TCM Imports: Timeless Favorites and Hidden Gems of World Cinema (2025)

 

One problem I often have with a lot of American writings about international cinema is that often these writings are too academic and aimed at intellectuals or film scholars. Though these writings can often be very well written and insightful, they unfortunately perpetuate the idea that these films can only be enjoyed by intellectuals and are not accessible to the average movie goer. This is a fully false perception as international cinema is just as accessible to those who loved modern Hollywood blockbusters and can be enjoyed by anyone who likes movies.

 TCM host, Alicia Malone's new book takes an unpretentious and wholly accessible look at films from all over the world. This book would be a perfect introduction to anyone who has never seen a foreign film. Here she selects 52 movies including well established classics and little-known gems that even well versed cinephiles have never seen. While it is impossible to ever make a list of the 52 greatest international films, this is a very well-made list that includes many wonderful films that every movie fan should experience. It is also a very well-rounded list that is sure to have something to please any movie fan. The movies included range from the silent era to just a few years ago, from art films to fun genre flicks and from a wide variety of countries. 

I have never read Alicia Malone's previous books and am most familiar with her as a TCM host. As such I was very impressed by her writing style. Her writing style is a lot of fun to read, while being quite insightful at the same time. The way she writes about each movie here will make you automatically want to watch it as her joy and love of movies can easily be felt. At the same time, she provides a very insightful look at each of these films. She provides background information about the filmmakers and how these movies came to be. She also often puts the film into their context in film history and their roles in various film movements. Yet she does so in a way that never alienates newcomers. As such she creates a book that it a lot of fun for those unfamiliar with international cinema, while also being a great read for cinephiles. 

Movie Review: El Halcon / The Hawk

 

Michael's Movie Grade: F

An unbelievably bad movie from Mexico.  

This film takes place in a world where wrestlers are masked vigilantes of the Batman variety. Not only does this premise sound stupid but the film is horribly made. This movie feels amateurish in every department. This is especially obvious in the cinematography. It looks like it was shot by someone holding an iPhone and just learning how to make videos on it. The camera is constantly moving for no reason whatsoever and occasionally it will simply zoom in on a random spot. The odd placements of each closeup shot are unintentionally funny at first but simply get annoying as they persist. This is especially distracting during the fight scenes, where the camera never focuses in on the important part of the action. This movie is also a failure in both the story and character department. The story feels like it was written by an elementary school kid during a single recess. It makes no sense, and it lacks the self-awareness that such a ridiculous premise needs. At first, I thought this was going to be a silly comedy with how ridiculous everything was. However, if that was the intention there are no real jokes in the entire film. Not only this but the story feels like it is always copying some other movie that did everything much better. The characters themselves are as bland and boring as can be. It is hard to care for any of them at all. 

This is simply a mess and it hard to believe something this bad found its way to theaters. 

Movie Review: Radical

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A wonderful comedy-drama from Mexico.

If you were to simply read a description of this film's story (an unorthodox teacher helps kids, who everyone else has given up on, see their true potential), it might just sound like another typical feel-good movie. In many ways it kind of is. The film follows all the conventions of such movies. However, I have rarely seen this type of story told better than it is here. This movie truly pulls on the heartstrings and knows just how to make you smile and make you cry. Every emotional beat hits perfectly here and even the most familiar scenes can be very emotionally powerful. Much of this is due to the characters. Our main character is very likable and easy to both relate to and respect. While we definitely do look up to and admire him, the film also shows him as very human. When things get tough, he does have moments where he doubts whether or not he is doing the right thing and whether or not he can actually change these kids' lives. At the same time what he does for these kids is incredibly touching. I also appreciated that this movie never made his teaching methods too over the top. They may have been unorthodox, but they make sense. Many films would have played up his eccentrics for humor. However, that would have hurt the drama and made this movie seem unreal. The result here is the exact opposite. Yet he is not the only character he captivates us. We spend a good amount of time with three of his students. During this time, we get to know these kids just as well as we do with the teacher. Each of these kids has their own character arc that is completely believable and often quite emotional. Also, when focusing on these kids living in poverty, the film never sanitizes the position they are in. Instead, it takes an honest look at how these kids have incredible hurdles to overcome to make it in this world. It also has some scenes of real tragedy that are simply heartbreaking. Beneath this the film does offer us a sense of hope. Even in the worst circumstances, there can still be hope. This movie also takes an intelligent look at just what it means to have hope in such situations. All this leads not only to some very smart moments, but also some of the film's most emotional. The movie also benefits from a really good sense of humor that often made me laugh out loud.    

A wonderful movie. 

Movie Review: La Usurpadora: The Musical

 

Michael's Movie Grade: D-

A bland and overly cliché musical film from Mexico.

To say that this movie is over the top and soap opera-ish is an understatement. This film may be based off a TV soap opera, but even with this there is a certain limit to this kind of soap opera like storylines, that this movie definitely passes. There are so many over the top and overly convenient soap opera-ish turns in this story, that it is hard to have any emotional connection to anything that happens. This could work if the movie was played in a tongue in cheek manner, but instead, we are actually supposed to take this somewhat seriously. That proves to be impossible to do. Making this even worse is the characters here. They are very bland and have little personality outside of one or two character traits. Because of this the characters feel much more like story devices than actual people. We never feel these characters are real and therefore we never feel any emotional connection to them at all. This leaves one with little interest whenever there is a scene that is supposed to get an emotional response out of us. The storyline here is also as cliché as possible and has every soap opera cliché in the book. This makes it so anyone who has ever seen a movie knows exactly how it will end. 

The only good things I can say about this movie is that I actually liked some of the songs and there were one or two jokes that got a small chuckle. Other than that though this movie was a waste of time. 

Movie Review: Cuando Sea Joven

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A really charming comedy film from Mexico. 

This movie's plot is one that may not be exactly original. An older woman finds herself turning back into her 22-year-old self and gets a second chance at the life she missed out on. However this film stands above many similar movies because there is such a real undeniable charm to it and this charm lasts for the film's whole run time. The main characters are all simply delightful and while they each ay have their faults, there is a real likability to all of them. Over the course of the film, the characters feel more and more real to us. This is why even during the most cliché and predictable moments (which there are quite a bit), you never stop caring about them and the charm never wears off. The way the characters relate to and interact with each other is also wonderful. The scenes between the now younger grandmother and her grandson are simply delightful and really brought a smile to my face. This film is laugh out loud funny. Though this movie has all the typical jokes you might expect, they work exceptionally well here. Even though these may not be original jokes, the delivery, writing and characters are all so delightful that they are really funny. I expected to smile at this movie ore than actually laughing, but I ending up laughing a whole lot watching this film. What an incredibly pleasant surprise that was.     

This is simply a delight of a movie. 

Movie Review: Un rescate de huevitos

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C

An enjoyable little animated comedy from Mexico. 

To anyone familiar with animated movies, this film will feel incredibly familiar. The story of a father animal looking for his children who are in the hands of dangerous humans closely resembles that of Finding Nemo and many other animated feature films. Still there is a reason why stories become clichés and that is because they work and the story works pretty well here. Both the parents and the kids are likable and easy to root for. Because of this you care about what happens in the story. The villains are over the top enough to be fun, while still being threatening enough to serve their part in the story well. The action scenes (while nothing that will keep you on the edge of your seat) are fun and quite effective. While I doubt this film will make any of you cry, the more emotional parts of the movie hit surprisingly well.   

This movie unfortunately falls into the trap that too many family films do, constantly throwing jokes at the audience for a feature length story. While this approach can work, more often than not it proves to be a fault. It is truly difficult to be constantly funny in a feature film and that was why even the feature films with comedy teams like Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello and The Three Stooges had romantic subplots and songs. Because of this for every joke that works here (and there are quite a few), there are multiple ones that fall flat. Still that does not take away that there are times when the movie is truly funny. 

The worst part of the movie is that many of the side characters seem to be relegated to being one joke characters and for some of them that joke isn't even funny. This movie can also be pretty heavy handed when it comes to the film's message.

This is not a great movie by any means but it does provide a fun trip to the movies. 

Movie Review: My Boyfriend's Meds (Las Pildoras De Mi Novio)

Michael's Movie Grade: F

Bottom of the barrel Mexican comedy.

When I review I comedy, my main criteria is whether or not I laughed. This movie did not give me even one little laugh. Every joke was lazily written. The film went for cheap easy laughs and couldn't even get those. So much of the humor simply revolves around the idea of our main character doing embarrassing things because he is no longer on his meds. However most of these jokes have little set up or pay off besides what I have already said. Hearing someone yell cuss words, seeing them hallucinating or watching them hump a random woman's leg like a dog (I so wish I made up) in itself is not funny. There are few actual jokes, instead we simply watch him embarrass himself Another problem with this humor is that the movie wants you to care about and relate to this character, yet we are supposed to constantly laugh at him doing embarrassing things. This gives the film a mean-spiritedness and unpleasantness, that I doubt the filmmakers had in mind. The jokes that do not revolve around this are mostly crude sex jokes. These jokes are handled in the same way as the mental illness jokes. Just like how him doing embarrassing stuff in and of itself is supposed to be funny, the sex jokes are supposed to be funny simply because they are crude. There are simply too many comedies out there that don't understand that sex jokes aren't funny because of how vulgar they are but rather because of writing and delivery. This idea completely escapes My Boyfriend's Meds. The characters and story are not fleshed out and not to be taken too seriously. They exist many for the sake of the humor. This could work if the humor was funny, but since its not this makes the film even worse.

I will say Jamie Camil gives his all to the performance in this movie. He tries to bring a real energy to the lifeless jokes. Unfortunately there is nothing he can do to save the lazy, horrible humor.

This movie is a lesson in how not to make a comedy and I suggest avoiding it at all costs.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

Some Must See Movies From the 2010's

With the 2010's coming to a close, I feel it is only appropriate to look back on some of the great movies of this decade. This post will not be a best of list. Rather this is simply me listing some movies from this decade that I really enjoyed.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013, Japan). In my mind this is one of Studio Ghibli's best films and deserves to be mentioned with Spirited Away (2001) and Grave of the Fireflies (1988). This movie is a deceptively simple fairy tale that works on multiple levels. It can be enjoyed simply as a very charming fairy tale or a highly intelligent commentary on how our world defines happiness. The animation is incredible and with films like this, it is easy to wish hand drawn animation could still be the norm. I love how the animation will change to fit the emotional mood of the moment, while never feeling abrupt or distracting. The ending makes me tear up every time.

Lean on Pete (2018, U.S.A.). This is easily one of the most emotionally powerful movies of recent years. Yet this movie never slides into forced sentimentality. That is because this movie is an open and honest depiction of how harsh the world can be, but also the beauty that can be found in other moments. With the lack of warmth in our main character's life it is impossible not to understand or relate to his deep connection with the horse he works with. This movie never follows a conventional path and you will never know what we happen next, but be sure whatever does will hit your emotions hard. Be prepared to cry when you see this movie.

Tokyo Fiancée (2014, Belgium) Possibly one of the most offbeat romantic comedies of the decade and certainly one of the most enjoyable. This movie was based off the real life romance of Amélie Nothomb. Our main character grew up in Belgium but spent her life obsessed with all things Japanese. When she moves to Japan (as a French language tutor), she falls in love with a young man obsessed with all things French. What really makes this movie stand out are Pauline Etienne's incredible performance and the breathtaking shots of Japan. Though its offbeat and often very funny sense of humor doesn't hurt either.

Marie's Story (2014, France). A very heartwarming film about a young woman who is both blind and deaf and a nun who helps change her life. The story may seem familiar but it is told so spectacularly here, you won't care. This is a quiet little movie that requires you to pay attention but rewards you extremely richly when you do.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse (2018, U.S.A.). This animated feature is everything one could wish for in superhero movie. It is extremely fun, it has a great story with some depth, a fantastically original visual style and great characters. More than any other superhero movie I have ever seen this film makes it feel like a comic book come to life. This is not only one of the best animated superhero movies but one of the best superhero movies period.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011, U.S.A.) and Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014, U.S.A.). You may love or hate the MCU. Personally I love it and these are in my mind the finest movies to come out of it. The first Captain America is a lovely done period piece that is as fun as any MCU movie has ever been. The second is a more dark and serious film set in the modern day. Both are the smartest and best written movies Marvel Studios ever put out.

Parasite (2019, Korea). I would like to say as little about this movie as possible, as it is best to go in knowing as little as possible. Only know that this is one of the finest suspense movies of recent years.

Moana (2016, U.S.A.). This movie shows Disney animation at its best. Everything is as good as it gets including the songs, the animation, the characters, the story, the action and the pure Disney magic.

Inside Out (2015, U.S.A.). This is easily my favorite Pixar movie. It has everything that is great about Pixar films with none of the faults. Like with all the best movies from this studio, I felt like I traveled to another world. The design work is so perfectly imaginative and detailed that you can easily believe the inside of our mind really looks like this. The characters are fantastic and I like that they even tried to see how far they could push Joy while still making her likable. The story is the finest and most heartfelt to ever come from Pixar and this is the only movie from the studio that has actually made me cry.

Lady Bird (2017, U.S.A.). With just her debut feature, I am willing to accept Greta Gerwig as one of the finest directors of this generation. It is hard to think of any movie in recent years more perfect than Lady Bird. While there have been many movies about young people in their late teens coming of age, I hesitate to think of one that does it as well as this film. This movie is extremely intelligent, perfectly acted and cast, very funny, extremely heartfelt and perfectly directed. If there was a movie this decade I would dare call perfect it is Lady Bird.

Ida (2014, Poland). Movies as beautiful as this come along extremely rarely. This movie is full of pure cinematic magic from beginning to end. Made in black and white, this is one of the best looking films of this decade. The cinematography is perfection, often making one wish black and white movies were still common. However this film is hardly all style and no substance. Director and Co-writer Pawel Pawlikowski revisits his childhood with this movie's story and does it in an incredibly moving and powerful way. No movie buff should go without seeing this brilliant work of art.

Feliz Año Tijuana (2018, Mexico). I came into this movie knowing nothing about it. Little did I except it would be such a moving and powerful film. This movie takes a small simple story a professor who by chance meets an old student in Tijuana at New Years, and turns it into something truly special. This is an independent movie all the way. In fact it was shot without a script, being mostly improvised over six days of shooting. This movie came and left theatres with hardly anybody noticing. However it is truly a great movie and I hope some of you will take the time to seek it out.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: En Brazos de un Asesino

Michael's Movie Grade: F

I hated this movie with a passion. I hated every tortuous second this film lasted.

There is absolutely nothing this movie does right. The characters are not only stereotypes of movie characters, they are caricatures. This would be no problem if this film was some sort of parody. However this movie takes itself deadly serious. There is not a moment of fun in sight making this film's faults all the more obvious. The storyline is simply a mess of clichés handled in the worst possible ways. Normally I would say at this point that it all feels like something you have seen a million times before. However you have rarely if ever seen it done this badly. The movie just hops around from cliché to cliché with little regard of stopping to give us a reason to care. For a while the story is as rushed as possible. What is strange about this is that as the film basically finishes its story early. After this the movie just meanders like it is trying to find something to do with the time remaining. The result of this is that the last half hour or so of this film is just gore and sex scenes. Both of which are handled completely poorly. The gore is simply unpleasant to look at with a complete lack of either fun or depth. The sex scenes are incredibly unsexy and are actually even more unpleasant than the gore. One of them with our two main characters having to pleasure each other while a creepy man watches (how I wish I made that up) may be one of the worst scenes I have ever seen in any movie. Making this worse is how our main female character is handled. She is a tragic figure who was forced to live much of her life as a sex slave. Despite this once she gets free she simply becomes a figure for the filmmakers to sexualize. She wears outfits as revealing as can be, when she is not completely naked. She is constantly thinking of having sex with our leading man. The man treats her like trash but somehow the film seems to think a man treating a woman like crap is sexy and mysterious. Personally I don't get it. He does save her though a few times, but continues to treat her the same afterwards. If this was treated intelligently, it could make for a thought provoking movie. It isn't, as the movie thinks it is romantic. Though our man female character starts off as a strong-willed character, it takes no time at all until she becomes a typical damsel in distress only with a larger sex drive. Those become strangely her two defining character traits, if not her two only ones.

Leaving this movie I tried to think if I had ever seen a worse movie. I could honestly not think of one and I still can't.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

Movie Review: Tod@s Caen

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

An enjoyable little romantic comedy from Mexico.

A man (Omar Chaparro) believes he fully understands how to manipulate any woman he dates. A woman (Martha Higareda, who also cowrote the screenplay) believes she can manipulate any man she dates. When they end up falling for each other, the relationship is harder than either one planned. If this sounds like a very typical romantic comedy plot, that is because it is. Anyone who knows the genre even a little can tell you what is going to happen from beginning to end. However even if this movie is cliché it can be really fun at times. The main relationship very likable and you do want these two to end up with each other. There is a real sweetness behind both of them that keeps them from being the bland male and female stereotypes, they could have easily been. The idea of the main characters being able to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience was definitely a good one, and give this movie more of its own identity. I also think it is very clever how Mia talks to the women in the audience while Adan talks to the men. As well as our two main characters a romance between their friends (Mauricio Barrientos, Claudia Alvarez) is actually quite sweet and charming. The humor can be quite hit and miss to be honest. Watching Mauricio's character unsuccessfully flirt with a woman in a grocery store makes you feel sorry for him rather than laugh. Same thing happens when he later talks to his girlfriend's mother and gets nervous. A similar thing happens when our main male character ends up a party without his clothes. Embarrassment humor can be a difficult thing to pull off and this movie isn't able to do it. However on the other hand scenes that derive from the characters verbally trying to one up the other are quite funny.

This movie is never going to be considered a classic and may not be one you will think about much. But for what it ends, it provides a fun trip to the movies.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

Movie Review: No Manches Frida 2

Michael's Movie Grade: F

Review: Astonishingly bad comedy not only is extremely clichéd, but is also completely laugh free.

This movie is about as juvenile as a comedy can get. In fact one of the film's main plot points is put into play by a long vomit joke. To some this would be an immediate turn off. However the comedy being immature is the least of its problems. The main problem is just how phoned in it is. Not a single joke is actually funny. Each one instead feels like a joke we have heard a million times, being told by someone who doesn't understand why it was funny in the first place. Not only does this movie go for the cheapest and easiest jokes possibly, but doing so it doesn't even get any cheap and easy laughs from the audience. Instead this movie is just going through the motions and even the biggest fans of immature comedies will find themselves having laughed very little by the time the movie is done.

This is a Mexican film, but the influence of Hollywood cinema can more than easily be felt. However rather than feeling like an homage to Hollywood movies, it simply takes all of their clichés. This movie takes clichés from underdog movies, romantic comedies and raunchy comedies. Anyone who has seen more than a couple Hollywood movies can tell you how each plot point will end up as soon as that plot point is announced. Rather than telling a fun story that happens to be clichéd, this movie dutifully and obviously follows each rule of these clichés adding nothing along the way. There seems to be no desire to actually have fun with these clichés instead they feel as cheap and easy as the comedy.

I don't except every comedy to be high art or thought provoking (after all I'm a Three Stooges fan), what I do except however is for one to be enjoyable. I want to laugh and have fun at a movie like this, but this movie is completely lacking in both laughs and fun.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: Perfectos desconocidos (Perfect Strangers)

Michael's Movie Grade: B

Review: A highly entertaining Mexican movie with some very interesting ideas.

What if the people you spend the most time with could see every text and hear every phone call you get. This a fascinating idea to think about and it is fun to put yourself in the characters' shoes and think what would happen if you and your friends played this game.

 This movie consists mostly of people sitting around a table talking. It seems like a film like this could easily get tiring or boring. The surprising thing is that it doesn't. Much of this is due to just how good the cast is. Each actor gives his or her all to these roles and it shows. There is great chemistry between all of them and it is fantastic to watch them play off each other. Much of the interplay and teasing between the characters is quite funny. For the most part it is not laugh out loud funny, but it does make one smile or chuckle for a good length of it. The movie starts off as a full on comedy and gets more serious towards the end. However this works just fine because the comedy helps us get to know the characters and therefore care more during the more serious parts. Though this movie is mostly set in one room director Alex de la Iglesia and cinematographer Angel Amoros manage to keep the movie visually interesting as the camera pans from character to character in a way that makes us feel like we are sitting at the table with them.

A problem with this movie though is that it can be too safe. The basic story is a fascinating one and while what they do with it is good, one can't help but wish they had gone further in some ways. With the exception of one twist, what comes out about the characters feels conventional and predictable. However we should not be angry at this film for what it isn't but instead enjoy it for what it is and it is a good movie that kept me entertained for its entire length.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: Feliz Año Tijuana

Review written by Michael J. Ruhland












Michael's Movie Grade: A-

Review: A very powerful and moving film, takes a simple story line and creates something profoundly moving from it.

To look at a simple plot summary, one might think this is a paper thin story that could not support a whole feature-length film. However though this story is extremely simple and not elaborate, the film actually uses this to its advantage. This movie is like watching a couple days in our main character's life. In this film, while forced to stay in Tijuana after missing his flight, a college professor runs into one of his former students and a hooker. What comes out of this is a plethora of powerful emotions. We feel sad, happy, confused, curious and uncomfortable. This works so well because this is just what our main character is feeling. For 75 minutes, we become this character. During many scenes we see and know little more than he does. This is especially true of a rather uncomfortable and shocking scene in the bathroom. We know little more than what he does about what is happening there. The movie drifts from fast paced comedy to uncomfortably dark places. However the transitions between these works incredible as they all revolve around what the character is feeling. When he is partying very hard, the film is quite funny, but in a scene where he is becoming very paranoid the movie becomes almost painful to watch. At the beginning of the film the tone is especially light as we see him getting a hotel room that is very different from what he expected. These early scenes are downright hilarious. However even at this time, we get a sense of the uncomfortableness to come. He is an outsider in this room as he will mostly remain for the rest of the film.


Supposedly this film was done without a script. If this is true it works incredibly to the film's advantage. The movie feels very natural and none of the dialogue feels forced. Each line and look from the characters seems to happen as if no one knows what is going to happen next, creating a feeling of uncertainty and spontaneity that is hard to resist as it pulls us further and further into the shoes of its main character.

This movie probably won't receive the recognition, it definitely deserves. This is a small film in many ways that will never reach the same crowd that flock to so many Hollywood blockbusters. Some of my fellow Non-Spanish speakers will not want to have to read subtitles (something I have never minded).Many others will have no interest in a character study with little action and some uncomfortable scenes. Still I urge some of these people to try something new and see this movie. Maybe it will leave the strong impact on some of you that it did on me.


-Michael J. Ruhland      

Movie Review: La Boda de Valentina

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland



















Michael's Movie Grade: B-

Review: A sweet and charming romantic comedy, even if there is nothing that we haven't seen many times before.

What makes this movie work is that the characters are just so likable. They feel often to be fully developed and we actually do feel sorry for them at times. With the exception of two characters (more on that later), all the major characters avoid being the easy romantic comedy movie stereotypes that we have seen a million times. This is not because they do fit into these stereotypes (which they often do), but because there is more to their characters than just that. No character is without faults, but there is also no character in which there is nothing likable about. In other words they feel like real people. While the story here has been done a million times before and anyone who has seen even a few romantic comedies will recognize the film as nothing original, it is handled quite well. The movie never tries to present itself as anything new. It is as aware of the fact that we all know this story as Hallmark Christmas films are and like the best of those movie, if we except this unoriginality we can still have plenty of fun here. And this movie is fun. We know what is going to happen, but we also enjoy watching unfold. The story simply tells this story as simply as possible and there is a charm to that.

However on the bad side, the scenes with the newscasters are just too annoying. I can see that there is meant to be in element of satire in this, but it falls flat. As such I was glad when each of these brief scenes ended. Similarly the character of Bernardo is rather annoying. I understand what they were trying to do with this character, but it still falls flat. Similarly there is the character of the in-jail Grandma, who is nothing but the romantic comedy stereotype, the other characters could have so easily been.

On a whole, if you do not except this movie to bring anything new there is a lot to enjoy about it.

-Michael J. Ruhland
   
   

Movie Review: Un Padre No Tan Padre

 

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland




















Michael's Movie Grade: B+

Review: Excellent Mexican comedy.

This film has tons of charm. The characters are really likable. Even the grumpy old man of the story is likable. They all have their flaws, but you truly believe they mean well. More than just the characters themselves, you also believe in the relationships in these characters. Though they don't get along, you fully believe that deep down inside the father and son love each other. The cast is fantastic. Héctor Bonilla's performance as Don Servando stands out as an especially amazing piece of acting, even among a great cast. The humor is quite funny and unlike too many modern comedies, it doesn't rely too much on being vulgar, it is just plain old funny. Adding to this charm as well is the fact that the film is not afraid to have quiet reflective moments. This moments are sweet believable and sometimes even profound. The slower quieter scenes in the film remain the films most beautiful and poignant scenes. 

The downside of this film though is that there is little here that has not been seen in other films. We have seen this story before and we know how it will play out. Despite this however the story is very well told, and the movie is just a joy to watch. The numerous great things about this film overcome this fault that could really hurt a lesser movie.

A delight. 

-Michael J. Ruhland   

Movie Review: El Jeremias

 

Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland



















Michael's Movie Grade:A-

Review: Fantastic movie that is both funny and moving.

As I have mentioned before, one of the many things I love about movies is when, I discover something great that I completely did not except. I just went to this film because I felt like seeing something different from what I have seen in theaters lately, and a Spanish-langue Mexican movie, nobody I know has mentioned felt like just the ticket. I got in just a few minutes before the previews started, and discovered I was the only one in the theater. I began to wonder if I had chosen the right movie to see. That fear was soon quieted. In the first few minutes I found myself laughing and enjoy these characters.

Nearly everything about this movie was great. Martian Castro (his film debut) is a very talented child actor, the whole cast is great in fact, the humor is very funny, the drama is quite touching and the film has a great and very important message, about family, childhood and life in general. There were few predictable moments, when I knew what was going to happen, but with how good the rest of the movie was this was just a nitpick.

This movie was the feature film directorial debut of Anwar Safa. I recommend seeing this film and keeping a track of this director in the future.

-Michael J. Ruhland