THE LAST SHIFT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Andrew Cohn and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment are two men doing THE LAST SHIFT.

It has been thirty-eight years working at Oscar’s Chicken and Fish graveyard and time for Stanley (Richard Jenkins) to retire. His replacement is Jevon (Shane McGhie) has a problem with letting whatever he thinks slide out of his mouth. Spending the weekend training the recruit, Stanley does not understand Jevon’s lack of enthusiasm.

Jevon tries to break it down to Stanley leaving the lifelong employee wondering if what he is saying could be true. Jevon has problems of his own with a girlfriend who is questioning his commitment to their relationship and their very young son.

Preparing to go to Florida to take care of his Mother and having a verbal tumble with Jevon, Stanley does something that is completely out of character. The effects of that decision will come to define everything for both men.

Jenkins as Stanley is a man who has accepted his life as being the graveyard guy at Oscar’s and occasionally hanging out with buddy Dale (Ed O’Neill). Thinking this is all life has to offer him, it takes a young man named Jevon to give him not only a reality check but a voice that does not seem to suit him. Jenkins once again turns in a performance that shows how this actor has always been slightly under-appreciated as far as I am concerned. Big fan here!

McGhie as Jevon is a young man who has found himself on the other end of the law, relationships, fatherhood and what his future needs to be. Always having an opinion and happy to share it whether its asked for or not, McGhie’s character is strong in that area of his life but needs some help with his emotions.

O’Neill as Dale is someone who has always been there for Stanley but does not really do a lot to support his decision to go to Florida. Also, a shout out to Allison Tolman as Evelyn, Jevon’s probation officer who realizes she knows this young man and wants to help if she can.

Other cast include Deron J. Powell as Perry, Julian Parker as Brandon, Tracey Bonner as Crystal, and Da’Vine Randolph as Shazz.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

Jenkins and McGhie’s performance of these two men starts out contentious, then moves on to charming, then gets tense and turns into something unexpected and sad. Yes, that’s all you are going to get out of me because I want it all to play out as director Cohn intended.

THE LAST SHIFT is an emotional ride through the lives of two people who are both disappointed by where they are and how they got there. They both also seem to be self-blinded by the possibilities of anything the future may hold. I think that is the saddest part of the film for me – that Stanley sees nothing else and Jevon only expects the worst in life.  

The story does seem to rush through which makes it a little difficult to embrace each of these characters but, that being said, it is easy to embrace them together. Jenkins and McGhie are wonderful together and I will always be grateful to them for teaching me how to use a frozen hamburger patty correctly!

In the end – it was always more than a job!

 

Disney's RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET Smashes onto Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital from directors Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Disney Home Entertainment comes RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET.

Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) are still hanging out as the best of friends. Still part of the Litwak's Family Fun Center and Arcade, they are happy with how their lives have changed since their last adventure.

Well, at least Ralph is happy as Vanellope is looking for something exciting to break up the routine. Her bff decides it is up to him to make that happen and adds a bonus track to her race. She is thrilled but the player of the game isn't able to control things and the steering wheel becomes broken in the real world.

Mr. Litwak (Ed O'Neill) knows that the maker of the game Sugar Rush has been out of business for some time and discovers that a replacement wheel is to expensive. That's when Ralph and Vanellope decide that they are going to get one themselves in a place called the Internet. Going to eBay they place a wild bid on the wheel and now have to come up with the money!

Trying ways to get the cash, it is Ralph and when he becomes a viral sensation, they also learn the dark side of the internet. When things go wrong, Vanellope gets very upset at Ralph and all video game breaks loose. When a virus is unleashed, Ralph knows he has to make everything right AND still get the wheel to help his best friend.

Things in the game world is about to change!

Reilly reprises his vocal role as the animated and loveable Wreck-It Ralph. In this adventure he is happy with how things have been going but when Vanellope needs something more - her friend provides it. Even when things go a little wackadoodle Ralph wants to make it right for his friend and their next adventure begins.

Silverman as Vanellope loves her friendship with Ralph and isn't surprised that he would want to add something fun to her life. Their adventure together takes them into the internet and a whole new group of characters and all because her friend Ralph wants to save her game Sugar Rush. These two were destine to be friends no matter what happens.

Other cast include: Gal Gadot as Shank, Taraji P. Henson as Yesss, Jack McBrayer as Felix, Jane Lynch as Calhoun, Alan Tudyk as KnowsMore, Alfred Molina as Double Dan, Bill Hader as J.P. Spamley and John DiMaggio as Arthur.

 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 and DVD contain the Bonus Extras of Deleted Scenes, How We Broke the Internet - Go Behind the Scenes at Disney Animation Studios and discover how they made the Internet come alive on screen, Easter Eggs and more!

Also the Digital Code can be used with the Movies Anywhere App meaning families can watch the film just about anywhere on their Computer, Smartphone, TV and Tablet.

Watching the friendship of Ralph and Vanellope was entertaining in 2012 and it is just as entertaining in 2019. Ralph is the loveable big guy who is completely misunderstood and only wants what's best for his friends - especially his bff Vanellope. He wants her happy and would do anything to make that happen. Now there is a good friend!

And that's what the pair has together (even when they sometimes don't see eye to eye), a friendship that is so full of caring and fun that it's hard not to watch every single second with a bit of a grin. I have to admit that having the Disney Princess' in the film sure does bring a lot of fun and watching Vanellope give them a make-over is pure classic fun.

Basically, this is good animated fun for the entire family and with all the rainy days it’s a great chance to cuddle up together with a Ralph size popcorn and enjoy!

In the end - they are best friends no matter what!

MODERN FAMILY Brings Laughs and Love in Season 8 on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Now available on DVD is the Emmy Nominated zany family that has worked its way into America’s hearts as 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment delivers a MODERN FAMILY.

The Dunphy family is still living the life in New York and everybody wants to stay a little longer. The same might not be said for the hot sauce business when family is involved. Gloria (Sofia Vergara) is about to go ballistic when her sister takes things into her own hands.

Back home a new family moves into the neighborhood about the same time Jay (Ed O’Neill) is putting in security for the house. Worried that the new family might see his move as a bit racist, he takes his nervousness a bit too far. Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) have to rethink their open parenting a bit when Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) makes a comment towards a transgender boy.

Manny (Rico Rodriguez) is running for class president and Luke (Nolan Gould) is thinking about doing the same thing. Oh kids! Jay and Gloria are trying to help manner and make Claire (Julie Bowen) their manager and Haley (Sarah Hyland) is thinking now she wants her own company too.

Trying to help Manny get into Julliard, Jay works with him to produce a video application to get the attention of the selection committee. Cam has a house guest that isn’t making either Mitchell or Lily happy but it’s Lily who is going to do something about it.

Halloween is here and the Dunphy family comes together to help Luke with his party bringing unexpected guest Rod Skyhook into the mix. With all the family madness Jay heads off to his favorite place, the country club, to unwind and take a minute. Finding out that Phil (Ty Burrell) wants to be a member isn’t setting too well with Jay. Claire thinks she is helping Alex (Ariel Winter) but it might not turn out that way.

The next family holiday is here as Thanksgiving brings Cameron his chance to do it up right. The first sign of trouble is when Haley announces she would rather spend the day with her boyfriend. All Jay can do is watch the family do what they do best – make him crazy. If running for the same office wasn’t enough, the winter dance brings Manny and Luke working together. Of course the parents are deciding their futures on the side as well.

Hearts and flowers are the order of the day but Claire thinks maybe a little magic is needed for her and Phil’s special day. Cupid is making his rounds as well when it becomes clear that Ben may have a tiny little crush on Claire!

Phil is looking to invest in some property and Jay is his target partner. That’s the least of his worries when Jay discovers that Gloria has hired a new handyman who seems to be handier than Jay would like.

It’s getting closer to wedding and time for Frank’s bachelor party with Phil waiting to meet the new family member. If he isn’t busy enough he also volunteers to play basketball at a charity game with two NBA players who aren’t going to baby him.

Frank’s wedding may have a 1920’s theme but it seems Phil gets it wrong when asking Claire to era dress up for the occasion with crazy results. Added to that it seems the couple is going through empty nest syndrome.

All of that culminates to graduation day for Manny and Luke which means the entire family gets together to celebrate. Of course if you think everything goes beautifully then you obviously don’t know this particular MODERN FAMILY!

Ed O’Neill and Sofia Vergara are hilarious together and it is mainly because as different as they may be, they are also absolutely perfect for one another. That means if these two can pull off a relationship then so can Claire and Phil, along with Mitch and Cameron. All of their relationships have their ups and downs yet these three couples remind us that it’s just one foot of love in front of the other to make it believable.

The kids are hilarious but at the same time fall in line with what kids all around me are up to. Of course some of their antics are exaggerated and I think some of it wouldn’t fly with parents I know but it doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to watch. The relationships with the parents are at that point where the kids want to be older than they are and make grown up decisions. The parents seem to have other plans though.

Special appearances by Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Peyton Manning, Victor Garber, Charles Barkley, DeAndre Jordan

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 MODERN FAMILY Season 8 DVD contains the Special Features of a hilarious and must-see Gag Reel and Deleted Scenes.

Also included are the episodes A Tale of Three Cities, A Stereotypical Day, Blindsided, Weathering Heights, Halloween IV: Revenge of Rod Skyhook, Grab It, Thanksgiving Jamboree, The Alliance, Snow Ball, Ringmaster Keith, Sarge & Pea, Do You Believe in Magic, Do It Yourself, Heavy is the Head, Finding Fizbo, Basketball, Pig Moon Rising, Five Minutes, Frank’s Wedding, All Things Being Equal, Time Alone and The Graduates. That’s 472 minutes of family time!

MODERN FAMILY is a television show that has embraced the diversity and differences of families without forgetting that we all have craziness in our ranks. I love that the characters have relatibility about them because, honestly, I know someone like each one of the Dunphy’s in my own family.

Perhaps that is what brings us together to embrace this series. We do know these characters and we get to laugh, share and love their journey because it parallels our own. No one said life was easy but having family can make the difference between not having a family at all or adding MODERN FAMILY to our own. I’m thinking we just add the Dunphy’s to our own – happily!

The show continues to be a television favorite with their 10^th season starting Wednesday this fall on ABC.

In the end – they may be modern but they are definitely a family!