The Adventure of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Honor Among Thieves

 

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from directors Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley, eOne and Paramount Pictures is the adventure of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Honor Among Thieves.

As a member of the Harpers, Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine) has turned away from his order when a Red Wizard brings pain into his life. Raising daughter Kira (Chloe Coleman) with companion Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez), they have turned to becoming thieves. Along with Simon the sorcerer (Justice Smith) and Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant), they take without hurting anyone.

Forge brings a mission that could change Darvis’ life but it all turns when a Red Wizard Sofina (Daisy Head) puts Darvis and Holga in prison leaving Forge to take care of Kira. A few years later, Darvis and Holga make their way out of prison discovering Forge has become the Lord of Neverwinter. Finding lovely daughter Kira, Darvis also learns that Forge has not been telling the truth about what happened.

Leaving Neverwinter without Kira, Darvis knows there is only one way to change this, find Simon to help get into the castle for Kira and retrieve the resurrection tablet. Needing more help, they look for the tiefling shapeshifting druid Doris (Sophia Lillis). She begrudgingly decides to help and each step leads them to more relics with the help of Xenk (Rege-Jean Page).

All of this is to get inside the vault to change their fates and deal with Sofina during Forges’ opening of public games. Not swayed by the danger, Darvis, Holga, Simon and Doris take on everything thrown at them because together – they are a mess, but a mess with heart!

Pine as Darvis leads this rag tag group of misfits on an adventure that is really kind of cool. He is a man on a mission and sometimes the character forgets that it isn’t all about him. Pine has got some great lines, swing into action and is fun to watch. Coleman as daughter Kira is a delight to watch. Her character obviously cares for her father but hurt can be a powerful thing. Kira gives a performance of how I would think a young daughter would feel believing what she does about her father Darvis.

Grant as Fitzwilliam is clever, silly, hilarious and cowardly. I just loved watching his character be as shifty as I know Grant can play a character. This is also the character type of a man who will use anyone to get what he wants – even if it kills them. He has the twinkle eye of greed and Grant has such timing and it is totally fun to watch.

Rodriguez as Kilgore has a short fuse when it comes to people attacking her or pretty much anyone else for that matter. She is strong, swings what ever is in her hands like a pro and does not suffer fools. I actually enjoyed watching Rodriguez in this role believing that it is actually she who holds them all together.

Smith as Simon just wants everyone to know that he needs to learn a lot more about the world of magic. Yet, when he is called upon to help take on the big mission, he rolls his eyes, protests a bit and then off he goes to help Darvis. Smith is funny and yet sweet at the same time in this role. Lillis as Doris is another strong female character that just does not have time for stupidity. Wanting to stop the madness that is happening all around them, she reluctantly joins Darvis on his mission.

Page as Xenk is the handsome good guy that offsets Darvis’ sort of bad guy. He is charming, thoughtful, giving and wants to help the band get what they need. From the moment he is on the screen he oozes smooth and I’m okay with that. Head as Sofina is a woman that has powers to make even the earth shake. She is on her own mission to turn the world into zombieland and stopping her becomes just as important. Head is awesome and a tad scary in her portrayal, well done.

Other cast include Spencer Wilding as Gorg, Will Irvine as Tobias, Nicholas Blane as Chancellor Anderton, Bryan Larkin as Chancellor Norixius, Sarah Amankwah as Baroness Torbo, Colin Carnegie as Elvin High Harper, Georgia Landers as Zia and clayton Grover as Chancellor Harnathan.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Honor Among Thieves is definetly a fun family film. I saw it with family and we had such a good time together. I did not know what to expect and left the theatre talking about the film. There is action, adventure, a solid story, great special effects, and lots of humor that everyone gets to enjoy.

Directors Daley and Goldstein might have a franchise on their hands for sure. Yes, it did remind me a bit of THE MUMMY franchise but I’m a huge fan of those films so sure, do it with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. If you can keep the story from breaking off into ridiculous directions then I’d be all in.

Get ready for a whole lot of fun because that’s what DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Honor Among Thieves brings. If non-stop action is your thing, if video games are your thing, if having fun is your thing then this is the film to see this weekend!

In the end – who needs heroes when you have thieves?

ALL THE OLD KNIVES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and Prime from director Janus Metz and Amazon Prime Video is mystery, intrigue with ALL THE OLD KNIVES.

Henry Pelham (Chris Pine) and lover Celia Harrison (Thandiwe Newton) work at the same CIA office in Vienna. Working on a case because of the hijacking of a Royal Jordanian flight, it comes to a disastrous end that effects many of the staff. Henry could have never expected that Celia would be one of them as she leaves Vienna and the agency.

Many years later, Henry is called in by superior Vick Wallinger (Laurence Fishburne) who wants to close the chapter on the case. Going back to the beginning, Henry begins to question everyone involved that is still alive. One of those being Celia’s former supervisor Bill Compton (Jonathan Pryce).

That leads him to a very secluded winery near the sea to meet with Celia. After so many years apart, there is much to talk about and not all of it has to do with the case. The conversation begins with pleasantries quickly turning to their mysterious break up moving even quicker on to what she remembers.

Celia tells her part of the story with Henry mixing in what he remembers, who they talked to and what everyone did leading up to the disaster. But both have underlying secrets they are keeping back from one another that could have solve not only the mystery of the hijacking but their relationship.

Walking the fine line is truth and trust.

Pine as Pelham is an agent who has spent year wondering what happened between Henry and Celia. Also, like everyone else in the Vienna office, there are unanswered questions, especially since it is rumored that there was a leak from inside the office. Watching Pine unravel the mystery is complex and very intense to watch.

Newton as Harrison is a woman who has tried to change her life since the events in Vienna. Seeing Henry is a chance to talk about what happened, and once the answers are on the table the why of it all is not far behind. Newton gives us a woman who loved the life she had but loves the life she has now and being a part of the CIA is no longer something she wants.

Price as Compton does not understand why Henry thinks he had anything to do with being the insider. Trying to make him understand, Price is a character that is straight forward and loyal to Celia. Fishburne as Wallinger has a smaller role but is present in the story from the time of the hijacking until the final scene.

Other cast include Corey Johnson as Karl Stein, Colin Stinton as Moscow Staff Chief, Ahd Kamel as Laila Maroof, David Bedella as Drew Favreau, Jonjo O’Neill as Ernst Pul, David Dawson as Owen Lassiter, Nasser Memarzia as Mohammed Dudayev, Michael Shaeffer as Treble, Alexander Devrient as Qamar Ayad, Derek Siow as Gene Wilcox and Orli Shuka as Ilyas Shushani.

Amazon Prime offers television shows and original content included in its Amazon Prime subscription. Original programs such as CARNIVAL ROW, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, and THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL are hit shows. Coming soon is the next series with GOLIATH starring Billy Bob Thornton and it promises to another successful and intense series. For more information, please visit www.amazon.com/Amazon-Video.

ALL THE OLD KNIVES is a thriller wrapped in politics, intrigue, operations, and relationships. Flashing back and forth in the story between a long wine-dinner between Henry and Celia talking about their relationship and the same time period as both agents were trying to get information with their contacts.

It is actually the first time both have had the chance to compare notes and that is when things begin to get interesting. Every moment a twist is thrown in as the room gets smaller and smaller make it impossible for the answer to escape.

In the end – who do you trust?

Disney Brings Home A WRINKLE IN TIME

Jeri Jacquin

Coming soon to Bluray-DVD and Digital Code in a Multi-Screen Edition is from director Ava DuVernay and Disney is a search for A WRINKLE IN TIME.

Meg (Storm Reid) is a young girl having a difficult time. Since her scientist father Murray’s (Chris Pine), she feels the only connection to her life are Mom (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and little brother Charles Wallace (Dedric McCabe).

Hearing talk around school on the anniversary of her father’s disappearance, both Meg and Charles Wallace find themselves in trouble at school. Later that same night, the Murray family is visited by Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) leading to a cryptic message about her father’s work on time travel.

The next day Charles Wallace recruits Meg’s friend Calvin (Levi Miller) and they meet Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) who takes them to meet Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey). She explains to the children that they came because of a call for help.

In order to find her father, Meg is told about The It. Woven through the universe, it is a bad energy that always wants something more. Meg just wants to find her father and it’s up to the three kids to discover where he is and get out before The It can work its worse on them all.

This is how warriors are born!

Reid is lovely as Meg, a young girl that has enough going on without the added pressures of being a bully’s target. Knowing her father is out there somewhere gives her strength to search no matter what it takes, She is also a pretty cool big sister who knows her brother is quite special. Reid gives her character soul and strength wrapped up in such a small girl with a big heart.

McCabe as Charles Wallace almost steals the film half way through. Watching the amazing energy he puts out to try and change the course of Meg’s journey. I was gob smacked at his small stature taking center stage in a pivotal moment and making his small size mean nothing – just wow!

Miller as Calvin wants to help Meg and she eventually learns that she isn’t alone in the life she leads. Calvin has a few secrets of his own to keep hidden inside himself. A strong side-kick to have if you are going to be time travelling.

Winfrey as Mrs. Which is the mother figure of the unusual trio. She wants Meg to find her own strength in being exactly who she is. Kaling as Mrs. Who is lovely and supportive. Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit is scatter brained and delightful but all with a purpose.

Pine as Mr. Murray doesn’t realize what his scientific obsession would cost him or his family until it is too late. Mbatha-Raw as Mrs. Murray keeps the family together and the hope alive for her husbands return.

Other cast include: Zach Galifianakis as Happy Medium, Michael Pena as Red, Andre Holland as Principal Jenkins, Rowan Blanchard as Veronica Kiley, Bellamy Young as Camzotz and David Oyelowo as The It.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and 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!

The Bluray/DVD of A WRINKLE IN TIME includes Bloopers, Deleted Scenes, A Journey Through Time: Director Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey and Some of the Cast and Crew Give an Up-Close Look at the Making of This Extraordinary Film, Music Videos: ‘I Believe’ by DJ Khaled Featuring Demi Lovato, ‘Warrior’ by Chloe x Halle and Audio Commentary with Director Ava DuVernay, Producer Jim Whitaker, Co-Writer Jennifer Lee and some of the Production Crew.

A WRINKLE IN TIME is a beautiful story of childhood that includes secret pain and the issue of bullying, keeping a family together and never giving up hope. That’s what Meg does, although she turns away from people to hide her feelings, the one thing she will stand up brazenly for is her family.

The film is also filled with grand imagination, special effects that set the tone for the story being told and stunning imagery. There is certainly nothing wrong with having a film that not only can be enjoyed by the whole family but is filled with such intense life lessons. Sometimes it only takes a good movie to get the family talking.

In the end – be a warrior!

WONDER WOMAN Gets Opposing Views

Jeri Jacquin and Vince Munn

In theatres this Friday is the highly anticipated film directed by Patty Jenkins with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures bringing WONDER WOMAN.

Jeri Jacquin: First of all, it is no secret that I’m not the most ardent fan of super hero films, mainly because you can’t swing a tattered comic book without hitting one in theatres. I don’t need 15 super hero characters mushing up my screen time doing the same thing they always do – mainly tearing up the world that other people have to live in after.

I’ve been told in whispers I am suppose to slobber all over WONDER WOMAN because we share the same body parts (minus the wrist cuffs and svelty figure) because the film is suppose to “empower women”. Robin Wright looked amazing in her Amazonian get up, do I get points for that? So knowing you are not going to get it out of me my irk list is extensive.

Instead, from the get-go dear Diana is lied to by the people she is suppose to trust the most – her family, then she is lied to by a man (why should she be any different) and then ends up helping humanity save itself basically showing her altruistism. I spent more time rolling my eyes than cheering.

Yes, I’m just horrible for not feeling empowered by WONDER WOMEN which is why I am letting someone who loves all things DC do his thing and give his views on the film. Ladies and gentlemen – I give you Vince Munn, take it away!

Vince Munn: Diana (Gal Gidot), princess of the Amazons is a trained lethal warrior, blessed by the gods and raised on an island of women. When American spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes on their island of Themyscira, he tells of a great conflict in the outside world. Diana she seeks to travel with him into the heart of the conflict convinced she can end the threat.

Through her journey Diana will see the dark side of man while discovering her full power and destiny. Warner Brothers and DC comics have found the bright light in their dark cinematic universe. Wonder Woman is a film with heart, humor, and forgive the pun, wonder.

Gal Gadot reprises her role of Diana, first introduced in Batman v Superman, a highlight of that film. Carrying the film she imbues it with charm, beauty, and heroism. Were I a young girl, this would absolutely be my heroine. The core of the character is there as her motives for what she does.

Chris Pine is solid in his role of Steve Trevor. While he is the male lead, he never steals the spotlight and supports his lead in the best way. Connie Nielsen, Danny Huston, and Robin Wright round out the main cast, each filling their role with full talent and commitment - sometimes a little beyond what is necessary.

While the villains are there, much like most Marvel antagonists, they lack the bite you want. The spectacle of the film is there as well. This is a comic book film and feels like one, but at no time does it ever wink at its audience.

Coming out at this time in history, amidst all the politic and unrest, Wonder Woman will stand out as a beacon to women. This is a strong character and is not pandered to. A personal stand out moment is the crossing of No Man’s Land. You’ll know it when you see it. Absolutely beautiful. “I will fight, for those who cannot fight for themselves.”

Fully enjoyable, while at times feeling its length, the only real issue is that you could shave a close 15 minutes and probably have a tighter, better film. That being said, this is a lot of fun, a lot of eye candy, and worth a second viewing.

Jeri: Thank you Vince! Although there are moments in the film that I agree with Vince it really doesn’t matter because WONDER WOMAN will earn its stop spot, at least for a week. With big films showing up week after week, each one will take its place on the top stop unless WONDER WOMAN has other super powers that can keep her there longer.

In the end – the future of justice begins with her…apparently.