Jeri Jacquin
Once again, Las Vegas hosted CinemaCon 2017 at Ceasars
Palace hosted by NATO (National Association of Theater Owners) where studios
present to theatre owners with everything they have coming on their slate. It
is also a chance to experience what is coming to concessions and comfort for
theatre goers.
NATO is the largest exhibition trade organization in the
world and it represents 33,000 movie screens in all 50 states with the
additional cinemas in 91 countries world wide. That is amazing and bringing it
all together for a week in Las Vegas
continues to astound me ever year.
Every year I look forward to the amazing presentations by
all who attend the conference. It changes every year yet seeing familiar faces
and catching up is also the order of the week. The excitement is always present
in every moment of the gathering of everyone who has one thing is common – our
love of movies!
So here is our 2017 experience – enjoy!
Monday the 27th brings a welcoming with an
International Day Breakfast and a settling in of what is to come for the week.
It’s a moment settle in as the studios prepare to wow everyone bringing a level
of excitement and expectation for what it to come for the rest of the week.
Starting off with presentations, Sony Pictures delighted
audiences with their slate with the upcoming films Spider-Man: Homecoming, Blade Runner 2049, The Dark Tower
Edgar Wright’s BABY DRIVER is filled with action but that’s
what happens when Ansel Elgort tries to rob a bank. After the teaser, Wright
and Elgort take the stage to tell the audience how they feel about the
intensity of the film. With THE DARK TOWER, Idris Elba offers a sneak peak of
the Stephen King story.
In animation, Sony Animation brings a peek at THE SMURFS,
THE EMOJI MOVIE, THE STAR and a new look at PETER RABBIT.
Ryan Gosling takes the stage (slow the roll ladies) to talk
about the highly anticipated return of BLADE RUNNER 2049. He described the film
set as a “fully functioning living breathing world which made it so easy to
concentrate on the internal world of the characterless as well as the external
world that was so rich and detailed”.
The only way to end a presentation is with The Rock aka
Dwayne Johnson! When you add Nick Jonas, Karen Gillan and Jack Black to the
mix, it is a look at JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE.
Tuesday the 28th brings another very cool slate from
STX Entertainment The Circle, Valerian
and the City of a Thousand Planets, Molly’s Game, The Foreigner, Ugly Dolls,
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mile 22, Den of Thieves, and
finally Bad Moms 2.
THE CIRCLE stars Tom Hanks with a scene shown to the
audience with an introduction by Emma Watson. She plays a woman working at a
tech company that turns out to be responsible for hurting humanity.
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is brought by
director Luc Besson and stars Cara Delevingne who came on stage and talked
about a science fiction and how do to it right. The film looks stunning
visually so it captured the audience attention.
Aaron Sorkin writes and directs the final presentation for
STX with MOLLY’S GAME. The title role is played by Jessica Chastain as Molly, a
woman who creates a high-stakes poker game. The film includes a major cast with
Kevin Costner, Idris Elva, Michael Cera and Joe Keery. Chastain comes on stage
and says there is no better dialogue than Aaron Sorkin’s.
THE FOREIGNER is a Jackie Chan film that is filled with
action that also stars Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Murphy, Rory Byrne and Katie
Leung. Leung is another Harry Potter alumni making her way past the iconic
character of Cho Chang.
Last year, STX gave out dolls that are not as cute as you’d
expect. Don’t tell that to my granddaughter Jaycie because Dreamy Bat is her
bestie. Well, Dreamy Bat is finally making it to the big screen with the
animated film UGLY DOLLS coming in 2019. Elton John, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd
Weber are on board to work on the animated project JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING
TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.
The dynamic duo of Mark Walberg and Peter Berg talked about
their next project called MILE 22. Walberg talked about how he wanted to make this
a trilogy project and for this to be the work he is defined for in this
franchise.
Finally, Mila Kunis takes the stage to announce a sequel to
BAD MOMS with A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS. Filming in Atlanta in the summer it will be interesting
to see how that translates into a Christmas setting.
The next studio presentation was from Paramount and their offerings of Baywatch, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to
Power, Suburbicon, Thor: Ragnarok, Transformers: The Last Knight, and Downsizing.
Starting the summer off with a jaunt down the beach as the
comedy BAYWATCH hits the screen with a little Dwayne Johnson on the side.
Offering up a contest to theatres owners to sell tickets, the winner will get
treated to a premier in New York City .
Former VP Al Gore gave us all a look at AN INCONVENIENT
SEQUEL: Truth to Power and the joy of being at the convention gave into a
moment of a yucky feeling. The trailer gave us a few Donald Trump slices but
Gore trying to work with both parties on environmental issues.
George Clooney, Matt Damon and Julianne Moore are a hit
presenting SUBURBICON. Michael
Bay
Alexander Payne’s film DOWNSIZING stars Matt Damon and
Kristen Wiig and 10 minutes of the film which, of course, left me wanting more.
Any time Matt Damon is on the screen I know it’s going to be interesting but
adding Kristen Wiig and it’s going to be a must-see.
Wednesday the 29th brings Universal Pictures
offerings with Despicable Me 3, Girls Trip,
The Mummy, Atomic Blonde, and The
Fate of the Furious.
Nothing makes me smile more than Steve Carell but even more
so when I hear his voice of Gru from DESPICABLE ME. I can honestly say that
I’ve repeated a line or two more than a hundred times to make myself laugh.
So when Carell and producer Chris Meledandri take the stage
for a morning chat, you can be sure it is a good time had by everyone in the
audience. In DESPICABLE ME 3, Gru discovers he has a brother who is less
follically challenged and with his new family with Lucy, he has to make time to
find Balthazar Bratt. Of course Bratt is another villain looking for world
domination. Then Carell says of his Gru role, “I am proud to be part of
Illumination. It’s amazing to be a part of something that brings care and joy
to others”. Yea, he got me!
GIRLS TRIP brings Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Regina
Hall and Tiffany Haddich on stage to banter with one another about their film
making experience and having a girls’ time of it.
THE MUMMY brings Sofia Boutella and Annabelle Wallis to the
stage to talk about making of the film with Tom Cruise sending a hello on
screen. Sharing a bit about the film, the cast talked about one stunt sequence
that took 64 takes and two days between Tom and Annabelle.
Charlize Theron lit up the stage to a thunderous applause as
her film ATOMIC BLONDE is set to hit theatres soon. I’m not going to lie one
bit when I say this actress just stuns me at every turn. Not only does she star
in the film, but Theron is also a producer! Based on the Oni Press graphic
novel, this is an action film that doesn’t take prisoners.
Theron says, “I’ve been interested in this genre as an
actress and as a woman. It is amazing to see this graphic novel come to the
screen five years later. This is a colorful world filled with action”. Director
David Leitch, also in attendance says, “The 10 minute fight scene is not right
for ever movie but right for this genre. We had bold choices and we the film to
be provocative and we bright that.
The star also turned the audience with laughter when saying,
“We worked our balls off on this film, I’m a full-on woman now!” Somehow it
doesn’t make a difference whether she has them or not, I’m enthralled with her.
Finally, Vin Diesel makes his way to the stage to talk about
THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS. The seventh film in the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise,
they once again put together a cast of unforgettable talent to make a film that
won’t let you rest for one second.
Diesel also confirms to the crowd that there will be a nine
and ten in the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise. He says, “We are proud of how we
defied expectations” in regards to the success of the films. Of course he could
not forget his friend Paul Walker saying, “It was a hard decision to make the
film without Paul but his legacy is in every frame we shoot. He was the concept
of brotherhood. When I thought of going into the 8th chapter, it was
Paul that said ‘8 is guaranteed’!” Also coming to the stage was director F.
Gary Gray, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, the legendary Kurt Russell (still as
handsome as ever) and Charlize Theron.
In this film, Dom and Letty return from their honeymoon but
it doesn’t take long for things to get chaotic. When a woman named Cipher,
played by the best villain Charlize Theron forces Dom to work for her – there
are reasons that will shock everyone.
FOCUS FEATURES brought an amazing slate and I have to say I
am a huge fan of the original work they continue to bring to film lovers. Their
slate is going to have me waiting with anticipation with Atomic Blonde, Victoria & Abdul, The Book of Henry, The Beguiled,
The Darkest Hour and an unnamed work with Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel
Day Lewis.
There is not much else to say about ATOMIC BLONDE except
don’t wait to see it – go opening day, go several times! Charlize Theron is
just going to blow everyone away.
VICTORIA AND ABDUL stars Dame Judy Dench as Queen Victoria and explores
the friendship with a young Indian clerk that sets the palace on its high
horse. With a colorful and hilarious introduction via clip by the grand Dame
herself, this is a film for anyone who loves period pieces.
THE BOOK OF HENRY is the story of Susan Carpenter played by
Naomi Watts and her son Henry played by Jaeden Lieberher. Henry is a smart boy
living with his waitress mother in a small town. When a young girl next story
is in need of help, Susan and Henry come up with a way to help that can be
frightening and deadly. Director Colin Trevorrow and Naomi Watts give their
impressions of the film from the stage.
A film that has captured my attention and the trailer made
the suspense even worse is the film from Sophia Coppola THE BEGUILED. Coppola
and the stars Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell is set in the Civil War as a
girls school takes in a wounded Union soldier. Also staring Kirsten Dunst, Elle
Fannie and Angourie Rice, all I can scream from the rooftops is ‘What’s in the
cellar! What’s in the cellar!’
My heart skipped a beat when the amazing Gary Oldman took
the stage to talk about his film DARKEST HOUR. The film directed by Joe Wright
is the story of Winston Churchill and the early days of World War II. Also
staring Lily James, Ben Mendelsohn, John Hurt and Kristin Scott Thomas, I have
to say that Oldman embraces this role. I was actually shocked by the transformation
of this actor into a man who will forever be part of history.
WARNER BROTHERS brings something for everyone in their
presentation with Dunkirk
Staring with the big guns in the presentation with director
Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film DUNKIRK . Telling the audience that “the only
platform I’m interested in talking about is theatrical exhibition” he wants
theater owners to experience the film. DUNKIRK ,
he explains “is a huge story but at its heart it’s a survival story. I wanted
to tell the story in the most visceral way possible, on the beach, in the plane
and with the soldiers. When it came time to do DUNKIRK , I used cameras to take you on the
beach, on the plane and in the water. The combination of talent is an ensemble
like I’ve never worked with before. This is a story that needs to carry through
the suspense to bring you there. The theatre is the only way to make that
happen.” I think the footage Nolan brings has winner written all over it.
How do you follow that? Well, you bring a “cute” little doll
to a film called ANNABELLE: Creation. The story of how this iconic doll came to
be will finally be revealed and I’m sure fans are going to be thrilled. Also,
UNFORGETTABLE brings two women against each other when an ex-wife Katherine
Heigl sees the new woman, Rosario Dawson, in her ex’s life as a reason to go
nuts.
Stephen King is back on the screen with a frightening clown
and director Andres Muschietti’s IT. I have no doubt people will flock to the
theatres to have their wits taken by Pennywise who reminds us that ‘we all
float down here’.
In between horror and drama is the beat down of planet Earth
with the next disaster film GEOSTORM with Gerard Butler. When the satellites
that control Earth go wonky, the weather becomes the attacker as the climate
changes.
If comedy is more the genre preferred well then let the
BASTARDS change that for you. Ed Helms and Owen Wilson are twin brothers who
learn more about their mother, played by Glenn Close, than they ever wanted
too. A road trip to find Daddy is in order!
Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler bring down THE HOUSE coming to
theatres. As parents of a daughter wanting to go to college and no money to
make that happen, they take matters into their own gambling hands.
Charlie Hunnam takes the stage and the hearts of the women
around me have stopped for a moment. Oh yes, it will take time to get Jax (SOA)
out of our minds so listening to his introduction for the director Guy
Ritchie’s film KING ARTHUR: Legend of the Sword keeps us all happy. Hunnam
tells us that the story takes a bit of a turn as Arthur is “as far as you can
imagine from royalty. It’s a little bit cheeky, a little big naughty and a lot
of fun”. Who can turn that down?
Jared Leto takes the stage to bring more of the BLADE RUNNER
2049 story to the audience. Taking a moment to gush, Leto says “there are very
few films in my life that have struck me as deep as the original BLADE RUNNER.”
With the success of the Lego franchise and the recent Batman
addition to the gang, a new block member comes with LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE. I swear
I love the humor that Lego brings to these characters with stories that are so
inventive and fun.
DC gets their feet wet as Jason Momoa takes the stage, and
may I say he’s taller than I ever thought, to talk about the concept of the
film starting with director Zack Snyder telling the story of AQUAMAN. Also
presenting for DC is Chris Pine and director Patty Jenkins for WONDER WOMAN.
Thursday the 30th brings 20th Century Fox
to CinemaCon with their slate of films but can’t help but open up the
presentation with dancers giving lights, fun and a rendition of ‘There’s No
Business Like Show Business’. It wasn’t until the final second that the
unveiling of Chris Aronson, 20th Century Fox head of domestic
distribution brought the house down with applaud.
The upcoming slate also brings cheers with the films Captain Underpants, Snatched, Diary of a
Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, The Mountain Between Us, War For the Planet of the
Apes, Kingsmen: The Golden Circle, Red Sparrow, The Murder on the Orient
Express, Alien: Covenant, Ferdinand and
The Greatest Showman.
It made me jump when the trailer for CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS was
shown as the crowd absolutely loved it. SNATCHED stars Amy Schumer and Goldie
Hawn who took to the stage in a love fest between the two. The story of a
mother-daughter trip-gone-wrong, Schumer says, ‘Even if you have triggering Mom
issues, you’ll still enjoy it”.
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: The Long Haul brings Tom Everett-Scott
and Alicia Silverstone back as parents who take their kids on a road trip. Of
course anyone with kids will find the comedy relatable.
Kate Winslet and Idris Elba star in THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US
as two survivors of a plane crash do what ever they must to get down the
mountain. I enjoy both of these actors so this will be on my list of films to
see.
WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES instantly got attention and
not just because of the huge night display on the entire front of Caesars Palace
I broke out in a giggle happy fit when KINGSMAN: The Golden
Circle trailer came to the screen. I have to say with the addition of Channing
Tatum it is a bigger plus for me to see the film and, to be honest, nothing
would keep me away.
Jennifer Lawrence returns to the screen with the thriller
RED SPARROW. Kenneth Branagh takes on THE MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS giving
his introduction on video. The cast includes Judi Dench, Michelle Pfieffer,
Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Willem Dafoe and more.
ALIEN: Covenant brings Michael Fassbender back (and I’m not
mad about that! <heavy sigh>) as director Ridley Scott gives us a sneak
peek hoping that the film “scares the sh*t outta you”. Katherine Waterston
leads a cast that includes Danny McBride, Billy Crudup, Guy Pearce, James
Franco, Demian Bichir and Noomi Rapace.
The animated film FERDINAND brought out Jon Cena to talk
about his excitement about playing the misunderstood bull. He seemed pretty
thrilled about all the work he put into it and a cast that includes Kate
McKinnon, David Tennant, Gina Rodriguez and Anthony Anderson.
There is something to be said when Hugh Jackman takes the
stage because he is perfect for his role in the film THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Directed
by Michael Gracey, it is the story of P.T. Barnum who had an idea and creates
showmanship like the world had never seen. Also starring Rebecca Ferguson,
Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Keala Settle and Zac Efron, this is going to be
colorful and musically stunning.
Amazon Studios takes the stage with their slate of films
with Last Flag Flying, Crown Heights,
Brad’s Status, The Only Living Boy in New York, City of Ghosts, Generation of Wealth,
Wonderstruck, The Big Sick, Don Quixote, Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far on Foot,
All Eyez on Me, American Assassin, Wonder, The Hitman’s Bodyguard.
Richard Linklater brings LAST FLAG FLYING with Steve Carell,
Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne playing former military men who come
together. CROWN HEIGHTS
BRAD’S STATUS stars Ben Stiller, Michael Sheen and Jenna
Fischer in this combination of comedy and drama about decisions we make in life.
THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK starring Jeff Bridges and Kate Beckinsale and
directed by Marc Webb.
CITY OF GHOSTS comes from
Matthew Heineman as activists in Syria who are also journalists.
GENERATION OF WEALTH takes on the rich in America . WONDERSTRUCK tells the
story of a young boy in the Midwest and a young girl in New York and what there connection is. THE
BIG SICK stars Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan as a couple who deal with their cultural
differences.
Before the ending of Amazon Studios presentation there was
mention of upcoming films including DON QUIXOTE, DON’T WORRY HE WON’T GET FAR
ON FOOT, ANNETTE, BEAUTIFUL BOY, SUSPIRIA, YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE,
PETERLOO.
Lionsgate closes the studio presentations with a little film
ALL EYEZ ON ME, a film on Tupac Shakur. Michael Keaton continues to keep me
riveted and makes his way to the stage to present AMERICAN ASSASSIN. Dylan O’
Brien and Taylor Kitsch star in this counterterrorism thriller.
Jacob Tremblay stars in the film WONDER that comes from the
novel by R.J. Palacio with this drama about Auggie, a young boy with a facial
deformity that tries to fit in.
THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD brings the stunning Salma Hayek to
the stage to introduce this film that stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson
as a bodyguard and a hitman work together. Putting Reynolds and Jackson in
these roles it pretty much a win-win!
That’s it, that’s everything and I can honestly say I don’t
think it’s possible to take in any more. CinemaCon never disappoints and this
year was absolutely no exception. From learning what is new and coming in
theatres and meeting exhibitors along with the stars that came to support it
all – it was a complete blast.
Thanks to NATO and Mitch Neuhauser, the Managing Director,
for all that you do to make it a memorable week that keeps us talking for
months after.
See you next year at CinemaCon 2018!
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