SEMBACH, Germany – For the first time, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Sony Pictures are teaming up to provide simultaneous free screenings of two movies to servicemen and women deployed to the Middle East, just in time for the holidays. Troops will have a chance to see “Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Holmes & Watson.”
“For our troops deployed overseas, simply watching a movie is a motivating, two-hour respite from their stressful day-to-day activities,” said U.S. Army Col. Scott McFarland, Exchange Europe and Southwest Asia Region Commander. “Since they can’t be with their families and friends, it’s a way to say ‘Thank you, we appreciate what you’re doing for all of us.’”
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creative minds behind “The Lego Movie” and “21 Jump Street,” bring their unique talents to a fresh vision of a different Spider-Man Universe, with a groundbreaking visual style that’s the first of its kind. “Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse” introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask.
Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, the screenplay is by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman from a story by Phil Lord based on the Marvel Comics. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Christina Steinberg. Stan Lee, Brian Michael Bendis and Will Allegra serve as executive producers. The film features the voices of Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Luna Lauren Velez, Zoë Kravitz, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn with Nicolas Cage, Kathryn Hahn and Liev Schreiber.
In “Holmes & Watson,” the Step Brothers, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, are reunited—this time playing the world’s greatest consulting detective and his loyal biographer.
Written and directed by Etan Cohen, the film is produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Jimmy Miller and Clayton Townsend. Chris Henchy, Jessica Elbaum, M. Riley, David Mimran and Jordan Schur serve as executive producers. The film also stars Rebecca Hall, Rob Brydon, Kelly Macdonald and Ralph Fiennes.
The films will be screened 23 times this week in Iraq at the Baghdad Embassy, Forward Operation Base Union III and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center.
With the help of major motion picture studios, the Exchange is committed to bringing first-run movie screenings to troops serving overseas and at home.
“The Exchange is honored to work with the motion picture industry to provide advanced viewing of first-run movies for troops, on bases with their families, or when they are deployed overseas,” said McFarland. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
Facebook Friendly Version: Troops deployed to the Middle East will be treated to free screenings of two movies from Sony Pictures. ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ which features the voices of Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Luna Lauren Velez, Zoë Kravitz, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn with Nicolas Cage, Kathryn Hahn and Liev Schreiber. ‘Holmes & Watson,’ which stars Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Rebecca Hall, Rob Brydon, Kelly Macdonald and Ralph Fiennes. The films will be shown at several locations in Iraq, courtesy of Sony Pictures and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-Qw.
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About the Exchange: Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Sgt. 1st Class Tim Meyer, 214-312-2132 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange
Follow Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Intothespiderverse.movie
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK: @SpiderVerseMovie
OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM: @Spiderversemovie
OFFICIAL TWITTER: @SpiderVerse
Follow Holmes & Watson:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Holmesandwatson.movie
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK: @HolmesAndWatsonMovie
OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM: @HolmesAndWatsonMovie
OFFICIAL TWITTER: @HolmesAndWatson