CINEMAMACON STUDIO PRESENTATIONS BY: THE BLONDE AND THE BRUNETTE
CinemaCon and Warner Bros. Pictures presented …
“The Legend of Cinema Luncheon: A Salute to Clint Eastwood”
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
“The Legend of Cinema Luncheon: A Salute to Clint Eastwood,” was kicked off by sponsors, Gary Selesner, President of Caesars Palace, Derek Forbes, President of Vista USA, and Lynne Segall, EVP and Group Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter.
Stephen Galloway, Executive Features Editor of The Hollywood Reporter, interviewed the 84-year-old director with style and grace.
The Box office brilliant hit American Sniper grossed nearly $350 million and Hollywood was stunned by the success of the film.
When asked why American Sniper grossed more at the domestic box office than any other film released last year, Eastwood commented that he wasn’t surprised because it touched Americans deeply. He replied that he saw the response as a sign that the country is looking to connect with the human side of war.
He was asked to reflect on his early days in Hollywood, Mr. Eastwood, was so articulate, gracious, humble, intelligent, insightful and most definitely down to earth. Eastwood shared that the first film to have an effect on him was Sergeant York. He went on to state that Sergio Leone and Don Siegel were directorial influences on his career. He shared that jumping from acting to directing had to do with his natural curiosity. He said that directing gives him the absolute control of the production, which he so very much like to have. “Someday I’m going to look up at the screen and see a guy that I don’t want to see anymore. Then I will be satisfied to stick solely with directing.”
Eastwood is proud of the movies he has directed. A few of his favorites are: “Unforgiven,” “ Million Dollar Baby” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales.” He doesn’t have plans for sequels or remakes. Although he shared that there was talk of a remake of, “Play Misty For Me”.
He spoke about the joy of working with the cast and crew of American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper.” On the set, he likes to let the actors give it their all, and stay out of their way. He explained that casting is very crucial in the success of filming and directing a movie.
Eastwood told the story of how he got involved with American Sniper. Steven Spielberg was originally to direct the film, but due to a scheduling conflict had to drop off the project. When Eastwood was asked to direct the film in Spielberg’s place, he shared, “I did call him and say, “I’m taking your leftovers!” Spielberg gave Clint his support on the film.
He credited Warner Brother’s marketing group, for a great job of marketing the movie at the right time. In addition, he cleared the slate that, “I never threatened to kill Michael Moore. That’s just not true. Then paused and said, “It isn’t a bad idea.”
Clint Eastwood was presented with the Fandango Fan Choice Award for the Favorite Film of 2014 “American Sniper,” by Fandango. President,, Paul Yanover,
WARNER BROS. PICTURES
Warner Brothers Pictures invited us to, “The Big Picture,” which was an exclusive preview presentation highlighting the summer of 2015 releases and beyond.
Kevin Tsujihara, Chairman and CEO, of Warner Brothers, welcomed everyone and then introduced, Dan Feldman, President, Domestic Distribution, of Warner Bros. Pictures who spoke about the many success stories the studio enjoyed in 2014. “American Sniper,” was a must see experience. It has grossed $1 billion Box office receipts. He also recognized, Veronika Kwan Vanderberg, President, Distribution, and Warner Bros Pictures International for her extraordinary efforts in the orient. Sue Kroll, President Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures; and Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Productions, of Warner Bros. Pictures. Last of his staff recognized for success was Toby Emmerich, President & COO, New Line Cinema.
Warner Bros. Pictures has decided to market more movies this year, while other studios are making less.
Mario Lopez, of Entertainment Tonight, was the moderator who introduced the stars who performed in the summer season of films and beyond. He introduced Sophia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon, who will be starring in HOT PURSUIT. This comedy will in movie theatres on May 8th. It looks like a hoot.
George Miller, Director, was happy to announce the May 15th release of MAD MAX FURY ROAD, and presented the stars, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult. This is, no doubt, quite an interesting, moneymaking movie.
Director Brad Peyton suggested everyone look forward to seeing SAN ANDREAS, on May 29th, represented by star Dwayne Johnson known as Ray in the movie. This film looks beyond amazing and a nail biter for sure.
Next to be released on June 3rd, is the comedy ENTOURAGE. Mark Wahlberg is the producer with an all-star cast lineup including Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Dillon and Jeremy Piven. If you liked the HBO TV series, you’ll love the movie.
On June 26th, look for the film MAX, directed by Boaz Yakin. This family adventure film stars John, Wiggins, Thomas Haden Church, Robbie Amell, Lauren Graham, Luke Kleintank and Jay Hernandez. They looked like they had a total blast making this film.
MAGIC MIKE XXL, will return on July 1st. It is the sequel to the first Magic Mike (2012) stars Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias. As well Adie Macdowell, Amber Heard, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jane McNeill and Elizabeth Banks. Gregory Jacobs directed this comedy-drama film. Looks great. How can anyone resist Channing topless?
THE GALLOWS, a horror film, will be coming out soon and was directed by Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing. This film will be released on July 10th. The cast includes Cassidy Gifford, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos, Reese Mishler, Alexis Schneider and Price T. Morgan. OOOOO scary!
July 31st, the fifth version of the adventure comedy directed and written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, VACATION, will be released. Starring Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Chris Hemsworth and Charlie Day. Looks like a total fun time at the movies.
Guy Ritchie, directed THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., and the film will be released on August 14th. This film stars Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Elizabeth Debicki, Alicia Vikander ad Hugh Grant.
WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS, a romantic comedy to be released on August 28th. Max Joseph, directed Zac Efron, Wes Bentley, and Emily Ratajkowski.
Scott Cooper, director of the film BLACK MASS, a crime film will be released on September 18th. This all-star cast includes Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbach, Dakota Johnson, Kevin Bacon, and Sienna Miller.
On September 25th, THE INTERN, directed by Nancy Meyers will be released. This comedy film stars Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Can’t tell you how much we are looking forward to this one.
PAN is being released to the theatres on October 9th. A fantasy film directed by Joe Wright, will star Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara, Amanda Seyfried, and Levi Miller. They hits just keep coming!
Patricia Riggen, directed the film THE 33, to be released on November 13th. A survival drama film, set in Chili, will star Antonio Banderas and many more to share this unforgettable story.
CREED will be released on November 25th. A sports drama film, will feature actors Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Tompson, Tony Bellew and Graham McTavish. This is a spinoff and the seventh Rocky film. Interesting way of keeping the tradition going, you go sly!
20TH CENTURY FOX
20th Century Fox presented their up coming movies hosted by Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO, 20th Century Fox; Stacey Snider, Co-Chairman, 20th Century Fox; and Chris Aronson, President, Domestic Distribution, 20th Century Fox.
Director Gil Kenan, has remade the supernatural thriller-fantasy horror film POLTERGEIST, to be released on May 22d. The new case stars Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris and Jane Adams. Don’t know how you fans feel, but the Blonde and The Brunette are afraid, very afraid. BOO!
ALOHA, will be released on May 29th. This star-studded cast includes Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, John Krasinski, Danny McBride and Alex Baldwin. Directed by Cameron Crowe, how can this movie not rock the theaters.
Paul Feig, directed the action comedy SPY, starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney and Jude Law. To be released on June 5th. Everything about this film from the script to the cast to the director promises a block buster hit.
PAPER TOWNS is an American Teen romantic mystery film, directed by Jake Schreier and stars Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, upcoming new young stars. This film is being released on June 24th. Looks so very, “AHHH!”
On August 7th, the FANTASTIC FOUR movie will be released. Directed by Josh Trank and starring Miles Teller, Michael B Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell. Looks like one of those films that takes you away and what films were meant to do, entertain!!
HITMAN AGENT 47, will be released on August 21st, starring Rupert Friend, Zachary Quinto, Hannah Ware, Angelbaby and Thomas Kretschmann.
Then on September 18th, MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS, will hit the movie theatres starring Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and many more. This film was directed by, Wes Ball. Fun!!
VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN is coming to the movie theatres on October 2nd and was directed by Paul McGuigan. The cast of stars includes James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, and Jssica Brown Findlay. A modern day version, that looks wonderful.
Next, to be released on November 6th, is THE PEANUTS MOVIE, a 3D experience. Director Steve Martino has put together this computer-animated comedy film commemorating the 65th anniversary of the comic strip created by Charles M. Schultz. Starring Bill Melendez and Noah Schnapp.
This looks like a film every one will love. The older generation, will identity with their youth and smile, and young kids will join the Peanuts gang that we all fell in love with years ago!
Ending the year will be THE MARTIAN, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, Kate Mara, Jessica Chastain, Michael Pena, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels and Naomi Scott. This film will be released on November 25th and looks sensational.
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP WRECKED will be released on December 23rd, starring Jason Lee, Justin Long, Bella Thorne, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Tony Hale. Walt Becker, directed this comedy film.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
On May 15th, PITCH PERFECT 2 will be released into a theatre near you. Directed by Elizabeth Banks, the original cast includes Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow. Joined by newcomers Halee Seinfeld, Chrissie Fit, Flula Borg and Katey Sagal, the Bardon Bell’s join in another Capella singing competition. Looks as entertaining if not more so than the original. Kudos to Banks for directing this film.
JURASSIC WORLD, directed by Colin Trevorrow, will be released on June 12th. The film will star Chris Pratt, Judy Greer, Ty Simpkins. Exciting, new dinosaur adventures for us all.
On June 26th, TED 2 will be released into the theatres. Seth MacFarlane, is directing his 2nd film, starring Liam Neeson, Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried and many more. I think this film will be a total fun film. Go with the right frame of mind and you will laugh as much as the original.
Directors Kyle Balda, and Pierre Coffin have brought out another animated comedy for the whole family. MINIONS will be released on July 10th, starring Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock and John Hamm.
On July 31st, Director, Joel Edgerton will bring us a mystery thriller starring Joel Edgerton, Rebecca Hall and Jason Bateman, called THE GIFT.
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON is a biographical musical drama that will be released on August 14th. Alexandra Shipp, Paul Giamatti and Rebecca Olejniczak are some of the wonderful stars that were directed by F. Gray Gray, for this film. Looks phenomenal.
M. Night Shyamalan, is the director for THE VISIT, a comedy horror to be released on September 11th. The stars of this film include Kathryn Hahn, Olivia DeJonge, and Ed Oxenbould. We love this director and he is so exited to bring you his latest scary film.
A biography, crime thriller, will be released on September 11th, directed by Brian Helgeland. LEGEND will star Tom Hardy, Emily Browning and Taron Egerton in this British film.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Robin Wright and Clive Standen will star in the film EVEREST. This thriller is an exciting adventure, drama, directed by Baltasar Kormakur. The release date is set for September 18th. This is the film I am dying to see I the theaters. What a feat this must have been to bring to the screen.
STEVE JOBS, directed by Danny Boyle will be released on October 9th. This biographical film will star Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogan and many more. Wow, can’t wait.
October 16th, the horror film, CRIMSON PEAK, will be released. Directed and written by Guillermo del Toro, this film will star Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam and Jessica Chastain.
Director Jon M. Chu has completed the film JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS. This is creative music, fantasy adventure; to be released on October 23rd. Look for Ryan Guzman, Juliette Lewis and Molly Ringwald, the stars of this movie.
Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment also, made presentations for their 2015 films as well.
So movie fans, The Blonde and The Brunette want to let you all know, that you have a super amazing lineup of memorable movies to look forward to in 2015. Go, and do eat popcorn and candy and have a great movie year.
See you at the movies!!!!