Movie Review: You're Killing Me Susana

Golden Globe winner Gael García Bernal is a busy man, he currently stars in the Amazon show Mozart in the Jungle, and he has two films currently in theaters, Neruda, and Me Estas Matando Susana (You’re Killing Me Susana.)

In the latter, we meet Eligio (Gael García Bernal) an actor with a wandering eye, and his wife Susana (Veronica Echegui) who has had enough of his infidelities (a theme that plays throughout the film) and left him.

The movie is incredibly relatable, and at times it makes you feel vulnerable and even frustrated. We have all been there, we think we are still in love, and we do whatever it takes to hold on to a relationship that is no longer fulfilling or beneficial to either.

After Susana leaves him, Eligio goes ballistic trying to find her, and thanks to the wonders of some internet search and investigative skills he finds out that Susana is in Iowa at a University for a writer's workshop. Susana left him to find herself as a writer, to enjoy the solitude that comes with being recently single (although she does benefit from the company of a fellow student, Slawormir.) However, Eligio, like the macho that he is is not going down without a fight, and he leaves his beloved Mexico behind, and his acting career to follow Susan all the way to Iowa. The journey to find her and the trials and tribulations that come with their reunion make the film worth watching.

Eligio and Susana’s relationship is toxic, their dynamic is borderline harmful to their personalities, and the movie takes us on the journey of their dysfunctional dynamic. Is it worth pursuing? Should they be together? You will find the answers to these and other critical questions about their love story in the film.

The movie is out now with showings in Berkeley at Shattuck Cinemas and San Francisco at the Roxie.

Rating: NR

Genre: Art House & International, Comedy, Drama, Romance

Directed By: Roberto Sneider

Written By: Roberto Sneider, Luis Cámara

In Theaters: Feb 17, 2017  Limited

Runtime: 102 minutes

Studio: Cuévano Films

Credits: H+M Communications

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 - In Theaters TODAY

I can't wait! 

Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos - In Theaters September 4th

This movie is going to be all sorts of AWESOME!

"The world’s most egg-cellent animated (Huevo Cartoon) series finally cracks the U.S. big screen with UN GALLO CON MUCHOS HUEVOS! Toto, (voiced by Bruno Bichir) was born the runt of the litter. But, when an evil rancher threatens to destroy his home and his family, Toto must go from a timid young “chicken” to a brave and scrappy rooster.  Toto and his friends (voices include: Angelica Vale, Maite Perroni, Omar Chaparro, Ninel Conde, Carlos Espejel) must band together on an egg-citing adventure that will prove that big surprises can come from little packages."

Check out the facebook page

And, check out the hashtag #UnGalloMovie

Fifty Shades Of Grey – Music Edition

Photo Courtesy: Fifty Shades of Grey: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists (Facebook)

While EVERYBODY is either excited or riled up about the release of Fifty Shades Of Grey, there has not been much buzz on the magnificent soundtrack that accompanies the film. All I have read on multiple online outlets is either how great or how dreadful the movie is.

I will be shying away from the theaters, and hold off my curiosity until the movie gets a Netflix release. I will not however shy away from talking about the wonderful job done with the soundtrack.

The first glimpse of the soundtrack came via Queen Bey, and the song "Haunted." There was also the NSFW video for the song "Earned It" by The Weeknd.

I have been obsessively playing the entire soundtrack, and it truly is quite magnificent. It enlists the likes of Skylar Gray, Ellie Goulding, AWOLNATION, Jessie Ware, Laura Welsh, Danny Elfman, VAULTS. And, fresh off the GRAMMYS, the amazing Annie Lenox, and Sia. Also, a remastered version of "Witchcraft" by the only and only Frank Sinatra.

While the movie might not be perceived in the tone of romance, the soundtrack surely does deliver that – a combination of haunting power ballads, along with some classics.

If you are skipping the movie theater altogether; I highly recommend that you do incorporate the soundtrack to your romantic Valentine's Day plans.

Hunger Is Campaign

Get your tissues ready... what a heartfelt speech by Viola Davis.

"I didn't join the Hunger Is campaign to save the world. I didn't," she said. "I set out to save myself. You know, they say that you're never too old to have a happy childhood and although my childhood was filled with many happy memories it was also spent in abject poverty."

Click HERE to learn more about Hunger Is.

Latino Filmmaking – Si Se Puede!

Diego Luna is currently on an extensive tour promoting the up-coming film Cesar Chavez which is set to be released on March 28th in theaters across the country.

I had the privilege of having a sit-down interview with Diego to talk about the film, and the many challenges behind bringing the film to the big screen.

"There Should Be Content (Films) That Represent Us"

Diego Luna 

If we want more films of substance to be produced, then we have to show support, and let Hollywood know that we are a force to be reckon with.

Cesar Chavez will be in theaters on March 28th – please go out and support this great film. 

"If We Fight Indifference Things Will Happen" 

Diego Luna

"Change Will Never Come If We Are Not Part Of It"

Diego Luna

 


Credits: H+M Communications

The Fascinating World Of The Drug Cartel

Photo Courtesy: IMDb

There are very few movies that leave me wanting more, and El Cartel De Los Sapos (The Snitch Cartel) did just that.

The movie which was originally a book, turned into a mini-series, and was written by Andres Lopez Lopez better known as “Florecita.” He used to be a member of the Colombian cartel “Cartel Norte Del Valle.”  Andres left his cartel ties behind and became a successful writer.

The film just premiered in the the United States, and the acting in the movie is simply superb! You have talent such as Oscar nominated Mexican actress Adriana Barraza (Babel), Colombian actor Manolo Cardona, Mexican actor Kuno Becker, amongst others.

The film based on the book by the same name loosely tells the story of the members of the Cali Colombian cartel “Cartel Norte Del Valle,” focusing the story on Martin “Fresita” Gonzalez whose real name is Andres “Florecita” Lopez Lopez, his rise and fall, and the love story between him and the love of his life “Sofia.” The Snitch Cartel was filmed in locations such as Cali, Buenaventura Colombia, Mexico City, Tijuana, New York and Miami. 

The Snitch Cartel is by far, one of the BEST movies I’ve seen this year, it could be that I find the drug cartel world to be utterly fascinating, or perhaps it is due to the fact that this movie is just as good, if not better than the movie Blow (Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz.) Or, perhaps the superb selection in the acting department, the production, and the script which made the movie so enjoyable.

I’ll leave you with the trailer, which gives you a brief snippet of how magnetizing this movie seriously is.

 

Production: 11:11 Films.

Cast:  Manolo Cardona, Juana Acosta, Diego Cadavid, Pedro Armendariz Jr., Kuno Becker, Tom Sizemore, Adriana Barraza, Robinson Diaz.

Director: Carlos Moreno.

Screenwriters: Luiso Berdejo, Juan Camilo Ferrand, Andres Lopez.

Producers:  Manolo Cardona, Juan Carlos Caicedo, Juancho Cardona, Francisco Cardona, Alex Garcia.

Director of photography:  Mateo Londono.

Production designer: Jaime Luna.

Music: Carlo Siliotto.

Costume designer: Ximena Bessolo.

Editor: Jorge Macaya.

SF Latino Film Festival – Coming To A Theather Near You!

When September rolls around, there is one event that I look forward to every year - The Cine+Mas SF Latino Film Festival. This year it marks its fifth anniversary, and the film selection is worth checking into.

The festival will run from September 12th to September 27th, and the films will be showing in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose.

I am particularly excited about specific films, and I want to share with you the titles of the ones you should definitely  go check out:

Tlatelolco – which kicks off the festival

If you are from Mexico, or have family from there, you know about the killing of college students that took place in 1968. The controversy surrounding the events that took place that day still rattles the memories of those who witnessed it.

Homebound

From a tech life, to going home to El Campo

LatinosBeyond Reel

How Latinos are portrayed in the eye of the media – Devious Maids anyone?

StableLife

If you have horses, love horses, ride horses – this one is for you!

The list is never-ending! This yearly festival is always a must. I invite you to check out the entire schedule to read all about these great films.

Oh, and did I mention that one lucky reader will win a pair of tickets to the opening night (Sept 13 Opening Night Film at Victoria Theater 7PM) to check out the film Tlatelolco? Head over to the CONTESTS page for your chance to win. 

 

Post by Cine+Mas SF / San Francisco Latino Film Festival.

A Film For Guys And Chicks Too – Lockout

Every time that Hollywood combines tons of action and a sexy cast, the end result is a movie worth watching.

And that is the case with Lockout, starring the sexy and extremely good looking, Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace. Lockout takes place in the year 2079 and although, there are no flying cars, there are plane flights to space and a maximum security prison also in space. 

Guy Pearce’s character “Snow” has to take the trip to the security prison, to fulfill a very specific duty – save the President’s daughter, Emilie Warnock (Maggie Grace) who is trapped inside after a riot freed all of the psychotic and dangerous prisoners.

 

Lockout comes out this Friday 4/13, and this movie is the PERFECT movie date! The girlfriend will be extremely happy to see “Snow” (Guy Pearce) in all of his rescue mission glory and the boyfriend will enjoy all of the action, psycho criminals with knives and guns and of course, the President’s daughter (Maggie Grace.)

RELEASE DATE: April 13, 2012
GENRE: Sci-Fi Action
RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DISTRIBUTOR: Open Road Films
PRINCIPAL CAST:
Guy Pearce
Maggie Grace
Peter Stormare
DIRECTOR: James Mather & Stephen St. Leger
WRITER: James Mather, Stephen St. Leger & Luc Besson


Credits: Open Road

It’s Movie Time! Lockout

Rescue mission – CHECKED!
Hot Guy – CHECKED!
Ton of action – CHECKED!

On April 13th, head over to the movies to check out the movie Lockout, starring Guy Pearce & Maggie Grace.

I will be at the press screening of the film, this up-coming Tuesday, want to come with me? Send an email to: contests@thechroniclesofazu.com. I will be choosing 5 winners to get double passes to attend the screening on Tuesday April 10th at 7PM at AMC Van  Ness in San Francisco.




Credits: American Entertainment Marketing

Don’t Trust The Summer House By The River!

If you are looking for the PERFECT movie to go watch this weekend, you should go check out Silent House. I had the opportunity to attend a press screening, and let me tell you, the movie was scary, psychologically twisted and filled with “did that just happen?” moments.

The movie is a remake of Uruguay’s La Casa Muda, the American version starts Elizabeth Olsen (yes, Olsen twins’ younger sister). This film, is directed by Chris Kentis & Laura Lau, written by Laura Lau & produced by Agnes Mentre & Laura Lau.

Elizabeth Olsen gives such a believable performance; she has her silent screaming down to the wire. Although the movie is not long, it is long enough to draw the audience into what is going on, the crazy twists and all of the suspense that surrounds the creepy old Summer house by the river. There were so many nerve-wracking moments, and moments when you would whisper to yourself, why is she doing that? Why did she go back in the house? Why is she losing the keys? I love scary movies and Silent House delivered to my loving for the genre. I left the screening scratching my head literally mumbling, “what?, was that a crazy, psycho story or what?” 

Silent House comes out this Friday March 9th, don’t forget to head over to the movie theatre to check it out. You will never look at a Summer house by a river the same way ever again!

For kicks and giggles, check out this clip that tells us why Latinos are not casted in scary/horror films.





Photo Credits: American Entertainment Marketing

Coming Soon To A Theater Near You: Silent House

I am a horror movie fanatic and I absolutely LOVE going to the movie theater to watch scary films. Well, on March 9th, you need to go and watch Silent House.

I will be attending a pre-screening on March 5th and will tweet my thoughts about the film.  Silent House is starring Elizabeth Olsen (Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen’s younger sister.)

Don’t forget! The film opens nationwide on Friday March 9th, 2012.

Credits: American Entertainment Marketing