Gravitas Ventures Acquires Distribution Rights to Fred Armisen’s Horror Comedy “Too Late”

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s too late for Fred Armisen…

Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to Too Late, a horror comedy starring the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor/comedian.

The film marks the debut feature from director D.W. Thomas and writer Tom Becker.

In addition to Armisen, the film also stars Alyssa Limperis, Ron Lynch, Will Weldon, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jenny Zigrino, Jack De Sena and Brooks Wheelan.

Set in the Los Angeles indie comedy scene, the film centers on Violet (Limperis), who works a thankless job as the assistant to Bob Devore (Lynch), famed comedian and host of the live variety show Too Late. But what only Violet knows is that Bob is a monster both literally and figuratively. Resigned to her fate, Violet is caught by surprise when she meets aspiring comedian Jimmy Rhodes (Weldon) and sparks fly. But as her feelings for Jimmy grow and Bob starts to doubt her loyalty, she and Jimmy could end up as Bob’s next meal.

The film will bow day and date in select theaters, and on digital platforms on VOD on June 25.

“Too Late is the perfect blend between monster movie and comedy, and one that fans of both genres will be able to enjoy over and over again,” said Brett Rogalsky, Gravitas Ventures’ manager of acquisitions.

Tilda del Toro to Star Opposite Kevin Hart in the Comedy “Night School”

Posted on September 23, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Tilda del Toro is headed to night school…

The Peruvian, Puerto Rican, and Spanish actress has been cast in Universal Pictures’ upcoming comedy, Night School, starring Kevin Hart.

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the film follows a group of troublemakers who are forced to attend night school in hopes that they’ll pass the GED exam to and ultimately, change their lives.

Tiffany Haddish, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Yvonne Orji and Rob Riggle co-star in the film.

It’s based on a story by Hart, who also wrote the script with Harry Ratchford, Joey Wells, Matt Kellard, and additional work by Nick Stoller.

Production is currently underway with a targeted release date for September 28, 2018.

del Toro appeared in Warner Bros.’ Our Brand Is Crisis with Sandra Bullock.

Ortiz to Guest Star on TBS’ “The Guest Book”

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

John Ortiz has signed in…

The 48-year-old Puerto Rican actor will guest star on TBS’ The Guest Book, the new 10-episode comedy series from My Name Is Earl’s Greg Garcia.

The Guest Book emerged from Garcia’s habit of writing fictitious stories in the guest books of various rental cabins in an effort to freak out the next renters. Now he is bringing some of those stories to life on screen centering on the vacation home Froggy Cottage and its visitors. While the house and cast of characters living in this small mountain town remain the same, each episode will feature a different set of vacationing guests.

The anthology-style show, written by Garcia and executive produced by him and Alix Jaffe, will premiere in August.

It will star Kellie Martin (Army Wives), Charlie Robinson (Hart of Dixie), Aloma Wright (Suits), Carly Jibson (Broadway’s Hairspray), Lou Wilson (Tween Fest), Garret Dillahunt (The Mindy Project), Laura Bell Bundy (Scream Queens) and Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl).

Martin will play Officer Kimberly Leahy, who serves on the police force in the small mountain town of Mount Trace. Robinson is Wilfrid, an easygoing, friendly gentleman who manages a group of mountain rental cottages with his wife, Emma, played by recurring guest star Wright. Jibson is Vivian, a tough, strong-willed woman who runs a bikini bar called Chubbys with her stepson Frank, played by Wilson.

In addition to Ortiz, other guest stars include Danny Pudi (Community), Jenna Fischer (The Office), Tommy Dewey (The Mindy Project), Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is the new Black), Michaela Watkins (Casual), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Michael Rapaport (Sully), Kate Micucci (Raising Hope), Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl), Stockard Channing (The Good Wife), Andrew J. West (The Walking Dead), David Zayas (Gotham), Shannon Woodward (Westworld), Margo Martindale (The Good Wife) and Stephnie Weir (The Comedians).

First Teaser Trailer Released for “24: Live Another Day,” with Bratt Joining the Cast

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

He may not appear in the just-released first teaser trailer, but expect to see Benjamin Bratt bring extra heat to 24: Live Another Day.

During the Super Bowl, Fox unveiled the first trailer for the event series, which sees the return of Kiefer Sutherland’s beloved action hero Jack Bauer, with the 50-year-old half-Peruvian American actor joining the cast.

There’s still no word on what role Bratt will play, but we do know the next chapter in the 24 franchise picks up the story four years after the series finale, which left Jack Bauer as a fugitive from justice, this time in London.

Along with Bratt and Sutherland, the cast includes Mary Lynn Rajskub, Kim Raver, William Devane, Yvonne Strahovski, Judy Davis and Tate Donovan.

24: Live Another Day will premiere May 5.

Arias’ Dark Comedy “Toy’s House” Acquired by CBS Films

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Moises Arias latest film project should be hitting theaters in the United States in the near future…

CBS Films has announced that it has acquired domestic rights to the coming-of-age comedy Toy’s House, starring the 18-year-old Colombian American actor and former Hannah Montana scene-stealer.

Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, the movie premiered to rave reviews over the weekend at the this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Toy’s House, which has been compared to the classic films Stand By Me and The Goonies, follows three teenage boys as they head into the wilderness with a plan to build a house and live off the land.

Along with Arias, the film stars Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie and Mary Lynn Rajskub.

“Toy’s House couldn’t have found a better home than with CBS Films,” said Vogt-Roberts commented. “We set out to make a comedy that was hilarious and full of heart – but most importantly we set out to make a comedy that was engaging. CBS Films is so passionate about this movie and share my thoughts that comedy can be poignant and beautiful. The response at Sundance has been overwhelming and I can’t wait for CBS Films to share Toy’s House with audiences everywhere.”

No word yet on a release date for the film.

Méndez Esparza Receives Gotham Independent Film Awards Nod

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Antonio Méndez Esparza is having a notable year…

The 26-year-old Spanish filmmaker has earned a Gotham Independent Film Awards nomination in the Breakthrough Director category.

Méndez Esparza was recognized for his exceptional work on his debut feature film Aquí y Allá (Here and There).

The film, which took top honors at the Critics’ Week sidebar at the Cannes Film Festival, centers on Pedro, a Mexican man who returns home to a small mountain village in Guerrero, after years of working in the US. He finds his daughters older, and more distant than he imagined, while his wife still has the same smile. Having saved money from two trips to the U.S., he hopes to now finally make a better life with his family, and even to pursue his own dreams on the side by starting a band: the Copa Kings.

Meanwhile, Parks and Recreation’s Aubrey Plaza has been recognized for her work on the feature film Safety Not Guaranteed, a film that centers on three magazine employees who head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel.

The 28-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/comedian and her co-stars in the film – Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni, Jenica Bergere, Kristen Bell, Jeff Garlin and Mary Lynn Rajskub – received a nod in the Best Ensemble Performance category.

The Gotham Independent Film Awards are handed out by the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers.

The awards signal the kick-off to Hollywood’s awards season. In all, Gotham Independent Film Award nominations were given to a total of 26 films across six competitive categories: Best Feature, Best Documentary, Breakthrough Director, Breakthrough Actor, Best Ensemble Performance, and Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You.

The Gotham Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, November 26th in Manhattan. In addition to the competitive awards, actors Marion Cotillard and Matt Damon, director David O. Russell, and Participant Media founder Jeff Skoll will each be presented with a career tribute.

Here’s a look at the categories with Latinos being recognized:

Best Ensemble Performance

– Bernie, Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey (Millennium Entertainment)
– Moonrise Kingdom, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban (Focus Features)
– Safety Not Guaranteed, Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni, Jenica Bergere, Kristen Bell, Jeff Garlin, Mary Lynn Rajskub (Film District)
– Silver Linings Playbook, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher (The Weinstein Company)
– Your Sister’s Sister, Emily Blunt, Rosemarie Dewitt, Mark Duplass (IFC Films)

Breakthrough Director

– Zal Batmanglij for Sound of My Voice (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
– Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky for Francine (Factory 25 and The Film Sales Company)
– Jason Cortlund and Julia Halperin for Now, Forager (Argot Pictures)
– Antonio Méndez Esparza for Aquí y Allá (Here and There) (Torch Films)
– Benh Zeitlin for Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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