The Family is Back with NOBODY 2

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Timo Tjahjanto and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the vacation of NOBODY 2.

Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) is still dealing with what happened in recent events and to make amends, he works for The Barber (Colin Salmon) to pay back the money he turned to ash. Seeing the strain at home with wife Becca (Connie Nielsen) and kids Brady (Gage Munroe) and Sammy (Paisley Cadorath). Telling The Barber that he is taking a break, Hutch promises his wife that plans are in motion to take a family vacation together.

Packing up the car and grandpa David (Christopher Lloyd), the family takes off for Plummerville, an amusement park Hutch went to as a child. Wanting to create the same memories with his kids but as they unpack, it is clear the family quick as impressed as dad would like them to be. Making the best of it, they family heads to the arcade and actually begin to have fun. That is until Brady gets into a tiff with local bully Max (Lucius Hoyos). The altercation brings security in and Hutch has had enough of the goings on and takes matters into his own hands.

The local sheriff, Abel (Colin Hanks), takes the family in to see Wyatt Martin (John Ortiz) to decide what to do. The problem Hutch is up against is that Wyatt is Max’s father and there is something fishy happening in the town. So, what does one do when confronted with a weird problem? Call your brother of course! Hutch tells Harry (RZA) who is on a spiritual journey and tries to bring calm to his brother. Still, Hutch can’t let go of the feeling there is more to this town than meets the eye and, of course, he’s going to find out.

Instead of leaving like they were warned and after Hutch’s attack, Hutch finds out that the town has a bootlegging issue led by a woman named Ledina (Sharon Stone) and everyone is involved. She, in turn, decides that its time to turn up the heat, there is a bit of a kidnapping, a bit of family danger and a whole lot of mess being made – so much for a family vacation!

Odenkirk as Hutch returns to play the character that gave film goers such a thrill in 2021 and did so well at the box office. A mild-mannered husband and dad who just happens to be a very good assassin; it’s all about balance right? This time he is trying to spend quality family time but it seems trouble accidentally got packed in his suitcase. Not even a day passes and he is back to doing whatever it takes to protect his family and no one is getting in the way of that. He does this so well and I loved watching him play Hutch once again.

Nielsen as Becca is a wife who is a little frustrated with Hutch’s away time putting all the family issues on her. Totally understandable but she is willing to give it a chance with a family vacation. She is stronger than she portrays and Nielsen gives her the gumption to see the world through her husbands’ eyes. Lloyd as grandpa David may be older but that doesn’t mean he has lost his ability to be useful and useful he is, especially when the family is at risk. I loved watching him in his quirky moments and his generational assassin moments with Hutch and Harry. Lloyd is still so awesome and seeing him continue to take roles is nostalgic and cool at the same time.

Ortiz as Wyatt is a man who thinks he’s the big man on campus but, when in fact, he is just another rat in the race. He starts out tough but, Hutch shows him to never underestimate a plain looking guy with his family. RZA as Harry had me cracking up as the brother who was on his spiritual journey but also knows family is everything. Salmon as the Barber is caught off guard when Hutch wants to take a break from being an assassin and his reaction is hilarious.

Hanks as Abel is a sheriff with a chip on his shoulder, a bad attitude and playing for the wrong team. I was thrilled to see him take on this role showing his ability to mix a level of badness with a bit of comedy. Munroe as Brady is a typical teenage kid with a smart mouth and the ability to blame the world for everything, but in this case – his father. Cadorath as Sammy is just so dang cute and spunky, which counts in the story when you are surrounded by so many bad guys. Hoyos as Max is just the town bully who thinks he can get away with it because of who his dad is. Yeah, how did that work out for you kid?

Finally, Stone as Ledina is a woman who had her world wrapped up tight and only had to snap her fingers to make things happen. She had no problem making people disappear and there was no getting away from her reach. I just adored this for Stone as she gets to be as bad as she wants to be and I’m here for every moment of it.

Other cast include Nolan Grantham as young Hutch, Felipe Salazar as young Wyatt, Jahron Wilson as young Harry, Jeremy Warren as young David, Jacob Blair as Dann, Daniel Bernhardt as Kartoush, and David Macinnis as Toby.

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.

Bonus Features include Nobody 2: The Fight Continues, Nobody Does Stunts Like Us and Deleted Scenes.

NOBODY 2 is a full-on comedy and action film staying true to its predecessor film. Odenkirk brings back Hutch in the middle of a family crisis as he tries to find out how to pay back his debt to The Barber and be with family. It cracked me up immediately when he says he needs to take a break from being an assassin. Unusual to say but even more unusual when told ‘okay’. Wanting to take the family on a vacation seems like a normal thing right? Normal for most, not normal for Hutch.

The family dynamic felt like something we all can relate to in the realm of ‘are we there yet?’ or ‘I need to go to the bathroom’ or ‘Really? This is the place?’. Probably the reason most of us aren’t thrilled about family vacations. Yet, Hutch is determined to make it work and it probably would have if trouble didn’t find him. Of course, as with the first film, we already know that when trouble taps Hutch on the shoulder, nothing good is going to happen. This time out the cast is expanded to include a mash up of family problems, teen problems, and adult bad-guy problems. Don’t worry, Hutch gives us a floor plan of what not to do on a family vacation! Pop that popcorn and take in all the action provided by NOBODY 2.

In the end – Hutch is back!

It is the Return of the GLADIATOR II

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Ridley Scott and Paramount Pictures is the story of Rome, revelations and revenge with GLADIATOR II.

Versus (Paul Mescal) is a great warrior living in Numidia with family when the Romans come calling by sea lead by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Versus is taken prisoner while vowing under his breath to kill Acacius, and is taken back to Rome where he is bought by Macrinus (Denzel Washington) to become a gladiator. Seeing something in Versus, he decides to use him against the two vicious and cruel Roman emperors.

Rome is being ruled by Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and his brother Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). They are led by greed and personal gain rather than the people of Rome. General Acacius knows this and is becoming disgusted by it all. Returning home to his wife Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), he makes it clear that he no longer desires to live this way. Lucilla reaches out to others like Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi) to find a way to stop the corruption of Rome.

Versus proves that he has what it takes to be a gladiator by consistently taking on challenges to the delight of Macrinus as the mental wheels turn as to how he can rise even further in power. Pleasing Emperor Geta, Macrinus continues his frightful climb to the top by using everyone and anyone around him, including Versus.

There are secrets floating around Rome but one that is especially powerful enough to take down Emperors and those devious enough to believe they should be leader. In the tunnels of the colosseum, Versus finds the truth and the strength to take on the corruption of Rome!

Mescal as Versus is taking on a role that carries the story of the film. That is a monumental task following Crowe’s 2000 GLADIATOR story. That being said, Mescal gives us a strong performance of a man who is on his own journey of vengeance.  Versus’ past is about to catch up with him in ways he could never have imagined. I truly enjoyed Mescal in this role and the final scenes, I believe, seal him as an actor that has a far reach, even back into the Roman era. I’m ready for GLADIATOR III if he is!

Pascal as Acacius is a man who follows the orders of the emperors, whether he likes it or not is another thing entirely. The horrors that happened in Numidia seem the final straw. Pascal is just such a presence on the screen and the brooding character looks for answers without realizing it is his wife that might hold the key to freeing Rome. Nielsen returns as Lucilla who has not forgotten the ideals her father Marcus Aurelius instilled in her. She also has not forgotten her family and love that it has cost her. Turning to those who still believe, Nielsen’s presence in the film brings the story full circle.

Quinn as Emperor Geta is clearly deranged and, at first, I didn’t realize it was Quinn! Blonde hair and psychopathic actions are what this half of the emperorship this actor plays marvelously. Geta is frightening, powerful, and downright insane and Quinn pours it on every second he is on screen. Hechinger is the other half of the Roman insanity as Emperor Caracalla and a monkey who seems to be the only thing Caracalla relates to. If insanity could look cool, then Hechinger brings that and so much more.

Washington as Macrinus gets the opportunity to have the most fun giving his role a huge amount of wicked, plotting and devious behavior. I swear that the times he is smiling is because of the way he seemed aimlessly free to be this character without boundaries. It is a stunning performance and I was all in!  Jacobi’s return as Gracchus had to be there as a reminder of what the promise was of the original story. He is still standing for that and makes it clear he is willing to do whatever it takes to free Rome.

Other cast include Tim McInnerny as Thraex, Alexander Karim as Ravi, Rory McCann as Tegula, Alec Utgoff as Darius and Yuval Gonen as Arishat with appearances by Matt Lucas, May Calamawy and Peter Mensah.  

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.

GLADIATOR II follows the same formula as its predecessor and it is well done. Instead of trying to reinvent the chariot wheels, Ridley reminds us from the moment the films starts where the story began leading up to Versus. I was completely wow’d by the beginning graphics and mentally applauded it all. Once the actors began their roles, I knew I was going to enjoy this film.

As a fan of this genre of film, films such as SPARTACUS (1960) with Kirk Douglas, I knew the bar would be high for any story that followed. In 2000, Russell Crowe proved that stories about gladiators during the Roman era can be just as amazing. Mescal has taken the reigns of this genre and did so spectacularly well. His castmates also brought the history thanks to Nielsen and Jacobi and the twisted rulers with Quinn, Hechinger and damn, Mr. Denzel Washington if you please.

The visuals are big, bold and stunning with special effects that are extremely cool. Yes, I am keeping things close to the vest because it is important so see the secrets, twists and visuals for yourself. The audience was cheering, making ‘ewwww’ faces, and shouting out which, and it must be said, seemed very colosseum like which actually made the film more fun to see.

GLADIATOR II takes the audience back to a violent time but, at the same time, captivates for its two hour and twenty-eight-minute running time. Trust me when I say, it certainly didn’t feel like it at all. That’s because of director Scott’s ability to tell this story, the casts keeping our attention from beginning to end and great special effects. This film is absolute entertainment!

In the end – strength and honor!

Arriving on Bluray is the Surprise of NOBODY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently coming to Bluray from director Ilya Naishuller and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of a man who seems content with being NOBODY.

Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) is a man living a routine. Getting up, silent morning coffee with wife Becca (Connie Nielsen), going to work at his father-in-law Eddie’s factory, coming home, seeing his kids Blake (Gage Munroe) and Sammy (Paisley Cadorath). The routine also means that Hutch has lost the connection with everything around him.

Startled out of sleep one evening, Hutch makes his way downstairs to hear two robbers break into his home. What happened after that is waking a sleeping giant! Listening to his in-laws make fun and when Sammy cannot find her bracelet, Hutch decides he wants to track down the two that upset his routine of life. 

On the bus, a group of men decide they are going to make everyone’s life miserable, but Hutch is already walking a razor’s edge. Putting a few in the hospital, one of them happens to be the brother of the Russian mobster Yulian (Aleksei Serebryakov). All of this is explained to him by The Barber (Colin Salmon) who makes sure Hutch knows that what happened is not going to go away.

Yulian makes it clear he is going after Hutch and anyone else in the family including Dad David Mansell (Christopher Lloyd). Now, Hutch is going to let his true colors come through and protect his family any way he knows how, but then again, they are going to find out he knows exactly how.

Odenkirk as Hutch is the perfect person to play this role. Using his mild-mannered abilities to mold him into a guy with a mild mannered, however imperfect life, Odenkirk gives his character all of that and more. I love that he wants more, keeps his cool and tries to work things out before going to the next level because everything he ends up doing is exactly that – next level.

Serebryakov as Yulian is not interested in working things out with Hutch. He has a reputation of violence to protect, and he is not about to let the man who hurt his brother off the hook with a slap on the wrist. Serebryakov gives us the bad guy Russian who happens to enjoy karaoke and taking fast car rides at night.

Nielsen as Becca is a wife that is trying to understand where her marriage is at. When Hutch finally opens up, she begins to understand that this is their life together – good, bad and bullets. Munroe as Blake is the typical teenager who makes it clear he does not have much respect for his father. Personally, I’m tired of these bratty teen roles so let this be the last for a while. Cadorath as Sammy loves her daddy and makes it known more than anyone else.

Lloyd as Dad Mansell is terrific, and I am happy to see him take on a bad ass role. Just because he is an actor “of a certain age” does not mean he is out of the game. He actually made me laugh quite a few times. Ironside as father-in-law Eddie is a man who likes his son-in-law but is not really ready to sell him the business without a big price point. It has been a while since I have seen Ironside in a film so even though the role is small, it’s still Ironside.

Other cast include RZA as Harry Mansell, Billy MacLellan as Charlie, Araya Mengesha as Pavel, Aleksandr Pal as Teddy, J.P. Manoux as Darren, and Michael Ironside as Eddie.

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.universalpictures.com.

Bonus Features on 4K UHD, Bluray, DVD and Digital include Deleted Scenes, Hutch Hits Hard – Discover how Bob Odenkirk Trained to bring his character “Hutch Mansell” to life, Breaking Down the Action, Just a NOBODY, Feature Commentary with Actor/producer Bob Odenkirk and Director Ilya Naishuller and Feature commentary with Director Ilya Naishuller.

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.

NOBODY is a really fun and jaw-dropping film that probably has the same amount of bullet casing flying around as the 1984 film RED DAWN. Odenkirk gives the character of Hutch smarts, strength, the ability to be vulnerable, quick on the draw and takes as good as he gives! I really enjoy an action film where the “hero” takes his punches.

From the moment of the break-in, the film goes from 0-100 in break-neck speed in the telling. There are car chases, actions sequences, creative weaponry and a great story that brings exhaustion at the end of the 92 minutes. It is very cool to have fun watching a film again that is mean to totally entertain, and NOBODY does not let us down. 

In the end – never underestimate a nobody!

 

NOBODY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Video On Demand from director Ilya Naishuller and Universal Pictures comes the story of a man who seems content with being NOBODY.

Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) is a man living a routine. Getting up, silent morning coffee with wife Becca (Connie Nielsen), going to work at his father-in-law Eddie’s factory, coming home, seeing his kids Blake (Gage Munroe) and Sammy (Paisley Cadorath). The routine also means that Hutch has lost the connection with everything around him.

Startled out of sleep one evening, Hutch makes his way downstairs to hear two robbers break into his home. What happened after that is waking a sleeping giant! Listening to his in-laws make fun and when Sammy can not find her bracelet, Hutch decides he wants to track down the two that upset his routine of life.

On the bus, a group of men decide they are going to make everyone’s life miserable, but Hutch is already walking a razor’s edge. Putting a few in the hospital, one of them happens to be the brother of the Russian mobster Yulian (Aleksei Serebryakov). All of this is explained to him by The Barber (Colin Salmon) who makes sure Hutch knows that what happened is not going to go away.

Yulian makes it clear he is going after Hutch and anyone else in the family including Dad David Mansell (Christopher Lloyd). Now, Hutch is going to let his true colors come through and protect his family any way he knows how, but then again, they are going to find out he knows exactly how.

Odenkirk as Hutch is the perfect person to play this role. Using his mild-mannered abilities to mold him into a guy with a mild mannered, however imperfect life, Odenkirk gives his character all of that and more. I love that he wants more, keeps his cool and tries to work things out before going to the next level because everything he ends up doing is exactly that – next level.

Serebryakov as Yulian is not interested in working things out with Hutch. He has a reputation of violence to protect, and he is not about to let the man who hurt his brother off the hook with a slap on the wrist. Serebryakov gives us the bad guy Russian who happens to enjoy karaoke and taking fast car rides at night.

Nielsen as Becca is a wife that is trying to understand where her marriage is at. When Hutch finally opens up, she begins to understand that this is their life together – good, bad and bullets. Munroe as Blake is the typical teenager who makes it clear he does not have much respect for his father. Personally, I’m tired of these bratty teen roles so let this be the last for a while. Cadorath as Sammy loves her daddy and makes it known more than anyone else.

Lloyd as Dad Mansell is terrific, and I am happy to see him take on a bad ass role. Just because he is an actor “of a certain age” does not mean he is out of the game. He actually made me laugh quite a few times. Ironside as father-in-law Eddie is a man who likes his son-in-law but is not really ready to sell him the business without a big price point. It has been a while since I have seen Ironside in a film so even though the role is small, its still Ironside.

Other cast include RZA as Harry Mansell, Billy MacLellan as Charlie, Araya Mengesha as Pavel, Aleksandr Pal as Teddy, J.P. Manoux as Darren, and Michael Ironside as Eddie.

Universal Pictures 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.universalpictures.com.

NOBODY is a really fun and jaw-dropping film that probably has the same amount of bullet casing flying around as the 1984 film RED DAWN. Odenkirk gives the character of Hutch smarts, strength, the ability to be vulnerable, quick on the draw and takes as good as he gives! I really enjoy an action film where the “hero” takes his punches.

From the moment of the break-in, the film goes from 0-100 in break-neck speed in the telling. There are car chases, actions sequences, creative weaponry and a great story that brings exhaustion at the end of the 92 minutes. It is very cool to have fun watching a film again that is mean to totally entertain and NOBODY does not let us down.  

In the end – never underestimate a nobody!