My Advanced students' favourite films (part 1)

Elena Herrero says:
Yes, who doesn´t remember the famous words "I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills ..." at the beginning of this magic movie? 

Unforgettable, moving, awesome … this masterpiece is a beautiful song to Africa through human feelings. In the film you´re transported to wonderful landscapes through its soundtrack, delightful I daresay, and the breathtaking light and photography, as if you´re were taking part in the scene. There is no doubt that this is my favourite film of all time, or at least the one that has made the deepest impression on me, since I´m so fond of Africa.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (Con la muerte en los talones) by A. HITCHCOCK (1959)

Hitchcock is always the master of suspense, in the way in which he develops tension, and this MGM film is not an exception. With music scored by Bernard Herrmann again, Cary Grant is faced with various memorable situations, punctuated by the magnitude of the images: The pursuit by a light aircraft across a sowed field to kill Thornhill, the protagonist, or the scene filmed on Mount Rushmore, are fine examples of how Hitchock keeps the audience in suspense in nearly every scene.

Easily one of Hitchcock's most engaging films and, in my humble opinion, a must-see for everyone.

By the way, Elena also wants to include this link to the extraordinary performance by the famous “Cirque du Soleil” during the ceremony of the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood this year, where, among other films, “NBNW” is recreated.

Juanjo Diego says:
I have been browsing through the Universal Web quickly, and soon I have found two films that I want to highlight (apart from Hitchcock’s, of course): The Blues Brothers and Back to the future (only the first one, really)
The Blues Brothers (ridiculously translated into Spanish as "Granujas a todo Ritmo") is a little carefree “thug movie”, with a lot of hilarious gags and unforgettable moments  (Do you remember the impossible car chase?), starring two brilliant, irreverent rogues. But I specially love the fantastic American soundtrack (above all, soul and rhythm and blues) with cameo appearances by Aretha Franklin or Ray Charles, among others. The song "Everybody needs somebody" is one of my favourite to start a party since it's full of energy and makes people feel better and willing to have fun (Actually, I always play this song in our family parties)

Then Zemeckis's comedy is probably less interesting, but I think the idea which the witty plot is based on is great and very intelligent (to meet the protagonist’s parents in the past and the mother falling in love with her own son!!!) and the way that the story is developed is truly successful, with characters perfectly drawn and inserted into an amazing story. This movie shows a different vision about time travel that, until it was released, had always been either a horror story or a thriller. The history of cinema would probably be the same without “Back to the Future”, but watching it, even today, is to ensure we are going to have a good time.

Besides these two fun films and Hitchcock's masterpieces, I could mention a lot of extraordinary movies produced by Universal Estudios. My own list could be this one (within the website's selection, of course, because on this site not all Universal films are featured): Foolish Wives (Stroheim), The Phantom of the Opera (Julian and Chaney), All Quiet on the Western Front (Milestone), Dracula (Browning), Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (Whale), My Man Godfrey (La Cava), The Wolf Man (Waggner), Sullivan's Travel (Sturges), Double Indemnity and The Lost Weekend (Wilder), Winchester 73 (Mann), The Incredible Shrinking Man (Arnold), Touch of Evil (Welles), Spartacus (Kubrick), American Graffiti (Lucas), Jaws, E.T. and Schindler's List (Spielberg), The Jerk (Reiner), Scarface (De Palma), Babe (Noonan), Casino (Scorsese) and United 93 (Greengrass).

Mercedes Martin says:

When we were asked to write about our favourite films, I was afraid because somebody had already “slipped in” first with my favourite ones. I mean, the first title which always comes to my mind is “Out of Africa” and after that “To Kill a Mockingbird”. So, when Jose Luis told us it was not necessary to write a review but simply show our feelings, I saw my chance and felt relieved because I have treasured up, at the back of my mind, some films that might not be masterpieces but I will love forever.

First of all, I must mention “Hatari”, which is a romantic adventure film. It was shot in 1962 and it is set in Africa. Now, thinking about both its atmosphere and its plot, I have just realized that there is a strong resemblance between this film and “Out of Africa”: a love triangle, the game hunting, a wonderful soundtrack - in this case by Henry Mancini – and, furthermore, my favourite scene, which in this film is Elsa Martinelli showering the baby elephants (the one in “Out of Africa” Robert Redford washing Meryl Streep`s hair). All this proves that, over the years, people usually change but their early memories and tastes remain throughout their lives deep inside. 

Another film which is in my memory is “Trapeze”. Who could forget the stunning physical appearance of Burst Lancaster! How gorgeous Tony Curtis was, and indeed the beauty of Gina Lollobrigida, all of them in the middle of the glamorous atmosphere of the circus world. By the way, this reminds me of our dear classmate, Cuchi, whose dream was to become a trapeze artist.

I do not want to bore you. I am eager to know about your favourite films!

Universal Studios: 100 years of dreams

Yes, one hundred years of "movie magic" are commemorated on April 30th. However much I love the so called seventh art, I've never considered myself a film buff or even a frequent "filmgoer"; but as soon as I started flicking through the fantastic Universal's website, I decided I should write this post with some of my favourite films produced by the renowned American studios. Needless to say, it's not easy to select a handful of titles when you're spoilt for choice indeed, as there are, literally, thousands of them. So after giving it a thought for a while, and clicking on a good deal of windows to refresh my memory, I came up with the list below. 

I've tried to include movies belonging to different genres and different decades, though funnily enough two were premiered the same year, 1973. Then you'll notice most of them were shot when I was just a kid or even before I was born but I treasure them dearly. I guess that's because I've always been really fond of classic films.

OK, without more ado, these are my top six "Universal flicks" arranged chronologically, from the oldest to the most recent.

DUCK SOUP (1933):

I know this is 1933 stuff and I was only a kid when I first watched it - those were the days of Spanish TV in black and white and a mere two channels!

I can't help laughing my head off no matter how many times I watch this hilarious satire by the great Marx Bros! This "war scene" is a fine classic example of their humour:

I just love those nutty, fast-delivered punchlines by Groucho, don't you?


PSYCHO (1960):

Possibly my favourite film of all time, at least the one I've seen most often, and indeed one that made a deep impression on me. The perennial "shower scene", with the blood-curdling music by Bernard Hermmann (do you remember Juanjo's lovely post?), still makes my hair stand on end! Psycho is a must-see movie for everyone, and especially for lovers of Mr. "McGuffin" Hitchcock's awesome thrillers.

But being my fave flick, I can't help embedding yet another fantastic scene, actually the one prior to the brutal stabbing, where Norman and Marion try to get to know each other a little better until ... Well, I won't give away anything. This is, to my mind, Anthony Perkins at his best!

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962):

There are many valid classic examples of the genre, but to me Robert Mulligan's brilliant adaptation of the Prize Pulitzer-winning namesake novel by Harper Lee is the archetypal, quintessential "courtroom drama". Gregory Peck was my unsung hero with his sober yet relentless defense of a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman in the segregated "Deep South".

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (1973):

"Too much Heaven on their minds".... how deeply moved I was by the title's meaning and, above all, by the shrill delivery of Carl Anderson as Judas in this amazing, ground-breaking rock opera stemmed from the factory of, who else, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Webber. 

There's a story behind this film, or rather, the soundtrack. I was only eleven or twelve and I had a neighbour, Mariano, who was a passionate music lover (how much I felt his passing when shortly afterwards he died). Well, he had this primitive Dual record player (the lid was the loudspeaker) where he would play his records all day long. In those days the building stairs were filled with the music of JCS, and to me the album was (never more suitably") like a "revelation". And this song in particular with the distinctive rock feel touched my heart.

THE STING (1973):
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There's always ample talk of the onscreen chemistry of legendary couples: There's Burton and Taylor, Gable and Leigh ... even Di Caprio and Winslet? (no way, ha ha!). 

Joking apart, the biggest, most adorable scam in movie history proved that an only-male chemistry is possible when these two lovable heartthrobs display their charms, isn't that right ladies?

How about this final scene with the familiar rag piece by Scott Joplin adapted for the screen by Marvin Hamlisch? How many times must have we whistled it!

OUT OF AFRICA (1985):

Last but not least, talking about onscreen chemistry, here's Robert Redford again, this time alongside my favourite actress, the unique Meryl Streep, in this delightful, multiple Award-winning romantic drama directed by Sydney Pollack. 

You know, if there's a time I wish I'd been on a plane in a movie I was watching, this one-off scene would be it: Redford and Streep holding hands while flying across the breathtaking landscapes of Kenya with the backdrop of John Barry's moving soundtrack. Simply mind-blowing!

Well dear students, this is my personal selection of best-loved "Universal" movies. Sure thing I could have included a bunch more but that's no big deal, as you can now complete this blog entry with your own favourite titles. So will you guys email me with at least one film you would like to feature on this post? I really look forward to it!

Gustavo: A brief look at the history of the “fiesta” of Villalar de los Comuneros

Every 23rd of April, the people of Castile celebrate the festival of their autonomous region, which is based on a well-known historic event.

In the location of what is today the village of Villalar de los Comuneros (Valladolid) took place the battle of Villalar, where Emperor Carlos V’s troops beat the army of commoners lead by Juan de Padilla (from Toledo), Juan Bravo (from Segovia – although he was born in Guadalajara) and Francisco and Pedro Maldonado (from Salamanca). 

Detail of the battle. Manuel Pícolo López (1887) 

The commoner troops rose up against the young King, Carlos I, son of Juana (called “la Loca”) and Felipe (called “el Hermoso”), to defend their privileges. In the Old Castilian Regime the governors had to obey a law based on the custom and the King Carlos, who had been born and raised in Gante (Flandes – the present Belgium) was seen by the Castilians as a stranger.

As he started to introduce foreigners in capital government positions such as Toledo’s archbishopric, where 20-year-old Guillermo de Croy followed the all-powerful Cardinal Cisneros, the conflict was early seen coming. And, obviously, the uprising started in Toledo.

The insurrection began to be called “community” and that’s the origin of the uprising’s name: commoner or “comuneros”. However, there are many historians that consider the uprising as a revolution, based on the development of the process. Let’s take a look.

The uprising spread to the cities of the Castilian plateau while the king was attending imperial matters in Germany. In his place, Regent Adriano de Utrecht (the future Pope Adriano VI – also a foreigner himself) couldn’t handle the situation, which ended up broadening the east kingdom of Valencia, in another conflict known as the “germanías”.

The commoners went to Tordesillas to talk to Queen Juana, where she was a recluse, to ask her to rule the kingdom according to the Castilian law, but she refused to betray her son as she had earlier refused to betray her husband and her father (Fernando “the Catholic”) even when both of them deemed her insane though probably she wasn’t.  

Anyhow, this situation was difficult to overcome for the commoners as they were gradually staying out of the current law, as I said before, a custom-based law. It was then when they took the decision to assume the functions of government and the uprising became an anti-seigneurial insurrection that they decided to support. After that, the Castilian nobility quickly abandoned its faltering attitude and sided with the king in a conflict that began to take new features. 

The final battle took place in Villalar on 23rd April, 1521. The end of the story is well-known: Juan de Padilla, Juan Bravo and Francisco Maldonado where beheaded the day after the battle and the commoners’ uprising was crushed (Padilla’s wife, María Pacheco, capitulated in Toledo one year later).  

The story of the Maldonados is more complex. At the first of the uprising, there were two, Francisco Maldonado, commissioned to direct the “salmantina” militias, and his cousin, Pedro Maldonado. Both of them shared the lead of the “salmantina” troops, but only one was beheaded the day after the battle of Villalar. Pedro Maldonado, heir to the “Casa de las Conchas” in Salamanca (as a member of the Maldonado-Pimentel’s family), was executed one year later together with other lesser-known leaders.  

Commoner captains executions. Antonio Gisbert (1860)

All in all, to explain why the Castilians celebrate a defeat symbolizes, from my point of view, the paradox of our history. The emperor’s troops won that day, but Castile lost pretty much in the long term, as supporting Emperor Carlos’s project largely conditioned and caused the ruin of the subsequent economic development.

Paloma: "Anonymous", a must-see film

I don´t know for sure if everybody likes going to the cinema like me, but I am certain that somebody will agree on the idea that “Anonymous” is a sight for sore eyes.

Some months ago, I had thought of enjoying this film, but I was left wanting. So I managed to take the opportunity Iast eek. Not only did the film, written and directed by Roland Emmerich and John Orlooff respectively, not dash my hopes, but actually was beyond my expectations. 

I wish to emphasize some of the reasons that a person could have to see it: 

The Plot: Anonymous is both a political thriller and a pseudo-historical drama.  It is a fictionalized version of the life of Edward de Vere - a courtier, playwright and poet in Elizabethan times - who is portrayed as a literary prodigy and the true author of Shakespeare´s plays.

In successive flashbacks, the film evokes the reputed life of the Earl of Oxford (Edward de Vere) from childhood, through emotional and political entanglements (the Queen´s lover, insurrection …) to his death.

All through the story, we see how De Vere is forced first to live in a repressive, puritanical household, then blackmailed into a loveless marriage, and finally he is compelled to renounce literature. Nonetheless, the protagonist struggles against the taboo of writing for the blue-bloods. What is more, in spite of the fact that his literary work is considered a dishonour to his family, he will secretly continue to write because of the sudden awareness of how powerful - in terms of propaganda - art is.  In this respect, the Earl will write “Henry V” and “Richard III” – as propaganda designed to ”foment” revolt.  However, the veiled attack fails … things rush and the story is progressively unfolded before our very eyes.

Setting: Visually, the film is dazzling. It is a brilliant display of Elizabethan London, which is exquisitely recreated. To attain this perfection, the film was shot for the first time with a special camera which enhances most of the period backgrounds. In keeping with that purpose, the recreation of the royal rooms and costumes is painstakingly designed.  While the plot is unfolded in the grey half-light of dawn and in the smoky rooms, a majestic fashion show of ruffs, farthingales and halberds - among countless attires and other antique objects - … is displayed.

Talking of the atmosphere of this marvelous conspiracy story, one thing that caught my attention was the light: the director fills the screen with lights and shadows. We watch scenes at first light or when the sun is beginning to fade. In this respect, one can feel either beauty without being touched up or the streets’ squalor too; in any case, the best scenes are those of the candle-lit interior.

The cast: Anonymous boasts a cast of pure gold, which I couldn't agree more. The cast is memorable and the film's depiction of the nobility is superb. 

The film opens with a theatrical prologue delivered by Derek Jacobi whose voice and diction delight everybody, I know for sure. 

The director casts Rhys Ifans, who gives a stunning performance in the part of the Earl of Oxford. In a strange way he seems ennobled by his character, imbued with the culture of the nobility. It is difficult to identify him with his well-known portrayal of Spike, the skinny, shameless, foul-mouthed man who likes to walk around in bare body in Nothing Hill. 

Vanessa Redgrave, who performs the part or Queen Elizabeth, is unsurpassable; the scene in which she gazes out of a window, her eyes full of regret, is unforgettable.

Joel Richardson, who is actually Redgrave's daughter in real life, plays the role of young Queen Elizabeth. 

Rafe Spall, in his role as Shakespeare, provides delightful comic relief.  

Edward Hogg is splendid as the hunchbacked Robert Cecil, who makes spectators shiver.

Some other considerations: Although some critics say that this fascinating yarn is “a vulgar prank on the English literary tradition” or “a brutal insult to the human imagination”, there are those who love it. They praise the film as ingenious as well as memorable. 

For my part, I just loved it. Firstly, the director and the script do an excellent job fitting the known facts to the thesis in view. In spite of the fact that “the literary establishment” have ruled unanimously in favor of Shakespeare, the film lends support to the Oxford Theory and is against Shakespeare.

Secondly, the storyline includes moral blackmail, illegitimacy - bastard sons -, incest, treason and murde. Moreover, the “Virgin Queen” is challenged by Orloff´s script (portrayed as somewhat “randy”).  Another point to bear in mind is the bunch of handsome men that come up in the film, which is not to be underestimated. 

Although the film received mixed reviews from critics, the only thing I want to add is that I find it one of the most exciting films I have seen in recent times, and, without fear of making a mistake, it is worth watching. You will remain stuck to your seat!

Thanks Paloma, the rather long wait for the entry has been worth it! Of course the finishing touch is the official trailer of Anonymous. It's only a pity that many of you failed to see the film ...