My Letter to the Editor.

Today unintentionally became Madonna day at the blog and I apologize if it seems like a bit "too much" (fanboy to death!) but on my way home, I was reading The New Yorker and ran into Anthony Lane's review for W.E.
To say I almost puked is an understatement, Mr. Lane's review was not only irresponsible, it also proved that men who have a problem with women in power take it out on them in any way they can.

I arrived home completely incensed and wrote the following letter to the editor:

"I was appalled to read Anthony Lane's chauvinistic review for Madonna's W.E. in which he makes it clear that he let his hormones and narrow mindedness get the best of him. Not only is the review itself an attack of its director as opposed to a smart deconstruction of the movie, but when Lane writes "what on Earth is the point of a Madonna product, in any medium, if it contains not a single orgy?", he makes it quite clear that not only is he unfamiliar with Madonna's work - he really should listen to her protest album "American Life" or the way she removes sex out of the equation in "Erotica" - Mr. Lane also makes it quite clear that he dislikes Madonna because he couldn't contain the sheer power of her artistic persona in his masturbatory fantasies."

Can you believe anyone would say that about an artist? Would Mr Lane suggest that Picasso's works were only limited to painting whores or that Truffaut only made movies about children? By reducing an artist to a stereotype of one of their many aspects isn's only disrespectful, it's utterly lazy as well. However Mr. Lane would probably never make such a comment if he were talking about David Lynch, Martin Scorsese or Terrence Malick, who despite being masters of the form, often revisit the same themes over and over. This reductive review truly made me sick, although what can you expect of someone who thought the best part in Albert Nobbs were Janet McTeer's "regal" breasts?

Am I right in being so offended by this sexist approach to Madonna's work? This comes in the light of a superb article posted in The Guardian which states that Madge's work is usually criticized because she plays in the boys' league and they hate it.

Boo!

Happy Halloween! This is me as Finn from Adventure Time (one of the TV shows EVERYONE should be watching). What were you today?

Under the Volcano.

I'm here for work. I miss the movies! What are you all up to?

Jury Duty.

A few months ago I had the pleasure of being invited to become a jury member for the upcoming Beneath the Earth Film Festival a groundbreaking opportunity for filmmakers the world over to show their talents to the world.

Currently festival organizers are still accepting submissions for the official selection, if you are interested I urge you to click on the link above and read all about the fest.

If you know someone who might be interested in submitting a film, send them here:

Start Spreading the News...

As of today the blog will enter a short hiatus (it's not as if I've written much lately anyway...) as I will be in my favorite city on Earth, pretending I'm Holly Golightly.

If all goes well I might take in a few movies (Jane Eyre, The Arbor, Meek's Cutoff, Scream 4 and The Beaver I'm looking at you...) and review them.

If not, it's probably because I imploded from the fabulousness exuded by the amazing Kylie Minogue in her concert (main reason of my trip!).

Either way I might break this promise and blog anyway. NYC always inspires me...

What will you all be doing during my absence?

Lion Heart.

The most important man in my life (at the moment) turns 50 today.

He hates pop culture and American TV but still had a Desperate Housewives character named after him...



He might not know a thing about projecting films but when I was little made me feel like I was living in Cinema Paradiso.



I always say he reminds me of Homer Simpson, not because of his stupidity (my dad doesn't have a single dumb hair on his head) but because of his immense heart...


(also this picture very well exemplifies his eternal search for a theological truth)

I may not say it too often, or too much, but I'm sure he knows I love him.


He will always be my Atticus Finch.

So, everyone please proceed to wish my papa a very happy birthday.

Take,Toss,Store

The blog enters a very short hiatus from today until Monday.
I'll be moving during the weekend and while I get settled into my new apartment I doubt I'll have the time or energy to get online much.
I'll sure miss writing and talking to all you guys out there and I'll sure miss the movies (won't get to see Iron Man 2 until next week!)
If anybody wants to come help with the packing, you're more than welcome!

Just don't forget to bring champagne!

Why the FICG Rocked My World.

So yes, I'm finally back and blogging after ten days of pure movie bliss. I had no idea film festivals could be so exhausting and between the screenings, drink-until-early-hours-of-the-morn' parties, conferences and sight seeing I honestly had no chance to write a single word about any of the films I saw.
I did see wonderful things which you will learn all about in the upcoming days (I have a theory about an alternate Oscar win now) and I gained new faith in the art of the short film (why oh why don't we get more of them?).
The overall experience was fantastic and I really urge everyone out there to make sure they visit Guadalajara at least once; it's such a wonderful city!
Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful but it is also one of the most cultural places I've ever been to. Few things have given me as much pleasure as watching a bunch of 14 year olds walk into the screening of an Israeli film and actually stop texting while the movie played.
But that wasn't the only great thing about Guadalajara;

• It was fascinating to learn about the different takes on film criticism between Europeans and Americans.
  While screenwriter Michael Tolkin all but declared that criticism was irrelevant in the face of Twitter and blogs, European festival organizers saw this as an opportunity to reaffirm the need of leading voices in film criticism that actually contribute to the overall experience of watching a film.
  There was a debate between important Latin American film critics that stimulated me intellectually in shamelessly pleasurable ways.
• I had no idea how old Matt Dillon actually was. He sure looks good though.
• I attended the world premiere of a movie which didn't even have an IMDB page yet! More about that soon...
• Ugh it's so ridiculous to think of the amount of movies that never get distribution in most countries. Out of the dozen or so films I saw there are some that have only premiered in festivals and Norway!
• The screenwriter of Goodbye, Lenin! bought me a beer!
• A Prophet is nothing short of majestic on a giant movie screen.
• Diego Luna has got to be one of the nicest movie people out there, I wasn't even starstruck when I was in the same room with him!
• Kinatay was a letdown in terms of shock...am I becoming too difficult to surprise?
• Nothing like Europop to uplift a so-so movie and make it more entertaining than it has any right to be.
  

More to come about the fabulous festival movies after I get a much needed rest...
How have all of you been?

Mexicoma.

From today until next week the blog will enter a short hiatus while I indulge in everything Carrie Bradshaw refused to enjoy while visiting Mexico.
I'm in Guadalajara for a workshop during the International Film Festival. Might get to meet Diego Luna and Matt Dillon (random combination I know...)
So keep an eye for a random update on Twitter and be back here next week! May you all have a wonderful, film filled time!

My Oscar Class of 2009.

When all is said, done, and awarded, the truth is that the Oscars are still great because, taking Madge out of context, they make the people come together.
Be it the three billion who were watching tonight, or me and my friends, they always assure that for one night at least people coming from all different kinds of backgrounds get together, have fun, drinks and food while watching a show where almost nobody has seen the nominees and mlost of the time we never agree with the winners.
But whether it be the fact that Penélope Cruz's gorgeous speech got a couple of my friends teary eyed or that we all had a blast watching who was wearing what and fantasizing about what Jennifer Aniston could've thrown Angelina when she presented an award, they still guarantee a degree of communion, fun and love for the movies (especially those we want to see more after they win something...) that practically nothing else does.
I'll post my analysis of the show tomorrow, I've had too much sangría to bother tonight, but I'll mention some of the things I'm just dying to write about.
Like the fact, of course, and anyone who's visited this site will know, I was ecstatic after Penélope won! I was actually shaking with excitement (I thank the Academy for ridding me of my most awaited award very early in the night, because it gave me the chance to drink as much as I wanted for the three hours after it...).
I also loved Kate Winslet's win, she is the epitome of what an actress should be and while I'm not so sure I loved the show's new concept, they were still pretty great entertainment.
But back to the original subject of this post, most of all I want to thank all the people who've joined me this year; those who had to listen to my eternal Oscar rants when they wanted to talk about important stuff and those who actually take the time to come and read my crazy thoughts on cinema.
Without all of you, this would've never been so great.