Universal CityWalk Turns 20 and Revs Up Its Engines with a Birthday Bash Featuring a Retrospective of 8 Original Prop Cars from all 6 ‘Fast & Furious’ Films,

Including the Memorable ‘Flip’ Car from the Latest Blockbuster Installment

As LA’s Summer Blockbuster Destination, CityWalk Gets the Party Started

Inviting Movie Buffs to Park for $2 Bucks

WHAT:

Universal CityWalk celebrates its 20th birthday with a blockbuster-worthy bash that drives flashy street racers from Universal Pictures’ “Fast & Furious” films to park at CityWalk in time for the much-anticipated movie opening weekend and the launch of the summer blockbuster season.  A life-sized wax figure of Vin Diesel from Madame Tussauds Hollywood will also share the spotlight with the “Fast & Furious” cars.

A retrospective of eight original, souped-up prop cars, including three from “Fast & Furious 6” will be staged at “5 Towers” on CityWalk to help get the birthday party started.  With an exciting slate of blockbuster movies poised to reign over Hollywood this summer, Universal CityWalk will become LA’s blockbuster movie destination where guests can join the fun and see the latest hit movie for only $2 in parking or ‘Movie Buffs to Park for $2 Bucks.’

The arrival of an elaborate 20-tier cake, punctuated by confetti canons and a lively Happy Birthday rendition from the popular band, Midnight Red, will keep the momentum going. Midnight Red will also headline CityWalk’s free “Summer Music Spotlight” concert series at “5 Towers,” beginning June 29.

Advance screenings for the pre-Memorial Day weekend blockbuster will begin with “Fast & Furious 6” at 7:15pm, 10pm and midnight with crowds of enthusiastic fans.

The following “Fast & Furious” cars will be on display as part of CityWalk’s 20th Birthday Bash. (Note:  All but the “Fast & Furious 6” “Flip” cars will return to their original display areas at Universal Studios Hollywood beginning on Friday, May 24, where guests can view them with the purchase of a general theme park admission ticket.)

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FAST & FURIOUS 6:

Dodge Daytona

Ford Escort

Flip car

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FAST & FURIOUS:                                  

Buick Grande National

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2FAST 2FURIOUS:

Nissan Skyline GT-R

Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

Mazda RX-7

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THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS:

1970 Dodge Charger

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WHERE:

“5 Towers” on CityWalk (located in front of the Cinemas)

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

WHEN: 

Thursday, May 23, 2013

7:00 P.M.- Fan screening of “Fast & Furious 6” at the CityWalk AMC Cinemas

On Thursday, May 16th, actors Will Smith and Jaden smith hosted a special red carpet event at the Miami Science Museum & Planetarium on behalf of the Columbia Pictures May 31st release AFTER EARTH. With more than a thousand people in attendance, Will and Jaden enjoyed an afternoon of festivities, and even freestyled with fans! Furthermore, The Smiths made a special donation to the Miami Science Museum in an effort to support higher education in the science field.

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Visit: http://www.afterearth.com

Like: https://www.facebook.com/AfterEarth

Follow: https://twitter.com/AfterEarth

Lionsgate celebrated THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE at the year’s Cannes Film Festival. Check out some of the photos from the Majestic Barrière. THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE hits theaters November 22.

In this live Google+ Hangout, NASA astronauts will connect with “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” director J.J. Abrams, writer and producer Damon Lindelof, and stars Chris Pine, John Cho and Alice Eve to discuss the emerging intersection between the fiction of Star Trek and the reality of NASA’s current programs.

WHAT: A GOOGLE+ HANGOUT IN SPACE: “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” DIRECTOR J.J. ABRAMS, WRITER AND PRODUCER DAMON LINDELOFAND STARS JOIN NASA ASTRONAUTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

WHEN: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. PST

WHERE: http://www.google.com/+NASA

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Submit your questions now: Use the hashtag #askNASA on Google+, Twitter,YouTube or Instagram, or leave a comment on our Star Trek Into Darkness Facebook page. Questions will be taken throughout the event, but the deadline for video questions is 12:00pm PST on Wednesday, May 15.

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About the Event:

Director J.J. Abrams, writer and producer Damon Lindelof, and stars Chris Pine, John Cho and Alice Eve will video chat with astronauts Chris Cassidy, who is currently on the International Space Station, and astronauts Michael Fincke and Kjell Lindgren from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

This is the first time talent from a major motion picture is participating in a NASA Google+ Hangout. The participants will ask each other questions, as well as take questions from fans on social media, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City (home of the space shuttle Enterprise)” and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington.

About “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS”:

“STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” follows the crew of The Enterprise as they are called back home to Earth in the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization.  In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.  As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

“STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” is written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman & Damon Lindelof and directed by J.J. Abrams.  Abrams is producing with Bryan Burk through Bad Robot Productions, along with Lindelof, Kurtzman and Orci.  Jeffrey Chernov and Skydance Productions’ David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake are the executive producers.

“STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” opens in theaters everywhere May 16^th, with advance screenings in IMAX 3D on May 15^th.  Tickets are available through the “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” app.

Review By Jesus Figueroa

On this podcast Jesus Figueroa of iWatchMike.com and ThisFunktional.com sits down to chat with Producer /Co-Writer / Actor Eli Roth, Director / Co-Writer / Executive Producer Nicolás López, Actress Lorenza Izzo and Actress Natasha Yarovenko.

They talk about the inspiration behind the film, AFTERSHOCK – the earthquake in Chile, surviving the earthquake, digital vs. practical effects, expected reactions from Chile and more.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

On Twitter? Follow @ThisFunktional

In commemoration of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the talented chef, Isa Souza, created the “Cinco de Minion” salsa recipe. It was especially prepared to celebrate the release of Despicable Me 2, which will be released in theaters July 3, 2013.

“Cinco de Minion” salsa recipe:

Ingredients:

3 yellow bell peppers (2 chopped and reserve the 3rd to serve)

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, diced

2 tablespoons of sour cream

2 teaspoons of salt

3 tablespoons of olive oil

½ teaspoon of ground cumin

½ teaspoon of ground black pepper

Preparation:

Heat a medium-sized pan at high temperature.  Add the olive oil, followed by the garlic and onion, stirring constantly.

Add yellow bell pepper. Reduce the temperature and season with salt, pepper and cumin. Mix well and let it cook for about 15 minutes on low heat. Stir constantly.

When the yellow bell pepper is well cooked, remove from heat.

Add the sour cream. Pour all into a blender and mix. It will form a thick sauce.

Cut the top of the reserved pepper to serve as a container for the salsa . Remove all seeds.  Pour the salsa in the yellow bell pepper and use the top of the pepper to decorate.

Join us THIS Thursday (May 2) – giveaways will start at 12:30 (while supplies last) then the marathon kicks of at 1PM with IRON MAN, IRON MAN 2, MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS and IRON MAN 3.

Buy tickets now!
http://starcinemagrill.net/movie/iron…

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IRON MAN 3 in theaters Friday, May 3

Oh and don’t forget – I’ll be hosting the IRON MAN 3 MARATHON on Thursday, May 2 at Star Cinema Grill in Missouri City/Sugar Land. BUY YOUR TICKETS! StarCinemaGrill.net

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV8H7kszXqo

Visit: http://marvel.com/ironman3

Like: https://www.facebook.com/ironman

Follow: https://twitter.com/Iron_Man

Tweet: #IronManTres

Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, “Iron Man 3” is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce and Shane Black and is based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968.

In Marvel’s “Iron Man 3,” Tony Stark/Iron Man finds his world reduced to rubble by a malevolent enemy and must use his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him as he seeks to destroy the enemy and his cohorts.

COMCAST AND NBCUNIVERSAL ‘MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN’ IN COMMUNITIES

AROUND THE WORLD ON 12^th Comcast Cares Day

Annual Day of Service Goes International for the First Time and Will Surpass 3 Million Volunteer Hours and Half a Million Volunteers Since 2001 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 23, 2013 – More than 70,000 Comcast and NBCUniversal employees, their family and friends, and community partners across the country are expected to spend Saturday, April 27, giving back to their communities as they take part in Comcast Cares Day, the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort. In its 12^th year, Comcast Cares Day will also go international for the first time with NBCUniversal managing projects in England, France, Germany and New Zealand. This year will also mark more than 3 million volunteer hours and half a million volunteers since Comcast Cares Day first began in 2001.

“Comcast Cares Day speaks to the heart of our company,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation.  “As we celebrate Comcast’s 50^th anniversary, I am extremely honored to participate this year alongside tens of thousands of Comcast and NBCUniversal employees, their family members and friends across the country and around the world to make a meaningful difference that will have a lasting impact on the communities we serve.”

During this year’s Comcast Cares Day, more than 700 projects will take place across the country and internationally, including projects in communities where Comcast and NBCUniversal employees work together, including New York City, Los Angeles and Orlando.

“Comcast Cares Day is a great example of Comcast and NBCUniversal’s unwavering dedication to the communities we serve,” said David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation.  “People across the country will experience firsthand Comcast’s commitment to their neighborhoods, which extends beyond this day and throughout the year. Giving back is in our DNA, and we celebrate all of our community partners and employees who continuously strive to improve the lives of others.”

On Saturday, volunteers will contribute their time and energy by providing maintenance, supplies and makeovers to local schools, parks and community centers. Comcast Cares Day is also taking place during Earth Week, which is widely supported by NBCUniversal’s Green is Universal initiative. Many planet-friendly projects such as building community gardens, cleaning beaches and riverbanks, and planting trees will add to the diverse line-up of projects.

Comcast and NBCUniversal also have partnered with many non-profit community organizations and local chapters of the National Urban League and the National Council of La Raza, who will be working side by side with Comcast Cares Day volunteers on Saturday. Additionally, teams from Comcast and NBCUniversal will be partnering with City Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, along with hundreds of other local community organizations.

Below is a sampling of the multiple projects taking place this week:

Grand Rapids, MI (Hispanic Center of West Michigan) – Approximately 100 volunteers will be packaging, sorting and distributing food for needy families in Grand Rapids. 

Highlands, NJ – Highlands is a 1.5 square mile, working-class borough in Monmouth County, NJ. Like many coastal communities in NJ, Hurricane Sandy ravaged the community. Comcast Cares Day projects in Highlands will include 250 volunteers working on a community-wide cleanup, restoration of two community parks, boardwalk repairs, a beach cleanup and helping residents with a variety of projects as they prepare to move back into their homes.

London, UK (Thames River Clean Up) – Approximately 100 NBCUniversal volunteers will clear rubbish from the river and riverbank, clear dense area of scrub, plant marginal plants and sow a native seed mix. Volunteers will also help by weeding, clearing trash and providing environmental enhancements.

Los Angeles, CA (Barack Obama Preparatory Academy) – Approximately 500 NBCUniversal volunteers will partner with City Year Los Angeles and the American Heart Association Teaching Gardens program to help beautify the school. Employees, friends and families will build and plant a real-life learning laboratory for students to learn what it means to be healthy. Volunteers will also paint educational and college-themed murals to transform the school into an exciting place for students to learn and encourage them to think about the possibilities for their future.

New York, NY (Revitalize Riverside Park) – Approximately 150 NBCUniversal volunteers will help beautify sections of Riverside Park by completing a hillside erosion control project, removing invasive species, planting native ground cover and flowers, and performing a variety of much-needed tasks to prepare Riverside Park for the busy spring and summer seasons.

Philadelphia, PA (Furness High School) – More than 250 volunteers will beautify the school by making minor repairs, painting, removing litter and doing general clean-up activities to the building and property.

Seattle, WA (Labateyah Youth Home) – Approximately 250 volunteers will build-out an existing computer room to become the “Comcast Tech Lounge at Labateyah.”  The Tech Lounge will include new monitors, keyboards, desks, chairs and fresh paint. In addition to this signature project, other volunteers will work to paint, clean-up trash, install new flooring and shelving, spread bark, plant gardens and help with art projects to properly tell the story of the building and the heritage of its residents.

Hamburg, Germany (Children´s Hospice Sternenbrücke) – Approximately 20 NBCUniversal volunteers will be beautifying the grounds by cleaning garden furniture, planting flowers, raking and digging.

Comcast and NBCUniversal support the communities they serve by volunteering, providing access to innovative technology, giving financial support and partnering with organizations to make communities stronger. Comcast invests in programs and nonprofits that address our priorities: digital literacy, youth leadership development and community service. Since 2001, Comcast’s overall giving has exceeded $2.5 billion in cash and in-kind contributions supporting local non-profit organizations and other charitable partners across the country.

About the Comcast Foundation

The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation has three community investment priorities — promoting service, expanding digital literacy, and building tomorrow’s leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $123 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/community.

Universal Studios Hollywood Captures Esteemed Awards from the

Themed Entertainment Association and the International 3D Society

Universal City, CA – Universal Studios Hollywood’s^SM “Transformers™: The Ride-3D,” heralded as the iconic theme park’s most ambitious ride ever, was honored for “Outstanding Achievement” in the “Attraction” category by the industry’s highly regarded Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) during the recent 19^th Annual Thea Awards. The Thea Award follows the ride’s recognition for “Distinguished Achievement” from the International 3D Society as “Best Themed Attraction” earlier this year – the second consecutive year the honor was bestowed upon Universal Studios Hollywood and the first-ever multi-year win for a theme park.

The prestigious Thea Award ceremony recognizes “breakthrough innovations” among theme parks worldwide. Respectively, the International 3D Society’s awards span the entertainment industry, including feature films. Universal Studios Hollywood’s previous International 3D Society win was for “King Kong 360 3-D,” a signature attraction on the world famous Studio Tour created by Oscar®-winning director Peter Jackson and featuring imagery re-imagined from the film in breathtaking 3D technology.

Proclaimed by critics as a “state of the art marvel” and among the “best rides in the world,” “Transformers: The Ride-3D” has been met with rave reviews since opening at Universal Studios Hollywood in May 2012.

“’Transformers: The Ride-3D’ has not only won over experts in the theme park industry, but has amazed our guests from around the world and is now our most popular attraction,” said Larry Kurzweil, President, Universal Studios Hollywood. “Bringing movies to life in the form of rides, shows and attractions is what we do best, so each time we’re recognized for delivering outstanding next-generation entertainment experiences, it’s a testament to our best-in-class creative team and to all of the talented people at Universal Studios Hollywood.”

“Transformers: The Ride-3D,” celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and amazing special effects, is based on the iconic brand from Hasbro and globally electrifying film franchise, directed by Michael Bay, who served as Creative Consultant for the immersive themed attraction.

The award-winning thrill ride tells a new “TRANSFORMERS” story using original, photo-realistic 3D-HD media, sophisticated special effects masterminded by Industrial Light & Magic, and one of the most elaborate roaming flight simulator ride systems ever created.  Fusing high-tech elements with an epic new “TRANSFORMERS” tale, “Transformers:  The Ride-3D” set a new standard in the world of theme park attractions, stretching the medium’s potential as an immersive and powerful storytelling vehicle.

The TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) is an international nonprofit alliance founded in 1991 and based in Burbank, Calif. TEA represents some 7,000 creative specialists, from architects to designers, technical specialists to master planners, scenic fabricators to artists, and builders to feasibility analysts working in more than 680 firms in 39 different countries. TEA presents the annual Thea Awards and the TEA Summit and hosts the annual SATE conferences (Story, Architecture, Technology, Experience). TEA also produces a variety of print and electronic publications, including the TEA/AECOM Theme Index, TEA Project Development Guidelines, and TEA Annual & Directory.

The International 3D Society is an organization of professionals devoted to the innovation of art and technologies of stereoscopic 3-D content. The Society provides individuals with opportunities for artistic display, acknowledging accomplishment and encouraging creative development in the art of 3-D.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.^SM, includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas, the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena.  World-class rides and attractions include the critically-acclaimed and award-winning mega-attraction, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D,” the intense, award-winning ride, “King Kong 360 3-D” on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, “The Simpsons Ride^TM,” “Revenge of the Mummy^SM —The Ride” indoor roller coaster and “Jurassic Park® —The Ride.”

Director, Writer, Producer Nicolás López Named Recipient of Hispanicize 2013 Latinovator Award in Conjunction With His Latest Film AFTERSHOCK Produced By Eli Roth

MIAMI BEACH, FL (April 16, 2013) – Chilean-born Nicolás López whose first English language film entitled AFTERSHOCK (EVERYWHERE May 10^th) screened at Hispanicize and, whose acclaimed work has made him a favorite at prestigious film festivals across the U.S., Europe and Latin American over the past decade, was honored with the Latinovator Award at Hispanicize 2013.  Hispanicize 2013 (http://www.HispanicizeEvent.com), the fourth annual Latino trends event, that took place at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach, April 9-13.

The Latinovator Awards recognize Latino celebrities, business professionals and other high achievers who have become crossover successes or whose stories of achievements are remarkable or inspirational.

“Nicolás’ illustrious career as a director, writer and producer make him a standout entertainer and a true crossover star,” said Manny Ruiz, organizer and creative director of Hispanicize 2013.  “His achievements have and will continue to open doors for many aspiring Latino artists and directors.”

At 12 years old, López (born in 1983 in Santiago, Chile) started writing for Chile’s most prestigious newspaper (El Mercurio). With his column ‘Memories of a Penguin,’ he gained devoted followers and ultimately an expulsion from school for poking fun at the Chilean education system.

In 1998, he founded the site Sobras.com, which commented on films, television, video games, and comic books. Sobras grew and became López’s production company, Sobras International Pictures. Through Sobras, he started directing music videos (nominated for a MTV Video Music Awards, 2002 for Mujer barbuda) and screenwriting (“MTV Latin Awards, 2003”). He also created the comedy show Piloto MTV, (MTV Latin America) which he wrote, directed, and starred.  In 2004, López wrote and directed his first feature film: Promedio rojo, a dark teen comedy that Quentin Tarantino called, “The funniest movie of the year.” Promedio rojo was a box-office smash. It was selected by film festivals across the world including Mar del Plata IFF (Argentina), Tokyo IFF, Sitges IFF (Spain), SXSW and Los Angeles Film Festival (US).

López’s second feature, the sci-fi romantic comedy Santos (2008) was co-produced by Troublemaker Studios (Sin City) and Telecinco Cinema (Pan’s Labyrinth) with a $6 million budget.  Santos won the Special Jury Prize at Fantastic Fest.

After Santos, López wrote and directed the highest grossing Chilean film of 2010: Que pena tu vida (“F*ck My Life”), a romantic comedy which inspired a successful trilogy that also included: Que pena tu boda (“F*ck My Wedding,” 2011), and Que pena tu familia (“F*ck My Family,” 2012).

“Aftershock,” which premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival, was produced by his company Sobras along with Miguel Asensio, Eli Roth, and Brian Oliver.

López joined 2013 Latinovator recipients Soledad O’Brien and Beto Perez, co-founder of Zumba Fitness.  Altogether, Hispanicize 2013 named six recipients in total for the Latinovator Awards.  Each of the innovators was presented with their awards individually in person at Hispanicize 2013 as part of a special general session where they spoke about their inspirations, business habits and road to success.

IRON MAN 3 hits theaters May 1.

You can drool now ladies.

PAIN & GAIN in theaters April 26, 2013