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By Michael Lopez

Ready for another excelente "El Headliner?" The fans have spoken yet again and this month, they've crowned Miami local Xcelencia as their winner. And the reggaeton roof raiser seemed very touched by the honor, as he told us in an exclusive interview.

"It felt great learning that I had been chosen as 'El Headliner'," he explained. "I hope to use this success to my advantage and help spread the word about my music. The goal of my music is to Americanize reggaeton. I want to help bring respect to the genre and I want people to see what a great genre it is."

Clearly Xcelencia takes his music very seriously. The half-Cuban, half-Puerto Rican maestro has been creating original sounds for years, first as a DJ and later as a one-man reggaeton band.

"I started out in music when I was very young," he said. "At first I was interested in DJ'ing, but then I became fascinated by production and creating my own original songs. I also love the fact that I can express myself through my lyrics."

Xcelencia was actually born in Puerto Rico and divided younger years between the island and Orlando. Growing up amid two cultures, he was able to incorporate quite a lot of flavor into his songs.

"Being raised between the states and Puerto Rico, I was exposed to a lot of great music," he added. "I've been influenced by everything from hip/hop, to pop, to R&B and reggaeton. Artists like Daddy Yankee and Don Omar were huge influences."

And clearly Xcelencia wasn't just enamored with performers. He told us music production is a passion of his too and he was able to implement it into his latest single, "Gravedad."

"I'm really proud of 'Gravedad' because I was involved in the whole process of the song. I wrote it, I produced it, everything to do with that project came strictly from me."

He went on to add how his passion for excellence helped garner him his now famous stage name.

"It's funny, people in the studio started calling me Xcelencia," he told us. "The 'X' part of it sounded cool, so I went with it and it stuck!"

And as far as Xcelencia's future is concerned, he's confident that he will be an "El Headliner" to remember. Currently he's working on his first full-length album, followed by high concept videos and a live show.

You can follow Xcelencia's happenings but keeping up with his official website.

Have you heard "Gravedad" yet? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, El Headliner, Exclusive Entrevistas, Gravedad, Música, Ourstage, Reggaeton, Tr3s Exclusives, Xcelencia

By Michael Lopez

It seems like Mel Gibson has had quite a few “comeback films” in recent years, but none of them seem to stick. There was the 2010 thriller Edge of Darkness which failed to impress, Jodie Foster’s The Beaver which came and went and now the Latino-tinged action flick Get The Gringo. Will it strike a chord with audiences? The team behind it sure hopes so.

“This movie was a great experience for us,” producer Stacy Perskie told fans at a recent Q&A for the film. “We surrounded ourselves with a great team and put together something we really like.”

Chisme feelings aside, the Get The Gringo trailer does deliver in the action department. It also incorporates a huge group of Latino talent, including The Sitter’s Kevin Hernandez as Mel’s young sidekick and noted Spanish actor Daniel Gimenez Cacho as the cold-hearted villain.

“I personally had a blast making this movie,” Kevin said. “Mel was hilarious on the set and he taught me a lot of things.”

Gibson himself made an appearance at the event, which was surprising considering the latest controversies he’s been dealing with. Flashing a big smile for the fans, the 56-year-old star answered all kinds of questions about this latest project.

“I think audiences are going to have a lot of fun with this movie,” he told the crowd. “It’s got a lot of good action and it definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously.”

Though Mel produced and co-wrote the movie, he handed the directing reigns over to longtime associate Adrian Grunberg. Gibson called Grunberg “the best” and even tried to make a lighthearted joke about his Jewish religion (which didn’t go over well). Despite it all, Adrian continued to sing Mr. Gringo’s praises.

“I think Mel’s great,” he said. “He’s been a big influence on me and I’ve worked with him for six years. To get the opportunity to do Get The Gringo literally put me on cloud nine.”

Due to Mel’s shaky reputation, Gringo is skipping theaters and headed straight to DirecTV. You can see how well he fares in Latin America when it arrives on TV screens May 1.

Do you think Mel Gibson can resurrect his film career? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Adrian Grunberg, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Chisme, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, DirecTV, Exclusive Entrevistas, Get The Gringo, Kevin Hernandez, Mel Gibson, Movies & CineMás, Stacy Perskie, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

Looking for a fun horror-esque alternative to Katniss and The Hunger Games? Then you may want to check out this week’s release, The Raven. A fictional re-imagining of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe, it’s got plenty of moments that’ll get you jumping in your seats.

“I was really impressed with the concept of this movie,” director James McTeigue told us at a recent press junket. “It’s kind of like this fantastical blend of fact and fiction.”

Indeed, The Raven hones in on the last few days of the famed writer’s life (taking several creative liberties along the way). Poe is actually the lead character in the film and has to help police solve a rash of grizzly murders.

“No one really knows what happened to Poe during the last five days of his life,” producer Aaron Ryder explained. “There are a lot of theories out there and we tried to weave them into the movie.”

The filmmakers also weaved in a dangerous serial killer, who stages his crimes based on Edgar Allan’s stories. And that’s where literature fans will have the most fun, as tidbits from all of Poe’s novels are used to track the crimes.

“Every high school kid is given Poe to read,” producer Mark Evans told us. “I read The Tell-Tale Heart and it blew my mind. I think this movie will work because people are familiar with Poe. We tried to weave as many of his stories into the movie as possible.”

The producers also made a shrewd choice in tapping James for the director slot. Known for his cult hit V For Vendetta, the Australian-born auteur has a keen visual sense that fits perfectly with the darker source material.

“If you’re going to make a movie about Poe, you can’t really hold anything back,” McTeigue said. “I know some people may be repelled a little by the gore, but this is exactly how Poe would have done it.”

Ryder agreed and promised horror fans quite a lot of chilling scenes.

“There was never going to be a PG-13 version of this movie,” he proudly said. “Poe’s stories embrace the edge between life and death. He tended to embrace the dark side, which we knew going in.”

Throw in a charismatic leading man like John Cusack to play the tortured author and you’ve got quite a compelling flick on your hands. You can see just how dark The Raven gets when it soars into theaters this Friday.

Are you a fan of Edgar Allan Poe's works? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Aaron Ryder, Books, Edgar Allan Poe, Exclusive Entrevistas, James McTeigue, John Cusack, Mark Evans, Movies & CineMás, The Raven, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

Romance fans are in for a big treat this weekend with the opening of The Lucky One. Not only does it come from the mind of Notebook writer Nicholas Sparks, it's got two very sexy leads. Both Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling took some time to talk to us about what fans can expect from this latest big screen love fest.

"I feel like getting the chance to be in this movie was an amazing opportunity," Taylor said. "I know Nicholas Sparks' books very well and I'm a big fan of everything he's done."

Schilling plays Beth in the film, a struggling single mom whose brother was recently killed in Iraq. Efron's character happens to be a military vet, who comes into her life and helps her cope with her loss.

"Beth has a lot of obstacles to overcome," she added. "But she finds this opportunity for true love and it turns into something beautiful."

And Zac made sure to take his role as Sgt. Logan seriously. To help prepare, he and director Scott Hicks spent weeks at a military training camp. Efron also underwent a serious physical transformation, which required endless hours at the gym.

"I wanted to spend as much time around real marines as possible," he told us. "I got to go to Camp Pendleton with Scott and actually hang out with them. Physically there was a lot to be done too. The workouts were one of the toughest parts of the whole production."

One thing that both stars didn't need much preparation for was the chemistry for the love scenes. Both Zac and Taylor admittedly hit it off and felt very comfortable turning up the passion on screen.

"When I first met Zac, we clicked instantly," Schilling said. "I felt really comfortable with him both on and off the set. We developed a strong friendship throughout the filming."

Efron wholeheartedly agreed and told us that he was very proud of how The Lucky One turned out. But beyond the steamy love scenes, he said his biggest thrill was getting to play such an honorable character.

"Logan is a real hero," he explained. "He has a lot of self control and he's a guy who makes choices that I wish that I could make. Just getting the opportunity to play him has been incredibly fun and educational."

You can see Zac and Taylor light up the screen when The Lucky One hits in theaters tomorrow.

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

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Exclusive Entrevistas, Movies & CineMás, Nicholas Sparks, Taylor Schilling, The Lucky One, Tr3s Exclusives, Zac Efron

By Michael Lopez

One look at the promos for Chimpanzee and it's obvious what you're in for. With his emotional eyes, furry face and protruding ears, poster boy Oscar the Chimp was born to be a star. But the latest Disneynature documentary offers a lot more than eye candy. The movie celebrates the importance the Earth Day, as "unofficial spokeswoman" Genesis Rodriguez told us in a recent interview.

"Chimpanzee is a very special movie and I'm very proud to speak out about it," she said. "For this movie to come out on Earth Day is huge. The chimp population has diminished by 70 percent in the past 100 years and that's something that needs to be brought to the public's attention."

Indeed, between the cute moments in the jungle and Oscar’s shenanigans, Chimpanzee illustrates the dangerous lives these animals lead. But in typical Disney fashion, it's done with a lighthearted touch so the story can be appreciated by viewers of all ages.

"This movie really has a beautiful story," Genesis added. "This is their real life in their real habitat. It's amazing to see how these animals live."

Much like the Disney doc African Cats, Chimpanzee follows the life of one main mammal (Oscar) and his tree-climbing buddies. There's Freddy the tough patriarch, Isha the caring mother and a banana-eating bad guy named Scar.

And though there are some dramatic moments mixed in, the lovable scenes certainly outweigh the scary stuff.

"I think Disney was the perfect company to put this film together," Rodriguez went on to say. "I'm a huge fan of their work and here they made a movie that was both educational and fun!"

Perhaps the biggest thumbs up that Disney got during production was from legendary primate activist Jane Goodall. The world-renowned environmentalist recently praised the movie and its message.

"The film will help the chimpanzees' exposure," she said at the film’s premiere. "People will know more, and hopefully will contribute more to The Jane Goodall Institute."

It’s certainly got a big fan in Genesis. Who knows? Maybe with her influence, Disney’s next nature doc could focus on the Puma population.

Are you excited about Chimpanzee? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Chimpanzee, Disney, Disneynature, Earth Day, Exclusive Entrevistas, Genesis Rodriguez, Jane Goodall, Movies & CineMás, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

The Three Stooges sure couldn’t take the box office crown away from The Hunger Games, but perhaps Zac Efron can. This week, his new romance movie The Lucky One hits theaters and we're sure it'll fill a lot of seats on "date night." At a recent junket, several of the filmmakers spoke to us about what fans can expect.

"The Lucky One turned out to be a beautiful film," writer Nicholas Sparks said. "The team did a very good job with it."

Nicholas, in case you were unaware, is probably the most influential romance novelist of the 21st century. His classic works like The Notebook and Dear John have entertained millions, both on the page and the big screen. And The Lucky One is a novel he holds especially close to his heart.

"I really wanted to make sure the production team kept the spirit and intent of the story intact," he said. "And they certainly succeeded!"

And The Lucky One isn't just some lighthearted rom com. This film deals with issues like the Iraq war and post-traumatic stress. And, as director Scott Hicks told us, finding the perfect lead to a play a war torn soldier wasn't an easy task.

"Zac stepped up for this role perfectly," Scott said. "Aside from the physical transformation he had to undergo, he found a mindset that really fit the character."

Sparks agreed and felt Efron's performance captured the essence of what he envisioned for the character.

"Zac brought so much passion and enthusiasm to this project," he added. "A lot of his friends are in the military, so I think that helped a lot. His performance was incredible."

But of course every Nicholas Sparks work needs a strong leading lady, and actress Taylor Schilling filled those shoes perfectly. Hicks, who had previously directed the Academy Award-winning film Shine, made sure to play up her strengths and add his own visual style.

"Visualization was very important to me," he explained. "We shot the film in New Orleans and I tried to take advantage of all of the great scenery the south had to offer."

Scott also took advantage of Nicholas' tear-jerking material, creating several heartfelt moments throughout the film. Be sure to bring your tissue box when you buy your Lucky One tickets. The movie opens wide this Friday.

Are you planning on watching The Lucky One? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Dear John, Exclusive Entrevistas, Movies & CineMás, Nicholas Sparks, Scott Hicks, Taylor Schilling, The Lucky One, The Notebook, Tr3s Exclusives, Zac Efron

By Michael Lopez

Are you familiar with the work of Luc Besson? Internationally, the French filmmaker is known as an action movie God! And this weekend, he's delivering another powerhouse peli called Lockout. Stars Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace recently sat down with us to discuss the inner workings of their latest sci-fi shoot-em-up.

"Making Lockout was a great experience," Maggie told us. "Though it's set in outer space, we actually shot the whole thing in Serbia. It was really a lot of fun to make."

Grace is no stranger to Luc's work. She recently co-starred in the Besson's Taken alongside Liam Neeson. Maggie will also be seen in the highly-anticipated Taken 2, but kept mum on that project when speaking to the press.

Lockout’s other star, Guy Pearce, told us he had a lot of fun kicking butt on the big screen. In the movie he plays Snow, a former government agent who's sent to a space prison on a top secret rescue mission.

"At the heart of this story is this guy who's an action hero," Guy explained. "But underneath it all, he really doesn't give a sh*t. I thought it was fun to tackle a role like that."

Though Luc wrote the script, Lockout’s visual style comes courtesy of James Mather and Stephen St. Leger. Known for their inventive European commercials, the directing duo caught the eye of Besson, who quickly signed them for the project.

"I had this great meeting with Luc," Pearce told us. "He showed me James and Stephen's short films and I was blown away. I really liked their stuff. And then there's the whole concept of this movie. Yes it's sci-fi, but there are some great comedy elements too."

Grace was drawn in immediately too. And though she told us the set was quite a lot of fun, it did require her to get very physical.

"I had so many black and blue marks when this shoot was finally over," she jokingly said. "I pretty much looked like a Dalmation! But it was definitely worth it."

Oh yes, through it all you'll see Guy and Maggie fire laser guns, wrestle convicts and destroy an entire space station. Anyone looking for a cinematic roller coaster ride will NOT want to miss Lockout. Look for it in theaters this Friday!

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

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Exclusive Entrevistas, Guy Pearce, James Mather, Lockout, luc besson, Maggie Grace, Movies & CineMás, Stephen St. Leger, Taken, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

With over two million viewers and an instant renewal for a second season, it's safe to say that Magic City is off to a great start. The edgy Starz drama has already dabbled in topics like politics, mobsters and espionage and that was just in episode one! Star Yul Vazquez recently spoke to us and promised a lot more intrigue to come.

"Magic City encapsulates a glamorous era in American history," he said, referring to City’s 1950's setting. "But there are also some dark political undertones that reflect the climate that was happening during that time."

Indeed, one big topic that Magic City has chosen to address is the rise of Fidel Castro. The series takes place right after he took control of Cuba, which makes for some tense moments for Yul's character.

"On the show, my wife is in Cuba when it falls to Castro," Vazquez explained. "That becomes a major issue for my character and throughout the season you will see him endure a lot of hardship."

Yul's character is also the manager of the hotel where Magic City is set. And he happens to be surrounded by some very talented actors. Dominik Garcia-Lorrido (who's real-life dad is Andy Garcia) plays his daughter on the show and Jeffrey Dean Morgan is the tough hotel owner.

"I really love working with this cast," Vazquez said. "And I love the writing that [creator] Mitch Glazer has contributed. To get this kind of writing in television, it feels very refreshing and very exciting."

And the fact that Magic City is on the Starz cable channel allows for Yul and the gang to really push the envelope. There are no network censors here, which means sex and violence are regular occurrences. Not that it bothers Vazquez, of course.

"Honestly, when I watch it on TV, it looks like The Godfather," he said. "I've never seen a television show put together like this. Plus everything here comes from such an authentic place."

By the way it's sounding, Magic City may wind up filling the void that Sopranos’ fans have been hoping for. You can catch new episodes every week on Starz.

Have you watched Magic City yet? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Dominik Garcia-Lorrido, Exclusive Entrevistas, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Magic City, STARZ, Television, Tr3s Exclusives, Yul Vazquez

By Michael Lopez

As expected, American Reunion went on to earn millions at the box office this weekend. And one character that probably surprised audiences was band camper Dania Ramirez. Adding a bit of Latin flair to the cast, the Dominican-born actress proved herself to be quite the comedienne. And she recently gave us the lowdown on her role.

"The funnest part about making American Reunion was the whole 'anything goes' attitude" she told us. "We held nothing back for this sequel."

And Ramirez wasn’t afraid to embrace her "nerdy" side for the role. In the movie she plays Selena, a former heavyset band girl who blossoms into a gorgeous romantic lead. And though it may be hard to believe, Dania confessed that she was also somewhat of a late bloomer in high school.

"In high school, you’re really getting to know yourself," she said. "I went through some awkward stages, so there were things about Selena I could definitely relate to."

For many, coming in for the fourth film in a beloved series could be seen as a challenge. Not Ramirez. As the most prominent new character of the bunch, she fit in seamlessly.

"For some reason, I'm always the new girl in a franchise," she said. "I came in for part three of X-Men, I did season two of Heroes and I was there for The Sopranos' last season, so I'm kind of used to being the new kid."

Indeed, Dania explained how she used to feel like the "new kid" in the states, having moved to the U.S. at age 10. But in the entertainment world, her fresh face has served her well. Not only did Ramirez nab a role in Reunion, she'll be seen in this summer's Premium Rush and the Marc Cherry pilot Devious Maids.

"Devious Maids is incredible," she told us. "We've had so much positive feedback on the pilot. And Premium Rush is going to be a great action film. I’m playing this badass New Yorker bike rider alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt!"

Beyond that, she is also producing her own project called Runaway Love with her fiancée Bev Land. We couldn't be more excited for Dania's success and even got her to dish out a little advice for young Latinos looking to break into the acting game.

"I would tell anyone trying to break into the business not to give up," she said. "People may shut the door in your face 10,000 times, but keep trying and you will find that one person who opens it."

You can watch Ramirez deliver big screen LOLs right now in American Reunion.

Did you watch American Reunion this weekend? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags American Reunion, Bev Land, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Dania Ramirez, Devious Maids, Exclusive Entrevistas, Movies & CineMás, Premium Rush, Runaway Love, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

2012 is turning out to be quite an incredible year for Reik. Not only did they recently perform at L.A.'s Grammy Museum, they've been riding a wave of hit singles from their recently released Peligro album. The Mexican trio continued that streak this past week, with a jam-packed concert at the Hollywood House of Blues.

"It's been a great 2012 so far," guitarist Julio Ramírez Eguía told us. "We took some big risks with the Peligro album, but they seem to be paying off."

Indeed, Peligro (which hit shelves last July) mixes up the Reik style quite a bit. Utilizing elements of electronica and dance pop, the guys delivered 14 very diverse songs. But they were quick to point out that their trademark ballads are still fully intact, including the newest single "Creo En Ti."

"We recorded 'Creo En Ti' in Spanish, but we also have versions in Italian, English and Portuguese," Julio added. "It's our way of saying thank you to our international fans."

And the fans at the House of Blues definitely went wild once frontman Jesus Alberto Navarro Rosas belted out "Creo's" first words. The lively set included several Peligro songs (like the bouncy title track) as well as classics from their first three albums.

As Jesus explained to us, performing the Reik live shows prove to be very inspirational for the band.

"We're touring this entire year and part of the next one too," he said. "Things are very busy right now and also very exciting! It's been amazing to see the fan response to Peligro. The attitude we have right now is to just keep going and going."

And the farther Reik goes, the more global recognition they get! Billboard recently partnered with the band for a series of shows, which included the HoB stop.

"Playing at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip is incredible," guitarist Gilberto Marín Espinoza told us. "And Billboard has been very supportive. Right now we're just embracing all of this positive energy and having a lot of fun."

Clearly the Hollywood crowd relished in the "fun" too, singing along to the Reik lyrics and cheering the guys on through every song. To find out more about Jesus, Gilberto and Julio's touring schedule (and to get a taste of their new material), be sure to check out the official Reik website!

What's your favorite Reik song? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Billboard, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Creo En Ti, Exclusive Entrevistas, Gilberto Marín Espinoza, House of Blues, Jesus Alberto Navarro Rosas, Julio Ramírez Eguía, Música, Peligro, Tr3s Exclusives