Dora’s natural heroism in a complicated world

Dora’s natural heroism in a complicated world - Pura Vida Sometimes

Dora and the Lost City of Gold and a surprising interview with legendary Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez When Dora the Explorer debuted nearly 20 years ago, the show was hit with kids and celebrated by adults. Dora, a bilingual preschooler, solved mysteries and engaged directly with her audience. Like the children who admired her, she has grown up. The world has changed and the mysteries to be solved are more complicated, but in Dora and The Lost City of Gold, out this Friday, Dora stays true to roots – something executive producer and actor Eugenio Derbez says makes her our […]

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Avengers: Endgame will make tough guys weep and old girls giddy

Avengers: Endgame review - Pura Vida Sometimes

Avengers: Endgame, the newest in an anthology of Marvel Studios films, reaches the pinnacle of character development, weaving together the back-stories of our favorite imperfect, fallible Marvel superheros in the ultimate intergalactic heist. I was invited to attend an advance screening of Avengers: Endgame.  I love Marvel – count me in! The heroes and antiheroes are morally challenged and real – they are responsible for saving the human race, but their humanity parallels ours. That said, I’m a casual fan. I’ve watched and enjoyed most of the movies, but I’ve never dressed as a character (if that’s your thing, check […]

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Blindspotting: Film Will Shake You in the Best Way

Blindspotting movie premiere

I was invited this week to a private screening of Blindspotting, out in theaters on Friday. The trailer looked interesting, so I went in with high hopes, but I was not prepared to be grabbed by the heart and rattled around a bit, then set down gingerly to sit with my thoughts. Just my kind of film. Blindspotting was co-written and stars longtime friends and collaborators Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. It’s about two men in Oakland surviving, and about how where you’re from can be a source of pride and also your demise. As the world changes around you, do […]

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