Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

1. ahron levy 01.20.19 / 10pm

   Incredible movie, I was not expecting this amazing film when my friend told me too watch it.
2. Cesar Becerra 01.28.19 / 5pm

   This is a great review of the film, I watched it online but reading this made me wish I had seen it on the big screen! I think the most poignant aspect of the film is Cuaron’s ability to masterfully tell the narrative of two women in vastly different social positions but dealing with a similar problem, being wronged by their partner, while still giving the audience the opportunity to empathize with them equally. I think his choice for the two female leads only further emphasizes these differences.
   Moreover, I appreciate your comment about Cuaron allowing the layers of the film to melt away, and agree that even his choice to strip away color from the film does just that. Ultimately, I believe it pushes the audience to contend with the emotions of the characters in a more personal and significant manner.
3. William Edwards 01.30.19 / 10am

   Highly thoughtful film review. I just saw this on Netflix and was amazed how Ms.Aparicio is her first film. Was very impressed by the cinematography as well as the humanity of the film itself. Wonderfully directed; a must see movie for anybody who enjoys quality film.
4. William Smit 01.30.19 / 10am

   I agree with Larry, I feel that every shot in Roma was put there for a reason. This special attention to detail makes the film a fantastic visceral experience. I can’t wait to watch Roma on the big screen at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
5. Nicholas DeBruno 01.30.19 / 10am

   I liked in this review how you pointed out Cuaron’s use of a 65mm film stock as opposed to the modern traditional option of digital. I believe that this is an amazing stylistic decision and I am glad that you pointed it out in your review, because things like this are often overlooked by the regular audience member. Seeing this film in the riviera theater, in Santa Barbara, equipped with both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, I agree that the film really comes to life in a theatrical setting as opposed to viewing on a computer screen.
6. Kaio Farkouh 01.30.19 / 10am

   Great review, at first I watched at the movie theater, and it was one of the best cinematic experiences that i have ever had, if not the best. This is film, as it is best! Alfonso Cuaron managed to do something so powerful and so beautiful in a great story with the best cinematography of 2018.

   Highly recommend to go watch it on the big screen!
7. David Harris 01.30.19 / 10am

   I find it hard to unpack whether Roma is a very deep well or whether I think Cuaron is simply operating on a higher order level of communication that evokes an abyss of meaning. If this film was as meticulously constructed as it is reported to be that may be evidence for the latter but, I’m not convinced that there isn’t much to explore in Cuaron’s desaturated space. The conversation that perhaps interests me the most is class. Some of own roots are in Mexico and while I live a comfortable life these days, much of my extended family sill belongs to the same caste as Cleo. Yet when looking at this issue, anything approaching clarity seems to vanish under close examination. To this end I can only hope to spend more time with the film.
8. Luis Oviedo 01.30.19 / 10am

   I liked the elevated portrayal of the characters. In Mexico City the people from that area of town are perceived as lower than others, and there is a lot prejudice, but I liked the humanity that Cuaron gave the characters. This was a refreshing take not only for the world audience,but even for the local audience of Mexico City.
9. Gloria Kaye 01.30.19 / 11am

   Marvelous film. This many layered film was provocative and the acting was stunning
10. Norma Romero 02.04.19 / 9pm

    Such a phenomenal movie! Great review, love the way you described the film. I’ve seen this film twice, when it first aired on Netflix and the other day filled by the Q&A, I got a better understanding after finding out the true meaning of this film when Alfonso discussed about it with the audience.
11. Bianca Jacobson 10.21.19 / 8am

    I really loved this film, and was glad it was accessible to view on Netflix so that it could reach a greater audience. Cuarón developed life like characters that were believable; for example, Linda Shaw’s performance as “Adela” was so real and raw contributing to the mise-en-scene of the film. Through cinematographic effect in realistic set design, lighting, and costuming; this film felt historically accurate in transporting the audience back to the 1970s. I felt this story needed to be told, and felt this film was the ultimate “slice of life” movie.
12. Lawrence Gleeson 10.23.19 / 10pm

    Yes, Bianca. I felt it representative of the 1970s, too. Even though it was on Netflix at the time, I took a suggestion to see it on the big screen at the Riviera. I was not disappointed. Everything was larger than life. The mise-en-scene and cinematography were extraordinary. I’m happy iot was on Netflix, too, so you could see it as well. One film to this day that totally changed my viewpoint after seeing it on the big screen was Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window. Some directors/auteurs understand their medium so well that seeing their films in the format they intended is a real treat. Thank you for commenting!
13. PatriciaR 10.25.19 / 8pm

    I found this film to be very new in the way that although big events happening in the background were important, they were the main events that audience focused on. It was more of a way to incorporate how the economic and social climate was during the time the film is set. The actors supposedly received their scripts the same day that they were filming, to capture the real reactions and emotions from them. This was interesting because it was more personal and less strict than other films. I think it definitely added some meaning to the director too because the film was inspired by his experience growing up in Roma, Mexico City.

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