Quinceañera

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Audience Member [COLOR=Red][B]Quinceañera[/B][/COLOR] (2006) Director: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland Starring: Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Jesus Castanos, Alicia Sixtos, David W. Ross 3.5 stars out of 4 Frilly dresses, giggling schoolgirls, plastered-on smiles, dirty dancing, familial pride –such are the eclectic party favors of Quinceañera. As the film’s audience members become impromptu guests at such an event during the opening minutes, it is immediately clear that the hospitality will remain constant throughout the following hour and a half. Indeed, Quinceañera develops its characters and its events with such care and sincerity that it is hard to slip away once the party has begun. As Magdalena awaits her Quinceañera, the traditional Mexican celebration for a girl’s fifteenth birthday, she is forced to mature much more quickly than her pending age would imply. Finding that she is pregnant, though she insists, to the dismay of her family, that her virginity is intact, Magdalena must come to terms with her simultaneous adulthood and childhood, as arbitrary as both terms may prove to be. As her stomach grows, so does the mystery regarding the child’s conception –a product of either supernatural forces or teenage lust. The familial bond that is meant to be on display at her upcoming Quinceañera thus breaks, causing Magdalena to seek refuge in her accepting great-uncle and her estranged gay cousin. As Quinceañera progresses, it becomes clear that it is much more than a run of the mill coming-of age story; rather, it is a beautiful and poignant portrayal of relationships, independence, and the balance therein, as Magdalena forges unlikely alliances and assumes unprecedented responsibility. Perhaps even more compelling than the story of Magdalena, however, is the parallel one of Carlos, her lovesick cousin, a character who exhibits more psychological depth than the majority of those that have seen the light of cinema this year. Carlos’ conflicting feelings of betrayal by his family and duty to protect his roots beautifully compliment Magdalena’s metamorphosis from naïveté to maturity. Increasingly satisfying as it progresses, Quinceañera poetically and thoughtfully explores family dynamics, alienation, tradition, faith, love, and relationships, becoming one of the most unforgettable films of the year in the process. [CENTER][img]http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060731/060731_quinceanera_hmed_1p.hmedium.jpg[/img][/CENTER] [COLOR=Red][B]The Last Kiss[/B] (2006) [/COLOR] Director: Tony Goldwyn Starring: Zach Braff, Tom Wilkinson, Casey Affleck, Jacinda Barrett, Blythe Danner 4 stars out of 4 This was one of the most nauseating and emotionally draining experiences I have ever had in the theatre –and I loved every moment of it. Actor-turned-director Tony Goldwin’s film successfully explores every undesirable, yet inevitable, characteristic of adult relationships with such frightening realism that I feared that my enjoyment of it bordered on masochism. However, despite the harrowingly realistic dialogue and circumstances, or perhaps, because of them, The Last Kiss emerges as one of the best films of the year, and perhaps even one of the best films of its kind. The film revolves around an assembly of couples linked together via the close friendships of the male counterparts, each exemplifying a variant of relationship disintegration, respectively. Adultery, aging, pregnancy, fear of commitment, loneliness, betrayal, and mistrust, are the primary characteristics explored in The Last Kiss, each likely to feel slightly too close for comfort to any member of the audience that has ever experienced romance, heartache, or even personal insecurity. A painful tapestry of truth, The Last Kiss features an exceptional screenplay, containing dialogue that is nearly unparalleled in its honesty and precision regarding relationships –or the lack thereof. It never becomes melodramatic or exaggerated, but is careful to maintain a respect of its subject matter. [CENTER][img]http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/_Ent/Fall_Movieguide_06/fallmovie_guide_TheLastKiss.h2.jpg[/img][/CENTER] Now for the important stuff. Everyone shamelessly drools in their journals, and as I have been increasingly guy-crazy lately, I figured its about time I do it too. Sexiest men in the world (that's right, in the WORLD): [B]Ville Valo[/B] [img]http://www.osobnosti.cz/img/userpics_big/3/36808.jpg[/img] [img]http://cdn-86.cdn.buzznet.com/assets/users11/addictedtoville/default/ville_valo--large-msg-115099611874-2.jpg[/img] This is an update. I was a fool and didn't include the SEXIEST MAN ALIVE on my original list. Well, here he is now. Damn. [B]Billie Joe Armstrong[/B] [img]http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/7607/billie2ws.png[/img] [img]http://www.fashionsnoops.com/about_us/site_preview/news_tools/images/grammy_feb05/ym/small/Billie%20Joe%20Armstrong.jpg[/img] He's God. Can I say more? Look at him. Charisma, talent, ambition --the whole package. [B]Mos Def[/B] [img]http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Mos_Def_umvd009.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.16bars.de/datei-repositorium/dateien/52/thumbs/x150/mosdef.jpg[/img] Sharing more similarities to Jim Morrison than to Jay-Z, Mos Def is one of the most talented musicians I have ever experienced. His politically and socially powerful music is beyond impressive and I really can't get enough of it. Besides, he probably has the most beautiful facial features I have ever seen. I beg everyone to check out his music and incredible lyrics if you have not already. THIS is "punk." I am so obsessed with his genius that I recently painted a portrait of him: [img]http://myspace-074.vo.llnwd.net/01170/47/00/1170530074_m.jpg[/img] [B]Nick Stahl[/B] [img]http://ecomm.mercanti.it/dvdstore/Foto/DPT948_1030401151053.JPG[/img][img]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/megan_of_suburbia/Stahl_AG006886701552.jpg[/img] He's just incredible. Greatest lips... ever. Best film to date: In the Bedroom [B]Cillian Murphy[/B] [img]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c114/Breet_/cillian_murphy_99.jpg[/img][img]http://www.iballer.com/malecelebs/pretty_celebs/murphy/images/m6_jpg.jpg[/img] Enough said. I know I already have the support of, basically, the entire RT community on this one. Best film to date: Breakfast on Pluto [B]Gael Garcia Bernal[/B] [img]http://img144.echo.cx/img144/7310/gaelgarciabernal2kz.jpg[/img] [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/cs/7/71/Gael_garcia_bernal.jpg[/img] Challenges Nick Stahl for the title of "greatest lips... ever." Brilliant actor. Best film to date: Amores Perros The Science of Sleep opens Friday! YAY! :D [B]Matt Damon[/B] [img]http://www.matt-damon.net/bilder/mattdamon_start.jpg[/img][img]http://news.softpedia.com/images/news2/Matt-Damon-Says-The-Grimms-Is-a-Horrifying-Tale-2.jpg[/img] I've been in love with him since I was 14. Gorgeous. And one of the absolute greatest actors ever. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Quinceañera

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