Category Archive: Headlines

La Negra Tiene Tumbao—Afro Latina Celia Cruz on U.S. Quarter

“Being a first Afro Latina to obtain this honor, I think, is amazing because Celia was a trailblazer.” — Pardillo Cid 

This announcement was a source of pride in our office when we heard this news. Here’s a link to NPR’s sweet post on this celebration. Look for it in mid 2024.

I Truly Wanted to Love This Film

By Lina Fubar

A Knock at the Cabin, an interesting movie that lacked my interest. The story was as dull as the characters were stale. Although the movie fell flat, I must say, it was beautifully shot and with a little more elbow grease the concept of the movie would have been captivating. 

Synopsis: While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.

Knock at the Cabin stars Dave Bautista (Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), Jonathan Groff (Hamilton, Mindhunter), Ben Aldridge (Pennyworth, Fleabag), Nikki Amuka-Bird (Persuasion, Old), newcomer Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn (Little Women, Landline) and Rupert Grint (Servant, Harry Potter franchise). Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

The screenplay is by M. Night Shyamalan, Steve Desmond and Michael Sherman, based on the national bestseller The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. 

In theaters February 3rd by Universal Pictures.

Season 3 of Star Wars: The Mandalorian

We can’t wait for this season’s premiere of The Mandalorian. Yes! We are very excited for it.

The journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. The Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together.

The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow and Giancarlo Esposito. 

The directors of the eight-episode Season 3 include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Streaming on Disney+ on March 1.

American Masters: Roberta Flack

This new film tells Roberta Flack’s story in her own words, it features exclusive access to Flack’s archives and interviews with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Clint Eastwood, Yoko Ono, Angela Davis, Eugene McDaniels, Joel Dorn, Peabo Bryson and more.

American Masters: Roberta Flack follows the music icon from a piano lounge through her rise to stardom. From “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to “Killing Me Softly,” Flack’s virtuosity was inseparable from her commitment to civil rights. The film provides an intimate look into Flack’s artistry, life and triumphs over racism and sexism within and outside of the recording industry.

I think this is a great documentary on an amazing talent. Her sound makes everything feel so intimate. 

American Masters: Roberta premiered nationwide on Tuesday, January 24 on PBS (check local listings), pbs.org/americanmasters and the PBS Video App.

It’s That Time of the Year…We Picked What We Think is the BEST!

It’s that time of the year. We didn’t see everything that was out there. We are still looking at films but here are our publisher’s picks for 2022, that she’s seen.

What’s your pick?

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays!

Avatar: The Way of Water is On Its Way

20th Century Studios’ Avatar: The Way of Water, had its world premiere in London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on December 6, 2022.

Attendees included cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Joel David Moore, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Brendan Cowell, Bailey Bass, director/producer/writer/editor James Cameron and producer Jon Landau. The film opens in theaters on Friday, December 16.

The world premiere of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on December 06, 2022 in London, England.
Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Disney

It has been more than a decade since James Cameron blew away audiences with Avatar, and now the first sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, appears to be on its way to do the same thing.

Synopsis: Jake Sully and Ney’tiri have formed a family and are doing everything to stay together. However, they must leave their home and explore the regions of Pandora. When an ancient threat resurfaces, Jake must fight a difficult war against the humans.

Get ready for an incredible visual experience.

Wednesday Dances! And What a Dance!

We can’t help but agree with everything said below. 

Wednesday is the head of the class. In just two weeks, the new comedy mystery is now Netflix’s third Most Popular English-language TV series ever with 752.52M hours viewed, behind Stranger Things 4 and DAHMER-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Since its premiere, nearly 115M households globally have seen the series (752.25M hours viewed divided by 6.8 hours). Wednesday held the #1 spot on the weekly Top 10 English TV List for the second week in a row with a mega 411.29M hours viewed – smashing its record-breaking first week number of 341.23M hours viewed. Starring Jenna Ortega, who choreographed this infamous dance scene, the series was also #1 in 89 countries. 

Wednesday continues to have a resounding cultural impact across entertainment, the internet, music, fashion and beauty as fans can’t get enough of the series.

A fun reminder why we love this Wednesday character so much.

Coming to A Theater or Streaming Platform Near You

Independent films are usually a hit or miss—but for the most part, they have a lot of heart. And it’s always interesting to see what comes from not having huge budgets. Sometimes, there’s some great creativity that happens. Below are three films I checked out recently.

Moon Heart/El Corazón de la Luna (2022)
Peru’s entry for Academy consideration.

Micaela Cajahuaringa

I’m not going to lie, this film left me very depressed. It deals with so much without any dialog at all. The amount of grief, mental health, homelessness and old age is up front and in your face.

The actress, Haydeé Cáceres is very convincing in this role. Her expressions showed her thoughts and strong emotions. And the cinematography by Micaela Cajahuaringa is wonderful. Her lighting was amazing.

Synopsis: M is alone, almost invisible to society, not an outcast, just old, poor, homeless and ignored. Her only friend is a lone ant. M’s world is full of nostalgic memories and a dark presence that haunts her. Then one day, a “mechanical angel” arrives to help change her life.  

At its core, this is a film about marginalization and the abandonment and mental anguish that homeless people suffer.

Directed by Aldo Salvini. Other cast include Bruno Balbuena, César Chirinos, Mirta Urbina, and Sergio Velasco.

 

Car 24 (2023)

This crime thriller is not perfect, but it’s entertaining. For the most part, I enjoyed the film. There were two scenes, I could have seen less or not at all. All in all, very impressive for a first time director.

Synopsis: Two hit men who don’t know each other end up trapped in a car for 24 hours parked in a Los Angeles street awaiting orders to kill a target. Both men will undergo a conscience check as well as human existence conflicts.

The film is by first time director, Matias Desiderio (Walter). Who co-wrote, co-produced and co-starred with Salvatore di Costanzo (Toto). Rounding out the cast are Lexy Panterra, Cody Renne Cameron, Tony Panterra, Ciera Foster, Tony Tanelli, and Frank Trenado.

The film was nominated in the “Best Feature Narrative” category for the 25th annual Arpa International Film Festival (Arpa IFF). 

Directed by Matias Desiderio from Film on Vimeo.

 

Free Dead or Alive (Streaming)

Not a perfect script but it has some good things going for it. Some of the action is good and I found Dyana Ortelli’s part compelling as Teresa, Dragon’s (Seth Michaels) mother. 

Synopsis: A young El Salvadorian woman flees abuse and falls in love with a hard-hearted coyote along a deadly journey through the treacherous Mexican migration route. The film is set along a dangerous trail to the Mexican border, where every migrant is prey to assault, extortion, sexual abuse and murder, perpetrated by a wide range of violent characters. The story captures Eva, a proud knife-wielding heroine born into circumstances of poverty, that force many women into a life of prostitution and abuse. Unwilling to compromise, she will risk it all to be free. Her aspirations for education and a better life fuel a deep hatred for all men, until she meets a skilled coyote named Dragon, the one man who can protect her dream through the journey through hostile lands where the cartels are the law.

Written and directed by Erik Bernard. Starring Edy Ganem, Robert Avellanet, Patricia Velasquez, Alejandro De Hoyos, Al Coronel, Robert LaSardo, Marco-Angela La Porta, Marcus DeAnda, Juan Pablo Olyslager, Thomas Hennessy, Christiana Leucas, and Anna Carvalho.

Depth of Field is Surprisingly Full of Heart

A month ago, I had the pleasure of screening the film, Depth of Field. The indie drama, premiered at Cannes’ Marché du Film back on May 18th.

Bobby Cloud and John F. Uranday
©2022 Angela María Ortíz S.

Before the screening, which took place in Santa Monica, California, I did a short interview with the writer, producer and director, John F. Uranday (Lost Souls, Trolled) and producer Bobby Cloud (Lost Souls, Trolled). Together, they are co-founders of Penwheel Universe. 

A fast growing company, based on creating and telling stories that they feel aren’t being told. Or ideas that come from stories they have read, events in their personal lives or even just a meme seen on FB.

L-r: Director John F. Uranday, Rafael Petardi and Jay Acovone

About Depth of Field, is the story of Charles, a widower who has given up on life until he meets a foster child next door that would change his life forever.

The film has a good pace and I found it very satisfying at the end.

Depth of Field stars Rafael Petardi (Red Notice), George Stroumboulopoulos (The Communist Daughter), Jay Avocone (Lethal Weapon), Carrie Quinn Dolin (Bruce Almighty), Ella Thomas (NCIS: Los Angeles), Diana Diaz (Music), and Thea Saccoliti in the role of Valerie.

The film is doing the festival circuit now. —A.O.

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