Earlier this year, I bought a record player for the distinct purpose of buying an old record that my mom used to play every weekend. "Canciones de mi Padre" by Linda Ronstadt was what I would awaken to on Saturday morning, with the scent of chicharon and camote frito in the air, as my mom would dance her way into Saturday morning chores. Cooking, cleaning, laundry... it all had a soundtrack, and … [Read more...]
REVIEW: “Coco” Isn’t Just a Movie- It’s A Love Letter
To Latinos, and Mexicans in particular, "Coco" isn’t ‘just’ a movie- it’s personal. Imagine, if you can, having been told your entire life that people of your race are lazy, are criminals, thugs, and that we need to go back to where we came from. Or, having someone exclaim upon meeting you, that ‘you speak English so well’ or being told by editors and professors that in order to write your … [Read more...]
Benjamin Bratt Talks “Coco”, Latino Culture and Dedicating His Performance To His Mom
Being in the film world, I often get asked about classic films, and 99% of the time, the films and entertainers I consider to be icons, are unheard of by American cinephiles. Names like Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Vincente Fernandez, and others, were household names when I was growing up, and those men ruled our screens. So, when I saw the character of 'Ernesto De La Cruz' in Pixar's "Coco", I … [Read more...]
Edward James Olmos On His Legacy, “Coco” and Latino Representation In Hollywood
At 9 years old, I knew who Edward James Olmos was. My mom, though Peruvian, came of age in Los Angeles surrounded by Chicano culture, and fell in love with a Mexican man (my dad). She constantly told me about the film "Zoot Suit" and the history of Zoot Suit riots in Los Angeles. The history was a part of us, she would say, and would always be. So that Spring of 1988, when "Stand and Deliver" was … [Read more...]
Alebrijes, Xolos and ‘Coco’ (Oh My!)
When you look at the gorgeous landscape and tapestry surrounding Pixar's "Coco", it can almost feel like a very vivid dream. With beautifully vivid colors, crazy architecture, hairless dogs, and talking skeletons, I guess, it truly can feel like a fever dream. And, at least in the case of the alebrijes, it kinda is. When Disney invited a few bloggers up to Pixar to explore the world of … [Read more...]
D23 Expo 2015: Pixar Upcoming Film Slate Reveal
John Lasseter didn't take any pause before going into Pixar's slate of upcoming movies. His transition started off on a heartfelt note as he originated from Pixar's over to chief creative officer for Disney. He felt that Bog Iger gave Pixar the opportunity to, "Keep storytelling alive while saving Disney Animation". Riley's First Date? Premiere Even though it's been out for a few months, … [Read more...]
