She Never Expected to DROP

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K UHD, Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Christopher Landon, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes a mind-bending thriller of a DROP.

Violet Gates (Meghann Fahy) is a therapist in Chicago that helps people with their problems and she knows plenty about that. Surviving an abusive husband, her sister Jen (Violett Beane) talks her into going on the first date she’s been on in years. Nervous leaving son Toby (Jacob Robinson), Violet is off to meet Henry Campbell (Brandon Sklenar), a photographer she met on a dating app and now meeting her at the high-rise restaurant Palate. Nervously waiting, she chats with bartender Cara (Gabrielle Ryan) and is slightly hit on by Richard (Reed Diamond) who mistakes her for his date and Phil (Ed Weeks) a drinking pianist who doesn’t take a hint all that well. All the while receiving Digi-Drops that are odd.

Eventually Henry walks in and Violet is happy to sit down and get to know him. Almost immediately she received an influx of these drops. One of them shows a masked gunman inside her house followed by a threat to do what she is told and Toby won’t be hurt. She also can not let anyone know what is happening. That makes it difficult as each instruction becomes more and more threatening. She shows Henry what is happening but he brushes it off as pranks. As Violet does what she is asked to do, there is a strain between she and Henry but she cannot let him leave.

Violet becomes suspicious of everyone in the room and tries to watch where the cameras are and devices all of the restaurant. When the drop finally tells her what the goal is and Violet knows that she is running out of options. She needs to make the connection of what is happening and who is responsible before her family and those around her become victims of the deadly drops coming to her phone.

Fahy as Violet handles this role with smoothness even when her nerves are about to explode. This role called for keep the nervousness at a minimum, keep the eyes open for any detail and try to get ahead of the game that is being played. That can be difficult since the rules are life and death but, as my grandpa always said ‘rules are made to be broken’. Fahy as Violet does just that but takes it step by step. Not only did she make it look easy, she had me talking to the screen along with her silent thoughts. That’s how you know someone has drawn an audience in and its pretty darn cool.

Sklenar as Henry is a photographer who agreed to the date because he saw something in Violet. When she starts to go a bit off the rails, he is patient, kind, and helpful but all things can have their limits. He can’t understand what she is about but feels there isn’t a connection between them. I really enjoy when Sklenar is on screen as there is something about the way he carries his characters bringing a sense of calm when I’d probably normally be all tensed up. Watch his last few films and television role in the Yellowstone series and you will see what I mean.

Ryan as Cara is an intuitive and friendly bartender who wonders about Violet. I loved her energy through it all. Diamond as Richard is the other dating app person who is jittery but Violet is polite toward him while he waits for his own date. Weeks as the piano player is a slick, full of himself guy who sees a ‘no’ as a ‘yes’ because, I mean, all the women love him right? Well done.

Shout out to Jeffery Self as the waiter Matt. Every moment he came into scene I was laughing because I know so many waiters just like him and I love them.

Other cast include Travis Nelson as Connor, Micheal Shea as Blake and Benjamin Pelletier as the masked man.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY, SPLIT and M3GAN 2.0. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.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.

Special Bonus includes Feature Commentary with Director Christopher Landon: Insights from the Director on Filmmaking Choices, A Recipe for Thrills: Making DROP: Cast and Crew Discuss the Film’s Development and Thematic Elements and A PALATE FOR PANIC: Exploration of the film’s main set, Palate Restaurant.

DROP is an unexpected thriller from beginning to end to the point where you can not take your eyes off the screen or you will miss a message. That’s one way to make sure the audience pays attention. Keeping the film in basically one location through the entire story, I just love that. Remove all the superfluous noise, keep the story focused and you’ve reeled me in for sure. It is a chance to truly get to know a character and, in this case, its right in front of the screen the whole time.

Director Landon has surrounded himself with an ensemble that just flows to darn well with Fahy at the helm of the tale. It worked on me keeping the jitter factor so high that I was having a conversation with the screen a lot! The setting is magnetic and the ending was stunningly awesome. It is hard to say any more about the film without giving the plot twists away and I absolutely refuse to do that. So, grab a thriller buddy, pop the popcorn, turn out the lights and get ready to DROP.

In the end – everyone’s a suspect!

Day Three at CinemaCon Brings Dragons!

 

Jeri Jacquin

The third day of CinemaCon and a bit of weather doesn’t change what this amazing convention brings in its four days in Las Vegas. After breakfast, which is a fantastic time to catch up about what has been presented so far and what has interested each of us the most, it is time to move on to the days first presentation.

Angel Studios was founded in 2013 by Neal, Daniel, Jeffrey and Jordan Harmon who wanted then to create a studio that provides empowering films. Presenting their slate for the second year at CinemaCon, their philosophy is one of community and providing, what they call, a “viable family-friendly alternative to Hollywood”. The most recent success for Angel Studios is the television series The Chosen and the film Sound of Freedom. One of my favorites from the studio is the film SIGHT which is the true story of Dr. Ming Wang becoming a renowned eye surgeon. Coming to theatres next week is the animated THE KING OF KINGS. During their presentation they spoke about “the Angel Guild” which is a audience-driven entertainment landscape. They also announced that a Toronto International Film Festival choice of SKETCH with Tony Hale and D’Arcy Caden is under their umbrella and will hit theatres August 6^th.

The biopic TRUTH & TREASON is set for October and is a Holocaust story and the thriller ZERO A.D. directed by Alejandro Monteverde. The film has an impressive line up with heavy hitters with Deva Cassel, Gael Garcia Bernal, Ben Mendelsohn, Sam Worthington and Jim Caviezel. The latter actor has been known to be open about his faith and chooses that important part of his life over his career so Angel Studios is the place to be for Caviezel. Another actor who shares that his faith is a significant influence is Neal McDonough who has co-written the film THE LAST RODEO due in studios in May. Brandon Purdie, Executive Vice President and Head of Theatrical Distribution says of their presentation this morning, “At CinemaCon 2025, we unveiled the most ambitious and cinematic slate in Angel Studios’ history. There are no greater partners than the dedicated exhibitors who bring these stories to life on the big screen. We are all in on theatrical, bullish on the big screen, unwavering in our commitment to the theatrical window, and firm believers in the power of the shared moviegoing experience.” Their films have truly been successful as the box office shows.

Now it’s time to turn the lights down with the Universal and DreamWorks previewing of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. Prepare to return to the world of dragons and a friendship between a boy and a nightfury! Gerard Butler takes on the live-action character of Stoick the Vast.

Universal brings out their presentation reminding viewers of such offerings as BACK TO THE FUTURE, JURASSIC PARK, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, PSYCHO, JAWS DESPICABLE ME, CONCLAVE, OPPENHEIMER and WICKED. These films and so many more have left an iconic mark on the lives of movie-goers and brought film lines into our world like “we’re going to need a bigger boat!”. The dinosaur world isn’t done with us yet either as director Gareth Edwards offers up Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali to talk about JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH. It seems Johansson has been biding her time to get into the franchise saying, “This time I went to Steven Spielberg directly and told him I’ll play any role, even if I was eaten in the first five minutes. It’s an incredible honor to be here with Jurassic and we want to put the scares back into Jurassic.” Let’s just say from what I’ve seen, a T-rex chasing people in a dingy, sounds like a fun watch to me. DreamWorks is taking one of their beloved shows on Netflix and turning it into something on a larger scale with GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE and I personally know a few kids who are going to be thrilled about that. Universal is also taking a swing at a HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON sequel coming to theatres in 2027 so look for that. Tyriq Withers plays a football player with a head injury in HIM and there is going to be some more bustin’ and bruising coming to theatres when Bob Odenkirk returns in NOBODY 2.

Focus Features brings a slate of their own and one in particular is going to be a heartache for me but let’s get to that in a moment. First, Wes Anderson brings a cast that includes Benicio Del Toro, Michael Cera, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch and the one and only Tom Hanks to star in THE PHOENCIAN SCHEME. Another director that likes the unusual is Yorgos Lanthimos and his next film BUGONIA with Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Alicia Silverton and more. Now, for my heartache, Focus Features comes to the screen one more time with DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale with a screenplay by Julian Fellowes and Carson telling everyone “Welcome to 1930”. Downton fans knew that one day this would come and I personally have watched the series over and over again along with the previous films but Kleenex is going to have to be included in the ticket price for sure. The cast we have come to love from both upstairs and down will be back for a final bow. Oh gosh, the tears just creeped in a little.

Blumhouse makes sure they are getting their turn at the frights with a trailer for FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2 as Jason Blum takes us all back at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and I’m already creeped out and that’s the point. Another of my family’s favorite films has a sequel as THE BLACK PHONE 2 is purported by Blum to be scarier than the first one a telephone ring and “Hello Finney, did you think our story was over?’ gave me chills. Ticket please! Want more frights? Well, M3Gan 2 brings a different look but same jaw drops and SOULMSTE is a little more adult but same crazy technology. Universal’s president Jim Orr teases of an upcoming Steven Spielberg film with “a return to form in the spirit of his monumental classics, with a propulsive, out of this world twist” which could basically be said of most of his films. Untitled for now, we will have to keep our eye on this one. Finally, producer Mark Platt and director Jon M. Chu get to talk about WICKED: For Good. For fans who are waiting for the second installment, Chu says, “Our second film deals with the consequences of the decisions made. This film brings us past the point where Dorothy drops in.”  Because, in the words of Elphaba, “this is between the wizard and I”.

The final presentation of the evening begins with Head of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Mike Hopkins. His first time at CinemaCon, Hopkins recalls seeing STAR WARS as a kid with his brother (something I can totally relate to with the hundreds of times I have seen the film since I was 16). He announces that the studio plans to offer up fifteen films a year by 2027 with 12-14 starting next year. He says, “It is still early days for us, and we have a ton of work to do but we are committed to epic, culturally, relative storytelling that needs to be seen on giant screens like the one behind me.” Later next year, Ryan Goslings film PROJECT HAIL MARY get a sneak peek. Gosling says of the film, “it’s an insanely ambitious story, massive in scope and so big we tried to put it on television once, it wouldn’t fit.”  That’s what happens when you make a film about space and a guy trying to save the world.

AFTER THE HUNT brings director Luca Guadagino (BONES AND ALL), and cast Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri to talk about the thriller that also stars Julia Roberts as a college professor and situation that leads to secrets. Also shown is Michael Showalter’s VERITY and the remake of THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR with Michael B. Jordan. As a detective accused of a crime, Chris Pratt is seen in the footage for the film MERCY coming next January. A month after that is Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson’s film THREE BAGS FULL: A Sheep Detective Movie. Two of my favorite actors together so I’ll be seeing it.

Another sneak peek is for the film CRIME 101 with Halle Berry and Chris Hemsworth. Directed by Bart Layton, he says, “from the very beginning, this movie was written, imagined, planned and dreamed for the big screen.”  Making her directorial debut, Aleshea Harris brings her own work to the screen with IS GOD IS with Vivica A. Fox, Kara Young and Mallori Johnson. Bassam Tariq brings YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER with Mahershala Ali who has a message for the audience. Oh goodness my grown boys are going to get the first tickets in theatres to see MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE!  Directed by Travis Knight and will be ready for fans next June, he says, “We’re not making a cartoon here!”.

Ben Affleck’s film THE ACCOUNTANT 2 bring he, Jon Bernthal, Daniella Pineda, Cynthia Addai-Robinson and director Gavin O’Connor to the stage and a look at what’s coming to theatres. Reflecting on his character, Affleck says, “It does feel great to continue the story of THE ACCOUNTANT. I’m thrilled to be playing this part again with this great cast. In some ways, I feel like this character never left me.

That’s the last for day three of CinemaCon with the last day tomorrow bringing all the fun to an end. Paramount and Disney are the last studios to bring their slates and then celebrate with awards at the end of the evening. See you then!

They Have Become AFRAID

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Chris Weitz and Blumhouse and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the AI and being AFRAID.

Curtis (John Cho) is a computer engineer who enjoys a great relationship with his boss Marcus (Keith Carradine). He wants the company to design something A.I. realizing it is a growing industry. Curtis isn’t really happy about what is happening with the A.I. industry but holds his opinion when he meets Melody (Havana Rose Liu), Lighting (David Dastmalchian) and Sam (Ashley Romans). They have come to a meeting to show Curtis and Marcus their own idea with AIA.

Convincing Curtis to allow AIA into their home to wife Meredith (Katherine Waterston), daughter Iris (Lukita Maxwell) and sons Preston (Wyatt Lindner) and Cal (Isaac Bae), almost immediately Curtis sees unusual people around their home. AIA makes herself invaluable to Meredith and finds a way to ingratiate herself to teen daughter Iris but Curtis is not fooled. He decides to take matters into his own hands when Marcus informs him that the company has been sold and Curtis can become the new boss. Going to the headquarters is where Curtis makes a stand but AIA isn’t about to let him get away with anything.

At home, it all begins to become crazier and this time, he has the family behind him. Will it be enough to go against a strong AIA?

Cho as Curtis is a man who is happy with his family and his work. Of course, there are struggles with the kids and trying to make everyone happy but he does try. Bringing AIA home offers a bit of time with the wife and a connection for the kids. Surprised at first that the family finds their own place with AIA, it doesn’t take long before his return feelings about A.I. are validated.

Waterston as Meredith is a wife who begins to question being a Mom. AIA is there to listen but there comes a time when even she questions how the line blurs between a human beings’ true feelings and A.I.’s programed responses. Maxwell as Iris is a typical teenager who lets social media rule her life until AIA steps in. Bae as Cal is a youngster with an ipad and we all know how that can be. Preston as Lindner gets the chance to show he is just as brave, and a tad cleverer, than his dad. 

Shout out to Liu as Melody, Dastmalchian as Lightening and Romans as Sam for providing the creepiness needed for this to work. To be honest, had I ever met these three – I’d have run the opposite way so fast it would make my own head spin!

Other cast include Bennett Curran as Sawyer, Greg Hill as Henry, Riki Lindhome as Maud, Todd Waring as Papa and Ben Youcef as Ben.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

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.

Extra features include Five Deleted & Extended Scenes Including Alternate Ending and Dark Side of AI.

AFRAID is a look at how quickly A.I. can permeate family life in a larger sense. We use computers, phones, social media, websites etc. but AIA shows that in a snap how it can be used in the worst way. Cho brings the naysaying to it all but finds himself a bit pulled in by it until it starts to make him suspicious.

AIA actually becomes a bit of a star in this film solving problems and becoming best friends with the wife solving her issues, bff to the daughter solving her teen issues yet with the sons, the A.I. takes on a different look and feel. The film falls into the “beware of A.I.” that seems to permeate films right now and truthfully, I’m a bit on their side. Although, I have to also say I do like having Alexa around when I have weird questions I’m too lazy to look up myself so there’s that.

That being said, watch the film and discover which side you are on.

In the end – be careful what you let in!

 

 

THE EXORCIST: Believer

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director David Gordon Green, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures is preparing for Halloween with THE EXORCIST: Believer.

Victor (Leslie Odom Jr.) and pregnant wife Sorenne (Tracey Graves) are visiting Haiti and spending time photographing the sites. Sorenne meets a group of women that bless her but not before an earthquake hits and sending everyone reeling.

Years have passed and Victor is raising daughter Angela (Lidya Jewett) as a single father. They have a special relationship but Angela wants to know about her mother. Off to school, she meets up with friend Katherine (Olivia Marcum) who are making plans after school. Fibbing to their parents about where they really are, the girls find a spot in the forest and try to reach Angela’s mother spiritually.

When Victor gets home, Angela is not anywhere to be found. He reaches out to Katherine’s parents mom Miranda (Jennifer Nettles) and Tony (Norbet Leo Butz). Everyone becomes frantic as law enforcement spread far and wide looking for the girls in the forest. Friend Stuart (Danny McCarthy) even calls in some spiritualists to seek out Angela with Dr. Beehibe (Okwui Okpokwasili) which sends Victor into a tizzy.

Days later, the girls are found and neighbor Ann (Ann Dowd) who works at the hospital as a nurse sees to Angela. The girls are in shock and when cleared by the police go home but they don’t stay there as something peculiar is happening to them. As things become progressively worse for the girls, Ann tells Victor that he needs to speak to the one person who might be able to help – Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn).

Fifty years prior, her own daughter Regan became possessed and Victor feels as if there is something she can do to help. The girls have become dangerous and Victor decides that it is time to take matters into his own hands. Bringing together Katherine’s parents, Dr. Beehibe, Stuart, Pastor Revans (Raphael Sbarge) and Father Maddox from the Catholic church under one roof, it is time to call out the evil!

Odom Jr. as Victor is a father who is still mourning his wife while trying to raise an awesome daughter. When things start to become strange, he has decisions to make and the evil knows how to use his emotions against him. Odom Jr. is fine in the role but there isn’t anything extraordinary about it. He is on the ball playing Victor and there is that.

Jewett as Angela is a young girl who just wants to know more about her mother. In doing so, the spiritual door is open and chaos happens to all. Jewett gets a chance to go from sweet to evil kid and it works. Marcum as Katherine does not get as much screen time as Angela but when she does, it is all about ‘the body and the blood’ because if I had been in church, I think I’d have run out the door!

Dowd as Ann the nurse and picky next-door neighbor is the person who knows that Victor needs the advice of Chris MacNeil. I have been a long-time follower of Dowd’s career because she has the same amazing ability as Burstyn to play such diverse roles from the empathetic to the out-and-out twisted. An example of it is her complexity in character can be seen in the 2017 series THE HANDMAID’S TALE. Dowd played the role of Aunt Lydia Clements and absolutely dominated that character and, of course, we loved to hate her!

Nettles as Miranda is a mother who is going to do whatever it takes to help her daughter, even if it goes against her husband and their church. Watching her agree with Victor, to me, was the high point of her role. Butz as Tony is a man who just can’t deal with everything that is happening because it is far beyond his comprehension. Butz’s character wants to go along to get along but, in the end, he makes decisions based solely on fear.

McCarthy as Stuart is a supportive friend and is not about to let Victor go through this alone. Sbarge as Pastor Revans sort of believes what is happening but until he sees it for himself, it is then when he realizes his faith has to be enough to help. Okpokwasili as Dr. Beehibe brings her belief system as well and helps set up the battle that is to come.

Shout out to Ellen Burstyn because I have always admired her. To come back is amazing and I was all in. That being said, I did not like the way her character was basically used to hold up the story the film was trying to tell. Her original 1973 role was so stunning on the screen and I’m holding on to that!

Other cast include Antoni Corone as Father Phillips, Chandu Kanuri as Daniel, Norah Murphy as Hannah, Linda Boston as Principle and Richard Carr III as the Doctor.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com

Okay, I’m sure this isn’t going to go over well but, quite honestly, I was not impressed by the film from beginning to end. There was basically no reason for any of it – it’s a possession and there is nothing new, original or scary anymore about that storyline. Using two girls in the film didn’t make anything about it better.

Starting out in Haiti reminded me of the 1977 EXORCIST II: The Heretic and the storyline of the boy Kokumo in Africa and the demon Pazuzu. Then. bringing in Chris MacNeil to do what? Without giving anything away, my reaction is ‘really?’ You can’t have one outstanding solid rock to hold up a sand house. Now, an updated Chris MacNeil story made more sense to me and would have totally been an AMAZING film potentially that I would love to have seen! Can you imagine it? I can!

The problem with possession films is that there is nothing new – it’s possession, an evil unnamed demon and casting out – done. The 1973 William Friedkin THE EXORCIST film set a high standard for frightening audiences that is unmatched in story and horror on a whole other level that has not been repeatable in the last 50 years.  But hey, don’t let me stop you!

In the end – the evil is back!

 

 

 

 

Bluray and 4K Ultra Brings HALLOWEEN ENDS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director David Gordon Green, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the return of HALLOWEEN ENDS.

Corey (Rohan Campbell) is babysitting the obnoxious kid Jeremy. Trying to find ways to entertain the kid, it is Jeremy who decides to be the entertainment. It goes wrong and Corey’s life will never be the same in 2019.

Michael Myer’s hasn’t been seen and it is four years later. Haddonfield is still on high alert but trying to live their lives. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is one of those trying to forget the horrors her brother has inflicted on so many lives. She is in the process of writing a book about it all and living with granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak).

Corey is keeping a low profile and working as a mechanic but it doesn’t stop people from harassing him. Laurie understands as they name call her as well yet she scoops up Corey and takes him to get his wounds tended to. There he meets Allyson and the two hang out together and she invites him to a Halloween party. He is having a good time until he runs into Jeremy’s mother.

Then a run in with the bully-pack and an accident has him waking up face to face in the sewer with Michael Meyers. Instead of running to the police, he runs to Allyson and makes it clear that he wants a relationship with her. Meanwhile, Laurie ends up at Lindsay’s (Kyle Richards) bar learning from Jeremy’s father that Corey was a good kid, but something is broken inside him.

Michael makes his way out of the sewer and Haddonfield is about to know chaos and fear once again but from who? Corey and Allyson decide they are done with Haddonfield and want to leave but, it is Halloween. Yet Laurie senses that something is very, very wrong letting Corey know that she wants to help but not at the cost of Allyson.

Corey turns to Michael Meyers with one goal, to get his hands on the mask that has put the fear into Haddonfield. Laurie and Allyson have it out and the town bullies are after Corey. As the new fear begins, there is the old fear to deal with and Laurie is going to do just that. It is time for brother and sister to fight to the very end – literally.

Curtis as Laurie Strode is iconic to this character and I swear to gawd if there is a remake five years down the line – someone is getting hurt! She is Laurie Strode from the young babysitting in 1978, to the older and wiser 2022 woman that I can relate to on several levels. I love that she came back to finish the series giving us an ending we all deserved. That being said there is also that bitter sweet that we won’t see Laurie Strode again – or will we? Okay, a girl can dream!

Thank you, Ms. Curtis, for showing us how to survive terror while we cheered for you every step of the way knowing that Laurie Strode may have had her moments of doubt but that spark to survive is real. You will always be our Scream Queen!

Campbell as Corey starts out a young man who just wants a babysitting job and it turns into a life changing event that follows him every moment of every day. It is not that he doesn’t want to forget, its just that no one will let him forget.

Matichak as Allyson also tries to live a life that doesn’t include fear and pain. Bucking against her grandmother at every turn, she is fighting for her sanity and to be free of the years trapped in being a part of the Strode family and legacy of horror.

Richards as Lindsay returns, still alive since 1978! Running the local watering hole, she is a tad jaded but keeps her eyes and ear open. Patton as Wallace has a thing for Laurie all these years later and keeps a close eye on her. He does not have much of a part but anytime he’s on screen I’m happy.

Shout out to James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle for being the masked Michael that has scared the crap out of most of us most of our lives on Halloween. In that fear, we all watched and waited to see where that face would show up in the window, at the end of a fog laden alley or in the shaking bushes? It has been an awesome ride and I’m personally thanking you for it!

Other cast include: Michele Dawson as Nurse Deb, Candice Rose as Mrs. Allen, Marteen as Billy, Joey Harris as Margo, Keraunt Harris as Willy the Kid, Destiny Mone as Stacy and Michael O’Leary as Doctor Mathis.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.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 on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and Digital include Deleted and Extended Scenes, Ending HALLOWEEN, Final Girl, No Place Like Haddonfield, Gag Reel, A Different Threat, The Visions of Terror Twisted Deaths, Feature Commentary with co-writer/director David Gordon Green, actors Audi Matichak and Rohan Campbell, co-producer/first assistant director Atilla Salih Yucer, and production assistant Hugo Garza.

Director Green stays within the boundaries of Haddonfield in a way that keeps us in the moment. It is interesting to see Corey’s story and how he came to be the way he is giving off Michael Meyer’s vibes, he has the same detachment to human life. Yet, Michael isn’t about to be outplayed!

Now, for my wish list. I wish this had been all about Laurie and Michael to the bitter end. It felt more of a Corey becoming Michael and Allyson sort of becoming Laurie kind of story. In the mix there are moments but nothing that shocked or made me jump. That was the thing about the relationship between the awkward siblings, they made emotions run rampant.

I wish there was more of Lindsay’s story of how she ended up with a bottle in her hands. I wish Laurie had gotten the guy (which she sort of did but not enough screen time for that). I wish we knew why Michael stayed in the sewer for four years, I’m nosey like that.

I think the ending is as it should have been giving Laurie a minute to stop looking over her shoulder. The nods here and there like THE THING are cool and the choice of nostalgic music always makes me smile.

Is this the end, truly? Well, I think the franchise will probably go in another direction. There are plenty of Michael Meyers’ out there waiting to have their story told. Let’s be honest though, it won’t be Laurie and Michael – the dynamic duo of horror, the Jekyll and Hyde of fear, and the sibling you don’t want to invite for dinner (especially around the cutlery).

Thank gawd for Blurays and streaming because the saga of Laurie and Michael can always be revisited during the Halloween season, or a rainy day, or a night when you can’t sleep. They will always be with us because of the generation of fans from 1978 knew a great thing when they saw it. Now we hold onto it and proudly wear our Meyers masks and put Laurie Strode up on a pedestal as a heroine we hope we all would be letting her carry the weight of our collective fears.

Man, I have bummed myself out. That’s our 70’s slang baby!

In the end – Michael’s time has come!

Michael Meyers Wants to Come Home with HALLOWEEN KILLS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director David Gordon Green, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures is HALLOWEEN KILLS.

The events in Haddonfield are not over and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) once again finds herself in the hospital because of her brother. Michael has left a path of blood in his wake and shows no signs of stopping.

At the local bar, there are a few survivors of Michaels first oath of terror including Lindsay Wallace (Kyle Richards) and Tommy Doyle (Anthony Michael Hall). Attempting to take on the masked murderer, he only manages to slip through their fingers.

At the hospital, Laurie is out of surgery, granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and daughter Karen (Judy Greer) are shocked to learn Michael is still alive. Trying to warn everyone, they learn that Tommy is getting the town together to fight back.

Karen knows Michael only wants one thing – his sister! But will he come to the hospital or the one other place where his memories live? That would be the family home where Allyson and Cameron (Dylan Arnold) have arrived.

The town wants to come together but only one can make Michael come out of the shadows!

Curtis as Laurie is still as much of a badass now as she ever was. Once the loudness clears, it is Laurie who knows what must be done. She is clever and determined even with her gut in a bunch. As much as it is Michael Meyers we are afraid of, Curtis has always given us every reason to be equally afraid of her!

Greer as Karen is only interested in protecting her mother. Trying to stop the madness in the hospital is not working. When she sees what has to happen, it is not going to be a happy family reunion. Matichak as Allyson wants to get out onto the streets of Haddonfield and make Meyers pay in any way possible

Hall as Tommy is a bit of a mouthpiece with his big speeches that cause more chaos than there needs to be. Instead of hitting the streets, he hits the halls (pun intended) and it is all a bit much. He starts chaos that ends up out of control in the hospital but tries to make up for it in the streets. The problem is, he does not seem to remember who he is up against!

Shout out to a reappearance of Donald Pleasance because you cannot return to Haddonfield without him. Happy to see Will Patton as Deputy Hawkins who has his own version of that first night to tell. There is a nice scene between he and Curtis that make us hope that the next installment (because I can not see how there can’t be) Laurie might find a tad bit of happiness.

Other cast include: Thomas Man as young Deputy Hawkins, Jim Cummings as Pete McCabe, Robert Longstreet as Lonnie Elam, Scott MacArthur as Big John, Michael McDonald as Little John, Ross Bacon as Tivoli, and Charles Cyphers as Officer Leigh Brackett.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about!

Bonus Features include Gag Reel, Extended Scenes, Haddonfield’s Open Wounds, The Kill Team, Strode Family Values, 1978 Transformations, The Power of Fear, Kill Count, and Feature Commentary with Director/Co-writer David Gordon Green and Stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Judy Greer.

What I love about this film is that it did not try to reinvent the wheel. From the haunting introduction music to the pumpkin flickering the beginning credits, director Green let us embrace our memories of the 1978 HALLOWEEN. We are escorted back in time a little bit to remember the names then and current faces now of the original characters.

There is a tad bit of campy, but I embrace it as much as I do Curtis as Laurie and Castle/Courtney as Meyers. Everyone in Haddonfield who lived through 1978 has a dog in the hunt, especially Officer Leigh Brackett.

I love the small town feel of the film keeping it strictly closed in. That being said, there are bumps to get over and a wish that Laurie/Curtis was more prevalent in the film. It is not yet time to end her story as there has to be one more, just one more face to face before (and I am assuming) granddaughter Allyson takes over.

Until that happens – lock your doors, pull up the big screen and turn on the sound bar because Michael Meyers has come home again.

In the end – evil dies tonight!

Michael Meyers is back with HALLOWEEN KILLS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and streaming on Peacock from director David Gordon Green, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures is HALLOWEEN KILLS.

The events in Haddonfield are not over and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) once again finds herself in the hospital because of her brother. Michael has left a path of blood in his wake and shows no signs of stopping.

At the local bar, there are a few survivors of Michaels first oath of terror including Lindsay Wallace (Kyle Richards) and Tommy Doyle (Anthony Michael Hall). Attempting to take on the masked murderer, he only manages to slip through their fingers.

At the hospital, Laurie is out of surgery, granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and daughter Karen (Judy Greer) are shocked to learn Michael is still alive. Trying to warn everyone, they learn that Tommy is getting the town together to fight back.

Karen knows Michael only wants one thing - his sister! But will he come to the hospital or the one other place where his memories live? That would be the family home where Allyson and Cameron (Dylan Arnold) have arrived.

The town wants to come together but only one can make Michael come out of the shadows!

Curtis as Laurie is still as much of a badass now as she ever was. Once the loudness clears, it is Laurie who knows what must be done. She is clever and determined even with her gut in a bunch. As much as it is Michael Meyers we are afraid of, Curtis has always given us every reason to be equally afraid of her!

Greer as Karen is only interested in protecting her mother. Trying to stop the madness in the hospital is not working. When she sees what has to happen, it is not going to be a happy family reunion. Matichak as Allyson wants to get out onto the streets of Haddonfield and make Meyers pay in any way possible

Hall as Tommy is a bit of a mouthpiece with his big speeches that cause more chaos than there needs to be. Instead of hitting the streets, he hits the halls (pun intended) and it is all a bit much. He starts chaos that ends up out of control in the hospital but tries to make up for it in the streets. The problem is, he does not seem to remember who he is up against!

Shout out to a reappearance of Donald Pleasance because you cannot return to Haddonfield without him. Happy to see Will Patton as Deputy Hawkins who has his own version of that first night to tell. There is a nice scene between he and Curtis that make us hope that the next installment (because I can not see how there can’t be) Laurie might find a tad bit of happiness.

Other cast include: Thomas Man as young Deputy Hawkins, Jim Cummings as Pete McCabe, Robert Longstreet as Lonnie Elam, Scott MacArthur as Big John, Michael McDonald as Little John, Ross Bacon as Tivoli, and Charles Cyphers as Officer Leigh Brackett.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com

What I love about this film is that it did not try to reinvent the wheel. From the haunting introduction music to the pumpkin flickering the beginning credits, director Green let us embrace our memories of the 1978 HALLOWEEN. We are escorted back in time a little bit to remember the names then and current faces now of the original characters.

There is a tad bit of campy, but I embrace it as much as I do Curtis as Laurie and Castle/Courtney as Meyers. Everyone in Haddonfield who lived through 1978 has a dog in the hunt, especially Officer Leigh Brackett.

I love the small town feel of the film keeping it strictly closed in. That being said, there are bumps to get over and a wish that Laurie/Curtis was more prevalent in the film. It is not yet time to end her story as there has to be one more, just one more face to face before (and I am assuming) granddaughter Allyson takes over.

Until that happens – lock your doors and pull up the big screen because Michael Meyers has come home again.

In the end – evil dies tonight!

 

THE FOREVER PURGE

 Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Everado Gout, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the dread that is about to happen with THE FOREVER PURGE.

It is 2048 and racial tensions are back with the New Founding Fathers of America and it is a day before the upcoming Purge. Juan (Tenoch Huerta) and Adela (Ana de la Reguera) crossed into the United States into Texas for a better way of life and Juan works at the Tucker ranch while Adela also finds work.

Ranch owner Caleb Tucker (Will Patton) wants Juan and his family to be safe and give them a little help. It is his son Dylan (Josh Lucas) prepares his family for it but there is tension between Dylan and Juan. That’s why the couple get aboard a bus that is supposed to take them to a safe place for the next twelve hours guarded by T.T. (Alejandro Edda).

Dylan is already experiencing intensity and scaring pregnant wife Cassidy (Cassidy Freeman) as the lights flicker and the guns need loading. As the night ends, everyone goes back to their ‘normal’ lives trying to be oblivious to the night’s bloodshed. Only…something has gone wrong, horribly wrong.

When Juan gets to the farm, he and T.T. (Alejandro Edda) discovers that the Tuckers have been taken hostage by a group that believe the Purge is now forever. This group led by Kirk (Will Brittain) is now going after the rich ranchers and the Tuckers are the first to feel their wrath. Getting Juan as close as they can to finding Adela, they are joined by Harper Tucker (Leven Rambin) who believes she owes a debt.

Waiting, Dylan and Cassidy are discovering what it is like out in the streets during a Purge. Believing there is no hope, Canada and Mexico open their borders for six hours to get people out of the Purge. Juan and Adela know that they have no choice but to advise the group to head to Mexico. Now, they are all being chased by gunman who do not care what side of the border they are on.    

When violence has gasoline poured on it – the purge spreads out of control!

Reguera as Adela is not one to sit back and not do everything to protect herself and those around her. It becomes clear that there is a reason she is so good at fighting and she’s not about to give up now. Huerta as Juan has one thing on his mind, finding his wife and getting out alive. Helping those who did not want to help them is a twist and it now becomes a struggle for all. His boss-beef gets put aside when survival for all becomes a group effort.

Lucas as Dylan is a man with his own issues, but two things are clear, one – he does not believe in the Purge and two, he is not a fan of Juan. One thing is for certain, opinions do not mean anything because trying to survive washes out petty differences. I enjoyed watching Lucas take on this role but then again, I enjoy Lucas period.

Rambin as sister Harper is another strong character because she is not afraid of anything in front of her and clever as all get out. Edda as T.T. is using what he knows to get the group moving forward. He also sees the strength of the group working together and what Harper and Adela are capable of. Freeman as Cassidy is following the group with not just her own survival but that of her unborn child.

Other cast includes Zahn McClarnon as Chiago, Gary Nohealii as Joaquin, Keenan Henson as Stan, Carol Cantu as Lupita, and Gregory Zaragoza as Xavier.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.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 Feature include Deleted Scene and an Alternate Storyboard Opening, Collapsing the System: Behind THE FOREVER PURGE and Creeptastic Wardrobe.

This Purge film starts out with nothing but divide and ugliness, they come together not only out of survival but begin to understand one another. Surrounded by the worst of humanity, they refuse to give in to those who are so twisted by their own bloodlust.

As a group they continue to trust who they can and do what ever it takes to survive. Interesting how differences are voided out when killing means no one is safe, no matter who you are and where you come from. Once the violence begins and there is no control, it spreads like a disease and nowhere is safe – they can only keep running!

The film is intense, edge-of-your-seat and disturbing in its imagery. Yet that is absolutely the point. Something as heinous as the ideal of a purge, brings out everything brutal that inhumanity has to offer. From start to finish, THE PURGE is not going to let the viewer rest so be prepared to take the last stand.

In the end – one night is not enough!

 

 

 

 

It is All About THE LIE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from Amazon Prime, Welcome to Blumhouse and director Veena Sud is the story of what we tell ourselves and what we believe about THE LIE.

Rebecca (Mireille Enos) is raising daughter Kayla (Joey King) sharing awkward custody with ex-husband Jay (Peter Sarsgaard). That morning he is taking his daughter to dance camp and along the way Kayla sees her friend at the bus stop. Convincing Jay that they are both going to the same place, Brittany (Devery Jacobs) gets in the car.

Going down the road, Brittany wants to stop and use the restroom but all they have is the great outdoors. Waiting for the girls, Jay gets worried and goes looking for them only to hear a scream. Arriving at a bridge, Jay sees Kayla leaning as she tells her father Brittany is gone. In a panic he jumps to the river’s edge and only finds the girls wallet.

Trying to protect Kayla, Jay goes to Rebecca's work and gets her home. There, Kayla recounts to her mother what happened. Trying to keep their daughter safe, they are shocked with Brittany's father Sam (Cas Anvar) knocks on the door thinking that perhaps Kayla knows where his daughter is.

Rebecca and Jay realize that the only way to keep Kayla away from questions is to create questions of their own. Turning to law enforcement, everything begins to unravel and Kayla's attitude toward it all is a bit curious to say the least.

In a last-ditch effort to help their daughter, it is their worse fear come true!

Enos as Rebecca is a doing her best with a career and a teenage daughter that just does not seem to be happy about anything. Trying to have a new relationship plus dealing with an unreliable ex-husband, Enos delivers as we watch her character go from a well-manicured business woman to a falling apart mother.

Sarsgaard as Jay is an ex-husband who is fully aware, he failed, so much so that he allows the things his daughter says and does go without question. Making up for what he considers being a bad father, he is willing to chalk everything up to 'being a teenager' instead of what is really true about his daughter.

King as Kayla is a teen that needs discipline but is to busy playing games. That might be a bit of a personal opinion as I see the character of Kayla as annoying and a kid I would never want to hang around with - but that's just me. King puts in the work to make sure I feel this way for one shocking reason and no, I am not going to tell you what it is. King is growing as an actress and it's one leap after another.

Anvar as Sam is a neighbor who gets caught up in something that he doesn't understand. The constant confrontations with Rebecca, Jay and Kayla is nerve wrecking to watch. Anvar is an actor I enjoy watching because he consistently chooses unexpected roles with very cool results.

Other cast include Devery Jacobs as Brittany, Patti Kim as Detective Kenji Tagata, and Nicholas Lea as Detective Rodney Barnes.

Amazon Prime offers television shows and original content included in its Amazon Prime subscription. Original programs such as CARNIVAL ROW, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, and THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL are hit shows. Coming soon is the next series with GOLIATH starring Billy Bob Thornton and it promises to another successful and intense series.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com

THE LIE is a story of family dysfunction, a teen with serious issues, refusing to do the right thing over and over and having it all come crumbling right in front of the family's eyes. I have a sneaky suspicion that people will be talking to their screens about as much as I did! Not that we want to be involved in it all but that there is this feeling that someone, anyone has to.

Keeping the story simple there is not a lot of scene changes or cgi, instead, THE LIE slowly unravels dedicated to the story each character is trying to tell about themselves and who they really are. Confronting their mistakes towards one another comes only at the expense of a tragedy. The ending is a jaw dropper!

In the end - it was an accident!

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and the Best Giveaway Ever!

 

FOCUS FEATURES 10-MOVIE SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION

ON BLU-RAY™ ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

 Since its founding in 2002, Focus Features has been synonymous with innovative and critically acclaimed film-making. The iconic studio presents their renowned films that illuminate some of Hollywood’s greatest writers, directors, and actors in the Focus Features:10-Movie Spotlight Collection! Totaling an impressive 7 Academy Awards® and 11 Golden Globes® wins, the film set includes Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Pride & Prejudice, Brokeback Mountain, Atonement, Burn After Reading, Moonrise Kingdom, The Theory of Everything, On the Basis of Sex and Harriet. With films from acclaimed directors such as The Coen Brothers, Sophia Coppola, Ang Lee and Wes Anderson, this collection is loaded with bonus features including filmmaker feature commentaries, cast interviews, deleted scenes and more!

 

 

BLUMHOUSE OF HORRORS: 10-MOVIE COLLECTION

ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

 Invite yourself into the BLUMHOUSE OF HORRORS: 10-MOVIE COLLECTION and visit the most thrilling, chilling, and unforgettable characters from Get Out, The Purge, Ouija, Split, The Visit, Unfriended, Truth or Dare, The Boy Next Door, Happy Death Day, and Ma. The studio and filmmakers, including Jordan Peele and M. Night Shyamalan, that redefined the genre of horror present ten of the most spine-tingling films that will have you running for the front door! The collection includes iconic horror and suspense thrillers with all-star casts including Ethan Hawke, Jennifer Lopez, Octavia Spencer, James McAvoy and more. There are hours of bonus content including featurettes, deleted scenes, alternate endings, behind-the-scenes & much more! 

 

 

ALFRED HITCHCOCK CLASSICS COLLECTION

OWN THE BRAND NEW 4K ULTRA HD COMBO PACK

WITH A BLU-RAY™ AND DIGITAL CODE ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

 Universally recognized as the Master of Suspense, the legendary Alfred Hitchcock directed some of cinema’s most thrilling and unforgettable classics. The ALFRED HITCHCOCK CLASSICS COLLECTION features four iconic films from the acclaimed director’s illustrious career including Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho and The Birds in stunning 4K resolution. Starring Hollywood favorites such as James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Tippi Hedren, Kim Novak and Rod Taylor, this essential collection features hours of bonus features as well as the original uncut version of Psycho for the first time ever. This collection with collectible Discbook packaging includes hours of bonus features such as documentaries, expert commentaries, interviews, screen tests and much more!

 

 

DREAMWORKS 10-MOVIE COLLECTION

OWN THESE ANIMATED CLASSICS

ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

Relive each classic moment as an ogre, a panda, a yeti, and so many more of your favorite characters embark on epic journeys across their worlds. With lots of laughs and breathtakingly beautiful animation, this collection is perfect for children and parents alike. The fun-filled collection includes Shrek, Madagascar, Home, Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron, How to Train your Dragon, The Croods, Kung Fu Panda, Boss Baby, Abominable, and Trolls! The DREAMWORKS 10-MOVIE COLLECTION comes with hours of bonus features including animated shorts, music videos, deleted scenes, and much more for the whole family! 

 

 

 

ILLUMINATION PRESENTS 10-MOVIE COLLECTION

ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

Illumination presents all ten of their blockbuster comedies in one collection for the whole family. It includes all three Despicable Me films, The Secret life of Pets 1 & 2, Hop, Minions, Sing, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, and Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch! With all-star voice casts including Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Sandra Bullock, and Michael Keaton, the ILLUMINATION PRESENTS 10-MOVIE COLLECTION is packed with hours of bonus content including mini-movies, sing-alongs, games and more! 

 

 

 

This is a fantastic way to start the holiday season and…if you are good…Santa might be able to help that fun begin! We are giving away one of each collection so it is very simple. Go to http://moviemaven.homestead.com and find out how you can add one of these to your own home entertainment library and...HAPPY JOYFUL EARLY HOLIDAYS!!

Remember – Choose One! Whether it be Hitchcock or DreamWorks we think you will enjoy!

YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT Jumps onto Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital and DVD this week from writer/director David Koepp, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes a story of vacationing fear when YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT.

Theo (Kevin Bacon) is a man married to his young actress wife Susanna (Amanda Seyfried) and they share the very young Ella (Avery Essex). Dealing with his emotions of the past, he visits the set where Susanna only to have more pressure to be a good and supportive husband. This is especially difficult since the topic of people not liking Theo comes up.

He convinces Susanna that they need some time together before she heads for an 8 week shoot in London. That is when they drive up to a huge vacation home in Wales. It is spacious and minimalist in its furnishing, but the family is enchanted by the house and the surrounding grounds. But beauty can be deceiving…

…as Ella begins to see shadows. The next day Susanna and Ella talk a walk and the young girl asked the question she probably should not have, "why do people not like Daddy?" and the story is unraveled before her. Theo is furious that she subjected their daughter to the story, but Ella makes it clear she loves her father.

Theo goes to the grocery store where a shopkeeper questions him about their stay at the house. He finds the questions strange. It gets stranger when a woman asks him if he is spoken to the owner Stetler. Trying to chalk it up to the area, Theo has a dream that night that the house is changing, and that Ella is in harm’s way.

Trying to keep it together, the final straw is discovering that Susanna is not being honest with him and she leaves for the evening. Theo and Ella find ways to keep themselves amused and that is when he begins to suspect that the house has a bigger story to tell. Instead, the house turns against Theo with strange twists and turns making it impossible to leave.

What it wants from him might be more than he can take.

Bacon as Theo does an excellent job as an insecure husband mixed with a supernatural. One of my favorite films he has done is the 1990 FLATLINERS and the 1999 STIR OF ECHOES. As Theo, Bacon's character delves into a life before Susanna and Ella and the strain of his own insecurities. The scene between Bacon and young Ella is something to have tissue for which is unexpected for a suspense/supernatural thriller.

Seyfried as Susanna is a young actress who finds herself taking roles that cause conflict between she and husband Theo. Seyfried seems concerned about her husband but also shuts herself away a bit when Theo can't seem to control his insecurities. She pulls her weight in the film but does not get to get her hands dirty.

Essex as Ella is absolutely stunning! She is smart, doesn't miss much, has a bit of a wild streak but also sees that her father is struggling, oh, and has her own issues with the house. This young actress is powerful and gives her little self a resilience that her parents should have taken a lesson from.

Other cast include Colin Blumenau as the Shopkeeper, Lowri Richards as the town Welsh Woman, Joshua Jackson as Susanna’s Production Assistant and Eli Powers as Susann's Assistant.

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.

YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT is a mind-bending story with some jumps that got me easily. Okay, I did holler once but I am sure you will holler even more. It is a cast of 2 1/2 that carry the film and they do it well. As the story starts to unfold it is a tad bit predictable but none the less fun to watch.

Might I suggest watching it in the dark as I did, you will get the full effect that is pretty cool, especially on a Friday night. Living in the times we are, it is cool to have a movie night at home and scary movies happen to be our favorite.

Don't turn away from the screen or you will miss the small pieces of the larger supernatural puzzle.

In the end – the house finds you!