THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Apple+ from writer-director Peter Farrelly from the book of the same name by Joanna Molloy and John “Chickie” Donohue comes THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER.

John “Chickie” Donohue (Zac Efron) is living in 1967 as the war in Vietnam rages on. At home in New York, he is out with friends drinking at their favorite watering hole owned by The Colonel (Bill Murray). While drinking and talking about the funerals they are attending, it is suggested that someone needs to take the hometown boys a beer and Chickie volunteers!

That is until people in town approach him wanting things to be taken to the town’s boys and mothers wanting to make sure their sons had clean socks. Everyone is about supporting the trip. Everyone but sister Christine (Ruby Serkis) who protests the war and thinks her brother has lost his mind.

Yet, Chickie packs up his duffle bags with beer and finds a flight leaving for Vietnam and off he goes. From post to post he finds his friends offering them a beer. Some are shocked to see Chickie showing up in a place he doesn’t belong while others believe ‘well, that’s Chickie for ya’ and drink up. Jake Duggan (Jake Picking), Bobby Pappas (Kyle Allen), Tommy Collins (Archie Renaux) and Kevin McLoone (Will Ropp) try to keep Chickie safe until he can find a flight home.

Chickie even makes friends with Hieu (Kevin K. Tran), a police officer who wants to go to Oklahoma when the war is over but for now directs traffic and helps lost Americans. After tracking down a few of his friends, things start to become more and more dangerous. At the local bar, there are reporters who do not believe what Chickie is doing but journalist Arthur Coates (Russell Crowe) does.

As the Vietnamese New Year begins, so does a major offensive as the two men try to steer clear of the attack. Chickie thought he had seen the worse until driving through the streets of mass casualties and death. Boarding his flight home and returning to the local watering hole, Chickie comes to terms with the swiftness of death and what needs to be done with his life.

Efron as Chickie is a man who sort of lives moment to moment which seems to get on everyone’s nerves. Seen as a man with no goals nor driven to find any, Efron’s Chickie decides that the talk around town means he has to do something. So, he packs up a duffle of beer and heads to Vietnam for an eight-week beer run. What I like about this character for Efron is the believability, I went for every step hook-line and sinker.

Picking, Allen, Renaux and Ropp are fantastic supporting characters and I mean that in a grand way. They are on their own journeys through something indescribable in the way of war and dealing with a friend like Chickie was not in the orders. Yet, they introduced him to their world of Vietnam, accepted the craziness of their friend and came to truly believe he meant well. That’s being a supportive friend and character in a film. Well done boys!

Crowe is a late added bonus who comes to see that Chickie is not only a crazy individual for coming to a place he doesn’t need to be, but also sees his heart is in the right place even if his brain isn’t. Serkis as Christine is a sister who sees a brother the way any sister would. She is a force to be reckoned with and brother Chickie, well, isn’t and she has no trouble saying so.

Tran as officer Hieu just had my heart from the beginning. He showed no fear or bad emotion towards the American Chickie but instead, honest friendship. I just adored it.

I just love when Bill Murray pops up in a film and although his role is not a big one, listen to what his character says. He sees the world from his own experience with war but needs to understand, wars change as the weapons become more destructive. The Colonel is a part of their town, he is the grand master of serving up beer.

Other cast includes Will Hochman as Tommy, Matt Cook as Lt. Habershaw, Christopher Brown as Noodle, Joe Adler as Red, Macgregor Arney as Brendon, Hal Cumpston as Leary, Omari Chancellor as Erickson and Goya Robles as Almeida.

Apple+ is a video on demand web television that debuted in 2019. Viewable through Apple’s TV app, CEO Tim Cook wanted original content calling it “a great opportunity for us from a creation point of view”. From THE MORNING SHOW to TRYING and THE BANKER and Jason Momoa in SEE, there is plenty of choices for everyone. Plenty of genres? That is exactly what they are bringing to viewers and to see more of what they have to offer please visit www.apple.com/tv/.

THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER is a charming, funny and heartbreaking film from start to finish. Efron gives us every bit of his trip and does not sugar coat the harshness of war, not even from Chickie. From friend to friend, this character has the nerve shattering experience of survival and what those costs are the end.

Although the title of the film and its beginning have moments of comedy, the reality of what Chickie is about to do slowly comes in frame after frame. From the chopper rides, to elephants in the jungle, to knowing its time to go home – this beer run is about so much more than Chickie could have possibly imagined.

I love that Chickie, after being told to do something with his life, actually did so much. He attended Harvard School of Government and was one of ‘Sandhog’ tunnel builders in New York and even went on to become a leader. What I love even more is what you see at the end of the film so watch for that.

In the end – it is a true story of a life changing beer run!

She is the FIRESTARTER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Available on Digital and coming to Bluray and DVD from director Keith Thomas and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment based on a Stephen King novel is FIRESTARTER.

Andy (Zac Efron) and Vicky (Sydney Lemmon) are raising their young girl Charlie (Ryan Armstrong) in a bit of isolation. That is because when Charlie was a baby, she showed the powers pyrokinesis. That is not a surprise as dad Andy has the power of telepathy and mom Vicky is telekinetic being part of a chemical drug experiment years before.

Trying to evade those looking for them and that includes John Rainbird (Michael Greyeyes) so Vicky stays home, and Andy works as many paid gigs as he can get using a bit of his powers for cash. Charlie is at school, but she is not quite fitting in and when something upsets, her powers shake to her core.

That sets off alarms for Captain Jane Hollister (Gloria Reuben) who is helping Dr. Wanless (Kurtwood Smith) find Andy, Vicky and Charlie. After their home is invaded, Andy and Charlie have no choice but to go on the road and try to stay one step ahead of capture.

Yet Charlie learns what happened to her parent and why they want her so badly. They think dealing with the young girl will be easy, they do not know Charlie!

Efron as Andy gets to be a strong father for Charlie and would do anything to protect her. It is hard explain what happened and the consequences to the young girl but once they are on the run, Charlie gets it. We now live in the realm where Efron gets to play a dad – when did that happen? That being said, he played it well.

Armstrong as Charlie is a young girl trying to fit in and not quite understanding why she is the way she is. As her powers grow, controlling them becomes difficult and frightening for her. Relying on her father to guide her, there comes a moment when it is all on her and Armstrong gives it with fire and rage.

Greyeyes as Rainbird is on a mission to find Charlie and is going to do whatever it takes to make that happen, even the worse thing he can. Lemmon as Vicky lives day to day wondering when they will be discovered and what will happen to her young daughter.

Reuben as Hollister has a mean streak and does not hesitate to use her force but in a calm manner that is just as disturbing. Nothing worse than a twisted woman on a mission. Smith as Dr. Wanless tries to present himself as caring about Andy and Charlie but you only have to see him for two seconds to know his goals are self-serving and destructive.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

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

Bonus Features include Alternative Ending, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Gag Reel, A Kinetic Energy, Spark a Fire, Igniting FIRESTARTER, Power Struggle and Feature Commentary with Director Keith Thomas.

FIRESTARTER is a creation of Stephen King from his novel by the same name written in 1980. Nominated for many awards, the novel was turned into a screenplay that landed in theatres first in 1984 with a very young actress named Drew Barrymore.

This updated version still embraces the relationship between Charlie and her father and the evil that is trying to destroy them. That is the heart of the story, and it keeps that momentum going.

In the end – embrace the fire within!

GOLD Comes to DVD

 

Jeri Jacquin

 

Coming to DVD from director Anthony Hayes and Saban Films is the story of a world gone haywire but still knows the value of GOLD.

In the future, the world has turned into one big dustbowl, so much so that people are trying to find work and a place to survive. Arriving to report to the Compound, Virgil (Zac Efron) waits to be taken to his new home. Pulling up with an attitude is Keith (Anthony Hayes) who makes it clear that the ride will cost him and do not mess with the air conditioning.

Wanting a little conversation, Keith asks a few questions and Virgil is not to forthcoming with answers. It is clear from his demeanor that he would just prefer to be left alone. Stopping for the night by campfire, Virgil learns that the desert is filled with noises and hungry dogs.

Driving the next day so Keith can sleep, Virgil is not happy about the heat that is taking over the car and does the one thing he was asked not to – turned up the air conditioning. Keith is furious and the two are on the side of the road waiting for everything to settle down. Virgil walks around but notices something sticking out of the ground – a huge piece of gold.

Keith knows someone with an excavator and Virgil agrees to stay with their find. It may take days, so the antsy Keith gives him a few hints on how to stay alive until he gets back. That’s when things get interesting as Virgil fights each day and each night with very little food and very little water.

Now, Virgil is up against nature and the will to survive for a piece of gold!

Efron as Virgil is a very quiet person who is not interested in talking about where he came from or what has happened to him. His time in the desert is excruciating to watch and a bit frustrating as I found myself yelling at the screen. That being said, Efron has to use emotions, dead eye and body language to tell us everything we need to know about his character. He gives a strong performance about survival and a kind of greed that cannot be easily defined.

Hayes as Keith cannot believe that Virgil is in the territory a day and he makes the find that is truly unbelievable. Agreeing to help dig it out, he tries to stay in contact with Virgil as the days stretch out and will not take any interference with their find. Hayes gives us a creepy character that clearly is only interested in himself and that makes his performance successful.

Shout out to Susie Porter who plays ‘The Stranger’ because she is strong and does not take anything from someone scavenging in her area. I loved her performance and saw her as a way for Virgil to survive and yet, he chose wrong.

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

GOLD is an interesting film because it is centered around a future that is environmentally broken but then again, so are the people trying to survive. Efron is the epitome of a broken human being arriving in a barren place believing this is all he entitled to for life. Finding the gold, it is as if something awakens in him, the world as it once was – greedy.

Yet, his greed seemed based in survival knowing there could be something better, but his buddy Keith is that kind of character that does not care about anything but maybe living the high life. Watching Efron go into frightening depths of a life shrinking further and further away, when challenged, it is the gold that snaps him back into survival mode.

This film is definetly one that is worthy of conversation for those who see it because I can guarantee everyone will experience something different – but the main topic will be the GOLD.

In the end – for everything he will do anything!

He Sacrifices All for GOLD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Anthony Hayes and Saban Films is the story of a world gone haywire but still knows the value of GOLD.

In the future, the world has turned into one big dustbowl, so much so that people are trying to find work and a place to survive. Arriving to report to the Compound, Virgil (Zac Efron) waits to be taken to his new home. Pulling up with an attitude is Keith (Anthony Hayes) who makes it clear that the ride will cost him and do not mess with the air conditioning.

Wanting a little conversation, Keith asks a few questions and Virgil is not to forthcoming with answers. It is clear from his demeanor that he would just prefer to be left alone. Stopping for the night by campfire, Virgil learns that the desert is filled with noises and hungry dogs.

Driving the next day so Keith can sleep, Virgil is not happy about the heat that is taking over the car and does the one thing he was asked not to – turned up the air conditioning. Keith is furious and the two are on the side of the road waiting for everything to settle down. Virgil walks around but notices something sticking out of the ground – a huge piece of gold.

Keith knows someone with an excavator and Virgil agrees to stay with their find. It may take days, so the antsy Keith gives him a few hints on how to stay alive until he gets back. That’s when things get interesting as Virgil fights each day and each night with very little food and very little water.

Now, Virgil is up against nature and the will to survive for a piece of gold!

Efron as Virgil is a very quiet person who is not interested in talking about where he came from or what has happened to him. His time in the desert is excruciating to watch and a bit frustrating as I found myself yelling at the screen. That being said, Efron has to use emotions, dead eye and body language to tell us everything we need to know about his character. He gives a strong performance about survival and a kind of greed that cannot be easily defined.

Hayes as Keith cannot believe that Virgil is in the territory a day and he makes the find that is truly unbelievable. Agreeing to help dig it out, he tries to stay in contact with Virgil as the days stretch out and will not take any interference with their find. Hayes gives us a creepy character that clearly is only interested in himself and that makes his performance successful.

Shout out to Susie Porter who plays ‘The Stranger’ because she is strong and does not take anything from someone scavenging in her area. I loved her performance and saw her as a way for Virgil to survive and yet, he chose wrong.

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

GOLD is an interesting film because it is centered around a future that is environmentally broken but then again, so are the people trying to survive. Efron is the epitome of a broken human being arriving in a barren place believing this is all he entitled to for life. Finding the gold, it is as if something awakens in him, the world as it once was – greedy.

Yet, his greed seemed based in survival knowing there could be something better, but his buddy Keith is that kind of character that does not care about anything but maybe living the high life. Watching Efron go into frightening depths of a life shrinking further and further away, when challenged, it is the gold that snaps him back into survival mode.

This film is definetly one that is worthy of conversation for those who see it because I can guarantee everyone will experience something different – but the main topic will be the GOLD.

In the end – for everything he will do anything!

 

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is Even Greater on Bluray!

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray/DVD and Digital from writers Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon along with director Michael Gracey and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.

P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) has promised the lovely Charity (Michelle Williams) that he will give her a wonderful life. Spending the first few years together struggling, Barnum has two more lovely reasons to succeed in daughters Caroline (Austyn Johnson) and Helen (Cameron Seely).

That’s when he decides to start his own circus business and invites the bearded woman Lettie (Keala Settle), Tom Thumb (Sam Humphrey), Anne Wheeler (Zendaya) and W.D. Wheeler (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) among others to join in his vision of the unusual in entertainment. He also brings Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron) to learn and help manage the business and immediately he is taken with Anne.

While on a trip to Europe, Barnum and the troop meets the famous Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson). He knows that this is a pure act that will show the nay-sayers like journalist James Bennett (Paul Sparks). Taking Jenny on the road means being away from his family and leaving the show in the care of Phillip.

When Jenny abruptly stops the show, Barnum returns to see what a vengeful crowd can do to his dream. The dream begins to unravel when he discovers that those who helped bring the circus to life are the same people who will see it rise from the ashes.

Never forget who you really are!

Jackman as Barnum does what he does best – embrace a character, make it larger than life and do it while singing and dancing. There are complexities in being a big dreamer who embraces things that are different. That also means dealing with people who clearly are afraid of those differences and getting a little lost along the way to the top.

Williams as Charity always believed that her husband would succeed and at the same time was never unhappy with their life. She is absolutely lovely in this role and patient with a man who sees everything larger than life. Ferguson as Jenny is a woman who is swept up in the romance of becoming world renowned at the hands of Barnum. Being beautiful with a voice doesn’t stop pain from dropping a curtain.

Efron as Carlyle gets wrapped up in everything that Barnum wants in entertainment. He is also working against people who have nothing better to do than ruin a good time for all. It doesn’t stop him from making it work and finding love with the lovely Anne. Zendaya as Anne finds a family in the circus and even when confronted for being different, she knows who truly loves her.

Settle as Lettie is a powerful presence and her voice just rocks this film to its core. Her character also focuses on keeping the family together and never letting anyone say they are not amazing human beings. Humphrey as Tom Thumb is sweet and hilarious at the same time.

Other amazing cast includes Eric Anderson as Mr. O’Malley, Ellis Rubin as the young Barnum, Skylar Dunn as the young Charity, Daniel Everidge as Lord of Leeds, Radu Spinghel as O’Clancy, Will Swenson as Philo Barnum, Timothy Hughes as the Strong Man, Linda Larson as Mrs. Stratton, Byron Jennings as Mr. Carlyle, Betsy Aidem as Mrs. Carlyle and Gayle Rankin as Queen Victoria.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

The Bluray/DVD and Digital experience includes over two hours of Special Features with a Sing Along, The Family Behind THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, The Songs, The Spectacle, Music Machine with Sing Along and so much more!

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN was nominated for an Academy Award this past season and won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song “This is Me”, winner of the Heartland Film Truly Moving Picture Award, winner of Favorite Movie Actress for Zendaya from the Kids’ Choice Awards and eighteen other nominations ranging from Best Performances and Best Song to Best Music and Best Costuming.

This is the reason why musicals will never die! A combination of great story telling, spectacular eye candy, songs that stick and a cast that melts together in such a way that the tale embraces the heart.

It must be said that the films costuming, cinematography and set designs are absolutely stunning to see. Colorful, beautiful and dramatic the film in striking adding depth that engrains itself in the tale being told. I absolutely loved the dresses with the detail and flow that would make any woman feel regal and gorgeous.

If you are fond of Friday night movies at home then THE GREATEST SHOWMAN needs to happen!

In the end – this is where the impossible comes true!