QUEEN & SLIM Running on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this week to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Melina Matsoukas and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is QUEEN & SLIM.

On their first date, Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) are out for the evening. Driving Queen home, Slim is stopped by a police officer who runs the plates and then proceeds to get Slim out of the car. After searching just about every inch of the car, Queen has had about enough and gets out of the car to ask why they are behind detained.

Tensions become high as Queen pulls out her phone and the officer shoots at her. Slim is wrestled to the ground fighting with the officer. Slim finds the gun and shoots the officer. Immediately Queen pulls him up and takes over the situation leaving the cop and driving away. Slim wants to turn himself in but Queen, a lawyer, makes it clear that if he does, he will never see his family again.

Turning to people they can trust; Queen goes to Uncle Earl (Bokeem Woodbine) who puts him in contact with a friend in Florida to help them fly away. Along their journey, people are protesting and there is more violence and killing while Sherriff Edgar (Benito Martinez) tries to track them down.

They are on the run!

Kaluuya as Slim is a young man who loves his family and is fairly easy going. When the incident with the cop happens, he wants to do the right thing and tell the truth. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone and doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. This is a strong performance from Kaluuya and I held my breath when he was on the screen when danger was near.

Turner-Smith as Queen is a saucy young woman who consistently puts them in difficult situations with her tenacity. Her past gives her struggles to trust anyone, but she does put herself through law school. Woodbine as Uncle Earl isn’t keen at first on helping but understands that he must do what he can.

Although the film has cameos, it is mainly carried by Kaluuya and Turner-Smith. From first frame to last it is their story to tell and their relationship expands along with it.

Other cast includes Chloe Sevigny as Mrs. Shepherd, Flea as Mr. Shepherd, Sturgill Simpson as Officer Reeves, Indya Moore as Goddess, Benito Martinez as Sheriff Edgar, Melanie Halfkenny as Naomi, Jahi Winston as Junior.

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.

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 of QUEEN & SLIM are A Deeper Meaning, Melina & Lena, Off the Script, On the Run with QUEEN & SLIM and Feature Commentary with Director/Producer Melina Matsoukas and Writer/Producer Lena Waithe.

The film is the winner of the African-American Film Critic Association for the AAFCA Award and Impact Award, Black Film Critics Circle Awards, Black Reel Awards, Florida Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review Award.

If this isn’t enough there were 27 nominations from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Austin Film Critics Association, Hawaii Film Critics Society, Greater Western New York Critics, Hollywood Critics Association and Directors Guild of America and so many more.  

QUEEN & SLIM is a film about the tragedy of what happened, the inability to turn to the authorities, more tragedy from those wanting to help and an end result that circles back to tragedy.

The soundtrack for the film is absolutely amazing with Raphael Saadiz, 6lack, EarthGang, Choker, BJ the Chicago Kid, Burna Boy, Ian Isiah and so many more.

In the end – they are in this together.

STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN Brings the Comedy of Life

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from SHOUT! Studios and director Matt Ratner is the story of life changes, unexpected friendships and knowing about STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN.

Scott (Ben Schwartz) has been in Los Angeles for years doing stand up comedy. When things become a little stagnant in his life, he returns home to live with supportive Mom Jeanie (Debra Monk), not so supportive Dad Gary (Kevin Dunn) and hilarious sister Megan (Grace Gummer). Trying to decide what to do Scott spends an evening out with best bud Murph (Leonard Ouzts) who has some things to say.

He lets Scott know that life is different for those that didn’t take off to California. Bringing up his fast scoot out of town when things got to serious with ex-girlfriend Becky (Eloise Mumford) hit close to home for Scott. Heading off to the men’s room he meets Marty (Billy Crystal) who has a few weird habits.

Going to the dermatologist, Scott is amazed to discover it is Marty and a strange and unusual friendship begins to happen. Learning about one another is part of that friendship including the good, bad and the chance to make up for some of the mistakes they have both made in their life.

When Scott decides to go back to the stage, he might have finally broken the wall with his family…maybe. Marty decides to take a lesson from Scott’s playbook and reach out to the family he believes is lost to him.

Both wondering if its possible to drop the bag of bricks on their backs!

Schwartz as Scott is a man who thought going to Los Angeles for his comedy career was a great idea, and a good way to avoid a relationship. Coming home was the last thing he wanted to do knowing what wait for him walking through the front door. Finding Marty, although in an unusual way, became a friendship he counted on to avoid his own life because Marty didn’t judge. Schwartz gives his character the ability to verbally wrangle with his sister, avoidance with his Dad and avoid friends that ask to many questions.

Crystal as Marty gets a chance to do what he does best, be funny, have the best one-liners and a flow about him that gives his character ease. That’s all great but when its time to come to terms with Marty’s past, Crystal shows a side that is devastated, and I felt every bit of it. An amazing performance but not unexpected.

Gummer as sister Megan is absolutely hilarious and quick witted. I loved every scene she was in and wouldn’t have minded more. Shout out to Castaneda as boyfriend Ruiz for holding his own in a dysfunctional family. Monk as Mom Jeanie just wants her son to find some peace in his life, Dunn as Dad Gary is, well a dad without humor. Ouzt as Murph is a friend who doesn’t hesitate to let Scott know that there is more to life than the one he has created in his comedy bubble.

Other cast include Nate Corddry as Adam, Jill Hennessy as Vanessa, Caitlin McGee as Taylor, David Castaneda as Ruis, John Behlmann as Owen, Wade Allain-Marcus as Bray, Kate Arrington as Tonya and Mike Carlsen as Tony.

STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN is a film that just smacks of reality and you don’t have to be in comedy to see it. There are so many moments where I found myself saying out loud, “you got that right” because the situations are so relatable.

The cast played off each other so well that the story just flowed. There are moments where I laughed, moments I kind of fell quiet (I know right?) and most of all, times I saw what great lessons there are for us all in the film.

Director Ratner says about the story, “Scott and Marty are two people who are at very different points in their life with similar shortcomings. Scott is a dreamer who wants desperately to believe he is in a love story. Marty is a man who wears a mask – and wears it so well he often succeeds at fooling himself. The life he lives now – that of a suburban dermatologist – is an attempt at stability after a life lived in the fast lane. Marty and Scott are both perpetually teetering on the brink of self-destruction”.

The film was the Official Selection of the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019, Napa Valley Film Festival in 2019 and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. It won the Humor and Humanity Award from the Heartland International Film Festival.

STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN can also be found On-Demand, Apple TVm Amazon Instant, Vudu, GooglePlay, FandangoNow, Direct TV, Comcast, Dish Networks, Spectrum, Cox, Charter, AT&T U-verse. For more information please visit www.StandUpFallingDownMovie.com.

In the end – it’s a comedy about second chances!

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday with break-neck speed from director Jeff Fowler and Paramount Pictures comes a new meaning to the word fast provided by SONIC THE HEDGEHOG.

Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) is the local law in their small town where nothing really happens. When a letter arrives offering him a job in San Francisco, wife Maddie (Tika Sumpter) believes he will finally be happy with the life change. When she goes off to San Fran to look for a place to live, Tom is back on duty trying to figure out how to tell everyone.

In the surrounding forest lives Sonic (Ben Schwartz), a blue alien who knows everything about Tom and pretty much everyone else. Trying to stay under the radar, imagine the surprise when a disturbing town power outage brings Sonic face-to-face with Tom! The rather unusual event also catches the attention of Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) who isn’t about to let anything stop him from discovering the truth.

Using his uber technology, Robotnik finds himself at Tom’s doorstep and the two make it plain what their intentions are. Robotnik wants the fast-blue alien and Tom wants to protect Sonic from anyone getting their hands on hurting him. Making a run for it, it becomes clear that Sonic has to leave Earth but the only way to do that is by the pouch of rings that accidentally got sent to the top of a building in San Francisco.

It’s time for them to take a road trip and what happens along the way brings about learning for them both including a little fun. But they are always looking behind them to see how close the relentless Dr. Robotnik is because he isn’t at all about having fun – he’s about being in control.

Tom and Sonic have a few tricks up their sleeve to give their nemesis something to think about!

Marsden as Tom is a small-town sheriff who doesn’t realize what kind of life that truly is. Meeting Sonic isn’t just about protecting an alien, their time together really gives him an opportunity to see the world in a different way – through Sonic’s eyes. Marsden is charming, sweet and patient (not sure I could be THAT patient) and doesn’t scare easily. Watching Marsden take on Robotnik is entertaining but then again, his whole character is.

Schwartz as the voice of Sonic is fast talking and fast on his feet. Most of us know the character of Sonic but don’t hear him in the video games (yes, I play video games!) so finally hearing him speak in the film is fun, silly (as my granddaughter says) and full of spunk and excitement.

Carrey as Dr. Robotnik is nothing short of stunning, hilarious and everything my family and I wanted to see. Having seen a sneak peek last year presented by Carrey himself, no one was going to tell me if the film was good, bad or indifferent – I was going to see it! This is a comic who has always made me and daughter Jenise laugh and that is saying something. From the very first we knew there was something unique about his humor and special about his ability to use facial expressions and timing. As Robotnik I laughed at his cutting (and admittedly sometimes adult humor) and now can’t imagine anybody else playing Robotnik (or Egg-man as the granddaughter prefers to call him).

Sumpter as wife Maddie is the calm in the middle of the Sonic Storm. She supports whatever Tom wants to do but when she sees Sonic, the extra calm kicks in because she isn’t going to move from her spot until her questions are answered. Melody Niemann as JoJo is absolutely adorable and the reason behind one of Sonics iconic accessories. Shout out to Natasha Rothwell as Maddie’s sister Rachel because she is hilarious. Not exactly thrilled that her sister is married to Tom, she doesn’t miss an opportunity to throw her two cents in which is thrown back when Sonic is near!

Other cast include Tom Butler as Commander Walters, Frank Turner as Crazy Carl, Elfina Luk as Secretary of Homeland Security, Adam Pally as Billy Robb, Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone and Neal McDonough as Major Bennington.

Let me get this out of the way and move on, I am thrilled that they made the changes to Sonic as now he feels and looks more like the character as I thought he should look. He is edgy, really blue and, well, fast! Also, this is going to be a strictly liking the film or it not being on your film radar, it’s a simple as that.

Now, I taught my granddaughter to play the original Sega Sonic the Hedgehog and she picked up on it quick and learned all the characters without me saying a word! Now, she has her sonic pajamas, socks, stuffed doll and the most awesome sunglasses. It is hard to believe that my first experience with Sonic was a game played back in in 1991 taught to me by my sons. The following Christmas they got me a Sega system to play the games and – are you ready for this? – I still have it and it still works (are you reading this Sega?).

So, to go see the film with my family was beyond fun, it was a great day at the theatre. Look, this isn’t rocket science, it is just an escape to the movies for families that want to do something fun together. The adults are going to be brought back to a pretty cool time in their then young lives and the kids are going to giggle at all the antics Sonic provides.

It is the reason we go to the movies as a family, there is something for everyone and with a run time of 99 minutes there isn’t a second of non-stop action. There are just silly laughs and a good time with the family.

In the end – when the world needs a hero…think fast!

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is from the Heart

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digit to delight and remind us all of our potential from director Marielle Heller and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) is a writer who is making a name for himself and it's not a good one.  As no one else will work with him, Esquire editor Ellen (Christine Lahti) gives him the only assignment left which is interviewing Mr. Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks). Unhappy with it, wife Andrea (Susan Watson) reminds him that Mr. Rogers is an icon and to "please don't ruin my childhood".

Grumpy about all of it, he meets with Mr. Rogers at the studio where he makes his children's television show. Watching his interaction with others makes Lloyd uncomfortable but for more reasons than he is ready to grasp. When it only lasts a few moments, Lloyd packs up his wife and young newborn son and its off to sister Lorraine's (Tammy Blanchard) wedding. Also at the wedding his Jerry Vogel (Chris Cooper), Lloyd's estranged father.

An outburst at the wedding leaves both Lloyd and Jerry roughed up and at the next interview with Mr. Rogers, he notices. Talking it out makes Lloyd even more uncomfortable and can't seem to get away fast enough. That's when Lloyd realizes that things from his past are interfering with his present life. When Jerry tries to reach out but he just can't get past his anger.

Throwing himself into the article, Lloyd watches Mr. Rogers and how he speaks to people, the life topics he covers and his outlook on life. Trying to grasp it all, a family issue means that Lloyd might have the opportunity to see firsthand what Mr. Rogers has been trying to tell and show him about kindness and forgiveness.

Sometimes we all just need one person to believe in us!

Hanks as Mr. Rogers is completely stunning and leaves an imprint in the heart. Because I come from a generation that knew about Mr. Rogers, I cannot think of one actor besides Hanks that could have done this film. I believe so much in what Lloyd's wife says about not ruining our childhood and that could have easily happened. Instead, Hanks reminds us so much of why we embraced Mr. Rogers and why we hold his and our memories so dear. The calmness in the midst of so much sadness in Lloyd's life allows us to open our hearts even further to the story we see on the screen. But do we really expect anything different from Hanks? He gives us all something to think about through his performances and in being Mr. Rogers, we owe him that much.

Rhys as Lloyd is a man who is just living life one moment at a time and it all comes from a childhood anger that he carries like a bag of bricks. Everyone seems to give him a pass with the anger he carries for his father but, as with anyone who lives for anger, the pass is about to expire. He can't fathom how Mr. Rogers can keep his heart so open to others and feels that "Mr. Rogers" is a television persona. It's when he puts the bag of bricks down does Lloyd have a chance to truly connect with those who continue, through it all, to love him. Of course, Mr. Rogers isn't about to leave Lloyd to do all of it on his own.

Watson as wife Andrea accepts Lloyd for the emotional roller coaster he always seems to be on. With a new baby to tend to, she wants more for her family in the way of connection and love. It is easy to believe Watson's performance since it is very similar to Beth from the television drama series This Is Us. Blanchard as sister Lorraine understands Lloyds anger but in her own life is trying to make different choices. She may have made her own mistakes (such as marriages) but Blanchard shows a forgiving nature in the midst of it all.

Cooper as dad Jerry is rough around the edges and not very good at showing remorse or affection. Lloyd can't even look at him without remembering pain and Cooper plays a man who is not only dealing with issues but trying to find a way of saying 'I'm sorry'. Cooper has the amazing ability of playing roles that have so much depth to them once you get past the gruffness as with Jerry.

Other cast include: Maryann Plunkett as Joanne Rogers, Enrico Colantoni as Bill Isler, Wendy Makkena as Dorothy, Noah Harpster as Todd, Carmen Cusack as Margy, Maddie Corman as Lady Aberlin and Daniel Krell as Mr. McFeely.

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.

The Special Features include Over 15 Minutes of Additional Scenes, Blooper Reel, Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, The People Who Make a Neighborhood: The Making Of, Dreaming Big, Building Small: The Puppets & Miniatures, Daniel Tiger Explains: Practice Makes Perfect and Filmmaker Commentary.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is not exactly what I expected. Yes, it's about Mr. Rogers and yet it isn't. It is Lloyd Vogel's story about Mr. Rogers and how spending time with him changes everything. Then again most of us already know that it can happen because, as with my own experiences, it has before.

Mr. Rogers embraces Lloyd, whether he likes it or not, to try and show that we need one another. Being patient isn't something Lloyd seems to have but it is something Mr. Rogers seems to have in abundance. The two most unlikely people to come together happens slowly throughout the film - and mainly due to the persistence and belief from Mr. Rogers.

Watching Rhy's Lloyd go through his struggle is at times heartbreaking and Hanks as Mr. Rogers almost encourages us to feel that heartbreak. There is acceptance and forgiveness in each frame of the film and, to be honest, it also felt as if we didn't we would let down Mr. Rogers!

It is the perfect time of year for A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD and for reasons that are plain but I'll go ahead and mention them anyway. This is a film about listening to one another, offering help in any way that would ease pain, be there for those we love, forgive just as easily as we hold grudges and always embrace a couple of seconds longer just so the people we care about know that they are not alone.

In the end - we could all use a little kindness!

Take to New Heights with SWIFT

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to selected theatres, AppleTV, Amazon and selected digital platforms from directors Andrea Block, Christian Haas and Shout Studios comes the story of a brave little SWIFT.

Manou (voiced by Josh Keaton) is a little bird who has lost his parents. Taken in by seagulls Blanche (Kate Winslet) and Yves (Willem Dafoe) they try to teach him what it means to be a seagull. Even brother Luc (Mike Kelly) adores Manou and can't imagine a day without him.

The problem is that the rest of the seagulls aren't too happy with Manou, especially when on guard duty over the eggs from the pesky rats that try to steal them. Trying to fight them off, one egg is stolen, and the rest of the gulls want Manou to leave - especially when Manou discovers he is adopted and not a gull - in fact he is a swift!

Meeting up with other swifts, Manou learns how to fly, find food he likes and make friends. He starts to have feelings for Kalifa (Cassandra Steen), a girl swift who is ready to teach Manou about swift life! He also has Percival (David Shaughnessy) who knows a thing or two about being a different kind of feathered friend along with Kalifa's brothers Poncho (Arif Kinchen) and Yusuf (Nolan North).

When Manou learns that he has the ability to foretell the weather, it is a storm like no other where he brings swift and seagull together and shatters a belief system that needs it!

Keating voicing Manou is so delightful. From the moment he hatches he just gets cuter and cuter and with the help of Keating, the little swift finds his voice and shares his feelings with us all. I have to say the animation for Manou couldn't be more stunning.

Dafoe as Yves is a father who wants to try to change Manou into forgetting who he truly is. Very protective and loving in his own way, he gives in to gull pressure and makes a decision that puts his family’s feelings and feathers in jeopardy. Winslet as Blanche is an accepting and loving mother who is heartbroken when Manou goes his own way. She gives the little swift love from the moment she sees him and believes in everything that he is, not what others want him to be.

Kelly as Luc is a beautiful, loving and supportive brother who would do anything for Manou. It literally comes through the screen when the family is torn. Steen as Kalifa is full of spirit and fun yet doesn't make fun of Manou's ways but instead is intrigued by them!

The comic relief also comes in the form of Shaughnessy, Kinchen and North with their antics and outlook on the world. Sometimes bird of a feather can flock together in ways that are extraordinary and full of life lessons for us non feathered folk!

Shout! Studios is the filmed entertainment production and distribution arm of Shout! Factory, specializing in all aspects of distribution, including theatrical, VOD, digital and broadcast. Reflecting Shout! Factory’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence, Shout! Studios champions and supports like-minded filmmakers and creators at the forefront of pop culture, driving creative expression and diversity in independent storytelling. Shout! Studios finances, produces, acquires and distributes an eclectic slate of movies, award-winning animated features, specialty films and series from rising and established talent, filmmakers and producers.

SWIFT is a delightful and though provoking film and mixed in that is comedy and stunning scenery. It made me want to be a bird of any kind to be able to live on the cliffs above a vast and beautiful ocean. The characters are so memorable in every way with their distinguishable personalities.

I have to throw in a shout out to the Sandpipers because they had me laughing so much from the very start. I adore them but also agree that how they are portrayed in the film is pretty much how I thought they would react to water, hilarious.

The animation is so colorful and full of life that is drew me in deeper to the story. I truly loved every moment of the story with an ending that gave me even more giggles. SWIFT is a story about acceptance, love, family (no matter who you include in the gang), lessons, fighting for what's right and, most of all, believing in yourself so you can soar!

In the end - find your place in the sky!

DRAGONHEART: Vengeance Brings Dragons Home on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital this week from director Ivan Silvestrini and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is more adventures with DRAGONHEART: Vengeance.

Lukas (Jack Kane) is the son of a farmer who lives a quiet life helping to tend the farm animals. One day while basking in the sun in a field, he hears something horrifying – the sound of his family being murdered. Running to the house he sees through the boards The Snake (Carolina Carlsson), The Scorpion (Tam Williams), The Wolf (Richard Ashton) and The Bear (Ross O’Hennessy) commit the act.

Not understanding why they group did it, he does hear in which direction each is going. Lukas makes a solemn vow that he will hold each accountable in any way possible. Beginning his journey on the road he finds a Blacksmith (Cameron Jack) who trades lands for Lukas’ first weapon and the young boy also meets the daring Darius (Joseph Millson) who has a gift with nature.

But it is the Blacksmith who tells Lukas the story of the dragon hidden in the mountains and that taking it a gift might get Lukas the help he needs. Finding the dragon, he discovers that Siveth (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter) has no use for mankind. Yet, there is something about Lukas that draws her to him as she joins the journey even if Darius is disgusted by it all leaving with a sour word.

When the story between Siveth and Darius comes to light, Lukas now understands even more that King Razvan (Arturo Muselli) has brought such a rift and all because of so many terrible secrets. Lukas wants another path, one that does not make him worse than those he seeks to bring to justice. Especially since he has found a liking to the healer Oana (Fabienne Pilolini-Castle).

Now, thirty years later, the reason behind Lukas losing his family come down to a Kings fear but that isn’t going to stop Lukas, Darius and Siveth from exposing the truth!

Kane as Lukas is a young man who loves his life on the farm. In one fleeting moment it is all taken away and he must come to terms with his anger and decide which works, revenge or uncovering the truth. Kane is conflicted but as the truths reveal themselves, the character of Lukas remembers who he is and how that will change his destiny forever.

Millson as Darius is an unhappy man who goes around finding a reason to wield his sword yet has the wonderful ability to ‘speak’ to the earth and the creatures. Lukas sees this ability and is filled with wonder by it. As his story unfolds, it is easy to see how this character became so unsatisfied with life and angry at his own past story.

Carter as Siveth is a dragon who has spent many years in solitude. After what has happened in her own life, she is guarded but knows a bad person when she smells one. Her relationship with Lukas is one of protection but, as with the others, she has her own story to tell and the unique perspective here is that Lukas, Darius and Siveth are connected!

Other cast include Ioachin Ciobanu as Messenger, Laur Dragan as The Councilor, James Longshore as Guard Captain and Edouard Philipponnat as Igor.

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

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

The Bonus Features include A New Legend – Take an intimate look at what sets this film apart from previous installments of the iconic DRAGONHEART franchise, and how filmmakers and cast came together to make this fantasy epic and Creating Siveth – Siveth is a dragon unlike any we’ve seen before. In this piece, we get a peak behind the curtain into Helena Bonham Carter’s process for breathing life into this unique character.

DRAGONHEART: Vengeance is a wonderful addition to the series in that it is another look at the story of dragons, which I am pretty partial to. The story does have remnants of the very first DRAGONHEART but it is subtle and reminds us all of why the film continues to hold a place in our hearts.

There is action, adventure, dragons, good vs. evil, loyalty, holding steadfast against those who seek to hurt others and a friendship that will break your heart. What more could we ask for in a film that is the reason large sofas, soft blankets and family cuddle time.

DRAGONHEART: Vengeance is the completion of al all-new five-movie collection already available. They include DRAGONHEART, DRAGONHEART: A New Beginning, DRAGONHEART 3: The Sorcerer’s Curse, DRAGONHEART: Battle for the Heartfire and now DRAGONHEART: Vengeance.

In the end – vengeance can darken even the noblest heart!

THE ASSISTANT Opens the Door of an Intern

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres from writer/director Kitty Green and Bleeker Street comes a story of the grind and secrets of being nothing more than THE ASSISTANT.

Jane (Julia Garner) is a young graduate who finds a position as an assistant in a film company. Daily her life is a series of motions from the darkness of morning until the darkness of night. Doing everything that is asked of her, Jane continually finds herself on the edge as the other assistants try to throw her a lifeline.

Her biggest problem is noticing the little things that go on in the office including the behaviors of the executives regarding women. Keeping her head down and taking on some of the more disgusting tasks, Jane takes the initiative to speak to Wilcock (Matthew Macfadyen) in HR about what is happening. Almost immediately she is belittled and all but told to do her job and mind her place.

When another young woman is brought into the office, Jane doesn’t need anyone to tell her that she isn’t there for the same reasons Jane is. That’s when she must decide if this is the life she wants for a career producing or is it time to walk away.

This is not the Hollywood she thought.

Garner as Jane is a mild young woman who sees her future in the torment of her job. Coming in early mornings and going home late with the madness in between is the only way she sees moving forward. This actress gives it all she has and yet her face manages to present itself in such a way as to not show any emotion to her credit. I couldn’t have done the role because I’d be screaming to much!

Macfadyen as Wilcock (aptly named if you ask me) is nothing short of every woman’s nightmare in that he patiently listens to Jane, repeats back to her what she says and then managed to shred every concern she has without ever raising his voice. The whole time this character has a look of someone you’d trust while sharpening his claws under the desk where you can’t see it coming.

The other roles are small to be sure but powerful nonetheless as it points to everyone knowing a thing but pretending it doesn’t matter in the everyone-for-themselves mentality.

Other cast include Makenzie Leigh as Ruby, Kristine Froseth as Sienna, Juliana Canfield as Sasha, Alexander Chaplin as Max, Dagmara Dominczyk as Elle, Lou Martini Jr. as John and Liz Wisan as Edwina.

THE ASSISTANT reminds me of the film SWIMMING WITH SHARKS but a woman. The cut-throat, turning away of the business brings out the shady attitude of everyone concerned. Even Jane’s co-workers are all about the apology emails and letting the boss know ‘it will never happen again’.

I have to admit that I was disgusted that she had to even write the e-mails, but I think the scene in the office with her scrubbing the furniture was my breaking point. We all, whether we admit it or not, have done things in our jobs that no one would believe but in Jane’s case it is all much to much which is the purpose of the film. Bringing out such a reaction from me is saying something as I found myself talking to the screen and Jane a lot during the film.

The film doesn’t hide behind the glitz and glamor of Hollywood but instead portrays the raw underbelly of secrets and deceptions and those who pay. I watched this character follow her dreams only to discover that it’s a nightmare to get there.

THE ASSISTANT won the Truly Moving Picture Award from Heartland Film this year for writer/director Green and Bleecker Street Media. It was also nominated for Best Film by the Panorama Audience Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

In the end – its what is not said that says everything!