Dust to Dust (Por la Libre)

Description

Rodri and Rico are two cousins unalike in every way except for a shared contempt for their parents' values and a deep connection to their free spirited grandfather, Rodrigo. When Rodrigo dies unexpectedly, his yuppie children are more interested in quibbling about their inheritance than in fulfilling his last request. Determined to make things right, Rodri and Roco kidnap their grandfather's ashes and set off for sunny Acapulco in a vintage Mercedes. On the way, they learn about life and friendship and realize that their grandfather was more free-spirited than they could have imagined.

Customer Reviews:

Yet another excellent movie from Mexico..........2007-04-20

I am continually impressed by movies from Mexico. These movies are spun around very simple close-to-life stories, but superlative acting, cinematography, background score and direction makes them extremely interesting, intriguing, thought-provoking and entertaining.
The story starts with Grandpa Rodrigo's birthday and a reluctant gathering of family members. His daughter, two sons and two diagonally opposite cousins (Roco & Rodrigo). The tense & volatile atmosphere at the dinner table quickly erupts into a heated dialog (over Grandpa Rodrigo's son's marriage to a young & demure girl). Predictably, Grandpa Rodrigo has a massive heart-attack and he passes away. Without much delay, his will is read and the inheritance distributed. Amidst all the materialistic distribution, nobody seems to pay much attention to Grandpa's wish of his ashes being submerged at sea in Acapulco. For days, his ashes lay in a golden urn.
Flustered by everyone's nonchalant behavior, Roco grabs the urn and starts heading towards Acapulco in a vintage Mercedes. The vintage, however, is an inheritance gift to Rodrigo Jr. (his cousin). In an effort to save his inheritance, Rodrigo joins Roco in a sudden trip to Acapulco. Their personal differences come into play and despite much elbowing and snapping at each other, they make it to Acapulco. However, their mutual respect for Grandpa Rodrigo brings the cousins closer to one another. They continue to snap at each other, but (now) with an affectionate and brotherly air. Roco meets Maria (the very beautiful -- Ana de la Reguera) and without much delay, falls for her. The cousins spend a couple of days in Acapulco contemplating the strategy for submerging the ashes, clubbing, and growing up. However, on the planned submersion day, they realize that Maria is the daughter of Grandpa Rodrigo (watch the movie to see all the events). Maria is now Roco's aunt.
Finally, after a series of emotional incidents they manage to submerge the ashes. The subtle message is that life sometimes takes sharp turns, throws stuff at you and you have to grow up fast. However, we the humans, the recipients of the eternally free spirit must continue to love people around us (dead or alive) and ourselves. This is true freedom!

Really great fun!.......2007-03-27

I picked this up in VHS at a video store for 99 cents, figured it would be an okay piece of entertainment. Boy, was I surprised! This is an excellent bit of comedy, beautifully acted, wonderfully edited, totally enjoyable entertainment! The dysfunctional family dynamics are hysterical, the young people are attractive and funny, the plot twists are very unexpected, and it's simply beautifully done. Don't miss this one!

Hilarious and light hearted........2007-01-01

This movie made me homesick. Although not from Mexico, it reminded me alot of the times I lived there and some of the people I met. The spinning of the urn like a roulette wheel gave me a real chuckle. Also gives a view into the folks that live in Mexico City and it was nice to see Acapulco from the beach level. A good companion to Todo el Poder and El Segundo Aire.

A nice film from director Juan Carlos de Llaca.......2006-07-18

"Por la libre" deserves a viewing because of all the elements that the director, Mr. LLaca brought together to this film. Even though it's a pretty light movie, you can take in consideration many good stuff about this one. First, the story is quite original. Second, the characters are indifferent from each other. Third, the acting is great by a very believable Osvaldo Benavides, and a surprising hit acting by Rodrigo Cachero, and of course, Ana de la Reguera, as a Hotel owner's daughter, whom also did a nice job in her role.

`Por la libre' is a free spirit comedy about family relationships and at some point, how the youth is and behaves in Mexico, the film deals with what happens in a lot of families after a strong older member of it, in this case, the grandfather, dies suddenly. The problems lie on carrying out the wishes of the patriarch is made clear right after the will is read. There is a bank account the old man has left to a friend who leaves in Acapulco. His wish is to be cremated and have the ashes scattered in the waters of that scenic city by the Pacific, where he would have gone to reside, had he lived long enough. Mr. LLaca is to be congratulated for getting good performances out of the three principals.

If you're looking for some other good Mexican films, try `Amores Perros' or `Y tu mama tambien,' these two films are very strong, profound, and full of meanings.

Reminds me of my road trip to acapulco!.......2005-05-30

Although I don't consider this a 5 star movie and I could name several mexican films off hand that have better plots and actors; this movie is pretty fun and memorable enough to want to watch it every now and then. Two cousins that don't really get along take a road trip to acapulco to try to get their recently passed away grandfather's ashes into the ocean. They run into romance, trouble, and the movie gives a laughable surprise towards the end. Good movie,,not Oscar material but definitely a movie worthy of your dvd library and one that you will probably want to watch once in a blue moon.

Average customer rating:

Journey to the Heart
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Domo Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006ADDJ
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Description

Welcome music aficionados everywhere to the many flavors and endless colors of Journey to the Heart. This is the first in a series of music intended to heal the Mind, Body & Spirit in these challenging times we face and hope to bring you closer to your peaceful heart.

Soaring melodic flute lines and lush orchestrations begin the journey with Kitaro's "Planet" from his critically acclaimed Mandala album. Other highlights include Joseph Rojo's flowing piano composition "Search" from his popular Nocturnal Afternoon release and Primal Instincts' inspired theme "Spirit Within" from the jungle-driven full-length CD Heart of the Rainforest. Wooden flute and melodic chanting make Nawang Khechog's "Peace Through Kindness" a unique addition while violinist Stephen Kindler delivers a hauntingly delightful tune from his Paradise Lost work, "Portal of Hanub-ku."

Hailed as a prodigy with few peers, David Eggar's mastery of the keyboard shines brightly on the song "Rune" from his debut release, Serenity. With a wide range of cavalcade artists that include Shinji, Yu-Xiao Guang, Unu Mondo, and Debussy, listeners will be taken on a magical trek through a myriad of tonal colors. And finally, this collection closes with Kitaro's "Stream" from his Grammy Award winning album Thinking of You.

Description

Follow the extraordinary Scottish missionary, traveler and explorer on his great journey into Africa to discover the Victoria Falls of the Zambesi, Lake Shirwa and Lake Nyasa. Believed to be lost forever, the New York Herald sent Henry Morton Stanley to search for Livingstone, paving the way for one of the most famous meetings in history. New location footage, specially-commissioned filmed reconstructions and expert authorities bring historical background and provide modern perspective to this unique film

Customer Reviews:

Exploring Central Africa.......2007-07-01

In the same way that no one would discuss Lewis without discussing Clark, this work is title "D. Livingstone," but as soon as you turn on the disc, it says "Stanley and Livingstone." The first sixth of the work is dedicated entirely to Stanley, rather than Livingstone.

The actors play the explorers with a background of ferns that you can buy at the local supermarket, rather than anything that looks like a real African jungle. The narrator says that in the 19th century, Africa was divided by the Arabs, the Dutch, and the Portuguese. Hello! What about France?! Why are Mali, Senegal, the Congo, and many other countries Francophone if their description of Africa is true? This work only records one scholar, rather than the handful one sees in most documentaries.

At one point, the work shows a drawing of Stanley, a little African boy in front of him, and an Indian man in front of both of them. There is an actual photograph of the three in Robert Aldrich's "Colonialism and Homosexuality." According to that book, Stanley may have had a pederastic relationship with the young male, but this documentary says nothing on the topic.

The scholar says that Livingstone opposed slavery and treated Africans as equal. The narrator says Stanley fought on both sides of the U.S. Civil War. As an African American, when the documentary concludes by saying Livingstone is buried in Westminster Abbey, but Stanley was considered too mean and nasty for that honor, I was pleased.

The documentary does a great job in showing all the places the two men traveled and thus their ability to explore uncharted African becomes understandable. If you ever wanted to know why "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" is a phrase that people know more than a century after its utterance, than this is for you.

Not Great.......2006-11-18

I wish there would have been a review on this before I purchased it. The acting is poor (unless you want a laugh) and the setting is obviously not taking at all in Africa. There is one interview with some historian with a pony tail, red suit, and wild tie. If it weren't for the non-intended comedy, I would have fallen asleep.
It is also amazing how there is so little focus on David Livingstone's religion or influence.
Do not purchase this documentary!

Average customer rating:

Yet another excellent movie from Mexico...
Really great fun!
Hilarious and light hearted.
A nice film from director Juan Carlos de Llaca
Reminds me of my road trip to acapulco!

Por La Libre - Dust To Dust
Starring: Osvaldo Benavides , Rodrigo Cachero , Ana de la Reguera , Otto Sirgo (II) , and Rosa María Bianchi
Director: Juan Carlos de Llaca
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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