From Slate's Year in Culture

[rivkat]

Daniel Handler channels sisabet:

This year, the greatest film in the entire world was released on DVD. The film, Alberto Gout's Aventurera, was made in Mexico in 1950. It is the greatest film in the world. If I could, I would force you to see it. Once I saw it with my friend Matt, who was jet-lagged and fell asleep halfway through so I jabbed him in the ribs, hard, to wake him up. Once I saw two showings of the film on the same day—right in a row. I saw the film, bid my friend goodbye, lingered outside the theater, met another friend and pretended I had just arrived, went inside, and saw it again. Once I bought a VHS copy online from a very iffy-looking Web site, but it turned out there were no subtitles. I don't speak Spanish but my brother-in-law and his wife do, so I sent it to them. They have never acknowledged receiving the film, which I can only interpret as awe.

What is the film about? Ninon Sevilla, in a fervent, twitchy performance, plays Elena, a young girl who endures sexual temptation, the breakup of her family, a suicide, and dance lessons in the first 10 minutes of the film. Following that, Gout thoughtfully provides a brief flashback encompassing all the events of the past 10 minutes. Murder and champagne follow. White slavery is involved and unrequited love. Also, table tennis. Ms. Sevilla has apparently been costumed with a vengeance—i.e., by someone with a fervent desire to get revenge on her. Do you know that feeling, way past admiration and quite a bit past campy admiration, when you realize that you literally can't believe what you are seeing? Also, it is a musical.

Now tell me that isn't sisabet's voice exactly. Hmm -- now that I think about it -- have you ever seen the two of them together?

Comments

[par-avion.livejournal.com]

That's great! I think it's the "Also, table tennis." that really sends it into sisabet territory.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

I knew it was her at the second "Also" -- "Also, it's a musical."

[logovo.livejournal.com]

Um - I've actually seen this movie.
The guy is not exagerating.

[shiba-inu.livejournal.com]

Cooool icon! I discovered ABSOLUTE POWER in the bookstore today after seeing your icon. Had never heard of it before, but hey -- Stracsynski! Figured I couldn't go wrong. As it turned out, I was incorrect. Spent way too long at the bookstore and missed picking up Uberkid. Am currently in doghouse over that.

Still -- great story!

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Apologize to Uberkid on my behalf, please. I adore Supreme Power. There are only two trades out, and only one issue (maybe two) beyond the trades, and this is why I hate WIPs, but I am stuck anyway because I am in love. I haven't read much other comics Straczynski -- the trades are pretty expensive -- but Rising Stars is also interesting, if not as dear to my heart as Supreme Power.