View Full Version : Recommended Spanish films
I am a great fan of spanish films and TV series', including pedro almadovar's numerous films. I was wondering if anyone else is into spanish films and series like jamon jamon, riders of the storm (shown on channel 4 some time ago), matador to name but a few.
Apart from almadovar, are there any other spanish directors of interest. I know there's the one who directed Open your eyes (Penelope Cruz) and The Others (nicole kidman).
Are there any sites which look at the spanish film industry??
Shingster
22-02-2002, 19:23
I definitely recommend Allejandro Amenebar's Spanish output: Tesis & Abre Los Ojos (AKA: Open Your Eyes), 2 cracking pyschological thrillers.
I'm after spansih films and south american stuff as well as mi esposa es chilena :D. Don't forget amores perros of course.
Shingster what's the best region and place to get Tesis?
Check out Los Sin Nombre, a Jamie Balaguero film. The Spanish DVD is uncut, has an English dub and English subtitles, has some extras, and has excellent picture and sound quality. It is non-anamorphic PAL.
Released by Filmax.
I picked it up for about £7.50 (€12.25) when I went on holiday to the Canary Islands. :)
It will cost you a fair bit more though if you buy, as you are buying online.
...a few titles from my slowly growing 'collection' of Spanish-language movies on DVD:
****/**** - ABRE LOS OJOS [CE] / Eduardo Noriega, Penélope Cruz, Chete Lera, Fele Martinez / Dir.: Alejandro Amenábar / 1997
****/**** - CALLE 54 [CE] / dts / Gato Barbieri, Cachao, Michel Camilo, Chano Dominguez, et al. / Dir. Fernando Trueba / 2000
(= a Documentary featuring a lot of terrific Latin-American Jazz) :clap:
****/**** - CARNE TREMULA / Javier Bardem, Francesca Neri, Liberto Rabal, Angela Molina / Dir.: Pedro Aldomóvar / 1998
**/**** - EL ARTE DE MORIR / Fele Martínez, María Esteve, Gustavo Salmerón, Adrià Collado / Dir.: Àlvaro Fernández Armero / 2000
****/**** - ENTRE LAS PIERNAS / Victoria Abril, Javier Bardem, Carmelo Gomez / Dir.: Manuel Gomez Pereira / 1998
***/**** - FLORES DE OTRO MUNDO / José Sancho, Luis Tosar, Lissete Mejía, Marilín Torres, Chete Lera / Dir.: Iciar Bollain / 2000
***/**** - GOYA EN BURDEOS / Francisco Rabal, José Coronado, Maribel Verdú, Eulalia Ramón / Dir.: Carlos Saura / 1999
****/**** - LA COMUNIDAD [CE] / Carmen Maura, Eduardo Antuña, Maria Asquerino, Jesus Bonilla / Dir.: Alex de la Iglesia / 2000
***/**** - LA NIÑA DE TUS OJOS / Penélope Cruz, Antonio Resines, Neus Asensi, Jesus Bonilla, Loles León / Dir.: Fernando Trueba / 1998
****/**** - LOS AMANTES DEL CÍRCULO POLAR / Najwa Nimri, Fele Martinez, Nancho Novo, Maru Valdivielso, Peru Medem / Dir.: Julio Medem / 1998
****/**** - LOS SIN NOMBRE / Emma Vilarasau, Karra Elejalde, Tristán Ulloa, Pep Tosar, Jordi Dauder / Dir.: Jaume Balagueró / 2000
***/**** - MUERTOS DE RISA / Santiago Segura, El Gran Wyoming, Alex Angulo / Dir.: Alex de la Iglesia / 1999 :D
...all with optional English subtitles (sole exception: Flores de otra mundo, which only has Spanish subs for the HoH)...
...the xxxx-out-of-four-stars are my own valuation, of course!...
...note that, in France, there are DVDs of three Luis Buñuel movies from his Mexican period...
...plus, from today's Mexico, there's Amores perros...
. . . Enjoy ! . . .
. . . :o . . .
Shingster
22-02-2002, 22:42
You got the Spanish DVD of Abre Los Ojos then Hendrik? I got it today & found that the transfer is indeed first rate, but I haven't had a chance to look at it on a WS TV yet! I don't suppose you have a PS2 do you Hendrik? It seems my copy will only play up to chapter 12 on my PS2! Plays fine on everything else though.
As for the best DVD release of Tesis Lorenzo, i've never thought about it, so i'll go away & do some research and get back to you if no-one else answers your question.
Shingster
22-02-2002, 23:46
I can't get the edit page to load up for me last comment so i'll have to post again. I've found out there are 3 releases of Tesis:
American, R1: Seems to be bare bones with a mediocre transfer, which looks like it was mastered from a VHS source! I think it's 1.66:1 & DD2.0 surround?
Spanish, R2: Know bugger all about it really, but checking DVDProfiler it says that it's 1.85:1, DD2.0 & NO English subs! :(. I don't knoe if the trailer on my Spanish Abre los Ojos DVD is aa good indicator of it's quality, but if it is i'd say the transfer was ok, but riddled with artifacting.
English, R0: Play list it as 1.85:1 with Spanish DD2.0 track. It;s Tartan so don't expect nowt special but it seems to be better than the crappy R1 release so i say go for this one.
Originally posted by Hendrik
...a few titles from my slowly growing 'collection' of Spanish-language movies on DVD:
****/**** - ABRE LOS OJOS [CE] / Eduardo Noriega, Penélope Cruz, Chete Lera, Fele Martinez / Dir.: Alejandro Amenábar / 1997
****/**** - CALLE 54 [CE] / dts / Gato Barbieri, Cachao, Michel Camilo, Chano Dominguez, et al. / Dir. Fernando Trueba / 2000
(= a Documentary featuring a lot of terrific Latin-American Jazz) :clap:
****/**** - CARNE TREMULA / Javier Bardem, Francesca Neri, Liberto Rabal, Angela Molina / Dir.: Pedro Aldomóvar / 1998
**/**** - EL ARTE DE MORIR / Fele Martínez, María Esteve, Gustavo Salmerón, Adrià Collado / Dir.: Àlvaro Fernández Armero / 2000
****/**** - ENTRE LAS PIERNAS / Victoria Abril, Javier Bardem, Carmelo Gomez / Dir.: Manuel Gomez Pereira / 1998
***/**** - FLORES DE OTRO MUNDO / José Sancho, Luis Tosar, Lissete Mejía, Marilín Torres, Chete Lera / Dir.: Iciar Bollain / 2000
***/**** - GOYA EN BURDEOS / Francisco Rabal, José Coronado, Maribel Verdú, Eulalia Ramón / Dir.: Carlos Saura / 1999
****/**** - LA COMUNIDAD [CE] / Carmen Maura, Eduardo Antuña, Maria Asquerino, Jesus Bonilla / Dir.: Alex de la Iglesia / 2000
***/**** - LA NIÑA DE TUS OJOS / Penélope Cruz, Antonio Resines, Neus Asensi, Jesus Bonilla, Loles León / Dir.: Fernando Trueba / 1998
****/**** - LOS AMANTES DEL CÍRCULO POLAR / Najwa Nimri, Fele Martinez, Nancho Novo, Maru Valdivielso, Peru Medem / Dir.: Julio Medem / 1998
****/**** - LOS SIN NOMBRE / Emma Vilarasau, Karra Elejalde, Tristán Ulloa, Pep Tosar, Jordi Dauder / Dir.: Jaume Balagueró / 2000
***/**** - MUERTOS DE RISA / Santiago Segura, El Gran Wyoming, Alex Angulo / Dir.: Alex de la Iglesia / 1999 :D
...all with optional English subtitles (sole exception: Flores de otra mundo, which only has Spanish subs for the HoH)...
...the xxxx-out-of-four-stars are my own valuation, of course!...
...note that, in France, there are DVDs of three Luis Buñuel movies from his Mexican period...
...plus, from today's Mexico, there's Amores perros...
. . . Enjoy ! . . .
. . . :o . . .
Is there a website where I can buy these from? Or is there one detailing spanish films like these?
...erm... for instance (in Spain):
http://www.veoveo.es/docs/detalle.asp?d=6542
...or www.dvdgo.com
. . . :o . . .
I once nearly ordered from DVDGo. Pulled out at the last minute.
Their shipping prices are ridiculous. It takes a £12 DVD up to £20. Anywhere cheaper?
Roy Batty
23-02-2002, 17:00
Despite being spaniard myself, I don't like spanish cinema that much, but Agustin Diaz Yanes' NADIE HABLARA DE NOSOTRAS CUANDO HAYAMOS MUERTO has to be one of the best films from recent history in our luckluster production.
Not strictly spanish but an argentinian-spanish coproduction, Adolfo Aristarain's MARTIN H is a powerful film about life's bittersweet cruelty, with great performances from its whole cast.
And you may want to try mexican Alfonso Cuaron's Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN. Again, a raw look at life's crappinness.
Last, if you gave it a try to the above recommendation of Jaume Balaguero's LOS SIN NOMBRE and liked it, maybe you will find Agusti Villaronga's TRAS EL CRISTAL a worthwhile effort too.
:)
I have these spanish releases in my collection not mentioned by Hendrik:
****/***** El día de la bestia (SE) - Alex de la Iglesia
The SE was released december 2001 with english subs, the old release has not subs!
****/***** Torrente, el brazo tonto de la ley - Santiago Segura
****/***** Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella - Santiago Segura
The Torrente movies is IMHO very funny movies with one of my favorite actors Santiago Segura (also in El dia.. and Muertos de risa). Both DVD's has english subs.
?????/????? Airbag - Juanma Bajo Ulloa
I havn't seen it yet, but I got it recommended from a person in Spain. Also english subs.
Amores perros is released in Spain with a DTS soundtrack, but theres no english subs:(
I buy all my spanish DVD's from http://www.mundolaser.com/
cowfeet - can you tell me more about the two Torrente films you mentioned. I have sen them recommended somewhere else and almost bought them but was put off by Marbella being in the title :rolleyes: Are they slapstick comedies or more considered?
Hendrik (or anyone else for that matter):
Can you confirm that the Spanish discs of The Red Squirrel, Vacas and La Tierra are anamorphic?
ali
Arch Stanton
20-03-2002, 12:23
Surprised no one's mentioned the highly amusing Spanish horror comedy 'Night of the Beast' yet. Tales of trying to find this gem on DVD have filled many a post on these pages.
jonathan.e
20-03-2002, 12:40
Originally posted by Arch Stanton
Surprised no one's mentioned the highly amusing Spanish horror comedy 'Night of the Beast' yet. Tales of trying to find this gem on DVD have filled many a post on these pages.
Do you mean Day of the Beast?
http://www.diabolikdvd.com/covers/tmdayofthebeast.jpg
Available in a W/S Sp Ed from www.dvdgo.com amongst others.
Roy Batty: I'm off to Madrid soon. Any suggestions on the best (cheapest) place to get DVDs?
Arch Stanton
20-03-2002, 14:17
Originally posted by jonathan.e
Do you mean Day of the Beast?
http://www.diabolikdvd.com/covers/tmdayofthebeast.jpg
Available in a W/S Sp Ed from www.dvdgo.com amongst others.
That's the one, my mistake.
jonathan.e
20-03-2002, 14:29
Originally posted by Paul490
I once nearly ordered from DVDGo. Pulled out at the last minute.
Their shipping prices are ridiculous. It takes a £12 DVD up to £20. Anywhere cheaper?
I just ordered 5 DVDs there and shipping was only £8.70. I guess it pays to order more than one title. Bear in mind that it’s also 1 day shipping to the UK.
vanmunchen
20-03-2002, 16:23
I'm off to Barcelona on Friday. Any recommendations on where to buy DVDs?
Roy Batty
20-03-2002, 18:51
Originally posted by StuNew
Roy Batty: I'm off to Madrid soon. Any suggestions on the best (cheapest) place to get DVDs?
Sure, but an explanation could turn quite longer, more so when the cheapest prices are for "non-official" retailers (a-HEM!) at the most popular Madrid's fleamarket.
So you better try and send me an e-mail right before coming.
If my schedule allows for it, maybe I could meet you somewhere to point you the places in a map or something.
:)
you can get Los Sin Nombre (The Nameless) from dddhouse for the ussual cheap HK price :) just over £8 including postage, and it has DTS, probably non-anamorphic though
beobrand
21-03-2002, 13:20
StuNew:
A good big selection of DVDs can be found in FNAC in Madrid. Metro Sol or Callao. They will price match any other retailer in Madrid, so if you do find cheaper (and your Spanish is up to it) you can get the difference paid back or your money back.
Madrid Rock, a bit further up Gran Via (Metro Gran Via) was good for music and I think they do DVDs too.
Your other bet is to go to a large hypermarket like Alcampo or Carrefour. There is an Alcampo in a huge indoor shopping centre (with bowling alley and nine screen cinema and loads of other shops and bars etc.), metro Barrio Del Pilar.
HTH
BTW I saw a nice romantic comedy recently - La Gran Vida - with the lovely Salma Hayek. Sort of like Pretty Woman in Madrid and quite watchable, especially with the missus.
Beobrand: thanks for the info; I'll try to check those out. My Spanish is limited to a few phrases and words so I'll be hoping the discs come with English or failing that French sub-titles.
Roy Batty: Thanks for the offer. I'll be in Madrid for just 4 days over the Easter weekend and Valldolid for a couple after that and have plenty to see and do including a couple of friends to visit (non-DVDers;)). Not sure whether I'll be able to arrange a meet but I might drop you an Email re the fleamarkets (although if they're selling bootlegs, I'm not interested).
Incidently, I saw El Espinaza del Diablo last night; great film!
Roy Batty
21-03-2002, 17:02
I might drop you an Email re the fleamarkets (although if they're selling bootlegs, I'm not interested).
Incidently, I saw El Espinaza del Diablo last night; great film!
Don't worry, I'm not into bootlegs either, and they are rarely seen around here anyway. I'm talking about the real deal, just-out DVDs... though I'd rather turn a moral-eye away regarding "out" from where...
As for EL ESPINAZO DEL DIABLO, I'm glad you liked it, because the writer-couple happens to be friends of mine, and I even got to be their handy PC/Mac translator along the way when they were still exchanging draft corrections with director Guillermo Del Toro.
:D
anyone know anything about "Our Lady Of The Assassins" ? - just released by Paramount in R1
cheers
Richie
...who'd have thunk?!... a movie from Colombia, of all places...
http://www.filmjournal.com/Article.cfm/PageID/97995070
...sounds good...
. . . :o . . .
Barry Evil
06-06-2003, 07:58
I've just reviewed the Spanish psychological horror Fausto 5.0 (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=1402&story=4559) on DVD Times. It's a dark and disturbing vision comparable to Cronenberg and Lynch.
PS Hi Lorenzo :wave:
Barry Evil
04-07-2003, 08:57
And now another Spanish DVD review....
Almodóvar regular Carmen Maura stars in La Comunidad (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=1445&story=4710), a comedy-thriller from Álex de la Iglesia, the director of The Day of the Beast, Perdita Durango and Acción mutante. The film could perhaps be described as a cross between Hitchcock and the Coen brothers. The film is receiving a limited UK theatrical release starting today, but is already available on a subtitled Spanish DVD.
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