MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this Friday from director Josie Rourke and Focus Features is the story of a woman who would be more with MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Mary (Saoirse Ronan) is returning to Scotland from France after the death of her husband King Francis. Taking up her crown as Queen of Scotland, she is met by her half-brother James (James McArdle) the Earl of Moray who doesn’t seem pleased to see her.

He isn’t the only one as John Knox (David Tennant) makes it very clear that he isn’t about to change faiths to accommodate her. Mary makes it very clear that he his council is no longer welcome at her court. James tries to tell Mary that she has started something that could hurt her along the way.

The one thing Mary wants is to seal any breach with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Elizabeth is being told repeatedly by her advisor William Cecil (Guy Pearce) that Mary is a danger and only wants to take the throne. Trying to find a middle ground, Elizabeth suggests that Mary marry an Englishman and offers up her own lover Robert Dudley (Joe Alwyn). Mary has other plans and marries Lord Darnley (Jack Lowden).

Realizing she may have made a mistake, the only way to solidify her position is by having a child before Elizabeth. When she has a son, it changes her feelings and she shares with Elizabeth asking her to be the child’s godmother. Elizabeth believes that this may just be the tie that binds the two women.

Mary is having a difficult time as well when Darnley has no problem showing his disregard for her position as Queen. When her own council tries to take the throne, Darnley is talked into being part of the conspiracy. Intrigue continues to plague Mary as the men around her lay claim, force marriages and don’t understand the fierceness of the Queen.

Seeing one last hope, Mary asks to meet with her sister-cousin Elizabeth in hopes to get support in fighting back those who would take the Scottish throne. Although Elizabeth feels for her cousin, it becomes clear to Mary that she may be at the end of her reign.

Two queens who want the same thing in different ways.

Ronan as Mary is remarkable but then again she is a remarkable actress. The first movie I ever saw her in was the intense and emotionally draining film ATONEMENT followed by the equally intense film THE LOVELY BONES. Since then nothing has stopped her from honing her craft in every way possible and with characters that have obviously taught her more and more about choosing roles and defining who she is as an actress. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS is another example of why I will see every piece of filmmaking she is in – always. This is a character driven by a woman up against men who see her as a trophy to be one and then disguarded because she is, after all, only a woman. Well done Ronan, well done!

Robbie as Elizabeth doesn’t hesitate to put every little bit of her Queen out there – from her lovers, illness and inability to be told who to marry and what children to have. Robbie presents a strong force of a woman that shows moments of private struggle but when push comes to shove Robbie helps Elizabeth straightens her spine and her crown. The scene between the two queens is one of the most poignant and double-edged I have seen in a while on film.

McArdle as James is clearly a man who has been led by the nose at the hands of the council and happily so until Mary comes back. Then his little hurt feelings are put out for all to see and he wants justice for it all. McArdle is an actor on a mission and playing the role of a spurned brother isn’t easy. Lowden as Lord Darnley is just another man in Mary’s life that believes he is owed something at the cost of everything else. Tennant as Knox is a religious zealot who barks a good game hoping others will do the fighting for him.

Pearce as Cecil is a part of the pack on the other side of the pond who wants what he wants and thinks whispering in Elizabeth’s ear means he will get it. Alwyn as Dudley is a man who love Elizabeth the woman but takes orders from Elizabeth the Queen. Not easy being told to go be your enemy’s husband and Dudley is only saved by Mary’s hot headedness.

Other cast include Gemma Chan as Elizabeth Hardwick, Brendan Coyle as Matthew Stewart, Ian Hart as Lord Maitland, Adrian Lester as Lord Randolph, Maria-Victoria Dragus as Mary Fleming, Alex Beckett as Walter Mildmay, Ismael Cordova as David Rizzio and Simon Russell as Robert Beale.

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS is a film about two women in a man’s era fighting for their crowns. They should never have had to make that choice between the two of them but with so many men whispering in their ears, I don’t know how they lasted as long as they did with each other.

Mary clearly didn’t know what Elizabeth did and that is you practically have to give up being a woman to hold onto the throne. Clearly having more time to learn that lesson than Mary, Elizabeth wanted to embrace their sisterhood-of-crowns but hard headedness got in both of their ways.

The film is beautifully done and the costuming is breathtaking. I have a weakness for period piece films and when they are done as well as MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, well I can’t help but find no fault in it.

There have been other films that have touched on the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, and even a television show called Reign that gave viewers a glimpse of her life in France. MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS is a look at what happened once she left France and before the infamous and shocking red dress. From a young woman married to a French king to becoming a widow and returning queen of her own country – there is nothing about her life that is easy or without intrigue and betrayal.

In the end – bow to no one!

He is the Loyal Bull Called FERDINAND

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital this week from director Carlos Saldanha, Blue Sky and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is a delightful tail of fun and flowers from FERDINAND.

Living with his father and others at the Casa del Toro bull-training camp run by Moreno (Raul Esparza), Ferdinand isn't the average calf. Watching his father train and be chosen for the bull ring, the young bull is proud and awaits fathers return. He ignores the bullying from the younger calves while he waits. When that doesn't happen, a hard reality sends the Ferdinand running as far away as he can.

Ferdinand wakes up and finds himself staring into the face of a young girl. Nina (Lily Day) is immediately taken when Ferdinand and shown a beautiful farm life along with her father Juan (Juanes), he grows into a very large bull. Ferdinand (Jon Cena) spends his days with Nina, her father being and dog Paco (Jerrod Carmichael) well loved and loving in return.

When the flower festival comes around, Ferdinand is filled with joy as flower is his favorite thing. He is a little hurt when Juan tells his daughter that he is to big to go to the festival and must stay at the farm. Not willing to take no for an answer, Ferdinand decides that he is capable of being gentle and that the towns people just need to get to know him.

Unfortunately, the term 'bull in a china shop' plays out and Ferdinand is taken away from Nina! He is taken to Casa del Toro, Ferdinand sees a familiar faces in a still angry Angus (David Tennant), Guapo (Peyton Manning), Bones (Anthony Edwards), and a new face in goat Lupe (Kate McKinnon).

Also still there Valiente (Bobby Cannavale), he still carries the same anger as when he was young and makes it clear he tends to take Ferdinand down. Arriving to look for the best bull for the best bullfighter is El Primero (Miguel Angel Silvestre). He spends a few days looking over all the bulls and after a scuffle in the ring between he and Valiente - chooses Ferdinand.

Not wanting to fight Ferdinand realizes that the only way he can stop it all is convincing the others that there is an amazing life on the farm waiting for them where they will be loved by one special family!

Cena as the voice of Ferdinand has the right inflection to pull off this loveable character. He is a flower loving bull is quite happy with his farm life and doesn't understand why people might be afraid of him. That lesson becomes quickly clear and he is right back where he doesn't want to be! At Casa del Toro he comes face to face with a bull who doesn't have a reason not to be his friend other than he's has daddy issues. Ferdinand is as loyal as you would want a friend to be and even more loyal to those who aren't very friendly. Its a great lesson for kids to learn.

Day as young Nina absolutely adores her very large friend and doesn't see what those off the farm think they see. She is adorable and is the epitome of an animal lover. Carmichael as Paco pretends not to care but we all can see from the get go that he isn't very good at it.

Cannavale as Valiente has anger issues that stem from having a father who has anger issues. Trying to keep Ferdinand down from childhood and reuniting as a full grown bull, Cannavale gives his character a rough edge. Tennant as Angus is hilarious plain and simple. Manning and Edwards are just followers who start to realize that it is no way to go through life.

McKinnon as Lupe is such a riot from start to finish! We all have that friend who is just a little nutty in a way that makes them extremely special. I couldn't keep up with her infectious words of wisdom and her unwavering support of her very large friend.

Silvestre as El Primero is full of himself and there comes a moment where he is in the ring with Ferdinand that he must choose between his ego and a bull named Ferdinand.

Other cast include Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Inglesias, Flula Borg, Sally Phillips, Boris Kodjoe, Jack Gore, Jet Jurgensmeyer, Nile Diaz, Colin H. Murphy, Juanes, Jerrod Carmichael, Gina Rodriguez and Jeremy Sisto.

Twentieth Century Fox 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.

With the overwhelming success of Ice Age, Blue Sky suddenly found itself a frontrunner in what has blossomed into a powerful, billion dollar marketplace.  Together, Fox and Blue Sky Studios have broken records, growing their diversely talented staff and crew, developing their breakthrough renderer CG Studio, and producing hit after hit: Robots (2005), Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (2008), the wildly successful Ice Age sequels: Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), and the vibrant musical comedy, Rio (2011).

The Bluray and DVD include the Special Features of Ferdinand's Team Supreme, "Home" Nick Jonas Music Video, Creating a Remarka-Bull Song, Learn to Dance with Ferdinand, Ferdinand's Do-It-Yourself Flower Garden and so much more. The Digital Movie is also included so the entire family can watch anywhere.

FERDINAND is from the creators of RIO and ICE AGE, both of which are high on my granddaughters watch list - over and over. This animated film is surely a must-have in the family home entertainment library because of its color, vibrancy, story line and cast of characters that will become iconic on their own.

What makes FERDINAND so beautifully done is Ferdinand himself! He sees the joy in the simplest things - such as his beloved flowers, and believes in helping all those that need it. Just as he was helped by a little girl named Nina who saw something beautiful in him, this lovely and large bull pays it forward but does so without a thought toward himself.

FERDINAND was an Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated film and also nominated at the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture and Best Original Song. The film won the HUMANITAS PRIZE in the Feature Film Category for the screenplay by Robert L. Baird.

As this is a week of indoor weather, let FERDINAND bring color and fun to a home movie family night!

In the end - you will bullieve!