Budweiser plugs into "César Chávez" film

I absolutely loved this idea from Budweiser! Sure there are some discussions about what sponsorships should go with which events...it's a fine line. For example, Concilio not too long ago stopped accepting beer sponsorships for their annual Hispanic Fiesta on Penn's Landing. Why? Well for one thing the oldest Latino non-profit provides social, educational, health and cultural services to the Latino population...this of course includes substance abuse. 

VIDEO: Paranormal Activity cinco

Looks like the Paranormal Activity franchise has taken a leap of faith. Just when you expect for it to be over, they come back. The newest film titled Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones debuts January 2014 and is a spin off centered around a Latino family in California. Hispanic Marketing much? The movie attempts to bring it back to the original films as well. Somehow the spirits also reach other families. Another feature the franchise hosts is a social media campaign which includes posting a photo of paranormal activity in your town, include #TheMarkedOnes and tag the name of your city. The top city? Of course it's Los Angeles, CA. Not just because it's a high Latino population, but it's Hollywood for goodness sake.

Are you looking forward to the film or tired of the franchise? I'm excited about it only because (I hope) it dives into the santeria world.

Disney announces their Latina princess

Now I'm not one to add people to "boxes" but sometimes I have to ask myself and others, "What exactly does a Latino(a) look like?" In fact, what defines us as people living in the United States. Remember, a Colombian in Colombia will never call them-self a Latino. An Argentine living in Argentina will never call them-self a Latino and so on. Some people may say our language, food, music is what makes us Latino. Just because some don't speak Spanish does not define who we are. But now, Disney has decided to announce their first Latina princess and some people aren't liking it.

“She is Latina,” Entertainment Weekly reported executive producer Jamie Mitchell as saying. “It’s sort of a matter-of-fact situation rather than an overt thing.” In a mashable.com story, "Disney had announced the movie and subsequent of 2013 TV series back in December 2011, and made no mention of the characters’ ethnic backgrounds." I hear both arguments.There's the, "The complexion of a person does not make you Latino(a)." However, Disney could have probably given her a little more spunk to give the viewers the illusion that she is indeed Latina. If children are watching this, they will have LOTS of questions about identity. And we don't need that.

I wonder if a little change in complexion would make things different. Or how about an accent? Maybe some lines in Spanish? What would you change? Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess airs Sunday, November 18 at 7 p.m. on the Disney Channel. 

Our society's racial divide

What's the first thing you notice when you meet someone? Sex? Race? Clothes? The answer is pretty obvious. The racial divide in our communities obviously still exists. For some reason, human nature has taught us to be prejudice based on what we look like. And it can be everything from hair, eyes, smile, etc. Last night I visited Las Parcelas garden (part of the Norris Square Neighborhood Project) and they presented a good number of short films; some which were about race. The short films were presented by Scribe Video Center's and PNC Arts Alive.

• Clara como el Agua (Clara like Water) by Fernanda Rossi is one of the most powerful pieces presented. Clara como el Agua tells the tales and half-truths that surround the origins of Clara, a light-skinned black girl with kinky, blond hair and gray eyes. Tired of being incessantly teased by her dark-skinned peers, she ventures into the magical waters of the bioluminescent bay to change her skin color and possibly herself. The story sheds light on the differences between the Puerto Rican community and how "white privilege" exists everywhere. 

•  That Which Once Was by Kimi Takesue takes place in the year 2032. Vicente, an 8-year-old Caribbean boy, has been displaced by global warming and fends for himself as an environmental refugee in a hostile Northern metropolis. This story combines race, class, environmental disaster (and more) all in one short film.The future is what we make of it and this film shed light on what can happen if we don't stop. However, it also showcased that when we are at our lowest, we don't judge based on age, sex or race. When we are in need, we will gravitate towards people similar to us in any shape or form.

So is race easy to talk about? Of course not. It's a touchy subject that a larger community (with wealth) can dictate. There's an argument that people with wealth and power are the only community that can be racist. Think about it. What's the difference between a white male CEO and a Puerto Rican grocery store clerk? They both can't be racist. The racial divide will always exists, even when disaster strikes. Thoughts?

Rita Moreno's America

Just coming back from the Kimmel Center's first of many ¡VOZ! Congreso series, I feel a lot of inspiration. ¡VOZ! Congreso at the Kimmel Center is an intimate conversation with some of the brightest Latino celebrity intellectuals of our time.The  first of many to come brought legendary actress and vocalist Rita Moreno. We learned about Rita's up-bringing as well as the start of her career.  She's a clearly astounding storyteller who knows how to capture audiences and throw finishing lines. Rita is also not afraid of speaking her mind without a condescending tone. She clearly knew the audience was a mix of white, black and Hispanics; and with racism clearly engulfed in her life, she let it be known her life career was not easy.

Rita is the only Hispanic and one of the few performers who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, and was the second Puerto Rican to win an Academy Award. When asked about what Latino actors/actresses she admired, it was difficult to answer. She had admiration for several actors, but could only name a few Latinas. "Jennifer Lopez is more of a performer," Rita said. And it's true. Latinos are not cast in any roles that are not stereotypical. Imagine that.

Who would you love to see in the ¡VOZ! Congreso series?

Opinion on bullying

With the release of the new film Bully I can't help but think about my days in high school. I saw lots of bullying in my small high school in Plainfield but didn't really pay it any attention. Of course the bullying happened because people were different. Although the school was predominately African-American, most bullying occurred not because of "race" but because of other reasons: sexual preference, clothing worn, etc. Yes I was made fun of at times but it was never a big thing. High school is that time in your life when social norms are introduced and society puts you in a box.

I recently also red an article in NBC Latino about two Puerto Rican students being bullied in a Connecticut high school. Then it hit me. Do most bullying incidents occur when the school is predominately white? I know this accusation may sound horrible at first but it could be true. Regardless of whether or not race is involved, bullying is a serious issue. These hurtful words can damage a child's mind and the future consequences might not be reversible. Words are hurtful; it's that simple.

Glee is a great program which portrayed bullying at a small and large scale. In various episodes, Glee touched on certain character's sexual orientation (men and women). Some were strong enough to move on with life and some were not. Suicide is probably the last thing on anyone's mind but it's possible. There's also a fine line of bullying and being made fun of. However, there are still hurtful words being used. Remember, being different is cool :). Don't let society tell you where you need to be; you make your own decisions in life.

Philadephia's Latin American Film Festival?

Wow. Philadelphia has it's own Latin American Film Festival? Didn't know this until about a couple of days ago. I can't find any information about all the films nor who is presenting the festival. However, the International House Philadelphia is hosting a reception and film screening of Found Memories/Historias que so existem quando lembradas. The film brings a photographer into a small town in Brazil to capture those untold stories. These stories are what a lot of artists look for in a great story. In fact, it's what I like about this crazy world. Some people find themselves in fast-paced cities like New York City and Philadelphia yet forget there are small (unknown) towns in the world. These small towns are filled with intelligent and creative human beings but have not found a way to escape; some don't event want to leave. I hope other venues open their doors to these films. And I don't mean your traditional Latino venues; these films should be presented everywhere.

If anyone has any more information about the film festival please feel free to e-mail me. 

7:00pm Reception
8:00pm Film Screening and Discussion
10:00-Midnight After Party with Food and Live Music
Admission includes reception, screening, and after party.
For more information or to purchase your ticket: http://ihousephilly.org/events/foundmemories/ 

Kimmel Center presents: WEST SIDE STORY

This just in! The Kimmel Center’s 2012/13 Broadway Season continues with the smash hit Broadway revival West Side Story, on stage at the Academy of Music, March 28-April 8. Probably one of the best musicals and movies ever (for Latinos), I definitely plan on watching this one. I actually am surprised when I come across people that have never watched the movie. What is it about? Well in a nutshell it's your typical Romeo and Juliet story-line with a racial twist. I won't ruin any of the movie but all I can say is, "Jets vs. Sharks!" Anyone want to come with me to the musical?

West Side Story at the Academy of Music
When: March 27-April 8
Where: 1420 Locust Street
Tickets range from $20-$100
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org

Will Ferrell's politically incorrect pelicula?

You know I don't know what to say about Will Ferrell's current media tour promoting his new movie "Casa de Mi Padre." The movie is an R-rated spoof not only of telenovelas  but also spaghetti Westerns and 1970s B movies. And sure with all the attention hitting Latinos in almost every industry, Ferrell is very clever when it comes to how he promotes this movie. And while the movie probably hits a lot of stereotypes, we must remember it is a comedy. And from the interview below, he hits a lot of other points. My favorite part? When they ask the clearly Latino coworker a question in Spanish and he answers, "I don't understand you guys." I'm sure there was a hidden message in there. Enjoy!

Events: Pennsylvania's Latino Film Festival

Awesome news alert: There's a Pennsylvania Latino Film Festival? How come I didn't hear about this before? The Latino Film Series will be held in Millersville University in Lancaster, PA starting March 9 - March 12. Films include The Borinqueneers, Seed, The Maid and Almost a Woman.

Here's information on a couple of the films:

• The Borinqueneers - The documentary chronicles the never-before-told story of the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, the only all-Hispanic unit in the history of the U.S. Army.
• Seed - A Puerto Rican boy, who watches his mother be abused, finds hope, dreams, and aspirations outside the harsh city in the countryside of Lancaster County.

Sounds like these are not-to-be missed flicks huh? Anyone want to make a trip to one of the films? To purchase tickets visit Millersville University's Ware Center website. Most of the screenings are free but are still ticketed.

Movie: The Apple Pushers

Five immigrants. New York City. Health crisis. $146 billion is spent on obesity-related health costs per year. This number will rise to $343 billion by 2020. http://www.applepushers.com/

The Academy Award Goes to...

Well right now we don't know but there's a chance a Latino film and actor can grab one of the biggest awards in acting...The Academy Awards. In A Better Life, Demián Bichir portrays Carlos Galindo, an undocumented Mexican gardener fighting to create a better life for himself and his son. In the Supporting Actress category, Bérénice Bejo (Argentine/French) could take the Oscar for her supporting role in The Artist.

In all honesty, it doesn't really matter who wins. Although cheering on Latinos is always good. There's even a group on Facebook which demands more Latinos in film and TV. The description pretty much sums up how the creator feels: We have had enough! Latinos are moving up! We are tired of your images and your looks! We are more than Maids, Thugs, Janitors and Drug Dealers. We are Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Senators, but most important we are here and you will accept us!

Movie: From Prada to Nada

I tell you not having cable will make you watch anything on Netflix. That's why I took the opportunity to watch From Prada to Nada which is usually not on my list to watch. However, something told me to watch it since it had the word "nada" and I assumed it was about Latino culture. Sure enough I got angry throughout some of the scenes and felt a little disgusted as well. Here you have two rich Mexican girls who are basically Americanized but yet their father is as pure Mexican as they come. He passes away and then the money goes with him...sucks right? Especially for these two girls thinking living in East L.A. is the most horrible thing in the world. One of the sisters actually embraced the Mexican culture while the other took a little longer to embrace. Mix in some horrible step-family members, gangs, lawyers and you get "nada." Okay I lied, it was okay but I just didn't like the race issues involved. One thumb up.

Movie: Maid in Manhattan

So now that Telemundo has launched Una maid en Manhattan, I decided to watch the original movie with
Jennifer Lopez. If you haven't watch the novela, Maid in Manhattan is a good start and summary to grasp your interest. I'm glad Jennifer Lopez didn't play your typical "extra" Latina. Although there were some scenes throughout the move that reference her Latina-ness, it wasn't important. And yes at the end Lopez's character sees an epiphany and doesn't want to clean homes anymore. The story is more about love and how we can find it in the strangest of places. And that we shouldn't judge ANYONE because love is blind after all :). I do wonder how the novela will drag out the movie for 8 weeks.

Movie review: Aftershock

Yes I am aware the movie Aftershock is not related to Latinos but I had to write about it. Imagine 23 seconds turn in 32 years...32 years of waiting to confront your mother about why she decided to save your brother and not you. It was 1976 when a small town in China was hit with the most devastating earthquake in possibly the 20th century. Roughly 240,000 lives were lost and torn apart. I won't tell the whole story but it's quite an emotional roller coaster. If you were a mother or father how would you be able to live with yourself when making a decision like that. Or what if you were the daughter and all your life you asked yourself, "Why did my mother abandon me?" Was anyone at fault? Of course not, it's one of those decisions we should never have to make. The film dives into not just family, culture and disaster, but there's a hint of politics as well. I highly recommend watching it with a box of tissues...on Netflix lol. Enjoy!

Video documentary: No Solo Hay Dos Colores

About a week ago I wrote about a new documentary introducing a mural in Spain. The art project NO SOLO HAY dos COLORES introduces the role of men and women. It also goes deep into what an artist really is and how all the artists came to work together. Enjoy!

Puerto Rico is not foreign

As much as people assume Puerto Rico is foreign, it still is a U.S. territory. Although I can't get into politics discussing whether or not PR should be a state or independent, let's discuss something else. Apparently Puerto Rico is ineligible to be nominated for Best Foreign Film in the Academy Awards. According to an article in the NY Daily News, "The controversy arose when the movie, based on the novel “America’s Dream” by Esmeralda Santiago, was not allowed to be considered as a possible nominee for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2012 Oscars."

So why can't they be nominated? I mean if Puerto Rico can compete independently in the Olympics and for the Miss Universe pageant, why can't they win Best Foreign Film?  The online petition at change.org currently has over 1500 signatures but clearly needs more. I wonder what would happen if Puerto Rico did become an independent nation; would things remain the same or would it get better? Either way I believe Puerto Rico should be allowed to win the Academy Award.

Never forget where we came from

I was so excited to see Colombiana last Friday. Not just because it had the title of a "colombiana," but also because it was a much needed movie. I'm sure there are hundreds of people who were apposed to Zoe Saldana acting as a Colombian but let's move on. The saying, "Never forget where you come from," stuck in my head like white on rice.

Cataleya plays a strong woman who takes revenge on anyone involved in the murder of her parents. And that's typical right? It was bound to happen since at age 9 she was jumping off buildings, stabbing people; but it was still sad seeing her grow up alone. "Never forget where you come from" could mean many things but to me it was about honor, respect and family. Latino culture is clearly about family; that could be our downfall but it could also be used for us. 


Colombiana represents everything we want to be (whether you're a man or woman). We want to be strong, independent and just down right awesome. Although pretty obvious most of her family would be killed due to her way of life, she kept it moving. Unfortunately for her even though she found her revenge, Cataleya is still being pursued by the police. What's her count at 30 and counting? Either way, never forget where YOU come from :-).

More stars that are apparently Latino

Latina.com sure has a way of finding these new Latinos. Then again I'm glad they produce these stories because it re-defines what exactly it means to be Latino. Some people think you have to speak Spanish, some say it's about the way you move...and some just think it's about dancing. Take Miguel A. Nunez for example...he was our favorite cross-dressing basketball player in Juwanna Mann; got me. Then here's a shocker; one of the Backstreet Boys is indeed Latino. And to top things off and to make me go even crazier, Lost's Desmond Hume is also indeed Latino. To read more about our new favorite (or past favorite) Latinos, click here.

Why our family wedding wouldn't work...

It's not what you think. Well not yet at least :). I recently saw Our Family Wedding and what a disaster indeed. Although it was nice to see an interracial couple eventual get married, I believe it was a little to fast and happy for real life. There were certain situations that even for 2011, it was just unrealistic. One minute the couple breaks up and the next evening they are back to getting married...doesn't that take a week? And planning a super nice "traditional" wedding in 2 weeks?

The "racism" jokes were just a bit much too. Sure there are tons of stereotypes when it comes to African-Americans and Mexicans but really? "Bro" and "ese" don't necessarily makes things racists but come on. Even with the grandmother she was a bit dramatic. I think it would have been better if they got married behind everyone's back lol. Then again I'm sure the Mexican father would have been a little TOO upset and caused even more disaster among the family. have you seen the film? What do you think about interracial dating?