FROM THE VINE Celebrates Life

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Sean Cisterna and Samuel Goldwyn Films adapted from Ken Cancellara's novel Finding Marco, comes the story of a man who did not know how to start over until he began FROM THE VINE.

Marco Gentile (Joe Pantoliano) is not happy with life and in one sweeping moment walks away from his job in Toronto. He decides to go to his grandfather's house in Acerena, Italy to recapture memories and see if he can find his footing. What he finds instead is that Nono Gentile's house is taped off and someone else is keeping an eye on the run-down vines.

Spending a few days walking the streets he remembered as a kid, he gets a wild idea to revive the Gentile vineyard and awaken the town. Back at home, wife Marina (Wendy Crewson) and daughter Laura (Paula Brancti) are not happy with Marco's absence.

What is actually going on is that Marco decides to ask neighbor Marcello (Tony Nardi) to help him get the wine making business back up and running. In turn Marcello suggests that hiring the locals might just bring a little more life back into the town.  In Toronto, Marina notices money missing, and Laura is about to have a fit feeling her father has abandoned the family.

Wasting no time, Marina and Laura hope a flight to Italy and discover what has been happening. At first, they are reluctant, then something begins to change in both of them. Has the wine or the beauty of Italy captured their hearts?

Anything is possible with a good glass of wine!

Pantoliano as Marco is a man just trying to find something to give his heart a jump start. Returning to Italy, he begins to remember what life was like this is grandpa Nono and what the vines meant to him. Taking a chance on his memories and with the help of a few unexpected friends, Marco is happier than he ever thought he could be. Pantoliano is delightful, funny and endearing and that I want in a good-hearted story.

Nardi as Marcello knows the land and loves the vines. Marco discovers that he has been tending a patch of the vine for years, so he knows what it needs. At first the idea isn't appealing, but Marcello also finds his heart full of what is growing once again. Nardi is very funny in his standoffishness and charming to the last.

Crewson as Marina cannot understand what is going on with her husband until she discovers what he has been doing. Once she goes to Italy, sees her husband light up talking about his grandfather's legacy, she settles in and takes it all in. Brancti as Laura is a hardheaded daughter who doesn't take things lightly and is very opinionated. Once in Italy, she too is taken in by what she sees around her and finds herself helping her father whether she intended to or not.

Shout out to Tony Nappo as Enzo, the crazy comic relief who does not seem to have a purpose at first but discovers perhaps people are not so bad after all.

Other cast include Marco Leonardi as Luca, Franco La Presti as Gio, Kevin Hanchard as John, Rita del Piano as Amelia, Sonia Tully as Barbara, and Frank Moore as Gordon.

Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned motion picture company that develops, produces and distributes innovative feature films and documentaries. The company has dedicated itself to world-renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers with such stories as SUPER SIZE ME, SWEET COUNTRY, MAPLETHORP and THE PARTS YOU LOSE. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com.

FROM THE VINE is a charming look at not so much starting life over but remember a time when you knew who you were and where you came from. Marco needed to know that and what a change it made in his life. It might seem a tad selfish at first, but the family soon comes to see that this particular chance-taking was meant to be.

The cast is wonderful, and the cinematography is stunning. Italy is one of those places I hope to someday see so I payed close attention to the houses, streets, shops and the people who keep these small towns alive with culture and history.

Director Cisterna says, "Some of my all-time favorite motion pictures begin with the iconic Samuel Goldwyn Films logo. Our cast and crew are beyond thrilled that FROM THE VINE can be a bottle of fine way amongst the collection of gourmet Goldwyn meals!"

So, FROM THE VINE is most definetly worth of a moment when looking for a relaxing Saturday or Sunday afternoon film that is just delightful. It is about family, friendship, love, dreams, expectations and a bit of the magic we have in us all called believing.

In the end - the grape never falls far from the vine!

PEPPA PIG: When I Grow Up Delights on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the delightful young piglet along with family and friends with PEPPA PIG: When I Grow Up.

In class, Peppa Pig is hearing all about the choices her classmates are making as to what they want to be when they grow up. From being a policeman to a teacher, each also likes the choice of telling people what to do. Peppa is upset because she doesn’t know what she wants to be even if little brother George wants to be dinosaur.

Peppa and her family join the local flying vet to visit sick animals and doing it in an airplane! They soon get a call from their own home as baby ducks are stuck on their roof. The vet teaches Peppa to quack at the little babies to get them home to their parents on the pond.

Ms. Gazelle teaches her students to appreciate music by using their imaginations to describe what they hear. Peppa decides that the music reminds her of jumping up and down in a puddle and her friends don’t hesitate to join her while they create their own song.

Danny the dog is having a pirate themed birthday party and Peppa is thrilled. Taking the ship up stream they are all looking for the golden treasure. Grandpa Pig helps with the game and catches Grand-dad Dog taking the treasure!

Mommy Pig is going to the local firehouse to meet with other Mommy’s and Daddy Pig is off with his friends for a bit of football. Peppa and George go with Mommy Pig and get to see the new fire engine! Peppa is surprised when they get a real life fire call and it is at their home.

Tittles the Turtle is found up a tree while Pedro and Peppa rescue him but not before he gets a bumped nose. The doctor quickly shows up to fix his nose but can’t fix Pedro’s glasses. After fixing glasses, there is trouble with the dentists’ car that Doctor Dog can fix. It seems there is someone in the town for every situation.

The class is preparing for showing talent and Peppa is having difficulty picking just one to share with her friends. Pedro shows his magic, Emily Elephant plays the flute and Rebecca Bunny shares her silly noises and all of this worries Peppa.

Peppa, George and Mommy Pig prepare to take their first helicopter ride with Ms. Rabbit and they are having a blast, well maybe not so much for Mommy Pig. Daddy pig is having a fun time at the local carnival and when its time to get home, his car gets stuck in the mud and he has to call for help.

The police come to the school and teaches the students the do’s and don’ts of bicycle riding. Even teacher Ms. Gazelle learns a few lessons about properly being safe on a bicycle.

Daddy Pig got his days all mixed up thinking it is Saturday and Mommy has to work on her computer sending Peppa off to play group. At group, they decide to open a play store and help customers with what they need or think they need. When the family comes home they discover that when work is over there is plenty of time for play.

Peppa and the class learn what an ambulance does from Dr. Brown Bear and how it helps people in their community. But what happens when the doctor needs an ambulance himself? Ms. Gazelle and the entire class step in to make sure Dr. Brown Bear gets the help he needs.

The class is making their own music with rattles, all kinds of drums, maracas, cymbals, castanets, triangles and tambourines. Ms. Gazelle must teach them the difference between a bunch of wild noise and working together to make fantastic music. The best part is playing for their parents and surprised when the parents join in.

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 DVD includes the Peppasodes of When I Grow Up, The Flying Vet, Move to Music, Danny’s Pirate Party, The Fire Engine, Doctors, Talent Day, Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter, The Police, Work and Play, The Ambulance and Shake Rattle and Bang.

Peppa Pig and her family have made their way into my family and spend every day with us. My granddaughter loves the series and even has the toys to play knowing each characters name. That is how you know that a family program has made an impact, when a child embraces each character like family.

The series teaches such valuable lessons about life, friendship, family, loyalty, learning, respect and loads of fun! That is what drew me to the series from the beginning. The fact that Peppa and her brother George have the love of an extended family is very important for kids to see – and it doesn’t matter if they learn it from a cute little pig.

PEPPA PIG: When I Grow Up give children a chance to think about that very question without it becoming too serious. Instead they learn about the choices and ask the questions that could possibly plant the seed for their dreams to one day come true.

In the end – if there is a job puddle jumping then Peppa is your pig!

It is a Life of Discover with LOVE, SIMON

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K UHD, Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Greg Berlanti and Fox Home Entertainment is the journey he takes to LOVE, SIMON.

Simon (Nick Robinson) is a young man counting down the days until graduation and off to college. Supported by his Dad Jack (Josh Duhamel), Mom Emily (Jennifer Garner) and sister-chef Nora (Talitha Bateman), he actually likes his life.

Adding to that are his lifelong friends Leah (Katherine Langford), Nick (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) and newer lifelong friend Abby (Alexandra Shipp), things are all good. Except one little-big thing – Simon hasn’t shared with anyone that he is gay except for one person, an online friend he calls Blue.

Blue has become an important part of Simon’s life because they seem to have the ability to share anything about themselves with no judgment or fear. Martin (Logan Miller) makes a move to upset the balance of Simon’s life. Discovering emails between he and Blue, Martin screenshots them to his phone and makes a deal with Simon.

Martin likes Abby and wants Simon to do the footwork to get them together in exchange for his silence. Immediately panicked for his friend Blue, Simon agrees. Putting the pieces into play makes him miserable knowing these are his friends’ lives.

Then moment of teenage outburst from Martin brings the house of fragile cards falling down. Simon is left to either hide from it all or just clear the path of least resistance to the life they are all meant to have – one that includes being who you really are.

He’s done keeping his story straight!

Robinson as Simon is as charming and sweet as he wants to be. Feeling the best he can under his secretive circumstances, this young actor gives a performance that is heartfelt, believable and endearing. That’s important when telling this story as the pitfalls in the life of a teenager are already demanding in this sometimes technological terror of a world we have created. Robinson’s performance unravels that with depth and I for one appreciate that.

Langford as Leah is also dealing with the perils of the heart and high school. She has known Simon practically forever (as they say) and wants only what is best for him, even if he screws up now and then. Shipp as Abby is the outgoing new girl of their group and the first to know Simon’s secret.

Miller as Martin is the guy who doesn’t really understand how friendships work but clearly knows how blackmail does! This character is the one who wants to just be part of something special but goes about it the wrong way. Lendeborg Jr. as Nick is dealing with trying to hook up a love life of his own and gets in the cross hairs of Simon’s inability to get away from Martin’s scheme.

Garner as Emily is the fun Mom who sees her son has something going on. Trying to do the ‘give him space’ thing, it all finally makes sense to her which doesn’t stop her from being just as supportive. Duhamel as Jack is the Dad who struggles with ‘not seeing it’ and failing as a father for it and embraces his son as he always has.

Shout out to Rothwell as Ms. Albright as the high school drama teacher! I swear I had the same drama teacher in Junior High so thank you for reminding me that Ms. Spencer was the best and the side comments are hilariously familiar.

Other cast includes: Tony Hale as Mr. Worth, Natasha Rothwell as Ms. Albright, Miles Heizer as Cal, Joey Pollari as Lyle, Drew Starkey as Garrett and Clark Moore as Ethan.

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 include Deleted Scenes, The Adaptation, The Squad, #FirstLoveStoryContestWinner, Dear Georgia, Dear Atlanta, Audio Commentary by Director Greg Berlanti, Producer Isaac Klausner and Co-Screenwriter Isaac Aptaker and Gallery.

LOVE, SIMON is a story definitely from the heart and if you don’t feel every second of it then you need a chisel to get it out of its stone casing! This is a film about teenagers doing what teenagers do – struggle to know who they are and how to fit in. What makes this story relatable is that we have all been there in some form if you take a second to remember.

Of course it is harder to have secrets in high school with social media poking into every aspect of someone’s life. There isn’t a platform where one wrong word won’t make it around the planet faster than finding out it’s been posted. It is also a technological world where bullying has found another platform. Simon takes the higher ground in a way that is breath taking.

This film should be shown in junior and senior high schools as a teaching tool! Yes this is a story of a young man’s journey finding acceptance for his secret, but it’s also clearly a story of realizing that each of these kids has something they are afraid for anyone to know.

LOVE, SIMON is brilliantly written, the cast is stellar and the ending is how it should be – honest, upfront and a trip to Starbucks for a day on the road.

In the end – everyone deserves a great love story!