New Poster for xXx: Return of Xander Cage Poster - December 19th

xXx: Return of Xander Cage is in-theaters January 20, 2017

Directed By: DJ Caruso

Starring: Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone, Toni Collette, Ruby Rose, Nina Dobrev, Tony Jaa, Kris Wu, Michael Bisping, Rory McCann, Nicky Jam, Neymar Jr., Samuel L. Jackson

The third explosive chapter of the blockbuster franchise that redefined the spy thriller finds extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) coming out of self-imposed exile and on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments. Packed with the series’ signature deadpan wit and bad-ass attitude, “xXx: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE” will raise the bar on extreme action with some of the most mind-blowing stunts to ever be caught on film.

Watch the Trailer: https://youtu.be/-ziu6JzJTZ0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReturnofXanderCageMovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/xXxMovie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xXxMovie

Official Website: http://www.returnofxandercage.com

#xXxTheMovie

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Las Vegas Film Critics Name "La La Land" Best Picture of 2016

The Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) is a non-profit organization that describes itself as “progressive” and “dedicated to the advancement and preservation of film.”  The LVFCS membership is comprised of “select” print, television and internet film critics in the Las Vegas area. The LVFCS presents its "Sierra" awards each year for the best in film, including The William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award, which is named for the late Academy Award winning actor.

2016 Sierra Award winners were announced Friday, December 16, 2016.

2016 Sierra Award winners:

Best Picture
La La Land

Best Actor
Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea

Best Actress
Natalie Portman – Jackie

Best Supporting Actor
Michael Shannon – Nocturnal Animals

Best Supporting Actress
Viola Davis – Fences

Best Director
La La Land

Best Adapted Screenplay
Nocturnal Animals

Best Original Screenplay
La La Land

Best Cinematography
La La Land

Best Film Editing
Moonlight

Best Score
La La Land

Best Song
“City of Stars” – La La Land

Best Action Film
Captain America: Civil War

Best Documentary
O.J.: Made in America

Best Animated Film
Kubo and the Two Strings

Best Foreign Language Film
The Handmaiden

Best Costumes
The Witch

Best Art Direction
La La Land

Best Visual Effects
The Jungle Book

Best Comedy
The Nice Guys

Best Horror/Sci-Fi
The Witch

Best Family Film
The Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Best Ensemble
Hidden Figures

Breakout Filmmaker
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Youth in Film
Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea

William Holden Lifetime Achievement Award
Kirk Douglas

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Phoenix Critics Circle Names "Moonlight" Best Picture of 2016

The Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) is separate from the Phoenix Film Critics Society.  The PCC says that it is dedicated to promoting both the larger film industry and our local film community. The group describes it members as writers, reviewers, and cinema historians moving the conversation forward, through print, broadcast, and online media both within Arizona and nationwide.

The 2016 Phoenix Critics Cirlce Award winners were announced Saturday, December 17th, 2016.

2016 Phoenix Critics Circle Award winners:

BEST PICTURE
Moonlight

BEST COMEDY FILM
Hunt for the Wilderpeople

BEST SCIENCE FICTION FILM
Arrival

BEST HORROR FILM
The Witch

BEST MYSTERY OR THRILLER FILM
Hell or High Water

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Kubo and the Two Strings

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Handmaiden (South Korea)

BEST DOCUMENTARY
O.J.: Made in America

BEST ACTOR
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

BEST ACTRESS
Natalie Portman, Jackie

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis, Fences

BEST DIRECTOR (tie)
Damian Chazelle, La La Land
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

BEST SCREENPLAY
Efthimis Filippou, Yorgos Lanthimos, The Lobster

BEST SCORE
Justin Hurwitz, La La Land

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"Rurouni Kenshin" Manga Returns in Omnibus Editions

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW 3-IN-1 OMNIBUS EDITIONS OF THE LEGENDARY SAMURAI ADVENTURE SAGA RUROUNI KENSHIN

Triple The Action Of The Beloved Manga Series About A Wandering Swordsman That Vows To Protect Those In Need

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, notably expands its catalog of omnibus manga releases with the announcement of RUROUNI KENSHIN 3-in-1, Vol. 1 on January 3rd, 2017.

Creator Nobuhiro Watsuki’s acclaimed saga of a drifting swordsman in Meiji Era Japan is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teen and the new 3-in-1 editions will carry a print MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $19.99 CAN each. New omnibus volumes will be published on a quarterly basis.

In RUROUNI KENSHIN, Himura Battosai was once an assassin of ferocious power during the violent upheaval of the Bakumatsu era. But as the Meiji Restoration heals the wounds of civil war, Battosai takes up a new name and a new calling. As Himura Kenshin, he now fights only to protect the honor of those in need.

RUROUNI KENSHIN made its first appearance in Japan in 1992 as an original short story in Weekly Shonen Jump Special and went on to garner fans around the world. Later rewritten and published as a regular, continuing manga series in 1994, RUROUNI KENSHIN ended serialization in 1999 but it continued in popularity, as evidenced by the 2000 publication of Yahiko no Sakabato (Yahiko’s Reversed-Edge Sword) and the 2015 publication of RUROUNI KENSHIN: RESTORATION in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP. The series also has inspired novels, anime and feature films. Creator Watsuki is also the author of the popular series, BUSO RENKIN, which is published by VIZ Media.

For additional information on manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier 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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Kansas City Film Critics Circle Names "Manchester by the Sea" Best Film of 2016

Founded in 1967, The Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) says that it is the "second oldest professional film critics" association in the United States" (behind the New York Film Critics Circle).  The organization is composed of media film critics in the Kansas City metropolitan area.  The KCFCC’s awards are named for the group’s founder, James Loutzenhiser, who died in November 2001.

2016 / 50th KCFCC Annual Awards:

Best Film: Manchester by the Sea

Robert Altman Award for Best Director: Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)

Best Actor: Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea)

Best Actress: Natalie Portman (Jackie)

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis (Fences) & Naomie Harris (Moonlight)

Best Supporting Actor: Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water)

Best Adapted Screenplay: Arrival

Best Original Screenplay: Hell or High Water

Best Foreign Language Film: The Handmaiden (South Korea)

Best Documentary: O.J.: Made in America

Best Animated Film: Zootopia

The Vince Koehler Award for Best SciFi, Fantasy & Horror Film: Arrival

Tom Poe Award for Best LGBT Film: Moonlight

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2016 St Louis Film Critics Award Nominations Announced

The St. Louis Film Critics is an association of professional film critics operating in metropolitan St. Louis and adjoining areas of Missouri and Illinois.  Founded in late 2004, the group’s goals (according to the website) are to serve the interests of local film critics, and to promote an appreciation for cinema both as an art form and for its societal, cultural and historical context and impact.

The eligibility requirements for a SLFC Award, according to the group’s website:  a film must have been shown in the greater St. Louis area in a theater or at a film festival or series, or made available to SLFC members by screening or screener during the past year. Films opening in limited run elsewhere for Oscar qualification but which will open in the St. Louis area early in the next year are eligible.

Nominations for the 2016 StLFCA Annual Awards were announced, Monday, December 12, 2016.  The winners were announced Sunday, December 18, 2016.

2016 StLFCA Annual Award Nominees

BEST FILM
        Arrival
        Hell or High Water
        La La Land
        Manchester by the Sea
        Moonlight

BEST DIRECTOR
        Damien Chazelle - La La Land
        Barry Jenkins - Moonlight
        Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea
        David Mackenzie - Hell or High Water
        Denis Villeneuve - Arrival

BEST ACTOR
        Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea
        Joel Edgerton - Loving
        Ryan Gosling - La La Land
        Tom Hanks - Sully
        Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic

BEST ACTRESS
        Amy Adams - Arrival
        Issabelle Huppert - Elle
        Ruth Negga - Loving
        Natalie Portman - Jackie
        Emma Stone - La La Land

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
        Mahershala Ali - Moonlight
        Jeff Bridges - Hell or High Water
        Lucas Hedges - Manchester by the Sea
        Dev Patel - Lion
        Michael Shannon - Nocturnal Animals

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
        Viola Davis - Fences
        Lily Gladstone - Certain Women
        Great Gerwig - 20th Century Women
        Naomie Harris - Moonlight
        Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
        Hell or High Water - Taylor Sheridan
        La La Land - Damien Chazelle
        Loving - Jeff Nichols
        Manchester by the Sea - Kenneth Lonergan
        Moonlight - Barry Jenkins

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
        Arrival - Eric Heisserer (Screenplay); Ted Chiang (Short Story)
        Fences - August Wilson (Screenplay and Play)
        Lion  - Luke Davies (Screenplay); Saroo Brierley with Larry Buttrose (Book)
        Love and Friendship - Whit Stillman (Screenplay); Jane Austen (Novel)
        Nocturnal Animals - Tom Ford (Screenplay); August Wright (Novel)

BEST EDITING
        Hacksaw Ridge - John Gilbert
        Jackie - Sebastián Sepúlveda
        La La Land - Tom Cross
        Moonlight - Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders
        Nocturnal Animals - Joan Sobel

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
        Arrival - Bradford Young
        Café Society - Vittorio Storaro
        Hail, Caesar! - Roger Deakins
        La La Land - Linus Sandgren
        Moonlight - James Laxton

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
        Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Stuart Craig and James Hambidge
        Hail, Caesar! - Jess Gonchor
        The Handmaiden - Seong-hie Ryu
        Jackie - Jean Rabasse
        La La Land - David Wasco

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
        Arrival
        Doctor Strange
        The Jungle Book
        La La Land
        A Monster Calls

BEST MUSIC SCORE
        Arrival - Johann Johannson
        Jackie - Mica Levi
        La La Land - Justin Herwitz
        Moonlight - Nicholas Brittle
        The Neon Demon - Cliff Martinez

BEST SOUNDTRACK
        Everybody Wants Some!!
        La La Land
        Moana
        Sing Street
        Trolls

BEST SONG
        "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" - La La Land
        "City of Stars" - La La Land
        "How Far I'll Go" - Moana
        "You're Welcome" - Moana
        "Drive It Like You Stole It" - Sing Street

BEST ACTION FILM
        Captain America: Civil War
        Deadpool
        Doctor Strange
        Hacksaw Ridge
        Jason Bourne

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
        April and the Extraordinary World
        Finding Dory
        Kubo and the Two Strings
        Moana
        Zootopia

BEST COMEDY
        Deadpool
        Don't Think Twice
        Florence Foster Jenkins
        Hail, Caesar!
        Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
        De Palma
        The Eagle Huntress
        Gleason
        I Am Not Your Negro
        Weiner

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
        Elle
        The Handmaiden
        A Man Called Ove
        Our Little Sister
        Toni Erdmann

BEST HORROR / SCIENCE-FICTION FILM
        10 Cloverfield Lane
        Arrival
        Doctor Strange
        Don't Breathe
        The Witch

BEST SCENE
        Captain America: Civil War - Battle at the Leipzig/Halle Airport.
        Deadpool - Opening credits.
        Hail, Caesar! - "Would that it were so simple."
        La La Land - Opening dance number, "Another Day of Sun."
        Manchester by the Sea - Lee (Casey Affleck) and Randi (Michelle Williams) meet on the street.

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9 Foreign Language Films Vie for 5 2016 Oscar Nominations

9 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS ADVANCE IN OSCAR RACE

60th anniversary of the Foreign Language Film Category

Nine features will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 89th Academy Awards®.  Eighty-five films had originally been considered in the category.

The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:

Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors;

Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director;

Denmark, “Land of Mine,” Martin Zandvliet, director;

Germany, “Toni Erdmann,” Maren Ade, director;

Iran, “The Salesman,” Asghar Farhadi, director;

Norway, “The King’s Choice,” Erik Poppe, director;

Russia, “Paradise,” Andrei Konchalovsky, director;

Sweden, “A Man Called Ove,” Hannes Holm, director;

Switzerland, “My Life as a Zucchini,” Claude Barras, director.

Foreign Language Film nominations for 2016 are determined in two phases.

The Phase I committee, consisting of several hundred Los Angeles-based Academy members, screened the original submissions in the category between mid-October and December 12.  The group’s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.

The shortlist will be winnowed down to the category’s five nominees by specially invited committees in New York, Los Angeles and London.  They will spend Friday, January 13, through Sunday, January 15, 2017 viewing three films each day and then casting their ballots.

The competitive Foreign Language Film category was introduced in 1956 for the 29th Academy Awards.  In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the Academy has created a complete playlist of acceptance speeches and a poster gallery of all the Foreign Language Film Oscar® winners.

Nominations for the 89th Oscars® will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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