DreamWorks Pictures’ Bridge of Spies Press Junket

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DreamWorks Pictures’ Bridge of Spies Press Junket NYC

bridgeofspies

Recently I had the chance to screen DreamWorks Pictures’ Bridge of Spies and attend the Press Junket in NYC. Through the years I have become accustomed to being in the same room as some pretty awesome celebs, but this one took the cake! It was a total Pinch Me moment! The Press Junket interviews included Tom Hanks (“James Donovan”), Alan Alda (“Thomas Watters”), Amy Ryan (“Mary Donovan”),  Mark Rylance (“Rudolf Abel”), and Steven Spielberg (Director). Okay, I admit it, I may have dreamed about this moment forever. 

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During our chat Steven Spielberg revealed that Bridge of Spies was tossed around back in 1965 and then squashed by MGM. I’m certainly glad it was brought back to the table and made it to the big screen. Then asked why he thought the movie was shelfed.  Speilberg replied, ” It was 1965. Many big things had happened. The Cuban Missile Crisis was averted almost a year and a half before, and the tensions were too taut between the Soviets and the United States. MGM did not want to get into the politics of this era”. When asked how the movie fits into the adult movie film industry, Steven Spielberg let us know that he feels there is room for every kind of movie nowadays – “There is an audience for every movie out there”.

Steven Spielberg captivated me with his take on the movie. “Make a movie relevant to our times because the cold war is coming back. There is a definite frost in the air. History seems to be repeating itself. There is an open season during our current time for spying through cyber hacking”. 

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Tom Hanks who plays James Donovan entertained our minds letting us know that he googled his character, James Donovan to find out whatever he could about him. “The key to the guy, for me, because he wrote an awful lot about his own life.  There’s a substantial – as a matter of fact, he wrote a book about his experience with Rudolf Abel that goes so in depth into the trial, I felt like I was, you know, a court stenographer after a while, reading  it.  It just goes on, and on, and on – this motion and that motion”. Tom Hanks was incredible as a Brooklyn lawyer that finds himself in the middle of the Cold War when he is sent to negotiate the release of the captured American pilot as he defends Russian spy- Rudolf Abel. 

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Mark Rylance (Rudolf Abel) was just as personable in person as in the movie giving us a bit a chuckle with is casual movie line he repeated for us, “Will it help?”. Loved him! 

If you haven’t heard about Bridge of Spies yet here you go: It’s a dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events. DreamWorks Pictures- Fox 2000 Pictures’ “Bridge of Spies” tells the story of James Donovan, a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. Screenwriters Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen have woven this remarkable experience in Donovan’s life into a story inspired by true events that captures the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.

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Alan Alda was asked about the make up of the family. “I loved how they were able to develop the home life so believably, so un-movie-like, but like two people who are running a family together – that that gave resonance, I thought, to the moment where I said to him, “Don’t do this.  Think about your family.  Think about what it’s gonna cost them.”

As a final note Spielberg commented, “I don’t really distinguish between a fictional hero and a real life hero, as a basis for any comparison.  You know, to me, a hero’s a hero.  And I like making pictures about people who are – who have a personal mission in life, or at least in the story, the life in the story, and who start out in a certain, with certain low expectations, and then overachieve our highest expectations for them.  That’s the kind of character arc I love dabbling in as a director, as a filmmaker.”

DreamWorks Pictures’ Bridge of Spies will be in theaters Friday October 16, 2015. Check out my full review on the movie opening day. For now let me just tell you that if you have any interest from what you have read above you need to see this movie. I can’t wait to go back with hubby and see it again.

Check out more about the movie here: 

Like BRIDGE OF SPIES on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeOfSpies

 Follow BRIDGE OF SPIES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BridgeofSpies

Visit the official BRIDGE OF SPIES website: https://www.bridgeofspies.com/

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan was invited to the  Bridge of Spies Press Junket. No compensation was given for this post. All opinions are that of my own and honest. They do not reflect the views of anyone else. Please contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net and everywhere else as @3decades3kids. Thanks Bridge of Spies team. 

 

 

Giveaway: Big Hero 6 Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD Hits Shelves Feb. 24th

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Giveaway: Big Hero 6 Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD Hits Shelves Feb. 24th

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Love Disney movies? Our family has a huge collection of Disney films. Of course we have all the oldies, but I feel it’s just as important to make the new movies a part of our collection, too. We celebrate weekly with family movie night and most times Disney is the choice. Of course my daughter thinks a Disney movie a day is just what the doctor ordered, so we do spend most nights catching at least half a movie and watching half the next night. You can’t go wrong with a Disney movie in the blu-ray player.

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A few months ago we had the pleasure of watching Big Hero 6 on the big screen. Who could not help but fall in love with the movie? I know our family did. Walt Disney Animation Studios,  Find out more about Big Hero 6 here: http://movies.disney.com/big-hero-6

BIG HERO 6 SYNOPSIS: With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is an action-packed comedy adventure that introduces Baymax, a lovable, personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his diverse group of friends — adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred — who transform into a band of unlikely heroes. Bring home Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” featuring comic-book-style action and hilarious, unforgettable characters — it’s fun for the whole family!

The wonderful team at Disney Pictures is offering one 3decades3kids reader a chance to have a Big Hero 6 Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD of their own. No wonder we heart Disney. Giveaway will end Feb.28 at 11;59 pm. Enter on the rafflecopter below. USA/18+ only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclosure: Sample product provided by Disney Pictures. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com and everywhere else at @3decades3kids. 

You’re Invited To The NYC Screening Of black or white @Blackorwhite #LoveHasNoColor

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You’re Invited To The NYC Screening

Of black or white #LoveHasNoColor

By now I am so sure you have seen the commercials on tv for Black or White. Every time the commercial airs I love the movie a little bit more. The hashtag says it all #LoveHasNoColor. Black or White is the story of a grandfather (Academy Award winner Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter.  When her paternal grandmother (Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother (Anthony Mackie), the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply.  With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white. In theaters Jan. 30. Rated PG13.

You Are Invited to the NYC screening of

“black or white”

January 29th 

7pm

AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13

1998 Broadway

New York, NY 10023

http://www.relativityscreenings.com//3DecadesBlackOrWhite

Please leave us a comment with your Twitter handle if you have one so we can alert you early for upcoming screenings!

Please leave us a comment if you were able to get passes. Appreciated 🙂 Diane

Follow us on Twitter at @3decades3kids for early announcements about upcoming screenings.

Please remember to arrive early and print out passes now. Screenings are overbooked to ensure a full house, but if you arrive early you will not have an issue about being cut off.

Screening passes will be given out it pairs. Enjoy! We can’t wait for this one.

Check out more about black or white here:

http://blackorwhitefilm.com/#/content/home

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan is a Relativity Studios movie partner. No compensation was given for this post. We love the movies and want to share free movie screenings with our readers. Please contact me at Elgeorgia@aol.com and everywhere else at .@3decades3kids. See you at the movies!!

 

From The Mind of George Lucas Strange Magic In Theaters January 23

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Love Blooms As George Lucas

Brings Us Strange Magic

In Theaters January 23rd

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We all love to be loved don’t we? We all want to be in love? For me it was and is what my entire life revolves around. The love of my life, my hubby of 25 years, the love for my children, family and friends keeps a smile on my face and give me a reason to wake up every morning. When I was asked to preview Strange Magic I basically ran…not walked ot the theater. Although the characters had me a little worried that the movie might be scary for my eight year old daughter I am happy to report they were just fine and some actually became quite lovable. From the mind of George Lucas (and featuring the talents of Evan Rachel Wood, Alan Cumming, and more!) comes Strange Magic— a tale of magic, a tale of misunderstandings, and most of all, a tale of love!

 

 

Strange Magic tells the intertwining stories of several fairies, elves, goblins, and other creatures in a mystical forest divided between Darkness and Light. At the center of it are Marianne, a fairy princess who becomes jaded against love after her fiancee Roland is caught cheating, Sunny the elf, a hopeless romantic whose unrequited love for Marianne’s sister Dawn dampens his otherwise cheerful demeanor, and the Bog King, ruler of the dark half of the forest. When the Sugarplum Fairy is set free and a love potion gone wrong joins all the wrong couples together, it’s up to Marianne and Sunny to set things right (while learning a thing or two about love themselves along the way!)

Inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and set to a rollicking soundtrack of popular songs from the last sixty years,Strange Magic is an ode to love like you’ve never seen before. From the film’s opening notes (Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love With You, a personal favorite) to its big finale (a well-placed sequence featuring, among others,  Wild Thing) you’ll be clapping your hands, tapping your toes and singing along as Strange Magic takes you on a wild and exciting ride!

 

You and your family will definitely love Strange Magic— we sure did! Check it out in theaters starting today, January 23. See you at the movies!

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan was invited to a press screening of Strange Magic. All opinions are that of DS and honest. Contact Diane Sullivan at ELGEorgia@aol.com and .@3decades3kids everywhere else. No compensation was given for this post.

 

Let’s Chat With Strange Magic Creator George Lucas and Cast @StrangeMagic #StrangeMagic #GeorgeLucas

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Let’s Chat With Strange Magic Creator George Lucas and Cast

Recently I had the privilege of attending a Q & A with the cast and crew of Strange Magic– creator George Lucas, director Gary Rydstrom, music director Marius DeVries, and stars Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Elijah Kelley, Meredith Anne Bull, and Sam Palladio– and there was plenty to learn about the hard work that went into creating the movie! Pinch me! What an incredible room filled with talent.

George Lucas in particular, who spent fifteen years bringing his vision of Strange Magic to life, had a lot to say about the inspiration behind the film. “What I wanted try to do,” Lucas revealed, “was tell a story using the lyrics of existing songs.” He added that “originally I wanted it to be all music, like an opera”– while that unfortunately didn’t work out, Lucas admitted that “about 75% of it is still music.”

The music of Strange Magic truly is the backbone of the film, and cobbling together a movie that depends so heavily on its songs was certainly no simple task for music director Marius DeVries. According to DeVries, over 400 songs were recorded during the creative process of Strange Magic and, though some did not make the cut in full, you may notice their presence in the film’s score (also by Marius DeVries.) That said, DeVries admitted that he “wanted there to be as little score as possible. Once you’ve committed to telling a story by song, I think you should try to stick to that as closely as possible.” Of course the music was close to my heart, since hubby and I chose, “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”..as our wedding song, twenty-five years ago!

On the subject of Strange Magic’s story, it is unabashedly a love-centric tale, and as such has quite a few important messages about love for its viewers. The movie professes acceptance and love not only for others, but for yourself as well– an aspect that the film’s stars weighed in on as one of Strange Magic’s more powerful lessons. “The things that make you different are the things that make you beautiful,” said Evan Rachel Wood (who plays Marianne), while Elijah Kelley (Sunny) added that he felt the movie showcases that “no matter how weird and strange you feel like  you are, there’s somebody out there who’s weird and strange like you.” Artfully summing up the cast’s opinions on the moral of Strange Magic, George Lucas stated that “the story is about the difference between infatuation and real love. Real love is on the inside– it’s with somebody you can share things with that can last you your whole life.” Need I say more?

Strange Magic hits theaters this Friday, January 23.

Are you planning to see the movie?

http://strangemagic-thefilm.com/#home

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan was invited by Disney to attend this press conference in NYC. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan. No compensation was given for this post. We love Disney and want to share it all with our readers. Contact me at ELGEorgia@aol.com and everywhere else as .@3decades3kids.