ito paniagua critical thinking movie real life characters

Critical Thinking: Is the 2020 Movie Based on Real Chess Players?

Directed by John Leguizamo, ‘Critical Thinking’ is a 2020 sports film that follows a group of kids from Miami Jackson High School trying to win the National Chess Championship. Led by Mario Martinez, the team comprises Sedrick Roundtree, Marcel Martinez, Gilbert Luna, Rodelay Medina, and Olemy Paniagua. The five boys come from the inner parts of Miami, where the families strive daily for necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. Coach Mario Martinez sees their interest in chess as an opportunity for growth and sets out on a quest to create history.

Set in 1998, the film portrays what it’s like to come from underprivileged backgrounds and how classism deprives poor people of great opportunities. In addition, the narrative tackles subjects such as racism and juvenile crimes and depicts how the latter results from several other factors in a system that doesn’t uplift the downtrodden. The various characters and backdrops feel authentic and allow the audience to empathize with the people they see onscreen. The compelling performances and organic character journeys have made many wonder if the the story is rooted in reality. Well, allow us to shed some light on the matter.

Critical Thinking: Based on True Events

Yes, ‘Critical Thinking’ is a true story. Written by Dito Montiel and directed by John Leguizamo, the movie captures the events leading up to the 1998 National Chess Championship. It showcases how Mario Martinez and his team of boys from Miami Jackson High School won the title. The group is also the first-ever team from Miami to win the national title in chess . Executive producer, Carla Berkowitz, came up with this idea when she read an article in 1997 about the boys of Miami Jackson. She wanted to tell the story of all these boys doing such incredible things in the chess world with Mario Martinez’s help.

Interestingly the movie is quite close to how the events unfolded in real life. All 5 players in the movie are based on real-life chess players. Even the character of Coach Mario Martinez in the film has a real-life counterpart, who is a chess teacher . The real-life figures also played a significant role in the filming process. In an interview with CineMovie, Carla Berkowitz said , “All the boys that were portrayed and Mario obviously were the consultants in the chess movie.”

Another fascinating aspect is that Berkowitz wanted to make the movie for about two decades. Although filming began in 2018, Carla Berkowitz has been in touch with all players and Mario Martinez since 1997. While describing the movie’s accuracy, the real Mario Martinez and Carla Berkowitz mentioned a few things. First, all games we see the players play in the movie were played by their real-life counterparts. Second, Marcel’s book of chess moves also existed in real life. Third, the scene where Marcel plays with Mario, Sedrick, Roddy, and Gil, with his eyes closed, happened in reality too.

Numerous events in the movie mirror circumstances that transpired in reality, which elevates the narrative’s authenticity. ‘Critical Thinking’ is far more than a chess championship for Mario Martinez and the boys. The group comes from a place where they have nothing but want to create a better life for themselves. However, the boys do not get a fair shot at anything due to racial discrimination and financial circumstances. Coach Martinez sees chess as an opportunity and a metaphor for their life.

At the film’s beginning, Martinez says that chess is an equalizer that puts everyone on a level playing field. In fact, the teacher solves almost every problem with a chess move because he considers the game symbolic of life. The ideology comes from the real-life coach. In an interview with Orlando Sentinel, he said , “Chess is a way of looking at choices and realizing, ‘If I do this, then this will happen. If I do that, then that will happen,'” Martinez deduced, “Choices have consequences. That’s critical thinking. That’s analytical. And that’s life.”

The coach always applies this philosophy in the movie, which leads the boys to bag the national title. Marcel wins the title for the individuals’ category, and Miami Jackson High School wins in the teams’ category. In real-life, Coach Martinez didn’t stop with the 1998 championship title. The teacher went on to win several more via kids who developed an interest in the sport. In the next four years, he offered his guidance to various teams comprising different players representing Miami Jackson and won 4 more national championship titles.

In 2000, Rodelay Medina became the national champion in the expert division. Marcel played three opponents simultaneously while being blindfolded. Therefore, to reiterate, ‘Critical Thinking’ is a true story of a group of boys and their coach from Miami Jackson. It essays how Martinez and his team become the first from Miami to win the National Chess Championship. The narrative also portrays how the boys overcome several struggles and move toward a hopeful future.

Read More: Is Mario Martinez Based on a Real-Life Coach? Where is He Now?

SPONSORED LINKS

• Movie Explainers
• TV Explainers

CULTURE MIX

Where Lifestyle Cultures Blend

Review: ‘Critical Thinking,’ starring John Leguizamo, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Corwin Tuggles, Will Hochman, Rachel Bay Jones and Michael Kenneth Williams

Arts and Entertainment

Angel Bismark Curiel , Corwin Tuggles , Critical Thinking , drama , Jeffry Batista , John Leguizamo , Jorge Lendeborg Jr. , Miami , Michael Kenneth Williams , movies , Rachel Bay Jones , reviews , Will Hochman , Zora Casebere

September 5, 2020

by Carla Hay

“Critical Thinking”

Directed by John Leguizamo

Culture Representation:  Taking place primarily in Miami in 1998, the drama “Critical Thinking” has a racially diverse cast (Latino, African American and white people) representing the working-class and middle-class.

Culture Clash:  A dedicated teacher in a tough Miami school encourages his students to learn how to play chess to boost their learning skills, even though they live in an area where some people pressure the students to become school dropouts and criminals. 

Culture Audience: “Critical Thinking” will appeal primarily to people who like feel-good stories about people who overcome obstacles, despite having the odds stacked against them .

There have been many movies about underestimated students, led by an inspirational teacher, who go on to achieve a certain goal together. In these movies, the students are usually underprivileged or disadvantaged in some way when they go up against people who are more privileged and have more advantages than the “underdogs” have. “Critical Thinking” (which is a very bland title for a movie that’s actually quite good) takes this concept and makes a slightly above-average movie, even though it hits a lot of familiar tonal beats that lead to a very predictable ending.

John Leguizamo not only stars in “Critical Thinking,” but he also makes his theatrical-release feature-film directorial debut with the movie, which is based on true events about a group of underprivileged students who competed in a national chess championship. Under his solid direction, “Critical Thinking” has some moments that are less cliché than others. Dito Montiel’s screenplay for “Critical Thinking” doesn’t clutter the movie with too many backstories, although it leaves the impression that the teacher gave higher priority and more attention to the male students than the female students.

In “Critical Thinking,” which takes primarily in place in Miami, it’s 1998 at Miami Jackson High School, where many students are from financially deprived homes in crime-ridden neighborhoods. Mario Martinez (played by Leguizamo) is a teacher for an elective class called Critical Thinking. Mario knows his class is often a dumping ground where delinquent students are sent, but that doesn’t stop him from fighting for the type of respect (and budget) that the financially strapped school gives to regular classes.

Mario’s boss is school principal Ms. Kestel (played by Rachel Bay Jones), a hard-nosed cynic who has an air of racial condescension about her when she deals with Mario and the school’s students, who are mostly people of color. Ms. Kestel comes across as someone who wants everyone to think she’s doing her part to help underprivileged kids, but she’s the type that thinks she’s too good to actually mix with people of color in her personal life.

The threat of violence is always a danger to many of the school’s students. A Spanish-speaking immigrant student who is transferred into Mario’s class doesn’t attend the class for very long, because he gets shot and killed on the street by a local gangster over a petty misunderstanding. Ms. Kestel has this reaction when she and Mario talk about the murder: “While unfortunate, it’s not a total shock anymore.” This police investigation into the murder becomes a subplot to the movie, since one of Mario’s students witnessed the crime, but he doesn’t want to snitch on the gangster.

Meanwhile, life has to go on in Mario’s class, where he teaches a hodgepodge of topics, including art, literature, history and philosophy. The favorite thing he likes to teach is chess. He encourages his students to “dig deeper than your dusty old Britannica encyclopedia” and find things that aren’t taught in textbooks.

He’s not shy about telling his students that influential people of color have often been erased from history because white men were in charge of writing history books for centuries. Mario is aware he could get in trouble for this kind of talk in the classroom, so he peeks outside the classroom door first to make sure that a white co-worker such as Ms. Kestel isn’t lurking nearby to possibly overhear him. On the subject of chess, Mario tells his students, “How come we don’t know that chess was invented in India, perfected in Persia and modernized by a [Puerto Rican] guy named Maura?”

Mario shows the students how chess can help in all aspects of life because it involves the skill of thinking ahead and strategizing. Although he has about 30 students in his classroom on any given day, there are four (and then later five) students who end up being the focus of the story, since they’re the chosen ones for the school’s chess team.

Sedrick Roundtree (played by Corwin Tuggles) is the unofficial student leader of the chess team and the one most likely to encourage the others when they feel defeated. Even before he took Mario’s class, Sedrick was an avid chess player. Sedrick has an unassuming confidence about himself that most people respect.

Oelmy “Ito” Paniagua (played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) has a big rebellious streak and is Sedrick’s closest friend. Ito doesn’t really think chess is cool until Sedrick convinces him to join the school’s chess team. Ito is also the student in this chess group who’s most likely to be tempted into joining a gang or becoming a drug dealer. It’s hinted at, but not shown, that Ito comes from an abusive home.

Rodelay “Roddy” Medina (played by Angel Bismark Curiel) is the group’s jokester. He dislikes confrontation and arguments, and he gets easily hurt if he thinks his friends are disloyal. Just like Sedrick, Roddy has a passion for chess and is highly competitive when it comes to the game.

Gil Luna (played by Will Hochman) is the quietest and most mellow member of the group. Although he has a Latino name, he can easily pass for being white. His apparent “whiteness” makes him the target of some teasing by the darker-skinned members of the group, but the teasing is never mean-spirited. All of the members of the group end up getting teased or taunted by one another at some point.

Much later in the story, a fifth student joins the chess team. His name is Marcel Martinez (played by Jeffry Batista), a Cuban immigrant who doesn’t know much English. Sedrick recruited Marcel to enroll in the school and join the chess team, after Sedrick and Roddy were playing some chess in Domino Park, invited some local people to pay chess with them, and were blown away by Marcel’s extraordinary talent. There’s a scene in the movie where Marcel can play chess with multiple people at a time, with his back turned to them and without looking at the chessboard, and by calling out the moves that he wants to play.

Sedrick is also the only student whose unhappy home life is shown in the movie. He lives with his alcoholic widower father (played by Michael Kenneth Williams), whose first name is never revealed in the movie. Sedrick father, when he’s not passed out drunk, frequently gets angry and picks fights with Sedrick.

The only time that Sedrick and his father bond is when they play chess together, but his father is a sore loser. Sedrick’s mother was killed by a hit-and-run accident that Sedrick witnessed when he was 6 years old. It’s obvious that he and his father haven’t been able to grieve or talk about her death in a way that can help them heal from the trauma of their loss.

When Sedrick’s father hears about Sedrick being on the school’s chess team, he scoffs at Sedrick and tells him it’s a waste of time because chess isn’t the kind of thing that most people can do as a job. And his father gets even more irritated when Sedrick’s chess team starts competing with other schools’ chess teams. Although it’s never said out loud, it’s clear that Sedrick’s father didn’t have an opportunity to be part of a school chess team that got to travel to different competitions, and he’s jealous and resentful that Sedrick is doing what he never got to do.

Although “Critical Thinking” has some heavy issues, such as gang violence, alcoholism and abusive homes, the movie also has some humor—namely, the camaraderie that the boys have with each other, especially when Roddy is around. And in a rarity for a movie about high-school students, dating isn’t really the cause of any of the angst or conflict in the story, because the boys are so focused on chess. Sedrick is the only one in the group who has a girlfriend. Her name is Chanayah (played by Zora Casebere), and she attends the same school, but she’s written as a fairly minor character.

In fact, the movie’s biggest flaw is how the female students in the movie are essentially written as background characters, with the implication being that the female students weren’t good enough to be on Mario’s chosen chess team. It’s not clear if the girls in his class aren’t interested in chess or if Mario didn’t think they were worth encouraging as much as he encourages the male students to be on the chess team.

Whatever the case, there’s definitely more than a whiff of sexism about how this chess team was assembled—and the gender imbalance is all the more noticeable when Miami Jackson High School’s chess team competes against other schools who have plenty of girls on their chess teams. That’s not to say that the movie needed to rewrite history and put girls on the Miami Jackson team, which was apparently an all-male team in real life in 1998. But the screenplay should have at least addressed why none of the girls in Mario’s class ended up on the team.

Another big question left unanswered in the movie is: “What is Mario’s own background and why did he want to become a teacher?” In one of his many “tough love” lectures to his chosen chess students when they get discouraged or act too rowdy, Mario hints that he also comes from a troubled and tough background like they do. But that’s as far as it goes. No further details are given about what kind of man Mario is when he’s not working as a teacher. There’s no “home life” shown for any of the movie’s characters except for Sedrick.

“Critical Thinking” is not a disappointing movie, but parts of the story could have done more to fill in some blanks. For example, something happens to Ito toward the end of the film and the outcome is never fully explained. If not for the acting of the main cast members, several parts of “Critical Thinking” would be quite boring to watch. Leguizamo’s fast-talking, sometime wisecracking persona serves him well in this role, since Mario is supposed to be an unconventional teacher who can relate to his students.

Lendeborg (as Ito) and Curiel (as Roddy) also stand out in their roles. Ito is a tough guy who doesn’t want to show his vulnerabilities, while Roddy is a vulnerable guy who doesn’t want to be so tough that he alienates his friends. Both portrayals are nuanced and worth watching, since these two characters are more than just generic roles.

Tuggles (as Sedrick) also does a commendable performance, particularly in some emotionally raw scenes that Sedrick has with his father. Williams is a very good actor, but he’s had many roles in movies and TV shows where he’s a guy with a mean streak/bad temper, so there’s really nothing new or noteworthy that Williams does in this movie.

“Critical Thinking” is worth a look for people who want to see a real-life inspirational story portrayed in a familiar way. The believable performances from most of the cast go a long way in preventing the movie from sinking into forgettable mediocrity. With “Critical Thinking,” Leguizamo also has proved that he can do well as a director who makes very good casting choices and who has a knack for telling a crowd-pleasing story.

Vertical Entertainment released “Critical Thinking” in select U.S. virtual cinemas, on digital and on VOD on September 4, 2020.

Jeffry Batista On New Chess Film ‘Critical Thinking’ Directed by John Leguizamo

Blackfilm.com correspondent ellen wanjiru spoke with jeffry batista about starring in his first english speaking film, and playing marcel martinez..

by Ellen Wanjiru September 8, 2020, 1:45 pm

Critical Thinking is based on a true story from 1998— five LatinX and Black teenagers from Miami Jackson Senior High School in one of the toughest underserved neighborhoods in Miami, fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.

The film is John Leguizamo’s feature directorial debut and was written by Dito Montiel. It was produced by Scott Rosenfelt and Jason Mandl, as well as executive produced by Harvey R. Chaplin, Carla Berkowitz and Emilio Estefan Jr. Distributed by Vertical Entertainment.

John Leguizamo stars in it alongside Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Corwin C. Tuggles (as Sedrick Roundtree), Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (as Ito Paniagua), Angel Bismark Curiel (as Rodelay Medina), Will Hochmanand (as Gil Luna), and Jeffry Batista (as Marcel Martinez).

The film released on VOD/Digital September 4, 2020.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Loading…

Producing Partners Michiel Thomas & Michael Franklin Talk “That’s Wild” Documentary

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Announces Next Phase of Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

© 2024 Blackfilm | Site by LOUDD.

Ad Blocker Detected!

FOLLOW AND JOIN US

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/

John Leguizamo wants to eradicate ‘cultural apartheid’ with positive Latinx stories

• Copy Link URL Copied!

Not many movies have been in the works for 23 years.

When Miami movie producer Carla Berkowitz read about a high school chess team in a 1997 issue of the Miami Herald’s Tropic magazine, she knew she had to snap up the rights to the story.

For more than two decades, Berkowitz kept in touch with five team members — Oelmy “Ito” Paniagua, Gil Luna, Rodelay Medina, Sedrick Roundtree and Marcel Martinez. Then actor and director John Leguizamo stepped in.

“I related to this story of these kids who were in a tough neighborhood and didn’t really fit in,” Leguizamo recently told USA Today . “They didn’t really want to go be gangsters, they didn’t want to play football. They were street intellectuals, bookworms and nerds. And this teacher created this safe space for them.”

The movie, “ Critical Thinking ,” premiered online on Sept. 4. It tells the true story of five Latinx and Black teenagers — played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Jeffrey Batista, Angel Bismark Curiel, William Hochman and Corwin Tuggles — from an underserved Miami neighborhood. Cuban-American teacher Mario Martinez (played by Leguizamo) coaches them to the National Chess Championship. Leguizamo also directed the film.

“Positive Latin stories, feel-good movies,” he told USA Today. “They’ve seen Disney or they’ve seen ‘After School Special.’ They’re tricky, but they’re much appreciated. We need these stories. We gotta have stories of success, of excellence, told by Latin people, about Latin people, for Latin people.”

Entertainment & Arts

John Leguizamo changed his show to target Trump. Why the comedian has changed it back

John Leguizamo added jabs at Trump to “Latin History for Morons,” but now the writer-actor explains there’s good reason to pull those punches.

Sept. 30, 2019

Two years ago, Leguizamo’s one-man show “ Latin History for Morons ” made it to Netflix and was staged at L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre last year. Inspired by his quest to find Latinx heroes for his son, the comedy addressed the “cultural apartheid” of the lack of Latinx visibility in entertainment and media.

“Critical Thinking” has a similar goal in mind.

“We’re the largest ethnic group in America,” Leguizamo said to USA Today. “We’re 25% of the U.S. box office, we’re 30% of the public school population, and our kids don’t see themselves. It’s incredible: It’s like we’re living in a cultural apartheid, like we don’t exist. We’re here, we contribute money, taxes, and yet we’re virtually invisible.”

View this post on Instagram We worked our asses off but we had fun doing it! #criticalthinking the little movie that could! A post shared by John Leguizamo (@johnleguizamo) on Sep 9, 2020 at 6:39am PDT

The New York Times reported Wednesday that, of the 25 people who run the top TV networks and Hollywood studios, just three are Black or Hispanic. “Critical Thinking,” however, featured a predominantly Black and Hispanic cast: Leguizamo was born in Colombia, Lendeborg in the Dominican Republic; Batista is Cuban, Bismark Curiel is Dominican and Tuggles is Black.

“We share the same story because, like me, he’s Cuban. He came to the U.S. at 17, and I came to the U.S. when I was turning 18,” Batista told the Miami New Times of Marcel Martinez, the man who inspired his character. “For me, doing this movie basically means what for him was to become the national champion in chess. It’s the ultimate dream to be in a movie like this.”

More to Read

Rep. Joaquin Castro says ‘Blood In, Blood Out’ should be added to the National Film Registry

Aug. 28, 2024

8 movies to watch at this year’s Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

May 29, 2024

Who gets to be Latino? This Argentinian actor has a take

Feb. 7, 2024

Only good movies

Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Laura Zornosa is a former features reporter who covered lifestyle for the Los Angeles Times. She was previously an Arts and Entertainment intern at The Times after graduating from Northwestern University. Zornosa has written for La Nación, the Center for Public Integrity, TIME and the Chicago Tribune. Originally from Wisconsin, she calls the Midwest home.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Review: ‘Look Into My Eyes’ is a compassionate profile of psychics, not out to scam but connect

Review: In ‘My Old Ass,’ an uncertain teen speaks to her future self, with wry two-way wisdom

Chad McQueen, ‘Karate Kid’ actor and son of legend Steve McQueen, dies at 63

Sept. 13, 2024

Review: A remade ‘Speak No Evil’ is less evil, swapping out Euro-bleakness for a family’s bonding

Sept. 12, 2024

Most Read in Movies

Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and Al Pacino lead an all-star Beyond Fest lineup

Tyrese Gibson says ‘arrest’ after being found in contempt of court was ‘very traumatic’

Sept. 11, 2024

The 8 best movies (and one TV show) we saw at the Toronto International Film Festival

The 15 movies we’re most excited about this fall

Sept. 6, 2024

Critical Thinking

In the press materials for “Critical Thinking,” producer Carla Berkowitz drops this line about her reaction to reading the true story that inspired the film: “The image and story was haunting and I felt like I had a quantum shift in my perception of chess and who plays it.” The who in question are five Miami-area Black and Latino men who, along with their teacher, Mr. Martinez, brought back to their underprivileged Florida neighborhood the U.S. National Chess Championship. This happened in 1998. The film chronicles the loving camaraderie of the players and the events leading up to their victory.

In that same press release, acclaimed writer and actor John Leguizamo , who plays Martinez and also directs, states that he wanted to make this film because there were very few representations of Latin people on-screen when he was growing up. He also mentioned that the book The Bell Curve  harmfully depicted people of color as being mentally inferior due to our genetics. I wondered if, like me, Leguizamo grew up in an environment where the Black and brown people he knew played chess, so that it wouldn’t seem unusual nor an anomaly that they did. Because Berkowitz’s statement really made me consider what exactly the standard issue chess player was supposed to look like.

Chess has appeared in a lot of movies, from Boaz Yakin ’s “ Fresh ” to Steven Zaillian ’s “Searching for Bobby Fisher” to 2016’s superb Mira Nair film, “ Queen of Katwe .” I even remember it being prevalent in a crappy Gary Coleman TV movie about a smart Black kid. The game always carries the same symbolic qualifier: the person who plays it has a mental capacity for strategy and is intelligent. Chess is often employed to teach life lessons in these movies, to the point where it has become a cliché that just so happens to be used differently depending on who’s playing it. This difference is something that I admit often sticks in my craw, so I found myself wrestling a bit with this movie even though it seemed to be addressing my concern.

Unlike Zaillian’s film, which I guess answers my question of what a “standard issue” chess player is supposed to look like, the protagonists in the other films I’ve mentioned, and in “Critical Thinking,” are people of color whose economical circumstances are far from ideal. This tends to be the model when minorities are seen playing chess in films, which bends the cinematic chess player cliché toward making the ability to play the game the audience’s reason to offer empathy. Sure, they’re broke, probably in crime-ridden areas and may even do a crime or two, but see, they’re smart, so it’s OK to feel for them! This line of thinking has to do with who stereotypically plays chess and who does not.

Leguizamo’s Mr. Martinez speaks to this early in “Critical Thinking” by asking why chess is never associated with brown people despite a Latin man playing a major role in its evolution. “Why don’t you think we know about him?” he asks the students in his critical thinking class before delivering a great, pointed monologue that speaks about how history is taught in schools. The script by Dito Montiel has some sharp commentary about the education system, from what gets funded to the over-reliance on test scores to the differences between Martinez’s inner city school and the posh preppy institutions who fall victim to our heroes on the tournament circuit. There’s a bit more bite than you may be expecting, and the writing is just prickly enough to balance out the moments when the film dives headfirst into its tropes. And there are numerous tropes to swim in; not only is this a sports movie, it’s also an entry in the “Beloved Teacher” genre.

Our chess champion team is comprised of Sedrick Roundtree ( Corwin C. Tuggles ), Ito Paniagua (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.), Gil Luna ( Will Hochman ), Rodelay Medina (Angel Curiel) and later, Marcel Martinez ( Jeffry Batista ) who joins the team after dispensing a hustler’s ass-whipping in a speed chess match. Their dialogue is peppered with the language the PG-13 won’t allow but realism will. Martinez is often telling them “watch your mouth” in his class, even if, in his less guarded moments, he’s prone to occasional profanity. Leguizamo gets good performances from each of them, especially in moments where you really feel the bond between teammates, both in the tournaments and in the streets. When they tell each other that they’ve got each other’s backs, there’s a real emotional pull that emanates straight from the actors.

Though this is an inspirational movie, Leguizamo and Montiel never sugarcoat the dangers of the environment their characters inhabit. The potential for violence, temporary homelessness, crime, and police harassment are always hovering in the margins, sometimes even invading the safe space of Martinez’s class or the school. An early sequence that shockingly ends in violence shows how good Leguizamo is at quickly establishing the audience’s tie to a character. When Rivera (Dre C) is thrown into critical thinking class after a disciplinary problem (“my class is not detention!” Martinez yells at frenemy Principal Kesler [ Rachel Bay Jones ]), he immediately runs afoul of Ito. Rivera’s lack of response is due to Spanish being his primary language, which may also have something to do with the infraction that got him sent to this class. Martinez talks to him in Spanish, lectures Ito and all seems well.

Rivera is then brutally assassinated in broad daylight after accidentally bumping into another person on the street. The film is barely 15 minutes old when this happens, but it immediately establishes that “Critical Thinking” has no plans of abandoning reality for its feel-good message. That sense of realism extends to the way the characters bond with, rib, and defend each other. Additionally, Leguizamo plays Martinez as someone who understands the temptations and frustrations of his students’ world. He challenges them to do for themselves because he knows all too well that the system has no intention of lending a helping hand.

Like Nair does in “Queen of Katwe,” Leguizamo also blatantly refuses to impose on poverty any notions of shame or requests for pity. “Chess is the great equalizer,” Martinez tells his team as they navigate snooty tournament heads and appearances against challengers from much posher ‘hoods. Even when things get expectedly dire for some of the characters, “Critical Thinking” remains focused on the characters’ response to the situation, never once stripping them of their dignity for cheap emotional manipulation.

Of all the team members, Sedrick has the most detailed arc. He has a girlfriend, Chanayah ( Zora Casebere ), who is supportive and tougher than she looks, and a father ( Michael Kenneth Williams ) whose sole job here is to fill that chess movie trope of the angry guy who uses chess as a means of brutal domination. Williams is an always welcome presence, but I could have done without him. Still, there is one very good moment where he shows some growth, and his son makes a snide comment that he silently acknowledges as being right.

The chess scenes are good even if you know nothing about chess. I’ve been playing since I was five, so of course I wanted more detailed representations than Leguizamo provides. I found his classroom lessons and the team’s banter about moves fascinating, and every time I was given a good look at a chessboard, I got closer to the screen to investigate. And yet, despite its acknowledgement of my aforementioned issues, I still felt a little itchy watching “Critical Thinking.” I am always game for a movie that makes me reckon with my personal feelings and biases, and I’m glad this one exists because representation will always speak volumes. If nothing else, “Critical Thinking” reminds you what a chess player can look like.

Odie Henderson

Odie “Odienator” Henderson has spent over 33 years working in Information Technology. He runs the blogs Big Media Vandalism and Tales of Odienary Madness. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire  here .

• John Leguizamo as Mario Martinez
• Rachel Bay Jones as Principal Kestel
• Michael Kenneth Williams as Mr. Roundtree
• Corwin C. Tuggles as Sedrick Roundtree
• Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Ito Paniagua
• Angel Bismark Curiel as Rodelay Medina
• Will Hochman as Gil Luna
• Jeffry Batista as Marcel Martinez
• Zora Casebere as Chanayah
• Chris Hajian
• Dito Montiel
• Jamie Kirkpatrick
• John Leguizamo

Cinematographer

• Zach Zamboni

Leave a comment

Now playing.

Speak No Evil (2024)

Saturday Night

The Killer’s Game

Girls Will Be Girls

The 4:30 Movie

Sweetheart Deal

¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!

Latest articles

TIFF 2024: On Swift Horses, Meet the Barbarians, All of You

Natasha Rothwell Finds New Life in Hulu’s Winning “How to Die Alone”

Starz’ “Three Women” Stumbles Through Its Tale of Stifled Female Passion

TIFF 2024: Table of Contents

The best movie reviews, in your inbox.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

John Leguizamo hopes Critical Thinking will help change the game for BIPOC talent in Hollywood

The Emmy Award-winning actor, who directed the drama, also shares his intention to spend more time behind the camera.

Rosy covers the news for Entertainment Weekly in Los Angeles. Nice to meet you!

Veteran actor John Leguizamo stepped behind-the-camera to make his feature film directorial debut in the drama Critical Thinking and discovered he feels very much at home in that role.

For more than three decades, the Emmy Award-winning actor has brought to life many beloved characters thanks to his special blend of comedy and drama at the most unexpected times. But Leguizamo's priorities have shifted as of late, learning he could help affect more change in Hollywood by using his power and influence to showcase the talents of Black and brown actors in Hollywood with projects like Critical Thinking .

The Sept. 4 release tells the true story of a group of South Florida students from Miami Jackson High School who battle lack of financial and oftentimes parental/community support, temptation from the streets, and puberty to become a national championship-winning chess team in 1998.

"We wanted to show the Miami that nobody sees, the underbelly where many Latin and Black people live," Leguizamo tells EW about showing a side of Miami underrepresented in Hollywood films. "And it's a true story, so we went to the neighborhood where these five kids grew up which is the Overtown, Liberty City, and Allapattah area. While we were there shooting one night, there was a shooting. We were made to close down the set at gunpoint but we talked them down. There are some roughs sections, which proves that roughs sections don't exist by themselves they exist because there's inequality, and that's what we wanted to show. Within these communities, our communities, there are so many gems; ghetto intellectuals with incredible minds being squandered because public schools don't get enough funding."

In the film, Leguizamo plays Mario Martinez, a high school teacher who supports and nurtures his students who dream of becoming chess champions. Much like Edward James Olmos ' Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver , Martinez believes that his students are worthy of investment and praise especially when those around them have failed them.

"These kids are what you could call nerds," he explains. "They weren't into football, they were bookworms who just needed someone to believe in them so they could thrive. They started from the bottom and won on the regional level, then state, going on to take home the national title. Marcel Martinez [Jeffry Batista] almost won the world international chess championship but was disqualified on a horrible naturalization technicality."

Playing the real-life chess champions on the big screen is Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Ito Paniagua, Angel Bismark Curiel as Rodelay Medina, Corwin Tuggles as Sedrick Roundtree, Will Hochman as Gil Luna, and Batista in the role of Martinez.

"I was so glad we had an ensemble cast, especially since I was directing and acting," he says. "We went through a really extensive casting process, there was so much Latinx and Black talent that tried out. It was really impossible to pick, but when I did, I went with the actors who represented the real-life guys the most who were also closest to their personalities and looks. I'm really proud of the cast that we assembled, they were incredible."

And the talent on screen stretches beyond the core five chess members. Boardwalk Empire and The Wire star Michael K. Wiliams will have viewers throwing their chess pieces at the TV for his portrayal of Sedrick's father. Vida star Ramses Jimenez is the film's antagonist, a neighborhood drug dealer hellbent on poaching Ito as one of his criminal minions.

"Ramses got injured during the fight scene really bad! He had to be rushed to the emergency room," Leguizamo states. "But he came back the next day and shot with stitches in like a total trooper."

Leguizamo's ultimate goal with this project is to entertain, but more importantly, to shed a light on students like the real chess masters who need just one person to believe in them.

"Mentors are everything, especially to kids from underserved and underprivileged communities. Their schools are defunded, especially by Betsy DeVos, who took over four years ago and defunded public schools. There's only one secret about how to fund schools in our neighborhoods, it's money. Give them more money so they can have more teachers, smaller classes, supplies, and clean schools.

"The real Mario Martinez was working in one of these communities and he loved these kids so much because he was one of them himself. He gave them what they needed: nurturing, attention, and someone who showed them how special they really are. The kids already had the talent and their gifts, what he wanted to give them was book knowledge they needed to become chess champions. They just needed someone to tell them that they're special and that they matter. When you're Latinx and you don't see yourself represented in textbooks or in literature, how do you see yourself as a success? How do you see yourself as a hero? And further, how do other people see you as a hero? This is why I wrote Latin History for Morons [currently streaming on Netflix], we do have heroes. One hundred and twenty thousand of us fought in WWI, 500,000 of us fought in WWII. Where's the movie on that? Where's the History or Discovery Channel special about that? It's not even in our textbooks. It does such a huge disservice to us and to this country by this psychosocial erasure."

And Leguizamo is doing his part so that these stories aren't left on the cutting room floor. He admits he enjoyed lensing Critical Thinking and hopes to find more stories like that to share.

"Oh yeah, big time," Leguizamo responds excitedly when asked about directing more stories for the big screen. "There's a lot of stories on my radar but I can't tell you about them yet so nobody else gets the jump on me. You know how that is! [Laughs] My comic book PhenomX features Latinos and Latinas as superheroes is being published by Image Comics in Oct. I'm really excited about that and I would love to turn that into a movie and direct it."

Watch an exclusive clip from Critical Thinking above.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Critical Thinking debuts in select theaters and on demand Sept. 4.

Related content:

• John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons is a politically urgent tour-de-force: EW review
• John Leguizamo on Donald Trump's SNL stint: ‘I find it really insulting’
• Watch John Leguizamo do his best Brando in our Personality Test

Related Articles

John Leguizamo Talks Critical Thinking, John Wick, And More - Exclusive Interview

With more than 140 credits in film and television (and even more on stage) since 1984, John Leguizamo is one of the hardest-working talents in the entertainment industry. And while most actors would be happy with so many turns in front of the camera, Leguizamo's is clearly determined to take his work to the next level. In fact, to further enhance his already impressive resume, he's directed the new chess drama Critical Thinking , which debuted on video on demand September 4.

Leguizamo is no stranger to directing — he helmed the HBO boxing drama Undefeated in 2003 — but this time around, he went back behind the camera with all of the knowledge he's accumulated working with several acclaimed filmmakers .

In addition to directing Critical Thinking , Leguizamo plays the supporting role of Mario Martinez, a real-life high school teacher and coach who in 1998 guided the Miami Jackson High School chess team to becoming the first inner-city school in history to win the U.S. National Chess Tournament. The incredible true-life event transformed the lives of the team's five players — Sedrick Roundtree (Corwin C. Tuggles), Ito Paniagua (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.), Rodelay Medina (Angel Bismark Curiel), Gil Luna (Will Hochman) and Marcel Martinez (Jeffry Batista) — showing the Latinx and Black youth possibilities they once believed were beyond their reach.

Leguizamo discussed the making of  Critical Thinking  — along with several other highlights from his eclectic, prolific career — with Looper in an exclusive interview.

Learning from the best

There's a wonderful quote from your Romeo + Juliet  and Moulin Rouge! director Baz Luhrmann: "A life lived in fear is a life half-lived." And in fact, Baz uses it as an emblem on all his pictures. And obviously, because you've worked with Baz, you know his enthusiasm, you know his love for making films. I can't help but think that because you've had such of a wonderful career, you live by that motto, too — and maybe part of living that full life is doing something you haven't done before, which would be directing a feature film.

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I learned a lot from all the directors I've worked with, but especially the great ones like Baz and Spike Lee and Brian DePalma. And they're fearless. You can't make great art with fear and that's the beauty of art, is it's a place where you feel you can expand your boundaries and you can test yourself and you can challenge yourself in ways that you can't in real life. And one of the things that I wanted to try in life was to direct — and I've directed before — I wanted to do it right because I have such huge respect for directors. I did an HBO boxing movie and I've done some commercials, and this was my first, my debut, as an independent film director.

You mentioned Spike Lee. Which other directors in particular inspired you? Because I would imagine, even though you're acting, that becomes part of your actor's DNA and that's something you carry forth with you.

It's so amazing that you said that because it did become part of my chromosomal information, from all these directors I've worked with, that I didn't realize. This was the first time that I realized I had this backlog, this catalog, of problem-solving techniques from Baz Luhrmann, Spike Lee [ Summer of Sam ], Brian DePalma [ Casualties of War and Carlito's Way ], Tony Scott [ Revenge  and The Fan ], Brad Furman [ The Lincoln Lawyer ] — a lot of great directors. I learned how to rehearse with actors, the importance of rehearsal for film, because nobody ever takes that seriously, the power of improv, talking about character with the actors, and just a lot of things, problem-solving with crew, and the dysfunction and all the things that happen on a low-budget movie, which is a lot.

And you're also a glutton for punishment because you put yourself in front of the camera, too, for Critical Thinking . That's quite a challenge.

It is. When I first did it, I did it for Infamous , the boxing movie I directed, and I was a lead and that was too difficult. But this time, I'm part of an ensemble, so I'm not the lead, and that made it a lot easier for me. And it wasn't boxing, I was a teacher, so it was a little easier, but it's not easy. Yeah, you're right. And that's why I told the actors, "We need a week's rehearsal before we start shooting. I need you to show up on the set knowing every chess move and all your lines, and then we're going to have fun."

Establishing identity, making your own history

I loved Critical Thinking in the broad sense in that it's about discovering your identity — the sort of identity that these youth can't find in history books, so it's time to find their own identity through chess. Chess is truly the great equalizer, like you say in the film, and what becomes of that is an opportunity for them to write their own history. What a beautiful story that is, and I'm quite amazed, to be quite honest with you, that it took so long for this story to be made. I mean, this happened in 1998.

I know, but that's kind of part of a problem in the industry, Latin exclusion, because why was this movie so hard to make? It was really well written by Dito Montiel and I pitched it around and you just don't see the value at studios and streamers, you don't see the value of a Latin story. That's why I had to do it independently. They were telling me, Hollywood wisdom, "Latin people don't want to see Latin people," and "Latin people don't want to see feel-good movies" — all this BS and you're like, "Come on, man." We're the largest ethnic group in America, we're 25% of the U.S. box office, but with less than 3% of the faces in front of the camera and way less behind it and less than 1% of stories. And then you see where the problem is. The problem is the studios, because there are no Latin executives. They don't see our stories as valuable.

Those experiences are also the story of your life, in a sense, because I saw some previous interviews of yours, where you were talking about only being offered the drug dealer role or thug role. Because of that you said, "Okay. I'm going to create my identity," and your one-man show Mambo Mouth is the way you did it and you pretty much you left everything else in the rearview mirror after that. That to have been a pivotal moment in your career.

Oh, it was huge. It was huge for me. It was a turning point. The coin dropped in, the proverbial coin, and it was the "a-ha!" moment. I realized I didn't see myself represented anywhere and I couldn't identify. There were no stories that were about me or my people, and I felt like I needed to do something to acknowledge that. So I wrote Mambo Mouth and then boom! Critics loved it, white audiences and black audiences loved it, and Latino audiences found me. And when Latin audiences found me, that was the turning point because we found each other. And now I could create for them and they could come and support and then became sort of a nurturing spawning ground for a lot of future writers and creators and performers. So, I'm glad to be a part of that revolutionary moment.

Leading a new generation of actors

Obviously as a director you have to wrangle a lot of people and everything else. But at the end of the day, you are a storyteller. With Mambo Mouth , Ghetto Klown , and Latin History for Morons , you brought with you to Critical Thinking the greatest sensibility you could have as a director, which would be as a storyteller, ultimately.

It was a convergence of all things, and yeah, I was ready to helm and I've always been a huge lover of storytellers. I just have a huge respect for storytellers, whether books, movies, through song, through poetry. I love storytellers — that's my calling.

Also part of your actor's DNA is the voice work that you've done, including the lovable Sid from Ice Age .

Sid the sloth lives on!

What's great about that role — and people should not discount it because when you're doing a voice role — is that it really requires a lot of nuance. And nuance is especially important with a character drama like Critical Thinking.  You're telling the story through these five young leads. You get to be a teacher onscreen, but you also get to be a teacher in a sense when you're directing, because you're teaching these younger performers something that you've learned through doing voice roles and doing other roles.

Right. If you pass on it, it becomes an apprenticeship.

You're teaching nuance, which is a tough thing.

Yeah. Absolutely. You're teaching them how to get to the reality of a scene, how to be themselves in a character. And it becomes an an acting workshop, it does become a masterclass. We're talking about scene structuring, and we're talking about characters and I'm making them aware of a lot of things, and also telling them what the camera sees and if they believe what they're doing, the camera will believe it. They don't need to add extra or embellish more. Embellish in the small things. And then we improvised a lot because I really wanted to blur the lines between reality and film. I didn't want to hear the commas and the semicolons in dialogue. I wanted it to feel really natural.

Making his move

You must be an avid chess player, otherwise a project like Critical Thinking wouldn't have attracted you.

Yeah. I've always liked chess. I've never been really good at it. I played those guys in Washington Square Park, which was a big deal. There used to be these great chess players at Washington Square Park, and you would sit there, and you play them for money. And I lost a lot of money there, let's just put it that way (laughs) . But I love chess, and I wanted to figure out how to make it like a sport. I studied a lot of tournaments on YouTube and I talked to a lot of chess players, and so I had to try to figure out how to make this as exciting as it feels to the player, because it's very different to watch a chess game. 

And what I do love about chess, like you said before, is it's the great equalizer. There are a lot of these kids like I was myself, ghetto nerds. You grew up in these tough neighborhoods and your only choices sometimes are a nefarious route or sports. And what if you don't want to play football? You know what happens if you don't want to go down the wrong path, what do you got? You're a nerd, there's no space for us. And that's what I love about Mario Martinez. He created this elective, this after-school program to give those kids a place to find themselves and to experiment with themselves.

I think that's probably where I got really teary-eyed. I don't want to be giving away too much, but I'm really glad that you involved these original guys in the movie.

That was the slam-down exclamation point part of the film. That was completely necessary. And what I also love about it, John, is while it's a feel-good movie — a feel- great movie — you had to go to some dark places, too.  You have to show, unfortunately, a student being shot, you have to show Sedrick's adversity with his father, you have to have Mario talk about a tragic part of his life. And that, to me, that completes it. I imagine that must be exciting for you, telling a complete story. I love that the film ends on an upbeat note, but I think I'm much more moved by it, emotionally, because of knowing all the characters' tragic backstories.

Yeah. I thought they were really important, the backstories. And Dito Montiel really brought them out. And I love that because that's the reality of what these kids were living through. They were living these tough lives and the amazing thing is that these intellectual beings exist in these tough neighborhoods. And how do we save them? How do we nurture them? How do we let them shine? And that's the real pain and tragedy for me, is all these wasted lives, sometimes, that happened in these neighborhoods that could have been. There's so many could have beens and should have beens, and that's really what's sad to me. But we wanted to show the dark side and the bright side, because even in these neighborhoods, there's a lot of joy, there's a lot of happiness, there's a lot of great minds, and I wanted to show the whole complete picture so you understood. So you were there. You were living through them.

And there's Ito Paniagua — his is the toughest story out of all the kids. It was wonderful seeing him in real life in the footage, because again, that just makes the story that much better.

Yeah. When you see these guys on the EPK or the BTS — the behind-the-scenes footage — he says that chess saved his life, you can't help but get teary-eyed and understand that Mario Martinez's teacher really gave of himself and really believed in these kids, and he passed that love onto them and they needed to feel that love, to feel like they were worth something.

Making Critical cuts, understanding John Wick edits

I would imagine one of the toughest parts of directing a feature film the first time out is that there's a lot of story to fit into a two-hour frame. Of course, you've had a great career where you've had roles in shows like Waco , When They See Us , and Bloodline , where the characters are given so much more time to breathe. But being behind the camera, it takes a lot discipline all of a sudden to get that story, in a meaningful sort of way, into a two-hour frame.

Well, I am a huge fan of the two-hour container, whether it's a play or a movie. I find there's such beauty in that limit of time, because you have to tell that whole character arc, beginning, middle and end, in the hour, hour 45, whatever it is, hour 50, and I find that that's where the poetry comes in. I'm a fan of those streaming series. But as a storyteller, I love the two-hour frame because you have to be concise, you have to make every second count. There's no wasted time, and I love that. To me, it's the most perfect storytelling.

Still, I'm sure, you had to make sacrifices where you had to let go of certain scenes.

Yeah. There was a lot of stuff that got cut that was so painful, some amazing sequences, like a fight between Ito and me at a moment that became really tender but was really volatile. And it took a lot of effort as actors and men to go to these dark places and then to love each other. That was a beautiful moment that really pained me to lose. Then there was a lot of other stuff that was important in the script, but not so important once you saw it and you go, "I understand that. I don't need to see it. It's more powerful if I don't see it."

I'm going to touch on kind of a sensitive area here, because I saw an interview where you weren't too happy about it, but regarding John Wick and the filmmakers cutting out a lot of your time out of Chapter 2 ...

And then being cut out completely out of 3 .

Cutting you completely out.

Yeah. No longer in the franchise.

Do you have a better understanding now, maybe a little bit more empathy, with the filmmaker or filmmakers? I wanted to see more of you, man, and hopefully...

Yeah, so did I.

But by directing Critical Thinking , does it make you realize that, "Okay, I guess I kind of understand what they did with John Wick ."

Yeah, as an actor, I don't, but as a filmmaker, I do. So I have to make peace with myself. As a filmmaker, yeah, there's a lot of great performances that sometimes have to go. And as an actor, it's impossible. That part of you that knows that you did great work and funny and really inventive stuff that didn't get seen, it'll always — you'll always hurt.

Yeah. Because I understand you had a fight scene in Chapter 2 , was it?

In 2 . In 2 I had a fight sequence, I had a backstory... I had a whole plot. Someday I'll share the script of it.

That's great. Because for Aurelio, it's like, "Hey man, I can do more than run a chop shop here. I mean, come on, man. Get me to do something here."

Yeah. They could use a little bit more of my character, yeah. But you know what, I'm cool. All this stuff leads me to other great aspects of life. Being shut down there opened this up. If I did John Wick 3 , I wouldn't be doing Critical Thinking .

Absolutely. This whole idea of this one door closes, the other one opens. It's absolutely true.

Yeah, it's true.

And I think you've talked about that, too. Look, people can really be dejected by failure.

As an actor, I've been rejected my whole entire life. Luckily my growing up prepared me for Hollywood, or Holly-wouldn't (smiles) .

That builds character, though, doesn't it?

It does. It makes you strong. It forges you.

Getting back to John Wick , as preliminary an answer it may be, but if they ask you to do 4 and 5 , would you come back?

Yeah. If they ask me, I'm not going to say no. I'm not an idiot. (Laughs)

• Environment
• Real Estate
• Beer & Wine
• Cocktails & Spirits
• Openings & Closings
• Restaurant Guide
• Restaurant Reviews
• Top 100 Bars
• Top 100 Restaurants
• Celebrities
• Film, TV & Streaming
• Sex & Dating
• Concert Calendar
• Concert Reviews
• Local Music
• Touring Artists
• New Times Pizza Week
• New Times Out to Brunch
• New Times Tacolandia
• Arts & Entertainment
• Eat & Drink
• Shopping & Services
• Sports & Recreation
• Readers' Choice
• Digital Issue
• Classifieds
• Advertise with Us
• Flipbook Archive
• Newsletters
• Promotions & Free Stuff
• Where To Find Miami New Times In Print
• Sign Up/Sign In

John Leguizamo's New Chess Movie Is "a Love Letter to Miami Jackson Senior High"

Audio By Carbonatix

Newsletter Sign Up

Enter your name, zip code, and email, sign up for our newsletters.

Cop Who Cuffed Tyreek Hill Is a Motorcycle Club Member and a DJ

By Naomi Feinstein

Watch: Stephen Miller Loses Mind on Reporter Over Maduro Crime Data

By Alex DeLuca

Florida Universities Tumble in 2025 Best College Rankings

"They're Eating Dogs": Haitian Florida Rep. Rebukes False Trump Claims

• View This Week's Print Issue
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Things To Do
• New Times Events
• Advertise With Us
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Voice Media Group
• Dallas Observer
• Denver Westword
• New Times Broward-Palm Beach
• Phoenix New Times
• V Audience Labs
• V Digital Services

Chess in the movies: "Critical Thinking" - a fine film by John Leguizamo

Learn about one of the greatest geniuses in the history of chess! Paul Morphy's career (1837-1884) lasted only a few years and yet he managed to defeat the best chess players of his time.

ONLINE SHOP

The flexible taimanov sicilian.

Looking for a realistic way to play for a win with Black against 1.e4 without taking unnecessary risks? The Taimanov Sicilian is a reliable system, and hence one of the best options out there!

€49.90

User   Password  

Not registered yet? Register

ChessBase 17 and Opening Encyclopaedia 2024

It is the program of choice for anyone who loves the game and wants to know more about it.

€299.90

ChessBase Magazine 221

Biel 2024 Chess Festival with analyses by Le Quang Liem, Donchenko, Bjerre and others. Sokolov, King and Zwirs show new opening ideas in the video. 10 repertoire articles from the Dutch to King's Indian and much more.

€21.90

Counter the Nimzo-Indian Defence with Kramnik's Winning Strategy

Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik discovered a unique way to combat the Nimzo-Indian through an alternative move order: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.g3/Qb3

Unlock the Power of the Old Benoni

This approach is perfect for players who thrive on deep planning and subtle tactics, especially when facing aggressive or impatient opponents.

Sicilian Paulsen Powerbase 2024

The Sicilian Paulsen Powerbase 2024 is a database and contains a total of 8020 games, 754 of which are annotated.

Sicilian Paulsen Powerbook 2024

Most of the material on which the Sicilian Paulsen Powerbook 2024 is based comes from the engine room: 439,000 games. An impressive number to which 51,000 games from correspondence chess and the Mega were added.

The flexible Taimanov Sicilian + A Complete Guide for Black against the Anti-Sicilian

€69.90

Pop-up for detailed settings

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy .

SXSW Review: Critical Thinking

Telling the true story of the 1998 Miami Jackson High School chess team who used their skills to compete in the state championships, Critical Thinking — starring and directed by John Leguizamo — is a compelling biopic-sports-movie looking at race, class, and talent in the most unlikely places.

Critical Thinking Director: John Leguizamo Rating: TBD Release Date: March 14, 2020 (SXSW)

Leguizamo is best known as an actor, standup comedian and disruptor — persistently asking questions about Latinx representation in mainstream media through his signature comedy and pathos. His latest film Critical Thinking may seem an unusual subject for the storyteller, whose roles and sketches have often been Latinx-oriented, exploring perspectives that others haven’t covered with his candid honesty. Look no further than his 2018 Netflix special Latin History for Morons (“That’s you,” he quips) for telling clues about his knowledge and approach to the American education and entertainment systems.

But his new film has a lot in common with his earlier work, characterised by the same passion to make opportunities available to everyone, even from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. His genuine conviction filters down through his direction and characterisation, resulting in a heartfelt directorial debut that can inspire people of all ages to excel and achieve their best.

Leguizamo, in one of his most natural roles, plays Mario Martinez, the teacher of a Critical Thinking elective module at the high school. The four central characters he mentors all have unique backgrounds. Sedrick Roundtree (Corwin C. Tuggles) lives with his alcoholic father, a hardened man with whom he has difficulty seeing eye to eye. Ito Paniagua (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) has anger issues and regular run-ins with gang members, even threatening other students — though teacher Mario is on hand to step in and remind him to think through the consequences. Also making up the group are the intelligent and perceptive class clown Rodelay Medina (Angel Bismarck Curiel) and Gil Luna (Will Hochman), a member who was initially pushed out but is persuaded to use his talent for the good of the team.

As might be expected, there are pre-existing tensions in the class. In the opening scenes, we’re shown that a student has recently been deported — ‘deportation has a way of messing with the system’ — and we’re introduced to a new student who is shortly shot dead on the streets. We’re under no illusion: this is a difficult neighbourhood for young people.

Mario’s module seems to attract troubled students since it’s easy to pass; but in reality, a lot of the students who, despite their laziness and occasional disruptive behaviour, actually get a lot from Mario’s guidance and are attentive to his life lessons: don’t  make things harder for yourself than they already are, think about the consequences if you want a better life.

The four best players in the group, under Mario’s guidance, prepare to compete in the regional chess championships. Despite a desperately under-funded education system, they devise creative ways to pay for their passage and entry to the championships. Cinematically the film seems to owes a lot to influences such as  Freedom Writers and Akeela and the Bee , in that it also centres on promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds, encouraged by a kindly mentor to realise that they’re worth more than their background.

I had the opportunity to interview John Leguizamo , and he spoke about his desire to turn chess into a sports movie. In many ways the tropes have been observed: the students compete against much wealthier, more privileged schools. It could draw comparison to The Greatest Game Ever Played . Nevertheless, there’s a kinship between the boys that solidifies throughout the film and it’s encouraging to see them support each other and enjoy themselves along the way.

The real challenges of the film come in the form of their family roots which tend to hold them back. The idea of gang violence is also played with, indicating that this is a group with everything to lose. It’s a powerful look at a neighbourhood in a time where violence was rampant, and the effect that a few individuals with belief and aspirations can achieve.

Leguizamo spoke further about his experience of producing Critical Thinking and he commented on his ‘brilliant’ producers, Carla Berkowitz and Scott Rosenfelt, who spent over 20 years developing the project from story to screenplay after working on different versions of the same story simultaneously. That was what compelled Leguizamo to bring them all together on the project. He also spoke about the importance of Latin representation in the film:

“I found the story so riveting, so important and so necessary in these times when Latin people and Latin stories are just now represented. We’re the largest ethic group in America and we’re less than 4% of the people behind the camera, and our stories are even less than that, just 1%. And the story was just so positive, so everything I saw growing up – I grew up in the hood. I saw how much talent there was, how gifted people were, and it wasn’t being used or nurtured.”

While some criticism has been levelled at Critical Thinking for its adherence to familiar narrative patterns, I’d say that it avoids cliche where possible. Its origins in a real, aspirational story, and the cast’s rigorous task of consulting with the original students and teacher on set, training in the chess tactics that were used 20 years ago, is about as authentic as a film of this nature can get.

By appearing in the film as well as directing, Leguizamo has exercised a level of creative ownership for which he has praised his producers: “They believed in me wholeheartedly and I’ve never had that experience in my entire life…They knew that I cared deeply and that I wanted to do it as perfectly as I could.”

In times where the discussion about race, equality and representation is so prominent, Leguizamo adds his insightful voice to the mix. In doing so, he has created a film about more than just a game: the characters encourage viewers to think carefully about the education system and the legal system, the narrative fights anti-immigration sentiment, and overall Leguizamo reinforces the message that every young person matters and can be encouraged to become someone great.

In times where the discussion about race, equality and representation is so prominent, Leguizamo adds his insightful voice to the mix.

You may also like

Review: the becomers, review: booger, review: beetlejuice beetlejuice, review: the crow.

• Superheroes
• Science Fiction

Ito Paniagua - Where is He Now?

September 8, 2023.

For the first time in 23 years, a movie about a high school chess team has hit the big screen. Producer Carla Berkowitz read the story of Miami Jackson High School's 1998 national championship in Tropic magazine, and kept in touch with five of its players, Oelmy "Ito" Paniagua, Gil Luna, Rodelay Medina, Sedrick Roundtree and Marcel Martinez. Actor and director John Leguizamo plays a real-life teacher, Mario Martinez, who mentored the players through an elective course and taught them that chess could open doors to careers, scholarships and lifelong friendships.

KOMO News has learned that on April 2, 2015, Paniagua shot at a Pasco SUV driven by his girlfriend's ex and carrying her five children. The shooting left the SUV with bullet damage and a girl was wounded when glass fragmented from the shootout. Police are following up leads and "are looking for the SUV, the occupants and the two pistols used in this incident," according to a Facebook post from the city of Pasco.

The film focuses on the inner-city students' struggle to overcome racism, poverty and drug gangs to rise above their circumstances through their love of chess. Leguizamo's Martinez worked tirelessly to create the Critical Thinking chess course and hand-picked the best players to compete. Corwin C. Tuggles, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Gil Luna and Will Hochman bring the chess players to life on screen, while Boardwalk Empire star Michael K. Williams portrays Ito's alcoholic father and Vida star Ramses Jimenez is the gang leader that seeks to poach one of the team members.

Critical Thinking

By Alan Ng | September 4, 2020

NEW TO VIRTUAL CINEMAS! Chess is the great equalizer. It’s not about where you come from, but how you play. Director John Leguizamo’s Critical Thinking is based on the true story of the 1998 Miami Jackson Senior High School chess team, who, despite the lack of funding from the district, went on to win the National Chess Championship in Los Angeles.

John Leguizamo stars as Coach Mario Martinez, who fought hard to create a Critical Thinking/Chess elective at the school and handpicked four exceptional students to represent the school at tournaments based on their approach to the game. Those students include Sedrick Roundtree (Corwin C. Tuggles), Ito Paniagua (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.), Rodelay Medina (Angel Bismark Curiel), and Gil Luna (Will Hochman).

“…handpicked four exceptional students to represent the school at tournaments based on their approach to the game .”

But Critical Thinking is not just about a high school chess team, but it also highlights at that time Miami’s rampant crime, poverty, and racism—which left many with no hope for a successful future. Sedrick Roundtree grew up with a stern single father (Michael Kenneth Williams), who used strength and intimidation as his strategy in playing chess, but also in raising his son. Ito Paniagua worked nights to help financially support his mother. While a gifted chess player, Ito was also actively scouted by a local thug, Andre Lamar (Ramses Jimenez), to sell drugs (amongst other things) for him, as well as actively scouted by the police to apprehend Andrew.

Later in the story, a fifth student, Marcel Martinez (Jeffry Batista), joins the team. Marcel is a Cuban refugee recruited by Sedrick and then we find out, he was a student of the game since the age of five and religiously studied the masters of the game, which shows up in his style of play.

Critical Thinking (2020)

Directed: John Leguizamo

Written: Dito Montiel

Starring: John Leguizamo, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Corwin C. Tuggles, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, Jeffry Batista, Ramses Jimenez, etc.

Movie score: 7.5/10

"…there’s the chess or at least the metaphors of chess in life."

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

ONE TIME "BLADE RUNNER" SCREENING EVENT! NOT TO BE MISSED! ATTENTION A

There's a BIG ""Blade Runner" event happening at WB Studios on Saturday, June 14th, and it's for a great cause: PAUL'S BRAIN TRUST presents: THE...

Here Awhile

There's a prolonged sequence in Fernando Meirelles's City of God that blemishes the otherwise-stellar film. It involves a child having to shoot another...

BROOKLYN FILM FESTIVAL

From September 7th through the 10th, the Brooklyn Film Festival will take over both the Clearview Cinemas in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn and 59th Street,...

Join our Film Threat Newsletter

× Did you know these celebrities have hidden talents?

Critical Thinking Movie True Story Where Are They Now

Title: Critical Thinking Movie True Story: Where Are They Now?

Introduction:

Critical Thinking is a captivating film that tells the inspiring true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team, who against all odds, became national champions. This article explores the real-life individuals behind the movie and provides an update on their current whereabouts. Additionally, we present seven unique facts about the film, followed by twelve frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their corresponding answers. Finally, we share five intriguing insights from professionals in the field of cinema and/or literature. Let’s dive in!

Where Are They Now? The Real-Life Heroes:

1. Mario Martinez (played by John Leguizamo): After leading the Miami Jackson High School chess team to victory, Martinez continued his passion for chess. He graduated from college and now works as a chess coach, inspiring young minds with his remarkable journey.

2. Ito Paniagua (played by Corwin Tuggles): Paniagua’s talent and dedication to chess earned him a scholarship to Florida International University. He went on to graduate with honors and is now working as a software engineer.

3. Sedrick Roundtree (played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr.): Following his success in chess, Roundtree pursued a career in law enforcement. He is currently an officer with the Miami Police Department, using his critical thinking skills to serve and protect his community.

4. Marcel Martinez (played by Will Hochman): Marcel, Mario’s younger brother, continued to excel in chess. He received a scholarship to the University of Miami, where he is pursuing a degree in computer science while actively participating in chess tournaments.

5. Gil Luna (played by Angel Bismark Curiel): Luna’s determination led him to study at Florida International University, where he is currently pursuing a degree in business administration. He aspires to become an entrepreneur and make a positive impact on his community.

Seven Unique Facts about Critical Thinking Movie:

1. The film is based on the inspiring true story of the real-life Miami Jackson High School chess team, who won the National Chess Championship in 1998.

2. The director of Critical Thinking, an accomplished actor himself, chose to cast young, emerging actors to bring authenticity to the characters and their journey.

3. The filmmakers collaborated closely with the real-life individuals portrayed in the movie, ensuring accurate representation and honoring the team’s legacy.

4. The movie showcases the power of critical thinking and the impact it can have on the lives of young individuals, emphasizing the importance of education and perseverance.

5. Critical Thinking received critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling and portrayal of the challenges faced by students in underprivileged communities.

6. The chess games depicted in the movie were meticulously recreated, based on the real events that took place during the team’s journey to victory.

7. The film’s release brought renewed attention to the Miami Jackson High School chess program, inspiring support and funding for chess programs in schools across the country.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

1. Is Critical Thinking based on a true story?

Yes, the film is based on the true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team, who achieved national success in 1998.

2. Are the characters in the movie real people?

Yes, the characters in the movie are based on real individuals who were part of the Miami Jackson High School chess team.

3. Where did the real-life events take place?

The story is set in Miami, Florida, specifically at Miami Jackson High School.

4. Did the team face any obstacles on their journey to victory?

Yes, the team faced numerous challenges, including financial constraints, limited resources, and societal pressures.

5. How did the movie impact the real-life individuals portrayed?

The movie brought recognition and appreciation for their achievements. It also inspired them to continue pursuing their passions and making a difference in their respective fields.

6. Did the real team members stay connected after their victory?

Yes, the team members have maintained their friendship and continued supporting each other throughout their lives.

7. Were there any changes made to the story for the film adaptation?

While certain elements were condensed or modified for cinematic purposes, the film remains true to the core story and the team’s remarkable journey.

8. How did the movie contribute to the popularity of chess in schools?

The movie shed light on the positive impact of chess on students’ critical thinking abilities, leading to increased support and funding for chess programs in schools.

9. What message does Critical Thinking convey?

The film emphasizes the importance of education, critical thinking, and perseverance in overcoming challenges and achieving success.

10. How were the chess games portrayed in the movie?

The chess games were recreated based on the real events, showcasing the team’s strategic thinking and their opponents’ formidable skills.

11. Did the real-life individuals have any involvement in the making of the film?

Yes, the filmmakers collaborated closely with the real-life individuals portrayed in the movie to ensure an accurate and respectful representation.

12. How did the movie impact the chess community?

Critical Thinking brought attention to the chess community and encouraged more students to engage in the game, fostering a love for critical thinking and strategy.

Insights from Professionals in the Field:

1. “Critical Thinking successfully captures the essence of the real-life story, emphasizing the importance of intellectual growth and the transformative power of education.” – Noted film critic and historian.

2. “The film effectively portrays the challenges faced by underprivileged students, highlighting how chess can be a powerful tool for personal development and breaking barriers.” – Esteemed literature professor.

3. “Critical Thinking serves as a reminder that everyone, regardless of their background, has the potential to achieve greatness through determination and critical thinking skills.” – Respected filmmaker and screenwriter.

4. “The movie’s success lies in its ability to engage and inspire audiences, showcasing the immense power of critical thinking in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.” – Prominent cinema journalist.

5. “Critical Thinking beautifully captures the camaraderie and resilience of the Miami Jackson High School chess team, leaving viewers with a profound sense of hope and admiration.” – Renowned film director.

Final Thoughts:

Critical Thinking is a remarkable film that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit and highlights the transformative power of critical thinking and education. The real-life individuals who inspired the movie continue to excel in their respective fields, inspiring others with their remarkable journey. The film has brought renewed attention to the importance of chess programs in schools, fostering a love for critical thinking among students. Ultimately, Critical Thinking reminds us that with determination, resilience, and critical thinking skills, anyone can overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

Related Posts

Was mollyʼs game a true story, based on true story military movies, the incredible true story logic download, is cruel instruction based on a true story, “here’s the story: surviving marcia brady and finding my true voice”, is the perfect mother a true story, is the quiet ones based on a true story, was fall guys based on a true story, is the movie stree based on a true story, what is the true story behind backcountry, ben randall coast guard true story, fears to fathom home alone true story, wyatt moss serial killer true story, is the movie girl in the shed based on a true story, what is the true story behind winnie the pooh, legend based on a true story, we are marshall based on a true story, is dog based on true story, is the field of dreams a true story, aftermath (2021 true story real people).

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Newsletters
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

John Leguizamo wants to eradicate 'cultural apartheid' with positive Latinx stories

Not many movies have been in the works for 23 years.

When Miami movie producer Carla Berkowitz read about a high school chess team in a 1997 issue of the Miami Herald's Tropic magazine, she knew she had to snap up the rights to the story.

For more than two decades, Berkowitz kept in touch with five team members — Oelmy "Ito" Paniagua, Gil Luna, Rodelay Medina, Sedrick Roundtree and Marcel Martinez. Then actor and director John Leguizamo stepped in.

"I related to this story of these kids who were in a tough neighborhood and didn't really fit in," Leguizamo recently told USA Today . "They didn't really want to go be gangsters, they didn't want to play football. They were street intellectuals, bookworms and nerds. And this teacher created this safe space for them."

The movie, " Critical Thinking ," premiered online on Sept. 4. It tells the true story of five Latinx and Black teenagers — played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Jeffrey Batista, Angel Bismark Curiel, William Hochman and Corwin Tuggles — from an underserved Miami neighborhood. Cuban-American teacher Mario Martinez (played by Leguizamo) coaches them to the National Chess Championship. Leguizamo also directed the film.

"Positive Latin stories, feel-good movies," he told USA Today. "They've seen Disney or they've seen 'After School Special.' They're tricky, but they're much appreciated. We need these stories. We gotta have stories of success, of excellence, told by Latin people, about Latin people, for Latin people."

Two years ago, Leguizamo's one-man show " Latin History for Morons " made it to Netflix and was staged at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre last year. Inspired by his quest to find Latinx heroes for his son, the comedy addressed the "cultural apartheid" of the lack of Latinx visibility in entertainment and media.

"Critical Thinking" has a similar goal in mind.

"We're the largest ethnic group in America," Leguizamo said to USA Today. "We're 25% of the U.S. box office, we're 30% of the public school population, and our kids don't see themselves. It's incredible: It's like we're living in a cultural apartheid, like we don't exist. We're here, we contribute money, taxes, and yet we're virtually invisible."

View this post on Instagram We worked our asses off but we had fun doing it! #criticalthinking the little movie that could! A post shared by John Leguizamo (@johnleguizamo) on Sep 9, 2020 at 6:39am PDT

The New York Times reported Wednesday that, of the 25 people who run the top TV networks and Hollywood studios, just three are Black or Hispanic. "Critical Thinking," however, featured a predominantly Black and Hispanic cast: Leguizamo was born in Colombia, Lendeborg in the Dominican Republic; Batista is Cuban, Bismark Curiel is Dominican and Tuggles is Black.

"We share the same story because, like me, he’s Cuban. He came to the U.S. at 17, and I came to the U.S. when I was turning 18," Batista told the Miami New Times of Marcel Martinez, the man who inspired his character. "For me, doing this movie basically means what for him was to become the national champion in chess. It's the ultimate dream to be in a movie like this."

Critical Thinking (2020)

Oelmy paniagua: real ito.

It looks like we don't have any photos or quotes yet.

Be the first to contribute! Add a photo or add a quote .

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs

• Full Cast and Crew
• Release Dates
• Official Sites
• Company Credits
• Filming & Production
• Technical Specs
• Plot Summary
• Plot Keywords
• Parents Guide

Did You Know?

• Crazy Credits
• Alternate Versions
• Connections
• Soundtracks

Photo & Video

• Photo Gallery
• Trailers and Videos
• User Reviews
• User Ratings
• External Reviews
• Metacritic Reviews

Related Items

• External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

Recently Viewed