BOOKCON Announces Special All-Star Kickoff Event

Special Event to feature Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, director Shawn Levy, and writer Jonathan Tropper

Panel Discussion and Sneak Peek of Upcoming Feature Film Release “This Is Where I Leave You” on Friday, May 30 Sets the Stage for Highly Anticipated Consumer Book Event

Hot on the heels of its recent announcement of BookCon, a one-of-a-kind interactive consumer book event, ReedPOP, the world’s largest producer of pop culture events, announces a star-studded kickoff celebration to usher in the show.  Exemplifying the show’s mission of giving fans an experience where books and pop culture collide, ReedPOP will host a special panel and sneak peek of the upcoming film adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s bestselling book This Is Where I Leave You. The panel discussion will feature two of the stars of the film, Jason Bateman and Tina Fey, along with director Shawn Levy, and Tropper, who also wrote the screenplay, based on his novel. It will be followed by an exclusive Happy Hour to celebrate the debut of BookCon which will feature access to a number of top authors, giving fans the ultimate interactive experience.  The limited access BookCon kickoff event will happen on the eve of BookCon on May 30 at the Special Events Hall in the Javits Center.

The all-star BookCon kickoff event was created as a window into the type of events that BookCon will offer attendees.  The day-long event is crafted for creative-minded, passionate book fans in the publishing capital of the world.  Every aspect of the show is thoughtfully designed to appeal to the modern-day book lover with an appreciation for broader pop-culture and where these worlds intersect. By bridging the world of film and literature, the panel is a prime example of the mission for this consumer event and will usher in more exciting events and panels soon to be announced.

The hour-long panel, moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Anthony Breznican, will start at 4:00 p.m. A limited number of tickets for the BookCon kickoff event will be available for all those who purchase BookCon and BEA tickets for an additional $10. ReedPOP will also offer tickets as part of a VIP package that will include special artwork, a signed copy of This Is Where I Leave You, First Access to seating, access to BookCon on Saturday, and more.

“This is exactly the type of event that embodies what BookCon is all about and sets the tone in a truly impactful way,” said ReedPOP’s Global Senior Vice President, Lance Fensterman.  “This is our way of celebrating the debut of BookCon and giving fans a unique experience that will carry into the following day.”

Announcement of the kickoff event follows ReedPOP’s recent news of BookCon and its lineup of feature headliners including Amy Poehler, Martin Short, John Grisham, R.L. Stine, Stan Lee, Cary Elwes, Cassandra Clare, and Maggie Stiefvater.

Jonathan Tropper says: “This Is Where I Leave You was launched at BEA five years ago, so returning now to introduce the movie for the first time is a fitting and deeply satisfying way to celebrate the adaptation.”

Additional exciting details about BookCon exhibitors, talent, and sponsors will be revealed in the coming weeks. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.TheBookCon.com or BookCon’s social media pages (FacebookTwitter & Instagram).

ABOUT THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU

The dramatic comedy This is Where I Leave You is directed by Shawn Levy, and based on the hilarious and poignant bestselling novel by Tropper.  It features a starring ensemble cast including Golden Globe winner Jason Bateman (Arrested Development); Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Tina Fey (30 Rock); and two-time Oscar winner, multiple Golden Globe honoree and 2013 Emmy Award nominee Jane Fonda (Klute, Coming Home, HBO’s The Newsroom).

When their father passes away, four grown siblings, bruised and banged up by their respective adult lives, are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens.  Confronting their history and the frayed states of their relationships among the people who know and love them best, they ultimately reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways amid the chaos, humor, heartache and redemption that only families can provide—driving us insane even as they remind us of our truest, and often best, selves.

Shawn Levy, who helmed the blockbuster Night at the Museum films, as well as Date Night and Real Steel, directs from a screenplay by Jonathan Tropper.

The film also stars Adam Driver (HBO’s Girls), Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, X-Men: First Class), Corey Stoll (House of Cards, Midnight in Paris), Kathryn Hahn (NBC’s Parks and Recreation).

This is Where I Leave You is produced by Paula Weinstein (The Perfect Storm, HBO’s Recount) Shawn Levy, and Jeffrey Levine (The Family Man).  Mary McLaglen (Real Steel, The Proposal) and Jonathan Tropper serve as executive producers.  The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Terry Stacey (Safe Haven, 50/50), production designer Ford Wheeler (Rachel Getting Married), editor Dean Zimmerman (Real Steel) and costume designer Susan Lyall (RED).   The music is by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“Up”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Spring Creek Production, a 21 Laps Production, a Shawn Levy Film: This is Where I Leave You, opening September 12.  It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company

Celebrate the Holidays Minion Style with the #1 Comedy of the Year!

DESPICABLE ME 2

 

BE THE FIRST TO OWN IT ON DIGITAL HD NOVEMBER 26, 2013

BRING HOME THE BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK DECEMBER 10, 2013

INCLUDING BLU-RAY™, DVD & DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET

GET THREE ALL-NEW MINION MINI MOVIES NOT SEEN IN THEATERS WHEN YOU BUY THE BLU-RAY

The holiday season just got even brighter with the news that Despicable Me 2, the $872 million worldwide box office phenomenon and the year’s #1 comedy, arrives onBlu-ray™ and Blu-ray 3D™ Combo Packs, DVD and Digital HD including UltraViolet™ on December 10, 2013, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The film will also be available on Digital HD November 26, 2013, just in time for families to watch on the go as they gear up for holiday travel. In addition to more than 45 minutes of hilarious and insightful bonus features, Blu-ray Combo Packs will include, from the makers of Despicable Me, three all-new mini-movies starring the film series’ breakout stars, the mischievous but lovable Minions. For a sneak peek of these mini-movies, and other great weekly offers from Despicable Me 2, call Gru at **DM2 (**362) from your mobile phone.*

Despicable Me 2 is the top box-office comedy of the year and is poised for spectacular success on home entertainment this holiday season,” said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “This adored franchise, with its iconic lovable Minions, stands apart from all others and is sure to be at the top of everyone’s wish list this December.”

In this follow-up to the 2010worldwide blockbuster, Steve Carell (The OfficeThe 40-Year-Old Virgin) returns to play Gru, the newly reformed master criminal now trying to live life as a normal dad to his three adopted daughters. Carell leads a voice cast of comedic powerhouses that includes Kristin Wiig (Bridesmaids,Saturday Night Live), Benjamin Bratt (Miss Congeniality, Snitch), Miranda Cosgrove (iCarlyDespicable Me), Russell Brand (Get Him to the Greek, Hop), Steve Coogan (Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,Tropic Thunder), Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Turbo), Elsie Fisher (Despicable MeRaising Hope), Dana Gaier (Despicable Me) and Moisés Arias (Ender’s Game, Hannah Montana). Despicable Me 2 is hailed as “Brilliant! One of the funniest, laugh-out-loud, most enjoyable movies ever” by MovieGuide.

This Thanksgiving, Manhattan will share a memorable moment of Minion Madness with the world whena brand new Despicable Me 2 float joins the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in celebration of the home entertainment release. Despicable Me 2 will roll out a deliciously decorated cupcake parlor inspired by the hilarious and heartwarming film and featuring Gru, the reformed master criminal turned devoted dad, and a gaggle of his unpredictable helpers, the Minions — including a surprise new character — to keep things lively and entertaining for the film’s millions of fans, both young and old. The 86th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC-TV, on Thursday, November 28, 2013 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM in all time zones.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack include a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet.

  • · Blu-ray unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6x the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • · DVDoffers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
  • · DIGITAL HDwith UltraViolet™lets you watch movies anywhere, on any device. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad®, iPhone®, Android, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray players, game consoles and more.

Bonus Features Exclusive to Blu-ray Combo Pack & Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack.

  • · Three All-New Mini-Movies Starring the Minions—Introduced by Gru

o Puppy

o Panic in the Mailroom

o Training Wheels

  • · The Making of the Mini-Movies—A fun-filled take on the making of the mini-movies through the eyes of the artists who made them.
  • · Deleted Scene
  • · The Minions—A visit to Illumination Entertainment in Paris and Los Angeles to hear what it’s really like to work with the Minions.
  • · Evil Minions—Bigger, badder and more purple than ever, the newest and fiercest addition to the Minion species can chew through metal and swallow a car. Find out more about the process that led to their creation and design.
  • · A Gru-Some Transformation—A sit-down with Steve Carell as he discusses the transformation of Gru from the ultimate super-villain to super-dad and international spy.
  • · El Hombre Malo: The Villainy Of El Macho—Every great story needs a good villain, andDespicable Me 2 brings on the diabolico in the form of El Macho! Learn about the creation of this character and the actor who brought him to life—Benjamin Bratt.

 

Bonus Features on Blu-ray & DVD

  • · Gru’s Girls—Miranda Cosgrove, Elsie Kate Fisher and Dana Gaier weigh in on working with Steve Carell and playing the daughters of a world-famous super-villain!
  • · Gadgets Galore—Lipstick tasers, magnet ships, foam dart dispensers and jelly guns—these are the nifty gadgets of Despicable Me 2. Illumination Entertainment pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build a world that would leave even James Bond envious.
  • · Feature Commentary With Directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin

 

SYNOPSIS

Gru, his adorable girls, and the mischievous Minions are back with a cast of unforgettable new characters in the blockbuster sequel to the worldwide phenomenon. Just as Gru has given up being super-bad to be a super-dad, the Anti-Villain League recruits him to track down a new criminal mastermind and save the world. Partnered with secret agent Lucy Wilde, Gru, along with the wildly unpredictable Minions, must figure out how to keep his cover while also keeping up with his duties as a father. Assemble the Minions for laugh-out-loud comedy in “one of the funniest, most enjoyable movies ever!” (MovieGuide®)

 

CAST AND FILMMAKERS:

Cast: Steve Carell, Kristin Wiig,Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan, Ken Jeong, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier, Moisés Arias

Directed by: Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin

Screenplay by: Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio

Character Designers: Carter Goodrich, Eric Guillon

Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy

Production Designer: Yarrow Cheney, Eric Guillon

Editor: Gregory Perler, A.C.E.

Original Songs and Themes by: Pharrell Williams

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION –BLU-RAY 3D

Street Date: December 10, 2013

Copyright: 2013 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers:61127723 (U.S.) 61128861 (CDN)

Running Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

Layers: BD-50

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1

Rating: PG for “Rude Humor and Mild Action.”

Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS DD 2.0 (English); DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish and French)

Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY

Street Date: December 10, 2013

Copyright: 2013 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61120670 (U.S.), 61125036 (CDN)

Running Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

Layers: BD-50

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1

Rating: PG for “Rude Humor and Mild Action”

Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS DD 2.0 (English); DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish and French)

Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD

Street Date: December 10, 2013

Copyright: 2013 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers:61120669 (U.S.), 61125037 (CDN)

Running Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

Layers: Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1:85:1

Rating: PG for “Rude Humor and Mild Action”

Technical Info: Dolby Digital 5.1/DVS DD 2.0 (English); Dolby Digital 5.1 (Spanish and French)

Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

‘Identity Thief’ Arrives on DVD in June

Hit the Road with Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman in the #1 Comedy of the Year From the Producer of Ted  & the Director of Horrible Bosses, Identity Thief

Smart, Funny and Surprisingly Touching” – Rafer Guzman, Newsday

Take Home the Hilarious Unrated Edition on Blu-Ray Combo Pack Including UltraViolet, DVD & Digital Copy with Alternate Takes, a Gag Reel & More on June 4.

Universal City, California – A mild-mannered businessman and the spend-happy con woman who stole his identity embark on an uproarious, cross-country road trip in the number one comedy blockbuster Identity Thief, available on Blu-rayCombo Pack, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand June 4, 2013, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  Identity Thief’s fearlessly funny stars – Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Emmy® winner Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) – charmed critics and audiences alike with their off-the-wall outrageous banter.  Directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses), Identity Thief  also features an all-star ensemble cast including Jon Favreau (Iron Man series), Amanda Peet (2012), Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris (American Gangster), Genesis Rodriguez (What to Expect When You’re Expecting), John Cho (Harold & Kumar series), Robert Patrick (Safe House) and Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family).

Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD include an unrated, extended version of the film featuring exclusive footage not shown in theaters, as well as a gag reel and making of the featurette with interviews with the film’s creators and cast.  Exclusive to the Blu-ray Combo Pack are bonus features including alternate takes, a behind-the-scenes featurette highlighting the stars’ unique comedic contributions and an insider tour with one of the movie’s most memorable characters.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack allows consumers to view Identity Thief anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.  It includes a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, a Digital Copy and UltraViolet for the ultimate, complete viewing experience.

  • Blu-ray disc unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring perfect hi-def picture and hi-def sound.
  • DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
  • Digital Copy provides consumers with a choice of to watch on devices such as iPhone®, Android, computers and more.
  • UltraViolet is a revolutionary new way for consumers to collect their movies and TV shows in the cloud. UltraViolet lets consumers instantly stream and download to tablets, smartphones, computers and TVs. Now available in both the United States and Canada.

Bonus Features Exclusive to the Blu-rayTM:

  • Scene Stealing: Capturing the Humor of Identity Thief:  Inspired by comedy classics Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Midnight Run, Identity Thief brings comedy geniuses Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy together for an unforgettable cross-country journey.
  • The Skiptracer’s Van:  Robert Patrick, in character as The Skiptracer, details what is important to him, especially his van, which subs as his office, home and perpetrator container.  He gives a tour of the exterior, the “deep” interior and the cabin, replete with all of the supplies that he may or may not need.
  • Alternate Takes

Blu-rayTM and DVD Bonus Features:

  • Gag Reel
  • The Making of Identity Thief: Featuring on-set footage and interviews with the filmmakers and the first-class comedic cast, this featurette brings audiences inside the making of the year’s funniest film. 
  • Unrated and Theatrical Versions of the Film

SYNOPSIS

Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) lead an all-star cast in this hilarious blockbuster hit. Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Orlando.  There’s only one glitch: she’s financing her shopping sprees with an ID stolen from Sandy Patterson (Bateman), an accounts rep who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Patterson is forced to extreme measures to clear his name.  From the director of Horrible Bosses and the producer of Ted, critics are calling Identity Thief  “smart, funny and surprisingly touching” – Rafer Guzman, Newsday

www.identitythiefmovie.com

https://www.facebook.com/identitythief

FILMMAKERS

Cast: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris, Genesis Rodriguez, Morris Chestnut, John Cho, Robert Patrick, Eric Stonestreet, Jonathan Banks

Directed By: Seth Gordon

Screenplay By: Craig Mazin

Story By: Jerry Eeten, Craig Mazin

Produced By: Scott Stuber, Jason Bateman, Pamela Abdy

Executive Producers:  Dan Kolsrud, Peter Morgan

Director of Photography: Javier Aguirresarobe, ASC

Production Designer: Shepherd Frankel

Edited By: Peter Teschner

Costume Designer: Carol Ramsey

Music By: Christopher Lennertz