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By Michael Lopez

It looks like the Harry Potter franchise is about to get a run for its money. HitFix.com announced last Friday that Disney plans to film two more Pirates Of The Caribbean movies after On Stranger Tides is released next summer. That would make a total of six Pirates films and plenty of potential opportunities to catch a glimpse of Penelope Cruz.

Of course, we still don't know anything about her character, Angelica, or if Penelope is committed to the next batch of sequels. But from what we’ve heard about her onscreen chemistry with Johnny Depp, signing her should be a no-brainer.

Few details have been revealed about the next two Pirates movies, other than that they would be filmed back-to-back and connect to some larger plotline. Jack Sparrow meets the Shark Week megamouths? The Black Pearl crash lands on Lost island? Oh yeah, we’ve got TONS of ideas.

All kidding aside, we’re sure the execs behind the next Pirates flicks are already assembling a top-notch team. Rumors are flying that its original writers, Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott, could be brought back. And even if Penelope’s baby bump looks more like a Butterball when cameras start rolling, we know the perfect substitute for her swashbuckling role.

Source: [HitFix]

Do you plan to see the next Pirates films? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags johnny depp, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

By Michael Lopez

If you're a film buff, the holidays mean one thing: It's time to begin unwrapping all the cinematic gifts waiting for you in theaters. Can't decide what to see first? Here are few flicks featuring some of our favorite estrellas.

Burlesque: Yes, the Christina Aguilera/Cher extravaganza has finally arrived in theaters, and though it didn’t hit No. 1 (two words: Harry Potter), it did rake in a respectable $11.9 million opening weekend. Reviews have been somewhat mixed, but everyone pretty much agrees that if you’re an Xtina fan, you won’t be disappointed. And with plenty of heartfelt drama for the girls (and skimpy outfits for the guys), it’s an ideal December date movie.

I Love You Phillip Morris: This month is all about the Oscar contenders, and I Love You Phillip Morris is guaranteed to be one. The comedic drama tells the story of a prison inmate (played by Jim Carrey) who’ll stop at nothing to reunite with his gay lover. It’s been described as “funny, daring and very sweet.” It’s also garnering a lot of buzz for Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro (from Che), who plays one of Carrey’s long-suffering boyfriends. I Love You opens Dec. 3.

Little Fockers: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and the rest of the star-studded cast return for the third installment of this hit comedy series, but this time Jessica Alba will be joining in on the Focker fun. Rumor has it she’ll be playing a sexy pharmaceutical rep with an eye for Ben’s character, Gaylord. Could she be the cause of even more uncomfortable in-law drama? We’d say that's a safe bet. Plus, with Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand and set of adorable five-year-old twins added in, you know you’ve got a holiday hit. Little Fockers arrives Dec. 22.

Biutiful: The Academy Awards really have a thing for Javier Bardem. Not only was he the first Spaniard ever nominated for an Oscar (for Before Night Falls), but he was also the first to win (for No Country For Old Men). Now, he’s breaking out the heavy-duty acting chops for Biutiful. Directed by Amores Perros vet Alejandro González Iñárritu, the film follows a mysterious man coming to terms with his imperfect life. Bardem already took home the Cannes Film Festival's Best Actor Award for this one, so you know it’s got to be good. Biutiful hits theaters Dec. 31.

What holiday movies are you most excited about? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Biutiful, Burlesque, Christina Aguilera, I Love You Phillip Morris, Javier Bardem, Jessica Alba, Little Fockers, Movies & CineMás, Rodrigo Santoro

By Simone Hilliard

Love And Other Drugs ... sigh! Let me start off by saying I'm a huge fan of both Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, so when I heard the duo were leaving their rather squeaky clean roles to portray a couple whose casual sexual romps lead to a relationship, I was thrilled.

Image : 20th Century Fox

The film is an edgy romantic comedy where Hathaway and Gyllenhaal get naked, both emotionally and physically. Anne play the role of Maggie Murdock, an artist struggling with Parkinson's disease, while Jake entertains us as Jamie, a slick, promiscuous new drug salesman on the verge of striking it big during the viagra craze.

Neither wants anything deep or long-term, and both seem fine parting after a one-night stand. And then, somehow, they're in a relationship, quickly and clunkily, seemingly so Drugs can proceed to stage two, the bumpy road to love when disease is involved.

This is, Hathaway's movie, and in Gyllenhaal she has a good match. Together they sizzle whether they're spitting and sparring or rolling around naked — and they do a lot of both. It's an intimacy that doesn't feel faked, or gratuitous.

Along the way, we get entertaining side glimpses into the cutthroat world of pharmaceuticals as Jamie partners up with a veteran salesman (Oliver Platt) and tries to woo a key doctor (Hank Azaria) in his territory to prescribe his company's drugs over a competitor's.

Thanks to consistently witty dialogue and multidimensional characters, the film moves along breezily, however, it often veers off track, with scenes of Jamie's bad reaction to viagra, his later threesome, and his brother's presence in the film is as obsolete as they come. That coupled with Love's slow start, brings my rating down from four stars to three.

Overall, it's a satisfying story of two flawed adults navigating a relationship. Not your typical romantic comedy, but also not far from it.

Love And Other Drugs hits theaters nationwide Wednesday (November 24).

Will you watch? Weigh in below or @MTV3.

Tags Anne Hathaway, CineMas Cool, Jake Gyllenhaal, Love And Other Drugs, Movies & CineMás

By Michael Lopez

Consider Burlesque one of the ultimate “love it” or “hate it” movies. With all kinds of buzz circulating on the web, Christina Aguilera’s big screen debut has the potential to be the next Moulin Rouge…or the next Showgirls. So far the reviews are leaning for the latter, but don’t count Xtina out yet!

Image : Getty Images

With absolutely no acting experience behind her (unless you count those old Mickey Mouse Club sketches), Christina’s now headlining one of the biggest movies of the holiday season. Thankfully, the Burlesque team is making good use of her vocal chords too, by letting her belt out eight original tracks throughout the movie.

There’s also the added bonus of having Cher, Kristen Bell, and Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci in the cast. But ultimately Burlesque is Aguilera’s movie and, if successful, it would be a very nice boost following the her recent divorce drama and poor album sales.

So how does the film stack up? According to Variety critic, Peter DeBurge, “[It’s] an overwrought, underwritten hootchy-kootchy tuner that desperately wants to be Cabaret, but lacks the edge and historical context to pull it off.”

Phil Villarreal from OK! Magazine wasn’t much kinder, “There's a chance you'll like the film. Perhaps if you're Christina Aguilera's mom or the spirit of Sonny Bono reincarnated as a person who can tolerate awful movies.”

Keep in mind though, that not all of the Burlesque reviews were bad. Kirk Honeycutt from The Hollywood Reporter praised it as “A refreshing throwback to movie musicals that celebrates its stars while indulging in sexy fun.”

Ultimately, the final verdict will rest with the fans. We know Xtina die-hards will see Burlesque no matter what (especially after hearing how well she sings those songs) and Cher’s got tons of older fans. So even if it does become a Showgirls-esque box office bomb, we imagine it could still have a very long life on the midnight movie circuit.

Burlesque arrives in theaters on November 24.

Source: [Rotten Tomatoes]

Do you think Xtina's Burlesque will be a hit? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Burlesque, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Movies, Movies & CineMás

By Michael Lopez

It may still be a month away, but that hasn’t slowed any of the hype for the upcoming TRON: Legacy movie. A sequel 28 years in the making, the effects-laden Disney flick promises electric suits, light cycle races, and a hot soundtrack from Daft Punk! It’s also got an incredible cast, who happened to dish a few tidbits exclusively to Blogamole.

Image : Walt Disney Pictures

Stars Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Michael Sheen, Olivia Wilde, and Garrett Hedlund all sat down to express their excitement about the movie and the entire TRON franchise. Pretty much a grandfather to The Matrix, the original TRON featured a cutting-edge storyline about life inside the computer world. Filled with bright lights, lasers, and flying discs, it almost felt like a video game come to life!

The only issue most modern-day filmgoers have with the original is that its effects seem somewhat dated. Keep in mind though that the first TRON came out in 1982, decades before CGI. TRON: Legacy is another story entirely. Its state-of-the-art visuals are unlike anything ever seen on screen. Original star Bruce Boxleitner (who’s also in Legacy) highly praised the new look,

“I am extremely proud to be a part of this movie. The old TRON fans will greatly appreciate it and the difference is amazing! It feels like [in the first movie] I was doing Donkey Kong and now we’re doing Halo 3!”

Michael Sheen, who plays nightclub owner, Castor, in the virtual world, got to go pretty over-the-top with his character. And it seemed like he was able to bring a bit of fanboy fun to the part too.

“[My character] is very chameleon-like. It was so much fun playing someone who’s re-invented himself so many times. Plus, I was a HUGE fan of the first film.”

Olivia Wilde plays the female lead, Quorra, in the movie. An entirely new character, she got advice from some old pros when it came to preparing for the role.

“Quorra represents everything that’s good about technology. I took the role very seriously and approached both [Jeff Bridges and original creator Steven Lisberger] about how I could accurately represent her in the TRON world.”

For the role of Sam Flynn, son of original character Kevin Flynn, the producers hired up-and-coming actor Garrett Hedlund. It’s safe to say that Sam has to endure many of the movie’s toughest action sequences, which used quite a bit of CGI technology. As Garret explained,

“When filming [TRON], you have to give in to the world of pretend. The disc game stuff was one big platform of improvisation.”

Though it may have involved a lot of green screens and added effects on the production side, the final cut of TRON: Legacy is amazing. Team Blogamole did get a sneak peek, but we were sworn to secrecy for the next few weeks. All we can say is, once the advance tickets go on sale…GRAB THEM ASAP!

TRON: Legacy hits theatres on December 17.

Are you excited about TRON: Legacy? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Daft Punk, Disney, Exclusiva, Hot Stuff, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Olivia Wilde, TRON, TRON: Legacy

By Michael Lopez

Have you witnessed the epic talents of Dudamel yet? Oh yes, just like Shakira and Juanes, he only needs one word to draw millions of fans. Already a legend throughout South America, the Venezuelan conductor has gone on to oversee massive orchestras in Los Angeles, Sweden, and Italy. Now his story and musical message are getting put front and center in the new documentary, Let The Children Play.

Image : Getty Images

Filmed across seven countries, Let The Children Play represents much more than the life and talents of Gustavo Dudamel. It goes on to profile the international program that helped him hone his talents and master the art of classical music.

Launched in 1975, “El Sistema,” is an organization that gives children with poor socio-economic backgrounds the tools and training to follow their musical dreams. Founder and fellow musician, Jose Antonio Abreu, sees it as an outlet for kids who would otherwise lack the opportunity to realize their talents.

“Essentially [El Sistema] is a social system that fights poverty. A child’s physical poverty is overcome by the spiritual richness that music provides.”

Gustavo Dudamel is a prime example of this. During the film, he takes cameras to his tiny childhood apartment and explains how “El Sistema” literally changed his life. Without the program, he would never have been able to launch his extremely successful (and extremely lucrative) musical career.

One of the most interesting things about Let The Children Play is that it covers so many territories. Since its inception, “El Sistema” has reached England, Korea, Jamaica, and Australia (just to name a few). Much of its global impact is featured in the movie, with scenes focusing on small children and the ways that classical music has positively impacted them.

Let The Children Play is definitely much more than a documentary, it’s an experience. Currently in post-production, it is expected to be released very soon (perhaps in time for Oscar season?) and is well worth checking out. You can find out more about the movie, the maestro, and the mission of “El Sistema” by visiting www.dudamel.net.

Are you a fan of classical music? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Classical Music, Cultura, Gustavo Dudamel, Let The Children Play, Música, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Venezuela

By Michael Lopez

Look a little closer the next time Johnny Depp’s swashbuckling through the Caribbean or George Clooney’s trekking though the Middle East. The exotic backdrop you’re seeing on the big screen may in fact be Puerto Rico. Recently top Hollywood studios have taken a major liking to the island and are using it to film some of their most high-profile projects.

Image : SSC

Big-budget flicks like The Losers, George Clooney’s The Men Who Stare At Goats, and Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides have all taken advantage of Puerto Rico’s gorgeous scenery. With its tropical beaches, urban landscapes, and vast mountains, the island can double for just about anywhere.

Of course, it’s not just the views that have gotten the big studios so excited. Puerto Rico also happens to offer some of the best tax breaks of any U.S. jurisdiction. And according to island film commissioner, Mariella Pérez Serrano, that is a MAJOR determining factor.

“Tax-credit programs have become the determining factor in deciding where to shoot, and ours is very aggressive. The more they spend in Puerto Rico, the more they get back."

Not only that, the environment of Puerto Rico appears to be very safe and hassle-free. The popular HBO series Eastbound & Down has its current storyline set in Mexico, but with that country’s escalating violence, the producers decided to pull a Jo Bros and take their business elsewhere.

So far this year, seven films have been shot on the island and many more are on the way. There have even been rumors about top celebs like J. Lo and Marc Anthony investing in the construction of large Puerto Rican soundstages.

The Hollywood boom has been helping the Puerto Rican economy as well. The massive film crews spend tons on island businesses and even hire local caterers and prop assistants for their shoots.

So if many of the locals are now getting their first taste of Hollywood, could we expect some exciting homegrown productions in the near future? According to leading Puerto Rican economist, Juan Lara, that should be one of the larger game plans for the island.

"It is a good idea to attract stateside movie makers to the island, but our end goal should be to develop good local productions that can play around the world and make money for local talent.”

Sounds to us like Wisin y Yandel: The Movie may be getting the greenlight sooner than we thought!

Source: [Fox News Latino]

Who are your favorite Puerto Rican movie stars? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Cultura, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Puerto Rico, Television

By Michael Lopez

Time to crank up the Harry Potter re-watch parties, because the epic journey is almost over. This weekend marks the release of the second-to-last film for the boy (err…young man) wizard and it is truly a sight to be seen! Of course, if you happened to have skipped any of the earlier movie chapters, it may leave you a bit confused.

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1 finds Harry, Hermione, and Ron a little older and a little more emo than 2009’s Half-Blood Prince. Could Daniel Radcliffe be channeling a bit of Twilight into his performance? Either way, it actually works. The characters are much more mature now and it would be pointless to keep them all sweet and cutesy.

As it starts off, creepy Lord Voldemort is still on the loose and determined to strike down our lightning-headed hero down. But Harry’s got a plan; to find and destroy every last Horcrux (which are the keys to snakeface’s immortality). Gathering the scattered pieces proves to be quite the challenge, but they’re getting some familiar help along the way.

Classic HP fans will enjoy tons of cameos from past movies. There’s oversized ogre Hagrid, Dobby the house-elf, the colorful Weasley brothers, and our favorite Spanish spellcaster, Nymphadora Donks. Though their parts are brief, each one brings some very memorable moments to the screen.

And for all of you Slytherin fans, there are plenty of bad guy appearances too (including an incredibly real looking CGI snake!). But ultimately this movie belongs to the Hogwarts trio. A solid chunk of the two-and-a-half-hour epic revolves around the three teens hiding out alone and hunting for Horcruxes.

Fans of fast-paced magical action may find those scenes the slowest, but they do add character development and tighten the bonds between the group. There’s also the breathtaking visuals of the Deathly Hallows story. No spoilers here, but after watching that sequence you’ll understand why it got stuck into the title.

Overall, Hallows is a fantastic cinematic achievement. The direction, the performances, and the amazing effects (which are used somewhat sparingly) guarantee that you can enjoy multiple viewings. Just be sure you do your Harry homework before you see it because most everyday Muggles will have a tough time keeping up!

Are you planning to watch Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Harry Potter, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Movie Reviews, Movies, Movies & CineMás

By Simone Hilliard

Mel Gibson is out, and former President Bill Clinton is in! The popular Prez will play himself in the sequel to last year's wildly popular blockbuster comedy "The Hangover 2," currently filming in Thailand.

Image : Getty Images

While Clinton was in the region giving speeches on clean energy and meeting world leaders, he dropped in and shot a brief appearance in the Todd Phillips-directed film. There's no word on what the scene involving the 41st U.S. president will be, but Clinton joins the likes of Mike Tyson, whose Phil Collins-crooning cameo in the first film became one of its most memorable scenes.

Gibson was dropped from the film after rumored cast complaints and replaced by Liam Neeson, who joins the orginal funny guys Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha.

The new cast faces could help put the Gibson controversy to rest. The troubled actor, whose career has been put in deep freeze after a series of leaked profanity-laced recordings featuring his voice, was dropped from the movie last month, shortly after the news of his cameo as a tattoo artist emerged.

Director Todd Phillips weiged in on the casting and replacement:

"I thought Mel would have been great in the movie and I had the full backing of [Warner Bros. president] Jeff Robinov and his team. But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew."

Phillips later told MTV News:

"Regret is the wrong word, but I was surprised in some way by the reaction. I think in Hollywood, we've often seen — and I certainly have empathy for people that have struggled. Whether it's alcohol addiction in [Gibson's] case or whatever it may be, there is empathy. I was a little bit surprised by people, and I'm not even talking about our family, the 'Hangover' family. I'm talking about the outside world's sort of lack of empathy."

Hmmm...empathy for a man spewing hate? We're not sure we agree with Phillips on that one. What do you think?

Does Gibson deserve a reprieve? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson, Mike Tyson, Movies & CineMás, President Bill Clinton, The Hangover 2, Todd Phillips, Zach Galifianakis

By Michael Lopez

Ok, you can consider this a major tease. Exclusive pix were just released of Zoe Saldana’s highly-anticipated assassin flick Colombiana. Now for the bad news…The movie’s not set to be released until September 2011. Either way, it looks awesome!

Image : Wire Image

This isn’t the sweet, tree-hugging Na’vi you remember. In Colombiana, Zoe’s sporting some heavy artillery and taking down an entire South American cartel! Written by French action god Luc Besson, this movie definitely looks like the real deal.

The plot centers on a young Latina named Cataleya Restrepo (Saldana), who at age 10 sees her parents murdered by vicious drug lord. We think you know where this is leading, right? Oh yea, once she grows up, she picks up some automatic weapons (and a few skimpy outfits) and starts kicking butt!

The pictures that leaked on Latino Review show Zoe going poolside, wearing a tight dress inside a jail cell, and busting through a wall with a giant sniper rifle in her hand. Sounds like our kind of movie! If all goes well, we could see this as a major Saldana franchise and big competitor to both Jason Bourne and James Bond. You go, Zoe!

Source: [Latino Review]

Do you think Zoe makes a good action hero? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Colombiana, Hot Stuff, Movies, Movies & CineMás, Zoe Saldana