LaUchuva

Pequenas Voces

2012-01-27T21:24:00.002-05:00

English Title: Little voices

Jairo Carrillo, Colombia, 2010, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas

Comment:

Of course I have to start posting with this film!!!! Of course I have to start posting with a 5 Uchuvas film and what a better way to do it than with a Colombian film!

So, I saw little voices last year in a MOMA festival. I read from before that the film was getting a lot of great feedbacks from festivals around the globe. I was very surprised when I arrived at MOMA and they gave me 3D glasses!! Well, the film is the first Colombian film in 3D! What is funny about the 3D is that the images in the film are drawings in 2d! so... I really don't know how they managed to do such a great job!

There are a few things that are great in this film:
The edition is neat! It's jus perfect! They manage to bring you to very difference moods through out the film. It's really impressive how they make you laugh and two minutes later you are about to cry and two minutes later you are stress and then you are just optimistic!
The animation is also impressive! the way they converted some kids' drawings into living characters and to top in 3d images, is really nice.

I don't like posting long, so I'll leave it here. "Someone" is crying in the background and I need to attend ;)

Starting 2012 with more postings!! I haven't forgoten you Uchuva!!

2012-01-27T20:46:00.000-05:00

Starting 2012 with more postings!! I haven't forgoten you Uchuva!!

After a long long while, recently arriving from my long vacations in Colombia, without a job, with not so much movies seen in 2011 (maybe 5 if so!), and with my beautiful baby sleeping in my next room, I'll try to recover some of the stuff I use to do ... one of them is posting here! So, let's start 2012 with new energy that helps me to walk in this movie world again!

Joyeux Noel

2011-02-08T13:05:00.003-05:00

English Title: Happy Christmas

Christian Carion, France+others, 2005, imdb

Review: 2.5 Uchuvas

Comment:

It's just too long! and the last hour difficult to digest peacefully. It's a pity that a nice true event film became a totally "chick flick".

Zelary

2011-02-08T12:44:00.003-05:00

English Title: Zelary

Ondrej Trojan, Czech Republic+others, 2003, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas

Comment:

It is a good film with very nice cinematography and good acting in general. A story that turns upside down nicely.

Flickan som Lekte Med Elden

2011-02-02T17:40:00.004-05:00

English Title: The Girl who Played with Fire

Daniel Alfredson, Sweden+others, 2009, imdb

Review: 2.5 Uchuvas

Comment:

As I told you guys not to waste your time watching any film of this trilogy, I also won't waste mine reviewing this film that it is the worst of the three!!

BTW, I just realized that the first film (the less worst of the three) has a different director... maybe that's why it was less worst ;/

Lufslottet som Sprangdes

2011-02-02T17:18:00.011-05:00

English Title: The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Daniel Alfredson, Sweden+others, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.0 Uchuvas

Comment:

Ok, the film is not that bad... I just got super tired with the very first film of the trilogy (the girl with the dragon tattoo) and then the worst came out (the girl who played with fire) and then this disaster!! How a boring trilogy!! Im soooo pleased that it's all finished!! Don't waist your time with any of the three, although if you want to have a go, try the number... Oh well... whatever... all are really crappy!!

(I just realized that I didn't review the second film... so here it comes next...)

Biutiful

2011-02-02T16:46:00.005-05:00

English Title: Beautiful

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Mexico+Spain, 2010, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas

Comment:

Im starting this year with the expected Biutiful! (title my sister, I'll guess, is hating for the lack of orthography). Without any doubt Bardem is just made for Inarritu's film! Some how I felt that all the sadness, stress and difficult times that most of Inarritu's films has shown, are all compressed in this film and who better to performance such a sad feelings that Bardem him self (especially after showing what he did in Old Country for Old Men). Im only giving 4.5 Uchuvas as the film didn't reach me as much as expected. It's well worth watching it though... do not miss it!

Inconscientes

2010-12-01T18:13:00.003-05:00

English Title: Unconscious

Joaquin Oristrell, Spain, 2004, imdb

Review: 2.5 Uchuvas

Comment: How boring!!!!! the only thing really worth it from this film it's the Costume Design... beautiful!! However, if you want to have a go... do it! as it has won lots of awards.

Kirschbluten - Hanami

2010-12-01T17:52:00.003-05:00

English Title: Cherry Blossoms

Doris Dorrie, Germany, 2008, imdb

Review: 3.0 Uchuvas

Comment: It took me a little longer to review this film as I was trying to find out if the film is a remake of beautiful "Tokyo Story" (film that I loved); Apparently it is not but hell if it feels the same film!! By far "Tokyo Story" is nicer and more beautiful and better acted and everything else! This film is touching but I think towards the middle of the film the director (or whoever!) tried very hard to make the film sad and you can't just push sadness... Sadness is a fact that flows in different ways. So, in other words, don't miss Tokyo Story and let this one pass...

the King's Speech

2010-12-01T17:44:00.003-05:00

English Title: The King's Speech

Tom Hooper, UK, 2010, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: Well... another British film!!(I'll ask for commission to the British academy!!) A great cast with a really really good performance! Firth is just perfect for the character! The cinematography makes his part too!! Beautiful shots! Beautiful color!! I particularly liked the microphone shots... sooooo pretty!! Anyway... a nice film well worth to watch.

Four Lions

2010-12-01T17:25:00.004-05:00

English Title: Four Lions

Christopher Morris, UK, 2010, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas

Comment: This film is for the ones who like, enjoy AND understand British dark humor! It's brilliantly clever... Just be careful as it's maybe a bit too dark for such a delicate subject!: suicide bombers!! In any case the film, from my point of view, never cross the line to become grotesque (as it happened in Inglourious Basterds, film I hated!). Have a go! it's really funny!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-30T16:46:00.002-04:00

HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY UCHUVA!!!!!!!

I didn't forget!! I was just waiting for the right moment to say Happy Long Life!!

A couple of Colombian films....

2010-09-29T18:20:00.003-04:00

My correspondent in Colombia (my beloved sister) has sent a couple of Colombian's films that we need to keep in mind!! They haven't arrived and I doubt they will (at leas in theaters) but maybe if we are lucky enough we will rent them somewhere...

Pequenas Voces (Little Voices): It really looks great!! I read somewhere that it's similar to Waltz with Bashir and yes... it's a story told by 3 kids (and drawn by them too and then modify by the film makers' team) victims of the violence in the country. Have a look at the trailer here.

El vuelo del Cangrejo (Crab Trap): What I liked a lot of this trailer was the cinematography! reminds me a lot to this other beautiful Colombian film: Los viajes del viento I'm not sure that the acting is good (opinion only based on the trailer) but I definitely will keep this film in mind. Have a look at the trailer here

Nirgendwo in Africa

2010-09-29T17:29:00.004-04:00

English Title: Nowhere in Africa

Caroline Link, Germany, 2001, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas

Comment: Somehow I felt that the film lost me from time to time; I think the edition was the one that didn't help much to the film to be more fluent; some scenes look like they were cut without being finished and then they jumped into another scene no related to the previous one. However it's a nice film, well acted and with beautiful landscape. No way this film should be an Oscar's winner but... what can you expect from the Oscar's anyway! just the fashion show I guess...

Madeo

2010-09-14T20:23:00.005-04:00

English Title: Mother

Joon-ho Bong, South Korea, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: It took me several months to have a go with this film!! First, I saw the trailers and it did scare me to dead!! second... oh well.... I'm in panic every time I see a South Korean film just because those films are in a league that you really need to have nerves to see them!! But I was wrong with my two feelings! The film is not scary at all!! not even the trailer! (I really don't know why it did scare me the first time). The film is so powerful and strong and delicate at the same time!! For me the whole film is one scene that broke my heart into peaces... but as I'm so against to talk about the film's details... I'm just going to leave it there. Edition is really really great!! and performances are superb too!

Frida

2010-09-14T20:08:00.004-04:00

English Title: Frida

Julie Taymor, US+Canada+Mexico, 2002, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: I'm not sure I should be posting this film but I just watched it recently again and it's so beautiful that I felt I had to post it. The film is really nice and very well acted!! Frida and Diego are just perfectly performed!! I totally loved the scenes change from portraits to reality and vs. Really amazing!! There are a couple of important characters that get lost during the film without any explanation but .. oh well... let's forget about it!

Los viajes del viento

2010-08-30T19:07:00.004-04:00

English Title: The wind Journeys

Ciro Guerra, Colombia+others, 2009, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas

Comment: I'm going to be totally partial with this film just because it's the most beautiful Colombian film I've seen so far. When I saw the trailer I couldn't believe it was a Colombian film that finally was showing what's worth watching from Colombia: its landscape!! The film is delicate, well thought, simple and amazingly filmed. If you like slow films and if you like watching photographs displayed as films, well... this is a must film for you. Amazing photograph work! Amazing country!!! (If you are in US, it's on netflix, watch instantly!)

after a while....

2010-08-30T18:51:00.002-04:00

Almost 3 months out but... here I am... trying to recap... although it will be impossible to remember all the films I've seen in the last months!!

Thanks to the ones asking about lauchuva lately! All of you've said: "I don't really read it but how is it going..." (hahaha) thanks anyway!!

I'll keep writing just for the fun of it...

Okuribito

2010-06-11T19:13:00.005-04:00

English Title: Departures

Yojiro Takita, Japan, 2008, imdb

Review: 2.5 Uchuvas

Comment: It has a great great beginning!! but then it was soo soo soooooo sooooooo... mmmm... what word can I use.... maybe "cheesy"??!!! It's very disappointing that having such a great story you end up with such a terrible plot's development. What really got my nerves was that they played the game: "let's make them cry so they feel that the films has touched them" and in fact you cried a lot of times.... but I cried because the situation and the subject it self is sad ... ah! I also cry in the end for having waisted my time and tears!

Man som hatar Kvinnor

2010-06-11T19:07:00.005-04:00

English Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo

Niels Arden Oplev, Sweden+Denmak+others, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas

Comment: I don't know what to say... it wasn't a bad film but when you've seen a similar stories so many times, it's kind of boring.... Let's say that the beginning is very good; it has a good plot, good acting and good suspense; but then, all the investigation happens so easily that is totally unbelievable. It felt like a "1+1" american film where you know that the sum will be "2". This film is an adaptation of an award winning book with the same title by Stieg Larsoon (a Swedish author who died in 2004). It's the first book of a trilogy. The other two books' adaptations will be released soon in US (the girl who played with Fire and The Girl who kicked the Hornets' Nest). I guess I'll see them although I'm not dying to...

El Secreto de tus Ojos

2010-06-11T18:46:00.005-04:00

English Title: The Secret in their Eyes

Juan Jose Campanella, Argentina, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: No, I don't think this film is ANY better than Un Prophete or Ajami or no way better than The White Ribbon.... BUT it has the "magic formula" that a film needs to have to win a Oscar... I'm not saying it's a bad film but I don't think it's in the same level as the other Oscar's nominees (I haven't seen La Teta asustada thou). In any case the acting is really really good! With Ricardo Darin you are sure to see good acting and then Irene, playing "Soledad", did a superb job!! Also the rest of the crew is fantastic! The make up is astonishing! One of the best aging I've seen in the big screen (with a couple of exceptions). Edition is good too.

Le Pere de mes Enfants

2010-06-11T18:10:00.006-04:00

English Title: The Father of my Children

Mia Hansen-Love, France, 2009, imdb

Review: 2.0 Uchuvas

Comment: After the first 1.5 hour of this film I thought: How much longer is going to be before something happens in this film!!! Now that I know this film last 1 hour 50 minutes I realized that the first 1.5 hour must has been only 50 min!! That being said, it's obvious how boring this film was!! I guess the director or screen player (or who knows who!!) wanted to defined the main character very well, which in fact they did!!! but in the first 10-15 minutes!!!.... The rest of the film is as boring as the first half and again... nothing happen at all!.... Nothing special to recall about the film... n o t h i n g

MicMacs a Tire-Larigot

2010-05-31T20:29:00.006-04:00

English Title: Micmacs

Jean-Pierre Jeunet, France, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: I guess as a follower of Jeunet's films (Delicatessen, the city of Lost Children, Amelie, A very long Engament), I can't give less that 4 Uchuvas to this film. I would have given less than four but I just can't with this director. His films (including this one) are cleaver, "light" and beautifully made! I liked better the other films (except Delicatessen that I didn't like that much) but his style is there, his magic is there and the colors (the same beloved green and red colors) are there!! I think this guy has a great style that he has been able to keep during his films without loosing originality in each one of them.

Hunger

2010-05-31T20:14:00.004-04:00

English Title: Hunger

Steve McQueen, UK, 2008, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas

Comment: It took me over a month to dare watching this film. It was at home for over a month and I didn't want to see it as... well, you know... I've been watching too many depressing films and I knew this film was of that kind.... One day that I was in a great mood as I arrived home at 7pm for first time in ages!!! I decided to give it the go ahead before I return the film (with another one that I definitely didn't want to see for the same reason). Aaaaaanyway... the point here is that I saw the film, while eating!!! (big mistake!!) and yes... it is indeed super tough... I wouldn't call it depressing but tough enough to feel depress in the end!!!! So, stay away from it if you are not in depressing films mood but keep it in mind as it's amazing!!!!!! Actors, even the secondaries, are superb! the loose of weight it's impressively well done!!!! (was that for real?... I'll need to find out!!)

Exit Through the Gift Shop

2010-05-31T19:59:00.005-04:00

English Title: Exit Through the Gift Shop

Banksy, UK+US, 2010, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas

Comment: When I was dragged to the theater I didn't even know the title of the film. I was super happy that in the end I could say that this "film" it's, indeed, one of my favorites within the last few months. I would say it's more a black comedy's documentary than a film itself. If you put together: This fabulous/sarcastic street artist + that other out of mind street artist and a great documentary's composicion... you will get what you can see here.... It's hilarious... DO NOT MISS IT!!

Depressing films... NO MORE!!!

2010-04-22T01:36:00.004-04:00

I wonder where are all the light "5 Uchuvas" films? Most of the films I've seen this year (at least the 5 and 4.5 Uchuvas films) are super depressing!!!! S U P E R (just look at my last 8 postings!!)... so, I wonder.... where are the light good films??!!! Like Little Mrs Sunshine or so?? As I'm getting depress by watching all these films in a raw, I decided to stop watching depressing films for a while... Now, I'm dedicated to anything that is light... very light.... Any suggestion??!!!

Stellec Licht

2010-04-22T01:00:00.005-04:00

English Title: Silent Light

Carlos Reygadas, Mexico, Netherlands+others, 2007, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I'm still trying to digest every long part of this film. The first "scene" is so long, so slow and so quiet than you soon realized that this film is for you to seat back, relax and enjoy a cinematography experience. Every single shot it's a masterpiece! With a few mistakes here and there but beautifully shown every scene on this film is worthwhile. What killed the film was the actors! I know some times nonprofessional actors makes a difference in a film (like The Class... those kids were amazing) but in this case they make such a terrible job that it's really annoying. Be aware that if you want to see this film, put your mind in blank, seat comfortable and be ready to enjoy everlastings silent beautiful scenes.

Red Road

2010-04-22T00:38:00.005-04:00

English Title: Red Road

Andrea Arnold, UK+Denamark, 2006, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: It was a bit bad that I saw this film after watching "Gigante" just for the fact that they have similar characters performing the same job and "Gigante" was a bit boring so I thought I would feel the same about this film. But it turns out to be a very tough and strong film very well performed. The story is not told until very late, fact that I liked a lot in films as they make you wonder all the way through.

Rosario Tijeras

2010-03-22T21:22:00.004-04:00

English Title: Rosario Tijeras

Emilio Maille, Colombia, 2005, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: If I had comment on this film few years back when I first saw it, I would have gave it 2 Uchuvas. This second time I thought the performance wasn't thaaaat bad....(I hated the film the first time for this reason) with exception of "Antonio" who is played terribly bad! The story is really tough, sad and impressively real. The book, in my opinion, is much better than the film as reflects much stronger the violence where the main character is involved. Read the book!

EL Violin

2010-03-22T21:12:00.004-04:00

English Title: The Violin

Francico Vargas, Mexico, 2005, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: After a great day I wanted to see a good film. So, I watched this film but I end up almost crying. It's a nice film but so sad; more than sad is touching. The main character is really well performed. Just by watching his figure is enough to understand his character. Casting was pretty good. Second black and white film that I've seen in a raw with such a beautiful cinematography. (sorry for the poster... couldn't find anything better)

Whisky

2010-03-14T21:48:00.003-04:00

English Title: Wisky

Juan Pablo Rebella-Pablo Stoll, Uruguay+others, 2004, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Great film! The acting of the two main characters was really impressive; That helps a lot to give strength to a story that could have been boring. It was super cleaver they way they built the characters and their lives so quickly without feeling that it was made in a rush. Soft, cleaver and delicate.

Un Prophete

2010-03-08T23:00:00.006-05:00

English Title: A Prophet

Jacques Audiard, France-Italy, 2009, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas
Comment: ........ jeez...................

Tim Burton at MOMA

2010-03-02T22:40:00.004-05:00

And then, I can't leave today without mentioning Tim Burtun's exhibition at MOMA. If you are in NY or planning to come, don't miss the exhibition that ends in April. Go very early or late as it's packed most of the time. It's a nice exhibition full of great drawings (that takes most of your time), beautiful sculptures and funny videos.

An Education

2010-03-02T20:49:00.007-05:00

English Title: An Education

Lone Scherfig, UK, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: It's not a bad film but I can't give more Uchuvas because I need to keep consistance with the numbering... so... anyway. I think the acting is the piece to point out. The shot locations were super nice and the custome design too. Honestly, I don't see anything special about this film. I don't see why it has been so acclaimed. ...I almost forgot to mention that all the edition's mistakes they made (the weather's changes when they were in the car) are unforgivable !

Ajami

2010-03-02T20:30:00.008-05:00

English Title: Ajami

Scandar Copti-Yaron Shani, Israel, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: The greatest achievement of this film is without any doubt: the editing! Unavailable good!! The story is amazingly sad specially because what it is behind it in all levels (political and human). BTW: two new directors... Spot on!

Das weisse Band

2010-03-02T20:09:00.009-05:00

English Title: The White Ribbon

Michael Haneke, Austria-Germany-others, 2009, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas
Comment: A nice way to start this year!!!!!!!! what a bloody good film!!! I could list a million reasons why this film is 5 Uchuvas but let's say just three: Amaaaaaazing actors, greeeeeeeat and strong Story and super super super SUPER amazing cinematography. Michael Haneke in the film: Cache, made a few shots that drove me crazy!!!: when the camera get freeze in a scene and nothing happen!!! Well, here he did the same thing but this time with such a meaning that I end up loving his style!!! The way of creating a stress and rigid mood throughout the film is just perfect! And the story... oh well... a long comment should follow but I don't like talking about the plot...

Feliz Navidad y Feliz ANo!!

2009-12-12T10:51:00.005-05:00

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y LO MEJOR PARA EL 2010!!!

I'm done with my comments for this year. It was a year full of great moments and teachings. It was tough but I've learned a lot in the process. I wish to you all a great 2010 full of love.

LoL. Claudia

Los Brazos Rotos

2009-12-12T10:40:00.004-05:00

English Title: Broken Embraces

Pedro Almodovar, Spain, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: Since I heard the rumors that Almodovar was making a new film, I was dying to see it! Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. I guessed the plot after the first 30 minutes of the film and that killed the rest for me. Without any doubt a good film but not a great film. As always in Almodovar's films, the cinematography is superb! Penelope is great as she normally is in spanish films. The rest of the actors.... really, really good!

Gigante

2009-12-12T10:22:00.005-05:00

English Title: Gigante

Adrian Biniez, Uruguay-Argentina, 2008, imdb

Review: 3.0 Uchuvas
Comment: .... no, I didn't like it... I was really waiting to see this film but I thought it was too flat. I liked the main actor's work thou. In the beginning of the film I thought it would be a tough story but ends up being a story with nothing attractive.

Sophie School - Die Letzten Tage

2009-12-12T10:11:00.003-05:00

English Title: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

Marc Rothermund, Germany, 2005, imdb

Review: 3.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I'm still not sure why I didn't like this film much. The actors were not bad. The story was sad, heroic and good; but, there was something that didn't make me feel connected with the film. The only really good part was to see "Roger Federer" acting!! (just kidding... Fabian Hinrichs, second character in the film, must be his lost twin brother!!)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

2009-12-12T09:41:00.005-05:00

English Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Garth Jennings, UK, 2005, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Again, the first time I watched this film I fell asleep!!! also the second time!! but I just totally loved it the third time when I managed to finish it! The actors are really good (most of them) and "Marvin", the robot, is superb!! (his voice is spot on!). I also liked a lot the effects! I'm just totally in love with British films! I pretty much enjoy most of them! I've heard the book is really good too; will need to check it out! BTW, I just realized is the same director of "Son of Rambow" a film I liked too!!

Cache

2009-12-12T09:22:00.004-05:00

English Title: Cache

Michael Haneke, France, 2005, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: I saw this film few years ago but I fell asleep. I liked the parts I remember so I rent it again but I fell asleep again! So, I decided to have a third go and try not to fall sleep. I finally managed and saw until the last scene! I liked it but it wasn't my cup of tea. Now I understand why I fall sleep every time! some scenes, where nothing happens, are endless! I feel that the film is a bit too long! They should put a note that reads: "Not recommended for tired people"

Lost in La Mancha

2009-12-12T08:56:00.002-05:00

English Title: Lost in La Mancha

Keith Fulton-Louis Pepe, UK-US, 2002, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: It needs to be said that this film is a documentary and the film it self was never made ("The Man Who Killed Don Quixote"). In the beginning the documentary was a bit boring but it turns out to be painful, sad and good. It was very sad to see how the Terry Gilliam's dream became a complete nightmare! What was really sad about the "disaster" is that most of the problems during the shooting were for weather and health conditions! Nobody can really predict that. I'm glad that at least the documentary was well known.

Cashback

2009-11-22T23:26:00.004-05:00

English Title: Cashback

Sean Ellis, UK, 2006, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I started to see this film without even knowing that it was a British film. The films was amazing but it turns out to be a ... it never mind. It's a super nice film with great acting and super effects. I'm not sure about the ending... that was my disappointment.

Perder es cuestion de metodo

2009-11-22T23:10:00.003-05:00

English Title: The Art of Losing

Sergio Cabrera, Colombia, 2004, imdb

Review: 2.5 Uchuvas
Comment: It's a good story but suddenly in the last part of the film, everything happens in a hurry without showing too much about how or when. The actors did a terrible job despite being good (I've seen them some other times and they aren't that bad!!). The only thing I like was the sound track.

Fa yeung nin wa

2009-11-22T22:57:00.005-05:00

English Title: In the mood for Love

Kar Wai Wong, Hong Kong, 2000, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: Without any doubt the cinematography of this film is 10/10; it's incredibly beautiful, but I have to say that it's the second time that I fall asleep trying to see the film. It's super slow and after the first 30 minutes I feel that nothing happens, just amazing photographs! Maybe I'll need to see it for 3rd time to make a better judgment and understand how has won so many awards.

La vida secreta de las palabras

2009-11-22T22:46:00.003-05:00

English Title: The Secret Life of Words

Isabel Coixet, Spain, 2005, imdb

Review: 2.5 Uchuvas
Comment: This film has lots of awards. You have a go and judge your self. I thought it was boring. The story started interesting but turns out to be a boring film (to me). I think that the last 15 minutes were very poor.... very!

Un long dimanche de fiancailles

2009-11-22T20:06:00.003-05:00

English Title: A Very Long Engagement

Jean-Pierre Jeunet, France, 2004, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: I was avoiding this film for so long that I can't believed I finally gave it a chance. In general, I try to avoid "love stories" with happy cheap endings; that's why I didn't want to see this film which in any case has a "cheap ending". I was happily surprise for a lot of reasons. The first one is that I should have seen it considering that it was a Jeunet film. Second the photography was amazing!! really really amazing! it's a pleasure just to see the film for this reason; and third, the actors, all of them, are just great! Have a go! don't put it aside as I did!!!

Treeless Mountain

2009-11-22T19:55:00.004-05:00

English Title: Treeless Mountain

So Yong Kim, South Korea, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Finally a Korean film that is not so weird and it's "easy" to digest... although is sooooo sad!!! The director made a fantastic work with the little super sweet girls!!! they look sooooo natural that's is hard to believe that they are acting!! It's a great film, with great little actors and a well built story. (thanks Claire by the way!)

1st LaUchuva film Festival

2009-10-19T23:38:00.008-04:00

So, here I am with the 1st LaUchuva film Festival!!!!

I really don't know how to make this selection; I just realized that I want to nominate more than 10 films!!! But, I will do this first year, is to select only 4 films with only one parameter: I just totally loooooved the film. (what a parameter, ah?!! oh well...)

So, the nominees for LaUchuva d'Or 2009 areeeeeeeeeeeeeee:

1. La Sconosciuta (The Unkwon woman), Italy, 2006, LaUchuva

2. 4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile (4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days), Romania, 2007, LaUchuva

3. Lat den ratte kom in (Let the right one in), Sweeden,2008, LaUchuva
4. El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth), Mexico, 2009, LaUchuva

If you want to vote before the festival, feel free to do it here or via email lauchuva@gmail.com

Happy Birthday!!

2009-10-18T20:04:00.012-04:00

It's been great!!!

Happy First Birthday Uchuva!!!

Wish you a happy long life!!!!

Tomorrow I will announce LaUchuva d'Or 2009 nominees!! don't miss it!!

Harishchandrachi Factory nomination!

2009-10-18T19:34:00.012-04:00

Harishchandra's Factory has not been released yet!! BUT the good great super nice thing about it is that one of the main characters (Vibhawari Deshpande) is the sister of my good great super nice friend Hrishi. BUT the real good great super nice thing about it is that the film was selected as the official entry from India for The Oscars!! Great Vibhawari! and good luck! For now we will have to wait to see it! (Also, avoiding any confusion like the one in Facebook ;) I want to clarify that this is not the official poster.... but in the mid time let's keep this one here!!)

La nana

2009-10-18T19:14:00.006-04:00

English Title: The Maid

Sebastian Silva, Chile, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I was very lucky; I went to see this film and when it was finished the director was there for Q&A!! I always like when I have the chance to see someone from the film after watching it. I used to enjoy more when actors are invited but with time I started to appreciate more when the the director is the one in front of you (although I would reconsider this point if the one in front of me is Pitt!) Anyway, the film was good. It's a very simple subject with a great acting of the maids especially the main maid!! (some others of the crew were not as good). From q&a was nice to recognized the fact that the 3 secondaries maids are little parts of the main maid identity.

Cold Souls

2009-10-18T19:06:00.005-04:00

English Title: Cold Souls

Sophie Barthes, France-US, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: This film it's just great! I totally totally totally TOTALLY loved how the director converts such a subject in something totally credible! The film is so powerful (great acting btw) that it's difficult to keep remembering that, in fact, it just can't happen!

The Invention of Lying

2009-10-18T18:47:00.006-04:00

English Title: The Invention of Lying

Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson, UK, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: First, I think this film is a US film no UK... but I will leave it as UK's. It's a film that won't change your life. Also, it's not a film to be remembered for it's cinematography or sound or acting. In fact this film should only have 3 Uchuvas BUT I always give a lot of credits when a story has a lot of design! It's not easy to make a script when everything has to be the truth... think about it! Also, I liked the fact of watching an easy and not trascendental film on a terrible raining day, Sunday, alone and with an empty stomach! Anyway, a nice relaxing film. (Also you have to consider the fact that I just totally loved Gervais)

Araya

2009-10-18T18:06:00.003-04:00

English Title: Araya

Margot Benacerraf, Venezuela, 1959, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: As some of you know, I'm not a big fun of black and white films. However I loved this film not only for his great cinematography but for the beautiful way the documentary was developed. A South American film nominated to the Golden Palm (Cannes) with great great camera movements. The only "funny" thing was the narrator's script... it felts like reading a soap opera or a bad poetry.

Paris

2009-08-22T22:15:00.003-04:00

English Title: Paris

Cedric Klapisch, France, 2008, imdb

Review: 2.0 Uchuvas
Comment: What a super boring film! (Can I leave this comment up to here? ok, thanks)

In the Loop

2009-08-22T22:06:00.002-04:00

English Title: In the Loop

Armando Lannucci, UK, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I just have to say that whoever likes politics and/or it's familiar with British politicians, must see this film. I didn't like it as I didn't get most of the jokes BUT there were a lot of good laughs around, so, have a go!

Leonera

2009-08-22T00:41:00.003-04:00

English Title: Lion's Den

Pablo Trapero, Argentina, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I don't know what is better in this film: the super sad story, the great actress or the effects! One of the saddest films I've seen and also one of the toughest! After you've seen it you will need a couple of hours to recover.

Anonyma-Eine Frau in Berlin

2009-08-22T00:33:00.004-04:00

English Title: A Woman in Berlin

Max Farberbock, Germany, 2009, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: I think is a bit low the number of Uchuvas but I really can't give more to a film that made me feel bored in the middle of it. I just kept thinking: "ok, move on.... what else are you going to show". The film become very repetitive at some point. The story is really good but a bit too long.

Malena

2009-08-22T00:20:00.004-04:00

English Title: Malena

Giuseppe Tornatore, Italy, 2000, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Another great Tornatore's film. I loved they way he pictures Italy's towns and specially the way kids are educated (or were... not sure). The story is sad but also full of funny moments that make a good balance. The cinematography is really good. I need to keep an eye on his new film La porta del vento that hasn't been realized yet; I'm starting to become his fan.

2nd LaUchuva film night

2009-07-23T12:56:00.005-04:00

LaUchuva film blog in partnership with 2 Washington Square Village and apt 7 J presentssssssss: 2nd LaUchuva FILM NIGHT.

For this second screen, I have selected LaUchuva d'Or film: Children of Heaven from Iran, (don't get it confuse with Children of Men or Little children)

When: POSTPONED until August 1st 2009

Time: Come at 5pm and we'll wait until it gets dark.

Where: The partnership has offered the venue, so it will be there.

RSV: lauchuva@gmail.com

Popcorns on my account.

Revanche

2009-07-04T14:25:00.004-04:00

English Title: Revanche

Gotz Spielmann, Austria, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I wish, I really wish I could say something about this film but if I do all the emotion for you will be gone. So just have a look. It's super great! The acting is superb! the photography amazing.

Tsotsi

2009-07-04T13:52:00.005-04:00

English Title: Tsotsi

Gavin Hood, UK - South Africa, 2005, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: A super touching film! I saw it ages ago and don't remember details. I just remember the super tough story and great acting.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

2009-07-04T09:50:00.004-04:00

English Title: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Guy Ritchie, UK, 1998, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: This was my first Ritchie's film and totally loved it! I keep watching it and still enjoy every part of it. Very similar to his master peace Snatch but still good enough to be a great one on it's own. I love mess films that ends some where! edition was superb!

Abre los ojos

2009-07-04T09:48:00.004-04:00

English Title: Open your Eyes

Alejandro Amenabar, Spain, 1997, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I saw this film long long long ago and I liked it a lot. I recently saw it again and still liked it a lot especially after watching the horrible American version... which made me think, why! why they have to re-made films!! WHY!! especially WHY if the first one was soo good!... W H Y ! ! ? But anyway, this Amenabar film was superb, edition was super good, acting was good and the story kind of too crazy to be understood the first time (well, in my case!... although even the third time I saw it I thought: "what?!")

Why not FF posting

2009-07-04T08:50:00.008-04:00

(FF=Festival Fims)

I had an idea of posting FF news and winners in the blog. I started doing it but suddenly I realized that:

1. There are more FF in the word than mosquitos in the air!

2. There are more unknown films than unknown clouds types.

3. If I wanted to post about the FF I had to dedicated more than:

a. 90% of my posting talking about them.

b. 80% of my time looking for info about them.

4. If I was reading so much about the FF I new which films are around and which ones I would like to see, which is not bad at all BUT:

1. I have to wait for months to see the films which make my expectations go higher and higher with time and:

a. I feel disappointed most of the time after having such a high expectations (case: Gomorra)

b. After reading so much about the film I knew everything (plot), which I don't like at all!

After realizing this, I felt sick and decided:

1. I won't post about FF in the blog.

2. I won't look for information in the web about the FF. I will only (and this is my advice) create a list of films that has been shown in IMPORTANT FF. Just keep them in mind to see them without reading too much about them.

I will create a post with my list... if you want to have a look...

In the mid time and because I don't post too many US films, I want to suggest this great film: "Away we go" ...Super nice!

Seraphine

2009-06-14T07:59:00.003-04:00

English Title: Seraphine

Martin Provost, France-Belgium, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: This is an amazing biography of this French painter that tbh I didn't know until yesterday. The film, some how, reminds me the the softness of the Scandinavian's films. It has a kind of cold cinematography giving all the power to the landscape and paintings (especially the ones in big format which after watching them in the big screen, makes you fell in love with her art!) The acting is superb! The sound, perfect! The photography very beautiful.

Bin-jip

2009-05-11T10:07:00.006-04:00

English Title: 3 Iron

Ki-duk Kim, South Korea, 2004, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: Here with my second Korean film in the blog. Against any prediction, this film was surprisedly soft and delicate (considering the idea I have of Korean cinematography). With almost any dialogue at all (apart of my friends' comments during the film asking who is that guy? whose house is this? "that part is important so pay attention!", or, "he doesn't talk in the whole film" ;) this film doesn't have any special photography or effects or acting; it's just a nice and soft story with a nice ending that is open for you to guess it; the nicest you get your guess the nicest the film is. Thanks Hrishi for hosting!

Le Scaphandre et le Papillon

2009-05-05T18:37:00.003-04:00

English Title: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Julian Schnabel, France, 2007, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: I remember that when I went to the theatre to watch this film I had so many expectations! so many that I end up totally disappointed. I guess the story itself is so bloody sad that when you go to watch a film that you know it's deeply sad it doesn't make you feel that sad anymore unless it's a super great production which I think it's not the case here. Maybe I'm wrong but from my point of view this film it's no much that a general sad film with no much of interesting factors on it. The only thing that it was really good and I still remember after these years, was the sound when the main character is "talking" or thinking. Plus the eyes scenes are deadly strong!

Rabbit-Proof Fence

2009-05-05T18:33:00.003-04:00

English Title: Rabbit-Proof Fence

Phillip Noyce, Australia, 2002, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I didn't know that this film was a true story until I finish with the film and look for more information about the whole thing. The film it self is beautiful but the story is just amazing.

Nord

2009-05-05T17:53:00.005-04:00

English Title: North

Rune Denstad Langlo, Norway, 2009, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: The only film I managed to watch from Tribeca film festival. It was well worth the queue under the rain. It's a beautiful film as soft and delicate as most of the Scandinavian films. The last ski scene has the most amazing photography. Also, the film have the sweetest death I've seen in films!!!

Gmar Gavi'a

2009-04-27T09:52:00.004-04:00

English Title: Cup Final

Eran Riklis, Israel, 1991, imdb

Review: 1.5 Uchuvas
Comment: So, I had another go with this director and it was deeply dissapointed. Let's say that he got better with age! There is no way to compare either The Syrian Bride (2004) and Lemon Tree (2008)with this film! I will only say that during the film I took plenty of time to find and kill a mosquito flying around my room without stoping the film.

Bila Jednom Jedna Zemlja

2009-04-25T20:43:00.005-04:00

English Title: Underground

Emir Kusturica, Yugoslavia+others, 1995, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I wanted to finish my today's post with a happier film! If you like Kusturica films, this movie is a MUST in your list! It's, from my end, the funniest I've seen from him. Do not miss it!

La Stanza del figlio

2009-04-25T20:30:00.006-04:00

English Title: The Son's room

Nanni Moretti, Italy+France, 2001, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: It's not my cup of tea but it's a worth watching film ONLY if you are in a mood to watch sad films. In my case, it didn't touch me that much, I really don't know why as the acting is really good. The story is super sad but what it's nice about it is how the strong emotions are well shown by the great acting.

Efter Brylluppet

2009-04-25T20:14:00.006-04:00

English Title: Afer the Wedding

Susanne Bier, Denamark+Sweden, 2006, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: What else tonight but talking about weddings, relationships, tears, reunion, beginnings and endings. This film has it all together. It has great acting but more than anything it's a film full of emotions. I remembered that it touched me very deeply, I even keep crying for some days after I saw it. Nice film, fully recommended.

Etz Limon

2009-04-23T14:00:00.006-04:00

English Title: Lemon Tree

Eran Riklis, Israel+France+Germany, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: It's been a while since my last post and I'm glad I'm back with this beautiful film. I passed by a theater and saw a poster of an Israel film with an actress I knew so I just decided to have a go and see what was about. After I saw the film I realized that it's the same director of the other film I liked a lot: The Syrian Bride. What I like the most is the softness of the film with such a tough subject. It's very nice how the director mixed the complex political subject with complex relationships.

Gomorra

2009-03-10T22:08:00.003-04:00

English Title: Gomorrah

Matteo Garrone, Italy, 2008, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: I was waiting for so long to see this film that I was a bit disappointed when I saw it as I had a lot of expectations, so maybe I'm a bit tough with the review... I even fall sleep a couple of times!!! and that never happens to me in a theater!!! no even while watching The Love in the times of Cholera! But anyway.... It has won some good awards and nominated several times, so have a look and judge your self.

Sita Signs the Blues

2009-03-07T09:23:00.006-05:00

English Title: Sita Signs the Blues

Nina Paley, US, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Ok, so here I am with my first US film. It's a nice way to introduce Independence US's film with this one!. This film is still available at this web page if you want to watch it! It's an epic Indian story mixed with a 20's jazz singer's songs and three amazing Indonesian shadow puppets!!!. Add to that an amazing 2D animation and super humor! The shadow puppets, who narrate the story, are just super funny! The collage used in some parts of the film are really good! and the music it's really well mixed with the story. So, don't miss the opportunity to watch this film while it gets over the copy right issues that have had and it's finally realised on big screen. Even if you don't like musicals (like me), it's really worth watching!!

The Pianist

2009-03-04T22:58:00.007-05:00

English Title: The Pianist

Roman Polanski, France, Poland+others, 2002, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I think I have seen just too much holocaust films plus too much times this film to feel as much sympathetic as when I first saw it. Without any doubt it's a great production. The acting of Adrien Brody is really remarkable!; I was super impressed by the way he looses weight towards the end of the film!! (ask for his diet!!) However I think the screen play is a bit too much. I just didn't buy much the part where he is hidden all alone under that circumstances and for that period of time. It's very sad watching Holocaust films and this one is not the exception.

Mio Fratello e Figlio Unico

2009-03-04T22:41:00.005-05:00

English Title: My Brother is an Only Child

Daniele Luchetti, Italy, 2007, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I like a lot this film as it's a nice mixture between family affairs and political subject. The acting is really really good.

No comment on Oscar's night

2009-02-28T19:15:00.002-05:00

The only good thing about that night was: The little gathering, the Cranberry juice, the delicious brownies, the winners bet, the smiles, two awards (Winslet and Penn). The biggest disappointment... I don't even have to tell you which one was. The winners are listed in my previous post just in case you didn't see the ceremony. Thanks to our hostess!

Diarios de la Motocicleta

2009-02-22T12:11:00.004-05:00

English Title: The Motorcycle Diaries

Walter Salles, Argentina + others, 2004, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Another long story about Che Guevara but not as long as the new production called "Che" (2008) that has to be split into two films as nobody was able to resist 4 long hours in a row watching a film.... Who can be seated for more than 3??!! even if the film is truly amazing! no way! but anyway we are here to talk about the beautiful production of the Motorcycles Diary... which is in two words: really amazing! The film has a lot of great things but what makes the whole film worth it is the super beautiful cinematography. You can add to that the great acting, the great screen play and the amazing music.

El Aura

2009-02-22T11:58:00.004-05:00

English Title: The Aura

Fabian Bielinsky, Argentina-France-Spain, 2005, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: I saw this film a long ago. I don't remember the film in detail but I do remember that the story is very cleaver, the acting is really good and I loved the shots in the Forest.... very nice photographs!! This director has another great film, Nueve Reinas, but unfortunately hasn't done much recently.

POST # 100!!!!!!

2009-02-17T22:47:00.010-05:00

HEY!!! We did it!!!! We reach the post 100!!!!!!!!!!!

EEEEEEHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FOR THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS GREAT IDEA!!! It's been great fun having all your feedback through comments in the blog or by mail or in person!! I have found great voices around the subject and I enjoy it more and more every day! Keep sending info and making comments... I enjoy replying to the comments and talking and watching whatever films you tell me to see.

Happy post to you,

Happy Post to you,

Happing Post LaUchuva

Happy Post to you!!!!!! (if you have imagination just put a bit of music to the lyric)

To Celebrate our first 100 Post day, I'm going to post this great video which is not film related but... oh well.... we are in happy birthday so I'm allowed!! These people have great stuff! check their web page for more great videos!!!

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Los Amantes del Circulo Polar

2009-02-16T19:48:00.008-05:00

English Title: The Lovers of the Arctic Pole

Julio Medem, Spain, 1996, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: Great Film! Soft and Powerful but most important full of transparent and true love. Great acting, beautiful cinematography and super good edition.

SAFTA 2009

2009-02-15T21:17:00.005-05:00

What it's nice about checking the film festivals and awards, is that you collect a long list of films that you can check out at some point in your life; most of the time those films awarded or nominees are worth watching!. The South African Film and Television Awards 2009 (that were celebrated on Feb 07) have given 6 out of 7 of the most important awards to one and only one film: The World Unseen by Shamim Sarif. So, let's wait until it's release here to check it out!

Berlinale 2009

2009-02-15T20:02:00.005-05:00

I'll keep posting some awards and festivals butnot many as they are countless but I'll do it when feeling in festival's mood.

This time I'll post about Berlin Film Festival. The awards were annouced yesterday night. There is a list of great films to have a look. This year's most important award (The Golden Bear) was awarded to a Latin American film and director!! Well done! It is her second film and apparently it's really a great job (what else can you expect from someone with such a beautiful name!!)

Golden Bear for Best Film:

La Teta Asustada (The Milk Sorrow) by Claudia Llosa, Peru-Spain

Silver Bear - The Jury Grand Priz

Alle Anderen (Everyone else) by Maren Ade, Germany

Gigante by Adrian Biniez, Argentina-Uruguay-Germany-Spain

Silver Bear for Best Director:

Asghar Farhadi for Darbareye Elly (About Elly), Iran

Silver Bear for Best Actress

Birgit minichmayr in Alle Anderen (Everyone else), Germany

Silver Bear for Best Actor

Sotigui Kouyate in London River, UK

Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution

for the Sound-Design of Katalin Varga, Romania-UK-Hungary

Silver Bear for Best Script

for The Messenger, USA

Alfred Bauer Prize

Adrian Biniez for Gigante, Argentina-Uruguay-Germany-Spain

Andrzej Wajda for Tatarak (Sweet Rush), Poland

Just one last word to mentioned that Tilda Swinton is the Jury President of The International Jury of the Berlinale 2009.

Offret

2009-02-15T19:35:00.005-05:00

English Title: The Sacrifice

Andrei Tarkovsky, Sweden-UK-France, 1986, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: It's not an easy film for the only fact that it's extremely slow; I was about to collapse half way of the film but manage to forget about the story and just enjoy the amazing cinematography. Most of the shoots of the film (if not all) were so beautiful! The use of color emphasis so beautifully the photo. There were million of scenes where it looks like a portrait! I remember especially one of them that reminds me Johannes Vermeer's paintings. It really amuse me how a film could make that! The other great point of the film is the movements of the camera... it moves horizontally several times during the film but soooooo slowly that lulls you!!! As I said, it's a beautiful film but be aware of the slowness of it! My sister will get sleep in the first minute of the film for sure!

Todo Sobre mi Madre

2009-02-15T19:13:00.006-05:00

English Title: All About my Mother

Pedro Almodovar, Spain, 1999, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: For now, this will be my last posting of the mini Almodovar's festival I did during the last month.

I think the story is a bit too much! to top the terrible performance of Cecilia Roth playing the main character, kills the film for me. She is really terrible! she over acts so much!... really really bad! Trying to forget about her (although being the main character is impossible to) I have to say that the cinematography is soo nice... Almodovar is great on this... just G R E A T and that's basically why I gave more than 3 Uchuvas! To finish this post I'll quote one special shoot that I think is the most beautiful shoot in the whole film: when Manuela (Cecilia Roth) is waiting for his son in front of a huge poster of a "famous" actress... really nice!

BAFTA 2009

2009-02-08T17:26:00.005-05:00

So here with some winners of BAFTA awards. I have to repeat that I totally disagreed with saying that Slumdog Millionaire is worth an award. The film is good, no doubt, but it isn't a film that worth so many awards!!

So, here the winners in red, my favorites in green and half half when agree:

BEST FILM

Slumdog Millionaire

The Curious case of Benjamin Button

Frost\Nixon

Milk

The Reader

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM

Man on a wire

Hunger

In Bruges

Mamma Mia

Slumdog Millionaire

DIRECTOR

Clint Eastwood for Changeling

David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire

Ron Howard for Frost\Nixon

Stephen Daldry for The Reader

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Changeling

I've loved you so long

In Bruges

Burn After reading

Milk

LEADING ACTOR

Frank Langella in Frost\Nixon

Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler

Dev Patel in Slumdog Millionaire

Sean Penn in Milk

Bradd Pitt in The curious case of Benjamin Button

LEADING ACTRESS

Angelina Jolie for Changeling

Kristin Scott Thomas for I've loved you so long

Kate Winslet for The Reader

Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road

Meryl Streep for Doubt

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder

Brendan Gleeson for In Bruges

Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt

Brad Pitt for Burn After reading

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (No way!!!)

Amy Admas for Doubt

Freida Pinto for Slumdog Millionaire

Tild Swinton for Burn After Reading

Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler

ANIMATED FILM

Wall-E

Persepolis

Waltz with Bashir

BEST FILM NOT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE (have only seen 3 so I can't say which one is better but definitely I've loved you so long is not the best one so far!)

The Baader Meinhof Complex

I've loved you so long

Gomorrah

Persepolis

Waltz with Bashir

MAKE UP AND HAIR (I include this award as I think this film did an astonishing work)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button... The best make up I've seen in the big screen!!!

Laitakaupungin Valot

2009-02-06T23:53:00.006-05:00

English Title: Lights in the Dusk

Aki Kaurismaki, Finland , 2006, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: Another Kaurismaki typical film! The king of films about lonely and empty lives.

Two meaningless things that caught my attention were: I think there wasn't one single scene that didn't have a cigarette on! What a way to smoke!! and then, there were a lot of Tango songs in the film! The film starts with my beloved song from Carlos Gardel, Volver!!!! and then, another Gardel's masterpiece: el dia que me quieras and some other tango songs. After the film I was told how popular Tango was in Finland so I went to wikipedia and found this article about Finnish Tango that gave me an explanation as to why Gardel was part of the film's soundtrack. Apparently Tango in Finland is even more popular than in Argentina.

One last comment... if you want to see this film (and most, if not all, of Kaurismaki's films), make sure to be open mind to face a different style of movies.

The top 5 worth leaving

2009-02-06T23:08:00.009-05:00

In a film's class last year, I learned to stay seated until the credits of a film are finished as it's nice to see all the people involved in the film (and respectful to them I think) plus while you see the credits you learn a lot about how the film was done. But sometimes is soooo difficult to stay seated even to see the end of the film!!

I only can recall two films that were so so so so but SO SUPER bad that I stopped watching them in the middle of it and another two that I didn't left because I went with friends to the theater so I waited for them to finish the film.

Do you have any film that can be added to this list of worth leaving in the middle of it?

These are my top 5:

1. Canvas, US imdb

2. Audition, Japan LaUchuva

3. Love in the Time of Cholera, US imdb

4. Idiots, Denmark LaUchuva

5. Life is a Miracle, Serbia LaUchuva

Vals Im Bashir

2009-02-04T20:06:00.009-05:00

English Title: Waltz with Bashir

Ari Folman, Israel+others, 2008, imdb

Review: 3.5 Uchuvas
Comment: Without any doubt the graphics are great, the artistic side of the film is really good. I like a lot how they play with a yellowish color; that color and some others gave so much power to the film, especially to the subject of it; for me the color talks for itself. I won't say that the film is a bad film... not at all! It's just that I don't like war films even if they are animation films!! In fact it's very stressing looking at an animation film (which is suppose to be fun and relax) showing a war story. For people who don't care much about watching or not war films, it's really worth it!

La Mala Educacion

2009-02-04T19:30:00.006-05:00

English Title: Bad Education

Pedro Almodovar, Spain, 2004, imdb

Review: 4.5 Uchuvas
Comment: So, I will keep going on with my Almodovar's mini private film festival. The story is just really weird, oh well as ALL Almodovar's films... Knowing his type of films, which has very complicated relationships, this story is not surprising, it's weird but totally expected from Almodovar... which is not bad in any sense... I've said before that Almodovar is a King in the film industry and this film is not the exception. I loved loved loved Gael Garcia Bernal acting as a transvestite specially when singing: "quizas, quizas, quizas..." just amazing!!!! He did a great performance here! Not only acting as a transvestite but with a Spanish accent!!.. yes, great job! When you talk about Almodovar's films you can't leave without mentioning something about the cinematography, so here I am talking about one specific shot: The football match when the priest jumped to block a goal... a masterpiece! a great freeze shot!

Entre Les Murs

2009-02-01T23:18:00.006-05:00

English Title: The Class

Laurent Cantet, France, 2008, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: Finally I made it! After waiting for such a long time I watched The Class today! To talk about this film you have to name Francois Begaudeau; he wrote the book (which won a French prize), did the screenplay (with the director an another guy) and played the main character. He did a great job everywhere. What I liked the most was the outstanding acting. All the students were nonprofessional actors and what a job they did!!! The whole film looks very real... That is the best of the film, the sense of reality. I'll have to say that, for me, this type of films are tough to digest, for me it has been tough to get into films that don't tell an specific story but it shows a fact. I'd love to know French... the dialogues are kind of quick and if you have to read you miss a bit of the moment. It's a great film, I wouldn't say that it's for a Palm D'or (as it is) but...

LaUchuva Ancestors...

2009-02-01T22:50:00.003-05:00

Beto (a Colombian friend) has sent this article from The Wall Street Journal, January 23,2009 about Movie's Ranking Systems. Unfortunately they forgot to include LaUchuva in the article!!! Shame on them!!! (although they kind of cover the whole fruit system with this sentence: "under the veneer of objective numerical measurement, is really just an apples-to-oranges mess"). I wanted to include this article here for one especial reason: They show the First US Movie Review (Daily News, Tuesday July 31, 1928). I thought it was really nice to see where LaUchuva came from... Thanks Beto!

Una Pura Formalita

2009-02-01T22:30:00.005-05:00

English Title: A Pure Formality

Giuseppe Tornatore, Italy-France, 1994, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I feel that this movie is a dark film... literally dark. The set is very wet, dark, unorganized, confused. All this "darkness" only makes sense IF and only IF you manage to have a SUPER BIG imagination to understand what was the film about! TBH I only liked the film after I was given an hypothesis about what was the film about... so if you watch this film PLEASE let me know your hypothesis. Gerard Depardieu is really good here so is Polanski.

Festen

2009-02-01T15:48:00.005-05:00

English Title: The Celebration

Tomas Vinterberg, Denmark-Sweden, 1998, imdb

Review: 4.0 Uchuvas
Comment: It's supposed to be a drama movie but tbh I just laugh a lot with the whole thing... what a "party"!!!! Sometimes I just think that the whole thing is an exaggeration after exaggeration!... but it's a great film... it's the kind of film that you need to be in the right mood to enjoy it.

Habla con Ella

2009-02-01T15:35:00.007-05:00

English Title: Talk to Her

Pedro Almodovar, Spain, 2002, imdb

Review: 5.0 Uchuvas
Comment: I've been re-watching a lot of Almodovar's movies recently; that guy is just amazing! He really is!!! I've been trying to recall a bad film of his and I only can remember one that I'll need to see again just to make sure that I didn't like it (Atame). Talk to her is one of my favorites Almodovar's movies!! The story is soo good! The main actor (Javier Camara) is really really good! As in ALL Almodovar's movies (well at least the ones I remember with detail) the cinematography is unbelievable!!! There are two scenes that I just think are so beautiful and perfect!!: the silent film, which is a high!!! only he can imagine a scene like this one!!!! and the dressing up of the bullfighter... that part is just soooo amazing!!!! the sound in that part of the film is so beautiful!!!! so much!! For me this film is one of the greatest he's done!