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Fathom Events and Open Road Films to Give Audiences Sneak Peek at
Jon Stewart’s Directorial Debut in ‘Rosewater’ Followed by
Live Q&A on the Eve Before Its National Release
DENVER – November 3, 2014 – Fathom Events and Open Road Films are partnering to present the exclusive “Rosewater: Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert LIVE” event, including the feature film Rosewater followed by a Live Q&A with Jon Stewart, the film’s screen writer, director and producer, interviewed by Stephen Colbert, host and executive producer of the Emmy and Peabody Award Winning series “The Colbert Report,” broadcast from New York City. Fans can join the conversation by Tweeting questions now via Twitter using the hashtag #RosewaterLive. This special event will be showcased in select cinemas nationwide for only one night on November 13 live at 7:30 p.m. ET and tape delayed to 7:30 p.m. local time in all other time zones. Rosewater is based on The New York Times best-selling memoir “Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival,” written by the BBC journalist Maziar Bahari, which is now available in paperback and titled after the upcoming movie. Following the exclusive Fathom Events preview on November 13, Rosewater will be in theaters nationwide on November 14.
Tickets for “Rosewater: Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert LIVE” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented in more than 300 select movie theaters nationwide through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
A true story, Rosewater marks the screenwriting and directorial debut of “The Daily Show” host and executive producer Jon Stewart, and stars Gael García Bernal, leading an international cast. Rosewater is produced by Scott Rudin, Stewart and Gigi Pritzker, with Lila Yacoub, Eli Bush and Chris McShane serving as executive producers.
Rosewater has a direct connection to Stewart, who since taking over as host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” in 1999, has turned the nightly half-hour satirical look at newsmakers and news-coverers into not only a perennial Emmy-winning juggernaut, but also an important touchstone on the zeitgeist. Stewart and “The Daily Show” covered Bahari’s saga nightly and the journalist appeared on the show to talk about his ordeal once he was released from prison.
Rosewater follows the Tehran-born Bahari, a 42-year-old broadcast journalist with Canadian citizenship living in London. In June 2009, Bahari returned to Iran to interview Mir-Hossein Mousavi, who was the prime challenger to controversial incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. As Moussavi’s supporters rose up to protest Ahmadinejad’s victory declaration hours before the polls closed on election day, Bahari endured great personal risk by submitting camera footage of the unfolding street riots to the BBC. Bahari was soon arrested by Revolutionary Guard police, led by a man identifying himself only as “Rosewater,” who proceeded to torture and interrogate the journalist over the next 118 days. In October 2009, with Bahari’s wife leading an international campaign from London to have her husband freed, and Western media outlets including “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” continuing to keep the story alive, Iranian authorities released Bahari on $300,000 bail and the promise he would act as a spy for the government.
“Rosewater has been celebrated by early festival audiences as well as critics,” said Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films. “Moviegoers have expressed incredible enthusiasm about the upcoming release of Jon Stewart’s directorial debut and we are thrilled to be able to bring this special event with two icons to theaters across the country.”
“Rosewater is an important story that must be told to the world,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “The chance to see it first and hear the thought-provoking insight directly from the film’s creator should not be missed.”
View the event trailer on our YouTube page and visit our press site for event photos.
The Houses October Built
Director: Bobby Roe
Writers: Bobby Roe, Zack Andrews, Jason Zada
Stars: Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Mikey Roe, and Brandy Schaefer
Synopsis
Looking to find an authentic, blood-curdling good fright for Halloween, five friends set off on a road trip in an RV to track down these underground Haunts. Just when their search seems to reach a dead end, strange and disturbing things start happening and it becomes clear that the Haunt has come to them.
I sat down with Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Mikey Roe, and Brandy Schaefer to discuss their new film, “The Houses October Built.”
Mark Hapka stars in “23 Blast”
Since Remember the Titans, there has yet to be a movie based on a real football team or player that is able to emotionally grab and thoroughly entertain an audience. It’s a hard feat to accomplish, given that most of these true stories have an enriching plot but struggle to successfully translate their message. Unfortunately, 23 Blast has fallen victim to this formula.
Based on the true story of Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka), a high school football star, who is suddenly stricken with irreversible total blindness. Travis quickly assumes his life is over and begins to spend his days at home sulking. Until one day, his former football coach (Stephen Lang) discovers a way to utilize the team’s key player.
This premise is undoubtedly uplifting. The thought that a blind student could still play football and have the support of his team and town is incredibly moving. But, when you choose to tell this story with a weak supporting cast, an unnecessary, forced love story, and an amateur screenplay, it will distract from your inspiring tale.
Though it’s not the best film to put on a resume, 23 Blast does feature a few stand out performances, beginning with their lead, Mark Hapka. Known for his long running role in Days of Our Lives, Hapka proves that he can take on the big screen and has more to offer than dramatic stares. He commits to his character and portrays a genuine personality that’s easy to like. As for Bram Hoover, who plays Travis’ best friend and also co-wrote the script. His first tackle at the big screen was an upsetting fumble. The lack of development and cliché dialogue did no favors for the fairly, new actor. Hoover’s attempt to shine as the supporting star was intercepted by Glee’s Max Adler, who starts as the film’s antagonist. But like his character on Glee, he’s the bully who turns a new leaf. There is a quality in both, Hapka and Adler that shows true potential for these talents.
23 Blast offers a remarkable story that is trying to stay afloat from its sinking surroundings.
23 Blast hits theaters October 24.
Rating: 2/5
“23 Blast” Official Trailer HD
LAGGIES
Monday, October 27, 2014
7:30 PM
AMC NorthPark 15
8687 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75225
To enter and win passes for this screening you can either go to www.gofobo.com/rsvp and enter this code: TCFLIX7JT6
OR
Direct Link – http://l.gofobo.us/wmON9HAZ
Synopsis
Overeducated and underemployed, 28 year old Megan (Keira Knightley) is in the throes of a quarterlife crisis. Squarely into adulthood with no career prospects, no particular motivation to think about her future and no one to relate to, Megan is comfortable lagging a few steps behind – while her friends check off milestones and celebrate their new grown-up status. When her high-school sweetheart (Mark Webber) proposes, Megan panics and– given an unexpected opportunity to escape for a week – hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year old Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Annika’s world-weary single dad Craig (Sam Rockwell).
Lynn Shelton, whose unique directorial voice created such astutely observed comedies as YOUR SISTER’S SISTER and HUMPDAY, crafts a sweet, coming-of-age romantic comedy about three people who find their lives intertwined in the most unconventional way. Keira Knightley shines as Megan, a rare female slacker hero who shows us that while you never stop growing up, you can choose stop lagging, and start living on your terms.
OPENING DATE: Opens in select theaters Friday, October 31, 2014
Rated R for language, some sexual material and teen partying.
It’s no surprise that big studio production companies are quickly grabbing hold of the rights to as many young adult novels as they can. The fan base is already there. Give them a “best-seller” and a good looking lead, and you may just have the next Twilight or The Fault in Our Stars.
Tweens are thirsting for romance that they can live vicariously through, and Chloe Grace Moretz’s latest drama will quench every young girl’s desire.
If I Stay is an adaptation of Gayle Forman’s 2009 best-seller. The film centers on Mia Hall (Moretz), a straight-lace, gifted cellist who lives in Oregon with her ultra-hip parents, Kat (Mireille Enos) and Denny (Joshua Leonard), and her little brother, Teddy (Jakob Davies). One day while Mia is practicing in school, Adam (Jamie Blackley), an up-and-coming rock star, passes by and it’s love at first listen. Be warned now, if you’re in theater with any teenage girls, Adam will cause swooning and sighing. The two go through a jagged relationship, proving that classical and rock doesn’t make for a smooth mix.
Priorities shift for Mia when she is invited to audition for Julliard but, her music and Adam become the least of her worries after a horrific car accident has caused her to fall into a coma. Anxious to know the fate of the rest of her family, Mia has an out of body experience. Her spirit roams the hospital halls and she eavesdrops on her loved ones as they try to cope and pray for her to make it through surgery. As her future begins to be uncertain, Mia is faced with a choice. She must decide if the life she’s waking up to is one worth living.
Call me a cheesy romantic, but I enjoyed this film. I am fully aware the one liners, “I see you,” and “why me?” will have plenty of people rolling their eyes. But there are certain qualities in a teenybopper romance that can always salvage the movie. The key element is your lead. Chloe Grace Moretz is a thriving young talent, and since I first saw her in 500 Days of Summer, she has only flourished in her career. Whether it’s a success like Kick-Ass or a flop like Carrie, Moretz masterfully performs in all of her projects.
Of course, what’s love without believability? Moretz and Blackley’s chemistry is hardly that of comparison to Hazel and Gus (The Fault in Our Stars), but it translates well here. Mia and Adam’s relationship isn’t forced, we get to watch them grow as a couple and care for their story, a missing quality from many recent love stories.
There is more to If I Stay than just the romance. The film also touches on how some people in your life don’t necessarily need to be blood related to be your family. If I Stay may pull at your heartstrings and shed some tears, but think of this film as more of a “doesn’t-hurt-to-see” versus a “must-see.”
Rating: 3/5
In Daniel Radcliffe’s latest film, he swaps sorcery for romance and faces his toughest challenge yet- burying his true feelings for the girl that could be “the one.”
What’s being deemed as this year’s 500 Days of Summer is the story of Wallace (Radcliffe), a med school dropout who’s given up on love after a string of failed relationships and Chantry (Zoe Kazan), the potential girl of his dreams. The two meet at a party and have an immediate connection. Their spark is quickly extinguished, however, when Chantry mentions her boyfriend. Regardless of the circumstances, Wallace would rather have Chantry in his life as friend than not all. It’s an awkward challenge for both of them as they are faced with the age-old question: Can a guy and girl just be friends?
I have to say, right off the bat, that What If… is incomparable to 500 Days of Summer. I can see how the characters may correlate from the two films. But as a love story, writer Michael H. Weber (500 Days of Summer, The Spectacular Now) continues to be in a league of his own. What If… does not provide any sort of originality in its narrative; in fact it’s about as formulaic as they come. But thanks to the film’s charismatic cast, the movie is surprisingly pleasurable the whole way through.
Zoe Kazan is rapidly becoming the queen of the indie flick world, with films like her offbeat romance, Ruby Sparks and her dark comedy, The Pretty One. She brings a refreshing flair to every character she plays. And who knew Harry Potter could slide into the quick-witted male lead with such ease. What comes as no surprise is the scene-stealing Adam Driver, who plays Allen, Wallace’s best friend who also happens to be Chantry’s cousin. Allen is the uproarious link that caused their initial interaction. Frankly, I would have rather watched Allen’s romance with Nicole (MacKenzie Davis), an outspoken, sexually driven wild-child that actually meets Allen at the same party where Chantry and Wallace first met. Nicole and Allen handle their immediate connection through a more spontaneous route, skipping all the usual steps of a regular relationship.
What If…easily outweighs in comparison to the other cliché Katherine Heigl disasters we’ve endured. But given its subject matter and the potential this story had, I can’t help but be slightly disappointed with the entirety of the film. So many movies try to tackle the “just friends” premise, but only rarely do they pull off the complexity and authentic emotion behind a friendship that has more than platonic feelings. If you’re looking for that kind of story, I suggest you watch Drinking Buddies; it’s one of the few that flawlessly explored a true test of whether or not men and women can just be friends.
The great message here, and what is really the central focus of this film, is how when you’re lucky enough to find that instant connection with someone, is it best to wait it out and see where it goes, or do you jump on your feelings and take a risk before you miss an opportunity?
What If…is an undoubtedly cute, quirky, romantic comedy that most audiences will enjoy.
Rating: 3/5
“What If…” Official Trailer HD
Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton team up for the first time in a comedy that will warm your heart, but most likely escape your mind once you leave the theater.
Oren Little ( Douglas ) is a successful, self-centered realtor living in a somewhat secluded, peaceful home. But, his life is quickly turned upside down when his estranged adult son shows up out of the blue and drops a bomb on him. He is about go to jail for nine-months and needs his dad to look after his almost 10 year-old daughter, Sarah (Sterling Jerins). At first Oren is adamant that he won’t be looking after the granddaughter he never knew existed. Luckily, Leah (Diane Keaton), the kind, self-less next door neighbor steps in assuring Oren’s son that she will be in good hands. And so, begins a story you can probably already predict.
Love is not just felt for young Sarah; it is also spreading its way to an unlikely couple. Leah and Oren share a sweet romance, but not an exciting one. Michael Douglas definitely still has “it.” Charm, wit, class, he exudes all of it when he is on screen. Diane Keaton on the other hand offers some shrilling and quite annoying cries throughout the film. The cries aren’t as bad as they were in Something’s Gotta Give, but my gosh. Whoever thought the constant whiney sobs of woman are hilarious is seriously mistaken. Keaton plays a very likeable character and caring one at that, but somehow her moments of comedy failed to produce any real laughs. Douglas and Keaton have great chemistry as friends, but as lovers their relationship felt forced.
Though the romantic aspect of And So It Goes was weak, the family story-line was surprisingly enjoyable. Seeing Oren with his granddaughter or even his limited moments with his son can’t help but make you smile.
And So It Goes hardly stands out among the films currently in theaters, and I can’t even say it should be in your top choices to see this summer. However, if you are in the mood for a light, uplifting, and simple comedy, then I do recommend you sit back and enjoy this endearing story.
Rating: 2.5/5
And So It Goes hits theaters July 25.
And So It Goes Official Trailer HD
B&B THEATRES WYLIE 12 BRINGS NOSTALGIC 80’s FLASHBACK WITH THE ‘TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA MOVIE FUN RUN’ FEATURING A RARE APPEARANCE BY ‘PARTNERS IN KRYME’ PERFORMING TURTLE POWER!
No decade has shaped pop culture quite like the 1980s.
1980: The release of Pac-Man
1982: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial lands in theatres
1983: The Cabbage Patch phenomenon crops up
1984: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird form Mirage Studios and publish their first comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The Turtles dominated the media landscape through the late 80s and early 90s, culminating in multiple feature films, a hugely successful animated television program, action figures mania, and much more. While these collectibles and throwbacks yank at the heartstrings of nostalgic Babies of the Eighties, the future looks bright for the Boys in Green as Paramount Pictures prepares for the upcoming release of the revitalized and reimagined Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (August 8).
B&B Theatres Wylie 12 with Marquee Suites celebrates the exciting return of the Turtles to the big screen, but acknowledges that the bodacious potential of the future is contingent upon understanding the radical contributions of the past. To herald in the new feature, B&B Theatres in Wylie is hosting the first ever Teenage Mutant Ninja Movie Fun Run, a Turtles-themed 5k held on August 2nd. Participants will receive t-shirts, tubular turtle headbands, and raffle entries for great prizes, not to mention the chance to get the shell off the sofa and enjoy some good, ol’ fashioned exercise.
But that’s not all!
All participants will be invited to attend a free showing of the classic 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. Sound awesome? It will be. The only thing that could make it better would be watching the film with the Turtles themselves….WHICH WILL BE POSSIBLE since all four turtles will be in town to support the race and take pictures with any eager turtle fans, keep the Foot Clan at bay, and share a slice with their fans. (Turtles courtesy of Turtle Power Entertainment) No turtle event would be complete without the essentials, and by essentials, we mean PIZZA! Everyone that joins us for the race will get a piece of Mr. Jim’s pizza before watching the movie on our MASSIVE GRAND SCREEN!
We will also have on site the foremost expert on Ninja Turtles with YouTube Sensation Andre Meadows of ‘Black Nerd Comedy’! With over 250,000 subscribers, many people are eager to learn about his thoughts on anything turtle related! The Allen American’s hockey team will be joining us with a Casey Jones ‘Slapshot Challenge’ and we will have David DeGrand (Artist for Mad Magazine and Spongebob Squarepants) drawing free sketches for all kids! The event is not just for adults as we will have a FREE Turtle Trot for Kids 11 and Under at 9am before the festivities kick off!
But the icing on the cake (or pizza, if you prefer) is the exciting news that PARTNERS IN KRYME will make a rare appearance to perform the classic anthem “TURTLE POWER” and a never-before-released new track, “ROCK THE HALFSHELL”. Not only will PARTNERS IN KRYME be performing their new song, but everyone in the auditorium will be A PART OF THE MUSIC VIDEO! Couple this with additional games and events, good food, great friends, and the fact that ALL proceeds go to benefit the Wylie Christian Care Center, and you’ve got a recipe for a turtle-tastic event that will be sure to let Shredder and his goons know that TURTLE POWER is alive and well in Wylie.
Expecting Amish is a drama about four Amish teenagers living in rural Pennsylvania. When they are allowed to go to Los Angeles to experience RUMSPRINGA or rite of passage, Mary (Alyson Stoner), Isaac (Cameron Boyd) and Sara (Aurelia Scheppers) are excited to make the trip but Hannah (AJ Michalka) is reluctant to leave her father (Brian Krause), siblings and her “fiancée”, Samuel (Jean-Luc Bilodeau).
Once they get to Los Angeles, everyone but Hannah immediately enjoy their new freedom. Encouraged to spread her wings and go to a college party, Hannah meets Josh (Jesse McCartney) in the most cliché rom-com way and the two become inseparable. When Hannah begins having feelings for Josh, her friends become concerned. Eventually, the time comes for the four to return to their Amish lives and be baptized by their elder (Ron Ely). But Hannah struggles between choosing to live the life she’s expected to, or the one she wants. Things get even more complicated when she discovers a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
Maybe it’s because after the last Lifetime drama I was spoiled into thinking they would continue to push the boundaries on their “risqué” films. But Expecting Amish has to be one of the safest and unexciting movies I’ve seen from Lifetime in a while. Considering its premise, I was hoping for a lot more fights, sex, partying, etc-you know the basics of a rebellious teen Lifetime drama. Though there is sex, there is no passion. Hannah and Josh come off as friends forcing sexual chemistry that is just not there.
Putting the undesirable romance aside, even the subplots are weak. So many characters are set up for some stimulating storylines, but instead of seeing them through, they are blown over and their wrong doings are never addressed again.
Expecting Amish might as well be a blip in this Saturday night’s TV line up. There’s nothing to see here people, change the channel.
Rating: 1.5/5
Expecting Amish premieres on Lifetime Saturday July 19 at 8pm ET/7c.