Torches are Chasing STITCH HEAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres for the thriller season from writer/director Steve Hudson and Briarcliff Entertainment comes the animated story of monsters and friendship led by STITCH HEAD.

In the small town of Grubbers Nubbin, very high on the hill is a castle that the towns folk are afraid to even speak about. In the castle is a mad professor (Rob Brydon) who creates monsters. His first is a young lad named Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), an assistant in the lab and caring friend to the others in the castle. He keeps things running smoothly and efficiently. Down in the village, a circus show arrives in town and leader Fulbert Freakfinder (Seth Usdenov) promising to frighten the people for a mere coin. It is the young Arabella (Tia Bannon) who explains that the creatures aren’t scary at all and only what’s on the hill scares them.

Back in the castle, a new monster that Stitch Head names Creature (Joel Fry), is introduced to the others in the castle and he explains that they must be quiet to keep the villagers away. Soon, the doorbell, literally, rings and the castle is on high alert. Freakfinder reaches out to Stitch Head to convince him that there is a better life outside the castle. Thinking about it more and not feeling loved, Stitch Head decides it’s time to see the real world and do what other kids would do – join the circus.

Almost immediately Stitch Head is a hit with the village but Arabella sees him more as a friend even though her Nan (Alison Steadman) tries to keep her at bay. Someone else who is keeping an eye on him from a distance is Creature. When things begin to go wrong and Freakfinder turns on Stitch Head by using the villagers to become what monsters fear the most, but Stitch Head, Arabella and Creature have other plans.

Sometimes monsters are exactly what you need!

Butterfield as Stitch Head is such a charming boy who believes that working with the professor and taking care of monsters is fulfilling. That may be true but it makes him feel unloved which is what sends him to the Freakfinder circus. It is his castle friendship with Creature and his new friendship with villager Arabella that makes him truly understand where he belongs. This isn’t the first animated character that Butterfield has done voice for as he has also done the voice of Icarus in the video game HADES II and the series THE PROPHECY. His voice is perfection for Stitch Head and I loved it.

Bannon as Arabella lends her voice to a young girl who clearly knows what scary is but she hasn’t quite found it yet. I just love how she was so not impressed with the circus or anything else but instead was more interested in friendships made. Usdenov as Freakfinder is a charismatic character, musically fun and outlandishly flamboyant which is why Stitch Head was so easily swayed. Of course, as with most characters like Freakfinder, there is a darker side and when push comes to shove, Usdenov gets to flick the switch and it works so darn well.

Fry as the Creature is endearing, loveable, caring and is thrilled to have found his best friend for life. In protective mode, he believes that Stitch Head is worthy of everything he has to give, including love. What a marvelous character to be the voice of and if we all could have one friend like that in our lives, we’d all be so much better in all things. Brydon as the Professor is a character so wrapped up in his work that he fails to see the joy of what is in front of him. Steadman as Nan tries hard to keep Arabella away from Stitch Head but the little girl is just to fast.

Other cast includes Fern Brady as Madame Miranda, Jamali Maddix as Taj & Tej, Ryan Sampson as Doctor Dislocation, Rasmus Hardiker as Geoff, Sway Clarke as Tiny Monster, Gemma Saunders as Pigbutt, Paul Tylak as Owggagoffakkookk (yes, that’s his name), Steve Hudson as Woodlouse and Ruth Gibson as the Old Lady.

Briarcliff Entertainment is an independent film production company launched in 2018 and responsible for such films as FAHRENHEIT 11/9, action films such as Liam Neeson’s BLACK LIGHT and COPSHOP with Gerard Butler. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.briarcliffentertainment.com

STITCH HEAD is a wonderfully animated film based on the books by writer Guy Bass. He is an award-winning author who has written more than 30 books. They include Dinkin Dings, Spynosaurs and Skeleton Keys. Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things won Bass the Blue Peter Award for Most Fun Book with Pictures.

The story brings so many lively and totally creative characters and monsters, each with unique personalities and a bit of a mish mash of parts, and childlike qualities that makes me instantly want a stuff plushie of each. Watching with my family was such a joy that by the end of the film we spent so much time talking about our favorite parts of the film and which character we loved the most, after Stitch Head that is. Director Hudson had a vision for the film and wasted no time in putting it together (pardon the pun) in such a way as to make STITCH HEAD an instant classic that will be enjoyed for a very, very long time.

This is seriously one of the most beautiful animated films this year. It brings horror (not in a gruesome way), comedy, adventure, drama and love all wrapped up into a colorful piece of filmmaking. There isn’t a moment that does bring out some emotion that is going to include laughter, ‘awwwwws’, cheering and fun. It is amazing animated films such as this that bring families to the theatre to celebrate the joy of being together and comes out to time with the Halloween season.

In the end – he is frighteningly friendly!

 

 

 

SOVEREIGN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Christian Swegal and Briarcliff Entertainment comes the story of a father and son who believe in the rule of SOVEREIGN.

Jerry Kane (Nick Offerman) is a man who identifies as a Sovereign Citizen who is someone who has anti-government beliefs. Raising his son Joe (Jacob Tremblay) to believe the same thing, there is part of Joe that sees a different possibility for his life. Alone much of the time, his dad speaks on a podcast about the bank trying to foreclose on his home. A knock on the door and papers served makes it clear to the young man that the clock is ticking on being able to turn back.

When Jerry returns home and Joe presents him with the papers, dad goes on a long explanation of why none of it matters because the law doesn’t apply to them. Trying to change it up, Joe is invited to join his dad on the road trip. The seminars are meetings with groups of citizens that feel the need to be heard by Jerry. The lectures he gives are what he considers an explanation about the inner workings of banks and how to stop them from supporting it. Joe does his part to help but also spends his downtime looking into attending school much to Jerry’s surprise and feelings towards the school system in general.

After an encounter with the law, Joe is interviewed y Chief John Bouchart (Dennis Quaid) who talks to the boy about his fathers’ actions and beliefs. Taken in by Social Services, Joe gets a look into spending time with kids his own age and experiencing time in a classroom but it is short lived when he is reunited with his father. Back on the road they finally arrive home once again to deal with the foreclosure and a court date notice. Jerry believes he has the right to stand up for himself but finds that being pushed to the limits with his own rights and the law of the land. Once again up against the law, what happens next brings the unimaginable for all involved.

Offerman as Kane is a man who is deep into the idea of being a Sovereign and lives his life accordingly. Constantly pushing the beliefs on his son, it is a daily deluge of study and reading to keep the boy on the “right” path. This is an intense role to play but Offerman does so exceedingly well to the point portraying a man clearly upset with the world he lives in. There are people in the world who actually believe as Jerry Kane does and Offerman seems to have embodied them all. So well done and frightening at the same time.

Tremblay as Joe is a young man who is clearly torn by the world around him. He tries to support his father as much as he can in the bid to keep the house but knows there is another world out there. While his father is living in his own world, Joe wants to be a part of kids his own age and the potential to go to school and learning. Tremblay being and living part of his father’s teachings, there are moments where you can see the character of Joe trying to find a way out and this young actor shows every bit of it on his face. What a stellar performance that Tremblay should be proud of.

Quaid as Chief Bouchart is a man who was raised to believe that being tough is not only a way to live but a way to a strong career. Watching his own son train to be a police officer, the toughness he has always been as a father follows the toughness of being a cop himself. What his character could never have imagined is that the small town is about to become even smaller. I enjoy when Quaid plays tough characters and with his recent success on the series HAPPY FACE currently streaming on Prime, there is no stopping Quaid from taking on such diverse roles.

Other cast include Terry Nelson as Deputy Hall, Kezia DaCosta as Candace, Buddy Campbell as Buddy, Thomas Kramer as Tommy, Jared Carter as Jared, Ruby Wolf as Jess, Megan Mullally as Beverly, Martha Plimpton as Leslie Ann and Nancy Travis as Patty Bouchart.

Briarcliff Entertainment is an independent American film production and distribution company founded by former Open Road Films CEO Tom Ortenberg. Launched in 2018, the studio debuted with Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 11/9 as their first film. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.briarcliffentertainment.com.

SOVEREIGN is an intense film that deals with a subject that not many really know about. To be honest I didn’t understand it all myself until I did a little research of my own. It is a little disturbing that there are masses of people who believe in the same ideas as the character Jerry Kane. Was I surprised by what I found? In today’s world and the upside down of it all the flat answer is no. If you don’t believe me, check out TikToks and YouTube channels where more and more are posting the very thing this character said in the film. The unhappiness of those who follow the idea of being sovereign will not be swayed.

Offerman brings with his role the intensity that I’ve seen on the faces of those on social media. His portrayal is a lesson to everyone that the disgruntled people living in the United States has far reaching consequences as each day of unhappiness and turmoil goes by. He is frightening and confusing all at the same time and watching his character trying to indoctrinate Joe just brings a heart heaviness as history shows what happens when generations are fed hate. Tremblay is stellar as well watching his character of Joe try to fight what is being force fed to his young mind.

The film is based on true events but what it does even more is shine a very bright light on our country that is struggling day to day with an identity that is slowly fading and in the hands of people like Jerry Kane. Watch and see for yourself.

In the end – when two beliefs collide!