WARNER BROS. PICTURES CELEBRATES ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND VETS WITH A BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE PROGRAM FOR THE FILM DUNKIRK

The Labor Day weekend program follows a hugely successful summer run, as Christopher Nolan’s DUNKIRK remains strong heading into the fall.

As a token of appreciation to our men and women in uniform, Warner Bros. Pictures is offering all military personnel – both active duty and retired – a free ticket to Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed epic DUNKIRK with the purchase of one. The offer begins on Friday, September 1 and continues throughout the Labor Day Holiday weekend ending with the final showing on Monday, September 4.

Theatres from coast to coast, including all major exhibitors, are taking part in this recognition of those who serve or have served. Anyone with an active duty or retired military ID can present it at the box office for a complimentary second ticket to the film. (Please check local listings to confirm individual theatres participation) DUNKIRK which honors the courage and resilence of British and Allied soldiers trapped on the beach at Dunkirk, France, is one of the best reviewed films of the year. It is also one of the biggest hits of the season, having recently crossed $410 million worldwide, and still counting, making it the highest-grossing original content release of the competitive summer corridor.

From filmmaker Christopher Nolan comes the epic DUNKIRK. The film opens as 400,000 Allied troops are trapped on the coast of Dunkirk, France, surrounded by the Germany army. Mostly young men, they have their whole lives ahead of them…but now their lives might only stretch as far as the strip of beach. With their backs to the seas, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in. The story unfolds on land, sea and air. RAF Spitfires engage the enemy in the skies above the Channel, trying to protect the defenseless men below. Meanwhile, hundreds of small boats manned by both military and civilians are mounting a desperate rescue effort, risking their lives in a race against time to save even a fraction of their army. DUNKIRK features a multigenerational ensemble cast, including Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D’Arcy and Barry Keoghan with Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy.

Nolan directed DUNKIRK from his own screenplay, utilizing a mixture of IMAX and 65mm film to bring the story to the screen. The film was produced by Emma Thomas and Nolan, with Jake Myers serving as executive producer.

The behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Hoyte van Hoytema, production designer Nathan Crowley, editor Lee Smith, costume designer Jeffrey Kurland, visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson and special effects supervisor Scott Fisher. The music was composed by Hans Zimmer. Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Syncopy Production, a film by Christopher Nolan DUNKIRK. Presented in conventional theatres and IMAX the film is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

This film has been rated PG-13 for intense war experience and some language.

www.Dunkirkmovie.com

MEGAN LEAVEY Inspires Coming to Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital HD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Bleeker Street is the inspirational film based on the story of MEGAN LEAVEY.

Megan (Kate Mara) is a young woman staggering through life. Unhappy with her job and unhappy living at home with mom Jackie (Edie Falco) and her boyfriend Jim (Will Patton), it seems the days just blur.

That is until she makes the decision to hop a bus and join the U.S. Marine Corps. It didn’t take long until Megan was in trouble within the Corps as well that has her cleaning the kennels of the K9 unit.

There she meets Rex, a four legged anti-social dog who gives trainers a difficult time. Megan continues to ask Gunny Martin (Common) to become part of the K9 unit. When a situation presents itself, Megan and Rex are paired together and so begins a training of each other to become a strong unit through patience and friendship.

Sent to Camp Ramadi in Iraq, Megan and Rex are sent on missions to sniff out IED’s clearing the way for soldiers and the Iraqi people. She also meets Matt Morales (Ramon Rodriguez) who is also part of the K9 unit and starts to become comfortable being part of a team.

Then a mission puts both of their lives in danger changing the path for them both. Megan knows that she can not continue on her path without Rex and with dad Bob’s (Bradley Whitford) push, she is will get Rex back at her side and will do anything to make that happen.

In that is the true meaning of friendship!

Mara as Megan portrays a young woman who clearly has problems dealing with home and family. Making a swift move to join the military, Mara’s character puts up serious walls until she creates an unbreakable bond with Rex. What is amazing is that feeling this connection and watching the story unfold between Megan and Rex; it is not surprising that they would work together so brilliantly. Mara and Rex are lovely in this film and the audience fell in love with them both.

Common as Gunny Martin is a man who clearly doesn’t take any guff from anyone – including a pint size Megan Leavey. Testing her potential and patiently watching to see if her dedication to the K9 unit is solid, he gives us both the tough Gunny as well as a man who understands the hurt of battle.

Rodriguez as Morales is a wise cracking but dedicated part of the K9 unit in Iraq. He manages to bring down some of Megan’s emotional walls but it can take the snap of fingers to bring them back up. Patton as Jim is not someone Megan is thrilled to have around and this is a small role.

Whitford as Megan’s father Bob is a man who realizes that choices he made in his life have affected his daughter. Wanting to reach out and help her, he just isn’t sure how to do it or if it would make a difference. This is a different role for Whitford and he delivers with a lovely scene when Megan returns from Iraq.

Falco as Jackie is – well – Falco. She is an over dramatic and wildly awesome to watch as Megan’s mother. Big or small, Falco brings her best to every role she does and always manages to surprise me.

Other cast include Geraldine James as Dr. Turbeville, Shannon Tarbet as Barb, Miguel Gomez as Gomez, Jonathan Howard as Peter Walters, George Webster as Finn, Corey Johnson as Master Sergeant and Tom Felton as Andrew Dean.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. 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.

MEGAN LEAVEY could very easily be called a feel good film but that would be an injustice to the story being told. There are so many issues that are handled in this story with straight forwardness, no sugar-coating and boldly done.

It is the story of a young woman dealing with the situation her life is in and knowing at some point something had to give. Joining the Marine Corps gives Megan the opportunity to become part of something bigger than herself and not just fighting in a war but becoming responsible for Rex and the lives of everyone around her. Mara takes this role and lets us all experience the journey of this young woman until the end where we come to understand more than we ever could.

Director Cowperthwaite says of her film, “There are so many important story threads, what about the political commentary about the war one could make or about a ton of things regarding women Marines and dealing with their situations…and to focus on this world from Megan’s perspective. You have to hone in on that relationship and how that bond gets built because that is really what the story is – loyalty and friendship.”

In regards to PTSD and returning troops she says, “Dealing with PTSD when our military come home and how we can maybe look at it different, pay attention and be better listeners I think that would be a great thing.”

MEGAN LEAVEY is a story that is well done dealing with issues that might be uncomfortable for some to see but necessary to experience. This film speaks on love, understanding, patience and a friendship that saved not only the lives of others – but of one another as well.

The Bluray includes the Bonus Features of Never Give Up: An Inside Look at How Megan Leavey Learned to Trust Rex!

We are proud to offer a chance for Military Press readers to win a Bluray copy of MEGAN LEAVEY. Go to hellomoviemaven@aol.com with “Megan & Rex” in the subject line along with your name and address. We will be chose winners at random and will notify by email.

In the end – a true story of a marine and her best friend!

PARIS CAN WAIT Reminds Us to Live!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director Eleanor Coppola and Sony Pictures Classics is a feast for the eyes and the mind when PARIS CAN WAIT.

Anne (Diane Lane) has an extremely busy life currently in France. Married for over twenty years to producer husband Michael (Alec Baldwin), she takes care of his peccadilloes and schedule. When Michael is called away to deal with an emergency situation, they decide to meet up in Paris in seven hours.

Not feeling well, Anne decides that flying to Paris isn’t going to work. Friend Jacques (Arnaud Viard) volunteers to drive her but she isn’t sure that is such a good idea. Immediately Jacques begins the conversation wanting to know how she feels about life. Of course that gets cut short with their first stop because – well Jacques wants to eat.

Anne wonders how they are ever going to get to Paris in seven hours, especially when they are forced to spend the night at a small hotel. Michael is frustrated that she is not in Paris yet, not that he is either. Inviting Anne to dinner, they enjoy wine and good food and she lets her hair down just a little.

This won’t be the first stop as their two day journey gives Anne time to relax, take photos and understand that stopping to smell the roses can be a good thing, especially if Jacques has anything to do with it.

It is never too late to regain a lust for life!

Lane as Anne is once again taking the role of a woman who gets caught up in what’s good for everyone else. Lost in the maze of things that has to be done for others, this character has become numb to being equally as caught up in her self. Yes, we have seen this kind of role from Lane before but let me say this, as a woman of a certain age myself; it is these roles that Lane reminds me to zest up my own life.

Viard as Jacques is the wild and crazy friend/driver who has a strong feeling about everything. He sits back and breathes, drinks wine, drives a little crazy, sees the beauty in an old building and even smokes when he knows he shouldn’t. The way he treats his friends is so lovely and he makes it all look so easy. Of course it should be as the lessons Jacque teaches with grace and funny style.

Baldwin as Michael is a very needy individual! He knows that Anne is a pro at taking care of him, so much so she can tell where his glasses are in a suitcase that is no where near her! How many women do you know that can do that – right – a lot of us. Calling Anne during her road trip he hints that Jacques might not have been a good choice to drive (which is something I think significant others say when feeling insecure). It’s a small role for Baldwin and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Other cast include Elise Tielrooy as Martine, Linda Gegusch as Anne Marie, Elodie Navarre as Carol and Cedric Monnet as Gardien de Musee.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings amazing quality motion picture and television productions. Such films as BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, UNDERWORLD BLOOD WARS and PASSENGERS also available for your home entertainment library – there is so much more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.sonypictures.com.

The DVD includes the Special Features of Deleted Scenes, Through Anne’s Lens: A Photo Gallery, Indulging the Senses: Filming a Trip Through France, and Late Bloomer: Eleanor Coppola Directs.

PARIS CAN WAIT is a film about remembering who we are, especially when caught up in being something for everyone else but ourselves. Lane, although overwhelmed with life, gives this character strength and the ability to bend when the realizing that life can be lovely kicks in.

I love the relationship that builds between Lane’s and Jacques characters. They are the definition of yin and yang but it’s clear that they had something to learn from each other. That’s what makes a romantic comedy memorable! Yes there is the funny, the back and forth but it is in those scenes where all that it set aside and changes happen that capture my heart.

In the end – take a break and journey with love and friendship through France!

MY LITTLE PONY Friendship is Magic: Fluttershy Floats onto DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from SHOUT! Kids Factor and Hasbro Studios is the iconic and loveable MY LITTLE PONY Friendship is Magic: Fluttershy.

The gang is excited when they learn that the famous photographer Photo Finish has seen Rarity’s fashion work! Setting up a fashion photo shoot, Rarity asks Fluttershy to be her model. Not sure that it’s what she wants to do, Fluttershy agrees because her friend has asked. Immediately Photo Finish makes it clear that she isn’t interested in Rarity’s fashions but Fluttershy as a model. It makes Rarity sad when Fluttershy becomes instantly famous and doesn’t know her friend is sad too. The girls work together to be truthful with one another and put a stop to the madness that is straining their friendship.

Fluttershy visits her parent’s home and learns her little brother Zephyr is returning to live. Immediately he treats his parents badly and Fluttershy gets grumpy about the way he is acting. She tries to convince her parents to speak up and make Zephyr responsible for his own actions. They agree and when he leaves Fluttershy is shocked to go home and find her brother already moved in. Doing her best to show him what it takes to be a responsible pony; Zephyr does his best to mess things up. Fluttershy tries one last time to help her brother fight his fear and succeed.

A game of Buckball excited Rainbow Dash and joining a team sounds like fun to the other ponies. Going up against the Appaloosa team, Apple Jack trains them to put together a good team. Surprised at what a natural Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are at the game, Apple Jack needs more players exactly like them. Snails turns out to be an awesome surprise! The team learns more about each other and what it means to be a team and have good sportsmanship.

Apple Jack and Fluttershy are asked by Rainbow Dash to go to Las Pegasus. Twilight tells them they need to help the Princess of Friendship. They are met by Mr. Gladmane and shown around his impress place of business. Fluttershy finds Flim and Flam and immediately sees their friendship problem. Apple Jack refuses to help the two and seeks out others who may need help. When they learn Mr. Gladmane is up to no good, Fluttershy and Apple Jack team up with Flim and Flam to bring out the truth in Las Pegasus.

Finally, Fluttershy has to take bunny Angel to Dr. Fauna when he has a little accident. The doctor’s office is bursting at the seams with animals that need tending. No one seems to know where they are all coming from and they won’t leave once they’ve been treated. It doesn’t take long before Fluttershy realizes she might have given Dr. Fauna so much praise and spread the word. The animals came and are feeling safe in her care. Fluttershy realizes that her dream is to open an animal sanctuary. All the ponies know someone who can help that dream come true.

Hasbro Studios is an iconic brand with some of the best in animation and family programming with MY LITTLE PONY, and LITTLEST PET SHOP. Since its formation in 2009, Hasbro Studios has received seven Daytime Emmy’s!

SHOUT! Factory brings the best to fans offering up feature films, classic television series, animation and specials. For more of what they have to offer go to www.shoutfactory.com. 

The DVD includes the episodes Green Isn’t Your Color, Flutter Brutter, Buckball Season, Viva Las Pegasus and Fluttershy Leans In. Also included is the Bonus Feature of a Sing-Along and trust me it is catchy and fun!

What else can possibly be said about these iconic ponies that hasn’t been said before? My family has been watching MY LITTLE PONY since my own girls were children (now are grown adults). The best part is watching my daughter’s daughter watch MY LITTLE PONY and play with the iconic toys. That is how amazing this show is and continues to be.

With ever changing story lines, the MY LITTLE PONY universe grows, expands and we continue to embrace them. That is an accomplishment beyond any stretch of the imagination. To bring beloved characters further and further into our homes with love, family, color, light, and lessons – that is what quality family programming should be.

Get ready to go on Fluttershy’s adventure with MY LITTLE PONY Friendship is Magic: Fluttershy on DVD.

In the end – in the words of Fluttershy ‘sometimes you have to do things even though you might fail’!

Win a copy of MY LITTLE PONY Shutterfly for your own home entertainment library by visiting http://moviemaven.homestead.com to find out how!

KUU KUU HARAJUKU: Super Kawaii Brings Adventure!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from SHOUT! Kids Factory and the mind of Gwen Stefani is the hit series KUU KUU HARAJUKU: Super Kawaii.

The girls; G, Love, Angel, Music and Baby along with manager Rudy, are thrilled to be working in the garden growing vegetables but Luv can’t wait to show them the Kawaii Fire machine. Made to amplify Kawaii-ness the other girls are a little nervous about her latest invention. When a festival is a chance for the girls to perform in the battle of the bands, they are not happy with their bland costumes. Remembering the Kawaii Fire machine, they create awesome costumes and work together to put on a great show.

Getting ready for Super Kawaii Sunday, the girls are thrilled that a famous photographer is coming to town to find fresh faces. Hitting the shops the girls want to look their best and be fashion fantastic. When they show up at the mall they are a little dishearten and think they don’t really have a chance. When photographer Egal begins to take their picture while they are being themselves, a new Kawaii level is reached. Now, the camera Egal used has turned into a Kawaii monster and tries to steal people’s Kawaii! Don’t worry; the girls know just what to do.

Rudy brings HJ5 doughnuts and the girls notice a rainbow bubble. Ms. Shout wants the girls to participate in a Bubbleland competition that could lead to a recording contract. Once at Bubbleland, the girls are shown to their own bubbles before the competition. Quickly the girls learn Mrs. Shout actually wants quit and has captured HJ5, the Tanaka Boys and others to make that happen. The girls have to be clever if they are going to get themselves and everyone else out of the bubble!

The HJ5 girls are trapped in a rocket that has launched to destroy an asteroid. The problem is the rocket has explosives and once in outer space the girls only have twenty minutes to make something happen. Discovering that the asteroid is named Sparkle Star, she just needs help to get back on her space course. The girls figure that the explosive can help Sparkle Star regain her fire.

Rod the Robot is the girl’s new driver taking them to their next gig. The girls are getting ready for a performance when the underwater dome they are in springs a leak. Trying everything from Kawaii bandages and bubble gum, nothing seems to stop the inevitable. Once out of the dome, the little Octocorns see HJ5 as their friends and when they run out of gas in their vehicle, they make sure the girls – and Rudy – get to the surface.

The girls get a gig at the zoo along with a free pass to visit the animals. All is going well until Mr. Smyth, the head zoo keeper, cancels the concert because Music has been banned from the zoo. Her list of rule breaking is put out for the other girls to see. Luv manages to get her on probation so they can play the concert but Music thinks she might need special help to stay out of trouble.

Monotone Records wants to sign the girls to a record contract. The girls aren’t sure they are a good fit for the label. Immediately the executives want to change everything about HJ5 and the girls aren’t having it. They also learn that an evil super computer is controlling musicians to become monotone. They want to rob them of their individuality and while the girls continue to refuse to change, they are also planning their escape.

HJ5 performs at a beach party but critic Heddy Harumph wonders if the group is washed up. Now G is suffering from stage fright because of what Harumph said. The girls want to use dream therapy to fix G’s problem before the concert that is only hours away.

G is also in a creative rut and with a show coming the girls think it’s a chance for her to get new ideas else where. Creator Pigment is an artistic genius but doesn’t really help G with her slump. When a butterfly painting comes to life, it begins an art attack on Kawaii. Realizing its something Rudy did, they have to literally formulate an antidote before they all turn to art.

Luv shows the girls all her latest inventions. Rudy sets up a chance for the girls to perform on Twisty Tea’s next video. They have to house sit to get the gig but the girls are all in. That’s when Rudy tells the truth that the girls were supposed to be watering the plants for over a month. When they see the shriveled up plants, the girls use on of Luv’s inventions but Rudy once again causes the girls to stop chaos before Twisty Tea gets home.

Luv creates the Oops machine that can fix things that have gone wrong. Waking up the next day, there are five HJ5 gold records on the wall and it’s easy to see Luv is in an alternate universe. Now highly successful, this other dimension is twisted and people have no choice in their decisions. HJ5 have become the bad guys and the kitten-bots want to capture Luv. This isn’t the HJ5 universe Luv wants to be a part of.

Finally, Rudy takes the girls to his Aunts beauty salon. Trixie Latrell is the make-over maven who believes she can give the girls a fantastic new hair look. Angel is thrilled to be getting a make over for the Honey festival. When it doesn’t go well, the girls know they need to help Trixie come into the modern age. Using the internet and social media, HJ5 has a concert and brings the Baubles magazine editor in to see what’s new and exciting. When hair gets out of control, HJ5 comes to the rescue!

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

The DVD includes the Bonus Feature of Meet the Voice Cast! as well as all twelve episodes: The Kawaiifier, Super Kawaii Sunday, Delectabubbles, Kablooey Chewie, Water Baby, Music Zoo, The Dotted Line, Life is but a Dream, Oh G, Green House, Control+Alt+Dimension and Angel Hair.

Also, check out the “kawaii” soundtrack to the much-loved TV series, available for download now on itunes.com and Amazon.com or stream it on Apple Music and Spotify. HJ5: KUU KUU HARAJUKU features the show theme and five new songs from the hit children’s television series including, Dancing in the Sunlight, Change It Up and All For One.

This animated series brings music, fashion, color, friendship, loyalty and silliness together with so much fun. The show brings out such an amazing group of characters that all are unique in their own way yet work together to get themselves out of a lot of predicaments (to be honest most of them are because of Rudy!).

So enjoy a little fun and adventure from a group that always wants to do the right thing and take care of one another – we can all learn from that.

In the end – you can save the world and still look fabulous doing it!

P. KING DUCKLING Says Seize the Day!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from SHOUT! Factory is the amazing animated series that will have you believing in friendship with P. KING DUCKLING Seize the Day.

P. King is a duck who loves being with his friends Chumpkins the pig and Wombat. Together they have wild adventures that begin with friendship, loyalty and silliness that comes with being diverse friends.

It is Wombat’s birthday! P. King and Chumpkins are doing everything possible to try and help her celebrate but want it to be a surprise. It’s becoming a challenge keeping each errand a secret, especially when Wombat begins to think that her two best friends want nothing to do with her.

On a special trip, P. King and Wombat head up a large hill to see the awesome view of Fishy Falls, Cow Canyon and the beautiful sunset. P. King gets the idea what he wants to move his house on the very spot they are standing. Calling on a crane, his house is moved but atop the hill all alone, P. King misses his friends but comes up with an idea that will solve everything.

Chumpkins shows P. King and Wombat how he can make the Hilly-copter do doggie tricks. P. King is equally thrilled to share with his friends a race car he built from cardboard. Greg the Goose shows off his flashy car and suggests that P. King enter the town race and even offers to help fix P. Kings car. That’s what P. King learns that sometimes someone who claims to be a friend is anything but.

Hilly Hole has become a heat wave that has P. King, Wombat and Chumpkins melting. Looking for a way to cool off, they get the idea to create an ice castle that would help the entire town escape the heat. They didn’t think it through as the ice castle begins to melt but what starts out as a good idea turns into something much more fun!

P. King decides he needs a pet and wants Chumpkins to help him find a Dog Fish. Wombat reminds P. King that a pet is a huge responsibility but P. King is sure he can handle it. When Barky arrives, Chumpkins gives P. King instructions on how to care for the new pet. When P. King forgets to read the care instructions, Chumpkins and Wombat come to the rescue as good friends do.

P. King loves to jog but is bored with his surroundings. When he sees a picture in Wombats book of the Great Wall of China, P. King decides that it is exactly where he needs to go jogging from one end to the other.

When fashion designer Armadillo comes to Hilly Hole, the gang wants to be more fashionable. P. King wants to expand his wardrobe and when he realizes clothes are expensive, he decides to make his own. Using recyclables, P. King catches the attention of Armadillo who wants to do a fashion show with the gang as models.

When P. King decides he wants a new friend, he sees a video of Lee the Panda. Sending an email asking to be friends, Lee the Panda responds that he is coming to Hilly Hole for a visit. Lee shows everyone his culture through kite flying, dancing and dumpling making. P. King is upset because Lee is spending more time with everyone else but Wombat and Chumpkins shows him true friendship.

P. King is also looking for a mentor but everyone is busy in Hilly Hole. On his journey he finds a gorilla doing Tai Chi on a mountain top. Looking to find his better self, P. King follows his training but questions how it helps him. Then he meets a Dung Beetle who seems to put everything into perspective.

Chumpkins is unhappy thinking about his life. P. King and Wombat want to show their friend that Hilly Hole would not be the same place without Chumpkins and all he has done. Programming one of his own inventions, the Zeus goggles, gives Chumpkins insight as to how important he is to the town of Hilly Hole.

Wombat gets tickets to Australia taking P. King and Chumpkins with her. Starting in Darwin, they journey to the End of the Road where other back packers are going to join in. Angus the guide takes them to see Wombats in the wild but gets side tracked. Wombat refuses to leave until she sees a wombat in the wild. Finding family is the highlight of her life.

P. King creates his super hero alter go Inflato-Man. Creating costumes for Wombat and Chumpkins, they all three go through Hilly Hole looking for good deeds to go. Just as P. King is about to give up trying to help, a town flood makes their services really important.

P. King is worried that he will never be good at a sport. When the gang discovers that he excels in tetherball, they go to the tetherball championship. P. King wins but Wombat and Chumpkins start to see a change in their friend and it isn’t very nice. When Tim the tree frog challenges P. King, Wombat sees it as a chance to bring the braggy duck down to Earth. Another lesson P. King learns is that an apology to friends goes a long way.

Finally, a farmers market in Hilly Hole teaches P. King about organic food. Inspired, P. King decides he wants to be an organic farmer and create a crop that will wow people. Greg the goose is up to his old tricks and tells P. King that he has a special seed. Convincing P. King that cookie seeds would grow cookie bushes, Wombat and Chumpkins helps expose the joke. Unhappy that he couldn’t be a good farmer, P. King learns that an unexpected crop is now in his field making things alright again.

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

P. KING DUCKLING is created by the award-winning Josh Selig (who is known for Sesame Street and Wonder Pets!) in collaboration with James Chen Gu, General Manager of UYoung Animation.

The DVD includes the episodes Wombat’s Big Surprise, A Hill With A View, Speed King Duckling, P. King’s Cool Castle, The Dog Fish, P. King’s Great Jog, Fowl Fashion, A Day with a Panda, Will You be my Mentor?, It’s a Wonderful Chumpkins, Wombats in the Wild, Hi-Ho Inflato-Man!, The Tetherball King and P. King’s Cookie Farm.

This series is filled with bright and engaging animation with storytelling about friendship, loyalty and understanding. It is quite easy to forget that they are different animals because the stories are about working together and being understanding of differences instead of pointing them out.

Each character gives us a look at our own silliness and fears that may stop us from being the best human beings we can be. That is what I enjoyed most about P. KING DUCKLING, the ability to see ourselves in these characters.

I also have to say that my granddaughter who is two thought these characters were hilarious, engaging and she couldn’t stop watching. That means that P. KING DUCKLING gets the Jaycie-Lee seal of approval as well. This is important in wanting her to enjoy her television viewing time while grandma is happy she learns life lessons as well.

In the end – adventure takes flight with P. King and friends!

To win a copy of P. KING DUCKLING for your very own please visit http://moviemaven.homestead.com and find out how!

MY COUSIN RACHEL Twists on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital HD this week from writer/director Roger Michell and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is a story of love and mystery surrounding MY COUSIN RACHEL.

Philip (Sam Claflin) loses his parents at a very young age but it blessed when Cousin Ambrose raises him. When Philip becomes a young man, Ambrose travels and becomes involved with a woman named Rachel (Rachel Weisz). As strange letters begin to arrive, Philip has no choice but to find his Uncle.

Seeking wise advice from family friend Kendall (Iain Glen) who regards Philip highly and daughter Louise (Holliday Grainger), a plan is made to find Ambrose. When the young man arrives it is to sad news that Ambrose has died. His anger wells up against his new cousin Rachel believing she is responsible.

Returning home, he receives word that Rachel is coming for a visit and Louise helps Philip prepare. What Philip is not prepared for is a mysterious cousin who tells a story of sickness and anguish. Feeling emotions he had never felt before, Philip is faced with the duality of love and suspicion.

Coming closer and closer is either a life filled with love or the brink of insanity!

Weisz as Rachel has the uncanny and fantastic ability to add so many dimensions to a character and playing Cousin Rachel is no exception. She is endearing, kind, secretive, altruistic with a history of pain yet it is up to the viewer to understand if any of it is real. I have always enjoyed this actress’s performance but especially those where she gives a turned eye as if she knows something we all don’t.

Claflin as Philip is a young man possessed by every emotion that swings his way. Fueled by anger at first he learns that one can be fueled by the craziness of love with equal fervor. Wanting to experience life, he looks to his cousin to make that happen and isn’t quite sure how to deal with suspicion. Claflin also brings every range of emotion to his Philip.

Glen as Kendall is clearly a man who Philip as respected but even he can not talk to the young man. Being a Game of Thrones watcher, it is truly awesome to see Glen take on a role that once again is filled with sincere feelings. Grainger as Louise is a young woman with her own heart that is aching but goodness is she good at getting things done. Whether finding out the truth or make a house a home, her agenda is patience.

Other cast include Andrew Knott as Joshua, Andrew Havill as Parson Pascoe, Tristam Davies as Wellington, Louis Suc as 12-year-old Philip, Poppy Lee Friar as Mary Pascoe and Katherine Pearce as Belinda Pascoe.

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

The Bluray/DVD and Digital HD Special Features includes Deleted Scenes, Promotional Featurettes, VFX Progressions, Scoring Session, Gallery and Audio Commentary by  Director Roger Michell and Kevin Loader.

MY COUSIN RACHEL is based on the 1951 novel by Daphne du Maurier. In 1952 Olivia de Havilland and a very young Richard Burton starred in the first telling of the novel in theatres. Geraldine Chaplin and Christopher Guard reprise the story with a BBC television mini-series in 1983.

Now director Michell brings his version of the novel My Cousin Rachel adding his own sense of the complications of life. The cast brings these characters from stage to screen along with amazing costuming, locations and an atmosphere ripe for a thriller that still leaves us all asking the question – did she or didn’t she?

He says of the film, “It’s a book that was written before the word feminism and feminists was even current and yet you can’t help but think that Daphne du Maurier saw this current just being around the corner when she wrote this at the bottom of her garden in the very cold 1950’s. I suppose I have teased out and exaggerated some of those elements I detected or felt in her writing in my film so that the leading character is more conscious about being an independent woman and a woman who is not frightened by her sexuality or apologetic about enjoying sex. She also doesn’t want to be in a world that is owned by men.”

It’s not secret that I am an avid fan of period pieces with all the pomp, pageantry, darkness and intrigue that are not hidden behind cgi and the like. Instead, this film breaks everything (and everyone) down to its rawest form leaving the viewer to decide for themselves. That is an amazing part of storytelling and MY COUSIN RACHEL will have people still asking questions long after the film has ended.

Michell tells us, “It is a roller coaster of did-she-or-didn’t-she and I think that’s very exciting. I think that’s one part of it and I think it’s also without doubt it is a love story whether you like it or not. It is a desperate love story and a love story that goes wrong and still beguiling as a love story. It is also a beautiful mystery and I think people leaving the theatre will be arguing with each other about who did what. People going to have a drink after the movie with ‘come on she did it’ and someone else saying ‘come on she didn’t do it’.”

Which means watching MY COUSIN RACHEL becomes an experience that will keep us all following the mystery!

In the end – love and madness sometimes go hand in hand.

KILLING HASSELHOFF Brings Twisted Laughter on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

This week from director Darren Grant and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes a plan turned upside down when KILLING HASSELHOFF.

Friends Chris (Ken Jeong), Fish (Rhys Darby) and Tommy (Jim Jeffries) are part of a celebrity death pool that it worth a huge amount of money. Chris’ pick is David Hasselhoff but it’s a double edged sword. He also owns a nightclub that is struggling a bit but believes it will all turn around when Hasselhoff arrives at a soiree Chris has set up.

The guys get together for a celebratory drink waiting for Hasselhoff when Chris receives a telephone call from his manager Barry (Jon Lovitz). It seems ‘The Hoff’ has changed his mind and wants to go to another club. Chris is devastated personally as well as financially.

Trying to find a way out of it Chris knows that the loan sharks will be wanting their cash. Overcome with a case of the crazies, he realizes there is one way to make the money back – make the Dead Pool come true. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Chris wants a tad bit of revenge as well.

Tommy and Fish are frantic for their friend knowing he is about to get himself killed. What’s more, it seems that the loan sharks like pool amount as well and now it is about to get even crazier. The only one that doesn’t seem to upset by anything going on around him is David Hasselhoff – but that’s what happens when you think you are the coolest dude on the planet!

Jeong as Chris is a man on a mission! He wants to keep his life in a good place with a strong business, being in love with his girlfriend and hanging out with friends. Of course he probably should have thought twice about borrowing from loan sharks but that’s neither here nor there…right? Going after Hasselhoff might be even crazier than the loan sharks and Jeong lets his inner psycho out to play.

Jeffries as Tommy is his usual funny self and the only comment I might make is that his character would be even funnier with his accent. That might just be me because I’m use to hearing it. Jeffries has been on my radar for years now and I’ve followed his comedy faithfully. It’s good to see him surrounded by other funny people.

Darby as Fish also gets a chance to pull out his inner psycho. Twisted inside and out, Darby makes it all look so easy and funny at the same time. Even when he’s being supportive he looks a little nuts doing it. Lovitz as Barry is the manager who basically is worried about keeping his client happy – and no one else.

Speaking of client – Hasselhoff gets to play out his universal “fame” with narcissism, self-centeredness and tons of unabashed openness. I give the man props for shedding down to his shorts and even doing slow-mo pool dives!

Other cast include Will Sasso as Wasserstein, Justin Bieber as the voice of K.I.T.T., Carlos Pena Vega as Pedro, Ron Funches as Bill and cameos by Michael Winslow, Melanie Brown, Howie Mandel, Rick Fox, and Gena Lee Nolin.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. 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.

KILLING HASSELHOFF is a quirky and far-reaching comedy that not only brings the celebrity Death Pool out of the shadows but gives it big bucks! The trio of Jeong, Jeffries and Darby as three friends who are all off in their own way plays out. Hasselhoff is outrageous from beginning to end. There are plenty of cameos in the films as well.

The DVD of KILLING HASSELHOFF comes with Exclusive Features and Hilarious Deleted Scenes in case you need even more laughs.

In the end – don’t hassle the Hoff!

DEEP Takes Families on a Journey of Adventure

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this week and On Demand from director Julio Soto Gurpide and Lionsgate is a journey below the sea in the future with an octopus called DEEP.

It is the year 2100, a very rambunctious octopus called Deep (voiced by Justin Felbinger) and his family live in a colony in the depths of the ocean. The human race is gone and the sea creatures need to find their place again.

Along with the guardian of the abyss called The Kraken (Dwight Schultz), Deep enjoys his time hanging out with friends Evo (Stephen Hughes) the angler fish and shrimp Alice (Lindsey Alena).

When Deep’s colony becomes trapped below a cavern, he must locate a whale named Nathan (Lewis Macleod). The Kraken assures him that Nathan is the only one that can move the boulder trapping them all.

The problem is in finding Nathan and it isn’t going to be easy! Deep and his friends embark on a journey that will take them to the submerged subways in New York and other perilous places. Along the way they meet Maura (Elisabeth Gray), an eel who finds herself becoming part of the journey.

When the group of friends realizes what it is going to take to save their colony, nothing will stop them.

Deep is a young yellow octopus who doesn’t know any other world than this. Spending his time with friends and little adventures, he doesn’t stray to far away from home. That all changes when it comes to helping the survival of the colony. Getting help from friends Evo and Alice, they are his reminder to stay focused.

Evo and Alice also cracked me up with their antics. Angler fish aren’t the prettiest fish in the sea but Evo is endearing nonetheless. Alice is full of  one-liners, side comments and calling Deep out when things get a little dangerous. When Maura joins the band of adventurers, it becomes a learning experience for them all.

The Kraken does his best to take care of those in his charge, even while an ocean of another kind comes dangerous close to them all. He believes in Deep and his friend Nathan to come to their rescue.

Other cast include Jess Harnell as Luigi, Phil LaMarr as Artie, Bob Bergen as Ralph, William Salyers as Darcy, Anna Vocino as Norma, and Joe Hernandez as Rico.

DEEP is an animated tale of friendship, loyalty and doing the right thing at all costs. The animation uses every color of the spectrum to be sure. There is something about ocean characters that kids just love and DEEP cover a wide range of them.

That is what parents who take their kids to the movies want to see. They want a story that engages kids yet everyone has a good time as well. There is music, fun, quirkiness and all of it adds up to a fun night at the movies.

Its going to be difficult to choose one favorite character from them all but I think I’m going to have to go with Alice. She is small but size doesn’t keep her from standing up when others think she is an easy target. That’s one of the many life lessons DEEP brings.

In the end – a new hero will rise from the deep!

THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres today from director Patrick Hughes and Lionsgate is a pairing whose time has come with THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD.

Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) was the world’s top bodyguard, Triple-A rated in fact. Notice I said was! In the blink of an eye Bryce’s life went from the best of everything, including girlfriend Amelia (Elodie Yung) and a nice car to, well, not so much the best.

When a client is taken out on his watch, he is now driving a small set of wheels and shaving has literally taken a back seat. Bryce’s boring life is about to change thanks to Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman), former country leader who is being prosecuted by The Hague for war crimes.

In order to hold Dukhovich responsible, prosecutors have a key witness in Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) who was captured and has agreed to talk. Bryce’s ex-Amelia heads a tactical group in charge of getting Kincaid to court before time runs out. Unfortunately there are those who are going to make that difficult.

Part of the deal in talking is that Kincaid’s wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) would be released from prison which is just fine with Renata Casoria (Tine Joustra) and Jean Foucher (Joaquim de Almeida).

On the way the caravan is attack with Amelia and Kincaid surviving running to the nearest safe house. Knowing that getting to The Hague is imperative, Amelia calls Bryce for help. The moment Bryce and Kincaid meet it is clear these two hold grudges but not punches.

Yet a bromance begins that takes them through firefights, chases, moles, one-liners, realizations, if you can believe it – talks of love!

Reynolds as Bryce does this duo-comedy proud, but then again this isn’t rocket science. Reynolds has timing and a way of delivering a line that is sheer hilarity and, on occasion, becomes memorable. He has a razor sharp wit (have you seen his tweets?) and a sarcasm many wish they had. THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD is a laughing-notch in his comedic belt in the role of Bryce as the uptight and resentful bodyguard who isn’t exactly thrilled with helping an ex or a criminal.

Jackson as Kincaid is doing what Jackson seems to do best, be wild and crazy. Kincaid is a criminal who took the bait getting caught and has no problem making a deal, not for himself but his love Sonia. Once out in the world however, he knows exactly how to take care of himself and have a good time doing it. Kincaid is the huge thorn in Bryce’s side and enjoys that too! There is absolutely no way Jackson didn’t have a blast doing this film because his character was certainly enjoying himself. He gets to swear, use a gun, talk smack and claim love – a well rounded acting gig if you ask me.

Hayek as Sonia is hysterical and gives her the chance to show her verbal badassness while looking pretty good in a jail cell. Again, she seemed to be having a great time. Rousell as Yung has a history with Bryce but that doesn’t stop her character from throwing him into the fray.

Oldman as Dukhovich gives his best crazy despot who doesn’t mind killing his own people and trying to get away with it character. It feels a bit like an older version of his crazy terrorist who doesn’t mind killing anyone as Ivan Korshunov in the 1997 film AIR FORCE ONE. Always love me some Oldman so no complaints from me.

Other cast include Tsuwayuki Saotome as Kurosawa (remember that name), Rod Hallet as Professor Asimov, Yuri Kolokolnikov as Ivan, Barry Atsma as Moreno, and Richard E. Grant as Seifert.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD five tubs of popcorn out of five. I do this pretty much for one obvious reason, I laughed – and laughed hard! That is a big thing for me since most of this movie year I’ve been crying and bitching. This film took all that laughter I have been saving and shook it all right out of me.

Okay, I will also admit here, and see it as a warning in advance, don’t drink and laugh. There is a particular moment between Reynolds and Jackson that caused me to shoot Dr. Pepper right outta my nose – yes folks, THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD produced an asner of epic proportion.

Yes, this is a buddy movie, yes there are a lot of those but are they as good as this? A few are and THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD is setting a new high for finding the right duo to pull it off. Reynolds and Jackson are epic together and verbally go mouth-to-mouth with wit, sarcasm and song.

So group up and head to the theatre for a serious good time with laughs provided by two of everyone’s favorite crazy people with THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD.

In the end – everyone is out to get them if they don’t kill each other first!

DisneyNature Brings BORN IN CHINA to Stunning Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week from DisneyNature with director Chuan Lu and narrated by John Krasinski is the amazing four season journey when you are BORN IN CHINA.

In the vastness of China and the four seasons, DisneyNature follows Dawa, a stunningly beautiful snow leopard who blends into her surroundings. This comes in extremely handy when raising two adorable cubs. Teaching them to everything they needs to know about being snow leopards, they also discover the dangers when a group of snow leopards invade Dawa’s territory.

Tao Tao is a golden snub-nosed monkey who is dealing with family issues. When a little sister is born into his family, Tao Tao begins to feel a little ignored and turns to a life of mischief with the Lost Boys. That is until one lesson learned changes the tide of a grateful father!

Ya Ya is thrilled to be the mother to a very young Mei Mei, a daughter. Raising this feisty little black and white bundle seems such a joy for Mom. Mei Mei decides she wants to learn all about her surroundings and under her watchful eye, the young panda learns what it means to be just that – a panda.

Also in China are the beautiful landscapes and animals that make up the live and livelihood of this country, including the noble Red-Crowned Cranes. It is breathtaking knowing they are all born in China!

What a beautiful film and I don’t think I said ‘awwww’ quite enough times. DisneyNature always captures the stunning surroundings of beautiful animals. They do so without being intrusive and letting us all know that there is both life and death in the animal kingdom without making it graphically so.

The Bluray gives the film a continued richness of color and depth that I appreciate. These animals, like the snow leopard have stunning colors in their eyes and fur – even if the panda is only black and white. The greenery and color is equally as magical because as much as I would like to be there in person, DisneyNature has given me the next best thing.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

Also, go to http://nature.disney.com/born-in-china for a download Educator’s Guide and Activity Packet to have teachable moments that are filled with fun as well. There is so much information on the animals and fun crafts that bring the story of these beautiful animals home.

BORN IN CHINA comes in Bluray/DVD and Digital with the ability to stream and download on a Smartphone, tablet, television or computer. The Bluray Bonus Extras include Panda Suits & Bamboo Shoots – Join the team as they struggle through an almost impenetrable bamboo forest in an effort to capture footage of pandas in the wild, and Walking with Monkeys – The shivering crew bundles up to film the adorable golden snub-nosed monkeys engaged in a surprisingly human activity.

Also included is Monsters of Camouflage – Go behind the scenes as the filmmakers set out on a quest never before achieved to find and film a snow leopard family in the wild, Wading Through the Wetlands – A crew travels to far northeast China to catch the first moments of a red-crowned crane chick’s life and finally the Everything Everything Music Video performed by American Authors.

DisneyNature through the Disney Conservation Fun has made a contribution to World Wildlife Fun, to benefit wild pandas and snow leopards which is such an amazing thing to do.

BORN IN CHINA gives us all an inside look at these amazing families filled with love, playfulness, caring, struggle, hardship and danger. The dynamics of their lives is one of family first and clearly nothing gets in the way of that – nothing!

DisneyNature has once again brought beauty from beginning to end with the animals and their surroundings. In watching what is to come I am thrilled to see their next project is DOLPHINS!

Gather up the family once again for some Disney time and share in a part of the world we once knew so little about. Becoming informed and appreciative of these animals is heartwarming and gives us all an opportunity to be part of something bigger.

In the end – from their family to ours!