Review: "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is a Wonderful Story

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 7 (of 2017) by Leroy Douresseaux

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Running time:  134 minutes (2 hours, 14 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for extended sequences of sci-fi violence and action
DIRECTOR:  Gareth Edwards
WRITERS:  Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy; based on a story John Knoll and Gary Whitta (based on characters created by George Lucas)
PRODUCERS:  Kathleen Kennedy, Samuel Emanuel, and Allison Shearmur
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Greig Fraser (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  John Gilroy, Colin Goudie, and Jabez Olssen
COMPOSER:  Michael Giacchino
Academy Award nominee

SCI-FI/FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA

Starring:  Felicty Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk (voice), Donnie Yen, Wen Jiang, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen, Jimmy Smits, Genevieve O'Reilly, Alistair Petrie, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and James Earl Jones

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a 2016 science fiction-fantasy and action film directed by Gareth Edwards.  It is the seventh film based on the characters, ideas, and situations first introduced in the 1977 film, Star Wars, written and directed by George Lucas.  In fact, Rogue One is set immediately before the events depicted in Star Wars and tells the story of a small band of rebels who embark on a mission to steal the plans for the Empire's planet-killing Death Star.

Rogue One is set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.  It opens upon a scene in which a young girl watches her father taken away by Imperial Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), an officer of the evil Galactic Empire.  A decade and a half later, that young girl is now the career criminal, Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones).  Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), an officer of the Rebel Alliance, the group that seeks to end the tyranny of the Empire, leads a group of rebels that frees Jyn from her current incarceration.

The Rebels need Jyn to help them find her father, Galen Erso (Mad Mikkelsen), a research scientist and engineer who is working on the Empire's rumored, planet-killing weapon, the Death Star.  They also need Jyn to act as an intermediary between them and an old friend of hers, the “extremist” and “terrorist,” Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), who rescued Jyn after the Empire took her parents.  Gerrera apparently has possession of Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), a defecting Imperial pilot, who has a holographic message from Galen Erso.  However, Jyn and Cassian are about to discover just how determined the Empire is to protect the secrets of the Death Star

Dear reader, I tried not to be too detailed about the plot of Rogue One, although I have summarized the first half-hour or so in great detail above.  I just saw the film night before last, and at this point, I think that it is the best Star Wars film since the original trilogy (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi).  The first seven films are connected as part of a decades-running narrative, while this eighth movie, Rogue One, is a standalone film.  Still, it connects to the original trilogy better and more immediately than the “prequel films” (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith) or the recent sequel film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

I guess that I am saying that Rogue One is the best Star Wars film in over 30 years.  It is also the most convincing “war movie” of all the Star Wars films.  It is the most realistic looking because many of outside locations look like real places, probably because they were shot on-location.  I can safely say that this is the best-looking Star Wars film.  The blend of real, computer-generated, and special effects is seamless, with only a few exceptions.  It is almost perfect.  I only found the first hour or so to be a little clunky, but I understand the need to introduce so many characters, plot lines, and settings as early as possible in a film.

Also important:  Rogue One is a Star Wars film for our times – for now.  It features a multi-ethnic cast of engaging, likable characters, and the lead is a female character who is every bit as capable and as brave and bold as the best male characters.  Jyn Erso is a heroine in which we can believe, and even Krennic, the bad guy, is someone audiences can like or even love.

My mind bought into the idea that Rogue One takes place just before the original Star Wars.  Anyone who has ever seen at least one sequel to the Star Wars of 1977 owes it to themselves to see, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

8 of 10
A

Sunday, December 18, 2016
Edited:  Sunday, April 2, 2017

NOTES:
2017 Academy Awards, USA:  2 nominations:  “Best Achievement in Sound Mixing” (David Parker, Christopher Scarabosio, and Stuart Wilson) and “Best Achievement in Visual Effects” (John Knoll, Mohen Leo, Hal T. Hickel, and Neil Corbould)

2017 BAFTA Awards:  2 nominations:  “Best Make Up/Hair” (Amanda Knight, Neal Scanlan, and Lisa Tomblin) and “Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects” (Neil Corbould, Hal T. Hickel, Mohen Leo, John Knoll, and Nigel Sumner)


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Amazon Announces Docuseries Starring McLaren Racing

Amazon Greenlights Untitled McLaren Racing Docuseries Exclusively for Prime Video

The Amazon Original Series Goes Behind the Scenes with Legendary Formula 1 Race Team McLaren as They Prepare to Fight for the 2017 World Championship

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon announced it has greenlit an untitled McLaren racing docuseries. The Amazon Original Unscripted Series gives unprecedented access to the McLaren racing team as it competes in the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Prime members will be able to stream the limited series exclusively via the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs, connected devices including Fire TV, mobile devices and online. Members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing at no additional cost to their membership. The series will be a global release and available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video for members to watch via the Prime Video app for popular smart TVs, Fire TV, Fire Tablets and Android and iOS phones and tablets. The show will also be available on PrimeVideo.com for Prime Video members in more than 200 countries and territories.

    “McLaren dominated F1 in the modern era, creating champions like Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton. But they are also a family who have recently gone through difficult times, both on track and off”

The series follows McLaren, founded in 1963, as they prepare to challenge for the 2017 World Championship, with new Executive Director and former racer Zak Brown leading the famed racing organization. Featuring exclusive access from McLaren to the technically competitive and secretive world of racing, the series will let Prime members embed with the team and its drivers: rookie Stoffel Vandoorne and former double world champion Fernando Alonso. The show features coverage of the physical and mental preparation of a Formula 1 crew, including exclusive footage of how McLaren builds and tests a Formula 1 car, and behind-the-scenes, never-before-seen coverage of the sponsor and partnership deals that finance the team.

“The series will take Amazon Prime members inside what it takes to compete at the highest level of Formula 1 racing,” said Conrad Riggs, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Originals. “It will combine unparalleled access with exciting and dramatic storytelling that will appeal to racing fans and non-racing fans alike.”

“McLaren dominated F1 in the modern era, creating champions like Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton. But they are also a family who have recently gone through difficult times, both on track and off,” said Executive Producer Manish Pandey. “And like all families, we will watch them pull together to regain their rightful place at the head of F1.”

“At McLaren, we want to showcase and celebrate every element of Formula 1. We understand and appreciate that Formula 1 fans are always keen for greater levels of access, insight and information, and this series will give them the most intimate and honest access to a modern Formula 1 team that’s ever been seen,” added Zak Brown, McLaren Executive Director.

The series is executive produced by BAFTA winner Manish Pandey (Senna, Ferrari, The Bentley Boys), Chris Connell and Anwar Nuseibeh.

Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
•     Amazon Channels: Over 100 channel subscriptions that Prime members can add to their membership, including HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV and more, plus Anime Strike – the first curated on-demand subscription by Amazon Channels. To view the full list of channels available, visit www.amazon.com/channels
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
•     Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalogue with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

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Warner Bros Brings the Full House to CinemaCon

Warner Bros. Pictures Goes All in at CinemaCon

The Studio’s 2017 Big Picture Presentation Featured the Stars and Filmmakers behind Its Upcoming Slate

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures had a full house of talent at this year’s CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas, showcasing the broad diversity of its upcoming slate. Generating excitement throughout the Caesars Palace Colosseum, the Studio’s 2017 Big Picture presentation was highlighted by footage from each movie—some never-before-seen—and appearances from some of the stars and filmmakers behind the films.

The show launched with a reel highlighting Warner Bros. Pictures’ legacy of entertaining the world for more than 90 years. Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, came to the stage to welcome the exhibitors and thank them for their great support in delivering the Studio’s films to a global audience.

Remarking on the Warner Bros. event, Kroll said, “In today’s dynamic marketplace, one thing holds true: the strength of our partnership with the exhibition community. It is always great to come to CinemaCon to share our slate with the people who connect our films with moviegoers the world over. We are grateful to all the actors and filmmakers who came in to support their films and the Studio and who added so much fun, excitement and star power to the day.”

Show host Maria Menounos then took the stage, and kicked off the film presentation by introducing one of today’s most acclaimed and successful filmmakers: Christopher Nolan, the director/writer/producer of “Dunkirk.” After sharing some insights about the much-anticipated epic action thriller, Nolan presented the film’s stunning prologue, which was met with enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Then, as darkness enveloped the stage, Menounos set the mood for a dual reel previewing two upcoming horror thrillers from New Line Cinema: “Annabelle: Creation,” marking the return of the demonically possessed doll from “The Conjuring”; and “It,” bringing Stephen King’s bestseller—and infamous villain Pennywise—to the big screen for the first time. The terrifying footage sent several jolts through the auditorium, producing screams and making some noticeably jump in their seats.

The scares continued with a chilling new trailer from the suspense thriller “Unforgettable,” which was introduced by first-time director Denise Di Novi, joined onstage by the stars of the film, Rosario Dawson and Katherine Heigl.

Switching gears, comedy took over as actor Ed Helms and director Lawrence Sher, who lensed the “Hangover” films, reminded the audience of the duo’s shared connection to Caesars Palace and then presented an early look at their new comedy “Bastards” (from Alcon Entertainment), in which Helms stars with Owen Wilson. Also apropos to the CinemaCon site, the casino-set comedy “The House” (from New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures) was hilariously set up on tape by stars Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler. Both pieces generated raucous laughter.

Menounos also introduced footage from the romantic drama “Everything, Everything” (from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures), based on the hugely popular YA bestseller of the same name; as well as a new trailer for the suspenseful action thriller “Geostorm,” starring Gerard Butler.

CinemaCon’s Male Star of the Year, Charlie Hunnam was greeted by loud applause when he took the stage to reveal an action-packed new trailer from Guy Ritchie’s epic reimagining of the Excalibur story, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” (from Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow). Hunnam stars in the action adventure’s title role, opposite Jude Law.

The presentation of “Blade Runner 2049,” the long-awaited sequel to the seminal science fiction classic “Blade Runner,” wowed the entire audience. Director Denis Villeneuve, and two of the film’s stars, Jared Leto and Ana de Armas, showed a special reel, featuring footage from the film interwoven with B-roll and interviews with the filmmakers and cast—including Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford—talking about the lasting impact of Ridley Scott’s original 1982 feature and offering hints of where the new film (from Alcon, distributed domestically by Warner Bros.) will take today’s audiences.

Warner Bros. Pictures has built a globally successful animation franchise in the LEGO® universe, beginning with “The LEGO Movie,” followed most recently by “The LEGO Batman Movie.” A look at the latest film assembled by Warner Bros. and LEGO System A/S, “The LEGO NINJAGO® Movie,” delighted the audience. Immediately following, two of the film’s voice stars, Dave Franco and Justin Theroux, kept everyone laughing with a funny exchange about making the fun-filled action adventure.

The event’s thrilling finale showcased three hugely anticipated films from the DC cinematic franchise, which is a cornerstone of Warner Bros.’ slate. Diving in, Jason Momoa, who stars in the title role of “Aquaman,” took center stage to share a glimpse of what’s in store in the undersea Super Hero’s first standalone feature, starting production later this spring under the direction of James Wan.

A taped greeting from Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot, introduced director Patty Jenkins and actor Chris Pine, who stars opposite Gadot in the film. The two introduced extended sequences from “Wonder Woman,” which brings the iconic Super Hero to the screen in her first standalone film. The never-before-seen footage included several breathtaking action scenes, which generated tremendous buzz and left the attendees wanting more.

And they got it. Following a preview of the epic Super Hero ensemble action adventure “Justice League,” director Zack Snyder was joined onstage by Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher, who star, respectively, as Batman, Superman, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg.

Snyder and cast then closed the successful show, wishing everyone a great rest of the convention.

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"Shark Week 2017" to Hit Movie Theaters for One Night

‘Shark Week 2017’ Splashes into Cinemas Nationwide, Premiering on the Big Screen Ahead of Discovery Channel Debut

Fathom Events and Discovery Channel Premiere Longest-Running Cable Television Event in U.S. Movie Theaters This Summer

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--America’s favorite week of television, “Shark Week,” makes waves in movie theaters nationwide for a one-night premiere event this summer on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. This exclusive debut features a “Best Of” episode from “Shark Week 2016,” along with a special episode of “Shark Week 2017.” Following the Fathom event, “Shark Week,” now in its 29th year, kick offs its television run on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

    .@FathomEvents News: #SharkWeek Splashes Into Cinemas Nationwide July 18 Only, Ahead of Discovery Debut

The large screen format of the cinema offers audiences the chance to see “Shark Week” in a whole new way. Moviegoers will see every detail of these powerful creatures, from their enormous size and multiple rows of teeth, to their impressive hunting skills as they burst into the air to capture seals on the ocean's surface.

Ticketing dates for the “Shark Week 2017 Premiere Event” will be announced this spring. Tickets and participating theater locations will be available online at www.FathomEvents.com.

“Shark Week” brings educational programming about sharks to TV screens across the world, focusing on conservation efforts and debunking common misconceptions. The now famous, weeklong TV programming block on the Discovery Channel premiered on July 17, 1988, and over time, “Shark Week” has grown tremendously in popularity and become a huge hit for the network. Now broadcast in more than 72 countries, “Shark Week” is referenced often in pop culture and across social media, and since 2010, it has been the longest-running cable television programming event in history.

“‘Shark Week’ is a television sensation,” Fathom Events Vice President of Programming Kymberli Frueh said. “This wildly-popular program will now head to the big screen, where fans can see every detail in full scale. We are thrilled to be partnering with Discovery Channel to premiere this content on cinema screens nationwide.”

“We are excited to be working with Fathom to bring ‘Shark Week’ to the big screen this summer,” said Leigh Anne Brodsky, Executive Vice President, Discovery Global Enterprises. “It’s a great opportunity for super fans to engage further with this pop culture phenomenon.”


About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top Designated Market Areas®, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live, sporting events like Copa America Centenario, concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush and Mötley Crüe, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series and inspirational events such as To Joey With Love and Kirk Cameron’s Revive US. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 896 locations and 1,383 screens in 181 DMAs. For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

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"Saturday Night Fever" Returns to Movie Theaters in May 2017 with New Director's Cut

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Seminal Classic Saturday Night Fever, Dancing Back into Cinemas for Two Nights Only, May 7 and 10

Relive the Film That Captivated a Generation with a Brand New Director’s Cut

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In 1977, Saturday Night Fever became a cultural touchstone like few movies before or since, and this May fans can catch the fever again when the influential classic returns to the big screen for two days only in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

    .@FathomEvents: Relive film that captivated a generation w new director’s cut #SaturdayNightFever40 in cinemas May

Director John Badham worked with Paramount Pictures to restore the film using the original negative and update the surround sound mix to further enhance viewers’ enjoyment of the incredible soundtrack. During this process he added scenes to the theatrical R-rated version that round out character and plot, making this new Director’s Cut the definitive representation of his original vision.

Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures will present the brand-new Director’s Cut of Saturday Night Fever in cinemas nationwide on Sunday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (local time) each day.

Tickets for the “Saturday Night Fever 40th Anniversary” Director’s Cut presentations can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in nearly 700 select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

With John Travolta’s electrifying Oscar®-nominated performance, the Bee Gees’ explosive soundtrack and, of course, the unforgettable dancing, Saturday Night Fever captured the angst and brio of the time and had an indelible impact on popular culture. Forty years later, the film about a Brooklyn kid with no prospects who lives for Saturday night continues to be revered and celebrated.

Saturday Night Fever’s unforgettable soundtrack was composed and performed primarily by the Bee Gees and features mega-hits including “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “More Than A Woman” and “If I Can’t Have You.” The album has sold more than 40 million copies and was ranked number 132 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2012.

On April 21, 2017, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) celebrates the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Fever with the vinyl reissue of Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Sound Track, currently available on CD and digital.

“To see Saturday Night Fever in a movie theater is an experience to be savored,” said Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations Tom Lucas. “Teaming up with Paramount Pictures to present John Badham’s Director’s Cut is an even bigger thrill, both for us and for audiences nationwide.”

In addition to the in-theater celebration, the 40th anniversary Director’s Cut of Saturday Night Fever will also be available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on May 2, 2017.


About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top Designated Market Areas®, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live, sporting events like Copa America Centenario, concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush and Mötley Crüe, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series and inspirational events such as To Joey With Love and Kirk Cameron’s Revive US. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 896 locations and 1,383 screens in 181 DMAs. For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), home to premier media brands that create television programs, motion pictures, consumer products, and digital content for audiences in 180 countries and territories. The PHMD division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

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Review: Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 (of 2017) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz (2016) – straight-to-video
Running time:  81 minutes (1 hour, 21 minutes)
PRODUCERS/DIRECTORS:  Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone
WRITERS:  Spike Brandt, Paul Dini, and Sam Register
EDITOR:  Dave Courter
COMPOSER: Michael Tavera
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Digital eMation, Inc.

ANIMATION/FANTASY/ACTION/ADVENTURE and FAMILY/MUSIC

Starring:  (voices)  Grey Griffin, Jason Alexander, Amy Pemberton, Joe Alaskey, Michael Gough, Rob Paulsen, Todd Stashwick, Frances Conroy, Laraine Newman, Stephen Root, Kath Soucie, Andrea Martin, James Monroe Iglehart, Spike Brandt, and Jye Frasca

Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz is a 2016 direct-to-video animated film starring the famous cartoon cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry.  Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it is a sequel to Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz, a 2011 animated direct-to-video film.

Both these films take inspiration and source material from the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz, and places Tom and Jerry (who began as MGM cartoon characters) alongside Dorothy, Toto, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the rest of the characters from that beloved classic film.  Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz is also the first sequel in the Tom and Jerry direct-to-video film series.  [Back to Oz is also the final work of noted animation voice actor Joe Alaskey who died of cancer on February 3, 2016, and this film is dedicated to his memory.]

Back to Oz opens on the Gale farm.  Dorothy Gale (Grey Griffin), Auntie Em (Frances Conroy), Uncle Henry (Stephen Root), Toto, the three farm hands, and Tom and Jerry are still cleaning up the damage caused by the twister that wrecked the farm in the first film.  The Gales are on the verge of losing the farm because of a lawsuit brought by neighbor, Lucius Bibb (Jason Alexander).  Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, and the three farmhands immediately set out to find jobs that can help them get money to pay off the damages Bibb is claiming they brought on his property (a prized watermelon patch).

Dorothy is left behind because the adults consider her too young to work.  While cleaning up, Dorothy, Toto, and Tom and Jerry are attacked by flying monkeys, which had once served the Wicked Witch of West.  During the attack, Dorothy's companions from the Land of Oz:  Scarecrow (Michael J. Gough), Tin Man (Rob Paulsen), and the no-longer-cowardly Lion (Todd Stashwick) arrive to inform her that Oz is under attack again.  This time, Ruggedo the Nome King (Jason Alexander) is taking over the Emerald City, so Dorothy is once again off to see the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Joe Alaskey) in a bid to save Oz.

Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz is not as good as its predecessor, Tom and Jerry & the Wizard of Oz.  However, a return to the Oz that was created by filmmakers, cast, and crew of MGM's 1939 The Wizard of Oz, even a cartoon version of it, is welcomed – at least by me and some others.  There are apparently a lot of us, or at least enough to create a sequel to the first Tom and Jerry Oz.

Honestly, that is the explanation for whatever success this film, Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz, has – its connection to a truly classic American film, one of the best movies of all time.  I won't be fake and deny it.  I hope Tom and Jerry go back to that Oz, again.

6 of 10
B

Friday, March 31, 2017


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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"All or Nothing" Gets a Second Season on Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Greenlights Season Two of Emmy-Nominated Original Series All or Nothing for Amazon Prime Video, Featuring the Return of the NFL’s Rams to Los Angeles

Yesterday season one was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Serialized Sports Documentary category

To relive the drama of season one with the Arizona Cardinals, customers can now watch 28 exclusive behind-the-scenes clips via the X-Ray feature

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ:AMZN)—Amazon today announced it has greenlit season two of the Emmy-nominated All or Nothing, an Amazon Original Series produced by NFL Films. This season of All or Nothing will give Amazon Prime members access to an NFL season unlike any that’s been captured on screen. Customers will get to see the Los Angeles Rams’ entire 2016 season, which began with their relocation back to Los Angeles and culminated with the hiring of a new head coach and preparations for the 2017 season.

    “‘All or Nothing’ is a solid reminder of what makes football so great and why this sport is America’s favorite pastime.”

Prime members will be able to stream All or Nothing: A Season with the Los Angeles Rams exclusively via the Amazon Prime Video app for TVs, connected devices including Fire TV, mobile devices and online at amazon.com/allornothing. Members can also download the series to mobile devices for offline viewing at no additional cost to their membership. All or Nothing: A Season with the Los Angeles Rams will also be available to Prime members in Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico and the UK.

“All or Nothing brings Amazon Prime members a deep dive into the lives of professional athletes,” said Conrad Riggs, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Originals. “We are excited to highlight the LA Rams in season two, a team with a compelling story of relocation, rebuilding and reuniting with the city they once again call home.”

“NFL Films proved again that they’re the best in the business with the groundbreaking new franchise, All or Nothing, whose inaugural season profiling the 2015 Arizona Cardinals was the highest-rated original series ever on Amazon Prime Video,” said Jordan Levin, Chief Content Officer, NFL Media. “Chronicling the return of the Rams to Los Angeles provides an unbelievably unique backdrop to season two and one which provides NFL fans and viewers around the world rare insight into a team overcoming an extraordinary set of circumstances to build their future.”

“Since bringing pro football back to the Los Angeles region last year after a 21-year absence, we have been committed to giving NFL fans an up-close view of our journey,” said Rams EVP of Football Operations and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff. “We are pleased that NFL Films captured this important chapter in the NFL’s history and are looking forward to working with Amazon to bring this behind-the-scenes look at our team to their customers.”

The first season of All or Nothing, which followed the Arizona Cardinals throughout the 2015 season, currently has an average customer rating of 4.8, with 89% 5 star reviews, making it the highest-rated non-kids Amazon Original Series on Prime Video. Customers can now watch 28 exclusive behind-the-scenes clips from season one by accessing the X-Ray feature on Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets and +3P Android mobile devices.

Produced by NFL Films, All or Nothing: A Season with the Los Angeles Rams is executive produced by Ross Ketover (Hard Knocks, Inside the NFL), and Pat Kelleher (Hard Knocks, 30 for 30 - Four Falls of Buffalo). The showrunner is Keith Cossrow (A Football Life). Directors are Shannon Furman and Pat Harris. Supervising producer is Bennett Viseltear and senior producer is Nick Mascolo.

Below are customer quotes from season one of All or Nothing:

•     “Hands DOWN…The BEST Football documentary I've ever seen.”
•     “Must See TV for Football Fans”
•     “AWESOME! Whether you're a fan of the Cardinals or just the NFL in general, this documentary series is awesome!”

Below are media quotes:

•     “It's a tour de force of reality television and newly-broached ground.” – CBS Sports, Will Brinson
•     “The football scenes in this series are enthralling.” – The Ringer, Robert Mays
•     “‘All or Nothing’ is a solid reminder of what makes football so great and why this sport is America’s favorite pastime.” – Zap2It.com, Emily Bicks

Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a free trial at www.amazon.com/prime. For a list of all Amazon Video compatible devices, visit www.amazon.com/howtostream.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

•     Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, Love & Friendship and kids series Tumble Leaf, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership. Prime Video is also now available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe at www.primevideo.com.
•     Amazon Channels: Over 100 video subscriptions to networks like HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, PBS KIDS, Acorn TV and more, available to Amazon Prime members as add-ons to their membership – to view the full list of channels available, visit www.amazon.com/channels
•     Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
•     Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
•     Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing of select content

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited fast free shipping options across all categories available on Amazon, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, secure photo storage with Prime Photos, unlimited reading with Prime Reading, unlimited access to a digital audiobook catalogue with Audible Channels for Prime, a rotating selection of free digital games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, early access to select Lightning Deals, exclusive access and discounts to select items, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

About NFL Films
NFL Films, the most honored filmmaker in sports television history with 123 Sports Emmy Awards – remains a gold standard in sports television, providing unprecedented access to and legendary storytelling about the sport of professional football. With more than 100 million feet of film in its library, NFL Films is the historical backbone of NFL Network and a key supplier of the network’s programming, including the three-time Emmy-nominated series A Football Life, offering untold stories into the lives of some of the NFL’s most recognizable icons, and The Timeline, chronicling seminal moments that formed the NFL’s storied past, shape the present and, in some cases, set the stage for the future.

NFL Films is a part of NFL Media, the owned and operated media division of the National Football League which is comprised of NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL.com, NFL Now, NFL Mobile from Verizon and NFL RedZone.

About the Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams – Los Angeles’ original professional sports team – stand as one of the oldest franchises in the National Football League and since its founding in 1937, have garnered three World Championships and sent 30 of its members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a professional sports team, the organization is committed to being a valuable civic partner and serving the greater Los Angeles area 365 days a year. For more information visit www.therams.com and follow the Rams on Facebook and Twitter, @RamsNFL.

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