Brilliance has come to THE ULTIMATE RICHARD PRYOR COLLECTION UNCENSORED

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from Time Life is the most amazing 13-disc collection from one of the greatest comics who left his mark on the world with THE ULTIMATE RICHARD PRYOR COLLECTION UNCENSORED.

On December 1^st, 1940, Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was born in Peoria Illinois. Not a great start to life, young Richard learned about the real world growing up in a brothel with his mother and grandmother and a father who has his own issues in life. With a very difficult growing up, Pryor joined the Army but that too pushed him towards another run in with the law.

Arriving in New York in 1963, he began his club career and eventually made his way into television with appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He also wrote for such shows as Sanford and Son and (my personal favorite) The Flip Wilson Show.

Comedy albums helped to build his success for which he won several Grammy’s for Best Comedy Recordings. Pryor also co-wrote BLAZING SADDLES, was a guest host on Saturday Night Life until, in 1977 he would host his own The Richard Pryor Show. On the big screen, Pryor came to life with LADY SINGS THE BLUES, SILVER STREAK, GREASED LIGHTENING, SUPERMAN III, BREWSTER’S MILLIONS, THE TOY and HARLEM NIGHTS just to name a few.

Pryor was no stranger to alcohol, smoking, hard living and drug use which brought him to the most talked about event of his life and became the laughs for some of his comedy. In the 1990’s, he would be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and wife Jennifer Lee had no worries taking care of the man she truly loved.

In December of 2005, the world would lose one of the greatest comic geniuses who made us laugh, think, be a tad uncomfortable and then make us laugh all over again – he had a large name that would never be as large as his presence on the stage and screen.

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 remind 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 ULTIMATE RICHARD PRYOR COLLCTION UNCENSORED includes Volume 1-six discs Richard Pryor: Live & Smokin’, The Legend of Uncle Tom’s Fairy Tales and Interviews with Jennifer Lee Pryor Richard Pryor: Live in Concert, Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip, Richard Pryor: Here and Now, The Richard Pryor Special?, The Richard Pryor Show (Never Aired Original Series Opening), The Richard Pryor Show (Cold Open: Camel Love,  Chimp Symphony, The Richard Pryor Show (TV Violence, Improv Segment Outtakes), The Richard Pryor Show (Mudbone Monologue, Audience Q&A).

Volume 2-six discs The Merv Griffin Show (four shows), The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (three shows), Pryor’s Place (five shows), JOJO DANCER YOUR LIFE IS CALLING, Last Stand-Up Sit Down, Richard Pryor: LOVED! On the Sunset Strip: An American Cinematheque Tribute, Richard Pryor: I Ain’t Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!, and The Dick Cavett Show, Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic. Also included are interviews with Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, Jennifer Lee Pryor, Willie Nelson, Quincy Jones, David Banks and David Steinberg.

Volume 3 includes I Am Richard Pryor.

Always Pushing the boundaries, Pryor’s comedy was in your face and hard, just like the life he led. It would not be out of line to say that if life imitates art, he found a way to make fun of both and, at times, at his own expense. Nothing and no one were safe from the biting humor and telling us about his world.

I actually remember hearing Pryor for the first time and my jaw dropping followed by howling laughter. In one fell swoop he added a new convert to his army of followers who knew that seeing Pryor meant that anything could possibly happen, and he never let us down.

Taking every step and then a step further, his comedy had truth wrapped up in the laughs and moments where the audience (or anyone listening for that matter) became privy to his train of thought. Starting out as chaos, he asked us to trust the verbal ride bringing it to a thought-provoking and hilarious conclusion. He was always the conductor of the train and when the ride was over – we all bought another ticket without hesitation!

His film career is equally extraordinary as my favorites of his films are GREASED LIGHTENING and HARLEM NIGHTS. The latter film brought Pryor on screen with Eddie Murphy, but the cast also included the additional stunning comedic performers of Arsenio Hall, Ray Murphy, and Redd Foxx. The film made me laugh and every time it is on television, I stop to watch these characters make it all look so easy.

As with everything that Time Life bring us, they have reached into every nook and cranny to find amazing pieces to share with true fans of Richard Pryor. Their unique ability to weave together this thoughtful collection is worth every moment of viewing. The holidays are right around the corner and this collection would make a truly wonderful present with 1,584 minutes (yes, that is correct!) of what we came to love Pryor for.

In the end – he said it best with ‘I love ya’ll and you can take that with you!”

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Stephen Chbosky and Universal Pictures is the story of pain, sadness and hope with DEAR EVAN HANSEN.

High schooler Evan Hansen (Ben Platt) lives with single hard working Mom Heidi (Julianne Moore). Dealing with anxiety issues, Evan takes medications and follows with therapy. Trying to understand why he does not fit in; Evan tries to write supportive letters to himself.

On one particular day after a run in with Connor Murphy (Colton Ryan) and a signed cast, he takes a letter belonging to Evan never meant for anyone to see. After a day or two of high anxiety, Evan is called into the principal’s office.

Waiting for him is Cynthia (Amy Adams) and Larry (Danny Pino), Connor’s parents. He learns the awful truth about Connor and Cynthia sees the signature on Evan’s cast and believes that the two boys were friends. Not knowing how to handle it, he says nothing. Going to their house for dinner, Evan meets Zoe (Kaitlyn Dever) and sees the family dynamics of pain but wants to be there for her.

Enlisting the help of Jared (Nik Dodani), he creates a falsehood and finds himself dug in. Truly wanting things to be different, Evan comes face to face with what he has done and the consequences it will bring to all.

Platt as Evan is a young man who is trying to deal with every gambit of emotion. A chance meeting with Connor starts a chain reaction that he could never have seen coming. Platt has a beautiful voice and uses it to invite viewers into the world that plagues him. Mixed with sorrowful expressions, we are planted squarely into the trauma that is coming.

Dever as Zoe has her own pain to deal with left behind with parents who she can not reach. Evan offers her a respite to remember her brother in a different light. Dever begins as a young girl frozen in her own way but grows right before our eyes.

Adams as Cynthia is a mother who clearly wants to believe in the positive. Seeing something in Evan that offers her hope to hang on to a son she feared would disappear from memory. Adams has the cheery disposition but also the deep sadness of a mother conflicted by so much that there are no answers for.

Pino as Larry is a straightforward stepdad who is trying to keep it all together. When confronted with the reality of his expectations and memories – he comes to believe in Evan. Pino keeps that straight face and tight emotions and when he does allow emotion, he gives us a broken heart.

Ryan as Connor, although a short role, is the focus of the story. His musical with Platt is ingenious and so well done as both actors flow so well together. Dodani as Jared is a family member we can probably all relate to, he has his moments of wit but he is there for Evan come what may. 

Other cast include: Amandla Stenberg as Alana, DeMarius Copes as Oliver, Liz Kate as Gemma, Zoey Luna as Leila, Isaac Powell as Rhys, Marvin Leon as Skye, Hadiya Eshe as Cherise, Julia Meyers as Naomi, Gerald Caesar as Josh, Avery Bederman as Isabella and Swift Rice as Mr. Howard.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN is a film about those who feel like they are not seen in the world. There are different ways anxiety works and this story attempts to tackle quite a few scenarios. From Evan’s outward fear of having an anxiety attack to Alana’s busy tactics of avoiding her issues to how Connor dealt with his own.

The music is beautiful, and the voices provide so much emotion. The film is based on the 2015 musical Dear Evan Hansen allowing Ben Platt a chance to bring his stage performance to the big screen. Interscope Records will be releasing the soundtrack as well with artists such as Sam Smith, Dan + Shay and Carrie Underwood. Songs such as Waving Through a Window and You Will Be Found are lovely and have a lot to say for those who might need a little help finding the words.

The storyline itself is a bit rough in that from start to finish, the audience is not given much time to take a breath. Starting out with pain, it continues and is a bit overpowering by the end of the film. That is not to say the film does not have something to say, I think perhaps it has so much to say in a short space. The cast does an amazing job in the roles absolutely!

In the end – it is a story for the outsider in us all.

I'M YOUR MAN Gives Her the Dream

 

Jeri Jacquin

 

Coming from writer/director Maria Schrader and Bleecker Street comes the story of asking for the perfect man and then not knowing how to handle him with I'M YOUR MAN.

Alma (Maren Eggert) is a scientist who needs funds to continue her work and so she decides to volunteer to participate in an experiment with Tom (Dan Stevens). The catch is that Tom is very human looking robot who is designed to please Alma. From flowers to candlelight, Tom comes out guns blazing to try and make Alma happy.

The problem is Alma does not want to be that happy. Trying to avoid Tom at all costs, he tries to understand why she is behaving so coldly. After a few days, she begins to understand that she isn't being very nice, even if Tom is not human. Bringing him around the people she knows, Tom is charming, intelligent and is enjoying it all.

Alma runs into Julian (Hans Low) and it is clear there is a history there that she has no desire to discuss with anyone, especially Tom. She does introduce him to co-workers, and they discuss the three-year research which fascinates him. But in a single moment, Tom has to tell Alma what he has discovered about her work!

All of it sends Alma into a tailspin of decisions and spewing of words that would make a mere mortal run for the hills. Tom takes it on the humanoid chin until the next morning when it is clear that cruel is too nice a word for how she had been treating him.

Deciding to get away from it all, Alma takes Tom to meet her family and father Felser (Wolfgang Hubsch). Time together, Alma sees that Tom truly wants to understand the human condition, but she also knows that continuing this experiment is to much for her. It is at that moment that she must decide how to move forward without letting emotions get in the way of a person that is not, in her mind, real.

How do you say goodbye?

Eggert as Alma is a woman on a mission, to get her research published and when she needs funding, agrees to something she really does not want to. From the moment she meets Tom, Eggert’s character gives us nothing to work with because she is giving up nothing when it comes to emotion. That is the amazing part about this character, showing nothing would seem like a robot’s way of expressing things. It takes time for Alma’s story to come out and Eggert makes darn sure to keep that tension up until we get our answers – brava!

Stevens as Tom is delightful, funny, sweet, innocent, and the target of some serious verbal human abuse. My jaw hit the ground with the way this character was being referred, I felt so horrible for him. Now there is genius, making me feel so emotionally horrible for – wait for it – a robot! For the longest I was more concerned about Tom than I was Alma, how is that for a twist? Stevens did that with such finesse and made it all look so easy. I am a big Stevens fan from way back and to watch him in this role is just everything uber cool.

Shout out to Low as Julian for bringing in the right amount of tension in a situation that humans would see as awkward but to Tom, it is a ‘here have a coffee’ kind of thing.

Other cast includes Falilou Sek as Dean Roger, Annika Meier as Cora, Henriette Richter-Rohl as Steffi, Inga Busch as Regina, Karolin Oesterling as Chloe, Marlene-Sophie Haagen as Jule and Gabriel Munoz as Mr. Barmann.

Bleecker Street is a New York City film company that has brought outstanding films to the public. Their library includes TRUMBO, DENIAL, THE LOST CITY OF Z, BEIRUT, HOTEL MUMBAI, ORDINARY LOVE and THE ROADS NOT TAKEN. For more information on the titles from Bleeker Street please visit www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com.

The film is in German, but it is the acting that makes it a wonderful film, even with subtitles. Premiering at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival, it was also selected for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.

I’M YOUR MAN has so many levels to it, and I experienced all of them. First, it is ‘be careful what you ask for’ because Alma certainly got it. The problem was once she got it, she was not sure she wanted it or what to do with it. It was a trade off and me thinks we got the best of it with Tom! Another issue is trying to replace humanity to be happy. It is in Alma’s final assessment that she hits it straight on because I do not believe we, as humans, would know what to do with ourselves if happy 24/7 for the rest of our lives.

Tom teaches us a few lessons to in that the character is constantly being told that ‘it’ does not know how a human feels. Now emotionally that may be true but, when you take the emotions out of it and stare it straight in the face, Tom knows exactly why we constantly struggle. Alma just did not want to hear it.

The twist of it is that Alma acted more like a robot and Tom the ‘human’ with childlike wonderment and embracing what we take for granted. The switch is so interesting to watch play out because, as with any relationship, there are always twists whether we like it or not.

I’M YOUR MAN is such an enjoyable film and that is all because of writer/director Shrader, Eggert and Stevens without question. It is a different kind of romance, an unusual story of love, and coming to terms with why we allow our pasts to dictate the possibilities for happiness in the future. I could analyze the film all day!

In the end - what do you do when what you wanted stands right in from of you?

BLUE BAYOU is Heartbreaking

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from writer/director Justin Chon and Focus Features comes the story of a man trying to make his life work for those he loves on BLUE BAYOU.

Antonio LeBlanc (Justin Chon) was adopted from his home country of Korea and currently lives in the outskirts of New Orleans with wife Kathy (Alicia Vikander) and stepdaughter Jessie (Sydney Kowalske). Kathy is pregnant so Antonio is doing his best to find extra work besides his job at the tattoo shop.

He runs into problems because he has a criminal record, so Kathy decides to work a few hours here and there until things smooth over. Not happy about their relationship is Kathy's mother Dawn (Geraldine Singer) and Jessie's biological father police officer Ace (Mark O'Brien) who is not happy that Jessie will not see him.

Running into Antonio and Kathy at the store, Ace is with his partner Denny (Emory Cohen) and a scuffle breaks out all incited by Denny. Once at the police station, Kathy tries to bail him out only to be told that ICE was now involved. That's when the couple hires Barry Boucher (Vondie Curtis-Hall) to fight everything that has happened.

When Antonio hears what it will take to retain Boucher, he makes decisions he thinks are best for the family. He also meets Parker Nguyen (Linh Dan Pham), a woman who is also being pushed to her life limits yet still wants to help Antonio discover a little bit about who he is and where his life began.

When the court date comes up, Antonio is nowhere to be found and the judgement for Antonio is deportation. A mistake that happened years ago and mistakes that happened today are about to change the lives of everyone.

Truths will come out, but will they come in time before the plane takes off?

Chon as Antonio is a young man trying to do right by his family. He has a history that is now catching up to him and as much as he would like to avoid it, he will no longer be able to. Chon does a wonderful job with this character and the intense emotions with a young man who does not know who he truly is. When forced to come to terms with everything, the pain is present but so is the courage to do whatever it takes to protect his family.

Vikander as Kathy is a woman who is thrilled with her family. She is supportive of what Antonio is trying to do with finding a second job to make their life easier. This character clearly loves her family and the relationship between Antonio and Jessie even with the constant ugly faces given by her own mother. Vikander's Kathy is the center of Antonio's world until that world is spun out of control.

Kowalske as Jessie is so dang talented that it just oozes from the film. She is a young girl that definetly has her own point of view and one of those views is that Antonio is her father, and she will accept no other. She and Antonio have a pact and even knowing what she wants, Jessie's character cannot escape the emotions of the child that she is when the adults do stupid things. Kowalske is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Pham as Parker has her own story to tell and sees something worthy in Antonio that he does not seem to see in himself. Allowing him to be a part of her family also gives him insight into who he is and where he has come from in a world of war. She was the delicate voice of reason in a film filled with rage.

O'Brien as Ace uses his badge and physical size to be as emotionally intimidating as he can be. He wants what he wants, and the consequences be damned, including the emotional stress Jessie is under. Coen as Denny is Ace's guard dog gone haywire as the cause of the chain of events that are slowly destroying everything around them. Denny definetly gives good bad guy!

Curtis-Hall as Boucher does his homework and knows that everything is based on other people doing the right things to help Antonio. He did not count on having someone hell-bent continuing on a destructive path that cannot be undone.

Toby Vitrano as Merk, Altonio Jackson as Quentin aka Q, Truong Quang Tran as Quoc, Ivy Vy Le as Nicole, Sage Kim Gray as Antonio's mother, Renell Gibbs as Reggie, Jacci Gresham as Ms. Jacci, Martin Bats Bradford as Lajon, Tyler Henry as Kamal and Susan McPhail as Susanne.

Focus Features’ mission is to make a lasting impact on global audiences by creating the home for artists to share diverse, distinctive stories that inspire human connection. Focus Features is part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies that brings entertainment and news to a global audience. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.focusfeatures.com.

BLUE BAYOU is the repercussions of a system that did not correct its errors regarding adoptees who live in the United States. Antonio is swept up in the anger of others, and the need to feel superior and once that ball got rolling - every mistake ever made fed into a emotional hurricane of a path.

Chon worked on the script by speaking with those who have lived through the very story he is trying to convey. He based BLUE BAYOU on those stories he heard from Korean adoptees and the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. The case of Adam Crasper is a prime example of what Chon tried to convey.

"A lot of people were adopted in the 70s and 80s. It just doesn't make sense to me. For the case of this movie, you have somebody who is a step further than that: you already have these questions of identity from being adopted. And then, not all adoptions end well, some parents give up on their adopted kids, or they abuse them. Psychologically, I am sure it is absolutely devastating and for a lot of people who get deported, there is a high suicide rate", said Chon in a GQ Magazine interview.

The cast brings that emotion to the forefront but also the cruelty of those around Antonio and Kathy. Acceptance does not seem to be the accepted norm among their family and friends until they meet Parker. It takes meeting someone who understanding Antonio for him to have a chance to tell his truths, no matter how painful.

The relationship between Antonio and Jessie is the one that kills me the most. I should think it would be the adults, but they clearly are out for their own best interests, so I focused on these two instead. How amazing these two actors are on the screen together and every time they have their moment to discuss how the world is treating them - it will be the last five minutes that kill me the most.

Bring tissue and heart because you will need it to get through BLUE BAYOU.

In the end - it is not where you are from but where you belong!

F9: The Fast Saga Speeds Toward Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and Digital Code from writer/director Justin Lin and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the next installment of a franchise that rides in with FAST & FURIOUS 9.

The story of the Toretto's becomes even more clear as Dominic and Jakob are part of the pit crew to their father Jack's racing career. An accident, a fight lands Dom in prison and a realization to his father's death is what brings about the two brothers having a falling out.

Now, Dom (Vin Diesel) is raising little boy Brian with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in the quiet life away from everyone and everything. That is until Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Chris Bridges) and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) come knocking on their quiet life. It seems Cipher (Charlize Theron) is at it again and Mr. Nobody's (Kurt Russell) plan has been shot down.

What is worse, Dom suspects that brother Jakob (Jon Cena) is involved. Finding the plane wreckage, they are looking for a device called Ares that can hack into any system with ease. They also meet up with Dom's sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) and they discover they need to go to Tokyo.

Joined by Han Lue (Sung Kang), the team make their way to Edinburgh, and London to meet up with Sean (Lucas Black), Twinkie (Shad Moss) and Earl Hu (Jason Tobin). Han lets them know that his ward Elle (Anna Sawai) is the thing missing to make Ares work. Looking for the other half, the gang also learns that Jakob is full of tricks.

Dom is not able to stop Cipher and Otto from launching Ares, but he and the crew know how to stop it - it’s just going to take a little ground work and a big of space to get the job done.

Diesel as Dom is back and bad with more to his story. With each film, we are given bits and pieces as to why Dom is, well, Dom and as the family expands - so does the pains of the past. With Diesel's character, it is all about family, doing what's right and making sure the bad guys do not get to close to his family. Cena as Jakob is straight faced, tries to avoid the word 'family' but also realizes you cannot avoid the past.

Rodriguez as Letty is actually the one who jumps at the chance to straight things out. Her character is strong and very, very capable of handling whatever the guys want to throw her way. Emmanuel as Ramsey is another strong female character who is tech savvy and calm as a cucumber - even when things go crashing and speeding by. Brewster as Mia joins Dom when she realizes that Jakob needs to be dealt with.

Gibson and Bridges are roman and Tej who are trying to keep it together but sometimes you have to look up and boldly go, well, you get it.  is taking care of someone special for more than the obvious reasons. Sawai as Elle can handle herself but there is a reason everyone seems to want her, and she has to keep her cool and does absolutely that.

Black and Moss along with Tobin give us three characters that add a spark that I enjoyed. Clearly, they live in a world all their own, but their world is about to become more infinite!

Other cast include Helen Mirren as Queenie Shaw, Thue Ersted Rasmussen as Otto, Cardi B as Leysa, Don Omar as Santos, Shea Whigham as Stasiak and Michael Rooker as Buddy.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Features include: Director’s Cut, Theatrical Version, Gag Reel, F9: All In, Practically Fast, Shifting Priorities, Justice for Han, A Day on Set with Justin Lin, John Cena: Supercar Superfan, and Feature Commentary with Producer/Co-Writer-Director Justin Lin.

F9: The Fast Saga is everything the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise has come to be known for. There are fast cars that let the drivers have some fun behind the wheel, fantastic stunts that make driving like a maniac look thrilling and a villain that seems to always be just a car length away from being caught.

This time, the gang are jumping around the world to find answers, unexpected surprises, realizations, secrets that had to be kept and all of that does not stop them from doing what they do best.  Leaving the end open is another trait of the FAST & FURIOUS franchise and with the sly escape of Cipher, Dom and the gang is not going to let it all go so easily.

In the end – the fast family forever!

THE FOREVER PURGE

 Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Everado Gout, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the dread that is about to happen with THE FOREVER PURGE.

It is 2048 and racial tensions are back with the New Founding Fathers of America and it is a day before the upcoming Purge. Juan (Tenoch Huerta) and Adela (Ana de la Reguera) crossed into the United States into Texas for a better way of life and Juan works at the Tucker ranch while Adela also finds work.

Ranch owner Caleb Tucker (Will Patton) wants Juan and his family to be safe and give them a little help. It is his son Dylan (Josh Lucas) prepares his family for it but there is tension between Dylan and Juan. That’s why the couple get aboard a bus that is supposed to take them to a safe place for the next twelve hours guarded by T.T. (Alejandro Edda).

Dylan is already experiencing intensity and scaring pregnant wife Cassidy (Cassidy Freeman) as the lights flicker and the guns need loading. As the night ends, everyone goes back to their ‘normal’ lives trying to be oblivious to the night’s bloodshed. Only…something has gone wrong, horribly wrong.

When Juan gets to the farm, he and T.T. (Alejandro Edda) discovers that the Tuckers have been taken hostage by a group that believe the Purge is now forever. This group led by Kirk (Will Brittain) is now going after the rich ranchers and the Tuckers are the first to feel their wrath. Getting Juan as close as they can to finding Adela, they are joined by Harper Tucker (Leven Rambin) who believes she owes a debt.

Waiting, Dylan and Cassidy are discovering what it is like out in the streets during a Purge. Believing there is no hope, Canada and Mexico open their borders for six hours to get people out of the Purge. Juan and Adela know that they have no choice but to advise the group to head to Mexico. Now, they are all being chased by gunman who do not care what side of the border they are on.    

When violence has gasoline poured on it – the purge spreads out of control!

Reguera as Adela is not one to sit back and not do everything to protect herself and those around her. It becomes clear that there is a reason she is so good at fighting and she’s not about to give up now. Huerta as Juan has one thing on his mind, finding his wife and getting out alive. Helping those who did not want to help them is a twist and it now becomes a struggle for all. His boss-beef gets put aside when survival for all becomes a group effort.

Lucas as Dylan is a man with his own issues, but two things are clear, one – he does not believe in the Purge and two, he is not a fan of Juan. One thing is for certain, opinions do not mean anything because trying to survive washes out petty differences. I enjoyed watching Lucas take on this role but then again, I enjoy Lucas period.

Rambin as sister Harper is another strong character because she is not afraid of anything in front of her and clever as all get out. Edda as T.T. is using what he knows to get the group moving forward. He also sees the strength of the group working together and what Harper and Adela are capable of. Freeman as Cassidy is following the group with not just her own survival but that of her unborn child.

Other cast includes Zahn McClarnon as Chiago, Gary Nohealii as Joaquin, Keenan Henson as Stan, Carol Cantu as Lupita, and Gregory Zaragoza as Xavier.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Feature include Deleted Scene and an Alternate Storyboard Opening, Collapsing the System: Behind THE FOREVER PURGE and Creeptastic Wardrobe.

This Purge film starts out with nothing but divide and ugliness, they come together not only out of survival but begin to understand one another. Surrounded by the worst of humanity, they refuse to give in to those who are so twisted by their own bloodlust.

As a group they continue to trust who they can and do what ever it takes to survive. Interesting how differences are voided out when killing means no one is safe, no matter who you are and where you come from. Once the violence begins and there is no control, it spreads like a disease and nowhere is safe – they can only keep running!

The film is intense, edge-of-your-seat and disturbing in its imagery. Yet that is absolutely the point. Something as heinous as the ideal of a purge, brings out everything brutal that inhumanity has to offer. From start to finish, THE PURGE is not going to let the viewer rest so be prepared to take the last stand.

In the end – one night is not enough!

 

 

 

 

C.I.APE has Family Giggles on DVD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer Stephen Johnston and Lionsgate is the family adventure to save the world with C.I.APE.

Sam is the first chimp to work with the CIA and they need him now more than ever. Working with Bondi James (Sophia Alongi), Sam is the retriever and Bondi help guide him to what ever it is they need.

That's when they discover that Alpha Dog (Skip Schwink) has plans to wreak havoc on the world. Working with Dr. Devious (Lucas Ross), their goal is to cause as much trouble as they possibly can! The one thing Alpha Dog does not have control over is daughter Rebecca (Madelyn Kientz) who just wants a normal life with her father.

Bondi is ordered to send Sam onto the island belonging to Alpha Dog and there he meets Rebecca. Being a sweetheart, Rebecca tells Sam that she will do whatever is necessary to stop her father and Dr. Devious. Bondi, who can see everything Sam sees, understands that she just wants a friend.

Before anything else can happen, Sam and Bondi kick into gear to make the world a safer place again!

Alongi as Bondi has a wonderful relationship with Sam and worries about her furry friend when there is a mission. Dealing with Alpha Dog is dangerous, but she makes sure to watch her friends front and back! Shout out to Gould as the voice of Sam for giving his character a sweet vocal disposition that translates into the CGI-chimpanzee.

Kientz as Rebecca just wants a normal life, not the island living bad guy life. Trying to get her father to understand that is a problem but making friends with Sam gives her the opportunity to make him see the light. Schwink as Alpha Dog is a big kid trying to be a bad guy. It is only when he is face to face with his daughter does a 'normal' side come out. He is entertaining to watch to say the least.

Ross as Dr. Devious is clearly not as devious as he would like to be but then again, being a devious scientist is a hard gig!

Other cast include Kenda Henthorn as Super Villain Henchwoman, Leah N.H. Philpott as Queen Evil, Angel Rosario Jr. as Chrome Dome, Christy Tate as Carol, Ginifer Ree as Evil Queen's Henchwoman, Garrett O'Brien as Forehead's Henchman, Christopher Watkins as Mustache, and Scott Gould as the voice of Sam.

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

C.I.APE is a big cheesy on the laughs but I still laughed, so did my grandkids. There is something entertaining about evil bad guys who are not all the evil and good guys who are just that - really good guys. You add a chimpanzee into the mix, and you have a film that is just family entertainment for all.

We actually watched the film out in the back yard on a screen to give the family the feel of being at the drive in. Add popcorn and a huge air mattress and C.I.APE made a great closure to summer. Be prepared for giggles and adventure all in one film.

In the end - this is a job for C.I.Ape!

BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Behind the Monster

 

Jeri Jacquin

Now available from director Thomas Hamilton, Abramorama and Shout! Studios comes the story of a man who embraced the monster in BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Behind the Monster.

William Henry Pratt was born To British father Edward and Indian mother Eliza after the family returned to England from Bombay, but the family is dysfunctional until his mother became unable to care for Billy. At 9 he finds an escape into the theatre, yet his family life does not improve.

Once his formal education was complete, Billy moves to Canada changing his name to Boris Karloff, and in Vancouver he finds a job with the railway. He marries Jessie and they work hard together but he could not stop the dream of the stage. He joins the Jeanne Russell Company and begins a career that is given good reviews.

In 1920, he became an extra in Hollywood and lands a role in THE DEADLIEST SEX. He plays such an expansive roles and characters to earn a living and perfects his craft. He met Lon Chaney who gives him advice to stay with acting. In 1926 he does the silent film THE BELLS playing a hypnotist.

For the next two years he did construction and field work, he marries Dorothy Stein. Then comes the film THE CRIMINAL CODE, starring as Galloway, this is where Karloff begins telling the story of being an actor. The Great Depression happens and pay cuts begin to happen in Hollywood. Boris joined a group of actors that wanted to stand up for actor’s rights that are carried on today with the Screen Actors Guild.

Working his way through roles, GRAFT in 1931 would bring about the story of Frankenstein. It was Bela Lugosi who began the rise of monsters in films with the 1931 hit DRACULA.

Now, James Whale would bring the story of Mary Shelly's FRANKENSTEIN and Universal eventually announces Karloff to play the heavily made-up role of the monster. Every day, Karloff would spend hours transforming the actor into the character we see today in the film. When Frankenstein enters through the door and turns around, we see what del Toro would call 'a religious experience'.

Makeup artist Jack Pierce created makeup that allowed Karloff to still be able to show emotion and invite us into his pain. While some might have been afraid, there are those (including myself the first time I saw the film) who believed Frankenstein to be so much more than we could have imagined.

Even when there is horror, Frankenstein breaks our heart with emotion and innocence. One scene in the film brought Whale and Karloff into a separation working state yet the film was an instant success. Yet, while the film made Karloff a star, he was treated no better than Frankenstein.

In 1932, Karloff again plays a frightening character in THE OLD DARK HOUSE. Also, that year, Karloff is in the film THE MASK OF FU MANCHU from MGM which he referred to as a "shambles of a film". Again, in the same year came the release of THE MUMMY and Karloff works perfectly well with make up again provided by Jack Pierce but also plays two characters in the film.

In 1934, Karloff would eventually be able to finally play on screen with Lugosi in THE BLACK CAT. He has the opportunity to frighten audiences in a different way and provides such an evil character. He has the opportunity in 1935 to play twin good vs. evil brothers in the film THE BLACK ROOM and, in the same year returns to THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Returning as the monster, Karloff is not happy that the monster tries to speak.

THE INVISIBLE RAY, CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA and IT'LL LIGHT THE WAY came around at the time where religion tried to tell Hollywood how to behave with films. THE WEST OF SHANG HI is clever and successful, he almost loses his contract because he was not a monster. He agrees to do DEVIL'S ISLAND and BRITISH INTELLIGENCE for the paycheck.

Finally in 1939, SON OF FRANKENSTEIN came along and is considered one of the best performances of his career. He also continues to make what are considered B-films, but it is a Karloff film and fans even today remember them with fondness.

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE comes to Broadway and even though it had been ten years since he set foot on stage, the show was a success. A few years later, Hollywood comes calling and wants to do a film with everyone but Karloff. HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN is filmed in 1944, and Val Lewton's THE BODY SNATCHERS in 1945 reuniting Karloff with Lugosi with RKO Pictures.

ISLE OF THE DEAD brings Karloff to an eerie island, but the story is based on a painting and finally BEDLAM bringing the trio of Lewton and Karloff together. A few more films brings him to do live television. He finally is able to do ARSENIC AND OLD LACE for a wide audience. He also has the chance to play George Darling and Captain Hook in PETER PAN. He also has his performance in THE LARK brought to television in 1957 along with his life story with THIS IS YOUR LIFE.

The 1960 brings about a resurgence of the appreciation of monsters and thriller films but Karloff moves back to England. There he brings about the series THRILLER, and it becomes highly successful and, some say, ahead of its time. Roger Corman brings him to his film THE RAVEN, followed by THE TERROR.  In 1966, he embraced story of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS with more success with a voice that embraced the character.

THE SOCERERS in 1967 followed by TARGETS in 1968 going from horror by following a wife to horror of a real life rounds out amazing performances. There were only 8 more performances for Karloff, but the final would be on the Red Skelton Show performing with Vincent Price.

Because the show must always go on!

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.

Abramorama is the preeminent global theatrical distributions and rights partner for many documentary and music films and is recognized for the consistent high quality of its work on award winning features. Over the course of 20 years, Abramorama has successfully distributed and marketed hundreds of films including Ron Howard’s Grammy Award Winning THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK, Stanley Nelson’s MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL, as well as Academy Award Nominee and IDA Best Documentary Winner THE LOOK OF SILENCE. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.abramorama.com.

Cameos include Guillermo del Toro,Sir Christopher Frayling, Dick Miller, Jack Hill, Christopher Plummer, Orson Bean, David J. Skal, Sara Karloff, Leonard Maltin, Roger Corman, Thomas Hamilton, Cortlandt Hull, Ian Ogilvy, MJaymz Bee, Mark Voger, Gregory Mank, Ron Perlman, Kevin Brownlow, Bernie Coleman, Jacobs, Joe Dante, Peter Bogdonovich and narrator Paul Ryan.

BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Behind the Monster is an amazing documentary giving us the story of a man who shared so much in the way of entertainment. My favorite days of the week were Friday and Saturday nights because I was allowed to stay up late and watch 'scary movies' with my older brother.

Left alone while everyone else went to bed, we would find ourselves binging on the Creature Feature list of films. Screaming into our pillows or covering our eyes, you could be darn sure that Karloff was responsible for a great deal of that to be happening. FRANKENSTEIN was a favorite of mine (brother went for Lugosi which actually makes us laugh now that we know they were friends) and for all of the same reasons those in the documentary talk about.

I saw that character as so misunderstood, naïve and used by everyone around him. Trying to find his place in the world and being held accountable for the actions of others was something I understood coming from a dysfunctional family myself. The sadness swept over me like a repeating tidal wave yet, whenever the film was playing - I had to watch. It was not until I actually saw Karloff on the big silver screen, did I totally lose it in tears. How amazing!

The film explains so much to the generation that embraced his beginnings to the current generation because they too see something special in his performance. The only other Frankenstein I can even watch is Peter Doyle in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN for obvious reasons. Karloff WAS Frankenstein in every way and not just because of the makeup but because of the true emotions that came through the makeup.

BORIS KARLOFF: The Man Behind the Monster is also a journey down the timetable of his accomplishments and films that I had totally forgotten about. As a fan of "old" movies, I would definetly be up to a Karloff marathon, someone get TCM on the telephone now and demand it in time for the spooky season!

The cameos also give us an insight to the man, his flaws, successes and remembering being told to never give up on his dream. He did not give up and what we are all left with is a stunning collection of characters that will be with us and available to future generations to come.

It is actors such as Karloff that have me continually starring at screens to be swept away and whispering in the dark ‘gawd, I love movies!’.

BEST SELLERS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Lina Roessler and Screen Media is the story of two people who turn out to need each other during the worst of times with BEST SELLERS.

Lucy Stanbridge (Aubrey Plaza) is running a publishing company inherited from her father that needs a boost of energy to get it back on track. Turning to assistant Rachel Spence (Ellen Wong), they go through their list of writers they could work with, and the name Harris Shaw (Michael Caine) comes up.

First, they have to get through the door to meet with him! Shaw is not a pleasant individual and he makes sure that everyone knows it. Reminding him of his contractual obligations, Lucy reminds him that the publishing company is owed another book. Realizing he is in financial trouble, he gives up the manuscript for The Future is X-Rated.

Not happy that the book also has to be edited, he goes on a rant with not wanting his words “in incompetent hands”. That’s when Lucy makes him a deal, go on a book tour and the manuscript will not be edited. At his first public reading, he uses the word “bullshite” and takes off like hair on fire.

Shaw does not understand the fuss but if it gets him what he wants, then “bullshite” it is! Yet, the underlying story of both Lucy and Shaw become clearer and their working relationship changes as truth spill out and history gets cleaned up.

That’s the real story!

Caine as Shaw gets the opportunity to jump right in to being a grumpy, cantankerous, outspoken old man who wants to smoke his cigars and drink till he can not remember anything. Washing away his life memories, Caine gives his character no filter and no excuses in the beginning but all of that hides Shaw’s truths that cannot be hidden anymore.

Plaza as Lucy is a young woman who has a clear incentive to keeping her father’s publishing company up and running. Her character is clearly capable of doing the job, but her time with Shaw begins to change her perspective on life and as realities begin to change, Plaza gives us a young woman who begins to see things quite differently.

Also in the film is Scott Speedman as Jack Sinclair, Cary Elwes as Halpren Nolan, and Veronica Ferres as Drew Davis.

Screen Media is an international distributor of television series and films, licensing content through theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, free, cable and pay television, and subscription and advertising video-on-demand platforms.  In 2017 Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. acquired Screen Media which is in its 23rd year as a leading global independent distribution company. With one of the largest independently owned libraries of filmed entertainment in the world and license agreements across all forms of media, Screen Media’s distribution capability enables direct distribution of all rights in all countries, thus enhancing the profitability of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment productions. The company is continually looking to add films and television series to its content library.

Caine and Plaza are amazing together playing off one another’s fears and life stories. On screen together they give their characters such life in the midst of pain and frustration. The story is a simple one but filled with emotion that just gave me a heart pitty-pats. It is a very cool opportunity to watch these actors explore their lives from different angels.

BEST SELLERS is a heartwarming and heart wrenching film that is worth of a watch and a box of Kleenex. The film was also the Gala Presentation – 2021 Berlinale Film Festival. The relationship between these two characters begins with such anger and hostility but those emotions clearly mask what is really going on with both Shaw and Lucy. Watching these two actors bring out the best and worst is worth every frame.

In the end – the story is not always on the page!

He is THE ALPINIST

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from directors Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen and Roadside Attractions is the story of what it takes to be fearless, beautiful and see the world through the eyes of THE ALPINIST.

Alpinism is the discipline of climbing big and technical mountains. Large scale expeditions conquered the highest peaks in the world. Soon, it became how you got to the top that became the rage. That was the next step to go bigger and better but be a solo alpinist.

That is where we meet Marc-Andre Leclerc, a young man who has made his way to becoming an alpinist but doing so in the most unusual way. Graduating high school, Marc goes to Squamish in Canada, and everyone begins to notice the young man who makes alpinism a thing of beauty.

Admitting to falling into the drug scene, he came to understand that climbing is what he needed more than the drugs. Girlfriend Brette Harrington, he found more to life through her love of climbing as well. Now, he is ice climbing and more people begin to notice that he seems to be unfazed by what he is doing and does so beautifully.

The Stanley Headwall is a challenge but one that Marc-Andre seems to see as a wonder in his eyes. Clear about his goal, the wall is a mixture of snow and rock, but he does so using just picks and his ability to remain calm.

He sees his climb as fun and memorable yet everyone else sees what he has done as a stunning accomplishment. Speaking about his life growing up in Chillawack, he speaks about life and adjusting to a life where he does not actually fit in. So, his mother introduced him to the forest, books about the big mountains and climbers. This is where the love of it all begins, and it continued as he climbed everything he could get his hands on.

Then he dropped out of sight and off the grid.

It was only through social media did everyone realize he was everywhere! Finally, they find him and girlfriend Brett, climbing rock faces having the time of their lives. Keeping his life to himself, they shock came when they discover that Marc-Andre was at the top of Mount Robson on the Emperor’s Face.

Finally, Marc-Andre explains that climbing alone is an experience being immersed in your environment and having a crew would make it a very different experience. Explaining his thought process, other climbers agree that it is a dance.

Now, family, friends and other climbers are beginning to wonder if the young Marc-Andre is pushing the boundaries into danger. That is not stopping him from eyes the range of mountains in Patagonia. In El Chatain in Argentina, groups gather to go winter climbing. This time he is allowing one camera man but only to a certain point and then Marc-Andre would take over documenting by himself.

Documenting the climb, he speaks about the snow, rocks and the way he is taking and how bad the conditions are. As blizzard conditions set in, visibility is next to nothing, but the climb is still incredible.

Thinking the film was over, the story is not finished.

Other speakers include Austin Siadak, Will Stanhope, Alan Stevenson, Jon Walsh, Jason Kruk, Jim Elzinga, Ryan Johnson, Alpinist Terry Blanchard, Alpinist Historian Bernadette McDonald, Reinhold Messner, Alex Honnold, Ice Climber Will Gadd, Ice Climber Raphael Slawinski, Alpinist Jon Walsh, Hugo Acosta and Mom Michelle Kuipers.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

THE ALPINIST is an interesting look at a young man’s journey doing what he loves. There is also the stark realization that climbing both ice and rock is a dangerous way of life. The danger of it all is documented by some of the worlds most celebrated climbers meeting a fate on the mountain.

This is one man’s story filmed for us all to see the majesty of the mountains, the love of doing something most of us can hardly imagine doing and those who return again and again. We are allowed into a moment in time to learn about the young man who will always have an impact on being an alpinist.

It is not just a film about climbing, it is a film about the difference between those who talk about doing things and those who actually go out and challenge themselves to face it all. It is about taking a dream and making it a reality with simplicity, grace and beauty which is what Marc-Andre Leclerc did – just ask anyone who spent time with him.

In the end – his passion for the mountains was everything and more!

It is the Story of FAUCI

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director/producer John Hoffman, Janet Tobias and National Geographic Films is the story of a man who is the most recognizable in the world with FAUCI.

Growing up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, he was raised to not be intimidated by anything. As of 2020, he continues to hold that to be true. He believes being totally honest with the American public on the outbreak of COVID-19. He is not a scientist that has hidden in the shadows spending the last 30+ years as the director for the National Institute of Health.

His schooling included learning that doing for others is the way to a good life. A graduate of Cornell, Fauci would end up at the NIH during the Vietnam war. He learned that an impact to large groups of people is more important than private practice, so he chose the path that would help others.

Not time for much else, family and friends are surprised when he meets Christine Grady and later became his wife. In 1981, MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) put out an article about a strange pneumonia. Fauci became aware that there was a new disease that needed someone to research it even though his colleagues thought he was chasing nothing. This disease would become known as AIDS.

Talking about the epidemic today still affects Dr. Fauci remembering the human toll that came with the disease. Evening dealing with Ebola during the Obama administration, he pushed to get ahead of the outbreak and was listened to by the administration leading out country. When it hit the United States, it was Dr. Fauci that kept straight to the facts and not hysteria.

Now, it is 2020 and the Corona virus has landed in the United States and the alarm bells are ringing dangerously loud. Fauci sees pictures of New York as an empty place and knows what must be done. Vaccines kick into high gear and Fauci knows that ever step must be taken carefully, and New York had to be shut down.

Quickly clinical trials start for a vaccine for COVID-19 and could be a real option for stopping the spread and stop the pandemic. The technology allows the NIH to be swift in working on the vaccine that could go into testing. Working with a task force in the White House, press conferences were muddled and the information that the public needed would be unheard.

Drugs being touted by people and the administration without testing became louder than the facts. Now it is Dr. Fauci vs. the administration, a scientist who is working night and day for an answer and a person who is clueless and believes just about anything.

But with giving the information, Fauci comes under fire by those who refuse to listen to the science. There are those who turn him into a celebrity and there are those who would vilify him.

Fauci finds it amusing and interesting but can not take it seriously even though he admits there could be some fun in it.

Then there is a period of time where Fauci goes silent, and he is encouraged to start a Twitter account. He just remembers what happened when he saw the reaction of people both positive and negative during the AIDS crisis. Fauci learned from that struggle that fighting for everyone and understood the value of it. He does not see the same result with Covid-19 but does see that we will get through it despite the opposition.

Dr. Fauci speaks about his family and how they are supportive in the wake of what is very difficult for them all. As we all have separated from friends and family, he has done the same thing while staying levelheaded and remembering what is important. “Taking care of yourself and not taking care of the world is just folly” – Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Others speaking is daughter Jenny Fauci, Global Health Reporter The New York Times Apoorva Mandavilli, Dr. Francis Collins, Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden, Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Bill Gates, Bono, Activist David Barr, Former President George W. Bush, Aids Activist Wakefield, and Aids Activist Robert Vazquez Pacheco.

National Geographic is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society. They support a diverse, international community of changemakers — National Geographic Explorers — who use the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. For more information, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

First of all, I must say that there is something special about this man in more ways than just being Dr. Fauci. As a swearer myself, to hear that come out of his mouth makes me laugh with the thought ‘see, he is just like us!’. The second thing is the sadness seeing how he is trying to help the world, yet he sees the fear that his family must go through. His family now sees once again the threats but with an intensity that is heartbreaking.

Hearing certain news outlets bash him had such a ridiculous level of ridiculousness that I can not even comprehend their minds (not that I would ever want to). Here is a man who has spent his entire life dedicated to eradicating diseases and Covid-19 is no exception. Dr. Fauci jumps into action and because there are those who want to make a name for themselves, he has to shout louder to save those who want to be saved.

FAUCI is a up front, and no holds barred look at the history of a man who has become the center of knowledge and a scientist to believe in. It is interesting that there is a person in the documentary who says that before Covid-19, the average person probably could not name a scientist – now, they can.

He does not take credit for everything; he tells the story as it happened and how what those who worked hard are helping us live through the nightmare that is today. This is not a one time shot for Fauci, it is a lifetime desire to be a public servant and help the world so we can get back to normal – yet he will continue on his path to tackle the emerging infections that are here and in the future.

In the end – from the frontline of one pandemic to the frontline of another!

The 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Brings Films and Documentaries to Netflix

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Netflix as the 20^th Anniversary of 9/11 draws near, there are a few documentaries and a film that talk about that terrible day.

 

WORTH

Beginning with director Sara Colangelo’s film WORTH stars Michael Keaton as Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer who wants to do something after seeing what has happened on 9/11.

Congress turns to Feinberg to be responsible for the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. Coming up with a ‘formula’ for payment to families, basically he now is determining something he once asked of his law students, “how much is a life worth?”  One person fighting against his formula is Charles Wolf (Stanley Tucci) who lost his wife in the twin towers.

Working with his head of operations Camille (Amy Ryan), the interviews begin as the clock ticks on those who need to apply. There is one person willing to hear what Wolf has to say is Priya Khundi (Shunori Ramanathan) who then continues to ask Feinberg to listen to the people.

As the stories unfold, Feinberg finds himself torn between what he can and can not do for the people who are trying to show him that it is about justice for their loved ones. This is film is about the stories and one man who needs to listen.

Keaton as Feinberg is absolutely brilliant and its not just because I am a Keaton fan. His take on Feinberg is hard, focused on data and formulas and lives in his ‘lawyer suit’ as a justification for issues that are consistently brought. Watching Keaton go through the stages of understanding, his character is on a learning curve he could never have imagined. Well done sir! It takes a character brought to the screen by Tucci in the form of Charles Wolf that stands by his principles and wants to help others find their voices.

Tucci as Charles is equally as brilliant as a man who is dealing with his own deep grief yet wants to make sure that the families do not fall through governmental cracks. Reuniting with Keaton after their work on the 2015 film SPOTLIGHT. In that film Tucci is a lawyer who is trying to right the wrongs, so the character of Charles is something he is good at playing and believing. Again, Tucci is an actor who embraces every character he plays, and it shows.

Other cast include: Talia Balsam as Dede Feinberg, Laura Benanti as Karen Donato, Chris Tardio as Frank Donato, Ato Blakson-Wood as Darryl Barnes, Carolyn Mignini as Gloria Toms, Victor Slezak as John Ashcroft, Marc Caron as Bart Cuthbert and Clifton Samuels as Oliver.

In the end – what is the value of life?

 

TURNING POINT: 9/11 and the War on Terror

Next is the five episode limited series TURNING POINT: 9/11 and the War on Terror by director Brian Knappenberger. Beginning with the images we all know surrounding the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, there is a brief telling of the terrorists responsible for the nightmare of that day.

Then, the documentary uses a few episodes to tell the story of Iraq, Afghanistan and the soldiers who have fought those wars. In their own words, a few soldiers tell their story of what they experienced and their understanding (or lack of understanding) for the reasons they are fighting. From weapons of mass destruction to the continuation of the war in Afghanistan, the documentary gives the facts as those narrating and in-the-know can share.

The hunt of Osama bin Laden is sprinkled in the documentary with both Presidents Bush and Obama.

Documentaries about 9/11 are always difficult to watch because they bring up memories for us all as to where we were when it happened, to those who lost loved ones, to those who escape the destruction etc.

This documentary is geared more toward the politics. There is actually nothing in this documentary that I have not seen in other documentaries and that is a bit disappointing. What would have kept my interest more is if they would have gone into more detail about the terrorists such as where did they come from, how did they manage to do the things that they did and what caused them to do what they did in more than general details.

That being said, it does remind us that even with the death of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, there are issues that continue on Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan. Coming back to the beginning story of 9/11, the detainees at Guantanamo Bay are the biggest issues and the government is now prosecuting them with concerns about terrorist groups.

The episodes include They System Was Blinking red, A Place of Danger, The Dark Side, The Good War, and Grave of Empires.

The question becomes – what does the United States do with those who were part of trying to bring our country down?

In the end - history casts a long shadow.

 

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information please visit www.netflix.com.

WORTH is a film that goes inside an issue that most people have no idea about. Learning that there was even a value placed on human life after 9/11 is a bit shocking to accept but even more difficult is the process in which these families had to deal with the aftereffects. It is an important story and I believe it is well done with Keaton and Tucci leading the way.

The documentary TURNING POINT is less so but only in that the issues brought forward are something I have heard before. Listening to the stories told by those who were a part of this history is important but, as I said before, there has to be a way to tell us more about those who participated that we know so little about.

Hussain and bin Laden are names we all know because most of us have lived through it all. The wars, soldiers, death and destruction. As a mother of a soldier, I have witnessed the aftereffects of the mistakes made under the guise of taking care of business for those that have returned home.

As the 20^th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, there will be more to hear, more memories, seeing the attack through videos etc., and the pain felt once again over and over. That being said, we also cannot forget how our country got here as the finality of Afghanistan has come to a close as well.

That is where the duality comes from, I suppose. We feel so deeply the sadness and anger of 9/11 and yet we do not know what to do with those emotions and we do not have answers of how can this happen and, even worse, can it happen again now that the Taliban is back in control of Afghanistan?

We can only be alert and have a hope that peace can hold in place.