FJI - Features

Baker's dozens: Makeup effects wizard Rick Baker designs alien throng for 'Men in Black 3'

Frank Lovece — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:46:00 EDT

Outside of directors and the odd screenwriter or two, there are very few movie stars behind the camera—"star" in the sense of a marquee name who can put butts in seats. Special-effects makeup legend Rick Baker is one of them.

Cirque du Comique: Darnell, McGrath & Vernon send 'Madagascar' ménage on a European adventure

Ethan Alter — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:54:00 EDT

Christopher Nolan isn’t the only director closing out a blockbuster trilogy this summer. Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath and Conrad Vernon have been riding shotgun on DreamWorks Animation’s popular Madagascar franchise ever since the first movie hit theatres in 2005.

IMAXimum impact: Studio movies go big with large-format leader

Andreas Fuchs — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:35:00 EDT

At the end of April, IMAX chief executive officer Richard L. Gelfond had nothing but good news to share.

A Canadian Landmark: Country's third-largest chain thrives in the West

Doris Toumarkine — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:22:00 EDT

Founded in 1965, Landmark Cinemas of Canada (no relation to USA’s newer Landmark Theatres) is the country’s third-largest chain and Western Canada’s biggest independent exhibitor, with more than 600 employees.

Vancouver alternative: Festival Cinemas celebrates independent movies

Sarah Sluis — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:10:00 EDT

Thirty-four years ago, Leonard Schein brought independent movies to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Winnipeg wingding: ShowCanada 2012 offers seminars, networking and a wild train ride

Sarah Sluis — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:09:00 EDT

2012’s ShowCanada is “jam-packed. It’s one of our strongest programs ever,” Nuria Bronfman assesses.

The great digital outdoors: Drive-ins see the light by upgrading technology

Andreas Fuchs — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:59:00 EDT

“The coming months will see many of our theatres taking the steps needed to move them into the digital age,” said John Vincent, Jr., president of the United Drive-in Theatre Owners Association (www.UDITOA.org), back in February during their 12th annual convention and trade show in Kissimmee, Florida.

Bright ideas: CinemaCon showcases lasers, immersive sound and more

Kevin Lally — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:52:00 EDT

Last year at the inaugural CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas, Avatar director James Cameron made news with his groundbreaking screening of 3D footage shot at higher frame rates than the industry-standard 24 frames per second.

Spider-Man redux: Marc Webb spins new image for comics icon in Sony reboot

Sarah Sluis — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:46:00 EDT

With cameras mounted on a boat, a helicopter and the Williamsburg Bridge, The Amazing Spider-Man shot for weeks on location near New York City’s East River.

A trim Tribeca: Downtown NYC film festival gets more selective

Doris Toumarkine — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:51:00 EDT

The annual Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) has become one of the industry’s great success stories.

Great Emancipator moonlights as vampire hunter: Timur Bekmambetov prepares wild fantasy about the 16th President

Ethan Alter — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:48:00 EDT

If there were still any lingering doubts that Hollywood has become a global marketplace, 2012 will likely lay them to rest

Camp Collinwood: Burton reunites with Depp for tongue-in-cheek revival of '60s TV vampire series

Mark Pilkington — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:42:00 EDT

Dressed from head to toe in his trademark black attire, Tim Burton offers a warm greeting during final editing of his latest movie, Warner Bros.’ Dark Shadows, in London.

Another Movie Marvel: Joss Whedon directs super cast for conclave of comic-book heroes

Chris Barsanti — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:00:00 EDT

At the announcement that Joss Whedon was going to be tackling that tentpole of tentpoles, the multi-superhero event that this summer’s The Avengers promises to be (Thor! Iron Man! Samuel L. Jackson!), there was a sense of palpable relief from certain elements of fanboy culture.

Flower power for the golden years: John Madden takes magical mystery tour of India in 'Exotic Marigold Hotel'

Harry Haun — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:01:00 EDT

The portal of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, in the film by that name, carries five more words in smaller-scale but amplifying script: “for the elderLY and beautiful.”

Soundsational! Dolby Atmos delivers exciting new audio platform

Andreas Fuchs — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:00 EDT

Just last month, we concluded our annual Class of 2011 overview detailing the latest trends in cinema sound and picture. Bigger, louder and even better is where movie theatres are heading.

Memento mori: Morten Tyldum adapts Nesbo thriller about an art thief in over his head

Harry Haun — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:15:00 EDT

In Headhunters, a new and arrestingly original Norwegian thriller from Magnet Releasing, both meanings of the title combatively pop up, generating genuine sparks and surprises.

Jim & Ted's excellent adventure: NATO puts Pedas Bros. on the Marquee

Andreas Fuchs — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:05:00 EDT

“First I was stunned, and wasn’t even sure whether I was going to accept this,” admits Theodore “Ted” Pedas, noted industry veteran and president of Circle Management Company, about having been selected to receive the NATO Marquee Award at CinemaCon 2012.

Universal and Global: Veteran U exec Jack Ledwith earns Passepartout salute

Doris Toumarkine — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:00:00 EDT

At a pivotal time when theatrical exhibition and digital adoption are expanding so dramatically overseas, Jack Ledwith, the 2012 CinemaCon Passepartout Award honoree, is blessed with both a global and “Universal” view of the industry.

Down under & looking forward: Delfin Fernandez and Hoyts receive international accolades

Andreas Fuchs — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:04:00 EDT

“Cinema has shifted from being about ‘exhibition’ to being about ‘experience.’” Delfin Fernandez, chief executive officer of Sydney, Australia-based Hoyts Entertainment and CinemaCon’s International Achievement Award recipient, is describing how the theatrical exhibition market has changed.

Concessionaires' choice: NAC pays tribute to Cretors' Shelly Olesen

Anita Watts — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:02:00 EDT

It is once again my pleasure to tell our readers about the recipient of the National Association of Concessionaires’ annual Bert Nathan Memorial Award. The 2012 honoree is my friend, peer and colleague, Shelly Olesen, VP of sales and marketing at C. Cretors and Company.