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Caribe, a review by Danae Cassandra

Where We Are:  Costa Rica
wikipedia

What We Watched:


Caribe
Year of Release:  2004
Directed By:  Esteban Ramirez
Genre:  Drama
Starring:  Jorge Perugorria, Cuca Escribano, Maya Zapata

Overview
This tantalizing tale of passion and betrayal created a sensation when it was first released. With its atmosphere of unspoiled tropical beaches and an unforgettable cast featuring the charismatic Jorge Perugorria (Strawberry & Chocolate) as Vicente and the seductive Maya Zapata (Bordertown) as his lover Irene, CARIBE casts an intoxicating spell. While Vicente experiences a passion like none he has ever before experienced, his life hangs in the balance as an American oil company threatens to destroy him unless he betrays the country he loves.

My Thoughts:
This is a film about a man's life as it falls apart, and about how corporate mentality destroys lives.  Vincente is a good man with a happy life, a wonderful relationship with his wife, and a beautiful banana plantation.  An oil company wants to drill off the coast of Costa Rica and the local people, including Vincente oppose it.  Then the exporter that buys Vincente's bananas tells him they can no longer do so, because corporate wants more profit.  Vincente, now faced with losing his plantation, is tempted to take work from the oil company to save it.  As he is tempted in one area, he is tempted in another, by his wife's beautiful half-sister, Irene, who has come to visit.  And when gives into one temptation, he gives into the other, his personal life paralleling his professional one.

This was a good film, but not without its flaws.  It seemed disjointed, as if the filmmaker wasn't certain which story he wanted to tell:  that of the fight against the oil company or that of the love triangle between Vincente, Irene and Abigail.  Or that the filmmaker wanted to tell the love triangle story but thought his film needed more than that.  The flow wasn't always the best and the two stories could have been interwoven better.  You could see the filmmaker tried to do so, because there are obvious parallels and connections between the two stories in Vincente's life.  You also know it isn't going to end well, because Vincente has fallen in love with one woman while he still loves another.  However Vincente's ending feels forced, but there were few ways for the filmmaker to get out of the situation he had created.  I was pleased to see that the two women patched up their relationship at the end, however.

I liked the acting in the film.  I felt all of the three leads did a good job and I understood and sympathized with each of them.  The camera work was average, but Caribe did a good job at showcasing the beauty of Costa Rica and its environment, and what the people had to lose with the entre of oil extraction.

Bechdel Test:  Pass, but barely.  Irene & Abigail talk about their mother, but most of their conversations are about Vincente.

Overall: 2.75/5

(From Around the World in 86 Movies on March 5th, 2012)

Charlie's Angels, a review by addicted2dvd

Charlie's Angels: Special Edition
Adventure has never been more beautiful than CHARLIE'S ANGELS! Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu star as the captivating crime-fighting trio who are masters of disguise, espionage and martial arts. When a devious mastermind embroils them in a plot to destroy individual privacy, the Angels are on the spot with their brains, brawn and high-tech toys. Aided by their loyal sidekick Bosley (Bill Murray), the girls are about to bring down the bad guys when a terrible secret is revealed that makes the Angels a target of assassination. Now, it's a matter of life or death as the stunningly smart detectives use their state-of-the-art skills to kick evil's butt in this sexy, high-octane comedy!

My Thoughts:
Once again this is a movie that several people I personally know didn't like... but I, myself... I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Granted other then some very cool fighting scenes... there is nothing of real substance here.... it is just a cool, action packed, fun movie with some sexy women. Pretty much what the series was... a basic guilty pleasure if there ever was one. I really liked who they got in all the roles. And it looks like they had a blast doing the picture. In my opinion... this isn't meant in any way to be a thought provoking movie... just a good clean fun popcorn movie. And for me at least... it pulled it off well.

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: From TV Series to Movie on September 15th, 2007)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

1.12 Hawk and Handsaw (1995-01-19)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), David Shore (Story By), David Shore (Screenwriter), Paul Haggis (Screenwriter)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Michael Riley (Walter Sparks), Kate Trotter (Nurse Unger), Terri Hanauer (Dr. Farmer), Deborah Rennard (Dr. Esther Pearson), Shay Duffin (Father Behan), Phillip Jarrett (Danny), Ann-Marie MacDonald (Psychologist), Graham McPherson (Dr. Martins), Aron Tager (Nelson), Chris Leavins (Jim), Tyrone Benskin (Mr. Shawl)

A fun episode. Fraser does not seem out of place in the loony bin at all

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on July 15th, 2009)