Steven Spielberg

Entertainment Round Up: Star Wars, Tomorrowland, Inside Out, Jurassic World and More

17 April 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This is shaping up to be a very good year for movies. Whether you’re into outer space, inside your head, the promise of the future, or some creatures from the past, you will find something to love in the coming months. I thought I’d put all of the exciting news and trailers and photos into one giant reference post, so you can get all your movie madness in one spot.

You’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard about Star Wars The Force Awakens, the seventh installment of the Star Wars saga, and the new teaser trailer that was released at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim this week. The new trailer is in a word, amazing. In a few more words: it’ll give any Star Wars fan goosebumps. Watch below (because really, there can’t be too much of this good thing!):

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS will be in theaters December 18, 2015!

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Available now, Twitter users will have even more ways to express their excitement and celebrate their favorite pop-culture phenomenon with exclusive new Twitter #StarWarsEmojis. Twitter users who post hashtags representing key words associated with specific Star Wars character and legacy themes will see a small emoji-like icon embedded in their tweets. Tweet the following character hashtags to unlock the first three

#StarWarsEmojis : #C3PO #Stormtrooper #BB8

Follow @StarWars on Twitter to get news & updates for #TheForceAwakens!

While we’re on the topic of the future, the new Brad Bird film, Tomorrowland, starring George Clooney, opens in theatres May 22. There is currently an extended preview on both coasts. Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and Epcot’s Imagination pavilion are both sharing a longer trailer with some concept art and props from the film. I cannot wait for this to hit the big screen. Until then, here’s a featurette to enjoy:

In the animated realm, Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out” will be making its debut at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2015 as the Festival’s official selection before opening in theatres on June 19th. The trailers look great, and as a mother of three (two teenagers and a six year-old), I can definitely relate to the wide range of emotions going on up there in the ol’ noggin.

Based in Headquarters, the control center inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind, five Emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), whose mission is to make sure Riley stays happy. Fear (voice of Bill Hader) heads up safety, Anger (voice of Lewis Black) ensures all is fair and Disgust (voice of Mindy Kaling) prevents Riley from getting poisoned—both physically and socially. Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith) isn’t exactly sure what her role is, and frankly, neither is anyone else.

When Riley’s family relocates to a scary new city, the Emotions are on the job, eager to help guide her through the difficult transition. But when Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind—taking some of her core memories with them—Fear, Anger and Disgust are left reluctantly in charge. Joy and Sadness must venture through unfamiliar places—Long Term Memory, Imagination Land, Abstract Thought and Dream Productions—in a desperate effort to get back to Headquarters, and Riley.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.”, “Up”), produced by Jonas Rivera, p.g.a. (“Up”), co-directed by Ronnie Del Carmen (“Up”) and featuring an original score by Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Up”).

Hashtags: #InsideOut

Official “Inside Out” Website: http://movies.disney.com/inside-out

Dedicated “Inside Out” Social:

Venturing to another world altogether – Jurassic World revealed a new poster today, featuring Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing face to face with the Indominus Rex. One word comes to mind here too: YIKES! The new worldwide trailer will debut next Monday and the movie opens June 12, 2015.

If you can’t wait to run to the theatre and see these blockbusters, there are some fun titles out on Blu-ray and DVD to tide you over. Academy Award-winning Into the Woods features a whole new song from Stephen Sondheim, as well as all the favorites that made fans fall in love. Here’s a recent tribute to Stephen Sondheim to celebrate the Blu-ray release:

In the Pixie Hollow realm, Tinkerbell and the Never Beast is the latest tale from the fairy friends, this time focusing on an ancient myth of a fabled creature, who sparks the curiosity of Tinker Bell and her good friend Fawn, an animal fairy who’s not afraid to break the rules to help an animal in need. But this creature – massive and wondrous with glowing green eyes – is not welcome in Pixie Hollow – and the scout fairies are determined to capture the mysterious beast, who they fear will destroy their home. Fawn, who sees a tender heart beneath his gruff exterior, must convince Tink and her fairy friends to risk everything to rescue the NeverBeast.But be warned, this is a definite tear-jerker and not for the faint of heart. Here’s a look at the concept art from the film:

Lastly, a DVD and Blu-ray announcement from my favorite Japanese animation house – Studio Ghibli. I love that these classic films are being released on Blu-ray,which makes their beautiful animation even more crisp and clear.

Oscar – Winning Masterpiece Spirited Away and the enchanting fantasy adventure The Cat Returns, will be available for the first time on Blu-ray Combo Pack June 16th!

Spirited Away is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. While The Cat Returns is about a schoolgirl, Haru (voiced by Anne Hathaway), bored by her ordinary routine, saves the life of an unusual cat and suddenly her world is transformed beyond anything she ever imagined. Both are magical animated adventures that will delight and inspire the whole family!

Spirited Away is one of my all-time favorites and apart from My Neighbor Totoro, was my introduction to Hiyao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The music by Joe Hisaishi, the story and the detailed animation is a work of art. I can’t wait to add these Blu-rays to my collection.

That ought to keep us all entertained all summer long and into the holidays! Which title are you most looking forward to seeing?

Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln: A Powerful Look At Our Nation’s History

15 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

In our present day of social media, apps and instant gratification, it can be hard to impart the lessons of our U.S. history and the people that made our land great, in a way that has a memorable effect. Because of this, the motion picture industry can be a powerful tool in bringing stories and history that might not be learned otherwise, to the masses. Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is a perfect example of this.

Personally, I have always been a fan of history of any kind, and U.S. history was no exception. I loved reading about the development of our country, from colonial times to the pioneers to the creation of the National Parks. When you read about history however, it can be hard to get past the bullet point highlights of a particular time frame or a persona. Abraham Lincoln, known as “Honest Abe” has a reputation few can compare to. Honesty, doing the right thing, and frank candor are what he is known for. This peek into his presidency offers a much more raw and unfiltered look at what actually went on to achieve the end of the Civil War and the ratification of the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery.

Despite Lincoln’s reputation as an honest and forthright president, the film shows that he did whatever it took to get the 13th Amendment passed, even employing some undesirables to get the signatures he needed. It was a fascinating look at the process and I found myself wanting to learn more about each name and person that appeared on screen. I wanted to know their story, their contribution to our nation, their place in history. I guess perhaps that is the best compliment I can give Lincoln, as a film – the fact that it made me want to go out and learn more.

The cinematography, costumes and overall feel of the film was just wonderful. I loved little details like panning across a planning room with Lincoln and his advisers, and how each gentleman in the room had their own little journal. Just seeing how authentic everything looked was like being able to step back in time to what running the country and living in the 1800’s was really like. I was also relieved that, although the loss of life in the seemingly endless battles of the Civil War is important to note, it wasn’t the focal point of the movie, and the blood and gore was kept to a minimum (but it is there in places). The way they handled Lincoln’s assassination was extremely well done and I was impressed as well.

The performances by one and all were simply flawless. Daniel Day Lewis seems to be born to play our 16th president, in almost an eerie way. Sally Field was amazing and powerful as Mary Todd Lincoln and each additional character lent something important to the screen. It was truly an ensemble cast and the writing made it enjoyable from start to finish. I loved the little stories Lincoln would tell and how his cronies would groan and get frustrated with him telling them. His jokes injected a much-needed levity to the subject matter and seeing the human side of him as a father and husband was a unique insight.

I loved the film and I cannot wait to see it again, own it when it comes out on DVD, and begin my quest to learn more about our country’s history. I recommend this to anyone and everyone, it should be required viewing to appreciate and honor the story of the United States; to learn and grow from our history.

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Lincoln opens in theatres on Friday, Novermber 16. In preparation for the release of the film, you can now go behind-the-scenes of the movie with this exclusive interactive book “Lincoln: Discover the Story.” See how a crucial time in America’s history was recreated and brought to the screen with beautiful photos, art, interviews, music and more!

Available for now for FREE download for the iPad: http://bit.ly/QbEVRP

NEW: Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN Movie Poster Released

22 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

After the first stunning image of Daniel Day Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, Dreamworks has now released the first official movie poster for its upcoming film:

Steven Spielberg directs two-time Academy Award® winner Daniel Day-Lewis in “Lincoln,” a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President’s tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.

Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook and Tommy Lee Jones, “Lincoln” is produced by Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner, based in part on the book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The DreamWorks Pictures/Twentieth Century Fox film, in association with Participant Media, releases in U.S. theaters exclusive on November 9, 2012, with expansion on November 16, 2012.

“Like” LINCOLN on Facebook: http://facebook.com/lincolnmovie

Follow LINCOLN on Twitter https://twitter.com/LincolnMovie

War Horse REVIEW-Spielberg Fans Will Not Be Disappointed

21 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

When I saw scenes from War Horse, the Broadway production, on the Tony Awards early this year, I was mesmerized and thought I would love to see this story in person. When I later heard that it was going to be a live-action movie from Steven Spielberg, I knew I’d probably never watch it.

As much as I love Mr. Spielberg, I just cannot watch movies where I know going in that animals will appear to be hurt. Even with that disclaimer at the end about no animals being harmed, my little brain cannot get past what the filmmakers want me to believe, that the animals are being hurt.

So when the opportunity to preview War Horse came about, I asked my movie buff husband, J.F. DiMarzio, to see the film and review it here. Now that I know a little more about it (I actually like spoilers with movies like this so I know what to expect) I may even see it myself. Spoilers are marked at the end if you’d like to avoid them:

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When the Oscars come around a few weeks, War Horse will most likely win everything it is nominated for, and deservedly so. Steven Speilberg has crafted an amazing movie. If you are familiar with, and a fan of, Spielberg movies you will not be let down. The lighting, cinematography, and sound design are impeccable.

All of the standard elements of a Spielberg movie are present and accounted for: close up on emotional facial reaction shot, check; obligatory crowd scene where everyone is looking at something that you cant see, check; locations are as much a character in the movie as the people, check; amazing John Williams score, check. Honestly, this is all I was expecting out of War Horse. After seeing the trailer I was not interested in the story at all, I did not want to see a glorified war movie about a boy missing his horsey..boo hoo. That is what I was expecting going into War Horse.

However, what Steven Spielberg managed to do is divided the 2 hour and 20 minute movie into five distinct parts; five distinct stories about people that are woven together by the story of the horse. This is not to say that the horse is a secondary character in the film, you are aware of its presence throughout every minute of the journey, but you find yourself gravitating more to the stories of the people who come into contact with the horse, than the horse itself. Each story in the movie is unique and each one could have been an amazing short on it’s own.

The story of War Horse plays out over the backdrop of World War I. Given Spielberg’s track record for war films (WWII ala Saving Private Ryan), you may be expecting a violent and realistically gritty portrayal of World War I, and you would be only half right. Yes, the war is gritty and dirty, but because of the delicate handling of a very complex story 95% of all of the violence is shielded from the camera’s immediate view. Showing realistic war violence would surely have overshadowed the surrounding story.

This does not mean that the story is violence-free. There are some scenes that are very tough to take, even without the violence, but again Spielberg tempers this. He manages to take the most harsh and violent scene in the movie and, before letting the audience get lost in greif, follows it up with the funniest scene of the film. In short, the overall theme of the movie is brought home beautifully in the line: there are big days, and there are small days, and this is a very big day.

Is War Horse perfect? No, it has its faults (to read about those however, requires a few spoilers), but you will quickly forgive its faults after getting lost in its story.

Spoiler Alert below the photo >>>

So what is wrong with War Horse? Steven Spielberg managed to figuratively turn a horse into Jesus, and it wasn’t necessary. Lest you think I’m exaggerating: The opening scene of the moving has the horse being born to a mare with no stallion in sight, symbolic of the virgin birth. A stretch you say? Wait, it gets better. The horse is immediately labeled as ‘miraculous’, for no apparent plot reason. Over the course of the movie it is crucified, dies for the sins of the warring nations, is resurrected after they realize the error of their ways, has its feet washed to reveal its divinity, and even heals the blind. A better name for this movie might have been Jesus Christ Superhorse – I kid.

Does it really detract all that much from the overall story? Only slightly, and only depending on how much thought you put into it. Is the horse (Joey) literally crucified? No. However, it what is the most disturbing scenes in the movie, the horse runs head long through a battlefield. Because the horse never learned to jump (a running theme in he movie) he barrels through barbed-wire barricades, eventually becoming so entangled in the barbs that he is flipped motionless through the air and comes to rest on the ground in a mass of wire with a cross shaped wooden support on its back. The warring nations break from their fighting and each sends a representative into the middle of the battlefield to cut free (resurrect) the horse.

If you can get past the overt correlation between the bible narrative and War Horse then it is still an amazing movie that will surely go down as one of history’s finest.

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For real Spielberg fans, or those wishing to learn more about the filming process and story, watch this Q&A with director Steven Spielberg:

You can see more about War Horse, opening Christmas day – December 25 at the War Horse site, by liking War Horse on facebook or following on twitter.