Director Anthony Solorzano looks on as Actor Andy Bueno talks about how he got the co-lead in the film. (Cody Esquivel & Producer Brandon A Lopez also pictured).
Varsity Punks had its world premiere at The Egyptian Theatre on February 28, 2017 to a sold out crowd. The cast and crew plus invited guests walked the red carpet before the film, with the filmmakers, cast and crew specially excited to share their movie with the public, expressing their love for the film during the interviews. Varsity Punks was shown as part of Apertura Showcase, which features a slate of monthly Latino lead films at the Egyptian.
It was nice to see a sold out crowd for an almost all Latino cast film. Varsity Punks deals with high school football star AJ Montolla (Cody Esquivel), whose game injury forces him to take a break from football and ends up reluctantly joining the "geeks" at the cross country team. The team, lead by Rosie (Andy Bueno), which is everything Montoya isn't, the "punk" in the title, clashes heads with the jock Montolla, who now has to decide whether to stay with them or go back to his old team.
After the movie, director Anthony Solorzano was joined by leads Andy Bueno and Cody Esquivel along with Producer Brandon A Lopez, told the sold out crowd about making the movie.
All in all, Varsity Punks has its moments and it's always good to see a more realistic take on high school life in "the hood", as it's tiring to always see an all white cast even when movies take place in areas that are mostly Latino. The question becomes, is there then a need for Latinos to make their own films in order to be represented in the media? As long as there are opportunities there for Latino made movies that show how "the other side lives" there is a chance for representation. Let's hope studios realize that it's not always about the "sure thing" and keep misrepresenting people of color...
The Nintendo Switch Tour featured an exclusive game for Nintendo fans to play, ARMS.
Lucky fans were able to play ARMS during both days of the event, with the first ticketed day being the less crowded of the two. ARMS is one of the games that would not be available upon release, an exclusive preview for the fans!
ARMS is a fighting game in the vein of Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, with all the characters having the ability to throw their arms at the opponent, grab them and throw them or hit them or shoot at them, depending on the arm chosen. Only four characters were available to try for the demo, Mechanica, Master Mummy, Spring Man and Ribbon Girl.
The event also had competitions of the different games available, with the winners taking home a Nintendo Switch hat.
On the weekend of March 3, 4 and 5, at the Raleigh Studios in East Hollywood, The Nintendo Switch Preview Tour took place. Fans of Nintendo eagerly awaited to try the new system, many whom had already purchased the system already but wanted to try all the games featured. the first two days were ticketed events, with Friday being the less crowded of the days and Sunday having a line around the block, which didn't stop determined fans from coming in.
Snipperclips was one of the most fun games of the event, a two player cooperative puzzle game with the goal of cutting your partner so they can fit/solve the different obstacles of each level.
MarioKart 8 Deluxe made an appearance to satiate the nostalgia from all the fans that remember all the fun times playing the game on the Nintendo 64 (and all the sequels that followed). The updated version is as fun as the original, with updated controls but not much change on the formula, which is always fun to play with friends and family.
The Nintendo Switch version of Splatoon 2 takes a little time to get used to the Switch controllers, but once you got it you're ready to go and have lots of fun trying to beat the opposing team. The game seemed to be not much different from the original, but I guess if the formula works, why mess with it.
1-2-Switch is a mini game collection, fun to have at parties with many of the games being for 2 to 4 players. One tests how fast you can draw and shoot your gun, old west style, another has you seeing how fast you can milk a cow, another mini game has you shaking the controller as if it was a soda with the player who it explodes with losing.
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Fire Emblem Warriors had many waiting in line to try it out, fans from all ages excited to play the game on the Switch before its release.
M Diner was one of the games that had its own fancy stylized booth to try it on, with a long line of fans wanting to see if another Mario related game can sway them their way, but the main focus was on Super Mario Odyssey and MarioKart 8 Deluxe.
ARMS was the exclusive game of the event, which will be out June 16 but you could try it out then and there, with the main stage screen being used for VS games with fans for prizes!
Among the many games to try out was the Nintendo Switch version of The Legend Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with new control design to fit the Switch and now the ability to take the game on the road! Disgaea, Sonic Mania, Super Bomberman R, Puyo Puyo Tetris were some of the classic games updated for the Switch.
Lunch was also provided by Nintendo, hotdogs, cotton candy, ice cream and sodas were available free with tickets given at the entrance.
All in all, it was a fun day at the Nintendo Switch Tour in East Hollywood, can't wait to see what games Nintendo Switch will have next!
