Flora Martínez & co in "Canciones de Amor en Lolita's Club" [2007 Spain]

When it comes to a Vicente Aranda film, one knows what to expect - his characters will not be able to contain their passion - they'd indulge themselves despite the consequences. His drama "Canciones de Amor en Lolita's Club" [Eng. Trans: Love Songs in Lolita's Club] starts off in a similar fashion but strays off aimlessly, partly due to the screenplay. Perhaps he was experimenting with some new themes, but were abandoned half way - I haven't read the novel, but from what I see, it carries several half-developed sub-plots, and that time could have been better used to work on the main plot and characters.

Technically, it is as good as can be expected from Sr. Aranda, even if there was nothing too challenging here. The soundtrack is decent, as is the cinematography. But overall, an average film for a fine writer-director. I'd reviewed this film earlier, but this is a reappraisal, with fresh compilations from my DVD.

Raul is a short-tempered albeit sincere cop who gets suspended for assaulting an important person's son. He decides to spend the enforced vacation at his dad's ranch, who's now married to Olga, his former girlfriend. He also reluctantly strikes a deal with an informer concerning a human trafficking cartel. At the ranch, he learns that his mentally challenged younger brother Valentín is working as an errand-boy at an upmarket brothel, and that he's also in love with to one of the prostitutes there. A furious Raul goes looking for Valentín to rescue him, but finds him happy as ever with his 'girlfriend' Milena, a Colombian prostitute owned by the brothel. He tries to break the pair apart, with little success. He then decides to have sex with her, hoping that would put him off. Tragedy strikes unexpectedly, and Raul ends up taking up his brother's place.




Compilation 1: Flora Martínez
Prostitute Milena is played by the pretty Colombian actress Flora Martínez - shame though she seems to have needlessly gone under the surgeon's scalpel.



Scene Guide:

• A high-on-cocaine Milena is tended to by lover and errand-boy Valentin.
• Raul had come to the brothel to end Valentín's relationship with Milena, but decides to 'check her out' for curiosity sake. Even after knowing who he is, she agrees. 'Inspecting' her vagina, he remarks, "never thought whores could get horny too".  She retorts, "with a stud like you, who wouldn't". A disgusted Raul throws money and leaves.
• When Valentín refuses to stop loving Milena, Raul barges into Milena's room when she's with a customer and warns her to stay away from his brother.

Compilation 2: Flora Martínez
The remaining scenes of Flora Martínez who plays Milena.



Scene Guide:

• Valentín seeks his turn with Milena after the last of her customers leave. It certainly doesn't appear as if she's ready for him yet - hygienically at least. She's however glad he reminded her she's not always a prostitute.
• Raul comes visiting again - this time he really wants to do it with Milena and ensure Valentín also knows - so that he could put him off. He see her dancing with a customer, and Nancy, who wants to try and keep Raul away from her, offers a trick, but he's not interested. Nancy is played by the gorgeous Cubana Yunet Guerra - pity she doesn't take her kit off in this film.
• A brief scene of cute Miriam Giovanelli - she barely has a line to speak in the film, but does offer a nipple-slip.
• Raul pulls Milena away from her customer, and after making a scene, offers his custom instead. He ravishes her after leaving the door unlocked - she pleads him not to break Valentín's heart, but he'd have none of it - pretty soon it is apparent she too is enjoying it. An unsuspecting Valentín enters, and leaves in shock.
• Valentín is killed due to mistaken identity - Raul feels guilty and uses his connections with the human trafficking cartel to 'release' Milena from her bondage. She's however not interested as she's earning enough to send decent money for her child back in Colombia. He then offers to take Valentín's place. She replies, "in which case, I want you to get my next fix".
• Raul has now become Milena's new Valentín.

Compilation 3: Daniela Cobo, Yunet Guerra, Carla Sánchez, Belén Fabra, and others
These are the other nude scenes not involving Flora Martínez.



Scene Guide:

• The film starts with Raul insisting on paying for the night with a prostitute - played by Daniela Cobo.
• Valentín bringing in drinks for a customer who's having a threesome.
• A watchful eye is kept on all the goings on in the establishment.
• Girls enjoying their bachata, as Raul look around. One of the girls points out that he resembles Valentín.
• María, Raul's police-colleague comes visiting to warn him of a plot against him. The carefree Raul shags her nevertheless. María is played by Carla Sánchez.
• A couple of brief scenes of Olga played by classy Belén Fabra - Olga was once Raul's girlfriend, but is now married to his dad - we're not told what happened - or whether this is the reason behind Raul's alcoholism. Valentín catches them in the act and feels it is not quite right.

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Scenes from Gaspar Noé’s “Seul Contre Tous” & “Carne” [1998, 1991 France]

Gaspar Noé made his first full-length feature, "Seal Contro Tous" [Eng. Trans: Alone Against All, Eng. Title: I Stand Alone] - a deeply affecting portrait of alienation and despair, as a continuation of the story of a down-on-luck and out-of-work butcher from a short he made years earlier, "Carne" (Horse Meat).

To say this is not an easy film to watch is an understatement. At the same time, this film will not only have your complete attention, it will force you to probe the depths of your own innermost anxieties, and compare them with what the protagonist is going through. It makes us realise how close many of us must have come to be clinically labelled 'mentally ill' at some point in our lives. For that's what we see the butcher go through - at times in a more intense and menacing manner than Travis Bickle in the American classic, "Taxi Driver". While Travis wants to do what he thinks 'is necessary' for the overall good of the city, the butcher cannot think beyond his immediate circumstances, and that's what makes this film so personal. We relate to him in so many levels and yet are repulsed by what he ends up doing. He is hard working, caring, and honestly attempts to turn his fortunes around. All the ingredients necessary for him to lead a decent existence are there - only in the wrong proportions.

It helps, even though not necessary, if "Seul Contre Tous" is seen with some knowledge of his earlier short film, "Carne". That was about how the butcher loses everything he cared about in a single day - the custody of his daughter, and his shop, after mistakenly causing GBH on an innocent man. It ends with him leaving Paris with his pregnant girlfriend upon release from prison - with his mute daughter locked away in care, he feels he can now start life afresh.

"Seul Contre Tous" starts with the butcher disillusioned after being let down by his girlfriend - she had changed her mind about investing in a butcher shop after getting to Lille, and wants him to take up a paid job instead. Things come to a head and he flees to Paris after attacking his girlfriend in a fit of rage. He rents the old motel room where his daughter was conceived fifteen years ago, picks up his daughter from the care home for a day out, but brings her to the room instead. There are three bullets left in his revolver - how is he going to use it...

The film hardly looks like one made by a director beginning to find his feet in cinema. Not only is it immaculately planned and executed, it has also become a blueprint of sorts to his future style of film making.

One is also intrigued by Noé as a person, his themes and subjects may point to a tormented soul with strong pacifist leanings, but one could also see his clear convictions on what he wants to tell, made apparent in almost every aspect of his production techniques, be it the way he frames his subjects, the clear-cut, almost brutal scene transitions, his preference for strong colours, and also his typographic choices. He remains one of the truly remarkable film makers in world cinema today, and every new film of his is enthusiastically anticipated by film lovers, myself included. I look forward to his current project, "7 días en La Habana" - a collection of short films by an eclectic mix of directors, which also includes the great Julio Medem - and I hope it turns out to be as special as it deserves to be.




Compilation: Paule Abecassis, Blandine Lenoir
There is very little nudity in many of these scenes, but they are disturbing nevertheless.



Scene Guide:

• The butcher planning his next move while sitting in a porn cinema - his persistent rantings through voice-over highlight his sense of exclusion from society.
• A desperate junkie - played by Paule Abecassis, takes him to her place, in return for whatever little money he could afford.
• Reminiscing early days with his daughter's mum at the very room all those years ago.
• With his mute daughter Cynthia (possibly with the mental age of someone even younger). I deliberately cut out a deeply moving scene in the middle.
• These are scenes from his earlier film, "Carne", with daughter Cynthia - the only person he seems to care about or have any affection for. Cynthia is played by Blandine Lenoir.

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Ivonne Montero & co in "Asesino en Serio" [2002 Mexico, Spain]

Antonio Urrutia's outrageous comedy "Asesino en Serio" [Eng. Titles: Serious Killer, I Murder Seriously] is one of those deliciously tacky films you'll love to have in your collection. I had reviewed this several years ago, but this a reappraisal from my DVD.

The film is a sumptuous feast - it is ridiculously funny in places, especially the scenes between the protagonist Jesús Ochoa who plays the crime investigating officer Martínez, and Santiago Segura who plays the priest Gorkisolo, where liberal helpings of satire are dished out. It is also sexy with some seriously gorgeous Mexican beauties spicing things up. The casting, cinematography, direction, and of course the exquisite soundtrack give it the essential Latin flavour. There may be a lot of goofs and inaccuracies if you want to really nit-pick, but that is actually part of the film's charm. And I'm quite surprised Antonio Urrutia hasn't made a film since. But if you like Latin American cinema, you'll simply love this - needless to say, Highly Recommended Viewing..!

Commandante Martínez is puzzled by the strange spate of murders in his neighbourhood - dead women found wearing the broadest of smiles, as if they were in a state of ecstasy when they breathed their last. The coroner establishes that the deaths were caused by 'fatal' orgasms. Martinez traces the murders to a recent discovery by an archeologist - about erotic techniques used by mesoamericans. Which leads him to a priest who'd been perfecting his technique of the new-found knowledge upon unsuspecting prostitutes. It so happens that Martínez also needs to master the technique if he's to survive an elaborate plot to eliminate him...




Compilation 1: Laila Saab, Liana Iniesta, and others



Scene Guide:

• This must be one of the sexiest opening credits in film - a student seduces her professor-archeologist to see if his theories about mesoamerican eroticism are true - with devastating consequences. Endearingly beautiful Laila Saab plays the sexy student who soon ends up dead, leaving Martínez and his team baffled. The coroner reports that she was filled with vaginal fluids at the time of death. The track “Amado Mío” by Pink Martini is simply perfect for this scene.
• Victim no: 2 - Father Gorkisolo tries out his newly acquired knowledge on Estelita, a local prostitute, played by Liana Iniesta. Martínez investigates.
• Victim no: 3 - which I think is played by Fabiola Torres, but I'm now not sure.
• Victim no: 4 - actress uncredited.

Compilation 2: Ivonne Montero
Yolanda is the love-interest of Martínez.He soon discovers that she's a scheming bitch out to eliminate him after being appointed beneficiary to his life insurance - she wants to live with her real lover with some extra comfort. Yolanda is played by 'mamacita caliente' Ivonne Montero.



Scene Guide:

• Martínez with Yolanda - sparks fly but the poor ol' chap couldn't contain his excitement. All I'd say is, Jesús Ochoa is one lucky b*stard.
• An extension of the above scene from the DVD extras.
• Yolanda makes sure her next date with Martínez will be special. By now he already knows about her cunning plan and is plotting one of his own.
• Martínez shows Yolanda her birthday present - the insurance document, and soon treats her to his newly acquired technique. He also OD's her lover and places him next to her body.
• CSI Mexico arrive and are still bickering over the reason for Yolanda's death.
• Brief scene of Martínez with the only woman who seems to care about him - prostitute Gilda, played by Gabriela Roel. She tells him that he almost 'killed her' - oh really..!

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Elisabetta Rocchetti & Stefania Rocca in "L'amore è Eterno Finché Dura" [2004 Italy]

Actor-director Carlo Verdone has been a staple of Italian cinema for several decades. While his films are generally light comedies, his 2004 film, "L'amore è Eterno Finché Dura" [Eng. Title: Love is Eternal While it Lasts] is a comedy that tries to seriously examine modern family life, by focusing on a marriage going through crisis.

The film starts with Gilberto attending a speed-dating event, after signing up as a widower. His wife of twenty years Tiziana is however pretty much alive, both livng a seemingly harmonious life with a teenage daughter. He marks his interest in a woman named Stella, but doesn't take it any further. But when Stella disappears shortly after the speed-date, police call him, along with all the other participants of the dating event for questioning. Tiziana accompanies a reluctant Gilberto for the interview, and is understandably ticked off after learning about his attending the event (and that too by pronouncing her dead). She promptly asks him to vacate the flat, leaving Gilberto to temporarily crash at his best friend Andrea's flat, who lives with girlfriend Carlotta.

Gilberto initially tries to win Tiziana back, but changes his mind after he learns that she's been having an affair with their family doctor, after all. Several twists and turns in the 'pairing-up' game ensue after Stella, the girl who disappeared after the speed-date event, returns. Through it all, the film flows pretty well, thanks to some clean writing, but is made less credible by the fact that the various breakups seem to happen without causing any noticeable fuss or trauma to the other party. It is as if Verdone is too weary of straying from his traditional forte of comedy by portraying things more convincingly. I think he should have taken the chance and made a proper drama, as opposed to a comedy drama.




Compilation: Elisabetta Rocchetti and Stefania Rocca


Scene Guide:

• Carlotta chooses to spice up Gilberto's life a bit by introducing him to her friend Carolina. In this funny scene, he finds out that it isn't working with Carolina at all, when she enthusiastically answers all her calls and text messages even during the act. Carolina is played by Elisabetta Rocchetti.
• No nudity but sexy, as Carlotta casually changes clothes in Gilberto's presence. Carlotta is played by Stefania Rocca.

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Marina Kalogirou & Anna Mouglalis in "Alithini Zoi" [Greece, France 2004]

Watching Panos H. Koutras's Greek fantasy drama "Alithini Zoi" [Eng. Title: Real Life] was an exotic and sometimes surreal experience as it swung back and forth from melodrama and romantic fantasy. It was refreshing nevertheless, even thrilling at times, even though what originally drove me to purchase a DVD was an underwater scene involving the rather cute Marina Kalogirou, and the fact that Anna Mouglalis also makes an appearance (in the nude as well).

The film itself is interesting to watch despite its minor shortcomings (mostly editing) - but then again it is a commercial film that's not really meant to be taken too seriously. Having said that, the direction is stylish, and performances by all the main actors are of high standard, particularly that of Mlle. Mouglalis.

The film is made of three parts - In the first we see rich kid Aris returning home after some kind of drug rehabilitation - he had also ended his relationship with childhood sweetheart Joy, and is eager to start life afresh, but is also haunted by his father's death when he was very young. He wants to know more about the circumstances, but none of them in the household, particularly his mum is interested in rekindling the past. One day, he sees Alexandra designing a store window and instantly falls in love. They connect and all seems well, until Joy turns up out of the blue, making things complicated. Alexandra decides to leave Athens and takes up the offer made by Aris' mother (to stay away from her son for a period of time). The film then goes through several twists and turns, including some dramatic revelations about Aris' parents, until Alexandra's return, when we are shown their old romance is still alive.

The surreal moments include helicopters setting ablaze the Acropolis, the mysterious swimming pool at Aris' home that's inhabited by a strange sea creature. I don't know whether Koutras was trying to achieve something similar to what Julio Medem did with the island in 'Lucía y el Sexo' - I had to rely solely on the subtitles to tell me the story, and there may be some cultural symbolism I might have missed in the process - perhaps a Greek visitor could illuminate us at some point. The film is interesting nevertheless, and definitely worth viewing.




Compilation 1: Alexandra - Marina Kalogirou



Scene Guide:

• Passionate lovemaking between Alexandra and Aris at the beach
• Some 'Greek style' wrestling from Alexandra and Aris. When he carries her into the water, Alexandra panics, and confesses why she dreads the water
• At the same beach, Aris decides to rid Alexandra of her phobia there and then.
• Brief nipple-slip as Alexandra is rescued from the swiimming pool.
• Underwater romance, at its mystical best..!

Compilation 2: Joy - Anna Mouglalis



Scene Guide:

• A pantyless Joy and a totally naked Aris frolic in the room - only they're no longer children any more.
• Joy starts fidgeting when Aris doesn't turn up on time, and suddenly finds her necklace suffocating - thanks partly to the drugs.

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