The Latest in Latino Entertainment News

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ only $160.9mil in the box office

The final chapter of Batman ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ of course premiered at number one and became the best 2D release of all time, earning $160.9 million dollars. The events of last week in the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado seem to have affected the amount people were expecting it to collect. It certainly didn’t reach the number ‘The Avengers’ made on its opening weekend of $200 million dollars. Nonetheless, Christopher Nolan has broken a record, and surely the movie will be hard to beat for the rest of the summer.

The animated film ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ dropped to the second spot with $ 20.4million dollars. The prehistoric animal film starring Ray Romano, Dennis Leery and John Leguizamo is sandwiched between two very different superhero movies, and it seems to be holding its ground now.

‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ dropped yet another spot to number three collecting $10.9 million dollars. Despite of the fact that this film has some better performances and techniques than its predecessor, it doesn’t seem to have captured the heart of many as that one did.

The Top 10 Movies in the Box Office are:

1. The Dark Knight Rises – $160.9 mil

2. Ice Age: Continental Drift – $20.4 mil

3. The Amazing Spider-Man – $10.9 mil

4. Ted – $10 mil

5. Brave – $6 mil

6. Magic Mike – $4.3 mil

7. Savages – $3.4 mil

8. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection – $2.2 mil  

9. Moonrise Kingdom – $1.8 mil

10. To Rome with Love – $1.4 mil

Being Flynn

Watching ‘Being Flynn’ is like eating a heavy meal right before you go to bed, it is very hard to digest. The subject matter is so loaded that it took me a while to understand how I felt about the movie, and that effect on its own says a lot. The movie is entertaining up to a certain point because the story develops delicately and although it only runs for 1hour 42 minutes, there’s a precise moment in the end where if it would have finished, it would have been enough. This true-life story no doubt is interesting but perhaps it is this very element of realness what drags it down.

The film narrates the life of Nick Flynn (Paul Dano) from his childhood to his adulthood. He tells us of his absent father, Jonathan (Robert De Niro) and about his obsessiveness of being a writer. Despite many obstacles in his childhood his single mother, Jody (Julianne Moore) was able to raise a somewhat normal child. Although he does seem to be struggling, he starts putting his life on track by working at a shelter in Boston and just as he seems to be shaping his life how he wants it his father comes in to mess with any kind of confidence or goals that he may have. The struggle between these two is what carries the movie forward and what brings on the heavy sentimental tiring subjects.

Dano does a good job at capturing the very complicated life of this man who’s had very little in his favor to reach his goals. De Niro plays well the character of an arrogant, self-centered alcoholic; he really is such a versatile actor that you can almost believe him to be this character in real life. There’s no denying that the movie is most intense in the homeless shelter scenes, it is such a haunting dose of reality because of the sense that nowadays specially with the economic crisis anyone can end up in this situation.

Most true-life stories that turn into movies usually have great success because of all the elements that it combines, but in this one the sad reality is way heavier than the uplifting moments; therefore you come out depressed and pensive. The fact that it does open our eyes more to certain things we overlook such as homeless people is a very positive point of the movie but having to deal with all the other emotions it brings is too much of a burden to want to be excited about seeing this film. 

‘End of Watch’: First official clip!

‘End of Watch’ will open in theaters nationwide September 28, 2012. The Open Road Films action thriller production stars Mexican-American Michael Peña and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as two young Los Angeles police officers that patrol the toughest streets in South Central vs. the Mexican cartel.

The movie shows an interesting picture of the city’s most dangerous places, the police partners that put their lives at risk working there and the stakes they and their families are forced to face. The film is written and directed by David Ayer the screenwriter for ‘Training Day’.

The film also stars: Natalie Martinez, America Ferrera, Anna Kendrick,  Frank Grillo and David Harbour. Watch the first official clip of the movie, which premiered this past weekend at Comic-con in San Diego. Also, don’t forget to check out the poster at the bottom.

‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ is #1!

The fourth part of the animated film ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ premiered at number one with $46 million dollars. The continuation of the funny story of the three friends that make up a peculiar family has many followers, despite of the fact that many think it’s time for their journey to end.

‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ surprisingly fell to second place with $35 million dollars, although it has already collected 500 million dollars worldwide. It’s expected to take advantage of its time before Batman premieres, which will probably make it go down a few spots.

The obscene teddy bear ‘Ted’ ended up in third place with $22.1 million dollars. This comedy has held on strong since it premiered and continues to do so.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. Ice Age: Continental Drift – $46

2. The Amazing Spider-Man – $35

3. Ted – $22.1 mil

4. Brave – $10.7 mil

5. Magic Mike – $9

6. Savages – $8.7 mil

7. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection – $5.6 mil

8. Katy Perry: Part of Me – $3.7 mil

9. Moonrise Kingdom – $3.7 mil

10. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – $3.5 mil

Ice Age: Continental Drift (Movie Review)

‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ is 94 minutes of fun for all; this might be the best out of the last two sequels. It’s hard for three main characters to entertain over so many movies, perhaps the reason why it works here is because they take a back seat at points and let the new characters tell the story. This movie combines drama with comedy very well, so that even in the most dramatic moments there’s an upside to it all. Also, the 3D works well throughout the movie, but it works best in the first part where there are a lot of objects popping out of the screen.

In this chapter thanks to Scat’s (Chris Wedge) endless pursuit of the acorn, he triggers a continental drift. As Manny (Ray Romano) is learning to deal with his teenage daughter Peaches (Keke Palmer), Sid (John Leguizamo) is reunited with his Granny (Wanda Sykes) and Diego (Denis Leary) ferociously helps them both. The gang all learn a lesson after they get separated from part of their pack and they face a rare group of pirates that use an iceberg as a ship. Their captain, Captain Gutt (Peter Dinklage) rules the oceans and with the help of his best crew members Shira (Jennifer Lopez) and Squint (Aziz Ansari) he will fight anyone that gets in their way.  

My favorite new character is Sid’s Granny, everything she does and says it’s adorably cranky and funny; she’s one of those old people that don’t hold back. Also, the tiny hyraxs (chipmunk like animals) are awesome with their ‘Braveheart’ skit. One of the most substantial new characters is Louis (Josh Gad), a molehog who is Peaches’ best friend.

The new group of villains is an interesting mix but Captain Gutt is the only that’s worth mentioning, his yellow teeth really shine with the 3D making him all the more disgusting and scary. One thing I could have lived without is the pirate jig they use to introduce Gutt. Manny still has a lot of screen time and is certainly the leader, but Sid and Diego really are secondary characters. There are also appearances by Nicki Minaj and Drake, which obviously were just added to the film to draw in a bigger audience.

What makes this movie more entertaining than the 3rd part is the fact that there are two simultaneous stories developing, the action shots of one complements the heart of the other. The introduction of new characters that lead the story gives it a more refreshing look. Of course Scrat is basically a third part of the story that always makes it all the more interesting as he’s the catalyst to everything that occurs.

If you are a fan of The Simpsons make sure to arrive early as there’s a short 3D film ‘The Longest Daycare’ with Maggie. This movie is better rounded than the last one of the series and there’s a lot more humor that will keep you and your children entertained. There are a few lessons the film tries to teach as an undertone, but they don’t over take the movie, this is more fun, action and laughter than anything else.