Best International Film: Argentina's "The Delinquents" and Mexico's "Tótem"

by Cláudio Alves

In its long history, the Academy has awarded the Best International Film Oscar to a Latin-American country four times. The first two were from Argentina, 1985's The Official Story and 2009's The Secret in Their Eyes, followed by Chile with 2017's A Fantastic Woman, and Mexico with 2019's Roma. Looking at those dates, it's fair to say AMPAS has become more open to Latin cinema in the 21st century, even though Europe remains the category's continental champion. Hope remains eternal that voters will broaden their horizons. 

I've already reviewed Chile's submission, The Settlers, when at TIFF. So, it's time to consider the films of the other two Latin victors of yesteryear. There's Argentina's newly released The Delinquents, and Mexico's Berlinale prize-winner Tótem…

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First & Last - So chilling

Can you guess the movie from its first and last shot? The answer is after the jump...

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Do it for Pom!

by Cláudio Alves

With its buzz and screen count curtailed by Barbenheimer, the latest Mission: Impossible movie ended its run as a box office failure. That fate is rather sad, mainly because Dead Reckoning Part One is one of the franchise's best entries, not to mention a much superior Tom Cruise project to the supposed cinema-saving smash hit that was last year's Top Gun: Maverick. Now that the movie's available on PVOD, it's the perfect time to catch it if you missed its theatrical window. I've previously written about the Ethan Hunt saga, from 1996 to now, going over the latest picture's bold anime-like tonalities where an action man faces against an evil God in the guise of AI unbound, its superb action scenes, and whatnot.

Yet, considering The Film Experience's readership, the best way to convince you to give the movie a chance might be an appeal to its bonafide actressexual cred. In other words, do it for Pom…

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First & Last 043

Can you guess the movie from its first and last shot?

The answer is after the jump once you scroll down...

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Review: "Saltburn" is an Epic Party

By Christopher James

How does one follow up a first feature after it breaks out and earns an Oscar? 

After her vivid breakthrough Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell smartly refuses to play it safe. At first glance, the tale of class warfare and homoeroticism feels familiar. But her singular eye adds an indelible slant to the material, which feels like a spiritual sister to The Talented Mr. Ripley. Like that film, Saltburn expertly dramatizes the intoxication of lust and the limits we all blow past while under its influence. Fennell’s live-wire pacing is perfectly complemented by the committed cast, particularly Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike...

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