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The true stories of heroism in World War II have inspired some of the greatest films of all time. Throughout film history, war films have examined various aspects of combat. While films like "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Thin Red Line" explored the plight of soldiers in the heat of combat, "Bridge On The River Kwai" deconstructs the moral dilemma that prisoners of war faced.

Given how many classics have been made about the conflict, television would have to take a different approach when Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg teamed up to create the excellent HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers." "Band of Brothers" follows the exploits of "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, of the 101st Airborne Division throughout the war. The series is notable for its massive cast, which paid tribute to the real men that played a role in the conflict. It's an unparalleled account of war.

Nothing validates a person’s dreams and talents quite like being honored by their peers. That’s certainly the case for actor Douglas Spain’s protagonists of Steve Fernandez in the new Latino comedy, ‘Hollyweird.’ The character hopes to overcome the struggles he’s facing in his career, and become the next celebrated Latino actor in Hollywood. However, Steve’s […]

The post Actor Douglas Spain Imagines Overcoming Adversity and Winning an Academy Award in Hollyweird Exclusive Clip appeared first on Shockya.com.

“She’s just upset because the fish on her plate is the only kind she can eat.”

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of “the best lesbian movie of all time” when But I’m a Cheerleader: Director’s Cut arrives on Digital 4K Ultra HD December 8th from Lionsgate. From Primetime Emmy® Award-nominated director Jamie Babbit (2017, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, “Silicon Valley”), the film features an all-star cast including Golden Globe® nominee Natasha Lyonne (2020, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, “Russian Doll”), Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Clea DuVall (2018, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, “Veep”), Melanie Lynskey, Primetime Emmy® Award winner RuPaul Charles (2019, Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), Eddie Cibrian, Golden Globe® nominee Bud Cort (1972, Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, Harold and Maude), Wesley Mann, Richard Moll, Douglas Spain, Katharine Towne,...

Sundance deals accrue such legend that it’s easy to forget the ones that materialize out of nowhere. Such was the case 20 years ago to this day, when Miguel Arteta’s first feature “Star Maps” premiered at the festival and landed a $2.5 million deal with Fox Searchlight.

The movie, which tells the story of a Latin American teen (Douglas Spain) who works as a bisexual hustler while harboring dreams of movie stardom, became an overnight sensation at Sundance — and also turned Arteta into a permanent member of the festival family. Since then he’s returned with “Chuck & Buck” (2000) and with “The Good Girl” (2002); tonight he screens his latest effort, “Beatriz at Dinner” out of competition.

The “Star Maps” deal also marked a historic moment for this site. At roughly a year old, IndieWire was establishing itself as a nimble digital upstart that had accrued popularity at Sundance, where it published a daily print edition.

Exclusive: April Mullen’s gang drama to be introduced at Afm.

Epic Pictures has acquired Below Her Mouth director April Mullen’s follow-up Badsville and will introduce to international buyers at the Afm and distribute in the Us towards the end of the year.

Co-founder Shaked Berenson and CEO Patrick Ewald want to feed the pipeline of distribution division Epic Pictures Releasing and director of Us distribution Paula Moreno will be scouring the Afm for acquisitions.

Emilio Rivera of Sons Of Anarchy and Robert Knepper of Prison Break star in Badsville, a crime thriller set in the working class greaser gang milieu.

The story centres on a gang leader who risks everything when he makes a promise to his dying mother and tries to leave his old life behind.

Ian McLaren and Benjamin Barrett co-wrote the script and are among the cast. Producers are David J. Phillips of Phillm Productions and Douglas Spain.

“We are expanding...

We wanted to let everyone get their hopes and getting "50 Shades of Grey" out of your system before we completely ruined Valentines with awful memories of hearts being crushed to a pulp. So, we caught up with current and future Latino filmmakers we actually do love! We asked them about their worst dates (because we love bringing up the past.) Their fave love story and anyone in the movies they’ve crush on. Give them so ‘Follows’!

Daniel Armando – (Filmmaker) What It Was

Worst Valentine's date: There's a Valentine's date I remember and it wasn't because it was a bad date, but because it was a realization I had. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the stroll through the park was lovely. It was the ideal perfect Valentine's date, but I was slowly realizing that it was with someone who didn't feel the same way I did. I felt bad because I wish I had spent it with someone who did feel the same way and who I truly loved. A romantic film that comes to mind is Forrest Gump. The love that Forrest had for Jenny is amazingly beautiful. Through all the excitement, confusion, and chaos that surrounded his life the one thing he was sure about was his calm, simple, and never-ending love for Jenny. He's not a smart man, but he knows what love is.

Website: http://www.novonovus.com/

Douglas Spain – (Producer/Actor) North By El Norte

My favorite cinematic love story is 'The Terminator'. Yes, it's an amazing Sci-Fi/Action film but at the core it's a love story: A man travels back in time to save the woman he fell in love with via a photo that was given to him by his unbeknownst son. His future was 2029, which isn't too far away and interestingly enough, people nowadays fall in love via photos on Instagram. If a man traveled back in time to be with me you can bet I would never terminate that relationship. Lol. I did try online dating once and the guy was not the same from the pictures on his profile. After some small talk, I said to him, "I'll be back." But unlike The Terminator, I didn't come back. Instead I hauled ass out of there.

Twitter: @DouglasSpain

Jessica Molina – (Host/Producer) Daily Dos

Years ago I went out with this fella who tried to impress me with money – never a good idea. He picked me up in (his sister’s) Range Rover. He was in med school and broke down how much money he was going to make each year following his graduation. Dude pretty much talked about himself the whole date. To top it off, based on his suggestion, we went to a restaurant but he barely ate because he’d already eaten. Nothing a girl loves more than to be stuffing her face alone on a first date! The conversation was lacking, but I do remember the food was delicious! I don’t have a favorite love story that comes to mind; I just love ‘love.’ I love seeing my friends in love – love seeing them honored and appreciated. So those are my favorite love stories the ones in which the people I care for most are receiving the absolute best.

Noah played by Ryan Gosling in The Notebook. Say what you want, but I love that movie! Here’s a man who was fun, kind, passionate, crafty, and insanely loyal. (And very easy on the eyes!)

Twitter: @jessicahosts

Laura Gomez (Filmmaker/Actress) Orange Is The New Black

Not so much "bad date," more like no chemistry date. I didn't necessarily go to a breakup album, but rather to specific songs that reminded me of the person and would ironically make me feel even more nostalgic. Cuando Te Beso, Juan Luis Guerra, Negra Murguera, from Argentine band Bersuit Vergarabat, lots of Concha Buika and Amy Winehouse (just 'cause) and old School Mecano. Mecano has a song about "how hard it's to forget him"... I must have listened to that song thousands of times.

The Bridges of Madison County is definitely one my favorite romantic films of all times, and you need some serious ice cream eating at that scene where Francesca (the luminous Meryl Streep) holds the door knob and is fighting not to open it as Clint Eastwood places the necklace with the cross on the mirror. Ufff, I always cry with that scene.

Some of my film crushes are Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Benicio del Toro and Edgar Ramirez. I guess it's a combination of looks and their raw talent. Absolute best.

Twitter: @lg_lauragomez

Elise DuRant (Filmmaker) Eden

I have some favorite love story moments. One of them is in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, when he goes on a first date with Kathy played by Patricia Arquette. They're in this little car in the Spook House when in the middle of the ride, the lights go out. As they wait, in that silence, he turns to her and tells her that he likes to dress as a woman, wear women’s sweaters and undergarments. She's a little confused. She asks him if that means he doesn’t like sex with women. “No!” he tells her, he loves sex with women. She takes it in, and after a moment she acceptingly says, “Okay.” The lights go on, the ride starts up again, and they continue through the Spook House. It’s such a sweet moment of acceptance, the permission to be who we are. It’s so sweet and simple and so elegantly done.

Worst date: It was a first date and after he kissed me -- a sweet kiss -- he told me he was trying to kick heroin.

Celebrity crush: On this Valentine's I would have to choose Warren Oates. Tell me if you -- man or woman -- don't have a crush on him after seeing him in The Wild Bunch, Badlands, Cockfighter, and Two-Lane Blacktop.

Twitter: @elise_durant

Vivian Lamolli (Actress) East Los High

Hmm this is kind of a hard one because I've always managed somehow to not have a love interest on Cupid's Day of Love! But I guess I would have to go with 8th grade, a boy named Michael gave me an empty heart box :(...he had eaten all the chocolates!!!

A very particular breakup had me crushed around the holidays, and when Kelly Clarkson came out with her album My December I couldn't put it down. I realized that she was going through a really difficult breakup as well when she wrote the beautiful songs and it made me even closer to the words. Kelly, you helped me see the light girl!!!

Oooo there are just too many crushes I can't decide!!! But, forever and always Mr. Justin Timberlake will stand the test of time for me. I mean, what can't he do?? I tend to have talent crushes often and Justin's voice, dance skills, wit, and obvious gorgeous looks...well, damn God must have spent a little more time on you Jt!! Haha. Loving him since those *Nsync platinum blonde hair days, congratulations to little miss Jessica Biel!!

Twitter: @Vivalivin

Veronica Valencia (Actress) The Other Barrio

I don't think I've been on a really bad date on Valentine's, I've just been alone which is bad enough lol.... But the worst date?? This was a first date. I think he was really trying to impress me but was saying all the wrong things. All he talked about was material things. Like how he had a speed boat, Mercedes, etc... He went on to talk about how much money he made the previous year and how the current year he was going to surpass that amount. Maybe for most women they would've been impressed but I never returned his call or text again. Celebrity crush? ...Brad Pitt! Ever since I watched Legends of the Fall and A River Runs Through It I fell in love with the state of Montana. In fact, the main reason why I started dating my current boyfriend was because he was born and raised from Montana. So, I have to give Brad Pitt the credit there, Lol! I absolutely love nature. I love hiking and camping...Someday, Montana will be my home.

Twitter: @vluvsong

Written by Juan Caceres . LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...

Robert Pattinson and David Cronenberg ‘Maps to the Stars’ gets German distribution, Toronto screening Starring Robert Pattinson, Julianne Moore, John Cusack, and Mia Wasikowska, Maps to the Stars has found a German distributor. Screen Daily reports that Christian Meinke’s Mfa+ has acquired the rights to the David Cronenberg-directed Hollywood satire at the American Film Market, recently held in Santa Monica. Mfa+ also picked up Vincent Grashaw’s feature debut Coldwater and Tobias Lindholm’s Danish thriller A Hijacking / Kapringen, which has a similar premise to that of the Paul Greengrass and Tom Hanks hit Captain Phillips. (Photo: Robert Pattinson on the set of Maps to the Stars.) In Map to the Stars, John Cusack (replacing Viggo Mortensen) plays a Los Angeles analyst and self-help guru whose wife (Olivia Williams) is immersed in the career of their teen star son (Evan Bird), fresh off of rehab. Their daughter (Mia Wasikowska...

Check out the new teaser trailer and poster for the upcoming award-winning indie action-thriller Mission Park starring Jeremy Ray Valdez, Will Rothhaar, Walter Perez, Joseph Julian Soria, Vivica A. Fox and Sean Patrick Flanery.

In Mission Park, the ambitions of four childhood friends land them on opposite sides of the law. Rookie FBI agents Bobby (Valdez) and Julian (Rothhaar) must go undercover and face their hidden pasts in an attempt to bring down their best friends’ (Perez, Soria) criminal organization.

The film was written and directed by Bryan Ramirez, produced by Independent Spirit Award nominee Douglas Spain (Star Maps, HBO’s Band of Brothers), co-produced by David J. Phillips (Life Happens, Green Guys), and executive produced by national real estate mogul and former star of A&E’s ‘Flip This House’ Armando Montelongo. Spain and Phillips both have featured acting roles in the film as well. Mission Park is the...

From our Chicana from Chicago, Christine Davila:

I took in a few panels over the weekend down here at L.A. Film Fest that I really appreciated for sparking some provocative dialogue I am eager to continue throughout the Festival. I found it especially interesting how different the U.S. Latino and Black film communities are responding to their storytelling plight in talking about their respective representation in media. Meanwhile the lively Latino panel, which was perhaps the broadest in scope, was eloquent and skillfully led by L.A. Times’ Reed Johnson who brought a high level of articulation in his profesh moderating. As panel junkies know, a good moderator is key to an engaging panel and essential to keep it on point. Here are my takeaways on the three panels:us Latino Film Panel at Laff

The Blackhouse Foundation - The Art and Social Responsibility of Festival Programming – Sponsored by Bet

Moderated by Film Independent’s Lacma film curator and go-to festival moderator, Elvis Mitchell, I was particularly impressed at the messaging clarity and solidarity of the black film community’s efforts and goals for equal representation. The panelists were very tuned-in with monitoring their talent behind and in front of the camera, and in this case stressing the importance of festival curators, which was identified as one of three instrumental factors to enable their films getting out there.

Shari Frilot, Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival: There was much (due) love and props given to Frilot for her ardent and tireless championing of films of color at Sundance. She pointed out how after Lee Daniel’s breakout hit, Precious which premiered at 2009 Sundance and went on to win a couple Academy Awards, the next couple years it was the black films that were the first to be sold off the mountain including the dazzling lesbian coming of age film, Pariah. She questioned why this achievement was not picked up or lauded in the mainstream media. Its indeed curious and perhaps a telling point on the cultural gatekeeper front – (shortage of black critics and journalists?) Having witnessed Shari’s highly charged and articulate arguing for gloriously imperfect, fresh and raw films I respect how she truly changes the way the film programming conversation takes place by discussing films’ drive, potential and power. I aspire to “bring it” like she does in my own programming career. Acknowledging the personal efforts she puts in to make the festival seem accessible to filmmakers of color who may not bother putting Sundance on their radar, the idea of doing a black college tour came up.

Ava DuVernay, filmmaker (Middle of Nowhere) and founder of Affrm: DuVernay’s emotion for the topic at hand along with her experience from her publicist days and current roles as filmmaker and distributor made her a stirring contributor to the conversation. Ava thanked L.A. Film Festival Director Stephanie Allain for programming Middle of Nowhere as a gala screening which elevates her film with a high profile slot within the festival. A packed house at Wednesday’s gala screening will be quite significant to the black filmmaking community given the massive 800 seat theater and checking the L.A. Film Fest website its at Rush which will make for an exciting milestone! The winner of the Best Director Award at Sundance Film Festival shared her personal observations like being stunned to see empty seats at the black film screenings at Sundance which is unheard of in the notoriously hard-to-get tickets Festival. She mentioned that while she is frequently featured on Shadow and Act, the African Diaspora blog on the Indiewire network, she has never been on Indiewire’s main page. DuVernay expressed her desire to see more films that move and operate beyond ‘black bodies’.

There was mention of films touted as successful black films when they happen to be by non-black filmmakers. I can’t help but think the room was thinking about Gimme the Loot written and directed by Adam Leon and Beasts of the Southern Wild written and directed by Benh Zeitlin. Both films have been praised and celebrated for their poignant storytelling and vivid portrayal of their black protagonists’ lifestyles – and the filmmakers happen to be white Jewish New Yorkers. And both films were quickly picked up for distribution at their respective festival premieres. I have to admit that if we are talking about presenting positive representation in films my belief is that individually, these two films offer a lot as far as image conversion for eschewing mis-representation by avoiding stereotypes about black folks. There’s nobody smoking crack or perpetuating violent crime in Gimme the Loot, and in Beasts the poetic punch of self-sufficient little Hushpuppy in the die-hard persevering displaced fictional community that alludes to the forgotten 9th Ward post-Katrina, shows a triumph of spirit against the government and society’s response efforts following the devastating natural catastrophe in the dominantly affected marginalized population.

Bradford Young, cinematographer (Middle of Nowhere, Pariah, Restless City): A Howard University alumus, the in-demand cinematographer more gently echoed Ava’s sentiment about the limited accessibility and representation of black filmmakers but I feel he gave a bit more benefit of the doubt to black films by non-black filmmakers by his eloquent word of choice to weigh the debate; “Intention”. The way he talks about his own cinematic approach is greatly influenced by the intention of the story and point of view. A NY Times article recently featured the cinematographer and made note of his full frame and close up shots in Middle of Nowhere. Indeed the luscious and texture he brings to shooting skincolor sticks out in my mind having seen it at Sundance. Bradford is one cool cat with lots of soul. All panelists agreed and were especially thankful for his eyes.

Roya Rastegar, Ph.D, Festival Programmer: Inventive cinematography, curation by more females and people of color and innovative distribution were three ways Rastegar outlined to help minority filmmakers distinguish their work and get seen by the public. I would love to get my hands on her dissertation, History of Consciousness (here’s a taste) in which she investigates the role of festivals in shaping marginalized culture. Armed with such interesting facts on the history of film festivals, (did you know Stalin created the first film festival?) Rastegar added a lot of context to the origins and current state of film festivals. She also shared the behind the scenes conversations of film programmers when talking about films of color and the rueful tendency to dismiss these films because they aren’t so called ‘good enough’. She made no hesitation in pointing out that Tribeca Film Festival did not have one single black film in competition this year.

U.S. Latino Cinema: Welcome to the Bi-Literate Future - Presented by San Antonio Film Commission and Afci (Association of Film Commissions International)

I had the privilege of participating on this panel which was prefaced by a Univision spot highlighting their new campaign efforts of reaching a bi-lingual audience. In it, an old woman recalls being prevented from speaking her language as a child in school and then we cut to today’s young U.S. Latino man who flips from Spanish to English talking about his liking alternative band, The Strokes as much as Spanish-language pop rock band, Juanes.

What it was about: Our Latino population in the U.S. is now more than ever embracing a bi-lingual, or more importantly, a bi-literate culture. Will films reflect the changing demographic of the U.S. as a bi-literate (a Spanish and English language culture) be commercially successful and be able to find an audience? And perhaps more importantly, will the studio system be able to adapt to the successful strategies many in the independent world are using to create commercially viable content?

Douglas Spain (Star Maps, Walkout, Band of Brothers) is used to wearing multiple hats and so acted as both panelist and moderator. Spain offered up his experience as an actor/producer/director as a gay latino filmmaker who has successfully worked in independent film and studio and television mediums. His quest for staying true to himself with the roles and films he is making rang resonant to all.

Ralph Lopez, San Antonio filmmaker: The producer of Wolf which premiered at this year’s SXSW talked about his aim is to create and tell stories that transcend color. Like his provocative film about the complexities faced by the victim of a bishop’s inappropriate behavior, his collaborations with director black filmmaker Ya Ke Smith comes first and foremost from a place of telling moving stories.

Gabriela Tagliavini, filmmaker (Ladies Night, Without Men, The Mule: Having had big success with Spanish language film Ladies Night in 2006, Gabriela switched languages and directed Eva Longoria in the English language film,Without Men which sold to many international territories given Longoria’s international brand name. With her upcoming film, The Mule she is looking to take advantage of the crime action genre and star Sharon Stone to offer real commentary on immigration and the dangerous toll of the U.S. Mexico border.

Luis Reyes, historian and author of the comprehensive book, Hispanics in Hollywood: The old school gent on our panel made some slightly more conventional suggestions on how to make a successful bi-literate film like “know your audience” and attaching a well known actor to your film so you can market it.

I added my two cents and in retrospect I think my thoughts coincided with Rastegar’s in the proactive vein of here’s what we can-do positive approach of encouraging budding filmmakers to utilize genre (horror and gay U.S. Latino films stand out from the stack and are sought after by festival programs). I also asked my fellow panelists if they found the U.S. Latino filmmaking community as fragmented as I see it. Unlike Black or Lgbt film organizations I feel the U.S. Latino community has much more work in becoming inclusive within our distinct bi-lingual backgrounds in order to successfully empower and advocate for our films. Organizations like Nalip and Laliff were mentioned in answer. But in my opinion and with all respect, I find Nalip a bit cliquesh and lacking a younger pulse and generation of organizers, and Laliff is too inconsistent to make fundamental cultural change. Although we touched on the question of the challenges our community faces working in Spanish versus English I’m not sure we fully stayed on point in attempting to answer the ambitious subject and interesting talking points raised. But the audience seemed more the type of wanting basic advice on how to break into filmmaking so most questions and conversations was directed to the filmmakers on the panels and in that regard it was a successful exchange.

Café Latino presented by HBO and supported by University of Guadalajara Foundation

Made evident by the participating film clips that were shown before the panel there is much genre and story diversity in the Latino films at L.A. Film Fest this year. I’m especially happy the Festival recognizes the growing influence of the Mexican documentary by having selected Reportero by Bernardo Ruiz, Caniculaby Jose Alvarez and Drought by Evererdo Gonzalez. The panel was ostensibly about the Festival’s Latin American filmmakers and how they explore their roles as storytellers in an increasingly global world. With such a high number of panelists and so many interesting topics broached however, it left one wanting more time to engage with the personable talents onstage.

Reed Johnson encouraged the panelists to chime in at will which Alejandro Brugues, director of Cuban Zombie film, Juan of the Dead took full advantage of to defend big hollywood films like The Avengers, which Gonzalez initially brought up if only to point out the David and Goliath challenge filmmakers in Mexico face having to compete for screens against these big money backed blockbusters. Brugues set himself apart from the group by defending his love for the blockbuster which inspired him to direct films. Unlike his peers’ ‘artful’ films he considers his film strictly for public entertainment (he joked that his film is actually a documentary). Yet at the same time he admits he took advantage of the Zombie genre a la Romero to infuse it with his personal observations of contemporary Cuban society – which he would not have been able to shoot in Cuba otherwise.

Meanwhile Arturo Pons who was born in Mexico but has lived and worked in Spain for the past ten years described his conception for his surreal satire, The Compass is Carried by the Dead Man not necessarily about immigration but a visual canvas with which to paint the total disorientation that confronts Mexico. Ruiz talked about seeing himself as a ‘translator’ or vessel to tell stories. Alvarez talked about how he does not think of his audience as he makes his films however he does aspire to showcase Mexico Profundo in showing the vast and vibrant indigenous artistry and folklore and deliberately resisting the the media’s monopolized perpetuation of the drug violence and corruption. Lastly, Dominga Sotomayor, the 27 year old director of Thursday till Sunday whose next film Tarde Para Morir was selected to the first ever Sundance Mahindra Screenwriters Lab, added that like Mexico, in Chile there is a growing number of filmmakers but no real venues to find their audience.

L.A. Film Festival is going on through Sunday and a bunch of added screenings have been slotted. Check out film guide and buy tickets here.

Here is last week's caption pic winner. This week's caption pic is at the bottom of the page.

Thanks to everyone for participating! The winner is ...

"We're here! We're steer! Get used to it!."

Thanks to Luke for this week's winning caption!

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka at the reception celebrating the release of the limited edition fine art photography of Alan Cumming.

Weekend Birthdays! (Note: Birthday shoutouts are for out entertainers, allies, or for any celeb that seems to have a following on Ae). Rick Schroder is 42, Loretta Lynn is 80, Julie Christie is 71, Sarah Michelle Gellar is 35, newly out Douglas Spain is 38, Seth Rogen is 30, and the out Samantha Fox, one of the most faboo pop tarts of all time, is 46. What are your fave Sam songs? Here are mine: 5. "I Only Wanna Be With You." 4. "Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)," 3. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now," 2. "I Wanna Have Some Fun,...

Here is last week's caption pic winner. This week's caption pic is at the bottom of the page.

Thanks to everyone for participating! The winner is ...

"Oh wonderful; Rocky Horror Picture Show will have a special Easter tribute for the freakishly horrid Playboy Club.."

Thanks to David for this week's winning caption!

Weekend Birthdays! (Note: Birthday shoutouts are for out entertainers, allies, or for any celeb that seems to have a following on Ae). Justin Hartley (above) is 35, Keith Olbermann is 53, Alan Cumming is 47, Mo Rocca is 43, Elijah Wood is 31, Ariel Winter is 14, Ann Jillian is 62, Oprah is 58, Sara Gilbert is 37, Greg Louganis is 52, and Adam Lambert is 30. With only one album, a top five might be difficult, but here are my picks: 5. "For Your Entertainment." 4. "If I Can't Have You" (From American Idol), 3. "Better Than I Know Myself," 2. "Time For Miracles," 1. "Mad World" (From American Idol).

Bon Voyage to Ed Kennedy,...

Lakeshore Records has announced a soundtrack release for the American Flyer. The album includes the film’s score composed by Mark Kilian (Tsotsi, Rendition, John Carpenter’s The Ward). The soundtrack will be released digitally on July 5, 2011. Audio clips will be added closer the album’s release date. American Flyer is directed by Mark Christensen and centers on a young Mexican boy whose father is killed crossing the Us border and creates a flying machine to take him to Los Angeles. The film starring Danny Trejo and Douglas Spain will be released on DVD on July 5. To find out more about the project, visit the official movie website.

Here’s the album track list:

1. Oh, I’ll Set You Free

2. Bienvenidos a Tijuana

3. Illegal Immigrant Guide Pt. 1

4. Jesus de Rosarito

5. Fate in a Pamphlet

6. Tijuana Tire Run

7. Flying Machine

8. Let the Building Begin

9. Maria’s Story

10. Illegal Immigrant Guide Pt.

We've been without a new episode of Brothers & Sisters for a few weeks, but it'll return on Sunday, April 10th at at 9 Pm Est with back-to-back episodes.

Here's the synopsis for the first part, "Olivia's Choice," and it's bad news for Scotty and Kevin.

When Olivia's brother shows up and sets out to gain custody of her from Kevin and Scotty, the Walkers struggle amongst themselves to determine what's best for Olivia.

Well, at least Kevin, Scotty, and Olivia got one episode where they were a happy family. Btw, Olivia's brother is played by actor Douglas Spain, who played a memorable young hustler in the movie Star Maps.

"So I put this 'food' you speak of ... in here?"

"I'm back for some reason!"

"Am I really undateable?"

"Why am I so out of focus?"

"You probably vaguely know me from stuff"

"Damn! They're strip searching Scotty again"

"It's your choice who to go with,...

Barnaby Barrilla attends Confession of a Gangster Hollywood industry screening.Photo copyright Emiley Schweich / PR Photos. Jeremy Ray Valdez, Douglas Spain, Walter Perez, Bryan Ramirez attend Confession of a Gangster Hollywood industry screening.Photo copyright Emiley Schweich / PR Photos. Confession of a Gangster Hollywood industry screening.Photo copyright Emiley Schweich / PR Photos. Barnaby Barrilla attends Confession of a Gangster Hollywood industry screening.Photo copyright Emiley Schweich / PR Photos. Alvaro Orlando attends Confession of a Gangster Hollywood industry screening.Photo copyright Emiley Schweich / PR Photos. 12/15/2010 - Kareen Elsobkey - "Confession of a Gangster" Hollywood Industry Screening - Arrivals - Raleigh Studios - Hollywood, CA, USA © Emiley Schweich / PR Photos 12/15/2010 - Denzel...

Movie Info: Writer: David Veloz, Jerry Stahl Director: David Veloz Cast: Ben Stiller, Maria Bello, Spencer Garrett, Owen Wilson, Elizabeth Hurley, Lourdes Benedicto, Fred Willard, Liz Torres, Charles Fleischer, Cheryl Ladd, Janeane Garofalo, Douglas Spain, Connie Nielsen, Jerry Stahl, Sandra Oh Rating: R Studio: Lionsgate Release Info: Theatrical Release: September 16, 1998 DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008 Online Availability: Amazon Who knew that Ben [...]ShareThis...

James Earl Jones is reteaming with his Roots: The Next Generations director Georg Stanford Brown for the Hallmark Channel original movie The Reading Room. The movie centers on a widower (Jones) who opens a reading room -- a library of sorts where he teaches people how to read -- in a lower-income neighborhood to honor his wife's dying request. But he encounters problems when the room becomes a target for street thugs, who later burn it down. Room co-stars Keith Robinson (Fat Albert, NBC's American Dreams), Joanna Cassidy (HBO's Six Feet Under), Lynne Moody (ABC's General Hospital), Douglas Spain (HBO's Band of Brothers) and Gabby Soleil (Johnson Family Vacation). Brown, who is set to direct Room, will take the role of a minister in the movie, which is targeted to premiere during Thanksgiving.

For anyone who has ever wondered why there's often no evidence of human life next to those phantom "Maps to Stars' Homes" signs, first-time feature writer-director Miguel Arteta has come up with an intriguing explanation.

His "Star Maps" puts forth the theory that one such Hollywood operation is actually a front for prostitution; that the signs often serve as helpful markers for those seeking the companionship of young Latino men.

Beyond the original premise, however, the rest of Arteta's film is sabotaged by weak, arch writing and some shaky performances.

The provocative, controversial plot line combined with a little Sundance festival buzz will no doubt point the way to some art house business, but it's unlikely "Star Maps" will emerge as the breakthrough hit Fox Searchlight is banking on.

Fresh-faced Douglas Spain, in his feature debut, plays Carlos, an 18-year-old Antonio Banderas wannabe who arrives in Los Angeles from Mexico to join his dysfunctional family and to follow his dreams.

A few obstacles become readily apparent as we discover Carlos' older sister Maria (Lysa Flores) has her hands full with a lazy goofball of a brother (Vincent Chandler) and a mother (Martha Velez) who's making an uncertain recovery from a nervous breakdown. Worse, Carlos is being pimped by his bullying father, Pepe (Efrain Figueroa), who adds the young man to his ring of young male hustlers.

Among his numerous male and female encounters, Carlos meets up with the insatiable Jennifer (Kandeyce Jorden), a popular but bored TV actress who promises him a part on her nighttime soap. As Carlos becomes drawn into her world, his relationship with his abusive father worsens, leading to predictable results.

Arteta serves up an awkward blend of fantasy, dark humor and melodrama that seldom transmits the intended tone. The written characterizations, meanwhile, are cut from stock cloth, and the lack of acting experience of many of the leads doesn't help matters. The notable exceptions are veteran actress-singer Velez as the family's eccentric but ineffectual mother and busy actor Figueroa as the nasty dad, both of whom manage to inject some much-needed shading into the parts.

Flores, meanwhile, who doubles as the picture's musical director, demonstrates an affecting honesty in her acting debut as Carlos' benevolent sister.

On the more satisfying tech end, leading Mexican cinematographer Chuy Chavez does some vivid work on his first U.S. feature, while Flores oversees a generous sampling of rock en Espanol that helps keep the pace percolating.

STAR MAPS

Fox Searchlight

Director-screenwriter:Miguel Arteta

Producer:Matthew Greenfield

Story:Miguel Arteta, Matthew Greenfield

Executive producers:Esther Shapiro, Chris Iovenko, Scott King, Mitchell Kelly, Beth Colt

Director of photography:Chuy Chavez

Editors:Jeff Betancourt, Tom McArdle, Tony Selzer

Production designer:Carol Strober

Musical director:Lysa Flores

Casting:Belinda Gardea

Color/stereo

Cast:

Carlos:Douglas Spain

Pepe:Efrain Figueroa

Jennifer:Kandeyce Jorden

Teresa:Martha Velez

Maria:Lysa Flores

Letti:Annette Murphy

Running time -- 95 minutes

MPAA rating: R...