They Have the SITE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and Digital from writer/director Jason Eric Perlman and Blue Fox Entertainment comes the mind-bending story of SITE.

Neil Bardo (Jake McLaughlin) is a proud father of boy Wylie (Carson Minnear) but struggling in his marriage with wife Elena (Arielle Kebbel). At work, he and boss Garrison (Theo Rossi) are off to inspect a building that has been purchased by clients to build a new school. Gaining entry, they manage to turn on the power to inspect everything only to discover an odd structure in the lower level. Walking closer to the light, Neil begins to feel strange and he can not even begin to explain it.

Spending time with his son, Neil sees an accident in tunnel vision but can not stop it from happening as Wylie ends up in the hospital. Now he must come up with the funds for the intense medical attention his son needs as wife Elena is furious. As the days pass, Neil continues to see more strange things that are unexplainable along with the feeling he is being watched. Trying to explain it to both Elena and boss Garrison, it seems to just cause more problems.

After a scuffle with Garrison, Neil believes he must return to the building where all of his episodes began. Along with journalist friend Naomi (Miki Ishikawa), Neil takes her to the strange machine and she starts experiencing the same things. Determined to find out the connection between the building, its effects and history – it is going to take him on a journey of terror. The past and present begin to collide as connections between the treachery in a war-time prison camp and Neil’s family become more and more evident.

There is one chance to change it all!

McLaughlin as Neil is a man who clearly loves his family even if he and wife Elena are having issues. Working hard to provide for them both, he works closely with his boss until he realizes that mixing friendship with employment can be a problem. It is when he enters the building that his world is turned upside down and McLaughlin portrays that mash up extremely well. The special effects play into his story and it is actually cool to watch.

Rossi as Garrison gets a chance to portray a boss that most of us can not stand. He knows what he is doing wrong but manages to manipulate those around him for his own gain. The best part is that Rossi has that amazing side glare to let the viewer know when he’s up to no good and Derek is always up to no good.

Kebbel as Elena is having issues with her husband but knows that he loves his son. When he tries to explain what is happening to him, it is more frightening than she cares to admit. Kebbel’s takes her character into instant mama-bear mode and stays that way until the very end. Ishikawa as Naomi is the only person Neil can turn to with what he knows. Using her journalist skills, they track down what the building was used for and how to find the people in it, even as its mysteries begin to hit her as well.

Other cast include Yoson An as Jian, Danni Wang as Xifeng, Corey Jung as Guang, Hiroshi Otaguru as Ichiro, Neagheen Homaifar as Aravane, Ronish Nanda as Kavi and Eric Whitten as Tobin.   

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

SITE is a mixture of history, science fiction, technology and the belief that we are all connected. The special effects are absolutely stunning and becomes another character in the story director Perlman has put together. Each step McLaughlin’s character takes brings us deeper and deeper into two storylines. One is present day and the deception that now can’t be stopped and the past as a family comes to terms with war and those who are evil because of it.

The special effects are wildly fantastic and my favorite is the tunnel itself. It actually reminds me of the 1966 series THE TIME TUNNEL and the 1994 film STARGATE but with the added twist of melding the present and the past. It also feels a bit on the reincarnation or karma side and I am absolutely here for every minute of it. Dealing with all of it against the backdrop of an injured son, the film is also about choices and the reverberation of consequences for those choices.

In the end - we are part of a great ocean!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is Time for A SLOTH STORY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from directors Tania Vincent, Ricard Cusso and Blue Fox Entertainment comes the remarkable tale with A SLOTH STORY.

After a destructive storm tears through the restaurant of the Flores sloth family and it is not safe to rebuild, it is time for them to move on. Papa Luis (Benjamin Gorrono) and Mama Gabriella (Olivia Vasquez) are sad to have to leave but when they build a food truck called Gordito and move to the big city to seek their fortune. Laura (Teo Vergara) is the fastest of the sloth family and is excited for the chance to experience it all along with brother Mani (Facundo Herrera).

Laura tries to explain to her family that preparing food is done too slowly and people want it fast. She also quickly makes friends with the local children who are so thrilled to have her as part of their team. She also comes up with the idea to create an assembly line in the food truck in order to get the food out faster and mom Gabriella agrees as long as they continue to use the family recipes. The food is almost immediately a success and the people are loving it!

Someone who is not loving it is Dotti Pace (Leslie Jones), a fast-food business that is having its own problems. She is also hearing the buzz around the awesome Gordito food truck and it is frustrating. Pace believes she can solve the sloth problem by buying out their family recipes but Luis and Gabriella aren’t having it. Laura becomes upset because she can’t join her friends and play cricket while Pace sees it as a chance to worm her way in and destroy the Flores family.

What Laura learns is that her family is much more than a book of recipes, she slows down and begins to understand what her parents have been trying to achieve all along.

Vergara voicing Laura is a young sloth who moves faster than those around her. That swiftness is a problem because it is more about impatience than speed. She wants a so much for herself and trying to help her family gets muddled between being a kid and helping her family succeed in a new place. Vasquez as Gabriella is a mother who just wants to keep her family book close and be successful at slow cooking. She and Laura have their conflict as all mothers and daughters do.

Gorrono as Luis is a father who loves everything around him. He also wants what is best for the family and creating a food truck is his way to find not only a way for them to be together but also take care of one another. Herrera as Mani is a typical brother who wants to help the family and yet not much bothers him. That doesn’t mean he isn’t all in for the family because he most certainly is.

Jones as Dotti Pace is a character that gets more and more frustrated as her business doesn’t seem to be getting better. Realizing that the Flores sloth clan has something everybody wants, Jones gives her character an all-out badness because now she wants it all for herself. The Flores sloth family (and a few friends) are not about to give up something that is precious to their family in so many ways.

Other voices include Dan Brumm as Chief Furbank, Remy Hii as Platy, Matteo Romaniuk as Arlo and Andrew Cook as Coach Jerry.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

A SLOTH STORY has so many wonderful meanings to it from a family struggling, a family history, generational divide and a young girl trying to find her own way. When their home is taken by mother nature, it takes only a brief moment before the family picks themselves up and finds a way to make it work. It doesn’t happen right way but with a bit of time, a lot of creativity and a bit of love, these sloths realize they can’t be successful without one another.

The film itself is wonderfully colorful and it adds such a richness to the story. The characters have their own personalities that are charming, well, maybe except for Dotti Pace. That being said, she is a spotty villain and Jones gives her character a slyness that doesn’t help Laura at all. Laura herself is a girl who has a hard time containing her emotions as she wants to help her family, she wants to have friends and the divide between the two are difficult for a kid.

A SLOTH STORY is an amazing film and I so recommend that families come together to experience it for themselves. After it is over, the story offers a wonderful opportunity for the family to talk about the story and how each can relate to it. I have a sneaky suspicion that we all have the Flores family in us.

In the end – fast food cooked slowly is the sloth way!

 

 

 

 

LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger, producer Sylvester Stallone and Blue Fox Entertainment comes the true story about a young man’s fight for survival with LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE.

The Fendler family are living the best they can in the summer of 1939 in Maine. Dad Donald (Paul Sparks) and mom Ruth (Caitlin FitzGerald) are raising their children Donn (Luke David Blumm), Ryan (Griffin Wallace Henkel), Tommy (Mason Cufari) and Patsy (Mackenzie Sage). Donn and Ryan are excited to see their dad return home because it means they are closer to their fishing trip that they’ve been looking forward too.

Dad isn’t home long when he makes the announcement that he has to go back to work and that the fishing trip can not happen. Donn is very upset with his father and takes it out on his brother Ryan. Trying to make it up to the boys, Donald tells them about a hiking trip to Mount Katahdin where they can go to the top of a mountain that is close to home and allows them a few days to spend together. Donn is making it outwardly clear that he’s not happy about it.

After a car ride, they meet Henry (Ethan Slater) who begins taking Dad, Donn, Ethan and Tommy up the mountainside. The weather begins to radically change and everyone but Donn wants to turn back. After an argument, Donn takes off into the storm and no one can see him with the fog. When Donald realizes his son is lost, he tries to find help in order to look for him all while dealing with his own guilt.

Mom Ruth is notified and she is devastated that her son is missing in such severe weather. Now Donn realizes that he is truly lost as the cold nights and wandering days begin to take a toll on him. Trying to remember to move forward, he also begins to wonder why he was ever upset and misses his family. This young boy must rely on what he knows and what he’s learned and find a way to get home!

Sparks as Donald is a dad who believes he is teaching his children about the harshness of life. That is why the hiking trip is important to him but the problem is it quickly becomes clear that the hike is dangerous. When confronted by Donn, as a father he makes a decision that sends him into a spiral of guilt. Sparks gives his character the essence of a man in the 1930s trying to do right by his family. FitzGerald as Ruth is a kindly woman who loves her children and the family. When her son goes missing, she knows she needs to reach out for help until her son comes home. FitzGerald gives her role warmth, patience, understanding and a belief in her son.

Blumm as Donn is a bit rebellious but it is based on the anger, he is feeling that he can not spend time with his father. Of course, at that age, boys don’t understand the responsibilities of fathers to the family as a whole. Once he is out in the wilderness, in the beginning it seems like a big adventure and Donn can be and do whatever he wants. It doesn’t take long before the reality of his situations sets in with the wilderness not allowing this boy one solid break. Blumm gives his character the heartache, determination, frustration and love he needs to survive what most would consider a life-ending situation. A well-done performance from a young man who took his role seriously. Henkel as Ryan is a brother who is also dealing with guilt and will do anything to bring his brother home. The reunited of the two is totally heartwarming.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE is the true story of Donn Fendler and based on a book by the same name from author Joseph B. Egan. Donn’s disappearance created the largest manhunt, brought out volunteers to help in the search and involves hundreds of people. Finding his way out of the woods, Donn came out in a stream he had been following for days. After his rescue, Donn was presented the Army & Navy Legion of Valor medal from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This film is wonderful in its telling following the trials of not only Donn but the family who would never give up looking for him. His parents try to keep their guilt hidden and moved forward doing everything possible to find their son, and a brother who would takes his own risks to find his brother. The story is one that families can watch together and talk about long after it is over. It has all the elements of a family struggling, strong emotions, faith and relationships that can sometimes be difficult, yet, it all comes down to one thing – a belief in something higher than ourselves.

In the end – eighty miles, nine days and one step at a time!

 

 

 

 

Washing up on KENSUKE'S KINGDOM

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from directors Neil Boyle, Kirk Hendry and Blue Fox Entertainment comes a story of survival and friendship in KENSUKE’S KINGDOM.

Sailing on the family boat around the world is the Peggy Sue. Young Michael (Aaron MacGregor) is with Dad (Cillian Murphy), Mom (Sally Hawkins) and sister Becky (Raffey Cassidy) along with family dog Stella. When a storm hits the boat, Michael runs up to the deck to retrieve Stella and a rogue wave takes them both.

He wakes up on an island and can’t find anyone else! Michael can not see fresh water or food until one morning he awakes to see the mysterious and very standoffish Kensuke (Ken Watanabe). Becoming hurt in the water, Kensuke takes the boy and his dog to his stunning tree home. When Michael wakes up, he can not believe what he is seeing and discovers that talking to Kensuke is going to be difficult. Neither speaks the others language.

But there is another way to communicate and Kensuke introduces Michael to the island world of animals and beauty. As the days pass, a growing friendship happens between the two and Michael starts to understand his new Japanese friend. He has spent his years protecting the island and its animal inhabitants from those who would attempt to destroy it.

But a time comes when the only to inhabitants of the island must tackle those who would try to hurt the animals and Kensuke must choose.

MacGregor voicing Michael is a young man who feels as if he is looked over on the family sailing trip. When the storm hits, his first and only thought is that of family dog Stella. He could never have anticipated what would happen next. On the island, his life is changed by a man who has been there for a long time. The changes are that of caring for another person and animals he could have never imagined would be in his life. Michael has growth of character and it is such a lesson for us all.

Watanabe as Kensuke is not exactly a chatterbox but when he does speak, it is actually filled with emotion. Himself becoming stranded years before, Kensuke has made the island his home in the most unique, inventive and beautiful ways. Instead of trying to change the beauty of the island, he becomes part of it by becoming responsible for it. Kensuke is a character that everyone should aspire to be.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

Directed by Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry, KENSUKE'S KINGDOM is based on the best-selling novel by Michael Morpurgo and adapted for screen by BAFTA Award nominee Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Producers are Emmy Award-winning producers and founders of animation studio Lupus Films, Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding, Academy Award nominee Stephan Roelants of Melusine Productions.

KENSUKE'S KINGDOM is an emotional, beautiful, and memorable piece of storytelling from start to finish. The animation is equally stunning filled with color, life and a story all on its own. I watched this film with my nine-year-old granddaughter and we were so very moved. The conversation that followed was a discussion on the characters friendship, the animals and the final scene.

That is what absolutely makes this a family film. There is so much to talk about and hearing it from a child’s perspective is everything. Questions I wouldn’t have thought to ask (no spoilers here) brought another level of understanding to this very thoughtful film. Two people in the most unexpected place brought on by frightening circumstances forge a friendship with not only each other, but an island who embraces them both.

Author Morpurgo wrote a lovely book and Cottrell-Boyce was able to see how it could be brought to the screen. We plan to make this a part of our family’s return-to again and again

In the end – a story of the ultimate friendship!

Gather the Family for THE CANTERVILLE GHOST

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Kim Bordon, co-director Robert Chandler, Blue Fox Entertainment and Shout! Studios comes a treat for the family with THE CANTERVILLE GHOST.

Coming from America, the Otis family has purchased Canterville Chase, a mansion that has a history of being haunted and causing residents to go a little crazy. Husband Hiram (David Harewood), wife Lucretia (Meera Syal), young boys Kent (Bennett Miller) and Louis (Jakey Schiff) are thrilled when they enter the mansion as Mrs. Umney (Imelda Staunton) opens the door. The only one not happy is daughter Virginia (Emily Carey) who wants nothing more than to go back across the pond.

Immediately, the family wants to see Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) and the twins run around the house calling him out. Virginia makes it clear she has no intention of being happy about any of it all and goes up to her room. It takes mere moments before Sir Simon tries to frighten Virginia out of his home. The problem is, she isn’t at all! Instead, she plays on him challenging that Sir Simon that he can’t chase out her family in two weeks!

On the grounds, Virginia meets the Duke of Cheshire (Freddie Highmore) and that makes Sir Simone furious as he has anger toward the family. It seems his beloved wife Eleanor came from the Cheshire family who blamed Sir Simon for her death. Now Virginia knows a big part of the story as to the reason Canterville Chase has a ghost!

As the days pass, Virginia and the Duke become closer and her parents decide to throw a party re-introducing society to Canterville Chase. The problem is that Sir Simon is still angry and decides that the dinner not go without his own unique brand of entertainment. When things don’t go as planned, the family is upset with their ghost but Virginia feels there is something more that Sir Simon isn’t saying.

She decides to take matters into her own hands and that’s when the truth finally comes out!

Carey as Virginia is an American girl who wants to go home. She decides to use Sir Simon’s ghostly abilities to try and scare her family back to the United States. Instead, she finds herself on an adventure that has unexpected consequences. Carey truly gives voice to Virginia and it is fun, delightful and charming.

Fry as the voice of Sir Simon is hilarious most of the time (when he isn’t angry) and can not understand how the new occupants are not frightened to have a ghost in their house. Instead, they seem to be trying to have fun with the apparition, especially the twin boys. I have always loved Fry’s work and watching him take on the vocal role of Sir Simon is everything fun about the film.

Highmore as the Duke of Cheshire is so sweet and a bit bumbly. He is immediately taken by the feisty and free Virginia. He knows that the ghost is in the house and even comes face to face with Sir Simon but nothing is going to keep him away from Virginia and happily joins in the adventure. When her life is in danger, the bumbly Duke of Cheshire finds it within himself to safe her from a fate – well, you get the point.

Laurie as the Grim Reaper gets to have a bit of fun with this character. Hiding behind who he truly is and what he is up to, Laurie takes us on a story ride with what he wants and how he plans to get it!

Shout out to Schiff and Miller as the Otis boys because, to be honest, that is exactly how I would be at their age. Challenges of a haunted house – absolutely accepted. They have no fear of any ghosts and show just how unafraid they are and it made me laugh so much.

Other cast includes Toby Jones as Reverend Chasuble, Miranda Hart as the Ghost Catcher, Giles New as the Colonel, Georgia Small as Majorie Fairfax, Keiron Self as Professor Borsakov, Bill Lobley as Lord Monroe, Elizabeth Sankey as Eleanor de Canterville, and Hugh Laurie as the Grim Reaper.

SHOUT! Studios has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST is absolute family fun for kids and the kids at heart. It has a fantastic story based on the writings of Oscar Wilde (and Stephen Fry actually played the role of the poet/playwright in the 1997 film WILDE). It is colorful, vibrant, action packed and has some very funny characters and moments.

This is the film that families can enjoy together because it is about a family and how they eventually come together. As nutty as some of the characters are, they are so much fun to watch as the story unfolds. Everyone can find something to love about the film and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

The spooky season is here and if you are looking for a good time at the movies for the whole family then visit THE CANTERVILLE GHOST for a spooktacularly good time!

In the end – it is his house not yours!

 

The Ocean Holds her ORCA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Sahar Mosayebi and Blue Fox Entertainment comes the story of a woman living in a country that doesn’t see her with ORCA.

Elham (Taraneh Alidoosti) is a woman who has suffered terribly at the hands of her husband and has been beaten almost to death. While recovering, she only finds solace and peace swimming in the ocean. At home things are strained with her parents as Elham believes they don’t understand what she has been through.

The government agent in charge of the right and wrongs of the country regarding sports, Nazar Abadi (Mahtab Keramati) makes it clear that Elham will never be allowed to break any water records. She also takes every opportunity to find a reason to deny any requests she puts up for approval with the line of ‘in an Islamic country, women don’t swim’.

Trying to find a place that allows her to train for any endurance swim she can be approved for, Elham finds a quiet beach community and friendship with a woman who runs the hotel. She is the one who tells Elham that the Orca is her spirit animal.

That, is what will bring Elham into focus and strengthen her determination to do what they say can not be done.

Alidoosti as Elham gives such a stunning performance. From the beginning of the film, we see a woman who has been beaten down all in the name of love. Finding her place, it is certainly not on land. Alidoosti brings us to a time where even women are not about to help other women but instead keep them hidden from head to toe. Inside those wraps are women who are trying to find themselves.

Her performance enlightens us to a time and place to show the importance of women who can ask to work together but sometimes must take their own path against those who refuse to change. Along the way, people can see from Elham’s journey what is possible if you remind yourself of the humanity that is just a heartbeat away.

Cast also includes Armik Gharabian as Elham’s mother, Arash Aghabeik as Elham’s father,

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

The film is inspired by Iran’s “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest movement and based on a true story of the Iranian swimmer Elham-Sada Asghari who earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

ORCA is beautiful in the relationship that Elham has with water and it is relatable to those of us who feel the very same way. Finding liquid peace and comfort where she is told, and even severely hurt by men who refuse to let go of archaic ways, watching her glide through the water was stunning.

Director Mosayebi takes the time to let us all understand the trauma in the life of Elham from the beginning that could have easily kept her down. Instead, we see her take two steps forward and one steps back but the thing is, Elham is always moving forward. She states her case repeatedly and even with the one woman who should be on her side refusing (I’m assuming because she liked the power), Elham still pushed forward.

Having the love and support of her parents and new friends, the story of Elham’s journey to become recognized for her accomplishments cannot be stopped. See for yourself the trials and tribulations of a woman who saw her strength in an ORCA.

In the end – swim to what is possible!

 

 

 

SAMSAM is a Family Delight

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to delight families this August from director Tanguy de Kermel, Studio Canal and Blue Fox Entertainment comes a space adventure and friendship with SAMSAM.

Samsam (voiced by Isaac Lobe-Lebel) is a young kid who happens to live on an unusual planet and his favorite thing is hanging out with his friends. Many of them have powers but Samsam has not come into his own yet. It causes Samsam even more distress when he hears his parents wondering if he is one of them.

Then there is Mega (Lior Chabbat) and she isn’t happy being trapped in by a safety zone. Learning what it means to be a friend, she discovers also that there are super beings in their universe. Her father is actually King Marchien (Jeremy Prevost) and mother opera singer Madame Chol (Leovanie Raud). They argue between sending Mega to opera school or dictator school and she uses her kid smarts to make them both happy.

Arriving at Cosmic Hero School, Mega introduces herself as Megalactic and Samsam is the first to greet her. The kids are impressed with her spaceship but question what her powers might be. Samsam and Megalactic hit it off immediately and a friend bargain is struck – Samsam will help Megalactic learn the school dance and Megalactic will help Samsam find his superpowers.

At home Mega learns that her father the King has a scientist creating monsters to keep the children as sad as stones. On a field trip the next day, the class learns how to use their powers against space creatures. Samsam tries and, with Mega’s help, he believes he has found his first power.

The problem is, Samsam and the gang quickly discover that Mega is the daughter of King Marchien. Returning home, her father has known all along where she had been going and kidnaps Samsam and Samteddy introducing them to the Gloomyglob monster! His plan is to make them gray and gloomy with one tear.

But nothing beats the power of laughter!

SAMSAM brings an outstanding vocal cast to bring these delightful characters to life. From the young cast of Lobe-Lebel and Chabbat to the nutty royal King himself voiced by Prevost, their vocal talents bring us into the story and take us on a glorious and galactic ride!

Other vocal cast include Sebastien Desjours as Samnounours, Leopold Dorp as Petit Poa, Victore Pauwels as Superjulie, Damien Boisseau as Sampapa, Marie Marechal as Samaman, Philippe Spiteri as Crapouille, Simon Brunner as Sumomo, Francoise Pavy as Mamie Poa, Julien Crampon as Frapulo and Emmylou Homs as Frapula.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

SAMSAM is such a fun film for families to learn so many valuable lessons about friendship and the power of believing in oneself. There is such grace in a family film that helps teach the lessons that some adults seem to forget, like the King. Instead, it is about two friends who find one another not realizing that although they are different, their issues are not so far apart.

I love the color and vibrant storytelling and the children’s antics made my granddaughter giggle a lot. That’s a huge seal of approval for any film when a child watches from beginning to end and even dances when the credits role so who am I to say otherwise.

It is a perfect time for a film such as SAMSAM to come out as families are truly looking for quality entertainment that is fun, has great giggles, fantastic characters and a storyline that is relatable. Our family will be watching this film again and again.

In the end – make space for the next big hero!

NEVER TOO LATE

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to virtual cinemas from director Mark Lamprell and Blue Fox Entertainment comes the story of love that is NEVER TOO LATE.

Caine (Dennis Waterman), Angus (Jack Thompson), Wendell (Roy Billing) and Bronson (James Cromwell), also known as The Chain Breakers were in the military during the Vietnam War and became POWs. After an escape, they each returned home and went their separate ways. The one thing Bronson didn’t forget was the love of his life Norma (Jacki Weaver) and now, fifty years later, he is determined to find her.

Arriving at the Hogan Hills Retirement Home for Returned Veterans, Bronson has himself committed to get close to Norma only to discover she is being temporarily transferred to another facility. Meeting the homes facilitator Lin (Renee Lim), she lets Bronson know that his own doctor believes he should be in Hogan Hills.

Later he meets Elliott (Zachary Wan), a young man who spends his time at the home waiting for his mother to end her shift each day. Elliott recites Bronson’s exploits as part of the Chain Breakers and informs Bronson that his friends are also residents at the home. Bronson is thrilled to seek out his friends and so begins another chance to be part of The Chain Breakers once again – even if they are a tad bit older and slower.

Lin is constantly watching them and every time they are caught there are repercussions but there is a reason for her disapproval. That is not going to stop Bronson from finding Norma and finally making the one thing right that he felt he should have done fifty years ago.

It is time!

Cromwell as Bronson is a man who has finally comes to terms with who he is and what he has missed in his life. Of course, it took him fifty years but what the heck, he takes one look at Norma and he is a young man again. Cromwell is an amazing actor who, in this role, gets a chance to show a softer side while also having a bit of fun with crazy plans all based on love.

Waterman as Caine is happy to see his friend again and having the chance to go on a mission is something that is truly appealing to him. Billing as Wendell has been trying for years to make things right with his grown son but with each returned letter he wonders if it can ever be made right.

Thompson as Wilson will do just about anything to help his friend Bronson. It gives him a sense of purpose until Bronson pushes just a little to hard and Wilson puts his foot down. I have always been a fan of Thompson and in this film, he reminds me why with his wit. Wan as Elliott is a young man who is going through a tough time in his own life. He is thrilled to have these friends of a certain age and enjoys their antics.

Weaver as Norma has spent years moving on without Bronson and now is her chance to find the happiness that was once standing before her on a jetty before the war. Weaver is so small standing next to Cromwell’s Bronson but her heart and eyes are big with memories. Lim as Lin is a woman who isn’t exactly the kind of person I’d want watching over me in a retirement home.

Shout out to Shane Jacobson as Bruce Wendell, he comes in later to the film but his character is one that shows the power of forgiveness.

Other cast include Max Cullen as Hank, Simone Annan as Doctor Kevin, Darren Gilshenan as Marshall, Jai Koutrae as Williams, and Edmund Pegge as Howard.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

NEVER TOO LATE is a film that constantly instills to the viewer that it truly is never too late to chase a dream. It may not be the exact dream that Bronson had fifty years before he left Norma, but it is a powerful and loving dream none the less. In the process of it all, he has the opportunity to reunite with friends who made an impact on his life and help them find their dreams once again.

This is a sweet film that does not sugar coat the life of seniors who have seen a lot, been through a lot and still feel like they have one last chance to have it all. I hope we always feel that way no matter what our age.

In the end – love is not always on time!

SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER is Silent Family Grief

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Virtual Release from director Carl Hunter and Blue Fox Entertainment comes a story about SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER.

Alan (Bill Nighy) is widowed tailor and a bit of an eccentric who is taking a road trip with son Peter (Sam Riley) to discover whether Alan's other son Michael has finally been found. Disappearing after a tough game of scrabble, the years have been difficult for father and son Peter.

It isn't as if Alan has made it easy on anyone really, Peter has been feeling the emotional pinch for more years than he can count. Now married to Sue (Alice Lowe) with his own son Jack (Louis Healy), there is a new disconnect.

When the road trip does not work out, other than Alan meeting Margaret (Jenny Agutter) and Arthur (Tim McInnerny), Alan decides to spend time at Peter's house. Much to the dismay of Jack who must share his bunkbed set with grandpa, everyone is walking on eggshells.

Sue tells Peter that their son Jack has a bit of a crush on a girl two bus stops down and Jack is discovering that grandpa Alan might have a thing or two to teach him about the family and dressing snappy to get the girl.

All the while Alan is playing a game on the internet that leads him to believe that Michael is on the other end and reaching out. But when Alan goes missing, Peter is pushed to his limits.

This is a perfectly dysfunctional family that has more issues than a magazine rack!

Nighy has Alan is, as always, impeccable as this character. Calling for Alan to be a bit quirky and very, very smart - the film succeeds because of this talented and amazing actor. I have always enjoyed Nighy and the roles he chooses, and the last few years have continually proven his has it! His fearlessness makes me laugh, gives me heart squeezes and makes me listen to ever word whatever character he plays has to say. As Alan, he gives us all these qualities and gives it well.

Riley as Peter is a son who has lived in the shadow of a brother labeled the "prodigal son" for so long he just does not know who he is in the world. Son, husband, father - it is all blurred and giving him to much reason to be angry at Alan. His own silence has transferred to Jack and yet he does not see it, that is how powerful being angry at a past can be. Riley does such an amazing job and bouncing off of Nighy isn't as easy as it might look, but Riley gives it an exceptional shot and wins!

Healy as Jack is what I would consider a casualty of Alan and Peter's pain. He has grown into a young man that understands it is not good explaining things to his father and he does not even know his grandfather Alan - yet. The growth between the elder and grandson is so endearing and as a grandma I get it clearly.

Lowe as Sue actually likes Alan and has no problem with him staying with them for a bit. As much as Peter pushes away, it is Sue who doesn't go along with husbands' complaints. Agutter as Margaret has the same issues with a missing son as Alan but deals with them in a different way, much to the dismay of Peter.

Other cast include Ella-Grace Gregoire as Rachel, Alexei Sayle as Bill, Oliver Sincup as Young Peter, and Alan Williams as the Desk Officer.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER is a sly look at family dysfunction when things are not said out loud. Father and son spend a lot of time being snarky with one another in an attempt to illicit a reaction to what the real problem is - brother Michael.

They have spent so much time not talking about it that the silence is at ear piercing decibels! Rather than talk it out and sharing how one person could walk away from a scrabble game, instead the trait of "no talking" has transferred onto Peter's son Jack and a new generation is not talking.

The reconnect is between grandpa Alan and grandson Jack who has only heard about how unhappy his father Peter is with their relationship. So, it's back to muttering, one-word answers or hiding up in a bedroom behind a computer screen.

That is not all too far from away many people see their family life and SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER is a look at that in your face. Yes, it is quirky, lovely, and very funny all wrapped up in an insightful story.

In the end - sometimes it is hard to find the right words.