I think he is one of the most talented directors working today.
Talk to Her was outrageously bold.
And his earlier work has an energy that is sorely lacking in a lot of art films by other directors.

I've seen all of his films made since 1980, except for "Bad Education" which is currently playing at theatres. My personal favorites would be "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" and "Talk to Her" (the last film's silent movie spoof was hilarious but turned into a powerful metaphor.) Some of his REALLY early stuff is a bit slipshod, but "Matador" has enough wit and invention to catch anyone's attention. I would think there would be some others here with some thoughts.

I have had trouble warming up to Almodovar. He is a critic's darling and while to one degree or another I have liked his films I can't say I loved them.

My favorite Almodovar film is LIVE FLESH, which stars one of my favorite actors, Javier Bardem, who could very well turn into a movie star.

The film that really put Almodovar on the map was TIE ME, TIE ME DOWN. I remember when that came out in late 1980s and it caused quite a sensation because of its strong reviews.

I am going to try and revive this long dormant thread on Pedro. I haven't seen all his films like mark has, but those that I have were nothing short of stunning. What could one say after Talk To Her that might begin to adequately convey the experience of watching it? Even so-called lesser works like High Heels can evoke wonderful responses. Those of you who agree might well like to check out Lucia y el Sexo (Sex and Lucia) by Julio Medem, if you haven't done so. It's another twisting, flowing Spanish film dealing with all the finer things in life (sensation, mystery, and wonder) with a narrative that moves back and forth in time as it sees fit...

I saw La Mala Educación. I believe that's the first Almodóvar film I saw that I'm aware of. I've seen tons of other spanish films but I'm not sure who directed them. A couple of them I suspect were by Almodóvar judging from the plot, characters and style.

La Mala Educación was quite versatile. It was alarming, sensational, mysterious, suspenseful, twisted, what else. The film pushed a lot of boundaries, but then again, I know what Almodóvar is about so I knew what I was getting into.

Yeah, I haven't actually scene La Mala Educación yet, but I heard it was very good. He's got a new film coming out soon I believe called Volver, with Penelope Cruz.

yeah i agree hes one of the best directors ive seen todo sombre mi madre (so gay yet sooo good)
bad education(gael garcia was so great on this film pedro almodovar really show to us how garcia is a really good actor this is his best performance so far(i think) i saw y tumama and motorcycle but this movie really challenge him a lot he nailed it portraying a gay role i mean he almost got me there! pedro almodovar does it again and it has a lot of suspense
well i havent seen talk to her yet but i know its a great film im so looking forward to watch it

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Valeron Esq.:
Yeah, I haven't actually scene La Mala Educación yet, but I heard it was very good. He's got a new film coming out soon I believe called Volver, with Penelope Cruz.

The one movie with Penélope Cruz in it that I really really liked was an older movie from the early 90's called Belle Epoque. The movie is set in pre-civil war Spain, and is about a young man who meets 4 beautiful sisters. Did he get in all four sisters' trousers? Watch it.

Yeah Belle Epoque, I heard that was a 'delightful romp', as they say. I liked her in that Spanish one Jamon, Jamon, but in general, I think she's maybe a little annoying. God only knows why. Maybe Pedro will get a great performance out of her...

I personally think Maribel Verdú is a better actress than Penélope, it's just maybe Penélope has better stage presence that's why she had an easier time crossing over.

If we're going to venture outside of Spain though and include the entire Latin community, I think Salma Hayek is the best in the mainstream, in performance and presence.

Have you heard of Paz Vega? From the movie Lucía y El Sexo (among others)? Is it just me or does she bear a striking resemblance to Penélope?

Yeah, I suppose she does look quite like Penelope, but I much prefer Paz Vega. I've only ever seen her in Lucia y el Sexo though. Are you familiar with the director Julio Medem's work> If so, are there any other films of his you could recommend, for someone who thought Lucia y el Sexo was extraordinary...

I've seen Paz Vega in two other films, one is El Otro Lado de la Cama and the other one I forgot the title...the story was kinda weird... they were in hell and she was sent on a mission or something... I watched it on cable and I wasn't really intently watching it so I missed a lot of parts.

El Otro Lado de la Cama is kinda funny. It's like a romantic, erotic musical. I still prefer Lucía y El Sexo as the best out of all the films I've seen that she's starred in.

I must check out El Otro Lado de la Cama then. Romantic, erotic musicals are my middle name. I've just got my hands on Carlos Reygadas's 2 films, Japon and Batalla en el Cielo. Haven't watched either of them yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Have you seen them?

Nope... who are the actors in them?

By the way where is Carlos Reygadas from?

Carlos Reygadas is a young Mexican director. Both the films are set in Mexico, and Batalla en el Cielo uses a non-professional cast, who are asked to leave their modesty at the door...
There's no one remotely famous in either film, and both are very intense, moody pictures...

As for Volver, the entire female cast recently won the Best Actress award at Cannes. Even though I am not the biggest fan of Penelope Cruz, I would have to say that at this point, I am willing to see anything Pedro Almadovar creates.

The first film I ever saw of his was Talk to Her and the element I was most struck by was the incorporation of modern dance. Every time I watch a film of his, I feel like he's letting me in on a secret -- often in an intimate sort of way. Bad Education was one of my favorite films of 2004 and All About My Mother is easily my favorite film of his overall, although I still have many more to see.

Try to watch the older ones; he didn't get good all of a sudden.

I'll see if I can track down Women on the Verge and Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down. Any other recommendations?

I love the work of Pedro Almodovar. I'll watch anything he makes. I loved Volver and I don't usually like an all female cast.

Saw Volver this w/e, and really enjoyed it. It seems clear to me, though, that Almodovar has lost interest in portraying the inner lives of men. The men in Volver are entirely disposable (pun intended). This wasn't always true. Matador, mentioned above, was fascinating, and the more so because it features a very young Antonio Banderas. It's lurid and pulpy and a bit obvious, but it's also wonderful.