One of the essential qualities, I believe, a true cinephile must possess is an ability to enjoy the not so finer things in film. A movie lover must be able to watch a stupid, poor quality picture and still have a good time. Otherwise, that person risks becoming a stereotypical, pretentious, snooty film nerd. Thankfully, I have not yet lost that indispensable feature. I can still enjoy clearly mediocre (or worse) movies, such as Nacho Libre. This comedy, from director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), focuses on Ignacio (Jack Black), a monk at an orphanage in Mexico. Unsatisfied with his duties at the monastery (“Maybe I should get a better duty!”), Ignacio enlists the help of an impoverished man (Héctor Jiménez) to be his partner in Lucha Libre, a form of Mexican wrestling. Ignacio takes on the stage name Nacho, while his ally becomes Esqueleto. In addition to the frowned upon wrestling, Nacho also leads an unconventional life for a man of the cloth as he pines for a newly arrived nun named Sister Encarnación (Ana de la Reguera). Undeniably, Jack Black represents the best and funniest part of Nacho Libre. He is at the top of his stupidly comic …show more content…
Now, this screenplay doesn’t deserve any Oscars or other formal accolades. The plot moves a little slow and the characters are thin at best, but the writers do a phenomenal job of keeping the humor going throughout the film. Many comedies begin strong, providing laughter throughout the first half or so of the film, but then the writers seem to realize they need to move the narrative along and dispense with much of the funniest jokes in the latter half of the movie. Nacho Libre does not suffer from this uneven comedy. You will not go more than a few minutes with at least a smile (and probably a laugh) during any part of Nacho Libre. (It is also endlessly
By showing the historical struggle of Mexican immigrants to be equal members of American society, portraying the humble and unique characteristics of Fernando Valenzuela, and by emphasizing his incredible rise to fame, the film Fernando Nation introduces a new type of American dream. Fernando Valenzuela became the embodiment of the Mexican-American dream to many people. By understanding his story we can understand the hopes and dreams of many Mexican immigrants in America today.
In his essay, “It’s Just a Movie: A Teaching Essay for Introductory Media Classes”, Greg M. Smith argues that analyzing a film does not ruin, but enhances a movie-viewing experience; he supports his argument with supporting evidence. He addresses the careful planning required for movies. Messages are not meant to be telegrams. Audiences read into movies to understand basic plotlines. Viewers should examine works rather than society’s explanations. Each piece contributes to Smith’s argument, movies are worth scrutinizing.
El Norte and My Family, Mi Familia, films directed by Gregory Nava, depict how Latino-Americans migrate from their native countries to the United States, challenges they face through their journeys, and the time they spend in America. Some critics say that El Norte is a stronger film politically in comparison to My Family, Mi Familia because of how El Norte keeps the journey raw and emotional. Through the trials Enrique and Rosa face as they travel from Guatemala to California, the viewer gains sympathy for them and rejoices with them when they reach Los Angeles; however, as the protagonists live in Los Angeles, we as the viewer learn through their failure to assimilate to America’s lifestyle, they will never reach their ultimate goal, the
I've never been to Mexico, but I like to think of it as populated by an array of colorfully masked wrestlers tirelessly protecting the country against various monsters and aliens, between taking on opponents in the squared circle. This impression has been greatly influenced by the dozens of lucha-libre films produced in the area throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s, many of which starred the most popular mexican wrestler of all: El Santo. Santo first began wrestling in the 1930s, but it was when he began wearing his trademark silver mask that his career really took off and by the 1950s (when he was already well into his 40s) he began his foray into cinema with Santo contra el cerebro del mal (Santo Vs. The Evil Brain, 1958). The following two decades saw him starring in over 40 films, often battling zombies, mad scientists or other demonic creatures. By 1973 the genre had definitely become a little formulaic, but Santo y Blue Demon contra el doctor Frankenstein (Santo and Blue Demon Vs Dr. Frankenstein, 1973) is a fine starting place for those interested in the genre and what it has to offer. Certainly cheap looking, but featuring a surprisingly spry Santo considering he was in his late 50s, the film has lots of cheesy fun for genre fans.
Additionally, it provides viewers with insight into the world of Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling. The movie displays the elaborate costumes of Luchador wrestlers and juxtaposes it against the simple dress of the religious officials in the monastery. This helps viewers see how different the two cultures are and heightens their sense of sympathy with Nacho because they can clearly see how hard it must be to balance his double life. The monastery allows him to be close to God and feel God’s love but it also forces him to deal with judgement and guilt. In some people’s eyes he is sinning but in Nacho’s eyes he is being selfless and good hearted. I hope other viewers can see the deeper meaning behind this movie and see his religious dilemma and the complexity of his situation rather than focusing on the slapstick comedy and poorly executed
One important aspect of the play is the adjectives that Ms. Jimenez uses to describe the Mexican that they would like to use as their prototype. Such adjectives are: "suave, debonair, dark (not too dark, but beige), sophisticated, respectable, someone with class." All of these adjectives could describe a Mexican male, but not one that has been affected by American society. As the Mexican male attempts to become a part of American society, he soon realizes that he is not welcome, which often causes him to rebel against the culture that will not accept him. An example is the Zoot Suit Riots that occurred in 1944. The Zoot Suit Riots were a reaction...
Although I didn’t like those aspects of the humor here, the Marx Brothers deserve credit for making such a relentlessly funny movie. The density of gags here is astounding, as they come in seemingly every breath for the entire runtime. Even if a portion of those jokes don’t land, that seems less significant given just how many jokes there are.
I think another big part of the movie is irony. Irony adds to the humor chart at about 10% and really makes a person think about what they are laughing about while the sit on their couch. Nacho does a lot of stuff that is ironic and that is what I call the cream of the crop or the best part of a movie or book. You also can’t see irony or you can but you can’t see the reason why it will be ironic. Unlike a joke which is just sudden and unexpected, but that’s not bad at all In peoples opinion they think that irony joins two parts of a movie or book together.
This movie is based on changing the lives of Mexican Americans by making a stand and challenging the authority. Even when the cops were against them the whole time and even with the brutal beatings they received within one of the walk out, they held on. They stuck to their guns and they proved their point. The main character was threatened by the school administrators, she was told if she went through with the walkout she would be expelled. While they wanted everyone who was going to graduate to simply look the other way, the students risked it all and gave it their all to make their voices
Lehman, Peter and Luhr, William. Thinking About Movies: Watching, Questioning, Enjoying. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell, 2003.
The scene opens with Miss Jimenez entering the shop in needs of a Mexican to fill a diversity slot in Governor Reagan’s office. She tells Sancho that her name is Miss JIM-menez, which is considered an Anglo pronunciation. Her insistence that she be called this leads the reader to believe she makes it a point to disassociate herself with her Hispanic heritage. She carries herself in a superior manner that signifies her entitlement to treat Sancho and the Mexican models in a negative way. She continues to list the trait requirements for the person she needs to look “good” in Reagan’s office. Sancho displays each model trying to receive Miss Jimenez’s approval. One important aspect of the play is the adjectives that Ms. Jimenez uses to describe the Mexican that she would like to use as her prototype. Such adjectives are: "suave, debonair, dark, but of course not too da...
Sometimes I think about what qualities make a film good. The film I talk about here is a general category, which includes not only different genres of films but also animation movies. A good and complete story? Well-designed characters? A deep and essential topic? Some people say they are all important. But not all the movies can reach all the single the quality. But I think the Story of Princess Kaguya reached.
Film and literature are two media forms that are so closely related, that we often forget there is a distinction between them. We often just view the movie as an extension of the book because most movies are based on novels or short stories. Because we are accustomed to this sequence of production, first the novel, then the motion picture, we often find ourselves making value judgments about a movie, based upon our feelings on the novel. It is this overlapping of the creative processes that prevents us from seeing movies as distinct and separate art forms from the novels they are based on.
But I feel that if people are light hearted about a film's content then they shouldn’t bother watching it. There have been times where people have gone out and copy cat film scenes. There was an incident where a
Movies take us inside the skin of people quite different from ourselves and to places different from our routine surroundings. As humans, we always seek enlargement of our being and wanted to be more than ourselves. Each one of us, by nature, sees the world with a perspective and selectivity different from others. But, we want to see the world through other’s eyes; imagine with other’s imaginations; feel with other’s hearts, at a same time as with our own. Movies offer us a window onto the wider world, broadening our perspective and opening our eyes to new wonders.