CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Returns to 4K Ultra HD Steelbook

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from director Paul Greengrass and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes a story of a crew, pirates and a man known as CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.

Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) is a commanding officer of a U.S. container ship. Preparing for the next voyage he reads about pirates in the area so Capt. Phillips has the crew work on drills for safety.

As quickly as that is finished Capt. Phillips spots a few boats racing toward the container ship. Immediately taking action they manage to evade the pirates boarding their ship. What they don’t count on is the persistence of one particular Somali names Muse (Barkhad Abdi) who fixes his vessel and goes back for the ship.

Unable to stop them the second time, Muse and his crew board the container ship. Knowing it was inevitable, Capt. Phillips has the crew hide with orders not to show themselves no matter what.

Muse himself becomes a captive and an exchange is made – or one was to be made as the container ships lifeboat is launched and now Capt. Phillips is their only hostage. Heading for the Somalian coast, the pirates now including Bilal (Barkhad Abdirahman), Najee (Faysal Ahmed) and Elmi (Mahat M. Ali) are agitated.

As the military follows the lifeboat, plans are made that may bring everyone close to the edge!

Hanks in the starring role as Captain Phillips is everything an Academy Award winning actor should be. He is poised, controlled, in authority, smart and still a human being. The kind of acting Hanks does in this film is like a dream. I can honestly say I still walk away exhilarated by this performance.

Abdi as Muse is one of the saddest characters I’ve seen in a while. Knowing that every move he makes is wrong he continues to do so. Wanting to keep his village safe, it is desperation that hardens him to the realities of the situation of his own creation. Abdi is amazing and for his first role that is saying a lot. Born in Mogadishu, he immigrated to Minnesota in 1999 and worked for his brother’s cell phone business.

Working with Hanks and director Greengrass, Abdi knew he might face some resentment by the Somali people for his role. Determined to do the film, his performance is affirmation that CAPTAIN PHILLIPS would change his life forever.

Other cast include: Michael Chernus as Shane Murphy, David Warshofsky as Mike Perry, Corey Johnson as Ken Quinn, Chris Mulkey as John Cronan, Yul Vazquez as Captain Frank Castellano, Max Martini as SEAL Commander, Omar Berdouni as Nemo, Mohamed Ali as Asad, Issak Samatar as Hufan, and Catherine Keener as Andrea Phillips.

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: 4K Ultra Disc Feature Presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, English Dolby Atmos and Theatrical Trailer. On Bluray Feature Presented in High Definition, Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass, and Capturing CAPTAIN PHILLIPS – in depth behind-the-scenes featurettes on making the acclaimed film.

I’m just going to say it folks – there is nothing, and I mean nothing wrong with this film. It is flawless! Yes, Hanks proves why he is a stellar fixture in Hollywood with a performance that nearly took me out. The cast is on point and melded together so well that not one thing pulled my focus off what was in front of me.

The cinematography is nothing short of perfect as well. From the moment the ship leaves port until the films ending, it is emotionally exhausting. We find ourselves literally in the film surrounded by the same emotions as Capt. Phillips and his crew.

Although nothing could ever bring about the real-life experience, with Hanks at the helm (as it were), be prepared to experience the story for yourself.

In the end – out here survival is everything!

On Steelbook is the Telling of THE GUNS OF NAVARONE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, Digital and in Steelbook from director J. Lee Thompson and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of THE GUNS OF NAVARONE.

Kheros is an island and in 1943 over 2,000 British soldiers are unable to leave. What is called the Axis powers plan to assault the island and even when the Royal Navy tries to intervene, they are fired upon from Navarone Island. The only way to stop the shelling is by sending in a unit that can destroy the guns.

Major Roy Franklin (Anthony Quayle), along with Cpt. Keith Mallory (Gregory Peck), Col. Andrea Stavros (Anthony Quinn), Corporal Miller (David Niven), Spyros Pappadimos (James Darren) and “The Butcher” Brown (Stanley Baker) make up the group that will sail across the Aegean disguised as Greek fisherman and steal a German boat. Now that they are on high alert, Franklin is injured and the group is eventually captured by Muesel (Walter Gotell) and the interrogations begins.

This isn’t a team that is going to be stopped easily as they get German uniforms and make their way to their destination, Navarone. What they find there is treachery, lies and more difficulty than they could imagine to finish the mission, yet, that is what they plan to do and no one or nothing will stop with their own plans. 

Peck as Mallory was/is a large presence on the screen in the film. He has the presence and the voice that is captivating and would make any soldier snap-to! Along with Peck is Quinn as Stavros who has a secret of his own but it does not stop him from going forward with the mission. Darren as Pappadimos was, at the time, a heart throb for many yet he fits into the cast extremely well.

Shout out to Richard Harris as he has been an actor I would recognize a mile away when growing up. I followed every film he was in and, as I got older, was thrilled beyond belief when he took his turn as the headmaster of Hogwarts and, quite honestly, was the reason I saw the film in the first place. As Barnsby, he is equal to the task as his American counterpart actors in telling this story. 

Other cast include Irene Papas as Maria, Percy Herbert as Grogan, George Mikell as Sessler, Gia Scala as Anna, James Justice as Jensen, Albert Lieven as Commandant, Tutte Lemkov as Nicolai, Bryan Forbes as Cohn, Allan Cuthbertson as Baker, Michael Trubshawe as Weaver and Richard Harris as Barnsby.

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 Main Title Progression Reel and Theatrical Trailer on 4K Ultra HD. On Bluray the Features include Commentaries with Director J. Lee Thompson & Film Historian Stephen J. Rubin, Three Documentaries.

Also included is Audio Commentary by Director J. Lee Thompson, Audio Commentary by Film Historian Stephen J. Rubin, The Resistance Dossier of NAVARONE: interactive Feature, Forging THE GUNS OF NAVARONE: Notes from the Set, An Ironic Epic of Heroism, Memories of Navarone, Epic Restoration, A Heroic Score, Gret Guns, No Visitors, Honeymoon on Rhodes, Two Girls on the Town, Narration-Free Prologue and Message from Carl Foreman.

THE GUNS OF NAVARONE hit theatres in 1961 and is based on the novel by Alistair MacLean also called The Guns of Navarone. Premiering at London’s West End Odeon Leicester Square, it went on to be one of the top grossing films of 1961. It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Special Effects, two Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Original Score – Motion Picture, and a Laurel Award for Top Drama. It also came in at #89 in the AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills.

Coming in at two hours and thirty-eight minutes, it is a story fraught with intrigue, war, missions, dedication, locations, and the enemy trying to conquer the world. The cinematography is amazing for its age yet holds up to the test of time. Watching it once again reminds me of spending time with the family watching a good Friday night film at home with popcorn cheering on the hero.

In the end – it is the greatest adventure ever films!

GODZILLA Returns on 4K Ultra HD and Steelbook

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Steelbook from writer/director Roland Emmerich and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is GODZILLA.

On an island in Polynesia, a military test has caused an iguana nest to be disturbed and, in the ocean, a Japanese vessel is attacked by something never seen before. Scientist Dr. Niko Tatopoulos (Matthew Broderick) who studies wildlife and radiation has an unexpected visitor and goes to other countries to see for himself what this “Gojira” has done. Discovering a species never before been encountered, Nick thinks it’s just a new species.

But Gojira has other plans making its way to New York leaving destruction in every direction. Nick tries to help the military capture whatever it is that causing all the problems. Also trying to discover what is happening is Nick’s girlfriend Audrey Timmonds (Maria Pitillo), a reporter who uncovers secrets the military has been hiding along with cameraman Victor (Hank Azaria). Preparing to put the information of air, boss Charles Caiman (Harry Shearer) steals the story and renames Gojira, Godzilla.

If things couldn’t get worse, Nick is taken by Philippe Roache (Jean Reno) who know what’s been happening but is trying to hide the French connection. Believing there was a nest somewhere in New York, Roache and Nick try to find it but a collision with a submarine sinks Godzilla but there is still the nest, oh yes, the nest.

In Madison Square Garden, the nursery becomes a shooting gallery for the military and Godzilla is not about to let that go without trying to settle the score. Man versus beast and someone has to win.

Broderick as Tatopoulos was happy studying worms until he finds himself standing in a footprint. The more he sees the more he realizes that the new species that is carving out a path of destruction is more important than the worms in Russia. Broderick gives his character a brain but also adds a bit of hero element in trying to stop Gojira from doing what he is doing.

Pitillo as Audrey is a young woman trying to start a reporting carrier in New York but finds herself a researcher to a douchebag. Doing what she needs to do, Gojira offers her the opportunity to get in the action, literally, walking into a nest! Azaria as Victor is a bit of comic relief who realizes what they are doing and doesn’t seem to mind jumping in to the fray as long as his camera is capturing it all.

Reno as Roache has a reason to be worried about what Gojira is doing because of how he was created. Now, to keep his country safe from blame, he jumps in along with Tatopoulos to not only find what Gojira is hiding but make it all stop. Reno is always a stern looking serious character and, in this film, he has a chance to smirk from time to time and crack a joke (which are actually funny).

Other cast include Kevin Dunn as Colonel Hicks, Michael Lerner as Mayor Ebert, Arabella Field as Lucy Palotti, Malcolm Danare as Dr. Mendel Craven, Glenn Morshower as Kyle Terrington, Chris Ellis as Gen. Hunter Anderson, Richard Gant as Admiral Phelps and Kurt Carley as Godzilla.

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 4K ULTRA HD DISC Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos + 5.1 audio, Theatrical Trailers. Also, on Bluray Disc, Feature presented in High Definition, 5.1 audio, Visual Effects Commentary, Behind the Scenes of Godzilla® with Charles Caiman, All Time Best of Godzilla® Fight Scenes and “Heroes” Music Video by The Wallflowers.

GODZILLA is a fun action film with the worlds most iconic monster. Coming to life in 1954 from director and writer Ishiro Honda. From then on, the world has been fascinated with this character to the tune of 33 film, video games, comic books and even television. He is literally the king of the monsters.

Of course, being a king, he has arch-nemises’ of his very own including Rodan, Mothra and Anguirus. Remembering my brother and I up on Saturday mid-morning waiting to watch the black and white films and cheering on Godzilla (or Mothra sometimes). Then, for a few years, Godzilla faded a bit into the background of film only to be revived again bringing his atomic breath with him and angry roar.

Director Emmerich takes the story of Gojira/Godzilla and attempts to modernize it. From the cause of the monster’s birth to making his way to New York, Godzilla is once again back on the big screen wreaking havoc that fans all love. That means the family gets to gather up, shut off the lights and turn on the sound bar for an epic time with the king of the monsters!

In the end – he is taking over!

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!

 

 

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and THE BOXTROLLS Make Their Way Home!

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming on 4K Ultra HD and Bluray (and limited SteelBook Editions) from Shout! Factory are two of the most beloved films from Laika Studios with KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and THE BOXTROLLS. 

In 2014, directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi brought the stop-motion animated story of the small Victorian town of Cheesebridge, Norvenia. As with all towns, there are rumors and in this particular town, underneath are trolls who kidnap babies! Leader Lord Portley-Rind (Jared Harris) and his White Hats have better things to do with his cheese eating time and hires Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) to find and get rid of the named Boxtrolls.

What they don’t understand is that Boxtrolls are actually very peaceful creatures who wear boxes and like to invent things. Someone who understands this is Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright), a human boy who lives with the Boxtrolls and raised by Fish (Dee Bradley Baker). Trying to keep Eggs safe and away from harm, there comes the day when Eggs realizes that his family is being taken one by one!

When Fish is taken, Eggs goes above ground and is seen by Winnie (Elle Fanning) during a fair that is held to remember the disappearance of a certain Trubshaw Baby. The town believes the Boxtrolls are responsible. Winnie decides to help Eggs and in trying to rescue Fish, they discover something truly horrible about the leaders of their town and uncover those responsible!

Other cast include Steve Blum as Shoe and Sparky, Toni Collette as Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind, Nick Frost as Mr. Trout, Richard Ayoade as Mr. Pickles, Tracy Morgan as Mr. Gristle, Toni Collette as Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind and Simon Pegg as Herbert Trubshaw.

Special Features: Inside LAIKA - Discovering the Characters of The Boxtrolls with Never-Before-Seen Test Footage. Inside LAIKA - Revisiting the Puppets with LAIKA’s Animation Team. Feature-Length Storyboards, Foreword by Ramin Zahed, the Editor in Chief of Animation Magazine, Audio Commentary with Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, The Making of The Boxtrolls and Original Featurettes.

The year 2016 brought one of the most beautiful Laika stories ever and our family’s personal favorite. Director Travis Knight brought the most amazing KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS to fans who instantly fell in love.

Kubo (Art Parkinson) is a young boy growing up in feudal Japan with his ill mother. They live in a cave near the local village and Kubo earns money by performing with origami while he plays his shamisen for the villagers. His most daring story is that of his samurai warrior father Hanzo. He always leaves the audience in suspense because, in reality, he does not know how the story ends.

Being told by his mother to never stay out after dark, Kubo knows the story of how he lost his eye to his mother’s sisters and grandfather, the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes). They are looking for Kubo and will take him away if they get the chance. During the Bon festival, Kubo attends to speak to those who have passed but realizes quickly that it is sunset. Almost immediately he is attacked by The Sister (Rooney Mara) but his mother tells the boy to go find his father’s armor and then uses magic sending Kubo away.

When Kubo comes too, he is looking into the eyes of his wooden snow monkey charm in real life! Monkey (Charlize Theron) tells him the sad news of home but Kubo makes a oragami Little Hanzo to lead them to the mysterious armor. Along the way they meet Beetle (Matthew McConaughey), a bumbling protector who doesn’t remember much about who he is or how he came to be. The one thing he does believe is that he had to be Hanzo’s apprentice!

On their adventure to retrieve the amor and the Sword Unbreakable, Kubo knows he must return home and set things right for his mother, the village and the father he never knew. That means taking on the last siter and his grandfather, the Moon King.

Other cast include Brenda Vaccaro as Kameyo, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Hashi and George Takei as Hosato.

Special Features: Feature-Length Storyboards, Inside LAIKA -Revisiting the Puppets with LAIKA’s Animation Team, Inside LAIKA—Confronting the Epic Challenges of Kubo and the Two Strings, Audio Commentary with Director/Producer Travis Knight, “Kubo’s Journey” and

Original Featurettes.

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS was one of the first films my granddaughter watched and I knew immediately that she would love them all, and she does. Kubo is the story of a young man who could have easily just given way to all the sadness in his life but chose another path instead. What an amazing story to tell and it was very successful.

Parkinson as Kubo is the voice that is so memorable because it is filled with emotion, love, insecurity and a fierceness that comes in handy at the end of his journey. Theron as Monkey is wise and patient, well, most of the time but is absolutely wonderful. McConaughey is so delightful as Beetle and very funny. Fiennes as The Moon King is ferocious and focused but he’s never met anyone like Kubo!

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

The scrupulous remastering process for both titles was overseen by the team at LAIKA, led by LAIKA CEO (and Kubo and the Two Strings Director) Travis Knight, and Visual Effects Supervisor Steve Emerson, who pored over each film shot-by-shot, paying close attention to every last detail and color to present these groundbreaking films in the most dynamic format.

The use of Dolby Vision has made these films look more spectacular than ever before, with vivid colors and exacting picture quality, and with highlights brighter and essential dark elements darker, unleashing the full potential of HDR technology. The films were also mixed in Dolby Atmos spatial audio, bringing out more details and clarity in the sound, resulting in an even more immersive experience for fans.

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and THE BOXTROLLS are an absolute must have (or don’t talk to me every again) in your own home entertainment library. The stories are so rich and wonderful with message of hope, family, love, courage and triumph. Laika has cornered something wonderful here and I can not wait to see what they do next!

The stop-motion is flawless, smooth and glides along with the story and becomes a subtle character in the film as well. That is how it’s done kids – with excellence and a lot of thought into the process of not just the stop-motion but the story as well making a combination that is unmatched.

Gather the family because I do believe it is time for a Laika marathon because, like a good bucket of popcorn, you can not have just one! Now excuse me, we are preparing for our own marathon! Enjoy the shows!

The 60th Anniversary of the Epic LAWRENCE OF ARABIA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Limited Edition SteelBook from director David Lean, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes the stunning story of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) is in the British Army in World war I and is sent by his reluctant superiors to serve in the Arab Bureau to learn about Prince Faisal’s revolt against the Turks. Upon arrival, he meets Col. Brighton (Anthony Quayle) who orders him to do his job and leave.

Yet when he meets Prince Faisal (Alec Guinness), he does not listen to orders and the royal is keen on Lt. Lawrence. He goes so far as to suggest that the Prince set up a surprise attack on the port of Aqaba which not only gives the Prince a strong-hold, but also gets the British their supplies.

The Prince gives Lawrence fifty men with Sherif Ali (Omar Sharif), and two servants to help. Crossing the Nefud Desert, a man goes missing in the night and Lawrence will go no further until he is found. This gets him the respect of the Arab men, but it turns quickly.

After the Turkish victory, Lawrence is promoted to Major and can now help the Arab, yet they are suspicious. The new Major knows that their suspicions have grounds. Yet, he goes full force against the Turks with Ali at his side helping him.

Lawrence also turns to Auda Tayi (Anthony Quinn) for help but finds he is in over his head with feuds. Yet when Lawrence is scouting, he is captured by the Turk Bey (Jose Ferrer) and their encounter leaves him physically and mentally devastated. Ali finds him and he returns to British Headquarters.

General Allenby calls Lawrence up again to help with a push on Damascus but he wants nothing to do with it. When he agrees, his army is not like his previous garrison who just fights for whoever has the money. Lawrence becomes a part of something regretful that has consequences.

Arriving in Damascus, a council is set up, but the British have other plans that bring the new Colonel back to Britain.

O’Toole as Lawrence is absolutely stunning in this role. The first time I saw this film I was struck by its scope of course but it was the performance of O’Toole that kept me riveted. A character that shows us the excess of power and the frailty of trying to rule over a people who do not want to be ruled. O’Toole gave those characterizations but also a performance that could never and should never be attempted again.

Sharif as Ali, what can I saw about the man who made me fall in love with DOCTOR ZHIVAGO. In this role he is daring and clings to the beliefs of his people and rightly so. He fights along side Lawrence because he sees something in him that can change the course of his country. Always leery, always watching and always amazing to watch him bring this character to life.

Guinness as Faisal is equally leery, but he does so in a completely different way than the character of Ali. Faisal dons his robes and uses his own brand of grace and elegance to watch and see what Lawrence can accomplish. It would be so many years later that I would see this actor’s reach as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the STAR WARS franchise. It is all the roles in between that I spent years catching up on everything he had done.

Quinn as Tayi is tough and does not like anyone telling him what to or what to think. Constantly going up against Lawrence, he still loves a good fight and just needs to be pointed in the right direction. Ferrer as Bey has a smaller role, but it is important in that it changes Lawrence a great deal.

Other cast include Donald Wolfit as General Murray, Henry Oscar as Silliam, Michel Ray as Farraj, John Dimech as Daud, Zia Mohyeddin as Tafas, Harry Fowler as Corp. Potter, Ian MacNaughton as Corp. Hartley, Gamil Ratib as Majid, Arthur Kennedy as Jackson Bentley, Claude Rains as Mr. Dryden

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.

On 4K Ultra HD is the Feature Presentation in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Fully Restored from the Original Camera Negative with Special Features including – Peter O’Toole Revisits LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, Making of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Documentary, Deleted Balcony Scene with Introduction by Anne V. Coates, and The Lure of the Desert: Martin Scorsese on LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

Also, A Conversation with Steven Spielberg, Wind, Sand and Star: The Making of a Classic (1963 and 1970 Versions), Maan, Jordan: The Camels Are Cast, In Search of Lawrence, Romance of Arabia, King Hussein Visits LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Set, In Love with the Desert Documentary, and Lawrence at 50: A Classic Restored.

Finally, Archival Interviews, New York Premiere Footage, Advertising Campaigns and Vintage Trailers & TV Spots.

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA was nominated for ten Oscars in 1963. The film won seven including Best Pictures and Best Director. The music score was by Maurice-Alexis Jarre with cinematography by Freddie Young. In 1998, the American Film Institute put LAWRENCE OF ARABIA on their list of 100 of the Great Films listing it at number five.

It is with ease to understand why beginning with an amazing cast of actors that have left an indelible mark on filmmaking and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA shows us why. The cinematography is just breathtaking with the vastness of the desert which is punctuated with a score that makes the heartbeat loudly. The costuming is mesmerizing and when the wind is blowing and the costumes flow, it is captivating.

Director Lean has taken a story and given it simplicity and grandness at the same time. I have seen the film in a theatre and, now coming to SteelBook, my 73-inch television and sound bar is going to take me back into the theatre again to enjoy this epic creation.

In the end – the desert holds the history!

The Classic BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI Returns to Steelbook

 

Jeri Jacquin

Celebrating the 65^th Anniversary from director David Lean, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the Steel Book 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital classic BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI.

In Thailand, British POW’s arrive in a Japanese prison camp in 1943. Leading the group is British Col. Nicholson (Alec Guinness) who discovers that the camp is in intolerable condition. He meets Commander Shears (William Holden) who confirms that it is bad in the camp and the jungle surrounding it makes escape difficult. Even so, Col. Nicholson forbids any of his men to attempt an escape due to orders.

Running the camp is Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) who makes it clear how they can all survive the war. He wants a bridge built that will make a road from Bangkok to Rangoon. Reminding the Saito that there is such thing as a Geneva Convention, he will not be part of any manual labor, but the enlisted men go. Major Clipton (James Donald) intercedes between the two men when Saito threatens to shoot the refusing officers.

As each day the bridge is not build passes, Nicholson notices that what the Japanese are building will not withstand any crossing. Wanting to have the bridge known as British ingenuity, Nicholson orders the men to work. Saito is aware of what the prisoners are doing knowing that if he does not finish, he is a dead man himself.

Shears manages to actually escape from the prison camp and ends up in a hospital in Ceylon. Enjoying his stay, he is approached by a Major Warden (Jack Hawkins) who wants him to help in a mission to destroy the bridge. Parachuting into Thailand, Shears and his group manages to plant explosives with the help of village chief Khun Yai.

As the bridge celebration is to take place, everything must fall into place for the mission to succeed.

Guinness as Nicholson once again turns in a powerful performance as a self-centered and a tad narcissistic military man who does everything by the rules. Keeping his officers safe by using the rules pits him against the camp’s Colonel. But, his ego gets the better of him and he does the one thing he shouldn’t – builds the bridge. He retains a bit of power and authority and it all goes to his head. Guinness is and always will be one of the great actors in epic films.

Kayakawa as Colonel Saito runs a tight ship, at least that’s the way it looks. Coming up against someone like Nicholson, he tries everything possible to get the one thing he needs done accomplished and that’s the bridge. Kayakawa has a bit of an ego himself but that is nothing compared to the alternative if he does not get the job done.

Holden as Shears is another arrogant character but one that does not see himself staying around a prison camp. Escaping is his first and only thought and certainly not helping Nicholson with building a bridge. That does not last long when he realizes he must go back to the one place on earth he planned to always stay away from. Holden gives us a character full of himself and playing the system to enjoy a war.

Donald as Major Clipton is the medical officer keeping an eye on the overworked soldiers and watching the power match between Nicholson and Saito. He knows that what is happening is clearly wrong but can only be responsible for helping those who are hurt, wounded or sick during the craziness.

Other cast include Andre Moreli as Colonel Green, Peter Williams as Captain Reeves, Keiichiro Katsumoto as Lieutenant Miura, MRB Chakrabandhu as Yai and Goeffrey Horne as Lieutenant Joyce.

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.

On 4K Ultra HD is Feature presentation in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, fully restored from the original camera negative with the Special Features of – Crossing the Bridge: Picture-in-Picture Graphics Track, Making of THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, The Steve Allen Show with William Holden and Alec Guinness, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI Premiere Narrated by William Holden, and “Rise and Fall of a Jungle Giant” Featurette.

Also, USC Short Film Introduction by William Holden, An Appreciation by Filmmaker John Milius, Photo Gallery and Theatrical Trailers.

The book Bridge on the River Kwai was written in 1952 by Pierre Boulle and the screenplay began being written by Carl Foreman but would later be taken over Michael Wilson. Boulle would receive the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and it would take many years before Foreman and Wilson would be recognized for their work.

BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI won Best Picture in 1957 and six more Academy Awards. The film also made the National Film Registry in 1997 and in 1999, the film was voted the 11th greatest British film by the British Film Institute.

This is another epic film by David Lean and Hollywood had to know he was going to deliver something stellar in scope. Bringing a story such as this to the screen meant the right place, the right cast and characters that are struggling. The cinematography in the wide shots is stunning considering they are surrounded by jungle.

Watching the story unfold is filled with twists and turns and that, in itself, is something that always captivated me. I actually saw this film for the first time at the drive in with my parents and was taken in from the first frame. I watched it again on television but back then it was a 23-inch screen, so it was not as thrilling. Seeing it again on a 73-inch screen with a sound bar reminded me of the first time I saw it and why it has always stayed with me.

There are good films, there are great films and then there are epic films that stand the test of time and can never be repeated. BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI is one of those films.

In the end – it is a war of the bridge!

 

It is the Return of EL CAMINO: A Breaking Bad Movie

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Limited Edition Steelbook from writer/director Vince Gilligan and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes EL CAMINO: A Breaking Bad Movie.

Jesse (Aaron Paul) has escaped the Brotherhood cage in an El Camino. Running to the only place he can think of Skinny Peter (Charles Baker) and Badger (Matt Jones) are shocked to see him. Jesse passes out for the night while the two try to figure out what is going on and hide the car. By the next morning they decide that they need to make it look like Jesse has fled to Mexico. Handing Jesse a serious wad of cash, they say their goodbyes.

Getting away, Jesse thinks on his time in that cage when Todd (Jesse Plemons) is nice to him. Of course, it is because he wants something from Jesse. After helping Jesse take care of a problem in his apartment, he also learns that Todd has been holding a large sum of money in the home. In present day, Jesse returns to the apartment and searches getting interrupted by Casey (Scott Shepherd) and Neil (Scott MacArthur) and a deal is struck.

Finding Ed Galbraith (Robert Forster), Jesse learns he wants more money than he has to help him disappear for good. Getting desperate, he turns to the most unexpected places putting himself in danger to get the cash. He wants to get away and stop the madness believing only Ed can help him do that, so no one is going to get in his way.

No one.

Paul as Jesse slides right back into his role from the AMC Breaking Bad series. From the moment he is on screen you can see that what has happened to him is far more complicated than fans of the show could have realized. He picks up the character mantle and tries to unravel everything that has happened to him and discover if its possible to be free and start over. Paul does a remarkable job giving us a finale to Jesse’s story.

Plemons as Todd, if he were not who he was, would be a pleasant fellow. Instead, he is a calm person who does not seem to know how to show real feelings. Even when he is up against Jesse, there is a moment that seems guy-like, but it feels awkward. At least I felt awkward for them! I really enjoy everything Plemons does because each role brings something new.

Forster as Galbraith is a character I really enjoyed watching unravel. Unsure of who he is or what Jesse wants, Forster stands hard in this character yet again, does not give away one ounce of emotion. He takes his work seriously – both in the vacuum shop and his other part time job.

Baker and Jones as Skinny Pete and Badger are the ones Jesse goes to when it is time to make his getaway. They see what has happened to their friend and want to help just one more time. Cool and collected Skinny Pete puts the plan in motion and Badger is all in for Jesse.

Shepherd and MacArthur are two men looking for the same thing Jesse is. When they are caught in the same place together, it becomes a game of cats and mouse – don’t let the mouse fool you.

Other cast include Drysten Ritter as Jane Margolis, Kevin Rankin as Kenny, Larry Hankin as Old Joe, Tess Harper as Diane Pinkman, Michael Bofshever as Adam Pinkman, Jonathan Banks as Mike and Bryan Cranston as Walter White.

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 Materials include Gag Reel, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Audio Commentary with Vince Gilligan and Aaron Paul, Scene Studies with Vince Gilligan, Super Commentary!, Making EL CAMINO, SNOW GLOBE: A Breaking Bad Short, Skinny Pete in the Box Teaser, On the Radio Teaser, Rocker Salvage Commercial, Vamanos Pest Commercial, “Enchanted” by Chloe x Halle and Visual Effects Design Galleries.

EL CAMINO: A Breaking Bad movie is a chance to see what happens to Jesse after the once successful drug business goes bad. There are so many flashbacks to make sure that we see how Jesse brings his life together so he can move forward.

It is one crazy moment after another because, lets face it, there hasn’t been anything easy in Jesse’s world for quite some time. This gives Breaking Bad fans one more opportunity to spend time with their favorite characters.

In the end – he is trying to break free!