Tag: Catalina Sandino Moreno

REVIEW: Barbarians [2022]

Jared Mobarak

Nothing ever happened. It opens with a commercial. Lucas (Tom Cullen) has his voiceover voice going full tilt to talk about this new venture he’s created on some English farmland that houses a mysterious, spiritual stone monolith that brings people from all over the world to visit every solstice. He’s partnered with the property’s owner to turn its historical and mystical allure into a high-end luxury community of beautiful country mansions. The initial test home is already complete—with a soon-to-be-finished replica monolith sculpted by his renowned artist friend Eva (Catalina…

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REVIEW: The Quarry [2020]

Jared Mobarak

You’re not the one who can forgive. Reverend David Martín’s (Bruno Bichir) fate wasn’t set in stone while driving down a Texas highway with a bottle of wine in his hand. He still had choices. Should he stop to assist a man (Shea Whigham) found face down in the dirt? Should he offer a ride to the place that will serve as his own new beginning? Should he confront him about a dark truth his conscience won’t ignore? You might say that being a man of God did seal his…

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VIFF11 REVIEW: Miss Bala [2011]

Jared Mobarak

“Have some faith in me, Dad” If you ever have a daughter that begs you for entrance into a beauty pageant and you can’t bring yourself to comply, pop on Miss Bala and she’ll never ask again. Taking place in Mexico amidst an unwinnable war on drugs, Gerardo Naranjo’s film portrays a never-ending series of impossible situations for its star. All Laura Guerrero (Stephanie Sigman) wanted was to have fun, wear beautiful dresses, and flaunt her body. But like twenty-somethings in any culture, kids who enjoy partying get mixed up…

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REVIEW: Paris, je t’aime [Paris, I Love You] [2006]

Jared Mobarak

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the short film anthology Paris, je t’aime [Paris, I Love You] for a long time. Once I heard of the project it really interested me as something that could be amazing, with some enormous talent attached. To my disappointment, I read about the finished shorts and how good they were, but alas no release date stateside for the entire experience. It will eventually come to the US (limited early May, Buffalo? Maybe), however, I could wait no longer and made the purchase…

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