The Movie Report #1123 - June 11, 2021

#1123 - June 11, 2021

MOVIES:

• Akilla's Escape
  
• The House Next Door
  
• In the Heights
  
• Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
  

ON DEMAND:

• Infinite
  

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Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival 2021 Reviews

• In the Heights
  
• (Rita Moreno:) Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
  
• My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To
  
• Something Blue (Algo Azul)
  
• Women Is Losers
  

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F3PR: In the Heights to screen at Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) on June 4

PRESS RELEASE

SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING OF
DIRECTOR JON M. CHU AND
CREATOR LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA’S
FEATURE FILM IN THE HEIGHTS TO SCREEN AT
LOS ANGELES LATINO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (LALIFF)
ON FRIDAY, JUNE 4

LALIFF and the Tribeca Festival to partner
in celebration of their 20^th anniversaries

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 30, 2021 – Academy Award®-nominated actor Edward James Olmos, founder of the Latino Film Institute, announced today that the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) will host a Special Preview Screening of Warner Bros. Pictures’ upcoming In the Heights, the highly-anticipated film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical from director Jon M. Chu, on Friday, June 4^th 2021. In addition, LALIFF and the Tribeca Festival will partner as a celebration of their 20^th anniversaries.

“We cannot wait to share this incredible film with our audience as part of this year’s festival,” says Edward James Olmos. “In the Heights celebrates the Latino culture and allows us to continue to support our mission of providing a platform of stories that are told by us and for us. We are equally excited to partner with such a renowned film festival like Tribeca and we know that this will be a partnership that will flourish over the years.”

“Congratulations to LALIFF on their 20^th anniversary of extraordinary storytelling for Latino filmmakers, artists and visionaries everywhere. We celebrate this incredible partnership with a shared goal, to beautifully showcase diverse and under-represented voices through the power of film,” said Robert De Niro, Actor and Co-Founder of the Tribeca Festival.

“In the Heights is a story about a community,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “For 20 years, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and Edward James Olmos have been uplifting and providing a platform for Latino artists to share their own stories. It is with tremendous admiration and gratitude for those who have come before us that I am honored and humbled to have In the Heights screen for the LALIFF community.”

Chu stated, “Making In the Heights for the big screen and being able to bring the world that Lin-Manuel created to life in a whole new way has been an incredible journey, and it's such a privilege to have the film be a part of this festival, which honors the very community we celebrate in the film.”

The preview of In the Heights will take place one week before the film premieres in theaters and on HBO Max and will be held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. In the Heights will be one of several in-person screenings held during this year’s LALIFF.

The film is directed by Jon M. Chu and centers around the vibrant Washington Heights community and a bodega owner named Usnavi, who dreams about a better life. The film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Biatriz, Dascha Polanco, singer Marc Anthony, and Jimmy Smits.

Chu directed the film from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes, based on the musical stage play, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and concept by Miranda. Miranda, Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman and Mara Jacobs produced the film, with David Nicksay and Kevin McCormick serving as executive producers.

Behind the camera, Chu reunited with his Crazy Rich Asians production designer, Nelson Coates, and editor, Myron Kerstein. He also collaborated with director of photography Alice Brooks and costume designer Mitchell Travers. Original songs by Miranda. Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman served as executive music producers. The choreography is by Christopher Scott.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a 5000 Broadway / Barrio Grrrl! / Likely Story / SGS Pictures Production, A Jon M. Chu Film, In the Heights. Slated to open on June 11, 2021 in theaters and on HBO Max, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. It will be available on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release. It is rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive references.

This year’s full program will be comprised of feature films, episodics, music, XR projects and short films, including those from LALIFF’s inaugural Latinx Inclusion Fellowship Series. The program and complete schedule of events will be announced in early May.

For additional information please visit LALIFF.

About LALIFF

The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) is a premiere international event dedicated to showcasing the entirety of human experience from the Latino perspective, whether through film, television, digital, music, art, or any other vehicle, regardless of platform. LALIFF is presented by the Latino Film Institute (LFI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to showcase, strengthen, and celebrate the richness of Latino lives through the audio-visual event. LFI develops, activates, and supports artists, creators, and executives through pathways and platforms for the expression and appreciation of their work.

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Movie Music Monday: Curtains raise on musical films on the Oscars® telecast

The Academy Awards® have a long history of not allowing movie previews and promos to air during its annual telecast, but after what has been arguably the most difficult year for the film and--most of all--the film exhibition industry in modern history, an exception was made in this past Sunday's 93^rd ceremony. But, perhaps in a tacit ploy to promote the theatrical experience, or perhaps just owing to Oscars showmanship, or both, the three featured film previews--all for music-driven projects, as it (not so coincentally?) happens--simply did not just air during a regular commercial break, they were more like embedded features of the telecast, being introduced by talent involved with each film.

Clearly the most anticipated look was that of the one film of the three that has remained shrouded in virtual mystery since its production, Steven Spielberg's new take on Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's evergreen tale of forbidden love amid warring New York street gangs in the 1950s, West Side Story. To be perfectly frank, while undoubtedly visually striking, and the melancholy rendition of "Somewhere" from the one returning star from the classic and timeless 1961 Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins film adaptation, Rita Moreno, is affecting, there isn't enough for me here just yet to convince me that this take is necessary when the 1961 film has rightly been a cornerstone of the pop culture consciousness in the six decades since its release. Spielberg's film is due out on Friday, December 10, from 20^th Century Studios.

After a wildly warm reception at this January's Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards, the Oscars®' resident DJ this year, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's filmmaking debut, Summer of Soul (...or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) had its official launch to the masses with its teaser trailer. A documentary on the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a concert series event that, despite live performances by music legends such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight, and Sly and the Family Stone, has largely evaporated from the memory. The teaser, which offers a tantalizing glimpse of the never before seen, downright electrifying performance footage featured in the film, indicates that this monumental event will finally have its rightful place cemented in American history when the film is released in cinemas and on Hulu by Searchlight Pictures on Friday, July 2.

Rounding out the trio is Jon M. Chu's screen adaptation of the Tony-winning stage musical that first put superstar composer Lin-Manuel Miranda on the map, In the Heights, finally due out in theatres after a nearly year-long delay on Friday, June 11. Having seen the film more than once already (more thoughts, needless to say, to come, closer to release date), and must commend Warner Bros. for showing unwavering support in pushing this potential blockbuster-in-waiting as an experience that must be shared with a full cinema audience despite the simultaneous, day-and-date drop on HBO Max. The latest in what has been a terrific series of trailers further distills just why this rousing, heartfelt entertainer must be experienced in the largest, loudest, livest way possible.

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F3PR: Tribeca's 20th anniversary festival to open with In the Heights on June 9

PRESS RELEASE

TRIBECA’S 20^th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL TO OPEN WITH
WORLD PREMIERE OF CREATOR LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
AND DIRECTOR JON M. CHU’S
IN THE HEIGHTS ON JUNE 9

Hosted at the United Palace in Washington Heights
and multiple live in-person outdoor screenings
planned across all five New York boroughs

NEW YORK – April 16, 2021 – The 2021 Tribeca Festival™, presented by AT&T, will kick off its 20^th anniversary on June 9^th, with the event film of the summer, Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated musical celebration In the Heights. Jon M. Chu directed the screen adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical, created and produced by New York’s own Lin-Manuel Miranda. Tribeca will host the film’s world premiere, in partnership with City National Bank and Montefiore-Einstein, at the United Palace theater in Washington Heights, the very neighborhood where the vibrant story takes place.

For the first time ever, the festival’s opening night will be screened simultaneously across all five boroughs in multiple open-air venues. The 2021 edition will run June 9-20 as the first major North American film festival held in person since COVID-19. The 12-day live celebration is the culmination of NY PopsUp, the statewide revitalization initiative to bring back live entertainment and the arts to the community.

“It is such an honor to open the 20^th anniversary Tribeca Film Festival with In the Heights. We’re so excited to welcome them uptown! This will be an unforgettable night at the United Palace. We can’t wait to share this musical love letter to our community, with our community, in our community,” stated Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of In the Heights.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Tribeca for a city-wide takeover of In the Heights. New York, and specifically Washington Heights, is the lead character in our film—its vibrancy and energy are unmatched. How incredible that after a year of isolation, New Yorkers from across all boroughs will have an opportunity to see it first, together, and join us in the celebration of life coming back,” stated Jon M. Chu, Director of In the Heights.

“In the Heights is the quintessential New York story of hard-work, resilience, and triumph. We are proud to feature this film as Opening Night where it can debut in its hometown in celebration of its New York roots and the Latinx community,” said Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises and the Tribeca Festival.

“We couldn’t be more excited to offer this unique, first-of-its-kind film experience as a gift to communities all over New York City,” added Paula Weinstein, Chief Content Officer, Tribeca Enterprises.

Quiara Alegría Hudes adapted the screenplay, with original songs and lyrics by Miranda, about a likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi, played by the dynamic Anthony Ramos, who hopes, imagines, and sings about a better life. The film also stars Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, and Jimmy Smits. Miranda, Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman, and Mara Jacobs produce. The film will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures in the U.S. in theaters and on HBO Max on June 11 and will be available on the streaming platform for 31 days from theatrical release.

Recently, Tribeca announced their plans for the upcoming festival including partnerships with some of the most iconic outdoor sites where festival-goers can safely gather and celebrate various programming spanning from films, TV, immersive exhibitions, games to podcasts, concerts and more. Tribeca will also host community screenings in each New York City borough via state-of-the-art traveling 40-foot LED cinemas, the first mobile HD screens in the country.

For more updates on the complete list of programming for the 2021 Tribeca Festival in coming weeks, follow @Tribeca on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and at tribecafilm.com/festival #Tribeca2021.

Tribeca is proud to partner with City National Bank, the official bank of the Festival and Montefiore-Einstein, the official healthcare sponsor.

About the Tribeca Festival

The Tribeca Festival, presented by AT&T, brings artists and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. Tribeca champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.

The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Tribeca will celebrate its 20^th year June 9 – 20, 2021.

In 2019, James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems, a private investment company with locations in New York and Mumbai, bought a majority stake in Tribeca Enterprises, bringing together Rosenthal, De Niro, and Murdoch to grow the enterprise.

About the 2021 Tribeca Festival Partners

The 2021 Tribeca Festival is presented by AT&T and with the support of our corporate partners: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Audible, Bloomberg Philanthropies, CHANEL, City National Bank, CNN Films, Diageo, DoorDash, FreshDirect, Hudson Yards, Indeed, Montefiore-Einstein, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, P&G, PwC, Roku, Spring Studios New York.

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Movie Music Monday: Lights up (finally) on Washington Heights in the first In the Heights teaser trailer

After many starts and stops over the last 10 years, from Universal pulling the plug on a 2011 adaptation to be directed by Kenny Ortega right when full casting was to be finalized, to escaping from the clutches of an imploding Weinstein Company in 2017, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning In the Heights is finally arriving on the cinema screen under the direction of Jon M. Chu. While Miranda is not reprising the lead role, bodega owner Usnavi de la Vega, as he had intended for the earlier Ortega incarnation, he does have a supporting role here, ceding Usnavi's signature cap to his Hamilton co-star, Anthony Ramos. Ramos is but one of the many fresh faces that mostly populate the cast (in an amusing bit of irony, considering fear over a lack of "known" stars led to Universal's decision to abort their project), and "freshness" is what immediately comes to mind after watching the recently dropped first teaser trailer. Ramos looks and sounds like a more than worthy successor to Miranda, and Chu appears to have captured the energy that made the original stage production such an electrifying experience while making something that is also distinctly cinematic. It's still early, but these early signs are very promising.

In the Heights is set to be released in cinemas nationwide on Friday, June 26, 2020, from Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Movie Music Monday: Jon M. Chu very briefly talks Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights movie

During a press day today for the home media release for his latest film, Now You See Me 2, TheMovieReport.com had the opportunity to ask director Jon M. Chu about one of his most anticipated projects in the pipeline, the long-gestating film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning Broadway debut, In the Heights. He did not have too much to impart at this point--especially as he's set to next direct Crazy Rich Asians, the adaptation of Kevin Kwan's best-selling novel of the same name--but he offered the below morsel. The film is currently targeted to be released by The Weinstein Company in the next couple of years.

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