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This Fool will not be returning for a third season. Hulu has cancelled the comedy series created by Chris Estrada, Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman. The 10-episode second season was released on the streaming service in July.

Estrada, Frankie Quiñones, Laura Patalano, Michelle Ortiz, Julia Vera, and Michael Imperioli star in the series, which follows the working class of South Central Los Angeles. The story focuses on Julio Lopez (Estrada), a thirty-year-old man living with his mother and grandmother in his childhood bedroom. He has been dating his girlfriend since high school and finds any excuse to avoid focusing on his problems. Julio works at Hugs Not Thugs, a gang rehabilitation non-profit, where he butts heads with his older cousin Luis (Quiñones), an ex-gang member who just got out of prison and moved in with Julio and...

This Fool’s days at Hulu have come to an end.

The Disney-owned streamer has opted to cancel This Fool after a two-season run, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Chris Estrada created the series and starred as Julio Lopez, a 30-year-old who lives with his family and works at a gang rehab center.

Sources say This Fool will remain on Hulu’s platform after the streamer put a big marketing push behind both seasons of the series, which despite strong reviews, failed to find an audience large enough to justify a third season. Season two last aired in July 2023.

This Fool was produced in-house by Disney’s ABC Signature and was exec produced by Estrada, showrunner Jonathan Groff (Black-ish), Fred Armisen, Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson and Jake Weisman.

In an interview with TV’s Top 5, Estrada spoke of reuniting with the creators of Comedy Central’s Corporate for This Fool,...

With his job and love life imploding and his recently released, ex-gang member older cousin tied to his hip, maybe Julio is, indeed, “this fool.” Consistently ranked one of 2022’s best comedies, the critically acclaimed character-driven comedy “This Fool” will return to Hulu for a second season on Friday, July 28 with 10 new episodes, exploring family, class, and community… and how annoying they all can be. You can watch This Fool: Season 2 with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu.

How to Watch ‘This Fool’ Season 2 Premiere When: Friday, July 28, 2023 Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.com About ‘This Fool’ Season 2 Premiere

Led by Chris Estrada, “This Fool” is set in working-class South Central Los Angeles where Julio Lopez, 30 years old and still living at home will find any excuse to avoid dealing with his own problems while simultaneously taking care of everybody else’s.

Season Two of the comedy TV series "This Fool", starring Chris Estrada, Frankie Quinones, Laura Patalano, Julia Vera, Michael Imperioli, Michelle Ortiz  and Ivana Rojas, streams July 28, 2023 on Hulu:

"...set in working class South Central Los Angeles, after the job and love life of 'Julio' blew up at the end of last season...

"...this season, new roommates Julio and 'Luis' embark on finding new careers and romances with the help of 'Minister Payne', 'Chef Percy' and other former 'Huggers'..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Season Two of the comedy TV series "This Fool", starring Chris Estrada, Frankie Quinones, Laura Patalano, Julia Vera, Michael Imperioli, Michelle Ortiz  and Ivana Rojas, streams July 28, 2023 on Hulu:

"...set in working class South Central Los Angeles, after the job and love life of 'Julio' blew up at the end of last season...

"...this season, new roommates Julio and 'Luis' embark on finding new careers and romances with the help of 'Minister Payne', 'Chef Percy' and other former 'Huggers'..."

Click the images to enlarge...

The wait is finally over. Hulu has just dropped the official trailer for the second season of its hit comedy series This Fool, and it looks like the show is taking things to the next level. The trailer gives us just a glimpse of the hilarious upcoming season!

“This Fool” is an irreverent, cinematic half-hour comedy set in working-class South-Central Los Angeles. After Julio’s job and love life blew up at the end of last season, this season, new roommates Julio and Luis embark on finding new careers and romances with the help of Minister Payne, Chef Percy and other former Huggers.

Cast: Chris Estrada (“Julio”), Frankie Quinones (“Luis”), Laura Patalano (“Esperanza”), Julia Vera (“Maria”), Michael Imperioli (“Minister Payne”), Michelle Ortiz (“Maggie”), and Ivana Rojas (“Ruby“).

Credits: “This Fool” is written and executive produced by Chris Estrada, Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman and Matt Ingebretson. Jonathan Groff and Fred Armisen...

Season two of Hulu’s critically acclaimed comedy This Fool finds the guys trying to get back on their feet. Their plan? Since Hugs, Not Thugs is kaput, their attention turns to opening a coffee house that will be like Starbucks…but better.

Chris Estrada returns as Julio, Frankie Quinones is back as Luis, and Laura Patalano reprises her role as Esperanza. Julia Vera is Maria, Michael Imperioli is Minister Payne, Michelle Ortiz is Maggie, and Ivana Rojas is Ruby.

Estrada, Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman, and Matt Ingebretson write and executive produce. Jonathan Groff and Fred Armisen are also involved as executive producers.

Hulu’s set a Friday, July 28, 2023 premiere date for season two.

Michael Imperioli, Chris Estrada, and Jamar Malachi Neighbors in ‘This Fool’ season 2 (Photo by Gilles Mingasson / Hulu)

The Plot, Courtesy of Hulu:

This Fool is an irreverent, cinematic half-hour comedy set in working-class South Central Los Angeles.

Prime Video dropped the official trailer for Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan,” the political thriller series is set to return with two episodes on Friday, June 30. The six-episode season will be available on the streamer, with the remaining four episodes dropping two each Friday, until the series finale on July 14.

The fourth and final season will follow CIA Acting Deputy Director, Jack Ryan, who is tasked with uncovering an internal and national corruption conspiracy; per the official release, “Jack and the team investigate how deep the corruption runs, he discovers a far-worse reality—the convergence of a drug cartel with a terrorist organization—ultimately revealing a conspiracy much closer to home and testing our hero’s belief in the system he has always fought to protect.”

John Krasinski stars as Jack Ryan, and returns with fellow former cast members, Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Betty Gabriel and Abbie Cornish, as well as two new additions,...

This Fool is sticking around. Hulu has renewed the comedy series for a second season. The first season debuted on the streaming service in August. Chris Estrada (above), Frankie Quiñones, Laura Patalano, Michelle Ortiz, Julia Vera, and Michael Imperioli star in the show, which focuses on the working class of South Central Los Angeles. Estrada, Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman, and Matt Ingebretson write and executive produce the series.

Read More…...

Hulu has renewed “This Fool” for a second season.

The half-hour comedy is set in working class South Central Los Angeles. The show centers around Julio Lopez (Chris Estrada), a 30-year-old who still lives at home, has been dating his girlfriend on and off since high school, and finds any excuse to avoid dealing with his own problems. Julio works at Hugs Not Thugs, a gang rehabilitation non-profit, where he butts heads with his older cousin Luis (Frankie Quiñones), an ex-gang member who just got out of prison and has moved in with Julio and his family. The cast also includes Laura Patalano as Julio’s mother Esperanza, Michelle Ortiz as his girlfriend Maggie, Julia Vera as his grandmother Maria and Michael Imperioli as his boss Minister Payne.

The ten-episode first season premiered on Aug. 12. In her positive review, Variety chief TV critic said that the show “is smart to...

Hulu original “This Fool” has been renewed for a second season consisting of 10 episodes.

The entire first season of the half-hour comedy debuted on Aug. 12 to both audience and critical favor, currently holding a 100 critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“This Fool” is billed as an irreverent comedy set in working-class South Central Los Angeles, following 30-year-old Julio Lopez (Chris Estrada), who still lives at home. While navigating an on-and-off relationship with his high school sweetheart and avoiding his personal problems, he works at Hugs Not Thugs, a gang rehabilitation nonprofit, where he often butts heads with his older cousin Luis (Frankie Quiñones), an ex-gang member who was recently released from prison and has moved in with Julio and his family.

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Laura Patalano, Michelle Ortiz, Julia Vera and Michael Imperioli also star in Season 1. The series,...

Hulu has renewed This Fool for a second season.

The first season premiered August 12 and all 10 episodes are now streaming on Hulu. This Fool is a half-hour comedy set in working-class South Central Los Angeles. The show centers around Julio Lopez (Chris Estrada), a 30-year-old who still lives at home, has been dating his girlfriend (Michelle Ortiz) on and off since high school, and finds any excuse to avoid deali with his own problems. Julio works at Hugs Not Thugs, a gang rehabilitation non-profit, where he butts heads with his older cousin Luis (Frankie Quiñones), an ex-gang member who just got out of prison and moved in with Julio and his family.

Related: Cancellations/Renewals Scorecard: TV Shows Ended Or Continuing In 2022 Season

The cast also includes Laura Patalano, Julia Vera and Michael Imperioli.

This Fool is written and executive produced by Estrada, Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman and Matt Ingebretson.

Great news for fans of Chris Estrada, the comedian’s new series, based on his own life and experiences, is all set to premiere today! The show, called This Fool, not only stars Estrada, but also has him as one of the series co-creators, writers, and executive producers. Other executive producers include Fred Armisen and Jonathan Groff. Armisen is known for his work as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2002 to 2013 and his work on the IFC sketch comedy Portlandia. Groff is known to Broadway fans as King George in the Tony-winning musical Hamilton and he is also the voice of Kristoff in Frozen. All this talent behind the show should bode well for This Fool. There’s plenty of talent in front of the camera as well, as, in addition to Estrada, the show also features the acting talents of Frankie Quinones, Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), Michelle Ortiz...

The basics of “This Fool” are straightforward and familiar enough. Hulu’s new comedy stars stand-up comedian Chris Estrada as Julio, a 30 year-old who lives with his strict mother (Laura Patalano) and not-so-secretly badass grandmother (Julia Vera). He’s restless in a job he likes just enough to keep; he pines for his wild card ex-girlfriend, Maggie (Michelle Ortiz), even though he knows they’re probably terrible for each other. He resents his cousin, Luis (Frankie Quinones), who represents his opposite in just about every way. He’s bored and confused about where he wants his life to go, but not so motivated that he’s making any moves towards fixing anything, really.

Needless to say, TV’s no stranger to such 30-year-old dilemmas. So “This Fool” — co-created by Estrada and “Corporate” producers Pat Bishop, Matt Ingrebretson, and Jake Weisman — is smart to lean in to what sets itself apart...

Click here to read the full article.

There’s a scene in the first episode of Hulu’s This Fool that lays out in efficient detail just what sort of dynamic we’re dealing with here. It’s morning in the Lopez household, and Julio (series co-creator Chris Estrada) is indulging in his morning coffee ritual: hand-ground beans, a gooseneck kettle, a Chemex. His cousin Luis (Frankie Quiñones), meanwhile, dumps a pile of instant coffee into a mug, shoves it into the microwave, and calls it a day.

Theirs is the sort of odd-couple relationship that’s been sustaining comedy since at least, well, The Odd Couple — and it’s one winning enough here to keep This Fool coasting on an even keel through the mean(ish) streets of South L.A.

As This Fool begins, Julio is in a comfortable, if slightly dispiriting, rut. At 30, he’s still living...

While considering the winning new Hulu comedy This Fool, the hardest question to answer is this: Who is the titular fool?

One possibility is Julio, played by comedian Chris Estrada, who borrowed aspects of his own life to co-create the show with Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman, and Matt Ingebretson. Julio is in his early thirties, still living at home in South Central L.A. with his mother Esperanza (Laura Patalano) and grandmother Maria (Julia Vera). He is in the perpetual thrall of his troublemaking ex-girlfriend Maggie (Michelle Ortiz), and is...

Hulu has set a premiere date for its new original comedy starring comedian Chris Estrada.

This Fool, which is inspired by the life and stand-up of Estrada, will launch Aug. 12 and is from ABC Signature. The comedy is set in working-class South Central Los Angeles and centers on Julio Lopez (Estrada), a 30-year-old who still lives at home. Julio has been dating his girlfriend on and off since high school and works at Hugs Not Thugs, a nonprofit that offers rehabilitation for gang members. He and his family take in his older cousin Luis, an ex-gang member who just got out of prison.

Ten episodes are planned for the first season. Besides Estrada, the series stars Frankie Quinones as Luis, Laura Patalano as Esperanza, Michelle Ortiz as Maggie, Julia Vera as Maria and Michael Imperioli as Minister Payne. This Fool is written and executive produced byEstrada, Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman and Matt Ingebretson.

Exclusive: The Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli and Fabian Alomar (Mayans M.C.) have been tapped for heavily recurring roles opposite Chris Estrada in Hulu comedy series This Fool, from ABC Signature.

Written by rising Latino comedian Estrada and Corporate creators Jake Weisman, Matt Ingebretson and Pat Bishop, the series stars Estrada as Julio Lopez, a self-described “punk ass bitch” who still lives at home and goes out of his way to help everyone but himself. The half-hour series sees Lopez work at a gang-rehabilitation non-profit and his quest to overcome his codependency issues with his family as he navigates working class life in South Central Los Angeles.

Imperioli will play Minister Leonard Payne, the founder of the gang rehab facility Hugs Not Thugs. He is fatherly, has a bit of a hair-trigger temper, insightful and pragmatic. A former mortgage broker who specialized in foreclosures, Payne had a breakdown that started...

Exclusive: Laura Patalano (Gentefied) and Julia Vera (Elena of Avalor) are set as series regulars opposite Chris Estrada in Hulu comedy series This Fool, from ABC Signature.

Written by rising Latino comedian Estrada and Corporate creators Jake Weisman, Matt Ingebretson and Pat Bishop, the series stars Estrada as Julio Lopez, a self-described “punk ass bitch” who still lives at home and goes out of his way to help everyone but himself. The half-hour series sees Lopez work at a gang-rehabilitation non-profit and his quest to overcome his codependency issues with his family as he navigates working class life in South Central Los Angeles.

Patalano and Vera join previously announced seris regulars Frankie Quinones and Michelle Ortiz.

2020-21 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders

Patalano will play Esperanza. Strong willed, pragmatic, loving, Esperanza lives with her 30-year-old son, Julio, and her mother, Maria (Vera). Esperanza loves Julio and is proud of him for...

The Old Ways Home Media Release: "Christopher Alender's spellbinding horror hit The Old Ways, described as "the greatest exorcism movie since The Exorcist" (Film Threat), comes to Digital, DVD and Blu-ray this October!

Special features on the DVD/Blu-ray include BTS Documentary - The Old Ways: A Look Beyond (Blu-ray exclusive), Director & Writer Commentary, Storyboard Comparisons and Deleted Scenes

Cristina, a journalist of Mexican origin, travels to her ancestral home in Veracruz to investigate a story of sorcery and healing. There, she is kidnapped by a group of locals who claim she's the devil incarnated. Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés, and Julia Vera star.

From Dark Star Pictures, The Old Ways available October 5."

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Acclaimed Author Benjamin Percy and Superstar Artist Francesco Francavilla Collaborate on the Supernatural Horror Novella Wereworld: "Acclaimed author Ben Percy and superstar artist Francesco Francavilla have collaborated on Wereworld, a new illustrated novella about a...

Here's a film that will soon be streaming and belongs on your radar, especially if you relish independent horror movies: The Old Ways, from the people who made The Mortuary Collection. Heading to Netflix on August 25, The Old Ways debuted at the Sitges Film Festival last year, which seems like an eternity ago. Directed by Christopher Alender and written by Marcos Gabriel, the film stars Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés, Julia Vera, Sal Lopez, and Aj Bowen. What's it about, you ask, because you are a fan of independent horror movies and/or Aj Bowen? According to the official synopsis: "When Cristina Lopez -- a Mexican American reporter -- returns to her ancestral homeland of Veracruz chasing a story on witchcraft and faith healers, she...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Stars: Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés, Julia Vera, Sal Lopez, Aj Bowen, Weston Meredith | Written by Marcos Gabriel | Directed by Christopher Alender

Directed by Christopher Alender, this US-produced horror offers a Latin American twist on the standard possession story. The result is an engaging and unsettling horror that successfully gets under your skin and throws in some strong allegorical resonance for good measure.

After a short prologue, The Old Ways opens with a bold move, whereby the story ditches the usual character introduction and set-up in favour of jumping straight into the action. American – but Mexico-born – journalist Cristina (Brigitte Kali Canales) awakens to find herself tied up and held against her will in a small room. It quickly transpires that she’s been kidnapped by a group of mysterious locals – including Luz (Julia Vera) and her adult son Javi (Sal Lopez) – who believe that she’s possessed by a demon...

At some point over the last ten or fifteen years there was a huge commercial boom in possession movies. It felt like suddenly every horror with even the tiniest whiff of supernatural about it was trying to be the new Exorcist, squashing watered-down religious chicanery into everything from cheap found-footage moulds to studio level haunted house movies. For the most part, they were white and western as ever, and very few came even close to scratching the surface of what Williams Friedkin and Blatty managed several decades earlier with their seminal Best Picture nominee.

The Old Ways is ironically, a new breed, however. A very different type of possession movie that comes a helluva lot closer to what The Exorcist got so fundamentally right all those years ago. It is, of course, a horror movie through-and-through, with nasty jumps and plenty of gnarly, go-for-broke bumps to boot. But Christopher Alender...

The organisers of Arrow Video FrightFest Glasgow have announced that, despite continuing Covid-19 restrictions, the festival will return Digitally this year to present a virtual six-pack of tasty titles; an extravaganza of the dark arts that will leave you stirred, shaken and shocked.

There will be six online presentations, including the UK premiere of Kyle Rankin’s controversial high school siege drama Run Hide Fight, starring Isabel May as a fiercely independent student taking on a quartet of invading shooters, and the UK premiere of Out Of This World (Hors Du Monde), a disturbing, compelling study of obsession from brilliant new French director Marc Fouchard. It boasts a stunning performance by Kevin Mischel as a mentally-challenged musician turned Uber driver. A few years back Here Comes Hell, a Black & White mystery thriller, was a FrightFest Glasgow sensation, and The Woman With Leopard Shoes (LA Femme Aux Chaussures Leopard) is another...

"They have seen something inside you." An early festival teaser trailer has unveiled for an indie horror film titled The Old Ways, from filmmaker Christopher Alender. This is premiering at the Sitges Film Festival this month, which is why this trailer is being released to build more buzz after its debut. The film follows Cristina Lopez, as played by Brigitte Kali Canales, a Mexican American reporter who goes back to her homeland of Veracruz in Mexico chasing a story on witchcraft and faith healers. But then she becomes the subject of her own story, kidnapped by a local "bruja" and her son. The indie cast includes Andrea Cortés, Julia Vera, Sal Lopez, Aj Bowen, Weston Meredith, & Julian Lerma. This is just a first look teaser, but there's enough creepy footage to give me a jolt. Snakes...! Why'd it have to be snakes?! Tread carefully. Here's the first teaser trailer (+ festival...

“Elena of Avalor” will conclude with a primetime finale special in which the titular character, who is Disney’s first Latina princess, finally becomes queen. (“Blaze!”)

Disney Junior’s “Elena of Avalor” tells the story of Elena, a brave and adventurous teenager who has been learning what it takes to be a great leader by ruling her enchanted fairytale kingdom as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen.

In the series finale, as plans for Elena’s coronation are underway, Esteban’s team of villains unleash legendary spirit misfits, the Four Shades of Awesome. In order to save her kingdom, her family and her friends, Elena must journey to the Spirit World and back, and face the ultimate test of her courage and character, before becoming queen.

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Princess Elena is about to become queen. Disney Junior will bring the Emmy-winning Elena of Avalor series to a close with Elena of Avalor: Coronation Day, a primetime finale special on Sunday, August 23 at 7 Pm. New episodes leading up to the finale will debut every Sunday, beginning July 26 at Pm.

Inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore, Elena of Avalor premiered in July 2016. It tells the story of Elena, a brave and adventurous teenager who has been learning what it takes to be a great leader by ruling her enchanted fairytale kingdom as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. The series, which airs in over 150 countries around the world, has been lauded for its messages of leadership and inclusiveness.

“It has been a tremendous honor for me to bring Disney’s first Latina princess to the screen. Everyone involved with ‘Elena of Avalor,’ from the...

Dr. Mia Jansen (Maya Stojan) and her team are skeptics when it comes to extraterrestrials, but when they hit the road to make a movie about claims of UFO sightings and alien abductions, they discover that the truth is more horrifying than they ever imagined in Case 347. With the new found footage horror film out now from DarkCoast, we've been provided with the official trailer, poster, and teaser video for Case 347 to share with Daily Dead readers.

Press Release: Los Angeles, CA – Darkcoast – “2,300 people go missing every day in the United States alone,” said Dr. Gustaf Berchum.

DarkCoast announces the 2020 release of writer/director Chris Wax’s found footage alien-horror, Case 347, based on a collection of recently discovered footage from a CIA archive as a result of the Freedom of Information Act.

Starring Chris Wax, Maya Stojan, Jason Kropik (Easy A), Edward Finlay, two-time award winning actor, Michael Galante and longtime actress,...

Jones stars in battle between space crew and alien.

Epic Pictures, fielding interest on its Toni Collette fishing trawler thriller Sea Fever, has added several sales titles to its Efm roster including sci-fi 5th Passenger starring Doug Jones from The Shape Of Water.

The team has launched talks here on Rajesh Golla’s English-Spanish drama Flavor Of Life, about a respectable Mexican restaurateur who reconnects with his estranged ex-con grandson and teaches him the ways of Mexican cuisine.

Erick Lopez, Pepe Serna, Roberto ‘Sanz’ Sanchez, Rene Moran, Lorena McGregor, Julia Vera and Eddie Martinez star.

Mark Brown’s comedy Sharon 1.2.3. from 10:10 Global Entertainment and JuntoBox Films centres on a tech star who must decide which women to settle down with. Matt Bush, Skyler Samuels, Erinn Hayes, Gina Rodriguez and Nadine Velazquez star.

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Disney Channel has renewed the animated Elena of Avalor TV show for a third season. The House of Mouse just ordered season two back in August of 2016.The Elena of Avalor voice cast includes: Aimee Carrero, Jenna Ortega, Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown, Carlos Alazraqui, Emiliano Díez, Julia Vera, Christian Lanz, Jillian Rose Reed, Joseph Haro, Jorge Diaz, Keith Ferguson and Joe Nunez. Learn more from the Disney Channel press release.Read More…...

The Kingdom of Avalor heaves a collective sigh of relief. The Elena of Avalor TV show has been renewed for a second season on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Princess Elena also debuted at Walt Disney World in Florida, today. Check out a photo, below.The Elena of Avalor TV series voice cast includes: Aimee Carrero, Jenna Ortega, Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown, Carlos Alazraqui, Emiliano Díez, Julia Vera, Christian Lanz, Jillian Rose Reed, Joseph Haro, Jorge Diaz, Keith Ferguson and Joe Nunez. Recurring are: Constance Marie, Lou Diamond Phillips, Justina Machado, Jaime Camil, Rich Sommer, Tyler Posey, Lucas Grabeel and Echo Kellum. Gaby Moreno performs the series’ theme song and will also voice a guest role.Read More…...

Make way for Her Royal Highness, Elena, Princess of Avalor. Below, watch the new Elena of Avalor TV show featurette. The new animated series premieres on Disney Channel Friday, July 22, 2016 at 7:00pm Et/Pt. Don't miss new photos of the cast, crew and with their families and guests at the July 16th Paley Center for Media screening of the Elena of Avalor TV series.Among those on hand for the festivities were Yvette Nicole Brown, Christian Lanz, Danny Trejo, Constance Marie, Jillian Rose Reed, Joseph Nunez, Aimee Carrero, Julia Vera, Chris Parnell, Ivonne Coll, Elena of Avalor Creator and Ep Craig Gerber, Carlos Alazraqui, Story Editor Silvia Olivas, Voice Director Sam Riegel, Jorge Diaz, Supervising Director Elliot Bour, as well as Lou Diamond Phillips and family.Read More…...

When director Jan de Bont set about casting the various faces and secondary characters that populated bus #2525 in his 1994 actioner "Speed," it was very important to him that they reflect the multicultural identity of Los Angeles. Not only that, but he wanted there to be a heavy dose of realism in his choices, actors who seemed to be people you could look over on a morning commute and see reading the paper, sipping coffee, gazing out the window and starting their day. On the occasion of the film's 20th anniversary, I thought it would be interesting to track down as many of those actors as possible and tell the story of "Speed" from their perspective. It was a gargantuan task. While a number of them have remained in the industry in some way, many have moved on to other careers. But their individual stories are nevertheless as fascinating as the...

As we count down to the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, we’ll be bringing you new images from the movies that will be playing there. After the jump you’ll find images from Benavides Born and Circumstance. Benavides Born is directed by Amy Wendel and is about “a high school senior in a forgotten town has earned admission to the University of Texas at Austin but can’t afford to go. Her one shot is a scholarship for winning the State Powerlifting Championship.” The film stars Corina Calderon, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Joseph Julian Soria, Julia Vera, and Julio César Cedillo.

Circumstance was written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz and centers on “a wealthy Iranian family that struggles to contain a teenager’s growing sexual rebellion and her brother’s dangerous obsession.” The movie stars Nikohl Boosheri, Sarah Kazemy, Reza Sixo Safai, Soheil Parsa, and Nasrin Pakkho. Both films are playing in-competition.

It has been another great year of film. I still have but seven movies left to watch before I complete my “Best of the Year List” but we are already looking towards 2011.

The 57 feature films selected for the four competition programs of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival were announced today, and the titles include some exciting works from returning filmmakers. While the lineup isn’t has loaded with big names it does feature the return of James Marsh whose documentary Man on Wire won the Grand Jury Prize at the fest in 2008. Some interesting movies we should mention that appear on the list are Mike Cahill’s Another Earth, Carlos Moreno’s All Our Dead One (Todos Tus Muertos), Anne Sewitsky’s sexual drama Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) Rashaad Ernesto Green‘s Gun Hill Road, Sean Durkin‘s Martha Marcy May Marlene, Andrew Okpeaha MacLean‘s On the Ice, Dee Rees...

It's the first day in December, and whether you want to recognize it or not, January isn't too far away. Today the awesome folks at the Sundance Film Festival unveiled their first list of films, international and domestic, which will be presented at the festival. Check it out, and yes there are more to come. Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition Categories, the Festival presents films in six out-of-competition sections to be announced on December 2. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.For the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, 115 feature-length films were selected, representing 28 countries by 40 first-time filmmakers, including 25 in competition. These films were selected from 3,812 feature-length film submissions composed of 1,943 U.S. and 1,869 international feature-length films.

As we’re getting ready to wrap up another great year of film, some are already looking to 2011 and what it will have to offer and what better way to look a head than with the first round of titles for the year’s first big festival: Sundance.

The list of festival titles isn’t as loaded with as many big name titles as have made the cut in previous years but there’s are definitely some interesting film in the competition line-up including Mike Cahill’s Another Earth which takes place on the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth (wicked!), Carlos Moreno’s All Our Dead One (Todos Tus Muertos) about a guy who finds a pile of dead bodies in the middle of his crops, Anne Sewitsky’s sexual drama Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) along with the Canadian/Japanese co-production Vampire.

Loads of great stuff on the line-up.

Dagmara Dominczyk, Vera Farmiga, Higher Ground (photo: Molly Hawke) U.S. Dramatic Competition This year's 16 films were selected from 1,102 submissions. Each is a World Premiere. Another Earth (Director: Mike Cahill; Screenwriters: Mike Cahill and Brit Marling) — On the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth, a horrible tragedy irrevocably alters the lives of two strangers, who begin an unlikely love affair. Cast: William Mapother, Brit Marling, Jordan Baker, Robin Lord Taylor, Flint Beverage. Benavides Born (Director: Amy Wendel; Screenwriters: Daniel Meisel and Amy Wendel) — A high school senior in a forgotten town has earned admission to the University of Texas at Austin but can’t afford to go. Her one shot is a scholarship for winning the State Powerlifting Championship. Cast: Corina Calderon, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Joseph Julian Soria, Julia Vera, Julio César Cedillo. Circumstance/U.S.A., Iran (Director and screenwriter: Maryam Keshavarz) — A wealthy Iranian family struggles...

The announcement of the movies playing the 2011 Sundance Film Festival is like looking into our film futures. It's December and most movie fans are looking back at the last 12 months, picking out award winners, writing top ten lists, and chances are we haven't even heard of the Sundance films. They're just titles, people, words on a computer screen. Then in January they unspool on screens across Park City, Utah and become something more. Finally, months later, these are the movies we discuss with our friends and choose on ballots at awards parties. Yet we get to read about them now, a year in advance. Last year at this time, who had heard of Four Lions, Catfish, Exit Through The Gift Shop, Blue Valentine, The Kids Are All Right, Winter's Bone, Restrepo or Animal Kingdom? Sundance, that's who. All those films screened at the 2010 festival and now many have become not only personal favorites,...

The Sundance Film Festival has announced the films in competition for the awesome and cold film festival running January 20th through January 30th 2011 in Park City, Utah.

This will be my third year attending the festival, and I'm really excited for it! There's a great line-up of films this year! Check out the list below!

From the press release:

Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition Categories, the Festival presents films in six out-of-competition sections to be announced on December 2. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

On Day One, the Festival will forego the convention of one opening night film and instead screen one narrative film and one documentary from both the U.

Park City, Ut . Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition Categories, the Festival presents films in six out-of-competition sections to be announced on December 2. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The complete list of films is available at http://www.sundance.org/.

On Day One, the Festival will forego the convention of one opening night film and instead screen one narrative film and one documentary from both the U.S. and World Cinema competitions, as well as one shorts program.

John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival said, .The Festival is a challenge to narrowly define. It is all at once exciting, fun, crazy, engaging, visceral, and sometimes even painful. We can explain storylines,...

Let me toot my own horn a bit. Of the 16 selected films out of 1,102 submissions, I accurately predicted 12. Out of the four that didn't fly on my radar we find American New Wave 25 selected Sean Durkin, who will make it back to back years in Park City. He featured the marvelous, creepy Mary Last Seen there, and would start lensing Martha Marcy May Marlene in the summer...but my thinking was he was Cannes-bound with this one...he may still be, but Sundance is world preem launching pad for the pic. Sam Levinson's debut film, which formerly went by "The Reasonable Bunch" and now has a conflict of interest with the Aussie film by the same title (The Loved Ones) has plenty of star wattage -- but I think the real reason to be buzzed about the film in young actor Ezra Miller who broke out in Afterschool and...

Here's the first Sundance line-up announcement, of the fiction and nonfiction feature competitions, both U.S. and world. A few things of interest, on first scan: Vera Farmiga's directorial debut "Higher Ground," in which she also stars; "The Ledge," which sounds like this year's try for "Buried"; Iñupiaq Arctic thriller "On the Ice"; "Terri," the new film from "Momma's Man" director; Michael Rapaport's doc on A Tribe Called Quest "Beats, Rhymes and Life"; doc about the beloved Muppet "Being Elmo"; "If A Tree Falls," a new film from "Street Fight"'s Marshall Curry; Paddy Considine's feature directorial debut "Tyrannosaur"; and "Vampire," the new film from Japan's Shunji Iwai, a favorite of mine.

Descriptions courtesy of the festival:

U.S. Dramatic Competition

Another Earth (Director: Mike Cahill; Screenwriters: Mike Cahill and Brit Marling) - On the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth, a horrible tragedy...

The films playing in-competition at this year’s Sundance Film Festival have been announced. Some of this year’s competitors include Vera Farmiga’s directorial debut Higher Ground, Paddy Considine’s feature directorial debut Tyrannosaur, Matthew Chapman’s thriller The Ledge, Michael Rapaport’s documentary Beats, Rhymes and Life (which is about the hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest), and a documentary about lovable Sesame Street resident Elmo (or rather, his puppeteer).

However, the movies playing in-competition at Sundance are only a fraction of the total number of films that play at the festival. This will be my first year attending the festival and I’m super-excited about going. Hit the jump for a full list of the in-competition films. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 20 – 30th.

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U.S. Dramatic Competition

Another Earth (Director: Mike Cahill; Screenwriters: Mike Cahill and Brit Marling) – On the...

HollywoodNews.com: The 2011 Sundance Film Festival has just announced its lineup for January. John Cooper, director of Sundance Film Festival, said, “With more than 10,000 films submitted this year, we have had to make some very tough choices. Yet in the end, I’m excited about the way the program has come together. It’s an incredible honor to introduce these films and filmmaker…these are the stories that will define not only our Festival, but also the cultural year ahead.”

Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition Categories, the Festival presents films in six out-of-competition sections to be announced on December 2. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

On Day One, the Festival will...

The Sundance Film Festival has unveiled its slate for the festival that begins January 20 and runs through January 30, 2011 in Park City, Utah. There is a total of 115 films screening in competition. Here are the films: U.S. Dramatic Competition This year's 16 films were selected from 1,102 submissions. Each is a world premiere. Another Earth (Director: Mike Cahill; Screenwriters: Mike Cahill and Brit Marling) - On the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth, a horrible tragedy irrevocably alters the lives of two strangers, who begin an unlikely love affair. Cast: William Mapother, Brit Marling, Jordan Baker, Robin Lord Taylor, Flint Beverage. Benavides Born (Director: Amy Wendel; Screenwriters: Daniel Meisel and Amy Wendel) - A high school senior in a forgotten town has earned admission to the University of Texas at Austin but can't afford to go. Her one shot is a scholarship for winning the State Powerlifting Championship. Cast: Corina Calderon,...

The Film Stage is headed to Sundance this year and the festival has just announced its line-up. With over 10,00 entries here is what they narrowed it down to. Most initially notable is Vera Farmiga‘s directorial debut, Higher Ground (pictured above). There is a clear lack of stars as NYTimes notes, so the excitement of discovery is back in full swing. The fest will also announce 6 more out-of-competition categories tomorrow. Check out the full list below via the official site.

Us Dramatic

Another Earth (Director: Mike Cahill; Screenwriters: Mike Cahill and Brit Marling) – On the eve of the discovery of a duplicate Earth, a horrible tragedy irrevocably alters the lives of two strangers, who begin an unlikely love affair. Cast: William Mapother, Brit Marling, Jordan Baker, Robin Lord Taylor, Flint Beverage.

Benavides Born (Director: Amy Wendel; Screenwriters: Daniel Meisel and Amy Wendel) – A high school senior in a forgotten town...

Well, here they are – the Sundance Film Festival class of 2011, split up into 4 categories as indicated by the headers below. In future posts, I’ll be going over the complete list, highlighting titles that need to be, taking into consideration this blog’s specific interests.

Of note, some titles that I listed on my list of 2011 black films on our radar… Gun Hill Road, Rashaad Ernesto Green’s debut feature (which I actually saw a cut of over the weekend, and gave a thumbs up to; but I’ll talk more about it in detail when the time comes), Dee Rees’ Pariah, and Alrick Brown’s Kinyarwanda. Further, titles we’ve previously covered here… Beats, Rhymes and Life, Michael Rapaport’s documentary on hip-hop legends, A Tribe Called Quest, and The Redemption of General Butt Naked, a documentary on the Liberian warlord turned evangelist.

One film I’m surprised isn...

The Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Tomorrow will see the announcement of the six out-of-competition sections, which will all screen at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival which runs from January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

For the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, 115 feature-length films were selected, representing 28 countries by 40 first-time filmmakers, including 25 in competition. These films were selected from 3,812 feature-length film submissions composed of 1,943 U.S. and 1,869 international feature-length films. 92 films at the Festival will be world premieres.

The films featured in the U.S. Dramatic, U.S. Documentary, World Cinema Dramatic and World Cinema Documentary Competition are listed directly below and I've gone through and highlighted a few of the bigger known names to check out. However, Sundance has been introducing us to a...

The low-budget gem "Staccato Purr of the Exhaust" is a Latino-themed foray into Jim Jarmusch/Gregg Araki territory by debut filmmaker Luis M. Meza. It was filmed more than four years ago and featured at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival.

A droll black comedy with winning performances, led by Ronald Garcia as the sweet-but-victimized central character, "Staccato" was shot on location in Los Angeles' Highland Park neighborhood and intriguingly reveals truths about Latino culture through insightful moments of observation and broad, satirical portrayals of people and places.

While its overall appeal may not be broad -- "Staccato" has played only limited engagements and festival bookings -- it's one of the strongest first films of the past few years. On a different track than many 1990s indie filmmakers, Meza steers away from violence and sex, concentrating instead on making the well-realized characters dance to a moody tune that is both humorous and whimsically sad.

Aside from deliberate pacing, there's nothing remotely boring about the film's approach or material. Introduced tending to his prized 1971 Chevelle, Leonard (Garcia) has a job and a girlfriend, but it's his misfortune to live at home with covertly hostile parents (Julia Vera, Roman Jerzy) who start selling his possessions with no warning and show no sympathy when he meekly protests.

As other important people in Leonard's life are introduced, it seems at first that his tale of aborted escape from a suburban nightmare will sink into mean-spirited light comedy. His artist girlfriend (Michelle Beauchamp) has little control over her fists when she loses her temper. After his stereo is sold by his devious parents, Leonard gives his records to his best friend (Dennis Brooks), who is a bigoted, racist jerk.

In smartly written scenes, and with help from a vigorous score by David Hamma and the group Burning Sofa No. 10, "Staccato" takes an abrupt turn when Leonard's car is stolen in front of his eyes. The landscape appears to conspire to keep him from hitting the road for Texas, where he believes life will be better.

Leonard rebels against those who heap abuse on him, but getting out isn't easy. Locked out of his home, he has increasingly strange encounters with a gang-like crime-prevention group that boasts of its rumbles with the Guardian Angels over local turf.

Leonard's awkward attempts at reconciliation with his parents and revelations about his girlfriend further clarify his role in life and strengthen his resolve to leave. While the ending is ambiguous, one has no doubts that Leonard will continue to evolve into a thoughtful, perhaps too-shy-at-times, but likable and responsible adult.

STACCATO PURR OF THE EXHAUST

A skunkboy ink, muscle-plus-hate industries presentation

AV Media-Bedlam-Areolis Pictures

Writer-director-producer:Luis M. Meza

Director of photography:Nick Rivera

Editor:Marian Rooney

Music:David Hamma and Burning Sofa No. 10

Art directors:Fon Chen, Irina Rivera, Christy Schnabel, Victoria Van Laanen

Production leader:Ken Neal

Casting:Orlette Ruiz

Color/stereo

Cast:

Leonard:Ronald Garcia

Lily:Michelle Beauchamp

Steve:Dennis Brooks

Mother:Julia Vera

Father:Roman Jerzy

Running time -- 93 minutes

No MPAA rating...