They Are THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Guy Ritchie and Lionsgate comes a story about a group with special talents as THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANDLY WARFARE.

It is 1940 World War II and Winston Churchill (Rory Kinnear) is up against the ropes. Looking to Brigadier Grubbins aka M (Gary Elwes) to make something happen, he brings in Ian Fleming (Freddie Fox), Mr. Heron (Babs Olusanmokun) and Marjorie Stewart (Eiza Gonzalez) together so they can meet Gus March-Phillipps (Henry Cavill).

Gus is a man who knows how to get the job done but is constantly in trouble for it because he ignores orders. That’s what M is hoping for in a mission to destroy one important ship that could turn the tide for the U.S. to get involved and safe passage across the oceans. Gus agrees to the mission but he wants his team of misfits including Anders Lassen (Alan Ritchson), Freddy Alvarez (Henry Golding), Henry Hayes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin).

There is one member of the team Gus is requesting, Geoffrey Appleyard (Alex Pettyfer), who has been captured by the Nazi’s but the group agrees that rescue is on its way to their mission site. Meeting them there is Stewart and Heron who are setting things up. Heron makes it clear that Stewart needs to get in the good graces of Heinrich Luhr (Til Schweiger), a man who gives off evil vibes.

As the plan goes sideways, leave it to the group to make it work because they must!

Cavill as Gus is hilarious, focused and won’t do any mission without the help of the crew he trusts. He is a leader and allows his crew to help make Churchill’s plan come to fruition. I have to say, Cavill looks like he is having the time of his life being a bad guy doing bad things but for a good cause. He gives his character a calm and a bit of a twisted fashion sense that lends to a great character.

Golding as Alvarez plays off Cavill’s character with ease. Together, they are amazing with Golding’s character enjoying making mayhem with loud explosions. He is all in when it comes to making sure the plan happens, Golding gives us a different look at a role that just works for him. Tiffin as Hayes is a young man who has his reasons for being part of the crew, he believes in Gus as the leader and is ready for anything.

Gonzalez as Stewart learns who she must deal with and may be wary but it doesn’t stop her from handling herself through the mission. Olusanmokun as Mr. Heron knowns his assignment and sees it through. Elwes as M tries to be very military but underneath, he knows that choosing Gus and the gang that rules will be broken. I love his eyerolls at the introduction of Gus and I’m just thrilled to see Elwes on the screen.

Ritchson as Lassen is the strong and brutal type who makes Legolas from Lord of the Rings looks like an amateur and its hilarious. Ritchson can also be seen in the recently released ORDINARY ANGELS in a totally different role as a father with a child that is seriously ill. Pettyfer as Appleyard is witty and happy to be part of the group. His Magic Mike days have shown he has grown as an actor and in this film, he gets a chance to be part of an amazing group. Kinnear as Churchill is as unrecognizable in this role as he was in the Penny Dreadful performance. As Churchill, Kinnear follows the story of what the prime minister went through during a very difficult time for Britian during the war. Kinnear gives a wonderful performance.

Schwiger as Luhr is a very twisted character but then again it is not a difficult role since he is now the opposite of his 2099 role of Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz. That character hunted Nazi’s and now Luhr is the Nazi who is as brutal as his stone face.

Shout out to Danny Sapani as Bilil, he gets to be part of something that will rid his island of the Nazi’s. Sapani has a nice moment with Cavill’s Gus as both characters make it clear that their goal is destruction of evil.

Other cast include James Wilby as Viscount Algernon, Henrique Zaga as Captain Binea, Danny Sapani as Kambili Kalu, Matthew Hawksley as Sir Percy, Simon Paisley Day as Admiral Pound, and Mark Oosterveen as Air Marshall Dowding.

The film is based on the book from Damien Lewis The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops. The script was done by Arash Amel as Guy Ritchie signed on to direct the film.

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE is a thrill to watch from start to finish. Watching a plan come together is always a fun even if it doesn’t go exactly as everyone thought. There is something to be said for ignoring your superiors and that, in fact, is why the gang was asked to do what would be considered impossible.

The cast is amazing led by Cavill but, at the same time, he doesn’t overshadow anyone. Each character stands out in their own way based on what they were good at – like Golding’s Alvarez and explosives. That’s a talent in itself but you add Hayes driving the boat and Cavill’s twisted sense of humor – it all just works so well and its fun..

Gather up your own gang and see the impressive, thrilling and action-packed film so you can jaw drop and cheer a part of history that is now out for the world to know about.

In the end – together they are deadly but that’s what others count on!

THE GENTLEMEN Charms us all on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director Guy Ritchie and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of a different kind of shill game with THE GENTLEMEN.

Fletcher (Hugh Grant) has decided he wants to tell Ray (Charlie Hunnam) a story. It’s quite a detailed story about a man named Michael Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who learned early in life that the way to grow a bank account is by growing marijuana on several estates in London. Married to the lovely Rosalind (Michelle Dockery), the couple become part of the elite in the social circles.

Deciding it might be time to leave the game, Pearson meets with Matthew (Jeremy Strong) who is interested in purchasing the business for a large sum of money. Things are going well until a group of kids raid one of the farms. Pearson sends Ray to investigate who is responsible which leads him to the Coach (Colin Farrell) and a group of his boxing boys.

Coach helps Ray find Dry Eye (Henry Golding) who is linked with Lord George (Tom Wu) believing there is a connection. In the meantime, Pearson is trying to finish the deal with Matthew, but Matthew has decided that with the recent hit that the business may not be worth it.

While wife Rosalind is trying to keep her own business together, she lets her husband know that no one is going to get in their way. Yet Fletcher is a distraction who has a story he wants to either sell to Hollywood for big bucks or get a payday from Pearson, he doesn’t mind either way.

Are you confused? Well, let’s just say that nothing is as it seems, and everything is as it seems and run with that!

McConaughey as Pearson is charming, well spoken and doesn’t lose his cool in the midst of reasons to lose his cool. He comes to the edge of it a few times but still manages to remain – gentlemanly. I love when McConaughey gets a chance to be this cool because he does so with such ease that it made me laugh on a few occasions.

Hunnam as Ray is equally a cool customer and Pearson’s right-hand man. Trusted and informed about the business, he is willing to hear what Fletcher has to say about what he thinks he knows. Their conversation is filled with colorful language, yet it is in those conversations that everything becomes clear. It’s good to see Hunnam back on the screen and this role is so suited for him.

Grant as Fletcher is a sleazy journalist that is looking for a big pay day. He doesn’t care who pays him as long as someone pays him. Telling Ray the story, Fletcher feels that this situation has the biggest chance of a payout – plus a wagyu steak. It is clear that Grant had a good time playing this role but then again, I would have too. It’s a great character!

Dockery as Rosalind is charming, endearing, beautiful and if that isn’t enough – very, very smart. She stands behind her husband not because she’s a woman but because she’s a businesswoman in all aspects. It must be said that Dockery gave chic a whole new and stunning look. Strong as Matthew jumps into the business proposition given to him by Pearson. Seeing what it could do for his own business, he does his homework.

Golding as Dry Eye is a gangster who wants to rid himself of anyone who doesn’t see things his way. Not afraid to take everybody on, Golding gets the chance to shed his romantic/thriller roles and embrace his badass side from start to finish.

 Farrell as Coach just wins me in this film. He is engaging, a respectful gentleman and with that said, just as gangster as any of the others wearing a fine suit! I just loved every minute he was on the screen because, like Pearson and maybe even more so, he kept his cool at all times. A killer combination and winning role for Farrell.

Other cast include Lyne Renee as Jackie, Chidi Ajufo as Bunny, Simon Barker as Frazier, Jason Wong as Phuc, John Dagleish as Hammy, Lily Frazer as Lisa, Gershwyn Eustache Jr. as Roger, Samuel West as Lord Pressfield, Geraldine Somerville as Lady Pressfield, Eliot Sumner as Laura, Franz Drameh as Benny, James Warren as Jim, Sean Sagar as Mal, Bugzy Malone as Ernie, Tom Harries as Power, Danny Griffin as Aslan, Ashley McGuire as Maureen, George Asprey as Lord Snowball and Eddie Marsan as Big Dave.

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.

The Bluray includes the Bonus Features of Behind the Scenes of THE GENTLEMEN: Get up close with the talented cast of THE GENTLEMEN as they give an inside look at the making of the film and share their experiences working with legendary directory Guy Ritchie, Best Gentlemanly Quips: A selection of some of the funniest lines from THE GENTLEMEN that spotlights the witty writing behind the film, Glossary of Cannabis: Viewers are given a fun educational montage highlighting the numerous nicknames of Marijuana shown throughout the film, Photo Gallery.

THE GENTLEMEN is nothing short of brilliant and so much fun to watch. You almost need a score card to keep up which makes this film all the more fun. Yes, it is filled with action which comes in always at just the right moment but also so very much more.

I found myself jaw dropping, laughing, yelling “I knew it!”, clapping, laughing some more. The cast is responsible for so much of this. They each brought their best to the table and I couldn’t help but thing they had a good time making this film.

Keeping the film’s story line in generalities is important because I want each person to unravel it all on their own. We are all in a stressful time right now, but THE GENTLEMEN is such a marvelous distraction from all of that. That’s what a good film does, distract us with such a good yarn that all else gets pushed aside, even if for only a little while.

This is definitely a film for the adults as the colorful language gets sassy and salty at times, oh who am I kidding, it’s in the film from start to finish. So be aware and wait for the kiddies to go to bed if they happen to be around.

THE GENTLEMEN is a story of what money can do to those who have it and those who want it.

In the end – criminals with class!

A SIMPLE FAVOR Challenges Friendship

Jeri Jacquin

This Friday in theatres from director Paul Feig and Lionsgate comes a film based on the Darcey Bell novel asking for A SIMPLE FAVOR.

Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) is a single Mom who passes her days raising a young son Miles (Joshua Satine), being the crafty-type and a vlogger. While at a school celebration, Stephanie meets Miles friend Nicky (Ian Ho) and they both want a play date. Of course it’s all up to Nicky’s Mom Emily (Blake Lively).

Stephanie introduces herself to Emily and is a bit nervous realizing she is an outgoing and verbally free woman. Agreeing to a play date, Emily introduces Stephanie to a martini and the two become acquainted. Spending time together occasionally becomes something Stephanie looks forward to.

She also meets Emily’s husband Sean (Henry Golding) who is a writer and teaches at the local college. Seeing that the couple is really into each other, Stephanie comes to like them both very much. One day Emily calls and asks Stephanie to please watch son Nicky as Sean had to go take care of his injured mother and she is stuck with a business crisis.

That’s when a mystery begins as days go by and Emily is no where to be found. Sean returns home and joins in the search to find his wife. Stephanie uses her vlog to keep visitors up to date on the search. After the worst news possible happens, Stephanie and Sean find themselves trying to deal with it all.

As the police have their questions, Stephanie also has hers. It starts out with simple things that she notices but each day it becomes clear that something is not only wrong but that nothing is what it has seemed about Emily.

Vlogger and DIY Mom goes into super sleuth mode to discover who Emily truly is, what does Sean know and will she have enough time to make her famous meatless meatballs for the next school function?

Stay tuned!

Kendrick as Stephanie pours it on as a woman with her own secrets who wraps them up in neat little cookie bundles. Volunteering and organizing everything around her, it doesn’t take long before Emily’s influence starts to her loosen up. Taking kindness for weakness, Kendrick gives Stephanie the kind of empowerment that can move mountains. I loved Kendrick in this role with her quirkiness mixed with a nervousness that sets of the hidden firecracker that her character is.

Lively as Emily is gorgeous, smart, wears it well and can spin a yarn with a straight face like no other. I loved every minute she was on screen just making every move look so damn easy. Even when her character was lying I didn’t know if she was lying even when I was 98% sure she was lying. The ride her character provides is fast, fun, crazy and filled with twists and surprises. Emily has a magazine rack full of issues and she’s not about to lay them out for the world to use against her. The match between Emily and Stephanie is definitely perfection.

Golding as husband Sean is a writer/teacher who fell hard for the lovely Emily. From the beginning of their relationship he knew there was something different but learned not to ask questions. Golding gives the role a bit of charm and innocent sexy all the way to the very end. He can also be seen in the hit film CRAZY RICH ASIANS and trust when I say he is an actor to keep watching for.

Other cast include Dustin Milligan as Chris, Danielle Bourgon as Grace, Gia Sandhu as Valerie, Glenda Braganza as Mrs. Glenda, Kelly McCormack as Stacy, Andrew Rannells as Darren, Andrew Moodie as Sgt. Molloy, Rupert Friend as Dennis Nylon and Jean Smart as Mrs. McLanden.

A SIMPLE FAVOR is a mixture of fun, twists, jaw drops, hints, laughs, mystery, deception, friendship, love, illusion and so much more. The film moves along at a good pace and then the script is flipped half way through and the brake stick on the roller coaster is broken off!

Lively and Kendrick are magic together on the screen and I loved every minute of it. This is a film that is loaded from beginning to end and brought people at the screening together to talk about it after. Conversations spoke about the performances being some of the best seen in a while and how the story kept them off guard through out most of the film.

For me there were a few things that I figured out but it didn’t stop me at all from enjoying the film. In fact, even though I may have figured this and that out, I didn’t expect the constant twists and turns! That is all due to Kendrick, Lively and Golding who kept me engrossed in their characters.

In the end – it all started with a simple favor!