Torremolinos 73 - 2003

Movie #167

3 stars

Alfredo López (Cámara) is a struggling encyclapedia salesman who owes three months of back rent. It's 1973 and the world is changing. His boss has an offer for Alredo that he just can't refuse, shooting "scientific" sex videos with his wife for the Danish World Encyclopedia of Reproduction. Alfredo's obbsession with filmmaker Ingmar Bergman threatens the relationship with his wife, who becomes obsessed with having a baby.

(I've started making my own plot summaries...what do you think?)

Cast: Javier Cámara, Candela Peña, Juan Diego, Malena Alterio, Fernando Tejero, Mads Mikkelsen, Ramon Barea, Thomas Bo Larsen, Nuria Gonzalez, Marivi Bilbao

Director: Pablo Berger


The storyline was kind of interesting and there were enough things going on to keep my attention.  It was only 86 minutes though.  It is good that the filmmaker realized that a shorter length would be more beneficial.  I feel like a lot of times filmmakers want a 2 hour film...to showcase their talent...but if the storyline isn't there then it just isn't there.

Like:  Berger did a good job of actually making the audience believe that the couple actually had chemistry.  You have to admit, he's the lucky one.  If this hadn't been accomplished then it would feel more like a cheap movie...and not a film observing people's lives.  It might have also made the audience feel grossed out while they were filming their "scientific" movies.

Like: I can definately see the influence of Pedro Almodóvar in this film


Like/Dislike:  This is the kind of film that you can't tell if it is a good or bad thing that it is a foreign language film.  Are you missing out on something by having to read the subtitles?  Or are the subtitles covering up the bad?  I don't really have an opinion on the matter but I thought I would just throw it out there.

Dislike:  Mads Mikkelson.  Anybody who reads my reviews knows that I love Mads.  But I sure am glad this was not the first film I watched of his.  It wasn't that his acting was bad but it was more of just his character.  He was weird, slime-bally, and had no depth.  But in the end this might have been on purpose.  I didn't dislike the character but I didn't like him either.  It would take a lot more effort to like Mads if this was my first movie of his. 

Overall Recommendation:  It's a sub-par movie that isn't really worth watching.

Don't Tempt Me - 2001

Movie #130


4 stars

A concussive brain injury could spell curtains for a boxer named Manny (Demian Bichir). But no sooner does a priest begin to spout the boxer's last rites than a couple of supernatural agents -- an angel from heaven (Victoria Abril) and a waitress from hell (Penelope Cruz) -- are sent to vie for his soul. A unique, enjoyable film that makes comic use of languages.

Cast: Penélope Cruz, Victoria Abril, Demián Bichir, Fanny Ardant, Gael García Bernal, Gemma Jones, Bruno Bichir, Elena Anaya, Peter McDonald, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba, Cristina Marcos, Alicia Sanchez, Luis Tosar, Elsa Pataky

Director: Agustin Diaz Yanes

Tagline: Heaven and hell are on Earth, and they're wearing heels.






The one thing that made this movie was the cast.

• Penelope Cruz - Hell's Angel
• Gael Garcia Bernal - Operations Manager for Hell
• Victoria Abril - Heaven's Angel
• Fanny Ardant - Operations Manager for Heaven

The film starts off with the two angels walking into a building and then pulling a mark over their faves. It then cuts to two months earlier.

Even though I'm not a big fan of this technique, this choice was probably for the best. The story lacked umph sometimes but if you get a little bored then you just start to wonder how the two women (supposed enemies) got there.

Best actor goes to Penelope. At first you think she is doing a terrible job because of the way she carries herself...but in the end you are like ohhhh!

There were also a lot of good quotes:

• Lola Nevado: Bad people never let you down, because bad people never change
• Carmen Ramos: Remember: either God wants all evil to disappear but can't do it, which means He's weak. Or He can, but won't, which means He's evil. Or He can't and won't, so He's weak and evil, and therefore not God. Unde malum?

My only major dislikes about the movie is (a) the subtitles were not as good as they could have been (white letters on a light background) but they are not the worst I have seen...and (b) I don't think I would rush to watch it again...the reason I'm not giving it a 5.

An interesting thing to note was that they speak French in Heaven, English in Hell, and the movie takes place in Spain...so Spanish on Earth.

Overall Recommendation: This is a good one!

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown - 1988

Movie #115

4.5 stars

After being dumped by her lover, Iván (Fernando Guillén), Pepa (Carmen Maura) finds her life -- and the lives of those around her -- spiraling out of control in this madcap farce from acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. As Pepa tries to contact Iván, her friend Candela (María Barranco) reveals her involvement with a terrorist, Iván's wife visits with loaded guns, and Iván is about to board a plane that Candela's boyfriend plans to hijack.

Cast: Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Julieta Serrano, Rossy de Palma, María Barranco, Kiti Manver, Guillermo Montesinos, Chus Lampreave, Yayo Calvo, Fernando Guillén Cuervo

Director: Pedro Almodóvar


The power of one: Crazy characters are united by a crazy storyline from crazy director Almodóvar.

My favorite character: Candela- All of her scenes were brilliant, especially the ones she shared with Antonio Banderas. Look at how funny he looked...a whole lot different than now. But hey...this movie was made 22 years ago :)













I always like Almodovar's use of color....whether it is the clothing, hair, or furniture. The movie seems rather simple but the funny one-liners and just plain old hilarity of the story is capturing.















Trivia: Contrary to popular belief, the cab driver is not played by director Pedro Almodóvar, but Guillermo Montesinos.

what? The taxi driver was not Almodovar??!?....lets take a closer look shall we












Someone is playing a prank on us. Here is Guillermo Montesinos -->





He sure look a hell of a lot like Almodóvar.

I was fooled







Overall Recommendation: Watch this!!!!!! oh- and watch out for the gazpacho :)

All About My Mother - 1999

Movie #110

5 stars

An Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, writer-director Pedro Almodovar's compassionate tribute to women examines the life of Manuela (Cecilia Roth), who leaves Madrid for Barcelona shortly after she witnesses her son's accidental death. Once there, she reunites with an old friend (Antonia San Juan), a pre-op transsexual prostitute, and forms a fast but enduring friendship with a pregnant nun (Penelope Cruz).

Cast: Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Candela Peña, Antonia San Juan, Penélope Cruz, Eloy Azorín

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Spanish, subtitled. Filmed in Barcelona and Madrid (so pretty)


Everything about this movie was awesome!...the acting, the storyline, the scenery, the colors...everything! This movie tackles many issues that movies now don't even tackle...and this was 10 years ago! Agrado (the transsexual prostitute) offers a lot of the comic relief but the character also has a very important monologue scene.

Penelope Cruz seems soo young! She did a fabulous job. I also liked all of the colors (see the umbrella below). Even on a dark, rainy night Almodovar finds a way to throw in some color.
















Trivia (courtesy of imdb):
Agrado's monologue was based on a real life event. When the electronic system of an Argentinian theater failed, the director suspended the show. Actress Lola Membrives decided to give the news to the audience and make them an offer: if they'd stay, they could listen to the narration of her life.

Favorite Quote:
Agrado: Well, as I was saying, it costs a lot to be authentic, ma'am. And one can't be stingy with these things because you are more authentic the more you resemble what you've dreamed of being.


Overall Recommendation: What are you waiting for? WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!

Crimen Ferpecto (The Perfect Crime) -2004

3 stars

Synopsis: "Rafael (Guillermo Toledo), a top department store salesman with his pick of the comely female staff, thinks he has the perfect life -- that is, until a rivalry with co-worker Don Antonio (Luis Varela) ends in murder, forcing Rafael to find an alibi. Lourdes (Monica Cervera), the one salesgirl Rafael has hitherto spurned, comes to his aid … but at a price."

This movies only saving grace is its music. The music actually makes it funny. At times it seemed slow but its satire kept me hanging on by a thread.

Fun fact: The DVD was released in Croatia, titled Ševac i njegov pijevac which literally means "A fucker and his rooster."

Overall recommendation: not worth your time.