BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday is the long awaited and much anticipated film from director Tim Burton and Warner Bros. Pictures is the return of BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE.

Divorced Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is now making her living by hosting a talk show about the supernatural called Ghost House. Boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux) is helping Lydia by being the producer of the show. During the latest taping, Lydia thinks she sees someone frighteningly familiar! Right after, she receives word from Delia (Catherine O’Hara) that dad Charles has passed. Driving back to Winter River, Lydia and Delia pick up daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) from school.

Not happy about Rory’s timing to propose to her mom, an already moody Astrid runs off only to meet young Jeremy (Arthur Conti) in a treehouse! Wanting to come back to life, he tells Lydia he can help see her dad who disappeared in the Amazon. When things go horribly wrong, Lydia has no choice but to say those three words bringing back the one person who has conditions to everything before agreeing to help. Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) says yes to help find Astrid but wants a few things from Lydia, all while avoiding ex-wife Delores (Monica Bellucci).

The twists and turns are insane as Lydia deals Jeremy, Delia deals with Rory, Astrid deals with everybody and Beetlejuice, well, he is going to do things his own way!

Keaton as Beetlejuice jumps into his role but seems a bit more sensitive this time. He doesn’t seem as vindictive but still has his motives for everything he does. The introduction of his ex-wife gives Beetlejuice a bit more vulnerability. That being said, Keaton is and will always be Beetlejuice who everybody loves so much. There is nothing about him playing this character that just isn’t amazing.

Ryder as Lydia shows a more grown up and now a mother herself. In the first film she was not afraid of anything and made it clear she was ‘strange and unusual’. The adult Lydia is a bit more passive but picks up the character of Lydia with ease. Ortega as Astrid fit the role perfectly but it seems that it’s her thing to play the strong-willed outcast who is angry at everything. It’s easy to see her playing this role as she already stunned in the role of Wenesday Adams. Both characters are dark so it makes sense.

O’Hara as Delia is still wacky in her own unique way. She is still and artist doing her own abstract pieces but takes the role of grandparent very seriously. Theroux as Rory is so weird and it is interesting to see him in this role. Think of the hippie in WONDERLUST and add darkness and you have Rory. Conti as Jeremy feels like the most interesting introduction to the film. He does an excellent job in taking us on the ride of his story in the film.

Other cast include Burn Gorman as Father Damien, Danny DeVito as Janitor, Filipe Cates as Vlad, Santiago Cabrera as Richard and Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE is a film that fans have been waiting for since 1988. I won’t do the math because it will age me (as if I need any help with that). I remember taking my kids to see the film when the original came out and then we saw it again, and again, then bought the VHS (no laughing) then DVD’s and Bluray wearing all of them out watching the film. So, when I say the new film couldn’t have come at a better time, I mean it! Trust me also that I have not even talked about 3/4ths of what goes on in this film because I do not want to spoil it for anyone. Just know the excitement is real!

It is such a fun story staying true to its creepy, funny, family film roots. I can honestly say we are going to go back to the theatre to see it again. Part of the fun was the anticipation of seeing the film and dressing up accordingly. It is almost a moral imperative that one dresses up to see it. BEETLEJUICE has become so iconic and recognizable that you can be sure a lot of someone’s dress up like the character for Halloween.

Burton made sure that the film felt nostalgic with creatures from the original and meshing with a few cameos. On how he saw the new film, Burton says, “I tried to treat this movie like the spirit of the first movie where we had a script, but there was a lot of improve that went on. I waited so long because nothing ever clicked and I know it couldn’t have happened until now. For me, this became a very personal movie, like a kind of weird family movie about a weird family and it could only have happened for me after all this time”.

Oh, I’m sure I could nitpick about things here and there with the film but I won’t. Why? Because BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE is why a lot of us go to the movies. This is total entertainment that doesn’t ask anything else other than to be entertained, laugh, remember and embrace a character that is totally outrageous (and has seeped his way into our hearts permanently). Burton, Keaton, O’Hara and Ryder did that all those years ago and once again they remind us that it is okay to be ‘strange and unusual’ because there are more of us than the world cares to admit.

So put on your best Beetlejuice duds and gather up the gang to go have an absolutely blast at the theatre this weekend and remember – you have to say it three times with feeling!

In the end – he is the ghost with the most babe!

The 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Brings Films and Documentaries to Netflix

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Netflix as the 20^th Anniversary of 9/11 draws near, there are a few documentaries and a film that talk about that terrible day.

 

WORTH

Beginning with director Sara Colangelo’s film WORTH stars Michael Keaton as Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer who wants to do something after seeing what has happened on 9/11.

Congress turns to Feinberg to be responsible for the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. Coming up with a ‘formula’ for payment to families, basically he now is determining something he once asked of his law students, “how much is a life worth?”  One person fighting against his formula is Charles Wolf (Stanley Tucci) who lost his wife in the twin towers.

Working with his head of operations Camille (Amy Ryan), the interviews begin as the clock ticks on those who need to apply. There is one person willing to hear what Wolf has to say is Priya Khundi (Shunori Ramanathan) who then continues to ask Feinberg to listen to the people.

As the stories unfold, Feinberg finds himself torn between what he can and can not do for the people who are trying to show him that it is about justice for their loved ones. This is film is about the stories and one man who needs to listen.

Keaton as Feinberg is absolutely brilliant and its not just because I am a Keaton fan. His take on Feinberg is hard, focused on data and formulas and lives in his ‘lawyer suit’ as a justification for issues that are consistently brought. Watching Keaton go through the stages of understanding, his character is on a learning curve he could never have imagined. Well done sir! It takes a character brought to the screen by Tucci in the form of Charles Wolf that stands by his principles and wants to help others find their voices.

Tucci as Charles is equally as brilliant as a man who is dealing with his own deep grief yet wants to make sure that the families do not fall through governmental cracks. Reuniting with Keaton after their work on the 2015 film SPOTLIGHT. In that film Tucci is a lawyer who is trying to right the wrongs, so the character of Charles is something he is good at playing and believing. Again, Tucci is an actor who embraces every character he plays, and it shows.

Other cast include: Talia Balsam as Dede Feinberg, Laura Benanti as Karen Donato, Chris Tardio as Frank Donato, Ato Blakson-Wood as Darryl Barnes, Carolyn Mignini as Gloria Toms, Victor Slezak as John Ashcroft, Marc Caron as Bart Cuthbert and Clifton Samuels as Oliver.

In the end – what is the value of life?

 

TURNING POINT: 9/11 and the War on Terror

Next is the five episode limited series TURNING POINT: 9/11 and the War on Terror by director Brian Knappenberger. Beginning with the images we all know surrounding the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, there is a brief telling of the terrorists responsible for the nightmare of that day.

Then, the documentary uses a few episodes to tell the story of Iraq, Afghanistan and the soldiers who have fought those wars. In their own words, a few soldiers tell their story of what they experienced and their understanding (or lack of understanding) for the reasons they are fighting. From weapons of mass destruction to the continuation of the war in Afghanistan, the documentary gives the facts as those narrating and in-the-know can share.

The hunt of Osama bin Laden is sprinkled in the documentary with both Presidents Bush and Obama.

Documentaries about 9/11 are always difficult to watch because they bring up memories for us all as to where we were when it happened, to those who lost loved ones, to those who escape the destruction etc.

This documentary is geared more toward the politics. There is actually nothing in this documentary that I have not seen in other documentaries and that is a bit disappointing. What would have kept my interest more is if they would have gone into more detail about the terrorists such as where did they come from, how did they manage to do the things that they did and what caused them to do what they did in more than general details.

That being said, it does remind us that even with the death of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, there are issues that continue on Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan. Coming back to the beginning story of 9/11, the detainees at Guantanamo Bay are the biggest issues and the government is now prosecuting them with concerns about terrorist groups.

The episodes include They System Was Blinking red, A Place of Danger, The Dark Side, The Good War, and Grave of Empires.

The question becomes – what does the United States do with those who were part of trying to bring our country down?

In the end - history casts a long shadow.

 

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.

WORTH is a film that goes inside an issue that most people have no idea about. Learning that there was even a value placed on human life after 9/11 is a bit shocking to accept but even more difficult is the process in which these families had to deal with the aftereffects. It is an important story and I believe it is well done with Keaton and Tucci leading the way.

The documentary TURNING POINT is less so but only in that the issues brought forward are something I have heard before. Listening to the stories told by those who were a part of this history is important but, as I said before, there has to be a way to tell us more about those who participated that we know so little about.

Hussain and bin Laden are names we all know because most of us have lived through it all. The wars, soldiers, death and destruction. As a mother of a soldier, I have witnessed the aftereffects of the mistakes made under the guise of taking care of business for those that have returned home.

As the 20^th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, there will be more to hear, more memories, seeing the attack through videos etc., and the pain felt once again over and over. That being said, we also cannot forget how our country got here as the finality of Afghanistan has come to a close as well.

That is where the duality comes from, I suppose. We feel so deeply the sadness and anger of 9/11 and yet we do not know what to do with those emotions and we do not have answers of how can this happen and, even worse, can it happen again now that the Taliban is back in control of Afghanistan?

We can only be alert and have a hope that peace can hold in place.  

 

 

DUMBO Arrives on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Landing on Bluray from director Tim Burton and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the beloved pachyderm we know as DUMBO.

Captain Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) has returned home after being wounded in the war. His home happens to be a circus where his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) are waiting. They have had a tough time too with the loss of their own mother.

The circus is much smaller than Holt remembers only to discover that owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) has hit hard times. The only job open for Holt now is working with the elephants. The circus waits for Jumbo to have her baby and is dealing with cruel handlers. Holt steps in to find a baby with the biggest ears and in a snap a protective Jumbo is taken away!

Milly and Joe take an interest in the baby they name Dumbo and are delighted to learn that he is special for more than just his ears. Everyone learns about Dumbo and crowds are selling every seat in the tent.

It also comes to the attention of V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) who makes a deal with Max to take the whole troop to Dreamland. Dumbo begins working with Colette Marchant (Eva Green) for a big act.

It is what Dumbo discovers at Dreamland that shakes up Vandevere’s plans but brings joy and help from his friends.

Farrell as Holt is a man feeling broken from war and detached from his children. Trying to find his place in the circus, Dumbo gives him purpose. This is the emotional Farrell that feels reminiscent of his role in SAVING MR. BANKS. He is charming and finds adventure once again with his family and the most unlikely of friends.

DeVito as Max is trying to keep the circus afloat and the whisperings of making things better by Vandevere push him. Devito is always a joy to watch because he makes every character just that – a character.

Parker as Milly wants science over circus and her family back as it was. Dumbo becomes her emotional respite. Hobbins as Joe loves the flying elephant and will do anything to keep him safe.

Keaton as Vandevere gets to be a very charming, ruthless and kid-mean character all in one role. Of course this family is a Keaton fan so there isn’t anything we won’t enjoy from him. Green as Colette is under the thumb of her Dreamland boss but starts to understand how absolutely wonderful Dumbo is.

Other cast include Roshan Seth as Pramesh Singh, Lars Eidinger as Hans Brugelbecker, Deobia Oparei as Rongo, Miguel Segura as Ivan the Wonderful, Zenaida Alcalde as Catherine the Great, Phil Zimmerman as Rufus and Alan Arkin as J. Griffin Remington.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

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 Bonus Extras include Deleted Scenes, Easter Eggs on Parade, Clowning Around Bloopers, Behind the Scenes Look at the Magic of Dumbo and more!

DUMBO made his first appearance in animation in 1941 as the fourth Disney film in the format. Helen Aberson-Mayer wrote the original story as Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

It is clear that this is a Tim Burton film with the grayish tones and even the reds are deep which give hints of trademark.

There are a few nods to the original film but this version has its changes. The story retains the charm of friendship, loyalty, family, extended family, life, death, caring for animals and exposing those who are cruel and malicious.

Those are definitely a staple of Disney films and reason families continue to return again and again to watch them. Some family’s even go as far as making Disney films a tradition in their household. Those of us who grew up on the original animated film appreciate the live-action.

Dumbo teaches to love almost unconditionally and push ourselves to heights we wouldn’t think imaginable – and there is certainly nothing wrong with that!

In the end – a beloved tale that will take you to new heights!

AMERICAN ASSASSIN

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from director Michael Cuestra, CBS Films and Lionsgate brings action and suspense with the AMERICAN ASSASSIN.

Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) is vacationing with his girlfriend in a blue water tropical paradise. In an instant shooting begins as terrorists walk the beach killing tourists, including Mitch’s girlfriend.

Wanting revenge, Mitch goes out on his own to try and find the man he saw kill his girlfriend. Going online to reach out to a terrorist organization, he doesn’t know that the CIA see’s everything he is doing. When he finds his target, the CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) sends in a crack team of military to save him.

Angry that his goal is thwarted, Director Kennedy brings in Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton), a Cold War Vet, to train Mitch as a black ops recruit. Out in the woods, Mitch works with others on what it takes to go on dangerous missions. That is when the CIA receives word that someone is putting together the parts to build a bomb.

Hurley, Mitch and other agents arrive in the Middle East and Annika (Shiva Negar) is their contact when they discover they are looking for a Ghost (Taylor Kitsch). Almost immediately they believe they are on the trail of the scientist who is helping to build the bomb. Hurley knows something about Ghost but instead of sharing it with the team, he becomes frustrated because Mitch isn’t taking orders.

When Hurley is kidnapped by Ghost, Mitch kicks it into gear to find his mentor and stop a bomb from starting a war!

O’Brien as Mitch is a brooding, sarcastic and perfect person to train even though he does take matters into his own hands. I write it off as rambunctious youth and I don’t mind it. His mind is constantly on the move and his body follows throwing caution to the wind. I really enjoyed O’Brien’s performance and can even see a few more films coming out of this character.

Keaton as Hurley is equally brooding, sarcastic and the perfect person to train Mitch. He is a strong character in the film and fast in his reaction to situations. Now, I have to say there is a scene (no, I won’t tell you which one but trust me when I say you’ll know immediately when you see it) between Hurley and Ghost where I almost sat on the edge of my seat waiting for Keaton to say “You want to get nuts! Let’s get nuts!”.

Lathan as Kennedy sees something in Mitch and knows how to use the pain that he has endured. From the loss of his parents to the murder of his girlfriend, she knows that using it all to become a black ops specialist will make him perfect for the job.

Kitch as Ghost just plain doesn’t give a damn about anybody or anything except making the world pay. His story is a mystery for most of the film but he eventually makes it clear why he wants to watch the world burn. There is a crazy Kitch manages to give that made me nervous! Negar as Annika is an agent who, like Mitch, has personal reasons for wanting to bring down Ghost and she’ll do anything to make that happen.

Other cast include Scott Adkins as Victor, Joseph Long as General Rostami, Navid Negahban as Minister Behurz, Trevor White as Dr. Frain, David Suchet as Director Stansfield, and Shahid Ahmed as Adnan Al-Mansur.

I had a good time watching AMERICAN ASSASSIN! It is fast paced, takes no prisoners, and basically takes us on a roller coaster ride of espionage, mystery and a big ending. The film is basically effortless in keeping viewers attention because this is exactly why many go to the movies – to be taken away with a big bowl of popcorn and no analyzing or figuring out anything.

O’Brien and Keaton are pretty cool together because their characters share more in common than either will admit. Playing off of one another they played into the films twists and turns with ease. The film is one hundred and eleven minutes long and there isn’t a moment that doesn’t have something going on.

The films as of late have claimed promises of stories that weren’t kept which makes AMERICAN ASSASSIN so much fun. You get what you pay for and happily pay for the ride. This isn’t just a ‘guys’ film, it is a gather-up-the-gang and go out for a good time at the movies and don’t forget a huge bucket of popcorn for everybody.

In the end – assassins aren’t born, they are made!

SPIDERMAN: Homecoming is Going to Spin a Web of Success this Weekend!

Jeri Jacquin

The anticipation builds as this Friday in theatres from director Jon Watts, Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures is SPIDERMAN: Homecoming.

It has been a while since Peter Parker/Spiderman (Tom Holland) had his experience with the Avengers. Now he’s back home with Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) living the life of a teenager. Watching him is Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who gives Happy (Jon Favreau) the babysitting gig.

In school Peter finds himself love-struck by Liz (Laura Harrier) who is also part of the debate team. Hanging out with best buddy Ned (Jacob Batalon) is just as nerdy as Peter in some ways. By day he is anxious for the night when he can dawn his Spiderman persona and search for ways to help fight crime.

When the opportunity to hang with Liz at a party comes about, both Peter and Ned are ready to mingle with the cool kids. Promising that Spiderman would make an appearance, that would fall through when busting up a crime is more important. More so than Peter could have imagined when he finds a piece of their equipment that has incredibly technology not seen before.

Not about to let him take it, Peter meets Vulture (Michael Keaton) who puts a thrown down on the young superhero. If that isn’t enough, best bud Ned discovers what Peter has been up to. That’s going to have to wait because Peter is on his way to Washington D.C. with the debate team to compete.

Of course that’s the side story he tells Aunt May but with Ned’s help they begin to locate who is responsible for the technology in the weapon Peter found and who is the Vulture! Taking it upon himself, it only takes one mistake before Tony Stark comes calling and brushes away Peter’s big cobweb dreams.

Once again back to his high school life, Peter is taking Liz to the dance. When he shows up with his flowers looking dapper – it is who opens the door that set in motion an epic test of good versus evil.

Holland as Peter Parker is just frakken amazing. I will be honest from the get-go and say that I rolled my eyes time and time again thinking how awful another Spiderman would be. I was even more grumpy when I learned Holland took the role. I felt this way mainly because Holland captured my attention completely in 2012 with the film THE IMPOSSIBLE.

I said then that Holland “is a tremendous talent ... with the amazing capability of showing such strength of character” and nothing, I mean nothing has changed my mind since. My only worry (as all Mom’s have them) is that he will be sucked into the superhero universe leaving little time to expand is resume. This is an actor to keep an eye on when he’s out of the suit as much as when he’s in it. Well done young man, well done.

Keaton as Toomes is a man irritated with the system that tried to rob him of a business. Finding a way around that is what keeps everyone on their toes. I absolutely love Keaton so to see him once again doing what we all know he can do is a treat scene after scene. Yes he and Adam West are my Batman but I’m willing to cut him a little slack for his character in the film.

Batalon as Ned is the buddy we all should have in our lives. He’s a bit goofy, a lot nerdy, and scary when it comes to keeping secrets but we wouldn’t change him for anything. His loyalty to Parker is without questions and helping makes him outrageously happy.

Zendaya as Michelle is that girl everyone is irritated with one moment and laughs with the next. Her one liners are pretty good. Harrier as Liz is lovely and plays her storyline well. Tomei as May Parker is a bit scatter brained and pops in and out of the storyline, it is good to see her again.

Downey Jr., as Tony Stark just continues to cause cheers in a filled theatre. Fans love him and there will never be another Tony Stark like this (so don’t try to recast it for at least 100 years okay?). He keeps his eye on Peter Parker in the oddest ways as his inner father-figure kicks in. Favreau as Happy is irritated to have to babysit but also has a soft spot for the kid. These two actors bring in the comedy in the most bizarre places yet I love it.

Other cast includes Donald Glover as Aaron, Tony Revolori as Flash, Bokeem Woodbine as Herman Schultz, Tyne Daly as Anne Hoag, Abraham Attah as Abe, and Hannibal Buress as Coach Wilson.

SPIDERMAN: Homecoming doesn’t need my tubs of popcorn because it’s going to blow up the screens. So much so that you might forget the other incarnations of the webbed kid and believe they may have finally gotten it completely right. Holland gives us teen angst, a bit of teen hero-rebellion, loyalty to friends, battles that are worthy of the webbed one and moments of a kid trying to be a kid.

In case you are wondering, of course I’m not telling you things about the film. Seriously, why would I do that? I’m not into spoiling fun! Fans are going to be leaving the theatre giddy and probably buying tickets to see it again with more friends who are fans. With ComicCon right around the corner I am expecting to see more Spidey suits than ever before because of this film.

There is excitement, action, laughs, surprises and a cast that bring it all together in such a way that it’s almost a bummer when it’s over. As for what happens after the credits, well, I guess you’ll have to make sure you stay in your seat for a few minutes longer than normal (insert grin here). SPIDERMAN: Homecoming is completely epic without being full of itself and I’m refreshingly okay with that.

In the end – he’s just your friendly neighborhood Spiderman!

A Look at the Iconic Golden Arches with THE FOUNDER on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Today on Bluray/DVD and Digital HD from director John Lee Hancock, the Weinstein Company and Anchor Bay Entertainment is the story behind McDonalds with THE FOUNDER.

It is 1954 and Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) is a man who is always on the move with his supply business. Working for Prince Castle who made five-spindle shake makers, he sold them one at a time to restaurants. He was surprised to receive a telephone call from Dick McDonald (Nick Offerman) ordering several of the machines.

Living with wife Ethel (Laura Dern) in a beautiful home in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Kroc is always looking for the next big thing to keep their lifestyle. Always on the road, he becomes more and more irritated with the drive-in burger experience.

Still intrigued by the telephone call for more than one of the machines, Kroc goes to see what restaurant needs more than one! He arrives in San Bernardino, California to see something stunning. People lining up to get a McDonald’s hamburger, fries and a coke, Kroc loves the food.

He introduces himself to Dick and Mac McDonald (John Carroll Lynch) and they give him a tour of their hamburger assembly line process, quality produce and service. Kroc knows that this is a business he wants to be part of and convinces the brothers to go into partnership with Kroc franchising out to others.

Rollie Smith (Patrick Wilson) and wife Joan (Linda Cardellini) show interest in the business and he shows interest in Joan. Finding a boom in the franchising of McDonalds, Kroc is constantly being stopped by the brothers in making any changes per their contract. If that isn’t enough, Ethel is alone more than with her husband.

Kroc wants to make McDonalds iconic and without the brothers so with the help of Harry Sonneborn (B.J. Novak). His new company, Franchise Realty Corporation, begins the takeover of land that any McDonalds is on. Changing the name to The McDonald’s Corporation, he buys out the brothers which includes the name and takes a new wife.

McDonalds is now a part of the American landscape!

Keaton as Kroc is stunning in this role. He has this amazing ability to hook me into watching every character he has ever portrayed and the role of Kroc is no exception. I love the way he turns a phrase and gives this character charm – even when I really didn’t want to like Kroc.

Offerman as Nick plays a man who is clear about his business goals. Knowing that the idea of McDonalds was something special, he does try his damnedest to keep Kroc in line. It’s when things get out of control that Offerman gives us a look at a man who believed in something and someone only to be taken advantage of. Lynch as brother Mac is the brother who absolutely breaks my heart. He wants to believe that expanding would mean so much and was hit the hardest when it turned on them both. Lynch is one of my favorite actors because he can play both the villain and an endearing character and make it look easy.

Dern as Ethel is a woman who is the perfect housewife taking care of Ray when he is home. Supporting every endeavor he takes on means she also comes in second in every endeavor he takes on. Cardellini as Joan is a subtle character who is beautiful, talented, smart and believes in Kroc.

Wilson as Rollie wants to be part of the McDonalds franchise and offers suggestions. Having his own restaurant, Rollie believes he has a lot to offer Kroc. Novak as Sonneborn is the key to changing everything in the initial deal with the McDonald brothers and it is brilliant actually. Novak is the level headed character in the film while everyone else is shouting and outraged.

Other cast includes Justin Brooke as Fred Turner, Kate Kneeland as June Martino, Griff Furst as Jim Zien, Wilbur Fitzgerald as Jerry Cullen, David de Vriest as Jack Horford, Andrew Benator as Leonard Rosenblatt, and Cara Mantella as Myra Rosenblatt.

The Weinstein Company is the film studio founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein founded in 1979. Since 2005, TWC has released such films as VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, THE READER, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, THE KING’S SPEECH, THE ARTIST, DJANGO UNCHAINED and THE HATEFUL EIGHT. The Weinstein’s have received 341 Oscar nominations and won 81 Academy Awards.

Anchor Bay brings amazing entertainment to those extending their media library and is also celebrating their 20^th Anniversary. From theatrical to home release, Anchor Bay brings STARZ Original series, AMC Network series, The Weinstein Company, Radius, children’s entertainment, fitness, and sports to fans. To discover more of what Anchor Bay Entertainment has to offer, please visit www.anchorbayent.com.

THE FOUNDER is such an interesting look at a place known all over the world. I remember my first McDonalds visit when I was five when the outside was red and white with the big arches on either side of the building.

The one thing that I and others never thought about was the story behind those golden arches. This film is a double edge sword in that it’s a history I want to know but one that I’m surprised to learn. The McDonald brothers are portrayed as two men who have a grand idea and it works for them in a fantastic way.

That is until Ray Kroc comes in and although I understand his excitement, I was very upset in a way about how he went about it all. Does that mean I’ll never eat a McDonald’s French fry ever again – hardly.

Keaton puts his stamp on this role and along with Offerman and Lynch, THE FOUNDER is a film I highly recommend. The cinematography, costumes and sets are amazing and brought me back to that era with ease. This is a story that is well done by writer Robert D. Siegel who is also known for the 2008 film THE WRESTLER.

The Bluray includes the Special Features of a Behind-the-Scenes Gallery Featurette and Press Conferences. The Digital HD allows viewing from your television, computer, tablet and Smartphone.

In the end – risk taker, rule breaker and game changer!