HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA Joins the Collection of 4-Movies on DVD

 

Jeri Jacquin

From creator Todd Durham and Sony Pictures Animations comes the 4-Movie Collection beginning with the original HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA.

In 2012, the world was introduced to Count Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) and along with wife Martha, and their baby daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez). When sadness comes into their life, Dracula decides to open a monsters-only hotel. It is a hotel getaway for those who are looking for a break from human persecution and a safe place to raise Mavis.

On her 18th birthday, Dracula plans a party while Mavis plans to see the world but the world comes to her as Johnny (Andy Samberg) the hiker comes to the hotel. Trying to hide him is where the comedy of errors begins as Dracula must learn that Mavis is growing up. Watching this all come to pass is Frankenstein (Kevin James) and wife Eunice (Fran Drescher), Wayne (Steve Buscemi) and Wanda (Molly Shannon) Werewolf, Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade) and Murray the Mummy (CeeLo Green).

Returning in 2015, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 has Mavis and Johnny married and Dracula is about to become Grandpa Drac. Named Denisovich by Dracula, little Dennis grows up fast and grandpa is worried that he is not seeing any powers in the young boy. He also learns that Johnny and Marvis are thinking of moving to California. Dracula talks Johnny into visiting his parents and suggesting that he take care of Dennis.

While the parents are gone, Dracula tries to find ways with the help of the gang to push Dennis’ powers to the surface. The problem is, when the parents find a video posted online of their mischief, they rush home. Mavis is furious and lets her father know that they would be leaving after the boy’s birthday party.

Dracula discovers that Mavis has invited his father Vlad and isn’t happy about it knowing his father really doesn’t like humans. Now Vlad is taking the reins to make sure that his great-grandson’s powers come out. He also doesn’t know that Johnny is a human which means more chaos at Hotel Transylvania.

It’s time for a vacation when in 2018 HOTEL TRANSVYLVANIA 3: Summer Vacation delights audiences. Dracula looks around the hotel and see’s everyone paired up and it makes him a little lonely. Mavis decides to book a cruise and take time away from the hotel and takes her father, Johnny, Dennis and even Vlad aboard the cruise ship Legacy.

The captain of the ship is Ericka (Kathryn Hahn) makes everyone aboard the ship feel welcome and excited to be on the cruise. Underneath that cheerful exterior lies the truth of who Ericka is – the great grandfather of Dracula’s rival Abraham Van Helsing. She has decided that she is going to finish what Van Helsing started but, something is happening between she and the good Count.

Finally, in 2022 we get a chance to see what Johnny is made of in HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania. Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the hotel, Mavis discovers that her father wants to leave her the hotel. Mavis tells Dennis and he has plans upon plans and it stressed Dracula out. Van Helsing shows Johnny a ray that makes monsters into humans and he uses it on Johnny who becomes a dragonish monster. Drac also gets a shot of the ray gun and is now horrifyingly human.

Frank, Wayne, Griffin and Murray also become human. Mavis and Ericka are not happy with Van Helsing but it’s going to get worse when he tells them that its possible for mutations. Not only is the family in danger, but so is Hotel Transylvania!

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.

Bonus features include HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania Mini-Movie: Monster Pets, Monster Mash-Up: Making HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania, Selena vs. Andy: A Hotel Transyl-Trivia Quiz, “Love is Not Hard to Find by Yendry, Filmmaker Commentary and more!

Multi-feature DVD and Digital Bonus includes Goodnight Mr. Foot – Short Film, Hotel Transylvania Puppy! – Short Film, “Problem” Music Video by Beck G. Featuring wil.i.am, “I’m in Love with a Monster” Music Video by Fifth Harmony, Deleted Scenes, Behind the Scenes, Filmmaker Commentary and more!

It is wonderful that the cast of Adam Sandler (and then Brian Hull), Selena Gomez, Andy Sanberg, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Fran Drescher, Kevin James (and then Brad Abrell), Kathryn Han, Jim Gaffigan, Sadie Sandler/Asher Blinkoff and the undeniable icon of Mel Brooks return to each of these films.

Each of these characters are memorable, loveable, hilarious, thought provoking, caring and family oriented. Beginning with Count Dracula, Sandler always made sure that as evil as he wanted to be, at the heart of him is a family man who wants everyone he cares about to be safe and happy – even if it makes him a little crazy. I just love Dracula, even when his eyes get all red, because of Sandler’s portrayal.

Gomez as Mavis has her hands full with a grandfather, father, husband and son, all of them with their own issues that made her original issue of freedom seem so trivial. She deals with it all in stride because she has an amazing hotel family that supports each other and is there if she needs them. Samberg as Johnny is just as nutty as he wants to be and Mavis doesn’t mind it at all. He is a good guy and that’s all you can ask for when it comes to a daughter right?

James as Frankenstein and Drescher as wife Eunice are a cute couple. She is a very strong person and Frankenstein counts on that to my way of thinking. Buscemi as Wayne and Shannon as Wanda are a constantly growing family and as much as Wayne gets irritate with the litter, there are moments where you see he wouldn’t change anything for the world. Shannon is the nurturer in the relationship and it knows exactly how to handle her wily bunch.

Green as Murray (later taken over by Key) just cracks me up as the mummy. He loves being Frank’s sidekick on things and their friendship is so important. Spade as Griffin the invisible doesn’t need to have a physical look about him, it’s all Spade being his usual comedic self with only a pair of glasses to show his presence.

The addition of Kahn as Ericka is so lovely. Isn’t it weird that I was happy Drac found someone to be with? A huge shout out to Mel Brooks because he is an amazing Count Vlad. I adore his character and he is hilarious being the vocals of the elder Count.

Finally having all four films in one collection allows families to have a Transylvania binge watching Friday night. My granddaughter and I made a date to do this and with popcorn and snacks we went from first to last in the Transylvania franchise. We laughed so much and had such a great time that I kept thinking how great this is going to be for all families.

Each of the films brings something unique in the way of life-lessons because although they are monsters, they have all the same problems, kind of, that we have. Watching the hotel family together, after a while you don’t see monsters, there is a connection between what we see and how each character makes us feel.

That is the big lesson if anything, the connection and relatability to the life problems as it also teaches us to chill out and laugh at the silliness. Fathers, daughters, travelers, friends, loyalty and chaos are a staple in each of the films and that means a lot to those of us who embrace the Hotel Transylvania franchise.

So, pop that corn, grab some drinks, snacks, grab a fuzzy soft blanket and jump on the couch with the remote and get ready for some serious family time!

In the end – they are part of our family!

Sony and Netflix Bring us the Story of Friendship with WISH DRAGON

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Netflix from Sony Pictures Animation, writer/director Chris Appelhans and Jackie Chan comes the heartwarming story of friendship and understanding with WISH DRAGON.

Din (voiced by Jimmy Wong) and Lina (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) discover in elementary school that they have so much in common. From their love of mischief comes a friendship so deep that when Lina moves away with her father, it is a sad day for Din. As the city grows around him, Din still finds a bit of trouble missing school and keeping up with his delivery job.

Making a delivery, he is given a teapot for no reason at all but is told all the answers he needs is with the teapot. There is someone who is equally interested in the teapot and that’s the slightly villainous looking Mr. Wong (Will Yun Lee) who will stop at nothing to get his hands on it.  

After a chastising from Mom (Constance Wu) about his schoolwork, Din is more interested in who he is excited to see. The teapot has other plans when it opens up and he meets Long (John Cho), a dragon who let him know that he gets three wishes. After trying to get to know one another, Din lets Long the Dragon know he wants to see his friend Lina again.

That can be kind of difficult as Lina is now living a big life. Din crashes her birthday party only to discover that the change from childhood to adulthood can be painful. Trying to explain things to Long is difficult but the very colorful dragon has another take on how humans behave and there is a very good reason for it. It is time for each of their stories to be told and friendship to find them once again and not just the two-legged friendships!

All that glitters is not gold.

Wong as Din is a young man who has hung onto his childhood memory and the belief that one day he will see Nina again. When Long enters his life, things become more complicated than Din could ever have imagined. Wong gives his character a wonderful sense of life, love, friendship, loyalty and a bit of comedy thanks to his dragon friend.

Bordizzo as Nina is as mischievous as Din when they are children. As the years go by, Nina’s father is part of the business world, and it affects her life in ways she could not have imagined. Bordizzo gives her character such a lovely and fun aspect but also a sense of responsibility that keeps her away from the people she truly wants to be with.

Wu as Mom only wants the best for her son and works hard to make sure he is taken care of. There is a sense of community and family that are there with her and it is something that Nina gets to experience.

Other cast include Bobby Lee as Tall Goon, Jimmy O. Yang as Small Goon, Ian Chem as Young Din, Alyssa Abiera as Young Lina, and Gabriel Lee as Wen.

Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world. The visually groundbreaking and critically acclaimed SPIDER-MAN: Into the Spider-Verse is the studio’s latest release, and the winner of the 2019 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Other amazing films include THE SMURFS, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS and HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.sonypicturesanimation.com.

WISH DRAGON is a colorful, beautiful, loving story of friendships and loyalty surrounded by community. It is also the story of Din and Lina and, with a little push of faith, remembering what is important in life once you tear down the materialistic things that become traps.

There is also the story of Long and his journey of being a dragon which is equally important. Watching Long experience the modern world is entertaining to be sure, but it is also rediscovering his connection with people that is sweet, caring and sometimes very funny.

The animation is stunning and brilliant which lends to the enjoyment of the film in so many ways. So, gather the family and prepare to make a few wishes of your own when the WISH DRAGON comes into your home for a visit.

In the end – three magical wishes and one life changing adventure!

 

 

Bring all Your Monsters to See HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: Summer Vacation

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this week from director Genndy Tartakovsky and Sony Pictures Animation is a return to visit one of our favorite monster family’s at HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: Summer Vacation.

The hotel is busier than ever as Dracula (Adam Sandler) and daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) miss spending family time together. Son-in-law Johnny (Andy Samberg) thinks Mavis’ idea of a family vacation is fantastic and along with son Dennis (Asher Blinkoff) pack immediately.

Mavis has booked passage on a monster cruise and invites the extended family with Frank (Kevin James), Eunice (Fran Drescher), Wayne (Steve Buscemi), Wanda (Molly Shannon) and their brood, Griffin (David Spade), Murray (Keegan-Michael Key) and Grandpa Vlad (Mel Brooks).

At first Dracula isn’t thrilled about the idea but when Mavis implores him to use the time for family, he can’t exactly turn her down. Captain Ericka (Kathryn Hahn) welcomes everyone aboard and promises them a fantastic vacation. Seeing all the ship has to offer, the gang is excited. Even Dracula changes his tune when he sees Erika because the one thing he thought would never happen is happening – zinging!

Worried how Mavis will react, he keeps his feelings under his proverbial cape. What he doesn’t know and that’s who is hiding below deck, what plans are taking shape and more importantly – who is Bob?

All of this and more will be answered because after all – they are family!

Sandler as Dracula once again puts on the cape to run the hotel and spending time being a good Dad and Grandpa. Wanting to spend more family time, the monster cruise is certainly something different. It’s good to see Sandler keep his character goofy and loveable even for a vampire.

Gomez as Mavis wants to spend quality time with the family having fun. Having her father ‘zing’ certainly isn’t on her itinerary. It doesn’t help that her suspicions about the ships captain are accurate but everyone deserves a second chance.

Hahn as Captain Erika is nimble, fun and very sneaky. She has her eye on Dracula but zinging isn’t why! Erika’s story of hereditary, history and revenge but she also hasn’t met anyone like Dracula.

Frank, Eunice, Wayne, Wanda, Griffin, Murray all return because this wouldn’t be HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA without them. They bring fun, charm and a gentle reminder that extended family hold an important place in our lives. This bunch is so loveable that I was “awing” every five minutes. This is a monster family that started it all and continues to keep us together.

Shout out to Mel Brooks as Grandpa Vlad for bringing the jokes and fun on deck. Of course any time Mel Brooks shows up to a party it’s going to be awesome!

Other cast include Chris Parnell as Stan, Joe Jonas as The Kraken, Chrissy Teigen as Crystal, Aaron LaPlante as the Gremlin, Genndy Tartakovsky as Blobby, Sandie Sandler as Winnie, Sunny Sandler as Sunny, Tara Strong as Frankenlady, Libby Dickey as Lucy, and Joe Whyte as Tinkles.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: Summer Vacation makes the difficult look easy in that the story is fresh and fun while leaving us the characters our own family’s have come to love. The comedy is there, family issues about our busy lives and, of course, how love shows up at the most unexpected time and place – no matter if your one or one thousand years old.

It is so easy to forget these are ‘monsters’ when there situations are not so different than our own. Another reason this series of films has and continues to be embraced by family film goers. It’s a film we can take our kids to see while still being kids ourselves.

So pack up your own brood and prepare them all for popcorn, fun and loads of giggles. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: Summer Vacation is everything and so much more.

In the end – family vacations can suck the life out of you!