Jeri Jacquin
Here we are once again in stunning and bright Las Vegas with CinemaCon 2023! It is a time to get together with friends, colleagues and fellow film lovers to see what is upcoming in theatres and what the studios have been planning. From April 24th to the April 27th, it is a non-stop awesome assault and we are covering it.
Starting with the Monday evening presentation of the Sony Studios offerings KRAVEN THE HUNTER with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE, MADAME WEB, DUMB MONEY with Paul Dano, INSIDIOUS: The Red Door, THE MACHINE, BAD BOYS 4, NO HARD FEELINGS with Jennifer Lawrence, and the rom-com ANYTHING BUT YOU with Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell.
NO HARD FEELINGS from director Gene Stupnitsky stars Jennifer Lawrence as Maddie, an Uber driver who is financially falling apart. Looking for a job on Craigslist, she takes a job to ‘girlfriend’ the socially awkward Percy, played by Andrew Barth Feldman. As expected, comedy will ensure.
There is also the interesting look at the film GRAN TURISMO from director Neill Blomkamp. The film is about a gamer who becomes a race car driver. The story stars Orlando Bloom, David Harbour and Djimon Hounsou. Apple Original Films brings Ridley Scott’s epic film NAPOLEON with Joaquin Phoenix in the starring role.
The highlight of the Sony presentation was Denzel Washington walking out on stage to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award given to him by director Antoine Fuqua. Washington tells the audience that, “We would be nothing without you all. We’re here for you. We’re here because of you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been blessed beyond measure.” No Mr. Washington – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Tuesday morning brings Warner Bros. into the colosseum with their presentation with the line up. They pack every moment with such titles as BARBIE with Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, BLUE BEETLE, THE NUN 2, WONKA, AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM, BEETLEJUICE 2, MEG 2: The Trench, a musical of THE COLOR PURPLE, and the highly anticipated DUNE: Part II.
Barbie pink seemed to be the color of the day with the presentation of the upcoming BARBIE film. Directed by Greta Gerwig along with writer Noah Baumbach, the story is based on the Mattel doll. Barbie is kicked out of Barbieland and is let loose on the real world as she looks for happiness with Ken. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling dig deep into their roles. Issa Rae and Kate McKinnon also star.
BLUE BEETLE stars Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes, gets superpowers from an ancient alien relic. Now he’s on the loose. A musical is coming with THE COLOR PURPLE to star Fantasia Taylor, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooke, Corey Hawkins and H.E.R. Oprah Winfrey is producing the film joined by Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones.
Okay, let’s just say that loving the 2018 film THE MEG can be put under the heading of ‘guilty pleasure’ so imagine the joy of knowing that MEG 2: The Trench brings out the kid like giggles of delight. Directed by Ben Wheatley, Jason Statham returns as Jonas so clear the decks for the end of summer round two guilty pleasure.
It is a double morning for actor Timothee Chalamet with the first showing of him in the role of Willy Wonka. This is the pre-story to about Willy Wonka before he opened the chocolate factory in the new film WONKA. Adding to the delight of the audience, there is a reveal of Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa. The film also stars Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkings, Rowan Atkinson and Rufus Jones.
Returning again to the stage, this time with his co-star Zendaya, they discuss the upcoming continuation of DUNE: Part II. The trailer shows us Florence Pugh as the Princess Irulan, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, and Havier Barden returning as Stilgar. Shot entirely in IMAX, director Villeneuve, Chalamet and Zendaya talk about the film as the audience gets a teaser.
CinemaCon once again starts out the first two days filled with excitement and anticipation as to what is coming to theatres. There is just enough time for everyone to catch their collective breathes as the early evening will end the second day with the WB’s presentation of THE FLASH.
Onward!
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