Allegiant Packed with Lots of Action

allegiant-poster-lgThe third film in The Divergent series, based on Veronica Roth’s third book, Allegiant, is being broken up into two films. We caught up with three of its stars and the producers of the film.

Shailene Woodley ©2016 Angela María Ortíz S.

Shailene Woodley
©2016 Angela María Ortíz S.

Shailene Woodley talked to us about her character “Tris,” her feelings about her, and the ending of the franchise; they’ll be filming the last film this summer. She also talked a little about her upcoming role on HBO’s series, Big Little Lies, with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman among other things.

Theo James spoke to us from London. He said it was easy to get back into the role of “Four” and that he did his stunts and had the bruises to prove it. He even told us about other films he’s worked on, including The Secret Scripture, and working in Morocco on Backstabbing for Beginners.

Zoë Kravitz ©2016 Angela María Ortíz S.

Zoë Kravitz
©2016 Angela María Ortíz S.

Zoë Kravitz, who we saw in Mad Max: Fury Road last year along with Insurgent, talked to us about being in franchises, and how she feels her character “Christina” has calmed down compared to the two previous films in the series. She even told us why she enjoys doing independent films compared to big blockbusters. And she’s in the studio with her band working on their second album.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz

Theo James

Theo James

Shailene Woodley

Shailene Woodley

The producers, Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher, came in and shook everyone’s hands before they sat down. This begged the question: were they running for office? That gave us a nice chuckle. Wick and Fisher have been the producers on the franchise from the beginning. They filled us in on some of the early things they realized about the young actors and what was ahead for them…and how Kate Winslet wanted to be in this film also. It was some good insight to the making of the films.

Wick & Fisher

Wick & Fisher

Robert Schwentke directed the Lionsgate’s sci-fi film. It also stars Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, Jeff Daniels, Ansel Elgort, and Miles Teller.

Now listen in on the conversations. —A.O.

X-Men: Apocalypse Trailer

x-men-apocalypse-Defend Banner_rgbx-men-apocalypse-324831K1c_Xmen_Destroy_Banner-s_rgbComing our way May 27!

There’s A New World Coming! Tim Burton’s New Fantasy Adventure

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar ChildrenThe trailer for Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is wild; the film comes from visionary director Tim Burton. It’s his new fantasy adventure based upon the best-selling novel and it looks amazing.

The plot goes this way; when Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

The cast include: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Terence Stamp, Rupert Everett, with Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson.

In Theaters September 30.

Disney’s The Jungle Book A Sneak Peek

The Jungle BookA few weeks ago we attended a special presentation by director Jon Favreau (Chef, Iron Man) and visual effects supervisor Rob Legato for Disney’s The Jungle Book.

Jon Favreau and Rob Legato Photo Alberto Rodriguez-Getty Images. ©2016 Disney

Jon Favreau and Rob Legato
Photo Alberto Rodriguez-Getty Images. ©2016 Disney

At the El Capitan Theater a selected group was treated to some amazing technology that will be featured in the film. The technology is much more than your usual CGI work.

This is not your childhood version of The Jungle Book—we watched a sneak peek of the movie in 3D and the footage was amazing. And it looks like Disney is set to release another masterpiece on April 15.

Plot: An orphan boy is raised in the jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther.

Starring: Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Ben Kingsley, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, and Neel Sethi as Mowgli.

The 19th Annual NHMC Impact Awards in Pictures

On the red carpet and in the ballroom

On the red carpet and in the ballroom

I enjoy covering the annual National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) Impact Awards; I feel that their awards and awardees have merit compared to so many awards that seem to be based on popularity.

Angela Ortíz with icon Angelica Maria Photo: Diana Carolina @gypset

Angela Ortíz with icon Angelica Maria
Photo: Diana Carolina @gypset

The event honors Latinos making positive impact in film and TV. And 2016 marks the 30-year anniversary of NHMC, a media advocacy and civil rights organization for the advancement of Latinos, working towards a media that is fair and inclusive of Latinos and others.

1-NHMCThe event took place on February 26 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The evening’s co-hosts were actor Nicholas Gonzalez (Bordertown) and Jackie Guerrido (Univision Network personality.)

The awardees of the evening were, ABC Correspondent John Quiñones, who received the Lifetime achievement Award. The Outstanding Performance in a Television Series went to actors Andrea Navedo (CW’s Jane the Virgin), Stephanie Beatriz (FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and Luiz Guzmán (CBS’ Code Black). Other awards giving were to executive producer Mauricio Mota for Outstanding Online Series (East Los High), and ESPN for Outstanding Commitment and Outreach to the Latino community, executive John Kosner accepted the award for the network.

Now enjoy the 2016 pictures, click here.

Photos: ©2016 Angela María Ortíz S.

 

Captain America: Civil War New Trailer

CA-Civil WarMarvel’s Captain America: Civil War a new trailer for this anticipated film. Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, and Daniel Brühl. Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo.

Captain America: Civil War in theaters May 16, 2016.

Jenna Ortega: Stuck in the Middle and Much More

Jenna Ortega and Angela Ortíz

Jenna Ortega and Angela Ortíz

Jenna Ortega has been a busy young lady with a career that’s less than five years old. Her credits are quite impressive: action (Iron Man 3), horror (Insidious: Chapter 2) films. A lot of television arcs on Rake, Richie Rich, the young Jane in Jane the Virgin, and the voice of Isabel in Disney’s new animated series, Elena of Avalor.

Stuck in the Middle cast

Stuck in the Middle cast

Her most exciting project, however, is the show that centers around her character Harley Diaz: Stuck in the Middle. Stuck is told through Harley’s point of view, and features the everyday life stories of a big family as this middle child devises creative ways to cope—and stand out—in her family’s busy suburban Massachusetts household. In addition to Jenna, the series stars Isaak Presley as Ethan Diaz; Ronni Hawk as Rachel Diaz; Kayla Maisonet as Georgie Diaz; Nicolas Bechtel as Lewie Diaz; Malachi Barton as “Beast” Diaz; Ariana Greenblatt as Daphne Diaz; Cerina Vincent as mom Suzy Diaz; and Joe Nieves (How I Met Your Mother) as dad Tom Diaz.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega

A group of us had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Jenna about her present success and future plans. She was a delight. Now you can listen in on the conversation too.

Stuck in the Middle will begin in its regular time slot Friday, March 11 at 9P on Disney Channel.

10 Cloverfield Lane Comes Out of Nowhere to Knock Audiences Around

10cl_poster

As a sequel to 2012’s Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane doesn’t really work, but as a stand-alone horror movie in its own right, it has plenty of suspenseful moments that succeed in capturing the audience’s attention.

L-r: John Gallagher Jr., Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman

L-r: John Gallagher Jr., Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman

From the very beginning, Mary Elizabeth Winstead keeps this movie going. She’s beautiful, strong, smart, quick on her feet and spectacular. Through the entire film her character makes the audience get lost in the scenes.

John Goodman, as her captor and savior, is stellar. The genuine feel from him and Winstead combined make this movie fly by. Goodman talks about an apocalyptic story that’s beyond belief.

The movie is, a fantastic suspenseful story that has some mystery elements as well. It keeps the audience guessing, and it’s true, those who have  seen Cloverfield may have an advantage.

The ending combines everything that is known about Michelle and Howard to create a logical conclusion, but it leaves lots of room for a Part Three that can explain all the unanswered questions that remain from both movies.

10 Cloverfield Lane opens in theaters March 11.

Thanks to Jesus Figueroa at Thisfunktional for his contribution on this post.

Benicio Del Toro, Heineken® and Heritage

Benicio Del Toro

Benicio Del Toro

We got this fun video of a Q&A with Benicio Del Toro on his thoughts on being the face of a brand, filming in Barcelona and his upcoming role in Star Wars Episode 8.

This is the first time the Oscar winner has served as a brand spokesperson and the spots will air in 70+ markets internationally in both English and Spanish. The new U.S. and global led program is comprised of three new TV commercials, featuring the award-winning actor.

The first commercial featuring Benicio has premiered already.

Now sit back and enjoy the behind the scenes video, courtesy of Heineken®.

Eugenio Derbez Talks New Movie and Getting A Star

Eugenio Derbez ©2015 Angela María Ortíz S.

Eugenio Derbez
©2015 Angela María Ortíz S.

Eugenio Derbez on the KTLA Morning News Wednesday, March 9. He talked about his upcoming film Miracles From Heaven that is out March 16. Eugenio gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, March 10. Get more info about it here, @eugenioderbez or his Facebook page.

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