Released in 1961, the film Plácido, directed by Luis García Berlanga, stands out as a true masterpiece of Spanish cinema, especially recommended during the Christmas season. This film is often considered an alternative to classic Christmas movies like Home Alone and Die Hard, notable for its ability to offer sharp social criticism through humor. Berlanga, a master of cinema, created Plácido in response to a campaign by the Franco regime that urged wealthy families to invite a poor person to their tables at Christmas. Based on this premise, Berlanga and the […]
Released in 1961, the film Plácido, directed by Luis García Berlanga, stands as a true masterpiece of Spanish cinema, especially recommended during the Christmas season. This film is often considered an alternative to classic Christmas movies like Home Alone and Die Hard, standing out for its ability to provide sharp social criticism through humor.
Berlanga, a master of cinema
Plácido was born as a response to a campaign by the Franco regime that urged wealthy families to invite a poor person to their tables at Christmas. Based on this premise, Berlanga and the screenwriter Rafael Azcona build a narrative that reflects the miseries of Spain at the time, following the misadventures of a poor man who has just bought a motorbike, a symbol of his frustrations and aspirations.
Cassen, who debuted as the lead in this film, delivers a memorable performance of the eternal loser. The construction of the character and his daily struggle to keep up with the payments for the motorbike allows for an exploration of the boundaries between the pathetic and the sad, always maintaining a critical eye and a biting humor. Berlanga also manages to maximize the talent of the entire cast, from the leads to the supporting characters, adding great depth to the story.
Despite not winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, where it competed against Persona by Ingmar Bergman, Plácido has endured as a benchmark of Spanish cinema. Currently, the film can be found streaming on Flixolé and is also available on Blu-ray at an affordable price of 9.99 euros. It is likely that its revival on television will become a topic of debate during this holiday season, reaffirming its relevance in Spanish cinematic culture.
FlixOlé is the best way to watch Spanish movies in HD, with an easy-to-use interface, a wide selection of movies and series, and a good selection of short films.
During the eighties, many iconic movies were released. The reason is that it was an era where not only many movies were produced, but also many cheap movies. This may seem like an absurd difference, but it is not. By being able to make movies with little money, many directors could pursue ideas that today would be classified as impossible. This resulted in countless works that we now view with nostalgia and say would be impossible today. Which is true. One of those works is based on a story by Steven Spielberg. But aside from that, it is a […]
During the eighties, many iconic movies were released. The reason is that it was an era where not only many films were produced, but also many low-budget films. This may seem like an absurd difference, but it is not. By being able to make movies with little money, many directors could pursue ideas that today would be classified as impossible. This resulted in countless works that we now view with nostalgia and say would be impossible today. Which is true.
One of those works is based on a story by Steven Spielberg. But aside from that, it is a film with a small budget by today’s standards, but it had a great box office impact, and even more so in the minds of movie lovers of all ages. Because even today, The Goonies is still remembered, and rightly so.
The Goonies is an adventure comedy directed by Richard Donner with a script by Chris Columbus. Just this should let us know that the movie was destined for success. Donner directed the first two Superman movies, the extraordinary cult film Ladyhawke, and after The Goonies, he would direct and write the Lethal Weapon trilogy. For his part, Chris Columbus came from writing one of the big hits of the previous year, Gremlins, and would stand out for being the screenwriter of some of the best family comedies of the 90s, such as the first two Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire.
All of this, moreover, under Spielberg’s umbrella. Because the director not only limited himself to writing the story that would later be adapted into the film, but he also produced it. Being an effort by his production company, Amblin Entertainment, which had just given us the great success that Columbus wrote the previous year and we had already mentioned, Gremlins. And which would later offer us two other great franchises that same decade: Back to the Future and Fievel and the New World.
With that dream team of visionaries, it was logical that it would work. Even with a relatively limited budget of 19 million. Something that can be verified in the film itself.
Because The Goonies tells a story with a great premise. A group of kids, trying to prevent the demolition of their homes, discover a treasure map that belonged to a legendary 17th-century pirate. This will lead to an epic adventure where the kids will have to find out how much truth there is in it while testing their skills, their friendship, and also if they are ready to fight against the Fratellis. The criminal family that controls access to the treasure.
An absolute success for the standards of the 80s and the current ones
With an interesting premise, charismatic characters, and impeccable execution, The Goonies was a tremendous success. It managed to gross 125 million dollars, surpassing any expectations that were held for the project. Furthermore, achieving what any film of this kind would want: to become a cult classic.
Even today, she is fondly remembered by all the people who saw her in the 80s, even in the 90s. Although today it can be seen as a rather naïve movie, it is also true that the popularity of series like Stranger Things has served as a key entry point for a new generation into this kind of narratives. Adventures where a group of young people, usually misfits, discover a secret and try to do everything possible to uncover the truth. Something that, in addition, you will now be able to discover for yourself.
The Goonies arrives on Disney+ on June 7, making it available for free to all subscribers on the platform. A golden opportunity for those who haven’t seen the movie, or who remember it fondly, and want to discover or reminisce about the greatness of the small great movies of the eighties.
In a recent turn of events, Tim Miller, the director behind the successful Deadpool franchise, has shared details about a film project for the X-Men that never came to fruition. Before Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, Miller was developing a movie centered on Kitty Pryde, known as Shadowcat, which promised a mix between Home Alone and Alien. The story was based on issue 143 of Uncanny X-Men, published in 1980, a comic that is remembered for its horror atmosphere and unique narrative approach. A mix that has […]
In a recent turn of events, Tim Miller, the director behind the successful Deadpool franchise, has shared details about a film project for the X-Men that never came to fruition. Before Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, Miller was developing a movie centered on Kitty Pryde, known as Shadowcat, which promised a mix between Home Alone and Alien. The story was based on issue 143 of Uncanny X-Men, published in 1980, a comic that is remembered for its horror atmosphere and unique narrative approach.
A mix that makes perfect sense
The concept that Miller had devised centered around Kitty facing a demonic threat while she was alone at Xavier’s Institute. According to his statements, the plot aimed to alternate between absurd horror and comedy, with references to pop culture that, although risky, could have offered a fresh take on the superhero genre. The original comic, the result of the collaboration between Chris Claremont and John Byrne, told the harrowing story of Kitty trying to survive a N’Garai demon, using her wits and the elements of the Institute’s environment.
However, the merger of Disney and Fox led to the cancellation of this and many other projects in development within the X-Men universe. Although the movie was never made, Kitty Pryde’s story continues to resonate among fans, and there is a possibility that Marvel Studios will revive this concept in the future, given the recent focus on the multiverse within the MCU. Followers of the mutant heroes always hold on to the hope that iconic works like Uncanny X-Men 143 can find new life on the big screen.
