CHASING BEAUTY  – A Documentary Film
www.chasingbeautyfilm.com

Upcoming Screening on Thursday, March 28, 2013

Kansas City, MO – Please join us for a free promotional screening of the new
documentary film, CHASING BEAUTY, at Screenland Crossroads at 8:00 pm on
Thursday, March 28th, 2013. A panel discussion will follow featuring Director Brent Huff, Jenny Wheat (Wheat Photography / Manifest Talent), Heather Laird (President of the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City), Jennifer Mangan (President of Exposure Model and Talent), Kenny Johnson (Photographer), Mark Jones (I & I Talent and owner of Global Stars Network), Michelle Davidson (Host KC LIVE).

CHASING BEAUTY takes a candid look at the beauty industry and the people that drive it. The film provides a rare glimpse behind the glossy covers and into the intriguing and complex world of modeling. This documentary features interviews with supermodels, photographers, agents, designers, plastic surgeons, makeup artists and psychologists to ask the questions… what is beauty and is it worth the cost?

Cocktail Hour: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm!!
Screening: 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Q & A : 9:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Screenland Crossroads
1656 Washington
Kansas City, MO 64108
Tel. 816.421.9700

Tickets are FREE on a first-come, first-served basis – early arrival is encouraged!

R.S.V.P. [email protected]

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since a baby faced Ben Affleck, his voice cracking, accepted the Best Original Screenplay Oscar with Matt Damon for “Good Will Hunting.” Since then, Affleck’s career has had more ups and downs and twists and turns then all the rides at Disney World combined. And when he wasn’t nominated for his outstanding work of directing “Argo” (ironically he went on to win almost every other prestigious directing award, including the BAFTA and the DGA) he became an underdog again. Affleck and company climbed back atop the Oscar mountain last night when “Argo,” which Affleck also produced with Grant Heslov and George Clooney, took home the Best Picture trophy at the 85th Annual Academy Awards. Though it seemed to some that “Lincoln” was the favorite, I knew a month ago that the backlash in Hollywood over Affleck not getting the director nomination would help the film cross the finish line first. Remember: actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, which means they have the most votes. And every actor secretly wants to direct. So when one of their own was denied the wagons were circled.

The night saw a few certainties as well as a few surprises. I wonder how many people’s Oscar pool was blown when Christoph Waltz was named Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Django Unchained.” It was Waltz’s second Oscar in three years, having previously won for “Inglorious Basterds.” Like he did then, Waltz thanked the films writer/director Quentin Tarantino, even finishing his speeck with a few lines from the script.

“Brave” was the surprise winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, with the award going to co-directors Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman. The moment had to feel special for Chapman, who was removed from the film during production. The first “I knew it” award of the evening went to Anne Hathaway who won the award as Best Supporting Actress for “Les Miserables.”

Speaking of “Les Miz,” several members of the cast took to the stage to belt out a medley of hits from the show, resulting in one of the nights prolonged standing ovations. Another was reserved for Dame Shirley Bassey, who showed she still has the pipes as she belted out the theme to “Goldfinger.” Her performance was the highlight of a very tepid salute to the 50th Anniversary of James Bond. The prevailing rumor was that all six actors who portrayed Bond on screen (Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig) would appear but alas it didn’t happen. Still, they could have done a lot more then just show a few clips. However, Adele killed when she sang her theme song from the latest Bond epic, “Skyfall.” Later in the show she and co-writer Paul Epworth deservedly won the award for Best Original Song.

Another musical moment occurred when, during the annual “In Memoriam” segment, Barbra Streisand came out to sing the Oscar winning song “The Way We Were” after talking about the man who helped write it, Marvin Hamlisch, who passed away last year. Of course there are always omissions in this segment but two of the biggest I noticed were Larry Hagman and Andy Griffith. I was glad to see that a film critic (the great Andrew Sarris) was included in the montage. Hope for me to one day appear on the Oscar telecast. A tearful Chris Terio thanked Ben Affleck while accepting his Best Adapted Screenplay award for “Argo.” He pointed out that it had been 15 years since Affleck had won his award and thanked him for giving him the same chance he had gotten. Tarantino won his second Original Screenplay Oscar (he also won for “Pulp Fiction”) for “Django Unchained.” In typical QT style he made sure to pay homage to his fellow nominees and declare 2012 the “Year of the Writer!”

The night also saw only the sixth tie in Academy history when Paul Ottison (“Zero Dark Thirty”) and Per Holberg and Karen Baker Landers (“Skyfall”) tied in the Best Sound Editing category. I felt bad for first announced winner Ottison because when he asked presenter Mark Wahlberg for the envelope he refused, presumably because he needed to read the names of the other winners. He did give the envelope to Landers but hopefully the Academy will make up another one for Ottison. “Life of Pi” snagged many of the technical awards it was nominated for and took him a major prize when Ang Lee was named Best Director.

Best Actress went to Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook” (she also won the Independent Spirit Award in the same category the night before). Best Actor was pretty much a given as Daniel Day-Lewis became the first actor to receive (3) Oscars as Best Actor. Of course, in my opinion, this should have been his fourth – his performance in “Gangs of New York” is amazing. Day-Lewis gave one of the evening’s more moving speeches, thanking his co-nominees as well as his wife. It is well known that when he takes a role Day-Lewis pretty much inhabits that character 24 hours a day. He thanked his wife Rebecca who, after 16 years of marriage, has “lived with some very strange men.”

That brought us to the final award of the evening and a surprise presenter when Jack Nicholson turned the “and the Oscar goes to” line over to First Lady Michelle Obama, who made the announcement, proclaiming “Argo’ the years Best Picture.

“Daring. Visionary. One of the most ambitious films ever made.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Tribune

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

CLOUD ATLAS

ARRIVES ONTO BLU-RAY COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

ON MAY 14 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

All disc versions feature UltraViolet

Burbank, CA, February 20, 2013 – Explore how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another through the past, present and future when “Cloud Atlas” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on May 14 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. Based on the celebrated best-selling novel by David Mitchell, “Cloud Atlas” is directed by acclaimed filmmakers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski and produced by two-time Oscar® nominee Grant Hill (“The Thin Red Line,” “The Tree of Life”) and three-time BAFTA Award nominee Stefan Arndt (“The White Ribbon,” “Goodbye Lenin!,” “Run Lola Run”).

Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks (“Philadelphia,” “Forrest Gump”) and Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) lead a stellar international cast that also includes Oscar® winner Jim Broadbent (“Iris”), Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Xun Zhou, Keith David and David Gyasi, with Oscar® winner Susan Sarandon (“Dead Man Walking”) and Hugh Grant. Each member of the ensemble appears in multiple roles as the story moves through time.

“Cloud Atlas” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and on single disc DVD for $28.98. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray and in standard definition on DVD. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and the single disc DVD include UltraViolet which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.*

SYNOPSIS

From acclaimed filmmakers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski, the powerful and inspiring epic drama “Cloud Atlas” explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future.

Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

“Cloud Atlas” Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:

· A Film Like No Other
· Everything is Connected
· The Impossible Adaptation
· The Essence of Acting
· Spaceships, Slaves and Sextets
· The Bold Science Fiction of Cloud Atlas
· Eternal Recurrence: Love, Life, and Longing in Cloud Atlas

“Cloud Atlas” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

· A Film Like No Other

Own Cloud Atlas on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download 5/14

About Warner Home Video

A division of Warner Bros. Entertainment Group with operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace.  Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, Village Roadshow, HBO Home Video, and New Line Home Entertainment.

About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution 

A Division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) oversees the electronic distribution of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s content through Video-On-Demand, Pay-Per-View, Electronic Sell-Through and Subscription Video-On-Demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels.   WBDD also distributes content through third party digital retailers and licensees.  A worldwide industry leader since its inception, WBDD also manages the Studio’s E-commerce sites that include WBShop.com and WarnerArchive.com.  Twitter: @WBDigitalDist

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Orlando Science Center
777 E. Princeton Street
Orlando, Florida 32803
Saturday, October 13, 2012 – Sunday, April 7, 2013

I first received a flyer for this exhibit while attending 2012’s Star Wars Celebration VI at the Orlando Convention Center. Being a life-long “Star Wars” fan, I was immediately interested.  Science mixed with fantasy? Where do I sign up.  This exhibit was developed by the Museum of Science in Boston along with the collaboration of Lucasfilm Ltd, which makes me more excited. “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” is not just a couple of props, it is a 10,000 square-foot exhibit that transports you into the world of “Star Wars”.

This wonderful exhibit not display costumes and props from all six Star Wars films but it blends them with current technologies. Besides just viewing the exhibit you can also go one step further and get the inside world with many kiosks setup throughout with extensive video interviews with the filmmakers and even scientists and engineers. Even being such a big fan myself, I actually learned a lot of things that I never knew because of this.  To be honest it is a bit overwhelming when you realize that you are literally standing right next to these props that really have been used on screen for these films.  Of course, who doesn’t want to see the real Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder, Yoda puppet and Han Solo costume, just to name a few of the amazing sites included.

One aspect, I would like to focus on with this exhibit is the presentation from the Orlando Science Center.  They really gave this exhibit a lot of respect and care.  When you walk into the doors, you are put into a room with black sheets hanging from the ceiling.  Then like the black sea, the curtain part like a theater and you are revealed to see the original and breath-taking Millennium Falcon.  It was very well presented and a great way to start this tour.  I also loved the complete atmosphere in the exhibit.  The lights were dim but the props where perfectly lit.  You are not allowed to use flash photography in the exhibit but you honestly do not even need it in order to get that perfect shot.  It is setup so well that each item on display is surrounded by a wonderful halo of light.

As much as I love “Star Wars”, I love the science behind. I mean who doesn’t spaceships and mechanical robots, just to start with? But like I said the exhibit doesn’t stop at displaying some amazing props from the “Star Wars” saga, it delivers much more.  There are a lot of “real-life” aspects with that gives its visitors some real hands-on action. There are two Engineering Design Labs, where you can actually build and and play with your own speeders and robots.  Does it get cooler than that? This is also not just for kids, there plenty of fun to have for us big kids as well! There is also a simulated ride where you can see what it is like to actually drive your own speeder, this was very cool!

The price of admission to the Orlando Science Center will run you a little steep $27 dollars per person, but it will also include entry into “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination”.  I have to say as much as I liked it, I feel like it is a little pricey especially for a large groups of families. If you are a hardcore fan though, you will leave this exhibit very satisfied and believing you still got your money’s worth for sure. So with all that being said…Orlando, you still have two months left to experience this great exhibit before it continues its museum tour.  It’s next stop will be at the Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN from Saturday, May 25th – Monday, September 2nd.  I would highly recommend catching this.

For more information on the exhibit, please visit: www.mos.org/star-wars.

All photos are courtesy of the Orlando Science Center:

It will be a movie lover’s dream come true when the Screenland Crossroads Theatre, ReelSmart Trivia, and MediaMikes.com present a benefit presentation of the 85th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the Screenland Crossroads Theatre (1656 Washington Street, KCMO).

The event, which will feature a live presentation of the 85th Annual Academy Awards on the Big Screen, will benefit The Parent Project, an organization working to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most common and fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in children.

Cost for the event is $20.00 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres, popcorn & soda, and chances to win great prizes and celebrity autographed memorabilia. A cash bar will also be available. Doors open at 6:00 P.M.

For more information, call (816) 421-9700 or visit the following web sites: www.screenland.com, or www.reelsmarttrivia.com. For more information on The Parent Project, visit www.parentprojectmd.org.

Downtown Food & Wine Fest Pairs Culinary Treats

• Visit www.DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com
• Like Downtown Food & Wine Fest on Facebook
• Follow @DTFoodWineFest on Twitter
• Call the events hotline at 407-919-1048 or eMail [email protected]

It’s Year Eight for Orlando Science Center’s Otronicon

Friday, January 18 through Monday, January 21

 ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 7, 2013) – For the eighth consecutive year, multiple industry partners join Orlando Science Center to celebrate the role interactive technology plays in the way we live, learn, work and play during Otronicon January 18–21, 2013.

This year, partners including EA SPORTS, University of Central Florida and Florida Hospital for Children demonstrate Orlando’s impact on the world of entertainment, simulation, education, training, health care and more.

Otronicon is the Science Center’s largest annual event with an average of 2,500 visitors each day – more than 10,000 guests for all four days. The experience has the opportunity to inspire a child’s interest in science and tech careers through the appeal of video games, interactive technology and virtual reality.

There are classes in video game creation as well as exclusive peeks at simulators created by local experts. Simulation areas will examine how video game technology is being used in the military, medical, sports and entertainment industries as a training and design tool. Plus, connect with local simulation companies to learn about exciting careers in the field.

The event promotes the concept of “made in Orlando, played in Orlando” with many chances to interact with the creative professionals that make the games you enjoy and discover the growing career opportunities in your own backyard.

And special to this year’s event:  experience the blockbuster exhibit Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination with admission to Otronicon!  Developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd. and presented by Bose Corporation®, the 10,000-square-foot exhibit explores the fantasy technologies depicted in the Star Wars films, as well as the real science behind them, and the current research that may someday lead to real-life versions of the technologies seen in the film series. The exhibit includes more than 80 screen-used props, costumes and models, in addition to extensive video interviews with filmmakers, scientists and engineers, and hands-on components, including two large Engineering Design Labs, where visitors can build and test their own speeders and robots.

EA SPORTS returns to Otronicon for the third straight year and will spotlight the many exciting aspects of game development. This year, EA SPORTS places fun sports games in the palm of your hand using augmented reality to create a mobile game environment, nearly anywhere you go. And once again, EA SPORTS will invite attendees to “get in the game” with sports cover photo-ops, a 3-D technology demonstration called “Be 3-D” (showing guests how they might look in a video game) and plenty of games available for open play.

Also returning to Otronicon is Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, which will be showcasing how they use simulation to design rides and attractions. Included is an Audio-Animatronic Droid from Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction Star Tours: The Adventures Continue set in the Star Wars universe.

In addition, explore the virtual reality environment of the Virtusphere or play outdoor laser tag courtesy of Battlefield Live Orlando. There will also be open play for video games on multiple platforms and areas to explore video games as art.

And for the first time ever at Otronicon, guests will be able to see a Hollywood movie in the new Digital Adventure Theater, “TRON: Legacy 3D.”

Cost and Hours

Admission to Otroniconis $27 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 3-11). Tickets also include access to Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, films and live presentations. Science Center members can experience Otronicon for free and see Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imaginationfor $12 for adults and $9 for youth (ages 3-11).

Otronicon is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 and Monday, Jan. 21.

For more information, please call 407-514-2000 or visit www.osc.org and www.otronicon.org.

Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, presented by Bose Corporation®, was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston and Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS® and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0307875. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendationsexpressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Otronicon v.8 Partners

University of Central Florida Research & Commercialization; University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation & Training; University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science; EA SPORTS; Bright House Networks; Florida Hospital for Children; Eyetech Digital System; Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy; Lockheed Martin; Florida High Tech Corridor; Engineering and Computer Simulations; Seay Business; National Center for Simulation; Walt Disney Park & Resorts; Advanced Materials Professional Services, LLC; Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission; Orange County Arts & Cultural Alliance; City of Orlando; United Arts of Central Florida; n-Space; Phyken, Inc.; GameSim Technologies; and DeVry University.

“Lincoln,” Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece about the last months of the 16th President of the United States, led all films this morning when nominations for the 85th Annual Academy Awards were announced. The film received 12 nominations including Best Picture, Best Director (Spielberg) and Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis). Right behind was Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi,” which received 11 nominations, among them one for Best Picture. Also racking up nominations: “Silver Linings Playbook” (8), “Argo” and “Les Miserables” (7 each), “Amour,” “Django Unchained” and “Zero Dark Thirty” (5 each). All of these films received Best Picture nominations. The final Best Picture nominee, the Sundance Festival fave “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” earned 4 nominations, including a nod for Best Actress for 9-year old Quvenzhane’ Wallis. The nomination makes Wallis, who was 6 when the film was made, the youngest nominee ever for an acting Oscar.

In the acting categories, there is a good mix of past winners and newcomers. Best Acting nominees include first time nominees Bradley Cooper for “Silver Linings Playbook” and Hugh Jackman for “Les Miserables.” A pair of two-time Oscar winners, Daniel Day-Lewis for “Lincoln” and Denzel Washington for “Flight,” are also on the list as is two time nominee Joaquin Phoenix for “The Master.” Besides Wallis, nominees for Best Actress include Jessica Chastain (“Zero Dark Thirty’), Jennifer Lawrence (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Emmanuelle Riva (“Amour”) and Naomi Watts (“The Impossible.”

In what I’m pretty sure is a first, the Best Supporting Actor category is the first acting category ever in which all five nominees already have at least one acting Oscar on their mantle. The nominees are: Alan Arkin (Best Supporting Actor for “Little Miss Sunshine”) for “Argo,” Robert DeNiro (Best Supporting Actor for “The Godfather Part II” and Best Actor for “Raging Bull”) for “Silver Linings Playbook, Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Actor for “Capote”) for “The Master,” Tommy Lee Jones (Best Supporting Actor for “The Fugitive”) for “Lincoln” and Christoph Waltz (Best Supporting Actor for “Inglorious Basterds”) for “Django Unchained.” Best Supporting Actress nominees are Amy Adams (“The Master”), Sally Field (“Lincoln”), Anne Hathaway (“Les Miserables”), Helen Hunt (“The Sessions”) and Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook”).

Besides Spielberg, the nominees for Best Director are: Michael Haneke for “Amour,” “Benh Zeitlin for “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” Ang Lee for “Life of Pi” and David O. Russell for “Silver Linings Playbooks.” A surprise non-nominee ( and I have to be honest I actually started this paragraph by listing him as a nominee) was Ben Affleck, the director of “Argo.” Affleck received a nomination from the Director’s Guild of America last week.

The 85th Annual Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, February 24th.

Happy New Year everyone! With the start of 2013 brings a whole new wave of amazing films coming out. There are some many great films in the cards this year, I had a very hard time picking out just 10.  So I don’t get yelled out for having “Star Trek Into the Darkness” on the bottom, these are in alphabetical order. With all the great movies arriving this year any movie fan is bound to be excited. I have posted a trailer for each film as well, if available.  Let me know what you think and what are your most anticipated films as well?! Enjoy!

UPDATE: 1-14-13 – “The Muppets 2” has been postponed till March 2014, so we have removed it from this list.

1. “Anchorman: The Legend Continues”
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Release Date: December 20, 2013
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The film is a sequel to the 2004 film “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”. All original cast is returning including Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Steve Carell.

This film is being released perfectly for the holiday season next year.  The original has become a cult classic over the years and it is going to be EPIC!

2. “The Evil Dead”
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Release Date: April 12, 2013
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This is a remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film that made the careers of actor Bruce Campbell and director Sam Raimi, who are also producing this. The film is written by Diablo Cody & Sam Raimi. It is being directed by first-timer Fede Alvarez picked out specifically by Raimi.

“Evil Dead” is a beloved film amongst its fans and many are nervous about this being made. But Bruce Campbell has stood behind this film saying “The remake’s gonna kick ass — you have my word”. Watch the trailer below and tell me this movie doesn’t look kick-ass.

3. “Frozen”
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Release Date: November 27, 2013
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“Frozen” is a new animated musical adaptation of “The Snow Queen”. It is being released by Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Original songs are being written and composed by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The film stars the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel.

4. “Man of Steel”
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Release Date: June 14, 2013
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After “Superman Returns” didn’t really deliver, I am sure people were finished with the Kryptonian superhero. But with the vision of one of my favorite director’s Zack Snyder, this film has some real potential.

This is going to be reboot of the “Superman” film series and going back to the character’s origin story. The film stars Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Michael Shannon as General Zod. Count me in for the IMAX 3D release!

5. “Monsters University”
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Release Date: June 21, 2013
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This prequel is set about ten years before the events of “Monsters, Inc.”. John Goodman returns as James P. “Sulley” Sullivan as does Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski.

After the failure of the 3D release of the original “Monsters Inc.” this Christmas, I hope that fans are going to back this film because it looks amazing!

6. “Oblivion”
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Release Date: April 12, 2013
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This film is your to be quite amazing. It is from the director of “TRON: Legacy” and the producer of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and stars Tom Cruise.

“Oblivion” opens exclusively in IMAX on April 12, 2013, followed by its traditional release on April 19th.

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7. Oz: The Great And Powerful
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Release Date: March 8, 2013
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This is a prequel to both the L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz”. It stars James Franco as Oscar Diggs aka The Wizard of Oz. It also stars Mila Kunis as Theodora, Michelle Williams as Glinda, and Rachel Weisz as Evanora.

It Sam Raimi beyond the helm, a $200 million dollar budget and Walt Disney behind them…count me in for this sure to be stunning adapation. I will be first in line an IMAX 3D screening!

8. Pacific Rim
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Release Date: July 12, 2013
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Guillermo del Toro directing a $200 million dollar film about giant robots battling against giant monsters. Holy Shit! Where do I sign up!? This will be the first film del Toro is directing since “Hellboy II” and it has been way too long!

The film stars Charlie Hunnam (“Sons of Anarchy”), Idris Elba (“Thor”) and Rinko Kikuchi (“Babel”). Also reunites Ron Perlman again for the seventh time, I believe, with del Toro. It is sure to be a big summer hit! Be sure to check it out in IMAX 3D!

9. Star Trek Into Darkness
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Release Date:  May 17, 2013
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Before 2012, I was not a big fan of “Star Trek” but I have become quite a big Trekkie over the last year. I thought at J.J. Abrams did an amazing job rebooting the series in 2009 with “Star Trek”.

“Star Trek Into Darkness” looks to amp everything up in a major way. Have you seen the trailer below. Oh boy! Can May come any sooner. This is sure to be one of the biggest grossing films of the year!

10. World War Z
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Release Date: June 21, 2013

Fans of AMC’s “The Walking Dead”? Can’t get enough of it? Well then “World War Z” is the answer for it.  It is going to be the ultimate zombie movie.  It is a huge $125+ million dollar budgeted post-apocalyptic horror film starring Brad Pitt.

It is based on Max Brooks’ best-selling novel “World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War”. If you are a fan of the book then you should be counting down the days for this, which had a long and hard road to the big-screen.

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• Media Mikes Names The Best of 2012
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“Cloud Atlas” and “Lincoln” each took home two awards when the staff and readers of Meda Mikes.com held their end of the year voting. “Cloud Atlas” was named Best Film of 2012 while composers Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer shared the award for Best Original Score for the same film. Tykwer also served as a co-writer and co-director of the film.

Steven Spielberg earned Best Director honors for his work on “Lincoln,” as did Daniel Day Lewis, who was named Best Actor for his portrayal of the title role. The winners are:

BEST FILM – “Cloud Atlas”

BEST DIRECTOR – Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln”

BEST ACTOR – Daniel Day Lewis, “Lincoln”

BEST ACTRESS – Helen Mirren, “Hitchcock”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – Leonardo DiCaprio, “Django Unchained”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – Anne Hathaway, “Les Miserables”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM – “Wreck It Ralph”

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – “Cloud Atlas”

As the year 2012 closes, Media Mikes wants to take a minute to share both the best and the worst films of the year.  Being a film critic personally, I like to rate my best films on a scale of being able to re-watch over and over.  I am not your typical critic that review based on Oscar nominations and box office gross.  I urge you to check out all of my favorites below and steer very clear from the worst! Please feel free to post your best and worst list as well below!! Thanks for all your support throughout this year and get ready for 2013 cause we got some big plans!

MIKE GENCARELLI:

BEST OF 2012:

The Cabin in the Woods
Cloud Atlas
The Devil’s Carnival
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Marvel’s The Avengers
Rock of Ages
Prometheus
The Secret World of Arrietty
Sushi Girl
Wreck It Ralph

.

WORST OF 2012:

American Reunion
Battleship
Casa de Mi Padre
The Hunger Games
Mirror Mirror
Project X
Silent House
That’s My Boy
This Means War
The Vow

.
.MIKE SMITH

BEST OF 2012:

Ai WeiWei: Never Challanged
Argo
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Hope Springs
Les Misérables
Lincoln
The Master
Skyfall
Ted

.

WORST OF 2012:

Battleship
Chasing Mavericks
John Carter
Looper
Man on a Ledge
Safe House
Silent House
Taken 2
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II
The Words

Creation Entertainment’s The Vampire Diaries Official Convention will come to Orlando December 8 -9 at The Hilton Walt Disney World Resort, 1751 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, 32830.

The romantic and suspenseful storylines of The CW’s mega-hit series The Vampire Diaries (Thursdays 8/7c), from Warner Bros. Television, have introduced television viewers to fantastic breakout stars who have seductively attracted a worldwide following of passionate fans. This weekend event is dedicated to putting fans in the middle of all The Vampire Diaries action.

Throughout the weekend, on stage celebrity guests from The Vampire Diaries will include:  on Saturday, Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood), Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert), Todd Williams (Connor Jordan) and Nathaniel Buzolic (Kol); on Sunday, Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore), Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore), Torrey DeVitto (Dr. Meredith Fell) and Robert Ri’chard (Jamie).

Hosting this weekend’s show will be Hannah and Hilly Hindi and guests from the The Hillywood Show, a YouTube hit who are known for their hilarious spoofs from various movies.  They will also be performing skits, posing for photos and adding to the weekend of fun!

The fun will be kicked up a notch with the Saturday Night The Vampire Diaries Decade Dance, Cocktail Party and Centerpiece Contest where attendee can have a night of fun featuring music, dancing, contest and celebrities. A separate ticket is required for this event.

In addition to celebrity appearances, the non-stop auditorium show will include costume and trivia contests, no minimum bid auctions of unique collectibles and one-of-a-kind items, and previews of upcoming sci-fi television shows and motion pictures.

Limited tickets are available in advance or at the door starting at $25 on Saturday and $45 on Sunday.  Tickets for the Saturday Night Cocktail Party are $79.  Show hours are Saturday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM and Sunday, 9:45 AM – 7:00 PM.

For further information, call Creation Entertainment,

818/409-0960, or visit our website at www.TheVampireDiariesConvention.com

About THE VAMPIRE DIARIES Television Series

Now in its third season, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is the story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same beautiful girl, who are battling to control the fate of an entire town. Based on the best-selling book series by L.J. Smith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES stars Nina Dobrev (upcoming The Killing Game), Paul Wesley (Fallen), Ian Somerhalder (Lost), Steven R. McQueen (Everwood), Kat Graham (Honey 2), Candice Accola (Juno), Zach Roerig (Friday Night Lights), Michael Trevino (Cane), Matt Davis (Blue Crush) and Joseph Morgan (Ben Hur). Produced by Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, the series was developed by Kevin Williamson (the Scream films, Dawson’s Creek) and Julie Plec (Kyle XY), who serve as executive producers along with Leslie Morgenstein (Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars) and Bob Levy (Gossip Girl).
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About Creation Entertainment, Inc.

Creation Entertainment produces events and merchandise for fans of genre films and television.  Founded in 1971 the company has promoted over 2,000 conventions for fans of popular properties including Twilight, The Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Star Wars, The X-Files, and Stargate.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

SUSHI GIRL centers on the compelling character of a man called “Fish,” just released after six years in jail after successfully not ratting on those involved in the robbery that sent him to prison. The night he is released, the men he protected with silence celebrate his freedom with a congratulatory dinner. The meal is a lavish array of sushi, served off the naked body of a beautiful young woman. The sushi girl seems catatonic, trained to ignore everything in the room, even if things become dangerous. Sure enough, the unwieldy thieves can’t help but open old wounds in an attempt to find their missing loot, with violent results.

Media Mikes had been working and promoting this film since August 2011. “Sushi Girl” is finally being released on VOD everywhere on November 27th, 2012 and in theaters on January 4th, 2013. It has been a long road for this little-movie-that-could but it deserves the attention. “Sushi Girl” is easily one of my favorite films of 2012. We got a chance to finally complete our interview series with the legendary Mark Hamill (“Star Wars”) and Noah Hathaway (“The Neverending Story”). We are proud to be supporting this film and hope you enjoy!

Directed by: Kern Saxton
Written by: Kern Saxton and Destin Pfaff
Produced by: Neal Fischer, Destin Pfaff, Kern Saxton, and Suren M. Seron
Cast: Tony Todd, James Duval, Noah Hathaway, Andy Mackenzie and Mark Hamill, Cyrus Alexander, Michael Biehn, Sonny Chiba, David Dastmalchian, Jeff Fahey, David Reynolds, Ted Stryker, Danny Trejo, introducing Cortney Palm

Find out more at our official site: http://www.sushigirlmovie.com/
Follow us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/SushiGirlMovie
Exclusive Facebook Content: http://www.facebook.com/SushiGirlMovie
Check out our IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606339/

If you would like to enter for a chance to win complimentary passes to attend an advance screening at AMC Downtown Disney 24, please leave a comment below and let us know your favorite Keira Knightley film. Winners will be chosen on a RANDOM BASIS. ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON/PER HOUSEHOLD PLEASE! OTHERWISE ALL ENTRIES WILL BE DISREGARDED. The winners will be will notified via email if chosen to win. Good luck and thanks for supporting MediaMikes.com

Focus Features will be releasing ANNA KARENINA November 30th.

Wednesday, November 28th at 7:30pm.
AMC Downtown Disney – Orlando, FL
Passes are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Below find a link to the film’s website and a brief synopsis.
http://focusfeatures.com/anna_karenina

The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with director Joe Wright, following the award-winning boxoffice successes “Pride & Prejudice” and Atonement,” is the epic love story “Anna Karenina,” adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”). The story Unfolds in its original late-19thcentury Russia high-society setting and powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, from the passion between adulterers to the bond between a mother and her children. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness, change comes to her family, friends, and Community

Ashley Eckstein’s Her Universe Offering Online Shoppers Cyber Monday Exclusives Including FREE Ground Shipping and a FREE Holiday Star Wars Pin with Any Order

NEW YORK, NY – November 19th, 2012 – Shopping for Fangirls is not always easy but actress Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and founder of Her Universe™, the innovative and ground breaking sci-fi merchandise line for female fans, has made gift-giving a little easier this year. Eckstein debuted new Her Universe designs today that will launch on Cyber Monday, November 26th, including the third annual collectible Star Wars pin with signed certificate by Eckstein featuring everyone’s favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca. This highly coveted pin is FREE with any order while supplies last. Plus, for Cyber Monday only, Her Universe will be offering FREE US ground shipping on all orders.

“Cyber Monday has replaced Black Friday for most people and has become one of the most exciting shopping days of the year!” said Ashley Eckstein. “I get overwhelmed by the big crowds on Black Friday and prefer to shop from the comfort of my own home, but I am always looking for a deal. With FREE Shipping and a FREE autographed gift, we’ve made shopping for yourself, or the fangirl in your life, much easier.”

It’s Chewbacca’s turn to don the famous Santa hat for this year’s highly collectible Star Wars by Her Universe holiday pin. Only 1,000 pins have been made and each one comes certified with Eckstein’s autograph. Following the highly sought after R2-D2 and Yoda holiday pins from previous years, which sold out in record speed, Chewbacca will now join this exclusive collection. This free gift has a $30.00 retail value.

Her Universe customers will find a selection of new fashion items to please any Geek Girl just in time for the holidays – from Star Wars to Star Trek, Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica.

New for the season, fans will find fashionably fun Darth Vader Star Wars pajamas by renowned artist Katie Cook. “Everyone knows I love creating designs for Her Universe,” said Katie Cook. “I jumped at the chance to combine two of my favorite things: Star Wars and pajamas.” In addition to PJ’s Her Universe has a new Missy style Star Wars top, new Doctor Who tops, an ultra cozy Battlestar Galactica sweatshirt, Star Trek earrings and a new Star Trek “Gorn” t-shirt featuring the art of guest designer and founder of Bye Bye Robot, Charity Wood.

“Working with Her Universe on the Gorn shirt was magical,” said artist Charity Wood. “If the little-girl-me would’ve known that, in her future, she’d make artwork for her favorite sci-fi genres, she would’ve exploded.”

About Her Universe
Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica and with BBC America for Doctor Who and with CBS Consumer Products for Star Trek. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Facebook (facebook.com/HerUniverse) and Twitter (twitter.com/HerUniverse).

About Katie Cook
Katie Cook is an illustrator and writer that lives in Michigan. She has done work for Lucasfilm, The Jim Henson Company, Marvel Comics and more. Her websites are www.katiecandraw.com and www.gronkcomic.com

About Charity Wood
Charity Wood is a professional artist and Co-Founder of Bye Bye Robot, which features fine art reproductions and posters of hers and a select group of other sci-fi artists. (www.byebyerobot.com)

It’s Chewbacca’s turn to don the famous Santa hat for this year’s highly collectible Star Wars by Her Universe holiday pin. Only 1,000 pins have been made and each one comes certified with Eckstein’s autograph. The pin and autograph are free with any order on Cyber Monday and is a $30.00 retail value.

New for the holidays is this cozy pajama set featuring the fun art of Katie Cook and showcasing a playful Darth Vader who wakes up on the Dark Side of the bed.

By popular demand, this new Missy-cut V-neck is flattering to the female figure and features elegant Japanese Star Wars symbol art.

This crew neck sweatshirt with tunic length and front pocket is feminine and comfortable at the same time and features the BSG seal.

Who doesn’t love a monster with bedazzled eyes? This new Missy-cut tee featuring everyone’s favorite original Star Trek series alien, the Gorn, is new for the holiday season from Her Universe.

Give a subtle nod to the original Star Trek series with these classic earrings featuring the famous Vulcan hand sign within the Delta shield symbol.

Show your love for everything Doctor Who by wearing this new 100% cotton tee proudly emblazoned with the word “Whovian.”

Amelia Pond was The Girl Who Waited but we all secretly wish we could be the Doctor’s next companion. Simple, yet powerful, this 100% cotton tee pays respect to the Doctor’s recent Companion while stating some things are worth the wait.