Jeri Jacquin
Here we are once again in stunning and bright Las
Vegas with CinemaCon 2023! It is a time to get together with friends,
colleagues and fellow film lovers to see what is upcoming in theatres and what
the studios have been planning. From April 24th to the April 27th,
it is a non-stop awesome assault and we are covering it.
Starting with the Monday evening presentation of the Sony
Studios offerings KRAVEN THE HUNTER with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE,
MADAME WEB, DUMB MONEY with Paul Dano, INSIDIOUS: The Red Door, THE MACHINE, BAD
BOYS 4, NO HARD FEELINGS with Jennifer Lawrence, and the rom-com ANYTHING BUT
YOU with Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell.
NO HARD FEELINGS from director Gene Stupnitsky stars
Jennifer Lawrence as Maddie, an Uber driver who is financially falling apart.
Looking for a job on Craigslist, she takes a job to ‘girlfriend’ the socially
awkward Percy, played by Andrew Barth Feldman. As expected, comedy will ensure.
There is also the interesting look at the film GRAN
TURISMO from director Neill Blomkamp. The film is about a gamer who becomes a
race car driver. The story stars Orlando Bloom, David Harbour and Djimon
Hounsou. Apple Original Films brings Ridley Scott’s epic film NAPOLEON with Joaquin
Phoenix in the starring role.
The highlight of the Sony presentation was Denzel
Washington walking out on stage to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award given
to him by director Antoine Fuqua. Washington tells the audience that, “We would
be nothing without you all. We’re here for you. We’re here because of you. I
thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been blessed beyond measure.” No
Mr. Washington – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Tuesday morning brings Warner Bros. into the colosseum
with their presentation with the line up. They pack every moment with such
titles as BARBIE with Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, BLUE BEETLE, THE NUN 2, WONKA,
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM, BEETLEJUICE 2, MEG 2: The Trench, a
musical of THE COLOR PURPLE, and the highly anticipated DUNE: Part II.
Barbie pink seemed to be the color of the day with the
presentation of the upcoming BARBIE film. Directed by Greta Gerwig along with
writer Noah Baumbach, the story is based on the Mattel doll. Barbie is kicked
out of Barbieland and is let loose on the real world as she looks for happiness
with Ken. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling dig deep into their roles. Issa Rae
and Kate McKinnon also star.
BLUE BEETLE stars Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes, gets
superpowers from an ancient alien relic. Now he’s on the loose. A musical is coming with THE COLOR PURPLE to
star Fantasia Taylor, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Danielle
Brooke, Corey Hawkins and H.E.R. Oprah Winfrey is producing the film joined by
Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones.
Okay, let’s just say that loving the 2018 film THE MEG
can be put under the heading of ‘guilty pleasure’ so imagine the joy of knowing
that MEG 2: The Trench brings out the kid like giggles of delight. Directed by
Ben Wheatley, Jason Statham returns as Jonas so clear the decks for the end of
summer round two guilty pleasure.
It is a double morning for actor Timothee Chalamet with
the first showing of him in the role of Willy Wonka. This is the pre-story to about
Willy Wonka before he opened the chocolate factory in the new film WONKA.
Adding to the delight of the audience, there is a reveal of Hugh Grant as an Oompa
Loompa. The film also stars Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkings,
Rowan Atkinson and Rufus Jones.
Returning again to the stage, this time with his
co-star Zendaya, they discuss the upcoming continuation of DUNE: Part II. The
trailer shows us Florence Pugh as the Princess Irulan, Austin Butler as
Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, and Havier Barden returning as Stilgar. Shot entirely in
IMAX, director Villeneuve, Chalamet and Zendaya talk about the film as the
audience gets a teaser.
CinemaCon once again starts out the first two days
filled with excitement and anticipation as to what is coming to theatres. There
is just enough time for everyone to catch their collective breathes as the early
evening will end the second day with the WB’s presentation of THE FLASH.
Onward!
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