Love and the Sea lead to ADRIFT

       

Jeri Jacquin

Sailing into theatres this Friday from director Baltasar Kormakur and STX Entertainment comes the true story of survival when you are ADRIFT.

Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley) is a young woman who has left her San Diego home to travel the world. Going where ever the tide and jobs take her, Tami ends up in Tahiti cleaning boats.

Putting into the dock, Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin) is a man clearly in love with the sea, even the worst parts of it. Meeting Tami they clearly find a connection for wandering and explore the island and their relationship. They also sail on the boat Richard built himself, the Mayaluga, and Tami couldn’t be happier.

Richard runs into family friends Peter (Jeffrey Thomas) and Christine (Elizabeth Hawthorne) who own the 44-foot yacht called the Hazana. They are thrilled to ask Richard if he wants to take their boat back to harbor in San Diego with a thank you fee of $10,000 and a return ticket back to Tahiti.

Tami isn’t sure she wants to return to her hometown but Richard sees the money as a way for them to continue to sail where ever their hearts want to go. They set sail on their first 4,000 mile adventure together!

What they are unaware of yet is that one of the most catastrophic hurricanes is coming their way. Trying to avoid it doesn’t work as they batten down the sails and attempt to ride it out. Being thrown around, Tami wakes to a tossed ship, the sails in the water and Richard badly hurt. 

Getting him settled, Tami takes stock of the provisions that are still aboard and drinkable water in the tanks. Grabbing the sextant and a map, she begins to figure out what is the best way they can be rescued before their supplies run out. Questioning every move she makes, it is the steady voice of Richard that guides them.

Because in that is the power of their love.

Woodley as Tami is a free spirited individual who makes it very clear that she goes where the jobs take her with no thought of staying or going. Meeting Richard is a chance to not only share a little bit of herself but really understand the freedom of her life. Woodley personifies that spirit as she has in so many other films. In this instance she is the right actress to draw us all into the journey.

Claflin as Richard is Woodley’s equal on the screen with the same ability to draw us into the spirit of someone who lives for the sea. Good, bad or otherwise, Richard has built a boat that takes him wherever he wants without apologies. It is easy to see how the two would be drawn into a relationship. Richard is a little more reserved that Tami and it is clear he is in love.

ADRIFT is based on the true story from the book Red Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Love, Loss and Survival at Sea by Tami Oldham Ashcraft. The event happened in October of 1983 when Ashcraft was 23-years-old. A Category 4 hurricane with 50 foot high waves and 160 mph winds were no match for the two sailors.

The film is very well done as it is impossible to not become involved in the story. Of course I believe that all stories about ocean survival are incredible from the mere fact that it is the ocean! It is unpredictable, unrelenting, surprising and majestic and when its waves are ruffled, there is nothing more fierce.

Also, compelling in knowing that there is very little one can do on the ocean when what keeps you alive is taken away. The panic for just food and water isn’t something you can do much about unless you are willing to fish and pray for rain. That’s what makes the difference between giving up and total survival.

Woodley and Claflin are stellar together and watching them from beginning to end brings a sniffle. The portrayal of their real-life counterparts is sweet and spirited bringing the audience into their story of love and survival.

In the end – their every emotion is as deep as the ocean!

ON CHESIL BEACH Shows Life Regret

Jeri Jacquin

This Friday from the works of Ian McEwan, director Dominic Cooke and Bleeker Street is a story of young awkwardness ON CHESIL BEACH.

It is 1962 and Florence Ponting (Saoirse Ronan) is a young violinist in a string quartet and a strong will. Edward Mayhew (Billy Howle) is an awkward young man living in a home with understanding father Lionel (Adrian Scarborough), two sisters and mother Marjorie (Anne-Marie Duff) who has suffered from an accident.

Thrilled that he has received high marks in school but no one to tell about it, Edward wandered into town. There he meets Florence and is taken immediately with her and they quickly become a couple. Always together, talking and sharing both the families see where the relationship is heading.

On their honeymoon, there is still an awkwardness that Edward tries to help Florence through. When it all becomes too much for Florence, the couple end up on the beach and a secret is revealed that could change the course of their dreams forever.

Words can sometimes haunt us forever.

Ronan as Florence has once again given us a strong, memorable and stellar performance. I have longed believed there isn’t a role that this young actress couldn’t capture and ON CHESIL BEACH proves it. There is such a depth to this young character and levels of Florence trying to keep herself together and, at any moment, the wire could suddenly snap. It is Ronan that keeps control of that wire and does so brilliantly.

Howle as Edward is a young man who finds in Florence one thing in his life that makes sense. He is moved by her and, in a sense, believes she is everything he needs. Willing to work for her father to be a providing husband, even his own father Lionel believes Florence is good for him. Howle has an innocence about him and that wraps deeply into the heart of this character.

Scarborough as Lionel is a man who sees what the accident has done to his wife and is amazed when Florence brings such change in her. Duff as Marjorie is living the best life she can since the accident. Watson as Florence’s mother Violet constantly tests the young girl will as only this fine actress can do. 

Other cast include Samuel West as Geoffrey Ponting, Bebe Cave as Ruth Ponting, Bronte Carmichael as Chloe, and Jonjo O’Neill as Phil.

ON CHESIL BEACH is a stunning look at an innocent time where secrets have no way out and truths don’t fit it. Both of these young people have issues that are so deeply engrained in who they are, it was inevitable that something would come to the surface.

It is in their reactions that the stories are truly told, yet each does not see the answers in the other. Instead, anger and frustration take over and in flash one decision in life can be devastating. That is what is so heartbreaking about this story for me, that even when faced the choice once again, it is decision that can either right things or stay on the path of nothing.

Ronan and Howle are heartbreaking to watch and artfully beautiful at the same time. Experiencing their characters struggle to find a way out of their pain is worth every moment on screen. Well done, absolutely well done.

The novella On Chesil Beach by British writer Ian McEwan has been translated into several languages and was nominated in 2007 for the Booker Prize.

In the end – life can still change when you do nothing.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

 

GIVEAWAY TIME! That's right...we have plenty of goodies to give away so click here -->> http://moviemaven.homestead.com and choose wisely! GAME OF THRONES, A WRINKLE IN TIME, PACIFIC RIM ...something for everyone!

SPINNING MAN Brings Unexpected Twists

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Simon Kaijser and Lionsgate comes the story of what happens when what you believe and what is real can cause one to become a SPINNING MAN.

Evan Birch (Guy Pearce) is a philosophy college professor living with wife Ellen (Minnie Driver) and daughter Zelda (Eliza Pryor) and son Adam (Noah Salsbury Lipson).  Life is idyllic until a young high school cheerleader goes missing bringing Det. Robert Malloy (Pierce Brosnan) on the case.

Evan goes about his business until there is a knock on his door asking to search his car. Both he and Ellen aren’t sure what is happening or what Evan is being accused of. Reaching out to their family lawyer friend Paul (Clark Gregg), he is asked straight out if there is any chance of involvement.

Upset that anyone would think so, it becomes even more difficult when evidence is found in the car and stories don’t match up. Det. Mallory isn’t making it easy either by planting suspicions in Ellen’s mind. She immediately makes it clear to Evan that she isn’t going to cover for him.

The only light to his days is that of student Anna (Alexandra Shipp) who doesn’t ask much of him other than coffee and talk about his book. As Evan waits for the police to find the missing cheerleader, his mind begins to chase between what is real and the truth.

Both are a matter of life and death.

Pearce as Evan is a man who absolutely has command of the classroom and the subject he is teaching. Living the stereotype of an attractive man professor and yet he is jittery that no one believes in his innocence in all things. Trying to balance his life, his secrets and his persona is what could be his undoing. There is something about Pearce on the screen from PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT to L.A. CONFIDENTIAL to ALIEN: COVENANT that I know his role is going to be unique and memorable.

Brosnan as Det. Malloy isn’t ruffled in the slightest by anything that Evan says or does. He is one slick policeman when he plants little hints around the wife to get help in solving the case. There are even moments where it is easy to forget he is a cop when in the car with Evan which is, after all, what makes a good cop. Brosnan is still fun to watch and this role gives him grit.

Driver as Ellen is the dutiful wife and stands by her man, even if she’s done it more times that she would like. She also isn’t helping the police much in their investigation but that doesn’t mean she isn’t doing a little home detective work of her own. Driver gives character Evan a little public ‘what for’ shaming and I actually applauded her. It’s good to bend but Driver doesn’t break.

Shipp as Anna is a nice diversion to Evan’s problems and this is certainly the type of student a professor should run from – and run fast! Pryor as Zelda is at that age where parents can be embarrassing and this is just a few steps past the norm. Gregg as lawyer Paul is trying to get his client to stop talking and I suggest superglue to the lips!

Other cast include Jamie Kennedy as Ross, Sean Blakemore as Killian, Jeannie Austin as Barbara, Natasha Bassett as Carrie, Sterling Beaumon as Matt, Patrika Darbo as Kelly, Jennie Fahn as Irene and Odeya Rush as Joyce Bonner.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theater franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to it’s 16,000 motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

The Bluray and Digital include the Special Features of Deleted Scenes, Inside SPINNING MAN Director’s Commentary and Trailer Gallery. SPINNING MAN is based on the book The Spinning Man by George Harrar.

SPINNING MAN is a cat and mouse game and most of it is being played by Pearce’s character. All of his antics begin to meld together and that causes him to have problems knowing what the facts are and what is the mind just playing stress tricks. The addition of Brosnan’s character is that of a cop who will let a person hang themselves because he’s got all the time in the world to wait.

Pearce is definitely juggling this character and where it all falls is anybody’s guess – right up until the very last second. That’s what makes a good psychological thriller and this qualifies.

In the end – what you believe and what you know is all in how you spin it!

THE MIMIC Is Calling You!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming soon to Bluray from director Huh Jung and Well Go USA Entertainment is the sound of voices that can only come from THE MIMIC.

Hee-yeon (Yum Jung-ah), husband Min-ho (Park Hyuk-kwon) and their daughter Jonahed (Bang Yu-seal) have decided to move to Mt. Jang. Their son has been missing for several years and Hee-yeon believes that her mother holds the key to finding him. The problem is that Soon-ja (Heo Jin) has gone silent.

Taking the family back to some place she will remember, Hee-yeon is hoping it will trigger something. Instead, they aren’t even done unpacking when two kids who are looking for their dog discover a cave that frightens them. Min-ho and Hee-yeon help them and in the process discover a small girl (Shin Rin-ah) wandering in the woods.

Hee-yeon takes in the girl but her husband is insistent that she turn her over to the police. Quickly, mysterious things begin to happen that are hard to ignore. Especially when a local woman tries to warn them to get away as soon as possible with the story of the Jangsan Tiger.

Hee-yeon feels an attachment to the young girl who calls herself Joon-hee and this causes a strain with Min-ho. When Soon-ja becomes violent towards Joon-hee #2 and it becomes clear that she can’t live with them any more. That night the family begins to not only disappear but discover that the cave is calling Hee-yeon by using the one weakness in her heart.

Jung-ah as Hee-yeon gives the perfect expressions of a grieving mother who hasn’t come to terms with the loss of her son. Relying on her mother to bring her some hope, it is put on hold when the mysterious young girl comes into their lives. Every emotion of fear, fright and sadness is so clear with Jung-ah. I loved her role in A TALE OF TWO SISTERS and WOOCHI showing her strength as an actress.

Hyuk-kwon as Min-ho is trying to keep the family together. Feeling the stress of a mother-in-law that isn’t responding to anyone, a young daughter also dealing with the loss of a brother and a wife who seems determined to self-destruct. When he finally takes a stand, it may cost him everything.

Rin-ah as the foundling girl calling herself Joon-hee is brilliant! She is small, timid yet extremely powerful in her role. Watch the scene between the two Joon-hee’s and tell me that this young lady doesn’t have something extremely powerful. I was captivated by her.

Other cast include Lee Yool as Detective Kim, and Lee Jang-won as Jangsan Tiger.

Well Go USA Entertainment is an amazing company that brings the best of Action and Independent films from around the world. There format includes theatres, digital, cable and VOD along with Bluray. For more of what they have to offer go to www.wellgousa.com.

The story is based on the mythological Tiger of Mt. Jang who is said to be a man-eater that has sharp teeth and white fur. It is said it can be found in the mountains of Busan and can sound like a crying lady. A classic Korean ghost story that will give fans who love chills and jumps a chance to do that right in their own home.

I’m a huge fan of films that aren’t slasher-gory but instead have a story to tell with jumps, creaks, whispers and wind to keep the goose bumps happy. Yum Jung-ah and Shin Rin-ah carry the weight of the film and do it with frightening ease.

THE MIMIC received nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress from the 1^st Seoul Awards and the 54^th Grand Bell Awards. The 38^th Blue Dragon Film Awards also nominated the film for best Technical Award.

In the end – don’t follow its voice!

SATELLITE GIRL and MILK COW Visits Earth in Stunning Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from director Chang Hyung-yun, GKids and Shout! Factory is the extraordinary story of two amazing individuals with SATELLITE GIRL AND MILK COW.

When a satellite going around the planet picks up the sound of a song, it wants to find out more about it. Coming to Earth is Cat-1 who meets Merlin who himself has been turned into a walking roll of paper and giving her a human-like form.

The song came from Kyung-Chun, a young man who is dealing with a broken heart and after a strange twist of fate it turns him into a milk cow. If that isn’t bad enough, there is a man with a plunger trying to take his liver! Cat-1 protects Kyung-Chun but also learns that her satellite form might be in trouble.

When she discovers that getting back might be difficult, Kyung-Chun aka Milk Cow feels bad for her. Actually, it’s more than that as he finds himself having feelings for Cat-1 although he is having a hard time admitting it. The struggle isn’t helped by the Witch of the North who wants to take Milk Cow somewhere he can be safe.

But Kyung-Chun can’t leave Cat-1 behind and in the morning light the two are confronted by an incinerator monster mid-argument. Even when people try to separate the two, they protect one another without even a thought to it. But Cat-1 believes the only way to stop their feelings is by leaving.

Cat-1 faces the incinerator monster alone and Merlin reaches out to Kyung-Chun to use the one thing he knows will reach her. Inside the monster is a world of gray and he finds the real Merlin who tells him to be strong and find Cat-1.

Being different doesn’t mean love isn’t possible!

Satellite Girl may be an arm-firing rocket shoe wearing un-girl but that doesn’t mean her feelings aren’t human. She is strong, powerful and yet has the same fragile emotions as any teenage girl.

Kyung-Chun as Milk Cow is a young man who has had his heart broken or has he? Being around Cat-1, he is more secure about his alter ego and starts to understand what caring about someone truly feels like – even if her arm and head can take off at a moments notice.

Merlin is hilarious as a role of toilet paper, I mean really? He wants to help both Cat-1 and Milk Cow and tries to keep the chaos from getting out of hand. That doesn’t mean he isn’t hilarious to look at.

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.

GKIDS brings award-winning feature animation for both adult and family audiences. The company has received ten Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations including The Secret of Kells, A Cat in Paris, The Tale of Princess Kaguya and The Breadwinner. GKIDS is also a distributor for Studio Ghibli films including Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke and many more. To learn more about GKIDS please visit www.gkids.com.

SATELLITE GIRL AND MILK COW includes the Bonus Features of Coffee Vending Machine and Its Sword Short Film and Trailers.

This is a beautiful story about hope, love, music, friendship, silliness, loyalty and wanting to do what’s right for the person you care about. In the midst of the chaos they are constantly in, Cat-1 and Kyung-Chun find that others may see them as different but their feelings are the same.

Of course they spend time avoiding their feelings and actually Cat-1 doesn’t think she has a right to ‘human’ emotion but Kyung-Chun, even as Milk Cow, changes that. The most touching moment is when Cat-1 gives Milk Cow a kiss because she sees beyond his outward appearance and that is beautiful.

In the end – love always finds a way!

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ Revisited After a Century

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from Arcana Studios, Cinedigm and direction Sean Patrick O’Reilly is a story of old friends meeting new heroes in the animated THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ.

It has been a century since Dorothy, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man (Mathew Anderson) brought us all to Oz. Now, the Emerald City has been turned into metal mayhem and is ruled by a different Tin Man.

Victoria Wright (Ashleigh Ball) is a young engineer who has the gift to fix things below the city as needed but dreams of one day seeing the city. When a pack of flying monkeys swoops her up, she is introduced to the Queen of the North Locasta (Julianna Hough) in the Emerald Forest.

She learns that the Tin Man wants to destroy the forest with industry and needs to stop it. Along with Lion Magnus (Ron Perlman), Scarecrow (Geoff Gustafson), Oscar ‘Oz’ Diggs (William Shatner) and a band of munchkins, all of this can be turned around by finding the Tin Man’s missing heart.

When they band together, Victoria and her friends don’t just fight for the Emerald City but one another with friendship, loyalty and heart!

Ball as Victoria is a bright spot and is drawn in by everyone she meets, even if they don’t want to be. Hough as Locasta knows that Victoria is the one to make things right again and gives encouragement to the young girl.

Perlman as Magnus is perfect as he has the right vocal disposition for the part. Of course it is practically impossible not to recognize the voice of William Shatner who plays the great Oz himself.

Cinedigm is a leading distributor of amazing content in storefronts, digital platforms, Internet and Demand platforms for cable television. With an extensive library of over 52,000 films and television shows, Docurama films, next-gen Indies and Independent films. At its inception, Cinedigm has played a pioneering role in transitioning movie theatres from traditional film prints to digital distribution to advance worldwide cinema modernization. For more on what Cinedigm has to offer please visit http://www.cinedigm.com.

Arcana Studios owns one of the largest libraries of graphic novels and comics that include thousands of characters. Their high quality brand of entertainment is filled with stories that transcend gender, age, cultural and geographic boundaries. THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ is based on a graphic novel of the same name. To learn more about Arcana Studios please visit www.arcana.com.

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ is definitely something different than what most of us have known about the Wizard of Oz. That’s actually what makes this story so unique because it is what has happened since our trip down the yellow brick road.

The Tin Man has lost the one thing that made him feel so much and becoming metal minded he is ruining what we all knew about the Emerald City. Young Victoria is the new face of saving Oz and rising up out of the basement, as it were; she sees what Oz has become.

It isn’t until she goes outside the city does Victoria realize how beautiful the Emerald City could be again. Finding those who see what is happening is challenging but finding the right those who believe in the Emerald City and Victoria is paramount.

The vibrant colors and animation of THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ is entertaining and the story challenges us all to think further on down the road. We’d all love for the Emerald City to stay the same but a century is a long time for that to happen. The stun is that the Tin Man would lose the one thing he fought so hard to get!

Victoria is a character that has such a giving heart and although it takes a little convincing, others believe she is the one to lead them. I really enjoyed the quirkiness of the characters as did my granddaughter.

In the end – it is about friendship, determination and love!

ALTERED PERCEPTION

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from SKD, a Synkronized Company, and director Kate Rees Davies is a story of what happens when you have an ALTERED PERCEPTION.

A pharmaceutical company is dealing with a drug called DPTD that is meant to help people with PTSD and potentially end hostilities across the globe. They tested three couples who are in the middle of relationship problems and recorded them.

Andrew (Jon Huertas) and Lorie (Jennifer Blac-Biehn) seem to spend their relationship being hostile with one another. Beth (Nichola Fynn) and Emily (Hallie Jordan) are a couple with insecurities and one of them is Beth’s brother Justin (Matthew Ziff). Steve (Emrhys Cooper) and wife Kristina (Jade Tailor) are a couple that are to the point of not knowing what else they can do to save their relationship.

Preparing them for the trial is Rebecca (Christine Kapetan) and Claudia (Aileen Burdock) who answer their questions. Now the drug maker Darpa is under scrutiny for the reactions of the couples when their memories become impaired and emotional reactions lash out strongly.

Hiding behind what they think are successes, the company continues to present the video of the couples changes in behavior.

That’s what can happen when you are a human guinea pig!

Huertas as Andrew is a lawyer who uses his jargon to annoy Blac-Biehn as Lorie. This couple pokes at each other’s weaknesses verbally but with the drug the outbursts become more and more frightening.

Fynn as Beth and Jordan as Emily are dealing with not trusting one another and past mistakes in the relationship. Once the drug takes effect, it seems that there is an honesty streak happening and questions are put out on the table.

Cooper as Steve and Tailor as Kristina seem to be the couple that are waiting for the drug to take effect. They have moments that flair up but it doesn’t seem as if they are responding as the other couples – until they do.

Other cast include Larry Wade Carrell as Lewis, Danielle Artigo as Margo, Jenise Blanc as Janice and John Fallon as John.

SKD has distributed the work some of the world’s major directors and box office worthy movies. Synkronized is one of the only labels outside the major studios to be exclusively distributed by WalMart, Target, Best Buy and Sam’s Club. They also lead in supplying works to iTunes, Netflix and the VOD Market. To learn more about SKD please visit www.synkronized.us.

The thriller comes from the mind of Travis Romero, the creator of the USA Network’s “White Collar” and executive producer Michael Biehn.

ALTERED PERCEPTION tackles the question of clinical trials on human beings and those responsible for it. There are hundreds of sites that look for people to volunteer for clinical trials and offer financial incentives to participate. I have read them myself and often wonder how that works or if it really does work and who regulates it.

The film quotes Vanity Fair with, “Prescription drugs kill some 200,000 Americans every year. Will that number go up, now that most clinical trials are conducted overseas … in places where regulation is virtually nonexistent, the F.D.A. doesn’t reach, and “mistakes” can end up in pauper’s graves? The authors investigate the globalization of the pharmaceutical industry, and the U.S. Government’s failure to rein in a lethal profit machine.”

In the end – the implications can be deadly!

SOLO: A Star Wars Story

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theaters this week from director Ron Howard and Walt Disney Studios comes the story of a scruffy-looking-nerf-herder in SOLO: A Star Wars Story.

On Coreillia, a young Han (Alden Ehrenreich) is trying to get away from the miserable and abusive life on the planet. Wanting to bring the girl who has his heart Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke), he devises a plan that will test his piloting skills. Mere steps from the transport that will take them away, they are spotted and Qi'ra pushes Han to leave without her. Pledging that he will return for her, there is only one thing he can do to make that happen and immediately joins the Imperial Navy who give him the name Han Solo.

Several years go by and Han still is having a difficult time. Kicked out of the Imperial Flight Academy, he ends up on Mimban fighting in a battle as an infantryman. That's when Han notices Imperial Officer Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and Val (Thandie Newton) and follows him to discover that he is actually an imposter but not before Tobias has him arrested and thrown in a pit where he meets Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo).

Managing to escape from prison, Han and Chewbacca make their way back to Tobias who sees potential and brings them aboard his ship. Getting help with his next job, Han learns that the leader of the Crimson Dawn, Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany), is expecting a shipment of something called coaxium and Tobias is going after it. The problem is there is someone else interested in doing the same thing which puts Tobias, Han and Chewbacca in danger.

The meeting with Vos is not something Tobias is looking forward to but Han is shocked to see Qi'ra there all grown up and Vos' right hand woman. Feeling that their lives are in danger, it is Han who says that they can steal unprocessed coaxium from the mines on Kessel. Agreeing to the plan, Vos also sends Qi'ra with them and she locates smugger Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover). In a game of poker brings them all aboard the Millennium Falcon to Kessel and once they get their bounty they have little time to get the unstable coaxium back to Vos.

But they is also the Cloud Riders led by Enftys Nest as the group learns that they are only trying to make a difference by aiding the rebellion against the Empire. When they arrive to delivery to Vos, he informs them that he knows what they've been doing and how he knows shocks Han and Chewbacca. Now Han must deal with the traitor, save a friend and make things right for the Cloud Riders - and he will definitely make sure all scores are settled.

Ehrenreich as Solo does a fine job as the young Solo. He has the look of someone who doesn't take orders well and isn't about to be told what to do, that's important. He throws out the arrogant confidence and silly charm that I'd expect from Han Solo. That being said there is something not quite right - oh yes, it isn't Harrison Ford. Look, I get that it's hard to walk in on a role that has been made iconic by another actor, in fact I give Ehrenreich props for doing it, but I can't make the leap in years between this young Han and the Han of 1976.

Clarke as Qi'ra is another character that I'm afraid will end up with its own film (gawd please don't). Kind of broke my heart a little that Leia wasn't Han's first love but the more I got to know Qi'ra the less I worried about her. The chemistry between Clarke and Ehrenreich is good. Glover as Calrissian gave a charmer performance and he gave the character swagger and capes. His robot counterpart was far funnier and more interesting to watch however.

Harrelson as Beckett is a smuggler who is going to go with who ever is going to pay him the most. Being a traitor seemed to come naturally to this character and Harrelson gives it his smirk and calmness that ends up being some of the trademarks found in Han. Newton as Val has a small role that works with Beckett and is the smuggler with a heart.

Bettany as Vos is a bad guy who doesn't give one wit of care who knows it or what anyone else thinks of it. In fact he only answers to one person (sorry, no spoiler for you!) so how he handles situations goes easily unchecked.

Big shout out to Suotamo as Chewbacca because I think this is the first film that I've seen him in where he's "talked" so much! It must be said that seeing him on the Millenium Falcon was uber cool.

Other cast include Phoebe Waller-Bridge as L3-37, Jon Favreau as Rio Durant, Linda Hunt as Lady Proxima, Ian Kenny as Rebolt, John Tui as Korso, and Warwick Davis as Weazel.

Now that I've given you background lets get right to it, SOLO: A Star Wars Story is just that and nothing more - a story. There isn't anything in this film that makes me thrilled and may answer only one question that I hadn't thought to ask. The rest is what I call Star Wars noise and that's about it. There were laughs, action and plenty of symbolism and nods to the original Star Wars and there isn't anything wrong with that.

I guess my problem is I wanted something more, something unexpected, something - something! It's hard to explain it unless you can have a conversation with the 1976 version of me. I think the fact that Han is gone, Luke is gone and Leia is really gone, it is hard for me to care about this film because I never really needed to know the back story of characters. I trusted who they were from the beginning and was happy with that.

Now ROGUE ONE was cool because it didn't involve the main three characters but instead the story of how R2-D2 got the Death Star plans. That took me in a direction that was where I wanted to go, SOLO just really doesn’t do that. I mean I go for the ride but I’m happy when it’s over.

This is another difficult Star Wars review to write because I am an original die hard fan, yes I stood in line every Saturday for months to go for the ride and I didn’t need any urging. That’s what I want from anyone who dares to take on the task of making these “A Star Wars Story” film and we all know there are more on the horizon (deep sigh).

I think I also feel a bit like someone is treading on my memories, on my love of the galaxy far, far away. I didn’t embrace these characters but instead wanted to offer them a cup of blue milk in a traveler cup and send them on their way.

SOLO: A Star Wars Story isn’t bad, it’s filled with a lot that fans love and that is going to have to be enough.

In the end - never tell him the odds!

Disney Brings Home A WRINKLE IN TIME

Jeri Jacquin

Coming soon to Bluray-DVD and Digital Code in a Multi-Screen Edition is from director Ava DuVernay and Disney is a search for A WRINKLE IN TIME.

Meg (Storm Reid) is a young girl having a difficult time. Since her scientist father Murray’s (Chris Pine), she feels the only connection to her life are Mom (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and little brother Charles Wallace (Dedric McCabe).

Hearing talk around school on the anniversary of her father’s disappearance, both Meg and Charles Wallace find themselves in trouble at school. Later that same night, the Murray family is visited by Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) leading to a cryptic message about her father’s work on time travel.

The next day Charles Wallace recruits Meg’s friend Calvin (Levi Miller) and they meet Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) who takes them to meet Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey). She explains to the children that they came because of a call for help.

In order to find her father, Meg is told about The It. Woven through the universe, it is a bad energy that always wants something more. Meg just wants to find her father and it’s up to the three kids to discover where he is and get out before The It can work its worse on them all.

This is how warriors are born!

Reid is lovely as Meg, a young girl that has enough going on without the added pressures of being a bully’s target. Knowing her father is out there somewhere gives her strength to search no matter what it takes, She is also a pretty cool big sister who knows her brother is quite special. Reid gives her character soul and strength wrapped up in such a small girl with a big heart.

McCabe as Charles Wallace almost steals the film half way through. Watching the amazing energy he puts out to try and change the course of Meg’s journey. I was gob smacked at his small stature taking center stage in a pivotal moment and making his small size mean nothing – just wow!

Miller as Calvin wants to help Meg and she eventually learns that she isn’t alone in the life she leads. Calvin has a few secrets of his own to keep hidden inside himself. A strong side-kick to have if you are going to be time travelling.

Winfrey as Mrs. Which is the mother figure of the unusual trio. She wants Meg to find her own strength in being exactly who she is. Kaling as Mrs. Who is lovely and supportive. Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit is scatter brained and delightful but all with a purpose.

Pine as Mr. Murray doesn’t realize what his scientific obsession would cost him or his family until it is too late. Mbatha-Raw as Mrs. Murray keeps the family together and the hope alive for her husbands return.

Other cast include: Zach Galifianakis as Happy Medium, Michael Pena as Red, Andre Holland as Principal Jenkins, Rowan Blanchard as Veronica Kiley, Bellamy Young as Camzotz and David Oyelowo as The It.

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!

The Bluray/DVD of A WRINKLE IN TIME includes Bloopers, Deleted Scenes, A Journey Through Time: Director Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey and Some of the Cast and Crew Give an Up-Close Look at the Making of This Extraordinary Film, Music Videos: ‘I Believe’ by DJ Khaled Featuring Demi Lovato, ‘Warrior’ by Chloe x Halle and Audio Commentary with Director Ava DuVernay, Producer Jim Whitaker, Co-Writer Jennifer Lee and some of the Production Crew.

A WRINKLE IN TIME is a beautiful story of childhood that includes secret pain and the issue of bullying, keeping a family together and never giving up hope. That’s what Meg does, although she turns away from people to hide her feelings, the one thing she will stand up brazenly for is her family.

The film is also filled with grand imagination, special effects that set the tone for the story being told and stunning imagery. There is certainly nothing wrong with having a film that not only can be enjoyed by the whole family but is filled with such intense life lessons. Sometimes it only takes a good movie to get the family talking.

In the end – be a warrior!

The Anniversary Edition of PETER PAN Comes to Bluray for Family Fun

Jeri Jacquin

Coming soon to Bluray-DVD with a Digital Code from directors Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske along with Disney is the iconic boy who could fly with the memorable adventure of PETER PAN.

John (Paul Collins), Michael (Tommy Luske) and older sister Wendy (Kathryn Beaumont) live in the 1900's London. Spending time her brothers reading at bedtime is something Wendy truly loves but father George makes it clear that its time to stop but what they don't expect is a visit from a flying boy named Peter Pan (Bobby Driscoll) along with little winged pixie Tinker Bell.

Peter is chasing his shadow and Wendy not only helps catch it but reattaches it. He also wants Wendy, Michael and John to come and be a part of Never Land. With a sprinkle of pixie dust they are flying high!

What waits for them, besides the Lost Boys, is a pirate ship and Captain Hook (Hans Conried). Along with his first mate Mr. Smee (Bill Thompson), Hook holds only one person responsible for the loss of his hand and that’s Peter Pan. Of course the fact that the crocodile ticking his presence known might disagree, Hook wants Peter. Tinker Bell is also showing signs of jealousy towards Wendy and tries to convince the Lost Boys to shoot her out of the sky leading to her banishment.

John and Michael decide to explore the island a little and find the Indians but are taken because the island natives believe that they are responsible for the capture of Tiger Lily, the chief’s daughter while Wendy meets mermaids with Peter. The two also discover that it is Captain Hook who is responsible for the taking of Tiger Lily. Helping her escape brings a celebration but Tinker Bell isn't finished. Captain Hook gets her to tell where Peter and the Lost Boys live.

Wendy is trying to convince Peter and the Lost Boys to come back with her so they can find their own families but Peter ignores them. That's when Hook grabs Wendy and the boys to make them either sign onto his crew or walk the plank. Leaving a little present behind for Peter, Tinker Bell fears for her friend and that's when Captain Hook discovers that it's not quite so easy to come between Peter Pan and his friends.

Sometimes growing up doesn't mean giving up being a kid!

Wendy, John and Michael are children that have grown up on the stories of Peter Pan and nothing has made them happier than to live their dream. The relationship between the children is so sweet and beautiful and Wendy definitely has the mother instinct - nothing against Nana the dog of course! When faced with the possibility that they will be separated, Wendy believes that going to Never Land may be her last chance before having to grow up.

Their journey isn't without its problems in the form of a jealous pixie and a vengeful Captain but the adventure in them isn't defined by them. Instead, they each want to explore and learn about the island, the Lost Boys and all they knew from the stories told by their sister. When it comes time to defend each other, they do just that.

Other cast of characters includes Heather Angel as Mrs. Darling, Hans Conried as Mr. Darling, Candy Candido as the Indian Chief and Tom Conway Narrating the story.

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!

Bluray Bonus Extras include Stories from Walt's Office: Walt and Flight, A Darling Conversation with Wendy and John, Sing Along, "You Can Fly" - Oke, "Never Smile At A Crocodile", - Oke, and so much more!

The story of Peter Pan was created by playwright J.M. Barrie. Through his story children everywhere have embraced the story of the boy who could fly, a light filled fairy, lost boys and three children who change everything! That isn't the first adventure told by Barrie as he can be found in the 1902 The Little White Bird in the Chapter Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. A 1904 stage play  also came about with Peter Pan or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. In 1911 the story of Peter and Wendy came to print as well.

In 1953, Walt Disney decided to create an animated film based on Barrie's stage play. Adding such memorable songs such as "You Can Fly!", "A Pirate's Life", "What Made the Red Man Red?" and "Never Smile at a Crocodile" brings the film to another level of an enjoyable experience. I remember each of these and enjoyed teaching them to my granddaughter who thinks the movie is so much fun.

Peter Pan is the kid we all tried to be and even let out from time to time when we became adults. The best part about the film is that it has become a generational story losing nothing in the translation. This is a story of family, friendships, humor, life, silliness, song, flight and the fun that has made PETER PAN iconic and beloved.

This film has stood the test of time in story and animation and with the multi-screen anniversary release of PETER PAN, the colors are even more vibrant, the songs crisp and the fun exactly where it should be. We have a Disney library in our home and it absolutely wouldn't be complete without PETER PAN taking his place along with the most amazing animated films Disney has ever offered from its inception until now.

In the end - it will live in your heart forever!

RED SPARROW Brings Twists and Vengeance

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Francis Lawrence and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes a thriller in the form of a RED SPARROW.

Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence) is a beloved Russian ballet dancer who lights up a stage. When an accident forces her to give up the stage, her uncle Vanya Egrora (Matthias Schoenaerts) wants to help. Knowing the state pays for the apartment she shares with her ill mother Nina (Joely Richardson, Dominika is asked to do a specific job.

That one event sends her to a secret program that trains people to be agents and do whatever – whatever it takes for Russia. That’s more important now with the suspicion of a mole right under their noses. Watching Dominika is the school Matron (Charlotte Rampling) and General Korchnoi (Jeremy Irons).

Setting up a coincidental meeting with American Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton) the game of cat and mouse begins. Deals are made, money is exchanged and lives hold little value in the game to win.

But they’ve never met this Red Sparrow!

Lawrence as Dominika gives a performance that is stoic and all the while it is clear the wheels in her mind are in motion. Discovering who to trust, who has the most to lose and how to use the schools programming in her favor takes chess like maneuvering. Lawrence makes it all thrilling and at times jaw-dropping to watch. This character is strong and very smart and with Lawrence doing all the heavy lifting, it works stunningly.

Edgerton as Nash looks like a man who has played this game many, many times. Dominika is sent to get his attention and the message is clearly received. Nash also sees that she isn’t just any sparrow. Working together is going to have a high price attached to it and let me just say OMG the price tag is considerable. Irons as the General has a small role here but that doesn’t make his presence any less felt. Irons still has the amazing power to compel a watcher and it still happens to me.

Schoenaerts as Vanya has been in the game for a long time and clearly sees nothing wrong with sacrificing his niece to it all. His goal is to find the mole and rise even farther up the ranks of the spy game. Schoenaerts is clever in this role and equally disturbing – well done.

A shout out to Charlotte Rampling as the scary Matron of the Sparrow School, you go girl! One thing she shares in common with Dominika is the stoic way she handles every situation – no matter how disturbing. Rampling is a personal favorite for me to watch so thumbs way up every time I see her.

Other cast include: Mary-Louise Parker as Stephanie Boucher, Ciaran Hinds as Zakharov, Bill Camp as Marty Gable, Thekla Reuten as Marta, Douglas Hodge as Maxim Volontov and Sakina Jaffrey as Trish Forsyth.

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.

RED SPARROW is a film that has so much going on and is so fascinating while its happening. The intrigue sets in quite early in Dominika’s life realizing you can’t trust anyone. Becoming an agent seems to be her only way out of a bad situation. The fact that she has no qualms about smacking someone around helps her cause in a weird way.

The story takes us down so many different rabbit holes and just as I thought I knew the destination – wrong! RED SPARROW is a true spy thriller that doesn’t give itself away until it’s damn good and ready!

The Bluray/DVD include the Special Features of A New Cold War: Organization & Adaptation, Agents Provocateurs: The Ensemble Cast, Tradecraft: Visual Authenticity, Heart of the Tempest: On Location, Welcome to Sparrow School: Ballet & Stunts, A Puzzle of Need: Post Production, Director Commentary by Francis Lawrence and Deleted Scenes: Commentary by Francis Lawrence.

There is 90+ minutes of extras and include Movies Anywhere! Watch anywhere with the Movies Anywhere App and a Digital movie is included.

The cast led by Lawrence comes together with each playing their part so well that I certainly wouldn’t be unhappy if they came back for more.

In the end – she’s seductive, deceptive and deadly!