Peter Bogyo Movies
Ruben Blades stars in this low-budget independent salsa musical (filmed in Spanish Harlem at a cost of $600,000), chronicling the rise and fall of a salsa artist who wants to hit the big time. Blades plays Rudy Veloz, a salsa musician who grabs one-night gigs in Latino nightclubs. He idolizes Julio Iglesias and dreams of putting together a band that will incorporate a blend of musical styles so that Rudy can crossover to mainstream commercial success. However, he is warned by his mentor, Cheo Babalu (Virgilio Marti), that his music is garbage and that he should write from the soul. Rudy ignores him, pursuing his passion for middle-of-the-road success. Rudy is noticed at a concert by a record producer, who puts out a successful single of one of Rudy's tunes. The success of the single goes to Rudy's head, and he walks out on his loyal girlfriend Liz (Elizabeth Pena) and drops his long-time manager, Ray (Frank Robles). But Rudy can't match his hit single with another crossover tune and his producer drops him. Without support of the producer or his friends, Rudy falls back into obscurity. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rubén Blades, Shawn Elliott, (more)
Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by Henry James, Merchant/Ivory's The Bostonians is set among the Back Bay uppercrust of the 19th century. Basil Ransom (Christopher Reeve), bored by his opulent lifestyle and his "proper" friends, is fascinated by his cousin, outspoken suffragette Olive Chancellor (Vanessa Redgrave). Basil and Olive's mutual friend is likeable, gregarious Verena Tannant (Madeleine Potter). Soon a triangle develops, albeit an unorthodox one: Basil and Olive both find themselves pursuing Verena, Basil because he is in love with her, and Olive because she wants to exploit Verena's social connections and gift for public speaking to promote her own political ideology. Lurking in the background is Verena's true love, poor-but-honest attorney Henry Burrage (John Van Ness). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christopher Reeve, Vanessa Redgrave, (more)
- 1980
The comedy explores the feelings of alienation and self-hatred that prevent many fat people from reaching out to members of the opposite sex. The story centers upon an obese pianist with an addiction to candy. Hungry for romance, he becomes pen-pals with an equally well-rounded woman in Florida. As time passes, their letters become increasingly intimate and the two decide to meet in New York where the pianist lives. The woman makes it to the city, but then becomes to embarrassed by her appearance to see him. The musician feels the same way about himself and thus begins a series of slapstick encounters as they each tries to see the other without being seen. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Farnham Scott, January Stevens, (more)
