They are THE BIKERIDERS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital, streaming on Peacock and soon to Bluray from writer/director Jeff Nicols and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of THE BIKERIDERS.

Danny Lyon (Mike Faist) is a photography student who wants to hear the story of the Vandals and speaks to Kathy. It is 1965 and a very lovely Kathy (Jodie Comer) is with friends at the Vandals Motorcycle Club. Not wanting to stay longer, she gets up to leave when she sees Benny Cross (Austin Butler) and is stopped in her tracks. Also watching her is Johnny (Tom Hardy), the leader of the Chicago based Vandals. When Kathy accepts a ride home from Benny, they are married weeks later.

Kathy finds herself caught up in the whirlwind of being a woman who is in the club. When Benny is beat up badly, she tries to convince him to leave the club but he is dedicated to the club and the members in it. Johnny has another way of handling things and it is dangerous and destructive but it is how the club handles anyone who hurts a member.

One day, passing through on a ride, a young man known as The Kid (Toby Wallace) sees the power in riding and wants to be a part of the club. Johnny doesn’t believe he has what it takes making it clear that he is not going to be a Vandal. The Kid isn’t about to be dissuaded in any way and decides his time will come and when it does, the Vandals will never be the same.

Hardy as Vandals leader Johnny is a leader that believes in action before talk. Hardy plays this character as one who is keenly aware of the responsibilities to the members but gawd help anyone that hurt one of his guys. Looking out for them is a full-time job and he looks to Benny to help keep everything together.

Butler as Benny is quieter than the Vandals leader if that’s possible. He finds love with Kathy but makes it clear that the club comes first which puts a strain from time to time on their relationship. Butler uses his longing stares and wicked smile to the role of a man who puts himself in harms way intentional or not and usually with consequences that don’t seem to change him.

Comer as Kathy has no trouble talking about her history with Benny and Johnny and where the club was when she started hanging out in 1965. She also has no trouble talking about her feelings regarding everything she experienced and the changes to the club that were inevitable. Comer is quick in this role and has moments where her accented sarcasm is so well done and suits the character absolutely.

Wallace as The Kid comes in later to the story but is important as he is the catalyst for changing everything on his terms with no apologies. There is a streak in this character that has even less fear that Benny and Johnny and that’s all it took, that one extra step of ‘no fear’.

Shout out to Michael Shannon and Norman Reedus! I’m happy anytime I see these two actors on screen. Reedus gets a chance to be crazy and back on the bike so I’m sure he jumped at the chance to play Funny Sonny.

Other cast include Boyd Holbrook as Cal, Damon Herriman as Brucie, Karl Glusman as Corky, Happy Anderson as Big Jack, Paul Sparks as Gary, Will Oldham as the Bartender, Emory Cohen as Cockroach, Beau Knapp as Wahoo, Michael Shannon as Zipco and Norman Reedus as Funny Sonny.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

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.

Exclusive Bonus Features include Johnny, Benny & Kathy – From the accents to the attitude, get to know the lead characters of THE BIKERIDERS. Hear from the cast and producing team on how they took the personalities and environments from a book of photographs and brought a narrative to the big screen, The Era of THE BIKERIDERS – Grab your leather jacket and gear up for a ride as we enter the era of THE BIKERIDERS, and Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Jeff Nichols.

THE BIKERIDERS is a story about those who rode their bikes and the troubles they got into for it. Growing up in the 1970’s, there were plenty of stories out in the world (yes, before the internet) about “biker gangs” and the havoc they were wreaking on society. Living in a small beach community, we had our own biker bar that had one window and gawd help the town if anyone tried to peek inside. The bikes were big (so were some of the riders) and the bikes were loud, that was all we needed to know.

That’s the feeling I got from this film, as if I took a step back in time. The look and feel of the film is truly amazing and nostalgic. This was a club of bad boys who just wanted to do whatever they wanted to do with no repercussions if someone tried to interfere. The women are second to the club and if you couldn’t cut that, well, then being a biker ole lady wasn’t (and still isn’t) something to be a part of.

The cast did a fantastic job of bringing this story from book to screen. The story is inspired by Danny Lyon’s photo-book THE BIKERIDERS. Lyon’s was himself a member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club for a year saying, “I was kind of horrified by the end…realizing that some of these guys were not so romantic after all”. Soon after, Lyon’s turned to documenting the lives of inmates in Texas prisons.

In the end - outsiders become legends!

They are Running to KANDAHAR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Ric Roman Waugh, Open Road Films and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of two men who are running to KANDAHAR.

Tom Harris (Gerard Butler) is a slick CIA operative in Afghanistan that has just finished a dangerous job destroying a nuclear site. Now the focus is on returning home for his teen daughter Ida’s graduation. Operative Roman Chalmers (Travis Fimmel) brings him in at the last minute for a mission that will not wait. Going into Iran to finish taking down is going to be the most dangerous thing Harris has done.

Meeting up with interpreter Mohammed ‘Mo’ (Navid Negahban) has been brought in to help and that’s all. Also, Mo knows the area having been born and raised in Kabul and can get anything Harris needs. But the Afghani also has his own personal reasons to be in this situation. When a journalist is kidnapped and information on who is responsible for the nuclear plant destruction, all hell breaks loose.

The first on it is an angry Afghan leader Kahil (Ali Fazal) wants one thing, to prove himself a powerful leader. Now he has his mission, to get Harris and bring him to those who will reward him. With informants everywhere, Harris and Mo make a run for it and the only place they can go is an airstrip in Kandahar, the catch – be there in thirty hours before the C-130 takes off.

Never knowing who to trust, Harris and Mo make their way through two-faced friendlies but with guns behind their backs. Everyone knows that Harris is worth a fortune to the highest bidder and everyone plays the game to their advantage.

It’s cat and mouse in a rugged and dangerous country.

Butler as Harris gives a tough guy storyline as a man who is slick and knowledgeable about the dangers of both Afghanistan and Iran. This is a role that is smooth sailing for Butler as he takes on the role of a man who is quite capable as the enemy soon discovers and needs Mo as well.

Negahban as Mo is a man who takes the mission because he has things he needs to do personally. His story is one of family, loyalty and getting out alive from a country that holds nothing but death for him. Negahban is focused on what is to be done and knows he needs Harris to get back to his own family.

Fazal as Kahil is an Afghani who lives in two worlds, one of a fighter and one of a man who soaks up everything from the western culture. There is the added bonus to the thrill of the chase for Fazal and Kahil gives it everything to make us believe it.

Shout out to Fimmel because he has been missed! He will always be Ragnar to those of us with Viking blood (yea so what, he’s an Aussie by birth!) but he has since chosen his roles well and given us more of what he can do in his career. He can currently be seen in the series BLACK SNOW.

Cast also includes Bahador Foladi as Farzad Asadi, Olivia-Mai Barrett as Ida Harris, Hakeem Jomah as Rasoul, Bassilis Koukalani as Bashar, Rebecca Calder as Corrine Harris, Tom Rhys Harries as Oliver Altman, Ray Haratian as Ismail Rabbani, and Farhad Bagheri as Parshand.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

Open Road Films was acquired by Raven in 2018 and relaunched in 2020 with former head Tom Ortenberg at the helm. The company immediately had two consecutive #1 theatrical release openings in the US: Honest Thief, starring Liam Neeson, Kate Walsh and Jai Courtney, directed by Mark Williams; and The Marksman starring Liam Neeson and directed by Robert Lorenz. For more please visit www.openroadfilms.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.

Butler and Negahban play well together as both are men with families to get home to but also a healthy fear of the men in the country they are in. No one can be trusted and the ones that can are far away and unreachable. That leaves only one thing – run as fast as a car and their feet will take them.

It is also a story of two men who has no reason to trust one another but do. The cast brings in the destructive, dangerous and tenuous element of action to the film and it is non-stop. There is nothing between Kerat and Kandahar but open space and questionable trust but they must get through all of that where the C-130 is not going to wait forever.

In the end – the only thing more dangerous than the mission is the escape!

Santa is Bring SILENT NIGHT on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Tommy Wirkola and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a different look about the man from the North Pole with VIOLENT NIGHT.

The holidays are here and Santa Claus (David Harbour) is disillusioned, disgusted and dismayed at what has happened to Christmas. Not his usual ho-ho-ho self, he does the minimum to get the job done and not with an ounce of jolly.

Jason Lightstone (Alex Hassell) gets wife Linda (Alexis Louder) to agree to go to mom Gertrude’s (Beverly D’Angelo) house for Christmas. Taking daughter Trudy (Leah Brady), it becomes clear quickly that there are family issues. Waiting for them is Jason’s sister Alva (Edi Patterson), her bad actor husband Morgan (Cam Gigandet) and son Bert (Alexander Elliot).

There is the usual sibling bickering about the family company and money. That is until all Christmas breaks loose as Mr. Scrooge (John Leguizamo) enters their festivities. He brings his band of merry gun-toting mercenary elves with only one mission – get money and go!

The problem is, they didn’t expect Santa to be in the house who catches on real quick that this is not the house to be visiting. Finding a radio, Santa hears Trudy on her radio telling him not only what she wants for Christmas but what is happening in the house. Wanting to walk away, there is something about Trudy that makes Santa decide that he needs to remember who he is and that makes all the difference.

It’s skull cracking time!

Harbour as Santa Claus is hilarious, sweet, a little vicious but has a story to tell. Once the gang realizes there is a Santa in the house, the chase is on and Harbour gets down and dirty. That makes the film so much more fun in a twisted sort of way. It is next to impossible not to cheer for Harbour’s character and, to be honest, I was all for it. That is part of the fun of the film and trust when I say it is Harbour who makes it thrilling every frame of film.

Leguizamo as Mr. Scrooge is a guy who has serious issues of his own. Money starts out being the motive for the madness but I suspect that Leguizamo’s characters issues run holiday deep. Deciding to go all out to get what he wants, there is nothing or no one, not even Santa that is going to stop this well-designed plan. Then again, Scrooge vs. Santa is a whole other knock down drag out.

Hassell as Jason wants his family back but has to go through a lot this night to see if that can happen. Louder as Linda knows the Lightstone family are a lot but puts it all aside to do the right thing for her daughter, bet she wished she had made other plans! Patterson as Alva is just one hot mess who thinks she has what it takes to take her own brother down, yea, about that…..! Gigandet as Morgan is that family member that just can’t help but show why everyone else rolls their eyes.

Brady as Trudy is just a sweet young girl who wants her parents to be happy and spending Christmas together. When the chaos happens, she reaches out to Santa for help and does not seem surprised when he comes through. There is a bit of another film mixed into Brady’s characters bag of tricks and its pretty funny. Well done young lady, well done. Elliot as Bert portrays all the kids us older folk can’t stand to be around and he does it really well!

Let’s talk about D’Angelo as Gertrude. She is saucy, mouthy and can take a hit. She knows what her family thinks of her and it doesn’t change anything about her naughty attitude. I just love this character and D’Angelo did it all with nothing short of bad attitude sprinkled with Christmas glitter!

Other cast include Brendan Fletcher as Krampus, Mike Dopud as Commander Thorp, Stephanie Sy as Sugarplum, John Lowe as Pub Santa, Andre Eriksen as Bjorn, and Erik Athavale as Richard.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

Exclusive Bonus Feature include Deleted and Extended Scenes – Family Arrives at the Mansion, Jason and Linda in Bedroom, Krampus Sees Trudy’s Radio, Santa on the Roof, Walk to the Manger, Family Resolution, Bad Dad, Cast Call Back and Extended Scenes.

Also, Quarrelin’ Kringle – Cast and Crew Relay why David Harbour is the Perfect Brawler for this Combative Rendition of Santa. Santa’s Helpers: The Making of VIOLENT NIGHT – Tommy Wirkola and David Leitch has reunited for another madcap, violent fairytale with heart in VIOLENT NIGHT. This making-of will celebrate their spirited reunion as well as the other little helpers. Deck the Halls with Brawls – Go Behind the Action as we go Blow for Blow with the New Villains of Christmas.

Finally, Feature Commentary with Directory Tommy Wirkola, Producer Guy Danella, Writer Pat Casey and Writer Josh Miller.

VIOLENT NIGHT does not waste a moment and from beginning to end it is Harbour that is a mixture of comedy, drama and charming. Oh sure, Santa has a history and sure he seems like a crushing Ninja but that does not change the fact that he brings gifts to believers. Don’t get me wrong, the film is really violent, really bloody but it is also really hysterical.

Now that being said, it has been quite a while since I’ve seen a film that had me cheering, making faces and dropping my jaw. Okay, so tried to close my eyes and ended up looking through my fingers at one point but darn it was fun. The cast assembled bring a holiday film that I will predict right now will become a holiday tradition (at least in my house).

I think we found another twisted film to add to the family’s equally twisted Christmas binging tradition.

In the end – you better watch out!

Christmas is Iconic with THE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SPECIALS COLLECTION

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from Rankin/Bass and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the beloved holiday stories with THE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SPECIALS COLLECTION.

The joyous holiday season is even more wonderful and magical when RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER spends time with the family with the story told by Sam the Snowman (Burl Ives). The tale first aired in 1964, Rudolph (Billie Mae Richards) was born with an unusual nose that glowed! Pushed away by other reindeers, the young one decides to leave home in search of something better. Along for the journey is Hermey (Paul Soles), an elf who also feels like no one understands him wanting to be a dentist.

On their walk they meet Yukon Cornelius (Larry Mann) who is looking for silver and gold. After being chased by the Abominable, the three end up on the Island of Misfit Toys. The King (Stan Francis) asks that if they ever return home, to tell Santa there are toys who needs homes. Quickly, Rudolph has become a young buck and decides to go home. Once there, he discovers that his young decision has caused his family to be put in danger.

Everything is about to change for them all and Santa could not be happier!

Other cast include Stan Fracis as Santa Claus, Alfie Scoop as Fireball, Paul Kligman as Donner, Carl Banas as the Head Elf, Corinne Conley as Dolly for Sue, Peg Dixon as Mrs. Claus/Mrs. Donner, Bernard Cowan as Bumble and Janis Orenstein as Clarice.

Bonus Features for RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER include The Animagic World of Rankin/Bass, Restoring the Puppets of Rudolph, Reimagining Rudolph in 4D, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER Attraction Film and T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games.

Airing in 1969, Rankin/Bass Productions brings snow to the holiday season with FROSTY THE SNOWMAN. This story being told by Jimmy Durante, the school children are watching magician Professor Hinkle (Billy De Wolfe) try to entertain them. Going outside to play, they decide to build a snowman instead. Karen (June Foray) gives him the name Frosty (Jackie Vernon).

When a gust of wind comes up, the Professor’s hat blows off and Karen finds it putting it on Frosty’s head. Trying to reclaim the hat, it is his rabbit Hocus Pocus that gives it back to the children who bring Frosty to life. The bigger problem is that the temperature is rising and Frosty is beginning to feel it.

Knowing he needs to get to the North Pole. The children find a way to get Frosty and Karen on a refrigerated train car but the Professor is not far behind. Once the train stops, they must go through the forest as Hocus gets them help from the woodland creatures. All of this to get Frosty to Santa (Paul Frees) but will they be in time before the worst happens?

Bonus Features on FROSTY THE SNOWMAN include The Animagic World of Rankin/
Bass, Original Pencil Test and Commentary with Animation Historian Mark Evanier. 

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN comes to families in 1970 and continues to be one of my family’s favorites. Postman S.D. Kluger (Fred Astaire) tells the story of how Santa came to us all. In Sombertown, Burgermeister Meisterburger (Paul Frees) finds a baby wearing a tag named Claus (Mickey Rooney) and is sent to an orphanage.

Instead, a wind blows the baby to the Mountain of the Whsipering Winds (Keenan Wynn), and the animals know they must take him away before the Winter Warlock finds him. Instead, he is taken to the elf family known as the Kringles. Tanta Kringle (Joan Gardner), who comes from a toymaking family, accepts the boy and calls him Kris. As he gets older, Kris decides it is time to bring toys to Sombertown once again.

The Burgermeister trips and his injury causes him to ban toys in Sombertown. Finding other ways to bring toys to the children, Kris also meets Miss Jessica (Robie Lester) who wants to help. After a confrontation with the grumpy Burgermeister, Kris and his new penguin friend Topper make for the woods and is captured by the Winter Warlock. He has issues of his own but Kris has the magic to win people over.

The Burgermeister decides it is time to set traps for the law breaker but Kris has other plans making his way down chimney’s. Knowing that he will continue to be chased, Kris and Jessica decide to go to the North Pole where he can continue his work and bring joy to children everywhere!

Bonus Features of SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN include The Animagic World of Rankin/Bass and Commentary with Animation Historian Greg Ehrbar.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

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.

Newly restored on 4K Ultra and Bluray, the color we have come to know returns in stunning brilliance. Each film is not only enchanting but has proven to be timeless. Seeing them as a young girl was the highlight of the holiday season, so much so that when I had children, they became excited for them to show up on television.

Now, I can share them with my grandchildren and make a family evening of it. These are stories of hope, love, fun, friendship, family and joy. The sights and sounds of the holidays are brought to us by Rankin/Bass and have found their place in holiday history.

This is an amazing collection to add to your own home entertainment library making the holidays a little sweeter, a lot more fun and a reason to curl up with your family.

In the end – the holidays are coming home!

Classic Monsters Brings Thrills Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes UNIVERSAL CLASSIC MONSTERS Icons of Horror Collection.

THE MUMMY hit screens in 1932 as Boris Karloff plays Imhotep, a mummy who is killed for trying to bring his love Ankh-esen-amun back to him. Once revived, he becomes Ardeth Bey to everyone around him while still searching for his long-lost love. Bey meets Frank (David Manners) and Professor Pearson (Leonard Mudie) who are looking for her as well.

He also meets Helen Grosvenor (Zita Johann) who looks like his love. When his secrets are discovered, the only way to stop the mummy is to burn The Scroll of Thoth. The climatic ending brings Helen to Bey’s world of power and a time long past but who will survive?

Other cast include Arthur Byron as Sir Joseph Whemple, Edward Van Sloan as Dr. Muller, Bramwell Fletcher as Ralph Norton, Kathryn Byron as Frau Muller and James Crane as Pharaoh Amenophis.

Bonus Features on THE MUMMY includes: Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed, He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce, Unraveling the Legacy of THE MUMMY, THE MUMMY Archives, 100 Years of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era, Trailer Gallery, Feature Commentary with Film Historical Paul M. Jensen and Feature Commentary with Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns, and Brent Armstrong.

The 1935 hit THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN sees the return of Boris Karloff as The Monster. Percy Shelly (Douglas Walton) and Lord Byron (Gavin Gordon) tell Mary Shelley (Elsa Lanchester) that her story of the monster is well done. She tells them there is more to the story continuing with villagers and Hans (Reginald Barlow) wanting to see the bones of the monster. While looking, he discovers he is alive and going after wife Minnie (Mary Gordon).

Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) has his body returned to his beloved fiancée Elizabeth (Valerie Hobson). Minnie tries to warn her that the monster is alive but no one is listening to her. Elizabeth is more interested in helping Henry recover from his trauma. He reaches out to Dr. Septimus Pretorius (Dwight Frye) to continue his research., The monster believes he has found his mate, but everything starts to go wrong but in the midst of madness.

Other cast include E.E. Clive as Burgomaster, Dwight Frye as Karl, Ted Billings as Ludwig, and J. Gunnis Davis as Uncle Glutz.

Bonus Features on THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN includes: She’s Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein Archive, 100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics, Trailer Gallery and Feature Commentary with Scott MacQueen.

The 1943 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA brings Erique Claudin (Claude Rains) no longer plays at the Paris Opera House which effect the young Christine Dubois (Susanna Foster) with her voice lessons. He is devoted to her and at the same time sees Raoul Dubert (Edgar Barrier) wanting to marry her. He isn’t the only one as Anatole Garron (Nelson Eddie), a famous opera singer, wants her heart as well.

Trying to write music, Claudin takes it to Maurice Pleyel (Miles Mander) who rejects him, yet, he hears his music being played by Franz Liszt (Fritz Leiber). Rage causes Claudin to become injured and he runs to the sewers covering his face with a mask he steals from the opera house. Once again helping Christine, he knocks out the singer Biancarolli (Jane Farrar) for the opera Amour et Floire and they have no choice but to put Christine in her place. She is a success!

As everything starts to go wrong and the men try to stake their claim to Christine, it is the Phantom who kidnaps the girl. He wants her to sing only for him, but when Raoul and Anatole go after her, disaster strikes them all but in different ways.  

Other cast include J. Edward Bromberg as Amiot, Fritz Feld as Lecours, Frank Puglia as Villeneuve, Steven Geray as Vercheres, Hans Herbert as Marcel and Hume Cronyn as Gerard.

Bonus Features on PHANTOM OF THE OPERA includes: The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked, Production Photographs, 100 Years of Universal: The Lot, Theatrical Trailer and Feature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacQueen.

Finally, the 1954 CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON brings the expedition of Dr. Carl Maia (Antonio Moreno), Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson) and Dr. Mark Williams (Richard Denning) going down the Amazon to look for the fossils a creature with webbed fingers. Davis has brought his girlfriend Kay Lawrence (Julia Adams) and scientist Dr. Edwin Thompson (Whit Bissell) along.

Watching them is the ‘Gill-man’ (Ben Chapman/Ricou Browning) and he notices Kay following their boat down the river. When Kay goes for a swim, the creature follows and leaves behind a claw in the net. The scientists now know that the creature is real. Once captured, it doesn’t stay so for long and kidnaps Kay! David, Lucas and Carl know they must go after her and face the creature.

Other cast include Henry Escalante as Chico, Bernie Gozier as Zee, and Nestor Paiva as Captain Lucas.

Bonus Features of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON includes: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, Back to the Black Lagoon, Production Photographs, 100 Years of Universal: The Lot, Trailer Gallery and Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

What is amazing about this collection is that these are the movies my mother introduced me to because they are the movies her parents introduced her to! This was the height of frightening films and how I loved Friday nights in our house. First, making pizza (yes, there was a time when people made pizzas in their own home) and then pajamas, grabbing pillows to gather on the floor and making a night of horror films.

As my kids grew up, we did the same thing, tradition in the best possible way. It was a way to gather to have family time but also to enjoy some of the best monster movies ever made. The jumps, the richness of the black and white films, the chaos, the yelling at the screen was a blast as a child, a blast with my kids and now, a blast with the grandkids.

These characters are iconic and have made history because of the story, the cinematography, special effects and directors that knew exactly who to cast in the roles. Boris Karloff and Claude Rains brought exactly what these characters needed for us to be frightened but yet, also felt a bit of humanity at the lives they were forced to live.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has brought this awesome collection just in time for the spooky season so get your pizza made (or ordered), find the most comfortable p.j.’s you own, every pillow in the house and settle in with the lights out for a bit of monster binge watching!

All of these iconic characters are, well, misunderstood to my way of thinking which is probably why we enjoy them so much!

In the end – these are the icons of horror!

 

 

The Iconic TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital celebrating its 60^th Anniversary from director Robert Mulligan and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment based on the novel of the same name by Harper Lee is TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

Jean Louise Finch (Mary Badham) is a young girl who questions everything and is curious about the world around her. Called Scout by her brother Jem (Philip Alford) and father Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), they all live in Alabama in the 1930’s. Being raised by a single father, he relied on the help of their beloved housekeeper Calpurnia (Estelle Evans).

Scout and Jem spend their summer playing with friend Dill (John Megna) with their biggest game being that they want to see Boo Radley (Robert Duvall). He is a recluse who is never seen but lives with his brother Nathan (Richard Hale). That is odd considering Jem finds things inside a tree in the Radley yard. One time, Jem finds little carvings that look like Jem and Scout!

While they are off adventuring, father Atticus is a lawyer that works hard for the people of their small town. Sometimes folks pay with money but others pay with whatever they have, like food. All of his cases are important, but this summer Atticus is about to take on the hardest case ever. Tom Robinson (Brock Peters) has been arrested for the attack on Mayella Ewell (Collin Wilcox), the bigger issue, however, is that Tom is African American and Mayella is white.

Atticus does whatever possible to protect Tom until the trial starts as Jem and Scout see how the town reacts. When a covered mob of people come to the jail, it is Scout who calls out in recognition one of the men and they leave quickly.

As the trial begins, Tom tells how he had seen Mayella on the day in question and she looked like someone had beaten her up. She asked that Tom help break down a cabinet, a chifforobe and that is supposedly when he attacked the girl. Atticus also calls the girls father, Bob Ewell (James Anderson), and confronts the man about the actions of his daughter.

When the jury reaches its verdict, the African American community shows Atticus respect and soon after the reality of the world comes crashing home. Trying to continue with life, time passes as Scout is part of a school play, on their walk home, the children are attacked. Rescuing them is the most unlikely town’s person and who attacks them is no surprise.

What is a surprise is the decision to carry on as Scout walks Boo home.

Peck as Atticus Finch is a man who keeps himself in check at all times. He doesn’t ruffle easily and if he did, you would never know it. Peck gives the performance of a father who wants his children to always be aware of the world in its true form, with no blinders. I love this character and see why Peck was chosen for the role. It is honorable and beautiful in equal measure.

Badham as Scout is a young girl who questions everything and is probably the first female character that I remember not having a filter. Even when her own father tries to reign her in, Scout finds a way to make sure she is heard. She is a strong girl who sees injustice as her father taught her, knows life isn’t always fair and can be truly dangerous. Badham is perfection.

Alford as Jem also sees what his father is going through and feels extra protection toward pesky sister Scout. His is like Atticus in many ways in his quiet demeanor as if he is taking everything in rather than act out. Alford gives a wonderful portrayal.

Peters are Tom is a man who knows that there is no one who is going to listen or believe him except for Atticus. Telling his truth, the real truth falls on deaf ears during a time and place that makes it clear that only one race can be believed. Peters gives us all the emotion we would expect to see and does so with grace.

Wilcox as Mayella is a young woman that has no idea what she is doing. Whether put up to it by her father or trying to escape the life she is trapped in, this is a disturbed woman. From the moment she steps on the stand, it is hard to hear the lies that she is trying to believe herself. Well done Ms. Wilcox. Anderson as Bob is everything about the racially motivated south in his hatred of Tom and knowing he can hide behind his color. His anger and idea of revenge comes through the screen and it is frightening.

Now, let us speak on Mr. Duvall as Boo Radley – absolute and stunning perfection. His character does not have a big role in the film but instead a subtle reality of the world without a word being spoken. Instead, Boo is a gentle soul that finds his own way through the insanity and Scout sees its beauty. Just spectacular and memorable.

Other cast include Jester Hairston as Spence, Frank Overton as Sheriff Tate, Hugh Sanders as Doctor Reynolds, Rosemary Murphy as Miss Atkinson, Ruth White as Mrs. Dubose, Paul Fix as Judge Taylor, Paulene Myers as Jesse, Alice Ghostley as Miss Crawford, Jamie Forster as Mr. Townsend, William Windom as Horace Gilmer, Crahan Denton as Walter Cunningham, Kim Hamilton as Helen, Bill Walker as Reverend Sykes, and Kim Stanley who narrates the beginning of the film as adult Scout.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

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 Features include TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: All Points of View, Two Feature Length Documentaries: Fearful Symmetry and A Conversation with Gregory Peck, Academy Award Best Actor Acceptance Speech, American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, Excerpt from Tribute to Gregory Peck, Scout Remembers, Feature Commentary with Director Robert Mulligan and Produce Alan Pakua and more.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is an iconic and beloved film and if you haven’t read the book, you really should. The film is stark, strong and powerful every step of the way. Seeing it in black and white is sublime and if they ever tried to colorize it, I’d probably lose my mind.

The film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards with a win for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Gregory Peck, Best Writing Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for Horton Foote and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White for Alexander Golitzen, Henry Bumstead and Oliver Emert.

Also, a winner is Robert Mulligan for the Gary Cooper Award at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival, winner Best Foreign Actor for Gregory Peck from the David di Donatello Wards, Golden Globe winners Best Actor-Drama for Gregory Peck, Best Original Score for Elmer Bernstein and Best Film Promoting International Understanding. The list is almost endless!

I have always believed classrooms should carry this film, even with its delicate subject matter, because it is a teachable film. It is a story of humanity, lack of humanity, brutality, honorable actions and acceptance of those who might be different in so many different ways.

If it has been some time since you’ve seen the film, then see it again as well as introduce it to the next generation.

In the end – it is a sin to kill a mockingbird!

 

 

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary is the Beloved E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

 

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Steven Spielberg, Amblin Pictures and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the return of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.

Elliott (Henry Thomas) is a young boy living with his mother Mary (Dee Wallace), brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore) the suburb of the San Fernando Valley. It is a boy’s night as cards, music and pizza are taking over the house. Elliott thinks he sees something in the backyard and goes to investigate throwing a baseball toward a shed and is stunned when it comes back.

Running back into the house shrieking, he tries to tell everyone there is something out there. Finding nothing, everyone goes back to having fun but Elliott decides to set a candy-trap for whatever is out there. It works and he leads the creature into his large bedroom closet.

The next day he tells Mom he is sick and she trusts him to stay home in bed. The real plan is for Elliott to spend time with his backyard find. He spends the day showing the creature around introducing him to object and food. There is also a strange connection happening between the two.

When his siblings return home, Elliott introduces E.T. announcing that he’s keeping him. They all discuss what the plan is while E.T. shows what he can do reviving flowers and fixing a wound on his new friend Elliott. When he returns to school the next day, E.T. is at home gathering objects to make a strange contraption while Elliott is having a strange reaction at school.

Now called E.T., Elliott is told that his small friend wants to ‘phone home’ and it is clear that his health is failing. The boy enlists the help of Michael to find a way to get E.T. out so he can make contact with others of his own kind. What they don’t know is that there is someone else looking for the little alien as well.

Halloween provides the cover they need dressing up and taking E. T. out of the house. But the next morning, Elliott and E.T. are very sick. Keys (Peter Coyote) finds Elliott and E.T. as a crew takes over their house. Elliott turns to Michael and his friends Greg (K.C. Martel), Steve (Sean Frye) and Tyler (C. Thomas Howell) to get the connected pair away.

What they see changes them all forever!

Thomas as Elliott has solidified himself as the young man who brought us the meaning of true friendship. This young boy did not see a dangerous creature but instead, a friend beyond the stars. He is a part of our collective childhoods and it has become generational. Though this actor has played man roles throughout his career, he will always be the most beloved as the boy who flew with E.T.

Barrymore as sister Gertie is sassy and certainly can not be bullied by her brother or anyone else for that matter. She embraces E.T. and shows him kindness from the moment she meets until the moment they part. MacNaughton as brother Michael follows along with his little brother’s friendship and plan to help get him home. I always thought this character showed such courage protecting everyone as the man of the family.

Coyote as Keys is a man who is determined to find E.T. At first his plan seems nefarious, but meeting Elliot, he explains what his true intentions are. I have always enjoyed Coyote as an actor and this is one of his most memorable roles. Wallace as mom Mary is just trying to keep her family safe. Going through her own problems with an ex-husband who prefers his own life to that of his children, she also sees what Elliot is going through and does her best to protect him.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

The Bluray includes over four hours of Bonus Feature including 40 Years of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, TCM Classic Film Festival: An Evening with Steven Spielberg, Deleted Scenes, Steven Spielberg & E.T., The E.T. Journals, A Look Back, The Evolution and Creation of E.T., The E.T. Reunion, The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams and more!

It has been 40 years since E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial landed in theatres to delight and thrill audiences with his humanity, love and friendship. Matching him with Elliott only made the film even more endearing. Watching their relationship become one and the same, we saw, as Neil Diamond sang, their heart-light.

I saw E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial when I was younger, introduced my own children to the film when they were kids and now, they are doing the very same to theirs. It has been such a wonderful experience watching the film with them because it is timeless.

Spielberg brought us all something wonderful, memorable and movie lines that are still used today. The character is recognizable and still, to this day, children wear E.T. costumes on Halloween. That is the magic of E.T. who shows us all the things we hope we truly are in our hearts, on this planet or any other.

In the end – E.T. phone home!

They are taking on the BEAST

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray, DVD and Digital in a Collector’s Edition from director Baltasar Kormakur and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the chase of the BEAST.

Dr. Nate Samuels (Idris Elba) and young daughters Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Jeffries) are on a vacation at the Mopani Reserve in South Africa. It is also a chance for Nate to visit friend Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley) who is the reserve manager. This is also the place where the girls’ mother grew up and Martin takes them to her village.

The girls are thrilled when Martin takes them all to visit a local pride and witness the wonderful connection there is between the man and male lions. Driving to the Tsonga town, they are shocked to discover what a rogue lion has done to the community. Tracking the lion, Martin is hurt and moments later Nate and the girls are attacked in their jeep.

Trying to stay in contact with each other, Martin makes it clear he is badly injured and Nate knows he needs to get to his friend. Meredith runs to help her father’s friend while Norah gives the lion a little what for with a needle! All they can do is wait with the lion very close by. A poacher’s truck pulls up and tries to rough up the group not believing the story about the lion, they soon do!

Grabbing the truck, the group makes their way to an abandoned building and not far behind is a very angry lion. Time is running out and Nate knows there is nowhere else to go!

Elba as Dr. Samuels is a man who is dealing with the guilt of his marriage and trying to make the bond stronger with his daughters. Seeing his friend again gives him a chance to talk about all the feelings he has been keeping in. Instead of a vacation, he must go into survival mode and keep it together for his friend and young daughters. Elba gives a straight on performance until the very end.

Copley as Martin clear loves what he does and is worried about his friend. Taking them to visit their mother’s village is a gesture to help the girls but what they eventually find there shakes him. Copley takes the lions hard knocks until the lion makes it clear he’s not going down without a fight.

Jeffries as young Nora is about to experience the second worst thing to happen in her young life. Yet she is strong and only wants her family to survive. She makes smart moves in the midst of panic and I think she is a pretty cool kid. Wish I could say the same about sister Meredith.

Halley as Meredith is a daughter who doesn’t listen, thinks she knows everything and when she doesn’t – wants to argue at ever turn. Clearly, I have a low tolerance for mouthy teen-characters like Meredith so my nerves were running raw the entire film. As an actress Halley is lovely and took on a motherly role of sorts toward her young sister.

Other cast include – loads of lions.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

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 Features include Creating the Beast, Man Vs. Lion: The Final Battle, Making It Real: The Wounds, Film in the Beast’s Territory, Family Bond: The Cast of Beast, A Lion’s Pride and More!

The special effects of the lion were pretty cool and I thought it looked darn near realistic. Those big paws coming at the face were enough to convince me it was a job well done on the screen. This is a quick action thriller that does not stop from start to finish. There is not much in the way of delving into the characters but then again, the angry lion makes that difficult.

This is a bucket full of popcorn, yelling at the screen and full-on scare-jump ride and being at home on a comfy couch in a dark room with a big screen television is the way to go. Gather up the family and buckle up for a ride and don’t forget to look over your shoulder!

In the end – fight for family!

Liam Neeson Takes on BLACKLIGHT

 

Jeri Jacquin

This week from director Mark Williams and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a story of corruption and the man who will not tolerate it in BLACKLIGHT.

Travis Block (Liam Neeson) is a war veteran who now works quietly for FBI Director Gabriel Robinson (Aidan Quinn). Whenever there is something that needs to be handled, Block is called in to makes things right.

After several years, Block is trying to retire to spend time with daughter Amanda (Claire van der Boom) and cute granddaughter Natalie (Gabriella Sengos). Trying to make up for the years he was not there for his family, he has a chance to make his own world right.

His assignment is to bring back the undercover Agent Dusty Crane (Taylor John Smith) who is not about to be taken willingly. While running, he finds Mira Jones (Emmy Raver-Lampman), a journalist who suspects foul play in a politician’s death. Agreeing to meet, Block is also on their trail.

When things go wrong, Jones tells Block that the man he was after had information about a program called Operation Unity run by Director Robinson. Denying that their program is nefarious, he also tells Block to just do his job. But, when a story Jones was not ready to release gets published, all craziness breaks loose.

Now Jones’ editor meets an SUV and Block’s family mysteriously disappears and that is not good for anyone. This is a man who clearly does not care who gets in his way where his family is concerned and is determined to find out who is responsible for all the death and why.

Neeson as Block is doing what he has been doing for years, making sure that all the bad guys (no matter what side of that fence you think your on) are held responsible for their deeds. Thinking retirement meant time with his family and no more madness, he finds out all too soon that there are those who are not going to let him go quietly.

Raver-Lampman as Mira Jones is not about to let anyone, or anything get in the way of finding out what Crane knows. She is as determined as Neeson’s character and when they work together, it is no less dangerous but necessary. Raver-Lampman jumps into her role and gets action from start to finish.

Quinn as Robinson has spent more of his career playing a good guy so when he has the opportunity to ramp up to be a shady individual, I am all in. Robinson is a character that thinks he is above the law and above anyone holding him accountable, clearly, he does not know Block as well as he thinks he does.

Other cast include Yael Stone as Helen Davidson, Tim Draxl as Drew Hawthorne, Georgia Flood as Pearl, Melanie Jarnson as Sofia Flores, Andrew Shaw as Jordan Lockhart and Zac Lemons as Wallace.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

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 Features of BLACKLIGHT include BLACKLIGHT: Behind the Scenes and Shooting BLACKLIGHT.

The film is a game of cat and mouse but then what would anyone expect when Liam Neeson has a part. The storyline may be a tad thin, but it does not stop from the pure enjoyment of a good action film. Twists and turns wrap us up in the chase and with a tub of popcorn, it is a great way to spend an evening!

In the end – they’re going to need more men!

The Words Come from CYRANO

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital this week from director Joe Wright and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a tale of unrequited love all written by the one and only CYRANO.

Roxanne (Haley Bennett) is a lovely young woman living in 17^th century France trying to get by. Pushing to win her is De Guiche (Ben Mendelsohn) who is wealthy and could easily solve all of her problems. One night at the theatre, Roxanne sees childhood friend soldier Cyrano (Peter Dinklage) and at the same time locks eyes with the handsome Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.).

The problem is Cyrano has been in love with Roxanne for so very long that he only wants her happy. When Roxanne tells him that she has been struck by love for Christian who is a soldier in Cyrano’s regiment, she asks her friend to help keep him safe from the war in France and asks for love letters.

Christian is beside himself realizing he does not have the gift of words like Cyrano. A plan is made that Cyrano would use his words of love to benefit Christian. Also, not wanting to give up on what he thinks he deserves, De Guiche persists in a way that Roxanne must find a way around. When she does, it has serious consequences.

Christian and Cyrano now both have to leave Roxanne to fight for their country and to fight to come home to the woman they both love.

Dinklage as Cyrano is nothing short of spectacular in this role. He has the humor, the gift of delivering a line that will either make you chuckle, cheer or feel your heart melt into a puddle. He mostly had me at the latter with the relatable feeling of unrequited love that we have all felt at some time in our lives. The ability to write his feeling to her, even though under the guise of Christian, gives him the outlet and still protect the two people he has come to care about.

Bennett as Roxanne is delightful and looking for someone to love. The clandestine meeting with Christian takes her breath away, and so much so that she enlists her childhood friend to make love happen. Deep down Bennett’s Roxanne already knows Cyrano’s feelings but, as the song she sings professes, she wants more.

Harrison Jr. as Christian is captivated by Roxanne and wants to keep her close. The problem is that he does not have the eloquence or vocabulary to woo her the way she wants. When Cyrano offers, Christian is hesitant believing it is not right. But to gives Roxanne what she wants most in her heart, he agrees. Harrison Jr. gives Christian the same heart and love as Cyrano which makes these two actors perfect together.

Mendelsohn as De Guiche is ruthless, unforgiving and believes he is entitled to whatever he wants – especially Roxanne. There is nothing in his character that gives off an air of care and concern for anyone but himself. Mendelsohn is such a versatile actor that can play characters with compassion and characters with evil intent with equal skill.

Other cast include Monica Dolan as Marie, Bashir Salahuddin as Le Bret, Joshua James as Valvert, Anjana Vasan as Sister Claire, Ruth Sheen as Mother Marthe, Mark Benton as Montfleury, Richard McCabe as the Priest, Pater Wight as Ragueneau, Tim McMullan as Jodelet, and Mike Shepherd as Marquis.

MGM is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television across all platforms. Owning one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content and is home to two of the longest-running and most successful film franchise in cinematic history with JAMES BOND and ROCKY. For more please visit www.mgm.com.

Exclusive Bonus Features are An Epic Adventure: The Making of Cyrano – From its exhilarating story to its electrifying choreography, go behind the scenes with Director Joe Wright as he reveals how he brought this massive production to life.

CYRANO premiered at the 48^th Telluride Film Festival and has 6 award wins and 46 nominations including a nomination for Best Achievement in Costume Design for Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran.

What I love about this story is that it is about people and the difference of their insecurities. Roxanne is insecure because she needs something she can not really describe, Cyrano is insecure that he is not worthy of love and Christian is insecure because he does not have the eloquence of words and, dare we add, De Guiche is insecure using power to demand instead of lovingly earned.

Dinklage carries Cyrano with such soulfulness, and I emphatically enjoyed every moment he was on screen. Singing with Bennett in the final scenes is filled with more emotion than my being could handle yet I did not want it to end.

Set in the backdrop of an uncertain time in French history, everything seems rushed because, as is said, no one is guaranteed tomorrow. These three characters are living for the moment and for the one elusive emotion – a deep abiding love. The story is based on the 1897 Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac.

In the end – have you ever loved someone?

Their Life Began in BELFAST

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Kenneth Branagh and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment tells one story of a family in BELFAST.

It is 1969 Belfast, Northern Ireland, and young Buddy (Jude Hill) is living his best childhood playing in the streets with friends. At home is Ma (Caitriona Balfe), Granny (Dame Judy Dench), Pop (Ciaran Hinds) and Will (Lewis McAskie). Pa (Jamie Dornan) is away most of the time working at a job in England.

This is a time of unrest as Protestants begin to attack Catholics on the same street where Buddy and his family live. The young man is busy with his feelings about classmate Catherine and how he can move his seat up closer and closer to hers. He also has to worry about Billy Clanton (Colin Morgan) who is making it clear he will make trouble for Buddy’s Pa if he does not join the cause.

Buddy finds support and love with grandparents Granny and Pop who keep him focused. They also share in the family life and love being with their grandson Buddy. Getting tips and words of wisdom from both, Buddy cannot imagine life without them.

Pa wants to do what is best for his family and that means thinking about leaving Belfast which is met with resistance. Buddy is upset and falls into family friend Moira’s (Lara McDonnell) plot to steal. It gets even worse when riots break out and she once again grabs him for trouble. Ma jumps into the madness but the British Army arrives and now the family knows what must be done.

That is their world in Belfast.

Hill as Buddy is a young boy who is happy playing with his friends, going to school and spending time with his grandparents. Knowing that things are difficult in Belfast, he also knows that things are difficult for his parents with money and being apart. This character learns early about the tax man and the fight against Catholics, which is devastating since the girl he cares for is Catholic. Hill gives us all a look inside the life of this young man with all the emotions of a boy his age and some emotions that are much older than needs be. I loved his performance.

Balfe as Ma has a clear set of rules in the house and the behavior she expects from her children. Raising them to be good people, she is also trying to keep them alive during a time that is deadly and dangerous. Balfe gives us a strong character that believes in family and loyalty. Dornan as Pa must leave his family for weeks at a time to take care of them financially. He also believes that leaving Belfast is the only way to save them from what is happening on the streets. Dornan gives his character a love of family trying to find the balance that will keep them together.

Dench as Granny has me in stiches with her views on life and relationship with Buddy. There is one particular scene where she broke my heart because I could not imagine ever having to do what she does with such grace. Hinds as Pop is equally as lovely with his wit, stories and knowing that Pa has to do what is right and not to look back. There is such a strong connection between Buddy and his grandparents, and it brings back personal memories.

Morgan as Clanton is determined to bring Pa into things that not only could get him killed but hurt his family as well. Morgan’s character brings fear to Buddy which follows the young boy around like a weighted backpack. McAskie as Will also sees what is happening and finds it difficult to know how to handle it all.

Other cast include Olive Tennant as Catherine, Gerard Horan as Mackie, Josie Walker as Aunt Violet, Turlough Convery as the Minister, Vanessa Ifediora as Miss Lewis, Conor MacNeill as McLaury, Drew Dillon as Mr. Kavanagh, and Gerard McCarthy as Bobby Frank.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. 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.

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.

Bluray and Digital Bonus Features include Alternate Ending featuring Kenneth Branaugh (which is so touching), Deleted Scenes, A City of Stories: The Making of BELFAST, Everyone’s Inner Child and Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Kenneth Branagh.

BELFAST has been nominated for over 230 awards include seven Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director, eleven Critic’s Choice Awards and fourteen Best Picture nominations as well as PGA and DGA Awards nominations for director Kenneth Branagh.

The music is absolutely stunningly placed in the film with Belfast born musician Van Morrison.  Song such as Wild Night, Stranded, Days Like This, Warm Love, and Jackie Wilson Said add to the richness of the story and, I must admit, I am a huge Van Morrison fan.

BELFAST is such a lovely, heartbreaking, funny, real look at a time that is captured by director Branagh. It is the young Hill who draws the viewer in and his family that makes us want to stay. It is a story of a young boy who comes to understand adulting way to soon and it is a story of a generational family trying their best.

The director not only dabs color that are brilliantly placed in the black and white film but ends it with the heartfelt “For the ones who stayed. For the ones who left. And for all the ones who were lost.”, and I felt that, deeply.

In the end – never forget where you came from!