They are the THUNDERBOLTS*

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD from director Jake Schreier and Marvel Studios comes a team that call themselves THUNDERBOLTS*.

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) is starting to wonder about her career choices thinking about her time being trained as a Black Widow and now employed by CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). It comes at a perfect time as de Fontaine (don’t forget the “de”) is up against it as an investigation trying to impeach her looms large. Trying to stay one step ahead, de Fontaine begins to cover up her work at O.X.E. Group. Belova is told this will be her last mission by going to O.X.E. Group and find out who is stealing from the company.

Well, when Belova arrives, she is met by John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen) and Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko) and after an all-out brawl, they begin to realize what has happened. The woman who sent them on a ‘mission’, was actually hoping them would take each other out. During their discussion, a man falls out of nowhere and tells the group his name is Bob (Lewis Pullman). Their now ex-boss is upset that the group has decided to come together as a team – with Bob. Managing to capture Bob, de Fontaine works her charm when she discovers he has abilities given to him by the Sentry trials.

Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) is Belova’s dad and after hearing a plot against his daughter, decides to help the group he calls “Thunderbolts”. Another person watching all of this closely is Congressman Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) who wants the group to testify against de Fontaine. The problem is Bob when de Fontaine brings out all his superpowers that the Thunderbolts can’t handle, especially with the spread of The Void. That isn’t going to stop the misfit heroes from doing the right thing!

Pugh as Yelena Belova is a disillusioned assassin who is having trouble dealing with her issues. When de Fontaine convinces her to do one more job, Pugh’s character goes with the flow. That is until she realizes that no one can be trusted! I enjoyed Pugh’s performance as a woman who doesn’t really take much guff from anyone and yet, shows a soft side towards Bob. She is strong and smart, if only Belova can get out of her own way. Well done!

Louis-Dreyfus as de Fontaine is absolute fantastic. She is a woman who attempts to stay one step ahead of the guillotine with her plotting, planning and fancy footwork. This character is not easily jarred while others panic around her. Louis-Dreyfus gives this villain all that is necessary to make us love and hate her at the same time. Harbour as Shostakov is a dad who wants to make things right with his daughter. Continually being on her side, no matter how it looks or sounds, Harbour gives us the complexities of their relationship and the silliness from time to time of an embarrassing dad and I am here for it all.

Russell as Walker is a man who wants to keep the title of Captain and the suit that looks familiar in the Avenger world. He starts out letting everyone know he can handle anything that happens but finds himself having to adjust his thinking to be part of a team. He has his moments that totally made me laugh, well done sir. John-Kamen as Starr has her own gifts and, like Belova, patience isn’t one of them. She fits in perfectly with the band of mercenaries. Kurylenko as Dreykov is all about the mission and that is what gets complicated until what is happening becomes clear.

Shout out to Stan as Buckey Barnes who knows that de Fontaine needs to be stopped quickly. Realizing it may be the band of misfits that can help him get the job done, he ends up realizing there is more to their story and he can relate from his own past. Always glad to see Stan back in Buckey boots and he does so without missing a step.

Other cast include Chris Bauer as Holt, Wendell Pierce as Gary, Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel, and Gabrielle Byndloss as Olivia.

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.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 on 4K, Bluray and DVD include Deleted Scenes with Door is Unliftable and Gary Announcement, Assembling a Team, Around the World and Back Again, All About Bob, Sentry & The Voice, Gag Reel, and Director’s Audio Commentary.

THUNDERBOLTS* is a fast-paced, superhero film that fights its way through twists, turns and an amazing cast to make that all happen. Led by Pugh, I just love how each has their story to tell and we all get a chance to experience that. The fight begins between two government factions and, as always, it ropes in others to help keep their powers in place. The problem is, you can’t ask those to help you that you’ve tries to eliminate right? That’s when the fun begins.

The film is fun, funny and dark which is hard to pull of as director Schreier managed to do quite well. Marvel brings something pretty cool with these ragtag would-be heroes dealing with their own issues in the middle of a city destructing crisis. Mixed in is humor, charm and villainy in all the right places. As always, stay tuned after the credits.

In the end – not super, not heroes and not giving up!

 

Marriage is Tough Enough When Going DOWNHILL

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from directors Nat Faxon, Jim Rash and 20^th Century Home Entertainment is a moment that can make their world go DOWNHILL.

Billie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Pete (Will Ferrell) have taken their two sons Emerson (Ammon Ford) and Finn (Julian Grey) to the Alps for a family ski trip. Pete is still dealing with the death of his father and chooses a hotel that is not really family oriented as they are informed by hotel greeter Charlotte (Miranda Otto). Making the bet of it the family hit the slopes for the first day of skiing.

After, they head to the patio for lunch overlooking the vast and huge mountains. Hearing what sounds like gunfire, within moments everyone on the patio notices an avalanche coming towards them. As it gets closer and closer, Billie and Pete realize that something has gone terribly wrong. As people start to run, Billie sees the chaos and hugs her sons tight while Pete jumps up and runs away.

Once the snow settles and everyone is okay but shaken, Pete returns to the table as if nothing has happened shocking Billie. Clearly the day is over. The next day Billie is still talking about it and needs to make sure the hotel knows how she feels, and they talk to Michel (Kristofer Hivju) who does not seem all that impressed by their concerns.

In contact with fellow co-worker Zach (Zach Woods) and girlfriend Rosie (Zoe Chao), Billie is not happy about sitting through a visit with them. Listening to their idle chatter with Pete, she interrupts when he refers to their avalanche incident as a ‘moment’. It is a calm that would scare most men, Billie calls him out on the details while Zach and Rosie witness it all.

Taking a solo day, Billie tells Pete he gets the boys for the day as she takes off to ski. Meeting up with Charlotte, they have a woman on woman talk (with Charlotte doing most of the talking) and Billie is introduced to Guglielmo (Giulio Berruti) and a choice has to be made.

But that’s not the only choice as they can’t continue with this vacation until someone steps forward and calls out the elephant on the slopes!

Louis-Dreyfus as Billie is everything one would expect of a woman in a marriage that has problems, but she is quiet about it all. The avalanche is pretty much a metaphor for her life and pressure cooker of emotions. Each moment of not resolving her issues, fissures begin to release about everything else BUT the avalanche. Louis-Dreyfus gives us a full-blown view of her life and some of it is even relatable for many of us.

Ferrell as Pete is a husband who seems to be more concerned with what he wants than what his family wants. Granted Pete is still dealing with the emotions of losing his father but putting his needs before that of his wife and sons starts to make him look selfish and trust the family notices. I like roles like this for Ferrell where we get to experience more from him than comedy. Playing opposite Louis-Dreyfus, it is an amazing give and take.

Woods as Zach is someone Pete professes to not want to be around yet hangs out with him. Under the spell of a new girlfriend, Zach seems to have changed his tune about life. Chao as Rosie lets Zach speak his truth but makes sure he says it the way she thinks he should. It quickly becomes clear who wears the ski-pants in the relationship.

Otto as Charlotte absolutely won me over with her straight-forward, straight talking hilarious hotel greeter. Watching Billie’s facial reactions to her brashness was everything and a comedic break in the otherwise heavy story. Also, a shout out to Hivju as Michel because I laughed so hard with his I-don’t-see-the-problem looks and mainly because I’d probably act the same way.

Twentieth Century 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.

DOWNHILL’s Bluray and Digital Special Features include Casting the Stanton Family and Friends, Deleted Scenes: Alternate Opening, Billie’s Ski Boots, “I Deserve to be Comfortable:, Outtakes: Dinner with Charlotte, Origins of the Film and Locations.

DOWNHILL is a mixed bag of emotions starting out with the usual tourist family visiting the ski slope of the Alps, to a ‘moment’ when life flashes, to acting as if nothing has happened, to wondering who this person is Billie is married to. There are a few moments of giggle which I appreciated because they fit perfectly into the story.

Louis-Dreyfus is one of the producers of the film and says, “I am a huge fan of the Swedish film FORCE MAJEURE and was very amenable to make an American version of it. I thought it would be very interesting to put an American spin on it and open up some of these characters in different ways. Five years later we have got a movie.” A trivia note, Hivju was in the original FORCE MAJEURE playing the role of Zach.

I actually enjoyed taking the journey through this story because Louis-Dreyfus and Ferrell make every second work. It’s a story of life, love, the pressure of family, relationships with the backdrop of trying to create the perfect family vacation which equals disaster.

In the end – it’s a different kind of disaster movie!

VEEP is Making History with it’s Complete Sixth Season on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray from HBO Home Entertainment is the amazing cast and Emmy Winning comedy back to share all with VEEP: The Complete Sixth Season.

President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is not handling the loss in the Senate resolving the Electoral College tie that ended last season. Her staff has gone to the four winds as Dan (Reid Scott) can be found on CBS This Morning television, and Amy (Anna Chlumsky) is set to marry politician Buddy Calhoun. Jonah (Timothy Simons) is still in Congress and now Kent is working for him.

Her only continuing contact is with Mike (Matt Walsh) who has become Mr. Mom taking care of his three kids while helping Selina with her memoir. Richard (Sam Richardson) is still helping her as well even if Gary (Tony Hale) isn’t happy about it.

As Selina works on her Presidential library, she finds out Andrew has been cheating. What’s worse is that it’s with the woman who painted her official portrait – how’s that for kicking a former President while she’s already down! Dealing with Buddy’s (Matt Oberg) latest potential tabloid fodder, Amy works on a way to downplay his DUI arrest.

Participating as an observer in Georgia’s free elections, Selina learns how their process works and the word ‘bribe’ is thrown around. Ready to head back to the states, the rumor mill is working overtime as she hears that a Supreme Court nomination is in the wind.

Before heading for Qatar, Selina finally picks a location for her library. Once in Qatar, she finds herself in the middle of photo ops that prove to be more than she had anticipated. So much for putting Tibet first and foremost.

Between unveiling her Presidential portrait and Gary’s birthday party, things couldn’t get crazier – or could they. Selina’s diary ends up in the hands of Amy and Mike and it contains more secrets than even they could have imagined.

A better book is Selina’s memoirs and thinking she just might have something good going; an expose also comes out that doesn’t paint her in the best light. Jonah is trying to make his place in politics and that too isn’t exactly going to plan as a grab for it all leaves him empty handed.

The Presidential library breaks ground but that isn’t the only news that is about to be shared in life and in the White House!

First of all, a big congratulations goes out to VEEP’s new Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Actually she continues to win an Emmy for her role as Selina Meyer and I, for one and many, couldn’t be happier. She has made her mark in this series and continues to do so. I always encourage my friends to watch the show and even more so to do a marathon of VEEP when a Bluray is released right before the next season. This show is witty, smart and has a cast that is complete perfection.

What stands out is the satirical slaps that have continued for six seasons and shows no signs of slowing down. The narrative of the show is one of politics, weird slips, anxiety, dysfunction, sharp and even twisted in a way that makes us all stop and think – hmmmm…this isn’t that far from the mark now is it!

HBO Home Entertainment has an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs found on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD. They have provided viewers with some of the most amazing programs with huge fan bases that include the shows True Blood, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Detectives, The Wire, Entourage and Game of Thrones. Launched in 1984, HBO is world wide in viewed entertainment in more than 70 territories around the world! For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

The Bluray includes the episodes Omaha, Library, Georgia, Justice, Chicklet, Qatar, Blurb, Judge, A Woman First and Groundbreaking. The Bonus Features include Seven Audio Commentaries with Cast & Crew including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, David Mandel and more!

VEEP was created by Armando Iannucci, Oscar nominee for co-writing IN THE LOOP, along with David Mandel as Executive Producer and Showrunner for Seasons Five and Six. The ensemble cast includes two-time Emmy winner Tony Hale, Emmy nominee Anna Chlumsky, Emmy nominee Matt Walsh, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Kevin Dunn, Emmy nominee Gary Cole and Sam Richardson.

In the end – they are making history whether you like it or not!

HBO Brings VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season on Bluray and Your Chance to Get it Home!

Jeri Jacquin

One of the best shows brought to us all by HBO Home Entertainment is none other than Julia Louis-Dreyfus and VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season.

Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is on the move and working everyone to get a decision on the presidency. Of course she is also dealing with a stock market, hackers from China and the infamous female fear of her face breaking out because of the stress. She’s not the only one wondering what to do next when Amy (Anna Chlumsky) has to make the decision to get back into the lions den.

The staff itself seems to be rethinking things! Working in Nevada, Richard (Sam Richardson), Jonah (Timothy Simons), Amy and Dan (Reid Scott) are stomping but the later two have an awkward moment when Amy’s sister Sophie shows up.  Selina brings in a man knows as The Eagle aka Bob Bradley (Martin Mull) for a task force on banking.

Have a Twitter moment gone totally wrong; this is a perfect time for the gang to blame the Chinese hackers to cover it all up. That’s the least of it when there are ballots missing that could put Selina in the big chair.

In politics, the death of a family member can help in the polls and Selina is no different but it’s not going to stop what’s going on in China. The count continues in Nevada as Dan and Amy do what they can to try and save the day.

Selina decides that Thanksgiving is as good a time as any to get away from everyone and she must decide what to do about Charlie (John Slattery) and their relationship. Dan knows something is not all mashed potatoes and gravy with Tom James (Hugh Laurie).

As if there needs to be just a few more things, an article comes out saying that a staffer on Selina’s team called her the c-word and Amy has to find out who it is. The answer shouldn’t shock anyone but just in case a shocker is needed, Catherine (Sarah Sutherland) comes clean about who she’s in love with.

Tom James it at it again when Selina discovers that her White House Holiday Party is being used for wooing, of course she’s doing it herself. Off to Camp David, Selina tries to talk reason with the President of China.

Then it all turns for Selina as James pulls out the presidency and when Selina asks about the post of Secretary of State, she is thrown under the bus by Vice President Doyle (Phil Reeves). Even her deal for the Chinese government to free Tibet is stolen from her.

The politics just treat Selina like a bug and a windshield!

Louis-Dreyfus as Selina continues to bring in a performance that IS the reason I keep coming back. She is stunning and brings everything to Selina and by that I mean she handles things the way I probably would. I watch each episode and just shake my head because I know this to be true. Even more so everyone I know who watches the show agrees with me. This is one of the shows I never want to be over.

Chlumsky as Amy is all grown up right before our very eyes. Yes, I still see her occasionally as Vada, I won’t deny it, but that little girl is fading farther and farther away. It’s alright though because Chlumsky is absolutely fantastic and her talent has grown right along with her.

Scott as Dan just love networking, I think I’d definitely want him on my side. Simons as Jonah is the thorn in everyone’s side yet I can’t imagine him not being part of the group – ever. Walsh as Mike is, this season, wants to be part of a family with Wendy played by the uber fantastic Kathy Najimy. I just wanted to give him a hug for his efforts.

Sutherland as Catherine is a girl trying to find something in her life but always comes back to Mom, and in this season she brings along a friend! Slattery as Charlie doesn’t know what Selina is contemplating but then again what guy does.

Mull as Bradley – I mean what can be said about this actor that hasn’t been said before except astounding. I just love whenever he is on the screen no matter what he does. Tom James played by Hugh Laurie just shoes me that you never know what this actor is going to do with a character until he does it. Don’t let the charm fool you!

HBO Home Entertainment has an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs found on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD. They have provided viewers with some of the most amazing programs with huge fan bases that include the shows True Blood, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Detectives, The Wire, Entourage and Game of Thrones. Launched in 1984, HBO is world wide in viewed entertainment in more than 70 territories around the world! For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season includes the episodes: Morning After, Nev-AD-a, The Eagle, Mother, Thanksgiving, C**tgate, Congressional Ball, Camp David, Kissing Your Sister, and Inauguration. Also includes are Deleted Scenes and Audio Commentaries.

This original HBO series has a winning season each and every time. The following is huge and this is your chance to catch up! VEEP is a 3 time Emmy Award winning show including Outstanding Comedy Series with Season 6 coming in April.

Need to catch up? I can make that happen! Go to http://moviemaven.homestead.com and find out how you can get a copy of VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season for your own home entertainment library.

In the end – the buck stops somewhere near here!