Minions: The Rise of Gru

This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement.

It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto – a new Minion, sporting braces and a desperate need to please – this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.

When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader – legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar winner Alan Arkin), Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Featuring more spectacular action than any film in Illumination history and packed with the franchise’s signature subversive humour, Minions: The Rise of Gru stars a thrilling new cast, including, the Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco-ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed, who’s armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun’s habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance, who dispenses his enemies with spin kicks from his spiked skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose giant iron hands are both a menace to others and a burden to him.

The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his long-time collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise film-maker Kyle Balda ( Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson ( The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val ( The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ’70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

Starring: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, with Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin.

Produced by: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, Chris Renaud

Director: Kyle Balda

Co-directors: Brad Ableson, Jonathan del Val.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie

A battle for freedom

(Opening today at Palace Amusement Cinemas)

This animated adventure film follows Yuta Okkotsu, a high-schooler who gains control of a powerful cursed spirit and gets enrolled in the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School with the help of Jujutsu Sorcerers in an effort to help him control his power and keep an eye on him.

Directors: Seong-Hu Park, Sunghoo Park.

Producers: Keisuke Seshita, Hiroaki Matsutani, Masaya Saito, Yuri Murai, Makoto Kimura, Tatsuya Ōmori, Toshihiro Maeda.

Writers: Gege Akutami, Hiroshi Seko.

Held Over

Jurassic World Dominion

An ecological disaster that could end it all

Experience the epic conclusion to the Jurassic era as two generations unite for the first time. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are joined by Oscar winner Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill in Jurassic World Dominion, a bold, timely and breathtaking new adventure that spans the globe.

From Jurassic World architect and director Colin Trevorrow, Dominion takes place four years after Isla Nublar has been destroyed. Dinosaurs now live – and hunt – alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures.

Jurassic World Dominion, from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, propels the more than US$5 billion franchise into daring, uncharted territory, featuring never-seen dinosaurs, breakneck action and astonishing new visual effects.

The film features new cast members DeWanda Wise ( She’s Gotta Have It), Emmy nominee Mamoudou Athie ( Archive 81), Dichen Lachman ( Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Scott Haze ( Minari) and Campbell Scott ( The Amazing Spider-Man 2). The film’s returning cast includes BD Wong as Dr Henry Wu, Justice Smith as Franklin Webb, Daniella Pineda as Dr Zia Rodriguez and Omar Sy as Barry Sembenè.

Jurassic World Dominion is directed by Colin Trevorrow, who steered 2015’s Jurassic World to a record-shattering US$1.7 billion global box office. The screenplay is by Emily Carmichael ( Battle at Big Rock) and Colin Trevorrow from a story by Derek Connolly ( Jurassic World) and Trevorrow, based on characters created by Michael Crichton.

Jurassic World Dominion is produced by acclaimed franchise producers Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley and is executive produced by legendary, Oscar winning franchise creator Steven Spielberg, Alexandra Derbyshire and Colin Trevorrow.

Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment present, in association with Perfect World Pictures, a Colin Trevorrow film.

Top Gun Maverick

Feel the need ... the need for speed

After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialised mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: ‘Rooster’, the son of Maverick’s late friend and radar intercept officer Lt Nick Bradshaw, aka ‘Goose’.

Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

Produced by: Academy Award winner Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, David Ellison.

Based on characters created by: Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr.

Story by: Peter Craig and Justin Marks

Screenplay by: Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Charles Parnell, Bashir Salahuddin, Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Daviswith Academy Award nominee Ed Harris and Val Kilmer

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Enter a new dimension of strange

Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a thrilling ride through the multiverse with Doctor Strange, his trusted friend Wong and Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlet Witch.

Dr Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens the doorway to the multiverse, including alternate versions of himself, presenting an unprecedented threat to humanity.

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Xochitl Gomez

Safety is a responsibility we all share – See you at the movies!

Our cinemas are open for your entertainment – Carib 5 in Cross Roads; Sunshine Palace, Portmore; Palace Cineplex, Sovereign Centre, Liguanea; Palace Multiplex in Montego Bay and the New Kingston Drive-In.

As restrictions change, we adjust our showtimes so as to be able to remain open while adhering to regulations.

Our staff is trained to do temperature checks and assist patrons with sanitising as they enter the cinemas.

Once inside our cinemas, please wear a mask for your safety and observe social distancing in queues at the box office and concession.

Sanitisation stations are available at convenient points throughout.

Our air conditioning systems, installed with the specified MERV-13 air filters, have been regulated to bring in maximum fresh air.

Thorough cleaning and sanitisation is done to ensure a safe and relaxed atmosphere for all.

Thanks again and PLEASE remember to observe safety protocols for the benefit of all.

Schedules

Schedules are subject to change. For details on your cinema of choice, half-off specials and any other tidbits, check us out in this space, on social media (FB, IG, Twitter – insert symbols)@palacemovies or at www.palaceamusement.com

Please note: At all cinemas, the box office opens daily at 12 noon.