Movie Recommendations (Foreign)

Foreign movies have been around for many years, but most of the times they go unnoticed because they are not made by Hollywood.

While growing up, I was able to travel and visit different countries and make new friends, and the first thing I asked them was "recommend me a movie from your country and a dish".

With that said, here are a few movies that I've seen and that have even been nominated for various awards including an Oscar for best foreign film.

Here is my list, hope you enjoy the choices and like always, feel free to recommend one.

#1 - Life is Beautiful (Italy)

One of my personal favorites. A mix of comedy and drama surround this movie that stars Roberto Benigni, one of Italy's best actors. Beningi plays the role of a jewish man that falls for an italian woman during the 1930's german occupation. This movie does a great job telling a love/tragic story of how life was during that time, and that's one of the reasons why it won 3 Academy Awards for best Actor, Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Foreign Film.

#2 - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (UK)

Another movie that takes places during the world war and the use of concentration camps by the Germans to "control" the jews. A young German kid befriends a jewish kid that's trapped inside a concentration camp, without knowing what exactly is going. An inspirational movie that tells how kids felt during that time and how innocent they were as far as the war.

#3 - Pan's Labyrinth (Mexico)

Guillermo del Toro puts Mexico on the movie map with this great film that takes place in a fascist Spain during the mid 1940's. A mix of fantasy and real life that involve a faun a fairy and a ruthless soldier, that combined make this a classic in the mexican film industry. The film won 3 Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Makeup.

#4 - City of God (Brazil)

I was in Brazil in the early 2000s and I saw that there were places that people were not allowed to visit, called favelas. Those places were apart from the world, not even police would dare to go in and I couldn't understand why, until a local told me to watch City of God. It is a strong movie, with violence and crime, but a real story at the end. The story centers on a favela in one of the most dangerous places in Brazil, where kids carry guns and drugs are moved around like candy. City of God is a very well directed movie, a film that you need to watch with an open mind and understand that we are lucky to be where we are right now.

#5 - Amelie (France)

France is one of the most interesting countries in the world, it has great food, music, scenery but it was also the place where video and photography was invented. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet puts France in the movie map with Amelie, the story of a young girl that decides to change the lives of those around her for the better, while struggling with her own isolation. Another great film that made it all the way to the Oscars, with 5 nominations and that shows that not only hollywood can produce great films but that there are great actors, stories and ideas outside the US.

Movie Recommendations (Sports)

I'm a sports guy, so whenever I see there's a sports movie out there I just need to see it. I have a preference for football and soccer movies, but have come across a few baseball and boxing movies with a good storyline and great acting.

Just like I have come across good ones, I also have come across some really bad ones so I decided to make a list of my 5 favorite ones to watch.

There is no particular order or date on this list, just a personal preference based on what  I've seen and on what I think was a good movie.

#1 - Moneyball

Brad Pitt stars as a general manager of the Oakland Athletics, Billy Beane. His job, to assemble a baseball team with a low budget for the 2002 season. His role on this movie got him a nomination for an Oscar and he does a great job pairing with Jonah Hill, Superbad, who portrays a serious, math radical from Yale. The fact that it is based on a true story makes this movie more appealing and not to mention it was nominated for 6 Academy Awards including best actor and Best Picture.

#2 - The 5th Quarter

Another true story, this time is College Football. The Abbate family is hit by tragic news, when they find out that they're son Luke has died on a car accident. Everything goes downhill from there, brother Jon is devastated and considers to drop school to be back with his family. With the help of friends and family Jon stays in school and helps the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the most successful season in school history. An inspirational movie that has a great story, decent acting and good directing, making it a must see for people that love the sport.

#3 - The Fighter

Mark Wahlberg, Cristian Bale and Amy Adams do a fantastic job on this boxing movie, based on another true story. Wahlberg has been doing quiet a few good movies and he doesn't disappoint on this one, where he portrays boxer "Irish" Micky Ward. Micky is a boxer of mid 1980's who fights under the coaching of his brother, portrayed by Christian Bale. Disappointment, drugs and family issues are just a few of the things that Ward has to go through in order to be a successful boxer again. This is a no brainer for boxing and non boxing fans.

#4 - The Game of Their Lives

For a soccer fan that likes to learn about history and where the game of soccer is right now, this is a great start. The movie is based on the United States National Soccer Team that participated in the world cup of Brazil 1950. The team was assembled by a British mining community in St. Louis with little to none professional guidance, and they go on to defeat the British National Team 1-0, marking a historic day for a nation and the sport. Gerard Butler, movie 300, plays Frank Borghi and Gavin Rossdale, lead singer of Bush, the part of Stanley Mortensen, the British superstar of the 50's. If you like soccer, and want to watch a well done movie, based on a true story and historic day, then watch this one, you won't regret it.

#5 - Green Street Hooligans

Even though this movie is not necessarily about the sport of Football (soccer), it talks about the fans and what goes around supporter groups or firms as they are called in England. The main character is Elijah Wood, Lord of the Rings, who is an American journalism student who moves to the UK to live with his sister. In England he learns about the sport of soccer and suddenly finds himself joining one of the most important firms, the Green Street Hooligans. A great movie that is becoming a classic amongst soccer fans, not only because it talks about soccer fanatism, but because it was well made and the acting is very good.

Again I hope you like some of the suggestions, watch the movies, some of them are available on Netflix and even free on Youtube.

If you've watched another sport movie that you liked, please put it on a comment and I'll watch it for sure.

Comments are always appreciated.

Movie Recommendations (Action)

Lately I've been watching more movies than I should and I felt the need to share some of my thoughts on several of them.

When looking at movie options first thing I do is watch the trailer and read comments, if it's above 3 to 3 1/2 stars (out of 5) I give it a chance.

Sometimes I'm happy with my movie choice, but other times I'm disappointed and feel like I wasted my time and money.

So for my blog I'll be posting my top 5 choices for different categories, along with a trailer and why it is up there on my top 5.

These movies are from end of 2012 to 2013.

#1 - Safe

Truth is if you like action films where there's more kicking and punching than bullets flying, then this is a great choice. Jason Statham is one of the best action movie actors of recent years and if you've seen his work in the Transporter trilogy and crank well you won't be disappointed. Good movie choice full of action.

#2 - Total Recall

A remake of the 1990's movie of the same name. It's pretty much the same concept, but the action takes place on Earth instead of Mars. Colin Farrell plays the same roles as Arnold Schwarzenegger did, but with better special effects and this time every is human. Very nice special effects, futuristic and a good option to kill some time.

#3 - The Cold Light Of Day

Seems like leaving the country is a dangerous thing nowadays, remember Taken? Well this is another Action/Thriller kind of movie staring Henry Cavill (Immortals and soon to be Superman). Family goes on vacation and gets kidnapped, so he tries to get them back while being chased by US agents and Spain police.

#4 - Stolen

Nicolas Cage finally picks up a good script and does a great job on this movie. It seems like kidnapping people is becoming a trend in hollywood, specially after Taken became a great hit, the first one not part 2. This one takes place in New Orleans, and Nicolas Cage has to deal with local enforcement and a psycho kidnapper that all he wants is his $10 million dollars.

#5 - Red Dawn

Another remake with improved special effects and minor changes. In this movie the US gets invaded specifically Colorado, and it's up to the locals to regain control of the city. A group of young guys, called the Wolverines, realize that they are on their own and decide to gear up and retaliate. If you liked the original version with Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen, then this is a must see.

I know must of you won't agree with my choices, but I'm just throwing my 2 cents out there. Some, if not most of these movies, might not be in line for an Oscar nomination, but will surely keep you entertained for 1+ hour.

Also, I wanted to include only version 1 movies, meaning that I know Batman - The Dark Knight Rises, Jason Bourne Legacy, The Avengers, Taken 2, and some others could've easily made this list, but it would be best if you watched the pre-quels.

With that said, let me know what you think, if you agree, if you don't and which other movies would you recommend in this category.