Rubén Blades

Rubén Blades

Born: July 16, 1948
in Panama City, Panama
​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  

Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born July 16, 1948) is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres. As songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and political inspired Nuyorican salsa to his music, creating thinking persons' (salsa) dance music. Blades has composed dozens of musical hits, the most famous of which is "Pedro Navaja," a song about a neighborhood thug who appears to die during a robbery (his song "Sorpresas" continues the story), inspired by "Mack the Knife." He also composed and sings what many Panamanians consider their second national anthem. The song is titled "Patria" (Fatherland). He is an icon in Panama and is much admired throughout Latin America, and managed to attract 18% of the vote in his failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency in 1994. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term. He holds a law degree from the University of Panama and a master's in international law from Harvard University. He is married to singer Luba Mason.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Rubén Blades, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies for Rubén Blades...

Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
Title: Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 10, 2021
Type: Movie
When the film West Side Story was released in 1961, New York's reviled Puerto Rican community gained some visibility and, over time, both in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx, neighborhoods plagued by poverty, drugs and crime, Hispanic identity was reborn and strengthened, thanks to a syncretic and intentionally popular music that eventually conquered the entire city.
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Red Pill
Title: Red Pill
Character: Rocky
Released: March 12, 2021
Type: Movie
Set over Halloween weekend 2020, this political thriller follows six friends as they head into "red" country to canvas white women to vote. They are armed with idealism and determination, but they should have brought heavy artillery. As they explore the creepy house they booked for the weekend distressing clues indicate that they should get out of there, but they decide to stay. They should have brought heavy artillery.
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Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage
Title: Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage
Character: Self
Released: September 13, 2019
Type: Movie
Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage is a warm and revealing portrait of the charismatic, groundbreaking actor’s journey from his native Puerto Rico to the creative hotbed of 1960s New York City, to prominence on Broadway and in Hollywood. Filled with passion, determination and joy, Juliá’s brilliant and daring career was tragically cut short by his untimely death at age 54.
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John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons
Title: John Leguizamo's Latin History for Morons
Character: Self
Released: November 2, 2018
Type: Movie
In this one-man Broadway show, John Leguizamo finds humor and heartbreak as he traces 3,000 years of Latin history in an effort to help his bullied son.
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Ruben Blades Is Not My Name
Title: Ruben Blades Is Not My Name
Character: Self
Released: March 18, 2018
Type: Movie
The story of one of Latin America's most beloved singer-songwriters in a journey across his 50-year career. In an intimate way, the film gives us a chance to get to know the artist, his music, and the stories behind them.
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Hands of Stone
Title: Hands of Stone
Character: Carlos Eleta
Released: August 26, 2016
Type: Movie
The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.
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Title: Fear the Walking Dead
Character: Daniel Salazar
Released: August 23, 2015
Type: TV
What did the world look like as it was transforming into the horrifying apocalypse depicted in "The Walking Dead"? This spin-off set in Los Angeles, following new characters as they face the beginning of the end of the world, will answer that question.
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Yo soy la salsa
Title: Yo soy la salsa
Released: October 30, 2014
Type: Movie
More than a genre, salsa was a cultural movement that arose in a time of need for strengthening the Latino culture and spread across the world with such force that, 50 years later, is still moving the feet of dancers in the most inhospitable corners world. At the heart of the movement is the figure of Johnny Pacheco, know as one of the great musical legacies responsible for salsa music.
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The Counselor
Title: The Counselor
Character: Jefe
Released: October 25, 2013
Type: Movie
A lawyer finds himself in far over his head when he attempts to get involved in drug trafficking.
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Outlaws - For Greater Glory
Title: Outlaws - For Greater Glory
Character: Président Calles
Released: June 1, 2012
Type: Movie
A chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929), which was touched off by a rebellion against the Mexican government's attempt to secularize the country.
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Safe House
Title: Safe House
Character: Carlos Villar
Released: February 8, 2012
Type: Movie
A dangerous CIA renegade resurfaces after a decade on the run. When the safe house he's remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative escapes with him. Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.
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¡Sonó, Sonó… Tite Curet!
Title: ¡Sonó, Sonó… Tite Curet!
Released: December 4, 2011
Type: Movie
Homage to Puerto Rican composer Catalino Curet Alonso, or as his friends and fans call him, "Tite", representing how widely influential the composer remains.
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Title: Músicos de Latinoamérica
Character: Self
Released: November 8, 2011
Type: TV
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The Next Season
Title: The Next Season
Character: Benito
Released: September 21, 2011
Type: Movie
Emotionally battered by the paternal relationship with her husband, Eva is a young immigrant photographer, a misfit who strives to find the perfect light. Her passion for life itself is drying like leaves in winter. A letter written by Eva's mother brings her rebirth, fixing like a photograph in her memory the unique moment she had been waiting for.
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Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 2
Title: Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 2
Released: March 15, 2011
Type: Movie
Celebrated actor, political activist, songwriter, and multiple Grammy Award winning performer Rubén Blades returned to the stage with the live tour "Todos Vuelven". It has been seen by over one million people worldwide.
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Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1
Title: Rubén Blades: Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1
Released: March 15, 2011
Type: Movie
Celebrated actor, political activist, songwriter, and multiple Grammy Award winning performer Rubén Blades returned to the stage with the live tour "Todos Vuelven". It has been seen by over one million people worldwide.
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Spoken Word
Title: Spoken Word
Character: Cruz-Sr.
Released: July 17, 2009
Type: Movie
A San Francisco spoken word artist returns to New Mexico to be with his dying father, only to find he loses his "voice" as he is sucked back in to the dysfunctional life of drugs and violence he left behind.
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La clave
Title: La clave
Released: August 9, 2008
Type: Movie
Musical documentary film about the similarities between two types of music genres known as Salsa and Reggaeton. The clave is the five-note two-bar rhythm pattern which generates rhythmic measurement and is the foundation and backbone of Salsa and all Afro-Cuban based music.
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Lo mejor de nuestra música popular: 15 años de éxitos
Title: Lo mejor de nuestra música popular: 15 años de éxitos
Released: December 2, 2007
Type: Movie
The film includes highlights of the Banco Popular's music specials, whose production started in 1993.
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The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of 'Predator 2'
Title: The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of 'Predator 2'
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 25, 2005
Type: Movie
The Hunters and the Hunted: The Making of Predator 2 is a 2005 documentary that details the production of the 1990 film Predator 2. Created for the Predator 2: Special Edition DVD set, it uses interviews with the film's cast and crew, as well as behind the scenes footage and imagery, to examine the development, filming and release of the movie.
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En mi país
Title: En mi país
Character: Rubén Blades
Released: December 5, 2004
Type: Movie
The illusion and joy of Christmas arrives from the four cardinal points of Latin America. The film recreates a typical Christmas party with Puerto Rican and Latin American artists, whom convey how Christmas is celebrated in their countries.
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Secuestro Express
Title: Secuestro Express
Character: Carla's Father
Released: June 1, 2004
Type: Movie
Young couple Carla and Martin are abducted by three men and spend a terrifying night in Caracas as they wait for Carla's father to hand over the ransom
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Spin
Title: Spin
Character: Ernesto
Released: October 23, 2003
Type: Movie
"Spin" tells the story of a boy who loses his parents in a plane crash, is taken in by his uncle (Tucci), who then leaves him for ten years in the care of his Hispanic ranch hand (Blades) and his wife (Delany). Once in high school, Eddie (Merriman) reconnects with a girl from his past (Garces), and their growing interracial relationship teaches the sometimes-sullen Eddie to think of others before himself.
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Imagining Argentina
Title: Imagining Argentina
Character: Silvio Ayala
Released: September 13, 2003
Type: Movie
Set during the unsettling disappearances in Buenos Aires during the dictatorship of the 1970s, the film involves theater director Carlos Rueda and his wife Cecilia. Shortly after Cecilia writes an editorial commentary questioning the mysterious abductions, she is herself abducted and taken into police custody.
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Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Title: Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Character: Jorge FBI
Released: September 11, 2003
Type: Movie
A CIA agent hires hitman "El Mariachi" to assassinate a Mexican general hired by a drug kingpin attempting a coup d'état.
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Assassination Tango
Title: Assassination Tango
Character: Miguel
Released: March 8, 2003
Type: Movie
John J. is a seasoned hit man sent on a job to Argentina. When the General he's sent to kill delays his return to the country, John passes the time with Manuela, a beautiful dancer who becomes his teacher and guide into Argentina's sensual world of the tango.
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The Maldonado Miracle
Title: The Maldonado Miracle
Character: Cruz
Released: January 20, 2003
Type: Movie
A story about a small, dying town in need of hope until one day a young boy gives them something to believe in.
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Encuentro
Title: Encuentro
Released: December 8, 2002
Type: Movie
The social vision of the lives of three Hispanic singer-songwriters who enjoy the favor of Puerto Rican public and Latin America is presented: Rubén Blades, Juan Luis Guerra, and Robi Draco Rosa. Through this special a fitting tribute to the work of composition and artistic interpretation of these three pillars of Latin music is achieved.
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Title: Las Lunas del Auditorio
Character: Self
Released: September 4, 2002
Type: TV
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All the Pretty Horses
Title: All the Pretty Horses
Character: Rocha
Released: December 11, 2000
Type: Movie
The year is 1949. A young Texan named John Grady finds himself without a home after his mother sells the ranch where he has spent his entire life. Lured south of the border by the romance of cowboy life and the promise of a fresh start, Cole and his pal embark on an adventure that will test their resilience, define their maturity, and change their lives forever.
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Title: Gideon's Crossing
Character: Dr. Max Cabranes
Released: October 10, 2000
Type: TV
Ben Gideon, a doctor of great skill and with a great bedside manner, heads the experimental oncology ward at a fictional teaching hospital in New England. Based on the work of Dr. Jerome Groupman, Gideon fights to inspire the next generation of doctors.
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Title: Latin Grammy Awards
Character: Self
Released: September 13, 2000
Type: TV
A Latin Grammy Award is an award by The Latin Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievement in the Latin music industry. The Latin Grammy honors works produced anywhere around the world that were recorded in either Spanish or Portuguese and is awarded in the United States.
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Cradle Will Rock
Title: Cradle Will Rock
Character: Diego Rivera
Released: December 10, 1999
Type: Movie
A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.
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Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - Live In Venezuela
Title: Willie Colón & Rubén Blades - Live In Venezuela
Character: Rubén Blades
Released: June 16, 1998
Type: Movie
Concert in Venezuela at the July 1998 under the AMNISTIA festival. Here Ruben forgets a part of the lyrics and the musicians, although they still play, are surprised at what happened. TrackList 01. Que Sera 02. Pablo Pueblo 03. Idilio 04. Pedro Navaja 05. Gitana 06. Buscando Guayaba 07. El Gran Varon 08. Nacimiento De Ramiro 09. Plástico 10. Plantacion adentro, 11. Homenaje a Hector Lavoe
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A Roll of the Dice: The Capeman on Broadway
Title: A Roll of the Dice: The Capeman on Broadway
Released: April 4, 1998
Type: Movie
A made for TV documentary about the creation of Paul Simon and Derek Walcott's controversial and ultimately flop of a music, "The Capeman". Explores the story of the production of the musical as well also the story of Salvador Agron and the Capeman murders.
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Chinese Box
Title: Chinese Box
Character: Jim
Released: November 14, 1997
Type: Movie
The story of Hong Kong, from New Year's Day to June 30th, 1997, when the British left their colony and turned it over to the People's Republic of China.
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Title: Arthouse
Character: Self
Released: October 26, 1997
Type: TV
Channel 4 documentary series covering all branches of the arts.
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From Son to Salsa
Title: From Son to Salsa
Released: September 12, 1997
Type: Movie
A testimony about Afro-Cuban popular music from its origins to the present day.
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The Devil's Own
Title: The Devil's Own
Character: Officer Edwin Diaz
Released: March 13, 1997
Type: Movie
Frankie McGuire, one of the IRA's deadliest assassins, draws an American family into the crossfire of terrorism. But when he is sent to the U.S. to buy weapons, Frankie is housed with the family of Tom O'Meara, a New York cop who knows nothing about Frankie's real identity. Their surprising friendship, and Tom's growing suspicions, forces Frankie to choose between the promise of peace or a lifetime of murder.
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Al compás de un sentimiento: la música de Pedro Flores
Title: Al compás de un sentimiento: la música de Pedro Flores
Released: December 8, 1996
Type: Movie
The music of the Puerto Rican composer Pedro Flores which was televised on Dec. 8, 1996.
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Scorpion Spring
Title: Scorpion Spring
Character: Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa
Released: October 10, 1996
Type: Movie
On the run from the law, desperate drug runner Astor and his beautiful prisoner struggle through the savage heat...
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Somos un solo pueblo
Title: Somos un solo pueblo
Character: Self
Released: December 3, 1995
Type: Movie
Presents a bit of the history of the migration of our people, people who came out opening new horizons and looking for new destinations. During that absence, it has been music that has defined us and served to remove barriers and grow closer.
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Color of Night
Title: Color of Night
Character: Hector
Released: August 19, 1994
Type: Movie
A color-blind psychiatrist is stalked by an unknown killer after taking over his murdered friend's therapy group and becomes embroiled in an intense affair with a mysterious woman who may be connected to the crime.
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A Million to Juan
Title: A Million to Juan
Character: Bartender
Released: May 15, 1994
Type: Movie
Romantic comedy about an honest Mexican immigrant who struggles without a green card by selling oranges on a street corner. One day a limousine pulls up and he is handed a check for $1,000,000 with instructions that he is to give the check back in 30 days. Initially he uses the check to convince people to extend credit to him. In the meantime he also attracts a woman who is in a dead end relationship with a bossy businessman. At the end of the 30 days, he finds his life in turmoil, the things he got on credit are repossessed, and he is being evicted from his dwelling and being sent back to Mexico.
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Title: The X-Files
Character: Conrad Lozano
Released: September 10, 1993
Type: TV
The exploits of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who investigate X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a skeptic, is assigned to make scientific analyses of Mulder's discoveries that debunk Mulder's work and thus return him to mainstream cases.
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Miracle on Interstate 880
Title: Miracle on Interstate 880
Character: Pastor Beruman
Released: February 22, 1993
Type: Movie
A man attempts to rescue people trapped on the I-880 bridge after the top half collapses during the 1989 San Francisco earthquake.
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The Super
Title: The Super
Character: Marlon
Released: October 4, 1991
Type: Movie
Louie Kritski is a heartless landlord who has been so negligent in keeping up his ghetto apartment that he is threatened with jail time. The judge gives him another option -- he must live in his rat-infested hell hole until he brings it up to liveable standards.
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Crazy From the Heart
Title: Crazy From the Heart
Character: Ernesto Ontiveros
Released: August 19, 1991
Type: Movie
A small-town, high-school principal still living at home with her mother shakes up her life in a way that even she never expected when she agrees to go out on a date with her school's Hispanic janitor.
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One Man’s War
Title: One Man’s War
Character: Perrone
Released: April 20, 1991
Type: Movie
Anthony Hopkins plays an English medical doctor living with his family in Paraguay and treating the poor people from the surroundings, who has his life turned upside down when his son was mysteriously murdered in what could have been an attack to him since he's opposed to the military dictatorship of the country. The doctor and his family will take lots of risk while trying to prove that the government was involved in the murder.
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The Josephine Baker Story
Title: The Josephine Baker Story
Character: Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino
Released: March 16, 1991
Type: Movie
Biography of the African-American who became a major performer in the Paris cabarets of the 1920s and 1930s. The film follows her life beginning as a struggling performer in 1917 St. Louis, her frustrations leading to her move to France, and follows to her death in 1975. Written by John Sacksteder
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Predator 2
Title: Predator 2
Character: Danny Archuleta
Released: November 21, 1990
Type: Movie
A police chief in the war-torn streets of Los Angeles discovers that an extraterrestrial creature is hunting down residents - and that he is the next target.
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The Two Jakes
Title: The Two Jakes
Character: Mickey Nice
Released: August 10, 1990
Type: Movie
Real estate developer Jake Berman hires private investigator and war veteran Jake Gittes for some run-of-the-mill matrimonial work. After Berman shoots his wife's lover, who happens to be his business partner, Gittes is drawn into a web of conspiracy and deceit involving the oil reserves beneath Los Angeles. While investigating, Gittes hears a voice from his past that causes him to revisit a traumatic case in Chinatown.
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Mo' Better Blues
Title: Mo' Better Blues
Character: Petey
Released: August 3, 1990
Type: Movie
Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gilliam is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends Indigo and Clarke. But when he is forced to come to the aid of his manager and childhood friend, Bleek finds his world more fragile than he ever imagined.
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The Heart of the Deal
Title: The Heart of the Deal
Released: January 1, 1990
Type: Movie
Short film directed by Marina Levikova and Yuri Neyman.
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The Lemon Sisters
Title: The Lemon Sisters
Character: C.W.
Released: December 1, 1989
Type: Movie
Three life-long friends work the bars in 1980s Atlantic City performing the songs of the 1960s girl groups.
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Disorganized Crime
Title: Disorganized Crime
Character: Carlos Barrios
Released: April 14, 1989
Type: Movie
Lou Diamond Phillips and Fred Gwynne team up with a gang of professional criminals who have everything it takes to rob a bank. The only things they do have going for them are a cop and his partner, who are dumber than they are! By the time the gang hits the bank vault, it's a safe bet there's going to be organized insanity and disorganized crime!
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Dead Man Out
Title: Dead Man Out
Character: Ben
Released: March 12, 1989
Type: Movie
A psychiatrist is sent to evaluate if a convicted multiple murderer who's awaiting execution on Death Row for eighth year now and whose behavior during that time got more and more erratic is still mentally fit to be executed.
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Homeboy
Title: Homeboy
Character: Doctor
Released: August 24, 1988
Type: Movie
Johnny Walker is a cowboy and a boxer. He is very shy and a bit of a fool. He is in love with Ruby, but he cannot tell her. He is also a bit old to keep on boxing, but its the only thing he does well.
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The Milagro Beanfield War
Title: The Milagro Beanfield War
Character: Sheriff Bernabe Montoya
Released: March 18, 1988
Type: Movie
The accidental breakdown of an irrigation valve launches a hot confrontation between the mainly Latino farmers in a tiny New Mexico town and the real estate developers and politicians determined to acquire their land for a golf resort.
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Fatal Beauty
Title: Fatal Beauty
Character: Carl Jimenez
Released: October 30, 1987
Type: Movie
Detective Rita Rizzoli is accustomed to donning costumes and going undercover to nail crooks. But she'll be required to use all of her get-ups and more when a major cocaine ring is suspected of turning out a potent new strain of the drug, called "Fatal Beauty." With the help of her partner and a former bodyguard for a local cartel, Rita will do whatever it takes to find out who's dealing Fatal Beauty and stop them.
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Critical Condition
Title: Critical Condition
Character: Louis
Released: January 16, 1987
Type: Movie
Eddie is a con artist. When he's framed and comes before a judge, he hopes to get off the hook by climbing insanity—but instead ends up in a hospital for a mental assessment. That night, a storm causes a power failure and, in the ensuing chaos, Eddie is mistaken for a doctor and suddenly finds himself in charge of the hospital.
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The Return of Rubén Blades
Title: The Return of Rubén Blades
Character: himself
Released: October 16, 1985
Type: Movie
Robert Mugge's 1986 film provides a full-blooded portrait of the Latino singer, actor, bandleader, and composer. Blades' Panama homeland, his Harvard Master's degree, and a New York performance with his band Seis de Solar all serve as stops on this biographical journey.
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Crossover Dreams
Title: Crossover Dreams
Character: Rudy Veloz
Released: August 23, 1985
Type: Movie
Salsa singer screws over everybody on his way to the top; when his latest record flops, his career starts doing downhill.
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The Last Fight
Title: The Last Fight
Character: Andy "Kid" Clave
Released: September 7, 1983
Type: Movie
Singer-turned-boxer Andy 'Kid' Clave signs a contract with a shady promoter Joaquin Vargas. But Clave turns against Vargas when the promoter's thugs kill Clave's girlfriend when he thinks about backing out of the contract. While seeking a way to get revenge against Vargas, Clave learns that he has a blood clot in his head. But nothing will deter him from getting his revenge and making a shot at the title.
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The Making of Sun City
Title: The Making of Sun City
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
Documentary Chronicling the making of Artists United Against Apartheid “Sun City”