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If you're Dominican, chances are you're familiar with morir soñando, a simple but refreshingly crisp batida (milkshake) made with milk, orange juice, and vanilla extract. As simple as the three-ingredient drink seems, there's a reason it's given such a poetic name. "Morir soñando" translates as "to die dreaming," and after just one sip, one instantly feels like they've been transported into a dream - even if just for a matter of seconds. That was exactly the feeling Dominican American comedians and real-life besties Sasha Merci and Glorelys Mora, who both grew up in uptown (Merci specfically in the Bronx), wanted audiences to feel when they created their first all-Dominican comedy show back in 2019. On Monday, Nov. 6, the Morir Soñando show took over the historic United Palace, formerly Loew's 175th Street Theatre, in Washington Heights. It was the first show in the New York Comedy Festival to include an all-Dominican lineup,...

Digital media and entertainment company NGLmitú, the result of a merger last year between Ngl Collective and mitú, have launched the new Latino-focused streaming platform mitúTV. Targeting bilingual and English dominant U.S. Latinos, the service also announced three new shows: “Three Gs in a Pod,” hosted by Erik Rivera, Sasha Merci and Jesus Sepulveda; “Girl, Let Me Tell You,” hosted by Jessica Flores, Ivana Rojas and Glorelys Mora; and the game show “Spill the Chisme.”

“We were more of a business-to-business type of organization,” said Ngl Collective founder and CEO David Chitel, “which is why it made so much sense for us to merge with mitú, because they were the leading business-to-consumer entity connecting with we call ‘new generation Latinos.’ So the marriage of our two companies is sort of a big deal in our space.”

Chitel noted that mitú had already been producing a lot of content for the ‘new generation Latino’ market,...

“Righteous Thieves” ends with its protagonists having a wee festival of self-congratulation, sipping champagne as they promise themselves — and perhaps threaten viewers — they’ll have more adventures like the one that’s just wrapped. Their delight is not infectious, because this dopey caper’s prior 90 minutes have been rather like hoisting a flute of promised champers only to taste flat Fresca.

Director Anthony Nardolillo and writer Michael Corcoran’s film strikes a pose of sly ingeniousness throughout that is uncorroborated by any actual cleverness, surprise, wit, tension, thrills or much else you’d hope for in a high-end-heist tale. The “righteous” part — that our heroes are reclaiming artworks stolen by Nazis long ago — feels no less superficial than everything else in this uninspired genre piece. Lionsgate opens it in seven U.S. theatrical markets March 10, simultaneous with digital and on demand release.

Brief prologues set in 1943 and 1985 establish background for...

Righteous Thieves is an upcoming thriller movie directed by Anthony Nardolillo and features actors Cam Gigandet, Lisa Vidal, and Jaina Lee Ortiz.

Annabel, the leader of a secret organization engaged in the recovery of priceless artwork, assembles a ragtag crew of art thieves to recover a Monet, Picasso, Degas, and Van Gogh stolen by Nazis during WWII and now in the possession of neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch Otto Huizen. As the planned heist approaches, loyalties are tested when the crew learns the real reason behind Annabel’s search for the long-lost paintings.

Release Date

March 10, 2023

Where To Watch Righteous Thieves

In theaters

The Star: Cam Gigandet

Cam Gigandet is an American actor born on August 16, 1982 in Tacoma, Washington.

Cam Gigandet. Depostiphotos

He is known for his roles in films such as “Twilight,” “Easy A,” and “Never Back Down.”

Before he became an actor, Gigandet worked as a construction worker and a waiter to support himself.

Righteous Thieves Trailer — Anthony Nardolillo‘s Righteous Thieves (2023) movie trailer has been released by Lionsgate. The Righteous Thieves trailer stars Lisa Vidal, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Cam Gigandet, Carlos Miranda, Sasha Merci, and Brian Cousins. Crew Michael Corcoran wrote the screenplay for Righteous Thieves. Poster Righteous Thieves Movie Poster Plot Synopsis Righteous Thieves‘s plot synopsis: “In this ultimate heist [...]

Continue reading: Righteous Thieves (2023) Movie Trailer: Lisa Vidal & Her Team Try to Recover Art Stolen During WWII by Nazis...

"So... not a standard smash & grab." "This is gonna get us killed." Lionsgate has revealed an official trailer for a thriller titled Righteous Thieves, the new title for a film formerly known as Shelter. It will be out to watch in March on VOD and in a few theaters if anyone is interested. This is a story we've heard many times before (rescue stolen art) but they're rehashing it once again. The head of a secret organization assembles a crew to steal back artwork plundered by Nazis during World War II. They plan to recover a Monet, Picasso, Degas, and Van Gogh stolen by Nazis during WWII – now in the possession of neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch, but loyalties are tested when the crew learns the real reason behind the heist. The film stars Lisa Vidal as Annabel, with Jaina Lee Ortiz, Cam Gigandet, Carlos Miranda, Sasha Merci, and Brian Cousins as the oligarch.

Buyers pounce in Italy, France, Benelux, Eastern Europe, South Korea.

Grandave International president Tamara Nagahiro has announced in TIFF a raft of territory sales on thriller Righteous Thieves following the North American deal with Gravitas Ventures.

Deals have closed with Daro for Eastern Europe, Africa, and France, Eagle Pictures for Italy, Premiere TV for Benelux, and Bucket Studios for South Korea.

Anthony Nardolillo (7th & Union) directed the film from a screenplay by Michael Corcoran about the head of a secret organisation who assembles a crew to steal back artwork plundered during the Second World War from a modern-day billionaire Neo-Nazi oligarch.

Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to Righteous Thieves, a market title shopped here at TIFF. Numerous international territories are currently being negotiated and will be announced shortly, and Gravitas Ventures’ Senior Director of Acquisitions, Danielle Gasher and Tamara Nagahiro, Grandave International President, brokered the deal.

Pic is scripted by Michael Corcoran and directed by Anthony Nardolillo (7th & Union), and produced by Jolene Rodriguez with Stanley Preschutti and Frank Mayor exec producers. Cast includes Lisa Vidal, Cam Gigandet, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Carlos Miranda and Sasha Merci. Pic, which is completed, centers around the head of a secret organization who assembles a crew to steal back artwork plundered during World War II, from a modern day, Neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch.

“A North American release with Gravitas will generate a lucrative ripple effect across many international territories,” said Nagahiro of Grandave International, which is also selling The Channel, The Final Vow and Clay.

Last week, Academy Award winning actress and Un Messenger of Peace, Charlize Theron hosted the second annual summer block party to benefit The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (Ctaop) at Universal Studios Backlot.

Wyclef Jean and Charlize Theron attend Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project (Ctaop) Block Party at Universal Studios Backlot

Credit/Copyright: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Ctaop

The outdoor event featured an opening weekend screening of Jurassic World Dominion following a special Q&a with the stars of the film, including Jeff Goldblum, Bryce Dallas Howard, DeWanda Wise, and Mamoudou Athie, as well as director Colin Trevorrow and writer, Emily Carmichael. The conversation was moderated by Charlize. Wyclef Jean also brought the audience to their feet with a special performance of “No Woman, No Cry,” “Ready or Not,” “Maria Maria,” and “Hips Don’t Lie” ahead of the Q&a.

Additional guests in attendance included Jordana Brewster, Lilly Singh,...

‘Righteous Thieves’ First Look

Exclusive: Top of this post is a first look at Righteous Thieves, a thriller directed by Anthony Nardolillo. Lisa Vidal, Cam Gigandet, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Carlos Miranda and Sasha Merci star in the movie, which sees the head of a secret organization assemble a crew to steal back artwork from a neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch who plundered it during World War II. Jolene Rodriguez of Broken English Productions produced.

Agnieszka Holland To Helm Kafka Pic

Charlatan filmmaker Agnieszka Holland will helm Kafka, a biopic of the legendary Czech author. The project sees Holland re-team with Prague-based producer Šárka Cimbalová, and London/Dublin-based producers Sam Taylor and Mike Downey. The screenplay, written by Marek Epstein, will chart Kafka’s life from his birth in pre-war Prague to his death in Berlin in 1924. The plan is to shoot in spring 2023. The project will take part in the Berlinale Co-Production...

Amazon Prime Video has acquired the North American and Latin American rights to Anthony Nardolillo’s “7th & Union,” starring Mexican actor/comedian Omar Chaparro. Grandave Intl. is handling world sales, and will be presenting the movie to buyers at the virtual European Film Market.

“7th & Union” is the story of an unlikely ally, a broken promise and an improbable chance that inspires two down-and-out men from opposite sides of the track to find a way to use their old passions to pursue their dream of connecting with their family and providing an opportunity for a brighter future.

The movie features Edy Ganem (“Devious Maids”), Gregg Daniel (“Truth Or Dare”) and Erinn Westbrook.

The deal was brokered by Tamara Nagahiro of Grandave Intl. for the production company, Broken English Productions. “We are thrilled to have Amazon as a partner for ‘7th & Union’ in North and Latin Americas and are looking forward...

Exclusive: Lisa Vidal (The Baker And The Beauty), Cam Gigandet (The O.C.), Jaina Lee Ortiz (Station 19), Carlos Miranda (Vida) and newcomer Sasha Merci (De Lo Mio) are attached to star in crime-action heist feature Shelter.

In pre-production, filming is scheduled to start shortly in Los Angeles on the movie about the head of a secret organization who assembles a crew to steal back artwork from a neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch who plundered it during World War II.

Grandave International is introducing the project to buyers at the 2021 Cannes virtual market and Marché.

Produced by Jolene Rodriguez (7th & Union) of Broken English productions and financed by Ruben Islas’ Grandave Capital, the film is an original screenplay by Michael Corcoran, directed by Anthony Nardolillo with Stanley Preschutti of Grandave Capital and Frank Mayor of Cinevision Global serving as executive producers.

“I’m thrilled to work with such a talented group. I’ve...

Exclusive: HBO has acquired exclusive broadcast and streaming rights to the family drama De Lo Mio directed by Diana Peralta and starring Sasha Merci, Darlene “Dee Nasty” Demorizi and Héctor Aníbal. The film is set to premiere in November on the premium cabler and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

De Lo Mio, which marks Peralta’s feature debut, made its world premiere as the closing night film at BAMcinemaFest 2019. The drama follows. Rita (Merci) and Carolina (Demorizi), two high-spirited sisters raised in New York who travel to the Dominican Republic to reunite with their estranged brother Dante (Aníbal) to clean out their late father’s home before it is sold and demolished. While sorting through the remnants of their family’s legacy, things beome emotional as joys, pains and traumas resurface — all of which the siblings must confront.

“De Lo Mio is a universal story about staying...

In today’s TV News Roundup, CBS Entertainment announced it is merging its alternative programming and specials departments, and Hulu announced the premiere date for its upcoming comedy series “Woke.”

Renewals

Nickelodeon has greenlit a 20-episode second season of its animated series “It’s Pony,” which follows the adventures of a young girl and a carefree pony. The second season will premiere in 2021. The show holds one of the top three animated series with Kids 2-11 across all TV, behind only Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “The Loud House.”

Dates

Hulu has announced its upcoming comedy series “Woke” will premiere on the streamer on Sept. 9. The series follows a Black cartoonist (Lamorne Morris) on the verge of mainstream success. Marshall Todd and Keith Knight serve as co-creators and executive producers alongside showrunner Jay Dyer, Maurice “Mo” Marable, Aeysha Carr, Richie Schwartz, John Will, Will Gluck and Eric Christian Olsen. Kate Schumaecker...

De Lo Mio begins with a tidy visual metaphor: a man carefully opens many blinds to let light into a dark room. The three siblings in Diana Peralta’s debut feature try keeping it respectable when they reunite in the Dominican Republic to clean out their grandmother’s home, but family history quickly rears its ugly head and, soon, long-buried emotions are dredged up. Grudges merely fester like an open wound if they aren’t confronted, Peralta argues. Why not use sunlight, the best disinfectant available, to clean it up before it’s too late?

Rita (Sasha Merci) and Carolina (Darlene Demorizi) travel from New York to Santiago to help their estranged brother, Dante (Héctor Aníbal), sell the family property and collect some money. The two sisters mourn their late grandmother and express regret that they didn’t help out when she fell ill, a lapse Dante clearly resents. Similarly,...

This month’s BAMcinemaFest isn’t just for New York cinephiles. The annual Brooklyn festival routinely boasts a slate that includes some of the year’s best indie offerings from festivals earlier in the year, and while the latest edition is no exception, it also has a number of notable world premieres and under-the-radar offerings.

This year’s festival will open on June 12 with the New York premiere of Lulu Wang’s lauded family dramedy “The Farewell,” starring Awkwafina. The film debuted at Sundance earlier this year to massive critical acclaim, and A24 will release it later this year. The festival will close with Diana Peralta’s “De Lo Mio” on June 22, which follows the “story of ride or die New York sisters who reunite with their estranged brother in the Dominican Republic following their father’s death.”

In between, there are a number of distinctive cinematic experiences, including 18 NY premieres,...

If you're single, out of gift ideas, or just plain hungry this Valentine's Day, you don't need roses -- you need lemon pepper. That's the philosophy espoused by Wingstop, which turned to a trio of social media influences in order to promote the toll-free hotline it established this February 14th.

By calling into Wingstop's hotline at 1-844-wing-luv, both lovestruck and lonely individuals can glean chicken-fried wisdom from one of America's top wing chains. One big piece of advice is as follows: Buy a lot of wings. To show the romantic potential of its cuisine, Wingstop teamed up with ad agency Barkley, which employs online video notable Austin Null as its director of influencers and partnerships, for a social media-based campaign.

The partnership resulted in three Instagram videos, one each from Timothy DeLaGhetto, Spice Adams, and Sasha Merci. The clips share a general theme: Order wings for your loved one,...