Some incredible Latino filmmakers are making a big splash at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which runs Jan. 16-26 in Park City, Utah.
Besides award-winning Chilean director Sebastián Lelio, whose films include La Sagrada Familia, Navidad, El Año del Tigre and Gloria joining Sundance 2014's World Cinema Dramatic Jury; several strong Latino documentaries are featured this year.
Some people are just born with the need for an adrenaline rush, and the skills to be able to fulfill it -- and while you can't deny your DNA, it's still pretty damn cool to be able to take on challenges that your average person would be scared to death to do.
Mountain bikers
Most stars don't make a smooth transition from child-to-adult celebrity. When crossing that bridge many stumble and slip due to alcohol or drug use and abuse, and some simply aren't equipped to handle the blinding beams cast down from being in the lime light. But, for the Latino stars who have successfully crossed that bridge, it's time to take a look at the first R-rated roles that appeared on their filmography.
George Lopez, Paul Rodriguez and Carlos Mencia's names are some of the first to come to mind when thinking of Latino comedians, but there's a number of valuable comedians with Latin roots who are brazen and brilliant, and offer stellar commentary on la raza's experience in America, or are just plain ol' hilarious.
"I am breathless, I am so bloody happy," said the vivacious, 82-year-old, Rita Moreno, upon accepting The Screen Actors Guild's 50th SAG Life Achievement Award.
But the truth is, the Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer has left audiences breathless for decades.
Multi-instrumentalist and former guitarist of The Mars Volta/At the Drive-In Omar Rodriguez-Lopez has joined forces with Red Hot Chili Peppers' departed guitarist John Frusciante to create new project, Kimono Kult. The friends and longtime collaborators will be playing alongside frontwoman and guitarist Teri Gender Bender (Le Butcherettes, Bosian Rainbows); Nicole Turley on bass, drum machine, trumpets and backing vocals; Dante White-Aliano on guitar, and Laena Geronimo (Frusciante's wife) on violin, bass and trumpets.
Mexican writer/director Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity is representing Latinos in film worldwide by leading the pack for this year's Oscars nods -- with 10 Oscar nominations. But fellow Latino, Guatemala-born actor Oscar Isaac who stars in Inside Llewyn Davis isn't quite feeling the Oscar love that he and the Coen brothers deserve, according to many fans of the film.
What does it take to make Forbes' list of the world's most powerful couples -- alongside Michelle and Barack Obama, Melinda and Bill Gates and Beyonce and Jay Z?
Colombian-born superstar Shakira and FC Barcelona soccer star Gerard Pique, who made Forbes' 2013 list have an idea - and they are in on a secret that doesn't involve money or fame. The couple who have been together for four years, try to lead normal lives - as normal as you can when you're both international stars.
Dexter, Showtime’s eight season-long homicidal thriller, has returned to television, appearing on Jennifer Lopez’s NUVOtv. Fans and newcomers to the show will have another opportunity to experience the bloodshed and drama through syndicated re-airings beginning Monday, January 13th. The series’ Latino cast members expressed their excitement about the broadcasting of the series on the Latino network.
When it comes to strong story lines and great character development, Chilean director Sebastián Lelio knows how to capture an audience. His cinematic efforts haven't gone unnoticed in the U.S. or abroad, and the award-winning director has been selected to join Sundance 2014's World Cinema Dramatic Jury.
Puerto Rican pop diva Jennifer Lopez is being sued by a man who claims that she tricked him into sending her nude photos of himself. Los Angeles man Rodrigo Ruiz filed the lawsuit, and seeks $10,000 in damages, alleging that he's suffered from depression after receiving a series of letters and being misled by the Bronx-born beauty.
Ariana Grande indicated via Twitter that she is “back in the studio this week,” after releasing her debut album, Yours Truly, just five short months ago. The starlet notified the public through the popular social media site this past Saturday, and fans responded with eager support, already anticipating the release of the unnamed album.
While there isn't a big Latino presence at Coachella, the three-day festival in Indio, Calif., Panamanian-American Singer Aloe Blaac will represent with his soulful voice.
Mexican writer/director Alfonso Cuarón will fondly remember the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards because it marks his first Golden Globe award for Best Director - Motion Picture. He beat out contenders Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips), Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Alexander Payne (Nebraska) and David O. Russell (American Hustle).
Spanish is the second most used language in the United States, and according to the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau, it is the primary language spoken at home by 38.3 million people age five or older -having doubled since 1990. Latinos and non-Latinos, alike, are obliging to the growing need to speak and understand Spanish, as it's a valuable skill in most fields -even in Hollywood.
"Outstanding Ecuadorian-born, New York-based singer-songwriter Eljuri... Fusing socially conscious lyrics with blistering guitar rock, she blended missionary fervor with impeccable musicianship," said The Chicago Sun Times about the Guayaquil-born musician who's been dubbed "the female Carlos Santana, "otherwise known as "Carlita."
Earlier today, Lossip.com wrote an article and a subsequent tweet that congratulated Natalie Albino for giving birth to a baby boy. Albino is a member of the musical duo Nina Sky -- which is comprised of Natalie and her identical twin sister Nicole. "However, Natalie's Instagram account seems to deny that the delivery took place, as she did a screenshot of the tweet, and wrote beside it, "WAIT, WHAT?! WHEN?!!!"
