THE PRIESTS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital from writer/director Jang Jae-hyun and Well Go USA is the story of faith against the darkness for THE PRIESTS.

In Seoul, Father Kim (Kim Yoon-seok) discovers that a young girl of his parish, Young-shin (Park So-dam) may be possessed by a demonic spirit. Attempting to get approval for an exorcism with the Dean of clergy (Kim Eui-sung), Father Kim realizes that those who make the decision agree to it but not officially. What he does need is help and is being assigned a deacon to assist. Deacon Choi (Gang Dong-won) is a slightly wild young man but agrees be part of the exorcism. Almost immediately, after meeting with the former Deacon of Father Kim’s, Choi begins to have strange dreams.

Although Choi believes he is being sent to assist Father Kim, he is also being told to watch his every move by the superiors. When he finally meets Father Kim in person, he is just as flippant as he was on the telephone. The two men prepare for the ritual as Choi begins to record what is happening, never realizing the horror that awaits. He, like the Deacon before him, can’t get away fast enough leaving Father Kim alone.

Coming to terms with his past and running out of time, Choi and Father Kim waste no time in the final battle for a young girls’ very soul.

Yoon-seok as Father Kim is a man who clearly understands what it takes to be part of exorcisms. He also realizes that the church he is a part of won’t officially condone what he is doing yet also isn’t going to stand in his way. There is a history between Father Kim and Young-shin as the priest is not going to stop until there is a resolution. Yoon-seok gives his character an emotional dedication but also a hardened outer shell that keeps others at bay. The story is intense and Yoon-seok is one hundred percent in the game!

Dong-won as Choi is a Deacon who doesn’t exactly follow the rules all together. When given a chance to be part of Father Kim’s ‘mission’, he agrees to keep an eye on him for the church as well. Dong-won gives a character of a young priest who has his own traumatic past that he covers up with an attitude that might be out of the realm of a priest. Becoming part of what Father Kim is doing offers him insight into what it takes to be a man of the cloth with faith for those who need him.

So-dam as Young-shin has the rough part of the film with very frightening scenes of possession and trust the demon isn’t playing. I have always those thought who portray possessed individuals go through hours of make up and prosthetics to put on a performance that is meant to fill the audience with fright and terror, So-dam does so beautifully.

Other cast include Son Jong-hak as Monsignor, Lee Ho-jae as Father Jeong, Nam Ill-woo as Abbott, Kim Byeong-ok as Professor Park, Cho Soo-hyang as Agnes, Park Woong as Bishop, and Jeong Ha-dam as Shaman Young-joo.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

THE PRIESTS is an intense story that has so many moving parts. Of course, it is about a young girl tormented by a demon(s) but it is also the story of two priests who each have past trauma of their own. The major issue for them is keeping their personal feelings about the past out of their minds as to not interfere with the exorcism. Actors Yoon-seok and Dong-won are absolutely fantastic together giving the audience riveting moments of what it takes for these two men to come together with faith in what needs doing.

This is an amazing and dark story that easily falls into the category of very cool possession films with its cinematography and special effects. I have been a fan of this genre since I was knee high to a grasshopper so when I say this one needs to be added to the list of must-see, believe it. What is even more spectacular is that the story really does bring more mental frights than the gory. That gives it high marks on my scary o’ meter because, honestly, I would rather you scare me with the unknown than a bucket of gore.

The film has made its awards rounds including nominations and wins from the Buil Film Awards, Women in Film Korea Awards, KOFRA Film Awards, Max Movie Awards, Chunsa Film Art Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, Asian Film Awards, Korean Film Producers Association Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards.

In the end – they are always here!

DARK NUNS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital from director Kwon Heyok-jae and Well Go USA is the next chapter in the world of faith versus evil with the story of DARK NUNS.

Sister Junia (Song Hye-kyo) is a woman of faith who is trying to find a way to help young boy Hee-joon (Moon Woo-jin) who seems to be possessed by a powerful spirit. Having studied under Father Kim, she has been given the nickname “Dark Nun”. Dealing with doctors who do not agree with her assessment of Hee-joon, Sister Junia believes that an exorcism is the only thing that will save the boy. Needing help, she turns to Sister Michaela (Jeon Yeo-been) a protégé of Father Paolo (Lee Jin-wook).

Taking Hee-joon to former nun and Shaman (Kim Gook-hee), Sister Junia does this because she knows she has dealt with all this before. Quickly, everything seems to only get worse and difficult for the boy. Father Paolo takes the boy to a nearby monastery as Sister Junia and Sister Michaela race to be as well. As the two nuns begin to understand one another and their unique gifts – they can finally work together. Disappointment that Father Kim and Father Choi cannot help them, Sister Junia rethinks their plan.

The day arrives for the exorcism and Sister Junia is prepared. The place is Hee-joons own home and items requested from the Vatican arrive. Now, the spiritual believers drive the exorcism to save a Hee-joons life with an unexpected third to fight the final battle!

Hye-kyo as Sister Junia is a solid woman of faith and knows that she might be the only person that can possible save Hee-joon. Her past is something of a mystery but when her story comes to light, she is even more of a heroine for me in this role. Using the teachings of her mentor, when things don’t come together the way she would like, like the start woman she is, pivots to make sure the demon doesn’t get ahead of her. I loved watching Hye-kyo take this role by the bit and putting so much into it that the believability is totally off the charts. My jaw dropped several times when tidbits came out that I was all in till the end.

Yeo-been as Sister Michaela is a woman coated in mystery. Not a warm nun as I would expect but once she realizes what her fellow nun is doing, there is a tad bit of spike and lack of faith that isn’t going to help. There becomes a moment when she realizes that the Dark Nun needs helps not only with the exorcism but the faith in what they are doing is right. It was very cool to see all aspects of Yeo-been’s character and it developed slowly and, quite honestly, perfectly.

Woo-jin as Hee-joon gets the very same applause from me as did his possessed predecessor in the film THE PRIESTS. The number of special effects is astounding and Woo-jin puts it all together in a performance that is slightly more frightening than the prior film. I give props where props are due and Woo-jin gets it from me for sure.

Huge shout out to Shin Jae-hwi as Ae-dong. There are moments in a film when something happens that makes one want to stand up and cheer and Jae-hwi gave me that moment. Other cast include Huh Joon-ho as Father Andrea and Gang Dong-won as Deacon Choi.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

DARK NUNS is a follow-up to the 2015 film THE PRIESTS and the awesome news here is that although it is the ‘next’ film it absolutely stands out on its own. I love films that can be part of a franchise but yet have the ability to tell their own story with characters that are unique. DARK NUN does exactly that and even with a few similarities, it works with the formula. The cast bring their own take on the characters they are portraying and I am a huge fan of Song Hye-kyo as Sister Junia. Her story is absolutely strong in the film of a woman who doesn’t follow the norm of being a nun.

The effects are fantastic in the telling and the mixture of faith and mythology are well written and fit like a glove on the screen. Everyone in the film has a role to play and the meshing is unique and brings an intensity that I was just loving from moment to moment. Once again, I am more into this genre of films that allows time for character development so when things get intense and the demons come out to play – I’m invested!

For this double feature of THE PRIESTS and DARK NUNS, get the snack tray loaded up, turns the lights off and remember, you might just want to believe.

In the end – they are ready to face the forbidden dark!

He is the STRIKING RESCUE

 

Jeri Jacquins

On Bluray from director Siyu Cheng, writer Guo Haiwen and Well Go USA is an intense story of revenge and action with STRIKING RESCUE.

Bai An (Tony Jaa) is a man grieving and angry at the loss of his family that he is being blamed for. The anger is aimed at He Yinghao (Philip Keung) believing that he is not only responsible but part of underhanded dealings. He decides to go after him through his daughter He Ting (Chen Duo-Yi). It begins by learning where she goes to school and learning about the driver Wu Zheng (Eason Hung). Making his move, he assesses the situation discovering that is a little friction between He Ting and Wu Zheng.

At home, Ting is not happy with her father who she believes doesn’t understand her. Trying to help is Lu Ping (Peng Bo) who is Yinghao’s right hand person in the company and has compassion for the young girl. The next day, on their way out, their cars are attached and Yinghao is captured almost immediately, the assailants now attack the car with Tingting in it and Wu Zheng is fighting anyone coming near. Bai An sees what is happening and intervenes swiftly taking Tingting away.

Out of control bad guy Clay (Michael Mao) wants Yinghao to sign a control giving up control of shipping for his own nefarious purposes. He knows the only way that will happen is by finding Tingting. Now, the word is out on every corner that there is a bounty for Tingting and it wouldn’t hurt if they took out Bai An either. What they don’t know is who they are up against as Bai An become close feeling the need to protect the young girl from anyone who might hurt her.

Against his anger, Bai An must make a decision on who to trust and protecting the daughter of that man he considers his enemy.

Jaa as Bai An is remarkable in this film. He comes in as a man bereft at the death of his family with a plan that is aimed at one person. In the process, he is put in the middle of something he hasn’t had time to figure out because he is running for two lives. Jaa gives his character everything one would expect but so much more. There is even a bit of a joke in the film by Tingting, but listen carefully because it goes by pretty quick. Jaa truly does make the film a ride to watch from start to finish and I was in it every minute.

Duo-Yi as Tingting is a teenage girl who has issues with her father. Of course, the moods and feeling unheard are par for the course. When Bai An comes into her life, it is something she would never have expected. Violence, stories of her father and trusting a stranger are something that she can not avoid. Duo-Yi plays of Jaa extremely well and makes her presence clear when she gets the chance to be a bit tough herself. Keung as Yinghao is a father determined to figure out how to fix the relationship with his daughter which might prove to be difficult. His dealings in business are what started everything and it has the possibility of ending badly for all.

Hung as Wu Zheng has had it up to his eyeballs with Tingting’s attitude but knows his place with Yinghao. When things start going badly, he goes on the hunt for Bai An as he also needs to understand what is happening and who is responsible. Hung gives us sly and resourceful but is he a good guy or not? Find out for yourself. Mao as Clay is just as vicious of a character as he wants to be. I mean out and out vicious! He has a plan and no one, and I mean no one is going to stand in his way. I’ve seen bad guys in film but this one is bad to the bone and Mao will give anyone watching – chills!

Other cast include Junjia Hong, Tianqi Zhang, Bolin Yu and Zing Yu. The film is in a mixture of English and Mandarin.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

STRIKING RESCUE is a fast paced (which is surprising since its running time is 111 minutes) and doesn’t have a second of downtime. The game becomes who do you trust and who do you know to be lying with every word that comes out of their mouth. It seems the person who is wanted by the cops may be the only one any of them can trust and that’s saying a lot. The characters are so well played by each actor as Jaa leads them down the path of destruction to get to the truth.

There are fantastic martial arts from both men and women which I enjoyed very much as well. I mean why should the guys have all the fun. This film has so much intensity and action, it is an assault on the senses in the best way for fans of this genre. Director Cheng makes quick work of what writer Haiwen put in the script and these two have brought a visual and story high of a film and they should be extremely proud of it. The action sequences are fast and pretty darn fantastic to watch as the pace of the film might have you holding your breath so make sure to exhale!

In the end – a father’s fury in unleashed!

 

 

 

It is a Plan in HARBIN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from writer/director Woo Min-ho and Well Go USA is the thriller of Korean history when meeting in HARBIN.

It is 1909 in Korea as the country prepares for annexation to Japan. A group of comrades of war, including Woo Deo-sun (Park Jeong-min), Kim Sang-hyun (Jo Woo-jin) and Chi Jae-hyung (Yoo Jae-myung) decide that they cannot let this happen. Plans are being made to stop it by assassinating the Korean leader Hirobumi Ito (Lily Franky) in Harbin. Ahn Jung-guen (Hyun Bin) is leading his group of men but there is someone who wants him. Gen. Tatsuo Mori (Park Hoon) is tearing the group apart to find him. An incident happened during the war that has made Ahn Jung-guen the focus of Mori’s attention.

Ito makes it clear that he doesn’t fear those who want to attack him. Instead, a mole has been put in the group but Ahn Jung-guen’s men realize that something is amiss. None of this stops their mission but it does cause mistrust on everyone’s part. Each in the plot know their roles in the mission and each are aware of the dangers they face. Reaching out to Ms. Gong (Jeon Yeo-been), she helps the men get to their destination and briefs Ahn on the mission’s final stop in Harbin.

It is a game of cat and mouse with the prize of a country attempting to save itself!

Bin as Jung-guen is a quiet man with a conscious. In war he was against taking the lives of his prisoners and of them - was Mori. Much to the dismay of his brothers in arms, the character of Jung-guen is clear about his beliefs. Bin gives us a man who now must make right the belief in his country’s independence and never forgetting those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to make that happen.

Hoon as Mori has a moment on his knees that followed him after the war. His obsession with Ahn takes over every part of his life. He is devious in how to get close to him but the one thing he doesn’t count on is the determination of Ahn and those who want Korea’s freedom.  Jeong-min as Deo-sun as believes in what they are doing and follows Jung-guen cautiously. Woo-jin as Sang-hyun has his part to play in the plan and it can turn the plan even deadlier.

Other cast include Kim Ji-oh as Otani, Lee Tae-Hueong as Jo Do-Sun, Lee Kang as Ahn Se-ho, Yoon Yeo-won as Shin Jae-Sik, Tongha Pak as Yamada, Son In Young as Kim Seong-Baek, Lee Dong-wook as Lee Chang-seop, Ego Mikitas as Vladimir Kokovtsov and Jung Woo-sung as Park Jeom-chul.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Bonus features include The Making of Harbin.

HARBIN is an intense film starting out with how each of the characters believe in their fight for Korea and how it follows them well beyond the battle field. Planning an assassination takes time and trust, that can be difficult when everything is surrounded by tensions of two countries and another putting in their two-cents. The feel of the film is gritty and cold which is exactly how I would see their world in 1909.

Director Woo Min-ho also wrote and directed such films as THE SPIES, INSIDE MEN and THE DRUG KING as well as THE MAN STANDING NEXT. The later film won an amazing number of awards from the 40th Korean Association of Film Critics’ Awards, 7th Korean Film Producers Association Awards, Cine 21 Awards in categories of Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

As a period piece, HARBIN is exactly what I enjoy keeping the story straight forward and not clouding it with a lot of things that it just doesn’t need. It is a story of men during a time of war and a country in crisis. Both of those bring the story together of a group of believers who only had one goal – to save their country. It may have taken 36 years to do it but the fighters kept the flame alive till it actually happened.

In the end – they band together so others can be remembered!

 

 

Grief is a Distraction with the DEVILS STAY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from writer/director Moon-Sub Hyun and Well Go USA is a story of a father dealing with grief in DEVILS STAY.

Dr. Cha (Park Shin-yang) is grieving the death of his young daughter So-mi (Lee Re). Believing she was on the road to recovery after heart surgery, something obviously went wrong. That is the talk around the hospital as the family comes together for the funeral.

In the local parish, the young priest Father Ban (Lee Min-ki) is watching videos of his family visits to So-mi trying to understand what happened to her. As So-mi’s funeral begins with family and friends, strange occurrences begin happening. Dr. Cha can not explain what is driving his obsession not accepting his daughter has passed other than his grief.

As chaos breaks out at So-mi’s funeral, Father Ban is drawn to intervene. The priest cannot seem to reach Dr. Cha as he sets out to discover who the donor was of his daughter’s heart. His journey leads him to the dark Russian underworld. There he finds the answers with the help of the unrelenting Father Ban who has a few surprises of his own, yet both must continue the fight for good against evil.  

A grieving father and a priest who carries his own sorrows must come together to find a way to save a young girls soul!

Shin-yang as Dr. Cha is a grief-stricken father who cannot believe that his daughter is gone. The struggle begins with knowing how she died but not understanding why she died. When strange things begin to happen, it is Dr. Cha who refuses to let go as easily as the rest of the family. His anger toward the whole situation is not understood by anyone other than the priest. Shin-yang gives a stellar performance bringing in every range of emotion one would expect from a father – and a father with a secret.

Min-ki as Father Ban a young priest who believes he can help Dr. Cha and his family. He has his own deep past that pushes him to help even when Dr. Cha makes it clear that his help isn’t wanted. Knowing that it is grief coming from the good doctor, Min-k makes it his goal to stay close and jump in when needed. There is an added surprises that Min-ki bring to his character and, of course, I’m not going to say what it is but when it happens, I’m sure everyone will have the same reaction of ‘oh whaaaaat?’ as I did.   

Re as the young So-mi is absolutely charming and for such a young actress in this role, I’m seriously applauding her performance. She is sweet and then things go crazy. This young actress takes us on a huge thrill ride and brings more than a few jaw dropping moments. Well done young lady, extremely well done.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

DEVILS STAY is the genre of thriller film from Korea that is visually stunning, a story that is captivating, a cast that embraces their characters taking us on a thrill ride until the very end. Of course, there have been films similar in storyline to this but the direction Moon-Sub Hyun takes I am here for. Following Dr. Cha’s story and Father Ban’s part in the story had me at go immediately.

The grief of Dr. Cha and the determination of Father Ban truly makes the story one to watch. Possession is the theme of the film but it is the two male characters that bring the full-on drama to this ninety-five-minute running film. There truly isn’t anything about this film that I do not absolutely love. The cinematography is also brilliant and is another quiet layer to the story that is truly well done.

DEVILS STAY is a film that needs to have the lights off, the sound bar up and cuddles under thick protective blankets. Well, that’s how I watched it anyway so grab a tub of popcorn and do your best not to jaw drop because this film will definitely make that happen.

In the end – they must believe!

It is the PANDA PLAN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Luan Zhang and Well Go USA is the story of an action star and the mayhem that comes with the PANDA PLAN.

Jackie (Jackie Chan) is a film star who pics and chooses the projects or events he wants to attend. Going down the list with assistant David (Xiang Wei), one of the events is to go to the Noah Zoo and see the pandas. That is one event Jackie actually thinks he will have some fun doing. Showing up he is greeted by fans and gets to be part of adopting a baby panda. Doing her job, Su Xiaozhu (Ce Shi) takes care of the cute and chubby baby panda Hu-Hu who is a bit stubborn but she adores the little ball of fur.

Taking a break, Su goes to get some ice cream and asks everyone how was Jackie’s visit to the zoo. To her surprise, Jackie is right in front of her! Sitting down to talk, he mentions the pandas and Su offers to take him to visit the Hu-Hu. Jackie gets to spend time with the baby. That’s all great but off-shore, a mercenary ship is being sent on a mission, a large sum of money is being offered if they kidnap the Hu-Hu. As Jackie is giving a speech in the panda exhibit, mercenaries are making their way to their goal. Imagine their surprise when they get inside the exhibit and see the action hero!

Su managed to get the baby panda away and hide while Jackie fights the mohawk wearing bad guy James (Temur Mamisashvili). Attempting to keep things going inside the zoo, the Director (Andy Friend) takes a Rambo stance against the bad guys. Jackie and Su manage to meet up and they have one goal, find a way around the mercenaries and keep the furry baby out of the clutches of the bad guys. When the big boss lands, the danger has heightened.

Now the chase is really on!

Chan as, well, Jackie Chan gets the chance to not only be the action hero but also add comedy to his character. There are so many twists and turns in a fun antic way and Chan honestly looks like he is having fun doing it. His marital arts fit with a gentleman of his age and I still enjoyed what he can do. Shi as Su is thrilled to meet Chan but when things go crazy, she knows that her goal is the panda. She is in the middle of the antics whether she wants to be or not. I think she is actually the clever one of the bunch.

Wei as David has a lot of quirks but will do anything for his friend. If anything, as much as Chan is comedy, Wei is the literal comic relief with his funny moments that bring giggles whether you realize you’re doing it or not. I’ll admit he had me laughing for sure. Mamisashvili as James is the literal bad guy comic to Wei’s good guy comic. He does get the chance to take on Chan’s martial arts and he gets as good as he gives. Friend as the Director is doing his best to be a zoo hero and a few mistakes shouldn’t be a problem…right?

Other cast include Danny Ray as Harry, Ivan Ponomarenko as Farih, Bing Jia as the Ice Cream Shop owner, andSean Kohnke as the MMA fighter.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Bonus Features include English Language Available and Trailer.

PANDA PLAN is definitely a comedy-cute animal-action film that the whole family can enjoy. There are very funny scenes that the kids who love pandas will love. Okay, so adults who love pandas too will smile a lot. The special effect “panda” is charming, cute and squeaky as we would expect a baby to be.

Chan leads the way for the film and the cast choices fit right in seamlessly. The scene where Jackie talks about why he continues to make movies, I thought was lovely. The cinematography is wonderful and colorful from start to finish.

The filmi s in Mandarin but easily switched to English for the kids. So, sit back and watch as a family to see how Jackie Chan handles the Panda stealing bad guys or is there more to the story?

In the end – never mess with a baby panda!

 

 

 

 

 

They Take On the INVASION

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Bobby Boermans and Well Go USA is the story of those who sacrifice everything to stop the INVASION.

Off the coast of Curacao, the Coast Guard is on the tail of smugglers who think they can outrun the law. Finally catching up, the soldiers are surprised to get a call to come back to the ship. The new is that there is an attack by a rogue nation on Curacao and plans must be made. On the shore, three Marines are in the middle of training as one soldier believes that he is on his way to leaving military service. Word comes down that every man is needed to get the enemy under control.

Attacking civilians and the military, the soldiers realize they must do whatever is necessary to protect the people and keeping Curacao from being taken over. When the base is overrun, those in charge realize that a prisoner is the reason for the attack and now they must get him out of the line of fire.

Each step they take brings them all closer to either dealing with the invaders or buying time until more help arrives. These aren’t just any Marines; they are soldiers willing to do whatever it takes!

The cast includes Tarikh Janssen, Gijs Blom, Ortal Vriend, Jasha Rudge, Fedja Van Huet, Gijs Scholten Van Aschat and Raymond Thiry.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

The story is one of friendship, courage, leadership and the fight to do what is right protecting those who cannot protect themselves. Director Boermans takes on a mixture of all of these and facets them into an action film that stretches the full 90 minutes. Taking it from the perspective of the ship at sea, those affected and the soldiers pushing the interlopers back, nothing is left to chance.

As the military does what it can, they are not helped much by those in government as they can’t seem to get it together one way or the other. It is the soldiers who know what needs to be done and how to do it. I am a fan of action films and INVASION gives plenty of that from beginning to end. The cast bring the story to fruition and as an ensemble make the story work seamlessly.     

In the end – every war becomes personal!

 

 

 

 

 

 

They Underestimate THE PROSECUTOR

 

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from producer/director Donnie Yen and Well Go USA comes the story of justice and a man who will accept nothing less as THE PROSECUTOR.

Detective Fok Chi-ho (Donnie Yen) loses faith in law enforcement when a group of criminals are not convicted of crimes that he investigated. Deciding on another path, Fok spends years studying the law and joins the Department of Justice as a public prosecutor. The first case he is assigned to, with mentor Bao (Kent Cheng), is a case of a young boy and drug smuggling. Ma (Mason Fung) received a package at his home after allowing his friend Chan (Locker Lam) to use his address.

Claiming his innocence and admitting that he only did so to help his grandfather Uncle Ma (Lau Kong) with debts. His defense lawyer Li (Chu Pak Hong) and Au Pak-man (Julian Cheung) tell him that its better to plead guilty and beg for leniency. Fok is told by Chief Prosecutor Yeung Dit-lap (Francis Ng) to take the defenses offer even though he feels as if something is truly wrong with the case. After Ma is severely sentenced and seeing Uncle Ma’s horrified reaction, it bothers Fok and he decides to start his own investigation.

Almost immediately, Uncle Ma and Fok realize their lives are in danger! Fok discovers that nightclub owner Lau (Adam Pak) had a connection and it runs deep. Fok, Bao and his team put there all into discovering how all of this happened and who is truly responsible.

Yen as Detective Fok does what he does best, portray a man who wants justice for everybody, no matter who they are or their status. Not finding it within the police department, he spends years studying the law and making his way into a courtroom. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t lost his cop instincts. Meshing the cop and the prosecutor together, he makes it clear that the case against Ma needs to be reexamined and the connections found.

Fung as Ma is a young man who is trying to do the right thing in a bad situation. Once he realizes that no one seems to be on his side, he starts to accept what has happened to him. Fung gives that performance of a used pawn in someone else’s game. Kong as Uncle Ma is an elderly man who wants to be a part of his grandson’s life but sees everyone involved as crooked. Kong is charming and his performance such feeling.

Cheng as Bao realizes that he cannot keep Fok under control but once he realizes what his pupil is capable of, he happily wants to do what he can to help. Ng as Yeung has a problem almost right away with Fok as the two butt heads over their dealings with the law. Yeung portrays a man who is use to having his own way and no one question decisions but Fok doesn’t see it that way at all. Cheung as Au Pak is a clever individual who shuffles around the pieces like on a chess board. He doesn’t have a lot to say but instead watches everything and every body to make sure it all goes his way because that’s where the money is!

Other cast include Michael Hui as Judge Hui, MC Cheung Tin-fu as Lee King-wai, Yu Kang as Kim Hung, Ray Lui as Sang, Mark Cheng as Tung, Sisley Choi as Leung May-yee, Justin Cheung as Cheung Man-bing, Liza Wang as Secretary of Justice.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

THE PROSECUTOR is a mixture of martial arts action thriller and the unraveling of a mystery. Yen gets the opportunity to remind us that he is perfectly capable of still doing action sequences and bringing an intense story to fruition. Step by step the story unfolds and it doesn’t rush which I love about a good triple threat. Bringing in drama to an action film can be difficult but Yen makes it look easy both in front of the camera and behind it as its director.

Yen chooses a fantastic cast to back up the story and they each carry out their roles that bring the film together completely by its end. The choreography of the fight scenes is equal to the choreography inside the courtroom. Every twist and turn are not only physical but part of the mystery that keeps us focused and enthralled. Following the history of his own family, the character of Fok, portrayed by Yen, is worthy of every moment. The film is the reason to see everything it has to offer on the big screen.

In the end – he wants justice for all!

 

 

 

They Stay BEYOND THE WASTELAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital followed by Bluray in January from writer/director Vardan Tozija, Darijan Pejovski and Well Go USA is the world BEYOND THE WASTELAND.

Marko (Matej Sivakov) and his father (Sasko Kocev) live in the deep woods surviving after the world seems to have fallen apart and people have become infected called the Evil Ones. His father teaches Marko how to survive but little else in the way of a father/son relationship. Instead, the boy’s life is full of rules, what not to do, survivalist tactics and silence are what he is raised on.

Retrieving water one day, Marko comes upon a camper in the middle of the woods. Investigating, he discovers toys and to his shock, another boy! Miko (Aleksandar Nichovski) shares the afternoon of boyhood fun with Marko and it is only interrupted by Ana (Kamka Tocinovski), Miko’s mother who is just as surprised to see another boy.

Marko’s father is angry when the boy returns with no water and questions him about where he has been. Later, the boy asks questions about his mother, something he has not done before and isn’t given much in the way of answers. Deciding to deal with things on his own, Marko decides he needs to go to the Stone City to find answers and, after an incident, decides to take Miko with him.

When Marko’s father discovers him gone, the hunt is on to find him. It doesn’t stop Marko from continuing on his journey and what he discovers is frightening and an answer that will shake up everything!

Sivakov as Marko is absolutely amazing in this role of a young boy who begins to understand that following his fathers’ daily commands isn’t really living. As he begins to question his father about the family and life beyond the forest, circumstances begin to change. Sivakov gives us a performance of a savvy young boy who is still just a young boy. Once he leaves the forest, he realizes the reasoning’s for his father’s behavior. I just loved watching Sivakov develop the role of Marko and it is truly a beautiful performance.

Nichovski as Miko is just a loving, fun, giving, understanding and clever young man with a disability that survivors don’t understand. Being with Marko is important to the boy as their friendship is based on the understanding of being a boy. Nichovski’s portrayal of Miko does double duty on the heartstrings from warming it to squeezing the life out of it. Well done young man.

Kocev as Marko’s father is a man trying to survive while teaching his young son to be a survivalist. He has memories of his own and decisions that, instead of flowing with emotion, cause him to be harder toward Marko. He is taken by surprise when his son wants to know more and now there is a returning fear in this man’s eyes. Kocev takes his role and gives it the right amount of grit needed to understand Marko.

Other cast include Toni Mihajlovski as John, Vladimir Tuliev as Man in the Overcoat, Tara Popova as Mark’s sister, Verica Nedeska as Marko’s mother.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

The film was Awarded Programmers’ Choice Award at the 26th Annual Dances With Films: NY., the city’s leading indie film festival. In addition, the film was awarded a Special Mention/Balkan Competition and nominated for the Grand Prix at the Sofia International Film Festival. The film came from the Republic of North Macedonia (a co-production between North Macedonia, France, Croatia, Luxembourg and Kosovo.

BEYOND THE WASTELAND is a slow-moving film that needs to be so. The story unravels at a pace one would expect survivors to live after human catastrophe. Going on that ride is one that will not disappoint because it is Marko’s story in the grand scheme of things. It is the story of a boy who lives as he should until the questions become larger and larger about his life and where he feels he needs to be to get answers.

Keeping the cast extremely small is what makes this film easy to go along with. Taking out the noise, we the viewers have our attention directed where it should be – with Marko and even Miko as young boys trying to make it to being young men. The world around them is beautiful when it is not being savage. This is a film that should be savored from start to shocking finish!

In the end – he is a truly special boy!

 

THE BEAST WITHIN Arrives on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from writer/director Alexander J. Farrell and Well Go USA is summer frights in the night with THE BEAST WITHIN.

Willow (Caoilinn Springall) lives deep in the woods with her father Noah (Kit Harington), mother Imogen (Ashleigh Cummings) and grandfather Waylon (James Cosmo). In relative isolation, one evening Willow sees her parents going into the forest and decides to follow. What she sees is something ancient and frightening!

Noah loves his daughter but has a quick temper that upsets Waylon to the point of family arguments. When the family starts to become fractured, Willow begins to understand that the change in her father is going to force her to save her family.

Springall as Willow is a quiet young girl who lives in a world of the forest becoming a free spirit and her family that is full of secrets. This young actress gives a stoic and stellar performance that required equal parts childlike and survivalist at the same time. Watching Springall move through the world created by her parents is as much startling as it is riveting.

Harington as Noah clearly has anger issues that seem to be sparked by the smallest thing. Noah also lives in a world of duality from loving his wife and spending time with Willow, to setting the world around him on fire at the flip of a switch. Harington gives a broodish performance of a man attempting to navigate both worlds until the choice is made for him. Cummings as Imogen is a wife who is going to protect the family from itself but even then, it is a battle between love and family.

Cosmo as Waylan is a concerned grandfather who is tired of the tension in the family. His main concern is Willow and making sure that she is looked after. He gives the protective side that the family needs. This isn’t the first time that Cosmo and Harington have worked together. They spent a bit of time portraying Jeor Mormont and Jon Snow in the hit series GAME OF THRONES.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

THE BEAST WITHIN is the struggle of a family that is dealing with isolation, an ancient secret and the love of family. Filmed in the lush forest, it is the perfect setting to bring the story to the screen. It is another character in the film that has its own story to tell and has a place in the life of Noah and Willow. Watching them in the forest, father and daughter have a bond with everything around them, even the evil.

The cast brings everything to the table with the complexities of each character filled with anxiety, secrets and a way to survive it all. Young Springall is the middle of the two worlds and has learned to live in each, until one becomes stronger. Watching this young actress play the role of a struggling child brings the tension and concern for anyone watching leaving the adults to their own devices.

It’s nice to have a summer thriller in the midst of everything thrown out in theatres for the summer, and it’s even better where there is a monster involved. Dim lights in the theatre, a tub of popcorn where a lot ends up on the floor from the jumps and a curse that can destroy a family is everything when looking for a film to embrace.

In the end – it is the night that brings the beast!

The Horror of the EXHUMA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from writer/director Jang Jae-hyun and Well Go USA is the story of the supernatural and secrets with EXHUMA.

Korean Shaman Lee Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun) and Yoon Bong-gil (Lee Do-hyun) have come to help a Korean-American family led by Park Ji-Yong (Kim Jae-cheol) with an illness that can’t be explained around their newborn son. Spending time with the boy, Hwa-rim discovers that a ‘Grave’s Call’ in on the entire family and it is coming from Ji-Yong’s grandfather. Deciding it is best to relocate the grave for the sake of the ancestor, Haw-rim knows she needs the help of Feng Shui master Kim Sang-deok (Cho Min-sik) and mortician Yeong-geun (Yoo Hae-jin).

Sang-deok’s career is finding burial locations for family members and Yeong-geun runs the funeral home. Almost immediately, Sang-Deok is unsettled by Ji-Yong’s request for cremation and does not want anything to do with the patriarch’s wishes. But he is persuaded by the money being offered which would help him with his daughter’s wedding. Still leery, Hwa-rim lets him know that a ritual can be done at the gravesite to keep clear of any curse. Thinking everything went well during the ceremony, one of the men helping to handle the gravesite is startled by a snake – and that’s when things begin to go horribly wrong.

Something is unleashed and it is something that can not be seen right away but it is going after Ji-young and his family. That is when Sang-deok decides that the coffin of the grandfather must immediately be cremated. Thinking things would get better, some time goes by and Sang-deok visits the grave helper and realizes that there is more to the gravesite. Hwa-rim, Bong-gil and Yeong-geun go back with him to look further and discover that there is something deeper in the ground. They learn that a Japanese shaman named Murayama Junji has a history and it is dark and evil.

Now, they all must do whatever is necessary to try and save Ji-young’s newborn and Bong-gil who is connected to Murayama Junji is the evillest of ways.

Cho Min-sik as Sang-deok is a man who takes his career seriously helping families to find proper burial places for their loved ones. Being invited by Lee Hwa-rim to help him understand what is happening with the Ji-Yong family is welcomed, especially financially. Min-sik portrays his character as a man who knows there is something more than a relocation of a grandfather. His performance kept me going further and further into the story.

Kim Go-eun as Lee Hwa-rim is a young woman with a gift. She understands that her life is mixed in a world that most people can not see nor understand yet, Hwa-rim knows there are those who need her. When she is asked to visit Ji-Yong’s newborn son to discover what is ailing him, she recognizes early what it is and calls out for reinforcements to handle it. Go-eun is amazing in her role and the moments of terror, her expressions are classic horror film.

Lee Do-hyun as Yoon Bong-gil is consistently at Hwa-rim’s side and part of the ceremony’s she must perform. He knows what needs to happen and follows her every step until he becomes part of the horror himself. Do-hyun gets the fun of being part of what is causing the evil and does it so well. Yoo Hae-jin as Yeong-geun is trying to keep the funeral business paying and when he receives a call from Hwa-rim, he also understands that whatever she is dealing with, it is going to need a quick response. He is Sang-deok’s sidekick and offers a bit of humor along the way. Kim Jae-cheol as Park Ji-Yong isn’t sure if he believes what Hwa-rim is telling him but knows that something has to be done, especially since he is on grandfather’s list it seems. Can’t blame a guy for wanting to do whatever is possible to save his family.

Other cast include Yeong-ran Lee as Bae Jeon-ja, Kim tae-joon as Chang-min, Jung Yun-Ha as Ji-yong’s wife, Jeong-ja Park as Ji-yong’s aunt, Hong Seo-jun as President Kim, Seol Chang-hee as the son-in-law and Lee Jong-goo as Bodhisattva.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Bonus Features includes the Making of EXHUMA and trailer.

EXHUMA runs 135 minutes in total but let me tell you, it is worth every moment. I happen to enjoy well done story telling and am willing to invest the time on a good one. This film takes it step by step and just when you think things are wrapping up – nope! There are so many levels to this story and it is done so very, very well. The cast is stunning in their portrayals to the point that I was with them every step of the way without even realizing it. There were moments I actually stopped moving and didn’t realize that either. That’s the sign of an awesome thriller.

The cinematography is beautiful as the story focuses on the five main characters and scenes deep in the woods. The special effects are so cool! I don’t need a ton of gore to get invested in a tale of thrills and EXHUMA uses the effects in the best way possible and it looks amazing. If you are not a fan of subtitles as the film is in Korean, watching it in the English setting does not take away anything from the film, it’s equally as exciting and full of edge-of-your-seat moments.

So, turn out the lights and cuddle up with blankets on the sofa because EXHUMA might have you pulling that blanket up to your eyes. Director Jang Jae-hyun gives us a thrill of a supernatural kind!

In the end – the vicious emerges!

HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Pat Boonnitipat, GDH and Well Go USA is the story of a family struggling with HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES.

M (Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul) is a young man still living at home with his mother. Spending his days gaming, mom Sew (Sarinrat “Jear” Thomas) takes care of everything even though she is a bit frustrated with her son who constantly wants money from her. She is also worrying about her mother, Amah (Usha “Taew” Seamkhum) who is elderly and having a few health problems. During a trip out to visit the ancestors in the cemetary, Amah takes a fall landing in the hospital. It is there that Sew finds out her mother is very ill.

M hangs out with cousin Mui (Tontawan “Tu” Tantivejakul) who is a caregiver to her grandfather. She tells M that he should become a caregiver in hopes that he will receive something for his time out of family loyalty. That’s when M gets the idea to help Amah by moving in with her. At first Amah is suspicious of her grandson’s motives but M begins to see how the rest of the family actually treats Amah. At a family dinner, M’s uncle Kaing (Sanya “Duu” Kunakorn), wife Pinn (Duangporn Oapirat), their daughter Rainbow (Himawari Tajiri) and Uncle Soei (Pongsatorn "Phuak" Jongwilas) hover around Amah until she lets the cat out of the bag.

That’s when M really sees what his own family is all about. Uncle Kaing wants Amah to live with them but he has the feeling that came from Pinn, Soei is in financial trouble again and his mom is just struggling to work and take Amah where she needs to go. Mui tells M to step it up before he loses his chance to gain something from his grandma. The problem is, M is starting to see things different, see people differently and, more importantly, see himself differently!

Assaratanakul as M is just stunning! He is witty, charming, selfish, a bit narcissistic and a tad lazy but there is something about this character that just won me over. His motives aren’t the best for being with his grandmother but sometimes what you think you know about someone isn’t what you really knew at all. That’s what is interesting watching Assaratanakul play this role, he grows as a person but in the most interesting ways as in, one step forward and two steps back. Ahhh, such is a young undirected life, right?

Thomas as Sew is a woman raising a son alone, taking moments to realize her life has just imploded in so many ways and she can’t seem to get a grasp on her own mother emotionally. I get her actually because even though this is a different culture, those guilt-mother feelings are universal. Such a wonderful performance. Kunakorn as Kaing is a brother you just want to forget you have (okay maybe not totally forget). He is into his life and everyone else seems like a bother or inconvenience, that is until there is something in it for his family. Oapirat as wife Pinn backs her husband and it is one of those things where I give the character the side-eye as I’m watching. That the sign of a good performance when you can make me turn my lip up at you.

Jongwilas as Soei is what I refer to as a problem child. Always in trouble and never comes around unless he is in trouble is another character most families can relate to. He is charming when he wants to be but his motives are shifty. Well played sir! Tantivejakul as Mui is a young woman also trying to find her way in the world. Making a buck where ever she can, tutoring M on how to make it work isn’t exactly – well, working. Mui does have a good heart toward her cousin and that is so sweet to see. Tajiri as Rainbow is just so dang adorable and sweet.

Now, for the big shout out – to Seamkhum as Amah! What an outstanding, loving, opinionated, charming, aggravating character and Seamkhum’s performance is everything for this film. I about lost it several times in laughter at her antics and then I broke out a box of tissue several times in tears for the heart wrenching scenes that are brilliantly done by this actress. Seriously, she will take you on an emotional roller coaster of it all and you will be glad you paid the price of emotional admission. Ms. Seamkhum, you won me heart and soul with this performance.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

GDH stands for “Gross Domestic Happiness,” which refers to our philosophy of measuring the success of a film by how happy it makes our audience rather than its financial success at the box office. GDH aims to create unique and globally appealing content by elevating the quality of Thai films and TV series to a world-class level. The GDH purpose is to inspire smiles, laughter, pleasure, and greater gross audience happiness.

HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES is a hot mess in the best of ways. Noticing his sensitive approach to directing actors, the producers of Bad Genius: The Series teamed up with him once again on HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES (2024), a personal project developed from the original idea of screenwriter Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn. He will be making his feature directorial debut with this film.

There is so much to love about this film from its twists of family antics and behaviors to the cultural aspects to the moment when they realize that family isn’t forever. This film captures the beauty we often forget to see in our families even in the midst of total chaos. What I love is that it is relevant to everybody even through we are seeing it through the eyes of the Asian culture and family dynamic. M learns that it is time that is the ultimate gift and the last 20 minutes just about ripped me apart.

Keeping the cast to a minimum allows us to truly get to learn about each character and what drives them. It isn’t always a good look on them but that’s part of life, right? The film is a sneak peak inside the home life of Amah, the stories she remembers and what her family has grown into and M does not understand it at all. Could it be that he doesn’t understand it because he is actually in the middle of it himself? There are so many questions but don’t worry, the film answers every one of them. What a tremendously beautiful film from start to finish.

In the end – trust your Amah!

They Fight BEFORE DAWN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Jordan Prince-Wright and Well Go USA is a look at war with young men with BEFORE DAWN.

Jim Collins (Levi Miller) is a young man from the Australian outback who has decided to sign up for war on the Western Front. His father is distraught about his decision but knows he can do nothing to change his mind. Finding himself in the trenches of France, he realizes that the Germans are as dug in as his battalion in.

Making friends is a necessity but also can be heartbreaking. Jim’s pals include Thomas Nickels (Travis Jeffery) and his brother Harry (Christian Dethlefsen), Bill (Aodhan Guy), Don (Ed Oxenbould), Ned (Jordan Dulieu) and all being watched over by Lt. Longhorn (Paul Walenkamp). As the bombs keep exploding around them night and day, with the mud seeping into every part of their being, Jim refuses to change who he is.

Trying to keep his friends safe, it sometimes causes Jim to come to the reality check that war does not care who you are, who your friends are or where the munitions land. Gone from home for almost three years, Jim is determined to follow all into battle so he can get home to the people that love him.

Miller as Jim is a young man who believes that joining the fight is something he needs to do. Finding camaraderie with other young man who signed up for the war, Jim, at moments, has difficulty relating to his fellow soldiers as he feels it is necessary sometimes to put himself in the fray. Miller does a superb job of portraying this character.

Jeffery as Thomas takes to Jim right away but when the unthinkable happens, the two soldiers try to understand that in war, nothing is guaranteed. Guy, Oxenbould and Dulieu finish out the friendship, looking out for one another can be difficult when someone is just across the way trying to end everything.

Shout out to Walenkamp as the elder soldier who knows what all of this means caught up between making sure the boys stay alive and doing his duty. Sometimes it clashes and Walenkamp portrayed the clash with strength.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Bonus features include a Behind-the-Scenes and trailer.

Other cast include Stephen Peacocke as Cpt. Beale, Myles Pollard as Sgt. Beaufort, Tim Franklin as Big Tooth, Lawrence Murphy as Charlie, Peter Williams as Roy, and Oscar Millar as Hammond.

Miller as Jim is the main focus of the story coming from a home deep in the outback with his parents and lovely girlfriend. Deciding to go to war is not something his father understands rather wanting his son to stay home. Once Jim is deep in the trenches of French mud, it feels as if he grasps what his father was trying to tell him. At the same time, surrounded by other young men, he finds comfort in the shared situation they are all in.

What moves me about the film is knowing that these young soldiers were from such a proud era in time fighting for something greater than themselves. Their fear comes through and made my heart hurt for what these characters were experiencing. That’s how you know the cast is one that melds together so well. Making a war film is difficult enough, especially when the story deals with human emotions and director Prince-Wright has taken that all into consideration. The conflict is not only what is outside the trenches, but sometimes also what is happening in the trenches.

In the end – leave no man behind!

 

 

It is all About the RIDE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director writer/director Jake Allyn and Well Go USA is the story of a family, life and the RIDE.

In Texas, John Hawkins (C. Thomas Howell) is financially struggling to help his cancer-stricken daughter Virginia (Zia Carlock). Getting her to the right hospital means Hawkins must do whatever it takes to raise the funds the hospital is asking for. Estranged wife Monica (Annabeth Gish) is a cop in their town and splits her time between her job and being with Virginia.

Arriving home is Peter (Jake Allyn) who has served his time in prison and is trying to find his way. He learns that Virginia is ill and Hawkins is trying to raise the money. Doing what he is good at, Peter enters a rodeo contest and butts heads with Hawkins after. Peter also has to deal with Tyler (Patrick Murney), a man no one dare cross and his own guilt.

When Hawkins and Peter are put up against it, Monica begins to suspect that the two are doing something that could put them both in prison. A robbery gone wrong means that the troubles they were feeling before are small compared to what they are about to face. In the middle of their personal struggles, the Hawkins family must decide what is most important in their lives.

Howell as John Hawkins is a good man in a bad situation. Struggling to find a way to get his daughter medical help, he comes up against the cost of trying to survive an illness. Howell plays a man who carries the weight of his life like a boulder and if he puts it down, Hawkins world would fall apart. His stunning portrayal is both intense and heartbreaking in equal measure.

Allyn as Peter carries the same duality of intensity and heartbreak in his character. Coming out of prison a very different man, he wants to do the right thing by those he feels he has wronged. The problem with that is there is always somebody who wants to make sure that doesn’t happen. Allyn gives his character a deep struggle to contend with and it is done well.

Gish as Monica is relying on Hawkins to make sure Virginia gets the medical attention she needs. Understanding the struggles her family is now going through and the return of Peter, being a cop means being suspicious of everything that seems to be happening. Gish gives a stern performance of a woman that is caught in the middle of family and the law.

Other cast include Forrie J. Smith as Al, Josh Plasse as Noah, Liz Atwater as Ana, Laci Booth as Libby, Tony Herbert as Tanner and Scott Reeves as Ross Dicksons.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Bonus Features include Interviews with the Cast – Annabeth Gish, C. Thomas Howell, Forrie J. Smith, Jake Allyn, Josh Plasse, Laci Kay Booth and Zia Carlock.

RIDE is a look at the family dynamics of how they once were, tragedies along the way and what lies ahead for their future. Howell, Allyn and Gish know their characters are put in a precarious situation and it is believable for the viewers especially to anyone who has ever had to deal with hospitals and the cost of treating illness.

Both Howell and Allyn’s characters are struggling with grief and life choices which shouldn’t keep them at odds but does. Chalk that up to the stubbornness of father’s and sons with a side dish of deep, dark guilt. These actors have the look and the feel of what can happen when all of it collides for Hawkins and Peter.

In the end – the toughest ride is redemption!