It all Starts with a PROFILE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Timur Bekmambetov and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a story of danger from the keyboard and a PROFILE.

Amy (Valene Kane) is a British journalist looking for the next story and the next paycheck to cover the rent. She decides to use social media to discover how it is that so many women in Europe are becoming part of the Islamic State. Given the green light by editor Vick (Christine Adams), Amy begins the process of creating a persona online through Facebook.

Almost immediately she is contacted by Abu Bilel Al-Britani (Shazad Latif), a handsome Muslim who is quite taken with her. Lou (Amir Rahimzadeh) guides her through the beginning of their conversations with what is acceptable and what is not. Seeing Amy as a shy respectful woman is appealing to Bilel.

There are only three people that know what Amy is doing, Vick, Lou and friend Kathy (Emma Cater) as boyfriend Matt (Morgan Watkins) has been left in the dark. Each day Amy and Bilel speak more and more about her coming to where Bilel is and starting a life together. He seems slow in the information he gives which puts Amy in a tense situation with her editor.

But with each chat, the conversations become more and more intense that could put her in danger. How far will she push her investigation knowing the consequences?

Kane as Amy is brilliant in her deceptions and performance. Fast on the keyboard which means you cannot take your eyes off the screen even for a blinking second, she maneuvers her way through dangerous waters. Living this double life does take its toll and as the day comes closer to meet Bilel, Kane gives us a powerful adrenaline rush of fear and anxiety that is so well done.

Latif as Bilel, all I can say is wow, what an amazing performance that is frightening at the same time. What seems so handsome and wonderful is sugar coating on a poison apple. Turning on the charm and being ‘himself’ is a cautionary tale of the internet and people attempting to make connections. Latif gives it everything and that is the good and bad as his intentions begin to unravel. Well done sir, well done.

Adams as Vick is a pure journalist and is biting at the bit for the story. She knows the dangers and sees them coming yet also wants to get the story out before things get out of hand. Cater as Kathy is a good friend and also knows that Amy might be pushing things to far. Watkins as boyfriend Matt, wow, does he get the once over in all this. Relationships are difficult enough without thinking your girlfriend has been internet-cheating.

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

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

PROFILE is a fast-paced film not giving the viewer any moment to rest and that is what makes it extremely fascinating. The constant movement on the screen means you have to keep up or step aside. Hearing so many stories in the news about women who tried to get away from situations that the character Amy was getting into is seriously disturbing.

This film wakes you up to the fact that this continues to happen and the result to these women is beyond belief. The biggest question for me is what is it in these women’s lives that bring them to make these decisions at such great risk to themselves and those they love. Every step they take has an effect to those around them and their families.

The last ten minutes of the film are the most powerful (as if the entire film isn’t powerful enough!) because the realization sets how easy the character of Bilel puts the pieces together. Honestly, I would have been frozen with anxiety and run for the hills. At the same time, I applaud what Amy was trying to do, even though she came close to losing herself in something that was not real.

In the end – the connection is virtual, but the danger is real!

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!

Disney's RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET Smashes onto Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital from directors Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Disney Home Entertainment comes RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET.

Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) are still hanging out as the best of friends. Still part of the Litwak's Family Fun Center and Arcade, they are happy with how their lives have changed since their last adventure.

Well, at least Ralph is happy as Vanellope is looking for something exciting to break up the routine. Her bff decides it is up to him to make that happen and adds a bonus track to her race. She is thrilled but the player of the game isn't able to control things and the steering wheel becomes broken in the real world.

Mr. Litwak (Ed O'Neill) knows that the maker of the game Sugar Rush has been out of business for some time and discovers that a replacement wheel is to expensive. That's when Ralph and Vanellope decide that they are going to get one themselves in a place called the Internet. Going to eBay they place a wild bid on the wheel and now have to come up with the money!

Trying ways to get the cash, it is Ralph and when he becomes a viral sensation, they also learn the dark side of the internet. When things go wrong, Vanellope gets very upset at Ralph and all video game breaks loose. When a virus is unleashed, Ralph knows he has to make everything right AND still get the wheel to help his best friend.

Things in the game world is about to change!

Reilly reprises his vocal role as the animated and loveable Wreck-It Ralph. In this adventure he is happy with how things have been going but when Vanellope needs something more - her friend provides it. Even when things go a little wackadoodle Ralph wants to make it right for his friend and their next adventure begins.

Silverman as Vanellope loves her friendship with Ralph and isn't surprised that he would want to add something fun to her life. Their adventure together takes them into the internet and a whole new group of characters and all because her friend Ralph wants to save her game Sugar Rush. These two were destine to be friends no matter what happens.

Other cast include: Gal Gadot as Shank, Taraji P. Henson as Yesss, Jack McBrayer as Felix, Jane Lynch as Calhoun, Alan Tudyk as KnowsMore, Alfred Molina as Double Dan, Bill Hader as J.P. Spamley and John DiMaggio as Arthur.

 Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

The Bluray and DVD contain the Bonus Extras of Deleted Scenes, How We Broke the Internet - Go Behind the Scenes at Disney Animation Studios and discover how they made the Internet come alive on screen, Easter Eggs and more!

Also the Digital Code can be used with the Movies Anywhere App meaning families can watch the film just about anywhere on their Computer, Smartphone, TV and Tablet.

Watching the friendship of Ralph and Vanellope was entertaining in 2012 and it is just as entertaining in 2019. Ralph is the loveable big guy who is completely misunderstood and only wants what's best for his friends - especially his bff Vanellope. He wants her happy and would do anything to make that happen. Now there is a good friend!

And that's what the pair has together (even when they sometimes don't see eye to eye), a friendship that is so full of caring and fun that it's hard not to watch every single second with a bit of a grin. I have to admit that having the Disney Princess' in the film sure does bring a lot of fun and watching Vanellope give them a make-over is pure classic fun.

Basically, this is good animated fun for the entire family and with all the rainy days it’s a great chance to cuddle up together with a Ralph size popcorn and enjoy!

In the end - they are best friends no matter what!