Animator, Producer and Director Isamu Imakake spoke with our Gadi Elkon about his animation legacy and about the latest feature film, DRAGON HEART – ADVENTURES BEYOND THIS WORLD.
Swim England & The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Partnership
Swim England has launched an exciting new campaign in partnership with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, designed to keep children engaged in swimming lessons while raising awareness of the vital water safety skills every child needs.
Swimming legend Michael Gunning and Olympian Leon Taylor joined SpongeBob and Patrick to help launch the campaign, which will introduce SpongeBob-themed activities into Swim England’s Learn to Swim programme. These activities will help children have fun while learning the four essential water safety competencies:
- Swimming 100 metres
- Treading water for 30 seconds
- Floating for 60 seconds
- Swimming in clothing
Despite the importance of these skills, research by Swim England reveals that 70% of children do not complete all four competencies, and more than half are withdrawn from lessons before they can tread water or float – two of the most critical survival techniques.
“We know that swimming is a life skill, but too many children are leaving lessons before they’re truly safe in the water,” said Andy Salmon, CEO at Swim England. “By teaming up with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, we’re making lessons more engaging and encouraging families to stay the course.”
The campaign also addresses a common misconception among most believe a child only needs to swim 5-20 metres to be safe, when full competency requires much more. By the time a child can swim 100 meters, their overall competency will be much higher, increasing their water safety and ability to enjoy the best that water has to offer.
By combining expert instruction with imaginative play, the campaign ensures that children not only enjoy their lessons but also develop the confidence and skills to stay safe in and around water.
“Fun is a powerful teaching tool,” Andy added. “When children are having fun, they’re more likely to stay in lessons, retain what they learn and become confident swimmers for life.”
The campaign will be live in pools across the country from November, with themed activities running throughout the next few months. Parents are encouraged to speak to their local Swim England Learn to Swim provider to find out how their child can take part.
For more information and to find your nearest participating pool,
visit swimming.org/spongebob
THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS will be in cinemas from December 20
The Oak Ridge Boys Reissue Their Hit Album ‘It’s Only Natural’
GRAMMY® Award winners and Country Music Hall of Fame inductees The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating 50 years of music and friendship by reissuing their album ‘It’s Only Natural’ on Lightning Rod Records/Thirty Tigers out today. This special recording was initially sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores, but it’s now available everywhere and features a heartfelt mix of the group’s biggest hits and new fan favorites.
Produced by Ron Chancey, Michael Sykes, and Duane Allen, ‘It’s Only Natural’ captures the enduring harmony and spirit of Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and William Lee Golden, The Oak Ridge Boys, and celebrates their 50 years together.
“‘It’s Only Natural’ is a musical celebration of 50 years of singing together,” shares Duane Allen. “The biggest hit we have ever recorded, “Elvira,” just had to be on this collection. So, we asked Ron Chancey to produce a fresh/new track. Ron also brought two new songs for us to record. Michael Sykes and I co-produced the other songs on the project–all with the thought of celebrating 50 years of the four Oak Ridge Boys being together.”
‘It’s Only Natural’ track listing:
01 What’cha Gonna Do? (Steven J. Williams, Wil Nance & Sherrie Austin)
02 True Heart (Michael James Bruce Clark & Don Schlitz)
03 Before I Die (Woody Mullis & Trey Matthews)
04 Gonna Take a Lot of River (Mark Henley & John Kurhajetz)
05 No Matter How High (Even Stevens & Joey Scarbury)
06 The Shade (Shane Decker & Troy Jones)
07 Elvira (Dallas Frazier)
08 Louisiana Red Dirt Highway (Vernon Rust)
09 Beyond Those Years (Troy Harold Seals & Eddie F. Setser)
10 Wish You Could Have Been There (Steven Dall, Casey Marshall & John Kennedy)
11 Lucky Moon (Mark Wright & Doug Johnson)
12 Sacrifice… For Me (Joe Bonsall)
To purchase/stream: 30tgrs.ffm.to/itsonlynatural
The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Christmas Tour
The Oak Ridge Boys recently announced that their ‘American Made Christmas Tour’ will kick off for a limited run of holiday performances in select cities starting December 4 in Sarasota, Florida, with many shows already sold out. Offering fans a chance to experience the magic of the season, this year’s musical celebration will feature breathtaking visuals, falling snow, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, creating a picture-perfect setting for a night of festive joy. The group will deliver a heartwarming mix of traditional and contemporary holiday favorites, along with some of their most iconic hits. Fans can also expect cherished selections from the groups’ seven bestselling Christmas albums. Don’t miss this unforgettable, family-friendly holiday tradition that promises to inspire, entertain, and create memories to last a lifetime.
The Oak Ridge Boys ‘American Made Christmas Tour’ dates include:
DEC 04 – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall / Sarasota, Fla.
DEC 05 – Anderson Music Hall / Hiawassee, Ga.
DEC 07 – Niswonger Performing Arts Center / Greeneville, Tenn.
DEC 11 – The Grand Theater / Wausau, Wis.
DEC 12 – Medina Entertainment Center / Medina, Minn.
DEC 13 – Crystal Grand Music Theatre / Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
DEC 18 – Honeywell Center – Ford Theater / Wabash, Ind.
DEC 19 – Canton Palace Theatre / Canton, Ohio
DEC 20 – Midland Center For The Arts / Midland, Mich.
For a complete list of upcoming Oak Ridge Boys tour dates, visit oakridgeboys.com.
NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T – A Review by Cynthia Flores
In 2013, there was Now You See Me, the film that introduced us to the now-famous team of illusionists, the Four Horsemen, who pulled off bank heists against bad guys during their performances and rewarded their audiences with cash.
In 2016, there was Now You See Me 2. The Four Horsemen were joined by a fifth magician to replace Henley, who was unavailable, and enticed by a tech genius to pull off their most impossible heist yet.
It is now 2025, almost ten years later, and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t moves the story, laced with magic tricks and revenge, to the next generation of illusionists.
The original Four Horsemen are reunited after a ten-year separation by the young magician team of Bosco (Dominic Sessa), the frontman. June (Ariana Greenblatt) is the sexy pickpocket, sleight-of-hand magician. And Charlie (Justice Smith), the quiet behind-the-scenes magical technician and inventor of the tricks for their events.
It is great fun to see J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), the overconfident, brilliant magician, front man for the retired Horsemen, and still the smartest man in the room, back in action. Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson) is the gloomy mentalist of the group. Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher), the original female magician for the group, is finally back. And Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) remains the best at card tricks and locks. The team is rounded out by Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), a former magician who made his living revealing the secrets behind other magicians’ tricks. And of course, The Eye, the ancient secret society of master magicians, who say “Steal from the rich and give to the poor,” is still a huge part of this story.
This time around, the mark is the best baddie in a film in a while. Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike). She is the CEO of a South African diamond mining corporation. However, that is a front for laundering money as the head of a criminal enterprise that her father founded. She was raised by her ruthless father to always win. No matter the cost. She and the famous Heart Diamond are the targets for this film’s heist.
There are other players important to this film, but I prefer to avoid revealing any spoilers here. Just rest assured that it gets really good towards the end with who pops up and when. And don’t forget the awesome magic tricks and fast-paced action this film delivers.
All three films in this fun franchise have had different directors, and this round features an entirely different writing team, with Ed Solomon and Boaz Yakin not involved, unlike in the first two movies. I wish at least one of them had stayed to add a sense of continuity, but the new team of writers does a good job moving the story forward and setting it up for a possible fourth film.
I give Now You See Me: Now You Don’t 4 stars. It fits well into the franchise. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another ten years for the next installment.
Directed by: Ruben Fleischer
Written by: Seth Grahame-Smith, Michael Lesslie, Rhett Reese
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 1h 52min
Crime / Thriller
Wide Release: In Theaters Nov 14th
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenbaltt, Rosamund Pike, and Morgan Freeman
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
THE SESSION MAN – Interview with Producer John Wood
Producer John Wood spoke with our Gadi Elkon about the wild story behind the documentary, THE SESSION MAN.
NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T – A Review by John Strange
First off, I did not see the first film in this series, Now You See Me. Or its first sequel, Now You See Me 2. The first film was apparently a pretty straightforward heist flick with loads of illusions and aspersions of Robin Hood’s loot distribution. The second film was also a heist film, with a twist of illusion.
The Four Horsemen have been “retired” for about ten years. Their images are used by a new set of illusionists to rob a thief of his loot and, like the original Horsemen, distribute the money to everyone who attended the show.
The three newbies, Charlie (Justice Smith), Bosco (Dominic Sessa), and June (Ariana Greenblatt), soon run into the real Four Horsemen: J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), Jack Wilder (Dave Franco), and Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher). Instead of slapping down the new kids, they decide to work with them to bring down an evil woman, Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike).
Vanderberg and her family have been using their diamond consortium to launder money for the worst criminals on the planet. Her prize is the Heart Diamond, a heart-shaped diamond weighing several hundred carats. Bringing her down will include the theft of this jewel.
The cinematography by George Richmond is unbelievable! The illusions and special effects are the core of this film. They are worth the cost of your ticket. The banter between the “dream” cast is top-notch.
I was going to point out the outstanding acting talent in this film, but they are ALL fantastic! And seeing the small part that Morgan Freeman played was the cherry on the top of this very delicious film sundae!
If you are looking for a film with a pace that is faster than an F1 race, this one is for you.
As for me, I need to grab the first two films and watch them to correct my error! I will end up owning all three of these films!
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, with Rosamund Pike, and Morgan Freeman
MPA Rating: PG-13 (for some strong language, violence, and suggestive references)
Selig Rating: 5.0 Stars
Runtime: 112 Min.
Release Date: 11/14/20255
Language: English
Genre(s): Crime, Thriller
Trailer: NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T Official Trailer #2
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
Freestyle Releases Christmas Drama feature THE THISTLE IN THE KISS
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, proudly announces the acquisition of VOD rights to the holiday drama THE THISTLE IN THE KISS, which will be available to rent/own in North American territory on digital HD internet, cable, DVD and satellite platforms, on November 25, 2025
THE THISTLE IN THE KISS tells the story of a young nerd who discovers his ex-girlfriend’s affair with his sister, ruining his Christmas and turning his life upside down. Declan has had no luck with the holidays: his girlfriend Stephanie broke up with him on the way to Christmas dinner. He’s managed to keep it secret until New Year’s Day, when his car breaks down in the Scottish countryside and his sister Rachel shows up to help him fix it. Does she already know? How could she have found out? And why does Declan have this feeling that his sister is hiding secrets of her own? Crumbling under each other’s relentless curiosity, brother and sister are now on a crash course to confront the poor decisions of their lives. A coming-of-age tale brimming with sibling rivalry and youthful heartbreak, The Thistle in the Kiss examines the mounting pain that stares you in the face when you look away from the ugly truth.
Directed by Craig Andrew Roberston and co-written by Robertson, C.J. Lazaretti and Leonora Cooke, THE THISTLE IN THE KISS was co-produced by Alison M. Reid, Reece Steel, D.M. Simons, and Kyle Wong. Featured actors include: Leonora Cooke (‘Stephanie’), Sarah Coyne (‘Rachel’) and Craig Andrew Robertson (‘Declan’).
“Christmas in Scotland is all about the three Bs: booze, binge-eating and bickering with your family,” said filmmaker Craig Andrew Robertson. “If you do it right, you wake up on New Year’s Day with a replenished, stronger appreciation for your loved ones. And if not…you’ve still had a bloody fun time, aye? That’s what we’re going for with THE THISTLE IN THE KISS. Happy Holidays, and Sláinte Mhath!”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated a deal to acquire THE THISTLE IN THE KISS directly with the filmmakers and Circus Road Films.
SIGHT – A Review by John Strange
Sight is a true story. Both before and after the film, we get to meet the real Dr. Ming Wang.
Ming Wang was born in China to university professors. While he was a young boy, revolutionaries took over his region and closed all the schools.
Ming’s early life was not one we in America would have recognized as happy. Despite the loving family he had, the revolutionaries were determined to recruit him to their army and used every means at their disposal. Against the odds, Ming survives those times and gets to attend college in China.
He was one of four students sent to America to further their studies. Ming’s ability gets him to MIT (yes, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), where he studies Laser Physics. And through hard work, he was able to attend medical school.
His career allows him to combine his two fields of study to help people see again. The story of his work saving people’s vision is both fantastic and inspiring.
I love biographies like Sight because they show how others faced the trials of their lives and found success in the world. This film is an excellent example of the genre and well worth watching! Sight is an Angel Original film.
Director: Andrew Hyatt
Cast: Terry Chen, Greg Kinnear, Natasha Mumba, Fionnula Flanagan, Mia SwamiNathan, Raymond Ma, Wai Ching Ho, Garland Chang, Donald Heng, Leanne Wang, Jeffrey Pai, Ben Wang, Sara Ye, Kelvin Luo, Natalie Skye
MPA Rating: PG-13 (for violence and thematic material)
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Runtime: 100 Min.
Release Date: 05/24/2024
Language: English
Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History
Movie Site: Link to SIGHT (requires Angel Membership)
Trailer: SIGHT Official Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
THE LAST RIFLEMAN – A Review by John Strange
The men who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, are revered in our history as some of the bravest of us. One of those men was Artie Crawford (Pierce Brosnan) with the United Irish of the British Army. Bravery doesn’t protect you from the nightmares of what is now called PTSD, but Artie has dealt with them ever since that day.
Now, at 92 (and a half) years old, he has lost his beloved wife of 68 years and finds that he must get to France to be with the man he fought with to remember that fateful day. But when he talks to the administrator at the nursing home where he lives, she refuses to allow him to go!
The Last Rifleman is the story of Artie’s determination and perseverance to attend the D-Day festivities and see his fellow veterans, if only for one last time. Pierce Brosnan delivers a magnificent performance as the aging veteran.
There are good people in this world, and many of them are responsible for assisting Artie in his quest. Along the way, he also meets other veterans, some not from his side of the conflict, such as Jürgen Prochnow as Friedrich Mueller, a former SS soldier. And from the American Army, John Amos as Lincoln Jefferson Adams, who was in the anti-fighter balloon group.
The Last Rifleman is a moving story about “The Greatest Generation” aging beyond our reach. That is a loss for all of us.
Director: Terry Loane
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Clémence Poésy, John Amos, Jürgen Prochnow, Ian McElhinney, Tara Lynne O’Neill, Samuel Bottomley, Desmond Eastwood, Stella McCusker, Claire Rafferty, Joseph Loane, James Keating, Ali White, Rosie McClelland, Leo McDermott, Maggie Cronin
MPA Rating: PG-13 (for war violence and some strong language)
Selig Rating: 4.5 Stars
Runtime: 95 Min.
Release Date: 11/05/2023
Release Location: Angel Guild (Angel Studios)
Language: English
Genre(s): Biography, Drama, War
Movie Site: Link to THE LAST RIFLEMAN (requires Angel Guild Membership)
Trailer: THE LAST RIFLEMAN Official Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
Snoop Robinson’s FRIENEMIES set for Tubi debut November 21
SRG Entertainment has announced a streaming deal with Tubi for Snoop Robinson’s limited series drama Frienemies, starring Missy Lee, Sekou Calhoun, Chanté Small, and Alexandria Warfield. The three-part series, which features high stakes intrigue in the fashion world, is set to debut November 21.
Tracy (Alexandria Warfield) deals with the reality of her life in a women’s prison, but she still hasn’t come to terms with what she did to put her behind bars. We flash back to see her life as the right hand woman in a bustling fashion boutique run by talented, but demanding designer John Lovely (Sekou Calhoun). While John’s creations are celebrated, his business is rife with tension, back biting, and complicated relationships that Tracy struggles to keep a lid on as she manages their clients and prepares for the next big show. Feeling overwhelmed, she hires a trusted friend, Samantha (Missy Lee) to take the pressure off of her and help her right the ship. However, Samantha has another agenda which has the potential to undo Tracy’s entire world and bring it all crashing down.
Robinson said, “Frienemies is essentially a feature film split into three parts with cliffhangers that makes for exactly the kind of fun, get into the dirt high drama with big characters that will hopefully inspire people to want to reach for the popcorn and binge or keep coming back to. Tubi is a great home for to platform the series and we couldn’t be more excited for audiences around the country to see it and enjoy the story, our characters, the style, and the oftentimes catty repartee in each episode.”
Kelvin Garmon, Executive Producer of SRG Entertainment Group, added, “After much success in the Dallas Fort Worth market and surrounding areas with our previous films, Frienemies marks an important step for us to not just deliver another entertaining project to Snoop’s and SRG’s fans, but to expand our audience across the country. Tubi’s programming offers a perfect place for those audiences to find Frienemies, watch it, and refer their friends to see it, as we continue to build the SRG Entertainment family.”