly suggest this movie to anyone looking for a movie with a strong story and wonderful heart.


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If I were Moncho essay (en Espa?ol)

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?