films Archives

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Mucking with Movies: ‘A Minecraft Movie’

“A Minecraft Movie” has sparked a debate among younger audiences and has become popular with teenagers, largely due to Jack Black’s character, Steve, and his catchphrase “Chicken Jockey.” The film is compared to cult classics like “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and may find a place in cult film festivals. Casting director Rachel Tenner successfully paired Jason Momoa and Jack Black, whose chemistry is highlighted by director Jared Hess. Momoa plays Garret, a former arcade champion, and their interactions are comedic, although the film struggles with energy when they are not together. Black’s humor and Momoa’s voice add depth to their characters. The film opens with a monologue from Black, but suffers from pacing issues and underutilized subplots. It has a critic score of 7.5/10 and has successfully engaged young audiences, making it a family-friendly entertainment option.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

‘Andor,’ ‘You,’ ‘Havoc,’ ‘Babygirl,’ and the best to stream this weekend — plus ‘A Minecraft Movie’ surprise

Andor, the prequel to Rogue One, returns for its second and final season, featuring Diego Luna as Cassian Andor. The 12-episode season will be released in three-episode segments over four weeks. Étoile, a series by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino, follows two ballet companies struggling financially and is streaming on Prime Video. The Netflix series You returns for its fifth season, with all 10 episodes available for streaming. Brett Goldstein's stand-up special, The Second Best Night of Your Life, airs Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. A24’s film Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman, is now streaming on Max. Other films available include Havoc on Netflix, Freaky Tales on VOD, Ash on VOD, and Azrael on Hulu. Tombstone, originally released in 1993, has a new 4K Ultra HD version available digitally. A book titled A Minecraft Movie: From Block to Big Screen chronicles the making of the Minecraft movie, available at Amazon and other booksellers.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

Warner Bros. Makes It Big At The Box Office With ‘A Minecraft Movie’ And ‘Sinners’ –

Warner Bros. has reclaimed its position at the forefront of the box office due to the successful releases of 'A Minecraft Movie' and 'Sinners'. The studio experienced a resurgence following a year of mixed results, including underperforming films like 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' and 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter One'. 'A Minecraft Movie' has become a box office sensation, appealing to fans of the game and attracting families and younger viewers. 'Sinners' has also contributed to Warner Bros.'s strong market position. The studio's recent successes reflect a strategic pivot to adapt to audience preferences and market trends.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Minecraft Movie Draws Increased Police Presence

The release of the Minecraft Movie has led to chaotic scenes in theaters, with audiences throwing popcorn and drinks in excitement, particularly at the line “Chicken Jockey!” This disruptive behavior has prompted theaters to remind patrons that such actions can result in ejection and police involvement. Videos on social media show disorderly crowds, and theater employees have expressed frustration over the mess created. A serious incident occurred in Warwick, Rhode Island, where a group of teenage boys violently attacked two adults who asked them to quiet down, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries. The film's popularity has intensified warnings against disruptive behavior, leading theaters to enforce stricter consequences.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Green Minecraft Movie Milk Gets Its Color From Chemicals The Government Wants To ‘Eliminate’

TruMoo has launched a new product called "Vanilla Green Lowfat Milk," inspired by Minecraft and resembling a melted Shamrock Shake. The green color comes from petroleum-based dyes, specifically "Blue No. 1," which is under scrutiny by the FDA due to health concerns. The FDA plans to expedite the review of natural alternatives to synthetic dyes and aims to eliminate these colorings from food products in the U.S. by 2026. Creeper milk has gained popularity on social media, with fans sharing their experiences. TruMoo previously introduced themed beverages, including blue milk inspired by Star Wars. Upcoming film releases may affect the future of themed beverages, and recent cuts to FDA staffing could impact food safety checks.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Peter Bart: Big B.O. Bets Wagered On Video Games And Vampires As Hollywood Tries To Banish Bitter Woes

Two films, A Minecraft Movie and Sinners, are currently successful at the box office, appealing to Gen Z audiences and nearing 0 million in global earnings. A Minecraft Movie had a production cost of 0 million, while Sinners had a budget of million, with stars Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler negotiating a deal for a share of the gross receipts and ownership rights after 25 years. Hollywood has faced challenges in recent years, including postponed releases and a shift towards streaming. The dual release of Oppenheimer and Barbie, endorsed by industry figures, gained significant attention, overshadowing other films like Coyote vs Acme. Tech companies like Apple and Amazon are investing in original storytelling, with Apple’s F1 project featuring Brad Pitt. Warner Bros. is also set to release a film by Paul Thomas Anderson, known for original content. Historically, studios have invested in original works, with notable examples like The Best Years of Our Lives and It’s a Wonderful Life.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Entertainment Marketing Summit to Gather Major Industry Leaders, Lessons Learned From ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and ‘Longlegs’

Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit will be held on April 24 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, sponsored by Deloitte. The event will feature in-person panels discussing topics such as impact marketing, the gaming economy, artificial intelligence, and sports fandom, with speakers including Issa Rae and Nicholas Sparks. Cameron Curtis from Warner Bros will present on leveraging social media content creators for marketing, while Christian Parkes from Neon aims to learn about innovative strategies from major studios. This is the eighth year Deloitte has sponsored the summit, emphasizing the importance of research and industry discussions. China Widener from Deloitte highlights the growing influence of Gen Z consumers. Warner Bros is focusing on enhancing its social media presence for upcoming films. Parkes expresses a desire for studios to present more unique and engaging marketing strategies.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Stays on Top as ‘Sinners’ and ‘The Penguin Lessons’ Lead Strong Easter Debuts at U.K. and Ireland Box Office

Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie” grossed £5.3 million over the Easter weekend in the U.K. and Ireland, accumulating a total of £15.2 million. “Sinners” debuted in second place with £3.2 million, while “The Penguin Lessons” opened in third with £2.4 million. “The Amateur” maintained fourth place with £1.2 million, bringing its two-week total to £2.2 million. A24’s “Warfare” debuted in fifth place with £7,470, and Disney’s “Snow White” added £4,461 to its total. Universal’s “Six The Musical” landed in seventh place with £3,106, raising its total to £1.7 million after three weeks. The thriller “Drop” slipped to eighth, contributing £0,326 to its total of £1.2 million. “The King Of Kings” earned £4,967 in its second weekend, totaling £1.3 million. “Kesari Chapter 2” debuted with £4,002. Upcoming releases include “Escape From Extinction: Rewilding” on April 22, “Macbeth: David Tennant and Cush Jumbo” on April 23, and several others on April 25, including “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII” and “The Ugly Stepsister.” Reissues include “Miss Congeniality” and “Pride & Prejudice.”

AppWizard

April 21, 2025

Before Minecraft, Jack Black Starred In Another Movie About A Fantasy Realm

Jared Hess' film "A Minecraft Movie" stars Jack Black as Steve, a middle-aged man from Idaho who enters the "Minecraft" Overworld through a portal. In this world, Steve can manipulate building materials and use magical items while facing challenges from Piglins. Jack Black's performance brings enthusiasm and relatability to the character, making the film accessible to younger audiences. Black has previously portrayed characters in fantastical settings, including Lemuel Gulliver in "Gulliver's Travels" and video game avatars in the "Jumanji" films. He also played a bully named Slip in "The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia," which had a modest budget and struggled at the box office but became popular in the straight-to-video market. The film features a notable soundtrack with artists like Aaliyah and Seal. Following this, Black's career progressed with roles in various films, establishing him as a versatile actor in Hollywood.

AppWizard

April 20, 2025

Stop Watching and Start Memeing at ‘A Minecraft Movie’

A Minecraft Movie has been released, blending gaming and cinema, and appeals to both nostalgic fans of the game and new audiences. The film features a classic narrative with a villainous duo, Malgosha and Chungus, and includes humor and clever dialogue. Jennifer Coolidge plays Vice Principal Marlene, while Jack Black and Jason Momoa portray Steve and Garrett, respectively. The film includes comedic scenes, such as a product placement moment with Coolidge's character hitting a villager with her Jeep Cherokee. The audience, including fans and families, reacted positively, and the film is seen as a potential cultural touchstone for Gen Alpha.