Las Vegas Weekly

March 31, 2009 · 6 AM

All-star lineup heads into Las Vegas for ShoWest 2009

By Robin Leach

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in Twilight.

Photo: Summit Entertainment

Parts of the Strip this week will look like a Hollywood movie lot because of the large influx of stars headed to town for the annual movie convention ShoWest. It kicked off yesterday at the Paris and Bally’s.

Among the superstars here in Vegas are teen heartthrob Zac Efron, legendary veteran Sir Michael Caine, Dennis Quaid, Sienna Miller, Patricia Clarkson, Bradley Cooper, Chris Pine, Transformers director Michael Bay and TV film critic Roger Ebert. In addition, the casts of Twilight and The House on Sorority Row are expected to attend the Thursday night awards ceremony.

Actor Gordon Michaels will unveil his new film Unbeatable Harold today and again tomorrow. Is it possible for a steakhouse manager in Reno to find the girl of his dreams, win the jackpot from a penny slot machine and wind up the beloved weatherman on the evening news? Harold becomes a legend in his own mind but proves that positive thinking can win some -- if not all -- dreams!

The convention attracts some 5,000 movie delegates from more than 50 countries. In addition to new films and new and old stars, there’s a new technologies showcase, which presents ways to show films and for audiences to enjoy them.

Last night, the conventioneers screened five new independent movies: More Than a Game from Lionsgate, Easy Virtue from Sony Pictures Classics, The Hurt Locker from Summit Entertainment, The Cove from Roadshow Attractions and Is Anybody There from Big Beach. Today, the Walt Disney Co. unveils a presentation of new 3D projects, and Paramount screens The Soloist.

Tomorrow, Sony Pictures screens its entire upcoming summer lineup of films, followed by the premiere showing of The Proposal from Touchstone. In the evening, the 3D feature Battle for Terra from Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will be premiered.

Woody Allen’s newest movie Whatever Works will be premiered Thursday, along with Capitol/Think Films’ $5 a Day, plus Sony Pictures Animation screenings.

The stars luncheon and awards dinner will be held Thursday.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Share This