A Hit with PROJECT HAIL MARY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Opening in theatres today from directors Christopher Miller, Phil Lord and Amazon MGM Studios is a journey in space to save the universe with PROJECT HAIL MARY.

Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is a middle school science teacher who wakes up on a spacecraft. After a bit of panic, he realizes that he is one of three on the ship that is light years away from Earth, but the only survivor. How did he get there? Before being a teacher, he was a molecular biologist and that is why Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) has come to see him.

The sun is dimming and it has to do with the Petrova line, a line that goes from the Sun to Venus. What is causing it is something scientist call Astrophage and that gives Earth only thirty years before catastrophe. Getting himself together on the ship, Grace realizes there is one planet not affected by the Astrophage. Heading that way, he comes in contact with another ship with a passenger dealing with the same problem.

Rocky, a five-legged-alien, becomes a partner with Grace in trying to discover what can stop the Astrophage. Learning to communicate and putting their brilliant minds together, they both have the chance to not only save their planet but get home. The partnership between Grace and Rocky cause them both to make sacrifices in the name of universal friendship.

Gosling as Grace is absolutely stunning and total perfection in this film. As a man who doesn’t mind helping the cause of saving the planet, he doesn’t see himself as brave enough to do what’s necessary. What Gosling does with this character is never letting him be anything other than himself. This film is wrapped up in so many emotions and Gosling delivers at every level. From insecurities, to sadness, to pure joy, Gosling never once lets the audience catch their breath. All of it is like a Christmas present in March! The relationship with Rocky melted me completely and, makes me think it’s time to bring pet rocks back…with legs.

Huller as Eva is the one person one earth who believes in Gosling. From the moment they meet, she sees that he is different than most of those working on the project. It is that difference that she needs to make everything work. Huller gives her character a quiet strength that seems to be the one holding the biggest candle of hope without letting anyone around her knowing it.

Two important shout outs here. The first, Lionel Boyce as Carl, the man assigned to Grace in the beginning. I just love how he is this government guard yet, there are moments where his character is less strict and works with Grace in the oddest and best way. James Ortiz is the voice of Rocky and, after laughing through all the voice choices, Ortiz gives the little alien such a personality that I’m in love with (feel free to send any toys of Rocky my way!). When there are characters like this in films, the voice is everything and Ortiz is everything and more.

Other cast include Travis Jay as Tilt-a-Whirl, Bastian Fuentes as Parker, Milana Vayntrub as Olesya Ilukhina, Ken Leung as Yao, Priya Kansara as Mary, Mia Soteriou as Dr. Browne, Annelle Olaleye as Olivia, Maya Eva Hosein as Rekha, Paul Lambert as Dr. Scyther, Orion Lee as Dr. Li, and Aaron Neil as Narender.

PROJECT HAIL MARY is from writer Andy Weir who has also brought about the film THE MARTIAN, another space films that I absolutely adore. ARTEMIS is still in the works. More than novels, Weir has written serial novels, short and long stories, comics and graphic novels. I’m excited to see what he writes next.

First of all, the film comes in at one hundred and fifty-six minutes and I loved every single, solitary moment. To be fair, THE MARTIAN (2015) is a film I have seen to many times I can’t even count and it is because of the mixture of intelligence and humanity. It has been my favorite since then but, the reign has come to an end. Now, PROJECT HAIL MARY has taken the lead and, for the very same reasons. The best part? They were both written by Andy Weird so, it’s a win-win.

Gosling runs away with the film with his love of science, even if it didn’t go in the direction he thought in the early years. Once called upon to help save the world, Grace might have hesitated but, in the blink, he’s in space doing just that. There is so much to say about Gosling’s performance but I have to admit, I don’t know if I can ever see him cry again because, the audience in the theatre with me were crying along with him. He wrecked an entire room and, he wrecked the unwreckable (insert me here).

The space scenes are so beautiful, colorful and could quite easily make anyone want to go to space. Inside the ship looks so complex in the beginning, but, with the help of Rocky, comes to be ever more complex yet, easy to follow along with each characters thought process. Thanks to Neil deGrasse Tyson, I even understood a lot of the space references. Now, about Rocky, I can’t even believe how dang cute he is and, although oddly shaped, I wouldn’t change one bit of him.

I loved the Easter eggs in the film, as I’m sure Steven Spielberg does as well. The humor totally had me laughing, the story is just so smart that I now need to read the book to see if I missed anything and tissues should be handed out before entering the theatre. This is a film that is such a must-see and my space favorite of 2026 and beyond. The ending, so you know, is amazing!

Go spent time this weekend weightless in space and cheer on the saving of the universe!

In the end – believe in the Hail Mary!

The Holidays are Here with RED ONE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday to really put a jingle in the holidays from director Jake Kasdan and Amazon MGM Studios is the story of RED ONE.

Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) is the ELF (Enforcement Logistics and Fortification) security for Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) and answers to M.O.R.A. (Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority). Now Callum wants to retired after a few hundred years becoming disillusioned by how badly the world and those in it are behaving. Agreeing to one more flight, everyone is preparing and Ms. Claud (Bonnie Hunt) whips it all into shape.

All of a sudden, things go haywire and Callum realizes that Santa has been kidnapped on Christmas Eve! Who is responsible for this you might ask? Well one person is Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans) who unknowingly helped someone hack into Santa’s business giving out top secret information. He also has an estranged relationship with son Dylan (Wesley Kimmel). Tracking him down is Director Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu) and after questioning him realizes he doesn’t know where Santa is. However, teaming him up with a disgruntled Callum, the two may be able to track down where he is.

That’s when they discover that Gryla (Kiernan Shipka), the winter witch, is responsible for everything. Callum thinks maybe she is working with Santa’s adopted brother Krampus (Kristofer Hivju) since he and Gryla once had a thing together. While Callum and Jack are running around the world, Gryla has started her own idea of how to handle the naughty and she already has someone in mind to test it out on.

Taking on Gryla, Callum and Jack aren’t not about to give up and an unexpected bit of help comes from an unlikely place!

Johnson as Callum is a rugged, tough looking and a bit solemn bodyguard for Santa Claus. He has the job down pat and does not have the patience for anything other than doing his job. When “Red” goes missing, Callum is not about to let anybody else find him. This is the perfect role for Johnson because he does gruff with ease and that’s not a bad thing. This is the first of two films he’s bringing this holiday season with MOANA 2 just waiting in the wings. Here, he gets to jump back into an action hero role once again and we are here for it.

Evans as Jack is a man who has, since childhood, made it clear that he has his own opinion about everything and owes no one nothing. Jack makes his money working for the highest bidder and that’s where he gets in trouble. Also, not spending quality time with his son doesn’t seem to faze him relying on Dylan’s mom to do the rearing. Coming across someone like Callum who isn’t dealing with excuses or nonsense. takes Jack on an adventure that has pitfalls coming close to loved ones. Evans runs with the role and since his sordid moments in DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, he shows that adult humor pours out of him and it works.

Shipka as the winter witch has her reasons for wanting to take on the naughty list her way and it is ingenious actually. Her shapeshifting ways are very cool (with the help of special effects). Shipka gets a chance to be a bad girl herself and does so her own way. Hivju as Krampus is clever, hilarious and unexpected but I’d know that voice anywhere. He has a grudge against Santa so helping isn’t part of his master plan, he’d rather slap a few people around for fun.

Simmons as Santa is not what one would expect from a Claus. He is not round but he is physically fit and believes in what he does. Of course, his favorite part of the job is seeing the kids but he also takes care of the thousands of elves in his care and has a soft spot in his heart for Callum. I am thrilled Simmons gets to play Santa because I have always been a fan and followed his career. So, why not take on the role of Red and take it to levels we would never think of. He gives this ‘character’ just the right amount of twinkle in his eye and understanding in his spirit.

Lui as Director Harlow gets a chance to Charlies-Angels-up again with her moves but her job is to do one thing, get Red back to home before he misses Christmas! Lui is a strong character who matches Johnson’s toughness but then again, anyone in her role as Director would need to be I’m thinking. Kimmel as Dylan is a young boy who seems to resemble his father in the troubled department but it seems to happen in order to get his wayward father’s attention.

Other cast include Gursham Arya as Drako, Marc Evan Jackson as Uncle Rick, Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Olivia, Nick Kroll as Ted and Reinaldo Faberlle as Agent Garcia.

MGM is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television across all platforms. Owning one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content and is home to two of the longest-running and most successful film franchise in cinematic history with JAMES BOND and ROCKY. For more please visit www.mgm.com.

RED ONE is so much fun filled with adventure, lore, wonderment, surprises and twists. We screened it as a family and we all had such a good time watching the film. You can feel the holidays are just gearing up and in the air so starting it off with this particular story, well, it begs that families get together for a night out at the theatres.

Putting the Johnson and Evans together was a stroke of genius as they played off one another so well. Bouncing off with a good-guy-not-so-good guy seasonal relationship, it takes the film full circle in the best of ways. The film brings everything with action, adventure, polar bears, crazy snowmen, a dash of mythology and more. As the holidays approach, there will be a fair share of seasons greetings on the big screen and small and RED ONE is a fantastic way to start.

In the end – you better watch out!