THE HIGH NOTE Sings on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Nisha Ganatra and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the mix of music that leads to THE HIGH NOTE.

Maggie Sherwoode (Dakota Johnson) is the personal assistant for the iconic singer Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross) but her dream is to be a music producer. Taking some of Graces’ music and tweaking it to give it a greater sound, manager Jack Robertson (Ice Cube) is furious about it. So much so that he tells Maggie is she wants to be a producer, go find someone not Grace to produce.

That is when she finds David Cliff (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a singer/songwriter who she believes has something special in his music. Finding time in between her duties to Grace and hanging out with roommate Katie (Zoe Chao), Maggie works with Cliff and they make plans to record. But Maggie isn’t being quite honest with Grace or Cliff and it starting to cause a strain.

But she isn’t the only one holding a bit of the truth back and when everything comes crashing down, it’s time for everyone to come clean so that the music can go on!

Johnson as Maggie gets a chance to move onto a commercial role and does it well. This isn’t a huge stretch in character, but Johnson makes it interesting, fun and reinforcing the push toward one’s biggest goal. For Maggie it is a chance to have the dream job that she is good at but can’t shake the “assistant” tag stuck to her. Johnson also gets a chance to step up to the mic in a very STAR IS BORN moment.

Ross as Grace Davis is a diva to the last. Outwardly she is stylish and gets the job done on stage, inwardly she is being pushed in several directions thinking that perhaps her performing has reached its end point. Ross is funny and at the same time if she is upset, trust you will know it. Ice Cube as manager Robertson is enjoying the good life that being Grace’s manager provides and also doesn’t have a problem voicing his opinion. The problem is that his opinion clashes with what Grace wants and he doesn’t seem to see that.

Harrison Jr. as Cliff plays in small venues but Maggie sees and hears something bigger in his voice. Being convinced he is good enough seems to be Cliff’s biggest worry and trusting that he has a chance to make it big is something he doesn’t see – until Maggie. He starts to discover that what he loves to do is in Maggie’s hands. Harrison Jr. gives his character heart and a voice to mesh with the story so well.

Chao as Katie is a doctor who supports Maggie in her own unique way with a self-proclaimed job to keep her friend centered. Shout out to June Raphael as Gail because she is one whacky character who sees the world in a unique way mixed with a little air headedness and a love for leftovers. She made me laugh a lot.

Other cast include Eugene Cordero as Seth, Marc Jackson as Alec, Eddie Izzard as Dan Deakins, Jonathan Freeman as Martin, Kenwood Anderson as Hanky, Sonal Shah as Sunshine, Diplo as Richie Williams, Uttera Singh as Theresa, Ross Partridge as Bennett, Rupak Ginn as Ryan Deniz Akdeniz as Spencer, Ben Lewis as Chad, Jeffery Self as Josh and Bill Pullman as Max.

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 Special Features include Deleted Scenes, The Dream Team: Inside the Creation of THE HIGH NOTE – a behind-the-scenes story of how the film came to life-including screenwriter Flora Greeson’s story and experience as a real Hollywood assistant; how filmmakers created the look of the film; the musical team behind the original tracks; and some of the iconic Los Angeles locations.

Also included are Making a Legend: The Grace Davis Story – Tracee Ellis Ross embodies the character Grace Davis, a superstar struggling to stay relevant in the ever-changing music industry, Featuring behind-the-scenes footage of Tracee as she ‘becomes’ Grace – in a recording studio, on stage, and at home – we’ll learn what it takes to become a musical legend, and LIKE I DO: Original Song Music Video.

THE HIGH NOTE is a story of what we want to do, what we think we can do and the emotions that can sometimes get in the way. All of the characters, well, maybe with the exception of Ice Cube’s Robertson, are insecure about their own abilities. Throughout the film it is clear that when those insecurities get cornered, the go-to emotion is destructive.

When the music flows it is so lovely and the mention of so many greats that have made music what it is today was amazing. As a true Nina Simone fan, hearing her name thrown out there brought a big smile to my face.

Since we all can’t go to a concert or see music live, what better substitute for now then a film that talks music, acts music and brings music into our homes with THE HIGH NOTE.

In the end – you’ve got to start at the bottom to take it to the top!

BOYZ N THE HOOD Celebrated on Bluray and 4K HD

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD is one of the most remarkable pieces of filmmaking by writer/director John Singleton and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment with BOYZ N THE HOOD.

It is 1991 Crenshaw in the ghetto of Los Angeles where young African American Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is living with father Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne). Hanging out with best friend Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut), both of them avoid trouble in a troubling neighborhood.

Boyhood friends and Ricky's brother Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Dooky (Dedrick D. Gobert) seem to always be one step away from trouble. Tre occupies his time with studying and girlfriend Brandi (Nia Long). Living day to day, Furious instills in Tre the importance of school of course but also educating himself to the world he lives in and bettering it.

Wanting Tre to live with her, mother Reva (Angela Bassett) lets Furious know he's had his time in raising their son. Tre wants to make plans with Brandi about school and their lives after that. Ricky also is excited about his opportunities to play college football which brings about a bit of jealousy with brother Doughboy.

But, in Crenshaw, it all can become twisted in one single moment. A chain of events erupts so quickly that it seems nothing can slow down the crash that is about to happen to them all.

Gooding Jr. as Tre is a young man living in a city that can sway a young man either to the streets that can consume him or out to something meaningful. He has a powerful force in his father to guide him no matter how dangerous the road gets. Gooding Jr. gives his character such strength but also a vulnerability that tears at every fiber of emotion.

Fishburne as Furious is not a man to be trifled with and everyone in the neighborhood is aware of it. He wants the community of Crenshaw to grow by giving the people of that community hope when they feel there is none. Fishburne is such an awesome actor in so many ways and as Furious, I believe everything this character says because he is thoughtful in everything he says and how he says it. Bassett as Tre's mother Reva and ex-wife to Furious is a strong woman who wants more from and for her son. She is far removed from Crenshaw and sees a path out for Tre.

Chestnut as Ricky is a young man trying to throw a ball out of Crenshaw for his mother, girlfriend and baby. Sharing those dreams with Tre makes them somehow even more attainable. Ice Cube as Doughboy is rough and has no problem dishing out to the streets what it slings at him. He is the opposite of his brother believing that dreams are a fools paradise and feeling second fiddle for his mother's attention.

Long as Brandi is Tre's equal in study and keeping the streets out of her future. She wants something more for their lives and even when the reality of their surroundings tries to cut in - she pushes back. King as Shalika can not be missed on the screen as even in 1991 there was something amazing about this actress and it plays that way even today in her performances.

Other cast includes: Lexie Bigham as Mad Dog, Ceal as Sheryl, Keisha, Na'Blonka Durden as Trina, Susan Falcon as Mrs. Olaf, Tyra Ferrell as Mrs. Baker, Regi Green as Chris, Tammy Hanson as Rosa, Alysia Rogers as Shanice, Leonette Scott as Tisha, Vonte Sweet as Ric Rock and Regina King as Shalika.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

All-New Special Features Include a Tribute to John Singleton, An Original Behind-The-Scenes Featurette and Selections from a 1991 Press Conference Singleton Held About the Film, as well as The Original Theatrical Trailer.

Bonus Features of the Bluray Include: Commentary with Writer/Director John Singleton, The Enduring Significance of BOYZ N the HOOD, Friendly Fire: Making of an Urban Legend, Deleted Scenes, Audition Videos Featuring Ice Cube, Angela Bassett, Morris Chestnut and Tyra Ferrell, Compton's Most Wanted Music Video "Growin' Up in the Hood", and Tevin Campbell Music Video "Just Ask Me To".

John Singleton was the Academy Award nominee for Best Director in 1991 and also an Academy Award nominee for Best Writing for BOYZ N the HOOD. He was the youngest Best Director nominee in the history of the Academy Awards and the first African American nominated in the category.

BOYZ N the HOOD was and continues to be a stellar film that was a turbulent story to tell in 1991 but not so far as to not be continually true in 2020. The story was one that had never been told in the way Singleton managed to do but it broke ground for future films.

There is a deep duality in the way BOYZ N the HOOD was brought to the screen and I believe that is what has made the film then and remains powerful. There is also a duality in celebrating this remarkable feat of filmmaking in that theatre goers are glad the film was made but sad that it had to be made at all.

BOYZ N the HOOD remains brilliant and stellar with a cast that brings so much and we can thank John Singleton for his vision, direction and selection of those who brought his characters to life.

In the end - this isn't no fairy tale!

HBO Brings the Story Straight from THE DEFIANT ONES on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from HBO and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the four-part series tells the story of music and a pairing of minds that come straight from THE DEFIANT ONES.

Dr. Dre begins by telling the story of his early ears in Compton and being raised by his mother and what was going on around him. In his teen years he danced as part of The Freak Patrol but Mom wanted him to do something more with his life.  When he saw a local DJ scratchin’ he knew that it was something he wanted to be a part of.

Playing in Eazy-E’s backyard, he found a nitch making tapes for others. In 1984 Dr. Dre became part of the DJ group called the Wrecking Crew working at the club Eve After Dark. Mixing 60’s song with a new beat, people were taken by what they were hearing.

The time came however when Dr. Dre knew it was time for something different and he partnered with Eazy-E to create Ruthless Records. Westcoast Hip-Hop was almost non-existent and the chance came for Eazy-E and Dre to create Boyz in the Hood. A group formed with Ice Cube, McRen, DJ Yella that would become N.W.A.

As their album is in production, Eazy-E asks that he stop what they are doing to take on the girl group JJ Fad and Supersonic. After run-ins with the police, Ice Cube wrote and they recorded F**k the Police and Dre knew it was dangerous. The violence comes home when Dre has a death in the family.

Ruthless Records is making music and doing videos but the group deals with more disasters when a member has a devastating car accident. Shug Knight comes into the picture when Ice Cube lets Dre know that there is something wrong with the business and then walks away. The group becomes even more divided when Eazy-E and Dre can’t agree on how to go forward.

N.W.A.’s next album is practically banned everywhere from MTV to radio airwaves. Dre is floundering thinking of what he will do next when he hooks up with Suge Knight. The hookup between Dre and Snoop Dogg is another monumental team up of genius and the album The Chronic is made. In New York the two men took it upon themselves to get their work out.

James Iovine was born in Brooklyn to a hard working Italian-American family. His love of music turned to being part of a band. College at 19 his parents didn’t want him to go to war so he attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice. It was music that drove him and job after job would take him to Roy Cicala who took Jimmy under his wing. One Easter Sunday he was called into work and covering for an engineer he would work with John Lennon – it was 1973.

In 1975, Jimmy would work with the legendary Bruce Springsteen and he moved on to the group Foghat. That would send him back to the studios and there he met Patti Smith who wanted him to produce her music.

Jimmy now finds himself in Los Angeles working with Tom Petty and after hearing Break Down and Refugee, he was floored. Eight more songs later an album came together and Backstreet was a hit. Next he was working with Stevie Nicks and her first solo album was created. Stop Dragging My Heart Around brought Petty and Nicks together for a smash single hit!

Jimmy and Stevie parted ways and he moved on to Bob Seiger and Dire Straits and the executives kept him away from other artists. He meets Vicki McCarty and she introduces him to Bono of U2, different yet there is something that clicks between them. Another meshing of creativity takes place.

He is also dealing with deaths in his own family, he starts to become part of the music business rather than create as he had done in the past. He does work with U2 on their Rattle and Hum album (which is one of my favorites) but makes a decision that he is done.

Wanting to spend more time at home so Jimmy meets up with investors to create Interscope Records. Signing the singing of Rico Suave, they also got Primus, Four Non-Blondes, Mark Wahlberg and a little group known as No Doubt. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails wasn’t happy with his record deal and Jimmy saw something outstanding in the group.

Now that you know the players – it was inevitable that Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine would come together. Lawsuits disappeared and radio play is bought just as Jimmy promised with Dre and Snoop on the cover of Rolling Stones. Death Row Records and the gang are with Interscope Records and success is theirs.

With success comes trip ups and lead feet as moments with the law pop up. That sometimes happens when success isn’t explained. It becomes a job to keep up with Marilyn Manson, Tupak Shakur as well as Snoop when it comes to dealing with the law and the outcry of society at large.

If that wasn’t enough, a storm was brewing between Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records that became the East vs. West Coast rumble. Once Tupac is released from his prison, he hit the studio and the group started to crack. So much so that Jimmy and other executives are starting to feel in danger.

In Las Vegas it would come to a head as a fight happens and shots ring out. Tupak Shakur is killed on the streets with no one in custody and Shug also finds himself in trouble with the law. Now others begin to understand why Dr. Dre walked away and decided to start over on his own terms.

Starting Aftermath Records and a family, Dre is now in charge. Enter Marshall Mather also known as Eminem and once again there is magic in the studio. Followed by Fifty Cent, The Chronic 2001 and the Black Eyed Peas kept pushing Interscope talent skyward.

Their next crisis came in the form of the internet and the downloading of music and trading it for free. Instead of panicking, Jimmy found a way to make it work toward their musical advantage. In the midst of this, these two men and their perfection also have to deal with how that affects the families they have created. It doesn’t stop Dre and Jimmy from creating the next big idea that came to be known as Beats headphones, speakers and accessing their music.

Now, these two men find a way to give back to the communities that they sprang from. The place in their lives now have come from the challenges and lessons that have given them the title of THE DEFIANT ONES.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. 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.

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

This is truly an amazing look at two men who have made an impact in music industry. Understanding their history and what drove them to follow the music and listen for the unique and creative talent is what THE DEFIANT ONES is all about.

This is a four and a half hour history lesson of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine told by those who lived it with them including Snoop Dogg, Bruce Springsteen, Gwen Stefani, Bono, David Geffen, Eminem, Nas, Stevie Nicks, Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Jon Landau, Patti Smith, Lady Gaga, Doug Morris, Trent Reznor, Diddy, Alonzo Williams, Will.I.Am and Tom Petty.

Four decades of two men who refused to be defined or labeled into a category, THE DEFIANT ONES doesn’t hold back in any way. Every bit of the good, bad, ugly and crazy is told from both Dre and Jimmy including things in their life that can’t be changed but can be acknowledged.

Do not hesitate to experience this amazing four part series as HBO brings THE DEFIANT ONES to Bluray and DVD and available on Digital now.

In the end – it was an unlikely pairing that are now icons!