Don’t Fix It If It Ain’t Broke! Why A MUSICAL!

A conversation between @dash_beaudee, Joce, Ali and Se Fija! after watching fifteen minutes of the new Mean Girls.

What the heck!!! Unfortunately Mean Girls was not what we were expecting.

They made Karen (Avantika) so painfully dumb it was insulting. For a moment I thought the character was high. Bebe Wood (Gretchen) didn’t fit her role much either, she was trying to play a mild airhead but we felt like she was literally reading her lines! 

The only characters we thought fit the original ones, were Cady (Angourie Rice), Janis (Auli’i Cravalho), and Damian (Jaquel Spivey). 

While Reneé Rapp is a wonderful actress, especially in Sex Life Of College Girls she did not do Regina George any justice. 

The way we saw it was, they were in high school and Regina was over sexualizing herself which again didn’t make any sense at all!

And why the heck did we need it to be a musical! After watching it for 15 minutes it was clear that we were being delivered line for line from the original movie in musical form and it was PAINFUL. Unfortunately it only took us 15 minutes to say no more and unfortunately walked out. 

Angela (Se Fija!), Ali, Joce and @dash_beaudee.

The best scene in those 15 minutes was literally the opening scene. The makeup was also a bit questionable as well while I’m (@dash_beaudee) aware that we’re all about expressing ourselves and makeup has no rules and it’s meant to express ourselves there are limits and when you apply 3 different things. For example: graphic liner bright blue/frosty eyeshadow, and gems all to one look, it clashes. 

The best thing I can say is, don’t fix it if it ain’t broke! There was no reason to have re-made this movie.

This is a movie I would rather wait till Paramount has it on the app to watch for free.

Also starring Christopher Briney, Jenna Fischer, Busy Philipps, Tina Fey, and Tim Meadows. Screenplay by Tina Fey. Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. And produced by Lorne Michaels and Fey.

Night Swim Limped Out for Us

My niece Lina Fubar and I watched Night Swim on Wednesday evening, we were up for a good horror film. 

The Night Swim story plot was interesting, there was a good opportunity for a fantastic scare fest. It had a few good scary jumps. But parts of it felt flat. If they do a sequel, it will have to out shine this one. The film is in theaters now.

Synopsis: Secretly hoping, against the odds, to return to pro ball, Ray persuades Eve that the new home’s shimmering backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids and provide physical therapy for him. But a dark secret in the home’s past will unleash a malevolent force that will drag the family under, into the depths of inescapable terror.

Starring Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle, and Gavin Warren. Directed by Bryce McGuire. Produced by James Wan and Jason Blum. —A.O.

Dashing Through the Snow is Funny and Touching

Our family really enjoyed this new Christmas movie. That we have watched it a few times. We hope others will watch it and enjoy it as much as we have. We really enjoyed all the characters, the good ones and the not so good. 👍🏼👍🏼

Synopsis: Eddie Garrick (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) is a good-hearted man who has turned his back on Christmas due to a traumatic childhood experience. At the request of his wife Allison Garrick (Teyonah Parris), from whom he is separated, Eddie takes his 9-year-old daughter Charlotte (Madison Skye Validum) to work with him on Christmas Eve, where they meet a mysterious man in a red suit named Nick (Lil Rel Howery). Eddie, who is a social worker, thinks the man is delusional and needs professional help, but when he evokes the wrath of a local politician (Oscar Nuñez), he and his daughter are taken on a magical adventure that just might restore his faith in Christmas. Dashing Through the Snow, which is directed by Tim Story and written by Scott Rosenberg. The film also stars Mary Lynn Rajskub, Ravi V. Patel, Gina Brillon, Kevin Connolly, and Zulay HenaoStreaming exclusively on Disney+.

Hasta Encontrarlos (Till’ We Find Them) A Documentary

It’s a really interesting documentary short. It makes you sad, hopeful then it brings out the anger, after listening to what these families have been doing and going through for so many years.

Hasta Encontrarlos, is a documentary short film done by 23 year old filmmaker Jean Chapiro, who won a Student Academy Award for this short. She is a journalist and filmmaker from Mexico but based in the U.S. Her documentary follows the tireless search of the Salcedo and Córdoba families to find their missing loved ones in Mexico.

Hasta Encontrarlos (Till’ We Find Them), Since 1964 over 290,000 people have disappeared in Mexico and over 110,000 have not been found. Thousands of people across the country are still looking for their loved ones, especially mothers who will not rest until they find their children. Three years after her daughter, Rubi, went missing in Orizaba, Veracruz Mexico, Araceli Salcedo decided to start a collective in her own community. Today there are over 350 members in the group, and 90% of them are mothers. Together they have successfully found 15 people alive, returned 71 bodies, and spotted 53 clandestine graves in the past year. However, most of these women have not found their children. One of the coping and healing mechanisms that Araceli created for the mothers in her collective are muñecos sanadores or “healing dolls”. The dolls represent each of their children and serve as a tool to help them navigate the void that their loved ones left behind.

If you get a chance to see it, check it out.

Central Perk Coffeehouse Opens in Boston

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment with CenPer Holdings, LLC, proudly announce that the world’s first Central Perk Coffeehouse will open its doors in Boston, MA on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Nestled within a historic brownstone on Newbury Street, Central Perk Coffeehouse is a reimagined adaptation of the iconic coffeehouse made famous by the TV series Friends.

Designed by award-winning architecture and interior design firm Glen & Company, the inaugural Central Perk Coffeehouse blends nostalgia with contemporary flair, featuring a modernized version of the iconic orange couch as the centerpiece in the space for friends to gather. Other highlights include a bespoke piece by artist Burton Morris and the ‘Orange Room,’ a semi-private, reservable area that features a replica orange couch, with a neon sign above that reads “The One With…” Here, all guests are welcome to create their own moments and write their next episodes with their friends.

“Our mission was to reimagine Central Perk as it would look and serve as a gathering spot for friends today, not to recreate the actual set. The space conveys the “Central Perk state-of-mind.”

For more information, visit centralperk.com and follow @centralperk on Instagram. And don’t forget to add one of the Central Perk Boston mug into your holiday stocking.

Celebrate the Holidays With These Upcoming Christmas Movies 

How The Gringo Stole Christmas in theaters, On Demand and Digital December 1.

Synopsis: A Mexican father’s Christmas celebration goes from merry to messy when his daughter shows up with her new boyfriend—an uninvited gringo—in this hilarious holiday comedy.

Starring: George Lopez, Mariana Treviño, Emily Tosta, and Jack Kilmer. Directed by  Angel Gracia and written by Ezequiel Martinez Jr.

Check out the trailer below.

Candy Cane Lane premieres globally on Prime Video December 1.

Eddie Murphy stars in this holiday comedy adventure about a man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest. After Chris (Murphy) inadvertently makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning, she casts a magic spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life, and wreaks havoc on the whole town. At the risk of ruining the holidays for his family, Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their three children must race against the clock to break Pepper’s spell, battle deviously magical characters, and save Christmas for everyone.

Also starring Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Nick Offerman, Robin Thede, Chris Redd, Genneya Walton, Madison Thomas, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Lombardo Boyar, D.C. Young Fly, Danielle Pinnock, Timothy Simons, Riki Lindhome, and Stephen Tobolowsky.

Merry Little Batman streaming on Prime Video beginning December 8.

Merry Little Batman is an animated family action comedy destined to join the rogue’s gallery of classic holiday movies. When young Damian Wayne finds himself alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, he must transform into “Little Batman” in order to defend his home and Gotham City from the crooks and supervillains intent on destroying the holidays.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC, Merry Little Batman features the voices of Yonas KibreabLuke Wilson, James Cromwell, and David Hornsby. Directed by Mike Roth (Regular Show) from a screenplay by Morgan Evans (Teen Titans Go!) and Jase Ricci (Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham).

Migration in theaters December 23.

The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.

As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.

Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, and Danny DeVito.

Genie arrives November 22, only on Peacock.

Synopsis: a holiday fairytale comedy about a genie, a man, and landing one last chance to fix the mess you’ve made of your life. With his job, life and family unraveling around him, a despondent Bernard (Paapa Essiedu) dusts off a jewelry box and unintentionally releases genie Flora (Melissa McCarthy), who just might be able to help him. Maybe. It’s a longshot, frankly. In the process, Flora and Bernard will discover that love, and an unexpected friendship, can unleash a special holiday magic all its own.

Cast: Denée Benton, Marc Maron, Jordyn McIntosh, with Luis Guzmán and Alan Cumming.

👍🏼👍🏼
The Naughty Nine
 on Disney Channel November 22 and Disney+ November 23.

Synopsis: Fifth grader ANDY has been a bit of a troublemaker this year. When Christmas morning rolls around and Andy gets stiffed by Santa, he realizes he’s on the Naughty List. Feeling unfairly maligned, Andy pulls together a crack team of fellow naughty listers to pull off an elaborate heist in the North Pole to get the presents that Andy and the others feel they deserve. In the process of finding their gifts, the gang discovers that the spirit of Christmas is more about giving than taking, and decide to face Santa and do the right thing.

The movie’s talented ensemble includes Winslow Fegley as Andy, Camila Rodriguez as Dulce, Anthony Joo as North Pole conspiracy theorist Lewis, Imogen Cohen as daredevil “wheel woman” Ha-Yoon, Clara Stack as animal whisperer Rose, Deric McCabe as master-of-disguise Jon Anthony, Ayden Elijah as adorable charmer Albert, and Madilyn Kellam as Andy’s older sister, Laurel, a skilled gymnast seeking to regain her  confidence. Derek Theler is Bruno, a disgruntled cargo pilot who claims to have witnessed Santa’s sleigh. And Danny Glover as Santa.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever on December 8, on Disney+.

The latest animated movie based on Jeff Kinney’s wildly successful book series. The film is a hilarious and heartfelt holiday tale centered around everyone’s favorite disaster-prone middle school student.

Synopsis: The winter holidays are turning out to be especially stressful for Greg Heffley this year. After accidentally damaging a snowplow while making a snowman with best friend Rowley Jefferson, Greg worries he won’t get the new video game console he so desperately wants for Christmas. To make matters worse, he gets snowed in with his family, including his grumpy older brother Rodrick and annoying younger brother Manny. 

Directed by Luke Cormican and written and produced by Jeff Kinney, it features the voices of Wesley Kimmel, Erica Cerra, and Hunter Dillon.

Five Nights At Freddy’s Really Came Through for Its FANS!

Even though I never played the Five Nights At Freddy’s games, I was familiar with it because of younger family members. Who were super jazzed about the film coming out.

I found the film very entertaining. It had everything you wanted in a horror film. A few good jumps, some laughter and some decent gore. I think they have a winner.

JimmityCritic, Angela Ortíz
and Lina Fubar

Here are what the rest of the Se Fija! crew thought of the film:

I never thought that any movie could top Ninja Turtles but after watching this, I think my movie expectations are higher than ever. Bonnie (my favorite) and the rest of the crew were portrayed very well and the jump scares were too tear.
Overall 11/10 movie, if there is a sequel, see you in the theaters.  JimmityCritic

Five Nights At Freddy’s really came through for its fans! Being a fan of the game series myself, it was very pleasing to watch the lore told on the big screen!
The movie had all the aspects of the game and more I couldn’t be more pleased with the final result! Lina Fubar

The story: The terrifying horror game phenomenon becomes a blood-chilling cinematic event. The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.

Starring Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Kat Conner Sterling, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard. Directed by Emma Tammi. — A.O.

New Goosebumps Series on Disney+ and HULU Is So GOOD!

We watched the first five episodes of the new series and we are hooked!

Inspired by R.L. Stine’s worldwide bestselling book series, Goosebumps follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle–while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.

The 10-part series launched with a five-episode drop as part of Disney+’s Hallowstream and Hulu’s Huluween celebrations, with subsequent new episodes streaming weekly. 

Goosebumps stars Justin Long and Rachael Harris, alongside newcomers Zack Morris, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna, Ana Yi Puig and Will Price. 

Nicholas Stoller (The Muppets) and Rob Letterman (Pokémon Detective Pikachu) developed the series and serve as executive producers.

 

Music and Dance with Director and Choreographer Luis Salgado

I had the pleasure of talking to Luis Salgado, about the upcoming musical, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

Salgado, is an international director, choreographer and educator from Puerto Rico, who is currently based in New York City. His most recent project, is his own adaptation of the musical FAME to great reviews in Washington D.C. And he was the Assistant Latin Choreographer of In the Heights on Broadway, which won four Tony Awards.

Photo: Doug Hinebaugh 

He was the director and choreographer of Viva Broadway’s, When We See Ourselves concert as part of the Curtain Up event in Times Square produced by Playbill and the Broadway League. In 2019 Luis worked as the associate director/choreographer of Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour in Hamburg Germany. Among the productions he has directed/choreographed in the United States and abroad are the fantasy musical Ella Es Colombia in Bogota, Colombia with MISI Musicals, the Holland Production of On Your Feet, RAGTIME, TO BE OR NOT TO BE…a Shakespearean Experience, AIDA, The Musical, FAME, Amigo Duende the Musical, In The Heights, Matilda, Song of Solomon, Speed the Plow, The Tempest and Candela Fuerza y Pasión in Lima Peru

In 2017 Salgado directed and choreographed the U.S premiere of the Spanish version of In The Heights at GALA Theater in Washington D.C which received nine 2018 Helen Hayes Awards including Best Musical, Best Direction and Best Choreography.

He has appeared on Broadway in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, ROCKY, In The Heights, On Your Feet, as well as Off-Broadway shows and Broadway tryouts The Mambo Kings (Frankie Suarez), Fame on 42nd Street (Joe Vegas, understudy) and Aida, among others. 

Film credits include: American Gangster, Dirty Dancing 2, Havana Nights, and on television, the remake of Dirty Dancing, Enchanted and Step Up 2, The Streets (Alejandro), for which he also was assistant choreographer. 

Salgado is the founder/director of R.Evolución Latina, an affiliate of the non-profit organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.  

Luis’ personal mission as an artist and a leader is to empower society through the arts to make a change for the better. 

All in all, he’s been busy. — A. Ortíz

Oct. 6 – 29, 2023

The Rhythm is Gonna Get You! October 6 – 29, 2023. Click for more information and tickets for La Mirada Theatre.

Radical is Fantastically Radical!

I really loved this film! It makes you realize how we take so many things for granted. And for so many, reality can be so harsh.

This film should be seen broadly. It really pulls at ones heart. I thought Eugenio Derbez was fantastic in this role, and the young actors were fabulous.

STORY: In a Mexican border town plagued by neglect, corruption, and violence, a frustrated teacher (Derbez) tries a radical new method to unleash the curiosity and potential of his students…and maybe even their genius.

Starring: Eugenio Derbez, Daniel Haddad, Jenifer Trejo, Mía Fernanda Solís, Danilo Guardiola and directed by Christopher Zalla. 

Based on a true story. This film is in theaters, November 3.

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