It is THE LAST DUEL on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray Combo, DVD and Digital from director Ridley Scott and 20^th Century Studios comes a tale of knights and betrayal leading to THE LAST DUEL.

Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) is a man that has fought hard for King Charles VI and his country of France losing his wife and child. Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) is his closest friend and overlord of the King. That makes their friendship tense, especially when Jacques arrives to collect the taxes to help pay for the war, but Jean must admit that he has nothing.

Jean sees Marguerite de Thibouville (Jodie Comer) and an arrangement is made for them to marry. Count Pierre d’Alencon (Ben Affleck) shows him the lands that come with marrying his daughter. There is one piece of land that Jean notices and wants. Striking a deal for land and wealth, the marriage is done.

He learns that the one piece of land he particularly wanted, Pierre had already given to his friend Jacques. Jean decides to sue for the land, but King Charles (Alex Lawther) denies the case. Jean’s father passes and everything begins to swiftly move in the wrong direction. Pierre sides with Jacques and now Jean realizes his friend has received a military station at a generational family fort because of the suit he brought for the land.

When Jacques wife has a child, Marguerite and Jean find it a reason to celebrate and perhaps mend bad feelings between friends. All of that will have to wait because of the fighting in Scotland and Jean always goes where the king wishes. Coming home for a brief visit, Marguerite tells her husband that Jacques has violated her. The only way to handle this situation is with one thing – a duel to the death!

But who is telling the truth?

Damon as Jean is a man who has fought for king and country, lost his family once and could hardly maintain his own estate. Marrying saves everything, except one piece of land that comes between friends to the point of a duel. Damon is straight forward in his character and hides his emotions very well and instead finds other means to his detriment.

Driver as Jacques is a man who sees nothing wrong with getting what he wants even if it means betraying a friend. Knowing that the land Jean wants is part of a martial deal, he pretends to be the victim in all of this. When confronted he does not help his friend but instead enjoys the benefit of Pierre gifts. Driver also shows very little emotion, but it is clear this character knows what he is doing.

Comer as Marguerite seems to enjoy being married to Jean and is thrilled when she sees a chance to reconcile her husband and Jacques. When it comes time for her side of the story to be told, it is harsh and heart-breaking. It is a ‘he said-she said’ in a time when whatever she says means nothing in the era of men. The one thing that is absolute, Marguerite pays attention to everything that goes on around her from farming, horses to the tenants – even the cruelty of a mother-in-law and her station.

Affleck as Pierre is a man of indulgences, no morals and enjoys hurting people by any means whether it is fighting or taking something away from someone else. I have to say, Affleck looks like he is enjoying playing this character. Using Jacques to clean up his finances, he also sees ways to manipulate situations for his amusement.

Other cast include Harriet Walter as Nicole de Buchard, Serena Kennedy as Queen Isabeau, Sam Hazeldine as Thomin du Bois, Michel McElhatton as Bernard Latour, Oliver Cotton as Jean de Carrouges III, Adam Nagaitis as Adam Louvel, Clare Dunne as Ceila, Zeljko Ivanek as Le Coq, Caoimhe O’Malley as Elizabeth, Tallulah Haddon as Marie, Md. Tayeen Khan as Jack Smith, Bryony Hannah as Alice and Marton Csokas as Crespin.

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.fox.com.

Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) manages The Walt Disney Company’s vast content commercialization and distribution ecosystem that delivers the Company’s unparalleled storytelling to audiences worldwide.

THE LAST DUEL is a period piece that gives us everything we would want for that time period. The dampness of war, lords and ladies, kings and queens, mystery, betrayal and revenge surrounded by castles. The destruction of war and the destruction of friendships are inlay for this based on a true story film.

Director Scott has given us a look at an ugly time in the Frances’ history of war and all the intrigue hiding behind fine clothes, wine and those who move the chess pieces to get what they want. I love the costuming and set design which always adds richness to the story and allows us to be distracted but the intrigue.

Telling the story in three parts is a way to see the accusations from perspectives that the others can not see. Jean and his family troubles, Jacques and his dealings with Pierre and Marguerite as well as the plotting done between the two. All these men against one woman’s say – it came to another fight!

In the end – a woman defied a nation and made history!

JUSTICE LEAGUE

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres Thursday from director Zack Snyder, DC Comics and Warner Bros. is the next superhero grouping that can only be called JUSTICE LEAGUE.

The world is still mourning the death of Superman/Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) and Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aka Batman knows there is something coming. Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) aka Wonder Woman knows it too when an ancient fire is lit that her people know she will recognize as a warning.

Coming is Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciaran Hinds) who is looking for the three separated boxes that once put together create the ultimate power of destruction. Knowing that Batman and Wonder Woman can not do it by themselves, the enlist the help of a begrudging Arthur Curry aka Aquaman (Jason Momoa), the eager to learn Barry Allen aka Flash (Ezra Miller) and cyborg created Victor Stone (Ray Fisher).

The first box Steppenwolf took from the Amazons and the second was taken from Aquaman’s people. That left the third box which was given to humans to guard and the hunt is on.

It soon becomes clear that the group is going to have to dig deeper than they could have ever imagined as Steppenwolf’s powers become stronger and stronger. So strong that the group decides on an idea that is not only dangerous but could have consequences that add to the destruction of the human race.

The tough decisions are needed when the world looks to the Justice League!

Affleck as Batman is dark in this film in that he obviously feels a deep sense of responsibility for Superman. Knowing that he doesn’t have time to deal with those emotions, he focuses what can happen if Steppenwolf isn’t stopped. He puts on the straight tough face but Affleck has a way of delivering little quips that I enjoyed.

Gadot as Wonder Woman is also dealing with the loss of Superman with now adding the destruction of her people when Steppenwolf takes the first cube. In JUSTICE LEAGUE she finally comes to many realizations about who she is and her protectiveness of the group is strong.

Miller as Flash is a young man who clearly has spent too much time alone. When he meets Batman, it takes a matter of seconds when Flash jumps in wanting to be part of being a superhero. I loved his sense of humor and a bit of innocence he has when realizing that being a superhero means getting in the mix no matter how dangerous.

Fisher as Cyborg is the darkest of the characters as he deals with being rebuilt by his well meaning father Silas (Joe Morton). Even though he started out with these changes, the system he is now attached to continues to grow and so does his knowledge about Steppenwolf. Fisher spends most of his time closed off but with a little help from Arrow, that is a unique new friendship that I enjoyed.

Momoa as Aquaman is clearly the eye candy of the film. Built like you would expect him to be (come on – think Drago from Game of Thrones physique wise and triple that!), he isn’t impressed by Batman or anyone else for that matter. When Steppenwolf comes to his neck of the ocean he has a change of heart and joins the group. His sense of humor comes out here and there and the audience loved it.

Cavill as Superman has made his mark in the DC universe and, like the two iconic actors who played the man of steel prior, will be remembered for this work. Momentarily there is a dark side to Superman that was interesting to see and Cavill can smile those pearly whites with the same evilness as not.

There are also appearances by Amy Adams as Lois Lane who is as straight forward as ever, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, Billy Crudup as Henry Allen, David Thewis as Aries, Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Robin Wright as Antiope, Amber Heard as Mera, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred.  

JUSTICE LEAGUE brings heroes together for a two hour ride. Batman and Wonder Woman lead the pack with the intro of Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg and working together is the best the film has to offer. The downside is there seems to be a weird disconnect in each of the characters storyline that leaves me a little unsure.

It is as if there was more to the story that needed to be told and shown but might have been left on the cutting room floor. I almost felt the need to get out paper and pen with all the questions I had. Of course the film had action and of course each super hero got to show the best of their skills but I am also a story person.

I think those deep in the comic world will have no problem with the film. Look, I get it; there is something amazingly special about seeing comic books come to life so you don’t need a character outline. Of course by doing that you leave the rest of the theatre audience trying to figure out plot points that I think might just be important.

Coming in at two hours, you can also expect DC to throw in a few surprises and it was enough to bring the audience yelling with excitement. JUSTICE LEAGUE is a darker telling coming on the heels of the highly successful THOR Ragnorok so it will be interesting to see which batch of heroes will win the weekend.

In the end – you can’t save the world alone!