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LOCKED Is Intense and Entertaining A talk with the Director

We caught up with the director of LOCKED David Yarovesky (Brightburn, Nightbooks), just before we screened the film with no spoilers. The film took nineteen days to shoot. Watch our quick interview. Synopsis: No escape. No …

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At a Screening of Dog Man the Movie

It was an enjoyable screening with two of the grandsons. The five year old said it was happy and sad at the same time. And he loved it! The twelve year old who has read …

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Unstoppable Streaming on Prime Video

Unstoppable is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams. With the …

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 The Speed to the BoxOffice

“Sonic 3 will beat out Mufasa, for sure!” — JimmityCritic (12) Sonic the Hedgehog 3, what a fun evening with the grandkids it was. When you have a 12, 10 and 5 year-old clap their hands at the end …

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Mufasa: The Lion King the Prequel

Mufasa: The Lion King was entertaining and the production value was amazing to watch. Set in Africa, all-new film blends live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery.  My 12 year-old grandson thought it was one …

LOCKED Is Intense and Entertaining A talk with the DirectorAt a Screening of Dog Man the MovieUnstoppable Streaming on Prime VideoSonic the Hedgehog 3 The Speed to the BoxOfficeMufasa: The Lion King the Prequel

The 19th Annual NHMC Impact Awards in Pictures

On the red carpet and in the ballroom

On the red carpet and in the ballroom

I enjoy covering the annual National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) Impact Awards; I feel that their awards and awardees have merit compared to so many awards that seem to be based on popularity.

Angela Ortíz with icon Angelica Maria Photo: Diana Carolina @gypset

Angela Ortíz with icon Angelica Maria
Photo: Diana Carolina @gypset

The event honors Latinos making positive impact in film and TV. And 2016 marks the 30-year anniversary of NHMC, a media advocacy and civil rights organization for the advancement of Latinos, working towards a media that is fair and inclusive of Latinos and others.

1-NHMCThe event took place on February 26 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The evening’s co-hosts were actor Nicholas Gonzalez (Bordertown) and Jackie Guerrido (Univision Network personality.)

The awardees of the evening were, ABC Correspondent John Quiñones, who received the Lifetime achievement Award. The Outstanding Performance in a Television Series went to actors Andrea Navedo (CW’s Jane the Virgin), Stephanie Beatriz (FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and Luiz Guzmán (CBS’ Code Black). Other awards giving were to executive producer Mauricio Mota for Outstanding Online Series (East Los High), and ESPN for Outstanding Commitment and Outreach to the Latino community, executive John Kosner accepted the award for the network.

Now enjoy the 2016 pictures, click here.

Photos: ©2016 Angela María Ortíz S.

 

Captain America: Civil War New Trailer

CA-Civil WarMarvel’s Captain America: Civil War a new trailer for this anticipated film. Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, and Daniel Brühl. Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo.

Captain America: Civil War in theaters May 16, 2016.

Jenna Ortega: Stuck in the Middle and Much More

Jenna Ortega and Angela Ortíz

Jenna Ortega and Angela Ortíz

Jenna Ortega has been a busy young lady with a career that’s less than five years old. Her credits are quite impressive: action (Iron Man 3), horror (Insidious: Chapter 2) films. A lot of television arcs on Rake, Richie Rich, the young Jane in Jane the Virgin, and the voice of Isabel in Disney’s new animated series, Elena of Avalor.

Stuck in the Middle cast

Stuck in the Middle cast

Her most exciting project, however, is the show that centers around her character Harley Diaz: Stuck in the Middle. Stuck is told through Harley’s point of view, and features the everyday life stories of a big family as this middle child devises creative ways to cope—and stand out—in her family’s busy suburban Massachusetts household. In addition to Jenna, the series stars Isaak Presley as Ethan Diaz; Ronni Hawk as Rachel Diaz; Kayla Maisonet as Georgie Diaz; Nicolas Bechtel as Lewie Diaz; Malachi Barton as “Beast” Diaz; Ariana Greenblatt as Daphne Diaz; Cerina Vincent as mom Suzy Diaz; and Joe Nieves (How I Met Your Mother) as dad Tom Diaz.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega

A group of us had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Jenna about her present success and future plans. She was a delight. Now you can listen in on the conversation too.

Stuck in the Middle will begin in its regular time slot Friday, March 11 at 9P on Disney Channel.

10 Cloverfield Lane Comes Out of Nowhere to Knock Audiences Around

10cl_poster

As a sequel to 2012’s Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane doesn’t really work, but as a stand-alone horror movie in its own right, it has plenty of suspenseful moments that succeed in capturing the audience’s attention.

L-r: John Gallagher Jr., Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman

L-r: John Gallagher Jr., Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman

From the very beginning, Mary Elizabeth Winstead keeps this movie going. She’s beautiful, strong, smart, quick on her feet and spectacular. Through the entire film her character makes the audience get lost in the scenes.

John Goodman, as her captor and savior, is stellar. The genuine feel from him and Winstead combined make this movie fly by. Goodman talks about an apocalyptic story that’s beyond belief.

The movie is, a fantastic suspenseful story that has some mystery elements as well. It keeps the audience guessing, and it’s true, those who have  seen Cloverfield may have an advantage.

The ending combines everything that is known about Michelle and Howard to create a logical conclusion, but it leaves lots of room for a Part Three that can explain all the unanswered questions that remain from both movies.

10 Cloverfield Lane opens in theaters March 11.

Thanks to Jesus Figueroa at Thisfunktional for his contribution on this post.

Benicio Del Toro, Heineken® and Heritage

Benicio Del Toro

Benicio Del Toro

We got this fun video of a Q&A with Benicio Del Toro on his thoughts on being the face of a brand, filming in Barcelona and his upcoming role in Star Wars Episode 8.

This is the first time the Oscar winner has served as a brand spokesperson and the spots will air in 70+ markets internationally in both English and Spanish. The new U.S. and global led program is comprised of three new TV commercials, featuring the award-winning actor.

The first commercial featuring Benicio has premiered already.

Now sit back and enjoy the behind the scenes video, courtesy of Heineken®.

Eugenio Derbez Talks New Movie and Getting A Star

Eugenio Derbez ©2015 Angela María Ortíz S.

Eugenio Derbez
©2015 Angela María Ortíz S.

Eugenio Derbez on the KTLA Morning News Wednesday, March 9. He talked about his upcoming film Miracles From Heaven that is out March 16. Eugenio gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, March 10. Get more info about it here, @eugenioderbez or his Facebook page.

Zootopia in Theaters Now

Watch this featurette with the voices of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, and Shakira.

Bordertown New Episode! New Time!

Bordertown teaser of new episode on March 6 and also at a new time, 7P.

Ghostbusters First Trailer! Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts!

Ghostbusters Day 16On March 2, a group of journalists and Ghostheads got to screen the first trailer of the new Ghostbusters (twice), and weren’t disappointed. We even watched it twice and sat for a Q&A with directors Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters 1 & 2), Paul Feig (the new Ghostbusters, as well as Bridesmaids, Heat, Spy, and more), and writer Katie Dippold.

 

Angela Ortíz and director Paul Feig Photo: Gladys Rios

Angela Ortíz and director Paul Feig
Photo: Gladys Rios

“I wanted to bring [“Ghostbusters”] to a new generation because I have such love for this property, and it’s out of sheer love for the property that we did this,” said Feig.

Watch the trailer now, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. — A.O.

Who You Gonna Call?

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot aka WTF The Movie

Jesus Figueroa

Jesus Figueroa

While watching Whiskey Tango Foxtrot I found myself reminiscing of the 1970 MASH movie, and that’s a good thing. The movie flowed nicely for me; it kept me engaged.Kim Barker author

My colleague Jesus Figueroa of Thisfunktional did a great interview for us with Kim Barker author of The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the book the movie is based on. Baker spoke about the liberties that Hollywood takes in telling stories based on reality; she shared more about her time in a war zone and being back in the U.S.A.

Audio-Button-200Tina Fey is very good in this role and so were the other actors. And as Kim Barker said, we know how tricky it can be when something is based on true stories.

The film also stars Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, Alfred Molina, Billy Bob Thornton, Christopher Abbott, Josh Charles, and Cherry Jones. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Now listen in on Jesus’ conversation with Kim. — A.O.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot in theaters Friday, March 4.

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