Moore's Warren Theatre reopening in time for 'Godzilla vs. Kong'
The Warren Theatre in Moore is on the list of select locations in the Regal Cinemas chain that will be reopening April 2, in time for the monster mash "Godzilla vs. Kong" (which actually opens in theaters Wednesday).
The Moore theater is the only Oklahoma Regal location on the list to reopen April 2.
Regal locations will open more widely on April 16 to coincide with the debut ofthe new movie version of "Mortal Kombat," according to Deadline.
Like other theater chains and entertainment venues, Regal Cinemas have struggled to function during the COVID-19 pandemic.Regal Entertainment owner Cineworld Group began reopening its movie theaters last August following a five-month closure only to shutter them again in October as the lingering pandemic prompted film studios to postpone more big releases.
Along with the Moore Warren Theatre, Regal operates Oklahoma locations in Norman, Bartlesville and Broken Arrow. The reopening dates for those theaters have not yet been announced.
Not included in the Regal reopening plans is Midwest City's Warren Theatre. The new theater was foreclosed on during the pandemic, The Oklahoman's Richard Mize reported.
For more information on Regal's reopening plans, go towww.regmovies.com/static/en/us/theatres-reopening
deadCenter Film Festival to screen 'Golden Arm' at first schedule launch party
Oklahoma City's deadCenter Film will release the schedule for its 21st annual film festival in conjunction with a fundraising screening of the Oklahoma-made movie“Golden Arm” at 7 p.m.April 29 at the Winchester Drive-in, 6930 S Western Ave.
Tickets for the Schedule Launch Party are $75 per vehicle, and each vehicle ticket includes admission to the drive-in theater, complimentary beer or wine, popcorn, early access to the 2021 festival schedule and the opportunity to meet the local cast and crew behind “Golden Arm.”
While the schedule release announcement has been a tradition for deadCenter, the April 29 launch partyfundraiser will be the first of its kind, signaling the continued growth of this 21-year-old arts nonprofit, despite challenges the global pandemic has introduced. Advertising opportunities for this event include 30-second commercial spots and admission for two vehicles for $2,500 and 15-second commercial spots and admission for one vehicle for $1,250. Each commercial will be shown at least twice before the feature film begins, according to a news release.
“The drive-in theaterexperience is the perfect opportunity for our audience to safely gather and celebrate the return of deadCenter while adhering to CDC safety guidelines,” said Alyx Picard Davis, executive director of deadCenter, in a statement. “For the past 21 years, deadCenter has been known for one-of-a-kind parties and showcasing outstanding local films, and we will continue to do what we do best, safely, at our inaugural drive-in style schedule launch party.”
The film“Golden Arm” directed by Maureen Bharoocha, former comedic director of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” uses sports and humor to share the story of a tough lady trucker who trains her wimpy best friend to compete in the National Ladies Arm Wrestling Championship. “Golden Arm” was filmed across central Oklahoma, including at Edna’s, an iconic bar off Western Avenue in Oklahoma City, in 2019.
“From the beautiful sunsets, to the rich landscapes, variety of architecture and the fabulous food, it is only a matter of time before the secret gets out about all of the gems of shooting in Oklahoma,” Bharoocha told me in a 2019 email Q&A.
More than 1,200 films were considered for the 2021 deadCenter Film Festival, and the lineup promises a record number of feature-length movies. The deadCenter team is expected to select more than 130 films for the 21stfestival, which will be shown online and, selectively, in-person from June 10-20. The Schedule Launch Party will be the first in-person event since the 2020 festival, which pivoted predominantly online due to the COVID-10 pandemic.
The full schedule will be available to the public April 30.
For more information about the April 29 Festival Schedule Launch Party or to purchase tickets, go to www.deadcenterfilm.org/2021-schedule-launch-fundraiser.
Oklahoma Film + Music Office goes into post-production on film school series
As we count down to the 2021 deadCenter Film Festival, the Oklahoma Film + Music Officeis continuing to share its OF+MO Film School video series, which originally streamed at the 2020 festival. OF+MO Film School provides introductory courses on film topics from some of the state’s top working film professionals.
This week's course, an introductory on post-production, details what happens after the filming is complete and the production heads into the editing process for final presentation/distribution. Led by Jacob Snovel of Perm Machine (“Climate of the Hunter,”“Mickey Reece’s Alien,” the upcoming "Out of Exile"), this course also features an exclusive video tour of one of Oklahoma City’s top post-production facilities, Castle Row Studios and Post Hero with owner Garrett Starks.
To watch this series and more, including the Pivotal Work: Early Access series, for free, check out OF+MO’s YouTube channel.
To learn more about getting started in the Oklahoma film industry, go tookfilmmusic.org/gettingstarted.
Tower Theatre launches monthlong Oscars celebration
The Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23, has partnered with the Oklahoma Film & TV Academy to host a monthly Oscars celebration.
The series will launch at 8 p.m. Thursday (that's today) with the return of the Oklahoma-made movie "Minari," which is nominated for six Oscars, including best picture.
Other Academy Award-nominated movies on the Tower Theatre's slate include "Mank," "Promising Young Woman," "Sound of Metal" and "The Father."
For tickets, go to eventbrite.com. For more information, go tohttps://www.towertheatreokc.com.
Olivia Munn continues to speak out about violence against Asian Americans
Oklahoma City native Olivia Munn continues tospeak out about the reported rise across the United States in hate crimes, harassment and discrimination against Asian Americans tied to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The "X-Men: Apocalypse" actress, who is Asian American, appeared Wednesday on "CBS This Morning" to talk about the emotional weight of therecent attacks on Asian Americans, the horror of the Atlanta shootingsand how her Oklahoma City momtaught her to speak up for what's right.
"Since the pandemic was weaponized against Asian Americans, we have had a target on our back," Munn said.
Munn recently harnessed the power of social media to help New York Police track down the suspected attacker after a friend's mother, a Chinese woman, was shoved and injured outside a bakery in Queens and the incident was caught on video.
The Oklahoman's Josh Dulaney reports that more than 200 people gathered Wednesday at Oklahoma City's Wesley United Methodist Church to remember those who died in themass shooting in Atlanta, which left several women of Asian descent dead.
Carrie Underwood to appear Friday on NBC's 'Today'
Checotah native Carrie Underwood will appear at 7 and 9 a.m. Central Time Friday on NBC's "Today" show.
The seven-time Grammy Award winner will be talking about and performing songs from her new gospel album, "My Savior."
"My Savior," whichconsists of covers of traditional gospel hymns Underwood grew up singing,will be released globally on CD and digital Friday and on vinyl April 30.
Underwood also is planning “My Savior: Live From The Ryman,” a virtual live concert from the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, also known around the world as the “Mother Church of Country Music.”The three-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year's special concert event will stream live globally atwww.facebook.com/carrieunderwoodat 11 a.m. Central Time on April 4, which is Easter Sunday, with donations benefiting Save the Children.
Late deadline is Wednesday for Enid's FLY Film Festival
ENID - The late deadline for submissions is Wednesday for Enid's annual FLY Film Festival.
A two-day event in downtown Enid, the festival was established in 2014. The 2021 edition is scheduled for Aug. 6-7 at the Gaslight Theatre.
FLY Film Festival provides independent filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their short and feature-length filmsand network with other key players in their industry. For more information, go towww.facebook.com/flyfilmfestival.
To submit your film, go tofilmfreeway.com/FLYFilmFestival.
-BAM
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