Friday, October 18, 2013

Very Wilde.

In Mexico City's Cine Opera, lives a strange man named Erick (Gerardo Vigil) who wanders around the theatre and reads Oscar Wilde poems. No one seems to know that Erick lives in the theatre except a young boy who accompanies his mother while she rehearses a dance routine for an upcoming stage show. While Erick reads his poems and while the dancers rehearse, a psychopath is on the loose in the theatre. His victims are the female dancers who prepare to go home after rehearsals. The psychopath brutally kills them with a switchblade and wears a creepy stage mask. The psychopath's identity is someone that frequents the theatre. Perhaps its the producer of the dance show, Gregory (Gerardo Albarran), who sleeps with most of the female dancers. Maybe it's the flamboyant gay dance instructor, who has a very bad temper. Or perhaps it is even Erick since he has a troubled past involving his sexual infatuation for his mother.

El Asesino Del Teatro (aka "The Killer in the Theatre") is quite the interesting Mexi-Giallo. The plot is decent, despite the terrible ending. Why end a good movie with a cheesy 'supernatural' twist? Ugh. The characters are interesting and surprisingly likable. Even that mean gay instructor guy. He dresses like a woman in one scene and just goes all crazy. It is an interesting scene really. Very, very interesting. Then of course the setting is hands down amazing! The fact that entire movie was filmed at the ol' Cine Opera really fascinates me. I'm so pleased when a movie is set in a beautiful old building. Cine Opera is just the kind of beautiful old building I like seeing. It was also interesting to see Oscar Wilde poems being read through out most of the movie. Famous literature really can drive a Mexican man insane... Very insane.

I enjoyed El Asesino Del Teatro. Its a fun watch and definitely needs to be dug up from obscurity. If you like Mexican horror & Italian giallos, then El Asesino Del Teatro is your kind of cup of tea.

Be sure to Grab the Uni Cine DVD copy since it seems that DVD is sold everywhere for real cheap.



Thursday, October 10, 2013

Oh, Chano.

You know what movie is great? Lucas (1986). Lucas is one of those movies that is truly inspiring and heartwarming because it proves anybody can accomplish something good. This is pretty much what Chano is all about. Trying & accomplishing in the end.


Meet Chano (Agustin Bernal). He's a bulky mentally-challenged man that lives in poverty with his mother. While looking through garbage for goods, Chano finds a wrinkled up pin-up of Paty Muñoz (it's even autographed!). Chano falls instantly in love with Paty. He wants her bad. His mom however tells him she's not the kind of girl for him, but he differs by mumbling & crying. It just so happens that Paty lives in the same city as Chano and she is having a dilemma with her ex-husband (Luis Gatica) whom just happens to be a crime boss. When the ex-husband kidnaps Paty's son, Paty seeks out help in getting her son back safely. By various strange occurrences, Paty ends up teaming with Chano to rescue her son. Chano will do anything for the woman he loves. Even if it means risking his life by gunning down a bunch of armed guards.


Like Lucas, Chano is inspiring and heartwarming because it proves anyone despite their flaws, can accomplish something good. Take Lucas for example. He wanted to impress his crush Maggie by joining the football team because Maggie has a jock boyfriend. Lucas thinking he can just be as good as the boyfriend, tries to play football, but ends up injured badly. After recovering and having a deep talk, Maggie and Lucas end up just being friends, but they truly respect one another. No more Lucas feeling heartbroken and alone. Then at school, Lucas gains respect from his fellow peers. He even gets his own football jersey as a token of respect by the football team. Lucas is no longer an outcast at school. He's just as good as anyone after all. Amazing.

Now in Chano, he is told he can't be with someone like Paty because she is not the kind of girl for him. He's mentally-challenged and poor. Why would Paty go for that? Well, Chano proves everyone wrong by befriending Paty and helping her save her son from the clutches of the evil ex-husband. Chano goes all out into saving this young boy & his mother by firing uzis at ninja-looking guards and leading them both safely out of the ex-husband's heavily guarded mansion. Before the end credits roll, Chano smiles in joy because he for once accomplished something in life. He gained the respect of the woman he loves, befriended the little boy, and overall he saved innocent lives. Amazing.


Chano is a great movie that your entire family will enjoy. Mom, you, and your little siblings will adore Chano as much as you all adore Lucas. Dad will most likely just adore fine-ass Paty Muñoz. The action scenes too of course. Dad sure loves his action as much as Paty Muñoz's gorgeous body. And let me tell ya, her body is a work of art. It's quite fascinating to look at.

Agustin Bernal's portrayal of Chano is excellent. Who knew Agustin Bernal could foam from the mouth so perfectly and mumble without sounding obviously fake. He also directed the movie, so that just proves how amazing Agustin truly is. He can act and he can direct an inspiring movie. May God bless Agustin Bernal.


Watch Chano. Please. 6/10.