BEYOND THE MARQUEE

The Historic Hollywood Grauman’s Chinese Theatre changes it’s name!!?!?

January 11th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

Graumans’ Chinese Theater gets a new name!

Big news out of Hollywood, and literally right on Hollywood Blvd itself! Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (www.chinesetheatres.com) is teaming with one of China’s biggest electronics manufacturers, TCL, aka “THE CREATIVE LIFE,” in a 10-year, multi-million dollar partnership that will include naming rights to the most famous movie palace in the world, it was announced today at an event emceed by SyFy Network FACE OFF star McKenzie Westmore, as the executives of both companies hosted a bi-lingual press and VIP launch in the forecourt of the Chinese Theatre, which will be renamed the TCL Chinese Theatre. “This is a monumental day in our history,” said Elie Samaha (Co-Chairman) and Donald Kushner (CEO & Co-Chairman) of The Chinese Theatres. “The milestone relationship between TCL and the Chinese Theatre will allow us to do many of the upgrades and preservation projects we earmarked from day one of ownership.” In accordance with the long held wishes of the owners of The Chinese Theatre, the new decade-long partnership will provide funding and resources for many new improvements to the property. Read ahead to find out what kind of upgrades and changes await the historic cinema house which since the 1920’s have been host to countless movie premieres and celebrity hand-print ceremonies.

Nicky’s Family, an Inspiring Tribute (Film Review)

January 11th, 2013

John Delia

Not every stone has been turned about the atrocities on WWII and the people who stood up against the Nazis to make a difference in the world. Nicky’s Family gets released this weekend and the touching documentary reveals a little known event in history that saved nearly 700 children destined for gas chambers just before the war broke out in Czechoslovakia. The heartfelt film is inspirational, important to all audiences and necessary as a warning that freedom cannot be taken for granted.

Nicky’s Family plays out in documentary form with reenactments delving into how by chance one man can change destiny for children earmarked for death. From a scrapbook found in the attic of Sir Nicholas Winton and using home movies, movie news footage, snap shots and dramatizations we enter the world of Czechoslovakia in 1938.

Gangster Squad, Takes on the Mob in LA (Film Review)

January 11th, 2013

John Delia

Los Angeles relives it’s gritty past in this fictional account of a real mob boss in Gangster Squad. The violent crime film has an exceptional A-list cast with creative sets, period costumes and props that resemble the era, but the lifeless storyline just doesn’t do it for me. The script with its over indulgence in Tommy gun fire, explosions, gory slice and dice mixed with an inconceivable romance burns then crashes. However, the film’s target audience, extreme action fans, will be glued to every move on the screen.

The movie centers on a plot that’s based on the true to life gangster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) who attempts to make his mob exclusive in Los Angeles during the late 1940s. Cohen’s the thread that keeps the New York based Jewish Mafia in business in the growing Tinseltown. But, Mickey wants the whole pie setting up a secret communication system that puts him in control of all the illegal gambling at the west coast operation. Working under the table, he’s at risk of upsetting the New York mob, but the former boxer goes ahead with his plan to become king of the criminal ‘Ring’.

TWILIGHT fans, get a Sneak Peek at Breaking Dawn – Part 1: Extended Edition

January 10th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 Extended Edition arrives on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and Digital Download on March 2, 2013!

In anticipation of the release of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 EXTENDED EDITION on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download on March 2, 2013 we present you with a preview of the Blu-ray along with an awesome Special Features clip which gives fans a longer look at Edward and Bella’s “morning after.” Now’s your chance to delve deeper and discover even more of the epic blockbuster film as you experience the timeless romance and drama in a whole new way…so jump ahead and take a look!

CONTEST: WIN a Copy of TAKEN 2 on Blu-Ray/DVD

January 10th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

TAKEN 2 on Blu-ray Jan 15th

On Jan 15th Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents the return of former CIA operative Bryan Mills and his “particular set of skills” when TAKEN 2 arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. Now we’ve got not one…but TWO copies of the action-packed film (that earned $135 million theatrically in the U.S.) to giveaway to some lucky Beyond the Marquee readers. This Unrated Blu-ray Includes Black Ops Field Manual and Kill Counter, Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending and More! Click ahead for contest details and start making some room on your home video shelf now for the sequel to the 2008 box office smash Taken.

And the 2013 Oscar Nominees Are…?

January 10th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

Check out all the Nominees for the 2013 Academy Awards

Early this morning the list of nominations for the 85th annual Academy Awards were announced by this years Oscars show host Seth MacFarlane and actress Emma Stone in Beverly Hills at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater. As anticipated Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” heads up the Oscar race with an impressive 12 nominations which includes best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay and best acting nods for Daniel Day-Lewis, and best supporting tips of the hat for Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. Coming in close behind was Ang Lee’s “life of Pi” with 11 nominations which includes best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay and other assorted nominations. What actress will walk home with a Best Actress Oscar this year? Well the contenders range from 85-year-old Emmanuelle Riva for the Austrian film “Amour.” to 9-year-old Quvenzhane Wallis for the indie film “Beasts of the Southern Wild”. And leading men who could take home the gold this year’s Best actor nominations went to Bradley Cooper for “Silver Linings Playbook,” Hugh Jackman for “Les Miserables,” Daniel Day-Lewis for “Lincoln,” Joaquin Phoenix for “The Master” and Denzel Washington for “Flight.” Amy Adams. Sally Field, Anne Hathaway, Helen Hunt and Jacki Weaver grabbed nominations for best supporting actress while nominations for best supporting actor went to went to Alan Arkin, Robert DeNiro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tommy Lee Jones and Christoph Waltz. Who do you think will win? We’ll all find out Sunday, February 24th, 2013 when the 85th Academy Awards airs LIVE on ABC. Drop your thoughts on who you think should take home an Oscar in the comments below, and be sure to click ahead to check out the complete list of nominees…

Zero Dark Thirty, in Search of Osama Bin Laden (Film Review)

January 9th, 2013

John Delia

This step-by-step insight into how the CIA found Osama Bin Laden and then blew him away is nicely produced, directed and acted. I found Zero Dark Thirty fascinating, intriguing and then startling, playing out like a news story happening before my eyes. Even though you know the story from the media, you will be shocked with the finale of this nearly 3-hour suspense filled movie.

Although names have been changed the true account tells the story of CIA operative Maya Lambert who right from schooling gets hired by the intelligence agency to find Osama Bin Laden. Obsessed with her job she presses on through ten long years of digging, interrogating, nearly getting killed and witnessing an inordinate amount of death in the name of terrorism. Training under some of the best investigators, Maya learns how to handle herself with the sly terrorists and finally gets a break that will lead her to being the only one convinced of Bin Laden’s whereabouts.