Parallel Mothers and The 355

The Spanish director Pedro Almodovar and actress Penelope Cruz have worked together so often that it is really satisfying to see them both at their best in "Parallel Mothers," for which Cruz has received an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress. In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano discuss a film whose twists and turns are best discovered by viewers. However, they can safely say that this compelling story about motherhood takes an equally serious turn when it explores how the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s still affects people today. Also on this episode, Marie and Mike talk about "The 355," in which Penelope Cruz co-stars with Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong'o, Diane Kruger and Fan Bingbing. The promising premise is to have a James Bond-type story with female actors, but Marie and Mike agree that the film itself is a mediocre spy adventure.