She is Part of SEVEN VEILS

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this week from writer/director Atom Egoyan, XYZ Films and Variance Films comes the story entwined with the SEVEN VEILS.

Jeanine (Amanda Seyfried) has been asked to direct a theatre production of the opera Salome. Excited to be bringing her own vision to the story, she announces that there will be very small changes from her mentor Charles own production. Having a call with her young daughter and husband Paul (Mark O’Brien) to celebrate her mother’s birthday, Jeanine becomes leery of the caretaker Dimitra (Maia Jae Bastidas).

Her production plate becomes even fuller when Johann (Michael Kupfer-Radecky), who is playing John the Baptist, is becoming a headache but so are the requests made of her by management. They are questioning her ‘changes’ in the show and making it clear that she is being watched. Not allowed to have a Directors Statement in the program as well adds to her shock. Instead, she is being told to do a dairy of her thoughts of the play that can be posted on a website.

Amber (Ambur Braid) who portrays the role of Salome has personal issues with Johan that flows into Clea’s (Rebecca Liddiard) props and mask-making department. It is even more uncomfortable since Clea once had a relationship with Amber but is now currently with Rachel (Vanessa Antoine) who is Amber’s understudy. The drama has a lid on it slightly as Janine tries to get her players to truly understand the roles they are playing in thought, emotion, deed and reaches to Johann’s understudy Luke (Douglas Smith) from their younger years in theatre.

There is also a struggle with Janine as she deals with memories that come flooding in and out about her own past. From her father to her mentor Charles, it all becomes garbled as she tries to keep it from interfering with the opera. The stress is intermingled with the show, management, what is happening at home and the memories that refuse to fade yet the show must go on.

Seyfried as Jeanine is thrilled to be directing the story of Salome and to be able to showcase what she can do. The problem becomes the entwining of her past, demands from others and her own feelings about it all. Trying her best to keep things compartmentalized, it becomes difficult and overpowering at times. Seyfried handles her role brilliantly attempting to juggle it all as a woman fighting her past, her cast and what she can do for opera in the future.

Liddiard as Clea is working with Jeanine to bring the right props and tone to the opera. She finds herself in a difficult position with a past love and a present one with a connection that no one would want for either. Antoine as Rachel is a studious understudy with dreams of one day having her moment and Clea wants that for her. Smith as Luke is Johann’s understudy who has the same dream as Rachel.

Kupfer-Radecky is, well, a diva of the worst kind. Believing himself to be beyond reproach, he wreaks havoc in the sinister of ways. O’Brien as Paul is a husband who is supportive in a way that makes him feel good about himself but Jeanine begins to see through him. Bastidas as Dimitra is a caretaker but one of the worst kind.

Other cast include Lanette Ware as Beatrice, Maya Misaljevic as Lizzie, Ryan McDonald as Harold, Lynne Griffin as Margot, Tara Nicodemo as Nancy, Joey Klein as Charlie, Aliya Kanani as Kathy, Alex Halliday as Cappadocian and Michael Schade as Herod.

XYZ Films is an American independent film production and sales company founded in 2008 by Aram Tertzakian, Nate Bolotin and Nick Spicer, and is based in Los Angeles. It focuses on international genre films, including THE RAID: Redemption, THE RAID 2, and ON THE JOB. For more on what they have to offer, please visit www.xyzfilms.com.

Variance Films is a privately held film distribution company founded in 2008 that uses an innovative model of self-distribution combined with select elements of traditional theatrical distribution to allow filmmakers to achieve quality theatrical releases for their films. Their offerings include BREATHE, ROSARIO and TAYLOR SWIFT: The Eras Tour. For more of what they have to offer, please visit www.variancefilms.com.

Atom Egoyan directed the opera, Salome, in 1996, the first opera in what would be many to come over his career. Best known as a prominent film director since the 1980s, Egoyan has proven he is a master of both mediums. Egoyan was interested in exploring what the production of Salome would mean in our current culture. This interest led Egoyan to write the script for SEVEN BEILS, about a remount of Salome that he filmed at the same time the opera was on stage, using the opera singers from Salome in the film.

Egoyan says of the opera and film,“Salome is a production I’ve done a number of times so when I knew that the Canadian Opera Company was remounting it, I thought this would be an ideal time to fuse the opera singers I knew they had booked with the script I had written. I wanted to explore how the themes of Salome could weave with the story of remounting this particular production. It’s not really an opera movie, it’s just using the world of the opera as a workplace like any workplace. We see the characters as they float in and out of scenes dealing with the preparation of the opera.”

The director has done exactly that with SEVEN VEILS. It is a stunningly beautiful film that mixes the human frailties in the story of Salome with the same human frailties as those portraying the characters. Keeping the staging simple allows us to immerse into the roles that each play and decipher for ourselves where each scene will take us. The final production presented is breathtaking with images I had never imagined in a production such as this but understand it completely.

In the end – life has its own tragedies!

YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT Jumps onto Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital and DVD this week from writer/director David Koepp, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes a story of vacationing fear when YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT.

Theo (Kevin Bacon) is a man married to his young actress wife Susanna (Amanda Seyfried) and they share the very young Ella (Avery Essex). Dealing with his emotions of the past, he visits the set where Susanna only to have more pressure to be a good and supportive husband. This is especially difficult since the topic of people not liking Theo comes up.

He convinces Susanna that they need some time together before she heads for an 8 week shoot in London. That is when they drive up to a huge vacation home in Wales. It is spacious and minimalist in its furnishing, but the family is enchanted by the house and the surrounding grounds. But beauty can be deceiving…

…as Ella begins to see shadows. The next day Susanna and Ella talk a walk and the young girl asked the question she probably should not have, "why do people not like Daddy?" and the story is unraveled before her. Theo is furious that she subjected their daughter to the story, but Ella makes it clear she loves her father.

Theo goes to the grocery store where a shopkeeper questions him about their stay at the house. He finds the questions strange. It gets stranger when a woman asks him if he is spoken to the owner Stetler. Trying to chalk it up to the area, Theo has a dream that night that the house is changing, and that Ella is in harm’s way.

Trying to keep it together, the final straw is discovering that Susanna is not being honest with him and she leaves for the evening. Theo and Ella find ways to keep themselves amused and that is when he begins to suspect that the house has a bigger story to tell. Instead, the house turns against Theo with strange twists and turns making it impossible to leave.

What it wants from him might be more than he can take.

Bacon as Theo does an excellent job as an insecure husband mixed with a supernatural. One of my favorite films he has done is the 1990 FLATLINERS and the 1999 STIR OF ECHOES. As Theo, Bacon's character delves into a life before Susanna and Ella and the strain of his own insecurities. The scene between Bacon and young Ella is something to have tissue for which is unexpected for a suspense/supernatural thriller.

Seyfried as Susanna is a young actress who finds herself taking roles that cause conflict between she and husband Theo. Seyfried seems concerned about her husband but also shuts herself away a bit when Theo can't seem to control his insecurities. She pulls her weight in the film but does not get to get her hands dirty.

Essex as Ella is absolutely stunning! She is smart, doesn't miss much, has a bit of a wild streak but also sees that her father is struggling, oh, and has her own issues with the house. This young actress is powerful and gives her little self a resilience that her parents should have taken a lesson from.

Other cast include Colin Blumenau as the Shopkeeper, Lowri Richards as the town Welsh Woman, Joshua Jackson as Susanna’s Production Assistant and Eli Powers as Susann's Assistant.

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.

YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT is a mind-bending story with some jumps that got me easily. Okay, I did holler once but I am sure you will holler even more. It is a cast of 2 1/2 that carry the film and they do it well. As the story starts to unfold it is a tad bit predictable but none the less fun to watch.

Might I suggest watching it in the dark as I did, you will get the full effect that is pretty cool, especially on a Friday night. Living in the times we are, it is cool to have a movie night at home and scary movies happen to be our favorite.

Don't turn away from the screen or you will miss the small pieces of the larger supernatural puzzle.

In the end – the house finds you!

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is Tissue Worthy

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from director Simon Curtis and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the world through a dogs eyes who knows THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN.

Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia) is an up and coming race car driver who finds himself falling head over heels for a four legged furry Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). This is Enzo telling the story of their meeting and life together. Finding himself drawn to Denny's world of racing, Enzo can't get enough of everything they do.

That is until schoolteacher Eve (Amanda Seyfried) comes into the picture! Enzo isn't exactly thrilled with the change in Denny and having to share what he considers a perfect life with a third person. Eventually a fourth person in the form of Zoe (Ryan Armstrong) arrives and Enzo realizes that he has enough love for everyone and becomes Zoe's protector.

Through the years Denny supports his family racing and is away occasionally and Eve is watched over by Enzo. That is when he senses that something is wrong with Eve but there isn't any way to make Denny aware of it. On a walk, Eve collapses and Enzo has to use the only voice he has to get help.

Now Denny and Zoe are finding their stride while Eve is in hospital. There is backup by Eve's judgmental father Maxwell (Martin Donovan) and doting mother Trish (Kathy Baker). Helping with Zoe, Denny stops going out on the road and returns to the track teaching for boss Don (Gary Cole). The goal of everyone is to make sure Eve is comfortable and Enzo keeps a very close eye nightly.

When things turn tragic, Denny is pit up against Eve's father and Enzo wants to make it clear that he knows what's happening. When Maxwell oversteps his bounds and Denny reacts, it starts a chain of pain for everyone including Zoe and Enzo isn't about to allow anything to happen to his family.

Ventimiglia as Denny is a man who knows exactly how he wants to spend his life - behind the wheel of a very fast car. Everyone believes he is magical at his job and even the woman he marries is supportive (not so much the daddy dearest father-in-law). This is a role that Ventimiglia is becoming known for with his ability to be the trusted emotional support for everyone around him even if his world is falling apart. The combination of Denny and Enzo is beautiful.

Seyfried as Eve accepts that her husband just loves to be behind the wheel, although she might not understand it, there is nothing more important to her than Denny's success. It's nice to see that supportiveness from them both actually as conflict seems to permeate films with couples in them lately. These two are just want each other to be happy and Seyfried does that - until her character can't.

Baker as Mom Trish is the more relaxed of the couple and lets it be known that he likes Denny even if she is nervous about his chosen profession. Donovan as Maxwell is that one character that I can't help but curl my lip up at. He is judgmental and finds any opportunity to make Denny uncomfortable as a husband and father. It takes a lot for me to not like a character and Donovan does his job well. Cole as Don just has a presence that I have always enjoyed. From comedy, to drama to being a bad guy, he also makes playing a good guy pretty dang awesome.

Now, Costner as the voice of Enzo the dog - can I just say I absolutely adored it. He had the ability to make me believe I was listening, well, to a dog! I loved the way he spoke, his description of life, the people in it and when being naught I found myself cheering him/Enzo on. So well done and made me tear up on more than one occasion, especially "one more lap" (you'll see, have tissue at the ready!)

Other cast include Lily Dodsworth-Evans as Teenage Zoe, Al Sapienza as Luca Pantoni, McKinely Belcher III as Mark Finn, Ian Lake as Uncle Mike and Andres Joseph as Tony.

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.

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  A Journey to Screen, Directing the Art, Enzo Cam, Behind the Wheel, The Dog Stays in the Picture, Enzo's First Ride and Audio Commentary by Director Simon Curtis.

There are a lot of films about dogs in the last few years and there are some very heart-warming ones. THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN just had me feeling almost every range of human or dog emotions possible. I loved Enzo as a puppy immediately but it becomes clearer and clearer with Costner's help that he is no ordinary dog. Enzo is a thinker and breaks it all down as he waits to become, like Pinocchio, human.

He knows his racing first of all which I thought was pretty cool but he also knows so much more and realizes that he grows emotionally because he sees something for his future. I think what really got me was his description of Eve's leaving when he said "I know because I saw it" and I lost it.

The cast had their role to play as well of a family dealing with love, marriage, family, death, anger and acceptance of putting one step in front of the other to keep life in front of them all. There is so much for the family to experience with this film and it is my heartfelt hope that they see it together and talk about it all after.

In the end - meet the dog who shoes the world how to be human!

MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again Sings & Dances onto Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray/DVD this Tuesday from writer/director Ol Parker and Universal Home Entertainment is the return of MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is working hard to reopen the Bella Donna Hotel with the help of Fernando Cienfuegos (Andy Garcia). Husband Sky (Dominic Cooper) is away working and making her feel a bit lonely. While putting her mother Donna's (Meryl Streep) belongings away, she begins to explore Donna's life that initially brought her to the island.

Donna (Lily James), in 1979, graduates college with friends Rosie (Alexis Davies) Tanya (Jessica Wynn). Deciding what to do with her life, Sophie begins her travels and meets a young Harry (Hugh Skinner) who becomes instantly infatuated with her. Finding her own way to the island she meets the charming sailboat racer Bill (Josh Dylan) who takes her to the docks and promises he will see her again.

As a storm breaks, Donna finds herself needing a bit of horse help when on the road she meets Sam (Jeremy Irvine) and her heart is captured and then broken.

Back to Sophie's life, the opening of the hotel is stressing her out as she turns to Sam (Pierce Brosnan) for support and wishes Dads Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) and Harry (Colin Firth) could be there. She does have Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) who wouldn't miss the opening for anything. The two ladies are having emotional flash backs of their own.

When a storm hits and threatens to ruin all of Sophie's plans, it is those she loves who come to her rescue as the hotel opens as it always should have, especially when Grandma Ruby (Cher) shows up.

But, they are family and nothing is impossible with their love!

Seyfried returns as Sophie who has grown up a bit and decided that she wants to follow in her mother's footsteps by finishing what Donna started. Wanting to make the hotel a huge success also comes with allot of questions still about her mother and how they have all made it to this point in their lives. Seyfried sings beautifully and carries her role.

James as a young Donna is a chance for viewers to explore her side of the story and how she came to be part of the plan for the hotel. Along the way she just happens to meet three very different men who become an important part of her life - and then Sophie's. Lily is daring and at the same time very strong in her convictions as to what she wants and how she will get it.

Irvine as Sam gives us a look inside how deep the relationship was with Donna when they were young but also the truth behind the heart ache that would follow them both for so many years Brosnan as Sam has remained with Sophie as a support and a man who has settled into a life that works for him.

Dylan as a young Bill is the reckless one of the bunch and believes his charms will win the heart of Donna but she has other plans.  Skarsgard as Bill has mellowed a bit and even regrets his behavior towards Rosie. When he needs to be there for Sophie, Skarsgard gets a chance to play two roles in the film, even if only briefly.

Skinner as young Harry clearly is as uncomfortable in his youth as he continued to be into adulthood. Skinner manages to capture all of that angst it really works into understanding Harry later. Speaking of that, Firth as Harry is still so darn sweet and sensitive but starting to get a little more outspoken about what he wants in life.

Davies as young Rosie is just as cute and funny as Walters return as the more mature version. Dealing with a jolt from Bill has not changed her one bit and she's going to make sure he knows it. Wynn as a young Tanya is just as witty as her counterpart Baranski. These two actresses didn't miss a beat playing this character and I loved it.

Cher as Ruby was perfect with her drop in and drop dead look. Of course Cher is going to be amazing - she's Cher! I recently saw her in Las Vegas performing the song 'Fernando' and I just got a little fan crazy with my cheering. She continues to have a voice that is rich and memorable.

Garcia as Cienfuegos is charming and has a line for everything. That's not necessarily a bad thing as this character always shows up at the right time and always knows the right thing to say. He also believes in Sophie and that makes all the difference.

Other cast include Gerard Monaco as Alexio, Anna Antoniades as Apollonia, Panos Mouzourakis as Lazarus, Maria Bacratsis as Sophia, Naoko Mori as Yumiko, Tayo Igawa as Dr. Horvath and Susanne Barklund as Alma.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. 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 of the 4K and Bluray include Deleted/Extended Songs and Scene with Commentary by Director/Screenplay Writer Ol Parker, Enhanced Sing-Alongs, Cast Meets Cast: Tanya Meets Tanya - Jessica Wynn interviews Christine Baranski about playing the sassiest Dynamo - Tanya, Rosie Meets Rosie - Alexa Davies interviews Julie Walters as the two actresses share their experiences playing Rosie, Cast Chats, High Jinks, Choreographing MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again, Dancing Queen: Anatomy of a Scene, Performing for Legends, and Class of '79.

Also on the Bluray/DVD and Digital are The Story - Producer Judy Craymer reveal how the MAMA MIA! legacy began, evolved into the first feature film and how she teamed with executive producer/co-writer Richard Curtis and director/screenplay writer Ol Parker to develop the perfect sequel, MAMA MIA! Reunited, Playing Donna, Meeting Cher, Costumes and The Dynamos, Curtain Call, NBC's Today Show Interview with Cher & Judy Craymer, Feature Commentary with Director/Screenplay Writer Ol Parker and Feature Commentary with Producer Judy Craymer.

MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again is a chance to get to know more about the characters that audiences embraced in 2008 with answers to the questions so many of us had. It's a story of family, relationships, the past, who comes into our lives and leaves footprints in our hearts. The characters learn understanding, love and that none of us is perfect in the choices we make but at least we get in the game and make them!

The cast mostly returns to have a little more fun with their musical talents and with the addition of Cher, well, it all works! The film is filled with the music audiences may have forgotten but it was all still in the back of our playbook minds as ABBA will always be one of my favorites. Along with the music is dancing and no one is immune to toe tapping and lip synching when watching the film or even after.

That's what makes musicals work on the big screen and now everyone has a chance to revisit the island again and again to laugh, dance and sing with MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again as a companion to the original film in your home entertainment library.

In the end - we get to once again have the time of our lives!