Lionel Messi Wins Record-Extending Seventh Ballon d’Or

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Lucky No. 7 for Lionel Messi…

The 34-year-old Argentine professional footballer and Paris Saint-Germain forward has been awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or for a record-extending seventh time in a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Messi, who led Argentina to Copa America success in Brazil in July for their first major trophy since 1993, spent the majority of 2020 at Barcelona before his 21-year stay at the club ended when he left as a free agent in August and joined PSG soon after.

He now has two more Ballon d’Or awards than Manchester United‘s Cristiano Ronaldo, whose tally of five is two more than anyone else.

Messi added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 trophies with the announcement on Monday.

“It’s incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa America was key,” Messi said. “It is a special year for me with this Copa America title. It meant a lot to win at the Maracana stadium and I was so happy to celebrate with the people from Argentina.

“I don’t know if it’s the best year of my life, I’ve had a long career, but it was a special one with the title with Argentina after the tough times and the criticism.”

Messi beat 29 other nominees for the award, including Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who was the favorite for last year’s prize before it was cancelled because of the lack of football during the coronavirus pandemic.

Lewandowski was nominated for the award again this year after he broke late Bayern legend Gerd Muller‘s single-season Bundesliga goal record in May after he netted 41 league times last season, as well as winning the European Golden Shoe.

Although Lewandowski didn’t win the night’s biggest prize, he was named Striker of the Year at the ceremony and finished second to Messi on the final ballot.

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho was also tipped for the award after winning last season’s Champions League with his club side before playing a crucial part in Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020.

Liverpool‘s Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid‘s Karim Benzema and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar were also nominated for the award.

AC Milan‘s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was also a finalist for the Ballon d’Or best player, was named Goalkeeper of the Year.

Chelsea, whose men won the UEFA Champions League in 2021 and saw their women’s side win the Women’s Super League, were named Team of the Year, with managers Thomas Tuchel and Emma Hayes accepting the award remotely because of COVID-19 restrictions.

The Ballon d’Or is awarded annually by France Football, with FIFA‘s The Best a separate honor handed out every year — Messi won that award for the first time in 2020.

Barca midfielder Pedri won the Kopa Trophy as Europe’s best young player, which comes just a week after he claimed the Golden Boy award.

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Cardi B Releases New Single “Bet It” for New Halle Berry MMA Film “Bruised”

Posted on November 20, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B isn’t afraid to get Bruised…

The 29-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar has released the grinding new single “Bet It” for the soundtrack to the new Halle Berry MMA film Bruised.

Cardi B executive produced the landmark album featuring all-female rappers alongside Berry — who also makes her directorial debut with the film — taking listeners on a steely eyed trip through her rise to global superstardom over a chilled-out beat, subtle strings and a prominent Spanish-language sample.

“And my life is a movie, only Cardi could direct it/ Only take cash, they ain’t never gave credit/ Had to risk it all in myself so I bet it/ Started on the pole, in the end don’t regret it,” Cardi raps in the first verse, in which she takes shots at haters who’ve tried to question her authenticity.

The chorus of the Cool and Dre-produced song prominently features a swaying sample of “Algo de Mí” by Camilo Sesto, the 1972 title track from the Spanish singer’s debut album.

The second verse dips into more torn-from-the-headlines career highlights, as Cardi B spits, “I got dressed for the stages, got dressed for the court/ Dressed for my husband, told him ‘Rip this s–t off/ Got dressed for the GRAMMYs, then I left with awards/ Hundred thousand dollars dress left on the floor/ They was losin’ they mind when I hit the Met Gala/ Tail so long, it dragged thirty minutes after.”

Cardi B also casually mentions her mansion (and its in-house chef) as well as plans to set up her three-year-old daughter with husband Offset, Kulture. In the end, well, she all she does is win. “Now I get a big bag, that’s a big move/ From the Bronx to the ‘burbs, make big moves/ Rock red bottoms, made ’em big shoes/ Play goose, and I’m so focused/ ‘Cause the money never made me bein’ broke b—h.”

In a recent interview about the movie, Berry said she wanted a powerful roster of women on the soundtrack of the film about a disgraced MMA fighter who steps back into the octagon after her infant son comes back into her life.

“When I thought of what would be the voice that would be the pinnacle of what this soundtrack could be, of course I thought of the queen. Like who wouldn’t want to have a Cardi B song and have her voice and have her talents on their debut?” Berry said.

The actress/director noted that there were initially some copyright issues with the track that affected its ability to get cleared, but after Cardi B fought for its inclusion they worked it out. “Cardi, being so of her word, didn’t say, ‘Oh, it can’t happen.’ She went the extra mile and you made sure that we got the rights to use the record,” Berry said. “I can say, honestly, not everybody would have done that, and I so respect you. You said yes, and you stood by your word.”

City Girls, H.E.R., Saweetie and Baby Tate all feature on soundtrack, in addition to Flo Milli, Rapsody, Erica Banks, Young M.A. and Latto.

City Girls’ “Scared” and Baby Tate’s “Dungarees” were the first two songs available from the collection; the Bruised soundtrack is out now and the film — in theaters now — will hit Netflix on November 24.

Hulu to Premiere “How I Met Your Father,” Featuring Francia Raisa, in January

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Francia Raisa is heading back to the small screen in January…

Hulu’s How I Met Your Mother spinoff How I Met Your Father, featuring the 33-year-old Mexican & Honduran American actress, will premiere on January 18, 2022.

The news was announced in a video (above) featuring series stars Hilary Duff, Raisa, Suraj Sharma, Tien Tran, Chris Lowell, and Tom Ainsley.

In How I Met Your Father, written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, in the near future, Sophie (Duff) is telling her son the story of how she met his father: a story that catapults us back to the year 2021 where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends – Jesse (Lowell), Valentina (Raisa), Charlie (Ainsley), Ellen (Tran) and Sid (Sharma) — are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options.

Francia Raisa (grown-ish) will play Sophie’s roommate/bestie Valentina. She is an aspiring stylist. She is impulsive and adventurous and Sophie relies on Valentina’s ability to cheer her up when she gets down. In the pilot, Valentina has just returned from London Fashion Week with the gorgeous, British Charlie.

Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall also forms part of the cast in the role of Duff’s Sophie in the future, who is telling her son the story of how she met his father, much like Josh Radnor (and Bob Saget’s) Ted Mosby did in the original series.

Other recurring cast includes Daniel Augustin, Ashley Reyes, and Josh Peck.

Haaave you heard? #HIMYF premieres January 18, only on Hulu. pic.twitter.com/D4d9pf7SFO

— Hulu (@hulu) November 17, 2021

Ozuna Teams Up with Anthony Santos to Release New Bachata-fied Single “Señor Juez”

Posted on November 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ozuna is embracing his Dominican roots…

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer, who is half-Dominican, has joined voices with renowned artist Anthony Santos to release his new single “Señor Juez.”

Ozuna embraces a bachata sound on the track.

He describes this collaboration as one of the most important of his career, representing the musical roots that he grew up with.

This new single highlights the essence, passion, and sentiment of the Dominican Republic’s iconic genre.

“Señor Juez” describes the guilt and pain that come from losing love forever, as the lyrics unleash an intense exchange of blame between the two singers.

Prince Royce’s “Lao’ a Lao'” Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay & Tropical Airplay Charts

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Prince Royce is back on top…

Fresh off his exclusive Facebook Live performance of “Lao’ a Lao’,” the 32-year-old Dominican American singer conquers the radio airwaves as his latest song jumps 4-1 to lead Billboard’s overall Latin Airplay chart (dated October 30). It concurrently takes over atop Tropical Airplay (2-1).

The bachata track was released August 12 and opened on Latin Airplay at No. 16 on the August 28-dated survey, with 5 million audience impressions earned in the U.S. On the latest chart, it bounds with a 34% gain, to 10.7 million, in the week ending October 24, according to MRC Data. The growth gives Royce his 14th leader and secures the song the week’s greatest gainer honor.

“Lao’ a Lao’” follows Royce’s only other No. 1 on the all-Latin ranking, which arrived more than six months ago: “Hasta Que Salga El Sol,” with Natti Natasha (one week atop the April 17-dated list).

“Lao’ a Lao’” also rebounds to No. 1 on Tropical Airplay to become the radio format’s most-played song for a second week after its August 28 lead. The champ then earned Royce his 21st leader, the third-most, trailing only Marc Anthony’s 34 wins and Victor Manuelle‘s 29.

Beyond its Latin Airplay and Tropical Airplay coronations, “Lao’ a Lao’’” rises35-25 on the all-metric Hot Latin Songs chart.

Filming Wraps on Sebastián Zurita’s Comedy “Tequila Re-Pasado”

Posted on October 24, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s brindis time for Sebastián Zurita.

Sony Pictures International Productions’ original comedy Tequila Re-Pasado, starring the 34-year-old Mexican actor, recently wrapped filming in Mexico.

Gabriela Tagliavini is directing the film, with Zurita leading the cast. When it was initially announced, Tequila Re-Pasado had Omar Chaparro and María Ripoll attached, respectively, to star and direct, but scheduling conflicts resulted in a change.

Also starring are Paulina Gaitán and Ludwika Paleta.

Rounding out the cast are Miguel Rodarte, Mauricio “Diablito” Barrientos, Aurora Papile, Héctor Jiménez and Adal Ramones.

Zurita plays Dany, a workaholic who’s waiting for the opportunity to stand out and be considered by his boss, Gero (Rodarte) instead of his rival, Taylor (Paleta). When the moment finally arrives, things will not turn out so well: in addition to losing his job, Dany could lose Montse (Gaitán), the woman he loves. He will resort to drinking a magical tequila that will allow him to go back in time and try to fix things, but he doesn’t count on the fact that he will have to face past versions of himself that will complicate the task.

The film is adapted from an original script by Judd Pillot and Gerald B Fillmore, with a screenplay by Fillmore, Ilse Apellanis, Ricardo Aviles and Joan Vives.

“The movie has a daring premise, if you got the chance to redo something in your life, what would it be? I want the audience to look back into their life and become a better person. For me, every second chance I get, I will continue to make movies with friends, and the team at Sony Pictures is part of that group of friends,” says Tagliavini.

“We thank the entire cast and crew for their tireless effort during the pandemic to complete this amazing production and can’t wait to share this fresh and unique comedy with Mexican audiences,” says Michael Rifkin, Co-Head of Sony Pictures International Productions.

Ava DuVernay & Robert Patino Offer First Look at Rosario Dawson’s DC Apocalyptic Series “DMZ”

Posted on October 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Rosario Dawson is heading into the demilitarized zone…

Ava DuVernay and Robert Patino have offered a first look at their DC apocalyptic series DMZ, starring the 42-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American actress/activist and Benjamin Bratt during this weekend’s DC FanDome.

The four-part limited series, which will debut on HBO Max, takes place in the future where America is caught up in a Civil War.

“It’s a story about a fractured people that are coming together. We have a civil war between the free states of America and the United States of America. It takes place eights years into that DMZ where the rule of law is basically dictated by the most powerful person at any possible time and that can change from block to block,” explains Patino.

There’s “an outsider who comes in and turns everything upside down,” teases DuVernay.

Expounding on that character, played by Dawson, Patino said “Alma was inspired by the most fascinating character in the comics and underseved, a medic named Zee.”

“I took the creative guard rails off and reinvented her,” says Patino with photos from the set and Dawson’s Zee unveiled.

DuVernay describing how prescient the series will be, “it’s set a few moments in the future on what would be if the worst of our divisions get to us.”

Bratt plays Parco Delgado, the popular — and deadly — leader of one of the most powerful gangs in the DMZ. He wants to rule the DMZ and will stop at nothing to secure that outcome. Delgado is known as a wildly magnetic, affable and equally influential man.

Here's a first look at @rosariodawson in @ava's #DMZ, coming soon to HBOMax#DCFanDome pic.twitter.com/DP0kiYEEeC

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) October 16, 2021

DMZ is written and executive produced by showrunner Patino and is directed and executive produced by DuVernay.

The series is produced by Array Filmworks in association with WBTV.

Farruko’s “Pepas” Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Farruko is continuing his chart domination…

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican singer and songwriter’s latest single “Pepas” has reached the No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Latin Airplay survey dated October 9 with a 3-1 jump.

“Pepas” rules with 11 million in audience impressions, up 14%, earned in the U.S. in the week ending October 3, according to MRC Data. The track has now reached No. 1 on nine different Billboard song charts.

The new command arrives in tandem with its Hot Latin Songs’ lead as the track took over atop the August 28-dated tally where it has remained since then (it’s currently in its seventh week), earning Farruko his first No. 1 on the chart.

The club banger has received remixes from David Guetta, Lil Jon, Don Omar, Mr. Samtrax, Nico DJ, and more. With its new Latin Airplay win, the EDM song gifts Farruko a 10th career leader.

It concurrently ascends with an equal 3-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, also his 10th win there.

As “Pepas” gains territory on two new Billboard charts, it adds a ninth coronation across Billboard charts. Here’s a recap in order of arrival:

Chart, Peak Date, Weeks at No. 1
Latin Digital Song Sales, August 7, nine weeks (and counting)
Latin Rhythm Digital Song Sales, August 7, nine (and counting)
Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs, August 7, 10 (and counting)
Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, August 21, eight (and counting)
Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales, August 21, one
Hot Latin Songs, August 28, seven (and counting)
Latin Streaming Songs, August 28, 7 weeks (and counting)
Latin Airplay, Oct. 9Latin Rhythm Airplay, Oct. 9

Over on the Global charts, “Pepas” has netted Farruko his highest charting rankings and two new career top 10s: a No. 7 peak and a No. 5 high on the Global 200 tally and the Global Excl. U.S. chart (dated Sept. 4) respectively.

“Pepas” is the second single from La 167, a nod to the Puerto Rican’s homeland and eighth studio album released October 1. The album was preceded by the No. 4-peaked “La Tóxica” (Nov. 2020).

Trailer Released for Paz Vega’s Tornado-Themed Mystery/Adventure Film “13 Minutes”

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a matter of minutes before Paz Vega’s latest project comes out…

Quiver Distribution has released a trailer for 13 Minutes, starring the 45-year-old Spanish actress.

The first feature film from director Lindsay Gossling, 13 Minutes follows four families in a Heartland town as they are tested in a single day when a tornado hits, forcing paths to cross and redefining the meaning of survival.

The trailer starts with people in a state of panic as a tornado outbreak approaches. These families have dealt with tornadoes before, but nothing quite like this.

Finally, the families come together and try to make it through the night.

In addition to Vega, the film also features country music star/actor Trace Adkins, Thora Birch, Amy Smart, Peter Facinelli, Anne Heche, Will Peltz, Sofia Vassilieva, and deaf actress and YouTuber Shaylee Mansfield.

Gossling wrote the script with storm chaser Travis Farcombe, and worked with him to incorporate the look, feel, and timing of tornados into the film, her goal being to ground her story in reality.

13 Minutes will open only in theaters October 29th. It will hit VOD November 19th, becoming available to purchase as a DVD on December 7th.

Fernanda Urrejola to Star in the Thriller “The Woods”

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Fernanda Urrejola is heading into the woods…

The 40-year-old Chilean actress will star opposite J.K. Simmons and Allen Leech in the thriller The Woods.

Isabelle Anaya is also starring in the project.

Michelle Schumacher will direct from a screenplay she co-wrote with Carolyn Carpenter.

The film centers on a teenage girl suffering from anxiety due to a tragic event from her past who finds herself hunted through the woods by a sociopath on a murderous rampage.

“I didn’t want to play any truly scary bad guys when our kids were young, partly because of how it might affect them if they saw the film and also because I didn’t want to bring that energy home with me after an intense day on the set,” Simmons said. But now that his two children are in college, Simmons has freed himself to unleash his inner villain.

Urrejola can currently be seen in Warner Bros.’ Cry Macho, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood.

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