Rescuing Us All is the Charming MY SWEET MONSTER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from directors Viktor Blukhushin, Maksim Volkov, Grindstone and Lionsgate is the animated story of a wild adventure for MY SWEET MONSTER.

Princess Barbara (Haylie Duff) is growing up in a palace with a father who does not seem to want her to grow up. As the castle prepares for her birthday, the princess can be found in the clock tower waiting for a letter from her prince. When her father discovers that she is reading romance novels, he seals up the room and tells her to ready herself for the party.

But the princess has been waiting patiently for a letter from Prince Edward who has been writing her. Weasel (Pauly Shore), the local postal clerk, decides to deliver a letter but he has a weasel-ish plan of his own for the princess. The King is not happy when he reads the letter where Prince Edward professes his love for the princess.

When Weasel finds something in the palace that could ruin everything, he makes a deal with the King, a deal that the Princess is not going to stand for. Calling her trusted steed Fireball, she takes off for the woods with Weasel not far behind. Thinking he finally has the princess, Weasel could never have expected a talking rabbit and a very large, well, monster name Bogey.

As Weasel returns to the palace, he wants to know what the blue liquid is that he is bribing the King with, and the story unfolds about a mystical place in the kingdom where he got ‘the spark’. Back in the forest, the Princess and Bogey get to know one another even though it is a rough relationship. Bogey explains that it is not the King who owns the land, but it in fact belongs to Mother Nature.

Discovering the truth about her father and who she is, the princess asks Bogey for help as Weasel uses the spark to try and create destruction taking over the palace. He only wants one thing, to be all powerful and get the princess back.

The rabbit tells the princess the story of Bogey and how he came to be with the help of Mother Nature and the truth of why rabbit can speak. Now that she knows the story, it is just in time as Weasel sends out his metal arm to wreak havoc over the kingdom. As the Princess looks for help from Prince Edward, she is shocked to discover that their kingdom is not the only place where deceit lives.

Now, the Princess, Bogey, and Rabbit must come to terms with the choices that have to be made to save them all!

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

MY SWEET MONSTER is a charming and very colorful film for the entire family. It is a story of friendship, love, loyalty, secrets, and learning not to judge a book by its cover. There is music and song which gives the story even more charm. It is the characters that are intriguing and even delightful as each of their stories are told.

When evil and deception try to ruin a family, kingdom and friendships, it is loyalty and love that bring the best dreams alive! This is a chance to plan a family night and gather around the big screen for an adventure that will take us all away.

In the end – it is Cutie and the Beast!

We Return Once Again to DOWNTON ABBEY on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Michael Engler, Focus Features and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment from the characters created by Julian Fellowes is the return to DOWNTON ABBEY.

The Crawley family continues normal life at Downton Abbey until Robert (Hugh Bonneville), the Earl of Grantham, receives word that the King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) are about to make a visit. Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) is thrilled but Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) goes into immediate panic especially with husband Henry (Matthew Goode) off on business. Barrows (Robert James-Collier) is now the head of the staff but Lady Mary feels as if things aren't getting done properly.

Bringing her concerns to Lord Grantham there is only one choice, ask a retired Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) to resume his duties as Downton Abbey until the visit is over and Barrows isn't happy. Mr. Carson gets the staff in order with Andy (Michael Fox) and the return of Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle). Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) also has her hands full as every nook and cranny must be cleaned and there isn't a lot of time. Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) and Daisy (Sophie McShera) begin creating a menu fit for royalty.

Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) doesn't seem as nervous about the King and Queen's visit but is concerned about seeing relative Maud Bagshaw (Imedla Staunton). The Dowager believes that Maud is trying to cut Robert out of any inheritance since being seen about with her companion Lucy (Tuppence Middleton). Isobel (Penelope Wilton) agrees to help Violet discover the true story behind Maud's decision as husband Lord Merton (Douglas Reith) stays out of it.

Tom Branson (Allen Leech) is happy to be back at Downton Abbey and with his car business. When he learns about the King and Queen's visit, some think that perhaps he wouldn't be pleased out it. So much so that Mary senses something is wrong and isn't sure what to do. Up for the festivities is Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) and husband Bertie Hexham (Harry Hadden-Paton) as they make their way home.

With everything buzzing and plans being made, there is a damper on the happiness when the staff are told that they will not be handling the royal visit. Enter the very stuffy Kings manservant Mr. Wilson (David Haig), Queen's dresser Mrs. Webb (Richenda Carey) and royal chef Monsieur Courbet (Philippe Spall). Hardly ready to relinquishing their pride in Downton Abbey, Mrs. Bates (Joanne Froggatt) and Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) come up with a plan that is brilliant and wonderful. Barrows is also being watched by Captain Chetwode (Stephen Moore) as being upset with Mr. Carson leads him down a bad road.

When the King and Queen finally arrive, the household is in high gear as the royal family is treated to dinner with a party to follow the next evening. That is when secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested and everyone who lives and works at Downton Abbey once again remembers how they have all come together for so long and can't imagine anything else.

Bonneville as the Earl of Grantham returns to his role as the leader of a family who go their own way no matter what he might say about it. This character has grown to understand that things change and if he doesn't then the Downton Abbey could fall at his feet. I adore Bonneville in this role because he has the facial expressions that say everything even if he says nothing. He clearly loves his family and what's more is he respects those who keep his household running. McGovern as Cora is the American who has embraced the world she married into. When she is stern, it comes with a smile most often and when she is giddy her face lights up. Her character is the opposite of Robert which is why these two actors make such an awesome pairing.

Dockery as Lady Mary is such an unusual character because she gives off an air of superiority but when she lets her humanity and frailty show it is a sight for the heart to see. Carmichael as Lady Edith has finally found her niche in the world along with daughter Marigold. Now she needs to find the order of it all. Staunton as Bagshaw is a relative full of secrets and some in the family are going to make sure they know every little juicy detail. Middleton as Lucy has her own secrets but a certain Irishman only sees a lovely young girl.

Leech as Branson has become a character that was once on the outside looking in and now on the inside looking out. Finding the middle ground has always been such a difficult process for this character but now he seems to have found it. Happy with his business and equally happy at Downton Abbey, he carries himself with such grace and still finds humor in his adopted family. Goode as Henry just goes along to get along and is happy in his marriage to Lady Mary, I wish there would have been more of him but I'm thinking it will happen. Hadden-Patton as Hexam is being pulled away by a King who has taken a liking to him and Edith finds herself being meek about it once again. I kept thinking 'come on Edith, stand your ground!'. Reith as Lord Merton has found happiness in his life and plans to keep it that way by staying out of any family drama.

Jones and James as the King and Queen are lovely and bring their own personal baggage to Downton Abbey. They prove that even royals have family issues and through it all a sense of humor as well. Moore as Chetwode protects the royal family but has a few secrets of his own. Haig as Mr. Wilson is a man I'd throw out on his ear if it wouldn't get me put in the Tower! Carey as Mrs. Webb would be in the pig mud right night to Mr. Wilson and to complete the threesome would be Spall as the royal chef. Those three brought enough aggravation and did it extremely well - kudos!

The return of Carter as Mr. Carson brought joy to every moment he is on screen. His presence, even when he is a bit frazzled, lets you know that everything will be alright. Right by his side is Logan as Mrs. Hughes. Never let it be said that this very elegant lady doesn't know how to take care of her position and life with Mr. Carson. Nicol as Mrs. Patmore is a character I see as the fire that is always keeping everyone warm. Food is one thing but the obvious caring she has for those around her comes through the screen. McShera as Daisy once again puts her foot in it and manages to not be concerned with how some people love traditions and pageantry.

James-Collier as Barrows has been in Mr. Carson's shoes for some time and isn't all that thrilled when he returns. So instead of dealing with it, which he never does very well, he once again finds destructive ways of handling things. Nothing he does surprises me! Doyle as Mr. Molesley is over excited and willing to put his teaching position on hold just to be in the same room as the King and Queen. Of course with this excitement comes the usual missteps that had me responding with a slap to my forehead. Fox returns as Andy who is in love with Daisy and discovers he might have a bit of a jealous streak in him.

My favorite couple ever in the entire series is Froggartt as lovely Mrs. Bates and Coyle as Mr. Bates. If there was ever a couple that went through everything horribly imaginable and came out the other side the same honorable people it is the Bates'. Froggartt is beautiful, sweet, gentle yet has a sarcastic side I love. Being the dresser for Lady Mary for years, she still wants to be at Downton Abbey and in the film gets her chance to show a side that is epic. Coyle as Mr. Bates has gone through the gambit if I do say so myself. Through it all his life has changed dramatically and yet he never once looked for an excuse for anything. That being said, planning what is planned for the staff at Downton Abbey, this husband and wife duo show they will fight for what they believe in and do it as they always have done it - together.

Now let's talk Maggie Smith as Violet - can it be said that she is the cherry on top of a very large and very ostentatious Downton Abbey cake? Well, she is on the one in my mind. Smith is sharp, witty, and doesn't take anything lightly. One moment she is watching everything and the next jumping in the fray to mix it up. Of course she wouldn't be able to do some of it with her partner-in-sort-of-crime Isobel. Wilton in her supporting friendship with Violet is the yin to her yang. When these two ladies get together you can be sure it will be hilarious and the repartee a feast for the mind.

Other cast include Raquel Cassidy as Miss Baxter, Kate Phillips as Princess Mary, Max Brown as Richard Ellis, Mark Addy as Mr. Bakewell, Michael Fox as Andy Parker, Susan Lynch as Miss Lawton, James Cartwright as Tony Sellick, Fifi Hart as Sybbie, Oliver & Zac Barker as George, Alice McCarthy as Nanny Harewood, Marina Balbara as Baroness Valerenay, Andrew Havill as Henry Lascelles, Eva & Karina Samms as Marigold, Diane Halling as Countess of Harrowby, and Perry Fitzpatrick as Chris Webster.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are film 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 Includes the Bonus Features of Deleted Scenes, Cast Conversations - Exclusive roundtable interviews with the Upstairs and Downstairs Cast, The Royal Visit - A look at how the royal visit proved to be an ambitious event both on and behind the camera, True to the Twenties - Fans of DOWNTON ABBEY are charmed by the sheer grandeur of the aristocracy in the early 20th century. Learn how DOWNTON ABBEY maintains a reputation of being true to the time period. Welcome to Downtown Abbey - a behind-the-scenes look at the grandeur of HIGHCLERE Castle and how it serves as a cornerstone in the Downton Abbey franchise.

Also, The Brilliance of Julian Fellowes - Writer Julian Fellowes has created a story and beloved characters that resonate with people across the world. This piece celebrates Julian's brilliant creativity and reveals his approach to bringing Downton Abbey to the big screen. Downton Abbey Series Recap - Whether you're new or just need a refresher, this series recap will catch you up on the story so far and Feature Commentary with Director Michael Engler.

I discovered the series DOWNTON ABBEY completely by accident as it was on KPBS the same night as my other favorite The Great British Baking Show. It didn't take long before I became completely engrossed in the story of the families both upstairs and downstairs. I hated when the seasons ended and I broke out the tea set when the next season came around. Little did I know that the series was exploding all over the United States.

Created by writer Julian Fellowes, it aired in 2011 telling the story of Downton Abbey in the mid-1900s of a Yorkshire estate and the Crawley family but it also told the story of the servants. There was everything imaginable happening and the cast made every bit of it magical to watch for those of us who watched week after week. Downton Abbey is actually Highclere Castle in north Hampshire and although there was filming in Ealing Studios, most of it is Highclere Castle both inside and out.

Fellowes himself has had an amazing career as an actor, to launching his own series on BBC and writing a miniseries about the Titanic. He won an Oscar for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 2002 for the script GOSFORD PARK and won Best Directorial Debut from the National Board of Review for SEPARATE LIES. His credit also include VANITY FAIR, THE TOURIST, FROM TIME TO TIME and one of my absolute favorite Emily Blunt films THE YOUNG VICTORIA.

DOWNTON ABBEY has become and I believe will continue to be an iconic series and now film for years to come. There is nothing that can hold a candle to it. In the four years since fans cried their eyes out at the television show finale, the film will not only make us forgive everything but thrill us once again. The story, the character, opulence, splendor, feistiness, heart, gumption, and so much more wrapped in a castle most of us know from a mere glance.

How does one thank Julian Fellowes for giving us just a little more of what we crave and an even bigger thank you to every original cast member that came back and made us feel like they didn't miss a beat. DOWNTON ABBEY is such a beautiful film in every way and I love period pieces of all kinds but this film has a special place in my heart because the characters.

This is not just a reunion of characters, but a reunion of us along with the characters we embraced back in 2011. We want to know they are all fine in the world of Downton Abbey and that it is possible (please let it be possible) that there might be another film to continue their story.

In the end - they've been expecting us!

A UNITED KINGDOM Stands for Love and a Country on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray and DVD from director Amma Asante and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes a story of love and country along with A UNITED KINGDOM.

Studying law in 1940’s Britain, Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) is out one night with friends when he sees Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike). They begin seeing one another much to the displeasure of Ruth’s parents and even more so when she tells them she is engaged.

One announcement he does make to Ruth is that he is Prince Seretse Khama of Bechuanaland and he would soon need to return to his country. Thrilled at the prospect of joining him, the couple begins to make plans. What they don’t count on is the reaction of those around them because of the differences in the color of their skin.

Ruth’s father makes it clear that if she goes, he will disown her which upsets her mother and sister. Seretse’s Uncle Tshekedi Khama (Vusi Kunene) who has been regent of their people while the prince has been away at college is furious and claims the tribe will now allow it.

Returning to Seretse’s homeland in South Africa, his Uncle wastes no time in expressing himself as Ruth is berated by Ella Khama (Abena Ayivor) and his sister Naledi Khama (Terry Pheto). Thinking nothing else could possible happen, Seretse’s Uncle tries to stir up the villagers to turn against their future King.

That is when Sir Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport) and Rufus Lancaster (Tom Felton) begin to use the strong arm of politics to try and break the couple apart. But Seretse begins to discover that there is perhaps something even more sinister behind their plan to bring more than a couple under their rule.

Tricking Seretse into returning to Britain to work on the matter, a time of exile begins and the fight to protect their own country as they call upon the international community to help restore what would become the Republic of Botswana.

Oyelowo as Seretse gives a strong performance as a man unwilling to be told by either side who to love or how to rule. He portrays a man who thinks carefully before reacting and believes in the premise that left unchecked; Britain could take what belongs to his people. I enjoyed Oyelowo’s portrayal of this man who was before his time.

Pike as Ruth portrays a woman who is also before her time. Learning that the opposition of being with Seretse was hated on both sides, she still chooses to stand by her husband and the country that adopts her in the end. Pike’s performance gives us only a taste of what it must have been like and that is more than enough to know that the beginning of their life was difficult beyond belief.

Kunene as Tshekedi Khama is set in his traditional ways and is the catalyst for Britain do try and take what is not theirs. Ayivor as Ella Khama has a spiteful tongue having no difficulty in telling Ruth what she thinks but then again family is always the first to have an opinion.

Pheto as the King’s sister Naledi Khama is not happy at first believing their people would never accept a white Queen. Once she becomes aware of how everyone, both black and white, are treating Ruth, it is time someone was on her sister-in-law’s side.

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.

A UNITED KINGDOM includes the Bonus Features of Making of A United Kingdom, Filming in Botswana, The Legacy of Seretse and Ruth and London Film Festival Opening Night Gala Premier.

A UNITED Kingdom is a story of two people who were unwilling to give either side the satisfaction they sought. Whether through the color of their skin, the politics or the under handedness of mining their land – they may have stumbled but did not fall.

This history of King Khama is complex enough yet the film gives us all a look that makes looking further into the story a must. The performances of the film are strong and do not sugar coat in any way the issues of the 1940’s both in Britain and in Botswana.

Yet the strength of these two people brings both the hope and the belief that when facing injustice head on, something has to give!

In the end – it is the story of a love that shook an empire!