Memórias Póstumas

Memórias Póstumas is the movie that I chose to write about for my Brazilian Film class. It is based the book, "Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas", written in 1881 by Machado de Assis.

Basically, the protagonist, Brás Cubas, narrates his life story to you.... after he has passed away. The movie is filled with moments of subtle humor:

"Linda.... mas, coxa." ("Beautiful.... but lame.")

This is definitely a good one.. too bad you can only get it in Brazil!

Gabriela

Gabriela is another movie we watched and analyzed in our Brazilian Film class. It was released 1983 and based on a book called, "Gabriela, Cravo e Canela", written by Jorge Amado in 1958.

The story takes place in Brazil in the 1920's. Gabriela is a woman from the sertão (or deserts in the north east of Brazil) who travels by foot to a big city. A man named Nacib is enchanted by her when he sees her and hires her to cook snacks to be served at the bar he owns. Needless to say, they stir up a little romance... but I won't ruin the story.

Just one little aviso: there is quite a bit of female nudity in this one.

Como Era Gostoso O Meu Francês

Made in 1971. It's about two canabal indian tribes who eat their enemies. (The Tupinambas and the Tupiniquins)

Here is a link: How Tasty Was My Little Frenchman

Not the greatest movie in the world... But hey, it was for a class.

"Passionada"

I watched this movie this morning when I woke up. It was a good movie! When I first saw the title, I thought it had to do with Spanish, but then I looked again. "Passionada" is spelled how it is in Portuguese! Now I know why my friend suggested it to me. :)

The movie is about a Portuguese widow and her daughter and thier quests for love. Although the mother resists it as much as she can, as she is still hung up on her husband that was lost at sea, she eventually gives in and has a good time. There is a little bit of a more complicated twist when lies are told and deals are made, but the ending is an upbeat one. :)

In the first 20 minutes or so, the mother sings fado music in a bar. It's a beautiful song! And I was especially intrigued because I had just finished a class in which I learned about the origins of fado. It's a beautiful, sad kind of music that you do not dance to. The lyrics are often hard to understand, but there is so much emotion in the voice of the singer that it doesn't matter.

This was a good movie! Thanks for suggesting it! :-D

"Dirty Work"

I only caught the second half of the movie on tv, but it was pretty funny. There's a big-shot millionaire that likes screwing people over and then two of the guys he messed with join the others that were ripped off and they get revenge.

There are lot's of silly "note to self" quotes...

Mitch: "Note to self: Making love to blow-up doll is not as good as advertised."

Mitch: "Note to self: remember to get ass wart cream for giant wart on my ass."

Mitch: "Note to self, no matter how hard life gets, there is always beer!"

Mitch: "Note to self: learn to fight."

And others:

Bearded Lady: "Hey, baby. You ever had a chick with a beard before?"
Mitch: "Can't say that I have there, bearded broad."
Bearded Lady: "Well, then, sugar, you haven't lived."
Mitch: "Note to self: I don't want to live."

Mitch: "Bet you didn't count on my loyal army of prostitutes!"

"He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not"

It was suggested to me by whoson1st: See this comment.

I can't believe it. This movie was SO messed up! I can't tell you too much about the plot, other than the fact that you won't believe the second half of the movie. The end scene absolutely blew me away, too.

The movie is in French with English subtitles. It was a very good movie.. just a little on the shocking side (in terms of the behavior of one of the characters).

You gotta see it!

"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"

I bought this DVD as an impulse purchase at Target last night. When I decided to watch it tonight I discovered that the audio and subtitle options include Portuguese!!!

So... At this very moment I am watching the movie with Portuguese audio AND subtitles. This is awesome..!

I love this movie, and the fact that it has these options makes me like it even more! Maybe I'll bring it home with me and let my sister watch it with all French!

"The 40-Year-Old Virgin"

AWESOME! I don't think I have ever laughed so much during a movie!

"I hope you have a big trunk... because I'm puttin' my bike in it."

Trish: [on the bed, kissing] "Do you have protection?"
Andy Stitzer: "No, I don't like guns."

Boy at Health Clinic: "Hey, do you have any extra large condoms?"
Dad at Health Clinic: "Oh, Seth, please! You have a tiny penis..."

"Delicatessen"

To be watched over winter break.

Suggested by boneymonster

Check back later for comments.

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"

To be watched over winter break.

Suggested by boneymonster

Check back later for my comments.

"The Russian Dolls"

To be watched over winter break.

Suggested by boneymonster

Check back later for my comments.

"Schindler's List"

Since the first time I saw this movie, when it was in theaters, I have learned a lot about the Holocaust. The second time around this movie made a LOT more sense.

This movie is so sad, but great.

"Garden State"

Ok, people. I finally saw it! I went to blockbuster with a serious movie in mind, so I got it. Then I wanted a foreign movie that a friend suggested I watch, so I got it. Then I wanted another movie that I wouldn't have to read subtitles for, and I got Garden State. It stood out on the shelf, calling me... probably because petercoffin had a link to Zach Braff's video blog and I watched it and he talked about this movie. I knew he was in it, but didn't realize that he also wrote and directed it.

I think I was expecting it to be a funnier movie, but that didn't lead to disappointment. It was still great.

I liked how the theme seemed to be that "life is now, this is it". It makes you think about what you've been putting off, or what you're afraid to do because it would mean a change.

I really liked how both main characters were not perfect. But it was because of that that made them perfect for each other.

"Erin Brockovich"

This movie has also been on tv quite a bit, at least lately when there seems to be a Julia Robert phase going on.

The movie is about Erin Brockovich, a single mother with three kids, who stumbles across the real reason many people in the area around a plant are sick from cancer and leukemia. She and her boss work together to make a law suit agains the company and compensate the people for their medical bills that they had to pay because of what the plant put in their drinking water.

Very good movie..

"Runaway Bride"

I have seen this movie SO many times... just from it being on tv!

It's a cute movie.. definitely a chick-flick, but it can be enjoyed by both sexes, I think.
A funny old grandma, a handsome Richard Gere, a pretty Julia Roberts... Something for everyone!

"I like his tight butt!... Well I do!"

"I'm gonna go focus on your eggs now, Bob."

The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de Motocicleta)

This movie has been talked about by nearly everyone I know, and I was the last to see it. I bought it through Amazon.com and finally watched it with Juan one night. He had the advantage because the movie was in Spanish with English subtitles. (He didn't have to read them.)

The movie tells the story of Che Guevara before he went to Cuba. Him and his best friend went on a journey around the continent of South America by motorcycle. It shows their struggles and triumphs.

All in all, it's a good one.

Midaq Alley (El Callejón de los Milagros)

I went to see this movie with Juan at a Mexican Heritage Club meeting on campus. It was in Spanish with English subtitles.

It was a really long movie, but it was really good. The only thing that I didn't like about it was how stupid Selma's character was. I wanted to just slap her for not seeing the love that the boy had for her. *ay!*

The movie starts over about three or four times and tells the same segment of the story but from different characters' points of view.

There are stories of love, choices, and loss.

"Satan's School for Girls"

So bad there were funny parts. The main girl's facial expressions of 'terror' looked like she was about to puke up her insides.

The "music" was terrible and 70s-ish - along with the clothes they wore. But what can I say? The movie was made in the 70s.

The lighting to imitate the light given off from an oil lamp looked like the lights of various large flashlights and spotlights dimming on and off as the girl walked down the hallway.

There was only one scary part in a dark room... It was only scary because of the loud BANG of "music" when something appeared from behind a barrel.

My suggestion: Only watch this if you're at a party and you're not really gonna pay attention to it anyway.

"The American Dream"

Absolutely hilarious! Some things might be found offensive by some, but it's an all-around entertaining DVD.

It's a bunch of random-as-heck skits by a group of young men from Michigan. Parts are filmed in Chicago.

I shared this with my neighbor and his friend the other day and they laughed their heads off.. though they commented that they enjoyed the first half of the DVD more than the second half. Even so, they have actually quoted a few of the skits in the days to follow.

Here are a couple for your enjoyment/pondering:
"It's got grass in it!"

"P-L-A-C-E-N-T-A spells TASTY!"

"Rocky Road [short pause] Road!!"

"Are we both wearing skirts?"

"I have a flawless plan!"

And so on....

Enjoy!

"Amélie"

LOVED it.. even the second time around! It's such a cute movie..