Tag Archives: movies

in english

Music and Lyrics

I am not a big fan of romantic comedies, but I actually enjoyed this movie.  The script is original, as it takes a different look at the music industry and pop from two different decades (a musical genre I generally don't care much for), and it has a sort of witty, one-liner-based sarcarm I enjoy.

If you want to spend some time during the weekend and have nothing better to do, I'd recommend it.  A "chick-flick" that will also make men laugh.  If you were a teenager or still remember the 80's, you will definitely enjoy it.

in english

Semana Santa no es lo mismo sin Ben-Hur

Como cualquier persona que creció en México, la Semana Santa no es igual si no te ponen películas referentes a la fecha, especialmente clásicos como Quo Vadis? o Ben-Hur.

Como en Finlandia eso realmente no lo hacen, ya estaba bastante desacostumbrado, pero pueden imaginarse mi sorpresa cuando veo el Viernes Santo que en ZDF, un canal alemán que me llega por cable, estaban pasando Ben-Hur.  Aunque mi alemán está un poco oxidado, me puse a ver la película y la verdad es que me acordé mucho de cuando estaba chico.

in english

Mr. Bean’s holiday

We saw this movie yesterday.  Unlike the previous Mr. Bean movie, where he destroyed everything available at a museum, this one was a much more enjoyable experience, with his trademark grimaces and very funny body language overall.

His opera rendition, and the last 5 minutes of the film are worth the price of the ticket.

in english

4 out of 16

In the end, Babel won 1 Oscar for original soundtrack, and Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labrynth) won 3 for cinematography, art direction and make-up. Children of Men left blank. Even though the harvest was very good for Mexican cinema (bordering on the historic), these films missed out on the big categories, such as best picture, best foreign language film, best director, and best (supporting) actor/actress.

Last King of Scotland truly deserved the award given to Forest Witaker. I can’t yet comment on the big winner of the night, The Departed, since I haven’t seen it.

I hope Cuarón, del Toro and González Iñárritu have another shot at the big prizes. I’m very happy for the winners, but it feels a little bit like losing on penalties.

em português, in english

3 films by Mexican directors nominated for the Oscars

Babel received 7 nominations (including best director and best picture), El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labrynth) 6 (including best foreign language film) and Children of Men 3.

I found the best quote about the three movies in a Brazilian website:

“Del Toro, Alejando González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón are examples of movie makers that never stopped giving their own touch to their productions, regardless of being tied to big studios. Coincidentially, or not, all three are nationals of a country that still today is treated with disdain by the Americans. The prejudices won’t end any time soon, but their talent and their success is the best answer.”

In other news, the Spanish are also happy. Penélope Cruz is also nominated for best actress, some Spanish documentaries are in the fray, and the possible success of Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labrynth) is also theirs, as a big part of the staff and all of the actors are Spanish.

Gustavo Santaolalla from Argentina created the score for Babel, and he’s also in the running.

I hope they all win, but of course the competion is tough.

en español, in english

El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labrynth)

The last of the three movies by Mexican directors being released at the end of 2006. I’m still undecided which one I like the most, Children of Men, Babel, or this one. All of them are beautiful, but I have to give a lot of credit to Guillermo del Toro for such a vivid imagination and such a beautiful photography throughout the film.

I’ll buy all three, and surely hope all of them win Oscars.