Ocean Avenue Entertainment Announces the Premier of "23 Blast" on Netflix April 15, 2016 in America and the UK
Carmel, Calif. (April 15, 2016) – Following the nationwide theatrical release in the Fall of 2014 and the home video release on January 20, 2015, the family-friendly drama 23 Blast premiers on the Netflix streaming platform April 15, 2016. Distributed by Ocean Avenue Entertainment in association with Toy Gun Films, the Dylan Baker Film is inspired by the remarkable true life events of Travis Freeman who played football for Corbin High School in the mid 1990’s despite being blind.
In addition to it’s premier on Netflix in the United States and Canada, it will also be released simultaneously in all of Latin America in Spanish and Portuguese and in the United Kingdom. “We are so excited to release this inspiring true-story on Netflix,” say’s Chris Bueno, CEO of Ocean Avenue Entertainment. “Not only will it be released here in the USA but in all of America and the UK. Now millions of Netflix subscribers can watch and be inspired by this amazing story of courage and faith.”
Having been featured in USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, NBC's Today and Dateline NBC, Freeman’s story was the winner of Heartland Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award for Narrative Feature.
23 Blast is written by Bram Hoover and Toni Hoover, directed/produced by Dylan Baker (Spider-Man 2 & 3, 13 Days) and produced by Gary Donatelli and Toni Hoover. Executive producers for the movie include Daniel Snyder (owner of the Washington Redskins), Misook Doolittle and Brent Ryan Green.
The film stars Stephen Lang (Avatar, Terra Nova), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids, Nashville), Mark Hapka (Day of Our Lives, Criminal Minds), Max Adler (Glee), Bram Hoover, Kim Zimmer (Guiding Light, One Life to Live), Becky Ann Baker (Men in Black, Freaks and Geeks, A Simple Plan) Timothy Busfield (Field of Dreams, thirtysomething), Dylan Baker (Anchorman 2, Spiderman 2 &3, The Good Wife), and Fred D. Thompson (Sinister, Law & Order, Die Hard 2).
“Faith Friendly for ages 12+”
Five out of five star review
The Dove Foundation(www.dove.org)
23 Blast features Freeman, a typical teenager growing up in a small town in Kentucky, who is a local hero on and off the field. In the fall of 1997, in the prime of his youth, he is unexpectedly stricken with an infection that destroys his optic nerve. He becomes blind overnight. Under the influence of parents who love him, a physical therapist who challenges him, a coach who inspires him, and a best friend who he cannot bear to leave behind, Freeman shows us what true bravery is by competing on the gridiron, helping his Corbin High School team advance to the state playoffs. 23 Blast follows Freeman and Jerry Baker, his closest friend, from the time they meet on the football field as kids through high school. Baker’s attraction to the dark side of teenage temptations, beer and drugs, threatens to pull the friends apart. It is only on the football field where they truly connect.
“Inspiring and moving. A touching film for the whole family.”
Nell Minow, Beliefnet.com
Depicting a story of hope triumphing over despair, of courage and faith overcoming fear and of victory prevailing over adversity, 23 Blast is designed to encourage and uplift audiences.
“This movie is so much bigger than me,” says Freeman. “It represents the gift of a community coming together to help its own, and how faith manifests itself in many ways in the face of a tragedy; such as in hope, love, and personal courage.
“A triumph! Exhilarating, wise and genuinely heartfelt! It will make you stand up and cheer! Perfect entertainment for the whole family!”
Avi Offer, The NYC Movie Guru
23 Blast was shot entirely on location in Corbin, Ky. "We always said we wanted Corbin to be a character in it and you can't miss Corbin in this film," Baker said. "It's a town where a young boy went through such an awful, awful thing and the town comes off as somewhere they give the encouragement and support where a boy can succeed and go forward."
“Stepping behind the camera, versatile actor Dylan Baker makes an assured directorial debut, drawing spirited performances from his seasoned cast.”
Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter
23 Blast, is also available on DVD, which includes compelling bonus features like:
-The Travis Freeman Story
-Whatever Happened to Jerry Baker
-Behind-the-Scenes Featurette with Dylan Baker
-Bloopers
-Descriptive Audio for the Visually Impaired
-Film Discussion Guide (available for download at 23Blast.com)
For more information please visit: www.23blast.com.
In addition to it’s premier on Netflix in the United States and Canada, it will also be released simultaneously in all of Latin America in Spanish and Portuguese and in the United Kingdom. “We are so excited to release this inspiring true-story on Netflix,” say’s Chris Bueno, CEO of Ocean Avenue Entertainment. “Not only will it be released here in the USA but in all of America and the UK. Now millions of Netflix subscribers can watch and be inspired by this amazing story of courage and faith.”
Having been featured in USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, NBC's Today and Dateline NBC, Freeman’s story was the winner of Heartland Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award for Narrative Feature.
23 Blast is written by Bram Hoover and Toni Hoover, directed/produced by Dylan Baker (Spider-Man 2 & 3, 13 Days) and produced by Gary Donatelli and Toni Hoover. Executive producers for the movie include Daniel Snyder (owner of the Washington Redskins), Misook Doolittle and Brent Ryan Green.
The film stars Stephen Lang (Avatar, Terra Nova), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids, Nashville), Mark Hapka (Day of Our Lives, Criminal Minds), Max Adler (Glee), Bram Hoover, Kim Zimmer (Guiding Light, One Life to Live), Becky Ann Baker (Men in Black, Freaks and Geeks, A Simple Plan) Timothy Busfield (Field of Dreams, thirtysomething), Dylan Baker (Anchorman 2, Spiderman 2 &3, The Good Wife), and Fred D. Thompson (Sinister, Law & Order, Die Hard 2).
“Faith Friendly for ages 12+”
Five out of five star review
The Dove Foundation(www.dove.org)
23 Blast features Freeman, a typical teenager growing up in a small town in Kentucky, who is a local hero on and off the field. In the fall of 1997, in the prime of his youth, he is unexpectedly stricken with an infection that destroys his optic nerve. He becomes blind overnight. Under the influence of parents who love him, a physical therapist who challenges him, a coach who inspires him, and a best friend who he cannot bear to leave behind, Freeman shows us what true bravery is by competing on the gridiron, helping his Corbin High School team advance to the state playoffs. 23 Blast follows Freeman and Jerry Baker, his closest friend, from the time they meet on the football field as kids through high school. Baker’s attraction to the dark side of teenage temptations, beer and drugs, threatens to pull the friends apart. It is only on the football field where they truly connect.
“Inspiring and moving. A touching film for the whole family.”
Nell Minow, Beliefnet.com
Depicting a story of hope triumphing over despair, of courage and faith overcoming fear and of victory prevailing over adversity, 23 Blast is designed to encourage and uplift audiences.
“This movie is so much bigger than me,” says Freeman. “It represents the gift of a community coming together to help its own, and how faith manifests itself in many ways in the face of a tragedy; such as in hope, love, and personal courage.
“A triumph! Exhilarating, wise and genuinely heartfelt! It will make you stand up and cheer! Perfect entertainment for the whole family!”
Avi Offer, The NYC Movie Guru
23 Blast was shot entirely on location in Corbin, Ky. "We always said we wanted Corbin to be a character in it and you can't miss Corbin in this film," Baker said. "It's a town where a young boy went through such an awful, awful thing and the town comes off as somewhere they give the encouragement and support where a boy can succeed and go forward."
“Stepping behind the camera, versatile actor Dylan Baker makes an assured directorial debut, drawing spirited performances from his seasoned cast.”
Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter
23 Blast, is also available on DVD, which includes compelling bonus features like:
-The Travis Freeman Story
-Whatever Happened to Jerry Baker
-Behind-the-Scenes Featurette with Dylan Baker
-Bloopers
-Descriptive Audio for the Visually Impaired
-Film Discussion Guide (available for download at 23Blast.com)
For more information please visit: www.23blast.com.