Amy (2015)

I remember when Amy Winehouse died back in 2011, we all knew, sooner rather than later, it would eventually happen, but it was a shock nevertheless. I didn't know much about her though, only that she had an alcohol problem and that she was in a toxic relationship. Learning more about her is what made me watch Amy.

This documentary indeed tells the story of the life and death of Amy Winehouse, a talented singer and songwriter with a unique voice as well as a very tormented soul destroyed by alcohol, drugs and especially self-sabotage and self-destruction.

It starts in 1998, with a teen Amy smiling to the camera, and then it follows her as she makes her breakthrough and as the side effects of fame and the influence of the media take her to a point of no-return.

Because fame, as I've learnt from Asif Kapadia's documentary, put Amy in a position she didn't want to find herself into as she knew she wouldn't have been able to handle it. She didn't want fame because she knew it would make her mad and that she would lose control.

The fact that she had a tendency to abuse alcohol and drugs, that she also suffered from depression at some point and also become bulimic, only played a part in destroying her. The biggest role, as I was saying, was played by the media, constantly laughing at her problems, and by the people around her who just didn't care (enough) about her. Her manager, for example, only cared about her career and even pushed her out of rehab to make her perform. Her boyfriend, Blake Fielder, who introduced her to hardcore drugs, is the kind of guy a girl like her should never meet. With her attitude, falling in love with a "man" like Blake could only mean her downfall.

Her problems though started long before fame came. Many of her problems actually came from her childhood. Her parents' breakup was very tough on her but the problem is the kind of people they are. Her father was never there when she needed him, only came back when she was famous and it was therefore convenient to him; her mother was just too weak to take care of Amy and keep her under control on her own, as she also admitted. I'm not saying Amy isn't to be blamed for the life she got, I'm just saying the people in her life screw her up big.

Altitude Film Distribution, A24

The astonishing aspect of this documentary is that it almost consists entirely of existing footage. There are a lot of Amy's home videos, photos, interviews and live performances, and the numerous interviews, instead of being your typical documentary interviews where someone talks to the camera, are voice-overs. And it's truly incredible what the filmmakers managed to achieve. Also, Kapadia presented Amy in the form of a narrative drama to make it more captivating, and it works perfectly.

Ultimately, Amy does a wonderful job in showing how and why people try drugs in the first place and how and why they become addicted to them. But most of all, it is a raw, heartbreaking, dark and absorbing documentary about probably the most tormented artist of recent years, and, whether your opinion about her is, it makes it clear that only one person should be blamed for Amy Winehouse's death, Amy herself.

THE FORCE AWAKENS - And Yours Truly - Among Winners At This Weeks Advanced Imagining Society Creative Arts Awards!

Yes, this year's Advanced Imaging Society's Creative Arts Awards was an exciting event for many, many reasons including our own 40 BELOW AND FALLING which I had the pleasure of helping produce along with a truly exceptional team. We won the 3D Feature Jury Prize and are deeply honored with the Lumiere.

Here's the official press release:
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Advanced Imaging Society bestowed 20 honors for “distinguished achievement” at the Creative Arts Awards on Wednesday night, at Warner Bros. Studios in Hollywood.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (Disney/Lucasfilm) was honored with two Lumiere statuettes, for Best 3D Live Action Feature and Best 2D to 3D Conversion (StereoD). “The Martian” (20th Century Fox) was also honored with two awards, for Best Live Action Stereography and Best Use of Native 3D. “The Walk” (Sony/Legend3D) won 3D Scene of the Year for its Act 3 high wire walk by actor Joseph Gordon Levitt. Pixar was honored with 3 Lumieres, including: Best 3D Animated Feature and Best Animated Stereography for “Inside Out” (Disney/Pixar) and Best 3D Short for “Lava” (Disney/Pixar).

“Conquest of the Skies” (Colossus Productions), hosted by Sir David Attenborough, won Best 3D Documentary. The Russian cinema commercial, “Schvabe” (StereoTec) won for Best 3D Advertising. The 3D short “Hard Reset” (Buk Films) won for Best Live Action Short. “Emma” (Pannon Entertainment) was awarded for Best use of High Dynamic Range. “Great Barrier Reef,” (Atlantic Productions) also hosted by Sir David Attenborough, won in the Best Ultra HD content category. The Best Virtual Reality Experience was awarded to “The Walk: Virtual Reality Experience” (Sony/Create Design LA).

Marvel’s Victoria Alonso, who heads the Studio’s Physical Production Unit and serves as Executive Producer on many of the Studio's blockbuster hits, was presented with the Harold Lloyd Award for filmmaking.

BBC and BBC Earth were awarded the annual Sir Charles Wheatstone Award for excellence in natural history documentaries.

“With movies like ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ ‘The Martian,’ and ‘Inside Out’ competing for our top honors, we had an extraordinary awards process this year. 3D has never had a better year at the box office, or a better year in terms of brilliant creative work,” said Society President Jim Chabin. “With the addition of Virtual Reality, High Dynamic Range, and Ultra HD entries, our members are clearly working at the very cutting edge of our industry’s future,” he added.

Several Jury Prizes were presented for special achievement. Director Raman Hui was awarded a Lumiere for 2015’s “Monster Hunt,” (Edko Films Limited) the biggest box office hit in Chinese history. The romantic comedy “40 Below And Falling” (Avatar Media), the 3D Short “Coda” (National Film Board of Canada), and the Japanese animated children’s film “Gamba” (Shirogumi) were also honored with jury prizes.

“Our honorees this year came from all over the globe, from China to the UK, to Europe, Canada, and of course Hollywood, 3D has truly come of age,” said Society Awards Chairman Buzz Hays. “Both the high level of quality and the quantity of 3D, HDR, and VR production is impressive,” he added.

Here are the night's winners in detail:

HAROLD LLOYD AWARD
VICTORIA ALONSO
MARVEL

SIR CHARLES WHEATSTONE
BBC EARTH

3D LIVE ACTION FEATURE
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
DISNEY/LUCASFILM

3D ANIMATED FEATURE
INSIDE OUT
PIXAR

STEREOGRAPHY LIVE ACTION
THE MARTIAN
20TH CENTURY FOX

STEREOGRAPHY ANIMATED
INSIDE OUT
PIXAR

3D SHORT ANIMATED
LAVA
PIXAR

3D SHORT LIVE ACTION
HARD RESET
BUK FILMS

3D DOCUMENTARY
CONQUEST OF THE SKIES
COLOSSUS PRODUCTIONS

UHD
GREAT BARRIER REEF
ATLANTIC PRODUCTIONS

BEST USE OF NATIVE 3D
THE MARTIAN
20TH CENTURY FOX

HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE
EMMA
PANNON ENTERTAINMENT

BEST USE OF 2D TO 3D CONVERSION
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
DISNEY/LUCASFILM

3D SCENE OF THE YEAR
THE WALK
(SCENE: TIGHT ROPE WALK BETWEEN WTC TWIN TOWERS)
SONY/LEGEND 3D

VR
THE WALK: VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE
SONY/CREATE DESIGN LA

3D ADVERTISEMENT
SCHVABE
STEREOTEC

3D FEATURE JURY PRIZE
40 BELOW AND FALLING
AVATAR MEDIA
CANADA

3D SHORT ANIMATED JURY PRIZE
CODA
NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA
CANADA

3D FEATURE JURY PRIZE
MONSTER HUNT
EDKO FILMS LTD
CHINA

3D ANIMATED FEATURE JURY PRIZE
GAMBA
SHIROGUMI
JAPAN

On behalf of our director Dylan Pearce, producer Andy Scholotiuk and everyone else involved with 40 BELOW AND FALLING, I'd like to thank everyone involved with the Advanced Imaging Society for the honor, and the continuing passion for our industry. It was a tremendous year again for 3D highlighted with STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS dominating the box office and setting records and the top 4 movies of the year being in 3D.

2016 looks to be another amazing year!!

More Trade Coverage: Variety | THR

The Peanuts Movie (2015)

Genre

Animation | Comedy

Director

Steve Martino

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Troy Andrews, Rebecca Bloom, Anastasia Bredikhina, Francesca Angelucci Capaldi, Kristin Chenoweth, Alex Garfin, Noah Johnston, Bill Melendez, Hadley Belle Miller, Noah Schnapp, Micah Revelli, Venus Omega, Mariel Sheets, Madisyn Shipman, A.J. Teece, Marelik Walker, William Wunsch

Storyline

Snoopy (Bill Melendez) embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp) begins his own epic quest back home to win the love of his life.

Opinion

Whether you are or not a fan of the Peanuts, the names Charlie Brown and Snoopy are enough to evoke an image of the kid with only a small curl of hair, and his loyal beagle. Not being a fan myself, I was reluctant to watch this film. Yet the trailer made a quite good impression on me, so I just went for it, and I was pleasingly surprised.

The Peanuts Movie is a fun, adorable computer animated film that manages to entertain all: kids, adults, and, as far as I've read, nostalgic adults. 

The story is pretty simple and a bit clichéd, but the way it is executed makes it a sweet story that engages. However, although most have liked this part the most, I've found the Snoopy sub-plot a little granted, cloying and boring. The screenplay intertwines irony, imagination, torments of childhood, and absence of adults quite well, but some gags seems a little forced.

Also, even though the film is fun to watch and delivers some simple and positive messages, the overall impression is that the film does not reach very high peaks and is more suitable for children. 

On the other hand, there is the stunning animation. The characters and the background look like they were taken straight out of the comics. The animation of the characters isn't too exaggerated, and they still move a little cartoonish, especially Snoopy. Sound words are also threw in and they are great to give the film that comic feeling. 

The characters are portrayed in their essence so that even the little ones and those who have not grown up with the Peanuts can relate to them: you will root for Charlie Brown, hate Lucy, and fall in love with cool and rebel Patty instead of the Little Red-Haired Girl.

Walt Before Mickey (2015)

Genre

Biography | Drama

Director

Khoa Le

Country

USA

Cast

Thomas Ian Nicholas, Jon Heder, David Henrie, Taylor Gray, Jodie Sweetin, Sheena Colette, Hunter Gomez, Ayla Kell, Armando Gutierrez, Arthur L. Bernstein, Kate Katzman, Timothy Neil Williams, Conor Dubin, Flora Bonfanti, Briana Colman, Beatrice Taveras, Maralee Thompson, Natasha Sherritt, Frank Licari, Randy Molnar, Donn Lamkin, Nancy J. Barber, Owen Teague, Demitri Vardoulias, Noah Forgione

Storyline

Walt before Mickey takes viewers on a journey through the passion, ambition, and dreams of a man who would go on to capture millions of hearts across the world, and inspire dreams for generations to come.

Opinion

Walt Disney is the icon that has given birth to many icons, and that has entertained entire generations. But what's the story - and struggles - behind this great man? This film, based on Timothy Susanin's book, answered that question. In unflattering way.

Uninspired and unable to hold the attention of the viewer, Walt Before Mickey is the proof that dreams don't always come true.

The story is pretty solid, but the screenplay is a real mess. I did not read the book by Timothy Susanin - also approved by Diane Disney Miller, Walt's daughter, very misleading considering the quality of the film - so I cannot comment how closely the film sticks to the book, but I can say that it seems more like an adaptation of a student's paper rather than anything else.

Some parts don't make much sense either. For instance Walt Disney hiring Friz Freleng because he has been told Friz is great at voices - later demonstrated - years before the advent of sound. I have been wondering why hiring him when you can't even afford to pay the animators salaries, and what was he even doing in the studio. Also Freleng has not a single voice credit on IMDb.

The way Walt Disney's character is conceived is no better. Besides the accurate portrayal of a chain smoker, it's hard to believe that he is an actual person. 

The acting isn't better than some I've seen in junior high plays. Thomas Ian Nicholas - American Pie's Kevin - really makes you cringe in those moments when he seems to be rehearsing instead of acting, and does not bring neither personality nor soul into the role. Jon Heder looks completely lost as Roy Disney, but at least he looks a bit like his character. The supporting cast goes from decent - Armando Gutierrez as Ub Iwerks and Timothy Neil Williams as Fred Harman - to uninspired and overacting.

If there's something I know for sure is that Walt Disney never would have approved anything like this.

Movie Review - STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - 9.4 Stars! Spoiler Free!!

Click to enlarge

OK it's time! I've only seen STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (SWTFA) once, but it was in IMAX 3D so it was a premium theater and the brightness of the projection was ample and the sound was magnificent.

First off, if you haven't seen the original three movies (Ep. IV, V and VI) I think you should do so before seeing VII. Secondly if you haven't already seen those movies - what are you thinking? :-) SWTFA can certainly stand on it's own, but much of the past 'soap opera' fill in the blanks are missing.

So let me tell you right from the get-go, JJ Abrams knocked this thing out of the park. I was truly worried he wouldn't capture the spirit of the original movies - the 'je ne c'est quoi' - that makes the original trilogy what it is to millions of fans. But he did it. There are elements in the movie that are certainly "Abrams'esque", and you'll know when you see them, but nothing pulled me out of the movie to think about it.

In many ways, it's the best Star Wars film to date. I don't take those words lightly. It's not a perfect movie by any means, but given what Abrams was able to deliver within the scope of this universe - BRAVO!

I won't talk about specifics because the movie just opened and many haven't been able to see it yet obviously, but I will say this: 

1. The 3D was great. Not perfect (it's a conversion) but I could tell effort was made to produce this movie for 3D from the beginning and that was refreshing. There was only one shot that was jarring and I'll bet it was a Disney executive's call to do it. I don't think a creative would have. Anyway, it was a brief shot and we can discuss in the comments (where spoilers can and do exist!).

2. The score and sound effects were absolutely stellar. Go see it for the audio alone!! Just breathtaking.

Click to enlarge

3. JJ Abrams directing has seemingly jumped to the next level here. Truly, an awesome display of blockbuster showmanship and I didn't know he could rise to this level. He certainly has. We're talking close to the caliber of Spielberg, Cameron, Lucas here for SciFi. Yes, he's that good now. And I've had plenty of reservations about him before (STAR TREK in particular).

By the way, there was NO STAR TREK TRAILER pre-rolling last night. I was very disappointed. (Cineplex IMAX in Canada)

4. GO NOW. Go while the truest Star Wars fans are there watching. Nothing, NOTHING beats being the middle of fans like this. The impromptu clapping, laughter, gasps and pointing. It's experiences like this that will keep movie theaters alive in this era.

I'll talk about more in the comments. Again - THE COMMENTS WILL HAVE SPOILERS!! Don't read them unless you want to be clued in on aspects of the movie. You've been warned! Let me know your thoughts on the movie guys!!

The Longest Ride (2015)

Genre

Drama | Romance

Director

George Tillman Jr.

Country

USA

Cast

Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Alan Alda, Jack Huston, Oona Chaplin, Melissa Benoist, Lolita Davidovich, Gloria Reuben, Barry Ratcliffe, Brett Edwards, Hunter Burke, Alina Lia

Storyline

As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, college student Sophia Danko (Britt Robertson) and former champion bull rider Luke Collins (Scott Eastwood) make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira (Alan Alda), whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple.

Opinion

Basically every year we are blessed with another Nicholas Sparks movie, and of course 2015 made no exception, as Hollywood has produced yet another mediocre romance film.

The Longest Ride is a very, very, very long ride that tries to emphasize the meaning of true love with an half interesting plot. 

Why half interesting you ask? Because the plot, that looks like if "The Notebook" and "Dear John" had a baby, is the result of two stories that are not treated equally. On the one hand we have Luke and Sophie, two stereotyped, young and beautiful people, who fall in love at first sight with each other. On the other hand we have Ira, a WWII veteran that has his own epic love story to tell, that has shared with his wife Ruth years ago. While these two stories seem pretty much the same as both couples go through hard moments, the second one turned out to be way more interesting, it delivered more emotions and a better result. As for the first story, as if being clichéd wasn't enough, it's left aside, like no one gives a damn about it, therefore is hella boring.

So the idea of crossing time to present two love stories could have been interesting, but only if properly done, which is exactly what did not happen here. I don't know who's to blame, if Sparks for writing the book this way, or the screenwriter for adapting the book this way - no, I did not read the book and I don't plan on doing it.

The musical score was great and many times was more emotional than the actual acting, that is overall fine, with good performances from Jack Huston as young Ira, and Oona Chaplin as Ruth, a decent Scott Eastwood as Luke who has not a great chemistry with likable yet bad at acting Britt Robertson as Sophie.

What Can You Expect Before And After STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS At The Theater?

Well you should arrive early as word has it the first trailer for STAR TREK BEYOND is attached to pre-roll in front of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS :-) I'm very happy to hear that and hopefully it includes some shots of the movie too and not just an I'm coming soon text laden visual.

As far as after SWTFA, I'm a firm believer in watching all the end credits of a movie I truly enjoy and I fully expect to do so with this movie - but there won't be any mid or end credit scenes to wait for according to director JJ Abrams himself.

But... do stay to honor all those that worked on the movie if you enjoyed it. You can be sometimes very surprised who you see up there to begin with and it's the ethical thing to do :-) Credit where credit is due.

So join me opening weekend for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS in 3D! Can't wait. I'll be seeing it in multiple formats and the first will be IMAX followed closely by REALD (UltraAVX). Stay tuned for my review!

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS opens on December 18. STAR TREK BEYOND is slated for release on July 22, 2016.
 

Unexpected (2015)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Kris Swanberg

Country

USA

Cast

Cobie Smulders, Gail Bean, Anders Holm, Elizabeth McGovern

Storyline

An inner-city high school teacher (Cobie Smulders) discovers she is pregnant at the same time as one of her most promising students (Gail Bean) and the two develop an unlikely friendship while struggling to navigate their unexpected pregnancies.

Opinion

Unexpected is a simple, yet authentic and unexpectedly beautiful film about pregnancy and friendship, and deals with some serious social issues.

With Megan Mercier and Kris Swanberg's intelligent script, and the simple, yet feeling real story, the film manages to engage the audience with the reality of pregnancy, that can be a very complicated and confusing process, and it shows this with intense emotions through the eyes of two different women in two different moments in life, a 30-year-old teacher and and 17-year-old girl. 

The film also raises some serious social issues by taking a look at socioeconomic and cultural differences, and race privilege, and also mentions the public education system of the state of Chicago, but unfortunately it doesn't explore or deepen none of the topics above mentioned.

Still the film is a good portrait of female friendship even though the relationship that develops between Samantha, the teacher, and Jasmine, the high school girl, takes some predictable turns.

Cobie Smulders probably gives the best and most genuine performance of her career as Samantha. Being pregnant herself while making this probably helped, but she is sweet and vulnerable, and she well delivers the insecurities about being a mother and the consequences it may have on one's identity. Gail Bean also delivers a solid performance as Jasmine, and she plays the role with surprisingly wisdom for her age - Hollywood should keep an eye on her. Elizabeth McGovern also gives a good performance as Samantha's mother. 

Amazing New 3D Covers For STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS From Empire

Click to enlarge

Anticipation is still seeming to mount despite a near frenzied feeling already about the upcoming release of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Helping to drive home this point is six new covers from Empire Magazine featuring characters from the movie. They apparently have 3D lenticulars - so definitely collectible.

The first set of three show off Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and Hans Solo (Harrison Ford) of course followed by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). I'm loving the rich colors but clearly Ford was photoshopped as a younger Solo - intentional for the movie? Or cosmetic for the cover? You decide.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and his army of Stormtroopers.

Click to enlarge

In the next set of three we have Rey and BB-8 (Daisy Ridley), Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) and Finn (John Boyega). Christie seems to be perfect casting for this role. She's 6'3" and I'm sure will take on all challengers! Great hero poses from the cast.

Have you pre-purchased your large screen format, 3D tickets yet? You can bet I have. Can't wait. This thing is going to be massive. AVATAR massive? No way. SWTFA might break 2 billion, but it won't catch AVATAR. If you think differently - let me know!

MUST WATCH: New International Trailer For STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Click to Enlarge

Well hello. This new Japanese trailer for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS looks stunning! Many new scenes and not too much given away regarding spoilers - although more than what we're used to from Abrams. Certainly there are visual spoilers and characters have their closeups but don't be worried about learning too much of the storyline. That being said, this trailer goes into more depth than the domestic materials so as usual you are being warned.

And... the poster is new as well! Adam Driver's Kylo Ren dominates the new Korean poster and it looks sensational.

SWTFA is going to look amazing in 3D. I've got that feeling. I think everything about this movie is going to be perfect. The story, the imagery, the soundtrack, the characters, the soul. The pressure on JJ Abrams to deliver this thing must be off the scales, but he seems to be taking everything in stride. I've seen the domestic trailer in IMAX and it brings chills. Can't wait for its 3D.

I've already have my ticket bought for opening night and I urge you to buy ahead of time as well. You'll want to see this thing early to 1. enjoy it and 2. avoid the spoilers that will undoubtedly be flying EVERYWHERE on social media the day after opening.

Enjoy the trailer!

STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS opens on December 17.

THE MARTIAN Set To Overtake GLADIATOR As Ridley Scott's Top Box Office Draw

Ridley Scott has to be smiling broadly right now as his 3D space adventure THE MARTIAN continues to hold on to first place at the box office. In fact the Matt Damon starrer will overtake GLADIATOR as the top box office draw in all of Scott's releases sometime this week. THE MARTIAN currently stands at $182m and GLADIATOR did $188m worth of business back in 2000.

THE MARTIAN only dropped 27% this past weekend for an estimated take of $11.4m. Couple that with the bombs of SCOUT'S GUIDE, OUR BRAND IS CRISIS and BURNT (which I thought was very good) and voila - Martian Victory. Trouble is definitely on the horizon though as SPECTRE looms large this Friday. The latest James Bond installment just set records over in the UK during it's opening there. It'll open to huge business here as well and will hold it until THE HUNGER GAMES closes up shop with part 2 of MOCKINGJAY.

So congratulations to Ridley Scott for his achievement and continued success with 3D. An amazing accomplishment! Looking forward to ALIEN: PARADISE LOST and more native 3D from Scott and 3ality!!

3D Movie Review: THE MARTIAN: 9.3 Stars - Scott's Triumphant Vision Soars!

Spoiler-free, in case you haven't seen it yet and want an opinion.

I don't think there are enough superlatives to describe director Ridley Scott's spectacular take on a magnificent novel (one that you should seek out and read). The movie is not perfect, but masterfully crafted. Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski will again drop your jaw and interestingly enough, he is going head to head against himself this week as he is also the DP on Zemeckis' THE WALK - another 3D movie that just opened!

As you can see, I haven't rated anything to do with this movie below a 9/10. I think that's a first for me. Usually there is some glaring flaw somewhere in a production that I must comment on, but sincerely the only thing I can say that may not be taken as a compliment is that the movie veered from the novel. But of course it will - it's a slightly more than 2 hour movie and will indeed have its own version. However, even this point is not all that negative to me at all. In what is a rare occurrence for me, I found myself thinking "Oh wow - I truly don't know where he is going with this" adding a level of suspense I didn't think possible after reading a movie's novel before seeing the film, rather than think that the movie is ruining the original story. Far from it. Both are standalone and wonderful. So even if you have read the best selling book - go see this movie!

The character development and story are breathtaking. Of course it centers on Watney (Matt Damon) and within you see a carefully crafted evolution of the man. Realization, self-deprecation, humor, despair, hope, joy, fear, achievement. The journey is long, yet concise. A perfect balance; something you definitely need when the story itself takes YEARS to tell and yet still flows much better than I ever thought possible.

It's a rousing couple of hours that will keep you entertained, thrill you and challenge you to think.

The movie's 3D was exceptional and solid. Most of the movie was shot in native 3D (as per the Ridley Scott norm) by stereographer Gareth Daley using our friends at 3ality's 3D rigs and expertise, and it shows. Gareth nailed it! I've got to watch it again just to see what I've missed because at times there is much to take in. See it on the largest 3D screen possible in your area and with the best sound. The experience will blow you away.

Damon delivered a solid Watney. Personally I would have cast someone else, probably someone younger perhaps Aaron Paul - but let me reassure you that Damon is believable and enjoyable in this role. At no time did I think "I don't believe this" or that the character doesn't work. Exact opposite in fact. Most audiences will still have in their mind GOOD WILL HUNTING and how brilliantly Damon played a genius. Same applies here. I just felt the role would be better served by a younger actor. That is it.

So I won't go into more details and ruin any element of the movie for you, but again, I seldom give 9's and above across the board. Check it out - it's worth your hard earned money and DEFINITELY see it in 3D.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel.


THE MARTIAN is now playing.

Watch: PAN Featurette Focusing On The Movie's 3D

Watch this featurette just released by Warner Bros. on the magnificent 3D being used in director Joe Wright's PAN.

The Stereographer in the movie is Chris Parks (GRAVITY, EDGE OF TOMORROW), who I interviewed in the past year and is truly an expert in making audiences engage with the movie using 3D. If you saw GRAVITY - you know what I mean. Outstanding talent.

Here's the movie's boilerplate:
Offering a new take on the origin of the classic characters created by J.M. Barrie, the action adventure follows the story of an orphan who is spirited away to the magical Neverland. There, he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny—to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.

The film stars Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (“Les Misérables”) as Blackbeard; Garrett Hedlund (“Inside Llewyn Davis”) as Hook; Oscar nominee Rooney Mara (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) as Tiger Lily; Adeel Akhtar (“The Dictator”) as Smee; and newcomer Levi Miller as Peter.

Rounding out the cast are Taejoo Na (“The Kick”) as Kwahu; Nonso Anozie (“Son of God,” “Atonement”) as Bishop; Kathy Burke (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) as Mother Barnabas; Kurt Egyiawan (“Skyfall”) as Murray; Lewis MacDougall (UK TV’s “In the Name of the Children”) as Nibs; newcomer Leni Zieglmeier as Wendy Darling; Jack Charles (“Mystery Road”) as The Chief/Tiger Lily’s father; and Amanda Seyfried (“Les Misérables”) as Mary.

Wright directs PAN from a screenplay written by Jason Fuchs. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Paul Webster are producing, with Tim Lewis serving as executive producer.

Filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, PAN is set for a worldwide release in 3D and flat in select theatres and IMAX 3D on October 9, 2015.

Watch: First Clip From Ridley Scott's THE MARTIAN

Check out the first clip from Ridley Scott's THE MARTIAN from 20th Century Fox. The movie stars Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney based on the best selling novel from Andy Weir (an excellent read by the way).

The clip is reserved in that it doesn't give much away in regards to plot or characters, but definitely sets up a story based in real science and an expectation that it's believable. The crew has a great dynamic too. Ridley Scott is known for these traits and so my excitement for the movie is off the charts.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel.

THE MARTIAN launches wide on October 2 and premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Watch: New Trailer For Ridley Scott's THE MARTIAN

Oh man - can't wait for this movie to touchdown. Matt Damon stars in director Ridley Scott's native 3D return to space and it looks like all systems go for a great movie here. The story should be amazing as I've read the book and hopefully they don't stray too far from the original material. It seems they aren't - Damon's character even uses the same terminology that's found in the book: "Here's the rub...".

I think Ridley is going to knock this one out of the park. Hopefully there's ample momentum here for his PROMETHEUS 2 afterward! 3ality Technica is behind the rigs for the production so you know the 3D in this movie will be jawdropping.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.

Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Donald Glover, Mackenzie Davis, and Chiwetel Ejiofor

THE MARTIAN takes off October 2 in Real D 3D. Enjoy the trailer!

Release Date!! Very Proud To Announce 40 BELOW AND FALLING Is Set To Premiere This Month!

I am so very proud to announce that the movie I'm producing, 40 BELOW AND FALLING, is premiering on Super Channel on August 27 at 8pm ET on SC4! I love working with this talented group of people - simply a huge amount of excitement about this release and I have to say Jewel Staite and Shawn Roberts really nailed their roles. Our director, Dylan Pearce put his heart and soul into this and it SHOWS! It's a ton of fun - I can't wait for you all to see it.

The Super Channel premiere will be in 2D and I'll have more details about further distribution in the coming weeks.

Also - look for more media from the production coming very soon!

Here's the official press release:
12pt Media’s Romantic Adventure/Comedy 40 Below and Falling PREMIERES on Super Channel on August 27th at 8 pm ET on SC4.

Directed by Dylan Pearce (Baby Blues, I Think I Do), the film stars actors Jewel Staite (Firefly, The Killing) and Shawn Roberts (Resident Evil, X-Men) along with a superb Canadian support cast that includes Cindy Busby (Heartland, Cedar Cove), Shaun Johnston (Heartland), Mark Meer (Mass Effect 3) and Hollywood trained grizzly bear Whopper from Innisfail, Alberta.

40 Below and Falling tells the story of Kate Carter (Jewel Staite), a small town school teacher who is moving back to the big city for her wedding. When a blizzard strikes, her flight gets cancelled and the roads are shut down, leaving Kate no choice but to hop on the back of a surly stranger named Redford’s (Shawn Roberts) snowmobile. As they battle the winter elements together and their adventures unfold, Kate slowly starts to question the choice she has made about the man she is set to marry.

The film was made in Edmonton and across Alberta by Producer Andrew Scholotiuk (Baby Blues, I Think I Do), Executive Producers Darren Arsenault (Baby Blues, I Think I Do), Brad Ferguson, Pierre-Andre Rochat, Roma Roth, Associate Producer Jim Dorey and a diverse Canadian cast and crew. Produced in association with EFF Media Investments and with the assistance of the Government of Alberta Media Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit Program, and DARO Films. 40 Below and Falling is one of the first romantic adventure/comedies to be shot in both 3D and 2D.

About 12pt Media:
12pt Media develops and produces innovative productions for cinema, television, web and VR with an emphasis on new 3D technologies.

Facebook: 40 Below and Falling 3D | Twitter/Instagram: 40Below3D | www.40belowandfalling.com

Watch: Edgy New Trailer For EVEREST !

Definitely a movie made for 3D! Some of these shots are simply spectacular.

We see some angles that would make Sir Edmund Hillary himself shudder I'm sure! I'm intrigued with the casting as well; looks like a wonderful performance from Jason Clarke. You can feel the obsession in them all.

Here's the movie's storyline:
Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival. The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Everest is directed by Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Contraband) and produced by Working Title Films’ Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Cross Creek Pictures’ Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson, as well as Nicky Kentish Barnes and Kormákur.

Universal Pictures presentation of Everest is adapted for the screen by William Nicholson (Gladiator) and Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire).

The film was shot on location in Nepal on the foothills of Everest, the Italian Alps and at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and Pinewood Studios in the U.K.

EVEREST opens in RealD 3D, IMAX 3D and flat on September 18. 

Jurassic Box Office Indeed! JURASSIC WORLD Trails Only TITANIC And AVATAR!

They did it! JURASSIC WORLD ($1.52b) is now in the sole possession of third place on the all-time world box office list trailing just TITANIC ($2.2b) and AVATAR ($2.8b).

That is one heckuva accomplishment and my family contributed solidly to the effort I might add. Universal in fact has never broken the billion dollar mark with a movie before as hard as that is to believe. This year? They did it twice - JURASSIC WORLD and FURIOUS 7 ($1.51b). Nice movie line up guys!

Can STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS continue the solid march of the box office this year? One would definitely think so considering the buzz the movie's been getting. We'll see in December!

Congratulations to the JURASSIC WORLD team and director Colin Trevorrow!! Good on you!

Watch: New ANT-MAN Trailer #2 Mentions The Avengers

Finally The Avengers are acknowledged as an alternative to going solo against a villain who could threaten the world in these standalone Marvel movies. I know that question was ringing in my ears when S.H.I.E.L.D. was essentially destroyed in Marvel's universe before Ultron.

I won't spoil the trailer further for you, but it's worth watching on a number of levels and actually is the best to date if you ask me. It's interesting to watch the marketing unfold for this movie as it is vastly different than the others - something Marvel excels at doing.

Here's the movie's storyline:
The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Directed by Peyton Reed and produced by Kevin Feige, Marvel’s ANT-MAN stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne, Corey Stoll as Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket, Bobby Cannavale as Paxton, Michael Peña as Luis, Judy Greer as Maggie, Tip “Ti” Harris as Dave, David Dastmalchian as Kurt, Wood Harris as Gale, Jordi Mollà as Castillo and Michael Douglas as Hank Pym.

ANT-MAN opens on July 17.

Both EVEREST and THE WALK Will Open Early In IMAX 3D

**UPDATE: 28 June - Just heard from 3ality that they in fact did NOT do native 3D on this production - so it's a conversion too. A battle between conversion houses it is then. Too bad.


Yes! Love when IMAX does this: They've announced that both EVEREST and THE WALK will open on September 18th and the 30th respectfully - ahead of their wide release dates.

EVEREST is a true story about a team's ascent to the highest peak in the world while THE WALK is the true story of Philippe Petit's attempt to cross the distance between the top of the World Trade Centers in NYC.

Correction: Both of these two IMAX 3D releases are 3D conversions. I can't wait to compare them because of their close release dates and both showing in the large format. I will also include comment on how the RealD projection is for comparison - I do have a RealD PLF (premium large format) screen here in town. I will definitely give these two a competitive review, head to head.

Here's the storyline for EVEREST:
This is the story of the 1996 Everest Film Expedition, a MacGillivray Freeman production in association with Arcturus Motion Pictures. Filmed in IMAX photography, EVEREST is the dramatic true story of a team of climbers who found hope, strength and triumph in the wake of tragedy. Their successful ascent of Mount Everest, just days after fellow mountaineers and friends died there, is a compelling story about the human spirit and a mountain they love, respect and sometimes fear.

Here's the storyline for THE WALK:
Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, Petit and his gang overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan. Robert Zemeckis, the director of such marvels as Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Back to the Future, Polar Express and Flight, again uses cutting edge technology in the service of an emotional, character-driven story. With innovative photorealistic techniques and IMAX 3D wizardry, The Walk is true big-screen cinema, a chance for moviegoers to viscerally experience the feeling of reaching the clouds. The film, a PG-rated, all-audience entertainment for moviegoers 8 to 80, unlike anything audiences have seen before, is a love letter to Paris and New York City in the 1970s, but most of all, to the Towers of the World Trade Center.

EVEREST opens on September 18 and THE WALK opens on September 30 - BOTH in IMAX 3D!