A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Reviews of Spanish-language films from Latin America (Mexico, Caribbean area, Central America, South America). Reviews of Spanish-language films from United States may be included here.
Latin American Films (Spanish language), North American Films
Fernando Campos and Jaime Jasso, “El Camino” (2020) A well made and visually gorgeous film, “El Camino” happens to be the culmination of five years of…
Latin American Films (Spanish language), North American Films
Josh Soskin, “La Carnada” (2014) In a poverty-stricken town in Mexico not far from the border with the United States, 13-year-old Manny (Angel Soto Jr) is…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Cristina Gallego, Ciro Guerra, “Birds of Passage / Pájaros de Verano” (2018) In many ways, this film tells a classic tale of individuals from poor backgrounds…
Latin American Films (Spanish language), North American Films
Ben Norton and Max Blumenthal, “The Grayzone meets Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro” (The Grayzone Project, August 2019) Filmed by fellow Grayzone journalist colleague Ben Norton, Max…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Marcelo Martinessi, “The Heiresses / Las Herederas” (2018) A slow-burning, low-key character study that, among other things, examines loss and self-transformation and interrogates social hierarchy and…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Alfonso Cuaron, “Roma” (2018) Conceived as a homage and dedicated to his birth family’s housemaid and nanny Libo, Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” brings together a…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Hernando Calvo Ospina, “Venezuela, the Hidden Agenda / Venezuela, la Oscura Causa” (2017) A very informative documentary, “Venezuela …” reveals the true nature of the war…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Pablo Larraín, “Neruda” (2016) Very loosely based on an episode in Chilean poet-politician Pablo Neruda’s life, when he and his wife Delia were forced to go…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Ciro Guerra, “The Embrace of the Serpent / El Abrazo de la Serpiente” (2015) Filmed on location in the Amazon rainforest region, this remarkable film features…
Latin American Films (Spanish language)
Fabian Bielinsky, “Nine Queens / Nuevas Reinas” (2000) Talented Argentine director Fabian Bielinsky made just two films before his untimely death in 2006 and his first,…