NOCTURNAL ANIMALS... what doesn't kill you, make you stronger

For all those hopeful romantics we have feel good movies, reminders that life can be full of surprises and a happy ending, encouraging us to fight to achieve our dreams and pursue our feelings and ideals. But also for all those realistics, we have drama, a reminder that life indeed has surprises but not all of them are always what we wanted or expected, life is made by our choices and some through backs from destiny that we have to confront in order to move on or live with it. We get to share with other that we might like and others that we won't but will cross our paths for better or worse. We try to leave as good as possible, dealing with others expectations and our own believes, others actions versus our ideals, all put together to make us stronger in some way and transform that initial person into someone that we might recognize or not, but why do we get live trapped in misery and selfishness? Why do he get to listen to all those voices that only dictate a way that is theirs and just a few times is the one should have been the one for us? Why do we have to choose between be prayers or predators? Why sometimes we need to make things more complicated than how they are already? We really need a reminder of how complex and complicated we as humans can be? Life is real and is not easy and for anyone with any doubt about it, we have for you "Nocturnal Animals" (2016).

A new film directed and written by awarded and popular fashion designer Tom Ford, in his second work behind the camera, orchestrating cinematography as his best and original form, using basics and classics from cinema history, is proving that has the natural talent to pull the right strings to create a story that will move anyone in so many forms and directions that only critics dare to call it art but for him is just a way to express a unique vision from this upscale world, twisted with materialism and narcissism that as beautiful it si to look at, feel so painful when getting closer to you.  Full with a terrific and talented cast that is not afraid to welcome some cameos that feel like a perfect fit to the story, including celebrities as Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Laura Linney, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Armie Hammer, among others that deserve to be kept as a surprise. Using cinematography language as it's  best, score, lighting, photography will take you through the devastating stages of a story inside another story that ends where any road will lead after making any choice, leaving or dying with the consequences or the decisions we make.

This is the story of a couple, one that has already split and we only get to use part of their story by flashbacks. She is a beautiful girl, Susan, coming from a wealthy family in Texas, that gave her the oportunity to be whatever she wants, so she does in the art scene, until she meets Edward an idealistic romantic young guy that as an aspiring writer sees live through different eyes than her, getting to the point where at the beginning she idealizes his life and is caught by his words. He was her first high school crush and so was her for him, when they ran into each other in NY, ending in a date that will take them to realize that opposites attract but also being young makes you feel adventurous and ready to challenge family and others to achieve your dream and goals or simply get away with what you want. But by the team we meet Susan, she is as miserable as any of her portraits in her successful gallery, she seems lost, empty, like life has been sucked out of her. Living in a beautiful house that as modern as luxury as it is feels as cold as her relationship with her second husband, a man that looks out of any men's magazine but as any model in it, has no passion or affection to express to her or no one. He just lives for success and himself, even when she is trying to save their marriage, she can see all the red flags that are sinking it just live in denial, having nothing but loneliness in her eyes.

Until one day, she receives a gift from Edward, her first husband, that hasn't seen in years. This package happens to be a copy of his first novel, but we don't know anything about him from the present but only what we learn from his past, a charismatic guy with big dreams and heart that wanted to succeed but feel betrayed when his wife is not validating his work. So we learn more about him from this novel, a story of a fictional family that after a car accident got involved with three young guys and a sheriff that will help them in a quest of revenge. So fiction clashes with reality when the character and Edward seem to go on a similar path, exploring and growing for what they are to what they need to be under the circumstances pushed by others actions when they just try to live their own way. This story will shake Susan, that will realize what she left and re discover her feeling that were covered for a chase of a fortune and success that came under her family speech and an ideal marriage has left her with anything but the title, so when she wakes up to this world and realizes what she become and how far she is from what she wanted to be is when feelings and ideas come to the table but timing might not be ideal because after all she made a big mistake leaving things in the wrong way instead of staying and fight for them, she chose other and ran away. She got what she thought wanted or needed, a perfect life, with a perfect career, house and husband but none of them feel right or make her happy and alive, complete.

How easy seems and feels to take the easy exit when we feel trapped, chase by those skeletons in the closet that fight against our ideals and dreams. Our head is full of ideas that might never happen because when comes to our daily basis we are scare to have them, we are scared to be or find happiness, we hide under excuses and false goals to stay away of what we say we want. The fact that things seem complicated in paper might not be the same way in reality, and same to the opposite because perfection doesn't exist and what is and means success and love and money and glory if we don't feel worth it, or have someone to share it, someone that represents all the love and passion for what we believe and care for, not just for what is supposed to be in paper, but fighting to bring the best of us and sadly sometimes the ones that hurt us the most are the ones to thank for our strength and the lessons learned because after them we definitely won't be the same because after fighting and surviving the fact of be left behind will put us in a situation as delicate and painful as any life or death battle, but what can't kill you will make you stronger, and definitely we need to learn from our mistakes and stop hiding behind them just to avoid the awful truth, we are not perfect and neither the others so finding a life that might not sound like ideal for others standard might be just what we need, and opposite side of what we are used to, that will complement us, but we need to be strong enough to defend it against the ones will think is not the best for us because at the end we are all animals trying to survive and looking for our best interest not for the others.

THE EDGE OF.....MOONLIGHT

We all have seen coming to age stories. So we all know they can be formulaic. Taking us through this moments that define us in life, some of them will be lessons to learn, to make us stronger or others more joyful, to enjoy what life can offer and re charge for what might come, but the only way to appreciate happiness comes from the fact of accepting sadness and fear. And no moment in life is as tough as when we are young, moving forward from childhood to adult life is just as rough and unpredictable as any roller coaster ride. But we all know that. So why if we all go through this phase and share this kind of moments, why we are not all the same? Easy and simple, just because we follow the same pattern doesn't mean will happen the same way. We all experience difference situations and the mix of the high and lows are very different from each other that can't all be at the end shaped in the same mold. We also begin from a very unique personality, that make us so special, and different from others, we share some values and ideas but at the same time create our own goals and perspectives, and all these variables start summing up, confusing us to identify who we are and what we want in life and for us, so when we are pushed to the outside world we need to learn live how to survive and how to become the man or woman we have in mind or follow our heart if it's so hard to listen to it with so many noises around.

So this month we got two very unique and refreshing stories of coming to age, that actually both of them have all critics raving as a must see experience on the big screen. The first one comes from a perspective of a man. The journey to become a man after a lonely childhood and a hard adolescence. This is "Moonlight" (2016), a story of a man that we only know by his given nicknames through three different moments in his life. That's how the movie operates: in three acts that will prove how all these moments in life influence anyone to become the one that we  are now. But this man happens to struggle not only with manhood, but being part of other minorities, such as a black gay man. So life hasn't easy for him. Raised by a single mother that is at the edge of become a junk addict and living as a lone child just walking around the neighborhood, not one of the best, that's how we meets a drug dealer but good hearted man that looking at this quite kid, can't but want to help him, as a father role or a friend, serving as someone he can talk to or figure out things as any kid tries to do, just to realize that all those moments when we cant fully comprehend things are the ones that mostly going to define us in the future, molding our personality and feelings in one direction or the other. But when words can't express what is happening, only those moments of silence will truly show what's going on inside our heads. So when we grow up and we are just teenagers trying to move around a world that tries to tell us where, how and when to go, we can't to try but to look at our options and start experimenting by ourselves what fit us best.

So by this second chapter, we witness how cruel we can be when growing up, bullying others to win our own spot,, like predators trying to make up for our mistakes and own problems into others, without noticing that this domino effect will cause in them another side effect turning them into someone they were not meant to but maybe as for their best, to make them stronger, build a thicker skin, because while start socializing and putting ourselves out so the world knows who we are, we face rejection or validation, so by the time we finally evolve into someone older but still young in age, we can feel more secure about ourselves, sadly most of the time is hard to get to that point where we fully know who we are and what we want. Fortunately are all those who met us and saw our true colors when back then, during that process, that will help us to shape the last layer in this canvas, as we see getting to the third chapter in this story. The skinny kid is no more. Now as a bigger, thicker man, he learned to play the game and use others the way he was used but not with a bad intention or trying to cause any harm, even has been trough difficult times thanks to others that made this of him, and felt abused by a mother that only saw for herself, he doesn't hold grudges but he is no transparent either. He is carrying a lot of pain and sadness until an old friend will remind him that are things worth to fight and love for. That he is not alone and that even all what happened, he deserves to be the man we always wanted to be and that is hiding behind those muscles but to accept himself and let him love and being love, to embrace who he is because he is unique, and totally worth for anyone willing to meet him, even if life is cruel there is always light after darkness.

And if still feeling doubtful, another proof of it would be "The Edge of Seventeen" (2016), another coming to age story, this time a comedy from the perspective of a girl. One that has been suffering of feeling different and pessimistic about life and all what it can offers. Only thanks to her patience dad, she could go from a kid to now a teenager trying to deal with her mom that can't find a way to connect to her and say the right thing just because she is way too involve herself, and an older brother than seems like the perfect son, and the perfect everything, moving himself around school and life glowing and charming, embracing life and life blessing him. But not her. She can't see any light and everyday is a torture. She can't tolerate any of her class mates as she feels like an old soul for them. She doesn't fit in this millennia generation. She hates to communicate by emojis  or texting all time, but mostly she just like to find an excuse to complain about something, by being sarcastic pretending to be smarter and funnier than others and hide the fact that she doesn't know how to fit in this world and if not because she has only one best friend, she would be a lonely soul. And she can't but make things even worse with her attitude like a spoil brat just trying to get away with her own to hide the reality of living in the shadows for feeling less than the rest.

Usually girls feel this way when trying to compare with others. More popular, taller, with better body, prettier, better hair, handsome boyfriend, smarter, etc, they can get very competitive but at the end is all about confidence, and this means believe in yourself even if you are not the best version of yourself yet, but when young this seems like the end of the world and young kids embrace drama as the only way to express their knowledge about everything or nothing at the same time. So how can we survive such end of the world if every day seems like the last or they feel like a torture we can't escape from? Again, sometimes through others we'll be able to see the truth in ourselves. Giving others the chance to meet us and get to know us, so they can see the good and evil inside us, so can bring the best of us, and if not, knowing will be ok, we can survive not being like by everybody but only loving ourselves will make others to love and so she will learn after losing her father, and realizing that she is not the only trapped in this tediousness, but her brother as perfect as he seems also struggles to keep things going on at school, and home, but it's not easy, never will be, is just the fact of accepting reality and stop hiding behind excuses to face life and life will take you through opportunities that can prove we are better than this and this will get better, just we need to face our worst enemy: ourselves. And that is why even we all go through this same path, at the end we are not the same, everyone's fight will be unique as the result will be, but that is the beauty of growing up and shape into a man or woman, as unique and equal as any other no matter looks, sexual preferences, ideologies, economic status, or race.

BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK ....of shame or fame?

What does mean to be a soldier? To serve your country? To protect your homeland and all your beloved ones? Family, friends, fellow citizens, we are all part of the same country. Born under the same roof, raised by the same traditions so would be the right thing to do to fight against those trying to destroy it or attack those values that we are supposedly very founded to. So why war feels so wrong these days? why is there more in stake than just fight overseas to protect what we call home? Why we feel so connected to those next to you on the fire ground but so disconnected from what is happening back home and seems like no one can see the real truth behind the uniform and a mission? We have so much respect for all those soldiers or any one involve in military for their sacrifice to protect us but why when they are struggling to save lives and fighting for the cause while trying to stay alive and safe we can care less, worries for stuff in our simple daily lives such as laundry or what to get for our next meal or how can we get a new car because the one we have starts to feel old. We applaud them and show all respect wen they walk around us but how many prayers do we give to them or how do we re pay they service trying to keep safe and on track this country that they are fighting us, because actually sometimes seems like they are fighting because they want to and no matter how hard they try the place waiting for them back home is falling apart so for real there is no point on that battle anyways.

So after another popular novel gets it's own adaptation to a motion picture things can go great or wrong, and seems like in this case is about the second for most of the critics that had scared audiences from the opportunity of witness a great modern story that fits perfect to this times of anxiety where war seems to be the answer to solve all our problems for humanity around the globe where still exists capitalism, religion and racism, and while all these exist will be fights and disagreement bringing war a solution by proving who gets to choose what is right or wrong. "Billy Lynn's long half time walk" (2016), based on the popular novel about the experience of one soldier and his squad along a day when they are being rewarded as heroes after saving his captain from enemy hands and being recorded on the moment, making him an instant american hero of a nation hungry for hope in times where war has everybody anxious and dissapointed for how things are turning for their homeland. So why even the plot resonates hard and deep in these times for a nation that seeks to find greatness again and were fighting for peace and acceptance, went wrong in his big screen adaptation under the unique and acclaimed  direction of visionary And Lee and a A list cast that includes Vin Diesel, Kirsten Stewart, Steve Martin among others?

Well mostly have to say that it's a very well done movie, amazing photography under new 4K technology that shows images even better than HD, but sadly all this efforts work against the story, one that doesn't need a facial to look good but heart to reach everyone, a better effort to translate this journey of joy and pain from a soldier's perspective to sow and expose the world his unique vision of war and civilization back home is put on the passenger seat to give all the credit to the visuals and they definitely look great but they are missing that connection with the characters, putting them on the side missing all the background that proves that deepness in their psyche and explaining why the tears and the laughs other than just a moment. To understand them and emphasize with them  is the only way to make us listen and realize that they have a point and all this world against war has a reason and they are here to expose that. They are normal guys as our neighbors or co workers trying to make a way of living but theirs has a bigger level, trying to find a cause bigger than them, serve to their country, our country, but that service comes with sacrifices and a life or death risk attached to their weapon as their working tool. And the price for that involves psychological side effects and post traumatic behavior that will get them in trouble when trying to fit back in society, one that doesn't understand what they've been through, what means to kill another human being, one that makes you be aware 24/7 of every action or move around you because anything can kill you.

 So this nineteen year old private, joins the army after having a hard time with his family (sister has a car accident and got dumped by boyfriend so he crashes his car), getting him in trouble and making him wonder, what now? is this what i want to become, so goes seeking for some discipline after an absent father figure to help him through. And he finds this in his captain, a caring and grounded soldier that knows how to lead and bring the best from his team, but still Bill has no clue about what he wants and what to do to make a difference because back in his mind war is not the solution to his problems or anyone's problems. So after the incident that makes him lose a friend and make him a hero for one of the worst days in his life, he has to go back home and sit on a tour as a war hero that pretends to prove a country that all of this has a meaning, that they are making a difference and things are about to change even when they know this is not true. They don't want to fight or go back but they are soldiers and they are committed to this ode and to their brothers, because they have each others back and they have become their new family, one that makes no distinction in races or preferences, but just to help each others to stay alive and save the day. So when they see the opportunity to sell their experience for a movie and get well paid so they can do something with lives for real, and quite the army, a light of hope shines above them but sometimes nothing is better than something, even when other people wants to join the army just to enjoy the benefits of a life time that comes with the service and sacrifice their lives, they won't settle for less than what they deserve because their lives and their story is theirs and is as worthy as any multi millionaire investment.

So when everything happens in a day when they will make a special appearance in a half time show for a football game, things start to get real, he will meet a beautiful cheerleader with whom will find a connection that ill make him have second thoughts about going back to war, and not just because he can picture himself having sex with this sexy girl but because she makes him feel understood, appreciated by his sacrifice and related to someone that suffers the same curse of being seen as an object used by only purpose when happens that is more behind the cheers and costumes, but a real service to her community and she loves that, same as he is loving to serve something bigger than him as a purpose, but when some people treat them as heroes others just make fun of them, self involved in their lives that can't appreciate what others are doing for a public service so will only get them in trouble and make them try to give them a lesson but is the greed and cockiness of the rich and wealthy that will make them speak by heart and stand for what they believe and defend their honor making them feel safe tier in war than back home and make them understand and to all their family and friends that just want them to feel proud of them and what they are doing because even war is just someone else's business and their just pawns in a game of power, they are fighting to make a difference and to protect from some bullets that have been fired already so by the time the real show starts at the half time of the game, only exposes how blinded we are as citizens by those in charge of corporations and governments that get us numb with fireworks and entertaining moments just to lead us in the direction they need, so ate least we should stand for ourselves and take direction towards what we believe is right and fight for it, defending our honor the same way we protect what we call home.

KRISTEN STEWART...un crepúsculo en panico.

Parte del encanto y la objetividad del arte es que tiene diferentes perspectivas y enfoques. Así como el cine es sujeto de culto o rechazo lo mismo aplica para aquellos artistas o interpretes del mismo, que determina si alguien es un buen actor o no? Como podemos clasificar su talento si todo es cuestión de perspectiva, lo que significa que mientras para unos alguien puede ser talentoso para otros es una basura. A final de cuentas, todo pesa sobre la popularidad que brindan por otras muchas razones ajenas a su talento. Kristen Jaymes Stewart es una joven que cae en este agudo circulo de debate, donde mientras su popularidad y peso en taquilla en inegable, su talento como actriz es y ha sido puesto en tela de juicio en severas ocasiones. Originaria de Los Angeles, Ca. y nacida un 9 de Abril de hace 26 años, hija de un productor de la cadena de television Fox y una madre Australiana que trabaja como supervisora de guiones, la joven estaba destinada a la industria del entretenimiento tras crecer en ella por lo que termina sus estudios via escuela por correspondencia.

La misma actriz a declarado que de pequeña nunca imagino o busco dedicarse a la actuación, ella solo gustaba de escribir mas empezó a actuar a la corta edad de 8 años en papeles sin crédito hasta su primer rol importante como la hija diabética de Jodie Foster en la cinta "Panic Room" (2002), un triller donde una madre y su hija son recluidas en un cuarto seguro tras su casa ser invadida por unos ladrones que buscan mas que un simple robo. El éxito de la cinta puso a la actriz en la mesa de varias oportunidades para jóvenes de la nueva generación, como la cinta "Cold Creek Manor" (2003), donde interpreta a la hija de una familia que al mudarse a su nueva finca es aterrorizada por el antiguo dueño. Como es costumbre para cintas del genero, la critica no la tomo bien pero su taquilla fue respetable y le permitió seguir colaborando con actores de la talla de Denis Quaid y Sharon Stone.

Tratando de impulsarla como actriz juvenil protagoniza la cinta familiar "Catch that kid" (2004), basada en la popular cinta Holandesa homónima sobre las aventuras de un grupo de adolescentes que gustan de escalar y usando estas habilidades deciden robar un banco para salvar al padre de uno de ellos. Desgraciadamente ni la critica n la taquilla gustaron de lo que vieron, convirtiéndola en un producto de deshecho. Es entonces que como todo actor empieza la búsqueda de calidad sobre cantidad, incursionando en el cine independiente, siendo "Undertow" (2004) su primer file con un papel secundario que le valió una nominación como promesa juvenil. La historia sobre dos niños que son acosados por su tío psicopata. La critica amo la vision del filme a pesar de contar con una muy limitada corrida comercial. Esto la motivo a participar en "Fierce People" (2005), otro thriller independiente sobre las muchas facetas de la disfunción familiar y social como la violacion, locura y fármaco dependencia.  Desgraciadamente en esta ocasión ni la taquilla ni la critica le favorecieron.

Regresando al cine Hollywoodense, participa con un rol pequeño en "Zathura" (2005), un film familiar sobre un juego de mesa espacial que se vuelve real, interpretando a la hermana mayor supuesta de cuidar a sus hermanos menores quienes han empezado el juego, Aunque no fue un éxito como se esperaba tampoco fue un fracaso. Tratando de destacar como actriz y buscar posicionarse en la industria acepta protagonizar la cinta de terror "The Messengers" (2007), donde ya como toda una joven tiene que enfrentar y defender a su familia de una fuerza sobre natural que se apodera de la granja que habitan. Como era de esperarse la critica la aplasto pero en taquilla fue todo un éxito lo cual importo para poner su nombre en la mesa, tal como lo había buscado. Continuando la buena racha forma parte del elenco de "In the land of women" (2007), una cinta romántica sobre un joven que tras su novia le rompe el corazón se vera involucrado con las dos vecinas de enfrente y su madre, lo cual lo llevara a adentrarse en la psique femenina. Aunque aquí la actriz no carga el peso de la cinta, sino la otora actriz Meg Ryan funge como protagonista, la cinta tuvo un tibio éxito.

A finales del 2007 se pone en manos del actor Sean Penn fungiendo como director en "Into the Wild", un drama biográfico sobre un joven que decide reclutarse fuera de la civilización en las llanuras del salvaje Alaska en una búsqueda personal. La cinta recibir multiples nominaciones, mas ninguna incluyo a la actriz quien pareciera buscar mas proyectos de calidad que actuaciones destacadas. Probando la comedia, participa nuevamente con un pequeño rol secundario en "What just happened?" (2008), una sátira sobre las experiencias de un productor en Hollywood, protagonizado por el actor Robert deNiro y que debuto en el festival de Cannes ese mismo año pero no paso a mayores en su corrida comercial, lo cual no importaría meses después cuando estrenaría su siguiente proyecto, basado en otra popular adaptación, esta vez de una novela YA: "Twilight" (2008), la historia de la joven Bella Swan que vivirá un tórrido romance con un galante vampiro y cuya historia de amor es ya un clásico de esta generación a pesar de su trama demasiado dulce y fantasiosa. Proveniente de una exitosa serie de libros las expectativas eran altas pero el éxito fue descomunal lanzando a todos los involucrados a la fama inmediata. A su vez la actriz iniciaría un romance con su co protagonista, el joven actor Robert Pattison, aunque lo mantuvieron en secreto al principio, pero el acoso de sus nuevos fans lo pondría al descubierto pronto. El éxito de esta primer cinta catapulto las secuelas de manera inmediata y así protagonizo también  "New Moon" ( 2009), "Eclipse" (2010), "Breaking Dawn part 1" (2011) y "Breaking dawn part 2" (2012), todas ellas rompiendo éxitos de taquilla y siguiendo las aventuras de la joven Bella y su triángulo amoroso con vampiros y hombres lobos mientras su vida y la de su familia y amigos es puesta en peligro por obvias razones.

Aprovechando la fama pero buscando hacer carrera fuera del popular papel participa en "Adventureland" (2009), una comedia ubicada en los 80's sobre un joven que se encuentra decidiendo su futuro tras terminar la preparatoria y empezar su carrera como reportero teniendo que tomar un trabajo de verano por necesidad económica llevándolo a un parque de diversiones donde conocerá el amor y la amistad que lo ayudaran a tomar el rumbo que necesita. Aclamada por la critica, se convirtió mas en una cinta de culto que un éxito comercial. Inicia 2010 con un drama independiente, "The yellow handkerchief", co protagonizando al lado de Maria Bello y William Hurt, en una historia adaptada de un clásico japonés sobre un ex convicto que se lanza a un road trip saliendo de prision. Posteriormente la vemos en otro drama indie "The Runaways" (2010), a lado de Dakota Fanning, otra joven actriz, quienes interpretan a la banda homónima y su historia ella en los 70's, sumergidas en sexo, drogas y rock n' roll, lo cual les dio buenas criticas y por primera vez el talento, o la falta de, de la actriz es cuestionado y pareciera dar destellos de talento. Esto solo la motivaría a seguir la escena indie mientras termina su saga super natural, ahora con "Welcome to the Rileys" (2011), un drama sobre un hombre casado que tras conocer a una joven prostituta, interpretada por la actriz, en vez de proponerle sexo, le pide lo hospede mientras decide que hacer con su vida, desgraciadamente esta vez no correo con tan buena suerte por parte de la critica.

Regresando a los blockbusters prueba su man taquillero al protagonizar la cinta "Snow White and the Huntsman" (2012), una nueva adaptación del popular cuento infantil, a lado de Chris Hemsworth y Charlize Theron, quien se robara la película que fue una sorpresa de taquilla y critica en ese verano, así como el affair de la joven actriz con el director, poniéndole los cuernos a su novio y reinando las noticias amarillentas como la nueva chica rebelde. Por ello y probando que lo suyo es el amor al arte, participa en otro proyecto indie, "On the road" (2012), con un rol mas adulto y atrevido, fuera del encasillado rol de niña buena y bonita, fungiendo como la tercera en discordia para un par de amigos en road trip travez de los Estados Unidos en los 40's, pero pareciera que la taquilla ni la critica gustan de verla en este tipo de roles. 2014 seria el año que definiría su carrera como un antes y un después, ya que sus siguientes proyectos probarían a aquellos que alguna vez dijeron de su falta de talento, lo contrario. Primero con "Camp X-ray", donde protagoniza la historia de una guardia en la bahía de Guantanamo que se relacionara con una detenida de Tunez ofreciendo perspectivas de la vision femenina en condiciones como esta. Excelentes criticas y recibimiento en el festival de Sundance. Después con "Clouds of Sils Maria", donde co protagoniza a lado de Juliette Binoche y Chloe Grace-Moretz, en una historia de una mujer y su acompañante en un viaje a los alpes suizos para recibir un premio y que cambiara la perspectiva de su vida. Sobra decir que la cinta fue aclamada por la critica y en todos los festivales en que se presento.

Posteriormente sorprende en "Still Alice"(2014), a lado de la actriz Julianne Moore contando la historia de una mujer que sufre de Alzheimer's y el impacto de este en su vida y su familia. La cinta gozo de grandes criticas y varias nominaciones. En 2015 la vimos en "Anesthesia", otro drama independiente sobre un hombre que ha sido asaltado y esto atrae relaciones de su pasado al presente. Sobra decir que paso desapercibida en todos sentidos mas prueba las intenciones de la actriz por perseguir proyectos arriesgados sobre apuestas comerciales. Ese mismo verano, la vemos en "America Ultra" una comedia de acción sobre un joven drogadicto que ha sufrido de experimentos por parte del gobierno y junto a su novia busca venganza para liberarse de ellos. Fungiendo como una sátira y prometiendo una historia divertida y original termino por jugar en su contra llevándola al fracaso. Este año y sobre todo este verano, la vimos en "Equals" (2016), una historia de amor ubicada en futuro donde la sociedad ha reprimido todo contacto físico y emociones por lo cual dos jóvenes buscaran la manera de experimentar su amor al ser rechazados y acusados de romper las normas. Una propuesta poco interesante pero bien ejecutada y que desgraciadamente vuelve a encasillar a la actriz en su rol de protagonista femenina. Y como doble dosis, también la vemos este mes en "Cafe Society" (2016), el nuevo proyecto del director Woody Allen, donde como retrato y homenaje al Hollywood de los 30's, presenta una nueva historia de amor y desamor, reuniendo por tercera ocasión a la actriz con el actor Jesse Eisenberg, y en una de las mejores cintas a la fecha del director y con una interpretación de la actriz que finalmente logra mostrar facetas y librarse de su acordonamiento lo que da un respiro de frescura a su carrera.

Finalmente la vimos en "certain Women" (2016), un filme de la selección de Sundance sobre un grupo de mujeres cuyas vidas se entrelazan en el estado de Montana. Coprotagoniza con Michelle Williams y Laura Dern. Este mes la veremos también en "Billy Lynn's half time walk" (2016), el nuevo proyecto del director Ang Lee, basado en la novela homónima, una historia sobre las vida de los soldados post-guerra y su re adaptación a la vida ordinaria tras los ojos de un joven y exitoso soldado. Ambos proyectos y por el talento involucrado promete mucho mas habra que ver el resultado final, lo cual en definitiva definirá la carrera de la actriz quien con el paso de los años y sus constantes  declaraciones publicas, pretende salirse del esquema hollywoodense y posicionarse como una actriz talentosa y versátil capaz de generar taquilla así como de proyectos de calidad con gran talento involucrado. Tal vez sea muy pronto para detractarnos pero todos merecen una segunda oportunidad y lo que una vez fue solo una cara bonita podría tornarse en una caja de pandora en representación de esta generación.

When life gives you lemons...SCREAM

Another proof of the lack of originality in entertainment is the new tendency of turning movies into tv shows, because why not?, since before we've seen a bunch of tv shows turn into movies why in this new golden era for TV can't we do the same? But is it really a lack of originality what is missing here or a scream for new stories to new generations that need or deserve to been told, or the fact that demand out there has reach a point where we can't keep up with so many options and keep all them in an original line, trying to fill up those spaces with remakes, sequels and new adaptations? After proving how lucrative can be the entertainment industry, more and more people want a piece of the cake and for so they need to bring a new offer and next we'll have hundreds of options in the small and big screen trying to find a spot connecting with the audience that will turn it into the new best thing or the coolest thing to watch or simple create some buzz that will make it trendy. So when it comes to a genre like horror that suffers of a very well known formula, with not many twists or fresh options, we have to look back to those few moments when something happened that re launch and re invent it and why not, bring it back now on television with a new opportunity to still make something different, while targeting new audiences and enjoy the success that made it's original so popular and have a new opportunity to continue the story.

That seems to be the case of "SCREAM" (2015-current), the new case of a popular movie going from the big screen to the small or not so small these days, screen. But what possible were they thinking to continue a story of a serial killer chasing a young girl and all her fellow friends, co workers, family, lovers and all the ones that have luck to cross her path? Well in case you missed the original film, back in 1997, it became a box office boom and re invent horror in the serial killer sub genre, bringing a twist of who could be the killer, making all the characters a candidate to be killer or victim and shocking the audiences at the end with a twisty revelation, while mixing some gore killings with humor and a lot of pop references specially toking and as a tribute to the genre. So if we already know the formula and we are aware of the twists, what could be interesting for a tv show that will make us invest a whole season to see the final revelation at the end of the season, and specially from a network like MTV, best known for it's reality shows, musical videos and shows targeting teenagers? Well, the answer seems to be exactly that. What a better place to bring this world of torture and scares made for teenagers and that might only impress teenagers craving for blood, cheap thrills, and hormones, all ingredients of the formula for horror movies, so if you are trying to translate the genre to television, definitely all those ingredients have to be there and mix them with what the millennials love, gadgets, social media and strong female characters.

This time the story follows Emma, a young teenager with a personality brought from any horror movie, sweet but strong, innocent but smart, virgin but sexy, and her friends in a town that from the sudden is targeted by a killer hungry for blood that uses a cyberbullying incident to go viral and spread chaos around the whole town and it's locals trying to prove a point where as all small towns happen, little secrets can't be kept forever so in the same way as in the movie, our main girl is just a pawn from circumstances made by her family in the past, but when her best friends are caught in the center of this murderers, all victims happen to be related to some point of their daily lives, lovers, friends, co workers, class mates, neighbors, making harder for them to figure out who possible be behind this murders that seem to be connected in some way leading some clues to find a truth that has an impact on the killer proving that his actions are more a rebel cause than a series of random acts. So through the two current seasons, we'll be able to witness some of the most graphic and violent killings in tv, making one more gore than other as if were a competition with what we have seen in other movies so far. All trying to bring some kind of tribute to popular and classic horror scenes and movies, filling every episode with multiple references for horror fans and as the movie did years ago, make fun of the genre quoting all it's rules as a checklist for it's own formula just to break it and re use it as a parody.

So why should we watch this specie tv show after already seen the franchise in the big screen? Mostly because what the show parodies now is the clash of generations. For those who were witness of that generation craving for a new breath of fresh air and getting closer to an end of an era now that generation is far from there and all of them are around their 40's making them mature folks far from the teenage hormones, and with a new generation of teenagers that screams social media at every blink, facing a new era that has just started, where they pretend to know everything and don't get surprised for much after been able to see and access to basically everything, they need a shake of what they are doing to themselves, prove them that life is not all about being online and upload every action and every side of yourself just to be seen and noticed because that could be turned against you, turning it into a weapon that might kill you. They also need and deserve to be brought back to the basics, and understands where all this comes from. They need to be punished for being so spoiled and teach them how life was before all what the assumed to know but only suffering in certain way they can realize and be shocked by reality, been taken from their immersive world to learn in the hard way how means to be a person instead of a profile. Just by putting them to a test of when your life depends of it, we can et some attention and maybe we can get to a point, starting from zero and going back to the basics can mix the old fashion style with modern technology.

That's how Emma will learn to appreciate her best friends, Audrey, a lesbian, that as strong to face society and make her voice heard, can be as vulnerable to feel targeted by the loss of love and friendships, and Brooke, the fashion, girly chick that only cares about beauty, popularity, and be the center of attention even if this comes not from a smart background but for any kind of tweet, until will be tested from love and crazy love, becoming all three in the main target of a serial killer that is playing with them and with the help of the nerdy Noah, their guide through all pop references and online research, might have a chance to find any kind of answer before become the next target, and also the help of Kieran, the sexy jock in love of our hero, won't hurt as always some strong extra hands are needed. But what are the real intentions of all these guys? What are their motives other than go to school, find love, become popular, look amazing, get some attention from people we don't know but can see us worldwide? Are they good people, are they selfish and banal? Or are they good people trying to make a change or be better? Is their generation a lost cause already or just the beginning of something great that need to be shown the way to go or is this a way to say we need to cut the bad seeds before they become a threat and get the best for a new and better start? As if a horror story could be as simple as die is.