A Decision is Made in NINE DAYS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Edson Oda and Sony Picture Classics is a tale of life, mystery, and even love learning it all in NINE DAYS.

In an interesting position of the universe, Will (Winston Duke) judge’s souls before they are sent to a human being. Living in a quiet house in the middle of nowhere, he spends his time researching and interviewing soul-candidates.

When he is not doing that, Will watches people that are living their daily lives. One in particular is Amanda. She is a violinist that plays music that touches Will, although its hard to see it by his demeanor. On the day she is to give a big recital, Will is joined by Kyo (Benedict Wong), another who also has the same job as Will but a more outgoing judge.

What happens while they wait is something that sends will into disbelief. That does not stop him from interviewing candidates to take Amanda’s place. As each candidate comes into his office, he tells them the process takes nine days and all the while taking copious notes to their responses.

Emma (Zazie Beetz) has caught Will’s attention as she seems to show an interesting in what is happening without really caring how the process works. But, Will is not going to be distracted, even when Kyo brings someone to him that shows him more about Amanda. Refusing to react, he is then subjected to Emma’s curiosity and candidate Alex’s (Tony Hale) calling him out.

As Will begins to send candidates away, the choice becomes even narrower and so does Will’s perceptions. Making a decision based on emotions he refuses to accept; a moment comes where Will has to accept the choice he has made.

Duke as Will gives us a mysterious character to follow and be totally curious about. Even as his story unfolds, Will is a mystery wrapped in an enigma because he calmly does not give anything away about his ‘life’ or how the process of the 9-days works. The moments of emotion that he does give are powerful and moving. Duke may be a judge of soul-candidates but there is something much deeper that he brings to this role.

Wong as Kyo is the yang to Will’s yin. He is full of emotion, says what he feels, is curious about the people they are dealing with and has an instant response of the event surrounding Amanda. He takes an instant liking to Emma and again, is not afraid to show it. Trying to help Will deal with his unfeeling-ness is like a second job for Kyo and he is more successful than he realizes.

Beetz as Emma is a free-spirit spirit that takes the nine days as it comes. She sees the joy in everything and is curious about the world she is in now and not whether she will see another world soon. She is lovely and entertaining with a laugh that is contagious. Watching Beetz’s character work her unassuming magic is everything and Emma is pure gold.

Hale and Skarsgard are the two candidates that are so interesting to watch because, like Will, they are hard to read most of the time. Hale is willing student to the process and does give Will something to thing about. Skarsgard is a candidate that does not give anything but in his responses tells everything – kind of scared me a bit too.

Other cast include David Rysdahl as Mike, Arianna Ortiz as Maria, Geraldine Hughes as Colleen, Erika Vasquez as Luiza, Perry Smith as Anne, and Bill Skarsgard as Kane.

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.

The Special Feature includes THE MAKING OF NINE DAYS.

NINE DAYS is a stunning and powerful look at belief and the ‘process’ of the soul. It is truly a beautiful film to just sit back and let it come to you piece by piece. It challenges us, in a great way, to think about who would we be, how would be handle the nine days?

It is a desire to be born but each candidate has a different way of wanting it because they are in different stages of thought. The questions Will asks also asks us; how would we answer? Do we think about the spirituality of it all or the metaphysical implications of the nine days? Yes, NINE DAYS will have everyone watching asking so many questions.

Outside of Will’s house may seem desolate but to me, it is beautiful with sunsets that are stunning and even the characters walking around at night is lovely. Duke’s recitation of Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself is a celebration of the beauty of the entire film from start to finish.

In the end – would you be chosen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOY STORY 4 Reunited Our Favorite Friends

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital Code from director Josh Cooley, Pixar Animated Studios and Walt Disney Pictures Home Entertainment brings back our friends for TOY STORY 4.

Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the gang are still living with Bonnie. As time has gone on, Woody has found himself spending more time in the closet and less time with Bonnie. Yet Buzz, Jessie (Joan Cusack), Dolly (Bonnie Hunt), Trixie (Kristen Schaal), Rex, (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris) and the gang are still supportive of Woody.

But he has other things to worry about when Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) is upset about going off to kindergarten. Taking the initiative, Woody decides to make sure she has a good day! When things don't seem to be going in that direction, he helps Bonnie create a new friend, Forky (Tony Hale) and she is delighted.

Before the real school year starts, Mom and Dad decide it's time to go on a little road trip. The toy-gang is thrilled as well and wait to be packed into the RV for a little adventure. When Forky escapes the RV, Woody tells he gang he will meet them at the RV park in the next town while he goes off to settle their new toy friend down a bit.

It gives time for Woody and Forky to bond as the sheriff gets time to explain the situation to him. Getting close to the RV park, Woody sees something in an antique store window. A lamp that his friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts) once called her home with the three sheep Billy, Goat and Gruff. Taking a small detour to find out if she is in the shop, he and Forky meet Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) who only wants one thing from Woody!

When she doesn't get it, Gabby Gabby takes Forky as hostage at the same time Woody finds Bo Peep. Now she needs to bring her friends to help including Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) because Bonnie and her parents are about to leave the RV park and not everyone is aboard. Buzz jumps into action to help as the gang in the RV make a little plan of their own.

It's pretty much help your friends, help your new friends and make a decision that will change the lives of everybody all while getting back to Bonnie.

Because that's what friends do for one another!

Hanks as Woody will now and forever be considered a beloved icon in both movies and animation. He has brought all of us so much love and teachable lessons in the character of Sheriff Woody. From the very first TOY STORY in 1995, I knew this was going to be a ride from adults to children, little did I know now that it would include grandchildren. Woody can be found in kids' rooms still because he is the friend we all wish we could have for a lifetime.

Allen as Buzz is once again the lighthearted friend who tries to keep Woody's spirits up and when it comes time to bring him home, it is Buzz who go to find him. They are an unbeatable pair and even if he is still a little confused sometimes, he doesn't let that stop him from hearing his own 'inner voice'.

Potts as Bo Peep is sweet, strong and has a little fight in her swagger. She has a story to tell and it is about where she has been and how she now sees the world. McGraw as Bonnie is such a young girl learning to be outside of her bedroom and toy world into something much bigger – but she still needs her toy friends.

Cusack, Hunt, Schaal, Shawn, Ratzenberger, Benson, Clark, Rickles, Harris return as their respective and beloved characters and, of course, we wouldn't have it any other way. As much as there wouldn't be a TOY STORY without Woody and Buzz, there equally wouldn't be a Woody and Buzz without Jessie, Dolly, Rex, Hamm, Barbie and the Potato Heads.

Hendricks as Gabby Gabby can be a little bit off putting and a tad-bit like Lotso from TOY STORY 3 in that she wants to be large and in charge. It is clear that there are deeper issues and Woody needs to get to the bottom of it.

Reeves as Duke Caboom may have only been in the film briefly but man did he make me laugh! This was a fantastic chance for Reeves to show his comedic side in a way that most would see as unexpected and awesome at the same time.

Other cast include Bill Hader as Axel the Carnie, Ally Maki as Giggle McDimples, Jay Hernandez as Bonnie's Dad, Lori Alan as Bonnie's Mom, Emily Davis as Billy/Goat/Gruff, Carl Weathers as Combat Carls, Jeff Garlin as Buttercup, Jordan Peele as Bunny Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants, Jodie Benson as Barbie, Jeff Pidgeon as Aliens, and especially Mel Brooks as Melephant Brooks, Carol Burnett as Chairol Burnett, Betty White as Bitey White and Carl Reiner as Carl. Reineroceros.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and 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 available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

The Bonus Extras include Deleted Scenes, Bo Rebooted - Bo Peep is Back and Stronger Than Ever, Toy Stories - Cast and Crew Remember Their Beloved Childhood Toys, Woody & Buzz - A Look Back At A Legendary Friendship, Toy Box - Meet the New Cast of Characters, Let's Ride! With Ally Maki - A Humorous Lesson in Voice Recording AND MORE!

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.

TOY STORY 4 is a chance for the toys themselves to actually have an adventure that is about – well – them! Of course there is the continuing story of Bonnie but it is also about how these toys are still caring of one another.

They have their own attachments and feelings about the years they have spent together and TOY STORY 4 has a chance to tell that side of it all and do so in a way that brings closure we didn't even know we needed. The best part is that now we can all watch again and again toys that have become part of our lives as much as Andy and Bonnie's. Something tells me they don't mind.

In the end – on the road of life there are old friends, new friends and stories that will change you forever!

TOY STORY 4 Reunited Our Favorite Friends

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Josh Cooley, Pixar Animated Studios and Walt Disney Pictures brings back our friends for TOY STORY 4.

Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the gang are still living with Bonnie. As time has gone on, Woody has found himself spending more time in the closet and less time with Bonnie. Yet Buzz, Jessie (Joan Cusack), Dolly (Bonnie Hunt), Trixie (Kristen Schaal), Rex, (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris) and the gang are still supportive of Woody.

But he has other things to worry about when Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) is upset about going off to kindergarten. Taking the initiative, Woody decides to make sure she has a good day! When things don’t seem to be going in that direction, he helps Bonnie create a new friend, Forky (Tony Hale) and she is delighted.

Before the real school year starts, Mom and Dad decide it’s time to go on a little road trip. The toy-gang is thrilled as well and wait to be packed into the RV for a little adventure. When Forky escapes the RV, Woody tells he gang he will meet them at the RV park in the next town while he goes off to settle their new toy friend down a bit.

It gives time for Woody and Forky to bond as the sheriff gets time to explain the situation to him. Getting close to the RV park, Woody sees something in an antique store window. A lamp that his friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts) once called her home with the three sheep Billy, Goat and Gruff. Taking a small detour to find out if she is in the shop, he and Forky meet Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) who only wants one thing from Woody!

When she doesn’t get it, Gabby Gabby takes Forky as hostage at the same time Woody finds Bo Peep. Now she needs to bring her friends to help including Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) because Bonnie and her parents are about to leave the RV park and not everyone is aboard. Buzz jumps into action to help as the gang in the RV make a little plan of their own.

It’s pretty much help your friends, help your new friends and make a decision that will change the lives of everybody all while getting back to Bonnie.

Because that’s what friends do for one another!

Hanks as Woody will now and forever be considered a beloved icon in both movies and animation. He has brought all of us so much love and teachable lessons in the character of Sheriff Woody. From the very first TOY STORY in 1995, I knew this was going to be a ride from adults to children, little did I know now that it would include grandchildren. Woody can be found in kids rooms still because he is the friend we all wish we could have for a lifetime.

Allen as Buzz is once again the lighthearted friend who tries to keep Woody’s spirits up and when it comes time to bring him home, it is Buzz who go to find him. They are an unbeatable pair and even if he is still a little confused sometimes, he doesn’t let that stop him from hearing his own ‘inner voice’.

Potts as Bo Peep is sweet, strong and has a little fight in her swagger. She has a story to tell and it is about where she has been and how she now sees the world. McGraw as Bonnie is such a young girl learning to be outside of her bedroom and toy world into something much bigger – but she still needs her toy friends.

Cusack, Hunt, Schaal, Shawn, Ratzenberger, Benson, Clark, Rickles, Harris return as their respective and beloved characters and, of course, we wouldn’t have it any other way. As much as there wouldn’t be a TOY STORY without Woody and Buzz, there equally wouldn’t be a Woody and Buzz without Jessie, Dolly, Rex, Hamm, Barbie and the Potato Heads.

Hendricks as Gabby Gabby can be a little bit off putting and a tad-bit like Lotso from TOY STORY 3 in that she wants to be large and in charge. It is clear that there are deeper issues and Woody needs to get to the bottom of it.

Reeves as Duke Caboom may have only been in the film briefly but man did he make me laugh! This was a fantastic chance for Reeves to show his comedic side in a way that most would see as unexpected and awesome at the same time.

Other cast include Bill Hader as Axel the Carnie, Ally Maki as Giggle McDimples, Jay Hernandez as Bonnie’s Dad, Lori Alan as Bonnie’s Mom, Emily Davis as Billy/Goat/Gruff, Carl Weathers as Combat Carls, Jeff Garlin as Buttercup, Jordan Peele as Bunny Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants, Jodie Benson as Barbie, Jeff Pidgeon as Aliens, and especially Mel Brooks as Melephant Brooks, Carol Burnett as Chairol Burnett, Betty White as Bitey White and Carl Reiner as Carl. Reineroceros.

TOY STORY 4 is a chance for the toys themselves to actually have an adventure that is about – well – them! Of course there is the continuing story of Bonnie but it is also about how these toys are still caring of one another.

They have their own attachments and feelings about the years they have spent together and TOY STORY 4 has a chance to tell that side of it all and do so in a way that brings closure we didn’t even know we needed.

In the end – on the road of life there are old friends, new friends and stories that will change you forever!

VEEP is Making History with it’s Complete Sixth Season on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray from HBO Home Entertainment is the amazing cast and Emmy Winning comedy back to share all with VEEP: The Complete Sixth Season.

President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is not handling the loss in the Senate resolving the Electoral College tie that ended last season. Her staff has gone to the four winds as Dan (Reid Scott) can be found on CBS This Morning television, and Amy (Anna Chlumsky) is set to marry politician Buddy Calhoun. Jonah (Timothy Simons) is still in Congress and now Kent is working for him.

Her only continuing contact is with Mike (Matt Walsh) who has become Mr. Mom taking care of his three kids while helping Selina with her memoir. Richard (Sam Richardson) is still helping her as well even if Gary (Tony Hale) isn’t happy about it.

As Selina works on her Presidential library, she finds out Andrew has been cheating. What’s worse is that it’s with the woman who painted her official portrait – how’s that for kicking a former President while she’s already down! Dealing with Buddy’s (Matt Oberg) latest potential tabloid fodder, Amy works on a way to downplay his DUI arrest.

Participating as an observer in Georgia’s free elections, Selina learns how their process works and the word ‘bribe’ is thrown around. Ready to head back to the states, the rumor mill is working overtime as she hears that a Supreme Court nomination is in the wind.

Before heading for Qatar, Selina finally picks a location for her library. Once in Qatar, she finds herself in the middle of photo ops that prove to be more than she had anticipated. So much for putting Tibet first and foremost.

Between unveiling her Presidential portrait and Gary’s birthday party, things couldn’t get crazier – or could they. Selina’s diary ends up in the hands of Amy and Mike and it contains more secrets than even they could have imagined.

A better book is Selina’s memoirs and thinking she just might have something good going; an expose also comes out that doesn’t paint her in the best light. Jonah is trying to make his place in politics and that too isn’t exactly going to plan as a grab for it all leaves him empty handed.

The Presidential library breaks ground but that isn’t the only news that is about to be shared in life and in the White House!

First of all, a big congratulations goes out to VEEP’s new Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Actually she continues to win an Emmy for her role as Selina Meyer and I, for one and many, couldn’t be happier. She has made her mark in this series and continues to do so. I always encourage my friends to watch the show and even more so to do a marathon of VEEP when a Bluray is released right before the next season. This show is witty, smart and has a cast that is complete perfection.

What stands out is the satirical slaps that have continued for six seasons and shows no signs of slowing down. The narrative of the show is one of politics, weird slips, anxiety, dysfunction, sharp and even twisted in a way that makes us all stop and think – hmmmm…this isn’t that far from the mark now is it!

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

The Bluray includes the episodes Omaha, Library, Georgia, Justice, Chicklet, Qatar, Blurb, Judge, A Woman First and Groundbreaking. The Bonus Features include Seven Audio Commentaries with Cast & Crew including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, David Mandel and more!

VEEP was created by Armando Iannucci, Oscar nominee for co-writing IN THE LOOP, along with David Mandel as Executive Producer and Showrunner for Seasons Five and Six. The ensemble cast includes two-time Emmy winner Tony Hale, Emmy nominee Anna Chlumsky, Emmy nominee Matt Walsh, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Kevin Dunn, Emmy nominee Gary Cole and Sam Richardson.

In the end – they are making history whether you like it or not!

BRAVE NEW JERSEY Takes on War of the Worlds

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and On Demand this Friday from writer/director Jody Lambert and Gravitas Ventures is a town you will come to know as BRAVE NEW JERSEY.

It is 1938 small town New Jersey, USA and everyone is getting ready for a fun town gathering for Halloween. Lorraine Davison (Heather Burns) is helping her husband Paul (Sam Jaeger) by being the perfect homemaker. Happiness doesn’t seem to be part of the formula of their marriage but Lorraine does what she can to make family life easy.

Daughter Ann (Grace Kaufman) just wants to be free of babysitting her Polish cousin Ziggy (Harp Sandman). The fact that he doesn’t speak English gives her leeway to complain but Mom isn’t having it.

Teaching school is Peg (Anna Camp) who is being courted by Chardy Edwards (Matt Oberg) who believes she has her place and it’s by his side. Clark Hill (Tony Hale) has lived in this small town and believes it is the perfect place to be, even if he has a secret of the heart he is keeping.

Reverend Rogers (Dan Bakkedahl) is all about the town and keeping his flock coming every Sunday. His sermons are straight to the point and reach to the heart of his parishioners that include Helen (Erika Alexander) and Stan (Leonard Howze).

That was the intent until the towners turns on their radios and discover that the Martians are invading the world! Running to the church for a meeting, Sheriff Dandy (Mel Rodriguez) doesn’t seem to have any answers either. The one person who wants to immediately plan to defend their town is Captain Collins (Raymond Barry).

In the middle of the preparations, town’s people begin to reevaluate their lives and what is important while waiting for the Martians to arrive. That means being honest about how they feel and, as Captain Collins put it ‘what would you do if you had only one more day to live?’

Martians are the least of their worries!

Burns as Lorraine is the stereotypical woman of the era in that it doesn’t matter what she wants because her job is to keep her husband and family well taken care of. As the invasion comes closer and closer, Lorraine realizes there is more to her life than cooking and cleaning. Hale as Hill is such a lovely character and I rooted for him every step of the way. His inability to speak his heart is running out of time if the Martians have a say in it.

Camp as Peg is the sweet schoolteacher who manages to hide her true feelings under her cute smile. As each moment brings the town closer to what they think is their doom, Camp gives Peg a pair of lady-balls and she let’s loose going against the era grain.

Jaeger as Paul is just everything women now would absolutely cringe about yet he does it with a Don Draper (Mad Men) glittering smile. Rogers as Bakkedahl is a pastor who apparently needs said aliens to get mouthy with God! The scene in the church is actually quite funny. Alexander as Helen calls on the Pastor to explain why this is all happening plus Howze as husband Stan has completely lost it!

Barry as Collins doesn’t care if there are Martians or not, this is the chance of a lifetime to put on his uniform and command the troops. Rodriguez as the Sheriff doesn’t seem to know much about anything except following the townsfolk.

Kaufman as Ann is a young girl who doesn’t believe everything she hears. Deciding to roam the town with her cousin and watch how the adults deal with their fear. I love how she has little fear (except maybe the Captain for a second) and takes a moment to realize that perhaps what was heard on the radio might be something else.

Other cast include Adina Galupa as Shannon, Sandra Lafferty as Farm Lady, Evan Jonigkeit as Sparky, Bill Coelius as Mac, Noah Lomax as Peter, Patrick Miller as Mr. Pepper and Gabriel Landis as Jimmy.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give BRAVE NEW JERSEY four tubs of popcorn out of five. First of all I love that the film looks exactly like the era from the clothing, behaviors and the town. That’s what drew me into the story immediately plus the fact that the cast captures it all.

The comedy is mixed with an awakening for its female characters not only in what was expected of them in marriage and relationships but it didn’t take some long to grab a gun! I was laughing, then ‘awwwww’ing’ which was followed by more laughing and I don’t mind that one little bit.

I’m keeping a little mum about the story because this film is just so dang cute that going any deeper into it isn’t cool. Just see the film and enjoy every minute of it!

The storyline is pretty cool with how I would have thought people reacted to the 1938 Orson Welles’s radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. Performed Halloween night on The Mercury Theatre on the Air, Welles directed and narrated the story that supposedly caused mass panic. By the way, that event still remains high on my list of the most brilliant things ever done.

In the end – it is an alien comedy with no aliens!