CINEMACON 2018 PREVIEW:
WHAT WE HOPE TO SEE!
Article by Adam Mast
We cover quite a few film related events here at Cinemast.net and CinemaCon has become one of our favorites. That’s precisely why I’ve been attending since 1999, back when it was still referred to as ShoWest.
This annual Las Vegas-based shindig isn’t really geared towards the press. It’s really designed for exhibitors. Hosted by The National Association of Theater Owners (NATO), CinemaCon showcases all the latest in movie theater hardware and snack bar goodness to theater owners from around the world.
While we certainly love getting a peek at all the amazing equipment and goodies the movie industry has to offer, the real appeal of CinemaCon for Team Cinemast is the massive studio representation. All the major studios (i.e. Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, STX, Focus Features, Lionsgate, Entertainment Studios, etc.) will be on hand this year and that means sizzle reels and film screenings galore!
What’s more, because CinemaCon was created for theater exhibitors, that means all this glorious footage will be presented in the best possible way. We’re talking the biggest screens, the most vibrant images, and the best sound possible! At the very least, CinemaCon continues to prove why you can’t beat the theatrical experience!
This year, our crew will consist of usual suspects, John Pugh, Sheldon Demke, and yours truly. First timer Abbey Archer will also be joining us this time around and quite frankly, it’s always a blast experiencing CinemaCon through the enthusiastic eyes of someone who’s never been.
As for the studios, what film footage and possible movie screenings might they be dropping at this year’s convention? That’s anyone’s guess. That said, here’s a look at 5 upcoming films we hope we’re going to get a look at during movie Christmas in Sin City this week:
FIRST MAN
(Universal Pictures)
Writer/director Damien Chazelle made a huge splash with his directorial debut, WHIPLASH. He made an even bigger splash with the 2016 musical, LA LA LAND. What’s he up to now? How about a reality-based space mission movie revolving around iconic astronaut, Neil Armstrong (played by Ryan Gosling)? The real question is, what is this October release going to look and feel like? A recent report speculates that FIRST MAN is going to be intense stuff. Whether it’s APOLLO 13 or GRAVITY-level intense remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: FIRST MAN won’t feature a jazz score. Another thing that’s certain: Chazelle’s involvement alone makes this a movie well worth getting excited about.
GLASS
(Universal Pictures/Blumhouse)
Out of respect to those of you who have yet to see M. Night Shyamalan‘s SPLIT, I’ll avoid going into spoiler territory here and encourage you all to watch it as soon as you’re done reading this article! Let’s just say that there’s more to SPLIT than meets the eye. With the upcoming sequel, appropriately titled GLASS, Shyamalan is venturing into terrain that should make plenty of his fans happy, and you can count me as one of those fans! I couldn’t be any more excited to get a look at this thing! Adding to that excitement is the very idea that, with both THE VISIT and SPLIT, Shyamalan (THE SIXTH SENSE) has clearly gotten his mojo back. Here’s hoping that GLASS continues his recent hot streak. More importantly, though, let’s hope that Shyamalan’s foray into universe sharing kicks as much ass as we hope it’s going to kick!
HALLOWEEN
(Universal Pictures/Blumhouse)
I know what you’re thinking…
Another damn HALLOWEEN movie? Really?!
Hear me out, though. This new HALLOWEEN film is being spearheaded by Blumhouse, the creative outfit responsible for recent genre gems such as GET OUT and SPLIT. Beyond that, original HALLOWEEN creator John Carpenter has not only given this movie his blessing, but he’s also serving as a creative consultant on the picture. Further still, it was just announced that Carpenter will be providing the score! How cool is that? Still not convinced? What if I told you that Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Castle (the actor who donned the Shatner mask in the original) are also back? If that’s not at least a little bit enticing to you, then I give up.
Interestingly enough, this new HALLOWEEN is rumored to be ignoring the majority of the sequels serving as more of a bookend to the original with possible vague references to PART II. And adding to the element of intrigue, this October release was directed by David Gordon Green from a screenplay he co-wrote with funny man Danny McBride, of all people.
I’m not much of a fan Rob Zombie‘s interpretation of this iconic property nor was I too big on 1998’s H20, but I can totally get behind this one!
THE PREDATOR
(20th Century Fox)
I love me some PREDATOR action and the fact that we’re getting a new PREDATOR movie this year has me ecstatic in ways I find difficult to put into words. This new film was co-written and directed by the great Shane Black, the incredibly energetic (and talented) storyteller who, in addition to penning the screenplay for LETHAL WEAPON and directing KISS KISS, BANG BANG and IRON MAN 3 also co-starred as a likable grunt in John McTiernan‘s original PREDATOR from 1987! While a few story details have emerged, info is scarce. We know the film stars Thomas Jane, Jacob Tremblay, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Keegan-Michael Key, Jake Busey, and Edward James Olmos, but 20th Century Fox has yet to release a lick of footage from the highly anticipated September release. That said, I suspect that’s all going to change during the upcoming Fox presentation at CinemaCon. Can’t wait!!
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2
(Walt Disney Pictures)
Disney always does CinemaCon presentations up right. They bring the showmanship in a big way and what’s always been particularly cool about Disney is that they usually give attendees a look at an upcoming film in its entirety. If they do opt to show a film again this year, what could it possibly be? Given that AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR opens the day after the convention ends, it’s safe to say they won’t be screening that. Likewise, SOLO isn’t a likely candidate either because that’s a Lucasfilm title and they keep their stuff pretty close to the vest. I’m guessing if we do get an advance screening, it’s going to be THE INCREDIBLES 2 and I’m not about to bitch about that because who in their right mind wouldn’t want to see an advance screening of what might just be the most highly anticipated title of Pixar’s entire resume?
Whatever the case may be, Disney is sure to share plenty of footage from its upcoming slate and of all the high profile films they’ve got in the pipeline, one of the titles I’m most excited about is RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2. The first film really took me by surprise and I’m feeling pretty darn confident that this follow-up is going to bring it in a big way. We need look no further than the recent teaser trailer that not only reintroduces us to returning John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman, but ends with a pancake-stuffed bunny rabbit exploding! Yes, please!
Again, all the major studios will be present at CinemaCon this year, so there’s sure to be countless sizzle reels, a plethora of A-list talent, and plenty of surprises! The convention runs from April 23rd to April 26th. Watch for our coverage, including video blogs and articles, throughout the week here at Cinemast.
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