A Mixed Bag of Films in Theaters Now

snoopy_and_charlie_brown_the_peanuts_movie_ver26We thought we would share a few on our list for you to choose from.

Peanuts Movie in 3D
YES! I’m a Peanuts fan, and I enjoyed watching Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang make their big-screen debut. In it, Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest.

It’s straight from the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the Ice Age films, and now a new generation of young ones will get to enjoy these wonderful characters too. —A.O.

SpectreSpectre
The latest entry in the blockbuster espionage franchise begins with a cryptic message from the past that sends James Bond on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually back to Europe. There he infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organization known as SPECTRE.

Directed by Sam Mendes and starring Daniel Craig, Stephanie SigmanMonica Bellucci, Naomie Harris, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, and Dave Bautista.

This was not one of my favorite Bond movies; I felt like something was missing. Maybe I needed more action and less dialogue. Who knows? But I’m sure it will do fine in the theaters while I go back and check out some of my old favorites. —A.O.

JACK HOUSE_Theatrical_FINAL SMALLThe House That Jack Built
Henry Barrial’s The House that Jack Built is a drama about the love of familia/family and the ups and downs it can also bring.

The story: Jack Maldonado (E.J. Bonilla) is a hot-blooded, ambitious young man who’s fueled by misguided nostalgia; he buys a small apartment building in the Bronx and moves his boisterous family into the apartments to live rent-free. His parents, sister, brother and his sister-in-law, Grandmother (aka Abuela) and a couple of cousins all converge under one roof. Tension quickly builds as Jack imposes his views on everyone around him, including his fiancée Lily (Melissa Fumero). All the while, he hides the fact that his corner store is a front for selling marijuana.

The cast includes Leo Minaya, Judith Delgado, Rosal Colon, Fidel Vicioso, Flor De Liz Perez, Desmin Borges, John Herrera, and Javier Muñoz.

I enjoyed this film very much. It makes you think of what’s important in the long run.

Also available on iTune and VOD. —A.O.

Spotlight PosterSpotlight
Spotlight tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions, the Catholic Church. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delved into allegations of abuse in the church, their year-long investigation uncovered decades of cover-ups at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishments. The story touched off a wave of revelations around the world.

There are some great performances in the film and it reminds you why your local hometown newspapers need to be supported.

Directed by Thomas McCarthy and co-written with Josh Singer. Starring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Brian D’Arcy James and Stanley Tucci. —A.O.

Snoopy’s Purple Tango Dance from the Peanuts Movie

Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara in Carol

carol-poster-rooney-mara-cate-blanchettCarol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara is set against the glamorous backdrop of 1950s New York. The film is an achingly beautiful depiction of love against the odds. Acclaimed director Todd Haynes (Far From Heaven, I’m Not There, Mildred Pierce) and the author of The Talented Mr. Ripley creates a powerful drama about a married woman who risks everything when she embarks on a romance with a younger department store worker.

In theaters November 27.

Upcoming Blu-ray and DVD Releases for the Whole Family

Me and my Blu-ray copy

Me and my Blu-ray copy

Inside Out (Disney•Pixar)

One of my favorite movies of the year is available now on Blu-ray, and with the holidays on the horizon I think it should be on your list, too. Come along and meet Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust.

It was created and directed by Pete Docter (Monsters Inc., Up—both Oscar winners) and features the voice talents of Mindy Kaling (Disgust), Lewis Black (Anger), Amy Poehler (Joy), Bill Hader (Fear), and Phyllis Smith (Sadness). —A.O.

2DVDs-Nov 3

Shelby: A Magical Holiday Tail (Anchor Bay)

Christmas is coming, and notorious stray pup/escape artist Shelby (voiced by Rob Schneider) is once again locked up in the dog pound. But when a spoiled rich kid tries to adopt him for all the wrong reasons, Shelby runs away and hides in the suburban basement of 10-year-old aspiring magician Jake Parker (John Paul Ruttan). Other stars in the film include Chevy Chase and Tom Arnold. —A.O.

Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet (Disney)

Doc McStuffins opens a new veterinary practice in her backyard clinic where she treats stuffed animals and toys in Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet. The DVD includes 5 themed episodes of the Peabody Award-winning animated series.

The cast: Kiara Muhammad and Laya DeLeon Hayes (Doc McStuffins), Loretta Devine (Hallie), Lara Jill Miller (Lambie), Robbie Rist (Stuffy), Jess Harnell (Chilly), Jaden Betts (Donny McStuffins), Kimberly Brooks (Mom McStuffins), and Gary Anthony Williams (Dad McStuffins). —A.O.

Reynaldo Pacheco: A Bright Light in Our Brand is Crisis

Reynaldo Pacheco and Angela Ortíz

Reynaldo Pacheco and Angela Ortíz

I had the pleasure of talking with Pacheco about his early career and humble beginnings, and how he got the role of Eduardo “Eddie” in the new Sandra Bullock film, Our Brand is Crisis. Pacheco is a talented actor and I thought he and Billy Bob Thornton stole the movie.Audio-Button-200

The Bolivian-born actor and USC graduate believes in giving back to his community. A few years back he started HAPA (Hollywood Academy of Performing Arts), an international acting school based in Los Angeles and Bolivia.

Now sit back and listen in on our conversation…

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies Trailer

pride_and_prejudice_and_zombiesPride and Prejudice and Zombies. Yes, the best-selling book that turned Jane Austen’s Edwardian heroine into a kick-ass zombie killer is being made into an action horror film. Here’s the trailer; we’ll see it in all its bloody glory early in 2016.
Director: Burr Steers. Cast: Lily James, Lena Headey, and Douglas Booth.

Zombies and Political Shenanigans in a Theater Near You

Scouts Guide poster Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

Audio-Button-200Here’s a little about the film. It’s about three scouts, lifelong friends who join forces with one badass cocktail waitress to become the world’s most unlikely team of heroes after their peaceful town is ravaged by a zombie invasion. And all you should do is go along for the ride.

L-r: Angela Ortíz, Sara Dumont, Joey Morgan and Logan Miller

L-r: Angela Ortíz, Sara Dumont, Joey Morgan
and Logan Miller

Listen in on my conversation with three of the stars of this funny film: Joey Morgan (Augie), Sara Dumont (Denise) and Logan Miller (Carter).

The film also stars Tye Sheridan (Ben), the iconic Cloris Leachman, and David Koechner. And directed by Christopher Landon (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones). —A.O.

Our Brand is CrisisOur Brand is Crisis

The film is loosely based on the documentary about the political crisis in La Paz, Bolivia in the early 2000’s. I found the location of the film to be a character of it’s own and thought Billy Bob Thornton stole the movie, along with Reynaldo Pacheco.

L-r: Anthony Mackie, Sandra Bullock and Reynaldo Pacheco Our Brand Is Crisis

L-r: Anthony Mackie, Sandra Bullock and Reynaldo Pacheco Our Brand Is Crisis

For me it was reminiscent of Wag the Dog and Primary Colors. It stars Sandra Bullock as a brilliant American campaign strategist hired by a Bolivian presidential candidate (Joaquim de Almeida) failing badly in the polls.

Audio-Button-200The cast also includes Anthony Mackie, Zoe Kazan, and Ann Dowd. It was directed by David Gordon Green and produced by Grant Heslov and George Clooney.

The film has a few flaws, but all in all it’s not bad, even though I would have liked a little more laughter. Listen in on the press conference with the stars; just click on the audio button. — A.O.

Disney’s Zootopia Trailer

homepage_hero_zootopia_ff01f669We had to share this cause it looks so cute. Coming to theaters March 4, 2016

zoot_rollout_judyhopps_logo_5e0a35e8 zoot_rollout_nickwilde_logo_c2942807

Trying Out the Paranormal Activity Virtual Experience and The Ghost Dimension in Theaters Now

Virtual game scene

Virtual game scene

I tried another virtual experience and yes, I didn’t finish it. These virtual worlds are very realistic. And this one got me feeling claustrophobic.

Here’s a little info a on this experience by Beast Media Group, Paranormal Activity VR is a Triple A first person horror survival game playable on all major virtual reality head mounted displays. It has a release date of spring 2016 for HTC/Vive, Playstation VR and Oculus. Non-VR versions will also be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Paranormal Activity

It was the perfect timing to try this out because of the movie release of Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension 3D, Paramount Pictures and Blumhouse’s final chapter in the Paranormal Activity films.

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension was the closing film at ScreamfestLA. These are a few images from the evening’s festivities. ©2015 Angela María Ortíz S.

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension was the closing film at ScreamfestLA. These are a few images from the evening’s festivities.
©2015 Angela María Ortíz S.

The film has its funny moments and kind of slow like most of the previous Paranormal’s but once things start happening it moves fine.

I was disappointed because I wanted a different ending and I don’t believe this is the last one.

The film stars Chris J. Murray, Brit Shaw, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Dan Gill, Ivy George, Jessica Brown, Chloe Csengery, Don McManus, Hallie Foote, Cara Pifko and directed by Gregory Plotkin.

Check out my scream video and the film trailer below.

Video: @NaibeReynoso

Borderline Series Season One on Amazon Now

L-r: Jose Daniel Bort, Geo Santini and Se Fija’s Angela Ortíz

L-r: Jose Daniel Bort, Geo Santini and Se Fija’s Angela Ortíz

I had the opportunity to talk to Geo Santini the writer, director, producer and actor of the series along with its executive producer Jose Daniel Bort and two of the lead actors, Wilmer Calderon (Diego) and Eric Curtis Johnson (Agent Bob Dil).

Eric Curtis Johnson, Angela Ortíz and Wilmer Calderon

Eric Curtis Johnson, Angela Ortíz and Wilmer Calderon

Borderline is a comedic take on the recent war on drugs through the eyes of Jerry Diaz (Santini), the heir of a drug cartel with a borderline personality. As unpredictable and dangerous, Jerry is hell bent on bringing the “business” into a twenty first century approach.

You can catch the series on Amazon Prime; if you’re not a subscriber the first episode is available for free on Amazon.

In addition to Amazon Instant Video and Amazon Prime, the series will also be made available on additional platforms in 2016.

 

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