El Cantante

Though they don't look much alike, slight actor-singer Marc Anthony was born to play robust salsa sensation Héctor Lavoe. In addition to similar ancestry and vocal skills, Anthony has been building a respectable cinematic resume with roles in Big Night and Martin Scorsese's Bringing out the Dead. The title of El Cantante comes from a number Rubén Blades wrote for The Singer. Lavoe would make it his signature song. In the film, Anthony's wife, producer Jennifer Lopez, plays Puchi, the Nuyorican beauty who won Lavoe's heart. She narrates their story from the perspective of 2002 (the real-life Puchi passed away shortly afterwards). Leon Ichaso (Piñero) contrasts Lavoe's rise from Puerto Rican street singer to New York superstar with his fall from innocent immigrant to heroin-addicted ladies man. By the mid-1980s, Lavoe's popularity hit its peak, and Ichaso spends the rest of the time ticking off the tragedies of his final years: the break with trombonist Willie Colón (John Ortiz), stay in a mental ward, etc. It's a dynamic portrait, and Anthony and Lopez work well together, but despite the urban setting and Latin-flavored soundtrack, El Cantante follows virtually the same trajectory as Ray and Walk the Line (Ichaso has also directed biopics of Jimi Hendrix and Muhammad Ali). His movie looks and sounds authentic, but Lavoe's story might've been better served as nonfiction. There's a sense that there was more to the man than what appears on screen. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Review: El cantante sings!
I loved this movie and I also love JLo and Marc Anthony! I think this movie was underrated. If you are truly interested in Hector Lavoe, you will love it. If you buy it just cause you want to see JLo and Marc, you probably won't like it. They are good in the movie but the story is what made it for me. Of course, it goes without saying, Marc Anthony's voice is supberb!
Customer Review: WONDERFUL....
I rented this film recently and was surprised at how good it was. The story depicts the stormy life and tragic end to the great salsa legend Hector Lavoe. This movie hits you in the heart from the start. It makes you care about the character and his music. I now own a cd of Hector Lavoe and I never knew I could like salsa. Who knew?? His music is amazing and the tragic events of his life makes you want to know the person behind the prose of his songs. My ears know good music when it hears it and this man was a icon. Hector Lavoe.......rest in peace! I'm not much of a fan of Jennifer Lopez but she played a good role. However, another actress (a more popular one) would have made this film more marketable to the non-Hispanic population ( mass audience).

Cleveland is a very affordable city to live fabulously in. You just have to know where the deals are, and plan your week accordingly. I have lived in a downtown Cleveland apartment for over three years now, and I know all the tricks!

Food:
Sushi Rock is one of Cleveland's most popular downtown restaurants. It has great atmosphere, martinis, and of course raw fish! The only problem is it can get a little pricey, except every Wednesday when it is half price sushi night. All of the six piece rolls are half price from 5 to 9pm. The only thing you must remember is; make a reservation by Monday or you will be eating dinner at 9:00pm. The number to make a reservation is (216) 623-1212.

The East Fourth Street Neighborhood is one of the up and coming areas to live in downtown Cleveland. East Fourth street consist of four renovated buildings of apartment rental, 6 different restaurants, the house of blues, Pickwick and frolic, and a bowling alley! Living on this small street can get very expensive. The tasty Mexican restaurant, Zocalo has happy hour Monday-Friday from 2-7pm. During happy hour you can get the classic margarita for five dollars and free chips and salsa. Monday-Wednesday you can bowl at the corner alley for 4.25 and get 3 dollars off martinis, specialty drinks, and appetizers. Even Michael Symons restaurant Lola has lunch specials. You can enjoy a Chicken paillard salad for 12$ or my personal favorite the pressed turkey club for 9$. Google Lola Bistro for more lunch specials.

More Lunch ideas for under 10 dollars:

• Bricco 1438 Euclid Ave. You can get a grilled salmon sandwich or a chicken salad croissant for 9$. Google Bricco Cleveland for more lunch choices.
• John Q's Steakhouse 55 Public Square. You can get an open-faced prime rib sandwich or chicken marsala for $9.95. For more information John Q's Steakhouse.
• Mallorca 1390 West 9th Street. They have a lobster ravioli for 10$ and a grilled chicken salad for 8$. For more lunch special Google Mallorca Cleveland.
• Bluepoint Grille 700 West St Clair. Lunch specials include a lobster chicken pasts and pan roasted chicken for 10$. Google Bluepoint Cleveland for more information.

Fun:
Want to have a movie night out with the girls for under 10 bucks? Then look no further than the tower city cinema 11. Every Monday night every movie cost only 5 dollars and you get a free small bag of popcorn. Don't worry you suburban people, if you park at Tower city they will validate your parking right at the box office.

Here are three ways you can get super cheap Indians tickets. Go to any participating subway to get a coupon for half off Wednesday night upper box tickets. Bring your Giant Eagle advantage card to any pro shop or box office to receive up to 4 half price lower reserved tickets, these tickets are for July 29th, August 19th, and September 2nd games. And if all else fails buy the cheapest tickets you can and watch the game with all your friends from the Batters eye bar in center field.

Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks! In case you don't already know the rock and roll hall of fame is in Cleveland Ohio. They have tons of new exhibits this summer. The Jimi Hendrix exhibit, an RESPECT exhibit about 1960's soul music, and new inductee Madonna can all be seen this summer. What is the cost for you to get into the rock hall? By showing a valid id that proves you have a 440, 441, 442, or 443 zip code only 18 dollars! For more information on the rock halls up coming events Google Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Cleveland.

Cant get away to the Caribbean for a cruise? Then take a cruise around Cleveland! The good time 3 offers a variety of cruises around Lake Erie. Two of my personal favorites are the rush hour cruise and the Friday night dance cruise. The Friday rush hour cruise starts at 5:30 pm and arrives back around 8pm. There are 3 bars, a dance floor, and appetizers on this cruise. The cost is $12.50 per person. If you cant make the 5:30 cruise then hit up the Friday night dance party cruise. It starts at 9pm and arrives back around 11:30pm. There is music, a DJ, and of course 3 bars. This cruise will cost $15.00 per person. If you can get together twenty of your friends you can get special group rates, and the best part is your ticket will be free! Google Goodtime III Cleveland for more information.

In the mood for the fine arts? Make your way to university circle. You can go to the museum of art for free! Most of the special exhibitions at the museum are free as well. The natural history museum and the botanical gardens are both 5$ every Wednesday after 5pm.

More Free things to do in Cleveland:

• The Cleveland Metropark Zoo is free every Monday to all residents of Cuyahoga County.
• Huntington beach is Bay Village is free everyday complete with sand, waves, and several grills.
• Great Lakes brewing company gives free tour of the brewery every Friday from 5-9pm and Saturdays from 1-9pm.
• Rock and roll hall of fame has free outdoor concerts all summer long.
• Spaces art gallery is a non-profit artist run gallery, all the exhibits are free.
• Cleveland browns training camp in Berea is free to watch everyday.
• The Cleveland Institute of music in university circle has free concerts year round.

I hope these thrifty ideas help you to be the fabulous city girl that you are and still have money to pay the rent!

This Article was Authored by Emily Kopp for Cleveland Apartment Finders.
Copyright 2008 Cleveland Apartment Finders.

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80's dance music