Comments on: Birth of a Latinophile

By: Juana Maria

Juana Maria — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:38:58 +0000

I was hoping,as where probably others, that TCM would feature more movies from Latin countries. TCM had a special month of Mexican cinema in May 2005. I enjoyed that very much. Especially the movies with the lovely and talented Dolores Del Rio. I first saw her in John Ford’s “The Fugitive”,which stars Henry Fonda. It is a very well made movie and the cast is superb. Also, I have seen some of the Mexican-made films of Catinflas. I think he’s pretty funny. A Puertan Rican friend of mine told me that Cantinflas was his father’s favorite actor. It’s interesting as different as Latinos’ cultures can be,from country to country, we manage to find similiarities to each other. These can be religion, language, love of family,favorite foods,music and films. We can look at this way, what makes us different makes us unique. I think that is great. Vaya con Dios!

By: john pocus

john pocus — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:35:50 +0000

I’m a latinophile too. I was so happy when they decided to show this film series. I’m especially looking forward to this tuesday night with Milagro beanfield war. I love tcm.
pedro is good, but for spanish movies my favorite is Lenguas de las mariposas. Amazing acting. Then there is Noche del hermano. That movie is super amazing, i saw it on tv in spain and it probably would only be seen there. Then El septimo dia is amazing too.
I agree with the guy above, Carlos Gardel all the way.
There should be some more attention paid to world cinema in the usa in general, why is it that tcm imports is so late at night? i hate that. i can’t stay up on sunday to watch it, no tivo so its either that or pay ridiculous criterion prices to see amazing movies.
anyway kudos to tcm for their coverage of latino films…

By: Jorge Finkielman

Jorge Finkielman — Sat, 09 May 2009 10:33:29 +0000

The Latino Images on film was an extremely frustrating experience.

Where were the Spanish language films made by Hollywood? Why weren’t included.

Turner Broadcasting bought a series of cable channels in Argentina that were more popular in Latin America than their own lousy signals in order to pull them out of the air. However, they inherited their archive that include a big number of Spanish language films… films that I guess we will never see again.

Among those are examples of John Alton’s camera work for Sono and most of the very best films by Libertad Lamarque (her earlier films in Argentina are far more important, and successful, than the later ones in Mexico).

And why is that the Carlos Gardel films are still ignored?

American television in Spanish is repugnant… it is better to see signals from Latin America and in Argentina there is a very good show for film buff that we can watch online for free.

Saludazos

By: Juana Maria

Juana Maria — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:01:04 +0000

Your poster “Famous Monsters of Filmland” is very interesting.I
immediately noticed the wrestler–he’s Jack Black’s character,
you know Nacho Libre! Dios mio!It’s Nacho Libre! Oh, the other characters looked pretty cool too. And don’t worry your not the only Latinphyle. I’ve studied Spanish for years, love Mexican food,hot peppers(especially cayanne pepper). I eat Mexican food almost every day,but isn’t that what Mexicans have to eat every day? That’s not so bad. Anyway Spanish speaking people have always been a part of my life and it’s not hard see why I love them and their culture. I don’t have any Spanish language movies
in my collection,but I’ve almost bought some at Wal-mart. I have
a flamenco CD that I listen to occasionally when my Spanish side
can’t be denied(I’m half Irish,for that I have Riverdance cds).
I’m pretty silly but definitely not alone. Adios!

By: Richard Harland Smith

Richard Harland Smith — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:54:34 +0000

Guillermo del Toro is the director of Pan's Labyrinth and he is indeed a talented and charismatic guy - I was lucky enough to meet him in the flesh a few years ago. I love his audio commentaries. I first saw Penelope Cruz in All About My Mother (1999) but the actress I was most impressed with in that was Cecilia Roth, an Almodovar mainstay since his early days. I need to catch up with that mini-series she made a few years ago, Epitafios. I was also blown away by Marisa Paredes, whose career in Spain goes back to the 60s - she was great in del Toro's The Devil's Backbone.

By: 42nd Street Memories

42nd Street Memories — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:21:01 +0000

I became fascinated with Latin films as a boy growing up in a melting pot neighborhood in NYC. We had a Spanish language theater, The Elgin, now an upscale dance theater.

I would ask my Latino friends to stop and translate the colorful lobby cards for me. I have since added some to my memorabilia collection.

I would add Talk To Her to the must see Almodovar list. Also any Spanish speaking film with the lovely and talented Penelope Cruz.

Check out the immensely popular Cantinflas on Netflix (El Bolero de Raquel)to see what lead to his Around the World in 80 Days casting.

And any of the 50s-60s horror films for a fun time.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:07:06 +0000

My kids and I love Mucha Lucha. I am not a fan of too many cartoons aimed at kids these days, but this one and a few others, do make my list as a good cartoon.

I haven’t seen an Almodovar pic yet, but I did see Pan’s Labrynth and it is a mesmerizing, beautifully shot film set in Franco’s Spain. The director’s name escapes me right now, but he’s said to be very talented. I bet you did see it, too.

By: medusamorlock

medusamorlock — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:26:59 +0000

Lovely and hilarious recollections of your varied influences! Glad to see food in there, too! As a kid growing up in L.A., Mexican food was always top on my list — and may I recommend El Tepeyac in East L.A. for quite delicious food that I have to eat several times when I visit home. I particularly recommend their machaca! Insanely great!

In the TV world, I think you might love the classic Saturday night variety extravaganza “Sabado Gigante” — I don’t watch it super-regularly anymore but it’s plenty entertaining and very sweet with much audience participation, silly skits, beautiful girls, and (I hope still) a man in a gorilla mask playing a trumpet and a man in a lion suit who pretends to devour bad amateur singers. Quite the package!

Great post!