This kids’ adventure story with a faux medievalist vibe has a cute conceit and some fun sequences but the inexperience of the cast and director shows
If you’ve ever tried to make a home movie with young children, you quickly come to appreciate how hard it is to get the little monsters to remember their lines and hit their marks, let alone give good performances. It’s an education in the difference between good and bad direction, the raw, primary-teacher skill in herding cats while also managing tone, quality control and all that storytelling stuff. Just try it for yourself and you’ll realise just how good a job directors such as Garth Jennings or Taika Waititi did with child-led films like Son of Rambow or Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
At the very least, this awareness will help you be a bit more forgiving of a film like Riddle of Fire.
If you’ve ever tried to make a home movie with young children, you quickly come to appreciate how hard it is to get the little monsters to remember their lines and hit their marks, let alone give good performances. It’s an education in the difference between good and bad direction, the raw, primary-teacher skill in herding cats while also managing tone, quality control and all that storytelling stuff. Just try it for yourself and you’ll realise just how good a job directors such as Garth Jennings or Taika Waititi did with child-led films like Son of Rambow or Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
At the very least, this awareness will help you be a bit more forgiving of a film like Riddle of Fire.
- 4/29/2024
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week we look at several music videos by director Garth Jennings. If you ask me who my favorite music video director is, the answer won't be Michel Gondry or Spike Jonze or David Fincher, even though I think all of them are great. No, for me there is one director who really stands above the rest of the crowd and that is Garth Jennings. As a duo with producer Nick Goldsmith, under the moniker Hammer and Tongs, he made not one, not two, but three of my favorite music videos of all time. The...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 3/4/2024
- Screen Anarchy
McCance died aged 53 on December 19 last year, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.
Colleagues and friends have paid tribute to “free spirit” and “brilliant role model”, Northern Ireland-born, Sweden-based film and TV writer and executive producer Ruth McCance, who has died aged 53 from cancer.
McCance was diagnosed in November of last year with stomach cancer, and died just five weeks later.
During her career she worked on films including Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher, Thomas Vinterberg’s It’s All About Love, Soren-Kragh Jakobson’s Skagerrak and Garth Jennings’s Son Of Rambow.
McCance grew up in Belfast. Her mother was a...
Colleagues and friends have paid tribute to “free spirit” and “brilliant role model”, Northern Ireland-born, Sweden-based film and TV writer and executive producer Ruth McCance, who has died aged 53 from cancer.
McCance was diagnosed in November of last year with stomach cancer, and died just five weeks later.
During her career she worked on films including Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher, Thomas Vinterberg’s It’s All About Love, Soren-Kragh Jakobson’s Skagerrak and Garth Jennings’s Son Of Rambow.
McCance grew up in Belfast. Her mother was a...
- 1/15/2024
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Picture: Top Gun: Maverick is now available to stream on Netflix Canada
There are 29 new movies and TV shows for Netflix Canada subscribers to enjoy this Christmas. In particular, this week sees the addition of Top Gun: Maverick, Universal Pictures animated sequel Sing 2, Zack Synder’s Rebel Moon, and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro.
First of all, here are some of the past week’s top highlights:
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama | Runtime: 130 Minutes
Cast: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell
A sequel decades in the making, Top Gun: Maverick soared to the top of the box office in 2022, grossing almost $1.5 billion worldwide.
Over thirty years into his career as a top naval aviator, Cpt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell is still pushing the limits. He is confronted by the ghosts of his past when he must lead a team of elite graduates on a life-threatening mission.
There are 29 new movies and TV shows for Netflix Canada subscribers to enjoy this Christmas. In particular, this week sees the addition of Top Gun: Maverick, Universal Pictures animated sequel Sing 2, Zack Synder’s Rebel Moon, and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro.
First of all, here are some of the past week’s top highlights:
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama | Runtime: 130 Minutes
Cast: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell
A sequel decades in the making, Top Gun: Maverick soared to the top of the box office in 2022, grossing almost $1.5 billion worldwide.
Over thirty years into his career as a top naval aviator, Cpt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell is still pushing the limits. He is confronted by the ghosts of his past when he must lead a team of elite graduates on a life-threatening mission.
- 12/22/2023
- by Jacob Robinson
- Whats-on-Netflix
With “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” riding high to the tune of $1.3 billion in global receipts, and as Pharrell Williams lay in the wings to offer the producer a lifetime achievement award, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri made sure to direct the lion’s share of attention to “Migration” director Benjamin Renner as the pair sat before a packed auditorium at the Annecy Animation Festival on Wednesday.
Taking the stage after premiering 25 minutes of “Migration” footage, Meledandri stepped (quite adeptly) into the role of interviewer, putting Renner in the spotlight and peppering the French filmmaker with questions about inspiration and artistry. If the interest was genuine, it was also no doubt strategic, as Meledandri inferred to Variety in an interview following the presentation.
“I would love for people to hear [directly] from Benjamin about his process and his intention,” said Meledandri. “That’s a very old fashioned idea — to get the filmmaker out there.
Taking the stage after premiering 25 minutes of “Migration” footage, Meledandri stepped (quite adeptly) into the role of interviewer, putting Renner in the spotlight and peppering the French filmmaker with questions about inspiration and artistry. If the interest was genuine, it was also no doubt strategic, as Meledandri inferred to Variety in an interview following the presentation.
“I would love for people to hear [directly] from Benjamin about his process and his intention,” said Meledandri. “That’s a very old fashioned idea — to get the filmmaker out there.
- 6/16/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
If you’re looking for a snapshot of the top 10 most-watched movies streaming on Netflix in the US, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered the current list of the most popular films on the streaming service, along with a brief synopsis and information on who stars in each movie. Did your favorite crack the top 10 on Netflix right now?
Currently, the top 10 movies on Netflix in the US are:
The Chronicles of Riddick The Hunger Games: Catching Fire The Hunger Games The Magician’s Elephant Riddick Sing 2 Minions: The Rise of Gru Luther: The Fallen Sun Dragged Across Concrete I See You 10 ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’ (2004)
Director: David Twohy
Cast: Vin Diesel, Thandiwe Newton, Karl Urban, Alexa Davalos, Colm Feore
Runtime: 1h 59m | Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Related: All The Riddick Movies in Order of Release Date [How to Watch]
IMDb – Rating: 6.6/10 | Popularity: 1,112 | Metascore: 38
The renowned criminal Richard Bruno...
Currently, the top 10 movies on Netflix in the US are:
The Chronicles of Riddick The Hunger Games: Catching Fire The Hunger Games The Magician’s Elephant Riddick Sing 2 Minions: The Rise of Gru Luther: The Fallen Sun Dragged Across Concrete I See You 10 ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’ (2004)
Director: David Twohy
Cast: Vin Diesel, Thandiwe Newton, Karl Urban, Alexa Davalos, Colm Feore
Runtime: 1h 59m | Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Related: All The Riddick Movies in Order of Release Date [How to Watch]
IMDb – Rating: 6.6/10 | Popularity: 1,112 | Metascore: 38
The renowned criminal Richard Bruno...
- 3/27/2023
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
Exclusive: The London, UK native music video director-turned-filmmaker has signed with CAA.
Garth Jennings cut his teeth directing music videos for such artists for Faboy Slim, R.E.M. and Beck. In 2005 he directed the feature adaptation of Douglas Adams’ sci-fi comedy bestseller, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, an IP that Hollywood longed to make. The pic starred Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and Zooey Deschanel and went on to gross 104.4M WW.
Next feature-wise for Jennings was 2007’s Son of Rambow which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The action adventure comedy, which Jennings penned and directed, followed two British schoolboys from different backgrounds who set out to make a inspired by First Blood.
Jennings wrote and directed both Illumination/Universal animated hits, Sing and Sing 2, which combined grossed over 1.04 billion.
Other music videos he directed include “Cousins” for Vampire Weekend and “Lotus Flower” for Radiohead,...
Garth Jennings cut his teeth directing music videos for such artists for Faboy Slim, R.E.M. and Beck. In 2005 he directed the feature adaptation of Douglas Adams’ sci-fi comedy bestseller, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, an IP that Hollywood longed to make. The pic starred Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and Zooey Deschanel and went on to gross 104.4M WW.
Next feature-wise for Jennings was 2007’s Son of Rambow which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The action adventure comedy, which Jennings penned and directed, followed two British schoolboys from different backgrounds who set out to make a inspired by First Blood.
Jennings wrote and directed both Illumination/Universal animated hits, Sing and Sing 2, which combined grossed over 1.04 billion.
Other music videos he directed include “Cousins” for Vampire Weekend and “Lotus Flower” for Radiohead,...
- 9/27/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
To celebrate the success of Illumination’s smash musical sensation, Sing 2 — which has been playing in theaters and delighting audiences everywhere since December 22, 2021 — allowing the blockbuster franchise to earn more than $1 billion worldwide. Illumination and Universal Pictures have announced the launch of “The Sing 2 Sing-Along Experience” in theaters nationwide.
Beginning on March 25, audiences in both the United States and Canada will be able to choose from multiple Sing 2 Sing-Along showings at participating theaters in all major markets and experience the thrill and joy of sharing unforgettable musical performances with fellow fans as, together, they sing their favorite songs along with the film’s beloved characters. Tickets are available on Fandango right now (look for the button below to purchase them).
Get Tickets at Fandango!
Conceived and designed as a one-of-a-kind experience for fans, the Sing 2 Sing-Along welcomes audiences to join together in creating the kind of magic that usually...
Beginning on March 25, audiences in both the United States and Canada will be able to choose from multiple Sing 2 Sing-Along showings at participating theaters in all major markets and experience the thrill and joy of sharing unforgettable musical performances with fellow fans as, together, they sing their favorite songs along with the film’s beloved characters. Tickets are available on Fandango right now (look for the button below to purchase them).
Get Tickets at Fandango!
Conceived and designed as a one-of-a-kind experience for fans, the Sing 2 Sing-Along welcomes audiences to join together in creating the kind of magic that usually...
- 3/24/2022
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
When it comes to predicting Oscars, there’s so much historical data we can use to predict nominees and winners, but one category that’s always been more difficult is Best Animated Feature. It doesn’t offer a shortlist, and many lesser-seen animated features from across the globe are in consideration against better-known animated features from major American animation studios. Each year, Disney tends to have one or two nominees in the running, but Universal Pictures really didn’t find a place in the category until it began distributing the movies made by Illumination Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation. Can Universal make the cut this year for “Sing 2”?
See‘Sing 2’ director Garth Jennings on giving voice to a part he wrote
The original “Sing” was released in December 2016, and it grossed $270.4 million domestically and another $363.8 million overseas. It was another tick in the win column for Universal and Illumination after...
See‘Sing 2’ director Garth Jennings on giving voice to a part he wrote
The original “Sing” was released in December 2016, and it grossed $270.4 million domestically and another $363.8 million overseas. It was another tick in the win column for Universal and Illumination after...
- 2/4/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
The reign of Sony’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” atop the U.K. and Ireland box office has finally ended with Universal’s animation sequel “Sing 2” claiming the throne.
“Sing 2,” directed by Garth Jennings and featuring a stellar voice cast of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton among many others, debuted in pole position with £6.8 million ($9.2 million), according to numbers released by Comscore.
Another Universal release, Kenneth Branagh’s awards season favorite “Belfast,” retained its second position from last week with £1.8 million and now has £6 million after two weekends.
After six weeks as box office champion, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” placed third with £1.7 million. After seven weekends, the film has swung to a total of £90 million and is in sixth place on the all-time U.K. and Ireland charts. The film’s next target is “Avatar,” which currently occupies fifth place with £94 million.
Paramount’s...
“Sing 2,” directed by Garth Jennings and featuring a stellar voice cast of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton among many others, debuted in pole position with £6.8 million ($9.2 million), according to numbers released by Comscore.
Another Universal release, Kenneth Branagh’s awards season favorite “Belfast,” retained its second position from last week with £1.8 million and now has £6 million after two weekends.
After six weeks as box office champion, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” placed third with £1.7 million. After seven weekends, the film has swung to a total of £90 million and is in sixth place on the all-time U.K. and Ireland charts. The film’s next target is “Avatar,” which currently occupies fifth place with £94 million.
Paramount’s...
- 2/1/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Universal animation has third-biggest opening since the pandemic began.
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Jan 28-30)Total gross to date Week 1. Sing 2 (Universal) £6.8m £6.8m 1 2. Belfast (Univeral) £1.89m £6m 2 3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) £1.8m £89.9m 7 4. Scream (Paramount) £788k £6.15m 3 5. Nightmare Alley (Disney) £332k £1.2m 2
After six weeks, Spider-Man: No Way Home’s reign at the top of the UK-Ireland box office is over thanks to a strong debut from Sing 2.
The Universal animation sequel, once again written and directed by Garth Jennings, opened well ahead of the competition with £6.8m from 631 sites for a location average of...
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Jan 28-30)Total gross to date Week 1. Sing 2 (Universal) £6.8m £6.8m 1 2. Belfast (Univeral) £1.89m £6m 2 3. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) £1.8m £89.9m 7 4. Scream (Paramount) £788k £6.15m 3 5. Nightmare Alley (Disney) £332k £1.2m 2
After six weeks, Spider-Man: No Way Home’s reign at the top of the UK-Ireland box office is over thanks to a strong debut from Sing 2.
The Universal animation sequel, once again written and directed by Garth Jennings, opened well ahead of the competition with £6.8m from 631 sites for a location average of...
- 1/31/2022
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
The season of Lent is a ways off, but Bono already knows what he’s giving up: humility. “During the week there was this story about me not liking the sound of my voice,” he points out, referring to a podcast comment he made about his youthful tone making him feeling “cringe” — an offhand remark that generated reams of headlines and some catty quips from U2 non-fans. “And I was saying, it’s not bad at all. It’s just live is where U2 lives… and I love the (early) recordings, but when I hear my voice on them I just hear the fragility of it.” But he knows people took the self-effacement and ran with it. “It’s Ok for me to occasionally try to be fucking straight-up honest with people,” says the singer. “I was trying to be humorous in this interview, and a bit humble.” But he...
- 1/28/2022
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Pedro Almodovar’s ‘Parallel Mothers’ also hits cinemas.
Universal animation Sing 2 is the latest challenger to the six-week consecutive run atop the UK-Ireland box office chart of Sony behemoth Spider-Man: No Way Home this weekend.
Sing 2 is opening in 635 sites – a 14.4% increase on the 555-site opening of first title Sing in 2017. That film took a huge £6.25m at a location average of £11,261; this figure was boosted to a £10.5m total opening by two days of previews that brought in £4.19m.
That is still the biggest-ever opening for an original animated film, ahead of the likes of The Secret Life of Pets...
Universal animation Sing 2 is the latest challenger to the six-week consecutive run atop the UK-Ireland box office chart of Sony behemoth Spider-Man: No Way Home this weekend.
Sing 2 is opening in 635 sites – a 14.4% increase on the 555-site opening of first title Sing in 2017. That film took a huge £6.25m at a location average of £11,261; this figure was boosted to a £10.5m total opening by two days of previews that brought in £4.19m.
That is still the biggest-ever opening for an original animated film, ahead of the likes of The Secret Life of Pets...
- 1/28/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Reese Witherspoon & Scarlett Johansson are interviewed by Freda Cooper for Sing 2. Written and directed by Garth Jennings, the sequel has a voice cast of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Eric Andre, Chelsea Peretti And Bono.
The animation hits cinemas on January 28th. Here’s the interview.
Plot:
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run...
The animation hits cinemas on January 28th. Here’s the interview.
Plot:
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run...
- 1/27/2022
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Buster Moon and his troupe aim to make it big in showbiz but even a new character voiced by Bono can’t save this from feeling like a movie generated by an algorithm
Writer-director Garth Jennings has returned with a sequel to the highly successful family animation Sing, about a koala called Buster Moon who lets them put on their sci-fi spectacular in his hotel showroom, as long as it stars his pampered princess of a daughter Porsha (voiced by Halsey). Fast-talking Buster also claims he can tempt out of reclusive retirement a legendary singer and lion called Clay Calloway (voiced by Bono) who slightly tiresomely sings his version of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, without anyone breaking the fact-fiction dividing wall and wondering why this supposed icon is performing a U2 cover instead of his own material.
Writer-director Garth Jennings has returned with a sequel to the highly successful family animation Sing, about a koala called Buster Moon who lets them put on their sci-fi spectacular in his hotel showroom, as long as it stars his pampered princess of a daughter Porsha (voiced by Halsey). Fast-talking Buster also claims he can tempt out of reclusive retirement a legendary singer and lion called Clay Calloway (voiced by Bono) who slightly tiresomely sings his version of I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, without anyone breaking the fact-fiction dividing wall and wondering why this supposed icon is performing a U2 cover instead of his own material.
- 1/26/2022
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Before the first Sing movie was finished, writer-director Garth Jennings had already begun planning the sequel. With the success of the first film, it was inevitable that he would go on to create Sing 2.
Directed by Garth Jennings, Sing 2 follows after the events of the first movie as Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) plans to debut a new show in Redshore City. After making some ridiculous promises to secure the venue, Buster goes on a quest to find reclusive rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono) and convince him to join the show.
Jennings loved all of the new additions to the cast, but the most surprising get was Bono. After a lengthy phone discussion about his character, Clay Calloway, Jennings was surprised to find that Bono was so inspired that he had written a new song, “Your Song Saved My Life.” Not only did the song impact the ending of the film,...
Directed by Garth Jennings, Sing 2 follows after the events of the first movie as Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) plans to debut a new show in Redshore City. After making some ridiculous promises to secure the venue, Buster goes on a quest to find reclusive rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono) and convince him to join the show.
Jennings loved all of the new additions to the cast, but the most surprising get was Bono. After a lengthy phone discussion about his character, Clay Calloway, Jennings was surprised to find that Bono was so inspired that he had written a new song, “Your Song Saved My Life.” Not only did the song impact the ending of the film,...
- 1/12/2022
- by Ryan Fleming
- Deadline Film + TV
In Theaters & On Demand Now Is Sing 2.
To celebrate the film, Wamg has Prize Packs for 6 lucky readers. These great prizepacks include include a Tote Bag, Hat, Headband and Plushes of Ash, Johnny, and Buster).
www.SingMovie.com
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
To celebrate the film, Wamg has Prize Packs for 6 lucky readers. These great prizepacks include include a Tote Bag, Hat, Headband and Plushes of Ash, Johnny, and Buster).
www.SingMovie.com
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
- 1/9/2022
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
‘Spider-Man’ sequel shoots up all-time box office rankings with $1.37bn, whilst ’Sing 2’ hits high notes with $37m session.
Worldwide box office December 31-January 2 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (World) Cume (World) 3-day (Int’l) Cume (Int’) Territories 1. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) $131m $1.37bn $78.3m $759m 62 2. Embrace Again (various) $83.9m $83.9m $83.9m $83.9m 3 3. G Storm (various) $55.5m $55.5m $55.5m $55.5m 6 4. Sing 2 (Universal) $36.8m $144.5m $17.2m $54.8m 49 5. Another Me (various) $27.6m $27.6m $27.6m $27.6m 1 6. The King’s Man (Disney) $18.6m $47.8m $14.1m $28.3m 23 7. The Matrix Resurrections (WB) $17.5m $106m $13.7m $75.1m 77 8. Fireflies In The Sun (various) $12.6m $90.3m $12.6m $90.3m 1 9. Encanto (Disney...
Worldwide box office December 31-January 2 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (World) Cume (World) 3-day (Int’l) Cume (Int’) Territories 1. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) $131m $1.37bn $78.3m $759m 62 2. Embrace Again (various) $83.9m $83.9m $83.9m $83.9m 3 3. G Storm (various) $55.5m $55.5m $55.5m $55.5m 6 4. Sing 2 (Universal) $36.8m $144.5m $17.2m $54.8m 49 5. Another Me (various) $27.6m $27.6m $27.6m $27.6m 1 6. The King’s Man (Disney) $18.6m $47.8m $14.1m $28.3m 23 7. The Matrix Resurrections (WB) $17.5m $106m $13.7m $75.1m 77 8. Fireflies In The Sun (various) $12.6m $90.3m $12.6m $90.3m 1 9. Encanto (Disney...
- 1/3/2022
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
In “Sing 2,” the sequel to Illumination’s animated box office hit, “Sing,” Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and his troupe sneak into the Vegas-like tourist oasis and con their way into mounting “Out of This World,” a Cirque du Soleil-inspired musical space show, climaxing with a surprise appearance by reclusive lion rock star legend, Clay Calloway (Bono).
The third act musical extravaganza represents Illumination’s most ambitious work to date in terms of design, costumes, animation, choreography, playlist, and performance. The theme of breaking artistic barriers was also personal to director Garth Jennings, since the “Sing” sequel marked only his second animated feature.
“The whole movie, when you break it down into its parts, is incredibly simple and relatable,” Jennings said. “The Clay story and his grief is the emotional soul of the film. There was no one else we had in mind besides [U2 star] Bono. It had to...
The third act musical extravaganza represents Illumination’s most ambitious work to date in terms of design, costumes, animation, choreography, playlist, and performance. The theme of breaking artistic barriers was also personal to director Garth Jennings, since the “Sing” sequel marked only his second animated feature.
“The whole movie, when you break it down into its parts, is incredibly simple and relatable,” Jennings said. “The Clay story and his grief is the emotional soul of the film. There was no one else we had in mind besides [U2 star] Bono. It had to...
- 12/27/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” unwrapped the best Christmas gift of all, becoming the first pandemic-era movie to cross $1 billion at the global box office.
Sony’s comic-book epic has eclipsed that milestone in a near-record 12 days, tying with 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” as the third-fastest film to reach the billion-dollar benchmark. Only 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” were quicker, smashing the coveted tally in 11 and five days, respectively.
It’s impressive that “Spider-Man: No Way Home” managed to blow past $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide given the rapidly spreading omicron variant of Covid-19. But, so far, coronavirus concerns have done little to slow Peter Parker’s prowess; the film is still playing to many sold-out screenings nationwide. The achievement makes Tom Holland’s Marvel superhero adventure the only movie since 2019’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” to surpass $1 billion globally. No other Hollywood film...
Sony’s comic-book epic has eclipsed that milestone in a near-record 12 days, tying with 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” as the third-fastest film to reach the billion-dollar benchmark. Only 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” were quicker, smashing the coveted tally in 11 and five days, respectively.
It’s impressive that “Spider-Man: No Way Home” managed to blow past $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide given the rapidly spreading omicron variant of Covid-19. But, so far, coronavirus concerns have done little to slow Peter Parker’s prowess; the film is still playing to many sold-out screenings nationwide. The achievement makes Tom Holland’s Marvel superhero adventure the only movie since 2019’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” to surpass $1 billion globally. No other Hollywood film...
- 12/26/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
“Spider-Man: No Way Home’s” box office prowess knows no bounds.
The latest entry in the Tom Holland-led trilogy will become the biggest movie of the year worldwide on Friday, Christmas Eve.
It’s set to cross the $1 billion mark on Christmas Day. At 11 days, it would be the second-fastest to hit that milestone (behind 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” at five days and tied with 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War”). It would also be the first theatrical release of the pandemic to join the billion-dollar club — even without China, the largest box office market in the world.
“No Way Home” made $29.3 million domestically on Thursday, bringing its seven-day gross to $385.8 million — the third-highest seven-day gross of all time, the highest seven-day gross in the “Spider-Man” franchise, and the second-highest seven-day gross ever for December and for a superhero film.
The Thursday earning is the third-highest Thursday gross of December of all time,...
The latest entry in the Tom Holland-led trilogy will become the biggest movie of the year worldwide on Friday, Christmas Eve.
It’s set to cross the $1 billion mark on Christmas Day. At 11 days, it would be the second-fastest to hit that milestone (behind 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” at five days and tied with 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War”). It would also be the first theatrical release of the pandemic to join the billion-dollar club — even without China, the largest box office market in the world.
“No Way Home” made $29.3 million domestically on Thursday, bringing its seven-day gross to $385.8 million — the third-highest seven-day gross of all time, the highest seven-day gross in the “Spider-Man” franchise, and the second-highest seven-day gross ever for December and for a superhero film.
The Thursday earning is the third-highest Thursday gross of December of all time,...
- 12/24/2021
- by Maane Khatchatourian and J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Friday Am Update: Sony/Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home ends the week with $385.8M, the third best first week at the domestic box office of all-time after Avengers: Endgame ($473.9M) and Star Wars: Force Awakens ($390.8M). Sony reports that the film will become the first $1 billion grossing movie at the global box office of the pandemic tom’w. Nancy will have more soon.
Spidey is pacing 1% behind the running domestic total of Force Awakens, however, it remains to be seen whether the Jon Watts-directed MCU title can keep up with the Lucasfilm sequel, that movie hitting $571.4M on its 11th day of release (Monday). Still, should No Way Home fall short of that figure, it’s like complaining about how far Mike Trout hit two homeruns.
No Way Home earned $29.3M on Thursday stateside at 4,336 theaters, +9% from Wednesday. That’s the 6th highest Thursday for a movie in...
Spidey is pacing 1% behind the running domestic total of Force Awakens, however, it remains to be seen whether the Jon Watts-directed MCU title can keep up with the Lucasfilm sequel, that movie hitting $571.4M on its 11th day of release (Monday). Still, should No Way Home fall short of that figure, it’s like complaining about how far Mike Trout hit two homeruns.
No Way Home earned $29.3M on Thursday stateside at 4,336 theaters, +9% from Wednesday. That’s the 6th highest Thursday for a movie in...
- 12/24/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Choreographer Sherrie Silver calls Universal’s “Sing 2” a dream to work on and highlights the film’s plotline featuring Johnny (voiced by Taron Egerton), a soulful gorilla who doesn’t know how to dance but eventually finds the confidence to.
Silver’s line of work often finds her collaborating with models and stars who don’t always know how to dance. Helping them realize that they can dance is something she finds fun. “Sing 2” features a menagerie of singing cartoon animals led by koala Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey). This time around, Moon and his troupe head to the Las Vegas-esque town of Redshore City to put on a show.
Egerton’s Johnny isn’t much of a dancer, but by the end, he finds his rhythm.
“It was so much fun to create choreography where this character starts without confidence,” Silver told Variety. “I work with...
Silver’s line of work often finds her collaborating with models and stars who don’t always know how to dance. Helping them realize that they can dance is something she finds fun. “Sing 2” features a menagerie of singing cartoon animals led by koala Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey). This time around, Moon and his troupe head to the Las Vegas-esque town of Redshore City to put on a show.
Egerton’s Johnny isn’t much of a dancer, but by the end, he finds his rhythm.
“It was so much fun to create choreography where this character starts without confidence,” Silver told Variety. “I work with...
- 12/23/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Scarlett Johansson’s 7-year-old daughter is excited to see her in “Sing 2,” just like the Oscar-nominated actor was when she was younger and watching her favorite animated Disney films.
“When I was a kid it was those Disney movies like ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and for her — this is sort of a fundamental memory making moment, with ‘Sing 2’ coming out,” Johannson told Variety at the “Sing 2” premiere at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
“Sing 2” follows Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and friends as they set out to pitch an original show to hotelier Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale), a white wolf with an enormous arena to fill and nothing to draw in the crowds. Their idea, which was meant as a joke, lands them huge performances from emo gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), porcupine pop star Ash (Johansson), porcine pair Rosita (Reese Witherspoon...
“When I was a kid it was those Disney movies like ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and for her — this is sort of a fundamental memory making moment, with ‘Sing 2’ coming out,” Johannson told Variety at the “Sing 2” premiere at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
“Sing 2” follows Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and friends as they set out to pitch an original show to hotelier Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale), a white wolf with an enormous arena to fill and nothing to draw in the crowds. Their idea, which was meant as a joke, lands them huge performances from emo gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), porcupine pop star Ash (Johansson), porcine pair Rosita (Reese Witherspoon...
- 12/22/2021
- by Jennifer Yuma and Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
A sequel to the surprise 2016 hit, Sing, the second installment, the aptly titled Sing 2, offers pretty much the same experience as it did the first time around. In fact, one might be tempted to borrow from the lyrics of the old Herman’s Hermits song “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” and sing: “second verse, same as the first.”
The new film begins a few years after the events of the first and finds the over-reaching koala, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey), anxious for his now successful theater to reach even greater heights and begins planning on exposing the troupe to an even larger audience. Unfortunately, this dream is thwarted when Buster is told, in no uncertain terms, that his cadre of performers is fine for the small market, but they just don’t have what it takes to make in the bigger ones. This prompts Buster to boast that...
The new film begins a few years after the events of the first and finds the over-reaching koala, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey), anxious for his now successful theater to reach even greater heights and begins planning on exposing the troupe to an even larger audience. Unfortunately, this dream is thwarted when Buster is told, in no uncertain terms, that his cadre of performers is fine for the small market, but they just don’t have what it takes to make in the bigger ones. This prompts Buster to boast that...
- 12/22/2021
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ to Steamroll ‘Matrix Resurrections,’ ‘Sing 2’ in Holiday Box Office Pileup
As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. But pandemic or not, it seems ambitious to have seven new movies scheduled to open nationwide in the wake of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
That’s right, seven new films — “The Matrix Resurrections” (Warner Bros.), “Sing 2” (Universal), “The King’s Man” (Disney and 20th Century), “The Tender Bar” (Amazon Studios), “A Journal for Jordan” (Sony) and “Licorice Pizza” (MGM) — will make their way to North American theaters around Christmas Day and attempt to lure audiences away from the box office behemoth that is “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Cue the voice on the other end of Liam Neeson’s ominous phone call in “Taken”: “Good luck.”
In non-plague times, it wouldn’t be unusual to slate several new films during the holiday season; the stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is typically the most lucrative time for moviegoing. But outside of comic book adaptations,...
That’s right, seven new films — “The Matrix Resurrections” (Warner Bros.), “Sing 2” (Universal), “The King’s Man” (Disney and 20th Century), “The Tender Bar” (Amazon Studios), “A Journal for Jordan” (Sony) and “Licorice Pizza” (MGM) — will make their way to North American theaters around Christmas Day and attempt to lure audiences away from the box office behemoth that is “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Cue the voice on the other end of Liam Neeson’s ominous phone call in “Taken”: “Good luck.”
In non-plague times, it wouldn’t be unusual to slate several new films during the holiday season; the stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is typically the most lucrative time for moviegoing. But outside of comic book adaptations,...
- 12/21/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Sing 2 Opens In Theaters December 22 and Wamg has you free passes to the advance screening!
For a chance to win 2 free passes to the advance screening on December 15, 2021, Wednesday @7:00pm, enter at the link below.
http://gofobo.com/DumJf10502
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Giphy | #Sing2
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on...
For a chance to win 2 free passes to the advance screening on December 15, 2021, Wednesday @7:00pm, enter at the link below.
http://gofobo.com/DumJf10502
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Giphy | #Sing2
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on...
- 12/14/2021
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Buster Moon and his ragtag of animal friends are back to put on the show to end all shows in Garth Jennings sequel. The follow-up to the 2016 offering which saw Moon (Matthew McConaughey) strive to save his theatre with an X-Factor style show is guaranteed to put a smile on your kid’s faces but it’s a tired spectacular that rehashes the same old tropes.
Moon, eyeing an opportunity to hit the big time gathers his loyal band of talented musicians, Johnny (Taron Egerton), Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), Ash (Scarlett Johansson), Meena (Tori Kelly) and Gunter (Nick Kroll) and heads to Redshore City to catch the eye of the Simon Cowell type hotelier Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale). Crystal is not your average businessman; the steely-eyed wolf is as dodgy as they come and wouldn’t think twice about throwing a Koala off a tall building if he even thinks about crossing him.
Moon, eyeing an opportunity to hit the big time gathers his loyal band of talented musicians, Johnny (Taron Egerton), Rosita (Reese Witherspoon), Ash (Scarlett Johansson), Meena (Tori Kelly) and Gunter (Nick Kroll) and heads to Redshore City to catch the eye of the Simon Cowell type hotelier Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale). Crystal is not your average businessman; the steely-eyed wolf is as dodgy as they come and wouldn’t think twice about throwing a Koala off a tall building if he even thinks about crossing him.
- 12/10/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"Sing 2" is the new CG-animated 'jukebox musical' comedy feature sequel, written and directed by Garth Jennings starring Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Kroll, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Offerman and Jennings, reprising their roles from the first film, opening theatrically December 22, 2021 in RealD 3D:
"...two years after the events of the first film, 'Buster Moon' becomes famous for his new theater. One day, he holds a brand new show starring 'Meena', 'Gunter', 'Rosita' and 'Johnny'. During the show, Buster observes a talent scout named 'Suki' in the audience, who leaves before the second act.
"Buster is told that he and his cast are not good enough and would never make it in 'Redshore City', where stars are made. Dejected, Buster returns to the theater and is encouraged by 'Nana Noodleman' to follow his dreams.
"After getting 'Ash', who has been working as a singer at a club,...
"...two years after the events of the first film, 'Buster Moon' becomes famous for his new theater. One day, he holds a brand new show starring 'Meena', 'Gunter', 'Rosita' and 'Johnny'. During the show, Buster observes a talent scout named 'Suki' in the audience, who leaves before the second act.
"Buster is told that he and his cast are not good enough and would never make it in 'Redshore City', where stars are made. Dejected, Buster returns to the theater and is encouraged by 'Nana Noodleman' to follow his dreams.
"After getting 'Ash', who has been working as a singer at a club,...
- 12/9/2021
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Bono hasn’t taken up many offers to work as an actor despite his years in the public eye. But when writer-director Garth Jennings came calling with an opportunity to collaborate on Universal’s animated “Sing 2,” Bono embraced the challenge of becoming a leading man with a leading mane. He got into the head of his character, a reclusive rock-star lion, Clay Calloway, not just as a voice actor but as the principal writer of an original U2 song composed for the film, “Your Song Saved My Life.”
Bono and Jennings joined Variety for a keynote conversation for our Music for Screens Summit. The exchange touches on the U2 frontman getting in touch with his basso-profundo, bad-ass aspirations in the role but also what U2 fans know is his penchant for channeling grief, which informs the withdrawn character. “What would quiet a singer? What would take away their voice?...
Bono and Jennings joined Variety for a keynote conversation for our Music for Screens Summit. The exchange touches on the U2 frontman getting in touch with his basso-profundo, bad-ass aspirations in the role but also what U2 fans know is his penchant for channeling grief, which informs the withdrawn character. “What would quiet a singer? What would take away their voice?...
- 12/3/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Four of the top animated films of the year sought to take us to very different worlds. One showed an astronaut trying to survive after his spaceship crash lands on a strange small planet while another shows a robot uprising on Earth instigated by a vengeful AI system. Another shows us a school that looks to make parents obsolete and the other displays a world of singing animals trying to make it in show business. In a recent discussion we got to hear the filmmakers behind these projects talk about their influences in animation and what lessons they’ve learned over the course of their careers. Gold Derby recently got to ask these questions with Joe Mateo (“Blush”), Tom McGrath (“The Boss Baby: Family Business”), Kurt Albrecht (“The Mitchells vs. the Machines”) and Garth Jennings (“Sing 2”) during our recent Meet the Experts panel.
You can watch the film animation...
You can watch the film animation...
- 11/29/2021
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
In envisioning the design of Redshore City for “Sing 2,” director Garth Jennings thought back to when he first visited Las Vegas and met a friend to see a show in the hotel he was staying at. “We meet and we’re walking for 20 minutes and we’re still inside the same hotel! It blew my mind,” Jennings tells Gold Derby during our recent Meet the Experts: Film Animation panel (watch the exclusive video interview above). In designing the city, he also attempted to capture the grand experience that many people have when visiting Las Vegas. “I was inspired by that trip also about how much people love it, how many families go and people have a totally different experience. I was trying to capture how grand, enormous and how loved it is.”
“Sing 2,” which will be released in theaters by Universal on December 22, picks up shortly after where the first film,...
“Sing 2,” which will be released in theaters by Universal on December 22, picks up shortly after where the first film,...
- 11/29/2021
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Sing 2 Trailer 3 — Garth Jennings‘ Sing 2 (2021) movie trailer 3 has been released by Universal Pictures. The 3rd Sing 2 trailer stars Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Taron Egerton, Scarlett Johansson, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Bono, Garth Jennings, Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Eric [...]
Continue reading: Sing 2 (2021) Movie Trailer 3: Matthew McConaughey Tries to Recruit Reclusive Rock Star Bono for His Musical Show...
Continue reading: Sing 2 (2021) Movie Trailer 3: Matthew McConaughey Tries to Recruit Reclusive Rock Star Bono for His Musical Show...
- 11/27/2021
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
Feeling bullish about Sing 2, the animated sequel hitting theaters December 22, NBCUniversal and parent company Comcast are using it for their annual Thanksgiving promotion for Xfinity.
Much longer than the usual 30 seconds of most TV commercials, Comcast’s cinematic spots for its flagship broadband and TV brand have become an annual staple. They first appear during NBC’s broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and get amplified by other synergistic platforms like Today.
Directed by Garth Jennings, the writer and director of the Sing films, the short that debuted during today’s parade coverage is titled “Come Home.” It introduces a new group of anthropomorphized animal characters who are not seen in the films. (Watch it above.)
The holiday season finds most of a dog family at home as a snowstorm hits. Angie, voiced by actress and TV personality Keke Palmer, is the pack’s mother. As a...
Much longer than the usual 30 seconds of most TV commercials, Comcast’s cinematic spots for its flagship broadband and TV brand have become an annual staple. They first appear during NBC’s broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and get amplified by other synergistic platforms like Today.
Directed by Garth Jennings, the writer and director of the Sing films, the short that debuted during today’s parade coverage is titled “Come Home.” It introduces a new group of anthropomorphized animal characters who are not seen in the films. (Watch it above.)
The holiday season finds most of a dog family at home as a snowstorm hits. Angie, voiced by actress and TV personality Keke Palmer, is the pack’s mother. As a...
- 11/25/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal Pictures has launched the final trailer for Illumination’s upcoming sequel ‘Sing 2.’
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by ruthless mogul wolf Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale).
In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star lion rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono). Problem is, Buster has never met Clay,...
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother pig Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker porcupine Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest gorilla Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy elephant Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, porcine provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by ruthless mogul wolf Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale).
In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star lion rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono). Problem is, Buster has never met Clay,...
- 11/25/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Italy’s Torino Film Festival, the pre-eminent event for young directors and indie cinema — now being revamped after going virtual due to the pandemic — will somewhat symbolically kick off its upcoming 39th edition with the international premiere of “Sing 2” with director Garth Jennings in tow.
“It’s a hymn to going back into movie theaters,” says Torino artistic director Stefano Francia di Celle on choosing the animated musical comedy, featuring more than 40 rock, rap and pop tunes, as opener for the Nov. 26-Dec. 4 event. It will be Italy’s first festival held in venues with 100% seating capacity since Covid-19 struck.
“Sing 2,” he points out, is also only the second feature helmed by Jennings, who cut his teeth in the indie world making videos for many of the best pop acts of the 1990s such as Blur, Radiohead and Beck, before he was able to get Universal on board for his impressive “Sing” debut.
“It’s a hymn to going back into movie theaters,” says Torino artistic director Stefano Francia di Celle on choosing the animated musical comedy, featuring more than 40 rock, rap and pop tunes, as opener for the Nov. 26-Dec. 4 event. It will be Italy’s first festival held in venues with 100% seating capacity since Covid-19 struck.
“Sing 2,” he points out, is also only the second feature helmed by Jennings, who cut his teeth in the indie world making videos for many of the best pop acts of the 1990s such as Blur, Radiohead and Beck, before he was able to get Universal on board for his impressive “Sing” debut.
- 11/25/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Four top animation filmmakers join us for in-depth discussions of the greatest challenges they face on the job and what inspires them as creative people. Watch our individual interviews with Joe Mateo (‘Blush’), Tom McGrath (‘The Boss Baby: Family Business’), Kurt Albrecht (‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’) and Garth Jennings (‘Sing 2’). Afterward, see all four guests gather for a lively discussion moderated by Gold Derby contributing editor Charles Bright.
- 11/25/2021
- by Tom O'Neil
- Gold Derby
Sing 2 Review — Sing 2 (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Garth Jennings and starring Matthew McConaughey, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Reese Witherspoon, Nick Kroll, Scarlett Johansson, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Bono, Eric Andre, Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Chelsea Peretti, Garth Jennings, Adam Buxton and Jennifer Saunders. Director Garth Jennings’ animated sequel, Sing 2, [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Sing 2 (2021): U2 Music And Bono, Himself, Add Adult Appeal To Animated Sequel...
Continue reading: Film Review: Sing 2 (2021): U2 Music And Bono, Himself, Add Adult Appeal To Animated Sequel...
- 11/24/2021
- by Thomas Duffy
- Film-Book
The 39th edition of Torino Film Festival, Italy’s preeminent event for young directors and indie cinema, kicks off Friday with the international premiere of “Sing 2.” It is the country’s first festival held in venues with 100% seating capacity since Covid-19 struck, and it will also be the first in-person edition assembled by artistic director Stefano Francia di Celle, who debuted last year with an online event, due to the pandemic. Di Celle is now rebooting Torino for the present-day digital age.
The festival, which rose to international prominence under current Venice topper Alberto Barbera, has always been geared toward giving visibility to promising newcomers. These have included Luca Guadagnino, Michelangelo Frammartino (“Il Buco”) and Pietro Marcello (“Martin Eden”), who got a crucial early boost from their launches there. Di Celle’s vision going forward, he told Variety, is rooted in what he calls its “militant” tradition, but he...
The festival, which rose to international prominence under current Venice topper Alberto Barbera, has always been geared toward giving visibility to promising newcomers. These have included Luca Guadagnino, Michelangelo Frammartino (“Il Buco”) and Pietro Marcello (“Martin Eden”), who got a crucial early boost from their launches there. Di Celle’s vision going forward, he told Variety, is rooted in what he calls its “militant” tradition, but he...
- 11/24/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Production
Principal photography has commenced on Season 2 of acclaimed Sky original paramedic comedy “Bloods.”
U.S. streaming service Hulu has acquired the series in a multi-season deal and season 1 will debut on the streamer Dec. 9.
The series stars BAFTA nominated Samson Kayo and Golden Globe nominated Jane Horrocks. The first season had eight episodes while the second will have 10.
Bloods follows tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) and over-friendly divorcee Wendy (Horrocks), a pair of mismatched paramedics, and their fellow ambulance station colleagues through the life-saving world of a south London emergency service. Katherine Kelly (“Innocent”) and Nathan Foad (“Our Flag Means Death”) are joining the cast for the new season.
The show’s returning cast includes Lucy Punch (“Motherland”), Julian Barratt (“Mighty Boosh”), Adrian Scarborough (“Gavin and Stacey”), Aasiya Shah (“Raised By Wolves”), Kevin Garry (“Ted Lasso”) and Sam Campbell (“Stath Lets Flats”).
The series is being made for Sky by...
Principal photography has commenced on Season 2 of acclaimed Sky original paramedic comedy “Bloods.”
U.S. streaming service Hulu has acquired the series in a multi-season deal and season 1 will debut on the streamer Dec. 9.
The series stars BAFTA nominated Samson Kayo and Golden Globe nominated Jane Horrocks. The first season had eight episodes while the second will have 10.
Bloods follows tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) and over-friendly divorcee Wendy (Horrocks), a pair of mismatched paramedics, and their fellow ambulance station colleagues through the life-saving world of a south London emergency service. Katherine Kelly (“Innocent”) and Nathan Foad (“Our Flag Means Death”) are joining the cast for the new season.
The show’s returning cast includes Lucy Punch (“Motherland”), Julian Barratt (“Mighty Boosh”), Adrian Scarborough (“Gavin and Stacey”), Aasiya Shah (“Raised By Wolves”), Kevin Garry (“Ted Lasso”) and Sam Campbell (“Stath Lets Flats”).
The series is being made for Sky by...
- 11/17/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Four top animation filmmakers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Oscar and guild contenders. Each person from these films will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Tuesday, November 23, at 5:00 p.m. Pt; 8:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our contributing editor Charles Bright and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series of 17 panels in November and December. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 awards contenders:
“Blush”: Joe Mateo
Synopsis: A stranded horticulturist-astronaut meets an ethereal visitor on a desolate dwarf planet.
“The Boss Baby: Family Business...
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series of 17 panels in November and December. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 awards contenders:
“Blush”: Joe Mateo
Synopsis: A stranded horticulturist-astronaut meets an ethereal visitor on a desolate dwarf planet.
“The Boss Baby: Family Business...
- 11/16/2021
- by Chris Beachum and Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
AFI Fest announced its 2021 jury and audience award winners, with audience prizes going to “Jockey” and the documentary feature centered on the late rapper Juice Wrld.
“Bringing filmmakers and movie fans together to celebrate the moving image is at the heart of AFI Fest. The excitement of all festivalgoers to be together in the theaters, once again, was electric,” Sarah Harris, AFI Festivals’ director of programming said in a statement announcing the winners. “This year’s festival has truly shown everyone the power of the art form to lift our spirits when it’s needed the most.”
Director Clint Bentley’s “Jockey” earned the audience award for a narrative feature; the film stars Clifton Collins Jr. as an aging jockey with hopes to win one last title for his longtime trainer who has acquired what appears to be a championship horse, despite the years and injuries that have taken a toll on his body.
“Bringing filmmakers and movie fans together to celebrate the moving image is at the heart of AFI Fest. The excitement of all festivalgoers to be together in the theaters, once again, was electric,” Sarah Harris, AFI Festivals’ director of programming said in a statement announcing the winners. “This year’s festival has truly shown everyone the power of the art form to lift our spirits when it’s needed the most.”
Director Clint Bentley’s “Jockey” earned the audience award for a narrative feature; the film stars Clifton Collins Jr. as an aging jockey with hopes to win one last title for his longtime trainer who has acquired what appears to be a championship horse, despite the years and injuries that have taken a toll on his body.
- 11/15/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Some director’s careers are easier to wrap your head around than others. While it can be refreshing when a director refuses to be pigeon-holed into one genre and defies expectations by producing something completely unexpected, some filmmaker’s lists of credits are truly chaotic. Take British director Garth Jennings, for example. He’s directed some of the best music videos of all time, including Blur’s “Coffee & TV” and the Grammy-nominated “Lotus Flower” for Radiohead. He made an ambitious adaptation of the beloved “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and the lovely ’80s-set indie comedy “Son of Rambow.”
Then in 2016, he unexpectedly made the hit animation “Sing” for Illumination (the studio behind “Despicable Me” and “The Secret Life of Pets”). In the inexplicable five year gap between “Sing” and its inevitable sequel, Jennings has only directed once — and that was a short horror film. The problem with leaving such...
Then in 2016, he unexpectedly made the hit animation “Sing” for Illumination (the studio behind “Despicable Me” and “The Secret Life of Pets”). In the inexplicable five year gap between “Sing” and its inevitable sequel, Jennings has only directed once — and that was a short horror film. The problem with leaving such...
- 11/15/2021
- by Fiona Underhill
- Indiewire
One of the biggest surprises of Universal’s Sing, other than the impressive feat of first-time feature animation director Garth Jennings pulling off a major studio hit, was how well the cast’s musical performances came together, with all the principal actors singing their own parts. If anything, Sing 2 exceeds that memorable accomplishment with the addition of chart-topping musicians Halsey and Pharrell Williams, while introducing U2’s Bono in his first animated film role.
With more than 40 rock, rap and pop tunes featured throughout the movie from artists as varied as Billie Eilish, BTS, Cardi B, Camila Cabello and Taylor Swift, Illumination producers Christopher Meledandri ...
With more than 40 rock, rap and pop tunes featured throughout the movie from artists as varied as Billie Eilish, BTS, Cardi B, Camila Cabello and Taylor Swift, Illumination producers Christopher Meledandri ...
- 11/15/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the biggest surprises of Sing, other than the impressive feat of first-time feature animation director Garth Jennings pulling off a major studio hit, was how well the cast’s musical performances came together, with all the principal actors singing their own parts. If anything, Sing 2 exceeds that memorable accomplishment with the addition of chart-topping musicians Halsey and Pharrell Williams, while introducing U2’s Bono in his first animated film role.
With more than 40 rock, rap and pop tunes featured throughout the movie from artists as varied as Billie Eilish, BTS, Cardi B, Camila Cabello and Taylor Swift, Illumination producers Christopher Meledandri and ...
With more than 40 rock, rap and pop tunes featured throughout the movie from artists as varied as Billie Eilish, BTS, Cardi B, Camila Cabello and Taylor Swift, Illumination producers Christopher Meledandri and ...
- 11/15/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Buster Moon has a dream: to be the most successful koala in showbiz. In “Sing,” he managed to salvage the run-down venue where his musical theater ambitions might thrive, much to the delight of family audiences. Now, in that toon’s jam-packed “let’s put on a show” sequel, Buster Moon and his menagerie of pigs, primates and other crooning critters head to Redshore City — the Las Vegas-like entertainment capital of their parallel universe, which is basically human in every way except for the fact that there are no humans to be found in it — to launch a massive song-and-dance extravaganza.
If “Sing 2” sounds like a shameless excuse for a bunch of celebrities to perform cover versions of Top 40 hits while animated animals lip-sync the lyrics for our amusement … well, that’s essentially what it is. Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) and friends set out to pitch an...
If “Sing 2” sounds like a shameless excuse for a bunch of celebrities to perform cover versions of Top 40 hits while animated animals lip-sync the lyrics for our amusement … well, that’s essentially what it is. Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) and friends set out to pitch an...
- 11/15/2021
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Sing 2 writer-director Garth Jennings still doesn’t know “what magical fairy helped me” secure pop music icon Bono for a crucial role in the sequel to his blockbuster animated musical-comedy, but he suspects it’s all about the eclectic spectrum of songs the film employs.
“When we went after him, I didn’t think he would say yes,” Jennings admitted Sunday at Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles panel. But the filmmaker was pleased to discover that the U2 frontman had been a fan of the original 2016 film. “He mentioned the fact that it reminded him of Am radio — in that we had a mix of music, a vast array of music — and he always loved that,” Jennings revealed.
Sing 2 follows after the events of the first movie as Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) plans to debut a new show in Redshore City. After making some ridiculous promises to secure the venue,...
“When we went after him, I didn’t think he would say yes,” Jennings admitted Sunday at Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles panel. But the filmmaker was pleased to discover that the U2 frontman had been a fan of the original 2016 film. “He mentioned the fact that it reminded him of Am radio — in that we had a mix of music, a vast array of music — and he always loved that,” Jennings revealed.
Sing 2 follows after the events of the first movie as Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) plans to debut a new show in Redshore City. After making some ridiculous promises to secure the venue,...
- 11/14/2021
- by Scott Huver
- Deadline Film + TV
The international premiere of animated musical comedy “Sing 2” will open the upcoming Torino Film Festival, Italy’s preeminent event for young directors and indie fare, which will be honoring Monica Bellucci with a lifetime achievement award.
Director Garth Jennings will be on hand in Torino for the overseas festival bow of his sequel to 2016’s “Sing,” which follows a koala named Buster Moon, voiced by Matthew McConaughey, as he and his cast of performing animals prepare for their biggest concert yet in Redshore City, and must convince a reclusive rockstar (Bono) to join them.
Bellucci, besides coming to be celebrated and to hold a masterclass, will also be attending the fest to launch her latest film “The Girl in the Fountain,” directed by Italy’s Antongiulio Panizzi, in which she plays the iconic Anita Ekberg, a role for which she died her hair blonde.
Charlotte Gainsbourg will also be...
Director Garth Jennings will be on hand in Torino for the overseas festival bow of his sequel to 2016’s “Sing,” which follows a koala named Buster Moon, voiced by Matthew McConaughey, as he and his cast of performing animals prepare for their biggest concert yet in Redshore City, and must convince a reclusive rockstar (Bono) to join them.
Bellucci, besides coming to be celebrated and to hold a masterclass, will also be attending the fest to launch her latest film “The Girl in the Fountain,” directed by Italy’s Antongiulio Panizzi, in which she plays the iconic Anita Ekberg, a role for which she died her hair blonde.
Charlotte Gainsbourg will also be...
- 11/9/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
A bit further down on this page, you can check out the new Shadow Series Art from Sing 2 featuring the characters and the actors who voice them, including Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Bono and more!
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet…all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet…all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
- 11/3/2021
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ Sing 2 will make its world premiere at AFI Fest, screening in-person at the Tcl Chinese Theatre on November 14, the American Film Institute announced today.
The film hitting theaters on December 22 is a sequel to animated musical comedy Sing, which grossed $634 million worldwide, following its release in 2016.
It picks up with theater-owning koala Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and his all-star cast of performers, at a point when they have have turned their New Moon venue into a local hit. But Buster has his eyes on a much bigger prize: Debuting his new show at the the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
In order to make that happen, he’ll have to get a sign-off from Crystal Entertainment’s ruthless mogul wolf, Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale). In a desperate attempt to do so, Buster tells Crystal that the show will feature a performance by a rock legend,...
The film hitting theaters on December 22 is a sequel to animated musical comedy Sing, which grossed $634 million worldwide, following its release in 2016.
It picks up with theater-owning koala Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and his all-star cast of performers, at a point when they have have turned their New Moon venue into a local hit. But Buster has his eyes on a much bigger prize: Debuting his new show at the the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
In order to make that happen, he’ll have to get a sign-off from Crystal Entertainment’s ruthless mogul wolf, Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale). In a desperate attempt to do so, Buster tells Crystal that the show will feature a performance by a rock legend,...
- 10/20/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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