Disney's "A Wrinkle In Time" Stars Shine at the World Premiere

Tonight in Los Angeles, stars Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Zach Galifianakis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Storm Reid, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, Rowan Blanchard were joined by director Ava DuVernay for a walk down the blue carpet where they greeted enthusiastic fans at the world premiere of Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time.”

They were joined by special guests Viola Davis, Rosario Dawson, Laura Dern, Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, Kobe Bryant, America Ferrera, Tracee Ellis Ross, Janelle Monáe, Jay Hernandez, Don Cheadle, Eva Longoria, Tessa Thompson, Constance Wu, J.J. Abrams, Niki Caro, Ryan Coogler and Issa Rae.

“A WRINKLE IN TIME” opens in U.S. theaters on March 9.

A WRINKLE IN TIME Press Conference Photos

The filmmakers and cast of Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time participated in a press conference in Hollywood. Director Ava DuVernay was joined by cast members Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Zach Galifianakis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Storm Reid, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, Rowan Blanchard and screenwriter Jennifer Lee.  

Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time will be released on March 9, 2018!

A Wrinkle in Time Official US Trailer

Here is the brand new trailer from Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” which just debuted on the “American Music Awards,” as well as four new film stills. “A Wrinkle in Time” opens nationwide on March 9, 2018. 

NEW POSTER FOR DISNEY'S "A WRINKLE IN TIME"

From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.

Directed by Emmy(R) winner and Oscar(R) and Golden Globe(R) nominee Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Oscar winner Jennifer Lee based upon the beloved novel by Madeleine L’Engle, “A Wrinkle in Time” stars: two-time Academy Award(R) nominee Oprah Winfrey, Oscar and Emmy winner Reese Witherspoon, Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peňa and introducing Storm Reid, with two-time Emmy winner Zach Galifianakis and Emmy nominee Chris Pine.

Produced by Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand with Doug Merrifield serving as executive producer, the film also boasts an impressive creative team featuring some of the most talented artisans working today, including: Tobias Schliessler, ASC as director of photography, Naomi Shohan as production designer, Oscar(R)-nominee Spencer Averick as film editor, two-time Academy Award(R)-nominee Paco Delgado as costume designer and four time Emmy(R) nominee Ramin Djawadi as composer.

FIRST LOOK AT TEASER TRAILER AND TEASER POSTER FOR DISNEY'S A WRINKLE IN TIME

Take a look at the teaser trailer and teaser poster for Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” which just debuted at the D23 EXPO in Anaheim, thrilling the thousands of Disney fans in attendance. The film, which is an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and ultimately, the triumph of love.

Directed by Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Jennifer Lee based upon the beloved novel by Madeleine L’Engle, “A Wrinkle in Time” is produced by Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand with Doug Merrifield serving as executive producer. The film stars: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peňa, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, André Holland, Rowan Blanchard with Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine and introduces Storm Reid.

Check out “A Wrinkle in Time” when it hits theaters on March 9, 2018!

Sasaki Time's Blu-Ray Review: Disney's The Finest Hours

The year is 1952, during one of the biggest storms off the coast of Massachusetts, the oil tanker Pendleton is split in half. With another oil tanker having already suffered a similar fate and undergoing a major rescue operation, the Pendleton sits alone with no radio communication and no commanding officers. A small U.S. Coast Guard boat is dispatched to find the Pendleton. But this small crew and smaller boat loses its compass and has no way of knowing if they are heading towards the tanker or not.

Leading up to this epic rescue is a love story between Coast Guard sailor Bernie Webber (Chris Pine) and Miriam (Holliday Grainger). This helps add to the tension and drama as Bernie leads his team out into the storm.

Meanwhile aboard the Pendleton, chief engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) unwillingly takes command of the remaining crew. The crew is made up of all types of sailors with every personality type imaginable. This makes for some very tense moments in an already horrible situation. And the camera work here as we swoop up and down the levels of the ship really bring the ship to life.

The cast is strong. Chris Pine plays Bernie Webber, a man who follows the rules. Holliday Grainger plays Webber's fiancee Miriam, a woman who does not abide by the rules of gender. She is proactive
and has much guts as any of the men in the movie. But Affleck is the stand out here. He takes a man of very few words into the most compelling character here. He quietly becomes the leader when he has no desire to be in charge and uses his knowledge of the ship and the currents to help save him and the remaining men on the ship. The quiet hero who steps up when no one else does or no one really knows what to do.

This man versus nature film will keep you on the edge of your seat.  You feel the hopelessness of the men on the tanker as it appears they have no hope to survive. And you feel the pain of the small Coast Guard crew on their small boat as they head towards certain death to do their job of helping others out at sea. This is one forgotten rescue story that will now never be forgotten. 

Video Quality

The 1080p video transfer is solid for a film that mostly takes place in very dark conditions. You get mostly stormy nighttime scenes and low light ship interiors. Solid details on clothing textures, skin, weathered ships and more. Another solid presentation from Disney.

Audio Quality

The 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio is huge! The power of the waves in the storm surround you as the bass pounds you. Inside the ship you hear every rattle, creak, yell as if you were trapped in the ship itself. Another outstanding effort from Disney.

Bonus Material

There are several bonus features and a Disney digital copy is included with purchase. 

• Against All Odds: The Bernie Webber Story (1080p, 14:10): This is a wonderful feature with the main film crew and some of the residents of Chatham talking about the town history and some of the actual details behind the event, with an emphasis on Bernie Weber's heroics. 
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): There are two deleted scenes here. A Desperate Idea (2:34) and The Story of How They Met (1:53).
• Brotherhood (1080p, 1:49): A short feature of how well the cast got along as well as Chris Pine's leadership on the set.
• Two Crews (1080p, 2:02): Another short feature showing the parallel stories of Weber's crew and the survivors on the tanker.
• What Is Your Finest Hour? (1080p, 1:02): A real member of the Coast Guard discussing some of the heroics.
• The Finest Inspiration: The U.S. Coast Guard (1080p, 1:42): A quick look at the modern Coast Guard's missions and abilities.

An exciting, edge of your seat movie on a blu-ray with Disney's high standard for both video as well as audio presentations. The bonus material could have been longer but provide some good value in a blu-ray that I definitely recommend. 

The Finest Hours - On Blu-ray and Digital HD May 24

ONE OF THE GREATEST RESCUE STORIES EVER TOLD

Starring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster and Eric Bana

RELEASES ON IN-HOME PLATFORMS, MAY 24^TH

Disney Presents

THE FINEST HOURS

The Film Storms Home on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere,

and Packaged with A Host of Bonus Features Including An All-New Documentary With A Look at the True Life Heroes Behind the Story, Making-of Featurettes and Deleted Scenes

BURBANK, Calif., March 25, 2016 — “THE FINEST HOURS,” a heroic action-thriller based on the true story of a 1952 U.S. Coast Guard rescue, storms home on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere, and On-Demand on May 24^th, 2016. Starring Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” films), Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck (“Interstellar”), Ben Foster (“3:10 to Yuma”) and Eric Bana (“Lone Survivor”), “THE FINEST HOURS” makes its in-home debut packaged with a host of bonus features about the making of the movie and the remarkable true-life events that inspired it.

Based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias, viewers can enjoy diving into the thrilling eye of the storm with: An all-new documentary  “Against All Odds: The Bernie Webber Story,” in which real-life residents of Chatham recall the events that set the stage for the film’s historic rescue mission; Four making-of featurettes highlighting cast members experiences and reflections by members of the U.S. Coast Guard; as well as two never-before-shared Deleted Scenes.

Directed by Craig Gillespie (“Million Dollar Arm”), “THE FINEST HOURS” stars Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” films); Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck (“Interstellar”); Ben Foster (“3:10 to Yuma”); Holliday Grainger (“Cinderella”); John Ortiz (“Silver Linings Playbook”); and Eric Bana (“Lone Survivor”). The film is produced by Jim Whitaker (“Cinderella Man”) and Dorothy Aufiero (“The Fighter”), the screenplay is by Oscar® nominee Scott Silver (“8 Mile”) and Oscar nominees Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson (“The Fighter”) based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias. Doug Merrifield (the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films) serves as executive producer.

BONUS FEATURES*:

Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, Digital SD, Disney Movies Anywhere

·              AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE BERNIE WEBBER STORY – Visit the quaint and close-knit town of Chatham, and experience the events surrounding the most heroic Coast Guard rescue ever through the eyes of the people who witnessed them.

·              BROTHERHOOD – Cast members reflect on the bonds they forged during the shoot.

·              TWO CREWS – Chris Pine and Casey Affleck share insights into Bernie Webber and Ray Sybert, men who led their respective crews against all odds.

·              WHAT IS YOUR FINEST HOUR? – A Coast Guard member recounts an incredible rescue.

·              THE FINEST INSPIRATION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD Meet the people who put their lives on the line for others.

·              DELETED SCENES:

o    A Desperate Idea

o    The Story of How They Met

DVD

·       BROTHERHOOD

·       THE FINEST INSPIRATION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD

Movie Review: Disney's The Finest Hours

The year is 1952, during one of the biggest storms off the coast of Massachusetts, the oil tanker Pendleton is split in half. With another oil tanker having already suffered a similar fate and undergoing a major rescue operation, the Pendleton sits alone with no radio communication and no commanding officers. A small U.S. Coast Guard boat is dispatched to find the Pendleton. But this small crew and smaller boat loses its compass and has no way of knowing if they are heading towards the tanker or not.

Leading up to this epic rescue is a love story between Coast Guard sailor Bernie Webber (Chris Pine) and Miriam (Holliday Grainger). This helps add to the tension and drama as Bernie leads his team out into the storm.

Disney's The Finest Hours World Premiere Photos

Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Eric Bana and the cast of Disney’s “The Finest Hours” were greeted by the U.S. Coast Guard Band, Honor Guard and throngs of fans at the film’s premiere last night at the TCL Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. The heroic action-thriller opens in U.S. theaters this Friday, January 29.

Two Brand New Clips from Disney's The Finest Hours

Chris Pine and Casey Affleck bring the true story of the most daring rescue in Coast History to the big screen. Check out two new clips from the heroic action-thriller "The Finest Hours” featuring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Kyle Gallner, John Magaro and Casey Affleck.

Disney's "The Finest Hours,” which is presented in Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D and transports audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale, storms into theaters on January 29, 2016.

Disney's The Finest Hours Featurette - In Theaters January 29!

Disney's The Finest Hours is in theaters January 29!

A heroic action-thriller, “The Finest Hours” is the remarkable true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.Presented in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D, the film will transport audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. On February 18, 1952, a massive nor’easter struck New England, pummeling towns along the Eastern seaboard and wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston, which was literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking stern. As the senior officer on board, first assistant engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) soon realizes it is up to him to take charge of the frightened crew and inspire the men to set aside their differences and work together to ride out one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast. Meanwhile, as word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard station in Chatham, Massachusetts, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring operation to rescue the stranded men. Despite overwhelming odds, four men, led by Coast Guard Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), set out in a wooden lifeboat with an ill-equipped engine and little, if any, means of navigation, facing frigid temperatures, 60-foot high waves and hurricane-force winds.

Disney’s “The Finest Hours” is the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s courageous mission, which is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars: Chris Pine; Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck; Ben Foster; Holliday Grainger; John Ortiz; and Eric Bana. Produced by Jim Whitaker and Dorothy Aufiero, the screenplay is by Oscar® nominee Scott Silver and Oscar nominees Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. Doug Merrifield serves as executive producer. “The Finest Hours” storms into U.S. theaters on January 29, 2016 in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

POSTER AND TRAILER FOR THE HEROIC ACTION-THRILLER "THE FINEST HOURS"

A heroic action-thriller, “The Finest Hours” is the remarkable true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history. Presented in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D, the film will transport audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. On February 18, 1952, a massive nor’easter struck New England, pummeling towns along the Eastern seaboard and wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston, which was literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking stern. As the senior officer on board, first assistant engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) soon realizes it is up to him to take charge of the frightened crew and inspire the men to set aside their differences and work together to ride out one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast. Meanwhile, as word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard station in Chatham, Massachusetts, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring operation to rescue the stranded men. Despite overwhelming odds, four men, led by Coast Guard Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), set out in a wooden lifeboat with an ill-equipped engine and little, if any, means of navigation, facing frigid temperatures, 60-foot high waves and hurricane-force winds.

Disney’s “The Finest Hours” is the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s courageous mission, which is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars: Chris Pine; Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck; Ben Foster; Holliday Grainger; John Ortiz; and Eric Bana. Produced by Jim Whitaker and Dorothy Aufiero, the screenplay is by Oscar® nominee Scott Silver and Oscar nominees Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. Doug Merrifield serves as executive producer. “The Finest Hours” storms into U.S. theaters on January 29, 2016 in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

Movie Review: Into The Woods

One of my favorite musicals is coming to the big screen in a major way. The musical adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods opens in theaters on Christmas Day.

There have been several false starts by other directors, but this time, Director Rob Marshall is the right person to bring this musical to life on film. After all, Marshall was the director of the Best Picture Oscar winner Chicago, the last musical to bring home the Academy's top prize.

Right from the opening number, which sets up the tale of why all of our characters are venturing forth Into The Woods, we are off on an epic journey.

The musical follows the classic fairy tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and The Beanstalk and Rapunzel all weaved together with an original tale of a baker and his wife who are trying to have a child and a witch who has placed a curse on them.

Many times when a musical comes to the screen, the director chooses to space the songs and scenes differently than the stage blocking and that takes away from the story's stage roots. For instance, instead of allowing a character to sing their solo, the director has that character move around in the world around them, Or instead of having what amounts to a wide shot like on the stage, the director uses the close-up for the film. But Marshall knows when to let the big songs just break free and when to focus on the drama. This allows for a great transition between the darkness of the story as well as the magic.

The movie is superbly acted and moves along swiftly. If a film deserves a win for best ensemble it is this film. This cast supports one another. If there is a lead, then it is James Corden, who plays the Baker, along with his wife, who is played to perfection by Emily Blunt. Meryl Streep is a shoe-in for her 19th Oscar nomination, but this time for a supporting role as the witch. Chris Pine and Anna Kendrick are solid here as well. I had no idea that Chris Pine can sing! Plus, you will fall in love with Lillia Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood and Daniel Huttlestone who plays Jack. Johnny Depp is the wolf, but is only in the movie for a few minutes, but he does sing one of the darkest songs in the entire musical.

I was worried that this movie would not remain as dark as the stage show but Disney allowed this film to retain much of its darker tones. There are some creative changes but I think fans of the stage show will agree that this film plays out to the audience.

I expect Into The Woods to rack up the nominations come award season. Spectacular performances combined with stunning sets and costumes make this the musical, no, the film of the holiday season!

How does this all end? Will there be a happy ending for everyone involved? Well, in order to find out, you must venture Into The Woods!

Photos from the Q&A with the cast and filmmakers of Disney's Into The Woods!

Take a look at some of the images from tonight's Q&A with the cast and filmmakers of INTO THE WOODS (Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, director Rob Marshall and screenwriter James Lapine).The cast & filmmakers took part in a Q&A in NY simultaneously seen in LA on Saturday, November 22. Into the Woods opens in theaters Christmas Day.

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