The Limits of Control by Jim Jarmusch

Jim Jarmusch's new film is called The Limits of Control. Starring is Isaach De Bankolé with supporting roles by John Hurt, Bill Murray, Gael García Bernal, Tilda Swinton, Óscar Jaenada and Paz de la Huerta.

The loner (De Bankolé) travels throughout various Spanish cities meeting with strange characters in Cafés who exchange with him matchboxes containing instructions in codes. Several vignettes with repetition of sequences, stunning photography and minimalist dialogues.

The mysterious characters talk to the loner about music, art, bohemian life and other themes that reflect Jarmusch's view. It is constructed very smoothly but without the unity of his prior work, although the nudity and the multilingual scenes is a reference to this other films. Overall is an art film that has a lot of abstract messages, with non-acting performances that are followed by the camera. Definitely, his most incoherent film and not for everybody (specially those not familiar with his other work).

Defensa Personal Release Party

The release party of Correa Cotto's album was in La Respuesta (Santurce, Puerto Rico). It started at 1:00 am with Velcro in the turns. The first mc was Profound, from New York, who rapped in english and one song in spanish. He forgot the lyrics on one of his songs and the crowd did not respond after that. Next was The Kings of Mic, J'Rebu, Guajiro and Embajador, who rocked the stage with their energetic set. These puertorican hip hop pioneers were dressed in camuflage resembling their No Mel Syndicate days.

Correa Cotto was presenting every mc while Velcro was at the control putting the beats. Then came Babalú Machete from barrio La Marina in Isabela, Puerto Rico (West Side). A veteran of the local scene sang his gangsta-rap hits "Gángsters de Borinken" and "Cosa de Borikua", as well as some english tunes from the Infinite Clip recordings. This mc can truly flow in both languages perfectly and the crowd was singing along excited. Definitely the highlight of the show.

The west side invasion continued with Mayaguez/Añasco's own, Desde el Campo. Only 2/3 of the group came on stage but rapped very tight. They began with their hit "Me Gusta" and followed with "Puerto Rico", "No creo en promesas", featuring Shaggy from Absoluto Independiente, among others. In their set, they invited a spoken word guy who recited a poem. The set ended with a freestyle/improv by the two mc's, Fico and Souldier.

It was quite late and we left without seeing the remaining acts (Velcro, Nébula and Correa Cotto) that we have seen in other occasions. Very good show but it began rather late for my taste.

Pictures vía Hip Hop Boricua Blogspot.com

Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

The latest flick by writer/director Quentin Tarantino is Inglourious Basterds, based on the italian movie "Quel maledetto treno blindato". Starring are Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth (horror movie director), BJ Novak (The Office), Mélanie Laurent and Julie Dreyfus (Sophie Fatale in Kill Bill). With cameos by Mike Myers and Sam Jackson's voice.

To Nazi-occupied France is sent a US guerilla command led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Pitt) to kill as many nazis as possible. The Basterds are blood-thirsty jew mercenaries who terrorize SS and Gestapo soldiers because of their out of control manners of killing them.

Like prior Tarantino's films, the storytelling is divided by non-linear chapters and the dialogues prime over all. Gory, funny and entertaining as only the eccentric director can make it happen. Also, with references to his prior films and a twisted take on the Nazis (From Minister of Propaganda, Goebbels to the newbie nazi officer). Superb performance by Waltz as nazi Col. Hans Landa, who dominates the screen entirely and speaks perfectly in german, french, italian and english. Two-hour and a half tour de force film, who is definitely one of his best films yet. Run to see it!