HIDDEN FIGURES Launches on Bluray/DVD and Digital HD This Week!

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray/DVD and Digital HD this week from director Theodore Melfi and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is a moment in history that finally has come to the surface releasing the HIDDEN FIGURES.

The space race is on as the United States and Russia compete to put a man in space. Becoming frustrated as Russia pulls forward, Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) wants only the very best on his team. That would be Katherine Gobel (Taraji P. Henson), an African-American mathematician who is sent to work in a room full of men who clearly have their own issues with race.

Upset that she is part of the team; roadblocks are put in her way by colleague Paul Stafford (Jim Parsons) who isn’t happy she is there. To make matters worse, there is no restroom close by and the coffee pot seems to be off limits. Determined not to let that stop her, Katherine is joined by friends Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) who wants to be an engineer and Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) who decides that she will move up the NASA ladder her way.

Slowly Katherine proves that her methods are spot on and so much so that John Glenn (Glen Powell) supports not only the work but Katherine personally. Harrison sees the tension between Katherine and Paul which calls for serious changes. Her frustration lies in the fact that the computations change daily and all her hard work is for nothing. By standing her ground the group begins to come together.

Dorothy learns through Vivian Mitchell (Kristen Dunst) that something called an IBM computer is the mathematical problem solver of the future. Knowing that means the jobs of she and the other women are in jeopardy, Dorothy takes matters into her own capable and smart hands.

Mary has the dream of becoming an engineer with NASA but knows that further education is something out of her reach. Told by capsule maker Karl Zielinski (Olek Drupa) that she needs to make it happen, Mary takes her dream to court!

When John Glenn prepares to go into space, he calls upon Katherine to give him the go from Mission Control – a place she has earned to be!

Henson as Katherine is smart and sassy working her way through many roadblocks. Believing in herself and her mathematical gift is inspirational as it should be with three young daughters looking to her for guidance. Taking on the larger position of putting a man into space, she puts her head down and pushes forward – until its time to do more than push forward. Henson gives Katherine grit and heart never letting one moment of doubt take her down.

Spencer as Dorothy is a woman who knows she is doing the work without the pay of a supervisor. As a problem solver, Dorothy takes it upon herself to learn about the new technology coming to NASA. Spencer has proven continually to be an actress who takes her roles to heart and Dorothy is no exception.

Monae as Mary is the saucy one of the bunch who has no problem telling it like it is. Telling people their issues is an easy way of hiding her own – which is to find a way to fulfill her dream. Feeling as if NASA is pushing the engineering dream further out of reach, Mary discovers a way to not only get the education she needs but make her mark doing so.

Costner as Harrison doesn’t have time for games or those who play them. Bringing Katherine into the group he makes it clear that he doesn’t have time for anything but the best. Once he is made aware of the conditions Katherine is dealing with, he doesn’t waste any time removing barriers in his department of NASA. Costner leads but in such a way that his character is important but also steps aside for his talented lady costars to tell their part of the story.

Other cast include Mahershala Ali as Col. Jim Johnson, Aldis Hodge as Levi Jackson, Kimberly Quinn as Ruth, Kurt Krause as Sam Turner, Ken Strunk as Jim Webb, and Donna Biscoe as Joylette Coleman.

HIDDEN FIGURES is a film that digs deep into the history of NASA on a project that is hugely historical. What also gives these performances such richness is the set design and costuming. Any time I watch a period piece it is important to transport not only me but all viewers into the, pardon the pun, space and time of the story. HIDDEN FIGURES and director Melfi do just that.

I had the pleasure of speaking with director Ted Melfi about HIDDEN FIGURES and what it took to bring that piece of history to the silver screen.

JJ: Good morning Ted, thank you so much for speaking with me today about your film.

TM: You are so welcome Jeri.

JJ: I had never heard this story before, what inspired you to become involved?

TM: When I first read the proposal by producer Donna Gigliotti and had the same reaction as everyone else of ‘How is this possible? There is no way this is a true story.’ I started to dig into it and understand that it was a true story of how NASA had a team of women putting our guys up into space I was floored. I mean I have two daughters and they are still being told in this day and age ‘don’t worry about learning the math’. I find that shocking especially since we are trying to lift them up and show them that they can do anything a man can. This story inspired me and there way no way I could say no too making this film. 

JJ: Especially since it is part of history, a lot of girls were told even when I was younger that math wasn’t important to learn.

TM: It is a shame that we minimized women in Science, Math and Engineering and the truth is they are as good if not more so having the mind for it.

JJ: I think maybe a little more patience too.

TM: Yes!

JJ: When choosing the cast, what drew you to these three women in particular?

TM: I have been in love with Taraji P. Henson’s work ever since the film BENJAMIN BUTTON and in that film she blew me away. My wife and I saw it together and said ‘who is that actress?’ that was playing Brad Pitt’s mother in the film. I was blown away by her passion, strength and raw power and honestly. Then you watch her in the role of Cookie in the television series Empire and that woman from BEJAMIN BUTTON was now Cookie in Empire. I knew that she had this incredible range in her and I knew she would be the perfect off-beat choice of Katherine Johnson. I wanted to go for it and she was so inspired by the challenge and took it on. She is absolutely amazing and inspiring in this role.

JJ: And Octavia Spencer?

TM: Octavia, I mean there is nothing that I can say enough about her as Dorothy Vaughn.

JJ: I was actually thinking the same thing. I mean what more can you say about her?

TM: I know, Octavia could play absolutely anything you could throw at her and it would be fantastic. She is one of the greatest actresses of our time in my mind. That one was a no brainer. Janelle Monae playing Mary Jackson and we wanted someone different, unique and exciting for this character. Janelle is exciting and passionate and wild and inspired and takes dramatic turns. She always makes wild choices with her work and it shows in this performance as well.

JJ: It’s the beautiful trio to be sure.

TM: Yes, Taraji brings the quiet introverted brain of the group. Octavia is the foreman and the maternal leader of the group and Mary is the wild child who always has to be reminded that it’s 1961.

JJ: You have Kevin Costner in the mix who seems to be the buffer.

TM: Kevin Costner is one of the most unique men I’ve ever met in my life. He brings that integrity and worth ethic into every thing he does. His character, Al Harrison, represents the glue that kind of holds the teetering space program together. He balances the science and the math along with the business and imaginative people. Back in 1961 in the Jim Crow south is dealing with racial tensions in the workplace. It’s not that he is unaware of what is happening as much as he doesn’t care. He is about the mission. In his mind the mission and the math of what they are trying to do trumps race and sex of a person.

JJ: I hope that people get that there are so many issues in this film, not just one specific issue. How was that for you as a director covering it all?

TM: It was exciting to be honest with you. To me the 1960s was an explosive time in history. The space race was happening, the Cold War was happening, Civil Rights issue were happening, the Kennedy assassination was happening, Martin Luther King assassination was happening…

JJ: See, that’s what I mean, so many, many issues!

TM: They are all running parallel to each other as well. The Freedom Riders bus protested to Washington D.C. the day before Alan Shepard launched his first mission into space. That should tell you the parallels between these two races and how they basically started to achieve success together in tandem is mind boggling. To pack all of this in one movie was an enjoyable task and to be able to get to say something about who we were and who we are and what we can become as a country when we work together.

JJ: Did you find that you had to do a lot of your own research to allow yourself to get deeper into the film?

TM: Oh yes, I did endless research. I researched every detail of the movie. I dug into a mass amount of books and documentaries about all of this. The Discovery Channel had a series When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions (2008) and I dug as deeply into Civil Rights as I did NASA. I re-watched the PBS series Eyes on the Prize [A documentary that documents the Civil Rights Movement from 1952 to 1965] about how it all occurred. I did tons of photo research as well. In regards to the math I learned everything from the ground up from like trajectory calculations etc. I kind of became a dangerous expert of it all.

JJ: When you are talking about the mathematical side of it, how did Taraji handle it? I mean she’s writing equations on the board so fast!

TM: Taraji being the mathematician consulted with the same person I did from Rudy Home who received his PhD. out of Morehouse College. He trained Taraji and she memorized the math having so much time with him. Taraji might actually be a genius on her own. What she can do I have not seen that often, memorize something and understand it in a very short period of time. She did it effectively and efficiently in one take.

JJ: I realize there is so much in this film to experience but as the director what would you want viewers to take with them after watching the film?

TM: See the film to be reminded of how great American has always been and how when we work together, regardless of race, sex or creed, there is nothing that this country can not achieve together.

JJ: It’s so very well said and very true, thank you Ted!

This director has a straight vision for this film and with an absolutely stellar cast bringing a story that should be shown in every classroom!

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

The Bluray/DVD and Digital HD include Special Features with It All Adds Up - The Making of Hidden Figures, No Limits – The Life of Katherine Johnson, The Right People for the job, Recreating an Era – The Look of Hidden Figures, A Spiritual Journey – The Music of Hidden Figures, Moving the Decimal – Honoring Katherine Johnson, Deleted Scenes, Hidden Figures: Filming in Georgia, Audio Commentary by Ted Melfi and Taraji P. Henson and a Gallery.

This is a music see that was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer and Best Adapted Screenplay. The Digital HD allows everyone to watch on all devices which is just a great way to see where ever you are.

In the end – meet the women you don’t know behind the mission you do!

THE BYE BYE MAN Creeps onto Bluray: Talking with Director Stacy Title

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and director Stacy Title is a thriller that will keep you from putting your toes outside the covers with THE BYE BYE MAN.

Three college students find an old house off of campus and move in not knowing they have a tenant of another kind. An entity called The Bye Bye Man is just waiting to come out and the students, without knowing, open the supernatural door for him.

I am a fan of well done horror films and director Stacy Title has given us just that. With creepiness oozing from every frame, I was thrilled at the opportunity to speak with her about where the idea came from and her vision for bringing the frights to all of us.

Jeri Jacquin: Hi Stacy, I’m so excited to talk with you today and thank you for talking the time to talk about THE BYE BYE MAN that’s on Bluray this week. I’m excited to talk to you for several reasons but the main one is that it is rare to find a female director in the horror genre.

Stacy Title: Yes, you are right, it is a rare thing.

JJ: How did you become involved in the film and I know your husband Jonathan Penner worked on the screenplay as well.

ST: I tell you that it was luck and friendship as Trevor Macy is a dear friend of mine and fan always had wanted to do something together. The script for THE BYE BYE MAN came and it really wasn’t in the shape that I wanted it to be in but there was something in it that intrigued me. My husband Jonathan and I started breaking it down and split the roles very clearly. He did most of the writing and I wanted the definition of me as the director fully realized. I’ve had people ask me if I’ve co-directed with my husband and tell them I’ve never done it before. We got the script the way we wanted and my friend Jeffrey Soros from LAMF partnering with Simon Horsman and they financed the movie. It’s really a lucky thing of having a fan and a good friend putting those pieces together. Without all of these things coming together I would never have gotten a shot at this.

JJ: What was it about the story initially that intrigued you?

ST: I loved that the Bye Bye Man can hurt you without touching you; that he can turn you on yourself by playing on your weaknesses. I thought that was really unique and original. Further, I am really interested in the idea of fear and paranoia today is a large part of our lives and that intrigued me too. You can hurt yourself by being to afraid, by being too paranoid about life. There are going to be links to the mythology that will be made available to people as well. It will explain the DNA of the movie a little more about the coins and the trains. I think people will understand even more fully what I intended.

JJ: I understand that it was based on the piece The Bridge to Body Island; did you dig further into that?

ST: That story is incredible and that’s in a book called The Presidents Vampire I believe and it has a lot of really interesting stuff. I can’t verify there were three grad students that this happened to but there was a great amount of material that was useful. One of the things is how the Bye Bye Man was murdered, that he was left on a train, his eyes burned out with coins and all the things they did to him. The book had some wonderful detail and we turned that into a movie because it wasn’t a natural movie with the work.

JJ: Is this a genre you enjoy?

ST: I love it I have to say. I’m a real horror geek. I love science fiction and fantasy as well, oh I just love all movies and genres but I do genuinely love horror. I love that feeling of being afraid and I find that interesting. I also enjoy scaring people too.

JJ: Do you think it is that rush we get knowing we will walk out of the theatre in one piece after watching a horror film?

ST: It’s so true! It’s a wish fulfillment like can I be on the edge of a cliff, fall and survive it. It’s very satisfying and makes you appreciate the world you live in. The expressions ‘enjoy each day as if it’s your last’ but a horror movie can make you believe that more.

JJ: There is nothing like that roller coaster of emotions and walking out of the film with a nervous laugh saying ‘ha! I survived!’ but inside your heart is still pounding a bit.

ST: In my bedroom in the middle of the night there was something hanging on my door and it looked like the Bye Bye Man! You see shapes and dark things that test all of those scary feelings. I also think what is fun is the community of going to see the film in a theatre.

JJ: I was so thrilled to learn that Doug Jones was playing the character of the Bye Bye Man. He does such amazing work.

ST: Yes, he is amazing and I was so thrilled that he was on our project. Have you ever met him?

JJ: Yes, I spoke to him as well for another project he did.

ST: He is the sweetest most genuine person you have ever met, such a delightful, lovely and a thoughtful person. It is so interesting that he can convert that. He completely channels the darkness for this character and how he can use his body with the smallest movement. He gets so much out of so little. He is funny, scary and brilliantly dramatic actor and I am very lucky to have gotten him.

JJ: He is just amazing.

ST: I love him.

JJ: You have a wonderful cast that comes together strong for the film. When it all came together did you think ‘yep, this is it!’?

ST: Totally, I’ve have a lot of luck in my life with casting and I’ve had great experiences with actors. I don’t know if it’s because my husband is an actor who has done television and film as well as Survivor. When I did my Oscar nominate short I had Jason Alexander and Edward Asner, with THE LAST SUPPER I had Bill Paxton and Cameron Diaz so I am very ambitious to get the best person for each part. So for THE BYE BYE MAN I was completely happy and agree with you about the cast.

JJ: When it came to doing the effects for the film, how was that for you knowing that you see one thing in your head and have to create that on the screen?

ST: I think we were overly ambitious with the amount of financing we had. There are some shots that didn’t work or didn’t look good. If anything it made me realize is that I need to hold out to expand the budget in the effects area to get those things absolutely perfect. I’m very happy with a lot of what we did. There are things that are beautiful and I wouldn’t change them.

JJ: I’m glad to hear you understood what to use and what to leave out. It seems a lot of the horror films just throw everything but the kitchen sink at a film and it sort of ruins it for me. It’s a way of saying that we have to watch and accept it. I don’t think audiences are buying that anymore.

ST: I agree so much. I think there is a judiciousness that you have to have when things aren’t really perfect and accept that it has to be cut. I believe you are right that things are just shoved into films and people are expected to just let it fly and it doesn’t.

JJ: I have found in the last couple of years is that the blood and gore just don’t tell a story for me which is why I stopped watching my favorite genre for a while. You have gone back to scary and tension. You can have a little gore but give me suspense, creaks, rustling bushes!

ST: Really the feeling of something awful is about to happen and I so think that is important. The jumps are great to release a little of the tension but it’s the tension, the dread and that identifying with the characters, I think that works much better and is more important.

JJ: It’s like when Willy Wonka is watching something bad happen to one of the kids and he says, “The suspense is terrible! I hope it will last!”

ST: You are hilarious <laughing> what a great metaphor.

JJ: I love the tension! <laughing> I don’t need a lot of the other stuff, just give me the feeling of body aches when I leave the theatre because I’m exhausted from the tension.

ST: When we were early humans and living day-to-day and moment-to-moment we had to listen as if our lives depended on it in the forest because something could get us. That’s that tension you are talking about, I love it.

JJ: Yes, that primal fear that knows that at a drop of the hat something could happen and we’d have no control over it. You give us that safety of not having control, it’s hard to describe.

ST: Absolutely, taking you on that ride and to the edge. We knew the last hallucination of the film was extremely important. You had to think what was happening to Sasha was happening and the dread with the running down the hall. If I hadn’t set everything up at the beginning no one would want to take that ride.

JJ: Exactly, okay, I love you

<At this point we are both laughing>

ST: I love you too! You get it; you really understand how to put that together because it’s not easy to do. I like that you understand why you like it – you’re like a shrink!

JJ: Actually I have four adult children and we all love horror films. We love that feeling of terror but feeling safe. I’m not going to lie though; my feet do not dangle over the bed at night.

ST: When you are alone at night and you sort of see something rustling around, I admit to having a little bit of fright outside the movies. I do like the movie thing because you are right, I’m safer sometimes more than real life.

JJ: I think it helps us with those little creepy moments like going from our car to the front door which is a ten-second walk but we hear things and see shadows and fumble with our keys to get in the door.

ST: That funny sound when you slam the door and then there is a funny sound coming from upstairs and now that creepy is in the house. I live in an old house that makes noise which doesn’t help.

JJ: I have a cat who thinks it’s funny to scare the daylights out of me.

ST: Does he jump out?

JJ: I have a staircase with space between the stairs and he just rubs on my ankle as I walk up. It is the creepiest feeling in the world!

ST: Oh my gawd, that is so funny!

JJ: When people see the film on Bluray which is amazing, what do you want them to take away with them?

ST: I want them to see that fear and paranoia bring you down and that it can take over your life. You have to make a choice not to let that happen. I think the concept behind THE BYE BYE MAN is that you really get lost in your fear and by living in that fear it can hurt you – especially today.

JJ: You are so right Stacy; I had an amazing time talking to you about THE BYE BYE MAN.

It was amazing having such a fantastic conversation with Stacy and I am still thrilled to have been able to chat about horror films and what makes us love it so. THE BYE BYE MAN is a fright fest that now on Bluray gives us a reason to turn off the lights, cuddle up on the sofa with your favorite hero/heroine and enjoy the ride.

Coming to Bluray from the stellar director Stacy Title and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is dark and focused THE BYE BYE MAN.

In the end – the evil behind the most unspeakable acts has a name!

PEPPA PIG: AROUND THE WORLD Brings Giggles on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD from Entertainment One and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the sweetest family I know with PEPPA PIG: Around the World.

Peppa Pig and her brother George are ready to take a drive to the park with Mommy and Daddy Pig. When their car breaks down the only way to continue their trip is borrowing Miss Rabbit’s airplane. Mommy Pig pilots while Daddy Pig reads the map but they all end up visiting Peppa Pig’s friends on their places of holiday!

Peppa and George go to visit Granny Pig and are excited when they learn that Grandpa Pig has built them a tree house. Making a secret password, Peppa and George tease Mommy and Daddy to come in their beautiful tree house.

Peppa and family decide they want to go to the museum. They little ones learn that it is a place filled with old but important things. Peppa loves everything that has to do with kings and queens learning they didn’t have the things we do today. George wants to see the dinosaurs and imagines being one himself.

When the family takes a drive the car stops and has to be taken to Granddad Dog’s Garage. Peppa’s friend Danny also comes along and everyone is towed back to the garage for gas. Suzy Sheep’s car also needs Granddog, Danny and Peppa goes along for the ride. Granny and Grandpa Pig decide to try out the new car wash as well. This is a very busy garage indeed!

Peppa and her family watch Mr. Potato on television as the show teaches everyone how to exercise and eat right. Peppa wants to go see Mr. Potato in town so they take a ride into town to see him open a sports center. He tells the children to draw pictures and send them in the post and Peppa gets a nice surprise.

Suzy Sheep and Peppa Pig are best friends and they share their stories of places they’ve been. When Suzy gets upset with Peppa for talking to much, Mommy Pig says she is a bit of a chatterbox and it takes all their friends to resolve who is really the chatterbox.

Grandpa Pig’s miniature locomotive Gertrude is taking Peppa and George out for a ride. When the town train breaks down, the passengers are upset because they can’t get to work. Borrowing Gertrude, Miss Rabbit gets her passengers where they need to go leaving Grandpa with the big train to fix it.

Mommy Pig shares with Peppa pictures of when she was a baby pig. Sharing the stories of when Peppa and Suzy were babies and then toddlers, they learn that George was a baby too!

In the garden, Peppa and George are bored and Suzy joins them. Daddy Pig takes out a box of games for the kids to play with. He teaches them the game of skittles, bat & ball and doing the limbo.

Finally, Peppa and her friends are in school dressed up in different costumes from all around the world. Peppa is France and George is Russia might be wearing costumes but Madame Gazelle tells them that the song Peace & Harmony is something they all share.

When conflict happens on the playground, the countries begin to behave badly!

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

Entertainment One continues to bring amazing home entertainment to fans with their own library of over 40,000 films and television titles and 45,000 music tracks. I mention those numbers because that is so impressive bringing something for everyone. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://entertainmentone.com/home.

The DVD includes the ten episodes Around the World with Peppa, The Tree House, The Museum, Granddad Dog’s Garage, Mr. Potato Comes to Town, Chatterbox 6, Grandpa Pig’s Train to the Rescue, The Olden Days, Garden Games and International Day.

PEPPA PIG Around the World is clearly adorable on every level possible. From adventures and fun to family spending time together, PEPPA PIG continues to bring story’s that are shareable for the entire family.

With catchy songs that are easy for children to remember and sing themselves, my own granddaughter absolutely loves this series. Once she hears the opening song, no matter where in the house she is, you can be sure to hear running to see what adventure PEPPA PIG is on now.

Their families are all very different but have something amazing in common, their love of family, adventure and fun! The series is created and directed by Mark Baker and Neville Astley and we thank them for bring Peppa Pig into our homes.

In the end – PEPPA PIG and family are on an ointastic adventure across the globe!

ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story Takes Us to a Galaxy Far, Far Away on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to our own galaxy this week on Bluray/DVD & Digital HD from director Gareth Edwards, Lucas Films and Walt Disney Studios is a chance to be a kid again with ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story.

Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) is farming with wife Lyra (Valene Kane) and young daughter Jyn when they are visited by Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn). Demanding that Galen return to his work with the Galactic Empire creating a weapon to stop the rebellion, Krennic isn’t happy when Galen refuses. He sends troops to search for young Jyn, but she is no where to be found.

They don’t know she has been taken in by Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), it is brief as Jyn (Felicity Jones) is now grown, a criminal and working in a forced labor camp. That is until she is rescued by Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and reconditioned robot K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) and taken before the Senate leaders of the Rebellion.

They want Jyn’s help in finding where the plans for the Death Star may be and how to obtain them to help the rebellion. When her only other choice is help or return to the labor camp, Jyn begrudgingly agrees to go with Cassian to the city of Jedah. There they meet Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang) by walking straight into a street battle.

The group also finds Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), an Imperial pilot who knows Galen! With the location of the plans, they come together and go to the one place no one else would dare go – straight into the Imperial base surrounded and guarded by those whose only goal is to crush the rebellion.

They need to save the rebellion and save the dream!

Jones as Jyn carries the film as a strong character that remembers what happened when she was young. Wanting to find her father, the mission becomes so much more than she could have ever imagined. Jones has the right amount of gumption and emotion giving her character heart and even if she is afraid it doesn’t stop her from going forward.

Luna as Cassian is very focused on what needs to be done to ensure the security of the rebellion. He has the backing of the Senate because this soldier believes in bringing down the Empire. Meeting Jyn doesn’t change that goal, only reshapes how to make it happen.

Tudyk as the voice of K-2SO is absolutely hilarious and clear that this robot has a mind and opinion all his own.

Mendelsohn as Krennic is a man with an agenda that includes taking down anyone that gets in his way. Whitaker as Gerrera sees what Jyn is capable of but also knows the Empire can not be stopped without her.

I was excited when learning that Donnie Yen would be part of ROGUE ONE as Chirrut Imwe. Following his career for several years now from Asian/martial arts films, this is perfect casting. Everything he does has purpose and reminds me of another Jedi master. Jiang as Malbus protects Imwe and clearly knows his way around heavy weaponry which is always handy when fighting any Galactic Empire. Ahmed as Rook is quick and has no trouble showing off his own rebellion side!

Mikkelsen as Galen has the perfect demeanor for this character. He doesn’t have much to say because everything is in his eyes. He has the ability to cut his eyes in such a way that even I’m a little scared of him. I love that he took this role.

Other cast include Alistair Petrie as General Draven, Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, Ben Daniels as General Merrick, Ian McElhinney as General Dodonna, Fares Fares as Senator Vaspar, Sharon Brewster as Senator Pamlo, and Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story had me once again from the moment my television screen lit up! Transported immediately and in such a way that time reversed a little taking me back to 1977, ROGUE ONE brings with it such familiarity as if no time had passed between those weekends I spent in the theatre watching STAR WARS and now.

What I mean by that is this film brings with it the costuming, a story that mingles easily into the STAR WARS realm of storytelling yet intense with layering and small nuances that fans are going to get giddy over. It is amazing how one moment in the original STAR WARS storyline (and you’ll know when that is soon enough) brought about this absolutely fantastic cinematic adventure

I do not want to go into details because it is the details that I want everyone to experience for themselves. Just know that there isn’t going to be a disappointing moment in the 133 minutes of sheer joy on the screen. Let everyone have the opportunity to enjoy every aspect of what has been put together for fans.

The Bluray Bonus Features include The Stories with an intimate collection of stories that take you behind the scenes with filmmakers and cast to reveal how the film came to life, A Rogue Idea, Jyn: The Rebel, Cassian: The Spy, K-2SO: The Droid, Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills, Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary, The Empire, Visions of Hope: The Look of Rogue One, The Princess & The Governor and Epilogue: The Story Continues.

This is such an amazing film and STAR WARS fans can’t be disappointed under any circumstances. The film brings many of us back to the beginning with the look and feel and hope that continuing stories will remember that is how we like it!

In the end – it is a rebellion built on hope!

THE TICKET Brings Seeing to a Whole Other Level

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and VOD this Friday from writer/director Ido Fluk and Shout! Factory Films is a story about seeing what’s important with THE TICKET.

James (Dan Stevens) is blind and living with wife Sam (Malin Akerman), and son Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) they have a nice life together. He works for a company as a telemarketer that gives people cash for their homes. Working with him is buddy Bob (Oliver Platt) and together they have a friendship based on their lack of site.

One morning as James is waking up, he become aware that he is seeing light. Immediately they see the doctor and discover that his sight has returned. It is an amazing happening as the couple are thrilled.

James takes time to enjoy having his sight back and all too quickly things begin to change. His employer notices that James production is way up and rewards him accordingly. James also notices Jessica (Kerry Bishe) who flirts openly with him.

As he spends more and more time away from home, Sam begins to see a change in her husband. Even their son Jonah can not help but see that James has become someone they don’t recognize.

Taking everything too quickly has its consequences as his marriage, fatherhood and friendships all flip like a light switch and leave James in a different kind of darkness.

Stevens as James perfected the role of blind-to-site and dealing with the trappings of both worlds. It is difficult to know how anyone would behave in the same situation which is the point, this characters tests us all and Stevens gives us plenty of pause.

Akerman as Sam is a woman who truly loves her husband. Living a life of caretaking for him is a labor of love and James forgets that easily. I loved watching the turmoil Akerman portrays and I give her kudos for being stronger than a lot of women. Now I stand an applaud when she gives James a choice and sticks to it!

Gaertner as Jonah is a young man who is at that age where nothing escapes his attention – even a changing father. Bishe as Jessica is a character I wasn’t about to warm up to and again that’s perhaps there is a lesson in that as well.

Platt as Bob is such a good friend and even when James is being a douche bag Bob is still a good friend. But, as with all friendships, there comes a point at which the choices we make affect everything and everyone – Bob is no exception.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty And The Beast. Also their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

THE TICKET has several layers to the story telling where are so in depth here. From a man who is living a good, even if simple life, until a change he never thought would happen wasn’t just a change of his eye sight. Watching James change is actually quite sad because it begs the question – what does it take to know a good thing?

Scenes between Stevens and Platt are absolutely amazing but their final scene together is one that just broke my heart. It is the final scene that will leave the audience holding their breath waiting for an answer that just might not come.

Using the back drop of a serious economy and the ‘we buy houses’ signs, Fluk says, “I live in Brooklyn, and would often see these flyers everywhere. There were houses being foreclosed, and some people were profiting from it.” It makes for an even deeper look at how people treat one another in the worst of times.

Stevens says of THE TICKET, “It’s a film that asks some very, very big questions. It’s the kind of film that, as you leave the movie theatre, you just want to talk about for hours”. Well said!

In the end – life can be both seen and felt!

HEIDI is a Story that Never Ages

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD available exclusively at WalMart from Ominbus Entertainment and director Alain Gsponer comes the tale of a young girl who capitivates everyone with HEIDI.

Heidi (Anuk Steffen) meets her Grandfather Alpohi (Bruno Ganz) when the young girls’ Aunt Dete (Anna Schinz) has no where else to leave her. The Grandfather has a reputation with the locals as an angry man who hasn’t a kind word or deed for anyone. Heidi isn’t scared of her Grandfather, in fact she is delighted to be outside in the fresh air and greenery.

Heidi even makes friends with the young goat herder Peter (Quirin Agrippi) as they spend time taking care of Grandfathers goats. Unexpectedly, Aunt Dete shows up ready to take Heidi back but Grandfather isn’t having it and tells her to leave.

That doesn’t stop Aunt Dete when she finds Heidi on the mountain and scoops her away to Frankfurt to live in the home of a young girl in a wheelchair named Klara Sesemann (Isabelle Ottmann). Grandfather is beside himself but the town’s people jeer at him happy that Heidi is away from him.

Nanny Fraulein Rottenmeier (Katharina Schuttler) keeps an eye on both girls running a strict household and not to happy with Heidi. The two girls become fast friends but that doesn’t stop Heidi from missing her beautiful mountains and Grandfather. When Klara’s father Herr Sesemann (Maxim Mehmet) sees how happy his daughter is, returning Heidi to Grandfather isn’t something he wants to do.

But Klara’s Grandmother (Hannelore Hoger) has come to care for Heidi and sees that the young girl is torn. With the help of the staff Heidi is told she is going home and Klara is inconsolable. Back in the mountains Heidi immediately returns to the life of open skies, green grass and goats.

Grandmother comes for a visit asking Grandfather if Klara can stay for a while visiting with Heidi. Happy to share her life with Klara, Heidi takes her anywhere the wheelchair can go. Peter isn’t happy feeling left out of Heidi’s friendship and one moment of anger changes everything for Klara!

One little girl brings out the best in them all.

Steffen as Heidi is adorable but then again she would have to be. Playing this iconic role, this young actress does an amazing job. Ganz as Grandfather doesn’t want anything to do with Heidi but his heart quickly melts and having her in his life becomes extremely important.

Ganz as Grandfather begins with a wall between he and the young girl. Told that he should take care of his own granddaughter, it is only a matter of time before he experiences something missing in his life – love. Ganz gives the role the right touch of a man wanting to be alone until his own family needs him.

Schinz as Aunt Dete doesn’t have what’s best for Heidi at heart and is, to my way of thinking, worse than Grandfather. Taking her far away is heartbreaking and dropping Heidi off like luggage made me think ‘good riddance’. That makes for a good performance!

Ottoman as Klara is just as afraid as Heidi even if for different reasons. Heidi gives this confined young girl a reason to want something more. Schuttler as Fraulein Rottenmeier doesn’t think much of Heidi and has no problem showing her distain but that doesn’t stop the mountain girl from winning everyone else over.

Hoger as Klara’s Grandmother clearly sees what is happening to both Klara and Heidi and even proves that Heidi can be taught. Son Herr Sesemann played by Mehmet is still refusing to deal with the loss of his wife or that his daughter is in a wheelchair but life has a way of surprising them all.

Ominbus Entertainment is committed to sharing the most acclaimed independent films. With Omnibus Entertainment, they can bring even more of the most interesting and watchable films which is what fans have come to expect. To discover more about Omnibus Entertainment please visit www.filmmovement.com.

Johanna Spyri wrote the novel Heidi in 1880 which has become an all-time children’s classic. Actually written as a two-volume novel of Heidi: Her Years of Wandering and Learning and Heidi: How She Used What She Learned has been translated into over 50 languages from the original German. It has brought plays, films and television shows and I don’t see that stopping any time soon.

This story brings family together with this Dove Foundation Family Approved film. That is important to those wanting to extend their home entertainment library to include films the whole family can enjoy together.

HEIDI is about love, loyalty, friendship, learning who you are and what you can accomplish and, most importantly, being true to yourself and your dreams. I can’t imagine HEIDI doing anything less.

In the end – she continues to be a timeless classic little girl!

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!