Latino columns, essays on movies, TV, and culture

Can Asian and Latino Unity Make ‘In The Heights’ Reach #1 At The Box Office?

Can Asian and Latino Unity Make ‘In The Heights’ Reach #1 At The Box Office? The upcoming film ‘In The Heights,’ which already accounts for a Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jon Chu collaboration, has A LOT riding on it. If a movie about Latinos fails, studios will view it as evidence that moviegoers aren’t interested in seeing Latino stories. This is a bigger problem for Hispanics than it already is. If it opens at #1, it could single-handedly open the floodgates to Latino stories being normalized on-screen.

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The Latino Significance of Pixar’s ‘Coco’

“Coco,” the 19th film from Pixar, is a return to form for the stumbling animation company which has re-found its footing with its colorful characters, striking vivid cinematography, and a heartwarming story of family and tradition. Set in Mexico, a young boy (Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming a musician just like his great-great-grandfather Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). But when his family prohibits him from playing music, he finds himself magically transported to the Land of the Dead on Dia de Los Muertos meeting his past relatives and discovering a deeper connection to himself and to his family’s history. Read More