The Newport Beach Film Festival Honors Outstanding Contribution to Global Cinema in Special Celebration
Event Includes Variety's 10 Cinematographers to Watch
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Newport Beach Film Festival will celebrate outstanding contribution to global cinema at a special event during the 17th annual Festival (April 21-28, 2016) at the Balboa Bay Resort, April 23.
Kate Beckinsale, Burt Bacharach and Rita Moreno among those to be recognized at Newport Beach Film Festival
“The Newport Beach Film Festival is proud to continue its tradition of recognizing superior achievements in global cinema. From composing, to acting and screenwriting, this year’s honorees are legends and leaders in their craft,” stated Newport Beach Film Festival Co-Founder and CEO Gregg Schwenk.
This year the honorees include:
KATE BECKINSALE
NBFF Woman of Distinction Award for Outstanding Contribution to Acting
Kate Beckinsale is an English actress who appeared in the "Underworld" film series and has since starred in many action films, including "Van Helsing," "Whiteout," "Contraband," and "Total Recall." Her dramatic projects include "Snow Angels," "Winged Creatures," and "Nothing but the Truth" (for which she earned a Critic's Choice Award nomination in 2008). She is currently starring in the comedy “Love & Friendship,” screening at this year’s NBFF.
BURT BACHARACH
Legend Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in Cinema
Burt Bacharach is a six-time Grammy Award winner and three-time Academy Award winning composer, songwriter, record producer, pianist and singer. His music and film scores have spanned six decades and included an impressive list of collaborations. Burt composed the score for “Po,” screening at this year’s NBFF.
RITA MORENO
Legend Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema
Rita Moreno has had a thriving acting career spanning six decades and is one of only twelve performers to have won all four major annual American entertainment awards, which include an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony. Some of her most memorable roles include Anita in “West Side Story” and Tuptim in “The King and I.” She is currently starring in the film, “Remember Me” screening at this year’s NBFF.
LINDA WOOLVERTON
Award for Outstanding Contribution to Screenwriting
Screenwriter, playwright and novelist, Linda Woolverton was the first woman to write an animated feature screenplay for Disney with “Beauty and the Beast,” and the first and only female screenwriter with a sole writing credit on a billion-dollar film, “Alice in Wonderland.” Linda is a former guest lecturer at the NBFF seminar series and has several upcoming films and series including “Alice through the Looking Glass” and “Maleficent 2.”
In addition to the Festival Honors, the Festival, in partnership with Variety will recognize 10 Cinematographers to Watch. The 2016 10 to Watch are:
DREW DANIELS
Shot Trey Edward Shults’ “Krisha,” the big prizewinner at SXSW last year (Grand Jury Award and Audience Award) and a Cannes Critics’ Week selection.
THIMIOS BAKATAKIS
Shot Cannes Jury prizewinner and 2016 BAFTA nominee “The Lobster,” directed by fellow Greek Yorgos Lanthimos. Other credits include “Blind,” “Keep the Lights On” and the upcoming “Una,” with Rooney Mara and Ben Mendelsohn.
DIEGO GARCIA
Shot two stunning-looking 2015 features at opposite ends of the spectrum, linked only by the genius of their cinematography: Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Cemetery of Splendor” and Brazilian Gabriel Mascaro’s “Neon Bull.”
MANUEL DACOSSE
In the past three years, he’s lensed four of the most visually striking Euro art/genre films: “Alleluia,” “The Strange Color,” “Of Your Body’s Tears,” “Evolution,” and “The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun.”
MANUEL BILLETER
Created the noir tone of Netflix’s “Jessica Jones,” which released to critical acclaim last year. “Jessica Jones” is the second show – alongside “Daredevil, Luke Cage” (which Billeter is currently lensing). Billeter’s other credits include: episodes of “Orange is the New Black,” episodes of “Person of Interest,” and episodes of “Law & Order.”
POLLY MORGAN
Went into this year’s Sundance Film Festival with two films in competition: the cult documentary “Holy Hell” and the dramatic comedy “The Intervention,” which was sold to Paramount and will release in September 2016. Morgan also recently wrapped a new Sundance/BBC co-production, “The A Word,” by Peter Balker. Her first work on the small screen came on the hit FX show “American Horror Story: Asylum,” shooting alongside Michael Goi, ASC. Her next project is the horror film “Slumber” starring Maggie Q.
PETER FLINCKENBERG
Finnish cinematographer Flinckenberg recently shot “Woodshock” for Kate and Laura Mulleavy (Rodarte designers) and starring Kirsten Dunst. Last year, Flinckenberg won the ASC Spotlight Award for his work on “Concrete Night,” which premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was also nominated to the Camerimage main competition and won a Jussi, the Finnish equivalent of the Academy Award, for Best Cinematography.
MARK PATTEN
Patten is the cinematographer behind FX’s highly anticipated series “Taboo” starring Tom Hardy. The show is directed by Kristoffer Nyholm. He served as the director of photography on “Morgan,” directed by Luke Scott and will be released later this year.
MONIKA LENCZEWSKA
The Polish DP was one of the only cinematographers to have two films simultaneously premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival: “Imperial Dreams,” directed by Malik Vitthal and Zeresenay Mehari’s “Difret,” which was executive-produced by Angelina Jolie. Lenczewska went on to receive a Best Cinematography nomination at Sundance and Best Cinematography Debut nomination at Camerimage. Lenczewska shot Fabrice Du Welz’s mystery noir thriller “Message from the King,” starring Chadwick Boseman and Luke Evans. Previously, she shot the Polish film “Strange Heaven” for director Dariusz Gajewski and the Greek film “Park” for director Sofia Exarhou, which was developed out of the Sundance Lab.
LAURIE ROSE
Mr. Rose is better know in England, where his work with bad boy director Ben Wheatley has raised eyebrows in their style and audacity, especially their latest collaboration, “High-Rise,” a dystopian tale based on J.G. Ballard’s near-future sci-fi novel. His work on the two recent mini-series “Peaky Blinders” and “London Spy” only points to Rose’s rich versatility.
The event will be held:
Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach
April 23
6 - 8 PM
Tickets are $150 and available at www.NewportBeachFilmfest.com.
Awards will be designed and presented by Tiffany and Co.
As part of the 2016 Honors, the Festival hosted a special celebration in London, England with its partner Visit Newport Beach, Inc., celebrating the film “Brooklyn” as Best Picture with special recognition to the director and screenwriter.
About the Newport Beach Film Festival
Celebrated as one of the leading lifestyle film festivals in the United States, the Newport Beach Film Festival seeks to bring to Orange County the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking from around the world. Committed to enlightening the public with a first-class international film program, a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, the NBFF focuses on showcasing a diverse collection of studio and independent films from around the globe. The 17th annual Newport Beach Film Festival runs April 21st-April 28th and will spotlight over 350 films from around the world.
About Newport Beach & Company
Founded in January 2013, Newport Beach & Co. is a non-profit organization established to serve as the official marketing agency for the city of Newport Beach. The agency brings together all of the marketing entities connected to the Newport Beach brand, and is designed to oversee separate business units that include Visit Newport Beach, Dine Newport Beach, Celebrate Newport Beach, Enterprise Newport Beach and Newport Beach TV. For more information, please visit VisitNewportBeach.com.
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Saturday, April 16, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Archie Comics Announces Digital Comic, "Life with Kevin"
Kevin Keller returns in June with New Digital-First Series LIFE WITH KEVIN from Dan Parent and J. Bone
Kevin Keller is back - and he's brought some friends.
Fans will get a chance to see an older, more mature Kevin in the new digital-first series LIFE WITH KEVIN, hitting in June from writer/artist Dan Parent and inker J. Bone.
Coming first to the Archie App and digital comics platforms in June, LIFE WITH KEVIN will explore Kevin's life after high school and college as he ventures beyond the cozy confines of Riverdale and into a new world of challenges and opportunities in the big city.
Longtime KEVIN KELLER writer/artist Dan Parent will resume those duties for the much-anticipated digital-first series with Eisner Award-nominated inker J. Bone (Batman/The Spirit) to bring Kevin and his new friends to life for a whole new readership.
"It feels great to have Kevin back in a solo series." says Parent. "J. Bone gets who Kevin is and his art and inking have that whimsical style that is so much fun."
While the series promises to explore the world beyond Riverdale, Kevin's BFF Veronica will be making her presence known along with a few new additions to Kevin's supporting cast.
LIFE WITH KEVIN will feature the same humor and charm Kevin has become known for, Parent assures fans the new book - slated as a four-issue mini-series to start - will also present the character in a way fans have never seen him before.
"We can deal with more serious subject matter, but the book is a comedy book first, and I want humor to be the most important element."
LIFE WITH KEVIN will be available digitally on the ARCHIE APP and other digital comics platforms starting in June!
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"Pokemon Adventures" Creators Headed to Comic-Con International 2016
Hidenori Kusaka And Satoshi Yamamoto Will Make Their First-Ever North American Appearance At The Nation’s Preeminent Annual Pop Culture And Comics Convention
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces that it will welcome the creators of the POKÉMON ADVENTURES manga (graphic novel) series—Hidenori Kusaka and Satoshi Yamamoto—for a very special, first-ever professional appearance at the 2016 Comic-Con International. POKÉMON ADVENTURES is published in English exclusively by VIZ Media.
Comic-Con International is one of the nation’s largest comic book, science fiction and pop culture events, and will take place July 20th–24th, 2016 at the San Diego Convention Center, in San Diego, CA. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2813. Complete details on Comic-Con are available at: www.comic-con.org.
Hidenori Kusaka and Satoshi Yamamoto are scheduled to make a series of appearances throughout Comic-Con. The pair will meet fans at the VIZ Media booth for signings and participate on a POKÉMON panel event alongside VIZ Media editors. Other exciting POKÉMON activities will be detailed soon.
“It’s a tremendous honor to welcome Hidenori Kusaka and Satoshi Yamamoto as special guests for the 2016 Comic-Con International,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director for Perfect Square. “We know fans of all ages will be very excited for the opportunity to join in the fun as POKÉMON celebrates its 20th Anniversary and VIZ Media celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year.”
Hidenori Kusaka writes and Satoshi Yamamoto creates artwork for POKÉMON ADVENTURES, where fans’ favorite Pokémon game characters jump out of the screen into the pages of this action-packed manga! The creative duo have developed several series within the POKÉMON ADVENTURES universe including Pokémon Adventures, Pokémon Adventures: FireRed & LeafGreen, Pokémon Adventures: Emerald, Pokémon Adventures: Diamond & Pearl/PLATINUM, Pokémon Adventures: HeartGold & SoulSilver, Pokémon Adventures: Black & White and POKÉMON X•Y. They are currently working on the twelfth and thirteenth story arcs, POKÉMON X•Y and POKÉMON ΩRUBY αSAPPHIRE.
In addition to writing manga, Hidenori Kusaka also edits children’s books and plans mixed-media projects for Shogakukan’s children’s magazines. He uses the Pokémon Electrode as his author portrait.
Satoshi Yamamoto began drawing VIZ Media’s POKÉMON ADVENTURES in 2001, starting with volume 10. Yamamoto’s favorite manga creators/artists include Fujiko Fujio (Doraemon), Yukinobu Hoshino (2001 Nights), and Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira). He loves films, monsters, mysteries, punk rock music, and livin’ the good life. He uses the Pokémon Swalot as his artist portrait.
POKÉMON is one of the most successful international entertainment franchises of all time. More than 275 million POKÉMON video game titles and over 21.5 billion Pokémon Trading Cards have been sold in more than 74 countries in addition to substantial publishing and merchandise sales. VIZ Media is the official North American distributor for a wide variety of POKÉMON home media releases including animated series and films and also publishes a variety of POKÉMON manga graphic novel series including Pokémon Adventures, Pokémon Adventures: FireRed & LeafGreen, Pokémon Adventures: Emerald, Pokémon Adventures: Diamond & Pearl/PLATINUM, Pokémon Adventures: HeartGold & SoulSilver, Pokémon Adventures: Black & White and POKÉMON X•Y.
For additional information on POKÉMON and other anime/manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premiere company in the field of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.
Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at www.VIZ.com.
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"Batman v. Superman" Passes $800 Million in Worldwide Box Office
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” Hits Another Benchmark at $800 Million Worldwide
The Warner Bros. Pictures Actioner Continues to Soar Around the Globe, Scoring Over $300 Million in North America and $500 Million Overseas
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” continues to hit new heights at the box office, reaching a worldwide total of more than $800 million and counting. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Kwan Vandenberg said, “We want to thank our partners in exhibition for their unwavering support in delivering the film, day-and-date, to a record number of screens for a March corridor, further demonstrating our commitment to a 12-month strategy for films of every genre. We also want to thank fans around the world for sharing their passion for these characters and this story by heading to the theatres for ‘Batman v Superman,’ and we congratulate the cast and filmmakers on the film’s ongoing success.”
The domestic box office now stands at $301.2 million, with the international box office at $500.5 million, for a global total of $801.7 million.
From director Zack Snyder comes “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” starring Oscar winner Ben Affleck (“Argo”) as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent in the characters’ first big-screen pairing.
Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with each other, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it has ever known before.
Directed by Zack Snyder, the film also stars Oscar nominees Amy Adams (“American Hustle”) as Lois Lane, Jesse Eisenberg (“The Social Network”) as Lex Luthor, Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) as Martha Kent, and Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as Perry White; Oscar winners Jeremy Irons (“Reversal of Fortune”) as Alfred, and Holly Hunter (“The Piano”) as Senator Finch; and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince.
Snyder directed from a screenplay written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, based on characters from DC Comics, including Batman, created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, and Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film was produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder, with Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer serving as executive producers.
Snyder’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Larry Fong (“300,” “Watchmen”) and production designer Patrick Tatopoulos (“300: Rise of an Empire”), and from his “Man of Steel” team, editor David Brenner, costume designer Michael Wilkinson, visual effects supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin, and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”) working in conjunction with composer Junkie XL (“Mad Max: Fury Road”).
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, a Zack Snyder film, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The film can be seen in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, 3D and in 2D, and is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com
batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.net
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The Warner Bros. Pictures Actioner Continues to Soar Around the Globe, Scoring Over $300 Million in North America and $500 Million Overseas
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” continues to hit new heights at the box office, reaching a worldwide total of more than $800 million and counting. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Kwan Vandenberg said, “We want to thank our partners in exhibition for their unwavering support in delivering the film, day-and-date, to a record number of screens for a March corridor, further demonstrating our commitment to a 12-month strategy for films of every genre. We also want to thank fans around the world for sharing their passion for these characters and this story by heading to the theatres for ‘Batman v Superman,’ and we congratulate the cast and filmmakers on the film’s ongoing success.”
The domestic box office now stands at $301.2 million, with the international box office at $500.5 million, for a global total of $801.7 million.
From director Zack Snyder comes “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” starring Oscar winner Ben Affleck (“Argo”) as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent in the characters’ first big-screen pairing.
Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with each other, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it has ever known before.
Directed by Zack Snyder, the film also stars Oscar nominees Amy Adams (“American Hustle”) as Lois Lane, Jesse Eisenberg (“The Social Network”) as Lex Luthor, Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) as Martha Kent, and Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as Perry White; Oscar winners Jeremy Irons (“Reversal of Fortune”) as Alfred, and Holly Hunter (“The Piano”) as Senator Finch; and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince.
Snyder directed from a screenplay written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, based on characters from DC Comics, including Batman, created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, and Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film was produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder, with Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer serving as executive producers.
Snyder’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Larry Fong (“300,” “Watchmen”) and production designer Patrick Tatopoulos (“300: Rise of an Empire”), and from his “Man of Steel” team, editor David Brenner, costume designer Michael Wilkinson, visual effects supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin, and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”) working in conjunction with composer Junkie XL (“Mad Max: Fury Road”).
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, a Zack Snyder film, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The film can be seen in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, 3D and in 2D, and is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com
batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.net
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Review: Retro "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is Kind of Like a Reboot
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Running time: 135 minutes (2 hours, 15 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sci-fi action violence
DIRECTOR: J.J. Abrams
WRITERS: Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams, and Michael Arndt (based on characters created by George Lucas)
PRODUCERS: J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, and Kathleen Kennedy
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dan Mindel ASC, BSC (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey
COMPOSER: John Williams
Academy Award nominee
SCI-FI/FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA
Starring: Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, Peter Mayhew, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Anthony Daniels, Max von Sydow, Greg Grunberg, Ken Leung, Warwick Davis, and Mark Hamill
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a 2015 science fiction-fantasy action film directed by J. J. Abrams. It is the seventh installment in the Star Wars film series, which began with the 1977 Oscar-winning film, Star Wars, created by George Lucas. The Force Awakens is set 30 years after the events depicted in Return of the Jedi (1983). This film follows a desert scavenger, a renegade stormtrooper, and an X-wing fighter pilot as they fight a new enemy, which is personified by a young dark warrior who is strong with the Force.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens approximately 30 years after the Rebel Alliance's defeat of the Galactic Empire and the destruction of the second Death Star. However, the most famous hero of that battle, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last Jedi, has since disappeared. The First Order has risen from the remains of the Empire, and is led by the mysterious Supreme Commander Snoke (Andy Serkis), who has two immediate goals. He wants to destroy the New Republic (which was created by the Rebel Alliance) and its military wing, The Resistance, and will use his super-weapon, Starkiller Base, commanded by General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), to do so.
To find Skywalker, Snope has tasked Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), a young dark warrior who is strong with the Force. Ren's search for information about Skywalker's whereabouts has led him to the desert planet, Jakku. There, Ren has a confrontation with a Resistance pilot, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), which troubles a young First Order stormtrooper, FN-2187 (John Boyega), who is a witness to Dameron's capture.
Meanwhile, an astromech droid, BB-8, escapes into the Jakku night. BB-8 eventually meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a young scavenger who will be the key to getting BB-8 and the crucial information he holds to the Resistance. And legends of the past, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) will help her.
Truthfully, I am in love with the new Star Wars characters, especially Rey and Finn (known by his First Order masters as FN-2187). I have also found a place in my heart for Poe, Kylo Ren, General Hux, Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o), and the actors playing them. I have added BB-8 to my beloved droid duo of R2-D2 and C-3PO. I think that Daisy Ridley as Rey and John Boyega as Finn are among the best actors ever to appear in a Star Wars film, and the script allows them to give what may very well be two of the best dramatic performances every given in this franchise.
On the other hand, the movie itself is odd. I love Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but not unconditionally. I have to admit that I have mixed emotions because this is the first Star Wars film that George Lucas has not directed (and he directed four of them) or at least guided to fruition. Thus, a part of me wants to see this film as fan-fiction.
Lucas himself has described Star Wars: The Force Awakens as “retro,” and he is not far from the truth. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is filled with visuals and a narrative that are similar and practically copy the first Star Wars (also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope). At times, The Force Awakens seems like a remake and semi-re-imagining of the original film, or, if you want to be cruel, you can call it a rehash of the best moments from the beginnings of Star Wars. I would not be surprised if Walt Disney Studios (the new owners of Star Wars) and the filmmakers intended Star Wars: The Force Awakens to be a reboot of the franchise, a fresh start after the much-maligned “prequel films,” but a reboot that is grounded in the original trilogy.
Whatever one might say about the prequel films (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith), they were ambitious. Star Wars: The Force Awakens merely seeks to entertain and to thrill. It is escapist entertainment like no other – just as Star Wars was back in 1977. There was nothing like Star Wars, and its simple story, filled with universal themes, resonated with audiences. That is true of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I found myself exhilarated, and I often could not take my eyes off the screen. I laughed and some scenes even tried to make me cry.
As I edit this, it has been over two weeks since I saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I have thought about it often, and I put off writing this review. I have read other reviewers' opinions. A writer for The Village Voice called it “the third good Star Wars” movie. I think it is the fourth best Star Wars movie, behind the original three films, and a little ahead of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
I think I need to warm up more to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which might happen after repeated viewings. Still, I think the future is bright for the new films. Right now, I'd follow Rey, Finn, Poe, BB-8, and even Kylo Ren anywhere, and my favorite Star Wars character is back. Regardless of the story, the characters are the ones I have always loved. I am glad that some of the classic ones are back and that they have brought cool new ones with them.
8 of 10
A
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Edited on Thursday, April 14, 2016
NOTES:
2016 Academy Awards, USA: 5 nominations: “Best Achievement in Film Editing” (Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score” (John Williams), “Best Achievement in Sound Mixing” (Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, and Stuart Wilson), “Best Achievement in Sound Editing” (Matthew Wood and David Acord), and Best Achievement in Visual Effects” (Roger Guyett, Pat Tubach, Neal Scanlan, and Chris Corbould)
2016 BAFTA Awards: 1 win: “Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects” (Chris Corbould, Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, and Neal Scanlan); 3 nominations: “Best Production Design” (Rick Carter, Darren Gilford, and Lee Sandales), “Best Original Music” (John Williams), and “Best Sound” (David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Matthew Wood, and Stuart Wilson)
The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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"Hunter x Hunter" Anime Set for Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim"
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE PREMIERE OF HUNTER X HUNTER ON ADULT SWIM
Reboot Of Fantasy Adventure Anime Series Based On Bestselling HUNTER X HUNTER Manga Launches With A Brand New English Dub Cast On Leading Animation Network April 16th
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, excites action/adventure fans as it announces the launch of the all new HUNTER X HUNTER anime series on Adult Swim’s Toonami.
The first episode of the action-packed, supernatural adventure series will premiere on Saturday, April 16 at 1:00 a.m. EST/PST, with future episodes to air each Saturday. Toonami is the anime programming block on Adult Swim, Turner’s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults.
This latest anime property to join the VIZ Media catalog was produced in 2011 by the famed animation studio, MADHOUSE, and was broadcast in Japan on Nippon TV. The series reboots the popular HUNTER X HUNTER manga series created by Yoshihiro Togashi. For the North American debut, VIZ Media has assembled a fresh cast of talented voice actors that includes Erica Mendez as Gon Freecss, Cristina Vee as Killua Zoldyck, Matthew Mercer as Leorio, Keith Silverstein as Hisoka, and Erika Harlacher as Kurapika.
In the original HUNTER X HUNTER manga series, which is also published in print and digitally by VIZ Media (rated ‘T’ for Teens), Hunters are a special breed, dedicated to tracking down treasures, magical beasts, and even other people. But such pursuits require a license, and less than one in a hundred thousand can pass the grueling qualification exam. Those who do pass gain access to restricted areas, amazing stores of information, and the right to call themselves Hunters.
In the HUNTER X HUNTER anime series, abundant riches, hidden treasures, fearsome monsters, and exotic creatures are scattered around the world... Gon departs on a journey to become a Pro Hunter who risks his life in search of the unknown. Along the way, he meets other applicants for the Hunter exam: Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua. Can Gon pass the rigorous challenges of the Hunter exam and become the best Hunter in the world!? His wild and epic journey is about to begin!!
“HUNTER X HUNTER is a fast-paced fantasy adventure beautifully animated by studio MADHOUSE and we are pleased to debut the series on Adult Swim’s Toonami with a first-ever English dub that adheres very closely to the storyline depicted in the original manga series,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manager, Animation. “We invite audiences to immerse themselves in this action-filled anime series and catch a new episode broadcast premiere each week!”
VIZ Media is the official North American distributor of the HUNTER X HUNTER anime series and holds the broadcast rights, digital streaming rights, home video rights and merchandising rights to the series.
For more information on HUNTER X HUNTER and anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.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 ONE PIECE, 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.
About Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV)
Since becoming Japan’s first commercial broadcaster in 1953, Nippon TV has become the country’s undisputed ratings champion and finest producer of all genres of programs. One of the biggest successes for Nippon TV is its format Dragons’ Den, which has been sold in over 26 countries and regions. With well-established companies that deal in a broad range of businesses from movies, animation, events, to fitness clubs, Nippon TV is leveraging its ideal platform to expand into new realms. Recently launching a channel in Southeast Asia named GEM through a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television Networks, and taking a stake in the SVOD market through wholly-owned subsidiary Hulu Japan, Nippon TV is steadily solidifying its presence and brand as a global media powerhouse.
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Thursday, April 14, 2016
Image/Shadowline Comics Announces "Faster Than Light" in Development for TV
The hit Image/Shadowline Comics series greenlit for development
Image/Shadowline Comics is pleased to announce that the hit sci-fi series FASTER THAN LIGHT by Brian Haberlin will be developed for television by Skydance Entertainment.
The FASTER THAN LIGHT series sets itself apart by pairing with an augmented reality app created by Haberlin’s Anomaly Productions, allowing readers to experience the story in 3D.
Tomorrow we discover the key to faster than light travel and our world will never be the same. In FASTER THAN LIGHT Captain William Forest and those under his storied command are in a race against time, and he’s one of the few on board who knows it. A lethal first contact and a planet-eating lifeform are just the tip of the celestial iceberg of Discovery’s quest: Save Earth and all her people from the mysterious forces coming to destroy her. Features Anomaly’s free cutting-edge Augmented Reality app, which makes it look like interactive holograms are coming out of the book.
FASTER THAN LIGHT, VOL. 1 (ISBN: 978-1632156846) is available now for $9.99. It can be ordered by retailers from Diamond Book Distributors with Diamond code JAN160643. It can be ordered now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound.
FASTER THAN LIGHT #6 (Diamond Code: MAR160531) hits stores on May 11. The Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, April 18, 2016.
FASTER THAN LIGHT #7 (Diamond Code: APR160757) hits stores on June 8. The Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, May 16, 2016.
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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