Habana Eva

Habana Eva serves up a nice blend of Latino influenced quirkiness in this story about a woman who's dreams of fashion designing take her down a wildly unexpected path.

Prakriti Maduro plays Eva, a free-spirited seamstress full of innocence, mischief and passion. When a wealthy photographer comes into town and offers her a large sum of money to be his tour-guide it complicates things between Eva and her soon-to-be-husband and she has to come to terms with what she really wants out of life. The film is directed by Fina Torres (Women On Top) and features a solid supporting cast with Yuliet Cruz, Juan Carlos Garcia and Carlos Enrique Almirante.

Habana Eva is delightfully funny, with a dash of magical realism and ode to the beauty of Cuba.

Official Site: www.habanaeva.com

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Mother and Child

Mother and Child is a heartfelt story about longing for someone who's been missing from your life. Rodrigo Garcia has beautifully crafted a film that blends emotional truths with an amazing ensemble cast and a pitch-perfect music score. Naomi Watts, Annette Bening and Kerry Washington offer solid performances as their stories anchor the film with equally important supporting roles by Samuel L. Jackson and Jimmy Smits. Other noteworthy appearances include Amy Brenneman, Tatyana Ali and Britt Robertson (Life Unexpected) proving that the cast is just as strong from the bottom up. Mother and Child is one of the standout movies of the year (so far).

Official Website: www.sonyclassics.com/motherandchild

In theaters May 7th (limited).

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Castro

Castro is full of strange moments and quirky scenes that will leave you with more questions than answers.

Four characters are looking for a man called Castro, but we don't know why.

I'm not familiar with Argentine cinema but I'm glad that the AFI Fest included this film in their program because it was something fresh and different, diverse, and it makes me want to seek out more films from Argentine filmmakers.

If you're more well-versed in Argentine cinema who are some of your favorites?

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TV Tonight: CNN's Latino in America

Soledad O'Brien begins her special report on the Latino experience spotlighting stories from across the country including interviews with George Lopez, Eva Longoria and Edward James Olmos.  The two part coverage kicks off tonight and finishes tomorrow on CNN at 9 p.m.

Hopefully CNN continues this series with Asian American, Arab American and Native American focuses (as well as other ethnic groups).

After you watch the show, share your thoughts!

Official Site: www.cnn.com

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Bella

Bella offers raw simple storytelling, the kind that tugs at your heart. Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard do a fantastic job portraying two characters with a brokenness of the soul.

The film features an extremely beautiful song by Rachael Yamagata "Meet Me By The Water" and original music by Stephan Altman that completes the tone of the film quite nicely.

  Official Site: www.bellamoviesite.com  

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Interview with Edward James Olmos

This weekend I was about to catch up with Edward James Olmos at the Chicago Comic-Con. He played Admiral Adama on the critically acclaimed Battlestar Galactica remake. The show is up for six Emmy nominations this year including outstanding directing for a drama series.

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America Ferrera to star in 'Wedding Movie'

America Ferrera will play a bride-to-be in an upcoming romantic comedy co-starring Forest Whitaker and Carlos Menia:

"Described as a clash-of-cultures comedy, story centers on two overbearing fathers (Whitaker, Mencia) who must put aside their differences to plan the wedding of their son and daughter (Ferrera) in less than two weeks."

It's exciting to see Ferrera's career blossom. I've been a fan since her Gotta Kick It Up!/Real Women Have Curves days. She already has an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award and it's quite possible an Oscar could be in her future.

So far what has been your favorite role of hers?

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Post Grad

Alexis Bledel (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) has a semi-quarter life crisis in Post Grad with Zach Gilford (Friday Night Lights) playing her adorable guy bff.

Ryden Malby (Bledel) graduates from college and is forced to move back into her childhood home with her eccentric family, while she attempts to find a job, the right guy, and just a hint of where her life is headed.

This is one of the few films this year written, directed and starring a female so hopefully it's good! Post Grad is set to release August 21st.

Official Site: www.postgradmovie.com

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American Son

American Son offers simple, solid storytelling. It's a slice of life tale, quietly introducing us to a young soldier who has one weekend before he gets shipped off to Iraq. This is by far Nick Cannon's best role. He proves that he has the skills to drive a film if given the right material. Then there was Melonie Diaz who gave a charming performance as the love interest. She needs more roles like this and quick! Another treat included the post-rock soundtrack. It does a fantastic job of setting the mood. Bottom line: See this movie, it's worth your time.

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In the Time of the Butterflies

Edward James Olmos has a powerful on screen presence and Salma Hayek does a wonderful job of holding her ground against his disturbing character, Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. In the Time of the Butterflies is based on the real-life story of the Mirabal sisters, political activists who were brutally murdered under Trujillo's regime. And it is their story that inspired the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25th).



You can watch In the Time of the Butterflies on Starz

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Another Cinderella Story

So I totally DVRed ABC Family's Another Cinderella Story. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Cinderella tales. Selena Gomez, one of Disney's rising tween queens, stars in this dance inspired version. It's far from brilliant (unless you're an 11-year-old girl) but it's an enjoyable light-hearted romcom. There aren't many subtleties in the plot but the film did offer a standout performance by Jessica Parker Kennedy who plays the sassy best friend. At the very least, it would be a nice gift for a Drew Seeley-lovin' teenage niece.



For Fans of...A Cinderella Story and Ever After

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A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride

You may remember Joanna Garcia from TV shows like Reba and this year's CW debut Privileged. I haven't watched the show yet but I've heard some good things about it. Plus it's one of the few shows starring a Latina. You can catch Garcia in the Lifetime original movie A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride on Saturday, Dec. 20th at 9 p.m.

"A wedding planner (Garcia) looks to persuade her mother not to marry a man she's only known for a brief period of time, until unexpected development forces her to re-examine her feelings" (IMDB).

Director: Leslie Hope
Writer: Scott Eastlick
Starring: Joanna Garcia and Luke Perry

For Fans of...your typical Lifetime movies.

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An Invisible Sign of My Own

This film isn't coming out until next year but I can't wait to see Jessica Alba play a nerdy girl! Her recent string of films have been less then stellar and she needs a role that will charm us again. If only they would have focused The Eye on the life of a blind violinist instead of all that scary stuff it could have been great.

Here's the synopsis for An Invisible Sign of My Own:

"Math whiz Mona Gray has elected to systematically withdraw from life after a mysterious illness leaves her Dad all but a shell of his former self. When she gets a job as the math teacher at an elementary school, she discovers she has an unorthodox talent for teaching and finds herself thrust back into life again, with children to care for, a man to love, and a reason to live" (IMDB).

No matter what I'll always be a Jessica Alba fan because of Dark Angel (I own both seasons). She was the coolest genetically enhanced kick-butt super soldier. And this line will always be golden: "If I just had my ass handed to me by a size three, I'd be inclined to mind my own business."

Until then check out the novel the film is based on.

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This Revolution

This Revolution uses the backdrop of the 2004 Republican National Convention to enter the realm of activists and their anti-Bush protests. It has a heavy indie vibe which works well for everything except the ending (it's a little far-fetched). Rosario Dawson doesn't have a lot of screen time but her scenes are the most poignant.



Director/Writer: Stephen Marshall
Starring: Rosario Dawson and Nathan Crooker
Soundtrack: "Me Tarzan You Jane" by iZLER

For Fans of...Battle in Seattle and Light It Up

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Rosario Dawson and Will Smith on Oprah

Will Smith and Rosario Dawson look equally fab as they discuss their upcoming film Seven Pounds.



Definitely two of the coolest people in Hollywood.

[Hat tip to Fading Ad]

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Spin

This film takes your heart on an emotional roller coaster. Seriously.

Paula Garcés is such an underrated actress, yet she has real depth in dramatic roles. Same thing with Ryan Merriman. And when you throw in Stanley Tucci, Rubén Blades and Dana Delany as the supporting cast you get an all-round great movie. Spin is a coming of age story about an orphan who discovers family, love and friendship in a bittersweet way.

Click here to watch the trailer.

Director/Writer: James Redford
Starring: Paula Garcés and Ryan Merriman

For Fans of...La Bamba and Radio Flyer

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Seven Pounds

I can't wait to see this movie!

When Rosario Dawson and Will Smith shared the screen in Men in Black 2 I wanted them to have more scenes together because the chemistry was there. Now with Seven Pounds I'll get just that. Dawson is one of my favorite actresses and this is exactly the kind of dramatic role I'd like to see her in. She's got an amazing range but she justs needs more opportunities to showcase it.

Anyone else excited to see this film?



Director: Gabriele Muccino
Starring: Will Smith and Rosario Dawson

Release Date: Dec. 19th, 2008

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Wassup Rockers

South Central isn't the most skater friendly place so a group of Latino skateboarders set their sights on a Beverly Hills park. Their adventures are wild, silly and sad but always interesting. I enjoyed the music, the punk fashion and especially the insight on what it's to like to be an urban skater. Wassup Rockers is straight up indie cool.



Director/Writer: Larry Clark
Starring: Jonathan Velasquez and Francisco Pedrasa.
Soundtrack: "La Guerra de la Muerte" by The Remains.

For Fans of...Lords of Dogtown and Dazed and Confused.

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