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Mirza BaigJune 29, 2019Leave a comment

‘The Message’: ‘Arrival’ Production Team Reunites to Adapt the Ken Liu Short Story!!!

If you still haven’t seen the 2016 Oscar-winning film Arrival, now’s a great time to remedy that. Fantastically scripted by Eric Heisserer and featuring breathtaking direction from Denis Villeneuve, the heart of the story comes from Ted Chiang‘s source material, “Story of Your Life.” 21 Laps Entertainment and FilmNation Entertainment recognized that winning combination for Arrival and struck Oscar gold because of it. Now, they’re … Continue reading ‘The Message’: ‘Arrival’ Production Team Reunites to Adapt the Ken Liu Short Story!!!

Mirza BaigMarch 26, 2018Leave a comment

Paramount’s Struggle at Box Office Continues as ‘Sherlock Gnomes’ Disappoints!!!

Paramount Pictures’ latest release, “Sherlock Gnomes,” fell flat with a $10.6 million opening against a $59 million budget. Critics panned the sequel to 2011’s “Gnomeo and Juliet,” while audiences gave the film a B+ on CinemaScore, a below average mark considering that most family animated films receive an A or A- from opening night audiences This is the latest disappointment for distributor Paramount Pictures, which … Continue reading Paramount’s Struggle at Box Office Continues as ‘Sherlock Gnomes’ Disappoints!!!

Mirza BaigFebruary 11, 2018Leave a comment

‘Arrival’ & ‘Sicario’ Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson Passes Away at 48!!!

The last 24 hours have been miserable. Last night, David Simon took to Twitter to sadly announce that Reg E. Cathey, the astounding character actor known for key roles in TV (House of Cards, The Wire, Oz, Outcast, etc.) and film (Airheads, The Mask, American Psycho, Pootie Tang, etc.), had passed away after a battle with cancer at 60. And then this morning, the sense … Continue reading ‘Arrival’ & ‘Sicario’ Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson Passes Away at 48!!!

Mirza BaigSeptember 28, 2017Leave a comment

Denis Villeneuve in Talks to Direct Sony’s ‘Cleopatra’!!

Cleopatra VII Philopator, or just Cleopatra to her friends, might be heading to the big screen in the modern era after a long, long time searching for a director. Sony’s project centering on the Ancient Egyptian Queen has a script that has been put together in part by David Scarpa, Eric Roth and Brian Helgeland, though we’re hearing that the picture may go through re-development with Denis Villeneuve coming … Continue reading Denis Villeneuve in Talks to Direct Sony’s ‘Cleopatra’!!

Mirza BaigSeptember 3, 2017Leave a comment

Warner Bros. Wins Big Over Other Studios at the 2017 Summer Movie Box Office!!

While studios continue to place tentpoles throughout the calendar, the summer movie season is still a warzone where every weekend new films vie for supremacy at the box office. It’s easier to be a film in February or March and make a splash rather than one that’s released from May through August. Furthermore, summer 2017 wasn’t great for the domestic box office as theaters reported … Continue reading Warner Bros. Wins Big Over Other Studios at the 2017 Summer Movie Box Office!!

Mirza BaigMarch 7, 2017October 30, 2017Leave a comment

2017 Saturn Awards Nominations Led by ‘Rogue One’ and ‘The Walking Dead’!! Check It Out!!

For the awards ceremony that sets the gold standard for films, you turn to the Oscars. But if it’s genre fare you’re interested in, then the Saturn Awards are where it’s at. The Saturn Awards Organization recently unveiled their nominations for the 43rd Annual Saturn Awards: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story led the way with 11 nominations in the motion picture category, while AMC’s The Walking Dead came in … Continue reading 2017 Saturn Awards Nominations Led by ‘Rogue One’ and ‘The Walking Dead’!! Check It Out!!

Mirza BaigFebruary 27, 2017Leave a comment

Moonlight, Casey Affleck and Emma Stone Win Top Honors At Oscars 2017!! Check out the Complete List!!!

And that’s a wrap, right with a proper twist at the end. It’s safe to say that 2017 has delivered one of the all-time Oscar ceremonies, if only out of sheer bizarre entertainment value. Self-indulged? You bet. Absurd? Oh, yes. So long that you began contemplating the very essence of time? You know it. But this one had memorable moments and was low on severely … Continue reading Moonlight, Casey Affleck and Emma Stone Win Top Honors At Oscars 2017!! Check out the Complete List!!!

Mirza BaigJanuary 30, 2017Leave a comment

‘Split’ Is a Bonafide Hit, Repeats #1 Position While New Releases Stumble at the BO!!!

M. Night Shyamalan‘s Split dominated in its second weekend at the box office, dropping only 34% to take the #1 spot for a second weekend in a row. As a result, Universal held the #1 and #2 spots this weekend with Split and their release of Amblin and Walden Media‘s A Dog’s Purpose, which topped the list of newcomers for a second place finish. Meanwhile, … Continue reading ‘Split’ Is a Bonafide Hit, Repeats #1 Position While New Releases Stumble at the BO!!!

Mirza BaigJanuary 24, 2017Leave a comment

‘La La Land’ Dominates Oscar Nominations with Record-Tying 14 Nods!! Check Out The Full List!!!

At long last, the time has come: the 2017 Oscar nominations are finally here. After months of guessing and prognosticating, the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences have finally weighed in with their picks for the very best of cinema in 2016, and the results are intriguing. La La Land, unsurprisingly, leads the pack with a whopping 14 nominations. It now … Continue reading ‘La La Land’ Dominates Oscar Nominations with Record-Tying 14 Nods!! Check Out The Full List!!!

Mirza BaigJanuary 11, 2017Leave a comment

‘La La Land’, ‘Arrival’, and ‘Nocturnal Animals’ Lead BAFTA Nominations!!!

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts have announced the nominees for the 2017 EE British Academy Film Awards—i.e. the BAFTAs, which are sometimes called the “British Oscars.” Unsurprisingly, La La Land continues to dominate the awards conversation with a leading 11 nominations, followed by nine nominations each for Arrival and, somewhat surprisingly, Nocturnal Animals. Filmmaker Tom Ford’s literary adaptation didn’t strike a huge … Continue reading ‘La La Land’, ‘Arrival’, and ‘Nocturnal Animals’ Lead BAFTA Nominations!!!

Mirza BaigDecember 29, 2016Leave a comment

Top 10 Best Hollywood Films of 2016 – A MovizArk Take!!!

While, I haven’t seen (yet) some critically well received films like Moonlight, Silence, Fences, 20th Century Women & Elle, (which I am sure would have affected my list), I have tried my best to bring down some of the best & worst to come out in 2016. What a year it has been for both dramas & horror! A film with literally no sound in more … Continue reading Top 10 Best Hollywood Films of 2016 – A MovizArk Take!!!

Mirza BaigDecember 26, 2016Leave a comment

Top 5 Hollywood Actress of 2016 – A MovizArk Take!!!

While, I haven’t seen (yet) some critically well received films like Moonlight, Silence, Fences, 20th Century Women & Elle, (which I am sure would have affected my list), I have tried my best to bring down some of the best & worst to come out in 2016. Performances wise, I really do think the year belong to Amy Adams, who shined in not one, but three … Continue reading Top 5 Hollywood Actress of 2016 – A MovizArk Take!!!

Mirza BaigDecember 24, 2016Leave a comment

Denis Villeneuve in Talks to Direct ‘Dune’ Reboot for Legendary!!

Sometimes, dreams come true. Denis Villeneuve is becoming a bit of a Sci-Fi auteur with this year’s awards-contender Arrival and the upcoming Blade Runner 2049, and earlier this year, the director revealed that it was an old dream of his to take on another Sci-Fi classic, Frank Herbert‘s Dune. Well, lo and behold, Legendary got their hands on the Film and TV rights last month and now, the … Continue reading Denis Villeneuve in Talks to Direct ‘Dune’ Reboot for Legendary!!

Mirza BaigDecember 19, 2016Leave a comment

‘Star Wars: Rogue One’ Debuts With Over $290 Million Worldwide, ‘While Collateral Beauty’ Struggles at the BO!!!

Disney and Lucasfilm‘s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story top-lined the fourth largest December three-day weekend ever, delivering the third largest opening of 2016, the twelfth largest opening of all-time and became only the second December opener to debut over $100 million behind last year’s monster opening for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Fellow new wide release, New Line‘s Collateral Beauty, didn’t fare quite so … Continue reading ‘Star Wars: Rogue One’ Debuts With Over $290 Million Worldwide, ‘While Collateral Beauty’ Struggles at the BO!!!

Mirza BaigDecember 14, 2016Leave a comment

‘La La Land’ and ‘People v. O.J. Simpson’ Win Big at Critics Choice Awards!!! Check Out The Full List!!

While the Hollywood Foreign Press Association weighed in with their picks for the best entertainment of the year via this morning’s Golden Globe nominations, last night it was the critics’ turn to shine. The Broadcast Film Critics Association and Broadcast Television Journalists Association announced the winners of the Critics Choice Awards last night during a televised ceremony, and Oscar frontrunner La La Land came away … Continue reading ‘La La Land’ and ‘People v. O.J. Simpson’ Win Big at Critics Choice Awards!!! Check Out The Full List!!

Mirza BaigDecember 14, 2016Leave a comment

Golden Globe Nominations: ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Makes Strong Showing as ‘Silence’ Is Shut Out!! Check Out The Full List!!

Awards season took another leap forward today as the 2017 Golden Globe nominations were announced. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association spread the love around, but the season’s three biggest contenders—La La Land, Moonlight, and Manchester by the Sea—all had big showings in the major categories, so not any surprises on that front. If anything got a boost from the Globes—and really they don’t have too … Continue reading Golden Globe Nominations: ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Makes Strong Showing as ‘Silence’ Is Shut Out!! Check Out The Full List!!

Mirza BaigDecember 12, 2016Leave a comment

‘Moana’ Repeats Top Spot as ‘Office Christmas Party’ and ‘La La Land’ Open Well at the BO!!!

Disney‘s Moana was able to fend off Paramount‘s Office Christmas Party to secure a third weekend at #1 as all films prepare to make way next weekend for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and a tidal wave of anticipated holiday releases over the coming weeks. This weekend also saw a couple of major awards season contenders in Manchester by the Sea and La La … Continue reading ‘Moana’ Repeats Top Spot as ‘Office Christmas Party’ and ‘La La Land’ Open Well at the BO!!!

Mirza BaigDecember 5, 2016Leave a comment

‘Moana’ Repeats No 1 Spot as New Release ‘Incarnate’ Flops at the BO!!

In a repeat of last weekend, Disney‘s Moana finished atop the weekend box office for a second week in a row followed by the third weekend of WB‘s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Overall the weekend played pretty much as expected with a few over-performers here and there along with the weekend’s widest new release Incarnate falling short of its meager expectations. Moana … Continue reading ‘Moana’ Repeats No 1 Spot as New Release ‘Incarnate’ Flops at the BO!!

Mirza BaigDecember 4, 2016Leave a comment

Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Arrival’ Tops $100 Million Worldwide Box Office!!

It’s always good cause to celebrate when a smart sci-fi for adults makes good, so break out the confetti because Denis Villeneuve‘s Arrival has just topped $100 million at the worldwide box office. And it’s only in its third week of release. Based on Ted Chiang‘s stunning short story Stories of Your Life, Arrival stars Amy Adams as a world-class linguist Dr. Louise Brooks who is tasked … Continue reading Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Arrival’ Tops $100 Million Worldwide Box Office!!

Mirza BaigNovember 28, 2016November 28, 2016Leave a comment

‘Moana’ Scores $81.1M Holiday Opening; ‘Allied’ And ‘Bad Santa 2’ Struggle While Beatty’s ‘Rules’ Flops At The BO!!

Disney‘s Moana topped the extended holiday box office with the second largest five-day Thanksgiving opening of all-time and the third largest three-day Thanksgiving opening of all-time, leading a top twelve that grossed a combined $173 million. Moana was, however, the only real success story among new wide releases as Allied and Bad Santa 2 fell short of expectations and Rules Don’t Apply delivered the worst wide opening of 2016. Other bright spots are to be found, though, … Continue reading ‘Moana’ Scores $81.1M Holiday Opening; ‘Allied’ And ‘Bad Santa 2’ Struggle While Beatty’s ‘Rules’ Flops At The BO!!

Drama, Movie Review, Science Fiction, Scifi

Arrival (2016) Review!!

Synopsis – A linguist is recruited by the military to assist in translating alien communications. My Take – Too often we see science fiction films, particularly involving aliens, that are only interested with how we, as a species, would fight back against them, usually with disaster results (the recent Independence Day sequel & The 5th Wave make a strong point on that). Adding to that, the trailer … Continue reading Arrival (2016) Review!!

Mirza BaigNovember 24, 2016Leave a comment

Mirza BaigNovember 21, 2016Leave a comment

Italia Films Middle East To Release Denis Villeneuve’s Sci Fi Film ‘Arrival’ On November 24th All Over U.A.E!! Check Out The Trailer!!

Synopsis – A linguist is recruited by the military to assist in translating alien communications. Directed – Denis Villeneuve Starring – Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker Check out the trailer: Production Notes: FilmNation Entertainment and Lava Bear Films Present A 21 Laps Entertainment Production ARRIVAL PRODUCTION NOTES A film by Denis Villeneuve Running time: 116 minutes Press contact: Selena Saldana FilmNation Entertainment … Continue reading Italia Films Middle East To Release Denis Villeneuve’s Sci Fi Film ‘Arrival’ On November 24th All Over U.A.E!! Check Out The Trailer!!

Mirza BaigNovember 21, 2016Leave a comment

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Tops Weekend With $75M While Fellow New Releases Struggle At The BO!!

The weekend didn’t quite turn out as Mojo had forecast as the top twelve grossed a combined $149.4 million compared to Mojo‘s forecast, which foresaw the top twelve grossing over $180 million. Part of the blame lay on an over-estimation of the weekend’s top new release, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which did deliver a solid #1 opening, but couldn’t match Mojo‘s lofty expectations. To that … Continue reading ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Tops Weekend With $75M While Fellow New Releases Struggle At The BO!!

Mirza BaigNovember 14, 2016Leave a comment

‘Doctor Strange’ Repeats Top Position as ‘Arrival’ Debuts with $24M At The BO!!

Disney continued its record-breaking year this weekend as 2016 became the studio’s best year at the domestic box office ever. Contributing to that success, of course, is the studio’s latest Marvel Studios release, Doctor Strange, which led the weekend box office for the second week in a row, contributing to a weekend in which the top twelve was up 56% compared to the same weekend … Continue reading ‘Doctor Strange’ Repeats Top Position as ‘Arrival’ Debuts with $24M At The BO!!

Mirza BaigNovember 7, 2016Leave a comment

‘Doctor Strange’ Has $84.9 Million Opening, While ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ And ‘Trolls’ Open Strong At The BO!!

The domestic box office got a jolt in a very big way as Disney and Marvel‘s Doctor Strange led the weekend with an estimated $84.9 million followed by strong performances by both Fox and DreamWorks Animation‘s Trolls and Lionsgate‘s Hacksaw Ridge. Beyond just the wide releases, the continued expansion of A24‘s Moonlight also contributed to a top twelve that was up a whopping 133.6% compared to last weekend, generating over $182 million … Continue reading ‘Doctor Strange’ Has $84.9 Million Opening, While ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ And ‘Trolls’ Open Strong At The BO!!

Mirza BaigOctober 21, 2016Leave a comment

Final Trailer for ‘Arrival’ Has Arrived!! Check It Out!!

Mirza BaigAugust 17, 2016Leave a comment

‘Arrival’: First Full Trailer Further Reveals Denis Villeneuve’s Alien Encounter!! Check It Out!!

After Paramount Pictures unveiled the mysterious teaser for Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi drama Arrival last week, the full trailer is now available. And it’s fantastic. It expands on the teaser’s introduction of a world in which aliens have landed on–but not quite invaded–Earth. In an attempt to communicate with this new species, expert linguist Louise Banks (five-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams) is recruited to decipher their language and establish a dialogue before the world’s … Continue reading ‘Arrival’: First Full Trailer Further Reveals Denis Villeneuve’s Alien Encounter!! Check It Out!!

Mirza BaigAugust 10, 2016Leave a comment

‘Arrival’ Trailer: Amy Adams Leads Sci-Fi Drama from ‘Sicario’ Director Denis Villeneuve!! Check It Out!!

Synopsis – Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat. Directed – Denis Villeneuve Starring – Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker Check out the trailer: Continue reading ‘Arrival’ Trailer: Amy Adams Leads Sci-Fi Drama from ‘Sicario’ Director Denis Villeneuve!! Check It Out!!