2009 ALMA Awards Honorees in Movies

Sofia Vergara

from AceShowBiz.com

Javier Bardem and Joaquin Phoenix are vying for Best Actor of the Year title, while Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes and Penelope Cruz will battle it out for the actress kudo.

The honorees for ALMA Awards 2009′s special achievement in motion picture category have been unraveled by the National Council of

Eva Mendes

La Raza. On Tuesday, August 25 at a news conference at Beso Restaurant, NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguia and Executive Producer Eva Longoria revealed that there will be 11 actors and 8 actresses competing for Best Actor and Best Actress.

Among those vying for Best Actor of the Year title are “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” leading man Javier Bardem, “Two Lovers” star Joaquin Phoenix and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” actor Ramon Rodriguez. Meanwhile, the actresses receiving nominations include Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Michelle Rodriguez, Penelope Cruz and Rosario Dawson.

Beside the performers in motion pictures, a number of film crew also get a shot at winning Behind the Scenes honor. “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” director Kenny Ortega, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” helmer Guillermo del Toro, “Twilight” make-up artist Jeanne Van Phue and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” cinematographer Claudio Miranda are among them.

The larger number of nominees for each category is part of the significant format change for this year’s ALMA Awards. “If you like the ALMA Awards, you will love this year’s show because we’re bringing you more of what you love most, unique musical pairings and the best Latino entertainment,” Murguia shared on the changes.

The 2009 ALMA Awards will be taped on September 17 at the Royce Hall Auditorium at UCLA and aired on ABC Television Network the next day, September 18 from 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. ET/PT. Eva Longoria will co-host with George Lopez. To give special honors to Salma Hayek and Oscar De La Hoya, and special tribute to the late Ricardo Montalban, ALMA also honors the best in television, music and sports television.

Zoe Saldana

2009 ALMA Awards’ Special Achievement Honorees for Year in Film:
Best Actor of the Year:

Alfred Molina, “The Pink Panther 2″

Cheech Marin, “Race to Witch Mountain”

Freddy Rodriguez, “Nothing Like the Holidays”

Oscar Nunez, “The Proposal”

Clifton Collins Jr., “Star Trek” and “Crank: High Voltage”

Efren Ramirez, “Crank: High Voltage”

Javier Bardem, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Joaquin Phoenix, “Two Lovers”

John Leguizamo, “Nothing Like the Holidays”

Luis Guzman, “The Taking of Pelham 123″

Ramon Rodriguez, “Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen”

 

Best Actress of the Year:

Elisabeth Pena, “Nothing Like the Holidays”

Sofia Vergara, “Madea Goes to Jail”

Cameron Diaz, “My Sister’s Keeper”

Eva Mendes, “The Women” and “The Spirit”

Michelle Rodriguez, “Fast and Furious”

Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Rosario Dawson, “Seven Pounds”

Zoe Saldana, “Star Trek”

Humans control other humans in upcoming film ‘Gamer’

Gamer is set in the near future, a time when mind-control technology has taken society by storm. Humans control other humans in a mass-scale, multiplayer online game. Reclusive billionaire Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall) has created the controversial form of entertainment, “Slayers,” a hugely popular game that allows millions to act out their innermost desires and fantasies – online – in front of a global audience. Gaming has evolved into a terrifying new dimension…mind control…manipulation…people playing people! At the center is Kable (Gerard Butler), the superstar and cult hero of “Slayers”. Kable is controlled by Simon (Logan Lerman), a young gamer with rock star status who continues to defy all odds by guiding Kable to victory each week. Taken from his family, imprisoned, and forced to fight against his will, the modern day gladiator must survive long enough to escape the game to free his family, regain his identity, and save mankind from Castle’s ruthless technology.

See Gamer in theaters everywhere September 4.

Gerard Butler

Cast                     
  Gerard Butler … Kable
  Michael C. Hall … Ken Castle
  Milo Ventimiglia … Rick Rape
  John Leguizamo … Freek
  Logan Lerman … Simon
  Kyra Sedgwick … Gina Parker Smith
  Alison Lohman … Trace
  Zoe Bell … Sandra
  Terry Crews … Hackman
  Keith David
  Aaron Yoo … Humanez Dude
  Amber Valletta … Angie
  Johnny Whitworth … Scotch
  Efren Ramirez … DJ Twist
  Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges … Humanz Brother

Alison Lohman

McFarlane Starts Writing New Spawn Movie

From ShockTillYouDrop.com

“Spawn” creator Todd McFarlane has announced that he has officially begun writing the screenplay for a new movie based on the character.

Todd McFarlane

“The story has been in my head for 7 or 8 years,” McFarlane said. “The movie idea is neither a recap or continuation. It is a standalone story that will be R-rated. Creepy and scary.”

He added that “the tone of this ‘Spawn’ movie will be for a more older audience. Like the film ‘Departed.’”

In August of 1997, New Line released a Spawn movie that grossed $87.8 million worldwide. It starred Michael Jai White, John Leguizamo and Martin Sheen.

NY Latino Fest Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Nielsen Business Media 

   The New York International Latino Film Festival, which runs from July 27 to Aug. 2, will kick off with Peter Bratt’s “The Mission,” starring Benjamin Bratt; include a tribute to John Leguizamo; and conclude with John Cotten’s Mexican crime drama “La Linea” (The Line).
   Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the fest will utilize a number of new venues in New York City like the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the School of Visual Arts Theater.
   “The NYILFF began as a dream to showcase our talent and to empower Latinos,” fest exec director Calixto Chinchilla said. “We’ve been fortunate to have grown in size and stature. This year, we have everything; highly anticipated Hollywood premieres to independent films from filmmakers across the globe, industry forums, music showcases and free outdoor events for everyone.”
   “La Mission,” the opening night film, is set in San Francisco’s Mission District and stars Benjamin Bratt as a reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic who discovers his son is gay.
   For the Leguizamo tribute, the performer will be honored with the Tres Generaciones COA Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in Latino filmmaking. The evening will include the screening of the actor’s 2007 film “Where God Left His Shoes,” directed by Salvatore Stabile.
   “La Linea,” the closing night film stars Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Esai Morales, Armand Assante, Bruce Davison, Jason Connery, Michael DeLorenzo, Joe Morton, Valerie Cruz, Jordi Vilasuso, Danny Trejo, Kevin Gage and Gary Daniels.
   The fest also will host a Dominican night, screening Cruz Angeles’ “Don’t Let Me Drown.”
   The fest will feature several premieres, among which are: the music compilation film “Calle 13: Sin Mapa”; the short “Los Bandoleros/Fast & Furious”; “Red Apples Falling,” a look at the music of Harlem rap star Jim Jones; “Life is Hot in Cracktown”; the sports documentary “Assault in the Ring”; and the cheerleading movie “Bring It On: Fight to the Finish.”