It is the Return of What Scares Us about HALLOWEEN and Now He's Home on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and in time to remind you there are only 309 shopping days left until the spooky season from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and writer/director David Gordon Green, Danny McBride and Jeff Fradley from the characters created by John Carpenter and Debra Hill is the return of HALLOWEEN.

It has been forty years since Lorie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has had to deal with the likes of Michael Meyers in Haddonfield. When two documentary filmmakers come knocking on her door to ask about the night all that long ago, she gives her opinion and throws them out of her fortress laden house.

Strode has been living a secluded life much to the dismay of daughter Karen (Judy Greer) who still holds a grudge about her childhood and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) who wants a relationship with her grandmother. The problem is Strode believes that a time will come when Michael will return.

Her fears are actually being relocated to another facility and Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer) isn’t happy about it at all. When other patients along with Michael are loaded onto the bus, the good doctor makes it clear that he will see his patient checked into the new facility. Sheriff Frank Hawkins (Will Patton) knows about the transfer and sees how it is affecting Strode.

When the bus mysteriously crashes, the carnage begins immediately as Michael makes his way back to the place where it all began. Surviving the crash is Dr. Sartain who makes it very clear that Michael is the property of the state and can’t be harmed. One call after another leads Sheriff Hawkins to body after body with no sign of Michael.

Strode isn’t about to sit around and wait for something to happen and joins in the hunt to find the psycho killer. Granddaughter Allyson is at a high school party but after being upset by boyfriend Cameron (Dylan Arnold), she takes off towards home escorted by friend Oscar (Drew Scheid) and within moments she learns how cruel Michael can be.

Strode gets daughter Karen and her husband Ray (Toby Huss) back to her fortress while the police try and locate Allyson. When everyone else is knocked down one by one, it is up to the women in the Strode family to come together and finish what was started over forty years ago.

And this time pour some gas on it!

Curtis as Lorie Strode jumps into character without missing a beat. It is ridiculous how good she jumped back in and how much I believed that this is how it would play out. Admit it – we all wondered where the character would go and now we get to see it for ourselves. Oh I’ll just say it – I just love Curtis as an actress and a person. Having listened to her speak about her career and embracing the success that the HALLOWEEN franchise brought her then and now is a testament to just how frakken cool she is. She takes Strode to another character level and she does it with grey hair and a bad ass attitude.

Greer as Karen is a bit of a downer for me in that she has totally moves away from understanding her mother. Instead she lies to her own daughter about communication and basically treats Mom/Lorie like a whack-job. Of course she jumps on the whiny ‘oh my poor childhood’ band wagon but hey, suck it up chickie, your mother taught you to survive – remember that because we all certainly would want her on our side!

Matichak as Allyson is the screamer of the family apparently. Strode in her younger years didn’t scream as much as this kid does. I mean serious, stop running down the empty street screaming like a banshee – it’s like ringing the dinner bell for a starving lion for gawd’s sake. Other than that, you did a good job kid and if there is another HALLOWEEN I’m sure you’re on the menu again so keep those track shoes handy.

Patton as Hawkins is a cop who remembers what happened forty years ago just as much as Strode does. Once the word is out that Meyers is on the loose, he doesn’t waste any time hitting the streets and doesn’t mind when Strode steps in with her loaded weapon to do what needs to be done. I’m a Patton fan in case anyone was curious about that.

Bilginer as Dr. Sartain is a doctor who needs a doctor. His agenda is pretty much the reason there are medical boards that take away your license – know that mister!

Shout out to the two gentlemen that brought us the scares both mentally and physically – James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle – thank you sirs for your valiant successful efforts in freaking us out forty years later. Well played sirs, well played.

Other cast include Rhian Reese as Dana Haines, Jefferson Hall as Aaron Korey, Virginia Gardner as Vicky, Miles Robbins as Dave, Jibrail Nantambu as Julian and, of course James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle as Michael Meyers.

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.

The Bonus Features for HALLOWEEN is not to be missed! There is deleted and extended scenes that I’ve watched twice with Extended Shooting Range, Shower Mask Visit, Jog to a Hanging Dog, Allyson and Friends at School, Cameron and Cops Don’t Mix, Deluxe Banh Mi Cops, and Sartain and Hawkins Ride Along. Also included is Back in Haddonfield: Making HALLOWEEN, The Original Scream Queen, The Sound of Fear, Journey of the Mask and The Legacy of Halloween.

MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. For more information please visit http://moviesanywhere.com.

HALLOWEEN is an epic horror film that doesn’t hesitate to nod here and there to the original 1978 film that scared the living acorn candy out of most of us. Of course you can once again expect Michael Meyers to get creative in the way that he disposes of those who get in his way and this time age doesn’t seem to matter. He gives equal horror to all!

I jumped, hollered a bit, put my hand over my mouth, said ‘ewwwwwwww’ a lot, applauded, said ‘daaaaaaaaaaang’ many, many times and cheered. Lorie Strode and family had to make a few sacrifices but darn it if Michael doesn’t make them all work for ever second of survival.

I can honestly tell you that I am still excited about the film. Look, this isn’t rocket science but it’s enough rocket fuel to make those who remember 1978 happy and horror fans giddy to once again remember why we freak out seeing rubber Shatner masks coming our way.

This is a fun, spine chilling film that is a bloody run down memory lane and I can’t wait to see it again and again – with my hands off my face this next time!

In the end – believe in the Boogie-man!

ODDSOCKEATERS Explains it all on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Galina Miklinova and Omnibus Entertainment comes the answer to the question we’ve been asking for centuries with ODDSOCKEATERS.

Hugo is an Oddsockeater who is very close to his grandfather. He has learned to only take the odd sock when it is needed and no more. One day his grandfather tells him that he must go find his uncle because his time in the sock world is coming to and end. With a heavy heart Hugo leaves him home in search of his uncle.

Along the way he meets the Professor who totally believes in the existence of the Oddsockeaters and is trying to prove it. He also discovers The Blades who are a shady bunch of sock thieves who would like nothing more than to take over the odd sock world.

Hugo finds his uncle Big Boss also learns he has two cousins that are actually quite a handful. That’s when the adventure begins as the leader of The Blades will do anything to get every sock that the Big Boss has – even kidnapping Hugo!

These socks may be odd but they will stick together! 

The character of Hugo is so striking as is his ultraistic nature and love for his grandfather. Believing in the simplistic life and being a good Oddsockeater, he never takes more than is needed and wants what is best for the small family he lives in.

When his world is expanded and he realizes there are those who don’t share his beliefs, including his own family, he tries to listen to others and learn a little. When it comes to his new family, Hugo believes very much in the same values that he learned from his grandfather – that family is everything and loyalty cost nothing.

Omnibus Entertainment is the genre imprint for Film Movement, founded in 2002 as one of the first-ever subscription film services with its DVD-of-the-Month club. Now, Film Movement is a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City. It has released more than 250 feature films and shorts culled from prestigious film festivals worldwide. 

ODDSOCKEATERS is based on the international best selling books by Pavel Srut and has been given the Dove approval for the best in family entertainment.

The story of the ODDSOCKEATERS is absolutely stunning in its telling with animation that is colorful and memorable. There is so much to learn in the film but it doesn’t get mired down in so much heavy sentimentality that it forgets to be so much fun.

The characters each have such unique looks and, after a time, it is easy to forget that you are watching a story about socks! I would love to actually own stuffed dolls of Hugo and the gang just to keep the fun going.

Srut has taken the question of the ages and given it an absolutely wonderful explanation that people of all ages will not only remember, but share with families looking for a marvelous opportunity to spend time together.

If you have ever wondered where missing socks go then might I suggest you get comfy with the kids and a bowl of popcorn and treat yourself to the ODDSOCKEATERS on DVD. Enjoy it once, enjoy it twice – enjoy it always!

In the end – hold onto your socks!

CMA AWARDS LIVE: Greatest Moments 1968-2015 Brings the Best Performances to DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Time Life is a New Years gift that will keep on giving to country music fans who remember the music and want to see it again with the CMA AWARDS LIVE: Greatest Moments 1968-2015.

It has been 50 years since the CMA Awards have recognized the performances of some of country music’s greats. Time Life offers a look back to 1968 with amazing performances from singers I learned about from my father. In this three disc set, fans will be delighted in what this three disc set has to offer.

Beginning with the 2^nd Annual CMA Awards in 1968 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee we start with a song that still brings me to tears to this day. Bobby Goldsboro croons us with his rendition of the hit song Honey only to be charged right away with Johnny Cash and Folsom Prison Blues.

Two other hits of country music brought by strong women are Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Riley and D-I-V-O-R-C-E from Tammy Wynette. Entertainer of the Year Glen Campbell  performs his haunting hit By The Time I Get To Phoenix.

The 4^th and 5^th CMA Awards also at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville has performances by Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Sixteen Tons and the wild performance by Jerry Reed with When You’re Hot, You’re Hot. Female Vocalist of the Year Lynn Anderson sweetly sings Rose Garden and Male Vocalist of the Year Charlie Pride reminds us all to Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’.

At the 7^th CMA Awards, a very young Tanya Tucker tells us the story of Delta Dawn and Female Vocalist of the Year Loretta Lynn tell us all that Love Is The Foundation. There is also a Bonus Feature of a Charlie Pride Interview along with an interview with Sarah Trahern, the CEO CMA.

On disc two, the 19^th Annual CMA Awards in 1985 at the Grand Old Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, fans get their first glimpse of The Highwaymen. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson come together to perform memorably.

The 20^th and 21^st Annual CMA Awards bring Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty on stage to belt out Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man. Lionel Richie takes the stage with the group ALABAMA to sing Deep River Woman. At the 21^st CMA, Randy Travis wins Single of the Year with Forever and Ever, Amen as well as winning Male Vocalist of the Year.

At the 22^nd Annual CMA, it is John Denver that sings a song that still hits the heart of fans today with Back Home, Again. Clint Black receives the Horizon Award and performs Killin’ Time at the 23^rd Annual CMA.

The 24^th and 25^th Annual CMA’s bring Single of the Year winner Vince Gill to the stage with Patty Loveless to sing When I Call Your Name. Personal favorite Travis Tritt brings his southern growl telling us all to Put Some Drive In Your Country. Trisha Yearwood with She’s In Love With The Boy and a foot stompin’ Alan Jackson singing Don’t Rock The Jukebox.

The DVD includes a Bonus Feature of Record Breakers: King George with more on a man who kept the charts buzzing – George Strait.

On disc three and the 40^th Annual CMA’s in 2012 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, a very, very young Taylor Swift sings Begin Again as well as Little Big Town with Pontoon. The 47^th Annual CMA unites Alan Jackson and George Strait with He Stopped Loving Her Today. The Vocal Duo of the Year went to Florida George Line as they sang Round Here.

At the 48^th and 49^th Annual CMA, Keith Urban performs Somewhere In My Car and Dierks Bentley tells us about being Drunk On A Plane. Sam Hunt reminds us to Take Your Time and Little Big Town sings Girl Crush.

Finish the 49^th Annual CMA’s is a performance that still finds its way around the internet through YouTube and Facebook because its that damn good! Justin Timberlake joins Chris Stapleton for a soul rendering Tennessee Whiskey/Drink You Away and now you can see and hear it again and again! The Bonus Feature on this disc is Blake Shelton Entertain ‘Em, Blake!

That’s just the performances on the Time Life CMA AWARDS LIVE: Greatest Moments 1968-2015. Besides the 40 performances by some of the most legendary singers in country music, there are unforgettable moments as well.

There are Award Acceptance speeches from Country Music legends like Glen Campbell and Charlie Pride as well as Loretta Lynn and Lynn Anderson. You can also go behind the scenes on Country Music’s Biggest Night to see interviews.

Time Life continues to bring never before released anywhere classic collections of television shows for fans to revisit and remember what has made television so special. Time Life has released Mama’s Family, CPO Sharkey and The Tonight Show and they now reminds of us of a time when sex and politics were up for grabs with ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN. For more of what Time Life has to offer fans of classic television visit www.timelife.com.

As someone who was raised around all kinds of music (my mother loved opera) but it was my dad was one of country music’s biggest fans. On reel-to-reel and vinyl, country music was always being played in the house. When we went for drives and camping, it was country music that came out of the AM-FM radio. That’s what country music does, it finds its audience through average people who understand the heartache, the daily life and the humor in this life.

Once the CMA Awards came to the airwaves, it was a chance to expand their reach into a bigger audience who came to embrace the music. The performances were sometimes teary, sometimes funny and sometimes to-the-bone in reality and Time Life gives us a chance to see them again and again.

This is an astounding CMA collection of legendary performers and performances that I can’t recommend highly enough. It was pretty cool to revisit some of the moments I shared in my younger days listening to country music and taking a look at how far country music has taken us all.

In the end – these are Country Music’s Greatest Moments with more to come!

ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN: The Complete 5th and 6th Season on DVD

        

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD from Time Life, the company that continues to bring us comedy is ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN: The Complete 5^th and 6^th Season.

The gang is back for it’s fifth season on DVD with 24 episodes of the hit comedy series from 1971-1972. This is an epic year as finally Dick Martin gets a long awaited wish when Raquel Welch makes her lovely one and only debut on the show. Such a gorgeous woman and it is so much fun to watch Dick finally have his day!

Of course if you are going to watch Laugh-In them you better be surprised for some amazing guest stars. Not from any one genre, era or walk of life, Laugh-In reaches around it all to bring such guests from television like Steve Allen and Johnny Carson. Also comedy from the likes of Carol Channing and Henny Youngman along with entertainers of song with Bing Crosby, Petula Clark Liza Minnelli, Doc Severinsen and the legendary Johnny Cash.

Hollywood got in the act with Tony Curtis, Gene Hackman, Rita Hayworth, Vincent Price, Debbie Reynolds and John Wayne made an appearance.

Let’s not forget the Laugh-In regulars that include Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Gary Owens, Alan Sues, Ann Elder, Dennis Allen, Barbara Sharma, Johnny Brown, Larry Hovis, Richard Dawson, Judy Carne, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson, Jo Anne Worley and Teresa Graves. All brought in to celebrate the 100^th episode because what’s a party without a little name dropping!

This season also includes the classic characters and situations we come to expect from Dan Rowan and Dick Martin. The famous Cocktail Party and the announcement of who would receive the Fickle Finger of Fate is fun filled only to end the show with a trip to the Joke Wall.

The characters of Edith Ann (who is only five years old mind you – and that’s the trutttthhhhhh!) as well as the loving couple of Gladys and Tyrone and Ruth Buzzi’s Hollywood Reporter give us the scoop on childhood, being a couple and the buzz around Buzzi’s Hollywood.

Let’s not forget what Laugh-In also brought to television viewers of the show, it brought comedy sure, but also digs at sports and politics and the joke was on them. This 6-disc 24 episode Fifth Season makes sure we are in on all of it.

ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN: The Complete Sixth Season continues with the comedy and the stars bringing a final season to the show changing series. Now understand, this series wasn’t to go down without making sure every zing was thrown and every chance of shade uttered.

Continuing with the previous years line up, the addition of Moosie Drier, Tod Bass, Brian Bressler, Patti Deutsch, Sara Kennedy, Jod Strunk, Willie Tyler & Lester, and Donna Jean Young join Dan, Dick, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Richard Dawson and Gary Owens to revel in a party from Downtown Burbank!

The final season’s celebrity line up is straight out of the sky as stars line up to have their moment with Jack Benny, James Caan, William Conrad, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dom DeLuise, Angie Dickinson, Sandy Duncan, James Farentino, Robert Goulet, Jack Klugman, Rich Little, Don Rickles, Mark Spitz, John Wayne, the beloved Michael Landon and the red head who needs no introduction but we’ll do it anyway – Carol Burnett.

The show takes aim at guns, laws, adult books, morality, the circus, Thanksgiving, beautiful people, sports, commercials, the family, airlines, actors, the Summer of ’72 and the golden state of California. Surprised? Of course not – everyone is fair game for this band of adorable and beloved misfits!

As sad as the final season may have been at the time (and no longer sad now because all six seasons are offered by Time Life), the characters that I came to absolutely adore and excited to see every week at least came to play for one last season. Including Fickle Finger of Fate, Here Comes the Judge, the Joke Wall, General Bull Right, Big Al, Ernestine and Edith Ann along with The Swizzles and Robot Theater. That’s what makes this collection so epic, I can go back and enjoy myself time and time again with the comedy I grew up on!

Time Life continues to bring never before released anywhere classic collections of television shows for fans to revisit and remember what has made television so special. Time Life has released Mama’s Family, CPO Sharkey and The Tonight Show and they now reminds of us of a time when sex and politics were up for grabs with ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN. For more of what Time Life has to offer fans of classic television visit www.timelife.com.

The amazing thing about both of these seasons is that no matter how much you watch, there is always something new to laugh about. Even more amazing are the issues Laugh-In raised in regards to women, people of color and politics that are no so far away from the same issue we deal with today. Giving their pokes and prods, this series got away with a lot more than is possible today.

Time Life has made it possible for us all to relive not only a time in our lives when humor was television king, but share with our growing families what made us all laugh in the 70’s. They may even learn that the series Laugh-In brought sayings that are still used today and for the same reasons.

That is what this series did for television, for comedy and for bringing awareness to things that are funny but also important in our lives. There’s nothing wrong with that in the slightest and Laugh-In gave me a funny bone that I’m proud to carry every day.

In the end – are you ready to celebrate laughter?

NIGHT SCHOOL Rings in the New Year Laughs on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital in time to ring in the New Year from director Malcolm D. Lee and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a life lesson for us all while attending NIGHT SCHOOL.

Teddy (Kevin Hart) is a man who wants to show his love Lisa (Megalyn Echikunwoke) that he can take care of her and provide the finer things in life. The problem is that Teddy has champagne tastes on a beer budget. Selling bbq equipment, and doing it quite well, he sees a future of promise for them both.

So much so that he finally asks Lisa to marry him with a large ring and an even larger explosion – literally. Now out of a job he has to find a quick way to get into another business so she doesn’t find out the emotional and financial fine line he’s been riding. The problem is that Teddy never graduated high school which means he is limited in the jobs he can get.

That’s when he decides to go to night school and get his GED and, of course, he runs into his first problem in the principal. Stewart (Taran Killam) is someone that Teddy bullied in high school and he has daggers for him big time. That means Stewart doesn’t want him any where near his school – even if night school teacher Carrie (Tiffany Haddish) doesn’t agree.

From night on Teddy is getting on everyone’s nerves including classmates Mackenzie (Rob Riggle), Jaylen (Romany Malco), Luis (Al Madrigal), Theresa (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Mila (Anne Winters) and the man behind prison Facetime Gerald (Keith David). He also learns that instructor Carrie isn’t taking any excuses or charming behavior for anyone who doesn’t want to learn.

The band of GED’ers also share with one another that they never were the best of students and are afraid they aren’t going to cut it. Even when they try their hardest it seems that the only solution to graduating is to take a few well places short cuts. When they are all confronted, it boils down to Teddy as the culprit and instigator.

Given one final chance after a lot of chaos and knowing that his love for Lisa is on the line, the group comes together in friendship that no one, not even Principal Stewart can mess with. That and a few well place knocks on the mat as Carrie continues to believe in her students!

Hart as Teddy once again plays the role of a man who is out of place in life and spazzy at the way he deals with things. The humor is there and Hart is also credited with the script for NIGHT SCHOOL. Bringing together what he knows in the way of comedy with a cast of characters that have equally made their own mark in comedy makes this a silly film filled with chuckles, plus he does look good in a chicken costume.

Haddish as Carrie puts her verbal foot down from the moment she sees Teddy on the street to realizing he is the student that drives teacher’s crazy. Of course that doesn’t mean that Haddish doesn’t bring her own brand of comedy to the character. She had made a name for herself and continues to jump into comedies that make her look good.

Riggle as Mackenzie the coach takes a fall or two that had me cringing but still laughing. Malco as Jaylen has a whole speech on not being ‘woke’ yet and I went with it. Madrigal as Luis is hilarious with his speech about the pube cheese cake!

Rajskub as Theresa is a Mom who loves being a Mom but is a little psycho about it. Once you meet her husband you begin to understand why her screws are slightly loose. Winters as Mila is a girl who doesn’t see the benefit of schooling without social media. David as Gerald cracks me up trying to get an education while keeping an eye on who might be creeping up on the webcam.

Echikunwoke as Lisa is a woman who doesn’t need anything more than Teddy although he doesn’t quite get that. She begins to suspect he is cheating on her with his long nights and weird work days. Killam as Stewart loves to carry a bat and speak in a way that worries even me. Trying to make sure Teddy is kept as down as he has always felt, he keeps his eye on everything that goes on in the classroom.

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.

The Bluray/DVD comes with an Extended Cut that also includes the Theatrical Version. Bonus Features are Alternate Opening, and Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel – prepare to laugh (or cry) yourself silly through this hilarious montage of behind-the-scenes antics performed by the cast of NIGHT SCHOOL.

And Night School’s in Session – ring the bell as we introduce you to NIGHT SCHOOL’S band of misfits, Who’s the Student? Who’s the Teacher? – fans were thrilled to see friends Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish star in their first film together, Prom Night Revisited, Cap ‘n Gown ‘n Giggles, Making of the Dance Battle, Christian Chicken, Game Over, Extended Performance “El Sueno” and so much more!

Also, Movies Anywhere is part of the package that allows you to watch anywhere with the Movies Anywhere App!

Other cast include Fat Joe as Bobby, Ben Schwartz as Marvin, Yuvonne Orji as Maya, Bresha Webb as Denise, Jeff Rose as Isaac and Zach Osterman as Little Mac.

NIGHT SCHOOL is a story about where we have been, where we are and where we could go and teaches that lesson with hilarious laughs. It is such a large cast of funny people which makes the story so much fun to watch.

In the end – bring an apple for the teacher because NIGHT SCHOOL has begun!

THE ORVILLE: The Complete First Season is Out Of This World on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD from 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes a ship and its crew filled with adventure and awkwardness on the deck of THE ORVILLE: The Complete First Season.

Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) is living in the 25^th century with 21^st century problems. After finding his wife Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki) cheating on him with something blue between the sheet, it is a year before he can even talk about it. When a captain’s chair becomes available on the USS Orville, Mercer jumps at the chance bringing Lt. Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes) as his helmsman.

Arriving on the ship looking spiffy, his happiness is immediately taken down a peg when he is told that Kelly has been assigned as his first officer. After a time acceleration deal with a Krill Captain, Mercer and Kelly find themselves trapped in a Calivon zoo! Alara (Halston Sage) is commanding the Orville because Bortus (Peter Macon) had laid an egg and needs to be a good parent with mate Klyden (Chad Coleman). Claire wants to help Alara but it is Admiral Tucker (Ron Canada) who orders that the ship return home without Mercer.

Bortus and Klyden are upset that their hatchling is a girl and turn to Doctor Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald) to make it ‘right’. The Doc refuses as does everyone else the two talk with about it. Upset they can’t get help, they turn to a Mocian vessel to have it done. Mercer even goes as far as to find one of their kind that has lived happily as a female and the choice between the two must be made.

Mercer and the crew of the Orville come across a 2000 year old ship drifting in space. They are shocked to discover that there are people called the Dorahl who don’t know they are on a ship! Their leader Hamelac refuses to let anyone tell the Dorahl about the outside world. The truth comes out when Captain Jahavus Dorahl (Liam Neeson) explains the truth.

Captain Pria Lavesque (Charlize Theron) and her ship are saved by The Orville and immediately Mercer is taken with her. There is a nagging feeling that something isn’t quite right yet she saves the Orville from a weird storm. Of course she did it for a reason as Pria turns out to be a time-traveling artifact dealer and puts Mercer’s head in just as much of a wormhole as she does the Orville!

On Sargas 4, Grayson is sent to find two missing anthropologists along with Alara and Claire. Mercer is keeping himself busy bringing Lysella onto the Orville to explain about a dancing feed that will teach her the difference between opinion and knowledge. Taking a little break, Isaac, Finn, Marcus (BJ Tanner) and Ty (Kai Wener) crash on a planet light years away from where they should be. It’s not a pretty planet either as the local cannibals are hungry and the dinner bell has been rung.

The Orville is sent to mediate between the Navarians and the Bruidians. Mercer isn’t happy to learn that Darulio (Rob Lowe) is also at the meeting. Darulio has a pheromone problem and it has a major effect on the crew – most especially Grayson as well as Mercer, Finn and Yaphit (Norm Macdonald). Having such a big effect a battle between the Navarians and Bruidians breaks out and a they need something to bring out a cease fire. Grayson might also get the answer to the question that’s been following her for the last year – maybe.

After feeling guilty about the death of a ship mate, Alara wants to resign her post but Mercer refuses. The Orville is about to be hit by several interesting phenomena including scary clowns, giant spiders and murdering ship mates. Alara and Mercer have a confrontation that bring captain and crew to an understanding.

Mercer has to find a new chief engineer for the Orville and Grayson tries to convince him to give the post to LaMarr. Keeping that decision on hold, the crew comes in contact with someone who has plasma rifles that belong to the Krill. To get out of a potential problem with the Krill, Mercer discovers that his hesitation about LeMarr turn out to be unnecessary.

Grayson and her team crash land on a Bronze Age planet and they quickly realize they only have 11 days to get home or else 700 years will pass. Grayson becomes a deity of sorts and a theocracy happens very quickly. Mercer is in hot water with Admiral Ozawa Kelly Hu) and is told to stay away from the planet. Mercer and Grayson don’t listen (what a surprise right?) and see how much the planets history continues to shift. Isaac Mark Jackson) stays for a planet rotation only to come back to the Orville to explain that they are now on the right path and far ahead time wise!

MacFarlane as Mercer is unsure, depressed and neurotic as anyone would be when finding a blue alien in a wife’s bed! Getting sympathy orders to be the captain of the Orville seems like the lowest blow he could deal with but instead, Mercer takes it in stride and gets comfortable in the captains chair. Of course that moment of happiness is fleeting but he accepts the challenge that the Orville brings and it can only be done by MacFarlane. The guy still makes me laugh after all these years!

Palicki as Grayson is dealing with her own issues of guilt and bedding a blue guy can do it to a gal. Trying to make things right by joining the crew of the Orville certainly puts the ex’s relationship to the test on several occasions but I enjoy the banter. Grimes as Malloy is the character I can’t wait to see what he says next. He is cocky and doesn’t seem to have a problem voicing his opinion on just about anything. I kinda like the guy!

Sage as Alara is smart and sweet which can be a bad combination. As the season goes on don’t let the interesting face fool you. Macon as Bortus is an alien with some serious issues from egg laying to egg raising. Along with Coleman as mate Klyden, this is a family that needs to figure things out quick as space waits for no one. Jerald as Finn is always one step back watching the craziness the crew comes up with and tries to guide when she can and stays out of the mayhem when necessary.

Other cast include J. Lee as Lt. John LaMarr, Gavin Lee as Nurse Park, Mike Henry as Dann, Brian George as Doctor Aronov, Victor Garber as Admiral Halsey, Jeffrey Tambor as Ben Mercer, Holland Taylor as Jeannie Mercer, Rena Owen as Heveena, James Horan as Sazeron, Steven Culp as Wilks, and Brian Thompson as Drogen.

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 DVD episodes include Old Wounds, Command Performance, About a Girl, If the Stars Should Appear, Pria, Krill, Majority Rule, Into the Fold, Cupid’s Dagger, Firestorm, New Dimensions and Mad Idolatry.

The Special Features include Q&A with Cast and Creative Team from PaleyFest 2018, Inside Look, Directed By, The First Six Missions, Designing the Future, The Orville Takes Flight, The Science of The Orville: Quantum Drive and Alien Life, Crafting Aliens and A Better Tomorrow.

THE ORVILLE is such a good time and I want more. The cast of characters and the actors that portray them are spot on and actually look like they are enjoying it more than they probably should be allowed to. Having so many guests on the show also means that the street-cred of the crew is universal.

In the midst of the comedy there are subtle issue tackling bits of space housecleaning that are sure to catch anyone’s attention. Prime example is Bortus and Klyden raising a female in what clearly is a male dominated alien species but its also not without its secrets and its idea of acceptance.

So this is the perfect cold weather marathoning series to watch in prep for a second season that is certainly sure to have even more outrageous aliens and Captain Mercer at the helm. I mean really, would we have it any other way? I’m all in!

THE ORVILLE Season Two is docking to your television set in the new year!

In the end – they are our future gawd help us!

THE PREDATOR Stalks on 4K and Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from writer/director Shane Black and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes a new generation of terror with THE PREDATOR.

Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) is part of a Ranger team that is sent on a mission to find out about a ship that has crashed on Earth. After a very close range fire fight, McKenna gets part of a Predator’s armor because he wants to prove they exist. Sending what he needs for proof to ex-wife Emily (Yvonne Strahovski) and son Rory (Jacob Tremblay), the government holds him.

Also at the crash site is agent Will Traeger (Sterling K. Brown) who takes the Predator to a lab where Casey Bracket (Olivia Munn) is assigned to study it. Thinking they have everything under control was their first mistake when the Predator wakes up and begins to wreak havoc in the lab. Bracket hides and is surprised when the creator walks away from her.

McKenna has been put on a bus with other government prisoners that include Nebraska Williams (Trevante Rhodes), Coyle (Keegan-Michael Key), Baxley (Thomas Jane), Lynch (Alfie Allen) and Nettles (Augusto Aguilera). It doesn’t take long before after shareable moments between fellow military men, turns into a mission to save McKenna’s son.

Taking charge of the bus, they group finds Bracket on the road and she tells them what has happened. Especially the part where she informs them that they found human DNA in the Predator believing they are becoming hybrids.

McKenna’s son Rory has gone trick-or-treating and after finding the armor his father sent, it becomes clear it is a beacon for the Predator to find him. The group comes under fire from the creature and Traeger knows that it is the boy that can tell him exactly what he needs to know. Taking Rory to the ship only brings more trouble because McKenna isn’t about to let Traeger or the Predator hurt his son.

Arriving at the ship, it doesn’t take long before they all begin to understand what it is the Predator wants. None of them could have predicted who the creature wants but the Predator isn’t going to get it without a fight.

Holbrook as McKenna is a man on a mission with the biggest problem being no one believes what is actually happening. It’s hard to do the job when the government is keeping its own secrets about what is really happening. Holbrook is tough and isn’t about to let his character be seen as anything other than a bad ass.

Munn as Bracket is brought in to studying the Predator and discovers what the creatures DNA contains and what they’ve been doing on our planet. Munn is fast, smart and is up for a good fight, especially when she has alien-dogs on her side.

Tremblay as Rory is a young boy who is interested in the gadget his father has sent. He knows there is something more to it all and discovers quickly that it isn’t a video game! Strahovski as Emily knows McKenna is a good man and an even better soldier and makes it clear to the group to not mess with him.

Brown as Traeger is part of the “Stargazer Project” and wants to keep anyone who has any knowledge about it under wraps – and that includes especially McKenna. The problem is once the Predator escapes, the one guy he has put away is the one guy he needs. Jane as Baxley is a character and a half and suffers from post-traumatic stress after his time in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Allen as Lynch, Aguilera as Nettles, and Key as Coyle are the rest of the group who have no problem joining in with McKenna. They are eager to strap on some weaponry and help not only find the Predator but show it who’s planet it really is!

Other cast include Jake Buey as Sean Keyes, Niall Matter as Sapir and Brian Prince as The Predator.

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 Special Features include Deleted Scenes, a Touch of Black, Predator Evolution, The Takedown Team, Predator Catch-Up and Gallery. There is over an hour of Bonus Content with Inside the Evolution of The Predator. The 4K Ultra HD is the Ultimate Movie-Watching Experience and you can have it at home. Also there is Movies Anywhere and to watch anywhere all you have to do is download the app!

Taking a different perspective from the original 1987 film PREDATOR, director Black expands the alien’s world with a few new plot twists. Of course it wouldn’t be a Predator film without lots of action and because this creature isn’t going out without a fire fight of some kind.

The group of fighters quickly understand what they are up against and this is definitely a film that needs a sound bar attached to an absolutely stunning 4K television. It’s the kind of film you gather up a group of friends with some popcorn and pick a side till the end.

In the end – the hunt has evolved!

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this Friday from director Josie Rourke and Focus Features is the story of a woman who would be more with MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Mary (Saoirse Ronan) is returning to Scotland from France after the death of her husband King Francis. Taking up her crown as Queen of Scotland, she is met by her half-brother James (James McArdle) the Earl of Moray who doesn’t seem pleased to see her.

He isn’t the only one as John Knox (David Tennant) makes it very clear that he isn’t about to change faiths to accommodate her. Mary makes it very clear that he his council is no longer welcome at her court. James tries to tell Mary that she has started something that could hurt her along the way.

The one thing Mary wants is to seal any breach with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Elizabeth is being told repeatedly by her advisor William Cecil (Guy Pearce) that Mary is a danger and only wants to take the throne. Trying to find a middle ground, Elizabeth suggests that Mary marry an Englishman and offers up her own lover Robert Dudley (Joe Alwyn). Mary has other plans and marries Lord Darnley (Jack Lowden).

Realizing she may have made a mistake, the only way to solidify her position is by having a child before Elizabeth. When she has a son, it changes her feelings and she shares with Elizabeth asking her to be the child’s godmother. Elizabeth believes that this may just be the tie that binds the two women.

Mary is having a difficult time as well when Darnley has no problem showing his disregard for her position as Queen. When her own council tries to take the throne, Darnley is talked into being part of the conspiracy. Intrigue continues to plague Mary as the men around her lay claim, force marriages and don’t understand the fierceness of the Queen.

Seeing one last hope, Mary asks to meet with her sister-cousin Elizabeth in hopes to get support in fighting back those who would take the Scottish throne. Although Elizabeth feels for her cousin, it becomes clear to Mary that she may be at the end of her reign.

Two queens who want the same thing in different ways.

Ronan as Mary is remarkable but then again she is a remarkable actress. The first movie I ever saw her in was the intense and emotionally draining film ATONEMENT followed by the equally intense film THE LOVELY BONES. Since then nothing has stopped her from honing her craft in every way possible and with characters that have obviously taught her more and more about choosing roles and defining who she is as an actress. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS is another example of why I will see every piece of filmmaking she is in – always. This is a character driven by a woman up against men who see her as a trophy to be one and then disguarded because she is, after all, only a woman. Well done Ronan, well done!

Robbie as Elizabeth doesn’t hesitate to put every little bit of her Queen out there – from her lovers, illness and inability to be told who to marry and what children to have. Robbie presents a strong force of a woman that shows moments of private struggle but when push comes to shove Robbie helps Elizabeth straightens her spine and her crown. The scene between the two queens is one of the most poignant and double-edged I have seen in a while on film.

McArdle as James is clearly a man who has been led by the nose at the hands of the council and happily so until Mary comes back. Then his little hurt feelings are put out for all to see and he wants justice for it all. McArdle is an actor on a mission and playing the role of a spurned brother isn’t easy. Lowden as Lord Darnley is just another man in Mary’s life that believes he is owed something at the cost of everything else. Tennant as Knox is a religious zealot who barks a good game hoping others will do the fighting for him.

Pearce as Cecil is a part of the pack on the other side of the pond who wants what he wants and thinks whispering in Elizabeth’s ear means he will get it. Alwyn as Dudley is a man who love Elizabeth the woman but takes orders from Elizabeth the Queen. Not easy being told to go be your enemy’s husband and Dudley is only saved by Mary’s hot headedness.

Other cast include Gemma Chan as Elizabeth Hardwick, Brendan Coyle as Matthew Stewart, Ian Hart as Lord Maitland, Adrian Lester as Lord Randolph, Maria-Victoria Dragus as Mary Fleming, Alex Beckett as Walter Mildmay, Ismael Cordova as David Rizzio and Simon Russell as Robert Beale.

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS is a film about two women in a man’s era fighting for their crowns. They should never have had to make that choice between the two of them but with so many men whispering in their ears, I don’t know how they lasted as long as they did with each other.

Mary clearly didn’t know what Elizabeth did and that is you practically have to give up being a woman to hold onto the throne. Clearly having more time to learn that lesson than Mary, Elizabeth wanted to embrace their sisterhood-of-crowns but hard headedness got in both of their ways.

The film is beautifully done and the costuming is breathtaking. I have a weakness for period piece films and when they are done as well as MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, well I can’t help but find no fault in it.

There have been other films that have touched on the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, and even a television show called Reign that gave viewers a glimpse of her life in France. MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS is a look at what happened once she left France and before the infamous and shocking red dress. From a young woman married to a French king to becoming a widow and returning queen of her own country – there is nothing about her life that is easy or without intrigue and betrayal.

In the end – bow to no one!

SHARP OBJECTS Gives Twists and Turns a New Meaning

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from HBO Home Entertainment, director Jean-Marc Vallee based on the book by Gillian Flynn is family dysfunction with SHARP OBJECTS.

Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) is a reporter with her own unique set of problems that she drowns in alcohol. When editor boss/friend Frank (Miguel Sandoval) asks her to cover the story of two girls who were killed in her hometown of Wind Gap, Camille goes but not without hesitation.

The first reason to be wary is the tension filled relationship Camille has with mother Adora (Patricia Clarkson) and strained step-father Alan (Henry Czerny). Going to stay in the family home, the only person who seems happy to see her is little sister Amma (Eliza Scanlen). All of this brings Camille to flashbacks of her own young life and the young death of a sister Marian years before.

Jumping right in to the story she meets Det. Richard Willis (Chris Messina) and they both begin to wonder about the murder of the two young girls. Looking for a connection, the local chief of police Bill Vickery (Matt Craven) is keeping his eye on Det. Willis.

At home Camille notices that Adora still keeps Marian’s room like a shrine and that starts a conversation between the two that is filled with hurt and venomous words. Amma is behaving like a teenager as she tries to break away from Adora’s control. Coming home drunk, Adora instantly blames Camille and the bad influence she brings to the family.

Back to the story, Camille speaks to father of the second girl murdered; Bob Nash (Will Chase) who believes teen John Keene (Taylor John Smith) is responsible. That sends her to visit the young man but also meets cheerleader girlfriend Ashley (Madison Davenport) who defends her boyfriend fiercely.

More of Camille’s life comes to the forefront and she can’t seem to avoid it. Her time in a psychiatric hospital, death of friends and hurting herself as a way to deal with it all. Adora takes great pains in making sure that Camille knows of the ‘trouble’ she has always caused and continues to cause. Especially with the town celebration of Calhoun Day and Camille’s articles about the murders become the talk of the event.

To pay her daughter back, Adora takes Richard on a guided tour of their home and when alone, lets the officer know that Camille is dangerous. At the same time cheerleader Ashley is upset with Camille that she wasn’t given enough attention in the article that came out. Amma performs for the crowd and when she sees that sister Camille isn’t giving her enough attention, she flees sending everyone into a frenzy.

Adora decides that she has had enough of Camille and wants her to leave but wants husband Alan to do the deed. While out, she runs into Amma and her friends agreeing to go off to a party where sisters end up high roller skating through Wind Gap. While the family drama takes a turn, Richard decides to investigate Camille and find out what everyone in the family is hiding and why Adora considers her own daughter dangerous. In that investigation he also finds out what killed sister Marian. Richard had no problem finding people who wanted to talk and the paper trail to back it up.

When Keene is arrested for murder, Richard is shocked to discover that he is with Camille. Feeling defeated once again, she turns to long time family friend Jackie (Elizabeth Perkins) only to discover that what has been happening is now moving closer to home. Feeling as if she is losing control, she calls boss-friend Frank who is worried now more than ever that Camille is falling apart and may hurt herself.

She returns home and sits for a family dinner where everyone is calm but sister Amma looks ill. When Adora takes her to bed, Camille also begins to feel ill. Relying on mother Adora, mother finally gets the wish to take care of her daughter as she tells Camille how much it all means to her.

What happens when Richard knocks on the door starts a domino effect into a shocking conclusion that Camille can not even begin to grasp.

Adams as Camille is everything that is stunning about this series! She carries the film through so many twists and turns and it is her undisputed talent that made me want so much more. Of course the finale had me as shocked as the look on her character Camille’s face when the whole story comes to the surface. Adams is an actress who continues to surprise me in her role choices but in SHARPER OBJECTS I can’t imagine anyone who could have pulled off Camille better than she.

Clarkson as Adora is another actress who I personally have come to adore. She is bold, brave and also surprises and delights me with the choices in roles she plays. I first saw Clarkson in the 1987 film THE UNTOUCHABLES, the 1999 film THE GREEN MILE, the 2010 film SHUTTER ISLAND and one of my favorite and deliciously guilty pleasures Netflix hit House Of Cards. As Adora she is sharp and there are moments where if looks could kill – Clarkson’s beautiful eyes would leave prints on the two daggers!

Scanlen as Amma has me cringing from the first scene to the last. Actually she drove me completely nuts with her teenage attitude and mean streak with everyone letting her get away with a lot. But isn’t that what teens do? Drive us all nuts with their cell phones, sense of entitlement and sneaking off to do gawd knows what. Yet there are moments where she just wants her family close and the love of both her sister and mother. Scanlen made it all look so easy and she definitely gets high fives from me.

Messina as Det. Willis jumps right into the case whether the town sheriff likes it or not. He is immediately drawn to Camille but can’t understand what it is about her that screams secrets and lies. Messina takes his character’s job seriously and isn’t about to let anyone stop him from finding out who is killing teenage girls. Craven as Vickery doesn’t want help with the case and seems to have a strange closeness to Adora that Camille doesn’t quite understand. Craven’s character may seem laid back but don’t let the daily habits fool you.

Smith as Keene has a story to tell but it’s hard to make people believe you when gossip is stronger than the truth. Smith is a quiet character letting the town make their own judgment calls. Davenport as Ashley is a cheerleader who craves attention and believes supporting her boyfriend will make that happen. It isn’t hard to believe that a young girl would act this way and Davenport makes sure we buy into it.

Sandoval as Frank is a boss who is more of a friend to Camille. Wanting the story on one hand and worrying that he made a mistake choosing his young reporter on the other. Czerny as Alan is a man who cares deeply for his wife but is the strangest husband I think I have ever laid eyes on. Putting his wife first above everything else, he attempts to put Camille in her place but is only met with a fingers reply.

Other cast include Jackson Hurst as Kirk Lacey, Lulu Wilson as Marian, Sophia Lillis as young Camille, Jennifer Aspen as Jeannie Keene, David Sullivan as Chris, Reagan Pasternak as Katie Lacey, Sydney Sweeney as Alice, Hilary Ward as Becca Barbara Eve Harris as Eileen and Emily Yancy as Gayla.

HBO Home Entertainment has an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs found on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD. They have provided viewers with some of the most amazing programs with huge fan bases that include the shows True Blood, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Detectives, The Wire, Entourage and Game of Thrones. Launched in 1984, HBO is world wide in viewed entertainment in more than 70 territories around the world! For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

The Bluray contains the episodes Vanish, Dirt, Fix, Ripe, Closer, Cherry, Falling, and Milk. Bonus Features include Creating Wind Gap: The Cast and Crew discuss the creation of the fictional town of Wind Gap.

SHARP OBJECTS is an intense story that isn’t easy to figure out (thank goodness!) leaving every episode with more questions than answers. This is totally worth binge watching because I would have gone crazy in my own way to have to wait each week for the next episode.

The ensemble cast is absolutely spectacular as each character has their own story to tell in a mix that resembles water but is really deadly quicksand. There isn’t a character in this series that I don’t absolutely love because of their uniqueness to the show and the ease in which they all drew me in so quickly.

The intensity only adds to the mystery surrounding Wind Gap and sets a deep tone. There is no doubt that HBO has taken the lead in what is quickly becoming daring story telling and SHARP OBJECTS adds grit and not an ounce of fear in being dark and powerful.

In the end – going home was never so dangerous!