Saturday, December 31, 2011

El Cantante

  • In their dazzling first on-screen pairing, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony bring to life this riveting tale of romance and redemption based on the true story of salsa legend Hector Lavoe and the woman who kept him from falling over the edge.It's the 1970s and the salsa revolution is in full swing. Hector Lavoe (Anthony), is the singer, El Cantante whose voice can move millions and whose passion mo
In their dazzling first on-screen pairing, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony bring to life this riveting tale of romance and redemption based on the true story of salsa legend Hector Lavoe and the woman who kept him from falling over the edge. It's the 1970s and the salsa revolution is in full swing. Hector Lavoe (Anthony), is the singer, El Cantante whose voice can move millions and whose passion moves one woman, his wife Puchi (Lopez). But when the spotlight brings Lavoe's personal demons and addict! ions to light, it will take the incredible devotion of his wife to put him on the path to becoming the legend he was born to be.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Featurette

Though they don't look much alike, slight actor-singer Marc Anthony was born to play robust salsa sensation Héctor Lavoe. In addition to similar ancestry and vocal skills, Anthony has been building a respectable cinematic resume with roles in Big Night and Martin Scorsese's Bringing out the Dead. The title of El Cantante comes from a number Rubén Blades wrote for The Singer. Lavoe would make it his signature song. In the film, Anthony's wife, producer Jennifer Lopez, plays Puchi, the Nuyorican beauty who won Lavoe's heart. She narrates their story from the perspective of 2002 (the real-life Puchi passed away shortly afterwards). Leon Ichaso (Piñero) contrasts Lavoe's rise from Puerto Rican street singer to Ne! w York superstar with his fall from innocent immigrant to hero! in-addic ted ladies man. By the mid-1980s, Lavoe's popularity hit its peak, and Ichaso spends the rest of the time ticking off the tragedies of his final years: the break with trombonist Willie Colón (John Ortiz), stay in a mental ward, etc. It's a dynamic portrait, and Anthony and Lopez work well together, but despite the urban setting and Latin-flavored soundtrack, El Cantante follows virtually the same trajectory as Ray and Walk the Line (Ichaso has also directed biopics of Jimi Hendrix and Muhammad Ali). His movie looks and sounds authentic, but Lavoe's story might've been better served as nonfiction. There's a sense that there was more to the man than what appears on screen. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Eden Log

Explicit Ills - Blu Ray [Blu-ray]

Child Of Eden

  • A visionary entertainment experience that synchronizes stunning graphics and innovative sound design to electrify the senses.
  • Coming straight from Mizuguchi-san's mind, gameplay is unique, surprising, rich and beautiful.
  • Simple and natural controls: Designed for standard controllers and for the KINECT sensor.
  • Use your body to move the camera, and both hands to lock-on and shoot for a completely new and multi-sensory shooting game experience.
  • Scored by Mizuguchi's band The Genki Rockets, the music was made specifically for the game and adapts as your experience progresses.
Eve knew the stories of the Fall, of a time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. She’s seen the aftermath of the technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter, able to grow new organs and limbs, how it evolved out of control. The mac! hine took over and the soul vanished. A world quickly losing its humanity isn’t just a story to her though. At eighteen, this world is Eve’s reality. In their Fallen world, love feels like a selfish luxury, but not understanding what it is makes it difficult to choose between West, who makes her feel alive but keeps too many secrets, and Avian, who has always been there for her, but is seven years her senior. The technology wants to spread and it won’t stop until there is no new flesh to assimilate. With only two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. While fighting to keep Eden alive, Eve will discover that being human is about what you will do for those you love, not what your insides may be made of. And even if it gets you killed, love is always what separates them from the Fallen.Big movie news from Variety.com: Independent financier and production company Kerry, Kimmel and Pollack has acquired rights to Keary Taylor's! novel "Eden," a dystopian thriller described as a cross betwe! en "The Hunger Games" and "The Terminator." "Eden" will be produced by Mark Morgan ("The Twilight Saga"), Kami Garcia (the "Beautiful Creatures" series), Brett Hudson ("Fast Flash to Bang Time") and Michael Pollack ("Black Forest").

Eve knew the stories of the Fall, of a time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. She’s seen the aftermath of the technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter, able to grow new organs and limbs, how it evolved out of control. The machine took over and the soul vanished. A world quickly losing its humanity isn’t just a story to her though. At eighteen, this world is Eve’s reality.

In their Fallen world, love feels like a selfish luxury, but not understanding what it is makes it difficult to choose between West, who makes her feel alive but keeps too many secrets, and Avian, who has always been there for her, but is seven years her senior.

The technology wan! ts to spread and it won’t stop until there is no new flesh to assimilate. With only two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. While fighting to keep Eden alive, Eve will discover that being human is about what you will do for those you love, not what your insides may be made of. And even if it gets you killed, love is always what separates them from the Fallen.Big movie news from Variety.com: Independent financier and production company Kerry, Kimmel and Pollack has acquired rights to Keary Taylor's novel "Eden," a dystopian thriller described as a cross between "The Hunger Games" and "The Terminator." "Eden" will be produced by Mark Morgan ("The Twilight Saga"), Kami Garcia (the "Beautiful Creatures" series), Brett Hudson ("Fast Flash to Bang Time") and Michael Pollack ("Black Forest").

Eve knew the stories of the Fall, of a time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. She’s seen! the aftermath of the technology that infused human DNA with c! yberneti c matter, able to grow new organs and limbs, how it evolved out of control. The machine took over and the soul vanished. A world quickly losing its humanity isn’t just a story to her though. At eighteen, this world is Eve’s reality.

In their Fallen world, love feels like a selfish luxury, but not understanding what it is makes it difficult to choose between West, who makes her feel alive but keeps too many secrets, and Avian, who has always been there for her, but is seven years her senior.

The technology wants to spread and it won’t stop until there is no new flesh to assimilate. With only two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. While fighting to keep Eden alive, Eve will discover that being human is about what you will do for those you love, not what your insides may be made of. And even if it gets you killed, love is always what separates them from the Fallen.If happily ever after were a place, twenty-year-old! Bryn Dawson would be on the farthest planet from it.

Reduced to stolen glances and secret meetings as they await a Betrothal the Council is bent on stalling, William and Bryn have to settle for happily right now, but with a man like William Hayward at her side, Bryn’s hardly settling.

The day John Townsend sends an army of Immortal mercenaries intent on destroying everyone Bryn loves, she must make the decision generations of star-crossed lovers before her haveâ€"live alone or die together. William’s made his decision, Bryn’s the one fate’s waiting on.

But fate will only wait so long until it makes the decision for her.


Other books in the EDEN Trilogy:

ETERNAL EDEN (released March 2011): Kindle young adult best-seller
UNITED EDEN, the third and final installment coming in November 2011If happily ever after were a place, twenty-year-old Bryn Dawson would be on the farthest planet from it.

Re! duced to stolen glances and secret meetings as they await a Be! trothal the Council is bent on stalling, William and Bryn have to settle for happily right now, but with a man like William Hayward at her side, Bryn’s hardly settling.

The day John Townsend sends an army of Immortal mercenaries intent on destroying everyone Bryn loves, she must make the decision generations of star-crossed lovers before her haveâ€"live alone or die together. William’s made his decision, Bryn’s the one fate’s waiting on.

But fate will only wait so long until it makes the decision for her.


Other books in the EDEN Trilogy:

ETERNAL EDEN (released March 2011): Kindle young adult best-seller
UNITED EDEN, the third and final installment coming in November 2011College sophomore Bryn Dawson is a self-proclaimed poster child for normal. However, the day William Hayward enters her life, normalcy is the last thing Bryn will be able to count on if she wants to be with him. Too mysterious and appealing to be good for a girl, Bryn feels! drawn to him in a way that seems out of her controlâ€"as if fate is orchestrating it.

Despite every red flag and warning siren going off in her head telling her not to, Bryn falls hard for William, knowing he’s categorically different from anyone she’s ever met. She never imagined how right she was. When William takes her deeper into the rabbit hole of his world, Bryn must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice to be with him, knowing no matter what, fate always finds a way to have the last laugh.

Spinning a new twist on star-crossed lovers, Eternal Eden will put Bryn through a gauntlet of turmoil, challenging her to find the power within herself to become the heroine in her own story.


Newly edited version released on 8/26/11. If you purchased a version that contains incorrect grammar or missing words, please call 1-866-216-1072 to request the updated version free of charge. Or for the UK call 1-206-266-2992.College so! phomore Bryn Dawson is a self-proclaimed poster child for norm! al. Howe ver, the day William Hayward enters her life, normalcy is the last thing Bryn will be able to count on if she wants to be with him. Too mysterious and appealing to be good for a girl, Bryn feels drawn to him in a way that seems out of her controlâ€"as if fate is orchestrating it.

Despite every red flag and warning siren going off in her head telling her not to, Bryn falls hard for William, knowing he’s categorically different from anyone she’s ever met. She never imagined how right she was. When William takes her deeper into the rabbit hole of his world, Bryn must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice to be with him, knowing no matter what, fate always finds a way to have the last laugh.

Spinning a new twist on star-crossed lovers, Eternal Eden will put Bryn through a gauntlet of turmoil, challenging her to find the power within herself to become the heroine in her own story.


Newly edited version released on 8/26/11. If you purchased! a version that contains incorrect grammar or missing words, please call 1-866-216-1072 to request the updated version free of charge. Or for the UK call 1-206-266-2992.Life's been many things for twenty year old Bryn Dawson, but one thing it's never been is easy. And it's only about to get harder.

As the gossip of Bryn being Betrothed to her true love's little brother, Patrick, becomes more reality than rumor, Bryn does her best to think positive thoughts, ignore Patrick's odd behavior, avoid Paul's relentless advances, and attempts to conjure William back from his latest overseas mission. She fails on all fronts.

The night an army of Inheritors set out with an agenda to deliver vengeance on any Guardian surrounding Bryn, the Betrothal Ball becomes the least of her worries. Instead of worrying about who she'll be marching down the aisle towards, she has to accept she might not be making the journey down the aisle ever.



Other b! ooks in the Eden Trilogy:

ETERNAL EDEN (released Ma! rch 2011 ): Kindle YA Bestseller
FALLEN EDEN (released July 2011): Kindle YA Bestseller





Life's been many things for twenty year old Bryn Dawson, but one thing it's never been is easy. And it's only about to get harder.

As the gossip of Bryn being Betrothed to her true love's little brother, Patrick, becomes more reality than rumor, Bryn does her best to think positive thoughts, ignore Patrick's odd behavior, avoid Paul's relentless advances, and attempts to conjure William back from his latest overseas mission. She fails on all fronts.

The night an army of Inheritors set out with an agenda to deliver vengeance on any Guardian surrounding Bryn, the Betrothal Ball becomes the least of her worries. Instead of worrying about who she'll be marching down the aisle towards, she has to accept she might not be making the journey down the aisle ever.



Other books in the Eden Trilogy:

ETERNAL EDEN (released March 2011)! : Kindle YA Bestseller
FALLEN EDEN (released July 2011): Kindle YA Bestseller





Devi knows she shouldn't trust the new employee at her favorite used bookstore. Sure, he's funny, smart and hands down the sexiest guy she's ever met, but something dark lurks behind his unassuming smile and sinful green eyes.

Still, a girl can't always afford to be picky. When an angel abducts your twin brother it should come as no surprise that the one person who can help you get him back is a demon--and only if you're willing to pay his price.

(young adult paranormal romance, 87,000 words or approx. 348 pages)

Excerpt:
"You will do anything I ask," I whispered. The words hung in the air, a mantra spoken to the dark. His eyes lost focus and glowed softly as they narrowed in on my lips.

"Maybe this kind of devotion is sinful," I continued. "Perhaps it was even the origin of sin. But you and I are already damned."

He blinked, and the corners of his eyes began to glisten. Te! ars, I r ealized. They took on an emerald sheen from the heated look he gave me. I wiped his cheeks with my hands, drying those tears--erasing them. "Why are you the one crying now?"

"I just, I never thought..." He ran a finger up the side of my neck and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. My body tightened. "Will you let me?"

Before I could tell him how stupid he was being, he crashed his mouth into mine.Devi knows she shouldn't trust the new employee at her favorite used bookstore. Sure, he's funny, smart and hands down the sexiest guy she's ever met, but something dark lurks behind his unassuming smile and sinful green eyes.

Still, a girl can't always afford to be picky. When an angel abducts your twin brother it should come as no surprise that the one person who can help you get him back is a demon--and only if you're willing to pay his price.

(young adult paranormal romance, 87,000 words or approx. 348 pages)

Excerpt:
"You will d! o anything I ask," I whispered. The words hung in the air, a mantra spoken to the dark. His eyes lost focus and glowed softly as they narrowed in on my lips.

"Maybe this kind of devotion is sinful," I continued. "Perhaps it was even the origin of sin. But you and I are already damned."

He blinked, and the corners of his eyes began to glisten. Tears, I realized. They took on an emerald sheen from the heated look he gave me. I wiped his cheeks with my hands, drying those tears--erasing them. "Why are you the one crying now?"

"I just, I never thought..." He ran a finger up the side of my neck and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. My body tightened. "Will you let me?"

Before I could tell him how stupid he was being, he crashed his mouth into mine.Step inside a visionary entertainment experience that synchronizes stunning graphics and innovative sound design to electrify your senses. In Child of Eden, the newest project from renowned game design! er Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Microsoft Kinect enables you to use your! whole b ody as the controller, with no physical barriers between the game world and you. The unique synergy of movement, audio, and visuals makes Child of Eden a groundbreaking total sensory experience that is literally unforgettable.