He is THE AMATEUR

 

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Digital and coming to Bluray and 4k Ultra HD from director James Hawes and 20^th Century Studios is a man who is THE AMATEUR. 

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) is sending his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) off to a conference in Europe while he goes to his job at the CIA as a cryptographer. Getting straight to work, his job is secretive but he is good at it. When he is called into the office of boss Director Moore (Holt McCallany) and Director O’Brien (Julianne Nicholson) where he is told that his wife has died and Charlie is horrified. Almost immediately he begins his work discovering what happened, how and who is responsible. Bringing it up to his superiors, he makes it clear that all Charlie wants is to handle the situation himself.

When they don’t approve, he is sent Hendo Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) to give him some help in what he is planning to do. While Training, Henderson makes it clear that some people just aren’t simply capable of killing. While he is away, Moore is attempting to discover what Charlie might know and tear his house and office apart. They want to know what is he doing with the information but they obviously don’t understand what Charlie can do. His intelligence gives him the edge as he manages to slip away from everyone and follow the trail to Europe. There, he finally meets contact Inquiline (Cailtriona Balfe) who does her best to help find those responsible for Sarah’s death.

The trail is brutal and full of secrets that go deeper than Charlie could ever have imagined. When CIA operative O’Brien (Jon Bernthal) attempts to wrangle him in, he once again knows how to slip the boundaries they attempt to place on him. No matter how much the CIA uses its technology, they forgot one thing – Charlie created that technology!

Malek as Charlie is a man devastated by the loss of his wife and disgusted by the CIA’s lack of action. Deciding that if they won’t do anything, he will use all he has learned as an analyst play out in the real world. Malek plays a grieving husband but, when his character goes rogue, he does so in such a calm manner. The Agency thinks they are able to corral him but you can’t capture someone who you’ve always underrated. This is such an awesome character for him to play and adds a layer of thrill with the combination of political, psychological and action in the vein of THE BOURNE IDENTITY (2002) among so many others. Malek has cemented his place in that line up.

McCallany as Moore is a stern character who can not get Charlie to understand that there are things at play that he doesn’t know about. Once Charlie goes rogue, he is not only dealing with that, but feeling the breath of Director O’Brien all over his neck. I have come to so appreciate McCallany’s body of work and I just love his strong characters. Nicholson as Director O’Brien understands that Charlie is devastated and enlists the help of Moore to keep their noses clean. She gets the suspicion that Charlie isn’t going to let the death of his wife go unanswered. Nicholson always plays such a strong character and it is the same here.

Fishburne as Henderson attempts to train Charlie but also realizes that training him to kill someone just isn’t working. He is impressed by that Charlie can do but it doesn’t mean it will help him with his goal. Fishburne is just that – Fishburne. A consummate actor who can do any role you put in front of him. This isn’t a large role but it is a good one. Bernthal as O’Brien sees Charlie as a friend and wants to help but so people you just can’t get to understand and Charlie is one of them. Again, the role isn’t a large one but keep you spidey senses on high alert.

Balfe as Inquiline is someone that Charlie has been in contact with for a while but never in person. When he arrives in Europe, it is Balfe’s character that guides him in the direction he needs to go. I just love seeing Balfe as I am a huge fan of OUTLANDER and here she begins to separate herself from that role and onto something thriller in another genre.

Other cast includes Adrian Martinez as Carlos, Marc Rissman as Mishka Blazhic, Joseph Millson as Ellish, Barbara Probst as Gretchen Frank, Alice Hewkin as Ali Park and Henry Garrett as the Chief of Staff. Look for the cameo of Marthe Keller who starred in the 1981 film as Elizabeth.

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.

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.

Bonus Features include The Team, The World, The Pool, The Score, and Deleted Scenes.

Robert Littrell specialized in espionage novel having been a journalist and novelist writing about the spy world of the CIA. He wrote the screenplay before the novel with the title The Amateur: A Novel of Revenge in 1981.

Malek, having played a Bond Villain in the 2021 film NO TIME TO DIE gets the opportunity to play the other side of a thriller and proves he can do both. In the role of Charlie Heller, he is as smooth as they come, smarter than his superiors could ever have imagined and determined to do what the agency won’t. He has no problem using his intelligence and abilities to keep everyone at arm’s length until he finishes what he started. Just brilliantly done.

The cast brings so much to the political table with secrets, mysteries, lies, no trusting and, best of all, no idea who they are dealing with. I love that part of the film as each thing Charlie pulls off, there is someone in the background shaking his head in disbelief. That makes watching so much more enjoyable because rooting for Charlie is what it is all about. Nothing or no one is going to stop the inevitable.

In the end – do not underestimate him!

Continue the Journey with OUTLANDER: The Complete Season 7

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming on a Collector’s Edition Bluray, Bluray and DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the continuation of OUTLANDER: The Complete Season 7.

As Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Ian (John Bell) try to get to Claire (Caitriona Balfe) who they think is in prison, don’t realize she has been taken to a ship to help a captain’s pregnant wife. That doesn’t mean the murder charge hanging over her head is forgotten. Tom Christie (Mark Jones) is keeping an eye out for Claire and her whereabouts as he promised Jamie on the road when Claire was taken. Back home, Roger (Richard Rankin) is still about his ministry as Brianna (Sophie Skelton) is close to giving birth to their second child.

Tom Christie decides there is only one way to save Claire and sends her back to Jamie. Once home they begin to pick up the pieces of their homelife but it doesn’t last as the family must make the sacrifice to send Roger, Brianna and their children back through the stones. Soon after, there is a horrifying arrival in Frasier’s Ridge that brings Claire and Jamies world upside down again. That is when Jamie decides it is time to keep his promise and take Ian home to Scotland. Now in Scotland, Brianna and Roger open a chest that has been closed for over 200 years.

Not making it to the ship home, Jamie is called up to the Continental Army as all three head to Fort Ticonderoga. Also nearby is William (Charles Vandervaart), Jamie’s son who is a British soldier and now father and son are on opposite sides of a war. Back home in the future, Brianna finds a job as their son Jemmy (Andrew/Matthew Adair) and daughter Mandy (Rosa Morris) find creatures around their home. Their parents find it amusing in a way but are more concerned about the letters they are reading from Claire and Jamie about the battles and caring for the wounded. Jamie is also dealing with his cousin Brig. General Simon Fraser (Angus Macfadyen) who he has to fight. Claire has help from Dr. Hunter (Joey Phillips) and his Quaker sister Rachel (Izzy Meikle-Small) who actually helped William when he was wounded.

Roger is feeling a bit out of sorts seeing Brianna working but is offered an opportunity at Jemmy’s school to teach Gaelic to those who want to learn. Rob Cameron introduces himself as one of Brianna’s employees and invites himself to dinner. Right before the dinner, Roger finds Buck (Diarmaid Murtagh) from 200 years ago in his yard! They work out both situations and Buck begins to understand what happened to him going through the stones. Again, there isn’t much time to breathe when Rob (Chris Fulton) takes Jemmy and no one knows why. One thing is for certain; it has something to do with the Spaniards that Jamie and Jemmy only know about. Now Roger and Buck must go back through the stones to find them.

In the past, Jamie is fighting on the field again and when it is time to stop, a request is made that will allow Jamie and family to head to Scotland and they are thrilled. Ian has become fond of Rachel and asks her to take care of his dog until he returns not knowing that William also has eyes for Rachel. In Scotland, they arrive just in time as Ian’s father Ian Sr. (Steven Cree) needs him as does his mother Jenny (Kristin Atherton). Jamie decides its also time to make amends with his own past. Claire receives a letter from their friend John (David Berry) that his nephew Henry Grey (Harry Jarvis) needs surgery and can she come quickly. Jamie encourages her to go and he will join her as soon as he is finished in Scotland. When she arrives, she performs the life saving surgery only to be under suspicion by the British later. Receiving bad news, Claire falls into a grief that cannot be explained and has to make a decision in order for she and her family to avoid the British. When Jamie returns there are fights to be had, disagreements that are made difficult, Jamie and Washington, Brianna and Mandy deciding to find Roger and Jemmy. That means Claire and Jamie must deal with more trials before they see Fraser’s Ridge again.

Balfe as Claire continues her role and it continues to tug at the hearts of fans. At the end of last season, it looked as if Claire was not going to get past what happened to her at the hands of kidnappers. Fans know that she might be down for a moment but will get back up and handle what ever is to come in the time she now calls home. At the end of season 6, she is taken away from Jamie once again and for something she didn’t do. The character of Claire means Balfe gives us a look at the deep strength her character has and continues to give under circumstances we can’t even wrap our heads around in this day and age. Balfe is our collective Claire and the final season means our questions might be answered about the Fraser future.

Heughan as Jamie is a guy’s guy and does not hesitate to do what he must for his family and his newly adopted country. It might not always be a decision that will make Claire happy but when he makes his beliefs known, Jamie is the guy you want on your side. Heughan has taken Jamie from a young man into a wiser man with a purpose and that is his family first (which is extensive), neighbors and country (both Scotland and the Americas). The fact is, as much as Claire is the person you want on your side, Jamie is also someone you want in your corner. He makes the hard calls and won’t ask anything of anyone he wouldn’t first do himself. That’s what makes him perfect for Claire, she is exactly the same way and they know that about one another.

Rankin as Roger gives us a bit of faith but doesn’t hesitate to stretch that and doing things that might not exactly fall into a religious’ category. He has such a good heart and loves his family as well. Rankin gives Roger such heart and soul that is so strong in his character that I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role. He doesn’t always do the right thing but it manages to work itself out and I love that. Skelton as Brianna is just as strong willed as her mother and she doesn’t care if they are living 200 years in the past, she is going to make it work her way. She has seen her mother struggle and it has made her stronger. Skelton gives us a perfect mash then and now.

Berry returns as Lord John and refuses to let political differences get between his friendship with Jamie and Claire. It is a fine line and it does get crossed momentarily but it is done because John believes he owes Jamie more than he can ever repay. That is also because of Vandervaart as William, a young man just beginning his military career and learning the lessons of war can change a person and the lessons of love can be just as disappointment. He knows about the Frasers and the friendship with his father Lord John, but he’s about to learn more than he could have bargained for. Jones reappears as Tom Christie with a tale of his own to tell and his heart still aching for a love he can not have.

Murtagh as Buck makes an appearance at Roger and Brianna with his own story of the stones to tell. Once he realizes how it works and where he fits in it all, he wants to help make things right when Jemmy disappears. Cree returns as Ian Sr. and he gets the opportunity to reconnect with his son again, Native American appearance and all. Atherton as Jenny is thrilled to see her family again and explains to her son why he needs to return with Claire to the new life he created for himself. Jarvis as Grey puts shock in his uncle’s way of thinking and I cheered for his decision. Phillips as Dr. Hunter is surprised to see what Clare is capable of medically and keeps an eye on his sister Rachel. Meikle-Small as Rachel is a young Quaker woman who is about to defy her faith by falling for someone her brother doesn’t believe will be accepted by their faith.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

The Bluray and DVD Bonus Materials include Four Outlander Untold Scenes, Blooper Reel and Deleted Scenes.

The episodes include A Life Well Lost, The Happiest Place on Earth, Death Be Not Proud, A Most Uncomfortable Woman, Singapore, Where the Waters Meet, A Practical Guide for Time-Travelers, Turning Points, Unfinished Business, Brotherly Love, A Hundredweight of Stones, Carnal Knowledge, Hello Goodbye, Ye Dinna Get Used to It, Written in my Own Heart’s Blood, and A Hundred Thousand Angels.

OUTLANDER: The Complete Season 7 is a run from start to finish. Each episode brings the life of Jamie and Claire to a full-on race to the final Season 8 (which I’m patiently waiting to see). Beginning in 2014, fans have been following their adventures (or misadventures depending on your outlook) and now, eleven years later, Season 7 sets us up for what it to come in the final season and I’m already teary eyed. All good things must come to and end, right?

This season meshes a 200-year difference and how they connect and it’s so complicated that you might want to get a pen and paper out to make a chart. Okay, so it has to be a really long piece of paper because the stories have taken us on quite a ride. Jamie and Claire have carried this series to places of heartache, love, friendship, family, torment, periods of time, countries, and have had their hearts torn for being a trusting and loyal couple. Once again, we are taken into their story of war, destruction, two-sides, and pain. Through all of that, these two characters have interconnected with others fans have come to love like Roger and Brianna, the duality of who people can be like Ian and unrequited love like Tom Christie and Lord John.

OUTLANDER has never once disappointed fans and Season 7 is no exception. So, gather up a group of Outlandians and prepare to binge. Once the story starts, there is no waiting to see what happens next!

In the end – our history is now!

 

He is the STRIKING RESCUE

 

Jeri Jacquins

On Bluray from director Siyu Cheng, writer Guo Haiwen and Well Go USA is an intense story of revenge and action with STRIKING RESCUE.

Bai An (Tony Jaa) is a man grieving and angry at the loss of his family that he is being blamed for. The anger is aimed at He Yinghao (Philip Keung) believing that he is not only responsible but part of underhanded dealings. He decides to go after him through his daughter He Ting (Chen Duo-Yi). It begins by learning where she goes to school and learning about the driver Wu Zheng (Eason Hung). Making his move, he assesses the situation discovering that is a little friction between He Ting and Wu Zheng.

At home, Ting is not happy with her father who she believes doesn’t understand her. Trying to help is Lu Ping (Peng Bo) who is Yinghao’s right hand person in the company and has compassion for the young girl. The next day, on their way out, their cars are attached and Yinghao is captured almost immediately, the assailants now attack the car with Tingting in it and Wu Zheng is fighting anyone coming near. Bai An sees what is happening and intervenes swiftly taking Tingting away.

Out of control bad guy Clay (Michael Mao) wants Yinghao to sign a control giving up control of shipping for his own nefarious purposes. He knows the only way that will happen is by finding Tingting. Now, the word is out on every corner that there is a bounty for Tingting and it wouldn’t hurt if they took out Bai An either. What they don’t know is who they are up against as Bai An become close feeling the need to protect the young girl from anyone who might hurt her.

Against his anger, Bai An must make a decision on who to trust and protecting the daughter of that man he considers his enemy.

Jaa as Bai An is remarkable in this film. He comes in as a man bereft at the death of his family with a plan that is aimed at one person. In the process, he is put in the middle of something he hasn’t had time to figure out because he is running for two lives. Jaa gives his character everything one would expect but so much more. There is even a bit of a joke in the film by Tingting, but listen carefully because it goes by pretty quick. Jaa truly does make the film a ride to watch from start to finish and I was in it every minute.

Duo-Yi as Tingting is a teenage girl who has issues with her father. Of course, the moods and feeling unheard are par for the course. When Bai An comes into her life, it is something she would never have expected. Violence, stories of her father and trusting a stranger are something that she can not avoid. Duo-Yi plays of Jaa extremely well and makes her presence clear when she gets the chance to be a bit tough herself. Keung as Yinghao is a father determined to figure out how to fix the relationship with his daughter which might prove to be difficult. His dealings in business are what started everything and it has the possibility of ending badly for all.

Hung as Wu Zheng has had it up to his eyeballs with Tingting’s attitude but knows his place with Yinghao. When things start going badly, he goes on the hunt for Bai An as he also needs to understand what is happening and who is responsible. Hung gives us sly and resourceful but is he a good guy or not? Find out for yourself. Mao as Clay is just as vicious of a character as he wants to be. I mean out and out vicious! He has a plan and no one, and I mean no one is going to stand in his way. I’ve seen bad guys in film but this one is bad to the bone and Mao will give anyone watching – chills!

Other cast include Junjia Hong, Tianqi Zhang, Bolin Yu and Zing Yu. The film is in a mixture of English and Mandarin.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

STRIKING RESCUE is a fast paced (which is surprising since its running time is 111 minutes) and doesn’t have a second of downtime. The game becomes who do you trust and who do you know to be lying with every word that comes out of their mouth. It seems the person who is wanted by the cops may be the only one any of them can trust and that’s saying a lot. The characters are so well played by each actor as Jaa leads them down the path of destruction to get to the truth.

There are fantastic martial arts from both men and women which I enjoyed very much as well. I mean why should the guys have all the fun. This film has so much intensity and action, it is an assault on the senses in the best way for fans of this genre. Director Cheng makes quick work of what writer Haiwen put in the script and these two have brought a visual and story high of a film and they should be extremely proud of it. The action sequences are fast and pretty darn fantastic to watch as the pace of the film might have you holding your breath so make sure to exhale!

In the end – a father’s fury in unleashed!

 

 

 

SNOW WHITE Comes to Digital

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital this week and coming to Bluray from director Marc Webb and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the live-action story of SNOW WHITE.

Snow White (Rachel Zegler) is a young girl who has spent years at the hands of her evil step-mother the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). One day while scrubbing her usual floor, she hears a noise coming from the kitchen and meets Jonathan (Andrew Burnap) who happens to be stealing potatoes. Letting him go, the castle is alerted and the next time she sees him, Jonathan is in the presence of the queen.

Realizing that the people outside the palace need help, Snow White decides to have a talk with the Queen. After that doesn’t go well, the Queen has a nice little chat with her Magic Mirror (Patrick Page) who lets her know that her “fairest of them all” status is in serious jeopardy. Deciding to fix that immediately, she orders the Huntsman (Ansu Kabia) to take Snow White out into the forest, kill her and bring back proof in a box.

Making his choice, Snow White runs away and finds herself in the house of the Seven Dwarfs. Some are not happy about her presence and other want to help her all they can but she believes that looking for her father is best. Making her way through the forest, she meets Jonathan once again and his band of followers but their meeting is cut short as palace guards are looking for her.

The Queen decides to take matters into her own hands with an apple but Snow White and her new friends aren’t about to take it lying down!

Zegler as Snow White offers up her take on the 1937 classic animated film. She is outspoken and has no issue with make dwarfs clean their own house. She vamps up the film with song and taking on a Queen so she has that going for her. Burnap as Jonathan is a bit of a cross between Kristoff (FROZEN) and Ken (BARBIE). He starts out as a thief with his own goals and finds himself entranced by a girl and her dwarves. Kabia as the Huntsman is a good man being asked to do a bad thing. Page as the voice of the Magic Mirror is so cool with his deep voice and only one answer to the same question.

Gadot as the Evil Queen made me laugh. Her wickedness is on point and Gadot may not be a singer but she took control and it was hilarious. It reminded me of Melissa McCarthy playing Ursula in another meh live-action remake of THE LITTLE MERMAID. Gadot looks like she is having a blast and doesn’t care one flick of her pointy nails what anyone thinks and I’m all for it.

As for the Seven Dwarfs, it seemed only three got the top roles and that’s Doc, Grumpy and Dopey. They are the three that fall into Snow Whites charm and find that they want to protect her from anyone who has other ideas. Dopey is a cutie and I don’t think anyone would dispute that.

Other cast includes Hadley Fraser as the King, Lorena Andrea as the Queen, George Appleby as Quigg, Colin Carmichael as Farno, Samuel Baxter as Scythe, Idriss Kargbo as Bingley, Jaih Betote as Norwich, Dujonna Figt as Maple and Jimmy Johnston as Finch.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

Bonus Features include Sing Along with the Movie: Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with onscreen lyrics, Deleted Scenes: Anguish and Opportunity, Danger in the Woods and Hunt for Snow White, Fearless, Fair, Brave, and True: Making Snow White – Take a look behind the scenes with director Marc Webb, cast and crew as they share their vision for this live-action reimagining of Snow White, highlighting how they honor the legacy of the original story, including the characters, set design and more.

Also, Merry Tunes – Go behind the songs with filmmakers and songwriting duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Hear about their new songs and how they beautifully intertwine with the classics, Fairy Tale Fashion – Get an in-depth look at the fashion and costuming for the film, featuring legendary costume designer Sandy Powell. Along with filmmakers and cast, Sandy provides insight into how she brought iconic looks to life for Snow White, the Evil Queen and more and Bloopers – Discover all the fun and laugh along with the cast as they have the time of their lives making Snow White.

The Seven Dwarfs voices include Jeremy Swift as Doc, Tituss Burgess as Bashful, Andrew Feldman as Dopey, Martin Klebba as Grumpy, Jason Kravits as Sneezy, George Salazar as Happy and Andy Grotelueschen as Sleepy.

SNOW WHITE is very colorful and there are new songs for the kids to learn but, let’s be honest here, everyone has to “hiiiiiiii hoooooooooo” right? The dwarves have always had a place in people’s hearts, yes even Grumpy, and those two words have been synonymous with all seven of them. I’ll say it again that Gadot just looks like she is having so much fun being bad that I almost forgot how evil she is supposed to be but, she quickly reminds us all that she is a Queen and a force for not good.

Having the film on Digital now allows those who didn’t see the film in theatres to have their opportunity to enjoy at home. It’s a chance to sing, dance and see what Disney has done to bring audiences together because everyone in the family can make it a night of fun and adventure. All the extras make it fun as well because nothing beats a bunch of bloopers at the end of a film.

In the end – the fairest of them all?

RICK AND MORTY: The Anime on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray and DVD from Adult Swim, Takashi Sano and Warner Brothers Home Entertainment is a series that is out-of-this-world with RICK AND MORTY: The Anime.

The Galactic Federation is attacking and the Smith household has unwanted guests. Rick is taken and isn’t going quietly. In a more colorful place, the real Rick is living his best life. All the while, Morty is busy with a VR game given to him by Rick. The young girl Elle meets Morty in the simulation but only for a brief moment. In a flash, another Rick shows up with coward Frank. Then, Rick is having a rough trip home running into multiple Ricks and Summer sees the problem calling on Space Mom. Rick meets a younger Rick as Space Mom goes all John Wick on a mutant space ship until rebel back up arrives. Space Mom and Tammy get a chance to hash things out but its only for the moment.

Morty wants to find Elle but instead finds Rick. The Galactic Federation is all shades of angry when they realize that Morty and Rick are related and that Elle can foresee the future. What they don’t see is Morty and Elle joining the rebels against the Federation. Rick is in another Ricks reality and he is not happy about it at all. At the Smiths, Dad Jerry is busy baking a special cake but it is all interrupted by a Space Mom pick-up. When Rick and Morty are captured, the joe is on the Galactic Federation and the kid decides to join the Federation. Jailed on a chicken nugget charge, Morty takes on everyone.

Morty wants Rick to make his dad a superhero. So when Dad Jerry and hero Jerry get together, a sword is what is causing problems and people are looking for it. The rough necks have been sent to the Smiths to retrieve it. Rick and Morty are on the case to try and stop any chaos Jerry might cause in the anti-verse. Tammy is trying to get away from her world and is taken by the Federation. She meets Elle and sees what she can do. Morty and Elle are in school together much to the joy of the kid. Space Mom thinks that Elle is up to something but also knows the girl has saved more than one Smiths life.

Rick and Elle talk past and futures. Space Beth has been captured by the Federation and Rick is going to find her. Morty and Elle follow wanting to help as well. What none of them know is that the prison ship is a set up but who is setting up who? The prisoners are taking their chances to stop the Federation. The Smiths are trying to avoid the Federation because of something a different Rick created. Rewind Rick has created something that can destroy all the worlds. Space Mom and Sunny are headed out to space to take on their enemy. Jerry is loaded to protect the home while Rick and Morty do what they can to save Elle. Summer is proving she is built to be a warrior in her own right. Rick monologues about Elle and the devise another Rick created.

The battle rages on at the Smiths home and hero Jerry arrives to help. The secrets are slowly coming out about Elle. Rick makes it clear that either the universe survives or Elle does. The Federation doesn’t see the rebels as a threat but, as always, they are sadly mistaken. Morty also learns he is a revered hero among the rebels. Rick and Rick take a moment for a philosophical debate while Marty has a meltdown. That’s okay though as Summer has the battle well in hand. As the family sits back for an after-battle meal, Morty is tending to his broken heart. Rick gives him a helmet that allows him to be with Elle and a whole lifetime together. The problem is the headset is stuck so now Rick and Summer have to track down what universe Morty is in!

Warner Brothers Discovery Home Entertainment is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainments with worldwide distribution to DVD and Bluray, animation, comic books, videogames and broadcasting. For more please visit www.warnerbros.com.

Adult Swim is the leader in adult animation and #1 destination offering critically acclaimed, award-winning series that also include Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, The Eric Andre Show and so many more. For more of what Adult Swim has to offer please visit www.adultswim.com.

The episodes include The Girl Who Manipulated Time, Fighting Mother, Alien Elle, Memories, Family, Free Will, When We Meet In Our Dreams, Feel Don’t Think, Her Innermost Wish and A Pain in the Back.

The cast include Joe Daniels as Rick/Jerry, Gabriel Regojo as Marty, Luci Christian as Elle, Donna Bella Litton as Summer, Patricia Duran as Beth, Shawn Hamilton as President/Goldenfold, Brandon Hearnsberger as Nimbus, Katelyn Barr as Tammy, Greg Cote as Toby, Andrew Love as Story Lord, Brittney Karbowski and Ty Mahany as Frank.

RICK & MORTY: The Anime is work of visionary director Takashi Sano and he does not disappoint. I spend the entire Bluray laughing myself silly and having my memory consistently tested as to which Morty and Rick was the Morty and Rick at the Smiths house and how far into the multiverse do they go and when was Summer allowed to be Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley? I have so many questions in the middle of cracking up. I absolutely loved the jokes, I love the sarcasm, I love the situations and, just saying, I loved all of it.

The animation and creations are really so well done and it is clear why so many people I know are completely obsessed with RICK & MORTY. Adding this Bluray to their home anime collection is an absolute must. This summer we have already planned a Rick & Morty party and show RICK & MORTY: The Anime on our outdoor screen for all our guests to enjoy together. It is always fun to laugh together with other obsessed fun fans!

In the end – this is Rick and Morty’s multiverse!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He Knows LOVE HURTS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from director Jonathan Eusebio and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the love action comedy that shows how LOVE HURTS.

Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan) loves his job being a real estate agent and has just been awarded Realtor of the Year! Explaining to his assistant Ashely (Lio Tipton) that it’s important to love what you do, he enters his office only to discover the assassin Raven (Mustafa Shakir) waiting. A questioning fight is ‘where is Rose’?  Just when Marvin thought he had started a new life, it has come back to literally kill him.

Rose is a girl Marvin actually likes but that’s not the whole story. It seems once upon a time; Marvin was an assassin for The Company run by his brother Alvin or “Knuckles” (Daniel Wuv). Rose (Ariana DeBose) sort of stole some money and Marvin was supposed to “take care” of Rose but love got in his way. Now that you are caught up, Rose grabs Marvin and explains what is happening and Ashley has fallen for poetry driven Raven who Marvin left lying flat out in his realtor’s office. Understand?

Oh, it gets crazier! Knuckles is upset because Marvin’s mentor Cliff (Sean Astin) refers to him as his brother and Rose wants the money she stole. To make her point, Rose kidnaps Knuckles accountant Kippy (Rhys Darby) to track down the money only to discover that Knuckles man Renny Merlo (Cam Gigandet) has his own game going. Of course you can add Otis (Andre Eriksen), King (Marshawn Lynch) and Jeff (Drew Scott) to the mix, who are they? Untangle it all for yourself!

Quan as Marvin is a man who has found a second life in real estate. Constantly on the go to get the job done, he is happy with his life choice, until Rose shows up. Wanting to do the right thing by her (well, he is in love), he is up against some of the craziest people who are out to either get money or get Marvin or get Rose or a little bit of everything actually. This is an interesting character to watch play out and it is also quite charming.

DeBose as Rose has her own agenda even if she has a few hearts for Marvin. Getting him involved has brought out a bunch of bad guys who are a little messed up in their emotions but hey – a hit man is a hit man right? Tipton as Ashley is a bit scattered but knows that real estate is not in her life’s plan. Especially when she meets a certain poet assassin who only has eyes at the moment for Gable.

Shakir as Raven is giving off big man creepy vibes but also has a heart for poetry. That doesn’t mean he won’t get the assassin thing done, he just gets sidetracked occasionally by Ashley and a good fight in a kitchen with oversized cutlery. Darby as Kippy has a lot to say for a man without a finger. Twin assassins from a different mother are Lynch who doesn’t hesitate to use his previous gridiron skills and Eriksen as Otis who has a soft side.

Gigandet as Renny is playing both sides of the game and keeping his hands fairly clean, but that could change as quickly as the car Marvin is driving. Wuy as Knuckles has everyone dancing to his tune but that doesn’t mean Rose or Marvin for that matter are going to let him get away with his plan to take out everyone.

Shout out to Astin as Cliff, now there is a reunion that took forty years fir Data and Mikey back together again!

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.

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.

Exclusive Bonus Features include Alternate Ending, Deleted and Extended Scenes The Ke as Gable, The Heart of LOVE HURTS and Stunts Hurt.

LOVE HURTS has a bit of everything from charming comedy, to slap stick antics, a bit of love, nutty assassins, sibling rivalry, martial arts and a few Russians. That’s a lot coming at the screen yet not only does it work but its fun (and a bit funny). No one said love wasn’t going to hurt a bit right? The cast play off one another and make it look easy and, most of all, fun.

Prepare yourself for a roller coaster ride of fun and a few surprises. This is the type of film that brings everybody to the sofa with a big bowl of popcorn, laugh, get in on the jokes and have a fantastic time all around. This Bluray offers so much more after the film is finished so take time to check that out as well.

In the end – love can save the day!

The One and Only DOG MAN Fights Crime on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Peter Hastings, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the one and only DOG MAN.

Police Officer Knight and sidekick dog Greg are severely injured and in order to save them both, the doctors create Dog Man! Quick healing puts Dog Man back on the streets to try and capture Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson). Dog Man’s boss Chief (Lil Rel Howery) knows that the town’s mayor (Cheri Oteri) is becoming frustrated and makes it clear to get that cat!

Petey (Pete Davidson) is wreaking havoc and with each capture, he realizes that its time to be more creative. Deciding to double himself, what actually happens is the creation of Little Petey (Lucas Hopkins), an adorable child version of big Petey. Not happy with the outcome, in one moment he becomes happy when little Petey goes missing.

Not really missing really, more like left and Dog Man finds him! Taking him home, the two become attached to one another. Keeping up on the news of what Petey is doing is Sarah Hatoff (Isla Fisher), the local news reporter and her trusty cameraman Seamus (Billy Boyd). To add more mischief and mayhem Petey has created a robot and manages to bring Flippy the Fish (Ricky Gervais) into the chaos.

So now Dog Man, must find a way to stop the madness created by Petey while also keeping Chief and the mayor happy and not crushing Little Petey’s spirit. That’s a tall order for a small Dog Man but nothing that he can’t handle without a little surprising help.

Writer/Director Hastings has decided to be the barking voice of Dog Man and there certainly isn’t anything wrong with that. He is able to provide the right emotions for this animated creation and it did look like fun. Davidson as Petey the Cat is a bit psychotic, a bit maniacal and a bit misunderstood. It takes a duplicate to test what he believes about himself but doesn’t stop the creation of more problems.

Howery as Chief tries to deal with Dog Man and the mayor giving him more headaches than he knows what to do with. There is a little jealousy about all the attention Dog Man is getting so there’s that issue to deal with. Fisher as Hatoff had me cracking up with her reporter skills and with the help of Boyd as Seamus, these two characters are perfect together and these two actors gave perfect voices to them.

Gervais as Flippy the Fish has us rolling with laughter and the lines delivered had Gervais all over them. The craziness is there and we were loving every moment. Hopkins as Little Petey is charming, adorable and almost made me want an orange cat – almost. His voice gives us reason to believe that a character can be a little bad even if he’s all good.

Other cast include Stephen Root as Grandpa, Poppy Liu as Butler, Luenell as Milly, Melissa Villasenor as the Realtor, Brian Hopkins as Big Jim, Yung Gravy as Mr. Whiskers, and Karen Foster as the Robot.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

Universal Pictures has amazing films in their library. 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.

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.

Exclusive Bonus Features include Deleted and Extended Scenes with Introductions by Screenwriter/Director Peter Hastings, Meet the Pack, The Making of DOG MAN: A Sarah Hatoff Exclusive, Howl to Draw Flip-o-Rama Style, Howl to Make Doughnuts for Dogs and Feature Commentary with Screenwriter/Director Peter Hastings.

Dav Pilkey is the creator of Dog Man but this isn’t his first works to go from book to screen. He is also responsible for Captain Underpants books that also made it to the screen successfully. Pilkey has written 12 Dog Man books, several in the Dragon series, Dumb Bunnies books, Cat Kid Comic Club, Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot, Big Dog & Little Dog and other books.

First of all, DOG MAN is one of my granddaughters’ all-time favorite books to read and she cannot get enough of them. When I told her that Dog Man had been made into a film, she was thrilled beyond belief and made sure that I took her to see it. Her favorite character is Petey and she was so happy from beginning to end. Now that Dog Man is on Bluray/Digital, she can watch over and over again!

The film is funny with the zany story and it even had references that are meant to make the adults laugh. DOG MAN is so colorful and the animation is well done to the point where I could hold up one of the books next to the film poster and there is hardly any difference. That’s what made it so excitable to watch, keeping the characters as they have come to be loved by kids and probably a few adults.

DOG MAN is the perfect family film to bring the family together so grab popcorn and laugh. It is so well animated, colorful, fun and full of laughter from start to finish.

In the end – part dog, part man and all hero!

ONE OF THEM DAYS Brings Laughs on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Lawrence Lamont and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a comedy about ONE OF THEM DAYS.

Dreux Jones (Keke Palmer) is a waitress at a local diner but hoping one day to become a franchise manager. Living with Alyssa (Sza), Dreux is about at her wits end as boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua Neal) has worn out his welcome. Dreux is drawn to the very handsome Maniac (Patrick Cage) but he has a history that she just doesn’t want to be part of. Trying to get some peace and quiet, the door pounding landlord Uche (Rizi Timane) is demanding the rent. The shock comes when the girls realize that Keshawn has made off with their money.

Uche gives them until 6 p.m. to come up with the rent or out they go! Adding insult to injury, the same landlord has renovated an apartment and rented to a young Bethanny (Maude Apatow) who has no idea of the other tenants living conditions. But never mind that, the hunt is on for Keshawn as Alyssa tracks him down at another woman’s house! Yeah, a woman named Berniece (Aziza Scott) and she is not one to be messed with yet, things happen and now Dreux and Alyssa are on the run from a very angry woman.

Back to the rent, now the girls have to find ways to make money as quick as possible and strike out at the local money lender, visits a blood bank where Dreux gets a chance to talk with Maniac and as Alyssa discovers a way to make some quick cash. All of this as Dreux does her best at a promotion interview seemingly connecting with Shayla (Gabrielle Dennis) who also worked her way up in the company. Outside, Alyssa is having her troubles as Berniece has found them and is going to make sure to get her pound of flesh one way or another.

Back at the apartment, Uche has carried out his threats as the girls discover that the new tenant and her very large dog unknowingly help the girls out of a tough situation that about to get tougher as the local gangster King Lolo (Amin Joseph) is about to crash their cash party. All of this is just the day in the life of Dreux and Alyssa!

Palmer as Dreux is the level headed-planning ahead person of this dynamic duo. She works hard, and tries to keep her side of life moving forward. There are times with her roommate that Dreux’s patience is tested but their friendship is stronger than she realizes. Palmer carries her role into this comedy with determination and comedy. Sza as Alyssa is the free spirit who relies on the universe for the answers to problems they encounter. When her roommate feels like she is floating by just to get by, Alyssa gets creative in ways that might just be more problems. Sza is a nice duo with Palmer and it works.

Apatow as Bethany is a woman who doesn’t see a problem with moving into the complex and tries to make herself at home without clearly seeing the reaction of others. She wants to be friends with Dreux and Alyssa and it comes in handy. Cage as Maniac has a reputation and, as with most things, if you want to know something about a person – ask them. Neal as Keshawn is a womanizing-gaslighting-player with game that doesn’t surprises Dreux.

Shout outs to Mejia as Kathy the payday loan clerk because I’ll never hear the number 47 ever again without wanting to shout it. Also, Katt Williams as Lucky who speaks truths in ways that only Williams can and I’m all for it for this comic genius.

Other cast include Vanessa Calloway as Mama Ruth, Janelle James as Ruby, Kil Rel Howery as the Buyer, Dewayne Perkins as Jameel, DomiNque Perry as Shameeka, Dustin Ybarra as Joseph, Ray Santiago as Fabian, Keyla Mejia as Kathy and Katt Williams as Lucky.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.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.

Special Features include One of Them Gag Reels, Dream Team, Block Party: The Cast and What’s in My Bag with Lucky.

ONE OF THEM DAYS is a female comedy duo that works as Palmer and Sza get a chance to play. What I mean by that is these two women look like they are having fun beneath the surface. These roles are total opposites of one another yet, like most friendships, it works. One moment I am nodding my head in agreement with Dreux about “planning” and the next I am “letting the universe decide”.

This is a fun film to just gather up comedy lovers, have a bring your own food event and then gather up to a big screen television and have a movie night event. The comedy is there, the characters are so crazy fun and everyone knows someone like a character in the movie – okay maybe not King Lolo but you get my meaning.

In the end – it is just one of them days!

 

 

There is a History About WOLF MAN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and currently available on Digital from writer/director Leigh Whannel, Corbett Tucker and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of what can happen in the woods with a WOLF MAN.

Blake (Christopher Abbott) lives in San Francisco with Charlotte (Julia Garner) and daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth). A writer spending most of his time at home with his young daughter, Charlotte is often off working as well. One morning Blake receives mail with a death certificate for his father and a set of keys to the house he grew up in Oregon. Knowing that he must go and clean out the house, he asks Charlotte to make it a bit of a vacation and spend time as a family together.

Getting a moving van, they make their way into the deep forest trying to get to the house before sun set. On the way they meet Derek (Benedict Hardie), a friend of Blake’s when they were younger who offers to lead them to the house. As the road narrows, something is in the road as Blake tries to avoid it heading off the road. Something comes after the van and scratches at Blake who grabs his family and races toward the house.

Locking all the doors and windows, Blake is attempting to protect his family as Charlotte takes care of Ginger. She also notices that her husband is bleeding from a deep cut. Still watching out for whatever is outside, Blake starts to feel out of sorts and Charlotte notices it. Realizing she needs to get Blake some help, it becomes a game of cat and mouse. Blake knows that he must take on whatever is outside if he is to protect his family.

Charlotte focuses on how she can protect her daughter for what is becoming more dangerous minute by minute. It becomes clear that what is happening to Blake is something she could have never imagined.

Abbott as Blake is a man who hasn’t had much luck at his work and has taken to being a good house dad for his daughter. When his father is declared dead, although he isn’t affected like he perhaps should be, clearing out his childhood house needs to be done. Feeling as if his marriage is not going well, he sees this as an opportunity for he and Charlotte to reconnect. Abbott gives his character an unassuming nature but he knows more than he has been telling his family.

Garner as Charlotte is a wife who has been going along to get along in her marriage but when Blake asks straight out, she has to admit that things aren’t as it should be. There is also a feeling of disconnect with young daughter Ginger as she seems to prefer her father much more and they have a connection that causes her to feel left out. Garner gives a straight performance, and although I wouldn’t have stuck around as long as her character did, at least she was supportive.

Firth as Ginger is a loving daughter who is now caught up in something that clearly no child should be. She is pretty calm for a kid being chased by something through the forest so well-done Firth. Hardie as Derek is a scary character who doesn’t say much, it is the look on his face that is pretty frightening and Garner’s character senses it immediately.

Other cast include Sam Jaeger as Grady Lovell, Benedict Hardie as Derek Kiel and Leigh Whannell as the voice of Dan Kiel.

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.

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.

Bonus Features on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD include Unleashing a New Monster, Designing Wolf Man, Hands on Horror, Nightmares and Soundscapes and Feature Commentary with Director/Co-Writer Leigh Whannell.

WOLF MAN is another telling about the mythical world of wolf people and this one aims directly at a family with history. Able to escape the life his father put him through in his young life, there is part of Blake that doesn’t want to return back to his childhood home. Keeping the story limited to the three characters means the battle becomes between what’s outside and what’s inside.

The film does remind me a bit of the film THE BEAST WITHIN but that isn’t a bad thing at all. Each interpretation of the wolf man stories brings a new set of eyes in the way it can be told and the surroundings in which to tell it. Whannel chose his story to be isolated deep in the forest of Oregon (although it was filmed in New Zealand) forcing the three main characters into survival mode and that is a fascinating part of the story.

In the end – protect your own!

 

The Fear of NOSFERATU Comes to 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from writer/director Robert Eggers and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes another retelling of the story of NOSFERATU.

Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp) is a young woman living with her husband Thomas (Nicholas Hoult) in Germany. As an estate agent, Thomas is hoping that his position as Schloss Grunewald will give him an opportunity to bring a wonderful life for his wife. Called in to see his employer Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), Thomas is told that he would be traveling to visit the recluse Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) who wishes to purchase property in Wisborg.

Thomas asks friends Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and wife Anna (Emma Corrin) to look after Ellen as he travels to Transylvania. Arriving after weeks, he is greeted with hostility by the Romani townsfolk and witnesses a ritual that is shocking. Having to make the rest of the journey to Orlok’s castle, he is greeted by Orlok and the appearance is disturbing to Thomas. Yet, he does what he must to finish the paperwork so he can return home to Ellen.

Lord Orlok has other plans and it includes also wanting to return to see the lovely young Ellen. Thomas realizes that he must escape before the nightmares and their effects consume him. Near death, his makes his way home without realizes that Ellen is also suffering melancholy to be confronted by scientist Albin Eberhart Von Franze (Willem Dafoe). Olek has no choice but to sail for Wisborg in a rat-infested ship, using the scurrying creatures to cause havoc in his new hometown met by Knock.

Wisborg is struck by the plague and Thomas attempts to regain his strength as Ellen realizes that her own dreams and nightmares are caused by one thing. Now, Thomas, Dr. Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson), Von Granze and Ellen must come together with a plan that can put a stop to the madness and destruction happening in their town. 

Hoult as Thomas is a man that clearly wants a standard of life for himself and wife Ellen. Accepting an assignment that could bring him financial reward, it could never have imagined what was truly to come. Hoult has truly spent the last few years covering almost every genre of film and standing out. In this film he is challenged with horror and a bit of bravery all in the name of love. Depp as Ellen is clearly a woman who suffers from a strange malady. Finding refuge in her marriage, it is only a temporary reprieve. Depp gives her character the look of a woman struggling to discover what is true in her life and what is madness.

Skarsgard as Orlok is a strange character but that is nothing new for this actor. The mystery is in how Orlok truly looks which is masked by shadows. Pennywise and Orlok do have a lot in common and that’s where Skarsgard wins. Dafoe as Von Franze comes across as slightly rattled in his own mind with zippy Shakespearean one liners causing a bit of chaos trying to convince everyone that there is a vampire present.

Taylor-Johnson as Fredrich is a wealthy man who befriends Thomas and Ellen. He loves his wife and children and as the world becomes unhinged, Taylor-Johnson character has a difficult time grasping the reality of the situation. Corrin as Anna loves her friendship with Ellen and is distraught at her condition. There is nothing Corrin’s character Anna won’t do for Ellen and it may cost her.

McBurney as Knock is the servant of Orlok but that doesn’t mean his opportunity to cause a little mayhem on his own isn’t possible. Creepy and dedicated, every opportunity McBurney is on screen is a chance to shock. Ineson as Sievers is a former student of Von Franze and doctor to Ellen. Seeking help to discover the cause of a young woman’s malady, he knows that his mentor may be a little off, but brilliant none-the-less.

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.

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.

Bonus Features include the Extended Cut and Theatrical Version, Deleted Scenes, NOSFERATU: A Modern Masterpiece and Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Robert Eggers.

NOSFERATU is a film that is grey, dark and filled with vampiric folklore. The characters felt more like this should be a dark and eerie stage production. The costuming is one of my favorite things about period pieces and the film definitely comes through on that score brilliantly. The women truly looked like the era and gave it such a richness to the story.

The cinematography was beautifully done with the eeriness of greys, blacks and a fogginess that lends feels like another character in the film. The music added a nice touch of intensity to the scenes. However, the 1992 film BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA continues to be my standard and this film hasn’t changed that opinion. It is interesting to note that every generation or so a Dracula film comes along and sticks with the audience of that era. My grandmother had her Bela Lugosi, my mother had Frank Langella, I have Gary Oldman and now Bill Skarsgard.

In the end – succumb to the darkness!

The Story of SATURDAY NIGHT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and currently on Digital from director Jason Reitman and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of the beginnings of SATURDAY NIGHT.

It is October 11^th, 1975 and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) is attempting to pull off something revolutionary for television in the NBC building. Bringing together young comedians and writers to pull of a comedy show is not as easy as it may sound. Ninety minutes before the show goes live, Michaels is trying to coral his players consisting of Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien), Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Jane Curtin (Kim Matula) and John Belushi (Matt Wood).

When not dealing with their antics, he is wrangling the talent of Andy Kaufman (Nicholas Braun), Billy Preston (Jon Batiste), Jim Henson (Nicholas Braun), and George Carlin (Matthew Rhys). Keeping him moving forward is wife Rosie (Rachel Sennott) and Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman) and the later is up against David Tebet (Willem Dafoe).

Fighting the clock, Michaels deals with Belushi and his dramatics, Morris who brings up his existential problem of “why am I here?”, Jim Henson and puppet issues, writers who think going up against the censor is a sport, Carlin who has his own opinion of what Michaels is trying to do, Milton Berle (J.K. Simmons) taking on the youngsters, and Johnny Carson having his own input.

Michaels learns that the jokes are on him when Ebersol comes clean with what NBC really had planned for the show. Having a meltdown, he finds a second wind of belief in what they are all trying to accomplish with the show and because of that, every Saturday after that, the world waits to hear LIVE FROM NEW YORK! IT’S SATURDAY NIGHT!

Labelle as Michaels runs through this film from start to finish putting out fires and dealing with drama from the big wigs upstairs to the little guy laying bricks on the stage. There is barely a scene that Labelle isn’t in and by the end I was absolutely dog tired even though I never left my seat. He gives us a fast-paced look at the first show and it is absolutely stunning with Labelle at the head of a shaky ship. Sennot as Rosie is Michael’s partner in the madness and she’s the one running around with a bucket of water for most of the fires.

Smith as Chase is charming and the biggest wise cracker of the bunch. That all comes to a stand still when confronted the likes of Milton Berle. Hunt as Radner is giddy to be a part of the cast, Fairn as Newman wonders where she fits in between Radner and Curtin, Matula as Curtin is quick and is willing to try anything to get the laugh. Morris as Morris is trying to fit in and that’s difficult when he sees himself as an Italian opera singer! O’Brien as Aykroyd must have study his character because I fell into his portrayal swiftly and made me laugh.

Braun gets the opportunity to play both the roles of Andy “Here He Comes to Save the Day” Kaufman and Jim “they are messing with my puppets” Henson. How fantastic that he does both and does them exceedingly well. Rhys as Carlin is playing one of the most iconic funny men of the time. Hoffman as Ebersol tries to keep Micheals on track but also knows something that he doesn’t and struggles with it.

Shout out to Willem Dafoe as Tebet and Simmons as Berle are both absolutely amazing in the film. Dafoe as the kind of slick haired smooth talker for Michaels but has an ace up his sleeve. Simmons is perfection as Milton Berle and his confrontation with Chase, Simmons gives us an Uncle Miltie that is jaw dropping.

Other cast include Finn Wolfhard as the NBC page, Ellen Boscov as Mrs. Kaufman, Andrew Feldman as Neil Levy, Leander Suleiman as Anne Beatts, Taylor Gray as Al Franken, Mcabe Gregg as Tom Davis, Abraham Hsu as Leo Yoshimura, Corinne Britti as Valri Bromfield, Rowan Joseph as Jim Fox, Kirsty Woodward as Audrey Dickman, Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin, Robert Wuhl as Dave Wilson, Drew Scheid as Bob Pook, Tommy Dewey as Michael O’Donoghue, Catherine Curtin as Joan Carbunkle, Josh Brener as Alan Zweibel, Paul Rust as Paul Schaffer, and Brian Welch as Don Pardo.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.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.

Special Features include The Making of the Movie of The Show That Almost Never Made It, Filmmaker Commentary and more!

SATURDAY NIGHT is a fast-paced film that delves deep into the opening night of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. It is a fantastic film and a wonderful way to learn about the beginnings of a show that still runs today – fifty seasons later! For my generation, there was nothing better in the world than gathering up friends, having a potluck, everyone bringing their favorite drink and sitting together on a Saturday night to laugh ourselves onto the floor. We understood the jokes, the underlying censor-pass humor, Land Shark!, Julia Childs aka Dan Aykroyd bleeding vigorously and John Belushi in a bee costume.

That’s what made this show and continues to make this show exciting, fun and a bit daring at times. Seeing how the first night came to be is just so amazing and Reitman, along with writer Gil Kenan, left no brick unlayed with the antics of the crew, the cast and those slinking around it all looking for a reason to pull the plug. SATURDAY NIGHT is a lesson in believing (especially in barrier breaking comedy) and how an idea can still resonate 45-years later. Hopefully friends are still gathering, potlucking and byob’ing.

In the end - the revolution begins at 11:30 p.m.!

A Herzog Epic Tale with AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K Ultra HD for the first time from writer/producer/director Werner Herzog and Shout! Studios comes a tale of greed with AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD.

It is 1560 and Spanish conquistadors are marching through the Incan Empire into the Amazon rainforest looking for El Dorado. These men, along with hundreds of slaves under the control of Gonzalo Pizarro (Alejandro Repulles) are pulling cannons and women in carriers through vines, mud and anything else the jungle has for them.

Pizarro decides to build rafts to go down the river and orders Don Pedro de Ursua (Ruy Guerra), along with his mistress Dona Ines (Helena Rojo) and daughter Flores (Cecilia Rivera), to take men with the order to be back in one week. Along with Ursua is Don Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski), a second-in-command and Don Fernando de Guzman (Peter Berling) speaking for the Spanish crown. Also going on the river is Brother Gaspar de Carvajal (Del Negro) to bring the word of God to all he finds.

Another of the rafts is caught in the rapids and by the next morning the men are dead or missing. Pizarro wants to retrieve the men but Aguirre has other plans and so do the natives. When Ursua wants to turn back to Pizarro, Aguirre tells the men of all the riches of El Dorado and convinces the men to continue on with him. Bringing on Guzman as their new leader, they keep moving down the river. Moment after moment brings more tension to the men as they decide who it is they are going to follow.

Finally, Aguirre declares that he is the rightful leader as everyone aboard the raft begins to suffer becoming malnourished and still under the attack of the natives. Aguirre comes face to face with the choices he has made!

Kinski as Aguirre looks, from the very onset, like someone you wouldn’t want to cross paths with. He is devious, cunning and has eyes for only one thing – El Dorado. Kinski gives us all the looks without necessarily the words to know exactly what Aguirre is willing to do and what to do to those who get in the way of his plans. Guerra as Ursua is the first leader and has the audacity to bring his mistress and daughter into such a dangerous and desolate place filled with natives who have no time for intruders. By the time he realizes that it might be best to turn back – he is up against those who want the riches.

Negro as Brother Carvajal wants to reach the natives with the good book, the problem is he can’t get close enough to them for that to happen. When he sees what is happening aboard the raft, he begins to understand what is happening to the men and the danger they are all in. Berling as Guzman is gullible, misguided and has no thought for his own men which becomes clear to everyone on the raft but serves Aguirre’s purpose.

Shout out to Rojo as Ines for doing the exact thing I would have done surrounded by a bunch of greedy men.

Other cast include Daniel Ades as Perucho, Edward Roland as Okello, and Justo Gonzalez as Gonzalez.

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AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD on 4K Ultra HD and Bluray on both Discs Bonus Features include New 4K Transfer of the 35mm Original Camera Negative, New Presented in Dolby Vision, Audio Commentary with Writer/Producer/Director Werner Herzog, and Audio Commentary with Werner Herzog, Moderated by Lauren Straub (in German with English Subtitles).

AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD is an epic tale that Herzog released in 1972. It is not a film with consistent dialogue but instead allows the viewer an opportunity to come up with their own views of each of the characters and the surroundings they are in. The director says of the film that “history doesn’t change, and that the desire for power and wealth is always a drug.”

Admitting that the plot of the film is fictional, he does bring 16-century events and historical figures to the story. He also admits that no one wanted to finance his film until a company in France picked it up. He says that he wrote the screenplay in three days on a bus full of drunk soccer players. Herzog is a storyteller that brings in a haunting tale here filled with realism in men believing they have the right to ravage natives for riches and natives making it clear that they will protect what is theirs.

In the end – it is the search for El Dorado!