12.3.2013 | By Mariana Dussan |
With our ‘Zorro Reborn’ proof-of-concept trailer article, which we exclusively posted last week, there has been a plethora of speculation in Hollywood on who could become the next Zorro and lead the Latino masked fugitive into the next generation. Her then are 6 Hispanic Actors That Could Play Zorro In Fox’s “Zorro Reborn”!
11.19.2013 | By Mariana Dussan |
When I heard that Jennifer Lopez will pay homage to the iconic Celia Cruz at the upcoming American Music Awards, it got me thinking: because of JLo’s Latin tribute at this all-American event, many more Latinos are bound to tune in to the awards show, so then should American audiences turn around and tune into this year’s Latin Grammys? Read More
10.2.2013 | By Mariana Dussan |
Colombian superstar Juanes is set to rock television screens across the country as he headlines the season premiere of “Austin City Limits.” Read More
10.23.2012 | By Jack Rico |
For those of you who had a chance to see ‘Paranormal Activity 4’ this weekend and stayed until the VERY end of the credits, you saw a “button” (term to describe a very short scene/clip of an upcoming movie,) of the new untitled Latino spin-off of ‘Paranormal Activity’. According to Paramount publicists, this is not a teaser nor a trailer.
For those that did not see it, there is a leaked video that was just released, courtesy of Tinypics.com, that shows the “button” in question that many who left the theater early never saw. Why Paramount calls it a “button” is beyond me, but what’s even more mind-boggling is that Paramount didn’t want the press to know of it. According to a source at the studio, it was supposed to be kept a secret from the press. None of this makes sense to me, but I call this a missed opportunity on their part.
Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered such as a specific date for the release of the film, the name of the movie, official plot, cast names, and when an official teaser or complete theatrical trailer will launch. What you read any where else is pure and simple speculation, including Christopher Landon, son of Michael Landon, directing. Paramount is not giving any official word on the untitled Latino-spinoff yet.
Christopher Landon
What we can tell you is that ‘Paranormal Activity 4’ premiered at #1 this weekend at the box office with $30.2 million dollars, which for a film that only cost $5 million dollars to create is a high profit. What we can also tell you is that with Hispanics attending the film twice more than any other group, which constitutes 25 percent of the audience (to only 16 percent of the population), Latinos are 80 percent more likely to watch a movie on their first weekend, offering big money to movie studios.
As of our last phone call, Paramount is staying mum on everything. We’ll continue to get to the bottom of this movie and report it as it comes our way.
Original Video – More videos at TinyPic
10.11.2012 | By Jack Rico |
Latinos are seriously EVERYWHERE. In Ben Affleck‘s and George Clooney‘s brand new movie ARGO, based on a true story, Affleck himself plays Latino CIA Agent, Antonio Mendez, a man with a problematic personal life, but very skilled at his professional one. The movie never acknowledges the Latino nationality in anyway besides the name and the real life picture of the man himself at the end of the credits.
The plot for Argo goes like this: “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played—information that was not declassified until many years after the event. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.
Mendez, who was born in Eureka, Nevada in 1940, and is Latino from his father’s side, moved to Colorado as a teen and went on to study at the University of Colorado. Mendez barely speaks Spanish, but nevertheless was able to join the CIA in 1963 and worked in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Middle East. Prior to joining the agency, Mendez was an artist (worked as an illustrator and tool designer for Martin Marietta) and now works on art full time. His work in the agency frequently dealt with forging foreign documents, creating disguises and handling other graphical work related to espionage.
In today’s instant information age, it seems inconceivable that the entire operation in ARGO remained top secret until it was declassified by President Clinton in 1997. Surprisingly, even after Tony Mendez recounted the events in his 2000 book, Master of Disguise, and, later, Bearman detailed them in Wired, most people remain largely unaware of a story that even Affleck admits “sounds utterly absurd. I understand that, because it seems completely unbelievable, but the fact that it happened is what makes it even more fascinating.”
‘Argo’ is a thrilling, nail-biting film that will keep you fully entertained with its captivating storyline and nearly perfect production. This political thriller is able to captivate the audience, by injecting dry humor, some mild action and focusing on the task at hand without getting too politically confusing. I think director Ben Affleck did a fantastic job giving the film the exact feel for the time it is set in, late70’s early 80’s; everything from the shots, to the outfits, cars, colors and even music, blend in masterfully to deliver what I would call one of the best dramas of the year.
This movie has the ability to literally keep you at the edge of your seat, providing some of the most intense, nail-biting scenes I’ve ever experienced in a movie theater. Scriptwriter Chris Terrio gave such a solid compact story that Affleck was able to create a class A film, with some help from producer Grant Heslov and George Clooney. You truly feel like a part of the film, so much so that at points you want to elbow some of the characters for their actions. The film gives an inside look into a story that was classified until 1997 and that many people might remember living it. Having been part of history some may already know the outcome of the film, either way it’s all about the top-secret intense journey it takes us on.
06.4.2012 | By Karen Posada |
New York, NY (June 4th, 2012)- The Tony Awards just announced all the performances to be seen this Sunday, June 10 for the 66th Annual Tony Awards. This spectacular night will have more entertainment than ever seen before, it will have presentations by Nominated Musicals for this year’s Tony 2012 including: Evita with Ricky Martin and Elena Roger; Follies with nominated Tony actor Danny Burstein; The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess with Tony nominees Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis y David Alan Grier; Jesus Christ Superstar with nominated Tony actor Josh Young; Leap of Faith with Raúl Esparza; Newsies, with nominated Tony actor Jeremy Jordan; Nice Work If You Can Get It with Tony nominees Matthew Broderick y Kelli O’Hara; and Once with Tony nominees Steve Kazee, Cristin Millioti y Elizabeth A. Davis.
There will also be presentations by nominated plays, such as: End of the Rainbow with nominated Tony actress Tracie Bennett; One Man, Two Guvnors with nominated Tony actor James Corden and Peter and the Starcatcher with Tony nominees Christian Borle and Celia Keenan-Bolger. The show will also have a presentation by Corbin Bleu and the cast of Godspell and Ghost The Musical with Bryce Pinkham, Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman.
Don’t miss the Tony Awards, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, broadcast live, from the Beacon Theater on CBS, Sunday, June 10 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. (ET/PT time delay)
02.21.2012 | By Jack Rico |
According to Deadline.com, Robert Rodriguez, FactoryMade Ventures CEO John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa will be launching El Rey Network, a cable television networl, looking to serve a U.S.-born Latino market they believe is underserved.
Tres Pistoleros, will be developing programming for El Rey, creating content across multiple platforms including reality, scripted and animated series as well as movies, documentaries, music, comedy and sports programming. El Rey will primarily be in English and showcase Hispanic producers, celebrities and public figures. El Rey Network hopes to launch by January 2014.
Rodriguez will continue to direct films but said he will take an active daily role in overseeing El Rey and Tres Pistoleros. Fogelman added that “well-known executives” will be announced in the next couple months to help run the new ventures.
02.21.2012 | By Mack Chico |
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Mexican director Guillermo del Toro will be producing ‘Day of the Dead,’ a CG-animated movie. Del Toro will also present the film, which is being directed and co-written by Jorge R. Gutierrez (the co-creator of a Nickelodeon show named El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera) and is being eyed for a fall 2014 release.
‘Day of the Dead’ is described as a Romeo and Juliet-style love story set against the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead.
Music will play a key part in the movie and producers are hoping to snag an international who’s who for the soundtrack.
Reel FX who is also producing, is currently working on an animated feature adaptation of the Dark Horse graphic novel Beasts Of Burden.
02.2.2012 | By Jack Rico |
For anyone who has rebuked mainstream America for not giving Latinos opoortunities to showcase their talents, then how do you explain Gerardo Naranjo? Yeah, I know what you’re saying… “a good agent and being Hispanic is in vogue.” You might be right, but it’s happening. It’s becoming an American reality, an a normalcy we need to get used to.
According to Deadline.com, 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment are negotiating with Gerardo Naranjo to direct The Mountain Between Us, an adaptation of the Charles Martin novel.
For those of you who don’t know who Gerado Naranjo, he’s coming off Miss Bala, Mexico’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar submission. It is executive produced by Mexican heavyweights Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna and tells the story of Laura, a young woman whose aspirations of becoming a beauty queen turn against her, delivering her into the hands of a gang that’s terrorizing northern Mexico. Although Laura succeeds in winning the beauty queen crown, her experiences as an unwilling participant in Mexico’s violent war leave her shaken and transformed.
From what we understand, The Mountain Between Us, is adapted by J. Mills Goodloe, and is both a harrowing tale of survival and a love story. Ashley is a writer catching a flight from Salt Lake City and heading East for her wedding. Ben is a doctor returning from a medical conference. When a their flight is cancelled due to a broken de-icer, the strangers agree to charter a ride, only to see the pilot suffer a heart attack and crash into a desolate snowy mountain region. He breaks ribs and she suffers a leg fracture. Fortunately, aside from a doctor he’s an avid climber, and as he struggles to get her down from the mountain in harsh weather, she begins to realize that maybe she was headed to marry the wrong guy.
How will Naranjo fair in his debut? Only time will tell, but we’re rooting for him to establish a reputation of quality work worthy of awards.
11.29.2011 | By Jack Rico |
Mexican actor Demián Bichir and the half-Dominican, half-Puerto Rican transgender actress Harmony Santana have been nominated for awards at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The films they represent are ‘A Better Life’ and ‘Gun Hill Road’, respectively.
Also, if you’re just becoming curious on what films are creating buzz in Hollywood come awards season, check out the rest of the nominations:
BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed)
50/50 Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen
Beginners Producers: Miranda de Pencier, Lars Knudsen, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Jay Van Hoy
Drive Producers: Michel Litvak, John Palermo, Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Adam Siegel
Take Shelter Producers: Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin
The Artist Producer: Thomas Langmann
The Descendants Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
BEST DIRECTOR
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Mike Mills – Beginners
Jeff Nichols – Take Shelter
Alexander Payne – The Descendants
Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive
BEST SCREENPLAY
Joseph Cedar – Footnote
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist
Tom McCarthy – Win Win
Mike Mills – Beginners
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – The Descendants
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Another Earth Director: Mike Cahill
Producers: Mike Cahill, Hunter Gray, Brit Marling, Nicholas Shumaker
In the Family Director: Patrick Wang
Producers: Robert Tonino, Andrew van den Houten, Patrick Wang
Margin Call Director: J.C. Chandor
Producers: Robert Ogden Barnum, Michael Benaroya, Neal Dodson, Joe Jenckes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto
Martha Marcy May Marlene Director: Sean Durkin
Producers: Antonio Campos, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Josh Mond
Natural Selection Director: Robbie Pickering
Producers: Brion Hambel, Paul Jensen
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Mike Cahill, Brit Marling Another Earth
J.C. Chandor – Margin Call
Patrick deWitt – Terri
Phil Johnston – Cedar Rapids
Will Reiser – 50/50
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director, and producer. Executive Producers are not listed
Bellflower Writer/Director: Evan Glodell
Producers: Evan Glodell, Vincent Grashaw
Circumstance Writer/Director: Maryam Keshavarz
Producers: Karin Chien, Maryam Keshavarz, Melissa M. Lee
Hello Lonesome Writer/Director/Producer: Adam Reid
Pariah Writer/Director: Dee Rees
Producer: Nekisa Cooper
The Dynamiter Writer: Brad Inglesby
Director: Matthew Gordon
Producers: Kevin Abrams, Matthew Gordon, Merilee Holt, Art Jones, Mike Jones, Nate Tuck, Amile Wilson
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Lauren Ambrose – Think of Me
Rachael Harris – Natural Selection
Adepero Oduye – Pariah
Elizabeth Olsen – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn
BEST MALE LEAD
Demián Bichir – A Better Life
Jean Dujardin – The Artist
Ryan Gosling – Drive
Woody Harrelson – Rampart
Michael Shannon – Take Shelter
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Jessica Chastain – Take Shelter
Anjelica Huston – 50/50
Janet McTeer – Albert Nobbs
Harmony Santana – Gun Hill Road
Shailene Woodley – The Descendants
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Albert Brooks – Drive
John Hawkes – Martha Marcy May Marlene
Christopher Plummer – Beginners
John C. Reilly – Cedar Rapids
Corey Stoll – Midnight in Paris
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Joel Hodge – Bellflower
Benjamin Kasulke – The Off Hours
Darius Khondji – Midnight in Paris
Guillaume Schiffman – The Artist
Jeffrey Waldron – The Dynamiter
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
An African Election Director/Producer: Jarreth Merz
Bill Cunningham New York Director: Richard Press
Producer: Philip Gefter
The Interrupters Director/Producer: Steve James
Producer: Alex Kotlowitz
The Redemption of General Butt Naked Director/Producers: Eric Strauss, Daniele Anastasion
We Were Here Director/Producer: David Weissman
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
A Separation
(Iran) Director: Asghar Farhadi
Melancholia
(Denmark/Sweden/France/Germany) Director: Lars von Trier
Shame
(UK) Director: Steve McQueen
The Kid With a Bike
(Belgium/France/Italy) Directors: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Tyrannosaur
(UK) Director: Paddy Considine
PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 15th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
Chad Burris Mosquita y Mari
Sophia Lin Take Shelter
Josh Mond Martha Marcy May Marlene
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 18th annual Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Simon Arthur Silver Tongues
Mark Jackson Without
Nicholas Ozeki Mamitas
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 17th annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
Heather Courtney Where Soldiers Come From
Danfung Dennis Hell and Back Again
Alma Har’el Bombay Beach
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
Margin Call Director: J.C. Chandor
Casting Director: Tiffany Little Canfield, Bernard Telsey
Ensemble Cast: Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci
