Entertainment

These Iconic Latino-Led Romantic Comedies Continue To Give Us All The Feels

By February 11, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Letters to Juliet / Summit Entertainment.

Hollywood has a huge debt to Latino actors: for years, they have been stereotyped in roles that are either criminal or secondary in nature. However, this glass ceiling is slowly but surely being broken. One of the most profitable (and star-making!) genres is the ever-present romantic comedy.

To get ready for Valentine’s Day, here are 21 romantic comedies led by Latino actors or Latino characters. We have included both Hollywood movies and films coming out of Latin American entertainment industries. Representations matters!

“Spanglish”

Starring: Paz Vega and Adam Sandler

Year released: 2004

Credit: 0_wn7S0zpmLt9Oykgo. Digital image. Decentralize Today.

OK, this is a borderline example because it stars a Spanish actress who plays a Mexican maid who falls for her boss, a world-renowned chef. It is a bittersweet comedy about language and human connection.

“Fools Rush In”

Starring: Salma Hayek and Matthew Perry

Year released: 1997

Credit: film-fridays-fools-rush-in-1997-Fools-Rush-In-1997-film-images-441bbec6-075e-49b6-ae20-b3d883bd7f3. Digital image. Lisa Says Gah.

A one-night-stand leads to an unplanned pregnancy which leads to a wedding. Of course, that leads to intercultural hilarity between an Anglo dude and a Latino family. A good fish-out-of-water experience so many people can relate to.

“Breaking Up”

Starring: Salma Hayek and Russell Crowe

Year released: 1997

Credit: Breaking Up. Green Light Productions.

We just can’t get enough Salmita. A movie about how hard it is to actually put an end to a romantic entanglement. Hayek and Crowe shine as the main couple. Ideal to watch if you just can’t shake off your ex.

“The Wedding Planner”

Starring: Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey

Year released: 2001

Credit: The Wedding Planner. Columbia Pictures Corporation

J.Lo is one of the absolute queens of the genre. In this movie, she plays a dynamic planner who thinks she found love at first sight. Unfortunately, the man she is falling for is destined to be married and her feelings need to be put in check fast.

“Monster in Law”

Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Michael Vart, and Jane Fonda

Year released: 2005

Credit: D Monster in Law. New Line Cinema.

One of the biggest issues when it comes to intercultural relationships are… suegras. Or so this movie makes us believe. Jane Fonda is the terrible in-law who le hace la vida de cuadritos to our beautiful princess.

“Shall We Dance?”

Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon

Year released: 2004

Credit: Shall We Dance? Miramax.

This remake of a Japanese international hit is not what you expect. It is not a mature-dude-meets-young-ethnic-girl kind of deal, but an ode to marital love and friendship. The kind of stuff that would be great to watch with your parents.

“Everybody Loves Somebody”

Starring: Karla Souza, Jose Maria Yazpik

Year released: 2017

Credit: Everybody Loves Somebody. Draco Films.

This bilingual film is commonplace but delicious. A Mexican doctor who lives in the US is suddenly torn between her Mexican ex and a new gringo flame. Totally worth a watch.

“Hitch”

Starring: Eva Mendes and Will Smith

Year released: 2005

Credit: Hitch. Columbia Pictures Corporation

Will Smith plays a hook-up expert coach who just can’t seem to woo a reporter played by the super sexy Eva Mendes. A comedy of errors that showcases the power and intelligence of Latino women.

“You’re Killing Me Susana”

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal and Veronica Echegui

Year released: 2016

Credit: You Are Killing Me Susana. La Banda Films.

Heartthrob Gael Garcia Bernal plays an actor who is left by his wife. Will be able to get the love of his life back? Gael has really matured as a thespian and this movie truly shows it. Hilarity and loss ensue.

“A Little Bit of Heaven”

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal and Kate Hudson

Year released: 2011

Credit: A Little Bit of Heaven. Davis Entertainment.

Sad, sad, sad…. a businesswoman played by Kate Hudson (post her breakthrough role in Almost Famous) has a carefree romantic life… until she gets colon cancer… and she falls for her doctor. Ouch.

“Letters to Juliet”

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal and Amanda Seyfried

Year released: 2010

Credit: Letters to Juliet. Summit Entertainment.

A young woman, who happens to be engaged, is not happy with settling with a life that is less than romantic. She realizes that her beau, a chef played by Gael, is actually more focused on his job than on her. Un idiota. 

“Don’t Blame the Kid!”

Starring: Karla Souza

Year released: 2016

Credit: Don’t Blame the Kid! Adicta Films.

This surprise Mexican hit stars Karla Souza, who plays a posh girl who gets pregnant. The father? A younger, working-class dude. Director Gustavo Loza not only makes us laugh but also makes poignant social commentary on class and race relations in contemporary Mexico.

“From Prada to Nada”

Starring: Camilla Belle and Alexa Vega

Year released: 2011

Credit: From Prada to Nada. Gilbert Films.

A funny rags-to-riches story about two sisters who live in Beverly Hills until their papito dies suddenly. The sibling move to East Los Angeles, where they get in touch with their roots and realize that love is much more than social status.

“Bad Moms”

Starring: Jay Hernandez and Mila Kunis

Year released: 2016

Credit: From Prada to Nada. STX Entertainment.

This hilarious comedy about the life of moms pushes a very important agenda but it also includes some steamy romance scenes between Mila Kunis and Latino galanazo Jay Hernandez. He has matured really well. You can watch it back to back with Bad Moms 2.

“Crazy/Beautiful”

Starring: Jay Hernandez and Kirsten Dunst

Year released: 2001

Credit: Crazy/Beautiful. Touchstone Pictures.

This is not a romantic comedy per se, but it is romantic as hell. Two high school students fall for each other: one is a white rich girl, the other a Latino nerdy kid. As you can imagine, tragedy ensues perfect for a more serious Valentine’s Day.

“Behaving Badly”

Starring: Selena Gomez and Nat Wolff

Year released: 2014

Credit: Behaving Badly. Mad Chance.

A perfect example of passionate teenage love. A young man falls for the girl of his dreams (Selena Gomez, obviously!) but gets involved with some shady individuals in the process. Selena is truly magnetic.

“How to Be a Latin Lover”

Starring: Salma Hayek and Eugenio Derbez

Year released: 2017

Credit: How to Be a Latin Lover. Pantelion Films.

No, Derbez and Hayek are not an item, but brother and sister. Derbez plays a gigolo who is dumped by his rich flame and has to crash at her sister’s place. Will she find true love? Will he?

“Our Family Wedding”

Starring: America Ferrara and Lance Gross

Year released: 2010

Credit: Our Family Wedding. Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Let’s face it: families can be either big help or a terrible obstacle come wedding time. America Ferrara is sweet and amazing in this multicultural story about love and marriage.

“How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer”

Starring: Elizabeth Peña, Lucy Gallardo and America Ferrara

Year released: 2005

Credit: How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer. Maya Releasing.

Not only an ode to romantic and sexual love, but also to the enduring bonds between grandmothers, mothers, and daughters. Three generations of Mexican-American women who experience romantic episodes during the course of the summer. A tear-jerker for sure.

“Mosquita y Mari”

Starring: Fennesa Pineda and Venecia Troncoso

Year released: 2012

Credit: Mosquita y Mari. Indion Entertainment

An indie American film that tells the story of two Mexican-American teenage girls whose deep friendship develops into a more complex romantic bond. One of the few queer films coming out of indie Latino cinema in the U.S.

“Just the Ticket”

Starring: Andy Garcia and Andie MacDowell

Year released: 1998

Credit: Just the Ticket. MGM.

An oldie but goodie. This underrated romantic comedy stars Cuban-American star Andy Garcia as a ticket scalper who wants to reignite the fire in his relationship. Not the best movie ever, but good for a Valentine’s Day movie marathon.


READ: Hollywood Does Latin America: 21 Movies Shot South Of The Border

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Lil Nas X’s Next Big Drop Is A Children’s Book Called ‘C Is For Country’

Entertainment

Lil Nas X’s Next Big Drop Is A Children’s Book Called ‘C Is For Country’

By September 16, 2020 at 4:36 pm
BY  | September 16, 2020 AT 4:36 pm
Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty

Turns out Lil Nas X has more than just country rap up his sleeve. The 21-year-old “Old Town Road” rapper has a penchant for literature too.

On Tuesday, the rapper revealed that he’s written a children’s book called C Is for Country.

“I’m dropping the best kids’ book of all time soon!” the rapper shared in a Tweet earlier this week before adding that he couldn’t “wait to share it” with his fans and young readers.

Nas’s children’s book is being published under Random House Kids, a division of Penguin Random House. It is currently available for preorder on their site.

According to the Random House Kids’ website, the book is a story about Lil Nas X and Panini the pony.

“Join superstar Lil Nas X—who boasts the longest-running #1 song in history—and Panini the pony on a joyous journey through the alphabet from sunup to sundown. Experience wide-open pastures, farm animals, guitar music, cowboy hats, and all things country in this debut picture book that’s perfect for music lovers learning their ABCs and for anyone who loves Nas’s signature genre-blending style,” Random House describes in its explanation.

The book is illustrated by Theodore Taylor III and promises “plenty of hidden surprises for Nas’ biggest fans.”

C Is for County comes out Jan. 5.

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booksLil Nas Xentertainmentcountry music

The Long Awaited Trailer To JLo And Maluma’s ‘Marry Me’ Is Finally Here

Entertainment

The Long Awaited Trailer To JLo And Maluma’s ‘Marry Me’ Is Finally Here

By at 12:11 pm
BY  | September 16, 2020 AT 12:11 pm
Theo Wargo / Getty Images

One of the year’s biggest collaborations is starting to make more progress after being largely shut down thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic. Of course, we’re talking about the upcoming highly-anticipated Jennifer Lopez film, Marry Me, which also stars Maluma in his acting debut.

Although we still have a while to wait before the movie makes its big screen debut (not until 2021), we’re finally getting our first look at what the duo will look like on screen along with other exciting details about the project.

Marry Me finally has an official trailer and JLo and Maluma fans couldn’t be more excited.

It seems like we’ve been hyped up for this film forever – and thanks to Coronavirus, we kinda have. But finally, Universal has released the teaser for Marry Me, and it reveals a few new details about the film and its cast. Along with J.Lo, the film stars Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman, and Colombian singer Maluma in his major feature debut.

The film was originally announced last summer and production began in October 2019 but much of it was shut down once the Coronavirus struck. The film is directed by Kat Coiro (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dead to Me) and features original music by Lopez and Maluma, which sounds too perfect to be legal, sorry.

To celebrate the cinematic milestone, López and Maluma have reported that they are recording a full-length soundtrack of original songs. Maluma Baby is hyped from the time he’s spent in the studio with J.Lo (who wouldn’t be?), telling a reporter last year, “It’s been such an amazing experience also working, doing music. I mean we never stop.”

So here’s everything we know about the film so far.

Credit: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Based on the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby, the film is described as a “modern love story about celebrity, marriage and social media.” López plays musical sensation Kat Valdez, who agrees to live-stream her marriage with her fellow superstar Bastian (Maluma — fictional or not, this is officially the hottest couple on Planet Earth and we can’t unsee it) in order to boost the sales of their new single and duet, “Marry Me.”

When she finds out that Bastian has been cheating on her, however, she freaks out and decides to marry a stranger in the audience watching: divorced high-school math teacher Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson), who was dragged to the event by his daughter. The unexpected sequence of events leads the two down a path toward unexpected true love.

Even with a new movie coming out, both JLo and Maluma have been hard at work in the studio.

Just last month, Maluma surprise released his latest album – PAPI JUANCHO. It’s Maluma’s fifth studio album and was produced alongside longtime collaborators Rude Boyz. Although the album features Maluma’s alter ego as the main star, it also includes several guest appearances from a number of reggaetón royals, including Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavarez, Myke Towers, and Jory Boy. PAPI JUANCHO was made during quarantine between the singer’s hometown of Medellín and Miami, his U.S. base.

Meanwhile, JLo has teased new music in recent weeks. Jennifer Lopez posted a picture with producer Ryan Tedder over the weekend in which she promised that new music is “just around the corner.”

The snap, in which Lopez is sporting dark red lips and a messy up hairdo alongside the OneRepublic leader and veteran songwriter/producer — rocking a black Mad Tasty hat — doesn’t offer much more detail about what the duo are cooking up, but Lopez seems pretty psyched.

“Can u feeeeeel it… new music just around the corner!!” Lopez wrote.

It would be a welcome return for Lopez, who has only released a remix of “If You Had My Love” so far this year, as fans wait for her to announce a release date for her as-yet-untitled ninth studio album. Lopez’s last full-length was 2014’s A.K.A., which featured the singles “I Luh Ya Papi,” “First Love” and “Booty.”

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Jennifer Lopeznew moviesMalumamovie theater