It was an enjoyable screening with two of the grandsons. The five year old said it was happy and sad at the same time. And he loved it! The twelve year old who has read …
Unstoppable is the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose indomitable spirit and unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams. With the …
“Sonic 3 will beat out Mufasa, for sure!” — JimmityCritic (12) Sonic the Hedgehog 3, what a fun evening with the grandkids it was. When you have a 12, 10 and 5 year-old clap their hands at the end …
Mufasa: The Lion King was entertaining and the production value was amazing to watch. Set in Africa, all-new film blends live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery. My 12 year-old grandson thought it was one …
I’m Still Here is an official Brazilian submission to the 97th Academy Awards. We really enjoyed this film. It’s a tough story with a lot of heart. And it has a great cast. Synopsis: …
For decades, a nice Jewish couple ran Circus of Books, a porn shop and epicenter for gay LA. Their director daughter documents their life and times.
For over 35 years, the gay porn shop Circus of Books gave Los Angeles’ LGBT+ community a space to socialize and celebrate themselves without judgment. Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Circus of Books is the debut documentary from artist Rachel Mason, who finally asks the least radical people she knows- her parents- how they became American’s biggest distributors of gay porn. Only on Netflix April 22.
The first time I met Carlos Gómez, it was on the set of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, where he was playing the role of Father Carlos. Over the years we would bump into each other at Latino Hollywood events; we would talk about the projects he was working on or going to be on. He’s been in this business for about thirty years, from Broadway (In the Heights) to Hollywood. All of his hard working ethics and talent have brought him great success, and will continue to take him to greater heights as he continues his career. Carlos is of Cuban descent, fluent in English and Spanish, and resides in LA, NY and Miami.
For me, he’s played some memorable characters, like medical examiner Carlos Sanchez on The Glades, and Miguel Salazar on Gang Related and of course many others. But I think, the father figure of Rafael Garcia on ABC’s new romcom The Baker and the Beauty was made for him. From what I’ve seen, he’s just wonderful in it.
We got a chance to talk with Carlos weeks before the shutdown and I think it’s it a very thoughtful interview that you can watch here.
Angela Ortíz and Carlos Gómez
During our interview, he was asked about following in the footsteps of trailblazers like Desi Arnaz…and since he is a trailblazer himself, if he felt any responsibility for being a good role model. He said, “Completely, completely. I was doing an interview and I wasasked, ‘When was the last Cuban on national TV?’ and I said it was Desi in 1960 or 50-something. It’s amazing that it has taken this long to have a Cuban or Latin family like this on a network television show. So I feel immense responsibility. There’s so many, over 15 million Latinos in this country and we are such a power. As a Latino, I’ve been in this industry for so long and I have seen the ups and downs and the little bumps in the road.”
The Baker and the Beauty is giving Carlos and his culture other opportunities to share their experiences as well. “This is an opportunity for us for to show my Cuban culture in the light, and to show that Latino immigrants have different problems. We all come in different colors; Mexican immigrants are different from the Cuban immigrants, different from the Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, but we’re all immigrants and once we get to United States, we’re all here. We’re all together. It doesn’t matter. Yeah, you could have your tamales from Mexico; I can bring my rice and beans; but we’re all haciendo un sancocho in the United States. So to me, it’s a huge responsibility to show it, to portray it…and to portray it right. (sancocho is a South American and Caribbean food, a thick soup made from meat and root vegetables—a tasty stew!)
Disclaimer: this interview was done two weeks prior to the COVID-19 shutdown. I think it’s a fun interview, so take a listen. Be safe and stay at home.
It was my first time meeting Brenda Banda, who plays Norma on Netflix’ hit series, Gentefied. We met at my favorite coffee shop and I think we had a great conversation. I find her character Norma to be the force of reason.
Art by @pholkgiant
Banda is a very proud Angeleno—an actor, director, playwright and acting coach who grew up in South Central (renamed South Los Angeles in 2003). She was only eleven years old when she first stepped onto a stage at Russell Elementary, where she performed as MC at their 6th grade culmination.
Angela Ortíz and Brenda Banda
We talked a little about her upbringing, but mostly we focused on her 23-year career in this business, where she is at this moment in her life, how Gentefied is her first big television debut and what a hoot it is to be part of the series.
Brenda Banda
We even talked about what’s next on her docket…Which happens to be a pilot about detectives who become vigilantes, Wrong for Right.
Now sit back and listen in on our conversation.
The ten episodes of Gentefied is streaming on Netflix. — A.O.
Since 2007, fans have been delighted watching their favorite physicists Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) navigate the universe and everyday life along with Penny (Kaley Cuoco), and fellow scientists Howard (Simon Helberg), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), Amy (Mayim Bialik), and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), as well as other beloved characters.
This series has giving us so many laughs for so many years. Rewatching the old episodes can make you laugh harder than when it first aired.
After 279 original episodes and 12 seasons of the top-rated sitcom on the air, The Big Bang Theory is now in syndication episodes on a number of networks. But did you know, outside of CBS All Access who had “catch-up” episodes, that the complete series has NEVER been on a streaming service?
The only way to see The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series commercial free is to own it on Digital, Blu-ray & DVD today. All individual seasons and compilation sets are available to purchase here.All seasons are also available to own at all major digital retailers; including iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Prime, and GooglePlay.
DVD and Blu-ray (which include incredible extra features) can be purchased from all major retailers-including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart. So, if you are feeling cooped up and need something to binge on–now is the time to own all the episodes and all the bonus features of the hilarious hit show!
Powered with incredible speed, Sonic the Hedgehog (voiced by Ben Schwartz), aka The Blue Blur, embraces his new home on Earth. That is, until he accidentally knocks out the power grid and sparks the attention of super-uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Now it’s super-villain vs. super-sonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using his unique power for world domination. (Paramount Pictures)
On Digital March 31. 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™ Combo Packs arrive May 19 with a limited edition comic book.
Like A Boss
Best friends Mia and Mel (Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne) are living their best lives running their own cosmetics company they’ve built from the ground up. Unfortunately, they’re in over their heads financially, and the prospect of a big buyout offer from a notorious titan of the cosmetics industry Claire Luna (Salma Hayek) proves too tempting to pass up, putting Mel and Mia’s lifelong friendship in jeopardy. (Paramount Pictures)
On Digital April 7. On Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and On Demand April 21 with deleted scenes.
10 challenges. 3 tickets. 1 wild ride. TruTV’s first-ever feature-length film, Impractical Jokers: The Movie, is arriving early. Own it on digital April 1.
Starring James Murray (Murr), Brian Quinn (Q), Joe Gatto, and Sal Vulvano, also known as the comedy troupe The Tenderloins, playing themselves in a fictional story of a humiliating high school mishap from the early nineties. Featuring appearances from Paula Abdul, Jaden Smith, and Joey Fatone, the movie combines the fictional narrative with real life footage of over-the-top punishments and callbacks to classic moments from the series. Once the Impractical Jokers hit the road, they compete in hidden camera challenges for the chance to turn back the clock and find redemption.
For 131 years, National Geographic has been at the forefront of groundbreaking exploration and adventure, transporting people through awe-inspiring, impactful storytelling.
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson on location in Amsterdam. (Dan Smith/FOX)
At this years Natgeo 2020 winter TCA (Television Critics Association), we got a chance to catch up we the folks bringing us the NEW COSMOS: Possible Worlds with Neil deGrasse Tyson (host and series executive science editor), Ann Druyan (Creator, executive producer, writer and director), and Jason Clark (executive producer).
I grew up watching Carl Sagan’s COSMOS series, even had the book. So, prior to the roundtable, the geek in me nearly watched all thirteen episodes, cause I wanted to be prepped for our question and answer day. Click on the audio box to listen in on the conversation.
Cosmos: Possible Worlds
Executive Producers Brannon Braga and Anne Druyan, and Co-producer Sam Sagan on set. (Dan Smith/FOX)
Synopsis: In the vastness of time and the immensity of space, the number of worlds to explore and stories to tell are virtually infinite. The most-watched, highly anticipated science show on the planet—COSMOS—returns this March for the newest season with COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS. Continuing the legacy she began with Carl Sagan 40 years ago and the brainchild of creator, executive producer, director and writer Ann Druyan, this 13-episode season is a triumphant voyage through humanity’s past, present and future, taking viewers to previously uncharted territories and turning complex themes of science and exploration into a mind-blowing adventure beyond the realms of the imagination. Approximately 13.8 billion years in the making—the age of the universe—COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS, hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, is a wonder-filled odyssey that maps a hopeful vision of our future. The episodes integrate state-of-the-art VFX, stylized animation and dramatic reenactments to carry viewers deep into the future and through that hole in the curtain of reality, thanks to Jeff Okun, VFX supervisor.
Cosmos: Possible Worlds premieres on National Geographic on March 9. — A.O.
We haven’t seen a film with this feel in a longtime, that old world sophisticated thriller of the 60s and 70s. After watching the film, we couldn’t stop talking about the look and the feel of it. The film is not perfect but it is a seductive, film-noir that’s thrilling to watch.
The Burnt Orange Heresy
Our colleague Hollis Tyde sat in on a roundtable with Italian director Giuseppe Capotondi and actor Claes Bang. You can listen in by clicking on the audio box.
Capotondi and writer Scott Smith, who based the film off the 1971 novel by Charles Willeford, brought together an interesting, international cast including Danish actor Claes Bang (The Square) and Australian actor Elizabeth Debicki (Widows), as the lovers. English rocker/actor Mick Jagger is the art collector, and the fabulous Canadian actor Donald Sutherland is the artist.
L-r: Claes Bang, Elizabeth Debicki and Mick Jagger
Synopsis: Charming and ambitious art critic, James Figueras (Bang), has fallen from grace. He spends his days in Milan lecturing witless tourists about art history. His only glimmer of hope is a new- found love interest, the enigmatic American, Berenice Hollis (Debicki). An opportunity strikes when he is contacted by wealthy art dealer Joseph Cassidy (Jagger) who summons James to his villa on Lake Como and asks him to steal a painting from the legendary reclusive artist, Jerome Debney (Sutherland). Soon, James’ greed and ambition get the better of him, and he finds himself caught in a web of his own making.
The Burnt Orange Heresy is in theaters in Los Angeles and New York.
I’m going to just say it! We LOVED this film. It has a warmth that just pulls you in. We’ve seen it twice and it’s always great to see the reaction of the adults and kids in the audience. For some of you, you’ll need some tissues, because it’s hilarious, heartfelt and emotional.
We covered the press conference for Onward with film talent Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae. Rae and Scanlon worked together before on his directorial debut, Monsters University. It was a fun back and forth between them. You can listen in by clicking on the audio box. And check out some video snippets from the press day below—lots of laughs over a couch.
L-r: Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae
Onward is inspired by director Scanlon’s personal experiences with his brother. A story he started writing about six years ago.
Onward Press Conference
The plot: Set in a suburban fantasy world, Disney and Pixar’s Onward introduces two teenage elf brothers (voices of Chris Pratt and Tom Holland) who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there. Check out the trailer with cast members Mel Rodriguez, who voices Officer Colt Bronco; Lena Waithe, who lends her voice to Officer Specter; and Ali Wong, the voice of Officer Gore.
The other wonderful voice actors are Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the boys fearless mom Laurel, and Octavia Spencer aka The Manticore. Directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae.
Disney and Pixar’s Onward comes to theaters March 6.
Laugh Out Loud with The Wayans Bros.: The complete series coming to DVD on February 4.
Premiering in 1995, The Wayans Bros. quickly became a fan favorite with its hilarious mix of family dynamics, quirky characters, and memorable one-liners. Following the misadventures of two distinctly different brothers sharing an apartment in New York City, the series was a cultural touchstone for ’90s television blending physical humor, clever wit, and heartfelt moments. The Wayans Bros. was created by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Leslie Ray, and David Steven Simon.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Regular Show: The Complete Series is coming to DVD. Enjoy the hit series on February 4.
About the series: Regular Show follows the lives of best friends Mordecai and Rigby, whose lazy afternoon adventures always seem to be interrupted by zombies and misadventures with their gang of friends Benson, Pops, Muscle Man, Hi-Five Ghost, Skips, Thomas, Margaret and Eileen or sometimes even dealing with Death himself.
Created by JG Quintel and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the series originally premiered in September 2010 and remains to be a massive hit with new and old fans alike.
Regular Show: The Complete Series, includes all 245 episodes created over the years, including specials, and a movie.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° The Last of Us: The Complete First Season available for the first time ever in a 4K Ultra HD Steelbook limited-edition collectable on March 18.
In anticipation of the Season 2 premiere of The Last of Us on HBO, catch up on all nine episodes of the critically-acclaimed first season, along with nearly 3 hours of special features!
Synopsis: The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (Pedro Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Moana 2 is now available at Digital retailers, and will be released on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD March 18.
Synopsis:Moana 2 reunites Moana (Auli’i Cravalho and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller.
Kakamora Chronicles–Ever wanted to know more about the Kakamora? Gather
’round while Moni, everyone’s favorite Motunui historian, tells the tales from real
Solomon Island folklore surrounding the mysterious and unforgettable beings known as
the Kakamora. Fun in the Booth–Step inside the recording booth with the brilliant and talented actors of Moana 2 for some creative fun as they bring their characters to life. Deleted Scenes–Overall introduction to deleted scenes by directors.
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Shameless The complete series. All 134 episodes from theEmmy® Award Winning series will be available to purchase on DVD March 18.
Synopsis: Meet Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy): proud, working-class patriarch to a motley brood of six smart, spirited and independent kids who, without him, would be…better off. In Frank’s booze-addled view, parenting just eats into his hard-earned bar-crawling time around Chicago–so he leaves it to eldest daughter Fionna (Emmy Rossum) to hold down the fort. Bearing the de facto parent badge/burden, she’s donned the proverbial apron and makes sure her younger siblings do their chores, keep a clean-ish home, and everyone (no matter how small) works to keep the house lights on, as well as food on the table. Brothers Lip (Jeremy Allen White), Ian (Cameron Monaghan), and Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) use their intellect to break every rule in the book to survive and make the bank, while younger sister Debbie (Emma Kenney) would sooner steal her share, Toddle Liam (Christian Isaiah), the youngest, is just happy to be along for the ride. The Gallaghers are irreverent, endearing, resilient–and they’re absolutely, wildly and unapologetically Shameless.
Favorite Shot of the Day
Podcast
You can also listen to any episode of all of the podcast at thebradmunson.com
For decades, a nice Jewish couple ran Circus of Books, a porn shop and epicenter for gay LA. Their director daughter documents their life and times.
