Martin Cid's Blog: Martin Cid Magazine, page 50
March 7, 2025
“Delicious” on Netflix: A Horror Thriller About Social Differences
Today we receive this German film, “Delicious”, a truly interesting movie between mystery, thriller, and horror. A psychological thriller that, little by little, manages to win over the viewer and introduce them to a well-crafted plot, aesthetically interesting and socially provocative.
If you’re looking for something much deeper and more provocative than typical family cinema for this Friday night, “Delicious” is a more than interesting proposal.
Plot
A wealthy German family arrives at a French villa for vacation. One night, after having some drinks, they have an accident, and a mysterious girl enters their lives. Teodora enters the family and the world of each of them, and reveals to them a world much beyond what they are accustomed to.
Delicious – NetflixAbout the Film
Carla Díaz, who plays the role of Teodora, is the great star of this film that does everything well: it has a good argument and a good idea, and moreover, knows how to propose it without turning a story that could easily have been a bloody horror story into something much deeper: a metaphor of social classes that is, in addition, provocative, suggestive, and very intelligent.
In her first feature film, actress Nele Mueller-Stöfen moves to directing and offers us a complete experience: provocation, mystery, and an opportunity to rediscover provocative cinema, full of intelligent metaphors that knows exactly how to take the viewer where it wants.
The idea is not new in terms of genre: vacations of a conventional family and a new member enters to become part of the circle. This disrupts everything, and the matter ends up becoming something sinister. In other hands, the film would have been something else, but the director does not offer us only an impactful work, but seeks provocation beyond shocking or gruesome images, taking tension more into the relationships between characters and making the tension work on a narrative level.
A mystery and horror film that surprises in its execution: elegant, executed with a good sense of rhythm and that knows how to hook the viewer.
Without a doubt, a good choice for this Friday.
Enjoy it.
Bon appétit.
Where to Watch “Delicious”
The Cast
Fahri Yardım
Carla Díaz
Valerie Pachner
Naila SchuberthCaspar Hoffmann
Julien de Saint Jean
Melodie Casta
Johann von Bülow
Sina Martens
“CHAOS: The Manson Murders”: Was there a government conspiracy behind the Charles Manson murders?
We’ve seen it in movies, and from a distance, no one seems to understand why, to this day, Charles Manson is part of the collective imagination of the United States: an atrocious multiple crime that he did not commit with his own hands, but was done by other people, instigated and controlled by him.
What was really behind this murder? A crazy hippie in a commune who controlled the girls at his whim?
“CHAOS: The Manson Murders” is a documentary directed by Errol Morris that goes far beyond the official hypotheses and suggests a completely different approach to the Manson murders. Morris takes viewers on a provocative journey that goes much further than the superficial narrative of Charles Manson’s killer followers. The documentary boldly suggests a conspiracy that extends far beyond the accepted historical narrative, hinting at unexpected connections with government agencies and mind control experiments that explore a mind control conspiracy, CIA experiments, and murder.
The documentary is based on Tom O’Neill’s research and offers viewers a new perspective on the murders that shocked the country in August 1969, when Charles Manson’s followers killed seven people on his orders.
Morris and O’Neill seem to be peeling back layers of a complex historical moment, suggesting that the Manson murders were not simply the act of a disturbed cult leader, but potentially part of a more intricate network of governmental and social manipulation.
Our Opinion
Whether you like conspiracy or true crime documentaries or not, “CHAOS: The Manson Murders” provides such a powerful insight that it is undoubtedly worth watching. It contains extremely interesting information to revisit this fascinating story and why it has fascinated the public for more than half a century.
As always, the documentary leaves a weighty question hanging in the air: Were mind control experiments behind the Manson murders?
Where to Watch “CHAOS: The Manson Murders”
About Charles Manson
Charles Manson was a notorious criminal and cult leader who became infamous for orchestrating a series of brutal murders in California during the late 1960s. Born Charles Milles Manson on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he had a troubled childhood marked by abandonment and criminal behavior from an early age. His mother was a teenage prostitute who struggled with alcohol and frequently neglected him, leading to a childhood spent in and out of juvenile detention centers and foster homes. Read more
March 6, 2025
First Look: ‘The Pick Up Artist’ Wraps Production, Starring Evan Ross, Alvaro Orlando, Alexis Knapp, Andrew Lewis Caldwell, and Leslie Lluvet
EXCLUSIVE: Comedy feature The Pick Up Artist has wrapped post production. Written, directed by, and starring Alvaro Orlando (I Am Not a Hipster), the film also features Evan Ross (The Hunger Games), Alexis Knapp (Pitch Perfect), Andrew Lewis Caldwell (The Matrix Resurrections), and Leslie Lluvet (90 Miles). Additional Cast includes, Elsie Hewitt ( Dave ) Tilky Jones ( Never Back Down ) Danube Hermosillo ( Shameless ) Dani J Scott ( NCIS Los Angeles ) Meredith Mickelson ( The Paradox Effect )
Orlando plays Drew, a hopeless romantic blindsided when his girlfriend rejects his marriage proposal, calling him “too nice” and “too boring.” His best friend pulls him into the underground world of pick-up artistry, where he meets Havok (Ross), a charismatic mentor leading a secretive subculture of modern romance.
“This movie highlights the crazy things we do for love and how complicated dating has become,” Orlando says.
The film was shot in and around Los Angeles and initially it attracted interest from multiple studios, but ultimately took the indiependant route, drawing inspiration from Orlando’s real-life experience on a dating reality show. Turning down studio offers that required recasting the lead, Orlando chose to self-finance and assemble a team of longtime collaborators and friends to bring the film to life.
With post production complete, the film is soon to announce its release coming up. Stay Tuned
Star-Studded Cast Unveiled for Upcoming Rom-Com One Guy, Too Many Dates
The romantic comedy One Guy, Too Many Dates has officially announced its stellar cast as production continues in Los Angeles, CA. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Yissendy Trinidad (Babylon), the film brings a fresh and hilarious take on modern dating, led by rising star Jenny Tran (Interior Chinatown) in the lead role.
Joining Tran in supporting roles are Yissendy Trinidad (Babylon), Robert Palmer Watkins (General Hospital), Moriah Brown (The Six Triple Eight), Johnny Rey Diaz (Primo), and Julissa Calderon (Gentefied).
Rounding out the ensemble cast are Vivian Lamolli (All The Queen’s Men), Jessica Marie Garcia (On My Block), Orel de la Mota (The Baxter), Gloria Laino (American Horror Story), Norma Maldonado (Jane the Virgin), Alycia Pascual-Peña (Saved by the Bell), Alvaro Orlando (The Pickup Artist), Efrangeliz Medina (All American: Homecoming), James Pratt (Malibu Crush), Ash T (Euphoria), and Telvin Griffin (Babylon).
Executive Producers London Moore and Yissendy Trinidad lead the production, with Producers Moriah Brown, Phil Snyder, Francesca Lucania, and Robert Palmer Watkins bringing the project to life. The film’s cinematography is helmed by Josh Carrasco, ensuring a visually captivating experience.
About the Film
One Guy, Too Many Dates follows Emily (Jenny Tran), a software engineer who creates a sisterhood app that turns romance into a game. However, when users realize they’re all dating the same man, love turns into chaos, forcing Emily to navigate unexpected rivalries, friendships, and her own journey of self-discovery.
With a witty script on love in the digital age, One Guy, Too Many Dates has already attracted interest within the industry for it’s fresh appeal in 2025 set against a real life issue faced by many in today’s modern age of love.
“Picture This”, a Romantic Comedy on Prime Video
Are romantic comedies all the same or do they only subtly differ? Yes, with barely perceptible differences, romantic comedies seem to follow such a marked narrative path that they inevitably tend to look too much alike.
In this instance, we have a remake of the 2024 Australian film, transplanted to London, once again taking up the format of recent romantic comedies: a woman of a certain age (30) who hasn’t gotten married and sees time slowly passing by.
Starring Simone Ashley as Pia, a struggling photographer on the brink of personal and professional transformation, the film adopts a mystical approach to romance.
Directed by Prarthana Mohan and written by Nikita Lalwani, the film is based on the 2024 Australian romantic comedy “Five Blind Dates”. The production, a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios and Ingenious Media, brings together a talented team including editor Gary Dollner and cinematographer David Higgs.
The Plot
Pia receives a prediction that her next five dates will lead her to true love and professional success, just as her sister’s wedding approaches and her family becomes anxious to play matchmaker.
The Actors
Simone Ashley, known for her roles in “Bridgerton” and “Sex Education”, brings vibrant energy to Pia. Opposite her, Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays Charlie, her ex who reappears at the most complicated possible moment.
The supporting cast, including Luke Fetherston, who offers a performance that is both funny and tender, adds depth and humor to the narrative.
About the Film
Nothing we haven’t seen before, and even the cultural context (families of Indian origin in the UK) seems too worn out to surprise us. “Picture This” opts more for romance and being a sensitive film rather than immersing the viewer in its comedic side. It’s more of a natural, intimate, and tender portrait of a 30-year-old girl seeking her place in the world than a comedy. Thus, it will appeal more to sensitive viewers than comedy lovers, though it does have its comic moments (albeit not many).
It has good cinematography, especially of exteriors. A slow pace and a familiar, measured script approach. A film that, without trying to reinvent cinema, provides us with some calm and tender moments rather than a stimulating stylistic experience.
“Picture This” entertains, is tender and romantic, ideal for lovers of simple, coherent, and functional romantic comedy. Enjoy it.
Where to Watch “Picture This”
The Cast
Simone Ashley
Phil Dunster
Hero Fiennes Tiffin
Nikesh PatelAnoushka Chadha
Sindhu Vee
Eben Figueiredo
Sophia LaPorta
Cordelia Bugeja
“Beauty in Black”: Tyler Perry’s Most Badass Series Returns
“Beauty in Black” is a Tyler Perry series divided into two parts. Last year we saw the first part, which left us all (for one reason or another) speechless. Today, the eight final episodes arrive, taking the narrative plot even further: lots of violence, family matters, and inheritance themes, all with Tyler Perry’s undeniable personality.
You may like it or not, but we have to recognize that “Beauty in Black” has character and personality and has managed to captivate a certain type of audience. Of course, another certain type of audience absolutely did not like it at all. Variety is the spice of life!
Plot
The series follows two women from radically different worlds: Kimmie (Taylor Polidore Williams), a sex worker struggling to survive, and Mallory (Crystle Stewart), a ruthless business magnate. Their lives collide in a story that explores power, survival, and revenge.
The first part concluded with an impactful moment that made fans vibrate. Kimmie, pushed to her limits, crashed her car into Body (Tamera “Tee” Kissen), a stripper who had been tormenting her throughout the season. This explosive scene set the stage for what promises to be an even more intense second part.
Beauty in Black – NetflixAbout the Second Part
Kidnapped sisters, a dying magnate, the fight for inheritance, and a tragic accident that is not what it seems: a far-fetched plot with (we promise) many script twists and surprises.
“Beauty in Black” is a strange mix between Falcon Crest and a low-budget gangster movie: with a gloomy atmosphere focused on a magnate’s inheritance and the parallel story of a girl.
Subtle? Absolutely not. “Beauty in Black” goes straight to the point and is a television spectacle, with surprises every five minutes and characters full of grit. A series that seeks, at every moment, to impact the viewer with a shootout, a surprise, or a shocking dialogue, which can become overwhelming for many viewers.
A series with personality and more force than narrative coherence, because such an accumulation of surprises, such a sum of conflicts ends up being more of a television spectacle than a realistic or coherent narrative.
That said, we recognize that Tyler Perry has the key to this television spectacle and knows how to turn his productions into a success. At least, for some viewers.
Enjoy it.
Where to Watch “Beauty in Black”
The Cast
Taylor Polidore
Amber Reign Smith
Crystle Stewart
Xavier SmallsJulian Horton
Steven G. Norfleet
Richard Lawson
Terrell Carter
Shannon Wallace
“Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta” New Documentary on Netflix about Brazilian Music Star, Anitta
Everyone knows Anitta, the great Brazilian pop star, but few or almost no one knows Larissa, the woman hidden behind the music star. The singing star is, at the same time, two people – one in intimacy (Larissa) and another facing the public (Anitta).
Everyone has photographed Anitta and everyone knows who she is. In this documentary, “Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta” (Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta) presents Larissa, the woman in intimacy that almost no one knows. The artist behind the mask.
Directed by João Wainer and Pedro Cantelmo, the film offers an unprecedented vision of the life of Larissa de Macedo Machado, the woman behind the global superstar. It is the first time the public will be able to see Larissa behind Anitta, without filters.
Larissa: The Other Side of AnittaAnitta’s path to international stardom is extraordinary. She was the first Brazilian artist to win a Moonman at the MTV Video Music Awards, the first to perform on the main Coachella stage, and the first Latin solo artist to reach Spotify’s coveted number 1 spot, an achievement that earned her a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Known for her fusion of pop, funk, R&B, and reggaeton, Anitta has created hits like “Show das Poderosas” and “Envolver” that have captivated audiences worldwide. The documentary aims to explore the artistic and personal journey behind these musical achievements.
In a very personal statement, Anitta reveals the emotional cost of her relentless pursuit of success. “I gave a lot of myself so that Anitta could exist. Moments of connection with myself became increasingly scarce and brief. But this came at a high physical and mental cost,” she tells us. For almost 15 years, she dedicated herself to creating a “strong, independent, and unbeatable persona”.
“Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta” is the singer’s most personal journey, an emotional and inner vision that shows her most intimate and vulnerable side. How does Larissa become the Anitta that everyone knows? She herself will tell us, in this documentary now arriving on Netflix.
As Anitta moves away from her carefully constructed public image, “Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta” represents a crucial moment in her career. It is an invitation to understand the woman behind the music, the struggles behind the success, and the personal narrative that has remained hidden from public view.
Where to Watch “Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta”
March 5, 2025
Contemporary Art Prize Highlights Innovative Spanish Creativity
The art world converges on Madrid as a prestigious contemporary art award continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression. The Catalina D’Anglade Prize, an initiative that has become a cornerstone of ARCOmadrid, has once again recognized a promising talent who challenges traditional artistic boundaries.
This year’s recipient, Álvaro Urbano, represents a new generation of Spanish artists whose work transcends conventional artistic categories. Urbano’s artistic practice is described as an “archeology of desires and past intentions,” creating immersive atmospheres that explore narratives embedded in architectural spaces. His approach is deeply interdisciplinary, borrowing strategies from theater and filmmaking to generate complex, multilayered artistic experiences.
The artist’s site-responsive practice involves excavating narratives from built environments, using different media to create situations that approach liminal and dreamlike dimensions. Urbano transforms exhibition spaces into vessels of imagination, challenging viewers’ perceptions of reality and memory.
The Catalina D’Anglade Prize is more than a traditional art award. It consists of two distinct phases: first, the acquisition of an exhibited artwork, and second, the development of a new project that bridges art and design, aimed at introducing contemporary art to broader audiences. This unique approach has made the prize a significant platform for emerging artistic talent.
Urbano’s artistic influences are eclectic, drawing inspiration from figures like Federico García Lorca, Luis Barragán, and Oscar Wilde. His work often explores the “what-if” scenario, unearthing hidden narratives from modernist and contemporary spaces. The artist’s background in interior architecture informs his nuanced approach to spatial representation.
His artistic credentials are impressive, with exhibitions at prestigious venues including SculptureCenter in New York, TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, and La Casa Encendida in Madrid. His work is part of significant collections, including the Hamburger Bahnhof Collection in Berlin and the Museo Jumex in Mexico City.
The prize continues a tradition of supporting innovative Spanish artists, with previous winners including Susana Solano, Ester Partegàs, and June Crespo. Each artist has used the opportunity to explore the intersection of art and design, creating works that challenge traditional artistic boundaries.
Urbano currently lives and works between Berlin and Paris, reflecting the increasingly international nature of contemporary Spanish art. His winning piece, VEINS, exemplifies his approach of creating immersive, atmospheric works that blur the lines between architecture, performance, and visual art.
The Catalina D’Anglade Prize remains a critical platform for contemporary artistic expression, continuing to support and showcase the innovative spirit of Spanish art on the international stage.
“Medusa”: The Explosive Colombian Thriller on Netflix Unveils the Dark Secrets of a Family
Do you know those series about powerful families that hide an entire web of envy, lies, jealousy, betrayals, and that all ultimately lead to tragedy? Yes, HBO didn’t invent this formula, and even before cinema existed, literature made extensive use of it.
And, as could not be otherwise, Colombian soap operas have made this formula one of their main arguments, mixing melodrama, thriller, and family rivalries among members of a powerful family.
The result, although not always surprising, almost always works in terms of audience: we don’t believe it will be any different with “Medusa”, the new series that once again squeezes this formula.
The Plot
Just when Bárbara is about to assume leadership of the powerful Hidalgo family conglomerate, she suffers a devastating maritime accident. And worse, she loses her memory and doesn’t remember anything about what was about to cost her her life. The stage is set for a passionate story of revenge, power, and family betrayal.
Medusa – NetflixThe Cast
The series features a cast of outstanding Colombian actors:
Juana Acosta as Bárbara Hidalgo, the main protagonist who survives an assassination attemptManolo Cardona as Danger Carmelo, the detective investigating the attack on BárbaraSebastián Martínez as Esteban, Bárbara’s husbandMabel Moreno as ÚrsulaCarlos Torres as Cristian, Bárbara’s cousin and one of the conglomerate’s executivesDiego Trujillo as the family patriarch whose influence has marked the conglomerate’s destinyAbout the Series
Let no one be surprised: “Medusa” does not come to reinvent anything in terms of plot or aesthetics.
From a marketing perspective, it’s necessary to show money, luxury, power, and ostentation to the public. Along with this, the plot must have powerful characters who hate each other and simultaneously show weaknesses chapter by chapter. An unexpected romance here and there mixed with a betrayal in the next chapter, while also throwing in an erotic scene.
Yes, it’s the formula for success, and we shouldn’t be surprised that it is repeatedly employed: “Medusa” knows which buttons to push and does so perfectly with a good production, showing that in marketing, the audience doesn’t need to be too surprised but rather given precisely the surprises they expect.
Ironies of creative work.
Our Opinion
“Medusa” innovates nothing and knows it doesn’t have to innovate anything. It knows its target audience and what those viewers want.
It delivers, abundantly, and this time in just 12 episodes.
Much appreciated.
Where to Watch “Medusa”
The Cast
Juana Acosta
Sebastian Martinez
Manolo Cardona
Carlos TorresMariana Mozo
Laura Archbold
Diana Wiswell
Mabel Moreno
Diego Trujillo
“Just One Look”, the new Netflix series: a mystery thriller with Harlan Coben’s signature
For those who don’t know yet: Harlan Coben has become, in recent times, and rightfully so, the king of suspense novels. And, as could be expected, cinema and, especially, television have launched into adapting his stories and novels.
Five years ago, in 2018, Coben reached a multimillion-dollar agreement with Netflix for the adaptation of his novels, and on this occasion, the story is co-written by his daughter, Charlotte Coben.
The Plot
Fifteen years ago, a mysterious fire ended with victims. Only one survivor: Greta, who now lives apparently happily with her husband… until an old photo changes everything.
Her husband disappears and the remains of that mysterious fire return, so Greta finds herself involved in a mysterious plot that makes her remember what really happened that day.
The Actors
The series features an entirely Polish cast led by Maria Debska, previously nominated for Best Actress at the Polish Academy Awards for her role in the 2021 musical drama “Autumn Girl”. The cast is completed by Cezary Lukaszewicz as Jacek, her husband; Piotr Stramowski and Miroslaw Zbrojewicz.
About the Series
Intrigue, mystery, and past events: a faithful adaptation of a novel that perfectly handles all the keys to mystery. A plot that unfolds precisely and surprises in each episode, providing new clues and keeping us on edge until the end.
There’s no doubt that Coben is a master of mystery thrillers. He knows all the tricks to keep the viewer hooked, how to pace the story and how to maintain constant surprise. “Just One Look” achieves this perfectly, without reinventing the mystery narrative or discovering anything absolutely new in the thriller genre.
“Just One Look” gives the viewer what they want and expect: a mystery thriller with many surprises to keep us on edge during its six episodes.
“Just One Look” has good cinematography and interesting, well-drawn characters that contain powerful stories from a dramatic perspective.
By the way, after “Just One Look”, Coben’s 2019 novel “Run Away” is also in production, and is expected to arrive on Netflix in 2026.
Our Opinion
Without inventing anything, “Just One Look” gives the viewer what they want: with a good script and good characters, the plot knows how to advance on the premise of not inventing anything and offering us exactly what we were all expecting.
“Just One Look” manages to not disappoint absolutely anyone, but also will not surprise anyone.
Where to Watch “Just One Look”
The Cast
Maria Dębska
Piotr Stramowski
Cezary Łukaszewicz
Mirosław ZbrojewiczMarta Malikowska
Mirosław Haniszewski
Monika Krzywkowska
Andrzej Zieliński
Dorota Pomykała
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