It is the HEART OF THE BEAST

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director David Ayer and Paramount Pictures is the story of a man and a very special dog in the wild with the HEART OF THE BEAST.

Flying through a deserted part of Alaska, former Army Special Forces vet James Belmont (Brad Pitt) brings his retired combat dog Odin (Uber) for a bit of a vacation. Fishing, playing, and relaxing, they find comfort in spending time together. Both of them suffer from PTSD and turn to one another when the dreams of past events haunt them. Even a quick visit from a stranger puts them on high alert.

As the weather changes, James and Odin board their plane and head back home. Not long into the flight, James begins to fall ill, causing the plane to crash. Knowing the only thing to do is make it to a main road, the two load up for a fifty-eight-mile trek across unspoiled, wild, and untamed land. Every step leads them both into danger as nature tests their limits, their ability to adapt, and their willingness to put themselves in front of every danger that presents itself.

Man and man’s best friend on a journey only they understand.

Pitt as Belmont has one of the most difficult parts to play as a soldier who spent most of his life fighting, ending up with PTSD. Another difficult thing to do is carry a film with only a hint of another person to act off of. Then you add a dog to the mix, and it is impossible to look away. The relationship between Pitt and Uber (Odin’s real name) feels genuine and shared. The final ingredient is Pitt playing opposite the wild environment of Alaska. He mixes it carefully and comes away with a poignant character who broke my heart.

Uber as Odin, all I can say is what a beautiful dog. He is also a New Zealand rescue dog in his own life. Still, in the film, his deep golden-brown eyes tug at every heartstring. As the film progresses, director Ayer seems to know exactly what to ask of his furry friend. He’s not just a dog in a movie; he’s an integral part of the film, proving that the animals we love - love us in return, in their own way. There wasn’t a moment where I thought, ‘Well, this is just a dog following directions. No, I saw a loyal companion who shared trauma with his friend.

Shout out to J.K. Simmons and his fantastic moments in the film, and Anna Lambe for just being plain cool.

Pitt not only stars in HEART OF THE BEAST, but he also jumped in as a producer through his Plan B Entertainment company. This is also the second time that director Ayer has worked with Pitt. Their previous collaboration is the 2014 film FURY, and Pitt’s company is responsible for such hits as THE DEPARTED (2006), 12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013), and MOONLIGHT (2016). Ayer has quite the resume himself, with such films as END OF WATCH (2012) and SUICIDE SQUAD (2016), and a dozen more to his credit.

The film’s star also talks about working with Uber (Odin). “The first thing I had to do was start a relationship with Uber. From the first day, we spent as much time together as we could so I could earn his trust.” For me, it totally shows on the screen. Director Ayer says of his film, “Making any film is a huge commitment of time, heart, and labor. It came down to the script; I felt I was the person that could tell this story and the emotional life it has.”

HEART OF THE BEAST has so many layers to it, which is why I suggest Kleenex in hand as you enter the theatre. This is a story of two friends who have experienced the best and worst of humanity and, because of circumstances, now face the best and worst of a place that can be unforgiving. Ayers uses the most beautiful place in New Zealand’s South Island as Alaska’s substitute backdrop, to which Ayer says, “You can’t tell the difference,” and he’s right. Whether in Alaska or New Zealand, the landscape is a character all its own.

The film runs through every gambit of human emotion, and I left the film totally emotionally drained, but in a way that I want a film to make me feel. It reaches in and pulls us closer to the screen with everything it has. Pitt and Uber bring the story written by Cameron Alexander’s screenplay into focus regarding the issue of PTSD. It also brings into focus the work that combat dogs do and how their response to it is not so disconnected from their human counterparts. They need loving homes so they, too, can find a place to recover and live their best lives.

In the end – survival depends on their bond!

Friends Travel to FORGOTTEN ISLAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday, from writers/directors Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado, DreamWorks and Universal Pictures bring the story of friendship that faces a challenge on FORGOTTEN ISLAND.  

In the Philippines, a very young Jo (H.E.R.) is in class, telling the story of the forgotten island of Nakalimutan, or Nakali for short. To get her point across, she invokes the bloody story of Manananggal, which doesn’t go over very well. Landing her to wait for the principal, she is joined by a very young Raissa (Liza Soberano) who the same teacher sent for defending Jo’s position. Discussing their reasons with each other, it becomes very clear that these two were fated to be best friends.

Jo is a talented artist, and Rais is a brainiac, yet the two get along famously. Every adventure they go on adds to the bracelets they both wear. Rais also spends a lot of time listening to more stories of the forgotten island from Jo’s grandmother, Lola (Dolly de Leon), who has actually been there through a magical portal! Their goal? They both want to find the island too.

As the years go by, Jo is finding her way while Rais has found her direction – and it's off to America to attend Caltech. Celebrating their last night together, the shell they had been looking for appears, taking them away to the forgotten island. They wake up on the shore of the island and meet Raww (Dave Franco), who agrees to act as their tour guide because the girls don’t remember much of the prior night. Raww takes them to see Batiba (Jenny Slate) to help get their memories back, but it comes at a price.

On their journey to remember and find the missing portal key, Jo and Rais meet Tiyanak (Manny Jacino) the extremely large demon baby, Datu (Jo Koy), King of the Duwende Truffle Wuffle (Ronny Chieng), and Mermahn (Kevin McCann), the outrageous, well, Mermahn. The creature they are running from is the dreaded and feared Manananggal Manang (Lea Salonga). The goal is to get back home for Jo and Rais, but something wonderful happens along the way, and it’s something neither will ever forget.

H.E.R. and Soberano as Jo and Rais are everything one would want in a childhood best friend. They may have different areas of interest, but that doesn’t stop them from finding common ground. So much so that they are practically joined at the hip, and best friends wouldn’t want it any other way. Like sisters, there are moments of tension, but it doesn’t diminish the love they have for one another. They learn misunderstandings hurt, but a hug can heal so much in the heart. I just loved watching these two characters go through their journey, and it is H.E.R. and Soberano that kept my attention on the screen from start to finish.

Franco as Raww is hilarious, especially when his character sees a stick because, for anyone with a dog, we know it’s true. He is charming, strange, and full of twists and turns, but lovable to the end. Jacino as Datu cracked me up so much, becoming part of the band of misfits. McCann as Mermahn just shot out of nowhere in the film and made himself right at home with the gang. He is colorful, emotional, and an all-around good friend to have. Salonga as Manang is the creature the whole island fears, and with good reason. Shout out to Koy at Datu; I recognized his voice immediately, as well as his tone of humor.  

The film is set in the 1990s, which offers up the use of some pretty awesome music that will have some in the audience singing along rather quickly. This is the first animated film based on Philippine mythology, bringing the culture of family and traditions to the screen. The mixture of animation techniques (shifting from computer-generated to anime animation) adds so much more fun to the story from Jo’s side of the talented duo. Those techniques were inspired by Filipino art and graphic style.  

FORGOTTEN ISLAND comes in at one hundred and eight minutes of fun, laughs, action, color, friendship, mythology, and the wide human scope of love with all the problems that come with it. Generations in the family will find something heartwarming in this film. There is humor for all ages as well, which makes this a perfect family film to see from grandparents down to grandkids. It is films like this that allow families to come together, have a good time, and learn about another culture and its own mythology.

The film is beautifully done, exceptional in the animation, wonderful in the choice of cast, and when you mix that all together, FORGOTTEN ISLAND won’t be forgotten any time soon.

In the end – no memory left behind!

 

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!