el_master Reviews

The Tree of Wooden Clogs (1978)

Sweeping piece of art

[10/10 · 7 November 2004]

The last time I felt swept and moved by a movie with so much depth was when I saw "Andrei Rublev" and "Eternity and a Day", and this movie is such like them when it fails to become a movie and becomes a modern piece of art.

It was like if someone would've been reading me a poem whilst watching such beautiful landscapes. And all through that, you feel in your own skin the love for their own soil. it seems as if they had been rooted to the grounds.

Certainly it is not for everyone's tastes but it is truly a moving experience.

Axel.

Zapata - El sueño del héroe (2004)

A Fraud

[1/10 · 13 May 2004]

That's what this "movie" is.

I can't even start explaining on details of what's wrong about this piece of crap, it is everything.

It made me laugh at some point, but it was sorrow laughter, but the worst of all is the screenplay, miscasting and directing.

Dumb fiction characters and weak based on real life character. You just can't respect a director such as Arau that the only thing he did on pre-production and therefore was going along where the wind blew.

You just can't have any kind of respect, avoid it at any cost...

what a shame...

Canoa: A Shameful Memory (1976)

A Powerful Film

[17 April 2004]

This Film takes no concessions, it is certainly one of the most powerful films in cinematographic language, I've ever seen.

Felipe Cazals has done an extraordinary job, previously to Canoa, he did a great documentary about the feelings of the mexicans regarding the foreigners but especially those who were involved in the Mexican life in one way or another.

Cazals maybe tried to input that same kind of documentary-style to Canoa which makes the film more special since it doesn't follow the traditional standards on editing and screenplay.

Highly recommended film that is not for those of weak guts, it has some violent scenes but it don't fall onto morbid stuff.

Also, I highly recommend Felipe Cazals' films (except those of Rigo Tovar ones). it is certainly one of the greatest mexican filmmakers ever.

All the President's Men (1976)

Excellent

[10/10 · 20 November 2003]

I don't know what in God's name this movie has but I love each and every thing about it, it is perfect, it's one of those few movies, that I never get tired of seeing it, and if I'm changing channels and suddenly bump into it, I get hooked by it...

To make a movie like this is always a feat for directors, either can be such as good as this movie is, or a piece of crap, why?, because it has no action at all, no sex, no f/x, no terror infliction, it's a rather unusual movie...full of info...

Maybe it appeals to me because I'm a sucker for info and political issues...

I highly recommend it.

Axel.

Padre Padrone (1977)

hard life

[9/10 · 9 November 2003]

Seeing this film, reminded me of the typical situation of living outside the cities and in the fields.

Gavino Ledda, lived a difficult life, which, the worst part, I think, was being isolated and with no contact from the outside of his sardinian life.

I've seen that this movie is a polemic one towards being a good film or being a piece of trash, I'd go with the first one. I think that is a good film, making an adaptation of a book is always difficult, and the taviani brothers, did it succesfuly, ok, it is not a masterpiece either. but it's not a bad film, it applies the best it could to the low-budget they had. The Feat comes with the fact that it won the Palm D'Or in Cannes in 1977, and sometimes you might expect a piece of art, comparing it to the 'Tree of Wooden Clogs' that won the next Palm D'Or in 1978, Padre Padrone stands weak, but still I think it's a good movie, I own it, and sometimes watch again to take on some technichal details. If you have the chance see it, I can assure you that even if you don't like it, you won't consider it such a waste of time.

The Pearl (1947)

A Masterpiece of world film-making

[10/10 · 3 November 2003]

Making an adaptation off John Steinbeck's short novel wasn't easy and always a feat.But Emilio Fernandez and Gabriel Figueroa did it in a succesful way.

Pedro Armendariz repeats on a high class of acting role as in 'Maria Candelaria'. Once again the cinematography of Gabriel Figueroa ranks among the best he's done. (the cinematography of this movie earned him, a prize at the Cannes Film Festival).

The aid of Mr. Steinbeck himself, helped Emilio to adapt the screenplay just as good as the novel itself.

This movie has no flaws and it ranks among the best in Mexico Film History, a must see.

Paris, Texas (1984)

It really brought magic back to cinema!

[10/10 · 2 November 2003]

I was marveled with this astounding movie, the loneliness of it, the desperate and passionate feeling all around. This movie ranks on my top 5 favorite movies of all time. It has to do, also, the fact that I identified myself through the characters especially 'Travis'. I've experienced that same kind of love and desperation, which, somehow, made me feel that it's o.k. to live this life through passion.

The Cinematography is clever, and the direction is carefully driven. the screenplay, along with the soundtrack and cinematography might be the tip-top of the film.

If you happen to see it on a video store, rent it, buy it, don't hesitate you won't regret, this is a must see.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

The Best Film of All Time

[10/10 · 2 November 2003]

It is certainly, in my point of view, the best film, it is my favorite one. why?, it's simple, it has no flaws, the actors are excellent, the screenplay, everything!

Sir David Lean, deserves a mention on this. I do believe that his direction and constant perfectionism, helped to make this magic film. Also I think that the edition part plays one of the major roles in the film. it was a wit editing, and sometimes influential one. Whatever else I might say about this movie, it has no need to be said.

It is excellence. and excellence must be look upon always!

Fantasia (1940)

This Movie changed my life

[10/10 · 2 November 2003]

It did. When I was a kid, this movie has been influential on me,like only very few things has done. it gave me a pat on the back, because showed me that music and images are made to be joined!. this movie reinforces your imagination and visual language.

It has not been dated, it has the same magic, since it's very date of release.A Beautiful, Moving and soothing film.