GREENLAND 2: Migration

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from director Ric Roman Waugh and STX Entertainment are people looking to start again with GREENLAND 2: Migration.

It has been several years since Clark has thrown Earth into a disaster with John Garrity (Gerard Butler), wife Allison (Morena Baccarin) and son Nathan (Roman Davis) continuing to live underground. John is helping to maintain the facility, Allison has joined the committee and Nathan is in school but beginning to show his teenage side. Outside, anyone who journeys out has to wear a protective suit as the air has the potential to cause irreparable damage.

When it is talked about in committee, there seems to be a place in France where the crater hasn’t caused damage and can sustain life. The earth below the bunker is shifting and there is no choice but for the Garrity’s to escape, but so are many others. It is a race to survive getting to lifeboats taking them away. Everyone agrees that getting to the crater is most important to their survival landing in England first where the tide takes them.

Allison learns that John has been hiding something from her but it can not interfere with the goal – the crater. Each time they make headway, either people with other plans or remnants of the ghost ring caused by Clark bring more destruction. At the same time, there were those who saw the Garrity determination and helped them however they could. That means staying together, one step at a time!

Butler returns as John Garrity who has made himself indispensable in the bunker. Repairing and keeping his family together waiting for the day they can all go outside. Still rugged, still not taking any garbage from anyone and still one step ahead of each disaster, Butler has cemented himself in the role and came back to it so he gets points. Not sure I appreciate how his character ended up but hey, I didn’t write the script so I’ll go with the flow.

Baccarin also returns as wife Allison who finds herself on the committee to do right the residents and help those who are still struggling on the outside. When they are forced to run, Baccarin’s Allison has become an equal partner in the escape but a little needy when it comes to her son. Personally, I don’t know any 15-year-old that would hug all over his mom so it had an ick factor.

Speaking of ick factor, Davis as Nathan returns as with teen angst. This character was written trying to rebel a little by going outside when he’s not supposed to, being a little bit on an ass when talking to his parents and then wimping when it served him. I liked the kid Nathan better. Yes, clearly, I don’t do teen angst and it rubbed me the wrong way. Welcome to my world kid.  

Other cast include Tommie Earl Jenkins as General Sharpe, Trond Fausa as Adam Shaw, Amber Revah as Dr. Amina, Peter Polycarpou as Dr. Haugen, Antonio De Lima as Charles Williams, Nathan Wiley as Major Green, and Gordon Alexander as Lt. Blake.

STX Films and Entertainment is a global next-generation company who has taken on the mission to unlock the value of direct connection stars have with their fans through the development, production and distribution of film, television, VR, digital video, music and live entertainment content. It is the industry leader in transforming beyond traditional platform-driven content to creating talent-driven enterprises. To experience more please visit www.stxfilms.com.

GREENLAND 2: Migration is filled with everything you’d expect from a few years after Clark hit. The human beings of the world are struggling to survive and have literally become scavengers to the outside world. Director Waugh spent the entire film not letting the audience rest for a moment giving the mass destruction of eye candy.

I’m a fan of these kinds of films, since I was a kid. I’m of the POESIDEN ADVENTURE, TOWERING INFERNO era and Roland Emmerich 2012 so Waugh fits into that club. So, I’m easy to forgive other things (like the math not mathing when it comes to Nathan’s age) and performances that didn’t wow me.

The story takes us step by step, explosion and rocking with a look at what humanity may actually be like if pushed over the limits. That part is understandable, even if the world hasn’t turned inside out because of an asteroid, because human beings turning still happens. In the midst of the story being told, there are moments that remind us that in the mixture of it all, hope is still possible. That’s not such a bad way to end the film.

In the end – the world ended and this is just the beginning!

 

A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray and Digital from director Kogonada, writer Seth Reiss and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes the reality of love, loss and acceptance when on A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY.

David (Colin Farrell) is trying to get to a friend’s wedding and can only get a 1994 Saturn from a strange car rental company. Arriving on time, he meets Sarah (Margot Robbie), an interesting young woman who spends a lot of time teasing David about marriage and his accent. When he tells her he cannot dance, Sarah moves on for the night leaving David anguished that he didn’t try.

Driving home after the wedding, the car’s GPS begin to tell him that he needs to take a rest stop excit for a burger and he runs into Sarah! Spending more time teasing him, they both go to their respective cars but Sarah’s doesn’t start. She has no choice but to hitch a ride with David. And now the GPS is telling them to make stops along the way home. Each time they stop, one or the other reexperiences a moment in their life that made the biggest impact in their lives. Childhood memories, times of great loss and the trials of love in adulthood.

When the struggle becomes too much for Sarah, she begins to move back from David but it doesn’t stop him from expressing how he feels. After an accident, both of them just want to go home but the home they return to is not exactly what they had planned.

Farrell as David is absolutely stunning. Watching his character develop absolutely broke my heart from beginning to end. It is not often a character like David comes to terms with the deepest-rooted feelings a man can have about his life and it is all here on the screen. Childhood sadness, crushes and adult real moments of crush are all on the screen and it is breathtaking. The kindest heart hidden by real fears, Farrell has once again won hearts.

Robbie as Sarah is a woman who tries to openly be a free spirit when, in fact she is barbed-wire surrounding her and is it marvelous. Hiding behind sadness, she puts up a front thinking it will protect her from any pain life throws her way. Even with David, she makes it clear that she is untamable but that is the front most of us put up when the pain of rejection or fear of being “loved to much” is a possibility. I love Robbie giving her character many facets of fun, laughter and quick-fire humor but equally the sadness that won’t let her go.

Shout out to Waller-Bridge who had me cracking up absolutely and the thrill of seeing Kline take part in the twisted mayhem of the story.

Other cast include Lily Raba as Sarah’s mother, Hamish Linklater as David’s father, Chloe East as Cheryl, Jennifer Grant as David’s mother, Billy Magnussen as Sarah’s ex, Sarah Gadon as David’s ex, Jodie Turner-Smith as the GPS, Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the Cashier and Kevin Kline as The Mechanic.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Special Features include Love’s Ever Shifting Landscape: A Relatable Romance, The Magic Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Journey and A Big Bold Beautiful Musical Number.

A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY is a film that is so tissue worthy and I suggest you keep some handy. What is relatable on so many levels of the film is that we have all been there. Experiencing losses on so many levels at every stage of our lives. In those stages, the impact comes strong in each stage after that. It steers us in the direction of decision we make, both good and not so good, not taking into consideration the outcomes.

The film even, under its breath, suggests that perhaps we do just that. Open the doors we have all closed and look at the truth of it all. It may be painful but in that pain are the truths we might have forgotten and perhaps time to take in to make us whole. When it comes to love, that is exactly what director Kogonada pinpoints and brings unfiltered to the screen. It is not often that I sit long past a film is over and think about it in a deeper personal sense, I did with this film.

Farrell and Robbie took their characters into our deepest and darkest fears about being human and allowed us all to go on this big bold beautiful journey with them. Doors will never look the same.

In the end – relive your past so you can change your future!

 

 

 

 

WE BURY THE DEAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Zak Hilditch and Vertical is the story of loss and a journey as WE BURY THE DEAD.

A military disaster in Western Australia has led to the most unusual happening as the dead seem to come back to ‘life’. Considered harmless and slow-moving, a large portion of the country is a quarantine zone. Families are grieving not knowing what has happened to their family members. Ava (Daisy Ridley) is one such woman looking for her husband who was on a business trip in Tasmania, when the outbreak happened.

The only way for Ava to go and find him is volunteering to go inside the quarantine zone to go from house to house bringing out the dead – and the living dead. Partnered up with Clay (Brenton Thwaites), a rouge that clearly isn’t worried about the dead and isn’t scared of those that aren’t. Once inside the zone, Ava makes her plan to get to the resort where her husband was last and is surprised when Clay decides to go along for the adventure.

Once on the road, the only thing that they must be concerned with are the military convoys on the road that could stop them from their trip. Stopping for break, they come face to face with Riley (Mark Coles Smith), clearly with the military who separates Ava and Clay while he figures out who they are and what they are doing on the road. Ava knows that this could end her search but her determination is stronger than anything that will stop her!

Ridley as Ava is a woman driven to find her husband by putting herself at risk to get to him. The emotion she carries with her is complex but it pushes her further and further down the road. She notices that the living dead seem to have something left unsaid but the further she goes down the road, there are changes. Each situation that comes up, Ridley gives her character moments of pure humanity and other moments pure survival and it works beautifully. It is riveting to watch her expression be so stoic in the midst of chaos, but then I think ‘that is exactly how I would be’. Trust is a detriment and complacency is deadly!

Thwaites as Clay has such a casual attitude toward what is going on clearing the dead, yet when he has a chance to do something exciting, he’s all in. There is a connection with Ava as to their goal with both having their own stories. Thwaites provides the film with that mysterious element of ‘why would anyone do this?’ in regards to going into the quarantine zone while also offering to go where no one is allowed. That’s the rebellious side of Clay and it balances Ava’s determination.

Smith as Riley – all I can say is wow! This is the part where I don’t talk about the story more because he does such an amazing job yet I want the viewer to experience it for themselves. What I can say is that Smith provides the unexpected element in so many ways. Smith is suspicious of everything and everyone adding yet another layer to an already complex story.  

Other cast include Chloe Hurst as Katie, Kym Jackson as Lt. Wilkie, Dan Paris as Cpt. Vance, Salme Geransar as Pvt. Clarkson, Kim Fleming as the Colonel and Matt Whelan as Mitch.

Vertical Entertainment is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. Film such as MY MOTHER’S WEDDING, I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU, FIGHT OR FLIGHT and IN THE LOST LANDS are only a few of the film the studio has brought forward. For more please visit www.vert-ent.com.

Writer/director Hilditch explains, “There’s also something disturbingly poetic about the bodies we see throughout the film who simply dropped dead in the middle of whatever it was they were doing the moment of the pulse. This isn’t a virus; it’s people just going about their lives who simply stopped living due to a military mishap. The added element of the increasingly disgruntled victims who won’t stay down is one that I also think puts a fresh spin on the well-worn zombie genre and keeps the tension dialed up throughout. While themes of grief and closure are the beating heart of this movie, I want the audience to be terrified of this as a genre film, but a genre film that offers a different take on the well-worn zombie tropes.”

WE BURY THE DEAD is a unique and complex story in the zombie genre providing a different picture of dealing with the dead and living dead. What Hilditch has done is allow the groundwork to be laid by adding an uncustomary daymare in the realm of several issues. There is grief, loss, the unknown, chaos, suspicion, stealth just to name a few. Ridley, Thwaites and Smith are on their own, literally, to guide us through the formidable result of populace event under no one’s control!

Using Western Australia as the backdrop of the story allows for long stretches of road and quiet chaos watching the characters develop at their own pace, I love that. Steve Annis, Director of Photography, does an outstanding job of providing those visuals but I’d expect that knowing his work on the AppleTV+ series FOUNDATION (one of my favorites!). Jason Baird provides the very unusual look for the living dead that proves to be a tad frightening at first and then jaw dropping.

WE BURY THE DEAD is a unique and emotional journey that, for me, was unexpected and riveting. This is not an action packed, bloody and chaotic film but instead a slow burn that is urged on by complex human emotions that are both good, bad and frightening.

In the end – volunteer needed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make its Debut on 4K UHD is the Spectacular CLOUD ATLAS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD from directors Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, Radial Entertainment and Shout! Studios comes the ethereal story of CLOUD ATLAS. 

It is 1849 and Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess) witnesses the beating of Moriori Autua (David Gyasi) who has stowed away on his ship. Trying to discover a way to help the man, Ewing goes against the evil ship’s doctor Henry Goose (Tom Hanks) who has other greedy plans for the good-hearted man. When he arrives in San Francisco, his wife Tilda (Doona Bae) discovers his father complicity in keeping people as slaves.

Farther into the future, 1936, composer Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw) avoids his problems in the city by going to composer Vyvyan Ayrs (Jim Broadbent) and it also gives him time to work on his own music. When he ran away, he also left behind his love Rufus Sixsmith (James D’Arcy) but it can’t be helped. It doesn’t take long before Ayrs shows his true colors forcing Frobisher to once again make a decision that will ripple through the ages.

Moving even more into the future, it is 1973 San Francisco when Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) gets a message to meet Sixsmith who is a nuclear physicist. As a journalist, Luisa can’t say no to the chance to intrigue and a chance to get her hands on reports about what has happened at a nuclear reactor. Meeting the over-confidence Lloyd Hooks (Hugh Grant), she is not easy swayed by his sticky sweet charm. One person who notices she is trying to do good is Isaac Sachs, a scientist who slips her the report.

Across the ocean in 2012 is Dermot Hoggins who has no problem knocking off a critic after a bad review of his good. Angry with publisher Timothy Cavendish, he asks for help from his brother Denholme but it leads him to a place that now he can’t even get out of because it’s all been a lie and now, he has to deal with Nurse Noakes (Hugo Weaving)! Talking about the future, in 2144 Korea, clones called ‘fabricants’ are the new indentured servants. Sonmi is one such fabricant who learns from others that there is a world outside their existence. Managing to escape with the help of Commander Hae-Joo Chang, she learns of the writings and the history of the past. She decides then that she will join the resistance at a high price.

In 2321, Zachry lives with tribesman in a small village in the post-apocalyptic world. A stranger comes into their midst; Meronym is looking for a station long hidden needing to find a message that will help the Prescient (Keith David). It is the Abbess (Susan Sarandon) of the village who knew this would happen. Knowing where it is, Zachry has to deal with a few matters first as his village is constantly under attack from a cannibal tribe and his own fears as he is plagued by the devil on his shoulder.

Hanks begins as Zachary but he is throughout the film portraying different characters, as most of the cast is. I expect nothing different from this iconic actor and in this film the range of characters are horrible to absolutely lovely. That’s not a bad range to fit all into one film and I loved every rendition he does. Zachary is the most thoughtful and most frightened of all his roles yet, he does everything possible to keep that fear in check in an effort to do the right thing. A signature feeling from Hanks. Berry begins as a journalist seeking out the truth and ends as a woman in the future seeking out the truth. Her journey through the film is that of the all character not exactly playing by the rules but then again, if it gets the job done I’m all for it.

Sturgess begins the film as Ewing, a lawyer who sees the atrocity of seeing a man being beaten. What he doesn’t expect is that the same man would be the reason he lives to become an abolitionist. Sturgess has the looks of innocence which, even after understanding the cruelty of man, his character keeps his faith and face in each instance of his characters. Keith as Prescient has the voice that makes his presence clear and shows that there are no small roles in this film.   

Whishaw as Frosbisher is the rogue of a musician and following his journey is actually filled with such pain and sorrow. I adored watching him take his role with such a riveting embrace, yes, bad boys can find good. Broadbent as Ayrs and Cavendish is such a duality that he makes look so damn easy and flawless. Weaving as Nurse Noakes certainly does give him a run for his money while entertaining me to the fullest. D’Arcy as Sixsmith carries in his character such a fore longing that is only shown on his face, and it is carried for more years than anyone I can imagine would. He is silently beautiful in his performance and the connections he brings to his other characters. 

Sarandon is the perfect person to play the Abbess. She is the calm and the wisdom in all the madness. Okay, so I’m just thrilled to see her in anything but still, watching her be the future force for women is everything. Gyasi as Autura is a man seeking freedom within the chaos of the time but never forgot his humanity, it wrecked me totally with its sublime humbleness.

A huge shout out to Bae as Somni because her character is absolutely stunning, absolutely. As a fabricant she goes by the rules of her programming, yet once outside the bounds and awaken to the world, she understanding what most don’t – that injustice can not remain silent, no matter the cost. Bae is so sweet and charming in this role with her innocence as well, just so well, well done.

Other cast include Brody Lee as Javier, Ian van Temperley as Enforcer, Robin Morrissey as young Cavendish, Martin Wuttke as Mr. Boerhaave, and Zhou Xun as Yoona-939.

SHOUT! Studios have grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT! Studios have to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Radial Entertainment is a global entertainment company operating with FilmRise and Shout! Studios. They have a library of over 70,000 movies and episodes making it the largest independent catalog. Its programming spans a wide range of genre with true crime, reality, animation, action, westerns, classics, horror and so much more. Please visit www.radialentertainment.com

The Collector’s Edition comes in a 3-disc set loaded with bonus content, including a brand-new feature-length documentary with the filmmakers, cast and crew. New Interviews with a Wide Variety of Cast and Crew, Author David Mitchell, Tom Hanks, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Keith David, James D’Arcy, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant. Also, Co-Producer Roberto Malerba, Co-Director of Photography Frank Griebe, Production Designers Hugh Bateup and Uli Hanisch, Costumer Designer Kym Barrett and Pierre-Yves Gayraud, Make-Up Artist Jeremy Woodhead, Daniel Parker and Sian Richard and so much more.

Bonus Features include New 4K Restoration of the Digital Intermediate, Presented in Dolby Vision, 1080p High-Definition Widescreen, “What is an Ocean…Reconnection the Cast and Crew of CLOUD ATLAS, 7 Archival Featurettes, A Film Like No Other, Everything is Connected, The Impossible Adaptation, The Essence of Acting, Spaceships, Slaves & Sextets, The Bold Science Fiction of Cloud Atlas, Eternal Recurrence: Love, Life and Longing in CLOUD ATLAS and Extended Look Trailer.

CLOUD ATLAS has always been in my top ten films and for several reasons. First of all, it is a ride and a half keeping focus on everything that happens in the two hours and forty-five minutes. The complex stories that are intertwined together bring out every human emotion possible because it is so raw. Adding to that is the music of Tykwer that brings out even more of the emotions the film is trying to tell. The author David Mitchell wrote Cloud Atlas in 2004 and it came to the screens in 2012. In the six stories he tells, the orders jump so that the viewer can piece it together.

It is such a brilliant piece of work both written and on the screen with haunting, longing, awareness and ethereal beauty. Instead of bringing a large cast in to cover all the characters, it is a stroke of brilliance to have the actors play different characters in different stages and it is as smooth as silk. I’ve read articles referring to the structure of the film as a ‘Russian-doll’ and it is a perfect way to say it. What is even more exquisite about CLOUD ATLAS is that the struggles with each story might confuse some but for those of us that are patient for resplendence, CLOUD ATLAS delivers.

In the end – everything is connected!

 

 

It Rings Again in BLACK PHONE 2 on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital Code from writer/director Scott Derrickson, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the return of terror in BLACK PHONE 2.

It is the 1980s and has been several years as Finn (Mason Thames) and sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) have grown up quite a bit and taking on the challenges in a town where everyone knows about the Grabber (Ethan Hawke). Finn is trying to hide what happened to him in a constant flow of marijuana to ignore the ringing of phones. Gwen tries to talk to him about it but Finn is closed off. What he does do is protect his sister from her constant sleep walking. Nightmares have become more frequent lately and have become so dangerous, he found her in the Grabbers old house.

Gwen is having visions of children under a frozen lake and sending her signals which she believes are a cry for help. She also begins to hear the same phone ringing as Finn. When she realizes that a camp in Alpine Lake might have answers, she enlists the help of her friend Ernesto (Miguel Mora) under the guise of being a camp counselor-in-training. Finn is against going but he can’t let his sister investigate on her own.

Arriving during a snowstorm, they are greeted by Mando (Demian Bichir) and niece Mustang (Arianna Rivas) and two employees who don’t much care for Gwen and her infamous mouth. When Gwen begins to get stuck in her nightmares, it is the Grabber’s opportunity to continue his reign of terror that affects everyone in reality. Mando learns what Gwen knows and realizes they are all there for one thing – to find missing kids from years past and do it before the monster finds ways to destroy them all. 

Thames returns as Finn but much taller and moodier (teenagers, go figure) either fighting those who know or avoiding his time with the Grabber. What he doesn’t want to accept is that there is no way to get away from it and the telephones ringing are a constant reminder. Even if Thames gives his character moodiness, he does realize that he must gut up in order to help his sister, decent performance actually.

McGraw as Gwen is in the Grabbers sites this time around. She is less hesitant to answer ringing phone and begins to piece together what is happening at the Alpine camp. McGraw gives Gwen more strength and makes us remember that she has a pretty intense mouth on her. The dreams are what bring her to the one person her family has been trying to forget but Gwen refuses to give up until she helps Mando. This is the sisters side of the horror!

Bichir as Mando took over the Alpine camp with the sole purpose of finding a little boy. Once he understands what Gwen has been dealing with, he is all about trying to do the right thing. Bichir is such a marvelous actor and here he gets his chance to dive into the horror genre and does it splendidly. Rivas as Mustang is the quiet voice behind her uncle but doesn’t hesitate to speak up when she needs to.  

Welcome back to the mask Ethan Hawke! There would be no way this film would have worked without him. He is the Grabber, he is the evil and he is the evil that needs to be dealt with. Thanks for showing up to remind us that horror wears many faces but for the Grabber, all of them are evil.

Shout out to Davies returning as Dad Terrence and more into soda than alcohol with Gwen putting into place the last piece of a puzzle that has tortured him.

Other cast include Simon Webster as Felix, Jacob Moran as Billy, Maev Beaty as Barb, Shepherd Munroe as Cal, Graham Abbey as Ken, Chase B. Robertson as Spike, Anna Lore as Hope and Jeremy Davies as Terrence.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY, SPLIT and M3GAN 2.0. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com

Exclusive Bonus Features include Deletes Scenes, Dialed in: The Cast of Black Phone 2, A Story Carved in Ice, Frozen in Time and Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer/ Producer Scott Derrickson.

BLACK PHONE 2 did a few things right and it includes bringing back the original cast because nothing says ‘stay in the story’ like familiar faces. Thames and McGraw together again feels like we are picking up where we left off accept this time, it’s Gwen’s turn to be at the mercy of the Grabber. Also, staying in the era because there is something creepy about the way the 70’s and 80’s are portrayed. Makes me wonder what else I missed during that time that could have been more fun (yes, spooky film fan here). Finally, staying true to the story and not going overboard in changing the history that BLACK PHONE laid out.

A few things I have to think more about is the dream sequences as director Derrickson and cinematographer Par M. Ekberg decide to use the grainy-aged effect to separate it from the waking world. It’s cool but I think a tad overplayed. Does it affect the story being told? Not at all, so perhaps it’s just something that had me overthinking. The original BLACK PHONE was more of a thriller because it made the audience think about the horrors that happened, BLACK PHONE 2 decided to delve into a more delicate world of showing what happened to kids. This film also has more bloodiness to it which is fine but I’m still a thriller kind of gal.

Fans of the first film won’t be disappointed one bit, heck, neither am I actually. The film offers twists, turns, secrets and mysteries that are unexpected and, in the middle, Ethan Hawke and black ringing phones freaking everyone out. One thing is for sure; this is the new fright in the night brought to you by the Grabber!

In the end – dead is just a word!

He is DAVID

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from directors Brent Dawes, Phil Cunningham, Sunrise Animation Studios and Angel Studios comes the stunning animated film about DAVID.

David (Phil Wickham) is a young shepherd who enjoys spending time in the pastures with his flock. Protecting them and returning them back to his village is a position he takes very seriously. One afternoon, David meets Samuel (Brian Stivale) who tells him and his family that there will come a time when the young boy becomes king. Not having time to process the information, guards arrive in the village looking for him to be taken to King Saul (Adam Gold).    

Once at the palace, David can’t believe how different it was compared to his village. When he arrives, he is told that the king needed something to help him with the stresses. David obliges by singing an uplifting song for the king. King Saul sees something special about the boy but he has other things to deal with. It seems that King Achish (Asim Chaudhry) wants to challenge the King of Isreal by sending his largest soldier Goliath (Kamran Nikhad), against one of King Saul’s men.

Hearing this, David finds his way to the battlefield and bypasses everyone to come face to face with the giant. He is about to prove his faith. Growing up with King Saul’s son, they trained together and spent so much time together. But the worries of war are about to be brought for the land again as David must convince family, the village and a king that it is their faith and trust that can bring peace once again.

Wickham as David is a young man who continues to hold his beliefs even if he has moments of concern and doesn’t want to be king. Both Engman as boy David and Wickham as the young David provide both not only give their animated role warmth and strength but their vocals in the songs are beautiful. Gold as King Saul is a man who has his own issues of duality, one minute he knows what to do as king and the next his lets his faith slip with insecurities – especially when it comes to David.

Chaudhry as King Achish believes that strength in numbers is the way to try and destroy a kingdom, what he doesn’t count on is the faith of someone smaller. The character is a bit comical but I enjoyed Chaudhry’s vocal portrayal.

Shout out to Mesika as David’s mother showing what a supportive mother who shares his faith can do for a young man.

Other cast include Brandon Engman as young David, Miri Mesika as Nitzevet, Sloan Muldown as Zeruiah, Ashley Boettcher as young Zeruiah, Mark Jacobson as Jonathan, Mick Wingert as Zaydel, Will de Renzy-Martin as Vaizatha, Lauren Daigle as Rebecca and Kamran Nikhad as Goliath.

Angels Studios is a community of members who have joined the mission to bring meaningful, inspiring and worthwhile stories to life. From the emotional journey of THE SOUND OF FREEDOM to the inspiring courage of BONHOEFFER: Paster, Spy, Assassin, Angel movies shine a light on stories that speak to the soul. Find out more by visiting www.angel.com

DAVID is a stunning animated film and yes, it is a faith-based film but it is surprisingly not church-y. It is truly a tale of a young boy staying true to his belief and wants others to know that they can all be heroes. What the film does have is a wonderful story that surrounds itself with absolutely thrilling animation, lovely songs and a story that most people know. Songs such as Tapestry and Shalom are so well done. It must be said that now my granddaughter wants a baby lamb!

What the film does offer especially is the empowerment that each person has within them. In the world we are experiencing now full of mindless rulers and, in some cases, wanna-be rulers, DAVID shows that it isn’t the size of one person but the size of everyone who stands up to the wrongs and evils that surround us all. Not only does the film do that, but it raises spirits through hope that each of us is responsible for helping the other bringing out the best in us all – and that is an amazing experience.

Gather up the family and spend time with a film that has so much to offer during this holiday season.

In the end – it is about the power of belief!

It is the Return of THE EMPORERS NEW GROOVE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K Ultra HD, Digital and Bluray to celebrate a groovy 25^th anniversary from director Mark Dindal and Walt Disney Studios is the hilarious tale of THE EMPORERS NEW GROOVE.

In a kingdom lived Emperor Kuzco (David Spade), a very narcissistic, self-indulged ruler who only thinks of himself. He also keeps an eye on his sneaky assistant Yzma (Eartha Kitt) and her side-kick Kronk (Patrick Warburton). The emperor’s birthday is just around the corner and he knows exactly what he wants. Walking from the local village is Pacha (John Goodman), a good man who lives a simple life with his wife and children. Receiving a summons from the emperor leads him down the mountain to the palace.

Walking through the palace halls, Pacha comes face to face with Kuzco and is in shock when discovering what the summons was about. The spoiled emperor intends to take over the very hill that has been in Pacha’s family for longer than anyone can remember! Knowing there isn’t a lot he can do about it, Pacha returns home to figure out a way to tell his family.

In the meantime, Yzma has pushed her emperor too far making royal decisions without his permission. So, Kuzco decides its time to downsize and that Yzma should retire. This doesn’t go well with Yzma and she decides that its time to take steps. Relying on Kronk to help was her first mistake and at a dinner, Yzma’s plan hatches as Kuzco has gone from two legs to four! When the llama ends up in Pacha’s yard, it is time for the two to journey back to the palace and do whatever it takes to get the kingdom back.  

Spade as the voice of Kuzco is the voice I hear in my head when I think “Boom baby!” amongst other iconic lines from the film. He is sheer perfection as the narcissistic and shady emperor giving such life to this animated character. Kuzco may be those horrible things but good grief Spade gives it all such hilarity no matter how many times I see this film. Spade gets the chance to voice a character is as bad as he wants to be and it works from start to finish.

Goodman as Pacha is such a kind and loving man who just wants to take care of his family. It is a tad heart tugging when he realizes what Kuzco has in mind for his generational home. Goodman’s voice lends the opposite of the main character with compassion, even when it could have been easier to walk away with Kuzco needed help. Instead, he believes in kindness and another way, even if Yzma is hot on their trail.

Kitt as Yzma is another delicious voice in the film with her ability to bring everything crazy (both good and bad) into this character. This had to be absolute fun for her and Yzma is now an iconic Disney character that my whole family loves. Yes, she isn’t very nice but karma is waiting just around the corner for her. Warburton as Kronk, as much as we love all the characters, has a special ‘favorite’ place in our family’s heart. The scene where he is walking along the wall doing his musical Mission Impossible theme, is something we all still do. Also, who doesn’t squeakity-squeak-squeak to the local squirrel population.

Other cast include Kellyann Kelso as Chaca, Eli Linnetz as Tipo, Stephen Anderson as Ipi, Bob Bergen as Bucky, Patti Deutsch as the grub waitress and Wendie Malick as Chicha.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

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Special Features include Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentary, Music Videos, Featurettes: The Research Trip, Character Voices, Creating Computer Generated Images and The Emperor’s Got Game, and Theatrical Trailers for THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE.

This film is on of Disney’s stories that doesn’t get as much accolade as it should, and it absolutely should. It is fun, hilarious, charming, full of adventure, and colorful with a cast that absolutely killed it. The best part of Disney’s animated films is that watching them again and again (and again times a million) shows how wonderful we hold these stories. I have to say I’m not a fan of the Disney live-action films because it takes something special away from the artistry that comes from the animated films.

It is hard to believe that I watched THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE with my children only to have them now share with their children. Also amazing is that all of us still laugh as much now as we did when the film was released in 2000. The release in 4K UHD just brings the crispness and vibrant colors out even more and, if you have a cool large flatscreen, means you can have more people over for a Disney movie night.

Spade, Goodman, Kitt and Warburton, along with director Dindal, brought magic 25 years ago, and that magic is still being felt these years later. Gather up the family because it is time to find out what the fun is all about with a little BOOM BABY!!

In the end – it is all about HIM!