film Archives - Pura Vida Sometimes

The past: Latin History for Morons

December 15, 2019 5 Comments

I’m sorry you didn’t see actor and comedian John Leguizamo‘s Latin History for Morons because it’s brilliant. Like his other stand-up specials, it’s hilarious and physical, yet sad and very real, but this show, in particular, is extremely well-researched and -scripted and it’s such important work. The hubs and I went to see the live version of the show (which you can see on Netflix now, if not in person) last Friday upon my heavy suggestion. We’d already seen the special on Netflix, but I could watch it over and over again. Needless to say, I knew what I was […]

culture, film, Movie, wellness

Dora’s natural heroism in a complicated world

August 8, 2019 1 Comment

Dora and the Lost City of Gold and a surprising interview with legendary Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez When Dora the Explorer debuted nearly 20 years ago, the show was hit with kids and celebrated by adults. Dora, a bilingual preschooler, solved mysteries and engaged directly with her audience. Like the children who admired her, she has grown up. The world has changed and the mysteries to be solved are more complicated, but in Dora and The Lost City of Gold, out this Friday, Dora stays true to roots – something executive producer and actor Eugenio Derbez says makes her our […]

film, Movie, wellness

Avengers: Endgame will make tough guys weep and old girls giddy

April 24, 2019 3 Comments

Avengers: Endgame review - Pura Vida Sometimes

Avengers: Endgame, the newest in an anthology of Marvel Studios films, reaches the pinnacle of character development, weaving together the back-stories of our favorite imperfect, fallible Marvel superheros in the ultimate intergalactic heist. I was invited to attend an advance screening of Avengers: Endgame. I love Marvel – count me in! The heroes and antiheroes are morally challenged and real – they are responsible for saving the human race, but their humanity parallels ours. That said, I’m a casual fan. I’ve watched and enjoyed most of the movies, but I’ve never dressed as a character (if that’s your thing, check […]

culture, family, film, Movie

Blindspotting: Film Will Shake You in the Best Way

July 26, 2018 No Comments

I was invited this week to a private screening of Blindspotting, out in theaters on Friday. The trailer looked interesting, so I went in with high hopes, but I was not prepared to be grabbed by the heart and rattled around a bit, then set down gingerly to sit with my thoughts. Just my kind of film. Blindspotting was co-written and stars longtime friends and collaborators Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. It’s about two men in Oakland surviving, and about how where you’re from can be a source of pride and also your demise. As the world changes around you, do […]

culture, family, film

Pixar’s Coco, Hard Conversations, Colorful Memories

November 22, 2017 No Comments

Lately, my four-year-old has been asking some hard questions, perhaps a testament to the times we’re living in: Why do we fight wars? Why do soldiers die? Are you going to die? Does everyone die? We’ve been seeing trailers for Pixar’s Coco for about a year and were anxiously awaiting its release (today!), but given her inquisitiveness, you can imagine my concern. We were invited to an advance 3D screening of the film, so we drove more than an hour across town and arrived on Mexican time…but they let us in anyway. I don’t know who between my daughter, husband, […]