Get Ready to SEND HELP

 

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Digital, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango and coming to 4K Ultra HD and DVD from director Sam Raimi and 20^th Century Studios, comes a look at the need to SEND HELP.

Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) is a corporate strategist who works hard while everyone else takes the credit. Taking each stab at her, the only reason she stays at her job is that the CEO of the company has promised her a promotion. Unfortunately, with the CEO’s passing, his son, the brat Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), has taken the reins. Their first meeting doesn’t go so well, and to make it worse, she learns his position has been given to someone else.

Confronting Preston, he is blunt with her, saying she isn’t the right person for the job. Willing to give her a shot, a trip to Bangkok for a company merger is his way to appease her. The next day, Linda arrives at the airport only to discover that Preston has brought a plane load of his guy friends, leaving her in the back of the plane. Once in the air, she gets to work while the others play. That is, until the plane explodes and sends everyone into the sea below.

Surviving, Linda finds Preston hurt and takes care of him. How does she do that? Linda is a fan of the show Survivor and has learned a thing or two. More than a thing or two as she begins to make their lives a little more comfortable. When Preston wakes up, he almost immediately takes on a superior tone with Linda, reminding her that he is the boss. From that moment on, Linda finds ways to remind Preston that they are no longer in the office and she doesn’t need him to survive.

He, on the other hand…

McAdams as Linda is a woman who has been living a life that has allowed others to use her. Waiting for her time to move up into the job she has worked for, it takes an arrogant son to collapse that dream. Once on the island, she shows that everyone underestimated her. I love that McAdams played this role because it is unlike any other that she has had. She had me laughing and dropping my jaw a few times. There is nothing better than a surprise film that made me sad it was over.

O’Brien as Preston is a bratty, entitled man-child who’s only interested in being rude and dismissive to people, most of all Linda. The roller coaster of being on the island with her, he takes countless shots, only to realize he isn’t the smartest person on the island. O’Brien, taking on the character of Preston, is awesome because he easily pulls off the arrogant boy, and I’m here for it. Even though Linda made me laugh, Preston made me laugh harder in his reactions.

Other cast include Edyll Ismail as Zuri, Xavier Samuel as Donovan Murphy, Chris Pang as Chase, and Dennis Haysbert as Franklin.

Twentieth Century Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. Their 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.20thcenturystudios.com.

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.

There is over two hours of bonus content that audiences can view to take a deeper dive behind the scenes of Sam Raimi’s twisted survival thriller.

SEND HELP gave me a mixture of WAR OF THE ROSES (1989), MISERY (1990), and CASTAWAY (2000). The best part of that? Those three films are some of my absolute favorites. Writers Damian Shannon and Mark Swift went for the brass ring in their writing, from hilarious to shocking to jaw-dropping, and didn’t hide behind guessing. Raimi takes their script and bathes us in every word and every idea that includes shocks and twists.

McAdams and O’Brien hold their own in every single frame of the film once they are on the island together. It is a chance to explore these two characters, and just when it becomes clear who they are, the script is flipped – on us. The clever writing and directing means that SEND HELP is a film that should be enjoyed with a group of friends who are, well, dying to enjoy a good night into the bold, darker side of life.

In the end – she’s from strategy and planning!

It all comes in a FLASHBACK on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from writer/director Christopher MacBride, Grindstone and Lionsgate comes a story of a world in FLASHBACK.

Fredrick Fitzell (Dylan O’Brien) is a hard-working husband to Karen (Hannah Gross). When his mother is taken ill, life begins to take a strange turn. Trying to deal with his emotions, Fred finds himself unable to sleep and returning to something he once loved – drawing. It is also when flashbacks of his childhood begin to happen.

The memory of Cindy (Maika Monroe), Andre (Keir Gilchrist) and Sebastian (Emor Cohen) during high school comes forward. There is something that blocks him, something that is disturbing, and he cannot seem to face. Reconnecting with Sebastian, Fred is not getting many answers, but they find Andre and the conversation turns to Cindy.

Remembering the last time they were together brings bad memories to Andre and Sebastian and want nothing more to do with what ever it is Fred is looking for. That night, each took a drug called Mercury with consequences they could have never imagined. Fred finds himself in the past and the present jumping from a life he once had to the life he is living now.

His work is suffering under the watchful eye of Evelyn (Amanda Brugel) When he finally finds Cindy, his life changes again but this time there is a nagging feeling calling him but to where next? Putting the pieces together he joins Cindy in the memory jumps on Mercury and experiences yet another life but is it all truly enough?

O’Brien as Fred has the unique opportunity to play a character that must see his life from different remembrances and for a time that he thought he wanted. He can not seem to piece together what is happening, what has happened and what is going to happen without anxiety pushing its way into it all. Of course, who would not yet O’Brien follows the leads he feels he is getting. Going from THE MAZE RUNNER to FLASHBACK is definetly a serious change and well done.

Monroe as Cindy disappeared from the group after high school, and she cannot be found by Fred. She is living a life that has kept her secluded with people she trusts yet when Fred crosses her path again, so does their high school relationship. Cohen as Sebastian is somewhat happy to see Fred but not to happy about the topics he keeps bringing up. Gilchrist as Andre has the biggest fear about that last night.

Gross as Karen is trying to keep her husband focused on his work and spending time with his mother, but Fred keeps slipping away. She sees the results of the memories that have come flooding with no idea what is causing them. Brugel as Evelyn has a distinctive look and if she looks familiar, think The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu because she is awesome!

Other cast include Liisa Repo-Martell as Mrs. Fitzell, Landon Norris as the Scarred Man, Jackie English as Violet, and Aaron Poole as Pierced Man.

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 Special Features include Director’s Commentary, Deleted Scenes and Theatrical Trailer. 

FLASHBACK is a film that digs deep into a world that is darker and more twisted up than anything a matrix can throw out. It takes one memory to open up a vastness of confusion for Fred and even as he tries to put the pieces together, the roads are narrow and hard to navigate. Following what ever lead comes his way, I was invested and had the same quizzical look on my face as Fred.

When he begins to believe everything that is happening, watching Fred challenge all he has come to believe is something relatable because don’t we all do that? Piecing thing together in our lives to find out what life it is we want against a life we thought we have missed? There are so many ways to see the message that FLASHBACK is trying to bring from politics to reality to choices – endless possibilities. Prepare to be taken on a wild ride.

In the end – in the blink of an eye your life can turn upside down!

 

Get Ready to Bolt with MAZE RUNNER: The Death Cure Coming to Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray and DVD, as well as 4K Ultra HD, this week from director Wes Ball and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the race for life with MAZE RUNNER: The Death Cure.

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) is already back in the game becoming stronger as a leader to save their friends from WCKD. When they learn that Minho (Ki Hong Lee) is among the kids that have been taken by Janson (Aidan Gillen) to WCKD, Thomas doesn’t hesitate to want to jump in.

Vince (Larry Pepper) refuses to put more people on the line to save Minho even when Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) knows where he is. Even worse, they group knows that the enemy is getting closer and have to abandon their base.

Thomas decides he can’t go with the group and attempts to leave camp, but not without Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Frypan (Dexter Darden). Not about to let them go alone, they are joined by Jorge and Brenda (Rosa Salazar) who are equally wanting to get their friend back.

Minho is shocked when he wakes up to find himself back inside the maze with the help of Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson) – but it is a new maze. Her creation has created a potential antibody to the virus that has taken so many but she must convince the leaders to continue the trials. Help comes in the words of Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) who is working with Ava.

Trying to get into the city to find Minho, Thomas and the group are taken by a group and a familiar face. Gally (Will Poulter) sets them all on edge until he explains how it is that he survived. Explaining that he wants to help Thomas get inside the city, Gally takes them to see Lawrence (Walton Goggins) who might be able to help.

Making their way to WCKD one step at a time, Thomas and Newt have their first look at the big city. In the lab Ava and Teresa test more subjects but not before Janson is told that he needs to find Thomas while keeping another secret from Teresa. The virus is now inside the city and Teresa has been taken. Ava and Janson now realize that time is not on their side.

The fight is now inside the lab as Thomas and Newt get closer to Minho and Teresa has something that could be a game changer. Now, those on the outside that have been running are turning to fight strong.

Now, they have a chance!

O’Brien as Thomas returns to the role of a young man clearly on a mission that will save some and not others. Loyal to the people he met in the maze, he is not about to let Minho and the others stay inside the city of WCKD. O’Brien plays out his role in the trilogy as he began, intense and strong.

Scodelario as Teresa is the character everyone loves to hate. With the upset from the second film it is easy to want to give her character redemption but it might be to late. Poulter as Gally is the surprise as he also ends his time in the maze with a twist.

Clarkson as Ava tries to find a way to create an antibody to the virus that is now inside the city. What hope she has depends on Minho and Clarkson always stands out in every performance she gives. Gillen as Janson is clearly irritated with the fact that he can’t seem to always get what he wants out of life in WCKD. He has the amazing ability to be the perfect bad guy without getting to much flack on him.

Goggins as Lawrence is one jacked up human being yet he still attempts to help the gang get inside the city. Lee as Minho gets the worst end of the deal as the labs want more and more from him. Sangster as Newt truly believes in the friendships that have kept him alive. We have literally watched Sangster grow up in this series of films.

Salazar as Brenda continues to be a strong presence even if she is in the middle of wanting to be on her own and not helping others to being an amazing leader in her own right. Along with Esposito as Jorge, these two characters are trying to be better people while maintaining a rough exterior.

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.

The Bluray and DVD Special Features includes Audio Commentary by Director Wes Ball, Screenwriter T.S. Nowlin and Producer Joe Hartwick, Jr., Unlocking the Cure: The Final Run, Dystopia: The Completed World; Allies Reunited, A Look Back: The Director’s Journey, Deleted & Extended Scenes with Optimal Commentary, Going Out on Top, Gag Reel, Visual Effects Breakdowns and Visual Effects Reel with Optional Commentary and Gallery.

Also included is Movies Anywhere which is just that, the ability to watch anywhere with the App as well as a Digital Movie included.

There is an epic and exclusive 24-page prequel origins comic book written by screenwriter T.S. Nowlin. The trilogy box set is also available that includes an exclusive MAZE RUNNER bandana chosen by fans.

MAZE RUNNER: The Death Cure brings about the finishing touches to a story that has been filled with twists, turns, intensity, trust issues, friendships, world colliding and a virus that can turn friends into foes and vice versa.

Wrapping everything up means preparing to take on the emotions of characters saying goodbye and smiling knowing that there future is deserved. Grab the popcorn and prepare for a marathon run of the MAZE RUNNER trilogy!

In the end – the time for lies is over!

AMERICAN ASSASSIN

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from director Michael Cuestra, CBS Films and Lionsgate brings action and suspense with the AMERICAN ASSASSIN.

Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) is vacationing with his girlfriend in a blue water tropical paradise. In an instant shooting begins as terrorists walk the beach killing tourists, including Mitch’s girlfriend.

Wanting revenge, Mitch goes out on his own to try and find the man he saw kill his girlfriend. Going online to reach out to a terrorist organization, he doesn’t know that the CIA see’s everything he is doing. When he finds his target, the CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) sends in a crack team of military to save him.

Angry that his goal is thwarted, Director Kennedy brings in Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton), a Cold War Vet, to train Mitch as a black ops recruit. Out in the woods, Mitch works with others on what it takes to go on dangerous missions. That is when the CIA receives word that someone is putting together the parts to build a bomb.

Hurley, Mitch and other agents arrive in the Middle East and Annika (Shiva Negar) is their contact when they discover they are looking for a Ghost (Taylor Kitsch). Almost immediately they believe they are on the trail of the scientist who is helping to build the bomb. Hurley knows something about Ghost but instead of sharing it with the team, he becomes frustrated because Mitch isn’t taking orders.

When Hurley is kidnapped by Ghost, Mitch kicks it into gear to find his mentor and stop a bomb from starting a war!

O’Brien as Mitch is a brooding, sarcastic and perfect person to train even though he does take matters into his own hands. I write it off as rambunctious youth and I don’t mind it. His mind is constantly on the move and his body follows throwing caution to the wind. I really enjoyed O’Brien’s performance and can even see a few more films coming out of this character.

Keaton as Hurley is equally brooding, sarcastic and the perfect person to train Mitch. He is a strong character in the film and fast in his reaction to situations. Now, I have to say there is a scene (no, I won’t tell you which one but trust me when I say you’ll know immediately when you see it) between Hurley and Ghost where I almost sat on the edge of my seat waiting for Keaton to say “You want to get nuts! Let’s get nuts!”.

Lathan as Kennedy sees something in Mitch and knows how to use the pain that he has endured. From the loss of his parents to the murder of his girlfriend, she knows that using it all to become a black ops specialist will make him perfect for the job.

Kitch as Ghost just plain doesn’t give a damn about anybody or anything except making the world pay. His story is a mystery for most of the film but he eventually makes it clear why he wants to watch the world burn. There is a crazy Kitch manages to give that made me nervous! Negar as Annika is an agent who, like Mitch, has personal reasons for wanting to bring down Ghost and she’ll do anything to make that happen.

Other cast include Scott Adkins as Victor, Joseph Long as General Rostami, Navid Negahban as Minister Behurz, Trevor White as Dr. Frain, David Suchet as Director Stansfield, and Shahid Ahmed as Adnan Al-Mansur.

I had a good time watching AMERICAN ASSASSIN! It is fast paced, takes no prisoners, and basically takes us on a roller coaster ride of espionage, mystery and a big ending. The film is basically effortless in keeping viewers attention because this is exactly why many go to the movies – to be taken away with a big bowl of popcorn and no analyzing or figuring out anything.

O’Brien and Keaton are pretty cool together because their characters share more in common than either will admit. Playing off of one another they played into the films twists and turns with ease. The film is one hundred and eleven minutes long and there isn’t a moment that doesn’t have something going on.

The films as of late have claimed promises of stories that weren’t kept which makes AMERICAN ASSASSIN so much fun. You get what you pay for and happily pay for the ride. This isn’t just a ‘guys’ film, it is a gather-up-the-gang and go out for a good time at the movies and don’t forget a huge bucket of popcorn for everybody.

In the end – assassins aren’t born, they are made!

Prepare for the Unexpected with TEEN WOLF Season Six Part I on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD this week from MGM and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the MTV hit series TEEN WOLF Season 6 Part 1.

The fifth season ended with the search for a cane-sword that once was used to kill a Beast and the escape of a Nazi Alpha werewolf. Scott McCall (Tyler Posey), Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien), Lydia Martin (Holland Roden), and Malia Tate (Shelley Hennig) are back at Beacon Hills High for the second half of their senior year.

Hayden (Victoria Moroles) and Liam (Dylan Sprayberry) find a boy named Alex and when they take him home it seems someone has tried to make them completely disappear. It becomes clear that the Ghost Riders have taken them but to make matters even more difficult, anyone who sees them can be erased as well. Stiles has seen one and quickly becomes forgotten.

When the Ghost Riders invade the school and taking students, Corey can see them undetected. Each of them fights to remember the other as one by one Corey recovers the student’s ID that helps him remember.

The Nazi Alpha werewolf that managed to escape is closer than the gang imagined. When people begin to go missing, Chris (J.R. Bourne) and Melissa (Melissa Ponzio) attempt to discover who is responsible. All of this while Hayden is still seeking out the Ghost Riders and meets Gwen, (Alisha Boe), wanting to protect her is going to take the whole gang.

Trying to protect as many as possible from the Ghost Riders, Chris begins taking people to an underground bunker. When a group is attacked, Gwen is taken while Chris and Malia are hurt. Shot by a Ghost Rider, Parrish (Ryan Kelley) survives but now they must find some sort of relic that will help them.

On another plane, Stiles is with others who have been erased by the Ghost Riders. Knowing that the relic they need is in his Jeep in the school parking lot, he discovers that he can contact Scott and Lydia through an intercom that reaches the car radio! He says one word – Canaan!

A town called Canaan lost all its residents in 1980 and Lydia has a vision of it all. Taking almost all those that are left there, it is quickly apparent that the Ghost Riders made quick taking of them. One resident remains in hiding, Lenore, a banshee and a little boy Caleb and she wants the gang for her son!

Lydia does some fast talking and Liam uses Kira’s sword bring Theo back. They do manage to capture a Ghost Rider but can’t get any answers and even Parrish only manages to be a part of it all briefly. The Ghost Riders are making quick work of all they capture, teacher Mr. Douglas reveals what he needs and wants Chris and Melissa to find Parrish. That’s not going to stop Scott, Lydia, Malia, Liam, Theo and Sheriff Stilinski from escaping the Ghost Riders and making their way back to Beacon Hills by remembering.

Knowing that remembering is the only think that will bring back those who have been taken by the Ghost Riders, it takes something as small as a kiss to break open the rift that is separating them all. They also piece together that the one person they are suppose to trust in school is also the one person who is trying to play both sides against each other. This isn’t something Ghost Riders are apt to like as the train station becomes the staging ground for the beginning of the end – but for whom?

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.

The Special Features include Behind the Scenes of Beacon Hills, VGX Reel and a Gag Reel which is always one of my favorites to see. The DVD includes the episodes Memory Lost, Superposition, Sundowning, Relics, Radio Silence, Ghosted, Heartless, Blitzkrieg, Memory Found and Riders on the Storm.

MTV has really brought a series that has been growing and ever changing. Every story arc has been unique in its telling and the ensemble cast continues to bring it each and every episode. I love the originality of the stories and that nothing is off limits yet everything is unexpected.

TEEN WOLF is a series based on a screenplay by Jeph Loeb and Matthew Wiesman. Developed by Executive Producer Jeff David, the pilot was written by David, Loeb and Weisman to be directed by Russell Mulcahy.

Posey, O’Brien, Roden, Hennig, Sprayberry, Ashby, Ponzio, Kelley and Bourne bring it and having the TEEN WOLF Season Six Part 1 DVD means you have the chance to revisit or catch up before the gang from Beacon Hills comes back. A new story line is going to take us all on another 10-episode ride and it’s going to be top speed from episode go!

TEEN WOLF – The Final Ten Episodes begins airing Sunday, July 30^th at 8/7 central on MTV. These ten episodes are going to be completely amazing especially with the gang graduating and planning the next stage in their lives but don’t think for one second that doesn’t mean things won’t get intense!

In the end – remember your pack!