The Hidden Face

4 Potatoes

"The Hidden Face" (2011) by André Baiz- La Cara Ocluta is a thriller from Spain.

You know what happened and you know what is going to happen, but you don't know how it is going to end! Just a great thriller with unexpected and expected result.

You wouldn't regret watching it!


Synopsis: When his girlfriend, Bethlehem, vanishes, the handsome director of the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra despairs -- then gradually moves on. But even as he finds comfort in a new relationship, questions about Bethlehem's disappearance linger. (Netflix)



Available on DVD and Streaming

The Imposter

3 Potatoes

"The Imposter" (2012) by Bart Layton, a documentary about a French imposter Frédéric Bourdin and the family of a missing child Nicholas Barclay.

I have seen a film about this case "Chameleon" (2010) by Jean-Paul Salomé, which I talked about it on my blog.

The whole story is very disturbing, you know your own child, you know when the person is a stranger. The child do not change much around the age of 14-17. So  you know.

They are the only one know the truth what had happened to Nicholas.


Synopsis: A documentary centered on a young Frenchman who convinces a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who went missing for 3 years.




Official Site: http://imposterfilm.com/


Recommended on DVD.

"Miss Bala" & "REC 2" Failed...

1 Potato for both

I was pretty disappointed with this film "Miss Bala" (2011) by Gerardo Naranjo.
I remember this Mexican producer was raving about it at the AFI last year, but I have seen it better...

Another disappointment in the past a few weeks was the Spanish reality-show style horror "REC 2" (2009) by Jaume Balagueró & Paco Plaza. The part one was great.
There was a lot of mystery left at the end and I was so looking forward to seeing this sequel...

BUT the mysterious virus infested apartment building turned out be a house of a bunch of Linda Blair wannabe... Fail...

So what is this third sequel going to be?? OMEN?

I seriously need to restore my Netflix cue....

"Pina" 3D - Wim Wenders' latest

4 Potatoes

Last night Wim Wender introduced us the completely "new way" to enjoy 3D.
His latest film "Pina" (2011) a documentary/performing art film about the choreographer
Pina Bausch.

This could be the totally new way of enjoying stage/theater production also. It makes you feel like you are sitting on the front raw of the theater watching the performing art. So real.
Wim Wenders said "...3D was the only way to film dance...". He was so right.

Wim Wenders & Pina

Not only this documentary stunned me by the new discovery, it is also perfect in quality: location choices, music, editing and length of film.

Highly recommended.


Official Site & Trailer: http://www.pina-film.de/en/

More about Pina Bausch: http://www.pina-bausch.de/en/pina_bausch/index.php




USA: In Theater December 23rd, 2011


Germany's Official Submission for the Oscar 2012: Foreign Language Film

"The Chameleon"

2 Potatoes

The based on the biography by the famous French child impostor Frédéric Bourdin, "The Chameleon" (2010) by Jean-Paul Salomé is finally released in Los Angeles.

The story is truly interesting though the movie itself was weak. I thought they could have done better, more intense and more detailed. Ellen Barkin's performance was amazing though. She really changed her appearance.

Too bad, I could only give you 2 potatoes Marc-André Grondin!

Frédéric Bourdin News: Missing Nicholas Barclay

Synopsis: The amazing true story of Frédéric Bourdin, who after having plundered all the centers for runaway minors and deliquents in Europe, even thought he has come of age, now passes himself off as Nicholas Barclay, a 13-year-old American who had vanished three years ago. To his astonishment, Nicholas's family welcomes him like their son, leaving Interpol and the FBI aghast. It is the beginning of a race against time for the investigators, family and Bourdin. But who is manipulating whom? And who is Frederic Bourdin in reality? (IMDb)


USA: In Theater Now

Quote of the Day - Spanish

La Cita del Día - Corazón

Federico García Lorca

"Mira a la derecha y a la izquierda del tiempo y que tu corazón aprenda a estar tranquilo."


- Federico García Lorca

"CARLOS"

4 Potatoes

I am so excited to announce that the film, well I should say TV mini-series Golden Globe-winning "Carlos" 2010 by Olivier Assayas is finally available on streaming! It is a total 5.5 hours drama based on the story of Ilich Ramírez Sánchez aka 'Carlos the Jackal' who was the most wanted terrorist since 1970's. I recall some part of the actual attacks caused by 'Carlos' in the past, but there were more events I wasn't aware of.

The Venezuelan actor Édgar Ramírez who played 'Carlos' was amazing. He used his linguistic talent to the max, playing in 4 different languages fluently: Spanish, English, French, and German. WHO else can do that!!?? 

I saw the full version of this movie in theater last year when the American Cinematheque released it for one weekend. I think there was about 10 minutes intermission during the 5.5 hour movie. Personally I didn't need any intermission because the film was edited and directed so well, I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.

Assyas & Ramírez at the opening night of "Carlos"

At the screening, Olivier Assayas and Édgar Ramírez introduced the film. And when the moderator asked Édgar Ramírez if there was anything he would like to add before the film starts, he simply reply "what more can I add to a 5.5 hours film?". Great sense of humor.

Totally worth 330 minutes of your life.


Synopsis: Édgar Ramírez stars as Ilich Ramírez Sánchez -- aka Carlos the Jackal -- an elusive Venezuelan terrorist who executed scores of assassination plots, abductions and bombings across Europe and the Middle East. This Golden Globe-winning biopic follows Sanchez from 1973 to 1994 as he and his cohorts wreak havoc on the Left Bank in Paris, storm OPEC headquarters in Vienna and carry out other devastating acts of politically motivated violence. 
(NETFLIX)


USA: Full version (330 mins) - Streaming Available on Netflix


*UPDATE: DVD & BD The Criterion Collection Available Sep 27th, 2011
http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/carlos

"Abel"

4.5 Potatoes

The film "Abel" (2010) by Diego Luna was one of the best films I saw at
the AFI last year. It was also the Official selection for the Cannes 2010.

The little boy who played the character Abel was an amazing actor. Thanks to the great director Diego Luna who knew exactly how to direct children. His Q&A was fun, he became his own moderator and his son was running around in the theater. He was a child soap opera actor in Mexico and after achieving many successful movie careers internationally, he is now an actor, a producer and a director. He is truly the success story in the entertainment business.

I heard this film was released in the US in March this year, I am surprised that it was a small release for such a great film. Such a shame.

Synopsis: About a peculiar young boy who, as he blurs reality and fantasy, takes over the responsibilities of a family man in his father's absence. (IMDb)

Official Site (Mexico): http://www.abel-lapelicula.com/



US DVD Release: Coming Soon

"Love, Pain and Vice Versa: Violanchelo"

2.5 Potatoes

"Love, Pain and Vice Versa: Violanchelo" (2008) - Amor Dolor Y Viceversa by Alfonso Pineda Ulloa is a film from Mexico. I don't want to use the word "interesting" but it was interesting.

Two people are having dreams about one another and we don't know why, but it reveals slowly what is happening... well edited so you will not get too confused. I thought the music choice was wrong...
Good to see the actor Leonardo Sbaraglia again.

Synopsis: Architect Chelo (Barbara Mori) can't shake her drab love life or the prince who visits her dreams nightly. Dr. Marquez (Leonardo Sbaraglia) is happily engaged but plagued by nightmares of a seductive killer. When Chelo devises a method to make dream a reality, madness descends on both. Circumstances land Chelo and Marquez in a police house on either side of a two-way mirror, with each facing far more than meets the eye. (NETFLIX)


Available on DVD

Cannes Film Festival Season!

The official poster from the Cannes Film Festival 2011

Once again, it is the time of the year. Cannes Film Festival will open next week!


This year's official selection is revealed. There are some interesting ones. I just don't get it (sorry) why they chose "Midnight in Paris" (2011) by Woody Allen as the opening film...

Pedro Almodovar's "The Skin that I Live In"

The one that I am most looking forward to see is the latest film of Pedro Almodovar, "The Skin that I Live In" (2011) - La Piel Que Habito. It is based on a novel "Mygale" - Tarantula by Thierry Jonquet and screen adaptation by Pedro Almodovar. And the surprising cast of Antonio Banderas adds the interest to the movie. I am very glad that Antonio Banderas is now back to his root. He was a very talented actor in his Spanish era. And he should stay that way. Please do not waste your time in Hollywood, it is not for you.

"The Skin that I Live In" Teaser

Synopsis: A plastic surgeon, played by Antonio Banderas, in hunt for the men who raped his daughter.


Cannes Film Festival: From May 11 - May 22, 2011


Update: "The Skin that I Live In" will be released in the US, New York and Los Angeles, in November 2011. (5.2.11)


The Official Site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/theskinilivein/

"Which Way Home"

4 Potatoes



"Which Way Home" (2009) by Rebecca Cammisa is an Academy Nominee feature documentary film. Everyday thousand of children from all over South America, the youngest from 7 year-old, try to reach the US by hanging on to freight train illegally. More than 20% of those children lose their life by accident, rape, smuggling, exposure, and you name it... Some leaves home in search of his/her mother, father, hope and new life. Some leaves just everything behind, even family behind in hope for the better life. These are little children, 7, 8, 9, 10 year-old...

Speechless... It was so heartbreaking to see what these children are going through in search of better life and simply longing to see their mother, father or siblings who crossed the boarder and whom they haven't seen in years.

Why do they have to do this? Why their own country is not proving them the environment that they can all live together? It just make you think how fortunate you are. It did for me.