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Holiday Films Are in the Works!

One of my favorite time of the year is the holiday season. I love Christmas for many reasons, especially my grandkids and grandnephews. We always find time to watch our old and new favorite Christmas …

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Watch the Featurette Wicked on Singing Live

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Synopsis: Wicked, …

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Another Love Story in Honor of Domestic Violence Awareness

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, here’s an impactful new film Another Love Story, now available for streaming on TUBI. This timely film sheds light on the emotional and psychological journey of domestic abuse survivors …

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Despicable Me 4 with One of My Little Minions

We enjoyed it! 

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It Was A Twisters Night

My #1 grandson and I screened the new #TwistersMovie last night. And it was a long overdue date, too. The film was much better than we expected. It had its excitements that kept you on …

Holiday Films Are in the Works!Watch the Featurette Wicked on Singing LiveAnother Love Story in Honor of Domestic Violence AwarenessDespicable Me 4 with One of My Little MinionsIt Was A Twisters Night

Artist Judithe Hernández First Chicana to Show at MOLAA

©2018 Angela María Ortíz S.

It was great seeing Judithe Hernández and checking out her new show, “A Dream is the Shadow of Something Real” at the Museum of Latin American Art.

The intro text on the MOLAA site sums up her importance in the art world (read below).

Judithe Hernández, The Birth of Eve/El nacimiento de Eva (The Adam & Eve Series), 2010. Pastel on paper, 30 x 44 inches

Judithe Hernández is a founding figure of Los Angeles muralism, who, after many years as an exhibiting artist in Chicago, maintains a prolific studio and public art practice in L.A. This exhibition presents recent pastels on paper by Hernández, including the recent acquisition Les Demoiselles d’Barrio (2013), a feminist interpretation of Picasso’s Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907). Hernández’ work can be found in important museums and collections across the U.S. This will mark the first solo exhibition of a Chicana artist at MOLAA.

The show opened on Saturday, August 11, 2018 and runs until February 17, 2019. You have plenty of time to get to know some of her work.

The Darkest Minds Interview with Skylan Brooks and Jennifer Nelson

The Darkest Minds, Skylan Brooks, Jennifer Nelson, Angela Ortíz

Skylan Brooks, Jennifer Nelson and Angela Ortíz
Photos: ©2018 Angela María Ortíz S.

We got a chance to chat with actor Skylan Brooks and director Jennifer Yuh Nelson from The Darkest Minds. We talked about Skylan’s character’s power and what took director Nelson so long to shoot her first live action film.

The film comes from the producers of Stranger Things and Arrival. And based on the novel by Alexandra Bracken.

SYNOPSIS: When teens mysteriously develop powerful new abilities, they are declared a threat by the government and detained. Sixteen-year-old Ruby, one of the most powerful young people anyone has encountered, escapes her camp and joins a group of runaway teens seeking safe haven. Soon this newfound family realizes that, in a world in which the adults in power have betrayed them, running is not enough and they must wage a resistance.

Starring Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore, Bradley Whitford, Harris Dickinson, Patrick Gibson, Skylan Brooks, Miya Cech, and Gwendoline Christie. The Darkest Minds is in theaters now.

2 Fast and Quick Giveaway!

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Disney’s Elena of Avalor: Realm of the Jaquins DVD 

We have FOUR DVD’s of Elena of Avalor: Realm of the Jaquins for FOUR lucky winners. Join Elena as She Travels to the Magical Land of the Jaquins!

Would you like to win a copy? Then just click here to send us an email with the title in the subject line, along with your name and address (no P.O. Box). And that’s all!

We’ll draw the winners at 6P (PT), Thursday, August 9! Get GOING!

Elena of Avalor: Realm of the Jaquins DVD is available now.

Disney Junior Muppet Babies: Time to Play DVD

We have FOUR DVD’s of Disney Junior’s reimagined Muppet Babies: Time to Play for FOUR lucky winners.

Would you like to win a copy? Then just click here to send us an email with the title in the subject line, along with your name and address (no P.O. Box). And that’s all!

We’ll draw the winners at 3P (PT), Friday, August 10! Get GOING!

Muppet Babies: Time to Play DVD is available on August 14.

Teen Titans Go! to the Movie It’s All About Familia

We covered many events for the Teen Titans Go! to the Movie and had fun doing it. That meant we screened the film twice, we covered special red carpet event on the Warner Bros lot. The Hollywood premiere and that means, a lot of pictures. So check out the photo gallery below.

Jimmity Critic

Jimmity Critic, our six year-old movie critic (The Kids Corner) gave the film two thumps up. His favorite character is “Slade” (voice Will Arnett). He has a thing for the villains.

We adults enjoyed the references to the older super-heroes, which felt like a throwback to the old Warner Brothers, Looney Tunes.

Photos: ©2018 Angela María Ortíz S.

 

On the Warner Bros lot red carpet

Having fun checking things out

Finding our inner-child

On the morning of the Hollywood premiere for Teen Titans Go! to the Movie.

Mom and son date on the red carpet.

T-b: Khary Payton (Cyborg), Tara Strong (Raven), MMA Chuck Liddell and family.

T-b: Teen Titans Go! to the Movie with Mix Master Mike, composer Jared Faber, and Sam Register, WB president of animation.

Annie is in Town! At the Hollywood Bowl!

ANNIE at the Hollywood Bowl, Roger Bart (Rooster Hannigan), Ana Gasteyer (Miss Hannigan), David Alan Grier (Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks), Kaylin Hedges (Annie), Megan Hilty (Lily St. Regis), Lea Salonga (Grace Farrell), Ali Stroker (Star to Be), Amir Talai (Bert Healey), Steven Weber (Franklin D. Roosevelt), director Michael Arden, conductor Todd Ellison, choreographer Eamon Foley, SeFijaOnline, Allied ContigoWe invite our readers and followers to join us at the concert for a fun magical night of ANNIE at the Hollywood Bowl. On July 27 – July 29. Promo code below.

*Use promo code TOMORROW when you buy your tickets!

ANNIE at the Hollywood Bowl, Roger Bart (Rooster Hannigan), Ana Gasteyer (Miss Hannigan), David Alan Grier (Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks), Kaylin Hedges (Annie), Megan Hilty (Lily St. Regis), Lea Salonga (Grace Farrell), Ali Stroker (Star to Be), Amir Talai (Bert Healey), Steven Weber (Franklin D. Roosevelt), director Michael Arden, conductor Todd Ellison, choreographer Eamon Foley, SeFijaOnline, Allied Contigo

Roger Bart (Rooster Hannigan), Ana Gasteyer (Miss Hannigan), David Alan Grier (Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks), Kaylin Hedges (Annie), Megan Hilty (Lily St. Regis), Lea Salonga (Grace Farrell), Ali Stroker (Star to Be), Amir Talai (Bert Healey), and Steven Weber (Franklin D. Roosevelt). With director Michael Arden, conductor Todd Ellison, and choreographer Eamon Foley.

Blindspotting with Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal

Daveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López EstradaDaveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López EstradaDaveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López Estrada

 

 

 

 

Daveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López EstradaWe enjoyed the visuals in Blindspotting a lot. I felt like the filmmakers were saying, you have choices or you can make choices to change your circumstances—even if you feel that you have no control over it. The spoken-words scenes were intense and an interesting take on the storyline delivery. Good performances by all.

Longtime friends and collaborators, Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal co-wrote and star in this timely entertaining story about friendship and the intersection of race and class set against the backdrop of Oakland, CA.

Daveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López Estrada

Daveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz and Rafael Casal

We had the great opportunity to talk to Diggs, Casal and director Estrada. Watch the video below and/or listen to the audio.

Daveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López Estrada

Carlos López Estrada

Synopsis: Collin (Diggs) must make it through his final three days of probation for a chance at a new beginning. He and his troublemaking childhood best friend, Miles (Casal), work as movers, and when Collin witnesses a police shooting, the two men’s friendship is tested as they grapple with identity and their changed realities in the rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood they grew up in.

Daveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López Estrada

Carlos L. Estrada

Daveed Diggs, Angela Ortíz, Rafael Casal, Blindspotting, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Wayne Knight, Carlos López Estrada

Casal & Diggs

Blindspotting, boldly directed by Carlos López Estrada in his feature film debut, is a provocative hometown love letter that glistens with humanity.

Also starring Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Wayne Knight. Blindspotting is in theaters July 20 (limited), July 27 (wide).

Photos: ©2018 Angela María Ortíz S.

In theaters on Friday…Mamma Mia 2, The Equalizer 2

Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again

You know, sometimes, you just got to go with the flow…and that’s Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again is that movie. 

If you are a fan of ABBA’s music (I am/we are), this movie musical just seems to work. It felt like there was more music than the first Mamma Mia. But it didn’t have more, it just worked and seemed to tie up a few loose ends.

Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again is sweet and sentimental—and how can you go wrong with Cher in the mix.

 
Starring Lily James (Meryl Streep), Alexa Davies (Julie Walters), Jessica Keenan Wynn (Christine Baranski), Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard. Plus new cast members Jeremy Irvine, Andy Garcia, Josh Dylan, Hugh Skinner, and Cher.

The Equalizer 2, Denzel is BACK!

We really enjoyed this follow up to the The Equalizer. The pacing and action just seemed perfect to us. Starring Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Bill Pullman, Sakina Jaffrey, and Melissa Leo.

Once You’re In, There’s No Out, Mayans M.C.

Mayans M.C., Clayton Cardenas, Edward James Olmos, Sarah Bolger, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Richard Cabral, Danny Pino, Emilio Rivera, Frankie Loyal, Joseph Lucero, Vincent Rocco Vargas, Maurice Compte, Gino Vento, Tony Plana, Ada Maris, Kurt Sutter, Elgin James, Norberto Barba, Sons of AnarchyMayans M.C. is the next chapter in Kurt Sutter’s award-winning Sons of Anarchy saga. The plot: set in a post-Jax Teller world, Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (JD Pardo) is fresh out of prison and a prospect in the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. Now, EZ must carve out his new identity in a town where he was once the golden boy with the American Dream in his grasp. 

The series also stars Clayton Cardenas, Edward James Olmos, Sarah Bolger, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Richard Cabral, and Danny Pino. Recurring stars include Emilio Rivera, Frankie Loyal, Joseph Lucero, Vincent Rocco Vargas, Maurice Compte, Gino Vento, Tony Plana, and Ada Maris. 

Norberto Barba directs the first two episodes. The series is executive produced by Sutter and Barba, with Elgin James as co-executive producer. The 10-episode first season is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.

Watch the OFFICIAL TRAILER below. The series premiere’s on Tuesday, September 4 at 10P ET/PT on FX.

GIVEAWAY! Screening Passes for Mission Impossible: Fallout!

*Contest Closed. Thank you for participating, stay tuned for our next GIVEAWAY!

Giveaway! In the Los Angeles area, we have 25 pairs of an advance screening of Mission: Impossible Fallout. The best intentions often come back to haunt you. In Mission: Impossible Fallout finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the cast with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie returning to the helm.

Screening will take place on Monday, July 23 @ 7:30P (Have your pass ready to show at the door).

Follow the instructions in your pass and share your excitement using #MissionImpossible and #SeFijaOnline. ENJOY!

Los Angeles (25 Pairs)
http://www.gofobo.com/MI6SEFIJA

Fast and Quick Giveaway, Overboard!

Overboard

*Contest Closed. Thank you for participating, stay tuned for our next GIVEAWAY!

We have THREE copies of Overboard for Three lucky winners.

Would you like to win this combo pack? Take home Overboard, and go behind the scenes with the cast and crew with three featurettes and an audio commentary exclusive to the home entertainment release. Starring Eugenio Derbez, Anna Faris,  Eva Longoria, Mel Rodriguez, Omar Chaparro, Josh Segarra, Jesús Ochoa, Hannah Nordberg, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Payton Lepinski, Swoosie Kurtz, Cecilia Suárez, Fernando Luján, and John Hannah. We really enjoyed this film!

Then just click here to send us an email with your name and address (no P.O. Box). And that’s all!

We’ll draw the winners at 6P (PT), Tuesday, July 24! Get GOING!

Overboard, arriving on Digital July 17 and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand July 31 from Lionsgate. 

*Blu-ray or DVD based on availability.

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