'Juno' 10th anniversary live read for a good cause
Evelyn Garcia, A&E Editor - Monday, April 10, 2017 9:33 pm

Most people remember and love the film “Juno,” about the witty outcast teenager (Ellen Page) who faces an unplanned pregnancy with her best friend and admirer, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). The film’s unique approach to the topic, alongside delightful humor and great performances, garnered it much attention and even an Oscar win for writer Diablo Cody for best original screenplay. It’s been 10 years since then, so in honor of the film’s anniversary, director Jason Reitman decided to put together a live read as he has with other films, this time to benefit Planned Parenthood. For five years, Reitman presented live-read shows for various films and believed he wouldn’t return. That is, until President Donald Trump won the election. Reitman gathered an all-star, all-female cast to live-read the script at the theater at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles Saturday, with all proceeds going to Planned Parenthood.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Reitman used social media platforms to encourage people to donate, attend and enjoy the evening during a difficult and uncertain time under a new administration. Information tables with merchandise, donation boxes and forms to sign up to volunteer at Planned Parenthood were lined up inside the venue as attendees mingled before the show.

The night began with Barry Louis Polisar playing the recognizable “All I Want is You” from the Juno soundtrack. Cheers erupted as the audience sang along. Immediately following, Sue Dunlap, CEO of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, walked on stage. She addressed the need for the audience to stand up for Planned Parenthood, and then requested they literally stand up as she explained the important services the organization provides. Dunlap posed the question, “If not now, when?” multiple times to drive the point home on the importance behind taking action. “We will not go back,” Dunlap shouted over applause. The audience was then treated by another performance, this time by Kimya Dawson, who sang “Tire Swing,” another song on the soundtrack and a fan favorite.

Reitman joined the stage and echoed the importance of ensuring Planned Parenthood is supported, saying Juno had a choice, referring to her initial decision in the film to get an abortion, then ultimately putting her baby up for adoption. Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner effortlessly reprised their original roles as Juno MacGuff and Vannesa Loring, respectively. The two were joined by Kristen Wiig as Vanessa’s husband Mark (originally Jason Bateman), Alia Shawkat as Paulie Bleeker, Tig Notaro as Juno’s father Mac (J.K. Simmons), Tracee Ellis Ross as Juno’s stepmother Bren (Allison Janney) and Issa Rae as Leah (Olivia Thirlby), her outspoken best friend.

As Reitman narrated the script, the hilarious women stole the show, even pausing in between scenes as the audience and they themselves couldn’t contain their laughter. In a particular scene where Juno is explaining how her father named her after the Greek god Zeus’ wife, Page hesitated as she said she “was supposed to be super beautiful but really mean...kind of like Diana Ross.” Real-life daughter Ross interrupted, asking Reitman why it wasn’t left out of the script as the room erupted in laughter. Such candid moments occurred throughout the night, reminding the audience it was an unrehearsed live reading, but still beyond entertaining to watch. As Page strung along with a guitar accompanied by Dawson, the show ended with herself and Shawkat singing “Anyone Else But You.” Nostalgia filled the room as Garner and Wiig motioned for the audience to sing along, reminding everyone how Cera and Page did so sweetly in the film 10 years ago. This time, however, it was led by a group of talented women supporting a good cause in order to encourage others to do the same.

Quelle: thepolypost.com

2016 Oscar® Nominated Film Featuring The Voices Of Will Forte, Nick Offerman, Ellen Page And Amy Sedaris:
"My Life As A Zucchini"
Available On Digital HD May 9, 2017 And On Blu-ray™, DVD And On Demand May 23, 2017 From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment In Partnership With Animation Distributor GKIDS
Certified 100% Fresh On Rotten Tomatoes!
"Magical! Went Straight To My Heart!" - Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., March 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- An enchanting and touching story about the resilience of children and the uplifting power of friendship, the Academy Award® and Golden Globe Award® nominated film for best animated feature My Life as a Zucchini is available on Digital HD on May 9, 2017 and on Blu-ray™ combo pack, DVD and On Demand on May 23, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, in partnership with GKIDS. Hailed by critics as "captivating and vibrant!" (Stephanie Zacharek, TIME Magazine) and "inspiring!" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), My Life as a Zucchini has garnered an impressive 100% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and features a stellar voice cast bringing the charming animation and powerful story to life.

After befriending a kind police officer, nine-year-old Zucchini is taken to a foster home filled with other orphans his age. Though he struggles to find his place at first, with the help of his new friends, Zucchini learns to trust and love again as he searches for a new family of his own. With a band of unforgettable characters you'll be cheering for, My Life as a Zucchini stands as a testament to the resilience of the human heart.

Showcasing an all-star voice cast including Will Forte ("The Last Man On Earth"), Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation"), Ellen Page (Juno) and Amy Sedaris ("Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"), My Life as a Zucchini on Blu-ray™ and DVD allows viewers a rare and exclusive look behind-the-scenes with bonus content featuring the filmmakers. Also included in the release is the short film The Genie in a Tin of Ravioli, a magical and charming piece from My Life as a Zucchini director Claude Barras. Plus, the film will also be available with the original French language audio. Packed with emotion and a hopeful outlook of humanity, My Life as a Zucchini gives children a voice while speaking to all generations.

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD:

• The Making of My Life as a Zucchini – Go behind the scenes with director Claude Barras as he walks you through the puppet design, animation, and voice recording that brings this enchanting film to life.
• The Genie in a Tin of Ravioli – Armand works in a pasta factory and every night when he goes home, he has a tin of ravioli for dinner. But tonight, instead of ravioli he is served a genie who is ready to grant him two wishes! A short film from My Life as a Zucchini director Claude Barras.

FILMMAKERS:
Directed by: Claude Barras
Written by: Céline Sciamma
Inspired by the Novel from: Gilles Paris "Autobiographie d'une Courgette"
Published by: Editions Plon – Paris
Music by: Sophie Hunger

TECHNICAL INFORMATION - Blu-ray™:
Street Date: May 23, 2017
Copyright: 2017 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Numbers: 44184880 / 44184906 (CDN)
Run Time: 1 Hour, 8 Minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and suggestive material
Sound: English DTS-HD 5.1, French DTS-HD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, English Subtitles for French Language Version, Français

TECHNICAL INFORMATION - DVD:
Street Date: May 23, 2017
Copyright: 2017 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Numbers: 44184882 / 44184905 (CDN)
Run Time: 1 Hour, 8 Minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and suggestive material
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, English Subtitles for French Language Version, Français

Quelle: www.prnewswire.com