RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from directors Kirk DeMicco, Faryn Pearl, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures comes the story about the teen struggles of RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN.

Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is an unusual 16-year-old teen finding her place in the city of Oceanside. Along with mother Agatha (Toni Collette), dad Arthur (Colman Domingo) and little brother Sam (Blue Chapman), the family is hiding an interesting secret – they are kraken’s living among humans.

Almost no one takes notice, accept a suspicious Gordon Lighthouse (Will Forte) and his trusty crab. The entire high school is excited about the upcoming high school prom except Ruby because Mom has said no. Her reason? Because she doesn’t want Ruby near the water which means she won’t be able to ask crush Connor (Jaboukie Young-White).

That when best friends Margot (Liza Koshy), Bliss (Ramona Young) and Trevin (Eduardo Franco) suggest that maybe she should, well, just go. Asking Connor is the next step but chaos happens and Ruby discovers that she is a very large kraken.

Never-before-met Uncle Brill (Sam Richardson) shows up telling Agatha that their mom wants to meet Ruby. When all the family secrets come out, Ruby decides to visit Grandmamah (Jane Fonda) and discovers she is the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas and also learns about life under the sea.

She also meets Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy), a mermaid who also has a story to tell and it involves a rivalry between the kraken and mermaids. Becoming sea-besties, Chelsea suggests that rift could be healed if they could only get ahold of a special trident.

When chaos breaks out, a kraken family bands together to save those they love in a place they call home!

Condor as Gillman gives animated voice to a very sweet, charming, quirky character. Ruby tries very hard to fit in and all seems to be going well, until it doesn’t. Learning that secrets can be painful, Ruby must come to terms with the land and sea and where she fits in between the two. My granddaughter loves Ruby!

Collette as Agatha is a very ambitious real estate mom who keeps the family together. Keeping Ruby safe has been her goal but when secrets start to come out, she has no choice but to come clean. Collette gives the voice of Agatha the same voice I heard in my head when my kids were teens. Trying to stay one step ahead is exhausting but Agatha pulls it off nicely.

Fonda as Grandmamah (accent on the ‘mah’ if you please) is hilarious as the Queen Kraken. She is thrilled to see Ruby and does what she can to show her that side of the family. Ruby believed she was the only one with mom issues, its good to see that not only does mom-issues run in the family but so does solidarity.

Murphy as the wicked Chelsea came along to show Ruby what she was missing under the sea and all the fun there was to be had. Of course, her intentions are anything but fun! Richardson as Uncle Brill is that Uncle we all have and love, no matter how much mess he makes because the laughter he causes is everything.

Domingo as dad Arthur and Chapman as little brother Sam are supportive of their family and even Sam can’t help but love the family he is in. Forte as Lighthouse is on a mission to show the town that the kraken’s do exist and he’s going to get himself one.

Young-White as Connor is a teen who is more like Ruby than Ruby realizes. He is also very sweet and I was rooting for him the whole time! Young, Franco and Koshy as her loving friends Bliss, Trevin, and Margot love their very exclusive group but also find themselves expanding their world.

Other vocal cast include Nicole Byer as Janice, Echo Kellum as Doug, Juju Green as the Gym teacher and Jordan Matter as School Principal.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

Universal Pictures has an amazing film to their library. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN is an awesomely wonderful (my granddaughter Jaycie’s words) film. It grabs colorfully onto the themes of love, family, friendship, being a teen, being a different kind of teen, acceptance, and a fierce loyalty to protect all of the above.

DreamWorks has done it again creating a visually stunning animated story but, and let’s be honest, I would expect nothing less from the studio. Always in the forefront of animation, the studio also remembers what is important to fans who love their work. Creativity, a solid story, characters that become iconic and memorable, Ruby Gillman can be added to that long list.

Family film does not even begin to describe RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN. It just has everything needed to bring people into the theatres with the tub of popcorn for a really good time. Prepare to laugh, awwww, cheer and leave said theatre with a smile on your face and so much to tell friends about.

In the end – discover the hero just beneath the surface!

They Are All After THE ESTATE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Dean Craig and Signature Films is the story of a family who is about as dysfunctional as they come with THE ESTATE.

Macey (Toni Collette) is running a café that isn’t doing so well. Trying to get a bank loan, sister Savanna (Anna Faris) isn’t much help on the matter. Going home to mom Diane (Patricia French) and sister Ellen (Keyla Mejia), they learn that Aunt Hilda (Kathleen Turner) is about to shuffle off the mortal coil and she suggests maybe sending a card or something.

Savanna gets the idea to go and visit Aunt Hilda and get in her good graces and maybe they can inherit some of the $20 million dollars she is worth. Macey thinks it’s a horrible idea but is talked into it and off they go. Arriving, they bring flowers but instead find bossy cousin Beatrice (Rosemarie DeWitt) with her chef husband James (Ron Livingston) and creepy cousin Richard (David Duchovny).

Aunt Hilda is not exactly the warm cuddly type and seems, well, okay with the girls coming for a visit and that’s putting it nicely. Almost immediately cousin Richard is weirding Macey out and Beatrice is making it clear that she’s in charge and is getting the money. The childhood memories start to fly out in the open and the plotting begins.

During dinner, the conversation gets awkward as Aunt Hilda talks about a dog painting and her earliest memories of awkward romance in high school. That’s when Savannah gets the brilliant idea! She and Macey need to find the long-lost love of her youth and the last chance to get the inheritance.

Relationships are complicated, family makes it impossible!

Collette as Macey is just trying to keep her head above water with the café. When it is obvious that the bank won’t loan her money, she all but gives us. Macey is not confrontational about anything and Collette gives her that melancholia perfectly. Faris as Savanna gets to play the wacky sister who has no filter and ideas, not always the best ideas but she has ideas! Faris is hilarious and her character unpredictable – a combination she is good at portraying.

Duchovny as Richard is uncomfortable and yet hilarious at the same time. He just blurts out whatever is on his mind, no matter how inappropriate, and yet he has his own agenda about the money. Duchovny is the twisted comic relief of the film and he does it well.

DeWitt as Beatrice has dug her heels into the house and her claws into Aunt Hilda. She makes it clear to Macey and Beatrice that nothing and no one is going to get in the way of the money. Livingston as husband James wants to make his wife happy but some of her requests are a bit over the line. Livingston is the male equivalent to Macey in that he goes along to get along.

Mejia as Ellen has a Dungeons and Dragons fixation but it is a way to get her sisters to be a part of her life. She is very funny! French as Diane has a beef with her sister Hilda and fixing it doesn’t seem to be in her life plan.

Now, about Ms. Turner – I just love her in this film. She is pretty much me if I had $20 million dollars and greedy family members. I’d let it all loose and say whatever came into my head just because, lets face it, death is right there. Turner gives that and so much more as only she can and it is so much fun to see her in the film.

Other cast include Gichi Gamba as Geoff, Eric Esteran as the Priest, Kim Baptiste as the Doctor, Billy Slaughter as the Lawyer, Ronald Chavis as the Nurse and Danny Vinson as Bill.

Signature Entertainment is an award-winning production and distribution company. Films such as A RAINY DAY IN NEW YORK, HONEST THIEF and RAMS are part of their slate. Upcoming films include Brian Epstein’s MIDAS MAN, Pierce Brosnan’s thriller FAST CHARLIE and John Cena in FREELANCE.

THE ESTATE is a comedy-drama about the complexity of a family. Growing up with cousins and good memories to growing up into adults turning on those memories. Once money comes into play, all bets are off and that make it very clear to one another.

Trying to outwit each other to get close to Aunt Hilda is a joke because it is getting close to that wad of cash that drives them. In the process, the past can’t stay there when each of them is holding a grudge about the way things have turned out thinking that money solves everything.

So, prepare for a gathering around the family issues because its going to get weird.

In the end – where there’s a will there’s a war!

 

DREAM HORSE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and then On Demand From writer/director John Gatins and Bleeker Street comes a story of surprise, a community together and a DREAM HORSE.

Jan Vokes (Toni Collette) lives in a small Welsh town where everybody knows everybody. Getting up and going to work at the market and then at the local pub, Jan is feeling the itch to do something more with her life. That's when she gets the idea to buy a mare and breed a race horse.

Husband Brian "Daisy" (Owen Teale) cannot believe what his wife could be thinking but finds himself building a stable in their back yard. Knowing it is going to take a flow of money to make this happen, Jan enlists the help of Howard Davies (Damian Lewis) who has some experience with horses.

Calling a town meeting, Jan explains her plan and soon discovers that there is excitement brewing and many want to be included. Now comes the hard part, finding a mare and finding the right horse to breed her with. As things begin to fall into place - a foal is born, and the town is abuzz. The group comes together and names their spirted young foal Dream Alliance.

Now it is time for the alliance to see what their faith and money have brought them. It is time to race until Dream finds himself and his alliance at the Welsh Grand Nationals.

Collette as Jan is perfect for this role in that she has the ability to make her role look easy. Pushed by life and a strong belief in something better for everyone, Collette gives her character the same feistiness as the foal she is truly fond of.

Lewis as Davies is a man who has a history, both good and not so good, with horse racing. Not so sure about Jan from the beginning, Lewis gives his character a second chance to make things right with the choices he has made in his life and making good on a past mistake with his family. Lewis also gets the opportunity to play a role that is not as intense as his HOMELAND and BILLIONS character and it is nice to see.

Vokes as Owen is a man who has been letting the television tell him about the world around him. Once Dream comes into their lives, he finds that passion for life can be found in a smelly stable - and he is happy about it. Trying to support his wife and do right by the townspeople is where his difficulties lie.

The townsfolk and family round out the rest of the cast and provide laughs, smiles and a sense of community so thank you goes to Nicholas Farrell as Phillip Hobbs, Sian Phillips as Maureen, Karl Johnson as Kerby, Peter Davison as Lord Avery, Steffan Rhodri as Gerwyn, Anthony O'Donnell as Maldwyn, Alex Jordan as Johnson White, Max Hutchinson as James Lingsford, Lynda Baron as Elsie, Asheq Akhtar as Peter, and Darren Evans as Goose.

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

DREAM HORSE has many facets to it for a wide-ranging audience. First, it is a story based on the life of Dream Alliance and the history of his races. There were many other races than the ones shown in the film and he did exceedingly well and retired in 2012 to a life of leisure.

The film is also the story of a Welsh community who came together for something that gave them all great joy and excitement. There is something to be said for that, especially in times where a community can feel apart and disconnected.

Finally, it is the story of a woman who did something unique and saw it through till the end. She didn't hesitate to make decisions and made it perfectly clear that her objective was to protect Dream at all costs. Standing up for herself brought others around her to do the very same and that is everything.

So gather the family to watch a story that is filled with determination, love, friendship and understanding for both the two legged and four legged creatures of the earth and enjoy DREAM HORSE.

In the end - hearts will race!

KNIVES OUT

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres in time for the holidays from writer/director Rain Johnson and Lionsgate is a murder mystery that has more twists than a red vine with KNIVES OUT.

Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is a very rich man who made his fortune writing crime novels. Having an 85th birthday party he invites friends and family over to celebrate. The next morning, Harlan is in his upstairs den when Fran (Edi Patterson) the housekeeper finds him dead! The family is brought together after his funeral as police officers Lt. Elliott (LaKeith Stanfield), Trooper Wagner (Noah Segan) and the mysterious Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) have more questions.

The questioning begins with Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis), Thrombey's oldest daughter, her husband Richard (Don Johnson), Walt Thrombey (Michael Shannon), wife Donna (Riki Lindhome) and son Jacob (Jaeden Martell), daughter-in-law Joni Thrombey (Toni Collette) and daughter Meg (Katherine Langford), Greatnana Wanetta (K Callan) and finally Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas) who was Harlan's nurse. The one person taking his time getting there is the Drysdale's son Ransom (Chris Evans).

As each of them are questioned, a story emerges once you get past the 'oh we all loved him' speeches. At the party, each of the family members had a conversation with Harlan that puts them in the category of suspect. While the police go on with their work, Blanc begins to ask more questions and start putting pieces together that, on the outside, seem to fit very well.

Blanc finds Marta to be the person who knows a lot about the family having spent so much time with Harlan. Since she also has a condition that makes her unable to lie, Marta is Blanc's best hope for finding more clues. When Harlan's attorney comes to read the will, chaos ensues when the family doesn't get what they are hoping for. Fingers begin to point and tongues begin to wag in a way that Blanc just sits back and listens.

But not everything is as it seems and not everyone is telling the truth - including who the mystery person is that hired Blanc from the beginning. When it comes time to reveal everything, the family is going to have to rethink their lives.

Then again, that's what happens when the knives are out!

Craig as Blanc is, what Ransom calls the 'CSI KFC'. He is a sleuth with a southern accent who has the uncanny ability to be patient. When the family is in the room together, he is the one just listening to the insults, the accusations and the mayhem because, as we all know, that's when truth has a tendency to show itself. I just love Craig's character from beginning to end. He has an opinion but doesn't always share it and when it comes time for the who-dun-it, his piecing together is fast, furious and hilarious.

De Armas as Marta knows just about everything there is to know about Harlan's family. She isn't just his nurse but became a friend because she believed he needed one.  Watching the family all lose their minds, Marta tries to steer clear until it becomes impossible for her to do so. De Armas is such a strong character in the film filled with strong characters. Besides Blanc, Marta is the most likeable character in the film - well done young lady!

Curtis as Linda just drives me happy being on the screen. She is witty, quick and a smartass all rolled in one which is what I was hoping for. Don't let the manicured nails fool you, she has her own problems and Daddy is just one of them. Johnson as hubby Richard goes along to get along. Marrying into a rich family doesn't give him a lot of wiggle room but when cornered, he just throws a wad of money and hopes it goes away. Evans as son Ransom is a spoiled rotten little smart mouth who hasn't done a day's work in his life relying only on the good graces and large bank account of grandfather Hanlan. Ransom is handsome, charming and good looking which is okay every everybody in the audience!

Shannon as Walt is the nervously tall son who is frustrated with his father over their publishing business. His frustration grows when he doesn't know exactly where he stands or if he's out of a job! Then again his nervousness could be making him shaky just being in the room with his nutty family! Lindhome as Donna is a wife finding solace in a very large glass of something alcoholic! Martell as Jacob is a young man stuck in the world of technology and truly disinterested in the ravings of the adults around him.

Collette as Joni Thrombey only married into the family yet enjoys the financial benefits, especially with daughter Meg going to college on Grandpa's many dimes. Like Curtis, Collette is smart (well, sort of) and doesn't hesitate to throw sarcasm around with ease. There are looks she gives that just had me breaking out in laughter.  Langford as daughter Meg is opinionated and has no fear of the family and their antics. When it comes time to take sides, she does slip a bit and has a moment of weakness.

Stanfield as Lt. Elliott is investigating Harlan's death believing it to be a suicide and just trying to wrap things up. When Blanc enters the picture, that wrapping up isn't exactly going to plan. Segan as Wagner is so infatuated with the case having to so with his favorite crime writer that he's just happy to be there!

Okay, kudos, hats off and cheers to Callan as Greatnana. She doesn't have a lot to say but her presence in the film is just icing on the mysterious cake.

Other cast include: Marlene Forte as Marta's mother, M. Emmet Walsh as Mr. Proofroc, Frank Oz as Alan Stevens.

DEATHTRAP (1982) and CLUE (1985) are two of my favorite sleuthing films and I will stop what I'm doing anytime I see them on cable and watch. To this day I still laugh as hard now as I did the very first time I saw each of them. I can finally add KNIVES OUT to that small list of who-dun-it's and I couldn't be happier about it.

The film just has absolutely everything and yet it's kept very simple in its telling. The wit that flies around the film at break neck speed is sheer perfection for someone like me who would have the same responses if a sleuthing thing with a family like the Thrombey's ever happened in my life. The film is wrapped in cleverness that is just twisted as the storyline itself.

From the very first frame it seemed that the cast was having too good of a time with their roles because each of them made it look all too easy. The flow was spectacular and even when I thought the film had given everything away in the first half, I was in for so much more than I could have bargained for. Even the audience had a moment where they were a little concerned that it wasn't going to go anywhere fast but the laughter kept coming.

Catching the flittering of jabs being thrown to falling for Greatnana, KNIVES OUT is just a good time in the theatre with a bucket of popcorn and good friends. The emotional ups and downs is a rollercoaster ride of a tale in seats that don't come with a harness. Throw your hands up and enjoy the ride because I suspect there won't be another like it for another thirty-seven years.

In the end - everyone has a motive and no one has a clue!