MAVKA: The Forest Song Charms

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD and Digital from directors Oleg Malamuzh, Sasha Ruban and Shout Factory Kids is a story of friendship, loyalty, and hope with MAVKA: The Forest Song.

The story begins explaining of the enchanted forest that holds such characters as the guardian of the forest Lesh (Marc Thompson), who oversees the creatures and, most importantly, the Tree of Life. When a human comes asking for a drop from the Tree of Life to save his ill daughter, Lesh agrees. That one decision leads to a power struggle and destruction leaving Lesh no choice but to seal themselves away from the human world.

Years later, young Mavka (Laurie Hymes) is a nymph who has a wonderful heart. She loves being around all living things and has a connection to their home. Lukas (Eddy Lee) is a young man in dire need of help. His uncle Leo is seriously ill and he needs money for medicine. That’s when he makes a deal with new town arrival Kylina (Sarah Natochenny) to go back into the enchanted forest for more Tree of Life.

Lesh gathers everyone together to tell them it is time to find a new guardian and the choice will be made at midnight. Meanwhile, Mavka discovers Lukas in the forest and plans to prove she can be a guardian but after hearing the story of his uncle, she is moved. They spend time together as Mavka loves to hear Lukas play his music. But when the time comes to gather, water nymph Ondina (Nikki Thomas) discovers Lukas and Mavka manages to help him escape with what he needs.

Kylina is not happy when Lukas returns and has nothing for her. Not trusting her ‘employee’, she tells Frol (Tom Wayland) to watch Lukas closely. The next morning Mavka finds Lukas’ flute and wants to return it to him. Making her own disguise, she goes into town and Lukas invites her to a spring festival but things to horribly wrong.

Lesh explains to Mavka that humans and the forest do not mesh together. But it is Kylina who is turning both worlds upside down with lies and treachery. The connection between Mavka and Lukas is the only thing that can stop the firestorm that is building inside the young girl.

Hymes lends her vocals to Mavka and gives us a young, strong, loving and caring girl who can not help but have a soft heart. Being teased by the other forest creatures for being that way is only a minor irritation to Mavka. Meeting Lukas, her world becomes a larger place and she wants to experience it all but can certainly do without Kylina bringing danger to everything she holds dear.

Lee as Lukas is a young man very similar to Mavka, especially when it comes to wanting to end the suffering of loved ones. When the two meet, Mavka may have tries to be aggressive but it just isn’t in her nature in that way. Lukas entertains her with music and enjoys her company, all the while in danger by Kylina as well.

Natochenny as Kylina is a piece of work! She is a walking, talking, lying, manipulating human being who doesn’t think twice about the wrong she is doing. She uses Lukas to get what she wants and when the truth is discovered, well, nasty people can get nastier!

Thompson as Lesh has a history with human so it is no surprise that having them around the enchanted forest wouldn’t be something he is interested in. His last encounter was almost deadly and now his time to choose a new guardian is something he takes very seriously (as all good guardians should). Shout out to Wayland as Frol because putting up with Kylina, he should ask for a raise!

Other cast include Scottie Ray as Lukas’s uncle Leo, Marc Thompson as Hush, Marca Leight as the narrator and Mike Pollock as the One Who Sits in the 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.

Produced by Ukraine-based Animagrad Animation Studios and based on the Ukrainian drama “The Forest Song” by celebrated poet and author Lesya Ukrainka, MAVKA: The Forest Song unfolds in a universe that blends ancient Slavic traditions and folklore with a modern narrative that showcases Ukrainian culture, values, designs, and music. The movies has a soundtrack written by well-known Ukrainian musicians and compositions created especially for this animated adventure.

In addition to having an engaging storyline and memorable characters, this uplifting and colorful animated fairytale is bolstered by a strong young female lead character, fascinating folklores, and the relevant theme of environmental conservation.

You can pre-order MAVKA: The Forest Song now at www.ShoutFactory.com and will be available in store, other fine retailers and digital entertainment platforms. The DVD Bonus Features includes a Featurette, Music Video, and Trailers.

MAVKA: The Forest Song is such a lovely film from beginning to end. Hearing the folklore and legends of this particular enchanted forest is brilliantly done. The values of friendship, loyalty, kindness, and understanding are what make Mavka and Lukas the heroes of this story. They may be from different worlds but their beliefs are not so dissimilar.

The color of the film is absolutely stunning, vibrant and a feast for the eyes. Doing an animated film, to my way of thinking, can be difficult if not done with deep feeling and it is clear that MAVKA was done with a great deal of deep feeling. The creatures are so detailed and everything about the animations captures the imagination of any viewer from start to finish.

In the end – one heart, two worlds!

APORIA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Jared Moshe and Well Go USA Entertainment is the thriller with APORIA.

Sophie (Judy Greer) is a woman dealing with the grief at the loss of husband, Mal (Edi Gathegi). Also trying to deal with the pain is Sophie’s daughter Riley (Faithe Herman) and it has caused emotional detachment between them.

Trying to hold down a job and take care of Riley, Sophie has the help of Mal’s good friend physicist Jabir (Payman Maadi). Seeing that the grief of Mal’s death is too much, Jabir shows Sophie something spectacular, a time bending machine.

Telling her that it could be possible to change the day Mal died by a drunk driver, Sophie, at first declines to get involved. But when seeing the man who killed her husband, Sophie decides to see if it would work.

Mal’s return brings a dilemma to Sophie and Jabir in how to continue using the machine. Their lives are now vastly different and with every use of the machine, the danger of the changes grows. That’s when these three people realize that someone has to set things right.

Greer as Sophie portrays a grieving widow who is trying to keep her life together. The struggles with her job and a daughter who clearly wants nothing to do with the life before her father’s death. The wonderful thing about Greer is that she can do comedy and drama with equal measure and success. As Sophie, Greer develops her character from grief to conscience with the hope of a successful ending.

Maadi as Jabir is a man on a mission. Using a room in his house to create the time bending machine, he clearly believes it can work and help Sophie and Riley have some happiness back in their lives. Maadi becomes the middle man between Sophie and Mal but also realizes that perhaps the world isn’t ready for his machine. I enjoy Maadi as a solid character actor and this is the reason why.

Gathegi as Mal is a man who is, at first, rightly confused about what has happened in his life and death. Once he grasps what has happened, the wondering of what good could this machine do for bringing justice in some ways. I first saw Gathegi in the 2014 series JUSTIFIED and up to the 2022 series FOR ALL MANKIND. Gathegi has a presence that draws the audience in and wants to know more about the character he plays. Well done!

Herman as Riley has become withdrawn, standoffish and emotionally unpredictable since her father’s death. Taking it out on the only person she can, Riley leans hard on her mother and also acts out at school. Herman does the teenager like a teenager would be in the strange situation Riley finds herself.

Other cast include Rachel Paulson as May, Lisa Linke as Nurse Cohen, Adam O’Bryne as Darby, Whitney Cox as Kara, Veda Cienfuegos as Aggie, Dionne Audain as Hagerty, Mann Alfonso as Mr. Abante, Coel Mahal as Mary-Lou, Grace Hinson as VP Bae and Jeffrey Sun as Prosecutor Macias.

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.

APORIA is a look at a family torn apart by grief and given the chance to try and correct what they feel is a wrong is dangerous. A put together machine is about to change Sophie and Riley’s lives and it won’t be a simple change either.

As a physicist, Jabir should know you cannot change the present by going back to the past, yet he shares his time bending machine with Sophie. Correcting what people believe are events that are wrong is still no answer yet, the shared grief between Sophie and Jabir pushes them forward thinking ‘oh nothing bad will happen to do this ONE thing’.

The consequences of their actions is what grips APORIA to its core and kept me watching. As we all know, making a mess it easy – it’s the clean up that can be a hot mess. This film is proof that perhaps its better not to make the mess in the first place.

In the end – reality is a continuum!

 

 

 

We Are ALL Officially in the BARBIE World

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from writer/director Greta Gerwig and Warner Bros. Pictures is a story of the most iconic world with BARBIE.

Barbie (Margot Robbie) is the stereotypical Barbie living in Barbieland. Here, the women are successful and believe in the empowerment of women and, more importantly, they can do anything! Happy with her life, house and friends, she is living her best doll life. Friend Ken (Ryan Gosling) adores Barbie but can’t seem to make a more serious boyfriend-girlfriend connection.

One morning Barbie wakes up and strange things begin to happen. From having a dark thought (oh no, not Barbie and a dark thought!) to flat feet, she begins to panic and looks for answers. Everyone, that’s all the other Barbie’s in Barbieland suggest talking to ‘weird’ Barbie (Katie McKinnon). This particular Barbie has been played with, well, a bit rough but seems to have answers to stereotypical Barbie’s many questions.

‘Weird’ Barbie tells stereotypical Barbie that she must go into the ‘real world’ to find the child playing with her. Off for a big adventure, Barbie shouldn’t be surprised that Ken has grabbed his roller blades and intends to join his friend on her quest. After a bit of surreal travelling, they end up at Venice Beach and people who aren’t really sure what they are seeing.

Barbie hunts for her person and meets Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), her mom Gloria (America Ferrera) and the shock of the truth between the three women. Ken hits the books to discover the idea of a patriarchy coming from a girl power world. Wanting them found immediately is the Mattell CEO (Will Ferrell) and his group of male minions before Barbieland is turned on its axis!

Once they all return to Barbieland, things have changed and Barbie needs the help of Barbie, Barbie, Barbie, Barbie, Barbie and even Midge to set their world right. There is no way these gals are going to let there be a Ken takeover – not on the lawn of their dream houses! When it comes time to decide on her life, the one and only Ruth (Rhea Perlman), creator of Barbie, has something to share with the open-hearted Barbara.

Robbie as Stereotypical Barbie is just that, a lovely Barbie who loves her life, her dreamhouse and all the other Barbie friends she has. Of course, she has style, an outlook that is positive and a desire to encourage all her friends. The one thing she isn’t sure of is Ken and his strange intentions towards her. Going into the real world is an eye opener and even more so a mind opener for her. Robbie gives us everything and more portraying a doll that has been in homes for more generations than we can count. She also brings on the laughs both big and small, high heeled feet or flat, stylish outfit or not, Robbie put it all on the line.

Gosling as Ken didn’t strike me as the person for the role and I’m happy to say I was wrong. Not only did Gosling become Ken, but gave the audience a Ken that we never thought of before. I will admit that the two other ladies sitting with me were cracking up as hard as I was. We spent so many minutes wiping tears away that we are probably going to have to see BARBIE again in case we missed anything. Watching him come out of a library started it all and his twisted understanding of a patriarchy is hilarious. Even when Ken was being, well Ken, we cheered for him to come back to a better and self-improved Ken. Gosling brought a matching exuberance to his role as Robbie does and for that, they literally are Barbie and Ken – okay, okay, Ken and Barbie.

Ferrera as Gloria is a hard-working mom who feels the connection as a parent slowly being eaten away. Feeling like she can’t seem to stop the spiral, she finds herself being creative and that’s what starts the Barbie beach ball rolling. Ferrera portrays her character like many moms feel when their kids get past the Barbie phase and into the madness of the hormone enraged teen years. As Gloria, when the chance to do something amazing presents itself, Ferrera gives us hope that escaping to Barbieland isn’t such a bad thing.

Greenblatt as Sasha is an angry and a bit rebellious teen who has no problem chewing people up. When Barbie tries to talk with Sasha, that very thing happens. Whatever her issues are, she certainly didn’t hesitate to take it out on a woman named Barbie. Not a fan of anything the life size doll stands for, she begrudgingly follows her mom to try and fix what became broken.

Shout out to Will Ferrell as the CEO of Mattel who is just a little too involved in how to get a doll back in the box.

On the Barbie side is Issa Rae as president Barbie, Alexandra Shipp as Barbie, Emma Mackey as Barbie, Hari Nef as Barbie, Sharon Rooney as Barbie, Ana Cruz Kayne as Barbie, Dua Lipa as Barbie, Nicola Coughlan as Barbie and Emerald Finnell as Midge.

On the Ken side is Simu Liu as Ken, Kingsley Ben-Adir as Ken, Ncuti Gatwa as Ken, Scott Evans as Ken, John Cena as Ken and Michael Cera as Allan.

Other cast include, Connor Swindells as Aaron, Ray Fearon as Dan of the FBI, Erica Ford as Skipper, Hannah Khalique-Brown as Browing up Skipper, Marisa Abela as Teen Talk Barbie, Lucy Boynton as Proust Barbie, Rob Brydon as Sugar Daddy Ken, Tom Stourton as Earring Magic Ken, Chris Taylor as Ken Emcee, and David Mumeni as Footrub Ken.

I wish I could list every person in the film because you take away one and the House of Barbie would fall completely.

BARBIE is a film that seems to be thrilling to audiences and a film that moms are taking their daughters to see (in my case granddaughter with both the kid’s grandma’s). Yes, it is colorful, entertaining and has everything one would want from Barbie but it also has something for the adults with its ‘entendre that seems double’.

The story is a smash through the road/sky/sea etc. from Barbieland to the real world. The moment they show up, even the people in Venice can’t wrap their heads around neo clothes and skates. Watching Barbie learn that the world isn’t everything she thought it was can be a tough watch but seeing Ken take on the patriarchy through a cowboy hat and beer is also a tougher watch, especially when he makes his big confession.

Okay, let’s get on with it here, BARBIE isn’t meant to be taken as seriously as it seems some people are taking it. Yes, it’s a film about a doll, about her unreal world, the real world (which didn’t seem all that real either), Barbies versus Kens with song and dance in between is pure fun. I watched an eight-year-old have the time of her life with laughter, awwwww’s, and self-righteous indignation and the smarts to know that adults need to chill out. She even wanted her picture taken with the small set up the local theatre had in place when normally she would walk by such things. Telling her parents how much fun it was showed that perhaps adults could learn a lesson about it all.

So, gather up the gang and don’t let the name of the film fool you because BARBIE has a story to tell and it wouldn’t hurt us to listen!

In the end – she’s everything and he’s just Ken!

 

Disney Revisits HAUNTED MANSION

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Justin Simien and Walt Disney Studios is the story of the iconic HAUNTED MANSION.

Ben (LaKeith Stanfield) is a paranormal tour guide who doesn’t believe in the paranormal which makes his job more difficult. He does it as a way to deal with the grief and loss of his wife Alyssa. Meanwhile, Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and young son Travis (Chase W. Dillon) are dealing with their own new beginning moving into a mansion that needs a lot of work.

Immediately it becomes clear that the house is haunted keeping Gabbie and Travis on their toes and looking for help. Father Kent (Owen Wilson) tracks down Ben to ask him to come to the mansion and photograph what is happening using a special lens he invented. At first Ben has no motivation to go but money has a strange way of changing a mind.

Arriving at the mansion, Ben goes along to get along and it isn’t until he gets back to his own home that something has decided to move in too! Ben and Father Kent seek out Professor Bruce Davis (Danny DeVito), a historian who knows a bit about the house and its history. Deciding that the only way to find out what the house and its eerie occupants wants is to bring Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), a psychic in for a séance.  

Hidden in the attic is Madame Leota (Jamie Lee Curtis) who, with the help of Harriet, decide its time to take on the specter that has been collecting spirits. Getting an object that belonged to the the very angry ghost Crump (voiced by Jared Leto), Ben and Father Kent track down something that will could change the game in their favor.

But they are running out of time as the Hatbox Ghost has made his plans very clear and it doesn’t look good for the living!

Stanfield as Ben is a man dealing with grief issues. Taking the job of photographing what is inside the mansion gives him a paycheck and that’s all he is interested in. Unfortunately, the ghosts have other plans and Ben finds himself unraveling a mystery. Stanfield is a solid, if not slightly shaken, character who begins to believe in what is happening and all in to fix it.

Wilson as Father Kent seeks out Ben for a little spiritual guidance and boy is the priest going to need it. He believes without a doubt that things are twisted and crazy in the mansion and doesn’t mind finding the right people to deal with it. Wilson is hilarious but then again, I’d expect nothing less. DeVito as Professor Davis is all in wanting to be part of every step of the investigation. Always curious about the mansion, now is his shot and DeVito makes sure his character gets it.

Dawson as Gabbie doesn’t seem to affected by the ghosts, almost accepting them even though they are making her a tad uneasy. Gabbie’s fright level never seems to get to hyped up so that makes her the sane one out of the bunch. Dillion as Travis is not happy with their current living situation and welcomes all the adults into the madness. Each has a part to play and so does young Dillion although his part takes its time.

Big shout out to Curtis as Madade Leota because no one else could have given off the right amount of crazy inside a crystal ball. The last few years has shown that Curtis just plays the roles that look like fun to do and it shows through her characters.

Other cast include Charity Jordan as Alyssa, Hasan Minhaj as the police sketch artist, J.R. Adduci as William Gracey, Creek Wilson as the Mariner Ghost, Ben Bladon as Hatchet Chost, Lindsay Lamb as The Bride ghost, Fedor Steer as Ezra, Dany Levy as Vic and Winona Ryder as tour guide Pat.

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 visit www.movies.disney.com.

HAUNTED MANSION is proving to be a fun family film and for anyone that remembers the ride as far back as I do, felt more like what I would expect. Although the ‘living’ characters are interesting, for me it was the not-so-living characters that I absolutely love. The ghosts are funny, devious, giggle worthy and intent on making us all jump in the theatre seats.

Director Simien captured the joy of the Haunted Mansion ride and put it on screen with fun, mystery, adventure, a bit of chaos and charm. Three generations sat at the screening and we left talking about our favorite ghosts and that is how the movie going experience should be.

It has been twenty years since the Eddie Murphy version with THE HAUNTED MANSION. The story has been revamped but what goes on in the house and the grounds of the mansion are still filled with specters and a story with bad guys wanting bad things. That being said, its fine for what it is but is it spooktacularly memorable? Not so much but that does not change the enjoyment of it so do just that – enjoy the ride!

In the end – home is where the haunt is!

They are Running to KANDAHAR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Ric Roman Waugh, Open Road Films and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of two men who are running to KANDAHAR.

Tom Harris (Gerard Butler) is a slick CIA operative in Afghanistan that has just finished a dangerous job destroying a nuclear site. Now the focus is on returning home for his teen daughter Ida’s graduation. Operative Roman Chalmers (Travis Fimmel) brings him in at the last minute for a mission that will not wait. Going into Iran to finish taking down is going to be the most dangerous thing Harris has done.

Meeting up with interpreter Mohammed ‘Mo’ (Navid Negahban) has been brought in to help and that’s all. Also, Mo knows the area having been born and raised in Kabul and can get anything Harris needs. But the Afghani also has his own personal reasons to be in this situation. When a journalist is kidnapped and information on who is responsible for the nuclear plant destruction, all hell breaks loose.

The first on it is an angry Afghan leader Kahil (Ali Fazal) wants one thing, to prove himself a powerful leader. Now he has his mission, to get Harris and bring him to those who will reward him. With informants everywhere, Harris and Mo make a run for it and the only place they can go is an airstrip in Kandahar, the catch – be there in thirty hours before the C-130 takes off.

Never knowing who to trust, Harris and Mo make their way through two-faced friendlies but with guns behind their backs. Everyone knows that Harris is worth a fortune to the highest bidder and everyone plays the game to their advantage.

It’s cat and mouse in a rugged and dangerous country.

Butler as Harris gives a tough guy storyline as a man who is slick and knowledgeable about the dangers of both Afghanistan and Iran. This is a role that is smooth sailing for Butler as he takes on the role of a man who is quite capable as the enemy soon discovers and needs Mo as well.

Negahban as Mo is a man who takes the mission because he has things he needs to do personally. His story is one of family, loyalty and getting out alive from a country that holds nothing but death for him. Negahban is focused on what is to be done and knows he needs Harris to get back to his own family.

Fazal as Kahil is an Afghani who lives in two worlds, one of a fighter and one of a man who soaks up everything from the western culture. There is the added bonus to the thrill of the chase for Fazal and Kahil gives it everything to make us believe it.

Shout out to Fimmel because he has been missed! He will always be Ragnar to those of us with Viking blood (yea so what, he’s an Aussie by birth!) but he has since chosen his roles well and given us more of what he can do in his career. He can currently be seen in the series BLACK SNOW.

Cast also includes Bahador Foladi as Farzad Asadi, Olivia-Mai Barrett as Ida Harris, Hakeem Jomah as Rasoul, Bassilis Koukalani as Bashar, Rebecca Calder as Corrine Harris, Tom Rhys Harries as Oliver Altman, Ray Haratian as Ismail Rabbani, and Farhad Bagheri as Parshand.

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.

Open Road Films was acquired by Raven in 2018 and relaunched in 2020 with former head Tom Ortenberg at the helm. The company immediately had two consecutive #1 theatrical release openings in the US: Honest Thief, starring Liam Neeson, Kate Walsh and Jai Courtney, directed by Mark Williams; and The Marksman starring Liam Neeson and directed by Robert Lorenz. For more please visit www.openroadfilms.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.

Butler and Negahban play well together as both are men with families to get home to but also a healthy fear of the men in the country they are in. No one can be trusted and the ones that can are far away and unreachable. That leaves only one thing – run as fast as a car and their feet will take them.

It is also a story of two men who has no reason to trust one another but do. The cast brings in the destructive, dangerous and tenuous element of action to the film and it is non-stop. There is nothing between Kerat and Kandahar but open space and questionable trust but they must get through all of that where the C-130 is not going to wait forever.

In the end – the only thing more dangerous than the mission is the escape!

They Must Defeat the ROBOT MONSTER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on DVD from director Phil Tucker and Bayview Entertainment celebrating the 70^th Anniversary Restoration in 3-D comes the 1953 classic ROBOT MONSTER.

One day while out walking, Johnny (Gregory Moffett) meets the Professor (John Mylong) and colleague Roy (George Nader). They are digging in a local cave and Johnny, along with little sister Carla (Pamela Paulson), are curious as to what the two men are searching for. After an incident, something drastically changes.

Determined to destroy all human life on Earth, a strange, antennae Ro-Man (George Barrows) is an alien who has one single purpose, end the life of any humans found. He is constantly being monitored by the Great Guidance Ro-Man (John Brown) making sure the clean sweep of Earth is carried out. Ro-Man informs the surviving group that consists of the Professor, his wife (Selena Royle), daughter Alice (Claudia Barrett) Roy along with Johnny and Carla that they are the last survivors.

Told to surrender and end life quietly, the Professor refuses to give up and convinces the others that they can fight against Ro-Man. There are two things in their favor: 1) a vaccine the Professor had given the survivors and 2) Ro-Man has feelings for Alice.

That doesn’t stop the surviving humans from doing everything possible to not only survive but try to evade the clutches of Ro-Man. It might be the simple human condition of love that stops Ro-Man from listening to the Great One. But is this all real? Is everything the humans are experiencing part of something unseen?

Bayview Entertainment is one of America’s leading independent distributors of feature films, fitness, wellness, and special-interest video releases. Bayview’s programs are available on the major streaming sites around the world plus on DVD and Bluray. Bayview can be found online at http://bayviewentertainment.com.

Founded in 1990 by award-winning producer, author and motion picture archivist Bob Furmanek, 3-D Film Archive is the first organization dedicated to saving and preserving our stereoscopic film heritage. Since 2014, 3-D Film Archive has restored over thirty vintage three-dimensional feature films for release on home video. 3-D Film Archive are now the leading experts in vintage stereoscopic film restoration. For more information, please visit http://3dfilmarchive.com.

3-D Bonus Features Include Stardust In Your Eyes (1953) – Robot Monster’s original prologue starring Slick Slaven aka Trustin Howard. New 4K scan from left/right 35mm master positives, Memories of a Pooped-Out Pinwheel (2022) – Greg Moffett shares his personal recollections of filming on location over a period of four days in March 1953, Travels Through Time & Space (2023) Newly curated vintage slide presentation from Stereoscopic Anthropologist, Hillary Hess, Adventures in 3-D (1953) – Newly restored Golden Age 3-D Comic Book, presented in association with Carl Scheckel at Carl’s Comix and Additional Trailer’s Vintage Shorts and a Restoration Demo.

2-D Bonus Features Include Saving Slick (2023) – Sean Thrunk’s new documentary short explains how 1950’s nightclub comedian Slick Slaven is reminded of his long-forgotten act and identity when his lost 3-D film is revived in 2003, Joe Dante, Trailers from Hell (2013) – 1956 Monster From Mars reissue trailer hosted by Joe Dante, courtesy of Trailers from Hell, Mistakes & Innovations (2023) – Bob Furmanek describes the original day-for-night footage and Phil Tucker’s innovative use of “Double Film” aka “3-D Blinkey”.

Also, Rescuing Ro-Man (2023) – This documentary short by filmmaker Sean Thrunk tells how an accidental discovery of two forgotten 35mm prints in 1990 saved the only complete 3-D footage, Feature Commentary Track (2022) with Greg Moffett, Mike Ballew, Eric Kurland and Lawrence Kaufman, Was I A Man (2022) – New song by The Other Favorites, aka Josh Turner and Carson McKee, played during the post-feature restoration credits and memorabilia gallery, Memorabilia Gallery (2023) – Created by Charles Barnard with original newspaper ads, posters, lobby cards and publicity photographs and Bela Lugosi – You Asked For It (July 27, 1953) – Appearance on live television, newly restored.

ROBOT MONSTER is a mixture of the end of humanity, family, a crazy ape light furry helmeted intelligent creature, love, death and camp all rolled into this 70^th anniversary release. The children are learning that the end of the world an adulthood isn’t that dissimilar as the kids are watching how this whole thing will play out.

The romance between Roy and Alice is a bit queasy, campy, charming and driven by angst that is more what I’d expect from teenagers but hey, there’s a weird alien wanting to end your life so get what you can get in case it all goes bottom’s up. The Professor believes that a vaccine he has created to cure all illnesses is what’s keeping the alien from discovering their true location, can we get ahold of that vaccine because it would be awesome in a game of hide and seek now.

Definite shout out to George Barrows for playing Ro-Man. I would bet money in Vegas that wearing that suit for the four days of filming proves that he should have won an award for just doing that. He is smart, slightly obedient, in love and its all wrapped up in fur, well done sir.

The ROBOT MONSTER Bluray restoration is presented in both BD3d (for those with the necessary equipment) and compatible anaglyphic 3-D which will play on any system or monitor, plus in standard 2-D as well. In addition, one pair of red/cyan anaglyphic glasses are included.

In the end – they are out there!

 

 

 

Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID Comes Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and from director Rob Marshall and Walt Disney Studios is the new version of THE LITTLE MERMAID.

Ariel (Halle Bailey) lives under the sea with father King Triton (Javier Bardem) and her sisters. Her friends fish Flounder (Jacob Tremblay) and seagull Scuttle (Awkwafina). Trying to keep up with her on the daily is crab Sebastian (Daveed Diggs). When Ariel doesn’t show up for a family meeting, King Triton is not happy and makes it clear that it’s time for Sebastian to be her full-time babysitter.

That’s a hard job because this mermaid loves going above water and seeing how the world is on land and collecting things that fall to the sea in shipwrecks. Both are on the not-to-do list of her father. Watching in the wings is Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) who isn’t happy about being basically banished by the King so she’s always looking for ways to make him pay.

On land is Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) who loves being on the water and sailing away on new adventures. Not happy about that is his handler Sir Grimsby (Art Malik) and mother Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni). Especially when a storm sinks Erik’s ship and lands him in Ariel’s arms delivering him to the shores.

Eric gets a peak of the girl who saved him and spends his time trying to convince everyone that there was a girl who saved him. Meantime, Ariel gets herself into trouble with Ursula who tricks her into becoming human so she can experience land. Now Eric and Ariel get to spend time together and he finds himself falling for her.

Ursula isn’t about it and brings about mayhem as the truth comes in on a wave as everyone begins to see the whole world differently.

Bailey as Ariel is fine and she has a nice voice. Trying to decide between two worlds, the character of Ariel is about dreams, hopes and being different. Bardem as Triton is not only a King but a dad of almost every mermaid. Set in his ways, it is hard for him to change and it costs him.

Hauer-King as Eric is now “adopted” and not even called Prince Eric but seemed beloved by everyone around him. McCarthy as Ursula is charming and her song-take of ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ is still as catchy as the original Pat Carroll version.

Trembly as the voice of Flounder is cute who sticks by his friend Ariel no matter what. Awkwafina as Scuttle is a fast-talking seagull who is just as creative in describing sea treasures in the sea as well as on land. Diggs as Sebastian gives us Sebastian scurrying everywhere to stay out of the bad mood of King Triton!

Malik as Sir Grimsby seems to be the only smart person in this film so he can hang with me any day, plus he is a butler so there’s that.

Other cast include Martina Laird as Lashana, Emily Coates as Rosa, Christopher Fairbank as Hawkins, John Dagleish as Mulligan, Jude Akuwudike as Joshua, Lorena Andrea as Perla, Simone Ashley as Indira, Karolina Conchet as Mala, Sienna King as Tamika, Kajsa Mohammar as Karina and Nathalie Sorrell as Caspia.

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!

Bonus Features include Sing Along Version – Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics, Hotter Under The Water – Discover how director Rob Marshall and his team brought the story of The Little Mermaid to life with this documentary in five chapters: A Tale Of The Bottomless Blue - Join Rob Marshall on the set of one of the most ambitious and challenging films he's ever directed, I Know Something’s Starting Right Now - Join cast members Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King and more and learn how they were cast in the film and what it was like to bring director Rob Marshall's vision to life.

Also, Down Where It’s Wetter - Dip your toes into the virtual ocean and learn about how the breathtaking underwater world was created with visual effects, imagination and a lot of talented artists, Explore That Shore Up Above - From Prince Eric’s castle to the beach, explore the above-the-sea locations and the elaborate production design behind them and Do What The Music Say - Discover how legendary composer Alan Menken teamed up with Lin- Manuel Miranda to write new songs to accompany the original classics

Song Breakdowns are Wild Unchartered Waters - Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, gets his own song, written by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Go behind the song, from the writing to the recording, to the filming on a practical ship. Under the Sea - Get a first-hand look at how professional dancers helped bring director Rob Marshall's vision to life as they stood in for the various animated sea creatures that sing and dance in this showstopping number.

As well as Kiss The Girl - Float along and get a frog's-eye view of the beautiful set built to film the live-action version of this classic song and Poor Unfortunate Souls - Join Melissa McCarthy (Ursula) as she takes us on the journey of making her character's signature song.

Featurettes are The Scuttlebutt On Sidekicks – Dive in and meet Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle, who not only have their own song, "The Scuttlebutt," but also fresh looks as they work hard to make sure Ariel and Eric kiss before Ursula's deadline. Passing The Dinglehopper – Ariel met Ariel when Halle Bailey worked with Jodi Benson — the voice of Ariel in the original animated movie — who appears in a clever cameo in the live-action film and finally, Bloopers - Laugh along with the cast as they have the time of their lives making The Little Mermaid.

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.

Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID and expand your home entertainment library. There is nothing better than having Disney films ready for the family but, more importantly, for the kids as they grow up. My granddaughter and her cousin love sitting together and watching so many Disney classics.

In the end – be part of her world!

 

 

 

 

 

The Struggle Continues with LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Jesse Short, Laura Tomaselli and IFC Films and featured at the Tribeca Film Festival comes the continual struggle and activism with LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES.

This documentary is first and foremost the struggle that the Lakota and Dakota nation of peoples (Oceti Sakowin or Sioux) continue to have with holding the U.S. Government accountable for its actions, broken promises and attempted bribery (that’s how I see it anyway). It is also an extremely important lesson in the history of a people that have known the almost erasure of their culture.

Beginning with the writer/poet Layli Long Soldier’s narration and her words of struggle mixed with the grace of her people, the narrative starts. It is the stripping of a nation through their lands, the breaking down of language and appearance to make them ‘Christian’ and less ‘savage’, the abuse of children and leaving them to a bare existence.

Their connection to the Black Hills is sacred and the injustices can be documented to the Dakota 38. That is the 1863 execution of thirty-eight men in 1862 for what the government calls ‘an uprising’. From the Battle of Little Bighorn to the protests at Standing Rock, activists and tribes-people such as Krystal Two Bulls, Benjamin Hedin, Nick Tilsen, Milo Yellow Hair, Nick Estes, Henry Red Cloud, Candi Brings Plenty, Alex Romero-Federick, Craig Howe, Mary Kathryn Nagle and Phyllis Young discuss how ‘the land and the people are inextricably connected’.

IFC Films is a leading distributor of quality talent-driven independent films. Some of the company’s successes include BOYHOOD, FRANCES HA, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, TOUCHING THE VOID, CHE, TINY FURNITURE and CARLOS. For more information on films from IFC please visit www.ifcfilms.com.

The film discusses a past that has all but been forgotten or buried in the past and it is the Lakota people who are placing it front and center. In 1980 their case was taken to court and although the decision was in their favor and a large sum of money awarded, the Lakota people refused the money.

It is important that the truth be written (because erasing does not come as easy to the Lakota people) and the ‘whitewashing’ to stop. The mythology created about cowboys and Indians has been allowed to continue which mutes the voices of the Lakota that have been trying to break through the silent barrier.

Explain in a trio of parts, it begins with the ‘Extermination’ with the Europeans arriving, battles, consistently bad treaties. The next part is ‘Assimilation’ with the land grab and civilizing a people they clearly did not understand. Forcing a combination of religion and abuse, it brings lasting effects.

Finally, ‘Reparations’ which is the Landback Movement of activism are looking for justice but not in the way non-natives believe. They are looking for acknowledgement and a relationship based on truth, fairness and a commitment that, to my way of thinking, should include more than a fleeting nod of the past atrocities.

Educators should be given a copy of this film when it is available and made part of history taught from middle school through college. It is an open and honest look at a history that is not built on creative mythology but instead the brutal truth of just one of the hundreds of Native Americans tribes.

I am actually one who does not mind learning about the truth in history. All one has to do is dig into a family tree to see what human beings are capable of both good and not so good (being polite here). Understanding that I am not them or their choices, it becomes my responsibility to make sure the next generation knows the truth and, if possible, become part of a solution.

LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES should easily be the light bulb going off for us all and hearing ‘LandBack’ as a legitimate shout.

In the end – their war cry is ‘Land Back’!

LOVE AGAIN Captures Hearts on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Jim Strouse and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story when it is time to LOVE AGAIN.

Mira (Priyanka Chopra) is a children’s book writer and struggling to deal with the death of her fiancé John. Sister Suzy (Sofia Barclay) is doing everything possible to break her out of a low and get back to work. Even her editor Gina (Celia Imrie) is becoming impatient for the next book.

Rob (Sam Heughan) is a music writer who is also in a funk. Seems his ex-girlfriend has moved on with her life perfectly leaving Rob to do a little phone stalking. Of course, that means he hasn’t been writing much to the irritation of his boss Richard (Steve Oram). So, he is given the assignment of interviewing Celine Dion (Celine Dion).

Trying to find an outlet, Mira begins texting John’s phone number pouring her heart out about life and feelings. The odd thing is, that phone number has been reassigned to Rob and the texts are at first ignored but then Rob finds himself waiting for them to come. He shares it with fellow writers Billy (Russell Tovey) and Lisa (Lydia West).

In a twist, Celine Dion decides to quiz Rob on what could he possibly know about love when he questions her love song lyrics. That sets the wheels in motion for Rob discovering who could be sending the messages and a trip to the opera sets the romance wheels in motion.

Once Rob and Mira realize they like each other, Rob must find a way to come clean about the texts without losing her. Celine Dion might be able to help with that.

Chopra as Mira is a lovely character as a woman who loved deeply and has fallen into a state that isn’t healthy. A writer of children’s book, it is no surprise that she would write/text to help clear a way to move forward after John’s death. Chopra gives her role charm, grace, a few giggles and a lot of love which is nice.

Heughan as Rob is a man dealing with his own love loss trauma and his choice is to just shut down a bit. Reading the texts and meeting Celine Dion, he slowly opens up to the possibility. Meeting Mira, Rob goes from hope for love to a ‘now what?’ being afraid of losing someone so fantastic. Now, Heughan has shown he clearly knows how to be the romantic, if you have seen the STARZ series OUTLANDER you know, if you haven’t then WHY NOT?! He does not disappoint in the character of Rob, equally as charming as Chopra.

Barclay as sister Susy is hilarious and looking out for the heartbroken Mira. Tovey as Billy is interested in what is happening with the texts and tortures Rob when he can. West as Lisa is equally as hilarious and charming. Oram as Richard has one of the best scenes when chewing out Rob – a must laugh moment!

Other cast include Omid Djalili as Mohsen, Nick Jonas as Joel and Arinze Kene as John Wright.

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

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

Special Features included on Bluray, Digital and DVD are Finding Love Again and 6 Deleted Scenes. 

LOVE AGAIN is not a new formula for a romantic comedy but it works none the less. Two people looking for love after heart break, it makes sense that texting would eventually make its way into the mix. Chopra and Heughan make a very cute film couple because neither is malicious, just wary of letting go of old pains.

The entire film is charming to the last and it will end the way one would expect it to. That’s what I mean by ‘formula’. Sadness gives way to a bit of comedy and fun until the heart gets involved and then its bound to go in a bunch of different directions until it circles back to the heart. Cute right?

Shout out to Celine Dion, who wins the award for top charmer of the film. She comes in to give Rob a bit of a lesson on why he might want to perhaps listen to a few love songs. I just love how natural she seemed in the role but, then again, love is close to her heart within her own real life.

In the end – it is winning of hearts!

 

 

 

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning Part One

 

           

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Christopher McQuarrie and Paramount Pictures is the return of action, the IMF team and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning Part One.

The Sevastopol submarine takes its voyage and on board is a new capability that would allow it to have stealth capabilities. When an accident happens to the sub, governments go into high gear. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) receives a package and instructions (if he accepts) to find a key. Not given any information about it, he tracks down Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) in the Namib desert.

That leads Ethan to deal with Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) to learn of an artificial intelligence called the Entity. Now it is out of control finding its way into military systems and getting any information that it wants. All the countries with military powers race to try and save what they can knowing they can only get that control with the key which is in two parts.

Ethan recruits Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) back into the fold. Believing they know who has half of the key, the trickery begins at the Abu Dhabi Airport. What they don’t count on is two things, one – Jasper Briggs (Shea Whigham) who, along with Degas (Greg Davis), is determined to capture Hunt. The second is slick pick pocket Grace (Hayley Atwell) who is just as quick at Hunt and grabs the key.

Hunt is on the road again to the streets of Rome and after trying to retrieve the key from Grace, he must also deal with Alanna Mitsopolis (Vanessa Kirby) as she knows the all the information about the key and the deadly Paris (Pom Klementieff). There is a third party to the chase along with Alanna that Hunt remembers well, Gabriel (Esai Morales) sees himself as the dark angel and a mission far darker than Hunt can imagine.

Now on a train, everyone has gathered to get the key and kill anyone who tries to stop them. Hunt and Grace work together to bring down those who would put the two pieces together bringing more power to the Entity.

The mission is far from over.

Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt and he makes it seamless. The last MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Fallout came into theatres in 2018 and five years later it feels as if no time has passed. As Hunt, Cruise gives us everything in the way of action, suspense, mystery, intrigue and more car chases than the law allows. If this is his last time in the role of Ethan Hunt, he certainly is making sure that we all enjoy the ride.

Atwell as Grace ran my nerves into the ground. Lucky I wasn’t Ethan Hunt because she wouldn’t have made it out of the airport. As good as Hunt is with his disguises is how good Grace is at pick pocketing. Given the choice of things, she joins in to retrieve the two pieces of the key and learns that being part of the IMF means living moment to moment. Atwell got her chance to be a part of the action and did it well.

Morales as Gabriel just gave me the skeevies and that is the point. You see Gabriel coming you might want to run the other way, but then again catching people seems to be a past time for him. There is a history between he and Hunt and it is about to get nasty. It is so good to see Morales in such a viciously delicious role. Czerny as Kittridge has always worked my last nerve and its good to see he doesn’t disappoint thing time either. Kittridge has his game to play and he doesn’t care who goes down to win.

Kirby as Mitsopolis is sly, dangerous and will play whatever side helps her win. The key holds power and she wants ever bit of it. Kirby is very cool and collected, even when things are a bit, shall we say, woozy. Klementieff as Paris is a psycho behind the wheel, she has a penchant for destruction and is extremely good at it. After playing the sweet and gentle role of Mantis, watching the chains come off as Paris is so much fun to watch.

Pegg as Dunn and Rhames as Stickell are the two men that Hunt can absolutely count on. This time around they seem a bit rusty but that doesn’t stop them from doing everything possible to find the keys. They totally understand what is at stake but, I have to admit, they do bring a bit of the comedy relief to the film. Nothing wrong with breaks in the tension and both of these actors did just that but hold on when they are serious!

Whigham as Briggs is determined to be the one to capture Ethan Hunt and will go anywhere and do anything to get him. Davis as Degas goes along but wonders if maybe they are chasing the wrong man. Ferguson as Faust makes a return and understands that the mission is more complex than they all realize.

Shout out to Elwes as Denlinger, his character is puffed up and thinks he is in control of things. Those are the guys I wouldn’t want to hang around with because the target is huge on their backs. He is always going to be one of my favorites on the screen.

Other cast include Frederick Schmidt as Zola, Charles Parnell as NRO, Mark Gatiss as NSA, Indira Varma as DIA, Rob Delaney as JSOC, and Mariela Garriga as Marie.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning Part One is going to be the hit of the summer. It seems Cruise is going for two for two as last summer the box office was filled with TOP GUN: Maverick. Being raised on the original television series of Mission Impossible, I’m think the films have done an excellent job of capturing the essence of that show. This time, it is an all-out feast of action for fans.

Every gadget imaginable, characters that are going to test every moment Hunt is on the mission. Thrills with cars, trains and everything in between are going to show how two hours and forty-three minutes can fly by! Cruise and the gang do not skimp on excitement to the point of feeling the tension from start to finish.

The story continues with Part Two and if Cruise is looking to take another summer on, then we are in for a summer treat in 2024. Get the gang together, get the biggest tub of popcorn you can because there isn’t a moment to be missed of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Dead Reckoning.

In the end – the mission is far from impossible!

INSIDIOUS: The Red Door

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from director Patrick Wilson and Sony Pictures is the return of the terror with INSIDIOUS: The Red Door.

It has been nine years since the Lambert’s household was dealing with the terror that struck their home and family. Neither Josh (Patrick Wilson) or his son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) remember what happened but that hasn’t stopped the trauma. Since then, Josh and Renai (Rose Byrne) are divorced and the death of his mother Lorraine has caused even more strain.

Josh’s relationship with Dalton just doesn’t seem to work but dad wants to take Dalton to college. Thinking it would be an opportunity for them to bond, father and son only end their trip with an argument. Dalton is an art major and in college he gets the chance to really create. He also meets a new friend, Chris (Sinclair Daniel) who is funny and has a way with people.

Once home, Josh decides to get help for what is happening to him, especially when a mysterious man seems to be haunting him. In the meantime, Dalton begins his art class and a dark and intense drawing starts to cause him to see things as well. Both father and son do not realize that they are experiencing the same thing.

Chris figures out what is happening to Dalton and shares her suspicions. She becomes involved more and more as her life is in danger as well. Once Renai explains to Josh what she knows about it all, it is time for Josh and Dalton to stop ‘the Further’ from becoming part of their lives again.

They must find a way to close the red door!

Wilson as Josh can not seem to figure out what is happening to him. The losses in his life have become part of the problem yet there is something nagging at him. There is something deep pushing him and it is running his life. So much so that he has little to do with a family he once held so dear. Wilson hasn’t skipped a beat portraying Josh and taking on the director’s role, he knows how the story needs to come together and it works really, really well.

Simpkins is back as the college bound Josh who, if he only really talked to his dad, would see that both are experiencing the same thing. When he realizes his art is telling him what is about to happen, it is also telling him about a past he has forgotten and a way to stop more pain from his family. It is great to see Simpkins come back so many years later to take the role once again and see where it could go.

Daniel as Chris begins to see what her new friend is going through and wants to help. It is her curiosity that leads to a YouTube video explaining what Dalton is experiencing. Chris has a way about her and Daniel makes it look smooth as silk, even when she is caught in it herself.

Byrne is back as Renai and she has her own story to tell. Hoping that the lid was put on the events nine years ago, there comes a point when the lid has to come off if she is to save both the man she truly cares about and her son. Byrne’s role is not a large but it is important to the story.

Other cast include Hiam Abbass as Profressor Armagan, Andrew Astor as Foster Lambert, Juliana Davies as Kali, Steve Coulter as Carl, Peter Dager as Nick, Justin Sturgis as Alec, Leigh Whannell as Specs, Angus Sampson as Tucker, Lin Shaye as Elise Rainier and Joseph Bishara as the Lipstick-Face Demon.

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.

INSIDIOUS: The Red Door takes one more look at what could happen when you keep secrets in the family. Wilson knew exactly what he was signing up for when deciding to direct as well as reprise his role as Josh. The equal amount of time to both Josh and Dalton’s journey is done very well.

I will admit that I jumped at least twice and hollered at least three times and that’s how I know this film is good. It is not filled with gore and such but instead it reaches into the part of us that loves tension and can’t wait to be scared. I spent more time with popcorn on the outer reaches of my mouth than actually made it in and when leaving the theatre, apologized to the attendants for the circle of popcorn that made it to the floor when I jumped!

If you are looking to revisit the Lambert family, see where they are now and how it will all turn out, then grab a bunch of scary film fans and make it a night to remember.

In the end – face your demons!