GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to streaming exclusively on HULU from director Sophie Hyde and Searchlight Pictures is a stellar piece of storytelling with GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE.

Nancy Stokes (Emma Thompson) is a retired schoolteacher and widow who is about to grade herself outside the classroom. In a hotel room she anxious awaits a knock at the door. On the other side is the very young and handsome Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) who enters the hotel room with a smile.

As their conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that Leo is a sex worker and Nancy is his newest client. Sitting down to get comfortable, Nancy begins rattling off her sexual ‘to-do’ list of things she has always wanted to do. Her nervousness is skyrocketing as she tries to talk herself into things as well as talking herself out of them.

Leo is very patient and shares his wit and humor with her trying to get Nancy to just relax. The only thing that seems to work is to just let the words flow. She talks about herself, where she has been, married life, children and her life since. Making it clear this would be their only meeting, Nancy does not keep her word.

They meet again and their conversations become even more intense as Nancy has questions and Leo is good at working around the answers. Each meeting becomes more intense as the reality and fantasy lines begin to blur and a line is crossed.

Nancy discovers who she truly is, and Leo discovers forgiveness and maybe even understanding like he has never known before.

Thompson as Nancy may have just found a character that is more real and relatable than anything I have ever seen on film. As Nancy, the viewer is given the thoughts, impressions, insecurities, humor, truths and realities of what is under the clothing of this older woman. Her story made me laugh, tear up, laugh some more, nod in agreement and wonder if writer Katy Brand has been secretly living in my head all these years. Watching Thompson’s ‘Nancy’ unravel is a marvel and I plan to watch this film again.

McCormack as Leo is clear on what he does for a living and does not offer any apologies to anyone. What he does do from the beginning is gently challenge everything Nancy has known with humor and patience. McCormack gives his character an ease that, at first, made me a tad uncomfortable but the more Leo spoke, the more I went along for the, well, ride! McCormack is just pure delight from start to finish and I cannot imagine anyone else playing opposite Thompson for this story.

Searchlight Pictures is responsible for such films as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE SHAPE OF WATER and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI. They have an extensive film library as well as documentaries, scripted series, and limited series. For more information, please visit www.searchlightpictures.com.

Hulu is the leading premium streaming service offering live and on-demand television and movies. The platform gives viewers instant access to current shows, libraries of hit television series and film as well as Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning originals such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Act. For more of what Hulu has to offer please visit www.hulu.com.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE will now be forever on my list of films that should be seen again and again. It should also be talked about, and the word spread to ‘women of a certain age’. Thompson grasps that part of the story and gives us every range of human emotion about issues that seem to still not be addressed.

Her body insecurities top the list and by the end of the film if you are not cheering for Nancy and Thompson then you do not understand the character at all. Watching Nancy unwrap her life in front of a total stranger, she brings out the life that has gone past and the need to experience it all. I am not only speaking of the sex, but of the connection, not necessarily that of Leo but Nancy connecting to herself.

In the midst of Nancy’s journey, Leo is also dealing with issues that he has managed to hide from his own family. McCormack exudes charm and wit, but he also let’s slip occasionally Leo’s own insecurities. Watching these two strangers bring out the craziness in each other is just a firework display of brilliance.

Being the only two characters for 99.9% of the film is an undertaking for any film but Thompson and McCormack make it look effortless. Shot in a hotel room that looks like every other hotel room allows the viewer to never be distracted by literally anything. Instead, the focus remains on Nancy, Leo and why they are in the hotel room.

Of course, from the get-go, the main reason they are meeting is clear, but this story is about so much more. Thank you Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack for the love, laughter, tears and realties because we all have a story to tell.

Director Hyde has stepped into territory that does not get enough light and that is a woman of a certain age believing that there is nothing left when the wife and mother duties are done as well as our bodies hiding in shame instead of exploring love. The expectation that a woman’s worth diminishes with age gets a swift kick in the grade book once Nancy takes ahold of her life. The final scene is something to be cherished forever.

Just a beautiful, beautiful film.

In the end – it is about waking up every part of our being!

A TEACHER on FX and HULU

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on FX and HULU from writer/director Hannah Fidell is a limited series story of an educator and the line she crosses being A TEACHER.

Claire Wilson (Kate Mara) married to Matt (Ashley Zukerman) is starting a job at Westerbrook in Austin, Texas as an English teacher and meets new friend Kathryn (Marielle Scott). She seems happy to be starting something new and exciting as well as trying to start a family with Matt. Eric Walker (Nick Robinson) is a popular kid hanging out with friends Logan (Shane Harper) and Josh (Dylan Schmid) when they see Claire. Eric hangs back and they talk about what he wants from school.

Eric heads over to Logans and sees ex-girlfriend Alison (Camila Perez) but they do not have much of a chance to reconnect because the police are busting up the party. Giving a statement to Officer Nate (Adam Thompson), Eric confides that that he cannot call his Mom and asks that he call Claire to set things right. To help him refocus on school, Eric and Claire visit her alma mater and Logan’s older brother Cody entices them to party.

Dealing with the pressure of good grades and getting into college, Eric also helps single Mom Sandra (Rya Kihlstedt) with two young brothers. Needed at home, there comes a moment where he makes a decision about his family that puts his priorities in question.

Enjoying each other’s company as student and teacher, Eric crosses the line and now Claire is conflicted about what to do. Focusing on her marriage, there is tension between the couple when they learn that to have a family, they would need to explore the option of an invitro pregnancy. Adding to the tension is Claire seeing Eric at the dance and confronting him about missing their tutoring meeting.

Now, the line is about to be crossed and both of them turn to lying, deception and it will tear their worlds apart.

Mara as Claire is a woman who believes that starting over at a new school is also a new beginning for she and husband Matt. Seeing the lines becoming blurred with her student, she tries to pull back but can not seem to control herself which means she cannot control anything around her. Pulling in every direction to justify her actions, Mara gives her character moments of likeability then the reality of what is happening screams out.

Robinson as Eric is a young man who thinks he knows what he wants. Trusting in the relationship, he does not see further down the road to the ramifications or the damage that is being done. Robinson gives us a wild young man who wants what he wants as young men his age think, its what comes later that he could have never imagined.

Scott as friend Kathryn is also a teacher at Westbrook and unwittingly becomes the person that Claire needs in her life. The problem with that is friendship should be a two-way street and not filled with deception.

Hulu is the leading premium streaming service offering live and on-demand television and movies. The platform gives viewers instant access to current shows, libraries of hit television series and film as well as Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning originals such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Act. For more of what Hulu has to offer please visit www.hulu.com.

A TEACHER is a story of betrayal most of all as Claire is in a position to know right from wrong and chooses a course of destructive action. Eric is a young man who trusts Claire and decides that his feelings are more important than the fact she happens to be married and his teacher.

Claire is absolutely responsible for her behavior and the broken trust but let’s not give Eric a free pass in this all. Clearly, he is old enough to know what is wrong as shown by his response after kissing Claire and once the line is crossed – everything becomes blurred.

Once the word is out, that is when the destructive path becomes blurred again. Even the face-to-face meeting between them is agonizing and gruesome to watch. As with most affairs, the consequences are far reaching past Claire and Eric and seeing the pain it causes families, friendships and the education system.

There has never been a story about a teacher and student affair that has not caused a stir and the biggest story of 1997 was teacher Mary Kay Letourneau. Having an affair and a child with her student, it opened the door to other stories of teachers breaking the trust of students and their families.

FX takes a bold risk to make the story just as writer Hannah Fidell is equally bold in directing this cast. HULU brings each episode to streaming which is a wild ride for binge watchers looking for drama, tragedy and tension.

In the end – this is what happens when a line of trust is crossed!

Hulu Brings the Ruthlessness in SALEM

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently playing on HULU from creators Brannon Braga and Adam Simon is the haunting series that has three exciting seasons when telling the story of terror in SALEM.

It is the 17^th Century, and the puritanical town of Salem is experiencing the punishment for going against the church. Leading the way to seek out more punishment is George Sibley (Michael Mulheren) who seems to enjoy his leadership role. Not afraid of what is happening is John Alden (Shane West) and makes his feelings plain stopped only by his friend Giles Corey (Kevin Tighe). Going off to war he says a final goodbye to his love Mary (Janet Montgomery) and does not know that she is left behind to face motherhood.

Helping her is Tituba (Ashley Madekwe) and into the woods they go to do what is clearly against the church. Upon hearing the news of Johns death, Mary once again must make a decision that will change her life believing John has died. Imagine the surprise when years later John returns alive, and war torn. Drowning his sorrows, John finds himself helping Reverend Lewis (Thomas Murphy) with a little problem of the young Mercy Lewis (Elise Eberle) possession, but he does not believe in it.

Magistrate John Hale (Xander Berkeley) is trying to learn how Reverend Lewis plans to weed out the witches he claims are still among the people of Salem. Isaac (Iddo Goldberg) who was branded before the war, seeks out John and tells him that the witches are real. They need to look no further than Mary herself when she is responsible for the condition her husband George is in as an act of vengeance.

Hale’s daughter Anne (Tamzin Merchant) is fascinated by Captain John Alden and his experiences with the Indians. At a dinner hosted by Mary, she and John have a chance to be alone and talk about what has happened the past few years. Sad by it all, it is Tituba that reminds Mary of what she has gained and what she has to lose and, more importantly, what is to come during the night.

Reverend Lewis is working with a young girl tries to tell him who are the witches in Salem. Since she can not speak, Lewis chains her and takes her out among the townsfolk to point a finger at all those responsible with disastrous results. As John intends to leave Salem, Isaac shows him a hideousness in the night at the same time tat Tituba performs the Grand Rite with Mary. Now more lives are in danger!

When John learns that Giles is being punished by Lewis, he becomes enraged but what he does not know is that Mary has plans for Salem. Plotting to use a sad birth as a way to declare a religious war against the midwife and townspeople as everything that is deep and disturbing could very well be the end of the faithful of Salem.

Montgomery as Mary is a woman who had been living with a broken heart until the return of John Alden. One night in the woods turns a sweet young woman into something that will bring terror and mayhem to the town of Salem. Montgomery gives her character strength and the will to do what Tituba thinks necessary to keep her power but there is also the part of her character that remembers a love that haunts her. This is a powerful series and Montgomery does her character justice.

West as Alden is a man in love but going off to war. When he returns there is nothing left of the Salem he remembers, instead there is chaos, fear and a woman who no longer resembles the young girl he left behind. West gives his character a no-nonsense attitude and a disbelief that is about to be changed in a major way. Admitting there is something happening, West’s character also knows when to call out wrong.

Berkeley as Hale follows Mary’s instructions, but it is clear he does not share in the way she wants things done. Trying to find a middle ground, he many of his family members suffer a fiery fate and is trying to keep the family he has left from. Berkeley always turns in a stellar performance. Goldberg as Isaac is the town man marked with the F and everyone stays away, everyone except Alden. Turning to him for help will not keep him safe but he is a strong character who is going to give the town a run for its coin.

Murphy as Reverend Lewis gives us the duality of character that does not mind screaming from the pulpit and pointing at sinners when he partakes of the thing he preaches against. Murphy gives his character complexity and lots of confusion as to what he truly believes. Mulheren as Sibley started something that has turn against him. Not a liked man in the beginning, what goes around comes around and it is harsh.

Merchant as Anne is a young strong-minded red-headed woman who does not know her father has a bigger role in what is happening than she could ever imagine. Questioning everything puts her at odds with Mary and puts her life in jeopardy. Madekwe as Tituba knows how to deal with the forces of darkness and leads Mary through it all. She is smart and does not take kindly to being questioned, and actually I would not think it a good idea at all!

Other cast include Azure Parsons as Gloriana Embry, Stephen Lang as Increase Mather, Morgana Shaw as Mab, Christopher Berry as The Seer and Diane Salinger as Rose Browning.

Hulu is the leading premium streaming service offering live and on-demand television and movies. The platform gives viewers instant access to current shows, libraries of hit television series and film as well as Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning originals such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Act. For more of what Hulu has to offer please visit www.hulu.com.

SALEM is an absolute binge-watching series. The story deals with an era of fear and finger pointing of witchcraft with results that became legendary. Each of the characters has a role that is equally important in the telling of the story created by Braga and Simon. The world they have created is harsh and a struggle to survive and when you add the story of witchcraft well, terror abounds.

There are very few characters that can be taken at face value and very few characters that are not in service of the darkness in one way or another. The shadows are around every corner and never have a drink with anyone else find out you have been given something that could put you on the pyre.

The set design and costuming is perfection as again I am drawn to watching anything that has such an amazing unspoken character that blends in beautifully without saying a word. Instead, it shows itself to be an unstoppable visual treat from start to finish.

So, if you are looking for an very cool three season binge-worthy series, might I suggest you become a fly on the wall to view what is happening in SALEM.

In the end – everything in Salem has gone to hell!

 

FX's and FX on Hulu Brings ARCHER Who Still Steals My Heart Year After Year

Aisha Tyler - Lana

Chris Parnell - Figgis

Judy Greer - Cheryl

Amber Nash - Pam

Lucky Yates - Krieger

Casey Willis, executive producer

Casey: We are really excited to connect with you virtually with fun stories, witty banter and some fun hints and tidbits about season 11. I want to thank everyone for being here. It’s a little bittersweet because we talk about how the only time we see each other is at these conventions so I'm sending you a virtual hug and kiss. I will miss the cosplay from the Archer fans. One year at Dragon-Con it was an outlaw country Cheryl.  Another great cosplay was also at Dragon-Con and the first year we went as a group and comic book artist Adam Hughes was dressed as Pam. We recorded the last two episodes of ARCHER while under quarantine, did that make it difficult and what did you think about that.

Chris: They had these safety protocols and we didn't touch each other because I usually touch a lot of people in the studio.

Aisha: I come in after Chris and everyone was traumatized.

Chris: I have a lot of love to give.

Judy: I tried to figure out how to record form home and it was the pain for a bum and then I found out you guys went to the studio and I said 'can I go to the studio?'

Amber: I thought it looked the same to me.

Judy: We walk in on our own anyway. I feel like it was definitely clean and spaced but it wasn't any different. I go in the front door and straight to the studio.

Aisha: Don't look at anyone in the eyes, yell 'let’s get this done' and run off on your unicorn.

Judy: There is one good thing is that there is a liquor store right next door and they always had toilet paper. Last night I was introduced to dry vermouth on the rocks, now that's a drink.

Aisha: There is red vermouth and white vermouth and dry vermouth and the white vermouth on the rocks is the most delicious thing.

Judy: I've only had white vermouth because every Tuesday is my Zoom knitting group and we do a different signature drink and last night was that. You guys can talk now if you want.

Aisha: Did anybody else find the supermarkets didn't have anything but the liquor stores had everything. I mean mine had anti-bacterial dial, fresh limes, N95 mask, it was insane.

Judy: I learned early on that her Bodega market and I couldn't find garlic and sure enough they had one of those garlic socks.

Aisha: Support local businesses.

Amber: My parents are preppers, so he had masks, Clorox, paper towels and wipes and made my bug out bag and had all the toilet paper I needed.

Chris: I refuse to give my local store my business because I use Amazon.

Casey: Judy mentioned her knitting which you've been doing for quite a while. Has anyone else got interesting quarantine hobbies.

Aisha: Does drinking count as a hobby.

Judy: I am into craft cocktails. I don't consider a light beer alcohol anymore.

Aisha: That's like water.

Judy: Happy hour is getting earlier.

Aisha: I cannot have a meeting before 11 a.m. in the morning because I'm sleeping in my bed so now, I'm available between 1 and 4. Can we meet? Nah, I'm booked till 1.

Casey: Normally when doing a Comic Con panel, we talk about the season that's already happened. This time, lucky viewer, we've recorded everything and here in Atlanta and we are working on the last couple of episodes. What guy are you guys excited about in the real world and not a coma season?

Amber: The scripts were so funny. I loved being in space and on the island and thought it was super fun but something excited about being back in the real world and super fun to see what everyone has been up to.

Chris: It has been a challenge keeping my son occupied and just started an art class on Zoom. He's enjoying that and then we do a neighborhood karate class and they are going to do a neighborhood hip hop class. People are outside and socially distance.

Lucky: I'm coming to your neighborhood.

Aisha: Does not showering count as a hobby. I've perfected it.

Amber: Telling your partner 'hey, maybe today is a good day to take a shower!'

Judy: Can I draw you a bath?

Aisha: Lead by example.

Lucky: What was your question?

Casey: It’s about a little show we do call ARCHER. So, Season 11?

Aisha: We can't say anything, we can't give anything away.

Casey: This happens to all of us coming into work. There was three of us in a giant conference room and the first half hour we were so happy to see other people that were talking and b.s.'ing. Maybe we can do hints and spoilers, there are going to be cool guest stars. One that I can reveal, we are very excited, Simon Pegg is going to be in the season.

Aisha: That means I can't wait to run up to him on the street and say 'hey Simon you were on my show!' and he can say 'stop touching me I don’t' know who you are!'.

Casey: The other person I want to talk about as a reoccurring guests star came to us via Judy Greer - its' Jamie Lee Curtis. I don't want to say anything about her character.

Judy: Earlier Aisha was talking about the many, many feature films I am in and one of them came out two years ago from the Halloween franchise starring Jamie Lee Curtis and I was offered the role as her daughter. When we first showed up for rehearsals in Charleston, I introduced myself to her and she went right into ARCHER. I think it was maybe how I got the job because she was an executive producer on the movie. So, she and her son really bond over ARCHER and it’s his favorite show and she loves it. I said 'Jaimie, 100% I could get you on the show' and she's like 'oh really' and I said yes.

Aisha: I'm always surprised when reputable people like our show.

Judy: I still feel surprised to know people watch our show.

Aisha: We are a little group of weirdos.

Lucky: Speaking of weirdos, where is Jon Benjamin.

Casey: He is out in the wilderness watching birds.

Aisha: Is he camping or doing some survivalist thing?

Judy: I don't get that from him.

Amber: I doubt it.

Lucky: Is he at a drum circle.

Amber: He's doing Naked & Afraid.

Casey: I have a couple of fan questions as well. Having lived with these characters more than a decade have you had an episode play out in your dreams.

Chris: I never remember my dreams.

Judy: Me either, because of passing out.

Aisha: Have you ever dreamt about a character you've played.

Chris: When I was in collage we were doing a story theatre, fairy tales and  we were travelling around the state in empty theatres and college gymnasiums and one of my characters is a crow and I go 'kaaaa kaaa kaaa' and my roommate said I was doing it in my sleep. I was in character as a crow.

Aisha: You are a method actor.

Lucky: Maybe Chris is our three-eyed raven!

Judy: I don't know what that is.

Casey: When things get stressful at work I always dream about when I worked at a chain restaurant 20 some odd years ago but never about ARCHER.

Aisha: This isn't a stressful show.

Amber: Casey is always stressed out.

Judy: This is the easiest thing to ever make.

Casey: Wonderful animators and artists know this is not easy.

Aisha: To echo what Casey said the animators on the show are the best animators on television doing the most beautiful and complex show and they work very hard. We clowns come in and our sweat pants so thank you very much.

Judy: How old is the Archer baby now?

Casey: I think one is nine or ten years old.

Judy: Is that the one who was the model baby for Seamus.

Casey: I don't recall but let’s say… yes. If the Archer cast could star in a James Bond film what would it be?

Aisha: Octopussy

Lucky: Stink Finger or The Man With the Golden Rod.

Aisha: A Liter of Vodka isn't Enough.

Chris: A Good Day to Sploosh.

Casey: Which Archer catch phrase are you tired of having repeated back to you?

Aisha: It’s got to be Lana…I love you and appreciate you and I'll give you a halfhearted "what", it gets weathered.

And it’s the shrieking! People are delighted by it and I try to put my 'what' back into it.

Casey: People ask me how I come up with catch phrases and I say they are pretty organic. Anything that works super well in the booth, Adam would say it’s got to come back. They are all things that organically happen.

Amber: That still happens now and there are times we have a reaction and we try it and it will come back.

Lucky: It's like 'smoke bomb' wasn't in the script but we bounced a few things around and 'smoke bomb' is the thing we all liked.

Judy: We also had ISIS first.

Aisha: Terrorists ruin everything!

Casey: the Shazam Isis Hour and we had t.v. Michael Grey who was Shazam in the television show. I think we have to wrap it up.

Aisha: I have a question for everyone. Do you notice when you are on Zoom you don't know how many times you touch your face, but you star into the abyss if your own eyes. I've been touching my face a lot.

Judy: Now I want to touch my face.

Aisha: Wash your hands and don't touch your face.

Casey: And if you do, we can all be back together again. Before we go, we have some big exciting news and you are hearing it first here. ARCHER's 11th season will air Wednesday, September 16th at 10 p.m. on FXX and on FX Hulu. From our families to yours, we wish you the best and sincerely appreciate the continued support and until next time San Diego Comic Con family.

HULU Brings the Horror Series HELSTROM

Paul Zbyszewski, showruner and executive producer

Tom Austen - Daimon

Sydney Lemmon - Ana

Elizabeth Marvel - Victoria

Robert Wisdom - Caretaker

Ariana Guerra - Gabriella

June Carryl - Dr. Hastings

Alain Uy - Chris

Moderator Laura Prudom

This is a sneak peek into Hulu's terror filled comic to come life with Hulu's Original horror of HELSTROM.

Paul: Given the events that are happening in the real world today I would think we would be a little remiss in talking about them since our show is about good and evil and right and wrong and the trauma of our past. We are supposed to be doing a show about horror but it’s not real horror. I am a writer whose job it is to have empathy and a human being who has a conscious and adding my voice to all the other voices out there that are deeply saddened by the state of our country out there.

Where there any moments that creeped you out?

Sydney: There was one location, the hospital, that creeped me out. Spooky signs and words on the dusty floor.

Elizbeth: It is totally, straight up haunted. Just the energy, the moment you cross the threshold, you feel it. Then when I do crazy voice.

Ariana: Every time I had to work with Beth, I was so scared.

Elizabeth: Two security guys had to come into the cast test because they thought I was a bear. It was my vocal horror.

Adapting this Marvel character?

Paul: It started a few years back bringing a darker tone to the Marvel universe on t.v. and looking at the horror side. Helstrom was one of them that I enjoyed, and I gravitated to. This story of this brother, sister and mother - based on the book Son of Satan - and we've grounded it more on the real world. Originally, there is this one specific panel and a panel is Daimon Helstrom in a full-on red cape and pentagram on his chest and he's in his mother's library. She has just passed and he's reading her diary and tears are streaming down his face. I saw that and said that's all I need to know in that panel. Even though there is fire, it was rooted in emotions. I gravitated toward that and that's what pulled me into it.

It’s not just one person’s story.

Paul: It's a family story, not just Daimon and Ana and their Mom. It’s about an extended family. It’s about the family we are born with and the family we create. It’s the stuff we are born with genetically that we carry with us because we have to. It's about our environment, it’s about how we were raised and who raised us and the values we are imprinted with as we grow older. That gives us the ability to know right from wrong, there are decisions and consequences. There are decisions made for you and the decisions you make. So, this extended family we have built here, this cast here is a reflection of that. It's about all these characters being part of the family dealing with their own personal demons and relate to one another.

Tom: I think it is interesting touching on what Paul was saying before about the relationship between Daimon and Ana. They care the closest family members on the show, yet they are far apart with new families in their new lives. We get to see how they operate in their own worlds. When they do come back together, we get to see how they try and kind of meet each other again as adults and victims of childhood trauma that they dealt with in different ways. When Syd and I were working together to try and navigate it all, it’s a really interesting messed up really dangerous and vulnerable dynamic for both of them.

Sydney: I'm not quite sure what you were talking about. To piggyback off that, it’s true. I think Ana and Daimon as with every character in our story, they are plagued by their history. Ana is someone who is characterized by what she has overcome and responded to the trauma and the crap that has come flying at her. Ana and Daimon are different and they respond different to these things but similar in that at the end of the day they want the same thing - safety and love. They go about it in different ways.

Tom: They can do things other people can't do.

What were your favorite powers?

Sydney: How much can I say Paul?

Paul: Let’s just say they have different abilities and if you do your homework in the comics you get a sense of what they can do. They can manipulate energy in different ways in a blandly Marvel teaser way.

Victoria is a tortured soul, how you found that voice?

Elizabeth: Well, the voice was basically me being in a hotel room watching the news and in a hotel room screaming in a pillow about the state of the world. And you have that voice! It's not from ten packs of cigarettes, I don't smoke. The physicality, I lifted so much from Anthony Hopkins. We deal with archetypes in this show, a Jungian psycho geography so navigating that is fascinating through the template of the family. What helped me a lot was looking through the lens of addiction, it’s a story of a mother who loves her children. It separates her form her love and overtakes her and drives this other thing in her and so her children never know who they are dealing with. Are they dealing with a loving mother or a monster? That's the story of children with parents who are alcoholics and drug addicts. There is also stuff that is incredibly playful, funny and wild. It's almost Shakespearean.

As Caretaker, your role is cryptic.

Robert: We start our story and there is a new element in my life that is just as grounded, and I get them name Caretaker tending her soul which I witness being shattered. So, there is no reason why this child should walk through the world with any sense of confidence in herself yet she does. She is a beautiful, radiant, smart, glamorous and powerful young women. The two women I am describing make a very powerful triangle that helps me go deeper and allows me to help them in very powerful ways.

Did you read up on him?

Robert: I literally got off the part and four days later I was flying from Budapest to Vancouver, so I didn't get to do much preparation especially in the Marvel library. Paul gave me a crash course and a crash course and another crash course and then dropped me in the middle of a maze of a story and the character and I, along with everyone else, find our way out of it.

Paul: We reinvented quite a bite Caretaker from the comics. I'm not sure how much good it would have done you to look at an image of a big ole guy wearing a floppy hat whacking people over the head with a shovel.

Robert: Although I wanted to do that in the first episode.

Paul: There are Easter eggs in the show, and we did give Bob a shovel in the first episode.

Curious about Daimon and Gabriella in the show.

Arianna: Gabriella and Daimon have a very complicated relationship. I come with a more religious and logical viewpoint and Daimon being a superhero with powers and more insight sees things different. In the beginning its hard to see that we are on the same time, as the episodes go on Gabriella begins to have a lot more empathy for Daimon. You realize he is someone that has been hurt.

The bond between Daimon and Dr. Hastings.

June: I essentially inherit this person, being where I am at am not quite prepared and I do it anyway. I kind of keep getting shocked but then I also keep searching for the center of this person. I come to care for that center, and it sort of flip flops between combative and tough love. I think that it actually helps my character figure out who she is. I don't think she actually knows.

Paul: One of the things we tried to infuse in each character is that they have their own moral compass. They have their own guiding principle of what is right for them and wrong for them. It's based on their experiences and how they were raised and what to think. Their religious and cultural backgrounds have these experiences. When you have different levels of morality, who's line are we crossing here. It just makes for great scenes between great actors and a lot of fun to play with instead of superhero's just punching each other. If there is no morality at stake, then why are we telling the story.

Your character ends up doing someone's dirty work.

Alain: I'm not going to be cryptic, just kidding. I think everyone kind of touched on it, the show itself tackles the repercussions of original sin. Where you find ways to connect with people and in this sense with Anna and Chris there is a shared path and a shared healing from foster care. That's where they originally met. I talked to my sister who is very involved in this field and I asked, 'what happens when you find yourself in that situation' and she said trust is a big issue. You have to trust people and it’s important for people who have trauma to connect. Chris and Ana found themselves in a situation where they shared trauma. When they grow up, they learn how to survive. I ask my sister 'what is the success rate of coming out of foster care' and she said I had to define what success is. When I said, 'how about somebody who has a successful business' and she said that's a unicorn. Chris and Ana have a symbiotic relationship between the two and Ana trusts that. I think that is the sum of the two parts between Ana and Chris.

Which of you would be most likely to go demon hunting in real life?

Chris: June!

June: No!

Paul: I'm hunting different kind of demons every day.

What is coming up this season, a tease?

Paul: For the fans of the comic books, the show is laced with Easter eggs on set, in props so keep your eyes out for that.

June: The acting, this show is ridiculous.

Paul: I second that. The cast is amazing and the stuff we've asked them to do is nuts.

Tom: I'm excited for people to see the second half of the season. We read each episode before we did it, by five or six you think you understand who these people are and then you find out you haven't got a clue. Everything flips on its head and I'm really excited to see how people respond to that.

Chris: I'm going to ruin it all and tell you what happens….{beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep} and then he comes back and [beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep] and I have one job and I couldn't do it.

On Bluray Comes the Amazingly Successful Series THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray from creator Bruce Miller based on the 1985 novel by author Margaret Atwood and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the stunning THE HANDMAID'S TALE.

The Unite States is coming out of a civil war and a new government called the Gilead is ruling with an iron fist in a twisted mixture of totalitarianism and Bible verses of their own choosing. The first to be put under subjugation are women who are lower than second class citizens. Actually, the only thing lower would be Handmaids, women who still have the ability to bear children in a world of infertility.

June (Elisabeth Moss) is one such woman. After she, husband Luke (OT Fagbenle) and daughter Hannah try to escape the clutches of the Gilead, she is now under the thumb of Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) who takes her job of instructing the Handmaid's extremely seriously. Hannah is taken away and she has no idea where to find her or how. Once a woman named June, the red robes and white hat have transformed her into Offred and assigned to bear a child for Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) and wife Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski).

While acclimating to this new life, Offred remembers how it all began when her life was normal and she spent time with friend Moira (Samira Wiley). She recalls everything in her old life with such detail that it begins to take its toll on how she handles it all. She also learns that there could be someone in the house that can't be trusted.

Offred becomes nervous when she learns from the Commander's driver Nick (Max Minghella) that the Commander wants to see her in private, something that is strictly forbidden. Explaining it to Ofglen, she learns that there is a resistance group and is told to be very careful. When one of the other Handmaid's gives birth, Offred remembers her life with Luke and the birth of their own daughter.

When Serena Joy wrongly believes there will be a child, Offred is punished and it brings back the memory of how she and Moira tried to get away from what was to happen to them. It is a Latin phrase that Offred discovers in her room that gives her the strength to find another way to survive. Especially when it is suspected that the Commander might not be able to get Offred pregnant and there is a chance that she could be reassigned elsewhere. They both agree to seek out another way.

The Commander is dealing with a Mexican trade delegation that comes to their home for dinner and one of the women of the delegation asks to speak with Offred. Wanting to know about her life and happiness, Offred lies in order to keep the peace in the Waterford home. The story takes a turn when the history of Serena Joy and the Commander comes to light and how a book written before the civil war has come back around. Offred learns that what she thought to be true about Luke has more to the story.

Putting Offred in more danger, the Commander decides to dress her up and take her out for the night. Nick drives them to an unscrupulous part of town where an old friend appears and Offred sees hope for escape but its going to take every ounce of will. Trying to convince the Commander that she has true feelings for him is part of her plan. It all comes under suspicion when another Handmaid named Ofwarren turns the tables on her Commander and puts the fate of a child in danger.

In the finale, what happened to June once she was captured and taken to the Red Center comes to light. It is what happens when Serena Joy discovers what Fred has been doing and in anger tells him something that could threaten everything. Moira finds her way to freedom and Offred finally catches a glimpse of Hannah and in a verbal showdown with Serena Joy – all gloves are off!

The chaos becomes intense when the man responsible for Ofwarren's actions is given his sentence, Aunt Lydia hands down the sentence for Ofwarren and when the Handmaid's refuse to do what they are told - it is Aunt Lydia that saves them from death but at what price?

When the black van pulls up, Offred leaves quietly but June walks out on her own terms!

Moss as June/Offred has the unique ability to give this character such an intense range of emotions. Her anger is barely below the surface and sometimes when she smiles I am quite literally scared of what she may do. That's what brings this character to another level and very deep into that level. When she does have the rare moment to say how she feels, it is a volcanic eruption that should scare everyone around her. Moss has given her own stamp to June/Offred and it is uniquely and underlying brutal.

Fiennes as Waterford is a man who once knew what having a normal life is like. Becoming a Commander has put his life in a place I don't think even he saw coming. When he is kind to Offred, she sees it as a chance to have something normal in her life but he is a man who uses what he needs to in this Gilead world and that includes Offred. His kindness comes at a price and the humiliations he heaps on his wife is a clear message that he has embraced the new ways. Fiennes is handsomely clever in his delivery of every word he speaks.

Strahovski as Serena Joy is a woman who has watched her life turn into something she never expected. The further and further the Gilead take over, the colder and more distance she becomes. She too remembers a life before this new world and who she was in it. Supporting her husband at all times, they begin to become farther and farther apart as she tolerates more and more. Turning to Offred is a chance to have something of her own - a feeling Offred understands. Don’t think Strahovski’s portrayal of Serena Joy is anything less than spectacular but stay away from those retractable claws and venomous actions.

Minghella as Nick has a plan of his own and that is to lay low and watch everything that is happening around him. What he didn't expect is having feelings for Offred. The situation he is put in by Serena Joy makes it even more difficult for him to keep perspective. The dark and brooding look helps keep this character at arms length. He keeps his emotional distance and in doing do gives him the opportunity to observe everything.

Wiley as Moira is that outspoken friend we all have who isn't afraid to make sure the world hears her yell. Her story becomes twisted in a world underneath Gilead. I love Wiley's portrayal of Moira because it’s full of fire and an anger that comes from knowing she isn't going down without a fight. Fagbenle as Luke is a man who believes his family is gone. He believed running was the only possibility for them and when his story is finally told it adds another dimension to a complex story and oh goodness what a twist it is.

Dowd as Aunt Lydia is a woman that is shrouded in mystery. I love Dowd and she can do no wrong in my eyes. I never would have pictured her in this role because, of course, when you read a character you sort of have a picture in mind. Now that I have seen Dowd - she is the true Aunt Lydia. When she played Patti Levin in another series called THE LEFTOVERS along side Justin Theroux, I have come to appreciate her thrilling ability to make you love and hate the character she is wrapped up in all at the same time. Well done Ms. Dowd, extremely well done.

Other cast include Alexis Bledel as Ofglen, Madeline Brewer as Janine, Amanda Brugel as Rita, Nina Kiri as Alma, Ever Carradine as Naomi, Stephen Kunken as Commander Putnam, Sydney Sweeney as Eden, Jenessa Grand as Ofsamuel, Robert Brown as Pryce, Birgitte Solem as Putnam Martha, Angela Vint as Leah, Kristen Gutoskie as Beth and Jordana Blake as Hannah.

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 includes three discs with the episodes Offred, Birth Date, Late, Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum, Faithfully, A Woman's Place, The Other Side, Jezebels, The Bridge and Night. The Special Features include Script to Screen and Hope in Gilead.

The soundtrack for this series is absolutely amazing and I wouldn't mind having it for myself. The music just adds so much to the story as it unfolds, especially considering that I don't think music would have been accepted in the Gilead world.

I read the book when it came out in 1985 and to be perfectly honest I still have that very same copy in my bookshelf. Having read it countless times, I was surprised when I heard it was becoming a series. Of course the first season is very familiar to me yet I was still riveted. The storyline is even more drawn out and has the opportunity to put in the details that the film didn't have time to.

The look of the series is gripping, twisted, and plays out every emotion whether it is directly in front of you or deep within a characters eyes. This is a cast that has taken a story and made absolutely sure that not one moment is wasted in its telling. This series should definitely be filed under 'binge watching' because there is no way to watch one episode and walk away (she says at 12:30 a.m. after a day of binging).

The flash backs are perfectly placed and enrich the story rather than cause confusion as the characters each have a story that needs telling. In this grey and dingy world that leads to a civil war, there is so much to know and after the rise of Gilead, it is extremely cool to be let in on how it all came to be.

THE HANDMAID'S TALE has won eight of its 13 nominations from the Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Drama Series. The Golden Globes gave the series two awards that included Best Actress for Elisabeth Moss and Best Television Series. Be prepared as THE HANDMAID'S TALE returns to Hulu this April!

In the end - we will bear no more!