He Learns About True Friendship Because of DOG

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/directors Reid Carolin, Channing Tatum and MGM/UA is the story of two soldiers and one of them is the furry four-legged DOG.

Briggs (Channing Tatum) is not happy with life working at a sandwich shop and trying to get reinstated as an Army Ranger for another rotation overseas. Learning that friend Sgt. Rodriguez has passed, he joins his fellow soldiers to be together talking about experiences only they all know about. Discovering his Captain is also there, he tries everything to get a telephone call to make rejoining his fellow soldiers happen.

An agreement is struck that Briggs would take Sgt. Rodriguez’s service dog to his funeral and the captain would make the call. The problem is the dog, Lulu, is not exactly happy to be around anyone. A binder filled with information shows she is suffering trauma and is very aggressive.

Almost immediately, Lulu sets her own ground rules and Briggs becomes immediately frustrated. Acting out, it is one frustration after another as Briggs tries to prove he is the more intelligent of the two. But the chase is always on between them as he is dealing with darts in the butt cheek, interruption of a bit of adult yoga, having things be stolen and car breaking down.

Each episode makes it difficult for Briggs to get where he needs to be for the family funeral service in Nogales. Along the way, both Lulu and Briggs have to come to terms with what is in their hearts and minds, the understanding could go a long way between both healing.

Tatum as Briggs wants nothing more than to get back into action. The problem is he has issues that are being ignored or hidden by sarcasm and just plain acting as if nothing is wrong. The relationship with Lulu is when all of those things no longer work for him bringing about frustration and bad choices. Tatum’s character tries the ‘I am smarter because I am human’ logic on a dog that clearly does not think that is a valid thing. The on-screen chemistry between the two is sad, funny, cute and endearing which won my heart. This is the perfect role for Tatum.

Now, lets talk about Lulu (plays by three Belgian Malinois) who basically stole the show. Starting out as an anxious dog that is misunderstood as aggression, she has such expressive and beautiful eyes, yet no one sees. There has been so much trauma for the pup, but humans think their trauma is much more important that they miss what is clearly in front of them. Lulu has a mind of her own, sees the world as she was trained to see it and shows confusion about everything being so different, especially with Briggs not being Sgt. Rodriguez. I just love this dog to pieces.

Shout out to Nash as Gus the pot growing big guy who just made us laugh ourselves silly and Adams as Tamara as Nash’s wife who sees Lulu for what she is. I thought both of these characters just came out of nowhere yet seemed to understand everything. Awesome.

Other cast include Q’orianka Kilcher as Niki, Emmy Lampman as Bella, Kevin Nash as Gus, Jane Adams as Tamara, Aqueela Zol as Callan, Darren Keilan as Ranger Lucas, Cayden Boyd as Corporal Levitz, Skyler Joy as Natalie, Amanda Booth as Tiffany and Eric Urbiztondo as Sgt. Riley Rodriguez.

MGM is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television across all platforms. Owning one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content and is home to two of the longest-running and most successful film franchise in cinematic history with JAMES BOND and ROCKY. For more please visit www.mgm.com.

DOG is a journey that truly is an experience for those who understand what happened to Sgt. Rodriguez and what is happening with Briggs is relatable. It is the issue of soldiers who come home with body and mind trauma and feeling that there is no other way out because the pain is to much.

The character of Briggs thinks the answer is to jump right back into the very thing that has given him so much pain and confusion. Needing that camaraderie, he is willing to do whatever it takes to get that again, except deal with the death of a friend. Tatum also gives his character the ability to walk away from a family feeling justified for doing so.

This film is not an action story but instead a story on the importance of the traumas of soldiers (be it two or four legged soldiers) and what happens when they can no longer run from what brings them such pain. Briggs and Lulu have more in common than either realizes, but their stubbornness gets in the way from what turns into an amazing relationship.

In the end - a filthy animal unfit for human company and a...dog!

ALPHA Brings Mans Best Friends Story to Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Now on DVD and Bluray from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and writer/director Albert Hughes comes the story of a young man and a wolf he calls ALPHA.

Keda (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a young man finding his place in the Paleolithic tribe. Being the son of Tau (Johannes Johannesson) isn’t easy, especially when Keda must prove himself worthy to hunt as bison season approaches. Preparing, it is easy to see that Keda wants to be everything his father expects but has insecurities of his own.

Out in the wilderness the group catches a boar and Tau expects Keda to prove his worth by killing the creature. Later that night, in the blink of an eye they lose a member of their group but there is no time to mourn. A heard of bison is close and they need everyone to do their part to corral the stampede in one direction. As one breaks away, the bison has his eye on Keda.

Rushing the boy it only takes a moment before Tau sees his son go over the edge of a cliff. Believing him lost, he must walk away for the sake of the others and return home. But Keda isn’t dead, in fact through a fluke of weather he manages to make it back to the top where the group was last seen. There he discovers a cairn left by the tribe and knows he is on his own.

With an injured foot, he is suddenly chased by wolves sending him up a tree but not before he wounds one of them. Staying up high, Keda wakes the next day to see the pack gone but not the wounded wolf. Knowing he can not kill the animal, he decides to help him get better.

Finding them a place to be safe, both young man and wolf take the time to heal from their wounds and get to know one another. Trust isn’t that easy to come by but they both have time. Keda calls the animal Alpha and preparing for his journey home is surprised to see the wolf following him.

Their friendship blooms as they face more animals and a bitter tundra that isn’t about to show either man nor beast any mercy. They lean on one another with each step taken but both realize they are becoming weaker with the village no where in site.

Smit-McPhee as Keda basically carries this film through some of the worst weather imaginable. From the beginning it is clear that the character Keda isn’t exactly the hunter his father would like but his own mother knows that Keda does everything with a big heart. Even when confronted with the boar kill, it is all over the young man’s face that he can’t find it in him to do it. Smit-McPhee has that unique ability to give us all of that emotion with very little dialogue. The relationship with Alpha is a joy to watch.

Johannesson as Tau has a duty to the village to feed them all through the winter and the bison hunt is a chance to show what his son can do. Unfortunately, Tau is keenly aware that his son has a heart but is hoping that won’t stop him from being part of the tribe’s hierarchy. It is heartbreaking to watch this actor grieve because he is totally believable in a father’s ache for the loss of his son.

Other cast includes Marcin Kowalczyk as Sigma, Jense Hulten as Xi, Natassia Malthe as Rho, Spencer Bogaert as Kappa, Mercedes de la Zerda as Nu, Lenor Varela as the Shaman Woman and narrated by Morgan Freeman.

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

The Bluray and Digital Bonus Materials Include: Director’s Cut, Alternate Opening and Ending with Commentaries by Director Albert Hughes, Deleted Scenes with Commentaries by Director Albert Hughes: Starscape, Fighting For Survival and Dream Sequence. Also, Four Featurettes: The Wolf Behind Alpha, Boy & Wolf and Building the World. Finally, A Hero’s Journey is also included. The DVD includes Two Featurettes: The Wolf Behind Alpha and Boy & Wolf.

ALPHA is the film for those who love to see the relationship between the young man Keda and the first friendship that comes from Alpha. The wolf has a personality all its own and made me giggle quite a few times. Besides being stunningly beautiful, Alpha’s facial features were strong and lovely at the same time.

The cinematography is stunning with its wide open spaces and harshness that is believable for the times. There are moments of beauty and then frightening moments where every step can either bring them closer to their destination or farther away.

Director Albert Hughes is also responsible for such films as DEAD PRESIDENTS, THE BOOK OF ELI and now ALPHA. Receiving numerous nominations and a win for Best Director from the Black Reel Awards for THE BOOK OF ELI, Hughes is currently in pre-production for the film THE FURY OF A PATIENT MAN.

ALPHA is a film I enjoyed from start to finish with its lovely story of a young big hearted boy who would find the best friend he would ever know. It’s a story of trust, loyalty, friendship and survival all wrapped up a beautifully shot film.

In the end – mankind discovers man’s best friend!

THE STRAY: Speaking with Michael Cassidy

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Mitch Davis and KEB Entertainment comes the story of a family who doesn’t know they need THE STRAY.

Christian (Connor Corum) is a young boy who is having a hard time connecting with his busy father Mitch (Michael Cassidy). Mom Michelle (Sarah Lancaster) just wants everyone to be happy but isn’t happy with how much Mitch is working.

When Christian is bullied at school, out of no where a dog comes to his rescue and follows him home. The little boy names him Pluto, where all dogs come from according to Christian, and the family embraces him. When Mitch becomes so distracted that he almost loses their youngest daughter – it is time for the family to make some changes.

Moving to a small town in Colorado, Mitch is back to writing again but his relationship with son Christian isn’t any better. He decides the best thing to do is gather up a few neighbor boys and take them all out camping with Christian. The one thing is that the rest of the family wants Pluto to stay with them!

Their first night camping there is a snow storm and Pluto seems edgy. A bolt of lightening comes out of no where as Mitch and the boys are struck. When the boys wake up they realize that Mitch hasn’t and Christian prays for his Dad to wake up and when he does they all realize what has happened to Pluto.

It’s a mysterious friendship created with faith!

I had the opportunity to speak with Michael Cassidy who portrays Mitch Davis about the film and his thoughts about making such a touching and heartwarming family film.

Jeri Jacquin: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today Michael.

Michael Davis: Of course Jeri, I appreciate you taking time as well.

JJ: Tell me how you got involved with THE STRAY?

MD: Mitch Davis picked me when I was with my family. To this day I don’t know what of mine he had seen that made me a good choice to play him. I am grateful that he did though.

JJ: Had you read the script before he picked you out?

MD: I read the script before I talked to him. I was sent the script when offered the lead for the film. I gave it a read and responded immediately to it. I mean I backpack with my child, at the time we had a dog as well who passed shortly after the film was made and I am a father as well. So there were a lot of levels that I really related to. I talked to Mitch the next day after reading the script and we totally hit it off. I have so much respect for who he is as a man and a filmmaker.

JJ: I was going to ask you what drew you to THE STRAY but I think it was, well, everything!

MD: Absolutely, it was shot in a beautiful part of the world too. I like Mitch very much; I liked the script and the theme of the story. I was really impressed by Mitch because this is his story.

JJ: The family sense of it is big. It’s really hard to find films that the entire family can go see together. Listening to you say that you’re a dad and love animals, it’s an instant draw.

MD: Yes, I haven’t done a lot of things that I can take my kids to so this is a very unique opportunity for my wife and I to take the kids to the theatre this weekend. It’s going to be a cool experience and I plan to enjoy it with my family.

JJ: Did you think about what people will take away from watching THE STRAY?

MD: Yes, I think at the heart of it the movie is about how hard it is to be a person in a family – a husband, wife or a child and even a dog. At the same time how powerful it is to love your family and what a gift it is even when it’s difficult.

JJ: Is there anything particular about the film that touched you most of all?

MD: When I read the script before I filmed it and knew Mitch, I was touched. I related to the character in that he’s working all the time and it’s not working for him. I like to see characters that make mistakes. When we were making the movie I had some pretty powerful and emotional experiences around the dog story line. To be honest, the dog didn’t register with me when I read the script but eventually Shiloh, that’s the dog who plays Pluto in the movie, played intensely in my life because of my own dog.

JJ: You know, W.C. Fields says about ‘kids and animals’ and you got both, how was that for you?

MD: I really liked working with Conor (who plays Christian Davis) very much. I connected to him and felt more like he was a peer on so many levels. We were in those woods getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, chasing the dog and carrying those backpacks together. I saw an actor that was in the same challenging work environment as me and I didn’t expect that. No matter how challenging the elements are, I knew there was a guy who shared the same name as my character and had it way harder than me. I said that to Mitch, I told him it was going to be weird to be him while he’s on the set. It was a fun experience that we shared.

JJ: Usually people who portray other people don’t have that person right there next to them. That had to be strange.

MD: I was very up front with Mitch when we talked about the film saying that I am not you and I have to do what makes sense to me. He was amazing! It was my biggest concern going in that he might whisper “I don’t do things like that” but he never did that. He even said ‘look man, this is the story that happened to me and my family and you are here because you are going to do a good job telling that story’. He trusted me totally and it was very comfortable.

JJ: Do you think THE STRAY being based on a true story was something else that drew you to make the film?

MD: Oh yes definitely! I have been in electrical storms and had so many shared experiences with Mitch that it was just grace that my experiences in those elements were different than him. I totally connected to the elements in the exact same way as he did in his life and did it as a story teller to be able to bring it all to the screen.

I so appreciate Michael Cassidy talking with us today about THE STRAY. The film brings Mitch Davis’ story to the screen as Michael Cassidy tells the story of family, friendship and love.

THE STRAY is a film about faith, hope, love, family and healing. The Davis family is like so many of us in that we all get so busy with life that we truly forget to live. In this case it takes the arrival of a beautiful dog to bring everything into focus. This is an amazing family film that can be shared with many walks of life with a sense of unity and strength that we all can relate to.

In theatres this Friday is a family that needed THE STRAY.

In the end – one dog can change everything!