There is Treachery in the HOUSE OF GUCCI

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital Code from director Ridley Scott and Universal Pictures is the based on the true story about the HOUSE OF GUCCI.

Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) works for her father’s transportation business and enjoys a night life. One evening at a party, she meets Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) and learns he is the son of the famous brand created by father Rodolfo Gucci (Jeremy Irons) and Uncle Aldo Gucci (Al Pacino).

The two fall hard for each other and even when Maurizio’s father kicks him out of the family home, they are happy in their lives. When Maurizio becomes part of the family business, it is Patrizia who sees what is happening to that business, including the mess of a Cousin Paolo Gucci (Jared Leto). Needing encouragement, she turns to psychic Pina (Salma Hayek) and now Gucci is back on top.

At least for a while, as Maurizio begins to make his mark on the Gucci name and all the excess that comes with it. As the power begins to shift, so does the dynamic of relationships in the family as hearts are broken, anger turns to revenge, and a name is up for grabs.

Gaga as Patrizia gives her character fire, family and, oh yes, love of Gucci. She is strong, a bit arrogant and knows how to play the game to get her husband to the top of the family business. The probably with being a person of fire and passion is that when you try to put those two things out – ugliness soon follows. Gaga does not hesitate to bring it all front and center with no qualms about who this character is and what she wants.

Driver as Maurizio begins as a shy law student who is a bit taken aback by Patrizia’s forwardness. Soon he finds himself totally enthralled in her, their life and being away from the Gucci family stresses. As much as he wanted the simple life, it was the Gucci life that would come calling. Learning how to play the game, Driver gives his character the brass what-evers to come out of his nice guy shell and play dirty.

Pacino as Aldo Gucci jumps into the family messes trying to discover what will benefit his bank account. Foregoing his own son, Aldo brings in Maurizio and Patrizia under the guise of doing whatever it takes to get their share of the family business. He is charming and a bit sleazy at the same time until, as with all things Gucci, he hits a speed bump. I do have to say that Pacino can certainly yell extremely well!

Leto as Paolo is a man who just wants his fashions to be seen but the problem is that his idea of fashion and Gucci’s idea of fashion are two different things. He is a problem for both his father and anyone else that he surrounds himself with. Leto is absolutely fantastic surrounded by hair, makeup and prosthetics but that is only decoration for his outrageous character performance.

Hayek as Pina is the mystical force in Patrizia’s life that gave her the green light for life with the Gucci clan. Consistently reading cards and staring into candle flames, it is their friendship that leads to an outcome the Gucci family could never have seen coming.

Other cast include Vincent Riotta as Fernando Reggiani, Gaetano Bruno as Franco, Jack Huston as Domenico De Sole, Alexia Murray as Silvana Reggiani, Camille Cottin as Paola Franchi, Youssef Kerkour as Nemir Kirdar, Florence Andrews as Jenny Gucci, Mehdi Nebbou as Said, Miloud Benamara as Omar, Andrea Bodini as Ivano, Vincenzo Tanassi as Benedetto, and Reeve Carney as Tom Ford.

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.

Apple TV Digital Code Included. 

The Bonus Features include The Rise of the House of Gucci: Making Of, The Lady of the House and Styling HOUSE OF GUCCI.

It is a shame, on a personal note, that the Academy did not see fit to nominate Lady Gaga for her performance. Her fellow male actors did well, and I am not pulling a “they could not have done it without her” woman thing – quite the contrary. Both she and Driver were the upfront stars of the film, my point is that both Lady Gaga and Driver gave us Patrizia and Maurizio, but damn if she did not give us a touch more.

HOUSE OF GUCCI is a fascinating, jaw dropping and head shaking look into a family that each lives in a world of their own. From the Gucci brothers and the ridiculous behaviors toward their sons to believing that nothing could possibly touch them, one could get whiplash keeping up with who is smacking who.

The look is authentic, the fashion is pure lux and, for the era, it is easy to see why women around the world just wanted to be wrapped in Gucci. This is the story of the rise of a brand, the fall of those who let their heads become as puffed up as the name and how all the mess did not seem to hurt the Gucci brand one, single, bit.

In the end – it is a legacy worth killing for!

 

BIRDS LIKE US

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director Faruk Sabanovic and Lionsgate comes the story of fear but belief in the possible when you see BIRDS LIKE US.

In this bird world where birds do not fly, several species live together in Birdabad and are protected by Kondor (Jeremy Irons) from what they call ‘the horror’. Once a year they all gather and one egg per bird is given to condor to continue the protection given and to help feed the group.

One young mother bird is Huppu (Alicia Vikander) who lives in fear but is protected by her love Hassan (Kevin Bishop). She can only lay one egg per season and fears for her hatchling. Watching them from afar is a group of birds who do not understand why they do not all fly away but agree that it is time for her to see beyond the tree.

When a seed falls to the ground and grows a fruit tree, Huppu begins to question why they do not let the sun in and grow more. Kondor is furious about it, so Huppu and Hassan go on the run to escape a bird attack. In the process, Kondor and Gavra (Sheridan Smith) are caught up in a world wind to a place that is mysterious.

Kondor and Hassan battle and fall into a deep dark pit and in that pit of darkness she meets Bat (Khalid Abdalla). He sleeps during the day and flies by night and a deal is struck that they will search together. When they wake up from their searching, they are stunned to see light and a large world.

Hassan creates a vehicle that allows them to take a sleeping bat away from the city towards the setting sun. What they encounter is a very busy and very fast-moving world! Traveling by day and night, the world brings challenges for the group, especially with Huppu expecting!

Vikander as Huppu is not ready to have her egg taken by anyone, especially Kondor and will do everything possible to make sure of its protection. Once she sees the world outside, Huppu is able to think for herself and make decisions not based on anyone else. That is another freedom. Vikander offers her voice as a compassionate and protective mother.

Irons as Kondor is just a big blowhard dictator who only sees what the birds in Birdabad can do for him. The funny thing is, he has more fear than the rest of the birds, he is just good at hiding it from them all. Once outside the tree life, his ‘king’-ship means nothing to Huppu, Hassan and Gavra.

Abdalla as Bat is wise, beautiful looking and tries to share what he knows with the bird bunch because they still live in constant fear. Trying to show them another way to feel and to be, his wisdom is met with mixed reaction from the group. Abdalla gives us such a calm presence in a film full of chaos. Smith as Gavra is a very jumpy and excitable and seems to have found a friend in Bat. He really is cute.

Other cast include Christopher Villiers as Craven, Michele Austin as Jula and Ella Smith as Tifa.

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.

BIRDS LIKE US is a beautiful and colorful look at the world of birds but the more important lesson lies in the story. Kondor, the ‘king’, rules the other birds in such a way that is demanding and dangerous. Taking the first egg from the female birds is a huge lesson in itself and Huppu is the one bird questioning.

In that questioning comes the belief that there is something different, something freeing and another way to live. Once their journey begins, the world opens up wide and Huppu, Hassan and Gavra see that Kondor is not a ‘king’ but instead a ruler who is losing his powers. It also brings into question as to what ‘the horror’ really is.

It must be said, Bat’s story is one of wonderment, beauty and the truth about how we tend to see the world. Going in a circle without taking a moment to see truths – and not necessarily with our own eyes.

I am all for the adventure that Huppu and Hassan are on because they both see the possibilities of a better life and, even though a little afraid of change, want it for their family. The story is lovely and the colorful and effects within the film are stunning and strange which adds a richness to it all.

In the end – it is time for a change.

RED SPARROW Brings Twists and Vengeance

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Francis Lawrence and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes a thriller in the form of a RED SPARROW.

Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence) is a beloved Russian ballet dancer who lights up a stage. When an accident forces her to give up the stage, her uncle Vanya Egrora (Matthias Schoenaerts) wants to help. Knowing the state pays for the apartment she shares with her ill mother Nina (Joely Richardson, Dominika is asked to do a specific job.

That one event sends her to a secret program that trains people to be agents and do whatever – whatever it takes for Russia. That’s more important now with the suspicion of a mole right under their noses. Watching Dominika is the school Matron (Charlotte Rampling) and General Korchnoi (Jeremy Irons).

Setting up a coincidental meeting with American Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton) the game of cat and mouse begins. Deals are made, money is exchanged and lives hold little value in the game to win.

But they’ve never met this Red Sparrow!

Lawrence as Dominika gives a performance that is stoic and all the while it is clear the wheels in her mind are in motion. Discovering who to trust, who has the most to lose and how to use the schools programming in her favor takes chess like maneuvering. Lawrence makes it all thrilling and at times jaw-dropping to watch. This character is strong and very smart and with Lawrence doing all the heavy lifting, it works stunningly.

Edgerton as Nash looks like a man who has played this game many, many times. Dominika is sent to get his attention and the message is clearly received. Nash also sees that she isn’t just any sparrow. Working together is going to have a high price attached to it and let me just say OMG the price tag is considerable. Irons as the General has a small role here but that doesn’t make his presence any less felt. Irons still has the amazing power to compel a watcher and it still happens to me.

Schoenaerts as Vanya has been in the game for a long time and clearly sees nothing wrong with sacrificing his niece to it all. His goal is to find the mole and rise even farther up the ranks of the spy game. Schoenaerts is clever in this role and equally disturbing – well done.

A shout out to Charlotte Rampling as the scary Matron of the Sparrow School, you go girl! One thing she shares in common with Dominika is the stoic way she handles every situation – no matter how disturbing. Rampling is a personal favorite for me to watch so thumbs way up every time I see her.

Other cast include: Mary-Louise Parker as Stephanie Boucher, Ciaran Hinds as Zakharov, Bill Camp as Marty Gable, Thekla Reuten as Marta, Douglas Hodge as Maxim Volontov and Sakina Jaffrey as Trish Forsyth.

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.

RED SPARROW is a film that has so much going on and is so fascinating while its happening. The intrigue sets in quite early in Dominika’s life realizing you can’t trust anyone. Becoming an agent seems to be her only way out of a bad situation. The fact that she has no qualms about smacking someone around helps her cause in a weird way.

The story takes us down so many different rabbit holes and just as I thought I knew the destination – wrong! RED SPARROW is a true spy thriller that doesn’t give itself away until it’s damn good and ready!

The Bluray/DVD include the Special Features of A New Cold War: Organization & Adaptation, Agents Provocateurs: The Ensemble Cast, Tradecraft: Visual Authenticity, Heart of the Tempest: On Location, Welcome to Sparrow School: Ballet & Stunts, A Puzzle of Need: Post Production, Director Commentary by Francis Lawrence and Deleted Scenes: Commentary by Francis Lawrence.

There is 90+ minutes of extras and include Movies Anywhere! Watch anywhere with the Movies Anywhere App and a Digital movie is included.

The cast led by Lawrence comes together with each playing their part so well that I certainly wouldn’t be unhappy if they came back for more.

In the end – she’s seductive, deceptive and deadly!

Tracing Love and Heartbreak with CORRESPONDENCE

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD and Digital HD this week from writer/director Giuseppe Tornatore and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is a emotional journey through CORRESPONDENCE.

Amy (Olga Kurylenko) is a college student who does dangerous stunt work part time. The love of her life is Professor Ed Phoerum (Jeremy Irons) and their relationship is very strong. Both very busy people they always make time for telephone calls, emails, texts and video chats looking forward to being reunited.

That is until Ed becomes so busy that several weeks go by and Amy wonders when they will come together again. While sitting in a lecture, Amy discovers that Ed has died. Confused, she can not even begin to understand how that is possible.

Ed isn’t finished however and letters begin to appear and text messages that take Amy on a journey of tears, pain and a sense of redemption. Following each piece of the puzzle, there are moments of total joy and equal moments of grief. Along the way she doesn’t realize that those involved are there for her.

It is a journey she must finish if she is to ever find joy again.

Kurylenko as Amy is a perfect actress to play this role. She brings every spectrum of emotion and her tears are completely believable. Dealing with the grief of losing Ed is only part of what she must endure. Even through her frustration, there are truths that she must face and Kurylenko plays out that journey beautifully.

Irons as Ed is just an amazing actor and it seems ridiculous to have to say so. His body of work is nothing short of stellar and although his role in this film is more vocal than visual, he carries his character with such exquisiteness and splendor. To be honest the words he speaks just ran through my heart and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Other cast include Oscar Sanders as Nicholas, Anna Savva as Angela, Irina Kara as Mamma, Ian Cairns as George, Simon Johns as Jason, James Warren as Rick and Shauna Macdonald as Victoria.

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.

CORRESPONDENCE is an emotional film filled with so much love, devotion and heartbreak all in one story. Taking the journey with Amy trying to discover the next clue or the next letter or text was intense to be a part of. That’s the true nature of this film in that the viewer, perhaps without even realizing it, finds themselves joining Amy in her discoveries.

With Kurylenko’s charged character and Irons voice leading us where she sometimes don’t want to go, it all becomes clearer and clearer. In that clearing is the release from the grief and confusion that sometimes comes from a magnificent love that most fear won’t come once let alone ever to come again.

CORRESPONDENCE contains not only the DVD but also the Digital HD which allows viewers to instantly stream and download onto their television, computer, tablet and Smartphone.

This is definitely a tissue testing film and I’m not at all upset about that, especially when it is a story of life and death and what we do after that.

In the end – it is a forbidden love filled with undying devotion.