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 enlarge | Director: Alejandro Monteverde
Actors: Eduardo Verastegui, Tammy Blanchard, Manny Perez, Ali Landry, Angelica Aragon
Studio: Lions Gate
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $8.39
You Save: $11.59 (58%)
New (44) Used (36) Collectible (1) from $8.39
Rating:  129 reviews
Sales Rank: 284
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 91
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.7
MPN: 22665
UPC: 031398226659
EAN: 0031398226659
ASIN: B0014BQR6U
Theatrical Release Date: October 26, 2007
Release Date: May 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Like new! Disc is guaranteed to be in perfect working condition.Machine buffed before shipping. Rental sticker on disc.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Bella July 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a fantastic and uplifting story. Without being "preachy" it reaches into the heart and inspires you! While the characters wrestle with major life changing situations, this movie realistically portrays the struggle and at the same time shows how even in the hardest of times we can reach into the lives of others and make a positive difference. I was eagerly waiting for this movie to come out on DVD. Thanks for offering it!
WATCH THIS FILM July 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a noble and refreshing attempt to give a different perspective - it promotes life and love without the saccharine Hollywood gloss. It is so detailed it takes a couple of watches (at least) to really get everything you can from it but it is clear from a first viewing that this first time director has an immense talent. The acting is superb and understated. Set in a bustling New York and shot in such away that you almost feel you are pounding the pavements along with the characters this really is an experience you don't get with a blockbuster.
Having won awards over big budget blockbusters no film has earned its place more than Bella and no film can possibly deserve to be there more. Watch this film - and not just once - if nothing else it will make you think and it might even make you act and react in a positive way to some of life's big questions and life's littlest people. It would be amazing if it went on general release in the UK until then I recommend it to all those across the pond. Enjoy!
I'd give it TEN stars if I could! July 21, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
My husband and I had wanted to see this film in the theater, but, sadly, it was not given a real chance by the major theaters in our area, and we missed the opportunity. We now own the DVD, have watched the movie multiple times, and I have to say that "Bella" is one of the best films I have ever seen! It is a breath of fresh air in today's society - one which is plagued with overwhelming use of sex, extreme violence, gore, and profanity filling our choices on the big screen. This film has NONE of that - and for that, they deserve the highest praise!
If you really want to have the best experience of this film, I suggest that you do not read the reviews which give away most of the story. Although difficult, I have tried not to tell family and friends what the movie is about in any detail, and that is because of my own experience viewing it for the first time with no pre-conceived notions. It is powerfully moving - particularly in the places where the story turns in unexpected directions. Let yourself be "surprised" - you will not be sorry, and you will be greatly uplifted when the film has reached its conclusion.
What I WILL tell you is that this film is a great celebration of our God-given gift of life. After watching this film, many will have to give new consideration to the choices that they will make in their own lives. It explores an "angle" that may not seem popular in our present culture, but is certainly worthy of our consideration.
"Bella" is a MASTERPIECE, and no one over the age of 13 should be deprived of the opportunity to experience its message!
 "Bella" tries too hard and falls flat on its face... July 21, 2008
0 out of 9 found this review helpful
This movie had potential for oscar worthy attention but the pace was slower than a canoli through my digestive tract...comprende?
Poor writing, most notably through relationships between the characters, left my head full of too many questions and too little answers.
Extremely disappointing.
Wanted to like it but.... July 20, 2008
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
I love the idea of this film but it kept reminding me of a bad Spike Lee movie but with one dimensional Hispanic people instead of the usual one dimensional Black people that Lee's early films had. There is only good, bad and the plot hinges on the confused, middle-gound, characters as they spend the movie picking a side, staying true to their identities and picking up their failed lives. That is pretty much it. Good characters are disheveled and pick up teddy bears and sign soccer balls, whiles bad ones are blond, tall skinny women who express blatant stereotypes out loud or are Alpha male want-to-be's that yell out orders in a kitchen. Simple and one dimensional.
Other problems I had was with the jerky, distracting cinematography. I understand the budget was low and filming time was brief, but that does not justify the constant pacing around of the camera. I.E. when two characters are talking in a car the camera cuts to a loud NYC traffic moment from the point of view of a tire or traffic light and cuts back to a close up of the characters face as the face is jerking around. I'm not sure if the director tried to capture the daily energy of the NYC, but as a life long NYC resident it did not work for me and only made me dizzy.
As a minority myself with similar heritage as the characters I wanted to like this movie but could only take so much of it after the first hour before I ejected the DVD.
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