FINAL FANTASY: The Spirits Within Arrives on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Hironobu Sakaguchi and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is FINAL FANTASY: The Spirits Within.

Earth is being taken over by aliens called Phantoms who are killing the Gaia spirit of those living due to an infection. Now cities have to be protected with barriers to keep the Phantoms out. Unexpectedly, Dr. Aki Ross (Ming-Na) has become infected along with Dr. Sid (Donald Sutherland) and they are working to find a get rid of them.

Bringing together eight spirits they can get energy patterns of lifeforms. Out to find these spirits, Aki is in New York City and has to be rescued by Captain Edwards (Alec Baldwin). Bringing his Deep Eyes Squad including Whittaker (Ving Rhames), Fleming (Steve Buscemi) and Corporal Proudfoot (Peri Gilpin), they all return to their barrier city.

Having to meet with General Hein (James Woods), they learn he wants to use the Zeus to take out the Phantoms. Dr. Sid protests knowing it might be possible that the Earth Gaia would be in danger. Buying time, Aki tells everyone she has been infected and its only the spirits keeping her alive, but Hein thinks she is under the Phantoms control.

Using his powers of persuasion, Hein manages to open the barrier and, of course, the Phantoms come pouring in but not before he escapes leaving the rest to fight. Aboard the space station, Hein does the one thing that destroys and puts the Phantom Gaia in the open. What he never counted on is the contact between the Phantoms and Aki and the potential of helping everyone.

Ming-Na as Aki lends her voice to a very strong character who quickly sees what she is up against. Wanting to help everyone, she must take on the dangerous few who think no one will stop them. Sutherland as Sid lends support to Aki as well as making the dangers known of using the cannon in such a delicate climate. Hearing such a memorable voice is fantastic in this animated film.

Baldwin, Rhames, Buscemi and Gilpin are the Deep Eyes Squad, and they are not afraid to get in the deep. The Phantoms are not making their life easy but that’s what they do, take on the tough assignments while trying to keep those in power from making it any more difficult.

Woods as Hein gets to be as nasty as he wants to be with the power to make their lives difficult because of what he wanted to do. Aiming the Zeus cannon is his power play, and he will do what is necessary to make his play. Woods makes a good bad guy as well!

Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world. The visually groundbreaking and critically acclaimed SPIDER-MAN: Into the Spider-Verse is the studio’s latest release, and the winner of the 2019 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Other amazing films include THE SMURFS, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS and HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.sonypicturesanimation.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.

The Bluray Special Features include Two Feature-Length Commentaries, Co-Director Moto Sakakibara, Sequence Supervisor Hiroyuki Hayashida, Set & Props Lead Artist Tatsuro Maruyama, Phantom Supervisor Takao Noguchi, Animation Director Andy Jones, Editor Christopher Capp, and Staging Director Tani Kunitake.

Also, Joke Outtakes, Matte Art Explorations, Original Opening, The Gray Project, Interactive Documentary: The Making of Final Fantasy, Theatrical Trailer and More!

Coming from a 1987 role playing video game, the Final Fantasy Franchise has made its way through such technology transformations and incarnations. I remember my sons being very excited every time something new was added and I became more involved seeing the first animated film.

Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, it is an amazing mixture of fantasy, science and uses different mythologies to create the worlds. Starting with Nintendo, then to Playstation and Xbox, Square Enix expanded into CGI with films. There is also cards, novels and manga to feed into the love of Final Fantasy.

FINAL FANTASY: The Spirit Within is a stunning film with his concept and animation that give the story a richness that fans will love. What brings all of that together is the vocal talents of Ming-Na, Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, Peri Gilpin, James Woods and Donald Sutherland. That is important when bringing such a rich story to ‘life’.

FINAL FANTASY: The Spirit Within gives fans one hundred and six minutes of high intensity and stunning CGI. Gather up and prepare to see how saving the Earth is done!

In the end – they are on a mission to save Earth!

 

 

BOSS BABY 2: Family Business Bring Brothers Back Together

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Tom McGrath and DreamWorks animation is the story of two brothers who might just have to be reminded about family in BOSS BABY 2: Family Business.

Tim Templeton (James Marsden) is a grown-up family man with wife Carol (Eva Longoria) and daughters Tabitha (Ariana Greenblatt) and baby Tina (Amy Sedaris). Also, a stay-at-home Dad, he makes sure that his family is happy and filled with fun. Missing from his life is brother Theodore (Alec Baldwin) who has grown into a very rich CEO hedge fund businessman.

Recently daughter Tabitha seems to be growing apart from Dad Tim and he can not understand why. Going to the Acorn Center for Advanced Childhood run by Dr. Erin Armstrong who teaches the kids to be free thinkers. Tabitha is also preparing to take part in the school performance and does not want any help from Dad.

As the holidays approach, an unexpected visitor bursts into the Templeton home. Uncle Ted has come believing that something is wrong with Tabitha. That is when the brothers and Tina spend some alone time and they realize that she is on a mission for BabyCorp. Tina tells the brothers that they must infiltrate the Acorn Center because something is not right and to do that – that is right – they need to work together.

The brothers make a plan that turns their world upside down, but it is all done in the name of family!

Marsden as Timothy has grown up and being the father that not only loves his family but wants them to be happy in any way possible. Missing his brother, he buries that feeling and dedicates his life to Tabitha and Tina. Yet, the time has come for brothers to work together again and help BabyCorp keep their work going for all babies.

Baldwin as Ted is back with his usual amazing sarcasm, stunning wit and perfect delivery. Okay, so I am thrilled that Baldwin gets to have such a character that is so hysterically memorable with a script that gave this actor the opportunity to entertain. As the older Ted it is grand to see that some things never change – and happily so!

Sedaris as Tina makes a surprise entrance letting her father know that things have not changed much in the baby world. Getting Tim and Ted together for a mission is like trying to round up penguins on ice – difficult but not impossible. Greenblatt as Tabitha is a young girl trying to find her way. Her changes affect the relationship with her father, but Tim is not about to give up what he loves.

Let us talk Goldblum as Dr. Armstrong, first of all – I laughed so hard watching his character on the screen with the matching wit of Ted and disguised sticky sweet sarcasm. Goldblum lends his recognizable vocals to a character that has plans of his own. He has his own secret to share and once exposed, it is up to Ted and Tim to do what they do best, be brothers!

Other cast include Jimmy Kimmel as Grandpa Ted Templeton Sr. and Lisa Kudrow as Grandma Janice Templeton.

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.

BOSS BABY 2: Family Business is such a fun film for everyone, and I plan to watch it again and again. I love that DreamWorks makes their animated film with humor that reaches everyone. The story is about family and the disconnect that sometimes happens, but it is also wrapped up in adventure and humor with the end result of remembering who we love and why.

The film is brightly animated, fast paced and just a giggle fest from start to finish. Baldwin, Marsden and Goldblum keep us on our mental toes while Greenblatt and Sedaris give us a look at the next generation that will deal with BabyCorp. Showing us a side of a stay-at-home Dad and the pressures of a pre-teen invite us into the Templeton family and my family hopes they will come again.

Get the entire family together and see what the Templeton gang are up to bringing laughs, adventure and pure enjoyment in a time where we welcome them with open arms.

In the end – playtime is over!

 

 

Gumshoe Noir is Wrapped in MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Edward Norton and Warner Bros. is the tale of secrets, lies and a man who embraces MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN.

Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton) works for Frank Minna (Bruce Willis) who owns a detective agency and car service. Caring for Lionel since he was young, Minna saw something special and not just the speech condition he has no control over.

On a case, Minna asks Lionel to signal him if things go wrong at a meeting. Watching every move, he is upset seeing boss and mentor Minna getting into a car with a couple of shady types. Following the best he can, it all falls apart and Lionel must now deal with the most heartbreaking thing he can imagine.

Back at the office, Tony (Bobby Cannavale) has taken over to keep the business afloat along with Gilbert (Ethan Suplee) and Danny (Dallas Roberts).  Lionel cannot shake what has happened and isn't about to let it go. Digging into what Minna was working on, he comes across activist Laura (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who lives next to the nightclub The King Rooster. It is when he follows Laura to a community meeting and Gabby Horowitz (Cherry Jones) does he meet Paul Randolph (Willem DaFoe) who seems to have a lot to say about brother Moses Randolph (Alec Baldwin).

Putting the scattered pieces together, Laura tells Lionel that Moses Randolph is buying up all the property from poorer families to get them out and reclaim the land in favor of the rich. Wrapped up in the confusion, Lionel must discover what it was Minna tried to tell him, what Laura has to do with it all, what is wrong with Paul Randolph and what it will take to get the truth out of Moses Randolph to solve his friends murder!

Norton as Lionel is exquisite from start to finish. Losing someone who cared for him and that he cared for meant he wasn't going to let sleeping dogs lie. Donning the man's coat and hat, you can sense the determination and although at times the film seemed to slow a little, it certainly pays off as the pieces of this crazy puzzle slowly come together. It may have taken Norton all these years to write the script but you can be sure I'd rather him have taken his time to create MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN than make a shoddy detective film. I just loved this character and how his mind worked even with some considered his disability.

Raw as Laura is a woman after justice for the city she loves. Always on the move to find answers to stopping Randolph, she has no problem laying it out plainly for Lionel. She also finds herself feeling warmly towards him without actually knowing why. Raw is such a soft actress but in that softness is strength of conviction in the characters that she plays - brava! Jones as Gabby is a force just as powerful as Laura and isn't worried about what will happen to her as she is what is happening to the people of New York.

Baldwin as Moses Randolph is a grade A ass of a man that some people might easily recognize in a weird way. It is clear that this man feels he owes no one an explanation for the wiping out of whole neighborhood blocks. Over the years we have seen Baldwin play so many different roles but one thing is for certain, he has the amazing ability to portray douchebags in such a way that everything that falls from his character may seem awful but you can't help but watch! This role is no exception to that as Randolph feels justified in everything he does and makes no apologies.

DaFoe as Paul is a character that was hard to keep up with but in a good way. His mind worked even faster than Lionel's and it seemed so scattered and absurd but that's the brilliance of DaFoe's portrayal, the truth is in the madness created by family. Lionel is never really sure what is happening with Paul and I certainly went with him on that. I think DaFoe is such a treasure and that Norton choose wisely!

Cannavale, Suplee and Roberts provide support as the men behind the agency door. Trying to support Lionel in finding who killed Minna, they are also realistic in knowing that their skills might not be needed any longer. Cannavale has the ability to steal a scene and his choice of roles always surprises me.

Other cast include Josh Pais as William Lieberman, Leslie Mann as Mrs. Minna and Bruce Willis as Frank Minna (and I oh so wished he was in it far more than he was).

The story is based on the 1999 novel by Jonathan Lethem as Norton took to tasks writing the screenplay. At the Toronto Film Festival, Norton says, "Lethem wrote this incredible character of 50s gumshoes living in the modern world. It made sense to set it in the 50s and once that decision was made, we got very interested into opening it up to the deep corruption and history of New York." 

I am a fan of detective films, especially the black and white films of 'old' (so to speak). Norton has captured the essence of those beloved films with the look and feel that is fantastic. The added music track of the film with the amazing jazz club scenes just made me completely giddy. The music is actually created by Grammy Award-winning artist Thom Yorke, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and nine-time Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis.

MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN is a film that will fall easily in line with other classics such as L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, CHINA TOWN, and ROAD TO PERDITION. There is something drawing to Norton's performance at Lionel that is deliberate and powerful and with the cast he is working with, there is nothing out of place in a story that is completely out of place. Watching several interviews with the cast, it is clear that they are just as pleased with the outcome of the film.

If you are a fan of what I call gumshoe noir then MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN should entice you, if a fan of gorgeous cinematography, music and costuming then MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN should have you buying a ticket and if you are a fan of a film that takes its time to tell a marvelous story - then MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN is absolutely for you. I have no doubt there will be nominations coming from every direction very soon.

In the end - he will leave no stone unturned to find the answer!

PARIS CAN WAIT Reminds Us to Live!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director Eleanor Coppola and Sony Pictures Classics is a feast for the eyes and the mind when PARIS CAN WAIT.

Anne (Diane Lane) has an extremely busy life currently in France. Married for over twenty years to producer husband Michael (Alec Baldwin), she takes care of his peccadilloes and schedule. When Michael is called away to deal with an emergency situation, they decide to meet up in Paris in seven hours.

Not feeling well, Anne decides that flying to Paris isn’t going to work. Friend Jacques (Arnaud Viard) volunteers to drive her but she isn’t sure that is such a good idea. Immediately Jacques begins the conversation wanting to know how she feels about life. Of course that gets cut short with their first stop because – well Jacques wants to eat.

Anne wonders how they are ever going to get to Paris in seven hours, especially when they are forced to spend the night at a small hotel. Michael is frustrated that she is not in Paris yet, not that he is either. Inviting Anne to dinner, they enjoy wine and good food and she lets her hair down just a little.

This won’t be the first stop as their two day journey gives Anne time to relax, take photos and understand that stopping to smell the roses can be a good thing, especially if Jacques has anything to do with it.

It is never too late to regain a lust for life!

Lane as Anne is once again taking the role of a woman who gets caught up in what’s good for everyone else. Lost in the maze of things that has to be done for others, this character has become numb to being equally as caught up in her self. Yes, we have seen this kind of role from Lane before but let me say this, as a woman of a certain age myself; it is these roles that Lane reminds me to zest up my own life.

Viard as Jacques is the wild and crazy friend/driver who has a strong feeling about everything. He sits back and breathes, drinks wine, drives a little crazy, sees the beauty in an old building and even smokes when he knows he shouldn’t. The way he treats his friends is so lovely and he makes it all look so easy. Of course it should be as the lessons Jacque teaches with grace and funny style.

Baldwin as Michael is a very needy individual! He knows that Anne is a pro at taking care of him, so much so she can tell where his glasses are in a suitcase that is no where near her! How many women do you know that can do that – right – a lot of us. Calling Anne during her road trip he hints that Jacques might not have been a good choice to drive (which is something I think significant others say when feeling insecure). It’s a small role for Baldwin and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Other cast include Elise Tielrooy as Martine, Linda Gegusch as Anne Marie, Elodie Navarre as Carol and Cedric Monnet as Gardien de Musee.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings amazing quality motion picture and television productions. Such films as BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, UNDERWORLD BLOOD WARS and PASSENGERS also available for your home entertainment library – there is so much more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.sonypictures.com.

The DVD includes the Special Features of Deleted Scenes, Through Anne’s Lens: A Photo Gallery, Indulging the Senses: Filming a Trip Through France, and Late Bloomer: Eleanor Coppola Directs.

PARIS CAN WAIT is a film about remembering who we are, especially when caught up in being something for everyone else but ourselves. Lane, although overwhelmed with life, gives this character strength and the ability to bend when the realizing that life can be lovely kicks in.

I love the relationship that builds between Lane’s and Jacques characters. They are the definition of yin and yang but it’s clear that they had something to learn from each other. That’s what makes a romantic comedy memorable! Yes there is the funny, the back and forth but it is in those scenes where all that it set aside and changes happen that capture my heart.

In the end – take a break and journey with love and friendship through France!

The Stork Brings BOSS BABY to Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this week on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD Combo Pack from director Tim McGrath, DreamWorks and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the arrival of the new boss in town with BOSS BABY.

Tim Templeton (Miles Bakshi) is a creative young man who has the best time with his parents. Encouraging his imagination for fun, Mom (Lisa Kudrow) and Dad (Jimmy Kimmel) always take time from their busy jobs at Puppy Co. working for Francis Francis (Steve Buscemi) to celebrate being a family.

His life is about to change with the arrival of Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin) introduced as his new baby brother. Boss Baby is a well dressed brief case carrying kid who immediately takes over the house with his demands. Tim feels like he is being put on the back burner with Mom and Dad deciding to do something about it.

Doing his own recon, Tim soon discovers that Boss Baby can talk! Wanting to immediately tell Mom and Dad, Boss Baby tells Tim that there is a way to put everything back the way it was. Explaining he comes from BabyCorp, he tells of a plot to put babies out of business by Puppy Co. who is creating a puppy that stays a puppy forever and Boss Baby needs to stop it.

Tim is on board, especially if it means his life will go back to normal, and the brothers only have two days to stop the madness. A lot can happen in two days between brothers!

Who else could be the voice of Boss Baby but Alec Baldwin! He is hilarious and smooth at the same time with some of the best lines ever. I couldn’t stop giggling with his vocal performance mixed with amazing animation. Bakshi doing the vocals for Tim is a young man who just didn’t expect a baby brother and certainly didn’t expect to go on an adventure that would last a lifetime.

Buscemi as Francis Francis is on a crime spree with a bigger connection that Boss Baby could have imagined. Kudrow as Mom clearly wants her two boys to bond and Kimmel as Dad is also pleased when his sons seem to be having fun together.

Other cast include James McGrath as Wizzie, Conrad Vernon as Eugene, ViviAnn Yee as Staci, Eric Bell Jr. as Triplets, David Soren as Jimbo, Edie Mirman as Big Boss Baby and narrated by Tobey Maguire.

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

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. DreamWorks Animations has brought iconic and beloved films such as the SHREK, MADAGASCAR, KUNG FU PANDA and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

BOSS BABY Bluray/DVD and Digital HD include the Special Features of New Mini Adventure: The Boss Baby and Tim’s Treasure Hunt Through Time, The Forever Puppy Infomercial, BabyCorp and You, and Babies vs. Puppies: Who Do YOU Love?

Also included is The Boss Baby’s Undercover Team, Cookies Are For Closers: Inside BabyCorp, The Great Sibling Competition, Happy Accidents: The Deleted Scenes of THE BOSS BABY and Gallery.

BOSS BABY is a charming film that is also hilarious which means there is something for everyone. It is definitely a story about family and the expectations we place on each other but it all works out when love is in the mix. I would expect nothing less from DreamWorks where that is concerned.

The story of BabyCorp really did have me laughing and the deep secret behind Puppy Co. was a total and fun surprise. That’s hard to do with an animated film but BOSS BABY gives it all wrapped up in a really good time that can be watched again and again.

The animation is lively, colorful and absolutely fun from start to finish. What makes the combo pack so much fun is that if you didn’t get enough of BOSS BABY, there are new adventures to be had which means more family fun time.

In the end – Boss Baby means business!