He Seeks ABSOLUTION

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Hans Petter Moland and Samuel Goldwyn Films is the story of a man who is looking for ABSOLUTION.

Thug (Liam Neeson) is a man who has been working for over thirty-years for gangster Charlie Connor (Ron Perlman) being his collector and muscle. Training Connor’s son, Kyle (Daniel Diemer) begins to feel something is changing in him. There are moments he is missing and forgetting names are just the beginning of his issues.

Out at the local bar, Thug meets Loopy (Yolanda Ross) and finds himself enjoying her company. When Connor sends him to a pick up, Thug meets up with Dr. Gruber (Ryan Homchick) and decides to ask him questions about his memory issues. When he is told that the years of boxing and blows to the head, there is no treatment for what ails him. Separated from his daughter Daisy (Frankie Shaw) for years, Thug reaches out to her trying to make a connection.

In the meantime, Thug continues working for Connor and deals with his connections like Gamberro (Javier Molina).  Feeling his condition worsening, Thug begins to try and undo the harm he has caused and it doesn’t sit right with Connor or Kyle. But Thug wants to ask Connor for money to help Daisey and her children have a better life before its too late. After thirty years of making money for everyone else, he thinks its time for a little reciprocation and he’s just the person who knows how to get it.

Neeson as Thug is a man who has made so many mistakes and yet he is not sure how to correct them after so many years have gone by. Once he realizes that something is wrong, the connections he has made in his life become more and more dear to him. The problem now becomes, how does he prove to those he’s wronged that he wants to make it right. Neeson continues to prove that he can take on a role and keep an audience spellbound. His gruff and growling presence allows Neeson to work through this complex character from start to finish.

Perlman as Connor is a gangster that has kept Thug working because he always gets the job done. Having him train son Kyle is important as he sees that his employee can’t keep doing the job. This is an easy character for Perlman having proved he can be a gangster with memorable roles such as Clay Morrow in the hit series Sons of Anarchy. Shaw as Daisy is a daughter who holds resentment toward an absent father. Even though she is angry, Shaw gives her character the ability to forgive in her own way.

Ross as Loopy is a woman who finds herself caring for Thug and wanting to spend time with him. Once she realizes that there is a problem, not only doesn’t she run away, she wants to help until she can’t anymore. Molina as Gamberro is a tough man who is responsible for the horrible things happening to the women in his house. Molina gives us another kind of gangster and he takes it to the limit.

Other cast include Bruce Busta Soscia as Tommy, William Xifaras as Kiko, Matthew Delamater as Jack, Deanna Tarraza as Araceli, Omar Moustafa Ghonim as Armando and Tom Kemp as Burt.

Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major company is dedicated to working with both world-renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers and committed to filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told stories. This is best exemplified by the Academy Award® nominated SUPER SIZE ME; the critically acclaimed feature debut by Francis Lee GOD’S OWN COUNTRY; SXSW winner MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND. For more please visit www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com.

ABSOLUTION is a story of a man who has spent his life doing what others order him to do without consequences. As the time has passed, Thug realizes that there is something wrong and when he gets the devastating news, he sees it as an opportunity to make right as much as he can before he can’t. Neeson provides the performance with depth, feeling and when the moments strike of forgetfulness, it is clearly seen on his face.

This performance, along with the cast, gives quite a unique look into Thug’s life as a man who has spent his life away from a family and mainly alone. Set in a city where everyone is trying to survive in any way possible, those who have nefarious dealings take advantage of anyone who isn’t strong enough to fight.

Everyone pays in the end!

 

 

 

MONSTER HUNTER Faces Creatures From Another Time

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K HD, Bluray and Digital from writer/director Paul W.S. Anderson, based on a video game and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the challenge of dimensions being a MONSTER HUNTER.

Army Captain Natalie Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and the security team she is in charge of are looking for a team that has gone missing in the desert. Out of no where comes a lightening storm that pulls the team into it and on the other side is a world unlike our own. They discover what is left of the team they were searching for and it does not take long before a creature destroys everything.

Trying to hide in a cave, a new pack of monster’s attacks as Artemis is stabbed by one of the creatures. Believing their Captain to be dead, the others run for their lives. When Artemis wakes up, she discovers that she is the only one left alive. She runs into Hunter (Tony Jaa), and another fight for survival takes place but ends with the realization that they need each other to live – even if they do not understand one another.

Traveling across the desert after a major attack, Artemis meets The Admiral (Ron Perlman) who actually speaks English! He tells Artemis a little of what he knows about the history of where she is but also explains that the door between their worlds must be closed at the Sky Tower if both sides are to avoid being wiped out. However, they must get past the monster known as Gore Magala and it is not going to be easy.

Now, Artemis must work with people who she does not quite understand if she is to get to the place she calls home.

Jovovich as Artemis gives us the performance that she has become known for. An action heroine filled with the ability to use weaponry, pick up on new moves and become stronger instead of afraid (which I would have been trust THAT!). From Leeloo in THE FIFTH ELEMENT, to Joan of Arc in THE MESSENGER, to Alice in RESIDENT EVIL, Jovovich makes it clear that she knows her way around evil of the two legged and many legged kind.

Jaa as Hunter is fantastic on every level. He can hold his own against and Army Captain and once he realizes they can learn from each other, he allows his humanity and sense of humor to come out. Jaa has a great way of showing his abilities through fighting skills and handling weapons that are not, well, from this world. I truly enjoyed watching him on the screen!

Perlman as The Admiral floats a ship along the sand and has a goal, taking his crew to the Sky Tower and find a way to close it before its too late. He knows the history of where Artemis is and knows there is only one way to stop the tower but getting there means taking on a very large creature. Of course Perlman gets to wield an extraordinary weapon on his own and is not afraid of swinging it full force.

Other cast include: T.I. as Lincoln, Diego Boneta as Marshall, Meagan Good as Dash, Josh Helman as Steeler, Jin Au-Yeung as Axe, Jannik Shumann as Aiden, Nanda Costa as Lea, and Nic Rasenti as Captain Roark.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

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.

Bonus Material of MONSTER HUNTER includes Deleted Scenes, THE MONSTER HUNTERS: Cast and Characters, Monstrous Arsenal: Weaponry in the Film and For the Players: From Game to Scream.

Jovovich and Jaa carry this film for a major part of the action and I have to say I was pretty swept away with what they did. From the fight scenes with each other and fight scenes with absolutely creepy creatures, the action is continuous. I did not know that this film was based on a 2004 PlayStation 2 video game and Capcom Production Studio so well done on their part.  

MONSTER HUNTER is a turn out the lights, huge tub of popcorn, Saturday night on the couch with the family film. Its got tons of action, tons of adventure and its centered around basically only a few characters which lets you invest in Artemis, Hunter and The Admiral and the goal they oddly are working together towards.

The door seems to be open for more of the story to be told and it will be interesting to see if that comes to pass. In the meantime, prepare for a trip into another world!

In the end – they come together for the ultimate showdown!

GO FISH is Animated About Saving the Ocean

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director Sean Patrick O'Reilly, Arcana and Lionsgate comes a look and lesson from below the sea with GO FISH.

Alex the parrot fish (Sean Patrick O'Reilly) is the janitor of his fish town and happy with what he does. Also in their little fish village is sea horse Christine (Kathleen Bar), loner eel Eelanore (Asia Mattu), and Ed the blowfish (Tobias the Owl). It is Mary (voiced by Allison Wandzura) that discovers something wrong in the sea.

Calling it goop, fish are getting stuck in it and they want lion fish King Charles (Scott McNeil) to do something. Alex approaches the King's assistant Paul for a meeting. The request is not well received as he gets a loud lecture about nothing happening and to keep his fish lips shut on the matter. That's not good enough for Alex or his friends and a plan is formed.

Upon the surface, a company called Quoquo Modo is drilling into the ocean floor. Callie (iJustine) loves her job and wants to make sure everything is done to keep the ocean safe. Dennis (Mark Hamill) is grumpier and less on the ball thinking that 100% no leaking doesn't necessarily mean 100%.

Alex, Eelanore, Ed and Christine go out in search of the goop and meet a whole group of characters that just want to make their adventure a little more difficult. Maria the shark (Summer O'Reilly) and her friend Bernardo the tiger shark (Ron Perlman) are two particularly toothy characters that try to get in the way.

But once they find the goop, Alex and the gang try to get the attention of the humans in funny diving outfits to show them where there is a leak. Try as they might, the diver just shoo's them away. The next step is an even bigger plan that gets the attention of everyone on the platform and just in time to save them all from a total ocean disaster.

O'Reilly as Alex is a spunky and happy parrot fish who truly does love his job as a janitor. Keeping everything nice and clean for his fellow fishes and friends is very important. When the goop appears, he knows that it will hurt all of them if they don't at least try to stop it. He's such a cutie of a fish!

Bar as Christine is another happy sea creature and the cutest color of pink for a sea horse. Trying to grow up a little out of the shadow of her overbearing Mom and baby carrying Dad, going with Alex to find the goop is her chance to do just that. Mattu as Eelanore would prefer to be left alone in her comfy cave where she can watch the world go by or take a nap whenever she likes. Going with Alex may have started out as protection but quickly became a thrill for her first adventure.

Tobias as Ed is a little grumpy by that doesn't stop him from being part of the gang to stop a disaster. I personally think he just liked being part of something bigger than his little puffy self. McNeil as King Charles is a fish on a power trip caring nothing for his 'subjects' but instead wielding his fishly powers.

iJustine as Callie is a happy person who really does love her job and wants everyone, above the water and below to be safe. When it becomes clear that both of those things are in jeopardy, Callie is on it to make it right. Hamill as Dennis is just a cranky unhappy employee who just isn't on the ball when it comes to what's best for everyone.

Other cast include Michelle O'Reilly as Joanne and Geoff Gustafson as Vincent.

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

The DVD Special Features include 'Go Fish' (Side by Side) Music Video Sing-Along, The GO FISH Digital Comic Book and a GO FISH Fish Guide.

GO FISH is a very charming and educational look at life in the ocean. The animation is colorful and fun and in the mix of that is a story about how precious the eco-system is in the ocean. It shows how, if fish could talk (and maybe they do!), they could tell us when pipes are leaking or trash is choking them out. Explaining these things to younger children, GO FISH does so in a way that is relatable for them.

Yet, it's also enjoyable for the adults as well and gives families something to talk about after the film. The Special Features of the DVD also provide some fun things to do together as a family. Whether it's singing or learning about other fish, it is always a wonderful way to spend quality time together.

In the end - just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water - it really is!

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ Revisited After a Century

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from Arcana Studios, Cinedigm and direction Sean Patrick O’Reilly is a story of old friends meeting new heroes in the animated THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ.

It has been a century since Dorothy, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man (Mathew Anderson) brought us all to Oz. Now, the Emerald City has been turned into metal mayhem and is ruled by a different Tin Man.

Victoria Wright (Ashleigh Ball) is a young engineer who has the gift to fix things below the city as needed but dreams of one day seeing the city. When a pack of flying monkeys swoops her up, she is introduced to the Queen of the North Locasta (Julianna Hough) in the Emerald Forest.

She learns that the Tin Man wants to destroy the forest with industry and needs to stop it. Along with Lion Magnus (Ron Perlman), Scarecrow (Geoff Gustafson), Oscar ‘Oz’ Diggs (William Shatner) and a band of munchkins, all of this can be turned around by finding the Tin Man’s missing heart.

When they band together, Victoria and her friends don’t just fight for the Emerald City but one another with friendship, loyalty and heart!

Ball as Victoria is a bright spot and is drawn in by everyone she meets, even if they don’t want to be. Hough as Locasta knows that Victoria is the one to make things right again and gives encouragement to the young girl.

Perlman as Magnus is perfect as he has the right vocal disposition for the part. Of course it is practically impossible not to recognize the voice of William Shatner who plays the great Oz himself.

Cinedigm is a leading distributor of amazing content in storefronts, digital platforms, Internet and Demand platforms for cable television. With an extensive library of over 52,000 films and television shows, Docurama films, next-gen Indies and Independent films. At its inception, Cinedigm has played a pioneering role in transitioning movie theatres from traditional film prints to digital distribution to advance worldwide cinema modernization. For more on what Cinedigm has to offer please visit http://www.cinedigm.com.

Arcana Studios owns one of the largest libraries of graphic novels and comics that include thousands of characters. Their high quality brand of entertainment is filled with stories that transcend gender, age, cultural and geographic boundaries. THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ is based on a graphic novel of the same name. To learn more about Arcana Studios please visit www.arcana.com.

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ is definitely something different than what most of us have known about the Wizard of Oz. That’s actually what makes this story so unique because it is what has happened since our trip down the yellow brick road.

The Tin Man has lost the one thing that made him feel so much and becoming metal minded he is ruining what we all knew about the Emerald City. Young Victoria is the new face of saving Oz and rising up out of the basement, as it were; she sees what Oz has become.

It isn’t until she goes outside the city does Victoria realize how beautiful the Emerald City could be again. Finding those who see what is happening is challenging but finding the right those who believe in the Emerald City and Victoria is paramount.

The vibrant colors and animation of THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ is entertaining and the story challenges us all to think further on down the road. We’d all love for the Emerald City to stay the same but a century is a long time for that to happen. The stun is that the Tin Man would lose the one thing he fought so hard to get!

Victoria is a character that has such a giving heart and although it takes a little convincing, others believe she is the one to lead them. I really enjoyed the quirkiness of the characters as did my granddaughter.

In the end – it is about friendship, determination and love!