The Song of Bernadette (1941).

Without doubt one of the best religious films of all time. Jennifer Jones plays Bernadette Soubirous, a fourteen-year-old who lives in Lourdes, France, where she visions the Blessed Virgin Mary. The film circulates Bernadette and her family and the poverty they live in. Her father wakes up everyday before dawn in his quest to find what’s available for him to work. Bernadette’s sister Marie and her friend Jeanne are summoned to do an errand, Bernadette tags along wanting to become part of the circle of friendship. When the three encounter a river, Marie and Jeanne walk barefooted across the river.


Marie and Jeanne demand Bernadette to stay put because Bernadette suffers from Asthma because of the chilly waters would drive Bernadette to illness. As the two girls ventures further in search of fire woods, Bernadette is alone. A woman appears claiming she is the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette believes her word because she is the only one capable of the visions; the town accuses Bernadette of her sanity. Miracles begin to blossom in the town, and love, happiness and health soon become the nature of god’s work that people begin to follow and are inspired by Bernadette’s vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Jennifer Jones won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance.

The Edukators (2004).

For the past decade, Germany has been producing masterful films. One of my favorites is Hans Weingarten's The Edukators. The story revolves on three anti-capitalists activists living in Berlin, Germany – Jule (Julia Jentsch), her boyfriend Peter (Stripe Erceg), and his best friend Jan (Daniel Bruhl).


Jule is waitressing to pay off an enormous debt that has been depressing her life ever since she ran a red light and crashed into a Mercedes-Benz S-class. Expired registration, no insurance and she is billed US$95,000. Jule’s boyfriend leaves for several days to an activist convention held in Spain. Jule and Jan begin to flourish a friendship which soon evolves into love.


Jan informs Jule about his and Peter’s deepest secret. Jan and Peter break into wealthy homes never stealing one thing, but the purpose is to inform the owners of the home to be aware that money doesn’t buy everything. Their trademark is rearranging furniture and leaving a note with a phrase “the days of plenty are numbered.” Jule is dumbfounded by the acts committed by her boyfriend and Jan, but soon she is convinced and becomes part of their activity. Its fun and games living life at its fullest until one of them is caught.


The Edukators is pure adrenaline and without argument the best ensemble cast produced from Germany.

In the Valley of Elah (2007).

Paul Haggis’ In the Valley of Elah is based on actual events. Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) is a retired army military sergeant with the experiences in criminal justice. The film begins with a young man’s voice, Hank’s son. Although, there is no visual images but the sound illuminates brilliantly of what the experience could be serving in Iraq under difficult conditions. The film is arguably controversy in its own rights. After not receiving no emails from his son, Hank suddenly packs up for what it seems for several days and drives to the army base where his son is stationed in Texas. Through many emotionally scenes that Jones performs masterly, Hank receives a video from his son days prior to his missing through email.


The video uncovers bits of pieces of Hank’s son experiences serving in the streets of Iraq. Turmoil and no answers to be given by the United States Army, Hank researches every possible detail of his missing son. Detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) becomes involved in Hank’s missing person case when body remains are discovered near the army base. Detective Sanders investigates thoroughly; she soon predicates that Hank’s son was murdered by his own comrades on the jurisdiction on the city’s property and not the army base, which gives the right to law enforcement to inspect on army’s jurisdiction. The film is utterly brilliant and intense.

Are You Ready to Be Extraordinary?

See my upcoming essay on the success of writing.

Who said writing is just for individuals with college degrees? Well, these days writing is everywhere and on everything. I, myself, am an aspiring screenwriter, novelist and blog writer.

I wrote my first story at the age of twelve, but it wasn't until I was fourteen when I wrote my first full length short story of fifty- three pages called "Hide and Seek."

So, here is a rule to writing absolutely anything you want, take this as a stepping stone.

Rule # 1: Buy a journal, a reasonable size so it's easier to carrier when your on the go.

Years ago, I read a short story in the acclaimed book, "Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul," and this rule literally blew me away:

Write one page, everyday, for 365 days and you will have your first of many autobiographies.

Take it into consideration. Don't forget to look for my Writing to Success Essay coming soon.

Javier

My Blueberry Nights (2008).

China’s most acclaimed film director Wong Kar Wai gets the opportunity to direct his first feature film in English. I must say, his direction was absolutely near perfection for his first American feature. However, I fear not many people will enjoy this film because the film is too predicable. Don’t get me wrong, a film has to sell to its performances to the audience. If you simply could feel for their performances, than the actor did not do their job to persuade you.
Norah Jones, eight times Grammy® award winner, makes her acting debut as Elizabeth. Ironically, Wai chose Jones for the leading role as Lizzie because he felt that she had acting capabilities, but was aware of her lack of prior acting experiences.


The film begins with Jeremy, played by Academy Award® nominee Jude Law, who runs a café in New York City. Lizzie, played by Jones, recently discovers that her boyfriend has been dinning at Jeremy’s café with another girl. Lizzie becomes obsessed with the fact of being dumped by her boyfriend. Broken hearted, Lizzie finds her way back to Jeremy’s café seeking for answers about her failed relationship. For several weeks, Lizzie returns to Jeremy’s café exchanging conversations about life, love and friendship.


Their friendship blossoms, but Lizzie leaves New York City suddenly without explaining her decision to Jeremy of her departure, she relocates in Memphis, Tennessee in her search of her identity. She takes up two jobs, in a café and at a bar, to save money to buy a car. She sends Jeremy postcards of her whereabouts not revealing her where she lives or work. One night at the bar a local police officer Arnie, played by Academy Award® nominee David Strathaim, is over coming his grieving about the fact that his wife Sue Lynn, played Academy Award® winner Rachel Weisz, left him. Lizzie learns from Arnie that love is unpredictable, who is overcoming alcohol abuse alone.


Soul searching is the plot of the film. The film is not perfect, but Norah Jones performed brilliantly having no acting experiences.

Grade: A -

The Many faces of Me

There are some days when I feel inspired, ambitious, audacious; and there are some days when I just want the world to stop. Unfortunately, the world and life does not work that way because if it did then expect the world and life to collide instantly. Honestly, life would be much in chaos and besides our lives are accounted for, what I mean by that is we are here on this so called planet Earth for a reason. The reason is, well, there is no answer for it, but we can choose our journey to the unknown. And that's what life is about: to live the possibilities, and, of course, there are going to be millions who will sacrifice their lives for ours.

I am blessed to live the life that I am leading, thus far. I am only twenty-four years old, but I am much mature for my age, which helps me in the long run because I am person of pure of heart. Most importantly, I want to give my life's work to three important individuals in my life: my mother, sister and partner for their inspiration, their hard work and their dedication in supporting me with every step I pursue.

I hope with this blog I can communicate my passion for cinema to you. I am a man of great values and I am a person that loves to write down goals that are achievable. So, my first goal is to write daily, hopefully, to inspire you and to express creativity the world of cinema. So, here goes, to you my savior.

Javier Serrano

Show Down in Vegas

This film is fun, enjoyable and could be educational. 21 (2008) directed by acclaimed American film director Robert Luketic, who directed 2001, Legally Blonde. Jim Sturgess plays Ben Campbell, an ambitious and intellectual student with the grade point average of 4.0 to show for it at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). His dream prevails when he is accepted into the graduate program at Harvard Medical School. Brilliant with numbers but lacks the financial stability, his tuition fees for Harvard Medical School cumulates to $300,000.

Mickey Rosa, played by Kevin Spacey, is a Professor at MIT a rookie of counting cards in his days. Rosa’s challenges Ben in class through mathematics theories which Rosa finds his ability truly gifted.

One night, Ben is summoned and taken into the pits of MIT where five students and Rosa await for his arrival. Rosa introduces Ben to the world of “counting cards” also known as blackjack. Ben, first, must take the initiative test to be accepted into Rosa’s blackjack group: to be terrorized under pressure.

Eventually Ben is accepted into Professor Rosa’s anonymous blackjack club, which every weekend the group of five brilliant MIT’s mathematics whizzes travels to Vegas for weekends of clubbing, drinking, shopping and counting.

Ben promises himself to win what’s reasonable: to pay Harvard Medical School’s tuition of $300,000. However, when jealousy and temptation begin to crackle in the inner circle of co-workers rather than friends, Ben is obsessed and addicted to “counting cards” winnings. Ben has simply gone too far with his winning streaks which have alerted visually under Casinos surveillance, but can Ben count his way out of this one when he’s caught.

Grade: B -

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

J. K. Rowling did a magnificent job by alluring our imagination into the world of wizardry and magical powers in her multi-billion franchise of Harry Potter. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is my absolute favorite, thus far, and honestly, I have to come clean and admit admirably that I was not fond and early rejected the entire Harry Potter, but what changed my mind completely was how well the books were selling globally. This one-time welfare mother turned billionaire writer from London, England changed the way kids read today, and one book critic raved Ms. Rowling’s dedication in bringing Harry to life which has been an extraordinary journey for everyone alike.

This is the fourth film in the popular Harry Potter series, directed by Mike Newell. The film is gorgeously acted, the music is haunting and inspiring and the special effects are simply perfected. From the beginning of the film to the ending credits, this film “the Goblet of Fire” is definitely entertaining.

Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley enter their fourth year at Hogwarts School. The school has been selected to host the Triwizard Tournament, a legendary event in which one wizard each from two rival schools and Hogwarts compete in three dangerous tasks. Dumbledore, head of Hogwarts, reveals The Goblet of Fire, a magical cup which acts the judgment by selecting the candidates. Three students from each school will participate under restricted age requirement of the age of seventeen. But, when all three names are selected an additional fourth name is thrown out of the cup of the Goblet of Fire revealing the name of Harry Potter.

Frida: Seven Years in the Making

The first time I’d seen “Frida” starring Salma Hayek, also served as one of two Producers of the film, was when I was a student in A.P. Art History. My professor was deeply fascinated in the subject of art and once he took the entire class, combined students of thirteen, to the cinema and watched the film as a class. It was an amazing experience because we were permitted off school campus and we had the privilege of watching a film entirely on the subject of art history and the biography of Frida Kahlo.

Unfortunately, Salma Hayek failed to win the Oscar for Best Actress at the 2003, Academy Awards®; Nicole Kidman won for her performance in The Hours. I felt Salma Hayek’s performance was much more convincing, artistic, and simply ravishing. Salma was Frida and why not? Salma embarked on a seven years journey to buy the rights to the publication, funding, and the director. Salma did not want to put her entire dedication into the wrong hands; luckily, Julie Taymor, the first woman to win the prestigious Tony® award for Best Direction for her Broadway hit The Lion King®, was hired as the film’s director. Together, as women, they both collaborated brilliantly, and the film’s crew was conducted by many elite and acclaimed filmmakers in Mexico, they include: writer, Gregory Nava, directed Jennifer Lopez in Selena; Academy Award® winner composer Elliot Goldenthal, notably for Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire; and lastly, Director of Photography Rodrigo Preito, worked with Ang Lee in the Academy Award® winning film Brokeback Mountain. Also, many well-known film stars like Alfred Molina, Antonio Banderas, Mia Maestro, Edward Rush, Ashley Judd, and Edward Norton, all to whom are dearest friends of Salma Hayek, all agreed to work for low wages for their performances.

Oscar Win or just Sympathy?

I simply can not argue that Heath Ledger performaned brilliantly as The Joker in the 2008, The Dark Knight. Few film critics assumed Ledger was wrongfuly robbed an Oscar for his memesmerizing performance as Ennis Del Mar in the ill-fated Academy Award winning film Brokeback Mountain, which Ledger won his first Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category. Know one expected Ledger to come off with an Oscar nomination, and, of course, not win, to star in one of Hollywood’s greatest box-office hits in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Unfortunately, we will never know what potential lied in Ledger’s future because his career was just launching with successful commercial films. A decade ago, Ledger was known in several teen films, including: the 1999 film 10 things I hate about you, co- starring with Julia Stiles, and the 2002, A Knight’s Tale, which garnered rave reviews and launched him into the public eye. But, can Ledger actually win the Oscar for his performance as The Joker. Hollywood loves villains, but can the Academy members acknowledge Ledger performance? Or “Box-office Champ” is enough?

Gorgeous, Smart and Oscar, Too!

You may recognize Rachel Weisz in the 1999 and 2002 box-office hits The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, as Evy or Evelyn O’Connell. Rachel Weisz was born in London, England in 1971. It was not until her college years at the respected prestigious Cambridge University in England, where she pursued interest in acting. She had co- founded a student drama club called Cambridge Talking Tongues, which received critical acclaims for many successful theatre productions. After graduating Cambridge with a degree in English, she further more pursued her acting career. She has appeared in many notable films, which includes: 1996, Stealing Beauty; 1999, Sunshine; 2002, About a Boy; 2002, Confidence; 2003, The Shape of Things; 2005, Constantine; 2006, The Fountain. Having all ready establishing a leading lady, she had several box-office hits to her credit, but it was not until 2005 when Fernando Meirelles, the director of The Constant Gardner, gave Weisz the opportunity of a lifetime to portray Tessa Quayle, a doomed activist in pursuit in alerting publicly of the pharmaceutical industries targeting the African illness. The role brought her an Academy Award ® for Best Supporting Actress.

(2007). La Vie en Rose

Film critic Richard Nilsen of the Arizona Republic, wrote, “"Don't bother voting. Just give the Oscar to Marion Cotillard now.” And I must agree with Richard Nilsen because Marion Cotillard’s performance as the French – singer Edith Piaf was captivating and, by far, the greatest film performance to date, and I mean that literally. This was the only performance in 2007 for which I had given it a standing ovation. I must warn you, the film is a mess, and by mess; first, the film is spoken in French, and you the French, they intend to speak French quickly and aggressively. Secondly, every minute of screen time means years past of Edith Piaf’s life which the film transition into flash back sequences, for most, a handful of people do not enjoy. If you enjoyed Reese Witherspoon in the 2005, Walk the line, for which she won the coveted Best Actress, then you’ll like La a Mome in French, but in the United States La Vie En Rose.

(2005). Downfall

Exquisitely brilliant and a great ensemble cast. 2005, Downfall was directed by German acclaimed director Oliver Hirschbiegel. The film is based on the accounts of the last days of Adolf Hitler through the eyes of his private secretary Traudl Junge, which is loosely based on her memoir Until the Final Hour, portrayed superbly by German actress Alexandra Maria Lara. The film, like I said is great, but the film received harsh criticisms around the world because the film shows the accounts of Adolf Hitler sensitivity under the events of World War II, and assumingly, film critics and audiences were demanding the film to explain one major subject that was simply left out: the Holocaust.

The Forgotten

First things first, I must apologize for my act of disciplinary because I haven't been posting anything new since the month of June. For the past month and so, I have completed my summer courses at San Diego City College. Now, I am preparing for the fall semester at San Diego City College, where I will be pursuing a second Associate's degree; and at National University, where I will be pursuing my family's first Bachelor's degree. So, I promise to work onwards and discipline myself in my writing. To you I bequeath my history, Javier Serrano

Pursue the Impossible

In 1997, James Cameron's "Titanic" was estimated at an enormous budget of $200 million dollars. The set was constructed in seven months in Baja, California, Mexico and took another six months of principle photography and post-production. On several occasions, Universal and Paramount studios came closely in shutting down the set and production due to the increasing budget and little accomplishments from James Cameron. Although, James Cameron is one of two directors whom have directed films over a budget equal or more than $100 million dollars, films includes, True Lies and Terminator: Judgement Day. The film went on to become a major box-office hit surpassing more than $1.8 billion dollars world-wide. Titanic was nominated for fourteen Academy Awards, winning eleven Oscars, which includes Best Director (Cameron) and the coveted Best Picture.

When I was thirteen in 1997, I was inspired and awakened from such a film. I knew from that moment I wanted to become a film director. Coincidentally, I got the chance to meet James Cameron in 2001. I asked him for inspirational notes on my pursuit to becoming a filmmaker, his response was to never give up on and to work hard. Thank you, James Cameron.

- Javier Serrano, founder of Monte Pictures

Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture

The Sound of Music (1965) directed by Robert Wise., my favorite director of all time, is without a doubt the best musical film ever made. Is it wrong to worship a film? Funny to say: The Sound of Music is my favorite film of all time; Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is second; Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is third. The Sound of Music is the first film I remember watching as a child. The film impacted me personally. I simply cannot write down nor give you any reasons why I do not like the film. The Sound of Music is different and cannot be compared to any star-gazing musicals like Chicago, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, etc. The Sound of Music currently is the fourth best musical of all time, cited by the members of the American Film Institute, which the award is given every ten years. Gene Kelly’s “Singing in the Rain” holds the first place spot for greatest musical ever made. The Sound of Music had a merely budget of $8.2 million. Typically, any film over four million dollars was cited a big budget film, unlike today 2007 Spiderman holds the record as the expensive film ever made at nearly $257 million dollars, although, few experts can argue that the most expensive film ever produced as of today’s revenues is 1964 Cleopatra, with a budget of nearly $500 million dollars. The Sound of Music is credited as the film that saved 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy, after high production costs and low net gross for 1964 Cleopatra, which Elizabeth Taylor starred in. Don’t be fooled: The Sound of Music is eighty percent accurate and twenty percent inadequate. For example, at the end of the film when the Von Trapp family escaped Nazi oppression in Austria the family crossed through the mountains of the Swiss Alps. Technically, the real Von Trapp family took the train to Italy and later relocated to London then crossed over the Atlantic Ocean where they made a home for themselves in the New England countryside in Vermont. However, the adventurous, the amusement, the score, the irresistible songs, and the performances can only illuminate the horrors of Nazi oppression in Europe during the last golden age of the thirties. Director Robert Wise, also the only producer of the film, suggested the film to be shot entirely in the original concept the story in Salzburg because Hollywood stage production simply could not match the gorgeous landscape of Salzburg, Austria. As of 2008, more than ten million tourists visit Salzburg, Austria because, for one, it’s the birth place of immortal composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; secondly, to get first hand of the settings of The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews (Maria Von Trapp) did not win the Academy Award for Best Actress, loosing to rival British actor Julie Christie in Darling. Christopher Plummer (Captain Von Trapp) failed to get a nomination for Best Lead Actor. Although, the film walked away with the coveted Best Picture of 1965 and Robert Wise (Director) walked away with the coveted Best Director. Therefore, the thrilling and inspiration film, “The Sound of Music” has captivated dozens of generations of family uniting closer and celebrating the wondrous joy happiness. To me: “The Sound of Music” will indeed be the best film ever made in motion pictures.

“If I fail, at least I will have failed my way.” - Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is tied as my favorite film actor of all-time; Ingrid Bergman is the other actor. I have been a huge fan of Jodie Foster ever since I'd seen her Oscar-winning performance in Jonathan Demme’s 1991 “The Silence of the Lambs.”

I look to Jodie Foster’s creditability as an actor because she is only a few handful of actors who can pull off dozens of performances in the wide-range of genres. Jodie Foster has been working in the show business since the age of three, but it wasn’t until 1976 when Martin Scorsese cast her along side Robert De Niro in “Taxi Driver,” which she garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the age of thirteen.

Jodie Foster is very intellectual; she graduated in 1980 as the class valedictorian from the private academy Lycée Français in Los Angeles in all-girl French Academy. She later went to the prestige Yale University and graduated in 1985 with a degree in Literature magna cum laudaee.
After graduating from Yale, Jodie Foster went into the stage of depression because of lack of confident from limited screen opportunities.

Her last chance to prove to herself as a struggling actor proved to be extraordinary, she has said in several interviews that if she did not get the part as Sarah Topias in the 1989, The Accused she would end her career as an actor and focus in pursuing her educational aspirations.

The Accused is utterly superb performed by Jodie Foster and deeply painful to watch as she portrays a gang-raped victim. The director of the film Johnathan Kaplin has stated that the rape scene was 95% Jodie Foster and there were no doubles to be substituted for Foster’s rape performance. Jodie Foster’s performance in The Accused garnered a second Academy Award nomination this one for Best Actress in a Leading Role and the win.

Jodie Foster won her second Oscar for her brilliant performance as Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs.” The American Film Institute which honors the best of the best films ever, Jodie Foster was honored and currently holds the position as “the greatest woman hero in American cinema.”

Jodie Foster suffered greatly and experienced hard ships in her early life. For example, she was stalked by John Hinckley during her college years, who attempted to assassinate US President Ronald Reagan to impress her (30 March 1981) because of his fascination from her performance in Taxi Driver. Today, Jodie Foster will leave an interview if the subject comes up.

Jodie Foster is impeccably brilliant as an actor and I am truly inspired by her effortless in cinema and her intellectual.

READY TO BE EXTRAORDINARY!

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to compose and construct my own independent film company “MONTE PICTURES.” I know my journey to achieve the unimaginable will inspire others knowing anything is surly possible. I want to dedicate this blog to my mother, who encouraged me to never give up on a dream and inspired me to never follow in the footsteps of others. Secondly, my sister, Elaine, I simply have no words greater then her dedication, hope, intelligence and guidance for me. Lastly, Jose Meza, my partner-in-crime and my world, thank you.


MONTE PICTURES is currently under construction due to my demanding schedule from my studies. I am on a quest to become the first individual in my family to obtain a Master’s in Creative Writing and to obtain a Doctorate degree in European Studies.
This page is also dedicated to the dreamers and believers. Please, I beg of you, dream and set out to conquer the impossibilities because the moment of achievement will define opportunities and open doors to individuals with aspirations.


MONTE PICTURES will be supporting all forms of arts. Do not hesitate to email me your advices, concerns, comments, and/or feed backs.


Every month I will be composing a newsletter. If you’re interested in receiving a newsletter, please forward me an email, include your full name. The newsletter is FREE at no cost, but I cannot guarantee the membership will be FREE for long. I plan to produce MONTE PUBLICATIONS, and export my objectives and creativity nationally, perhaps internationally. Current MONTE members will have the privilege to sustain their membership permanently, so it’s very important to request a newsletter immediately.


Email: info@montepictures.com


Thank you,

Javier Serrano, Founder


READY TO BE EXTRAORDINARY!