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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

The LEGO Ninjago Movie is Here!

Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen, Olivia Munn, Michael Peña, Justin Theroux, Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco, Jackie Chan, Chris McKay, The LEGO Ninjago Movie, Dan LinOne thing all the Lego movies have in common is that they always have a positive message by the end. This one has some funny moments, a bit slow in some parts but still a fun film.

Angela Ortíz, Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen, Olivia Munn, Michael Peña, Justin Theroux, Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco, Jackie Chan, Chris McKay, The LEGO Ninjago Movie, Dan Lin

Jackie Chan and Angela Ortíz

Spoiler alert: The cat was unexpected and funny. All in all, it was a fun family film.

The latest in the Warner Bros. Pictures’ LEGO® franchise, The LEGO NINJAGO® movie, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu.

Angela Ortíz, Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen, Olivia Munn, Michael Peña, Justin Theroux, Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco, Jackie Chan, Chris McKay, The LEGO Ninjago Movie, Dan LinWe got to hear the cast and crew talk about working on the latest Lego movie while we all hung-out at Legoland. Voice talent: Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen, Olivia Munn, Michael Peña, Justin Theroux, Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco, Jackie Chan, plus director Charlie Bean and producers Dan Lin and Chris McKay.

The LEGO Ninjago Cast

The LEGO Ninjago Movie in theaters September 22.

Photos: ©2017 Angela María Ortíz S.

Photo credit: A few of my colleagues, @uralipp, @nukethefridge, @chueymartinez, me with funny man/musician Fred Armisen, and my grandnephew Nicolas with Jackie Chan.

The Ninjago Movie and Angela Ortíz

Fun with IT

Georgie and a little brew at the Neibolt House tour.

After checking out the Neibolt house tour.

Screening night

 

 

 

 

 

 

I see Georgie

We had some fun celebrating the release of the IT movie and thought we would share some of the photos and videos  with you here.

Warner Bros IT movie is still number one at the box office and as of today it has made $218,813,729.

You can check out our previous post with interviews with the producers, writer, actor and director here.

 

 

Enjoying the evening at the Neibolt House tour

I see Georgie again

Press day adventure, the Derry Sewer System

2017 NALIP Latino Media Fest

The 2017 NALIP Latino Media Fest will take place at the AMC Century City 15 on September 26-27. The first annual Latino Media Fest is presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo and additionally sponsored by FOX Inclusion, MPAA, Labo Digital, El Rey Network and venue sponsor AMC Independent.

Throughout the two-day event, NALIP will present a diverse schedule of panels, workshops, screenings, showcases and more. Highlights include:

  • Shorts Screening Program A (Tuesday, September 26)–2017 Official Selection Program A for the Latino Media Fest will showcase the following films:
    • Victor & Isolina, William D. Caballero
    • Desde el Principio, Miguel J. Soliman
    • The Spirit was Gone, Cristian Proa
    • The Melancholy Man, Samantha Smith
    • Hijo por Hijo, Juan Avella
    • Wonderland, Ignacio Garcia-Bustelo
    • Estrella, Brandon Arroyo
  • Special Screening (Tuesday, September 26)–An advance screening of NBC’s hit series, Superstore will be showcased at the Latino Media Fest and a panel with Superstore writers Sierra Ornelas​ and Vanessa Ramos.
  • Shorts Screening Program B (Wednesday, September 27)–2017 Official Selection Program B for the Latino Media Fest will showcase the following films:
    • Jimbo, Rodrigo Zanforlin
    • Parallax Effect: Abduction, Davy Perez
    • Welcome Back, Matias Nilsson
    • Paloma, Maia Nikiphoroff and Jean Lee
  • Animation Master Class (Wednesday, September 27)–Jorge R. Gutiérrez will be taking part in NALIP’s Animation Master Class. He will discuss the specifics of making animated features and the process of telling unique stories that are relatable to global audiences. Gutiérrez has worked on Book of Life, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera and his upcoming short VR film, Son of Jaguar.
  • The 2017 Latino Media Fest Awards (Wednesday, September 27)–The awardees that were voted in the four award categories will be recognized for their work behind the camera.
    • Best LatinX Film awarded to Beatriz at Dinner, received by Miguel Arteta, director of the film
    • Best LatinX Filmmaker awarded to director, writer and editor José María Cabral, for his film Woodpeckers
    • Best Latin American Film awarded to Lemon, received by Janicza Bravo, director and writer of the film
    • Best Latin American Filmmaker awarded to director and writer Amat Escalante, for his film The Untamed

“NALIP has been more ambitious this year in actively changing the conversation in the industry and advocating for a truly diverse and inclusive media landscape,” says Executive Director, Ben Lopez.

The NALIP Latino Media Fest attracts Latino content creators, industry executives and media from around the globe for invaluable learning and networking opportunities. Passes to the Latino Media Fest can be purchased at www.latinomediafest.com.

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers’ (NALIP) Latino Media Fest is the unique presenter of the best U.S. Latino content across all media platforms: narrative short films, TV/streaming pilots, digital content, virtual reality, augmented reality and documentary shorts.

Ferdinand is Coming!

FERDINAND, John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant, Anthony Anderson, Flula Borg, Sally Phillips, Boris Kodjoe, Jerrod Carmichael, Raul Esparza, Karla Martinez, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Carlos SaldanhaThe story: Ferdinand tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.

Directed by Carlos Saldanha (Rio, Ice Age), and the voices of John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant, Anthony Anderson, Flula Borg, Sally Phillips, Boris Kodjoe, Jerrod Carmichael, Raúl Esparza, Karla Martinez, and Miguel Ángel Silvestre.

FERDINAND in 3D and in theaters December 15.

A Special Remember911 Giveaway!

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

With the release of the inspiring film starring Charlie Sheen and Whoopi Goldberg titled 9/11, based on the original play, The Elevator that centers on the events of September 11, 2001. We have a special GIVEAWAY going on.

The 16th anniversary of 9/11 is here and no matter who you are or where you were, that moment and the aftermath is indelibly etched in everyone’s mind.

The film 9/11 is based on a true story and chronicles the lives of five average, everyday people who find themselves trapped in an elevator during the events of 9/11 in the World Trade Center.

I still remember that morning vividly, being on the west coast I was just waking up to the morning news when I realized the newscaster sounded panic and I remember saying, something is wrong…I jumped out of bed and ran to turn the television on (KTLA morning news) just when the second plane was going through the second tower. I froze.

Our son was 6 at the time and all we could do is hold each other and stay close together all day. We checked on family and friends in New York—It was a trying few days.

The Prize Pack Contains:
• 1 – 9/11 poster Hand Signed Autographed by star Charlie Sheen
• 1 – “Hope” Pendant with necklace
• 1 – Guide to Talking To Your Children About 9/11 thanks to Tuesday’s Children 

Would you like to win a Remember911 Gift Pack? Then just click here to send us an email with your name, address (no P.O. Box). And that’s all! 

We’ll draw the winners at 6P (PT), Tuesday, September 12!

9/11 is in theaters now and features an all-star cast including Luis Guzman (The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3), Gina Gershon (Showgirls), Wood Harris (Justified), Jacqueline Bisset (Dancing on the Edge (BBC), Olga Fonda (The Vampire Diaries), and Bruce Davison (X-Men). Learn more about the film by visiting their website here.

Check out 9/11 Movie Blog App:
• Read and share the 9/11 fact cards, provided by Tuesday’s Children
• Watch behind-the-scenes interviews with Charlie Sheen, Gina Gershon, and Luis Guzman.

IT is the Perfect End of Summer Movie!

IT, It Movie, Andrés Muschietti, Andy Muschietti, Seth Grahame Smith, David Katzenberg, Gary Dauberman, Barbara Muschietti, Bill Skarsgård, Stephen KingIT has enough scary moments that didn’t take away from the relationships of the characters. Which were well played by all the young actors in the film, Jaeden Lieberher (Midnight Special), Jeremy Ray Taylor (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip), Sophia Lillis (37), Finn Wolfhard (TV’s Stranger Things), Wyatt Oleff (Guardians of the Galaxy), Chosen Jacobs (TV’s Hawaii Five-0), Jack Dylan Grazer (Tales of Halloween), and Nicholas Hamilton (Captain Fantastic). Even the actors who played the evil adults were fantastic and scary to watch.

New Line Cinema’s horror thriller IT is directed by Andrés (Andy) Muschietti (Mama), it is based on the hugely popular Stephen King novel of the same name, which has been terrifying readers for decades.

The plot: When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.

IT, It Movie, Andrés Muschietti, Andy Muschietti, Seth Grahame Smith, David Katzenberg, Gary Dauberman, Barbara Muschietti, Bill Skarsgård, Stephen King

Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård)

We got to ask a few questions of Seth Grahame-Smith, David Katzenberg, Gary Dauberman, Andrés (Andy) Muschietti, and Barbara Muschietti. When asked about the second film, they told us that the script for the second movie is being worked on now, Now listen in on the conversations by clicking on the audio boxes.

Muschietti, Skarsgard & Muschietti

Gary Dauberman

Smith & Katzenberg

One of the things I liked was my brief conversation with Barbara Muschietti, Andrés sister and business partner for two decades. Also producer on this film and she produced and co-wrote the feature film Mama along with Andres and Neil Gross. I asked her how has it been working with her brother on this project? She said, “It was a long time getting it done but it’s always great to have each others back.”

I enjoyed this film so much that now I want to revisit The Goonies and Stand by Me, because IT has the same sensibility that I like. IT is the perfect end of summer film and it is in theaters September 8.

You’ll Float Too.

Mother! Advance Screening Passes!

Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer, Darren Aronofsky, Mother!

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

Giveaway! In Los Angeles/Burbank area, we have 50 pairs of an advance screening of Mother. A horror mystery starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer, and written/directed by Darren Aronofsky. Mother! is in theaters September 15.

Download a first-come, first-served screening pass by clicking on the link below. Screening will take place on Thursday, September 14 @ 9P (Have your pass ready to show at the door).

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

*CLICK for Passes
http://www.gofobo.com/MOTHERSEFIJA

Benjamin Bratt, Sharlene Taulé on Their Star Experience

Benjamin Bratt

Update: Season 2 premiere’s Wednesday, September 27.

I always enjoy talking with Benjamin and I am excited to see that his show Star is coming back for a second season and that the documentary, Dolores has premiered in New York and coming to Los Angeles soon, then to PBS.

Back in January 2017:

Photos: Frank Micelotta
FOX/PictureGroup

At this year’s Winter TCA I got to catch up with Benjamin Bratt, who told us about his new role as Jahil Rivera in FOX’s new show, Star.

Benjamin Bratt, Star, Dolores Huerta, Dolores, Peter Bratt, Sharlene Taulé, Lee Daniels, Queen Latifah, Jude Demorest, Brittany O'Grady, Ryan Destiny, Amiyah Scott, Quincy Brown, Tyrese Gibson, Angela Ortíz

Benjamin Bratt

We also talked about his upcoming voice over as Ernesto de la Cruz in the Disney/Pixar movie, Coco, loosely based on the Day of the Dead celebration that is out in November. We even talked about his involvement as executive producer on the upcoming documentary on activist Dolores Huerta, Dolores, which was directed by his brother, Peter Bratt and produce by the legendary, Carlos Santana. You can listen in on our conversation by clicking on the audio button.

Benjamin Bratt, Star, Dolores Huerta, Dolores, Peter Bratt, Sharlene Taulé, Lee Daniels, Queen Latifah, Jude Demorest, Brittany O'Grady, Ryan Destiny, Amiyah Scott, Quincy Brown, Tyrese Gibson, Angela Ortíz

Sharlene Taulé and Angela Ortíz

We also talked about his upcoming voice over as Ernesto de la Cruz in the Disney/Pixar movie, Coco, loosely based on the Day of the Dead celebration that is out in November. We even talked about his involvement as executive producer on the upcoming documentary on activist Dolores Huerta, Dolores, which was directed by his brother, Peter Bratt and produce by the legendary, Carlos Santana. You can listen in on our conversation by clicking on the audio button.

We even got to meet and talk to newcomer Sharlene Taulé on her role as aspiring singer Eva and her excitement on working with Lee Daniels. Now watch the video below to see what she had to say.

Star also stars Queen Latifah, Jude Demorest, Brittany O’Grady, Ryan Destiny, Amiyah Scott, Quincy Brown, and Tyrese Gibson.

 

Valley Of Bones Opens September 1

Rhys Coiro, Bill Smitrovich, Dan Glaser, Steven Malony, Smith Global Media, Autumn Reeser, Alexandra Billings, Mason Mahay and Mark Margolis

l-r: Rhys Coiro, Bill Smitrovich, Dan Glaser, Steven Malony, Smith Global Media, Autumn Reeser, Alexandra Billings, Mason Mahay and Mark Margolis at Valley of Bones premiere night.

Rhys Coiro, Bill Smitrovich, Dan Glaser, Steven Malony, Smith Global Media, Autumn Reeser, Alexandra Billings, Mason Mahay, Mark Margolis

L-r: Steven Molony and Dan Glaser

It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve spoken to a filmmaker about his or her project(s), I always find what they have to say interesting.

My latest interview with Steven Molony and Dan Glaser who co-wrote Valley of Bones and Glaser directed it. It’s the biggest project they have worked together on. The film opens in about 300 theaters on September 1.

Rhys Coiro, Bill Smitrovich, Dan Glaser, Steven Malony, Smith Global Media, Autumn Reeser, Alexandra Billings, Mason Mahay, Mark Margolis

Rhys Coiro and Angela Ortíz

I also caught up with actor Rhys Coiro, who plays Nate in the film. He told us how he became part of this project and the many things he has in the works.

We had some chatty conversations with them. Now listen in on it.

Angela Ortíz and Gina Torres

Molony & Glaser

Angela Ortíz, Rhys Coiro

Rhys Coiro

The plot: Set in the oil-rich Badlands of western North Dakota. Anna (Autumn Reeser), a single mother and paleontologist, and McCoy (Steven Molony), a meth-addicted oil worker, form an unlikely bond as they both struggle to make amends for their criminal pasts. Their hopes lay in the form of a monumental T. rex fossil, the discovery potentially worth millions.

Also starring Mason Mahay, Alexandra Billings, Bill Smitrovich, and Mark Margolis.

Photos: ©2017 Angela María Ortíz S.

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