Eduardo Lopez Rojas Movies
Luis Estrada directs this groundbreaking and extremely controversial satire about Mexico's long-ruling political party, the PRI. Set in the late 1940s in the remote, thoroughly backwards village of San Pedro de los Saguaros, the film focuses on Vargas (Damian Alcazar), a petty politician who had the dubious honor of being appointed town mayor after his predecessor was decapitated for corruption by an angry mob. At first, he tries to balance the books and to bring the 20th century to the backwaters. When he is visited by slick PRI politico Lopez (Pedro Armendariz), however, he learns the officially sanctioned way of running the town: at gunpoint while pilfering the bank vaults. Soon Vargas becomes a power-mad despot, more than willing to steal or kill to further his goals. Though his PRI bosses try to reign him in, the lynch mob soon appears to be the inevitable end of Vargas' political career. The first film to criticize the PRI by name, Estrada's bitter farce savages the ruling party, the church and U.S. intervention. Cult director Alex Cox plays a small role as a seedy gringo. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Damián Alcázar, Pedro Armendariz, Jr., (more)
An aging ex-prostitute comes to terms with her questionable past in this Mexican comedy from director Carlos Garcia Aqraz. In her youth Amelia del Valle was known as La Paloma de Marsella (The Pigeon of Marsella). Now, as Amelia enters her twilight years, she looks to the past with a newfound sense of peace while anticipating the future with no fear of death or old age. Later, an adventurous Amelia throws caution into the wind by accepting an opportunity to appear on television as she learns that life can still hold wonderful surprises and great adventures. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosa DeCastilla
Death and the Compass is a loose adaptation of a Jorge Luis Borges short story from eccentric British writer-director Alex Cox (Repo Man). Treviranus (Miguel Sandoval), disheveled and haunted by the past, narrates the story of the last great case of a famous detective, Lonnrot (Peter Boyle). In a vaguely futuristic unnamed metropolis (most of the film was shot in Mexico City), Lonnrot investigates the case of a murdered rabbi, who was a Kabala scholar. Treviranus, Lonnrot's commander, quite rationally believes the murder was a botched robbery, and the work of the insane masked local crime lord Red Scarlach. But Lonnrot finds the last words the rabbi wrote, "The first letter of the name has been spoken," and thinks there was a more complex, kabalistic motive to the crime. Lonnrot asks a journalist, Zunz (Christopher Eccleston), to help him unravel the mystery. Soon, another murder and a disappearance lend credence to Lonnrot's mystical theory, and the clever detective believes he can predict and prevent the next crime. As the disgraced Treviranus tells the story, his jealousy and resentment of Lonnrot's powers of deduction and his popularity with the public become evident. After making El Patrullero (Highway Patrolman), Cox was commissioned by the BBC to do a short Borges adaptation for television. He later got additional funding (partly for directing The Winner, which he later disavowed after the producers made changes without his consent) to expand Death and the Compass into a feature. He added all the scenes of Treviranus' narration, and an elaborate scene in which he himself plays a blind detective cut down by Red Scarlach. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Boyle, Miguel Sandoval, (more)
- 1995
Although this Mexican romp stars popular, flamboyant singer Gloria Trevi, it was a box-office flop because audiences were put off by the vulgar situations within the story. Playing a dual role, Trevi plays an innocent but rebellious school girl, Gloria, and a notorious drug runner "Las Grenas." The latter is in deep trouble with some gringo gangsters after she cheats them out of $2 million. When she learns that Gloria is her doppelganger, she convinces the girl to pretend to be her corpse in a funeral. Among the more objectionable scenes is one in which Gloria, is punished by her principal and forced to clean out the latrines and handle human waste, something the girl does with relish and glee. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Featuring Jennifer Lopez in her first major big-screen role, Gregory Nava's My Family traces three generations of the Sanchez's, a Mexican-American family living in East Los Angeles. Beginning in the 1930s, the film outlines the struggles faced by Jose (Jacob Vargas) and Maria (Lopez) as a recently immigrated married couple raising a family. As Jose and Maria age, the focus shifts to their son, Jimmy (Jimmy Smits), as he starts his own family in the 1960s. While Lopez' role was uncredited, she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her performance. My Family has also been released under the titles My Family, Mi Familia, Cafe Con Leche, and East L.A. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Lorenzo O'Brien wrote this scathing black comedy about a naive Mexican highway patrolman who is irresistibly drawn into corruption and violence. ~ Nicole Gagne, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roberto Sosa, Bruno Bichir, (more)
Forty years in a very dysfunctional marital relationship are covered in this curious black comedy. Beginning the morning after their wedding ceremony, Jacqueline (Socorro Bonilla) and Nicolas (Alonso Echánove) found that they were at odds with each other. Nicolas is irritated to discover that Jacqueline can't cook, and Jacqueline is apalled to discover that Nicolas doesn't want children - now or ever. They drift apart but don't divorce. Nicolas had devoted all his energies to his hardware store business and has moved into real estate, growing shiftier with each passing year. Each of them takes lovers. Jacqueline tries to inspire her lovers to kill her now-despised husband, but somehow every one of their dastardly schemes falls through. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Socorro Bonilla, Alonso Echanove, (more)
- 1993
In this dialogue-free musical, events taking place at the Salon Panama are contrasted with those going on in an electronics warehouse nearby, where a group of Americans are stealing everything in sight. At the nigtclub, a series of music-hall type acts which frequently involve semi-nude chorus girls are put on to entertain a group of rowdy, low-class men.The nightclub barely slows down when the Americans arrive, rape one of the chorus girls, and camp out demanding that the acts continue. The story of this international production is based on an actual incident. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roberto Sosa
When he's not in his store working with his sharp-tongued, disagreeable sister, Benjamin, who never married, hangs out with his cronies. However, whenever the lovely and virginal teenager Natividad walks by, a hush falls over his group. Benjamin's gaze, in particular, remains fixed on her departing figure. The lads have noticed this and teasingly suggest that the overweight, fiftyish bachelor should kidnap her. One day, he actually does this. However, once he has her in his rooms he is much too shy to do anything with her. On the other hand, the far-from-innocent Natividad considers him to be a much better catch than anyone else she has seen in town (including her current boyfriend), and he appears to be someone who can be easily manipulated, so she refuses to leave. Instead, she quickly makes herself the dominant figure in his household. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eduardo Lopez Rojas, Arcelia Ramirez, (more)
- 1991
In Mexico, as in many former Spanish colonies, despite many attempts at change, the larger part of the country's farmland is still held or managed by a privileged few and farmed by powerless peasants or tenants. In this story, based on the longest-running play in Mexican history (El Extensionista by Felipe Santander), an idealistic collegian (Eduardo Palomo) whose subject is "agricultural engineering" has been sent by his school to serve a year's internship among the peasants of Tenochlan. They are justifiably wary of outsiders attempting to perform good works on their behalf, and it takes every ounce of his energy, good will, and persuasiveness to get them to follow his lead. Unfortunately for him, his idea of the best crop to plant turns out to be a disaster for everyone. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eduardo Palomo, José Carlos Ruiz, (more)
- 1990
Based on a true story, the man Chinto (Pedro Armendáriz) in Matan a Chinto puts Rambo in the shade. In the port city of Colima, Mexico, a hotel has been run by an increasingly psychotic manager. One day, he completely loses it, takes up his weapons, and starts killing everyone in sight. It takes the combined efforts of the police, the army, the navy and the townspeople to finally subdue him - and a surprisingly large amount of firepower. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pedro Armendariz, Jr., Gerardo Quiroz, (more)
- 1989
- PG13
In El Salvador in the late '70s, the wealthy few rule the impoverished many. To maintain the status quo against peasant insurgents and labor organizations, the military regime brutalizes the populace, in particular, rebels who espouse Marxism. Assassinations, executions, and disappearances become commonplace. When the Vatican elevates conservative Oscar Arnulfo Romero (Raul Julia) to archbishop, the military rulers believe he will quiet the masses and the activist priests who support them. "Blessed are the peacemakers," he will preach. At first, that is precisely what he does. But when soldiers thwart voters, shoot indiscriminately into crowds, torture dissidents, and kill a dedicated priest and friend of Romero, the archbishop condemns the regime in radio messages, rebukes quisling bishops, and leads a peasant march into a church occupied by soldiers. He also insults and defies the El Salvadoran president (Harold Cannon), an iron-fisted general, who, ironically, has the same last name as the archbishop Romero, but is not related. The country by this time is in the throes of civil war. In 1980, when military death squads continue their reign of terror even though the government institutes so-called reforms, Romero continues to speak out, gaining international attention. The film then builds to its climax, a scene recreating the events of Monday, March 25, 1980, when Romero is saying mass for his recently deceased mother. Attendees include four men who have no intention of reciting mea culpas or receiving the Holy Eucharist. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Raul Julia, Richard Jordan, (more)
- 1988
- PG13
Set in a small, deeply religious town where annually the crucifixion is literally reenacted, this melodrama centers on the tragic results of a love triangle between a troubled young wife, her husband and his handsome best friend. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Raul Julia, Armand Assante, (more)
- 1988
This rambling film has no clear story but serves as a showcase for a number of popular musicians. Among those featured are El Tri, Rockrigo Gonzalez, and Celia Toussaint. The camera takes the viewer through the streets and nightlife of Mexico City, to rock concerts, and to bars and clubs. At one transvestite club, a queer-bashing is featured; another club is an "hoyos funquis," a place where the poorest kids come to drown their sorrows by sniffing glue, taking drugs, and getting smashed on ordinary booze. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blanca Guerra, Roberto Sosa, (more)
- 1987
- R
Gaby: A True Story is about a young woman -- the child of rich European refugees living in Mexico -- who was stricken with cerebral palsy at birth. Though her body is completely paralyzed, her mind is unaffected, and she is able to become a college graduate and an acclaimed author. Rachel Levin won acclaim in the title role, but Norma Aleandro received an Oscan nomination for Best Supporting Actress. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liv Ullmann, Norma Aleandro, (more)
Police Captain Balbuena (Mario Almada) is taken off the case when he uncovers police involvement with notorious drug smugglers in this action drama. When he loses his job, Balbuena gathers a group of outlaws to go after the gangsters. El Loco Ordonez (Jorge Luke) is recruited to lead the vigilantes after the captain and his family are gunned down. The feature contains effective slices of comedy and violence and is a good action programmer. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mario Almada, Hugo Stiglitz, (more)
- 1986
- R
Weapons expert Cooper (Robert Ginty) travels to Central America to help deliver arms to a rebel force, but his friend (Cameron Mitchell) is killed by a mercenary force. Cooper takes over command of the rebel army, determined to finish what his friend started. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Teen angst in Mexico City is made all the worse by a young provincial woman's infatuation for a ghost, in this effective drama about disturbed youth. Aida (Lucy Reyna) arrives in Mexico City and is immediately introduced into the world of drugs and sex by the friends she meets. Before long, she is having visions of the ghostly "El Humo" ("Smoke," played by Gerardo de la Pena) and after she meets him at a party, they both are struck by Cupid's arrow. After some back-and-forth stepping around the nature of their relationship, El Humo disappears for five days, and Aida is distraught -- she locks herself up in her dark room, smokes some weed, takes a few hallucinogenic mushrooms, and then has a vision that clears up the mystery surrounding El Humo.
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
In yet another slick, formulaic Charles Bronson vengeance film (they would continue until the actor was in his mid-70s, still playing the morally insulted friend/husband/lover), Bronson is Holland, an assassin for hire who has just come out of retirement to finish off a Guatemalan thug by the name of Moloch (Joseph Maher). Moloch tortures and terrorizes the good guys and is protected by a misguided American government agency -- though nothing can stop Holland once he starts killing his way to the chief villain. No one except the wife of one of Moloch's victims -- and perhaps a few viewers now and again -- raises any questions about Holland's trail of corpses. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Bronson, Theresa Saldana, (more)
In this detective venture, a gumshoe looks into the killing of a wealthy socialite. It is difficult as the killer was careful to leave few clues. The investigation leads the detective to a lonely motel run by an eccentric young couple. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- José Alonso, Salvador Sanchez, (more)
- 1975
Originally Actas De Marusia, this Mexican film re-creates a dark chapter in the history of Chile. The scene is a small Chilean mining town in 1907. Suffering under the despotic rule of the British mine owners, the workers stage a revolt. The government's solution is to utterly destroy the town rather than allow the rebellion to spread. Letters from Marusia was adapted from a novel by Patricio Manns, which in turn was based on eyewitness accounts of the 1907 massacre. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Bracho
- 1970
- R
Gale (Charles Robinson) is an idealistic and naive young hunter who ignores warnings that no one can survive for long in the jungles of Mexico except the native Indians. He tries to hunt crocodiles but becomes delirious, disoriented and nears death. Sleigh (John Huston) is a veteran hunter living among the natives who rescues Gale just in time. As he recovers in the Indian village, Gale listens to Sleigh's denunciation of the evils of modern society (ie. money, greed and oil). Later on, a former native of the village returns from the oil fields of Texas and presents his young brother with a pair of cowboy boots. Proudly wearing his new boots, the boy falls off the wooden bridge into the river and drowns as the boots, symbolic shackles of civilization, fill up with water and pull him beneath the surface. Sleigh and Gale observe the Indians as they recover the body and stage an elaborate funeral for the dead boy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Huston, Charles Robinson, (more)
