AMORES PERROS ... What an amazing movie! (1 Viewer)

[Aurel Savin]

Well ... I watched this movie after a good friend had lent it to me telling me it's a "must see"! Me and him agree on films usually, so I gave it a try.
I didn't know anything about this movie except what I have read on the DVD cover. Never heard of it and didn't even know it was nominated for an Oscar last year.
This is what I like about movies ... when one comes out of nowhere, after years of watching rehashed Hollywood crud ...and it just smacks you in the face!!!
The director created a movie (his first) that seasoned Hollywood veterans would have a hard time making ... me feels.
The acting was spectacular, all around!!!! No weak performances at all. The characters were well developed and while the movie seemed to lag in some spots; in retrospect it worked to its overall benefit.
This movie works on so many levels, from pure entertainment to social commentary, to fairy tale, to an action picture. I literally felt that I was watching multiple movies at once ...
All in all I am taken aback by this movie. It reafirms my faith in good movie making that doesn't rely on CGI to tell a hell of a story.
Alejandro González Iñárritu is the director to watch. I gotta see it again!!!
What did you guys think? I did a search on the Board and have not seen any talk about this flick. I am dying to hear some opinions and start some discussion on this!!!

 

[Jerry Gracia]

I agree.

Very very good film, if you haven't seen it yet...you're missing a great one!

 

[Jason Whyte]

There was a LOT of discussion last summer in the "Movies" forum about this film -- this was easily one of the best films I saw last year. It has some VERY strong subject matter but an inspired sense of freedom that I so rarely see in film these days.

If you're curious to see another piece of Inarritu's work, check out the free BMW series DVD "The Hire," which features an excellent 15 minute short done by him. (Assuming that is it's still available, check bmwfilms.com and email the site administrator)

Jason

 

[Rich Malloy]

The acting was spectacular, all around!!!! No weak performances at all.

And if you liked the actor who played Octavio in the first story (by far, my favorite), then do yourself a favor and go see "Y Tu Mama Tambien" this weekend. Same actor in an even better role in an even better movie.

Mexico hasn't been such a great part of international cinema since Bunuel went back to Europe!

 

[Aurel Savin]

Rich ...

I heard about Y tu mama tambien ... gonna check it out soon.

It is amazing what gems we miss sometimes.

 

[Aaron Silverman]

SI SENOR!!!!!!!!! Great flick! Mexican "Pulp Fiction" indeed!
I had to get Control Machete's CD after seeing this movie. (And that Levi's ad 400 times)

 

[Prentice Cotham]

The DVD is not anamorphic, right?

 

[Marc Colella]

The DVD is anamorphic. Decent transfer too.

 

[Prentice Cotham]

Thanks Marc...I looked at the back of the DVD and there was no indication (that I recall.)

 

[Dan Brecher]

This discussion is perhaps more suited to the movies forum, I am moving it there. I do agree that Amores Perros is a breathtaking film, I was truly overwhelmed by the experience of viewing it.

Dan

 

[Jason Goodmanson]

I remember reading a few sites when this film was still in theaters. Our local art theater (The Grand - great place!) played it, but it came and went so fast I missed it.

Thank god for DVD! I (as was my fiance) was at such a loss for words after this film was over. Couldn't even begin to describe it to anyone, or to fully process what I did see.

All I do know - this film was awesome!

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

It is amazing what gems we miss sometimes.

If you hang around the Movies Forum more often, you wouldn't be missing out on so many gems.
Both Amores Perros and Y Tu Mama Tambien are very good. I am getting ready for my second viewing of the latter.
~Edwin

 

[Holadem]

One of the best movies of last year. I had never even heard of it, but something about the summary on the DVD made me rent it. Excellent movie about... Life. I find it quite similar to Magnolia, if only because of the different stories.

I think the story that resonnated the most with me is the second one, with the model. It just goes to show the blows life can deal to you. I was on a downward slope myself when I watched that movie. Truly amazing.

--

Holadem

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

Quote:

All three advise each other on their own respective films and are fast becoming good friends.
~Edwin

 

[Brian Lawrence]

Good timing on this post, I just rented this movie yesterday I should be watching it tonight or tomorrow night.
I knew the film had been well received, but I really don't know a whole lot about it, Which is the reason I skipped over most of the posts in this thread. I like to watch movies I know almost nothing about
I'll chime in later with my 2 cents

 

[Brian Lawrence]

I really liked this film a lot. At the beginning I was afraid that this was going to be little more than a Mexican Tarantino rip off. But the film was a lot deeper than that. In fact I might be more prone to compare many of the films themes to stuff by K. Kiesloswki. The second story even seemed like a bit of an homage to 'Three Colours Trilogy', Just look at one of the key visual scenes involving the big vinyl billboard poster and you will see what I mean.
The only thing that bothered me a bit was some of the dog-fighting scenes, seemed a little too real. I don't know what the guidelines are over in Mexico for Treatment of animals.
All in all, I have to give the film a Huge thumbs Up.

 

[Stevan Lay]

The lesser known or accessible short titled Powder Keg by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is pretty good too It can only viewed through BMW Films, AFAIK.

• 21 Grams
• Hellboy
• Children of Men

All sound very promising indeed.

 

[Patrick Sun]

You can tell it's the Dog Days of summer for me, as I venture into the rental stores looking for movies to rent these days.

I rented "Amores Perros" based on seeing Gael García Bernal in "Y Tu Mama Tambien" recently (he played Julio IIRC), and I was not disappointed in AP at all. (I didn't even read up the reviews here for this film until after I saw the film). As Rich Malloy said in another thread, Bernal is simply riveting, when he's on the screen, you can't take your eyes off of him, definitely a gifted young natural actor with a bright future.

The tragic ironies that love inflicts on its 3 main stories was well paced and thought out. I can't believe this was a "first film effort" by the director, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, it was pretty amazing storytelling.

If you're needing something different than the average hollywood flick to watch, give "Amores Perros" a chance, I think you'll be glad you did.

 

[Ryan Peter]

Pat, you realize this thread is a retread of another thread that existed when this film was actually in the theater right? There's even more praise in that thread IIRC.
Nice review, glad to see you liked it!