BEYOND THE MARQUEE

“American Hustle” a Wacky Con Game (Film Review)

December 19th, 2013

John Delia

Wacky and wild the comedy/drama American Hustle puts on a great show from the glitz and glamor of the nightlife to the plunging necklines of the women who make it a madcap piece of work. The film takes you on a journey, no an adventure, in the realm of the con artist and provides some nice twists in this sordid plot to turn chump change into a literal fortune. This non-stop work of art rises far above most of the movie entertainment released this year.

Loosely based on a government sting operation called Abscam, where the FBI investigated corrupt officials using known con artists, the film fictionalizes the operation with unforgettable characters and an off the wall script that turns misadventure into comedy chaos.

GEICO Enters the War on Cell Phones at Theaters

December 18th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

The backlash on on phone usage in theaters increases

Lord knows noisy people have been the bane of movie theaters since magic lantern shows became popular. And before that it can only be assumed it was a nuisance at playhouses and the opera. Of course, back in the day there was a certain social stigma associated with being an irritating disruption to other people’s entertainment. Being a jerk could get you blacklisted from all the best social events for the rest of the year. And if you’ve ever seen a portrait of Beethoven, he doesn’t look like the kinda guy you’d want to PO during a performance. But somewhere along the way, maybe about the time it became popular to fire your six-gun at the ceiling during a can-can routine, audiences became more tolerant of people talking during a show. About all an inconsiderate ninny could expect to endure would be a chorus of shushes. And then of course technology, which has revolutionized so much else in our lives, introduced a new device to torment the movie going crowd: the cell phone. Read ahead to see what’s being done about this growing epidemic of cell phone usage in movie theaters!

The Lone Ranger, Rides Again on Blu-ray (Video Review)

December 17th, 2013

John Delia

Galloping onto Blu-ray, the western The Lone Ranger takes center stage in your home theater just in time for holiday giving. The action packed thriller fills the whole house with excitement and adventure. The film is exciting and the bonus features are a plus, plus with over 45 minutes of extras. The release is available in several formats including a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack + Digital Copy.

Taking a chance on an old-time favorite, producer and director Gore Verbinski brings a remake of The Lone Ranger to the big screen. Loosely based on the 1956 movie and subsequent TV shows starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, his casting of Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp somewhat mirrors the two original players and delivers a solid hit.

“ONCE UPON A TIME” (TV Review) S3 E11

December 17th, 2013

Cody Thompson

Once Upon a Time

Previously on “Once Upon A Time”… Peter Pan’s devious schemes to unleash the full power of Regina’s original curse became revealed. With all of the major characters reunited would their loyalties and romances be strengths or weaknesses? In the Winter Finale episode, the race is on to stop Pan from enacting another curse on the residents of Storybrooke, which could kill every living soul in town, on “Once Upon a Time,” Read ahead for our recap and review…

Tomorrow the First 3 Indiana Jones Films will be Released Individually in HD, for the First Time!!!

December 16th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

THE FIRST THREE FILMS IN THE LEGENDARY SAGA ARRIVE INDIVIDUALLY IN HIGH DEFINITION FOR THE FIRST TIME

For the first time ever, the first three films in the Indiana Jones saga will be available individually in high definition on Blu-ray, December 17, 2013, from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution. Relive all your favorite moments from the greatest adventure of all time—from the deserts of Egypt to the jungles of South America—as everyone’s favorite archaeologist travels the globe thwarting evil villains to retrieve history’s most famous artifacts.

Under the supervision of director Steven Spielberg and sound designer Ben Burtt, Raiders of the Lost Ark was painstakingly restored in 2012 with careful attention to preserving the original look, sound and feel of the iconic film. Own this meticulously restored version of the cinematic classic that started it all, as well as previously remastered versions of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, each with pristine picture and sound in sparkling high definition. 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will also be available on Digital HD and in a two-disc Blu-ray set with behind-the-scenes special features. Click ahead for Disc Specifications…and let us know below what your favorite Indiana Jones films are!

Check out the Forbidden Planet’s Doctor Who: Legacy game (+ Code Giveaway)

December 16th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

Be a part of the Doctor Who: Legacy

While you’re waiting for the Christmas Special, why not play Doctor Who: Legacy – with FREE game codes from your local Forbidden Planet! Doctor Who: Legacy is a free-to-play puzzle-RPG game for Android and iOS from BBC Worldwide, Tiny Rebel Games and Seed Studios. Steeped in 50 years of Whovian heritage, Doctor Who: Legacy lets you build a team of your favourite companions and relive the Doctor’s most legendary battles. Launching with the latest two series, Doctor Who: Legacy’s meticulous attention to character detail makes it a feast for the eyes for any fan. Combined with easy to learn, but hard to master mechanics, it’s the perfect way to stay part of the adventure right up to the Christmas Special and beyond. As a big farewell to the Eleventh (or is it Twelfth?) Doctor, Forbidden Planet are giving away literally THOUSANDS of Doctor Who: Legacy in-game codes. They’ll give you Clara Oswald as a companion, along with her red dress! All you have to do is make a purchase in any one of our stores while codes last! They will give you the game code FREE with your receipt. To use the code, just download the game! You can find our stores here: https://forbiddenplanet.com/stores

EXCLUSIVE: The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug: Premiere, Props, Sets, Review & Opening!

December 14th, 2013

Beyond the Marquee

Article author, Jay West, sitting atop the Erebor Throne in the world famous TCL Chinese IMAX Theatre courtyard.

“I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led…”. Bilbo Baggins riddling the dragon Smaug in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

Recently I’ve felt a bit like Bilbo Baggins himself — traversing the wonders of Middle Earth… by way of Los Angeles.

First going to the World Premiere of the new/second film of the three Hobbit film saga — The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Next venturing forth into a recreation of the Dwarven Kingdom of Erebor (Lonely Mountain – where the Dragon Smaug resides) on the historic TCL Chinese IMAX Theatre courtyard in Hollywood. Then going to a display of a collection of props, costumes, and other film used items from the The Lord of the Rings trilogy at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills. Traveling deeper into Middle Earth by way of the The Book of New Zealand/The Hobbit exhibit in Beverly Hills at The Beverly Hilton: which featured actual set rebuilds/elements from this new/second Hobbit film — also showcasing its filming locations in New Zealand. Ultimately coming full circle by going to the midnight opening of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug at the TCL Chinese IMAX Theatre in Hollywood.

Click ahead to check out my journey — and for a spoiler free review of the film!

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