Posts Tagged ‘Gael Garcia Bernal’

“Blindness” is kind of a scary movie depicting the outbreak of a seemingly contagious illness that renders people blind. Understandably, the worst of humanity comes out. Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore, Danny Glover, Alice Braga, and Gael García Bernal are some of the actors that make up a group of quarantined individuals living in a vacant mental institution where, literally, the blind are leading the blind, with one exception, a Doctor’s wife who lies about being sick in order to stay with her husband (who is sick). 

“Blindness” is a unique epidemic film that can be admired for its take on the genre, the acting, as well as its views of humanity during such desperate times.   The Good: – Terrific Acting – One sign of a great actor is when they can make audiences hate them, love them, sympathize with them, etc.  “Blindness” features actors capable of bringing viewers into their world so much so that it’s impossible to sit back and submissively watch this movie.

- A Different Take on the “Disease” Film Genre – Within the portfolio of “disease contaminating society” films out there “Blindness” is special. The characters don’t actually die from the “white blindness” disease.  The illness in this movie doesn’t mean death, life as a zombie or other tragic fate – the illness isn’t necessarily the “bad guy.”

- The Tempo – “Blindness’” plot progresses at a nice pace. The audience learns about the disease and how the world is dealing with it at the same pace as the characters in the movie. The pacing is so that the deterioration of society and desperation are sincere – viewers aren’t thrown into chaos and expected to buy into it.

The Bad: - Not a Happy Movie – About 15 minutes of “Blindness” are happy and worthy of a smile, I could have used a little more.

- It’s Pretty Darn Realistic! – Unlike zombie or alien attack movies, “Blindness” is slightly more plausible, making it that much scarier. Seeing how people change and the terrible things they do in the movie makes me cross my fingers that something like this will never happen.

In The End: “Blindness” is a quality film in regards to the acting and plot, but won’t leave audiences with a warm and tingly feeling once it’s over.

There aren’t many actors out there who shrug off their new movie as “just a film,” but Diego Luna does.

The 28-year-old told People at the premiere of his newly released film, “Milk,” that his almost four-month-old son, Jeronimo, changed his perspective on life.

“I’m here just talking about a film – it’s just a film – everything now is just what it is,” he said. “It can’t be so important. Now, there’s just one thing that really matters.”

Luna was born in Mexico City, Mexico to an English mother and Mexican father, but sadly his mother died in a car accident when he was two. Luna, whose father is a celebrated theater, cinema and opera set designer, began acting at an early age and became friends with fellow actor, Gael Garcia Bernal.

Luna got his big break in 2001 when he starred with Bernal in the critically acclaimed Mexican film, “Y tu mama también,” and he has gone on to star in films such as “Frida,” “The Terminal” and “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”

In his latest role in Gus Van Sant’s “Milk” he falls in love with Sean Penn’s character, Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official. “Milk” has earned rave reviews from critics and is already garnering Oscar buzz.

Making great films is something Luna cares a lot about even starting a production company with Bernal. They will next be producing a documentary directed by John Malkovich about illegal aliens.

But it seems films will be a little lower on his priority list these days because of Jeronimo.

“There is just one reason for you to be here,” he told People. “It’s to make sure someone else is happy, and has everything he needs. It’s as simple as that.”

Want to go on adventure, but just can’t? Perhaps these suggestions for the best travel movies (according to many top ten lists) will fill in for a while, or maybe even give you the motivation to just buy that plane ticket.

1. Into the Wild – This movie, release just a couple years ago is based on the book by Jon Kraukauer about a young man learning what it’s like to live in the wilderness.

2. Around the World in 80 Days – Join Jackie Chan on a fun adventure around the globe by hot air balloon – lots of laughs and lots of stunts. A great choice whether you watch the one made more recently or the original

3. The Painted Veil – In this movie, Edward Norton plays a scientist who travels to China during a cholera epidemic in search of a cure along with his wife, played by Naomi Watts. Together they face challenges that along with the beautiful scenery revive the passion in their relationship.

4. Motorcycle Diaries – This is a great piece about the beginning of the life of Che Guevara (played by acclaimed Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal) as an activist, chronicling his journeys through South America with his best friend and family member, Alberto (played by Rodrigo De la Serna). Throughout their journey Che learns where people truly need help and how he can give it.

5. Coming to America – This movie starring Eddie Murphy as an African prince and Arsenio Hall as his servant is good for laughs and for noticing differences in culture. All around good movie about learning to adopt to a new kind of world.

6. The Bourne Ultimatum - In this movie Jason Bourne (played by Matt Damon) is back and fiercer than ever in his search to discover his identity, but can he do it? he races around the globe, hunting and being chased…this movie is a definite must if you’re looking for adventure. Just don’t try the things that he does at home!

Writers Suggestion: Elizabethtown – No, this movie is not solely a travel movie but it’s a great tearjerker about love, retracing one’s roots, and learning to move on in time’s of crisis.

Orlando Bloom plays a young shoe executive who makes a big mistake in his industry – one that will discredit the rest of his career. However, his worries about his issues are pushed aside when his father suddenly dies and he is forced to go back to his family’s southern roots to deal with the funeral.

It is during his traveling that he meets Claire (played by Kirsten Dunst) who reminds him what’s truly important in life like taking the long road and enjoying the journey.