Celebrate the Return of FERNGULLY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from director Bill Kroyer and Shout! Factory Kids is the thirty-year anniversary of the beautiful FERNGULLY: The Last Rainforest.

Living in the lush rainforest of FernGully lives Crysta (voiced by Samantha Mathis), a fairy who is very curious about everything and the world outside. Magi (Grace Zabriskie) explains to young Crysta that once upon a time the fairy folk lived with humans but were plagued by Hexxus, a dark spirit who only lived for destruction. It was the fairy folk who had him put up tight in a tree.

While Crysta and her friend Pips (Christian Slater) are having fun in the rainforest, a new friend joins them. Batty Koda (Robin Williams) is a bat who has been tampered with my humans. The fairies do not exactly like him, but Crysta wants to find out how he came to be. Taking a risk and going above the canopy, Crysta sees something that she can not explain and gets answers from Magi, not happy with those answers, she takes it upon herself to explore.

She finds Zak (Jonathan Ward), a very large lumberjack who is tagging trees that will be cut down and she is horrified. Zak does not realize that one of the trees he has marked is home to Hexxus (Tim Curry) and when a tree comes close to hitting Zak, Crysta shrinks him to her size. Trying to explain her world to Zak, they have more worries when Hexxus is freed!

Crysta explains to Zak that what he is doing is destroying their home and all those that live in it. When Hexxus comes for them, Zak realizes that he must help his friends before the machine destroys everything and it is the end of FernGully!

Mathis lends her voice to Crysta, a young fairy that does not realize yet she has such power within her small, winged body. Her curiosity is what gets the better of her but then again if she had not been so curious, she would never have Zak to help FernGully and all the creatures living in it. Mathis gives Crysta her firey spirit and it is wonderful.

Ward as Zak is a young man just plodding along living his life marking trees. What he does not realize is that he is headed for something amazing life changing. Slater as Pips wants to make sure his friend Crysta and FernGully are protected in equal measure.

Williams as Batty gives everything we have loved Williams for. Batty is hilarious, loving, and cautious and never far away from silly one-liners. Batty became a beloved character and I know this because I still have the stuffed animal I got after FERNGULLY came out.

Curry as Hexxus proved he had the voice and attitude to play a dark spirit. Of course, it is not hard to believe since he portrayed evil in the 1985 film LEGEND playing of Darkness. I just love that he gets to sing a tune because even though Hexxus is evil, I kind of liked him (minus the destruction).

Other cast includes Geoffrey Blake as Ralph, Tone Loc as Goanna, Townsend Coleman as Knotty, Brian Cummings as Ock, Robert Pastorelli as Tony, Cheech Marin as Stump, Tommy Chong as Root, Danny Mann as Ash and Anderson Wong as Rock.

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.

Bluray includes the Special Features of New Introduction with Director Bill Kroyer, Including Never-Before-Seen Pencil, Character and Animation Tests, Audio Commentary with Bill Kroyer, Art Director Ralph Eggleston and Coordinating Art Director Susan Kroyer, “Seed of the Story” – Script to Screen Comparison with Optional Commentary by Screenwriter Jim Cox.

Also, “From Paper to Tree” – Making-Of Featurette, “Behind the Voice: Toxic Love” – Multi-Angle Scene Study, Original Featurette, “If I’m Gonna Eat Somebody (It Might As Well Be You)” Music Video and Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots.

Diana Young is the author of the FernGully stories, and this film is adapted from those very stories. The soundtrack for the film includes 14 tracks and was composed by Alan Silvestri. “Batty Rap” is sun by Robin Williams and Tim Curry lends himself to the song “Toxic Love”.

It is so amazing that Shout! Factory Kids is celebrating FERNGULLY: The Last Rainforest with this 30^th Anniversary Edition. It is so important for kids to see because, although the film came out in 1992, the issues are even more crucial today. The fear of Ferngully can be seen through climate change today.

Crysta makes it clear that someone needs to stop the destruction and by reaching Zak as a human being, she has found the voice, but the fight still continues. One small little fairy knows what we all should know that the world is shared by so many that we forget that it is not all about us individually but collectively.

The animation is still amazing with its restoration and there is so much to talk about once the film is finished. I would love to see this in all educator’s classroom library as a way to reach children and explain what can happen if we do not all come together to keep our world a beautiful place. Kids get it!

In the end – one courageous sprite must save them all!

THE BLACK PHONE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and on the streaming service Peacock from writer/director Scott Derrickson based on a short story by writer Joe Hill is the thriller THE BLACK PHONE.

It is 1978 on the streets of Denver, Colorado and a time of innocence. Finney (Mason Thames) and sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) are not living in that innocence. Being raised by an abusive father Terrence (Jeremy Davies), Finney is also being bullied at school. Saving him from one beating is Robin (Miguel Mora), who all the boys are afraid of. But there is someone lurking on the streets even more frightening than the school bullies.

Given the name “The Grabber” (Ethan Hawke), someone is grabbing boys off the street. One of the boys is Bruce (Tristan Pravong), then followed by Robin as Finney tries to keep it together. Yet, it is Gwen who is trying to avoid her dreams because they seem to be telling her what is happening. She tries to talk to her father about it but is met with an alcoholic’s response of derision.

Detective Wright (E. Roger Mitchell) and Detective Miller (Troy Rudeseal) want to speak with Gwen who tells them of her dreams of a man with a black van and black balloons. Met with skepticism, Gwen does not take any guff from anyone. On their way home from school, Gwen and Finney go their separate ways and the boy meets up with The Grabber.

Waking up in a basement, Finney realizes he is now another of the victims. The man wears a mask and speaks very little but lets the boy know that the telephone on the wall does not work. After he leaves, the phone rings and Finney answers it and hears a familiar voice telling him how to escape.

Each phone call brings Finney closer to knowing the truth about The Grabber and if he will ever get back to his family alive!

Thames as Finney carries the bulk of the film with courage, bravery and a belief in those who know more than he could ever imagine. This young actor gives up nothing as his character already knows fear and is clever which I loved. McGraw as Gwen is a spitfire, and she is not going to take anything from anyone (except maybe her father). Knowing her dreams are real, when Finney is taken – the gloves are off! I so adore McGraw’s performance!

Davies as Terrence is a tortured soul, and he makes sure that he is not alone in his misery. Constantly putting his pain onto his children, he refuses to listen to Gwen when she tries to express her dreams. Pravong as Bruce has a small role, but it sets the stage for what is to come for Finney. Mora as Robin is a boy who thought he could stop anyone, till he meets The Grabber. Mitchel and Rudeseal are cops who do not want anything to do with the paranormal but are running out of options!

Hawke as The Grabber is a man who thinks he is in control of every aspect of the kidnappings. There are twists and turns, moments of quiet madness and a boy who is not going to go down without a fight. Hawke’s character could never have anticipated such a boy would go up against him. The creepiness of Hawke’s performance is what makes the story nail biting.

Other cast include Rebecca Clarke as Donna, J. Gaven Wilde as Moose, Jordan White as Matty, Spencer Fitzgerald as Buzz, Brady Ryan as Matt, Jacob Moran as Billy, Brady Hepner as Vance and Banks Repeta as Griffin.

Peacock is a streaming service from NBCUniversal with thousands of hours of current hits and timeless classics, plus megahit movies and more. Iconic shows, hit movies & exclusive Originals, plus sports, news & always-on channels can be found. For more please visit www.peacocktv.com

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

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

Bonus Features of the Bluray include Deleted Scenes, Answering the Call: Behind the Scenes of THE BLACK PHONE, Ethan Hawke’s Evil Turn, Feature Commentary and more. Plus, SHADOWPROWLER – a Short Film by Scott Derrickson.

THE BLACK PHONE is not about gore or slash, which I so appreciate, it is about the mental anguish and then mental strength of a boy and his sister. Yes, Finney is the object of The Grabber’s game, but Gwen has an important role to play as well. The cat and mice are going at it full force and the film keeps us holding our breath.

I love that it is all done in the 70’s era because that is a time when kids roamed freely and did not consider consequences. Those of us who came up in that time remember the music, the freedom of riding a bike from dusk till dawn, school crushes, bell bottoms and bullies. It is not that child abductions did not happen then; it just wasn’t headline news except in the town where it was happening.

It was easy then for someone like The Grabber to get away with what he was doing. The film gives the feel of the era, the fright of the happenings and the proper mind bend from start to finish. The only issue I might raise is the vagueness of The Grabber’s story but then again, that is part of the mystery.

In the end – never talk to strangers!

THE PRINCESS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on HBO and director Ed Perkins is the story of the woman we all know as THE PRINCESS.

Slightly faded in memory of most unless you are English, especially with all the ruckus Prince Harry and wife have caused in recent years, THE PRINCESS is a reminder of the late Princess Diana Spencer. Told through pictures and archival footage, it begins with the excitement surrounding young Diana as she becomes engaged to the most eligible bachelor of the day – Prince Charles.

Their early interviews show a sweet Diana with Charles as they answer questions about what their hopes are for their upcoming marriage. Charles seems to be the one in charge and Diana stays true to her man!

The wedding is the event of a generation with all the glamor and spectacle one would expect in a Hollywood production. Diana looked ravishing and the people of England could not have been happier with something wonderful to celebrate. Some time later, Prince William is born bringing more happiness to the country followed by Prince Harry.

But behind closed doors, Princess Diana is struggling with unspoken rumors of infidelity by Prince Charles with his former mistress Camilla Parker-Bowles. Now the media becomes involved as he goes on the defensive with family issues and secrets. Princess Diana finds ways to spend her time with charities for AIDS, homelessness and land mines.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana finally given their release papers from one another after she gives her own television interview that shocks the country, the books and newspapers do not let up. Charles goes his way and Princess Diana agrees to drop the HRH from her title, is given a settlement and walks away with her two sons.

Life becomes different but not any less media worthy as Princess Diana is constantly being followed, not by one or two photographers but dozens and dozens. Trying to have time with her boys without the paparazzi becomes impossible.

Being seen with other men also causes a fervor for the tabloids and when she is seen with Dodi Al Fayed. He is an Egyptian film producer but more so is that he is the son of billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed. Seen boarding planes and vacationing on fabulous yachts, readers of the papers cannot get enough.

That is until August 31, 1997, in Paris, France as Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed try to escape a barrage of paparazzi into a tunnel and never coming out the other side. Instead, a crash that takes the life of Al Fayed and Princess Diana. Now the world knows, and the shock reverberates everywhere.

The funeral is one that takes over as the world, the same as witnessed the wedding 1981. The emotion was everywhere in the people but less so with the royal family. Keeping a “stiff upper lip”, Charles brings Princess Diana home as her brother Earl Spencer, Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Phillip walk behind her casket.

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.

As the 25^th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death approaches, director Perkins does not interview anyone but instead, lets the photographs and footage speak instead. What makes the documentary so revealing in a way is that the world knows more about her struggle with bulimia, depression, the emotional abuse and the monarchy that dug in its heels to a changing time.

Princess Diana did the one thing that had not been done since Queen Elizabeth became the reigning monarch, she captivated the world with every move she made. Not always a good thing for Diana but she was beginning to make head way into a life of her own when she died.

It is important to remember the work that she did for her country and around the world because it is the work that continues today. Her boys have grown up and found happiness in the way that suites them the best, even if the world does not always agree with the choices.

That being said, PRINCESS DIANA tells its own story, and we have the chance to remember, once again, that she may have been complicated but she was still, after all, the People’s Princess.

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE MY DAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres and On Demand from writer/director James Morosini  and Magnolia Pictures comes the story of a father doing whatever it takes to make up for mistakes with I LOVE MY DAD.

Chuck (Patton Oswalt) has managed to cause a distance between himself and son Franklin (James Morosini). Son Franklin is dealing with his own issues of depression and feeling isolated from the world. Trying to remove struggles from his life, Franklin blocks his dad on social media.

Not knowing how to stay in his son’s life, after a suggestion from a friend, Chuck creates a fake online account. Using a girl named Becca (Claudia Sulewski), Chuck begins a conversation with Franklin, and it takes no time at all before they are talking all the time.

When Franklin wants to talk on the phone, Chuck tries to enlist the help of girlfriend Erica (Rachel Dratch) but it all goes south quickly. There is no other choice when Franklin feels the need to finally meet Becca in person. Mom Diane (Amy Landecker) is not thrilled with the idea that Chuck agrees to drive his son to meet the elusive Becca.

But when Erica discovers how far it is all going, Chuck has some explaining to do!

Oswalt as Chuck is inconsistent, a bit of a storyteller, has more excuses than I’ve ever heard and still loves his son deeply. Trying to stay connected any way possible, he is shocked when discovering that he has been blocked from son Franklin’s online life. As an insecure parent, Oswalt gives us a man who just can not seem to get it right. The shovel he uses digs him such a deep hole that there is no turning back! Well done!

Morosini as Franklin is a young man who, if you think about it, is just as insecure and inconsistent as his father. Angry with him for his own reasons, instead of finding his way out of that hole, he also digs it deeper with being self-destructive. Finally seeing light at the end of a very dark hole because of Becca, it is cringing to watch father and son just dive into places that are uncomfortable and hilarious.

Sulewski gets a chance to come to life in an unusual way playing both a ‘real’ character and the one in Franklin’s imagination that is created by Chuck. Confused? It’s a fun thing to figure out though.

Shout out to Dratch as the very unusual boss/kinky girlfriend Erica and Howery as Chuck’s friend Jimmy. Both roles are funny, heartwarming and well done.

Other cast include Ricky Velez as Derek, Sarah Helbringer as Haley, Patrick Klein as the Counselor, Sheri Fairchild as Suzanne, and Lil Rel Howery as Jimmy.

Magnolia Pictures is responsible for such releases as SLAY THE DRAGON, JOHN LEWIS: Good Trouble, the crime thriller THE WHISTLERS, documentaries such as THE PIECES I AM and films such as the directorial debut of Italian filmmaker Filippo Meneghetti. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.magpictures.com.

I LOVE MY DAD is a quirky film about parents, their children, relationships, and the mess that social media has created with the reality of life. Life was easier when you met someone face to face and got to know them. That made it a tad easier to spot trouble or incompatibility. Social media means people have become experts at cat-phishing and lying about who they truly are.

The trouble here is that Oswalt’s character know exactly what he is doing wrong and continues to do it to find a way into his son’s life. Sometimes doing things out of love can make a dad do nutty things and Chuck certainly qualifies for doing the nuttiest things of all. Not sure I could do it but as a parent, who is to say?

I guess only Chuck and Franklin know the answer to it all.

In the end – parents do silly things for the love of their kid!

 

 

 

 

JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION Stomps Its Way Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this week to Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director Colin Trevorrow and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the next chapter in the story of JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION.

The dinosaurs are now living among everyone in the world but up in the snowy mountains, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) is living the dino-cowboy-roundup life with girlfriend Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and the mysterious young girl Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon). Also living in the woods is Owen’s raptor Blue who has managed to become a parent of young Beta.

The reasons for keeping Maisie away from prying eyes is a mystery but one that others are very interested in. Seeing Owen and Claire as parental figures, that means she is also going to rebel against them a little. That is until she and Beta are kidnapped sending her parents on a journey to rescue her. Owen is keeping his promise to Blue and, with Claire, going after their girl!

In a local corn field, Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) discovers huge locust that have been modified and are on the move to destroy every crop in their path, every crop except the one seeded by Dr. Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott), CEO of Biosyn Genetics. Realizing she needs help; Dr. Sattler turns to the one person she can trust Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill).

With an invite to Biosyn from Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), that is there in to find a way to turn around the giant destroyers. On their way to Italy also is Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise), a pilot who sees the young Maisie being escorted to Biosyn. She soon runs into Owen and Claire learning that they are looking for the girl and agrees to help them.

At Biosyn, Sattler and Grant are met by Ramsay Cole (Mamoudou Athie) who introduces them to Dr. Dodgson and takes them to see Malcolm. After pleasantries, Malcolm makes it clear he wants to help the two find what they are looking for to stop the madness. Maisie is taken to see Dr. Henry Wu (BD Wong) who has much to tell the teen about her past and what makes her so special.

What they all do not know is that they are mere steps from coming together to do the one thing that should have been done years ago but life always finds a way!

Pratt is back as Owen giving us dino-cowboy vibes who wants to protect them, Claire and mysterious Maisie. Pratt goes straight for the action with his motorcycle chase, and it is fast paced, but then again, his character is being chased by raptors. Howard as Claire is trying to connect with Maisie but the “you’re not my mom” card gets played. That does not stop Claire from doing whatever she must to rescue the girl.

Sermon as Maisie is full of mystery but once it is revealed, personally not sure what it really has to do with dinosaurs or anything else for that matter. She does make a connection with Blue’s kid Beta but Sermon seems to be in the film for being a kid for kids sake. Reverting a bit to the original JURASSIC PARK, this character tries to get us to go back to something that supposedly happened but I’m not getting it.

Athie as Ramsay is a twitchy character that is taken in by Dr.’s Dodgson and Dr. Malcolm. Believing he is part of something good, it becomes clear (as it usually does with people of conscience) that bad things are being done just because they can be. Wong as Dr. Wu is something else, every time he is on the screen, he looks like he is about to either have a nervous breakdown or a good cry. Trying to change his character’s persona is a big stretch as the narrative becomes “I just want to make it right”, yea.

Wise as Kayla is a fast and furious airplane pilot that wants to collect her money and stay out of other people’s business. When it comes to meeting Claire and realizing what part Maisie plays in this, her tune changes and she becomes a super heroine of sorts. Scott as Dr. Dodgson is a little weird, a bit creepy and just not your average looking bad guy. That makes it funny to watch how his mind works.

Let’s talk Dern as Dr. Sattler, she returns and reconnects with her 1993 friends. Without missing a beat, Dern takes back her role as the excited doctor with a cause and this time it is one that could destroy the planet. Neill as Dr. Grant is still digging up the past and when he sees Sattler again, he is willing to get back out in the world and go on this crazy journey to find answers. Neill reaches in and gives us a still cagey character who seems to have an issue still with Malcolm.

Speaking of Malcolm, I am thrilled to see Jeff Goldblum back on the screen in this role. He delivers everything that I was hoping for. His character makes total sense in the way he feels and dang if he didn’t bring the laughs along with him. One-liners, observations and gestures are what make Dr. Malcolm the character that he is. I swear I spit soda through my nose when I saw the scene with the unbuttoned shirt – absolutely hilarious!

Other cast include Omar Sy as Barry Sembene, Justice smith as Franklin Webb, Scott Haze as Rainn Delacourt, Dichen Lachman as Soyona Santos, Daniella Pineda as Dr. Zia Rodriguez, Kristoffer Polaha as Wyatt Huntley, Elva Trill as Charlotte Lockwood, and Varada Sethu as Shira.

Bonus Features include A 14 Minute Extended Version, Battle At Big Rock, A New Breed of VFX, Dinosaurs Among Us: Inside JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION, Together for the First Time, Underground Dino Market, Mayhem in Malta, Scary Real, and Final Night.

There are chase scenes with raptors and the introduction of a new scarier dinosaur making the T-Rex appear to be tame by comparison. Dern, Neill and Goldblum made JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION a success. They are almost just as I remember, and it is very nostalgic to see them again. Seeing Pratt and Blue on screen together was so dang sweet.

Remembering the first time my family saw JURASSIC PARK in theatres, it was thrilling to be there again in any guise. Characters like Sattler, Malcolm, Grant, started our love for the franchise so it makes sense to bring them to join Owen and Claire to see it through. The rest is Jurassic dressing with dino-slight-of-hand.

In the end – it did not start here but it certainly should end here!

The Sounds of VIVO

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray, DVD and includes an all-new Sing Along Edition from director Kirk DeMicco and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the song and story of VIVO.

It is the beautiful place of Havana, Cuba where Andres (Juan de Marcos Gonzalez) and his best friend Kinkajou Vivo (Lin-Manuel Miranda) spend their time playing music together. They are enjoying life together when an unexpected letter comes to the door. Marta Sandoval (Gloria Estafan) is about to retire from music and there is a history between she and Andres.

Going to Miami is a chance for Andre to finally, after all these years tell Marta his feelings for her and a song he wrote. Vivo becomes a tad jealous thinking that he will be left behind and accepting what is best for his friend. Unfortunately, their meeting is never meant to be. The arrival of Rosa (Zoe Saldana) and young Gabi (Ynairaly Simo) also changes Vivo’s life.

It is a chance to get to Miami so that Vivo can find Marta and give her the music that Andre always wanted her to hear. That can only happen if Gabi can get away from her group of girls called the San Dollars. Finally able to find Marta, Vivo watches a change in Rosa and Gabi and becomes a new resident of Miami!

Miranda as Vivo is a fun loving and loyal Kinkajou when it comes to his friend Andres. Then he knows what must be done for his friend and that’s when his adventure begins. Seeing the world in a different way and in a different city, Vivo is determined! Miranda gives a sweet spot to this character with his wonderful voice.

Simo as Gabi is not like the girls around her. She sees the world through different eyes and colors, and I could not love this character more. It is a wonderful character for young girls who are trying to find where they fit in by being themselves in unique and colorful ways. My granddaughter absolutely loved Gabi and Vivo together.

Gonzalez as Andres loves his life in Cuba with Vivo and the news of a secret love brings him so much joy. So much so that Vivo makes it his mission to do what Andres could not. Estefan as Marta lends her memories of a past with Andres as well as her voice to bring the film to a wonderful and tissue worthy conclusion.

Other cast include Brian Tryree as Dancarino, Nicole Nyer as Valentina, Katie Lowes as Becky, Olivia Trujillo as Eva, Lidya Jewett as Sarah, Christian Ochoa as Montoya, Bradon Jeffords as Mr. Henshaw, Gloria Kellett as Gloria, Leslie Baker as Bob and Michael Rooker as Lutador,.

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.

VIVO is a colorful, wonderful, fun, musical story about loyalty, fun, adventure, love, dedication and friendship. Those are all fantastic reasons to see this film with your entire family. The music with Lin-Manuel Miranda leading the cast of characters is such a joy.

There is so much about this film that teaches children that friendship can come from anyplace, just ask a Kinkaju and love always finds its way back to someone’s heart. There is also Gabi’s story as this young girl just loves being unique and is learning that sometimes you have to stand up for that uniqueness, even if it costs just a little bit.

The animation is absolutely colorful which ask such heart and soul to the story. I watched the film with my family and trust me when I say this is one for the entire family to enjoy, of all ages.

In the end – one song can change anything!

 

 

It is the ENORMITY OF LIFE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from writer/director Eric Swinderman, Carmen DeFranco and Bayview Entertainment is the ENORMITY OF LIFE.

Casey (Breckin Meyer) is a man that is floating through life seemingly with no emotion attached to anything. Deciding that perhaps its time to check out, he is stopped by fate when a telephone call changes his life. A great-aunt decided that the only family member worth her small fortune is Casey.

Adding to his newfound life is Jess (Emily Kinney), a young woman who is having a rough time with a boss that makes her cringe until Casey steps in. Having a few bucks in his pocket starts bringing family out of the woodwork. Sister Missy (Debra Herzog) makes it clear that she is entitled to half of the money and now his own mother has gone missing.

Taking Jess to her home, Casey doesn’t find her but instead has a deep conversation with Jess about life, home and deep-rooted feelings about childhood. Offering to help Jess, Casey picks up young daughter Jules (Giselle Eisenberg) who puts him through the ringer with questions and has quirks of her own.

It doesn’t end there, Mom Dorothy’s psychiatric issues have surfaced in a serious way that causes Casey to make a financial death with sister Missy. On their way home, Jules has a serious episode wanting to go to a town where a school shooting took place to speak to a survivor. The crazy day has caused emotions to run high with Casey and Jess as unravel where they stand with each other after four days.

Meyer as Casey has had a hellacious life which explains his feelings about, well, nothing. Receiving a financial windfall does not change how he feels, in fact it just confuses him more. Meyer gives us a character that does not give the viewer anything, as if we needed anything else with the other chaos just happening one after the other. Yet, there is an acceptance by Meyer’s character that he already learned at a young age that no one is actually hearing what he has to say and certainly does not believe in moments of happiness. A fantastic job, truly.

Kinney as Jess has also seen her share of what life can do when your busy serving up food. Trying to do what is right by her daughter, she also realizes there is only so much you can do. Jess accepts her fate but, the difference between she and Casey is that Jess feels in the midst of her own tornado and invites Casey to merge his so they can go through it together. Kinney is lovely and understanding in this role.

Eisenberg as young Jules is a whirlwind of emotions. After seeing what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary, this character has an unhealthy addiction to facts and figures regarding mass shootings. Her mind can not get past the horror so that now the horror follows every step she takes. Eisenberg is wonderful and her reaction to Jules mindset is so well done and intense.

Herzog as Missy is that sister who can not be trusted with any responsibility. When Casey realizes that there is only one way to get her to do the right thing, it means a trust that is already on a razors edge.

Other cast includes Aubree Stone as Emily, Bryant Carroll as Randy, David Vegh as Detective Dunn, Allen O’Reilly as Abe Berkman, Katherine DeBoer as Connie Richman, Meg Rasmussen as young Dorothy, Jeff Timlin as Daniel Repas and Davis Aguila as Antonio.

BayView Entertainment, LLC, is a full-service media company committed to acquire, develop, produce, market and distribute audio-visual content. For over fifteen years, BayView made its name by being dedicated to releasing only the best programs in each category from some of the most trusted names in the field. BayView is honored to partner with hundreds of independent film and video producers who have trusted BayView with carefully planned distribution for their labors of love. For more please visit www.bayviewentertainment.com

ENORMITY OF LIFE is a story of one man’s journey through a hell that he feels no one else can possibly understand. Believing from childhood that his life is a target for death, there is nothing that has happened from then to adulthood to change that feeling. Jess and Jules coming into his life is a view into how it all could be.

The twists and turns take the viewer on a chaotic journey but that is important if we are to understand the thought process and the jaw dropping ending. This is an emotional lesson on the frailty of human beings from the first scene to the end.

In the end – sometimes to love you have to let go!

 

It is LIGHTYEAR in Space

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital as well as streaming on Disney+ from director Angus MacLane, Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Motion Pictures is the story of redemption for LIGHTYEAR.

Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) is on a mission with partner Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and when their ship lands, it takes no time at all to realize that there are hostile creatures who do not want them there. Trying to escape, Lightyear tries to fly their odd-shaped ship back into space and when they crash land, everyone aboard steps up to create a camp.

Their new mission is to find a way home with the creation of crystals for the hyper drive. The problem is that with each test, Lightyear returns the same age but everyone else gets older and older with every test. Hawthorne encourages Lightyear and even gives him the gift of a techno-cat named SOX (Peter Sohn). Lightyear also sees Hawthorne having a life and creating a family on the planet.

The final test run against orders brings Lightyear back 22 years later even though the flight is finally a success. Realizing everything seems to have changed, he meets Hawthorne’s granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer). She tells Buzz how much time has passed and that there are robots out to destroy the base. Referring to them as Zurg (because that’s all they say), the chase is on.

Izzy introduces Lightyear to her team with the nervous Mo (Taika Waititi), and criminally minded Darby (Dale Soules). Believing that the trio have absolutely no idea what they are doing or that they can help, that is going to have to change if they are to protect the base camp and hold on to the precious power source.

It is time for Operation Surprise and prepare for a lot of surprises along the way that even Lightyear’s new team could not have seen coming.

Evans as Lightyear gives a serious side to this character but that does not stop the comedy from coming through whether he likes it or not. Every emotion comes from Evans voice as Lightyear deals with guilt and, in a way, isolation from friendships other than Hawthorne. He grows as a person, and everyone is thrilled by the end of the film for that.

Palmer as Izzy is a chip off the space family block, well sort of. Wanting to help save the base camp from Zurg, she is smart and creative even if Lightyear doesn’t see it right away. Palmer gives her character heart and soul.

Sohn as the voice of Sox has ruined me and my granddaughter because we want our cats to be as clever and cool as he is. We love Sox and agree that we both at least want a stuffed kitty in our Disney home collection.

Waititi as Mo is endearing, twitchy, clumsy yet this character fits in perfectly with Izzy and Darby. Speaking of which, Soules cracked me up totally voicing this character who has no problem breaking parole with her skills in three-object bomb making. Calm, cool and collected – I love Darby.

Aduba as Hawthorne knows Lightyear better than anyone which irritates Buzz to no end. Yet, he truly cares for his friend. The messages she leaves keeps her presence in the film that causes a few teary-eyed moments.

Other cast include Mary McDonald-Lewis as IVAN, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Bill Hader as Featheringhamstan, Efren Ramirez as Diaz, Keira Hairston as young Izzy and James Brolin as Zurg.

Pixar has produced twenty-six feature films beginning with TOY STORY in 1995. Earning twenty-three Academy Awards, ten Golden Globe Awards and eleven Grammy Awards just to name a few. They are responsible for beloved family films such as FINDING NEMO, THE INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE, WALL-E, UP, BRAVE, INSIDE OUT and SOUL. For more about Pixar please visit www.pixar.com.

Walt Disney Studios 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!

There is really a risk in taking a beloved character and try to bring him more ‘real’ to viewers. Most of us know Buzz Lightyear as a straightforward Space Ranger with a mission that is clear from the moment he is turned on. He is also the yin to Woody’s yang making it hard to see one without the other.

That being said, it did take me a bit to fall into the story LIGHTYEAR is trying to tell but it happened. What Disney and Pixar did was fill the screen with sounds, sayings and hints of the Buzz we came to know in 1995. I truly believe that is what brought the audience around. I heard the giggle, ‘ohhhh’s and laughter remembering and accepting – and all from the adults.

LIGHTYEAR is a fantastic family film that I truly believe is fun adventure and humor. Yes, it is a little intense sometimes but once the action roles and the story unfolds, everything comes together wonderfully. The animation is fantastic but then again, we are talking the stellar collaboration with Disney and Pixar.

In the end – to infinity and beyond!

The Fun and Animated Story of GULLIVER RETURNS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Ilya Maksimov and Shout! Factory Kids is the call for the legend in GULLIVER RETURNS.

While sailing around in his life of adventure, Gulliver (voiced by Wayne Grayson) receives a message from Lilliput. When he arrives, he is greeted by a king (Billy Bob Thompson) he does not know and immediately put on trial for not being the giant the little town celebrates.

Standing up for Gulliver is Marcy (Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld) and confuses the king with facts (although that does not seem difficult). What Gulliver does not know is that Marcy is the daughter of his good friend Frelok (HD Quinn) who seems to be in a fog about who his friend is.

When General of Blefuscu comes banging on Lilliput’s giant door, Gulliver has to show how being a giant has little to do with size. Gathering help from the town’s people, they repair what is needed while preparing for the General to do his best to try and take what belongs to the good people of Lilliput.

Other cast include Marc Thompson as Peters, Yelisaveta Zinovenko as Squick, Tom Wayland as Pablo and Samuel Weintraub as Wesley.

Shout! Factory will be donating a portion of the net proceeds earned from the distribution of the movie from year one to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals in response to crises, which is currently active in Ukraine and surrounding countries providing meals for as many people as possible at border crossings, shelters, and other locations.

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.

GULLIVER RETURNS reunites the classic character from Jonathan Swift’s timeless tale. The king sends shocks through the town declaring that Gulliver is Gulliver but not the Gulliver they celebrate. The idea for this returning tale came about by Ukrainian President Volodymryr Zelensky who has become a symbol of the fighting spirit with a giant’s heart.

The animation has Tony Bonilla as its animation director who was part of ENCANTO and MOANA. The film is lively, fun, full of giggly scenes and yet a story that continually reminds the viewer that standing up for what is right and help those who need it the most.

GULLIVER RETURNS is definetly a family film and needs to be watched together. There is so much to talk about once the film has ended as well. Grab the popcorn and prepare to return to Lilliput!

In the end – new adventures from a big hero!