FREE SOLO gets a special one-week-only engagement in select IMAX® theaters starting today!!!

FREE SOLO CLIMBS TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH SPECIAL ONE-WEEK IMAX® RELEASE NATIONWIDE AND IN CANADA, STARTING JAN. 11

 

PLAYING AT DESERT RIDGE 18, ARIZONA MILLS 25

 

“Seeing Honnold at the peak of his skill on the biggest screen possible is an experience for everybody to savor.” – Kenny Turan, The Los Angeles Times

“One of the most arresting documentaries of the year. See the film on as big a screen as possible.” – Richard Larson, Vanity Fair

(NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES – DEC. 20, 2018) — After setting the highest per screen average for a documentary in its opening weekend and grossing $11 million at the box office to date, FREE SOLO continues its momentous theatrical run with a special one-week-only engagement in select IMAX® theaters across the U.S. and in Canada, beginning Jan. 11, 2019. The news follows this week’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcement including FREE SOLO in the list of 15 documentaries that will advance in awards consideration.

From award-winning filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned filmmaker, cinematographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin (MERU), FREE SOLO is a breathtaking portrait of the free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares for an unprecedented feat: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock … the 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park … without a rope.

Hailed by The New York Times as “an extraordinary gift to everyone who believes that the limit of human achievement is far from being reached,” the film has been honored with three Critics’ Choice awards, including Most Innovative Documentary of the Year and Best Cinematography, and has also received nominations for PGA, IDA and Cinema Eye Honors.

The IMAX release of FREE SOLO will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theater geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

FREE SOLO is both an edge-of-your-seat thriller and a sublime portrait of an athlete who exceeds our understanding of human physical ability and mental potential. The result is a triumph of human spirit.

“IMAX’s differentiated, immersive theatres make audiences feel as though they are there with Alex in Yosemite National Park, climbing El Capitan, and we’re really pleased to be able to bring this incredible, historic story to fans so they can now experience it in IMAX,” said Craig Dehmel, Head of Distribution at IMAX Entertainment.

“The grandeur of El Capitan and the film’s breathtaking cinematography will be spectacular in IMAX,” said Courteney Monroe, President, National Geographic Global Networks and Documentary Films. “Audiences have been filling theaters for months, uniting together to cheer for Alex’s staggering achievement. We are so grateful to IMAX for providing audiences the opportunity to experience the scale and ambition of this film in IMAX theaters.”  

“When we were making this film, we could not have imagined the response we have received,” added directors Vasarhelyi and Chin. “To be able to share Alex’s story of courage in the immersive IMAX experience is something we’ve been working towards for over a year. It’s the ultimate reward for us, and offers filmgoers and a chance to now see his historic and remarkable journey on the big IMAX screen.”  

FREE SOLO premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September and has since won Audience Awards at the Toronto International Film Festival and Mill Valley Film Festival.

FREE SOLO is currently playing in select theaters and will be released in select IMAX theaters beginning Jan. 11, 2019. Visit freesolofilm.com for showtimes, and find an IMAX theater near you at imax.com/theaters.

HERE is my review of the film. SEE THIS ON IMAX!

The Upside – Movie Review

The upside of ‘The Upside’ is that it promises a buddy comedy and delivers that and more. It’s entertaining and humorous but goes deeper as a friendship between the two main characters grows. It’s based off the French film “The Intouchables” which is a story about a rich, white paraplegic who hires a black assistant. Everything about that in today’s society seems untouchable but if you don’t look at race, the film’s quite charming. See it as two people helping each other and both learning from one another and you’ll see the original vision or intent of Olivier Nakache and Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, the writers of ‘The Intouchables,’ message. That message is that friendship sees no color.

 ‘The Upside’ is about Phillip Lacasse (Cranston) a disabled billionaire confined to a wheelchair, on the search for a new employee. He’s paralyzed from his neck down and, with the help of his secretary, Yvonne Pendleton (Kidman), he’s looking for a live-in caregiver. Easy enough premise. Phillip sees Dell Scott (Hart) move his way through to the front of the applicants and is intrigued. After introductions, he decides to make Dell an offer. Finding that the job isn’t for him, Dell originally turns it down but recent events in his life have left him homeless. Once he finds out the offer comes with housing, he takes the position. This tests him because he rarely takes care of himself, let alone be needed to care for another man’s entire well-being. Dell has a son he isn’t exactly father-of-the-year to so watching his character grow is possibly the biggest delight of the movie. There always seems to be some tension between the two men, be it testosterone or jealousy on both sides, but that’s another part of the magic. Dell has to face that he’s never done anything for anyone but himself. And then there’s Phillip. He’s hiding in his misery and contempt for what he no longer has and needs to see what he does have. Dell learns to appreciate the finer things as he is forced to take Phil to the Opera and is introduced to new things such as fine art. On the other hand, Phil must finally confront the fact that the wife he lost to cancer isn’t coming back. He’s broken but alive and should value what he does have. Dell’s tactics help him concede that he needs to work on being happy.

 These characters are portrayed perfectly by pairing Cranston and Hart. It was a joy watching them get to know one another, learn from one another and also get irritated and annoyed with one another. These actors had impeccable chemistry. They never once tried to outperform the other or better each other, instead, worked in perfect tandem to bring their audience a story they could believe and possibly connect with. I’ve seen a lot of negative words being slung its way but ignore those. See this movie. ‘The Upside’ comes out this weekend. Go to the theatre. The story is restorative and satisfying, just what some might need today. I see it as a necessary reminder that we’re all in this together. It’s loving, and you’ll relish the fresh take on the buddy movie. It’s unique and it’s, quite simply, sweet.

Watch the exclusive look at Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL!

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom. 

The film stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Rune Temte, Algenis Perez Soto, Mckenna Grace, with Annette Bening, with Clark Gregg, and Jude Law.

Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Patricia Whitcher and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The story is by Nicole Perlman and Joe Shrapnel & Anna Waterhouse, and the screenplay is by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck and Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Jac Schaeffer.

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THE LEGO® MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART Mini-Room tour coming to Phoenix on 1/26/19!!

Saturday, January 26th 2019

 

WHAT:           THE LEGO® MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART Mini-Room Multi-City Tour

WHEN:           Saturday, January 26th  

                         Open to the Public: 10:00 am             

*event access on a first-come, first-served basis

                                                                                                            

WHERE:           Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall

                          7014 East Camelback Road

                          Scottsdale, AZ 85251

 

*located in the food court area, event is free

WHO:               Emmet and you! THE LEGO® MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART Mini-Room is a unique, limited-time only, traveling experience visiting 11 markets across the country leading up to the film’s release in theaters on February 8, 2019. Fans will experience Bricksburg as never before, with a sneak peek into the world of LEGO hero Emmet, by visiting a hyper-detailed micro recreation version of his living room. Guests will be able to sit on the couch with Emmet and his pal Planty for a unique photo moment.  This special photo can then be captured and delivered to the user in real-time via MMS or email.

*About the film:  The much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, global box office phenomenon that started it all, “The LEGO® Movie 2: The Second Part” reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all new action-packed adventure to save their beloved city.  It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are now facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. The battle to defeat the invaders and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet, Lucy, Batman and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.

This film is rated PG.

www.thelegomovie.com

The Kid Who Would Be King Trailer

On January 25th, the legend comes to life like never before. 

20th Century Fox has released the new trailer for THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING, which tells the story of Alex, who thinks he’s just another nobody until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur.

He must unite his friends and enemies and, together with the legendary wizard Merlin, take on the wicked enchantress Morgana to become the great leader he never dreamed he could be. The film is written and directed by Joe Cornish and stars Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Angus Imrie, with Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart.

THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING Official Channels

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.TheKidWhoWouldBeKing.com 

FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/KidWhoWouldBeKing  

TWITTER: www.Twitter.com/KidWouldBeKing  

INSTAGRAM: www.Instagram.com/KidWhoWouldBeKing  

HASHTAG: #KidWhoWouldBeKing

THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING opens in theaters everywhere on January 25, 2019!

Destroyer Movie Review

This crime-drama is stirring, and Nicole Kidman gives her best performances in a long time which should be admired on the big screen. She’s haunting as Erin Bell, a veteran police officer in L.A. who comes face to face with the turmoil of her past when she was an integral part of a covert operation that went horribly wrong. She’s now a shadow of her former self. She’s no longer being taken seriously and receives little to no respect from her fellow officers. The latter being mostly because she has no respect for others or herself. She’s hardened after the undercover effort trying to capture a nefarious gang of bank robbers leads to her losing almost everything she ever loved.

Director Karyn Kusama (Æon Flux, Jennifer’s Body) has chosen Julie Kirkwood (The Blackcoat’s Daughter, Hello I Must Be Going), as her cinematographer… a wise decision. Together, they’ve built for you an extremely suspenseful story. Every movement of the camera spirals you further into Erin’s out of control world, bringing you down with her. Lighting is used brilliantly to focus and force your attention to Erin’s overall mood. Excessively heavy music by incredibly diverse and talented composer, Theodore Shapiro, who has an exceptional body of work and worked with Kusama on ‘Jennifer’s Body,’ keeps you involved by setting an intriguing and intense tone from the word go. For this, you’ll be rather appreciative. It’s eerily good.

 

A tattoo on a dead body and some money marked with blown dye packs pulls Erin back into needing to find Silas (Toby Kebbell), the leader of the brutal gang who got away with the murder of her partner turned lover, Chris (Stan). In gritty flashbacks, we see more of why she’s so jaded and more of what she’s fighting for. We find out she has an angst-ridden daughter named Shelby (Pettyjohn). Shelby not only pushes Erin away but challenges her at every turn. She’s ill-tempered and questions her mother’s authority over her. Due to Erin’s horrible parenting and boozing, Shelby becomes bitter and clings to any bad boy who’ll have her and take her away someday.  She needs someone, anyone, to be that person who’ll truly love her. It’s apparent Erin hasn’t the capacity to love. Her love was gunned down along with Chris.

 

We continue to meet the supporting characters of the narrative as the backstory builds and moves into the discovery phase. The clue’s come and holes are filled. What’s penetrating about the script is that it has Erin on a mission to not only unpack a case that will lead her to the criminal who took her sanity but that will also bring her back to her life. As in many films of the genre, we don’t see what’s necessarily going on and there are a few moments where the audience will experience an epiphany or two.

See this. The cinematography must be experienced. It’s unlike anything you’ve seen all year. Julie Kirkwood captures the complexity of each character’s drive, pain, guilt, anger, and lust so passionately that, though you may not like them, you’re mesmerized by them and cheer them on. ‘Destroyer’ is solid and is perfect entertainment for any weekend at the movies.

Vice Movie Review

As you peruse the listings of what’s playing at your local theatre this holiday season, you’ll come across this film which is about Dick Cheney. When you do, you might say to yourself that the last thing you’d want to see is a movie about a person who’s mostly considered malevolent, selfish and unscrupulous. I’m here to suggest you rethink that decision. ‘Vice’ doesn’t glorify him nor let Cheney off the hook by any stretch of the imagination but rather explains some of the things he did and why he did them in an extremely entertaining and compelling fashion. It takes us through his early life of getting married, having kids and his eventual move into politics. His dream was to work in the White House and as his ambitions grew, so did his list of contacts. These contacts would later come into play and make big impacts on our country… not in a good way. Director Adam McKay cleverly inserts the dirty tricks that Cheney learns on his path to the Vice Presidency. Cheney uses them to gain extreme power, even more than President George Bush realize he has. One of the most unfortunate events in his life, for us that is, was that he met Donald ‘Rummy’ Rumsfeld (Carell). He was a terrible influence. It’s a shame these two ever met. ‘We the People,’ when Bush was in office, may not have paid attention to just how tainted he was. However, earlier in Rumsfeld’s career, Washington did, and he was removed. Knowing how devious he was, Cheney kept him in mind when he got into a position to bring him back. Cheney also learned from a young up and comer named Anthony Scalia all about the Unitary Executive Theory. When used, it gave the person in position the ability to override tedious checks and balances, especially during times of war. It was the kind of power wielded by kings and dictators. He knew that Rumsfeld would back him when he wanted to use it.

 

The film is an outstanding rundown of events throughout Cheney’s life that made him the man he became, often concentrating on the bland to get to know him. Christian Bale, who stars as Cheney, gives a remarkable performance selling his Cheney as eager and driven but not cruel… or at least not meaning to be. It’s suggested that his wife Lynne (Adams) is the more power hungry of the two. McKay implies that the young man who just wanted to drink and have fun found himself wanting to do nothing but please Lynne which is what ultimately brought us to Cheney making all of the calls in the White House.

 

You’ll be saddened, even sickened, when you see just how close we came to having everything we’re still fighting for today. This point when Reagan removes the solar panels Carter had installed on the White House to promote something called solar energy. We can’t have that, now can we? People in the oil business would lose money! Yep! Wealthy families and businesses, tired of paying taxes, make all the rules in their favor and continue to get in the way of progress. ‘Vice’ doesn’t shy away from telling you this. McKay blames the Republican-led governments for where we are today, but he does also humanize the subject of the film. Maybe decisions he made were because he believed he was doing the right thing, not because he was evil. That’s up to you to decide. Pay very close attention while watching as so much is examined. Depending on your own theories on certain matters you may feel vindicated… or maybe awakened. That said, I believe ‘Vice’ is an absolute must-see! I watched it and was so intrigued by it, I watched it again. McKay uses humorous imagery and staging to relax you but then he shifts the narrative to then terrify you as you witness exactly how ruthless people got into positions of power and remain there still today. See it for the acting. See it to alter your perception of or learn more about the Bush era. Just see this movie.

On the Basis of Sex Movie Review

‘On the Basis of Sex’ is the story of, the ‘Notorious RBG,’ or Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As I’m sure you know, she’s the Supreme Court Justice who just had a documentary made about her exceptional career and the incredible things she’s accomplished throughout her life. Since being seated, she’s become quite the idol of unity for pop culture, most especially recently. She’s eighty-five! Her presence on the court has been awe-inspiring of late as she battles through broken ribs and cancerous nodules being removed from her lungs. Though ill, she still casts her vote on meaningful bills. Playing RBG in this film is Felicity Jones who does a remarkable job driving home the fact that Ginsburg has always had a passion and a drive to do what’s right for people. She could never be bought to back down on a fight… and never has been. She was in law school when being a female in class, instead of the kitchen, was frowned upon and she vowed to change that.

 

The film starts by informing us that it’s 1956 and its only been a few years since ‘girls’ were allowed to join the Harvard Law School program. In fact, quite rudely, she’s asked why she’s taking the class when, by being in the room, she was stopping a more capable man from having a seat. Aware of her own capabilities, the sexism frustrates her, but she uses her educated mind to ignore the bigotry and chauvinism and to fight back using knowledge rather than anger. After attending Harvard, she moves on to graduate top of her class at Columbia. She’s uncommonly intelligent and not only completes her own class assignments but when her husband falls ill, she finishes his, too. Wanting every possible advantage a man has, she does what it takes to prove herself. After graduation, she procures employment but isn’t hired as a lawyer as she’d hoped. Aware of the fact that it’s because she’s a woman, she’s crestfallen but refuses to surrender. She finally accepts a job she feels is beneath her, becoming a professor at Rutgers Law. There, she passes on her opinions of civil and Constitutional rights. This is when the film gets really weighty. We move into the 1970s where she litigates a tax case with her husband, Marty (Hammer), and students. It’s during his time she cements her legacy of fighting for equal rights.

 

‘On the Basis of Sex’ is entertaining and meaningful. The script is written to show us not only the roots of how she became the cult icon she is but to reveal why it was necessary that a vocal advocate of civil rights needed to exist. Even though the tax case where she ultimately makes a name for herself is for a man, she sets a precedent that gender shouldn’t apply. The line mentioning that John Adams forgot the ladies in the Constitution sums up the movie rather well. The script is impressive, Felicity Jones is inspiring and displays tremendous acumen and gumption. Her relationship with Hammer is believable as a couple in full support of one another. I feel I have to urge you to watch this motivating story of success because of who RBG is. At a time when women weren’t desired in the system, it wasn’t easy for her, but she fought that system and won. Luckily for you, she still fights for us all today. Seeing where it all began was uplifting and serves as a reminder of what we could be without.

Welcome to Marwen

A quick synopsis of ‘Welcome to Marwen’ could be that the movie is an unusual but inspiring story about an unfortunate situation that happened to an exceptional illustrator turned famous photographer. However, it’s much more. Why he became a photographer is where the heart of the story lies. The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis of ‘Back to the Future’ fame, is based on the true story of Mark Hogencamp (Carell), who was beaten severely by five men. He was attacked after drinking too much, at the bar he frequented, led to his talking too much.  To these strangers he had just met he mentions a little something he likes to do to be closer to women, or as he put it, feel their essence. He admits to wearing high heels. Shocking the men, they call him queer and assault him, each delivering punches that cause severe trauma to his body, most importantly to his head. The blows were so distressing to him that Mark no longer has a memory of anything before the attack… not even of who he was. To handle what it went through, his brain dumped everything that wasn’t essential to survival. Because of this, Mark can no longer draw as he had before or even function normally. A nurse has to go to his residence to check up on him because he has no true sense of how to care for himself properly.

 Seemingly wanting to work through the worst of it in some capacity, he still practices art but now it’s more cathartic for him. Instead of paper and pencil, Mark uses dolls and a camera. He’s turned his backyard into the imaginary town of Marwen in Belgium during WWII. In this town he’s built a world where he, or the doll of himself named ‘Hogie,’ is in peril. He photographs the dolls making real-life movements, not unlike what you’d find in a stop-motion film. And in Marwen, unlike in the bar where he was jumped, he gets to stage his rescue. He controls it all. Catching onto this, it doesn’t take long for you to notice that the five men who attacked him are represented here, as well, as five Nazi’s constantly running him down. His eventual salvation always comes by way of female dolls that are characterizations of real women in his life. These women have encouraged or enlightened Mark in some way. Most of them anyway. Enter a new neighbor, Nicol (Mann), who moves in across the street. When she shows up, his depiction of perfection gets shaken up. 

When she enters the picture is also when the movie gets a bit strange. Strange could be either good or bad depending on how you look at things. Dolls are creepy, to begin with, so there’s that, but to be honest, how they’re used here is rather benign. Though the female dolls are exceptional beauties, until Nicol comes along he doesn’t pose them romantically or sexually at all. Well, there is one topless scene but it’s not to satisfy any lust within him. A doll named Deja and the Nicol doll that he creates immediately after meeting her are particularly important. They’re used by Zemeckis to reveal that through them he’s more comfortable communicating what he wants of or what he thinks is the reality in his life. Mark desperately needs someone to remind him that the fiction he has created isn’t real. Art may imitate life to a degree, but it can’t take over or you’ll miss out on genuine opportunities… which Mark almost does. Luckily for him, not everyone feels the need to placate his inner child. The film is heavy at times but very creative and imaginative. Carrel has incredible depth in his performance of this trauma victim. If you enjoy films that carry you away from your daily burden’s, ‘Welcome to Marwen’ will accommodate you quite nicely.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette Trailer

WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE

WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE is based on the runaway bestseller about Bernadette Fox, a Seattle woman who had it all – a loving husband and a brilliant daughter. When she unexpectedly disappears, her family sets off on an exciting adventure to solve the mystery of where she might have gone.

  

Director: Richard Linklater

Writer: Screenplay by Richard Linklater & Holly Gent & Vince Palmo

Based on the novel written by Maria Semple

Producers: Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Ginger Sledge

Executive Producers: Megan Ellison, Jillian Longnecker

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup, Kristen Wiig, Emma Nelson, James Urbaniak, Judy Greer, Troian Bellisario, Zoe Chao and Laurence Fishburne

 

WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE opens in theaters on March 22, 2019

#FindBernadette

 

Official Site: Bernadette.Film

Facebook: /BernadetteFilm

Instagram: @BernadetteFilm

Twitter: @BernadetteFilm