Change Your Image
josephanthonytaylor
Reviews
Machetero (2008)
Criminal Minds Justifying their Crimes
"Machetero" is the kind of film that offers little interest for me. However, a friend suggested the film and because I have interest in the status of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, USA. I attended a screening.
This is a type of film that is basically unappealing to most people unless they are very far to the left of left. I am sure that Che Guevara would have given this film a 5 start rating. In my case, the best thing that I can say about this film is that I walked out about after 20 minutes.
The film begins with a greasy, youth shaving his head in the style of a skin head. During the few minuets that I washed, the film presented a series of images of that youth walking around deserted areas of NYC The youth walked around while a rap song commented about oppression and colonialism. The main idea was to illustrate how the USA have abused the people of the Commonwealth of PR, USA.
Since, I am familiar with the ideas of many Puerto Rican-Americans born and living in the Island, I could not but get to realize that the ideas in this film were the point of view of radical New York-Ricans.
In all fairness, I felt nauseated by the film ideas and comments. Therefore, I could not help but leave the movie house after -as I said -20 minutes.
Yet, I do need to make a contrast between the ideas of this film and my reality. My cousin Carlos Torres was born in the Commonwealth of PR, USA. He graduated from Ponce High School in 1952. shortly after, Carlos enlisted in the USA Armed Forces. Carlos made the army his life and reached a very high rank in the army. For Carlos, his life's highlight is that his children followed in his footsteps and graduated from West Point. Later-on, his grandchildren graduated attended West Point and Annapolis.
Therefore, when I see the individuals in this film - all born in the Mainland -talking about revolution, making pipe bombs, and advocating for PR Independence, I simply cannot help but feel total antipathy towards them.
The individuals in the film are simply people with very little education. All they have done in their lives is create a negative image for the good people of Puerto Rico. This people do not have any connection with the island but are simply after their personal interests.
The culture of the New York Rican is alien in Puerto Rico. Several years ago, the so called playwright, Miguel Pinero author of the play "Short Eyes" was invited to the University of Puerto Rico for a lecture on account of his play.
Miguel Pinero began his lecture with the New York Rican "jive" talking about how he and his writing were examples of Hispanic culture. After a few minutes on the stage, Miguel Pinero had to leave the stage. The audience simply laughed at him, laughing him out of the stage.
Parker (2013)
An excellent down to Earth thriller!
With out giving much away, I have to really praise this movie. The film accomplishes creating a down to Earth thriller with the dramatic ups and downs of a well written story.
In today's movie world, most movies create thrill by just using special effects that show cars being blown away, chases, and gun battles. Special effects are fine and thrilling, but a movie created by computer effects is devoid of real creativity.
In Parker however, the thrills come from the characters' interactions and situations. Now, you really need imagination and creativity in order to accomplish such level of reality.
The film presents the two main characters in a very realistic way. Furthermore, the female lead played by Jennifer Lopez, is played to perfection.
It is very sad to observe that this film did not get proper distribution here in New York City. Originally, the movie was going to be shown at several AMC Theaters including the Lincoln Square 13. While it did play in several AMC Houses, it never played the Lincoln Square 13. The Lincoln Square 13 seems to be the AMC Flagship here in NYC.
In my opinion, the fact that this movie did not played in that house hurt the movie at the box office.
All-in-all, I hope there is a sequel to Parker with the same actors playing the lead roles. I also will like to see the sequel promoted and distributed more efficiently.