AMC Theatres' Tips for Seeing "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

AMC Theatres® Offers Movie-Goers Tips for Seeing STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Opening Weekend at AMC

Even with 1,600 auditoriums already guaranteed to be filled with fans, 3.5 million seats remain for opening weekend at AMC Theatres, including more than a half million tickets in IMAX® 3D and Dolby Cinema at AMC Prime

LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With just two-plus weeks remaining until the opening of the most anticipated movie of the millennium, AMC Theatres (NYSE: AMC) is offering a few tips and information to the millions of movie-goers who are expected to see STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS opening weekend.

There are still plenty of tickets available for opening weekend

•     STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is setting advance ticket sales records, but there’s still time to get your opening-weekend ticket.
•     There are 3.5 million tickets available on opening weekend at AMC. Tickets can be conveniently secured at AMC box offices, online and through AMC’s mobile app.
•     For guests who want to see the movie in the most immersive experience possible, AMC has more than a half million opening-weekend tickets available at IMAX 3D and Dolby Cinema at AMC Prime.
•     At least 36 AMC locations, more than one-tenth of the AMC circuit, will run shows around the clock opening night, helping ensure that anyone who wants to be among the first to see the movie has that opportunity.

Reserve your seat now, or get there early

•     AMC offers reserved seating at 104 locations nationwide, including at least one location in nearly every major market.
•     At reserved seating locations, which includes all of AMC’s recliner locations, guests can get their tickets now, and walk right to their pre-selected seat at showtime (leaving enough time before the movie starts to get their popcorn, pizza and a soda or beer to enjoy with the show).
•     For guests at non-reserved seating locations, AMC will open its auditoriums at least one hour before the 7 p.m. showtime on opening night, and may open sooner at some locations.
•     AMC will have holdout lines ready for guests who arrive early.

Fan-Filled Theatres

•     With more than 1,600 auditoriums guaranteed to be filled with passionate fans on opening weekend, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS has already surpassed the total sellouts at AMC for opening weekend of HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2.
•     The total number of sold out shows in IMAX 3D and Dolby Cinema at AMC Prime for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS at AMC has exceeded the number of opening-weekend IMAX sell outs at AMC for AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON.

Marathon Mania

•     Tickets for The Star Wars Marathon at AMC Theatres are still available at nine of the 39 AMC locations: AMC Boston Common 19 (Boston); AMC River East 21 (Chicago); AMC Raceway 10 (Westbury, NY); AMC Danbury 16 (Danbury, CT); AMC Garden State 16 (Paramus, NJ); AMC Aventura Mall 24 (Aventura, FL); AMC Tallahassee Mall 20 (Tallahassee, FL); AMC River Park Square 20 (Spokane, WA); AMC Alderwood Mall 16 (Seattle, WA).
•     Marathon guests at non-reserved seating AMC locations are encouraged to arrive early on Wednesday. Auditorium doors are expected to open at least an hour before the 1 a.m. start time, and may open sooner at some locations.

Wear a costume but leave your mask and blaster at home

•     AMC’s long-standing costume policy prohibits masks, face paint, weapons and items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie-going experience.
•     So put on your costume, bring your lightsaber, turn it off during the movie, and leave the blaster, face paint and Darth Vader mask at home.

IMAX at AMC Star Wars Sundays

•     Each Sunday, from December 20 to January 10, AMC guests who purchase a ticket to see STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS in IMAX 3D will receive an AMC-exclusive Star Wars print.
•     A new poster will be revealed each week.

AMC Sensory Friendly Films

•     AMC partners with The Autism Society to present Sensory Friendly Films, where the lights are turned up, the sound down, and the theatre not only allows, but encourages guests to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing.
•     Guests of all ages can join in the fun as AMC has expanded its Sensory Friendly Films title selection to accommodate a more mature movie-going audience and offer even more opportunities to catch a flick every month.
•     STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is available as a Sensory Friendly Film four times in December and January:
• 
  
•     Tuesday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m.
•     Saturday, Dec. 26, 10 a.m.
•     Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m.
•     Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.

About AMC Theatres
AMC Theatres (AMC) is the guest experience leader with 348 locations and 4,937 screens in the United States. AMC has propelled theatrical industry innovation and continues today by delivering more comfort and convenience, enhanced food & beverage, greater engagement and loyalty, premium sight & sound, and targeted programming. AMC operates the most productive theatres in the country’s top markets, including No. 1 market share in the top three markets (NY, LA, Chicago). www.amctheatres.com

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VIZ Media Digital Anime Update for December 2015 Includes Season Finales

VIZ MEDIA CONCLUDES 2015 WITH AN ACTION AND DRAMA-FILLED DIGITAL ANIME UPDATE FOR DECEMBER

Catch HUNTER X HUNTER And Season Finales For K And ONE-PUNCH MAN, As Well As Simulcasts, Newly-Dubbed SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL, The Premiere of SAILOR STARS, And More

VIZ Media starts December with details on a brand new digital update for its anime content streaming platform.

This month audiences are invited to catch the exciting streaming premiere of the supernatural action adventure, HUNTER X HUNTER. Season 1, Episodes 1-13 are available to stream in their entirety now and feature new subtitles that are true to VIZ Media’s original translations of the manga series by Yoshihiro Togashi. In HUNTER X HUNTER, Gon is a young boy who dreams of following in his father’s footsteps to become a Hunter. But first he must pass the notoriously difficult and dangerous Hunter Qualification Exam. Throughout his journey, Gon overcomes many obstacles, while making new friends along the way!

Don’t miss hard-hitting new episodes of ONE-PUNCH MAN, simulcast every Sunday. Catch Episodes 10-12 (subtitled) in December with the not-to-be missed explosive Season 1 finale (Episode 12) scheduled to premiere on Sunday, December 20th.

The saga of seven kings and their clansmen reaches a powerful conclusion with the final episodes (Episodes 10-13) of Season 2 of the psychological anime action drama, K: RETURN OF KINGS.

SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL has captivated anime fans and the series continues this month with the English dubbed premiere of Episodes 4-7 of the Dark Kingdom Arc with one new episode added every Friday. New dubbed episodes from the classic SAILOR MOON anime series will continue to debut every Monday throughout December. The classic anime also continues with SAILOR MOON SUPER S (Season 4) Episodes 164-166 set to premiere ahead of the start of the streaming premiere of the never before seen in North America SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS (Season 5) on Monday, December 14th with Episode 167.

The frenetic ninja action of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN also continues with weekly simulcasts every Thursday during December of streamed installments of the latest episodes straight from Japan. Don’t miss the simulcasts of Episode 439 on December 3rd, Episode 440 on December 10th, followed by Episode 441 on December 17th, Episodes 442 on December 24th and rounded out by Episode 443 on December 31st.

The December 2015 digital anime update is further highlighted by additions to several other top-rated VIZ Media series including:

BLEACH
·         Continue the epic supernatural action and drama of BLEACH (dubbed) with the addition of Season 25, Episodes 343-354 (dubbed) available to steam now! BLEACH is also currently available to stream subtitled with Episodes 1-366.

K: RETURN OF KINGS
·         Season 2 Episodes 10 will be available to stream (subtitled) on Friday December 4th, with a new episode each week! These episodes join the complete first season, available dubbed or subbed!

·         With the balance of power between the seven kings shifting once again, Silver King Yashiro Isana finally makes his return to the world, this time to face his destiny head-on.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
·         Ninja action continues with Season 2 of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series during December with Episodes 68-72 available to stream December 27th in their entirety with dubbed English dialogue! Get your friends into Naruto Shippuden over the holidays with over 70 episodes streaming from the very start.

ONE-PUNCH MAN
·         Catch the simulcast premiere of Season 1, Episodes 10 (subtitled) on Sunday December 6th, with a new episode available to stream each week!

·         And don’t miss the Season 1 finale (Episode 12) on December 20th

·         Saitama is a hero who only became a hero for fun. After three years of “special” training, though, he’s become so strong that he’s practically invincible. In fact, he’s too strong – even his mightiest opponents are taken out with a single punch, and it turns out that being devastatingly powerful is actually kind of a bore. With his passion for being a hero lost along with his hair, yet still faced with new enemies every day, how much longer can he keep it going?

RANMA ½
·         The hilarious hijinks of the classic anime martial arts adventure, RANMA ½, continues with the addition of Season 5, Episodes 93-115 available to stream now in their entirety with dubbed English dialogue!

VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. has over 4,100 subtitled and English dubbed episodes and movies from more than 36 series! VIZ Media’s streaming content also reaches an expansive on-demand U.S.-based audience on Hulu, which enables viewers to watch shows anytime, anywhere across devices including Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices. A full list of Hulu -enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices.

Additional information on VIZ Media’s streaming anime is available at: http://www.viz.com/anime/streaming/.

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"Ronin" Boba Fett is Ready to Hunt Down Your Holidays

High Detail Figure of The Legendary Interstellar Bounty Hunter Arrives In Time For Holidays And Incorporates Japanese Samurai Aesthetic; “Daisho” Darth Vader Figure Debuts In January

Irvine, CA – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, delights Star Wars fans this month with the release of a brand new addition to the Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars product line by Tamashii Nations.

Arriving in time for the holidays, the “Ronin” Boba Fett debuts this month and will be available with an MSRP of $89.99 from authorized Bluefin retailers nationwide and also from a variety of leading online outlets. Check individual retailers for specific December on-sale dates. The interstellar bounty hunter will be complemented by the release in January of the “Daisho” Darth Vader, which will depict the Dark Sith Lord as a Samurai General clad in sinister black “Death Star” armor.

The “Ronin” Boba Fett was designed by artists Takeyuki Takeya and Junichi Taniguchi and joins a pair of other figures in the Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars line that are also currently available – the “Ashigaru” Stormtrooper and the Samurai General “Taisho” Darth Vader. Each figure is unique and comes clad in a custom designed set of armor and outfitted with an array of feudal era inspired weapons and other accessories.

Tamashii Nation’s Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars line pays homage to the Samurai aesthetic in a fun new way and artfully reimagines key Empire characters from the iconic films with feudal-style Japanese armor and weaponry. Each figure is exquisitely constructed with hybrid materials and features up to 15 points of articulation to create endless posing possibilities.

Meisho Movie Realization “Ronin” Boba Fett
Height: Approx. 6 3/4 inches; MSRP: $89.99

Everyone's favorite bounty hunter goes medieval! Boba Fett joins the Meisho Movie realization series in a spectacular feudal Japan aesthetic, appropriately portrayed as a lord-less “Ronin” In addition to his EE-3 rifle, restyled as an flint-lock style blaster, this deluxe figure set features an extensive array of accessories that includes the characteristic backpack missile that can be removed/attached, and a moveable helmet mounted scope. In addition to a short ninja-style katana and sheath, numerous ninja-style blade accessories are also included can be subtly attached to shin and forearm area mounting points.

Meisho Movie Realization Samurai General “Daisho” Darth Vader
Height: Approx. 7 inches; MSRP: $92.99
Debuts January 2016

The greatly popular Samurai General Darth Vader makes a comeback in an all new Death Star motif. Another stunningly unique artistic interpretation master crafted by acclaimed artist Takeya Takayuki, Darth Vader - Death Star Armor - has a revamped armor design. Most notable is the fearsome Death Star-style crest on the helmet and highly detailed chest plate pattern. Set includes interchangeable hands, gun (large, small), and katana sword (light saber and regular).


About Bluefin
Based in Irvine, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Kotobukiya and Capcom, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Hero Cross, Beast Kingdom, Comicave, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

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VIZ Media December 2015 Digital Manga Update Includes New Titles

VIZ MEDIA DETAILS THE FIRST OF TWO DIGITAL MANGA UPDATES FOR DECEMBER

Notable New Digital Manga Series Debuts For First-Half Of December Include BLOODY MARY, CROWN OF THORNS And THE MAN OF MANY FACES; Special Holiday Flash Sale Offers Savings On Select Series For A Limited Time

VIZ Media completes the year with a sizeable final digital manga (graphic novel) update for 2015. Details have been provided on a wide selection of new digital manga titles scheduled for release during the first-half of the month. A second announcement will be forthcoming mid-month detailing the remainder of the new digital releases for December.

New series launches include the shojo vampire series, BLOODY MARY, and the digital debut of Yoko Kamio’s supernatural series, CROWN OF THORNS, about a girl that can see and communicate with spirits. Also set to launch during the first-half of December is THE MAN OF MANY FACES, by the famed manga creative team of CLAMP.

Manga fans are invited to take advantage of a special Holiday Flash Sale that offers $2.00 off on select VIZ Media titles for a limited time throughout December on VIZManga.com, the VIZ Manga App and all affiliated partner platforms. 

Readers also can take advantage of the first-half of December’s selection of Digital Manga Starter Bundles that offer the opportunity to dive into multiple collected volumes from a wide collection of acclaimed series at special savings over buying the volumes individually. Bundles are available to readers for a limited time exclusively from VIZManga.com and ComiXology.

For a series of limited 2-day periods throughout the first half of December, VIZ Media kicks off a manga Holiday “Flash Sale” that will offer $2 off select titles across all of its major imprints. “Flash Sale” titles are available at VIZManga.com and via the VIZ Manga app, and readers are invited to check the site each week to see which favorite titles will be marked down from the following imprints:

Shonen Jump & Shonen Jump Advanced

VIZ Signature

Shojo Beat

Shonen Sunday

VIZ Media & VIZ Select

BLOODY MARY Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · DIGITAL MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available Now!

“Bloody” Mary, a vampire with a death wish, has spent the past 400 years chasing down a modern-day exorcist named Maria who is thought to have inherited “The Blood of Maria” and is the only one who can kill Mary. To Mary’s dismay, Maria doesn’t know how to kill vampires. Desperate to die, Mary agrees to become Maria’s bodyguard until Maria can find a way to kill him.

CROWN OF THORNS Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · DIGITAL MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available December 8th!

Nobara Fukami has always been able to see things other people can’t, and it’s made her a total outcast. She doesn’t care that that everyone in high school thinks she’s a weird loser, but even Nobara considers it creepy when one of her phantoms starts to talk to her!

THE MAN OF MANY FACES Vol. 1 · Rated ‘A’ for All Ages · DIGITAL MSRP: $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available December 15th!

"Please Come, 20 Faces!” Discover the adventures of Akira Ijyuin, the infamous thief of the CLAMP school and member of the CLAMP School Detectives.

The Following Digital Manga Bundles Are Available throughout the entire month of December:

·         YUYU HAKUSHO Vols. 1-10 $20.00

·         YUYU HAKUSHO Vols. 1-19 $38.00

·         BOYS OVER FLOWERS Vols. 1-10 $25.00

·         BOYS OVER FLOWERS Vols. 1-20 $40.00

·         BOYS OVER FLOWERS Vols. 1-36 + JEWELRY BOX Vol. 37 $74.00

Manga Bundles Available From Dec. 7th-13th

·         CHIBI VAMPIRE Vols.1-14 + CHIBI VAMPIRE AIRMAIL Vol. 1 $30.00 

·         DENGEKI DAISY Vols. 1-10 $30.00

·         LIBRARY WARS Vols. 1-10 $30.00

·         RED RIVER Vols. 1-14 $42.00

·         VOICE OVER! Vols. 1-12 $36.00

Manga Bundles Available From Dec. 14th-20th

·         BIOMEGA Vols.1-6 $24.00 

·         NANA Vols. 1-10 $20.00

·         TERRA FORMARS Vols. 1-5 $25.00

Additional digital manga updates for the first-half of December also include new volumes for more than 13 other continuing VIZ Media series. Notable releases include not-to-be-missed volumes for ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM (Vol. 7), CHEEKY ANGEL (Vol. 15), DEADMAN WONDERLAND (Vol. 12), KOMOMO CONFISERIE (Vol. 2), MAGI (Vol. 15) and SO CUTE IT HURTS (Vol. 4), as well as the series finale for TOKYO BOYS AND GIRLS (Vol. 5).

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. Through the innovative VIZ Manga digital platform registered users are able to use one account to view their purchased manga across more devices than ever. New series and volumes are added every Tuesday. Fans can also find these titles and more for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo eReaders, as well as in the ComiXology, iBooks and Google Play Stores.

Most manga volumes are available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the VIZ Manga application starting from only $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) each. Readers can also explore free Chapter 1 previews of every series. For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

To learn more about VIZ Manga, please visit www.vizmanga.com.

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Paramount Pictures Announces the Launch of its Digital Revenue Sharing Plan

Paramount to Release First Two Films on Digital Platforms under Unprecedented Flexible Distribution Plan

“Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse” and “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” to be available for digital purchase on December 8 and December 15, respectively

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Paramount Pictures announced today the home entertainment release dates of the first two films in the studio’s groundbreaking digital revenue-sharing initiative with theatrical exhibitors. “SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE” and “PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION” will debut on digital platforms for sale and rental beginning December 8, 2015 and December 15, 2015, respectively.

    “This innovative agreement with exhibitors enables us to make these two films available to home viewers much earlier than usual, following their natural lifecycle in theaters”

Under the revenue-sharing agreement with select theatrical exhibitors, the films were eligible to be released on home entertainment platforms 17 days after they dipped below 300 domestic theaters, giving consumers unprecedented early access to enjoy the movies at home following their theatrical runs. “PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION” was released in theaters on October 23rd and “SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE” was released on October 30th.

“This innovative agreement with exhibitors enables us to make these two films available to home viewers much earlier than usual, following their natural lifecycle in theaters,” said Megan Colligan, President of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing for Paramount Pictures. “This flexible distribution model allows us to maximize the revenue potential of these films, satisfy consumer demand through legitimate digital access, while respecting and preserving an exclusive theatrical window.”

Exhibitors participating in the initiative—including AMC Theatres, Cineplex Entertainment, National Amusements, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Southern Theatres and Landmark Cinemas—will receive a percentage of any of the studio’s digital revenue for the period of digital availability through 90 days from the initial U.S. theatrical release, with each exhibitor’s share proportional to its theatrical gross market share.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

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VIZ Media Announces Second "Magic: The Gathering" Art Book with Wizards of the Coast

WIZARDS OF THE COAST AND VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCE A SECOND MAGIC: THE GATHERING ART BOOK – THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING  – INNISTRAD

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media and Wizards of the Coast have jointly announced the expansion of the Magic: The Gathering® publishing catalog with the addition of a second art book to the collection. Set for release in Summer 2016, THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD will feature full color illustrations showcasing the mysteries of Innistrad – its peoples, provinces, and monsters.

In THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD, terror falls from the skies on blood-spattered wings and nameless horrors lurk in the shadows. These pages, lavishly illustrated with the award-winning art of Magic: The Gathering, are your entry into a world beset by terrible evils on all sides and betrayed by the hope it held most dear. Tread lightly as you follow the heroic Planeswalkers of the Gatewatch as they investigate these dark mysteries.

THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD edition joins THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – ZENDIKAR, a previously announced art book set to debut in January 2016 from VIZ Media that will feature images from popular strategy card game Magic: The Gathering. The 240-page book will feature full color illustrations from some of Magic's best artists, such as Aleksi Briclot. MSRP will be $39.99 U.S. / $45.99 CAN.

Throughout its 22-year history, Magic: The Gathering has visited many richly imaginative worlds through card sets and stories. In its newest set, Battle for Zendikar (www.BattleForZendikar.com), Magic returns to the fan-favorite world of Zendikar, where united tribes of elves, vampires, and humans battle the monstrous Eldrazi across strange floating ruins and beautiful landscapes. The Battle for Zendikar card set launched October 2, 2015.

“Innistrad is a favorite plane of Magic fans,” said Elaine Chase, Senior Director of Global Brand Strategy and Marketing for Magic: The Gathering. “We are thrilled to be able to help fans and players explore it in a whole new way through this beautifully illustrated second art book, The Art of Magic: The Gathering – Innistrad.”

“We are very excited to work with the Wizards of the Coast team to release another exceptional art book,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Media. “THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD is a wonderful companion to the THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – ZENDIKAR, which debuts early next year. We look forward to Magic fans and players exploring all of the exotic characters, worlds and monsters in these collectible new editions.”

THE ART OF MAGIC: THE GATHERING – INNISTRAD will be available at Amazon.com and other retail and hobby gaming stores worldwide Summer 2016.


About Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering is the world's best strategy game, with more than 20 million players and fans worldwide. In this innovative card game, players build personalized decks using cards they have collected from booster packs and by trading with friends. Magic offers a robust gaming experience for its community of passionate fans through face-to-face play events and social gatherings in more than 7,000 hobby game stores around the world, complemented by its Magic Duels and Magic Online digital games. For more information, visit MagicTheGathering.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets, and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies—Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd.—VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English-speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology Weekly Shonen Jump and blockbuster properties like Naruto, Bleach, and Inuyasha, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance, and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction, and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video, and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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New York Film Critics Circle Names "Carol" Best Picture of 2015

This film critics group was founded in 1935.  The New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.”  Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.  The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held in January 2015 to honor 2014 winners.

The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover.  The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.

2015 NYFCC Awards:

Best Picture
Carol

Best Director
Todd Haynes - Carol

Best Screenplay
Phyllis Nagy - Carol

Best Actress
Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn

Best Actor
Michael Keaton - Spotlight

Best Supporting Actress
Kristen Stewart - Clouds of Sils Maria

Best Supporting Actor
Mark Rylance - Bridge of Spies

Best Cinematographer
Edward Lachman - Carol

Best Animated Film
Inside Out

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary)
In Jackson Heights

Best Foreign Language Film
Timbuktu (Mauritania)

Best First Film
László Nemes - Son of Saul

Special Award
William Becker and Janus Films

Special Award
Ennio Morricone

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