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The Latest in Latino Entertainment News

When in Rome (Movie Review)
Jack Rico
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2010/01/30 at 12:00am

Movie ReviewsMovies

When in Rome (Movie Review)

01.30.2010 | By |

When in Rome

‘When in Rome’ is everything that is bad with movies nowadays. A romantic comedy with a recycled and absurd premise, vacuous humor, and a script as predictable as the weather in LA. These are the types of movies that you should never pay to see for many reasons including a lack of soul, depth or real substance to any of these characters. Everything ssems to be a fantasy passed off as reality and the producers must think we are the fools that will buy it.

Here’s the storyline. Beth (Bell) is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, when she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love during a whirlwind trip to Rome, she finds herself aggressively pursued by a band of suitors with one of them becoming her one true love.

The protagonists seem to be better than what the script constrained them to. Kristen Bell showed promise in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Josh Duhamel (who looks like Joey Lawrence’s long lost twin brother) could be either an action leading man in his future or continue to do rom-com’s. The acting wasn’t the big problem, the screenwriters, David Diamond, David Weissman and the director Mark Steven Johnson are fully responsible for this ignominious failure.

The standard for today’s romantic comedy was set with Rob Reiner’s ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and some would argue Woody Allen’s ‘Annie Hall’. But ‘When in Rome’ looks like a disaster from the onset and should not be worth your time or money at the movies. Perhaps a DVD pick? Not even. It is one of the worst movies of the year.

Edge of Darkness (Movie Review)
Karen Posada
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2010/01/28 at 12:00am

Movie ReviewsMovies

Edge of Darkness (Movie Review)

01.28.2010 | By |

*Updated December 2025

Edge of Darkness was directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) who also directed the English mini-series from the 80s with the same title on which the movie is based. Not being familiar with the mini-series, I thought the previews had given too much away and I could guess the outcome. I was wrong. Read More

EXCLUSIVE! First Look at ‘The Crazies’ TV Spot
Jack Rico
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2010/01/28 at 12:00am

Movies

EXCLUSIVE! First Look at ‘The Crazies’ TV Spot

01.28.2010 | By |

EXCLUSIVE! First Look at 'The Crazies' TV Spot

We just got a hold of the first TV spot of The Crazies before it has even hit the TV networks! It shows some never before scenes directed by George A. Romero.

The Crazies is a remake from the 1973 original that George Romero directed about the inhabitants of a small Iowa town suddenly plagued by insanity and then death after a mysterious toxin contaminates their water supply. One man, his wife, a nurse, and the sheriff try to survive this plague, but when the military are killing everyone on sight, they’re going to have to fight their way out, or die by either the plague or the military.

The film is released Feb 26th! Check it out now!

 

Saint John of Las Vegas (Movie Review)
Namreta Kumar
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2010/01/27 at 12:00am

Movie ReviewsMovies

Saint John of Las Vegas (Movie Review)

01.27.2010 | By |

There are some films that you love instantly, and others that you hate; this film does not fit either category. Saint John of Las Vegas is distinctly unmemorable. Read More

Lionsgate picks up Spanish film with Ryan Reynolds
Jack Rico
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2010/01/25 at 12:00am

Movies

Lionsgate picks up Spanish film with Ryan Reynolds

01.25.2010 | By |

Lionsgate picks up Spanish film with Ryan Reynolds

Lionsgate announced today that it has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to the 2010 Sundance Film Festival sensation, BURIED, directed by Rodrigo Cortés (THE CONTESTANT). A taut, inventive thriller, BURIED stars Ryan Reynolds (THE PROPOSAL, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE) and is written by Chris Sparling (the upcoming MERCY).  The producers are Adrián Guerra and Peter Safran (NEW IN TOWN, MEET THE SPARTANS); Alejandro Miranda is executive producer, alongside Rodrigo Cortés. The director of photography is Eduard Grau (A SINGLE MAN).  The announcement was made today by Joe Drake, Lionsgate Co-Chief Operating Officer and Motion Picture Group President, and Jason Constantine, Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.

Said Constantine, “BURIED is one of the tightest, most intense thrillers we’ve ever seen, and we were absolutely determined to bring it home to Lionsgate.  BURIED is a powerful reminder that all you really need for an unforgettable movie experience is a great story, inventive filmmaking and brilliant acting.  And because of the combined excellence of Rodrigo, Ryan and Chris, it’s all there in BURIED.”

“I’m very excited to be working with Lionsgate,” affirmed Cortés.  “They are consistently creative and know how to use their resources to make the strongest possible impact – which is exactly what we set out to do with BURIED.  So it’s a very natural fit.”

Commented Safran, “Making BURIED has been a deeply rewarding creative experience, and I am fortunate to have had outstanding producing partners in Adrián and Alejandro.  We are delighted to be joining forces with my good friends at Lionsgate, and look forward to making BURIED the breakout hit it deserves to be.”

The film is about Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds), truck driver and family man, wakes up BURIED ALIVE in an old wooden coffin.  Not knowing who might have put him there or why, his only chance to escape from this nightmare is a mysterious cell phone.  Poor reception, battery and lack of oxygen are his worst enemies in a race against time: Paul has only 90 minutes to be rescued.

Exclusive interview! Jay Baruchel quits acting
Jack Rico
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2010/01/22 at 12:00am

Movies

Exclusive interview! Jay Baruchel quits acting

01.22.2010 | By |

Exclusive interview! Jay Baruchel quits acting

I was invited by Dreamworks Studios this week to watch never before seen footage from 3 of their upcoming animated releases for 2010… one of them was ‘How To Train Your Dragon‘ starring Jay Baruchel. After the screenings, Dreamworks takes us to a restaurant called A Voce at the Time Warner Center in Manhattan to frolic and eat with peers. One of the lovely publicists at the event asks me if I could chat with Jay to get to know him better. I said sure.

Baruchel approaches me with a trucker hat, a heavy beard and a tattoo of his mother’s name on his right forearm. I ask him about it and he replies I’m going to get a few more on my body for her. He must really love his mother! We then segue into 4 films coming out this year with him as one of the lead roles: She’s Out of My League, How To Train My Dragon, The Trotsky and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I asked how happy was he of being in the middle of a comeback. He answers disappointingly that it doesn’t mean anything, it’s all coincidence of the release dates. (as he was cursing up a storm). He continues saying that he’s been through this notion of the IT guys before and nothing has happened, “for example, when I was in ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ everybody said watch out for this guy, he’s gonna be someone. Then when I was in ‘Knocked Up,’ people said I was in a sleeper hit, gonna need to watch that kid. Then in ‘Tropic Thunder’ I was hailed as the one to watch…again! So I say, I don’t believe in being the IT guy nor am I interested.”

He then went on to share with me EXCLUSIVELY, that he wants to quit acting altogether. “You know, I think I’m gonna quit acting. I don’t wake up with that feeling of love for acting, for this business. I really just do it to pay my mom’s bills and take care of her.” With his beard in tow and the disappointed look, I had to ask if he was pulling a Joaquin Phoenix here. He laughed and scoffed at the notion. He says that it was embarrassing to see that and assured me it was nothing of the sort. We finally concluded with a new movie he’s currently filming called ‘Notre Dame de Grace’ which might be his last project.

Jay Baruchel

Tooth Fairy (Movie Review)
Jack Rico
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2010/01/21 at 12:00am

Movie ReviewsMovies

Tooth Fairy (Movie Review)

01.21.2010 | By |

Tooth Fairy

I didn’t really know what to expect of the latest family film ‘Tooth Fairy’ starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. At one point I thought it might be the same fare as his 2007 ‘The Game Plan’, which was #1 at the box office for two weeks in a row, but no, this was nowhere near as charming as that one. ‘The Tooth Fairy’ was just bad cinema. The Rock is a simpatico guy, but with a ludicrous plotline, uninspired dialogue, the worse camera editing I’ve seen in years and a paltry supporting cast, there was no way he was saving this sinking ship.

Here’s the story. A bad deed on the part of a tough minor-league hockey player (The Rock) results in an unusual sentence: He must serve one week as a real-life tooth fairy.

He wears a ballerina dress when first becoming a fairy and instead of it being a funny moment, it was a bit embarrassing. I’m wondering why he needs to be working these types of films. Could you imagine what his wrestling buddies must be saying? His body of work isn’t so bad at all. His previous roles in films such as ‘Race to Witch Mountain’ was great family fun potpourried with thrills, chills and action. ‘The Game Plan’ was a touching and charming movie that makes grown men cry when they see it.

Director Michael Lembeck, mostly a TV director, shouldn’t be doing movies. His camera shot selections were not flattering to the actors and showed the many audio dubbing flaws caught by the lens. Just intolerable. Adding to the demise of the movie was seeing a New York legend Billy Crystal in a pajama like costume regurgitating screenwriter Lowell Ganz’s stale and infantile dialogue.

Do not spend your money this week on ‘Tooth Fairy’. If you want the same family vibe with lots of smiles and warm, fuzzy sentiments and a tear or two, see ‘The Game Plan’ on DVD. You’ll be grateful I recommend it to you.

Exclusive: Shrek Forever After (First Movie Review!)
Jack Rico
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By

2010/01/21 at 12:00am

Movie InterviewsMovies

Exclusive: Shrek Forever After (First Movie Review!)

01.21.2010 | By |

*Updated December 2025

I was invited by DreamWorks Studios this week to watch never before seen footage from three of their upcoming animated releases for 2010: 10 minutes of the superhero spoof comedy Megamind starring Brad Pitt and Tina Fey, 30 minutes of Shrek Forever After with the old cast, and a full screening of How to Train Your Dragon 3D with America Ferrera, Gerard Butler and Jay Baruchel.

Read More

Mel Gibson on Edge of Darkness and Returning to Acting
Karen Posada
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By

2010/01/21 at 12:00am

InterviewsMovie Interviews

Mel Gibson on Edge of Darkness and Returning to Acting

01.21.2010 | By |

*Updated December 2025

ShowBizCafe.com got a chance to talk to actor, screenwriter, and director Mel Gibson about his film Edge of Darkness. He excitedly gave us the backstory of the movie and also spoke to us about his upcoming projects. Read More

The Spy Next Door (Movie Review)
Ted Faraone
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By

2010/01/14 at 12:00am

Movie ReviewsMovies

The Spy Next Door (Movie Review)

01.14.2010 | By |

The Spy Next Door

If Jackie Chan did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.  His latest vehicle, “The Spy Next Door,” fits neatly into his array of comic action films suitable for children and their parents.  The 92 minute, PG-rated effort from helmer Brian Levant and screenwriters Jonathan Bernstein, James Greer, and Gregory Poirier, offers a little something for everyone.  That’s not to say that it is flawless.  It sticks pretty closely to the unassuming geek as martial arts master formula which Chan has perfected.  Add to the recipe a little “fish-out-of-water” and season with elements from the “Get Smart” series and you have a tasty frittata that should satisfy all but the most finicky.
 
Chan stars as Bob Ho, a Chinese intelligence officer on loan to the CIA.  That preposterous premise sets the tone for rest of pic’s hijinx.  His cover is a geeky, suburban pen salesman.  The “Next Door” part of the story involves Amber Valetta as Gillian, single mother of three impossible kids, and Chan’s love interest.  Plot centers on Ho’s desire to retire from spying and marry Gillian.  Her kids’ opinion of him is the first hitch.  He’s just not cool enough.  The second hitch is a sort of comic version of Al Pacino’s famous line, “Every time I try to get out they drag me back in.”
 
In this case, the drag back is a Russian plot to unleash a bacterium on all the world’s oil supply — Russia’s excepted — which consume anything made of petroleum and then vanish as quickly as they appear.
 
Pic is played over-the-top to excellent comic effect.  Magnús Scheving’s Poldark, Ho’s arch enemy, is a marvelous caricature of a bad guy.  Another standout on the Russian team is Katherine Boecher as Creel, a slinky blond sporting tight black outfits, Jimmy Choos and a mean kick.
 
What brings all the elements together and creates pic’s best action sequences — as well as most of its jokes — is a sort of contrived plot point in which Gillian leaves town to look after her injured dad and puts Bob in charge of her three unruly brats.   To Bob, this is his chance to make the kids like him.  It’s also his fish-out-of-water moment.  Spies have some learning to do where raising kids is at issue.  Of course, Bob has to win the kids over — and he does so in part by accident.  Gillian’s 11-year-old, Ian (Will Shadley) is as much a geek as Bob appears to be, a would be rocket scientist, who downloads the Russian’s secret bacterium formula from Bob’s home computer thinking it is a video game.  This puts the Russians on Bob’s tail and consequently on the kids’ tails.  The sight of Bob kickboxing Russian spies is just too cool for words.  Ian is won over.  So is four-year-old Nora (Alina Foley).  Farren (Madeline Carroll), Gillian’s 13-year-old stepdaughter, is the toughest nut, but even she cracks.  The kids join the fight against the Russians with undisguised glee in scenes reminiscent of the “Home Alone” series.  Thus far, the formula works.
 
Gillian is another story.  Furious at the revelation that Bob is a spy and that her brood has been endangered, she gives him the shove — permanently.  Since this is a comedy, however, the final reel offers a slapstick climax, which includes a Russian spy wearing a television as a hat.
 
Special mention goes to recording artist Billy Ray Cyrus as CIA good guy Colton James and comic George Lopez as the Russian’s mole in the CIA.  Choreography is as good as one has come to expect from Chan, and lensing by Dean Cundey frames it all to good effect.  Soundtrack includes familiar “Secret Agent Man” and Blondie’s “One Way Or Another”.  One nit to pick is Chan’s accent.  He can be a tad tough to understand at times, but since editor Lawrence Jordan leaves no loose ends, a lost line or two can be imputed from the context.

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