Tag: Mexico

DEATH ON THE BEACH (1991)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Enrique Gomez Vadillo

Written By: Enrique Gomez Vadillo and Carlos Valdemar

Cinematography: Santiago Navarrette

Editor: Carlos Puente

Cast: Sonia Infante, Andres Bonfiglio, Rodolfo De Anda, Antonio Eric, Humberto Lobato, Angela Alatriste, Martha Gema, Ileana Higueras 

The son of a wealthy businesswoman returns home from boarding school. His mother, always busy with business and with her ambitious lover, realizes that her son suffers from being a homosexual. Having killed a teacher who abused him, the trauma makes him keep killing.

This film was made in 1991 but watching it it feels older though it totally fits both the 1970s and 1990s as a way of creation as the film is at the heart, a thriller, but also a kind of LGBTQ plus romance of sorts. Definitely more of a cult film.

We are mildly sympathetic to the killer in this film, as it’s not a spoiler, but his character was raped by his teacher at a boarding school, and he secretly enjoyed it, which is how he found out that he was a homosexual, but also is repressed that he can’t readily admit it to his mother But is looking for someone to love and share his life with, but is so repressed that he kills those around him or also gay or threat to him

To try to fool the audience because the opening credits are of the lead female Sonia Infante swimming around her pool and staying in a state of toplessness until a man comes we find out is her soon-to-be husband and basically, they frolic together, and this opening scene and throughout the film that is shot like soft horn Haze

The stepfather seems like a Spanish right, Robert Mitchum. He looks and we don’t really know his deal because at first, it seems like he is a gold digger, but he seems like he does but also odds with the stepson, but the mother keeps trying to deny homosexuality Homosexuality is treated like some kind of disease or mental illness throughout this film. We’re having the main character be a serial killer of sorts doesn’t help.

It’s so hard to believe that the stepfather is the one who suspects him of it while also setting up a house fall who is meant for more things than he is presented with at the beginning 

In all of this, the sun finally finds a companion to confide in who has a girlfriend who I guess has always been straight most of his life but being a European he’s sexually the son is his friend and has treated him so well and this is his honeymoon to a certain extent or least bachelor party to get all his players and king out an intense romance between the two

The film has full frontal nudity of men and women, thing is that it represents a negative stereotype of homosexuals, but it also makes them the main character and gives representation at a time when it wasn’t really shown also the movie is a bee movie that is so ridiculous that you cannot believe The sun is getting away with all these murders, except for the fact that his mother is rich, but she even believes all of his excuses of all these deaths around ridiculous, especially when the murders are so blatant and done at the drop of a hat without any real thought or planning?

That is the beauty of the film is that it is such a bee movie and so ridiculously over the top, but for the most part, seriously it achieves the true beauty of being self-aware and not at the same time with questionable politics and motives that make the film, if not troubling at times And wondering how takes this film that it is obvious yet comic 

In the end, this is a fun yet bad film that has a ridiculous. The third act and ending despite it being bananas from the beginning Harkins back to a certain time no offer representation of good and bad. 

watching the film, you could tell that this was a bit homophobic and going into certain stereotypes while trying to have an open mind, though villainizing and having sympathy but also gives a backstory and understanding, even though throughout the film pretty much there is no set. Everything is said out of the open and no one seems to have, a sensor when it comes to their thoughts and saying them. it seems a vision of a homosexual story through a straight male gaze. 

Grade: C 

THE SIMILARS (2015)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Issac Ezban 
Cinematography By: Isi Sarfati 
Editor: Oscar Figueroa 

Cast: Luis Alberti, Carmen Beato, Fernando Becceril, Humberto Busto, Cassandra Ciangherotti  
On the rainy night of October 2, 1968, eight characters waiting on a remote bus station for a bus heading to Mexico City start experiencing a strange phenomenon.

The film is like a twilight zone episode made into a feature-length film. Heavy on mood and atmosphere.

The film feels like its own spin on one of the tales of THE TWILIGHT ZONE movie and a lot more ominous. This is a good piece of filmmaking. That moves along nicely for the audience and doesn’t leave them Confused. It feels more like a retro dream. Though eventually becomes more like a nightmare.

The film plays more like an OUTER LIMITS episode rather than a TWILIGHT ZONE one which most people will say it is. Only in feature-length form. As there is really no irony and the film at least tries to explain its far-out situation and accepts it. Not leaving you around waiting for some twist or allegory on the human condition or sociology.

Even if the film seems inspired by a particular episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE. That actually became part of the movie spin-off of the show It’s like a 1950’s movie as it takes place in one location. Making the film automatically claustrophobic, but so much happens that it feels so vast and open. Even though most stay in the same room you can always see them somewhere. Except when it is time to make a big reveal.

The film becomes more interesting as it goes along. As the mystery deepens. That plays in homage to classic horror films of the ’50s. Relying more on momentary thrills and revelations. Rather than monsters. But with plenty of advanced modern special effects. Those are impressive yet rudimentary in use. Especially for the time period represented.

The filmmaking is what you will come away with rather than necessarily the plot.

It also seems very influenced by pop culture Sci-fi. From literature, television, and film, Especially Stephen King

The first film in Mexico and Latin America that was shot with the new Red Camera sensor (the Red Epic DRAGON) although, since this camera would give great quality and sharpness to the image but the film is a period piece and takes place in the ’60s, Director of Photography Isi Sarfati decided to use a lot of filters to make the image look like something out of a 60’s film, as director Isaac Ezban had envisioned. The voice-over used doesn’t help necessarily explain anything.

The filmmaking here is more imaginative than exciting. So the more the film explains it. The more there is to marvel at and be amazed by. As it is immersed, presented, and filmed in such a way for as smart as it is. It never quite lives up to the promise of the higher level it seems to want to work at. Especially by the end it just becomes too familiar. Almost betraying the promise it once had.

Grade: B

THE UNTAMED (2016)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Amat Escalante 
Written By: Amat Escalante & Gibran Portela 
Cinematography: Manuel Alberto Claro
Editor: Fernanda De La Peza & Jacob Secger Schulsinger 

Cast: Ruth Ramos, Simone Bucio, Jesus Meza, Eden Villavicencio, Oscar Escalante, Bernarda Trueba 

It’s a film that has to be seen to be believed. Though you are impressed with what it pulls off.

The film is told more visually than through dialogue. Letting the images tell the story, makes it feel not only more cinematic but makes the material feel more enriched and an experience for the audience.

A story of connection and a kind of love rectangle.  As separate stories eventually converge. That is simple in its own way. Only enhances with a fantasy element.

That involves a dysfunctional family drama element. 

The film is highly erotic and very sexual. So much so that there is even a brief scene of an animal orgy (with other animals, no Beastiality) 

For instance, The opening scene is a sex scene that sets off the tale abs looks like it could have come from. Numerous hentai anime. As the film itself could be lazily described as live-action hentai porn with a plot. This film focuses more on characters in a domestic drama and the stories of how they end up meeting this monster more graphically.

As every character here has a secret though it comes across more like a fantasy, with the monster lurking inside that brings pleasure and pain. But don’t tell anyone about never revealing true selves. As the monster could easily be a physical manifestation of their secrets that are eating them up inside but brings momentary happiness but ultimately is destructive. Though at least by the end they all find and show their real selves. 

Some get by in life, some are a slave to their addictions and end up victims. Some of their strength at times of tragedy. 

It’s a little bizarre that there is not much of the monster. So if you come to this movie expecting that you will be disappointed. This is more like a science fiction novel where the stories come first. Usually are a parable that uses the science fiction element to make it grander. This is ultimately an empowerment story with a final girl of sorts. 

This isn’t a film you will easily forget. 

Grade: B

WE ARE WHAT WE ARE (2010)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

WAWWA3

Written & Directed: Jorge Michel Grau
Cinematography By: Santiago Sanchez
Editor: Rodrigo Rios

Cast: Adrian Aguirre, Carmen Becto, Francisco Barreiro, Miriam Balderas

When the patriarch of the family passes away, the teenage children must take responsibility for the family chores: the preparation of the rituals, the hunting and putting the all-important meat on the table. These newfound responsibilities are even more daunting, however, when you live in the city and happen to be a family of cannibals.

Continue reading “WE ARE WHAT WE ARE (2010)” →

HERE COMES THE DEVIL (2012) AHI VA EL DIABLO

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

here_comes_the_devil_a_l

Written & Directed By: Adrian Garcia Bogliano
Cinematography By: Ernesto Herrera
Editor: Carmen Vargas 

Cast: Laura Caro, Francisco Barreiro, Alan Martinez, Michele Garcia,

A married couple lose their children while on a family trip near some caves in Tijuana. The kids eventually reappear without explanation, but it becomes clear that they are not who they used to be, that something terrifying has changed them. While the film certainly plays into it’s genre, especially the direction with it’s angles and camera movements that alerts the audience to the films sinister nature, before anything really happen.

Continue reading “HERE COMES THE DEVIL (2012) AHI VA EL DIABLO” →