Move over pumpkin spice and hello peppermint. It’s Christmas season, everyone! ‘Tis the season to scramble for those last-minute gifts and Santa hats. It’s a special time of the year where we mindlessly guzzle down eggnog and contribute to the vast online empire that is Amazon.com. Whenever I think of Christmas, it’s usually the festive red colors, pine trees, and brightly lit neighborhoods that come to mind. But have you ever wondered how other countries around the world celebrate Christmas? Here are 5 unusual Christmas Traditions found across the globe:

Japan x KFC

Can you imagine going to your local KFC and waiting over two hours for a bucket-o-chicken? A typical Japanese family will often celebrate Christmas by ordering a finger-licking chicken dinner for their families. This bizarre tradition apparently started thanks to a “Kentucky for Christmas” advertising campaign that aired in 1974. I’d honestly be thrilled to receive an eight-piece bucket in my stocking this year. Sure beats figuring out how to cook a turkey, that’s for sure.

Tamale Tamale Tamale

This one is a bit already well-known within Hispanic communities, but why isn’t it more popularized? For those who don’t know what a tamale is, it is a Mexican specialty made from a range of different meats, cheese, and veggies that are wrapped in ground masa (corn) and corn husks. Hispanic families will often make a vast quantity of tamales during the holidays, with some restaurants easily selling over 10,000 in a week! They’re seriously that good, and you’ve got to get your hands on some this year if you can. They’re like little magical bundles of steaming joy that is best enjoyed with hot sauce.

Fuzzy Caterpillars

So apparently the denizens of Cape Town, South Africa enjoy consuming pine emperor moth caterpillars during the Christmas season. Not only are they festively colored, but they’re also very nutritious and have a flavor similar to tea!

Rolling Around the Christmas Tree

This is the unusual Venezuelan custom of roller skating to early morning church services between December 16-24. The streets are even closed off to cars until 8 AM. And get this… in order to wake up on time, some children tie a string to their big toe and let it hang out the window. Rollerskaters who happen to glide past will tug on the strings, waking them up.

Hide Your Brooms and Mops

Brooms and mops are household essentials, aren’t they? It is believed by the people of Norway that Christmas Eve is a superstitious day where witches and bad elves steal your mops and brooms. Wouldn’t it be a shame if some evil elf stole your Swiffer on Christmas Eve?

So there you have it, just a few more things to add to your to-do list this year for the Holidays. Be sure to celebrate responsibly and don’t buy too many useless things at the dollar section. Which one will you be incorporating into your traditions?

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“All men are created equal. No matter how hard they try, they can never erase those words. That is what America is about.” -Harvey Milk

What is Coming Out Day? It is a day to stand with those coming out about their sexual orientation to their families and friends. It is a day to support the resistance to homophobia and transphobia across the nation. It is a day to celebrate the rainbow of sexualities under our united flag.

30 years ago, the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, also known as the “Great March,” sparked an awareness of LGBT rights against president Ronald Reagan’s lack of acknowledgment on the issue. The next year, Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary started the first National Coming Out Day. Today, while we have made immense strides towards social equality, countless Americans still have trouble feeling accepted themselves, and let alone by their communities. Therefore, it is up to everyone to help spread awareness for our acceptance as a whole. The best way to combat the lingering homophobia and transphobia in our country is to show America its true identity.

For this year’s Coming Out Day, World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation would like to do its part by recommending a few great movies about coming out and other important LGBT+ topics.

Firstly, one of the funniest movies you could find is a 4th man out (2016). This charming movie about a man coming out to his friends on his 24th birthday doesn’t fail to amuse. While 4th man out or Fourth Man Out? is not daring or new, it is certainly a pleasant watch. It is a movie equivalent of a lighthearted sitcom and could be enjoyed by any fan of the genre.

Next, a slightly older movie that conveys a similar tone is But I’m a Cheerleader (1999). This movie feels like a lighthearted sitcom like 4th Man Out, as Friends does to Parks and Recreation. Where 4th  Man Out covers a group of young adults discovering a friend’s true identity, But I’m a Cheerleader covers actress Natasha Lyonne’s character and her completely unsupportive parents in a satirical manner. While film snobs could criticize its buoyant tone, it is definitely one worth watching for anyone who has had to come out to an unsupportive community.

Another small movie World Wide Motion Pictures recommends is Pop Kowboy (2012). Actor Shaun Driscoll and Ronnie Marmo star in this film about the complications of identity and romance in a very unsupportive world. Though a lesser-known entry on this list, Pop Kowboy, it is certainly one that embodies the spirit of Coming Out Day.

If you are not a movie person, supporting the community this Coming Out Day through volunteering or visiting your local LGBT centers are also very important. Whatever you plan to do for this day, World Wide Motion Pictures encourages you to support friends and family in accepting their identities, and, by extension, yourself.

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Happy Brother's Day everyone! I hope your siblings are not giving you too much trouble. Most brothers are seen by their siblings as troublemakers, idols, or their best friends. Sticking with you through thick and thin is what we want in a brother, and no one shows this more than Sam MacQueen and Felix Stranger from the film Ways to Live Forever. Now you may be thinking to yourself, "Hey, they're not actual brothers in the movie, they're just friends." Well, astute reader, you are right, but who says that a brother has to solely be a biological one? Your brother can be anyone you feel has a close connection to you. Sam and Felix both went through a common struggle and found ways to enjoy their lives even when there was something fatal such as cancer looming over them. That's what these characters did for one another: support each other in the wake of tragedy. Even though eating worms is not something I advise doing, it was a bonding experience for the boys, even if it was just learning to never eat worms ever again. Who knows if Sam would have started making videos without Felix being there, possibly causing a different title to come about unless they found another way to live for forever. If you would like to see Ways to Live Forever then click this link.

Another film brother duo is Mike and Rusty from the movie Rusty Steel, who end up finding Nazi gold but only through endless fun and adventure. Their interactions with one another make them seem like fire and ice where Rusty tries to find the value in things such as the boat given to them by their uncle, while Mike really only sees money as a valuable item. Even these differences, however, do not break their bond and in the end, they are strengthened by the journey they went through. You can watch the movie at this link.

Whether biological or fake, you have a person in your life that you consider a brother. Through trials and tribulations, you find the value in being near those you cherish. So today, maybe dealing with your brother for a day isn't so bad.  

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Wishing Willie Nelson a wonderful birthday from World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation!

This multi-faceted, American-born singer, actor, and activist has been deemed one of the most recognized artists in country music. Just last month, he was invited as a special guest to Asleep at the Wheel bandleader Ray Benson’s Birthday Bash in Austin on a Tuesday night. He opened his set with “Whiskey River,” and teamed with Benson on the Townes van Zandt classic,”Pancho & Lefty.”

Singer-songwriter Willie Nelson started writing his first song at the age of seven, and in 1973 Atlantic Records signed him on. He uses a variety of music styles in his country songs which set him apart from others - a hybrid of jazz, pop, blues, rock, and folk. He also has 12 Grammy Awards under his belt from being the hit sensation of the country genre. Though he was on track to becoming the talk of the town, all of his success would not have come about if not for all the sacrifices that he made. He worked a variety of jobs - from a radio announcer and singer in a Vancouver club to a dishwasher, and finally to selling bibles and vacuum cleaners door-to-door. He persevered and was successful in his career.

Besides all of the successes that Willie Nelson has had in his lifetime, his acting really took off with his debut film in 1979, The Electric Horseman. He recently appeared in the documentary Welcome to Eden that you can buy/rent here, distributed by World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation. Once again, Happy Birthday to actor and musician Willie Nelson!

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Earth Day, which falls on Saturday, April 22nd, is a worldwide celebration of life and positivity for world preservation awareness. The first Earth Day was celebrated worldwide on April 22nd, 1970. It is celebrated in over 190 countries and is currently one of the largest celebrated events in the world. As one of the largest non-profit ventures in the world, the Earth Day Movement has pushed for education and policy progress for over 40 years. Humans have one the highest effects on nature, and it is important for people to gain more awareness about their environment and natural resources. Not only is the news media sharing information on Earth Day celebrations, the film industry has been spreading awareness for decades.

The act of preserving the Earth is open to all ages, and the film industry has a movie for everyone. From documentaries to animated adventures, nature preservation and world films are a big part of Earth Day commemorations. Earth Day is not just about planting a seed in the ground, but spreading awareness for future planetary wellness.

A few great examples of family-friendly Earth Day movies are The Lorax, Wall-E, March of the Penguins, Hoot, and Schoolhouse Rock! Earth. With planetary awareness on the rise amongst family-friendly movies, younger generations have better representations of what Earth Day is all about. Taking care of the planet is a responsibility for everyone. Planting a tree, and recycling are great means of preservation, but movies and media can make the biggest impact to the broadest audiences. Another big Earth Day event is the Earth Day film Festival which is held worldwide. The Earth Day Film Festival is a showcase of environmentally conscientious films and film projects. With the festival focusing on new themes every year, the festival calls for better clean energy and better zero waste movements.

For cinephiles and documentary lovers, there is Welcome to Eden, a documentary on the preservation of the largest urban farm in America. Earth Day is only successful if people bring awareness to the world’s health and its problems. If you would like to keep up to date with future projects, be sure to follow us on our social media and check out indiemoviestore.com for more updates.

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You may remember Ben Chaplin from Ways to Live Forever, one of our most beloved films here at World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation. Now he is taking to the stage, and audiences will get to see his acting chops at the Dorfman Theatre in London.

“Consent” is a play by Nina Raine, and it tells the story of a group of lawyers dealing with a rape case and how it affects their personal lives. Ben plays a barrister, and to prepare for the role he consulted with real barristers in order to relate the legal world to the stage.

To quote Ben Chaplin, “We felt a massive kinship with barristers.” It will be interesting to see how Ben brings his character to life. Acting for the stage will prove to be quite different than acting for a film. In the film, there's room for mistakes, retakes, and edits, but on the stage, an actor must keep his composure throughout a scene and be ready to feed off the energy of the other players.

We encourage our readers to check out this review on Variety and we hope that our friends in the UK get a chance to see this one! To quote this review, “‘Consent’ is a watchmaker’s play, full of tiny moving parts. The whole thing pings with questions of consent — not just sexual but personal: set-ups, sacrifices, and unforeseen consequences.”

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You May Not Kiss the Bride, a romantic comedy, contains the right amount of love, action, and wit to keep American audiences happy. With notable stars, like actress Katharine McPhee (most known for her role Karen Cartwright in the hit TV show Smash) and actor Rob Schneider (known for starring in his saga of Deuce Bigalow films), it is no wonder why You May Not Kiss the Bride made audiences across the globe laugh, awe, and sit on the edge of their seats. The entire cast has been staying busy since their 2011 spring debut.

Our main protagonist, Bryan Lighthouse (actor Dave Annable), is to star in the Horror/Thriller Armed Response. Actor Dave Annable has also been establishing his Television dominance with his role Dr. Jack McAndrew in the very successful TV series Red Band Society (8/10 stars - IMDb) and his current role Dr. Pierce Harrison in NBC’s original series Heartbeat.

Two more added to the list, who have been absolutely killing it on television sets across the nation, are actress Kathy Bates (Bryan’s Mother) and actress Mena Suvari (Tonya). Both have appeared on the cult-followed series American History Story. While actress Kathy Bates has appeared in over half the series (46 episodes), Kathy has been earning, even more, screen time with such roles, Jo Bennett in the award-winning TV series The Office and also appearing alongside Ashton Kutcher in CBS’s Two and a Half Men. Not to forget You May Not Kiss the Bride’s nutty, sex-driven character Tonya (actress Mena Suvari), who may have only appeared in the film a few scenes, has accumulated the most credits out of the entire cast since its 2011 release date (IMDb). This highly motivated and driven actress has been demonstrating her relevance in the entertainment world from voice-overing in the animated series Justice League Action to starring in the American Pie film chronicles.

Actress Mena Suvari, as the rest of the cast, has been staying occupied since it’s Sonoma International Film Festival debut. The accomplishments of these talented actors and actresses, alike, clearly show why The World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation decided to go with You May Not Kiss the Bride.  

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After waiting for 26 years, Disney has finally flooded its anticipating audience with its live-action version of Beauty and the Beast (2017). From the well-known and beloved 1991 animated version comes the modern retelling that’s filled not only with an amazing cast - Emma Watson (Belle), Dan Stevens (Beast), Luke Evans (Gaston) etc. - but also with a nostalgic soundtrack that will simultaneously warm the hearts of previous generations and invite a new generation into the magical Disney community.

Compared to the animated version, this live-action film amazes with its production design. It has a stylistic aesthetic compared to the previously illustrated sets as it blends both physical objects and computer-generated imagery (CGI), creating a hybrid between live-action and animation. For example, the well-known castle in which the Beast resides has transformed in this 2017 version and brings a realistic dimension that the animated version lacked. As a result, this film is visually appealing, evoking strong emotions - happiness, sadness, etc. - all in one sitting.

Not only with its production design, but Beauty and the Beast (2017) amazes with its cast members. Emma Watson, who plays Belle in the film, portrays the character with poise and excellence. Although not exactly the same as the animated version, Watson brings forth a unique, but also familiar feeling towards the character of Belle. And who can forget the villain Gaston? Luke Evans, who plays Gaston in the film, satisfies the audience with his egotistical and sexist disposition that we have all been familiar with.

Despite some debate over the increasing number of animated turned live-action films, Beauty and the Beast (2017) does a good job of maintaining the storyline and characters of the animated version. However, it is ultimately up to you to determine if this film is a yay or nay so go out there to your local theater and check it out! Maybe you will fall in love with a tale as old as a time like the rest of the world!


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Today, we celebrate the one year anniversary of The Nightingale theatrical release, which was China’s official submission to the Academy Awards for best foreign-language film. The internationally critically acclaimed film is a sweet family friendly movie, which appeals to all ages and all walks of life. From a bratty granddaughter to ailing relationships, the film is more than just a train ride across rural China. The film is a modern-day parable on life and happiness, showing how love can be a strong force and unbreakable bond.

The Nightingale has been critically acclaimed by many sources such as The New York Times, SF Gate, and The LA Times. All of whom have given much praise for the movie’s storytelling and prowess. Although the film was produced in China, the film was written and directed by French Director, Philippe Muyl. Along with The Nightingale’s fluid storyline, the strong cinematography of the film is gauging and energetic.

The New York Times states that “The Nightingale demonstrates the ways urbanization has sapped our appreciation of country values and landscape. Mr. Muyl’s unforced direction, coupled with the cinematographer Sun Ming’s lovely images and Armand Amar’s unintrusive musical score, reminds us of what we are missing.”

If you did not make it to the theatrical release of the movie, you can buy the DVD or stream the movie online on indiemoviestore.com. You can also stream or rent the DVD on Metacritic. The Nightingale has something for everyone. If you would like to keep up to date with the movie and its production team, be sure to follow us on our social media and check out our indiemoviestore.com for more updates.

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World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation is pleased to announce that we will be making our Facebook Live debut on Thursday March 16th at 3:00pm PST.

World Wide Online will be a weekly web series where we sit down with our CEO Paul Hancock and guests to pick their brain on a wide variety of film industry topics including feature film distribution, movie marketing, and trending topics. But most importantly, we will be answering questions from you, the viewer.

If you’re a student of film, a cinephile, or just the average moviegoer, then you’ll enjoy tuning in to our broadcast.

Our first episode will be an introduction to World Wide Motion Pictures, with Paul giving us a brief history of the company and educating us on what a film distribution company actually does. We’ll learn about the challenges and benefits of distributing independent films and how we compete with the big players in Hollywood.

Paul’s experience in the film business spans 40 years and we hope to extract as much knowledge from him as we can so that you, the viewer, can become more informed. We’ll be learning a lot about things like: film selection and acquisitions, contract negotiations, marketing strategies, advertising strategies, trailer production, the ratings process, public relations, and theater circuit bookings.

If you would like to submit questions to Paul for our pilot season, please enter them in the comments section linked here https://www.facebook.com/WWMPC/

The first season of World Wide Online will run for 10 episodes beginning Thursday March 16th and end on Thursday May 18th. If we find ourselves with more questions than we can effectively cover in season 1, then we will address them in season 2!

Episodes will last approximately 15 minutes so if you want to catch us live don’t be late! VODs will also be made available to watch on YouTube. We hope to see you guys soon! Please don’t forget to submit your questions and tune in for the first episode on Thursday March 16th at 3:00pm.

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