CINEMACON…
YEAR 5 WAS BIGGER, BETTER AND
MORE AWESOME THAN EVER…
BY: THE BLONDE AND THE BRUNETTE
PHOTOS: BY ROBIN ROTH
2015 was a tremendous and proud landmark year for CinemaCon. It has grown and developed into the largest and utmost significant convention for the worldwide motion picture theater industry.
CinemaCon is a international event that attracts attendees from more than 80 countries around the world. This was absolutely such an impressive feat. Kudos to all who made this achievement transpire. The excitement and electricity in the air was felt throughout the entire Convention at Caesars Palace From April 20 to April 23 by all present. CinemaCon encompassed advertising, internet and social media, theater equipment, concessions and beyond.
Manufacturers, dealers showcasing the latest Technological advances and innovative concession offerings were all present and ecstatic to be there.
CinemaCon incorporated a very special day of programming targeted at the international Marketplace. This was no doubt, the biggest, most successful and thrilling CinemaCon convention to date.
The festivities Included impressive Hollywood product presentations of forthcoming films, and electrifying premiere feature screenings, mega stars, producer and director presentations and lectures. From what the Blonde and the Brunette sensed from all the expositions, this will be a smashing, stellar, blockbuster season at the box office.
The CinemaCon schedule was so diverse, enlightening and entertaining, that it was simply an honor and privilege just to be a part of it.
CINEMACON’S 2015
BIG SCREEN ACHIEVEMENT
AWARDS
SIXTEEN HONOREES RECEIVED
CinemaCon and The Coca-Cola Company welcomed Billy Bush to the stage to announce the 2015 Big Screen Achievement Awards recipients. The Showroom at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada was packed with NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners), International Theatre Owners, Movie Production Studio Executives, Trade Show Vendors, and representatives from the Media. An enormous amount of excitement had been building up to this presentation that is the finale off the 5th year that CinemaCon has been celebrating the Movie going Experience. There was a buzz in the air.
Alan Arkin was the first awardee to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. He has enjoyed more than 50 remarkable years being a respected professional actor. Arkin was born in Brooklyn, and launched is career with the Chicago improvisational revue “Second City”. He received a Tony Award for his performance in the 1963 Broadway show “Enter Laughing”, a Golden Globe Award for the comedy sensational film “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming”; and Academy Award for “Little Miss Sunshine.” Mr. Arkin has will forever be remembered for his brilliance in over 70 films. He that is not enough he has also directed short films and written several books. Including his most recent memoirs “An Improvised Life.” Watch for him this fall, in CBS Films/Lionsgate’s, “Love the Coopers.”
The Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year Award was presented to Elizabeth Banks for her first film, soon to be released, Universal Pictures, “Pitch Perfect 2.” Bank’s company is Brownstone Productions. She has thoroughly enjoyed being behind the camera to direct her cast into their finest performances. An extraordinary talent and versatile actress, she has been seen in many top box office hits, such as “The Lego Movie,” “Pitch Perfect,” “The Hunger Games,” “What to Expect When You are Expecting,” “People Like Us” “Seabiscuit,” and “Catch Me If You Can”. Banks has received awards for her television performances, and has extensive theatre credits through the American Conservatory Theatre, the Guthrie Theatre and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. You go girl.
Britt Robertson received the 2015 Star of Tomorrow Award for her upcoming role in Disney’s “Tomorrowland.” She has an impressive film resume already as a co-star with Scott Eastwood in 20th Century Fox’s romantic drama, “The Longest Ride,” and was recently seen in “Delivery Man” and “Cake”. Robertson has worked with many of Hollywood’s finest stars, George Clooney, Steve Carell, Naomi Watts and Annette Bening to name a few.
The Director of the Year Award was presented to Francis Lawrence for his incredible movie making skills through the last two films of the franchise, “The Hunger Games.” The very creative and inventive director’s work can be seen late this fall in Lionsgate’s, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part .2. Lawrence’s first film debut was in 2005 with “Constantine,” followed by, “I Am Legend,” and “Water For Elephant’s” He furthermore, has a long list of television and commercial credits under his belt to be proud of.
The hilarious and incredibly funny comic, Amy Schumer received The Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award. This summer Schumer will be starring in the Universal Pictures film, “Trainwreck.” The film was written by Schumer and directed by Judd Apatow. What a combination of talent. Already, well known through her comical television performances; Schumer is returning to Comedy Central for the third season of, “Inside Amy Schumer,, which she received a Primetime Emmy Award-nomination for being the creator, star, writer and executive producer.
The Rising Stars of 2015 Award was presented to Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne. Their upcoming film from 20th Century Fox, “Paper Towns” will be released later this summer. Author John Green’s bestselling novel, of the same name, was adapted to this film, and should prove to be a wonderful romantic coming-of-age story. Both Wolff and Delevingne have outstanding film credits, at such a young age.
Jamie Bell, Michael B Jordan, Kate Mara and Miles Teller, the cast of 20th Century Fox’s, soon to be released Marvel’s comic thriller “Fantastic Four” earned the CinemaCon Ensemble Award. These gifted young stars bring a new dimension to this longest-running superhero team. This film looks so exciting.
Comedy Filmmaker of the Year Award recognized Paul Feig. This fabulous filmmaker is known for being the director of the comical films, “Bridesmaids” and “The Heat.” His latest project is 20th Century Fox’s upcoming, all-star film, “SPY;” including Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney, Curtis “50 Cent.” Jackson and Miranda Hart. Feig is a three time Emmy nominated writer/director and DGA Award winner. In the works to be released July 2016, is another directorial accomplishment for Feig, the remake of “Ghostbusters” with an all female-led cast. I have to interject what a completely marvelous human being this witty Feig is.
We have one more thing of note, to tell here and our favorite interview question at CinemaCon. We asked, “50 Cent,” why did he pick his name. He replied, “When I was a little boy, my grandmother would take me to the store and if I was good, she would let me go on the little ride afterwards. I loved those rides and would always ask to go again, by saying to my grandmother, 50 cent!” Love that story….
Academy Award and Emmy winning actress, Julianne Moore, was the recipient of The CinemaCon Vanguard Award. This award is presented to an actor/actress whose work on the big screen outshines all others. Moore has continued to entertain, enlighten, educate and captivate movie audiences with a variety of genera’s to people of all ages. She has two films to be released soon Lionsgate’s, “Freeheld” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2.” Moore is the ninth person in Academy history to receive two Oscar nominations in the same year; and the only American actress to be awarded top acting prizes at the Cannes, Berlin and Venice film festivals. She also is an inspirational philanthropist helping children around the world. She is an elegant, lovely, and brilliant woman.
Kevin Hart was presented with the Comedy Star of the Year Award for his outstanding comedic talent. His films have become box office gold with his two very successful films this year, His movie fans find him to be one of the most entertaining comedians of today. “Paper Soldiers,” “Scary Movie 3,” “Along Came Polly,” “The Five-Year Engagement”, “Grudge Match”, and “About Last Night,” are part of his film successes. Now also, an executive producer, Hart has many television credits, including, “2012 MTV Video Music Awards,” along with many standup comedy tours. Upcoming films for Hart next year will be Universal Pictures, “Ride Along 2
Female Star of the Year Award was awarded to the stunningly versatile, Rose Byrne. Her many film achievements Include, “Annie”, “The Turning”, “This is Where I Leave You,” “The Internship,” “The Place Beyond the Pines,” “Insidious,” “Bridemaids”, “Get Him to the Greek,” “X-Men: First Class,” and many more. Not only is she known for her comedic timing, she is also, an exceptional dramatic artist. Byrne will appear this summer in 20th Century Fox’s release of “Spy. She stars along side of Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Jason Statham and the rest of the all-star cast.
Paul Rudd received the Male Star of the Year Award for his memorable roles that gave him a proven track record of making audiences around the world laugh. Later this year, Rudd will star with Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly in the next Marvel Studios release of the thrilling, “Ant-Man.” This is THE, talked about movie franchise of the year. Some of Rudd’s other memorable films include, “Knocked Up,” “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Wanderlust,” “Clueless,” “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” and “The Cider House Rules.”
What a talent!
The Blonde and the Brunette would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to all of these mega talented actors for their exceptional outstanding work.
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