gabiurbon Reviews

Flowers in the Attic (1987)

I so loved the books...and I so hated the film

[1/10 · 17 August 2007]

The acting is horrendous and the film basically has nothing to do with the novel. The books weren't fantastically written, but at least they did move you somehow. The story this atrocious film is trying to develop has nothing to do with the book plot. It even ignores what was probably the interesting part of the book: the incestuous love between Cris and Cathy. Actually, after seeing this film, you get the feeling the incestuous relationship would be between Cathy and her father (who gives her a weird look when he gives her 12 year old "favourite" daughter who looks 20), Cris and his mum, and the grandfather and mum. Just terrible, can't believe they destroyed such a best selling book like this.

Volver (I) (2006)

I'm not an Almodovar fan, but this film stinks

[1/10 · 1 February 2007]

I'm fed up of Almodovar being considered a genius. I much prefer Amenabar's style, or practically any other director's style. The only film I more or less liked was Todo sobre mi madre. But this last one is boring, unrealistic, predictable...And the worst thing is the pathetic image that gives from Spain. The way the actors dress, the cars they drive, their houses, the televisions, the weird catholic posters...That's just not Spain. Not even in a little village in the middle of no where, much less in a village near Madrid. Why do they dress like in the 50's? Why does Penelope or Raimunda dress as a prostitute? I was watching the film with a friend, and she was sure the plot was supposed to take place decades ago. I pointed out the girl had a mobile phone and that in the first image you can see a recent death date. She just couldn't believe it. Almodovar is getting more boring everyday and I think he's not representative of Spanish culture.

Salvador (2006)

It's important to remember recent history, in order not to repeat mistakes

[8/10 · 8 October 2006]

I've seen this film today, and although I wouldn't say it's great film wise, I think it's important for people to know about recent history, especially Spaniards. I'm totally against death penalty, and this film has only reassured me in the matter. But I must say the film is somehow partial, as Salvador was in fact a bank robber, no matter what he used the money for. The acting is quite impressive. I must confess I wasn't too convinced about Daniel playing Salvador, as he's German, but he's great. Tristán Ulloa is also very good, and he speaks really good Catalán, sounding native although he's actually Galician (north west Spain). And finally Leonardo Sbaraglia plays an impressive policeman. Incredibly, you forget he's an Argentinian sex symbol and does a really good Spanish accent.Also, I may be a bit impartial myself, since I know the sister of one of Salvador friends in the film and about the family suffer...

Cha Cha Cha (1998)

Funny, although not a masterpiece

[8/10 · 5 September 2006]

I would say it's a funny film, nothing likely to win any awards, but still highly entertaining. Although, I would like to correct some comments above. First, these actors are not in the "elite", as some one put it. Eduardo Noriega is a very popular actor and well respected,and maybe Jorge Sanz is quite well known. María Adánez is a good actress, but she's usually doing TV. Ana Álvarez is OK, but she's hardly famous in Spain. Maybe the most respected actor in the film, although not as popular as handsome Noriega would be Gabino Diego, who plays the stupid rich nerd in the beginning of the film. Sorry if my English isn't perfect...