Sabor tropical

How did this movie ever get labeled as a thriller? I must have fallen asleep during those thriller sequences. In other words, there are no thrilling parts, no suspenseful parts and not a mystery to be found. Unless you try to count the online event as the mystery. It is not a mystery but an unfortunate occurrence that anyone using the internet should be wise to. The movie is nothing more than a boring rendition of a Panamanian travelogue with some repulsive violence near the end.

If you're interested in seeing the lead, Matthew Leitch, in various states of undress or nakedness, then the movie does provide that. Otherwise, good luck at finding anything else in the movie that's worth the wasting of your time.

Jorge Ameer does it again! A truly disturbing and thought provoking reality style thriller. One of Ameer's most intense and interesting films to date. Watching the main character evolve into the twisted human being he actually is a treat in itself. Mathew Leitch is a great lead, he plays a likable character that an everyday person could relate to...until we find out he has a much darker secret. Jose Rosete also gives an outstanding performance, there are some great moments between Rosete and Leitch that are extremely powerful. The ending will leave you speechless, the final shot sent shivers down my spine, highly recommended, go see it!!!

Travel, particularly to Latin America, is of great interest to me. After reading previous reviews, I was looking forward to seeing Sabor Tropical, although there was an element throughout the reviews that was vaguely troubling to me. After watching the "director's cut", I feel compelled to write a review that will spare others from an awful waste of time and money. First, most of the movie is presented as footage from a hand held video camera--the cinematography is therefore terrible. The perspective of Panama is street scenes behind one of the characters that could have been shot in Newark, New Jersey, or out of a moving car window of sky and fields that could have been in Iowa. The scenes of Carnival were shot at night with a voice over introduction that sounded like it was being read from a travel brochure. Second, the "star" is a narcissistic exhibitionist (to be kind) who is periodically referred to in the movie as resembling Colin Ferrel or James Dean--he doesn't. Finally, production values, story line, writing, acting, and directing are among some the the worst I've ever seen. Spare yourself.

As I watched Sabor, the first thing that came to mind is oh my god, that Matthew Leitch is one hot actor. His performance was riveting. I found the documentary style was fascinating. I found the carnival in Panama to be colorful and lively specially because of the high energy an colorful costumes. The ending was kinda shocking and amazing... I thought it was genius. I recommend this film because it very original and thought provoking. At first I wasn't so crazy about the colombian guy but as I thought about it his performance was very realistic. His character was believable as he was not a Hollywood type actor. I thought the story was so realistic you could not tell what was scripted and what was not. As I watched it on DVD, I would have really liked to have seen it on the big screen for it think it would have had a bigger impact. Some movies you just have to see them on the big screen and that's my preferred way I would have liked to have seen this.

Jorge Ameer's latest outing is as much fascinating as it is distinct in style. I saw this film at a theatre in Ft. Lauderdale and wondered why there were only evening shows, but as I began to watch I immediately realized why. With a reality/documentary (think "Quarantine") - follow your every move - photography, the film summarizes Brian's (played by the very talented Matthew Leitch) travels through Panama and the high energy, intensely beautiful and awesome carnival of Las Tablas. This film definitely made me want to make reservations for next years festivities. I have seen other Ameer films, but this one by far is his best. I was specially engaged in all of the hedonism and shameless pursuit of Brian's libido fulfillment. The images of the opening credits are most disturbing, yet quite allegorical and symbolic to Brian's plight in what I would call a most amazing vitriolic conclusion. What I found even more clever was the fluidity of the unfolding proceedings. It was hard to figure out what was scripted from what was improvised or true, an element I would have to say is an asset and a definite merit to the film. Don't think I should say much more about this without feeling like I'm giving the story away, so all I will say is see it for yourself.