2024 Comic-Con: Paramount+ Lodge

Paramount+ is bringing *The Lodge to the San Diego Comic-Con International with great shows, iconic franchise celebrations and immersive activations! Located at the Gaslamp’s Happy Does (340 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101), this interactive fan experience will be available to the public starting July 24 from 6–10 p.m., July 25-27 from 12–10 p.m. daily, and July 28 from 10 a.m..–7 p.m. 

The Lodge will offer the ultimate fan experience featuring themed activations and FREE swag to take home for fans of all ages from popular titles and franchises like "Star Trek," "Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," If," "Spongebob Squarepants," and many more fun activities.  NO badge needed!

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Create a Custom T-Shirt on a STAR TREK Starship

Stepping onto a STAR TREK starship, fans can customize their very own “Starfleet swag.” Utilizing a replicator, visitors will be able to place an order via touch-screen tablet and customize their t-shirts with options from a curated list of STAR TREK franchise-inspired insignia. This experience is available exclusively at The Lodge, and gives fans the chance to take home completely unique customized merch.

Olfactory Atelier Inspired by GHOSTS

In the CBS Original GHOSTS, scents are one of the strongest connections ghosts have to the living world. The Lodge will feature Woodstone Manor’s Olfactory Atelier, where guests are invited to step into the enchanting ambiance of ‘The Livings’-own living room workshop (filled with easter eggs from the show). Essence Chemists will entice them to explore a collection of specialized perfumes—each perfume displays a unique homage to the ghosts in the series. Fans will leave with a scent of their choosing, allowing them to carry a piece of the Manor’s mystique with them throughout the living world at SDCC and beyond.

Solve a Case for CRIMINAL MINDS: EVOLUTION Behavioral Analysis Unit

For all the CRIMINAL MINDS: EVOLUTION lovers, The Lodge will have an in-world office inspired by the series’ Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), filled with a chaotic spread of evidence, paperwork, unpredictable clues, and more. Guests can dive into their own investigative work to help BAU agents connect-the-dots to the ongoing case.

IF’s Cozy Ferris Wheel Photo Op

The Lodge is bringing the whimsical world of IF to SDCC. With the inviting Luna Park marquee complete with carnival lights galore, guests can line up to “ride” the ferris wheel. While in the queue, fans can play a game of hopscotch before they get onstage with a magical button that brings the Memory Lane Retirement Community Register to life and auto-pairs the guest with their very own IF companion for the photo op.

TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES–Themed Pizza Parlor

The Lodge will bring the love story between pizza and TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES to life with the tastiest slice in town: Turtle Power Pizza. The pizza parlor will be decked out with illustrated stylings to welcome guests into the world of the new series. SDCC-goers will be able to fuel up for their next adventure with a slice of ‘za accompanied by beverages inspired by the colors of the four Turtles, perfect for heroes in a half-shell of any age.

Jellyspotting in Bikini Bottom

Nickelodeon and Paramount+ are celebrating the 25th anniversary of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS and guests are invited to join the fun and immerse themselves into a day-in-the-life at Bikini Bottom’s Jellyfish Fields. Partake in “jellyspotting” throughout the day and catch jellyfish using “Ol’ Reliable,” SpongeBob’s most trusted jellyfish net. Upon entry, special jellyspotting gear will be handed out so fans can see the world through a joyous sponge-colored lens.

INK MASTER Tattoo Parlor

Expanding from last year’s INK MASTER-themed space, The Lodge will include a tattoo parlor set where high-brow modern meets edgy. The activation will allow guests to step inside the series, with an opportunity to get a temporary airbrush tattoo done of their choice from the stencils inspired by Paramount+’s featured shows & films. 

BRED2BUCK Saloon from TULSA KING

TULSA KING will take over the Happy Does indoor bar with a themed ‘BRED2BUCK Saloon.’ Taking elements from the series with props, graphics, neon lights, as well as exciting Season 2 references for fans, guests will be able to enjoy in-world drinks that’ll knock their boots off. The saloon will also feature games that take guests into the world of CBS Sports including the hook and ring toss and UEFA Champions League themed soccer ball kicking challenge. 

*The Lodge Ski Pass sponsored by Walmart+  On the back of each Lodge Ski Pass this year, guests will receive an exclusive offer for a 3-month Walmart+ subscription as well as other surprise rewards while visiting The Lodge.

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While FREE tickets are quickly claimed, check out FeverUp and sign up to be notified if more spots open up and tickets become available: https://feverup.com/m/186648

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2024 Comic-Con

Comic-Con is in 2 weeks (July 24-28, 2024) and if you're looking for NO-badge activities/events and FREE swags offsite, check out the following list and details of activities/events:

https://www.kpbs.org/news/arts-culture/2024/07/08/comic-con-2024-top-offsite-events-that-dont-require-a-badge

For a blast from the past,  go here.

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"Fly Me to the Moon"

From 6/27/2024 press screening:

“The truth is the truth, even if nobody believes it.  A lie is a lie, even if everybody believes it.”

It's the 1960s.  Space race is the name of the game, yet crossing the outer frontier is not at the forefront of everyone's mind... yet.

Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson; “The Avengers” series, “Black Widow, “Hail Caesar!,” “Her," an intrepid marketing maven with a mysterious past, cuts her teeth in commercial advertising in the mean streets of Manhattan.  Her sassy stunt in one corporate boardroom attracts a bigwig, Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson, “The Hunger Games” series), working for the highest office in the land.

Kelly and her plucky associate (Anna Garcia) are plucked out of obscurity and end up in the NASA public affairs office in coastal Cocoa Beach.  By public affairs office means the two ladies on their own, against camera-shy and reluctant administrators, astronauts and engineers. 

By chance Kelly had a meet cute with a NASA suit, Cole Davis (Channing Tatum; “Hail Caesar!") in a diner prior to arriving at her new office.  They end up working together and butting heads, as aerospace science and advertising don't exactly go together.  Cole is not an empty suit though; he used to be in the astronaut program and was also a former space launch director.  

The public affairs' mission, as relayed by Moe, is simple, garnering unwavering support for the launch of the Apollo 11 to the moon.  Not mission impossible for Kelly.  Brightly alluring and adroit in advertising, she boldly goes where no woman, or man, has gone before – sell the moon to the masses.

Americans are by nature explorers, adventurers and pioneers.  And it's not merely a matter of the prideful planting of the American flag on the moon.  It represents people's hopes and dreams for a better future.  Besides, for Americans, who wants to be beaten by the Russians?

With the moon to market, Kelly pulls all the stops to get the manned space flight.  She hires attractive actors to play NASA star staff and get them interviewed on live television.  Pushing the envelope further, Kelly creatively brings in corporations to partner with NASA, lending their famous brands and products, and sponsor media ads.  The unorthodox tactic works in generating public curiosity and interest.  

All the while, Kelly and Cole grow closer together.  While Cole may not always agree with Kelly's chutzpah, he's deer-in-the-headlight dumbfounded and can't argue that she gets results.  When it comes time for schmoozing with senators to vote for funding, they become partners.  They also learn a thing or two about each other, as well as life philosophy.  What lies can get you and what truth can.  

The story takes off with the impending launch of Apollo 11.  NASA is now over the moon.  Its popularity has shot into stratosphere, and the moon landing mission will be, well, too big to fail. The world is watching.  Anything short of moon landing would cost the world's its collective dreams and Americans' stance in the world's stage.

Kelly has always shot to the moon, as she’s under the impression that NASA would land among the stars, even if they miss.  But her promotional mission takes a drastic turn into staging a fake moon landing, just in case things go south in space.  For Kelly, this kind of deception doesn’t land, but she has no option at this point. 

To keep a secret this spectacular a top secret, she pulls off a miracle work, with the help of some trusted and creative friends.  The team goes into great detail in imagining and recreating the lunar surface, down to the dirt and dust, space atmosphere and source of light, lodging of the space capsule on the surface; choreographing fake astronauts touching the ground, descending flight stairs, having moon movement and moon walk without the earth gravity, and planting the American flag.

If discovered, to say that this would cost NASA its credibility and the American pride would be an utter understatement.  And for Kelly, she also has a personal stake; it would end the honeymoon phase of her budding relationship with Cole.  Kelly keeps her head down and does her job, until Moe takes flight.  He reveals the next level, classified make-believe, crossing all boundaries and erases all traces of truth.

What ensues is a race against the clock, between layers of lies and singular truth.  An even smaller circle of team is off to the races behind the scene to ensure that the truth is out there.  Kelly also learns to be a part of something real and for the greater good for once.  This behind-the-scenes frenzy are juxtaposed with the countdown to lift off in the firing room and tense moments in space and landing on the moon. There's an inside joke cleverly weaved into the story.   

In the firing room, all hands are on deck to ensure a successful blast off.  Apollo 11 launches into space with a fiery fire blast, cloud of smoke and water vapor, and micro particles flying off.  The rocket booster separates and the shuttle reaches space, landing on the moon.  A pair of astronauts step onto the lunar surface.  All broadcasted to the whole wide world to witness in real time… the real question is, is that one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind moment real or fake?  

The movie uses footage of the past, saturated colors, period-appropriate clothes and machines, lending nostalgic feelings.  The space launch scenes are indescribably visceral and victorious, uplifting to the point that over 50 years later, in the age of artificial intelligence, that moment in time in history remains awe-inspiring and lighting hopes for a better future. 

While this is a fictionalized story surrounding a historical fact, the story soars.  The movie has compelling storyline, cinematography, directing and acting.  Johansson goes for the jugular.  

One for the ages, “Fly Me to the Moon” is glossily retro, glorious and hilarious, dramatic and delightful, heartfelt and heart-pounding, inspiring and entertaining.

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In celebration of the moon landing, the above review is exactly 1,000 words, a clear round number, just like the moon.🌕

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FREE Movie Screening: "Fly Me to the Moon" (San Diego, CA)

In partnership with the Sony Pictures Studio, exclusive to The MovieMaven -  FREE movie screening of "Fly Me to the Moon," if you're in the greater San Diego area:

July 8, 2024 - 7 p.m.

Reading Cinemas Town Square, 4655 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117

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Get your FREE movie passes here: (LIMITED availability - get your pass ready at the door)

Redeem code: (1 pass = 2 seats): FMTTMMOVIES

https://events.sonypictures.com/screenings/unsecured/main/screeningInfo.jsf?code=FMTTMMOVIES

Starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, "Fly Me to the Moon" is a sharp, stylish comedy-drama set against the high-stakes backdrop of NASAs historic Apollo 11 moon landing.  Brought in to fix NASAs public image, sparks fly in all directions as marketing maven Kelly Jones (Johansson) wreaks havoc on launch director Cole Davis (Tatum) already difficult task.  When the White House deems the mission too important to fail, Jones is directed to stage a fake moon landing as back-up and the countdown truly begins.

Press Screening Movie Reaction (full review on July 9, 2024): https://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/2024/07/movie-reaction-fly-me-to-moon.html

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Movie Reaction: "Fly Me to the Moon"

 From 6/27/2024 press screening:

“The truth is the truth, even if no one believes it.  A lie is a lie, even if everyone believes it.”  Brightly alluring and adroit in advertising, one woman boldly goes where no woman, or man, has gone before – sell the moon to the masses. One for the ages, “Fly Me To The Moon” is glossily retro, glorious and hilarious, dramatic and delightful, heartfelt and heart-pounding, inspiring and entertaining.  The space launch is visceral and victorious.  Go see it on the biggest screen possible!

Note: Full review is embargoed by Sony Pictures Studio until July 9, 2024 at 6 a.m. PT.  Review (exactly 1,000 words, round like the moon!) has been written and will be published then.  Stay tuned!

Also, if you're in the greater San Diego area, limited number of FREE PASSES to advance screening on July 8, 2024 will be available tomorrow, in partnership with the Sony Pictures Studio.  Check back soon!

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FREE Summer Movies in the Park (San Diego, CA)

FREE Summer Movies in the Park is the largest free and family-friendly outdoor movie series in San Diego with over a hundred screenings at dozens of parks across the region.  The program launched in 2007 as a ‘take back our parks’ initiative, providing residents with unique opportunities to visit their local recreation destinations after hours to watch blockbuster hits under a starry night sky.  Shows run May through October, with pre-show activities before dark and movies beginning about 15 minutes after sunset.

For schedules, click here.

If you're not in the greater San Diego area, you can search online for any free summer movies event closest to your town.

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"Inside Out 2"

While nothing groundbreaking on the animation end ("Elemental"), "Inside Out 2" illustrates complex emotions well for kids and teens and it surely resonates with adults alike.  

Anxiety is good in small doses; it gives you a drive to perform better.  But when it goes overdrive, it will overrule your life.  Don't let bad memories of the past or fear of what might happen in the future take away your living in the present.  You can only prepare, but you can't predict the future.  

Don't lose your whole sense of self and embrace all your emotions - don't  suppress them; observe them, but also learn to let go.  You can't control the outcome; you can only control your efforts.  Have passion in what you do, regardless of the outcome.  It's part of the joy of living!

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"Hit Man"

Inspired by stranger-than-fiction true story of Gary Johnson, a mild-mannered psychology and philosophy professor who leads a double life as a fake hit man in Texas.  

Glen Powell showcases his versatile take on the multifaceted role, after a streak of success with worldwide hits “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Anyone but You” in the last couple of years (and will be seen in the "Twister" remake this summer).  In addition to doling out philosophical questions and lessons in college, Gary has a talent for all things electronics and digital.  He assists with police surveillance to catch those who hire a hit man in the act.  

When the crooked cop, Jasper (Austin Amelio), assigned as a fake hit man, is hit with a suspension on the way to a sting operation, Gary is tapped to be in his role.  He discovers his surprising hidden talent in disguising himself as a hit man - meeting with unsuspecting suspects, connecting with them to tell him their stories, confessing their darkest desires to eliminate their most problematic problems by killing certain people in their lives.  

Beyond hair wigs, colored eye contacts, stained teeth and varied outfits, Gary looks like a new man.  A chameleon, he drastically changes his posture and tone of voice from meek to cocksure, switching personalities and transforming himself to be a murderer-for-hire.  He compellingly details his methods of disposing human body parts – head, body, teeth, fingertips as if he’s done this often.  This is spoken in a convincing yet cavalierly comical way and the interaction is hilarious to watch.  

Wearing a wire with the police listening in, Gary’s undercover work catches the murder plotters in the act, leading to numerous arrests.  This changes when Gary, as hit man Ron, encounters Madison (Adria Arjona), a distressed woman who claims that the reason she wants to hire a hit man is to kill her husband is because he is abusive and she is scared of him.  

Gary is drawn to the beautiful and vulnerable Madison and convinces her that there must be another way to escape her marriage and asks her to think about her future self.  She listens intently and ends up divorcing her husband.  When they reconnect, it’s Madison who looks like a new woman.  The timid-turned-beguiling Madison is now free and flirtatious.  

Madison doesn’t know Ron's true identity, and Gary, aware that he’s being with a woman who’s capable of hiring a hit man, can’t exactly have her in his real life either.  Madison sometimes doesn’t believe Gary kills people for a living based on what she’s seen him as a person, and sometimes she does; she doesn’t quite know what to make of it.  They decide to keep their playful trysts in the confines of Madison's place.  And Madison always knows Gary as Ron.  

Real life has a way of intruding itself, however.  Nothing stays hidden indefinitely and entrapment ensues.  Gary must make a split-second, life-changing decision that concerns his concept of self and the tricky persona his has built for himself.  

Imagine if your life as a mere construct and you can be anyone you want to be.  Netflix takes a really wide turn to fiction in the femme fatale character and final act that counts.  The wild ending of the Richard Linklater-directed noir thriller, screwball romantic comedy is not meant to be a morality tale, so take it with a comedic stride.  

An irony of twists and comedy of errors, “Hit Man” is an entertaining tale of role plays and possibilities.   

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Free Movie Screening: "Despicable Me 4" (San Diego, CA)

In partnership with the Universal Pictures Studio, FREE movie screening, if you're in the greater San Diego area:

July 1, 2024 - 7 p.m.

AMC Mission Valley, 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108

(have your pass ready at the door, click below)

Get your FREE movie passes here: (VERY limited availability)

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Redeem your pass using the following code, exclusive to The MovieMaven (case-sensitive, no space): SDDM4

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Promo: https://gofobo.com/screenings/movie_landing/U0RETTQ%3D//

Redeem code: https://gofobo.com/main/code_redeem

In Illumination’s first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, and his family welcome a new member, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. As Gru faces a new nemesis, Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, Gru and the family are forced to go on the run, in this exciting new chapter of Minions mayhem from the biggest global animated franchise in history.

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"The Blue Angels"

Absolutely astounding feat, superhuman precision and sky-soaring choreography.  Exhilarating in the skies and humbling on the ground.  The unanimous selection, G-force centrifuge training, and 300-day a year tour are not for the faint of heart.  The dangers are real.  Get the feeling of being inside the world-spinning, high-flying cockpit, and learn more about the outstanding people and tremendous preparations that pull off the aerial miracles!  See it on the biggest IMAX screen possible.

For 15 cool facts about the Blue Angels, please click here.

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"The Fall Guy"

The unsung heroes of movies.  The invisible people behind the scenes who risk their lives for our entertainment, while the actors and actresses get all the glory.  “The Fall Guy” pulls no punches and shines the light on the stunt cast.

Ryan Gosling (“La-la Land,” “The Ides of March,” “Drive”) is on a roll, fresh off his memorable performance as Ken in “Barbie” last year.  Not only is he equally memorable and believable as a plastic doll toy coming to life, but also as best-in-the-business stuntman, Colt Seavers, making stunt performing looks nonchalantly cool.  Falling off buildings, flying off high ramps, speed driving, car crashing, boat jumping, helicopter leaping, wall hitting, or being lit up on fire over and over.  

Colt was the stuntman for self-centered star, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).  When Tom's ego got the best of him and asked Colt to perform a falling stunt one more time, Colt fell for real and broke his back.  No longer feeling invincible and recovering in pain, he disappeared from the business and ghosted his girlfriend, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt; “Jungle Cruise,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” "The Girl of the Train," “Edge of Tomorrow,” “The Adjustment Bureau”).  Jody is a camera operator and aspiring filmmaker.  

Even after Colt has recovered, he refuses to back into the business and now works as a valet car attendant at a local restaurant.  That is until he gets a call from a top movie producer, Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham), who has worked with him for years prior to his accident.  Gail tells Colt that he's needed back on set in Australia for a movie directed by first-time filmmaker, Jody, his ex-girlfriend.  Apparently, there are issues during filming and Jody wants him there.  

Hoping to win back his ex-girlfriend for a happy ending, Colt hops on the plane and lands on the set, a blockbuster in the making, Dune-esque with Star Wars flair.  Unbeknownst to Jody, Colt is back in the stunt driver seat, pulling off a record-breaking cannon roll of eight-and-a-half times on a sandy beach (Guinness World Records of cannon rolls in real life, performed by Gosling's real stunt double, Logan Holladay; watch the epic clip here).  

Jody is none too pleased seeing Colt back, but the former flames can't resist the pull of reconnecting.  Gosling and Blunt play off each other with an ease of chemistry and charm.  Nostalgic montage of happy times, cute, honest and heartfelt in real time. Gosling is the MVP, tough as rock yet sensitive and isn’t afraid to shed tears.

Gail clues Colt in that Tom, who's the lead star in the movie, has gone missing, and she needs his help in finding him.  Colt was Tom's longtime stunt double and presumably knows him.  She doesn't want to involve the police for fear of negative publicity and having the production shut down by the studio.  There's too much at stake, especially considering how popular of a movie star Tom is.  

Colt comes sniffing and tries to track down Tom.  He ends up being pursued by bad dudes.  Thankfully, his stunt skills come in handy, as he deals with rough-and-tumble criminals.  There's a lot more than meets the camera lens though.  A dead body tied to Tom becomes part of the mystery, as well as the whodunnit and unforeseen conspiracy.  The title of the movie has a double meaning.  The ending is laughter-inducing, with a surprising cameo.  Stay for a fun end credit.  There's also a nod to Comic-Con fans.

Things go slower and more chaotic at the same time during the mid-section, but not without glass-breaking, gun-shooting, fist-fighting, car chasing-and-crashing, as well as dog-and-foot pursuit.  Yet, beyond an action movie with huge set pieces, rain, sand, dust, fire and explosives. “The Fall Guy” shows a lot of love on how the stunts are performed and filmed, with crisp camerawork.  

There's something magical about movie-making (“Trumbo,” “Hail, Caesar!”, “Babylon”).   Massive number of people getting together in a single location, playing real life roles down to the smallest detail, creating a make-belief world into something real that is etched in history.  An artistic creation that entertains, educates, informs, touches, uplifts and inspires millions of people around the world.  

Summer blockbuster has arrived.  “The Fall Guy” is an action adventure, mystery thriller and romantic comedy, a crowd-pleaser that has something for everyone.  A joyride on full throttle for movie lovers and thrilling tribute to stunt performers.  

Guinness World Records for the longest cannon rolls:

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Free Movie Screening: "Queen of Knives" (San Diego, CA)

If you're in the greater San Diego area:

May 7, 2024 - 7 p.m.

AMC Mission Valley, 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108

(have your pass ready at the door, click below)

Get your FREE movie passes here: (limited availability)

https://gofobo.com/screenings/movie_landing/Tm9oZTVTY0czdg%3D%3D//

"Queen of Knives" follows the Benetto family, which is scattered to the winds in Brooklyn, NY.  There’s no predicting where they will end up. Relationships keep shifting.  Generations keep trying to adapt to a new world.  Risky behavior is the norm. Eventually, their paths all lead back to a fateful dinner at their former home, with surprise visitors and lots of unintended consequences. Where secrets are revealed, and a final page is turned.  The biggest question is: who exactly are the adults here?  A mix of sharp and witty dialogue, comedy, and drama that so many of us can relate to. 

Join us for a special Post Screening Q&A with Producer and Lead Actor, Gene Pope. 

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"The Greatest Hits"

 “Loss may be forever, but grief is temporary.”

Harriet (Lucy Boynton) has been mourning the loss of her belated boyfriend, Max (David Corenswet; soon to be seen in the next “Superman: Legacy”) in the last two years.  Since a car accident took Max’s life, when Harriett hears songs that played when they were together, she not only finds herself nostalgic and lost, but she is physically transported back to the past, to those moments with the same songs in the background.  Happy flashbacks of their love at first sight, beaches, concerts, road trips or simple moments at home.  Those precious memories that stay with her forever.  

This is also why Harriet now works in a library and wears a noise-cancelling headphone when she’s out in public, to avoid accidental hearing of those songs, as at the present time, she would appear like having a seizure.  However, at home when she’s alone, she’s purposely playing song after song in desperate attempts to prevent Max’s death.  She soon learns she could affect her own actions, and no matter what she does, she couldn’t change Max’s actions that would alter his fate.  It mirrors real life, where we can't control anyone else's actions. 

One day at a grief support group meeting, she meets David (Justin H. Min), who joins the group after losing his parents.  They have natural chemistry and their interactions are charming, with cute flirtations and conversations rolling fast.  While Harriet is cautiously beginning to spend time with and create new memories with David, he’s rightfully crestfallen, worried and in disbelief when he finds out what’s really happening with Harriet.  

Things seem going to be going in a loop with no solution, until a very surprising and reflectively affecting revelation bring them closer, and the two connect on a much deeper level as a result.  Harriett comes to a painful realization what she will need to do in order to break the time travel cycle, although it will not come without a cost and that would also cost her newfound relationship and future with David.  

If you have the ability to prevent the death of your loved one, but it means the two of you would have never met, would you take that choice?  Were those moments still real if none of you would remember them?  Would you erase the past if it means sacrificing a future filled with potentials?    

Time travel is a paradox and therefore tricky to do right, even more challenging when coupled with romance. “The Greatest Hits” balances the heightened emotions with music as a time travel device and its timeless impact, but most importantly it shows the transformative power of letting go and moving on. 

A story about love and loss, heartbreak and grief, healing and hope, faith and fate, “The Greatest Hits” hits all the right notes, it’s poignantly surreal and human.  

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FREE Screening: Sci-Fi Mystery Movie (San Diego, CA) + $20 Visa Card

If you are in the greater San Diego area:

March 19, 2024 - 7 p.m. (arrive no later than 6 p.m.)

Regal Mira Mesa

(age group: 13-49. Parents 50+ bringing teens 13-17 years of age are welcome)

***Everyone seated at this event will receive a $20 Visa Digital Prepaid Card sent via email within (3) business days of the event. Rewards will be sent to the email address used to confirm only.***

When a family becomes a test candidate for a state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence device, they find this groundbreaking technology is life changing and makes their lives so much easier. But when they begin to realize that the device is slowly taking control of the household and manipulating their lives, they fear that it might be far more sinister than they could have ever imagined. 

Movie stars John Cho ("Searching," "The Grudge" (2020), "Star Trek" movies), Katherine Waterston ("Babylon," "Fantastic Beasts" movies) and Riki Lindhome ("Knives Out," "Candy Cane Lane") and is directed by Chris Weitz (Operation Finale, About a Boy).

As part of the research process, everyone attending the screening will be required to wear a Fitbit-like device to participate in biometric experience.

This movie has not yet been rated but is believed to be 'PG-13'. The studio cannot guarantee the rating that the film will ultimately receive.

Get your FREE movie passes: (limited availability)

https://www.previewfreemovies.com/invite/3243363DD15E34B7B865EFC88EE32AE7

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FREE Screening: Mystery Movie (San Diego, CA)

If you are in the greater San Diego area:

February 15, 2024 - 7 p.m.

Regal Mira Mesa

(age group: 13-49, have your ticket & ID ready)

When a family becomes a test candidate for a state of the art Artificial Intelligence device, they soon realize this groundbreaking technology is life changing.  But when they realize the technology is slowly taking control over the household and manipulating their lives, they fear that the device might be far more sinister than they could have ever imagined. 

Movie Preview stars John Cho ("Searching," "The Grudge" (2020), "Star Trek" movies), Katherine Waterston ("Babylon," "Fantastic Beasts" movies) and Riki Lindhome ("Knives Out," "Candy Cane Lane") and is directed by Chris Weitz ("Operation Finale," "About a Boy").

The movie has not yet been rated but is believed to be ‘PG-13.’ The studio cannot guarantee the rating that the film will ultimately receive.

Get your FREE movie passes: (limited availability)

https://www.previewfreemovies.com/invite/E8B7F807A3E8D6F660EF0DFB21C0C067

P.S. The movie may be titled, "They Listen."

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"Argylle"

From 1/30/2024 press screening:

Truth is stranger than fiction.  Whatever you imagine “Argylle” is from the posters and trailers, you can't judge the espionage movie by its cover.  The sleek marketing pulls wool over even the most spying eyes.  

Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard, “Jurassic World” series) is a solitary spy novelist who has been churning out best-selling books, centering on a globetrotting, suave spy named Argylle (Henry Cavill; "Mission Impossible: Fallout" “Justice League,” "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," “Man of Steel,” “Man from U.N.C.L.E.”), in the last five years. 

Strangely, it's almost intuitive how Elly comes out with the characters and plots.  Words are mightier than swords and Elly soon finds out that her stories get her in more trouble than she could ever imagine.  Elly is hunted down by a rogue spy organization named Division.  Somehow her stories are mirroring real world events.  Division agents are trying to get their hands on a device that is part of the plot of her yet unpublished novel, which is next in the series.  That device, if released, would threaten the organization's existence.  

The nonstop action begins on a train ride, where Elly encounters a covert operative disguised as a fan of her novels, Aidan (Sam Rockwell). After bodies pile up, Elly and her spy savior have no choice but escape out of the train in a Mission Impossible way.  Faint-hearted Elly is flabbergasted to say the least.  She has to deal with gun-toting goons, basement-hiding, rooftop-jumping, boat-speeding and plane-riding.  Tagging along is her cute cat-in-a-backpack, Alfie, a humorous furry sidekick.  

Hyperventillating Elly doesn't know who to trust.  Even when she's able to escape and reunite with her parents, the sequences of incidents hit her like a thunderbolt and make her question her reality and sanity.  Elly's dangerous misadventures take her from the heart of London to a French countryside, where she's met with a reclusive, mysterious figure (Samuel L. Jackson; "The Avengers" series, "Oldboy") that holds the key to what's going on.  

Secrets and identities come to light.  Allegiance and alliance are revealed and reformed.  Verisimilitude and veracity are tested and turned over.  But just as you think you've got the storyline figured out, a twist comes along, then another and another, and turning into different directions.  The fast and furious surprises will take you along on a rollercoaster.  Prepare to gasp and guffaw when these happen.  This is one movie that it's much better to go in blind, so the shock and awe will hit maximum impact.  

There are a couple of extended fighting and dancing sequences, including a colorfully explosive musical montage and gravity-defying ice-skating.  Preposterous and boisterous, it's like a self-aware wink from director Michael Vaughn (“Kingsman” series, “X-Men: First Class”), a hysterical and twisted treat for Kingsman's fans.  Dynamic duo Howard and Rockwell, Howard in particular, rock and roll as if there's no tomorrow.  

The spy caper starts off slow and inexplicable, gets muddled and overly piled up, but the never-ending espionage twists and turns, and stylized over-the-top comedic action, offer tons of fun.  Stay for the post-credit for a final intrigue.

Not only the greater the spy, the bigger the lie, “Argylle” is one twister of a wild ride.  

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