Y Tu Mama Tambien

A teenage road trip flick that Hollywood wouldn't have dared to make, this Mexican import does have a) its fart jokes and b) two best-buddy teenagers (Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna) who are carefree stoners with sex on the brain 24/7. But can you blame them? They've dumb-lucked into escorting a gorgeous, mysteriously melancholy Spanish woman (Maribel Verdú), who is ten years their senior, on a summer pilgrimage to a remote beach. But this movie isn't MTV's Spring Break put to celluloid, aiming for the lowest common IQ; rather it's a coming of age movie with a soul and something insightful to say. Like his characters, writer-director Alfonso Cuarón (who made A Little Princess and Great Expectations in Hollywood) takes the road less traveled here, touching on issues of faith, fidelity, free expression, and self-discovery, as the wayfaring trio journeys through the rough, parched countryside, testing their evolving states of friendship and more along the way. Available in an "R" rated or unrated version (for its nudity and explicit sexual content), this is definitely recommended for more adventurous collections. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary with cast members Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna and Andres Almeida (in Spanish without subtitles, unfortunately--though all of the other extras do include subtitles); a 21-minute, highly entertaining and somewhat satirical making-of featurette; three deleted scenes; and writer Carlos Cuaron's droll and racy 10-minute short Me La Debes (You Owe Me One). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a sleeper hit.] (R. Blackwelder)[DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—Aug. 26, 2014—Criterion, 106 min., in Spanish w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray/DVD Combo: 3 discs, $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray and latest on DVD, 2001's Y Tu Mamá También is presented with a wonderful transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on Blu-ray. Extras include “Reflections” with “Then” and “Now” making-of featurettes (52 min.), the 2002 short film “You Owe Me One” by co-writer Carlos Cuarón (9 min.), an interview with philosopher Slavoj Žižek (9 min.), a 2001 behind-the-scenes featurette (23 min.), deleted scenes (4 min.), trailers, and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Charles Taylor and reprinted character biographies by Carlos Cuarón and Alfonso Cuarón. Bottom line: a contemporary classic makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]