jcperez_1974 Reviews

La Virgen Negra (2008)

Magic Reality and Ingenuity

[8/10 · 10 November 2008]

The venezuelan cinema is plagued of easy-effect movies, and most writers resort to the well-known formulas for appealing crowds: sex and violence. Add poverty and low production values due to tight budgets and voilá you get yourself an all-venezuelan movie. No wonder our cinema is not supported by many in the country.

However, La Virgen Negra (The Black Virgin) sweep aside the recipe and director Ignacio Castillo adventures itself into a more bold project, not re-inventing anything but making use of magnificent resorts already elaborated by Latin-American writers of the boom era.

In a coast town somewhere in the Caribbean, which we venezuelan viewers like to think is located in Venezuela, Manita (Carolina Torres) is troubled because his man does not want to please her anymore, so she seeks help in Lurdita played wonderfully by Angélica Aragón -Lurdita is a sort of mysterious local character who everyone knows have some obscure magical tricks- to make her husband love her again. Lurdita accepts to help her with one condition: Manita must have the town's virgin replaced by a black virgin that Lurdita will provide. The town at first rejects the ugly virgin but since Manita did the change supported by Ms. Isabel (Carmen Maura), the town leader, they ended up accepting the statue and even asking for miracles which start to happen all over the town. The only problem is the unlimited generosity of the black virgin to concede miracles to anyone who ask for one with the subsequent unexpected results.

The acting is very good, with a supporting cast assembled of seasoned hispanoamerican actors (Carmen Maura, Angélica Aragón, Francisco Díaz, Caridad Canelón) as well as new young promises (Geily Rosales who plays Negrita a young little girl with an unleashed tongue who provides most of the script's smiles). The vivid colors of the tropical scenery are treat to our senses and the witty script also by Ignacio Castillo, keeps us smiling almost every minute. The only thing I would criticized is the selection of the Franklin character as the voice in off, the script is too elaborated for making us believe that a 10 years old kid in a very isolated town with poor education could be capable of delivering it. It took away more opportunities for stealing smiles from the audience, but the movie is so charming that this mistake is easily forgivable.

La Virgen Negra is the proof that Venezuela can make honest cinema of good quality with a low budget.

Mystic River (2003)

Excellent!!!

[10/10 · 16 December 2003]

Mystic River (From director Clint Eastwood) is definitely a masterpiece of crime genre. This intense drama about the investigation of the murder of a young woman will give you a ride on the emotion spectrum with the same intensity as in a roller-coaster. Slowly paced, beautiful shady photography, unforgettable performances by almost the whole cast will keep you entertained from the beginning to the end.

The story is about three guys, Jimmy (Sean Penn), Dave (Tim Robbins) and Sean (Kevin Bacon), friends during their childhood days, not quite so after a horrible incident happen to one of them in their youngster's days. All of them lead completely different lives and although the live in the same neighborhood, they hardly talk to each other. Jimmy became a thieve and did some time in jail. Dave, who was raped by two pedophiles, now lives a quiet, insignificant life together with his wife Celeste (Marcia Gay Harden). Sean has a troublesome life since his wife abandon him, taking his newborn daughter along with her, though Sean's wife call him very often, she does not say a word to him on the phone, just listen Sean's voice. The night Katie, Jimmy's daughter, is murdered, she had visited the same bar as Dave, who later on the same night arrive home all freaked out with blood all over him and with a knife cut in his abdomen. When Celeste ask him what has happen to him, he only replies that he has been mugged and that he thinks he had killed the mugger. Dave, which I believe is one of the best performances of Robbins since the Shawshank redemption, becomes the audience's prime suspect but not so to detectives Sean Devine and Whitey Powers (Lawrence Fishburn) who are assigned to the case.

As you already might guess, the movie is all about Sean and Whitey (ironically Afro-American) trying to crack the case. Nonetheless, Eastwood shows that he has the knack for directing flicks, and for storytelling. Mystic River is for me one of the best movies of the year, and I would not be surprise if Eastwood or any of the amazingly good main characters get an Oscar Nomination.

Roger & Me (1989)

Interesting Look At The Capitalism's Social Dilemma

[7/10 · 23 November 2003]

Roger Moore does a very interesting work in his attempt to get GM's president to visit Flint and see by himself the damage his has done to the town by his massive downsizing.

Moor without directly making the question about the social role of big corporations, pretty much leaves open the questioning. Although I have rented this movie as a comedy documentary, I believe it is pretty serious. Yes, Michael Moore has a very sarcastic and ironic way o presenting the facts but he focuses in the core matters and that is the moral behind the facts. I watch Bowling for Columbine and hi did a great job on that documentary too. Roger & Me is not as brilliant as the former but I think the most important is that he has somehow created a new way of making documentaries, which is so appealing as they dig deep in the matter to be presented. Moore achieves its goal, which (to my understanding) is to report the news after making a thorough investigation and at the same time to give a critic position about it. Not only stating his point of view but also allowing the viewer to make up his own.

I'm eagerly awaiting for Moore's next documentary because it's clear that he has enhanced his documentary style which is indeed very unique and great.

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

No disappointment

[8/10 · 5 November 2003]

The trilogy has ended and the Wachowsky brothers have shown the had it all pretty well deviced since the beginning. There was no other way to end it and I'm sure most Matrix's fan will agree.

Matrix Revolutions is full of slow motion action and thrilling combat scenes, This time the story is not as complex as in Matrix Reloaded since it is necessary to finally unfold the ending. Neo is now fully aware of the reach of his powers and a new encounter with the oracle will provide the missing link for him to figure out how to put an end to Zion's siege and finally reach peace. I could not guess the ending, and I'm pretty sure neither of you will until you see it.

Do not miss this part of the Matrix, you will enjoy it. The only thing I would complain about was the lack of more funny lines and in some parts the movie slackened a bit. But the plot has been wonderfully crafted and it has been so gratifying that writers has provided a fair and logical ending. Enjoy!!!

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Spectacular!!!!

[10/10 · 29 May 2003]

I must acknowledge that the movie is pretty much confusing. There are so many concepts to deal with in order to understand the plot. Once you've got them you end up loving the movie because it explains a lot of both the first one and the second one. I believe it is magnificent the way the writers have compound the story giving you just info bites in each part and still catching your attention. The scenes were superb. If you have the chance to watch it in one those enormous screen cinema halls, please don't miss it. I could almost feel the vertigo of the fall and the chase scenes. This is great movie and it will surely be regarded as one of the best action sci-fi films ever. And do not worry about the dialog, the action scenes are entertaining enough if you're just a kid or you have never read anything about modern philosophy, chaos theory or system theory.

Herod's Law (1999)

Excellent movie, a must-see for every latinamerican

[9/10 · 2 February 2003]

Herodes' Law is great and perfectly accurate parody of the corruption that characterizes most of the Latin America's states (for not saying ALL of them). Brilliantly, director Luis Estrada uses a very poor small town to develop his exaggerate parody about the behavior of Latin-American rulers. I'm sure that for us who were raised in small Latin-American towns, have notice that our governors are just a small sample of how things works in the official grounds.

Good photography, characters perfectly conceived and excellent performances makes Lay Ley de Herodes a very enjoyable, sometimes disgusting, film. Don't miss it 9/10

The Shipping News (2001)

Magnificent Photography, Aimless story

[6/10 · 2 February 2003]

This movie is worth being seen by the great stars in it and its beautiful photography. Although the story will keep you looking for what is going to happen to the unfortunate main character fellow, you will be disappointed when discovering there is not much to be revealed.

The movie is just about a loser-type ink-applier who after losing his wife goes to leave with his cousin (a total stranger who happened to meet the same day his wife dies) to their home town newfoundland. Interesting discoveries about his family's past and some other situations will turn our fellow in a completely different person.

My rate is 6/10, I understand that not everyone will wait till the end to see what finally happens.

The Bourne Identity (2002)

An Entertaining Thriller

[7/10 · 21 October 2002]

For those who like actions movies, like me, the movie has a lot to offer, The super man highly skillful in martial arts, so keen that he can figure out someone is trying to kill with a long distance rifle just be missing a dog that is not his in a house he happened to sleep for one night. The bourne identity is a very fast paced movie, you do not feel bored a second, It has some over-exaggerated scenes as when Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) jumps from a tenth floor (or so) using a fat man body as shield for protecting himself from the fall. Not only he does survive the fall with just a scratch on his forehead, but he also kills an assasin on his way down.

Frank Potente plays the by-chance partner of Matt Damon, and of course a she becomes more than just a partner at the end.

I give 7 out of 10 to The Bourne Identity, it's good film.

Angela's Ashes (1999)

Stunning, Touching, Brilliant

[8/10 · 8 April 2002]

I did not see this movie at the theaters and I am regretting it. I was scrolling through my cable TV options and I stopped at HBO in one of the first scenes of the movie and I stuck at it.

The movie is about poverty, poverty as one may never imagine (I least did not). The main characters are wonderfully played, the scenes are magnificent. Constants touches of humor make you bear the excess of gross takes required to transmit the feelings of the characters. The innocence and great resolution of a little boy who endures poverty and chases his dream to get to America.

Do not miss this movie you love it. 8 out of ten.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Magnificent

[10/10 · 21 December 2001]

Few adjectives can describe this movie. It's amazingly good. I hardly can wait for the next part of the story which if it is delivered with such tremendous scenarios, photography, visual effects and excellent direction, I'm sure will be as good as this one. Do not miss it.

The Others (2001)

A Master piece

[10/10 · 28 November 2001]

When I decided to see this movie was almost obliged by my wife who likes the horror movies. But hey, this is not a horror movie. It resulted to be one of the most interesting movie I've seen, The scenes are excellent, perfectly directed, A surprising and unique plot, Interesting dialogs. Marvelous performances. A give it a 10.

The story is based on a woman who lives alone with her kids in a old mansion. Her kids suffer from a strange disease which makes them allergic to light. With the arriving of new servants The lady starts to notice that strange things are happening in her rather grey home, A piano that sounds when apparently nobody is playing it, her older child claims to have seen strangers in the house, and many other extrasensory phenomena that creep the nerves of the already worrisome woman. An unexpected ending, amusing dialogs, and lots of suspense will make you thing that I was right when I gave 10 out of 10 to this movie. Do not miss it.

Widow of St. Pierre (2000)

All about passion and conviction

[8/10 · 19 July 2001]

This movie expresses in a very special and interesting way what a passionate love can achieve. The strength of a men who stick to his ideal regardless to the fact that it may cost him life. The conviction of a woman who strongly believe in redemption. The corrupted side of politics which exists since it was born. All this is mixed in a tale that, despite of its slow pace, makes you want remain in your chair desiring for a happy final that you know has no place in the story. The widow of Saint-Pierre can be regarded as one of the best French movies of all times. Excellent photography. Beautiful colors. Reasonable plot. Do not miss it 8 out 10.

Flawless (1999)

Interesting Drama, Well developed story

[7/10 · 16 July 2001]

Flawless is an interesting drama that talks about unexpected help from unexpected people. A brave tough security guard who always look down homosexuals and prostitutes even though he gets entertained with a particular prostitute, finds himself in the need of looking for help from a travesty after suffering a stroke that causes paralysis in half of his body. As the story evolves De Niro learns that one must not judge a book by its cover and that the power of will can lead you to overcome the most difficult obstacles. This film although slow-paced is very interesting and makes you want to stick till the end to know what will it be of the characters. Some parts are boring and some scenes like that fight between homosexuals at their headquarters are a bit lousy but for the rest its OK. De Niro is not in one of his best performances but not bad either. 6 out of 10

Shrek (2001)

Extremely Funny!!!

[10/10 · 16 July 2001]

Not even when I was kid had so much fun watching a cartoon. Shrek may lack other things but definitely not fun. Very smart dialogs, very unique characters with lot of witticism, and a excellent story telling makes Shrek the Children-Adult movie of the year from my point of view. Do not miss it!!!

15 Minutes (2001)

Grasp you in a mix a emotions: Rage, Expectation; Sadness

[9/10 · 25 June 2001]

This is one of the best movies I've seen this year, From the very beginning this violent movie induce in you all sort of emotions. It is very violent movie but very well directed. Robert De Niro once again delights the audience with its stunning performance. The movie itself criticizes to the media regarding to how greedy and immoral it may become when all comes to money. The film also criticizes the extremist point of view of the human rights and how some smart murderers can beat the system with the help of the media and of greedy and unethical enough lawyers. 9 out of 10 for this movie. For those who don't mind violent movies its a must see.

The Crimson Rivers (2000)

Excellent Story Telling

[8/10 · 21 June 2001]

I went to see this movie with not too much confidence. I've read some comments in this page and some of them were not encouraging. However, I must rate it 8 out 10. A very good story, It cannot be compared to Seven. This is something totally different except for the grotesque the images may look, Good direction. Nice photography. A good touch humor. I would only have convey better the explanation of the incidents because at the end it leaves you trying to figure out some parts of the hidden story, For the rest, there is nothing to complain of about this movie. It is a must-see. I agree it is not "The Movie". but you will enjoy it and be entertained with it.