GLASS is About to Shatter

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director M. Knight Shyamalan and Universal Pictures comes the gripping gathering of fear with GLASS.

Here we are and it has been 19 years since David Dunn (Bruce Willis) discovered he had an unusual ability and has attempted to live a low profile life. Not laying so low after two years is Hedwig (James McAvoy) and the Horde who have struck again and again. Dunn wants to find him before he can destroy more lives.

Discovering where his newest victims are held, Dunn finds them and has a showdown with The Beast. That isn’t the highlight of their meeting, the sudden surrounding of police catches them both off guard. Taken down they are both escorted to the same facility as another famous patient.

Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) is a psychiatrist who deals with patients suffering from delusions of grandeur and that includes Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson). She isn’t pleased that he has been kept sedated like a zombie since his capture. Having all three, Dr. Staple has only a few days to treat, or convince, all three that they are not super heroes of any kind.

Dunn keeps his cool and doesn’t say much because it seems that the Horde is upset and confused about the confrontation and Mr. Glass is unresponsive. The goal of all three is to get out before Dr. Staple makes sure they are committed for good.

But there are secrets to be revealed coming from unexpected places and those who will do whatever it takes to make sure it is all exposed!

That’s all you are getting from me.

Willis as Dunn slides right back into a role he took on nineteen years ago and it feels like no time has passed. That’s what I have always loved about Willis, the roles he has chosen over his career and, although a few bumps here and there, it never has changed my enjoyment of his performances. Dunn was a broken man who found a connection in his life he didn’t know existed and that is how Willis embraced the character. Nineteen years later, his personality has barely changed but his abilities have sharpened.

Jackson as Mr. Glass (yes, I said Mr.) spends a lot of time comatose but that doesn’t stop his mind from churning. Still believing in who they all are, his twitchy eye isn’t happy with the insights spouted by Dr. Staple. Speaking of her, Paulson is the monologuer of the film and she does her best to convince the gang (because the Horde does constitute a gang) that it’s all in their minds.

Stealing the entire film is McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb/ The Beast, Patricia, Dennis, Hedwig, Barry, Jade, Orwell, Heinrich, Norma and a host of others. There are moments where the camera doesn’t leave his face and characters flash seamlessly like the strobe lights in his room. Since the 2016 film SPLIT of which I’ve watched more times that I can even count, McAvoy slides right into the role of sheer madness and I’m in complete awe of his performance. Playing one or two roles is hard enough but man, oh man, does McAvoy ever show that being about twenty people including rock-hard cut Beast had me totally invested in the film.

Other cast include Luke Kirby as Pierce, Marisa Brown as Carol, Charlayne Woodard as Elijah’s Mother and Adam Thompson as Daryl. Look for Spencer Treat Clark as Joseph and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey.

There is so much here that I’m not talking about because on the screen before the film started was a message from Director Shyamalan asking, “If you guys could please keep the secrets of the film so all audiences on opening day can have the experience you are going to have, it would mean the world to me and the cast and crew”. Well, he did ask nicely so I’m going to do exactly that.

I ain’t tellin’ you sh*t in the way of details and I’m okay with doing that actually. Living in this social media world I will let someone else spoil it for you but it certainly won’t be me. The story M. Knight Shyamalan started telling nineteen years ago works for me completely in 2019.

There were a few moments where my jaw dropped as I looked around the crowd to see if anyone else had the same reaction and was thrilled. It seemed the audience was right with me when the secrets started twisting, turning and spilling in all aspects of these three characters.

Well done Mr. Shyamalan! You chose the right actors to bring your story out nineteen years ago and two years ago only to reunite us with them – all of them and what a thrill ride it is!

In the end – the world of Superheroes will be shattered!

INCREDIBLES 2 is Exactly That – Purely Incredible and Now on Bluray!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from writer/director Brad Bird, Pixar and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the return of the family we love to love with INCREDIBLES 2.

After the Parr family has dealt with the Mole and his attack on the city, the Supers once again find themselves on the outs. Sitting in a motel room wondering what they are going to do next, Lucius aka Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) arrives with news.

It seems someone wants to help bring Supers back! A meeting with Winston (Bob Odenkirk) and Evelyn Deavor (Catherine Keener) brings Bob/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) a chance to prove that Supers should be brought back.

The idea is to make Elastigirl the face of the Supers which takes them by surprise, especially Bob’s ego. The Deavor’s provide the Parr family with a spacious and, well incredible new home and Helen an awesome two wheel ride. All of this means Bob is home to tend to teen-angst ridden Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Huck Milner) and Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile).

Home life problems include Violet’s confusion about her date with Tony (Michael Bird), Dash’s rambunctiousness and Jack-Jack being Jack-Jack. As Helen leaves to resume ‘hero’ work, Bob is now Mr. Mom and learning the ropes. It doesn’t take long before he becomes over whelmed but can’t let Helen know so calls on Lucius who is equally confused about it all. His last hope is Edna Mode (Brad Bird)!

Helen on the other hand is busy saving Ambassador’s and meeting new Supers. Winston wants to create a summit where everyone comes together once again. The problem is a new villain is using technology to turn the Supers into not-so-nice Supers putting the possibility of bringing Supers back on the back burner! You follow?

Don’t worry, you will, and what an incredible ride it is!

Hunter as Helen/Elastigirl takes the lead in this film as a working Mom in the most Super of ways. I love Hunter’s character for so many reasons but mainly she is the glue that holds the Parr family together. Not taking anything away from Bob, it’s just a Mom thang!

Nelson as Bob/Mr. Incredible is a little distraught about being put aside but slowly begins to see that he can be equally incredible being a dialed-in Dad as well. When he is finally called to help save the world once again, a twists comes in and the loyalty of family suits up!

Vowell as Violet is having the double issue of teen and super confusion. The one thing she does know for sure is that family is everything. Milner as Dash continues his wise cracking sense of humor and ability to test his parent’s limits – which isn’t always a bad thing.

Jackson as Lucius/Frozone is thrilled at the possibility of being free to freeze, even if his wife might have other ideas. Odenkirk as Winston is a man who truly believes that the Supers need to come back. He has his own personal reasons for it which are endearing. Keener as Evelyn is laid back and the technical brains of the very rich duo.

Fucil as Jack-Jack steals the film from everyone and it must be said. This kid-character had me cracking up from start to finish – probably because that’s exactly how I see most toddlers. Fiery one minute and happy with a cookie the next, Jack-Jack is coming into his own and the family better learn to deal!

Other cast include Sophia Bush as Voyd, Phil LaMarr as Krushauer/Helectrix, Adam Gates as Chad Brentley, Jonathan Banks as Rick Dicker, Isabella Rossellini as the Ambassador.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

The Bluray include the Bonus Extras of Ten Deleted Scenes – Ideas from the Cutting Room Floor, Heroes & Villains – A Collection of Mini-Docs About the Incredible Characters of INCREDIBLES 2, Superbaby – Music Video About the Making of INCREDIBLES 2, Strong Coffee: A Lesson in Animation with Brad Bird – Explore Director Brad Bird’s Early Career and His Big Personality, Super Stuff – See What it Takes to Design and Build an Incredible World.

Also included is Making Bao, the Short Film BAO from Disney*Pixar and the All New Mini-Movie AUNTIE EDNA.

INCREDIBLES 2 has my whole family jumping in our very incredible Incredible pajamas. Yes, when we like something we go all in and this film is definitely family fun from start to finish. It is so great to have the gang back together dealing with the duality of trying to have a normal life while trying to save the world from itself.

I believe the reason for the films success in 2004 is because this family is so dang cute for one but totally relatable for another. They have work problems, family issues, sibling rivalry – basically everything we non-supers deal with every day. The fact that they are animated just makes all of those things sort of enjoyable.

What I enjoy as well is the fact that writer/director Bird doesn’t really deviate from that winning formula. In fact, once again the story deals with losing a home, being unemployed, Mom having to be the bread winner and Dad discovering what really goes on at home and, of course, turning to true friends in time of need.

Those are awesome things to take away from a film that also entertains at every turn. I sit in front of my big screen television and am giddy with excitement to see one of my favorite families (if you must know, The Adams Family is also in that list) come together once again and, well, be a family that just happens to have something extra to share with us all.

So gather up your own super family and prepare for adventure, laughs and a little learning with a family that shows us all how it’s possible to be incredible in our own special ways.

In the end – it’s back to work!

JUSTICE LEAGUE

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres Thursday from director Zack Snyder, DC Comics and Warner Bros. is the next superhero grouping that can only be called JUSTICE LEAGUE.

The world is still mourning the death of Superman/Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) and Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aka Batman knows there is something coming. Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) aka Wonder Woman knows it too when an ancient fire is lit that her people know she will recognize as a warning.

Coming is Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciaran Hinds) who is looking for the three separated boxes that once put together create the ultimate power of destruction. Knowing that Batman and Wonder Woman can not do it by themselves, the enlist the help of a begrudging Arthur Curry aka Aquaman (Jason Momoa), the eager to learn Barry Allen aka Flash (Ezra Miller) and cyborg created Victor Stone (Ray Fisher).

The first box Steppenwolf took from the Amazons and the second was taken from Aquaman’s people. That left the third box which was given to humans to guard and the hunt is on.

It soon becomes clear that the group is going to have to dig deeper than they could have ever imagined as Steppenwolf’s powers become stronger and stronger. So strong that the group decides on an idea that is not only dangerous but could have consequences that add to the destruction of the human race.

The tough decisions are needed when the world looks to the Justice League!

Affleck as Batman is dark in this film in that he obviously feels a deep sense of responsibility for Superman. Knowing that he doesn’t have time to deal with those emotions, he focuses what can happen if Steppenwolf isn’t stopped. He puts on the straight tough face but Affleck has a way of delivering little quips that I enjoyed.

Gadot as Wonder Woman is also dealing with the loss of Superman with now adding the destruction of her people when Steppenwolf takes the first cube. In JUSTICE LEAGUE she finally comes to many realizations about who she is and her protectiveness of the group is strong.

Miller as Flash is a young man who clearly has spent too much time alone. When he meets Batman, it takes a matter of seconds when Flash jumps in wanting to be part of being a superhero. I loved his sense of humor and a bit of innocence he has when realizing that being a superhero means getting in the mix no matter how dangerous.

Fisher as Cyborg is the darkest of the characters as he deals with being rebuilt by his well meaning father Silas (Joe Morton). Even though he started out with these changes, the system he is now attached to continues to grow and so does his knowledge about Steppenwolf. Fisher spends most of his time closed off but with a little help from Arrow, that is a unique new friendship that I enjoyed.

Momoa as Aquaman is clearly the eye candy of the film. Built like you would expect him to be (come on – think Drago from Game of Thrones physique wise and triple that!), he isn’t impressed by Batman or anyone else for that matter. When Steppenwolf comes to his neck of the ocean he has a change of heart and joins the group. His sense of humor comes out here and there and the audience loved it.

Cavill as Superman has made his mark in the DC universe and, like the two iconic actors who played the man of steel prior, will be remembered for this work. Momentarily there is a dark side to Superman that was interesting to see and Cavill can smile those pearly whites with the same evilness as not.

There are also appearances by Amy Adams as Lois Lane who is as straight forward as ever, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, Billy Crudup as Henry Allen, David Thewis as Aries, Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Robin Wright as Antiope, Amber Heard as Mera, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred.  

JUSTICE LEAGUE brings heroes together for a two hour ride. Batman and Wonder Woman lead the pack with the intro of Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg and working together is the best the film has to offer. The downside is there seems to be a weird disconnect in each of the characters storyline that leaves me a little unsure.

It is as if there was more to the story that needed to be told and shown but might have been left on the cutting room floor. I almost felt the need to get out paper and pen with all the questions I had. Of course the film had action and of course each super hero got to show the best of their skills but I am also a story person.

I think those deep in the comic world will have no problem with the film. Look, I get it; there is something amazingly special about seeing comic books come to life so you don’t need a character outline. Of course by doing that you leave the rest of the theatre audience trying to figure out plot points that I think might just be important.

Coming in at two hours, you can also expect DC to throw in a few surprises and it was enough to bring the audience yelling with excitement. JUSTICE LEAGUE is a darker telling coming on the heels of the highly successful THOR Ragnorok so it will be interesting to see which batch of heroes will win the weekend.

In the end – you can’t save the world alone!