Broken Embraces 2009  
Genre: Drama / Thriller / Romance
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Cast: Penelope Cruz, Blanca Portillo, Lluis Homar, Jose Luis Gomez, Ruben Ochandiano, Tamar Novas, Angela Molina, Chus Lampreave, Kiti Manver, Lola Duenas, Mariola Fuentes, Carmen Machi, Kira Miro, Rossy de Palma, Alejo Sauras
Fourteen years ago, Mateo Blanco–now known as Harry Caine (Jose Luis Gomez)–was blinded in a car crash that killed his beloved Lena (Penelope Cruz). Harry's collaborator Judit Garcia (Blanca Portillo) and her son, Diego (Tamar Novas) now help Harry make a living as a successful screenwriter. After Diego is injured in an accident, Harry takes care of him, and, one day, Diego asks Harry why he changed his name. Harry is compelled to tell the story, and, through flashbacks, the story of the love triangle involving Harry, his producer Ernesto Martel (Jose Luis Gomez), and Ernesto's mistress Lena is told. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | Oh...What a Tangled Web We Weave! | Winn 06/28/2011 | | This movie should be given a 4 Star rating. Penelope was exciting, engaging and beautiful in her portrayal of' 'Lena'. Lluis Homar seduces the audience as charming 'Harry Caine'. Blanca Portillo was extremely believable as the tortured, long suffering, faithful ex-Lover 'Judit Garcia'....and Jose Luis Gomez as the obsessive, controlling, thoughtful, conniving Ernesto was a text book study in character. I've recommended this movie to all my Friends (real and those on Facebook)! |
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Goya's Ghosts 2006  R, 114 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Milos Forman
Cast: Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard, Randy Quaid, Blanca Portillo, Michael Lonsdale, Jose Luis Gomez, Mabel Rivera, Craig Stevenson, Julian Wadham, Simon Andreu, Jack Taylor, David Calder
In 18th-century Spain during the Inquisition, painter Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgard) is working on a portrait of the archconservative Brother Lorenzo and, at the same time, is painting a portrait of one of his favorite models, Ines (Natalie Portman). After Ines is arrested on suspicion of being a Jew, she is thrown into prison where she is tortured and then raped by Lorenzo. Her father Tomas (Jose Luis Gomez) begs Goya to intercede. But Goya, who is terrified of the Church, will only stand on the sidelines unwilling to help. Fifteen years later, Napoleon (Craig Stevenson) and his army "liberate" Spain, and Lorenzo is now Napoleon's prosecutor. Ines is set free from prison and tells Lorenzo that they have a daughter. Lorenzo declares Ines insane, institutionalizes her, and sets out to find the daughter. Once again, Goya watches helplessly from the sidelines.
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Volver 2006  R, 120 min.
Genre: Foreign / Comedy / Drama
aka: To Return
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Cast: Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo, Chus Lampreave, Antonio de la Torre, Carlos Blanco, Maria Isabel Diaz, Nues Sanz, Leandro Rivera, Pepa Aniorte
The definition of "Volver" is "To Return," and the theme of being haunted by the dead is carried out in this story by two sisters, Raimunda (Penelope Cruz) and Sole (Lola Duenas), who lost their parents in a fire years ago in La Mancha. Raimunda and Sole now live in Madrid but return to La Mancha regularly to visit their Aunt Paula (Chus Lampreave). After Aunt Paula dies, Sole learns that their mother, Irene (Carmen Maura), has been hiding with her sister, and, with the loss of Paula, the past returns with more than a few twists and turns. Penelope Cruz received a Best Actress Oscar nomination. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | winn 06/28/2011 | | 'Volver ' was an unexpected surprise. I loved it. After watching this movie...I made it a point to seek out other movies starring Penelope Cruz. I am now a devoted Fan! |
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| 1. Broken Embraces (2009)
2. Goya's Ghosts (2006)
3. Volver (2006)
aka: To Return
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