Hot Tub Time Machine

Hot Tub Time Machine is about three longtime friends Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Corddry) and Nick (Craig Robinson) who's life's together have drifted apart. Adam girlfriend leaves him in an empty house just him and his 20 something year old nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) who lives in his basement. The friends reunited after Lou accidental suicide attempt. Adam convinces Lou to accompany him and Nick to revisit there old ski resort they went to 24 years ago. After arriving at the resort they see alot of changes, and how the lodge is not the same. Upset of the condition of the lodge, they decided to get in the hot tub outside their room, jumping in naked. Drinking all kinds of alcohol, and some illegal Russian red bull brought by Lou, they mistakenly spills all over the control panel, which transfers the guys back in time, to the lodge's "WinterFest '86", an event that changed their young lives for ever. They believe they must do the exact things they did during that fateful weekend 24 yrs ago in order for them to return back to 2010.

This hilarious storyline has a few unreal moments, but with the great pop-culture of the mid-80s, everything is forgiven. You will love these characters, and it great looking back to a fun decade.

I give this movie 4 stars.

Youth in Revolt

Nick Twisp (Michael Cera), is a shy virgin, obsessed with Sinatra, Fellini and lossing his virginity. Nick's mother Estelle (Jean Smart) and her lover Jerry (Zach Galifianakis) takes Nick to Jerry's trailer park rental home for a mini-vacation, there Nick meets Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday) and instantly falls hopelessly in love with her. But Jerry hurts his back and want to cut his trip short. Nick tells sheeni and she encourages him to abandon his goody-two-shoes life and become a rebellious teen, so they can be together again. So, Nick develop an alter ego: Francois Dillinger with ascot, mustache and cigarettes. Francois will stop at nothing to have Nick virginity disappear and creates a path of destruction to leaded him on his way to have the girl of his dreams.

This comedy is not for children under 17 years old. The director Miguel Arteta added some great cartoon bits. Overall, a funny laugh out loud movie.

I give this movie 4 1/2 Stars.

The Passing of Brittany Murphy

Actress Brittany Murphy died on December 20, 2009 at age 32. This amazing free spirited actress who is best known for her films like "Clueless" and "8 Miles". Brittany Murphy apparently died of natural cause; an autopsy showed no signs of foul play or trauma, but coroner are still waiting for toxicology report that can take a few weeks to release, to clarify the cause of death. The police revisit the actress home to investigate and found in the actress bedroom approximately 10 prescription drugs including; "Topamax (Anti-seizure), Methylprednisolone (Anti-inflammatory), Flouxetine (Depression), Klonopin (Anxiety), Carbamazepine (Diabetic medication), Ativan (Anxiety), Vicoprofen (Pain), Propranolol (Hypertension) and vitamins" TMZ reported the findings. The star's funeral was held at the famous Los Angeles Forest Lawn Memorial.

Brittany Murphy legacy will live on in her films that includes; "Across the Hall" with Mike Vogal, "Happy Feet', "Sin City", and "Girl, Interrupted with Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder. Friends and Family described Brittany Murphy as loving and passionate person. Brittany once was quoted saying in a interview with E entertainment show "I want to act for the rest of my life". A brilliant performer and a spectacular person, Brittany Murphy left too soon and millions of her fans will miss her tremendously.

The Men Who Stare At Goats

Reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) is in search for a big story when he encounters Lyn Cassady ( George Clooney) a special force operate who claims to have psychic powers. The special unit "The new earth army" program founder Bill Diango (Jeff Bridges) has gone missing and it up to Casssady to find him, but little does Cassady knows that the trail he's following will lead to another fellow psychic soldier who has distorted the mission to serve his own agenda.

This dark comedy is based on a real life story and is directed by Grant Heslov. This movie is interesting and smart, though there are some parts that drag, overall I did enjoy myself.

I give this movie 3 stars.

Dominican Star in Hollywood

When I decided to look into the heritage of some of the stars in Hollywood, I felt that I knew who they were; little did I know that some of our most popular TV and movies star are of Dominican descent like me. Therefore, I started my investigation into Hollywood a little closer; during my research, I was very surprised at my findings, that many of the successful actors in hollywood had been born, in Dominican Republic or their parents originated from the island. as our new generation of up-and-coming talents spill onto the streets of Hollywood, I wanted to see more proficient work given to my fellow Dominicans. I can not only identify with what Hollywood classifies Dominicans as; drug dealers, housekeepers, and spouse abusers in these isolated terms. By Hollywood, standards there are stereotypical portrayals in the movie and TV when it comes to Dominicans; other cultures may feel that we can play only these parts and to some extent that is all. This could not be furthest from the truth.



The presence of Dominicans in Hollywood rangers far across the cultural spectrum. My people come in a variety of colors from white complexion with blue eyes, Indian complexion with dark eyes, to black complexion with an Afro. Indians originally inhabited the small island from different tribes before the Spaniards invaded it and resided on the island with their African slaves. So why is it that if we have a variety of looks and features, we are usually portrayed the same way in Hollywood? Most people are not aware, but there are a few prominent actors of Dominican descent in Hollywood today. Zoe Saldana, star of the hit movie "Guess Who?" with Bernie mac and Ashton Kutcher, born in New York City but raised in Dominican Republic until she was 17 years old. Miguel A. Nunez Jr., star of the hit movie "Juwanna Mann", is of Dominican descent; although he is mostly well known for portraying African-American roles. The same is true in the case of Alfonso Ribeiro, whose parents are Dominican, and they immigrated to the United States. Alfonso is also well known for his role as cousin "Carlton Banks" from the NBC hit show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". Another performer of mixed origins is Michelle Rodriguez from the hit movie "Fast and the Furious" who is Dominican and Puerto Rico. Judy Reyes, who plays Carla Espinosa, from "Scrub" grow up in the bronx, and attent the same high school as that I did, John F. Kennedy H.S. And Dania Ramirez, who can be seen in the hit movie "X-Men 3: The Last Stand", represent the next generation of Dominican actors making their mark in Tinseltown.

However, Hollywood is not the only invasion that up and coming talented Dominicans are making themselves known in. Fashion has one of the five best internationally recognized designer in the world in Oscar de la Renta. Born in Dominican Republic, he left the island at age 18 to pursue his career in the United States.




Dominican have always made their presence known in sports, with the most popular, being baseball. However, more and more Dominicans are branching out to other sports like Francisco Garcia who plays for the NBA Sacramento Kings, and even the NFL has a few Dominican players such as defensive tackle Luis Castillo from the San Diago Chargers.
Historically, we Dominicans did not have a major participation in politics in the United States, but times are charging. We currently have no Dominicans representing us in the House of Representatives, but we are now finally coming out swinging in the political arena with representatives including Guillermo Linares Commissioner of Immigrant Affair of the City of New York, Councilman Miguel Martinez and Councilwoman Diana Reyna.

Dominicans can be credited with a variety of achievements in many fields, but look closely as we are making permanent footprints in every region of the world, from Entertainment to Capital Hill, and you never know someday in the White House itself. Dominicans in the United States are realizing that with every step forward, we leaves imprints behind. Even coming from a small island, we have giants talents.

Law Abiding Citizen

Clyde Sheldon (Gerald Butler) is a talented inventor of gadgets, and one evening two unmask robber invaded his home and in front of him brutally kills his wife and young daughter and seriously injuring Clyde in the process. The killers are eventually caught and the assistant DA Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx) is assigned the case. Nick makes a deal with the actual killer for his testimony against his partner to get the death penalty while the other killer gets 10 yrs and then is release from prison. Clyde anger about the injustice set in motion plans to right the wrong that was done on his family, he starts killing everyone that had anything to do with the case. Clyde gets arrested for torturing and killing the killer, even from jail, Clyde threats becomes reality, and it up to Nick to stop Clyde before his family is next to die.

This high impact film has a little bit of something for everyone: suspense, surprise, thrill, same gore, and Gerald Butler partial nudity. It a must-see!

I give this movie 4 Stars.

Capitalism: A Love Story

The new Michael Moore film Capitalim: A Love Story show the issues he's been uncovering and the impact of corporate dominance on the everyday people living in America. Michael Moore visits Middle America, to the very halls of capital hill ending at Wall Street, using humor and outrageous antics to prove his point. This movie doesn't hold back punches, it shows how everyone is been effected, from the ghettos of Detroit to the farmlands of Minnesota. Moore, demonstrate how the American dream of owning your own home has turn into a nightmare, and pointing out how we could had avoid this. Michael Moore has once again forced us to take a long hard look in the mirror, that if we don't learn from our mistake "we are bound to repeat it". This fantastic, amazing movie is a right out bold illustrious film in his collection.

I give this movie 5 Stars.