She Finds Love in WICKER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/directors Eleanor Wilson, Alex Huston Fischer, based on an Ursula Wills-Jones short story, and Black Bear Pictures, is a love story and village confusion with WICKER.

Living in a small medieval town, Fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) deals with snide comments from those in town about living alone. She prefers living alone and doing the things she likes in a routine all her own. Selling the fish she catches to the townsfolk, they use it as a way to make her feel less than and suggest her fishlike ways might be the reason she isn’t married. The Basket Weaver hears what is being said about her and understands the strength it takes for her to avoid their cruelty decorated with sugar.

At a town wedding reception, a tradition of ‘shaking the egg’ lets the town know who is next to be married. Shock hits when the egg chosen is in the hands of the Fisherwoman. The women decide to tease her as if marriage can’t happen for her. Normally not letting it bother her, one evening she makes a decision. Making her way to the Basket Weaver (Peter Dinklage), she asks him to make her a husband, handing in a bag of coins. A month later, Fisherwoman arrives at the local chapel where her new Wicker Husband (Alexander Skarsgard) awaits. Now, the villagers really have something new to gossip about.

Fisherwoman and her Wicker Husband's affection for one another is immediate and causes chaos in the town’s relationships. Someone who is really annoyed by it all is the Tailor’s Wife (Elizabeth Debicki). That isn’t stopping the new husband and wife from taking care of and learning about one another. While the women are a tad jealous of the Fisherwoman’s happiness, the men of the village do not understand it at all. Jealousy is the virus, and it’s starting to run rampant.

Fisherwoman isn’t used to a relationship, so when vipers start whispering jealousy into her ears. She isn’t sure how to deal with it. But when one woman takes it all too far, the happiness the Fisherwoman has found is only a match away from imploding!

Colman as Fisherwoman is everything I want to be when I grow up. As a woman who seems set in her life fate and accepting how people saw her, it took one snark comment for Fisherwoman to decide to change her fate. While waiting for her ‘husband’, there are several times when Colman gives us a chance to see her insecurities, wondering if she had actually made the right decision. Once she experiences life with Wicker Husband, there is a physical change in Colman. Her character goes from a sort of grey to a brightness that just made me smile, and then back again. Colman takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions, and none of them are rare, which is how she manages to grab my heart.

Skarsgḁrd as Wicker Husband is tall, wickerly handsome, caring, loving, and deeply monogamous. What I love about this character is his inability to see what everyone else does. He doesn’t see her age or her imperfections, and he doesn’t demean her insecurities. Instead, he wants to always offer her comfort through care, affection that flows easily, and a quiet life that is comfortable. If there is a ‘flaw’, it is only that he doesn’t comprehend the behavior of the villagers and the repercussions of jealous people who aren’t happy with what they have. Skarsgard has gone from a wicked, cold vampire of TRUE BLOOD that drove women nuts, to a lovely wicker husband who will once again having women melting and probably never looking at a big basket the same way again. Trust me, those are compliments. Taking on this character, it is the look on his face and the sound of his voice that carry this role by him so damn beautifully.

Dinklage as the Basket Weaver understands Fisherwoman as he sees how the village talks about her. He gets it because the only thing that keeps the villagers from doing the same to him is the way he charms everyone that comes near him. Challenged by Fisherwoman to create a husband, Dinklage has the moment where he contemplates whether he should or shouldn’t do it. I love the scenes where he talks things out to himself. Dinklage’s character is unusually charming, funny in a way that the villagers don’t get, which made me laugh harder, and clever. None of this is a surprise to anyone who has followed his career (not just his iconic character of Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones). His role choices are always so versatile, and I’m here for it.

Debicki as the Tailor’s Wife is the woman at the center of the trouble. In a role that reminded me of people I know, she is an unhappy woman who finds ways to destroy Fisherwoman’s happiness and do it with poison-sugar on her lips. The women in the village look up to her, which makes it easier for her to find minions that go along to get along. The twists and turns of Debicki’s character made me wish I still had the foam-looking bricks to throw at the screen. Of course, this means she did such a great job with her character.

Other cast include Marli Siu as Tailor’s Wife’s sister, Nabhaan Rizwan as the Tailor, Ella Bruccoleri as the Baker’s Wife, Ben Ashenden as The Baker, Kiell Smith-Brnoe as the Innkeeper, and Richard E. Grant as the village doctor.

WICKER is being pushed across all media as a naughty story being told, but it is so much more than that, so much more. It is a story of how people who are different are treated, the story of how jealousy is an absolute poison and how a whisper in the ear can destroy. Before the whispers about Fisherwoman became a roar, she was happy with her life and didn’t have the fear of being alone. She didn’t know what she was missing. Once it was put into her head in a cruel way, Colman’s character took over and chose something new. When Skarsgard’s Wicker Husband arrived and treated her like a queen, well, that’s when even more of the villagers' true colors came out.

Colman and Skarsgard together are beautiful, adorable, charming – until it crumbles. But, it must be said, even then, through the many tissues I went through, there is that part that wanted to jump through the screen and rid the couple of madness. Dinklage adds a stunning touch of not just charm, but cleverness that reminds me of how foolish and gullible people are. The film is a lesson that love is love (wicker or not), trusting oneself, and heartfelt commitment keeping the ill-intentioned far away.

In the end – a perfect man does exist!

 

Netflix Lets Us Know What’s BELOW

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix in a six-episode series is the story of an ocean town and what lives BELOW.

While resettling their entire home across the water to Snooks Arm, something in the water changes those plans. Everything is sinking around them and a young boy is forced to make the most horribly painful and traumatic decision. Forty years later the boy has now become a man. Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett) makes his living fishing for ice since the actual fish have all but gone. Out on the water, he hears a transmission that a boat and crew have gone missing. Losing interest when he sees a nice chunk of ice, he hauls it in for cash but is told the ice is no good. After testing it seems there is something smelly about it. His next stop, a town meeting where resettlement has once again become the issue.

At Seal Cove Ocean Science Centre, scientist Dr. Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis) receives a visit from Calvin, he asks that she find out what is wrong with this particular block of ice. Studying it, she discovers that there is indeed something wrong with it, but can’t really say what. Keeping busy, Calvin and son Wade (Charlie Heaton) has arrived at the dock to pick up daughter Mary  (Ruby Stokes), and boyfriend Noah (Kaleb Horn) and is worried when son Jay (Rohan Campbell) doesn’t seem to be with them. Calvin’s sister Ruth (Willow Kean) is excited to see everyone together. After a night of partying, Calvin is shocked to see the largest iceberg floating in the bay, and the town is shocked as well.

Calvin is steering clear of any ice until he has answers, but the Crocker company that pays out for it has its eye on the berg and so many more secrets that the town is unaware of. What lies beneath the water brings the Penney family, once again, in the middle of a oceanic nightmare that is a reminder of the past with horrors unknown in the present. Calvin isn’t waiting for the town, the scientists, or his family to stop what happened before from repeating itself.

Hartnett as Calvin is a man living with boyhood trauma. Staying on the island with his sister Ruth, he tried to raise a family and live life the best way possible. Always struggling because of the past trauma, his mind is on high alert when he realizes that something from the past is forcing him to deal with it in order to save not only his family, but the entire town. Hartnett gives his character a second chance to make things right for himself. Nothing worse than trauma that affects every day life and Hartnett embraces that for his character to the point where his anxiety gave me anxiety.

Davis as Dr. Howander is the one person the town should listen to but, of course, they don’t. It doesn’t stop her from supporting Calvin and trying to discover what is in the ice that the Cephalopod wants so badly. When the town is affected by something from the water, she is the only one that can find a reason for it all. Davis gives her character a bit of a nerdy look and feel, but once Howander kicks into gear, there is nothing nerdy about her. Kean as Ruth is Calvin’s sister who is a very strong character always watching over the family as well as being the harbor master. Not wanting to believe what’s happening and protecting her brother, a time comes where she has no choice but to believe.

Heaton as son Wade has issues that he drowns in alcohol and trouble. Once he comes face to face with the thing of mystery, his waking hours are filled with even more confusion for Calvin to deal with. Campbell as Jay is a son that comes back making everyone believe he is living the good life. Of course, not everything is exactly as it seems, especially with Calvin’s kids. Stokes as Mary returns home to visit but has no plans on staying. Believing she would be spending family time, she hadn’t planned on it all being interrupted by the ocean or someone trying to take the island. Horn as Noah returns to Mary’s home to see where she came from, but also has a plan of his own. All of these I can say, kids are kids, sure, but being grown up and still blaming Dad has become so annoying and boring in television and film. What happened to personal accountability?

Shout out to Wenham and Henstridge for their roles. It was fantastic to see them on screen once again

Other cast include Matthew Worko as Mo Abdullahi, Frank Moore as Jim Cricker, Jeff Yung as Jojo, Josh Cruddas as Connor Kopecko, Marthe Bernard as Maggie, Cathy Jones as Irene Tulk, Andy Jones as Clurrance Budgell, Mary Walsh as Mayor Linda, Darrin Baker as Keith Pratt, Joshua Close as Jaxon, Shawn Doyle as Walton, Tantoo Cardinal as Anik, Joel Hynes as Jerry Biles, Natasha Henstridge as Jan Hicks, and David Wenham as Dr. Steve Bruner.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

The six episodes include Come Home Year, Crown and Anchor, Sir John Franklin, The Ocean Will Have Us All, Little Pot Rock and The Unfathering Deep.

BELOW is pretty much a disaster film that is giving sharks a break. That doesn’t mean I didn’t see some moments that reminded me clearly of JAWS. Calvin and Fonda reminded me of a certain sherriff that no one wanted to listen to until it was too late. Wenham brings a boat filled with expensive toys and at one point I thought Calvin was going to say, “We are going to need a bigger boat.” That being said, to me it is fun to find easter eggs in other films. Happy to give Bruce a break, the ocean now turns to a large angry squid that isn’t a picky eater but still a bit rude.

There are pros and cons to the series. I enjoyed the tension in each episode with no room for much humor, not sure it needed six episodes to tell the story though. The cast does an amazing job portraying this small town that is under attack from the ocean and from greedy human beings. The hard part is that everyone is so torn about what is happening, its hard to get them to agree on anything. They clearly don’t trust one another which is part of their downfall in many ways.

I did love that the series didn’t have a lot of squid special effects, instead, relying on the characters to keep us on edge. I don’t need to see monsters to know monsters are there. The story does try to move around substories that I didn’t think necessary but, that’s just me. I’m more of a ‘focus on the point’ kind of gal.

BELOW will have Netflix lovers tuning in for several reasons to my way of thinking. The fact that it is something to binge is always a good thing. I say this because I’m a habitual binger. A crazed squid is always a nice break away from sharks as well. The underwater special effects with the squid are pretty cool too. Well done in fact. So, with cooler weather expected and a little rain coming, this might be an awesome time to cuddle up and see how what lives in the sea can make everyone on the land fear it!

In the end – something is definetly in the water!

There is a GHOST IN THE CELL

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray Combo pack from writer/director Joko Anwar and Well Go USA is a confining horror when there is a GHOST IN THE CELL.

At a local struggling paper in Asia, writer Dimas (Endy Arfian) is thrilled to turn in a piece he wrote about illegal mining operations in Borneo. What interested him most was that workers mysteriously died there. Polishing it off in time, he takes it to his boss, who, within minutes, is outraged that he added suspicions about the Nehea Forest and orders him to redo it. While doing that, something will happen that sends Dimas to prison.  

That prison is Labuhan Angsana, where the inmates have broken off into gangs, the official is corrupt, and one particular guard, Jefri (Bront Palarae), in charge, thinks brutalizing the inmates is required. Anggoro (Abimana Aryasatya) seems to be the leader of one group but doesn’t want to be. It consists of Six (Yoga Pratama), Wildan (Mike Lucock), Pendi (Lukman Sardi) and Irfan (Danang Suryonegoro). They see Dimas coming in on a bus and know he will be the next victim of the psychopath Tokek (Aming Sugarndhi).

The first night has the whole cell block on edge. By morning, they are caught off guard when Dimas is still alive, but what sent him to prison has followed. Instead, the prison is turned upside down as gruesome attacks happen first against the inmates, but it begins to make its way to the prison guards as well. Trying to cover it all up are the corrupt prison warden and his sadistic assistant. They cause the inmates to turn on one another. Yet, one by one, incidents keep happening. All eyes turn to Dimas.

Quickly, with the help of Six, they learn how to fight against the ghost that has taken them hostage behind bars!

Arfian as Dimas is the patsy in all of this. How could he have foreseen that writing an article about suspicious deaths would have him behind bars? Arfian’s character is a bit weak, so it’s easy to see why he needs the help of others if he’s going to survive. Aryastya as Anggoro is a man who tries to keep his temper in check, and with two small children waiting for him, it is still difficult at best. That being said, I loved this character. Calm until he doesn’t have to be, and protects people who can’t protect themselves. Aryastya’s character can also take as good as he gets in the fight scenes, which are well done.

Pratama as Six is an essential character in the film. Coming from a father who has mystic powers, most of the time Six doesn’t take it seriously, until he is forced to. It takes a while, but he finally begins to understand what it is he can see and how it can help. Lucock, Sardi, and Suryonegoro are so cool in the group. Their characters are opinionated, sometimes to their detriment, but loyal as well. They also have their humorous moments that I absolutely loved. Nothing better than being totally grossed out only to have this group of guys crack you up. 

Shout out to the two crazies of the film, Sugarndhi as Tokek who gave me Hannibal Lecter vibes the moment he came on screen. It is hard to get me to make the icky face, but Sugarndhi’s version of his character did just that. Well done! Palarae as Jefri, well, if you wanted me to reach through the screen and punch a character right in the face, it would be Jefri. This character is power-hungry in the worst way, but, as they say, karma can be patient.

Other cast include Magistus Miftah as Novilham, Faiz Vishal as Vijay, Jaisal Tanjung as Bambang, Ho Yuhang as Rendra, Marissa Anita as/Rio Dewanto as Engy, Radja Nasution as Bibin, Dewa Dayana as Prakasa, Almonzo Konoralma as Buki, Morgan Oey as Bimo, Tora Sudiro as Anton, and Kiki Narendra as Sapto.

Bonus Feature of Behind the Cell: The Cast, The Making of GHOST IN THE CELL.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more, please visit www.wellgousa.com.

GHOST IN THE CELL is such a unique horror film, which is also touted as a bit of a comedy, yet loaded with a serious gore factor. The kind of gore that’s like a cop chase or a bar fight; you just can’t look away. What happens to these people inside the prison is nothing short of someone with an imagination that should scare the crap out of us. That being said, wow, absolutely a big wow for the special effects. I can’t remember the last time someone got THAT creative with the human form.

The cast really is amazing. In the confines of a prison, this is all taking place, and there is nowhere to run. That’s the feeling the cast gives; the hopelessness and need to survive go hand in hand with comedy. Watching it you have to second-guess yourself about whether to laugh (and should you feel bad for laughing?) or jaw dropping shock (which turns into nervous laughter – see the problem?). Still, the dance scene of the inmates almost had me on the floor rolling with laughter. Then, of course, it was instantly back to jaw-dropping shock.

Way to play with our emotions, Director Anwar, way to play!

In the end – even a cell can’t keep them safe!

They are the BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS: Wind Rises in the Desert

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray Combo Pack & DVD from director Yuen Woo-ping, Well Go USA comes an epic adventure of unlikely heroes with BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS: Wind Rises in the Desert.

Dao Ma (Wu Jing) and the young Xiao Qi (Ju Qianlang) are bounty hunters looking for a payday. After they extort money from a wanted man, everyone takes notice. That’s when Dao Ma is summoned by Lord Chang (Jet Li), who wants him to train his people. Dao Ma turns him down flat. Walking away isn’t going to be so easy. After resting for the night, Dao Ma and Xiao Qi witness the Lord’s men expose another well-known fighter: the Two-Headed Snake.

Making their escape, Dao Ma heads for the Mojia Village where Ayuya (Chen Lijun) waits to have a little fun of her own with the soldiers chasing. Once safely in the village, the Chieftain calls in a favor from Dao Ma. He wants two things: one, to take the leader of the Flower Rebellion, Zhishilang (Sun Yizhou), to safety, and two, take Ayuya because she wants to see Chang’an along with her friend Ani (Xiong Jinyi).

Not everything is as it seems. The Flower Rebellion still has many who are loyal. With Di Ting (Nicholas Tse) and Shu (Yu Shi) hot on the group's trail, it doesn’t take long before the Imperial Marksman finds them. The Western Five clans meet to discuss the plans by the emperor, but they are in it to capture Zhishilang. Now, the race is on, and Dao Ma isn’t about to let anyone or anything stop him from keeping his promise.

Jing as Dao Ma is a man who just wants to go about his business, making money and moving on. His nature is one that doesn’t want to get involved in anyone’s problems. That means he’s going to be involved in everyone's problems anyway! Jing has his moments of spectacular fight scenes, and once he isn’t fighting, his two main goals are his nephew and staying away from other people's beefs. I loved his role. It isn’t flashy’ it isn’t trying to take up the whole story, yet, from the beginning, it is easy to see who the leader is. Young Qianlang as Xiao Qi is going along to get along. It’s clear he has learned when to step in and when to hide behind a post. He may be small, but his presence is definitely felt.

Lijun as Ayuya is an amazingly strong character. A young woman who knows what she wants, and if you get in her way, well, be prepared for pain to come your way. Lijun gives her character confidence, ability, and the character to defend anyone she cares about. I’d definitely want her on my side in a fight. Jinyi as Ani is Ayuya’s silent backup partner. A little rough around the edges, a little angry, but if you are going to have a sidekick who knows how to use that anger well, then Ani is your girl.

Yizhou as Zhishilang is the masked leader of the Flower Rebellion. His presence is almost like a Buddhist monk. Not wanting to fight, but also won’t be taken advantage of. He may not say a lot, but it’s clear he is a good man worth saving. Yizhou is tall! Yizhou gives his character compassion and understanding in the midst of the chaos surrounding him.

Shout out to Jet Li! His role makes its mark on the film, and honestly, it was amazing to see him back in action.

Other cast include Zhang Jin as Two-headed Snake, Song Sicheng as Da Lai, He Yixuan as Ci Sha, Tony Leung Ka-fai as Lao Mo, Zhang Yi as Pei Shiju, Li Yunxiao as Yan Ziniang, Wen Junhui as Yuji Niuluo, Liu Yaowen as Pei Zingyan, and Kara Wai as Madam Yuchi.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more, please visit www.wellgousa.com.

This Chinese film has a full 126-minute running time is just that: time enough to become invested in the characters and time to see how they get out of the mess they find themselves in. With the wide scope of storytelling in the film, it needs every minute to follow the pieces on this desert chessboard. Each character is so well defined and has a place in the story that is set up to challenge us. We learn slowly who to trust, what their motives are, and what our anti-heroes will do to stop the trouble.

The action sequences are brilliant, with moments of jaw-dropping as well. What impresses me the most is the actors making the fight scenes look so easy and fluid. The film basically takes place outside in the desert, which means the outdoors also becomes a character in the film. There is also humor in just the right places, offering a moment to take a breath from the action. This is an action, adventure, and martial arts film worth spending time with.

In the end – heroes can be found in the most unlikely places!

 

VAMPIRE CARNIVAL Holds Secrets

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from directors David Charbonier, Justin Douglas Powell, Capstone Pictures and Aura Entertainment is a night out in a very different VAMPIRE CARNIVAL.

Gemma (Nell Verlaque) is dealing with the death of a parent and issues at home when mom, Angela (Elizabeth Sanjuan), suggests she go out with friends. A night at the carnival with friends Ryan (Corrado Martini) and Olivia (Paulina Chavez) looks promising. That is until she runs into Eric ‘Post’ (Kieron Moore), someone from her past who left on bad terms. Inviting them all to his tent show, everyone is nervous. Gemma can’t help herself but go.

Introducing the Carnival Gothic portion is Toussaint (Jason Isaacs), who shares his gifts with Gemma. When that isn’t enough, he takes on tough girl Olivia, a non-believer in anything magical with a bad attitude. Taking the stage next is Eric, lauded as “The Man Who Feels No Pain”. The audience that includes Gemma, is stunned, shocked, and full of visceral reactions by what he can do.

Ready to get away, Gemma meets up with Sebastian (Alvise Rigo), who runs a booth and has taken a liking to her. Gemma knows there is something strange about the carnival, and they are all about to find out what that is. Beyond the tents is a world she could never have imagined. Instead of running away from it all, she runs towards it. When those she cares for come under attack, Gemma takes it upon herself to fight the past in the same town that is trying to take her future.

Verlaque as Gemma is a young woman dealing with loss. One night out with friends doesn’t change it, but it does take her mind off of it, until it doesn’t. Meeting someone from the past and becoming quickly close to a carny isn’t unusual when someone grieving doesn’t fear danger. That’s what I appreciated about Verlaque’s performance. The grief is there, and so is the need to find something to fill it. She isn’t outwardly reckless; it just comes naturally. Every step she took interested me, and the ending by her character is a chef’s kiss!

Martini as Ryan is out for a night of fun. Little did he know how far that fun would take him. Each step he takes is exactly what I’d expect from a guy his age. Even standing up to someone from the past is filled with testosterone. Chavez as Olivia is enjoying time with her friends. There is a moment when she gets tense with Gemma; maybe it was the beer, right? Sanjuan as Angela is Gemma’s mom who is trying to do her best by her daughter, but grief is a nasty companion. She is trying just as hard as Gemma to place her grief.

Moore as Eric is just as bad as he wants to be. Not scared of anyone and ready to take on anyone past or present. The scenes in the tent are harsh; you can’t have a bit of a freak show without a true freak. Moore gives his character the right amount of fierceness, and his rendition of ‘Losing My Religion’ is so damn cool. Rigo as Sebastian is a character I didn’t expect. Yes, he has a thing for Gemma; at the same time, he knows who he is and is not in the market for a slaughter of humans. His softness and concern were totally unexpected; way to go, Sebastian!

Isaacs as Toussaint is a low-key leader, and the rules apply to everyone in the carnival, which he makes very clear, repeatedly. Not sure I’d have that much patience.  Never would I have believed I’d say, well done sticking to that. To be honest, I love everything Isaacs does, so taking on this role, his understated behavior works beautifully for the construct of what the carnival is.

Shout out to Sanz as Isabelle. Sleek, unafraid, and loyal!

Other cast include Cedrick Cooper as Dan, Darren Cullen as Manuel, Guillermo Llaguno as Father Molina, Eoin Macken as Michael, Sergio Momo as Arnaud, Rodrigo Romeo as Deputy, and Alicia Sanz as Isabelle.

VAMPIRE CARNIVAL is a fun watch for anyone into the spooky season. I love that the film stays mainly focused on the carnival. It lets the viewer become totally immersed in the story, with Gemma’s house being the only other set. I loved the look of the carnival, the feel of it, in that it could be just about any carnival you would find around Halloween. Adding the name Gothic allows Toussaint to slide into town because who doesn’t love things ‘gothic’?

There are several things in the film that are so well done. No, I’m not going to tell you what they are. Nothing screams “spoiler” more than someone like me giving everything away. Just know, my jaw dropped. You’ll know it when you see it. The cast is so good; they vibed right into the story so well, it just flowed without me even thinking about it. That’s the kind of film I enjoy: reel me in and make me forget I’m supposed to be writing about it.

The season is here to get your fill of thrills, chills, frights, and bites. Get that bucket of popcorn ready and an arm to hold on to. This isn’t your usual carnival!

In the end – this is a night out that changes everything!

They are Making THE PLEA

 

Jeri Jaquin

World Premiering this week at the Woodstock Film Festival from writer/directors Zach LeBeau and Dean Imperial, is the story of differences when making THE PLEA.

Inside a deliberating room at a courthouse, a jury is getting to know one another, and it’s not working. In the middle of tension, actor Jack Smith, aka juror #2, walks into the room playing it cool. The court bailiff (April Matthis) walks through the room collecting cell phones and shouting the instructions for the jurors.

Sequestered in a hotel with two to a room, close quarters mean getting to know one another, whether they like it or not. In one room, a young woman angry at the world and a Christian woman. Facing off on beliefs, it is clear their room sharing is going to be a challenge. In the next room, two men you don’t care to be known by their number. Charles is living on Social Security, and Simon is the doctor.

In the third room is a woman who wants to make a difference in the world and another woman who doesn’t see it exactly that way. Across in the fourth room is a very outspoken man who really isn’t a people person, and his roommate, who has a very strict idea and is very confined by his world of rules. Down at the hotel bar, two jurors are having a drink. Flirting happens, but the humor is in the turn-aways. That’s only night one.

The actual first day of deliberations is led by the stringent juror #10. The case? A man delivering embryos at a clinic has dropped a tray. Now the question becomes, according to the law, did he commit murder? It doesn’t take long before the arguing, loud fighting, and differences come out in full force. When not arguing the case, they each find themselves opening up, sharing their lives, unrealized prejudices, fears, and insecurities. Their emotions are night and day, literally.

The cast includes Dean Imperial as Juror 1, Jason Alan Carvell as Juror 2, Danny Deferrari as Juror #3, Alaina Surgener as Juror #4, Trieu Tran as Juror #5, Millicent Simmonds as Juror #6, Antoniette Crowe-Legacy as Juror #7, Kathryn Erbe as Juror #8, Carolina Gutierrez as Juror #9, Zach LeBeau as Juror #10, Rebecca Rose Bulnes as Juror #11, Dennis Boutsikaris as Juror #12, Mara Stephens as the Interpreter and Gbenga Akinnagbe as the bartender.

The characters in this film are each driven by their own prejudices and motivations to be heard, and that’s what makes this film so different. Yes, there could be comparisons to the 1957 black-and-white film 12 ANGRY MEN. Being touted as a satirical noir, it takes on today's issues of American “values”, what is defined as “personhood”, continued prejudices, differences in belief systems, all wrapped up in a tangled batch of misunderstandings and raised voices for power.

The dynamic in the amazing actors portraying such a diverse room full of jurors, some who want to be there but most do not, is seamless. It could quite easily have become a mess of control, but instead, I found myself seriously listening to each person on the screen. Doing that alone had me invested in how they handled their private lives and jury room deliberations. Their arguments were clearly based in their angers, frustrations, beliefs, need to be heard, and refusal to change minds in a situation that is a no-win for anyone. 

I appreciate what writer/directors Imperial and LeBeau did with this film. Trust me when I say there is absolutely nothing wrong with being compared in any way to 12 ANGRY MEN. In fact, it is a compliment, at least from me, as that film is on my 25-film list. Rather than try to reinvent the wheel or try to re-split the atom, Imperial and Le Beau took something amazing from the past and brought it into the future with full focus on our current world, and, as far as I’m concerned, honored the 1957 film in the process. Doing that means the conversations for THE PLEA will be had, repeatedly. Congratulations and well done!

In the end – twelve divided jurors, one controversial case, America on trial! 

 

 

It’s For ONE NIGHT ONLY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray and Digital from director Will Gluck and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a twist in the world that includes ONE NIGHT ONLY.

In this country, Rexton Labs is a company that has tattooed people that they want to control. Since premarital relations are outlawed, there is one night a year that, for twelve hours, it’s a free-for-all with no consequences. There are no restrictions, and you can’t be arrested for breaking the law. Owen (Callum Turner) owns a pizza parlor and is looking forward to spending that time with girlfriend Malika (Maya Hawke). Meeting her at a restaurant for dinner, his fiancé drops a bomb – she wants to sleep with someone else during those twelve hours.

A few blocks away is Allie (Monica Barbaro), a commercial singer who gets ready to spend the night with Jacinta (King Princess). She makes it clear that she wants to find a true connection in the chaos. Of course, her friend wastes no time in leaving her alone. After Owen’s breakup and before Allie is dumped at the bar, the two have an accidental meeting that doesn’t go well. When both find other hookups, they meet again fighting for the one thing they both need. When that doesn’t work out, they meet again and then again.

Each time, they learn more and more about each other even though they seem to rub each other the wrong way. When Owen gives up, he returns to his pizza parlor and is surprised when Allie finds her way there. Over pizza, it only takes one moment to make one mistake.

Turner as Owen is charming as the pizza parlor owner who wears his heart, and everything else, on his sleeve. Devastated by his girlfriend's request for a pass, he decides that two can play that game, except he’s not good at it. Turner gives us a charming, kind of a boy-next-door, and yes, nice guy character that is adorable beyond belief. The mayhem his character gets himself into had me cracking up a lot. Owen is also observant and smart; I appreciated that. I get tired of rom-coms with idiot characters that just aren’t worth my time.

Barbaro as Allie gives her first scene an immediate Streisand STAR IS BORN hating singing through commercials for psoriasis medication. This twelve-hour intimate window is a chance for her to find someone for a real connection. While that may be her reason, the opposite sex has other plans. She meets every possible thing she doesn’t want in a partner and even ends up sitting on a police bench for her bad picks. Barbaro is cute, witty, and doesn’t hesitate to say what she means. Owens constantly tests her patience, and her ability to be devious about a condom. That means Turner and Barbaro are perfectly matched, even if their characters don’t realize it. More charm for sure.

Hawke as Malika has a small role which sets up Owen’s reasons for his night. Princess as Jacinta is that friend you should never let run off to the bathroom without you. Shout out to Ringwald and Burton for their fantastic roles as the older generation that doesn’t mind getting in on the youngsters' action.

Other casts include Michelle Hurd as Det. Brown, Julia Fox as Skye, Quintessa Swindell as Arya, Charlie Gillespie as Ezra, Okieriete Onaodowan as Tejan, Pete Davidson as Det. Jeterson, Bobby Cannavale as Det. Sannogale, Ben Marshall as Patrick, LeVar Burton as Rick, and Molly Ringwald as Linda.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and is 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 Feeling Sparks, Pizza 101 with Callum Turner, The Plus Ones: ONE NIGHT ONLY, and No Glucks Given.

ONE NIGHT ONLY is, for lack of a better description, The Purge except for a night of sex with whoever you want instead of bloody murder. It is a night where all gloves are off (pun intended), and no one is going to stop anyone else. On the streets, in windows, in cars, in the park, whenever and wherever, time is of the essence, and the clock is ticking. Even more so for Owen and Allie as we get to watch them race across the streets of New York to find their one.

This is a rom-com with a twist that sets up the reason for it all. Now, I’m not sure I’d want to live in a country that allowed this to happen, but then again, I hate living in my country now, where this could actually happen tomorrow! So, deciding to take the view that this could never happen (insert eye roll here), Callum and Barbaro give charming performances with two characters that, in reality, think they know what they want, except they don’t. In lies the humor and head-slapping we all will be doing, but in a cute way.

So, after cuddling with your own special more-than-twelve-hour someone, enjoy.

 

In the end – 12 hours can change everything!

 

 

It is THE SOCIAL RECKONING

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Aaron Sorkin, Columbia and Sony Pictures is a story that will hit everyone on social media with THE SOCIAL RECKONING.

Facebook employee Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) is a data engineer in 2019 who doesn’t really get along with colleagues. Her mind flies faster than the internet and notices things about the social platform that are bothering her. When she tries to bring it to people's attention, they turn away, wondering why she just doesn’t ‘get a life.’ Across town, Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), a Wall Street Journal journalist who can’t even figure out how to use the internet to get directions. This is noticed by boss Kris (Betty Gilpin). He does have an idea for a story, though: Facebook.

Sending out emails to Facebook employees looking for help, it is Frances, the only one who replies. Meeting up, the two clash immediately as Frances isn’t sure what she’s doing and Jeff hasn’t a clue about the tech language she uses. Slowly, the two come together and begin working together. Mark Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong) is practicing what he will be saying to Congress when they meet. With the help of Raya (Wunmi Mosaku) and adversary Charlie (Bill Burn). The more Frances learns that Zuckerberg is responsible for distorting algorithms, not monitoring things like hate groups and false political posts, the more she is scared of working with Jeff.

Zuckerberg, in the meantime, is not only refusing to be responsible, but finding ways to bring in more revenue. But he is forced to look at the results of his lack of caring on a certain day in January. Frances and Jeff know what needs doing; they do it knowing the cost to us all.

Madison as Frances is absolutely, positively amazing in this role. Her character is one that thinks differently than those around her. Always one step ahead in her train of thought, she is brutally honest and doesn’t have time for games. Her exasperation towards Jeff is comical at times, but always straightforward. Fear does take this character at certain moments; I’d be worried if there weren’t moments. The weight of knowing what Frances knew and did had to be so heavy, and Madison portrays it all exquisitely. It only took five minutes of watching Madison to know every second of the film after was going to be thrilling. Up to the very last frame, Madison owned the screen.

White as Horwitz, playing stunningly across from Madison’s Frances. Bouncing off one another’s characters, it is a flawless thing to see. Horwitz started out understanding very little about the workings of Facebook, yet took everything his counterpart had to say as gospel and learned quickly. The more he learns, the more he realizes how dangerous it all is. White gives his character a twitchiness that transferred straight into my brain. Listening to him translate Frances speech helped me understand what was actually happening; I was literally in the passenger seat to the road he was screeching down. Actually, I thought Frances and Jeff had a lot in common in their thought processes and actions. Just amazing.

Strong as Zuckerberg is so freaky that it made my skin crawl in scenes. I don’t know how long it took Strong to learn to copy Zuckerberg’s voice, but it’s there, loud, clear, and unmistakable. He wore the bowl haircut and copied posturing to perfection. It is clear that Zuckerberg gets what he wants, and doesn’t care who he has to step on to make that happen. Strong gives a dangerous edge to his portrayal, as he should. Zuckerberg has made it clear over the years that nothing or no one will get in his way. Strong’s Zuckerberg keeps everyone at arm's length, and when tested, makes it clear that everyone else around him is irrelevant to his life. Thinking he knows best at what the world wants from Facebook, it only proves that there comes a time in everyone’s life where it is glaringly clear, for him, he doesn’t actually know people at all. Nor does he care. Strong brings all of that across on the screen.

Shout out to Gilpin as Horwitz’s boss, Kris, who starts out thinking Horwitz is decidedly a hot mess. I just love Gilpin and am happy to see her take on the strong lady boss role. Mosaku as Raya is a woman stuck in Zuckerberg’s world of hot mess. She tries to keep the boss under control but learns more and more that you can’t tame a tiger. Burr as Charlie portrays, in my way of thinking, the only sane person around Zuckerberg. He knows what’s wrong, he knows why, and he knows Zuckerberg is going to burn for it all in one way or another.    

Other cast include Anna Lambe, Billy Magnussen, Wunmi Mosaku, Patrick Fischler, Portia Doubleday, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Nelson Franklin, Nathan Witt, Crystal Balint, Sierra Captri, Jobie James, Erin Boyes, and Aidan Laprete.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to sit through THE SOCIAL RECKONING. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the 2010 film THE SOCIAL NETWORK and have watched it over and over. It was the beginning of Facebook, and it introduced us all to the slightly different thinking of a young man named Zuckerberg. This film is much later in his life, older, yet he is still ‘plugged in’ and seems to really have no use for or respect for the people around him – except when they can teach him how to stay out of trouble. This film is a master class of narcissism, moral corruption, personal destruction, and harm to the masses. Relevant even today.

Sorkin didn’t fall into the whining and crying of the times; instead, he told the story straight, no room for flashy scenes or sneaky ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN shadow garage meetings. He also didn’t try to dumb down the audience. Instead, he calls on the audience to learn the basic terminology and understand a bit about how it all works when we like or share a video from Facebook. Education through storytelling, and let me tell you, I won’t be liking or sharing things for a long time.

The performances of Madison, White, and Strong carry the film in a way that will have the audience talking as they walk out of the theatre. The story covers a lot of ground, but never loses sight of its goal, which I know is going to hit each person differently. Technology has always been readily acceptable without giving it much thought. It has become an easy tool, but for some, a tool of mass destruction. THE SOCIAL RECKONING offers a peek behind the curtain where a lot is hidden. Keep your eyes open!

In the end – we are way past making friends!

He is DIGGER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Warner Bros. Pictures is a story about a scene that is carried by DIGGER.

Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise) is a tycoon who is about to find out what a total disaster is, that is, when he’s not worried about Maggie the cat. The discovery that a rig on an Arctic ice shelf has pretty much shaken up the whole world, literally, is driven home by Ganesh (Riz Ahmed), a scientist who had been trying to warn him of the methane leaks. Now Digger has to tell U.S. President Compson (John Goodman) that things are about to get dicey with one of our country's allies.

Considering he is supposed to be close friends with all the major world players, Digger knows what the people need to hear, and he’s more than happy to give it to them. Even if it’s not exactly what one would expect! Letting Ganesh go first, he walks in full Texas gear and tells the ugly truths no one really wants to hear.

Cruise as Digger is a man on a mission. Walking around his wealthy life, pointing fingers at everyone else and finding most people not of any use to him, a disaster seems to bring out the best in him. That is, after he’s done panicking. Watching everyone else break out into a panic is what centers him, coming up with his own suggestions. I think Cruise could not help but have some fun portraying this role. It is so far out there that it’s impossible to mess it up. The deeper the trouble, the more outrageous Cruise takes his character. The character’s basic I-don’t-give-a-crap attitude just seems to heighten the craziness and feed into Digger’s need to call out the world as he sees it. It’s not a pretty world, but damn it, Digger is going to make his space in it golden.

Ahmed as Ganesh actually gave me quite a tickle a few times. Not only does he play a character that is unexpected, but he became an unexpected character for me to watch. I loved his performance in last year's film HAMLET, so in-depth and deeply serious, and in DIGGER, he flips the script, giving us the innocent face of a scientist who refuses to be corrupted by wealth and power. That belief, however, leaves him wide open to being a useful puppet with his naivete and wanting to trust that everyone around him will do the right thing.

Goodman as President Compson is dealing with cancer of the rear end and has moments where he spaces out, turning to his equally twisted staff to call out suggestions. Remind you of anyone? He is so focused on his rear end that he doesn't see what importance a block of ice has in the grand scheme of things.

Shout out to Jesse Plemons for being the character that is there, and not there, until he’s there again with something that needs to be said. You’ll know when you know.

Other cast include Robert J. Burke as Fitzgerald, Emma D’Arcy as Lina, Corey Johnson as Jacobs, Sophie Wilde as Hannah, Danny Kirrane as Sandy Clarkson, and Sandra Huller as Emma Rockwell. Mercedes Hernandez as Digger’s housekeeper, the only hysterically sane person in the whole film.

I get what Iñárritu was trying to do using comedy and satire in a hot pot, with a dash of Wes Anderson. That being said, I’m not sure what audience he is shooting for. Of course, the trailers hint at Les Grossman from the 2008 now-cult classic TROPIC THUNDER, so that could be a draw. That audience would definitely get hints of that character, which is oddly satisfying to watch. Other than that, I don’t really know where DIGGER fits. They’d also get hints of Cruise’s 1999 Frank T.J. Mackey in the film MAGNOLIA. Nothing wrong with recycling.

The questions that will hit immediately are ‘Is this supposed to be funny?’ stretching all the way to ‘I wish this were funny.” In between questions, Cruise’s character rampages on so fast, the questions almost get set aside without realizing it. The character of Digger reminds me of someone who lives on twenty-five cups of coffee a day and little else. Jumping from climate change to oil, to distractions (whether he is creating them or someone else), to Russia, to a twisted Nicholson’s 1992 A FEW GOOD MEN Col. Jessep rant of “You want me to drill, you need me to drill!”, it is exhausting. That brings us full circle back to: who is the target audience?

The saving grace is the last fifteen minutes of the film, but sitting through the first one hundred and thirteen minutes before that is the challenge, although the set designs are fantastic. But hey, if you are willing to take a wild ride and want to feel like you’re in the Twilight Zone for two hours, then DIGGER is just the film for you.

In the end – it is a comedy of catastrophic proportions!

It is the HEART OF THE BEAST

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director David Ayer and Paramount Pictures is the story of a man and a very special dog in the wild with the HEART OF THE BEAST.

Flying through a deserted part of Alaska, former Army Special Forces vet James Belmont (Brad Pitt) brings his retired combat dog Odin (Uber) for a bit of a vacation. Fishing, playing, and relaxing, they find comfort in spending time together. Both of them suffer from PTSD and turn to one another when the dreams of past events haunt them. Even a quick visit from a stranger puts them on high alert.

As the weather changes, James and Odin board their plane and head back home. Not long into the flight, James begins to fall ill, causing the plane to crash. Knowing the only thing to do is make it to a main road, the two load up for a fifty-eight-mile trek across unspoiled, wild, and untamed land. Every step leads them both into danger as nature tests their limits, their ability to adapt, and their willingness to put themselves in front of every danger that presents itself.

Man and man’s best friend on a journey only they understand.

Pitt as Belmont has one of the most difficult parts to play as a soldier who spent most of his life fighting, ending up with PTSD. Another difficult thing to do is carry a film with only a hint of another person to act off of. Then you add a dog to the mix, and it is impossible to look away. The relationship between Pitt and Uber (Odin’s real name) feels genuine and shared. The final ingredient is Pitt playing opposite the wild environment of Alaska. He mixes it carefully and comes away with a poignant character who broke my heart.

Uber as Odin, all I can say is what a beautiful dog. He is also a New Zealand rescue dog in his own life. Still, in the film, his deep golden-brown eyes tug at every heartstring. As the film progresses, director Ayer seems to know exactly what to ask of his furry friend. He’s not just a dog in a movie; he’s an integral part of the film, proving that the animals we love - love us in return, in their own way. There wasn’t a moment where I thought, ‘Well, this is just a dog following directions. No, I saw a loyal companion who shared trauma with his friend.

Shout out to J.K. Simmons and his fantastic moments in the film, and Anna Lambe for just being plain cool.

Pitt not only stars in HEART OF THE BEAST, but he also jumped in as a producer through his Plan B Entertainment company. This is also the second time that director Ayer has worked with Pitt. Their previous collaboration is the 2014 film FURY, and Pitt’s company is responsible for such hits as THE DEPARTED (2006), 12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013), and MOONLIGHT (2016). Ayer has quite the resume himself, with such films as END OF WATCH (2012) and SUICIDE SQUAD (2016), and a dozen more to his credit.

The film’s star also talks about working with Uber (Odin). “The first thing I had to do was start a relationship with Uber. From the first day, we spent as much time together as we could so I could earn his trust.” For me, it totally shows on the screen. Director Ayer says of his film, “Making any film is a huge commitment of time, heart, and labor. It came down to the script; I felt I was the person that could tell this story and the emotional life it has.”

HEART OF THE BEAST has so many layers to it, which is why I suggest Kleenex in hand as you enter the theatre. This is a story of two friends who have experienced the best and worst of humanity and, because of circumstances, now face the best and worst of a place that can be unforgiving. Ayers uses the most beautiful place in New Zealand’s South Island as Alaska’s substitute backdrop, to which Ayer says, “You can’t tell the difference,” and he’s right. Whether in Alaska or New Zealand, the landscape is a character all its own.

The film runs through every gambit of human emotion, and I left the film totally emotionally drained, but in a way that I want a film to make me feel. It reaches in and pulls us closer to the screen with everything it has. Pitt and Uber bring the story written by Cameron Alexander’s screenplay into focus regarding the issue of PTSD. It also brings into focus the work that combat dogs do and how their response to it is not so disconnected from their human counterparts. They need loving homes so they, too, can find a place to recover and live their best lives.

In the end – survival depends on their bond!

Friends Travel to FORGOTTEN ISLAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday, from writers/directors Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado, DreamWorks and Universal Pictures bring the story of friendship that faces a challenge on FORGOTTEN ISLAND.  

In the Philippines, a very young Jo (H.E.R.) is in class, telling the story of the forgotten island of Nakalimutan, or Nakali for short. To get her point across, she invokes the bloody story of Manananggal, which doesn’t go over very well. Landing her to wait for the principal, she is joined by a very young Raissa (Liza Soberano) who the same teacher sent for defending Jo’s position. Discussing their reasons with each other, it becomes very clear that these two were fated to be best friends.

Jo is a talented artist, and Rais is a brainiac, yet the two get along famously. Every adventure they go on adds to the bracelets they both wear. Rais also spends a lot of time listening to more stories of the forgotten island from Jo’s grandmother, Lola (Dolly de Leon), who has actually been there through a magical portal! Their goal? They both want to find the island too.

As the years go by, Jo is finding her way while Rais has found her direction – and it's off to America to attend Caltech. Celebrating their last night together, the shell they had been looking for appears, taking them away to the forgotten island. They wake up on the shore of the island and meet Raww (Dave Franco), who agrees to act as their tour guide because the girls don’t remember much of the prior night. Raww takes them to see Batiba (Jenny Slate) to help get their memories back, but it comes at a price.

On their journey to remember and find the missing portal key, Jo and Rais meet Tiyanak (Manny Jacino) the extremely large demon baby, Datu (Jo Koy), King of the Duwende Truffle Wuffle (Ronny Chieng), and Mermahn (Kevin McCann), the outrageous, well, Mermahn. The creature they are running from is the dreaded and feared Manananggal Manang (Lea Salonga). The goal is to get back home for Jo and Rais, but something wonderful happens along the way, and it’s something neither will ever forget.

H.E.R. and Soberano as Jo and Rais are everything one would want in a childhood best friend. They may have different areas of interest, but that doesn’t stop them from finding common ground. So much so that they are practically joined at the hip, and best friends wouldn’t want it any other way. Like sisters, there are moments of tension, but it doesn’t diminish the love they have for one another. They learn misunderstandings hurt, but a hug can heal so much in the heart. I just loved watching these two characters go through their journey, and it is H.E.R. and Soberano that kept my attention on the screen from start to finish.

Franco as Raww is hilarious, especially when his character sees a stick because, for anyone with a dog, we know it’s true. He is charming, strange, and full of twists and turns, but lovable to the end. Jacino as Datu cracked me up so much, becoming part of the band of misfits. McCann as Mermahn just shot out of nowhere in the film and made himself right at home with the gang. He is colorful, emotional, and an all-around good friend to have. Salonga as Manang is the creature the whole island fears, and with good reason. Shout out to Koy at Datu; I recognized his voice immediately, as well as his tone of humor.  

The film is set in the 1990s, which offers up the use of some pretty awesome music that will have some in the audience singing along rather quickly. This is the first animated film based on Philippine mythology, bringing the culture of family and traditions to the screen. The mixture of animation techniques (shifting from computer-generated to anime animation) adds so much more fun to the story from Jo’s side of the talented duo. Those techniques were inspired by Filipino art and graphic style.  

FORGOTTEN ISLAND comes in at one hundred and eight minutes of fun, laughs, action, color, friendship, mythology, and the wide human scope of love with all the problems that come with it. Generations in the family will find something heartwarming in this film. There is humor for all ages as well, which makes this a perfect family film to see from grandparents down to grandkids. It is films like this that allow families to come together, have a good time, and learn about another culture and its own mythology.

The film is beautifully done, exceptional in the animation, wonderful in the choice of cast, and when you mix that all together, FORGOTTEN ISLAND won’t be forgotten any time soon.

In the end – no memory left behind!

 

The Ladies are Back in PRACTICAL MAGIC 2

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres, from director Susanne Bier and Warner Bros. Pictures, is the return of the Owen sisters in PRACTICAL MAGIC 2.

Still living in Massachusetts, the Owens women are still dealing with the curse of their ancestor, Maria Owens. Sally (Sandra Bullock) has been raising her two daughters, Antonia (Maisie Williams) and Kylie (Joey King). What they don’t know is that their mother hasn’t told them one single thing about the magic they have inside them. Swearing sister Gillian (Nicole Kidman) to secrecy, they have managed to live on without exposing the truth. But, like all truths, it will rise like bread dough breaking through to the surface.

Aunt Jet (Dianne Wiest) is the first to realize it when she discovers the Book of Raven that may hold more explanation that haunts the sisters' ability to love without deadly consequences. Unfortunately, Aunt Jet can only leave the book behind as her time has come, much to the dismay of sister Frances (Stockard Channing). After mourning, a test comes when Kylie’s love, Gideon (Xolo Mariduena), is struck down and falls into a coma. A promise broken between the two sisters, Kylie’s anger sets her on a path with the book meant for Frances and a calling to head to England.

Sally and Gillian are told by Francis to follow and find Ian Wright (Lee Pace), a historian of magic who can help not only find Kylie, but discover what the book means to them. Sister Antonia stays at the hospital with Gideon, with Aunt Frances at their side. Kylie is following visions that lead her to Tom Bailey (Solly McLeod) and Lockland Manor with its dark history and more stories of the witches the Owens are related to.

Sally and Gillian meet with Ian Wright, but Sally feels as if something is off, and not just her magic. Not trusting Ian, she has no choice but to follow where he leads to understand what has become of Kylie and who is responsible. What they find there forces the sisters to come together once again to use their powers to face the darkness.

Bullock as Sally has been raising her daughters along with her two aunts and sister. Living without the use of magic, she believes it will keep her daughters safe. When it doesn’t due to a broken promise, Sally has to come to terms with reigniting her long-lost magic to save an angry daughter. I love when Bullock plays such strong characters, and coming back to an original character means that much more to me. She is an overprotective mother, a strait-laced sister, a loving niece, and a stubborn woman to the maximum, and I’m here for it. Playing opposite her ‘sister’ in Kidman, it felt like their chemistry hadn’t changed a bit.

Kidman as Gillian reprises her role as the ditzy sister who has no intention of settling down to domestic life or setting her magic aside for anyone. Clearly loving her Aunts as well as her nieces, she shows up as big a life itself with her own brand of scattered thoughts and funny comments. Kidman made it appear like she had a very good time coming back to the witchiness, making it look comfortable. When it comes time, her character is strong and knows her family is everything.

Pace as Ian is a professor who studies magic, and he knows there is dark magic after him as well as the Owens. It is Frances who directs Sally and Gillian to him, explaining that he knows what they do not about the family and its past. Knowing that Sally doesn’t trust him, he tries his best to help, but his emotions are out there for all to see. McLeod as Tom shares with Kylie the deep story behind the Owens' history and wants to help Kylie finish opening the Book of Ravens for the rest of the answers. There is a connection, and he shares what he knows. Not a huge role but a powerful one nonetheless.

King as Kylie is the typical college student who thinks they know everything till they don’t, and when they don’t like what’s happening, they fly off the handle. Kylie is reckless, isn’t thinking, and, by the way, who leaves their boyfriend in a coma and asks their sister to watch over him? I just couldn’t get behind that. Also, you think because you just learned you are a witch that you can cast a spell? Man, I wasn’t buying that in the slightest and, honestly, it was irritating. Williams as Antonia is a doctor who at least thinks in reality first and foremost. Not understanding what her sister is up to, she goes along to get along. Her role isn’t a large one, but she reminds me of Bullock’s character from the 1998 film. Strong, wise, a bit funny, and quirky.

Wiest as Jet just made my heart practically burst. Sweet, loving, a bit out there. It is clear she loves her family enough to sacrifice everything for them. It is so good to see her on the screen returning as Jet. Channing also returns as Frances, loving sister to Jet. She supports the family when needed and does so with such grace and elegance. Both of these wonderful actresses deserve all the kudos I can possibly give them.

PRACTICAL MAGIC 2 is based on the 2021 novel The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman, which is the sequel to the 1998 film PRACTICAL MAGIC.

I went in hoping that I wouldn’t be disappointed after all the time that has passed since the original film. It’s a hit-or-miss when enough time has passed to try and pick up the torch to see if it will work once again. Three generations of women in my family sat together, and no, we were not disappointed with the three generations of witches on the screen. We had such a fantastic time reacquainting ourselves with the Owen sisters, and investing in the new generation of sisters.

The story flowed so well between the generations when secrets are revealed, and bad intentions make Sally and Gillian suspicious of everyone- well, more Sally than anyone else. There is more of the history of the family that comes out as well, and I found it so interesting how it is woven into the story. There was absolutely nothing I didn’t enjoy. A nice bonus was Pace’s Ian being introduced as someone Sally fears losing after having lost so many.

There are so many surprises mixed in as well that the two-hour running time didn’t feel like it at all. Filling up all that time, I can honestly say there isn’t a need for a third installment of the story. I really enjoyed how it was wrapped up in a way that no fan of the original film should be unhappy. So gather up your own little coven and hit the theatres this weekend for a magical good time.

In the end – this is everything you witched for!

The Mission is all About THE FIX

 Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this week from writer/director Guy Moshe, Briarcliff and Inaugural Entertainment is the tale of war, greed, and trust about THE FIX.

Larry (Liam Neeson) is a CIA agent in 2021, dealing with a 2021 Special Ops mission in Kabul. When things go seriously wrong, the effects of it cause him debilitating pain. The death of his men and feeling as if he failed the team make it a struggle for him to continue in his role as a leader. Several years later, Tucker (Zachary Levi) is now the Special Ops leader, and Larry is once again the handler when things go wrong. This causes Tucker to have to deal with his own demons about his profession. One of them is being away from his young son, as his ex-wife Sophie (Annet Mahendru) has remarried and moved on with her life.

Taking a visit to see Larry after learning he is suffering from dementia, Tucker spends time and begins to hear ramblings from the elderly man. The most shocking is that in a hotel in Tehran, there is $25 million dollars stashed away and has been there since the Iranian Revolution. After seeing that his former team is hurting in a way that money can help with, Tucker decides it's time to get the band back together. In order to make this work, Tucker must reach out to contacts who agree to help as long as they rescue activist Maryam (Lara Wolf).

To help with the mission, Tucker hires Zara (Elnaaz Norouzi), a young woman who can pose as Tucker’s wife and also speaks the language. Learning that the hotel no longer exists and is now a government facility. Tucker and his men will do what they do best: get in, get out, and get home! Of course, you have to know who to trust to make that happen.

Levi as Tucker is a man haunted by so many different things he doesn’t know where to even begin. From a mission that went to a place he can’t get past, to only seeing his son from a distance because of what he does, he decides to take one last job. Not for his own personal gain, but to help the men he shared years with in the military and the suffering each has gone through since then. Levi is fine for this role. He manages to pull off the right kind of swagger. His character has no clue what he’s gotten himself into, and it puts everyone, once again, in danger. I do enjoy the moments between his character and Neeson’s, a good watch.

Neeson as Larry has seen as much go wrong as Tucker has. Now, with a medical condition, he has one last big secret that he entrusts to Tucker. I love the fact that Neeson has always played diverse characters, whether they be good, bad, or indifferent in the storyline; I can always count on him to give it his all and love every moment of it. He may not have as much camera time as Levi, but when he is on, he is on point and doesn’t hold back!

Norouzi as Zara takes on the role of Tucker’s wife, and when things get very dangerous, she refuses to leave him. That’s when lines are crossed, making things even more dangerous than ever. Norouzi is a stunner and definitely gives the highly male cast a run for their money. Wolf as Maryam is an activist trying to help rescue Iranian women from a fate worse than death. She is headstrong and refuses to give in when she probably should. There comes a moment in the film where a decision she makes will have her feeling the same way Tucker does. So well done.

Shout-out to Mahendru as ex-wife Sophie. As mad as she might be at Tucker for the way he had handled the relationship with their son, when Tucker needs her, she knows exactly what to do. I loved that about her character. Also, Navid Negahban as Qasim, in charge of the military installation where the money is hidden, gets a chance to be the serious bad guy who is just as determined as Tucker to take American prisoners.

Other cast include Grant Harvey as Matt, Oliver Trevena as Col. Wilkes, Augusto Aguilera as Bruce, Despina Mirou as Katarina, and Wes Chatham as Alex.  

THE FIX is a lengthy film that, quite honestly, didn’t need to be over a two-hour film. I appreciate keeping the backstory quick and to the point, allowing the story to evolve naturally, but there are moments that were dragged out and could have been cut altogether. There are several plot lines that I feel have been seen in other films as well. It doesn’t change the dynamic of the film; I’ve just seen enough films to recognize it.

The cast that director Moshe has put together works seamlessly together. The action can be very intense at times, as each person has their own reason for doing what they are doing. This is definitely a heist of a different kind, if you consider what the group is doing a heist. Fund relocation, perhaps? The set looks authentic to what one would expect of Iran and the behavior of bad men doing bad things.

There are plenty of twists, turns, lies, stretched-out truths, and men who want to take on this private mission for their own reasons. It is up to the audience to keep up with it all and pay attention to the small details. Between the lies and the truth are the facts that are about to change everything.

In the end – settle the score!