He is OPPENHEIMER

 

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director Christopher Nolan and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the intense story of our time about a man named OPPENHEIMER.

J. Robert Oppenheimer is a young man in 1926 studying theoretical physics in Germany after transferring from Cambridge. Earning a PhD. he continues to study in Switzerland and takes to quantum physics back in the United States. Marrying biologist Kitty (Emily Blunt) and starting a family, he begins teaching at the University of California at Berkeley.

Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) learns in 1928 that nuclear fission has been discovered and he knows that it can be used as a weapon. A few years later he is approached by Army General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon) and asked to lead the creation of the atomic bomb also called the Manhattan Project. The war with Germany is making the project a priority and Oppenheimer is dealing with an affair with Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh).

Groves says he knows of Oppenheimer’s past but it doesn’t negate the need for the project. So, the team comes together with Isidor Isaac Rabi (David Krumholtz), Edward Teller (Benny Safdie), Enrico Fermi (Danny Deferrari), Leo Szilard (Mate Haumann) and David Hill (Rami Malek) moving them all to Los Alamos, New Mexico. Oppenheimer even consults with Albert Einstein (Tom Conti) but when Hitler’s reign is destroyed, the question of needing the bomb becomes paramount.

President Truman learns that the Trinity test worked and now his eyes are on Japan. What happens after is the U.S. government comes for Oppenheimer starts with AEC Chairman Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey, Jr.) opening up his life book but has personal goals as well. There are hearings and truths that come out and all in an attempt to use Oppenheimer as a scapegoat.

Murphy as Oppenheimer is stunning in this role. From the moment he is on the screen, his character is surrounded by louder voices yet my eyes are focused on Murphy. This is a look at a man who is made to look like a villain and a mad scientist who had no thought about what his creation could do. Instead, Nolan gives us a look at everything and everyone surrounding his life only to discover that the path is not as diabolical as history tried to portray. Murphy is flat out brilliant and that doesn’t seem enough praise for this work.

Blunt as Kitty is woman/wife/mother who had struggles of her own. Seeing her life with Oppenheimer going in one direction, she learns that it had the potential to take away who she was. Knowing her husbands work is important, Blunt’s portrayal of Kitty is of a woman who turned a blind eye to just about everything around her.

Downey, Jr. as Strauss is a man on a mission and it has nothing to do with the United States, it is his own selfish and personal goals. He spends his time trying to convince everyone around him of what is good and evil and when it boils down to it, evil lives close to home. To be clear, I love almost everything Downey, Jr. has ever done on screen and as his career has grown (and past Iron Man – don’t get me started on that or I’ll cry), the role of Strauss was brilliantly cast and Downey, Jr. makes it his very own.

Pugh at Tatlock is a woman who has her own issues and can not seem to let go of Oppenheimer. Pugh gives her character a combination of allure, insecurity and intelligence with more questions about her life than the movie has time to answer.

Other cast include Ronald Auguste as J. Ernest Wilkins Jr., Christopher Denham as Klaus Fuchs, Devon Bostick as Seth Neddermeyer, Trond Fausa as George Kistiakowsky, James Urbaniak as Kurt Godel, Gustaf Skarsgard as Hans Bethe, Josh Peck as Kenneth Bainbridge, Tom Jenkins as Richard C. Tolman, David Rysdahl as Donald Hornig, Jack Quaid as Richard Feynman, Olli Haaskivi as Edward Condon, Louise Lombard as Ruth Tolman, Emma Dumont as Jackie Oppenheimer, Guy Burnet as George Eltenton, Michael Angarano as Robert Seber, Rory Keane as Hartland Snyder, and Alex Wolff as Luis Alvarez.

Also, Josh Zuckerman as Giovanni Lomanitz, Gregory Jbara as Sen. Magnuson, Tim DeKay as Sen. Pastore, Harry Groener as Sen. McGee, John Gowans as Ward Evans, Macon Blair as Lloyd Garrison, Scott Grimes as Counsel Strauss, Jefferson Hall as Haakon Chevalier, Tony Goldwyn as Gordon Gray, Dane DeHaan as Kenneth Nichols, James D’Arcy as Patrick Blackett, Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer, Casey Affleck as Boris Pash, Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence, Jason Clarke as Roger Robb, Casey Affleck as Boris Pash, Matthew Modine as Vannevar Bush and Kenneth Branagh as Niels Bohr.

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

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

Special Features include The Story of Our Time: The Making of OPPENHEIMER, Meet the Press Q&A Panel: OPPENHEIMER, To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb and more!

The cast is so large that it would be impossible to speak on all the performances but know that they are absolutely stellar. I do want to shout out to Conti as Einstein and although he isn’t on the screen much, the moments are important. Also, Branagh as Bohr and again, it is not a huge role but he puts his stamp on the beginning and the end.

Although most viewers may not grasp quantum physics or hydrogen bomb theory etc. (honestly, I can barely do algebra), it is fascinating to see it come to life. It is an actual character to be watched in the film, it is a character that takes up the screen both verbally and physically with only one purpose – to scare the living daylights out of us all.

OPPENHEIMER is one of the best movies of the year and it is intense, jaw dropping, thought-provoking and worthy of conversations. The cinematography is equally all of those things but I would expect nothing less from Nolan. Writing and directing this film means he was totally invested in the outcome and that, my friends, is unique and filled with originality. I can say it’s going to be difficult for Nolan to beat this, but I have a feeling he will.

In the end – the world forever changes!

 

Surf’s Up with the Return of POINT BREAK

 

Jeri Jacquin

Returning on 4K Ultra HD and Bluray in a Collector’s Edition from Oscar winning director Kathryn Bigelow and Shout! Studios is the return to the waves with POINT BREAK.

Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) is an FBI Agent who is sent by Agent Angelo Pappas (Gary Busey) to discover who is responsible for bank robbers. Known as the Ex-Presidents, the robbers disguise themselves as Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson. Pappas has his own theory that they are surfers who use the money to follow the waves.

Going undercover, Utah meets Tyler (Lori Petty) who saves him from drowning as he tries to learn to surf on his own. Sharing his cover story, she introduces him to Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) and his group Roach (James LeGros), Grommet (Bojesse Christopher) and Nathaniel (John Philbin). Bodhi wouldn’t have accepted him so quickly if not for recognizing Utah as a former football player. Utah begins to experience their adrenaline filled life at the same time working on the case.

When a robbery goes wrong, and the DEA operation is blown, Utah believes he knows who the Ex-Presidents are. Staking out a potential bank, the Ex-Presidents strike and Utah runs after one of the robbers injuring himself. Tyler discovers something upsetting and Bodhi decides it is time to bring Utah in on the gang. The scheme goes wrong it will take some time before Utah finds his one chance to bring it all to an end.

Reeves as Utah is working his way through the FBI and Pappas knows he is the perfect agent to handle the case. The young Reeves takes to the waves and to the company of Swayze to offer up a budding good guy-bad guy set up and it is so well done. Swayze as Bodhi shines and opposite Reeves makes it all look fluid, natural and it is perfection between these two actors.

Petty as Tyler is a wild child of the waves and takes to Utah fairly quickly. Their relationship becomes more serious which is what makes it difficult for her to understand what she feels is a betrayal. Petty is young and thrilling to watch as she fits into the boy’s club. Busey as Pappas gets a chance to not only be a little wild but also push the boundaries as he is determined to find the criminals. Busey is always charismatic, a bit funny and a presence that can never be missed on screen.

Other cast include John C. McGinley as FBI Director Ben Harp, Lee Tergesen as Rosie, Vincent Kyln as Warchild, Mike Genovese as FBI Corey, Chris Pedersen as Bunker, Sydney Walsh as Miss Deer, Dave Olson as Archbold, Anthony Kiedis as Tone, Jack Kehler as FBI Halsey, Galyn Gorg as Margarita, and Tom Sizemore as DEA Deets.

SHOUT! Studios 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 has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Special Features in the 2-Disc set include New Master and Restoration from a 2023 4K Scan of the Interpositive Dolby Vision, Additional Scenes, 4 Featurettes and Theatrical Trailer.

Reeves and Swayze are everything in this film. Good vs. bad or is it bad vs. good – its hard to say because these characters are truly complex. Knowing the rights and wrongs of the world, each chooses to test the limits and cross onto each other’s playing field so to speak. These two actors bring their roles in strong and that is what has made this film memorable and iconic.

POINT BREAK is that film that when it comes across our screens, we have to stop and watch it. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen the film; I still enjoy it immensely. Partly to enjoy Reeves and Swayze on screen together, partly because I am a beach/surf admirer and all together because it is a wonderful time filled with suspense and action.

Having it arrive again on 4K Ultra HD with so many special features, it puts a shine on the iconic part of the film. Wax your board and prepare for another turn in the waves!

In the end – they run on pure adrenaline!

 

 

Revisit All Six films of RESIDENT EVIL on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to an amazing Steelbook Collection set on 4K Ultra HD from writer/directors Paul W.S. Anderson, Alexander Witt, Russell Mulcahy and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the legendary horror action series of RESIDENT EVIL.

Beginning in 2002 with RESIDENT EVIL, the Umbrella Corporation in Raccoon City has a facility called the Hive. Alice (Milla Jovovich) finds herself on the floor of a mansion not knowing what is happening and quickly attacked by Matt Addison (Eric Mabius) who says he is a Raccoon cop. Going down into the Hive, they are told that they all work for the Umbrella Corporation.

She is also told that the Red Queen (Michaela Dicker) kill a partner Alice doesn’t remember and that someone named Kaplan (Martin Crewes) shut down the system unleashing undead staff and creatures called Lickers. Through the madness surrounding her, Alice slowly starts to regain some memories.

Taking on the Red Queen, Alice and Matt are now being hunted and everyone is in terrible danger in Raccoon City.

Other cast include Robert Tannion as Dr. Brown, Heike Makatsch as Dr. Lisa Addison, Stephen Billington as Mr. White, Michelle Rodriguez as Rain, Oscar Pearce as Mr. Green, Indra Ove as Ms. Black, James Purefoy as Spence, Colin Salmon as One, Fiona Glascott as Ms. Gold, Pasquale Aleardi as J.D. Salinas, Ryan McClusky as Mr. Grey, Anna Bolt as Dr. Green, Joseph May as Dr. Blue, Robert Tannon as Dr. Brown and Jason Isaacs as the narrator.

Features of the Bluray include Feature Presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision and Theatrical Trailer.

In the 2004 RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE, Alice has been parted from Matt and the zombies are everywhere in Raccoon City. The Umbrella is trying to contain it by closing down the city but not before knowing that Dr. Ashford’s (Jared Harris) daughter Angela (Sophie Vavasseur) is missing. The Raccoon City Police officer Jill Valentine (Dienna Guillory) is trying to get people to leave before it’s too late. Even Umbrella soldiers Carolos Olivera (Oded Fehr) and Nicholai Ginovaef (Zack Ward) are trying to get away.

Dr. Ashford wants Alice’s help finding her daughter and claims that they would be given safe passage if they recue Angela. Agreeing, they run into Nemesis (Matthew G. Taylor) and things become entrenched in zombies and anti-virus serum and people turning on one another because that’s what Umbrella does and Alice is in the middle.

Other cast include Thomas Kretschmann as Major Timothy Cain, Razaaq Adoti as Sgt. Peyton Wells, Mike Epps as Lloyd Jefferson Wade, Sandrine Holt as Terri Morales and Iain Glen as Dr. Alexander Isaacs.

Special Features include Feature Presentation in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Theatrical and Extended Cuts of the Film and Theatrical Trailers, Filmmaker Commentary, Cast Commentary, Writer/Producer Commentary, Deleted Scenes, “Game Over: Resident Evil Reanimated” Documentary, “Corporate Malfeasance” Featurette, “Game Babes’ Featurette and “Symphony of Evil” Featurette.

RESIDENT EVIL: Extinction in 2007 brings Alice to a dump where she finds other “Alice’s”. She knows it is the Umbrella Corporation continuing to fail with their Alice Project. Now the T-virus has spread worldwide and it’s hitting the planet hard as well. Alice is wandering but finds that there might be an uninfected place in Alaska.

She also reunites with Carlos and Wade in a survivors group led by Claire Redfield (Ali Larter) and tells them about the place in Alaska. Isaacs is up to no good trying with a new zombie kind using them to track Alice and destroy the convoy. Alice isn’t about to stand for it and after a battle for control, she gets her hands on a computer that shows her where Umbrella is hiding in an underground place.

Arriving at Umbrella, Alice comes across the White Queen (Madeline Carroll) who tells her something that might help everyone. When Wesker (Jason O’Mara) realizes he has lost North America, Alice makes it clear that they are not finished, not by a longshot.

Other cast also includes Matthew Marsden as Alex Slater, Linden Ashby as Chase, Ashanti as Nurse Betty, Spencer Locke as K-Mart, Christopher Egan as Mikey, and Joe Hursley as Otto.Fe

Special Features include Feature Presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Resdient Road Map: Reflections on the Future of the Series, Theatrical Trailers, “Under the Umbrella” Picture-in-Picture, Filmmaker Commentary, Deleted Scenes and 4-Featurettes.

In 2010, the film RESIDENT EVIL: Afterlife has Alice and the clones hitting the Umbrella headquarters in Tokyo. Their goal is Wesker who manages to escape but not before Alice has him in hand. He turns on her quickly to take away her abilities. Yet, months later, Alice is in Alaska following a place called Arcadia. Disappointed to find it in bad condition, she also finds Claire.

They both leave for Los Angeles where a prison holds survivors who are surrounded by zombies. Leader Luther (Boris Kodjoe) wants to get out and Alice learns that Arcadia is not a set place but a floating one but no one has heard from them in a while. When the group is attacked, Alice learns that Chris (Wentworth Miller) is Claire’s brother and more chaos among the group takes shape.

Aboard the plane, Alice heads for Arcadia and on the way remembers that Umbrella may have something to do with all this. As usual, its clean up time for Alice and the group if they are to survive.

Other cast include Shawn Roberts as Albert Wesker, Kim Coates as Bennett, Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Angel Ortiz, Kacey Barnfield as Crystal Waters, Norman Yeung as Kim Yong, Spencer Locke as K-Mart, Mika Nakashima as J-Pop Girl, and Ray Olubowale as the Axeman.

Special Feature include Feature Presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Alice Activated, Theatrical Trailers, “Undead Vision” Picture-in-Picture, Filmmaker Commentary, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Outtakes and 7 Featurettes.

Alice has returned with the 2012 RESIDENT EVIL: Retribution and the Arcadia has come under fire by Umbrella and is led by Jill and Alice is captured. When she wakes up, she is living a suburban life with husband Todd and her child Becky (Aryana Engineer). When the zombies hit, suburbia becomes Raccoon City and Rain is helping them escape.

The Arcadia Alice is being questioned by Jill but it doesn’t stop Alice from finding a way out but not before knowing she is in a sim of Shibuya Square in Tokyo coming face to face with Ada Wong (Li Biongbing). Wesker appears, somewhat, to let her know the Red Queen has started the Hive again. Where Alice actually is, she discovers, is Kamchatka, Russia.

A crew with Luther along with Leon and Barry, help to get Alice out and agree to all meet up again in Raccoon City. Suburbia Alice’s daughter Becky meets up with Arcadia Alice and attaches herself to “mom”. Once on the surface, Alice brings Jill back to herself and the battle is on landing them all at the White House where Alice has a showdown with Wexler.

Other cast include Robin Kasyanov as Sergei, Kevin Durand as Barry, Ofilio Portillo as Tony, and Colin Salmon as One. 

Special Features include Feature Presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Evil Goes Global, Undead Retribution, Theatrical Trailers, Director and Cast Commentary, Filmmaker Commentary, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Outtakes, Project Alice: The Interactive Database and 8 Featurettes.

Finally, 2016 is the year of RESIDENT EVIL: The Final Chapter as Dr. Marcus (Mark Simpson) who founded Umbrella has a daughter who is dying and uses the T-virus only to discover the horrors of it. Telling Dr. Ashford it is never to be used again and all research must be destroyed, Ashford wants to save his own daughter Angela who ends up with Wesker.

Alice wakes up in the White House and once again Wesker has lied and the Red Queen says her clock is ticking to get to the Hive. The Umbrella’s intention is to kill all infected and Alice is no exception. Back in Raccoon City she meets up with Claire who survived the Arcadia attack. Isaacs has his own plan however and there is a horde of zombies coming their way.

The Red Queen shows up again to show Alice what Isaacs true plan has been all along and who in her group can’t be trusted. Alice and Claire get their chance to make Isaacs pay for what he has done but he has other plans. Setting it all in place, he is ready for his plan to be complete and throws the switch but, is that the end?

Other cast include Eoin Macken as Doc, Lee Joon-gi as Commander Chu, Rola as Cobalt, Fraser James as Razor, Ruby Rose as Abigail, William Levy as Christian and Ever Anderson as the Red Queen.

Special Features include Feature Presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Newly Added: Directing THE FINAL CHAPTER, Rola as Cobalt, From Saints to Sinners, From Script to Screen: The Making of RESIDENT EVIL: The Final Chapter, Maximum Carnage: Best Kills, Creature Chronology, Theatrical Trailers, Retaliation Mode with Paul W.S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich and 3 Featurettes.

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.

This is an amazing collection of films and if, like me, you love a good zombie action film then all six of the RESIDENT EVIL films in one package is a repeater binge-worthy addition to the home entertainment library. The Steelbook is very cool with the images that are perfection to the series and keeps everything in one nice place.

The film each hold their own and Jovovich bring her character of Alice to an iconic level that will never be repeated. The cast is consistent which is very cool because as they pop in and out of each storyline, I am always thrilled to see them again and again. My entire family gathered around to watch each of these films because we share in the thrills and chills and a good binge night is always special.

Anderson created these roles and took the story lines to places we never could have expected, even added directors Witt and Mulcahy stayed true to the character we loved watching. Jovovich’s Alice is strong, no nonsense, and focused knowing that every step she takes leads her to people who only have one goal – destruction. What an awesome character as they absolutely all are!

In the end – she is legendary!

He is on MERCY ROAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray writer/director John Curran and Well Go USA is the terror filled ride of a father for his child that leads down MERCY ROAD.

Tom (Luke Bracey) has just committed a brutal crime and someone knows every detail about it. Daughter Ruby (Martha Morgan) has been abducted and call after call from the authorities and ex-wife Terri (Alex Malone) have Tom on the verge of insanity.

Driving down a dark road, he is trying to understand what is happening as calls come flooding in, one in particular is about to explain what is next. The associate (Toby Jones) is making it clear that Tom is to keep driving and will be told what to do step by step. The voice also seems to know what has happened with his daughter and it is horrific.

Tom reaches out to anyone he can think of to piece together how he can get his daughter back. There is no reason to what he is being asked to do or why, only that he has no other choice than to listen to the calm voice coming through his phone.

The end of the road brings shocking realizations to a man caught up in a voice.

Bracey as Tom is a man totally out of control. He wants to help the daughter he has an estranged relationship with at any cost. The heinous act he commits is almost more than he can handle when driving frantically into the night. Bracey gives every spectrum of panic that one would go through realizing that the situation is in someone else’s hands.

Jones as the voice of The Associate is calm and does not react to Tom’s out of control behavior. Instead, he makes it clear that he is not motivated by emotion but, in fact, is motivated to do whatever any client wishes without emotion being a factor. Jones has a distinctive voice and, even though the character claims to have no reactions, that is the creepy element that is so well done here.

Malone as Terri is reacting to her ex-husband based on an incident that continually plagues her anger. When Tom tries to explain what is really happening, she wants to believe him but that doesn’t change her range of anger. Well done, Mom!

Morgan as Ruby is the reason for everything that is happening. A kidnapped daughter who is going through something in her life that has brought it all about is living on borrowed time according to The Associate. There are moments where we see Ruby but it is so quick that it adds to the already building tension of the film.

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.

MERCY ROAD is a fast-paced film of a father trying to protect a daughter he is estranged from. Being away from her does not change the fact that something horrible has happened to her and Bracey’s character is going to do everything he can to fix it, even commit a crime. Once on the road, his life is no longer his own as he discovers that someone is watching every move.

Once the clock starts on her survival, Bracey’s character Tom tries everything that he can to reach out for help – but someone is listening and controlling everything. That’s what makes this film so intense is watching Tom try to escape a situation, reaching out for help and trying to figure out who it is that is watching and listening to every move he makes.

Keeping the cast small adds to that intensity because all eyes are on Tom and his reaction to the situation. Voices over the phone and short videos keep hope alive but barely. This is the type of film that you have popcorn in your hand and it’s almost in your mouth but just stops short and stays there for a long while.

In the end – one wrong turn can cost you everything!

THE HUNGER GAMES: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Francis Lawrence and Lionsgate is the return to Panem with THE HUNGER GAMES: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

It is sixty-four years before Katniss Everdeen becomes the girl-on-fire in Panem. In this time, the Snow family, now headed by Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is attempting to care for Grandma’am (Fionnula Flanagan) and Tigris (Hunter Schafer). Believing doing well in school put him in the running for a financial award. Arriving dressed in the best he has, a classmate warns him of what is to come.

Creator of games Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis) makes the announcement that there will a change in the 10^th Annual Hunger Games as mentors will be assigned to the district players. Coriolanus is assigned to Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) from District 12. Believing the best way to help Lucy Gray is by showing a bit of friendship to gain her trust and to make those in the capitol want to donate for things she may need.

Yet, there are those who are not happy with the games and Dr. Gaul makes it clear that they are losing the audience. Watching everything that is happening is Dean Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage) who is subtle in making his stance to the mentors on what is possible for their players survival.

As the games begin, host Lucky Flickerman (Jason Schwartzman) attempts to rally the audience into investing in who the players are. Their donations bring water and other essentials that could keep them in the games. Coriolanus has already given instructions on how Lucy Gray could survive but as the signal is given for the games to begin, it is all out brutality.

Coriolanus realizes that what he once believed is perhaps not the reality of living in the Capitol. There is also the beginning of something more between he and Lucy Gray but nothing can come if it unless they both survive!

Blyth as Snow begins as the head of a family that consists of his grandmother and sister living the life that is destitute and held together by pretense. Laying his silly blue eyes on Lucy Grey, he knows what he has to do to help her survive but its for the prospect of money and a pull towards this interesting girl. Blyth as Snow is fine but that’s about what I would expect. If there is another chapter, he will be fine again but I’m hoping this character develops because right now he’s just a love-struck puppy that is stuck.

Zegler as Lucy Gray, to be honest, I found nothing about the character that draws me in. Instead, the role is hollow, predictable and really irritating. Her easter egg of doing a bow at the reaping just annoyed me totally. I’m not sure who the character is trying to be but it gets no help from Zegler (and please don’t let her sing again).

Dinklage as Highbottom is everything. The fact that I love everything he does helps but he also kind of reminds me of Plutarch Heavensbee in the standoff mannerisms and the way he subtly hints at things.

Flanagan as Grandma’am continues to be the grand damn of the Snow household and does it well. Schafer as Tigris reminds me of a young Effie Trinket in her needle skills to help her brother look his best. She’s also demur but well aware of their situation. Schwartzman as Flickerman is in the same category as Lucy Gray and I’ll leave it at that.

Davis as Dr. Gaul is just overly everything that I just don’t understand. Trust that I love me some Ms. Davis but this role just doesn’t do anything for me as a viewer. Making her look a bit psychotic probably doesn’t help making it difficult for me to understand her true purpose being drastic by the manic close ups.

Other cast include Sexter Ansell as a young Coriolanus, Rosa Gotzler as a young Tigris, Ashley Liao as Clemensia Dovecote, Joshua Kantara as Gaius Breen, Amelie Hoeferle as Vipsania Sickle, florian Burgkart as Hilarius Heavensbee, Ayomide Adegun as Pliny Harrington, Aaron Schultz as Apollo Ring, Max Raphael as Festus Creed, Yalany Marschner as Dennis Fling, Anni Baumann as Iphigenia Moss, Flora Li Thiemann as Livia Cardew, Zoe Renee as Lysistrata Vickers, Lilly Cooper Arachne Crane, Carl Spencer as Smiley, George Somner as Spruce, Aamer Husain as Felix Ravinstill, and Josh Rivera as Sejanus Plinth.

Also, Tim Torok as Facet, Mackenzie Lansing as Coral, Cooper Dillon as Mizzen, Hiroki Berrecloth as Treech, Irene Bohm as Lamina, Knox Gibson as Bobbin, Sofia Sanchez as Wovey, Kjell Brutscheidt as Tanner, Luna Steeples as Dill, Dimitri Abold as Reaper, Nick Benson as Jessup, Isobel Jones as Mayfair Lipp, Marc Gray as Mayor Lipp, Raphael Zari as Lil, Dakota Shapiro as Billy, Vaughan Reilly as Maude, Honor Gillies as Barb, Eike Onyambu as Tam, Scott Folan as Beanpole and Burn Gorman as Commander Hoff.

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.

Well, as you can probably tell, I did not have a good time watching this film. It just felt like a mish-mash of a story with a few crazy characters thrown in and a bit of musical to wear out the viewer in two hours and thirty-seven minutes. The cast is too large for me to even grasp who each of them is and what part they play – other than the next dead player. I did want to give credit where credit is due so I did an extra-long cast list.

I did enjoy the cinematography and special effects because it does have the feel of THE HUNGER GAMES that I came to enjoy. Telling me to ‘go read the book’ isn’t helpful in this situation because I shouldn’t have to read the book in order to enjoy the film. If you are going to do a prequel of a successful film franchise line then give me something that welcomes me back – I didn’t get it with the film.

Did I want to like it? Yes. I’m sure the film will do well with fans and I hope they enjoy it because this is, after all, about dedicated fans and what they want. I’m sure they believe that director Lawrence will give it to them.

In the end – you’re invited to return to the games!

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on the Roku Channel is a signal that the holidays are here as THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holiday bakes up the goods.

This year hosted by Casey Wilson and Zach Cherry, celebrities Joel McHale, Phoebe Robinson, Heather McMahan, DeAndre “DJ” Jordan, Ego Nwodim, and Arturo Castro will be judged Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Their culinary talents (maybe) will be judged on three challenges and the final creations.

First, for their Signature Bake, they are making sandwich cookies with the filling of their choice. and the only instruction is to make something that invoke holiday memories. The minute they are told to “bake!”, the chaos begins with only one hour and forty minutes to impress Paul and Prue. The offerings of snowmen, Christmas tree decorations and many more are up for judging. Paul knows what he is looking for and is not about to cut them any slack and Prue is enjoying the sweets.

For the Technical Challenge, they have no idea what they will be baking. All they know is Paul loves to push the limits of reading instructions. Making six Sufganiyot (jelly donuts) that are pure perfection, they have only two and a half hours to complete the task. It is clear that there is no way the excitement can be contained – especially when one particular celebrity is thrilled to be using a ‘proving drawer’ for the first time!

Finally, to get the coveted GABS Cake-Plate, the gang’s final challenge is the Show Stopper Challenge. They are asked to make a novelty cake decorated as their favorite childhood toy. Using sponge cake, they can use any filling of their choice and they have a little over three hours to make it all come together. Prue knows what can happen if they are not accurate in their measurements for their cakes to stand up to the decorations.

Joel is banging a drum which is close to his comedy roots (ba-da-dum), Ego is making the toy of her childhood dreams that actually works for her time baking, Phoebe is doing something that has Paul questioning her color choices, DJ recalls the best Christmas present he ever received and its going to be proudly atop his vegan cake, Heather is working on an homage to her blondeness in strawberries, and Arturo is twisting his colors in eggnog while Prue runs off with a certain ingredient.

Roku pioneered streaming on TV. Connecting users to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku TV models and Roku streaming players are available in various countries around the world. Roku also operates The Roku Channel, the home of free and premium entertainment with exclusive access to Roku Originals. For more information go to www.therokuchannel.roku.com.

I am a huge fan of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW and never miss a season (and have even re-watched seasons). Witnessing the changes the show has take and always happy to see the return of Paul Hollywood and Prue. Let’s be honest here, when Paul stares with those icy blue eyes, the world stops spinning. That being said, he also knows his profession and even in good fun he lets each baker know what they can do better next time.

Watching the fun, excitement and creativity in each of the celebrities is always fantastic and with the holidays it’s a tasty good start. The competition has these six contestants talking to themselves, being openly hilarious and even helping one another a bit to bring goodies to the holidays. I’m a tad jealous that they are in the tent but I’m determined to someday stand inside it myself, not to bake – just stand.

THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holidays is truly a fun way to start the holidays. Watching these celebrities come together, enjoy each other’s company and learns so much than they could have imagined is so cool. Baking has already started in many households to prepare for Thanksgiving so there are plenty more days till Christmas to become our best creative selves. Each of the challenges offers up new and exciting ideas to test out on friends and family.

Am I going to give away the winner? Of course not! I’m not a Scrooge so gather the bakers together and have a great time watching THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW: Celebrity Holidays.

In the end – it is everything delicious!

THE OFFICE: Complete Christmas Collection on DVD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a group of people who know how to party during the holidays with THE OFFICE: Complete Christmas Collection.

The gang of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company celebrate with a Christmas Party at the office. This year’s gift exchange has a $20 limit but, as usual, no one pays attention to the rules. As each picks a person and decides on what gift will suit them, Michael (Steve Carell) isn’t happy with his gift from Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) and decides to do a Yankee Swap. So, there is a reshuffling as everyone panics with Pam (Jenna Fischer) exchanging, Jim (John Krasinski) worked hard on Pam’s gift, and Kelly’s (Mindy Kaling) gift is going to be really hard to swap out!

In The Benihana Christmas, Michael is dealing with the breakup with Carol (Nancy Walls). The rest of the gang including Andy (Ed Helms), Dwight (Rainn Wilson), and Jim go to Benihana’s. Once there, Michael and Andy manage to get dates! At the office, A Christmas party is being planned but there is a lot of tension between Pam, Angela (Angela Kinsey) and Karen (Rashida Jones). Leaving them to deal with it, Michael heads off to Jamaica!

It is time to celebrates a Moroccan Christmas as Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) plans this themed party. As the spiked punch flows, so does Meredith (Kate Flannery) as Dwight comes to the rescue. Michael feels it is time to talk about Meredith’s problem and tries to trick her to get some help. Dwight is also busy trying to make a buck off of the holidays with a Princess Unicorn but Jim is literally not buying it. Angela is keeping busy trying to rearrange Christmas to be more Moroccan.

Time for Secret Santa as Michael shows up in a Santa suit after it had already been decided that Phyllis would do it. Michael is not about to give up his spot and does everything possible to keep all eyes on him. When Jim tries to put him in his place, an upset Michael calls CFO David (Andy Buckley) but he’s busy selling the business. Oscar (Oscar Nunez) has a crush and Pam wants to help make his Christmas wish to come true. Michael isn’t finished acting like a bad Santa as secrets aren’t so secret any more.

When Michael learns that Toby (Paul Lieberstein) is taking off for jury duty, Holly (Amy Ryan) takes his place in Classy Christmas. But, its time for a second Christmas party because Michael is thrilled to see Holly again. The problem is, Holly is with A.J. (Rob Huebel) forcing him to tell a little relationship lie of his own. Darryl’s (Craig Robinson) daughter Jada needs a little Christmas cheer so Pam and Andy try to help. Jim and Dwight decide its time for an indoor snowball fight!

Christmas Wishes as Andy wants to make everyone’s wishes come true with the addendum to all to please be nice to girlfriend Jessica (Eleanor Seigler). The only one who doesn’t want any part of being nice is Erin (Ellie Kemper) nor does Robert (James Spader). When a prank pulled by Dwight and Jim goes a little wrong, Cathy (Lindsey Broad) doesn’t think it was all that funny. It doesn’t seem to stop the two from getting on Santa’s naughty list big time!

Finally, it is a Dwight Christmas as Dwight wants the office to help celebrate a Schrute Pennslvania Dutch Christmas. Andy is still sailing the Caribbean and Toby (Paul Lieberstein) tells Nellie (Catherine Tate) all about the Scranton Strangler. Darryl and Jim have to talk about a new job in Philly and Pete (Jake Lacy) clues Erin in on the finer points of the film DIE HARD (yea, yea, we know Bruce…DIE HARD isn’t a Christmas movie).

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

The Bonus Features include Producer’s Extended Cut of “Secret Santa”, Deleted Scenes and Audio Commentary with “Christmas Party” Commentary with Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Kate Flannery, David Denman, Editor Dave Rogers, Writer Mike Schur and Executive Producer Greg Daniels, “Moroccan Christmas” Commentary with Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey and Brian Baumgartner and “Secret Santa” Commentary with Mindy Kaling, Ellie Kemper and Claire Scanlon.

The cast of THE OFFICE has staked their claim to one of the best comedies on television. From its first season in 2005 until its sad end in 2013, that is nine glorious seasons of getting to know these zany characters. There is something about this cast that just meshed so well it seemed effortless while we all watched.

Now, with the holidays here, THE OFFICE: Complete Christmas Collection brings old friends’ home again with the spirit of the season. Remembering why we loved them all in the first place, it’s a great chance to spend the holidays with them for seven wonderful episodes. So, grab your cup of whatever and settle in a comfy spot and revisit the office!

In the end – we all want to work there!

It is the Story of THE CREATOR on 4K Ultra

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Gareth Edwards and 20th Century Home Entertainment is the future when they are all looking for THE CREATOR.

Joshua (John David Washington) is a happy man living on a remote tropical island with his love Maya (Gemma Chan). Expecting their first child, it is the calm of the island and the sound of the waves that keeps them happy. But this is the future and A.I. has become a serious issue and after a horrific incident in Los Angeles, the A.I. are being hunted by the hundreds. The military and their leaders are looking for Nirata, the one responsible for creating more of the A.I.

When it becomes clear that Joshua has a plan, Maya tries to escape the island with the military led by Colonel Howell (Allison Janney) closing in for destruction. Taking Joshua to Los Angeles, he now has the job of cleaning up the A.I. that are destroyed. He is then approached General Andrews (Ralph Ineson) and Howell wanting help in finding the location of the Nirmata and his chance to see Maya once again. They want the secret weapon they believe will control all A.I. and destroy the human race.

Who Joshua discovers is Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles), a young A.I. who knows where Maya is. During a fire fight, they are rescued by Harun (Ken Watanabe) who begins to see a connection between Joshua and Alphie but there is no time as Howell and bulldog McBride (Marc Menchaca) are not going to let them get away. Jumping from place to place, everyone is looking for elusive Nirmata.

It is up to Joshua and Alphie to stop the military from their continual destruction, the same destruction they blame on the A.I.’s.

Washington as Joshua is a man on a mission, but what mission might that be? In a world that has turned itself upside down, the question becomes who is the good guy and who should be feared? Joshua’s only goal in all of the goings on is to find his love Maya, but along the way he learns what the truths are and his goal is to once again protect love. I enjoyed Washington’s performance given that most of his time is spend running.

Voyles as Alphie is charming and probably smarter than everyone else around her. Although this character is filled with emotion, Alphie manages to overcome the urge to react to them in a way that is destructive. The youngling sees the best and worst the world has to offer and responds in kind. Voyles is captivating as Alphie and enjoyable to watch her take this role and make it her own.

Janney as Col. Howell is exactly what you would expect from a psycho military colonel who will use any manipulation possible to get results. She is twisted, hard and doesn’t mind shooting anything that gets in her way. Janney has the uncanny ability to choose characters that are multi-dimensional but this character has one goal – destruction.

Chan as Maya is Joshua’s love and spent her childhood being raised by A.I. She supports their cause and will do anything to help them. Chan knows a bit about A.I. acting as Mia in the 2012-18 series HUMANS. Menchaca as McBride is the mirror image of Col. Howell wanting to wreak havoc and destruction all in the name of ‘humanity’. Ineson as Andrews is the dark horse, almost literally, as we don’t really see his face but instead a hauntingly low growl of orders commanding the human military.

Shout out to Ken Watanabe as Harun as he continues to prove how his presence on screen is so powerful. Personally, I think his eyes show so much depth in the way his character responds to love, caring, anger, distress and that becomes important in playing this particular role.

Other cast include Sturgill Simpson as Drew, Amar Chadha-Patel as Omni, Robbie Tann as Shipley, Michael Esper as Captain Cotton, Veronica Ngo as Kami, Ian Verdun as Daniels, Daniel Rodriguez as Hardwick, Rad Pereira as Lambert, Syd Skidmore as Bradbury, Karen Aldridge as Dr. Thankey and Teerwat Mulvilai as Boonmee.

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.

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 Feature includes TRUE LOVE: Making the Creator – Join director Gareth Edwards and crew for nearly an hour look behind the scenes. Hear from actors about the filming experience, and learn about the production’s documentary-style approach, the innovative camera and lighting work, and much more.

THE CREATOR is a futuristic look at the complicated and destructive behavior driven by the fears of humanity toward their own creations. The concept and characters of the story, however, aren’t new. Watching the film, I can easily see the influences of STAR WARS (1977), THE GOLDEN CHILD (1986), INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996), A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (2001), AVATAR (2009), ELYSIUM (2013), EX MACHINA (2014), HUMANS (2015) and FINCH (2021) along with so many, many more.

It seems the film mainly shows off its ability to creative stunning visuals of machinery and its capability. There are some deep color and emotional filming of what is called ‘New Asia’ from villages to the temples that are very cool. The action sequences are just that, filled with action, chases, and weaponry.

The ‘human’ side of the story mainly comes from those fearful and angry carbon-based units who do not consider A.I.’s to be human at all. Their ability to destroy is the main focus of everything that happens in the film. On the flip side are the A.I.’s who make it clear to Joshua what it is they truly want and it is embrace worthy.

Coming in at two hours and thirteen minutes but it is a wild ride with a few twists and turns. The concept of love, relationships and fighting for what is right come out loud and clear.

In the end – humanity evolves!

LIFETIME Brings the Holidays with A VERY MERRY MOVIE COLLECTION Vol. 5 & 6

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD in an awesome 12-Movie Collection from Lifetime jingles in the new year with love, family, and the holiday spirit with A VERY MERRY MOVIE COLLECTION Vol. 5-6.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF CHRISTMAS, Bridget (Valery Ortiz) finds herself in Leavenworth, Washington. The network where she is the weather person sends her to the Christmas Eve festival to do a snow-cast. Thinking this would be a moment for her career, the lights get dimmer when Drake Kincaid (Brandon Quinn) shows up. Not on the best of terms makes the situation less holiday and more oh-holiday-no! But, it’s the magical time of year, who knows what can happen when the spirit of love sprinkles holiday cheer. Also starring Audrey Landers, Fabiana Udenio, Deon Richmond, Nicole Bilderback, John Laughlin and Sarah JaneMorris.

In Oaxaca, Mexico, MERRY TEXTMAS and the Diaz family live in a town that celebrates the holidays with “12 Challenges of Christmas”. Gaby (Ariana Ron Pedrique) is an app developer living Austin, Texas and is preparing travels to her grandmother’s home in Mexico. As all the plans are made on a group chat, Gaby accidentally adds graphic designer Alex (Rodrigo Massa) and her family decides to get the single gal Gaby into the mix. It’s time to wrap a perfect match and get it under the Dias family Christmas tree! Also starring Lorena Enriquez, Mar Carrera and Luisa Muriel.

Christmas in Switzerland is the setting for MERRY SWISSMAS as architect Alex (Jodie Sweetin) is preparing to spend some holiday time with her mom Caroline (Jane Wheeler). Preparing to attend the opening of her mom’s new inn, Alex is about to freak out when she learns that her ex-Jesse (David Pinard) and ex-best friend Beth are going to be there. Liam (Tim Rozon) is the new manager of the inn and really wants to show Alex the wonders of a Christmas in Switzerland but is love included in the tour?  Also starring Alexander Bisping, Zayn Maloney, Raphael Grosz-Harvey and Amanda Ip.

If it is a little country you are looking for then A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS HARMONY might lift your spirits. Country music star Chrissy (Brooke Elliot) is from a small town and she got her big dreams. Her manager sets up a concert set in her hometown and she isn’t sure this is all such a good idea. Once home, she runs into ex-boyfriend Luke (Brandon Quinn) who is still holding onto some resentment since Chrissy walked away from what once was a musical duo. The snow is whipping up outside and they are locked down on Luke’s ranch. Is the concert going to happen? Does this time of year bring forgiveness and a little bit of love? Also starring Ann Walker, Danny Pintauro, Chris Gann, Caden Dragomer, Bradley Dodds and Nikki Crawford.

Bringing the holidays to the Onota Theatre stage, A SHOW-STOPPING CHRISTMAS tells the story of Riley (Jamie Perez) who is the director of the theatre and preparing for a holiday show. Regina (Maureen Keiller) owns the building and decides its time to sell it. Star Sam Palmer is cast as Bob Cratchit in Riley’s production of A Christmas Carol and he is hoping that the magic of the season will change Regina’s mind before its too late. Also starring Thomas McDonell, Caroline Portu, Robert Walsh, Paul Melendy and Junior Cius.

But that’s not all, the DVD also includes seven more holiday films with SERVING UP THE HOLIDAYS, SCENSATIONAL CHRISTMAS, THE HOLIDAY DATING GUIDE, SWEET NAVIDAD, A NEW ORLEANS NOEL, WELL SUITED FOR CHRISTMAS and MERRY LIDDLE CHRISTMAS.

But if you need more than twelve days of holiday love and cheer, well, then Lifetime brings twelve more films in A VERY MERRY MOVIE COLLECTION Volume 6.

Harper has created a program called SIX DEGREES OF SANTA with a unique idea of giving a gift, using it for a bit and then regifting as it goes along again and again. When a gift from Harper is given to Jason, he believes that he might have just found his person and that’s a really personal gift. He has decided that to do this Jason must go to the creator of the program to get the information he needs. Will he discover that Harper is his Secret Santa? Starring Kathryn David, Steve Lund, Catherine Davis, Kimberly Huie, Alex Jade, Charlie Ebbs and Ainara Alleyne.

When Billy Holiday (Mario Lopez) is fired from his job on a hit dance television series with STEPPIN’ INTO THE HOLIDAY, he decides to go home. Meeting his nephew’s dance teacher Rae (Jana Kramer), he learns she is planning a recital and all the money goes to taking her students to Broadway. This is where Billy shines being a former Broadway performer and he volunteers. Rae takes him up on the offer and they bring back a local town tradition of a talent show. Nothing wrong with talent and love making a holiday connection! Starring Terri Hoyos, Carla Jiminez, Enzo Rodriguez, Courtney Mazza Mario Cantone, Cheri Oteri, Stefanie Black and Alicia Haymer.

Inside a lovely church on Christmas Eve are heart-broken parishioners who have learned that their holiday concert has been cancelled in KIRK FRANKLIN’S THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Out in the blizzard is Journee (Naturi Naughton) and Nia (Lorea Turner) who get to the church to wait out the storm. Meeting the pastor, Adam (Luke James), who brings the music, miracle of faith, hope, love, understanding and reconciliation happen inside the church. Nothing is going to stop the Christmas music from being louder and more powerful than the storm outside. Also starring Loren Lott, Kirk Franklin, Nijah Brenea and Aspen Kennedy.

The Christmas Queen Ashley (Brittany Bristow) loves the holidays in WRAPPED UP IN LOVE, and it shows from craft making to Christmas sweater competitions. Having been the center of the holidays, she is about to be put off kilter when Ken (Olivier Renaud) roles into town who loves the holidays as much. Ashley begins to feel the green-eyed jealousy monster creep into her ho-ho-holiday dreams until she has to make a decision about whether she wants to remain a solo queen or have a king and be the couple who loves Christmas

Helping to run a very successful toy company, it is hard for Emma (Natasha Wilson) to actually feel Christmas since she lives it all year round in SINGLE AND READY TO JINGLE. She also doesn’t have time to find that special person to spend the holidays with because she is so busy. Deciding it’s time for a tropical holiday, Emma decides its best for a little non-Christmas time at a resort. Assistant Lucy books the time but Emma ends up not at a swanky resort with guys everywhere but a town that is all about Christmas and a guy named Connor (Edward Ruttle). Also starring Eva Tavares, Jimmy MacDonald, Crystal Tisiga, Lynn Whyte and Beth Fotheringham. 

Lifetime Entertainment Services features programming that focuses on women and features women in leading roles. To learn more about the films and programming please visit www.mylifetime.com.

The Vol. 5 set includes Cloudy with a Chance of Christmas, Merry Textmas, Merry Swissmass, A Country Christmas Harmony, A Show-Stopping Christmas, Serving Up the Holidays, Scentsational Christmas, The Holiday Dating Guide, Sweet Navidad, A New Orleans Noel, Well Suited for Christmas, and Merry Liddle Christmas.

The Vol. 6 set includes Six Degrees of Santa, Steppin’ Into The Holiday, Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas, Wrapped Up In Love, Single And Ready to Jingle, The Dogs Days Of Christmas, Christmas on Mistletoe Lake, Record Breaking Christmas, Baking All The Way, A Recipe For Joy, A Christmas To Treasure and Merry Little Christmas Wedding.

Lifetime has always brought some of the most charming, lovely, funny, and thought-provoking stories and that is why the channel is so successful. The holidays are one of my most favorite times of the year and to share it with the Lifetime films is going to make twenty-four holly-days so much more fun.

If you are looking for a fun way to choose which film to watch, do what we do, put all the names in a bowl, mix them up and pull a name! Sending special invitations to all the ladies who, well, love love and get the goodie tray prepared with holiday treats of all kinds and settle in for twenty-four evenings of fun.

In the end – it is 24 wonderful days of holiday love!

 

Our Beloved Gang is Back with TROLLS BAND TOGETHER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres bringing joy and fun from directors Walt Dohrn, Tim Heitz, DreamWorks and Universal Pictures is the return of the gang that knows a lot about loyalty with TROLLS BAND TOGETHER.

Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are helping friends King Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) get their walk down the aisle. During the ceremony, they are interrupted by John Dory (Eric Andre) who tells Branch that his brother Floyd (Troye Sivan) has been kidnapped.

Poppy is a little confused because she didn’t even know Branch had brothers. As the story unfolds, she realizes that her boyfriend Branch was once a member of the boy band BroZone along with Clay (Kid Cudi) and Spruce/Bruce (Daveed Diggs). As the wedding wraps up and the couple head out on their honeymoon, John Dory tells Branch that Floyd has been kidnapped by rock stars Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells)

Well, there is only one thing to do in Poppy’s mind, help rescue Floyd because family is family and she always wanted a sister. So, they head out on a trusty steed driven by as Tiny Diamond (Kenan Thompson) who is flexing his tiny independence. The mission begins with finding the other brothers who have all gone their separate ways since their BroZone days.

Poppy also meets Veva (Camilia Cabello) and a group of Trolls that are still terrified of the Bergens as more secrets are revealed. The group needs to come together once again to get the perfect pitch that will shatter the diamond that Velvet and Veneer has encased Floyd in. The journey is more than they could have ever expected!

Kendrick as Poppy is once again full of fun, optimism and love for Branch. Trying to help Bridget have her special day, she learns more about Branch and is excited in her usual Poppy way. She wants to help get the boys together once again, even if only to remember what being a brother is all about. Nothing wrong with an adventure, hair braiding, singing and scrapbooking to make life more colorful. Kendrick’s singing is always on point and so good.

Timberlake as Branch has mellowed a bit and it is clearly due to Poppy. The return of John Dory feeds back into his grump side because of unresolved abandonment issues which happens when brothers go their separate ways. Yet, on the road, he does have moments where he mellows because Floyd is the brother he was closest to in their BroZone days. Timberlake is and will always be Branch, and to be honest we have actually used Branch’s’ lines in this family’s daily life. His vocals are, as expected, awesome, fun and had everyone singing along whether they realized it or not.

Andre as John Dory is a bossy brother who doesn’t remember BroZone the way the other brothers do but he does know Floyd has to be rescued! Cabello as Veva is just as colorful, surprisingly happy and a braiding maniac like Poppy. She is an enjoyable character who has to rethink the life she has been living. Cudi as Clay realizes that not a lot has changed with his older brother but still is going to do the right thing.

Mintz-Plasse and Deschanel as King Gristle and new bridge Bridget are just so funny, lovely and deserving of all things love. They also are very loyal to their troll friends and will do anything possible to make sure they are safe and just as happy as they are. Diggs as Spruce/Bruce is living his love island life with a wife and a load of kids but when it comes to his brother, he is all in.

Schumer as Velvet and Rannells as Veneer get the opportunity to play musical villains who are spoiled, selfish and want an easy way to riches, even if it means harming Floyd. These two actors give their vocals sparks of total evilness and just as Rannells’ Veneer makes you think perhaps good is in there, he proves we are Poppy-like.

Thompson as Tiny Diamond is hilarious and basically steals every scene he is in! He may be tiny but he shines brighter than the bottle Floyd is in! Sivan as Floyd is the brother that is being held by Velvet and Veneer. He wants to do what is right and is willing to sacrifice himself to keep everyone safe. Floyd is such a sweet character that we see through a diamond bottle.

Other cast include Zosia Marnet as Crimp, RuPaul as Miss Maxine, Icona Pop as Satin/Chanille, Ron Funches as Cooper, Anderson Paak as Prince D, Kunal Nayyar as Guy Diamond, David Fynn as Biggie, Kevin Richardson as Mr. Dinkles, Patti Harrison as Brandy, Walt Dohrn as King Peppy/CloudGuy and GloZell as Grandma Rosiepuff.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

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

On a personal note, my granddaughter has been a Trolls watcher since she was two years old. Singing, dancing, laughing and being excited with her Poppy and Branch dolls is a wonderful memory for this grandma. I wasn’t sure she would want to see TROLLS BAND TOGETHER because she is now 8-years-old and into other things. I think she initially went just because we like spending time together but from the moment the film started to the very end, we laughed, sang and had such a good time together that she officially said, “Naynay, I LOVE this movie!” and I hope other families get to experience that joy this film can bring.

Just when you think there couldn’t be any storyline left for our favorite trolls, TROLLS BAND TOGETHER comes along and kicks that idea out the door. This film is absolutely stunning in color, keeps our characters just the way we love them, filled with music that everyone can relate to and an adventure that brings, literally, a boy band back together – even if for a moment.

This is exactly the film that needs to be on the screen bringing families together for popcorn, fun, singing, laughing and just a plain ole good time to be had for all. Poppy and Branch hold the characters together like they are the new Mom and Dad for both the trolls and the Bergens. The holiday season means more time for family and TROLLS BAND TOGETHER is a great reason for us all to band together!

In the end – there are some new trolls on the block!

 

 

 

 

Denzel Washington is Back with THE EQUALIZER 3

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Antoine Fuqua and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the return of the man known as the THE EQUALIZER 3.

Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) is sitting in a winery of crime boss Lorenzo Vitale. He is waiting to get a key that will help him get money that was stolen and while leaving, is shot in the back. Driving to get help, he passes out and is found by cop Gio Bonucci (Eugenio Mastrandrea) and taken to Altamonte where Dr. Arisio (Remo Girone) takes care of him.

Recovering, he calls Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning) who now works for the CIA to tell her what is happening and what he found at the winery. The CIA, with Collins go to Sicily and finds cash and drugs. Walking around the town, Robert watches and listens to what is happening to the people. A man named Marco Quaranta (Andrea Dodero), a member of the Camorra, is part of a plan hurting the villagers, taking their money or their house and brutalizing small business owners.

Robert decides to intervene softly but to no avail and the Camorra now have something to really worry about. The Camorra fire bomb a fish store, Bonucci is attacked and Collins is under attack. Camorra’s Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio) is taking great pleasure in putting further fear into the town by demanding they hand over Robert. Forcing Vincent and his gang to retreat, Robert knows this is something he has to do alone.

Finding solace in this town, he is going to make sure they are safe and that Collins knows he still keeps an eye on her from afar. Has Robert MacCall finally found peace?

Washington as McCall plays a man who knows how to be destructive and does it in a subtle way. Never loud and angry, but what he says, he means and those who don’t believe it are shocked on their way to being dead. It is an interesting twist to this character and Washington could teach a master class on it. I enjoy this part of his career in that he doesn’t need to be hugely physical to make a point with the character of McCall. He is just smarter about how he handles it thanks to Washington.

Fanning as Collins is coming from behind the desk into the field trying to figure out who McCall is and why he feels the need to help her so much. It is nice to see Fanning and Washington together again as she creates her own side of the Equalizer story.

Mastrandrea as cop Gio Bonucci has a family to protect and a town that relies on him. Helping McCall was the first step to helping and it does cost him a bit. He is part of the solution to bringing justice to their lovely seaside town and McCall is going to help him get it all back.

Scarduzio as Vincent has been taking and taking with no one challenging his growth in power. McCall does because there isn’t anything for him to lose. Vincent, however, loses a brother and he wants payback of the biggest kind all while keeping the CIA away from his businesses. He has no fear of anyone or anything and Scarduzio is kind of scary actually1

Other cast include David Denman as Frank Conroy, Alessandro Pess as Viking, Daniele Perrone as Angelo, Dea Lanzaro as Gabriella Bonucci, Sonia Ben Ammar as Chiara Bonucci, Bruno Bilotta as Lorenzo Vitale and Gaia Scodellaro as Aminah.

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 on 4K and Bluray Over 15 Minutes of Deleted Scenes, Blood Brothers: The Collaboration of Denzel Washington & Antoine Fuqua, Call to Action, Robert McCall: A Man of the People, Denzel and Dakota: A Reunion, Postcards from the Amalfi Coast, and Jacob Banks “Monster” Lyric Viceo.

THE EQUALIZER 3 is an intense storyline that takes everybody up and down the emotional roller coaster following McCall. The good and the bad go head-to-head the only way they can – with destruction and a gun. Washington’s character only wants to find a place to rest and maybe even call a bit of home but, with evil all around him, it becomes difficult.

Not for McCall, the difficulty is for the bad guys who just don’t seem to realize that he doesn’t know the word quit. Every move he makes is clear and every warning he gives is verbal and using small words for criminals to understand. Yet, there are moments of pain, suffering and innocence lost but which happens when a town decides enough is enough.

Washington and Fuqua give it all and so much more. This story is not for the faint of heart but every moment of it has everything you need to know about Robert McCall.

In the end – justice knows no borders!