DORA and the LOST CITY OF GOLD is Fun for Families

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director James Bobin and Paramount Pictures is the story of a young girl and adventures with DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD.

Dora (Isabela Moner) is a young girl who lives with her parents Elena (Eva Longoria) and Cole (Michael Pena) in the jungle. Living their most of her life she loved sharing adventures with her cousin Diego (Jeff Wahlberg) when he visited. Her parents were always exploring and especially now as they feel they are closer to finding a lost Inca civilization. Dora is excited but that fades fast when she learns that Mom and Dad are sending her to cousin Diego believing it is time for her to have the high school experience.

Looking at it as an adventure, Dora is not happy about leaving behind her monkey friend Boots (voiced by Danny Trejo) but looks forward to what could happen next. Diego doesn't know what to make of his cousin and the cheeriness that seems to follow her everywhere especially when she seems to know a little more than a lot of her classmates. It is irritating to one particular classmate, Sammy (Madeleine Madden) but not so much for Randy (Nicholas Coombe).

Dora spends her time trying to fit in and visiting with family and especially grandmother Valerie (Adriana Barraza). Staying in touch with Mom and Dad through calls and mapping, it makes her feel like she is part of it all. Then, the phone calls suddenly stop and Dora begins to investigate why landing her, Diego, Sammy and Randy back in the jungle with Alejandro (Eugenio Derbez) who is also looking for her parents. But there are people chasing them and Dora knows only one thing - she must find her parents and quickly.

No one else knows the jungle better than Dora the explorer!

Moner as Dora is cheerful, inquisitive, blunt and very funny and that's just the beginning. This is a character that absolutely reaches out to children and that is the whole point of the film that came from an animated show. There is definitely culture shock on the part of Dora who goes from a free spirited, jungle roaming and tutored by her professor parent’s kid to a pavement walking high school where there are all kinds of people who don't think the way she does. This is a good film to address both of those issue all while exploring and having lots of giggles.

Wahlberg as Diego is irritated with his cousin at first because he is instantly knows from the moment she lands in California that she is going to have trouble fitting in. He tries to tell her how to make that happen but Dora believes in the philosophy of being herself. He is a good cousin and remembers what it was like in the jungle and that helps Dora a lot. Madden as Sammy is a girl who clearly has self-esteem issues while masking it with a superiority that is way more irritating than the happy-go-lucky Dora.

One adventure might change all that right? Coombe as Randy likes Dora just the way she is with her outgoing personality, her knowledge of the stars and pretty much everything else she can do that most girls in high school don't. He may be afraid on their adventure but he always manages to do the right thing by Dora's side.

Derbez as Alejandro wants to help Dora find her parents and the lost Inca city. He's a little bumbly which amuses Dora but he has a secret as well that she and the rest are unaware of. Derbez looks like he's having a good time in the film. Barraza as Grandmother Valerie is supportive of Dora and sees that even though she may be a little different, it's no reason not to always do what's right even if it is unpopular.

Longoria as Elena wants her daughter to make friends and go off to school to learn more about the world outside the jungle. She absolutely nails the mother role and she does so with humor. Pena as Cole might be wrapped up in his work but he always makes time to talk with Dora about what they are doing and what discoveries they make. That's a good Dad right there folks!

Trejo gets to be a blue friend to Dora and del Toro gets the chance to be a fox who isn't as smart as he thinks!

Other cast include Madelyn Miranda as Young Dora, Malachi Barton as Young Diego, Temuera Morrison as Powell, Pai Miller as Mami, Q'orianka Kilcher as Inca Princess Kawillaka, Isela Vega as Old Womanand Benicio del Toro as the voice of Swiper the Fox.

DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD is definetly a film that families can go see together just to have a lot of fun, a little bit of adventure and learn about family and friendship. The adventure is action packed and well done and there are a few moments of 'Dora'isms' that Mom's and Dad's will get a good chuckle out of. This is the type of film that you buy a huge tub of popcorn and a drink to share with everyone and just enjoy the ride.

I took my granddaughter who is four to see the film and she loved it and there were children as old as twelve also in attendance and they enjoyed it just as much. The laughing was constant and it was very plain to see that everyone in the theatre was having a good time. The film is a little over an hour and a half which means it isn't taxing for the smaller children but enough time for the characters to be developed and a story that is easy to follow.

In the end - unleash your wild side!

GONE ARE THE DAYS Brings Western Justice to Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Mark Landre Gould and Lionsgate Home Entertainment comes western justice with GONE ARE THE DAYS.

In the old West, Taylon Flynn (Lance Henriksen) is seriously ill and his life is beginning to flash before his eyes. Knowing that his days are numbered, he not only wants to leave the earth on his own terms but also to make amends for secret that has been in his heart.

One plan is to team up with fellow outlaw Virgil (Billy Lush) to make one final bank hit. Burning his old life to the ground, Flynn and Virgil head out on the long dusty trail. On their way Flynn meets the River Man (Danny Trejo) who makes it clear that crossing the river comes at a price.

Anything to get to town, the trip is physically demanding for Flynn. Finally making it he asks stable owner Jaden (Steve Railsback) if he knows a girl named Heidi (Meg Steedle). Before answering questions, Jaden reveals that the town doesn’t allow the carrying of a gun inside the city limits. All of this on orders of Sheriff Will (Tom Berenger) who takes keeping the peace seriously.

When it is discovered that Flynn is carrying a large sum of money, Jaden and his thugs beat and dump him out in the desert. Much to his surprise, it is Heidi that comes to his rescue which changes all his plans. When Will discovers what Jaden has done, he realizes that the name Flynn means something to him.

The past has finally caught up to them all and it’s time to face it.

Henriksen as Flynn may be one of the sickest former outlaws I’ve ever seen on the screen but he’s also the most determined. Taking it step by step to finish his life on a set path, he isn’t about to come to terms with the one secret that has haunted him the most. Henriksen has always put his stamp on what ever role he takes and I can remember seeing him as far back as his short stint in the 1977 little film called CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Since then his career has become defined by the wide range of he has chosen and I am always interested to see what he does next.

Berenger as Sheriff Will is another actor who has a career that stretches from starting in a soap opera to Jake Taylor in MAJOR LEAGUE, Lewis Gates in my absolute favorite LAST OF THE DOGMEN and, of course, Sgt. Barnes in the riveting PLATOON. In GONE ARE THE DAYS, he portrays a man who has a few secrets of his own. As the sheriff, he is stern in his no-gun rule and needs to redeem himself a bit as well.

Steedle as Heidi doesn’t realize that she is part of a bigger plan. Although she wants to get away from the situation she is in, it might take a bit of dangerous behavior to make it happen. Steedle has the look of a girl who is totally unaware of whom the players in her life have been.

Railsback as Jaden is just as creepy as he can possibly be. Running the town stable, he also runs another kind of stable – women. Heidi is one such woman who wants nothing more than to get away from a life that she has had no control over. Lush as Virgil is biting at the bit to get back to the bank robbing life and wants Flynn to be at his side.

Other cast include Lulu Wilson as Sally Anne, Jamie McShane as Doctor Jenkins, Carter Hastings as Jonathan, and Jackson Dunn as Henry.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000 motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

The Bluray and DVD include the Special Features Behind the Scenes of Gone Are the Days Featurette, Cast and Crew Interviews as well as a Trailer Gallery. The Digital Ultraviolet allows you to watch anywhere with instant Stream and Download on television, computer, Tablet and Smartphone.

GONE ARE THE DAYS is a western with a few twists which makes this worth the watch. The cast of Henriksen, Berenger and Railsback brings us the work of talented actors with resumes that show why they were chosen to bring this western full circle. The cinematography lends itself to the feel of the dusty old western town and also the set design and costuming completed the look of the story.

In the end – save the last bullet for yourself!