BDPI Reviews

La caja 507 (2002)

Nice thriller with a bit of social justice.

[12 March 2004]

Spoilers alert: there is no way to state the plot of this movie without at least one spoiler, so you can either watch it for the first time without reading this (which I recommend), or read on anyway.

Antonio Resines stars as the father of a girl who he had thought died in an accidental forest fire. Once he wakes up (alone) after he is locked in the safety-deposit vault of his bank after being bound and drugged, he accidentally sees some documents. These documents reveal to him, the manager of the bank whose safety-deposit boxes were robbed, that the fire was caused to bring down property values due to the stigma of a young girl dying there.

So, he ties loose ends, and sets out for justice against all that were involved in the nasty plot. Oh, in case you read on without having seen the movie I have good news: I left enough out for you to watch and enjoy thoroughly.

A well-directed and acted movie, it is a prime example of the sort of quality film Spain produces on a regular basis. So, I obviously recommend it.

Sex and Lucía (2001)

The "sell out" movie of a rather average director.

[1/10 · 20 February 2004]

Julio Medem had directed a few movies before this one, with his "key" movies (Vacas, Tierra, Ardilla roja, Amantes del circulo polar) being basically the same plot rehashed in a different way. The afore-mentioned movies, in my opinion reflected limited directorial skills and zero originality.

So, he "moves into the 2000s" with a movie in which you see a constant parade of genitals followed by sex. If you like naked bodies and uncensored sex, go for it by all means. However, don't try to pass it off as "transcendental" or "artistic" like Medem did.

There is no plot. None. You get more of a plot swirling a bowl of alphabet soup with your spoon. Even Najwa Nimri, usually extremely convincing and talented, phones this one in.

What it boils down to is this: if you want to see sex, see this movie. If you want to see a movie with sex and a plot, then keep looking.

Pídele cuentas al rey (1999)

I'd rather be caught in a collapsing mine than to see it again.

[2/10 · 20 February 2004]

Well, maybe not quite. I saw this movie mostly on account of Antonio Resines being one of my favorite actors. Unfortunately, this movie is a dud. Basically, it deals with a miner who has seen enough deadly accidents and lame political excuses, so he decides to walk 500 kilometers with his wife and (I guess) 6 year old to Madrid, to see the king. Since the constitution of Spain (the setting of this movie) states all Spaniards are entitled to a decent job, he will ask the king himself for such a job. Yes, it is that hokey.

The character himself is portrayed as a rather selfish and unlikeable clod who only looks to get some publicity. Along the way he encounters a Portuguese family in a similar state, and tells them to go away in quite unfriendly terms. He even resorts to start throwing stones, which led to a retaliation, during which his own child and two of the other family were in constant danger. In another scene, the only time during the movie the wife is interested in sex with him is after he gets stinking drunk. He later gets an undocumented man arrested after picking a fight in a strip bar, and so on. On another occasion he "treats" his family to a meal he has no intention of paying for. This is after refusing money from a well-wishing friend before heading on the journey. Quite a guy to look up to?

To address one of the many lapses of the movie, we have a six (or so) year old boy who is having the time of his life while being rushed several hundred kilometers. The last time I saw such a dopey and accommodating kid was in "It's a Beautiful Life", which I didn't like neither, but I digress.

If, like me, you enjoy Antonio Resines in action, you can watch almost any other movie of his. This one stinks big time.

Back to the Beach (1987)

If you look at the ceiling when you hear of reunion movies...

[6 June 1999]

Twenty some-odd years after livening the beach scene, Annette and Frankie return, helping the viewers along with the already self-explanatory title.

Frankie is an obsessed car dealer who is married to Annette, the perennial optimist. They intend to travel to Hawaii with their son, to see if Frankie can relax. On the way, they stop to see their slightly more liberated daughter in California. When they meet up with members of the old gang, we see how Frankie and Annette re-evaluate their relationship. In the process, they and their children also have an opportunity to share with each other more openly. It's all in good and clean fun, and is more of a family movie than most that intended to be so.

The In-Laws (1979)

A buddy movie you can be friends with.

[6 June 1999]

Most buddy movies feature a wild character and the sedate counterpart. And they uniformly wind up together at the end, in a predictable follow-the-numbers fashion. In this movie Peter Falk seems to be a do-it-himself CIA operative who elicits the help of his soon to be in-law Alan Arkin. Both are completely believable in their respective roles, and as they work their way through New York thugs and Central American dictators, Arkin warms up to the ludicrous lifestyle of Falk.

To me, neither has had a more appropriate role or has been more effective. Funny all the way through and even with a touch of suspense, as you can't be sure of Falk's identity, or if Arkin will stick to his safer instincts.

The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)

Surgically funny.

[23 May 1999]

Bill Murray is the birthday boy who decides to surprise his brother this special day. For this he has to visit London, and winds up in a play where he participates as a master spy. This play takes place in the streets, as opposed to a stage. Through a coincidence or two, he winds up in a "real-life" adventure of intrigue, blackmail, and murder. Since he hasn't a clue as to what is going on, he is "the man who knew too little." Hilarious from start to finish, the director doesn't leave a loose end anywhere!

Central Station (1998)

All the ingredients for a corny dud, yet...

[22 May 1999]

The movie deals with a young boy who is en route to a life filled with disappointments and a woman who has authored too many (disappointments). Their paths cross, and she leads him to the very edge. As she dangles him over it, she recapacitates, and sees an opportunity to regain the faith in humanity that she lost so long ago. A boy in difficult surroundings looking for his estranged father would ordinarily be a fine foundation for one of those silly "feel-good" movies. In this movie it is okay to feel good, and in the bargain a film of substance is viewed.

The Girl of Your Dreams (1998)

Rotten to the core!

[16 May 1999]

The photography was decent and some footage meant to seem from decades earlier did seem that way. For the rest, I suggest covering your eyes to protect yourself from the onslaught of cinematic cliches and scenes that uncomfortably resemble many that have been seen before. The movie deals with a joint Spanish and German movie effort in the late 1930's or so, with the supposedly original idea of filming each sequence of the movie twice, once in each language. In the process, the film makers (in and out of the trite movie within a movie concept) handily clock in on endless stereotypes and stale dialogue.

Open Your Eyes (1997)

Open your eyes.

[15 May 1999]

The best confused identity movie I have seen. It deals with a 20-odd year old man who from society's perspective has "everything". And then some....he has a paranoid personality, and when he somehow recovers from what would appear to be a fatal accident, he kicks it up a notch.

Part of the suspense of the film is figuring out what is going on, so I won't say more.

Thesis (1996)

Remain seated.

[15 May 1999]

Ten minutes into the movie I was all set to leave. Same thing happened a few moments later. And again. The movie is so realistically scary that it is quite difficult to remain seated. And it scares you where it counts, in your imagination. No cheesy effects; just precise assaults on your psyche.

The movie deals with a university film student who has a highly developed morbid curiosity. She at the same time with and without intention gets in way further than intended. It is hackneyed to mention Hitchcock when commenting on a suspense film, yet the director earns this distinction readily!

Thelma & Louise (1991)

So completely effective!

[15 May 1999]

I have seen this movie a dozen times, and always enjoy it the same! The director does an exceptional job of blending all the details in a synergistic manner. And he builds each theme with complete effectiveness. For example, Thelma and Louise are on a long car trip, and keep running across a vulgar trucker. Each successive time the encounters are portrayed to reflect the state of each of them. The last one provides a rather satisfying product.

The movie deals with two women who want to take a breather from an oppressing society. They find that in the process they "jump" from the frying pan into the fire.

Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach (1988)

All smiles!

[15 May 1999]

I like this flick for a variety of reasons, but one is the way everyone seems to be happy with everyone else in movie. The hijinks of the group are similar to the others in the series, complete with the goofy chase at the end. Still, I find the gags especially effective this time around. The "plot"? Well, Lazard is being "crowned" police officer of the decade, and the ceremony takes place in Miami.

Weekend at Bernie's II (1993)

No rigor mortis here!

[13 May 1999]

Bernie is still dead, and is now needed to provide a key signature in St. Thomas. Larry and Richard are more than happy to escort their former boss. The scenery is great, the music pleasant, and the humor runs at a surprising rate!

Caddyshack II (1988)

Just a tiny tap!

[13 May 1999]

I didn't like Caddyshack much, and was very pleased when I saw its sequel, on which I am commenting. Soon after the movie starts, a gopher (or is it a beaver?) has a diet root beer and sets the "tone" for the movie. The self-made millionaire at the posh club also has his say while riding the hurdles. Cryptic references aside, this is the story of a social clash that originates and is resolved on the links. Loads of humor, and with various characters blended in, such as Chevy Chase as a big shareholder, Dan Aykroyd as the alternative problem-solver, and Randy Quaid as the attorney who can shout out the wrinkles in your suit while being polite.