Thanks to the new sequel Machete Kills, there are a lot of Latino actors and actresses on the big screen this weekend. Robert Rodriguez' intention with the Machete series has been to create "Latin-flavored" action movies with a comical exploitation edge. In the latest, returning Latino stars Danny Trejo, Michele Rodriguez and Jessica Alba are joined by Sofia Vergara, Antonio Banderas, Alexa Vega, martial artist Marko Zaror and Charlie Sheen -- credited by his Spanish-origin birthname of Carlos Estevez. Also, Demián Bichir, hilariously the best part of the movie, proving his Oscar nomination two years ago for A Better Life was not undeserved. Sure, this is a comedic part in a ridiculously silly picture, but his talent is nevertheless brilliantly shining through.
This is already a good time to recognize and celebrate the great Latinos in the movies, what with Instructions Not Included becoming a surprise smash hit, now among the top five highest grossing foreign-language films in the U.S. And that was followed by Pulling Strings, another Mexican film that last weekend cracked the top 10 at the box office (never mind that number-one movie Gravity was also made by a Mexican director). Their respective leading actors, Eugenio Derbez and Jaime Camil, can now be considered bankable movie stars, in spite of being far less known in the mainstream as Hollywood Latinos like Benicio Del Toro, John Leguizamo, Salma Hayek and Zoe Saldana, all of whom are as skilled and accomplished as they are famous.
Other Latino stars of 2013 films to choose from include Diego Luna (Elysium), Selena Gomez (Spring Breakers), Edward James Olmos (2 Guns), Cameron Diaz (The Counselor), Rosie Perez (also The Counselor), Gael Garcia Bernal (No), Jennifer Lopez (Parker), Aubrey Plaza (The To Do List), and Benjamin Bratt (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2).
Who would you give the award for greatest living Latino actor or actress to?
