Like Water for Chocolate

 This Film used Magical Realism in several ways.  This story was about two people .who  first noticed each other when Tita was young.Pedro was in love seemingly at first sight of Tita.   She was a good cook.
She learned cooking from the family cook, Nacha,who was always there for standing between her and the sterness of Maria Elena, her  mother.  Because her mother forbade her to Marry, stating it was a  family tradition, that the youngest daughter caredfor te mother until her death.   From then on Tia poured all the love she could not give to Pedro  into her cooking.  She did ths so much that when people ate her cooking they seemed to burn with love toware their mate or lover. this happened several times.  This account for Magical Realism used ,to tell this story.  Tita stood by as her sister was given to her love, Pedro.  Those who ate at the Wedding fell victim to the "love" Tita had put into the wedding dinner,thus shortening the wedding dinner.    Tita was able to care for her nephew, because her sister was unable to because of a difficult birth.  With her nursing the child he florished,but when her mother forced Pedro and her sister to go to Texas, without Tita the child died.  Her siter and Pedro had a second child she was named Esperanza, which can be translated  hope.    It seems that this  name was a  beginning of new hope for Tita to have a good outcome for future love.

motorcycle diaries

I could't tell too much abot the landscape  because of the contrast being dark.  I know from pictures I have seen,that South America is a beautiful country.   Two friends set out to travel across South America on a Motorcycle,called "The Mighty One."  After traveling on backroads "The Mighty One" turned out to be not so mighty.  Many breakdowns caused them to make stops in unexpected places to get the motorcycle repaired.   This may seem unfortunate, but it probably turned out to be a good one .  This is one reason that Che may have started to feel something in his life was taking a turn.  They met different people that had experienced a life much different than himself.  Many people had been thrown off their land,where they had supported themselves with crops and livestock of their own.  They had to beg for help, for a place to sleep and for food.  Some folks readily helped, others did not.  They came inro rouch with Pervian Indians, whose land also was taken by the the Spanish.  The Incas also disapeared from their land.  Finally the Lepers were on an island in the Amazon.They were banished .
All these things Che saw as injustices that had to be righted.

El Mariachi

El Mariachi,was a film with more than a few stereotypes.  Macho men first entered, as a drug gang.  They used their guns to do their talking for them.  They also had moustaches, drank beer, and gambled.   El Mariachi,came along as the Hero,with a guitar.  His family had a tradition of these performers,starting with his grandfather.  This man also was a man who liked women.  (Latin Lover)     
this film also used sound effects to tell its story.  Loud walking, loud phones ringing,with loud guns.  Whenever El Mariachi talked it was soft,calm, which went along with his music,on his guitar.  I am so glad he survived.  Good won  over bad behavior.

Machuca

This is a film comparing differences in the boys school when they are forced to be with new boys from outside the city.  showing differences in skin color ,clothes that are perhaps wrinkled torn and soiled, compared to the boys dressed on uniform type suits.           
    In Gonzalo's home things also are things happening,that make him feel not so loved.   His dad seems only interested in business,mom is having an affair.  His sister  turning is  16, going on 21.    Gonzalo develops a friendship with Pedro,a boy from outside the city. 
Bullies in the school harrass the new boys. 

Parents have a mtg with,the priests, and soon differences in political views of the parents,and the school, soon the whole town is in the the throes of a socioeconomic,change.

Gonzalo sees the way Pedro lives and is unsure of how to take it.  there he meets a girl who is taking care of Pedro's baby sister  who offers love he is missing at home.   this probably seems like  the only stable thing in his life at this time.

In the end the militart comes into Chile, and everything begins to break apart.family,school city,his friends and their feiendship ends.

blog for posting for 4/1/11

One aspect of the story in Under the Same Moon,  may be love.  A love so strong it drives families to leave their homes to go to a place where they face untertainty.  First  they face the dangers of crossing, perhaps loose their life to drowning, or being caught and sent  back. 
Rosalito,was at times huniliated,and at times treated like a slave with unjustpayment for her labor, or being paid less than her work was worth,Wedding dresses for 48 dollars.
          When ir coms down to it,she calls Carlito every Sunday.  She tells him she loves him,and she will see him soon.  Instead ot marrying Paco for a way out and a way to bring her family to L.A., she turns him down
Carlito"s love for his mother is a driving,him to leave home .  After his gramdma dies,he feels his only out is to go to L.A.  to find his Mom.  His travel also is difficult, which as as 9 year old child he didn't
understand, but  he went