Little Ashes - viewed on 5/8 & 5/9:
Twifans.com members, Cali Twilighter and Cat_Velazquez joined me for the Saturday matinee screening of Little Ashes at San Jose’s Camera Cinema 3 theatres. But, yes - I had to see this movie twice; the following review is my take on it. Honestly I wanted to see it because I enjoy watching Robert Pattinson's acting but also was curious as this is a small, independent film on very unique characters in the art world: Federico Garcia Lorca and Salvador Dali.

This movie is set against the back-drop of unrest in Spain over the politi cal, moral pressures, and the group of artists that wanted to fight against the system so they could be free to express themselves in Art, Life, and Love. The central character of Federico Garcia Lorca was deftly played by Javier Beltran. When he encounter's the eccentric Salvador Dali played earnestly by Robert Pattinson the story moves through both their connection to each other and the friction this causes between themselves and the world that is changing around them.

Robert embraced the Salvador Dali characterization and played it with a passion. I never doubted for a second that this character was constantly conflicted and bordering on madness. 20I am not sure I can imagine anyone else playing this role and look forward to seeing him in more movies where he is stretched like he surely was for this role. The only fault is that he may have OVER played it but how can that be bad when playing such an extreme character as Dali?

Javier Beltran, playing Lorca as man struggling with the expression of his identity and his growing admiration and connection to Dali, plays his role with quiet compassion. You feel his pain, desire and Joy in his relationship with Dali.

Matthew McNulty's characterization of Luis Bunel is on Fire. He plays this character with an edge and yet you see how he cares for his friends and how he struggles to understand what he sees unfolding20before him.

Marina Gatell's Magdelena is amazing as Lorca's friend who also loves him and sees the relationship between him and Dali unfold and fights her feelings for what she basically knows is out of reach. She is a spirited part of the cast and you can't help but feel for her character's struggles as well.

Overall - I found this movie touching, sad, and educational. It made me want to learn more about the time period and more specifically Federico Garcia Lorca (whose spoken poetry throughout the film was beautiful) and Salvador Dali's eccentricities (was he bordering on madness?) and the impact they both had on this revolutionary tim e.

Cat_Velazquez’s Quick Review- “I loved the film, not only for the storyline and the great Spanish art/literature lesson but also for the great acting. Rob was impressive…I definitely felt the essence of Johnny Depp. By the end of the film, I felt as though I was watching Salvador Dali on the screen! The love between Lorca and Dali felt so genuine and intense that the intimate gay love scenes were beautiful. It was pretty cool seeing what inspired such influential artists as Dali, Bunuel and Lorca. I’d read tons of Lorca’s plays while in high school and only now understand what his inspiration was. FYI: Little Ashes is rated R for pushing the limits on many fronts and may not be suited for all twifans.com audiences.”

If you don't get a chance to see it, we hope you can see it on Cable, Netflix, or DVD soon!