Tag Archives: Film reviews

41 CLFF, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews

Bitter Gold-41 CLFF-Review

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In the 41st year of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, my experience began with a film that is poverty-based in the vast surroundings of a desert. A film where mining and finding gold is the goal, but the dynamics and political factors are what lie beneath the surface. Directed by Juan Francisco Olea, the uncertainty of challenging moving parts is a prominent theme in Bitter Gold. I found this to be a one-of-a-kind achievement. Bitter Gold presents real-world issues and brings reality to a halting point unveiling the portrait of what events can unravel when scenarios go awry.

The film stars a father, Pacifico (played by Francisco Melo) and his daughter, Carola (played by Katalina Sanchez). Pacifico is the boss of a mining crew and their lives depend on the work he does. When the workers continually question their payments and who does what better, a detrimental situation arises for Pacifico. Furthermore, an injury impacts him from being able to fulfill his duties and secure his livelihood. It all falls onto Carola to take control of Pacifico’s operations, but with her being unaware of the politics or moving parts of the mining operation, many dynamics spiral downward and impact the workings and the potential for finding any form of gold.

The film lays down the foundation of why operating by the book serves a greater importance. There is a lot of conflict and personal corruption her. Especially with the absence of Pacifico, and Carola doing everything in her power to keep operations going. Overall, though, Bitter Gold is surreal in creating the outcomes of shifted situations in a different culture. It portrays awidespread landscape of scenarios that go awry when business is done under the table. Four out of four stars for Bitter Gold.

41 CLFF, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews

Beloved Tropic-41 CLFF-Review

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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

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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.