entertainment
Never forget the worst part of the history in Latin America with Olvidados (Forgotten)
By GTVW staff
Photos Agency
Directed by Mexico’s Carlos Bolado and starring Damián Alcázar, and produced by Carla Ortiz, a Bolivian actress and humanitarian known for her roles in Los Andes No Creen en Dios and The Man Who Shook The Hand of Vicente Fernández, her first film is an epic, historical feature that tackles the dark past of Latin America under military dictatorships in the 70s.
Olvidados follows retired General José Mendieta (Alcázar), who after suffering a heart attack, is haunted by his dark past as an officer in Operation Condor, the CIA-backed campaign of political repression in Latin America that was responsible for executions, torture, and imprisonments in the 1970’s. It is estimated that over 400,000 people were imprisoned and 30,000 forcibly disappeared as a result of these government actions.
In a letter to his son Pablo (Bernardo Peña), Mendieta confesses the role he played in the abduction, persecution, and execution of countless men and women during his posting to Chile. Journalist Marco (Carlotto Cotta) and his pregnant wife Luciá (Carla Ortiz) are among those who were arrested, along with their activist friend Antonio (Tomás Fonzi) and revolutionary Andrea (Ana Calentano). They suffer terribly under Mendieta and his cohort Sanera (Rafael Ferro), which leads to a cascade of betrayals, secrets, and more. Definitely the visceral terror of torture so powerfully with renowned actors from five countries appear in this international production, which specifically address the horrors perpetrated under Operation Condor, a CIA-backed plan introduced by Richard Nixon’s Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, which was responsible for: 50,000 killed; 30,000 “disappeared”; and 400,000 arrested and imprisoned in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Definitely, you will feel the real suffering of Mendieta’s persecution of a journalist, his pregnant wife, and their revolutionary friend in the midst of growing social unrest.
The New Girlfriend has new face in these modern days
By Jenny Alvarez
Photo by Courtesy
From Director François Ozon, The New Girlfriend is a humorous psychological drama begins after the death of her best friend, Claire falls into a deep depression, but a surprising discovery about her friend’s husband gives her a new taste for life. During 109 min. any viewer will enjoy the female friendships will reflect a well structured satire of sexuality full of fantasies with a sensitive portrayal of sexual & gender identity. This film also develops many subjects and the mystery unveils and the clichés disappear and the terrific, prolific and provocative cast by Romain Duris, Anaïs Demoustier, Raphaël Personnaz make it delightfully and enjoyable affair.
Luis Miguel had his own DEJA VU in a great concert
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos By Alfonso De Elias
One of the most talented superstar Luis Miguel was in concert at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Often referred to as El Sol de México, Miguel seamlessly performs a wide range of musical styles, including pop, ballads, boleros and mariachi. Despite the show started a little bit late. On top of that it was a Sunday and the timing of the show would have fit perfect, for his audience who let them song his best hits. His interaction was great, especially with many lights on and off on the stage. Hi wore three times in black with elegant outfit. This great Mexican Latin pop singer made of this concert, a different music style with deep touch of his hermetic personal life. First few songs were sweet and suave at the beginning of the concert, before warming up the audience. Second half was better especially with Mariachi. Greatest hits such “México En La Piel, Solamente Una Vez, Contigo Aprendí, La Media Vuelta, La Incondicional, El Día Que Me Quieras, Inolvidable, Por Debajo De La mesa, entrega Total” and more.
Definitely his performance was amazing as always even his voice quality has deteriorated. He struggled to sing some songs but let the audience do a fair amount of the singing and there were long breaks between songs. In General was a good concert for the female angelenas.
Impressive animal sequences in “Wolf Totem”
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos Cortesy
In acclaimed director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film adaptation of Jiang Rong’s best-selling novel, a young Beijing student is sent to live among the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia. Caught between the advance of civilization from the south and the nomads’ traditional enemies – the marauding wolves – to the north; humans and animals, residents and invaders alike, struggle to find their true place in the world.
During 121 minutes with Mandarin and Mongolian languages with English subtitles, Feng Shaofeng, Shawn Dou with, Ankhnyam Ragchaa, Yin Zhusheng, Basen Zhabu as part of the cast, will surprise you with a great story of survival of wild animals. The balance of man and wolf works like this. Everything depends on the grass feeding the sheep, horses and goats, which the herdsmen use for food, clothing and shelter. The grasslands are also home to marmots, mice, rabbits and gazelles. Definitely is a different story and the way of life of the tribes is something completely alien to the main characters’ experience. The tribesmen are so finely attuned to steppe life and so reverent of their nature that the young man is at first overwhelmed, but he eventually grows to appreciate their customs but his heart for a wolf puppy puts in a interesting and precious balance between predators and prey, and all results in chaos.
This story is important and emotionally hard-hitting and reflects the real farmers and the problem with China’s policies regardless of regional considerations. A great film which deserves to be seen due has beautiful scenarios with many social details and facts into characters’ dialogs.
Black and French comedy in “Paulette”
By GTVW
During 87 minutes, Paulette discovers a surprising way to supplement her meager pension an unlikely but successful career selling cannabis. With a talented cast such as Bernadette Lafont, Carmen Maura, Dominique Lavanant and Françoise Bertin, this film will make you laugh with dark and creative humor but full of contrasts as lack of opportunities for retired, hopeless for elderly. However Paulette makes special babysitting arrangements, and grudgingly watches her grandson. Her hostility toward him for his skin color and misconceptions about black French citizens makes this film very realistic, with great visual jokes and dense humor. Definitely, director Jerome Enrico created a pure Granny Junkie.
The Second Mother reflects the social issues of unspoken class
By GTVW Staff
Photos Agency
The Second Mother, a film by Brazilian director Anna Muylaert, starring the great Regina Casé, one of the South American country’s finest actors. The Second Mother centers around Val (played by Casé), a hard-working live-in housekeeper in modern day Sao Paulo. Val is perfectly content to take care of every one of her wealthy employers’ needs, from cooking and cleaning to being a surrogate mother to their teenage son, who she has raised since he was a toddler. But when Val’s estranged daughter Jessica (Camila Márdila) suddenly shows up the unspoken but intrinsic class barriers that exist within the home are thrown into disarray. Jessica is smart, confident, and ambitious, and refuses to accept the upstairs/downstairs dynamic, testing relationships and loyalties and forcing everyone to reconsider what family really means.
A film full of sensibility, humiliation of the unspoken hard working class barriers that exist mainly when the live-in housekeeper’s daughter suddenly appears and realizes of her mother real world. A pure division among social class between Val and Barbara, her employer. Definitely, this is very well structured in its plot and performances in which the main topic is about upper-class stereotypes and Jéssica gets increasingly fed up with her mother’s willingness to be patronized and humiliated by her employers.
New Evil Rises at Knott’s Scary Farm this Halloween Season 2015
By GTVW Staff
Photos from Knott’s Scary Farm
Tons of actors with great makeup/costumes walking around and really scary mazes will surprise visitors this 2015. The 43rd annual world renowned event, Knott’s Scary Farm, returns for 24 horrifying nights September 24 – October 31 and conjures up never before seen experiences and show-stopping entertainment including three new bloodcurdling mazes, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, in an all-new stage show and the return of the groundbreaking Special Ops: Infected – Patient Zero.
Three new terrifying attractions will debut this year, with more astounding special effects and richer back stories than ever, including:
Paranormal, Inc. – Case #1 – The Haunting of Hayden Hill (New for 2015): Featuring high flying aerial stunts and scares, in the groundbreaking new maze, guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff hunt for new patients to torture.
My Bloody Clementine (New for 2015): There is no tale more vicious and vengeful than that of My Bloody Clementine. Take a grim ride through the Calico Mine where Clementine and her father were brutally murdered centuries ago. Their wretched spirits roam the tunnels in search of those who killed them. This year the ride through maze will feature live monsters out for revenge at the train track’s every turn.
The Dead of Winter (New for 2015): Escape the icy grasp of the chilling Snow Queen in the all new maze. Backed by with a ravenous beastly army of resurrected Viking warriors, she is hell bent on avenging her beloved family’s murder, and preys upon any unsuspecting visitors who enter the borders of her icy domain. Guests with a Skeleton Key will have the opportunity to unlock a bone chilling surprise.
(New for 2015) Prowling the darkest corners of Knott’s midways and scare zones, the Green Witch and her Deadly 7 is a sadistic crew guilty of more terror than meets the eye. Each of the monsters represents one of the seven deadly sins and make terrifying surprise appearances throughout the park each night.
Returning Favorites
The zombie apocalypse in an all-out war against the undead in the interactive experience, Special Ops: Infected – Patient Zero. In 2014, the ambitious new attraction was the first of its kind in North America and in 2015 continues to be the largest infestation of zombies nationwide. In 2015, the highly sought-after attraction will include more blood thirsty zombies, new missions, brand new high-tech laser guns, and more.
Special Ops: Infected – Patient Zero seamlessly integrates interactive gaming technology with an immersive mountainous landscape, delivering a breakthrough interactive haunted experience that is as terrifying as it is challenging. Missions lead by brave Squad Leaders will take guests through a variety of wilderness terrains, including the unpredictable barrel bridges across the rushing river, through the dark caverns, and through mysterious backwoods. Groups must work together to fend off zombies and complete various missions before time runs out. Six acres of the theme park is now home to mutinous, scream-inducing zombies, and the time has come for a harrowing Special Ops survival mission (limited spaces available).
Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, returns to Knott’s Scary Farm in a spectacular all new show, Elvira’s Asylum, featuring insane dance and comedy performances.
During Knott’s Scary Farm will get a chance to meet Elvira between performances of Elvira’s Asylum and collect her signature on one of the purchased items.
Black Magic: Houdini’s vengeful spirt continues to wreak havoc on the Faux Theater, where the veil between the living and the dead is severed. Houdini’s ghost comes alive and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes, only to finally meet Houdini in a show-stopping finale. Back for its third year, Black Magic is one of the most popular mazes at Scary Farm.
Forevermore: Follow the destruction of the “Forevermore Killer,” one haunting tale after another, as the slayer makes his way through one of the longest mazes ever created in Knott’s Scary Farm’s history. With a Skeleton Key, guests can witness the work of the Forevermore Killer firsthand.
The Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises: Deadly howls and a full blood moon mark your impending doom as werewolves overrun the crime stricken old west town. Walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path of retribution against the Skinwalkers.
Pinocchio Unstrung: Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, but Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters. Meander your way through the carnage-riddled village and an all new sinful Pleasure Island and Skeleton Key Room. Revenge comes with no strings attached.
The Tooth Fairy: This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and new this year, an all-new Skeleton Key room.
Trick-or-Treat: Take a brave step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell…trick or treat, which will it be? After surviving her grisly welcome, wander into the Green Witch’s never before seen potion room and bewitched attic. But don’t leave too soon; you’re the special guest at the Green Witch’s deadly dinner party where she and her menacing Tricksters await your arrival.
Voodoo – Order of the Serpent: The haunting legend of Papa Legba continues as guests follow him on his foreboding journey to conjure the serpent demon goddess in the outskirts of New Orleans. Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes. Guests who are brave enough to venture through the Skeleton Key room may fall prey to a defiled ritual.
The Hanging®: A live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year. A must see parody!
160 Acres of Scare Zones
Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions. Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm.
Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, and beware the notoriously startling sliders, who lunge from in every fog-filled corner of the land. Fiesta De Los Muertos fuses dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers in a dance party scare zone. It’s the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos. On the Boardwalk clowns crave your undying attention in the CarnEVIL scare zone.
If you’re a huge Zombie/The Walking Dead fan, then I definitely recommend checking this place out! For more information on Knott’s Berry Farm, including admission, park hours and events, visit knottsscaryfarm.com
One of her Wildest Dream became true for Taylor Swift in LA
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos Agency
A successful concert was made in the last day of many performances when singer, songwriter Taylor Swift returned to STAPLES Center with her 1989 World Tour for the first of five sold-out Los Angeles performances (August 21, 22, 24, 25 & 26). Miss. Swift said that the last concert has been one of her best nights; full of surprises and emotionally. She put on a heck of a show. Definitely was a great night for this incredible “show-woman” & knows how to write a catchy tune; the songs were danceable & there were great visual effects. She also put a dozen dancers center stage while hiding the actual musicians in a corner background, making in one of the biggest pop productions with quality. There no were imperfect performances and few guys/gals were playing & singing their hearts out, with great talent, ability, & passion be all that’s needed to remain entirely compelling.
This event was full of surprises and Selena Gomez was one of the celebrities guests who had a special appearance to congratulate her on the unprecedented achievement of her success and sang “Bad Blood” together. Justin Timberlake was another great surprise of the night that dropped in to sing his hit “Mirrors.”
After she devised her album “1989” songs such “Style” and “Out of the Woods,”“Love Story”, “The Breakfast Club”, “Wildest Dreams,” in this song Taylor played the song on piano (and mashed it together with a bit of “Enchanted”), “Wildest Dreams.”
She wore different kinds of dresses and sometimes some mini-skirts that show off her great legs, with elegance and great style. People loved her performance and some of them sang the lyrics of her songs out loud. This show was very familiar, anything vulgar or offensive to the youth. This is the highest compliment I can give an artist for her talent and great show.
The story of the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse in The Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season
By GTVW Staff
Photos Agency
Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman “The Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season” is a story that weaves the true motives of the people of Terminus with the hopeful prospect of a cure in Washington, D.C., the fate of the group’s lost comrades, as well as new locales, new conflicts, and new obstacles in keeping the group together and staying alive. Five years ago, a man awoke from a coma in a hospital. For sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), what should have been a cause of celebration became the flash point for five years of unceasing horror, unrelenting personal sacrifice.
On August 25th, Anchor Bay Entertainment gives home entertainment fans their annual Walker fix with “The Walking Dead: The Complete Fifth Season” Blu-ray™ + Digital HD and DVD releases in format of anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) with great audio in English Dolby Digital 5.1 and French Dolby Surround 2.0 with English subtitles and Spanish too.
During 710 minutes of insightful and provocative bonus features that give viewers yet another inside glimpse into creating the fallen world of the Walkers and the souls brave – and crazy – enough to attempt survival. Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” continues to grow in global popularity and audience viewership. The fifth season also saw the introduction of such notable characters from the graphic novel as Father Gabriel Stokes (Seth Gilliam) and the cannibalistic Hunters. There are some deleted scenes such, “Inside “The Walking Dead”,”The Making of “The Walking Dead”,”The Making of Alexandria”,”Beth’s Journey”,”Bob’s Journey”,”Noah’s Journey”,”Tyreese’s Journey’,”A Day in the Life of Michael Cudlitz’,”A Day in the Life of Josh McDermitt”,”Rotters in the Flesh.”
The fifth season features 17 series regulars: 10 of the actors are featured in the opening credits; the other seven are credited as “also starring”. Michael Cudlitz, who portrays Sgt. Abraham Ford, is added in the opening sequence after being listed as recurring in the previous season and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Carl and Judith’s father, is the series’ primary protagonist. However, this season also includes an experienced cast as Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Melissa McBride, Chad L. Coleman, Sonequa Martin-Green, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr., Michael Cudlitz, Emily Kinney, Alanna Masterson, Christian Serratos, Josh McDermitt and Andrew J. West.
Definitely, one of the best parts of this is more interactive because consumers are going to have to fill up the tanks themselves with one of the most popular and outstanding TV shows ever broadcast.
