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Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne (2019)
Disappointing ending episode full of violence , surprises , twists and turns
An embarrassing final portraying the violently graphic and strong facing off among various families in an undetermined time and set in the aftermath of the devastating attack on King's Landing in which dragons used their unlimited power and Iron fleet utilized the scorpion weapons . Forces have arrived at Kings Landing for the final battle and Daenerys Targaryen , Emilia Clarke , must face the survivors.
Here writers David Benioff, D.B. Weiss failed in delivering enough and interesting surprises to enjoy the hardcore fans . This is sixth episode , eight season , of the popular series that takes its name from the first novel in the book series "A Game of Thrones" - which is actually known as "A Song of Ice and Fire",",and most of the show is largely faithful to the books , being this last chapter a free adaptation .This final epic dealing with nine noble families battle for control of the mythical land of Westeros results to be a spectacular ending series dealing with friction between the houses Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Targaryen and with the remaining great houses Greyjoy, Tully, Arryn,Tyrell and Martell , but turning to be a disenchanment , that's why the surprises are absurd and disconcerting . A real disappointment that has been panned by a lot of reviewers .The dragon attacks are imaginatively brought to life on groundbreaking images when some buildings explode with the green fires , including great production values and outstanding scenarios , adding colorful computer generator images , but all of them falling short . However , the rousing and impressive musical score by Ramin Djawadi is frankly sensational , as usual . As well as the colorful and glimmer cinematography , though some dark , by cameraman Jonathan Freeman . This final episoce was regularly directed by Miguel Sapochnik .
Instinto (2019)
Mediocre series plenty of thrills , betrayal , corruption , luxury , nudism and sexy scenes
Marco (Mario Casas), is a successful businessman of an enterprise called ALVA, which has just launched its latest prototype into the market - CYCLONE, an electric car propelled by turbines that turn wind into energy. His colleague is called Diego (Jon Arias) who works efficiently with him, along with the latter's spouse , Bárbara (Bruna Cusí) , the important marketing manager of the company. Eva (Silvia Alonso) , a new , mean , young woman also joins the team, and she will disrupt the balance at work, both emotionally and professionally, between the two business partners . In spite of being a popular guy, Marco, unlike Diego, doesn't have an exciting social life. He is a loner , and no one has access to the intimacy of his soul, apart from his psychologist, Sara (Miryam Gallego) who also has her sexual troubles . Marco is haunted by a huge number of ghosts from his past and, although he tries hard to scare them away by entering at a peculiar club . In this place people go there just to get pleasure and without fear of falling in love, carrying out extreme intercourse and bondage . But everything changes when Marco meets Carol (Ingrid García Jonsson) , the new unabled teacher who cares his mentally handicapped brother José (Oscar Casas , real brother to Mario Casas ) . Things go wrong when there appears his lost mother Laura Mur Seco (Lola Dueñas) . With her, he will also meet his worst enemy - himself.
This is a sexy and high-standing drama with emotions , thrills , a lot of nudism and a great deal of loving scenes . As the series contains several strong images when Marco who only finds comfort in sport and in frequenting a private club in ¨Eyes wide shut¨ (by Stanley Kubrick) style , giving free reign to the wildest erotic fantasies, including masochism , sadism , extremely sexy frames and everyone has to wear a mask to hide their faces . Although there are also feeling scenes as Marco discovers that it is never too late to love, even if it brings some pain along with it . Enjoyable but complicated brothership between 18-year-old boy with problems of autism, José : Óscar Casas and Marco : Mario Casas with whom he has a hard relationship . Mario Casas gives an average acting , in his usual style , as a young businessman as well as a solitary man , who manages one of the most successful technological companies in the world . Ingrid García Jonsson as a educational psychologist who looks after his brother played by Óscar Casas . The gorgeous Silvia Alonso plays a young, ambitious engineer who has a lot to hide .His friend and classmate Diego Bernal is decently played by Jon Arias . Miryam Gallego plays a psychologist on whom Mario is emotionally dependent . Other actors appearing and delivering acceptable interrpretations are the following ones : Juan Diego Botto , Álex Gadea , Denis Gómez , Mariola Fuentes , Roger Coma , Alex Hafner , Alberto San Juan and Belén Fabra as an advocate at law . The series formed by 8 episodes was regularly directed by Roger Gual and Carlos Sedes .
The Swarm (1978)
Below average catastrophe movie, badly produced and directed by Irwin Allen
Lousy catastrophe movie by usual Irwin Allen with ordinary big actors and embarrassing filmmaking. Michael Caine plays a scientist fends off a swarm along with Katharine Ross . It is a swarm of killer bees causing death, destruction and wreak havoc. While the military high staff : Richard Widmark, Bradford Dillman, Cameron Mitchell attempt to take extreme measures. Later on, the feared swarm attacking Houston . Monsters by the millions - and they're all for real! This is more than a movie. It's a prediction! The most terrifying thing about THE SWARM is that it is based on Fact: It exists. Fact: It has awesome destructive power. Fact: We don't know how to stop it. It is more than speculation... it is a prediction! ...is here!
Low-brow insect movie with absurd script, primitive effects and average acting. This is a failed and boring catastrophe movie that even a wasted all-star cast cannot save .Disastrous catastrophe movie in which lacks characterization , being an immense bore . Silly screenplay by the prestigious Stirling Silliphant who was presumably well paid . Ridiculous and absurd FX, in fact the bees are really just black spots painted on the movie . This formula intrigue movie belongs to catastrophe genre of the 70s , being the undisputed king , ¨The towering inferno¨ along with ¨Earthquake¨ , ¨Two minutes warning¨ and many others ; this formula disaster movie was widely developed by Irwin Allen , previously winner of numerous Oscars for ¨Poseidon¨ until the failures as ¨Beyond Poseidon¨, ¨Swarm¨ and ¨When the time ran out¨ , retitled ¨Earth's final fury¨ . Filmed at the height of the disaster genre from the 7os , this entry in the spectacular series profits of an all-star though really wasted and a suspenseful final that takes place at the ocean . It is really a B movie on bees, but it is still better than "The Bees" film. However, the main and support cast are very good but extremely wasted, giving mediocre performances such as : Michael Caine Richard Widmark, Richard Chamberlain, Henry Fonda, Ben Johnson, Olivia De Havilland, Fred McMurray , Patty Duke Astin , Slim Pickens , Bradford Dillman , Alejandro Rey , Don 'Red' Barry and many others.
Atmospheric photography in Panavision by Fred J. Koenekamp . Intriguing and thrilling score by Jerry Goldsmith in his usual style . This big-budgeted disaster movie was badly directed by Irwin Allen ; this was his big flop . It was the ¨Swam Sing¨ by Irwin Allen, a great producer and director that financed several disaster movies . Rating : 3.5/10 . Inferior disaster movie and bottom of barrel.
Esa voz es una mina (1956)
Antonio Molina show as a miner who becomes a famous singer , being magnificently accompanied by a great plethora of secondaries
Attractive and charming comedy/drama with a successful singer : Antonio Molina . Sympathetic and fun dramedy with the youthful idol who attempts to bring to life their dreams , to cure his handicapped wife making their desires truth of being artist to raise money and heal her . Here Antonio is a poor and unfortunate miner who along with his colleagues of the ¨La Confianza Carbonifera Minas S.A.¨ participates at a contest of worker chorus to get money for his unabled wife and his three children .
Agreeable , enjoyable musical comedy/drama with a good cast , starred by prodigious singer Antonio Molina as a hard-working miner , being assisted by an excellent plethora of familiar secondaries . Of course , Antolio Molina steals the spectacle as the splendid singer who sings along the miners some popular songs as Blanca Paloma or Soy minero . The scenarios and studios in which develop the deeds are well designed . Musical score responds appropriately to the ambient , originating a careful atmosphere and including several catching and popular songs by Antonio Molina . Luminous and glimmer cinematography in black and white by Cecilio Paniagua , though mostly shot in Chamartín studios .
Here Antonio Molina gives a sensitive and natural acting as a miner and singer . Antonio Molina (9 March 1928 - 18 March 1992) was a Spanish Flamenco dancer and popular singer and actor in films and on theatrical stage. Since a little boy he worked at all kinds of jobs . While his military service he participated in broadcasting contests , his big hit caused he abandons his former employments and he becomes a professional singer at the early 50s . He turns a successful career as a notorious singer and his film debut is ¨El pescador de coplas¨ 1953 , following the semi-autobiographic ¨Esta voz es una mina¨ 1956 and subsequently creating his own spectacle company . Born in Málaga, from the age of 10 he showed great aptitude for flamenco singing, and became popular by participating in various radio shows. He had a high, brilliant voice, which he perhaps abused until he lost it prematurely. He was very popular starring in many theater shows. His film career began in 1953, and he is remembered for films such as "El pescador de coplas" (1953), "Esa voz es una mina" (1955), and "La hija de Juan Simón" (1956). He maintained his popularity for many years by touring with his own musical show. After a few years of retirement, he attempted an unsuccessful come-back in 1986. Molina was the husband of Angela Tejedor and they had 8 children, among them actors and actresses (Ángela Molina, Miguel Molina, Paula Molina, Noel Molina and Mónica Molina). He died in Madrid in 1992. Antonio starred a few but successful films , such as : Puente de coplas (1961) by Santos Alcocer , Café de Chinitas (1958) by Gonzalo Delgras , The Christ of the Lanterns (1958) by Gonzalo Delgras , La Novia de Juan Lucero (1958) by Santos Alcocer , Juan Simón's Daughter (1957) by Gonzalo Delgras , Malagueña (1956) by Ricardo Nuñez , Esa voz es una mina (1955) , The Fisher of Songs (1954) , El macetero (1951) .
Support cast is frankly awesome , such as : Nani Fernández , Rafael Durán , Ángel Álvarez , Valeriano Andres , José Luis López Vázquez as a priest with much hair , Casimiro Hurtado , José Sepúlveda , Francisco Bernal ,Félix Fernández , the presenter Bobby Deglané and José Franco who steals the show as a likeable and good entrepreneur who helps Antonio to get fame and fortune .
The motion picture was well directed by Luis Lucia . He was an advocate at law for the powerful production company Cifesa . His film debut was ¨13-13¨ and subsequently ¨Hombre De Negocios¨, two average ¨comedies . Later on , he directed two dated historical dramas : ¨Princesa De Ursinos¨ and ¨Jeromin¨ . And he made various Folkloric films for Juanita Reina : ¨Lóla La Piconera¨ , ¨Gloria Mairena¨ , Carmen Sevilla : ¨Hermana De San Sulpicio¨ , Lola Flores : ¨Morena Clara¨ , Antonio Molina : ¨Esta Voz Es Una Mina¨ , among others .
Todo está oscuro (1997)
A strong drama with intrigue and thrills, dealing about young sicarios in Colombia
A journalist, Silvia Munt, to be aware about his brother has been killed in Colombia, as she travels to Santa Fe de Bogota where he was murdered. There she contacts his girlfriend Leonor : Klara Badiola. She discovers a crime-ridden city with drug trafficking, gangs and violence to be the norm. She meets a young sicario : Diego Achuri and his little sister. She seeks the truth in a city of lies. As the city was under extreme violence, ruling the strongest law and where kiddies and teenagers are dragged into a life of crime, become assassins . Pablo Escobar's empire governs the city, but a bit later on, he is detained and his power is dismantled and diverse factions are spreading war each other, carrying out an orgy of violence and massacres.
A harsh and intriguing film about teen sicarios who kill too easily, as they unscrupulously murder by money and drugs. This is a provoking look at an ominous underworld plenty of dangers, odds and killings. This is a mystery thriller and intense as well as intimist drama with intrigue, suspense, pursuits and social denounce about Narcos . Although there is some violence, this is not really exhibited, neither crude killings, not gore , but murders are shown in off. This picture bears remarkable resemblance to posteriorly made La Virgen de los Sicarios or Our lady of the assassins 2000 by Barbet Schroeder, also dealing with children assassins killing relentlessly by money or vengeance. Intelligent and thought-provoking script by Carlos Perez Merinero and Ana Diaz herself.
It contains an atmospheric musical score the French Pascal Gaigne, a prestigious composer who has composed a lot of films as El faro de de las orcas, Plan de Fuga, El olivo, Handia. The picture was well produced by Angel Amigo who has financed documentary as Sol del membrillo, Galindez and films as : Andel eta Yul, Fuga de Segovia, Un invierno en Lisboa and Cazador de dragones . The motion picture was professionally directed by Ana Diez. This craftswoman has made documentary as Galindez, Hay motivo, Danza de fieras, Mafia en la Habana and movies as Ander eta Yul, Algunas chicas doblan piernas cuando hablan, Paisito , among others . Rating 6/10. Acceptable, passable and a decent flick.
Pecos è qui: prega e muori! (1967)
Strange and entertaining Spaghetti Western blending shoot'em up , Aztec Temple and Moctezuma treasure
This is the sequel to My name is Pecos 1966 by Mauricio Lucidi with Robert Woods , Pier Paolo Capponi , Peter Carsten about a hero called Pecos Martinez and in USA called Johnny Madoc , well played by Robert Woods , one of the first , if not the first Mexican gunslinger heroes in a Spaghetti Western. A part so against type for the six foot five American that took to taping his eyelids up to attempt and make look more Latino role . It deals with a heinous group led by a strange and magalomaniac leader nicknamed El Supremo , Erno Crisa , who lives in a temple craved on a hidden canyon, is terrorizing the population while seeking the Moctezuma treasure . And three musicians drifters find at a home previously attacked by bandits , a treasure map describing where is the legendary treasure of the King Azteca Moctezuma who long time ago was overthrown by the Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes and his warriors . Then , there appears Pecos : Robert Woods , to keep peace and justice at the Mexican territory . Everyone wants to know who the Mexican is . He always answers slowly My name is Pecos . Pecos Martínez to be exact , and he's returned to settle up with the leader , Erno Crisa , of a gang of cutthroat hoodlums : Pedro Sanchez or Ignacio Spalla and Carlo Gaddi . Pecos gets mixed with El Supremo's men and kill them . All of them seek the lost treasure of Moctezuma hidden at an Aztec pyramid. Then starts pursuits , and duels between a Mexican hero against a weird villain proclaimed a Moctezuma's descendant and along with a Mexican temple , what more might you as for?.
Fun , and amusing but rare Spahetti Western with Mexico setting including bloodless gunplay , noisy action , thrills , bizarre villains and shootouts . The weird story revolves around the hunt for a gold treasure , and a golden barge located at a mysterious Aztec temple , along the way there takes place confrontation , gundown , brawls and many other things. This film made Robert Woods internationally known as Pecos in the third world countries similar to Franco Nero as Django and Gianni Garco as Sartana . This film along with My name is Pecos 1966 became not only two of Woods' most enduring acting , but two of his biggest boxoffice hits in Italy . Although his biggest honour at the boxoffice was really Seven guns for the MacGregors originally intented for Clint Eastwood , but which he refused to make . Other important successes in his long career in Spaghetti were Black Jack , The challenged of McKenna where Woods plays the villain opposite John Ireland . And other movies such as El Puro , Machine gun Killers more than make up for any lesser efforts and can stand proudly alongside anything produced in their time . And Woods' interpretations in these pictures , alongside his willingness to take the chances he did in making them stand as a fitting tribute to riveting and fruitful career. Along way Robert Woods , here appears some familiar faces from this popular genre Spaghetti Western such as Erno Crisa , Umberto Raho , Luciana Gilli, Giuseppe Castellano , and especially Carlo Gaddi and Ignacio Spalla or Pedro Sánchez .
It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by Franco Villa . As well as a charming and attractive musical score in Morricone style by Coriolano Gori . The motion picture was professionally directed by Mauricio Luzidi. He was a good craftsman who directed all kinds of genres. Luzidi has directed Peplum : Hercules the avenger , Thrillers : The man from the organization , The designated victim , Probabilita zero, Statelíne motel , and Westerns : 2 once di piombo , Pecos e qui pega e muori , Halleluja for Django , Saddle tramps , among others . Rating 5.5/10 . Acceptable and passable . The picture will appeal to Spaghetti Western fans .
Spara Joe... e così sia! (1971)
Inferior and low-budgeted Spaghetti Western in which a nasty band pursues Richard Harrison
The Jack's (José Torres) gang (formed by Gaspar 'Indio' González as Francis , Rick Boyd , Antonio Cantafora and Roberto Maldera as Ted) robs a bank at a little town , but Ted takes the stolen money and flees , then Jack and his heinous band are detained and imprisoned . Escaping Ted from the bandits he is wounded and is healed by man named Joe (Richard Harrison) . Meanwhile , the outlaws who break out of jail search for the stranger called Dakota Joe who has the map to a get the stolen fortune and taken by Ted in the bank robbery. Later on , there happens a relentless and merciless chase.
This moving Ravioli Western packs thrills , shootouts , noisy action , riding pursuits , but being an inferior and twilight entry in this prolific Spaghetti genre . Italian production filmed in Laccio , Rome , Italy , being full of familiar faces , assaults , exaggerated characters , gun-down , lots of shots , fights and with some looks that say it all , including an exciting and twisted ending that is the best part of the movie . Furthermore , including breif nudism by the beautiful Franca Polesello . Starring Richard Harrison who stands out his strong , piercing eyes and striking look , featuring as a man escaping from a band of cutthroats . Harrison is so-so as a peaceful man who heals ill people and turns a tough avenger when he is blinded by the ominous group of attackers , as he ravages the screen , he jumps , leaps and bounds , hits and runs ; besides , receiving violent punches , wounds , tortures and finally blinded . Worthwhile watching for a demonstration of the confrontation between the two-fisted Richard Harrison against the dangerous and ambitious killers . Richard Harrison played in Hollywood some minor roles as ¨Kronos¨, ¨South Pacific¨ and ¨Master of world . Then , Harrison jumped at the chance when offered the first character in 1961 ,¨The Invincible Gladiator¨ , which was filming in Europe . He wound up settling in Italy for the next two decades . To avoid being penned in too much as a muscle man , he sought characters in routine spaghetti westerns as ¨Texas the Red¨, ¨Gringo¨, ¨Reverendo Colt¨ , ¨One Hundred Thousand Dollars for Ringo¨, ¨Stagecoach of the Condemned¨ , ¨Gunfight at High Noon¨ and this ¨Joe Dakota¨ , even the main role from ¨For a fistful of dollars¨ was offered to Richard Harrison , but he turned down and explaining : Maybe my greatest contribution to cinema was not doing Fistful of Dollars, and recommending Clint Eastwood for the part . Support cast is frankly good , thanks to the familiar secondary actors .Here appear important secondaries from Spaghetti Western , such as : José Torres , Gaspar 'Indio' González, Roberto Maldera , Corrado Olmi and Federico Boido or Rick Boyd and Antonio Cantafora or Michael Coby .
There are fine technicians , nice assistant direction and mediocre production design , creating an atmospheric scenario across the Italian outdoors , including the stark landscapes , dunes , rocks , and mountains . Adequate and evocative cinematography by Silvio Fraschetti , but a perfect remastering being necessary . Enjoyable musical score by Vasili Kojucharov as Maestro Vasco in Spaghetti style . This ¨Spara Joe... e così sia!¨or ¨Dakota Joe¨ or ¨Shoot Joe and Shoot again¨ was lousily directed by Emilio Miraglia as Hal Brady . He was a Second Unit Director or Assistant Director in 20 films and subsequently turned to filmmaking in a few titles , directing Giallo , Thriller and Western such as : The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave , The Red , Queen Kills Seven Times , At Any Price or The Vatican affaire , The Falling Man , Assassination and Dakota Joe . Rating . 3.5/10 . Below average . Only for Richard Harrison fans and Spaghetti western completists .
Wings of the Hawk (1953)
Mexico setting Western with standard story that engages the viewer until the last scene .
During the Mexican revolution of 1910, a Gringo prospector and miner called Gallager (Van Hefiln) is caught up in the Mexican revolution of 1910-11 when a nasty governor Ruiz (George Dolenz) appropriates his mine. He escapes and to be aware there's a price on his head , wanted: dead or alive , reward : 5.000 dollars . Along the way Gallager saves the life of guerilla leader Raquel (Julie Adams) who is engaged to another revolutionary (Rodolfo Acosta) . Then at the rebel campament shows up the popular leader Pascual Orozco to join forces to carry out a march on Ciudad Juarez . The film is set during the Mexican Revolution , in fact there appears a historical character , Pascual Orozco (well played by Noah Beery Jr) . Orozco was a Mexican revolutionary leader who rose up with Francisco I. Madero late 1910 to depose Porfirio Díaz. After leading up to Orozco's march on Ciudad Juárez and the seizure of Ciudad Juárez, Madero designated his first provisional cabinet, having Venustiano Carranza, a wealthy landowner like Madero, in the War Ministry, a position that Orozco longed for. Venustiano Carranza would eventually become a President of Mexico. Orozco and Villa first confronted Madero by bursting into a meeting of his shadow cabinet after the first Battle of Juárez. Sixteen months later he revolted against the Madero government and ultimately sided with the coup d'état that deposed Madero, and he was subsequently killed in 1915 . New kind of excitement thunders from the screen in 3-Dimension. Suitable for WIde Screen! For a Nation's Richest Prize . He Fought It's Wildest Revolt!...and tamed a fiery Bandit Queen for his own! Out of the thunder and plunder of a nation's most dangerous days come it's most thrilling adventure . For a nation's richest prize they fought it's wildest revolt .
This exciting Western packs thrills , noisy action , spectacular struggles and lots of gutsy adventure . Brawling , sprawling , almost primitive action, teeming across the screen by means of attacks , rescues , assaults , explosions and ambushes . This is a distinctive frontier saga with a special look at Mexican villages , mines , haciendas and countryside outdoors . Budd Boetticher demonstrates a special talent for making the densest action sequences seem uncomplicated and uncluttered and his characters , like the scenes distinguished , often have an unfettered , raw power .This is a moving story about a rebellious group and their fight for freedom and director takes a fine penned script creating a Mexican revolution tale that is far from ordinary , exploring the anguish and desperation of the revolutionaries and villany of the officials . The characters are fairly basic , but a wonderful use is made of the exteriors shot on locations in Burro Flats, Simi Hills, Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley California, and Backlot Universal studios . Cast is pretty good . Van Heflin gives a decent acting , as usual, as an American prospector who gets involved with the revolutionaries after a corrupt Mexican official confiscates his mine, and he becomes romantically involved with the revolutionary leader , gorgeous Julie Adams . Support cast is frankly fine , such as : George Dolenz as the villain administrator , Abbe Lane as his lover , Antonio Moreno as a priest , Rodolfo Acosta , Noah Beery Jr. , the always sympathetic Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez and uncredited Rodolfo Hoyos Jr. and Lyle Talbot .
It displays a glimmer and brilliant cinematography by Clifford Stine , Universal Pictures regular , being shot in 3D . And a moving as well as charming musical score by Frank Skinner .The motion picture produced by Aaron Rosenberg was well directed by Budd Boetticher who was a Western expert . His first Western was in 1949 called The Wolf Hunters, following Cimarron Kid , Bronco buster , Horizons West , Seminole, Man from the Alamo , and Wings of the hawk . In 1956 with 7 Men From Now starts his collaboration with Randolph Scott, along with producer Harry Joe Brown and writer Burt Kennedy , including prestigious titles as Tall T, Decision at sundown, Buchanan rides alone , Ride lonesome, Comanche station , among others . His last Western was in 1969 titled A time for dying with Audie Murphy. Budd also made other genres as Mobsters : The rise and fall of Legs Diamond , Mystery/suspense : Behind locked doors , WWII : Red Ball Express , and Bullfighting even : The magnificent matador , Arruza , The bullfighter and the lady . Rating 6. 5/10 . The movie will appeal to Western aficionados and Van Heflin/Julie Adams fans
Le voleur (1967)
Jean Paul Belmondo is terrific as a shrewd burglar and well accompanied by several gorgeous French actresses
In Paris circa 1900, rakish Georges Randal (Jean Paul Belmondo) is brought up by his rich and egoistic uncle , who robs his inheritance . Georges hopes to marry his cousin Charlotte (Geneviève Bujold) , but his uncle manages himself for her to marry a wealthy neighbour. As an act of vengeance, Georges steals the family jewels. Subsequently , he becomes an expert thief , enjoying the experience so much that he join forces with another swindler , a cunning priest : abbé Félix La Margelle (Julien Guiomar) . He unites other fellow thieves and all of them robbing the bourgeois people and making off with their women . While he meets and falls in love for a great number of beautiful girls : Geneviève Bujold ,Marie Dubois , Françoise Fabian , Marlène Jobert , Bernadette Lafont . The light touch of the masters! Malle makes ... Belmondo takes.
This was a decent and brilliant Louis Malle film, but neither extraordinary , nor notable , but an acceptable and passable picture . Set in the turn of the century , being a very well designed period piece which is filled with subtle characterizations , intrigue , drama , action , and brief bits of humor and irony . These elements are efficiently and compellingly blended by Luis Malle , a director during the¨Nouvelle Vague, New Wave" of 1950s and 1960s , though technically not considered a Nouvelle Vague auteur . Including a splendid protagonist , Belmondo , who along the way gets flirty with a great deal of wonderful and popular French actresses . Cast is frankly well as Jean Paul Belmondo who gives a sympathetic and enjoyable acting , as usual , as a spoiled young who embarks upon a life-time of burglary . Belmondo was at the peak of his international fame , by the time he played his best titles as Pierrot le Fou , Weekend at Dunkirk , Tender Scoundrel , Chinese Adventures in China , Oh ¡ , Backfire, Mississippi Mermaid , among others . Support cast is pretty good , such as : Marie Dubois , Françoise Fabian , Bernadette Lafont , Marlene Jobert and brief appeaarances and cameos from Charles Denner , Anne Vernon , Jean-Luc Bideau and Louis Malle himself as a figurant .
The film displays an engrossing and adequate cinematography by prestigious camera operator Henry Decae . As well as an evocative and atmospheric musical score .The motion picture was professionally directed by Louis Malle , but in fits and starts . Malle is considered to be one of the best French filmmakers . His résumé showed that he had worked as an assistant to filmmaker Robert Bresson when Malle was hired by underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau to be a photographer on the Calypso. Cousteau soon promoted him to be co-director of "The Silent World"(1956) . Years later, Cousteau called Malle the best underwater cameraman he ever had . His first film was the intriguing story ¨Lift to the Scaffold¨(58) . Malle's second film, ¨Les amants ¨or "The Lovers"(1958) , starring Jeanne Moreau broke taboos against on screen eroticism. In 1968 the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the obscenity conviction of an Ohio theater that had exhibited "Les Amants." He also made films on the other side of the Atlantic, starting with Pretty Baby (1978), the film that made Brooke Shields an international superstar. The actress who played a supporting role in that film was given a starring role in Malle's next American film, Atlantic City (1980) , that promising actress was Susan Sarandon. In one of his later French films, Au revoir les enfants (1987), Malle was able to find catharsis for an experience that had haunted him since the German occupation of France in World War II. At age 12, he was sent to a Catholic boarding school near Paris that was a refuge for several Jewish students, one of them was Malle's rival for academic honors and his friend . After that , he made ¨Milou en mai¨and ¨Damage¨ with two international actors Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche .In his final film, Vania in 42 Street (1994), Malle again penetrated the veil between life and art as theater people rehearse Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya." In that film, Malle worked again with theater director Andre Gregory and actor-playwright Wallace Shawn . Malle was married to Candice Bergen, and he succumbed to lymphoma in 1995. Rating : 6/10 . Well worth seeing .
Buñuel en el laberinto de las tortugas (2018)
Very good cartoon movie about Luis Buñuel and the filming his third movie , the documentary : ¨Las Hurdes tierra sin pan¨
This is the true story of how Luis Buñuel made his third film . In this movie director Salvador Simó deals with Luis Buñuel from his stay at Paris to voyage to Las Hurdes to shoot a documentary short . As his friend the anarchist and sculptor Ramón Acin buys a lottery ticket and he promises to him to finance it . They are lucky and with the money won at lottery they go to Las Hurdes in 1933 . It is a remote region of Spain which was connected to the outside world only in 1922 with the completion of a road. To reach Las Hurdes, it is necessary to travel through the town of La Alberca, which itself has some unusual sights and customs. The residents of the area - spread across several villages - lives in poverty and in isolation from the outside world. They survive mostly on a diet of potatoes and beans with meat available only a few days a week. In fact, they eat goat meat only when one of the animals dies. Inbreeding results in a disproportionately large number of people with mental disabilities. The title of the black and white documentary that Buñuel shoots ¨Hurdes , Tierra sin pan¨ refers to the fact that the residents did not know how to make bread , and the Spanish title ¨Buñuel en el laberinto de las tortugas¨or ¨Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles¨ regarding the maze of the homes built in tortoise-style .
This is a cartoon movie portraying Luis Buñuel and his journey to the region of Las Hurdes to film a documentary , it has surrealistic events , including dreams and weird happenings , as well as self-biographic elements , as Luis Buñuel was given a strict Jesuit education by his rigid , stiff father , which sowed the seeds of his obsession with both subversive behavior and religion . The film also develops his childhood in Calanda with the famous ¨drums of Calanda¨ and the premiere of ¨L'Age D'or¨, after the film opened in Paris at Studio 28 on October, 1930, word spread about the film's bizarre content , on the evening of 3 December, 1930, halfway through the film, the fascist League of Patriots and other groups began to throw purple ink at the screen, they then rushed out into the lobby of the theater, slashing paintings by Yves Tanguy, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, and Man Ray , as producers soon withdrew the film from circulation and pulled the film from distribution for nearly 50 years and threatened with excommunication by the Pope . And the angry discusion between Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí , as they had effectively fallen out by the time the film went into production to the extent that Dali refused to have anything to do with the actual making of the film , though they had previously made ¨Un perro Andaluz¨. In fact , Buñuel had financial help from his mother and creative assistance from Dalí, when he made his first film , 17-minute runtime "Un Chien Andalou" (1929) , and subsequently ¨Age of Gold¨(1930) .
The picture ¨Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles¨ mingles animated frames along with documentary , and it is perfectly blended . The cartoon images are made in traditional style , an almost primitive and naif drawing , but is enough agreeable and charming . Narrating life at a remote region of Spain in Extremadura , where civilisation has barely developed, showing how the local peasants try to survive without even the most basic utilities and skills . The Hurdanos themselves live in several dozen villages in the nearby mountains, near a valley that contains the ruins of a convent . The lifestyle of the Hurdanos is so primitive that, until fairly recently, even bread was unknown to them. The film was well directed by Salvador Simó who formerly worked in animation department of various films, such as : Midsummer Dream , Goofy and son , Howl , Las tres mellizas , El Cid : the legend , It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown , among others
Mea culpa (2014)
Tense and intriguing thriller with fine cast and full of surprises , twists and turns
Violent and amazing crime thriller jammed with intense drama , top-drawer performances and spectacular action scenes . The film was noteworthy for casting some of the finest actors in France as Vincent Lindon and Gilles Lellouche .I n other ways , it feels like a tribute to ¨Polar¨ genre or French Noir Cinema , filled with exciting characters , twisted intrigues , surprising events and lots of action . Intense and intelligent thriller about Franck (Gilles Lellouche) and Simon (Vincent Lindon) are both good but violent cops . They work as police colleagues with no legal means left to them . Simon has been troubled since he killed three people in a drunk driving accident, and whose life radically changes when is accused for killing . Simon is sentenced to various years by negligence driving for homicide charges. Several years later , out of the police and divorced his wife Alice (Nadine Labaki) , Simon is a disturbing and unsettled person . Then Simons's son witnesses a killing , and he is hunted by nasty killers, as he's efficiently back . As a ruthless gang committing a series of violent murders and seeking vengeance . The essential question that lies in the film is the following : How far would you go for those you love ?
This stirring film contains action , violence , thrills , suspense and plot twists .It is a stylish , complex movie driven by character , dealing with Franck and Simon are both good cops and partners who become involved in dangerous and deadly situations . Formula thriller filled with gritty intrigue , crisply edition , tension , suspenseful and lots of violence . It is a flick of interwoven lives structured in two protagonists , crossed by a web of suspense that is resolved in the last story in a surprising finale . This serious and truly original film with groundbreaking narrative results to be a fantastically intriguing story of mobsters , violence , corruption , deceiving and killing , being very well done , swiftly paced and including a twisted screenplay . Excellent thriller in which nothing is the way it seems , the atmosphere is already tense and the twists and turns are the best part of this movie . In other ways, it feels like a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock, full of attractive roles and edge-of-your-seat intrigue . Attractive characters as Vincent Lindon/Simon whose life takes a tailspin when driving drunk, causes a tragic car wreck , and after that , he is forced to take matters into his own hands when his family is in death danger . Interesting screenplay by Guillaume Lemans and Fred Cavayé himself , based on the original idea by expert Olivier Marchal , an actor/director who has written/directed sensational Fench thrillers , just like "36 Quai Des Orfèvres" or ¨36th Precinct" , ¨Gangsters¨ , ¨Diamond 13¨, ¨Mr73¨ , ¨Les Lyonnais¨ , ¨Anything for her¨ . This is a perfect thriller being starred by an all-star-cast such as Vincent Lindon as Simon whose life is turned upside down when he is accused of a car crash and Gilles Lellouche as Franck Vasseur , his best friend and partner . And , of course , a gorgeous as well as good actress Nadine Labaki as Alice , the divorced wife ; in fact ,Fred Cavayé chose this Lebanon actress Labaki for her radiant beauty, as it would make her character's ordeal all the more powerful . Good production design ,
and nice cinematography by Danny Elsen shot on location in Avignon, Vaucluse, Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France and Arena of Nîmes, Nîmes, Occitani(Bullfighting sequences). Excellent, moving and thrilling soundtrack by Cliff Martinez that elevates the emotion and the intensity of the scenes to new heights .
The picture achieved big success and was Nominated several Cesar Awards and considered to be one of the best thrillers of the year in which you'll leave the cinema shaken and moved .
Fred Cavallé did a formidable job with this International title and filming lasted various weeks. Fred was immediately impressed with writer Guillaume Lemans's passion for the original story written by Olivier Marchal , and his vision, stating that he understood that the story was a magnificent and nail-biting thriller . Olivier Marchal is a notorious writer/director and he formerly was a police officer . As Olivier Marchal started taking acting lessons when he still was a police officer .The idea for the film came from Guillaume Lemans who was impressed by Olivier Marchal story , once Fred Cavayé got involved, the two men started out by working on the film separately before sharing their ideas , Cavayé then wrote the first draft of the screenplay himself, and so on. Cavallé is a notorious writer/director and he formerly was a fashion and advertising photographer . He has directed a few films as "The Players" with Oscar winner Jean Dujardin and another phenomenal thriller titled ¨Point blank ¨ with Gilles Lellouche , Gérard Lanvin and Elena Anaya . And , of course , his first big hit ¨Pour elle" ,France (original title or "Anything for Her" ) with Vincent Lindon , Diane Kruger , being remade in American version (2010) by Paul Haggis with Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks . Eclectic and moving, Cavallé is a successful filmmaker . Rating : 7/10 . Better than average . An exhilarating thriller that have you on the edge of the seat .
Sor Citroen (1967)
Extremely sentimental but enjoyable comedy and considered to be Gracita Morales' best role
It concerns about a young girl called Tomasa (Gracita Morales) living with his father , a railway locomotive driver (Andrés Mejuto) . She has always lived in his village in ¨La Robla¨ , León , and decides on a whim to become a nun and go and settle down in Madrid at a convent . As a nuns community under direction a stiff Superior Mother (Mary Carmen Prendes) care orphan children , and they have a lot of problems that attempt to resolve , as well as the troublesome kiddies . Then they need a car to carry out their work . As they buy a Citroën Dyane 6 to be driven by a botcher nun , Sister Tomasa (Gracita Morales) who is nicknamed Sor Citroën , being accompanied by the sympathetic Sister Rafaela (Rafaela Aparicio) .The first time she drives it , she causes destruction , car crashes and mayhem . It results in finishing at the Police station and interrogated by a Police Inspector (Antonio Ferrandis) .
It is an agreeable , joyous picture concerning the silly adventures of an unfortunate as well as bungler nun buying a car to transport orphan kiddies, but then things get worse . Funny and fun acting by Gracita Morales as Hermana Tomasa Carrasco 'Sor Citroën' , she was a hilarious , comical actress, known for La chica del gato (1964), Operación Mata Hari (1968) and Más bonita que ninguna (1965). She is one of the best loved Spanish actresses of all times. Her talent for comedy was supported by her peculiar, thrilling voice. Her greatest hit came with this "Sor Citroen", in which she plays a very funny and touching nun. This amusing and entertaining picture being written by the prolific Pedro Masó (story) & Rafael J. Salvia . In spite of time passed , the film retains still its attractive , likeability , sympaty and mirth due to the usual plethora of actors of the 60s , showing the peculiar personality of the characters well played by a fine cast . This film is made to entertain , and this movie , especially for a good time and a pleasant entertainment and is also pretty darn funny . Sitting in a strange middle ground between the completely absurd and the stylishly enjoyable . It takes a simple concept , a naive nun from a village goes to the busy big city , the capital of Spain : Madrid , she , then , attempts to help unhappy children in real problems . There are some nice jokes in the film and the cast , playing eccentric characters , make a cosy fit . This film packs customary images of the social life from the sixties , nutty situations , but it especially contains catching touches of sentimentality , good feeling , humor , tongue-in-cheek and irony ; adding the typical Spanish idiosyncrasy . The film is full of familiar faces and cameos , such as : José Luis López Vazquez as a rogue thief , Juanjo Menéndez as a priest , Alfonso Del Real as a butcher who mistreats his wife , José Orjas as a confessor priest , Tip or Luis Sánchez Polack as a traffic cop , Rafael Alonso as an engineer , José Sepúlveda as a gas station owner , Venancio Muro as a gas station worker , Margot Cottens as a robber posing as a nun , Antonio Ferrandis as Police commissioner , Francisco Camoiras as a waif , Lola Lemos , Jose Sacristán , Fabian Conde , Pedro Porcel , Jesús Guzmán , Beni Deus , and many others . And an evocative and catching musical score by Antón García Abril , with soundtrack typical of the sixties . Atmospheric cinematography by Juan Marimé , shot on location in Robledo de Chavela, Madrid , Húmera, Madrid, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, La Robla , León , Castilla León , and Sevilla Films studios , Madrid .
"Sor Citroen" was professionally directed by Pedro Lazaga and it was a big success at box office . Lazaga directed various film with the popular comic actress Gracita Morales as well as Paco Martínez Soria . Lazaga was born in Valls , Tarragona , Catalonia , and died on November 30, 1979 in Madrid . He was a prolific craftsman , a good director and writer , especially known for Los Chicos del Preu (1967), María Morena (1951), Cuerda De Presos (1956) and Posición Avanzada (1966). Pedro was a craftsman , a notorious director and writer who directed all kind of genres such as Peplum : Siete Espartanos , Wartime : Cuerda De Presos , Posicion Avanzada , Torrepartida , La Patrulla ; Drama : Rostro De Asesino , Otro Arbol De Guernica , but especially known for comedies in low budget . Director Pedro Lazaga made , during the fifties and early sixties , eight films , mostly comedies : ¨Muchachas De Azul¨, Ana Dice Si¨. ¨Luna De Verano¨, ¨Económicamente Debiles¨ , ¨Trio Damas¨ for screenwriter and producer Jose Luis Dibildos and his ¨Agata Films Productions¨. The best of all them resulted to be ¨Los Tramposos¨. He continued making comedies such as Patrulla De Los Once , Los Tramposos , Sabian Demasiado , El Vikingo , ¡No Firmes Más Letras, Cielo! , Vente a Ligar Al Oeste , Hasta El Matrimonio Nos Separe , La Amante Perfecta , Fulanita y Sus Menganos , Vota a Gundisalvo , Terapia Al Desnudo , Tres Suecas Para Tres Rodríguez , Yo soy Fulana de Tal , 5 Almohadas Para Una Noche , En La Cresta De la Ola and several others . His most known films were with the popular comic player Paco Martinez Soria , such as : Abuelo Made in Spain or Old made in Spain, , Padre De La Criatura , Alegre Divorciado , Estoy Hecho Un Chaval , Vaya Par Gemelos , among others . Rating : 5.5/10 . Acceptable and passable Spanish comedy . The picture will appeal to Spanish comedy genre fans .
Castle (2009)
Attractive and charming series with a splendid chemical between two protagonists : Nathan Fillon, and Stana Katic
Nice and overlong series created by Andrew W. Marlowe formed by 8 seasons about a successful author , Richard Rick Castle : Nathan Fillon, writer of suspense novels who murders his personage when appears an authentic series killer who imitates the plots of his books . Getting permission from Mayor of N.Y. , he tags along with a homicide
Investigations team . As he collaborates with detective Beckett , Stana Katic , and other NYPD cops : Jon Huertas , Seamus Dever , captain chief Penny Johnson , Forensic Tamala Jones to clear his name .Along the way Castle helps to find out the complex criminal cases in charge of this expert enforcement group.
Sympathetic an agreeable series about cops including intrigue , suspense , thrills and romance . Duo protagonist is frankly excellent . Nathan Fillon is very likeable as the sly and joker novelist turning to investigator who has deep instincts into natural criminal profilage . And Stana Katic is perfect as the expert, hard-working inspector Kate Beckett. They have an extreme , real chemical , and , Castle, little by little , wins her over his innovative and original approach to criminal investigation ; of course , subsequently ,they fall in love . The series relies heavily on the relationship between Castle and Beckett , but it doesn't tires , resulting to be amusing and entertaining . Along with Castle /Fillon and Beckett/Stana Katic shows up the usual plethora of secondaries giving charming interpretations as the cops : Jon Huertas , Seamus Dever and the police chief played by Penny Johnson Jerald . And Castle lives at a luxurious home along with his teen daughter Alexia : Molly C. Quinn and his mother Martha Rogers : Susan Sullivan , a tarnished and faded actress . This is a fine and successful police series with romance elements developed through 173 episodes in eight seasons , in fact the seven main actors : Nathan Fillon , Stana Katic , Jon Huertas , Seamus Dever , Molly Quinn, Susan Sullivan played these 173 episodes. While other secondary roles as Penny Johnson Jerald made 93 as captain Gates, Ruben Santiago Hudson as captain Montgomery performed 61 episodes, Arye Gross acted 17 episodes , Scott Paulin interpreted 9 . Furthermore , a great deal of notorious guest stars as Jack Coleman , Jennifer Beals , Dana Delaney , Dylan Walsh , Lisa Edelstein, Robert Picado , Michael Dorn , Adrián Pasdar , Lee Tergesen , Jason Beghe , Yancey Arias , Gerald McRaney , James Brolin and many others. Rating : 6.5/10 . Decent and enjoyable series .
Ladri di biciclette (1948)
Vintage Neorrealist film about a working-class man whose bicycle is robbed and he and his child set out in pursuit the thief
This is a mercilessly bleak studio about poorness and miserable life in post WWII Italy . Set in post war Italy , this is a Classy Italian movie of great importance in the developing of the Neorrealist movement . The film deals with a father , Lamberto Maggiorani , and his child , Enzo Staiola. Then , being robbed his bicycle, and both of them set out to find the robber . Along the way they encounter various egoistic characters , stealers , religious people , but also good people .
The picture is well paced , focusing on the relation between the desperado dad and his son , as the despair they suffer along the way , while attempt to discover the true thief who took his bicycle. It is a heart-rending and heart-breaking studio of poverty in postwar Italy which won special Academy Awards , before the foreign film category was officially established .The film is like a documentary , with a great crowd as extras , untrained people , old neighborhoods , a lot of street vendors , passengers and priests waiting for bus and many other things . It shows an evocative post war Rome , ruined and with depressed economy , ba great deal of working class men , unemployed people looking for work and a destroyed city , too. Here De Sica reveals unsuspected depths , and an extraordinary sensitive with actors , especially the little boy . Two main actors are frankly well , Lamberto Maggiorani as the ill-fated father and Enzo Staiola as the agreeable son with sweet laughter. Both of whom are pretty good , though all players are amateurs , as filmmaker De Sica and screenwriter Zavattini decided not to use professional actors . The motion picture was stunningly directed by Vittorio de Sica , and including Sergio Leone as director assistant . De Sica was a famous actor and director .He turned to filmmaking in 1940 , making light comedies. His fifth movie collaborated with writer Cesare Zavattini , I Bambi ni ci guardano ,in which showed great sensitivity and nice fIl making . It was also the first movie he made with writer Zavattini with whom he would subsequently shoot "Shoeshine" , and Bicycle thief .After the boxoffice disaster "Umberto D" , he abandoned the Neorrealist genre to make more commercial films than previous . Subsequently , he he made "Yesterday , Today and Tomorrow" with Marcelo Mastroiani and Sofia Loren in which he won another Oscar . His two final films were Garden of Finzi Contini and A brief vacation that had limited success .Rating 8/10 . Worthwhile watching . Above average . Essential and indispensable seeing for Italian films buffs .
The Fallen Idol (1948)
Intriguing and suspenseful movie about a butler working in a foreign embassy in London falls under suspicion , masterfully played by Ralph Richardson
This one deals with a murder at a foreign embassy in London as the butler's (Ralph Richardson) wife , Mrs. Baines (Sonia Dresdel) shows up killed . As a young boy ,the engaging Anglo-French Phillipe (Bobby Henrey ) believes that thr honorable servant he admires is guilty of murdering his spouse . Unwittingly , the lonely little boy , Ambassador's son , influences the police investigation run by two Inspectors (Denis O'Dea, Jack Hawkins) so that the butler becomes the prime suspect . The child attempts to protect the person he admires, his working lower class hero , but things go wrong when apppear more and more clues against him . Furthermore , the butler has a hidden lover , Julie (Michèle Morgan) .The Suspense is Almost Unbearable ... in this Four-Award Thriller !
An intelligent and powerful effort by Carol Reed and a decent example of the respectable quality of the British cinema which achieved splendor and apotheosis in late 40s . Carefully crafted film with notable interpretations , plenty of thrills , intrigue , twists and turns . Director Reed carries out a restrained , tasteful making , as he explores admirabily a controlled environment , upper and lower classes , he has a special ability to elicit remarkable acting from his actors and a nice skill for delving psychological depths without sacrifice narrative coherence . And providing a sophisticated analysis of the intersection between realities of children and adults . Interesting and thrilling script based on a short story titled ¨The basement room¨ by Grahame Greene and adapted by himself . Ralph Richardson is perfect as the upright and accused servant , he gives a magnetic and sympathetic acting . And the child responds masterfully to the particular demands of the director ; in addition , Michele Morgan delivers an enjoyable portrait as the gullible lover . And remaining support cast is frankly excellent , such as : Sonia Dresdel , Denis O'Dea, Jack Hawkins , Walter Fitzgerald , Torin Thatcher, James Hayter , Geoffrey Keen Bernard Lee , James Hayter , among others .
The motion picture was compellingly directed by Carol Reed , being one of his most engrossing films showing understanding of character and realized in the middle of his best period . Reed once considered to the greatest British director , had his clay feet , mercilessly exposed by the auteurist critics of the 60s . Now stripped fo his old and inflated reputation it is posible to appreciate better his virtues . Reed worked for important producers as Alexander Korda and J. Arthur Rank . For Reed, who would wisely decide to start producing his own films in order to have more control over them, finding his niche was still a challenge into the 1940s. He was only too well aware that the film director led a team effort--his was partly a coordinator's task, harmonizing the talents of the creative team. The modest Reed would admit to his success being this partnership time and again. So he gravitated toward the same scriptwriters, art directors and cinematographers as his movie list spread out.There were more thrillers and some historical bios: Kipps (1941) with Michael Redgrave and The Young Mr Pitt (1942) with Robert Donat. He did service and war effort fare through World War II, but these were more than flag wavers, for Reed dealt with the psychology of transitioning to military life. His Anglo-American documentary of combat (co-directed by Garson Kanin), The True Glory (1945), won the 1946 Oscar for Best Documentary. With that under his belt, Reed was now recognized as Britain's ablest director and could pick and choose his projects. He also had the clout--and the all-important funds--to do what he thought was essential to ensure realism on a location shoot, something missing in British film work prior to Reed. Odd man out (1947) with James Mason as an IRA hit man on the run did just that and was Reed's first real independent effort, and he had gone to Rank to do it . And , of course , his greatest hit ¨The third man¨with Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten . Rating : 7.5/10 . Well worth seeing . Better than average .
Saeta del ruiseñor (1959)
Sentimental and amusing Joselito movie in which he tries to get a lot of money to heal a blind girl
Joselito is a naughty and rogue boy . He lives in a little town near Sevilla. Joselito is a singer boy who at school carries out antics , childish pranks , mischiefs and naughtiness . Then he meets a blind girl from his town and attempts to practice charity with her , while helps a couple (Manuel Zarzo , Vicky Lagos) to marry themselves . Later on , Joselito is helped by two American tourists , father (Archibald) and daughter( Ivy Bless) to become himself a popular singer , get fame and fortune so that he can gain money to undergo an expensive operation to the blind girl .
This is a sensitive story proceeded in simplicity , delicacy and humor by Antonio Del Amo and photographed by Juan Mariné . Here Joselito , who has a great success due to his magnificent voice , is excellently supported by an excellent plethora of secondaries as Vicky Lagos , Manuel Zarzo , Felix Briones , Aníbal Vela , among others . This is a typical children film on the pretext that Joselito sings eight songs . These are the following ones : El Tirachinas , Caudal escondido , Canción del eco , Dos luceros quieren verte , La luz de tus ojos , Anoche besé tu cara , Colombia tiene una copla , Donde estará mi vida , all of them composed by y Antonio Segovia , Lyrics by Francisco Naranjo, Camilo Murillo and Román and performed by Joselito . In fact , Joselito was introduced to the movie business in 1956 by filmmaker Antonio Del Amo , who directed him in the popular ¨Nightingale trilogy¨: El pequeño Ruiseñor , Saeta del Ruiseñor and Ruiseñor de las cumbres . His first feature was El Pequeño Ruiseñor (1957) ("The Little Nightingale"), where he earned his famous nickname . That's why he sings like the nightingales . Joselito met actor , singer/actor Luis Mariano at a recital , and he convinced him to play together in French TV and Radio shows . He was widely known in Spain when he became a widely successful child star , following to ¨El Ruiseñor De Las Cumbres¨ , ¨Saeta Del Ruiseñor¨ and ¨El Pequeño Coronel¨. The main role "Joselito" is played by himself in a phenomenal manner , can be said that he is perfectly adequate to his measure . He was a milestone in Spanish "child prodigies" under Franco along with Marisol , Pili and Mili and especially Pablito Calvo who starred the hits ¨The Bait¨ , ¨Mi Tio Jacinto¨ and ¨Marcelino Bread and Wine¨ . And the producers trying to keep them as little kids for as long as possible . Due to false advertising by the studios that made their movies, and which wanted to make him appear younger than they really were , an obsession that haunted them through the whole of their careers.
¨Saeta of the nightingale¨ is a joyful as well as fun Spanish musical/melodrama movie , professionally realized by Antonio Del Amo . This an enjoyable and feeling movie full of mirth ,entertainment , amusement , humor touches , agreeable message and in final takes places the ordinary happy end . Along the way the movie develops a brief remarks on villlage habits , Holy Week as well as gorgeous landscapes , such as meadows and the mountains from Andalucia . The scenarios in which develops the deeds are perfectly designed by Eduardo Torre de la Fuente . Gregorio Garcia Segura's musical score responds appropriately to the ambient , originating a careful atmosphere . Evocative and luminous cinematography by Juan Marimé , though a perfect remastering is necessary and filmed in Priego de Córdoba, Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain .
Of course , Joselito steals the show as the singer boy . Spanish film studios were looking for a new child star to follow the steps of Pablito Calvo, and make popular and populist folkloric movies and they found Joselito . After the international success of El Pequeño Ruiseñor , and following successful films such as ¨La Saeta Del Ruiseñor¨ , ¨Bello Recuerdo¨ , ¨Los Dos Golfillos¨, which were big box-office hits in Spain during Franco's dictatorship he became Spain's most famous child actor , outstanding his highly expressive face and eyes , enormous eyes and innocent, angelical face . His hits expanded all over the world , even Pier Paolo Pasolini included one song in his prestigious film ¨Mamma Roma¨(1962) with Anna Magnani . In his films he often sings Flamenco Cante , Saetas , Soleadas and other Folkloric songs . After several movies and records, and already a big star as a singer and an actor in Europe, the next move was trying to triumph in America, so Joselito went to Mexico where he filmed various projects, starting by ¨El Caballo Blanco¨ , ¨Aventuras de Joselito en América¨ (1960), which paired him with Mexican child star 'Cesáreo Quezadas Pulgarcito to grant local box-office . His success even reached around the world , in fact he was discovered as a singer by Luis Mariano, who got him to perform in France, pretending he was 9 at the moment of his debut, when he actually was 13 . However, life was not too glamorous for Joselito, as he was treated almost as a sideshow act by his managers, not allowing him to become an ordinary teenager , and even locking him in his room between rehearsals so he couldn't meet girls . He was forced to keep his childlike image up to 1969 (when he was in his mid-twenties) in ¨Loca Juventud¨ , ¨Falso Heredero¨ and when he appeared in his last film , ¨Prisionero En La Ciudad¨ (1969). But, as his voice had long broken, he was not successful anymore . Retired from acting at early age to become a drifter , even working as a mercenary . Disappearing from public life until it was discovered much later that he had become a heroin addict and even worked as a mercenary in Africa . An attempt of a comeback as an adult proved unsuccessful, as the tastes of the audience had changed, and his voice didn't resemble the one he had as a kid, so Joselito definitely retired from show business to his home in Utiel (Valencia), where he, now clean and sober, lives a quiet life far from movie and recording studios. Nowadays , he has reappeared doing brief TV interventions and cinema such as ¨Torrente¨ and ¨Spanish movie¨ .
The filmmaker Antonio Del Amo as well as the famous producer Cesáreo Gonzalez from his production Company : Suevia Films got a big hit in this picture , obtaining a great achievement , managing perfectly to the performers and taking advantage of them , giving the best of his acting . Antonio directs his second Joselito movie and one of his best ones. Antonio directed him in 8 out of 15 movies . Getting successes all around the world , France , South America and even Japan . The picture touched the hearts of numerous Spanish spectators by the time . Rating : Acceptable and passable for its worthwhile mingle of music , comedy , sentimentalism and good feeling .
High Life (2018)
Thought-provoking and slow-moving Sci-Fi movie set in the deep space , outside the solar system
Thoughtful but boring Sciencie Fiction pic that takes place beyond the solar system in a future that seems like the present .They are some members of a misfit crew : Monte ( Robert Pattinson) and other prisoners (André Benjamin ,Mia Goth , Agata Buzek, Lars Eidinger ) - death row and Guinea Pigs inmates- and an unsettled , suspicious Doctor (Julia Ormond) at a spacecraft . They have been sent on a risked assignment far away . All of them live together aboard a spacecraft, in complete isolation. They find themselves in the most unimaginable situation after a storm of cosmic rays hit the ship to a journey into the impossible. Oblivion awaits.
Intelligent , adult but dull Science Fiction film about a complex and hard plot set in deep space outside , at a solar system in which a group of criminals accepted a mission to become the subjects of a human reproduction experiment and specially starred by a stranger passenger whose sperm was used to inseminate the young woman who gave birth to her . Here director usually focus on the faces and bodies of her protagonists and utilizing eliptical edition . The film delivers some brief astronomy concepts , such as : Universe expanding , Neutron stars , Galaxies , Supernovas in which time and space cease to exist , Big Bang , Big Crunch and , finally , ¨Black Hole¨,in which father and daughter approach their destination . Robert Pattison gives a so-so acting as a man whose strict self-discipline is a shield against desire, and fathered a daughter against his will, but through her , he experiences the birth of an all-powerful love. The best acting goes to Julia Ormond a disturbing , suspect Doctor with dark purports . Acceptable support cast providing brief interpretations , such as André Benjamin , Mia Goth , Agata Buzek , Lars Eidinger , Claire Tran and Victor Banerjee who long time ago starred Passage to India by David Lean .It contains bizarre and rare musical score by Stuart Staples and Tindersticks . As well as evocative , cold and adequate photograhy from Yorick Le Saux and Tomasz Naumiuk : cinematography: Poland location . Shot on Cologne, Germany (studio) and Bialystok, Podlaskie, Poland (location)
The picture was regularly directed by Claire Denis who worked as an assistant director to Wim Wenders on Paris,Texas and Der Himmel über Berlin and Jim Jarmusch on Down by Law .She frequently works with Tindersticks and often works with same technician team . She has directed a few and non-sucessfull films as White Material , 35 rhums , Beau travail , Ten Minutes Older: The Cello Nénette et Boni , Vendredi soir ,among others . Rating : 5/10 . Only for Robert Pattison fans .
Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer's Curse (2015)
Third sequel with sympathetic performances , attractive characters and spectacular scenarios .
Entertaining fantasy movie with thrills , emotion and state-of-art special effects bringing the fabulous dragon to life .¨Dragonheart 3 The Sorcerer's Curse¨ by Colin Teague boasts a passsable cast cast as Ben Kingsley , Julian Morris , Tamzin Merchant , Roger Ashton-Griffiths , Christopher Fairnbank , Jake Curran , all of them get together to battle and protect themselves from a ruthless sorcerer : Jonjo O'Neill . Spellbound Dragon picture with overwhelming fights and sensational scenarios . This film blends witchcraft and wizardry , adventures , battles and is extremely fun and amusing . It is set in the 10th century , A.D. When aspiring knight Gareth (Julian Morris) goes in search of a fallen comet rumored to contain gold, he is shocked to instead encounter a set of dragon eggs guarded by dragon Drago. Then , Gareth spontaneously meets a dragon named Drago (voice by Ben Kingsley) and joins forces a brave warrrior girl (Tamzin Merchant) , and a young monk , Lorne (Jassa Ahluwalia) , to vanquish the evil sorcererer . All of them unite a free-breathing dragon to fight a villain knight , Sir Horsa (Dominic Mafham) , as well as must work together to defeat an evil sorcerer (Jonjo O'Neill) and stop his reign of terror. They inspire the people to fight for their freedom and taking on a tyrannical ruler. Along the way, Gareth learns the true meaning of being a knight and the sense of life .
This is a medium-budget film in which there's some slow spots but the enjoyable relationship between Garth and Drago make for a fun pairing . The plot is well known and similar to other entries , after Drago saves Gareth's life the two become intricately bonded, as their lives there now share with one heart, joins forces to protect a nest filled with dragon eggs, from there, Garth and Drago have to save the entire kingdom from the rule of the ominous sorcerer . The huge dragon does seem , well , real , thanks to the splendid work carried out by digital effects team . This fantasy movie packs noisy action , witchery , fantastic events , sorcery , impressive battles and a little bit of humor . Likable performance by Julian Morris and Jojo O'Neill as the villainous , evil-hearted sorcerer .The story has many familiar dragon motifs found throughout Western culture , in particular Saint George and the Dragon, in which maiden sacrifices were made to appease a harassing dragon. Saint George's tale also includes a sacrificial lottery resulting in the surprise condemnation of a princess , Saint George is also frequently depicted with a magic blessed lance or a sword . Smart screenplay by Matthew Feitshans, dealing with fantasy medieval , dragons , necromancy , fantastic kingdoms and many other things . Entertaining and fun movie with acceptable special effects bringing the dragon to life . Work on dragons made by CG sometimes seem authentic , but is also noted its computer realization . It is entertaining and funny and with decent computer generator special effects bringing the dragon to life . The movie was produced in enough by Raffaella De Laurentiis (Dino's daughter) . Decent musical score by Mark McKenzie , though he takes sounds from excellent and memorable Randy Edelman's soundtrack . As well as a colorful and glimmering cinematography by David Luther . The motion picture was professionally directed by Colin Teague . It's a family film , a fantasy action-adventure for the ages , but is specially appointed to kids .
The picture belongs to Fantasy/Dragon sub-genre ; other important films dealing with Dragons are the following ones : The original ¨Dragonheart¨by Rob Cohen with Dennis Quaid , Dina Meyer , Jason Isaacs and Julie Christie ; the sequel ¨Dragonheart , a new beginning¨ 2000 by Doug Lelfer , a regular follow-up with little budget and average FX , including unlikely premise from the first part to be continued in a similar plot , there is also a last dragon and a young knight that dreams of becoming a brave knight in shining armor with Chris Marterson , voice by Robby Benson , Figueroa and Harry Von Gorkum ; ¨Dragonheart 3 The sorcerer's curse¨ 2015 by Colin Teague ; ¨Dragonheart 4 Battle for the heartfire¨ 2017 by Patrick Syversen with Patrick Stewart , Andre Eriksen , Tom Rhys ;¨Dragom Storm¨ (2004) by Stephen Furst with Maxwell Caufield , Angel Boris , Tony Amendola and John Rhys Davies ; and other latter day movies and belonging to this Dragons sub-genre are ¨Reign of fire¨ (2002) by Rob Bowman with Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey , Izabella Scorupco , and Gerard Butler ; ¨Eragon¨ (2006) by Stephen Fangmeier with Edward Speleers , Robert Carlyle , Sienna Gullory and John Malkovich .
Seminole (1953)
A small group of soldiers commanded by Rock Hudson and Richard Carlson facing off Indians during Seminola war in the Florida Everglades
Setting the action in Florida land , 1835, and taken from the pages of history , a Cavalry lieutenant Lance (Rock Hudson) recounts his efforts to make peace with the Seminole Indian tribe led by chief Osceola (Anthony Quinn) , under the nasty Major Harlan Degan (Richard Carlson) . Army Lieutenant is assigned a dangerous mission by the evil Major , as they have to face the dangerous Everglades , quicksands and hostile Indians in order to reach safety and battle against risks . As Seminoles purportedly blocking the progress of White civilization . As the motley group throughout jungle swamplands during an Indian uprising . Lance must accompany the Major along with a regiment of soldiers into the Everglades to rout the Seminole Indians who are threatening the early settlers in Florida . After attacking a Seminole fort , they are betrayed then the command is forced to get away , but an injured Lance is rescued by Osceola and submitted to captivity .
This exciting Western packs thrills , noisy action , spectacular struggles and lots of gutsy adventure . Brawling , sprawling , almost primitive action, teeming across the screen . This is a distinctive frontier saga with a special look at uniforms evidently from an earlier age than ordinary cavalry fares . Budd Boetticher demonstrates a special talent for making the densest action sequences seem uncomplicated and uncluttered and his characters , like the scenes distinguished , often have an unfettered , raw power . As well as exploring the anguish of soldiers , the hard relationship between a disturbing Major and his troops and including jarring bursts of violence . This is a moving story about a surrounded garrison and director takes a fine penned script creating a cavalry-Indians tale that is far from ordinary , exploring the anguish and desperation of soldiers and a nutty Major . The characters are fairly basic , but a wonderful use is made of the Florida Everglades , though much of them shot in Universal studios . Thrilling nocturnal army attack on Seminole encampment which results to be a marvellously vivid piece sequence-building , thanks in no small part to slick camerawork by Boetticher . Budd makes the most of the visual contrast between the stiff-upper-lip collars and the swampy environments . Main cast is pretty well . Anthony Quinn gives the best acting as the Indian leader and Hudson's boyhood friend . Support cast is frankly good such as : Lee Marvin , Hugh O'Brian , Russell Johnson , Ralph Moody , James Best and special mention for Richard Carlson as unbalance-mind Major .It displays a glimmer and brilliant cinematography by Russell Metty, Universal Pictures regular . And a moving as well as charming musical score by Henry Mancini and Milton Rosen , though uncredited . The motion picture was well directed by Budd Boetticher who was a Western expert . His first Western was in 1949 called The Wolf Hunters, following Cimarron Kid , Bronco buster , Horizons West , Seminole, and Wings of the hawk . In 1956 with 7 Men From Now starts his collaboration with Randolph Scott, along with producer Harry Joe Brown and writer Burt Kennedy , including prestigious titles as Tall T, Decision at sundown, Buchanan rides alone , Ride lonesome, Comanche station , among others. His last Western was in 1969 titled A time for dying with Audie Murphy. Rating 6. 5/10 . The movie will appeal to Western aficionados and Rock Hudson fans .
The film is partially based on facts about Osceola (1804 - January 30, 1838, Asi-yahola in Creek) : Osceola became an influential leader of the Seminole people in Florida. Of mixed parentage, including Creek, Scottish, African American, and English, he was considered born to his mother's people in the Creek matrilineal kinship system. He was reared by her in the Creek tradition. When he was a child, they migrated to Florida with other Red Stick refugees after their group's defeat in 1814 in the Creek Wars. There they became part of what was known as the Seminole people. In 1836, Osceola led a small group of warriors in the Seminole resistance during the Second Seminole War, when the United States tried to remove the tribe from their lands in Florida to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. He became an adviser to Micanopy, the principal chief of the Seminole from 1825 to 1849.Osceola led the Seminole resistance to removal until he was captured on October 21, 1837, by deception, under a flag of truce,when he went to a site near Fort Peyton for peace talks. The United States first imprisoned him at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, then transported him to Fort Moultrie in Charleston, South Carolina. He died there a few months later of causes reported as an internal infection or malaria. Because of his renown, Osceola attracted visitors in prison, including renowned artist George Catlin, who painted perhaps the most well-known portrait of the Seminole leader.
El pequeño coronel (1960)
Emotive and fun Joselito movie in which he is kidnapped by a clumsy gang of bandits
Agreeable and sympathetic film with the child prodigy Joselito well accompanied by a great support cast , all of them acting to perfection .
It is set in 1872 at a Sevilla ¨Cortijo¨ with Joselito as son of the noble Colonel Alvear (Jose Nieto) , and his friends Lieutenant Eduardo Aranda (Carlos Larrañaga and girlfriend Teresa (María Mahor) , corregidor's daughter . A bit later on , Alvear dies in battle , then his uncle the liar Don Martín Alvear (Tomas Blanco) becomes his tutor . But the uncle is a nasty , mean man who wants to take his inheritance . Along the way Joselito is abducted by a botcher band of bandits (Fernando sancho , Rafael L Somoza , angel Ter , among others) , but there is another Bandolero named Diego Valenzuela (José Guardiola) who agrees with Don Martin to kill Joselito . But Joselito befriends the bungler gang and becomes their chief and all of them take sympathy for him .
This is a sensitive story proceeded in simplicity , delicacy and humor by Antonio Del Amo . Here Joselito is magnificently supported by an excellent plethora of secondaries as Carlos Larrañaga , María Mahor , José Guardiola , Tomás Blanco , Ángel Ter , Jesús Tordesillas , Fernando Sancho ,Manuel Arbó and special mention for Rafael López Somoza as Buenafacha, boss of the Band del Cucú . This is a typical children film on the pretext that Joselito sings seven songs . These are the following ones : Caballito Lucero , La banda del cucú , Pequeño coronel , Se conoce al caballero , Nana del trabuco , Letrillas de Lucena , Canciones flamencas (Mirabrás flamenco) (con el Tirin-tin-tin) ,Por la sierra solo and the famous Ave María composed by Charles Gounod . In fact , Joselito was introduced to the movie business in 1956 by this filmmaker , who directed him in this first feature, El Pequeño Ruiseñor (1957) ("The Little Nightingale"), where he earned his famous nickname . He was widely known in Spain when he became a widely successful child star , following to ¨El Ruiseñor De Las Cumbres¨ , ¨Saeta Del Ruiseñor¨ and ¨El Pequeño Coronel¨. The main role "Joselito" is played by himself in a phenomenal manner , can be said that he is perfectly adequate to his measure . He was a milestone in Spanish "child prodigies" under Franco along with Marisol , Pili and Mili and especially Pablito Calvo who starred the hits ¨The Bait¨ , ¨Mi Tio Jacinto¨ and ¨Marcelino Bread and Wine¨ . And the producers trying to keep them as little kids for as long as possible . Due to false advertising by the studios that made their movies, and which wanted to make him appear younger than they really were , an obsession that haunted them through the whole of their careers.
¨El pequeño coronel¨ is a joyful as well as entertaining Spanish musical/adventure movie , professionally realized by Antonio Del Amo . This an enjoyable and feeling movie full of mirth , drama , humor touches , agreeable message and in final takes places the ordinary happy end .
The scenarios in which develops the deeds are perfectly designed by Sigfrido Burmann . Gregorio Garcia Segura's musical score responds appropriately to the ambient , originating a careful atmosphere . Evocative and luminous cinematography by Alfredo Fraile , though a perfect remastering is necessary and filmed in Estudios CEA, Madrid, and Andújar, Jaén, Spain
Of course , Joselito steals the show as the singer boy . Spanish film studios were looking for a new child star to follow the steps of Pablito Calvo, and make popular and populist folkloric movies and they found Joselito . After the international success of El Pequeño Ruiseñor , and following successful films such as ¨La Saeta Del Ruiseñor¨ , ¨Bello Recuerdo¨ , ¨Los Dos Golfillos¨, which were big box-office hits in Spain during Franco's dictatorship he became Spain's most famous child actor , outstanding his highly expressive face and eyes , enormous eyes and innocent, angelical face . In his films he often sings Flamenco Cante , Saetas , Soleadas and other Folkloric songs . After several movies and records, and already a big star as a singer and an actor in Europe, the next move was trying to triumph in America, so Joselito went to Mexico where he filmed various projects, starting by ¨El Caballo Blanco¨ , ¨Aventuras de Joselito en América¨ (1960), which paired him with Mexican child star 'Cesáreo Quezadas Pulgarcito to grant local box-office . His success even reached around the world , in fact he was discovered as a singer by Luis Mariano, who got him to perform in France, pretending he was 9 at the moment of his debut, when he actually was 13 . However, life was not too glamorous for Joselito, as he was treated almost as a sideshow act by his managers, not allowing him to become an ordinary teenager , and even locking him in his room between rehearsals so he couldn't meet girls . He was forced to keep his childlike image up to 1969 (when he was in his mid-twenties) in ¨Loca Juventud¨ , ¨Falso Heredero¨ and when he appeared in his last film , ¨Prisionero En La Ciudad¨ (1969). But, as his voice had long broken, he was not successful anymore . Retired from acting at early age to become a drifter , even working as a mercenary . Disappearing from public life until it was discovered much later that he had become a heroin addict and even worked as a mercenary in Africa . An attempt of a comeback as an adult proved unsuccessful, as the tastes of the audience had changed, and his voice didn't resemble the one he had as a kid, so Joselito definitely retired from show business to his home in Utiel (Valencia), where he, now clean and sober, lives a quiet life far from movie and recording studios. Nowadays , he has reappeared doing brief TV interventions and cinema such as ¨Torrente¨ and ¨Spanish movie¨ .
The filmmaker Antonio Del Amo as well as the famous producer Cesáreo Gonzalez from his production Company : Suevia Films succeed in this picture , obtaining a great achievement , managing perfectly to the performers and taking advantage of them , giving the best of his acting . Antonio directs his fifth Jooselito movie and one of his best one. The picture touched the hearts of numerous Spanish spectators by the time . Rating : Acceptable and passable for its worthwhile mingle of music , comedy , sentimentalism and good feeling .
1919, crónica del alba (1983)
Second installment to ¨Cronica del Alba¨ written by Ramon J . Sender , being well compellingly made by Antonio Betancort
This one is based on ¨Crónica del Alba¨ by Ramon J. Sender, including self-biographic elements , divided in two parts : ¨Valentina¨ and ¨1919¨ , being realized both in similar artistic and technician team . The film contains human drama , emotion , entertaining happenings , complemented with two feeling loving stories . The film starts in 1939 with José Garcés is in French prison camp after the defeat of Spain's Republicans to entertain and inspire his fellow prisoners, as he tells tought-provoking stories. This follow-up deals with the rascal teen José or Pepe living on the anarchist set in the noisy city of Zaragoza where there are riots , strikes and violence and revolving around his loves for Valentina and Isabel . At the his stiff and demanding father (Saturno Cerra) loses a fortune in German war bonds, and takes a job in Caspe . As his dad (Saturno Cerra) leaves José or Pepe on his own in Zaragoza to finish high school while apprenticing in a pharmacy or ¨Mancebo¨ , later on , he becomes an anarchist . José courts his beloved Valentina (Emma Suarez in previous film was Paloma Cela) , a spiritual love via letters, and becomes intimate with Isabel (Cristina Marsillach) his sexual love , a maid he meets in a cinema who shares his ideas of free love, and comes under the influence of El Checa (Walter Vidarte) and other anarchist roles .
The film contains human drama , emotion , amusing events , adding two beloved romance stories . These elements provide the setting for this piece of dramatic deeds , giving it its own special quality and ambient . In addition , there are brief exploration about anarchist trade Unions , strikes and riots at early XX Century . There stands out the enjoyable interpretation , atmospheric photography and evocative production design by Felix Murcia . Starring Miguel Molina who gives a regular acting as as José , a teen always in trouble, and in love with Valentina and Isabel . While Cristina Marsillah as Isabel delivers a lousy acting , a bit later on , she would play ¨Opera¨ by Dario Argento and ¨Every Time We Say Goodbye¨ with Tom Hanks . Pretty good support cast as Walter Vidarte as El Checa , an anarchist and gentle teacher who leads a doomed revolt , Saturno Cerra as daddy , Concha Leza , Alfred Lucchetti , Juán José Otegui , Fernando Sancho , Marisa de Leza ,Juan José Otegui ,Concha Hidalgo, Raúl Fraire, Francesc Lucchetti and Emma Suarez as Valentina .
It packs an appropriate and evocative cinematography by Juan Ruiz Anchia , though being really necessary a perfect remasterizing . Anchia has been making a prestigious career in Hollywood , such as Close range , House of game and River runs black . Anchia is considereded to be one of the best Spanish cameramen , and he is a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) and a member of the International Cinematographers Guild. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences of Hollywood and a member of the Directors Guild of America . Here he shows splendidly the impressive landscapes and adequate scenerios .Including filming locations as Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha, Teruel, Aragón , Zaragoza, Aragón . Sensitive and emotive musical score by Riz Ortalani , with a catching but extremily repeated leitmotif. Produced in medium budget by Kactus , Ofelia , Carlos Escobedo and TVE . And interesting and engaging screenplay from Lautaro Murua , Carlos Escobedo and Antonio Betancort himself . The motion picture was well directed by Antonio Jose Betancort (1942-2006) who was born and died in Tenerife , Islas Canarias . He began as a director assistant and writer . He was a good filmmaker , little prolific , he wrote ¨Los Dias del pasado¨ by Mario Camus , only directed the following films : his film debut ¨Sentados al borde del mañana con los pies colgando¨ with Miguel Bose , ¨Valentina¨ with Anthony Quinn , its following ¨1919 Cronica Del Alba¨ . 15 years later , he made ¨Mararia¨ shot in Tenerife with photographer Ruiz Anchia . And TV episodes for series as ¨Juglar y Reina¨ and ¨Paisaje Con Figuras¨ . Rating : 6 , inferior tan previous first episode with Jorge sanz , Paloma Cela and Anthony Quinn . Acceptable and passable , worthwhile watching
Valentina (1982)
Emotive drama about childhood and love with engaging interpretation , breathtaking cinematography and acceptable direction
This Spanish picture is an agreeable story with an interesting characterizing about a few characters , drama , romance , and colorful scenarios . In 1939, in a French prison camp, José Garcés of the defeated Spanish Republican army raises the spirits of his fellow prisoners by telling some own tales , and his colleague and narrator (Eusebio Poncela) sets out to find an adult Valentina (Maria Rubio) . As he tells the story of becoming a man in 1919, the year he realized that learning to live is the same as learning to die. Set in a village in a lower Aragon , northeastern Spain . The year he was 8 years old, 1911, in a small village lives Pepe Garcés (Jorge Sanz) , Ramón J. Sender's alter ego . He is a rascal, and roguish little boy , dealing with his relationships to his parents (Saturno Cerra , Conchita Leza) and love for Valentina (Paloma Cela) . On his roof top at night he sends semaphore messages to her. He writes poems and becomes a poet . He gets them into trouble, killing her daddy Don Arturo (Alfred Lucchetti) 's breeding pigeons . Shortly after , the two families camp at a decaying castle, and his preceptor , a likeable priest (Anthony Quinn) teaches him some brooding issues , around life , as well as Maths , Pitágoras theory and anything else . Already a Young , he learns a lesson about being a hero.
The film starts in 1939 with José Garcés is in French prison camp after the defeat of Spain's Republicans to entertain and inspire his fellow prisoners, as he tells tought-provoking stories. This is first agreement between TVE (Spanish Televisión) and national production to shoot films based on contemporary novels of the Spanish literature. This one is based on ¨Crónica del Alba¨ by Ramon J. Sander , being divided in two parts : ¨Valentina¨ and ¨1919¨ , being realized both in similar artistic and technician team .The film contains human drama , emotion , amusing events , complemented with a feeling loving story . These elements provide the setting for this piece of dramatic deeds , giving it its own special quality and ambient . In addition , there are brief exploration about way of life of a little town . There stands out the enjoyable interpretation , atmospheric photograpy and evocative production design by Felix Murcia . Starring Jorge Sanz gives a good acting as Pepe the mischievous kid baffling his father, always in trouble, and in love with Valentina : Paloma Gómez , his neighbor girl and cousin . In real life Jorge Sanz and Paloma Gómez married and , recently , Paloma Gómez sadly passed away . And extraordinary Anthony Quinn as a sympathetic priest who tells him about the most valiant men, the saints, the heroes, and the poets .
It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by Juan Ruiz Anchia , though being really necessary a perfect remasterizing . Anchia has been making a prestigious career in Hollywood , such as Close range , House of game and River runs black , here he shows splendidly the impressive landscapes .Including filming locations as Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha, Teruel, Aragón , Zaragoza, Aragón . Sensitive and emotive musical score by Riz Ortalani , with a catching but extremily repeated leitmotif. The motion picture was well directed by Antonio Jose Betancort (1942-2006) who was born and died in Tenerife , Islas Canarias . He was a good filmmaker , little prolific , he wrote ¨Los Dias del pasado¨ by Mario Camus , only directed the following ones : his film debut , ¨Sentados al borde del mañana con los pies colgando¨ with Miguel Bosé , ¨Valentina¨ with Anthony Quinn , its following ¨1919 Cronica Del Alba¨ . 15 years after , he made ¨Mararia¨ in his natal region, Tenerife , Canary islands . And TV episodes for series as ¨Juglar y Reina¨ and ¨Paisaje Con Figuras¨ . Rating : 7 , better than average , worthwhile watching .
Las ratas (1997)
Downbeat and bitter film about rural world at a Castilian village , including strong scenes
Depressing movie and tough seeing drama about life at a Castilian village in the fifties . It is set in 1956 , at a country cave lives El Ratero : Jose Caride and his child named El Nini : Alvaro Monje . They dedicate to chase water rats to survive for their hunger . While the Mayor pressed by the governor attempts to evict them from the cave where they live due to their bad image before the modern society . Things go wrong when some hunters : Joaquin Hinojosa , Jose Conde, try to kill the wáter rats.
This is a passable but downbeat film , but in difficult vision , and realized in ¨Mario Camus' Los santos Inocentes¨ style also written by Miguel Delibes . There is a sour critique to rural life during Francisco Franco time in the 50s . It is a thought-provoking and lyrical drama with interesting character studio of a few roles . It is an acceptable and touching film , but strong , including hard scenes as the pig slaughter and other disturbing as well as violent scenes . It results in a strange blending between fiction and documentary , regarding a hardship existence at a starking region and the difficulties to survival .The main and unknown cast gives a decent acting , in spite of no being professional actors , giving an excessively theatrical performance . Support cast is pretty well , such as : Susi Sanchez , Paco Algora , Jose Conde and Joaquin Hinojosa . It was written by Miguel Delibes , he was editor chief in Norte De Castilla newspapers , where he attempted to publicize news about rural life but it was prohibited by the Francoist censorship, then he wrote the novel Las Ratas , one of the strongest books .
Being well photographed by Teo Escamilla , producer too, he is considered to be one of the best Spanish cameramen . Shot on location in Carrion de los Condes , Valdecabañas de Cerrato , Palencia and other villages of Valladolid province from the Castilian Comunidad Autónoma. The motion picture was uneven but professionally directed by Antonio Giménez Rico . Antonio is good craftsman who has written and directed several films from the sixties. He is a fine filmmaker of great quality . He was born in Burgos , Castilla y Leon ,where he often shoots his pictures . His film debut was Mañana de domingo 1966 , following El hueso 1967 , El Crónicon 1970 , Al fin solos 1977 , Del amor y la muerte 1977 and a documentary about travestism titled Vestido de azul. This nice director being specially known for Jarrapellejos 1988, Tres palabras 1993 with Maribel Verdu , and Hotel Danubio 2oo3 a remake to classy Los Peces Rojos . His speciality results to be adaptations based on the prestigious novelist Miguel Delibes as Retrato de Familia 1976 based on Novel titled Mi idolatrado hijo Sisi , The vote of Míster Cayo based on the homonymous novel and The Rats . He also directed various episodes of notorious TV series as Plinio, Crónicas de un pueblo , La máscara negra and Página de sucesos . Rating 6/10 . Acceptable and passable . The picture will appeal to Spanish cinema aficionados .
Don Quijote de Orson Welles (1992)
Unfinished Orson Welles film with a lot of documentary scenes and finally edited by Jesus Franco
Based on the classic novel , considered to be the best literary work ever written that stands in an unique position between the modern novel and medieval chivalric romance . And deemed to be one of the most influencial works of literature from the Golden Age . This work was made by Orson Welles just over fifteen years for lack of finances , though it turns out to be a combination of fictitious and documentary scenes . In fact , Welles began shooting in 1955 and worked on it off and on over the years . This is a blending of the unfinished film Don Quijote by Orson Welles , adding documentary scenes from Italian TV series shot by Welles , some scenes filmed by Jesus Franco himself and images of Spanish documentary NODO , all of them under supervision of Oja Kodar , Welles' wife . It was produced by Patxi Irigoyen and mounted , reshaped , cut and finished by Jesus Franco, including Daniel White score , Franco's regular , being premiered in Sevilla Exposición 1992 . Here Don Quijote is well played by Francisco Reíguera and AkimTamiroff gives a fabulous Sancho Panza . There also appears Paola Mori while is attacked by Don Quijote , as woman on motorscooter, she was Orson Welles wife who died early , and Fernando Rey as a narrator in the closing scene . In addition , the picture lacks footage from original Don Quijote , being held in other private collections in Europe .
It follows the classy plot , but introducing modern elements and a lot of anachronisms. As Don Quijote is a brave hidalgo , fanatic for chivalry novels , he decides to undertake imaginary adventures along with his friend , the simple farmer Sancho Panza , along the way he battles windmills , countrymen , warriors and he is finally locked . This enduring romantic adventure deals the enthusiast , passionate knight Don Quixote and it is paced in enjoyable as well as deliberate rhythm . There are several documentary scenes including Holy Week and Pamplona parties : San Fermin . However , the film tires , being paced in fits and starts and feels overlong . And relying heavily on the documentary , and certain confusion and mayhem . Furthermore , the images are faded and tarnished. being really necessary a perfect remastering .
There are a lot of versions abut this classic novel , such as : ¨Don Quijote¨ 1933 by G.W. Pabst . ¨Don Quijote de la Mancha¨ 1945 by Rafael Gil with Rafael Rivelles , Juan Calvo , Sara Montiel , Fernando Rey . ¨Don Kikhot¨1957 by the Russian Grigori Kozintev . ¨Don Quijote cabalga de nuevo¨ by Roberto Gabaldon with Cantinflas , Fernando Fernández Gómez , Maria Fernando D'ocon. And a musical version 1972 by Arthur Hiller titled ¨Man of La Mancha¨ with Peter O'Toole , James Coco , Sofia Loren , John Castle , Brian Blessed . ¨Don Quijote¨ by Peter Yates with John Lightow , Bob Hoskins. Besides , Spanish series , 1991/1992 titled ¨El Quijote de Miguel de Cervantes¨ with Fernando Rey , Alfredo Landa , Manuel Alexandre , Aitana Sánchez Gijon , Francisco Merino , Esperanza Roy . ¨Don Quijote¨ by Manuel Gutierrez Aragon with Juan Luis Galiardo and Carlos Iglesias . Don QuiXote 2015 with Carmen Argentino, Horatio Sanz , ¨Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha¨ (2015) by Dave Dorsey . Finally , ¨The Man Who Killed Don Quixote¨(2018) by Terry Gillian with Jonathan Price , Adam Driver , Stellan Skarsgård , Olga Kurylenko , Paloma Bloyd , Óscar Jaenada . And in cartoon movies as Don Quijote de la Mancha by Cruz Delgado and Donkey Xote 2007 by José Pozo .
The Man from Bitter Ridge (1955)
Thrilling and moving story about a mysterious stranger battling enemies who defied the law .
Tense , amazing and suspenseful Western with a simple , standard story that engages the viewer until the last scene . In Tomahawk, the crooked Jackman brothers control the town, Sheriff Dunham (Trevor Bardette) is up for re-election, and the sheep growers are banned in town . A drifter called Jeff Carr (Lex Barker) arrives in Tomahawk and investigates stagecoach assaults and he attempts to catch the gang that regularly robs the stages . Along the way he is caught in the middle of a violent range war between cattlemen and sheep-men . Meanwhile, the sheep-men are harassed by their contenders led by a nasty land baron , Jackman (John Dehner) , and his brothers Linc Jackman (Warren Stevens) and Clem Jackman (Myron Healey) . Then , Carr helps Alec Black (Stephen McNally) suspected by the local population , although he is in love with the same woman as him, Holly (Mara Corday) . Flaming days of the Great Mountain Wars! The West's Last Lawless Years! ; the great mountain wars blaze with all their violence! The Roar Of Dynamite! The Thunder Of Stampede!
Entertaining Western including action , thrills , fights , shot'em up and a peculiar love story among Lex Barker , Mara Corday and Stephen McNally . And including a stirring final stand-off that results to be thrilling , charged and riveting .The story is plain and simple , a strong confrontation with a intrigue behind , including ordinary confrontation between Sheepmen and and cattlemen and our hero will manage to arrest the real culprits but not before the latter try to compromise him down . An agreeable and slight tale , almost rudimentary , though full of cliches , as the script lines too often settle for crude routine and paced in fits and starts ; however , packing some surprises . Bursting with appealing , charming characters, including decent filmmaking and interpretation .There is a strong feud between settlers and cattlemen all around the movie and our two-fisted private, undercover investigator has to contend with both , farmers and cattlemen . Pretty good and pleasant traditional Western with professional direction and flawlessly acted by Lex Barker , but all the action comes from Stephen McNally who did such yeoman service in countless Universal Pictures Westerns and , in addition , John Dehner as a nasty , powerful owner who steals the show as a treacherous villain . This ¨The man from bitter ridge¨ not the best Western ever,...but pretty darn close . The narration is perfectly adjusted , from the beginning , until the final showdown and being approximately developed in appropriate runtime : 80 min . Lex Barker gives an acceptable acting as a mysterious investigator who attempts to discover who has been holding up the local stagecoach and is guilty for a series of killings that terrorize the town . Lex Barker had a long career and his starts in brief roles .Though later signed by Fox and then Warner, he was too tall for supporting parts and too unknown for leads. Tarzán's magic fountain (1949) (RKO) provided his first starring role. After five Tarzans he went into other adventure films. After 16 non-Tarzan films, mostly westerns, Barker made only five Tarzan films, but he remains one of the actors best known for the role. His stardom as Tarzan led him to a variety of heroic roles in other films, primarily Westerns, and one interesting and quite non-heroic part in a World War II film, Away All Boats (1956). He went to Europe in 1957 , as he spoke various languages . He went on to make more than 50 more films all over the world: Brazil, Germany, Spain, Yugoslavia, Italy, Lebanon, France. In Italy he also had a short but compelling role as Anita Ekberg's fiancé, and in Federico Fellini's La dolce vita .He became very popular in Germany because of his role as "Old Shatterhand," "Kara Ben Nemsi," and "Dr. Karl Sternau" in the movies based on books written by Karl May .
Being colorfully photographed in Spectacular in Eastman color . This well-edited motion picture is compellingly directed by Jack Arnold in his best foray into the Western genre. He reigns supreme as one of the greatest filmmakers of 50s science , achieving an important cult popularity with classics as ¨The Incredible Shrinking Man¨, "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," and its follow-up titled "Revenge of the Creature" that was a nice sequel . "Tarantula" was likewise a lot of amusement . This "The Incredible Shrinking Man" attained his greatest enduring cult popularity , it's a thought-provoking and impressive classic that's lost none of its power throughout the years . Arnold's final two genre entries were the interesting "Monster on the Campus" and the outlandish "The Space Children¨ . Rating : 6/10 . Decent and acceptable Western . Well catching for Westen buffs .