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Viva Latino Film Fest International Opens With ‘Strike One’ Starring Danny Trejo
By GTVW
Photos Agency
The 1st Annual Viva Latino Film Festival NYC International (VLFFI) has chosen David Llauger-Meiselman’s award-winning indie Strike One, starring Danny Trejo, for its Opening Night to screen on Thursday, February 19, 2015. VLFFI runs February 19 to 22nd and will be held at the Film Anthology Archives located on 32 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003.
Strike One is a story set in Boyle Heights and utilizes this Los Angeles community as an integral character. It also stars break-out artist Johnny Ortiz, Maria Isa Perez, cast along with veterans Billy Gallo, Alma Martinez, French Stewart, James Russo, Lawrence Smilgys, Reginald VelJohnson, and Zahn McClarnon.
“We’re thrilled Strike One is premiering at VIVA’s Inaugural event. It is a great story. We’re truly humbled,” stated Steven De Castro, Viva’s founder and co-executive director.
While Strike One is an anatomy of the dangers of living in low-income and at-risk communities, it is also about the injustice of California’s controversial Three Strike Law – where justice is determined by which side of the street you live on. Actor-Screenwriter Lawrence Smilgys has created a family in one of those “where life chose me” situations. “This law seems to insinuate that some people are born criminals and can never change,” said Smilgys.
“Our film brings a more realistic voice to a group of people that are generally ignored,” stated director Llauger-Meiselman, “and for the most part are truly an important piece of American culture.”
“We are really excited about this movie as it appeals to a wide range of audiences and families due to its rich subject matter, great direction and terrific performances by Danny Trejo and the entire cast,” said the film’s distributor, Steven Istock, president of California Pictures, Inc.
Manny Garcia (Trejo) is determined to steer his nephew Juan (Ortiz) away from falling victim to the trappings of a prejudiced juvenile criminal system. “Manny is an endearing character,” said Smilgys, “no matter how many times you knock him down, he is going to get up and forge ahead despite the shadow of the bureaucrat laws that exists beyond his understanding.”
Film producer Felipe Alejandro, a Boyle Heights native, said the making of Strike One was a labor of love. “The film reverberates with Latino audiences because it is a story that is made for us by us,” said Alejandro. “And, it’s about righting a very wrong law, and bringing justice to all the Latino and Black ‘Juan Garcia’s’ unfairly convicted and sentenced.”
New Kids On The Block Step Into The Ring of a great entertainment place
By GalaTView Staff
Photos Agency
New Kids On The Block are stepping into the ring for 2015! The pop stars announced The Main Event, a summer headlining tour featuring very special guests, Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling artists TLC and Nelly. NKOTB surprised viewers with a special reveal of TLC and a personal message from Nelly (who is currently overseas with the armed forces).The groups hinted at possible collaborations and other exciting possibilities while on the road this summer, sending fans into a frenzy across social media.
“We always have something special up our sleeves,” said NKOTB member Donnie Wahlberg. “Our fans keep asking us to come back out on the road, and we want to keep giving them what they want! We wanted to make sure it was something new and fresh and fun and totally worthwhile for all of our supporters year after year. With all-new and top-notch production elements, this tour is sure to be the ultimate summer concert ticket as promised. The highlights will include a 360-degree stage “in the round.” With no obstructions, the stage set up will offer optimal viewing. The bands have worked hard on the show and staging concept to make sure that everyone in the house has a part of the action, up close and center.
Nine Inch Nails And Soundgarden Announce Summer Co-Headline Tour
By GalaTView Staff
Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden are teaming up for a North American tour that will kick off on Saturday, July 19, at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, NV. This event will be their first outing together and will include shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO (July 21), the Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh, NY (August 1) and the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA (August 25). Both bands will play full sets nightly. Special guest Death Grips will open on most dates.
Ex-Kiss Ace Frehley suffered a lost
By GalaTView staff
It was not clear where the 62-year-old Ace Frehley founding member of the famed rock band kiss who NY Home was involved in a fire. He played with the group until 2002, during what was billed as their farewell tour. The home was heavily damaged, with flames burning through the roof.
"Ghost writers" stay positive Lil Wayne and Birdman’s daughters
By GalaTView Staff
Photo: Courtesy
Anybody can have their names on a book if they can afford to hire a ghost writer. This is the case for the teenage daughters of rappers Lil Wayne and Birdman are in New Orleans sharing their stories in a recently-released teen novel, “Paparazzi Princesses.”
