DC LEAGUE of SUPER-PETS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Flying its way into theatres this weekend from writer/director Jared Stern, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures is DC LEAGUE of SUPER-PETS.

Krypto (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) is Superman’s dog and has been since being force to leave their home planet of Krypton as a baby. Feeling wonderful about having such a best friend, Krypto becomes a little confused when he sees Superman (John Krasinski) and Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde) and becomes a little jealous.

Lois notices and suggests that perhaps they find a canine friend for Krypto. At the local shelter, Ace (Kevin Hart) and his other caged friends including PB (Vanessa Bayer) the pig, Merton (Natasha Lyonne) the turtle, Chip (Diego Luna) the squirrely squirrel and the ever-plotting Lulu (Kate McKinnon) the hairless guinea pig.

All Ace wants to do is escape and all Krypto wants to do is hang with his bff Superman. Especially since Lex Luthor (Marc Marcon) is up to no good trying to get a piece of a meteor that he thinks will give him super powers. First of all he has to get the League out of his way including Batman (Keanu Reeves), Wonder Woman (Jameela Jamil), The Flash (John Early), Cyborg (Daveed Diggs), the Green Lantern (Dascha Polanco) and Aquaman (Jemaine Clement).

His plan fails and he ends up in jail but what he does not know is that Lulu gets a hold of a piece of the meteor and deduces that it only works on animals! Breaking away from the shelter, she did not count on what happens next – all of the animals gain super powers. But Lulu has other plans as she goes straight after Superman and Krypto falls for trick that makes his powers disappear.

Krypto needs help and discovers Ace and the others. He has no choice but to ask for their help in exchange for taking them to his farm in Smallville when it is all done. Now the battle for good and evil begins as animals and humans must come together to fight a deranged hairless guinea pig. Well, it just goes to prove evil comes in all shapes and sizes!

Johnson as Krypto gives us Superman’s best canine friend. There is not anything Krypto wouldn’t do for his Super-friend wanting to keep the promise to his parents. Always faithful but completely stubborn, trying to work with Ace after he gets superpowers proves to be his biggest challenge. He is learning to be a regular dog and what friendship truly means.

Hart as Ace gives his usual comic attitude of a dog with a broken heart of his own. Yet, he is always thinking of his fellow cage-mates, well, with the exception of Lulu. Once he realizes he has super powers, teaching Krypto to get a dog, Krypto also teaches Ace how to be a superhero and have faith in himself.

Bayer as PB is charming, sweet, cute, and filled with self-doubt and there is no way you can’t love her. Lyonne as Merton is hilarious and is enjoying his new status as a superhero in a very unusual and funny way. Luna as Chip has the same insecurities as PB and his superpowers make that feeling a tad more stressful but dang if he isn’t the cutest. Now, McKinnon as Lulu was the perfect choice to play the slightly, oh lets just be honest, totally deranged hairless guinea pig who has issues and is kind of love struck in a twisted sort of way. I just love her performance and it made me laugh – a lot.

Krasinski gets to be Superman, Wilde tries to keep up with evil as Lois, and Keanu Reeves is the voice of Batman. Can we please put him up for the role? He is difficult, dark, funny and charming voicing the man behind the mask.

Shout out to Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz as guinea pigs Keith and Mark. They had me cracking up so much and just wanted to cuddle the stuffing out of them!

Other cast include Keith David as Zypto, Richard Arnold as Waffles, and Alfred Molina as Jor-El.

Warner Brothers is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainments with worldwide distribution to DVD and Bluray, animation, comic books, videogames and broadcasting. For more please visit www.warnerbros.com.

DC Entertainment is the entertainment company for DC Comics which is one of the largest American comic book companies. Bringing such films as JUSTICE LEAGUE, AQUAMAN, SHAZAM! and soon BLACK ADAM, fans are watching the continuing film library that is being led by such directors as Patty Jenkins, Zack Snyder, James Gunn, James Wan and Jaume Collet-Serra. For more please visit www.warnerbros.com.

DC LEAGUE of SUPER-PETS is a fun family film that will be enjoyed by everyone. There are moments that surprised me with its adult language (sort of) and humor. But then again, if you want parents who love DC to sit with their kids who love animated films, you are going to have to throw a bone to them right?

There is fun, adventure and fighting the bad guys, well, er, um, the bad-mad guinea pig. The animation is everything one would expect from DC and the cast gives the audience plenty to love and laugh about. Lets face it, we would all think it cool to have a super-pet of our very own.

In the end – sit, stay and save the world!

THE MAN FROM TORONTO

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from director Patrick Hughes, Bron and Sony Pictures brings the craziness belonging to THE MAN FROM TORONTO.

Freddie Jackson (Kevin Hart) is a go getter with attempting to sell the world on his exercise equipment on the internet. His ideas are not getting anywhere which worries Freddie who is trying to pamper his wife Lori (Jasmine Matthews) for her birthday by renting a cabin for the weekend.

Dropping her off at the spa, Freddie drives to the cabin to get it set up for their romantic time. When he gets there, Freddie is met by some very dangerous people wanting him to do something despicable! Being called ‘The Man from Toronto’, he is told by Agent Lawrence (Kate Drummond) who stopped the hit that they need his help.

Wanting him to continue to be ‘The Man from Toronto’, they agents tell Freddie everything he needs to know and offer him incentives. Agent Santoro (Jencarlos Canela) is sent to allow Lori a day of shopping to meet Freddie later in the evening. The problem is, someone else is watching what Freddie has been up to.

The Man from Toronto (Woody Harrelson), the real one, is hot on Freddie’s trail. So close in fact that meeting up with other bad guys looks easy. Freddie is now heading to Puerto Rico and the agents have lost him! On the plane, the two men from Toronto come face to face and the Handler (Ellen Barkin) is not happy and brings in reinforcements with The Man from Miami (Pierson Fode).

The Man from Toronto, Randy, sees no other choice but to team up with Freddie and the results are stomach churning. All of this is about a weapon that needs a certain man’s voice and a thumbprint. The killer knows that he has to continue the ruse with Freddie because everyone has now seen a photo of him.

But Freddie has to get back to Lori and Randy goes along only to meet Anne (Kaley Cuoco) who gets the uptight killer to loosen up a bit. Things start to go well until The Man from Miami shows up wreaking a lot of havoc and the agents reconnect and see Freddie with Randy. Agent Davis (Ronnie Rowe) tries to get to them.

The Man from Miami has what he needs to meet with Colonel Marin (Alejandro De Hoyos) and the Handler shows up with the cash Randy wants. As all the bad guys gather together to hear the speech by the new president of Venezuela, the weapon everybody but Freddie wants is in bad hands. Worst of all, Lori has made it clear she does not know her husband anymore.

The new problem is that the Handler does not like what is happening and decides that the only thing left to do it call in all ‘The Man From…’ to send Randy and Freddie on the run!

Hart as Freddie is doing what he does best, crack jokes, be self-deprecating and makes it clear that his character is a jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof. Hart has wracked up quite a few buddy films and now, opposite Harrelson, he can be sure that anyone else that wants to line up for their shot at another buddy film is going up against a pro. Even his action sequences are hilarious!

Harrelson as Randy ‘The Man from Toronto’ gets to play the straight guy who has a few sensitive issues. He does not min a good fight but put him on the dance floor and he gets a bit jittery and sensitive. He is the straight man and anchor to Freddie’s constant chaos. I enjoy his performance and I think it made me laugh a bit more than Freddie.

Barkin as the Handler is a woman on a mission. Her job is calling ‘The Man from…’ to do jobs that pay a lot. When Randy and Freddie screw up her plans, she is not about to forgive or forget. Nicely done!

Other cast includes Lela Loren as Daniela Marin, Rob Archer as Oscar, Patrick Garrow as Brennan, Martin Roach as Marty, Jason MacDonald as Coughlin, Kyle Gatehouse as Todd, and Alejandro Ampudia as Green Guy.

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 MAN FROM TORONTO is a buddy action comedy that does not waste any time getting the action started. Hart is go, go, go and even until the end, he is still going. He is the energizer bunny of action stars. As Freddie, he openly admits he is more afraid of wife Lori than anything Randy can bring to his life.

Harrelson is the anchor to the madness as he keeps his calm when Hart’s character loses his wits. What I loved about this character the most is that what we think we know about him is not what is true. That being said, watching these two actors together is a comedy that will definetly entertain and having a big screen television will make it even more entertaining!

In the end – hitman meets deadman!

JUMANJI: The Next Level Brings Another Adventure

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director Jake Kasdan and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the return for another adventure with JUMANJI: The Next Level.

It's the holidays and the gang make plans to return to Nora's Diner for a bit of catching up. Bethany (Madison Iseman), Martha (Morgan Turner), Fridge (Ser'Darius Blain) and Spencer (Alex Wolff). Actually, Spencer is finding any way to avoid getting together at home with Mom (Marin Hinkle) and Grandpa Eddie (Danny DeVito) who is recovering from hip surgery.

The reason for seclusion is that Spencer and Martha have taken a break from their relationship and he's having a hard time. So much so that he goes into the basement and finds a certain video game and does the unthinkable. Grandpa Eddie is dealing with his own grumpiness when friend Milo (Danny Glover) comes to visit but Eddie isn't exactly having it.

When the gang can't reach Spencer, they head over to his house and meet Eddie and Milo and then hear a sound that stops them in their tracks. Running down to the basement, they realize that Spencer has jumped back into the game. The only thing to do is to go in after him, except this time there are a few changes they don't see coming.

In the game the basic rules are the same but the game has changed! It is more challenging and the players are a tad different. Martha (Karen Gillan) keeps her character but Eddie (Dwayne Johnson) has a much bigger stature, Bethany (Jack Black) is back and Milo is Mouse Finbar (Kevin Hart). Confused yet? Well it gets better!

They begin searching for Spencer who is now Ming (Awkwafina) who is looking for a stone that will save the world but is being stopped by Jurgen the Brutal (Rory McCann). Getting it requires the help of Alex (Nick Jonas) who is happy to see everyone.

Now that all the players on in place, it's time to put Jurgen in his place and return the beloved and precious stone before dinner time!

Johnson as Eddie gets a chance to be even more comedic than before. It is even more hilarious when you realize he is doing his best Danny DeVito Eddie. His flexing, jumping and stare into the abyss is full on fun and we'd pretty much expect nothing less from him. DeVito as the grumpy Eddie isn't really into life and can't seem to find a moment to be happy about. Becoming the player Eddie is the most fun he's had in, well, forever.

Wolff as Spencer is having an early 20's crisis and the only thing he can think to do is go somewhere where he felt special. This is a young man who didn't think things through to well and when he shows up in the game as Ming, it’s a new character with new abilities. Awkwafina as Ming is hilarious as always and since her introduction to people in the film CRAZY RICH ASIANS, she has made a name for herself doing comedy but also can pull off true emotions when needed.

Hart as Milo doesn't understand what is happening except that he seems much more knowledgeable about language and animals. Hart doing Glover is probably the best I've seen and it just kept cracking me up. Glover as Milo wants to fix the friendship he has with Eddie and it's not as if the grumpy guy is going to make it easy.

Black as Fridge isn't happy about his less than perfect body and doesn't understand why he can't be the same character he was before. Black jumps into his role and I can see him playing any of them with ease. There is a scene with Martha that is pretty funny in the pool of change. Blain as Fridge is happy to see his friends but not so much when they have no choice but to return to the game to find Spencer.

Gillan as Martha is back in her shorts and a tank top making sure that she gets a chance to jump off things and flip around tree branches with ease. The comedy for her comes when trying to explain to Eddie and Milo that they are in a game and what the rules are. Iseman as Bethany is the monkey in the works and she has to turn to Alex (Colin Hanks) for help in a very brave way. Hanks as Alex has a small role but I'm always happy to see him.

Shout out to McCann as Jurgen the Brutal and I don't want to say that it’s a bit of type casting but let’s through it out there and see if it sticks. As the Hound in Game of Thrones he was loud, had no problem swinging a sword and was a tad frightening, hmmmm…sounds like Jurgen the Brutal. Who cares! It's good to see him.

Other cast include Ashley Scott as Ashley, Rhys Darby as Nigel, Deobia Oparei as Gromm, Sarah Bennani as Andi Tow, Massi Furlan as Switchblade, Jared Hasmuk as Dagfin and Sal Longobardo as Tony.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

The Bluray and Digital Bonus for JUMANJI: The Next Level include Gag Reel, Rhys Darby Wants to Jingle – How do you top Jack Black and Nick Jonas’s unforgettable theme song for the first one? Everyone’s favorite Non Player Character, Rhys Darby is ready to take it to the next, next level and Body Swapping: Snapping Into Character – In the latest Jumanji adventure, the avatar roles are turned on their heads with new characters and hilarious performances.

Also included Back Together: Reuniting the Cast – Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black are back and better than ever as they share their excitement to reunite, Level Up, Scene Breakdown: Ostrich Chase, Scene Breakdown: Mandrill Bridges, Awkwafina Cat Burglar, NPC Confessions: Jurgen the Brutal, Grow Up, Telenovela, VFX Pre-Vis: Zepplin Battle, VFX Pre-Vis: Ostrich Chase and AR Game.

JUMANJI: The Next Level is family fun and especially for those who love the idea of these actors in a video game. There is fun, humor, adventure and it's all wrapped up in the story of family, friendship, loyalty, acceptance and fighting off bad guys with your best friends. Of course, I am a fan of the Robin Williams version of JUMANJI and will always see that as the standard but at the same time it is easy to see why this generation is having such fun with he franchise.

This version of the film has more characters than the 1995 JUMANJI and the comedy is sillier with Johnson and Hart at the helm. These two clearly share the same humor and their off-screen friendship and Twitter 'war' adds to the charm of their film.

If you want to take a break from the crazy outside and be taken away on a fun adventure, then JUMANJI: The Next Level is the right film to see with the whole family. Make sure there is popcorn for all!

In the end - it's the very next level!

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from directors Chris Renaud, Jonathan del Val and Universal Pictures is the continuing saga of what our pets do when we aren’t at home with THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2.

Max (Patton Oswalt) and Duke (Eric Stonestreet) are discovering the changes that life has in store for them. Mom Katie (Ellie Kemper) has fallen in love, married and brought little Liam into their lives. Happier than he has ever been, Max also suffers from being over protective of Liam!

Learning they are going on a road trip, Max and Duke end up on a family farm. Before going, Max asks Gidget (Jenny Slate) to watch his Busy Bee toy and protect it. Duke goes insane with excitement but Max is not as thrilled, especially after meeting the farms work dog Rooster (Harrison Ford). Rough and rugged, Rooster lets Max know that he needs to take his fears by the paws and give them a shake.

Snowball (Kevin Hart) has a visit from a puppy named Daisy (Tiffany Haddish) who tells him the story of a tiger being badly treated by a circus owner. She wants the superhero bunny to help free the big kitty. After a simple slip of the ball, Gidget is now on a mission to find Busy Bee and gets lessons in being a cat from the most unlikely place.

It is mischief, it is mayhem and they are our pets!

Oswalt voicing the pup Max is a perfect choice as he has the uncanny ability to bring an animated dog to life. Of course I will always love him as Remy but I have room enough in my heart for a little ball of charming insecurities named Max. Stonestreet as Duke is just as big as he wants to be with the heart of a puppy. He loves being with Max and loves his family. He has such a way with the world and just gives it his innocence touch.

Slate as Gidget is just flustery and dreamy with a brain that goes a million miles a minute. She is still keen on Max with hopes for a future and willing to start with Busy Bee. Haddish as Daisy does what she has always done, giving her character attitude.

Hart as Snowball has become a little more full of himself if that’s possible and once he puts on his mask – its all done folks. As things get more complicated, it’s a good thing he has Daisy to take up the furry slack.

Harrison Ford takes a shot at animation by playing Rooster, a working dog on a farm who knows a thing or two about how to handle himself. He is a little harsh on Max but its all with a goal in mind.

Other cast include Lake Bell as Chloe, Bobby Moynihan as Mel, Hannibal Buress as Buddy, Chris Renaud as Norman, Peter Holm as Chuck and Nick Kroll as Sergei, Dana Carvey as Pops.

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 is a continuation of characters that have brought joy to both kids and adults. From the beginning, these characters led by Max have given us all something to think about when we aren’t at home!

Even though there are several stories going on at once and there doesn’t seem to be a connection, it gets away with it by being cute. In a theatre full of kids, all they know is that it’s funny, colorful, full of adventure, cute animals and a very cute little boy and that’s all that matters.

All of those things are very true so even though this adult might say blah-blah-blah, my granddaughter had her bag of popcorn, a juice box and wide eyes and that was all I needed to see it through her eyes. The parents were enjoying the chuckles as well as a few adult jokes slipped through.

So, as the school year ends and the kids have time on their hands, make it a fun and laugh filled weekend with THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2.

In the end – you gotta love ‘em!

NIGHT SCHOOL Rings in the New Year Laughs on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital in time to ring in the New Year from director Malcolm D. Lee and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a life lesson for us all while attending NIGHT SCHOOL.

Teddy (Kevin Hart) is a man who wants to show his love Lisa (Megalyn Echikunwoke) that he can take care of her and provide the finer things in life. The problem is that Teddy has champagne tastes on a beer budget. Selling bbq equipment, and doing it quite well, he sees a future of promise for them both.

So much so that he finally asks Lisa to marry him with a large ring and an even larger explosion – literally. Now out of a job he has to find a quick way to get into another business so she doesn’t find out the emotional and financial fine line he’s been riding. The problem is that Teddy never graduated high school which means he is limited in the jobs he can get.

That’s when he decides to go to night school and get his GED and, of course, he runs into his first problem in the principal. Stewart (Taran Killam) is someone that Teddy bullied in high school and he has daggers for him big time. That means Stewart doesn’t want him any where near his school – even if night school teacher Carrie (Tiffany Haddish) doesn’t agree.

From night on Teddy is getting on everyone’s nerves including classmates Mackenzie (Rob Riggle), Jaylen (Romany Malco), Luis (Al Madrigal), Theresa (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Mila (Anne Winters) and the man behind prison Facetime Gerald (Keith David). He also learns that instructor Carrie isn’t taking any excuses or charming behavior for anyone who doesn’t want to learn.

The band of GED’ers also share with one another that they never were the best of students and are afraid they aren’t going to cut it. Even when they try their hardest it seems that the only solution to graduating is to take a few well places short cuts. When they are all confronted, it boils down to Teddy as the culprit and instigator.

Given one final chance after a lot of chaos and knowing that his love for Lisa is on the line, the group comes together in friendship that no one, not even Principal Stewart can mess with. That and a few well place knocks on the mat as Carrie continues to believe in her students!

Hart as Teddy once again plays the role of a man who is out of place in life and spazzy at the way he deals with things. The humor is there and Hart is also credited with the script for NIGHT SCHOOL. Bringing together what he knows in the way of comedy with a cast of characters that have equally made their own mark in comedy makes this a silly film filled with chuckles, plus he does look good in a chicken costume.

Haddish as Carrie puts her verbal foot down from the moment she sees Teddy on the street to realizing he is the student that drives teacher’s crazy. Of course that doesn’t mean that Haddish doesn’t bring her own brand of comedy to the character. She had made a name for herself and continues to jump into comedies that make her look good.

Riggle as Mackenzie the coach takes a fall or two that had me cringing but still laughing. Malco as Jaylen has a whole speech on not being ‘woke’ yet and I went with it. Madrigal as Luis is hilarious with his speech about the pube cheese cake!

Rajskub as Theresa is a Mom who loves being a Mom but is a little psycho about it. Once you meet her husband you begin to understand why her screws are slightly loose. Winters as Mila is a girl who doesn’t see the benefit of schooling without social media. David as Gerald cracks me up trying to get an education while keeping an eye on who might be creeping up on the webcam.

Echikunwoke as Lisa is a woman who doesn’t need anything more than Teddy although he doesn’t quite get that. She begins to suspect he is cheating on her with his long nights and weird work days. Killam as Stewart loves to carry a bat and speak in a way that worries even me. Trying to make sure Teddy is kept as down as he has always felt, he keeps his eye on everything that goes on in the classroom.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. 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.

The Bluray/DVD comes with an Extended Cut that also includes the Theatrical Version. Bonus Features are Alternate Opening, and Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel – prepare to laugh (or cry) yourself silly through this hilarious montage of behind-the-scenes antics performed by the cast of NIGHT SCHOOL.

And Night School’s in Session – ring the bell as we introduce you to NIGHT SCHOOL’S band of misfits, Who’s the Student? Who’s the Teacher? – fans were thrilled to see friends Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish star in their first film together, Prom Night Revisited, Cap ‘n Gown ‘n Giggles, Making of the Dance Battle, Christian Chicken, Game Over, Extended Performance “El Sueno” and so much more!

Also, Movies Anywhere is part of the package that allows you to watch anywhere with the Movies Anywhere App!

Other cast include Fat Joe as Bobby, Ben Schwartz as Marvin, Yuvonne Orji as Maya, Bresha Webb as Denise, Jeff Rose as Isaac and Zach Osterman as Little Mac.

NIGHT SCHOOL is a story about where we have been, where we are and where we could go and teaches that lesson with hilarious laughs. It is such a large cast of funny people which makes the story so much fun to watch.

In the end – bring an apple for the teacher because NIGHT SCHOOL has begun!

JUMANJI: Welcome to the Jungle Bangs the Drums on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray next Tuesday from director Jake Kasdan and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is an adventure inside a video game with JUMANJI: Welcome to the Jungle.

It is 1998 and Alex is jogging on the beach when he is stopped by the sound of drums. Looking in the sand he discovers a box that reads Jumanji and takes it home. Learning it’s a board game he is clearly uninterested as video games are in. Setting the box on the shelf he jumps into play own game. Later that night Jumanji has, well, upgraded itself!

Flash forward to 2018 and Spencer (Alex Wolff) is into video games and trying to keep an old friendship with Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain). The only way that can happen is by doing the football players homework which leads to both having detention. Bethany (Madison Iseman) is totally into selfies and her phone. Thinking the world revolves around her and that puts her in detention. Martha (Morgan Turner) isn’t a fan of P.E. class and that gets her into detention.

So, all four are sentences to two days of removing staples from old magazines in a dingy room when Fridge finds a video game and Spencer hooks it up. Wanting to do anything but pull staples, the four choose characters in the game and get ready to play. That’s when a mysterious green light from the game pulls them into a jungle filled world with one slight difference – well not slight exactly.

The characters each chose has changed their appearance and now Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) is the tall, muscular smoldering Dr. Xander Bravestone, Fridge (Kevin Hart) is the small yet still mouthy weapons carrier Franklin ‘Moose’ Finbar, Martha (Karen Gillan) is the bad ass beauty with skills Ruby Roundhouse and Bethany (Jack Black) is still Bethany without actually being Bethany but is Professor Shelley Oberon.

It takes the four time to acclimate to where and who they are and trying to discover what the game wants. That’s when Nigel (Rhys Darby) shows up and explains to them that a man names Van Pelt (Bobby Cannavale) has taken the Jaguar’s Eye and it must be returned if they want to return to home.

Learning what there skills are and finding a map that takes them through the levels, they meet Alex (Nick Jonas) who doesn’t realize how long he’s been in the game. Dealing with such different personalities, this group of players needs to come together and be smart about how to play the game because the game only gives them three chances.

They discover that planning out their moves together works and Van Pelt is hardly prepared for how good they are!

Johnson as Spencer is given a chance to be the big guy with little guy insecurities. Of course I never thought I’d hear him scream like that but I found myself giggling. He has made a name for himself playing these roles and people love him for it. Wolff as Spencer the younger is insecure and feels abandoned by a friendship with Fridge that he remembers fondly. Wanting to do anything to keep it means making a decision that just intensifies the split between them and Wolff plays this role wonderfully.

Hart as Fridge is clearly unhappy with how his character looks and has a serious case of little man syndrome. When pressed to put Spencer in his place, he has a big surprise coming to him. Blain as Fridge the younger knows that he isn’t treating Spencer right and feels justified for blaming him when they get in trouble together. Boy does he have a lesson coming his way.

Gillan as Martha is shocked by her appearance in the video game and surprises herself even more when she learns one of her skills is Dance Fighting. The shell she was in sort of fades away when the gang needs her certain set of skills. Turner as Martha the younger is shy and keeps to herself but when pushed she roars which pretty much put her right smack into detention.

Black as Bethany is completely hilarious – I mean completely! His mannerism and attitude are absolutely the character and when training video game Martha how to flirt with a guy, I was in stitches. I think this is Black’s silliest role since TROPIC THUNDER! Iseman as Bethany the younger is totally wrapped up in, well, herself and her phone. When those two things are taken from her, it is more than she can handle.

Jonas as Alex has been in the game for quite some time and although a bit sad that he doesn’t realize it, it is to the advantage of the group that he has knowledge of how to beat levels. His weakness is a fear of losing his last life before breaking free of Jumanji. Also, there is a touching scene between the group and Colin Hanks so I’m definitely giving a shout out for that.

Other cast include Sean Buxton, Mason Guccione, Marin Hinkle, Tracey Bonner, Natasha Parker, Kat Altman, Michael Shacket, Marc Jackson, Missi Pyle and Colin Hanks.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings amazing quality motion picture and television productions. Such films as BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, UNDERWORLD BLOOD WARS and PASSENGERS also available for your home entertainment library – there is so much more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.sonypictures.com.

 The Bluray and Digital includes the Special Features of Gag Reel, Meet the Players: A Heroic Cast, Surviving the Jungle: Spectacular Stunts!, Attack of the Rhinos!, Journey Through the Jungle: The Making of Jumanji, Book to Board Game to Big Screen & Beyond, and Celebrating the Legacy of Jumanji! The DVD Bonus’ include ‘Jumanji, Jumanji’ Music Video by Jack Black and Nick Jonas.

Another amazing bonus feature is that the Bluray includes a Snapchat code that will be available March 20^th. The code will transform you to the world of Jumanji as Dr. Smolder Bravestone gives additional clues to another code and another experience as Jumanji brings characters to life. More fun included is the ability to record the experience and share it with friends!

JUMANJI: Welcome to the Jungle is a fun family film which means its time to break out the popcorn and enjoy the adventure. Adding JUMANJI: Welcome to the Jungle to your own home entertainment library means you can play again and again and there’s nothing wrong with a little adventure now and then.

In the end – the game has evolved!

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS The First Epic Movie Saves the Day on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director David Soren and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is a tale of two friends and their new pal CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS.

Best buddies George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch) are in the fourth grade at Jerome Horwitz Elementary School and are total cut ups. They are known for their pranks and they are mainly aimed at what the two consider mean teachers. Of course principal Benjamin Krupp (Ed Helms) doesn’t find the two quite as funny.

The two also have managed to create a superhero called Captain Underpants who basically wears only a cap and – well – his underpants while fighting crime. Using their treehouse as their home office for Treehouse Comix Inc., the boys sell their stories to their friends.

When a prank goes wrong and they are ratted out, George and Harold end up in Principal Krupp’s office. Thinking that separating the boys into different classrooms will stop their antics, the boys discover that using a Hypno Ring from a cereal box has transformed Krupp into their Captain Underpants.

Figuring out that water and snapping fingers brings him back and forth, the boys also realize that they need to put their superhero into Krupps’ principal role before anyone finds out. When a scientist named Professor P. (Nick Kroll) arrives and Krupp aka Captain Underpants hires him to teach, George and Harold see something weird going on.

The boys begin to make changes around the school with the help of the “principal” but it is Professor Pee-Pee Diarrheastein Poopypants, Esq. that’s up to no good. Wanting to take over the town, it is up to George, Harold and Captain Underpants to puts things right again. When that’s done the boys must decide if their new superhero must stay or go.

In the meantime it’s Tra-la-LAAAAAA!

Hart and Middleditch are such an amazing pair playing George and Harold. They vocally play off of each other and it is absolutely seamless. I love the way they speak to one another and as an adult I giggle like a kid. That’s what makes this film so cool – you certainly don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the fun.

Helms as Captain Underpants is hilarious and every time he says ‘tra-la-laaaaa’ I join in. That gets stuck in your head but in a great way as if you think ‘where can I use this phrase’ and trust me, I’ve thought of a lot of situations where that fantastic tune can be used.

Kroll as Professor P. has serious issues yet even being vertically challenged and a head of hair curlier than Shirley Temple, he gives funny line delivery.

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.

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS The First Epic Movie contains 30+ minutes of Bluray & DVD Special Features such as The Really Cool Adventures of Captain Underpants Motion Comic, The Captain Underpants Guide to Being a Hero, The Professor Poopypants (Totally Original and Supercool) Guide to Being a Villain, Missing Underpants: Deleted Scenes, Captain Underpants Lyric Video by “Weird Al” Yankovic, “A Friend Like You: Lyric Video by Andy Grammer, Kevin Hart and Ed Helms Surprise Fans and so much more!

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS is so much fun and a family film meant for everyone. The animation is epic, brilliant and vivid. There is something about this form of animation that just captures every part of the Captain Underpants story in such a way that fans will watch the story again and again. Remember, this is the Captains FIRST Epic Movie.

Prepare to take flight with a superhero like no other and his sidekicks who are hilarious. George and Harold are two young boys who are rambunctious, silly, creative and very, very smart. They are also two young boys who have a friendship that is strong and not about to be broken by any ole principal!

In the end – fifty percent hero and 100% cotton!