welingto-1 Reviews

Two Rabbits (2012)

A modern Brazilian movie

[8/10 · 25 January 2012]

It's nice when we go to the the cinema with little or no expectations. Watching the trailer of "2 Coelhos", with many effects and explosions a la Hollywood, far from what we typically see in Brazilian films, we see the care in the production and editing of scenes and very little of plot of the movie.The trailer is well done, nothing spectacular or intriguing, but interesting enough to make us want to go to see this movie. I entered the room armed, waiting a sterile attempt to emulate the action films, empty and well packaged, I left the room surprised. In the end, the least caught my attention was the visual effects (there was nothing new) but the script, the editing and great performances.

It is not easy to summarize the plot, it is very intricate and full of twists and turns, false clues, comings and goings. Because of the choppy editing and flash backs, sometimes it's difficult to locate in time and space, but in the end, we understand everything all (or almost everything). I think the film needs to be seen more than once. Afonso Poyart, memorize this name, is a talented boy. He wrote the script and came out with a Phantom camera (that records one thousand frames per second) and many ideas in his head.From the style of the film, it is clear that the idols of Poyart are Fernando Meirelles, Christopher Nolan, Guy Ritchie and Tarantino. But he has plenty of talent and personality to create a unique style. I imagine the guy more mature, far from the grip of cinematographic references, and with more financial resources.

Linha de Passe (2008)

The best Brazilian movie of this year

[9/10 · 25 October 2008]

More than a movie, Linha de Passe is a study about the moral and ethical dilemmas that young people from Brazilian suburbs of big cities face on a daily life. It is a film much more rich and complex than it seems. By the apparent simplicity and fragmented structure, should not have the same impact of the Brazilian Central and the Motorcycle Diaries, Walter Salles recent productions.

The Cannes Film Festival confirmed the film to grant him the Golden Palm for best actress to Sandra Corvelloni, single mother of four children, maid and resident of Sao Paulo suburbs. The family, by leaps and bounds, struggling to survive in the metropolis. The oldest is Motorcycle courier, Dinho works in a gas station, Dario wants to be a soccer player and youngest Reginaldo, in brilliant interpretation, is obsessed by her father unknown.

The script, written by Daniela Thomas, Bráulio Mantovani and George Moura, gives an account of five characters who have to kill a lion a day and are faced with ethical dilemmas at every turn, choosing between them to deliver anything goes or to remain in line.

Era Uma Vez... (2008)

A touching and simple movie

[8/10 · 2 August 2008]

Breno Silveira invests in emotion and simplicity to build a story whose theme - economic and social inequality - is very complex and important to Brazilian society. Maybe the film is not reference for the viewer to drive down into the issue itself, but, of course, he will be touched by the story and the motivations of the characters.

Thiago Martins embodies Dé with great sensitivity, bringing a bit of history of the actor, also resident of a slum, to the character. He is the soul of the movie, he makes us to believe in the history of the couple, even in the most unlikely clichés moments. One of the most moving scenes is when Dé say to Nina's ex-boyfriend, a rich guy, on its status as a worker, a seller of hot-dog. At that point we visualize the millions of underemployed poorly paid, ignored by society, surviving in precarious housing in the country.

The end of the film has caused controversy. Some think outside the tone, exaggerated. I am not of that opinion. I think the final is poetic, emblematic, a request for assistance on behalf of love. Maybe some accused Breno Silveira of being naive, simplistic, but I think that is the price that he pays to be popular. We can not accuse him of lack of talent. Breno knows how to tell a story, how to reach the hearts of viewers.

Estômago (2007)

Wonderful movie

[9/10 · 19 February 2008]

I saw the movie at the ninth edition of the Rio International Film Festival. Estômago, a Gastronomic Story, wins four awards at Latin America's largest movie showcase. It's about Nonato (João Miguel), who immigrant from the northeast to the south of Brazil and becomes a talented cook. He uses his talent to get a better life and to get the attention of a a voracious and beautiful prostitute Iri (Fabiola Nascimento) The official jury gave "Estomago" a special jury prize as well as awards for best director and best actor (Joao Miguel). The Brazil-Italy co-production also took home the audience award. "Estomago" centers on a talented cook who aims to use his culinary skills to gain power and love.

Meu Nome Não é Johnny (2008)

Really good entertainment

[8/10 · 6 January 2008]

With efficient and exemplary narrative, My Name Is Not Johnny is a very good entertainment. It combines comedy, drama and adventure, more comedy than drama, it is true, in addition to bringing back the symbolic 80's in a perfect costumes and sceneries.

Based on real events and inspired by the book written by journalist Guilherme Fiúza, the film portrays the same environment in which Cazuza, a famous Brazilian singer who died of aids, lived: great music, cocaine, alcohol and hedonism. Joao Guilherme, a crazy middle-class guy, enter into the world of drugs at the beginning as consumer and became a traffic dealer. He spent all money he gets with parties, trips and drugs. He was arrested and today, recovered from addiction, is a recognized musical producer. If he were black and poor their fate would be different, probably much more tragic. Money and a good lawyer makes difference.

The film is a mountain of events. Joao Guilherme contagious those around them and the narrative with his ironic humor. There is always a witty comment for every situation, the tragedy etched not delay turns comedy. Mauro Lima, another talented director, filmed with passion and without trials, and creates a pop package that has everything to entertain the public. If the characters lack psychological density or if the subject has been much exploited by the Hollywood cinema, it not lack creative energy. Selton Mello is a strong candidate of best actor of the year.

Mutum (2007)

The Poetry of Life

[9/10 · 27 November 2007]

Transpose the universe of Guimarães Rosa, one of the most important Brazilian writers, rich in unusual of phrases and words, the use of neologisms, with the vocabulary close to the language of "sertanejos" of Minas Gerais and philosophical questions about life and death, is a difficult task. But it is a universe so rich and full of themes that a small cut it is material for a good film. Sandra Kogut, director of the documentary "Passaporte Húngaro", chose to adapt the story of Miguilim, considered one of the best of Portuguese language, for today, and gave the name of Mutum, small town in a rural area of Minas. She met the majority of its players among the residents of the region.

The story of Miguilim is about the loss of innocence and the lack of understanding by the child of the problems of the adulthood. "Miguilim had no desire to grow, to be great person. The conversation between adults was always the same things dry, with the need to be gross, scary things . ", Writes Guimarães Rosa in this short story. Those fears also: "Miguilim did not like to put eyes in the dark.".

The film has the simplicity of the characters, without music and fireworks, or formulaic script, like life itself has greatness in small things. The melancholic eyes of Miguilim are our eyes, in joy and in sorrow. Mutum is not a perfect film. Some key scenes pass quickly, without time to absorb some events. Perhaps is the desire to contemplate such beauty. Pure Poetry, the movie was shown in Cannes Film Festival and received praises worldwide.

Noel (2006– )

Good movie

[8/10 · 11 November 2007]

Two hours of Noel Rosa pass like a hurricane. His affections, drinking bout and adventures are portrayed on the screen with fidelity, verve and humor. The director Ed Van Steen concentrates on the last years of the life of Noel, when you get the success and also the fatal tuberculosis. Noel died young, with twenty-six years. The film has an extraordinary reconstitution of time, splendorous outfit, excellent photography, editing, sound and competent actors delivered to the characters. Camila Pitanga is Ceci, the great love of his life, Rafael Raposo is Noel, Carol Bezera Araci de Almeida, and has stakes special by Supla, Oto and Roberta Rodrigues (excellent). The biography of Noel goes through the life of the poet without depth or great explanations about that era, but with grace and musicality.

Podecrer! (2007)

A good trip to the 80's

[11 November 2007]

The film is a funny comedy about a group of teenage friends during the high school period that reveals important questions inherent in youth and tries (successfully) not to be a Brazilian American Pie or a kind of foolishness. Thanks to the talent and sensitivity of the director Arthur Fontes (of Surf Adventures), good actors (Stefan Nercessian, Maria Flor, Dudu Azevedo, Fernanda Paes Leme), the soundtrack is not rock from the 80's(Jorge Well, Tim Maia, Secos and Wet). Pode Crer! is a film that is worth being watched. The kids portrayed in Pode Crer!, Though not alienated, wanted more fun, dates and making plan for the future. Some interruptions of images in super-8 with a little background music break the pleasant narrative displayed on the screen.

City of Men (2007)

Sensitive and emotive movie

[9/10 · 2 September 2007]

I just saw it and despite of the rough theme is a sensitive and emotive movie, very different from City of God. City of God was frenetic, full of effects, City of Men is more traditional and the narrative is more conventional. The traffic and the violence is in the background, the theme here is the paternity. Acting is first class, music is melodious and integrate to the scenes, photograph is similar to City of God. Above the summary: Laranjinha and Acerola are preparing themselves to adult life! At the age of 18, each boy has his own problems: Child, women, family, job, forgotten wishes and dreams are some of this adventure's spices, which, to add another pinch of thrill, tells about a war on the hill that will expel the young adults from their community. Will be definite all those changes?

Elite Squad (2007)

Terrific Thriller

[10/10 · 16 August 2007]

If you loved City of God and Carandiru, you have to see this movie. Maybe it's the most complex Brazilian movie about violence. It combines a discussion about the problem of violence in Rio de Janeiro, the police corruption and the society responsibility and, what is more important, Elite Squad is a terrific thriller: nervous, intriguing and entertaining. Cinema at it's best.

Bráulio Mantovani, from City of God, wrote the screenplay and Daniel Rezend, also from CDD, is the editor (Both nominated to the Oscar).

Above, one article about the film:

"WASHINGTON (Reuters Life!)

characters lie dead in the street within minutes of the opening of Brazilian director Jose Padilha's new film which he hopes will shed new light on gang violence and police corruption in his country.

"Elite Squad," which Padilha wrote with former Rio police officer Rodrigo Pimentel, follows two young Rio de Janeiro police officers as their fantasy of implementing law and order disintegrates into bloodshed and corruption.

It details night raids through the makeshift homes of the city's hillside slums known as favelas, as well as the stark class differences that feed an appetite for riches among many of its poor residents.

Padilha, 39, said he had originally hoped to use the information he received from Pimentel for a documentary but quickly realized that it would not be feasible.

"How would I do this, go to corrupt cops with cameras?" he asks. "If I tried to make this film as a documentary, it would probably get me killed." Padilha, whose highly-acclaimed debut film "Bus 174" about a real-life bus hijacking in Rio was released in 2002, has strived to make the film as realistic as possible, shooting much of the film on the favelas' narrow streets.

"Elite Squad" is based on Pimentel's account of his tenure as captain of Rio's elite police force which has come under attack by Amnesty International for brutality.

Like "Bus 174," it exposes the darker elements of Brazil that contrast vividly with the nation's colorful, extravagant Carnival celebrations."