Tag Archives: Spanish mainstream cinema

Female Fisticuffs, Ram-raids, and Nudity in “A Golpes” [2005 Spain]

I haven’t seen other films by Juan Vicente Córdoba, but if any of them were in the same league as his 2005 drama, “A Golpes” [Eng. Title: By Force], I wouldn’t be surprised. This is about suburban gangs – male … Continue reading

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Carla Crespo and Julia Martínez Rubio in “Castro” [2009 Argentina]

Film professor Alejo Moguillansky is among the more interesting contemporary directors making films in Argentina today. His frenetic drama “Castro” appears to be an exercise in slapstick nihilism with its protagonist caught in an existential trap. Castro has separated from … Continue reading

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Seven fine directors, and “Seven Days of Havana” [2012 Spain, France]

“7 Días en La Habana” [Eng. Title: 7 Days in Havana] was one of my most anticipated films of the year, primarily because it contains segments from two of my favourite directors, Julio Medem and Gaspar Noé. And even though … Continue reading

Posted in Elia Suleiman, Gaspar Noé, Juan Carlos Tabío, Julio Medem, Laurent Cantet, Pablo Trapero, Spain | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Elizabeth Cervantes and others in “Fuera del Cielo” [2006 Mexico]

Javier Patrón’s first feature-length film “Fuera del Cielo” [Eng. Title: Beyond the Sky] is a gritty crime thriller set amidst the bad streets of Mexico City where we follow two parallel stories – one of two brothers down on their … Continue reading

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Almodóvar at his twisted best in “Laberinto de Pasiones” [1982 Spain]

For those who may not know, early films by Pedro Almodóvar were pretty much underground affairs – he was part of Spain’s counter-culture, and also fronted a music band. The 1982 drama, “Laberinto de Pasiones” [Eng. Title: Labyrinth of Passion] … Continue reading

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