‘OUR PHYSICAL APPEARANCES DO NOT DEFINE US,’ PURSER TELLS MTV NEWS OF HER FIRST LEADING ROLE

BY CRYSTAL BELL

In Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, a high school band geek (played by Stranger Things breakout Shannon Purser) falls in love with a popular jock (Noah Centineo) via text messages and phone calls. Sounds like your typical teen romcom, right? There’s only one problem: They’ve never met in person — and Sierra, lacking confidence in herself and in her body, desperately wants to keep it that way.

So when he starts to believe he’s actually talking to queen bee Veronica (Kristine Froseth), Sierra plays along, teaming up with her tormenter to win over her crush. It’s basically a modern-day retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, and MTV News has the exclusive first look at the trailer. (In case you need an English lit refresher, think of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 tale of mistaken identity and unexpected romance as the original Catfish.)

For Purser, who steps into her first leading role in Sierra Burgess, the opportunity to play a teen girl struggling to define herself and her self-worth in an environment as unforgiving as high school — and on social media — was not only important, it was relatable. “It’s ultimately the story of a girl who has to rethink how she perceives herself and others,” the actress told MTV News. “I feel like lots of young people go through the same thing.”

“I definitely relate to Sierra not feeling comfortable in her skin,” she added. “I’m much better now at loving and accepting my body as it is, but I still have bad days. Sierra is also uncomfortable with who she is as a person, not just her body. She has to come face to face with her demons and figure out how how to move past them, which is a lesson I relearn all the time.”

Written by Lindsey Beer, the film is also an exploration of girlhood, tenderly detailing the insecurities, vulnerabilities, and messy emotions that define adolescence. “I’m glad that a movie that focuses so heavily on the female high school experience is written by someone who has lived through it,” Purser said.

As for what the 21-year-old starlet hopes people take away from the teen flick, it’s simple: “Our physical appearances do not define us. Our bodies are beautiful — whether they conform to society’s ridiculous standards or not — but they are not who we are.”

“I hope that everyone, especially girls who are feeling pressured to conform, will see this movie and be reminded that it is far more important to have a beautiful heart than a supermodel’s body,” she concluded. “It is far more important to be kind than to have thousands of followers. I hope they see that being honest with yourself, and others, isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.”

And having a happy, healthy relationship with yourself is way more important than snagging the hot jock.

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser hits Netflix on September 7, 2018.

Source: MTV NEWS

DEREK LAWRENCE March 19, 2018 AT 09:28 PM EDT

Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro are preparing for all-out war.

With Emily Blunt not returning for the follow-up to 2015’s Sicario, the two actors take the spotlight in the latest trailer for Sicario: Day of the Soldado.

In the upcoming sequel, Brolin’s Matt Graver has been tasked by the U.S. government with turning up the heat on Mexican drug cartels, whose actions are now being classified as terrorist activity. “I’m gonna have to get dirty,” says Graver, to which Matthew Modine’s character responds, “Dirty is exactly why you’re here.”

For Graver, getting dirty means recruiting Sicario’s revenge-seeking assassin Alejandro (Del Toro). But this time around, a young girl caught in the middle has the mysterious man questioning his orders.

“I think the characters are faced with more decisions, more forks in the road,” Del Toro previously told EW. “I could say the same for Josh’s character and for Alejandro. They have to make decisions that are more difficult.”

Sicario: Day of the Soldado hits theaters June 29. Watch the new trailer above.

Source: ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

By Patrick Hipes
March 7, 2018 11:24am

EXCLUSIVE: Black Label Media has optioned rights to Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice, and will make a film about the true story at the center of Adam Makos’ 2015 book about two Korean War Navy pilots — one from an affluent white New England family, the other the black son of a Mississippi sharecropper — who became two of the top pilots in U.S. history.

Glen Powell, who played John Glenn in the Oscar-nominated Hidden Figures, will star in the pic and develop the script with Jake Crane and Jonathan Stewart, whose Black Winter made the Black List in 2014. Black Label’s Molly Smith, Rachel Smith, Thad Luckinbill and Trent Luckinbill will produce, with Jon Schumacher executive producing.

Makos’ novel digs into an unexplored chapter in American combat history. Set during the Korean War in an era fraught with racial disparity, Tom Hudner decided to forgo Harvard to join the Navy, while Jesse Brown became the first black man in U.S. Naval history to become a fighter pilot. Despite their differences, an unbreakable bond was forged and the two would become known as the U.S. Navy’s most celebrated aviator duo. Powell will play Hudner.

Powell’s recent credits include the upcoming Set It Up on Netflix and opposite Lily James in StudioCanal’s The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. He’s repped by ICM Partners, Untitled Management and Bloom Hergott.

Black Label, which co-financed and executive produced La La Land, was also behind the recent pics 12 Strong, Only the Brave, Rebel in the Rye and Demolition. Up next is Stefano Sollima’s Sicario 2: Soldado at Sony bowing June 29 and Netflix’s Sierra Burgess is a Loser coming later this year.

Crane and Stewart are repped by CAA, Oasis Media Group, and Robbie Koch.

Source: DEADLINE

By Justin Kroll

Following his Tony award-winning performance in the Broadway hit “Dear Evan Hansen,” Ben Platt has found his next feature film, signing on to star in Black Label Media’s “Love & Oatmeal.”

“Camp X-Ray” director Peter Sattler is helming the project with Steve Waverly penning the script. Black Label Media’s Molly Smith, Rachel Smith, Thad Luckinbill, and Trent Luckinbill are producing along with Trina Wyatt, while BLM’s Jon Schumacher will executive produce.

The story centers on Scott, a twenty-something aspiring writer who, in the wake of his father’s sudden death, sees his dream of moving to Paris put in jeopardy when he is forced to temporarily take in his wildly unpredictable, mentally ill sister. They are eyeing a start of production early summer.

Best known for his work in the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, Platt is coming off his critically acclaimed performance in “Dear Evan Hansen.” He also won a Grammy for best musical theater album, as well as became the youngest actor ever to win the Drama League distinguished performance award. Platt will soon begin filming the lead role in Ryan Murphy’s new hour-long comedy series “The Politician.”

Sattler’s first feature film, “Camp X-Ray,” which he wrote and directed, starred Kristen Stewart and Iranian actor Payman Maadi. It was featured at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, the London Film Festival, the Deauville American Film Festival, the Stockholm Film Festival, and the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Platt is reped by CAA, One Entertainment and Jackoway Tyerman. Sattler is reped by UTA and Gotham Group.

Most recently, Black Label Media produced Nicolai Fuglsig’s “12 Strong,” along with Jerry Bruckheimer. The film, which stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Peña, was released by Warner Bros in January.

Source: VARIETY

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Feb 13, 2018, 17:34 ET

To help support brave firefighters like those depicted in the film Only the Brave, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is teaming with the social change platform Pixhug™ to raise up to $100K for the Granite Mountain Fund, an organization that drives donations to support firefighters. Pixhug and their sponsor, TheBayFestival.org, kicked off the nationwide initiative with a $50K donation. In an effort to double the donation, fans are invited to turn their “likes” into money to support firefighters. Fans can like Jeff Bridges’ Facebook post to help!

“With the inspiring and heroic effort to battle recent horrific wildfires and mudslides in California, we are thankful for organizations such as the Granite Mountain Fund that offer support for firefighters, first responders, and their families,” says Hans Koch, Executive Producer of TheBayFestival.org. “Only the Brave is an emotionally captivating film that speaks to the dangers of the brave firefighters the Granite Mountain Fund hopes to support with this important social campaign.”

Pixhug is a social change platform that connects social media with social responsibility by uniting people with causes and the companies that support them. The app turns “likes” into donations, giving everyone the power to make a difference simply by sharing and liking photos and videos. With every photo posted to the Pixhug™ social platform users can then choose a charitable campaign to donate all their likes to, such as the Granite Mountain Fund. Every like is worth 10 cents, and the money is donated by TheBayFestival.org.

“We have reached an exciting point in time where a powerful story, like the one told in Only the Brave, not only depicts a real-life event but, through Pixhug, allows its audience to engage with and support the cause alongside the stars of the movie,” says Mido DeSanti, Founder, CEO of PixHug.

To use the Pixhug app to support the Granite Mountain Fund:

Download the Pixhug app from the iTunes store or Google Play
Select the “ONLY THE BRAVE” campaign
Tap “Support this cause”
Take a photo and post it on Pixhug and Facebook and the sponsor will donate 10 cents for every like you get!
Granite Mountain Fund, the philanthropic initiative of the film Only the Brave, drives donations to support firefighting as well as the towns and families connected to and impacted by hotshots and their work. Donations for The Granite Mountain Fund will benefit the following organizations: Wildland Firefighter Foundation, Eric Marsh Foundation, Kevin Woyjeck Explorers Foundation, Prescott Firefighter’s Charities, California Fire Foundation and Carry The Load. The Granite Mountain Fund is partnered with the Tides Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization. 98.5% of the donations raised through the Tides Foundation will go directly to the charities the fund supports. Tides will receive a 1.5% administrative fee.

Based on the true American story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots that gave their lives to protect their community, ONLY THE BRAVE is an intense tale of brotherhood, sacrifice and inspiration. ONLY THE BRAVE was shot and mastered in 4K and debuts on digital and 4K digital with HDR* January 23 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD February 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Certified “Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, the acclaimed ensemble cast includes Academy Award® nominee Josh Brolin (Best Supporting Actor, Milk, 2008), Miles Teller (Whiplash), Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges (Best Actor, Crazy Heart, 2009), James Badge Dale (The Departed), with Taylor Kitsch (“Friday Night Lights”) and Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly (Best Supporting Actress, A Beautiful Mind, 2001). The Blu-ray and DVD also include digital versions of the movie, redeemable via the all-new Movies Anywhere App.

Synopsis:
ONLY THE BRAVE, based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, is the heroic story of a team of local firefighters who – through hope, determination and sacrifice – become one of the most elite firefighting teams in the nation. Starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Taylor Kitsch, Jeff Bridges, James Badge Dale and Jennifer Connelly, the firefighters forge a unique brotherhood that comes into focus as they fight a fateful fire to protect our lives, our homes and everything we hold dear.

Based on the GQ article “No Exit” by Sean Flynn, ONLY THE BRAVE was directed by Joseph Kosinski from a screenplay by Ken Nolan and Eric Warren Singer. The film was produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Michael Menchel, Erik Howsam, Molly Smith, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill, Dawn Ostroff and Jeremy Steckler and executive produced by Ellen H. Schwartz.

Bonus Materials Include:

Deleted Scenes
Feature Audio Commentary with Director Joseph Kosinski and Josh Brolin
Featurettes:
“Honoring the Heroes: The True Stories”
“Behind the Brotherhood: The Characters”
“Boot Camp: Becoming a Hotshot”
Dierks Bentley featuring S. Carey’s “Hold The Light” Music Video & Featurette
ONLY THE BRAVE has a run time of approximately 134 minutes and is rated PG-13 for thematic content, some sexual references, language and drug material.

The Movies Anywhere Digital App simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray™ and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere is available only in the United States.

Academy Award® is the registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

*4K Digital with HDR Available at Select Digital Retailers

ABOUT SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group includes film labels Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com

Source: PR NEWSWIRE

By Justin Kroll

Netflix has acquired “Sierra Burgess Is A Loser,” a feature film from Black Label Media.

Ian Samuels directed the pic with Lindsey Beer penning the script. The movie stars “Stranger Things” actress Shannon Purser, RJ Cyler, Kristine Froseth, Noah Centineo, Chrissy Metz, Alan Ruck, and Lea Thompson.

The film is a modern rom-com retelling of the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, set in high school. It centers on Sierra (Purser), an intelligent teen who does not fall into the shallow definition of high school pretty but, in a case of mistaken identity that results in unexpected romance, must team with the popular girl (Froseth) in order to win her crush.

The film is produced and fully financed by Black Label Media, with Molly Smith, Rachel Smith, Trent Luckinbill, and Thad Luckinbill serving as producers. WME brokered the deal.

Best known as Barb in Season 1 of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” Purser can be seen next in NBC’s drama series “Rise.” Cyler was most recently seen in Showtime’s “I’m Dying Up Here,” while Metz currently stars on NBC’s “This Is Us.”

Froseth was last seen in “Rebel in the Rye” and Centineo currently stars in Freeform’s drama series “The Fosters.” This marks Samuels’ feature debut. He is repped by CAA.

Beer was most recently was a part of Quentin Tarantino’s “Star Trek” writer’s room also rewrote “Chaos Walking” for Doug Liman at Lionsgate with Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland starring, and is also adapting “The Kingkiller Chronicles” for Lionsgate with Lin Manuel Miranda and Robert Lawrence producing. She is repped by WME.

Source: VARIETY