The Kid Mero to Join Larry Wilmore for Discussion About 2016 & 2020 US Presidential Elections

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

The Kid Mero is talkin’ politics… then and now.

The 37-year-old Dominican American television personality, writer and comedian will join Larry Willmore to discuss the U.S. presidential election.

Willmore and Kid Mero, whose real name is Joel Martinez, will be joined by Robin Thede, Desus and co-hosts of Pod Save America Jon Lovett and Jon Favreau.

The Peacock late-night comedy, which airs on Friday evenings, will tackle the topic of ‘But Her Emails’, comparing where we are three weeks before this election to where we were three weeks before the 2016 election and drawing lessons.

Thede is the creator, showrunner, executive producer, writer and star of HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show. She was also the first African American woman to be the head writer of a late-night show when she worked on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, before becoming a host of The Rundown with Robin Thede.

Desus Nice and Kid Mero are the stars of the eponymous Showtime series, which airs twice a week.

They’ll join Wilmore for his lightning round this week, following the launch of their New York Times best-selling book God-Level Knowledge Darts – Life Lessons From The Bronx.

Lovett and Favreau are co-hosts of political podcast Pod Save America and co-founder of Crooked Media, the media company behind it. They’ve also recently launched Vote Save America, a one-stop-shop for voter engagement, which helps people get educated and activated ahead of the election.

Wilmore is going into his fifth show since launching on the streamer.

Robert Trujillo & Metallica Donate $250,000 to Organizations on the Front Lines of the West Coast’s Wildfire Crisis

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Robert Trujillo is helping the people affected by West Coast’s wildfires…

The 55-year-old Mexican American bassist and his Metallica band mates have donated $250,000 to five organizations on the front lines of the area’s devastating wildfire crisis through their All Within My Hands charity.

The donations are earmarked for the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund, the Oregon Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund, the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County’s Fire Response Fund, the Community Foundation of North Central Washington NCW Fire Relief Fund and the North Valley Community Foundation Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund.

“Communities across the west coast of our country are suffering,” Metallica tweeted. “The @AWMHFoundation is donating $250,000 to assist in wildfire relief efforts.”

In a statement from AWMH, the non-profit organization founded by the metal icons in 2017 explains, “Wildfires have become a cruel and unwelcome annual benchmark in California, and this year we have seen them tragically extend across the entire west coast of our country. This is the fourth consecutive year, dating back to the formation of the Foundation, that All Within My Hands has activated to support fire relief: the critical local services component of our mission.”

The band is also encouraging fans to join in supporting first responders and those in need in any way they can by donating money, non-perishable food, clothing and other supplies. This year’s fire season in California, Oregon and Washington have combined to create the worst fire season on record, with more than a month left to go.

According to the New York Times, more than five million acres have burned in the three states so far, destroying thousands of buildings and killing more than two dozen people and thick smoke and ash have fouled the air up and down the coast.

“Communities across the west coast of our country are suffering,” writes the band on Twitter. “The @AWMHFoundation is donating $250,000 to assist in wildfire relief efforts. To learn more, visit https://t.co/vBaDmRgyz4. #AWMH #MetallicaGivesBack https://t.co/4QCScSN2DN

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Among the Real-Life Heroes Celebrated in DC Comics’ “Wonder Women of History” Graphic Novel Anthology

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is getting illustrated…

DC Comics has unveiled the new young adult graphic novel anthology Wonder Women of History, which celebrates real-life heroes, including the 30-year-old Bronx-born Puerto Rican politician who currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district.

Ocasio-Cortez, or simply AOC, as she’s known, drew national recognition when she won the Democratic Party‘s primary election for New York’s 14th congressional district in June 2018, defeating Democratic Caucus chair Joe Crowley, a 10-term incumbent, in what was widely seen as the biggest upset victory in the 2018 midterm election primaries. She defeated Republican opponent Anthony Pappas in the November general election.

Taking office at age 29, Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress.She has been noted for her substantial social media presence relative to her fellow members of Congress

Female and non-binary writers and artists tell 17 stories of those “who take up Wonder Woman‘s iconic mantle” in their respective fields of science, sports, entertainment, politics, social justice and more, according to the DC Comics blog.

New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson edited the collection after recently writing the original graphic novel Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed.

In addition to Ocasio-Cortez, Wonder Women of History also spotlights singer-actress Janelle Monáe, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Iskwew Air CEO and Founder Teara Fraser, LGBTQ+ rights activist Edith Windsor, transgender activist and Stonewall uprising figure Marsha P. Johnson, Parkland shooting survivor and gun control advocate Emma Gonzalez, disability rights activist Judith Heumann, NASA‘s first Hispanic female astronaut Ellen Ochoa, deputy director of Wuhan Institute of Virology and China’s “Bat Woman” Dr. Shi Zhengli, 23-time Grand Slam winning tennis player Serena Williams, stand-up comic Tig Notaro, actress Keiko Agena, and the first African American gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal Dominique Dawes.

The graphic novel will officially hit bookstore shelves everywhere on December 1. The anthology will also include portraits of illustrators Weshoyot Alvitre, Colleen Doran, Agnes Garbowska, Bex Glendining, Ashley A. Woods, and Safiya Zerrougui.

Wonder Women of history. Celebrates Real Life Heroes. #WonderWoman https://t.co/hOcWiwgOBY pic.twitter.com/sJAPfDaXOX
— Universo DC (@UniversoDC1) September 4, 2020

Wonder Women of History is already available for pre-order here.

Mj Rodriguez to Appear in HBO’s “Between the World and Me,” an Adaptation of the Apollo Theater Show Based on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Novel

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a whole new World for Mj Rodriguez.

The 29-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer has been cast in Between the World and Me, HBO’s adaptation of the stage show based on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ New York Times bestseller.

Rodriguez joins a lineup of cast additions that includes Jharrel Jerome, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Janet Mock, Jason Moran, Wendell Pierce, Kendrick Sampson, Yara Shahidi and Michelle Wilson.

They join previously announced cast members Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington, Susan Kelechi Watson and Oprah Winfrey.

Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, the special will combine elements of that production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will again be directed by award-winning director and Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes.

It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage and animation.

The book, first published in 2015 by One World, is written as a letter to Coates’ teenage son and recounts the author’s experiences growing up in Baltimore’s inner city and his growing fear of daily violence against the Black community. The narrative explores Coates’ notion that American society structurally supports white supremacy.

The special, which is currently in production under COVID-19 guidelines, debuts this fall on HBO and will also be available to stream on HBO Max.

Rodriguez rose to acclaim on FX’s series Pose. Her other credits include television appearances on Luke Cage, The Carrie Diaries and Nurse Jackie.

In November 2019, Rodriguez landed a contract with Olay Body, becoming the first Latina trans woman to enter a partnership with the company.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Speak at Next Week’s Virtual Democratic National Convention

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is set to make a major splash…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican politician and current the U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district will have a speaking slot at next week’s virtual Democratic National Convention, which, because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be almost entirely virtual from locations across the country.

Ocasio-Cortez, the star of the progressive left, had yet to enter elective politics in the last cycle.

The first-time congresswoman will speak on Tuesday, August 18, on the same nice a virtual roll call of delegates will take place to formally nominate Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Catherine Cortez Masto will also take the national stage.

The 56-year-old half-Mexican American lawyer and politician, who has served as a United States senator from Nevada since 2017, will appear on Monday, August 17.

And, Michelle Lujan Grisham will speak at the convention.

The 60-year-old Mexican American politician, the current governor of New Mexico, will speak on Wednesday, August 19.

In 2018, Lujan Grisham became the first Democratic woman elected governor of New Mexico, as well as the first Democratic Hispanic elected state governor in U.S. history.

Other speakers include Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders.

Some of the speakers are pre-recording their speeches. The New York Times reported that Michelle Obama was pre-taping her appearance, while a source said the Bill Clinton was doing the same.

The proceedings will take place from 9:00 -11:00 pm ET each evening, starting on Monday.

The lineup:

Monday

Bernie Sanders, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), John Kasich, Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Tuesday

Former acting attorney general Sally Yates, Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former Secretary of State John Kerry, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DL), Bill Clinton, and Jill Biden. Also planned that evening are keynote address, with the speaker yet to be identified, and a virtual roll call of delegates to formally nominate Joe Biden.

Wednesday

Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Barack Obama.

Thursday

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Newsom, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former South Bend, IN mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DL), Harris, the Biden family and Biden.

Democrats also announced nine speakers “from all walks of life,” designed to showcase everyday Americans at the convention.

TNT Moves Up Season Premiere of Daniel Bruhl’s “The Alienist: Angel of Darkness”

Posted on June 20, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Daniel Bruhl’s darknessis spreading earlier than expected…

TNThas moved up the season premiere of The Alienist: Angel of Darkness, starring the 42-year-old half-Spanish actor, to Sunday, July 19.

Two episodes will air back to back that day, starting at 9:00 pm ET/PT. The Emmy-nominated psychological thriller will then continue as a four week event with two episodes airing every Sunday thereafter at 9:00 pm ET/PT with the season runs through August 9.

The move eliminates the one week gap that had existed after the end of TNT’s current prestige series, Snowpiercer, which is set to wrap up with a two-hour finale airs on Sunday, July 12 at 9:00 pm ET/PT.

Season 2 is based on best-selling author Caleb Carr’s novel The Angel of Darkness, and The Alienist’s lead cast Brühl, Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning will return.

The series is an unflinching, gripping, turn-of-the-century murder mystery that spotlights both New York’s wealthy elite and the struggling underbelly of the city’s “Gilded Age.”

In The Alienist: Angel of Darkness, Sara (Fanning) has opened her own private detective agency and is leading the charge on a brand-new case. She reunites with Dr. Kreizler (Brühl), the formidable alienist, and John Moore (Evans), now a New York Times reporter, to find Ana Linares, the kidnapped infant daughter of the Spanish Consular.

Their investigation leads them down a sinister path of murder and deceit, heading towards a dangerous and elusive killer. As in The Alienist, the series shines a light on the provocative issues of the era –- the corruption of institutions, income inequality, yellow press sensationalism, and the role of women in society –- themes that still resonate today.

The Alienistlaunched as 2018’s number one new cable series, having reached more than 50 million people across multiple platforms. It also earned six Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series, and two Golden Globe nominations, including Best Television Limited Series.

The Alienist: Angel of Darknessis produced by Paramount Television Studios.

Gael García Bernal to Star in Good Film Collective’s “People of the Book” Film

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gael García Bernal is hittin’ the book(s)…

The 41-year-old Mexican actor and producer will star in People of the Book, a film that Good Films Collective has put together, based on the New York Times bestseller from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks.

Garcia Bernal will star opposite Nazanin Boniadi and Jason Isaacs will star in the film, which tells the moving history behind the creation of the Sarajevo Haggadah— an illuminated manuscript that contains the illustrated traditional text of the Passover Haggadah which accompanies the Passover Seder.

It originated in Barcelona in 1350, and the film will tell the journey taken by people from different cultures and religions who risked their lives to save it.

The film will be helmed by Academy Award winner Danis Tanovic and is written by Petter Skavlan.

Lionsgate to Develop R.J. Palacio’s Graphic Novel “White Bird: A Wonder Story” Into a Feature Film

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

R.J. Palacio will see her latest project on the big screen.

Lionsgate is set to develop the 56-year-old Colombian American writer and New York Times best selling author’s graphic novel White Bird: A Wonder Story into a feature.

White Bird, which hit bookstores this week via Alfred A. Knopf,inhabits the same universe as Palicio’s acclaimed work Wonder, which centered on young Auggie Pullman, a boy born with facial differences, and his transition to a mainstream elementary school.

The Wonderfeature was a critical and commercial success, starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay.

Wonderproducers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films, as well as Palacio, will once again produce the adaptation.

White Birdfollows a young Jewish girl hidden away by a boy and his family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Recounted by Grandmere to her grandson, Julian, a character already known to those familiar with Wonder, Grandmere’s story about her childhood—her fairy-tale life before the war, how everything abruptly changed when the Nazi’s occupied France, and how the boy she and her classmates once shunned becomes her savior and best friend — is transformational for Julian. It is his evolution, as well as Grandmere’s extraordinary story, that helps White Bird movingly demonstrate the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives.

James Myers will oversee the project on behalf of Lionsgate.

Wonder, which was released in 2017, grossed over $305 million worldwide, while the novel, released in 2012, spent seven years on the New York Times bestseller list. Recently, Lionsgate, Broadway producer Jill Furman, and Palacio announced that the title is being developed into a stage musical.

Palacio’s books have sold more than 15 million copies with editions published in 53 languages.

Picturestart to Develop Film Adaptation of Elizabeth Acevedo’s Novel “With the Fire on High”

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Elizabeth Acevedo’s Fire is headed to the big screen…

Picturestart has acquired the rights to the Dominican-American poet and author’s New York Times bestselling novel With the Fire on High and will develop and produce a film that Acevedo is set to adapt.

Published in May by HarperCollins, the book tells the story of Emoni Santiago, a 17-year-old girl who must navigate the challenges of modern life in Philadelphia after becoming a single mother during her freshman year of high school. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness and pure joy for everyone in her life including her baby girl and her abuela. Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet, despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.

This year, Acevedo, a slam poet, became the first woman of color to win the Carnegie Medalchildren’s book award for her novel Poet X, which also won the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literatureamong other prizes.

Caetano Veloso Pens New York Times Op-Ed on the Possible Breakdown of Democracy in Brazil

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Caetano Veloso is speaking out about the political turmoil in his beloved Brazil…

The 76-year-old Brazilian musician and political activist has published an op-ed in the New York Times about the possible breakdown of democracy his home country is facing.

A two-time Grammy winner, Veloso gaimed acclaim through participating in the Tropicalismo artistic movement at the beginning of the military dictatorship that Brazil (the fourth-largest democracy in the world) operated under in the 1960s.

In the editorial, titled “Dark Times Are Coming for My Country,” Caetano writes about the populist right-wing conservatism influencing Brazilian politics, and claims that Brazilians “can expect a wave of fear and hatred” if projected election winner Jair Bolsonaro becomes president. The election is scheduled for Sunday, October 28.

“Like other countries around the world, Brazil is facing a threat from the far right, a storm of populist conservatism,” Caetano says. “Our new political phenomenon, Jair Bolsonaro…is a former army captain who admires Donald Trump but seems more like Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines’ strongman. Mr. Bolsonaro champions the unrestricted sale of firearms, proposes a presumption of self-defense if a policeman kills a “suspect” and declares that a dead son is preferable to a gay one.”

Caetano goes on to provide background information about the decline of Brazilian political life in recent years, the impact of the news media on Bolsonaro’s success, and his history of artistic activism. Caetano spent time in prison for his political beliefs, along with other artists, students, and intellectuals.

Caetano ends the piece by expressing that he was forced into exile before, but won’t see that happen a second time, saying “I want my music, my presence, to be a permanent resistance to whatever anti-democratic feature may come out of a probable Bolsonaro government.”

Read the op-ed in full here.

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