10,000 Km (2014)

Directed by: Carlos Marques-Marcet
Country: Spain

Movie Review: Natalia Tena and David Verdaguer may have been the only actors in “10,000 Km”, but that reality didn’t undermine the low-budget drama, which is an upfront exercise mounted with earnestness by the debutant director and co-writer, Carlos Marques-Marcet. What seemed to be another inconsequential story of separation that relies on modern technology to survive, ended up evolving into a heartfelt experience where the feelings sprout genuinely intense in the day-to-day of Alex and Sergi, a couple from Barcelona whose love is put to a test when she goes to L.A. for a one-year artistic residency in photography. The challenge of staying apart and still have to make the relationship work, can be followed since ‘Day 1’ when the possibility is considered with mixed feelings amidst their Sunday routines. On one hand they’re happy since it’s an opportunity, taking into account the difficult economic times in Spain, but on the other hand, they know the separation won’t be easy, and a blend of fear and sadness install. The first day without each other – ‘Day 2’, starts enthusiastically with Alex showing her gorgeous house. However, along the way, every day will bring different emotional states and the moods will change accordingly. Sometimes they’re totally in tune with each other: cheerful and optimistic while throwing in witty lines, supportive and understanding, having virtual sex… but other times they’re sulking, arguing, or reconciling from those arguments that mirror their frustrations, the burden of waiting infinitely, and even occasional unjustified jealousy. Some other days are represented through few hasty images that suggest nothing but sleeping, boredom, or anxiety. Having gone through a similar situation with my wife (identically, she came to the US to study photography), I’ve identified myself with so many things here, what ascertains that Mr. Marques-Marcet knows what he’s portraying, crafting this film compellingly through the involving performances from the cohesive pair of actors.

Shrew's Nest (2014)

Directed by: Juanfer Andres, Esteban Roel
Country: Spain / France

Movie Review: Executive producer, Alex de la Iglésia, presents a psychological horror film, set in ‘50s Spain, about two unstable sisters with a complicated past and present. The film was passionately directed by Juanfer Andrés and Esteban Roel, two newcomers who also co-wrote with Sofia Cuenca based on an original idea by Emma Tusell, editor of the last Spanish cinematic sensation, “The Magical Girl”. Relying on the extraordinary performances by Nadia Santiago and especially Macarena Gomez, the story feels simultaneously familiar and tonally consistent, if occasionally fluctuating in pace. Montse (Gomez) always played the role of a protective mother regarding her younger sister (Santiago), who she calls ‘la Niña’. Both live alone in a comfortable apartment after the death of their mother and the mysterious disappearance of their father 14 years before, during the war. The latter (Luis Tosar), religiously strict and morally judgmental, often visits the subconscious of Montse, a neurotic dressmaker who never goes out due to suffering from agoraphobia. Besides, Montse is a victim of other strange attacks, acting very aggressive and severely punishing her sister who just turned 18 and meets with a boy right under her window. This fact brings about jealousy and fear of loss in Montse who keeps inflicting guilt and embarrassment in the frightened yet courageous girl. Secluded, petty, and haunted by a traumatic past and an overwhelming awe of God, the older sister gains strong hopes of recovering, besides the drops of morphine that a client brings to her, when she literally kidnaps her neighbor, Carlos (Hugo Silva), after he has asked for help with a bump in his head and a broken leg. Even if not totally fresh or devoid of missteps, “Shrew’s Nest” reserves good surprises for the last 30 minutes, time when the gore images assault you, well programmed to enhance the climax. More morbid than creepy, this is a palpable psychological material whose major faults can be easily forgiven.

Magical Girl (2014)

Directed by: Carlos Vermut
Country: Spain / France

Movie Review: “Magical Girl”, which opens and closes with a mesmeric moment of magic, doesn’t hesitate to astonish the viewers with a few refreshing plot details. The story centers on two strangers, Luis (Luis Bermejo) and Barbara (Barbara Lennie), whose lives converge at some point. Luis is an unemployed former teacher who wants to pamper his 12-year-old daughter, Alicia, a devoted enthusiast of anime series and Japanese pop songs, with the gift she ever dreamt – a unique dress that costs 7000 Euros. The reason for this is that Alicia is dying from leukemia. Since the books he often sells by weight are insufficient to collect the total amount, he sees a golden opportunity to get it by blackmailing a mentally troubled woman called Barbara, with whom he slept right after meeting her in undesirable circumstances. Barbara hides a mysterious past that involves an obsessed professor from her youth, and lives comfortably with her well-established psychiatrist husband. Nevertheless, and since she can’t get an excuse to ask him such a great amount, she resorts to her former employer, Ada, who runs a prostitution business. Barbara is then introduced to a sinister man in a wheelchair who arranges bizarre sexual encounters. She ends up paying Luis, but the game was far from reaching an end. Filmmaker Carlos Vermut embraces drama and thriller with the same spontaneous conviction, in this meticulous tale of revenge(s) that mesmerizes us from the first minute. Even if we have a slight impression that some of the visuals and mood had been borrowed from other movies, we can’t help being dragged by the clever plot, clean appearance, and a disconcertingly intriguing structure. Quietly disturbing, this penetrating neo-noir thriller relies more in a cruel insanity than any kind of magic.

Marshland (2014)

Directed by: Alberto Rodriguez
Country: Spain

Movie Review: In Alberto Rodriguez’s crime thriller “Marshland”, a police investigation is set up in an undesirable little town of the Guadalquivir Marshes, Spain, during the busy harvesting period. The cause was a brutal double homicide of two teen sisters. The year is 1980. Agents Pedro (Raul Arevalo) and Juan (Javier Gutierrez) arrive from Madrid resolved to find the culprits of a crime that is obviously connected with other similar killings of adolescent girls in 77 and 78, in the same month of the year. The conspicuous, overwhelming displacement felt by the agents, was the main reason for them to remain united, especially taking into account their abysmal differences in personality and operation methods. Pedro is honest, direct, mostly correct in his procedures, and a meticulous observer; the kind of guy who thinks he can change the world. In opposition, Juan is sleepless, nervous, violent, and with a controversial past as a former header of Franco’s brigades. Even with precise clues (killer’s blood type and car), the case unlikely would come to a favorable conclusion without the help of some eyewitnesses, a few local smugglers, and an ‘inconvenient’ journalist. Mr. Rodriguez, who co-wrote with Rafael Cobos for the fourth time, revealed enough qualities to make me want to see what’s coming next. Less interested in taking the dangerous path of easy action, all his endeavors were directed to build mystery and set up sinister ambiances. The resolute camera work was firmly accomplished in many of the staggering passages of the film – intense chases, suspense situations, close-ups, little details, or mere landscapes. “Marshland” does better than its competitors (including Hollywood) and deserves to be seen for its compelling performances and well-cooked plot.

Loreak (2014)

Directed by: Jon Garaño, Jose Mari Goenaga
Country: Spain

Movie Review: The mature Basque drama, “Loreak” (meaning ‘Flowers’), was surprisingly pleasant and warmly rewarding. Following their first successful collaboration five years ago with “For 80 Days”, sturdy filmmakers Jon Graño and Jose Mari Goenaga didn’t let their good reputation deteriorate, and now present us another poignant piece of genuine life. 40-something-year-old, Ane, seems satisfied while working for her company at a construction site, however, her personal life tells us she’s not so happy – the relationship with her husband is getting bitter and during a medical check-up she was told she had reached premature menopause. Once childless, we could feel a crushing depression coming down, but suddenly a baffling occurrence helps her to get over this phase. She starts receiving a big bouquet of flowers from a mysterious sender, on every Thursday. Apparently, the sender is a co-worker, Benat, a crane operator who ends up dying in a car accident. From this moment on, the flowers stopped to arrive, while the necklace Ane had lost, was found in the crane cabin. Like Ane, Benat was also struggling with his personal life since his wife, Lourdes, and widow mother, Tere, didn’t get along so well. Lourdes had a son from another marriage, but it seems the couple wasn’t able to have one of their own, despite the pressure made by the obnoxious Tere. An affair between Ane and Benat was very unlikely. A secret passion? Simply sympathy? The doubt remains, and our only certainty is that the three women’s fates are intriguingly connected. The light, in Javier Aguirre’s exemplary photography, strangely conveys a false serenity among the characters’ inner agitation. “Loreak” is as much thorough as elliptical, comfortably driven by a delicate approach, flawless performances, and a conscious structure.

Beautiful Youth (2014)

Directed by: jaime Rosales
Country: Spain / others

Movie Review: “Beautiful Youth” is disappointing, even considering the strong theme about the demoralizing social reality lived in Spain, where unemployment loomed a couple years ago, hampering the youths from building decent lives and leaving no margin for dreams or high hopes. The film, set in Madrid, starts particularly unfocused. There’s a worried mother and their three sons – Natalia, who occasionally steals from stores' beauty sections and decided to have an experience on amateur porn with her boyfriend Carlos (only to win 300 euros); Pedro who’s not doing great in his studies and says ‘I’m fucking sick of this woman’ when talks about his mom; and the little one, Irene who still need extra cares. The father left the house some years ago and only Natalia maintains contact with him. After a while, it becomes clear that Natalia and Carlos, both 20, are the ones to follow in this pessimistic adventure, which was no more than a potentially acceptable idea turned into an unskilled exercise. Natalia gets pregnant and starts looking for a job, however, her wish never materializes. In turn, Carlos, underpaid in occasional construction jobs, plunges into inertia and seems only concerned with video games and obtaining financial compensation from having been stabbed in the neck during a brawl. The whole is weaker than some parts, resulting in an uneven tale that was never really connected. By the end of the film there are some questionable options (photographs, skype) that first mislead us, and then take us to the infuriating conclusion. Filmmaker Jaime Rosales doesn’t seem to be the same who elegantly directed the sensational art-house “Dream and Silence” in 2012. Everything collapsed in “Beautiful Youth” - the camera moves awkwardly and tactless, the photography is unattractive, and the editing, a flop. Budget's fault? Blah!

Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014)

Directed by: Andrea Di Stefano
Country: Spain / France / others

Movie Review: Italian actor Andrea di Stefano makes his directorial debut with “Escobar: Paradise Lost”, a thriller, set in 1991 Medellin, whose title mislead us to assume we are before a biopic about the unmerciful popular Colombian drug trafficker, Pablo Escobar. Instead, the film tells about a Canadian young man, Nick (John Hutchinson), who was having trouble with local thugs when trying to set up a business by the beach, in the company of his older brother, Dylan (Brady Corbet). Everything will become easier when he falls in love with the gracious Maria (Claudia Traisac), Escobar’s niece. Accepted by Escobar (Benicio del Toro) to be part of his clan, he will see the coast clear when those who demanded a payment for his business, were burned alive. A day before giving himself to the authorities in a pact with the Government, Escobar’s first concern is to protect the future of his family by concealing the fortune accumulated with years of narcotrafficking. He reserved one last special operation for the innocent Nick who was assigned to meet and kill a ‘campesino’. However, surprises come up and Nick, in panic, will have to fight for his life. As the story unfolds, it becomes too chewed in aspects it should have been more expeditious. Some good hints of tension not always usurp an annoying cheesiness felt in scenes involving Nick, unveiling superficiality and exaggeration in a story that deserved to be better handled. Di Stefano takes the wrong turn when he had everything to do it right – decent script and respected actors. The formula: ‘make it simple and raw’ would have given him better chances, together with a more astute exploration of the characters. Paradise lost… and a missed opportunity.

Automata (2014)

Directed by: Gabe Ibañez
Country: Spain / Bulgaria

Movie Review: Gabe Ibañez’s “Automata” is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller that feels more pretentious than efficient. The story is set in 2044 AD, in a time where atmospheric disturbances, reduction of the population, and technological regression, are compensated with robots that enforce the two protocols responsible for ruling the almost deserted world. Jacq Vaucan (Antonio Banderas), an insurance claim checker for ROC, the company that makes the robots, embarks in a one-man journey to assure the future of humanity. The chaotic scenarios are not so negative, but the film never transcends itself into something worthy. To tell the truth, we wait and wait for long periods of time, and nothing meaningful really happens, making us enter in a sort of melancholy that is very difficult to get rid of, even during the action scenes. There’s still time for some ludicrous scenes that include a sentimental dance between Vaucan and a robot, or a problematic cop who shows a compulsive ability to shoot robots in the head. Vaucan’s screams of frustration felt dried, and the world depicted in the heavy-handed “Automata” never provided any compassion or sympathy. The presence of Antonio Banderas was also insufficient to boost an unfocused plot, written by the Spanish director Ibañez together with Igor Legarreta and Javier Sánchez Donate, which ended up being an unenthusiastic assembly of small ideas.

Spanish Affair (2013)

Directed by: Emilio Martinez Lázaro
Country: Spain

Movie Review: “Spanish Affair” is a very Spanish romantic comedy directed by Emilio Martinez Lázaro, taking advantage of the political questions that are in the base of the turmoil lived between Basque country, which seeks independence for several years, and Spain. The story starts in Sevilla where Rafa, a bon vivant who doesn’t know any other place beyond Andaluzia, was being the king of the night by telling some pretty good jokes about Basques. Irony of the destiny, since he meets Amaia, a Basque young woman who seemed bored for celebrating her bachelor party. After one-night stand, Amaia escapes without a word, but Rafa finds an excuse to travel to Basque country, becoming leader of the local separatists, as well as the suitable substitute for Antxon, Amaia’s fiancé who had broken up with her a few days before. Pretending to be Antxon, he will try to convince Amaia’s father, a rough fisherman, that he is a true Basque with eight surnames. Comedy of circumstances with political teasing, “Spanish Affair” is an easygoing film that plays effectively with language. In spite of the good timing of the majority of its gags, the conventional style adopted and predictable outcomes, prevented a greater satisfaction. It worths essentially for its chirpy nature and some inspired moments that revealed a good openness of mind regarding a turbulent internal conflict. The lamentable finale was a pity, but with the huge success in Spain, there’s already a sequel announced for 2015, with the same actors, writers, and director.

Grand Piano (2013)

Directed by: Eugenio Mira
Country: Spain

Movie Review: Spanish thriller “Grand Piano” stars Elijah Wood as Tom Selznick, a talented pianist who returns to concerts after a five-year hiatus due to an almost incontrollable stage fright. Accusing the responsibility of having his fans and media with an eye on him, Tom cannot hide his deepest fear but this time seems decided to cause good impression. He just wasn’t prepared to be threatened with death by an alleged hitman who forbade him to play a single wrong note during the concert. Emma, his famous wife sitting in the audience, becomes another easy target for the madman who communicates with the musician via cell-phone, while he plays the most difficult pieces of his mentor, Gudureaux. Tension is mixed with an unconvincing, humorous tone that never causes the desired effects of involving us in the implausible and forced situations, hopelessly impossible to be taken seriously. Throughout the entire concert, Tom communicates with his persecutor through an earpiece, occasionally stopping to play and leaving the room in order to find the man’s identity and motives. While the band keeps playing, a ridiculous game of cat and mouse is created, and we breathe an unnatural atmosphere that in nothing contributes to elevate its far-fetched plot written by Damien Chazelle (“The Last Exorcism Part II”, “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench”) whose next directorial feature “Whiplash” is very much awaited. I only found “Grand Piano” slightly entertaining, becoming an ‘out of tune’ piece of cinema within the ‘songbook’ of the genre.

The Artist and the Model (2012)

Directed by: Fernando Trueba
Country: Spain / France

Movie Review: Renowned Spanish helmer Fernando Trueba has a gentle style of filmmaking, and that’s noticeable in “The Artist and the Model”. However, this drama shot in an appealing black-and-white, is not at the same level as his big hit from 1993, “La Belle Epoque”, or the absorbing musical animation from four years ago, “Chico & Rita”. If the two films mentioned before were quite passionate in the way they express themselves, this one seems to lack some confidence and the results are lucid but restrained. The story, set in an occupied France in the early 40's, follows a famous aging sculptor whose long-time discouragement vanishes after his wife finds the perfect model for him: a young fugitive girl from Reus, Catalonia. Beautiful, shy, and restive, this girl will create a special bond with the persistent artist, at the same time that she takes actively part in the war, helping Jews to flee to Spain. Despite of this last factor, all was depicted with a relaxed pace and a quietness that dangerously approaches to sleepiness. The few events depicted in the film, like the unexpected visit of an SS officer or the hiding of a wounded soldier, weren’t sufficiently strong to give a shake into monotony and the results nothing have to do with enthrallment. Trueba wrote the plot conjointly with screenwriter/actor Jean-Claude Carrière, and the film was nominated for 13 categories of Goya Awards, including best film, screenplay, actor, actress, cinematography, and director.

Dream and Silence (2012)

Directed by: Jaime Rosales
Country: Spain / France

Movie Review: Fourth feature film by Spanish filmmaker from Barcelona, Jaime Rosales, is an astounding study on family, dreams, and silences that heal. With influences of Robert Bresson and Victor Erice, Rosales presents us magnificent sequential segments drawn by preponderant steady shots, and bold camera movements (like moving in the opposite direction of its characters towards the unknown, or lurking insistently whether from afar or closely). In a contrasted black-and-white, the image sequences seemed to disperse themselves from time to time (following its characters), leaving to the viewers the task of putting together the pieces of the puzzle. Yolanda is a Spanish teacher in France, where she lives with her architect husband, Oriol, and two daughters. A terrible accident in Spain will make irreversible changes in their lives. The way Rosales found to tell such a simple story is simply ingenious and almost surreal. The calmness presented in several details from everyday life and some conversations, don’t let us forget the depressive states of despair and anguish in the case of Yolanda, or the strange and laid-back behavior in the case of Oriol in face of problems. I felt completely immersed in its enigmatic structure, insinuations, and occasionally abrupt silences. “Dream and Silence”, in its elegant and distinctive disposition, shall delight art-house lovers, as well as enthusiasts of unconventional storytelling.

I'm So Excited (2013)

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
Country: Spain

Review: Most of filmmakers get better with the age, as a result of experience and maturity gained through many different aspects, but this seems not to be the case of Pedro Almodóvar. His new sexual comedy, “I’m So Excited”, is an uneven and humorless private party, with alcohol and drugs included, on board of a plane to Mexico with serious problems to land safely. Its characters were simply uninteresting and shallow, consisting in the passengers of the first class plus the flight crew composed by a bisexual pilot, a straight co-pilot, and three gay stewards. The jokes, as expected, were all made around the subject of sexuality, but just a couple of them were able to pull out some chuckles. It seems that Almodóvar is self-content in showing us his shabby, flamboyant fantasies, without being aware that he is becoming repetitive, highly predictable, and tacky. Lacking substance or anything palpable, this is probably the worst film in the career of a filmmaker who, a few years ago, had the genius to create “Talk To Her” or “All About My Mother”. In case you are a fan of Antonio Banderas or Penélope Cruz, you can always stick to the first five minutes, in which they appear in just another ridiculous scene. Strictly disapproved!

Blancanieves (2012)

Directed by: Pablo Berger
Country: Spain

Review: After the French “The Artist” has invoked recently the black and white silent films from the past, here is another one coming from Spain that took the idea in a serious way, bringing to mind the topnotch dramatic movies from those times. Inspired in “Snow White”, “Blancanieves” adapts the classic with creativity, making an original parallel with the typical Spanish culture, where the flamenco and bullfights have a prominent place. Set in the 20’s Andalusia, the film marks the return of Pablo Berger to filmmaking, nine years after the respected “Torremolinos 73”. Macarena Garcia put charm in the role of Spanish Snow White, but was Maribel Verdú who stood out as profligate and cruel stepmother. Regardless of the fact I loathe bullfights, Blancanieves should be seen for its confident direction, expressive performances, appealing visuals and well-crafted ideas. Even employing a primitive approach, it managed to bestow some freshness to an old and recurring tale.

Mama (2013)

Directed by: Andrés Muschietti
Country: Spain/Canada

Review: “Mama” is a horror movie directed by the debutant Andrés Muschietti and produced by his sister Barbara together with J.Miles Dale and Guillermo Del Toro as executive. Its story was based on Muschietti’s short film with the same name, released in 2008. The film has an enigmatic and catchy start, but soon we realize that it would lose itself in technical details instead of a good story. Scary moments do exist but in less number than other silly ones, sinking completely our hopes in watching something frightful and less laughable. The plot revealed to be reckless in many aspects, while the fantasy was taken to extremes, with the hand of Del Toro being evident, yet forgetting that Mama was supposed to be a sore and choleric spirit and not a giant looking like an animated cartoon. Jessica Chastain presented charisma while the little girl Lilly, played by the young Isabelle Nélisse, was the scariest in her look and behavior. A rather uneven paranormal tale.

The Impossible (2012)

Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
Country: Spain

Review: “The Impossible” was inspired on the real events lived by a family, during the catastrophic tsunami that has devastated Thailand in 2004. The images are absolutely impressive, showing chaotic landscapes and the tribulations lived by those who were hurt or looking for their families. Although visually appealing, the movie adopted a questionable approach. When mother and son entered the hospital, they didn’t show any concern with the whereabouts of the rest of the family. They didn’t even mentioned them. I found this particularly strange. With flair for the dramatic side, “The Impossible” increases the viewer’s despair with a sentimental soundtrack and evinces some staged situations, hoping to touch your heart and impress your eyes. Bayona's direction, clearly aiming for massive audiences, reduced the chances of creating a more effective film from this particular drama.

Chico & Rita (2010)

Directed by: Fernando Trueba
Country: Spain

Plot: Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice.

Review: What a joy was to realize that Spanish director Fernando Trueba returned to the big movies. "Belle Epoque" marked my adolescence and I will always remember it with yearning. The cuban-jazz of "Chico & Rita, sought some inspiration in some life details of Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés. The story was very well cooked and the option for animation was accomplished with success, conveying all the richness and colors of jazz blended with the passion of romance. As a jazz fan, I was delighted with the appearances of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Ben Webster and Chano Pozo, even in animated shapes. A fulgurant story!

Relevant awards: Best animated film (Gaudí, Goya and European Film Awards).

Sleep Tight (2011)

Directed by: Jaume Balagueró
Country: Spain

Plot: You wake day after day to the comfort and security of your home. But how safe is it really?

Review: Spanish director Jaume Balagueró (“Rec” and “Rec 2”), continues his work in horror genre with this new feature film. “Sleep Tight” is not a perfect movie but as a thriller, it gathers the essential material to continue pleasing the fans. It tells the story of a man who only finds happiness when taking off the smile from other people’s faces. Sounds a bit odd but to tell the truth, even with some flaws, the plot deserves consideration. I may warn you that there’s nothing supernatural here. What shows is the evil itself represented through a human being. It’s nightmarish to think that people like these do exist.

Relevant awards: Best director, film and screenplay (Gaudí Awards, Spain).

Eva (2011)

Directed by: Kike Maíllo
Country: Spain

Plot: A shy genius is employed by his former university to design robot software.

Quick comment: “Eva” didn’t make a significant impression on me. The story lingers too much in its first part. When finally tries to raise the levels of interest… it is too late. The rhythm, mood and even the special effects didn’t grab my attention. Very futuristic, although completely out of balance and predictable.

Relevant awards: Best first film (Saint Jordi, Turia); best new director (Goya); best special effects (Goya, Sitges).

Extraterrestrial (2011)

Directed by: Nacho Vigalondo
Country: Spain

Plot: Julio wakes up in a strange apartment after a night of partying and discover a giant flying saucer hovering above the city, which is now deserted.

Quick comment: I didn’t like the script. Boring and without life, it wasn’t capable to take me out of my lethargy. Even its atypical dialogs or the tensions of a forbidden love affair, were not able to deliver good results. The indifference felt when watching this movie, made me realize about the wasted time on it.  Not a movie from another world, just a very basic terrestrial one.

Relevant awards: -