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By Vanessa Beatriz Soto

Jaycee Dugard, survivor of childhood abduction and sexual enslavement, has filed a complaint against the United States Government alleging that it was negligence in supervising her abductor, Phillip Garrido's parole which made it possible for him to keep her imprisoned in a tent for nearly two decades.

Although he was supposedly under watch by the Federal government as a condition of his release from Leavenworth Federal Prison, convicted sex offender Garrido managed to kidnap 11 year old Jaycee Dugard in 1991, and keep her imprisoned for 18 years in his back yard, fathering two daughters during her captivity.

It came to light that a series of serious missteps and oversights by law enforcement authorities kept Dugard from being rescued. By the time she re-emerged in 2009 she was nearly thirty years of age. These embarrassing errors included:

- The coincidence of the location with Dugard's kidnapping with that of Katherine Callaway, the victim whose 1976 abduction and assault put Garrido in prison in the first place.

- A call from a tipster who saw Jaycee staring at her own Missing Child poster at a gas station located less than two miles from the Garrido residence

- A documented fire department response to a report of an injured child at the Garrido residence, never related to the parole office, though Garrido was a known child sex offender.

- A 911 call from the Garrido's neighbors reporting troubling behavior and noting the presence of children in tents in the property's back yard.

Parole Officers reported meeting a 12 year old girl in the Garrido home, but failed to follow up on Garrido's claim that the child was his brother's daughter, again, though Garrido was a known sex offender, and was under parole following his release from prison on an abduction and rape conviction.

Do you think Jaycee Dugard deserves compensation for these mistakes?

Tags blogger: Vanessa Beatriz Soto

By Michael Lopez

Perhaps Prince Royce rubbed off a bit on his former duet partner, Daddy Yankee. Just a few day after Royce debuted his crossover English single "Addicted," El Big Boss went ahead and Americanized his massive Spanish hit, "Ven Conmigo!"

Now as we all know, Royce was a big part of "Conmigo" too and you can still hear him on the English version. But Yankee has also added Adrienne Bailon to throw in English lyrics and we have to admit, they're pretty darn catchy.

Co-written by Ne-Yo (who's fresh off Pitbull’s smash "Give Me Everything"), the new version goes by the title "Come With Me" and is full of the same thumping bass, autotune, and tropical rhythms you remember. DY also tossed out some interesting rhyme translations to keep things interesting.

"Ven Conmigo" has cracked the Top 10 on Billboard’s Tropical, Rhythm, and Latin Pop categories and we're feeling pretty confident that "Come With Me" may do the same for the English charts. Hopefully Big Boss and Prince can create another colorful video to go along with it!

What’s your favorite Daddy Yankee song? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Adrienne Bailon, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Come With Me, Daddy Yankee, Hot Stuff, Música, Prince Royce, Ven Conmigo

By Ikam Acosta

Ready for your Friday scandal, boys and girls? Rumor has it that tabloid villain Ojani Noa is now claiming him and Jennifer Lopez are still married.

Noa says the marriage was never terminated and the whole divorce was a fraud orchestrated by Jennifer without any say on his part. He insists the divorce never took place and is demanding that a Florida court open the case to decide their fate once and for all.

Oh, and he wants 10 million dollars to be done with all this, and for all the pain and suffering. Seriously? Let's hope this is really a publicity stunt on his part and JLo doesn't have to pay him a penny. This guy sounds like a real sleaze ball.

This attention whore recently made the news when he announced he was posing for Playgirl magazine. Although his reasons were purely to show off his buff bod, we're convinced he just wants to steal more attention from his famous former wife.

I'm just wondering why he brought all this up now and not before. Perhaps his last grasp at the spotlight failed, when he tried to publish the former couple's private videos filmed during their short 11-month marriage.

Noa went on El Gordo y la Flaca to say that JLo forced the whole divorce thing, without his consent. He says the divorce "fue todo pagado por ella y todo fue planificado por ella," and everything has pretty much been a fraud.

Do you believe his claim that they are still married, or do you think this wannabe is just full of hot air?

Tags Blogger: Ikam Acosta, Celebrity Couples, Celebrity Divorce, Chisme, Jennifer Lopez, Ojani Noa

By Michael Lopez

C'mon admit it. It's fun to see an actor branch out beyond his "comfort zone." For the past three years, we've seen Taylor Lautner do nothing but brood in the never-ending stream of Twilight flicks. But with this week's Abduction movie, he's getting to flex his action chops and he actually pulls it off rather well.

Granted Taylor has quite a competent cast to back him up. Abduction features the established talents of Sigourney Weaver, Harry Potter’s Jason Isaacs, and, one of our personal faves, Alfred Molina. It's also got a very skilled auteur in the director's seat, namely Boyz N The Hood’s John Singleton.

But the true star of this movie is Lautner, going through the motions of rage, fear, and sadness as he watches his world turn upside down. Taylor plays the role of Nathan Price, a seemingly normal teen who soon discovers he was "abducted" as a child.

Mixing a nice bit of mystery and suspense, Abduction lets the audience share in Nathan's confusion. After seeing his picture on a missing kids website, this seemingly all-American teen has to reevaluate his normal parents and the entire life he knew.

Was he really kidnapped? Are the people who raised him secretly evil? And could there be even more nefarious characters looking to get their hands on the secrets Nathan holds? That's the premise that sets this movie on a fast-paced adventure across speeding trains, massive explosions, and an epic grand finale at Pittsburgh's PNC Park.

Obviously we don't want to give too much away, other than to say that Abduction is a fun thriller that's sure to appeal to Twilight fans and action movie buffs alike. Sure Lautner is no Shakespearean thespian, but he does a great job beating up bad guys and could have a solid future in the shoot-em-up genre.

Bottom line: It's doubtful that you'll be adding Abduction to your DVD library anytime soon. But if you're looking to escape for 90 minutes (and love watching car chases and explosions), this is definitely a solid pick. Taylor's a likeable presence in this and so is his up-and-coming costar Lily Collins (who happens to be a rockstar's daughter).

Are you planning on watching Abduction? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Abduction, Alfred Molina, Blogger: Michael Lopez, John Singleton, Lily Collins, Movie Reviews, Movies & CineMás, Taylor Lautner, Twilight

By Harry Pagancoss

Before you run out to watch movies like Crazy Stupid Love, with  Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore, to learn about the ways of seduction, maybe you should master your trivia knowledge on chocolate. I promise you it will be helpful at some point during some romantic night in real life.

Oh…the food of the gods. I mean chocolate is the food of the gods, or at least that is how it is known by its scientific name: Theobroma cacao. Being the food of supreme beings, don't you think we ought to get some of those supernatural powers trickled down to us when we eat chocolate?

We have all heard about chocolate's possible power to improve women's mood at that special time of the month. Chocolate also provides iron, calcium, zinc, copper, chromium and vitamins E, B1 and B2, among other minerals and nutrients.  Cacao, the source of chocolate, comes from America and it was used by native peoples for centuries as currency, even after the arrival of the Spanish. It appears that the Aztecs and Mayans knew how valuable the chocolate is. Could it be now the currency to buy love?

Chocolate is excellent to combat sadness, anxiety and irritability because it contains theobromine, caffeine and theophylline.  Here are some of chocolate’s best qualities:

-Increases libido in women (in women, not men!): A study in Italy found that women who like to eat chocolate have healthier sexual appetites. Chocolate has always been considered an aphrodisiac and it is true!

-Depression tamer for all:  Chocolate helps us to feel better and it is proven to enhance mood, especially in times of seasonal “autumn or winter blues.”

-It helps the heart: Besides helping us flirt with someone, as shown in the movie Chocolat, chocolate contains flavonoids, which help to prevent and disease and keep our heart and arteries in shape.

-Rich in antioxidants: Cocoa has high levels of magnesium, which helps to keep our tissues healthier.

Don’t go eating pounds of chocolate now. Remember that everything must be done with moderation. The darker the chocolate, the better it is for you. I like a good chocolate with 70% cacao. It is strong, but if you get good quality, it can be very creamy and delicious.

How about going to a nice chocolate shop and treating yourself to some godly sweetness? Maybe you can buy some love by giving some chocolate truffles to a special someone. Or, you can try one of my recipes, like the Petit Gateau: a chocolatey mini cake with a soft creamy chocolate center that will ooze out when you dip your fork in it (a.k.a. Lava Cake). Now, that is worth some loving.

What is your favorite memory involving chocolate? Leave your comments!

Tags Aphrodisiac, Chocolate, Crazy Stupid Love, Harry Pagancoss, Ryan Gosling

By Michael Lopez

If you were ever thinking of taking a trip to Rio de Janeiro, now may be the time to do it. Brazil's massive Rock In Rio festival is kicking off on Friday and it promises seven days of nonstop music madness. The planet's most popular artists are all ascending to South America to blow the roof off Olympic Village stadium. Expect performances from Rihanna, Guns N' Roses, Maná, and tons more!

Over 700,000 people have already bought tickets to the event, which will feature nearly 100 artists. Set to be held at Brazil's "City of Rock," the venue is actually a brand new construction that will later be used for the 2016 Olympic Games. And if you ask organizer Roberta Medina, the more room they can provide for the fans, the better!

"Rock in Rio is to Brazil what Woodstock was to the world!" she enthusiastically said.

The first Rock in Rio took place back in 1985 and attracted an audience of 1.4 million. Classic artists like Queen, AC/DC, and Rod Stewart highlighted the festival back then. But now, fans are getting a much wider blend of music.

The organizers did a very admirable job of mixing both current and classic rockers when setting the roster. Fans of old school music will get to experience artists like Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Modern day metal heads can get their “headbang” on to songs from Metallica and Slipknot. And for all of you who prefer a little Latin twist to your guitar solos, Shakira and Maná will not disappoint.

Katy Perry will actually be the headliner kicking off the festivities on Friday night. And don't let her "California Gurl" demeanor fool you, Katy has had huge chart success throughout Latin America and may even break out some Spanish lyrics during her prime time set. The Brazilian Symphonic Orchestra will also be on hand opening night, giving the first evening quite a bit of range.

Throughout the week, audiences will see performances from Coldplay, Rihanna, Ke$ha, and plenty more. And to close it all up on October 10, Rock in Rio is bringing back an old fave. Guns N' Roses (who first appeared at the festival back in 1991) will be belting out classic '80s hits alongside the newly reunited System of a Down!

For everyone who can't make it, don't worry. The organizers are so confident about the success of this year's event that they've already confirmed Rock in Rio lineups for the next four years!

Which Rock in Rio artists would you most like to see live? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Brazil, Coldplay, Elton John, Guns N' Roses, Hot Stuff, Katy Perry, Mana, Música, Music Festivals, Rihanna, Rio, Rock in Río, Rock in Rio Festival, Shakira, System of a Down

By Michael Lopez

Fall is creeping up on us and so is "Oscar" movie season. One of the more noteworthy mainstream films to fall into that category is this week's release, Moneyball. Written by The Social Network’s Aaron Sorkin and starring Brad Pitt (in a very heartfelt performance), it's definitely one to put on your radar.

Part of what makes this movie so intriguing is the fact that it's based on a true story. And these aren't some random small-town characters we're focusing on here, Moneyball recounts the record-breaking 2002 season of the Oakland A's!

Obviously baseball fans are going to embrace this movie. It's got great characterizations of real MLB stars like David Justice, Scott Hatterberg, and Carlos Peña. But Moneyball’s engaging plot transcends the world of sports and, at its core, it's an uplifting story about overcoming challenges and valuing those close to you.

Brad Pitt definitely knocks it out of the park (no pun intended) with his role as A's general manager, Billy Beane. A former outfielder for the New York Mets, Beane's journey from washed up slugger to world-renowned baseball strategist is fascinating. Pitt actually approaches the character from a subtle perspective, but shows definite emotion in scenes relating to Billy's family and home life.

Comic actor Jonah Hill also deserves some credit for showing his range in a heavily dramatic part. Hill plays Beane's right-hand-man and the statistician who helps him "rethink" the way of organizing a baseball team. Rather than spend money on big names, Billy finds a way to create the perfect low cost combination of players for the Oakland dugout.

Yes, hardcore sports fans will notice some "artistic liberties" taken with Moneyball. It may not follow the exact details of the A's 2002 season (and, to be honest, Brad looks nothing like the real-life Billy Beane), but it's entertaining, it's moving, and it will definitely encourage non-baseball fans to read up more on the sport.

Bottom line: There are some wonderful life lessons to be taken from Moneyball. Just like all great sports movies (including Warrior from a few weeks ago), it creates engaging underdog characters that you really find yourself rooting for. But rather than go for the cliché "ultra-happy" Hollywood ending, Moneyball stays grounded in reality and definitely makes you eager to learn more about the great Billy Beane!

What's your favorite sports movie? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Baseball, Billy Beane, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Moneyball, Movie Reviews, Movies & CineMás, Oakland A's, Sports

By Michael Lopez

Keep your eyes on the celebrity baby blogs, you may see Sara Ramirez' name popping up there in the very near future. The newly-engaged Grey’s Anatomy star recently opened up to Latina about her strong desire to have children.

"I'm definitely thinking about [having kids]—I will say that," she said. "I'm thinking about it, and I'm really taking it very seriously, because I feel that when you bring a child into the world, it's a very, very big responsibility."

Sara also revealed that age is playing a major factor in her decision. Though not old by any means, the 36-year-old actress did admit that she's aware of her biological clock and even said that she could "hear it ticking."

But for now, it seems like Ramirez is putting first things first. Namely, a boda with new fiancée, Ryan Debolt. No new details were revealed about the big date yet, but we're hoping to see her in that gorgeous white wedding dress very soon!

What do you think is the perfect age to have kids? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Baby Chisme, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Celebrities, Chisme, Ryan Debolt, Sara Ramirez, Weddings

By Michael Lopez

Universal Pictures announced some very exciting Scarface sequel news this week. But before you start thinking Tony Montana Jr., be warned. Their newest "re-imagining" of the franchise will involve all new characters and possibly new culturas.

History buffs will know that the 1983 Scarface movie was based on an earlier version released in 1932. Though the general story of a gun-toting immigrant was the same, much got changed when Al Pacino stepped into the starring role.

This new Scarface will follow that same formula. Universal execs are confirming that the revamp will focus on "a twisted version of the American dream." They may even take the same premise and apply it to immigrants from the Middle East, Russia, or beyond.

But, it is important to note that 1983's Scarface producer Martin Bregman is involved the project and surely he knows how popular Tony Montana has become. So we're very hopeful that at least some remnants of the Cuban anti-hero will remain intact.

Who would you like to see play the new Scarface? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Hot Stuff, Movies & CineMás, Scarface, Universal Pictures

By Michael Lopez

Ever since she first burst on the scene, teen star Victoria Justice has proudly proclaimed her Puerto Rican heritage. Her mother and grandmother come from a long line of strong Latinas and she was proud to show them off via Twitter for Hispanic Heritage Month.

"Just finished a hispanic heritage month promo for @NickelodeonTV w/ my great g-ma & my mom. It's going 2 be cute, look!" she posted.

Looking at the three generations of Justice, it’s easy to see where Victoria gets her striking good looks! But the HHM festivities are just part of how she's been spending her very busy week.

Justice is also in the middle of filming her Nick show Victorious, posing for pictures on Girl’s Life magazine, and recording hit singles. Her latest release, "Almost Paradise," is a remake of a 1980's classic and will be featured on the new Footloose soundtrack.

We're sure she's making mom and grandma very proud!

Do you ever post abuelita pix on your Facebook and Twitter accounts? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, footloose, Hispanic Heritage Month, Hot Stuff, victoria justice, Victorious