Product Details

• Actors: Lauren Vélez, Jon Seda, Tomas Melly, Desiree Casado, Isaiah Garcia
• Directors: Darnell Martin
• Writers: Darnell Martin
• Producers: Ann Carli, Diana Phillips, Lane Janger, Stephen Lloyd, Tracy Vilar
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
  PLEASE NOTE: Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click here.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• DVD Release Date: July 13, 2004
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00023GG94
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,897 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "I Like It Like That" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A Latina woman from the Bronx shakes up her life--which consists of a difficult marriage and three kids--by taking a job at a Manhattan recording company. Playing the central character, Lauren Vélez has a captivating rough beauty that suggests her suspension between misery and grace. Director Darnell Martin also has a kind of unpolished approach that keeps the film looking a bit amateurish. But Martin's observations of and insights into the heroine's world--a slice of American Latino life that hasn't been particularly well represented on film--are original and potent. Griffin Dunne is very good in a supporting role as the heroine's exploitative boss. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

Director Darnell Martin's acclaimed debut film stars Lauren Velez Jon Seda Rita Moreno and Griffin Dunne as members of a battling Bronx family filled with love passion and real-life choices. When her well-meaning husband China is arrested a young mother Lisette finds herself unprepared to support the family. Fast-talking her way into a job with a record producer Griffin Dunne Lisette quickly discovers her own hidden talents. But the boys in the neighborhood report back to Chino that Lisette is "dating" her bigwig boss leading to a major confrontation that changes their life together.System Requirements:Running Time: 106 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: R UPC: 043396042162 Manufacturer No: 04216

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A vibrant slice of urban Latino life, May 6, 2001

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: I Like It Like That Aka Blackout [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"I Like It Like That," written and directed by Darnell Martin, tells the story of Lisette (Lauren Velez), a young Latina living in the Bronx. When her husband, Chino (Jon Seda) gets into serious trouble, Lauren must support their family. Her attempts to find self-respect and economic stability bring her into conflict with Chino, with her scheming, materialistic mother-in-law (Rita Moreno), and with a white record company executive (Griffin Dunne). Along the way, she gets advice and moral support from Alexis (Jesse Borrego), her sibling, who is a male-to-female transsexual.

"I Like It" is a film that is full of life. Through his characters, director Martin offers thoughtful insights on ethnicity, gender identity, family ties, economic pressures, and other issues. The Santeria religion is an interesting backdrop to some of the plot. And the film as a whole is well complemented by a diverse musical score: I heard such elements as R&B, rap, and salsa.

The film is enhanced by excellent performances by the mostly Latino cast. It is especially fun to see Latina icon Rita Moreno playing the role of the arrogant mother-in-law (who boasts of her family's "pure Castillian blood") with gusto. Tomas Melly is impressive as Lisette's young son, who faces the temptations of the street. But perhaps the most memorable performance is delivered by Jesse Borrego as the transgendered Alexis; he is alternatingly bitchy, nurturing, witty, and heartbreaking, but always with a core of dignity. I give this film an enthusiastic recommendation.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic Urban Masterpiece, February 28, 2000

By	Luis Hernandez (New York, New York, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: I Like It Like That Aka Blackout [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"I Like It Like That," is a film will fascinate mostly anyone interested in Latin culture in the United States. Lissete Linares (Velez) is a homemaker, mother of three young kids, and wife to an unfaithful husband. After a sudden change of events (her husband is arrested for looting) Lisette finds herself out to fend for her and her kids in the gritty, tragic world we know as the South Bronx. Director Darnell Martin, who was a protege of Spike Lee, brings the cast alive utilizing realism and humor, and the spporting cast, especially Jesse Borrego as Lisette's transvestite brother are scene stealers due to their versatility in performing both comically and dramatically. Students of Sociology, Anthropology, and Hispanic Studies should watch this film to understand the true status of Puerto Ricans who in the United States and the effects the economic diaspora of the early 20th Century brought to their development. Viewwers should pay careful attention to the main character's views on welfare, religion, and family to understand that although many Puerto Ricans live in poverty they have what many Hispanics who are successful don't have : happiness. Feminists and Women's Studies students should also take time to view this film to view the essence of Latina sexuality and machismo in Latino culture, and also to see the emergence of an empowered, financially-independent woman from the shackles of male servitude. AN EXCELLENT FILM THAT SHOWS THE POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, honest and refreshing., November 8, 2000

By	Derek L Stewart (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Like It Like That Aka Blackout [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I LOVE this movie. It's terribly funny, brutally honest and as fine a movie on Nuyoricans as you will find. Lauren Velez is extraordinary as Lissette. Her relationship with her son "C" will bring tears to your eyes. Jon Seda is slammin as the philandering husband who's a whore, but one with a heart who loves his wife and kids. This movie manages to do what most other "minority" movies do not; be funny while tackling serious issues, and honest without resorting to base stereotypes. I pray that Darnell Martin gets more play because of this wonderful debut.