Since my other nick is eldiabloadentro (spanish), and I'm fluent in Spanish (I'm NOT hispanic, though), I guess it is fitting that I host the "Spanish Film Festival". So, Rod, whadda ya gonna do about it?

I'll start by listing some I've seen:
El Abuelo (The Grandfather)
*All About My Mother
*Amores Perros (Love's a Bitch)
Belle Epoque
*Buena Vista Social Club (not really a Spanish film...)
Cielo Azul, Cielo Negro
Como Agua Para Chocolate
*El Crimen del Padre Amaro
The Devil's Backbone
El Dia de la Bestia
*Familia
The Flower of My Secret
*Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate)
*La Historia Official (The Official Story)
El Hijo de la novia
Kika
*La Lengua De Las Mariposas (Butterfly)
*Los Lunes al Sol (Mondays in the Sun)
*Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health
*El Mariachi
*Maria Llena De Gracia (Maria Full of Grace)
*The Motorcycle Diaries
*Open Your Eyes
*Our Lady of the Assassins
Secrets of the Heart
*Sex and Lucia
*Talk to Her
*Tango, no me dejes nunca
Tesis
*Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!
Tierra
*Valentin
*Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown)
*Y Tu Mama Tambien

*'s are recommended.

*Patricipants So Far*
torrino
dolcevita
Zach
Rod
neo_wolf
Algren

Hi torri,

I've only seen 11 of those. Admit it, padre amaro and devil's backbone were both horrible. Ha ha ha. I'll be the only one that thinks so though, because crimen got an oscar nod over here.

Women on the Verge is very nostalgic for me...I'll never look at gazpacho the same way again.

Excellent. I'm going to see Official* Story and comment on it eventually because I've wanted to see it for awhile.

I've heard good things about Men With Guns, which I know is John Sayles, but isn't it in Spanish?

*Oops

You mean The Official Story? The Straight Story is the David Lynch film about the senior who travels to visit his brother on a tractor. The Official Story is worth a watch. You can tell that the budget was limited (as are most Spanish films, except for Almodovar's newer ones, heh) but from what I remember (I actually watched this one in Spanish class, along with "Butterfly"), the teacher's transition from an upper class, arrogant female to someone determined to find out who her daughter truly belongs to was convincing. The scenes are detailed, the dialogue isn't rushed, and, as usual in Argentinian films, the director knows how to emphasize the difference between social classes. Even if you don't enjoy the movie, it is worth watching just to learn about the situation. I forget the actual number of babies who were taken from their real mothers, but I'm pretty sure it was over a hundred thousand.

I've never seen any John Sayles movies. Frankly, I've never heard of "Men With Guns".

Spiked Gaspacho! Women on the Verge was great, but I don't recall being disappointed with an Almodovar film.

BTW, I've only seen about four of the Italian films, so don't give me that "only", considering mine was much shorter

Also, don't always trust the critics. Remember Hero? I liked it (as did most critics), but I remember reading your negative review. When it comes to foreign films, they tend to praise something artistic or something with a relevant message (regardless of the performances), but, if it's been done before, they often tear it to pieces (like Valentin. I really enjoyed it, but critics were mixed). I did like Crimen del Padre Amaro though. Y Tu Mama Tambein got snubbed that year.

IMDB entry for Men With Guns
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119657/

I'm assuming its in Spanish (or at least for the most part) because my sister had to watch it back in her freshman year in college when she was studying Spanish as a second language. Its got pretty good ratings, and i remember her saying it was intense, so it might be worth a watch for you once the festival starts up?

Almodóvar's films are worth dying for. He's definately in my top 10 of favorite directors. His films bleed life and his cameras seem to make the whole world blush. So much romance and passion.

All of his films are fantastic... well all the ones I have seen. I save a few for rainy days.

Hable con ella is still his best though, followed closely by Todo sobre mi madre. ¡Átame! is fantastic and Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios is one of my girlfriend's favorite films.

It is actually an American film.

I'll be renting some Fellini films, hehe. I've never watched La Dolce Vita or 8 1/2. There's also some Cuaron films I want to rent (Solo con tu pareja, Cita con la muerte). I've only seen Y Tu Mama Tambien of the Cuaron films, but there's a big possibility that I won't be able to find the other ones...I also need to rent Rashomon and Seven Samurai.

Hey! At least I watched all the Leone westerns

BTW, I kinda liked what I heard about Brandeis. And the fact that, if they don't have a certian class, you can take it at Wellesley, Tufts, Boston University, and Bentley - if they offer it. I think the setting is ideal as well, since there's supposedly some night life in Waltham. Class size was appealing, as was the idea of only taking four classes a semester. And the thing about the nine disciples didn't bother me much . Although a school like Northwestern, Brandeis, or Oberlin is desirable, I'm still going to look at NYU, even if living in NYC costs a fortune. It's such an awesome school, heh.

I know. Considering how mysogynistic he can be, Women on the Verge pretty much speaks to every woman I know.

Habla con Ella didn't blow over that well with me initially, but the more I think about it, the more I like it, and the sense of movement in the film felt very choreographed in a soft luring way. Now I appreciate that movie quite a bit. I'm going to be interested to hear what people say about it if anyone discusses it during the festival.

Torri, my official review for La Dolce Vita will be up late tonight. How Exciting.

*Also, pm me every and all questions you have about Brandeis, I did spend three years there and might be able to answer some of them for you.

I'll be sure to read your review.

BTW, does anyone know when Almodovar's next film comes out? I've heard fairly good things about it...

You mean Bad Education? December 10th in the states.

I'm almost fluent in Spanish. I've had about 5 years in it, so im not that bad! lol. Ive only seen about 5 of those films though. Im not worthy of the Spanish language.... yet That will take 5 more years of Spanish class

You aren't frickin' fluent. Fine, let's duke it out!

Zak, que significa cuando alguien le diga que tienes las cerotes mas grandes en el mundo?

Torri, pienso que son incorrectos, porque tengo el más grande en el mundo.

cerotes es plural, no es singular!

No dije que era fluido, casi dije. Liberal típico, no haciendo caso de los hechos.... Y quién cuida sobre sustantivos singulares. Y usted tiene un pene pequeño, mi amigo.

Su Amor, Zack:)

Esmeralda Viene De Noche
Atame! (Tie Me Up! tie Me Down) I think that was the spanish title
Amores Perros
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Todo Sobre Mi Madre
Abre los Ojos
Apariencias
I remember Women on the Verge of a Nervous breakdown, but I don't tihnk I saw it, not all of it at least.

Grr...I know I've seen more.

So Zach, Rod...are you guys going to watch a SPanish movie or two during the festival? I'm going to put your names to the list! Thanks for joining.

-Dolce

I'm going to try and get out and pick some up. I live on a little island south of civilazation, so I have to drive 30 minutes to get to a real video store. Hopefully I find the time/remember to drive up. But boy could I use some spanish flava...

Hey, Ross is not hispanic, how dare he host this!!!



Oh we have to view a movie for the festival? hehe i guess i missed that part. not sure of amria full of grace or motorcycle diaries are playing anywhere near me now.

but ive always wanted to see talk to her and ive never gotten around to it, so i guess i can see that.

Rod. It can be any Spanish film. Not just ones that Torrino listed. Those were just suggestions on where participants could start in case they wanted to make sure the Host would be able to talk with them about it afterwards. You can do any film, or if you don't want Spanish...you can cruise the other festival threads and pick one.

The festival runs fromFriday 10.22.04-through to the following Sunday ten days later.

Enjoy!

Or maybe I can watch a spanish soap opera allll next week instead.

J/k.

Talk to Her it is.

NO! SPANISH SOAP OPERAS ARE EVERY BIT AS BAD AS AMERICAN ONES! SPANISH FILMS TEND TO BE BETTER! .

Watch Talk to Her. You'll like it.

Just watch Crimen del Padre Amaro...basically the same thing. Just even more painfully conservative.

heh. Thats some sexed up stuff. I like to watch El Gordo y La Flaca. Not soap, but its my sorta thing... anyway.... I want to see Y Tu Mama Tambien.... is it as good as they say it is?

But every once in a while there's a really good one with two hour season finales on Oct. 22.



But actually that new one that will take its place looks really good. It's already been a hit all over the world, and the reviews are great, some even calling it the best ever made. And the costumes look fantastic. How many epic, time period soap operas do you see on NBC, unless maybe it's a musical episode of Passions

Hey, this thread is not about soap operas!!! Quit getting me off topic.

I'm surprised Father Amaro is "too conservative" since it angered so many conservatives hehe.

I could watch both...maybe.

As for Spanish films being better than American/English films, I disagree. I think Spanish films known to an American audience are better than English films in general, but that's because if they get a U.S. release its usually for a reason, either because they were big hits in their country of origin, or because they are considered great movies.

Same for other foreign language films.

It is nice to get away from hollywood cliches though. At least once in a while.