Magic Lantern openings have Hispanic appeal

Above : Rita Moreno’s story is told in the documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.” ( Photo/MGM)

The two films that are scheduled to open Friday at the Magic Lantern Theatre have a lot in common.

One is “In the Heights,” the John M. Chu-directed version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s stage musical, which is already playing at several of the area’s mainstream theaters. The other is the documentary, “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, ” which features interviews with a number of Moreno’s fans – including Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“In the Heights,” as has been described elsewhere, is Miranda’s love letter to the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights. It scored a 96 percent fresh rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes , 95 percent among movie fans. Que bueno.

Chu, director of 2018’s hit “Crazy Rich Asians,” benefits from a cast that includes Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barera and Corey Hawkins.

The documentary is actually doing even better. “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,” has – as of this writing – a perfect 100 percent fresh rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directed by Meriem Pérez Riera, the film explores how the 89-year-old Puerto Rican-born Moreno navigated the studio system of the 1950s and ended up snaring an EGOT, winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar (Best Supporting Actress for 1961’s “West Side Story” ) and Tony awards.

Some of the documentary’s critical comments:

Randy Myers , San Jose Mercury News: “Not only an eye-opening story about old Hollywood but a testament to the vitality and integrity of an artist who is not showing any signs of slowing down.”

Chris Willman , Variety: “Coming away from “Just a Girl,” it’s impossible not to be convinced that Moreno is the rare screen legend who found a way to stick the Hollywood landing.”

Nick Allen , RogerEbert.com: “It makes you feel both the highs and lows of being such a trailblazer in Hollywood.”

To which, let’s tack on a quote from Moreno herself: “Retirement is just not in my DNA.”