THE DEAD DON’T HURT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from writer/director Viggo Mortensen, Talipot Studios and Shout! Studios is the story of the rugged life in the west with THE DEAD DON’T HURT.

In the 1860’s life was difficult on the wild frontier of the United States and Danish Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen) lives in the quiet town of Elf Flats. On a trip to San Francico, Olsen meets Vivienne (Vicky Krieps) and sees in her an independent woman with a mind of her own. Finding themselves attracted to one another, she follows Olsen back to Elk Flats.

Once there, they begin to make a life for themselves and Vivienne decides to get a job at the local saloon. After a bit of time, Olsen tells her he must go and do his part fighting for the Union in the Civil War. Vivienne is left behind to take care of their homestead and working at the saloon. Around her is Mayor Rudolph Schiller (Danny Huston) and powerful rancher Alfred Jeffries (Garret Dillahunt) who control everything in town. Jefferies son Weston (Solly McLeod) has a reputation for violence but is never held accountable.

Weston is taken with Vivienne and makes advances that she makes clear is unacceptable to her but he is not accustomed to being told no by anyone. When Olsen finally returns from the fight, he is happy to see Vivienne but discovers that something has happened to disturb their peace. That does not stop them from sharing their life until Olsen decides it is time to go what’s best for them all.

Mortensen as Olsen once again plays a character that is quiet in nature but observes everything around him. When he comes across Vivienne, he quickly becomes entranced by her but at the same time realizes she is a force all her own. Mortensen gives his character an openness not found openly in that time period, happy to have Krieps’ characters company without the ties of a ceremony. He also knows his own mind and follows it, even if it is to war.

Krieps as Vivienne is a fiery woman who doesn’t suffer fools for very long. She makes herself plain always, stands up for what she wants and refuses to follow any society norms just to please men. Krieps’ performance in this role gives a strong, fearless (even when there are moments of fear) and memories of her childhood beliefs that give her a quiet strength.

Huston as the Mayor has the uncanny ability to play a bad guy but make it seem as if he is a friend to all, just love it. Dillahunt as Jeffries is going to make sure that he remains powerful and no one is going to get in the way, that includes his son. McLeod as Weston is a boy/man who doesn’t believe the law applies to him in the matter of murder or anything else. McLeod gives his character the right amount of despicability from beginning to end.

Other cast includes Nadia Litz as Martha Gilkyson, Marc Dennis as Fishmonger Stevens, John Getz as Reverend Simpson, Billy Crossley as Shane Graham, Rafel Plana as Claudio Garcia, Alex Breaux as Ed Wilkins, , Jason Clarke as Fergus, Atlas Green as Vincent, Eliana Michaud as little Vivienne, W. Earl Brown as Alan Kendall, and Ray McKinnon as Judge Blagden.

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

Talipot Studio is a content creation, production and development incubator of scripts and concepts for feature-films, television series and documentaries that in turn serves as producer or co-producer of projects. Their vision is centered on developing all types of stories, from their first visionary concept to its realization. For more of what Talipot Studios has to offer please visit www.talipot.studios.com

THE DEAD DON’T HURT is an old-fashioned western with modern undertones of a woman who clearly isn’t guided by the rules of the day. Mortenson gives the film the right feel of horses, dust, firearms and the underhandedness of powerful men in the west. Together, Olsen and Vivenne understand one another and these two actors bring about a powerful western tale. Their love was unique showing the power of overcoming both of their circumstances.

It may take a moment to adjust to the stories intermixing but, as the tale becomes clearer, it is another notch in Mortensen’s ability to weave and create an original film. Added to this is that Mortensen is also a producer and brings in the music for the film. It is a herculean task just being a director but deciding that there is an important is how the story should come across, what is a few more ways to make that happen.

They are Beached and OLD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director M. Knight Shyamalan and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment based on the graphic novel "Sandcastle" by Frederick Peeters is the tale of OLD.

On a family vacation in what looks like paradise, Guy (Gael Garcia Bernal), Prisca (Vicky Krieps) and their two children Trent (Nolan River) and Maddox (Alexa Swinton) check in to the island resort. The children make a friend with Idlib (Kailen Jude) as they all hit the beach for sun and waves.

The resort manager tells Guy and Prisca of a special place that they may want to visit and he would be happy to arrange it. Looking forward to it, they are driven to their destination along with fellow travelers Charles (Rufus Sewell), Chrystal (Abbey Lee) and their daughter Kara (Mikaya Fisher), and couple Patricia (Nikki Amuka-Bird) and Jarin (Ken Leung).

Each setting up their spot, the location is beautiful but Maddox notices someone who is already there, rapper Mid-Sized Sedan (Aaron Pierre) is off to himself. Almost immediately things begin to happen as they find someone who has drowned as Dr. Charles checks out what could have been the cause. Wanting to get help, everyone with a phone realizes there is no cell reception.

Minutes go and again the group of people are jolted by noticing that the Trent (Alex Wolff), Maddox (Thomasin McKenzie) and Kara have grown to the point that their parents are shocked. Trying to understand what is happening, the group decides it is time to go but something is keeping them on that beach - and even more shocking, aging is not the only frightening thing happening on the shocking shores.

Bernal as Guy is a man of data who does not know what to do with his emotions. Trying to keep things light on the family vacation, arriving at the secret location almost immediately messes with his data sense of common sense! Jumping from unexplainable event to the next, Bernal's character cannot control his deer in the headlights look. Krieps as Prisca wanted the family to have one good family vacation before the adults have to come clean about their situation. Prisca only concern is her children and what the cove is doing to everyone around her.

Wolff as the aging Trent is trying to understand what is happening to him and at the same time begin to decipher how it is all possible. Dealing with understanding everything through the mind of a six-year-old, time is not on anyone's side. McKenzie as Maddox is continually protective of her brother and even as she ages, dealing with emotions and coming to terms with adulthood is difficult enough without the effects of the cove.

Sewell as Charles is a doctor who seems to be in control of every aspect of his life and when he feels threatened, taking action is swift. As people become more and more affected, making sense of it all has an odd effect on Charles. Lee as wife Chrystal is a very attractive woman who does not mind trying to get attention from more than just her husband but as with all things - beauty fades.

Amuka-Bird as Patricia is a psychologist, but this is not exactly covered in any schooling or training she ever had. Leung as Jarin tries to help as much as possible with what he knows being a nurse but has to make a decision on how best to escape their circumstances. Pierre as Sedan can only tell the group next to nothing about what happened prior to their arrival.

Other cast include Eliza Scanlen as Kara, Embeth Davidtz as Maddox, Emun Elliott as Trent, Gustaf Hammarsten as the Resort Manager, Kathleen Chalfant as Agnes, Francesca Eastwood as Madrid, Luca Rodriguez as Trent, Mathew Shear as Sidney, Daniel Ison as Greg, Jeffrey Holsman as Mr. Brody, and M. Knight Shyamalan as the Hotel Van Driver.

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 Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes and Go Behind the Scenes with M. Night Shyamalan with Four Featurettes.

OLD is an interesting mix of fantasy, a bit of horror, spotty acting and a story of losing control in a situation controlled by what is around them. The ensemble cast each brings their own story that comes in fast and furious as it all weaves in through the entire film. Keeping it strictly in one location allows for keeping tabs on each character and with the flip of the camera angle the change happens right before our eyes.

What makes Shyamalan's films work is that we cannot help but see what madness he will create film after film. Knowing his films are not for everyone, it certainly does not stop him from embracing some far-fetched, yet eerily simple plots based on the graphic novel. There are strokes of genius in the film and then it seems to revert back to a bit of predictability, yet I still watch every single second.

OLD is a good yarn to tell and if you are looking for a bit of fun and twists on a Friday night, pull up the sofa and get the popcorn ready because this film is right up the shoreline for you.

In the end - it is only a matter of time.

They are Beached and OLD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director M. Knight Shyamalan and Universal Pictures based on the graphic novel "Sandcastle" by Frederick Peeters is the tale of OLD.

On a family vacation in what looks like paradise, Guy (Gael Garcia Bernal), Prisca (Vicky Krieps) and their two children Trent (Nolan River) and Maddox (Alexa Swinton) check in to the island resort. The children make a friend with Idlib (Kailen Jude) as they all hit the beach for sun and waves.

The resort manager tells Guy and Prisca of a special place that they may want to visit and he would be happy to arrange it. Looking forward to it, they are driven to their destination along with fellow travelers Charles (Rufus Sewell), Chrystal (Abbey Lee) and their daughter Kara (Mikaya Fisher), and couple Patricia (Nikki Amuka-Bird) and Jarin (Ken Leung).

Each setting up their spot, the location is beautiful but Maddox notices someone who is already there, rapper Mid-Sized Sedan (Aaron Pierre) is off to himself. Almost immediately things begin to happen as they find someone who has drowned as Dr. Charles checks out what could have been the cause. Wanting to get help, everyone with a phone notices there is no cell reception.

Minutes go and again the group of people are jolted by noticing that the Trent (Alex Wolff), Maddox (Thomasin McKenzie) and Kara have grown to the point that their parents are shocked. Trying to understand what is happening, the group decides it is time to go but something is keeping them on that beach - and even more shocking, aging is not the only frightening thing happening on the shocking shores.

Bernal as Guy is a man of data who does not know what to do with his emotions. Trying to keep things light on the family vacation, arriving at the secret location almost immediately messes with his data sense of common sense! Jumping from unexplainable event to the next, Bernal's character cannot control his deer in the headlights look. Krieps as Prisca wanted the family to have one good family vacation before the adults have to come clean about their situation. Prisca only concern is her children and what the cove is doing to everyone around her.

Wolff as the aging Trent is trying to understand what is happening to him and at the same time begin to decipher how it is all possible. Dealing with understanding everything through the mind of a six-year-old, time is not on anyone's side. McKenzie as Maddox is continually protective of her brother and even as she ages, dealing with emotions and coming to terms with adulthood is difficult enough without the effects of the cove.

Sewell as Charles is a doctor who seems to be in control of every aspect of his life and when he feels threatened, taking action is swift. As people become more and more affected, making sense of it all has an odd effect on Charles. Lee as wife Chrystal is a very attractive woman who does not mind trying to get attention from more than just her husband but as with all things - beauty fades.

Amuka-Bird as Patricia is a psychologist, but this is not exactly covered in any schooling or training she ever had. Leung as Jarin tries to help as much as possible with what he knows being a nurse but has to make a decision on how best to escape their circumstances. Pierre as Sedan can only tell the group next to nothing about what happened prior to their arrival.

Other cast include Eliza Scanlen as Kara, Embeth Davidtz as Maddox, Emun Elliott as Trent, Gustaf Hammarsten as the Resort Manager, Kathleen Chalfant as Agnes, Francesca Eastwood as Madrid, Luca Rodriguez as Trent, Mathew Shear as Sidney, Daniel Ison as Greg, Jeffrey Holsman as Mr. Brody, and M. Knight Shyamalan as the Hotel Van Driver.

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.

OLD is an interesting mix of fantasy, a bit of horror, spotty acting and a story of losing control in a situation controlled by what is around them. The ensemble cast each brings their own story that comes in fast and furious as it all weaves in through the entire film. Keeping it strictly in one location allows for keeping tabs on each character and with the flip of the camera angle the change happens right before our eyes.

What makes Shyamalan's films work is that we cannot help but see what madness he will create film after film. Knowing his films are not for everyone, it certainly does not stop him from embracing some far-fetched, yet eerily simple plots based on the graphic novel. There are strokes of genius in the film and then it seems to revert back to a bit of predictability, yet I still watch every single second.

OLD is a good yarn to tell and if you are looking for a bit of fun and twists on a Friday night, then this film is right up the shoreline for you.

In the end - it is only a matter of time.

He Must Prove the Story of THE LAST VERMEER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Dan Friedkin and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story of art and war with THE LAST VERMEER.

The war in Europe has ended but the Allied Forces were not totally in control yet but in the Netherlands, Joseph Piller (Claes Bang) was once part of the Dutch Resistance. Now, he is being asked to investigate the possibility of a German espionage ring.

Instead, he finds the flamboyant van Meegeren (Guy Pearce) living the high life in a beautiful home selling artwork to Hermann Goring while others were living in squalor. Putting him in jail until the truth could be uncovered about what he knew, Piller begins to suspect something even more has been happening. Getting him out of jail and into a hiding space in an attic, van Meegeren convinces Piller that he will tell all but only if he gets to paint.

Staying away from home is not helping his marriage either as the information provided by van Meegeren uncovers something just as shocking by assistant Minna Holmberg (Vicky Krieps). Continuing to feed Piller, Meegeren also makes it clear that he is not part of a Nazi anything and what he has been doing will have everyone in a courtroom shocked and shaken.

This is a film about war, who to trust, art and those who make it!

Bang as Piller is a straightforward man with a job to do. This character does not have a lot to say but when he does you had better listen. Taking in everything he learns from van Meegeren is often difficult for this character and Bang brings that out in subtle ways. I have enjoyed this actor since his stint on the series The Affair as Sasha Mann, as well as playing James Figueras in the very twisted 2019 film THE BURNT ORANGE HERESAY. Bang as Piller gives a spot-on performance that is riveting to watch.

Pearce as van Meegeren is absolutely hedonistic, charming, full of himself and manages to get away with things no one else would think to even try. This is a character that knows exactly what he is doing and intends to prove everything to anyone who would listen – and surprisingly enough it is Piller who is doing all the listening. Who else would believe the story van Meegeren is trying to tell? Pearce is amazing and never ceases to amaze me in his character choices.

Krieps as Holmberg believes in what Piller is doing and does not ask many questions. She is dedicated, loyal and knows that there is something more in the investigation and that Piller is not going to let go until he has all the answers which means neither will she.

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 film is based on true events and the book The Man Who Made Vermeers by Jonathan Lopez. Director Friedkin takes the story and adds the cinematography, the amazing costumes and sets to bring this story to life with richness it so deserves.

The 118-minute run of the film is long and tends to sometimes stray from the point of the film but since I love period piece films I did not mind so much. I enjoy the characters, authentic look of the film and truly enjoyed the nuances of the art story mixed into espionage.

It is the exchange of scenes between Bang and Pearce that are something to see. Bouncing off one another as Piller is quiet and reserved and the van Meegeren is flamboyant and throws caution to the wind. They meet in the middle exchanging information and in their time together, a strange friendship begins to happen.

THE LAST VERMEER is the story of two men against the backdrop of war and who is taking from whom.

In the end – the devil is in the details!