Disney Released TRON and TRON: Legacy on 4K

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K Ultra HD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the 1982 film TRON and the 2010 follow-up TRON: Legacy.

TRON

Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) is a software engineer who run a video game arcade. His pastime includes hacking into his previous employer ENCOM’s system with his own program called a CLU. Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan) are dealing with Ed Dillinger (David Warner) who has been living large off of Flynn’s games. When the couple figures it is Flynn using the CLU, they go to his store to warn him. Trying to get evidence of Dillinger’s underhandedness, Flynn finds himself being uploaded into the ENCOM game!

Fitting into the games, Flynn meets Ram (Dan Shor) and Tron and in a game of Light Cycle, the MCP is in hot pursuit. Through it all it becomes clear that Flynn has something the game doesn’t, inside information that can help Tron, he must get past Sark first. Step by step and move by move, Tron and Flynn must find a way to free the system and find a way back home.  

Bridges as Flynn gives 80’s diehard video gamers something to get excited about on the big screen. The character of Flynn has become so iconic that even my own grandchildren know who he is and that is in part to Bridges embracing the character he made so real. Boxleitner in the dual role of Bradley and Tron also gave a character that is complex in both the real and digital world. Morgan as Baines let it be known in the 80’s and today that women are equally as talented in creating as well as playing video games – and I have two grandkids who can attest to that. Both are well versed in how it all works and it is the characters from TRON that are a constant encouragement.

Warner as Dillinger as well as Sark has always been so good at playing bad. Taking on a videogame bad guy is equally as good if not better. He takes on the duality of bad in the real world and the game world and I was all for it in the 80’s and still love watching it every time I see it on television. Remember, “I do the thinking around here!”.

Other cast include Barnard Hughes as Dr. Walter Gibbs, Peter Jurasik as Crom, and Tony Stephano as Peter. The film’s writer/director is Steven Lisberger.

TRON: Legacy

After becoming CEO of ENCOM, seven years has passed and Flynn (Jeff Bridges) spends time with his young son talking about Tron and the grid, then, he suddenly disappears. Twenty years after that, son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) is a shareholder in the company and finding himself in trouble as his father was. Trying to get the company’s software out for free, Sam is arrested forcing Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) to bail him out because there is a message that brings him to a basement with a computer that suddenly goes off digitizing him into the grid. Immediately captured, Sam is sent to the games. Set to fight Rinzler, he instantly realizes Sam is a ‘user’.

Meeting up with Clu, Sam discovers the Light Cycle matches and it is Quorra (Olivia Wilde) who takes him to a hideout away from it all. It was Clu who sent the message to Bradley getting Sam to the Portal and tells him of the master key disc and his father Flynn. Now, father and son must work together to avoid Castor (Michael Sheen), Rinzler (Anis Cheurfa) and the warship to get back to the arcade as Sam intends to make some changes there as well.

Hedlund as Sam is a young man lost to a lot of his life still thinking about his father. Once in the world that he could never have imagined, he is put in the same danger as his father with one exception – he has Flynn on his side. The return of Jeff Bridges is everything to TRON: Legacy and I could not have wanted to see the film without him. He embraces Flynn and steps back into the role like he never left even though 30 years had passed. Dare I say – he is our Flynn and I loved his return then and now.

Keeping with the formula, Boxleitner returns as Bradley who has been watching out for Sam. Wilde as Quorra is a young ‘woman’ who knows how to protect Sam taking him to the one person who has answers. I love Sheen as Castor/Jarvis as his antics are absolutely fantastic and I have to admit that not smiling when he is on screen is impossible. He brings showmanship into a place no one else but Flynn and Sam could possibly go.

Other cast include Beau Garrett as Gem, James Frain as Jarvis, Jeffrey Nordling as Richard Mackey, Conrad Boates as Bartik, Cillian Murphy as Edward Dillinger Jr. and Steven Lisberger as Shaddix. The director is Joseph Kosinski.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment 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!

TRON and TRON: Legacy has been digitally scanned and carefully restored by The Walt Disney Film Foundation to take care of direct and other imperfections to the film bringing it a mind-blowing pristine imagery. The man keeping an eye on the process is none other than director Steven Lisberger. It is just in time to see the amazing visuals at a third installment TRON: Ares is set to his theatres October 10, 2025 and the return of Flynn.

What an amazing opportunity to gather the kids and grandkids together to once again explore a film that was and continues to be a literal game changer. Led by Bridges and Leitner, it is not only a story of video games and those who make them but a bit of subtle politics as well. The story speaks of those controlled by others, living under the thumb of a ruthless dictator. Their survival depends on working together in order to stop the evil destruction.

The special effects, beginning with TRON, were absolutely stunning for their time and the remastering proves that director Lisberger got it right the first time. It is still brilliant in color and vibrant in the storytelling. TRON: Legacy reminds us that once again you can have a sequel that stays true to the original characters and storyline while pushing the envelope even further, now, fifteen years later, the prospect of the next part of the story is thrilling to fans.

In the end – the game has changed!

 

DESPERATION ROAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Nadine Crocker and Lionsgate comes a thriller based on the book by Michael Farris Smith of people on DESPERATION ROAD.

Recently out of an 11-year prison stint, Russell Gaines (Garrett Hedlund) is met in town by a very angry Larry (Ryan Hurst) who makes it clear that he is out for revenge for the death of his brother. At home, Russell's father Mitchell (Mel Gibson) is happy to see his son and realizes that problems are not far behind. Also in trouble is Maben (Willa Fitzgerald), a young mother trying to find a life with daughter Annalee (Pyper Braun). After a horrific incident, Maben will do anything to get away and comes across Russell. Offering to help them, they find refuge at Mitchell's place.

Investigating is officer and childhood friend Sheriff Boyd (Woody McClain) who believes there is some connection but cannot seem to find it. Trying to believe that Russell had nothing to do with it becomes difficult when he constantly disappears or only tells half-truths. Following up leads, Boyd discovers that someone named Maben may be involved and suspects that Russell knows more than he's saying. One thing becomes clear, it is serendipitous that Maben found Russell in the first place as he comes clean with the unspoken connection between the two of them from years before.

Larry is on a rampage and ex-wife Dana (Kate Foster) sees that his rage is going to get people hurt as a police chase gives way. Russell decides to come clean about everything to Boyd so that the chips will fall where they need to for some to be safe and some to pay. That's when the story has a chance to change and the potential for life to begin again.

Hedlund as Russell gives the performance of a man that has spent a long time beating himself up emotionally so that when someone is beating him physically, it doesn't seem to hurt. A mistake made years before, this character is reliving it on the daily and believes that he still has so much to pay for. Hedlund gives us the down-home country boy who completely understands how everything in his life went wrong and lives for ways to make it right. That being said, even he knows that some things can never be made right, they can only change in forgiveness and perspective. That's what Hedlund's Russell shows from the first frame to the last.

Fitzgerald as Maben is a woman also trying to escape something bad but with each step she takes, it only leads her to more bad. Her daughter is everything and there is nothing she won't do to protect her and that's when someone decides to use a mother's love in heinous ways. Maben doesn't trust, nor does she have any reason to but when her back is up against the wall, she must trust strangers. Fitzgerald is quietly pensive and always ready to run in her character of Maben, well done! Young Braun as Annalee is seeing the worst that adults do to one another but, at the same time, would change nothing to be with her mother.

Hurst as Larry is a man who has also been hurt and takes every opportunity to lash out. The arrival of Russell just sends the steaming pot overflowing with anger and a vengeful mind. Let me say this, having watched Hurst as Oppy in the series Sons of Anarchy (a personal favorite that I have watched repeatedly) and as Beta on AMC"s The Walking Dead, I don't know where he gets the rage from but, man, he scares me - which is the point!  McClain as Sheriff Boyd is happy to finally see his friend out of prison, but the town ugliness has him questioning his friend. When he doesn't like the answers or doesn't believe them, he searches harder because the questions keep coming.

Shout out to Mel Gibson as dad Mitchell who doesn't question much about what is happening with his son and makes it clear that 'I got your back' means something in their family. Gibson is protective and doesn't seem to worry about much in the way of people bothering him - but bother his family, well, that's a whole other weapon carrying situation.

Other cast include Ella Thomas as Sarah Magee, Michael Aaron Milligan as Walt, Katey Bodenhamer as Lacey, Frank Blake as Officer Jay, Bonita Elery as Brenda, Kyle Rankin as Jason and Paulina Galvez as Consuela.

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.

DESPERATION ROAD is the story of small-town living, corruption, family, secrets, anger and redemption all tied up into a neat little grungy package. Book author Farris wrote the screenplay himself which is why the story seems to stay organically close to the page. Farris also has other works in the pipeline with THE FIGHTER and BLACKWOOD. Director Crocker previously worked on the film CONTINUE bringing her filmography up to two with DESPERATION ROAD.

It is not a fast-paced film but instead takes its time in showing the progression of past mistakes and the pain as it comes toward the inevitability in the future. The possibility of redemption is always there but it comes at a cost and those who are willing to pay it. The cast each take their time to draw out their back stories and how it all comes to affect their futures

In the end – redemption can be had but at a cost!

A Time of Change Brought the Biggest BURDEN

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director Andrew Heckler's debut, 101 Studios and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of courage, change and belief when under a BURDEN.

Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund) is a young man who came to be raised by Klu Klux Klan leader Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson). In this small South Carolina town there is a divide between the white and African American community with Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) keeping the peace.

Mike works repossessing electronics from people who are behind in their payments along with friend Clint (Austin Hebert). That is how he meets Judy (Andrea Riseborough) and after hearing her young son will be devastated not to see the Nascar races on the television, Mike makes arrangements for them to see it. Yet, when seeing classmate Clarence (Usher Raymond), he has no problem taking his television.

Tom decides to open a museum celebrating the history of the KKK in an historic movie theatre which sends the Reverend and most of the town into shock. Mike tries not to bring to much attention to his involvement because he truly begins to care for Judy and wants to have a life with her. Tom notices and isn't beyond making his own mark with Judy's son.

As the Reverend and townspeople protest the museum, Tom makes a request of Mike that forces him to make a decision. Turning away from the KKK, the Reverend decides that it is time to replace hate with love and offers to help Mike both physically and emotionally.

But it isn't going to be easy to step away from the only life he's known and there are those who are going to make sure Mike suffers every step.

Hedlund as Mike is a man who has consistently stood by the leaders, he feels gave him a family. There is a part of him that remembers friendship with Clarence and is torn between the heart that knows what is right and turning away from a 'family'. Hedlund is shy when it comes to his feelings and frightening when his rage kicks in. There are scenes of brilliance where he is in pain to speak and the final scene where his face says it all.

Whitaker as Reverend Kennedy is a man who tries to keep the peace in town even if there are small battles in his own home. Once he sees the museum, there is no question that he must do whatever it takes to keep it from becoming a permanent part of their town. Whitaker is strong in this role and the scenes with Hedlund are powerful and healing for both characters.

Riseborough as Judy is a woman who doesn't take any nonsense from Mike or from KKK leader Tom. She doesn't believe as Mike does yet there is something about him that she sees a chance for his life to change. Raymond as Clarence remembers a friendship with Mike and believes that there is something more for him on the other side of the KKK tracks. He believes that given a chance, Mike can be saved from those who want to destroy him.

Other cast include Crystal Fox as Janice Kennedy, Anna Colwell as Molly, Jason Davis as Jameson, Dexter Darden as Kelvin Kennedy, Charles Green as Horace King, Joshua Burge as Ronny, Jeff Pope as Cooper and Jessejames Locorriere as Dale and Tess Harper as Hazel.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.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.

Bonus Features include a Behind the Scenes of BURDEN.

BURDEN is a story written by director Andrew Heckler after meeting the real Reverend Kennedy. Heckler read about the museum in an article and decided to pen the story from Kennedy's account. The script was written in 1998 but has taken Heckler twenty years to make the film and this is his directorial debut.

This is a story of reality, redemption and the belief that the heart can let go of wrong and embrace positive changes. The film also deals with the twisted beliefs of a group of towns people who believe so much that they are right that hurting those who get in their way is of no consequence or guilt.

The cast brings out the story that shows the Reverends side of fight and all the frustrations that come with it. They are angry and afraid but not so much that they would allow what is happening at the museum to continue without a fight. Having lived in a small southern town, I can tell you that the believability of this story is 100%.

This may be 2020 but that doesn't mean the belief that the character of Mike was raised with is gone because it isn’t, and it isn't only found in small southern towns. What BURDEN does bring into focus the ability to talk about these issues openly and make us all aware that 20 years ago a group of people tried to open a museum that horrified a community.

I see BURDEN as a teachable film that has the greatest potential to reach more than just a theatre audience. It is so powerful and far reaching that it is clear why the film received a standing ovation when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.

In the end - only love can drive out hate!

A Time of Change Brought the Biggest BURDEN

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Andrew Heckler's debut and 101 Studios comes the story of courage, change and belief when under a BURDEN.

Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund) is a young man who came to be raised by Klu Klux Klan leader Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson). In the small South Carolina town it puts a divide between the white and African American community with Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) keeping the peace.

Mike works repossessing electronics from people who are behind in their payments along with friend Clint (Austin Hebert). That is how he meets Judy (Andrea Riseborough) and after hearing her young son will be devastated not to see the Nascar races on the television, Mike makes arrangements for them to keep it. Yet, when seeing classmate Clarence (Usher Raymond), he has no problem taking his television.

Tom decides to open up a museum celebrating the history of the KKK in an historic movie theatre which sends the Reverend and most of the town into shock. Mike tries not to bring to much attention to his involvement because he truly begins to care for Judy and wants to have a life with her. Tom notices and isn't beyond making his own mark with Judy's son.

As the Reverend and townspeople protest the museum, Tom makes a request of Mike that forces him to make a decision. Turning away from the KKK, the Reverend decides that it is time to replace hate with love and offers to help Mike both physically and emotionally.

But it isn't going to be easy to step away from the only life he's known and there are those who are going to make sure Mike suffers every step.

Hedlund as Mike is a man who has consistently stood by the leaders, he feels gave him a family. There is a part of him that remembers friendship with Clarence and is torn between the heart that knows what is right and turning away from a 'family'. Hedlund is shy when it comes to his feelings and frightening when his rage kicks in. There are scenes of brilliance where he is in pain to speak and the final scene where his face says it all.

Whitaker as Reverend Kennedy is a man who tries to keep the peace in town even if there are small battles in his own home. Once he sees the museum, there is no question that he must do whatever it takes to keep it from becoming a permanent part of their town. Whitaker is strong in this role and the scenes with Hedlund are powerful and healing for both characters.

Riseborough as Judy is a woman who doesn't take any nonsense from Mike or from KKK leader Tom. She doesn't believe as Mike does yet there is something about him that she sees a chance for his life to change. Raymond as Clarence remembers a friendship with Mike and believes that there is something more for him on the other side of the KKK tracks. He believes that given a chance, Mike can be saved from those who want to destroy him.

Other cast include Crystal Fox as Janice Kennedy, Anna Colwell as Molly, Jason Davis as Jameson, Dexter Darden as Kelvin Kennedy, Charles Green as Horace King, Joshua Burge as Ronny, Jeff Pope as Cooper and Jessejames Locorriere as Dale and Tess Harper as Hazel.

BURDEN is a story written by director Andrew Heckler after meeting the real Reverend Kennedy. Heckler read about the museum in an article and decided to pen the story from Kennedy's account. The script was written in 1998 but has taken Heckler twenty years to make the film and this is his directorial debut.

This is a story of reality, redemption and the belief that the heart can let go of wrong and embrace positive changes. The film also deals with the twisted beliefs of a group of towns people who believe so much that they are right that hurting those who get in their way is of no consequence or guilt.

The cast brings out the story that shows the Reverends side of fight and all the frustrations that come with it. They are angry and afraid but not so much that they would allow what is happening at the museum to continue without a fight. Having lived in a small southern town, I can tell you that the believability of this story is 100%.

This may be 2020 but that doesn't mean the belief that the character of Mike was raised with is gone because it isn’t, and it isn't only found in small southern towns. What BURDEN does bring into focus the ability to talk about these issues openly and make us all aware that 20 years ago a group of people tried to open a museum that horrified a community.

I see BURDEN as a teachable film that has the greatest potential to reach more than just a theatre audience. It is so powerful and far reaching that it is clear why the film received a standing ovation when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.

In the end - only love can drive out hate!

HBO’s MOSAIC Brings Murder and Mystery to Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Now on Bluray and DVD from HBO Home Entertainment and director Steven Soderbergh is a story that could go as many ways as a MOSAIC.

Olivia Lake (Sharon Stone) is a famous author who is living on some of the most beautiful land in the United States. Watching this grand lady is Joel Hurley (Garrett Hedlund) who finds himself in a conversation about his own creativity. Interested in the young man, all too quickly Joel takes up residence on Olivia’s property in exchange for work that needs doing.

Hoping for a connection of some kind, Olivia is surprised to discover that Joel already has Laura (Maya Kazan) and isn’t happy about it at all. Entering her life is Eric Neill (Frederick Weller) and Olivia finds herself hopelessly in love. She even turns to friend JC Schiffer (Paul Reubens) to share her feelings.

Everything is about to shift when after a night of sending Joel on his way and learning that Eric isn’t everything she thought – something horrendous has happened to Olivia. Enter Nate Henry (Devin Ratray), a mild mannered local cop who finds it his mission to discover what has happened to her, why and who is responsible.

Eric now has his feet to the fire when it is discovered that how he met Olivia and what his plans truly were put him on trial for murder and he is sent to prison. Four years go by and  Eric’s sister Petra (Jennifer Ferrin) begins an investigation of her own knowing that her brother, for all his faults, is not responsible for what happened to Olivia.

Seeking out Joel, they return to the scene of the crime literally and begin to piece it all together slowly with the help of Nate Henry. Joel also discovers what it is he has been hiding for years. Petra finds there is so much that was missed and secrets that have been busting at the seams to be known – and even Olivia has something to say about it all.

Murder is very, very patient for secrets to be revealed!

Stone as Lake comes out of the gate kicking in this role. She is strong, vulnerable, opinionated, and would rather hurt others before they have a chance to hurt her. Finding that her fabulous life is lonely, she is always on the look out for someone to keep her from feeling anything but happiness. Stone saunters in as only she can and fights to the very end.

Hedlund as Joel has serious issues! Hoping that Olivia can help him with his creative dreams, he also has a drinking problem that causes him serious blackouts. Leaving for some time to get his life back on track, his return back to the town where everything happened brings him far more than he could have realized. Hedlund has the unique ability to be vulnerable without anyone seeing it and shaking on the inside without any of it showing on the outside. Well done!

Weller as Eric is a man who is on a mission, a paid mission that is. Sent to swindle Olivia, he finds that he actually cares for her. When the man cutting the checks threatens to expose him, Eric knows he has to do what’s right by Olivia and find a way to make things right.

Ferrin as Petra should have been a detective from the start. She has an instinct and follows every lead no matter where it leads. Believing her brother is innocent, Petra wants to make sure no stone is left unturned and knows that every story has a deeper meaning.

Ratray as Nate Henry is absolutely brilliant in this role. He is a very outwardly easy going law enforcement officer who just wants to know what happened to Olivia. When he isn’t dealing with other officials who are on power trips getting in his way, he slowly begins to understand that the original case was a hot mess and he isn’t taking any chances when it case comes up again.

Shout out to Reubens as JC – anytime I see him on the screen I’m thrilled.

Other cast include: Beau Bridges as Alan Paper, James Ransone as Michael O’Connor, Jeremy Bobb as Frank Scott, Zandy Hartig as Melissa Henry, Michael Cerveris as Tom Davis, and Bridey Elliot as Tia.

HBO Home Entertainment has an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs found on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD. They have provided viewers with some of the most amazing programs with huge fan bases that include the shows True Blood, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Detectives, The Wire, Entourage and Game of Thrones. Launched in 1984, HBO is world wide in viewed entertainment in more than 70 territories around the world! For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

The Bluray includes a Digital Copy to watch anywhere or instantly stream on television, computer, Tablet or Smartphone. The Bonus Feature includes Heart of Homicide: Big Murder in a Small Town.

MOSAIC is an absolutely twisted limited six-part mini-series that isn’t going to let you rest for one moment. The characters are each important to the story and what leads them to the finale is something to see. Stone leads the way, Hedlund keeps us paranoid and officer Nate takes us in to a place we never see coming.

That’s what makes MOSAIC so intense, because in each episode there are so many secrets and deceptions to the point of feeling crazy. The cast is exceptional and without that the story could have easily fallen but what each of them did was make me want to know more until I had to pick up my jaw on the very last frame.

In the end – it’s murder in a small town!