Hey,
Pedro Almodovar's new flick Volver is great. The best movie he has done so far, and Penelope Cruz's performace actually surprised me. She did very good. It will make you cry and laugh.The movie has gotten raving reviews in Cannes Festival. Go see it as soon as it opens in your city. I highly recommend it.
I can't wait to see this film but it has not screened stateside yet for US press. I'm enamored of all his films, way back to the great ones with Carmen Maura. Has anyone seen Law of Desire with Maura and Antonio Banderas? That is vintage, sexy, passionate Almodovar. Ditto Matador and Labyrinth of Passion. Of course there are many more. High Heels, for all its exagerrated melodrama, was affecting as well.
Bad Education ranks with his all time best in my opinion, a snaky noir dolloped with hot, sexy imagery and some narrative tricks that are really inventive. Gael just rocks that film, as does Fele Martinez (also great in Lovers of the Arctic Circle).
All About My Mother may be his most emotionally accomplished film for me (something about Talk to Her left me a bit cold, oddly). Underrated: The Flower of My Secret, starring one of his regulars, the great Spanish star Marisa Parades (now there is a world-class actress).
God love Almodovar.