THE ARTIST’S WIFE Brings Sacrifice

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Tom Dolby and Strand Releasing is the story of love, creativity, sacrifice when you are THE ARTIST’S WIFE.

Claire (Lena Olin) is the loving wife of the famous artist Richard Smythson (Bruce Dern). She does everything so that he can be, well, him. Taking care of appointments, meetings and making sure the art still flows is an everyday occupation. Lately, Claire notices that Richard is behaving a little moodier and odd than usual and nervous as he has a show coming up.

After a doctor’s appointment turns their life around, she must now figure out how to deal with the onset of his dementia. The one thing she wants to mend before he forgets is the relationship with his daughter Angela (Juliet Rylance) who he has not spoken to in years. Visiting Juliet, she meets Danny (Avan Jogia) who is grandson Gogo’s (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) Manny.

The visit does not go well, and Claire returns to find that Richard has had his way with the house. Becoming unsure of herself now, she takes a step and rents a space so that she can return to being the artist she once was before Richards success. Claire even starts a friendship with Angela that is tense but there and she spends time with Gogo.

As much as she tries to avoid what is happening in her life, Claire realizes this is her life and refocuses on what is important – no matter what that entails.

Olin as Claire is practically a saint in this role. She is confused, angry, unsure, peacemaker, and trying to keep her life with Richard together. Stepping away to try and find herself is an intense and quick journey as there is no time for more. Olin gives us the whole gambit of emotion and knows that she must bring more to Richard’s life. I just love Olin so she could not do wrong playing this role.

Dern as Richard gets to be a grumpy, artistic, philandering, uncontrollable artist because Claire allows it. When he is not being any of the above, Dern gives us the deep sense of love for Claire and the years they have shared together. He is calm, thoughtful and loving. The constant flux of these two sides of Richard are quick and rapid fire and Dern does them both justice.

Rylance as Angela has deep daddy issues and is not about to make it easy for Richard, dementia or no. She is the younger version of Claire accept a little more defiant and for good reason. Yet, Claire and Angela find a center with each other and know that its time to put aside the past, even if Richard makes that difficult.

Jorgia as Danny is Gogo’s caretaker and has a dream of his own which gets Claire in trouble. Cabot-Conyers as Gogo has an opinion and shares it all at the right time. He is a patient young man knowing already that grown ups are nuts.

Shout out to Stefanie Powers in her role as Ada Risi, a legendary artist who wants to see more from Richard with the pressure of a show clearly on Claire’s shoulders.

Other cast include Caryn West as Dr. Abrams, Alexandre Bagot as Mikey, Laura Chaneski as Jordana, Tonya Pinkins as Liza Caldwell, Catherine Curtin as Joyce and Ms. Stefanie Powers as Ada Risi.

Strand Releasing is one of the leading distributors of American independent, documentary films and foreign langue films in the United States. Bringing their offerings to DVD, Bluray and Video-On-Demand as well. Honored with a 10- and 20-year retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, honors have also included at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Seattle International Film Festival, Provincetown Film Festival and Eastman-Kodak House in Rochester, New York.

THE ARTIST’S WIFE has been the Official Selection at the Hamptons International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, Whistler Film Festival and Sonoma International Film Festival with a Jury Prize for Best US Independent Feature.

This is a film about love when you push past everything else. Claire and Richard are both artists that are clearly complicated, but those complications are just noise. Once time has made its own decision on Richard, Claire must get everything into perspective quickly. That is not easy when everyone has their own opinion and reasons for not wanting to be around Richard!

Yet, she pushes. Pushes herself to remember how she is still a creative person, pushes herself to accept what she does not want to about herself and the years of marriage and where they are now. That is a lot of pushing so there is bound to be an emotional explosion somewhere.

I so enjoyed watching the moments between Olin and Dern, they are absolutely magical in their complicated roles. Whether they are arguing or being loving, they are believable and with that comes the viewers round table of emotional experiences. This is a beautifully written, directed and acted story of life

In the end – the greatest art is learning how to love. 

I MET A GIRL is an Emotional Rollercoaster

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from Gravitas Ventures and director Luke Eve is the story of love, reality and what can change a life in I MET A GIRL.

Devon (Brenton Thwaites) loves music and brother Nick (Joel Jackson) and trusts that he will be there always. That is sometimes difficult for Nick as Devon has schizophrenia and relies heavily on Nick to get through his days and remind him to take his medication. Nick marries the lovely Olivia (Zahra Newman) and they are soon expecting a baby.

When Devon has an episode, he meets Lucy (Lily Sullivan) and in one night finds himself completely in love. Thrilled to share with Nick the news, the arrange a dinner but Lucy doesn't arrive leaving his brother to wonder - is there really a Lucy?

Trying and trying to make Nick believe him turns into a disaster that Devon now knows has only one remedy. In hand is her note 'meet me in Sydney', that is exactly what he does. Take it upon himself to find any means necessary to find the woman who has shown him the healing power of love.

More importantly, Devon must discover for himself what it takes to be stronger in mind and heart.

Thwaites as Devon takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions, feelings, fears, heart and a gentleness that serves him well. This is a difficult role to play as Thwaites takes on a combination of what is real and what lives in Devon's mind. With the good and the frightening fighting for his attention, waiting for Devon to find himself and accept life his own terms takes patience of our own.

Jackson as Nick is a brother who has found that a lot of his life is centered around Devon. From causing problems with his job and leaving little time for his new bride, the pressure becomes something of a guilt when there is no other choice than to place him in a facility. When Nick finally tells Devon what his life has been like, it is a moment that breaks the heart.

Sullivan as Lucy is the object of Devon's affection and he will stop at nothing to find her. She is sweet, funny and clever and it is easy to see why Devon cannot stop until he finds her once again. Newman as Olivia tries too hard to be understanding, and even when pregnant still tries to be but she also has to consider her own family that is coming together.

Other cast include: Anita Hegh as Patricia, Liam Graham as Fergus, the frightening Anni Finsterer as Miss Needles and Peter Rowsthorn as Mr. Rocket.

Gravitas Ventures searches for thought-provoking features and documentaries and stays in the forefront providing exceptional film product to audiences worldwide. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com.

I MET A GIRL is definitely a story of love but there are so many layers to this film you definitely cannot turn away for a moment. Thwaites do not give the viewer one moment of rest because Devon does not get one moment of rest. He is fighting the world he has come to know and the two most powerful visions that will not let him go.

The casting of Thwaites is well one done as he brings so much to the character of Devon. His performance brings us to care for the story, the journey and the hope that something will change in his life for the better. That is a powerful message to bring to audiences.

In the end - what if the woman of your dreams was all in your head?

ALFRED HITCHCOCK's CLASSIC COLLECTION

 

Jeri Jacquin

This week on 4K Ultra, Bluray and Digital from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the most stunning works in filmmaking with ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S CLASSIC COLLECTION.

Hitchcock would be known as the Master of Suspense in bringing to the big screen over 50 feature films. In his career he would achieve 46 Oscar nominations and 6 wins. His first film came by way of London in 1925 with THE PLEASURE GARDEN and in 1938, it would be David O. Selznick convinced him to give Hollywood a try.

Success after success brought some accolades including a BAFTA Fellowship, a Life Achievement Award from AFI and even a knighthood. The one thing that eluded him was an Oscar for Best Director. That has not stopped film lovers from continually embracing the mystery, frights and spine-chilling story telling that we love still today. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment put together the most amazing four films to visit once again.

In the 1954 film REAR WINDOW, Jimmy Stewart plays L.B. Jefferies, a photographer who is confined to his apartment in Manhattan in a wheelchair. During a heatwave, he spends his time watching the neighbors who have their windows open. In the middle of a thunderstorm, Jeff believes that he hears a woman scream and notices one of his neighbors is gone.

Now begins his theory of what really happened that night and proving it might be the death of him! The film also stars Grace Kelly, another Hollywood icon who would later become a Princess in her own right and Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter and Raymond Burr.

The Collection includes REAR WINDOW Ethics: An Original Documentary, A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes, Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master, Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock, Masters of Cinema and so much more!

The 1958 film VERTIGO brings Jimmy Stewart once again to Hitchcock's film playing John Ferguson, a retired cop who turns to being a private investigator to keep an eye on Madeleine played by Kim Novak. That can be difficult since Ferguson suffers from acrophobia and vertigo!

The film also stars Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore and Henry Jones. Bonus Features of the Collection are Obsessed with VERTIGHO: New Life for Hitchcock’s Masterpiece, Partners In Crime: Hitchcock’s Collaborators with Saul Bass, Edith Head, Bernard Herrmann and Alma, Foreign Censorship Ending, Hitchcock/Truffaut, Restoration of Theatrical Trailer and so much more!

Everyone has their favorite Hitchcock and for me its these last two. The first made people afraid of their own showers with Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins bringing us PSYCHO. Leigh plays Marion Crane, a woman who is on the run for reasons of her own and ends up at the Bates Motel run by Norman Bates played by Anthony Perkins.

Norman has problems as well when his mother is upset that he has asked a girl to dinner in their home. A home that sits up on the hill right behind the motel. That is when things go from bad to worse in a place that has frightening secrets of its own.

Additional cast include Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam and John McIntire. The Bonus Features on the Bluray include The Making of PSYCHO, PSYCHO Sound, In the Master’s Shadow: Hitchcock’s Legacy, Newsreel Footage: The Release of PSYCHO, The Shower Scene: With and Without Music, The PSYCHO Archives and so much more!

Finally, in 1963, we all got another fright from THE BIRDS. Tippi Hedren plays Melanie Daniels, a socialite who accidentally meets Mitch Brenner played by Rod Taylor. After they meet at a local bird store, Melanie takes it upon herself to take Brenner a pair of lovebirds for his sister’s birthday. The moment she steps foot in Bodega Bay, Daniels is attacked by a bird. It won’t be the last time as more and more birds take on the human race.

The film also stars Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette and Veronica Cartwright. The Collection also includes THE BIRDS: Hitchcock’s Monster Movie, All About THE BIRDS, Tippi Hedren’s Screen Test, Deleted Scenes, The Original Ending THE BIRDS is Coming and so much more!

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.

This is an amazing four film collection that honesty has my four favorite Hitchcock films although I would not have minded the fifth with REBECCA, but I am hardly complaining. This is such a fantastic way to introduce family and friends to suspense, nail biting, jaw dropping and thrilling storytelling.

Hitchcock deserves the title of Master of Suspense and taught me how the right actor, the right setting and the right person behind the lens can create something that looks effortless and remains timeless.

In the end – he will show you frights you never knew existed!

 

 

It is the Song of a Generation with I AM WOMAN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Unjoo Moon, Transmission Films, Quiver Distribution and Official Selection of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival comes the story of a woman who could have never believed she would become an icon believing that I AM WOMAN.

Helen Reddy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) is a young, single mother getting off a plane from Australia believing she has a record contract. Immediately Helen discovers that what she had been told was not quite true. Getting a job at a local dive to pay for food and a low rent room, she debates whether it is time to go home.

With another option, Helen finds her cousin Lilian (Danielle Macdonald) for help navigating the new big city. Lilian is a writer and knows that Helen has the talent but it is going to take breaking through barriers. A few months later she meets Jeff Wald (Evan Peters) who believes in her talent and makes grand promises for their future.

Moving to Los Angeles, Jeff makes his way into the music industry helping other acts find places to play and get attention. The one person he seems to have forgotten to help is his wife Helen. Becoming a disgruntled housewife, Helen knows the only way she is going to get her chance is if she creates it and throws down with Jeff.

Finally, Jeff gets a record deal for Helen and she is off like a rocket with fame and performing. Helen has what she has always dreamed of - an audience. Fame has its downside and Jeff is the wax on the slide headed that way. While she is working, Jeff is becoming the stereotypical manager.

Knowing that once again she must do whatever it takes, Helen knows it is time to save her career and have the life where she relies on no one else. Little did she know the impact one song would have on women and the cause of equality!

Cobham-Hervey as Helen starts out as a very naïve and inward songstress never stepping out of place. Knowing there is something more in her life, she just does not know how to break past all the nay-sayers to show what she can do. Cobham-Hervey slides into the role with ease and makes believing we are looking at Helen Reddy easy.

Peters as Wald is a husband who is infatuated with a songstress wife and the potential that could mean. Once he gets what he wants, it is easy to forget who is responsible for that. Even worse, he becomes the stereotypical music manager doing everything in excess - including the treatment of his own wife. Peters made it look way to easy!

Macdonald as Lilian believed in Helen from the beginning and was her touchstone. Once Helen became larger than life, she did what Wald did - move on without her. There is a moment of hurt that needed to play out and Macdonald does it with grace.

Other cast include Matty Cardarople as Roy Meyer, Jordan Raskopoulos as George Sylvia, Gus Murray as Paul Rankine, Molly Broadstock as Traci, Rita Ahuja as Maree, Dusty Sorg as Dany and Michael Taylor as David Dinkins.

Quiver Distribution helps filmmakers distribute to worldwide audiences on platforms such as iTunes, Google Play and Netflix. Premier works with every major studio and 100’s of independent distributors providing solutions and servicing their content in 100’s of digital retailers and broadcasters across the globe. For more information on Quiver Distribution please visit www.quiverdigital.com.

I AM WOMAN is the story of Helen Reddy that perhaps many people do not know, certainly I did not. I grew up with her music from the 70s and 80s and it made an impression for reasons I did not understand until years later. It was a case of singing the words and not really paying attention to what they meant.

The story is the good and bad mixed in with the times of woman not being able to break through in the music industry. Finding every excuse in the book to send Helen on her way, it was persistence that finally brought her to the top. The ride was not easy and should have been once she got to the top but again, her own husband had other plans.

If you are a Reddy fan, then I AM WOMAN is a must-see. The music is there, and the costuming was a nice way to bring back memories of that time in music and of the times in general. Reddy did not realize what impact her song I Am Woman would have until she saw it for herself, what an experience that must have been.

In the end - her song inspired a revolution!

 

Prepare for the Journey AWAY

 

Jeri Jacquin

 

Currently on Netflix from director Andrew Hinderaker comes a series that does more than deal with a journey through space but the lives of those who are going AWAY.

Commander Emma Green (Hilary Swank) is leading the crew of second-in-command Ram (Ray Panthaki), Lu (Vivian Wu), Misha (Mark Ivanir) and Kwesi (Ato Essandoh) on their international mission to Mars. Each of them has a story about how they got to be on a ship floating towards the red planet.

Emma leaves behind husband Matt (Josh Charles) who also works for NASA and 15-year-old daughter Alexis (Talitha Bateman). Matt is thrilled that his wife is going to Mars, even if there is a twinge that it is not him. Alexis does not know how to deal with the feelings of anger about the years that will separate them.

Once on the moon, the preparations are made for the larger part of the mission. That all comes into question when Matt suffers a stroke that requires surgery.  Emma has to decide whether to continue with the mission and she's already dealing with the mistrust of Mischa and Wu. Trusting in the help of a NASA specialist, Melissa Ramirez (Monique Curnen) has her own daughter Cassie (Felicia Patti) but helps with Alexis while Emma is away.

While making the decision to go, the story of each of the astronauts unfolds in the midst of things going wrong. Lu is dealing with the emotions of leaving her friend behind and it conflicts with the honor of her husband and son. Ram comes down with a sickness that could infect the whole crew and tells Emma the story of his brother Rohit.

Matt is dealing with physical therapy and deciding how far he can go. When the doctor tells him what it to happen next, he must decide to either stay in the hospital or go home. Alexis, who has been at his side, goes back to school but feels out of place. When she does not do as well as her parents would like, it becomes a struggle especially when Emma is getting farther and farther away from instant communication.

Mischa is a royal pain to the entire crew and is the biggest mouth against Emma, but when the time comes for decisions to be made and the mission to continue, he realizes he might have been wrong. Having spent more time in space and anyone else on the crew, the price was high, and he is still paying.

As problems on the ship continue to happen, the crew discovers that perhaps its best to come together rather than falling apart. Relying on one another becomes the biggest key to the success of the mission and, at this point, they are not afraid to call each other out.

Kwesi is the gentlest of spirits aboard the ship. As the crew’s botanist, he takes care of their most precious cargo, the live plants that will be a part of the new garden of Mars. Not an astronaut, he reacts with slight fright on most things but also the most amazing sense of humor and loving spirit toward his family.

As each of the problems both emotionally and ship wise, the crew discovers they all have hurts and relationship issues but, at the heart of it all, they are not as different as they thought. Instead, what they thought were differences turn into a family that need one another not just for survival but to stand together on the surface of Mars.

They need to get the job done and go home!

Swank as Emma is a woman conflicted with being a wife, mother and a commander. Feeling as if she is being strangled by the choices she has made; it starts to show in the faces of the crew that need to trust her. Swank gives us the strength of a commander but also the truth of how she is expected to give up this mission because that is what a woman would do, yet her male counterparts would not think to do it. It is harped on a bit too much for my liking but don't let that minute detail distract you from the larger story.

I will admit here I think they gave her character too much with the family issues. It became a bit of a nuisance because if the show is reaching for believability, then having a commander melt down every episode is not very realistic. Yes, I realize this is a show but come one, let’s keep the "I shouldn't be here's down to a minimum of a split second every other episode.

Charles as Matt is a NASA engineer who was at first excited about Emma and the mission to Mars. Although a twinge of regret that he cannot go, that twinge turns into feeling useless once his condition puts him in the hospital. He finally sees the importance of Emma's work and does everything to make it a safe mission.

Bateman as Alexis is a fifteen-year-old girl who resents Emma for going, resents her father for staying behind and does pretty much everything a teen would to lie, sneak out and make excuses for her behavior. Irigoyen as Isaac Rodriguez becomes the distraction for Alexis and has a sad story of his own to tell but he is so supportive of the girl he cares about.

I totally enjoyed the stories of each of the astronauts beginning with Panthaki as Ram. His story is poignant, and his emotions run deeper than Emma has an idea about. He trusts his commander and takes care of the mental and physical health of the crew. Wu as Lu is a woman with a complex story that is hindered and made fearful by her own government. Giving the impression that she is made of steel, it is perhaps better to say she is made of strong ice that has the potential to melt.

Ivanir as Misha is the vodka swilling, opinionated, arrogant pot stirrer and will drive ever viewer crazy but, in that, is something more. His story gives the answers for who Misha really is and why he is in space. Now, Essandoh as Kwesi is the heart of the crew, and the biggest heart at that. He is a bit freaked out about being in space but when he is not thinking about that - he reminds the crew when they are acting like juveniles to remember who they are and why they are together. I adore Kwesi and Essandoh is the reason for that, kudos!

Other cast include Michael Thornton as Dr. Putney, Martin Cummins as Jack Willmore, Gabrielle Rose as Darlene Cole, Brian Markinson as George Lane, Alessandro Juliani as Dr. Madigan

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information please visit www.netflix.com.

The episodes include Go (Andrew Hineraker), Negative Return (Jessica Goldberg), Half the Sky (Andrew Hinderaker), Excellent Chariots (Bronwen Hughes), Space Dogs (Bronwen Hughes), A Little Faith (David Boyd), Goodnight Mars (David Boyd), Vital Signs (Chris Jones), Spektr (Jessica Goldberg), and Home (Andrew Hinderaker).

Netflix has struck out limit gold with AWAY. It is not just a story about a mission to Mars because, let’s face it, we have all seen films about that, but AWAY gives us the astronauts stories, the hardships and what they must endure to do what most think is the impossible. If anything can go wrong both on Earth and in space, it almost always happens to this crew.

The space shots are incredible but then again, I knew they would be, and they play second and even third to the drama and that is actually okay. I suspect that Season Two will be intense as well since now the surface of Mars is another added character. They are out of their suits (indoors anyway) and still do not know if Pegasus has anything that works inside of it (yep, you will know when you watch).

There is so much more going on in this series than I am speaking of here and that is because I'm not into spoiling what is an excellent binge session. It is ten episodes in the season, and each brings us closer and closer to landing and more understanding of those who make it happen and those setting foot on the red planet.

I'm a big MISSION TO MARS and THE MARTIAN fan so I did have a few things to say in the way of side comments like "Mark Watney…space pirate!" or "Mars next potato farm" (and if you haven't seen THE MARTIAN I have to ask myself why is that?). AWAY is a series about a crew and how that crew, coming from different countries and different beliefs become a family filled with flaws, mistrust, stories, and misconceptions.

So, AWAY is a series that must be watched and then sadly the waiting begins for the next season. That is the price we pay for binging, but it is a price well paid. Put on your space suits and get your freeze-dried ice cream ready for a long journey to Mars.

In the end - home can never leave you!

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!

WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director Thor Freudenthal based on the novel from Julia Walton and Roadside Attractions, comes a film about the power of the mind with WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS.

Adam (Charlie Plummer) is a young teen who is having a little bit of difficulty. Knowing that there is something not quite right, he tries to make his world work. When he and Mom Beth (Molly Parker) are faced with changes, he discovers that he is a budding chef!  The excitement is short lived when the boyfriend Paul (Walton Coggins) arrives.

If that is not enough, all in one moment of unexpected event, Adam is diagnosed with schizophrenia and leaves school. Mom is trying to help and with a baby on the way even Paul tries to show Adam that things can work out, but he is not having it. Fighting against it are the three voices in his head of the extremely sweet and supportive Rebecca (AnnaSophia Robb), the laid-back Joaquin (Drew Scheid) and the bat bad boy The Bodyguard (Lobo Sebastian).

With a chance to go to a new school, Adam must agree to take medications and work hard. A Catholic school and Head Mistress (Beth Grant) have agreed to work with Adam and he sees it as a new beginning. Not long after starting classes, he meets Maya (Taylor Russell), a strong, opinionated and unafraid valedictorian who does things her own unique way. Adam is intrigued and dedicates himself to taking his medication and taking stress off the family.

But something is happening with the medication that sets Adam on a fearful path as he even turns to Father Patrick (Andy Garcia) for guidance and banter. As things get more and more difficult, Adam cannot control the chaos in his head or in front of him as the life he dreamed of is slowly slipping away.

Plummer as Adam just made my jaw drop, what an absolute stunning performance. Listening to his tale of the illness and what his life was like as Adam is just the beginning of this remarkable role. This young actor shows Adam as a young man searching for a life that is meaningful and, in the process, gives us endearment of a character who is clearly self-aware, articulate and moving. I could not tear myself away from his performance.

Parker as Mom Beth is dealing with the breakup of the family and trying to find a happy medium between the life she is created with Adam and bringing in boyfriend Paul. Struggling with Adam's diagnosis, she does what any mother would do - look for answers and a chance for her son. Parker gives her character the all-in feel, and I'm sure in the real world the "all in" might be overwhelming.

Coggins as Paul is dedicated to a life with Beth and is seen as the outsider as far as Adam is concerned. That is difficult enough but adding Adams mental state into the mix and there is mounting tensions. Coggins is patient but also protective of Beth, as would be expected. I have always been a Coggins fan because he is so diverse in the roles he chooses, and this particular part is all him.

Russell as Maya is a smart and fearless young woman who knows what she wants for her life. Adam is immediately taken with her because of those qualities and he soon discovers that we all wear our armor differently. Russell gives her role spunk and vulnerability and it is well done.

Robb as Rebecca is the perfect hippie cheerleader who is dedicated to Adam, even if she is only in his mind. Scheid as Joaquin is every bit a teenager in his attitude and his attire and he cracked me up a lot. Now, Sebastian is the strong bat toting type and if looks could kill he would not need the bat! All three of these actors had their own part to play within the part and it is stellar to watch.

Can we talk about Andy Garcia as Father Patrick? Just a mixture of hilarity, wit and religious tolerance one would have to have at a Catholic school to my way of thinking. Garcia gives his character a funny bone that I enjoyed and when it all comes out, he is the first to rally to Adam's side. Not a big role but one that stood out for me.

Other cast include Drew Scheid as Ted, Evan Whitten as Ricky, Aaron Dominguez as Todd and Jared Bankens as Darkness.

Roadside Attractions has, since its found in 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

This film rested on the shoulders of a very young Charlie Plummer. The subject matter of the film is very difficult so finding the right person to play the role was crucial. Producer Mickey Liddell said of casting Plummer, "I don't think I would have wanted to make this film if we didn't find the perfect Adam. There are so many levels and so many colors in these characters. I did not know what actor of that age could play him. We needed someone who could play the schizophrenia, the levity and the family dynamics as well as the romance and the banter."

Plummer wrapped up all of those qualities into the character of Adam which, and I'll keep saying it, had me from start to finish. He is stunning to watch as the story unfolds, becomes complicated as the dynamics shift and to see Adam's journey come full circle into a reality everyone could embrace.

WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS dives right into the issue of teen mental illness and does not harshly sugar coat the story line with ridiculousness. Instead, it reaches out and invites the viewer into a world that does not get seen or talked about much. The film takes its time to explore it in conjunction with family dynamics, outside relationships and the stigma that follows.

Author Julia Walton wrote WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS after graduating college. Her next novel JUST OUR LUCK is the story of a Greek American boy dealing with anxiety and masculine norms all while struggling with an old family curse.

This film is one of the finest I have seen so far this year with an ensemble cast that creates a story that is wonderfully told. Adding in cinematography and a wonderful score and this film is charming, endearing and an emotional learning experience like no other.

In the end - if you cannot trust your mind then trust your heart!