by Carmen Ferreiro-EstebanLast week I had the rare treat of watching on the big screen the five 2011 Oscar nominated animated shorts, plus two of the short-listed nominees in one feature-length program, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them.Usually I prefer longer films because they allow me to lose myself completely in the story. But seeing several shorts together creates a neat contrast of styles and storytelling techniques that reinforces [...]
by Chrysa Smith Having been born in the United States in 1960, I was 'crossing over' to a time of unequalled civil rights movements. Too young to be aware or care, I realize now just how lucky (I think) it was to be born at a time when women would eventually have more choices, options, acknowledgement for their work. We've come a long way indeed, although throughout the world, still have a heck [...]
reviewed by Carmen Ferreiro EstebanUsually, in this blog, I review movies or TV shows I like. But this time I'll make an exception because the series I watched and didn't like happened to be a Masterpiece Classic production. Two weeks ago, I raved about three of Masterpiece's recent series and highly recommended my readers to watch them. So I feel a moral obligation to review Any Human Heart, the new series that will [...]
reviewed by Carmen Ferreiro-EstebanParis, the city of love, is probably high on your list of places you would like to visit on Valentine's Day. Alas, Paris is far away and for most of us the trip won't happen just yet. But fear not, you can still visit the French capital without leaving your home by watching the quirky and enchanting ensemble 2006 movie Paris, je t'aime (I love you, Paris). Paris, je t'aime [...]
Mattie Ross would put today’s young people to shame.The plucky, determined teenaged heroine of True Grit sets out in the Wild West to avenge her father’s death by chasing down his killer with the aid of a worn-out, frequently inebriated U.S. Marshall whose modus operandi appears to be shoot first, ask questions later.When we first meet Mattie, she has left the family farm and come to town with a farm hand to collect [...]
by Carmen Ferreiro-EstebanThe King of the title in the movie the King's Speech is played by Colin Firth, so when my friend Peggy called to ask if I wanted to go watch the said movie with her, I said yes. Yes, indeed. No questions asked. As you may remember if you have been following my picks, I love Colin Firth ever since I saw him as Darcy in the BBC miniseries version of [...]
by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban In the good old times, vampires were evil creatures of the night who combusted in the sun, were repulsed by garlic and turned to bats or disappeared in a mist when threatened. They were hideously ugly, their skin unhealthily pale and their nails long and sharp like talons of birds of prey. Their name was, often, Dracula. Back then, the vampires were always the bad guys, who showed their evilness [...]
