Greed Finds THE UNHOLY TRINITY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Richard Gray, Saban Films and Roadside Attractions is the story of loss and found with THE UNHOLY TRINITY.

Henry Broadway (Brandon Lessard) has come to say goodbye to his father Isaac (Tim Daly) on his way to the gallows in 1870s Montana. The final words to his son is to find Saul Butler and clear his name in a crime Isaac says he did not commit. Grief stricken, Henry finds his way to the town of Trinity looking for a man he has never seen before to get justice for his father. Right away he meets St. Christopher (Samuel L. Jackson) who seems to befriend him.

Following Gabriel Dove (Pierce Brosnan), Henry mistakes him for Butler and discovers more about the town than he planned. Dove tells the young man to quickly leave before local hot head Gideon (Gianni Capaldi) gets out of control, much more than he already is tracking the Blackfoot woman Running Cub (Q’orianka Kilcher). Gideon blames her for a different death in the town. Having a meal in the salon, Henry meets Rachel (Stephanie Hernandez) and the town is turned upside down.

Sherriff Dove is nowhere to be found as he has gone looking for Rubbing Cub so wife Sarah (Veronica Ferres) tries to calm thing. When he does return and realizes Henry is in trouble, it is time to discover all the secrets being hidden in the town of Trinity because the secrets are dangerous and loom large over all their lives.

Lessard as Henry is a young man unaware of what his father asked of him. He clearly does not have a grasp of how to deal with unsavory men who all have guns and aren’t afraid to use them. Wanting to do right by his father, almost immediately he realizes that there is something more happening in this town. Lessard plays his part in a larger story and does it well, especially playing opposite two big names in the film game.

One of those names is Pierce Brosnan as Sherriff Dove who immediately realizes that Henry was only given a fraction of the story about his father and the town. Keeping the townspeople safe is his ultimate goal, especially surrounded by men who find killing easy. Brosnan’s character is soft spoken and calm even when chaos is happening all around him. Knowing Henry has been misled; it seems almost immediate that he wants to protect the young man from anyone who would harm him. Brosnan is doing what he does best, embracing his role and reminding us that his ease at playing any character is vast.

Jackson as St. Christopher is a bit of a mystery man and when Henry arrives in town, he is quick to share a bit of a rundown not only of the town but how the young man might need to protect himself. It is clear that he, like others, seem to know what Henry doesn’t. Jackson gives us his predictable mash up of ‘is he good or not?’ until all is revealed. That being said there is nothing better than watching Jackson develop a character right before our eyes. He has the fantastic ability to play both good, bad and good/bad characters and in this film, he doesn’t disappoint.

Kilcher as Running Cub has a story of her own and Dove is protective of her. Her role is not a large one but it has its importance. Capaldi as Gideon is as twisted as a bad guy can get in the “Wild West” and it works in the story. Ferres as Sarah is a wife who understands her husband and is a stabilizing force for him.

Other cast include Katrina Bowden as Julia, Beau Knapp as Asa Benton, Tim Montana as Red Benton, Beau Linnell as Butch Benton, Ethan Peck as Sam Scarborough, Dylan Brosnan as Pastor, Chuck Matthews as Charlie, Eadie Gray as Mabel, Paris Brosnan as Thomas, Kelton Cole as the Innkeeper, and David Arquette as Father Jacob.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

Director Gray says of shooting THE UNHOLY TRINITY in Montana, “There’s a rawness to the Western genre, more than any other, where it’s really just about survival. The whole point of the Western is that it’s a frontier. When you strip back all of the conveniences and safety nets of modern life, all that’s left is raw emotion and force. No better genre provides that better than a Western.”

He is right, movie goers do love a good Western and a staple requirement is that it be filled with glaring gunmen, rugged good and bad guys, strong women and something to fight more. Well, this film gives all of that and more surrounded by a solid storyline and twists that are a bonus. The cast brings it all together with stellar performances and more than enough guesses to take up the 95-minute running time and I’m all for every minute.

In the end – the mystery brings them all together!

A Story of the Sea and THE KING’S DAUGHTER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from director Sean McNamara and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of THE KING’S DAUGHTER.

Marie-Josephine (Kaya Scodelario) is a handful and being raised in a convent in France. She loves the sea and often brings a little trouble with her for the nuns. Also in France is King Louis XIV (Pierce Brosnan), who begins to feel his mortality when struck by a bullet from an angry villager. His physician, Dr. Labarthe (Pablo Schreiber) tells him about magical properties that can be found in mermaids.

Sending Captain Yves De La Croix (Benjamin Walker), the King has one order, capture the mermaid creature and bring it back. Louis wants to perform a ritual during the coming eclipse that will make him immortal. Someone who is against what the King wants to do is Father Francois La Chaise (William Hurt).

But the good Father is on his own mission, to bring Marie-Josephine back to Versailles to play music. When she arrives, she meets Magali (Crystal Clarke) who fills her in on palace life. What Marie-Josephine does not know is that the King needs money and in order to do that he is willing to marry her off to Jean-Michel Lintillac (Ben Lloyd-Hughes).

Creating a friendship with the mermaid, Marie-Josephine and Captain De La Croix also see each other differently. As the eclipse draws near and with Father La Chaise unable to stop what is about to happen, a plan is formed to help the mermaid escape and rejoin her own family.

Scodelairo as Marie-Josephine is a young woman who is a tad defiant and very talented musically. She is excited to be brought to Versailles until she slowly uncovers the reasons. Befriending the mermaid, a bond is formed that pushes her do to whatever it takes to save her.

Brosnan as King Louis is a narcissistic man who thinks being immortal will keep France safe when I believe more that he just wants to be immortal. Even when his advisers try to sway him from doing the mermaid harm, he wants what he wants and after all – he is the King.

Hurt as Father La Chaise believes that the King could be such a good man if he would stop listening to others feeding into doing harm. Once he understands the mermaid, it is time to help both the lady of the sea and the young Marie-Josephine both find their true destinies. It is nice to see Hurt one last time on the screen and in this role as such a loving and caring person.

Walker as De La Croix is ordered by the King to bring back a mermaid, but he slowly sees what Marie-Josephine sees in the lovely sea lady. He also begins to have feelings for the lovely land lady as well. Now it’s the pull between the orders given by the King and what his heart knows is right.

Schreiber as Labarthe is just a sinister doctor in refined clothing. He is the reason for the plight of the mermaid and nothing or no one is going to stop him. Even as Marie-Josephine tries over and over to get the King to see the error of his ways, Labarthe twists everything. Schreiber has the demeanor of someone I would not want to mess with.

Clarke as Magali is a young woman who is thrilled to befriend Marie-Josephine. Together, she knows Versailles and its ways and helping her new friend becomes so important. Clarke is sweet and clever and plays this role divinely.

Other cast include Paul Ireland as Benoit, Terry Norris as Great Chamberlain, Kasia Kaczmarek as Sister Constance, Jessica Clarke as Madam Devereaux, Kaya Blocks and Bingbing Fan as The Mermaid.

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.

Gravitas Ventures is a worldwide film distribution company that connections the global audience of over a billion people. Celebrating 15 years, they have had the honor to collaborate with thousands of artists to share important films. Gravitas was one of the first companies to develop a global network of digital media platforms like Video on Demand with a simple mission to deliver ideas that could bridge filmmakers to audiences. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com.

Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes and Cast Reflections on THE KING’S DAUGHTER.

THE KING’S DAUGHTER is a fanciful adventure of love, relationships, mermaids and doing what is right no matter the cost. There are characters that are out for themselves and what serves them best and there are characters who know that that is no way to live.

It is a lovely story and, truth be told, my granddaughter loved it, especially the mermaid as that is what she so loves right now. The mythical beauty comes to the screen, and she could not have been any happier, well, unless it was actually swimming with a mermaid instead of Marie-Josephine.

That is what makes the story so lovely!

 

In the end – a King, his daughter and a hidden world!

MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again Sings & Dances onto Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray/DVD this Tuesday from writer/director Ol Parker and Universal Home Entertainment is the return of MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is working hard to reopen the Bella Donna Hotel with the help of Fernando Cienfuegos (Andy Garcia). Husband Sky (Dominic Cooper) is away working and making her feel a bit lonely. While putting her mother Donna's (Meryl Streep) belongings away, she begins to explore Donna's life that initially brought her to the island.

Donna (Lily James), in 1979, graduates college with friends Rosie (Alexis Davies) Tanya (Jessica Wynn). Deciding what to do with her life, Sophie begins her travels and meets a young Harry (Hugh Skinner) who becomes instantly infatuated with her. Finding her own way to the island she meets the charming sailboat racer Bill (Josh Dylan) who takes her to the docks and promises he will see her again.

As a storm breaks, Donna finds herself needing a bit of horse help when on the road she meets Sam (Jeremy Irvine) and her heart is captured and then broken.

Back to Sophie's life, the opening of the hotel is stressing her out as she turns to Sam (Pierce Brosnan) for support and wishes Dads Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) and Harry (Colin Firth) could be there. She does have Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) who wouldn't miss the opening for anything. The two ladies are having emotional flash backs of their own.

When a storm hits and threatens to ruin all of Sophie's plans, it is those she loves who come to her rescue as the hotel opens as it always should have, especially when Grandma Ruby (Cher) shows up.

But, they are family and nothing is impossible with their love!

Seyfried returns as Sophie who has grown up a bit and decided that she wants to follow in her mother's footsteps by finishing what Donna started. Wanting to make the hotel a huge success also comes with allot of questions still about her mother and how they have all made it to this point in their lives. Seyfried sings beautifully and carries her role.

James as a young Donna is a chance for viewers to explore her side of the story and how she came to be part of the plan for the hotel. Along the way she just happens to meet three very different men who become an important part of her life - and then Sophie's. Lily is daring and at the same time very strong in her convictions as to what she wants and how she will get it.

Irvine as Sam gives us a look inside how deep the relationship was with Donna when they were young but also the truth behind the heart ache that would follow them both for so many years Brosnan as Sam has remained with Sophie as a support and a man who has settled into a life that works for him.

Dylan as a young Bill is the reckless one of the bunch and believes his charms will win the heart of Donna but she has other plans.  Skarsgard as Bill has mellowed a bit and even regrets his behavior towards Rosie. When he needs to be there for Sophie, Skarsgard gets a chance to play two roles in the film, even if only briefly.

Skinner as young Harry clearly is as uncomfortable in his youth as he continued to be into adulthood. Skinner manages to capture all of that angst it really works into understanding Harry later. Speaking of that, Firth as Harry is still so darn sweet and sensitive but starting to get a little more outspoken about what he wants in life.

Davies as young Rosie is just as cute and funny as Walters return as the more mature version. Dealing with a jolt from Bill has not changed her one bit and she's going to make sure he knows it. Wynn as a young Tanya is just as witty as her counterpart Baranski. These two actresses didn't miss a beat playing this character and I loved it.

Cher as Ruby was perfect with her drop in and drop dead look. Of course Cher is going to be amazing - she's Cher! I recently saw her in Las Vegas performing the song 'Fernando' and I just got a little fan crazy with my cheering. She continues to have a voice that is rich and memorable.

Garcia as Cienfuegos is charming and has a line for everything. That's not necessarily a bad thing as this character always shows up at the right time and always knows the right thing to say. He also believes in Sophie and that makes all the difference.

Other cast include Gerard Monaco as Alexio, Anna Antoniades as Apollonia, Panos Mouzourakis as Lazarus, Maria Bacratsis as Sophia, Naoko Mori as Yumiko, Tayo Igawa as Dr. Horvath and Susanne Barklund as Alma.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

The Bonus Features of the 4K and Bluray include Deleted/Extended Songs and Scene with Commentary by Director/Screenplay Writer Ol Parker, Enhanced Sing-Alongs, Cast Meets Cast: Tanya Meets Tanya - Jessica Wynn interviews Christine Baranski about playing the sassiest Dynamo - Tanya, Rosie Meets Rosie - Alexa Davies interviews Julie Walters as the two actresses share their experiences playing Rosie, Cast Chats, High Jinks, Choreographing MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again, Dancing Queen: Anatomy of a Scene, Performing for Legends, and Class of '79.

Also on the Bluray/DVD and Digital are The Story - Producer Judy Craymer reveal how the MAMA MIA! legacy began, evolved into the first feature film and how she teamed with executive producer/co-writer Richard Curtis and director/screenplay writer Ol Parker to develop the perfect sequel, MAMA MIA! Reunited, Playing Donna, Meeting Cher, Costumes and The Dynamos, Curtain Call, NBC's Today Show Interview with Cher & Judy Craymer, Feature Commentary with Director/Screenplay Writer Ol Parker and Feature Commentary with Producer Judy Craymer.

MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again is a chance to get to know more about the characters that audiences embraced in 2008 with answers to the questions so many of us had. It's a story of family, relationships, the past, who comes into our lives and leaves footprints in our hearts. The characters learn understanding, love and that none of us is perfect in the choices we make but at least we get in the game and make them!

The cast mostly returns to have a little more fun with their musical talents and with the addition of Cher, well, it all works! The film is filled with the music audiences may have forgotten but it was all still in the back of our playbook minds as ABBA will always be one of my favorites. Along with the music is dancing and no one is immune to toe tapping and lip synching when watching the film or even after.

That's what makes musicals work on the big screen and now everyone has a chance to revisit the island again and again to laugh, dance and sing with MAMA MIA! Here We Go Again as a companion to the original film in your home entertainment library.

In the end - we get to once again have the time of our lives!

SPINNING MAN Brings Unexpected Twists

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Simon Kaijser and Lionsgate comes the story of what happens when what you believe and what is real can cause one to become a SPINNING MAN.

Evan Birch (Guy Pearce) is a philosophy college professor living with wife Ellen (Minnie Driver) and daughter Zelda (Eliza Pryor) and son Adam (Noah Salsbury Lipson).  Life is idyllic until a young high school cheerleader goes missing bringing Det. Robert Malloy (Pierce Brosnan) on the case.

Evan goes about his business until there is a knock on his door asking to search his car. Both he and Ellen aren’t sure what is happening or what Evan is being accused of. Reaching out to their family lawyer friend Paul (Clark Gregg), he is asked straight out if there is any chance of involvement.

Upset that anyone would think so, it becomes even more difficult when evidence is found in the car and stories don’t match up. Det. Mallory isn’t making it easy either by planting suspicions in Ellen’s mind. She immediately makes it clear to Evan that she isn’t going to cover for him.

The only light to his days is that of student Anna (Alexandra Shipp) who doesn’t ask much of him other than coffee and talk about his book. As Evan waits for the police to find the missing cheerleader, his mind begins to chase between what is real and the truth.

Both are a matter of life and death.

Pearce as Evan is a man who absolutely has command of the classroom and the subject he is teaching. Living the stereotype of an attractive man professor and yet he is jittery that no one believes in his innocence in all things. Trying to balance his life, his secrets and his persona is what could be his undoing. There is something about Pearce on the screen from PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT to L.A. CONFIDENTIAL to ALIEN: COVENANT that I know his role is going to be unique and memorable.

Brosnan as Det. Malloy isn’t ruffled in the slightest by anything that Evan says or does. He is one slick policeman when he plants little hints around the wife to get help in solving the case. There are even moments where it is easy to forget he is a cop when in the car with Evan which is, after all, what makes a good cop. Brosnan is still fun to watch and this role gives him grit.

Driver as Ellen is the dutiful wife and stands by her man, even if she’s done it more times that she would like. She also isn’t helping the police much in their investigation but that doesn’t mean she isn’t doing a little home detective work of her own. Driver gives character Evan a little public ‘what for’ shaming and I actually applauded her. It’s good to bend but Driver doesn’t break.

Shipp as Anna is a nice diversion to Evan’s problems and this is certainly the type of student a professor should run from – and run fast! Pryor as Zelda is at that age where parents can be embarrassing and this is just a few steps past the norm. Gregg as lawyer Paul is trying to get his client to stop talking and I suggest superglue to the lips!

Other cast include Jamie Kennedy as Ross, Sean Blakemore as Killian, Jeannie Austin as Barbara, Natasha Bassett as Carrie, Sterling Beaumon as Matt, Patrika Darbo as Kelly, Jennie Fahn as Irene and Odeya Rush as Joyce Bonner.

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

The Bluray and Digital include the Special Features of Deleted Scenes, Inside SPINNING MAN Director’s Commentary and Trailer Gallery. SPINNING MAN is based on the book The Spinning Man by George Harrar.

SPINNING MAN is a cat and mouse game and most of it is being played by Pearce’s character. All of his antics begin to meld together and that causes him to have problems knowing what the facts are and what is the mind just playing stress tricks. The addition of Brosnan’s character is that of a cop who will let a person hang themselves because he’s got all the time in the world to wait.

Pearce is definitely juggling this character and where it all falls is anybody’s guess – right up until the very last second. That’s what makes a good psychological thriller and this qualifies.

In the end – what you believe and what you know is all in how you spin it!