Maria Full of Grace
08-10-04, 09:26 PM
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Maria Full of Grace
Wow!
This movie sure as hell was worth the wait from Sundance.
A heartbreaking drama with a terrific performance by Catalina Moreno as Maria.
An outstanding film about the true nature of drug smuggling.
4 stars
This movie sure as hell was worth the wait from Sundance.
A heartbreaking drama with a terrific performance by Catalina Moreno as Maria.
An outstanding film about the true nature of drug smuggling.
4 stars
Last edited by Frank TJ Mackey; 08-10-04 at 09:45 PM.
08-11-04, 09:05 AM
#2
Moderator
Catalina Moreno's performance is top notch.
I also liked the fact that the progression of the story really is captivating and fascinting to see unfold.
highly recommended.
I also liked the fact that the progression of the story really is captivating and fascinting to see unfold.
highly recommended.
08-11-04, 09:46 AM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 10,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great movie. Just saw it last Sunday.
The story really keeps you entranced with all of the suspense and although a little graphic, it was good that they showed all sides of being a mule.
The story really keeps you entranced with all of the suspense and although a little graphic, it was good that they showed all sides of being a mule.
Spoiler:
08-11-04, 12:59 PM
#4
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
saw this on opening night in santa monica, ca. ultimately i was disappointed with
other than that, the performances were very truthful.
Spoiler:
08-18-04, 01:15 PM
#5
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
The girl will get a nomination at Indie Spirit awards or something at least.
She's on Craig Kilborn this Friday (Aug. 20) for anyone who would like to see her or hear her speak Anglais.
She's on Craig Kilborn this Friday (Aug. 20) for anyone who would like to see her or hear her speak Anglais.
12-24-04, 01:16 AM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
What an amazing movie. I had meant to see it months ago, but forgot about it until I came across it at the video store.
At the very least, Moreno should be nominated for Best Actress. I would have no problem if she took the award home. Excellent performance.
This is definitely one of the top ten, possibly top five, movies I have had the pleasure of seeing this year.
At the very least, Moreno should be nominated for Best Actress. I would have no problem if she took the award home. Excellent performance.
This is definitely one of the top ten, possibly top five, movies I have had the pleasure of seeing this year.
12-24-04, 09:04 AM
#7
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 7,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by cygnet74
saw this on opening night in santa monica, ca. ultimately i was disappointed with
other than that, the performances were very truthful.
Spoiler:
12-24-04, 10:15 AM
#8
Guest
Originally Posted by cygnet74
saw this on opening night in santa monica, ca. ultimately i was disappointed with
other than that, the performances were very truthful.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
That said, I have read the director talk about how Maria is a character who is not a perfect syphtheic character and the contrast is a big part of the film.
02-18-05, 08:12 AM
#9
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Agree with previous post. Watched this last night and while it was good, I would never watch it again which only gives it 2/5 stars for me. I guess the hype of this being a great movie may have had me expecting more. The final 15 minutes seemed rushed to me. One problem for me was I knew the movie was almost over in length and there was still a lot to be resolved.
Spoiler:
02-18-05, 08:06 PM
#11
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Saw this on DVD recently myself and liked it a lot, but found some aspects poorly handled. For example:
I also thought the film gave too much screentime to the early aspects of the plot.
Spoiler:
I also thought the film gave too much screentime to the early aspects of the plot.
02-18-05, 08:08 PM
#12
Inane Thread Master, 2018 TOTY
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Are any of us really anywhere?
Posts: 49,453
Received 913 Likes
on
773 Posts
Originally Posted by scott shelton
It's a near perfect film.
02-18-05, 08:32 PM
#13
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Originally Posted by scott1598
you must have a low scale for perfection. while this movie was good, it was no where near perfection or as good as the hype would suggest.
02-18-05, 10:20 PM
#14
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by scott1598
you must have a low scale for perfection. while this movie was good, it was no where near perfection or as good as the hype would suggest.
MARIA is a sharply made film, written with humanity, shot cleanly and efficiently, and features a plot not many films would touch without a healthy dose of melodrama. It doesn't reach outside of its grasp, which is more than I can say for most films of 2004.
I loved it.
It's a near perfect film.
02-18-05, 10:27 PM
#15
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Cygnet74
totally agree. not because i had problems with film, but because perfection is not a worthy ideal for cinema. i would suggest, transcendence, instead. the most a film can be is more than the sum of its parts. This film feigned a transcendental moment at the end that didn't ring true for me. IMHO.
Not "perfection" in the literal sense. It's called "hyperbole," man. This isn't the New Yorker message board!Geeze...
02-18-05, 10:57 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by scott shelton
And that's why nobody listens to you.
MARIA is a sharply made film, written with humanity, shot cleanly and efficiently, and features a plot not many films would touch without a healthy dose of melodrama. It doesn't reach outside of its grasp, which is more than I can say for most films of 2004.
I loved it.
It's a near perfect film.
MARIA is a sharply made film, written with humanity, shot cleanly and efficiently, and features a plot not many films would touch without a healthy dose of melodrama. It doesn't reach outside of its grasp, which is more than I can say for most films of 2004.
I loved it.
It's a near perfect film.
on all counts! (particularly the first one 
) I loved this movie...and immediately wanted to rewatch it. It's on my to-buy list after the rental - just waiting for a pvd copy to show up....
02-18-05, 11:17 PM
#17
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Originally Posted by scott shelton
Not "perfection" in the literal sense. It's called "hyperbole," man. This isn't the New Yorker message board!Geeze...
oh man, sorry to offend your delicate sensabilities! I was just throwing my own thoughts into the mix. chill.
Last edited by Cygnet74; 02-18-05 at 11:44 PM.
02-19-05, 10:07 AM
#18
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Cygnet74
oh man, sorry to offend your delicate sensabilities! I was just throwing my own thoughts into the mix. chill.You agreed with a personal attack against me. What did you expect me to do? You needed explanation.
02-20-05, 01:14 AM
#19
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by scott shelton
It's a near perfect film.
Problems included
Spoiler:
The movie was just too slow for me and ended just a little too quickly. OK movie but it had no replay value for me.
02-20-05, 12:07 PM
#20
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ketamine
I respect your opinion but would like to know why you thought it was so good. I thought it was slow myself.
Problems included
The movie was just too slow for me and ended just a little too quickly. OK movie but it had no replay value for me.
Problems included
Spoiler:
The movie was just too slow for me and ended just a little too quickly. OK movie but it had no replay value for me.
Aren't most of your examples nitpicks? I don't do much nitpicking with movies, and I can't respect the practice, but there are many members here who love to do that.
Sorry the film didn't ring your bells.
02-20-05, 12:29 PM
#21
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by scott shelton
Aren't most of your examples nitpicks? I don't do much nitpicking with movies, and I can't respect the practice, but there are many members here who love to do that.
Sorry the film didn't ring your bells.
Sorry the film didn't ring your bells.
02-20-05, 02:07 PM
#22
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ketamine
Actually, I think a lot of my points were major plot issues, not nitpicks.
um, sure.
Had they fixed this...
Spoiler:
...I'm sure the film would be much better.
02-20-05, 04:25 PM
#23
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by scott shelton
um, sure.
Had they fixed this...
...I'm sure the film would be much better.
Had they fixed this...
Spoiler:
...I'm sure the film would be much better.
Last edited by Ketamine; 02-20-05 at 04:27 PM.
02-20-05, 04:50 PM
#24
Inane Thread Master, 2018 TOTY
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Are any of us really anywhere?
Posts: 49,453
Received 913 Likes
on
773 Posts
Originally Posted by scott shelton
And that's why nobody listens to you.
MARIA is a sharply made film, written with humanity, shot cleanly and efficiently, and features a plot not many films would touch without a healthy dose of melodrama. It doesn't reach outside of its grasp, which is more than I can say for most films of 2004.
I loved it.
It's a near perfect film.
MARIA is a sharply made film, written with humanity, shot cleanly and efficiently, and features a plot not many films would touch without a healthy dose of melodrama. It doesn't reach outside of its grasp, which is more than I can say for most films of 2004.
I loved it.
It's a near perfect film.
Last edited by OldBoy; 02-20-05 at 04:54 PM.
02-20-05, 09:57 PM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
I've seen this film and really liked it, definately worth a rental. I loaned it to a Columbian friend of mine, he also really liked it and commented on the use of slang throughout the movie (as in people were talking as they really would talk in casual situations).
And before tonight, when I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I thought Catalina Moreno would have a good shot at Best Actress. But honestly, Kate Winslet's performance in Eternal Sunshine was topnotch, I'll be suprised if she doesn't win best actress. Not to 'diss Catalina Moreno, I hope to see her in more movies, she did have a great performance, and again, I recommend that everybody see this movie (Maria Full of Grace).
And before tonight, when I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I thought Catalina Moreno would have a good shot at Best Actress. But honestly, Kate Winslet's performance in Eternal Sunshine was topnotch, I'll be suprised if she doesn't win best actress. Not to 'diss Catalina Moreno, I hope to see her in more movies, she did have a great performance, and again, I recommend that everybody see this movie (Maria Full of Grace).