Disney Brings a STRANGE WORLD

 Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Disney+ and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD on February 14^th from directors Don Hall, Qui Nguyen and Walt Disney Animated Studios comes a journey through a STRANGE WORLD.

Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid) and son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) are wilderness adventurers who want to get past a mountain that seems to elude them. On the way, Searcher makes his own discovery of a plant that is full of energy. When his father Jaeger wants to continue up the mountain, Searcher knows this is something important and he calls it Pando.

Upset at his son’s choice, Jaeger goes off on his own and is missing for twenty-five years. In that time, Searcher has a wife Meridian (Gabrielle Union) and son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White) on their Pando farm. This gives energy to the town of Avalonia. Things are going well until one day Callisto Mal (Lucy Liu) arrives to let Searcher know that Pando is mysteriously losing its ability to produce power.

Gathering up an expedition of his own, Searcher discovers that Meridian, Ethan and their dog Legend has joined in the mission. Instead, they are attacked by creatures and end up in a world beneath their own but creatures aren’t the only thing lurking about. Searcher discovers his father Jaeger has been living in the strange world.

While grandfather gets to know grandson and father to son, the journey continues and what they discover at the end of the road is something that they could never have ever possibly imagined.    

Gyllenhaal voices Searcher, part of a father-son adventurer team who discovers something else of importance that leads to a split with his father. Raising his own family, he starts to feel his son pull away and it is distressing. Gyllenhaal gives much feeling to Searcher and when son meets grandfather, well, things get even more interesting.

Quaid as Jaeger fears nothing and when the family meets once again, he thinks it is a chance for more family adventures. Yet, there are issues that have to be resolved between father and son – even though there seems to be an instant connection between grandfather and grandson. It seems like Quaid has a good time voicing this character.

Young-White as Ethan fits well into the clan being a bit of an adventurer in his own right. Once the adventure begins, he has a chance to have his say in regards to their world and do everything possible to correct the imbalance. Union as Meridian is no stay-at-home Mom but an adventurer in her own right. She is also very strict and certainly takes a no-nonsense approach to it all. She will remind Moms everywhere that adventure is for everyone.

Liu as Callisto wants to find out what is happening in their world and is not going to let anything get in her way. She is a bit headstrong in a group of very head strong people but when the need arises, her skills are everything they need to get the job done.

Other cast include Francesca Reale as Azimuth, Karan Soni as Caspian, Abraham Benrubi as Lonnie Redshirt, Jonathan Melo as Diazo, Nik Dodani as Kardez, Alan Tudyk as Duffle, and Adelina Anthony as Captain Pulk.

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

Disney+ is the subscription home streaming entertainment with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. There are exclusive originals with new feature films, shows, short form content, documentaries, and actions series such as THE MANDALORIAN. For more information, please visit www.disneyplus.com.

Bonus Features include Anatomy of a Scene: Creating a Strange World, Strange Science, Creature Feature, The Hidden Secrets of STRANGE WORLD, Outtakes and Deleted Scenes.

STRANGE WORLD takes on the issues of farming, energy sustainability, creatures great and small, family, love, adventure and forgiveness, acceptance and working together to make their world a better place. That is something I would expect from Disney in each of those forms melding into a story. The creatures are, as I would expect, very creative, funny, colorful and all things Disney.

It is an enjoyable film and one that will lead to family conversations with the content of family, love and creating clean energy. Their world is stunning, of course, but also full of life lessons that are not far from our own and that is everything.

In the end – journey to a place where nothing is as it appears!

Bluray and 4K Ultra Brings HALLOWEEN ENDS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director David Gordon Green, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the return of HALLOWEEN ENDS.

Corey (Rohan Campbell) is babysitting the obnoxious kid Jeremy. Trying to find ways to entertain the kid, it is Jeremy who decides to be the entertainment. It goes wrong and Corey’s life will never be the same in 2019.

Michael Myer’s hasn’t been seen and it is four years later. Haddonfield is still on high alert but trying to live their lives. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is one of those trying to forget the horrors her brother has inflicted on so many lives. She is in the process of writing a book about it all and living with granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak).

Corey is keeping a low profile and working as a mechanic but it doesn’t stop people from harassing him. Laurie understands as they name call her as well yet she scoops up Corey and takes him to get his wounds tended to. There he meets Allyson and the two hang out together and she invites him to a Halloween party. He is having a good time until he runs into Jeremy’s mother.

Then a run in with the bully-pack and an accident has him waking up face to face in the sewer with Michael Meyers. Instead of running to the police, he runs to Allyson and makes it clear that he wants a relationship with her. Meanwhile, Laurie ends up at Lindsay’s (Kyle Richards) bar learning from Jeremy’s father that Corey was a good kid, but something is broken inside him.

Michael makes his way out of the sewer and Haddonfield is about to know chaos and fear once again but from who? Corey and Allyson decide they are done with Haddonfield and want to leave but, it is Halloween. Yet Laurie senses that something is very, very wrong letting Corey know that she wants to help but not at the cost of Allyson.

Corey turns to Michael Meyers with one goal, to get his hands on the mask that has put the fear into Haddonfield. Laurie and Allyson have it out and the town bullies are after Corey. As the new fear begins, there is the old fear to deal with and Laurie is going to do just that. It is time for brother and sister to fight to the very end – literally.

Curtis as Laurie Strode is iconic to this character and I swear to gawd if there is a remake five years down the line – someone is getting hurt! She is Laurie Strode from the young babysitting in 1978, to the older and wiser 2022 woman that I can relate to on several levels. I love that she came back to finish the series giving us an ending we all deserved. That being said there is also that bitter sweet that we won’t see Laurie Strode again – or will we? Okay, a girl can dream!

Thank you, Ms. Curtis, for showing us how to survive terror while we cheered for you every step of the way knowing that Laurie Strode may have had her moments of doubt but that spark to survive is real. You will always be our Scream Queen!

Campbell as Corey starts out a young man who just wants a babysitting job and it turns into a life changing event that follows him every moment of every day. It is not that he doesn’t want to forget, its just that no one will let him forget.

Matichak as Allyson also tries to live a life that doesn’t include fear and pain. Bucking against her grandmother at every turn, she is fighting for her sanity and to be free of the years trapped in being a part of the Strode family and legacy of horror.

Richards as Lindsay returns, still alive since 1978! Running the local watering hole, she is a tad jaded but keeps her eyes and ear open. Patton as Wallace has a thing for Laurie all these years later and keeps a close eye on her. He does not have much of a part but anytime he’s on screen I’m happy.

Shout out to James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle for being the masked Michael that has scared the crap out of most of us most of our lives on Halloween. In that fear, we all watched and waited to see where that face would show up in the window, at the end of a fog laden alley or in the shaking bushes? It has been an awesome ride and I’m personally thanking you for it!

Other cast include: Michele Dawson as Nurse Deb, Candice Rose as Mrs. Allen, Marteen as Billy, Joey Harris as Margo, Keraunt Harris as Willy the Kid, Destiny Mone as Stacy and Michael O’Leary as Doctor Mathis.

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 Features on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and Digital include Deleted and Extended Scenes, Ending HALLOWEEN, Final Girl, No Place Like Haddonfield, Gag Reel, A Different Threat, The Visions of Terror Twisted Deaths, Feature Commentary with co-writer/director David Gordon Green, actors Audi Matichak and Rohan Campbell, co-producer/first assistant director Atilla Salih Yucer, and production assistant Hugo Garza.

Director Green stays within the boundaries of Haddonfield in a way that keeps us in the moment. It is interesting to see Corey’s story and how he came to be the way he is giving off Michael Meyer’s vibes, he has the same detachment to human life. Yet, Michael isn’t about to be outplayed!

Now, for my wish list. I wish this had been all about Laurie and Michael to the bitter end. It felt more of a Corey becoming Michael and Allyson sort of becoming Laurie kind of story. In the mix there are moments but nothing that shocked or made me jump. That was the thing about the relationship between the awkward siblings, they made emotions run rampant.

I wish there was more of Lindsay’s story of how she ended up with a bottle in her hands. I wish Laurie had gotten the guy (which she sort of did but not enough screen time for that). I wish we knew why Michael stayed in the sewer for four years, I’m nosey like that.

I think the ending is as it should have been giving Laurie a minute to stop looking over her shoulder. The nods here and there like THE THING are cool and the choice of nostalgic music always makes me smile.

Is this the end, truly? Well, I think the franchise will probably go in another direction. There are plenty of Michael Meyers’ out there waiting to have their story told. Let’s be honest though, it won’t be Laurie and Michael – the dynamic duo of horror, the Jekyll and Hyde of fear, and the sibling you don’t want to invite for dinner (especially around the cutlery).

Thank gawd for Blurays and streaming because the saga of Laurie and Michael can always be revisited during the Halloween season, or a rainy day, or a night when you can’t sleep. They will always be with us because of the generation of fans from 1978 knew a great thing when they saw it. Now we hold onto it and proudly wear our Meyers masks and put Laurie Strode up on a pedestal as a heroine we hope we all would be letting her carry the weight of our collective fears.

Man, I have bummed myself out. That’s our 70’s slang baby!

In the end – Michael’s time has come!

AVATAR: The Way of Water

 

Jeri Jacquin

 

Opening in theatres today from director James Cameron and 20th Century Studios is the continuing adventure with AVATAR: The Way of Water.

 

Things have been quiet for the Na'vi since expelling the sky people with the help of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) who is now chief. Now, he and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) have an ever expanding family they are raising. Sons Lo'ak (Britain Dalton) and Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and daughters Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) and Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss). In addition to their family is a teenage human boy names Spider (Jack Champion) who is fluent in the ways of the Na'vi and spends all his time with the Sully family.

 

As the attacks against the forest people continue, the sky people are expanding their base and taking more resources than ever before. Knowing his family is being hunted, Jake decides it is time for them to go in order to save the Omaticaya people. Planning to get as far away as possible, they seek refuge with the Metkayina sea people. Chief Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) listens to the plea for help but it is his wife Ronal (Kate Winslet) who see's pain and heartache in their future.

 

Trying to embrace this new culture, the boys finds themselves constantly in trouble, Tuk is enjoying the water and all the creatures and Kiri begins to understand that although different, she easily embraces the sea life. Lo'ak, trying to make friends with the chiefs son Aonung (Filip Geljo), finds himself once again in trouble but is helped by a Tulkun names Payakan. Looking on at the encounter is the chiefs lovely daughter Tsireya (Bailey Bass) who realizes there is something special happening.

 

Now, for the hard part, As Pandora becomes more and more colonized, the company RDA has found a way to create Na'vi people without needing a human host but yet transferring their essence. One of these is Quaritch (Stephen Lang) who has a score to settle with Sully. Having no conscience previously, he makes it clear that he has no qualms about killing the Sully family and anyone that gets in his way.

 

The battle is on once again for the world Jake has come to love and the people in it. The Na'vi may be different tribes but one thing is clear, when you attack one, you attack all! As Quaritch comes closer and closer, it is clear that he and those with him are out for destruction.

 

Worthington as Sully returns and now is a father of quite a brood. He has trained his sons to be warriors but they have his disregard for orders and rules. Trying to find saftey for his family, Sully packs up and tries to find the farthest place anyone would look for them. Like life, problems have radar and will always find you. Sully has become a respected member of the Omaticaya people and they look to him for guidance during their time of peace. When it becomes clear that peace is over, he knows what has to be done and does so with a broken heart. Worthington picks up right where he left off without a misstep in his character portrayal of the blue Na'vi Sully. Saldana is now a mother lioness who is not about to let anyone hurt her children (too bad she needs to worry more about what they are doing than others are doing). She is not happy to be joining the sea tribe but makes the best of it and remains supportive of Sully. Like other mother lioness', Saldana's Neytiri does a lot of hissing in this film and when her angry rears its very tall head, stand back because the rage is on.

 

Curtis as Chief Tonowari is unsure from the beginning about the Sully clan hanging around but knows that they are Na'vi and that means something. Curtis gives his character a quieter leadership than Sully but that changes when the sky people decide it's time to do their damage. Winslet as Ronal is also a mother lioness and pitted against Saldana's Neytiri get a little tense at times. She wants the best for her family which includes son Aonung and beautiful daughter Tsireya and once her belief system is on the verge of destruction, Winslet sets her vocal Ronal loose.

 

Dalton as son Lo'ak is trying to fit in as the youngest boy in the family. Ready to fight, he makes mistakes and does not listen to his father's orders and that continually gets him in trouble. Dalton gives us a fierce warrior kid who also has a softer side for whale-like creatures and feels a kinship with their plight. Flatters as Neyeuam is the older son who sees the wisdom of his father's orders but does make a mistake here and there. Once he is in fighting mode, it is easy to look at Flatters portrayal and think 'yep, he acts like the son of Jake Sully!'. Bliss as young Tuk is nothing short of adorable and loves adventure in any shape and form. She understands what is at stake with the family and comes very close a time or two of becoming a sad story in this tale but she is fiery and I love it. Weaver as daughter Kiri feels like the outsider of the Sully group (although I associate that with being a moody teenager) but discovers with the sea people that she has a gift. There is a story here that Weaver is trying to tell and I am sure there will be more answers in the next AVATAR installment.

 

Lang as Quaritch is back to his old tricks again. Trying to be a warrior for the sky people and the military, let's face it, the guy is just nuts. There are a few surprises in this film for him as well. Bass as Tsireya does not see a reason to be unsure about the Sully clan, in fact she embraces and teaches them quickly and with a smile. She fights with the Sully clan with heart, soul and wisdom and that's quite beautiful. Champion as Spider is a human boy who has lived with the Na'vi since he was born. Accepting their ways and being a part of the Sully clan is a bit confusing for him but he knows what's wrong and makes it clear he is not that person. Geljo as Aonung is a chiefs son and he behaves with all the problems that can come with that. Hey, Na'vi will be Na'vi!

 

Cast also includes Joel David Moore as Norm, Jermaine Clement as Dr. Gavin, CCH Pounder as Mo'at, Brendan Cowell as Scoresby, Dileep Rao as Dr. Max Patel, Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge, and Edie Falco as General Ardmore.

 

AVATAR: The Way of Water comes flooding into theatres at almost three hours and thirteen years after the original AVATAR. That being said, you could easily cut out an hour and the film would be fine. There is a mish-mash of storytelling here and that began to lose my interest a bit. There are scenes that are just too darn long because personally, I don't need to watch 10-15 minutes of people torturing a sea animal, don't need to see 10 minutes of playing with sea creatures followed by a few minutes of soldiers making threats and then back to 10 more minutes of playing with sea creatures. I looked around at the audience and they were not comfortable sitting for that length of time in very uncomfortable seats AND it's not like you can stop the film to run to the facilities. Should have saved this long version for Bluray, just a suggestion.

 

Cameron's reasoning behind the almost three hours is, "The goal is to tell an extremely compelling story on an emotional basis, I would say the emphasis in the new film is more on character, more on story, more on relationships, more on emotion. We didn't spend as much time on relationships and emotion in the first film as we do in the second film, and it's a longer film, because there's more characters to service. There is more story to service."

 

All the scenes underwater are really pretty but the length is just unnecessary and I saw it in 3D. Not sure what Cameron is trying to prove with the time, other than spending an obscene amount of money totally around $400 million - that's M. Does he realize he could give 350 people a million dollars and still have 50 million left over to make a film? Just checking. The good news is that the characters returning to their original roles offered something comforting about seeing the film. I think Worthington, Saldana, Weaver and Lang are the films safety net although I do not think Weaver and Lang's story lines have a lot to offer other than a way to get butts in the seats at the next installment.

 

It will do alright simply because there is not a lot in theatres right now so choices are limited and it's colorful. People are still wanting an escape and Cameron gives it to them while throwing in lessons about hurting sea creatures, bad guys do bad things and misunderstood teenagers who out of control (unfortunately that's my pet peeve in films, mouthy and whiny teenagers). This is a family film for sure but not for the small ones and only because of the time issue. It is a BIG tub of popcorn type of film that does not hold to many surprises but instead plants seeds for the next film. Hopefully not in 13 years.

 

In the end - they are a family!

Friendship and THE BANSHEE OF INISHERIN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Today on Digital HD and coming to Bluray from writer/director Martin McDonagh and Searchlight Pictures is the story of a friendship that is going through its paces with THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN.

It is 1923 Ireland on the island of Inisherin and Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) and best friend and drinking buddy Padraic (Colin Farrell) are having a problem. Well, it actually seems that Colm has a problem and Padraic is confused. Out of nowhere, Colm decides he does not want to be friends with Padraic any longer.

Padraic is not the only one confused as the news reaches everyone in the sleepy little town. The only answer Colm seems to give is that he wants more out of life and friendships and Padraic just doesn’t have what it takes. Colm wants music, conversation and to be remembered for something other than drinking with his pal.

That does not sit well with Padraic who wants more answers and seeks out his friend time and time again. Frustrated, Colm gives Padraic an ultimatum – stop bothering him or he will do something horrific to make it clear. Someone else who does not understand the treatment of her brother is Padraic’s sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) who does try to help. Taking care of her brother has been a full-time job.

It is the eerie Mrs. McCormick (Sheila Flitton) who warns of death in the town. Padraic starts to hang out with Dominic (Barry Keoghan) to at least have someone to vent to. When Dominic tells Padraic what is being said in town, he goes to Colm once again for answers and is only met with something vile being thrown at his door. But when one of Padraic’s animal friends is hurt by Colm’s threats, a side of Padraic is released that no one could have expected.

Friendships can be brutal.

Gleeson as Colm is a man going through changes. Practically overnight he has decided that his life should mean more and leaving something musically behind could be that thing. The one person he feels could stop him from having this new outlook is Padraic so, the friendship abruptly ends. Gleeson gives us a character that is resolved, literally, in making sure that no one stop him from what he wants. I just love the back and forth between he and Farrell. It is superb, strong and award worthy.

Farrell as Padraic is a man who does not want the changes. He enjoys his friendship with Colm and it boggles his mind that he would abruptly end it. Even given the reasons for the ending, it is not enough for Padraic. Farrell gives his character such a sad but determined place in this story. Sad in that he is so confused by his friend’s behavior and determined when things start to take a strange turn and another side of Padraic emerges. He is also superb, strong and award worthy.

Condon as Siobhan has been taking care of her brother in a life that hasn’t made her happy either. Trying to help the situation, she realizes they are both stubborn and it is time for her to think about life away from them all. Condon is not a weak woman in a man’s world, she is actually a strong woman on an island with crazy people (and I mean that in an ‘I know the feeling’ small town feeling way).

Keoghan as Dominic is a young man in love, or just really and truly wanting love. Finding friendship where he can, it is a small island and a small town so his choices are, well, small. Keoghan portrays his character in that smallness and it is tragically lovely.

Other cast include Pat Shortt as Jonjo Devine, Jon Kenny as Gerry, Brid Ni Neachtain as Mrs. O’Riordan, Gary Lydon as Peadar Kearney, Aaron Monaghan as Declan and David Pearse as the Priest.

Searchlight Pictures is responsible for such films as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE SHAPE OF WATER and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI. They have an extensive film library as well as documentaries, scripted series, and limited series. For more information, please visit www.searchlightpictures.com.

The Bonus Features include Creating THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN – Go into the inimitable mind of director-writer Martin McDonagh as he delves into THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, from story inception and reunion of its gifted actors, to searching the islands of Ireland for the perfect, evocative locations. Also, Deleted Scenes with Chasing Colm, Colm Can’t Compose, Parent’s Grave and Peadar, Siobhan Crying Too Loud and Stoic Equals Boring.

Director McDonagh has been one of my favorite filmmakers for quite some time. His films such as IN BRUGES (2008), SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS (2012, which is still one of my favorites) and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI (2017) are only part of his repertoire. This film is equally as beautiful as those named above. Reuniting Gleason and Farrell (they starred together in IN BRUGES) is pure magic.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is a dark story of a friendship that has gone sideways. Keeping certain things out of this review because it needs to be experienced, just know when I say that these two have serious issues. Neither are sure what they want as their reasons will have heads shaking.

I did not know whether to laugh or cry at the behavior of two grown men living on a sheltered island. Instead, my jaw spent a lot of time on the floor with their antics. Friendships are difficult enough at times, McDonagh has added a whole new layer of craziness that is completely wild. There are also undertones of a woman knowing it is time to make changes of her own as Siobhan realizes she cannot be her brother’s keeper forever.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN is a story filled with emotions, but not exactly the kind that one would expect of a friendship.

In the end – everything was fine yesterday!

THE WOMAN KING

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from director Gina Prince-Bythewood and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of THE WOMAN KING.

It is 1823 in West Africa and General Nanisca (Viola Davis) lives in the kingdom of Dahomey. As the leader, she takes the group of women warriors known as the Agojie, to free Dahomean women who are taken by the Oyo Empire. Their motive is to sell the women to slavers. 

King Ghezo (John Boyega) is outraged and knows it will be war against the Oyo. Preparing, Nanisca begins to train a new batch of women who want to be Agojie warriors. Among these is Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), a young girl who refuses anyone that her father wants her to marry. Fed up with her defiance, he drops her off at the gates of the Agojie training camp. Immediately, Nawi becomes friends with Izogi (Lashana Lynch) who is very close to Nanisca.

The Oyo are not done with the Dahomean people as Santo Ferreira (Hero Fiennes), a Portuguese slaver, is working with General Oba Ade (Jimmy Odukoya). Nawi learns from her friendship with a young Malik (Jordan Bolger), that the Oyo plan to attack and she tells Nanisca. Nanisca has a few secrets of her own to tell Nawi about a time she was captured by Oba and the terror she endured.

Nanisca and the warriors attack the Oyo but Nawi and Izogie are captured and put on the market. Nanisca is told by King Ghezo to stand down but she makes it clear that she is not going to leave Nawi in the hands of those who will harm her.

Now, the Agoji and General Nanisca are about to show what courage and determination look like!

Davis as Nanisca is dedicated to training and fighting for her King. Training the new women is important and makes it clear how they work together as a team and the importance their history. Davis gives us a strong character with moments of real emotion and strength but then again, that is exactly how we have come to see this amazing actress.

Mbedu as Nawi is equally as strong as a young girl who will not be tied to domestic life. Being dropped off with the Agojie becomes the focus she needs to starting a new life. Mbedu’s performance is full of defiance and it makes for such an appealing character to watch from start to finish.

Boyega as the King is basically a leader who wants to do right by his people. Realizing Nanisca is a strong female presence for his people, even if he forbids her to do things, he also knows she is going to do what’s right.

Bolger as Malik is a young man who understands the old kingdom and the new slavers. Knowing what is right and wrong, his friendship with Nawi allows him to do what’s right. Odukoya as General Oba Ade shows the attitude and oppression of slavers which is a rough role to take but important at the same time.

Other cast includes Sheila Atim as Amenza, Masali Baduza as Fumbe, Jayme Lawson as Shante, Adrienne Warren as Ode, Siv Ngesi as Migan, Angelique Kidjo as Meunon, Zozibini Tunzi as Efe, Makgoso M as Iniya, Thando Dlomo as Kelu and Julian Tennon as Moru.

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.

Bonus Content includes A Caterpillar’s Destruction, Viola Davis on Set, Representation Matters, Woman/Warriors, Storytellers, Thuso Mbedu Auditions, Filmmaker and Commentary.

The African-American Film Critics Association has given the film Best Picture as well as the National Board of Review Top Ten Film. The film is also a nominee with the DiscussionFilm Critics Award, Hollywood Critics Association Creative Arts Award, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Satellite Awards, Sunset Film Circle Awards and The Female Movie Star of 2022 for Viola Davis.

THE WOMAN KING is a thought-provoking look at a time in the history of African slavery. To see the amazing Agojie come together with a single goal of protecting a kingdom, its people and fighting against slavery on their own front.

Davis leads a cast that is strong and as fierce as the warriors they portray. It is a story of strong connections, family, love, and knowing that everything they believe in deserves to be protected and cherished.

In the end – inspired by true events!

 

 

 

Get the Family is the Groove with LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and available on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD is family fun with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE.

Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem) finds a baby crocodile in a pet store and discovers – he can sing! Giving him the name Lyle, he begins to think that he can create an act that will make him rich beyond belief. Living in a beautiful Victorian brownstone in New York City, Hector uses it to put up the money to stage an audition but Lyle (vocals by Shawn Mendes) gets a mean case of stage fright.

Having to leave home to make money, Hector leaves Lyle. Months pass by when Mr. Primm (Scoot McNairy) and Mrs. Primm (Constance Wu) move into the house. Their son Josh (Winslow Fegley) is having a difficult time with the change and in making new friends. After a mugger introduces himself to Josh, Lyle introduces himself to the mugger! The two become friends and Josh loves that Lyle can sing.

The one thing he has to do is make sure his parents don’t find out about Lyle, but when they do, something wonderful happens to the family. Then Hector returns once again wanting Lyle to try to get on stage. Lyle doesn’t mind singing for the Primms but still can’t find the courage to go larger.

Downstairs is Alistair Grumps (Brett Gelman), the neighborhood nosey who spies on everyone and causes misery every chance he gets. Hector and Alistair have a problem with each other and it leads to chaos with Lyle in a zoo. With a plan to change that, it also changes the course for Lyle into something wonderful!

I want to start off first with someone who isn’t seen in the film but only heard. Shawn Mendes does such a lovely and wonderful job as the voice of Lyle. He has a clear and resounding voice that had my granddaughter toe tapping and hand clapping along with his songs. That is really important to reaching a kid into a character that doesn’t speak. She just loved him and wanted a Lyle of her own (thanks for that!).

Bardem as Hector has another chance to show off his vocal pipes as well as his dancing skills. In the role, he is a bit of a creep (as my granddaughter says) but by the end proved that eventually it is those who love you that are important. Waffling between good and sorta bad guy, Bardem makes it all charming.

Fegley as Josh is at that age where change is not always a good thing. Settling into a new place and making new friends is hard at any age and tad harder for Josh. Meeting Lyle by accident turns out to be the best friendship he could have hoped for. Coming out of his shell, he stands up for Lyle when other do not see what he does.

Gelman as Grumps is exactly that, a cat-man who has nothing better to do with his life than spy on his neighbors and make their lives crazy. A history with Hector makes things even more difficult but Grumps gets what he wants – to break up a family. Gelman does look like, at moments, he is having a good time in this role.

Wu as Mrs. Primm has a chance to hang out with the musical Lyle as well. This is sort of a feel-good role for Wu and it plays fairly straight. McNairy as Mr. Primm also has a chance to take on Lyle in a less musical way but it is still fun.

Other cast include Jackson Kravits as Cy, Ego Nwodim as Carol, Sal Viscuso as the Judge, and Lyric Hurd as Trudy.

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.

Bluray Exclusives include 4 Sing-Along Songs, Storytime Featuring Shawn Mendes and Javier Bardem, Bloopers, Deleted Scenes, Croc and Roll – Lyle on Set, Take a Look At Us Now – The Cast and 2 Music Videos.

The story written by Bernard Waber comes from the book of the same name along with The House on East 88^th Street. Adapted for HBO in 1987, the special was also a wonderful musical.

LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE is a fun family film and the music is absolutely stellar. In all the family films you have to admit that most of the time crocodiles are seen as the bad guys so its nice to see a singing and dancing loveable croc who just wants to fit in. Being a part of the Primm family is special and Lyle deserves everything good.

That is what is the takeaway here, acceptance, love, family, hope and a few surprises along the way. In the meantime, sing along and chance a dance with Lyle.

In the end – it’s a jungle out there!

 

THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP DEAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from director Michael Mailer and Lionsgate is the suspense thriller THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP DEAD.

Russ Potter (Cole Hauser) is not very popular with the town’s folk at present. After talking them into investing in the market, it all goes belly up and people are furious. Russ tries to explain that he lost money as well but that does not resonate with the towns people at all so he is keeping his head down and staying out of the way.

Stopping at the local café for a cup of coffee, waitress Delaine Moore (Jaimie Alexander) tries to cheer him up. Being friends since they were in high school, she manages a smile out of him before she has to return home to take care of an ill father. That’s when something odd begins to happen. Russ starts receiving soft spoken but ominous calls.

Taking his concerns to Sheriff Thurmond Fowler (Morgan Freeman), he does not get much sympathy. The word is out and the Sheriff believes that whoever is doing it has a legitimate grudge against Russ. Days pass and the phone calls continue. Trying to help, Delaine invites Russ to her house to have dinner and since he only lives next door he is delighted.

The two get, well, close and that only makes things more difficult when Delaine’s father is murdered! Now things are about to get heated, confusing and complicated in the most shocking ways.

Freeman as Sheriff Fowler has such a laid-back attitude and knows his town very well. It is a bit of fun to my way of thinking that he took this role. By that I mean there is not a lot to it but Freeman makes sure you pay attention every time he is on screen and I loved it.

Hauser as Russ is a man who has made a huge mistake in a small town. Now if it had been a big city, then maybe it would have been easier to smooth things over. Nope, and now he is paying for it with angry townspeople and nasty looks – except from Delanie. Don’t let that handsome face fool you, Hauser as Russ has a few tricks up his sleeve as well.

Alexander as Delaine is a waitress trying to make ends meet and keep up with debts. Adding a bit of fun with Russ is just a big tip so to speak. Taking care of her father, the truth starts percolating to the surface and Delaine has no choice but to face it and Alexander is one cool plate of lettuce!

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.

THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP is a thriller to be sure and the twists and turns will have you yelling ‘no way!’. It is a slow-moving piece but it is a sleepy town with lots of secrets and to move any faster would be a crime. Friendships are empty, relationships have a purpose and what it all boils down to is murder.

Keeping is within these three characters is what makes the story. I actually like a story that doesn’t go off into fifteen-million characters and doesn’t finish with a yell from me. Keep it short, keep is within a who-dun-it realm and I’m all in.

THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP DEAD is not a fast paced, action type thriller, it is wrapped in a small town where everybody knows everyone else’s business and that can get you killed.

In the end – don’t trust a soul!

Santa is Ready for a VIOLENT NIGHT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Tommy Wirkola and Universal Pictures is a different look about the man from the North Pole with VIOLENT NIGHT.

The holidays are here and Santa Claus (David Harbour) is disillusioned, disgusted and dismayed at what has happened to Christmas. Not his usual ho-ho-ho self, he does the minimum to get the job done and not with an ounce of jolly.

Jason Lightstone (Alex Hassell) gets wife Linda (Alexis Louder) to agree to go to mom Gertrude’s (Beverly D’Angelo) house for Christmas. Taking daughter Trudy (Leah Brady), it becomes clear quickly that there are family issues. Waiting for them is Jason’s sister Alva (Edi Patterson), her bad actor husband Morgan (Cam Gigandet) and son Bert (Alexander Elliot).

There is the usual sibling bickering about the family company and money. That is until all Christmas breaks loose as Mr. Scrooge (John Leguizamo) enters their festivities. He brings his band of merry gun-toting mercenary elves with only one mission – get money and go!

The problem is, they didn’t expect Santa to be in the house who catches on real quick that this is not the house to be visiting. Finding a radio, Santa hears Trudy on her radio telling him not only what she wants for Christmas but what is happening in the house. Wanting to walk away, there is something about Trudy that makes Santa decide that he needs to remember who he is and that makes all the difference.

It's skull cracking time!

Harbour as Santa Claus is hilarious, sweet, a little vicious but has a story to tell. Once the gang realizes there is a Santa in the house, the chase is on and Harbour gets down and dirty. That makes the film so much more fun in a twisted sort of way. It is next to impossible not to cheer for Harbour’s character and, to be honest, I was all for it. That is part of the fun of the film and trust when I say it is Harbour who makes it thrilling every frame of film.

Leguizamo as Mr. Scrooge is a guy who has serious issues of his own. Money starts out being the motive for the madness but I suspect that Leguizamo’s characters issues run holiday deep. Deciding to go all out to get what he wants, there is nothing or no one, not even Santa that is going to stop this well-designed plan. Then again, Scrooge vs. Santa is a whole other knock down drag out.

Hassell as Jason wants his family back but has to go through a lot this night to see if that can happen. Louder as Linda knows the Lightstone family are a lot but puts it all aside to do the right thing for her daughter, bet she wished she had made other plans! Patterson as Alva is just one hot mess who thinks she has what it takes to take her own brother down, yea, about that…..! Gigandet as Morgan is that family member that just can’t help but show why everyone else rolls their eyes.

Brady as Trudy is just a sweet young girl who wants her parents to be happy and spending Christmas together. When the chaos happens, she reaches out to Santa for help and does not seem surprised when he comes through. There is a bit of another film mixed into Brady’s characters bag of tricks and its pretty funny. Well done young lady, well done. Elliot as Bert portrays all the kids us older folk can’t stand to be around and he does it really well!

Let’s talk about D’Angelo as Gertrude. She is saucy, mouthy and can take a hit. She knows what her family thinks of her and it doesn’t change anything about her naughty attitude. I just love this character and D’Angelo did it all with nothing short of bad attitude sprinkled with Christmas glitter!

Other cast include Brendan Fletcher as Krampus, Mike Dopud as Commander Thorp, Stephanie Sy as Sugarplum, John Lowe as Pub Santa, Andre Eriksen as Bjorn, and Erik Athavale as Richard.

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.

VIOLENT NIGHT does not waste a moment and from beginning to end it is Harbour that is a mixture of comedy, drama and charming. Oh sure, Santa has a history and sure he seems like a crushing Ninja but that does not change the fact that he brings gifts to believers. Don’t get me wrong, the film is really violent, really bloody but it is also really hysterical.

Now that being said, it has been quite a while since I’ve seen a film that had me cheering, making faces and dropping my jaw. Okay, so tried to close my eyes and ended up looking through my fingers at one point but darn it was fun. The cast assembled bring a holiday film that I will predict right now will become a holiday tradition (at least in my house).

In the end – you better watch out!

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW – Celebrity Holiday

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to The Roku Channel to prepare us for the holidays is the famous tent but this time filled with non-Brits is THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday.

It should not be a surprise that I am a huge fan of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW since its very beginning. Throughout the years and changes of host and judges, I have never missed an episode for a holiday show. This time, it is the Americans tackling the challenges of baking for the holidays!

Chloe Fineman, Nat Faxon, D’Arcy Carden, Liza Koshy, Marshawn Lynch and Joel Kim Booster are attempting to take home the cake stand and the Star Baker crown. Hosting the show is Ellie Kemper and Zach Cherry who go from stand to stand to see what each star is creating. Watching with his steely blue eyes is Paul Hollywood and looking for boozy buns is Prue Leith.

Starting out with the Signature Challenge, they must make 12 identical filled cream puffs, the tension is on as each baker brings his own idea of a delicious puff to fruition. Of course, most of the tension is caused by Paul Hollywood giving each baker the stare-of-steel and the straight-face Prue. During the judging, history is made and bakers are thrilled.

That isn’t all, for Round 2, the Technical Challenge set by Paul – they must make a meringue wreath and very detailed. The recipe is only written for them in slight detail and the bakers must decide for themselves how long their creations must bake. The bakers come to realize that first of all they are not sure what a meringue wreath is! The panic in the tent is palpable and hilarious at the same time.

Finally, the Show Stopper Challenge will decide who will be the winner! They are being asking to bake a cake decorated with a 3-D element in the theme of their favorite winter holiday tradition. Given three hours, on your mark, get set and bake!

Made with sponge cake, Paul and Prue are looking for sheer perfection and to know exactly what the story is to the cake. Then again, anyone who is a fan of the show knows that these two judges are committed to their jobs and it keeps bakers either sweating or cheering. As you can imagine, each baker has a unique story to tell and the word ‘unusual’ would be absolutely appropriate.

That is what happens in the tent of the THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday!

The Roku Channel streams hundreds of hit movies, popular shows, 24/7 live news and is the home for free and premium television anywhere you go. There are also amazing Roku Originals such as Swimming with Sharks.

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday comes in time to celebrate the baking that starts this holiday season. Watching the celebrities bring their stuff to the tent is interesting, especially since most of them say they are not bakers. I have to say that my favorite taking on the challenges is Marshawn Lynch.

Facing the wrath of Paul Hollywood is always a thrill with his eyes giving away nothing as he watches each of the contestants whip up their creations. Prue is less with the frightening stares but instead gives insight to the bakers and praise with anything that might have a little boozy bits in it which cracks me up every time.

Hosts Kemper and Cherry keep an eye on the bakers as well but from a more comical perspective. Knowing this is stressful, they each interact but stand back when things get a bit – well – holiday baking rushed.

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday is holiday from for everyone actually. I mean, we don’t have to bake but the creations sure will make you wish you could eat. Each of the celebrities bring creations and even take chances and find themselves really wanting to win the coveted cake stand.

I give nothing away and yet give everything because this is a show that should be enjoyed, give everyone many laughs and marvel at what these celebrities come up with. Not always successful and not always pretty to look at but darn it if you won’t find yourselves cheering them on with each challenge.

That’s what makes the holidays cheery and bright so get ready for mouth watering holiday treats from the celebrities!

CORALINE and PARANORMAN Are Classics on 4k UHD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K UHD from Laika and Shout! Factory are two classic films with CORALINE and PARANORMAN. 

 In 2009, writer/director Henry Selick took a story by Neil Gaiman and brought the most amazing dark stop-motion film with CORALINE.

Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is a young girl who lives with parents Melanie (Teri Hatcher) and Charlie (John Hodgman) she is dealing with the new move a pink house in Ashland, Oregon. Almost instantly she makes friends with Wybie (Robert Bailey) and an interesting black cat. Living in another apartment of the house is the very limber and eccentric Sergei Alexander Bobinsky (Ian McShane), actress April Spink (Jennifer Saunders), and Miriam Forcible (Dawn French).

Wybie gives Coraline a doll that he thought looked a lot like her but the doll has a few things to teach the young girl. A door into a parallel universe opens and waiting for her is another Mother and Father who spend their time paying attention to her. Her parents are still busy with their workaholic lives that they don’t notice their daughters’ comings and goings.

The problem comes when Coraline is visiting her other parents and they want her to stay. The only caveat is that she has to exchange her eyes and she is stunned. When she tries to leave, other mother keeps her, well, hostage. The ghosts that are trapped as well finally tell Coraline everything she needs to know to stop the madness before her real parents become part of this nightmare!

Fanning gives life to the character of Coraline as a young girl dealing with a new home and parents who seem to be lost in their work. Finding her own place, she had no idea she would also be finding her own second world. Through everything she comes to understand how the world is and that she is loved.

CORALINE Special Features include Disc One New 4K Restoration and Dolby Atmos 7.1 Mix. Disc Two Inside Laika – Discovering the Characters of CORALINE Featuring Rare Test Footage, Inside Laika – Revisiting the Puppets with Laika’s Animation Team, Character, Concept Art and Behind-The-Scenes Photo Galleries, Audio Commentary with Director Henry Selick and Composer Bruno Coulais, The Making of CORALINE, Original Featurettes, Deleted Scenes and Feature Length Storyboards.

 

In 2012, writer/directors Chris Butler and Sam Fell’s stop-motion film PARANORMAN came to the screen.

Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a young boy who has the unique ability to speak with his grandmother who just happens to be dead. No one believes what he can do and it causes Norman to spend a lot of time alone. Neil (Tucker Albrizzi) is also a kid who sort of understands Norman. As a school play is rehearsing a play about witch-executions, Norman’s great-uncle Prenderghast (John Goodman) tells him he has to help protect the town of Blithe Hollow.

While the play is going on, Norman has a ghoulish site of what happened in the past. His father Perry (Jeff Garlin) and mother Sandra (Leslie Mann) know that there is something happening and are more than concerned. Learning that his great-uncle has passed, imagine Norman’s surprise when he sees him in the afterlife as he tells the boy to get a book that can help.

Going with the local graveyard he thinks to read from the book but school bully Alvin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) wants to have his own twisted fun. Trying to complete his reading, Norman, Neil, his sister Courtney (Anna Kendrick) and Mitch (Casey Affleck) are chased by what could only be called zombies! That slows everything down and when a witch causes mayhem, Norman is knocked out only to see Aggie Prenderghast (Jodelle Ferland) and what happened to her.

Mayhem is hitting Blithe as vengeful spirits go after the town and Norman is the only person that knows how to stop it all and become the hero he never thought he’d be!

Smit-McPhee as Norman is a young boy also trying to find his place in this world even though he has a look inside the next. Loving his family, he also struggles with knowing that people he loves don’t truly understand him. When the other world reaches out to him, Norman does not hesitate to find out what is causing the problems and realizing that he is the key to helping!

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.

Laika is an American stop-motion animation studio specializing in feature films. The studios is best known for THE BOXTROLLS, KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and MISSING LINK. To see more of what Laika has to offer please visit www.laika.com.

PARANORMAN Special Features Include Disc One New 4K Restoration and New Dolby Atmos 7.1 Mix. Disc Two Inside Laika – Discovering the Characters and Effects of PARANORMAN Featuring Rare Test Footage, Inside Laika – Revisiting the Puppets with Laika’s Animation Team, Feature-Length Storyboards, Character, Concept Art and Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery and Audio Commentary with writer/director Chris Butler and Co-Director Sam Fell.

CORALINE and PARANORMAN are such iconic characters and bringing them back gives everyone another chance to update their home entertainment library. The deep darkness feeling and colors are stunning and add depth of richness to the story being told.

CORALINE started it all for my family and every film since is a joy for us. To be honest, we watch it several times a year and when it pops up on television, we know its time to pop some corn and watch again! The story is one of family, understanding and love mixed in with all the crazy stuff we love to experience.

PARANORMAN is charming and thrilling keeping in line with our favorite Laika films. Norman is a young boy also trying to find his place in two worlds. We love what he is able to do and watching this film, we constantly cheer as he tries and tries to help the people who have not shown him much understanding.

Laika always tells such amazing stories and uses stop-motion that allow families to embrace such fantastic characters. Now, both films return on 4K UHD (Limited SteelBook Edition) for the first time and that makes the holiday gift giving season even more special. Perennial favorites and critically acclaimed, CORALINE and PARANORMAN stop-motion and CG hybrid techniques were both nominated for Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Films.

In the end – these are stories of unusual kids who we love to watch again and again!

 

It’s the Life of THE FABELMANS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Thanksgiving from writer/director Steven Spielberg, Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures comes the tender story of THE FABELMANS.

Burt Fabelman (Paul Dano) and his wife Mitizi (Michelle Williams) are about to introduce their son Sam (Mateo Francis-DeFord) to his first movie, THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. Watching in a crowded theatre, his attention is captivated during the circus train crash. Now, the young boy is wanting only one thing – a train set.

Wishing for a train set for Hannukah, Sam takes it one step further when mom Mitzi puts an 8 mm camera into his hands. What comes from all of this is a young boy’s dream coming true. He can not stop himself from creating more and more stories on film with his sisters Reggie (Birdie Borria), Natalie (Alina Brace) and Lisa (Sophia Kopera) as his actors.

The family gets together with family friend Bennie Loewy (Seth Rogen) and it is movie night. That is until the family moves to Phoenix, Arizona as dad Burt moves up in the technology world. Growing up, Sam (Gabriel LaBelle) never stops making films and while in Boy Scouts uses the opportunity to make his own film to get a badge.

When a family tragedy happens, Burt asks his son to put together something lovely for mom to bring her some joy. Uncle Boris (Judd Hirsch) comes to visit and tells Sam that he comes from a family of artists and what that can do to a person but it also those words leave a lasting impression. So much so, that Sam discovers something about his mom that he cannot deal with in the right way.

Once again, the family moves to norther California and Sam has lost the urge to create and puts his camera down. Focusing on school, a new challenge happens as antisemitism reaches into his life. Through harassment and bullying, Sam learns that he must take a stand in some way and with the help of girlfriend Monica (Chloe East) and a 16mm camera, he takes on a high school event to present at prom.

Now ready for college, the family dynamic has changed and Sam must face his father with what he wants for life. After years of dad calling his filmmaking a ‘hobby’, the young man finally says the words to make his father understand that everything has led up to that moment.

These are the Fabelmans!

Williams as Mitzi is a complex, complicated and very supportive wife which keep the family moving forward. That comes with the flaws of being a woman in 1952 and the stereotypes of keeping a perfect house with perfect kids and a perfect marriage. All of that comes with a price and William’s portrayal for Mitzi shows us that the cost is so personally destructive. Once again, this actress gives a performance that will make the list of awards but more importantly, leaves an impression for the viewer that is shaken and stirred.

Dano as Burt is a father trying to get ahead in the business world creating, supporting a family and making everyone happy. He is also set in the 50s stereotype that he does not realize affects his son. Dad wants a studious kid who will one day follow in his footsteps and although supportive, in a way, of his son, he continues to consider it only a ‘hobby’. Dano gives Burt that struggle of a man who has one idea of family in his head while the reality of family is passing him by. Dano is stunning!

LaBelle as Sam is nothing short of fantastic. He also lives in this world created by the times he lives but does not quite fit into the mold everything thinks he should. While excited about the prospect of making film and supported by his mother, he runs into those who can not embrace the prospect of filmmaking as a career. There are such beautiful moments that LaBelle provides in his role of Sam that are touching and heartbreaking all at the same time. We follow his life of creativity and growing pains willingly because the viewer also wants him to succeed. That is acting at its finest and well-done LaBelle!

Rogen as Bennie is Burt’s best friend and basically an uncle to the kids. They share everything together and it is all beautiful, until it isn’t. Rogen is equally into his work as Burt and also shares his total support of Sam and his filmmaking showing up for every showing. Rogen keeps his character a bit on the back burner of the Fabelman family. The scene between Bennie and Sam at the camera store is so heartbreaking to watch, trust me on this.

Shout out to Mateo Francis-DeFord as the young Sam because here is a young actor who just melted my heart. I know that feeling of being in a theatre for the first time and worrying about everything being so big when you are so little. My first film was BAMBI, and my ‘train scene’ was the death of Bambi’s mother and while everyone else around me was crushed and crying, I was riveted. Francis-DeFord took me there once again and that, for me, is priceless so thank you young man and extremely well done.

Other cast include Robin Bartlett as Tina Schildkraut, Sam Rechner as Logan Hall, Oakes Fegley as Chad Thomas, Isabelle Kusman as Claudia Denning, Jan Hoag as Nona, Nicolas Cantu as Hark, Cooper Dodson as Turkey, Gabriel Bateman as Roger, Lane Factor as Dean, Chandler Lovelle as Renee, Keeley Karsten as the older Natalie Fabelman, Julia Butters as the older Reggie Fabelman, Jeannie Berlin as Hadassah Fabelman and David Lynch as John Ford.

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.

THE FABELMANS is written by Steven Spielberg with co-writer Tony Kushner who has written with the Oscar winner on the 2005 film MUNICH, the 2012 film LINCOLN and the 2021 WEST SIDE STORY.

On the recreating of his early works, Spielberg says, “It was joyful being able to recreate those films. I shot a lot of films when I was a kid on 8mm. It was unique in those days. Not a lot of people were going out and shooting in 8mm. It was physical; it was a craft. You had to sit there with a splicer, and then you had to scrape the emulsion off the film in order to get a seal so when you put glue on it, you literally glued the film together. I must say, I miss it.”

Being semi-autobiographical, it really is not something I concentrated on watching the film. Instead, I let the story tell me what it wanted to tell me in any way it wanted to present itself. Fact or fiction did not mean anything because THE FABELMANS swept me up in a story of family, love, secrets, perceptions, realities, sadness, fun and possibilities. These are all things that are relatable no matter who you are.

The cast is one of the best I have seen in a long time and with even the short stint for Hirsch, he was just so lovely to watch as a man who knows the pain of creativity! He sees what Sam is reaching for and although supports it, slaps on a warning label as well. Each character is memorable and unique to the journey we are all invited on.

For some it will be a look into the past of how the world perceived the role over mother, father, husband, wife and expectations of kids. Spielberg is doing what he does the best taking us from point A to Z with a box of tissue in-between, the dude is beautifully exhausting.

In the end – capture every moment!