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jorgejackass
Reviews
Los bastardos (2008)
Mexican Art-house cinema done right
Los Bastardos is a film about two very lonely Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles, who are forced to spend the evening with an even lonelier American woman, under extreme circumstances. Enter Jesús and Fausto, in the first shot they are seen walking for over four minutes, Fausto, the youngest is playing with a soccer ball which he leaves behind at the end of the shot, this could represent the fact that he's leaving behind his innocence for on that day they have been hired to kill someone. The plot always makes people think this is a fast paced thriller, or a "Funny Games" type ordeal, but no. The film plays like a Carlos Reygadas movie, once there is an action there is no reaction, but contemplation of the moment. This gives the spectator time to ponder and let the feelings sink in, particularly about the life-style of Mexican day-laborers which is something very depressing to watch. The story is taken at a very slow pace, and every turn leads to something unexpected, and the use of non-actors makes the situations feel very authentic and even logical, as though they could in fact happen in that order. The amount of realism is accentuated by scenery of Los Angeles, beautifully photographed. So yes, this is a deliberately slow film but it builds emotion with its pace only to destroy one's emotions at the end. The camera language speaks to the audience, this is a very well directed film. In the end, I thought this was the kind of cinema I needed at the time, and I could see it again to analyze the amazing photography and the fascinating pace. Its a very peculiar type of cinema, but its so well made and has such profound emotion that if it falls short of masterpiece its because we are not used to a film being so determined to be so casually profound.
Je m'appelle Elisabeth (2006)
Relaxing, innocent drama
I saw this today at a critics screening for Tijuana, I was expecting a children's movie, but I can't imagine children watching this film, it takes patience and innocence to go through it seriously. Its a slow, bright, cute film about a dealing with small problems at a young age. There isn't much to say: The acting is above average, the whole asthetic is rustic but enchanting, the characters are well developed, but the script is just a little dull. You will get into the story but you'll be drifting in and out at times. Still this is a very good-looking, feel-good film, worth a watch (especially for young women).
LBJ (1968)
Santiago, a craftsman of film
I saw this today, only 1 hour ago and it has not sunk in yet. The director of the Cuban Film Institute came to our school today and showed us some of the most beautiful cinema I have ever seen. All short documentaries that are brief but concise. This is a montage of different images from the JFK, Martin Luthor King and Bobby Kennedy triumphs and assesinations, all three events being observed by Lyndon Johnson as the dark figure who is plotting the anti-black rights movement. The montage is so well done for 1968, you can see and feel the amount of work put into this short. Truly a masterpiece of documentary cinema, a must see for anyone interested in the genre.