Mil gracias, truly a thousand thanks, to Cine Las Américas and the Consulate General of Mexico for the presentation of the Mexican movie Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out). Directed by Roberto Sneider and based on the highly acclaimed novel by Ángeles Mastretta, the movie was a phenomenal cultural treasure that honored Austin a few weeks ago. It is without a doubt our public role to invite, host, share, and support such international cultural gifts, and this unique jewel enriched … [Read more...]
Date Night: A marriage misadventure comedy
And you thought you've had bad dates. Phil and Claire Foster, played by Steve Carell (The Office, The 40-Year Old Virgin) and Tina Fey (30 Rock, Baby Mama), are a typical married couple with two kids from the 'burbs of New Jersey. After finding out that one of the couples they hang out with is getting a divorce, they go all out on their next weekly date in an attempt to revive their monotonous marriage. Instead of doing the usual dinner at a nearby chain restaurant in their work clothes, … [Read more...]
Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out)
Mil gracias, truly a thousand thanks, to Cine Las Américas and the Consulate General of Mexico for the presentation of the Mexican movie Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out). Directed by Roberto Sneider and based on the highly acclaimed novel by Ángeles Mastretta, the movie was a phenomenal cultural treasure that honored Austin, Texas last Thursday night. It is without a doubt our public role to invite, host, share, and support such international cultural gifts, and this unique jewel enriched … [Read more...]
Interview with French singer Soko
By Camille Callazo The Austin Times Staff Soko started out as an actress, appearing in many French films such as Ma Place au Soleil, Dans les Cordes and In the Beginning (French: À l'origine) in 2009, for which she was nominated for a Cesar Award for best actress. She picked up singing in 2006 and, by 2007, her single "I'll kill her" had become a hit on a Denmark radio station. I first came across Soko's music while browsing through MySpace's indie music charts. I immediately fell in love … [Read more...]
SXSWeek in Review: Having the World in Your Backyard
By Katie Warner The Austin Times StaffSXSW means something different to everyone. For some, it is a networking conference. For others, it’s all about the film and the music. For others, it’s a week-long party that involves getting into as many free parties and drinking all the booze your body can handle. Since I graduated from college, I have referred to SXSW as “adult spring break.” But really, what is it about SXSW that is so different from any other weekend in Austin? I think it is … [Read more...]
Latinitas become music journalists at SXSW-inspired spring break camp
Inspired by SXSW, Latinitas' 3rd annual Spring Break Camp, Get Your Backstage Pass!, focused on music journalism. Campers were invited to SXSW events as VIPs, interviewed local and national musicians, produced music videos, conducted Skype interviews, and learned how to create music blogs. The girls were visited by local rockers Maneja Beto and interviewed them on the camp talk show, Camp Chat, to be broadcast on Latinitas' own social media network MyLatinitas.com. Patricia Vonne also appeared … [Read more...]
Single in Austin: B.O.B.
It had been a long time since me and the girls have hung out all together. It was long overdue, so I decided to stay in for a night of fun and host a sex toy party at my place for my lovely friends. The party was a success! We all had so much fun, probably because we got to see everyone else’s naughty side. And, above all, it was very educational. I think every single one of my girlfriends really enjoyed it...maybe a little too much. I don't remember ever laughing this hard. As compensation … [Read more...]
Tracy Morgan says son saved his life
Actor Tracy Morgan's riding high, but the actor-comedian said that -- thanks to his teenage son -- he's not driving high. Morgan, arrested twice for drunken driving four years ago, said he sobered up after his son confronted him. "My son said, 'What if I start driving drunk and kill somebody?' That right there just made me look into the mirror, like, I got to step up my game," Morgan said Tuesday on PBS' "Tavis Smiley." Morgan, whose role on NBC's "30 Rock" earned him an Emmy nomination … [Read more...]
Single in Austin: Coming up short
Valentine’s weekend did not turn out as I had planned. I was not able to go to Miami due a last minute change in my moving schedule. Instead, I spent Friday moving all my stuff into my new apartment and mourning the loss of my life partner, my great dane. He did not pass away; he went to a better home. Our breakup was as close to mutual as I have ever gotten with the opposite sex. Needless to say, no men have brought on such tears as my Manolo did. It was true love. Enough of … [Read more...]
Austin Music Office releases local compilation CD online
It’s a little bit country, a little bit rock’n’roll, a little bit of everything. Just in time for the 2010 SXSW festival, “Austin Music, Vol. 9” is a compilation CD recently released by the Austin Music Office, a division of the Austin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, to give music fans a taste of the bands and music that Austin has to offer. For the first time ever this year, the CD is also being offered as a download at the Bureau’s website. Rose Reyes, Director of Music Marketing at the … [Read more...]
