Sunday, March 30, 2025

Saturday at WonderCon 2025

 

Jeri Jacquin

Starting the morning off at WonderCon 2025 on a Saturday is one of my favorite television series but with a twist here, Only Murders in the Building: Solve the Editors’ Murder Mystery brings editors Shelly Westerman and Matthew Barbato to the table. They talked about their process in putting together comedy, drama and murder. This was a fun way to get good ideas if anyone else is thinking about writing a murder mystery. Back again into the galaxy far, far away, The Skeleton Crew Boys brings actors Ravi Cabot-Conyers and Robert Smith for this interactive panel talking about their roles and meeting fans.

When I studied to become a teacher of curriculum and instruction, comics were always frowned upon so I was thrilled to hear from the panel about Engaging Students with Comics in the Classroom. Using comics to engage students, the Comic-Con Educator Book Club is essential for teachers who want to learn how this can be achieved. Teachers from San Diego include Jaimie Chavez, Lorran Garrison, Ella Rogosin, Scott Nielsen, and Mike Cruz share.

Bad Idea brings John Wick’s Robert Venditti and Derek Kolstad take a look into what’s next including art from Planet Death and Ordained. The gentlemen were joined by Dinesh Shamdasani, Peter Stern, Benjamin Simpson and Siena Fallon. The 5th Annual “It’s Alive!”: Designing Sci-Fi, Horror, and Comic Book Genre Film and TV is one my granddaughter would have loved. The concept of the worlds in these genres come into play and goes deep into how characters are created and how it is more than just a concept. Brett W. Bachman, Christina Wen, Johnny Han, Jon Dudkowski, Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson share their feelings on the process.

In 1984, the film GREMLINS hit the theatres and blew audiences right out of the water. It has become an iconic film that can be seen and appreciated over and over. The panel Gremlins: The Wild Batch Screening and Q&A brings the Warner Bros. and Max Original series to WonderCon showing a never-before-seen episode. The panel Tze Chun, Brendan Hay, Joe Dante, John Glover, and Sherri Chung talk about what it takes to bring the characters of Gizmo, Sam and Elle to the animated series.

If Middle Earth is more your thing, Lord of the Rings: Previewing Up Coming Projects gives Tolkien-ites a look into what is coming since the success of the animated film THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM which I absolutely loved without taking anything away from The Rings of Power on Prime. Josh Rubinstein, Kristi Fojtik, Clifford Broadway, Cathy Udovch and Nicole Roberts join in the conversation which was full of insight of what’s happening and what’s to come for fans of Middle Earth.

Faith based films are a big box office draw and A Faith-Full Dickens Tale: The Kings of Kings Animated Movie is sure to bring in a big draw. The bible story not only brings about an adventure but it does so while taking on the story of Jesus through Charles Dickens. The cast can boast some big names such as Kenneth Branagh, Oscar Isaac, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, and Forest Whitaker. Taking the directors chair is director/producer Seong-ho Jang and screenwriter Rob Edwards and brought by Angel Studios.

Jesse Negron, Tom Moran, Dave Elliott, and Anthony Francisco (senior visual development artist for Marvel Studios) discuss what is on the horizon for Mechanical Cake and Scott Free, starting with their debut graphic novel, Modville, Ridley Scott’s first foray into graphic novels. Modville is a sci-fi Southern Gothic crime drama with AI humans in future New Orleans. Moderated by Chris Northrop (Horrible Future). Book 1 of Modville is written by Jesse Negron and drawn by Hendry Prasetya and Eko Puteh.

Sony Pictures brings a new thriller with UNTIL DAWN. One year after her sister Melanie mysteriously disappeared, Clover and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening. Trapped in the valley, they’re forced to relive the night again and again - only each time the killer threat is different, each more terrifying than the last. Hope dwindling, the group soon realizes they have a limited number of deaths left, and the only way to escape is to survive until dawn.

More programming that was worthy of WonderCon is Defiant: The Robert Smalls Story in Comics, Graphic Novel and Film, Gunslingers and Ghosts: The Rise of the Weird West, and Young Indy to Young Ani: The Origins of the Star Wars Prequels.

Wrapping up a long and eventful day filled with where we have come to where we are now with so many genres and stories is the The 2025 WonderCon Masquerade. WonderCon brings their annual competition with costumes that are created by serious fans. Judged by costume designers, the masquerade also comes with a few goodies, wins and entertainment. It is a wonderful way to gather together with friends and fellow cosplayers and celebrate everything WonderCon!

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Today Begins the Fun of WONDERCON 2025!

 

Jeri Jacquin

Here we are at the Anaheim Convention Center for the beginning of WonderCon 2025 from March 28th-30th. It is always a fantastic time to explore so many events and the people dressed up are equally amazing. The day begins with Spider-Men: Multiversal Storytelling as the talk is navigating the multiverse of this iconic character with James Thompson, Patrick Reed and Peter Coogan and where they see it going in the future.

Signa and Robot Invasion! Features The Rupert Wars as the Pan-Universal Galactic Worldwide brings new comics to the delight of the room. Maryelizabeth Yturralde leads the talk with creators Livio Ramondelli, Yuri Ramondelli and PUG-W founder John Nee talks about the inner workings and ideas that fans have to look forward too. It truly was interesting to hear where the ideas come from and how they make their way onto the page.

Being a happy horror lady from way back in the day, anything titled Monstrous Horror in Comics, Film and Beyond is going to be on my must-attend list. The line up of creators Rebekah and David McKendry, Shannon Denton, Dirk Blackman, David Harman and Kevin Grevioux are just the people I wanted to hear from. I had the opportunity to hear where their love of monsters comes from and was thrilled to discover that it isn’t far off from my own experience. Let’s face it, monsters scare some people out of their skin, and then there is people like me who want to find the scariest thing to read and watch.

That also falls into with Threads of Fantasy, Fright, and High-Stakes Action because you can write about a scary thing, you can do comics of scary things but it is people like Jennifer Bryan, Christine Wada, Marie Schley, Cynthis Summers and Annie Loppert who brings that scary to life, especially Summers who has The Last of Us on her resume! Follow that up with Alexa Donne, Liz Kerin, CJ Leede, Chuck Tingle and Justine Winans who talk scary icons with Terrifying Tropes. So needless to say, I’m having a horror of a good time with all this.

Moving past the horror and into a universe that I have had in my life since first seeing Luke Skywalker stand on the sunset ridge looking longingly out at a world he thinks he’s missing, puppeteers Victor Franco, William Miyamoto and Rob Wight talks about their work on Skeleton Crew and Kenobi. Being that Obi-wan had such an influence on me as a kid, I leaned into listening to the technical aspects that happened on Kenobi.

Raising two boys on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it was a shock to them when I told them it is the 35th Anniversary of the first TMNT film. Now they now how I felt when they were kids and the reality of a favorite show anniversary came up – makes a few gray hairs pop up. Producer Bobby Herbeck tells the inside stories of trying to get the 1990 version of the film made and the pitfalls as well as reactions to the first film.

To wrap the first day, Adult Swim (and who doesn’t love Adult Swim!!) provides fans with a Sneak Peek from Shinichiro Watanabe and two episodes of the sci-fi thriller Lazaris. Prepared to be thrilled because if you loved Cowboy Bebop, then Lazarus is going to knock your socks off. That isn’t the only screening tonight as AMC is bringing THE WALKING DEAD: Dead City to WonderCon. The walkers are back along with Maggie played by Lauren Cohan and the once most hated and now most beloved Negan. Season one ended with glaring looks from Maggie and Negan realizing that going to Manhattan might not have been such a good idea after all. There is a war for control and these two characters are stuck in-between it all.

Also, Comic-Con: The Cruise, The Ultimate Fan Adventure™, is set to make waves at WonderCon 2025 with an exclusive panel discussion on Friday, March 28, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 p.m. in Room North 200A at the Anaheim Convention Center. Titled “An Immersive Fan Experience,” the discussion will unveil how this dedicated team created an environment that brings the spirit of Comic-Con to life in an entirely new way. Panelists include David Glanzer (Comic-Con International’s Chief Communications and Strategy Officer), Felicia Day (creator, actress, singer and host of Comic-Con: The Cruise), Robb Pearlman (New York Times best-selling author and Comic-Con: The Cruise curator), Yaya Han (costume designer, cosplayer, author, 2025 Comic-Con: The Cruise Artists’ Alley cosplayer and panelist), Sarah Myer (comic artist, writer, colorist and 2025 Comic-Con: The Cruise Artists’ Alley exhibitor and panelist) and JT Watters (Comic-Con: The Cruise programming and production team).

Mondo, known for creating limited-edition posters, vinyl soundtracks, premium collectibles, and games, has announced today their Mondo Toy Talk Live panel at WonderCon 2025!

Go behind the scenes of film and television with Impact24 PR at WonderCon 2025! Attendees will learn how projects like Cobra Kai, The Penguin, Agatha All Along, and more get made in three special panels featuring industry professionals! Hear firsthand from writers, directors, editors, composers, sound designers, makeup artists, costume designers, and more about the filmmaking process and the creative decisions behind your favorite stories. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain exclusive entertainment insight!

Tomorrow there will be panels including A Faith-Full Dickens Tale: The King of Kings Animated Movie, Legion M: It’s All Happening II, Defiant: The Robert Smalls Story in Comics, Graphic Novel … and Film!, Watchers: The Next Step in Collectible Card Games, Temple of Geek to Host Panel on Turning Fandom into Community Projects, and so much more to come on Saturday.

This has been a world wind of a first day and tomorrow is going to have so much more. WonderCon brings out the best and brightest in all genres with only three days to get as much of the experience as possible.

Onward to day two!

The One and Only DOG MAN Fights Crime on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Peter Hastings, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the one and only DOG MAN.

Police Officer Knight and sidekick dog Greg are severely injured and in order to save them both, the doctors create Dog Man! Quick healing puts Dog Man back on the streets to try and capture Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson). Dog Man’s boss Chief (Lil Rel Howery) knows that the town’s mayor (Cheri Oteri) is becoming frustrated and makes it clear to get that cat!

Petey (Pete Davidson) is wreaking havoc and with each capture, he realizes that its time to be more creative. Deciding to double himself, what actually happens is the creation of Little Petey (Lucas Hopkins), an adorable child version of big Petey. Not happy with the outcome, in one moment he becomes happy when little Petey goes missing.

Not really missing really, more like left and Dog Man finds him! Taking him home, the two become attached to one another. Keeping up on the news of what Petey is doing is Sarah Hatoff (Isla Fisher), the local news reporter and her trusty cameraman Seamus (Billy Boyd). To add more mischief and mayhem Petey has created a robot and manages to bring Flippy the Fish (Ricky Gervais) into the chaos.

So now Dog Man, must find a way to stop the madness created by Petey while also keeping Chief and the mayor happy and not crushing Little Petey’s spirit. That’s a tall order for a small Dog Man but nothing that he can’t handle without a little surprising help.

Writer/Director Hastings has decided to be the barking voice of Dog Man and there certainly isn’t anything wrong with that. He is able to provide the right emotions for this animated creation and it did look like fun. Davidson as Petey the Cat is a bit psychotic, a bit maniacal and a bit misunderstood. It takes a duplicate to test what he believes about himself but doesn’t stop the creation of more problems.

Howery as Chief tries to deal with Dog Man and the mayor giving him more headaches than he knows what to do with. There is a little jealousy about all the attention Dog Man is getting so there’s that issue to deal with. Fisher as Hatoff had me cracking up with her reporter skills and with the help of Boyd as Seamus, these two characters are perfect together and these two actors gave perfect voices to them.

Gervais as Flippy the Fish has us rolling with laughter and the lines delivered had Gervais all over them. The craziness is there and we were loving every moment. Hopkins as Little Petey is charming, adorable and almost made me want an orange cat – almost. His voice gives us reason to believe that a character can be a little bad even if he’s all good.

Other cast include Stephen Root as Grandpa, Poppy Liu as Butler, Luenell as Milly, Melissa Villasenor as the Realtor, Brian Hopkins as Big Jim, Yung Gravy as Mr. Whiskers, and Karen Foster as the Robot.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

Universal Pictures has amazing films in their library. 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.

Exclusive Bonus Features include Deleted and Extended Scenes with Introductions by Screenwriter/Director Peter Hastings, Meet the Pack, The Making of DOG MAN: A Sarah Hatoff Exclusive, Howl to Draw Flip-o-Rama Style, Howl to Make Doughnuts for Dogs and Feature Commentary with Screenwriter/Director Peter Hastings.

Dav Pilkey is the creator of Dog Man but this isn’t his first works to go from book to screen. He is also responsible for Captain Underpants books that also made it to the screen successfully. Pilkey has written 12 Dog Man books, several in the Dragon series, Dumb Bunnies books, Cat Kid Comic Club, Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot, Big Dog & Little Dog and other books.

First of all, DOG MAN is one of my granddaughters’ all-time favorite books to read and she cannot get enough of them. When I told her that Dog Man had been made into a film, she was thrilled beyond belief and made sure that I took her to see it. Her favorite character is Petey and she was so happy from beginning to end. Now that Dog Man is on Bluray/Digital, she can watch over and over again!

The film is funny with the zany story and it even had references that are meant to make the adults laugh. DOG MAN is so colorful and the animation is well done to the point where I could hold up one of the books next to the film poster and there is hardly any difference. That’s what made it so excitable to watch, keeping the characters as they have come to be loved by kids and probably a few adults.

DOG MAN is the perfect family film to bring the family together so grab popcorn and laugh. It is so well animated, colorful, fun and full of laughter from start to finish.

In the end – part dog, part man and all hero!

Thursday, March 27, 2025

A Thriller with DEATH OF A UNICORN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Alex Scharfman and A24 is a story with a mythical twist when there is a DEATH OF A UNICORN.

Elliot (Paul Rudd) is attempting to work his way up the ladder of a company owned by the Leopold’s. Driving up to their property in the mountains, he brings daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) along to spend time since his wife’s death and to show they are a close family. Driving up the winding road, Elliot takes his eyes off the road for one second before hitting something in the road.

Ridley walks up to the creature on the road and touches it causing something weird to happen. Elliot decides that it is up to him to put the creature out of its misery. Arriving at the Leopold house, he is met by Belinda Leopold (Tea Leoni) and son Shepard (Will Poulter) who bring them into the extravagant house that takes Ridley by surprise. Elliot meets with Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant) who is very ill.

While Ridley takes a look around, Elliot is in the process of signing business papers with the Leopold’s who are happy he is working with them. That is until family assistant Shaw (Jessica Hynes) notices something moving in the back of Elliot’s car! Even butler Griff (Anthony Carrigan) sees the vehicle rocking like crazy. Everyone runs out of the house in time to see the creature Elliot hit earlier!

Odell immediately calls in Dr. Bhatia (Sunita Mani) and Dr. Song (Steve Park), two scientists who try to understand what the creature is. While all the madness is happening, Ridley is doing her research to discover what the creature is and present her findings to the Leopold’s – it is a unicorn! They aren’t as interested in her story as they are in what they discover about the creature. Now, Elliot and Ridley are faced with being the only two who realize that the Leopold’s are determined on destruction.

Actually, there are more creatures in the woods and they are, well, very angry and looking to hold someone responsible.  

Rudd as Elliot is a twitchy widower who wants to be financially secure to take care of his daughter. He believes the Leopold’s are they key to making that happen and is a bit of a shoe licker about it. When the craziness begins, he is still twitchy but slowly realizes his daughter is on to something! This role is perfect for Rudd as he takes on his usual humor and ability to be that “dad” who thinks wrong to make things right. Ortega as Ridley is a daughter who is irritated with her father for many reasons while trying to deal with the death of her mother. Once they arrive at the Leopold’s, Ridley wants to leave sensing that something isn’t right but there is a reason. Ortega gets a chance to wiggle around the crazies of the house and is the princess of the story.

Grant as Odell is a sickly man who hires Elliot to help with the family business. Once that sickness is put in check, the business side of Odell comes out and so does greed and destruction. Grant is fantastic in this role and I loved watching him do what he does best, take a role and make it his own. Leoni as Belinda does a superb job of being irritating in a hilarious way. Watching her bounce off Grant’s role of Odell is impressive and it is good to see her on the screen again.

Carrigan as Griff is one of the outstanding characters in the film and from now on, I will be yelling “Griiiiiiiffffff” anytime I want something. Carrigan has to be seen to be hilariously believed. Hynes as Shaw has only one goal, be as tough as she can be. As the Leopold’s assistant, Hynes character is protective of the family and is going to take on whatever is in the woods.

Song as Park is the scientist trying to discover what it is about the creature that can be a cure to so many things. Mani as Dr. Bhatia is the other scientist who knows that you don’t mess with the Leopold’s. Both of the scientists are just as twitchy as Elliot!

The outstanding character here is Poulter as Shepard who is a narcissistic, spoiled and entitled man-child. That being said, oh my goodness did he have me laughing myself silly. His antics and line deliveries were sheer perfection. I can’t even explain adequately Poulter’s performance because it truly does need to be experienced but be prepared to jaw drop and giggle like crazy.

Other cast include Denise Delgado as Ridley’s Mom and Kathryn Erbe as the Tapestry Narrator.

A24 is an independent entertainment company that specializes in film and television production based in New York City. Films such as A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE MIND OF CHARLES SWAN III, the amazing EX MACHINA, ROOM and THE WITCH. Many of their films can be found on DirecTV Cinema and Amazon Prime. For more information, please visit www.a24films.com.

DEATH OF A UNICORN is a thriller, comedy and horror film all rolled into one. Normally I’d be a little leery of that combination but writer/director Scharfman must have found some unicorn dust of his own. Putting this cast together was another stroke of genius because they played off one another and made it look so darn easy. I had so many reactions to the film and every single one of them was fun. The CGI gives us total unicorn and, as a childhood unicorn lover, I was thrilled with what they came up with.

Having beloved mythical creatures as the “bad guys” had me at go from the beginning and the way they are brought to the story had me cheering. Does it seem I’m being vague? Absolutely so! There is no way I want to spoil this film for anyone who is headed to the theatre this weekend. It is a weird, strange, twisted story and the biggest thing it has going for it is originality and that’s saying a lot with the films of late.

Get that tub of popcorn and take a mythical, magical ride of terror.

In the end – they’re going to make a killing!

It is all About THE PENGUIN LESSONS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Peter Cattaneo from the true story novel of the same name by Tom Michell and Sony Picture Classics comes a story of a friend and THE PENGUIN LESSONS.

Taking a teaching job at Buenos Aires in 1976, slightly disgruntled-about-life Englishman Tom Michell (Steve Coogan) arrives at the all-boys St. George’s College. He is immediately greeted by the political upheaval in the country. Headmaster Buckle (Jonathan Pryce) makes it clear that the scores for the boys in his class are low and they must be brought up. From day one in the classroom, Michell sees the boys have no desire to listen or learn but his apathetic attitude just goes along to get along.

An unexpected creature comes into his life in the form of an oil-soaked penguin. Getting him cleaned up, Michell soon discovers that finding a penguin is one thing, trying to get it to leave is another. Sneaking it back to his teacher’s dorm, Michell immediately tries to find someone else to take him but sets up house with his new roommate. Trying to hide a penguin proves to also be interesting but housekeepers Sofia (Alfonsina Carrocio) and her grandmother Maria (Vivian El Jaber) are let in on the secret and Juan Salvador (Juan Salvador Gaviota is Spanish for Jonathan Livingston Seagull) is named and instantly loved.

Inviting the women to lunch, Michell learns more about the struggle the people of Buenos Aires are facing and it is Sofia who is vocal about it all much to his delight. The authorities taking people off the streets never to be seen again makes Michell uncomfortable. Back in class, he is once again met by students who seem to have no use for education with the exception of the young bullied boy Diego (David Herrero). Michell decides that Juan Salvador might help in this regard and – it works. The students begin to finally hear their teacher but also, a change happens in Michell.

Juan Salvador becomes a quiet fixture to students and staff and enjoys their company and feeding time as Michell realizes that being with the school is everything. When frightening events happen with Sofia, as well as Michell, he discovers that he truly had become someone that needed to stand up for his students, people he cares about and even a black and white penguin that has become the biggest teacher of all.

Coogan as Michell gives us the character of a man who just seems to have given up being anything other than a being in survival mode. Seeing this teaching position as a way of earning a paycheck and little else, the universe has a big surprise for him. Oh sure, he fights it and he tries to make it go away, but a little penguin has other plans. Coogan is so good at being indifferent that when his frailties come forward and his story is told, it begins to make sense. What a wonderful role and beautifully done.

Carrocio as Sophia is a young woman who believes in her country and shares her feelings with Michelle. He instantly knows that she is someone special and besides, Juan Salvador kind of likes her. Carrocio gives us a peek into her character and my only wish is that she shared the screen more. El Jaber as Maria is a loving grandmother who wants what’s best for her generational family. She instantly takes to Juan Salvador and wants what is best for him and that’s not a cage. When her family struggles, El Jaber shows us a woman who came from strong people and will do whatever is necessary to keep her family intact. Absolutely amazing!

Pryce as Headmaster Buckle is firm in what he expects from Michell and keeps an eye on him. When he discovers Juan Salvador, his barking orders are quickly turned with a single conversation. I have to say, I absolutely adore Pryce and everything he has done so even this small role I am here for. Herrero as Diego is a young man who feels out of place among his classmates and, oddly enough, it is Michell who understands the young man. Herrero is just a dear and there is a moment that he gave his character a grace that just made me tear up, you will see.

Shout out to Bjorn Gustafsson as Tapio, another teacher in the school who also has a chance to be won over by Juan Salvador’s fishy charms!

Other cast include Julia Fossi as Anna, Hugo Fuertes as Ramiro, Miguel Serrano as Walter, Aimar Miranda as Ernesto, Nicanor Montechiarini as Igor and Florencia Nocetti as Nora.

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.

THE PENGUIN LESSONS is an absolutely lovely film that is a mixture of a schoolteachers awakening, a country’s madness, a school’s bit of apathy and a penguin that finds more to his own life. That would seem like a lot but, in this case, it works brilliantly. You cannot remove one of these scenarios without the story caving in on itself and the fact that it is a true story is even more emotionally intense.

To be honest, I do enjoy films where animals take the front stage to show humans that we are more capable than we realize. Yes, this is a penguin who doesn’t have a lot to say but in that lies the truth that we hold the keys to our own jails. Recognizing his own frailties, Coogan’s Michelle is sarcastic, confrontational, avoids almost everything having to do with his emotions and has a history he refuses to acknowledge. We should all be so graced with an unexpected penguin to snap us back into the real world.

Working with a beautiful creature, director Cattaneo says, “Juan Salvador is a small Magellanic penguin. Like all our favorite pets, his charm comes partly from his imperfections. He can be stubborn, he’s quite scruffy and stinks of fish. Working to capture him on camera called for an unorthodox, naturalistic approach.  I encouraged the cast and crew to stay patient and reactive, embracing the unexpected from the penguin. This way, I found the door was opened to unscripted magic. His little moments of spontaneity brought joy to the case and crew alike and resulted in some of my favorite scenes in the film”.

In the end – life can change when an enlightened being arrives!

 

 

 

They Believe in AUDREY’S CHLDREN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Ami Canaan Mann and Blue Harbor Entertainment comes the story of a woman way before her time with AUDREY’S CHILDREN.

It is 1969 and Dr. Audrey Evans (Natalie Dormer) has arrived at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to take up her position as the first female Chief of Oncology. Her boss is none other than Dr. C. Everett Koop (Clancy Brown) who believes that Dr. Evans has something special she can bring to the table. Right off the bat, Dr. Evans shows that she is no shrinking violet much to the surprise of her colleagues. Yet one, Dr. Dan D’Angio (Jimmi Simpson) is willing to listen to her ideas but also caution’s when she becomes too vocal.

Wanting to find a way to treat children faster and with new methods, Dr. Evans takes risks and, at one point, goes over the heads of hospital administrators. Making it clear that Neuroblastoma treatments are needed quickly, she does receive time to come up with a staging system to classify the disease in such a way that each individual child is treated for their specific needs. Dr. D’Angio begins to understand her and realizes that she is onto something and even tries her method of getting things done.

At the same time, Dr. Evans discovers that families who are at Children’s Hospital can not afford to stay long due to the prices of hotels and food. This gives Dr. Evans another idea that means she, once again. will do the unconventional. Never taking ‘no’ for an answer is the reason that her work and legacy would come to impact the lives around the world.

Dormer as Dr. Evans portrays a woman that just doesn’t know the meaning of ‘no’. She faced criticism and sexism by her peers, was frowned upon for her way of doing things and pushed upon by those who felt threatened by what she was trying to accomplish. Dormer easily handled this role as she has with so many other strong female characters and I would expect nothing less. As Dr. Evans, Dormer gave us a portrayal that is charming, feisty, determined and goal oriented and I was riveted by her performance.

Simpson as Dr. D’Angio looked to be out of sorts when meeting Dr. Evans, shocked at the way she handled things and yet, found a way to see her point of view and even, in his own way, embrace it. In an era where a man did not do such things, Simpson gave us one who dared to take a step out of the proverbial box to see the world that needed them both.  Brown as Dr. Koop played both sides of the fence on this one. He was angry when Dr. Evans pushed a little too hard against the grain and yet kept it to himself that he believed she could accomplish so much more.

Other cast include Brandon Hall as Dr. Brian Faust, Julianna Layne as Mia McAlister, Evelyn Giovine as Kate Watson, Maggie Toomey as young Audrey, Ben Chase as Dr. Jeremy Lewis, and Roberto Lombardi as Dr. Jeff Katz.

Blue Harbor Entertainment offers filmmakers a much-needed alternative in today’s challenging distribution environment by providing a comprehensive distribution and marketing solution covering theatrical releases, home entertainment, digital streaming platforms, and television – all under a service fee structure that empowers filmmakers. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.blueharborentertainment.com.

Dr. Audrey Evans co-founded the first Ronald McDonald House for families of patients, and, ultimately, impacted the lives of millions of children and families around the world!

The film was the Official Selection at the Philadelphia Film Festival as well as winning the Local Audience Award at the same festival, the Stony Brook Film Festival gave the film the Humanitarian Award, Jury Nominee at the Austin Film Festival, and the Tribeca X Award Winner Feature at the Tribeca Festival.

AUDREY’S CHILDREN is a wonderful story about a woman who knew what she wanted to achieve and found a way to make that happen. Believing that there was a way to help children that would otherwise succumb to their illness, Dr. Evans pushed the envelope of what is expected in the medical field. Being a woman in her position did not seem to slow her down but instead bring more focus to her efforts. The film is released in Honor of Women’s History Month and the late Dr. Evans’ 100th Birthday.

This is a story that everyone should see and experience if for nothing else, to understand that women have made an impact in the world in such stellar ways. The history of the Ronald McDonald House is admittedly a story that I did not even know so it is thrilling to finally know how it came about and the work so many put in to make it happen. Even today, families are supported by the work Dr. Evans and those working with her accomplished and the world couldn’t be more grateful.

In the end – they said it can’t be done, she said we’ll see about that!

Friday, March 21, 2025

THE BLUE ANGELS Documentary is Stunning

 


 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently showing at the Fleet Science Center San Diego and selected IMAX theatre locations national wide from producers J.J. Abrams and Glen Powell, directed by Paul Crowder is the story of those who fly THE BLUE ANGELS.

The history of the Blue Angels comes from its beginnings as Admiral Chester Nimitz wanted to keep the focus for the public on Navy aviation in 1946. He asked LCDR. Butch Voris, who would become the first Blue Angels Boss, to create a team that would do just that. Admiral Nimitz could never have possibly imagined how far and how high these Blue Angels would have come. This 45-minute documentary follows the elite Flight Demonstration Squadron for a year with immersive footage putting viewers directly into the cockpit!



In El Centro, California, is a base where jets that are recognized around the world are being maintained. It is also the place where pilots and crew prepare for the air shows that have taken audiences to amazing heights. It is the job of the flight leader Capt. Brian Kesselring, Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels, to get it right. Major Frank “Chomps” Zastoupil, Blue Angels #4, is in his final year and believes he has the best seat in the house.

LCDR Monica “Doc” Borza is also in her final year as the flight surgeon and is the ground safety officer. She is in the know of everything that needs to be watched, especially with new pilots on the team. There are decisions she must make as to what she sees and how to address it with the new pilots when they meet on the ground. She makes it her business to be straight forward to give the pilots their greatest chance of success. That includes monitoring Lt. Scott "Jamamy" Goossens who is in his first year as Blue Angel #3.

It is a daily routine of wake up, fly, fly, fly, meet, study, sleep only to wake up and do it all over again. A motivating factor in what they do is with someone like Capt. (Ret.) Greg “Boss” Wooldridge, a former Blue Angel boss who recalls his time as “chasing excellence”. It is in the formations that the Blue Angels continually strive for that excellence. The amazing formations, such, as the Diamond Formation, are practiced time and time again and at such close range that it is jaw-dropping.

The toll of it all is not only mental, but physical as well as LCDR Julius “Whiskers” Bratton, a third year #6 Blue Angel, understands this and Doc Borza speaks about. She explains that they use their entire bodies to control and maneuver the aircraft with intense G-force. These pilots must practice maneuvers for their bodies to know exactly how to react. LCDR Cary “Chewy” Rickoff is in his final year as Blue Angel #5 and is well aware that what they do in the air is dangerous and that is where debriefing comes in.

The film documents one week before the first show of the season and coming together is even more important to work out the details for the pilots to tighten up the maneuvers. They are focusing on their aerial work that the past weeks have taught them. At the briefing, Boss goes over each and every plan in a language that only the pilots could possibly understand.



As the first air show of the season begins, the arrival of those coming to watch begins to enter the air field. Each pilot prepares themselves to blot out what is around them and focus on what their goal is – excellence. In the air is nothing more than what is called “Blue Angel magic!” Now, they must repeat that for the next eight months for 32 cities and 61 shows. Thirty thousand pounds of cargo and personnel make the shows possible as each person is responsible for keeping the show like a well-oiled machine and focused. Each knows that they represent something special as well as representing those who have gone before them. Now, it is time for Kesselring to choose his replacement and the process is set with certain requirements and his choice is Capt. Alex “Scribe” Armatas. There is also a process of who will become the next Blue Angel pilot and they are looking for the best to carry on the traditions and that came with the first female pilot in Lt. Amanda Lee as well as LCDR Thomas “Franz” Zimmerman.

As their season comes to an end and replacements are chosen for the next season in many of the positions in the Blue Angels group, it is also a chance to finish in a memorable way that is nothing short of spectacular.



LCDR Monica “Doc” Borza, who is involved in such a high level with the Blue Angel pilots, has the duty of observing what the pilots are able to handle and being clear not only explain that they have a lot to learn but what those involved are getting themselves into. I have the opportunity to talk with Borza about her time with the Blue Angels. A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, LCDR Borza grew up in a beach town with Navy fighter jets flying over her childhood home every day. Hand selected in August 2020 to be the Flight Surgeon for the Blue Angels; she is only the fourth female in their history to hold that position.

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with LCDR Borza of her experience with the Blue Angels:

Good morning, I am so honored to speak with you today. My father was in the Navy for over 32 years and every year when the Blue Angels came, he would pack up the family in the station wagon and off to Mira Mar we went to see the Blue Angels. So, speaking to you today about them is also a part of my own history with them.

That’s wonderful to hear your experience with the Blue Angels. The Mira Mar Airshow every year, that’s a big one and we never miss it.

Seeing what you do, I was so amazed. Here you are in this large group of guys but I noticed that your job, you are everywhere in it. What drew you to be a part of something so iconic?

That is a phenomenal question and I think it is the innate spirit we have as active-duty service members to want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, giving more than just focusing on your personal life and giving to the greater good, to society and to this nation. I was originally stationed at San Diego at Mira Mar so I know Mira Mar very well when I was a brand-new flight doc and I was with the FMAS 3-14 and they are a single seat squadron, all male at that time, I was one of the first females walking into the Ready Room with very combat-proven fighter pilots. I was very welcomed and it was like I was with them through thick and thin and we were a team. Getting that experience as my first kind of operational tour definitely set me up for success to want to continue to pursue that kind of opportunities and experiences. It was, my pilots that encouraged me to apply to become the Blue Angel Flight Surgeon. They figured I would be good for the job and they really had a big impact on me during my first tour. We are all still in touch and close. The military is amazing because you create lifelong friends that want to keep inspiring you to do something bigger than yourself.

Once you went to El Centro, knowing that the military is a very family-oriented group, how did you have to jump in? All the things you do to have to get these pilots ready, it seems like it is a very quick process so for you to jump right in, how fast did you have to adapt?

That’s a good question; we are all learning how to be a Blue Angel when we get there from day one. The Flight Surgeon on the team, not only are you taking care of their health but you are also a Safety Officer for the demonstration so you are on a headset with all six pilots. You are there, the eyes on the ground for them to keep them safe. I had to know all the different maneuvers, the altitudes, the air speeds, exactly where each jet was supposed to be at all times during that demonstration. I had different cues that I would say and speak up if something was unsafe. That way there is that little extra safety net in case they cannot see something from the ground perspective. That definitely took some training to learn the demonstration and learn the right lingo and learn more about the aircraft. Like the F-18 we were transferring to the F-18 Super Hornet the year I joined so we had a big learning experience all together where I would be out in the desert known as The Shade Tree which many naval Navy and Marine Corps. aviators know that range out in El Centro. I would spend from dawn to dusk watching them and being on a headset with them to let them know the flaps at that angle worked on a maneuver. Sometimes we had to figure it out with the new aircraft to keep them safe and to keep it looking like the Blue Angel magic that we have been showing since 1946. That was definitely a growing opportunity for me.

So, it is almost like you are doing double duty in that you are watching their physical and mental wellbeing because in the film you talk about what these flights do to their bodies. When you are choosing the new pilots and you are putting them through the paces, what are you looking for?

Any aviator that is going to apply to be a Blue Angel, we do a thorough check into their medical history and really take a look to make sure they are healthy and safe to do these high-G, physical demanding maneuvers on a daily basis. It can take a toll on the body and another fun fact is that there is a forty-pound weight on the stick to help keep counter pressure so that the jet has more fine tone movements since we are flying so close together. When we are doing a demonstration, we want fine movements and that is tough. I have never personally held a forty-pound weight for forty-five minutes straight with just one hand in the bicep active position. They definitely have to be able to do that so we go through a strength test actually before they join the time while they are trying out. It is important because that way we know that they are physically capable to be a Blue Angel. Then we go through the centrifuge training and that also is very demanding. Every Naval aviator that has flown in fighter jets, they have gone through the centrifuge before going on to the fleet. When they come to the Blue Angels, they now go through it again but this time without the G-suit. That is a big learning experience for them to learn how to engage the muscles a little more than what they are used to. It is a little bit more than what they are used to because they no longer have that active inflating and deflating suit to help keep them awake while they are flying. It is a process and you will see in the film that the incoming boss didn’t pass the first time he got into the centrifuge. The best of the best still has to work at it, practice, give it their all, fine tune their movements because it is a team effort. He couldn’t have gotten there without the great centrifuge staff that were there to help.



Have you gone through the centrifuge?

Yes, it’s a fun time.

What does that feel like?

It feels like someone is just pulling you down with the heaviest weight you can imagine making you sink into the seat. Once you hit a certain level of G’s, your vision does start to, what we call gray out or tunnel vision where the blood is basically being pulled from your head down to your feet. The blood vessel behind your eyes are smaller than all the other ones in your head, they are the first to lose blood and that’s why the vision is the first to be affected. That’s the first warning sign for pilots and they know that. They know that if their vision starts to be affected that they need to loosen on the reigns of that stick or do your anti-G maneuver with perfect technique. It gives them a little wake up call. When you are in the centrifuge it is demanding but you have great coaches helping you along.

I noticed that as well, you are never alone, there is always someone there talking you through it, and they have back up and they have a backup. Do you think that’s how everyone stays so cohesive, because there is such an extended back up system?

Yes, I whole heartedly believe that we would not be able to do what we do if this was not a team effort. It doesn’t only apply to the team in the blue suits and sharp uniforms, it comes to everyone contributing to our success. From the platforms that we fly, those staff that help us to really make sure we have all the capabilities possible, to the air shows staff, they are wonderful making sure that we are safe and ready to perform in their city when we get there and we don’t have to worry about anything else. We are incredibly successful because of the community and everyone that contributes to our success. It is a massive team effort and more than just the team on the flightline.

I noticed that the closeness of the jet crew on the Fat Albert, to those that pack the plane, everyone seems to focused. It is like ‘this is my job and I do it well’ and it’s handed to the next person and the next.

Yes ma’am, I’m glad you picked up on that because that is our whole goal, our mission, to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. We are just doing what we love to do but its nice to have that as an added bonus.

What is the length of time someone can be with the Blue Angels?

All the positions are orders to go to the Blue Angels but it is also an application process. There is an admin who comes out and says what positions will be hiring that year that way anyone out in the fleet who is capable and qualified can apply. It is about a six-month application process where you get to know the current team, we invite the applicant to come out and see how we operate at an airshow and interact with them. They get a chance to get to know them and get to know us and see what it’s like with that kind of high pace and high demand life style and we get it. After that whole process, when you are called and told you are selected, it is the most incredible feeling in the world. The next day you have orders and you head to Pensacola, Florida and that’s your new duty station. Certain positions on the team there are certain timelines. The pilots are typically two years, there is one pilot chosen to stay three years because we have a narrator that narrates the entire demonstration that is a pilot who then transitions on to the number on the team. They are number seven as a narrator and then goes to six going to solo and ultimately number five who has the most experience flying on the team. So, we rely on the five position a lot to lead us because half the team turns over every year. Support officer wise, it’s typically two years, my tour was two years and enlisted have a little more time on the team with three or possibly four years. We have it set up that way because the pilots, docs and administrators are on the road every week. It is so demanding that two years is perfect.

How does that work with having your own family?

I am very fortunate that my family is located in Virginia and a majority of our shows are on the east coast. They would come out to the air shows on a weekly basis and see our families all come together and enjoy the entire weekend with us. They get to see us in action and it’s a family environment and that’s not something you hear a lot of in the military. It is a really cool thing that the Blue Angels have set up for our families.

I do understand that military downtime of getting together because I did it as a kid with my own family. It was a time to share and it was really important and showed a bit of that in the film as well with their families get togethers.

We do get one day off a week per se during the thick of the air show season. That one day is incredibly special to us with our family and friends. You would think that on your day off you don’t want to see the people you work with but we do. We get together, some of the pilots live right next to each other on the base so we get to be a team even on our days off.

To sum up your experience with the Blue Angels and now seeing the film, how are you feeling?

I am grateful in all honestly. I feel an immense amount of gratitude to my fellow teammates, to the military, to the Navy, to the Marine Corps. and everyone who has put their heart and soul into this team and this mission. It is absolutely spectacular.

What would you say to anyone, after seeing the film, has thought “that’s what I want to do”?

Do it, don’t let anything stop you. I promise you that you will be in that blue suit one day, or that F-18 or F-35, working on that aircraft – just get after it because you can do it.

I think you are all amazing, I think what you do is amazing, it’s more technical than anyone who has been at an airshow would ever have thought. In this film we finally get to see some of what you do.

Yes ma’am, and I’m so happy we get to show that to everyone.

Thank you for your time and your service LCDR Borza!

 

 THE BLUE ANGELS is currently screening at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego, California Science Center in Los Angeles and more. To find a city near you that is playing or will be playing THE BLUE ANGELS in IMAX, please visit www.imax.com/moie/blue-angels.