The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and NASA will explore cutting-edge film techniques and virtual voyages using animation on Tuesday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Hosted by five-time Oscar®-nominated producer Frank Marshall, “Capturing the Final Frontier” will feature film clips and conversations with such filmmakers as Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar and leading NASA animators and scientists (see complete list on www.oscars.org).
Presented by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council, the event will take a journey through the space program’s breakthroughs in animation with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Eric De Jong, who began his career creating Voyager animations. The evening features a look at Mars rover Curiosity graphics in anticipation of its landing on the Red Planet in August 2012.
credit: JPL/NASA/Caltech
NASA animators and image specialists regularly take these visual concepts a step further by joining forces with Hollywood filmmakers to create new wonders for the big screen. “Capturing the Final Frontier” will examine some of these collaborations, exploring the documentary films “Hubble 3D” (2010) and “Roving Mars” (2006) along with feature films “Mission to Mars” (2000) and the Oscar-nominated “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (2011).
Tickets for “Capturing the Final Frontier” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID, and may be purchased online at www.oscars.org, in person at the Academy box office, or by mail.
The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticketed seating is unreserved. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.
Where do monsters go for a holiday? Find out in this brand new, international trailer for director Genndy Tartakovsky’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA.
And check out the domestic trailer. Its monster-ously delicious.
Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s (Adam Sandler) lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world’s most famous monsters – Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more – to celebrate his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem – but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.
Meet Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez), Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade), Wayne (Steve Buscemi), Wanda (Molly Shannon), Murray the Mummy (Cee Lo Green), Dracula (Adam Sandler) and Frank (Kevin James) on September 28, 2012 when HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA hits theaters.
A week full of Spider-Man activities to celebrate the opening of The Amazing Spider-Manon Tuesday, July 3rd. Grab the family for fun-filled adventures at the following locations:
6/25 – Climb Like Spider-Man Day at Upper Limits Climbing Gym
Swing by Upper Limits in Maryland Heights for a day of climbing. Mention Spider-Man Week and receive $5 off a climbing day pass. Also, enter for a chance to win a prize pack from the film including passes to the advance screening.
WHEN: 11AM – 10 PM
WHERE: 1874 Lackland Hill Parkway – 63146
6/26 – The Amazing Arachnids at Exotic Amphibian and Reptile Center
Swing by Exotic Amphibian and Reptile Center to enter for a chance to win a prize pack from the film including passes to the advance screening. While their make sure you check out their spiders and reptiles.
WHEN: 10AM – 8 PM
WHERE: 343 Lemay Ferry Road – 63125
6/27 – Spectacular Spider-Man Crafts at Glazed and Confused, Paint Your Own Pottery Studio
Swing by Glazed and Confused for a day of Spider-Man themed crafts. Also, enter for a chance to win a prize pack from the film including passes to the advance screening.
WHEN: 11AM – 6 PM
WHERE: 4595 Chestnut Park Plaza – 63129
6/28 – SPIDER-MAN VIDEO GAME DAY at Slacker’s Music, Movies & Games
Swing by any Slacker’s location for 10% off Spiderman merchandise. Stop by the Slacker’s St. Charles location to try out The Amazing Spider-Man™ video game, which hits stores on Tuesday, June 26th. Also, enter for a chance to win a prize pack from the film at all Slacker’s locations.
WHEN: 10AM – 9 PM
WHERE: St. Charles location – 2869 Veterans Memorial Pkwy – 63303
6/29 – Spider-Man Party with Z1077 at The Outfield at Mike Shannon’s
Swing by The Outfield at Mike Shannon’s for the Spider-Man Z1077 party with Curt Copeland. Promotional items will be distributed throughout the event and everyone in attendance can enter for a chance to win a prize pack from the film including passes to the advance screening. 21 and up event.
WHEN: 3 PM – 5 PM
WHERE: 620 Market Street – 63101
*While supplies last. No purchase necessary. Some restrictions apply. This film has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of action and violence
One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves from a story by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.
The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.
In celebration of the release of The Amazing Spider-Man™ on July 3, 2012, Columbia Pictures has partnered with some of NYC’s premier cultural institutions to create Spider-Man Week in NYC, a seven-day calendar of events in all five boroughs. The week includes a volunteer initiative as Spider-Man teams with his fellow New Yorkers to give back to their community by helping out people in need.
With special events at New York landmarks from the Empire State Building to the American Museum of Natural History to the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, Spider-Man Week in NYC offers a chance to celebrate the film and the city that Spider-Man loves and protects. For a full calendar of events, fans can visit www.spidermanweeknyc.com.
“KATY PERRY: PART OF ME” from Paramount’s Insurge Pictures will get its in-theater debut in the U.S. and Canada on Monday, July 2 with fan sneak premiere events of the 3D film presented exclusively in RealD® 3D in advance of its scheduled theatrical release on Thursday, July 5. Fans who follow @KatyPerry on Twitter were the first to hear from Katy herself about the special screening.
To promote the one-day-only exclusive shows, Paramount and Twitter have designated the hashtag #KP3D Movie Sneak, which Paramount has also sponsored as a Promoted Trend, that will point Twitter’s millions of users to a direct link to buy tickets to the advance showings. At each participating location, “KATY PERRY: PART OF ME” Twitter Fan event moviegoers will receive pink collectible Katy Perry RealD® 3D glasses and an exclusive pin-up poster.
The promotion continues a unique, never-been-done-before partnership between Insurge Pictures’ “KATY PERRY: PART OF ME” and Twitter, in which Katy Perry’s 22 million Twitter followers have the opportunity to voice their opinions through their own Tweets and be a part of the filmmaking process.
“When we invited Katy’s millions of Twitter fans to be part of the movie-making experience, we were overwhelmed by the positive response,” said Amy Powell, President of Insurge Pictures. “From Katy’s first Tweet announcing the movie, her fans have been incredibly passionate and supportive and we want to make sure they are among the first to see the film they helped shape.”
Added Dick Costolo, Twitter CEO: “The use of Twitter throughout the making and release of ‘KATY PERRY: PART OF ME’ illustrates the power of Twitter to break down barriers between artists like Katy and their fans.”
The “KATY PERRY: PART OF ME” Twitter Fan Premieres will play in 100 locations in 64 markets in the U.S. and Canada. Each location will offer two show times daily: 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the Twitter Fan Premieres are on sale today at http://www.KatyPerryPartofMe.com/Sneak.
Fans can go to www.Twitter.com/KatyPerry and use #KP3D Movie Sneak to share information about the movie with friends.
A 3D motion picture event movie, “Katy Perry: Part of Me” is a backstage pass, front row seat and intimate look at the fun, glamorous, heartbreaking, inspiring, crazy, magical, passionate and honest mad diary of Katy. Directed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, produced by Brian Grazer, Katy Perry, Martin Kirkup, Bradford Cobb and Steve Jensen, and executive produced by Craig Brewer, Randy Phillips, Michael Rosenberg, Erica Huggins, Edward Lovelace and James Hall.
In a story inspired by true events, Sam, a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman, is tasked with fulfilling his estranged father’s last wishes—delivering an inheritance to a sister he never knew he had.
From DreamWorks Pictures comes PEOPLE LIKE US, a drama/comedy about family, inspired by true events, starring Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) as Sam, a twenty-something, fast talking salesman, whose latest deal collapses on the day he learns that his father has suddenly died. Against his wishes, Sam is called home, where he must put his father’s estate in order and reconnect with his estranged family. In the course of fulfilling his father’s last wishes, Sam uncovers a startling secret that turns his entire world upside down: He has a 30-year-old sister Frankie whom he never knew about (Elizabeth Banks). As their relationship develops, Sam is forced to rethink everything he thought he knew about this family—and re-examine his own life choices in the process.
The film also stars Olivia Wilde, Michael Hall D’Addario, Philip Baker Hall, Mark Duplass and Michelle Pfeiffer.
DreamWorks Pictures and WAMG invite you to enter for your chance to win passes to the advance screening of PEOPLE LIKE US in St. Louis on June 26th.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. FILL OUT YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS BELOW. REAL FIRST NAME REQUIRED.
3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: As we’re in the Summer movie season, tell us the 1982 musical that Michelle Pfeiffer starred in 30 years ago.
WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PASSES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED. DUPLICATE TICKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
A DreamWorks Pictures presentation, “People Like Us” is directed by Alex Kurtzman, produced by Roberto Orci, Bobby Cohen and Clayton Townsend, and written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jody Lambert. The film releases in U.S. theaters on June 29, 2012.
Following the success of her Sundance award winning film Humpday, Lynn Shelton weaves another compellingly human story in YOUR SISTER’S SISTER.
Lost in an emotional funk one year after his brother’s death, Jack (Mark Duplass) takes his best friend Iris (Emily Blunt) up on her offer for a reflective week of solitude at her family’s remote island retreat. Upon arriving at the house, Jack discovers that Iris’ sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) had the same idea, and the two spend an awkward evening together. Iris shows up the next morning unannounced, setting in motion an emotionally twisted tale of sisters, brothers, and best friends. Shelton once again honestly explores the complexities of interpersonal relationships while gently poking fun at her characters’ predicaments.
IFC Films and WAMG invite you to enter for your chance to win passes to the advance screening of YOUR SISTER’S SISTER in St. Louis on June 27th.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. FILL OUT YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS BELOW. REAL FIRST NAME REQUIRED.
3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: Mark Duplass (Your Sister’s Sister) and his brother Jay Duplass directed what current mumblecore hit?
WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PASSES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED. DUPLICATE TICKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
YOUR SISTER’S SISTER opens in St. Louis on June 29th.
Tonight you can join the Twitter Viewing Party with director and actor Mark Duplass at 7:30 p.m. Pacific/10:30 p.m. Eastern! Get your copy of Jeff, Who Lives at Home ready and use #JeffDVDParty to join in! You don’t even have to leave your basement.
Check out this new featurette and opening scene from the film.
On his way to the store to buy wood glue, Jeff looks for signs from the universe to determine his path. However, a series of comedic and unexpected events leads him to cross paths with his family in the strangest of locations and circumstances. Jeff just may find the meaning of his life… and if he’s lucky, pick up the wood glue as well.
Disney-Pixar shows why they are at the top of their game with their 13th film BRAVE.
Merida (Kelly MacDonald) is not your typical princess. Rather than being the refined young lady that her mother, the Queen (Emma Thompson), would like her to be, Merida is more concerned with shooting her bow and going on adventures just like her father (Billy Connolly). When her parents decide that it is time for her to marry, Merida finds a loophole in the contest to win her hand and causes chaos with both her family, and the kingdom. Running out of options, Merida turns to a witch for help, only to find more trouble. Now, Merida must dig deep inside herself to break the curse and bring peace to her land.
I absolutely adored this film. It’s refreshing to see a princess movie that doesn’t center around falling in love. Merida wants to choose her own destiny, rather than being told that she must marry. She just isn’t ready for that. Instead, she would rather live her life and make decisions for herself. This is a family tale about courage, bravery and changing your fate, not about a damsel being saved by a white knight. Merida can save herself! Plus, let’s be serious… her suitors were not exactly the crème de la crème!
BRAVE also deals with the mother-daughter relationship as well. Merida and her mother just cannot see eye-to-eye. The teenage/parent relationship can often be a tricky one and Disney-Pixar really work the topic in while still keeping the movie entertaining.
Merida just might be my new favorite Disney-Pixar character. She is strong, confident, and unapologetic of who she is. Merida might be rough around the edges, but she has a huge heart and a passion for life. She is a wonderful role model for girls of all ages!
Kelly MacDonald was simply exquisite as the voice of Merida. She brought such an innocence to the role, mixed with a rebellious spirit. Besides the incredible voice of Kelly MacDonald, BRAVE has a wonderful cast of voice actors such as Emma Thompson (Queen Elinor), Billy Connolly (King Fergus), Robbie Coltrane (Lord Dingwall), Craig Ferguson (Lord Macintosh), and Kevin McKidd as both Lord MacGuffin and Young MacGuffin.
BRAVE tackles a lot of firsts for Pixar. It’s their first fairy tale, it’s the first Pixar film with a female protagonist, and it’s even their first period piece. It really seems to fit the motto of the film “Change Your Fate”. Because it is their first fairy tale, I really enjoy that Pixar did not stick to the typical outline. Merida did not need to be rescued, nor did she find, as I said earlier, her knight in shining armor. Merida saved herself, and everyone around her. This sets it apart from other animated features. Pixar is always tackling new adventures, and setting the bar even higher for their next film. They put a great deal of work into BRAVE and it shows.
The amount of detail in the scenery is stunning. The film invites you into the Scottish Highlands, and is beautifully recreated. Blades of grass, the wind blowing through the lands, waterfalls… all have a gorgeous, natural, yet magical feel. Adding Merida, with her gorgeous, tousled red hair flowing over the background, was just genius. The layers of animation all compliment each other in ways that I never thought possible! They stuck to dull colors for the background, making Merida pop and flow through her scenes, while still reflecting the period of time in Scotland. The colors also helped to showcase that this is not your typical princess story. Still, they added hints of color to showcase the magic of the film, such as the Wisps.
BRAVE is a princess story for the modern girl. Courage, bravery, and fun all make for an inspirational tale.
In honor of the first day of Summer and the birthday of my favorite film, I give you two new clips from the upcoming Blu-ray release of JAWS! Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, JAWS set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. Today, it remains one of the highest-grossing films in motion-picture history and is largely considered the film that launched the summer blockbuster.
One of the most influential motion pictures of all time and nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award®, JAWS stars Oscar® winner Richard Dreyfuss and Oscar® nominees Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw. Produced by legendary filmmakers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, the film earned an Oscar® for composer John Williams’ instantly recognizable minimalist score, as well as Oscars® for Best Editing and Best Sound. When it was first released on June 20, 1975, JAWS smashed box-office records and became the highest-grossing film of its era, earning Spielberg a reputation as a Hollywood visionary.
The landmark motion picture that still makes audiences afraid to go in the water – ME! – comes to Blu-ray for the first time ever on August 14th, 2012. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered and fully restored picture, as well as 7.1 surround sound, the JAWS Blu-ray Combo Pack with DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet gives fans the ultimate way to watch the breathtaking and terrifying action-thriller. 4 hours of bonus features includes the documentary “THE SHARK IS STILL WORKING.”
When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, JAWSremains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.
Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Emily Watson are featured in this palatial first trailer for Focus Features’ ANNA KARENINA.
The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with director Joe Wright, following the award-winning boxoffice successes “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement,” is the epic love story ANNA KARENINA, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”). The story unfolds in its original late-19th-century Russia high-society setting and powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, from the passion between adulterers to the bond between a mother and her children. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness, change comes to her family, friends, and community.
Starring Keira Knightley, Aaron Johnson, Jude Law, Matthew Macfadyen, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Kelly Macdonald, Ruth Wilson, Olivia Williams, and Emily Watson, ANNA KARENINA will be in theatres November 7 (Limited).
