THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from writer/director Jon Favreau and Walt Disney Studios are the characters created by George Lucas, and from the series The Mandalorian comes the epic film THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU.

Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu are now working with the New Republic to track and capture Imperial warlords from a deck of cards held by Ward (Sigourney Weaver). Back from a mission, Ward wants the Mandalorian to go to the Hutt twins, who have information about the next warlord, Commander Coin (Jonny Coyne).

Once in front of the Hutt twins, they want to trade the information in exchange for the safe return of their nephew Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White) on Shakari. Agreeing, Djarin and Grogu make their way to the planet only to discover that Rotta is revered in the fighting pits. Not believing that the Mandalorian is there to rescue him, things take a turn that puts Djarin, Grogu, and Rotta in a very dangerous situation. It is only when they escape that it comes to their attention that they just left the commander!

Now, Djarin and Grogu are in even more danger as the Hutts want him punished for not seeing their contract through. Leaving Grogu in the hands of Anzelians’ (Shirley Henderson), Djarin takes on the Hutt twins only to be hurt. Never fear, Grogu knows what to do, and when it's all said and done, the Hutts have no clue who they are up against. That’s what happens when you fight for good and have friends who have your back!

Pascal, as the Mandalorian, brings his small-screen persona to the big screen, and it works. The relationship between Djarin and Grogu has become stronger, especially since his little ward has learned many new abilities. Pascal continues to bring his character such growth and the conscience to not do things just for the sake of money. Even the moment of his helmet’s removal, it doesn’t change his reason for working with the New Republic. I don’t know how many more films or series that Pascal does, but he has cemented himself in this character.

Weaver as Ward is part of the New Republic and keeps sending the Mandalorian on missions to capture, if he can, Imperial warlords. I actually thought it was so cool to see Weaver take on such a strong role and to see her in the ‘air’ because there has never been a time when I didn’t think sitting in the seat of an X-wing wouldn’t be the coolest. Coyne as Commander Coin, although his role is small, set the pace for the story to move forward.

White as the voice of Rotta is a very interesting character in that he is the son of the deceased Jabba the Hutt. Nothing like his father, he is up against and Aunt and Uncle who want him to return home. The relationship that comes about between Djarin, Grogu, and Rotta is very cool to watch come to fruition. Henderson as the Anzelians’ is nothing short of hilarious. I love the way they talk and am thrilled they have a bigger role in the film.

Other cast include Hemky Madera as Commander Barro, Cullen Douglas as Prefect Nobah, Stephen Henderson as Gatori, Steve Blum as Garazeb Orrelios, Matthew Willig as Hogsbreth, Martin Scorsese as Hugo Durant.

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features, including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO, and SLEEPING BEAUTY, to name a few, is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently playing in theatres, please visit www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU is such a family film that, of course, I took the family! We had such a good time cheering, laughing, and awwwww’ing at our favorite cute little big-eared Grogu. The story starts immediately with where Djarin and Grogu are in their lives and what they are capable of as a pair. The Mandalorian makes it clear that he may be a bounty hunter, but there are still lines he doesn’t cross. Grogu is still full of mischief yet, as the story moves along, it is clear that what he has learned is of help to all.

For Star Wars fans, the film is filled with everything one would want to see in a two-hour film. Action, ships, space, planets, and creatures that are both memorably seasoned and characters that are new. There isn’t a moment that isn't worthy of being part of the Star Wars universe. Favreau has seen to that with the way he kept the film focused, cinematically beautiful, with a look and feel of every Star Wars film.

That is what is bringing audiences into theatres to see THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. It feels as if we never left the galaxy far, far away because it feels so near, near to our hearts.  

In the end – they are part of the New Republic!

The Mystery of THE GORGE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Apple TV+ from director Scott Derrickson and Skydance comes an intense thriller that will have everyone guessing about THE GORGE.

Levi (Miles Teller) is good at one thing, that is being a sniper. Someone who already knows this is Bartholomew (Sigourney Weaver), who knows his history of being a gun for hire so to speak. She offers Levi a position that will take him away for a year and she can not tell him anything else which is intriguing. Waking up on a helicopter, Levi realizes that he’s about to jump out to an unknown place but is met by J.D. (Sope Dirisu). J.D. gives him the rundown of what is expected of him for the next 365 days.

In a large tower is everything Levi needs to keep an eye on a gorge that is covered in a mist. Across the divide is another tower where he sees Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy). Day by day they both do the tasks assigned to them. One evening, Drasa sees Levi and decides to send a message which is against the rules on both sides. That one moment is the beginning of their gorge friendship.

That doesn’t mean they avoid the reality of why they have been assigned to their towers. What rises up is intense and determined as both Levi and Drasa do what they do best – shoot. When the unexpected happens, the two snipers discover who and why the gorge is being kept a secret from the world and the part that Bartholomew plays in it all!

Teller as Levi is so stunning in this role as a man who has his own demons but is about to find new ones. Taking on the year-long mission seems to give him time to be away from people and perhaps give him some peace. Instead, he discovers Drasa and what is in the gorge below his feet. Teller is intense and he brings it in full force and still allowing himself to explore emotions he had been avoiding. All the events of the film, Teller flows with the story and plays off Taylor-Joy’s character with finesse and focus. I truly enjoyed his work here.

Taylor-Joy as Drasa is equally as stunning as a woman who is equal to Levi as a sniper. She knows her skills and doesn’t look to anyone, not even Levi, to acknowledge them. Being alone in her tower, it is she who has no problems breaking the rules first and on her own terms. I love the attitude Taylor-Joy gives Drasa throughout the film. She has bursts of emotions but they do not take over when the gorge shows itself. If anything, Drasa gets into focused mode when it comes down to it. So well done!

Weaver as Bartholomew is a woman who is stern and knows exactly what she is doing. Enlisting Levi for the mission, she is watching what is happening. Weaver isn’t a major up front player in the film but man oh man, her characters presence is absolutely there. I’m pretty much a happy person any time I see Weaver on the screen, large or small. One of my favorite actresses and her role here just solidifies her cool choices and range of role choices.

Apple TV+ 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/.

THE GORGE is a fantastic mixture of romance, thrill, suspense, mystery, secrets and action. It is a slow intense burn and I was all for it from beginning to end. The chemistry between Teller and Taylor-Joy is real perfection as they held their characters equally. Both characters are uniquely qualified for their year-long mission and both knew how to handle situations that would probably make me run away as fast as my legs would take me. The film is a tad over two hours but worthy of every second it is on the screen.

Director Derrickson keeps the cast simple but the story large and intense which is to his credit. He allows the audience to watch the two snipers not only deal with what is in the gorge but make their own rules. Each scene brings more and more suspense as Teller and Taylor-Joy uncover the mystery together and take on Sigourney Weaver and I loved it all. Apple TV+ adds a very good film to their amazing line up of films and series so add THE GORGE to your must-see!       

In the end – who knows the secret below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVATAR: The Way of Water

 

Jeri Jacquin

Available on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director James Cameron and 20th Century Studios Home Entertainment is the continuing adventure and Oscar winner for Best Visual Effects with AVATAR: The Way of Water.

Things have been quiet for the Na’vi since expelling the sky people with the help of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) who is now chief. Now, he and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) have an ever-expanding family they are raising. Sons Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) and Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and daughters Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) and Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss). In addition to their family is a teenage human boy names Spider (Jack Champion) who is fluent in the ways of the Na’vi and spends all his time with the Sully family.

As the attacks against the forest people continue, the sky people are expanding their base and taking more resources than ever before. Knowing his family is being hunted, Jake decides it is time for them to go in order to save the Omaticaya people. Planning to get as far away as possible, they seek refuge with the Metkayina sea people. Chief Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) listens to the plea for help but it is his wife Ronal (Kate Winslet) who see’s pain and heartache in their future.

Trying to embrace this new culture, the boys find themselves constantly in trouble, Tuk is enjoying the water and all the creatures and Kiri begins to understand that although different, she easily embraces the sea life. Lo’ak, trying to make friends with the chief’s son Aonung (Filip Geljo), finds himself once again in trouble but is helped by a Tulkun names Payakan. Looking on at the encounter is the chief’s lovely daughter Tsireya (Bailey Bass) who realizes there is something special happening.

Now, for the hard part, As Pandora becomes more and more colonized, the company RDA has found a way to create Na’vi people without needing a human host but yet transferring their essence. One of these is Quaritch (Stephen Lang) who has a score to settle with Sully. Having no conscience previously, he makes it clear that he has no qualms about killing the Sully family and anyone that gets in his way.

The battle is on once again for the world Jake has come to love and the people in it. The Na’vi may be different tribes but one thing is clear, when you attack one, you attack all! As Quaritch comes closer and closer, it is clear that he and those with him are out for destruction.

Worthington as Sully returns and now is a father of quite a brood. He has trained his sons to be warriors but they have his disregard for orders and rules. Trying to find safety for his family, Sully packs up and tries to find the farthest place anyone would look for them. Like life, problems have radar and will always find you. Sully has become a respected member of the Omaticaya people and they look to him for guidance during their time of peace. When it becomes clear that peace is over, he knows what has to be done and does so with a broken heart. Worthington picks up right where he left off without a misstep in his character portrayal of the blue Na’vi Sully.

Saldana is now a mother lioness who is not about to let anyone hurt her children (too bad she needs to worry more about what they are doing than others are doing). She is not happy to be joining the sea tribe but makes the best of it and remains supportive of Sully. Like other mother lioness’, Saldana’s Neytiri does a lot of hissing in this film and when her angry rears its very tall head, stand back because the rage is on.

Curtis as Chief Tonowari is unsure from the beginning about the Sully clan hanging around but knows that they are Na’vi and that means something. Curtis gives his character a quieter leadership than Sully but that changes when the sky people decide it’s time to do their damage. Winslet as Ronal is also a mother lioness and pitted against Saldana’s Neytiri get a little tense at times. She wants the best for her family which includes son Aonung and beautiful daughter Tsireya and once her belief system is on the verge of destruction, Winslet sets her vocal Ronal loose.

Dalton as son Lo’ak is trying to fit in as the youngest boy in the family. Ready to fight, he makes mistakes and does not listen to his father’s orders and that continually gets him in trouble. Dalton gives us a fierce warrior kid who also has a softer side for whale-like creatures and feels a kinship with their plight. Flatters as Neyeuam is the older son who sees the wisdom of his father’s orders but does make a mistake here and there. Once he is in fighting mode, it is easy to look at Flatters portrayal and think ‘yep, he acts like the son of Jake Sully!’.

Bliss as young Tuk is nothing short of adorable and loves adventure in any shape and form. She understands what is at stake with the family and comes very close a time or two of becoming a sad story in this tale but she is fiery and I love it. Weaver as daughter Kiri feels like the outsider of the Sully group (although I associate that with being a moody teenager) but discovers with the sea people that she has a gift. There is a story here that Weaver is trying to tell and I am sure there will be more answers in the next AVATAR installment.

Lang as Quaritch is back to his old tricks again. Trying to be a warrior for the sky people and the military, let’s face it, the guy is just nuts. There are a few surprises in this film for him as well. Bass as Tsireya does not see a reason to be unsure about the Sully clan, in fact she embraces and teaches them quickly and with a smile. She fights with the Sully clan with heart, soul and wisdom and that’s quite beautiful. Champion as Spider is a human boy who has lived with the Na’vi since he was born. Accepting their ways and being a part of the Sully clan is a bit confusing for him but he knows what’s wrong and makes it clear he is not that person. Geljo as Aonung is a chief’s son and he behaves with all the problems that can come with that. Hey, Na’vi will be Na’vi!

Cast also includes Joel David Moore as Norm, Jermaine Clement as Dr. Gavin, CCH Pounder as Mo’at, Brendan Cowell as Scoresby, Dileep Rao as Dr. Max Patel, Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge, and Edie Falco as General Ardmore.

Celebrate today’s release with an all-new clip from the 3+ hours of never-before-seen bonus features.

James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water is available to buy TODAY exclusively on all major digital retailers including Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play and Movies Anywhere. To celebrate today’s digital release and Earth Month, fans can continue to participate in the “Keep Our Oceans Amazing'' campaign, which launched with the theatrical release of Avatar: The Way of Water. This initiative supports The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and its work to protect 10 of our oceans’ amazing animals and their habitats, connected to the beauty of Pandora. From now through July 31, 2023, fans can create their very own Avatar-inspired Ocean creature. For every creature created in the Virtual Pandoran Ocean, Disney U.S. will give $5 to TNC U.S. to help them achieve their global goal of protecting 10 percent of the ocean by 2030. Visit www.avatar.com/keepouroceansamazing to learn more.

AVATAR: The Way of Water comes flooding into theatres at almost three hours and thirteen years after the original AVATAR. There is a mish-mash of storytelling here which leads me to think that the next film will clarify things a little more.

Cameron’s reasoning behind the almost three hours is, “The goal is to tell an extremely compelling story on an emotional basis, I would say the emphasis in the new film is more on character, more on story, more on relationships, more on emotion. We didn’t spend as much time on relationships and emotion in the first film as we do in the second film, and it’s a longer film, because there’s more characters to service. There is more story to service.”

All the scenes underwater are really pretty. The good news is that the characters returning to their original roles offered something comforting about seeing the film. I think Worthington, Saldana, Weaver and Lang are the films safety net although I do not think Weaver and Lang’s story lines have a lot to offer other than a way to get butts in the seats at the next installment.

People are still wanting an escape and Cameron gives it to them while throwing in lessons about hurting sea creatures, bad guys do bad things and misunderstood teenagers who out of control (unfortunately that’s my pet peeve in films, mouthy and whiny teenagers). This is a family film for sure but not for the small ones and only because of the time issue. It is a BIG tub of popcorn type of film that does not hold to many surprises but instead plants seeds for the next film. Hopefully not in 13 years.

In the end – they are a family!

THE GOOD HOUSE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from directors Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate comes a story from the 2013 novel by Ann Leary with THE GOOD HOUSE.

Hildy Good (Sigourney Weaver) is a realtor in New England who knows the how to talk to an audience. Yes, looking directly at us all, she gives us the skinny on her business, who is making her life miserable and a family that, well, are not happy with her life choices.

One of them being her love of a drink and that love is pushing her to the brink of the worst problems she could ever imagine. Trying to keep up with the housing market, Hildy relies on Frank Getchell (Kevin Kline) to do repair work on houses she is trying to sell. They have a history as well but to hear Hildy tell it, it is a mixture of good and bad.

Hildy also gets to know her neighbor Rebecca (Morena Baccarin) who has issues of her own with a marriage that is a bit messy. The one thing they share in common is the love of a good bottle of wine. But as things around Hildy start to go a little wonky, she is also diving deeper into the bottle and not recalling things that were said and done.

One morning she wakes up after a night of drinking because the whole town is looking for someone Hildy knows. It is Frank who notices that perhaps there is a secret she does not want to tell him or really does not remember, and he wants to protect her. But there comes a moment when Hildy understands what everyone around her has been saying but it took a drop to her knees to believe it is time to change.

Weaver as Hildy is perfection as a woman who is dealing with the past, uncertainty of the present and no guess at the future. In other words, she is everyone in the world but not everyone jumps into a bottle of wine (no matter how good the wine is) to the point of blackout. That explains why, when she speaks to us, we either nod or say to ourselves ‘wait a second Hildy girl!’. The story unfolding is also full of small town living and that means nothing gets past the town gossipers. Weaver gives us all of it and so much more.

Kline as Frank is much more laid back than Hildy. He has lived his life and takes everything one moment at a time. Kline, at first, kind of gets a kick out of Hildy and her antics but once they become involved, a more protective side comes into play. Out of the two, Kline is the comedic side of the pair whether he means to or not. I have to say, ladies of a certain age need more Frank’s in the world that’s for sure. The chemistry between Kline and Weaver is everything.

Baccarin as Rebecca is a neighbor who has issues that are a little bit much for Hildy to deal with sober. Hildy tries to help by listening, but when there is a clash between fun-ship and reality, she doesn’t deal with it to well. Baccarin just wants a friend but there is something off that even I thought, ‘yeaaaaahhhh, something is off here’.

Other cast include Kathryn Erbe as Wendy, Molly Brown as Emily Good, Rebecca Henderson as Tess Good, David Rasche as Scott Good, Kelly AuCoin as Brian McAllister, Beverly D’Angelo as Mamie Lang and Rob Delaney as Peter Newbold.

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.

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.

THE GOOD HOUSE is a story of a woman trying to find her way through it all but not in the right way. When the family steps in, including an ex-husband, Hildy starts to feel the walls closing in on being told how to live her life. She laughs it off and lets them know that everything is fine and even tries to sober up on her own just to prove she’s fine.

But it only takes a small thing for the world to get out of hand again and when Hildy has the chance for a big realty deal, it is that small drink that leads to a big problem. For the first time in her life, Hildy can not hide from what she could possibly have done. The only person who wants to rescue her is Frank and, lets be honest, that is not the best thing either.

Hildy is a story of denial and, filled with fear, knowing that redemption is possible when you admit that help is not such a bad thing after all. The biggest get in all this? That Hildy learns that life is messy, families will drive you nuts, careers are in constant flux, the past doesn’t need to live rent free in your head and, love can still be kinda cool.

In the end – nothing is a secret in a small town!

SECRETS OF THE WHALES Comes to Disney+

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this week to celebrate Earth Day from James Cameron, National Geographic and Disney+ is a stunning and intriguing look at the beauty of the sea and SECRETS OF THE WHALES.

Beginning this Thursday in a four-part documentary narrated by actress and conservationist Sigourney Weaver, is a look into the lives of Orcas around the planet. More and more is being discovered about this giants of the deep and the different pods.

Capturing them on film, what these creatures are teaching us all is that they have a culture all their own. Each pod has a language and a set of skills that meet the needs of the group. That is what is most amazing about these beautiful whales, they work together as a group and they grow as a group doing what is best for all.

The second episode in the four parts series speaks about the very large-finned Humpback whales. As scientists watch them, it also becomes clear that they also have their own culture. From amazing treks in large numbers (up to 30,000) through the oceans to their own meaning behind breaching and slapping their fins, what we will all learn is even more delightful.

The third episode is, and I will be honest here, speaks about the very smiley Beluga whale. Learning how groups stay close and babies learn from their mothers, scientists also believe that Beluga’s give each other names and that alone has me grinning from ear to ear. These every so lovely white whales’ flitter about as if constantly at play yet continue to be curious about their world.

Finally, the four episode lets us learn more about the Sperm whale. The most incredible for scientists is capturing a whale calf actually feeding from its mother recorded for the first time ever.

Filmmaker James Cameron joins Brian Skerry to immerse us all in the world of whales and, as he says, to “see life and love from their perspective”. It does not take much for viewers to be pulled into the world of whales, what makes this four-part series unique are the very different choices of sea life they follow.

National Geographic Magazine has The Ocean Issue available online April 15^th at www.natgeo.com/planetpossible. Planet Possible is a platform to inspire kicking off on Earth Day to celebrate the wonders of whale culture.

Also, the book SECRETS OF THE WHALES published by National Geographic contains photographer Brian Skerry’s own insight to whales. His photographs help hold up the theory that whales have their own culture through identity, song, and everything else they can teach about our planet if we just look and listen.

Filmed over three years in twenty-four locations, this journey we take with the whales is one of excellence and pure joy. If you do not believe me, watch any video of people watching for whales and the absolute excitement when they do see them. We have an interesting relationship with whales that only becomes more and more fascinating over time.

SECRET OF THE WHALES is a documentary that you literally can not take your eyes off of. The splendor and absolute beauty of these sea creatures engrosses us like no other creature. From the sleek look of Orcas and an appreciation for their cleverness, to the fantastic breaching of Humpback whales, to the nurturing of Sperm whales and finally, to the toothy grin of a Beluga, this series is also packed with information.

As someone who lives very close to the ocean, it is a wonder every time I see whales, dolphins etc. swim along the ocean surface. Sometimes they even take a moment to stop and delight everyone who looks to the horizon for a sign of them. Even if we miss a sighting, we can look over the vastness of the ocean and know they are there.

The documentary offers us a look at what we ocean dwellers do not see all the time, it offers those landlocked a view of the glory of the ocean, the blue sky and the intelligence of creatures that glide along with their families. There is something gloriously wonderful about that actually. Knowing they too have families, they too have a way of life, and they too have language, song and love.

Knowing all that, how can you not be humbled this Earth Day.

In the end – they welcome us to Earth Day!

 

 

 

 

It is the 40th Anniversary of Our Worst Space Fears with ALIEN

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the 1979 alien horror film that put everyone in fright mode with the 40th Anniversary of ALIEN.

Captain Dallas (Tom Skerritt), along with crew Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), Lambert (Veronica Cartwright), Brett (Harry Dean Stanton), Parker (Yaphet Kotto), Ash (Ian Holm) and Kane (John Hurt) are on the commercial space ship Nostromo. Awaken from hyper-sleep by Mother, they are told that a transmission of unknown origin needs to be investigated.

On LV-426 Dallas, Lambert and Kane land and discovers odd surroundings that make no sense. Kane is lowered down to a place he believes is some kind of hatchery and what happens next scares the crew beyond belief. Returning to the ship, Dallas explains to Ripley that something has attached itself to Kane's helmet and she refuses to let them aboard citing possible contamination.

Ash overrides Ripley opening the door allowing Kane in who is brought to the infirmary. The process then begins to remove what ever it is on Kane's face causing what could only be considered as acid to break through the metal of the ship. Surprising everyone, the organism falls off Kane's face and he seems fine. That is until a creature emerges from Kane that hides in the ship.

Now the survivors must go inch by inch through the ship to find the creature. Realizing it can hide in the smallest of spaces they must find a way to track and keep it from taking the entire crew.

Sometimes the scariest things come from inside!

Weaver as Ripley took 1979 by storm as a woman who is smart, inventive and questions everything around her. She took this role and made it iconic in showing another characteristic, that of true fear. Weaver made an impact that has reverberated for years (at least 40 of them with this film) and with her return in ALIENS in 1986, ALIENS 3 in 1992 and ALIEN: Resurrection in 1997, it has become clear she is Ellen Ripley and we will accept no other.

Skerritt as Dallas is a Captain who does what he is told by the computer Mother. Once he realizes that what was brought on board is nothing short of a holy terror, he is always the first one in much to his detriment. Cartwright as Lambert knows that what is now aboard is coming for them all and she has to do her part. Trust when I say that Cartwright's characters fear is palatable and frightening.

Stanton as Brett is a man with a plan and that plan is to make sure he gets more money for all the work he thinks he's done. Joining him in that chorus is Kotto as Parker because he too believes he is worth more than the company thinks he is. These two together bring a few chuckles but when things start to turn, so do their survival instincts.

Hurt as Kane has the most impactful performance because it is that moment on the table during dinner that let us all know our film world would never be the same. Hurt has spent years being a part of the ALIEN franchise because of that scene. I've even seen a comedy skit that he did which shows he not only took his role in stride but had a great sense of humor about it.

Holm as Ash would also be a character that would continue on through the franchise in ways we could never have imagined. Ash is a cold (and not just because he lacked blood) individual who only sees how magnificent the alien is holding no animosity for what it is capable of doing.

Of course we can not forget to give credit where terror credit is due and that is the alien itself. Acid for blood, a long narrow head, a whipping tale and a double set of jaws that show no mercy. If it wasn't for any of those things being put together in a terrifying package, the ALIEN franchise wouldn't have worked. To our pure enjoyment - it did and to this day still does.

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.

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 Features of the 4K Ultra HD and Bluray include The 1979 Theatrical Version and the 2003 Director's Cut of ALIEN, Audio Commentary by Director Ridley Scott, Cast and Crew, Audio Commentary by Ridley Scott (Theatrical Version Only), Introduction by Ridley Scott (Directors Cut Only and Bluray Only), Final Theatrical Isolated Score by Jerry Goldsmith, Composer's Original Isolated Score by Jerry Goldsmith and Deleted and Extended Scenes.

ALIEN: The 40th Anniversary is just as magnificent today as it was in 1979. There isn't anything about this film that needs to be critiqued nor should anyone really try except to say that this film is a work of art. It has done what films that excel were meant to do - not withstand the test of time but not be affected by time.

Experiencing ALIEN now, every aspect of space, the ship, the surroundings, the technology feel as if it could have been film today. Each of the films does that actually and I am a huge fan of ALIEN binge watching several times a year. Only good filmmaking can bring that about for me.

Ridley Scott opens the film speaking about the 1979 film version saying he is really proud of it and now with DVD there have been adjustment and changes he felt were needed. He is reintroducing footage in the 2003 version making "minor adjustments because after 25 years you see little things you like to adjust. I hope you agree with me and enjoy it". 

What 4K Ultra HD/Bluray and Digital copy of ALIEN brings is the original 1979 theatrical version of the film and the 2003 Director's Cut. The 4K Ultra is absolutely clear and stunning in its color and presentation, just thought I’d through that personal observation in again. Having them both known as the best of both outer worlds!

In the end - in space no one can hear you scream.