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About Me
Arlene Martinez (aka La Colora) is one of the leading influencers in the Latin music space. Her insightful understanding of Latin urban music industry, consumer taste and the evolution of the genre have made her a respected voice in that music field. Not surprisingly, she is on first name basis and holds social media conversations with the leading figures of reggaeton. During her stay in Los Angeles, she witnessed the evolution of the genre and covered Calibash from its inception to the last edition, now the leading urban music concert in that city. Living in Los Angeles allowed her to expand into other entertainment fields but music has always been her passion. Now residing in Colorado, her voice continues to be a bicoastal force with national presence. Being a mother of millennial children and a military spouse, she is uniquely experienced and has had relationships with various brands and companies.

Forgotten Island Review: DreamWorks’ Most Beautiful Film Yet

FORGOTTEN ISLAND – IN THEATERS SEPTEMBER 25

*Forgotten Island* is an amazing movie. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, DreamWorks’ latest animated feature — released September 25, 2026 — tells a story about friendship, growing up, and how life can change in a single night. It’s overwhelming, it’s beautiful, and it’s one of the year’s best.
 
A Story That Hits Every Emotion
 
At its heart, *Forgotten Island* is about two best friends, Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), stranded on the mystical island of Nakali, where escaping may cost them the memories of their friendship. I loved the story — it’s packed with action, drama, and even genuinely scary moments. But what makes it special is the message underneath it all.
 
 The Friendship Is Everything
 
Watching Jo and Raissa grow through this adventure is so amazing. Their friendship feels real — the kind of bond that shapes who you become. The film reminds you how precious those connections are, and how life can change in ways you never expect. That message lands hard.
 
Funny, Scary, and Overwhelmingly Beautiful
 
This movie is genuinely funny, with laugh-out-loud moments that balance the heavier themes. It’s also surprisingly scary at times — DreamWorks isn’t pulling punches. The animation itself is stunning, blending styles in ways that make Nakali feel alive and magical. By the end, it’s simply an overwhelmingly beautiful movie.
 
 Final Verdict
 
*Forgotten Island* has it all: action, drama, scares, comedy, and a friendship story that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It’s a film about growing up, holding on, and learning that life can change — and it’s beautiful every step of the way. Don’t miss it.

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Your best friendship is worth fighting for.

DreamWorks Animation, the studio that brought you unforgettable bonds between a boy and a dragon in How to Train Your Dragon, an ogre and a donkey in Shrek, and a robot and a gosling in The Wild Robot, now welcomes a dazzling and emotional story about two lifelong best friends who must come together before they drift apart in Forgotten Island.

 

The new original film is written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and is produced by Academy Award® nominee Mark Swift, the filmmaking team behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Grammy and Academy Award® winning supernova H.E.R. and Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Alone/Together) star as high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who have been best friends since grade school but are now about to embark on separate life paths.

While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families. 

Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but- hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.

The film’s all-star voice cast also includes Emmy nominee Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Dying for Sex), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Top Gun: Maverick), BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness, Ghostlight), global comedy superstar Jo Koy (Haunted Mansion, Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn) and Emmy winner Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show, M3GAN). 

DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is distributed by Universal Pictures.

Genre: Animated Adventure

Starring: H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng and Lea Salonga

Written and directed by: Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado

Producer: Mark Swift
 
 
5/5
Total Score
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