Amores perros (2000)

Genre

Drama | Thriller

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Country

Mexico

Cast

Gael García Bernal, Álvaro Guerrero, Goya Toledo, Vanessa Bauche, Emilio Echevarría, Jorge Salinas, Marco Pérez, Rodrigo Murray, Humberto Busto, Gerardo Campbell, Rosa María Bianchi, Dunia Saldívar, Adriana Barraza, José Sefami, Lourdes Echevarría

Storyline

Three stories of life along the margins in Mexico City resolve with a fatal car accident. Octavio (Gael García Bernal) is trying to raise enough money to run away with his sister-in-law (Vanessa Bauche), and decides to enter his dog Cofi into the world of dogfighting. After a dogfight goes bad, Octavio flees in his car, running a red light and causing the accident. Daniel (Álvaro Guerrero) and Valeria's (Goya Toledo) newfound bliss is prematurely ended when she loses her leg in the accident. El Chivo (Emilio Echevarría) is a homeless man who cares for stray dogs and is there to witness the collision.

Opinion

Debut feature of a young Mexican director who turned out to be a superb filmmaker, Amores perros is a pure, violent, angry, bitter yet poetic and sensual picture of human life.

Central figure of the film, as the title suggests, is that of the dog, that in each of the three stories perfectly represents its protagonists. Furious as the protagonists of the first story that pulls their animals into fights, and are not able to respect life in all its forms. Naive and helpless as the model of the second story, a beautiful metaphor of today's woman, grew up in a society that consider her an object. And lastly, stray and wandering as their owner in search for redemption, author of a spectacular final monologue.

Mexico City, imprinted in the harrowing photography by Rodrigo Prieto, causes a collision between the rich and easy lives of Daniel and Valeria and those drifted of Octavio, Ramiro, and Susana, right on the day everyone believes happiness is within reach, thus changing the course of their lives forever.

In addition to the dogs, and the city, the other figure that stands out is that of El Chivo, present in all the stories, that seems to try merge the two worlds, that, however, can me united only be the love for dogs, and the sense of abandonment.

Besides from the superb writing, direction and narrative structure that everyone seems to mention, I'd like to point out the outstanding soundtrack, a dramatic mix of Hispanic rock-rap tracks.

The dogfighting scenes are noteworthy. Raw, and hard to watch - problem that doesn't arise when it comes to humans fighting -, the editing behind those sequences is spectacular, since dogs were actually just playing.

The acting is the cherry on top. Gael García Bernal is, as always, brilliant and charismatic, he gives a great portrayal of Octavio and he's able to capture the audience's attention like nobody else. However, the real star here is Emilio Echevarría, who pulls off an astonishing transformation and gives an outstanding performance as El Chivo. Vanessa Bauche and Marco Pérez prived great support to García. Goya Toledo fully captures her spoiled character, and Álvaro Guerrero wonderfully humanizes his.

Quotes

El Chivo: At the time, I thought there were more important things than being with you and your mom. I wanted to set the world right, and then share it with you. I failed, as you can see.

Little Pieces (2014)

Genre

Drama

Director

Adam Nelson

Country

UK

Cast

Finnian Nainby-Luxmoore, Matt Jones, Isabelle Glinn, Graham Cawte, Peter Oliver

Storyline

Little Pieces is the story of Michael (Finnian Nainby-Luxmoore) and Eric (Matt Jones), two young men on a collision course with the world around them. As they race violently towards each other their world comes crashing down, changing their lives forever.

Opinion

In a nutshell? I loved Little Pieces, and I'm very glad I had the chance to see this gem. If only all indies were this good!

Micro-budget first feature from director Adam Nelson, Little Pieces is a brilliant and emotional drama that deals with family, love, abuse and anger.

The story unfolds in a nonlinear way - the title should have rang a bell -, starting from the climax, then putting all the pieces of the puzzle together, and closing with a surprisingly emotional ending. It challenges your intellect, keeps you wondering for the whole time, and it does pay off well. I hope I won't cross the line by saying the result is very close to Iñárritu's. The script is well written, with characters that feel real, and makes you root for them.

The whole thing is laced up with a great direction, beautiful cinematography, and a musical score, composed by Imraan Husain, that fits the story and enhance the emotions.

The actors all do a great job. The young leading trio, Finnian Nainby-Luxmoore, Matt Jones, and Isabelle Glinn, all give solid performances. Nainby-Luxmoore and Glinn have a good chemistry, not one of those you usually see in movies, but a real-life chemistry. Peter Oliver does a good job as Jerry, but Graham Cawte is outstanding, and wonderfully portrays Michael and Eric's alcoholic father.

I highly recommend Little Pieces to anyone. You can find out more about the film on their Facebook and Twitter. 

Crash (2004)

Genre

Drama

Director

Paul Haggis

Country

Germany | USA

Cast

Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Michael Peña, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillippe, Larenz Tate, William Fichtner, Beverly Todd, Keith David, Shaun Toub, Bahar Soomekh, Ashlyn Sanchez, Karina Arroyave, Daniel Dae Kim, Bruce Kirby, Loretta Devine, Tony Danza, Kathleen York, Sylva Kelegian, Marina Sirtis, Nona Gaye

Storyline

Over a thirty-six hour period in Los Angeles, a handful of disparate people's lives intertwine as they deal with the tense race relations that belie life in the city.

Opinion

Crash is a beautiful, emotional, moving, insightful, provocative, raw, and powerful film about racism, and xenophobia in the lives of interconnected Angelenos.

The brilliant story written by Paul Haggis is an interweaving of various stories that collide - physically and not - one against the other. Some end up good, other badly. Some storylines are better than other, but overall they all are fantastic and powerful. Each story makes the film exciting, and guide the viewer on a path of death, despair, redemption, and joy.

The character development is great. Each character is developed enough so we can develop an opinion about them, but then suddenly things change, and so does our opinion of them. Despite initial appearances, none of the characters falls into the stereotype. Each character has to face everyday problems caused by racism, and ignorance. Everyone, whether white, black, hispanic, or Persian, has their own frailties, and is ruled by their own prejudice. Each character tries to defend their individuality at the detriment of the others, from the angry policeman who unleashes on the weakest, to the proud Persian shopkeeper who is trying the be accepted by society.

"I heard it might snow" says Don Cheadle's fellow detective at some point. And boy, they snow will fall. And that snow will give that sought physical contact, and will transform the lives of the characters. The wonderful, and moving final is supported by an equally wonderful music - the all musical score is actually sublime.

In this stellar cast, Matt Dillon is certainly the one that stands out. Never pandering to the camera for a moment, he delivers a more than believable performance, and his portrayal of the angry policeman is superb. Don Cheadle also gives a wonderful performance - and he is lucky, because he gets to be in the most beautiful scenes and he has some of the finest lines. Sandra Bullock is terrific, yet odious because of her character. Terrence Howard is exceptional. Chris Bridges aka Ludacris is very charismatic. Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillippe and co. all do a good job.

Quotes

Graham: In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Genre

Crime | Drama

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Country

USA

Cast

John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Quentin Tarantino, Steve Buscemi

Storyline

Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer) are two thieves who decide to rob a coffee shop. Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are two hitmen on the hunt for a briefcase from their employer, mob boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Wallace also asks Vincent to take his wife Mia (Uma Thurman) out. Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) is an aging boxer who is paid by Wallace to lose this next fight.

Opinion

Comparing the nominations for the 1995 Oscar's Best Picture - Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption and the winner Forrest Gump - is more than obvious that Oscar winners are not necessarily the best movies in the cinema history. 

Perhaps the best film of all time, and directed by one of the most creative geniuses ever born, Pulp Fiction is mixture of violence, black humour, crime, and action as never seen before, and kinda deals with redemption and spirituality.

The film is perfect from the beginning definition of 'pulp' to the end credits, going through some memorable scenes - The 'Royal with Cheese' discussion, Jules's speech, the twist contest, Butch saving Marsellus, Mia's overdose, Butch choosing a weapon. 

Also, it is impossible to not appreciate the many connections with Reservoir Dogs, like Vincent being Mr. Blonde's brother, Bonnie the nurse - referred in both films as The Bonnie Situation -, and some parts of the story taking place on the same day of RD's events. 

Quentin Tarantino not only proves to be a master in filmmaking, but also to be the master of witty, complex, and clever dialogue, and fast plot that doesn't allow the audience to get bored. There is no wasted line in the whole film, and every single story is told with irony. The cinematography is outstanding and the soundtrack  is one of the best ever.

The acting is top notch. Samuel L. Jackson delivers one hell of a performance as Jules, part specifically wrote for him. The fact that he was denied an Oscar is shameful. John Travolta is obviously the star of the film, and does a great job as Vincent. The supporting cast is outstanding. Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken. All of them. 

The film gets better with each viewing - I didn't think it was possible to love it even more than I did before -, so if you didn't like much the first time, watch it again. If you still don't like it, go watch some commercial success. 

Quotes

Butch: You okay?

Marsellus: Naw man. I'm pretty fuckin' far from okay.

Butch: What now?

Marsellus: What now? Let me tell you what now. I'ma call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' niggers, who'll go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight. I'ma get medieval on your ass.

Butch: I meant what now between me and you?

Marsellus: Oh, that what now. I tell you what now between me and you. There is no me and you. Not no more.

Jules: Mmmm! Goddamn, Jimmie! This is some serious gourmet shit! Usually, me and Vince would be happy with some freeze-dried Taster's Choice right, but he springs this serious GOURMET shit on us! What flavor is this?

Jimmie: Knock it off, Julie.

Jules: What?

Jimmie: I don't need you to tell me how fucking good my coffee is, okay? I'm the one who buys it. I know how good it is. When Bonnie goes shopping she buys SHIT. I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it I want to taste it. But you know what's on my mind right now? It AIN'T the coffee in my kitchen, it's the dead nigger in my garage.

Jules: Oh, Jimmie, don't even worry about that...

Jimmie: No, No, No, No, let me ask you a question. When you came pulling in here, did you notice a sign out in front of my house that said "Dead Nigger Storage"?

Jules: Jimmie, you know I ain't seen no...

Jimmie: Did you notice a sign out in front of my house that said "Dead Nigger Storage"?

Jules: No. I didn't.

Jimmie: You know WHY you didn't see that sign?

Jules: Why?

Jimmie: 'Cause it ain't there, 'cause storing dead niggers ain't my fucking business, that's why!

Babel (2006)

Genre

Drama

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Country

France | USA | Mexico

Cast

Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Mohamed Akhzam, Peter Wight, Harriet Walter, Michael Maloney, Driss Roukhe, Boubker Ait El Caid, Said Tarchani, Mustapha Rachidi, Abdelkader Bara, Wahiba Sahmi, Robert Fyfe, Adriana Barraza, Gael García Bernal, Elle Fanning, Nathan Gamble, Clifton Collins Jr., Michael Peña, Rinko Kikuchi, Kōji Yakusho, Satoshi Nikaido, Yuko Murata, Shigemitsu Ogi

Plot

In Morocco, a kid (Boubker Ait El Caid) decides to test a rifle and shoots an American woman (Cate Blanchett) in bus, on a vacation with her husband (Brad Pitt). Due to the incident, in San Diego, their Mexican maid (Adriana Barraza) travels to Mexico with their children for the marriage of her son. Meanwhile in Tokyo, the police tries to contact the former owner (Kōji Yakusho) of the rifle, and his daughter (Rinko Kikuchi) that is feeling rejected misunderstand the reason of the investigation.

Opinion

Babel is a beautiful and depressing drama, about loneliness generated by cultural, geographical and psychological boundaries, and miscommunication in the modern world.

Like 21 Grams, this film has a non-linear story, and different pieces of the puzzle transpire at different times and places. It is impossible not to notice the similarities to Paul Haggis's Crash, but Iñárritu places more importance to human emotions.

The use of five different languages (English, Arabic, Spanish, Japanese and Japanese Sign) is more a mean of isolation than a way to help us understand each other.

The performances are excellent. Brad Pitt does a surprisingly excellent job portraying Richard - the scene where he breaks down while talking to his son is heartbreaking. Boubker Ait El Caid and Said Tarchani, which respectively play the younger and the older brother, give Oscar-worthy performances. The performances by Adriana Barraza, who plays the maid, and Rinko Kikuchi, who plays the deaf-mute Japanese girl are outstanding. Cate Blanchett is wasted as the American woman, since she never gets the chance to shine.

Quotes

Yussef: I killed the American, I was the only one who shot at you. They did nothing... nothing. Kill me, but save my brother, he did nothing... nothing. Save my brother... he did nothing.

Rating

8.0/10

21 Grams (2003)

Genre

Drama

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Country

United States

Cast

Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio del Toro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Danny Huston, Mike Wallace, John Rubinstein, Clea DuVall, Eddie Marsan, Melissa Leo, Marc Thomas Musso, Paul Calderón, Denis O'Hare, Kevin Chapman, Lew Temple, Carly Nahon, Claire Pakis

Plot

Jack Jordan (Benicio del Toro) is a former convict who is using his new-found religious faith to recover from drugs addiction and alcoholism. 

Cristina Peck (Naomi Watts) is a former cocaine addict who now leads a quiet life with her husband, Michael, and her two daughters.

Paul Rivers (Sean Penn) is a mathematics professor married with a dedicated wife and with a fatal heart condition. 

Key event is the hit and run accident in which Jack Jordan invests Cristina's husband and daughters, who die. Michael's heart is implanted in Paul, who is now obsessed with finding the person to whom he owes his life.

Opinion

For somebody it's the weight of the soul, for me 21 Grams is a great film. At the beginning is a little bit chaotic and it takes a while to figure it out. Death is certainly the most important theme of the movie, and it's discussed masterfully thank to the director. I appreciate Iñárritu choice of making a non-linear film, because it makes the viewer feel in the same way of the three main characters - at least that's what did to me. 

The music, by Gustavo Santaolalla, blends perfectly with the story and adds even more drama to the film. 

The cast is great; Naomi Watts and Benicio del Toro are outstanding. I particularly loved the latest because this has been the very first time I've seen Benicio shining.

Quotes

Paul Rivers: How many lives do we live? How many times do we die? They say we all lost 21 grams... at the exact moment of our death. Everyone. And how much fits into 21 grams? How much is lost? When do we lose 21 grams? How much goes with them? How much is gained? How much is gained? Twenty-one grams. The weight of a stack of five nickels. The weight of a hummingbird. A chocolate bar. How much did 21 grams weigh?

Cristina Peck: Take it easy? My husband and my little girls are dead, and I'm supposed to take it fucking easy? I can't just go on with my life! I am paralyzed here! I am a fucking amputee! Do you see that?

Rating

8.4/10