Rating: 
Summary: See Bad Boy Banderas When He Played Young Psychos....
Review: ....this is a wild ride for average American moovy goers who are more used to more linear, the good gets rewarded, the bad gets punished type of story lines. And Almodovar considerably cleaned up his act to get the broader audiences. (I hear you saying, "What?") And his story is considerably funnier here.Banderas played a similar role in the Almodovar flick "Matador"--which is filled with obsessions and darknesses and manic fire and snuffs. That is probably banned evvywhere. Almodovar staple Abril in "Tie..." plays the washed out actress with habits bad enuff to probably attract the mental ward types like Banderas, but since she's beautiful and semi-famous, she does not deserve this kind of malice and fear one moment and grande passion and lust the next....or is Almodovar satirising the modern love affair? Anyway, I love "what's next" nature of his films, particularly because of the real time vibe of the story and because I don't know Spanish and have to rely on the subtitles. Some scenes zip by so fast that I find myself punching the reverse/replay button. Watch out for Abril's chair-bondage scene before the "filming cameras"... Also, there's a slight touch of "menacing/deadly as amorous" flair capitalised on in "Hannibal".
Rating: 
Summary: Controversial but sexy
Review: As an editorial columnist in my college newspaper, I constantly addressed feminist issues, particularly the depiction of women in music, television, and film. But Almodovar is my all-time favorite director and this film(one of the first to be rated NC-17) is a gem, controversy notwithstanding. It's hilarious fun with recovering mental-patient Antonio Banderas, recovering junkie porn star Victoria Abril, and a bit part by the inimitable Rossy De Palma as a drug dealer with an attitude. A twisted love story with a politically incorrect ending, this ranks as one of my Almodovar faves.
Rating: 
Summary: Tie me up (or I won't sit still for this dog)!
Review: As your mother used to advise, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
Rating:
Summary: See it for Antonio Banderas
Review: I bought this movie (went looking for it actually) because Antonio Banderas is in it. Most if not all of the reviews claimed it was the best one he was ever in. Well I don't know about that, but it was pretty interesting. First of all, unless you are fluent and can read spanish, know that this movie is sub-titled. I thought the story line was pretty weak but you know, as an Antonio fan, he really held the viewer's interest. Other reviewers said they thought the movie was kinky or slight S&M. I didn't think so. He tied her to the bed so that she wouldn't escape, not for erotic reasons. She, in the end, wanted to be tied because she was torn between wanting to leave him and loving him. I will not ruin the ending but know that this movie is not (to me anyway) of the erotic sort so don't buy it with that in mind. DO buy it for Antonio Banderas. He's not as polished in his charm and expressions as he is, say, in Never Talk to Strangers or Original Sin but he is still handsome and captivating as ever. Unless you like spanish movies or follow one of the actors careers, I don't see any real reason to see this movie. Nothing great, except again, for this one actor. You know this guy named Antonio.
Rating:
Summary: Banderas at his Best
Review: I bought this movie sight unseen from the reviews of it here on amazon.com, and wasn't disappointed. I not only became a bigger fan of Antonio Banderas, but was delighted with Pedro Almodovar's quirky humor too. It's a speedy film that manages to focus on each character's development, so that you get a funny, tender view of each person.
Rating:
Summary: Antonio Banderas Was Better When Euro Film Star
Review: I watched Banderas in his European movies before he became an American movie star. I really liked all of his work then whereas now his work is very uneven in quality. "Evita" is the only work of his I've admired since his "conversion." This film was his very best prior to his coming to America. I'll confess that director Pedro Aldomovar's 2 most commerical films, of which this is one, appeal to me more than his other films. The other is "Woman On The Verge of A Nervous Breakdown." Perhaps this is because these two works involve heterosexual love affairs and are also comedic and satiric. They're broadly played but enjoyable for a bigger audience than Aldomovar's work normally gets. Banderas is incredibly sexy in this film as the patient fresh from a mental hospital who wants a regular married life and seeks to find it with a porno star woman. Bringing these two together for a black comedy was a stroke of genius. The Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down in the title refers to the woman's liking kinky stuff and Banderas's literally tying her up and down to the bed. This is a very sexy, romantic even, film and for those who feel Aldomovar's films typically are aimed to please only gays and not straights, this film should convert them to becoming fans of his considerable talent. It will also make them sad that Banderas decided to become an American movie star.
Rating:
Summary: Antonio Banderas Was Better When Euro Film Star
Review: I watched Banderas in his European movies before he became an American movie star. I really liked all of his work then whereas now his work is very uneven in quality. "Evita" is the only work of his I've admired since his "conversion." This film was his very best prior to his coming to America. I'll confess that director Pedro Aldomovar's 2 most commerical films, of which this is one, appeal to me more than his other films. The other is "Woman On The Verge of A Nervous Breakdown." Perhaps this is because these two works involve heterosexual love affairs and are also comedic and satiric. They're broadly played but enjoyable for a bigger audience than Aldomovar's work normally gets. Banderas is incredibly sexy in this film as the patient fresh from a mental hospital who wants a regular married life and seeks to find it with a porno star woman. Bringing these two together for a black comedy was a stroke of genius. The Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down in the title refers to the woman's liking kinky stuff and Banderas's literally tying her up and down to the bed. This is a very sexy, romantic even, film and for those who feel Aldomovar's films typically are aimed to please only gays and not straights, this film should convert them to becoming fans of his considerable talent. It will also make them sad that Banderas decided to become an American movie star.
Rating:
Summary: A fun dark comedy
Review: If you are easily turned off my dark humor, this movie is not for you. This movie can evoke strong feelings, so either you will love it or hate it. I am one on the I loved it side. This movie is by Aldomovar, a director that often pushes the normal limits of society. Where else can a drug addicted movie star, become kidnapped and fall in love with her captor (played by Antonio Bandaras). A very enjoyable movie for the right person.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST
Review: One of the best Almodovar's and Bandera's films.
Rating:
Summary: The Wild & Erotic World of Almodovar
Review: Pedro Almodovar followed up the success of his international hit, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," with this wild, erotic comic fantasy starring his long-time leading man and soon-to-be Hollywood star, Antonio Banderas. Fresh from his incarceration from an asylum in Madrid, Banderas plays a ex-lunatic who leaves in search of the object of his affection, a popular Spanish porn star (played by Victoria Abril). After meeting, then kidnapping her, Banderas' character is more determined to make her fall in love with him, and does whatever he needs to do in order to win her love. However, Abril, refuses to love a man who has made her a prisoner of her own home. The title, which is a translation of its' original Spanish title, "Atame!," reflects the method Banderas uses to coax and subdue Abril's character in falling in love with him (he ties her up in her bedroom). While the story seems far-fetched at times, the chemistry that Banderas and Abril emit makes the film work. Supporting actresses Maria Barranco and Rosie de Palma lend their unique comic talents in helping the director weave a tale of love and desire that only Almodovar can tell. Upon release in the United States, this film was slapped with the newly created and feared NC-17 rating due to his sexual themes and minor violence. Compared to R rated films of the present such as "Basic Instinct" and "The Matrix," this film is tame. Refusing to edit his work, Almodovar criticized the MPAA for its' decision to market the film with an NC-17 rating. Due to this rating, the film did not do too well at the box office as expected. This film marks Banderas' final film in Spain, before departing to the United States to start his successful career in Hollywood. The film contains glimpses of Banderas' backside, as well as a whole lot of Abril's figure, and the sexual scenes are soft-core porn quality. If you are offended by glimpses of the naked body or sexual themes, then skip this film. "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" is one of Almodovar's rare gems. As a true master of the Spanish cinema, his work truly reflects his gifted talent. A great film with a comic ending!
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