The Ladies are Back in PRACTICAL MAGIC 2

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres, from director Susanne Bier and Warner Bros. Pictures, is the return of the Owen sisters in PRACTICAL MAGIC 2.

Still living in Massachusetts, the Owens women are still dealing with the curse of their ancestor, Maria Owens. Sally (Sandra Bullock) has been raising her two daughters, Antonia (Maisie Williams) and Kylie (Joey King). What they don’t know is that their mother hasn’t told them one single thing about the magic they have inside them. Swearing sister Gillian (Nicole Kidman) to secrecy, they have managed to live on without exposing the truth. But, like all truths, it will rise like bread dough breaking through to the surface.

Aunt Jet (Dianne Wiest) is the first to realize it when she discovers the Book of Raven that may hold more explanation that haunts the sisters' ability to love without deadly consequences. Unfortunately, Aunt Jet can only leave the book behind as her time has come, much to the dismay of sister Frances (Stockard Channing). After mourning, a test comes when Kylie’s love, Gideon (Xolo Mariduena), is struck down and falls into a coma. A promise broken between the two sisters, Kylie’s anger sets her on a path with the book meant for Frances and a calling to head to England.

Sally and Gillian are told by Francis to follow and find Ian Wright (Lee Pace), a historian of magic who can help not only find Kylie, but discover what the book means to them. Sister Antonia stays at the hospital with Gideon, with Aunt Frances at their side. Kylie is following visions that lead her to Tom Bailey (Solly McLeod) and Lockland Manor with its dark history and more stories of the witches the Owens are related to.

Sally and Gillian meet with Ian Wright, but Sally feels as if something is off, and not just her magic. Not trusting Ian, she has no choice but to follow where he leads to understand what has become of Kylie and who is responsible. What they find there forces the sisters to come together once again to use their powers to face the darkness.

Bullock as Sally has been raising her daughters along with her two aunts and sister. Living without the use of magic, she believes it will keep her daughters safe. When it doesn’t due to a broken promise, Sally has to come to terms with reigniting her long-lost magic to save an angry daughter. I love when Bullock plays such strong characters, and coming back to an original character means that much more to me. She is an overprotective mother, a strait-laced sister, a loving niece, and a stubborn woman to the maximum, and I’m here for it. Playing opposite her ‘sister’ in Kidman, it felt like their chemistry hadn’t changed a bit.

Kidman as Gillian reprises her role as the ditzy sister who has no intention of settling down to domestic life or setting her magic aside for anyone. Clearly loving her Aunts as well as her nieces, she shows up as big a life itself with her own brand of scattered thoughts and funny comments. Kidman made it appear like she had a very good time coming back to the witchiness, making it look comfortable. When it comes time, her character is strong and knows her family is everything.

Pace as Ian is a professor who studies magic, and he knows there is dark magic after him as well as the Owens. It is Frances who directs Sally and Gillian to him, explaining that he knows what they do not about the family and its past. Knowing that Sally doesn’t trust him, he tries his best to help, but his emotions are out there for all to see. McLeod as Tom shares with Kylie the deep story behind the Owens' history and wants to help Kylie finish opening the Book of Ravens for the rest of the answers. There is a connection, and he shares what he knows. Not a huge role but a powerful one nonetheless.

King as Kylie is the typical college student who thinks they know everything till they don’t, and when they don’t like what’s happening, they fly off the handle. Kylie is reckless, isn’t thinking, and, by the way, who leaves their boyfriend in a coma and asks their sister to watch over him? I just couldn’t get behind that. Also, you think because you just learned you are a witch that you can cast a spell? Man, I wasn’t buying that in the slightest and, honestly, it was irritating. Williams as Antonia is a doctor who at least thinks in reality first and foremost. Not understanding what her sister is up to, she goes along to get along. Her role isn’t a large one, but she reminds me of Bullock’s character from the 1998 film. Strong, wise, a bit funny, and quirky.

Wiest as Jet just made my heart practically burst. Sweet, loving, a bit out there. It is clear she loves her family enough to sacrifice everything for them. It is so good to see her on the screen returning as Jet. Channing also returns as Frances, loving sister to Jet. She supports the family when needed and does so with such grace and elegance. Both of these wonderful actresses deserve all the kudos I can possibly give them.

PRACTICAL MAGIC 2 is based on the 2021 novel The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman, which is the sequel to the 1998 film PRACTICAL MAGIC.

I went in hoping that I wouldn’t be disappointed after all the time that has passed since the original film. It’s a hit-or-miss when enough time has passed to try and pick up the torch to see if it will work once again. Three generations of women in my family sat together, and no, we were not disappointed with the three generations of witches on the screen. We had such a fantastic time reacquainting ourselves with the Owen sisters, and investing in the new generation of sisters.

The story flowed so well between the generations when secrets are revealed, and bad intentions make Sally and Gillian suspicious of everyone- well, more Sally than anyone else. There is more of the history of the family that comes out as well, and I found it so interesting how it is woven into the story. There was absolutely nothing I didn’t enjoy. A nice bonus was Pace’s Ian being introduced as someone Sally fears losing after having lost so many.

There are so many surprises mixed in as well that the two-hour running time didn’t feel like it at all. Filling up all that time, I can honestly say there isn’t a need for a third installment of the story. I really enjoyed how it was wrapped up in a way that no fan of the original film should be unhappy. So gather up your own little coven and hit the theatres this weekend for a magical good time.

In the end – this is everything you witched for!

The Mission is all About THE FIX

 Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this week from writer/director Guy Moshe, Briarcliff and Inaugural Entertainment is the tale of war, greed, and trust about THE FIX.

Larry (Liam Neeson) is a CIA agent in 2021, dealing with a 2021 Special Ops mission in Kabul. When things go seriously wrong, the effects of it cause him debilitating pain. The death of his men and feeling as if he failed the team make it a struggle for him to continue in his role as a leader. Several years later, Tucker (Zachary Levi) is now the Special Ops leader, and Larry is once again the handler when things go wrong. This causes Tucker to have to deal with his own demons about his profession. One of them is being away from his young son, as his ex-wife Sophie (Annet Mahendru) has remarried and moved on with her life.

Taking a visit to see Larry after learning he is suffering from dementia, Tucker spends time and begins to hear ramblings from the elderly man. The most shocking is that in a hotel in Tehran, there is $25 million dollars stashed away and has been there since the Iranian Revolution. After seeing that his former team is hurting in a way that money can help with, Tucker decides it's time to get the band back together. In order to make this work, Tucker must reach out to contacts who agree to help as long as they rescue activist Maryam (Lara Wolf).

To help with the mission, Tucker hires Zara (Elnaaz Norouzi), a young woman who can pose as Tucker’s wife and also speaks the language. Learning that the hotel no longer exists and is now a government facility. Tucker and his men will do what they do best: get in, get out, and get home! Of course, you have to know who to trust to make that happen.

Levi as Tucker is a man haunted by so many different things he doesn’t know where to even begin. From a mission that went to a place he can’t get past, to only seeing his son from a distance because of what he does, he decides to take one last job. Not for his own personal gain, but to help the men he shared years with in the military and the suffering each has gone through since then. Levi is fine for this role. He manages to pull off the right kind of swagger. His character has no clue what he’s gotten himself into, and it puts everyone, once again, in danger. I do enjoy the moments between his character and Neeson’s, a good watch.

Neeson as Larry has seen as much go wrong as Tucker has. Now, with a medical condition, he has one last big secret that he entrusts to Tucker. I love the fact that Neeson has always played diverse characters, whether they be good, bad, or indifferent in the storyline; I can always count on him to give it his all and love every moment of it. He may not have as much camera time as Levi, but when he is on, he is on point and doesn’t hold back!

Norouzi as Zara takes on the role of Tucker’s wife, and when things get very dangerous, she refuses to leave him. That’s when lines are crossed, making things even more dangerous than ever. Norouzi is a stunner and definitely gives the highly male cast a run for their money. Wolf as Maryam is an activist trying to help rescue Iranian women from a fate worse than death. She is headstrong and refuses to give in when she probably should. There comes a moment in the film where a decision she makes will have her feeling the same way Tucker does. So well done.

Shout-out to Mahendru as ex-wife Sophie. As mad as she might be at Tucker for the way he had handled the relationship with their son, when Tucker needs her, she knows exactly what to do. I loved that about her character. Also, Navid Negahban as Qasim, in charge of the military installation where the money is hidden, gets a chance to be the serious bad guy who is just as determined as Tucker to take American prisoners.

Other cast include Grant Harvey as Matt, Oliver Trevena as Col. Wilkes, Augusto Aguilera as Bruce, Despina Mirou as Katarina, and Wes Chatham as Alex.  

THE FIX is a lengthy film that, quite honestly, didn’t need to be over a two-hour film. I appreciate keeping the backstory quick and to the point, allowing the story to evolve naturally, but there are moments that were dragged out and could have been cut altogether. There are several plot lines that I feel have been seen in other films as well. It doesn’t change the dynamic of the film; I’ve just seen enough films to recognize it.

The cast that director Moshe has put together works seamlessly together. The action can be very intense at times, as each person has their own reason for doing what they are doing. This is definitely a heist of a different kind, if you consider what the group is doing a heist. Fund relocation, perhaps? The set looks authentic to what one would expect of Iran and the behavior of bad men doing bad things.

There are plenty of twists, turns, lies, stretched-out truths, and men who want to take on this private mission for their own reasons. It is up to the audience to keep up with it all and pay attention to the small details. Between the lies and the truth are the facts that are about to change everything.

In the end – settle the score!

 

 

MINIONS & MONSTERS Brings Giggles to Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Now on Bluray and Digital in a Collector’s Edition from director Pierre Coffin, Patrick Delage, Illumination, and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes another adventure from our favorite MINIONS & MONSTERS.

Olivia (Allison Janney) is a tour guide taking a group of people through a film history museum. Talking about all the exhibits, they come to a statue of two famous Minions. No one in the crowd knew the story of the Minions James and Henry. In their tribe of Minions, they go through time trying to find a villain to serve. James is a different kind of Minion who loves telling stories, much to the head Minion Dick’s dismissal. On their hunt for a bad guy, James meets Henry and becomes best friends.

While on the hunt, the Minions find themselves in Hollywood, and James, along with best friend Harry, finds Tinseltown to their liking. Becoming friends with director Max (Christoph Waltz) after he realizes their potential, film execs Frank and Elwood (both played by Jeff Bridges) love their film silliness. The Minions are becoming globally famous, but that is short-lived once films go from silent to talkies. Back on the streets, fending for themselves, James has a moment of brilliance: it’s time for them to make a monster movie!

Minion Ed had taken a spell book through their travels, and James uses it to conjure up real-life monsters for their film. The first to show up is Cthulhu Goomi (Trey Parker), who knows exactly where to find monsters Phillip (Bobby Moynihan) and Howard (Phil LaMarr) to be a part of the film. James and Henry are excited, but there is one problem: Goomi has his own ideas about what monsters really want to do.

Pierre Coffin as the Minions had a full-time job in this film. This is probably the most the Minions have spoken. They are hilarious, funny, and it’s easy to pick out the Spanish words mixed in the gibberish. The craziness and chaos are what the Minions are famous for, and they won’t let viewers down.

Waltz as Max starts out crazed by the Minions. Once he sees the possibilities, he not only makes films with them; he befriends them. His voice is so cool with this character; I actually wish he were in it longer. Bridges’ voice for both Frank and Elwood, studio execs who know what they want in a film, and the Minions fit the bill.

Parker as Goomi is a mixture of cute and evil, as the smallest Cthulhu I’ve ever seen. But don’t let the size fool you. Parker’s voice lends itself to the humor you’d expect and the evil that I’m sure he loved playing. Moynihan as Phillip and LaMarr as Howard are the two summoned monsters who follow along with Goomi’s plan but get lost in it all when Irene shows up.

Shout-out to Allison Janney because I am the biggest fan of this lady. She made the narration so much fun.

Other cast include Jesse Eisenberg as Dort, Zoey Deutch as Debbie, and George Lucas as George Lucas.

Universal Pictures has just added an amazing film to their library and is making it available for us all to 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 Minions Take on Hollywood, Casting MINIONS & MONSTERS, Hollywood Sound, How To Make Your Own Irene Blob Monster Slime, Movie-Making Minions Style, and How to Draw.

The Minions first came to the screen in 2010 with DESPICABLE ME, and everyone who was anyone fell in love with the yellow gibberish-talking creatures. Their antics were childish, giggling at things we all giggle about, but they make it even better. My family not only loves the Minions, but we also have them around the house for daily giggles and smiles.

For families looking for things to do to stay cool indoors, MINIONS & MONSTERS is time spent together. The film is brilliant, colorful, and fun, and has laughs for both adults and kids, which adds to the fun. The film does have old movie references that the adults will enjoy, such as knowing who George Lucas is, but it doesn’t change the delight for children. Mixing that with the humor of the Minions, even if we can’t understand everything they say.

There is the usual slapstick humor, charm, and silly antics as we would expect. That being said, as much fun as I had, I missed Gru, Dr. Nefario, the girls, and the relationship with the Minions. But there is fun at the beginning of the film and when the credits roll, so expect more giggles from memorable friends.

In the end – it’s an adventure all its own!

DISCLOSURE DAY Beams Down on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Steven Spielberg, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of hiding the truth in DISCLOSURE DAY: Collector’s Edition.

Daniel Killner (Josh O’Connor) finds himself in the middle of a deal for the return of his girlfriend Jane (Eve Hewson). For that to happen, he must deal with Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), the head of Wardex. The only one to help them is Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo). It is immediately clear that Daniel has something that Scanlon desperately wants.

Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) is a weather girl at a local Kansas City station. Living with musician boyfriend Jackson (Wyatt Russell), her life begins to change when a Cardinal lands in her apartment. When she is in front of the camera, an event happens that has caught the attention of the wrong people.

Daniel and Jane are on the run! He must finally reveal all to Jane, and it costs her immediately. At the same time, Margaret’s new abilities let her know that the only way for her is to also run, but toward the danger. As much as these instincts might frighten her, they also empower her to find the one name that keeps coming to her mind – Daniel Killner.

Wanting to stop them both, Scanlon uses every piece of technology he has, including one specific piece of technology that isn’t quite of this planet. One side wants to keep secrets at all costs, and the other wants to disclose to the world that we are not alone in the world.

O’Connor as Daniel is a young man with a past that brought him to work for Wardex. While there, he discovers that he was hired to keep secrets when Daniel believes the whole world should know what has happened in 70 years. I have become such a fan of O’Connor and the characters he plays. In this film, the character he plays just doesn’t do him justice. Without giving anything away, Daniel’s story connects.

Blunt as Margaret doesn’t waste any time involving herself in the mystery of not only the things she can mysteriously do, but also piecing together her part in the grand scheme of it all. The conflict with this character is something from her past that has led her to the moment she stepped in front of the studio camera. Blunt is one of my favorite actresses. She has the ability to give such a wide range of emotions, some of it through humor. As Margaret, she drives the roller coaster of every human condition.

Firth as Scanlon believes he is doing the right things, but some believe it is for all the wrong reasons. His need to control every situation and those in the situation; he has no fear of using whatever technology or manpower that is available. There is a part of his character that believes he has the right to do so. Firth has always been on my watch list because he always chooses the unexpected roles. As Scanlon, he believes he is justified in everything he does, good or bad. I’m thrilled to see him on the screen.

Domingo as Hugo, is the connection between everyone. A former employee of Wardex, he has taken it upon himself to see everything through with Daniel and Margaret. Knowing Scanlon is hot on their trail, he makes it clear that everything will come together as it should, and no one is going to stop them. Domingo is such a wonderful actor, and as Hugo, he gives compassion and the belief that fear is what stops everything that needs to be embraced.

Hewson as Jane, brings in the religious element, challenging whether the human race is God’s only creation, but what if we are not? It’s an interesting thought, although I’m not sure it works in the film. Hewson does offer up that thought choice. Russell, as boyfriend, Jackson is a musician and more concerned with his life than that of his girlfriend. He is also playing the stereotypical role of a boyfriend who doesn’t listen. Great.

Other cast includes Delaney Cuthbert as young Margaret, Tyler Renaud as young Daniel, Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Casper Boys, Hettienne Park as Serena, Tommy Martinez as Dave Santiago, Gabby Beans as Angela Childs, Jeremy Shamos as Claypool, Revon Yousif as Agent Reza, and Elizabeth Marvel as Sister Maura.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and is 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.

Exclusive Bonus Features include ENCOUNTERING THE UNKNOWN: Inside DISCLOSURE DAY: Join Steven Spielberg, Emily Blunt, and the rest of the cast in this over 50-minute look at the filmmaking secrets and real-life inspirations behind the movie.

All the musical tracks are done by the incomparable John Williams. He actually has composed the music for other Spielberg films such as JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, E.T. the EXTRA TERRESTRIAL, JURASSIC PARK, SCHINDLER’S LIST, and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.

In the end – welcome to Disclosure Day!

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS Celebrates 25th Anniversary

 

Jeri Jacquin

Celebrating 25 years on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital from director Rob Cohen and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the 2001 iconic film THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS.

Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) is an LAPD officer now undercover with an FBI task force after a heist at the Port of Los Angeles. The job is to find out who is responsible. O’Conner starts at Toretto’s Market & Café and meets Mia (Jordana Brewster), sister of the infamous Dominic “Dom” Toretto (Vin Diesel), a trouble-making street racer. He isn’t the only person the cop is watching. Toretto’s crew consists of girlfriend Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Vince (Matt Schulze), Leon (Johnny Strong), and Jesse (Chad Lindberg).

It is Vince who doesn’t like O’Conner and starts a fight, and Dom steps in with his own brand of threats. Harry (Vyto Ruginis) has to step in to keep the peace between the two. The only thing O’Conner can do is race Dom, but the police show up, and Dom has to get away. Trying to help, both he and Dom end up in a rival territory, and payment for that is the car! Peace offering Dom’s anger, O’Conner delivers a car, and they all start vamping it up. At the same time, he starts dating Dom’s sister Mia.

He also discovers one of the cars used in the port heist, and it seems as if Vince might be right about him. Trying to hide it under the guise of race preparation, O’Conner is also dealing with his boss, who is not happy that things are taking so long. Things begin to become even more complicated as O’Conner has to decide between the job and friendship. It is never easy to stay on one side only!

Walker as O’Conner is a man on a mission, but finds himself in a dilemma of the job and the friendships he is forging with the people he is investigating. Walker made the role his own to the point that, upon his death, there was no way to replace him in the franchise. Playing O’Conner, Walker may seem out of place in the crew, but he slips right in and sees a life he could never have imagined. Diesel as Dom made his character even more iconic in the franchise. His sullen expressions oozes danger, and the only people he trusts are his crew and his sister. Diesel plays the action role as he always does, with a deep voice and a man with a plan.

Rodriguez as Letty may be Dom’s girlfriend, but she is also strong and doesn’t take any garbage from anyone. Rodriguez gives us a female character that can hold her own and still be Dom’s woman. Brewster as Mia takes to O’Conner but knows she has to get past her brother. She is cute in this role and plays off Walker with ease. Shulze, Strong and Lindberg are part of Dom’s crew – suspicious, wary but up for a good race.

Other cast include Matt Schulze as Vince, Ted Levine as Sgt. Tanner, Thom Barry as Agent Bilkins, Noel Gugliemi as Hector, Stanton Rutledge as Muse, RJ de Vera as Danny Yamato, Beau Holden as Ted Gassner, Reggie Lee as Lance Nguyen, and Ja Rule as Edwin.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and is 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 Riding a Legacy: 25 Years of Fast, Deleted Scenes, The Making of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, More Than Furious, Dom’s Charger, Quarter Mile at a Time, Tricking Out a Hot Import Car, Multiple Camera Angle – Stunt Sequence, Movie Magic Interactive – Special Effects, Featurette on Editing for the Motion Picture Association of America, Visual Effects Montage, Storyboards-to=Final Feature Comparison, Ja Rule “Furious” Music Video, Speed News Wrap, and Feature Commentary with Director Rob Cohen.

No one could have imagined that this franchise would be as huge as it is. Starting in 2001 with THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, 2003 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS, 2003 THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: Turbo Charged, 2006 THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: Tokyo Drift, 2009 FAST & FURIOUS, 2009 FAST & FURIOUS: Los Bandoleros, 2011 FAST FIVE, 2013 FAST & FURIOUS 6, 2015 FURIOUS 7, 2017 THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS, 2019 FAST & FURIOUS: Hobbs & Shaw, and 2021 F9.

Growing up with a family of car lovers, I participated in helping to rebuild cars with my father, from a Renault to a 64’ Mustang; I completely took to the film when it came out. I learned what every part of an engine did and how to make it move even faster. There was even a place where everyone took their handiwork to race and show off. Ahhhh, the good old days, eh? After the film came out, Motorheads and Grease Monkeys came out of the woodwork to show off their creations as well.

What THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS did was bring a culture out to fast that it made studio heads swim. There are movies about Gearheads, but this particular film brought out the good, the bad, the action, and friendship in a way that it became relatable. The cast truly brings the film together and, because of that, this franchise always wins at the box office. Now, celebrating its 25^th anniversary, the film is just as relatable today as in 2001 when it was released.

The 4K Ultra HD and Bluray have over two hours of Bonus Features that also include Riding a Legacy: 25 Years of Fast that includes Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Producer Neal Moritz, and Meadow Walker reflecting on 25 years of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS in Cannes.

Find the biggest screen in the house, turn up the soundbar, and get back in the action with suspense and speed! Become part of the Toretto family!

In the end – if you have what it takes, you can have it all!

He is the Memorable TONY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Matt Johnson and A24 is the story of a young man and a life he never expected with TONY.

Tony Bourdain (Dominic Sessa) is a college student in 1975 who cannot get his parents to accept that he wants to be a writer. The only way to get away is by telling his family he won a fellowship and is off to New York City. What they don’t know is that he is also following the lovely Nancy Putkoski (Emilia Jones). When the fellowship doesn’t happen, Tony takes off for Provincetown in Massachusetts because he knows Nancy will be there.

Once there, Tony is in for a surprise when he sees the girl who makes his heart thump–she is with another guy. Determined to drown his sorrows in alcohol, he ends up at the local restaurant The Flagship. Making a fool of himself, he gets thrown out on his behind! With no money, no scholarship, and a bad attitude, the only thing he can do is ask for a job from Chef (Antonio Banderas) and hope for a place to stay and start as a dishwasher.

The other kitchen staff gives Tony a hard time, but he finds a friend in Sal (Leo Woodall) who seems to be everything Tony would like to be. Confident, gets the girl, and has a habit that isn’t going to get him through life. When Sal doesn’t show up to work, Tony finds himself cooking. Chef sees something in the young man and starts by teaching him discipline and dedication to everything he does in his kitchen.

Tony sees an opportunity to impress Nancy and invites her to eat at The Flagship and introduces the restaurant to finer dishes. When tragedy strikes The Flagship and Tony’s deceptions become clear, he has to find a way to make it right in a place that he has come to love and with people who have heart.

Sessa as Tony is absolutely stunning. He portrays a young man who is reckless, careless, and, using the slang of today, feeling himself. Trying to bend the world to his will, he learns that the world tends to fight back. Each move he makes is truly on the edge of a sharp kitchen knife until he finally sees his path. Sessa’s 24-year-old timing is that of a seasoned actor. His scenes with Banderas are flawless and had me glued to my seat. In a short time and short resume, Sessa proves as Tony that he deserves center stage. In the film, that’s exactly what he got. Well deserved.

Banderas as Chef is a centered man. He takes his restaurant seriously and expects discipline in the kitchen. He sees something in Tony that he never saw in himself. A friendship blossoms between the two that is something needed. One mistake could have destroyed that, but Tony, in one moment, grows up and Chef sees it. Banderas is always interesting to watch, and in TONY, his character is the cement that holds them all together. He has his own story, of course, but instead of letting it break him, it made him. That’s what he portrays, and it’s beautiful. 

Woodall as Leo is the fly in the calm ointment. He is outrageous, dangerous, and, in his own way, a caring person. He tries to bring Tony into his reckless world but has no grip on his own life. The first time I noticed Woodall was in the 2025 film NUREMBERG, and I knew then, like Sessa, that in his short career, his impact is noticeable and strong. His character is as confused about life as Tony, but his path filled with bumps is far more dangerous than his friends'.

Other cast includes Dagmara Dominczyk as Gladys Bourdain, Rich Sommer as Pierre Bourdain, Ava Davey Bissett as Vicky, Caroline Portu as Robin, Derek K. Moore as Manny, Monica Raymund as Mary, Liam Fitch as Christopher, Stravros Halkias as Stravos, and Michael Jibrin as Tyrone.

Bourdain described his early years as, “I was – to be frank – a spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless young lout, badly in need of a good ass kicking.” The story is based on Bourdain’s years working in Provincetown, with stories in the memoir Kitchen Confidential (2000)

TONY takes Bourdain’s journey step by step, filled with a young man’s angst, inability to please his parents, and eager enough to take the step that brings him to Provincetown. Watching Sessa bring Bourdain to life is nothing short of amazing. With Woodall and Banderas, the film takes the seaport journey as slow as life was in 1975. From bonfires to clam bakes, Tony’s life became part of a town he hadn’t planned to stay in.

I love the feel of the film and its simplicity. The costuming is so perfect for the times, hairstyles, and free attitude. The cinematography is absolutely everything because it is a character in the story as well. It completes the story director Johnson is trying to tell. Normally, I’m not a huge fan of biopics, but TONY is an exception. It doesn’t feel glorifying, but instead raw and stripped down to the heart of the story, and that is a young man who found his passion in an unexpected place.  

In the end – he followed a girl into an unsuspecting career!

There are Consequences with a MUTINY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Jean-Francois Richet and Lionsgate is the story of a man, loyalty, and revenge with MUTINY.

Cole Reed (Jason Statham) is a guard to wealthy businessman Taran (Jason Wong) and his son Kameron (Chaneil Kular). After celebrating the sale of his company, Reed drives Taran home. The problem is, they are ambushed, and now Reed is out for blood. He discovers that one of the hitmen looks a bit like him and works on one of Taran’s ships, the KMG. Managing to board the ship, he discovers that the police want him for the murder of his friend. While on the ship, he discovers a shipping container has human beings alive inside.

Arriving on the ship and being called for duty, Angie Ellis (Annabelle Wallis) is not happy because it means not seeing her daughter. Introducing herself to Captain Marko Madsen (Roland Moller) with an attitude. While on watch, she discovers the same container of people that Reed found. Going to the captain with the news, she soon discovers that he is keenly aware of their cargo, as is the crew. Running for her life, she finds Reed; they form a plan to help the kidnapped men, women, and children to get them away from Madsen.  

Angie makes a call to any ship close to them and is answered by the U.S. Navy’s captain (Adrian Lester), who becomes suspicious about the story the ship's captain is spewing. While Reed and Agie turn the ship inside out and upside down to keep the kidnapped people safe, they have to hurry. Coming up close is another boat that wants the human cargo. What they don’t know is that Reed is in revenge beast mode and finding those responsible for Taran, the kidnappings, and hurting Angie; well, what comes to them shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Well, let’s just say the water is going to get rougher than anyone on that ship could imagine.

Statham as Reed does what he is good at. First, the action is intense, and the fight scenes are going to have people shouting out loud. The characters he plays aren’t always very talkative, and in this film, it is true. He’s a man of few words and loads of action, showing no mercy, especially with things like a lock on a container. Don’t worry, you’ll understand when you see it. His character is ruthless, focused, and has no problem with taking the hits. I think his character sees each hit as like pouring gasoline on an already intense bonfire!

Wallis as Angie is a young mother trying to get back to her daughter. Being called into work with the threat of being fired, it doesn’t stop her from having an attitude or taking a hit herself. She is clever and strong, not showing an ounce of fear to the bad guys. Wallis gives her character sassy and intelligent, making it very plain that she is not a victim, but a fighter. Wong as Taran is the key reason for Reed’s need for vengeance. Seeing Reed as family, Taran knows everything will be taken care of, but not in the way he may have thought. Wong portrays his character as a man of deep feeling and quiet introspection. He is the calm in the madness.

Moller as Captain Marco Madsen is as cool as a cucumber at all times. Hard to rattle and even more difficult when he realizes Reed is on board. He’s like a dog with a bone, not about to give up easily. The highest compliment I can give Moller is that he reminded me of Hans Gruber from DIE HARD, but on the water. The final scene between him and Statham is epic and memorable. Well done, sir! Moller gives Kular, as son, Kameron, convincing his father to sell the business. A quiet character as well, and the final scene between Kular and Statham is chilling. Lester as the U.S. Naval captain, has strong spidey-senses and does his homework before getting involved in the phone call Angie made. I enjoy characters like that. 

Other cast include Ramon Tikaram, Arnas Fedaravicius, Lee Charles, Rumi Sutton, Ben Cartwright, Steven Blades, Simon Kluth, and Tom Christian

Lionsgate is responsible for the franchises that include THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT along with iconic and now untouchable JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000 motion pictures and television titles, you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

MUTINY is definitely an action, adventure, high body count film that starts slow to give the story a bit of context before Statham goes hog wild! As I said before, a man of few words letting his ability to kick the bad guys down speak for itself. Filming on the ship keeps the focus on the story with nothing but a smidge of outside distraction. It is a game of cat and mouse, and Statham, Wallis, and Moller play flawlessly. Once the action picks up, it is a roller coaster ride of hide and seek, but with a lot of weaponry.

The cast is small, keeping the focus on the star of the show, Statham. He is maybe one step ahead of Wallis and Moller, and I’m okay with that. Is the concept original? No. Does it feel like I experienced some easter eggs? Quite possibly. Whether they were intentional or not, this film will test your blood pressure for sure, but in the best way possible. This is a film that doesn’t ask anything of you but to get comfortable in your seat, keep the popcorn coming, cheer and shout and jaw drop at the surprises. MUTINY is a really good distraction for the hour and forty-five-minute run of the film.

In the end – there could be blood in the water!