La Cucaracha

Amazon.com

Eric Roberts has been toiling away on the straight-to-video shelf for far too long, as he proves so well in La Cucaracha, a sunbaked Western noir set in Santiago, Mexico. He plays a perpetually soused would-be author escaping an imagined past of murder and mayhem, writing letters in his head that he'll never send and pondering the novel he'll never write. Roused from his inebriation by an epigram-spouting American, he's haplessly enlisted to assassinate a killer for a local drug lord (Joaquim de Almeida). Damned if he does and doomed if he doesn't, he miraculously survives and crawls from a shallow grave: "If I didn't have such a good survival instinct I would have killed myself long ago." Crippled but spurred by his newfound raison d'être--revenge!--he celebrates his self-discovery by munching defiantly on a cockroach. But not the cockroach of the title. That honor goes to Roberts, a scurrying little survivor who scuttles along desert roads in his beat-up wheelchair.

The picture tries too hard to strike a deadpan vein of dark humor and too often lets itself get lost in unnecessary details and side alleys, but the world of adobe buildings and dusty streets is like a film noir by Sergio Leone, full of blood-red sunsets and humid nights. Roberts always strikes the right balance of determination, desperation, and futility, never really winning but, like the cockroach, managing to survive underfoot. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

So So Mediocre Movie.......2004-05-09

I was disappointed by the movie: The plot was lethargic and implausible and the acting by Roberts was so-so. While it is better than many other B-grade movies, it simply lacked the suspense, drama, set-of-your-pants compellingness to make it a worthwhile film. I would avoid it. A far far better film for the money is A Murder of Crows, one of the best acted and scripted films on this decade.

Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act.......2002-12-28

Those of you familiar with Eric Roberts' film work of the 1980s (Raggedy Man, Runaway Train) will not be surprised to learn that he does a superlative job in this indie film noir.

Roberts plays a down on his luck alcoholic American would-be writer, stuck in a dirt-poor Mexican town. When given the chance of making some quick money to "do a favor" for the local crime boss, his life begins a wild downwards spiral.

Despite the subject matter, this film is far from depressing - it's more like a black comedy film noir. Too bad no one ever saw it, otherwise Roberts would be back making Oscar-caliber films instead of toiling in B movies and in sitcoms. The entire cast is teriffic, and the director does a stellar job on a miniscule budget. Buy this film and enjoy it, and tell someone else about it. It's that good!

Down Mexico Way.......2000-12-10

This is one of the best indie films I have seen in such a long, long time! A fresh and novel approach to film noir, rated by CREATIVE SCREEN WRITER's Magazine as the best film noir in the past few decades! The director has a special talent for taking the low-budget limits and making a BIG movie. Eric Roberts performance is par with his early performances in "Run Away Train" and "The Pope of Greenwich Village". I strongly suggest all film lovers adding this film to their library, as I have seen it in two festivals (winner of BEST PICTURE AWARD in 98' Austin film festival & ERIC ROBERTS winner of BEST ACTOR award in NY International Independent Film and Video Festival 99'). I only wish films like this would appear on the big screen more often.

Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode.......2000-08-04

More and more, and with some obvious exceptions, it seems that a film's budget is inversely proportional to its quality. La Cucaracha is definitely not a mega-Hollywood blockbuster, but production quality does not suffer at all in this fine noir.

Eric Roberts is truly excellent as a loser turned hitman, Joaquim de Almeida is vicious as the scumbag bad guy. This gem of a movie deserves your attention! There are so many little moments during the film that we can all identify with...

Watch out: the DVD comes only in standard format (why do they do that! )

South of the Border Noir.......2000-06-01

I saw this film twice on the Festival Circuit (NYC and Austin, where it won best screenplay) and made it my mission to spread the good word. This wonderfully written and directed film boasts the most accomplished performance to date by Eric Roberts as a gringo writer who abandons his life in the states to drink himself into oblivion in a small Mexican town. Interfering with his self destruction is an offer by a mysterious stranger to kill a notoriously evil man for a large (and desperately needed) sum of cash. I know it sounds like an unlikely jumping off point for a story about lust, obsession, revenge and redemption with a metaphysical twist, but what follows is sublime and thrilling filmmaking. No review is complete without mentioning the captivating debut of the mysterious beauty (Tara Crespo) who is wonderful as the light at the end of Roberts' tunnel. This is a great addition to any film lovers' library, and serves wonderfully as a movie to pop in for your jaded friend who thinks he's seen everything.

Average customer rating:

Primitive but fun musical comedy
LIKE IT - HATE IT - COULDN'T CARE LESS - - -
A BOMB. Wheeler and Woolsey can be missed
Dixiana DVD is a Real Stunner
Mexico's finest performances

Dixiana/La Cucaracha
Starring: Steffi Duna , Don Alvarado , Paul Porcasi , Eduardo Durant , and Chris-Pin Martin
Director: Lloyd Corrigan , and Luther Reed
Manufacturer: ROAN
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00003RQOK
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Description

The Classic 1930 Musical with Technicolor finale! Bebe Daniels, Wheeler & Woolsey, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. 98 min. A circus performer falls in love with a Southern sophisticate / The first live-action 3-strip Technicolor film ever made. 20 min. 1930 - USA - 98 min - Color

Customer Reviews:

Primitive but fun musical comedy.......2004-02-17

Dixiana has been variously described as a 'dog', a 'prehistoric turkey', and worse before now (and that's from people who generally liked it and the people in it!). It's a clunky mix of operetta and vaudeville musical comedy which doesn't quite gel, but is typical of its period right at the dawn of the talking picture.

The DVD has been lovingly restored so even the two-strip colour sequence at the end looks pristine. In the cast, Bebe Daniels and Everett Marshall sing well enough - he wasn't a great actor, but never mind - and Wheeler and Woolsey, that talented pair of clowns from RKO's first decade, add their archaic brand of humour between the serious musical bits. Dixiana is far from their best but it is their only movie easily available, so it will have to do.

LIKE IT - HATE IT - COULDN'T CARE LESS - - -.......2003-07-12

I have no idea what the reviewer of the "Mexicos finest performers" is babbling about. The "La Cucaracha" presented together with "Dixiana" is a double lame short dance/guitar-tink-a-tanking extravaganza, notable merely for it's place on the Technicolor stairway to oblivion, and not a film about the Mexican revolution. "Dixiana" promises to be very cool as it starts - with the circus/vaudeville settings and so on, but we very soon realize it is an unpardonable mishmash. Bebe Daniels is quite good, but that's ALL!!! Even the Technicolor sequence (actually the whole last reel) I was looking forward to anxiously turned out to be a complete waste of good celluloid - one of the most idiotic dance routines ever choreographed with costumes ugly as a whore's dream and dance girls from hell (they are from the worst kennel). The flick itself is presented in a perfectly good condition, the sound and colours being top quality. Too bad the ones who made this miserable epic didn't put more into it. But at least this one pretty much explains why the musicals were out in the early thirties - too much BS was being turned out and hadn't B.Berksley saved the industry, God knows what might have been!

A BOMB. Wheeler and Woolsey can be missed.......2003-02-16

Wheeler and Woolsey supposedly saved the RKO studios in the early 30's, so I was interested in seeing what this early comedy team was all about. Well, what they were about is a very stale, crude, wooden vaudeville comedy duo act. Do NOT expect Burns and Allen. These two guys were awful. One guy is tall, wears glasses, and does nothing but pull a cigar in and out of his ugly mouth while he barks out the lamest lines you can imagine. The other guy is a short, somewhat wimpy/effeminate, guy with a whiny voice who doesn't do anything but stand close to the other guy. It was a pretty dismal routine. The film itself is of no interest to anyone but those obsessives who need to see it for the early technicolor sequence (wasted on a lame dance act and one of Bill Robinson's least inspired tap routines). The plot has something to do with plantations, freed slaves, music halls, practical jokes, searching for a bride, and dancing. I couldn't figure it out, but since it wasn't 'Showboat", I figured it wasn't worth trying to. I love old movies but this is scraping the very bottom of the lowest barrel.

Dixiana DVD is a Real Stunner.......2000-04-18

Not a classic by any means, the DVD release of DIXIANA allows us to view an early (1930) talkie musical in pristine picture and sound, suggesting how it must of appeared to audiences of that day. Best of all, the last couple of reels have been restored to their original two-strip Technicolor beauty.

Bebe Daniela is charming and proves that a silent screen star could effortlessly make the transition to talkies. The male lead is played by Metropolitian Opera star Everett Marshall who displays a fine singing voice but limited acting talent.

The real star of this DVD is the stunning picture and sound. The short subject, La Cucharacha, is a nice bonus. While not as sharp as the feature visually, the historic importance of this short compliments DIXIANA nicely. In all, a highly recommended DVD.

Mexico's finest performances.......2000-04-06

There are some who look at the Mexican revolution (1910-1920) as this dramatic and chivalrous moment in Mexican history which would bring land and "libertad" to the neglected masses. In reality the revolution destroyed families, led to the death of thousands and in the end changed very little as the heroes of the revolution didn't live to see their dream become reality. In "La Cucaracha", we experience the revolution from the eyes of Colonel Zeta (Emilio India Fernandez at his machista best), Isabel (Dolores del Rio), a widow who's professor husband is forced into service and La Cucaracha (Maria Felix), a soldadera who portrays one of the strongest female leads in a Mexican movie.

In Zeta we have perhaps one of the more powerful male figure trying desperately to keep the revolution going eventhough he has lost most of his men and people have lost interest in fighting. His demeanor is such that strikes fear into men. Zeta in turn is matched up against Maria Felix who is as his female counterpart, is a patriot to the revolution and to whom men hold allegiance to. A love triangle ensues between the two and Isabel. Midway through the movie we see that Zeta isn't really the brute that he has to be. The direction is swift, with some memorable battle conversation surrounding the merits of war. The music is of special note, with revolutionary ballads performed on camera by Cuco Sanchez and others. In a cameo performance there is a memorable performance by Pedro Armendariz. His cantina conversation with Zeta is a classic testosterone machista contra machista. Also appearing is Antonio Aguilar in one of his first roles as a young Capitan under General Carranza. During a dramatic moment he must chose his loyalty between Villa and Carranza. One interesting note, is that the director has chosen not to feature Villa at all. Although his presence is felt throughout the movie. Powerful peformances throughout, a must for fanatics of the above stars. The version I saw was not subtitled. There are so many good Mexican movies that arent seen because of this. A loss too many.

Average customer rating:
La Cucaracha

Manufacturer: Libros Sin Fronterras
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Genres | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
Felix, Maria | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000OIOXIS
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Average customer rating:

So So Mediocre Movie

Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act

Down Mexico Way

Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode

South of the Border Noir

La Cucaracha
Starring: Eric Roberts , Joaquim de Almeida , Victor Rivers , James McManus , and Tara Crespo
Director: Jack Perez
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
Almeida, Joaquim De | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mercedes, Ana | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Rivers, Victor | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Roberts, Eric | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Hitman's Run

Stiletto Dance

Frozen in Fear

The Shadow Men

Power 98

ASIN: B00005LW54

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

So So Mediocre Movie.......2004-05-09

Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act.......2002-12-28

Those of you familiar with Eric Roberts' film work of the 1980s (Raggedy Man, Runaway Train) will not be surprised to learn that he does a superlative job in this indie film noir.

Down Mexico Way.......2000-12-10

Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode.......2000-08-04

Watch out: the DVD comes only in standard format (why do they do that! )

South of the Border Noir.......2000-06-01

Average customer rating:

La Cucaracha Martina
Starring: La Cucaracha Martina
Manufacturer: Nutmeg Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000BVNRSK
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Average customer rating:

So So Mediocre Movie
Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act
Down Mexico Way
Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode
South of the Border Noir

La Cucaracha
Starring: Eric Roberts , Joaquim de Almeida , Victor Rivers , James McManus , and Tara Crespo
Director: Jack Perez
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000065K4N

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

So So Mediocre Movie.......2004-05-09

Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act.......2002-12-28

Those of you familiar with Eric Roberts' film work of the 1980s (Raggedy Man, Runaway Train) will not be surprised to learn that he does a superlative job in this indie film noir.

Down Mexico Way.......2000-12-10

Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode.......2000-08-04

Watch out: the DVD comes only in standard format (why do they do that! )

South of the Border Noir.......2000-06-01

Average customer rating:

La Cucaracha

Manufacturer: Libros Sin Fronterras
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0007CILOS
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Average customer rating:

La Cucaracha

Manufacturer: Synergy Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000QJMDFA
Release Date: 2007-05-15

amazon.com

Chatita (Steffi Duna), a Mexican cantina singer, is in love with the cantina's lead dancer Pancho (Don Alvarado). A famous Mexico City theater owner comes to their small town to audition Pancho for a contract with his company. Chatita decides to mess up the audition in hopes that Pancho will not get the job and stay at their cantina. Hilarity ensues as Chatita plans go awry. This live-action film from Pioneer Films was the first to use the new 3 strip Technicolor process, far superior to the old 2-color process.

Average customer rating:

So So Mediocre Movie
Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act
Down Mexico Way
Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode
South of the Border Noir

La Cucaracha
Starring: Eric Roberts , Joaquim de Almeida , Victor Rivers , James McManus , and Tara Crespo
Director: Jack Perez
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 0792167902
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

So So Mediocre Movie.......2004-05-09

Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act.......2002-12-28

Those of you familiar with Eric Roberts' film work of the 1980s (Raggedy Man, Runaway Train) will not be surprised to learn that he does a superlative job in this indie film noir.

Down Mexico Way.......2000-12-10

Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode.......2000-08-04

Watch out: the DVD comes only in standard format (why do they do that! )

South of the Border Noir.......2000-06-01

Average customer rating:

So So Mediocre Movie
Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act
Down Mexico Way
Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode
South of the Border Noir

La Cucaracha
Starring: Eric Roberts , Joaquim de Almeida , Victor Rivers , James McManus , and Tara Crespo
Director: Jack Perez
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0792167899
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

So So Mediocre Movie.......2004-05-09

Great contemporary film noir - Roberts can still act.......2002-12-28

Those of you familiar with Eric Roberts' film work of the 1980s (Raggedy Man, Runaway Train) will not be surprised to learn that he does a superlative job in this indie film noir.

Down Mexico Way.......2000-12-10

Excellent noir, unfortunately full-screen mode.......2000-08-04

Watch out: the DVD comes only in standard format (why do they do that! )

South of the Border Noir.......2000-06-01

DVD:

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