SPANISH (Portuguese) LANGUAGE. “Maria: The Outlaw Legend.” / “No Traces.” / “1992.”

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“Maria: The Outlaw Legend” (Hulu) Brazilian historical action/drama, tells the story of Maria Bonita, the first woman to join the Cangaço or Brazilian outlaw group in the 1920s to 1930s, a-la Bonnie and Clyde.



This series is finely done and well-acted, especially leads Isis Valverde and Júlio Andrade as Maria and Lampião. Ms Valverde balanced vulnerability and fierceness with restraint and grip. 

       Plus the stunning cinematography ably captures the rough-textured peril of the outlaw group as they tried in vain to survive their humanity while on the run. 🎥💻📽


“No Traces” (Spanish: “Sin huellas.” Amazon Prime) Spanish action comedy. Plot: Lesbian cleaner Desi and fellow Mexican workmate Cata are on the run after becoming the main suspects of murder in a crime scene they cleaned as part of their job, simultaneously chased by Alicante police agents and Russian hitmen.



       We have wallowed in this same tired plotline a million times, of course. Scream, run, hide. Corrupt cops, dirty politicians, honest detectives. Scared families, weeping kids, threatened witnesses. Mistresses, lovers, husbands, wives, and gay valentines. The dead and the terrified. 

       This one is tackled in Spanish comedy. And leads Carolina Yuste as Desi and Camila Sodi as Cata provide the synergy that keeps the excitement alive. And cop Silvia Alonso as Irene is hot. My new Paz Vega. 🎥💻📽


“1992” (Netflix) Spanish mystery thriller. After the death of her husband in a strange explosion, Amparo begins to search for answers with the only help of Richi, a security guard, ex-cop and alcoholic. While the murders always follow the same pattern.



        The attraction of this series isn't really about the killer, whose fantastic implausibility defies any form of logic or deduction. If he's a Marvel super-villain, I get it but this is not a superhero series either. 

       The odd allure is the chemistry between alcoholic Richi and uncontrollable Amparo, played by Fernando Valdivielso and Marian Álvarez. They are mismatched as a romantic couple that kind of worked that way. Plus a short appearance by my favorite Paz Vega as a detective. 🎥💻📽


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