THE LAST SHOWGIRL

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from director Gia Coppola and Roadside Attractions is the story of the life of THE LAST SHOWGIRL.

Shelly (Pamela Anderson) has spent thirty-years in a show called Razzle Dazzle in Las Vegas as one of its dazzling showgirls. A few of the younger showgirls, Mary-Anne (Brenda Song) and Jodie (Kiernan Shipka) look to Shelly for advice and friendship. Stage manager Eddie (Dave Bautista) keeps the show running like clockwork and the girls where they need to be during performances. Shelly’s best friend Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis) is a cocktail waitress who has the same Las Vegas mileage on her shoes.

Attempting to keep up with the younger dancers, it comes as a shock to her when Eddie finally comes clean to tell the girls that the show will be closing. This is the only life Shelly knows and now she needs to do what she hasn’t done in 30 years, audition for other shows. Life shifts again when Hannah (Billie Lourd) comes to town wanting answers to years of unanswered questions. Shelly is hardly in the mood to deal with it and leans on Annette as they both wonder where the time has gone.

As the show draws to a close, Shelly is going to make sure that everything about her final performance is bathed in the glitter and shine of Las Vegas!

Anderson as Shelly comes across as a showgirl who is happy with her life choices, even if they do not always settle right with others. The show is her life and as thirty years brings it to a close, so does the reality that once was can not be again. I loved watching Anderson take on this character from beginning to end with a bit of a young girls naiveness packaged in a showgirls wake up call. It is a wonderful performance.

Curtis as Annette tries to ignore the problems of a woman working in Las Vegas. Seeing the younger women coming up, their tips are better and the attention focused on them. The friendship with Shelly is one of understanding and realization that they both can not continue in the lights. Lourd as Hannah has a whole magazine rack full of issues and she doesn’t hesitate to throw it all out toward Shelly. Their relationship is complicated and conflicting as Lourd gives her character moments of forgiveness.

Song as Mary-Anne is extraordinary in this role who hasn’t given as much to the stage as Shelly and tries to truly understand how the show ending will effect her. Shipka as Jodie is someone that relies on Shelly for motherly advice and is the opposite of Mary-Anne in that Jodie only sees how the world has an effect on her.

Bautista as Eddie is a rather quiet man who knows how to do his job. He is the only person who doesn’t feel the strain of the show ending but tries to be compassionate in his own unique way toward the girls. The relationship between Shelly and Eddie has its own set of complications as well. Bautista is quiet in nature and a full head of hair so there’s that.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

THE LAST SHOWGIRL has garnered such awards from the San Sebastian International Film Festival with a Special Jury Prize for the cast, Zurich Film Festival’s Golden Eye Award, SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Miami Film Festival and Winter IndieWire Honor Awards for Pamela Anderson, Outstanding Feature Narrative from the Newport Beach Film Festival, and Astra Film Awards.

The film is written by Kate Gersten who takes on the task of telling the story of a woman who has spent the greater part of her life in one show. As the film progresses, it becomes clear what this life has cost the showgirl and Shelly comes to terms with those choices. In an odd way, this is what I would have envisioned the character of Nomi from the 1995 SHOWGIRLS life would have ended up being has she stayed in Las Vegas!

Beautifully shot, the film is also kept quite simple which gives the actors the spotlight perfectly. Each character is given enough time to show how they fit into Shelly’s life while, at the same time, the true story of her life comes into full view. Everything about the film carries with it the air of total believability that this could actually happen to a showgirl. Anderson captures this role and Coppola provides the stage to let the character razzle dazzle one last time. Brava!

In the end -  this is her last call!

 

 

BOOKSMART Brings Teen Comedy to Bluray as School Year Begins

Coming to Bluray from director Olivia Wilde and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the story of the last night of the first night of their lives after being BOOKSMART.

Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) are two girls who have spent their years in libraries and studying. In those years Molly and Amy became the best of friends and know each other secrets and habits. Their idea of fun isn't exactly like most seniors in high school.

Even Principal Brown (Jason Sudeikis) knows that about the two girls. Molly being class president and valedictorian on the class, she is making sure that all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed before saying goodbye to the halls that educated her.

Overhearing a conversation, Molly learns that students she thought didn't take school seriously are attending colleges just as prestigious as hers! The thought sends her into a tizzy and tells Amy that they are not going to sit home in their pj's on their final night.

That's when she learns that Nick (Mason Gooding) is having a final wild party and convinces Amy that going is the only way they are going to redeem themselves. It also gives Amy a chance to hang out with Ryan (Victoria Ruesga) and Molly can visit with Nick.

The problem is that with every move they make to try to get to the party, something else gets in their way and mayhem ensues. From Jared (Skyler Gisondo) leading them astray to Gigi (Billie Lourd) freaking them out every place they go, Molly is not going to let anything to her from getting to Nick's.

When they finally arrive, everything changes – even Molly and Amy! Their friendship is riding on the party and put to the test. Then again…it's only high school right?

Feldstein as Molly is the spokesperson for the dynamic duo. She knows what she wants and pretty much tells Amy every bit of it. Yet there is a believeability in the way she speaks to her friend and their relationship from beginning to end. I enjoyed Feldstein so much and she reminded me a little of someone I know.

Dever as Amy is charming, sweet and in love with someone who doesn't know she exists. It is clear she loves her friendship with Molly and although reminding me a bit of Cameron Frye from FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF. She goes along to get along and even if she's having fun, there are moments where fun makes her very nervous.

Gisondo as Jared is absolutely outrageous yet there is something sweet about him. Perhaps it's because he understands Molly and Amy more than he is given credit for. Gooding as Nick is the guy in school who just wants to have a good time and isn't seen as a serious student. Sudeikis as the Principal is hilarious and in a role that totally gives him the opportunity to just totally go crazy in a great way.

Okay, it must be said Lourd as Gigi is absolutely hysterical. I just love this character but mainly because of what she says and what she does. A free spirit that's a little bit on the nutty side and no one more than Lourd deserves to just let loose.

Other cast include Will Forte as Doug, Diana Silvers as Hope, Molly Gordon as Triple A, Eduardo Franco as Theo, Nico Hiraga as Tanner, Austin Crute as Alan, Jessica Williams as Miss Fine and Lisa Kudrow as Charmaine.

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 Booksmart: The Next "Best High School Comedy", Plies and Jazz Hands: The Dance Fantasy, Dressing Booksmart, Gallery, Audio Commentary by Olivia Wilde and Deleted Scenes.

BOOKSMART is charming, funny, silly, and gives the audience a look at pieces of their own high school days. There are the usual misunderstandings, cliques, misconceptions and chances to have one last opportunity to a make a mark that could be memorable forever.

After all, isn't that what high school is all about? The mistakes that are made, the plans that change every other day, friendships that in some cases become life long (I happen to know a few of those) and broken hearts, oh yes, the high school broken hearts most everyone has experienced. Most of all, the pure laughs about who we were and hopefully who we all turned out to be.

In the end – getting straight A's and giving zero F's.

BOOKSMART Brings Teen Comedy in Time for Summer

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Olivia Wilde and Annapurna Pictures is the story of the last night of the first night of their lives after being BOOKSMART.

Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) are two girls who have spent their years in libraries and studying. In those years Molly and Amy became the best of friends and know each other secrets and habits. Their idea of fun isn’t exactly like most seniors in high school.

Even Principal Brown (Jason Sudeikis) knows that about the two girls. Molly being class president and valedictorian on the class, she is making sure that all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed before saying goodbye to the halls that educated her. 

Overhearing a conversation, Molly learns that students she thought didn’t take school seriously are attending colleges just as prestigious as hers! The thought sends her into a tizzy and tells Amy that they are not going to sit home in their pj’s on their final night.

That’s when she learns that Nick (Mason Gooding) is having a final wild party and convinces Amy that going is the only way they are going to redeem themselves. It also gives Amy a chance to hang out with Ryan (Victoria Ruesga) and Molly can visit with Nick.

The problem is that with every move they make to try to get to the party, something else gets in their way and mayhem ensues. From Jared (Skyler Gisondo) leading them astray to Gigi (Billie Lourd) freaking them out every place they go, Molly is not going to let anything to her from getting to Nick’s.

When they finally arrive, everything changes – even Molly and Amy! Their friendship is riding on the party and put to the test. Then again…it’s only high school right?

Feldstein as Molly is the spokesperson for the dynamic duo. She knows what she wants and pretty much tells Amy every bit of it. Yet there is a believeability in the way she speaks to her friend and their relationship from beginning to end. I enjoyed Feldstein so much and she reminded me a little of someone I know.

Dever as Amy is charming, sweet and in love with someone who doesn’t know she exists. It is clear she loves her friendship with Molly and although reminding me a bit of Cameron Frye from FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. She goes along to get along and even if she’s having fun, there are moments where fun makes her very nervous.

Gisondo as Jared is absolutely outrageous yet there is something sweet about him. Perhaps it’s because he understands Molly and Amy more than he is given credit for. Gooding as Nick is the guy in school who just wants to have a good time and isn’t seen as a serious student. Sudeikis as the Principal is hilarious and in a role that totally gives him the opportunity to just totally go crazy in a great way.

Okay, it must be said Lourd as Gigi is absolutely hysterical. I just love this character but mainly because of what she says and what she does. A free spirit that’s a little bit on the nutty side and no one more than Lourd deserves to just let loose.

Other cast include Will Forte as Doug, Diana Silvers as Hope, Molly Gordon as Triple A, Eduardo Franco as Theo, Nico Hiraga as Tanner, Austin Crute as Alan, Jessica Williams as Miss Fine and Lisa Kudrow as Charmaine.

BOOKSMART is charming, funny, silly, and gives the audience a look at pieces of their own high school days. There are the usual misunderstandings, cliques, misconceptions and chances to have one last opportunity to a make a mark that could be memorable forever.

After all, isn’t that what high school is all about? The mistakes that are made, the plans that change every other day, friendships that in some cases become life long (I happen to know a few of those) and broken hearts, oh yes, the high school broken hearts most everyone has experienced. Most of all, the pure laughs about who we were and hopefully who we all turned out to be.

In the end – getting straight A’s and giving zero F’s.

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: Cult Comes to DVD with the Complete Seventh Season

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the stellar hit FX series that brings questions, fright and jaw drops with AMERICAN HORROR STORY: Cult, The Complete Seventh Season.

The 2016 Presidential elections are happening and it is even reaching the city of Brookfield Heights, Michigan in an emotional way. Ally Mayfair-Richards (Sarah Paulson) can't believe that the people of the United States would elect the likes of Donald Trump as President. Suffering from many ailments, this latest catastrophe isn't exactly helping her feel emotionally secure. Ally isn't the only person reeling from the news as Winter (Billie Lourd) is finding her own way of dealing with it all and it doesn't help that her brother Kai (Evan Peters) is about to find a way to use that to his advantage. But I've jumped ahead a little...do let me slow down.

Ally and her partner Ivy (Alison Pill) share a son named Oz (Cooper Dodson) who they both dote on lovingly. Since Ally can't keep herself under control emotionally, she leans on her psychiatrist Dr. Vincent (Cheyenne Jackson) to help put it all into perspective. Winter becomes Oz's nanny to help relieve some of the stress Ally is feeling and give her more time to help her restaurant succeed. What she doesn't know is that Winter has a little bit of a different nanny style. Kai has a plan that requires unthinkable actions that he sees no problem with - beginning with the clown-deaths of Ally's neighbors and paying someone to beat him up.

With the death of the neighbor, a city council seat magically opens up and Kai is all over it. But Ally is dealing with problems at the restaurant when one of her employees is found in the meat locker. The new neighbors, Harrison (Billy Eichner) and Meadow Wiltons (Leslie Grossman), help Ally get a gun for protection especially since Ally is now seeing killer clowns roaming the streets. Det. Jack Samuels (Colton Haynes) suspect Ally's delivery man Pedro (Jorge-Luis Pallo) for the crime and that puts her in a position to defend herself with the same gun the Wiltons gave her. When the neighborhood is covered in a mysterious gas, Ally blames the Wilton's and it's only going to get worse when Meadow disappears.

Kai sees what's happening with Ally and say's he'll help try to stop the protests at her business but he has motives for everything he does. As the election draws closer Ivy meets Winter at a rally. Upset that a man took advantage of her in the crowd, Ivy tells Winter and a plan is hatched to make his day a little less important. Thinking it's harmless, Kai decides to make an example of the man by giving him a choice - stay chained up or do the unthinkable so he can vote.

The election is in full swing and Kai moves onto bigger and better things and starts with getting himself in shape. Hiring a personal trainer, it becomes clear that he will have other uses. He also becomes interested in reporter Beverly Hope (Adina Porter) and uses his charm to prove he is dedicated to her. In return, Beverly gives Kai the scoop on the news coverage about Kai that shows her boss Bob is clearly not a fan of the new political figure. Things aren't looking good for Bob at the moment when Kai and his friends visit him for a 'friendly' chat about his future. The journalist wants to know where Kai came from and what is the odd connection with Ally's doctor.

Kai is having lady problems and when a lady's feelings aren't being returned, well, all sorts of mayhem ensure and there comes a time when Ally discovers that all friends aren't true friends. Thinking that the only way to keep her family safe is to expose Kai turns badly, Meadow has no choice but to take matters into her own armed hands. Surviving Meadow's instructions, Kai decides to take his political bid one step further and announce a run for Senate publically, but privately he asks his followers to prove their loyalty. The problem is by the time the event is over, Ally is left holding evidence and the police want to arrest now and ask questions later.

Once again Ally is the victim of people with their own agendas and driving her crazy is just a bonus that gets her out of the way and into the hospital. There are still women in the group that have a plan of their own as Kai keeps moving forward.

Winter isn't sure what to make when Kai announces his divinity and believes that she should carry a child. In the meantime Ally is finally released from the hospital and has had time to formulate a little plan of her own that includes getting her son Oz back from the group and settling little fires here and there and see what burns - and joining the group is step number one. Ivy isn't thrilled but Ally tries to show that having her family back is the most important thing. Using a little psychology of her own, Ally's steps are slow but very, very deliberate as she edges closer to her mark.

She needn't have worried about Kai because his own delusions have taken him down a dark road and visions of Charles Manson. Believing there is a mole in the group, Ally shuffles the information around with deadly accuracy.

Stronger by the deed, Ally secretly puts everyone on notice and knows it is what has to happen in order for the group and Kai to be stopped. Even when she begins to get her life together, Kai tries to strike one more time. Of course you can't keep a good woman down!

Paulson as Ally continues to just own her parts in the American Horror Story seasons. There is not one part that she has played that isn't filled with every human emotion possible and maybe a few inhumane ones as well. She can freeze up one minute and pour it on the next and she has the most stunning facial expressions to pull it all off. She continues with each season to broaden the characters she plays and take them just one step further never truly knowing until the end whether she's gone over or rides the edge of insanity with unique perfection.

From the beginning, along with Lange and Bates, Paulson has made this series ever changing and ever glorious to watch. With the new season premier of American Horror Story already airing its first episode, it is clear that she is going full bore.

Peters as Kai leaves no doubt almost immediately that this character is a force to be reckoned with and showing no fear of repercussions means he is well past being dangerous. He has a little bit of someone else we all know in that Kai can be very endearing to your face while planning your demise at the very same time - to your face. This character seeks out like minded crazies and if you don't follow the rules - a new crazy will emerge. Watching Peters take on such depth with each of his characters has also proven that from the moment he came aboard AHS, it isn't going to be over until he damn well says its over.

Lourd as Winter has such duality in this season. There are moments when Lourd's portrayal of Winter gives you hope that she isn't going to be like her brother and then she flips the script and I'm saying, "oh there is the crazy lady now!". The character of Winter is cold, harsh, loving, loyal and every bit as whacked out as her brother - but which brother? I have so enjoyed watching Lourd come into her own and she is her mother's daughter when it comes to talent and the ability to give us all a reason to keep watching.

Pill as Ivy is another actress that has just managed to keep me guessing as to whether her character has the ability to be real or has her nose right on too tight which makes it easy to lead her around. Becoming one of the group wasn't something I thought was going to happen but then again, that's AHS for you!

Other case include Emma Roberts as Serena Belinda, Mare Winningham as Sally Effler, Lena Dunham as Valerie Solanas, Frances Conroy as Bebe Babbitt, Chaz Bono as Gary Longstreet, Dermot Mulroney as Bob Thompson, Cameron Cowperthwaite as Speedwagon, John Carroll Lynch as Twist the Clown, Zack Ward as Roger, Laura Allen as Rosie, Dot-Marie Jones as Butchy May and Jamie Brewer as Hedda.

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.

FX continues to provide viewers with amazing programming including the new series Mayans M.C. along with favorites Legion, Archer and You’re the Worst. For more of what FX has to offer as well as shows, apps and information please visit www.fxnetworks.com.

The DVD also includes the Special Bonus Features of the FX Promo Spots which are artistic, misleading, strong, telling, mysterious and everything else every season manages to bring to American Horror Story fans. It's like the biggest most colorful tease in the world. The three disc set contains all eleven episodes including Election Night, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Neighbors from Hell, 11/9, Holes, Mid-Western Assassin, Valerie Solanas Died for Your Sins: Scumbag, Winter of Our Discontent, Drink the Kool-Aid, Charles (Manson) in Charge and Great Again.

American Horror Story began it's run on FX in 2016 and hasn't shown any signs of slowing. Fans have waited patiently year after year to see how all the seasons connect yet don't mind if its not so straight forward in the explanation.

In 2016, viewers had no idea what to expect from the show and it has continued to be the case since then. Already, people I know who watch AHS are trying to guess where the 2018 story is going to take them and all I say to them is, 'why are you trying to guess?'. I mean seriously folks, that's what makes good television when you sit back and let the ride take you wherever it may.

Nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Sarah Paulson and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Adina Porter is validation that the show is award worthy (as if AHS followers needed that to know how fantastic the show is!).

What truly makes this show is the cast that returns to show us the range and diversity of AHS. I just love their dedication to the show and the storyline which, I believe, is another reason fans of the show come back time and time again.

In the end – know your neighbors and politicians!