Mònica López Movies
- 2007
The unlikely romance between the Devil and a Spanish television journalist proves the catalyst for a series of incredible stories from director/screenwriter Pablo Llorca. Just a few years ago, the Devil fell deeply in love with television newswoman Almudena after the pair had a chance encounter in Beruit. Later, despite the fact that the pair had an unforgettable first date together and Almudena was indeed smitten by her infernal suitor, Old Scratch got cold feet when it came time to get serious. Years have passed since that fateful encounter though, and now the Devil is keen on recapturing his mortal soul mate. But Almudena has settled down a bit these days, and a complicated romance with the Prince of Darkness just might not be in the cards anymore. Now, if the Devil wants to make up for lost time, he's going to have to turn on the charm like never before. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luis Miguel Cintra, Mònica López, (more)
A lonely architect who was recently abandoned by his live-in girlfriend finds that he's not as alone in his sprawling estate as he had previously thought in director Guillem Morales' minimalist thriller. Félix's (Andoni Gracia) girlfriend, Vera (Mónica López), may be gone, but her possessions, scattered about the house as if she were to walk back through the door at any moment, offer a constant reminder of the failed relationship that he was powerless to salvage. When a desperate stranger who introduces himself as Martin (Agustín Villaronga) shows up on Félix's doorstep begging to make an urgent telephone call, the startled homeowner reluctantly allows the man inside only to realize that his strange guest has seemingly vanished into thin air just moments later. Now convinced that the mysterious Martin is hiding somewhere in his home undetected, Félix's growing paranoia leads him down a dark path in which his home seems to take on its own increasingly menacing personality. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andoni Gracia, Mònica López, (more)
A web of romantic entanglements covers a growing circle of friends in this romantic comedy drama from Spain. Tomás (Alex Brendemühl) is a college instructor who has been secretly dating one of his students, Ana (Miranda Makaroff). Making the matter more complicated is the fact that Ana's uncle is Mario (Eduard Fernández), one of Tomás' best friends. Mario has long been involved with Sara (Vicenta N'dongo), but he has reason to believe she is having an affair, and he's desperate to hold on to her. At the same time, Mario has met Cristina, and is trying to fight his interest in her. Irene (Mònica López) and Manu (Chisco Amado) are another seemingly happy couple fighting infidelity when she begins having second thoughts about their relationship. And Andres has fallen for Sofia (María Pujalte), a clerk at his favorite bookstore, but he learns she's still pining for Eric, who talked her into bed one night but has yet to come back to her. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mònica López, Eduard Fernández, (more)
Some people are born with good luck, but others try to attain it however they can -- and at any cost -- in this offbeat psychological thriller from Spain. Samuel Berg (Max Von Sydow) is an elderly man who lives beneath a gambling casino on an island off the Spanish coast. In Berg's world, good fortune is a commodity that can be acquired from others, and while would-be gambler Federico (Eusebio Poncela) has a genuine talent for taking good luck from those who have it, Berg's gift is even stronger, and after a long day of absorbing positive vibrations from winning gamblers, Berg steals the day's "take" from him, leaving Federico to plan his revenge. Federico becomes aware of Tomas (Leonardo Sbaraglia), a man who recently survived a plane crash, and is convinced he has even more luck than Berg can overcome; the two become partners, and Federico enters Tomas in an underground tournament designed to determine who Lady Luck smiles upon most sweetly. After Federico and Tomas win a handsome home from Alejandro (Antonio Dechent), a former bullfighter, the pair seems poised to go up against Berg and claim his luck as their own, but Sara (Monica Lopez), a police investigator, is convinced Federico and Tomas are up to no good and begins exploring their bizarre secret world. Intacto received its American premiere at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leonardo Sbaraglia, Eusebio Poncela, (more)
- 2000
Ramon (Jorge Alcazar), a shy and overweight 15-year-old, invites a school friend and the pal's girlfriend over one day to watch a video of Natural Born Killers. As luck and a heavy dose of irony would have it, Ramon accidentally slashes his friend's throat while tearing open a can of nuts, causing the girlfriend to flee in terror and a concerned neighbor to intervene, whom Ramon unwittingly knocks down the stairs to his death. Soon the unfortunate teen has been placed in a halfway house for troubled youths while his case awaits a full inquiry. Enter Marcelo (Alex Casanovas), a successful lawyer who has taken on Ramon's case as a favor to the teen's sister Gloria (Pepa Pedroche), who happens to be an old friend. Slowly Ramon begins to trust Marcelo and a friendly social worker (Guillermo Toledo), and forms a friendship with his ailing roommate, Anibal (Alberto Ferreiro). Ramon's emotional development is mirrored by that of Marcelo, whose involvement with the case forces him to come to grips with issues in his own life. El Otro Barrio is the second feature of writer/director Salvador Garcia Ruiz, who made a splash on the international festival circuit with his 1998 debut Mensaka. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alex Casanovas
- 1999
Writer-director Agusti Vila explores destiny, coincidence, and love in this romantic comedy set in Barcelona. After getting dumped by his girlfriend, Juan (Alex Brendemuhl) decides to sit in the same park bench at the same time each day in order to improve his odds for a chance encounter. Soon his efforts pay off and he finds himself in the company of the assertive, prickly Alicia (Victoria Freire) and bookworm Ana (Monica Lopez). With each woman, he shares his idiosyncratic ideas on romance and communication. Un banco en el parque was screened at the 1999 San Sebastian Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alex Brendemühl, Victoria Freire, (more)
Life and love provides the focus for this Spanish comedy which focuses upon four couples. Pablo, a pessimist, has a new lover. His relationship is very similar to the relationships of his three friends. Though they are all dissatisfied with their mates, none of the possess the courage to change their situations. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Penélope Cruz, Coque Malla, (more)
