41 CLFF, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews

Beloved Tropic-41 CLFF-Review

Leave a comment

This is one of those artistic films that made me feel cultured and doing good deeds do not go unpunished. Written and directed by Ana Endara Mislov, Beloved Tropic is a film that weaves the narrative tone of connection through cultures of wealth and change. It is also one that is solely focused on an individual dealing with a pregnancy situation while trying to make ends meet. With its selection of being in the 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival, Beloved Tropic is a film that also connects the countries of Panama and Colombia—many of the correlations are done through the film presenting characterizations in tune with finding connections. Mixed feelings come along with Beloved Tropic.

The focus of the film is a pregnant immigrant named Ana Maria (played by Jenny Navarrete). She is hired by Jimena (played by Juliette Roy) to look after her mother Mercedes (played by Paulina Garcia). Mercedes is wealthy but is also suffering from dementia. Deep down though, she wants to thrive and be happy and Ana is her savior in this. As Ana takes care of Mercedes, they establish a bond that opens many doors of wonders. Some of them are sad, some are happy, and some are unanswered. Through it all there is a context of feeling connected when there is limited time left in life which correlates to enhance the cinematic essence.

Beloved Tropic is by far one of the most culturally and ethically fueled films I have seen at the 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival. Bonding moments and turmoil finding light weave together in Beloved Tropic. It has haunting components that continue to search for hope for both Ana Maria with her pregnancy and Mercedes with her overall health. The film is a little subtle in increments but cinematically keeps the texture of emotions in tune. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Beloved Tropic.

Film reviews

The Amateur Review

Leave a comment

With Rami Malek taking on more diverse roles with classic components, he displays his intelligent side with a mind for revenge. The Amateur is one-of-a-kind and Malek plays the role of an individual with a strategic mind that crosses the line. It is a dazzling thriller that is filled with espionage that makes for a spy adventure with realms of uncertainty. Malek delivers a mind-boggling performance as do Laurence Fishburne and Holt McCallany.  All three play characters that can be either good guys or bad guys—at the same time. Malek’s character uses his skills because he is determined to get back at what was taken from him.

Malek plays Heller, a decoder for CIA operations. He seems to have a happy life with his wife Sarah (played by Rachel Brosnahan). She is on a trip to London when Heller receives the news that his wife has been killed in a terrorist attack. When the news is delivered from Director Moore (McCallany), Heller tries to find every technical avenue to put together the political pieces to explain why his wife was attacked. He also tries to determine the intent. A world of espionage is exposed that pushes Heller to the brink as his life expands to a whole different level.

The film weaves together a complicated tango between the emotional side and the political side of the situation. To an extent, there is a layer of uncertainty that fuels the film’s fire. With spy tactics in the mix, there are elements of surprise that are subtle and unexpected. I found these elements to be quite enticing in The Amateur. The intriguing politics combined with layers of technology create an interesting evolution that can open puzzles of possibilities. Deep down, however, flying below the radar is a recurring challenge in The Amateur.

The film is full of a new level of performance by Malek. He displays a level of a genius during the technical attacks, but not so much when physical altercations are involved. That is, in fact, where Fishburne’s performance as Henderson shines. His character tries to walk Heller through the steps of what it takes to be a killer and defend yourself. In the end, Heller is in a situation where he still feels that the world around him is two-faced. The film’s writing plays up this two-faced vibe which sends chills due to the political tension and uncertainty. The film tackles an interesting set-up for a thriller that succeeds by establishing engrossing patterns.

It is not an amazing movie, but it keeps viewers thinking. What has Heller’s wife done to be killed? What corruption is present in the government that is blocking Heller from putting the pieces together? What are the espionage factors related to the death?The film’s writing which highlights politics, spies, and vengeance with a mix of technical and psychological components is more effective than the combat motive in The Amateur. The result is a vivid and exciting ride, but it requires patience. Two out of four stars.

Film reviews

A Minecraft Movie

Leave a comment

From the mind of Jared Hess, there is classiness and silliness that tango in fruitful directions. For those who are fans of Napoleon Dynamite, the dynamics of A Minecraft Movie have characterizations that feel similar. People with the level of nerdiness (like Napoleon Dynamite) in the world of video games.  A Minecraft Movie is astounding with its introduction of video games and pixels to drive the film’s continuity on a level that all ages can connect with. Once the film began, I felt tingling moments of laughter running through my head. Primarily because of how it swiftly begins with Jack Black’s voice. Then going forward, it continues to be a landscape of an ambience filled with twists, turns, good guys, bad guys, and a lot of gaming galore combined with a plot.

In A Minecraft Movie the audience is introduced to Black’s performance as Steve. Steve has his own struggles and finds inspiration and escape in the world of the “Minecraft” game. He lays out the foundation. Another character is Garrett, and he is played by Jason Momoa. Garrett is an individual who had a life of fame based on his gaming talents and is now in deficits, facing foreclosures on his entertainment store. Finally, there are Natalie and Henry. Natalie is played by Emma Meyers and Henry is played by Sebastian Hansen. They are a brother and sister having their own life of turmoil. With a foundation of hardship, these four individuals all find themselves teaming-up entering into “The Overworld.” The place is filled with magical tricks, and many cubes that come to life in comedic tones and creations. While all have talents with arts and crafts, they must come together to use them as if it were their last chance.

A Minecraft Movie fuels its storyline with the foundation of characters with personalities connecting. Black and Momoa together make for cinematic and classic jam comedy for all ages. The journey taking place in a game is one with many portals to new missions and adventures. It takes the audience a level of depth that is mind-boggling yet enticing. Some moments are hit or miss, but the class of humor does not lose its touch in A Minecraft Movie.

With the missions going back and forth and the many new dimensions of realizations, the fun goes full throttle. It is not amazing, but its characters are top-notch and memorable. From Hess’s direction, I was able to sense his Napoleon Dynamite side in the direction—because the outcomes have moments that are surprises to the audience. This comes around a lot with the blockades occurring in the video game world. It truly shines though with Black and Momoa as they are reminiscent of Napoleon and Pedro set up in the world of a video game. 

There are two lines of dialogue that spoke to me clearly with this one-of-a-kind film. The first line is, “Creativity in this world is key to survival.” That quote thrives positively through the hurdles of all the dimensions and endless possibilities. The other quote is, “LET’S MINECRAFT!” There is a whole lot of that and key moments that I was vibing with immensely. Even though I do not view A Minecraft Movie as amazing, it caters to its audience of all ages in an authentic style of directing and creating key points to add value. Three out of four stars for A Minecraft Movie.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!