"The Maldonado Miracle" is the story of a small and sleepy former mining town coming back to life, demonstrating how oftentimes people fail to see what's right in front of them. This is Salma Hayek's directorial debut, and I look forward to seeing more of her work. Peter Fonda is Father Russell, who is at a turning point in his life, as are most of the other major players. The relationship between bar owner Cruz (Ruben Blades) and coffee shop owner Maisie (Mare Winningham) is especially charming. The essential plot revolves around a young boy (Eddy Martin) in search of his father, hiding in the church with his dog. I'm keeping this information cryptic so as not to provide any spoilers. Suffice it to say that this portrayal is well done, with fine actors and the occasional surprise humor. It won't change your life, but it may uplift an evening.
Cheers the Spirit
Salma Hayak's freshman directorial attempt is an entertaining film. She comments in the DVD feature interview that it is difficult for women directors in Hollywood because it is a male-dominated profession. However, this effort shows promise. She also talks about how she searched to find Eddy Martin who plays Jose. In his only screen role to date, Eddy does a fine job as the young boy who illegally crosses the border, befriended only by his dog, into a different American world. Peter Fonda was first nominated for an Oscar as a screenwriter for "Easy Rider" in 1969. It wasn't until his nomination for best actor in 1997 as the beekeeper in "Ulee's Gold" that his minimalist acting style was recognized for the intensity it generates on screen. As Father Russell, he is a quiet brooding priest, about at a crisis of faith, who shepherds the small struggling church in San Ramos. His performance is adept as in the scene where he faces reporters who want to know if there were a miracle. Father Russell isn't sure and we see all the levels of conflict flash across Fonda's face as he considers what he believes, what he knows & what he should be saying. Mare Winningham was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for "Georgia" in 1995. As the diner proprietor Maisie, she shows great tenderness to the little boy Jose, attraction for Cruz, and secret unhappiness. Panamanian singer/actor Ruben Blades who was in "The Cradle Will Rock" and James Redford's (Robert's son) freshman directorial film "Spin," does a nice job as the town local who has feelings for Maisie. Soledad St. Hilaire was in "Real Women Have Curves" and does an outstanding job here as Josephina who discovers the miracle and embellishes it. Father Russell has an assistant, Brother Amos, played by Scott Michael Thomas who was in "Hart's War" with Colin Farrell & Bruce Willis and also in "Flight of the Phoenix." He does a nice job as the novice whose hopeful attitude is one that the town lacks. My other favorite in this cast was Bill Sage who plays Lyle, married to the town beautician with a 10-year childless marriage. Sage was in "American Psycho" and has a new sci-fi pic "The Girl from Monday" coming out this year. He does an excellent job showing all the levels from blue collar beer-drinking sports enthusiast, negative down-in-the-mouth guy with an attitude, to loving prospective father as he and wife Stella have their own little miracle. Although his will be an unheralded role, he delivers an excellent performance. His wife Stella is played by Christina Cabot who had a small role in "The Italian Job." Hayak says that the picture is about hope. There is a lack of it in the town until the arrival of Jose. Based on a Theodore Taylor novel, it is a sweet story that cheers the spirit and warms the heart. Enjoy!
:(
While the story kept my interest somewhat, I disliked the "message."
*SPOILERS*
If the blood on the crucifix actually turned out to be the boy's blood, the story would have been much better. However, it turned out not to be, and therefore was supposed to be a miracle. At this time, God doesn't work through such miracles, as far as I know, so this was a disappointing movie.
There was also swearing and some immodest clothing.
In the Time of the Butterflies tells the real-life story of the Mirabal sisters, courageous revolutionaries known covertly as las Mariposas ("the Butterflies"). The sisters' years of dissent during the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic led to their eventual murder in 1960, a brutal crime that signaled the beginning of the end for Trujillo. Told through the eyes of Minerva Mirabal (Salma Hayek), the story follows a somewhat predictable plot line as the sisters progress rapidly from naive to idealistic to victimized and on to resolved as they become leaders in an elaborate plot to assassinate the dictator. As with so many biographical depictions on film, even though this one is based on a highly acclaimed novel by Julia Alvarez, the narrative shifts from past to... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Salma Hayek - Lumi Cavazos Director(s): Mariano Barroso DVD Release Date: Released the 07 May 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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The cunning plot of Living It Up walks a line between a romantic comedy and a con-game thriller (like The Sting or The Spanish Prisoner). As a bus driver named Martin (Carmelo Gomez) stands atop a bridge, about to throw himself off, a bystander suggests an alternative: If Martin borrows $100 million from the mob, he can live the high life for a week and then commit suicide--thus getting out of the debt. Martin agrees and immediately starts going to clubs and throwing outrageous parties by inviting everyone on a random page in the phone book. But when he runs into Lola (Salma Hayek), he starts to think life might be worth living after all. Unfortunately, Lola isn't all that she seems... and the week is coming to an end. Gomez is charming, Hayek is luscious, and... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Salma Hayek - Carmelo Gómez Director(s): Antonio Cuadri DVD Release Date: Released the 18 September 2001 Usually ships within 24 hours
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The beauty of the South American landscape and of Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Bad Education) gives The Motorcycle Diaries a charisma that is decidedly apolitical. But this portrait of the young Che Guevara (later to become a militant revolutionary) is half buddy-movie, half social commentary--and while that may seem an unholy hybrid, under the guidance of Brazillian director Walter Salles (Central Station) the movie is quietly passionate. Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna, a lusty and engaging actor) set off from Buenos Aires, hoping to circumnavigate the continent on a leaky motorcycle. They end up travelling more by foot, hitchhiking, and raft, but their experience of the land and the people affects them profoundly. No... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Walter Salles DVD Release Date: Released the 15 February 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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This movie shows a panorama of awful events in Poland during the nazi occupation of WWII. It demonstrates the evil acts of the nazis and the terrible effects they have on the Pols and their behavior toward each other.
The religious aspects of the film are strange and lacking in depth or quality.
The only reason I can think of to watch this is to be reminded of how terribly humans can act toward each other. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Yurek Bogayevicz DVD Release Date: Released the 04 January 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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While My Big Fat Greek Wedding broke box-office records in 2002, Real Women Have Curves did a better job of keeping it real. Set in the vibrant environs of East Los Angeles, with a breakthrough performance by Latina newcomer America Ferrera, this comedic drama takes a familiar subject--a bright teenager struggling to define her identity--and turns it into an authentic celebration of feminine empowerment. Eighteen-year-old Ana (Ferrera) has scholarship potential, her first boyfriend, and a chubby figure that her similarly overweight mother (Lupe Ontiveros, perfectly cast) won't stop harping about. Mom insists that Ana work in her sister's dressmaking sweatshop, continuing a family tradition that can only break her spirit. How Ana defies this fate--and how director Patricia... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): America Ferrera - Lupe Ontiveros - Ingrid Oliu Director(s): Patricia Cardoso DVD Release Date: Released the 22 April 2003 This item is currently not available.
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