Sin Nombre (2009) - Drama

Sin Nombre (2009) - Writer / Director Cary Fukunaga delivers an incredibly powerful film about our new "trail of tears" the train routes through Mexico immigrants take seeking a better life in the United States. From the beginning of this film until the end the story is sad, violent and touching and leaves the viewer emotionally moved. There are those who close down their feelings of empathy for immigrants in this country, but the stories of the long and hazardous journey of people just trying to improve their lives is a story we should be embracing. So many generations in this country have benefited from the bravery of their forefathers and mother to make this same trip, be it on a steamer across the Atlantic or a terrifying march across a desert. The impulse for humans to have a better life will always be a driving force in immigrations and what ever fences, laws, patrols or cameras a country has will not stop the flow.
In this story we see the journey and those who live on the trail , first with Smiley (Kristian Ferrer) and his older brother Willy (Edgar Flores). Willy a gang member, in the Mara Salvatchura in the city of Tapachula. He is having second thoughts about the life as a high ranking member in the gang, he has met a beautiful girl Martha (Diana Garcia) and does not want her mixed up in the gang. Smiley is prepubescent and just being allowed into the gang. Things take an nasty turn when Martha turns up at a gang meeting and Gang Leader Lil' Mago (Tenoch Huerta) while molesting her accidently kills her. He is cruel in he way of telling Willy, "The devil took her." This event sets up some really intense and compelling story later.

The second group is a father, son and Daughter named Sayra heading north on the tracks towards Estados Unidos. They have left Guatamala looking for a better life with family in New Jersey. He ihas done the trip before and the movie sets aside time to establish them. When Lil' Mago takes Willy and Smiley with him to rob people on the tops of the trains, things go from bad to worse. When Mago gets to the group with Sayra he starts kissing and pulling on her clothes. Mago obviously knows little about post tramatic stress reactions because I am sure Willy was going through it as he watched Mago attack Sayra. I am sure he imagined is lovely girlfriend in Sayra's place, being mauled by the gang leader. He strikes out with his Machete killing Mago and setting up the rest of the movie.

The story transforms into a thrilling road movie, or in this case a slow train movie. The Mara Salvatchura when they hear othe details upon Smiley's return set out word to their chapters along the tracks to look for Willy and Smiley having to prove himself to the gang has to go after his brother and kill him for the leaders death. We see the immigrants journey through Willy and Sayra as they travel north on the train, getting to know each other and avoiding Smiley and the gangs. This film is violent and frightening and the tale is very worth watching. The final scenes are amazing and so worth the build up.

Rating (8.1) 5.0 and up are recommended In the Zombiegrrlz system I say BUT IT!

Machete (2010) - Action

Machete (2010) - A former Mexican Federale left for dead after being betrayed by his own boss, Machete (Danny Trejo) comes illegally into the United States. He is picked up a a day labor stop by Booth (Jeff Fahey) the powerful aide to Senator McLaughlin (Robert De Niro). Booth wants him to kill the violently anti-immigrant McLaughlin, well that is at least what he tells him. Really it is an elaborate set up to blame an immigrant for a shooting and get the senator reelected. The stellar cast includes Luz (Michelle Rodriguez), as the head of an underground immigrant movement called the network. Torrez (Steven Seagal) as the arch enemy of Machete and former boss in Mexico who now leads a major drug cartel. Jessica Alba as a young immigration officer rounding up illegals. Cheech Marin as Padre the brother and priest of Machete. Lt. Stillman (Don Johnson) as the leader of a vigilante group who hunt and kill immigrants as they attempt to sneak across the border. There is also an amusing turn by Lindsay Lohan as Booth's daughter April.

Machete for the most part is on the run in this movie, there is lots of killing and funny dialog with the plot winding its way to a giant conclusion, a fight between the network and the vigilante group. Machete also gets a showdown with Torrez which is a great finish. Writer Director Robert Rodriguez has done a great job bringing forth many of the issues of illegal immigration and how the US on one hand wants the labor while also vilifying the participants. There have been complaints in reviews of this film saying it is heavy handed in its messages. This writer does not see it that way. What Rodriguez did was create a story that includes the issues and also give a multifaceted reading of the issues. The serious scapegoating of illegal immigrants in our society while ignoring the American who hire them and then drive down working Americans wages on top of it is not discussed her, what we see is how easy it is for American small businessmen to get cheap labor.

The film also has many wonderful turns and twists that make the humor and action an enjoyable trip. If you are looking for a fun and action filled movie this is the winner of the summer.

Rating (8.3) 5.0 and above are recommended, In the Zombiegrrlz rating system Go See it and then Buy it!