DUNKIRK... fighting for and to get home

At this point we should be tired enough about war movies and specially those back to the great war, World War II. How can it be possible to be more stories to tell and be able to resonant as strong and powerful as the first time? Well, i guess the answer is yes, there are still plenty of stories that we ignore about that period in time and it's all about the way you tell the story that will make a difference. And maybe it's  getting old at this point coming back to the genre but also feels like a reminder in times were tensions between countries are at point and an imminent new war seems to be knocking the door, so these stories serve as a warning more than a tribute in some aspects. And for so, we get this summer a war film that has all critics raving. "Dunkirk" (2017), the new project from talented and visionary director Christopher Nolan, that explores for the first time this genre, delivering what most of critics call a master piece or one of the best entries of the year. But what's all about? Why is all the fuzz about it, when covers just an event that happened during the war and not even translate the whole war but instead summarizes all what the war means and represents for all the involve from one single man to a whole country bringing a strong voice of honor and courage to  the involved.

The story is divided in three settings, telling the same story from different perspectives and timing. One is a view from the soldiers on the ground along a week. The second comes from a family man coming to help to rescue the soldiers on his boat through the English Canal, along a day, and last one is a view from the air during an hour from a couple of pilots trying to protect and defied those Nazi's bombers dedicated to stop the allies to leave the coast. All this based on the events occurred at Dunkirk, a small town in the coast of France where the Nazi's were pushing the allies, cornering them to the share where they await either to be saved by their country or killed by the enemy. 400,000 men where stuck in the shore waiting for the boats to come and rescue them. No where else to go they just wait patiently avoiding all bombs coming from the sky while the Prime Minister of England refused to send any help and focusing on keeping the combat going, no matter the casualties could be, including all these men that were sent to fight for their country and now this one is turning his back to them, reason why Churchill answered the call and send for reinforcements and fisher men and country men ran to their boats and sailed through the Canal willing to help their fellow country men and be part in some way of this fighting proving that united all as a community can be stronger than any enemy abroad.

Same event told from different perspectives being a totally new and different narrative that expand the genre to other dimensions rather than focusing in battles and its consequences. Instead we can feel and live the event of war from the ones that are trapped in it and just looking for a way out. Their fight is over , there's no more for them to do but to fight to survive while help gets on their way. And so it comes in the face of fisherman, and anyone else that owns a boat as they set them up and got in the way through war crossing the English Canal to save their children. And this men know better about war than those fighting them because they stayed home while their children went out to fight. They are survivors from past wars or are the ones organizing and orchestrating war through an office or bunker while others risk their lives following their directions. So now that have the opportunity to make it right and be part of it. To actually make a difference and save their own people because they know the consequences of war and how it changes everyone in ways that no one will be the same or how it makes anyone to act in ways that in other circumstances they would never act. War scratches your brain and sticks with you like and old childhood fear that won't go away even after turning the light skin on. So if they can't come home, home will come to them making history as one of the more selfless events in history where citizens got involved in war risking their lives to save their own and bring them home proving that humanity as horrific it can be also shows lighter colors of courage and unity that is hard to compare otherwise.

And this unity is also a very strong example when soldiers become brothers as nothing can get you closer to another than the fact that both are facing death together and the possibility of someone to be able to save your life and go through a battle next to you, fighting for the same cause risking everything, life included, only create some a bond that only blood can defeat. And so we'll se in the face of a young soldier, he's probably not older than 20 but we won't ever know, because he might not make it, he is trapped in that shore and trying to survive and find his way back home at any opportunity that presents. And he tries but also fails but he will meet another similar kid that won't give up finding a new opportunity when other closes, so now both will increase their chances helping each other but they might not know much about the other. They are not friend but now they are together and they'll help each other sharing the same purpose. But when war hit them and casualties happen their faces can't hide the damage and the change happing in each one of them realizing that they don't see anyone else like humans but just as one more in the list but they have each other until they can't , young teenagers fighting for a cause bigger than them, using their energy and abilities to survive as a weapon when they deserve a better future than the ideals of their elders, and the only thing they need for now is to go home and have a chance of a new start and a new life.

But this opportunity might only come in hands of someone able to help them and protect them. And that's the honor that soldiers show in battle and pilots in the air. When the battlefield is stock to move forward or too destroyed to continue, the only way to reach further is by air and sadly since nowadays sky is the limit and we can reach any frontier pushing a bottom at home, also the damage can expand for miles. Someone has to protect it. And that's a pilot's duty. As a soldier committed with the cause, we are witness of the nerve breaking strategies that take in the air to survive and eliminate the enemy where upside down takes no meaning but only way to make it through is being one step ahead and move faster than the other . From above you can see the consequences of everyone's acts on the beneath you but how to stop it, how can you do more from where you are standing. The only way might be not the best option for one but the better for all the rest, so how far are you willing to go in order to save all that might not include you. Will you be able to fight and protect by understanding that by saving others will give you no escape for you. How selfless can someone be to put others, hundreds before yourself. That's what war can prove and show even when is far from a fair game, shows the true colors of humanity and how capable are we all for greater and evil when all comes down to survival. Are you ready for this tense, dense story with an ensemble cast that includes British actor Tom Hardy and Kenneth Branagh among others with a brilliant score that will keep you at the edge of your seat while learning another passage in human history that would have been better not to happen but will remind us how far are we from learning from our mistakes.

ANIMAL KINGDOM....the american dream

Who hasn't ever wanted a good life? That's what it's been sold as the american dream. A land of opportunities that can be reached. But at what priced? Been able to accomplish a status quo has a high price but what are you willing to do to make it? And what if you lose yourself through the process? We all focus on the goal: making more money and get all needed for a perfect life, a big house, a nice car, trips, provide your family with what is best for them, but what if what you think is the best for them is actually not and can destroy them, and actually turns out it might be the best for your own interests. Trying to achieve your goals and the american dream, might be for the best of you and your family but is it? Stories of family dramas are what surround everyone. We are part of one or probably be close to one. Family is the core and foundation of society or is society what forges and creates families? Either way they have a big impact into each other. And that is exactly what a new series drama for TNT network wants to tell. A story of a dysfunctional family that actually found it's way to make it trough successfully but a very high price. This is "Animal Kingdom" (2016-current).

Based on the Australian film, the story follows J Cody, a 17 year old teenager that after his mom committed suicide by drug overdose, he ends moving with his grandmother and his uncles. But soon he'll realize why his mom kept him away from their family. Smurf Cody, the grandmother nurture a lovely-incestuous relationship with her sons, taking them to get involve in the family business, armed robberies and other criminal activities with a very planned organization and keeping all the information inside the family, giving them most of the benefits from their heists and letting them leaving a very comfortable life but at the same putting them in the sights of the police and FBI. Regardless their criminal activities, these guys are not your friendly neighbor. Raised in the streets and all from a different father these guys play by street rules and are used to  leave with whatever they want but when the are at home, it's their mother who has the control and who rules the house, with love and protection but at the same time manipulating them through her mother love to make them do what she needs and follow them, without realizing she had broken her children souls and now they find themselves navigating through the waters of the city in survival mode just caring about today and and themselves.

The young kid, soon realizes of all of this because he is different. He was raised in a close circle and with some morality, trying to be a student to forge a future for himself. But as soon as he moves in with his new family, everything starts to fade out and he finds himself trapped in between his grandmother influence of unconditional love if, and only if, agrees to be part of the family tradition, while his uncles just keep trying to influence him for good or bad. Pope is the oldest son and he just came back after serving in prison. He is mentally ill so he'll make life miserable to his young nephew after feeling he is taking all the family attention. But he has uncle Baz, the most sane and down to earth of all, that tries to advice and protect him, but only while he can keep it away from the family drama, as he has two families of his own, and while living a double life seems natural to him, after also having a double life as a nice guy that actually commits criminal acts, he can't make his mind what doe he want for his life and what road to follow, the right one or the one his mother has chosen for him, because she need him, as the most self aware, he is the brain of all the operations and his brothers listen to him, so makes him the perfect leader even he can actually lead no one nor himself, making perfect room for mom to take over her influence on them.

Then we have Craig, the crazy one in the sense that he likes to have fun, the consumes drugs and party more than needed and because of that he gets usually in trouble with narcos and women, having to hold on to his family to save him and take care of him, making him needy but perfect to influence and manipulate as a man that acts like a boy. And last the younger Deran, a closeted gay, that has no idea who he is and what he wants, afraid to pursue his feelings and desires afraid of what his family might think or do about it, while back in his mind, he wants desperately to leave them and move away from his background and start over with his lover, a surfer with whom has an on and off possessive relationship but as scared as he is of himself, he is of his family so finds himself in between what he is and what he wants to be, and his fear makes him weak, and his mother sees that and will use in her advantage to keep him close. With all that said, sounds like Smurf is an evil mother but she is not. She is just a survivor that has gone through a lot, reason why she won't let that happen to her cubs. She's fighting a war everyday to bring the best for her family and she loves them to death but the only way to provide the best to them is using them for the only thing she knows how to do very well, to hustle, and she now can't  separate the good from the bad and is  dragging her family with her, reason why her now passed daughter ran away from all that.

Sometimes we do what we learn to do in order to survive out there. We transform and adapt ourselves into this person we need to be in order to survival. If you look weak other will hurt you and take advantage so we  build a wall that can protect us from the rest and sometimes we include our beloved ones into this bubble, forgetting that our battles are ours and not always need to be shared with other but to face them on our own. Family is important and their influence is the most important example we get in life. But most of the time is their fears, insecurities, dreams, goals, frustrations and achievements the ones that we heritage by living them day by day and not by choice, becoming a circle where at some point we'll do the same when times come for us to have our own family and so on, but the lesson learned in this animal kingdom is that you need to make your own choices and follow your own path, either if it aligns with your family's or fight to follow the one that you deserve and picture for yourself. We can't keep blaming it to the love he have for our family or the one the profess for us, but realize that real love is not manipulating but supportive and respectful for own choices and what we feel is the best for us. Blood is a strong tie and can push us far or pull us down but at the end we are the only ones to blame when comes to our choices and how we deal with the circumstances we were given by birth, because at the end any animal has to leave the nest and so we'll see through it's first season of this family that will have to be united by the circumstances while each one of them will deal with their own choices to jump to a second season where they will have to face the consequences of those choices and fight to find themselves before others find them first.

THE BIG SICK.... love you till the end

Love is a very complex thing. A feeling that most of us can't comprehend or even figure out. But one thing is for sure. We all are looking for it and willing to find it someday even we believe or not in it or scared to fall for it. True statement is that we as human could be different in many ways, each person very alike and very different at the same time to the other but only thing that unite us and we share in common is that powerful feeling of love and when that happens, great and big thing happen. But in order to get there is a long way and a path that just a few are willing to take regardless if back in their minds are dreaming about it. So what happens when two very different people connect but at the same time there is a sea of differences and what is called "a cultural barrier" in between that separate the feeling from the reason. How can we manage to understand, respect and love others if we can't understand them? How can we break this barrier if we don't know how because there s so much that we ignore from others background and now that we live in times of globalization where internet has united us as a whole and broke all physical limitations, we can see societies more and more diverse where new generations can't be defined as one pure race but a mix of some and new traditions have started to be written and taken by everybody else.

So whit all that said who can resist a rom-com, that will make us feel good for a moment, make us believe in love and laugh while make us think about the real things happening out there? This is "The Big Sick" (2017), a story that is presented as a love story while underneath is more than that. And all the critics are loving it. Under producer Judd Apatow wings presenting a very actual story that sometimes feels more like a documentary about new societies in big cities and countries where immigration has turned cultures into a clash of different backgrounds creating a whole new one united for more than just a label. To understand this better, let get deeper into it, which happens to be based on the real story of it's main characters and lead actor, Kumali, a Pakistani guy that happens to be a comedian trying to make his  life through standing comedy, waiting to find it's moment and be found for some talent agent that will give him an opportunity to make it big. He's life as an immigrant is  very simple. He has immersed into the American culture, loves comic books and video  games and usually hang in bars with his roommate and friends, all comedians, and visit his family that lives in the suburbs of Chicago. But as any immigrant he tries to educate everyone at any opportunity about his background and country of origin. There are many facts that people don't know about Pakistan other than what they see in the news, most of it regarding terrorism but it's more to know, and one of their big traditions is arrange marriage.

His family keeps bringing girls home trying to find the best fit for him. But he is far from that now. He grew up along the American traditions that can't go along with his family and wants more for him but knows what the consequences will be so lives trapped in between what we wants and likes and what he is supposed to do and what is expected from him. Things get more complicated once he meets Emily, a young grad-school student that likes him and they connect in many ways, so they start just as a hook up thing, something casual, no strings, no commitment, but just casual fun. Until that fun starts to get serious and they keep running into each other, making them harder to not fall for each other. But besides the attraction and the chemistry they will soon find out that there are more differences than just be a guy and a girl. The way they were raised is very different and will put their love to a test. But when Emily gets sick and goes to a medical induced coma, things will get more complicated as families will get involved in the process. Emily's parents come to town to  take care of the situation and will try to take him out of the picture but he is not willing to let her go, so he stays regardless if he is wanted or not. So as the time goes by waiting for good new about her recovery, Kumail, starts to get along this couple and they will also start to get him know and realize why their daughter fall in love with him.

Who can't relate to that? Everybody that has been in a serious relationship has faced the fact of meeting your partners family. And that is a nerve breaking situation. So many expectations are involved. Would they like you? Accept you? Welcome you to their family? Or all the opposite. Now imagine that situation adding the fact that you look different to them, your background is very different, so you have others traditions and way to see things. So that could turn into a mess. But again, the proof that all this won't matter at the end is that if you keep an open mind to get to know someone before judging them and realize why they are different from you, you might actually see that at the end they are more similar to you than you think, Everybody loves and want to be loved. We all enjoy laughing and need to cry sometimes. We all have our goals and try to be a better self, just figure out what that would be is needed. And if you look closer you'll realize how alike we all are. The only thing that matters at the end is if you a good person, no matter how do you look, what do like to do for fun, what holidays do you celebrate , the things that really matter, define you and connect you with the rest of the world are what makes you genuine, humble, smart, funny, educated, because everyone can relate to that and see that beyond however the cover looks.

Sometimes we wonder why some have better luck for love and why others just can't find it. And after being spoiled by Hollywood and their fairy tales making us believe that love will just happen, finally we are learning that love is a thing that we need to make it work out. And for all those hopeless romantic, the formula is not on the cliches presented in the movies or post cards, is about to find the right person and once you do, make it happen, and work hard to build that relationship that you looking for. The key is noticing who's  the right for you. Someone that likes you, that makes time for you and specially is willing to get to know you and accept you for who you are. Many times we are just drawn by the cover and want a person that looks like all that we ever wanted. But beyond the psychical attraction, that is key and just the beginning, should be more, does he or she makes you laugh? can you two carry a conversation for hours going from topic to the other? Does that person makes you feel comfortable and inspired to be yourself and be a better self? Stays with you when feeling sick? There are so many facts that will indicate you that you met the one. Because if someone is ok with you when you wake up, looking at your most simple and natural way, farting when needed, all sweaty and smelly after work out, when sad or stressed out after a bad day. All this are thing that we all share as humans, no matter your background, where you were born, how do you look, if we n pass though all this judgments we an be able to relate to anyone and for once break the cultural barrier, and sometimes could be easier to do than the ones you grew up with and supposedly know you better and have more in common with you but all this is blinding you from what should be rather than what it is.

KIRSTEN DUNST....interview with Melancholia

Ser actor desde pequeño usualmente termina en desastre, arruinando la vida de estos jóvenes talentos que al alcanzar la pubertad se ven envueltos entre el poder y la fama que tienen a su alcance orillándolos a perderse en adicciones y difícilmente encontrar su camino como un joven normal y corriente con una profesión publica. Pero afortunadamente hay algunas raras excepciones que logran trascender y encontrar su talento mas allá de su vida privada. tal es el caso de Kirsten Caroline Dunst, nacida en Abril 30 de 1982 allá en un pequeño poblado de New Jersey donde vivió a lado de sus padres y us hermano menos hasta sus once primaveras. Dotada de una belleza peculiar dada su mezcla, su padre es Aleman y su madre tiene ascendencia Suiza, por lo cual desde que tenia 3 años inicio su carrera como modelo de moda y en comerciales de television. A tan solo 6 años, debuta en la pantalla grande bajo la batuta de nada menos que el aclamado director y escritor Woody Allen en un corto de lo que seria una trilogía sobre historias de Nueva York, "Oedipus Wrecks". Poco despues la vemos a lado de Tom Hanks en "The Bonfire of Vanities" (1990), basada en la novela homonima interpretando a la hija de Hanks.

Sin embargo el papel que la lanzo a la fama y definio su carrera es el de la pequena vampira Claudia, en la cinta "Interview with the vampire" (1994), a lado de Tom Cruise y Brad Pitt, cinta basada en la novela de Anne Rice, que hace alud a su titulo sobre la historia de un vampiro desde su conversion siglos atras. La cinta fue un exito en taquilla per genero criticas encontradas mas la mayoria de los aplausos se dieron hacia la joven actriz quien sorprendio al mundo y la industria adjudicandose algunas nominaciones y premios a su corta edad. Continuando con su ascendente exito forma parte de la nueva adaptacion de la clasica novela "Little women" (1994), basada en la historia de cuatro hermanas durante y despues de la guerra civil. Co protagonizando a lado de Susan Sarandon, Wynona Ryder y Claire Danes, la actriz interpreta a la joven romántica del grupo. La cinta fue un exito en taquilla y con la critica, ganando tres premios de la Academia lo cual puso a su elenco en la mira de la industria. Aunque gozando una prominentecarrera artistica, la joven continuo sus estudios poniendo esta en segundo plano, per el hecho de que sus padres se divorciaran y se mudara a Los Angeles con su hermano y su mama la ayudaria a continuar esta carrera.

Asi, pronto la vimos en otro éxito, "Jumanji" (1995), un blockbuster acerca de un juego de mesa que al jugarlo se transporta en vivo convirtiéndote en parte del juego hasta que no lo termines. Co protagoniza a lado de Robin Williams y aunque la cinta genero criticas mezcladas, fue un rotundo éxito que pronto gozara de un reboot. De ahi no la vemos sino hasta 1998, con "Small Soldiers" una cinta de acción y ciencia ficción que a su vez sirve como parodia del sistema militar americano, en una historia sobre dos adolescentes atrapados entre la guerra de dos diferentes tipos de juguetes y aunque tuvo una aceptable recepción, lo negativo vino por parte de mostrar un tono obscuro e inapropiado para una cinta vendida para adolescentes, mas esto no le impidió convertirse ahora en una cinta de culto para su generación. Lo cual motivo a la joven actriz de regresar a la comedia ahora con "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999), una comedia negra sobre un concurso de belleza ficticio y donde sus participantes empiezan a aparecer muertas por misteriosas causas. La actriz protagoniza omo una joven entusiasta que se enlista en el concurso siguiendo los pasos de sus idolos y su propia madre quien concursara tiempo atras. La cinta sirve como medio para exponer este circuito y la gente involucrada en el. Co protagonizando al lado de Ellen Barkin, Dennise Richards, Allison Janney y Kristie Alley la cinta nuevamente gano criticas mezcladas y una pobre taquilla.

Probando nuevamente su talento y embolsandose nuevamente un par de nominaciones la vemos en la primera de lo que serian varias participaciones bajo la batuta de la directora Sofia Coppola, "The Virgin Suicides" (2000), que debutaría en el Festival de Cannes, en la adaptación de la novela homónima sobre cinco hermanas en los 70's que tras el atento de suicidio de una de ellas, forzando a los padres a mantenerlas enceras en su casa, lo cual incrementara su depresión y angustia suicida. Contando de buenas criticas solo gozo de una corrida limitada lo que  a su vez limito su taquilla. Regresando a la comedia, protagoniza a lado de Michelle Williams la cinta "Dick" (1999), una parodia de los eventos de Watergate y del presidente Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon y donde ambas interpretando a dos quinceañeras y mejores amigas que tras una serie de eventos resultan ser quienes expusieron la verdad. La cinta gozo de buenas criticas pero su taquilla fue un desastre que no logro ni recuperar su presupuesto. Esto no le impidió perseguir mas comedias, por lo que se enlista en "Bring it On" (2000), una comedia sobre un grupo de porristas de preparatoria que son el deporte mas popular de la escuela hasta que descubren que sus rutinas han sido copiadas de otra escuela de bajos recursos. Con la excusa de parodiar el sistema deportivo escolar aunado a una serie de pegosos remixes, la cinta resulto ser una grata sorpresa en critica y taquilla que la llevo a un estatus de culto para su generacion y genero varias secuelas que se fueron directo a video por la falta de presencia de su elenco original.

Una vez graduada del colegio, la joven decide retomar su carrera actoral de tiempo completo y así tras una nueva orda de ligeras adaptaciones de novelas Shakesperianas en version adolescente, la actriz estelariza la comedia "Get over it" (2001), cuyo plot esta basado en la novela Midsummer of a night's dream, sobre dos adolescentes que crecieron juntos y tras terminar su romance el joven busca re conquistar a la joven uniéndose al grupo teatral escolar para hacerla terminar con su actual novio. Desgraciadamente esta vez ni la critica ni la audiencia pensaron que esta comedia seria divertida y mucho debido a su falta de originalidad que la hizo perderse en una oleada de comedias adolescentes de la temporada. Por ende en su siguiente proyecto da un giro de la comedia adolescente al drama adolescente en "Crazy/Beautiful" (2001), un romance sobre un joven de bajos recursos que conoce y se enamora de una problemática niña rica que pondrá su vida al borde de situaciones ajenas a el y que lo obligaran a tomar la decision entre la vida que quiere para su futuro o la mujer que ama. Contando que la critica la ignoro por completo, no se considera un fracaso ya que tuvo una tibia taquilla que al menos recupero un poco mas de su bajo presupuesto.

Para 2002, su carrera se catapultaría al estrellato tras filmar su primer blockbuster "Spider Man", la primer adaptación fílmica del popular super héroe, bajo la batuta de Sam Raimi y que derivo en una trilogía, "Spider man 2" (2004) y "Spider Man 3" (2007), las cuales fueron un rotundo éxito de taquilla mundial, cada una superando  a su predecesora y donde la actriz interpreta a Mary Jane Watson, la vecina y amor platónico de Peter Parker, el joven nerd con poderes arácnidos tras ser picado por una araña radioactiva y que ahora se enfrenta al dilema de ser responsable con sus poderes y ayudar a los demás o ayudarse a si mismo y sus seres queridos. Curiosamente en vez de estelarizar un romance fuera de la pantalla con s co protagonista Tobey McGuire, la actriz inicia una relacion con otro joven y talentoso oji azul, el actor Jake Gyllenhaal, la cual terminaria en el 2004. Entre la apretada agenda que con lleva formar parte de este tipo de mega producciones, la vemos en la cinta independiente "Levity" (2003), un drama sobre un hombre que tras salir preso después de un cuarto de siglo tras las rejas, regresa a la ciudad y conoce a una joven rebelde, interpretada por la joven Dunst, y cuya amistad influenciara ambos personajes. Apesar de haber debutado la cinta en el festival de Sundance, esa gozo de una corrida limitada y malas criticas.

Pero su contrato con la distribuidora le permitió formar parte de otro ambicioso proyecto que suena parecido a otros hechos previamente, "Mona Lisa Smile" (2003), bajo la batuta del talentoso director Mike Newell, en una historia sobre una joven historiadora de Arte que termina dando clases en una escuela privada y prestigiada para mujeres, donde al parecer lo único que les importa a las jóvenes es conseguir el mejor partido para matrimonio a pesar de que la joven maestra trata de educarlos mas allá de sus tradiciones y donde  Dunst interpreta a una niña rica y consentida que ve amenazados sus valores por la mente progresista de su maestra. La cinta genero malas criticas pero aun asi, fue un exito en taquilla, en gran parte a su estelar elenco como Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles y Maggie Gyllenhaal. Mas la actriz desperto un gusto por el cine independiente que usualmente gozade propuestas mas originales, tales como "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004), un romance como pocos sobre dos enamorados que  decidieron borrar su mmoria tan solo para terminar enamorandose nuevamente. Protagonizada por Jim Carrey y Kate Winslet, la actriz no le importe ser elenco secundario al lado de Mark Ruffalo como una historia paralela a la de los protagonistas. La cinta es ya un clasico del genero y no solo un exito en taquilla pero amada por la critica.

 Asi, tratando de protagonizar su propia cmedia romantica, estelariza al lado de Paul Bettany, "Wimbledon" (2004), un rom com sobre un tenista profesional y una joven aspirante que aprenderan juntos antes de competirse en rivales o amantes. La cinta careció de originalidad lo cual le genero criticas mezcladas pero la popularidad de sus protagonistas le valió una aceptable taquilla, mas lejos de ser un éxito u otro clásico del genero. Por esta razón se pone bajo la manos del talentoso director y guionista Cameron Crowe en "Elizabethtown" (2005), una tragicomedia sobre un joven fracasado que tiene que volar a su pueblo de origen para encargarse del funeral de su padre, y en el vuelo conocerá a una optimista aeromoza que le podría ayudar a poner su vida en perspectiva e inspirarlo un poco antes de que termine suicidándose. Desgraciadamente este romance no convencio por su acortonado guion lleno de cliches y nuevamente es gracias a la popularidad de la actriz y el actor Orlando Bloom que salio a flote en taquilla. Regresando bajo la batuta de Sofia Coppola, protagoniza "Marie Antoinette" (2006), una extravaganza que pretende mostrar la iconica joven porlo que era, una adolescente en el trono y con poder mas alla de su capacidad par controlarlo. Las criticas fueron muy mezcladas dada la peculiar vision de la directora muy alejada de las clásicas biografía o dramas históricos pero la audiencia sí aplaudió la originalidad de esta propuesta así como la interpretación de la actriz.

Expandiendo horizontes la vemos en "How to lose friends & alienate people" (2008), una comedia británica sobre un periodista y los cinco anos durante los cuales lucho por abrirse camino en los Estados Unidos, pero la historia fue ajena para la audiencia Norte americana y ni el atractivo elenco formado por Jeff Bridges, Megan Fox, Simon Pegg, lograron salvarla del fracaso y el olvido. Lo mismo paso con "All good things" (2010), un thrillerco protagonizado a lado de Ryan Gosling, como un hombre hijo de un rico y poderoso terrateniente en NYC que se ve envuelto en una serie de asesinatos alrededor de el, incluyendo su relacion y desaparcion de su esposa.  Esto no la espanto o alejo del cine independiente, sino todo lo contrario, siendo su siguiente proyecto uno de los mas artísticos de su carrera, "Melancholia" (2011), una original vision del director Lars Von Trier, un drama psicológico, sobre dos hermanas, una que esta a punto de casarse justo cuando el planeta esta a punto de sufrir una catástrofe natural. Según el director, su vision representa la depresión interna de la gente así como su episodio depresivo ante un evento global y catastrófico. La cinta esta lejos de ser una cinta comercial lo que se reflejo en su taquilla pero la critica si la apoyo con una buena respuesta que para muchos es de la majores ofertas en la carrera de la actriz, lo cual la volvio a poner en la mira de varios premios y nominaciones de los circulos especializados.

Tomando un break de tanta seriedad, regresa a su mas popular terreno, la comedia, con "Bachelorette" (2012), una comedia sobre un grupo de amigas organizando la despedida de soltera de una de ellas, exponiendo sus verdaderas intenciones y mostrando los verdaderos colores de su relación entre cada una de ellas. La actriz co protagoniza a lado de Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson y Lizzy Caplan, pero ni la interesante premisa y guion balanceado entre el drama y la comedia convencieron a la critica y su corrida limitada la alejo del alcance popular. Así, la actriz regresa al cine independiente con "On the Road" (2012), la historia de un joven novelista y poeta y su tiempo viajando a travez de Norte America en la década de los 40's a lado de su mejor amigo y conociendo a una serie de personajes que influenciarían su trabajo. La cinta debutoen varios festivales, como Cannes y Toronto, pero aun asi gozo de una corrida limitada que influyo en su taquilla apesar del gusto de la critica. A la par inica a salir con su co protagonista Garret Hedlund, relacion que terminaria en 206 justo para iniciar otra relacion con su co protagonista Jesse Plemons, de la serie de television "Fargo" (2014 - current) y con el cual ahora esta comprometida

Otro intento original es "Upside Down" (2012), un romance de fantasia, sobre dos jóvenes de dos mundos opuestos que se encuentran uno encima del otro y donde dos jóvenes se conocen en el punto mas alto donde pueden interactuar mas están separados por las circunstancias. Apesar de la propuesta visual, la historia recuerda mucho a otras previas de amores imposibles por lo cual fue apabullada por la critica e ignorada en la taquilla, lo cual la convirtió en un fracaso dado su ambicioso presupuesto. Siguiéndole "The two faces of January" (2014),  un thriller basado en la novela homónima donde co protagoniza a lado de Viggo Mortnsen y Oscar Isaac, sobre una pareja que al viajar a Atenas, Grecia trata de ser estafada por un aparente guía de turistas, tornando las cosas en una serie de eventos que pondrán a la pareja al limite de sus posibilidades. Comparada con un estilo Hitchkoniano, la cinta tuvo una buena respuesta por parte de los criticos pero su taquilla fue muy mala, mucho debido a la falta de mercadotecnia del estudio. En 2015 la vimos en la aplaudida "Midnight Special", una cinta independiente que genero excelente buzz y criticas de boca en boca, contando la historia de un pequeno con ciertos dones que lo ponen en la mira de varias agencias que quieren capturarlo pero su padre y un grupo de amigos haran lo posible por llevarlo a un lugar seguro. La cinta emula mucho el espíritu de cintas de los 80's mas su guion y trama se siente muy actual y ademas de la actriz, un elenco formado por Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton y Adam Driver hicieron de esta una de sorpresa que fracaso en taquilla debido a su corrida limitada mas una vez en video logro mayor alcance.

Recientemente la vimos en "Hidden Figures" (2017), la historia de tres mujeres afro-americanas que ayudaron a la NASA para poner al hombre en el espacio. Rompiendo barreras de genero y raza, la cinta muestra de manera entretenida la historia de talentos desconocidos que merecen reconocimiento e inspiran. La cinta fue todo un exito en taquilla y critica, inclusive llevandola a varias nominaciones de la Academia, tomando a la industria por sorpresa. Y este mes la vemos nuevamente bajo la dirección de Coppola en "The Beguilded" (2017), un drama ubicado en la Guerra Civil, sobre un grupo de mujeres refugiadas en su academia hasta que al rescatar a un soldado las pondrá en peligro por parte del enemigo y del hombre por si mismo, tentándolas hasta llevarlas a tocar sus limites para protegerse en una era donde las mujeres estaban marginadas no solo física sino emocionalmente. Co protagoniza al lado de Colin Farrell y Nicole Kidman, como la dulce y virginal maestra que suena con escapar de su situación y huir en busca de una mejor vida, ofrecida en la imagen de este extraño soldado. Hasta el momento la cinta se ha movido en el gusto de la critica y con una limitada exhibicion pareciera manetenerse en el gusto del publico, lo cual pondra a la actriz en la misma posicion sobre su carrera, o mantiene su gusto por proyectos originales e independientes mientras lo mezcla con apariciones en proyectos comerciales de los grandes estudios. Para una actriz que inicio su carrera a tan corta edad, a este punto puede darse el lujo de hacer lo que quiera mientras logre mantenerse presente y en el gusto de una audiencia que la vio crecer y consolidarse.

BABY DRIVER... fast and funny

Have you ever been trapped by circumstances? Ever find yourself in a place that you don't belong but knowing why you ended there? Well life has many turns and twists waiting for us at every corner. Funny thing most of the time comes to our own decisions that we end at that place. Sometimes for better others for worse, things happen for a reason they say and sometimes good people end doing bad things because their circumstances, and not because their choice but a mistake or a wrong decision leads to rabbit hole that needs to touch bottom in order to start fresh and re invent yourself, learning from that experience. We all make mistakes, that''s part of life and our learning process but sometimes mistakes come from us when we are already broken or we still good hearted. The motivation behind them is what really counts and that's the real learning experience. And that learning process could be a fun ride or a ride to hell. An example of that is the movie that brings us here now. One of the most authentic offers this summer filled from well known franchises so an original entry feels refreshing specially when it's well done, entertaining and funny. All under the heist genre which seems to be having a new fresh look in the past months.

All this and more is "Baby Driver" (2017) a heist movie / rom-com that is fueled by music making it another main character as the driver and main character  that happens to introduce himself as Baby, is a young guy with high driving skills that has put him into a dangerous situation, having to work for a con man that has him from the balls as was caught stealing from him when we was younger and after been through a family tragedy that made him lost his parents, he finds himself in a place where only anger and love have room. And the only way to leave that path is paying his debt driving a group of convicts, assassins and thieves s they do their job and he'll have to bring them back safe, away from the authorities. And he is the right person for that, with his unique skills  at the wheel and all while he plays his music on his iPod. Like if music will inspire him. But also it's part of him because he likes to create his own music at home based on moments and phrases that he records from strangers. All this as a tribute to his mom memory as she was a singer and a really good one, only leaving that to him as a legacy to her memory and keeping him going to find what he is missing, keeping him away to fall all the way to that rabbit hole, prisoner of his feelings and anger until he could find love to save him.

But loves always finds it's way. And soon he will in the face of a sweet and beautiful waitress, which whom he'll connect thanks to the love for music that both share. And eventually the fact that both are feeling trapped in that hole and looking for a way out will bring them together and love will happen but not as easy as they would want because been surrounded by  damaged people will only bring chaos and this people won't hesitate to kill or mess with them, the all have their own agenda. How do you manage to stay put and get out of the way from a band of very bad people that don't care about anyone but themselves. And villains could be too cartoonish but people with bad intentions, all damaged and broken are all around us, trying to pull us down to them like a strong energy taking you from the highway to take an easiest, better, faster shortcut. How do you make it through without getting your hands dirty. And specially when your life and the people you love get involved, how can you make them stop specially if you are cornered from all sides, and no way t escape but facing them.

This is basically all  what the movie is about. The young driver trying to find his way out from this mafia and all this people that he can't relate to, because he is not a bad person, he just made the wrong decisions and is paying for his mistakes. And as any young man, he'll find love and that feeling will motivate him to do better and try to find a better life for him and the people he care about. But for that he would have to play along and do one last job for the con man that is manipulating him and even he can't fool those thieves, they need him so that will put him in charge and with an option to do something to get riddle of them and make them pay for hurting others. While all this sounds very intense and like the perfect plot for an award winning drama, it might get some recognition as so far the critics are raving for it but this is less drama and more action and comedy. The romance between the two young lovebirds bring some sparks that feel like the old school, far from the online dating and closer to the boy meets girl and a diner, they talk and a connection happens. And this guy is all but boring. His music has a new style and keeps the beats on while his adventures and journey to find himself and try to get away from that direction couldn't be more funny than any teenager defying society while finding his place in the world.

The movie mixes a perfect balance between action sequences while driving and funny and romantic moments between the main character and he's new love interest and all this bad people that keep moving around him, attracted by his unique personality, confidence and talent behind the wheel, sometimes feeling threatened and others attracted to him. But what makes it move in smoother waters it's a soundtrack that keeps rolling all the way till the end and a great cast that plays out of their comfort zone to bring a different side to their profile while keeping you rooting for our young lead man to make it through and find a resolution to his situation and find love and happiness, because at the end isn't it what we all want at the end? Don't you want to know that even in the worst, dark times of your live, will be some light at the end of the tunnel? How far are you willing  go to make it right and find a better place from the one you are now? Do yo have the balls to fight for it or would you settle for what is safer and what others have planned for your life, or would you prefer to take the wheel and control of your life and fight for what you think is best for you and the people that cares about you and the ones you love? Well if you do, you better drive fast and don't miss a fun time at the movies that will be more than a ride but the soundtrack of a lifetime.

RIVERDALE...when having secrets feels like home

Everybody who was born in the last century, should be familiar with the ARCHIE comic books. You've probably seen it at your local news paper, or a cartoon, or a movie. All based in a character that become so popular that is now an icon of pop culture from XX century. Even was created back in 1939, it really gets a boost and fame through the second half of the century, reflecting the era of the 50's, 60's and then evolving to the 80's and 90's, reflecting teenagers from middle class America, as he is a charming ginger jock in high school, where he struggles with all the issues of that age, falling in love with his best friend Betty, the perfect blonde girl, and Veronica, the sexy brunette new in town, while sharing adventures and ups and downs with best friend Jughead. All these characters have served as a reflection of different times and eras where love and friendship remains but also evolves in different ways. And each of them has been well rounded in a way that anyone can relate to them plus adding a diverse group of second characters, like the Pussy Cat Dolls, a rock band of the school, that represent the rebel side of rock and rock and teenagers trying to express with music their anger against social repression and a scream to diversity in a very white America back then. All having fun and growing up at the same time just to become a beloved part of our lives.

For a non super hero comic book series, this one has been one of the most popular and successful franchises out there, but where would it lead these days when Millennials are too far from what the story beholds and their story feels like aged or more like something that their parents would relate to, which would never be a good thing for 2000's teenagers. So apparently is time to evolve again and present a new side of Archie and his team, a new story that can keep it's roots and feel accurate and real for all generations that have been following the gang. Most obvious choice would be bringing him back to the new trend these days, television. And with so, we get "RIVERDALE" (2017), a new tv show based in all these beloved characters, taking it's name from the home town where the comic is based and that has never been revealed as a real place or even where is it located so that adds the fact that anyone can relate to it. For what we see in the show, could be any place located either on the North East or North West side of USA, but now this place is home for a lot of secrets as the teenagers had evolved to a time where everyone has access to information and where things can go public so keeping secrets is now more of a challenge and a way to live than a random coincidence.

So in it's first successful season, we are introduce to the characters that we know portrayed in a very modern way. The story is told from the eyes of Jughead, a misfit in the town that observes everybody else and knows what's happening with the town until the popular jock from the football team and son of the wealthiest family in town is murdered. Everybody seems suspicious about this incident and seem to hide some kind of interests or information relate to it, specially for those teenagers that were close by the murder scene when a shotgun was fired and days later the dead body found. One of those kids is Archie, a nice red headed that now is very athletic, sexy jock that is not only interested in sports but also has an artistic soul, willing to pursue music along his classmates, reason why had an affair with his music teacher, putting both of them in an illegal situation, but he has a good heart so doesn't want to cause trouble but falling for his teacher while a murder was committed. But someone else is watching him, and that's Betty Cooper, his neighbor and all childhood friend that has a crush on him, dreaming that one day he will share her feelings  and be a happy couple, specially one that will make anyone in town jealous as both are two good looking teens.

Unfortunately someone else caught his eye, and that's Veronica, the new girl in town, that also happens to just moved because is running away from his family past and a backstory full of corruption and rebellion, but she want's to be a good girl, leave everything behind and start fresh but seems like past always catches up on her. Opposite to Betty, she has experience and she is no naive so knows all the moves to make it through social status in high school, even her family reputation is playing against her finding only open arms in the circle of Archie and his friends. Now all four get to hang in the town's diner and share their concerns like any other teenager but as the murder keeps bringing more people and information to the table, they get sucked into it, starting their own task to research what really happened and avoid being trapped in the spotlight. Like any teenager from this generation, their access to information makes them believe they can solve the puzzle and that they might know more than the rest just to realize that they know nothing about their parents and the grown ups world, but that won't stop them to go after new clues while falling in love, having a fun time, cry and dream about their ideals and dream big, proving that what matters at the end is to be true to yourself and stand among others for what you are and not for what other want you to be,

This is the real soul of the show and the comics back in time, and even the circumstances have changed to the new millennium, still keeps  that heart that proves what being a young soul means. That search of identity and your place in the world surrounded by people that might want to bring you down as others that will love you and accept you for what you are. Playing with stereotypes,  we get to see how judging by the book usually is a mistake that leads to the wrong direction, as an example Archie is not an asshole or insecure jock trying to make feel bad others to make himself a better person, he pursues what is right and cares about his friends and wants more than what other expect from him. Same way Betty might look like the naive and dumb blonde girl that just wants to be perfect and be a role model for the rest of the girls, but actually she is a strong woman that stands against her overprotecting mother to follow what she believes in and protect the ones she care of. It's time to go deep in those layers beyond the stereotypes that we have created through time about society roles, and appearances. And what better than having a group of friends that we know and have been part of our culture for decades to prove us wrong and show us a new way to follow and re define all these concepts while solving mysteries and realize that we all could be young at soul forever, and it's about a name that you will make it through time rather than how you look or posses, so if you ready for a ride, this small town is awaiting for you.

ROUGH NIGHT...girls also can go wild

We have talked much about girl power these days and for a reason as seems like TV and all entertainment has been focusing in feminism and the relevance that has taken for the past years. Now women are no longer put on a side. They are taking the lead and ruling the world next to any man on earth. Much has been proved about their potential and the significance of their stories after decades of just witnessing stories about men and how they can change/destroy the world. We live in a time where things are changing and they are doing it fast. Diversity and tolerance are the new era mojo's and everybody is aware of that unless you been living in a cave for the last decade. Women as humans as they are, they are a complex individual that also likes to have fun, enjoy sex, live with hope and ideals, looks for challenges and a career, while still trying to keep their essence as a symbol of beauty and emotions, but at the same time, strong and capable of many things. So with that said is about time to explore all sides of their psyche  and why not have some fun along, but mostly the industry has found a new target for their business as now women are big consumers of these stories that can relate to, not belonging to just one specif genre but able to embrace all kind of stories.

That's how we get "Rough Night" (2017), a raunchy comedy that turns those male debauchery parties into pheromones and serving as a parody of the male version of fun, we get a film dedicated to women and all their supporters that will love to see them getting in trouble and be as goofy and unapologetic as their soul let them. The movie tells the story of four college friends that organize a bachelorette trip for one of them and as an excuse for the rest to get out of their complicated lives and get together for all times sake. In addition another girl will join, from abroad when the fiancee went to Australia to study there and will try to include her into her selective group of girlfriends. The result will be competition set on for those girls to win the more attention of the fiancee while each one of them struggles with the life they have waiting them back at home. Jess is the beautiful fiancee performed by the talented actress Scarlet Johansson and she managed to show a different side from what she has used us to, now more funny and adventurous but as her character is an important politician in love and about to get married, she is the one trying to keep control of things while the rest of the gang just lose themselves and things start to happen.

And those things come from her best friend, Alice, an obese lonely teacher with no social life so when sees this opportunity as her option to have fun and reunite with her friends she goes all for it, bringing drugs and men to the table, and that's when things go south, as trying to have a fun experience with a male stripper goes terrible wrong, now the five girls have to deal with a dead body. And this kind of experience is what sets the crisis mood for everyone making them expose all what their been hiding, a divorce, some legal issues, loneliness, and soon they will realize how far they have been growing from each other forgetting what made them so close before and what they like from each other. So issues have to be solves and they will have to face the fact of committing murder while accepting their new reality and of their friends. And that's the biggest flaw of the movie as the movie tries so hard to move around different genres that forgets it's soul or core as a comedy and a parody and sometimes feels too force to bring more feminist jokes and trying to stand a point that is not funny anymore and we, as audience, start feeling like watching a drama or thriller, making the whole situation confusing and distracting.

What is definitely worth to watch, other that the chemistry of this funny cast, is the fact that we can relate to a situation like the one for this group of friends, when we get so involved in our lives, focusing in our career, relationships, goals and projects that we forget about those people that once knew all about us and us all about them. Those that we use to talk to about anything, the ones with whom we had amazing adventures and experiences before getting life trapped us in a bubble of responsibilities and serious stuff that we forget who we are and what we used to believe, in need of someone to remind us that we still believe and we can still dream and have some fun just by being ourselves and having a good laugh with the people that care about us not by option but by choice. We forget that friendship can be a relationship for life that evolves as we do, it's selfless and fulfilling but needs to be present otherwise also fades away, and meeting that kind of people that can make that connection with  us its not an easy task so should not be taken for granted as mostly do, and realize that we won't be the same but whatever was the reason to bring them together will stronger than time and distance.

How do you treasure your friendships? Are they the ones who really accepts you and know you or just some people that can count on to have some fun times and hang out? Friendship gets different shades with time. When we are kids is basic to have fun, learn how to socialize, explore the idea of meeting other people, work out our imagination. As we start growing up, and go to school and collage they become an essential part of our lives, as we get confused about who we are and what we want in life, they listen to us, stand by our side, becoming allies of secrets and adventures. But as we keep getting older we start focusing in other matters as love relationships, the ideal target  to pend life with someone, careers, as the major personal project to be and feel successful, parenthood, and funny thing, while when young we try to get away from family and that's why we get close to friends and make new ones as a second family option, when we start to get old we tend to go back to family and make peace with our past, leaving those friendships on the side. So never is too late to go back to them and try to have fun together and re discover the reason that brought you together and realize how much of our friends we have on us and what a big impact they make in our lives, sometimes or good others not so good but if possible a good laugh, some kind of adventure and a moment of truth will always be welcome and can be memorable.