william-cordova-1 Reviews

Drylongso (1998)

DRYLONGSO by Cauleen Smith

[10/10 · 26 April 2011]

Don't run to your closest bankrupt Blockbuster video store or any video outlet in your vicinity. Instead, search for Drylongso, a hard to find but really powerful film Directed and Produced by Cauleen Smith (1998) online. Drylongso is a coming of age film that arrests the viewers attention within the first 5 seconds. The film is driven by an over arching narrative that has more sub plot's going in and out all at once. A conscious young woman balancing school, family, friends, relationships and herself. This has to be one of the only films to focus accurately on a visual artist minus the many grossly inaccurate films about artists such as Basquiat (1996) by Julian Schabel or Pollock, Frida, Lust for Life etc. Maybe Downtown 81 by Glenn O'Brien (1981) or Wild Style by Charlie Ahearn (1983) come close to real representations of a visual artist everyday life. Drylongso relies heavy on good acting and great character development and intense moments that reflect actual people and places minus the romanticizing. I don't believe that Salim Akil actually wrote or produced this feature and suggest IMDb verify this for future references. Drylongso is a learning tool for young women and men and it's also a great film marginalized like Killer of Sheep (1977) by Charles Burnett, Born in Flames (1983) by Lizzie Borden and Dark Matters (2010) by Monique Walton. Films that most people have unfortunately never heard or seen. I suggest anyone really go on Netflicks or where ever we find good films these days and watch this diamond in the rough.

Tupac Amaru (1984)

TO DIE FOR THE PEOPLE (after Huey P. Newton)

[10/10 · 11 September 2007]

An epic production shot on locations by a Cuban film crew in 1983 and released in Latin America and Europe in 1984. This film Stars Renaldo Arenas as Tupac Amaru II, not to be confused with the late Cuban writer. A painful true story of a revolutionary Andian warrior whose strength and devotion to his people influenced many in Latin America, Africa and the West. Black Panther Afeni Shakur named her son, Tupac Amaru Shakur, after the Inca revolutionary as an acknowledgment for common struggle for all oppressed people. Ernesto "Che" Guevarra often quoted Tupac Amaru's "patria o' muerte". This film captures the essence of what Tupac Amaru stood for and died for.

Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)

Those demons we keep creating

[9/10 · 26 February 2007]

There are many things wrong with TV programming today. One would be all the unreality TV/star searching/sensationalistic news shows that have been monopolizing and paralyzing us since September 11th of 2001. Ignoring the problem(s) might be society's way of dealing with a "real" war. It isn't anything new to numb the senses with worse TV and violence and stereotypical films about cross dressers etc...

Battlestar Galactica has taken a real issue and worked it into a TV show that functions as a surrogate for the "lackeys" who would rather ponder on numb TV than face too much reality here at home. This show isn't about sci-fi nor is it about digital or celluloid. It's not even about who wins and looses. Battlestar Galactica's purpose is as relevant as socially poignant shows like "The Prisoner" & "The Twilight Zone" were. It is about what society is going through today and how it is our responsibility to address those demons we keep creating.

Ark II (1976)

EARLY IN THE MORNING

[23 September 2004]

ARt II was as silly as it was great entertainment for children. Yes, the show oozed with Biblical themes and moral issues but it was smarter than most programs today. That might be because today more children have access to technology that can deprive a developing imagination.

I don't think many children saw Ark II as adults saw it at all. Most kids watched the show because it had a cool looking van and it was set in the future. Not because they were dictating moral standards....It might seem that way today since we have become so desensitized.

Here is hoping that ARK II comes out on DVD one day soon. it wouldbe nice to see it live on and inspire some other young artist to graduate from Yale University....oops was I talking about me:(

Secret of the Incas (1954)

SECRET OF THE INCAS OR HOW 2 EXPLOIT THE GAZE

[15 September 2004]

There is no secret here or rather nothing to be gained unless you enjoy watching caricatures of what Peruvians are really like. One need to only see the actors in the film to realize that the movie has no Peruvian actors except for Yma Sumac who plays the "exotic" female for all to gaze at. Some might see this movie as an early Indiana Jones type film and this is true. Western Archaeologist playing God and thinking he's going to save someone else's "dead" culture by taking that which is sacred to them.

I think of movies like Laurence of Arabia, King Kong or any Indian Jones film when watching this film. One film I would suggest that has any pertinence of reality would be Aguirre: The Wrath of God.