A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Brazilian Films, Portuguese-language Films
Kleber Mendonça Filho, “O Agente Secreto / The Secret Agent” (2025) Folks anticipating a fast-paced spy thriller might be disappointed to discover this film is actually…
Walter Salles, “Ainda Estou Aqui / I’m Still Here” (2024) Based on Brazilian writer Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir of the same name, “Ainda Estou Aqui /…
Brazilian Films, North American Films
Hector Babenco, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1985) I had read the Manuel Puig novel of the same name many years ago and found it an…
Latin American Films (non-Spanish / non-Portuguese)
Iara Lee, “Modulations, Cinema for the Ear” (1998) Billed as a history of electronic music and music technology in the 20th century. “Modulations …” turns out to…
Brazilian Films, Portuguese-language Films
Jose Padilha, “Elite Squad” (2007) An examination of corruption and brutality in a special forces unit of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro state in…