It all Starts with a PROFILE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Timur Bekmambetov and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a story of danger from the keyboard and a PROFILE.

Amy (Valene Kane) is a British journalist looking for the next story and the next paycheck to cover the rent. She decides to use social media to discover how it is that so many women in Europe are becoming part of the Islamic State. Given the green light by editor Vick (Christine Adams), Amy begins the process of creating a persona online through Facebook.

Almost immediately she is contacted by Abu Bilel Al-Britani (Shazad Latif), a handsome Muslim who is quite taken with her. Lou (Amir Rahimzadeh) guides her through the beginning of their conversations with what is acceptable and what is not. Seeing Amy as a shy respectful woman is appealing to Bilel.

There are only three people that know what Amy is doing, Vick, Lou and friend Kathy (Emma Cater) as boyfriend Matt (Morgan Watkins) has been left in the dark. Each day Amy and Bilel speak more and more about her coming to where Bilel is and starting a life together. He seems slow in the information he gives which puts Amy in a tense situation with her editor.

But with each chat, the conversations become more and more intense that could put her in danger. How far will she push her investigation knowing the consequences?

Kane as Amy is brilliant in her deceptions and performance. Fast on the keyboard which means you cannot take your eyes off the screen even for a blinking second, she maneuvers her way through dangerous waters. Living this double life does take its toll and as the day comes closer to meet Bilel, Kane gives us a powerful adrenaline rush of fear and anxiety that is so well done.

Latif as Bilel, all I can say is wow, what an amazing performance that is frightening at the same time. What seems so handsome and wonderful is sugar coating on a poison apple. Turning on the charm and being ‘himself’ is a cautionary tale of the internet and people attempting to make connections. Latif gives it everything and that is the good and bad as his intentions begin to unravel. Well done sir, well done.

Adams as Vick is a pure journalist and is biting at the bit for the story. She knows the dangers and sees them coming yet also wants to get the story out before things get out of hand. Cater as Kathy is a good friend and also knows that Amy might be pushing things to far. Watkins as boyfriend Matt, wow, does he get the once over in all this. Relationships are difficult enough without thinking your girlfriend has been internet-cheating.

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.

PROFILE is a fast-paced film not giving the viewer any moment to rest and that is what makes it extremely fascinating. The constant movement on the screen means you have to keep up or step aside. Hearing so many stories in the news about women who tried to get away from situations that the character Amy was getting into is seriously disturbing.

This film wakes you up to the fact that this continues to happen and the result to these women is beyond belief. The biggest question for me is what is it in these women’s lives that bring them to make these decisions at such great risk to themselves and those they love. Every step they take has an effect to those around them and their families.

The last ten minutes of the film are the most powerful (as if the entire film isn’t powerful enough!) because the realization sets how easy the character of Bilel puts the pieces together. Honestly, I would have been frozen with anxiety and run for the hills. At the same time, I applaud what Amy was trying to do, even though she came close to losing herself in something that was not real.

In the end – the connection is virtual, but the danger is real!

It all Starts with a PROFILE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Timur Bekmambetov and Focus Features is a story of danger from the keyboard and a PROFILE.

Amy (Valene Kane) is a British journalist looking for the next story and the next paycheck to cover the rent. She decides to use social media to discover how it is that so many women in Europe are becoming part of the Islamic State. Given the green light by editor Vick (Christine Adams), Amy begins the process of creating a persona online through Facebook.

Almost immediately she is contacted by Abu Bilel Al-Britani (Shazad Latif), a handsome Muslim who is quite taken with her. Lou (Amir Rahimzadeh) guides her through the beginning of their conversations with what is acceptable and what is not. Seeing Amy as a shy respectful woman is appealing to Bilel.

There are only three people that know what Amy is doing, Vick, Lou and friend Kathy (Emma Cater) as boyfriend Matt (Morgan Watkins) has been left in the dark. Each day Amy and Bilel speak more and more about her coming to where Bilel is and starting a life together. He seems slow in the information he gives which puts Amy in a tense situation with her editor.

But with each chat, the conversations become more and more intense that could put her in danger. How far will she push her investigation knowing the consequences?

Kane as Amy is brilliant in her deceptions and performance. Fast on the keyboard which means you can not take your eyes off the screen even for a blinking second, she manuevers her way through dangerous waters. Living this double life does take its toll and as the day comes closer to meet Bilel, Kane gives us a powerful adrenaline rush of fear and anxiety that is so well done.

Latif as Bilel, all I can say is wow, what an amazing performance that is frightening at the same time. What seems so handsome and wonderful is sugar coating on a poison apple. Turning on the charm and being ‘himself’ is a cautionary tale of the internet and people attempting to make connections. Latif gives it everything and that is the good and bad as his intentions begin to unravel. Well done sir, well done.

Adams as Vick is a pure journalist and is biting at the bit for the story. She knows the dangers and sees them coming yet also wants to get the story out before things get out of hand. Cater as Kathy is a good friend and also knows that Amy might be pushing things to far. Watkins as boyfriend Matt, wow, does he get the once over in all this. Relationships are difficult enough without thinking your girlfriend has been internet-cheating.

Focus Features’ mission is to make a lasting impact on global audiences by creating the home for artists to share diverse, distinctive stories that inspire human connection. Focus Features is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies that brings entertainment and news to a global audience. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.focusfeatures.com.

PROFILE is a fast-paced film not giving the viewer any moment to rest and that is what makes it extremely fascinating. The constant movement on the screen means you have to keep up or step aside. Hearing so many stories in the news about women who tried to get away from situations that the character Amy was getting into is seriously disturbing.

This film wakes you up to the fact that this continues to happen and the result to these women is beyond belief. The biggest question for me is what is it in these women’s lives that bring them to make these decisions at such great risk to themselves and those they love. Every step they take has an effect to those around them and their families.

The last ten minutes of the film are the most powerful (as if the entire film isn’t powerful enough!) because the realization sets how easy the character of Bilel puts the pieces together. Honestly I would have been frozen with anxiety and run for the hills. At the same time I applaud what Amy was trying to do, even though she came close to losing herself in something that was not real.

In the end – the connection is virtual but the danger is real!

ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story Takes Us to a Galaxy Far, Far Away on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to our own galaxy this week on Bluray/DVD & Digital HD from director Gareth Edwards, Lucas Films and Walt Disney Studios is a chance to be a kid again with ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story.

Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) is farming with wife Lyra (Valene Kane) and young daughter Jyn when they are visited by Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn). Demanding that Galen return to his work with the Galactic Empire creating a weapon to stop the rebellion, Krennic isn’t happy when Galen refuses. He sends troops to search for young Jyn, but she is no where to be found.

They don’t know she has been taken in by Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), it is brief as Jyn (Felicity Jones) is now grown, a criminal and working in a forced labor camp. That is until she is rescued by Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and reconditioned robot K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) and taken before the Senate leaders of the Rebellion.

They want Jyn’s help in finding where the plans for the Death Star may be and how to obtain them to help the rebellion. When her only other choice is help or return to the labor camp, Jyn begrudgingly agrees to go with Cassian to the city of Jedah. There they meet Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang) by walking straight into a street battle.

The group also finds Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), an Imperial pilot who knows Galen! With the location of the plans, they come together and go to the one place no one else would dare go – straight into the Imperial base surrounded and guarded by those whose only goal is to crush the rebellion.

They need to save the rebellion and save the dream!

Jones as Jyn carries the film as a strong character that remembers what happened when she was young. Wanting to find her father, the mission becomes so much more than she could have ever imagined. Jones has the right amount of gumption and emotion giving her character heart and even if she is afraid it doesn’t stop her from going forward.

Luna as Cassian is very focused on what needs to be done to ensure the security of the rebellion. He has the backing of the Senate because this soldier believes in bringing down the Empire. Meeting Jyn doesn’t change that goal, only reshapes how to make it happen.

Tudyk as the voice of K-2SO is absolutely hilarious and clear that this robot has a mind and opinion all his own.

Mendelsohn as Krennic is a man with an agenda that includes taking down anyone that gets in his way. Whitaker as Gerrera sees what Jyn is capable of but also knows the Empire can not be stopped without her.

I was excited when learning that Donnie Yen would be part of ROGUE ONE as Chirrut Imwe. Following his career for several years now from Asian/martial arts films, this is perfect casting. Everything he does has purpose and reminds me of another Jedi master. Jiang as Malbus protects Imwe and clearly knows his way around heavy weaponry which is always handy when fighting any Galactic Empire. Ahmed as Rook is quick and has no trouble showing off his own rebellion side!

Mikkelsen as Galen has the perfect demeanor for this character. He doesn’t have much to say because everything is in his eyes. He has the ability to cut his eyes in such a way that even I’m a little scared of him. I love that he took this role.

Other cast include Alistair Petrie as General Draven, Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, Ben Daniels as General Merrick, Ian McElhinney as General Dodonna, Fares Fares as Senator Vaspar, Sharon Brewster as Senator Pamlo, and Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa.

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!

ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story had me once again from the moment my television screen lit up! Transported immediately and in such a way that time reversed a little taking me back to 1977, ROGUE ONE brings with it such familiarity as if no time had passed between those weekends I spent in the theatre watching STAR WARS and now.

What I mean by that is this film brings with it the costuming, a story that mingles easily into the STAR WARS realm of storytelling yet intense with layering and small nuances that fans are going to get giddy over. It is amazing how one moment in the original STAR WARS storyline (and you’ll know when that is soon enough) brought about this absolutely fantastic cinematic adventure

I do not want to go into details because it is the details that I want everyone to experience for themselves. Just know that there isn’t going to be a disappointing moment in the 133 minutes of sheer joy on the screen. Let everyone have the opportunity to enjoy every aspect of what has been put together for fans.

The Bluray Bonus Features include The Stories with an intimate collection of stories that take you behind the scenes with filmmakers and cast to reveal how the film came to life, A Rogue Idea, Jyn: The Rebel, Cassian: The Spy, K-2SO: The Droid, Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills, Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary, The Empire, Visions of Hope: The Look of Rogue One, The Princess & The Governor and Epilogue: The Story Continues.

This is such an amazing film and STAR WARS fans can’t be disappointed under any circumstances. The film brings many of us back to the beginning with the look and feel and hope that continuing stories will remember that is how we like it!

In the end – it is a rebellion built on hope!