Here is a list of films I have seen in the Spanish Language that are worth viewing. I will not give opinionated reviews, rather just list films that
have a significant viewing value. These are films to practice your Spanish language ability (with and without English-language subtitles).
Enjoy!
Sin Nombre (w/English-language subtitles)
Ken Cooke - 11-25-2010 at 10:29 AM
Fleeing retaliation from the violent Central American street gang he has deserted, young hood Casper boards a northbound train, where he takes refuge
on top of the moving freight cars and hopes for a fresh start in a new country (USA). Dodging authorities and other dangers, he finds a new friend in
Sayra, a Honduran girl also making a run for the American border. 1 hr. 36 min. 2009 Rated R
Los Viajes del Viento - The Wind Traveler
Ken Cooke - 11-25-2010 at 10:37 AM
In the wake of his wife's death, Ignacio leaves his small Colombian town and journeys to the country's remote northern region, resolving to return his
devil-cursed accordion to the teacher who once gave it to him. His traveling companion is teenager Fermín, who aspires to emulate Ignacio's past life
as an accordion-playing troubadour who roamed the countryside. Marciano Martínez and Yull Núñez star in filmmaker Ciro Guerra's enthralling odyssey.
1 hr 47 min. 2009 No Rating
Eddy Herrera: Amor Y Exitos: Eddy Herrerra En Concertino
Ken Cooke - 11-25-2010 at 10:49 AM
Sharing the stage with Panamanian rapper Danny Boy, Dominican superstar Eddy Herrera cuts loose in this landmark concert of live songs that blends the
infectious sounds of reggaeton and merengue. Featured tracks off the "Amor de Locos" album include "Pégame Tu Vicio," "Como Te Olvido," "Estoy Dolido"
and "Demasiada Romántica," plus a bonus video for "No Le Cuentes."
2006 No Rating 60 minutes
El Angel del Accordion
Ken Cooke - 11-25-2010 at 10:52 AM
Set in the breathtaking background of the exotic Atlantic Coast of Colombia, a musically talented 11-year-old boy, Poncho, has two dreams: to get an
accordion and conquer the heart of the girl of his dreams, Sara Maria. When Sara Maria challenges Poncho to become the greatest accordion player and
write her a song that will move her soul, Poncho stops at nothing to make this a reality. Challenged by overwhelming financial hardship, we follow
Poncho, as he becomes the legend known as the Angel of the Accordion.
2008 No RatingBAJACAT - 11-25-2010 at 03:20 PM
Ken thats a cool movie its kind of documentary about live in the border region beteewen MX and Guatemala, and the impact the Maras MS-13 has in that
area..it's almost like VOCES INOCENTES, type of movie.
El Mariachi!
Ken Cooke - 12-18-2010 at 01:24 AM
El Mariachi (film)
Ken Cooke - 12-18-2010 at 01:31 AM
El Mariachi is a 1992 action film that is the debut of writer/director Robert Rodriguez. The Spanish language film was shot in the northern
Mexican border town of Ciudad Acuña with a mainly amateur cast. The US$ 7,000 production was originally intended for the Mexican home video market,
but executives at Columbia Pictures liked the film so much that they bought the American distribution rights. Columbia eventually spent several times
more than the 16 mm film's original budget on 35 mm transfers, promotion, marketing and distribution.[2]
The success of Rodriguez's directorial debut led him to create two further entries, Desperado (1995) and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), in what
came to be known as the Mariachi Trilogy.
[Edited on 12-18-2010 by Ken Cooke]
The Seven Suns (7 Soles)
Ken Cooke - 12-18-2010 at 09:21 AM
Mexican writer-director Pedro Ultreras draws upon his background as a journalist writing about immigration issues for his feature film debut, 7
SOLES (aka 7 SUNS). Based on real cases Ultreras encountered in his work, the unflinching drama aims to humanize the plight of illegal immigrants by
chronicling the tragic journey of a trafficker (Gustavo Sanchez Parra, AMORES PERROS) smuggling a group of Mexicans across the U.S. border through the
unforgiving landscape of the Sonoran Desert.
Maria Full Of Grace
Ken Cooke - 1-4-2011 at 02:58 PM
[Edited on 1-4-2011 by Ken Cooke]
Sleep Dealer
Ken Cooke - 1-18-2011 at 08:36 PM
[Edited on 1-19-2011 by Ken Cooke]
Great scenes of Northern Peru
Ken Cooke - 1-23-2011 at 08:40 AM
tjBill - 1-23-2011 at 06:51 PM
Thanks for the 'El Mariachi,' I found its the perfect film to study Spanish with. They speak slow and clear; the director is a Mexican American.Ken Cooke - 1-23-2011 at 07:15 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by tjBill
Thanks for the 'El Mariachi,' I found its the perfect film to study Spanish with. They speak slow and clear; the director is a Mexican American.
"Mauricio" or "Moco" is actually a Gringo who was reading all of his parts on index cards phonetically since he didn't even speak Spanish during the
filming of this movie (hence, the heavy American accent).capt. mike - 1-24-2011 at 06:42 AM
good one Ken!!
the Mariachi trilogy soundtracks are all excellent music too avail on CD.
i hope to see Blu-ray transfers of all 3 films soon.
How about Amores Perros, or Y Tu Mama Tambien ...JaraHurd - 2-21-2011 at 01:52 PM
or two that were recently recommended to me. I believe, but am not sure, that they are both Mexican films:
1. Los Jornaleros (2003)
2. Quemar Las Naves (2007)
The bonus of Quemar is Julietta Venegas sings the title track so that is always a great thing!!Baja Bucko - 2-21-2011 at 02:37 PM
I know this is waaay off the wall....but...
after reading the Harry Potter books (all of them) 3 times, seeing the movies (all of them) at least 3 times in English, I am now watching all of the
movies in Spanish--no subtitles! Talk abt a fun way to get the ears a'listening.
I know its crazy- I never read fiction- strictly nonfriction-but these books are incredible!! I also will be reading them in Spanish soon!!
A very enjoyable way to improve my Spanish skills!! Now I'm trying to find them as audio books to listen to in Spanish as I drive south of the
border.:
TWO THUMBS UP!
Ken Cooke - 2-21-2011 at 08:30 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by JaraHurd
How about Amores Perros, or Y Tu Mama Tambien ...
I never saw Amores Perros, but Y Tu Mama Tambien was incredible!goldhuntress - 2-21-2011 at 08:55 PM
Amores Perros was an excellent film. Very smartly done. As you probably know 21 Grams and Babel were done by the same director. Amores Perros being
the first of the trilogy.
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by JaraHurd
How about Amores Perros, or Y Tu Mama Tambien ...
I never saw Amores Perros, but Y Tu Mama Tambien was incredible!
Entre Nos
Ken Cooke - 2-21-2011 at 09:29 PM
[Edited on 2-22-2011 by Ken Cooke]goldhuntress - 2-22-2011 at 12:51 AM
Quote:
Did the sequels do the original justice?
I liked Amores Perros the most, Babel next and 21 grams third. But, they weren't sequels. All were different movies but similar in that they all had
several stories going on at once that connected everything in the end. I like movies that are a little convoluted but not so much that they make no
sense. I want to feel really grabbed by a movie and I think that almost only happens for me in foreign films. Hollywood is too cookie cutter,
predictable and thoughtless.
Ken, I've seen so many Spanish language films but I'm terrible on remembering names. Many of them have been at film festivals where it may be the only
chance to see them. One I remember that I liked is Talk to Her. I saw that at our Indie theater here in San Luis Obispo. And Valentin which I saw at
the Santa Barbara Film Festival on opening night.
[Edited on 2-22-2011 by goldhuntress]JaraHurd - 3-26-2011 at 10:42 PM
Ken....we recently saw Entre Nos..we liked it so much we bought 4 copies..one to keep and three for each of my wife's brothers...they are starting to
take their status here for granted...very very good movie..my mom and wife are both immigrants..and i appreciate everything I have...
Presunto Culpable (2008)
JaraHurd - 3-26-2011 at 10:51 PM
I was reading The Liberal Times the other day and came across an article featuring this documentary on the Mexican criminal justice system. I have
been having a hard time finding it though..anyone seen it??JaraHurd - 3-26-2011 at 11:01 PM
wow..ask and you shall receive..thanx!! I was actually trying to buy a copy..but..I will watch then buy it..it looks good..
[Edited on 3-27-2011 by JaraHurd]
[Edited on 3-27-2011 by JaraHurd]
A Cumbia rhythm Musical! Featuring Cumbia Artist Celso Piña!
Ken Cooke - 3-27-2011 at 07:52 AM
[Edited on 3-27-2011 by Ken Cooke]Cyanide41 - 3-28-2011 at 08:40 AM
Pesento culpable is currently in theaters in Tijuana. I haven't seen it yet but it looks good.
One of my favorites is "motorcycle diaries". I should have a long list but its early and most of them have been mentioned already.tjBill - 8-10-2011 at 01:37 PM
I saw sleep dealer last night. Recommended if you like science fiction.
Sort of a Tijuana version of Blade Runner.
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
[Edited on 1-19-2011 by Ken Cooke]
Oso - 8-10-2011 at 03:51 PM
I always liked "El Norte". It's in three languages; Maya, Spanish and English. Starts out in Guatemala with a brother and sister. The army kills
their father and takes away their mother. They decide to go to the U.S. My favorite scene was an uncle advising the boy not to let the migra know he
is Guatemalan if he gets caught, to insist he is Mexican so he'll be deported to Mexico since being sent back to Guatemala would be a death sentence.
In order to be convincing, the uncle teaches him to cuss like a Mexican. Sure enough, once they cross the first border, the first Mexican they
encounter is a truck driver changing a tire and cussing up a blue streak.Ken Cooke - 8-10-2011 at 04:41 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
[Edited on 1-19-2011 by Ken Cooke]
@TJ Bill - I loved this movie! To think such a futuristic film would take place in Tijuana and possibly the El Rosario or Cataviña area. Pretty
cool!tjBill - 8-10-2011 at 06:05 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
@TJ Bill - I loved this movie! To think such a futuristic film would take place in Tijuana and possibly the El Rosario or Cataviña area. Pretty
cool!
My favorite part was the futuristic Tijuana bar scene.
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