APORIA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Jared Moshe and Well Go USA Entertainment is the thriller with APORIA.

Sophie (Judy Greer) is a woman dealing with the grief at the loss of husband, Mal (Edi Gathegi). Also trying to deal with the pain is Sophie’s daughter Riley (Faithe Herman) and it has caused emotional detachment between them.

Trying to hold down a job and take care of Riley, Sophie has the help of Mal’s good friend physicist Jabir (Payman Maadi). Seeing that the grief of Mal’s death is too much, Jabir shows Sophie something spectacular, a time bending machine.

Telling her that it could be possible to change the day Mal died by a drunk driver, Sophie, at first declines to get involved. But when seeing the man who killed her husband, Sophie decides to see if it would work.

Mal’s return brings a dilemma to Sophie and Jabir in how to continue using the machine. Their lives are now vastly different and with every use of the machine, the danger of the changes grows. That’s when these three people realize that someone has to set things right.

Greer as Sophie portrays a grieving widow who is trying to keep her life together. The struggles with her job and a daughter who clearly wants nothing to do with the life before her father’s death. The wonderful thing about Greer is that she can do comedy and drama with equal measure and success. As Sophie, Greer develops her character from grief to conscience with the hope of a successful ending.

Maadi as Jabir is a man on a mission. Using a room in his house to create the time bending machine, he clearly believes it can work and help Sophie and Riley have some happiness back in their lives. Maadi becomes the middle man between Sophie and Mal but also realizes that perhaps the world isn’t ready for his machine. I enjoy Maadi as a solid character actor and this is the reason why.

Gathegi as Mal is a man who is, at first, rightly confused about what has happened in his life and death. Once he grasps what has happened, the wondering of what good could this machine do for bringing justice in some ways. I first saw Gathegi in the 2014 series JUSTIFIED and up to the 2022 series FOR ALL MANKIND. Gathegi has a presence that draws the audience in and wants to know more about the character he plays. Well done!

Herman as Riley has become withdrawn, standoffish and emotionally unpredictable since her father’s death. Taking it out on the only person she can, Riley leans hard on her mother and also acts out at school. Herman does the teenager like a teenager would be in the strange situation Riley finds herself.

Other cast include Rachel Paulson as May, Lisa Linke as Nurse Cohen, Adam O’Bryne as Darby, Whitney Cox as Kara, Veda Cienfuegos as Aggie, Dionne Audain as Hagerty, Mann Alfonso as Mr. Abante, Coel Mahal as Mary-Lou, Grace Hinson as VP Bae and Jeffrey Sun as Prosecutor Macias.

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.

APORIA is a look at a family torn apart by grief and given the chance to try and correct what they feel is a wrong is dangerous. A put together machine is about to change Sophie and Riley’s lives and it won’t be a simple change either.

As a physicist, Jabir should know you cannot change the present by going back to the past, yet he shares his time bending machine with Sophie. Correcting what people believe are events that are wrong is still no answer yet, the shared grief between Sophie and Jabir pushes them forward thinking ‘oh nothing bad will happen to do this ONE thing’.

The consequences of their actions is what grips APORIA to its core and kept me watching. As we all know, making a mess it easy – it’s the clean up that can be a hot mess. This film is proof that perhaps its better not to make the mess in the first place.

In the end – reality is a continuum!

 

 

 

ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU Runs onto Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from director Ryoo Seung-wan and Well Go USA Entertainment is the drama thriller based on true events with ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU.

It is 1991 in Mogadishu as diplomats from both South and North Korea attempt to find their place and make deals with dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. Tensions are high and each move by all embassy's is carefully coordinated.

In the South Korean Embassy, Han Sin-seong (Kim Yoon-seok) is in charge of the embassy along with wife Kim (Kim So-jin) and their children. His staff with Intelligence Officer Kang (Jo In-sung), secretary Gong (Jung Man-sik), translator Park (Park Kyung-hye and Jo Soo-jin (Kim Jae-hwa) keep their government informed of what is happening.

At the North Korean Embassy, Ambassador Rim Yong-su (Heo Joon-ho) has his family along with Intelligence Officer (Tae (Koo Kyo-hwan). The two Ambassadors are trying to keep their connections for doing business in Somalia and are competing with one another. That is until there is an uprising in the streets, and it becomes larger and larger with gunfighting in the street.

Ambassador Han and Kang immediately realize they must get the families and staff out of Mogadishu and learn that the flights have been cancelled. Returning to the embassy, communications and the electricity go out and the only thing they can do is stay indoors with some help from a few soldiers from Barre's military.

At the North Korean embassy, Ambassador Rim is also attempting to take care of the families and staff. As the streets become overrun with fighters and military, there are those who are looking to ransack the embassies. When Rim's office is attacked, they are warned to get out and they gather up to go through the streets.

Being chased and trying to stay alive, the North Koreans find themselves in front of the South Korean embassy. As the gunfighting is less than five feet away, the soldiers manage to push it at bay as Ambassador Han agrees to let them in. Immediately there are tensions and misunderstandings, but one thing is clear, they need to find a way to survive.

There is no time to be enemies when there are new enemies at the gate!

Yoon-seok as Ambassador Han just wants to do his job and do it well. Looking to make a working arrangement with Barre's government, he feels defeated by the North Koreans at every turn. Once events turn badly, Yoon-seok gives his character suspicion that leads to an understanding he never thought was possible, well done.

Joon-ho as Ambassador Rim is a very straight forward man who knows that he is up against Ambassador Han and will also do anything to get a step ahead. When the fighting in the street starts, he has to make difficult decisions but as with Ambassador Han, it is the mistrust that hinders until the truth becomes clear.

In-sung as Kang lets Han know that helping the North Koreans is the right thing to do and even tries, however misguided, to help. This character has heart and will do anything to get everyone and I mean everyone out alive. Kyo-hwan as Tae is a little different, more angry and more determined to believe that the South Koreans are up to something that will harm them.

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 Production Documentaries, Making of ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU and Trailers.

Doris Pfardrescher of Well Go USA Entertainment says of ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU that it "is both a gripping and important watch, made even more so by the production team's careful study of surviving embassy records and historical accounts in order to create the most realistic possible depiction of the circumstances. The film portrays this almost unfathomable event that throws the horrors of war into sharp relief."

ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU won Best Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography Award, Best Music Award and Star of the Year Award at the 20th Buil Film Awards.

The film begins at a pace that lets us get to know each of the characters and then rips into high gear once the coup begins between the rioters and the government. That is when the true heart of these characters begins to show themselves. Knowing from the onset that there was a divide between these two countries (as well as knowing it still exists), there are moments where the story causes intensity that they might be their own worst enemy.

Instead, the film gives us the opportunity to see that through talking (as much as they can while trying to get from A to B without death), these two groups of people are just that - people. One of the two countries forces decisions on the group and the other country puts pressure on being successful. When they are left on their own, they become - just people.

People who get to know one another on a level that most of us will never know in our lifetime. Sharing more than food with one another, they share bits of their own story that make the other even more aware that when you strip down all the garbage, they each love their family's and just want to go home.

Coming in at 121 minutes, prepare for intensity, action, and ingenuity that makes the film time go so quickly to and ending that will break hearts as well as bring on conversation.

In the end - they must run to live!

THE MIMIC Is Calling You!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming soon to Bluray from director Huh Jung and Well Go USA Entertainment is the sound of voices that can only come from THE MIMIC.

Hee-yeon (Yum Jung-ah), husband Min-ho (Park Hyuk-kwon) and their daughter Jonahed (Bang Yu-seal) have decided to move to Mt. Jang. Their son has been missing for several years and Hee-yeon believes that her mother holds the key to finding him. The problem is that Soon-ja (Heo Jin) has gone silent.

Taking the family back to some place she will remember, Hee-yeon is hoping it will trigger something. Instead, they aren’t even done unpacking when two kids who are looking for their dog discover a cave that frightens them. Min-ho and Hee-yeon help them and in the process discover a small girl (Shin Rin-ah) wandering in the woods.

Hee-yeon takes in the girl but her husband is insistent that she turn her over to the police. Quickly, mysterious things begin to happen that are hard to ignore. Especially when a local woman tries to warn them to get away as soon as possible with the story of the Jangsan Tiger.

Hee-yeon feels an attachment to the young girl who calls herself Joon-hee and this causes a strain with Min-ho. When Soon-ja becomes violent towards Joon-hee #2 and it becomes clear that she can’t live with them any more. That night the family begins to not only disappear but discover that the cave is calling Hee-yeon by using the one weakness in her heart.

Jung-ah as Hee-yeon gives the perfect expressions of a grieving mother who hasn’t come to terms with the loss of her son. Relying on her mother to bring her some hope, it is put on hold when the mysterious young girl comes into their lives. Every emotion of fear, fright and sadness is so clear with Jung-ah. I loved her role in A TALE OF TWO SISTERS and WOOCHI showing her strength as an actress.

Hyuk-kwon as Min-ho is trying to keep the family together. Feeling the stress of a mother-in-law that isn’t responding to anyone, a young daughter also dealing with the loss of a brother and a wife who seems determined to self-destruct. When he finally takes a stand, it may cost him everything.

Rin-ah as the foundling girl calling herself Joon-hee is brilliant! She is small, timid yet extremely powerful in her role. Watch the scene between the two Joon-hee’s and tell me that this young lady doesn’t have something extremely powerful. I was captivated by her.

Other cast include Lee Yool as Detective Kim, and Lee Jang-won as Jangsan Tiger.

Well Go USA Entertainment is an amazing company that brings the best of Action and Independent films from around the world. There format includes theatres, digital, cable and VOD along with Bluray. For more of what they have to offer go to www.wellgousa.com.

The story is based on the mythological Tiger of Mt. Jang who is said to be a man-eater that has sharp teeth and white fur. It is said it can be found in the mountains of Busan and can sound like a crying lady. A classic Korean ghost story that will give fans who love chills and jumps a chance to do that right in their own home.

I’m a huge fan of films that aren’t slasher-gory but instead have a story to tell with jumps, creaks, whispers and wind to keep the goose bumps happy. Yum Jung-ah and Shin Rin-ah carry the weight of the film and do it with frightening ease.

THE MIMIC received nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress from the 1^st Seoul Awards and the 54^th Grand Bell Awards. The 38^th Blue Dragon Film Awards also nominated the film for best Technical Award.

In the end – don’t follow its voice!

MINE is an Emotion Journey Standing Still on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray & DVD from directors Fabio Guaglione and Fabio Resinaro with WELL GO USA Entertainment is the intense story of a man and a MINE.

Sgt. Mike Stevens (Armie Hammer) is a sniper and with best friend Sgt. Tommy Madison (Tom Cullen) are on a mission in the middle of the desert. Their objective is to take out the leader of a terrorist cell. Setting up to neutralize the target, Mike hesitates when he realizes a wedding is happening.

When discovered on the hilltop, Mike and Tommy take cover until the chase is over. Unable to be picked up due to a sand storm, the two begin a trek through the desert to reach the nearest town. The sand uncovers a sign that Mike believes to be a warning of a mine field.

Tommy doesn’t think it’s true but everything changes when a mine explodes and Mike hears a click below his foot. The world stops for a moment and his worst fears are happening. Trying to reach his command for help, Mike is told that a caravan would be his way but not for 52 hours.

The sun beats down on Mike when he meets a man named Berber (Clint Dryer) who wonders why the soldier doesn’t just walk on. Frustrated, Mike tries to explain the situation but the man keeps asking questions. The one thing he knows important is water asking the villager for some.

As night falls Mike must deal with the animals in the desert and another day in the heat with clear hallucinations setting in begins to test his resolve. Looking for a solution, Mike is also confronted with his life, choices made and questions he has continually refused to consider answers for.

Then there is Jenny (Annabelle Wallis), the woman he loves and it becomes clear that Mike must get home to love and the chance to make life right again. Waiting for the convoy becomes too much when Mike begins to question whether Berber was even real. When the enemy discovers him before the convoy, it becomes a question of survival.

It takes only a moment to decide.

Hammer as Mike is absolutely brilliant as this soldier who is forced to face his life. His moment of hesitation when taking out the target has brought him to the point of being on his knees. From sand storms, desert wolves and hallucinations that are full of truths, Hammer takes hit after hit from all sides wearing his character down to rock bottom. Watching his deterioration there is a moment I thought, “My strength is dried up like a fragment of clay pottery … you have brought me into the dust of death” (Psalms 22).

Cullen as Tommy knows that his buddy hesitated far too long on the mission yet drives him onward through the desert. Tommy’s goal is to a phone and talk to his son. Refusing to believe the sign meant anything cost him everything. Yet he watches over his friend in ways that are spiritually amazing.

Dyer as Berber is a beautiful man who may ask a lot of questions but Mike isn’t in the mood to hold a friendly conversation. As night turns to day Berber is amazed that Mike is still standing and shares a little of his life. His voice is soothing and the heart he shows the soldier is more than I could ever have expected. Just a lovely character in a harsh situation that sees something amazing in a man who sees little in himself.

Other cast include Geoff Bell as Mike’s Father, Juliet Aubrey as Mike’s Mother, Ines Pinar Mille as Berber’s daughter and Daniel Sandoval as a young Mike.

Well Go USA Entertainment is an amazing company that brings the best of Action and Independent films from around the world. There format includes theatres, digital, cable and VOD along with Bluray. For more of what they have to offer go to www.wellgousa.com.

Well done Well Go USA Entertainment for bringing such a original, intense, and emotional film to Bluray and DVD because this is an visual experience not soon forgotten.

The Bluray and DVD include the Bonus Features of Deleted Scenes, The Making of, Trailer, VFX and Storyboard and is also available in Spanish Language.

MINE is a powerful film that will take the viewer on a journey through every range of human emotions. As Sgt. Mike’s mind begins to wander through the story and events of his life, we all become voyeurs into the painful memories of a soldier who was a boy and a son first.

Becoming immediately engaged in the story, Hammer’s performance is amazing up until the very last scene which, by the way, almost broke me. Standing in one spot for 52 hours doesn’t allow for distractions and the realities of one’s life are right there in front of him. Although the story revolves around this soldiers struggle, it doesn’t take stepping on a mine to understand every bit of what he is going through mentally and spiritually.

The way the storyline comes together is brilliant and just tore me up. Know that when watching because I will not give anything away about the film – this one falls under the category of the less said the better. Be prepared for everything.

In the end – stand your ground!

THE LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE Vol. Two Kicks onto DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on DVD from director Lee Moon-Ki and Well Go USA Entertainment is the next volume about the life of THE LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE Volume Two.

Bruce Lee (Danny Chan) is still upset about how his last fight with Mr. Yamamoto (Mark Dacascos) ended. Uncle Shao (Wang Luoyong) tries to make him see reason about the fight but he is also in town for the Asian Culture Festival. Trying to help his nephew understand reason, Bruce can not seem to get over the loss.

But as his school in Seattle begins to do well, the classes are filled with people from all walks of life – even the local police. When Bruce learns that Yamamoto trains with ‘the iron man’, he knows it is time to meet up with the fighter. Friend Kimura wants Bruce to slow down and worries for him.

Nothing is going to stop Bruce as he begins training with an iron man to take on Yamamoto. After some time training, he goes to Yamamoto and they go fist to fist and once again as Bruce begins to learn about his opponent. He is now set on creating fighting style that is inclusive of everything he has learned of martial arts.

Becoming a philosophy major at school in Seattle, Bruce begins making a name for himself. Seeking out help from Professor Kane, he knows that the path he is taking will work. Blair (Ted E. Duran) wants his former Professor Inosanto (Ning Li) to meet with Bruce but is met with resistance. Even Kimura is reaching out to his friend Mr. Wally Jay (Tim Storms) asking that he meet with Bruce and again met with resistance.

Everyone seems to take Bruce as arrogant and when Wally Jay accepts a challenge in the park with him, many show up to see it happen. In the end a respect between the men exists. Jessie isn’t happy about what has happened wanting Bruce to hurt Wally Jay. Blair and Kimura (Liu Dong) try to explain it to him but his anger keeps getting in the way.

In the California Karate Competition, Bruce’s once again wins and fellow fighter Hoffman (Yannick Van Dam) wants him to open a school in Oakland. Linda is not happy about it but when Bruce proposes and buys a house, she changes her feelings.  That’s the least of it when the kung fu masters become furious that Bruce doesn’t ask them about opening a school.

That is put on hold as Bruce must return home when his father passes away. Coming back to America, a fight with the Yellow Brat is his next fight. When it goes horribly wrong Bruce become paralyzed from the waist down and told he may never walk again.

Unable to teach, Linda talks Bruce into writing a good about martial arts and the theories of fighting. Now that they have son Brandon, Linda wants Bruce to become strong once again and an incident of chance changes everything. The school once again brings those who want to learn something special like Jeet Kune Do. Rolex (Ray Park), a fighter who is considered the best, decides he wants to meet with Bruce in a championship match. Turning to others who have fought him, Rolex gets the information on how he might win.

Bruce turns to taekwondo master Piao Zhengyi and a single battle leads to a mutual exchange in teaching techniques and a friendship. Kimura knows that Piao is holding back his teaching and once again his family and friends are afraid for Bruce.

Nothing is going to stop Bruce Lee – or no one!

Well Go USA Entertainment is an amazing company that brings the best of Action and Independent films from around the world. There format includes theatres, digital, cable and VOD along with Bluray. For more of what they have to offer go to www.wellgousa.com.

LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE Vol. Two is a continuation at the in-depth look of Bruce Lee’s life taking it’s time to let the story unravel on its own. That’s what is so important about this second volume as it all comes together in such a unique way that these volumes both are a must have for martial artists.

Bruce Lee experienced so much in his short life yet every step he took would become legendary. The 3-disc LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE Vol. Two DVD includes 10 episodes with a total of 456 minutes of storytelling about the revolutionizing of martial arts.

Chan portraying Bruce Lee is intense and not afraid to give us a portrayal of this legendary martial artist. There isn’t any one from young adult to older that doesn’t know Bruce Lee, his films or isn’t keenly aware of his contribution to martial arts.

Now, those same people will have a chance to understand how he became the one and only, the legendary Bruce Lee.

In the end – it is a life of an iconic martial artist!