Jorge Cherques Movies
Jack Noah (Richard Dreyfuss) is all actor: Self-possessed, obsessive, vulnerable, and an addict for praise, his soul burns with "the craft." Having just finished a grade-Z straight-to-cable crime thriller in the fictional South American country of Parador, he gets the ultimate acting challenge (though it's more like an offer he can't refuse) from Roberto Strausman (Raul Julia), the Paradorian dictator's chief advisor. The challenge: impersonate the country's dictator, whose just died. Strausman knows just how to manipulate Noah: He takes him to a meat locker, shows him the director's body (actually Dreyfuss' brother, Lorin), threatens to kill him, and he brings clips of Noah's best reviews. Thus enticed, and bearing a striking resemblance to the man, Noah accepts the job. Under the exacting direction of Strausman, he follows the script precisely. Noah immediately enjoys the job's perks, not least of which is the dictator's scorching mistress, Madonna (Sonia Braga), but of course cannot conceal his real identity to her. A close call with Parador's revolutionaries and Madonna's brimming social conscience push Noah to take command of the role. He starts pushing a kinder, gentler social agenda, and incurs Strausman's wrath. It begins to look like Noah will play the dictator's last act, but a chance meeting with a stunt man friend (Michael Greene) inspires a caper that will change all of the characters' fates. ~ Nick Sambides, Jr., Rovi
- Starring:
- Richard Dreyfuss, Raul Julia, (more)
- 1985
- R
Based on the 19th-century novel by Machado de Assis, this experimental film combines at least two realities at once -- the literary and the cinematic. In this case, characters from the novel are mixed on different levels with director Julio Bressane's own experience to produce an amusing, substantive commentary on Rio de Janeiro and its society. The end product also says a lot about the nature of filmmaking and will be especially enjoyed by aficionados of that art. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Luz Fernando Guimaraes, Bia Nunes, (more)
- 1984
Based on the first-hand writings of Brazilian political-activist Graciliano Ramos, Memories of Prison, stars Carlos Vereze as Ramos. The time-frame is the 1930s, during the dictatorial regime of Getulio Vargas. Because of his anti-Vargas sentiments, Ramos is shipped off to a hellhole of a prison island. Knowing full well that he's expected to die in jail rather than be "rehabilitated," Ramos nonetheless survives, if for no other reason than to expose the sadistic cruelties of Vargas' minions. Placing an unpleasant period in Brazilian history within a personal perspective, Memories of Prison is one of the best of the many films directed by Nelson Pereira Dos Santos. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carlos Vereza, Gloria Pires, (more)
- 1984
The horror of life in a Brazilian prison from an inmate's view is chronicled in this drama based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Gracilano Ramos. The tale takes place in the 1930s when Brazil was run by dictator Getulio Vargas. It begins as the Marxist oriented protagonist is arrested with no explanation. Once imprisoned, the authorities allow him to write--provided he can find pen and paper. In the end, his writing has such impact on the public that authorities release him. Had they not, he would have died from their brutal cruelty. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1978
- PG
In this violent, low-budget adventure, a jewel thief hides his loot in the bottom of a Brazilian lake filled with hungry piranhas. Later his avaricious gang members try to retrieve the treasure but unfortunately tend to get graphically devoured each time one of them enters the water. Putting the rocks down there seemed like such a good idea at the time! ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lee Majors, Karen Black, (more)
- 1969
This Brazilian morality play finds a circus con man talking the authorities into giving a Christian burial to a dog, the beloved pet of the town's wealthy baker. He convinces the local officials and clerics that the dog has left a last will and testament. Appearing for the ceremony is a black monk who is really Jesus Christ in disguise. Motivated by greed, the town officials go through with the burial. All are judged for their sins and blasphemy as bandits enter the town in hopes of robbing everyone and slaughtering the victims in this symbolic tale of religious hypocrisy and greed. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Regina Duarte
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