Javier Castro Movies

A woman losing her grip on her sanity discovers that the caring stranger who comes to her aid may ruin her life in this thriller. Fernanda Segovia (Cuca Escribano) and Enrique Gonzalvo (Fele Martinez) are a pair of editors and literary agents who have guided the career of writer Camila Ponte (Julieta Cardinali), transforming her into one of Europe's leading literary celebrities on the strength of her wildly successful first novel. Camila has been working on her second book, but stress, depression and writers' block have stalled the project, and Fernanda and Enrique fear Camila is on the verge of an emotional collapse. A benefactor arrives at Camila's doorstep in the form of Vera Galindo (Ana Torrent), a keen admirer of her work who offers to take her away from the pressure of life in the city. Vera escorts Camila to a beautiful hotel in a small country town, where innkeeper Palmira (Angela Molina) offers her customers peace, quiet and solitude. Camila thrives in her new surroundings, and Fernanda and Enrique are happy to hear that she's become newly productive since getting away from it all. But Fernanda and Enrique soon learn Vera is not as benevolent as she seemed -- she has evidence that proves Camila's first novel was actually the work of her father, and that the successful author is in fact a fraud. 14, Fabian Road was written and directed by Jaime de Arminan; it was his first feature film since El Palomo Cojo in 1995. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A relatively simple coming-of-age drama with autobiographical overtones from Carlos Saura, one of Spain's leading directors, the story is told from the viewpoint of 10-year-old Manu as he is shuffled from relative to relative in the hometown of his parents, who are busy trying to decide whether or not to divorce. That each of Manu's relatives is eccentric only adds spice to the low-key tale. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This Mexican vaquero (cowboy) film centers on a group of no-good, dirty, low-down varmints who want to drive a group of law-abiding folks away from where they live in order to pull off a land deal. They will stop at nothing: not rape, not murder, in order to accomplish this feat. However, they are opposed by a good-hearted if peculiar gunman who gets his opponents under his control and then makes certain he gets a good look at their naked buttocks. He is searching for the man who killed his parents, who apparently bore a branding mark in that location. Though completely earnest and sincere, this goofy drama could enjoy some cross-over viewership among those who enjoy campy cowboy dramas and those with a yen to view male backsides without all those distracting clothes on them. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide