They Need to Stay at ELEVATION

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director George Nolfi and Vertical comes a story of survival and going below ELEVATION.

It is a post-apocalyptic world of fear filled with vicious creatures below 8,000 feet and in the Rocky Mountain above the line are people trying to survive. Will (Anthony Mackie) is a well-known man in the community who has a young son, Hunter (Danny Boyd, Jr.) who relies on a breathing machine at night. Realizing he is running out of canisters for the device, the only answer is to go below 8,000 feet to a hospital who would have what he needs.

Deciding to make the trip, Will turns to former scientist Nina (Morena Baccarin), a woman who stays secluded and drinks, for information since she is the only person to survive the first wave. Not receiving a warm welcome, it is Katie (Maddie Hasson) who makes it clear that Will is not going to be taking on the run on his own.

Coming up to the line, the three realize what will happen once they cross over. Every step they take is a signal to what is out there and they come with a fury. Will is looking for what his son needs but Nina is looking for something more. Back in her lab, she looks to see if the work they were doing has answers. It may seem simpler to go down 8,000 feet but it’s getting back up that will define their humanity.

Mackie as Will is a father who is not only dealing with a young son’s illness, but also the death of loved ones. His future depends on teaching his boy not to cross the line but also how to survive in their small community. When it’s time to go down the mountain, Mackie gives his character strength and something the creatures will never understand – a father’s love.

Baccarin as Nina is a woman on her own mission of survival. Spending her days in a bottle of booze for decisions she made, Nina also spends her time on a goal – how to defeat the terror. Maccarin gives the performance of a broken woman who doesn’t seem to fear anything as a way of mentally surviving. It’s a strong performance and along side Mackie brings a good story.

Hasson as Katie is a friend to Will and doesn’t so much care for Nina but, isn’t going to let either go down the mountain alone. Going head-to-head with Nina is the tension on the road. Boyd, Jr. as Hunter is a young boy who totally relies, as he should, on his father. His worse fear is about to come true with Will going down the mountain.

Vertical is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. They have won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in OTHER PEOPLE and the film won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Limited Release, Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW, a BAFTA and three Independent British Independent Film Awards as well. For more go to www.vert-ent.com.

Director Nolfi says of the film, “Imagine a world where 95% of the population has perished and the remaining people live in a community untouched by the death and destruction below. The question that intrigued me was, could humanity truly thrive in such a world? What would people become when all their physical needs are met, but they are isolated from the rest of the world? This is a gripping journey where our characters must venture below and it’s in this descent that we confront a deeper question: Is the very technology and intelligence that helped us evolve and create great civilizations also driving us toward destruction?

ELEVATION is a post-apocalyptic world that Nolfi has brought keeps this world focused and simple. Mackie, Baccarin and Hasson lead the story and take us on a literal step-by-quiet-step journey to not only save a boy but find an answer for the rest of humanity. I am a huge fan of this genre and actually love that the film has been done in this way. Of course, the creature element is always good but it is the human interaction to it all is what is compelling. The need to take care of those remaining and the desire for answers is equally as good when done as well as is here.

In the end – don’t go down without a fight!

GREENLAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Ric Roman Waugh and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a disaster that is hard to escape from when getting to GREENLAND.

John Garrity (Gerard Butler) is an engineer that is in hot water with wife Allison (Morena Baccarin). Trying to make things right again, he comes home to help with a party that brings their friends over to watch the passing of comet Clarke.

Taking son Nathan (Roger Floyd) to the store to pick-up last minute items, a message comes over his phone that takes him by surprise. Rushing home to talk to Allison about it, it isn’t long before Clarke, who was supposed to pass them by – doesn’t. The shockwave is immediate, and the message appears once again to John and his family.

With only moments to pack, John makes sure to get the medicine young Nathan needs and after confronting neighbors, he must speed past them. The message they received made it clear that without proper instructions, all will be turned away. Getting to the base, everything that can go wrong does go wrong and the family is separated.

Trying to get back together will take everything John and Allison have if they are to make it to Greenland and survive the extinction level event.

Butler as Garrity is a man who knows he has messed up royally with his family and if there was ever a time to prove his worth, it is now. It is no surprise that Butler gets his hands completely dirty in this film at every turn. He has but one single focus, finding his family and getting them to safety. Butler gives it everything and I would expect nothing less.

Baccarin as Allison is not a shrinking violet in this film either. She gives her character the ability to be strong when she must and do whatever she can for her child. It is fantastic to have a female lead character that pulls her weight in the storyline and cares as much for the safety of her family as husband does.

Floyd as young Nathan does not have any easy time of it from start to finish. I will say that when the scariest thing that can happen to a child does, Floyd keeps his cool (as much as a kid can) knowing his parents are not going to sit idly by and do nothing.

Shout out to Scott Glen as Dale, Allison’s father. Anytime this fine actor is on screen I know that not only will he do what he must, but he will do it in his own unique style.

Other cast include: Randal Gonzalez as Bobby, Scott Poythress as Kenny, Claire Bronson as Debra, Madison Johnson as Ellie, Gary Weeks as Ed, Tracey Bonner as Peggy and Merrin Dungey as Major Breen.

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 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 Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes, “Humanity” Featurette and Filmmaker Commentary.

GREENLAND is the perfect mixture of disaster, humanity and survival with just a few small chunky pieces of a comet thrown in. I am not about to give anything away but trust me, what I have written here is a snippet of what you will see. The film has so much in the way of how we treat one another and what happens when things go terribly wrong.

There is definetly a love of family and what we will do to protect those we love. I highly recommend tissue when you see Scott Glen. What I think I love about the film as well is there is no holding back, it is messy, it is sad and yet in the midst of it is the will to live and love – and some of us can totally understand that right now.

So gather the family, crank up the big screen, pop the corn and get ready for the survival ride of the year with GREENLAND.

In the end – they will struggle together to survive!

GREENLAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to a big or small screener near you from director Ric Roman Waugh and STX Films is a disaster that is hard to escape from when getting to GREENLAND. 

John Garrity (Gerard Butler) is an engineer that is in hot water with wife Allison (Morena Baccarin). Trying to make things right again, he comes home to help with a party that brings their friends over to watch the passing of comet Clarke.

 Taking son Nathan (Roger Floyd) to the store to pick up last minute items, a message comes over his phone that takes him by surprise. Rushing home to talk to Allison about it, it isn’t long before Clarke, who was supposed to pass them by – doesn’t. The shockwave is immediate, and the message appears once again to John and his family.

With only moments to pack, John makes sure to get the medicine young Nathan needs and after confronting neighbors, he must speed past them. The message they received made it clear that without proper instructions, all will be turned away. Getting to the base, everything that can go wrong does go wrong and the family is separated.

Trying to get back together will take everything John and Allison have if they are to make it to Greenland and survive the extinction level event.

Butler as Garrity is a man who knows he has messed up royally with his family and if there was ever a time to prove his worth, it is now. It is no surprise that Butler gets his hands completely dirty in this film at every turn. He has but one single focus, finding his family and getting them to safety. Butler gives it everything and I would expect nothing less.

Baccarin as Allison is not a shrinking violet in this film either. She gives her character the ability to be strong when she must and do whatever she can for her child. It is fantastic to have a female lead character that pulls her weight in the storyline and cares as much for the safety of her family as husband does.

Floyd as young Nathan does not have any easy time of it from start to finish. I will say that when the scariest thing that can happen to a child does, Floyd keeps his cool (as much as a kid can) knowing his parents are not going to sit idly by and do nothing.

Shout out to Scott Glen as Dale, Allison’s father. Anytime this fine actor is on screen I know that not only will he do what he must, but he will do it in his own unique style.

Other cast include: Randal Gonzalez as Bobby, Scott Poythress as Kenny, Claire Bronson as Debra, Madison Johnson as Ellie, Gary Weeks as Ed, Tracey Bonner as Peggy and Merrin Dungey as Major Breen.

STX Films and Entertainment is a global next-generation company who has taken on the mission to unlock the value of direct connection stars have with their fans through the development, production and distribution of film, television, VR, digital video, music and live entertainment content. It is the industry leader in transforming beyond traditional platform-driven content to creating talent-driven enterprises. To experience more please visit www.stxfilms.com.

GREENLAND is the perfect mixture of disaster, humanity and survival with just a few small chunky pieces of a comet thrown in. I am not about to give anything away but trust me, what I have written here is a snippet of what you will see. The film has so much in the way of how we treat one another and what happens when things go terribly wrong.

There is definetly a love of family and what we will do to protect those we love. I highly recommend tissue when you see Scott Glen. What I think I love about the film as well is there is no holding back, it is messy, it is sad and yet in the midst of it is the will to live and love – and some of us can totally understand that right now.

So gather the family, crank up the big screen, pop the corn and get ready for the survival ride of the year with GREENLAND.

In the end – they will struggle together to survive!

DEADPOOL 2 – Enough Said!

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this weekend from director David Leitch, Marvel Entertainment and 20^th Century Fox comes a man who needs no introduction other than the words DEADPOOL 2.

So I thought about how to start this review and all I could think of was – GO EFFIN SEE THIS MOVIE! But the reader deserves a little better than that so here we go!

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is back as Deadpool and he’s happier than ever with gal-pal Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). On their anniversary Wade has a little something planned except his mercenary work decides to follow him home and bring mayhem along with them.

Sending his life in a tailspin and ready to do his worst, it isn’t until Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) brings Wade back to the Xavier Mansion that he sees a use for life. Agreeing to be an X-Men trainee along with Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), they meet Russell Collins (Julian Dennison). Calling himself Firefist, he refuses to be abused any further at the orphanage.

A few bad fighting choices puts both Deadpool and Firefist in a place called the ‘Icebox’ that stores mutants. That actually makes it easier for future arrival Cable (Josh Brolin) to find his target – which isn’t Deadpool much to his disappointment – but the young Russell.

Deciding that he must help the young boy, Deadpool puts together a group he calls X-Force and begins accepting applications with buddy Weasel (T.J. Miller). Their goal is to find the prison truck transport and get Russell back. What they don’t know is that Russell finds a friend in Juggernaut, who has his own issues with super heroes.

Cable finally tells Deadpool why he wants the boy and that he must be stopped before reaching the orphanage or there is no turning back with a future fate sealed. Now Deadpool, Cable and his new recruit lucky Domino (Zazie Beetz) face off with Russell and Juggernaut but he is too strong. Thankfully Colossus and Warhead decide that Deadpool needs their help and the battle for good and evil begins.

It’s all being done the Deadpool way!

Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool has made damn sure that no one else, ever, will be able to remake-reimagine-rethink-rediscover or “re” anything else someone might want to do in ten years. He has made this character completely iconic and absolute in the minds of everyone who loves this character. It is no big secret to anyone that I’m not a huge super hero person, I mean I see the films but then it’s like ‘next!’ to me. Not DEADPOOL – this is the number one character I looked forward to seeing the first time and it was like Christmas morning as a kid for DEADPOOL 2. There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING to complain about in this film and its Reynolds fault completely. I’m sure he won’t mind taking the blame for this one. He gives this ole lady plenty to laugh about and that’s everything.

Brolin as Cable has me a little perplexed. Jumping between two comic book characters just isn’t something I’m thrilled about. I’m still not over Chris Evans going from his blaze days to Captain America and it’s been more than a hot minute. Between the two I would prefer he stay in the Cable lane but a paycheck is a paycheck right? Okay, so as cable I love the ying and yang between he and Deadpool. They both have issues and yet play off of them providing each other with a conscience.

Dennison as Russell is a kid on a mission and although he has every reason to be pretty p.o.’d, ending up with Deadpool in an icebox might be a tad worse. He is going through his terrible teens and just happens to have fist that can destroy anything in its path.

Beetz as Domino doesn’t take Wade or Deadpool seriously because she’s all about proving that lucky favors her own brand of coolness. Hildebrand returns as Negasonic Teenage Warhead with a few surprises for her favorite DP dude. Miller as Weasel gets a moment or two to shine with his favorite stool warmer.

Kapicic returns as the understanding and patient Colossus and I think he is the only one that true gets Wade/Deadpool. Baccarin as Vanessa is back to bring positive reinforcement and a good lap dance to her favorite super hero.

A serious shout out to Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, the one person who knows that Wade is a miserable human being sometimes yet accepts him the same. She might not be able to see but I’d let her defend me anytime, provided I can point the gun.

Also, Karan Soni as Dopinder who finally gets the opportunity to show what he’s made of – taxi and all. Shioli Kutsuna makes an appearance as Yukio who has the cutest exchanges with Deadpool and Eddie Marsan as the butt-head-master of Essex Orphanage.

Lets give a round of applause to Terry Crews as Bedlam, Lewis Tan as Shatterstar, Bill Skarsgard as Zeitgeist, Rob Delaney as Peter and Brad Pitt as Vanisher. Also, who can forget the amazing Jack Kesy as Black Tom Cassidy.

I think I’ve made if fairly clear that I am a huge Deadpool fan and if you thought I’d be giving any spoilers out well then I’m happy to disappoint you. From the moment the film begins to its very, very, VERY end (this is my way of saying stay after the credits), Reynolds and his band of merry misfits provide such a good time that a second viewing is going to be required.

Laughing so much I can say that I probably missed half the jokes and I’m fairly certain I’m lucky to be alive as I was eating popcorn during the film. I do know that I couldn’t catch my breath most of the time which means not only was I having a good time but if I did drop dead I would be alright if it was Deadpool’s fault.

So leave the other “superheroes” to fly away in a wind of feathers (not sure what that was but if you saw that ‘other’ movie you’ll understand) and gather up everyone who needs to laugh themselves silly and head to DEADPOOL 2.

Have an extraordinary experience and remember he’s only here to show you a good time.

In the end – prepare for the ultimate second coming!

FIREFLY Land on Bluray with a Stellar 15th Anniversary Collectors Edition

Jeri Jacquin

Available on Bluray from 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment and writer/director Joss Whedon is the amazing series that keeps bringing fans back again and again is the series FIREFLY.

It is the year 2517 and mankind has found its way into a new star system in their Firefly-class ship. Aboard the ship is the crew of Serenity is Captain Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and first mate Zoe Washburne (Gina Torres). Veterans of the Unification War, they join other settlers and refugees who live away from the central government.

Now dealing in smugglings, two of their passengers River Tam (Summer Glau) and brother Dr. Simon Tam (Sean Maher) join the crew. Along with Zoe’s husband Wash (Alan Tudyk), Inara Serra (Morena Baccarin), Jayne Cobb (Adam Baldwin), ship’s mechanic Kaylee (Jewel Staite) and the Serenity’s moral compass Derrial (Ron Glass).

From the moment the series begins, Captain Mal looks for abandoned ships to salvage. After a confrontation with an Alliance federal agent, Mal brings Simon and River aboard the Serenity.

Finding an abandoned ship, the crew also find Reavers and are attacked and the Alliance docks with the Serenity. Knowing that Simon and River are at risk, the rest of the crew is interrogated while the two passengers hide. This won’t be the only time the brother and sister will be put to the test.

When the Serenity needs engine repair that causes the life support system to be inoperable, the crew has only one hope – to find a passing ship. Putting the crew in shuttles, Mal remembers how the crew of the Serenity came to be.

With the ship in working order, it is River who now needs help. Simon needs to find a hospital but it is Jayne that has other plans. The Alliance isn’t going to reward Jayne’s actions and neither is Mal who has the choice of life and death.

Mal’s unexpected wife has returned and wants his help to relieve a wealthy gent of his funds. Once they come in contact, Mal is given a shock that is either a good thing or bad depending on how he wants to handle Saffron’s antics.

Zoe and Mal are surprised to hear of the passing of their friend from the Battle of Serenity Valley, Tracey. They learn what their friend had been doing and how the Alliance was not only after Tracey but what he had been doing. Putting his crew in jeopardy, Mal is faced with the ultimate decision.

Inara needs Mal and the crews help when her friend Nandi is having trouble in her brothel. A man named Ranse Burgess is threatening one of the women who is pregnant. But what happens between Mal and Nandi could change everything.

River becomes disoriented and the crew isn’t sure whether there is a safety issue. It is Jubal Early they should be concerned with as the bounty hunter captures Simon. The safety issue isn’t an issue any longer when River does what she must to help her brother and the crew of Serenity.

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.

The Bluray includes the fantastic Bonus Features of the **New** Firefly Poster and Collectible Character Cards Inside Packaging as Gift With Purchase for a Limited Time Only, Disc One: Here’s How It Was: The Making of Firefly Featurette, Disc Two: Firefly Cast Roundtable: Lunch with Joss, Nathan, Alan and Ron, Disc Three: Serenity: The 10^th Character Featurette, Deleted Scenes, Alan Tudyk’s Audition, Joss Sings the Firefly Theme, Joss Tours the Set and Gag Reel.

FIREFLY aired on Fox in 2002 and cancelled by episode eleven. What is amazing about this is that FIREFLY won a Primetime Emmy in 2003 for Outstanding Special Visual Effects. Even TV Guide ranks it as one of the shows “Cancelled Too Soon” to which fans couldn’t agree more.

For those that attending San Diego Comic Con International, it is clear that FIREFLY isn’t about to be forgotten anytime soon. Every year there is a cry for the show to be started up once again and ears listening for Joss Whedon to say ‘yes, it will happen’.

I have met Nat Fillion and asked him if he would be on board and I heard him say it at several Con’s - “it was everything and how can everything not be enough?” In other words, those fourteen episodes are as perfect of a FIREFLY world as we are going to get close to and that’s okay actually.

That’s what continues to make the series special and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment knows that. Capturing it in an amazing box set, this 500 year into the future look at characters that walk about on Earth today shows no signs of stopping fans from keeping FIREFLY a part of their home entertainment library.

Watching FIREFLY once again is such a joy because of the fantastic mesh of actors that brought Serenity to life. It is a series that is full of action, storyline and even has sharp humor that I enjoy. Let this 665 minute 3-disc DVD Collectors Edition be a way to bring more fans into the fold and let them in on the adulation for our favorite Captain – Nathan Fillion!

In the end – hang on for the ride of your life!