monkey reviews!

as many of you may know, i am interested in the work and life of the unique mexican artists frida kahlo. so, it's no wonder that i take crayon to paper to pen a review a couple of offerings about the life and times of the one and only frida kahlo.

i often admire the poster art a the cinema, don't you?
frida directed by julie tamore
a miramax picture

frida (the movie)

frida is a visually stunning film by directed by julie tamore featuring salma hayek in the title role and alfred molina in the role of diego rivera. no, this film is not a deep investigation of miss kahlo's psyche. no, it does not hang all of her dirty laundry out to the public on her tempestuous relationship with her husband diego and their infidelities. no it does not dwell on her art and its development over her lifetime. no, it doesn't dissect the political climate of the times, her commitments and beliefs. but, i ask you -- what film could dare do justice to any of those aspects of her vibrant and painful life? how could anyone expect just one film to do justice to them all?

this film, however, lays before the viewer a delectable palette of the colors, flavors, feelings and passions of the life of frida kahlo. miss hayek's performance is appetizing, strong and spicy. instead of a demon, mr. molina gives us a diego rivera that is juicy with a bit more seasoning than most serve him up with. the delicious animation and dream sequences are the whipped cream on top of this confection of a film. does this film paint the whole picture of frida kahlo's life? no, it only scratches the surface. this cinematic hors d'oeuvre piques the appetite and seduces you learn more about the flavorful life of one of the mexico's greatest artists.

maybe you'd lke to drop by a site devoted to the movie? sure you do!

please note: this film is for adult primates only. so, if you are not an adult, you can look forward to renting this when you are old enough to appreciate it.
thanks to the anonymous friend who bought this book for me from my amazon wish list! it was a wonderful surprise!
frida by jonah winter with illustrations by ana juan (published by: arthur a. levine)

frida (the book)

i doubt that anyone could capture the turbulent and passionate life of frida kahlo in a children's picture book. but
jonah winter and ana juan coaxed some of the most insightful and beautiful parts into this magical colaboration.

frida's joys and sorrows dance before us as we see her journey birth to the legacy she has left the world and how her art fit into her life. the people and fantastic creatures that adorn the pages look as though they were channelled from little frida herself.
what an attractive primate! frida was a true friend to monkeys, you know.

just like the life of miss frida kahlo, this book will entertain and inspire primates of all ages.

(available in both english or spanish)

 
hmmm... where to now?
to the famous dueling frida kahlo haikus maybe?
how about making some sugar skulls for dia de los muertos like frida might have?
back to my main page?