Olmos to Star Opposite Alfonso Herrera in Fox’s Drama Pilot “Urban Cowboy”

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Edward James Olmos is going urban…

The 68-year-old Mexican American actor has landed a series regular role in Fox’s drama pilot Urban Cowboy, a modern reimagining of the 1980 Paramount Pictures film starring John Travolta and Debra Winger.

Olmos will play Alfonso “Al” Robles, a former hitman for a Mexican cartel who came to Texas 20 years ago to reinvent himself. Now married with a daughter and an upper-level management job, Al seemingly is living the American dream. But he’s forced to confront old demons when he helps his niece and nephew flee a bad situation in Mexico.

The television adaptation, written and directed by Craig Brewer, follows star-crossed young lovers Kyle (Alfonso Herrera) and Gaby as they pursue their dreams and passions through the sweat of line dancing in honky tonks, the grime of the oil refineries and the glamour of modern Texas.

Olmos, a Battlestar Galactica alum, recently appeared in Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Dexter.

Urban Cowboy comes from Paramount Studios Television and 20th Century Fox Television.

Olmos Participates in Hispanic Scholarship Fund Campaign Aimed at Getting More Latinos Enrolled in College

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Edward James Olmos is telling parents to stand and deliver when it comes to their children and their futures…

This Hispanic Heritage Month, the 67-year-old Mexican American actor is among the Latino celebrities making parents aware of the many resources available to help them send their kids to college.

Olmos recorded a public service announcement (PSA) to encourage Hispanic parents to look into scholarships and planning tools for their children.

The campaign, launched by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and the Ad Council, aims to offer access to the resources Latino parents need to help their children prepare, plan, and pay for college.

Today, Hispanics make up 19 percent of college students from the ages of 18 to 24, a number that is up from 12 percent in 2008, according to the HSF.

The PSA campaign empowers parents to help their children navigate the college application process and access the resources and support needed to excel in their studies and graduate.

According to a 2009 Pew Hispanic Center survey, 88% of Latinos ages 16 and older agreed that a college degree is necessary to get ahead in life today, as compared to only 74% of all Americans ages 16 and older.

Other celebrities filming PSAs include CSI: Miami alum Adam Rodriguez and Univision co-anchors Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas.

del Castillo Lending Voice to Animated Film “El Americano 3D”

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kate del Castillo is about to get animated…

The 41-year-old Mexican actress and former telenovela star has joined the voice cast of El Americano 3D, which is being billed as the first major U.S.-Mexican animated co-production.

The film will be released in the first quarter of 2015, according to Variety.

Former Friends star Lisa Kudrow heads the ensemble voice cast that also includes Modern Family star Rico Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Erik Estrada and Mexican-American actor and director Edward James Olmos, who also serves as a co-producer.

El Americano is the fourth film – and first CGI movie – made at the Animex Producciones animated studio in Puebla, Mexico. Burbank, California-based Olmos Productions also has co-production credits.

The film will premiere in both Mexico and the United States in the first three months of 2015, including an initial 1,200-screen U.S. theatrical release.

Deals also have been reached at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival to distribute the film in Russia and in Asian countries.

Variety describes the movie as a “revisionist take on the U.S. as a country of role models for young Mexicans.”

The film “makes us realize that the answers to our struggles are right there in our own hearts,” Olmos was quoted as saying.

It tells the story of Cuco, a young Mexican parrot who embarks on an epic quest to persuade an American crime-fighting TV celebrity to help defend his family from bullies, the magazine said.

Cuco learns, however, that he can become a hero without anyone else’s help.

AMC to Release Melendez’s “Journey of a Female Comic” Doc in Southern California

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kiki Melendez’ Hollywood journey will take her to theaters in Southern California…

The award-winning actress, comedienne, writer and producer’s documentary comedy Journey of a Female Comic will be released through AMC Theatres’ AMC Independent Program in Los Angeles and San Diego just in time for CInco de Mayo.

“I am so grateful to AMC Independent for the opportunity to share my story. My hope in making this film, is to encourage and inspire women to take their dreams into their own hands,” says Melendez.

Journey of a Female Comic, which will hit theaters on Friday, May 2, 2014 with other major markets to follow, is an inspirational film for audiences of all races, genders, and backgrounds.

It centers on Melendez’ life growing up in a developing country, being raised by a single immigrant mother, and her career in Hollywood pursuing the American Dream. Never forgetting her humble beginnings, Melendez’ journey is thought-provoking, inspiring audiences to discover the difference between fame and fulfillment.

AMC’s independent program added the 88-minute film to its slate after it received an enthusiastic reception at test screenings.

The feature began as an experimental short film, premiering at the DR Global Film Festival. It also opened at Miami’s Hispanicize Film Showcase and The Broadway International Film Festival in 2012, where it represented the U.S. and won Best Documentary.

“Journey of A Female Comic fits perfectly within our AMC Independent programming initiative, which opens our screens to movies that resonate with our diverse audiences,” said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, Vice President of Alternative Content at AMC. “Melendez’ story is honest and entertaining, and will connect with many of our guests.”

Journey of A Female Comic also features appearances by other Latino trailblazers in Hollywood, including Edward James Olmos, Jacob Vargas, Esai Morales, Nadine Velazquez, the late Lupe Ontiveros, Maria Conchita Alonso and Guy Ecker.

Melendez also has lively conversations with international stars including Aaron Spelling, Usher, Sofia Vergara, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Shakira and Marc Anthony.

Melendez is best known for creating Galavision’s No. 1 entertainment show in 2000, Kiki Desde Hollywood, and Showtime’s hit show Hot Tamales Live! in 2008, the longest running all-female comedy show, available on HULU.

The Late Rivera Wins Six Trophies at the Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She may be gone… But Jenni Rivera has not been forgotten.

The late Mexican American singer, known as la Diva de la Banda, proved to be one of the big winners at the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Rivera, whose influence and sales rose in the wake of her tragic death last December in a plane crash in Mexico, won six awards, including Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Album of the Year for La Gran Señora, which was coincidentally released the week after her death.

Edward James Olmos, Rivera’s Filly Brown co-star, introduced a tribute segment to the singer, pointing out that just a year before, she had herself performed live on the awards stage.

“We want to remember her a little bit differently — as the woman, the friend, the mother, the daughter,” he said, before a video montage focusing mainly on Rivera’s family life and humanitarian work.

Her parents, Pedro Rivera and Rosa Saavedra, and two eldest daughters, Janney “Chiquis” Marín and Jacqueline Marín, accepted her posthumous awards.

Meanwhile, Don Omar – who performed his current hit, “Zumba” at the show – had garnered 18 finalist nods — a record tied only by Tito El Bambino in 2010 — and took home 10. They include Songs Artist of the Year, Male and Airplay Song of the year for “Dutty Love,” featuring Natty Natasha. Don Omar also won Streaming Artist of the Year and Streaming Song of the Year for “Danza Kuduro,” featuring Lucenzo.

Prince Royce, the young urban/bachata singer and soon-to-be La Voz Kids coach who has dominated the charts since his debut in 2011, won four awards, including Albums Artist of the Year, Male.

Romeo Santos, Shakira and La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho won three awards each, as did Natty Natasha, who is featured in Don Omar’s “Dutty Love.” Teary-eyed, she dedicated her last win to “all Latinos — those who leave their homelands to pursue their dreams.”

This year’s awards featured a series of premiere performances, including Carlos Vives with Michel Teló (who won Song of the Year for his global hit “Ai Se Eu Te Pego“).

Mexican rockers Maná, who won Albums Artist of the Year, duo or Group and Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group, also received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for the philanthropic work of their Selva Negra Foundation, which has worked in environmental causes for nearly 20 years.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards honors the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, as determined by the actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts.

The awards were broadcast live on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center in Miami.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

Rivera’s “Filly Brown” Earns $1.36 Million In Its Debut Weekend

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jenni Rivera’s first and, sadly, last big screen acting debut is reporting strong numbers…

The late Mexican American singer’s music drama Filly Brown earned a hefty $1.36 million at the box office in only 188 theaters this weekend.

“The Filly fans really came out this weekend,” said Indomina Production exec Rob Williams. “We’re very happy with the per screen average and looking to expand the film into more markets this weekend. Sales were especially strong in Southwestern states.”

The film grossed $673K Friday but dropped to $405K Saturday. Women were far and away the big draw comprising 71% of the audience, and 41% were under 25.

The film’s $7,250 average is the highest PSA of any Pantelion release to date, the distributor pointed out. And the film landed #1 at 20 locations where it outgrossed the weekend’s number one film in the overall box office, Oblivion.

The screenings were followed by a live Q&A with Edward James Olmos and other members of the cast that were streamed to all locations.

Rivera, who died in a plane crash in Mexico last December, portrays the drug-addicted and incarcerated mother of the film’s main character, portrayed by Gina Rodriguez.

Rivera’s Feature Film Debut in “Filly Brown” to Entertain Theater Audiences This Weekend

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jenni Rivera’s first and only big screen acting role will finally see the light at box offices nationwide…

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival hit Filly Brown will open in theaters on Friday amid great anticipation over seeing the late Mexican American singer’s acting debut.

Filly Brown centers on aspiring hip hop artist Majo Tonorio (portrayed by Gina Rodriguez) to establish a career and make enough money to get her drug-addicted mom (Rivera) out of jail.

Although Rivera appears in only four scenes, the film has generated great interest among the Latino community by becoming the posthumous work of the popular singer.

Rivera’s co-star Edward James Olmos told Efe that sharing the stage with her was an “incredible” experience.

“Working with her was a dream because it was the first time that she had done dramatic acting and she was incredible. We were very happy to work together,” he said.

Sharing that opinion is Rodriguez, who added: “Everyone who loves and adores Jenni Rivera has been able to see who she was. Working with her was a blessing. Each day I have to give thanks for having worked with her.”

Rivera, known as “La Diva de la Banda,” died in a plane crash in Mexico last December. She had the chance to see Filly Brown during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Rivera Funeral Arrangements Revealed as Her Music Rocks the Charts…

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s been a little over a week sinceJenni Rivera’s tragic death in a plane crash… And la Diva de la Banda’s family, friends and fans will get the chance to say their último adios this week.

The 43-year-old Mexican American singer died in a small plane crash, along with six others passengers, in Mexico last Sunday.

“Jenni had very specific plans for how she wanted her funeral to go down. She wanted Vendela roses at the service, Bella Rosa roses to be buried with her, and she requested butterflies to be released at the end of the service. A public memorial will take place on Tuesday [Dec. 18] in Long Beach and a more private one on Wednesday [Dec. 19],” Rivera’s team told TMZ.

Rivera’s invitation-only service on Wednesday will reportedly be attended by Gloria Estefan, Edward James Olmos and Snoop Dogg, who was reportedly in the process of working on a duet with the singer.

Rivera, 43, She is expected to be buried in an invitation-only service Wednesday.

Rivera’s brothers landed at Long Beach Municipal Airport last Thursday night with their sister’s remains after Mexican authorities confirmed she’d been on the plane. The remains were later taken to All Souls Cemetery and Mortuary in Long Beach, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Her brother Lupillo Rivera on tweeted on Friday, “Jenni mission accomplished, you’re home.”

Rivera’s funeral arrangements could reportedly include a memorial tribute concert for her fans, as well as public memorials in Los Angeles and Mexico.

Meantime, sales of Rivera’s music have increased substantially as her fans mourn her passing.

Even though news of her death broke on December 9, the last day of the SoundScan tracking week, her passing still managed to rock the charts.

In the single day, even before Rivera was officially declared dead, her album sales rose 334% to 6,000 copies. Among those, sales of Joyas Prestadas: Pop, almost quadrupled, going 28-2 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart while sales of Joyas Prestadas: Banda went 39-4 on the chart. Each album sold around 2,000 copies.

The singer’s downloads also increased 1,096% to 12,000, with 11 debuts or re-entries on the Regional Mexican Digital Songs chart.

The big sales impact of Rivera’s death, however, is expected next week, compounded with the release of her new album, La Misma Gran Señora, which coincidentally had been slated for December 11 and for which re-orders have been coming in, as well as wall-to-wall coverage of Rivera in all major Latin media, including Univision and Telemundo.

Rodriguez Picks Up Imagen Award for Her Filly Brown Role

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She gained critical acclaim for her role in Filly Brown… And, now Gina Rodriguez is reaping the rewards for her impressive work in the indie film.

The 27-year-old 28-year Puerto Rican actress picked up the best actress in a feature film prize for her starring role as an aspiring hip-hop artist in Filly Brown at this weekend’s 27th annual Imagen Awards, which honor the best and most talented portrayals of Latinos in film.

Rodriguez’s performance won rave reviews at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and led to a talent holding deal with ABC/ABC Studios.

Filly Brown, which co-stars Edward James Olmos, Jenni Rivera and Lou Diamond Phillips, follows Rodriguez’s character’s rise to fame and consciousness as she copes with the incarceration of her mother through her poetry and music.

Phillips picked up the Imagen Award for best actor in a feature film for his role in the film.

Meanwhile, singer-turned-reality-star Rivera, who made her acting debut in Filly Brown, received the 2012 Imagen President’s Award.

In addition to picking up an award, Rodriguez served as the Imagen Foundation-sponsored awards show host. ,

Here’s a look at all of the Imagen Award winners:

Best Primetime Program: Switched at Birth (Prodco, Inc. in association with ABC Family)
Best Variety and Reality: 24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz (HBO Sports)
Best Children’s Programming: El Perro y El Gato (HBO Latino)
Best Young Actress on Television: Bella Thorne, Shake it Up! (Disney Channel)
Best Supporting Actress on TV: Eva La Rue, CSI:Miami (CBS)
Best Supporting Actor on TV: Carlos Gomez, The Glades (A&E)
Best Actor on Television: James Roday, Psych (USA Network)
Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film: Cierra Ramirez, Girl in Progress (Pantelion Films)
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film: Diego Luna, Casa De Mi Padre (NALA Films/Gary Sanchez Productions/Pantelion Films)
Best Actress in a Feature Film: Gina Rodriguez, Filly Brown (Cima Production/Olmos Production/Silent Giant Entertainment)Best Actor in a Feature Film: Lou Diamond Phillips, Filly Brown (Cima Production/Olmos Production/Silent Giant Entertainment)
Best Primetime Special or Movie: The Pregnancy Project (Barbara Lieberman Productions)
Best Primetime Program: Drama or Comedy Series: Switched at Birth (Prodco Inc. in association with ABC: Family)
Best Theatrical Short or Student Film: INGLES (Ruben Avitia)

“El Mariachi” & “Stand and Deliver” Added to National Film Registry’s Preservation List

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Rodriguez and Ramón Menéndez have cemented their status as Latino luminaries in American film history.

The Mexican-American Rodriguez’s El Mariachi and the Cuban-born Menéndez’s Stand and Deliver have been selected as this year’s additions to the National Film Registry of films for preservation by the Library of Congress for “their enduring significance to American Culture.”

El Mariachi (1992): Directed, edited, co-produced and written in a short two weeks by then-film student Rodriguez for only $7,000, El Mariachi became an insta-hit on the film festival circuit. After being picked up for distribution, the film helped usher in the independent movie boom of the early 1990s. El Mariachi is an energetic, highly entertaining tale of an itinerant musician who arrives at a Mexican border town during a drug war and is mistaken for a hit man who recently escaped from prison. The story, as film historian Charles Ramirez Berg has suggested, plays with expectations common to two popular exploitation genres—the narcotraficante film, a Mexican police genre, and the transnational warrior-action film, itself rooted in Hollywood Westerns. Rodriguez’s success derived from invigorating these genres with creative variants despite the constraints of a shoestring budget. Rodriguez has gone on to become, in Berg’s estimation, “arguably the most successful Latino director ever to work in Hollywood.”

Stand and Deliver (1988): Based on a true story, Stand and Deliver stars Edward James Olmos in an Oscar-nominated performance as crusading educator Jaime Escalante. A math teacher in East Los Angeles, Escalante inspired his underprivileged students to undertake an intensive program in calculus, achieve high test scores and improve their sense of self-worth. Co-produced by Olmos and directed by Menéndez, Stand and Deliver became one of the most popular of a new wave of narrative feature films produced in the 1980s by Latino filmmakers. The film celebrates in a direct, approachable, and impactful way, values of self-betterment through hard work and power through knowledge. Menéndez’s first feature film won six IFP Spirit Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

In all, 25 movies were selected from a lost of more than 2,200 titles nominated this year, including Fake Fruit Factory (1986), a documentary that takes an expressive, sympathetic look at the everyday lives of young Mexican women who create ornamental paper maché fruits and vegetables.

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