El cártel (2009)

Okay... So I saw the movie trailer on youtube and decided to put it in my Netflix queue. I'm not one to watch independent films, preferring to reserve my time for the bigger films that my kids will like. But I'm actually glad I strayed from the norm on this one.I judge a film on how much it gets into my head. My husband and I watched this last night (not one for the kiddos me thinks) and I woke up this morning thinking about it. The film itself was pretty good. Acting was descent. Story was descent. Message and moral of the film was superb! I'm not sure if the film makes me want to chase my dreams, or be happy with the fact that I've decided to let them pass me by, but it's definitely got me thinking that I should start revisiting all the things I wanted to do when I was a kid. And if I decide to "go for it," as the movie's main character would say, I'll make sure I do a little bit better preparing than he did! haha

EL CARTEL REVIEW by SAMPSON 411 While not perfect, El Cartel makes up for its flaws with ambition and quality. In short, "Cool Movie! Two thumbs up." 8.0/10 stars.The story follows Jules Land, a mediocre journalist who follows a "once in a lifetime" story into the cartel-infested deserts of Mexico. Once across the border, he meets with Angel Santana, presumably Mexico's most notorious drug lord (and the antithesis of the swaggering, high-rolling, high-profile drug lords the likes of Pablo Escobar) and learns the inner workings of Santana's empire.The Mexican actors definitely out-shine their gringo counterparts. The Hispanic actors, especially Santana (played by Jose Luis Franco) and Santos (Mauricio Islas), give great performances. The performance from the film's heroes, Jules (Freddy Douglas) and Vern (Howard Gibson), are less than commanding and both seem a bit "outgunned" by their Mexican co-stars. Fortunately, the mismatch in acting lends to the overall arch of the story (that of the bad guys completely being in control as they "school" the gringos about how the cartel does business).The visual feel of the movie is clear and bright when necessary, but dark and gritty when called for. The locations and scenery are so impressive that, at moments, they seem to be part of the cast. The crew (particularly the location scouts, directors of photography, and lighting) gets accolades for coming through big time with the film's "look." A stellar grade is also awarded to the film's composer for his/her original score. It's not unheard of for a low budget independent to have GOOD original music, but it's rare (hint – please make a soundtrack).El Cartel has it's own stylistic feel, and does something no other film has done. Each "chapter" of the film has a mini-lesson that is presented to the viewer as being one of Santana's rules of business. These rules are what has led Santana to his success in dominating the Latin American drug trade. The movie is "paced" by a countdown of these 13 business lessons, bringing the film to a head upon its conclusion as the "first" principle is finally understood by our hero, Jules. The idea works and is definitely cool (for example, some of Santana's business rules include, "Follow your passion" or "There's no such thing as a once in a lifetime opportunity").

A reporter needing a big story heads to Mexico with a couple of friends and approaches the head of the biggest cartel and offers to do an expose on him and his business, it all goes wrong from there. Actually it all goes wrong from the minute they leave the US and cross the border since our hero brought back up in the form two less than helpful friends.Well acted and well made this is a very good B movie that holds your attention. I don't know how realistic it is but it held my attention pretty much from the start. Is it the best film ever made? certainly not but it is an entertaining thriller/ action film.Another one of those good films that make wading through the bad worth seeing.

An interesting story about an American journalist who uses familial connections to arrange an interview with Latin America's most successful "narcotraficante." Mistakenly thinking it's the opportunity of a lifetime, this journalist plunges – quite naively – into the belly of a gritty Mexican underworld.While the story was intriguing, the movie's real standouts are its villains – Angel Santana and his cartel cronies. As the story unfolds, the film teaches 13 "principles" behind this infamous drug lord's success. The irony is that they also apply to all of us, providing the film's underlying "moral" – if you stick to your principles and adhere to your values, things tend to go well (although not always perfectly). And if you don't? Well, watch the movie and you'll see.Kudos are also warranted for the film's cinematography (some of the shots are simply breathtaking). If only all low-budget indie films had this much thought and production value. -- B.T. Corbett