Archive for November, 2007
“Cholera” Getting Dissed Left and Right
6:52 pm By Maegan La Mala · Movies| literature · 3 Comments
30 Nov 2007We had high hopes for the film version of Garcia Marquez’s classic novel Love in the Time of Cholera. I mean it stars Javi Bardem! And while I was all revved up to see it tonight, I am flaking at the last minute. The reviews are so very gruesome that I don’t feel like ruining my entire weekend lamenting how they’ve massacred a great book. Salon gently recommends: “Gabriel García Márquez fans — and pretty much everyone else — should avoid this stink bomb like the plague.” Whoa.
It gets worse:
Forget the exhausted argument that no movie adaptation can ever match the pleasure of reading: Once fans of Latin American novelist Gabriel García Márquez get a load of the stink-burger Newell has made out of this much-adored book, there’ll be rioting, firebombs and general mayhem. Or at least many indignant snorts.
The New York Times was a bit more subtle, but still not very generous:
Faithful to the outline of the novel but emotionally and spiritually anemic, it slides into the void between art and entertainment, where well-intended would-be screen epics often land with a thud.
At least in that review, Javi gets props.
So I won’t be checking it out tonight. I’ll rely on you readers with a stronger stomach to tell me what you think of it. Leave your reviews in the comments section and please convince that I am making a mistake.
100,000 march against Chavez in Caracas
4:39 pm By Maegan La Mala · Activism| Politics| Venezuela · Comments Off
30 Nov 2007Yesterday the streets of downtown Caracas were teeming with protesters united by one word: NO. 100,000 people manifested their opposition to the constitutional amendment which would allow for President Hugo Chavez to lead their country ad nauseum a la Fidel:
Blowing whistles, waving placards and shouting “Not like this!” the marchers carried Venezuelan flags and dressed in blue — the chosen color of the opposition — as they streamed along Bolivar Avenue.“This is a movement by those of us who oppose a change to this country’s way of life, because what (the referendum) aims to do is impose totalitarianism,” said former lawmaker Elias Matta. “There can’t be a communist Venezuela, and that’s why our society is reacting this way.”
Backstage at the Yo Soy El Barrio Tour
10:40 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Music · Comments Off
30 Nov 2007
Weren’t able to catch the Yo Soy el Barrio tour featuring Voltio, Toby Love and Alexis y Fido? Fear not. Check out some pics from the tour, including backstage shots here. It’s the next best thing to being there.
Giuliani Vs. Romney : Which one Hearts Illegals More
9:33 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Controversia| Immigration| Justice| Politics| children · 3 Comments
30 Nov 2007I admit that I’m late to the party on reporting about Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney You Tube/CNN debate spar over which one was nicer to those damn illegal aliens. Personally I think they are both racist a-holes and could give a crap. I would never vote Republican anyway. But listen closely to what both of them said then read my analysis after the jump.
Sex for sale…for a good cause
29 Nov 2007
Chile’s most publicized television event, Don Francisco’s yearly “Teletón” in support of disabled children — normally a snoozefest — just got hot:
A Chilean prostitute has auctioned 27 hours of sex to raise money for the country’s largest charity during an annual fund-raising campaign.Maria Carolina became an overnight celebrity in the conservative Roman Catholic country, making news headlines and appearing on talk shows since she made her unusual donation to the televised charity event, which runs for 27 hours starting on Friday evening.
“I’ve already auctioned off the 27 hours of love,” Maria Carolina told Reuters on Wednesday, saying she had raised about $4,000. “One of my clients already paid. It seemed like a good deed to him.”
Mexico City celebrates Cine Chicano
1:31 pm By Maegan La Mala · Culture| Entertainment| Movies| mexico · Comments Off
29 Nov 2007
Mexico City is a film lover’s paradise, with myriad cinemas and a film festival every month. This month is no different, and with the arrival of a new festival celebrating work by Mexican Americans, the city is abuzz.
This year marks the first ever Mexico City Chicano Film Festival, which began on Tuesday and looks to be shaping up quite well. There are 10 documentary features, 7 fiction features and a slew of shorts, some of them in competition. The festival will also feature a retrospective of Chicano film classics, among them Un dia sin mexicanos, Selena and Zoot Suit. And — no podía faltar — Edward James Olmos will be there are a special guest.
This festival is to be applauded for opening up the world of Mexican American culture to Mexicans via film. There are so many misconceptions on the other side of the border about those born on this side, so efforts like this will help dispel stereotypes and bring appreciation of U.S. Latino culture. Though, speaking of stereotypes, they could use some help with their logo.
Via / Festival de Cine Chicano
It’s Time for a Brand New D.E.Y
29 Nov 2007
There are new music groups popping up all the time but The D.E.Y mixing up hip-hop, r&b, and Latin sounds, may just have the staying power and sound to keep moving. The bilingual trio: divine, Élan, and yeyo just released an EP. One track off that EP, Give You the World brings the promise of the fusion that modern music, a reflection of our modern reality, should be. Listen to it here.
Chavez’s Ex-Wife Apologizes for Her Former Man
8:10 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Controversia| Politics| Venezuela| Women · Comments Off
29 Nov 2007
I’ve always thought that the sign of a good man is his ability to apologize and seriously, when’s the last time you heard Hugo Chavez apologize for anything? Well an ex-wife (he has two) of the Venezuelan president stepped up and apologized for the role she played in promoting his policies.
“[My words] have a deep sense of apology, because I recognize that I’m in part a bit responsible for the situation today,” said Maria Isabel Rodriguez during a news conference Tuesday in Barquisimeto.
Now one has to question the timing of the apology and if she is being used by Chavez’s opponents.
Via / CBC News
Chavez wants nothing to do with Colombia
3:14 pm By Maegan La Mala · Colombia| Latin America| Politics| Venezuela · Comments Off
28 Nov 2007
The relationship between neighboring countries Venezuela and Colombia has gone from chilly to frigid, as Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez declared today that his government will not have anything to do with Colombia as long as it is lead by president Alvaro Uribe:
“I could not, out of dignity,” Mr Chavez told supporters in the town of Tachira in western Venezuela.The Venezuelan government announced on Tuesday it was withdrawing its ambassador to Colombia.
The feud between neighbours and trading partners began when Mr Uribe stopped Mr Chavez mediating with Colombian rebels.
Beyond the punishment of the cold shoulder, Hugo’s dishing out the same brand of stuff he’s famous for: colorful insults. He’s calling Uribe a “pawn of the empire”, referring to him as a close ally of the U.S.
Via / BBC News
After violence, Bolivia goes on strike
2:28 pm By Maegan La Mala · Activism| Bolivia| Labor| Politics · Comments Off
28 Nov 2007
Six Bolivian states are going on strike in opposition to the proposed new constitution, a document so controversial that it’s left at least 3 dead in violent protests over the last week. Reports Mexico City’s La Jornada:
The most important states of Bolivia, those which contribute 80% of the Internal Brute Product for the country, are going on a 48-hour strike to protest the constitution project approved by president Evo Morales.The movement began this Tuesday in the northern state of Pando but the strongest part of it will happen on Wednesday when the powerful Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni, Cochabamba y Chuquisaca states will join, according to an announcement made by organizers on Monday.
That same day, leaders announced a hunger strike for December 3rd, and challenged President Morales to submit to a referendum to approve his presidency.
Violence in Sucre last week was attributed to the fact that the new constitution was reportedly approved in a military college there without the presence of members of the opposition.
Vice-president Alvaro Garcia, speaking about the economic “war” (his words) that the opposition is waging against the government, called plans to present a document declaring autonomy from the Bolivian state a “coup”.
Via / La Jornada
Image: AP Photo/Juan Karita
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