WAMG Giveaway – Win the ALMOST CHRISTMAS Blu-ray

Bring home the joy of family in the hilarious and heartwarming ALMOST CHRISTMAS which arrived on Digital HD on January 24th and arrives on Blu-ray^™, DVD and On Demand on February 7th from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series), this is a year-round comedy everyone can enjoy!

Now, you can own the ALMOST CHRISTMAS Blu-ray. WAMG has three copies to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite movie starring Danny Glover? (mine is SAW). It’s so easy!

Good Luck!

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES. NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.

2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.

No purchase necessary

An extended family reunites for the holidays and must survive their time at home in the hilarious Almost Christmas, arriving on Digital HD January 24, 2017 and on Blu-ray , DVD and On Demand on February 7, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. A new comedy from writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series), Almost Christmas tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch (Danny Glover, Lethal Weapon Series, Shooter) who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle! With exclusive bonus content including a gag reel, Monique’s “Aunt May” unplugged, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, and more, Almost Christmas serves year-round laughs for all.

Starring alongside Glover is a stellar comedic ensemble cast, including Mo’Nique (Precious, “The Parkers”), J.B Smoove (Barbershop: The Next Cut, Date Night), Gabrielle Union (Think Like a Man Too, “Being Mary Jane”), Jessie T. Usher (When the Game Stands Tall, Independence Day: Resurgence) and Omar Epps (“Shooter,” “House”). Hailed as “hilarious and heartwarming” (Ebony), Almost Christmas brings home the joy of family.

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet™.

Blu-ray^™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
Digital HD with UltraViolet^™ lets you watch movies anywhere, on any device. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray™ players, game consoles and more.

BLU-RAY AND DVD BONUS FEATURES

Even More Gags
Aunt May Unplugged– The Queen of comedy lets it rip.
Home for the Holidays– Go behind-the scenes with the cast of Almost Christmas.

o Meet the Family– Go behind-the scenes with the cast of Almost Christmas.

o Fun on Set– A compilation of all the fun moments from production.

o Coming Home– Cast and crew talk about the importance of the house in the film.

o The ATL!- A look at what makes shooting in Atlanta so special.

o Composing Christmas – The director and composer have a conversation about scoring Almost Christmas.

The Director Diaries– Director David E. Talbert shows viewers how he created Almost Christmas.
Walter Meyer’s Sweet Potato Pie– Danny Glover talks about the best way to make sweet potato pie.
My Favorite Scene Is…The cast talks about their favorite scene in Almost Christmas.
Working with Actors- Director David E. Talbert shares his thoughts on directing actors.

ALMOST CHRISTMAS Arrives on Digital HD on January 24th and on Blu-ray , DVD and On Demand February 7th

Bring home the joy of family in the hilarious and heartwarming ALMOST CHRISTMAS arriving on Digital HD on January 24th and on Blu-ray^™, DVD and On Demand on February 7th from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series), this is a year-round comedy everyone can enjoy!

n extended family reunites for the holidays and must survive their time at home in the hilarious Almost Christmas, arriving on Digital HD January 24, 2017 and on Blu-ray , DVD and On Demand on February 7, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. A new comedy from writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series), Almost Christmas tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch (Danny Glover, Lethal Weapon Series, Shooter) who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle! With exclusive bonus content including a gag reel, Monique’s “Aunt May” unplugged, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, and more, Almost Christmas serves year-round laughs for all.

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet™.

Blu-ray^™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
Digital HD with UltraViolet^™ lets you watch movies anywhere, on any device. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray™ players, game consoles and more.

BLU-RAY AND DVD BONUS FEATURES

Even More Gags
Aunt May Unplugged– The Queen of comedy lets it rip.
Home for the Holidays– Go behind-the scenes with the cast of Almost Christmas.

o Meet the Family– Go behind-the scenes with the cast of Almost Christmas.

o Fun on Set– A compilation of all the fun moments from production.

o Coming Home– Cast and crew talk about the importance of the house in the film.

o The ATL!- A look at what makes shooting in Atlanta so special.

o Composing Christmas – The director and composer have a conversation about scoring Almost Christmas.

The Director Diaries– Director David E. Talbert shows viewers how he created Almost Christmas.
Walter Meyer’s Sweet Potato Pie– Danny Glover talks about the best way to make sweet potato pie.
My Favorite Scene Is…The cast talks about their favorite scene in Almost Christmas.
Working with Actors- Director David E. Talbert shares his thoughts on directing actors.

FILMMAKERS:

Cast: Kimberly Elise, Danny Glover, John Michael Higgins, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, J.B Smoove, Gabrielle Union

Music By: John Paesano

Music Supervisor: Julia Michels

Editor: Troy Takaki _ACE

Production Designer: Wynn Thomas

Director of Photography: Larry Blanford

Executive Producers: Lyn Sisson-Talbert, David E. Talbert, Preston Holmes, James Lopez, Gabrielle Union, Jeff Morrone

Produced By: Will Packer _p.g.a

Written and Directed By: David E. Talbert

Win Passes To The Advance Screening Of ALMOST CHRISTMAS In St. Louis

A new comedy from writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series, This Christmas), ALMOST CHRISTMAS tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle.

The all-star cast of ALMOST CHRISTMAS is led by Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Jessie Usher and DC Young Fly.

ALMOST CHRISTMAS opens in theaters November 11.

WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of ALMOST CHRISTMAS on Monday, Nov. 7 at 7PM in the St. Louis area.

Answer the following:

Name the classic 1947 Christmas film that won 3 Academy Awards.

TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.

Rated PG 13

www.almostchristmasmovie.com

See Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Mo’Nique And Gabrielle Union In Trailer For ALMOST CHRISTMAS

Enjoy holiday-themed films with a lot of big actors? Have we got a movie for you. Coming to theaters this fall is ALMOST CHRISTMAS. The all-star cast includes Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Mo’Nique, Gabrielle Union and more. Check out the first trailer for Universal Pictures’ upcoming comedy now.

A new comedy from writer/director David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim) and producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series, This Christmas), ALMOST CHRISTMAS tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle.

Sounds a little reminiscent of last year’s LOVE THE COOPERS. That 2015 film followed the Cooper clan as four generations of extended family came together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration. As the evening unfolded, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turned the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.

The cast of ALMOST CHRISTMAS is led by Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Jessie Usher and DC Young Fly.

ALMOST CHRISTMAS opens in cinemas November 11.

www.almostchristmasmovie.com

TFF 2013 DAILY RECAP: Friday April 19th

I want to start off by apologizing for the delay in my coverage this year. I thought I’d get everything written & posted sooner this year since I was actually staying in the city but I have been getting back to the room exhausted every day. I am taking the next few days off from the festival to catch up and watch a few more of the films available in the online screening room. But before I get to that, let’s start at the beginning…

As always, my first experience of the Tribeca Film Festival was picking up my press badge at the Cadillac Press Lounge. It also doesn’t matter how early it is, this experience is always marked by my first of hopefully many free Magnum Ice Cream bars. After browsing the tables for film postcards / fliers, which there were practically none, I made my way over to Clearview Cinemas Chelsea for my first screening.

ALMOST CHRISTMAS is almost a good movie. I know that seems like a pretty easy jab but the film actually opens itself up to it quite well. With everything going for this production, especially the fantastic casting of Paul Rudd & Paul Giamatti, this film could have (and should have) been so much more. My expectations probably had a lot to do with my level of enjoyment but in the end, if this really was meant to be a comedy, it simply is not funny.

Following my first screening (and first major disappointment) of the festival, I randomly bumped into Alan LaFave of the Hells Half Mile Film + Music Festival in the theater lobby. I had seen him the last two years at Tribeca so we hung out for a little to catch up. Now that I am a board member for the Orlando Film Festival (Submissions open NOW), we talked a bit about running a smaller festival as compared to TFF. Afterward, I made my way to the next screening.

ADULT WORLD was the most packed I have ever seen a Tribeca press/industry screening. While ALMOST CHRISTMAS was a disappointment because of the quality compared to the cast involved, this film was quite the opposite. ADULT WORLD is a good film mainly because of all the talent involved. It is easy to see how this could have been a mess or at least far less interesting had it not been for the fantastic performances and great skill behind the camera. ADULT WORLD may not be the most original coming of age story but it is a satisfying and darkly funny film.

Outside the theater I again bumped into Alan LaFave. These random meetings may give the illusion of TFF being a small intimate gathering but I promise the festival is actually spread out all around Manhattan (and ironically mostly outside of the Tribeca area). We both decided to check out the RIDER AND THE STORM premiere party a few blocks away at SPIN NYC. Despite Olivia Wilde’s name being plastered all over my invite, I did not see her in attendance but there were a lot of really nice and fascinating people that I did get to meet. One of them being Bryn Mooser, co-director of RIDER AND THE STORM and co-founder of RYOT.ORG. I have not had a chance yet to view his film but I hope that changes before the end of the festival. I left the party after about 90 minutes, thus ending my first day at TFF 2013.

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – www.JerryCavallaro.com

Tribeca Film Festival 2013: Preview

Yesterday the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival officially kicked off with opening night film, MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS. Today is the first full day of programming; however, tomorrow will be my first day actually at the fest. Every year I post a preview of films & events I’m most looking forward to and every year my schedule changes drastically once the festival actually begins. But it works so why mess with the formula?

For this year’s preview, I simply took screen grabs straight from the official Tribeca guide. Lazy or incredibly smart, feel free to decide for yourself. I am posting these picks knowing full well that I will not make it to every one of them. For example, I really want to see BIG BAD WOLVES after Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado’s film RABIES blew me away at Tribeca 2 years back. Unfortunately it looks like I will not be able to make a single screening of that film. The same can be said for V/H/S 2 & A SINGLE SHOT but I thought I’d mention them anyway. (Who knows, maybe a kind pr person could hook a buddy up with a screener)

I’ll be at the fest Friday April 19 – Monday April 22nd & again on Friday April 26th. If you see me around the festival, feel free to say hi. I may even have some free stuff on me to give away. My schedule is a bit shorter than last year’s but I will still bring you the same great (debatable) coverage that I’ve given the last few years. And if you want my most up to date thoughts on the festival, follow me on Twitter – @GetStuck

Now without further ado, here are some of the things I am most looking forward to at Tribeca this year: