They Make THE COVENANT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from direction Guy Ritchie and STX Films comes the story of war, the men who fight it and THE COVENANT.

In Afghanistan, Sgt. John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) is looking for the Taliban and needs an interpreter. He is assigned Ahmed (Dar Salim), who has his own personal reasons for wanting to be a part of the squad. Kinley is known to do things his way and quickly discovers that Ahmed is not afraid to throw himself in the middle of things.

Receiving intel that there is a ammunitions factory out in the desert, Kinley takes his team to investigate. They not only find the bombs but a shoot out ensues as he, along with Ahmed manages to escape, but briefly. The Taliban soldiers catch up to them and Kinley is hurt as Ahmed begins his journey to get him home avoiding the Taliban leaders order to capture them alive.

Rescued and in the hospital, Kinley learns that Ahmed and his family are in hiding. As an interpreter, Ahmed had applied for a Visa and without it, hiding is his only options. That doesn’t sit well with Kinley as he plans to return to Afghanistan and complete a mission to honor the covenant.

Gyllenhaal as Kinley is the tough as nails, compassionate and determined Sgt. of a team that move in sync. Wanting to do more, he is sort of taken off the leash to find the Taliban. When it comes time to right a wrong, the same determination motivates him. Gyllenhaal gives the film a character that isn’t swayed by what others might call the impossible, instead it fuels his own personal mission. His performance is uniquely one note, and that note is no nonsense and intense. Gyllenhaal understands this role uniquely from his experience in the 2005 film JARHEAD.

Salim as Ahmed is a man on his own mission as well. Protecting his family is his first priority and with the invaluable knowledge of his people and the Taliban, he is uniquely perfectly matched with Kinely’s intensity. Saving Kinley and avoiding the enemy takes Ahmed on his own personal journey. Salim brought me deep into the story and bought on that nervous feeling when a character is in danger. His performance matches the intensity of Gyllenhaal as these two actors are marvelous together. If Salim looks familiar, perhaps you might recognize him as one of Khal Drogo’s Bloodrider’s, Qotho, from GAME OF THRONES.

Other cast include Antony Starr, Bobby Schofield, Emily Beecham, Jonny Lee Miller, Jason Wong, Sean Sagar, Sina Parvaneh, Cyrus Khodaveisi, Christian Ochoa, Rhys Yates, Fahim Fazli, Swen Temmel, Fariba Sheikhan, Reza Diako, Gary Stennette, Abbas Fasaei, and Alexander Ludwig.

STX Films and Entertainment is a global next-generation company who has taken on the mission to unlock the value of direct connection stars have with their fans through the development, production and distribution of film, television, VR, digital video, music and live entertainment content. It is the industry leader in transforming beyond traditional platform-driven content to creating talent-driven enterprises. To experience more please visit www.stxfilms.com.

THE COVENANT is the story of two men with the same goal, remove the enemy from where they are and get home to their loved ones. Easier for Kinely until he discovers Ahmed has become a wanted man. Gyllenhaal gives the performance of a man who will not take no for an answer when it comes to completing the agreement the U.S. has made with Ahmed. Salim gives his own performance of a man who understands the world he is interpreting and the danger that comes with what his is doing for the military.

During the Afghan/Iraq war, translators or interpreters were able to apply for visas. The process is long and I went to the government website to see for myself what steps a translator must take in order to get a visa. As much as it is outlined, I can not imagine how difficult it must have been/be to try to do it all in a war zone. Knowing this brings an even deeper respect for the role Salim played as Ahmed.

This is also a story of two men who are alike and although they are two men from two different worlds, there is an intense, non-spoken connection that makes them more alike than they realize. Neither Kinley or Ahmed has a lot to say but when they do, everyone needs to hear them. Director Ritchie captures the story written by

Writers Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies and Guy Ritchie have written a story based on the amalgamation of stories about Afghan translators and the soldiers they worked with. The US left thousands of interpreters behind who were waiting for special immigration visas when the government left Afghanistan in 2021. Their fate could quite possibly be that of Ahmed’s and worse.

In the end – two men, one war and a covenant!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney Brings a STRANGE WORLD

 Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Disney+ and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD on February 14^th from directors Don Hall, Qui Nguyen and Walt Disney Animated Studios comes a journey through a STRANGE WORLD.

Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid) and son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) are wilderness adventurers who want to get past a mountain that seems to elude them. On the way, Searcher makes his own discovery of a plant that is full of energy. When his father Jaeger wants to continue up the mountain, Searcher knows this is something important and he calls it Pando.

Upset at his son’s choice, Jaeger goes off on his own and is missing for twenty-five years. In that time, Searcher has a wife Meridian (Gabrielle Union) and son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White) on their Pando farm. This gives energy to the town of Avalonia. Things are going well until one day Callisto Mal (Lucy Liu) arrives to let Searcher know that Pando is mysteriously losing its ability to produce power.

Gathering up an expedition of his own, Searcher discovers that Meridian, Ethan and their dog Legend has joined in the mission. Instead, they are attacked by creatures and end up in a world beneath their own but creatures aren’t the only thing lurking about. Searcher discovers his father Jaeger has been living in the strange world.

While grandfather gets to know grandson and father to son, the journey continues and what they discover at the end of the road is something that they could never have ever possibly imagined.    

Gyllenhaal voices Searcher, part of a father-son adventurer team who discovers something else of importance that leads to a split with his father. Raising his own family, he starts to feel his son pull away and it is distressing. Gyllenhaal gives much feeling to Searcher and when son meets grandfather, well, things get even more interesting.

Quaid as Jaeger fears nothing and when the family meets once again, he thinks it is a chance for more family adventures. Yet, there are issues that have to be resolved between father and son – even though there seems to be an instant connection between grandfather and grandson. It seems like Quaid has a good time voicing this character.

Young-White as Ethan fits well into the clan being a bit of an adventurer in his own right. Once the adventure begins, he has a chance to have his say in regards to their world and do everything possible to correct the imbalance. Union as Meridian is no stay-at-home Mom but an adventurer in her own right. She is also very strict and certainly takes a no-nonsense approach to it all. She will remind Moms everywhere that adventure is for everyone.

Liu as Callisto wants to find out what is happening in their world and is not going to let anything get in her way. She is a bit headstrong in a group of very head strong people but when the need arises, her skills are everything they need to get the job done.

Other cast include Francesca Reale as Azimuth, Karan Soni as Caspian, Abraham Benrubi as Lonnie Redshirt, Jonathan Melo as Diazo, Nik Dodani as Kardez, Alan Tudyk as Duffle, and Adelina Anthony as Captain Pulk.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment 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!

Disney+ is the subscription home streaming entertainment with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. There are exclusive originals with new feature films, shows, short form content, documentaries, and actions series such as THE MANDALORIAN. For more information, please visit www.disneyplus.com.

Bonus Features include Anatomy of a Scene: Creating a Strange World, Strange Science, Creature Feature, The Hidden Secrets of STRANGE WORLD, Outtakes and Deleted Scenes.

STRANGE WORLD takes on the issues of farming, energy sustainability, creatures great and small, family, love, adventure and forgiveness, acceptance and working together to make their world a better place. That is something I would expect from Disney in each of those forms melding into a story. The creatures are, as I would expect, very creative, funny, colorful and all things Disney.

It is an enjoyable film and one that will lead to family conversations with the content of family, love and creating clean energy. Their world is stunning, of course, but also full of life lessons that are not far from our own and that is everything.

In the end – journey to a place where nothing is as it appears!

AMBULANCE Blares its Siren on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this week to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from director Michael Bay and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the chase with an AMBULANCE.

Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is a struggling veteran who is trying to get medical help for his wife. Not receiving any help on the telephone, Will keeps the family calm but wants to go visit the one person his wife wants him to stay away from – his brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal).

Needing money, Will turns to Danny knowing that his adoptive brother is a bit of a criminal. Oh heck, he is a LOT of a criminal and it only takes charm to get Will to agree to help. The pay out is a bank hit worth more millions than either can count.

Across town, paramedic Cam (Eiza Gonzalez) is working hard at her job. Jumping from call to call, her driver tries to understand her motivation and aloofness. When the bank heist goes from bad to worse, she recognizes the gun fire and heads toward it. They find an officer down and get him in the ambulance.

Officer Zac (Jackson White) is in not shape to help when Danny take the ambulance and its occupants hostage. Law enforcement begins to kick in led by Captain Monroe (Garret Dillahunt) and the chase is on. Not knowing what they are dealing with, FBI Agent Anson Clark (Keir O’Donnell) knows exactly who Danny is and what he is willing to do to get away.

Danny calls in all kinds of favors while Will tries to help save the Officer Zac and keep Cam from getting hurt. Choices are going to have to be made and both men are willing to make them. This is not a good day for criminals or law enforcement when chasing this particular ambulance.

Gyllenhaal as Danny is witty, sharp, charming and not afraid to use any means necessary to get what he wants. Dragging his brother Will into the mess is not exactly what he would have wanted but sees it as a way to help his brother. In an odd way I like Gyllenhaal in this role because of the way this character’s mind works and the crazy that comes out of his mouth.

Abdul-Mateen II as Will wants one thing and one thing only – help for his family. Knowing that he needs Danny’s help hurts about as much as what it going to happen for the rest of the day. Danny is a last resort but one that leaves Will with no other alternatives, or so he thinks. Abdul-Mateen II gives his character something his brother does not have – a conscience.

Gonzalez as Cam has her own reasons to be saucy and she is not about to share them with anyone. She wants to do her job, do it well and go home at the end of the day. Gonzalez gives her character a quick thinking under pressure paramedic who keeps a keen eye on everything happening. Going up against Danny is not a good idea but Gonzalez gives us a gal who will stand up.

Dillahunt as Captain Monroe sees what is happening as a bit steamy hot mess as Danny and Will seem to be taking over the city. He does not take much in the way of sass but he sure does give it out in little pieces. O’Donnell as Agent Clark tries to communicate that he knows the likes of Danny, his past with the law and why he thinks the way he does. Trying to stay one step ahead is exhausting but O’Donnell sees it to a shocking end.

Other cast include Olivia Stambouliah as Lt. Dzaghig, Colin Woodell as EMT Scott, Moses Ingram as Amy Sharp, Cedric Sanders as Officer Mark, Jesse Garcia as Roberto, Jose Pablo Cantillo as Jesus, Wale as Castro, Devan Chandler Long as Devan ‘Mel Gibson’ Long, Randazzo Marc as Randazzo, Victor Gojcaj as Victor, Briella Guiza as Lindsey and A. Martinez as Papi.

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.

Bonus Features include Bayhem, Pedal to the Metal, Aerial Assault, Finding AMBULANCE, Chase Capital of the World, and A Tribute to First Responders.

AMBULANCE is a thrill ride from beginning to end that does not let the viewer hardly catch their breath. There is so much action going on that is takes over the senses leaving little to time to ask a lot of questions.

Jumping from a police shootout to an ambulance chase, there are twists and turns that law enforcement do not see coming. There are also turns that the bank robbers did not seem to calculate for. Danny and Will take on a very intense paramedic in Cam but there is a method to it all for keeping the ambulance moving forward – preferably as fast as it possible can go!

If you are looking for a thrill ride with a very large screen and a sound bar to test it all on, then AMBULANCE will give everything and more. Prepare for the intensity and the chase and make sure to breathe!

In the end – it was supposed to be a simple heist!

SPIRIT UNTAMED is Filled with Family and Horses

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Elaine Bogan and DreamWorks comes the story of family, friendship and being SPIRIT UNTAMED.

Lucky Prescott (voiced by Isabela Merced) is a young girl raised with her grandfather and Aunt Cora (Julianne Moore) after an accident took the life of her mother. Father Jim (Jake Gyllenhaal) felt that sending Lucky to live with his family would keep her safe. The problem is Lucky seems to be just a little too much now for the Prescotts.

Aunt Cora packs Lucky a bag and off they go into the West to see Jim in the town of Miradero. Looking for a little excitement, she gets her first taste when a horse runs next to the train and Lucky is thrilled. Getting to Miradero, there is an odd reunion between Lucky and her father but she takes the opportunity to get to know the town.

She meets Abigail (Mckenna Grace) who is just a ball of song and Pru (Marsai Martin) the amazing horse rider whose father Al (Andre Braugher) owns the local coral. In the coral she is surprised to find the horse that was chasing the train! She wants so much to make a connection with him, but her father warns her to stay away!

Well, he does not know that Lucky is determined to bond with the horse she names Spirit and is appalled when she sees an underhanded wrangler (Walton Coggins) treating him so badly. A few apples later, Lucky has made a friend and wants to help Spirit.

With the help of her friends and a long perilous journey, Lucky and Spirit will reunite and create a friendship that will last them both a lifetime.

Merced voicing Lucky gives her animated character a unique personality. She is feisty, curious and a bit wild but that is what makes her amazingly wonderful. At a young age Lucky thinks she knows who she is until that all changes learning who her mother was to so many people. Fighting for the right thing is never wrong but can be a little dangerous for Lucky without the help of friends and a horse named Spirit.

Moore as Aunt Cora is actually quite hilarious to me. She seems to have the water on a ducks back mentality because nothing gets to her. It might grab her attention for a second, but she always adjusts. She sees a need for Lucky to be with her father and also to straighten out Jim’s household for Lucky’s sake. Gyllenhaal as Jim is a man that has not come to terms with his wife’s passing or how to handle a young daughter that is growing up quickly. Trying to be a father is not easy and Lucky does not exactly make it easy either!

Grace as Abigail is too lively, spirited and knows how to handle little brothers. Give her a horse and a rope and its all good and together. Seeing the relationship grow between Lucky and Spirit, she encourages it along with friend Pru. Martin as Pru is a young lady made for a horse and loves every moment of it with the support of her dad. She also sees how patient Lucky is with Spirit and helps her learn how to be a friend to the wild mustang.

Coggins as the wrangler is as evil as he wants to be but that is the best part of being in an animated film. He gives us the face of someone you would never want to meet in a dark alley and just as stubborn as Lucky – and they both want Spirit.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

SPIRIT UNTAMED is the story of friendship, love, loyalty and justice all wrapped up in a young girl discovering her heritage and a horse that knows exactly who he is and where he belongs. Finding each other began a test of patience and trust for both Lucky and Spirit that grows into something extremely special.

Having friends like Abigail and Pru who also see the injustice caused by the wrangler, are just as determined to help Lucky and Spirit make things right again. Lucky is learning that you can know true friends from both the two legged and four legged creatures of the world.

The film is also about family for both Lucky and Spirit. In Lucky’s case, she is learning about her mother and the heritage shared in Miradero. Meeting so many people who not only remember Lucky’s mother but see the same fire in the young girl. Spirit learns to trust the humans learning what they are about but also holds fierce to his herd as their leader.

Lucky and Spirit come to understand one another and that is everything.

In the end – nothing will break their spirit!

SPIDER-MAN: Far From Home Brings Early Fireworks to the July 4th Holidays

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres just in time to help celebrate the 4^th from director Jon Watts, Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures is our friendly neighborhood SPIDER-MAN: Far From Home.

It is after the Endgame as Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is still dealing with the loss of Tony Stark and looking forward to a school trip to Europe. His hope is that he can finally tell MJ (Zendaya) how he feels and enjoy some time away from his spider suit. His Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is happy for him as well.

On the trip is best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), Betty (Angourie Rice), Brad (Remy Hii), Flash (Tony Revolori) and teachers Mr. Bell (J.B. Smoove) and Mr. Harrington (Martin Starr). They are ready to explore Italy first but there is a creature under them with other plans. When it rises to the surface, Peter must do his best to protect as many people as possible.

That is until he sees Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal), fly in and lend a hand. When it’s all over, his friends give the superhero a name – Mysterio. Later Peter is visited by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) because he needs Spider-Man’s help and gives him something special. Yet Peter can only think of MJ, their trip and being a kid.

Trying to explain his feelings to Fury, he goes back to his classmates only to discover that their itinerary has changed to go, oddly enough, where Fury wants Spider-Man to be. A plan is set in motion with Mysterio and Spider-Man working together to save even more people.

That is when Peter makes a decision that may cost far more than he could have imagined!

Holland as Spider-Man has to be one of the best choices ever made for the Marvel Universe next to Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man. He is funny, insecure, fearless and fearful at the same time, has teen angst and most of all – just plain adorably charming. He has made the role of Spider-man his and fans love it.

Gyllenhaal as Mysterio is, and lets be honest here, so cool to watch. Here he works with Spider-Man and befriends him which helps Peter with the loss of his good friend. Gyllenhaal fits into his costume as if it were always destine to be his.

Jackson is back as Nick Fury who doesn’t mind guilting Spider-Man into getting a gang back together. Zendaya as MJ is still her dark self and occasionally has an eye on Peter, Batalone as Ned is there for his web weaving friend but has his eyes drawn in an unexpected way. Tomei as May is happy with her life and to have Peter in it but may have a surprise of her own.

Hii as Brad returns a little older and crushing on MJ. Revolori as Flash once again plays the tourist except he spends more time trying to get social media friends than actual friends.

Shout out to Favreau for returning as Happy Hogan! I have come to love his character and am thrilled to see him be there for Peter Parker.

Other cast include: Toni Garrn as The Seamstress, Michael Mando as MacGargan, Numan Acar as Dimitri, Hemky Madera as Mr. Delmar, and Cobie Smulders as Marla Hill.

SPIDER-MAN: Far From Home is going to delight fans because Holland has done such an amazing job of portrayed the young webbed one. There is something for everyone in the film with action, story, twists, turns and – well, a teen love story that has been trying to break free.

Being a superhero has its price and it is a talk between Happy and Peter that helps the young man decide how to continue being a hero people can look to. I honestly believe that’s what makes this incarnation of the Spider-Man franchise more believable than it has ever been. Holland brings it all together with a tender and emotion filled performance that is so relatable.

The film is fast paced, full of cgi eye-candy and warmth that lets us know that AVENGERS: Endgame is just a beginning for the webbed one. Of course I’m being evasive in my description of the film because, as with most fun films, the fun is absolutely seeing it with the least amount of spoilers possible. I want everyone to have just as much fun as I did!

So as you prepare for the 4^th of July holiday, make sure you start it off with a visit from your friendly neighborhood (both in country and out) Spider-Man!

In the end – he is more than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, so much more!

STRONGER

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this week from director David Gordon Green and Roadside Attractions is the story of a journey that has the ability to make anyone STRONGER.

Jeff Bauman (Jake Gyllenhaal) works at Costco and enjoys hanging out with his friends for a beer and baseball. When he sees ex-girlfriend Erin (Tatiana Maslany) in the bar to raise money for her Boston Marathon run, Jeff can’t help but do what he can to show support. It is apparent he still has feelings for Erin and promises to be waiting at the finish line for her.

Erin doesn’t really believe he will show up since in their relationship she felt he never showed up when it was important. Determined to prove him wrong, Jeff is at the finishing line the next day with a big sign waiting for Erin.

That is when his world changes as a bomb goes off right next to where Jeff is standing. Immediately the city goes into rescue mode to help all those that are injured by both bombs. Jeff is taken to the hospital and his family is notified. Mom Patty (Miranda Richardson), Uncle Bob (Lenny Clarke), Aunt Jenn (Patty O’Neil), Big Jeff (Clancy Brown), Aunt Karen (Kate Fitzgerald) are all at the hospital with friends Sully (Richard Lane Jr.), Big D (Nate Richman) and Kevin (Danny McCarthy).

When Erin sees a photo of Jeff on the news helped by a man named Carlos (Carlos Sanz), she races to the hospital to be with him and be with the family. After surgery, Jeff eventually wakes with a revelation that puts the police on high alert and sets off an immediate manhunt.

Erin takes Jeff home from the hospital and that is when the real work begins. Wanting to renew his relationship with Erin, she moves in with Jeff and his mother Patty. The tension in thick and Jeff must find his way back to the life and love he always wanted.

But to do that Jeff must become stronger.

Gyllenhaal as Jeff has once again embraces a role that is powerful and physically demanding. Everything about Jeff Bauman comes from every pore of this actor. There are challenges that Gyllenhaal tackles and doesn’t shy away from in any way. That is what will bring the audience further into this emotional story. Time and time again Gyllenhaal proves he is an actor who chooses stories that deserve to be told and then stands back to let that story shine.

Maslany as Erin is stepping back onto the big screen as her television role in the BBC hit series Orphan Black has come to a close (trust me I’m not happy about that). She takes on this role and gives Erin warmth, understanding, guts and knowing that sometimes you have to step away to step forward.

Richardson as Patty is incredibly full of mouth, smoke, a few drinks too many and stunning. This is the mother who would drive us all crazy yet the same mother who we wouldn’t have any other way. Afraid to lose her son in more ways that just his legs, Richardson gives Patty a craziness that Mom’s everywhere can relate to. I better see her name on award nominations or else!

The small role that rises up big is that of actor Carlos Sanz. He plays Carlos Arredondo, the rescuer who helped Jeff immediately after the bombing. The scene between Carlos and Jeff when they meet is something to behold and yes, bring tissue.

Other cast include: Michelle Forziati as Jill Hurley, Sean McGuirk as Bill Hurley, Karen Scalia as Lori Hurley, Judith McIntyre as Michele Kerr, Cassandra Louis as Maya, and Jim LeBlanc as Larry.

STRONGER brings amazing performances from actors that are worthy of the recognition. This is a difficult story to tell and each of the actors make it clear by their performances that the truth, not matter how harsh, can translate from page to screen.

That being said, the film of Jeff Bauman is based on the book STRONGER that documented his recovery. Released in 2014, it was released one year after the anniversary of the bombing.

STRONGER is a story of struggle, pain, belief, and horror all rolled into the lives of Boston. Jeff Bauman’s story gives the audience just one small glimpse of what happened that day in Boston at the finish line. It is also a cautionary tale of being celebrated as a hero and placed so high that the fall can be as devastating as the initial trauma.

This is one story out of the 264 people affected by the events that day; Gyllenhaal gives us a performance that makes seeing 263 more stories like this impossible to bear.

In the end – strength can define us!