It is THE LAST DUEL on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray Combo, DVD and Digital from director Ridley Scott and 20^th Century Studios comes a tale of knights and betrayal leading to THE LAST DUEL.

Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) is a man that has fought hard for King Charles VI and his country of France losing his wife and child. Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) is his closest friend and overlord of the King. That makes their friendship tense, especially when Jacques arrives to collect the taxes to help pay for the war, but Jean must admit that he has nothing.

Jean sees Marguerite de Thibouville (Jodie Comer) and an arrangement is made for them to marry. Count Pierre d’Alencon (Ben Affleck) shows him the lands that come with marrying his daughter. There is one piece of land that Jean notices and wants. Striking a deal for land and wealth, the marriage is done.

He learns that the one piece of land he particularly wanted, Pierre had already given to his friend Jacques. Jean decides to sue for the land, but King Charles (Alex Lawther) denies the case. Jean’s father passes and everything begins to swiftly move in the wrong direction. Pierre sides with Jacques and now Jean realizes his friend has received a military station at a generational family fort because of the suit he brought for the land.

When Jacques wife has a child, Marguerite and Jean find it a reason to celebrate and perhaps mend bad feelings between friends. All of that will have to wait because of the fighting in Scotland and Jean always goes where the king wishes. Coming home for a brief visit, Marguerite tells her husband that Jacques has violated her. The only way to handle this situation is with one thing – a duel to the death!

But who is telling the truth?

Damon as Jean is a man who has fought for king and country, lost his family once and could hardly maintain his own estate. Marrying saves everything, except one piece of land that comes between friends to the point of a duel. Damon is straight forward in his character and hides his emotions very well and instead finds other means to his detriment.

Driver as Jacques is a man who sees nothing wrong with getting what he wants even if it means betraying a friend. Knowing that the land Jean wants is part of a martial deal, he pretends to be the victim in all of this. When confronted he does not help his friend but instead enjoys the benefit of Pierre gifts. Driver also shows very little emotion, but it is clear this character knows what he is doing.

Comer as Marguerite seems to enjoy being married to Jean and is thrilled when she sees a chance to reconcile her husband and Jacques. When it comes time for her side of the story to be told, it is harsh and heart-breaking. It is a ‘he said-she said’ in a time when whatever she says means nothing in the era of men. The one thing that is absolute, Marguerite pays attention to everything that goes on around her from farming, horses to the tenants – even the cruelty of a mother-in-law and her station.

Affleck as Pierre is a man of indulgences, no morals and enjoys hurting people by any means whether it is fighting or taking something away from someone else. I have to say, Affleck looks like he is enjoying playing this character. Using Jacques to clean up his finances, he also sees ways to manipulate situations for his amusement.

Other cast include Harriet Walter as Nicole de Buchard, Serena Kennedy as Queen Isabeau, Sam Hazeldine as Thomin du Bois, Michel McElhatton as Bernard Latour, Oliver Cotton as Jean de Carrouges III, Adam Nagaitis as Adam Louvel, Clare Dunne as Ceila, Zeljko Ivanek as Le Coq, Caoimhe O’Malley as Elizabeth, Tallulah Haddon as Marie, Md. Tayeen Khan as Jack Smith, Bryony Hannah as Alice and Marton Csokas as Crespin.

Twentieth Century 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.

Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) manages The Walt Disney Company’s vast content commercialization and distribution ecosystem that delivers the Company’s unparalleled storytelling to audiences worldwide.

THE LAST DUEL is a period piece that gives us everything we would want for that time period. The dampness of war, lords and ladies, kings and queens, mystery, betrayal and revenge surrounded by castles. The destruction of war and the destruction of friendships are inlay for this based on a true story film.

Director Scott has given us a look at an ugly time in the Frances’ history of war and all the intrigue hiding behind fine clothes, wine and those who move the chess pieces to get what they want. I love the costuming and set design which always adds richness to the story and allows us to be distracted but the intrigue.

Telling the story in three parts is a way to see the accusations from perspectives that the others can not see. Jean and his family troubles, Jacques and his dealings with Pierre and Marguerite as well as the plotting done between the two. All these men against one woman’s say – it came to another fight!

In the end – a woman defied a nation and made history!

He has the Howl of a WOLF

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Nathalie Biancheri and Focus Features is the story of the struggle being yourself, even if yourself is a WOLF.

Jacob (George MacKay) is a young man with species dysphoria, an illness that human beings have when they believe they are an animal trapped in a human body. Jacob believes he is a wolf, so his distraught mother and father take him to a clinic to get help.

Immediately Jacob comes into contact with others like him. Young people who are birds, horses, dogs and cats being treated by The Zookeeper (Paddy Considine) to help them shed their animalisms. Convincing parents this is the place for their children, what the parents do not know is the methods The Zookeeper uses.

Jacob tries to keep his wolf side at bay but by night, he tries to find a way outside to let out what is screaming inside him. He meets Wildcat (Lily-Rose Depp), a young woman who has been at the clinic for some time with her cat side. The two become friends as they explore ways to be themselves without watchful eyes and Wildcat just happens to have a few keys.

They both watch other kids around them go through the fear of the clinic and when Jacob is caught, he lets out what is inside him. The Zookeeper knows just what to do when that happens. Now locked up, he must rely on help from Wildcat if he is ever to find his way into the world and live as he wishes to.

MacKay as Jacob was perfectly cast for not only his ability to show very little emotion to things happening around him but the physical stealth when allowing the wolf side to show. From the painful vocals of an animal trapped to the anger as well, MacKay’s portrayal of his character may be docile on the outside, but it is what is inside they should stay away from. The anger is not based on anything other than mistreatment of others and wrongs by human beings.

Depp as Wildcat is equally as physically stealthy, and she sees something in Jacob that touches him. Although she is in somewhat the same boat as Jacob, there is something more about her character that I wish had been explored more. There are hints at it, but it is never brought out clearly. Depp as Wildcat gives her performance dark side a chance to come to the light.

Considine as The Zookeeper is a man on a mission to cure what “ails” the kid, but the problem is he is horrible at it. I do not know where he got his training because it is clear he is more concerned with being cruel than curing. Coming face to face with some of the kids, he uses the verbal beat down to get their attention, but Jacob only bends and refuses to break.

Other cast includes Lola Petticrew as Parrott, Terry Notary as Lion Man, Fionn O’Shea as German Shepherd, Senan Jennings as Duck, Helen Behan as Jacob’s Mom, Karise Yansen as Annalisa, Amy Macken as Ola, Darragh Shannon as Jeremy, Mary Lou McCarthy as Shepherd’s Mom, Collen Keogh as The Zookeepers Assistant, Elsa Fionuir as Horse and Leo Hanna as Almost Out.

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 NBCUniversal, 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.

The film reminds me a bit of the 1982 film CAT PEOPLE, which is high on my list of strange, unusual and I would see again and again type films. There is the ‘cat like’ movements in the film that are visually stunning, and WOLF has the same affect bringing the viewer in with brilliant moves.

WOLF can be understood on a few different levels. First, it is about these kids who are different than others but instead of understanding them, their parents choose to be mortified and want to hide them. Believing it is something ‘curable’, they entrust their child to a clinic and walk away.

Second, it could be seen as a double bit of cruelty to humans and ‘animals’. The Zookeeper will do anything to get results which includes treating the kids in ways that make him more of an animal than the kids/animals. Finally, it is a story about kids who just want to be accepted by the adults who are supposed to love them unconditionally. Their differences are not worthy of what is happening to them.

All that being said, I truly wish the story had been explored more. The Jacob and the other kid/animals have such a deep story to tell, and the film just lays on the surface instead of going to the depths that would have made the film even more intense. Jacob shows us a bit of what it is like to be him, and I thought to myself that there was so much more to explore about his emotional and physical process.

WOLF is a film filled with so many different directions but the main one is that these kids believed in who they are even if no one else does. That is a powerful statement and one that has become so in recent years.

In the end – they want too just be!

 

 

 

 

 

 

WONDERFUL WORLD OF FRIENDS with the Sesame Street Gang

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from your friends at the Sesame Street Workshop and SHOUT! Factory Kids is a fun filled two hours of the WONDERFUL WORLD OF FRIENDS.

Elmo loves to talk about what it means to be friends with singing and dancing. He invites us to see the different faces and places of friends up and down Sesame Street. Alessia Cara teaches us all a song about how much we are all really alike. Showing it through dance we get to see all kinds of dancing and Nina shows us how to do it all.

From Salsa to Flamenco to the Tango, she tells us it takes two to tango and it is fun, but Elmo prefers the Elmo Slide and Chris joins in. Big Bird likes the Birdie Cha-Cha but Snuffy is not sure he can do it on the Do Your Favorite Dance Day. Instead, Snuffy teaches them all the dance he knows.

Billy Porter makes friends with a penguin and shows what can happen when you just say ‘hi!’. Oscar, Cookie Monster, Rosita and Elmo decide they want to build a very big bird feeder for their bird friend. They learn about an Indian holiday called Rakhi (and making bracelets for friends and family) from Chompki and Rosita shares how Indian bread and Mexican bread are very close to being the same. Chris also teaches Elmo how to make Indian food.

Gwen Stefani sings that sharing is caring and how to be a good friend as Cookie Monster, Elmo and Big Bird along with other Sesame Street get to learn about friendship. Rosita decides to write a book so that people will know what it really means to be Mexican.

Josh Groban joins Elmo, Abby and Rosita to sing once again about friendship and being together. Alan, Chris and the gang are having a food festival so that each of them can learn about other cultures. Food, clothing, dancing and what makes their cultures special. Elmo tries wontons, tamales and so much more but it is Rudy who is not willing to try the food.

Monster Foodies helps kids learn about recipes and how to make some fantastic goodies starting with smoothies. Elmo is thrilled to see John Legend behind the piano singing about what it means to come together. 

It is all about coming together through special friendships!

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.

Sesame Street: Wonderful World of Friends DVD Bonus Features include A Very Sesame Street Thanksgiving, and The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special.

Sesame Street has spent three generations in our household. Beginning with myself and siblings watching and being guided in so many special ways by Kermit and Big Bird with Oscar the Grouch always making us laugh. Every morning we were treated to songs and learning that we never realized helped us in our youth.

When I began to have children, Sesame Street was always playing in the home as the kids were riveted once again and it always made me laugh to see them so happy. When the grandchildren arrived, Sesame Street became more than a television show – it also became a source of learning on the ipad with numbers, colors, and letters fun.

Sesame Street has always celebrated kids and family, did everything to capture children’s imagination and gave them the hunger to learn. It has embraced differences but helped children remember that being a good human being is the center of everything.

This DVD is fun, colorful, exciting, funny, sweet, musical and will have your feet tapping.

In the end – it is all about celebrating friendship!

He Believes in the ENCOUNTER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and then to Prime Video from writer/director Michael Pearce, Joe Barton and Amazon Original Studios is the story of the ENCOUNTER.

Malik Khan (Riz Ahmed) is a veteran of the Marine Corps, and he has returned to take sons Jay (Lucian-River Chauhan) and Bobby (Aditya Geddada) on a trip. The boys soon realize their father is running from something, believing that there is an alien bug that has come to Earth. The only way to know if a person is infected is by their eyes and the only protection is bug spray.

Where Malik is really taking his two boys is a military base in Arizona where he convinces them they will be safe until a cure is found. On the road he begins to train them to survive. Keeping the boys out of site, eldest boy Jay discovers that he and his brother have been, in fact, kidnapped from their mother Piya (Janina Gavankar) and law enforcement are looking for them.

Jay also realizes that something is wrong with his father when he makes a call and talks to Hattie (Octavia Spencer) and more of the truth comes out. As the stressors become more obvious and the world begins to catch up with them, Malik must decide how he is going to handle the situation and Jay decides who his father really is.

Ahmed as Khan is a man who knows that the aliens are on Earth and causing destruction wherever they go no matter the species. Taking his sons to a safer place is his only goal and nothing is going to stop him – or no one. Ahmed gives us the performance of a man split between the war world he served and protecting his family.

Chauhan as Jay is a strong young man who believes in his father and trusts that what he is doing is right. Knowing that the trip starts off the ways he always thought it would be like, it is what comes after that is so much for a young man. Chauhan portrays his character as a young man who can not let his father down and stands firm till the end.

Geddada as Bobby is a boy who does what all boys do, be rambunctious, inquisitive, and loud. The road trip with him is not easy on Malik which puts the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of Jay, as if he does not have enough to contend with.

Spencer as Hattie wants something better for Malik and wants him to bring the boys home before things get out of hand. Spencer gives us a caring woman who wants to do her job naturally but sees Malik as more than just another man in trouble with the law.

Amazon Prime offers television shows and original content included in its Amazon Prime subscription. Original programs such as CARNIVAL ROW, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, and THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL are hit shows. Coming soon is the next series with GOLIATH starring Billy Bob Thornton and it promises to another successful and intense series.

ENCOUNTER has been nominated in four categories by the British Independent Film Awards for Best Actor – Riz Ahmed, Best Supporting Actor – Lucian River Chauhan, Best Music – Jed Kurzel and Best Sound – Andrew Stirk, Paul Davies, Morgan Muse, Bernard O’Reilly and Julian Howarth.

The film gives us a look at Malik’s thought process regarding the aliens, how it is spread and the only protection for human beings. He is dedicated to saving his sons and making sure no one tries to stop him. There is such a dynamic here between father and sons as the eldest has held on to a love for his father that is based on wanting things to be as he believes but the youngest has very little to go on other than Malik is his dad.

They begin to learn about each other but even that is based on a mixture of wanting to protect his sons from the past and the present and two young men who see their father as a hero. Ahmed goes in many directions with his role and each of them are strong – until this character can no longer tell lie from truth.

ENCOUNTER is a mixture of science fiction and the realities of human beings who have seen and been a part of something so traumatic that it changes their life’s perspective. Although there is a mixture of premises here that I have seen before, it does not change ENCOUNTER being an emotionally charged film.

In the end – it is in what we believe!

 

THE NORTH WATER is Chilling in the Tale

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on AMC+ from writer/director Andrew Haigh from the novel by Ian McGuire is the five-part television series THE NORTH WATER.

It is 1859 and Patrick Sumner (Jack O’Connell) is a surgeon who has joined the whaling vessel Volunteer. He watches the crew and particularly a man named Henry Drax (Colin Farrell). Drax is a ruthless man who has done heinous things so being part of the crew as the harpooner, he manages to avoid the law.

Sumner has his own past that he is trying to get away from and does so with bottles of laudanum. As they go further north to look for whales, Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham) has made a deal with the company for what is to happen with the ship. Sumner also tries to help the whalers and discovers the dangers of the waters. On board, it is discovered that a cabin boy has been treated horribly and Sumner is not about to let it go.

Looking for the man responsible, Sumner’s eyes turn to Drax and with good reason and Brownlee meets the hostility of a crew member. The ship continues north even though the crew does not understand why. With the help of another ship, the Hastings, a plan is put into motion but, as with all evil plans, everything goes wrong. As the ship is in distress, the crew is abandoned on an ice shelf waiting for a good time to board the Hastings.

Cavendish (Sam Spruell) has taken charge but the next morning the Hastings is no where to be found. What is left of the crew boards the rowboats and try to find a pace to be safe. On a rock surrounded by ice mountains, the crew try to survive. When a pair of Inuit arrive, there is meat for everyone but Drax and Cavendish as always, want more. If things are not already bad, they are about to get worse.

As the others trek across the ice, Sumner follows a bear in hopes of having food. Another storm hits when he is discovered by a priest (Peter Mullan) who takes him in. The Inuit come to hunt with Sumner, and he begins to have a legendary name for himself. But Sumner has other plans and wants to get home.

Once home, he discovers the truth about the journey and decides to take care of it all once and for all.

McConnell as Sumner begins the series as a young man dealing with the injustices of war, greed and those who held his life in his hands. Taking the vessel surgeon job on the Volunteer was the only thing he had left in his life. It is on the journey that Sumner realizes that treachery can be found anywhere in the world, not just on the battlefield. McConnell is absolutely stunning in this role, and I loved every step he took from start to finish. The growth of the character came to be in good hands with this actor.

Farrell as Drax is out and out vicious, diabolical, deliberate and menacing. Keeping his character so hidden like a ragged harpooner added such depth to what this character was consistently doing to those around him. That being said, Farrell has the amazing ability to play an amazing, good person but when he goes bad, he truly goes full force bad. Drax is a full-on bad man who does not see anything wrong with what he does.

Graham as Brownlee is a man who is trying to find his own redemption in the whaling world and the only way to do that means committing a different kind of crime. Spruell as Cavandish, who starts out as friends with Drax, comes to see that there is no future in befriending the devil.

Shout out to Tom Courtenay as Baxter, the man responsible for setting into motion the events that put lives in danger, caused death and the eventual confrontation with Patrick Sumner. I have always been an avid watcher of Courtenay’s work and he continues to shine.

Other cast include Kieran Urquhart as Jones, Philip Hill-Pearson as McKendrick, Nive Nielsen as Anna, Jonathan Aris as Corbyn, Lee Knight as Stevens, Gary Lamont as Webster, Eliza Butterworth as Hester, Mark Rowley as Bain, Roland Moller as Otto and Tom Courtenay as Baxter.

AMC+ is an American subscription video on demand streaming service owned by AMC Networks that was launched in June 2020. The service streams THE WALKING DEAD franchise as well as MAD MEN, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES and currently THE NORTH WATERS. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.amcplus.com.

The five-part episodes include Behold the Man, We Men Are Wretched Things, Homo Homini Lupus, The Devils of the Earth and To Live is to Suffer.

THE NORTH WATER is a series you must binge watch. I could not stop and do not regret a moment of it. This is a series about what men do to one another, the reasons they do it (whether good or bad is indifferent to their reasons), the horror of what memories can push someone to and when you put it all in a mixing bowl, the results are disastrous.

The cast is amazing led by O’Connell as Farrell lies low in the background but never letting you forget he is there. The entire cast put their stories out to lead the story in different directions but never straying from the fact that the boat they are on is leading them to death. Using the barren lands of the Artic, there is nothing distracting the viewer from investing in every moment of Patrick Sumner’s experience.

In the end – the hunt will change!

NO MAN OF GOD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on AMC+ from director Amber Sealey is a story based on the real transcripts conversations about Ted Bundy when it is discovered that he is NO MAN OF GOD.

Bill Hagmaier (Elijah Wood) is an FBI agent assigned to the Behavior Science Unit in 1985. His first case given by boss Roger Depue (Robert Patrick) with the unit is Ted Bundy (Luke Kirby) who is on death row. Everyone makes it clear that Bundy does not like the FBI and will not talk to him. After writing a letter, Bundy agrees to meet with Hagmaier. Their first meeting is a test run and the agent understands immediately that Bundy likes to play games.

A year passes when Hagmaier meets with Bundy once again bringing him an ice breaker of gum to the Florida State Prison. They begin with the case of Green River and Bundy begins to share his insights about murder and murderers. During their conversation, Hagmaier gives Bundy a bit of personal information that makes their talk turn dark. He is warned by Depue that getting to close to Bundy is dangerous and that he could end up in a place he can not get out of.

In 1987, Bundy starts to get edgy in their next conversations where he begins to share stories about the women he knew. Frustrated at how people have portrayed him, he shares his thoughts and Hagmaier listens. Asking very few questions, Hagmaier is careful not to upset or frustrate Bundy. It is Bundy who makes it clear that Hagmaier could have had the other life.

It is now 1989 and the Governor of Florida lets it be known that Bundy is to die in seven days even though Bundy is trying for a stay of execution. Depue tells Hagmaier that Bundy is ready to confess everything but will only talk to him. Arriving at the prison, Hagmaier meets Carolyn Lieberman (Aleksa Palladino) who is a civil attorney.

Bundy has changed his tactics believing that telling everything might jeopardize and overturn of execution. He immediately informs Lieberman that Hagmaier is in charge, and she is not happy about it. Hagmaier makes it clear that it is time to come clean and give closure to the families that are waiting for new of their daughters. As investigators come to question Bundy, Hagmaier is now the one that is frustrated.

The clock is ticking and Hagmaier can not believe it when evangelical Dr. James Dobson (Christian Clemenson) comes to do a television interview with Bundy. Down to the wire, a sanity hearing is called but the outcome does not change. Now everything comes to a head, and it is time to hear from Bundy as Hagmaier thought he was prepared for what he is about to hear.

Wood as Hagmaier is a man who is patient and knows exactly how to wait out Bundy’s game of cat and mouse. This is an intense role for Wood but one that I welcome because he is strong, consistent and even kind if that makes sense. The scene where he helps Bundy write a letter is heartfelt toward a man who continues to show no remorse for what he has done. The Wood gives us the opposite when it comes time to go under the water with Bundy. An excellent performance from beginning to end.

Kirby as Bundy is charming, good looking, smart, savvy and knows how to manipulate anyone in front of him in such a way that they do not even realize it is being done. Even his anger seems easily forgiven by those who experience it. When the final scene with Wood comes around, Kirby dives into a dark place and makes sure anyone watching is mesmerized by the terror he so easily speaks about. From that moment on, Kirby’s performance is of a man who can not fathom what is about to happen and still plays games. Excellent!

Palladino as Carolyn is a woman who defends someone the rest of the world can not understand. She makes it clear to Hagmaier why she is doing it but has her own opinion about the man she is helping.

AMC+ is an American subscription video on demand streaming service owned by AMC Networks that was launched in June 2020. The service streams THE WALKING DEAD franchise as well as MAD MEN, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES and currently THE NORTH WATERS. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.amcplus.com.

NO MAN OF GOD is a powerful film carried out by two actors that spend 90% of the film face to face, emotion to emotion, and frustration to frustration. Wood’s character is of a man not only trying to do his job but find closure for the families. He tries to reach Bundy to get him to understand not only the consequences of his actions but of the cruelty that each day brings.

Kirby brings Bundy from a charming prisoner to a man who has come to realize that his options and his cleverness are not going to save him. Watching these two men come to terms with their lots, one man will eventually not have to worry about it anymore and another man who will not have a moments peace for the rest of his life.

In the end - it is time to go under the water.

 

Game, Set and Match Goes to KING RICHARD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and HBO Max from Warner Bros. and director Reinaldo Marcus Green is the story of a father who wants nothing but the best for his children with KING RICHARD.

It is the 1990’s when Richard Williams (Will Smith) and wife Oracene (Aunjanue Ellis) are raising their five daughters in Compton, California. Making it constantly clear that he has a 78-page plan for his daughters’ lives, he is working with Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton) on their tennis skills.

Knowing it is getting time to reach out for coaching, Richard turns to Paul Cohen (Tony Goldwyn), the man responsible for the likes of Pete Sampras in the tennis world. After seeing them hit a few balls, Cohen agrees to take on Venus but can not take Serena. Richard begins recording everything for Serena to see and use.

When the time comes, Richard decides that his children’s lives are more important than tennis matches when he sees players in the junior circuit breaking down. Letting Cohen go, he turns to Rick Macci (Jon Bernthal) who takes the entire family to Florida where only then does Richard make it clear that school, church and family all come before tennis.

A few years later, Venus decides to make it clear that she is ready for something more. When Richard and Oracene get into an argument about what he wants versus his daughter, family secrets come flowing out that are painful but a reality.

Richard realizes he needs to let go and trust that everything he has taught his girls is coming to fruition. It is time to cheer everything the family has accomplished!

Smith as Richard gives us the performance we would expect from this actor. The role of Richard is a bit of a pain with his outspoken ways and passive aggressive tantrums, but Smith gets the job of portraying the man done. Playing a man who loves his family and would do anything for them seems to be right up Smiths alley, so Smith certainly chose well for this role.

Ellis as Oracene is a woman who supports her husband, except when its time to pull him aside and set things right. I love Ellis’ boldness in making sure Richard understands he may think he’s king, but the family are not his peasants. The scene in the kitchen in Florida is the perfect “you tell him lady!” when Ellis brings Oracene’s voice out loud and clear.

Bernthal as Macci signs on big and believes in the girls, what he did not count on was dealing with a father who refuses to budge once he sets his mind to something. That does not take the focus off the girls as Bernthal believes in their future, so much so that Macci eventually trusts in what the girls want for themselves. Well done in this role and nice mustache!

Goldwyn as Paul sees in Venus and Serena everything their father does but in a way that is practical and follows the formula of successful tennis. Butting heads with Richard is a full-time job and Goldwyn as Paul holds his own even if that means giving in to demands.

Sidney as Venus is a lovely young girl who believes in everything her father wants for tennis success. Following that plan, she plays the junior circuit and when Dad says stop, she stops trusting he knows what’s best. There eventually comes a point where she believes it is time to speak for herself and I loved it. Sidney is a lovely young woman who handles herself in this film with grace and style.

Singleton as Serena starts out just as strong as the other tennis star of the family. Serena does get lost in the mix when she steps back a little, but Richard finally tells her the one thing that she needs to hear, that her time will come. Singleton takes her role graciously and, as we all know, Serena’s time came, and it was something to see!

Other cast include Makayla Bartholomew as Tunde, Daniele Lawson as Isha, Layla Crawford as Lyndrea, Erika Ringor as Ms. Strickland, Brad Greenquist as Bud Collins and Kevin Dunn as Vic Braden.

Warner Brothers is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television, and home entertainments with worldwide distribution to DVD and Bluray, animation, comic books, videogames and broadcasting. For more please visit www.warnerbros.com.

HBO Home Entertainment brings critically acclaimed and groundbreaking programming throughout the world. Releases include the global hit Game of Thrones, True Detective, Girls, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, True Blood, The Wire and Entourage. The company's catalog contains hundreds of titles including Big Little Lies and Band of Brothers. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

KING RICHARD won the Audience Choice Award for Feature Film at the Chicago International Film Festival, the Audience Award at Film Fest 919, Heartland International Film Festival for Overall Audience Choice Award and Pioneering Spirit Award for Will Smith, Narrative Audience Award at the Philadelphia Film Festival and the Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award for Aunjanue Ellis at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.

The film is the story of the tennis stars Williams sisters and the man responsible for bringing them to the sports attention, their father Richard Williams. Smith gives us a portrayal of the man who believed in sacrificing nothing when it comes to his family. He, along with wife Oracene believed in their faith, family and making sure their daughters took their education seriously.

Starting in Compton surrounded by people who, at time, seemed to enjoy hurting Richard, it did not stop the family from moving forward. Even when their own neighbor tried to intervene for nasty reasons, the Williams family still pushed forward and that is nothing short of inspirational.

Coming in at 138 minutes, KING RICHARD is really a story of family doing something together that inspired each other to strive for excellence. Richard himself was definetly a flawed human being yet, along with Oracene, they kept their family together and that means everything.

In the end – it is a true story you have to see to believe!

 

 

INDIA SWEETS AND SPICES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from writer/director Geeta Malik and Bleecker Street is the story of going home to INDIA SWEETS AND SPICES.

Ending the school year Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali) is dreading going home to her Indian family. Not home five minutes before dad Ranjit (Adil Jussain) suggests she help at his clinic and mom Sheila (Manisha Koirala) tells her it would be rude not to go to a family gathering. The only one she really wants to see is bestie Neha (Anita Kalathara). Going around the room serving samosas, she gets a peak back into the home gossip.

The next day mom Sheila sends Alia to the store and there she meets Varun (Rish Shah) who are the new owners of the grocery story. Mom wonders why she would do that and now her nerves on edge. The night of the party, Varun and his family arrive, and they feel a tad out of place. What makes it more interesting is that Varun’s mother Bhairavi (Deepti Gupta) went to college with Sheila. 

Immediately they are all uncomfortable but there is obviously a story between Sheila and Bhairavi. The other aunties cuddle up to her to get any information they can about the situation. Rahul (Ved Sapru), Vahru and Alia watch the adults dancing but its what they see at the top of the stairs that is not worth dancing about.

Alia can not seem to get past it, Rahul wants to act like nothing is happening and Vahru just wants to be supportive as much as he can. Each gathering brings the secret out more and more because the Aunties can not stop talking about it!

Ali as Alia is a young woman who has a life off at college but when the real-world hits back home, she must learn about the past in order to understand.

Koirala as Sheila is a woman who has gone in the opposite direction of the life she once knew. There is so much in her past that is now coming out and she continues to act as if she is embarrassed. Koirala is beautiful in playing the role of a woman who comes from a difficult culture. 

Gupta as Bhairavi is a woman who has stayed to true to herself. Imagine her surprise at seeing Sheila again and the second surprise at seeing her be someone completely different.

Shah as Varun is a young man who helps his parents with their store and is ready to go to university himself. There is an attraction between he and Aila that is lovely as they learn there is more to their parents than they could have imagined.

Jussain as Ranjit is a bit of a narcissist and does not seem to understand why his family is having difficulty. He is the cause and does nothing to fix it. Sapru as Rahul also does not seem to want to deal with the issue. He plays the game just as good as the others in the community.

Other cast include Christina Burdette as Mindy, Kamran Shaikh as Kamlesh as Dutta, Richa Chandra as Swati, Thomas Kasp as Sterling, Moses Das as Nitin Varma, Raj Kala as Gurvinder Singh, Krishna War as Shilpa, Ashritha Kancharla as Reema and Rupal Pujara as Bina.

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.

INDIA SWEETS AND SPICES is a story of family and the pasts that parents have that their children have no clue about. It is also a story about the culture Aila and Varun’s family, but they are not so different than our own. We all have our shortcomings and images that we do not realize until too late that it has a ripple effect.

The story of each of these main characters are presented because it is time for the past to be forgiven, the present to be celebrated and the future to be whatever it will be. In the mix are the rich traditions of the Indian community filled with food, aunties and everything that comes with it. I love that about this film.

In the end – let the aunties talk!

ACE AND THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Asif Akbar and Lionsgate is a family film for the holiday season with ACE AND THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.

Living comfortably on a farm in Temecula, California (land of no snow) is a former racehorse named Ace (voiced by Jon Lovitz) who introduces us to his two-legged family Daniel (Keaton Cadrez) and mom Amanda (Brade Roderick). Ace loves his family and the life on the small sunny ranch.

Someone not having a good sunshine life is Tony Romano (Steven Chase), a scam artist bug killer who cannot get his con on. He gets a call from his Uncle Vito (Jack Vecchio) who offers him a sure thing! He calls buddy Dougie (Robert J. Fox) to get him in on it as well. Once that’s set, he’s off to Big Freddie (James Chalke) to pick up a few dollars.

The annual Christmas Derby is set to take place and Tony wants to make a ‘financial investment’ in his future because he believes Uncle Vito’s tip is a sure thing. Having until Christmas Eve, Big Freddie wants to make sure he gets his loan or Jasper and Joey will be making a special holiday visit. Well, things do not exactly cross the finish line for Tony!

While contemplating what is going to happen, Tony ends up meeting bartender Amanda and talking about life. Back with Ace, Amanda tells Daniel that the horse will be going away for a few days. Giving Tony a job with Ace, an accident happens and suddenly he can hear the horse talk!

Now, Tony can make things happen and Ace can prove he has a trick or two up his hooves.

Chase as Tony starts out the gate a little rough but as the film goes on, the giggling turns into laughter. Once he gets the bump on the head, his life changes in ways he never thought possible. Its not going to be easy but Tony and Ace become a working duo with Dougie. Fox as Dougie likes hanging out with Tony no matter how much trouble they seem to get into together.

Roderick as Amanda is very fond of Ace and knows that the horse is Daniels best friend. Once Tony and Dougie come into her life, she wonders if things just got better or worse. Cadrez as Daniel is a young boy who loves Ace and watches the adults get into their messes.

Lovitz as the voice of Ace does what he always does, give great one liners and snide comment delivery that bring on even more laughs.

Other cast include Courtney Akbar as Tina, Michael Cervantes as Josh, Kenny Powell as Jasper, Chris Cope as Officer Ernie, and Nick Annunziata as Brandon.

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.

ACE AND THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE is a family film that is shot in the sunny wine country of Temecula. Ace the horse is hilarious and is not about to be taken anyway but instead makes a deal with Tony. Settling debts and making life a little easier for Amanda and Daniel, Tony has to decide what to do with his life.

The film is sweet and charming! The fun is between Ace, Tony and Dougie with Amanda being the non-believer. All of that comes crashing down when truths come out and people stop believing in one another. Christmas is the time for miracles, Tony and Ace want to make sure dreams can come true.

In the end – when the horse starts talking be prepared to laugh!

 

 

 

 

 

The Story of FINCH

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Apple TV+ and director Miguel Sapochnik is the story of a world surviving the destruction and a man named FINCH.

Ten years in and Finch Weinberg (Tom Hanks), and dog Goodyear, are living in a world that has been destroyed by a solar flare. Temperatures have turned the Earth into a hot box making it extremely hazardous for human beings. He cannot even go outside without a suit and a warning system that lets him know when radiation becomes too much for him to be outside.

Out looking for food with robot Dewey, he is also looking for parts for another project he has set in motion. Creating a robot, Finch also takes books scanning them into a program for his robot with an emphasis on training and taking care of a dog.

Once his robot comes to life, Finch begins to teach him what he thinks will help when his creation discovers that a dangerous storm is approaching. It also tells Finch that the storm will last forty days. He gathers up everything in a Winnebago, along with Goodyear, Dewey and they head for a place on a post card - San Francisco.

Along the way, Finch tries to teach the newly named robot Jeff (Caleb Landry Jones) about how to survive in a world where there is very little trust. Trying to explain things to Jeff can be taxing at times. Jeff tries to take initiative and it gets them into situations that are difficult and with heavy consequence3s.

But the journey is everything!

Hanks as Finch is, well, just a national treasure and cannot do a wrong roll if he tried. The film does have a bit of a WALLY and THE MARTIAN (except Finch is still on Earth) and I personally love both of those films so there's that! Hanks gives us compassion, frustration, love and teaching moments as he always seems to do. He is a man on a mission, but it is one of love that comes through.

Jones as the voice of Jeff is so sweet and innocent that my heart just melted. Even when he does his happy dance of "initiative" I cheered with him. The lessons Jeff has to learn are harsh at times but in order to survive it is understandable that Finch pushes so hard. He wants something special for Jeff and it has to happen under such intense circumstances. Jones does a wonderful job lending his voice.

Shout out to Goodyear, good puppy and good friend who has to learn the same as Finch and Jeff - that trust can be hard to come by but give it time.

Other cast include: Oscar Avila as the Truck Driver, Lora Martinez-Cunningham as Mother, Maria Wagernman as the Daughter.

Apple TV+ is a streaming service featuring Apple Originals, award-winning series, compelling dramas, groundbreaking documentaries, kids’ entertainment, comedies, and more with new Apple Originals added every month. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.appletvplus.com.

FINCH is a tender and harsh film all rolled into the performances of Hanks and Jones. It is a world of survival and the day-to-day danger of food, water and a safe place to be. Hanks' performance as Finch is just so beautiful to watch, his tenderness with Dewey and Jeff are there from beginning to end (even if there are moments Jeff pushes his nerves).

Filmed in the harshest environments imaginable, director Sapochnik gives us a heavy dose of what our world could look like under those circumstances. Having Hanks and Jones on the creative journey with him allows us to embrace the story, the set and the characters as they take us on their adventure.

In the end – their friendship was more real than they could have imagined!

THE GUNS OF NAVARONE on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director J. Lee Thompson based on the Alistair MacLean novel and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment with THE GUNS OF NAVARONE.

On the island of Kleros, it is 1943 and two thousand British soldiers are waiting for help to come. When a rescue attempt fails, a commando group is put together led by Major Franklin (Anthony Quale) with Col. Andrea Stavrou (Anthony Quinn), Butcher Brown (Stanley Baker), Corporal Miller (David Niven), Spyros Pappadimos (James Darren) and Cpt. Mallory (Gregory Peck).

Coming across the Aegean playing the part of fishermen, they manage to take a German boat. On the coast of Navarone, Mallory is the climber of the team and leads them up the mountain. Meeting up with resistance fighters Maria (Irene Papas) and Anna (Gia Scala), they have to dodge and weave through German soldiers.

In Mandrakos, they are captures by German officer Muesel (Walter Gotell) and interrogated by SS officer Sessler (George Mikell). The Germans have no idea who they are dealing with as the group finds uniforms to escape but having to leave one of their own behind. That does not mean there are not in for a serious bit of information regarding someone they trusted.

Now, the group has no choice but to split up and make sure that the plan they had, with a few alterations, is to make sure they break apart the German forces and also to survive what is to come.

This is what is meant by a stellar cast for the 1961 war film. Filled with action and suspense, what always kept me captivated was Anthony Quinn and Gregory Peck. These two actors bring their own brand of memorable talent that has stood the test of time. In the film, they are tough but in such unique and different ways.

Darren and Niven are faces that are just as familiar to any true film lover. Having Darren as the handsome youngster of the group, he gives his character a loyalty to his comrades. Quale and Baker make a space for themselves in the crowded playing field but who they are in the story is equally as important. Gotell and Mikell bring the villainess and makes us all cheer more for the group trying to end the tyranny.

Shout out to Richard Harris because he deserves one!

Other cast include James Justice as Jensen, Bryan Forbes as Cohn, Percy Herbert as Grogan, Tutte Lemkow as Nicolai, Albert Lieven as Commandant, Allan Cuthbertson as Major Baker and Richard Harris as Leader Barnsby.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.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.

The Special Features included on the 4K Ultra HD Disc Main Title Progression Reel and Theatrical Trailer. On the Bluray Disc is Commentary with Director J. Lee Thompson, & Film Historian Stephen J. Rubens, Three Documentaries: Forging THE GUNS OF NAVARONE, An Ironic Epic of Heroism and Memories of Navarone, Eight Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes and Interactive Feature: The Resistance Dossier of Navarone.

THE GUNS OF NAVARONE was nominated for 8 Academy Awards winning one for Best Effect, nominated for three Golden Globe Awards winning two for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Original Score – Motion Picture and finally nominated for two Laurel Awards winning one for Top Drama.

This is a film that was introduced to me by my father who enjoyed action/war/conflict films on Saturday afternoons. He would tell me right before the films started who was in them and what they were sort of about (he was not a fan of spoiling films for me). When THE GUNS OF NAVARONE was to play according to the TV Guide (Google it kids!), he would get the popcorn ready, and we would all watch it together.

That’s when I came to see what Peck, Niven, Darren, Harris, and Quinn brought to the screen again and again. Their careers span amazing performances, and they are memorable such as THE GUNS OF NAVARONE. Stunning, exciting, action, adventure and cinematically brilliant as all films of that era were and are holding up in the test of time.

In the end – the greatest high adventure ever filmed!

 

 

FINAL FANTASY: The Spirits Within Arrives on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Hironobu Sakaguchi and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is FINAL FANTASY: The Spirits Within.

Earth is being taken over by aliens called Phantoms who are killing the Gaia spirit of those living due to an infection. Now cities have to be protected with barriers to keep the Phantoms out. Unexpectedly, Dr. Aki Ross (Ming-Na) has become infected along with Dr. Sid (Donald Sutherland) and they are working to find a get rid of them.

Bringing together eight spirits they can get energy patterns of lifeforms. Out to find these spirits, Aki is in New York City and has to be rescued by Captain Edwards (Alec Baldwin). Bringing his Deep Eyes Squad including Whittaker (Ving Rhames), Fleming (Steve Buscemi) and Corporal Proudfoot (Peri Gilpin), they all return to their barrier city.

Having to meet with General Hein (James Woods), they learn he wants to use the Zeus to take out the Phantoms. Dr. Sid protests knowing it might be possible that the Earth Gaia would be in danger. Buying time, Aki tells everyone she has been infected and its only the spirits keeping her alive, but Hein thinks she is under the Phantoms control.

Using his powers of persuasion, Hein manages to open the barrier and, of course, the Phantoms come pouring in but not before he escapes leaving the rest to fight. Aboard the space station, Hein does the one thing that destroys and puts the Phantom Gaia in the open. What he never counted on is the contact between the Phantoms and Aki and the potential of helping everyone.

Ming-Na as Aki lends her voice to a very strong character who quickly sees what she is up against. Wanting to help everyone, she must take on the dangerous few who think no one will stop them. Sutherland as Sid lends support to Aki as well as making the dangers known of using the cannon in such a delicate climate. Hearing such a memorable voice is fantastic in this animated film.

Baldwin, Rhames, Buscemi and Gilpin are the Deep Eyes Squad, and they are not afraid to get in the deep. The Phantoms are not making their life easy but that’s what they do, take on the tough assignments while trying to keep those in power from making it any more difficult.

Woods as Hein gets to be as nasty as he wants to be with the power to make their lives difficult because of what he wanted to do. Aiming the Zeus cannon is his power play, and he will do what is necessary to make his play. Woods makes a good bad guy as well!

Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world. The visually groundbreaking and critically acclaimed SPIDER-MAN: Into the Spider-Verse is the studio’s latest release, and the winner of the 2019 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Other amazing films include THE SMURFS, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS and HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.sonypicturesanimation.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.

The Bluray Special Features include Two Feature-Length Commentaries, Co-Director Moto Sakakibara, Sequence Supervisor Hiroyuki Hayashida, Set & Props Lead Artist Tatsuro Maruyama, Phantom Supervisor Takao Noguchi, Animation Director Andy Jones, Editor Christopher Capp, and Staging Director Tani Kunitake.

Also, Joke Outtakes, Matte Art Explorations, Original Opening, The Gray Project, Interactive Documentary: The Making of Final Fantasy, Theatrical Trailer and More!

Coming from a 1987 role playing video game, the Final Fantasy Franchise has made its way through such technology transformations and incarnations. I remember my sons being very excited every time something new was added and I became more involved seeing the first animated film.

Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, it is an amazing mixture of fantasy, science and uses different mythologies to create the worlds. Starting with Nintendo, then to Playstation and Xbox, Square Enix expanded into CGI with films. There is also cards, novels and manga to feed into the love of Final Fantasy.

FINAL FANTASY: The Spirit Within is a stunning film with his concept and animation that give the story a richness that fans will love. What brings all of that together is the vocal talents of Ming-Na, Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, Peri Gilpin, James Woods and Donald Sutherland. That is important when bringing such a rich story to ‘life’.

FINAL FANTASY: The Spirit Within gives fans one hundred and six minutes of high intensity and stunning CGI. Gather up and prepare to see how saving the Earth is done!

In the end – they are on a mission to save Earth!

 

 

It is the Story of CANDYMAN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Nia DaCosta and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of the one and only CANDYMAN.

It is twenty-seven years later, and Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is an artist living in Chicago. Trying to find something to inspire his next group of work, he decides to go to Cabrini-Green and take photographs of the abandoned houses. He learned the story of Helen Lyle, the kidnapping and bonfire and the story of Candyman and how to summon him from William Burke (Colman Domingo) who owned a local laundromat.

Anthony is inspired and tells girlfriend Brianna (Teyonah Parris) what he is working hard. He creates the “Say My Name” and she puts the work in the Clive Privler (Brian King) art exhibit. Not getting the positive response he wanted, he becomes belligerent and leaves the exhibit. After closing, the owner and girlfriend Miriam (Jerrica Cooper) think it is all a joke and actually summon Candyman to their detriment.

Anthony spends more time doing portraits that Brianna does not know about, becoming more and more obsessed with the work inspired by Candyman. He also returns to talk to Burke more about the history and discovers the secrets are even deeper than he could have imagined. With the obsession over Candyman, Anthony also begins to change more and more as he discovers who he really is.

Burke begins to help Anthony and what is to come, and it is based in fear and blood!

Abdul-Mateen II as McCoy is trying to get his work seen and appreciated. Looking for inspiration, he finds it but what he does not realize is that he is now on a path that can not be changed. Picking up from the original storyline, he takes on all aspects of the story and brings it to a new generation.

Parris as Brianna is a young woman who is successful and encouraging towards McCoy and his artistic dreams. When she begins to notice a change, Parris makes sure she knows what is going on under the roof of their home but also can not possibly see what is coming.

Domingo as Burke has all the truth and is about to spill it, but little by little which is where the twists seem to happen. He is almost as creepy as McCoy is becoming and it is nice to get all tangled in the twists.

Other cast include Kyle Kaminsky as Grady Greenburg, Vanessa Williams as Anne-Marie McCoy, Nathan Jarrett as Troy Cartwright, Rebecca Spence as Finley Stephens, Heidi Engerman as Haley Gulick, Christiana Clark as Danielle Harrington, Carl Hopkins as Jameson, Breanna Lind as Annika, Tony Todd as Daniel Robitaille.

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 Feature includes Never-Before-Seen Alternate Ending, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Say My Name, Body Horror, The Filmmaker’s Eye: Nia DaCosta, Terror in the Shadows, Candyman: The Impact of Black Horror and More!

In the 1992 CANDYMAN, the story is told equally as well, and it holds up in my own horror film collection. Virginia Madsen gives an ending that is shocking and had me staying away from mirrors for a while (or at least not repeating the words!).

The CANDYMAN of 2020 extends the story to get deep into the well of horror allowing for a political message to be interjected. There is still a massive amount of horror mixed in the twists that pay homage to the 1992 film while also allowing for the potential to reboot the story for the audience.

In the end – say it!