Entertainment

Pratt, Ice Cube, More Debut New Footage at CinemaCon

Published

10 years ago

April 24, 2015

F. Gary Gray, director of the upcoming drama “Straight Outta Compton,” discusses the film onstage during the Universal Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2015 at Caesars Palace on Thursday, April 23, 2015, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

LINDSEY BAHR, AP Film Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chris Pratt left the CinemaCon crowd in stitches with his irreverent, high-energy and slightly racy comments at the annual conference of theater owners Thursday. The actor, there to promote “Jurassic World” along with director Colin Trevorrow, introduced a sizzle reel of new footage from the dinosaur epic.

In the extended reel, audiences got a glimpse at the hyper-intelligent female dinosaur who throws the amusement park into chaos. She kills people and her fellow dinosaurs without hesitation and dinosaur handler Owen (Pratt) must figure out a way to stop her.

Seth MacFarlane, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Amy Schumer were also among the slew of surprise guests at the Universal Pictures presentation. The studio debuted unseen footage from many of their upcoming films, including “Everest,” ”Crimson Peak” and “Straight Outta Compton” to the audience on the closing day of the conference.

Ice Cube, on hand to promote the N.W.A. origin story “Straight Outta Compton,” praised Universal and its chairwoman, Donna Langley, for having the courage to make the film.

“We made it possible for artists to be themselves. That’s why we’re called the world’s most dangerous group,” said Ice Cube.

Raunchy clips were also shown from “Ted 2,” and “Sisters,” starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

“‘Ted 2’ is a movie you can take the whole family to … if your whole family is over 18 and addicted to drugs,” said MacFarlane.

“Everest,” meanwhile, focused heavily on the harrowing danger facing the climbers, like Jason Clarke, and the effect on their worried and distant families, including a tearful Keira Knightley.

Guillermo del Toro also showed some frightening footage from his gothic romance “Crimson Peak,” starring Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska.

“I wanted a theatrical, operatic spectacle that could be perhaps closer to a fairy tale in terms of how exquisitely designed it would be,” he said before showing the audience the trailer, which features a bathtub spout that pours blood.

The studio furthermore announced official release dates for the “Fifty Shades of Grey” sequel: “Fifty Shades Darker” will be released on Feb. 10, 2017, and “Fifty Shades Freed” on Feb. 9, 2018.

Vin Diesel was also in attendance to announce that the eighth installment in the “Fast & Furious” series will be released on April 14, 2017.

“This was a very personal movie and the stakes are very personal. We really love each other, we really are a family. We felt that in the movie,” he said, after a highlight reel of the “Fast & Furious” movies.

“It’s hard for me to even watch that clip and come out here without being emotional. But most importantly, I mean it from the bottom of my heart, that you guys, you help us make this special.”

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Every High School In The U.S. Will Be Sent A Copy Of ‘Selma’

Don't Miss

American Indian Actors Quit Adam Sandler Movie Over Names

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.