Casa de Mi Padre Review

Written by Bobby Ramos



Release: 2012
Starring: Will Ferrell, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna

When I first heard about Will Ferrell being in an all Spanish film, I seriously did not know what to think, that was until I saw the trailer in 2011 for the film known as Casa de Mi Padre. I was blown away by the star power this movie possessed along with what looked like beautiful cinematography. I searched from IMDB to every movie news site I trusted to find the release date or show times for this movie. To my great disappointment (at the time) it was revealed that the movie was finished, however it had no distributor so it seemed like this film I was dying to see was stuck in distribution limbo.

After a long year of drinking and screaming to the gods why such an idea goes unseen. I found out that someone finally stepped up and was distributing the Spanish comedy. I counted down the days, watched the trailers and interviews until finally the release of the film. I sat in my chair anticipating the trailers to be over. Finally the screen stopped projecting green rating cards and the film was about to start.

Those of you who are unfamiliar with what this movie is about, allow me to explain briefly. The story centers around a rancher named Armando Alverez (Ferrell). Who has never expressed the feelings of love to anyone (Other than his cattle). While tending to his heard he witnesses a murder on his father's land by ruthless drug lord “Onza” played by Gael Garcia Bernal (Amores Perros, Science Of Sleep). When attempting to tell his father of the heinous act (Played by Pedro Armendáriz Jr
of “License To Kill” and “Once Upon A Time In Mexico) , it is cut off by the return of his much more respected and loved brother Raul (Diego Luna, “Milk” & “The Terminal”) who seems to be living the good life of an international business man and not the hard working day to day labors that of the Rancher. Raul has returned from his travels not alone for he has brought his fiancé the lovely Sonia played by the very heavenly Genesis Rodriguez (Man on A Ledge) who seems to have captured the heart of Armando as well. It is later revealed that the acts of Onza are not only affecting the land but also Raul's business as well.

Without giving too much away I will start off by saying that this movie is worth the wait. Not because it has people who's work I enjoy but because this movie pays homage and well pokes fun at the things that make Latin entertainment the amazing spectacle that it has come to be known as. From the first shot of the “Mexico Scope” logo, to the brilliant performance during the end credits. Casa de Mi Padre is beautifully shot and scored and carefully crafted to it's fullest, making it a campy delight. After a while you forget about the whole Chuck Heston joke of Ferrell playing a Mexican and just focus on the other funny elements of the movie (Novella close-ups, musical cues and amazing puppetry.)

So fans of Spanish cinema, grindhouse and painted set backgrounds check out Casa de Mi Padre and try your best not to wanna talk in an accent after it is done.



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4 out of 5

Blindman (1971) Review

Written by: Bobby Ramos



BLINDMAN (1971)
Starring Tony Anthony, Ringo Starr, and Lloyd Battista

When someone asks you who you think is one of the great actors of the Western you think Clint Eastwood,Lee Van Cleef, Franco Nero. Well I put another man up there with those notorious names and his name is Tony Anthony. A man who went to Italy to make a name for himself as an Actor (Doing a damn fine job of it at that.). Anthony became known for his "Stranger" movies (A Stranger Comes To Town, The Silent Stranger, ect.) but in this particular movie titled "Blindman" he takes an almost Zatoichi approach, playing the role of a Blind Gunfighter who has a contract to take 50 Women to a group of Miners who have paid for the mail order Brides arrival.

Much like the Blind Swordsman, our hero Anthony wield a Winchester rifle to guide him as well as his sharp sense of hearing it's almost like radar when Blindman hears someone about to shoot him he quickly turns in their direction and unload his gun on them. The men who have taken Blindman's 50 Lovely Ladies are 2 Brothers Domingo and Candy (Played by for Beatles Drummer Ringo Starr) who have no intention of giving back the women, But Blindman finds out about Candy's little weakness for a townies daughter by the name of Pilar. Keep in mind this is not a simple crush he seriously is Batshit crazy for her, though despite many attempts to get her back to his Octopus Garden she always denies him and even goes on to say "I Will Never Be Your Woman" (Any of you who think of White Town right now are showing your age by doing so.). Ringo does an amazing job as a Mexican Psychopath I am sad to see he didn't take any more roles like this one. Although he was pretty insane or at least getting flashbacks when he decided to become a Micro sized conductor for Thomas The Tank Engine (Yeah it wasn't just Carlin).



Now you may be asking yourself what makes Mr.Anthony different or even big enough to stand on such a high pedestal, WELL it's not just the way he carries himself or the way he looks shooting his gun, it's a matter of him bringing some vulnerability to his role, by that I don't just mean him getting beat up once, no he always seems to have a grasp on the situation but then gets screwed in the end but please don't let that scare you away cause Blindman always makes them pay for their crimes.Now I have seen this movie before but every time I did, the bad dark tinted quality would always put me to sleep even the skipping over of parts (clearly made by bad editing) would just seem to ruin the movie experience, But this being my second selection from Cultcine.com it was not only just a pleasant viewing but also almost like watching a whole different movie, this is COMPLETE, and above all CLEAR. No bad cuts no dark picture, all perfect presentation as well as some clips that I did not see in the other versions, which sadly I have come to realize that even the version I saw had cut out some Violence even some dialog that basically shows you how serious Tony Anthony took his role as Blindman.This movie is an awesome title to have in your collection so I say pic it up Uncut and Remastered at cultcine.com. That's 2 for 2 on great buys from this site so I got a feeling about the next one I am gonna partake in.

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