Category Archives: Penélope Cruz

2013 Films, Antonio Banderas, Antonio de la Torre, Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy, International, International Comedy, Javier Cámara, Pedro Almodovar, Penélope Cruz, Spanish

I’m So Excited-2013

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I’m So Excited-2013

Director Pedro Almodovar

Starring Antonio de la Torre, Hugo Silva

Scott’s Review #25

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B-

The latest offering by superb Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar, who directed the brilliantly disturbing The Skin I Live In (2011) a few years ago, returns with a vast departure.

He delves into a campy, lighthearted, yarn about a group of passengers and crew aboard a troubled flight in I’m So Excited (2013).

The group turns to booze and drugs to console themselves and a circus ensues.

Someone had described this as the gay Airplane! (1980) and that is fitting. Everyone on board is gay, bi-curious, or otherwise sexually confused and the one-liners keep coming.

The premise sounds hysterical, but sadly, the film does not measure up to expectations.

FYI: I felt Airplane! was overrated.

Funny moments, but the “over-the-topness” was too much to take remotely seriously and somehow did not hold my attention throughout.

Not Almodovar’s best work by a longshot.

2013 Films, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Crime Thriller, Javier Bardem, John Leguizamo, Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Ridley Scott, Rosie Perez, Thriller

The Counselor-2013

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The Counselor-2013

Director Ridley Scott

Starring Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt

Scott’s Review #18

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A-

The Counselor (2013) is a star-studded, unique, drug trafficking thriller set in Mexico and Texas.

The film has met with some debate as viewers either loved or hated it. There appears to be a case made that those who hated it did not understand the movie.

It is not a “by the numbers” or “predictable” popcorn film. It’s much better than that. It’s a thinking man’s movie.

I saw shades of Quentin Tarantino’s influence and parts were reminiscent of the wonderful TV series Breaking Bad (2008-2013).

There are intersecting stories and heavy acting talent (Fassbender and Diaz are the standouts). This is Cameron Diaz’s best role and wish she would go edgy more often.

There are three brilliantly well-done scenes (motorcycle, Brad Pitt on the street, and landfill scene) that are as disturbing as they are artistic.

There are some plot holes, that can be overlooked.

It’s not simply an action film, but a character-driven one.

The viewing of The Counselor (2013) is a unique experience.