The Story Has One BIG FISH

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director Tim Burton and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment comes a tale that is one BIG FISH. 

Will (Billy Crudup) has spent his life listening to his father Edward’s (Albert Finney) stories about his life. Finally letting Dad know how he felt about it, there happened a rift between the two. Years later, Will receives a telephone call from Mom Sandra (Jessica Lange) telling him that Edward is ill. Packing up young pregnant wife Josephine (Marion Cotillard), he finally goes home.

Once there, it is Josephine that gets to hear the story’s that Will has no interest in. Recounting the young days of Edward’s (Ewan McGregor) life, meeting the love of his life and having a family, Josephine thinks the stories are so charming. One afternoon Sandra takes Will into the garage where he discovers that perhaps the stories his Dad was telling him could possibly have truth to them.

Beginning with Jenny (Helena Bonham) the town Witch who had another story to tell Will.

Crudup as Will is a man who is at his end with the stories his father tells. As he gets older, so does the innocence he once held toward those stories. It is only when his father becomes ill does he take the time to learn to understand the man who became his father. Crudup’s character attempts to play along but in fact he is dealing with who his father truly is and Crudup does it amazingly well.

Finney as Edward who is the elder Dad is absolutely lovely in every way. When he tells his part of the story it is with such detail and excitement in his voice. Watching the relationship between the elder Edward and Will can be a bit of heartbreaking because of the rift that they are trying to pretend did not happen.

McGregor as the younger Edward is optimistic, full of life, has amazing friendships and is laser focused on the one thing he loves in life – Sandra. Watching him go through everything just to be with her and making her life a good one is what Will seems to not be grasping. McGregor’s Edward just loves everything about life and even when there is a down time or two, he finds a way turn a frown upside down.

Lange as Sandra is gentle and loves the life they have created together. She lets him have his whimsical moments and actually cherishes them and I love that about her character. Bonham as Jenny also has a story to tell, and it certainly is just as charming as any story Edward has told. Cotillard as a pregnant Josephine delights in Edward’s stories even if Will keeps rolling his eyes. It is as if Edward has one more chance to make sure that the stories and memories are stored with someone who will tell them again and again.

Other cast include Alison Lohman as young Sandra, Robert Guillaume as Dr. Bennett, Missi Pyle as Mildred, Matthew McGrory as Karl the Giant, David Denman as Don Price, Loudon Wainwright as Beamen, Ada and Arlene Tai as Ping and Jing, Steve Buscemi as Norther Winslow, Danny DeVito as Amos Calloway, and Deep Roy as Mr. Soggybottom.

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.

Bonus Materials of BIG FISH include Newly Remastered in 4K Resolution from the Original Camera Negative with HDR10 and All New Dolby Atmos Audio and Original Theatrical 5.1 Ratio. On Bluray there is Feature presentation in HD Sourced From the New 4K Master, Tim Burton Audio Commentary Moderated by Mark Salisbury, The Character’s Journey: Edward Bloom At Large, Amos athe Circus & Fathers and Sons, The Filmmaker’s Path: Tim Burton: Storyteller, A Fairytale World, Creature Features and The Author’s Journey, Original Cast Interviews & Behind The Scenes, Easter Eggs and Theatrical Trailer.  

BIG FISH is an epic story with a cast that can never be duplicated ever again. Each character has a unique story to tell with Edward being the catalyst for them all. It is a film about the life we look back on, the adventures we love to remember, those who are part of those memories, what the truth is and what we chose to believe in the end.

All of those things are so glorious in their ways and it makes every moment of the film so lovely. There is humor, friendship, family, love and discovering the connection that was never really lost, only momentarily forgotten. Truth be told, I have watched this film again and again over the years and I am just as moved every time I see it.

BIG FISH if a film that only gets better with time and eighteen years later the truth of it all is that when you move away everything else – there is love.

In the end – it is the story of his life!

 

WILD MOUNTAIN THYME

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming soon from director writer/director John Patrick Shanley and Bleeker Street comes the story of life and land in WILD MOUNTAIN THYME.

Tony (Christopher Walken) has lived his life on a beautiful plot of land in Ireland with his son Anthony (Jamie Dornan). In the land next to them is Aoife (Dearbhla Molloy) and daughter Rosemary (Emily Blunt) who keeps her heart out for Anthony.

When Anthony learns that his father might be selling the land to him, he is devastated. He also learns that nephew Adam (Jon Hamm) from America is coming for Tony’s birthday and that is who is considered front runner for the land. There is also a piece of land between Tony and Aoife that belongs to Rosemary!

Tragedy hits Rosemary, Tony wonders if his idea of selling the farm is a very good one and Adam returns to New York. When Anthony’s life changes, he suggests to Rosemary that maybe she should go and see the world and leave the farm. She takes off for New York and meets up with Adam and finally sees a dream on stage.

Anthony lets Rosemary know that he believes Adam is looking for a wife. This is where things get pickled as Anthony cares for Rosemary, Rosemary cares for Anthony and Adam will either make or break them or maybe the secrets they have will explain it all!

Blunt as Rosemary is just so dang cute its ridiculous. Of course, everything Blunt has done is amazing to watch so I did not expect this to be any different. As Rosemary, she is a dreamer and the most patient woman I think I have ever heard of. What I love about this character is that she knows there is something keeping them apart and pulls and pulls again believing that even in her dreams there is something to hold on to.

Dornan as Anthony is a painfully shy man who just does not know his worth to himself and those around him. Dornan is so sweet in this role and even the awkwardness of Anthony only makes him more endearing. Practicing a way to reach the point where he can speak to Rosemary, he constantly is being pulled back by his own fears. Playing opposite Walken is the father-son realities that there is a history in every one’s life, even a father.

Hamm as Adam is not happy when Tony keeps him dangling on a string. Returning to New York, he is surprised to see Rosemary again and that is when he wonders if he has what it takes to be an Irish farmer.  

Walken as Anthony is crotchety, pushy and has a goal – to see his son alone no longer. Although his accent gets a little muddled at times, it changes nothing about his performance. There is a scene between father and son that is not only tissue worthy but thumps the heart because it was a moment of pure love between the two.

Other cast includes Jon Tenney as tommy, Danielle Ryan as Maeve, Lydia McGuinness as Eleanor, Abigail Coburn as young Rosemary and Darragh O’Kane as young Anthony.

Bleeker Street is a New York City film company that has brought outstanding films to the public. Their library includes TRUMBO, DENIAL, THE LOST CITY OF Z, BEIRUT, HOTEL MUMBAI, ORDINARY LOVE and THE ROADS NOT TAKEN. For more information on the titles from Bleeker Street please visit www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com.

WILD MOUNTAIN THYME is the kind of film that I adore during a stressful time. It is set in the glorious green of Ireland with vast open land, animals and streams. There is something wonderful just seeing that scenery mixed with something we do not see a lot of in Southern California – rainstorms!

This is a story of generational families and stories that are not told until time has its way. Watching Walken play Dornan’s father is full of emotion, bold, brassy and loud emotion. In case anyone is wondering if Irish families are like that, well, my grandmother’s side certainly was and is. Outspoken, vocal, and no nonsense were the order of the day in her household. That in itself made me laugh at the film watching Blunt be everything I saw in my own grandmother.

It is also a story of love and longing by two people who have such different dreams yet have known each other since childhood. Even then, a fence did not stop them from consistently being pulled toward one another because everything they did not say are the things that could have brought them together sooner. Isn’t that how we all are?

Grab your own love, cuddle up with a huge comfy blanket on a fluffy sofa and be whisked away to Ireland and cheer on the couple who wants what you have – minus the fence.

In the end – there is nothing more dangerous than an Irish woman in love!

THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT is From VeggieTales

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the beloved characters created to charm our imaginations now helping us celebrate the holidays with VEGGIETALES: The Best Christmas Gift.  

The Veggies are preparing for Christmas as Bob and Larry get things together for a holiday show in Mr. Nezzer's theatre. There are songs to learn and dances and costumes to gather in order to make the show a success. Arthur seems to be having a difficult time and Archibald Asparagus is preparing all the food from different parts of the world to share.

But things start to go wrong as the other Veggies decide they want something else because food from different countries just isn't working. They also have a problem as Bob has to explain what a Christmas tree is and how it is decorated. They believe their celebration is in jeopardy without setting things right.

Then it comes to them that it's time to remember what the holidays are truly all about. There is a story that needs telling and it just might be what is needed to the unhappy veggies back to a holiday space. It's about a Jr. sheppard, wise persons and a place called Bethlehem. The Veggies are bringing joy and a story about a new king to an audience who is riveted.

There is a call for an encore from the performing Veggies and the holiday is saved!

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 film of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

The DVD includes Bonus Features of Introducing: The VeggieTales Show, Sing Song Karaoke, Behind the Scenes: Silly Song Remixes, Audio Commentary, and Trailer. Introducing All New Silly Song Remixes of The Hairbrush Song and The Water Buffalo Song. Plus A Veggie Tales Christmas, Song & Story Mash Up and Downloadable Parental Discussion Guide which is available at www.VeggieTales.com

Is there anything more enchanting than singing Veggies? I hardly think so! These lovely and very animated characters bring so much to the holidays. Not only do they embrace trying foods from other countries but they want all Veggies to feel the love of the holidays. From their version of the Christmas Story which is not only charming but extremely cute, but their own decorating and singing version of a Christmas tree.

The Veggies want everyone to understand that the love of family comes from a special place and that Christmas brings good news for us all. The world may seem to be a messy place for the Veggies but that isn't about to stop them from celebrating the holidays even through the bumps and crazy happenings because they have each other.

It has been 29 years since the inception of the VeggieTales and this story is one of the newest that will be coming once again. Created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki, the idea was to bring Christian themes to an animated story that included the characters of fruits and vegetables. Living on the counter of a kitchen, Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, Junior and Archibald Asparagus, Petunia Rhubarb, Pa Grape, Laura Carrot, Madame Blueberry, the French Peas and so many more were born.

The VeggieTales have grown and have been shared over and over with the children who are riveted by these characters. THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT is another story to be shared with each other and bring the family together for a little bit of seasonal celebrating!

In the end - it is a timeless story of hope!

Find the Meaning of Life on DVD with WHEN THE STARLIGHT ENDS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director Adam Sigal and Cinedigm is the story of life, the written word and the clash between the two with WHEN THE STARLIGHT ENDS.

Jacob (Sam Heughan) is stuck at a job he can't stand and girlfriend Cassandra (Arabella Oz) wants him to be happy. He truly wants to write and when Cassandra says he should follow his dream, their lives begin to change. Sitting in front of a computer screen daily, he pumps out his thoughts trying to put it all together in a book worth publishing.

When it begins to pay off, he knows that Cassandra deserves to fruits of their labor and finding the house of their dreams is a good beginning. Jacob begins working on his next work but starts to get sidetracked and tries to get it together with a side chat with dog-neighbor Ralph (Sean Patrick Flanery). When that doesn't help, his mind begins to wander wondering if it's possible that there is another 'Jacob' living another life.

Cassandra makes the painful decision to leave when she realizes that Jacob's writing is more important than she is. Knowing he could change this fate around with one simple promise, something inside stops every urge he has. That decision puts Jacob back in front of the keyboard to try and find a happy ending to it all.

He lives for the words.

Heughan as Jacob is a man who can't believe the love of his life allows him to finally have the time to put his thoughts into a book. When the book is successful, it releases him to freely write and take care of his life with Cassandra. Heughan is sweet in this role giving us all a look inside of the thought process of a writer but this character has moments of artistic narcissism.

Of course I'm sure it can be said that all artists carry a bit of it with them but Cassandra isn't about to have it in her life. Heughan came to the attention of American audiences from the STARZ original series Outlander playing the role of Scottish rogue Jamie Fraser. This is a different look for accent-less Heughan and the stories within the main story come off well.

Oz as Cassandra also has the opportunity to play other characters within the stories Jacob is writing. Because his work focuses around his love for her, it is also a very cool way of showcasing Oz's ability to go from loving girlfriend to hitchhiker. The brilliant scene toward the end of the film between Cassandra and Heughan is awkward, necessary and it felt like I was eavesdropping.

Flanery as Ralph is the odd duck neighbor who occasionally is Jacob's sounding board. It's not so much that he really cares about what Jacob is going through as much as it would be nice to have a buddy to have a few beers with. His story comes into play when the writer can't help but wonder how his life works.

Other cast include Armando Gutierrez as Don, Hunter Gomez as Danny, Georgia Cook as Ellie, George Griffith as Jimmy, AlexAnn Hopkins as Eva, and David Arquette as Bill.

Cinedigm is a leading distributor of amazing content in storefronts, digital platforms, Internet and Demand platforms for cable television. With an extensive library of over 52,000 films and television shows, Docudrama films, next-gen Indies and Independent films. At its inception, Cinedigm has played a pioneering role in transitioning movie theatres from traditional film prints to digital distribution to advance worldwide cinema modernization. For more on what Cinedigm has to offer please visit http://www.cinedigm.com.

WHEN THE STARLIGHT ENDS is a look inside the mind of Jacob as a writer and he truly does have a lot to say and in such a way that I loved hearing every word. The process of how he gets there is the story of a man who goes so deep into his own world that he forgets about the one person he constantly professes is his life.

Writer/director Sigal presents his complex story blanketed in the simplicity of love and the choices we all make using that emotion. Sometimes it isn't until we hurt or are hurt that what is in our hearts and minds flows out of us whether it is writing, painting, singing, etc.

The character of Jacob had the choice to keep the life he professed to love but instead took another path that was riddled with mirrors of pain, angst and ugly realities staring right back at him.

In the end - rewrite your life!