It’s the Holidays in July with THE CHRISTMAS DANCE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and on demand from writer/director Michael Arcell and Gravitas Ventures is a little holiday reminder a few months early about THE CHRISTMAS DANCE.

Sarah (Kristen Vaganos) is a big city girl with a writing career that keeps her away from home. Never letting her forget that she is, brother Sherman Jr. (Miles Faber) pesters her with telephone calls letting her know that Mom Mary (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Dad Sherman (Richard Karn) want her home.

At work, Sarah is dealing with Mr. Davenport (Scott Bailey) who wants a story for the holidays but something told from a different standpoint than the way Sarah usually does her pieces. Complaining once again on the phone with Sherman Jr., she hears the sound of a crash!

Rushing back to her hometown, she finds her brother in the hospital along with Mom and Dad by his side. Also visiting is Jason (Carson Nicely) who recognizes Sarah from when they were young. Sarah prefers to forget things, especially the night she danced at the church Christmas pageant, and it did not go well.

Worrying about her brother and trying to write her article, Sarah gets talked into helping Jason with taking over for Sherman Jr. and the Christmas pageant. Needing some inspiration, Dad takes Sarah to visit Brother Moore (Master P), Sister Grace (Melissa Joe Bailey) and help with the local dinner. Also trying to keep her spirits up is Jason and it does not go unnoticed by the lovely Kate (Briana White) who still has issues with Sarah.

Sarah begins to see what it is she has been missing by finding excuses for not coming home and it is time to change, and it can all start with a dance!

Vaganos as Sarah is a young career woman who buries herself in her work and the city away from home. When it is time to acknowledge what she has been missing through the years, it is an awakening on levels she could not have imagined. Faber as Sherman Jr. has kept his faith and will not let his sister forget where it is she came from nor the love that is waiting for her.

Nicely as Jason is a good friend to Sarah's brother and believes in the community of faith he lives in. Seeing Sarah again reminds him of the night of the pageant and has memories of his own he would like to make right with Sarah. Long as Mom Mary is a caring and Christmas-y woman who is thrilled Sarah is home. Karn as Sherman is a man of faith who believes his daughter just needs a little push to see the world as a place of goodness.

Other cast include Symonne Harrison as Taylor, Jessica Richards as Karen, Josh Hooks as Brother Ron, Sinorice Moss as Dr. Leon McCoy, Cassady Jane Lorentzen as Young Kate and Brady Amaya as Young Sherman Jr.

Gravitas Ventures is a worldwide film distribution company that connections the global audience of over a billion people. Celebrating 15 years, they have had the honor to collaborate with thousands of artists to share important films. Gravitas was one of the first companies to develop a global network of digital media platforms like Video on Demand with a simple mission to deliver ideas that could bridge filmmakers to audiences. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com.

THE CHRISTMAS DANCE is a delightful look at what we can all relate too. First of all, letting our careers interfere with family life by excusing time after time the reasons we do not visit home. It also reminds us that there is so much to experience in a smaller community that allows people to be part of something that feels bigger than themselves - giving in all forms.

Sarah let one incident in her life cause her to continually break away from the family she clearly loves. Now we all do not get the opportunity to relive a moment so that it become a new memory, but we all have the same ability to see past our own excuses and open up to something wonderful.

THE CHRISTMAS DANCE is a nice little jingle in the middle of July as we all look forward to perhaps a better holiday season than 2020.

In the end - let the joy in early and celebrate a dance longer!

It is Life in a FISHBOWL

 

Jeri Jacquin

In select theatres and currently On Demand from writer/director Stephen Kinigopoulos and Gravitas Ventures is life in a FISHBOWL.

Belle (Belle Shickle), Rachel (Emily Peachey) and Jessa (Caroline Coleman) Simon live with their father Rick (Rick Kain) in the small town of Bishop. Lately, the family dynamic has changed when mom Macy (Judith Hoag) has left the family. The impact is deep as Rick has sunken into a depression that has invited a total stranger into their home.

Televangelist Ron Peltz (Bobby J. Brown) is convincing Rick that The Rapture is coming and spending money he does not have, receives a kit that is supposed to bring in other donating believers. Belle, Rachel and Jessa are trying their best to get along in school, but the word has spread that something is going wrong in the Simon house.

The girls are each coping in their own way as Belle is very strong-willed, Rachel is trying not to rock the boat and Jessa has chosen not to speak a word. Trying to convince Rachel and Jessa to break away and do things that normal teen girls do, there is a bit of trouble from time to time. Rick tries to take the girls to church to fix their straying, but Belle makes it clear she isn't going to play along.

With their house in trouble, bills are not paid, and food seems few and far between, the girls are slowly trying to break the ties their father has on them. Especially when it is clear that the truth of their situation is based on lies.

It is about survival and truth!

Kain as Rick is a man who is lost in something he cannot change. Barely caring for the basics for his kids, he is avoiding adulting in the most dangerous of ways. Looking for anything that will save him, it is a money-grubbing televangelist who reaches him in the worst of ways. Kain gives us the blank stares of a man checked out of life except when it comes to God.

Peachey as Rachel is the strong person of the bunch. She is going to make sure her sisters are taken care of the best way she possibly can. On occasion, she takes emotional shots toward a father that does not seem to realize they are in trouble. Peachey is the rebellious Catholic school girl on the outside, but no one is taking time to see the inside of this character.

Shickle as Belle is a young woman who wants to avoid confrontation as much as possible. Doing whatever her father wants in the way of preparing for The Rapture means going door to door while her father stays steps away. That alone does not help their reputation with neighbors. Teen-angst and love are difficult for Belle and Shickle gives us hope that someone is going to be happy.

Coleman as Jessa portrays her character totally with her facial features and body language. This is a young girl traumatized by her mother’s departure and her way of dealing with it is silence. Although people at school try to reach her, Rick does not deal with it so why should Jessa? It is a wonderful performance.

Other cast include Aaron Marcus as Preacher, Delaney Williams as Mr. Barnes, Maria Broom as Sister Mary, Stefanie Fellinger as Jaci Jones, Alex Swenson as Joey, Brandon Wilson as Henry and Connie Bowman as Sallie.

Gravitas Ventures is a worldwide film distribution company that connections the global audience of over a billion people. Celebrating 15 years, they have had the honor to collaborate with thousands of artists to share important films. Gravitas was one of the first companies to develop a global network of digital media platforms like Video on Demand with a simple mission to deliver ideas that could bridge filmmakers to audiences. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com.

FISHBOWL is a tragic look at a family that is led by a father who has lost all hope except in the ravings of a televangelist. With three beautiful daughters in pain of their own, the only things he wants from them is to prepare for The Rapture. There is little concern about the girls in the way of the simple things in life and that is frightening.

As the girls try to find something outside their home that is normal, they experience bullying by other girls in the Catholic school, lack of human dignity by the one person that should be guiding them through this time of their life and teen love with all the pitfalls that go along with it.

All of this leads to an ending that either will leave the viewer with a jaw drop or clapping - or both. The story is heartbreaking and filled with so much drama that is believable in so many ways. When the credits are rolling, the discussion can begin.

In the end - to get to heaven they must walk through hell!

THE PLACE OF NO WORDS is a Stunning Place

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Mark Webber and Gravitas Ventures is a touching tale when a boy asks a simple question to create THE PLACE OF NO WORDS.

Three-year-old Bodhi (Bodhi Palmer) deals with the question of 'where do we go when we die?' with parents Mark (Mark Webber) and Teresa (Teresa Palmer). In the real world there is something wrong with Dad and Mom tries to share her feelings, but she is not even sure what those are. Trying to find a way to explain to Bodhi about death becomes difficult for both parents.

That is where the creative story comes in as a young boy and his father are on a boat in the ocean looking for Freeka. Once on land they watch the sunset as their journey really beings. They climb higher and higher preparing to defend themselves from anything that comes across their path.

In the fantasy, a winged fairy takes father and son to The Forest where they listen to the story of the Grumblers with all the other fairies. When the times comes, each of the fairies wish the warriors well on their continued journey filled with unexpected finds. The boy soon discovers that he has a bit of magic within him and the witch of the forest knows it too. In reality, Mark is getting sicker and sicker with Bodhi not wanting to believe that his father is ill at all.

Trying to get home, they meet the vicious Grumblers who are not quite so vicious after all! All of this to allow Bodhi to find Freeka, which is something he always had from the very beginning.

Other cast include Anna Schafer, Phoebe Tonkin, Sarah Wright, Nicole Berger and Eric Olsen.

Gravitas Ventures is a worldwide film distribution company that connections the global audience of over a billion people. Celebrating 15 years, they have had the honor to collaborate with thousands of artists to share important films. Gravitas was one of the first companies to develop a global network of digital media platforms like Video on Demand with a simple mission to deliver ideas that could bridge filmmakers to audiences. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com. 

THE PLACE OF NO WORDS is a journey of a boy and his father filled with questions, deep thought, beauty and the relationship between the two.  In both worlds they are warriors and in both worlds, they love one another.

The reality is harsh as the parents try and find a way to explain death while not letting it overpower the time that they have together. It is clear that Bodhi's father is conflicted, and it is at time so emotional to watch (as I'm sure any parent would react) yet it is his young son that keeps him in the present moments.

The haunting beauty comes from the adventure that the 'Viking' father and son have on their epic journey to find Freeka. Along the way they meet fairies, Grumbles, see magic, colorful forests, a different kind of swamp and so much more. It is such an extraordinary story and told in a way that is unique, thought provoking, heart wrenching and yet stunningly beautiful.

The director has kept things simple with the cinematography which allowed me, at least, to focus on the story and not get mired down by anything else. You could almost say Webber went right for the heart strings and played us like Itzhak Perlman for ninety-five minutes. I did not mind in the slightest and neither will anyone else.

In the end - one world cannot exist without the other.

DO NOT REPLY Brings Horror Close to Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from writers/directors Daniel Woltosz, Walter Woltosz and Gravitas Ventures is the nightmare of what can happen so DO NOT REPLY.

Chelsea (Amanda Arcuri) is a young girl who is constantly in the shadow of an older, more outgoing cheerleading sister. Trying to find her own friends, she 'meets' Brad (Jackson Rathbone) on the internet and he is interested in becoming friends which appeals to Chelsea.

Unfortunately, she uses the phone during class, and it is confiscated brining mom Mia (Ivon Milan) to school to deal with it. Getting her hands on another phone, she agreed to meet Brad at a Halloween party dressed in a cheerleader’s outfit.

Chelsea is not there long before she passed out and wakes up in a basement chained to the floor. Every young girls’ nightmare has come true, Brad is not what he poses to be and now she's trapped. Shocked to learn there are other girls in the house as well, Brad's story of Sadie (Nikki Leigh) unfolds and it is even more than Chelsea could have ever imagined.

She must stay calm and one step ahead of his plans!

Arcuri as Chelsea is a young girl looking for someone to care about her and goes about it in the most dangerous of ways. That is what the current technology has done, cause young women to become targets for predators. As Chelsea, Arcuri immediately starts to assess her situation and find a way out of it. It comes at a high price as well.

Rathbone as Brad has serious issues as his story slowly starts to unravel. Chelsea isn't Brad's first victim but she sure was going to make sure she was the last. Rathbone is charming until rules are broken, memories flood his characters twisted mind and Brad's trust is shattered. Rathbone gets a chance to use that boyish smile on the audience that quickly turns to not-so-charming when tested.

Heather (Kerri Medders) is someone else trapped in Brad's home but her story is a tad different and so are her reactions to what is happening. Medders plays a victim that trusts her surroundings and isn't pleased with Chelsea's arrival. Leigh as Sadie gets a chance to tell part of the tale, but it is one that makes Brad's behavior even more unpredictable.

Other cast include: Elise Luthman as Heather, Ashlee Fuss as Tina, Courtney Henggeler as Laura, Kaitlyn Black as Victoria, Curran Walters as Dylan, Savannah Kennick as Kristina and Thom Gossom Jr. as Dr. Hunts.

Gravitas Ventures is a worldwide film distribution company that connections the global audience of over a billion people. Celebrating 15 years, they have had the honor to collaborate with thousands of artists to share important films. Gravitas was one of the first companies to develop a global network of digital media platforms like Video on Demand with a simple mission to deliver ideas that could bridge filmmakers to audiences. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com.

DO NOT REPLY is a horror film but it is also a story that is heard time and time again about the young kids behind taken by people pretending to be their friends on the internet. The film gives us a horrifying look at Chelsea but equally horrifying is the fact that this is not far from reality.

That being said, on the film side of it, this is a game of cat and mouse, of who can outsmart who and what it takes to get out alive. There is plenty of suspense absolutely and a few moments of obviousness but that can be overlooked when the story does not stop its pace from beginning to the last frame - which will give the viewer some satisfaction.

Rathbone gives us a chilling and twisted character and Arcuri has a moment where her choice makes the jaw drop. The question then becomes - what will you do to survive?

In the end - DELETE YOUR PROFILE!

I MET A GIRL is an Emotional Rollercoaster

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from Gravitas Ventures and director Luke Eve is the story of love, reality and what can change a life in I MET A GIRL.

Devon (Brenton Thwaites) loves music and brother Nick (Joel Jackson) and trusts that he will be there always. That is sometimes difficult for Nick as Devon has schizophrenia and relies heavily on Nick to get through his days and remind him to take his medication. Nick marries the lovely Olivia (Zahra Newman) and they are soon expecting a baby.

When Devon has an episode, he meets Lucy (Lily Sullivan) and in one night finds himself completely in love. Thrilled to share with Nick the news, the arrange a dinner but Lucy doesn't arrive leaving his brother to wonder - is there really a Lucy?

Trying and trying to make Nick believe him turns into a disaster that Devon now knows has only one remedy. In hand is her note 'meet me in Sydney', that is exactly what he does. Take it upon himself to find any means necessary to find the woman who has shown him the healing power of love.

More importantly, Devon must discover for himself what it takes to be stronger in mind and heart.

Thwaites as Devon takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions, feelings, fears, heart and a gentleness that serves him well. This is a difficult role to play as Thwaites takes on a combination of what is real and what lives in Devon's mind. With the good and the frightening fighting for his attention, waiting for Devon to find himself and accept life his own terms takes patience of our own.

Jackson as Nick is a brother who has found that a lot of his life is centered around Devon. From causing problems with his job and leaving little time for his new bride, the pressure becomes something of a guilt when there is no other choice than to place him in a facility. When Nick finally tells Devon what his life has been like, it is a moment that breaks the heart.

Sullivan as Lucy is the object of Devon's affection and he will stop at nothing to find her. She is sweet, funny and clever and it is easy to see why Devon cannot stop until he finds her once again. Newman as Olivia tries too hard to be understanding, and even when pregnant still tries to be but she also has to consider her own family that is coming together.

Other cast include: Anita Hegh as Patricia, Liam Graham as Fergus, the frightening Anni Finsterer as Miss Needles and Peter Rowsthorn as Mr. Rocket.

Gravitas Ventures searches for thought-provoking features and documentaries and stays in the forefront providing exceptional film product to audiences worldwide. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com.

I MET A GIRL is definitely a story of love but there are so many layers to this film you definitely cannot turn away for a moment. Thwaites do not give the viewer one moment of rest because Devon does not get one moment of rest. He is fighting the world he has come to know and the two most powerful visions that will not let him go.

The casting of Thwaites is well one done as he brings so much to the character of Devon. His performance brings us to care for the story, the journey and the hope that something will change in his life for the better. That is a powerful message to bring to audiences.

In the end - what if the woman of your dreams was all in your head?

THE MANDELA EFFECT

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to select theatres and VOD from writer/director David Guy Levy and Gravitas Ventures is a look at life of grief and another world with THE MANDELA EFFECT.

Brendan (Charlie Hofheimer) and wife Claire (Aleksa Palladino) are dealing with grief with the accidental death of their daughter Sam (Madeleine McGraw). Claire is trying to find ways to deal with all the emotions just getting by day to day and tries to get back to her business to keep from thinking about anything at all.

But Brendan notices that something is happening around him. Trying to talk to brother-in-law Matt (Robin Lord Taylor) about it, no one seems to notice what he does. From the names of things changing to feeling as if he is having visions, Brendan begins to look for the answers.

Discovering the Mandela Effect, he begins to see how that is possible with what he is experiencing. He learns that the Mandela Effect is basically false memories that are shared by a group of people. Part of this theory is the speculation about alternate realities as a cause for all the false memories. In Brendan's case, it could be caused by the trauma he is feeling about what has happened to his daughter in a split second.

Seeking even more answers, he turns to Dr. Fucks (Clarke Peters) to explain what he knows. Reluctant at first, it becomes clear that Brendan believes there is truth to the theory. When science can't completely answer his questions, he even turns to Pastor Isaac (Tim Ransom) to find some clarity.

The emotional torture is even worse because the world he is in is full of pain and sadness, but the effects of the other one is filled with fear of the unknown. Finally experiencing the "other" side and time with daughter Sam, the pull begins of how to find balance when no one else sees the unbalance!

Hofheimer as Brendan is clearly a man devastated by the loss of his daughter. As time goes by, he cannot let go of feeling that something is off. When he starts to notice the world seems to be glitching and instead of letting it bring more shadow into his life, Brendan goes after answers. What I enjoy most about Hofheimer's performance is that his character seeks answers from both faith and science and not many people would do both. There are moments where I know that personally I would have freaked out (the Berestain Bears moment truly gave my brain a "what the….").

Palladino as Claire buries herself in her work and doesn't really see what Brendan does. Not knowing how to talk to her about it, it becomes even a bigger wedge between them. I think the moment in the yard would have sent me the message that my husband was onto something.

Taylor as Matt is probably the sane person in the middle of insanity. He truly listens to Brendan and what his theories are and why. It would have been simple to stamp 'crazy' on his brother-in-law but instead he really does believe that something indescribable is happening to his family. Peters as Dr. Fuchs at first really doesn't want to talk about it all with anyone but Brendan is the guy who isn't about to let go without answers (I like those kind of characters!).

Other cast include Ptolemy Slocum as Manning, Vernee Watson as Nadine, Elena Campbell-Martinez as Ms. Garcia, Steven Brun as Daniel and Salme Geransar as Nasim Terhani.

THE MANDELA EFFECT is a thrill film that had me scratching my head because I wasn't sure where the story was going to go and man, once it got there I was all in. I also have to admit it had me looking into what others who study this phenomenon have to say about it and it was worth the time.

There are moments where the story just freezes as if to let us absorb everything going on and then jumps into light speed again, but this time somewhere else with the same characters. I wondered throughout the film how it was going to end and pleased that in this universe, it is possible to take a step back to see the bigger picture before moving forward - again.

The special effects are very cool and without giving to much away, there is one scene that took my breath away because in truth, it is so effective in being part of the story and bringing it all together. Trust me when I say you'll know it when you see it. So let THE MANDELA EFFECT take you on a ride into what is possible to some and reality to others.

In the end - take a trip down memory lane.

ABUNDANT ACREAGE AVAILABLE Deserves Your Consideration

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Angus MacLachlan and Gravitas Ventures comes the story of siblings and history with ABUNDANT ACREAGE AVAILABLE.

Jesse (Terry Kinney) and his sister Tracy (Amy Ryan) are in mourning over the recent death of their father. Deciding to bury him in the middle of the crop field, Tracy wants her father to be in a fitting place and not a cemetery. Jesse tries to understand her reasoning’s and agrees to let it happen as long as when spring comes they take him to the cemetery.

A few days later Tracy discovers three elderly men sleeping in a tent on their farmland. Introducing themselves as Hans (Max Gail), Charles (Steve Coulter) and Tom (Francis Guinan) it becomes clear quickly that these men once lived on this very same farm. Jesse is fascinated with the men and their story but Tracy is immediately on edge.

Jesse decides without discussing it with Tracy that he wants to return the farmland to the brothers. Tracy is absolutely livid believing that he is making the decision for hurtful reasons. Trying to explain herself to Charles, they seem to have a connection of people who have spent their whole life taking care of other people.

Hans and Jesse spend a lot of time getting to know one another, especially when it is clear that both he and brother Tom aren’t in the best of health. Tom manages to shock every chance he gets with his outbursts of language that sets Tracy on edge. That’s when she speaks with Hans who wants one thing – for he and Tom to be buried with their father in the same way Tracy and Jesse buried their own father.

Still not knowing what decision Jesse will make, Tracy agrees to do what Hans asks. Finally Charles brings his family home to the farm and his decision gives Tracy hope, that is until Jesse lets her know that he has made his own decision as well.

Ryan as Tracy is absolutely fantastic and riveting to watch. She is a woman surrounded by men making decisions about her life when her whole life has been that way. The frustration and lack of respect for her feelings goes continually unnoticed or she is placated by the wants of the men around her. Overruled by her brother, her life is once again on hold. Ryan gives every ounce of that in her performance and it is painfully beautiful to watch.

Kinney as Jesse has issues of his own that are just crazy to my way of thinking. He makes decisions without consulting Tracy for reasons that are pure jaw dropping. It is almost as if he placates her to keep the peace but has no problem with continuing a course of action that is completely nuts. Kinney’s character is what I call quietly underhanded taking control of his sister instead of releasing her to live a life she has missed.

Gail as Hans watches the exchange between Jesse and Tracy but continues with his own plan of bringing the family ‘home’ as it were. In a final effort to reach Tracy, he lays in a field with his brother Tom begging to know that their wishes will come to pass by her hand. Guinan as Tom is the one character in this film that is never predictable and doesn’t have an agenda. He is remembering what he can of his childhood and throwing in a few moments of Tourette’s for good measure. This character brings out uncomfortable laughter in a situation that is already amazingly uncomfortable.

Coulter as Charles understands the frustrations that Tracy is feeling. There is almost a connection between the two and brothers Hans and Tom both see it. Wanting the best for their brother, they seem to push the two together wanting both Charles and Tracy to perhaps have a life together that both have missed.

ABUNDANT ACREAGE AVAILABLE is a slow paced story that takes every frame and makes the viewer beg to know which way it will all go. There is unpredictability and sadness in the story line that needs to be felt and boy did I feel it. Of course I sided with Tracy and not because she is the only woman in the film but because of how her family feelings were just set aside because of where she came from.

When I thought all hope for anyone understanding her was gone – the final scene is everything glorious. It is said that carrying the weight of pain and fear will break backs and Tracy has a moment of clarity releasing it all and I cheered for her…literally got up and cheered! Brava Amy Ryan, Brava!

Shot on a wide open farm with only five characters in a worn farmhouse forces us to strip back anything like cgi or effects and deal with the humanity and history of these siblings. Nothing like raw emotion!

In the end – a legacy comes home!

BRAVE NEW JERSEY Takes on War of the Worlds

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and On Demand this Friday from writer/director Jody Lambert and Gravitas Ventures is a town you will come to know as BRAVE NEW JERSEY.

It is 1938 small town New Jersey, USA and everyone is getting ready for a fun town gathering for Halloween. Lorraine Davison (Heather Burns) is helping her husband Paul (Sam Jaeger) by being the perfect homemaker. Happiness doesn’t seem to be part of the formula of their marriage but Lorraine does what she can to make family life easy.

Daughter Ann (Grace Kaufman) just wants to be free of babysitting her Polish cousin Ziggy (Harp Sandman). The fact that he doesn’t speak English gives her leeway to complain but Mom isn’t having it.

Teaching school is Peg (Anna Camp) who is being courted by Chardy Edwards (Matt Oberg) who believes she has her place and it’s by his side. Clark Hill (Tony Hale) has lived in this small town and believes it is the perfect place to be, even if he has a secret of the heart he is keeping.

Reverend Rogers (Dan Bakkedahl) is all about the town and keeping his flock coming every Sunday. His sermons are straight to the point and reach to the heart of his parishioners that include Helen (Erika Alexander) and Stan (Leonard Howze).

That was the intent until the towners turns on their radios and discover that the Martians are invading the world! Running to the church for a meeting, Sheriff Dandy (Mel Rodriguez) doesn’t seem to have any answers either. The one person who wants to immediately plan to defend their town is Captain Collins (Raymond Barry).

In the middle of the preparations, town’s people begin to reevaluate their lives and what is important while waiting for the Martians to arrive. That means being honest about how they feel and, as Captain Collins put it ‘what would you do if you had only one more day to live?’

Martians are the least of their worries!

Burns as Lorraine is the stereotypical woman of the era in that it doesn’t matter what she wants because her job is to keep her husband and family well taken care of. As the invasion comes closer and closer, Lorraine realizes there is more to her life than cooking and cleaning. Hale as Hill is such a lovely character and I rooted for him every step of the way. His inability to speak his heart is running out of time if the Martians have a say in it.

Camp as Peg is the sweet schoolteacher who manages to hide her true feelings under her cute smile. As each moment brings the town closer to what they think is their doom, Camp gives Peg a pair of lady-balls and she let’s loose going against the era grain.

Jaeger as Paul is just everything women now would absolutely cringe about yet he does it with a Don Draper (Mad Men) glittering smile. Rogers as Bakkedahl is a pastor who apparently needs said aliens to get mouthy with God! The scene in the church is actually quite funny. Alexander as Helen calls on the Pastor to explain why this is all happening plus Howze as husband Stan has completely lost it!

Barry as Collins doesn’t care if there are Martians or not, this is the chance of a lifetime to put on his uniform and command the troops. Rodriguez as the Sheriff doesn’t seem to know much about anything except following the townsfolk.

Kaufman as Ann is a young girl who doesn’t believe everything she hears. Deciding to roam the town with her cousin and watch how the adults deal with their fear. I love how she has little fear (except maybe the Captain for a second) and takes a moment to realize that perhaps what was heard on the radio might be something else.

Other cast include Adina Galupa as Shannon, Sandra Lafferty as Farm Lady, Evan Jonigkeit as Sparky, Bill Coelius as Mac, Noah Lomax as Peter, Patrick Miller as Mr. Pepper and Gabriel Landis as Jimmy.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give BRAVE NEW JERSEY four tubs of popcorn out of five. First of all I love that the film looks exactly like the era from the clothing, behaviors and the town. That’s what drew me into the story immediately plus the fact that the cast captures it all.

The comedy is mixed with an awakening for its female characters not only in what was expected of them in marriage and relationships but it didn’t take some long to grab a gun! I was laughing, then ‘awwwww’ing’ which was followed by more laughing and I don’t mind that one little bit.

I’m keeping a little mum about the story because this film is just so dang cute that going any deeper into it isn’t cool. Just see the film and enjoy every minute of it!

The storyline is pretty cool with how I would have thought people reacted to the 1938 Orson Welles’s radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. Performed Halloween night on The Mercury Theatre on the Air, Welles directed and narrated the story that supposedly caused mass panic. By the way, that event still remains high on my list of the most brilliant things ever done.

In the end – it is an alien comedy with no aliens!