The Origins of THE FIRST OMEN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital with Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu and Hulu followed by the Bluray and DVD release in July from writer/director Arkasha Stevenson and 20^th Century Studios is THE FIRST OMEN.

In Rome, young novitiate Margaret (Nell Tiger Free) arrives in the city during a time of unrest in 1971. She goes to the Vizzardeli Orphanage to meet Cardinal Lawrence (Bill Nighy), Father Gabriel (Tawfeek Barhom) and the Abbess Sister Silva (Sonia Braga). Being shown around, she takes it upon herself to go into a room where another young girl, Carlita (Nicole Sorace), is be touted as a strange girl.

Not sure what to make of it, she dismisses it being taken to her apartment she is sharing with another novitiate Luz (Maria Cabellero). That night Luz convinces Margaret to go to a club where she quickly meets Paolo and they dance together. The next morning, she wakes up and hardly remembers anything that happened after that.

Back at the orphanage, Margaret spends time with Carlita but is warned off by Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson) as he says bad things happen around the young girl. Brennan wants to meet with Margaret so he can tell her about a power within the church that wants to bring the Antichrist to power and that Carlita is the aim at that. He also wants her to look into the Abbess’ files if she doesn’t believe him.

That is when things begin to turn for the worst. Playing on her anxieties, Margaret finds herself in the midst of madness. When Father Gabriel gets her to Brennan, they begin to realize that what they thought was happening is focused on the one person who has been oblivious to the religious game being played.

Free as Margaret does a darn good job of portraying a naïve young novitiate who has been raised in the church to trust those around her. Coming to the orphanage, she is excited to work among the children in their care. From the moment she arrived, there is something in the air that she doesn’t quite understand and Free portrays that well.

Ineson as Father Brennan is the one who clearly understands what is happening but, to say it out loud almost sounds a bit crazy. Reaching out to Margaret is the only way to get her to understand the dangers. Ineson gives us this twitchy priest who wants to stop what has started. Sorace as Carlita doesn’t have much to say verbally but her face shows everything and that is a talent. Trust the looks you see in this character!

Nighy as Cardinal Lawrence has been keeping an eye on young Margaret since she was a child and feel protective over her. I just love Nighy’s ability to play almost every kind of role possible, I don’t think there is one performance I have not thought amazing, this one is no exception. Braga as Sister Silva just freaked me out from start to finish, if I was in Catholic school as a kid she would probably have scared me straight with a single glance!

Shout out to Barhom as Father Gabriel, his role is a small one but important to Margaret’s story.

Other cast include Charles Dance as Father Harris, Ishtar Currie-Wilson as Sister Angelica, Andrea Arcangeli as Paolo, Eva Stevic Ras as the angry nun and Rachel Hurd-Wood as Katherine Thorn.

Twentieth Century Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.20thcenturystudios.com.

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Bonus Features include The Mystery of Margaret – Join director Arkasha Stevenson and stars Nell Tiger Free, Bill Nighy and Maria Caballero as they dive into the character of Margaret, her relationships with other characters, and how she’s manipulated while trying to solve the film’s horrifying mystery, The Director’s Vision – Director Arkasha Stevenson talks about her love of horror films, the opportunity to expand on The Omen legacy, and crafting The First Omen entirely through a female lens. She also describes shooting in Rome, and the cast recounts working with Arkasha.

Also, Signs of The First Omen – Join the director and talented artists as they reveal some of the symbolism within the set designs and the costumes. Learn how the use of practical effects blurs the line between what is real and what is not in The First Omen’s terrifying world.

THE FIRST OMEN is a bit predictable but, it does lay the groundwork to the following Omen films which is nice. They didn’t try to reinvent the wheel here but instead stayed grounded to the story as it was laid out in the 1976 Richard Donner film and even a well-placed nod comes in at the end. I don’t mind an origin story in the slightest as long as it is well done and doesn’t forget where it came from so to speak. There is a bit of a twist here as well that leaves the door slightly cracked open for the imagination.

The images, as you would imagine, are pretty darn graphic as the story begins to unfold. I won’t lie, I did a bit of a jaw drop at a certain birthing scene and ended up with my hands across my eyes peeking through the fingers like a kid. Watching this at night in a dark room added the cherry on the top of spooky so I highly recommend trying the film that way. For horror genre fans, this might be a nice sway away from the norm so jump right in.

In the end – create something to fear!

 

Apple TV Brings Answers to the Final Season of SERVANT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Streaming on AppleTV+ tomorrow from M. Knight Shyamalan is the conclusion to the twisted and complicated series SERVANT.

Leanne (Nell Tiger Free) is decorating the house in anticipation of the return of Dorothy Turner (Lauren Ambrose). After her accident, it is time for Dorothy to return home to work on recovery and being home with son Jericho.

Husband Sean (Toby Kebbell) realizes there is a disconnect between he and Dorothy. He has his highly successful cooking show but it is on the back burner to the chaos in his home. Wanting to be there for his wife, she is distant and untrusting of him. Brother Julian (Rupert Grint) is wary of everything and even having problems in his relationship with Leanne.

There is something outside the brownstone that is determined to get Leanne back into the fold. Attack after attack, she manages to keep them at bay. When Dorothy returns, there is animosity between the two women that Leanne can not seem to grasp. Dorothy is determined to get well and calls on two women Bobbie (Barbara Kingsley) and Bev (Denny Dillon) to care for her.

Leanne is starting to unravel and everyone in the house sees it – especially Julian. As Bobbie and Bev make their mark on the Turner household, Leanne makes it clear that she is not happy with what is happening and it must be said, when Leanne isn’t happy bad things begin to happen.

As if they already haven’t been happening.

Ambrose as Dorothy is a woman who is clearly on the warpath. She may not be able to physically get to Leanne but she sure knows how to play the game. There are concessions to be made where Jericho is concerned but Dorothy is going to have her way. Ambrose has always given such complexity to the role of Dorothy and it has been mind boggling and delightful all at the same time. Keeping it together mentally was worth watching every moment of, now it’s time to see what Ambrose does physically with Dorothy and I’m all in. Well done!

Free as Leanne has gone from a sweet, loving, caring – oh wait, that was only in the first few episodes. Clearly this character begins to come into her own and discovers that she has something that other people want. Trying to stay away from those who would keep her captive, she makes a place for herself with the Turner family. The problem is that they are starting to question whether she truly does have a place. Free is absolutely stunning as Leanne and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her embrace and take this role in places I didn’t see coming.

Kebbell as Sean is dealing with his own personal guilt. Constantly being pulled from Dorothy to Leanne and back again, I’m surprised he doesn’t have whiplash from the first three seasons. Now, with Dorothy literally down in the dumps, he might find a way to get back to her with the help of two little old ladies and a bit of ‘chef’ing. Kebbell has shown his character to be a bit of a narcissist and self-centered, but in this season, Kebbell has to show contrition with Sean and I have no doubt in my mind that will lead to choosing between Leanne and Dorothy for the fight of their lives.

Grint as Julian has, through these seasons, been the reason I laugh, a lot of jaw dropping and wondering what part his character will play in this last season. Right now he is shagging the nanny as it were but there is a price to pay for playing with crazy. I have so enjoyed watching the subtle and not so subtle changes in Julian and Grint is the reason for it. Come hell or high insanity, Grint’s portrayal of Julian is there in the thick of it and even if he doesn’t understand anything or everything, he doesn’t hesitate to talk about it.

Shout out to Kingsley and Dillon for being the new gals in town. They bring their own brand of crazy that I kind of like. Moving into the Turner home isn’t a cake walk (chef pun intended) but these two women aren’t about to let anyone in the house push them around or stop them from helping Dorothy get well. That is making Leanne crazy!

Other cast include Tony Revolori as Tobe, Molly Griggs as Isabelle, and Todd Waring as Frank Pearce.

Apple+ is a video on demand web television that debuted in 2019. Viewable through Apple’s TV app, CEO Tim Cook wanted original content calling it “a great opportunity for us from a creation point of view”. From THE MORNING SHOW to TRYING and THE BANKER and Jason Momoa in SEE, there is plenty of choices for everyone. Plenty of genres? That is exactly what they are bringing to viewers and to see more of what they have to offer please visit www.apple.com/tv/.

SERVANT has been a series I could not stop watching, so much so that I have watched it twice to look for any clues as to where the story might be going. Honestly, I don’t think I wanted to know everything because it ruins the startling surprises and twists that are thrown into each thirty minute episode.

Yes, the thirty minutes never seems enough time but that’s the brilliance of SERVANT. Those thirty minutes are jam packed full of story telling and when the credits roll, I can guarantee you that those watching are practically throwing things at their television screens. To me, that is awesome!

This cast has brought four seasons of intensity, laughter, head smacks, and no denying a lot of ‘wtf’s along with way. Shyamalan, along with creator Tony Basgallop, have brought something unique and a bit mind blowing to Appletv+. But all good things must come to an end whether we like it or not right? It has been one heck of a unique wild ride!

Gawd what a great show.

M. Knight Shyamalan Brings Mystery to SERVANT

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Apple TV+ from creator Tony Basgallop and M. Knight Shyamalan is the stunning and jaw dropping series SERVANT.

Chef Sean (Toby Kebbell) and television reporter Dorothy (Lauren Ambrose) are a couple that are dealing with the loss of their son Jericho.  At the suggestion of family friend, Sean gives Dorothy a doll that she sees as her son. Dealing with the situation, the arrival of the very young and meek Leanne Grayson (Nell Tiger Free) is hired to be Jericho's nanny. Following Dorothy's lead, it is Sean who waits until they are alone to inform Leanne that she doesn't have to pretend with him.

A few days after her arrival, Sean hears a baby crying and follows the sound to the nursery where Dorothy's doll has become a live baby. Freaking out, Sean calls brother-in-law Julian (Rupert Grint) to show him what has happened. Immediately Julian suspects that the new nanny has something to do with it and shares his theories with Sean.

Dorothy doesn't seem to notice the difference and is thrilled to be back to herself with a new baby and doing her reports once again. Leanne is actually fascinated and disturbed by the goings on in the Turner house with Sean's sous chef Tobe (Tony Revolori) taking an interest in her. At her husband's request, Dorothy starts asking questions about where Leanne is from and her life.

In the meantime, Julian is on the case hiring Matthew Roscoe (Phillip Brannon) to find out where this mysterious girl has come from and what she is up to. He can't wait to show his brother-in-law what they have discovered which deepens the mystery.

So, I'm going to stop right here because this is a series you absolutely have to experience for yourself!

Kebbell as Sean is an arrogant chef who loves his career and wife (even though they can, at times be mouthy to one another) and is twisted by what is happening. Giving a performance that mostly, so far, has this actor with a huge question mark above his head, also can't help but feel fatherly toward Jericho #2. I have to say that watching him great dishes during the show is pretty cool. He gets a chance to experience a one two punch of mystery and good eats and I'm all for that.

 

Ambrose as Dorothy is a woman who is proud of her reporter skills yet she seems to have blank screen when it comes to actually knowing what's going on in her own home. She's a good person with a quick wit and a protectiveness towards her family - including brother Julian. At first I was annoyed with Dorothy and then I just dropped my jaw and became in awe of her. Certainly most of us might behave differently but that isn't going to stop viewers from jumping on to her bandwagon to see where this ride is going to take us. Well done Ambrose!

Free as Leanne is a young girl who seems to be missing part of the real world in her life. Fascinated by the life she is beginning with the Turner's, she also seems to enjoy taking care of baby Jericho (that is, the doll that is now a real baby Jericho - confused yet?). Taking a liking to Dorothy, she begins to feel part of the family even if she gets snide comments and judgmental looks from both Julian and Sean.

Grint as Julian is a messed up human being who loves the wine at his brother-in-law's house. It is clear that he'd like nothing better than to expose Leanne for whoever he thinks she is but worrying about his sister has become a full time job. Julian wants to protect her from any more pain but this is a situation that isn't going to let that happen. Grint is on his game and I must admit to it being weird not hearing Ronald Weasly's voice come out. Trust me when I say that thought will fade fast because he is aaaaaamazing as Julian.

Brannon as Matthew is on the case by going with Julian to where Leanne says she comes from. What he finds disturbs him just as it would anyone else. Revolori as Tobe is attempting to be friends with Leanne but is confused by her reaction to things. That's not going to stop him from being Sean's best sous chef so we'll be seeing more of him in upcoming episodes.

Apple TV+ is a video on demand web television service of Apple Inc. The content is viewable through Apple's website and through Apple's TV app which is available through electronic devices. Accessible in about 100 countries, they distribute their own content and original programming.

The directing duties begin with Shyamalan taking the helm with the first episode Reborn, with the directing duties going to Daniel Sackheim for episode 2 Wood and 3 Eel. There are seven more episodes to bring the series to a climatic season finale with that feeling of 'awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!' knowing the wait it on.

SERVANT is a series that is going to have you wanting more and more and even more. The episodes are a half hour each which absolutely and totally drives me insane. That's probably what creator Basgallop had in mind in the first place. Sitting at his keyboard wondering what would be the best way to make everyone growl like a bear when the credits start to role - it worked so well played sir!

The show is a bit of brilliance and it is clear why Shyamalan would want to be part of it, the storyline is right up his professional ally. SERVANT is a mixture of feeling crazy, not understanding what is in front of us, twisting our brains trying to jump ahead and figure things out but then stopping because we can't get away from the crazy feeling. Now personally, I happen to like when a show does that and I'm not going to lie, SERVANT had me slapping my head a few times, yelling at the screen with 'what…THE…&$%@!' or 'you've GOT to be kidding me!'

Yet, I went back, again and again wanting more, wanting answers and wanting to be riveted and I got it (I still want more than a half hour but I guess you can't have everything - yet!). The show is creepy, eerie, maddening and filled with twisted humor moments. Apple TV+ has a hit on its hands and now I am curious to see the other series they have to offer and trust when I say I'll be checking them out for you so stay tuned.

In the end - there is not an easy mystery to unravel!