MY PENGUIN FRIEND Waddles onto Digital

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital and Video On Demand from director David Schurmann and Lionsgate is the unbelievable story of an unlikely friendship of MY PENGUIN FRIEND.

On the shores of Brazil lives Joao (Jean Reno), a fisherman and his wife Maria (Adriana Barraza) live a quiet life after a tragedy. Joao has spent his years avoiding the villagers and staying to himself. One morning, as he is launching his boat to fish, he sees something floating in the water. Rushing out to the object, he discovers it is a penguin covered in oil.

Rushing the penguin to his home, he spends time feeding him fish and cleaning the oil off of his feathers. When Maria arrives home, she discovers oil everywhere in her house and a penguin in the bathroom! Seeing that it means something to Joao, she watches her husband continue to spend time bathing and feeding the penguin.

Weeks pass and the penguin becomes stronger and takes to wandering the village and back to Joao and Maria’s home. When the time comes for the penguin to go back into his watery world, the young Lucia (Duda Galvao) sees the penguin in Joao’s boat. Discovering he has no name, she offers up the name Dindim and it sticks, but Dindim staying away from Joao doesn’t.

When the season changes, Dindim returns to his nest miles and miles away. Also, there are biologists studying penguins and notice that Dindim is very different than the other penguins on the beach. When the tuxedo wearing penguin returns to Joao’s, the village is thrilled and it only takes one clip going viral to change everything.

Reno as Joao is so charming in this role, especially since most of the time he spends closed off to the people of his village. It takes a little penguin for him to remember what it is to love and care for someone other than himself. Throughout the film, Reno gives his character heart and a deep well of a soul and his portrayal of this man comes through beautifully.

Barraza as Maria isn’t thrilled to have a penguin in her home but seeing how her husband seems to be opening up makes it all worth it. Barraza gives her character warmth and a sense of herself and the village she lives in. I loved that about her and the scene where she and Reno are waiting for Dindim is just so lovely and loving.

Other cast include Rochi Hernandez as Stephanie, Nicolas Francella as Carlos, Alexia Moyano as Adriana, Ravel Cabral as Paulo, Wilson Rabelo as Marcos Mauricio Xavier as Oscar, Juan Jose Garnica as Miguel, Juan Queiroz as Pedro, Roberto Borenstein as Luis and Thalma de Freitas as Calista.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

MY PENGUIN FRIEND was shot on the beaches of Brazil as Patagonia is home to nearly a million penguins. I personally wouldn’t mind spending the day sitting on the beach surrounded by penguins but this is the next best thing. Telling this story of a penguin who travels stunning lengths to be with his friend is not only fantastic but will melt your heart.

The story is one of a unique friendship based on nothing more than two beings caring about one another for love, affection and understanding. Joao learns so much from his little friend and the acceptance of his comings and goings is what we should all strive for in friendship and letting the creatures of the earth live and let live.

I watched the film with my nine-year-old granddaughter who not only fell in love with Dindim but was thrilled at certain aspects (no spoilers here folks) of this unique penguin. Sharing it with her lets me know that MY PENGUINE FRIEND is truly a family film and an experience that can be talked about long after the film has ended.

In the end – this is an extraordinary friendship!

The True Story of MY PENGUIN FRIEND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director David Schurmann and Roadside Attractions is the unbelievable story of an unlikely friendship of MY PENGUIN FRIEND.

On the shores of Brazil lives Joao (Jean Reno), a fisherman and his wife Maria (Adriana Barraza) live a quiet life after a tragedy. Joao has spent his years avoiding the villagers and staying to himself. One morning, as he is launching his boat to fish, he sees something floating in the water. Rushing out to the object, he discovers it is a penguin covered in oil.

Rushing the penguin to his home, he spends time feeding him fish and cleaning the oil off of his feathers. When Maria arrives home, she discovers oil everywhere in her house and a penguin in the bathroom! Seeing that it means something to Joao, she watches her husband continue to spend time bathing and feeding the penguin.

Weeks pass and the penguin becomes stronger and takes to wandering the village and back to Joao and Maria’s home. When the time comes for the penguin to go back into his watery world, the young Lucia (Duda Galvao) sees the penguin in Joao’s boat. Discovering he has no name, she offers up the name Dindim and it sticks, but Dindim staying away from Joao doesn’t.

When the season changes, Dindim returns to his nest miles and miles away. Also, there are biologists studying penguins and notice that Dindim is very different than the other penguins on the beach. When the tuxedo wearing penguin returns to Joao’s, the village is thrilled and it only takes one clip going viral to change everything.

Reno as Joao is so charming in this role, especially since most of the time he spends closed off to the people of his village. It takes a little penguin for him to remember what it is to love and care for someone other than himself. Throughout the film, Reno gives his character heart and a deep well of a soul and his portrayal of this man comes through beautifully.

Barraza as Maria isn’t thrilled to have a penguin in her home but seeing how her husband seems to be opening up makes it all worth it. Barraza gives her character warmth and a sense of herself and the village she lives in. I loved that about her and the scene where she and Reno are waiting for Dindim is just so lovely and loving.

Other cast include Rochi Hernandez as Stephanie, Nicolas Francella as Carlos, Alexia Moyano as Adriana, Ravel Cabral as Paulo, Wilson Rabelo as Marcos Mauricio Xavier as Oscar, Juan Jose Garnica as Miguel, Juan Queiroz as Pedro, Roberto Borenstein as Luis and Thalma de Freitas as Calista.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

MY PENGUIN FRIEND was shot on the beaches of Brazil as Patagonia is home to nearly a million penguins. I personally wouldn’t mind spending the day sitting on the beach surrounded by penguins but this is the next best thing. Telling this story of a penguin who travels stunning lengths to be with his friend is not only fantastic but will melt your heart.

The story is one of a unique friendship based on nothing more than two beings caring about one another for love, affection and understanding. Joao learns so much from his little friend and the acceptance of his comings and goings is what we should all strive for in friendship and letting the creatures of the earth live and let live.

I watched the film with my nine-year-old granddaughter who not only fell in love with Dindim but was thrilled at certain aspects (no spoilers here folks) of this unique penguin. Sharing it with her lets me know that MY PENGUINE FRIEND is truly a family film and an experience that can be talked about long after the film has ended.

In the end – this is an extraordinary friendship!

 

LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL Comes to Steelbook

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to a Limited Edition Steelbook from writer/director Luc Besson and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the 1995 film LEON: The Professional.

Leon (Jean Reno) is a hitman living the quiet life in a New York City apartment building and occasionally called upon by a man named Old Tony (Danny Aiello). Down the hall is the Lando family who are about to have the DEA knocking down their door lead by Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Coming back from the store is Mathilda (Natalie Portman), a 12-year-old girl who realizes what is happening in her family in the apartment and walks past.

Knocking on Leon’s door, she wants to be let in which he does. Mathilda is realizing what Leon does and begs him to teach her how to be a hitman. Her goal is to take revenge for the death of her family. A deal is struck that Leon teaches her the ‘hitman’ ropes and she takes care of the apartment. It seems the perfect solution and quickly the two form a strange bond.

That is until Leon is sent on an assignment by Old Tony and Mathilda takes it upon herself to grab a few weapons and look for Stansfield. It is not long before Stansfield is in her sites, but Leon has other plans for his men. Now He wants Leon and the only person that can give him that information is Tony.

Leon knows that he must do more to protect Mathilda, especially when he realizes that Stansfield isn’t about to let what happen go without repercussions. Telling the young girl to go to Tony as the explosions and gunfire break out in the apartment building, Leon has one more surprise in store for Stansfield.

Mathilda now must try and start a new life which includes heading back to school giving up her dream of being a hitman!

Reno as Leon could not have been any more perfect for this role if he tried. Giving the air of a man who wants to be left to himself, Reno gives us that and a lot more. There is a sense of danger to him of course and his facial expressions are frozen but in those eyes are something completely different. The first time I saw Reno was in the 1990 film LE FEMME NIKITA as the cleaner Victor, so I suppose that was a practice run for Leon.

Portland as the young Mathilda is a girl who has seen much in her young life. An abusive father starts her down the road of rage and a trip to the store keeps her from experiencing the same fate as her family. Destroyed but it, she sees a chance for revenge, especially when you have a hitman living practically right next door. She is smart and sassy and yet, like Leon, her eyes betray what is really going on inside her. A difficult performance for a young girl but Portland made is look easy.

Oldman as Stansfield has the opportunity to be as bad as he wants his character to be. That’s the thing about Oldman, one role he can be the sleaziest bad guy out there and the next he can be the best of a good guy. His career is filled with such a vast array of characters (okay, DRACULA is my favorite followed by THE FIFTH ELEMENT as I love seeing unusual roles) and I never would have imagined him as Commissioner Gordon in the BATMAN films but there he was on the screen, doing it to perfection. As Stansfield he is the worst of the bad guys and I loved every moment of it.

Aiello as Tony has a history with Leon since he was practically a boy and there definetly was schooling of a different kind for him. Aiello is another actor that has left an indelible impression on my movie going heart and seeing him once again as Tony reminded me of why that it.

Other cast include Peter Appel, Michael Badalucco, Ellen Greene, Joseph Malerba, Maiwenn, George Martin, Jean-Hugues Anglade and Keith A. Glascoe as Benny.

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.

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.

The Bluray Special Features include Cast and Crew Look Back, Jean Reno: The Road to Leon, Natalie Portman: Starting Young, Fact Track (Extended Version) and Theatrical Trailer. Both the 4K Ultra H and Bluray include both theatrical and extended version of the film.

Having the Steelbook of LEON: The Profession is cooler than anything with fantastic artwork on the outside, especially the back with a very vulnerable looking young Portman. Inside are the two discs that are tucked nicely into the book making sure nothing happens to one of the most fantastic films made by writer/director Besson.

Tis the season so ask Santa to stuff your stocking with a Steelbook to remember.

In the end – if you want the job done right hire a professional!