Manuel Valladares

Norwalk

Associate Producer at LAist

Associate Producer at @LAist. Here to supply film/tv takes, memes, and media literacy. Views and vibes are my own! 🇲🇽🇸🇻 @laistunion

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Articles

‎‘Phantom of the Paradise’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Sep 18, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

★★★★★ THIS BEING JESSICA HARPER'S FEATURE DEBUT!!! That's crazy! De Palma honestly cooked with that choice, and cinema is in a better spot for it. Visually stunning, music rocks, and probably one of the most compelling narratives you'll find in the rock opera genre. To see this story about selling one's own soul, although definitely tragic, isn't completely a downer since the resolution at the end brings some catharsis ... some feeling that despite having your labor abused that the person...
‎‘Opening Night’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Aug 17, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

★★★★½ Really interesting story, having this actress who becomes haunted by her mortality, spending their entire film trying to resolve that pain. The two characters that serve as younger and older looks into womanhood offer this interesting plot device into the conflict. To see a young woman lose her life— what does that bring out in you when you project all your aspirations as a young actress onto her? Someone who certainly seemed like a fan of yours, and the art you helped create. In the...
‎‘Tangerine’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Aug 11, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

★★★★½ Such a charming film that has such a beautiful sensitivity to its subject matter.
‎‘Longlegs’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Jul 13, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

★★★★ Q&A with Osgood Perkins and star Maika Monroe my understanding of the protagonist-antagonist relationship has def adjusted after this second watch... in doing so it's also solidified my appreciation for this film. can also confirm it does a great job of tying any loose ends one might not be confident about following a first watch. bravo! Block or Report q&a amc burbank 16 Reviewed by rosiedarko ★★★★½ Reviewed by Dominic Padilla ★★★★...
‎‘Longlegs’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Jul 12, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

★★★★ This like a goldilocks and the bears situation.
‎‘Despicable Me 4’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Jul 12, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

★★ Animation beautiful. Story quite nonsensical. William Ferrell (derogatory). Funniest scenes were related to the hair mess up.
‎‘MaXXXine’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Jul 7, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

★★ ✨Stuff happened and characters weren't developed✨ Like ngl it's a bit frustrating watching a movie where a character doesn't progress, develop, or even come off as remotely likable. Sorta what make became an issue for X, although it being more of an ensemble, and its freaky moment at least get your mind off of Maxine being this fame-hungry character that doesn't have any Southern hospitality whatsoever. Cause it's cool on tryna make ya dreams a reality, but there's a reason these kinda...
‎‘Robot Dreams’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Jun 18, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

The realizations that come up at the end...holy shit I just bawled my eyes out. What a beautiful movie. Felt meandering for a bit, but does such a phenomenal job of showing the life cycle of a meaningful relationship. So much of the fun, plenty of the heartbreak, and certainly some of the nostalgia. Fitting all these complex emotions in a film that has no dialogue... I'm in awe.
‎‘The Wrong Trousers’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

Jun 5, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

Feathers McGraw truly one of the best villains of his generation. Animation in this, particularly for a short, is a perfect example of why Aardman is GOATed in my eyes. The train track sequence is so damn entertaining, love how well executed it is. Block or Report
‎‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ review by MannyValladares • Letterboxd

May 10, 2024 | letterboxd.com | Manuel Valladares

The universe does look visually beautiful for the most part. Think most issues the film has is tied to its plot, felt like it cut corners with what it decided to tell the audience. Kinda tough to do that with a runtime over 2 hours. However, I thought the world building was really cool, particularly with the start, following this tribe of apes that are relatively isolated. And learning some of that early on makes the ending quite satisfying to observe.