films Archives - Queen Bee Latina

Best Romance Films to Watch With Your Bae On Valentine’s Day

Best Romance Films to Watch With Your Bae On Valentine’s Day (or by yourself with a tub of ice cream) No judgments here.

I am a sucker for chocolate, vino, and good romantic comedies…

The romance film universe is immense, and encompasses all genres from romantic comedies, musicals, tragedies, and even thrillers. Whatever you’re in the mood for, it’s time to relax, unwind, and rekindle your love this Valentine’s day!

Here is a list a movies to enjoy with your significant other on this special day. Snuggle up, open a bottle of red wine, and celebrate your love.

These films are memorable and will make you fall in love over and over again.

The Notebook

In 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) are desperately in love. But her parents don’t approve. When Noah goes off to serve in World War II, it seems to mark the end of their love affair. In the interim, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). But when Noah returns to their small town years later, on the cusp of Allie’s marriage, it soon becomes clear that their romance is anything but over.

Titanic

ames Cameron’s “Titanic” is an epic, action-packed romance set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic; the pride and joy of the White Star Line and, at the time, the largest moving object ever built. She was the most luxurious liner of her era — the “ship of dreams” — which ultimately carried over 1,500 people to their death in the ice cold waters of the North Atlantic in the early hours of April 15, 1912.

The Wedding Singer

Set in 1985, Adam Sandler plays a nice guy with a broken heart who’s stuck in one of the most romantic jobs in the world, a wedding singer. He loses all hope when he is abandoned at the altar by his fiancé. He meets a young woman named Julia (Drew Barrymore), who enlists his help to plan her wedding. He falls in love with her and must win her over before she gets married.

Sixteen Candles

With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister’s upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha (Molly Ringwald) faces her 16th birthday with typical adolescent dread. Samantha pines for studly older boy Jake (Michael Schoeffling), but worries that her chastity will be a turnoff for the popular senior. Meanwhile, Samantha must constantly rebuff the affections of nerdy Ted (Anthony Michael Hall), the only boy in the school, unfortunately, who seems to take an interest in her.

P.S. I Love You

When Gerry (Gerard Butler), the husband of Holly Kennedy (Hilary Swank), dies from an illness, she loses the love of her life. Knowing how hard Holly will take his death, Gerry plans ahead. Beginning on her 30th birthday, she receives the first in a series of letters written by him, designed to ease her grief and encourage her to move forward to a new life.

West Side Story

A musical in which a modern day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs. On the harsh streets of the upper west side, two gangs battle for control of the turf. The situation becomes complicated when a gang members falls in love with a rival’s sister.

When Harry Met Sally

Ghost

Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is a banker, Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) is an artist, and the two are madly in love. However, when Sam is murdered by friend and corrupt business partner Carl Bruner (Tony Goldwyn) over a shady business deal, he is left to roam the earth as a powerless spirit. When he learns of Carl’s betrayal, Sam must seek the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) to set things right and protect Molly from Carl and his goons.

A Star Is Born

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

The Princess Bride

A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel “The Princess Bride” which earned its own loyal audience.

¡Viva el amor and keep the romance alive! Happy Valentine’s Day. xo

Exclusive Interview With Director Sergio Guerrero To Discuss Film “Intolerance No More”

Last month, we had an exclusive interview with director Sergio Guerrero to discuss his new film “Intolerance No More.” This film is striking up intense conversations, and is currently circulating internationally in film festivals and universities to support initiatives such as AB392, and also find distribution in order to keep the conversation open and together find solutions.

In our volatile political climate, “Intolerance No More” could have not come at a better time. The film touches the topics of racial profiling, police injustices, and media manipulation. This movie was brilliantly crafted to create noise and to raise awareness.

LIVE Instagram Interview July 3, 2019

About The Film

This film follows the story of a young African American woman who has an encounter with a white police officer that leaves him dead. The world watches a media circus real-time hunt for her and the truth. This movie truly opens the eyes of all individuals, as we follow an African American woman directly. The story from her eyes is rooted in tragedy, fear, and confusion. These are the stories that go too often untold.

Guerrero was very strategic with the creation of his film. He wanted to create discussion, by giving multiple point of views (including the proclaimed assailant). He explained, that the only point of view we typically see, are those told by media outlets.

His inspiration for the film, is rooted in a real life experience. One day while watching the news, he saw an African American woman being chased by police officers. To Guerrero’s surprise, the news anchors jumped to racially charged stereotypes and judgments. He wondered, how many other individuals were judged as quickly as this woman.

This movie is important, because it showcases a scenario that is all too familiar in our communities.

About Director Sergio Guerrero

A USC Cinematic Arts graduate and Emmy Award winner Sergio Guerrero produced and co-wrote the multi-awarded feature film, “A Day Without a Mexican”, a sleeper hit that later served as the banner for the immigration movement in the United States. Guerrero is the creator, director and producer for Fox “Dos Lunas” starring Barbara Mori and Leonardo Sbaraglia. In addition, he produced the first original scripted series for NBC Universo called “El Vato”. In between movies and TV shows Sergio has over 500 commercials under his belt as director / producer with his Indie Eye Productions. Sergio continues to create premium content for all platforms such as the TV series “Soccer & Drinks” and his indie film “Intolerance” to be release at the end of the year.

Intolerance No More Film Crew

Film “Dancing at the Vatican” Brings Huntington’s Disease to Light

Films can move us, educate us, and touch our deepest human chords…

Last night, I screened “Dancing at the Vatican” and I felt all of the of the above. I learned about a rare vicious disease, that is now being brought to life in this film.

Huntington’s disease is a genetic, progressive and fatal disease that affects one person in every 10,000. Latin America holds a special place in the scientific history of HD. In 1993 an international effort first identified the mutations causing Huntington’s disease in the Maracaibo region of Venezuela. Unfortunately, despite the many years since the discovery of the gene, the quality of life of affected people in Venezuela and elsewhere has changed very little.

“Dancing at the Vatican” World Premiere (from left to right):
**Charles Sabine**,Emmy award-winning reporter, global advocate of the disease and co-founder of HDdennomore
**Dr. Ignacio Muñoz-Sanjuan**, a neuroscientist and Huntington’s expert, co-founder of Factor-H, a charity that helps HD sufferers in Latin America. Co-founder of HDdennomore
**Kate Miner –** Actress who emceed the event. Her family is a carrier of Huntington’s Disease
**Juan Pablo Yepez**, Venezuelan actor actively involved with Huntington disease

About Film:

“Dancing at the Vatican,” is an emotionally charged film about Huntington’s disease authored by former Emmy award winning TV reporter Charles Sabine. The film follows villagers from Latin America on a life changing journey to the Vatican and an audience with the Pope.

I could not hold back the tears while screening this film. As a mother of a severely disabled child, I could relate to the heartache and isolation that caregivers and families often feel. It showcases the obstacles and stigma associated with those most affected by this genetic disease. But there is a message of hope, when select families from Venezuela are given a platform at the Vatican in Rome to share their personal journeys.

Pope Benedict showed deep compassion and personally met with these families. It was a magical moment for them, and just beautiful to watch. And yes…. more tears.

To learn more about Huntington Disease, or to see how you can help click here.

Review: Disney Pixar Toy Story 4

Written By: Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson

Summer of Spork: TOY STORY 4 Feeds Fans Only the Best

Disclosure: Thank you Disney Pixar for inviting us to screen Toy Story 4. All opinions are my own.

Disney and Pixar’s TOY STORY 4 is sure to be the summer’s favorite film, feeding fans another
serving of fun. Consider this the kickoff to the Summer of Spork.

Since the franchise’s last release in 2010, the world hasn’t been the same. Toy Story 3 ended
with the toy gang in the arms of a new kid and it changed everything. Toy Story 3 had a magic
to it—allowing nostalgia for the generation that knew and loved the first two films, all while
perfectly entertaining a new generation of young moviegoers.

Along with familiar favorites, Toy Story 4 welcomes a new cast of toys. At the center of it all is
Bonnie’s favorite homemade toy—Forky (Tony Hale). Forky is the complete opposite of Sheriff
Woody (Tom Hanks)—scared, insecure, and completely content without the love of a child. In a
quick turn of events, Woody vows to be Forky’s guardian and the duo find themselves in the
worst possible predicament for a toy to be in—they become lost.

The film follows the pair as they try to return to Bonnie, and to everyone’s surprise, they come
across Woody’s past love Bo Peep (Annie Potts). Bo is a different toy since her last appearance
in Toy Story 2, as she presents herself as resilient, tactful, and protective. As the female toy with
the most screen time (sorry Jessie [Joan Cusack] fans), Bo’s character is unique and strikes
interesting conversations about self-worth and purpose.

Director Josh Cooley ensures the chemistry of new and familiar characters is electric. In
wonderful fashion, the introductions of Forky and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) are
memorable and hilarious—presenting multi-faceted characters, completely fresh from the
lovable, yet worn favorites of Toy Story 1 and 2.

Saving the best for last, Toy Story 4 introduces the oddest toy BFFs of all, Ducky (Keegan-
Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele). Nothing can stop this carnival couple from being truly
themselves—toys with the best escape plans.

Toy Story 4 is a breath of fresh air, and a film to entertain any age group. From physical comedy
to inside jokes, the film reminds viewers how fun it is to play with toys.

See Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 in theatres beginning this Friday, June 21.

Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson is a Disney-loving, nonprofit professional based in Southern California. She contributes to lifestyle blogs when not enjoying the sights, sounds, and shopping at Disneyland. A graduate (B.A. and M.A.) of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film, she’s an avid fan of movies.

When They See Us Now Streaming on Netflix

Last week my youngest daughter Clarissa and I headed to the Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles, California for a special screening of the new Netflix mini-series “WHEN THEY SEE US”, which focuses on the important issue of racial profiling and chronicles the notorious case of five teenagers (four African-Americans and one Latino) labeled as the Central Park Five, who were convicted of a crime they did not commit in 1989.

After the screening, we took part in a Q & A with the Consul General of México, Carlos García de Alba, that was moderated by Oswaldo Borraez from Univision to discuss the topic of racial profiling.

Thank you Netflix for inviting me to screen “When They See Us.” All opinions are my own.

This Netflix series tells the story of five young boys of color ages 14-16 years, falsely convicted of rape. They were all illegally interrogated, pitted against each-other, and manipulated to create a scenario fabricated by detectives.

When They See Us was created by Ava DuVernay, who also co-wrote and directed the four parts. Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King from Participant Media, Oprah Winfrey from Harpo Films, and Jane Rosenthal, Berry Welsh and Robert De Niro from Tribeca Productions will executive produce the limited series alongside DuVernay through her banner, Forward Movement. In addition to DuVernay, Attica Locke, Robin Swicord, and Michael Starrburry also serve as writers on the limited series.

As a mother, my heart ached for these innocent children and their families. All I could think about was my young son Andrew, and how close he is in age to the boys convicted.

We often hear horrific stories regarding people of color being punished unfairly by our judicial system. This film about the Central Park 5’s incarceration and interrogation, took us on an unexpected emotional journey, and opened our eyes to the horrors that destroyed these boy’s lives.

The odds are stacked against our Latinx youth. Both black and brown children are often profiled as adults and seen less innocent than their caucasian peers.

How can we take a step towards change? http://bit.ly/2WNmMNK

Several hot topics were discussed among the panelists, but all agreed that these stories must be told to educate our youth for a better tomorrow. The panelists in attendance were:

Ana Flores, influencer and founder of We All Grow
Angelica Salas, Executive Director, CHIRLA
Alex Nogales, president and CEO, NHMC
Jessica Domínguez, immigration lawyer
Pilar Marrero, journalist

We must tell the stories that are too often forgotten.…

This film reminds us that history isn’t so far behind us, and we have reason to be vocal about the injustice that continues today.

Stream and support #WhenTheySeeUs on Netflix TODAY!

Review: Disney’s ALADDIN Soars Into Theaters

Written by: Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson

Disney’s ALADDIN soars into theatres this weekend with the tough job of following in the footsteps of animation gold.

The story of Aladdin centers on a poor but good-hearted young man (Mena Massoud as Aladdin) as he attempts to impress the girl of his dreams (Naomi Scott as Jasmine) with the help of magical friends (Will Smith as Genie).

Riding on the heels of Beauty and the Beast’s live action success in 2017, Disney gambles on bringing the film’s memorable cast of characters into a whole new world. Disney’s decision to green-light Aladdin as a live-action is tough in that the whimsical aspects of the most memorable sidekicks appear less dimensional and less interesting.

Prior to shooting, director Guy Ritchie took a lot of heat from the movie world when casting Will Smith as Genie—because let’s face it, Robin Williams is a tough act to follow. I was most hesitant about what to expect from Smith, but in the end, he genuinely helps the film grow into a more grown-up version of the original story.

Though the film delivers all the poignant scenes you know and love from the animated original, it does bring to light some of the problematic dramas involved with its main characters. This is the film’s redeeming quality—its awareness of its characters true intentions, especially Jasmine and villain Jafar (Marwan Kenzari). Though Aladdin centers on its main protagonist, the film’s diamonds in the rough are conversations Jasmine and Jafar’s dreams for themselves and the fictional nation of Agrabah.

The film’s ending proceeds as you might expect, but attempts something different with Jasmine. Though two original songs are written for her (the only ones unique to the live-action), a powerful punch isn’t made until the end in a conversation with her father. If this point were fleshed out more effectively in the plot, Jasmine would have experienced the most poignant development of all the film’s characters.

Aladdin is a visual masterpiece, with gorgeous cinematography (Alan Stewart) adding a crispness to the film’s enjoyable choreography. As always, Alan Menken’s music injects another layer of life, and brings the nostalgia home.

Disney’s ALADDIN comes to American theatres on Friday, May 24.

Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson is a Disney-loving, nonprofit professional based in Southern California. She contributes to lifestyle blogs when not enjoying the sights, sounds, and shopping at Disneyland. A graduate (B.A. and M.A.) of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film, she’s an avid fan of movies.

https://movies.disney.com/aladdin-2019

Wonder Park Celebs Hit the Red Carpet: Movie Now in Theaters

Miss Clarissa hit the red carpet for the new Wonder Park movie at the Regency Village in Los Angeles, to interview the cast of of the new film.

Growing up is difficult, and as we get older our creativity and imagination can be impaired. It so important to have fun, and never give up! Wonder Park will take audience on a magical ride full of adventure, fun, and laughs! This film is “a celebration of imagination” that “dreams big, and delivers bigger!”

Here is a photo recap from our day at the Wonder Park Movie Premiere!

Operation Wonder Park is a GO and NOW in theaters!

Thank you Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies for inviting us to the premiere of Wonder Park. All opinions are my own.

SYNOPSIS:

WONDER PARK tells the story of a magnificent amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive.

STARRING: Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, John Oliver, Mila Kunis, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong, Norbert Leo Butz, Brianna Denski and Ken Hudson Campbell

Brianna Denski is the voice of June!

This feature film is presented in state-of-the-art D-BOX theatres with RealD 3D technology

Mr. Oev Michael Urbas looked Daper on the carpet. He is the voice of Banky in Wonder Park.

Mila Kunis looked fab in pink on the red carpet. She stars as the voice Greta. We LOVE her!

Miss Sofia Mali is spunky and totally adorable. She stars as young June in the new film.

Jen Keong shared his thoughts on kids wanting to grow up too quickly. The Dr. stars as Cooper.

Sky Katz and Grace VanderWaal looked chic and sassy on the red carpet.

Watch the Trailer!

#WonderPark is “a magical adventure that’s impossible not to love!” 🎢Experience the wonder of Wonder Park in theatres!

Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time Tea Party: Movie Now On Blu-ray and Digital

Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time has hit Blu-ray and Digital!

In celebration of the film home release, my kiddos and I attended a fabulous tea party at the Huntington Library…

Thank you Disney Movies for inviting us to the A Wrinkle In Time Celebration. All opinions are my own.

The Huntington Library was the perfect setting for the “A Wrinkle In Time Tea Party.”

About The Film

From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time. Based on the timeless classic and filled with spectacle, warmth and heart, this celebrated film follows an ordinary girl’s epic adventure and brave journey to save her family, with the ultimate triumph of love. Featuring an all-star cast including Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Chris Pine, and eye-popping action—it’s fun for the whole family!

The mini delicious assorted sandwiches and desserts were delectable. Honey dripped from my spoon as the birds chirped in the gorgeous garden.

My daughter smiled with her large floral coronet, talking about how Opra had always been symbolic and an icon in her life. A Wrinkle in Time was Clarissa’s favorite book as a kid. She would dress up as a scientist and read snippets to her father, until he fell in a deep slumber. The book allowed her mind to run amok, and keep her scientist dreams alive. She constantly created worlds that consisted of Hot Cheetos, my little pony, and travel.

After watching the film, she said it fulfilled her expectations. More so considering the diversity was everything she had hoped. At the tea party she sipped her tea, and rubbed caviar from a salmon sandwich on her upper lip, “I’m Mr. Murry are you ready for tesseract travel? ”

Since the release of the film, Andrew and Clarissa have watched it a few too many times. Her tiny primas (cousins) can recite the film lines almost as well as she can. But hey explaining what a tesseract is, is a cool party trick, right?

My son played in the garden with his friends, and he often stopped to take a whiff of the scented flowers that surrounded him.

On numerous occasions, I had to stop and take pictures of the stunning flowers. The garden was heavenly and so peaceful. I can’t wait to go back and explore.

My son has become quite the history buff, and had a great time exploring the estate at the gardens.

If you missed this sensational movie in theaters, Get Disney’s “A Wrinkle In Time” on Digital, Blue-ray, or on 4K Ultra HD.