View full post

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 …

View full post

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, …

View full post

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 …

View full post

Despicable Me 4 with One of My Little Minions

We enjoyed it! 

View full post

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

A Mixed Bag of Films: The Night Before, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay 2, and Secret In Their Eyes

nightbeforeposterA weekend with a mixed bag of films to choose from: a comedy, an adventure-sci fi, and a crime thriller. Check out what we had to say about them.

The Night Before, I Really Liked It!

By Sandra Olagues

I thought they succeeded in making a Christmas movie that was both funny and somewhat heartfelt, especially for an over 21 audience. Typical of Seth Rogan movies, he does a bunch of drugs throughout the movie, but it produced a lot of laughs with the audience. My hands down, favorite scene is, when they go to a FAO Schwartz; and reenact the scene of Tom Hanks, playing the giant keyboard in the Christmas movie Big, but instead play a Kanye song.

L-r: Seth Rogan, Anthony Mackie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

L-r: Seth Rogan, Anthony Mackie
and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

I also appreciated that they had a good balance of girl comedians in the movie, like Ilana Glazer (Broad City), who has the best cameo and is hilarious. I would say this movie is good for guys and girls. Since most comedies are filled with men only. Miley Cyrus was a surprise to see in the movie but throwing in famous singers is getting tired in my opinion—because they’re never really funny.

Director Jonathan Levine (50/50) brings us three longtime pals, Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) who have been getting together for a decade, for a Christmas Eve reunion. Now that they’re entering adulthood, the tradition is coming to an end, and to make it as memorable as possible, they set out to find the Nutcracka Ball–the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. And that’s when the adventure starts.

Overall, good movie!

The Hunger Games Mockingjay-Part 2The Hunger Games: Mockingjay 2—The Franchise Comes to an End

By Kelly Stewart

The last installment of the Hunger Games franchise is here, Mockingjay 2. I’m familiar with the books and I’ve been a fan of the movies. And below is my take on Mockingjay 2 that opens on November 20.

We cannot control the circumstances in our lives but we can decide how those circumstances will shape us.

In The Hunger Games: Mockingjay 2, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) finds herself in this reality. The movie opens reminding us of Peeta’s (Josh Hutcherson) attempt on her life and she begins to recognize that she is in another form of the games. True to the other films. Katniss finds the advice and explanation from the leaders unsatisfying, which in turn leads us all down a dark and somewhat unpredictable journey.

Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence

Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence

For those unfamiliar with the book series, you are left on the edge of your seat as each decision Katniss makes comes with a cost. You find yourself wondering if anyone will survive President Snow’s schemes and the plot twists keep you from writing off the end of the film.

The message that the film carries holds true to the end and we are reminded that the only way to survive the brutality of this world is to look for the good done by others everyday. It may be a tiring game but as Katniss tells us, “There are worse games to play.”

Starring Liam Hemsworth, Natalie Dormer, Mahershala Ali, Woody Harrelson, Julianne Moore, Jeffrey Wright, and Donald Sutherland.

secretintheireyes_posterSecret In Their Eyes is NOT El secreto de sus ojos

By Angela M. Ortíz

I’ve come across two descriptions about this film to see if it would help me in my writing about it. Because I’ve had a hard time at it—one: Secret In Their Eyes is an intense, powerful, haunting thriller, it should have been. Two: miscast, misguided and misbegotten, and I agree.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts

The film is about a tight-knit team of FBI investigators, along with their District Attorney supervisor, is suddenly torn apart when they discover that one of their own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered. The film is a remake of the 2009 Argentine thriller that won the Oscar for Best Foreign-Language Film, but it just wasn’t working for me.

It has a great pedigree, written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games), and produced by Academy Award® winner Mark Johnson (Rain Man, Breaking Bad), and starring Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Academy Award® winners Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts. It even has, Alfred Molina, Dean Norris, Michael Kelly, and Lyndon Smith.

One good thing I can say about the film is Julia Roberts is very good in it. Now, we’ll have to see how it opens in theaters.

Paramount Pictures’ Zoolander 2 2016 Trailer

Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller and Penélope Cruz

Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller and Penélope Cruz

In Zoolander 2, fashion model Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) back! and are recruited by InterPol to stop a worldwide conspiracy that are targeting the most beautiful people in the world…

Check out the numerous celebrity cameos in the trailer.

Kingdom of Shadows is an Intense Documentary

Ruiz and Hagelsieb

Ruiz and Hagelsieb

Kingdom of Shadows (Lo Que Reina En Las Sombras) shows us the human side of the narco-traffic and cartels aftermath in Monterrey, Mexico and the U.S./Texas border. It highlights the lives of a U.S. federal agent (Oscar Hagelsieb), a Texan rancher (Don Henry Ford), and a nun (Sister Consuelo Morales).

Bernardo Ruiz, Angela Ortíz and Oscar Hagelsieb

Bernardo Ruiz, Angela Ortíz
and Oscar Hagelsieb

A group of us had the opportunity to have a really good conversation with the writer/director Bernardo Ruiz and federal agent Oscar Hagelsieb. They were both quite frank about the situations that are affecting so many; and hope that with this documentary there will be more awareness, and more conversations that could lead to a solution.

The documentary leaves you feeling hopeless, especially the ending with the faces of the relatives and friends of the missing.

Listen in on the conversation and please share it.

In theaters November 20.

Jaina Lee Ortiz and Lisa Vidal on the Set of Rosewood

Fun on the set with Lisa Vidal (l) and Jaina Lee Ortiz (r) Photo: DJ Hustle

Fun on the set with Lisa Vidal (l) and Jaina Lee Ortiz (r)
Photo: DJ Hustle

Doing interviews on sets is fun, but it can be hectic for the actors, who are trying to fit the conversations in between takes. Somehow, we managed to do it, standing on an outside deck floating over the water.

Jaina Lee Ortiz (detective Analise Villa) and Lisa Vidal (Daisey Villa) talked to me about the new mother and daughter relationship we’ll be seeing very soon (November 18) on the show, and how at times the roles are reversed in their complex lives.

Lisa Vidal as Daisey Villa

Lisa Vidal as Daisey Villa

They are excited, and I’m excited that Lisa is doing this role. I think she’s one of those actors we don’t get to see enough and she’s a good fit. Even though she’s been on BET’s Being Mary Jane for three seasons, now we’ll see her as a recurring guest star on Rosewood, too.Audio-Button-200

The stars of Rosewood: Morris Chesnut, Lorraine Toussant, Anna Konkle, Gabrielle Dennis, and Domenick Lombardozzi.

Now check out our conversation by clicking on the audio box.

Panamá International Film Festival L.A. Premieres

PIFF 2015 - SponsorsReinas_poster DocCaja-25 DocumentaryIf you are in the Los Angeles area this November 21, we have a fun event for you to attend. Read on.

Festival director, actor/director Carlos Carrasco, Viva Panama Organization (VPO), and NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) announce the launch of the first annual Panama International Film Festival L.A., officially presented by Union Bank. The festival, designed to cast a spotlight on the emerging film industry in Panama and Central America, will feature works by up and coming filmmakers from the area as well as visual arts, musical and dance exhibitions and even culinary samples from the region. And it takes place at the AT&T Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Let-Me-Finish-PosterChance-Abner BenaimHéroe Transparente Poster

Watch the trailers below to the five Panamanian directors who’s work are featured: Ana Endara Mislov’s Reinas, Mercedes Arias and Delfina Vidal’s Caja 25, Abner Benaím’s Chance, Orgun Wagua’s Héroe Transparente, and Carlos Carrasco’s Let Me Finish.

 

Justine Pasek

Justine Pasek

Special Panamanian guest, Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002, will be at the inauguration reception and ribbon cutting ceremony.

For more on Viva Panama Organization (VPO), click here and for ticket/location information newfilmmakersla.

 

 

HBO’s Documentary The Latin Explosion: A New America

Thalia, Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno at the New York premiere

Thalia, Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno at the New York premiere

The Latin Explosion documentary premieres Monday, November 16 at 9P, on HBO and HBO Latino.

“LATIN EXPLOSION explores how the growing Latino community has and still is impacting American culture. Celebrating the music, artists and visionaries”

The film features a star studded array of artists including Marc Anthony, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, José Feliciano, Eva Longoria, George Lopez, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Rita Moreno, Pitbull, Romeo Santos, Shakira, Thalía, Sofía Vergara, and others. And executive produced by Tommy Mottola.

Wilmer Valderrama Futuristic Possibilities

Wilmer Valderrama Minority Report

Wilmer Valderrama Minority Report

We got the opportunity to sit down and have a good chat with Wilmer about his new show, Minority Report, and his character, Will Blake. We talked about the upcoming episode 8, called “The American Dream,” that hits close to home for many of us.

Angela Ortiz and Wilmer Valderrama

Angela Ortiz and Wilmer Valderrama

Valderrama, who is passionate about his choices, talked openly about why he thought this episode was good for his character and the audience watching. Though it’s set in the future, a lot of it is relevant to what is happening now in the country.

The actor, activist, producer, and director shared his thoughts about the upcoming election and teased us about his role in the upcoming third season of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.

Minority Report (1)Audio-Button-200Minority Report follows the unlikely partnership between a man (Stark Sands) haunted by the future and a cop (Meagan Good) haunted by her past, as they race to stop the worst crimes of the year 2065 before they happen. The stars include Nick Zano, Daniel London, Laura Regan, and Li Jun Li.

Now listen in on the conversation with Se Fija!’s Angela Ortíz and Jessica Molina of vivala. — A.O.

Minority Report on FOX, Mondays at 9P.

The 33: An Independent Uphill Battle, Well-Executed

The 33 posterThe world is familiar with the miraculous survival of the 33 miners who were trapped in a Chilean mine for 69 days, five years ago. All of them were carried to safety in a tiny capsule called The Phoenix. Now their real-life story has been told by independent filmmaker Patricia Riggen in her new film, The 33.

The Mexican-born Riggen (Girl in Progress, Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna) talked about the difficulties of making the film. “Nobody wanted to make this movie, because it’s a drama about 33 Latino men, and that doesn’t get made often.”

The skepticism continued as she made the film in Chile and Colombia, under difficult circumstances. “They were shocked every single day. You know, they couldn’t believe I did this. They saw the [mine] collapse sequence and it’s like, ‘How did you do this? You’re a woman.’ And I have to tell you; it wasn’t about making an action movie, but really being able to portray the heart of these guys and what they went through emotionally. That’s what I brought to the movie, besides the big action sequences. It took, you know, real effort. And we ended up shooting 35 days, six days a week, 14 hours every day in the mine.”

Director Patricia Riggen setting up a scene in a mine

Director Patricia Riggen setting up a scene in a mine

Riggen joked and at times was serious about how working and dealing with so much testosterone was a challenge.

The intense, action-packed drama was filmed in two Colombian mines that weren’t as deep and as dangerous as the Chilean mines. “Every single moment, we had the head of the mine with us.” She said. At times they would have to stop shooting so they could come in and remove a hanging rock. “It would fall, they would clean it up, and then we would continue shooting.” The above-ground scenes were shot in the Chilean desert.

Riggen met with each of the real miners individually, to get each of their stories. We see about 95% of those stories in the film. Riggen also included the real Chilean miners in the film’s closing sequence. She brought them all together on a Sunday to eat and celebrate each other.

L-r: Kate del Castillo, Angela Ortíz and Patricia Riggen Photo: Urania C. Lippmann

L-r: Kate del Castillo, Angela Ortíz and Patricia Riggen
Photo: Urania C. Lippmann

“They are not doing well. They have PTSD; the mine owners didn’t compensate them—they got nothing. We’re all working really hard to be able to give them something back. They deserve it.”

The film has an international cast that has a large Latino presence in front and behind the camera. The film stars Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, Mario Casas, Adriana Barraza, Kate del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Bob Gunton, Gabriel Byrne, Jacob Vargas, Jorge Diaz, Oscar Nuñez and many more. José Rivera wrote the story, which is based on the book, Deep Down Dark by Héctor Tobar.

There was even a little family included with Riggen’s husband, cinematographer Checco Varese as director of photography.

Watch our interview with the director and actress Kate del Castillo (Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna, La Reina del Sur) who plays Katty, the wife of Antonio Banderas character, Mario. The film is in theaters now. — A.O.

Celebrating World Kindness Day and Remembering Mother Teresa

Shareable ImageMother Teresa, is considered one of the greatest humanitarians of modern times. Her selfless commitment changed hearts, lives and inspired millions throughout the world. The Letters, as told through personal letters she wrote over the last 40 years of her life, reveal a troubled and vulnerable woman who grew to feel isolation and abandonment by God.

The story is told from the point of view of a Vatican priest charged with the task of investigating acts and events following her death. He recounts her life’s work, her political oppression, her religious zeal and her unbreakable spirit.

In theaters nationwide December 4.

Lets Empower the Next Generation of Veterans, Got Your 6?

Aldo Virgilio Richards and Anselmo Sinclair Ortiz Photo: Angela María Ortíz S.

Aldo Virgilio Richards and Anselmo Sinclair Ortiz
Photo: Angela María Ortíz S.

On Veterans Day we salute ALL Veterans. The ones that are still with us and those who aren’t any longer.

I thank my brother Anselmo Sinclair Ortiz (Navy), our cousins, Aldo Virgilio Richards (Army) and Enrique Tomas Stewart (Air Force).

We are very proud and happy to have them home with us.

Check out the national veteran campaign Got Your 6.

Older posts «

» Newer posts