Puppets take over THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS

Jeri Jacquin

Well heck, this isn’t exactly your ordinary puppet/human film and that’s okay with me. In theatres this Friday from director Brian Henson and STX Entertainment comes a story of a partnership to beat them all with THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS.

Phil Philips (voiced by Bill Barretta) is a private detective who was once the first puppet to ever become a cop with the LAPD. After an incident that still haunts him, Phil is happy working for himself. Answering his calls is his very dependable and devoted secretary Bubbles (Maya Rudolph).

One day a very lushly stuffed red-head named Sandra (Dorien Davies) comes to Phil’s office and asks him to investigate who might be black mailing her. Phil agrees and begins checking out a clue when he quickly becomes sidetracked when a group of puppets are cut down with fluff flying everywhere!

Arriving to investigate is Detective Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy) and she is none to happy to see Phil. Edwards and Philips were once partners and because of her testimony he lost his badge. Exchanging unpleasantries, Lt. Banning (Leslie Baker) lets them both know they will be teaming up once again to solve the crime.

Phil drowns his grumpiness by visiting his brother Larry (Victor Yerrid) who found success on television in a show called The Happytime Gang. Lulled into changing himself a little to fit into society, Phil doesn’t know how lucky he is until Larry is attacked.

Now Edwards and Philips begin to see a pattern that the entire cast of The Happytime Gang are in danger. Included in that is Philips first love Jenny (Elizabeth Banks), a dancer who became the only human on his brother’s show.

Putting their differences aside, they work piecing together the clues one by one but always seem to be on step behind the person responsible for the puppet mayhem. When FBI Agent Campbell (Joel McHale) shows up, he tries to shut them down but these two cork screwy crime fighters aren’t about to let anything get in their way.

Where the clues lead them changes everything!

McCarthy as Detective Edwards gives her usual witty, snappy and very funny performance as a cop with a few secret problems. The adversarial relationship with Phil Philips wasn’t always the case and speaking of cases – they are going to have to put their animosity on hold to get the job done. McCarthy doesn’t mess a beat delivering her lines with the timing that makes me proud to be a smart ass.

Baretta voicing Phil Philips is very noir detective telling his story with a cigarette in one hand and a bag load of attitude in the other. There doesn’t seem to be anything this puppet can’t do, and I mean that in every sense and when my jaw isn’t hitting the floor I’m rolling in laughter. Bouncing off McCarthy, these two are perfect for one another.

Rudolph as Bubbles is devoted to her private detective boss and there isn’t anything she won’t do for him. When he is seen as a suspect, Bubbles makes darn sure that Edwards does what’s right to help make it all right. Rudolph is cutsie and also very noir with her pin curl hair and red nails.

Banks as Jenny is a burlesque dancer who seems happy when Philips walks through the door again. Remembering the moments they spent together, both puppet and long legged human are clear that something is wrong. Banks gives a carrot dance performance that had the audience cracking up.

McHale as Agent Campbell is just a man who clearly isn’t playing with a full deck and power hungry at the same time. I love when McHale tries to get tough in these roles and keep a straight face doing it. Baker as Lt. Banning just wants the case solved and putting the ex-partners together is the way to do it.

Other cast include Drew Massey as Goofer, Ted Michaels as Ezra, Colleen Smith as Cara, Alice Dinnea as Sheila and Donna Kimball as Diane.

Look, THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS is just a disturbingly hilarious film that pushes every button to get a reaction and they succeeded. The audience was cheering, laughing, grossed out, groaning, smacking their foreheads, clapping and just having a great time.

This isn’t a film that needs to be analyzed or scrutinized but instead just go and have fun. Yes the humor pushed the comedy bar up, down, sideways and slant ways like a Wonka-vater but who doesn’t love that? I wanted to take a dirty puppet film ride down the slippery slopes of good taste and right into a mud hole – and that’s exactly what happened.

THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS is just a romp – it’s as simple as that – with touches of outrageousness and moments that can never be erased from your memory. The same could be said of many films but they didn’t make me laugh as much as this one does. Yep, I have a twisted sense of humor and am damn proud of it.

In the end – they are no sesame and all street!

MILE 22 Brings Wahlberg and Director Berg Back Together for Action

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director/producer Peter Berg and STX Entertainment comes a fast paced chase to MILE 22.

James Silva (Mark Wahlberg), Alice Kerr (Lauren Cohan), and Sam Snow (Ronda Rousey) are part of a CIA prized group of operatives who are sent to handle special missions. In their latest take down, the team loses a man, takes down Russians up to no good and intel.

In Asia, Kerr has an informant that needs their protection and Silva isn’t thrilled about it. Li Noor (Iko Uwais) has turned himself in to the embassy claiming to have information about the whereabouts of missing chemicals. What makes this even more interesting is that the local authorities want him back and they have Axel (Sam Medina) to make that happen.

The secret tactical command team led by Bishop (John Malkovich) works with Silva’s team being the eyes and ears getting Noor to an airstrip twenty-two miles from the embassy for extraction. Along with Bishop is King (Keith Bolden), Knight (Jenique Hendrix), Rook (Billy Smith) and Pawn (Myke Holmes) who have the technology to make it happen.

What they don’t know is that the team has eyes on them as well. In the skies above is Vera (Natasha Goubskaya) and Russian military Aleksander (Nikolai Nikolaeff) and they want something too.

The information everyone wants has a key that only Noor knows and it will not be around long. The clock is ticking as every move is being watched and sometimes you have to trust someone you don’t know to survive.

Every mile matters!

Wahlberg as Silva is a very hyperactive, intense and fast talking individual who gives zero frakks about propriety or rank. Some might call it monologuing but he does it with such speed that it will make your mind spin while you giggle at the same time. He lays everything out on the table and yet his team means everything – even if he doesn’t act like it all the time. Wahlberg turns in his usual strong performance in a story that is fast telling and even faster in action.

Cohan as Kerr is a mother who is dealing with an ex-husband who likes to have control. Personally I would be so quick to control a woman who has no problem with speaking her mind or pointing a weapon in someone’s face! She believes in her contact Noor wants to see him safe. Anyone who has watched AMC’s The Walking Dead can see that Cohan brings it to this role as well.

Rousey as Snow is tough and pretty much took this role and ran with it. Malkovich as Bishop is suave and in control of his team. Goubskaya as Vera watches everything from the air and doesn’t bat an eye when the team comes under fire. Skeggs as MIT gets a shout out because the scene between she and Silva is epic and fast.

Uwais as Noor is fan-frikken-tastic but then again if you have seen THE RAID in 2011 and THE RAID 2 in 2014 then you know this role is very cool for him. There is no doubt that his martial arts is on point and brutal but Uwais takes this character to another level that made my jaw drop – oh yea, he’s got this.

Other cast include Carlo Alban as William Douglas, Chae-rin Lee as Queen, Emily Skeggs as MIT, Terry Kinney as Johnny Porter, Brandon Scales as Jacob Stone, Poorna Jagannathan as Dorothy Brady, Elle Graham as India and Peter Berg as Lucas.

Berg and Wahlberg have proven that their true story telling is a calling card of the duo and they do it well. This is a bit of a turn from the last few years but there’s nothing wrong with that either. I don’t mind being taken out of the realm of reality for an hour and a half to just sit back and watch the film do its job – entertain me.

MILE 22 is a total action film that doesn’t give the audience a moment to sit still. The speak is just as fast as any bullet flying provided by Wahlberg and Cohan making sure we understand they mean business. Each character in the film has a role to play and man does it get played intensely.

Berg doesn’t disguise the good or bad of either side but instead goes in full bore on the game of modern warfare. It’s no longer easy to recognize friend or foe when it’s all treated like a game. The cinematography is pretty cool keeping up with the pace of the story but then again if you are going to have an action film – go big or go home!

In the end – Option 1: Diplomacy, Option 2: Military…meet Option 3!

Love and the Sea lead to ADRIFT

       

Jeri Jacquin

Sailing into theatres this Friday from director Baltasar Kormakur and STX Entertainment comes the true story of survival when you are ADRIFT.

Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley) is a young woman who has left her San Diego home to travel the world. Going where ever the tide and jobs take her, Tami ends up in Tahiti cleaning boats.

Putting into the dock, Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin) is a man clearly in love with the sea, even the worst parts of it. Meeting Tami they clearly find a connection for wandering and explore the island and their relationship. They also sail on the boat Richard built himself, the Mayaluga, and Tami couldn’t be happier.

Richard runs into family friends Peter (Jeffrey Thomas) and Christine (Elizabeth Hawthorne) who own the 44-foot yacht called the Hazana. They are thrilled to ask Richard if he wants to take their boat back to harbor in San Diego with a thank you fee of $10,000 and a return ticket back to Tahiti.

Tami isn’t sure she wants to return to her hometown but Richard sees the money as a way for them to continue to sail where ever their hearts want to go. They set sail on their first 4,000 mile adventure together!

What they are unaware of yet is that one of the most catastrophic hurricanes is coming their way. Trying to avoid it doesn’t work as they batten down the sails and attempt to ride it out. Being thrown around, Tami wakes to a tossed ship, the sails in the water and Richard badly hurt. 

Getting him settled, Tami takes stock of the provisions that are still aboard and drinkable water in the tanks. Grabbing the sextant and a map, she begins to figure out what is the best way they can be rescued before their supplies run out. Questioning every move she makes, it is the steady voice of Richard that guides them.

Because in that is the power of their love.

Woodley as Tami is a free spirited individual who makes it very clear that she goes where the jobs take her with no thought of staying or going. Meeting Richard is a chance to not only share a little bit of herself but really understand the freedom of her life. Woodley personifies that spirit as she has in so many other films. In this instance she is the right actress to draw us all into the journey.

Claflin as Richard is Woodley’s equal on the screen with the same ability to draw us into the spirit of someone who lives for the sea. Good, bad or otherwise, Richard has built a boat that takes him wherever he wants without apologies. It is easy to see how the two would be drawn into a relationship. Richard is a little more reserved that Tami and it is clear he is in love.

ADRIFT is based on the true story from the book Red Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Love, Loss and Survival at Sea by Tami Oldham Ashcraft. The event happened in October of 1983 when Ashcraft was 23-years-old. A Category 4 hurricane with 50 foot high waves and 160 mph winds were no match for the two sailors.

The film is very well done as it is impossible to not become involved in the story. Of course I believe that all stories about ocean survival are incredible from the mere fact that it is the ocean! It is unpredictable, unrelenting, surprising and majestic and when its waves are ruffled, there is nothing more fierce.

Also, compelling in knowing that there is very little one can do on the ocean when what keeps you alive is taken away. The panic for just food and water isn’t something you can do much about unless you are willing to fish and pray for rain. That’s what makes the difference between giving up and total survival.

Woodley and Claflin are stellar together and watching them from beginning to end brings a sniffle. The portrayal of their real-life counterparts is sweet and spirited bringing the audience into their story of love and survival.

In the end – their every emotion is as deep as the ocean!

DEN OF THIEVES is Breaking in to Bluray Talking with writer & director Christian Gudegast

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD from writer/director Christian Gudegast, STX Entertainment and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is truly a DEN OF THIEVES.

In the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department there is a team of wild cops led by Big Nick O’Brien (Gerard Butler). You see Nick isn’t the kind to just sit by and let crime just run rampant in the city. He may be a sharp cop but not to smart when it comes to his own home life which is falling apart. When strange heists hit the city, they grab Donnie (O’Shea Jackson, Jr.) to find out who is responsible.

Getting him to talk takes a little persuasion but Donnie tells them about Merrimen and his gang that includes Enson Levoux (Curtis Jackson) and any detail he can think of. That leads them to a quietly disturbing mastermind in Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber), he also isn’t the kind to sit by and not be a part of planning a massive crime.

The game of cat and mouse begins when the two leaders come face to face to test the waters as each flexes in his own way. As Nick and the boys meticulously go over plans to catch Merrimen and his boys at their next heist, Merrimen and his boys are meticulously going over plans for a heist that even the L.A. County Sheriffs couldn’t have seen coming.

When they finally come face to face, backing down doesn’t seem to be in their vocabulary!

I had the amazing opportunity to speak with writer/director Christian Gudegast about what inspired him to write the script, the amazing cast and making it all go from page to screen. Gudegast is responsible for films such as LONDON HAS FALLEN, A MAN APART and is the executive producer for the documentary SEQUESTRO.

Jeri Jacquin:  Hello Christian thanks for spending time with me today.

Christian Gudegast: Absolutely, thank you as well.

JJ: Let’s jump right in. My big question is where did you come up with this story line?

CG: Wow, it was a combination of a lot of things. It was going back to wanting to make crime films and there are so many stories I want to tell about that world. Also, there are people that the characters are based upon and a series of bank robberies in a book my friend wrote about the most successful crew in Los Angeles called the Hole-in-the-Ground gang. Merrimen and his crew are based on them and the heist you see in the film are based on the actual heist that went down. They were never caught and got away with hundreds of millions of dollars. They have a legendary status within the law enforcement community in Los Angeles. Gerard Butler’s character, Big Nick, is also based on a friend of mine. So all of it is the basis for the story I’m telling in the film under one roof.

JJ: It was interesting to me how you had these two brotherhoods going on at the same time, for you was that difficult to take from your brain to the page to the screen?

CG: Yes in a sense that film production is extremely difficult and no because it’s always what I wanted to do. The cast and crew who read the script bought into the concept so it was about not judging any one character and treating everyone like a human being and understanding motivations. It is seeing how they are all affected by that life from both sides. The reality of crime is that it’s one business with different players; it’s a world unto itself. Both sides know each other and went to high school, have the same clothes, grew up on the streets, sometimes dated the same girl; so there is a mutual understanding and respect to the two sides and to me that is fascinating. It is amazing to explore that.

JJ: You are right, the interaction between the two group’s dances on a delicate line and one miniscule step can change so much.

CG: That’s exactly right. Every step of the way, even the individual characters, I had technical advisors. I had real gangsters, real cops and ex-military with boot camps and the actors were there two months before training very hard and drilled down. We took into consideration what they wore, how they walked and talked and it was all very specific. Everyone bought into it and the result is on the Bluray.

JJ: The casting, as you wrote this did you specifically have these actors in mind?

CG: Aside from Gerard Butler and then Curtis Jackson, no. It was all part of the process. Everyone in the film I was aware of before hand but it was really about myself and casting director John Papsidera who is a genius, we both wanted the cast to be authentic. I didn’t want to recognize every person in the story. I know there was to be some but the cast had to be real. There is actually a lot of real people in the film and we mixed that with the actors. We did a lot of rehearsal until it felt natural. In the casting we made sure it was who we wanted and sometimes had 100 to 150 audition for a role, we were obsessive about it. We wanted the perfect person, even if they didn’t have a line; we were obsessed with finding the right person.

JJ: I have to say that Pablo basically scared me crazy; he has that look about him and doesn’t have to say a word. It’s like you want to slink away to get out of his line of sight.

CG: (laughing) Yes, Pablo is a spectacular dude and he is one of the most disciplined, prepared and talented actors I’ve ever come across. The guy is an animal! He is extremely intelligent and he does his work. He really got into character by getting his body trained a very specific way, he spent a ton of time on the range shooting and just got into the mode of playing Merrimen. He is a genius.

JJ: His character is a beast. I was fascinated, maybe even more so than Gerard Butlers character. I was drawn to his though process.

CG: I will be working with Pablo quite a bit so you will have ample opportunity to get to know him more.

JJ: That’s extremely cool and I’m okay with that. Lets talk about Curtis ‘Fifty Cent’ Jackson. His role is that of a guy who knows what he’s going to do and is connected to Merrimen totally.

CG: Also his character is based on a real person. When I met Curtis I knew he was one of those guys that is immediately intimidating. He doesn’t have to do or say anything and doesn’t need to be the leader. Merrimen never moved on from the military mindset and doesn’t have a family whereas Levoux has a family and he starts showing some cracks because he has something to live for.

JJ: By the way the daughter going to the prom scene was very good!

CG: Yes it was.

JJ: Of course there is Gerard Butler and could you have made his arms any bigger?

CG: Yes, he was pretty determined and played a lot of characters where he had to be fit. He put a lot into being Big Nick and I think this is the biggest he’s been in his life. He really worked on getting his look and it paid off for his character.

JJ: His character, it’s like at any second he could snap.

CG: Yes, correct, that’s the whole point, he has this intensity and he had to look jacked.

JJ: Big Nick is also the kind of leader where his crew might not always agree but they certainly have his back.

CG: Yes, you wouldn’t believe what these guys have to do to tell the story. The stuff they do is pretty wild and to do that you have to be a certain kind of person. That’s real and the law enforcement community thought this was the most realistic portrayal they have seen. The public doesn’t always look at what the police do favorably because of things that have happened but the reality is that cops come up against some very, very bad people.

JJ: It just shows what cops have to do to stop this kind of bad. I have to give you a shout out for having Cooper Andrews in the film. When I saw all I could think of was ‘oh my gosh Jerry!’

 CG: I have to say, Cooper is the man. He is such a gentle giant. He is a big strong boy and he is a wonderful actor. When we saw him we knew he was the character of Mac.

JJ: It was nice to see him outside the horrors of The Walking Dead.

CG: Exactly, he is amazing and is going to do a lot.

JJ: When people watch DEN OF THIEVES on Bluray, what do you want them to take from it – besides the fact that it’s a great story?

CG: If they listen to the Director Commentary that will be fun. Actually the care we put into making the film, from the cast to crew, it became a labor of love for everybody. We had a phenomenal time making the film and it was an incredible experience. We went to great lengths to keep it authentic, as real as possible, emotion and honest. That was really the goal in everything that we did. We hope that people enjoy it again when they see it on Bluray.

JJ: All I can say is well played sir! I enjoyed it immensely.

CG: Thank you Jeri, thank you very much.

My sincere thanks to Christian Gudegast for giving us the insight to DEN OF THIEVES which is more of an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ leaving the audience to decide the rest. The intensity is definitely there and leaves little time to catch your breath. Butler leads the way as Big Nick making damn sure that it all stops with his crew just as much as Schreiber’s character of Pablo feels the same way on the other side of the law.

Other cast include Meadow Williams as Holly, Maurice Compte as Borracho, Brian Van Holt as Murph Connors, Evan Jones as Bosco, Mo McRae as Gus Henderson, Kaiwi Lynam as Tony Z, Dawn Olivieri as Debbie, Eric Braeden as Ziggy, Jordan Bridges as Lobbin Bob and Cooper Andrews as Mack.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

STXFilms and Entertainment is a global next-generation company who has taken on the mission to unlock the value of direct connection stars have with their fans through the development, production and distribution of film, television, VR, digital video, music and live entertainment content. It is the industry leader in transforming beyond traditional platform-driven content to creating talent-driven enterprises. To experience more please visit www.stxfilms.com.

DEN OF THIEVES Bluray and DVD Bonus Features include an Alternate Ending, Alpha Males – The cast describes how the tough characters in the film blur the lines between the good guys and the bad guys, Into the Den – Director Christian Gudegast and the cast describe the two brotherhoods within the film, the renegades and the outlaws and their unique set of skills, Alameda Corridor – The cast and director discuss filming the intense scene that takes place on the streets of L.A. and the extensive weapons training it took to film it, Outtakes and Deleted Scenes, Commentary with Director Christian Gudegast and Producer Tucker Tooley, DEN OF THIEVES Theatrical Cut with an All-New Unrated Version with Never-Before-Seen Footage.

The story is one filled with twists, turns and action that doesn’t stop to let you think to much. Instead it is two hours and twenty minutes of intensity that dares you to come along for the ride pulling us all from one side to the other. Find a comfy seat and turn on the sound bar for some serious action and characters that you have to see to believe.

In the end – giving up is not an option for either!

VALERIAN and the CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Luc Besson and STX Entertainment from the comic book by Jean-Claude Mezieres is VALERIAN and the CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS.

There once was a planet of alien beings that lived peacefully taking care of one another and giving back to the planet that provided for them. A little creature on their planet provides pearls that are important to their existence and powerful. Their idyllic life comes to an apocalyptic end when ships crash on their planet taking the life of a Limai Princess.

It is the 28^th century and a city known as Alpha floats in space. Filled with thousands of cultures and thousands of languages, they must all work together for the survival of the ship and its crew. Commander Arun Filitt (Clive Owen) is doing what ever he needs to ensure that it all works.

Major Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Sgt. Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are sent on a secret mission. The assignment from the Minister of Defense is to retrieve a one-of-a-kind creature that is sought after by unknown forces. Once Valerian and Laureline find it, they also have to fight there way back to Alpha city with it.

Back on duty, the two soldiers are set to protect Command Filitt but it all goes wrong when they are attacked and he is taken. General Okto Bar (Sam Spruell) takes over and isn’t happy when Valerian takes it upon himself to go after the ship with the Command inside. Laureline does what she can to track him but Valerian is lost in the Dead Zone. It is a zone where anyone that goes in does not come back.

But Laureline won’t take no for an answer and finds a way to Valerian. Immediately captured by alien creatures, Laureline now needs rescuing herself. He meets Bubble (Rihanna) who has the ability to shape shift which is a neat skill especially when it may be the only way to rescue Laureline.

General Bar begins to believe what Valerian told him about the alien beings on the lost planet beginning to investigate. What he finds will not stop what the Commander has planned all along but it may be the destruction of Valerian, Laureline and a race thought to be extinct!

DeHaan as Valerian plays a straight forward action hero who has a past with the women but wants a future with his partner. Always looking for answers, the Major isn’t going to let anyone or anything stop him from discovering the truth. DeHaan jumps right in action wise yet his character finds a moment here and there to remind Laureline that she’s the one.

Delevingne as Laureline, oh gawd I know I’m going to get it for this, just drove me absolutely nuts. I wish I had a clicker to count how many times she said ‘Valerian’ per scene. I know one scene that’s all she said and when the camera cut away I couldn’t have been happier about it. I’m sure her character is meant to be an example of female empowerment but I didn’t see it. Instead I saw a girl trying to be standoffish yet always felt the need to rescue someone who isn’t her man that she wants as her man but pretends she doesn’t want her man. Yea, that’s about how I felt.

Spruell as General Bar doesn’t care for his commander very much so it’s not surprising that he’s willing to listen to Valerian and not make extremely hasty decisions. Owen as Commander Filitt gets a chance to be secretive and down right devilish. It’s an interesting look for him even if his role is sporadic.

Director Luc Besson is responsible for some of the most memorable films such as THE BIG BLUE and my family’s favorite THE FIFTH ELEMENT. There are several things in this film that remind me of THE FIFTH ELEMENT which means VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS will probably end up being a cult classic.

Other cast include Elizabeth Debicki as Haban Limai, Ethan Hawke as Jolly the Pimp, Aymeline Valade as Haban-Limai, Kris Wu as Sgt. Neza, Diva Cam as Maatri, Alexander Willaume as Captain Kris and Rihanna as Bubbles.

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is an interesting sci-fi film with special effects for days. Besson brings bright colors, crazy aliens, space ships and special effects like an oven on broil. There is so much to visually take it that it’s almost a story within itself.

The film takes an air of predictability with a few things I am calling out. So, I felt like I was watching a bit of other sci-fi films over the years and a bit of THE FIFTH ELEMENT mixed with characters that are changed up. When seeing the film tell me that you see Jessica Rabbit because I swear I did.

That’s probably the part of the film that I liked the most – the special effects and characters that were created. Of course I’m probably a little bias since I think most ‘human’ roles are overplayed and overly spent acted. Bring on the colorful aliens!

If anything it is certainly a film about loyalty and accountability no matter what species you associate with. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.

In the end – a universe without boundaries needs heroes without limits!

CINEMACON 2017 Brings Everything Movie Goers Want for a Memorable Experience!

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 27^th 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, Jumanji, Baby Driver, Flatliners, The Smurfs, The Emoji Movie, Cadavers and Rough Night.

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 28^th 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 gives the audience a peek at TRANSFORMERS: The Last Knight shot in IMAX 3D.

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 29^th 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 8^th 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, Annabelle: Creation, It, Unforgettable, Everything Everything, Bastards, The House, King Arthur Legend of the Sword, Geo Storm, Blade Runner: 2049, Legos Ninjago, Aquaman and Wonder Woman.

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 30^th brings 20^th 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, 20^th 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. A preview of the film has Cesar riding a horse through the woods and after a chase meet a smaller ape who also knows how to talk. He tells them about a military camp run by the nutty Woody Harrelson and it’s plain to see war is inevitable.

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 is the story of a man wrongly convicted of murder. Lakeith Stanfield and Nnamdi Asomugha work together to right the wrong.

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!