Unraveling the Mystery of A PRIVATE LIFE

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from director/writer Rebecca Zlotowski and Sony Picture Classics comes the story of a mystery and realizations about A PRIVATE LIFE.

Lilian Steiner (Jodie Foster) is a well-known psychiatrist that takes her profession seriously. Seeing patients regularly, Paula (Virginie Efira) has been missing appointments. Reaching out, Lilian still isn’t able to reach her. It isn’t until daughter Valerie (Luana Bajrami) informs her that Paul has died. Not understanding how it could have happened, Lilian begins to look through notes and tapes of sessions to see how it could have happened.

Her personal life is a struggle as well with a distance with her son Julien (Vincent Lacoste) that she can’t seem to put back together. Looking for a distraction from that is discovering what truly happened to Paula. Piece by piece, Lilian begins to suspect family members Valerie and her father Simon (Mathieu Amalric), who has his own secrets. Enlisting the help of ex-husband Gabriel (Daniel Auteuil), they both make discoveries that are both disturbing and even more confusing.

Trying to help other patients, Lilian is taken into a world where she begins to understand her connection, not only to Paula but her own life.

Foster as Lilian is portraying a complex character that is diving into her life. The driving force is keeping busy seeing patients ignoring the issues that were never resolved in her life of marriage and family. I truly enjoyed watching Foster grow into Lilian and take it places that were very unexpected. Bajrami as Valerie is a daughter who doesn’t understand the death of her mother and looks towards Lilian for answers. Meeting a bit of a wall, suspicions are aimed at her. Bajrami gives mystery to her character and it works beautifully.

Auteuil as Gabriel is a man who clearly still has feelings for his ex-wife and when he realizes she is struggling, he becomes her person. Taking it all step by step with her, nothing is too outrageous if it will bring her the answers, she is so desperate to find. His character also brings in a little comedic relief and I loved it. Lacoste as Julien is a young married new father who is detached from his mother. The fascinating thing about his character is that, despite the twist, he is more like Lilian than he realizes.

Other cast include Noam Morgensztern as Pierre Hallan, Sophie Guillemin as Jessica Grange, Frederick Wiseman as Dr. Goldstein, Irene Jacob as Vera, and Aurore Clement as Perle Friedman.

Sony Pictures Classics brings television, digital content, new entertainment services, independent films and technologies to viewers. Such films as GREED, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY, THE CLIMB, CHARM CITY KINGS, I CARRY YOU WITH ME and THE FATHER are just a few of the current and upcoming releases. For more information on what Sony Pictures Classics has to offer please visit www.sonyclassics.com.

A PRIVATE LIFE has been nominated for several awards including the 2025 City Of Sonostia for Rebecca Zlotowski from the San Sebastian International Film Festival, the Polish Film Institute Award from the Warsaw International Film Festival, two nominations from the Lumiere Awards for Best Actress, Jodie Foster and Best Music, Robin Coudert, Best Actress nomination for Jodie Foster from the CinEuphoria Awards, and AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Best Actress for Jodie Foster.

The film is such a mixture that working out the mystery is going to take a bit of sleuthing. Just as the character of Lilian does, it’s a step at a time unraveling what is true from what is masking as the truth. Throwing in a big of past life regression adds an interesting layer to the story director Zlotowski is putting up on the screen. It is brilliantly done and the shadows are real in these characters lives.

Foster carries the story and, as always, she is so fascinating to watch. Hearing her speak French through the entire film is always quite captivating. She has always been able to bring intensity to a character and, this time, she adds a layer of intrigue that tests us all to go along for the ride. From start to finish, her presence along with fellow actors, brings a depth to this tale of love, loss, intrigue, and redemption of spirit.  

In the end – it is not always in what you see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Law of ZOOTOPIA 2 Arrives on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is the return of the badges with ZOOTOPIA 2.

Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are now partners at the Zootopia Police Department and are trying to find the next big case. When things go a little wrong with a smuggling ring, there is tension between Judy and Nick causing Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) to send them to partner therapy with Dr. Fuzzby (Quinta Brunson). Judy can’t stop thinking of what she found during the smuggling ring which is a snake skin and talks Nick into helping her investigate.

Doing a bit of investigating, Judy learns that the Lynxley family might have some clues and the only way to find out is attending the Zootenial Gala. Nick is not happy about going but tags along to see if a snake is also going to be there. While there, Judy meets Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg) who is the awkward one of the family but their conversation doesn’t last long as a snake strikes and steals a book describing the different parts of Zootopia. Family head Milton Lynxley (David Strathaim) and his guards are also on the chase.

When Judy catches the Gary the snake (Ke Huy Quan), he tells her something about the book that could help his family but Lynxley turns on the officers and now they have to escape. There only way out of this bind is to find Gary with the help of Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche) and discover Maplestick (Fortune Feimster) who shares that they are in the part of town where outcasts can be themselves.

Once they find Gary, Judy discovers what the book means and how there are secrets that some people want to keep quiet and will do anything to do that. Judy and Nick need to do what they are good at, getting answers!

Goodwin as Judy is a bunny with a plan and it also means she’s investigating because, well, she is driven to catch the bad guys. I just love her voice in this role and it fits so perfectly. Goodwin’s voice is so, dare I say, animated. Bateman as Nick is just what one would expect from him. He is so good at doing sarcasm and dry humor that I’m all for it. He provides the laughs as a fox who still has a bit of the bad guy in him which comes in very handy.

Quan as Gary the snake has made my whole family decide that its time to get a Gary-plushy! This is such a charming character that takes all the scary out of snakes but instead makes you want to cuddle the stuffing out of him. Samberg as Pawbert gives the same hapless and helpless lynx that just wants to fit into his family. Strathaim as Milton is the strong arm of the family and nothing is going to stand in his way of keeping the family name at the top of Zootopia’s list.

Shout out to LaMarche as Mr. Big because I just love this character. He proves that you should never judge a book by his size – or else! Feimster is hilarious as Maplestick with her outcast wisdom and pure joy of life.

Other cast include Shakira as Gazelle, Patrick Warburton as Mayor Winddancer, Nate Torrence as Benjamin Clawhauser, Bonnie Hunt as Mom Hopps, Don Lake as Dad Hops, Mccaulay Culkin as Cattrick Lynxley, Wilmer Valderrama as Higgins, Brenda Song as Kitty Lynxley, Leah Lathan as Fru Fur, Raymond S. Persi as Flash Slothmore, John Leguizamo as Antony Sootley and Danny Trejo as Jesus.

That’s not all! There is also Tommy Lister Jr., Mario Lopez, Auli’I Cravalho, Alan Tudyk, Jenny Slate, Josh Gad, Tommy Chong, Josh Dallas, Celia Strong, June Squibb, Tig Notaro, Yvette Nicole Brown, Dwayne Johnson, Ed Sheeran, Robert Irwin, and Michael J. Fox,

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!

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.

Bonus Features include Featurettes: The Zookeepers, A City of Stars, Everybody Can Draw!, Zoo-prising Secrets, Wilde Times in the Booth, The Treat Trolley, “Zoo” Music Video by Shakira, Deleted Scenes: What’s in the Box?, Where Are They Now?, Animal Hospital, Welcome to the Team, Desert Festival, Clawhauswer Tracks Judy, A Plight at the Museum and Clawhauser’s Family.

There are films that have a difficult time have a sequel because moviegoers want their characters to stay their same loveable selves. ZOOTOPIA 2 doesn’t have any worries on that score at all. I am saying this proudly that the film is actually funnier than the first. Right? Can’t believe I said that right? ZOOTOPIA 2 just took the story and threw everything at it but the kitchen sink and it all worked and worked beautifully.

The story is a solid one, the action is amazing, the animation is pure gold and the cast brought in was just fun, fun, fun. Let by Goodwin and Bateman, I can see why so many wanted to join in, I mean just look at the list, and there are many more. Let’s also not forget the Easter Eggs that are all over the film and it is so much fun to spot them, trust me, we had a blast. There is one very cool egg that should make Stephen King giggle especially.

So, with this week leading up to Thanksgiving, it means the kids are home. This is not only a kid movie but the adults are going to have to much fun watching it as well. Gear up and be prepared to start the holiday season with the best the animal world has to offer with ZOOTOPIA 2.

In the end – they are back with a twissssst!

WICKED: For Good Flys onto Bluray and Digital

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Jon M. Chu and Universal Pictures home Entertainment comes the next and final chapter in the saga of WICKED: For Good.

Some years have passed since Elphaba (Cynthia Ervio) defied the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). Now given the name “Wicked Witch of the West”, she lives in a hideout and still fights for the rights of those that have been wronged. Best friend Glinda (Ariana Grande) is now in the top spot of being the Wizards spokesperson and called Glinda the Good and still being guided by Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). The handsome, and now Captain of the Guard, Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) is surprised to learn he is now engaged to Glinda but still promises to seek out Elphaba.

In the forest, Elphaba encounters animals escaping Oz, including Dulcibear and the now grown lion cub who is a bit, well, cowardly. That’s not all the changes, Elphaba’s sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) is now the governor of Munchkinland. Being looked after by Boq (Ethan Slater), he lets Nessa know that he’d like to move on from Munchkinland. When Elphaba arrives, it is her sister that wants to know why the magic isn’t helping her wheelchair situation and that’s when a pair of shoes comes into play and another spell doesn’t go as planned.

Wanting to free the flying monkeys, Elphaba and Glinda think they have a deal with the wizard. But, while Glinda walks down the aisle to marry Fiyero, Elphaba discovers once again that she has been lied too. Chaos breaks and so does a friendship and the only family she has ever known. Madam Morrible decides that its time for something to stir in the wind and what arrives is a house with a girl who is misled with promises if she only brings the Wizard one thing – a broom!

Glinda has other plans.

Ervio reprises the role of Elphaba and as time has passed, she is still navigating how to handle what she knows about the Wizard. Foremost on her mind is helping the animals that are running from Oz and navigating her friendship with Glinda. The flying monkeys are always on the chase for her but, the time that has passed has also given her greater understanding about her powers and what she is able to do. Ervio does her role proud, shares her ability to tear up a song and Elphaba has the opportunity to pave the way for everyone to continue to live a different life in Oz.

Grande also reprises her role as Glinda and time hasn’t changed her innocence and, sometimes, quirky optimism that is continually being taken advantage of. Floating in the world of pink and fluff, her feelings for Fiyero are heightened when it is announced that they will be married. The hair-flips, wide doe eyed looks, the high note songs and followers are still in the film but there are moments where she begins to understand that the world she has in her head isn’t exactly the world in front of her. Grande gets another opportunity to show off her vocal range with a long list of songs.

Yeoh as Madam Morrible is up to her usual dual sides of everything. She wants total control of everything and both Elphaba and Glinda challenge that, each in their own unique and awesome way. Yeoh gives her character the absolute right amount of horrible all wrapped up in high fashion and tornado abilities. Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard isn’t so wonderful as he lives to create havoc in Oz. He and Morrible have decided who is acceptable to live in Oz and will do anything to make sure their plans aren’t interfered with. Goldblum is a family favorite actor and to watch him dance his way through the role of the Wizard is just so much fun (yes, we get he’s a bad wizard but he’s a good bad wizard!).

Bailey as Fiyero is a soldier conflicted and trying to do the right thing in so many different directions. The pull means it is time for him to make a decision about what he wants, and that decision brings about a change that neither Elphaba nor Glinda could have ever seen coming. Still, Bailey brings the charm of the first film into the second with grander emotion.

Bode as Nessa returns as a woman having to take over for her father governing Munchkinland. Her heart is still with Boq but she becomes conflicted and it brings her heartache. Bode owns her role as the sister of the Wicked Witch but her character is also dealing with the good and bad of what is happening in Oz. Slate as Boq believes it is time to move on from Munchkinland and return to Oz, that is the decision that changes everything for him. I loved the change of Slater’s character in that his emotions run deeper than from the first film, more complex.

Other cast include Colman Domingo as The Cowardly Lion, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Bronwyn James as Shenshen, Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, Aaron Ti as Avaric, Sharon D. Clarke as Dulcibear, Adam James as Popsicle, Alice Fearn as Momsie, Scarlett Spears as young Galina and Bethany Weaver as Dorothy.

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.

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.

Bonus Features include Theatrical & Sing-Along Version, Making WICKED: FOR GOOD, Deleted Scenes, The True Wizard, and Feature Commentary with Direction Jon M. Chu and more!

Award season is right around the counter and I have no doubt that the film will be nominated in so many different categories. Currently, the story has three wins from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards for Best Original Song – Stephen Schwartz (The Girl in the Bubble), Best Original Song – Stephen Schwartz (No Place Like Home), and Best Original Score – John Powell. Also, the 2025 Next Big Thing award from The Queerties and Most Anticipated Movie of 2025 by the Digital Spy Reader Awards. That is just the beginning.

Director Chu says of WICKED: For Good, “I learned so much from Elphaba and Glinda and I think I’ve gotten to let go of that idea of proving yourself. Even though it’s a fantasy, even though it’s a fairy tale, it’s our access into a human experience. What does it feel like when you believe so deeply, when you love so deeply, when you sacrifice anything? That we will have the capacity to do that. It’s what my parents taught me. It’s what American has taught me!”

The film is everything one would want in a part-two of a film. The colors are so vibrant, the cast is a credit to their respective roles, the music is stunning and the songs, well, the songs are exactly what I’d expect – catchy, charming, emotional and all with amazing choreography. The screen is filled to the brim with so much that it is overwhelming in a very good way. Telling this Broadway show on film was already a huge undertaking yet, it was done thoughtfully and with such talent and craftsmanship on all levels.

This was the top film my family wanted to see in 2025 and we were not disappointed at all. My granddaughter was in awe of it all and was so happy walking out telling me she was beyond excited to have seen it and plans to see it again and again. That’s how you know you have something special, yes, the adults will love it but to see that it has reached the younger audience is hope for other musicals in the future of film. WICKED: For Good, friendship, love, loyalty can be magic all its own.

In the end – you will be changed!

They are at the END OF WATCH

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray in a Limited Edition Steelbook from writer/director David Ayers and Shout! Studios is the gripping END OF WATCH.

Officer Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Pena) are partners in the Los Angeles Police Department assigned to South Central Los Angeles. Recently returned to duty after an officer involved shooting, Taylor finally returns back to his beat and making work notes for a class he is taking. That doesn’t mean that the problems are over, especially during a disturbance call and gang member Tre (Cle Shaheed Sloan) ends up in an altercation because of the racial remarks he makes towards Zavala. Tre and he fellow gang members are attacked later during a drive by cause more chaos.

The two continue their shift dealing with an arrest during a traffic stop when they discover firearms and cash in the car. It is Taylor who wants to continue to look into it and tries to talk Zavala into it. When they do, they discover a house of human trafficking but ICE steps in learning that the Sinaloa Cartel is responsible and to stay away. In their personal lives, Zavala is happy with wife Gabby (Natalie Martinez) and child while Taylor takes the leap becoming engaged to girlfriend Janet (Anna Kendrick).

During another shift, Taylor and Savala deal with the heinous beating of a fellow cop, wellness check on a woman discovering that the cartel has a message for them. Tre, find respect for Savala, tells them about a cartel assassination plot looking to hit the police. Taylor and Zavala brush off the warning. They should have listened!

Gyllenhaal as Taylor gives a strong performance as a cop who is basically providing video of his days as an LAPD cop. Obviously loving his job, he also finds himself in situations that would make everyone else run for the hills – fast. This is a tough role in the sense that there is a sense of reality to it all because as we know, bad people do bad things. Gyllenhaal has always been known to take on dynamic roles with a bit of edge and Taylor is no exception.

Pena as Zavala is, as always, such an amazing underrated actor. Along side Gyllenhaal, he is as tough as his partner but in a bit of a different way. Not quite as gun-ho but also doesn’t back down when it is called for. I love the mix of his character because Pena has been that actor who you throw a script at and he is going to make that character memorable and stand out. The character of Zavala is intense and shows his realness in so many ways and I’m here for it absolutely.

Kendrick as Janet is a woman who happens to be in love with a cop and everything that goes along with that. Finding the balance between who he is and what he does, Kendrick navigates us through the intensity of emotions and the life she bonds herself too. Martinez as Gabby is a wild wife who accepts Janet and Taylor because her husband sees him as a brother in so many ways. She had me laughing but at the same time is so beautiful with Pena’s character.

Other cast include Frank Grillo as Sgt. Daniels, Jaime FitzSimons as Cpt. Reese, America Ferrera as Officer Orozco, Kristy Wu as Officer Sook, Cody Horn as Officer Davis, Shondrella Avery as Bonita, Maurice Compte as Big Evil, Flakiss as La-La, Diamonique as Wicked, Richard Cabral as Demon, and David Harbour as Officer Van Hauser.

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.

Bonus Features Include Disc One (4K UHD), New 4K Dolby Vision Presentation, and Audio Commentary with Writer/Director David Ayer. Disc Two (Bluray) Audio Commentary with David Ayer, Deleted Scenes and Five Featurettes: Fate With A Badge, In the Streets, Women on Watch, Watch Your Six and Honors.

END OF WATCH was film primarily at the LAPD’s Newton Division in South Central Los Angeles with a budget of 7.1 million (remember, the film was shot in 2011). Shot with a mixture of found footage style, the scenes were captured with four cameras filing at the same time. A combination of vest cams, dashboard and handheld camera, there are two endings to the film with Ayers choosing the one in the released film.

The film is a gripping look at two cops who would do anything for each other and do. These two actors are front and center in the story and it is almost impossible to take your eyes off the screen. It is dark, unbelievable and hard to turn away from with the possibility that this is what cops on the streets dead with on a daily basis. From scene to scene, there isn’t a moment where it is predictable which is what has always caught me about this film.

Director Ayers says of his film, “A friend thought I should write another cop film. When a friend of mine showed me like a highlights reel. It was insane and it was so compelling. Just to flip the cop story further, they are good guys. They are not corrupt. Writing it in six days, the script came out of me like lightening. The story is all about the two characters. Inside the cop car are my favorite scenes. It is so simple, if you have friends, their confirmations are so beautiful and subtle with universal themes.”

Gyllenhaal and Pena are the film absolutely. Watching the story unfold, they are front and center in the story Ayes is trying to tell. Squashing the stereotypical film of cops being corrupt, these two officers are not. That creates a look of a deep relationship between these two characters that will stay with you forever.

In the end – every moment of your life they stand watch!

He is Part of the RENTAL FAMILY

 

Jeri Jacquin

On Digital and Bluray from writer/director Hikari and Searchlight Pictures is a stunning look at what we need for our lives sometimes with a RENTAL FAMILY.

Phillip Vanderploeg (Brendan Frasier) has been living in Japan for the last seven years working on his acting career mostly known for a toothpaste commercial. Minor roles here and there, he meets Shinji (Takehiro Hira), the owner of Rental Family who asks him to come in and talk. Trying to earn a living, he goes to the office to hear what Shinji has to say. He explains to Phillip that the job is to play-act family members and friends as the “token” white guy. He also meets staff Aiko (Mari Yamamoto) who isn’t thrilled with him and young Kota (Kimura Bun).

Agreeing to try, his first job is to ‘marry’ a woman named Yoshie to make her parents happy and leaving for Canada. Almost backing out at the last minute, Phillip begins to understand the concept. His next assignment is to be a ‘father’ to the young Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman) as mom Hitomi (Shino Shinozaki) wants to get her into an excellent private school. Another assignment at the same time is being a journalist to retired actor Kikuo Hasegawa (Akira Emoto) under the guise of writing about his life.

Mia isn’t thrilled about meeting her father, Kevin, and is going to make sure that he knows of her anger. The more time they spend together, Mia warms up to him and Phillip is moved by how charming and wonderful she is. Meeting with Kikuo, Phillip learns so much about one of Japan’s beloved actors. Long walks and even longer talks, the respect is created between the two. So much so that Kikuo wants to take a trip but knows his daughter won’t allow it.

But secrets have a way of coming to the surface and Phillip has to decide what to do and how to handle those he has come to care for.

Frasier as Phillip has found a home in Japan and wants to stay but the jobs are scarce and the roles are not exactly what he wants. Finding Rental Family means he would finally have money in his pocket until more roles come his way. The problem is, he finds that perhaps caring about someone other than yourself means putting your heart out. When that happens, he discovers that there are more people around him that need the same thing he does – to be acknowledged. I just love Frasier in this role watching the layers peel back in his relationship with Mia and Kikuo. Such a sweet, sad and charming character Phillip is.

Hira as Shinji is in the business of making the lives of people better by providing something that his culture has a difficult time with. Such as the “apology” package just to name a few. Excited to have Phillip on board, he also holds a secret of his own about life in his own home. There is a double side to Hira’s character but, like Phillip, it is a slow process of peeling back the layers to find the heart that beats beneath.

Yamamoto as Aiko is a stubborn character but she has every right to be. The cases she takes are a bit harsher and the cracks in that are showing. Yamamoto knows what works and when it doesn’t for her anymore, I love her answer to it. Gorman as Mia is a young girl who is thrust into a situation created by her mother. Believing she finally has a father, she also finds someone else on her side and it is so beautiful to watch, until it isn’t.

Emoto as Kikuo reminded me so much of my own grandfather. Spending time with him as he got older, there were moments of remembrance that were heart wrenching and yet filled with love. Emoto gives his story in pieces until it all comes together and Phillip is a witness to the past that still lives with him. Emoto is amazing and wonderful.

Other cast include Sei Matobu as Masami Hasegawa and Misato Morita as Yoshie.

Searchlight Pictures is responsible for such films as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE SHAPE OF WATER and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI. They have an extensive film library as well as documentaries, scripted series, and limited series. For more information, please visit www.searchlightpictures.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.

Digital & Bluray Bonus Features include Rental Family Revealed, Deleted and Extended Scenes: Columbus, Crying Session, Apology, Aiko’s First Client, Clearbright, Tickets, Audition, Phone Call and Final Montage.

RENTAL FAMILY is definitely a different kind of film. I’m sure we have all thought at one time or another that it would be cool to just hire someone to take the brunt of family expectations and then walk away. I’ll admit I have! Director Hikari captures such deep emotion that is cool on the surface but with time and patience, he shows us what really lives inside the hearts of these characters.

Keeping the scenes simple, it allows the audience to feel the relatability although, the scene with the white blossoms is nothing short of breathtaking. Then again, that’s what the whole film is really, one breathtaking moment after another in the lives of people just trying to find their way through situations in their lives. Make sure you have tissue handy because it is that kind of film.

In the end – we all need family!

 

 

 

PREDATOR: Badlands

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director Dan Trachtenberg and 20^th Century Studios is the other side of PREDATOR: Badlands.

Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) and his brother Kwei (Mike Homik) are in the midst of intense and dangerous training. Dek wants to be made part of the Yautja tribe and wants his father Njohrr’s (Ruben de Jong) approval. Part of that is doing what other’s have not been able to – hunt and capture the Kalisk on the planet Genna. After a fight breaks out, Kwei sends his brother off in a ship on his mission.

Landing on Genna, Dek immediate faces creatures and now he becomes the hunted in many ways. Trying to escape them, he meets Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged android belonging to the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Missing the lower half of her body and convincing Dek that he needs a tool to help him find the Kalisk, he begrudgingly agrees. In the fight for food, a creature Thia names Bud becomes part of the group causing Dek even more agitation.

Finding Thia’s campground destroyed by the Kalisk, she tells him about another android named Tessa that is like family to her. Attempting to fix herself with the equipment that survived an attack, Dek takes on the Kalisk. What they also get is a team from Weyland-Yutani led by none other than Tessa as they are both taken prisoner because Weyland-Yutani Corporation wants what the Kalisk has.

Dek and Thia decide that this is not how it’s going to go down at all – this is when Dek, Thia and Bud take matters into their own hands and a reckoning is due!

Schuster-Koloamatangi comes out swinging as Dek. Covered completely in special effects and masks, it doesn’t stop him from showing he has what it takes to jump, slash, climb and carry around an f/x android. It is not a bad way to be a leading man at all. His character proves that size doesn’t matter when you have skill and dedication. Starting out hard as nails, he begins to understand the world off his planet and Schuster-Koloamatangi portrays that.

Fanning gets the chance to play double duty as two androids Tessa and Thia. Thia is the one that has a grasp of the planet and its creatures but also has a heart of gold whether that was hardwired initially or not. Tessa, however, is the angry android that wants to please MU/TH/UR and doesn’t care what she has to do to accomplish that goal. Well done Fanning for getting your chops all over this film with humor, no legs for a time and lots of special effects.

Other cast include Stefan Grube as the voice of Kwei, Rohinal Narayan as the voice of Bud, Alison Wright as the voice of MU/TH/UR and Cameron Brown as Smyth.

Twentieth Century Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.20thcenturystudios.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.

Bonus Feautures include Deleted & Pre-Visualization Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary: Sand Trap-Squirt Canyon-Tessa vs. Abe-Razor Grass-The Outpost-Super Power Loader Extended, Featurettes: Embodying the Predator, Authentic Synthetics, Building the Badlands, Dek of the Yautja and Audio Commentary with Director Trachtenberg.

PREDATOR: Badlands takes the Predator franchise and mixes it up the Alien franchise. It isn’t difficult to figure out which is which with the ships, equipment and concept of getting whatever Weyland wants no matter the cost or who pays the price. This is definitely a film for sci-fi fans with that combination. Schuster-Koloamatangi and Fanny completely carry the film from start to finish and it’s actually quite enjoyable.

Watching it on a large flat screen with a sound bar is pretty cool as well. So, turn off the lights, pop that popcorn and meet the mash up. Not everyone the franchises thought was bad, actually is. Perhaps we have misunderstood them both all along…nahhhhhhh!

In the end – first hunt, last chance!

SPRINGSTEEN: Deliver Me From Nowhere

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K Bluray from director Scott Cooper and 20^th Century Studios is the story of an icon with SPRINGSTEEN: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

Spending some time after his latest tour, Bruce Springsteen (Jeremy Allen White) finds a house in Freehold, New Jersey so that he spent time writing songs. Spending time with friend Matt (Harrison Gilbertson), he also buys a car and heads to the play with The Stony Pony. He also ran into people he knew whether they liked his music or not. Trying to deal with a rush of memories, the record executive Al Teller (David Krumholtz) is asking Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau (Jeremy Strong) when the next album would be ready.

Springsteen is being haunted by the memories of his father Douglas (Stephen Graham) who was an alcoholic and mother Adele (Gaby Hoffmann) who consistently tries to keep harm from coming to a young Bruce. The words start pouring out of him and he realizes that the music might not please the executive. Springsteen and his tech Mike (Paul Walter Hauser) create a makeshift studio on the house and record from there. Not understanding his behaviors is Faye (Odessa Young), a woman trying to have a relationship with Springsteen but she can’t get past the walls he has created.

When the cassette is delivered to the execs, they are clearly not happy with the results. Landau explains that these songs are deeply personal for Springsteen and that the conditions for the album are set in stone. In the studio, another album coms together. would also include the song Born in the U.S.A. Landau turns to masters who manage to save the raw words and music Springsteen created in his home which comes in the form of the album Nebraska.

His dynamic with his father begins to change but everything, the memories of childhood, his musician’s life and relationships push him into a dark place that frightens him to the point of collapse. Turning to his friend, it is time for Springsteen to face the past and embrace the future he was born to.

White as Springsteen takes his performance into the darker side of the iconic musician’s life. Battling demons, he spent his life pushing so hard against. As with all demons, they eventually push there way into life and it is through words and music that it all comes back. White gives a stellar performance showing a man very clear on what is causing his inability to do what he wants to do but unclear on how to keep it from owning him. White gives a harsh but painful reality to that confusion and does so with a grace that is steeped in heartbreak.

Strong as Landau is a man clearly in touch with what Springsteen is able to accomplish and, although he might not understand it at times, he is the one man who will fight for him to the end. Strong’s performance is thoughtful, insightful and giving us a look at a friendship most of us will never know in this life.

Graham as father Douglas is a man with his own liquid demons that also cannot be controlled. It is not a surprise where Springsteen learned it from. Graham’s performance is one of harshness and a regret that comes with age. Hoffmann as mother Adele is a woman who, in essence, fights back until her son can fight on his own. She comes from an era where you don’t throw away a husband because of his flaws and you support a son that is doing what he loves.

Krumholtz as record exec Teller cannot seem to grasp the concept of Springsteen’s music but that’s because he only sees dollar signs and not music. Krumholtz gives his character the right amount of ick-factor to get the job done. Hauser as Mike is another supporter of his friend Springsteen and is the constant messenger that takes nothing but his friend’s music to heart.

Other cast include Marc Maron as Chuck Plotkin, Grace Gummer as Barbara Landau, Chris Jaymes as Dennis King, Johnny Cannizzaro as Steven Van Zandy, and Brian Chase as Max Weinberg. Also, Jay Buchanan, Jake Kiszka, Sam Kiszka as Cats on a Smooth Surface.

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Digital & 4K Bluray Bonus Materials include Exclusive Four-Act Documentary: Making SPRINGSTEEN: Deliver Me From Nowhere and Act 1: From Book to Screen, Act 2: Beyond the Music, Act 3: Becoming Bruce Springsteen, and Act 4: Deep Authenticity.

SPRINGSTEEN: Deliver Me From Nowhere is quite a powerful biopic and what makes it so is that most of us during the time were Dancing in the Dark , there was no way to know what lie beneath the surface. It follows that what we see on stage, the performance and the energy, might not always be what lives in the heart of the performer. This story is more personal than I have seen from biopics in recent years (with perhaps the exception of Bohemian Rhapsody).

I loved the telling of the story that isn’t hindered by anything other than White giving us a nosedive into where Springsteen was at that time in his life. Wanting to create something that would last instead of what can be listened to and forgotten after a few plays, all of that came at a cost – the past. Finding his way forward, the journey was hard, frightening and yet life affirming. We could all use a bit of that at the moment.

In the end – he finds music his way!