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!

Take Your Seat for an EMERGENCY DECLARATION

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Han Jae-rim and Well Go USA is the suspenseful story of a plane that calls for an EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

In Korea, Park Jae-hyuk (Lee Byung-hun) is taking his young daughter Soo-min (Kim Bo-min) on a trip. Once at the airport, they are waiting in line for tickets but the young girls needs to use the restroom. Seeing the women’s is backed up in a long line, she sneaks into an empty men’s room. She hears someone come in as Ryu Jin-seok (Im Si-wan) is doing something that she doesn’t understand.

Hearing a noise, Ryu goes to look as Park enters seeing him but looking for his daughter to escort her out. On the plane, Park sees him again and makes every effort to blend in and not be seen by him. Yet, Soo-min once again tries to use the restroom and Ryu decides to whisper something in her ear. She and her father tell the flight attendant Hee-jin (Kim So-jin) who informs the pilot.

On the ground, Detective Gu In-ho (Song Kang-ho) is investigating a rather disturbing find. An apartment filled with things that do not seem to make any sense. Trying to discover who is responsible, it leads to Ryu who is on the plane that has already taken off. Also on the plane is the detective’s wife and daughter!

When they police realize that Ryu has made a poison, it becomes clear that he intends to use it on the plane filled with unknowing passengers. Trying to understand why, they go to the company the now bio-terrorist worked for and get no cooperation. In the air, passengers are starting to show signs of sickness and it doesn’t discriminate – from passenger to pilot, it is spreading.

Tae-su (Park Hae-joon) is the Crisis Management director as they try to decide how to handle the situation. Now that it has spread, the plane bound for the United States has been turned away and no other country will take them. Co-pilot Choi Hyun-soo (Kim Nam-gil) is now flying the plane but needs help from Park putting their previous history aside.

Looking for an anti-virus to combat the poison, the arguing between law and government happens and when word spreads to the public, there is an outcry about the dangers of the plane landing!

Now, the passengers make a stand in the air as one brave officer does so from the ground!

Byung-hun as Park is a dedicated father to his little girl. He knows instinctively that something is very wrong with the man from the restroom. Trying to stay as far away as possible was a good idea, till it wasn’t. He also has a history with planes and the co-pilot that slowly reveals itself and it is done very well. I recognized him instantly from the hit series Squid Games as he brings this character out with a passion and some baggage.

Kang-ho as Detective In-ho is a marvel from start to finish. I have come to truly respect this actors’ choices of characters and he never disappoints. If the name seems familiar it is because he has done such marvelous work in the films MEMORIES OF A MURDER, SNOWPIERCER and the Oscar winning film PARASITE. His work in this film is just as remarkable as a detective who is not going to always play by the rules to get answers – and his family.

Si-wan as Ryu is a deeply disturbed character although is motives seem so very twisted. This actor gave us a very steady evil character, so much so he made me nervous! That’s always the sign of a good bad character. Bo-min as Soo-min is a young girl just trying to have a holiday with Dad. There is a scene between this little actress and Byung-hun on the plane between front and back passenger that is just so moving and it is because of her.

Nam-gil as Co-pilot Choi Hyun-soo does his best to keep the situation steady. Taking over for the ill pilot, he knows that the clock is ticking for him as well. That’s when he calls for back up from an unlikely place. Nam-gil is the strength of the plane and that is an important character. Hae-joon as Tae-su may be part of the government system but she sees how it is failing the people on the flight. Knowing what needs to be done and trying to get what should be done turns into a huge task.

Other cast include Jeon Do-yeon as the Minister, Lee Yul-eum as Stewardess, Moon sook as the Doctor, Jeon Su-ji as Assistant Oh, Seol In-ah as Tae-eun, Jan Seo-yeon as Stewardess, Kim Gook-hee as Mi-ryang, Huun Bong-sik as Yoon Chul, Kwon Han-sol as Inho’s daughter Min-jung and Woo Mi-haw as Inho’s wife Hye-yoon.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Bonus Features include Make of, The Characters, The 360 Shot, Cannes Film Festival Interviews, England Language Available and Trailer.

EMERGENCY DELCARATION is a thriller from beginning to end. What I enjoyed about the film is that there is never a dangler that signals that the story is coming to an end. No, instead, it takes the viewer on a turbulent ride on the plane for sure but also on humanity. At every turn there is a chance to do good, but there is always one rotten apple – on the ground and in the air.

The cast brings fantastic actors that hold their own, each character bringing something thrilling to the story telling to the point where there would be a gap if not in the story. In the 138 minutes, there is not a moment wasted or a plot point confusing. The story on the ground and the one on the plane play out equally but the plane gets bonus points for all being done in a confined space.

This is a thriller that deserves a big screen and sound bar which makes watching at home so much more fun!

In the end – take your seat, buckle up and hold your breath!

 

 

 

AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD, Digital and On-Demand from directors Joe Zelada, Richard Claus and Shout! Factory Kids is the tale of AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon.

Hidden deep in the jungle of the Amazon, Ainbo (Lola Raie) is a 13-year-old-girl who wants nothing more than to be the best huntress for her tribe. Zumi (Naomi Serrano) is her best friend and is about to be crowned the Queen of the Candamo civilization.

Caught in her own favorite tree trap, spirit guides Dillo the armadillo and Vaca the tapir who tell Ainbo that they are Zumi’s spirit guides. She is going to need them as the curse of Yacuruna seems to be taking over the jungle. Trying to gift them to Zumi, Dillo (Dino Andrade) and Vaca (Joe Hernandez) don’t show up and it causes the tribe to think she is lying.

Chuni (Alejandra Gollas), who takes care of the girls, causes Ainbo to run away with the nasty Atok (Rene Mujica) chasing them running into the westerner Cornell DeWitt (Thom Hoffman). In the forest, the two spirits tell her that Motelo Mama (Susana Ballesteros) the turtle can help with the quest that she is now on and talks more about Ainbo’s favorite tree. From there she finds the sloth spirit Pelejo (Rico Sola) who gives her another item on her journey to a volcano.

Coming back to the tribe, Ainbo finds that Atok and Zumi are in the company of DeWitt who promises to cure the illness of the people and land in exchange for gold. Calling upon her mother Lizeni (Yeni Alvarez), two who are against one another become one in the fight for the people of Candamo!

Raie as the voice of Ainbo gives the young girl all the emotions of a 13-year-old. She is insecure, unsure but loves her tribe and best friend Zumi. Willing to take on the journey that could save them all from destruction, she embraces all the danger with a bravery she did not know she possessed.

Serrano as the voice of Zumi may not have started out a queen but quickly let it be known she knows what to do for Ainbo and her people. Trying to understand the outlander, it becomes clear what he wants because they don’t see gold in the same way. Mujica as Atok has his own personal issues and they constantly get in the way of doing the right thing.

Andrade as Dillo and Hernandez as Vaca are wonderful companions to Ainbo on their journey. They try to help the best they can but sometimes manage to get into more chaos but it all works out for the best.

Other cast include Gerardo Prat as Conibo and Bernardo De Paula as Huarinka.

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.

DVD Bonus Features include special Featurette About the Making of AINBOW: SPIRIT OF THE AMAZON and the Music Video.

Directors Zelada and Claus previously worked in the film THE LITTLE VAMPIRE with this film being the first animated film from the Tunche Films in Miraflores. The story itself was written by Jose Zelada. Bringing in Claus from the Amsterdam Cool Beans Studio created a collaboration between Peru and the Netherlands. The added history of AINBO is that the Zelada family lived near the Amazon Basin in the 80’s and they listened to local stories of the rain forest.

An official selection of the 2021 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and recently nominated for Best Feature, Best Sound Design and Best Original Music at the Ibero-American animation Quirino Awards in Madrid. AINBOW: Spirit of the Amazon smashed the box office in Spain and garnered international box office successes in France, Australia, New Zealand and Central America.

AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon is a colorful, exciting and wonderful film that tells a story of what is truly important to this young girl. With no concern for her own safety, she tackles every obstacle in front of her to keep moving forward to find the answer. That answer is what will save her people and repair old wounds she didn’t even know surrounded her.

The friendship between Ainbo, Dillo and Vaca are just priceless and necessary, especially when the two girls find themselves at odds over what to believe about a stranger in their midst. New alliances are made because nothing has changed for Ainbo who will do anything to stop the chaos and the destruction headed towards her village.

In the end – it is a wild jungle adventure!

Get Ready to Dine to THE MENU

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Mark Mylod and Searchlight Pictures is the tasty and delectable food on THE MENU.

On a beautiful island, a very special dining experience with Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) awaits invited guests. Arriving on the dock are food critic Lillian (Janet McTeer) and Ted (Paul Adelstein), a movie star (John Leguizamo) who loves to drop names and his assistant Felicity (Aimee Carrero), Richard (Reed Birney) and wife Anne (Judith Light), and business buddies Bryce (Rob Yang), Soren (Arturo Castro) and Dave (Mark St. Cry).

Finally, foodie groupie Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) and date Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) follow the group led by Elsa (Hong Chau). Explaining the surroundings of how the menu is created for the Hawthorne, it is clear that the staff is devoted to Chef Slowick. Led into the dining room, the group is served wine as they wait for the chef to appear.

When he does, he explains that the courses are special and have meaning. From molecular gastronomy to art on a plate, Chef Slowick wants his guests to taste everything. That is when Elsa whispers to the chef that Margot is a guest not on the original list. That upsets the him as he explains each part of the experience was perfectly planned and, Margot is not eating the food in front of her.

Tyler is jealous that the chef wants to speak to her and not him but is not going to let that stop him from enjoying the plates put before him. As the evening progresses and the wine flows, the truth of their dining experience becomes clearer than a wine glass!

Fiennes as Slowik gives a performance that is deliberate, controlled and knowledgeable. Even when you think he is going to lose control, he diverts to a story that should tell the guests everything. Fiennes is just a plate of perfection in this role and is the straight man to the last frame of the film. I just adore this performance from him.

Taylor-Joy as Margot is just a strong mysterious character who is not afraid of saying what she thinks or standing her ground. Even as she comes face to face with the chef, Margot does not back down as her part in all this expands more and more. Taylor-Joy meets his control word for word and even her panic is controlled and it is powerful.

Hoult as Tyler is just that guy who is so drawn into being a foodie groupie that he blocks out everything else that is happening. Upset with Margot that she does not share in his obsession, he looks forward to each plate with tunnel vision. Hoult gives it his all and although irritating at moments, his character has a purpose.

Bloom and Adelstein are so precocious that its hilarious and proves that having an opinion can be, well, dangerous. Leguizamo and Carrero have their own boss/employee issues with each other as the name dropper has his own confessions to make. Birney and Light are a couple that has spent a lot of time at Hawthorne dining and its time to pay the check.

Yang, Castro and Cyr are three men who have their own secrets that will take flight right before their eyes.

A big mad respect shout-out to Chau as Elsa because I loved ever minute she was on screen. This character is not afraid of anything or anyone and has no problem saying ‘no’. The scene when the three business men try to bread-bully Elsa, she says with a straight face ‘no’, I broke out laughing. Chau is stunning!

Other cast include Christina Brucato as Katherine, Peter Grosz as the Sommelier, Adam Aalderks as Jeremy, Jon Paul Allyn as the Boat Waiter and Rebecca Koon as Linda.

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 MENU is nothing short of a plate full of perfection, it is deliciously phuged-up and I could not get enough of it. Keeping the cast in one room 99% of the time is brilliantly done and as Fiennes character controls every aspect, it is thrilling to watch how each character begins to crack around the edges and Taylor-Joy matching wits with the chef.

Those in the kitchen also have a part to play and are the raw characters. They are dedicated to the chef and they seem detached from everything that is happening. Focused on making delicious and intricate food, you hardly ever see them looking into the dining room. It was actually kind of freaky and disturbing but I loved it as well.

The plates of food served are stunningly beautiful but, like Margot, is probably not something I would eat. That makes her character relatable on so many non-conformist levels. The last plate served was exactly my cup of flower-tea sizzling with no pretentiousness or fan-fare.

Vague enough? Of course this is, why would I give away the best parts of the film when THE MENU is waiting to serve you as well. I am just going to let my palate savor every drop of what Chef Slowik served up and keep his secret recipes for everyone else to discover.

In the end – wonderful surprises wait you all!

They Take the BONES AND ALL

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Luca Guadagnino and MGM is the love story with BONES AND ALL.

It is the Regan years and Maren (Taylor Russell) is a young woman living a secluded life. Dad Frank (Andre Holland) is doing all he can to protect the girl from the world. Coaxed to go against her father’s wishes, Maren starts to stretch her teen-legs. Sneaking out one night to hang out with girlfriends turns disastrous and the duo can only run out of town.

In the morning, Maren discovers Frank is gone leaving her with a birth certificate, a few dollars and some tapes. She decides it is time to go find the mother she never knew. At the bus stop, Maren meets Sully (Mark Rylance), and discovers that she is not the only person with her, shall we say, condition.

Sully shares things with Maren that surprises her. The behavior that drives her are considered normal to Sully and nothing to be ashamed of. After a night of feasting, Maren realizes she needs to go – and quickly.

At her next stop she meets Lee (Timothee Chalamet) and is even more shocked at his openness and finding someone else like her in such a short amount of time. The make a connection as they feed when they can and drive down the country’s back roads toward Maren’s mother. When Maren discovers that Sully is not far behind, things begin to come unraveled and that is never where Frank intended for his daughter to end up and a mother’s love has boundaries.

Russell as the young Maren is absolutely riveting to watch. Not quite understanding the world, it is the secrets that are what make it difficult for this character to survive it all. She is trusting and yet pensive, angry yet confused to just wanting to live some semblance of a free life without fear. Even with a father, this character basically raised herself in many ways. As Maren learns about her condition, she becomes more aware of the dangers. Russell captures and exudes every spectrum of emotion and yet it is all so subtle that it quietly screams out to be noticed.

Chalamet as Lee is laid back casual with his own past he is dealing with. Not accepted by his own family, he keeps moving on down the road. Finding Maren, he now has something and someone else to focus on, even if they tiff a tad. Chalamet makes not excuses for who he is and tries to share that with Maren who is still learning to accept it all. Chalamet’s gives his character charisma (which I’m assuming is necessary for their condition) and non-apologetic for anything he does. Yet, something comes out in Lee the longer he is with Maren.

Rylance as Sully – oh my gosh, I’m ready to hand him awards, I don’t care which ones. I’ll make one if I have to! The character of Sully is slow, deliberate, eerie, needy, and informative. Speaking about his performance I was telling a friend that it is ingenious that as Sully, Rylance has once again shown why he one of the best actors of our time even though he freaked me out. At the same time, my granddaughter sees him as the 2016 loveable BFG (Big Friendly Giant)! That is the diversity of Rylance. As Sully, he states his case to Maren and then skulks into the background and I mentally beg him to get back on the screen.

Shout out to Michael Stuhlbarg as Jake for making me hold my breath. Your beer talking back woods screeching behavior will have me forever shook!

Other cast include Madeleine Hall as Him, Sean Bridgers as Barry, Anna Cobb as Kayla, Kendle Coffey as Sherry, Ellie Parker as Jackie, David Green as Brad, Jessica Harper as Barbara Kerns, Burgess Byrd as Gail and Chloe Sevigny as Janelle.

MGM is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television across all platforms. Owning one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content and is home to two of the longest-running and most successful film franchise in cinematic history with JAMES BOND and ROCKY. For more please visit www.mgm.com.

As of this writing, the Venice Film Festival as awarded Taylor Russell with Best Actress with the Marcello Mastroianni Award, Best Director Silver Lion to Luca Guadagnino and nominated for the Best Film Golden Lion for director Guadagnino. The Gotham Awards has nominated Mark Rylance for Outstanding Supporting Performance and nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance for Taylor Russell and UA/MGM.

The Hollywood Music in Media Awards gives a nominee nod to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for Best Original Song – Feature Film with ‘(You Made It Feel Like) Home’. Reznor is a member of the band Nine Inch Nails and took his music into films such as NATURAL BORN KILLERS, LOST HIGHWAY, THE SOCIAL NETWORK and THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.

Director Guadagnino says, “There is something about the disenfranchised, about people living on the margins of society that I am drawn towards and touched by. I love these characters. The heart of the movie is tender and affectionate towards them. I am interested in their emotional journeys. I want to see where the possibilities lie for them, enmeshed within the impossibility they face. The movie is for me a meditation on who I am and how I can overcome what I feel, especially if it is something I cannot control in myself. And lastly, and most importantly, when will I be able to find myself in the gaze of the other?”

BONES AND ALL is an intense story but with so many different layers. It is a story of a young girls search for who she is and where she belongs, it is a story of being different, it is a story of stranger-danger, it is a story of abandonment and so much more. Even if you took out one of the elements, the story would still hold together.

That being said, it is, well, a feast for the eyes also on several levels. The issue of cannibalism is a huge distraction from the other issues that each of the characters have but it is part of who they are. After a few jaw drops, I winced a bit but my jaw stayed in place as the film went on. I began to understand that as with most unusual things human beings do to each other, Maren and Lee do not shy away but instead keep pushing forward.

I loved this film on so many levels as well and the acting is so damn stellar. Watching BONES AND ALL again is something that I have to do because I want to understand even more about the direction Guadagnino takes these characters without the shock factor intruding. The cast has brought a story that is complex, complicated and worth every moment of big screen time.

In the end – it is a masticating love story!

 

He Survives THE INSPECTION

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Elegance Bratton and A24 is the story of survival and acceptance from THE INSPECTION.

Ellis French (Jeremy Pope) is trying to find his place in life. He decides that the U.S. Marine Corps may be the answer of finding a path forward. Going to mom Inez (Gabrielle Union), he is met with a brick wall as she makes it clear that he had better come back straightened out. Parris Island, South Carolina is where French lands for boot camp.

Almost immediately, it seems that the instructor, Leland Laws (Bokeem Woodbine) has it out for French. Boot camp is tough enough for all the new recruits but Laws takes advantage. Keeping his hands clean, Laurence Harvey (McCaul Lombardi) becomes the person to especially watch out for.

Aware of what is happening, Rosales (Raul Castillo) tries to intervene when things become dangerous. Instead of running away, French tries to help fellow recruit Ismail (Eman Esfandi) who is dealing with his own abuses.

Taking it day by day, French begins to not only find his voice, but the strength to stand. When the voice of dissent comes, it is his brothers who stand with him as well.

Pope as French is a young man torn up by the streets. Living on his own since he was 16 and disconnected from his mother, the state of the world leads him to the Marines. Pope gives the performance of a man that has lived in fear and uncertainty.

Union as Inez is a character that is just distasteful in every aspect of being a human being. That has to be a tough role for Union to play knowing there would be that reaction but her performance embraced all the ugly in Inez and she went for it.

Woodbine as Laws is what you would expect from an instructor in boot camp. That being said, he goes far beyond the yelling, screaming and insulting into a dangerous zone. Woodbine’s performance is straight forward and straight-faced during scenes where my jaw was dropping. Well done.

Castillo as Rosales knows that Laws is crossing the lines in so many ways and tries to be the buffer between the boot camp life and that line. That is a difficult place as he has issues of his own that are coming to the surface. Esfandi as Ismail is stereotyped by Laws and uses that to the point of breaking his spirit. It is heartbreaking to watch which translates into a very good performance.

Lombardi as Harvey seems to enjoy being the mini-Laws. He shows no sympathy or emotion to what he is doing and who he is doing it to. Harvey is the definition of absolute power corrupts absolutely and Lombardi holds nothing back as this character.

Other cast includes Nicholas Logan as Brooks, Andrew Kai as Label, Aubrey Joseph as Boles, Wynn Reichert as Chaplain, Eddie Plaza as Bam Bam, Tyler Merritt as Shamus, Steve Mokate as Col. Casey and Aaron Dominguez as Castro.

A24 is an independent entertainment company that specializes in film and television production based in New York City. Films such as A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE MIND OF CHARLES SWAN III, the amazing EX MACHINA, ROOM and THE WITCH. Many of their films can be found on DirecTV Cinema and Amazon Prime. For more information, please visit www.a24films.com.

The Chicago International Film Festival nominated Elegance Bratton for Best Feature and Gold Q-Hugo, the Gotham Awards also nominated Elegance Bratton for the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award and Outstanding Supporting Performance by Gabrielle Union. The Montclair Film Festival gives Bratton the award for Breakthrough Director & Writer and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival gives the Virtuoso Award to Jeremy Pope.

THE INSPECTION is a story of struggle, pain, love, loss, and the journey of finding a path and French gives the heart-tugging performance needed to make the story work. Union’s character is still just a reminder of so many people’s beliefs to the point of hurting family. I know people like Inez and watching this character is just so painful.

Woodbine and Castillo remind me of Sgt. Barnes and Sgt. Elias from the 1986 film PLATOON. That being destruction vs. understanding and although one could say that instructors are always like this, even Castillo’s character of Rosales knows the line may be thin but there is a line and Laws puts just one toe over it to meet his own need for control.

Through the struggle is the constant search for acceptance, especially when it can’t be found from French’s own flesh and blood. That internal part of this character is that he slowly begins to see his own self worth and that is everything.

In the end – it is a struggle for one man’s life!

 

They Are Caught in THE AMBUSH

 

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray from director Pierre Morel, Saban Films and Well Go USA is the pain and war with THE AMBUSH.

It is 2018 and the Yemen War has United Arab Emirates Armed Forces at their base on Mocha and preparing for a mission. It is a routine patrol through rugged terrain as Ali Al-Mismari (Marwan Abdulla Saleh), Bilal Al Saadi (Khalifa Al Jassem) and Al Hindasi (Mohammed Ahmed) ride down the road keeping an eye out.

The hills are filled with rebels who would like nothing better than to take down a Humvee. When their truck hits an IED, the barrage of weaponry rains down on their truck. There is no way for the men to get out and their vehicle cannot continue to take hits. As the rebels get closer to their vehicle, they have no choice but to get out.

Radioing out the ambush, drones are sent in to see where the rebels are hiding but sending in choppers to help is going to take time. Other vehicles arrive and are ambushed as well sending the soldiers into survival mode until more help can arrive. They do their duty with their family on their minds but this is what they are trained for!

Other cast include Mansoor Alfeeli as Col. Jamal Al Khatri, Khalifa Albahri as Al Sayari, Ibrahim Almusharaakh as Mansoor, Hassan Yousuf as Abdulla Alblooshi, Abdullah Bin Heider as Col. Almazouri, Salem Altamimi as Sgt. Salem, Saeed AlHarsh as Captain Saeed Al Shehhi and Ghanim Nasser as the Rebel Leader.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

The Bonus Features include English Language Available and Trailer.

THE AMBUSH is a powerful film in that we usually see stories about American soldiers in wars. This is an opportunity to experience war from the view of the UAE soldiers and the intensity of emotion. Hearing them speak about their families and see their friendships is so important because it brings us closer to understanding the complexities from another point of view.

At the same time, the film brings the shock of what war brings and the cost of human life. The anger that brings such violence is not just a United States problem, it is a world-wide problem and war is not the solution. THE AMBUSH has a high anxiety level that stayed that way to the last.

The story is written by Brandon Birtell of FURIOUS 7 fame and Kurtis Birtell responsible for MEDAL OF HONOR. THE AMBUSH is the highest grossing Arabic-language film from the United Arab Emirates. Director Morel says, “The feedback we have received from audiences across the UAE has been overwhelming and I am so proud to have been a part of this fantastic project. I hope audiences continue to resonate with this inspirational story of brotherhood.”

In the end – they will bring their brothers home by any means necessary!

They Come Together in AMSTERDAM

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from 20^th Century Studios and director David O. Russell is the trio from AMSTERDAM.

It is 1918 and Burt Berendsen (Christian Bale) is off to fight in France during World War I and there he meets his soon to be best friend Harold Woodsman (John David Washington). When both are seriously wounded, they are taken care of by Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie) who has a strange penchant for collecting shrapnel from wounded soldiers.

Making their way to Amsterdam, they all spend time together until Burt goes home to New York City and becomes a doctor. Eventually, Harold follows to become a respected lawyer in the same city. Time passes and both men have their own practices which brings Harold to call upon his friend Burt to find out what killed their regimental commander, Bill Meekins. It is his daughter Elizabeth (Taylor Swift) who wants the answers.

Irma St. Clair (Zoe Saldana) helps Burt discover what could have happened and then chaos breaks loose. Now Burt and Harold are suspected of murder! Both men begin to look for answers to clear their names and it shocks them leading to Valerie! Her brother Tom (Rami Malek) and his wife Libby (Anya Taylor-Joy) who worries that his sister might have mental health issues.

Explaining their predicament, Tom suggests they seek out General Gil Dillenbeck (Robert De Niro) who knew Meekins. Inviting him to speak at the veteran’s gala, Burt and Harold are hoping that those responsible for everything will unknowingly reveal themselves.

Now comes the fast past unraveling as a hitman is after them, the Council of Five is a mystery, there is a secret meeting at the Waldorf Astoria and a plot to removed the President of the United States is met with a gala of beautiful people planning heinous things.

Things were quieter in Amsterdam!

Bale as Burt is afraid of what his wife will think of his injuries when they first happen but also knows that after spending time in Amsterdam, it is time to go home. Becoming a doctor is a way he can help his fellow man, even if he can’t be helped. Bale is a tad scary looking in this role but that starts to fade away when the character just wants to clear his name. Oh, there is the occasional eye thing to remind us of his frailties but his mind works just fine.

Washington as Harold equally wants to help people and knows he can always rely on his friend Burt for help. He doesn’t realize that his latest need for it will cause them both to be on the run! Washington gives us a solid character who knows his heart and is equally as quick as his mind takes it all in and pieces it together.

Robbie as Valerie loves both of the men but in love with just one. She helps them start their lives and fades into obscurity, or so both men thought. Once they realize who she is, Valerie wants to help and if it means being a little nutty doing it then – so be it. We know Robbie can do crazy and it works.

Taylor-Joy as Libby is just as mean as she wants to be under the guise of a caring sister-in-law. Personally, I would have knocked her down a peg or two with a hammer but that’s just me. Saldana as St. Clair helps Burt but keeps her feelings to herself. She is calm, cool and collected which Burt sometimes is not.

Malek as brother Tom is a smooth character and keeps his gentlemanly like composure, well, 99% of the time anyway. De Niro as Dillenbeck is another cool cucumber who wants the answers as to who is responsible for the death of his friend Meekins. He will go along to get along but won’t be bought – period. That’s a De Niro character right there!

Other cast include Alessandro Nivola as Det. Hiltz, Andrea Riseborough as Beatrice Vanderheuvel, Chris Rock as Milton King, Matthias Schoenaerts as Det. Getwiller, Michael Shannon as Henry Norcross, Mike Myers as Paul Canterbury, Timothy Olyphant as Tarim Milfax, Beth Grant as Mrs. Dillenbeck, Casey Biggs as Augustus, Colleen Camp as Eva Ott, Leland Orser as Mr. Nevins, Tom Irwin as Mr. Belport, Dey Young as Alvelia and Ed Begley Jr. as Bill Meekins.

Twentieth Century Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

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!

The Bonus Feature includes Welcome to Amsterdam – Learn How this original, witty crime epic was made. Hear from the writer/director about his process, the actors who transformed into their characters, and discover how the production created the period look of this visually spectacular film.

AMSTERDAM is a noir thriller with everything in the mix! There is forbidden love, longing, war, secrets, spies, mystery, death, chase, suspects, twists, turns and more twists and that’s probably in the first hour alone. This is a large cast of characters and each has their own part to add to the extremely large puzzle.

The humor is there and it is subtle which if you are going to do a murder mystery is as it should be. I have always been an admirer of this genre of film because, as much as the costuming and settings are an added character bonus, it is the actors who make it all happen. They create these unusual people with unusual background stories that don’t seem so unusual once it is all unraveled.

So, popcorn up and guess who done it!

In the end – let the love, murder, and conspiracy begin!

 

AMAZING GRACE: Country Stars Sing Songs of Faith and Hope

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD in this 10-disc set from Time Life is the deeply moving collection from country music’s legendary performers with AMAZING GRACE: Country Stars Sing Songs of Faith and Hope.

Growing up, country music was always playing in my childhood home. There were family roots in the south and a love of the genre of music was played with heart and soul. Along with the usual twang and heartbreak came the sweet and humble songs of faith. That is what this collection brings for me, faith and memories of childhood.

It was a woman named Fanny Crosby who would become known as the Queen of Gospel Songwriters and for good reason. In her lifetime she wrote over eight thousand hymns including Pass Me Not and Blessed Assurance. Along with Crosby, such names as Ira Sankey, Philip Bliss and Horatio Spafford, Charles McCallon Alexander, Homer Rodeheaver and the legendary Carter Family.

From Loretta Lynn to Ernie Ford, releasing gospel albums proved very successful. Johnny Cash and his distinctive voice recorded several of these albums bringing him into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The group Alabama, along with Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, B.J. Thomas, Martina McBride and Vince Gill continued the gospel tradition with successful album releases as well.

One of the most majestic places I’ve ever visited was the original Grand Ole Oprey but, there is a history behind that as well. The building was originally called the Union Gospel Tabernacle build by Captain Thomas Ryman. He found his faith from preacher Samuel Jones. The halls were once filled with the sounds of Buck Owens, Charley Pride, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner and Barbara Mandrell.

That is just the beginning of the classic and beloved songs that this collection brings home.  

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

The Bonus Feature’s include a 36-Page Collector’s Booklet – filled with full-color photos, artist quotes and liner notes, 2 Bonus DVDs of Opry Gospel Classics – rarely seen historic performances from the archives of the Grand Ole Opry by Johnny Cash, the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Porter Wagoner, and many more.

Also, Interviews with More Than A Dozen Top Country Stars – Including Vince Gill, George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Statler Brothers, Marty Stuart, Josh Turner, and more, Bonus Performances – including Alabama’s Randy Owen singing “Amazing Grace” with his mother and Marty Stuart singing “Keep on the Sunny Side” with the Carter Family.

Country music has always been a staple in my life and all the names in this collection are those of people I have grown up listening to. These songs of inspiration help families through difficult time because that is what music does, it brings hope, grace and even joy.

Each of the 10 discs contains songs of devotion like The Oak Ridge Boys singing Loving God, Loving Each Other, Alan Jackson with When We All Get to Heaven, Alabama and The Old Rugged Cross. Vince Gill Tell Me One More Time About Jesus and George Jones with Amazing Grace.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brought their own brand of gospel to Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Gene Watson Where No One Stands Alone, Randy Travis Open the Eyes of My Heart, and Josh Turner’s How Great Thou Art can be found in this collection.

Let’s not forget the women who brought the sweet sounds of faith Loretta Lynn’s in the Garden, Connie Smith He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, Cristy Lane One Day at a Time, and Dolly Parton with My Tennessee Mountain Home.

There are 153 performances over the 10-disc collection and will be an amazing musical addition to any home entertainment library.  

In the end – it is the sound of amazing grace!