The Movie Report #797, December 5, 2014

#797, December 5, 2014

MOVIES:

• Black or White
  
• Comet
  
• Still Alice
  
• Ungli (Finger)
  
• Wild
  

David Oyelowo & Ava DuVernay talk Selma on #BlackoutBlackFriday

Following Paramount's first official awards consideration screening for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-centered historical drama Selma on Friday, November 28, star David Oyelowo and director Ava DuVernay (the latter in the midst of an especially busy day, her distribution company AFFRM also running a free day-long marathon of film and community discussion as part of #BlackoutBlackFriday), appeared in person for a talk moderated by awards season staple Pete Hammond. While there was some question and content overlap with the Q&A that took place after the film's world premiere at AFI Fest a couple of weeks ago, as one can witness in the complete video below, with the raw, genuine emotion surrounding the day--and, more specifically, the sobering events of the week that led up to it--what by design was to be another PR/campaign stop ended up becoming something far more valuable, powerful, and profound for all in attendance.

Selma opens in limited release on Thursday, December 25, and expands to cinemas nationwide on Friday, January 9 from Paramount Pictures.

(Special thanks to Ava DuVernay and David Oyelowo)

The Movie Report #796, November 28, 2014

#796, November 28, 2014

MOVIES:

• The Babadook
  
• Horrible Bosses 2
  
• The Imitation Game
  
• Penguins of Madagascar
  
• 25 to Life
  

An important message from Nate Parker: American Race - a film on the black male crisis

Please support and share this important message/cause from actor/filmmaker/activist Nate Parker:

Family, Friends and Concerned Citizens,

I’m reaching out to you to inform of a campaign I've launched aimed at addressing the crisis affecting black males across America.

I was one of the many who tuned in two nights ago to witness the grave injustice hurled at Michael Brown’s family, loved ones and our community at large. I watched as the banner flashed across the TV screen exonerating Darren Wilson and I didn't flinch. The truth is, I knew when I visited Ferguson in September what the result would be. I knew outrage would follow. I knew the lifeless bodies of black men would continue to accumulate across America as we waited for the Justice System to remind us that black lives hold no value. The question that lingered in my mind as I witnessed Mike Brown’s body stretched facedown on the pavement, as I boarded my flight to Ferguson, as I heard the news of Ezell Ford, as I watched the video of John Crawford diving for cover, hear Eric Garner gasping for breath, Roshad McIntosh, LaQuan McDonald, VonDerrit Myers Jr., Cameron Tillman- and most recently Tamir Rice…

That lingering question: What will I do?

In response to this burning question, I contacted my friend and Academy-Award Nominee Amy Berg, a documentarian and truth teller committed to fighting injustice through her work. After intense strategizing, we have partnered, along with Award-Winning writer/director Matthew Cooke- to produce a documentary examining the Black Male Crisis that has become an epidemic in America.

In this documentary we will explore the rampant dehumanization and criminalization of black males. We will highlight the patterns of this systemic device and how that pattern created fertile ground the Michael Brown tragedy and many others.

Ferguson represents so many communities across America where the attack on black youth has further disrupted the possibility of racial harmony, further perpetuating the damaged relationship between black youth and police.

In creating a documentary that analyzes and creates solution for the Black Male Crisis in America- specifically in Ferguson- we can start a movement throughout the country that brings people of all demographics together to address racial disparity and White supremacy.

This is a time of great moral conflict, a conflict that needs the support of every able body to rectify. Join me in this journey. Your contribution and prayers will serve great purpose in preserving the lives of the most at risk human beings in our great country.

Thank you all for your support!

Nate

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/american-race-a-film-on-the-black-male-crisis

F3PR: CinemaCon returns to Las Vegas for its 5th annual convention

PRESS RELEASE

CINEMACON®, THE OFFICIAL CONVENTION OF NATO,
RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS FOR ITS
5TH ANNUAL CONVENTION APRIL 20-23, 2015

WASHINGTON D.C. (November 25, 2014) – The Fifth Annual CinemaCon, the official convention of the The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), will return to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on 20-23, April, 2015. For the fifth consecutive year, CinemaCon will have the support and commitment of The Coca-Cola Company as its official presenting sponsor.

“Since taking our first step in 2011, we have witnessed the evolution and growth of CinemaCon to become the must attend event for the worldwide motion picture industry. I can’t believe it’s been five years”, said Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon . “This growth is due in large part of the continued support received from our friends in exhibition, distribution, the equipment and concessions sectors of the industry and as well, The Coca-Cola Company, CinemaCon 's official presenting sponsor. In this, our fifth year, we will continue to strive to produce an event that is unequaled in its benefit to the industry. Our goal is to provide our attendees with the best experience imaginable."

CinemaCon , the largest and most important annual gathering of cinema owners and operators from around the world, will attract upwards of 5,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution, to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry. From exclusive Hollywood product presentations highlighting a slate of upcoming films, to must-see premiere feature screenings, to the biggest stars, producers and directors, CinemaCon will help jumpstart the excitement and buzz that surrounds the summer season at the box office. In returning to Caesars Palace, CinemaCon is able to offer its delegates a modern and upscale conference facility and a one-of-a-kind moviegoing experience in The Colosseum, the 4,200 seat theatre and crown jewel of Caesars Palace.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its trade show partners.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon is expected to play host to more than 5,000 motion picture theater industry professionals. CinemaCon is delighted to have as its official presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, one of the movie industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners. Additional information on CinemaCon, the Official Convention of NATO, can be found at www.cinemacon.com.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and additional cinemas in 81 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world and hundreds of independent theatre owners, too.

Additional information on CinemaCon can be found at www.cinemacon.com.

The Movie Report wants to attend all your film special events! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!

Movie Music Monday: Nas, One9 & Erik Parker on Time Is Illmatic

After making a strong splash on the festival circuit and serving as the centerpiece of a successful concert tour, Nas: Time Is Illmatic, the entertaining and illuminating documentary commemoration/exploration of the hip hop artist's seminal 1994 debut album Illmatic, is now looking to parlay the enthusiasm and near-universal acclaim into some well deserved awards buzz. As part of the campaign, director/producer One9, and writer/producer Erik Parker and the artist himself took part in a candid and lively discussion to an over-capacity crowd after a special screening held at the Landmark in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 21. Beyond the usual Q&A insights, the event was highlighted by an impromptu live performance by one young attendee, as one can see in the complete video of the event below.

Nas: Time Is Illmatic is now available on demand from Tribeca Film.

Buy the Nas: Time Is Illmatic DVD here.
Buy the Nas: Time Is Illmatic VOD here.
Buy Nas's Illmatic album here.
Save up to 60% on Movie Tickets & Concessions here.

(Special thanks to One9 and Erik Parker)

The Movie Report #795, November 21, 2014

#795, November 21, 2014

MOVIES:

• Chaar Sahibzaade (The Four Princes)
  
• Happy Ending
  
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay--Part 1
  
• Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas
  
• Reach Me
  

The Movie Report #794, November 14, 2014

#794, November 14, 2014

MOVIES:

• Beyond the Lights
  
• Dumb and Dumber To
  
• Foxcatcher
  
• The Homesman
  
• Rosewater
  
• Second Coming