Julianne Moore stars in ‘Still Alice’ (Photo by Linda Kallerus, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics)
Julianne Moore was the recipient of this year’s CinemaCon Vanguard Award, given in recognition of her outstanding career in films. “Her work on the big screen is unmatched and with this year’s upcoming releases of Freeheld and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 she will continue to entertain, enlighten, educate and captivate us all. We could not be more honored to be able to present her with this year’s ‘CinemaCon Vanguard Award,” stated CinemaCon’s Managing Director Mitch Neuhauser in announcing the honor.
Before taking the stage at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony at Caesars Palace in Vegas, Moore took part in a brief press conference to discuss her career and to talk about the film that earned her a Best Actress Oscar: Still Alice.
Universal Pictures’ presentation at the 2015 CinemaCon in Vegas included actors and directors from films including Pitch Perfect 2, Ted 2, Everest, Trainwreck, Straight Outta Compton, Sisters, Minions, and Jurassic World. The Visit was also well represented by writer/director M. Night Shyamalan and producer Jason Blum who talked about how the film came to be part of the Universal Pictures lineup.
On stage at the Coliseum at Caesars Palace in Vegas, Blum explained that his company Blumhouse Productions does small movies and so it felt counter intuitive to be talking to the thousands of National Association of Theater Owners members in attendance. However, he further explained there is no better place to see a scary movie than in a big theater alongside fellow screaming horror fans.
Blum, who sees hundreds of film scripts and TV projects each year, says he was drawn to The Visit because it was not only scary but fun. He then introduced the film’s writer/director M. Night Shyamalan who described how his movies are always written in his little office at his home in Philly and he joked they’re almost shot in his barn, that’s how close to home he remains while working on his movies.
Shyamalan paid his producer high compliments, saying he’s a producer of artistic, original filmmaking and he puts humanity into the genre. Shyamalan was also complimentary of Universal Pictures who came on board the project after he asked studio execs to learn about the film by attending an screening with a real audience. Shyamalan said the audience went nuts and applauded five times, adding “but who’s counting?” He then recalled how he asked that preview audience if they thought it was a film that should be seen in theaters and they unanimously raised their hands yes. Shyamalan’s a firm supporter of the theatrical screening experience and doesn’t believe in theatrical and On Demand same day releases. He’s a proponent of the theatrical experience because it helps the audience feel connected.
With The Visit, M. Night said his goal was to make the “loudest, funnest movie-going experience” possible. He confessed that he loves to scare people and he’s excited to return to that style of filmmaking with The Visit.
Watch the first official trailer:
The Plot:
Shyamalan returns to his roots with the terrifying story of a brother and sister who are sent to their grandparents’ remote Pennsylvania farm for a weeklong trip. Once the children discover that the elderly couple is involved in something deeply disturbing, they see their chances of getting back home are growing smaller every day.
The Visit stars Kathryn Hahn, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie, Ed Oxenbould, Olivia DeJonge. Universal’s releasing the horror film in theaters this September.
20th Century Fox put on an impressive presentation at the 2015 CinemaCon in Las Vegas, bringing in actors and filmmakers including Paul Feig, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Michael B Jordan, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, and Jason Statham, to promote their slate of films heading to theaters this year and in 2016. And after the presentation, Fox released more details on films on their schedule including plots, release dates, and cast lists.
Here’s the complete list of what Fox has in store for movie fans in the next two years:
POLTERGEIST
Supernatural Thriller
Release: May 22, 2015, in 3D
Director: Gil Kenan
Screenplay by: David Lindsay-Abaire
Produced by: Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Roy Lee
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris, Jane Adams
SYNOPSIS
Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and hold the youngest daughter captive, the family must come together to rescue her before she disappears forever.
SPY
Comedy
Release: June 5, 2015
Director: Paul Feig
Written by: Paul Feig
Producers: Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Paul Feig, Jessie Henderson
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Miranda Hart, and Jude Law
SYNOPSIS
Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global disaster.
PAPER TOWNS
Drama
Release: July 24, 2015
Director: Jake Schreier
Screenplay by: Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, based upon the book by John Green
Producers: Wyck Godfrey, p.g.a; Marty Bowen, p.g.a.
Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams, Halston Sage, Justice Smith
SYNOPSIS
Adapted from the bestselling novel by author John Green (The Fault in Our Stars), PAPER TOWNS is a coming-of-age story centering on Quentin and his enigmatic neighbor Margo, who loved mysteries so much she became one. After taking him on an all-night adventure through their hometown, Margo suddenly disappears–leaving behind cryptic clues for Quentin to decipher. The search leads Quentin and his quick-witted friends on an exhilarating adventure that is equal parts hilarious and moving. Ultimately, to track down Margo, Quentin must find a deeper understanding of true friendship–and true love. FANTASTIC FOUR
Action-adventure
Release: August 7, 2015
Director: Josh Trank
Screenplay: Jeremy Slater and Simon Kinberg & Josh Trank, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Producers: Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn, Hutch Parker, Robert Kulzer, Gregory Goodman
Cast: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson
SYNOPSIS FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
HITMAN: AGENT 47
Action-Adventure
Release: August 28, 2015
Director: Aleksander Bach
Screenplay: Skip Woods and Michael Finch
Producers: Charles Gordon, Adrian Askarieh, Alex Young, Skip Woods
Cast: Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto, Ciarán Hinds, Thomas Kretschmann
SYNOPSIS HITMAN: AGENT 47 centers on an elite assassin who was genetically engineered from conception to be the perfect killing machine, and is known only by the last two digits on the barcode tattooed on the back of his neck. He is the culmination of decades of research – and forty-six earlier Agent clones — endowing him with unprecedented strength, speed, stamina and intelligence. His latest target is a mega-corporation that plans to unlock the secret of Agent 47’s past to create an army of killers whose powers surpass even his own. Teaming up with a young woman who may hold the secret to overcoming their powerful and clandestine enemies, 47 confronts stunning revelations about his own origins and squares off in an epic battle with his deadliest foe.
MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS
Action-Adventure
September 18, 2015
Director: Wes Ball
Producers: Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Lee Stollman
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen, Barry Pepper, Lili Taylor, and Patricia Clarkson.
SYNOPSIS
In this next chapter of the epic Maze Runner saga, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD’s vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all.
VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN
Horror Thriller
Release: October 2, 2015
Director: Paul McGuigan
Screen Story and Screenplay by: Max Landis
Producer: John Davis
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott, Freddie Fox
SYNOPSIS
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Snoopy, the world’s most lovable beagle – and flying ace – embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal, Charlie Brown, begins his own epic quest. From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the ICE AGE films, THE PEANUTS MOVIE will prove that every underdog has his day.
THE MARTIAN
Action-Adventure, in 3D
Release: November 25, 2015
Director: Ridley Scott
Producers: Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam, Aditya Sood
Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover
SYNOPSIS
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP
Comedy
Release: December 23, 2015
Director: Walt Becker
Producers: Janice Karman, Ross Bagdasarian
Screenplay: Adam Sztkiel, based on the characters Alvin and Chipmunks created by
Ross Bagdasarian
SYNOPSIS
Through a series of misunderstandings, Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in New York City…and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother.
JOY
Comedy-drama
Release: December 25, 2015
Director: David O. Russell
Written by: David O. Russell
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen
SYNOPSIS JOY is the story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty. The story is inspired by the life and times of inventor entrepreneur Joy Mangano, creator of Ingenious Designs with over $1 billion in sales, as well as inspired by elements from the lives of other historic business pioneers.
THE REVENANT
Action-Adventure
Release: December 25, 2015 (limited); January 8, 2016 (wide)
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Screenplay: Mark Smith and Alejandro G. Iñárritu, based on the novel by Michael Punke
Producers: Arnon Milchan, Steve Golin, David Kanter, Keith Redmon, Alejandro González Iñárritu
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Lukas Haas
SYNOPSIS
Deep in the unchartered American wilderness, hunter Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is severely injured and left for dead by a traitorous member of his team, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). With sheer will as his only weapon, Glass must navigate a hostile environment, a brutal winter and warring tribes in a relentless quest to survive and exact vengeance on Fitzgerald. Inspired by a true story, THE REVENANT is directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker and Academy Award-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman, Babel).
KUNG FU PANDA 3
Animation, in 3D
Release: January 29, 2016, in 3D
Directors: Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni
Producer: Melissa Cobb
Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim, Bryan Cranston, Rebel Wilson
SYNOPSIS
In 2016, one of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, KUNG FU PANDA 3. When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible—learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!
DEADPOOL
Release: February 12, 2016
MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN
Release: March 4, 2016
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
Release: April 1, 2016
EDDIE THE EAGLE
Release: April 29, 2016
X-MEN: APOCALYPSE
Release: May 27, 2016
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Release: June 24, 2016
MIKE & DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES
Release: July 8, 2016
ICE AGE 5
Release: July 15, 2016, in 3D
GAMBIT
Release: October 7, 2016
TROLLS
Release: November 4, 2016, in 3D
ASSASSIN’S CREED
Release: December 21, 2016
THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH
Release: December 25, 2016
Spike TV’s just released the first Tut trailer featuring Sir Ben Kingsley and Avan Jogia. Tut is the network’s new dramatic limited event series and is set to air at 9pm ET/PT on July 19, 20, and 21st.
The cast also includes Nonso Anozie, Sibylla Deen, Alexander Siddig, Kylie Bunbury, Iddo Goldberg, and Peter Gadiot. Joel S. Rice, Michael Prupas, Greg Gugliotta, Michael Vickerman, Jeremy Elice, Angela Mancuso, David Von Ancken, and Sharon Levy executive produced the six-hour series. David Von Ancken directed from a script by Michael Vickerman, Peter Paige, and Bradley Bredeweg.
The Plot:
Spike’s Tut tells the astounding saga of one of history’s most extraordinary rulers, Tutankhamun (King Tut), his rise to power and his struggle to lead Egypt to glory, while his closest advisors, friends and lovers scheme for their own nefarious interests. Tut opens up a fascinating window into a world filled with heart-breaking romance, epic battles, political backstabbing, conspiracy, jealousy, and even murder — proving his world was not far removed from our own — and that his reign as the youngest Egyptian king played out as a real-life drama for the ages.
A new poster’s arrived for writer/director Robert Zemeckis’ passion project, The Walk, which is hitting theaters this October. Based on the book To Reach the Clouds by Philippe Petit, The Walk is the true story of Petit’s incredible death-defying tightrope walk between the Twin Towers. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Philippe Petit in the action adventure film, with support from Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, and James Badge Dale.
The Plot:
Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man – Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, Petit and his gang overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan. Robert Zemeckis, the director of such marvels as Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Back to the Future, Polar Express and Flight, again uses cutting edge technology in the service of an emotional, character-driven story. With innovative photo realistic techniques and IMAX 3D ® wizardry, The Walk is true big-screen cinema, a chance for moviegoers to viscerally experience the feeling of reaching the clouds. The film is a love letter to Paris and New York City in the 1970s, but most of all, to the Towers of the World Trade Center.
The trailer for Black Mass has arrived online following its debut at the 2015 CinemaCon in Vegas. Johnny Depp stars as Whitey Bulger in this dramatic film based on a true story, and the trailer shows Depp is back in form after a stretch of films that were met less than enthusiastically at the box office (and which were savaged by critics).
Black Mass was directed by Scott Cooper and stars Depp, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Dakota Johnson.
The Plot:
In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the true story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history.
A very emotional Vin Diesel took the stage during Universal Pictures’ presentation at the 2015 CinemaCon in Vegas, thanking the National Association of Theater Owners for their support of the Fast and Furious franchise and in particular their support of Furious 7. Furious 7 set box office records and is Universal’s most profitable film, and Diesel spoke from the heart – not the teleprompter – while addressing the crowd at the Coliseum at Caesars Palace and discussing the film. Diesel said that the last time he was at CinemaCon it was with his brother Paul Walker when they announced the release date of Furious 7. Diesel recalled that the reception to that news made him giddy and excited to get back to work, and it gave him confidence that there was still box office support for the action franchise.
Diesel said that making Furious 7 felt special and it was a very personal movie for everyone involved. The cast are family and the audience recognizes that and feel as though they’re part of the family, too. And, Diesel confirmed the rumor that there will be a Furious 8. “I swear to you and my brother upstairs, we’re going to make the best movie you’ve ever seen.”
The eighth film of the blockbuster franchise will hit theaters on April 14, 2017. Diesel did not say anything about who will be returning or what fans of the series can expect, other than he believes the F&F films aren’t just movies – they’re a “movement.”
The Universal presentation also included the reveal of the theatrical release dates for the second and third Fifty Shades films. Chairman Donna Langley introduced a highlight reel of Fifty Shades of Grey footage and then announced Fifty Shades Darker will hit theaters on February 10, 2017. Fifty Shades Freed will arrive on February 9, 2018. Although Langley didn’t confirm any details on the Fifty Shades sequels, this week news arrived that author E.L. James’ husband Niall Leonard will be penning the script for Fifty Shades Darker. Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson will not be returning to the series.
Starz has shared the first photo from the set of Ash vs Evil Dead, the new Evil Dead series from executive producers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and Bruce Campbell. Campbell also stars in the series, reprising his role as Ash in the half-hour series which will air on Starz this fall.
Filming is currently underway in New Zealand with Craig DiGregorio serving as showrunner. The cast also includes Lucy Lawless, Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, and Jill Marie Jones. Sam Raimi co-wrote and is directing the first episode.
The Plot:
Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons – personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip.
Lady Gaga has been named as the first-ever Contemporary Icon Award winner by the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lady Gaga will pick up the award during the 46th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on June 18, 2015 in New York City. According to the official announcement, the Contemporary Icon Award celebrates a “songwriter-artist who has attained an iconic status in pop culture.”
“It could be said that this honor was created with Lady Gaga in mind. She has enjoyed monumental popularity on the charts, on radio, TV and the Internet, not to mention the continuous press coverage she has generated,” stated SHOF President & CEO Linda Moran. “She is a consistent hit maker who has surprised everyone by proving to be as adept with the great standards as she is with her own songs. We at SHOF are particularly proud that Lady Gaga performed at one of our songwriter showcases when she was still known as Stefani Germanotta.”
Other artists set to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year include Bobby Braddock, Willie Dixon, Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia, Toby Keith, Cyndi Lauper and Linda Perry.
Russell Crowe sings with host Jimmy Fallon on April 22, 2015 (Photo by: Douglas Gorenstein / NBC)
Actor/director Russell Crowe not only chatted with The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon about his new film The Water Diviner but also joined Fallon for a rousing performance of “Balls in Your Mouth.” Fallon said he penned the protest song five years ago about the BP Oil Spill, and the title refers to not wanting tar balls in your mouth while swimming in the ocean.
Strapping on a guitar, Crowe worked the audience and really got into his performance of the little-known protest anthem.
