It is the Story of EZRA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Tony Goldwyn and Bleecker Street is the story of a father and his young autistic son EZRA.

Max Brandel (Bobby Cannavale) is a stand-up comedian who is the father of autistic son Ezra (William Fitzgerald). Sharing parenting with ex-wife Jenna (Rose Byrne), Ezra also has a connection with grandfather Stan (Robert De Niro). The young boy has been showing signs of disruptive behavior in school and when Max is told that medication and a special school are in Ezra’s future, Max is not happy.

Trying to get Jenna to listen, Max feels as if he is the voice of reason for Ezra which includes not taking any medication but instead trying to understand him. Jenna’s boyfriend Bruce (Tony Goldwyn) offers to help and later that night Ezra overhears Bruce saying something that frightens him. Flying out of the house, he gets hurt leading to a confrontation at the local hospital.

Letting his anger get the best of him, Max becomes confrontational and it costs him time with Ezra. Determined to help him all while getting a stand-up gig on the Kimmel Show, Max takes Ezra without permission. He seeks the help of his friend Nick (Rainn Wilson) which doesn’t last long, then friend Grace (Vera Farmiga). Jenna is losing her mind trying to find Ezra and she turns to Stan for help and they are on the road as well.

Cannavale as Max is a father who is trying to do one better than his own father. He wants Ezra to be part of his world minus the behaviors that seem to cause his son so many problems. Cannavale’s character is sweet, charming but has some anger issues that clearly get in the way of doing the right thing by Ezra. There are challenges that Max meets on the road with Ezra and with that, Max learns more about himself.

Fitzgerald as Ezra is truly amazing in this role dealing with a mother who is over protective and a father who seems to always be on the loud side of things. His connection with grandfather Stan is one of simplicity. De Niro as grandpa Stan is a man who is not comfortable sharing his feelings about what happened with Max’s mother or as Max was growing up. When Stan’s back is up against it, he must come clean about his own feelings before its too late.

Byrne as ex-wife Jenna is a woman who seems to always be at odds with both Max and Ezra. Feeling overwhelmed by Ezra’s behaviors, she really loses it when Max decides to take their son and it all turns sideways when the police get involved. Byrne is a loving Mom who is trying to balance a son, an ex and a former father-in-law.

Shout out to Goldwyn as Bruce in this minor role (he is busy being the director of course) but his moment causes the chaos that is to come.

Other cast include Tess Goldwyn as Mrs. Cathro, Matilda Lawler as Ruby, Daphne Rubin-Vega as Principal Lee, Lois Robbins as Susan, Ella Ayberk as Dr. Tamarov, Jackson Frazer as Ridgeway, Geoffrey Owens as Robert Segal, and Whoopi Goldberg as Jayne.

Bleecker Street is a New York City film company that has brought outstanding films to the public. Their library includes TRUMBO, DENIAL, THE LOST CITY OF Z, BEIRUT, HOTEL MUMBAI, ORDINARY LOVE and THE ROADS NOT TAKEN. For more information on the titles from Bleeker Street please visit www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com.

EZRA is the moving story of a father who truly wants what is best for his son. Feeling that his son needs an advocate, Cannavale as Max can’t help but become aggressive when he feels that he is not being heard. That is ironic considering that his own son has those very same feeling but not exactly about the same things as his father.

Their road trip brings a bit of understanding to them both about their feelings. The added mix of De Niro as Stan and Byrne as Jenna leads them on their own journey to correct things that had kept them at odds as well. The film is charming, sad, touching and has its moments of pure joy. It isn’t just about autism, it isn’t just about father’s and son’s, it isn’t just about marriages and secrets – it is above love and how it sometimes gets lost in the messes we all make.

In the end - it is a lifesaving road trip for them all!

Return to the Beginning with INSIDIOUS: The Red Door on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Patrick Wilson and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next installment of a horror that is following a family with INSIDIOUS: The Red Door.

It has been nine years since the Lambert’s household was dealing with the terror that struck their home and family. Neither Josh (Patrick Wilson) or his son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) remember what happened but that hasn’t stopped the trauma. Since then, Josh and Renai (Rose Byrne) are divorced and the death of his mother Lorraine has caused even more strain.

Josh’s relationship with Dalton just doesn’t seem to work but dad wants to take Dalton to college. Thinking it would be an opportunity for them to bond, father and son only end their trip with an argument. Dalton is an art major and in college he gets the chance to really create. He also meets a new friend, Chris (Sinclair Daniel) who is funny and has a way with people.

Once home, Josh decides to get help for what is happening to him, especially when a mysterious man seems to be haunting him. In the meantime, Dalton begins his art class and a dark and intense drawing starts to cause him to see things as well. Both father and son do not realize that they are experiencing the same thing.

Chris figures out what is happening to Dalton and shares her suspicions. She becomes involved more and more as her life is in danger as well. Once Renai explains to Josh what she knows about it all, it is time for Josh and Dalton to stop ‘the Further’ from becoming part of their lives again.

They must find a way to close the red door!

Wilson as Josh cannot seem to figure out what is happening to him. The losses in his life have become part of the problem yet there is something nagging at him. There is something deep pushing him and it is running his life. So much so that he has little to do with a family he once held so dear. Wilson hasn’t skipped a beat portraying Josh and taking on the director’s role, he knows how the story needs to come together and it works really, really well.

Simpkins is back as the college bound Josh who, if he only really talked to his dad, would see that both are experiencing the same thing. When he realizes his art is telling him what is about to happen, it is also telling him about a past he has forgotten and a way to stop more pain from his family. It is great to see Simpkins come back so many years later to take the role once again and see where it could go.

Daniel as Chris begins to see what her new friend is going through and wants to help. It is her curiosity that leads to a YouTube video explaining what Dalton is experiencing. Chris has a way about her and Daniel makes it look smooth as silk, even when she is caught in it herself.

Byrne is back as Renai and she has her own story to tell. Hoping that the lid was put on the events nine years ago, there comes a point when the lid has to come off if she is to save both the man she truly cares about and her son. Byrne’s role is not a large but it is important to the story.

Other cast include Hiam Abbass as Profressor Armagan, Andrew Astor as Foster Lambert, Juliana Davies as Kali, Steve Coulter as Carl, Peter Dager as Nick, Justin Sturgis as Alec, Leigh Whannell as Specs, Angus Sampson as Tucker, Lin Shaye as Elise Rainier and Joseph Bishara as the Lipstick-Face Demon.

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.

Special Features include Past, Present, Further and A Possessed Director.

INSIDIOUS: The Red Door takes one more look at what could happen when you keep secrets in the family. Wilson knew exactly what he was signing up for when deciding to direct as well as reprise his role as Josh. The equal amount of time to both Josh and Dalton’s journey is done very well.

I will admit that I jumped at least twice and hollered at least three times and that’s how I know this film is good. It is not filled with gore and such but instead it reaches into the part of us that loves tension and can’t wait to be scared. I spent more time with popcorn on the outer reaches of my mouth than actually made it in and the circle of popcorn that made it to the floor when I jumped!

If you are looking to revisit the Lambert family, see where they are now and how it will all turn out, then grab a bunch of scary film fans, turn out the lights and make it a night to remember.

In the end – it ends were it all began!

Return to the Beginning with INSIDIOUS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director James Wan and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a chance to return to the beginning of the horror with INSIDIOUS.

Josh (Patrick Wilson) and wife Renai (Rose Byrne) have just moved into their new home. Josh teaches at the local school and Renai is at home with kids Dalton (Ty Simpkins), Foster and baby girl Cali. Exploring the house, young Dalton goes up into the attic and come face to face with a dark entity that scares him.

The next morning, Josh tries to wake Dalton up for school and finds the boy in a mysterious coma that leaves even the doctors scratching their heads. Now Renai becomes Dalton’s nurse at home but more intense is the strange things that begin to happen in the home. When an apparition corners Renai, it becomes clear that they must leave the house.

Problem is, what has attached itself to them also came to their new home. Josh’s mother Lorraine (Barbara Hershey) calls a woman name Elise (Lin Shaye), a psychic, to come into the home and discover what evil surrounds them. She tells the family that Dalton is in a place called The Further and tells Josh something about himself that shakes him.

It is time for the Lambert family to reclaim their home, their child and a sense of safety but the cost might be very, very high!

Wilson as Josh is a man who does not want to face what is happening in his own home. Instead, he finds reason to stay away from home leaving his wife to face all the frights surrounding their home. Wilson gives his character the detachment necessary to pull of this role and when its time to get in the mix, he embraces the horror, literally.

Byrne as Renai is a woman caught between saving her children and not understanding why she must do it alone. Finally putting her foot down, little did she know that what was tormenting her family has formed a deep attachment. Byrne has the unique ability to show so many emotions and makes it look easy. One of my favorite roles that she has done is from the 2009 films KNOWING (one of my guilty pleasures) that proved she was perfect for this role.

Shaye as Elise comes into the Lambert home and discovers quickly what resides with them and the danger in getting rid of it. Accepting the family’s help means that she is also in danger and Shaye portrays her character with strength and gumption. Hershey as Lorraine has a small role but the 1982 film THE ENTITY proves she had the right stuff for this film.

Simpkins as Dalton spends a great deal of time in the coma but when it is time for his character to ‘wake up’, he shows the fear that any child would feel dealing with this frightening unknown, well done.

Other cast includes Josh Feldman as young Josh, John Binder as Father Martin, Leigh Whannell as Specs, Angus Sampson as Tucker, and Andrew Astor as Foster. The frights come from Marfren Cubar as Tree, J. La Rose as the Fiend, Philip Friedman as the Old Woman, Ben Woolf as the Dancing Boy, Caslin Rose as the Ghoul and Joseph Bishara as the Demon.

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 Materials include on 4K Ultra HD – Feature Presentation in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Approved by Director James Wan, Theatrical Trailer. Bluray Disc – Feature Presentation in High Definition, Horror 101: The Exclusive Seminar, On Set with INSIDIOUS and Insidious Entities.

INSIDIUOS opens the franchise that follows with INSIDIOUS: Chapter 2 (2013 directed by Wan), INSIDIOUS: Chapter 3 (2015 directed by Leigh Whannell), INSIDIOUS: The Last Key (2018 directed by Adam Robitel) leading to the new film INSIDIOUS: The Red Door (directed by Patrick Wilson) coming to theatres summer 2023. The original cast of Wilson, Byrne, Simpkins, Astor and Shaye return to the screen to conclude the INSIDIOUS franchise.

The franchise began a whole new genre in that there didn’t need to be gore but instead a return to frights, chills, thrills, scares and jaw drops. Most of that came from our own imaginations and the relief when walking out of the theatre at the end of the film. Wan created something awesome and I personally am excited to see how it all ends.

Until then, get your hands (pun intended) on the 4K Ultra HD special Steelbook of INSIDIOUS and remember how it all began.

In the end – it’s not the house that’s haunted!

 

 

It is Another Adventure with PETER RABBIT 2

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Will Gluck and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next big adventure with PETER RABBIT 2.

Peter Rabbit (James Corden) is a witness at the wedding of Bea (Rose Byrne) and Mr. McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) and off they go to live in the cottage together next to the pond. The town is all excited since Bea’s book ‘Peter Rabbit’ is out for all to enjoy.

One day Bea receives a letter from Nigel Basil-Jones (David Oyelowo) asking to publish her book and take it worldwide. She signs a contract, but the animals are worried that Basil-Jones is not a nice guy. Bea makes it very clear that the story is very personal to her but that doesn’t stop the publisher from making suggestions to bring in the big money.

Peter, in the meantime, is not happy with the story and decides it is time to strike out on his own. He meets Barnabas (Lennie James) only to discover that he actually knows Peter. Captured by the local authorities, they are adopted out to a family who clearly does not know how to care for rabbits. Now Peter’s friends are worried that they haven’t seen Peter!

Barnabas shows Peter the ropes to living and surviving in the big town with the help of Whiskers (Rupert Degas), Tom Kitten (Damon Herriman), Mittens (Haylet Atwell) and Johnny Town-Mouse (David Wenham). That adventure was not to last as Bea and friends find Peter to take him home.

But its not over as Peter finds himself between old friends and new friends and its time for him to remember who he is to all that love him!

Corden as Peter continues to give his animated character fun, lessons learned, an innocence mixed in with a big of being braggadocios, and a just a kid who wants to know his place in the world. Cordon offers a sense of childlike attitudes and a bit of an emotional tantrum now and then from a rabbit that we all can not help but love – just the way he is.

Byrne as Rose never thought her stories would come to more than a small book in her shop. When she has a chance to take Peter into a larger world, she also learns lessons about the big world who would like nothing more than to change her beloved stories. Byrne always brings beauty to her roles and Rose is just delightful.

Gleeson as Mr. McGregor is the total opposite of Rose in that he is suspicious of everything, probably because of Peter more than anything else. He has his eye on those who would want to change everything he loves about his wife. In this adventure he has the opportunity to really get to know Peter and all his wonderful friends and that takes Gleeson from a grump to a hero.

Oyelowo as Nigel is the above ground user as James as Barnabas is to the lower ground user of the story. Both want what they want, and the cost means absolutely nothing. James has more than a few tricks up his sleeve, and they are all in his favor, poor Peter.

Degas, Herriman, Atwell and Wenham get the chance to stretch their imaginary characters legs and be as naughty as they want to be with Barnabas’ help.

Other cast include Colin Moody as Benjamin Bunny, Margot Robbie as Flopsy, Elizabeth Debicki as Mospy, Aimee Horne as Cotton-tail, Damon Herriman as Tom Kitten, Sia as Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, Sam Neill as Tommy Brock, Ewen Leslie as Pigling Bland, Matt Villa as Felix D’eer, Will Reichelt as JW Rooster and.

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.

The special effects are pretty cool as all the cottage animals meet the city animals. Getting into the film it is easy to get lose in the reality who they are and my family did not mind one single bit.

PETER RABBIT 2 is a delightful continuation of the adventures Peter. It is a very large cast of characters both human and creature but each of them, with the help of their human voices, brings such life to the story. I watched the film with my six-year-old granddaughter, and she was giggling or yelling for Peter and his friends to ‘watch out!’.

That’s what is wanted in a family film. For families to gather together and giggle, eat popcorn, cheer for the underdog and boo the bad guys. That’s what PETER RABBIT 2 offers us all in the way of fun, entertainment, and a few lessons on what it truly means to be a blended family.

In the end – small hero and a big adventure!

PETER RABBIT is Hopping Delightful

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray-DVD-Digital from director Will Gluck and Sony Pictures Animation is the charming story of PETER RABBIT.

Peter Rabbit (James Corden) lives a bunny life with his family and friends. Spending his days hopping around in a stunning blue jacket, there is fun, adventure and time spent looking for food. Benjamin Bunny (Colin Moody), Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki), Cotton-Tail (Daisy Ridley), Felix D’eer (Christian Gazal), Pigling Bland (Ewen Leslie), Mr. Tod (Fayssal Bazzi), Jemima Puddle-Duck (Rose Byrne) and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (Sia).

Of course the food is right behind a fence in the garden of Mr. McGregor (Sam Neill) who wants nothing more than to snack on Peter. Luring him into a trap proves to be too much for Mr. McGregor. Peter and the gang take over the garden once again not having a clue that there is soon to be a new owner.

Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) inherits the house and is outraged that the animals have taken over. Clearing out the vermin he is seen by neighbor Bea (Rose Byrne) who happens to love all of the animals who wonders about him. When McGregor captures one of the big eared group, it brings Bea closer to him much to the irritation of Peter Rabbit.

Watching them spend time together, Peter Rabbit keeps an eye on McGregor to protect his friend Bea. The war is on between McGregor and Peter Rabbit but all the animals might be caught in the cross fire.

Corden as Peter Rabbit has the witty voice that gives the big eared blue jacket wearing furry critter fun, adventure, friendship mixed in with a little bit of jealously about his beloved Bea. My granddaughter giggled her way through every one of his antics and that’s what makes a memorable character.

Byrne as Bea loves her animal friends and they become the source of her illustrations. Trying to show McGregor how special they are, both Peter and the neighbor really do a number on her giving nature. Byrne is the perfect person to play this character because she has the ability to be as lovely as she wants to be and it’s easy to see why Peter loves her so much.

Gleeson as McGregor is absolutely charming in this film. I have to admit my favorite part is the wrestling scenes between Gleeson and Peter only because I fell for it hook, line and sinker. It plays out so well! Gleeson is, as his costars are, absolutely lovely and a little bit nutty which adds even more charm to the story. Gleeson is such a versatile actor having seen him in some very heavy roles, it’s nice to see more of his comedic side.

Other cast includes: Terenia Edwards as Siobhan, Natalie Dew as Janelle, Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Harrod’s General Manager, Sam Haft as the Postman, Sacha Horler as Betty, Alex Blias as Phil, Felix Williamson as Derek, Ming-Zhu Hii as Sarabeth, Lance Kerfuffle as J. David Scarfington, and David Wenham as Johnny Town-Mouse.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings amazing quality motion picture and television productions. Such films as BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, UNDERWORLD BLOOD WARS and PASSENGERS also available for your home entertainment library – there is so much more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.sonypictures.com.

The Bluray-DVD includes the Special Features Peter Rabbit: Mischief in the Making and Shake Your Cotton-Tail Dance Along.  

PETER RABBIT is absolutely a family film filled with amazing characters, a story of friendship both human and animal and music that is fun. The songs are toe tapping and perfectly placed to add more snap to an already peppy adventure.

The cast with its stellar star voices are fun and engaging adding to the message of the importance of friendship and family and finding that sometimes they are exactly the same.

It is always amazing when an iconic and beloved character such as Peter Rabbit still has so much to share with another generation. Although I still love sharing the books with my granddaughter, it is fun to sit with her and watch PETER RABBIT so we can giggle together and have such a fun time together.

So hop along now and grab your Bluray-DVD copy of PETER RABBIT!

In the end – he’s not your garden variety hero!

THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS Tells a Family History on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray from director George C. Wolfe and HBO Home Entertainment is an Original Film that tells the story of cells from THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS.

Rebecca Skloot (Rose Byrne) is a young woman on a mission, to discover the story of Henrietta Lacks (Renee Goldsberry). An African-American woman who became the medical breakthrough as the first human cell line in the 1950’s.

She reaches out to Deborah Lacks (Oprah Winfrey) and immediately stonewalled and told the men in the family would have to agree. Rebecca meets with several members including Sonny (Rocky Carroll), Lawrence (John Thompson), Day (Roger Robinson) and Barbara (Adriane Lenox), only to discover there is a hostility about the way the cells were obtained and who is profiting.

It is different with Deborah who only wants the truth to be told about her mother. Rebecca meets a woman who is has idiosyncrasies and doesn’t care what the other family members want or need. Deborah begins to tell her side of things and listens to what Rebecca has to say. Learning that her mother has had a literal hand in all things medical keeps Deborah on her toes.

So much so that she trusts no one and has a short fuse. Yet the next day Deborah introduces Rebecca to Zakariyya (Reg Cathey) who shares his anger with Dr. George Gey (Reed Birney). Taking a trip, Deborah takes her to meet Henrietta’s sister Gladys (Andrea Frye) and Sadie (Leslie Uggams) who shared the fun side of life.

That puts Rebecca into high working with Deborah and other family members to put a life with the cells. That angers her brothers who want Deborah to stop. The story Sir Lord Keenan Kester Cofield (Courtney B. Vance) is told and more family secrets are revealed and what has brought Deborah to her mental place.

As their journey together goes deeper and deeper, Deborah falls deeper into a dark place trying to make sense of the life she knew and the one she is trying to live now.

Winfrey as Deborah plays a very complex character. She wants to learn all the details of what has happened to her family but her mind goes into scary places the more she remembers. There are moments of sheer panic followed by the intensity of mistrust and the tears of a child who is confused about the mother she lost as a child. That’s a difficult character to navigate but Winfrey does so eloquently.

Byrne as Rebecca is a woman who has no idea what she is getting into. Thinking that writing a story about a woman’s life and cells is one thing but when it becomes clear that Henrietta is so much more she takes a different path. Forming a friendship with Deborah is more than she could ever have imagined and it changes her moment by moment as the words of the story form.

Cathey as Zakariyya has the same issues of anger and bad memories as Deborah and leans on her to take the family journey together. His moment of seeing his mother’s cells is childlike and loving.

Beasley as Cliff is a man who sees the pain that Deborah is in and brings his spirituality to guide her and its amazing. Uggams as Sadie is the keeper of happier times with Henrietta and also their eventual protector.

Other cast includes Byron Jennings as Dr. Victor McKusick, Leon Lamar as Cootie, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Dr. Roland Pattillo, and Karen Reynolds as Mrs. Gey.

HBO Home Entertainment has an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs found on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD. They have provided viewers with some of the most amazing programs with huge fan bases that include the shows True Blood, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Detectives, The Wire, Entourage and Game of Thrones. Launched in 1984, HBO is world wide in viewed entertainment in more than 70 territories around the world! For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

The Bluray includes the Bonus Features of Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne, along with writer/director George C. Wolfe and members of the Lacks Family, discuss the legacy of Henrietta Lacks in this compelling Family Featurette.

THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS is based on the book by Rebecca Skloot. The film comes full circle with an ending that tugs at the heart. The story is one of family, secrets, pain and the immortality of one woman for all of mankind.

The relationship between Rebecca and Deborah is tumultuous at best and a journey neither one of them could ever have expected. Learning to trust one another and wanting Henrietta’s story to be told truthfully, good and bad, makes this story even more moving and intense.

Break out the tissue because this story, from beginning to end, will bring out every emotion.

In the end – discover what we are all made of!