I'd like to propose this be started, seeing there are many movie buffs here speaking about which movies are good/bad/end badly, etc., and would like to take it a step further: writing a movie review, like one would at Netflix, or a review over some product anywhere else.

I propose the following guidelines:

• List title, running time, rating, year (these are optional, but include as possible)
• limit reviews to ~ 300 words (a little over is ok, but keep it to the point)
• Reviews must contain enough information to let someone make an informed decision on if it's what they would want to watch
• Reviews should not only contain "I liked it" or "It's ok" and nothing more
• It's fine to reflect the plot, but even better to comment on social themes, history or other cultural commentaries the movie highlights
• While specific examples may be cited from the movie, try to avoid "spoilers" or things that would ruin the viewing pleasure of others
• The movie may be of any origin (American, Mexican, Spanish, French, etc.)
• Include an overall rating on a scale of 5 stars (5 being the best)

I will lead off, to provide an example of what I mean.



“Chasing Papi” ~ 80 min., PG, (2003)

If you’re not Hispanic or not at least ‘into’ Hispanic culture, you’ll miss how well it interweaves all its cultural references. Also, if you have never tried to master another language, how the actors speak may seem strange; however, knowing how hard most of them worked to do so well with English is obvious, as most are Spanish speakers. [In fact, Walter Mercado (does the horoscope) appears, and a woman from “Primer Impacto”—both from Univisión.] Additional cultural ‘hints’ will help explain this movie. The music helps narrate events and supports the action: if you notice the guitar and castanets (sometimes almost a ‘flamenco’), you’ll notice they match the ‘romance,’ ‘fever pitch’ and ‘desperation’ the women experience for Versategui; the music (in Spanish or English) even tells us how the actors feel. Using “La Llorona” is funny, as this is the woman of legend who parents use to threaten their children with to behave, or she will punish them. Miami, Chicago and New York are central, as they are major Hispanic centers for culture. “Papi” is the affectionate term for the ‘stud,’ and while perhaps a bit exaggerated, the ‘Latino male’ is sometimes fawned over that much. The fact Versategui markets products shows us how the ‘Latino male’ is usually all show, little action, and usually leaves the woman ‘high and dry’ once he tires of her. In fact, the women chase “Papi,” showing how many times Latinas get their identity from their men (notice the huge twists regarding these items). But, see what the women go through and even how “Papi” realizes why he acted the way he did after some soul searching. And only with a little ‘soul searching’ and understanding the symbols can one better appreciate this comedic gem.

(4 stars)