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By Michael Lopez

It seems like New Mexico (and its Latina governor, Susana Martinez) has made quite a bit of national news recently. The state recently got kudos for bringing big budget Hollywood productions to its region. But on the flipside, Martinez' harsh stance on illegal immigration has brought it some criticism as well.

In regards to the movie push, Susana sent out a very public letter to the press announcing that Johnny Depp's Lone Ranger movie would be filmed in her state. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, The Lone Ranger is expected to be one of 2013’s biggest blockbusters and will be highlighting several New Mexico locales.

"The Lone Ranger is proof that New Mexico's film industry is alive and well," Martinez stated. "This administration is committed to fostering productive relationships with film studios so we can continue to offer our talented workforce and breathtaking backdrops for major productions. As we continue to build upon our reputation as a premier film production center, we are pleased to welcome The Lone Ranger to our state!"

But as quickly as she captured Hollywood's attention, she may very well have scared it away. Depp and many of his A-list actors are staunch liberals and probably wouldn’t take kindly to the news that Susana is looking to imprison hundreds of undocumented immigrants.

The Republican governor recently pushed a new state law that will prosecute undocumented citizens without driver's licenses. Punishment for this crime could lead to jail time or possible deportation.

And if that wasn't bad enough, Susana personally mailed 10,000 letters to foreign citizens with New Mexico driver's licenses. The notes demanded proof of residency in what was largely labeled a "witch hunt."

One thing's for sure; since Martinez assumed office last January, New Mexico has become a very divisive state.

"[This potential law] is incredibly divisive," said Latino rights attorney, David Hinojosa. "And on top of that, it also has created an atmosphere of hostility for many New Mexicans with lawful status and without lawful status."

Truth be told, this state may need a lot more than The Lone Ranger to keep the peace among its citizens.

Do you think Susana Martinez is being too harsh on undocumented immigrants? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Immigration, Jerry Bruckheimer, johnny depp, Movies & CineMás, New Mexico, Politics, Susana Martinez, The Lone Ranger

By Michael Lopez

The "People" have spoken and it seems they love Demi Lovato. The part-Mexican starlet proved to be the belle of the ball at last night's People's Choice Awards, taking home Best Pop Artist and delivering a powerhouse performance of "Give Your Heart A Break."

But Lovato wasn't the only one the crowds went nuts for. Robert Pattinson, Lea Michelle, and Emma Stone made a major mark as well.

In the movie department, the Choice was clearly Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. The final Hogwarts installment nabbed Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, and Favorite Ensemble Cast. Johnny Depp (who skipped the ceremony) made a big mark as well, earning Favorite Action Movie Star and Favorite Animated Movie Voice for Rango.

Other winners from the big screen included Ryan Reynolds for his work in Green Lantern and Hugh Jackman for Real Steel. The box office smash Bridesmaids earned the title of Favorite Comedy Movie and Morgan Freeman took home Favorite Movie Icon.

On the TV side of things, How I Met Your Mother got plenty love, first for Favorite Comedy and then for Favorite Actor (which went to Neil Patrick Harris).

Betty White was on hand to accept a Favorite Cable TV Comedy award for her show Hot In Cleveland and Jimmy Fallon earned the title of Favorite Late Night TV Host.

In the reality realm, American Idol beat out The Voice for Favorite TV Competition Show. And not surprisingly, Kim Kardashian earned the title of Favorite TV Celebreality Star (though some in the crowd weren't too happy about that).

In the world of music, Katy Perry scored four awards for Favorite Song ("E.T."), Favorite Video, Favorite Female Artist, and Favorite Tour Headliner. That would have been quite an accomplishment for the pop songstress…if she decided to show. But seeing how Katy’s going through a painful divorce, she chose to bail on the festivities.

Tr3s fave Bruno Mars earned the title of Favorite Male Artist. And though he didn't get up on the stage, he let his fans know that was eternally grateful for the honor.

"I'm currently walking down the street screaming "I am an ultimate male"!! Thank you at @peopleschoice and to those that voted! #hooligans" he tweeted.

And, as per usual, there was plenty of high fashion in effect last night too. Miley Cyrus wowed the crowd with a chique revealing white dress. Vanessa Hudgens chose the glam route, bedazzling herself in a gold and black ensemble. And hostess Kaley Cuoco strutted very elegantly across the red carpet in a shimmering cream-colored gown.

What did you think of this year’s People's Choice Awards? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags American Idol, Award Shows, Betty White, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Bruno Mars, Celebrities, Demi Lovato, Fashion Face-Off, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Hot Stuff, How I Met Your Mother, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Fallon, johnny depp, Kaley Cuoco, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Música, Miley Cyrus, Morgan Freeman, Movies & CineMás, Neil Patrick Harris, People’s Choice Awards, Ryan Reynolds, Style, Television, Vanessa Hudgens

By Larry Yepez Jr.

The Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese gave the New York Film Festival audience a sneak peek at his latest film, Hugo, which is a "work in progress"...meaning, his 3-D family adventure film has no final special effects, no finalized color, and no final music. Regardless of the unfinished film, the audience at Avery Fisher Hall apparently loved it and gave Marty a standing ovation.

Hugo is based on the 2007 best-seller Hugo Cabaret by Brian Selznick, about an orphan (played by Asa Butterfield), who lives in a train station in the 1930's Paris. He befriends another orphan, played by Chloe Moretz, and the two are pursued by a goofy police man, played by Sasha Baron Cohen.

In the film, the orphan fixes clocks at the train station and tinkers with a broken robot left behind by his late father  (Jude Law).  Ben Kingsley co-stars as George Melies, the real-life silent cinema pioneer who did spend his last years selling toys in Paris' train stations.

The screenplay was written by John Logan (The Aviator). Although Hugo is Scorsese's first family adventure, there's still a dark edge to it, as to be expected. After all, this is the man who made Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Departed, for which he won the 2006 Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture.

The surprise screening at the New York Film Festival was announced just a few hours before it took place. A good strategy to add hype to the film's pre-release buzz.

"This is a work in progress," Scorcese told the packed audience. "I hope that those of you who really do like it come and see the final film."

"We're just as proud this evening to have this film," Pena said.

Rumors that co-producer Johnny Depp has a cameo are still uncertain. Apparently a painter who makes a brief appearance in the film looks a lot like him. Although Paramount said that it's not the acclaimed actor, the studio apparently wouldn't confirm whether or not Depp will be appearing at all, I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

The film is due to hit theaters on November 23rd.

Are you excited to see Hugo, Scorsese's first family film?

Tags Asa Butterfield, Avery Fisher Hall, Beauty and the Beast, ben kingsley, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Brian Selznick, Chloe Moretz, George Melies, Goodfellas, Hugo, Hugo Cabaret, John Logan, johnny depp, Jude Law, Martin Scorsese, New York Film Festival, Paramount Pictures, Raging Bull, Richard Pena, Sasha Baron Cohen, Taxi Driver, The Aviator, The Departed

By Larry Yepez Jr.

Beetlejuice 2, Beetlejuice 2, Beetlejuice 2!  If we say his name three times Hollywood will make the sequel to the 1988 Tim Burton classic!

David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith's production company KatzSmith has just signed a two year first-look deal with Warner Brothers, and the first thing on slate for them is the long-awaited sequel to Beetlejuice, the 1988 Tim Burton-directed hit starring Michael Keaton as the title character, with Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and a young Winona Ryder.

The  good news is that the film won't be a remake. The intention is to "reboot it" by advancing the storyline of the original. Grahame-Smith recently worked with Tim Burton on his current project, Dark Shadows,so he's familiar not just with Burton's style, but with writing for beloved and spooky characters from our past. (Dark Shadows head vamp Barnabas Collins will be played by Johnny Depp.)

Now a vast majority of Beetlejuice fans are not very thrilled about the ghoulish sequel idea. Beetlejuice is a cult classic film and was a pioneer in terms of special effects and make-up, winning an Oscar for the latter. So the sequel comes with a lot of hesitation and much expectation to not tarnish the unforgettable Beetlejuice image in our minds.

In the 90's with the Beetlejuice-mania still boiling, the sequel Beetlejuice goes to Hawaii was in the works with Burton as director, but thanks God it wasn't made. It would have been a huge flop!

So now, 23 years or so later the continuation seems a bit out of place. Will Michael Keaton still play Beetlejuice? 'Cause another actor would be hard to believe, it's gonna be tough to fill Bettlejuice's shoes!  Maybe a remake would be a better idea than the Part 2?

Are you excited about the Beetlejuice sequel or do you think it's a bad idea?

Tags Alec Baldwin, Beetlejuice, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, david katzenberg, Geena Davis, johnny depp, Katzsmith, Michael Keaton, seth Grahame-Smith, tim burton, Winona Ryder

By Michael Lopez

Why do we always seem to be fascinated with 1950's Latin America? Be it the golden age of Cuba or, in the case of Johnny Depp's new movie, retro Puerto Rico. The trailer for Johnny's San Juan throwback, The Rum Diary, has just been released and it actually looks quite interesting.

Part of the reason, this particular film is getting a lot of buzz is because it's an "unofficial" followup to Depp's cult hit Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas. Based on a book by the same author, The Rum Diary seems to offer plenty of the same whacked out moments.

Sadly there's no Benicio del Toro to accompany Johnny on this "trip," but he does have a cast that includes Amaury Nolasco and The Dark Knight’s Aaron Eckhart. And judging by the credits, this is a true passion project for Depp. He's listed as lead executive producer.

But we're most curious to see the great Puerto Rico that once was. The Rum Dairy promises to showcase vintage landmarks, swinging parties, and plenty of boozed out moments that'll put Jack Sparrow to shame!

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

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, johnny depp, Movies & CineMás, Puerto Rico, The Rum Diary

By Larry Yepez Jr.

Walt Disney Pictures and Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil production company are developing two new films: a remake of The Night Stalker and a movie about Paul Revere's midnight ride.  Disney loves Johnny Depp, and with good reason. Who wouldn't love a man ho brings home over 4.5 billion dollars?

The Night Stalker is based on the 1972 ABC-TV movie that turned into the series "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." It was about a newspaper reporter in Chicago who investigated mysterious deaths, often with a supernatural  or sci-fi twist.

The Paul Revere movie is based on the revolution hero and his famous 1775 midnight ride to warn the colonist of a British invasion. Paul Revere was recently brought to light again after former Alaska Governor and vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, blabbered out wrong information on the Revere story.

Lee and Janet Batchler (Batman Forever) will write that movie. No writer has been attached to Night Stalker yet.

It seems that Disney and Depp united is a nonstop money-making machine. Depp is responsible for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean saga having grossed over $3.5 billion at the worldwide box office. With Alice in Wonderland, Johnny brought Disney another $1 billion and is sure to make much more with the upcoming film The Lone Rager and perhaps a fifth Pirates flick in the future.

What do you think of the Disney-Depp collaborations?

Tags Alice in Wonderland, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, johnny depp, Night Stalker, Paul Revere, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lone Rager, Walt Disney Pictures

By Michael Lopez

Who knew one-time bad boy Johnny Depp would eventually become a children's icon? Within the past year, he's appeared in three very popular kids-friendly films. There was the wild Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, swashbuckling Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and (one of our personal faves) Rango the lizard. Next week, the latter film arrives on DVD and we highly recommend putting it in your Netflix queue.

First off, Rango has plenty of Latin flava (who can forget those four adorable "Mariachi Owls?"). Secondly, it's beautifully animated. And thirdly…Johnny Depp! Oh yea, his eccentric charm is all over the scaly chameleon in the red Hawaiian shirt. Plus, the fact that it's now on Blu-Ray DVD means you can pause each intricate scene and truly admire the artistic handiwork.

And we haven't even begun to delve into the extras yet. Remember the dusty town of Dirt, where Rango gets stranded? Well now you can take an interactive tour of its desert landscapes with your DVD remote. The Rango Special Edition also includes storyboard features, cast interviews, and 10 never-before-seen deleted scenes (which are just as funny as what made it into the movie).

Truth be told, we were a little bummed that Rango didn't make a bigger bump in the box office when it was released back in March. Though other animated flicks like Rio and Kung Fu Panda 2 may have taken in more cash, neither seemed to capture the originality and flair of Rango. Interestingly, the Teen Choice Awards seemed to catch on, nominating the film for two surfboard trophies.

And here's one other bit of Rango trivia that may interest you. This film was helmed by Gore Verbinski, who was responsible for the first three Pirates movies. So those of you craving still more of Johnny's Captain Jack may see a few remnants in this colorful, bug-eyed character.

Look for Rango on DVD shelves July 15th.

Did you get a chance to see Rango yet? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, DVDs, Gore Verbinski, Hot Stuff, johnny depp, Movies & CineMás, Rango

By Michael Lopez

Let's hope that Penelope Cruz negotiated some royalty payments in her Pirates of the Caribbean contract. Disney's swashbuckling sequel is now close to amassing a worldwide total of $1 billion.

Since its release back in May, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has earned $211 million in the states and a whopping $695 million overseas. It is now the fourth highest-grossing movie of all-time at the foreign box office, narrowly trailing smashes like The Lord Of The Rings and Avatar.

Even the Pirates of the Caribbean LEGO game is doing gangbusters. The video cartridge is currently dominating the Nintendo Wii and 3DS charts. So does that mean that yet another sequel could be in the works?

If it were up to the Disney executives, we're sure the answer would be yes. But convincing star Johnny Depp to throw on the boots and buckles again may not be as easy. When recently asked about a possible Pirates 5, he said,

"We should hold off for a bit. They should be special, just like they are special to me."

Would you like to see Johnny and Penelope return for Pirates 5? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, johnny depp, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, video games

By Michael Lopez

Last year, many hardcore Jack Sparrow fans were divided after hearing the announcement about Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The previous trilogy of films wrapped up the story nicely and many wondered if Johnny Depp could still make his iconic character interesting. Plus, a new director and the loss of key actors Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley didn't help matters. But we're happy to say that Pirates 4 has surpassed the expectations and is a worthy addition to the beloved franchise.

To be honest, the one character we would have really hated to lose was Geoffrey Rush's Captain Barbossa. A true scene stealer and an awesome sparring companion for Captain Jack, having Rush on board is a major boost for Stranger Tides. And we can wholeheartedly say that Geoffrey does a fantastic job with his over-the-top pirate caricature, right down to the wooden peg leg!

Speaking of great pirate caricatures, the Stranger Tides ensemble has added a real life legend of the seven seas. Ian McShane's portrayal of Blackbeard is just as vicious and iconic as those historical stories you've heard about. Sporting a zombie crew and insanely large sword (which looks great in 3D), this bad guy is just as memorable as old squidface from the last set of sequels.

Another new addition to the cast is Angelica, played by Blogamole regular Penelope Cruz. Though we hate to say it, Penelope is probably the least interesting part of the movie. Though she does have some fun scenes with Johnny Depp, her character never really gels with the overall storyline and the romantic subplot between Captain Jack and Angelica seems to fizzle before the third act.

But with so much sword fighting, fiery explosions, and epic shipwrecks happening in between, it's not like you'll even notice. Pirates 4 never tries too hard to meld itself into a love story (though there is an interesting mermaid romance thrown in). It's obvious the creators know that fans love the movie series' trademark comedy, action, and fantasy and you can bet Stranger Tides delivers on that promise!

Johnny Depp slips into Captain Jack's boots flawlessly. So much so, it hardly seems like he ever stepped away from the character. Plus the supernatural storyline involving the fountain of youth is actually rather interesting and leads to a great bombastic finale. There is no doubt that On Stranger Tides is destined to be a summer smash, and thankfully it's well deserved!

Bottom line: One of the great things about Stranger Tides is that you don't have to be a fan of the series to "get it." This is a movie that definitely stands on its own, but still offers plenty of winks and nudges for die-hard fans (including a nice homage to the Disneyland ride). Plus, the 3D aspect gives Johnny and company a fresh new perspective. But be sure you take care of your bathroom breaks before the movie starts. At two hours and change, you won't want to leave your seat for quite a long time!

Are you looking forward to Stranger Tides? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Geoffrey Rush, Hot Stuff, Ian McShane, johnny depp, Movie Reviews, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

By Michael Lopez

You know you’ve hit blockbuster territory when your movie premiere gets thrown at California’s Disneyland theme park. This weekend, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, and a host of famous faces took over “The Happiest Place On Earth” for the kickoff of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Blogamole was there to capture every moment of it.

To celebrate the fourth installment of the hugely popular Pirates franchise, Disneyland workers covered its trademark Main Street USA with skulls, cannon balls, and a 3,000-foot long "black carpet" stretching out to the park’s Rivers of America. From there, guests were able to watch the 3D film on a 90-foot screen and experience Pirates-themed fireworks at the grand finale.

Needless to say, it was southern California’s hottest ticket on Saturday night. In addition to all of the celebs who attended the event, several park goers had the chance to watch it too. But their admission price was not cheap. Disney sold exclusive premiere tickets for $1,000 a pop, with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Our cameras made sure to capture every exciting moment of the event. Before the celebs arrived, spectators were treated to juggling pirate demonstrations, festive live music, and several Jack Sparrow lookalikes. Even a Pirate-themed Mickey Mouse danced and posed for the crowd!

Once the famous faces rolled in, it was clear that they were thrilled by the ambiance. Eva Longoria was seen hugging Pirate Mickey, Johnny Depp smiled and signed dozens of fan autographs, and BEP’s Taboo seemed very amused by “Jack the Monkey,” who actually appears in the film.

We had a moment to catch up with Ian McShane, who plays Stranger Tides’ resident baddie. When discussing his portrayal of the notorious character Blackbeard, the 68-year old actor said,

"It was organic. You’re never too old to be a pirate!"

The Losers' Óscar Jaenada, who plays a Spanish captain in the movie, also spoke to Blogamole about what it took to suit up for the swashbuckling film series,

"We rehearsed for three months. The sword fighting was intense."

He went on to say that shoots would last up to 15 hours a day for some of the movie’s more intricate sword fighting sequences. But, in the end, it was clear that all of the hard work paid off. On Stranger Tides does a fantastic job of continuing Jack Sparrow’s legacy. Be sure to keep checking Blogamole in the next two weeks, for our exclusive movie review!

Are you excited to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Óscar Jaenada, Celebrities, Disneyland, Eva Longoria, Hot Stuff, Ian McShane, johnny depp, Movie Premieres, Movies & CineMás, Penelope Cruz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stanger Tides, Premieres, Tr3s Exclusives