Empire Presents...BIG SCREEN – Bringing Hollywood to London

Bauer Media and Clarion Events are thrilled to unveil the plans for the most exciting movie event of the year as, Empire Presents....BIG SCREEN confirms just a taste of its amazing line-up.

With a choice of over 250 incredible things to do, including a chance to meet the stars, see live performances, a feast of premieres, exclusive screenings, worldwide debuts of new film footage, movie master classes, never before seen glimpses behind the world’s biggest films, Empire Presents ... BIG SCREEN truly promises something for movie fans of all ages.

The movie extravaganza is being backed by all the big studios including Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Marvel Studios, Warner Bros Pictures, Universal Pictures, Optimum Releasing, Pixar, Momentum Pictures, Lionsgate and Icon - and promises never before seen access to the inner workings of Hollywood and the biggest names in movies.

The star studded movie extravaganza which runs from 12th-14th August at the 02 will open with the eagerly awaited UK premiere of Paramount Pictures’ Cowboys And Aliens with the cast of the film in attendance. The film, which is directed by Jon Favreau, (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford and is tipped to be one of the hottest films of the year. As well as the star studded premiere, there will be special screenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday - audiences will truly be able to see it first and exclusively at BIG SCREEN.

And for Star Wars™ fans everywhere, attendees will hear from key members of the team from Industrial Light and Magic as they take us on a journey behind the scenes of the beloved films while revealing new content which will be found in the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray.  Visitors will also have a special opportunity to be photographed on part of a replica Star Wars set and take part in the Star Wars: Padawan Training School, a must for would-be Jedi everywhere!

Empire Presents BIG SCREEN is also delighted to announce that the coveted spot of closing night film has been confirmed as the UK premiere of DreamWorks Pictures’ Fright Night. The fangtastic movie stars Colin Farrell. David Tennant, who co-stars in the movie, will be there in person to welcome fans.

Audiences will be thrilled that, courtesy of Sony Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation, the geniuses behind the iconic Wallace And Gromit will be present to introduce highlights from their two brilliant new blockbusters Arthur Christmas and The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists and demonstrate first-hand how they bring these incredible characters to life.

The many exclusive screenings will also feature a chance for audiences to see before anyone else a host of huge upcoming blockbusters. Already confirmed are a very special screening of the much anticipated film adaptation of the phenomenal New York Times best seller The Help courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures, future comedy smash The Change-Up, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, courtesy of Universal Pictures; 5-star Empire reviewed new film The Guard followed by a Q&A with director John Martin McDonagh, and a screening of the refreshingly original new horror movie from Norway, TrollHunter, also supported with a cast Q&A. And Lionsgate will have an exciting presence with the eagerly awaited Conan The Barbarian 3D and will reveal all at a later date.

Audiences will get to see exclusive sneak peaks of a huge array of forthcoming blockbusters, including the likes of Guillermo Tel Toro-produced horror Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark: James Cameron’s Titanic 3D, the Justin Timberlake sci-fi In Time, Alien invasion movie The Darkest Hour, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. While fans of huge home-grown talent will be treated to exclusive footage from Daniel Radcliffe’s up-coming ghostly hit The Woman in Black and a sneak peak at the hugely anticipated adaption of John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy starring Gary Oldman and Colin Firth.

Indeed, the weekend offers something for everyone with everything from animal shows starring the world’s most loved furry movie stars, to an exclusive performance by celebrated dance group Flawless who will be teaching fans a routine from Street Dance, to demonstrations by the industry’s most respected visual effects houses.

We are delighted to announce that the director of Real Steel, Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum, Date Night), will be attending in person to present a sneak peek from the October 7th release. In addition to showing footage from the movie, Shawn will also be discussing the amazing techniques he used in bringing the movie to the big screen. It promises to be a hugely entertaining experience, with the chance to see one of Hollywood’s top directors describing in person how he created what promises to be one of the most thrilling movies of the year.

Guests will delight at the industry’s greatest animators Pixar unveiling To Infinity And Beyond: Celebrating 25 Years of Pixar Animation Studios - a celebratory screening of all of the Pixar films and shorts, which will include a preview of the next film Brave. They can also enjoy a special satellite conversation with The Muppets who are going to reveal a clip of Disney’s The Muppets not out in cinemas until February 2012.

In addition, each of the three days of this incredible event will feature a SECRET SCREENING of a hotly anticipated forthcoming movie.

And if that taster of what is to come, isn’t enough to whet appetites, BIG SCREEN will also boast a range of themed screens and areas, offering some amazing treats for all types of film fan.

Visitors will have the chance to enjoy some of their favourite films on the big screen as part of THE MODERN GREATS SCREEN. Screenings will range from classics such as Apocalypse Now to  Clerks (celebrating its 15th anniversary, to Stand By Me (celebrating its 25th anniversary), to the Scream trilogy, Sin City and Dark Star.

In addition, The London Film Museum, the only museum of its kind in Great Britain, will be showcasing some of the most iconic movie costumes ever seen including the Bourne Ultimatum, Highlander, Ali G Inda House, Indiana Jones, Golden Compass, Johnny English and Conan, as well as costumes worn by Peter Sellers, Christopher Lee and Sir Alec Guiness. There will also be a stunning displays of props from various film and television shows including Thunderbirds, Merlin, Borrowers and Doctor Who.

Small Screen will preview the best in top class TV shows from the US and UK, including panels from the show’s makers and stars.

In Conversation With… offers film fans the chance to hear stories from a huge array of movie legends including the world’s greatest stunt man Vic Armstrong - whose 80 credits span from Indiana Jones, to Superman to James Bond, as well as the artists behind The Making Of Alien, which goes behind the scenes of one of the greatest movie series ever created.

How They Do It offers a masterclass from the likes of premier film composer and musical director David Arnold whose credits include five of the James Bond films and. And with BIG SCREEN’S Pitch Your Movie competition audiences can try out for our ‘X-Factor of movie pitching’ in front of a panel of the industry’s biggest names.

Comic-Book World includes a discussion with comic book genius Mark Millar, creator of Kick Ass and the man who brought Spider-Man, Superman and Captain America into the 21st century. And you can join renowned author and Empire critic Kim Newman in his Chamber Of Horrors, where he hosts three days of horrors screenings, Q&As and signings including screenings of Quatermass And The Pit and Don’t Look Now, as well as panels on the history of the iconic British studio, Hammer Studios and the eternal fascination with Dracula.

And finally, Empire Comes Alive! offers a humorous and interactive opportunity to see the magazine brought to life. Legendary features such as How Much Is A Pint of Milk? And Movie Mastermind will be brought to the stage with special guest appearances and the chance to give your views to the critics.

This is just a taste of the truly amazing line-up that awaits fans this August. Over the coming weeks more will be revealed including details on further premieres, screenings and events. Whether it be a movie spectacular in the Special Effects Arena, master classes with world renowned filmmakers or the chance to get up close and personal with Hollywood’s biggest stars – there will be something for everyone, big and small.

Nicola Gunstone, Group Show Director of Empire Presents BIG SCREEN and Stuart Williams, Managing Director of Live Events & Strategic Partnerships at Bauer Media commented: “We are delighted to be working together on the most exciting live movie event seen in London to date. This three day ground-breaking event provides an exciting extension to the Empire brand and offers a unique experience to movie fans in the UK and Europe”.
For all additional information go to: www.empirebigscreen.com

Empire Presents BIG SCREEN Ticketing

• 1 Day Diamond Ticket Prices start at £65
• Attend all live BIG SCREEN Theatre sessions (three per day), plus one performance in the Special Effects Arena and 1 session in Cineworld
• Standard Ticket £35
• Attend four sessions on any one day - choose from performances in the Special Effects Arena and a diverse range of sessions in Cineworld - this could include one recorded session of the BIG SCREEN content

BIG SCREEN Exhibitions Free Entry
Visit Hollywood Boulevard and Studio City.

The Change Up - A new comedy with Ryan Reynolds

Reading the synopsis I get the feeling that it's an adult version of the Disney classic Freeky Friday or maybe the Tom Hank's 80s classic Big.

There isn't a UK poster, or trailer, yet so I have found the US version (the release date on the poster is not the UK one) as well as the domestic, US, trailer...

Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman star in The Change-Up, from director David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers), writers Jon Lucas & Scott Moore (The Hangover) and producer Neal Moritz (Fast & Furious, Click). The R-rated comedy takes the traditional body-switching movie, ties it up tightly and throws it off a cliff.

Growing up together, Mitch (Reynolds) and Dave (Bateman) were inseparable best friends, but as the years have passed they’ve slowly drifted apart. While Dave is an overworked lawyer, husband and father of three, Mitch has remained a single, quasi-employed man-child who has never met a responsibility he liked. To Mitch, Dave has it all: beautiful wife Jamie (Leslie Mann), kids who adore him and a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm. To Dave, living Mitch’s stress free life without obligation or consequence would be a dream come true.

Following a drunken night out together, Mitch and Dave’s worlds are turned upside down when they wake up in each other’s bodies and proceed to freak the &*#@ out.

Despite the freedom from their normal routines and habits, the guys soon discover that each other’s lives are nowhere near as rosy as they once seemed. Further complicating matters are Dave’s sexy legal associate, Sabrina (Olivia Wilde), and Mitch’s estranged father (Alan Arkin). With time not on their side, Mitch and Dave comically struggle to avoid completely destroying each other’s lives before they can find a way to get their old ones back.

In cinemas September 16, 2011

Bobby Fischer Against the World - the London Premiere

Limited tickets still available to buy for London premiere!

Bobby Fischer Against the World is the brand new film exploring the complex life of the troubled genius whose charisma and talent spurred a worldwide fascination with the “game of kings.” Fischer’s evolution from his childhood to chess prodigy, global superstar, angry recluse and finally fugitive from the law, is a spellbinding story of the making and unmaking of an American icon.

Tuesday 5th July will see London's Rich Mix host the long-anticipated premiere of Bobby Fischer Against the World before its official release, 15th July. Dogwoof are thrilled to announce the attendance of Grandmaster Nigel Short MBE who will play 20 opponents simultaneously before the film screening. Guest players include world snooker champion, Steve Davis OBE. The event will be hosted by CJ de Mooi of The Eggheads and will close with a panel discussion starring Nigel, CJ, Dominic Lawson and Malcolm Pein. Limited tickets are still up for grabs for this special event.

Award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus presents a fascinating portrait of one of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures of the 20th century – World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer. Out in cinemas 15 July, Bobby Fischer Against the World traces the Grand Master from child prodigy, to Cold War hero, to controversial recluse. Cutting interviews with Bobby and the people who knew him with footage and news reports, Bobby Fischer Against the World is a mesmerising portrait of the rise and bizarre fall of one of the great American icons.

In 1958, 14-year old Robert James “Bobby” Fischer stunned the chess world by becoming the youngest Grand Master in history, launching a career that would make him a legend. Raised by his mother in Brooklyn, he taught himself to play chess at the age of six and started beating seasoned adult chess players at eight. Throughout the sixties, as his star rose, Bobby would appear regularly on TV and tour the world resoundingly beating all. His career highlight came in 1972 when he played the Russian Grand Master and reigning champion Boris Spassky - a series that was equally tied in with the Cold War as it was with chess. After his victory, Bobby became the most famous person on the planet and his already erratic behaviour began spiraling out of control, turning this genius into an unrecognisable recluse and pariah.

Director Liz Garbus (Emmy Award® winning Ghosts of Abu Ghraib and Academy Award® nominated Street Fight) has crafted a complex film of a complex persona, exploring issues such as whether Bobby was ever equipped to deal with the fame and the pressures of being in the public eye; how his fractious relationship with his mother may have contributed to this; and how he propelled chess to a world-wide phenomenon, boosting it to a level of popularity not seen since. Truly unique, Bobby Fischer still stands as the most famous Grand Master, a life devoured by his obsession with chess and whose death revealed nothing about what eventually destroyed him.

“Chess is like my alter ego” – Bobby Fischer

Hitting UK cinemas July 15, 2011

For more information and screening details, visit: www.bobbyfischermovie.co.uk

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Holy Rollers gets a new clip

Crabtree Films has just released a clip form the upcoming Jesse Eisenberg film, Holy Rollers. There are some "rude words" in the trailer so please be careful where you play it...

Holy Rollers is inspired by actual events in the late nineties when Hasidic Jews were recruited as mules to smuggle ecstasy from Europe into the United States. Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg), a young Hasid from an Orthodox Brooklyn community reluctantly follows the path his family has chosen for him, awaiting a pending arranged marriage and studying to become a Rabbi. A charming neighbour, Yosef Zimmerman (Justin Bartha), senses Sam’s resistance and propositions him to transport ‘medicine’ for Jackie (Danny A. Abeckaser), an Israeli gangster and drug dealer, and his girlfriend, Rachel (Ari Graynor).

Sam quickly demonstrates his business skills to his boss, Jackie, who instantly takes him under his wing. Now exposed to the exciting and gritty worlds of the Manhattan and Amsterdam nightlife, Sam begins to spiral deeper into their detrimental lifestyle, experimenting with ecstasy and then falling for Rachel. As the business grows, Sam’s double life begins to rip his family apart and the community becomes suspicious of his illegal activities.

HOLY ROLLERS opens at cinemas nationwide July 8, 2011

Final Destination 5 has a new poster

In March I was sent the first poster for Final Destination 5. Now Warner Bros. has released a new poster. Personally, I think that they shouldn't have released this poster as the "old one" is a lot clearer.

This poster seems to show the same groundbreaking 3D that was used in the Saw series.

In “Final Destination 5,” Death is just as omnipresent as ever, and is unleashed after one man’s premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge collapse. But this group of unsuspecting souls was never supposed to survive, and, in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group frantically tries to discover a way to escape Death’s sinister agenda.

FD5 is released on August 26, 2011

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy gets a trailer and a new image

Not only do we get a teaser trailer for the upcoming remake of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy but a new image of Gary Oldman as George Smiley. If you remember I posted an image and a synopsis way back in January.

Along with Oldman the stella cast also includes Kathy Burke, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Konstantin Khabensky, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Roger Lloyd Pack, and Mark Strong. Directed by Tomas Alfredson (“Let The Right One In”).

Set in the 1970s, TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY finds George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a recently retired MI6 agent, doing his best to adjust to a life outside the secret service. However, when a disgraced agent reappears with information concerning a mole at the heart of the Circus, Smiley is drawn back into the murky field of espionage. Tasked with investigating which of his trusted former colleagues has chosen to betray him and their country, Smiley narrows his search to four suspects - all experienced, urbane, successful agents - but past histories, rivalries and friendships make it far from easy to pinpoint the man who is eating away at the heart of the British establishment.

The film sneaks into UK Cinemas September 16, 2011
© Optimum Releasing

FILM MAKERS UNVEIL NEW TRAILER FOR EXPLOSIVE DOCUMENTARY ‘UNLAWFUL KILLING’

LONDON, 30TH JUNE, 2011: On what would have been Diana, Princess of Wales’ 50th birthday on Friday 1st July, the filmmakers behind the controversial Cannes break-out documentary, UNLAWFUL KILLING, are announcing strong post-festival sales with the unveiling of a powerful new trailer.

The one minute 30-second edit sets out to discredit many of the misconceptions that have surrounded the film prior to and since its screening at the Cannes Film Festival. The film made its Industry debut at the world’s most famous film festival in May, but was hitting the headlines internationally well before the film had even been screened.

Acclaimed British actor and filmmaker Keith Allen (ROBIN HOOD, SHALLOW GRAVE, TRAINSPOTTING, THE COMIC STRIP PRESENTS…..) is behind the film, dubbed “The Inquest of The Inquest” into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed. The film mixes candid interviews with recreations of some of the key moments from the inquest, shockingly not held until a decade after the accident. The questions the film asks, as it seeks to uncover the truth about the world’s most famous car crash, shakes perceptions of how Diana and her partner Dodi died and where responsibility ultimately lies for this apparent Establishment cover-up.

UNLAWFUL KILLING has experienced a flurry of sales since its Cannes debut, as reported last week in film trade The Hollywood Reporter. Locomotive Distribution has so far secured deals in 10 territories, including Russia, Spain and Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) and has seen strong interest from the US, Japan, Italy and Australia.

It was also announced recently that UNLAWFUL KILLING will receive its World Premiere screening in Ireland, at the Galway Film Fleadh on Wednesday July 6th at 7pm. This event will mark the first public screening of UNLAWFUL KILLING anywhere in the world and dramatically highlights the fact that UK audiences will not be afforded such an opportunity - owing to the film’s contentious content, UNLAWFUL KILLING will likely never be granted a release in Great Britain.

Unlawful Killing was finished on 9 March 2011, after three years of research and production, culminating (after a decade of delay) in an inquest held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Keith Allen (father of Lily Allen) was at the centre of the inquest, covertly observing proceedings in the courtroom and amongst the press. His groundbreaking documentary recreates key moments from the inquest, and demonstrates how the cover-up was perpetrated. It shows how vital evidence of foul play was hidden from public scrutiny, how the royal family was exempted from giving evidence, and how journalists, particularly those working for the British media, systematically misreported what was happening.

This is not about a conspiracy before the crash, but about a provable cover-up after the crash.

Find out more at www.unlawfulkilling.com