THE GOOD MOTHER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Vertical is the story of a family struggling and one woman trying to be THE GOOD MOTHER.

Marissa Bennings (Hilary Swank) works for the local paper but wants more. The problem is she is not treating herself well and it shows. During a morning meeting, son Toby (Jack Reynor), a police officer, tells Marissa that older son Michael (Madison Harrison) has been killed. At the funeral, Marissa recognizes the young Paige (Olivia Cooke) tells the grieving mother she is pregnant.

Trying to reconcile anger and grief, Marissa tries to be at least mildly pleasant with the young girl. They both want to find out what happened to Michael and begin sleuthing. It was clear that it has something to do with drugs as Marissa confronts Paige again about their problems in the past. Toby does his own police work promising the two women he will find the killer.

Paige and Marissa find a witness who says he saw something and that leads both women further down the dangerous rabbit hole. When tragedy strikes again, Marissa decides she is going to follow the breadcrumbs and what she discovers will change her life once again, forever.

Swank as Marissa is an angry, unsure, self-destructive yet extremely intelligent woman who needs to get it together. It doesn’t help that she has problems with a son and the death of loved one has kept her from being a part of life rather than destroying what little joy she could have. Swank goes all in and it is a rough role that, with her credentials, she makes look easy. The character of Marissa slowly realizes that the only way to put all the pain and harsh reality of her life in perspective is by writing about it, the one thing she is good at.

Reynor as Toby is a son who looks after his mother and all her problems. Being a police officer, he takes his duties seriously, almost as much as he does wanting to start his own family. Breaking the news to Marissa is difficult and helping her follow the trail brings about even more stress. Reynor is what would be termed ‘the good son’ out of two but Marissa isn’t any softer with him. He sees her destruction and just makes sure the explosions don’t leave too big a mess.

Cooke as Paige is a young woman devastated by the loss of her love. She tries to explain things to Marissa but doesn’t even know herself what happened. There are only bits and pieces but she knows enough to realize that someone is after her and the only place she can find protection is with Marissa. They come to a basic understanding as they both search for clues as to what happened to Michael. Cooke gives us the same brashness as Swank and the same stubbornness as well.

Other cast include Hopper Penn, Norm Lewis, Karen Aldridge, Dilone, Robert Loftus, Mikayla Schaefer, Laurent Rejto, and Cliff Ware.

Vertical Entertainment is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. They have won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in OTHER PEOPLE and the film won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Limited Release, Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW, a BAFTA and three Independent British Independent Film Awards as well.

THE GOOD MOTHER takes a look at the struggles that people face when everything seems totally out of control. The character of Marissa feels things are ebbing uncontrollably away from her and the final straw is the death of her youngest son. The shut down mode prior to that was nothing compared to what she is more than capable of now.

She meets her match with Cooke’s character of Paige. That is because these two women are cut from the same cloth in that they have had their struggles, have hardened a lot, and will stop at nothing to find the answers to the death of Michael. At times they seem to work together and at times they seem still at odds with one another. The go-between of Toby promises to find his brothers’ killer but the twists are turns might be just a little much.

Keeping the film very focused on the mystery is absolutely meshed with twists, turns, misdirection and shocks. That is the beauty in films like THE GOOD MOTHER in that car chases, explosions, etc. etc., aren’t necessary to bring a mystery full circle. I enjoy getting a chance to find the clues for myself. The only slight downside is a bit of chop in the story here and there, but it’s not enough to turn me away at all.

In the end – life and death become a blurred line!

The Ocean Holds her ORCA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Sahar Mosayebi and Blue Fox Entertainment comes the story of a woman living in a country that doesn’t see her with ORCA.

Elham (Taraneh Alidoosti) is a woman who has suffered terribly at the hands of her husband and has been beaten almost to death. While recovering, she only finds solace and peace swimming in the ocean. At home things are strained with her parents as Elham believes they don’t understand what she has been through.

The government agent in charge of the right and wrongs of the country regarding sports, Nazar Abadi (Mahtab Keramati) makes it clear that Elham will never be allowed to break any water records. She also takes every opportunity to find a reason to deny any requests she puts up for approval with the line of ‘in an Islamic country, women don’t swim’.

Trying to find a place that allows her to train for any endurance swim she can be approved for, Elham finds a quiet beach community and friendship with a woman who runs the hotel. She is the one who tells Elham that the Orca is her spirit animal.

That, is what will bring Elham into focus and strengthen her determination to do what they say can not be done.

Alidoosti as Elham gives such a stunning performance. From the beginning of the film, we see a woman who has been beaten down all in the name of love. Finding her place, it is certainly not on land. Alidoosti brings us to a time where even women are not about to help other women but instead keep them hidden from head to toe. Inside those wraps are women who are trying to find themselves.

Her performance enlightens us to a time and place to show the importance of women who can ask to work together but sometimes must take their own path against those who refuse to change. Along the way, people can see from Elham’s journey what is possible if you remind yourself of the humanity that is just a heartbeat away.

Cast also includes Armik Gharabian as Elham’s mother, Arash Aghabeik as Elham’s father,

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

The film is inspired by Iran’s “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest movement and based on a true story of the Iranian swimmer Elham-Sada Asghari who earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

ORCA is beautiful in the relationship that Elham has with water and it is relatable to those of us who feel the very same way. Finding liquid peace and comfort where she is told, and even severely hurt by men who refuse to let go of archaic ways, watching her glide through the water was stunning.

Director Mosayebi takes the time to let us all understand the trauma in the life of Elham from the beginning that could have easily kept her down. Instead, we see her take two steps forward and one steps back but the thing is, Elham is always moving forward. She states her case repeatedly and even with the one woman who should be on her side refusing (I’m assuming because she liked the power), Elham still pushed forward.

Having the love and support of her parents and new friends, the story of Elham’s journey to become recognized for her accomplishments cannot be stopped. See for yourself the trials and tribulations of a woman who saw her strength in an ORCA.

In the end – swim to what is possible!

 

 

 

Be Prepare for THE BOOGEYMAN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and currently on Digital from director Rob Savage and 20th Century Studios based on a short story by the master of horror Stephen King is THE BOOGEYMAN.

The Harper family is dealing with sadness as teen Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) returns to school for the first time. Along with younger sister Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair), the family is trying to find the new normal. Dad Will (Chris Messina) is a therapist who sees patients in his office located in the family home but has trouble talking to his own children.

Unexpectedly, Will comes face to face with Lester Billings (David Dastmalchian) who begs the doctor for help needing someone to talk to. He also has experienced devastation in his family and thought Will could relate. Will begins to suspect that Lester has deeper issues than he can handle. When chaos breaks out in the Harper home once again, it starts a chain reaction of fright.

It is Sawyer who first begins to understand that something is in their house and that something has the ability to speak. Trying to convince Sadie and dad Will, they just don’t see what the little girl does. After a gathering of friends at the Harper home, Sadie does not need any more convincing that what Sawyer has experienced is absolutely true.

Now Sadie must do whatever she can do protect her little sister while trying to make Will understand that what is in their home is powerful and deadly.

Thatcher as Sadie is a young teen dealing with sadness and grief and can’t find it within her home or with her friends. Feeling uber protective over sister Sawyer, she listens to the young girl’s tale but it takes her own moment of fright to believe. Thatcher gives a strong performance of a young girl determined to fight for family, home and whatever it takes to survive.

Messina as dad Will is doing what father’s do when dealing with fear and grief, act a bit as if it all can be explained as a therapist would. It doesn’t work! His daughters are both trying to tell him that something is in their home and he doesn’t listen – until he does. Messina gives us the broken family man who is busy being afraid of that to see the real fear.

Blair as Sawyer is so darn relatable for every child around the age of her character. Night lights on, monster check of the closet, check under the bed and anyplace else a monster could hide. Sawyer is charming, and watching what she goes through is a bit horrifying and this little actress gives it everything and make it believable.

Shout out to Dastmalchian as Lester because that man has the ability to bring you into a strange and frightening world of all kinds. This isn’t the first time he’s freaked me out and if he looks a tad familiar, he portrayed Albert DeSalvo in the 2023 BOSTON STRANGLER, Bob Taylor in the 2013 film PRISONER and 2008 THE DARK KNIGHT.

Also, shout out Marin Ireland as Rita Billings. She has an integral part to play in the backstory and the struggle is real, well done.

Other cast include Madison Hu as Bethany, Maddie Nichols as Natalie, Leeann Ross as Cassidy, Rio Machadio as Anne, Shauna Rappold as Cara Harper, Cristala Carter as Detective Garland, LisaGay Hamilton as Dr. Weller.

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.20thcenturystudios.com.

Bonus Features include Into the Darkness Featurette – Open the door into the dark world of THE BOOGEYMAN as the cast and crew share how the terrifying tale, based on Stephen King’s classic short, was crafted and Outtakes – It’s not all just jump scares and bumps into the night. Join the cast for some lighthearted full in the outtakes.

THE BOOGEYMAN is pure Stephen King and I don’t think fans will be disappointed. What I love about King stories is that it isn’t so much about the blood and gore as it is the suspense and anticipation of being scared out of our minds that is awesome. Be honest, we love being thrilled to the point of holding popcorn in our hands and just as we go to eat it – dead stop! I saw that at the screening.

There were jumps, several deep inhales followed by the infamous ‘wft’ moments. The film delves into things that have always frightened children but this time, adults are being brought back to their childhood only to discover that those fears never truly went away. Its honest time, who still walks a little faster when shutting off a bedroom light to jump under the covers, yea, thought so.

Did I jump? Absolutely, and I feel no shame in admitting it. My heart thump a few times, absofrakkenlootely! Once again, director Savage has taken moments all over the film to make sure we remember exactly who it is in the dark and the helplessness we can feel when the light is hard to keep on. I’m leaving out details of course because I want everyone to experience it without spoilers.

THE BOOGEYMAN comes in at an hour and thirty-eight minutes which is more than needed to bring this story full circle. It is dark, intense, thrilling, and brings a twisted face to the one thing we all were afraid of at one time in our lives. This movie doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it makes damn sure we hear the creaking when it rides down into our nightmares.

In the end – it’s not real, it’s not real, it’s not real!

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY Travels Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital this week from writer-director James Mangold, Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios comes the next adventure from the man we all know as INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY.

It is 1944 and Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and sidekick Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) are looking for the Lance of Longinus in the French Alps. Also looking for it is Jurgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) who tells his superiors the lance is fake. What he does find is a piece of Archimedes’ Dial which allows for time travel. As the Nazi’s try to stop him, Indy does things Indy’s way and escapes with Basil and the piece of the dial.

Years have passed and now Indy is retiring from Hunter College and Marion has left because Indy can not get over the death of their son in the war. Jumping back into his life is Shaw’s daughter and Indy’s god-daughter, Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and she is looking for the Dial as Indy tells her that although her father wanted it gone, he just put it away and didn’t tell anyone.

Once again, she isn’t the only person looking for the Dial, Voller is back and he has brought the CIA with him. Now posing as Dr. Schmidt to his who he really is, he tells Indy that Helena is responsible for putting antiquities on the black market. Leaving a trail of bodies, Indy is blamed for everything and friend Sallah (John Rhys-Davis) comes to the rescue.

Sallah tells Indy to head to Tangier where once again he must deal with Helena, Voller and meets the young Teddy (Ethann Isidore). When things turn chaotic, Indy and the gang make their way to Greece where Renaldo (Antonio Banderas) helps them dive to retrieve a tablet that could lead them to the Dial’s other half.

With Voller hot on their tale and another escape, Indy, Helena and Teddy look for Archimede’s tomb but something mysterious is amiss. Before they can figure out the mystery, Voller captures Indy and tells of his plan to time travel back to 1939 and why. What truly happens is more than Voller could have imagined and Indy makes the ultimate decision.

Ford as Indy is everything one would expect from our hero that has been in theatres since 1981. The brown fedora and leather jacket wearing, whip carrying, wise-cracking Indy doesn’t show signs that he has changed. Yes, he is older but still adventurous, curious and not about to let Voller be the next guy taking his finds. I enjoyed him as I always have as Indy, especially with the eels.

Waller-Bridge as Helena is not a character I enjoyed, to be honest. She is sneaky, and uses the good memories that Indy has of his god-daughter to get what she wants. Chasing down the Dial, Helena just puts the man she says she cares about in more and more mortal danger and, as an Indy fan, I didn’t appreciate. Helena does make changes in the end as all unruly characters in Indy’s life do.

Mikkelsen as Voller is a man who knows what he wants to do and he’s not about to let anyone get in his way. Fast with a pistol, he manages to show up like a ninja where ever Indy is. His desire to change history is calmly motivating and he never lets his emotions get in the way, well, except for one moment. Once again, I just find Mikkelsen awesome in this role but then again, I love pretty much everything he does.

Isidore as Teddy is the new Short-Round and just as smart. He works with Helena with his sticky fingers but also has the fascination with what Indy is trying to do. I enjoyed his performance and see how this young actor will go far.

Other cast include Shaunette Wilson as Mason, Thomas Kretschmann as Col. Weber, Boyd Holbrook as Klaber, Olivier Richters as Hauke, Martin McDougall as Durkin, Alaa Safi as Rahim, Chase Brown as Larry, Nasser Memarzia as Archimedes and Karen Allen as Marion.

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!

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

Bonus Features include The Making of INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY Chapter 1- Prologue – Harrison Ford Leaps back into action as Indiana Jones! Journey to 1944 as this featurette reveals the filmmakers, characters, stunts, locations, and incredible visual effects that make up the thrilling opening of Dial of Destiny. Chapter 2 – New York – Blast off to adventure as James Mangold showcases the re-creation of 1969 Manhattan for the Moon Parade chase. This featurette spotlights Helena as John Williams conducts his beautiful new theme for this compelling character.

Chapter 3 – Morocco – The man in the hat is back! Explore Morocco as this featurette breaks down the white-knuckle stunts of the medina tuk-tuk chase and hotel brawl. Meet Teddy, Indy’s precocious new ally in the hunt for the dial! Chapter 4 – Sicily – Meet Renaldo as he guides our heroes on a perilous underwater treasure hunt! Catch up with Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge on location in Sicily and explore the caverns, traps, and bugs surrounding Archimedes’ tomb!

Finally, Chapter 5 – Finale – This featurette breaks down the thrilling climax to the Indiana Jones series. Cast and filmmakers James Mangold, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg, and Harrison Ford bid farewell to one of the greatest heroes of all time.

It is the end of the franchise (I hope because anyone replacing Indy just isn’t possible) and he goes out with some happiness in his life. The adventure is everything we have come to expect from Indiana Jones complete with chases, complex characters, mysteries to unravel and all done in the outfit that is all Indiana Jones.

It is time to say goodbye in style and add INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY to your home entertainment library. What an amazing way to revisit the adventure again and again!

In the end – history’s greatest hero returns!

 

 

 

 

 

She is MATILDA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital and available in Steelbook from director Danny DeVito and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the 1996 magical story of MATILDA.

Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is a six-year-old who lives in a home being basically neglected by used car salesman dad Harry (Danny DeVito) and mother Zinnia (Rhea Perlman), as well as older brother Michael (Brian Levinson). Matilda finds comfort in book which drives her parents to distraction and brings things to a boil with Harry.

When he sells a car to the principal of Crunchem Hall Elementary, the deal is made to put Matilda in school. Thrilled to be going, it isn’t until she hears the other kids talk about Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) that Matilda sees she is even more tyrannical. Her abuse includes locking kids in ‘the chokey’ and physically abusing the kids.

One teacher that Matilda enjoys is the very lovely Miss Jennifer Honey (Embeth Davidtz) who realizes what Matilda is capable of. She tries to tell the girls parents about her potential but they ignore it. Matilda decides it is time for Trunchbull to get a bit of her own when a punishment doesn’t go the way the adult bully intended.

When Trunchbull realizes that Harry sold her a lemon, she locks Matilda in the chokey for her father’s crime. The girl also knows her father is being watched by the FBI. The principal and Matilda are not giving up and it takes a newt to get her home. Miss Honey sees what Matilda is going through and is kind to her as they have a tea together and she shares with Matilda her life story.

Matilda begins to understand the connection between Miss Honey and Trunchbull and wants to help. That’s when they decide to go retrieve things that belong to Miss Honey. Matilda also explains the strange powers that she has allowing her to make things happen. But now, Trunchbull is on a mission to wreak havoc and cause as much destruction as possible and Matilda is in her line of sight.

Wilson as Matilda was, and is still, the most perfect casting for the role. Wilson is endearing, charming, cute and underneath all the ruffles is a girl who knows exactly what life is about. She is dealing with parents that can not be trusted and a school that can not be trusted, who she does trust is the lovely Miss Honey. The magical part of Matilda is always for the benefit of others and that makes her an even lovelier kid who deserves the best, that’s what Wilson gives us.

Davidtz as Miss Honey totally gets Matilda because she also came from a place of people abusing her delicate trust. Finding a kindred spirit in Matilda, she gets the chance to set things right in her own life and perhaps even find happiness being a part of the young girl’s life. My granddaughter loves Miss Honey and even though she isn’t magical, it doesn’t change how much she adores this character.

DeVito as Harry is just a slick and totally unlikeable human being who sees nothing wrong with being mean to his own child. The problem is, he unlikability sometimes causes giggles! That’s DeVito for you and a remarkable performance. Perlman as wife Zinnia is verbally abusing to Matilda having no problem referring to her as ‘weird’ but never stopping her nail filing for a second. These two are amazing together as actors.

Let’s talk about Ferris as Trunchbull! What a performance and one that has us consistently cheering for Matilda. The abusiveness of this principal is very disturbing so when Matilda discovers ways of turning the table, we are all about it. Ferris is stunning and an iconic character that even today, everyone knows the name Trunchbull.

Other cast include Paul Rubens and Tracey Walter as Bob and Bill, Kiami Davael as Lavender, Jimmy Karz as Bruce Bogtrotter, Kira Hesser as Hortensia, Jacqueline Steiger as Amanda Thripp, Jean Howard as Mrs. Phelps, Marion Dugan as Cookie and Jon Lovitz as Mickey.

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 include on 4K HD Commentary with Director Danny DeVito and Theatrical Trailer. On Bluray Disc the Features include Afternoon Tea” A Very Magical MATILDA Reunion, MATILDA’s Movie Magic, A Children’s Guide to Good Manners, Escape to the Library and My Movie About Making MATILDA by Mara Wilson.

MATILDA is based on a novel of the same name by the beloved children’s writer Roald Dahl. It was written into a screenplay by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord. Directed by Danny DeVito, he has double duty as he also narrates the story.

This film is so iconic that I was thrilled to have the opportunity to share it with my grandkids. I remember when it came out in the theatres in 1996, my kids wanted to see it again. Once it came out at Blockbuster (google it kids), we rented and re-rented it so many times we could have owned it. Eventually we did and that poor VHS (google it again kids) just became stretched out just as the kids became young adults.

Seeing it again, those same young adults are now sharing it with their children and still laughing at all the same things they once did. That’s what makes MATILDA so iconic, the memories it brings up today now in a format that we don’t have to worry about stretching out. We get to visit again and again the lovely girl with a magic that is not only special but a magic in her personality.

Get the family together and make it an outdoor movie night with the one and only MATILDA.

In the end – see the world from a kid’s eye magical view!

 

 

 

 

APORIA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray 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.

Bonus Features include Behind the Scenes and Trailer.

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 cleanup that can be a hot mess. This film is proof that perhaps it’s better not to make the mess in the first place.

In the end – reality is a continuum!

He is Dealing with RETRIBUTION

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Nimrod Antal, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate comes one man’s fight for his family when facing RETRIBUTION.

Matt Turner (Liam Neeson) is a busy business man who has been spending more time on his phone than with his family. One morning, wife Heather (Embeth Davidtz) insists that Matt take kids Emily (Lilly Aspell) and Zach (Will Champion) to school. It is chaos to get in the car, especially when son Zach is having parental issues.

Once on the move, Matt tries to calm down a jittery client who wants to back out of a deal and let’s partner Anders (Matthew Modine) know all is well. In the meantime, a cell phone is going off in the car and no one seems to know whose it is. That’s when Matt discovers there is a bomb in his car and he is not allowed to get out without it exploding.

Being led around the city by a voice he doesn’t recognize, the kids are getting nervous about what is happening. Trying to get answers, two things are clear – the caller wants a lot of money and is not going to let Matt or the kids out of the car until he gets what he wants. In the meantime, the police are now on the alert but they don’t have the whole story.

Then again, neither does Matt.

Neeson as Matt is back to doing what he does best, one a mission to protect the ones he cares about. This time he is doing it from behind the wheel trying to solve who is responsible and why he and his family are chosen to be put in danger. Trying to explain himself seems to fall on deaf ears so Neeson takes care of it all by himself.

Aspell as Emily in sitting in the backseat learning what is happening and trying to remain calm. That’s pretty stellar for a young actress in the middle of chaos and explosions. Champion as Zach played his part but, once again, a smart mouthed teenager and that I can’t get behind. I get that his character is feeling misunderstood but I’d rather throw Zach out of the moving car and take my chances than listen to his garbage.

Modine as Anders is in business with Matt and they are working hard to make is a success. He also becomes caught up in whatever the mysterious caller is up too. Nice to see Mariner Modine on screen again even if in brief moments.

Other cast include Arian Moayed as Sylvain, Emily Kusche as Mila, Luca Markus as Kat, Bernahrd Pieck as Captain Dregger, Pils Groger as Luc Etienne and Noma Dumezweni as Angela Brickman.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

RETRIBUTION is an action ride of mystery until the very end. Neeson takes us on the slow ride through each stop bringing the clues closer and closer as the character of Matt is puzzled about why its all happening. With his kids in the car, it brings another level of intensity because, lets be honest, when it comes to our kids, we probably would make the same choices as Matt Turner.

Even though the situation is based on being in a car and only a cell phone call for dialogue, it is the tension and watching the character Matt Turner try to get one step ahead. It’s hard to think what to do next when stuff if exploding all around and the cops are chasing.

Those who are thrilled with Neeson films are not going to be disappointed. He has made himself into a late career action hero and most of us are on board with it. Director Antal has clearly made himself seen and heard in Hollywood being a part of one of my favorites from Apple TV+ series Servant and two episodes from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. He has also been a part of the films VACANCY, ARMORED and PREDATORS.

So, stay in your seat at all times because standing up could get you killed.

In the end – just don’t stop!

Laughs are Plenty in NO HARD FEELINGS on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director writer/director Gene Stupnitsky and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to start the summer season is the comedy NO HARD FEELINGS.

Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) lives in the family home in the beach community of Montauk. Inherited from her mother, she also inherited the property taxes that go along with it. Working as a bartender and Uber driving, Maddie is keeping her head just above the water line. That is until her car is repossessed and now, she is getting around via another set of wheels.

Hanging out with friends Sarah (Natalie Morales) and Jim (Scott MacArthur), they find a Craigs List posting from parents Allison (Laura Benanti) and Laird Becker (Matthew Broderick) offering up a car if someone can bring their college bound son Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) out of his shell.

Meeting the parents, everyone is clear on what is expected of Maddie and she embraces the challenge. Dressing up for her new part, Maddie goes to visit Percy at the local animal shelter and she pours it on. Percy does not seem moved by all the candy she is throwing his way and Maddie’s ups her game.

Seeing each other again and again, Maddie and Percy begin to learn about each other but it doesn’t mean that Maddie has given up on getting the car. That being said, she does start to really see Percy and what an amazing young man he is. The problem is the one big secret she is keeping is the one big secret that could hurt them both in ways she couldn’t imagine.

Lawrence as Maddie brings the comic relief in jaw dropping and hysterical ways. She is the life of the film bringing slapstick and one-liners faster than a tourist eating a lobster roll. Maddie clearly hates the invasion of the rich into Montauk so agreeing to crack the shell of one for a car doesn’t seem like a stretch. Lawrence clearly took a role that tested her comedy chops and she made it look easy.

Feldman as Percy is a young man who is either in his room or at the local animal shelter volunteering. His parents are worried because he just doesn’t seem to be enjoying life. Feldman gives his character so much range between quiet to entertaining with everything in between but deep within his portrayal is a young man with his own story to tell.

Benanti as Allison is, I think, the reason that Percy is as Percy is. She has all the signs of a mother who says she wants her son to come out of his shell but does nothing to have made that happen. Broderick as Laird is the dad who really wants her son to experience the same fun he had growing up, maybe a little too much fun. It’s like Ferris Bueller grew up and can’t believe his son has no Bueller in him! Hilarious!

Morales and McArthur as friends Sarah and Jim try to keep Maddie out of trouble and made me laugh in the process of doing it. Morales gets a chance to show who is boss in the marriage and takes Maddie just as she is. McArthur is a husband who just needs to stay in the ocean (you’ll get it) but he is sweet in his own way.

Other cast include Kyle Mooney as Jody, Jordan Mendoza as Crispin, Hasan Minhaj as Doug Kahn, Amalia Yoo as Natalie, Alysia Powell as Fern, Quincy Dunn-Baker as Travis and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Gary.

Sony Pictures 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 http://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 include Outtakes & Bloopers, A Motely Crew: Meet the Characters and A Little Wrong: Making NO HARD FEELINGS. 

NO HARD FEELINGS breaks the ridiculously sad film cycle as of late. It brings laughs, jaw drops, hilarity and just a good time to theatre seats. That translates to starting and finishing off the summer season the best way possible. This is the film that brings groups together to experience it together and laugh all the way out the theatre door.

Lawrence brings her own brand to the film and there is a particular scene where I’m not sure if she’s an MMA fighter or a clothing aficionado but I do know I couldn’t stop laughing and neither could the audience. In the midst of it all, Lawrence gives her character a bit of heart and warmth which just adds to the likeability of her character. Feldman is trying to see the world through Maddie’s eyes and let me just say his interpretation almost caused me to shoot soda out my nose!

The premise is not all that new but then again there is no need to reinvent the rom-com wheel. Instead, this is just a fun time with a film that doesn’t need to be dissected nor explained to the point of conspiracy theories. The only action and big explosions are the hilarious ones brought on by Lawrence and Feldman.

It is popcorn, friends, humor, fun and reminiscent of a time when films were meant to be filled with all of that. Now it can be enjoyed at home again and again. 

In the end – pretty and awkward!

Disney’s Tim Burton’s THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Beyond Halloween Town – The Story, the Characters and the Legacy

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from Emily Zemler and Epic Ink is a book that THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS fans will want to have. I personally was excited about what I would find in the book and let me tell you, there is so much.

Turning the first few pages, the Foreword is written by the Tim Burton called The Strange Tale of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. It is Burton’s opportunity to write about his influences and I can relate since the ones he mentioned are some of my favorites as well, from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Burton on his own is responsible for some of the most amazing favorites as well with BEETLEJUICE and BATMAN, along with FRANKENWEENIE.

Following the Burton’s foreword is the INTRODUCTION: The Little Movie That Could, Zemler has the opportunity to express what drew her to Burton’s poem come to screen. From its humble beginnings in theatres in 1993, to musician Danny Elfman writing the score to Caroline Thompson as the screenwriter, each step bringing it to the screen is filled with songs and characters that are created bringing us the memories we have today.

Chapter One: Welcome to Halloween Town: Origins and Inspirations has the opportunity to share how Burton’s poem would bring the name of Jack Skellington to life. Intended to be a children’s book, it, like the film had a hard time finding a home. Know that his story, as well as Jack Skellington himself, had to be a stop-motion project, Burton also knew this was going to be a long project. Each step was painstakingly cared for and cultivated to bring it all to life.

Knowing there is more to the poem means that a story becomes a process as well. Elfman’s partner Caroline Thompson, the screenwriter for the film EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, comes on board and after visiting the studio where Skellington’s world was being created, she knew what needed to be done. Also, the characters voices were being matched up with the likes of Chris Sarandon as Jack, Catherine O’Hara as Sally start the line up.

Chapter Two: Welcome Back: Continuing the Celebration tells of when THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is finally released onto the big screen. At the El Capitan theatres in Los Angeles, the film premiered on October 1993. Although it made a modest amount in theatres, it would not be until years after that a fan base would grow steadily.

Burton also continued with stop-motion films with 2005’s CORPSE BRIDE and 2012’s FRANKENWEENIE. In the meantime, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is giving fans a reason to celebrate all year round. Since the film deals with holidays, who says we can’t let Jack Skellington and the gang help us celebrate each and every day? Theme parks join in the wonderment of Tim Burton’s vision as Disney embraces Halloweentown.

Chapter Three: A Classic Tune – Music and Songs as they are the very heart beat of the film. Tim Burton believed that only Danny Elfman could make that part of the film come to life. There are so many memorable songs (that my family and I sing, yes, all year long when the mood takes us) such as “What’s This?” as Jack Skellington discovers what Christmas really looks like, the melancholy “Sally’s Song”, to the upbeat and snappy “Oogie Boogie’s Song”, these are all wonderful tunes that can all be wrapped up in the opening song of “This is Halloween” with a big black and white bow.

Chapter Four: What’s This? – Merchandise, Games and Oddities brings about the wonderful collections that can be found in THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS lovers’ home, well, mine is on my desk. From Halloween décor to just the average everyday items such as purses, jewelry, dolls, candles, board games, shirts, tea sets, socks and light up toys are up for grabs.

Costumes are difficult to come by if you don’t shop early and I know this for a fact! A few Halloweens ago, the whole family chose a character and brought Halloween town to my daughter’s work. Open to the public, there were squeals of delight from children to adults to see Jack and Sally in the flesh, everything from Zero to the Christmas wreath on the fireplace brought family fun. This is just in our small town!

Chapter Five: Keeping the Magic Alive – Fandom, Cosplay, and Weddings as the latter should come as no surprise to anyone, especially fans. Covering San Diego Comic Con International all these years, it is always a thrill to see Jack, Sally, Oogie Boogie and even Zero show up for cosplay. Supporting their best looks, the fans let everyone know that the love of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is only getting a larger fan base year after year. Weddings are always in fashion and jewelers discovered that saying “I Do” can also mean a ring with the Jack and Sally feel because, till death do us part.

Chapter Six: An Ongoing Legacy reminds us all of the thirty years that THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS has been with us and it shows no signs of stopping. There is something special, dare I say magical, about the film that keeps us coming back for more. I have seen the film a number of times (oh let me just say it, we’ve reached triple digits here) and I love it every time.

It is a tale of curiosity, discovery, loneliness, being different, feeling different, loyalty, adventure, finding out who your friends are and knowing they see you as an important part of their lives! I adore Jack and even when he gets a little scary looking, I’ve always believed that it is not truly what is in his heart. I adore Sally because she only wants to be part of Jack’s life but doesn’t see how wonderful she truly is inside and out. That is just the beginning about how I feel for these characters.

Emily is a writer and journalist based in London. She is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, among other prestigious outlets. Emily is the co-author of A Sick Life with TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and the author of The Art and Making of Aladdin and Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara.

Tim Burton has made a name for himself in creating iconic and memorable characters. His live-action and animated films have earned Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTA’s and many other industry accolades, cementing his status as one of the greatest filmmakers of our time.

My family and I had the chance to briefly meet Mr. Burton in the most unexpected manner. It was a few years ago at Comic Con in San Diego, we had stopped at a local pizzeria to have dinner and sitting at the table next to us was the man himself. He was alone and obviously we were not going to interrupt his meal but before we left and he was clearly finished, we went all fan on him and expressed our joy at his work and what it has meant to us. He was gracious and that is all we could have hoped for.

Following his work from the first with EDWARD SCISSORHANDS then onto BEETLEJUICE (Are you kidding me? Michael Keaton is the man!), ED WOOD, MARS ATTACKS! (Yes, we make that irritating squawking noise still to this day), and on and on it goes. Now, Burton has a third-generation fan as my 8-year-old granddaughter Jaycie is a WENESDAY fan. She wanted to be Wednesday Addams for her birthday, dress and all, and had Thing on the top of a birthday cake. It was pretty cool, but then again so is she.

So, imagine her delight as I sat with her going page by page of this well thought out, colorful and brilliantly laid out book. She was in awe of the photographs, drawings and started reading all about how Jack and Sally came to be. Of course, this means I won’t be getting the book back for a while but that’s the thing about being a fan, sharing means more fans and I’m all about that.

Zemler has created something marvelous here with a stunning cover and, once I get it back, I will be reading it again and again. As October slowly approaches, we will once again see THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS come to screen, theme parks, and costume shops. Each and every person mentioned in Zemler’s book should be proud because what they accomplished is magical and making it to thirty years strong is pure gold.

Celebrating thirty years, you can find DISNEY TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Beyond Halloween Town, The Story, The Characters, and the Legacy everywhere books are sold on August 22, 2023.

 

She is the Iconic GOLDA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Guy Nattiv, writer Nicholas Martin, ShivHans Pictures and Bleecker Street comes the story of strength, courage and moments of pain when you are GOLDA.

Golda Meir (Helen Mirren) is the Prime Minister of Israel in the 1970’s and the country is still vying for recognition. It is when she is informed that the enemies in Egypt and Syria are coming that she leans on her military for guidance and planning. Israeli Defense Force leader Dado Elazar (Lior Ashkenazi) and the head of Mossad Moshe Dayan (Rami Heuberger) give Golda their plans. So begins the Yom Kippur War.

Watching over Golda is Lou Kaddar (Camille Cottin) who sees to her personal and medical needs knowing the struggle she is going through. Another ally is Henry Kissinger (Liev Schrieber) who wants to help Golda but also has an obligation to the United States, especially as Nixon is on the ropes for Watergate.

Golda struggles with the staggering human life consequences and keeps notes of the toll is it taking on the country. Even her trusted military staff have their moments of struggle with the anxiety of what Egypt is capable of.

Although grandmotherly in her concern for staff who have sons, brother, husbands and other family members fighting, Golda cannot let herself steer from the larger picture. She makes decisions for all of Israel and some of them are extremely painful. Being a leader comes with heavy baggage as she also fights her own personal battle.

Yet, she stands, each and every day, with what must be done to make it clear that Israel will not fall, never.

Mirren as Golda has certainly played her fair share of historical figures from Queen Elizabeth in both THE QUEEN and THE AUDIENCE, to Catherine the Great in the film by the same name. I have been in awe of Mirren since I first saw her in 1981 as Morgana in EXCALIBUR. She has been in several of my favorite films such as 2014’s THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY and THE 2015 WOMAN IN GOLD. Her body of work has such range and always unexpected and as Golda, she has once again proven (as if she needs to) that she can do any role.

Cottin as Kaddar plays such an unsung heroine role as the woman who understands Golda and stays with her every grueling step. She understands the amazing importance of Golda being the Prime Minister but, more importantly, what she can accomplish. Ashkenazi and Heuberger also understand that her presence for the people of Israel is crucial and their roles are equally as important in telling this story.

Schreiber as Kissinger gives us a man who wants to do more for Israel and realizes the importance of doing so. The problem is he is also Secretary of State for the United States and that country is dealing with President Nixon and Watergate. Even having a bowl of borscht, Schreiber’s Kissinger knows Golda is going to do what Golda is going to do.

Other cast include Ohad Knoller as Ariel Sharon, Dominic Mafham as Haim Bar-Lev, Ellie Piercy as Shir Shapiro, Ed Stoppard as Benny Peled, Rotem Keinan as Zvi Zamir, Dvir Benedek as Eli Zeira, and Emma Davies as Miss Epstein.

Bleecker Street is a New York City film company that has brought outstanding films to the public. Their library includes TRUMBO, DENIAL, THE LOST CITY OF Z, BEIRUT, HOTEL MUMBAI, ORDINARY LOVE and THE ROADS NOT TAKEN. For more information on the titles from Bleeker Street please visit www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com.

GOLDA has its world premiere at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival.

The pain in many scenes is clear on Mirren’s character’s face and it comes straight through the screen. It was not necessary to show death because the sounds coming from the short-wave radio that Golda and military staff hear are heartbreaking. Continual decision-making military plans are done sitting in Golda’s home where cake and cigarettes are served in large supply and it adds to the authenticity of the story director Nattiv and writer Nicholas Martin are trying to convey.

It is easy to sell this off as a bio-pic, which it is, but GOLDA is so much more than that. It is a story of a woman in an impossible situation making life and death decisions while she, herself, is in a life and death situation. Puffing away on her cigarettes continually, I imagine it was the only way that Golda could maintain calm and thought.

Mirren gives Golda everything from the pinned up greyish hair to the iconic shoes and purse. Quite honestly, if you didn’t know it was Mirren then you wouldn’t know it was Mirren. The makeup is so well done and moves with ease as she speaks and the cankle legs are realistically familiar, just like grandmas.

The filming is beautifully done and being a period piece, it is filled with everything would expect of the time period. I remember being a kid in 1973 and the Yom Kippur War being mentioned on the nightly news. I even remember seeing the face of Golda Meir on the screen and thinking she looked like my great-grandmother Emma. The equipment is a reminder of the time as well as the telephone, typewriters, televisions etc. That adds such richness to the film and the story.

In the end – one woman stood between victory and defeat!

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA Joins the Collection of 4-Movies on DVD

 

Jeri Jacquin

From creator Todd Durham and Sony Pictures Animations comes the 4-Movie Collection beginning with the original HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA.

In 2012, the world was introduced to Count Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) and along with wife Martha, and their baby daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez). When sadness comes into their life, Dracula decides to open a monsters-only hotel. It is a hotel getaway for those who are looking for a break from human persecution and a safe place to raise Mavis.

On her 18th birthday, Dracula plans a party while Mavis plans to see the world but the world comes to her as Johnny (Andy Samberg) the hiker comes to the hotel. Trying to hide him is where the comedy of errors begins as Dracula must learn that Mavis is growing up. Watching this all come to pass is Frankenstein (Kevin James) and wife Eunice (Fran Drescher), Wayne (Steve Buscemi) and Wanda (Molly Shannon) Werewolf, Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade) and Murray the Mummy (CeeLo Green).

Returning in 2015, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 has Mavis and Johnny married and Dracula is about to become Grandpa Drac. Named Denisovich by Dracula, little Dennis grows up fast and grandpa is worried that he is not seeing any powers in the young boy. He also learns that Johnny and Marvis are thinking of moving to California. Dracula talks Johnny into visiting his parents and suggesting that he take care of Dennis.

While the parents are gone, Dracula tries to find ways with the help of the gang to push Dennis’ powers to the surface. The problem is, when the parents find a video posted online of their mischief, they rush home. Mavis is furious and lets her father know that they would be leaving after the boy’s birthday party.

Dracula discovers that Mavis has invited his father Vlad and isn’t happy about it knowing his father really doesn’t like humans. Now Vlad is taking the reins to make sure that his great-grandson’s powers come out. He also doesn’t know that Johnny is a human which means more chaos at Hotel Transylvania.

It’s time for a vacation when in 2018 HOTEL TRANSVYLVANIA 3: Summer Vacation delights audiences. Dracula looks around the hotel and see’s everyone paired up and it makes him a little lonely. Mavis decides to book a cruise and take time away from the hotel and takes her father, Johnny, Dennis and even Vlad aboard the cruise ship Legacy.

The captain of the ship is Ericka (Kathryn Hahn) makes everyone aboard the ship feel welcome and excited to be on the cruise. Underneath that cheerful exterior lies the truth of who Ericka is – the great grandfather of Dracula’s rival Abraham Van Helsing. She has decided that she is going to finish what Van Helsing started but, something is happening between she and the good Count.

Finally, in 2022 we get a chance to see what Johnny is made of in HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania. Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the hotel, Mavis discovers that her father wants to leave her the hotel. Mavis tells Dennis and he has plans upon plans and it stressed Dracula out. Van Helsing shows Johnny a ray that makes monsters into humans and he uses it on Johnny who becomes a dragonish monster. Drac also gets a shot of the ray gun and is now horrifyingly human.

Frank, Wayne, Griffin and Murray also become human. Mavis and Ericka are not happy with Van Helsing but it’s going to get worse when he tells them that its possible for mutations. Not only is the family in danger, but so is Hotel Transylvania!

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.

Bonus features include HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania Mini-Movie: Monster Pets, Monster Mash-Up: Making HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania, Selena vs. Andy: A Hotel Transyl-Trivia Quiz, “Love is Not Hard to Find by Yendry, Filmmaker Commentary and more!

Multi-feature DVD and Digital Bonus includes Goodnight Mr. Foot – Short Film, Hotel Transylvania Puppy! – Short Film, “Problem” Music Video by Beck G. Featuring wil.i.am, “I’m in Love with a Monster” Music Video by Fifth Harmony, Deleted Scenes, Behind the Scenes, Filmmaker Commentary and more!

It is wonderful that the cast of Adam Sandler (and then Brian Hull), Selena Gomez, Andy Sanberg, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Fran Drescher, Kevin James (and then Brad Abrell), Kathryn Han, Jim Gaffigan, Sadie Sandler/Asher Blinkoff and the undeniable icon of Mel Brooks return to each of these films.

Each of these characters are memorable, loveable, hilarious, thought provoking, caring and family oriented. Beginning with Count Dracula, Sandler always made sure that as evil as he wanted to be, at the heart of him is a family man who wants everyone he cares about to be safe and happy – even if it makes him a little crazy. I just love Dracula, even when his eyes get all red, because of Sandler’s portrayal.

Gomez as Mavis has her hands full with a grandfather, father, husband and son, all of them with their own issues that made her original issue of freedom seem so trivial. She deals with it all in stride because she has an amazing hotel family that supports each other and is there if she needs them. Samberg as Johnny is just as nutty as he wants to be and Mavis doesn’t mind it at all. He is a good guy and that’s all you can ask for when it comes to a daughter right?

James as Frankenstein and Drescher as wife Eunice are a cute couple. She is a very strong person and Frankenstein counts on that to my way of thinking. Buscemi as Wayne and Shannon as Wanda are a constantly growing family and as much as Wayne gets irritate with the litter, there are moments where you see he wouldn’t change anything for the world. Shannon is the nurturer in the relationship and it knows exactly how to handle her wily bunch.

Green as Murray (later taken over by Key) just cracks me up as the mummy. He loves being Frank’s sidekick on things and their friendship is so important. Spade as Griffin the invisible doesn’t need to have a physical look about him, it’s all Spade being his usual comedic self with only a pair of glasses to show his presence.

The addition of Kahn as Ericka is so lovely. Isn’t it weird that I was happy Drac found someone to be with? A huge shout out to Mel Brooks because he is an amazing Count Vlad. I adore his character and he is hilarious being the vocals of the elder Count.

Finally having all four films in one collection allows families to have a Transylvania binge watching Friday night. My granddaughter and I made a date to do this and with popcorn and snacks we went from first to last in the Transylvania franchise. We laughed so much and had such a great time that I kept thinking how great this is going to be for all families.

Each of the films brings something unique in the way of life-lessons because although they are monsters, they have all the same problems, kind of, that we have. Watching the hotel family together, after a while you don’t see monsters, there is a connection between what we see and how each character makes us feel.

That is the big lesson if anything, the connection and relatability to the life problems as it also teaches us to chill out and laugh at the silliness. Fathers, daughters, travelers, friends, loyalty and chaos are a staple in each of the films and that means a lot to those of us who embrace the Hotel Transylvania franchise.

So, pop that corn, grab some drinks, snacks, grab a fuzzy soft blanket and jump on the couch with the remote and get ready for some serious family time!

In the end – they are part of our family!