Grade-school-level sociology lesson disguised, ever so slightly, as satirical science fiction: a mysterious "wall of fog" closes off California from the outside world and inexplicably causes the disappearance of all residents of Hispanic origin, all the way, apparently, to the Spanish-born tenor, Plácido Domingo. This in turn causes Californians to realize -- duh! -- that they need their Latinos. (One-third of the total population, we are instructed in one of the frequent facts and figures typed out on screen, for note-taking purposes.) Shot on video, with a no-name cast, and directed with a heavy hand by Sergio Arau, the movie arouses a sense of wonder only over its standard-issue release in multiple multiplexes. Yareli Arizmendi, John Getz, Suzanne Friedline, Maureen Flannigan. (2004) — Duncan Shepherd
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