Apple TV+ Stuns with THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Apple TV+ from writer/director Joel Coen based on William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is the stunning THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH.

The Thane of Cawdor has been vanquished for King Duncan (Brendan Gleeson) by Macbeth (Denzel Washington) and Banquo (Bertie Carvel). On the road back from battle, Macbeth encounters three witches (Kathryn Hunter) who tell him he shall be king! In gratitude, King Duncan gives the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth who then writes Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand) to tell her the news – and the witch prophecy. The king also gives his praises Prince Malcolm (Harry Melling).

Spending the night at the new Thane of Cawdor’s castle, Lady Macbeth speaks to her husband about regicide. After planning and carrying out the deed, Macbeth slays the king and covers it up in the morning. Out of fear, Prince Malcolm and Macduff (Corey Hawkins) escape the castle to England and Macbeth is now wearing the crown. Ross (Alex Hassell) is keeping is ear to the castle stone walls and knows there is something amiss.

Now, Macbeth is worried about another visit from the witches about Banquo and his young son Fleance (Lucas Barker) giving his mental health another shove into darkness. Murder most foul happens again and again including Macduff’s own family. Ross finds Malcolm and Macduff to tell them the news while Lady Macbeth begins to also lose her senses.

It all comes to a final battle as Malcolm brings his English backed army to Macbeth’s castle and Macduff finds justice for his family.

Washington as Macbeth is absolutely stunning in this role. His emotions, like his lines, roll off with such grace and ease. Even in the midst of insanity, he brings us in so we can be a little mad ourselves knowing that the heinousness of his acts to be king and stay king are crazy. Be cheery in the light, it is when he steps in the shadows does Washington’s Macbeth utter evil deeds. One of the most amazing performances I have seen this year.

McDormand as Lady Macbeth is equally as jaw dropping as the woman who wants her husband to be king, no matter what it takes. The problem with that is her mental state can not handle everything that is required to make it so. McDormand glides along in her costume like her feet never touch the floor yet every step she takes is for Macbeth.

Hawkins as Macduff has a reason for leaving but a more justified reason to come back to Macbeth’s castle. His character is strong in dedication to Prince Malcolm but even family overrides that. Hassell as Ross is that sneaky fellow lurking around castles making sure that every move he makes is done so to his own benefit. Well done and well played.

Carvel as Banquo is dedicated to Macbeth but when insanity sets in, dedication only gets a loyal subject so far. Melling as Prince Malcolm has put away his Harry Potter days and has decided to become a future king.

And extremely deserved shout out to Kathryn Hunter as the witche(s). Never in my life have I been scared and yet transfixed by a character like this. She is daunting, full of riddles and, when looking intensely at the television screen, held my gaze with jaw dropping wonder. Her motion and yet lack of emotion is pure genius.

Other cast include Miles Anderson as Lennox, Robert Gilbert as Angus, James Udom as Seyton, Matt Helm as Donalbain, Moses Ingram as Lady Macduff, Richard Short as Siward, Sean Patrick Thomas as Monteith, Ethan Hutchinson as Macduff’s young son and Susan Berger as Lady in Waiting.

Apple+ is a video on demand web television that debuted in 2019. Viewable through Apple’s TV app, CEO Tim Cook wanted original content calling it “a great opportunity for us from a creation point of view”. From THE MORNING SHOW to TRYING and THE BANKER and Jason Momoa in SEE, there is plenty of choices for everyone. Plenty of genres? That is exactly what they are bringing to viewers and to see more of what they have to offer please visit www.apple.com/tv/.

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH is brilliant on so many levels so let me just say first that the cinematography by Bruno Delbonnel and set design provided by Stefan Dechant is magic. Keeping it simple, with shades of light and dark that all play into the telling. The long foreboding shadows and high architecture where secrets are told, and plans are made is breathtaking.

The costuming by Mary Zophres is equally as simple with no fanfare of gold, heavy amour and ornate throne rooms or thrones for that matter. Taking away everything one would expect of a castle, the viewer is free to focus on the players and the end game.  Here are leathers and the fabric of a by gone era that are as rough as those characters wearing them.

Carter Burwell has worked with the Coen brothers before, so it seemed comfortable to have his bring in the film’s score. He gives a frightening life with the violin over the flapping of the crows that have their own meaning in the film.

Joel Coen has taken on a wonderful task going solo and has brought a story that has been told many times but with something intensely original. From the moment the film begins, it puts our own minds into a state of ‘what is hell is this?’. As Hunter’s tries to warn us from the beginning, the tale is one of twists, turns and omens.

But oh, no matter the warning, every frame of this tale is majestic to behold!  

In the end – something wicked this way comes!

 

 

The ETERNALS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Disney+ from Marvel Studios and director Chloe Zhao is the ETERNALS.

So, here we go with the start of a monolith filled with CLASH OF THE TITANS, I mean Eternals, apparently in an early craft-version without Hal from the 2001 and 2010 films. They arrive on earth with their powers to help the helpless people inhabiting the planet. Robb Stark, I mean Ikaris (Richard Madden), is back to fight off what look like the little annoying cousins of the Krakken along with Anita from HUMANS, I mean Sersi (Gemma Chan). Maleficient, I mean Thena (Angelina Jolie), throws around her lightening staff taking at least three to four minutes to kill said annoying creepy cousin.

In present day, Jon Snow, I mean Dane (Kit Harington), is a professor and teaches along with Sersi (which if you think about it is a little creepy, I mean didn’t Rob Stark die because of Sersi and didn’t Jon Snow fight Sersi already for gawd sake?). When the creepy Krakken cousins reappear, Ikaris turns up and there is a brotherly Stark reunion. Now Sersi has to explain why the Eternals are on earth and Sprite (Lia McHugh) is looking for a good fight.

Are you with me so far? Good, because there are Babylon 575 BC flashbacks that are kind of unnecessary except it gives Ajak (Selma Hayek) a chance to say they Deviants are being kept at bay. Phastos (Brian Henry), Druig (Barry Keoghan), Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), Gilgamesh (Ma Dong-seok), Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) and the rest hang out to tell the peasant population CGI stories reminiscent of STARGATE and STAR WARS which is coincidental since the Eternals are from the stars as well.  

Now, Ikaris and Sersi are supposedly all gooey for each other with the “I am yours” (was waiting for “and you are mine” to finish the GOT reference). Moving to the Gupta Empire, they run away for a colorful wedding with everyone watching. Back to present day as dark clouds loom, apparently even the gods get a divorce because Sersi is now with Dane, and they are looking for Ajak but someone else has gotten there first.

Sersi finally gets to talk to a stone tiki called Arishem (David Kaye) but we are not to privy to that conversation. Now back to a flash back and this time they are in Tenochitlan in 1521 AD (gawd my head is spinning, and I don’t know if it’s a temporary bout with insanity or ridicuousness) and it is the last place the Deviants are found. Except now Maleficient, sorry Thena is going on a rampage yet that would be expected right? You can not be a good girl all the time.

Druig decides he has had enough of humans being bad to one another and that pits their beliefs against one another – ahhhh immortal sibling rivalry. But, with the Deviants gone, there is no need for these outer space superheroes to stick together. So, Ajak tells them they are free to go!

Fast forward to present day Mumbai, Kingo is working the Bollywood circuit but Sersi, Ikaris and Sprite let him know he is needed. They also find Gilgamesh who is taking care of Thena who still seems to be a bit out of it. Still, they sit around the table talking about the Avengers, but Sersi runs off to have a conversation with Arishem about celestial seed farming. Apparently, now that the world is ‘full’, something called the Emergence wants to drive it until everything is empty again.

Arishem goes on to give us a lesson on gravity, heat and light – blah, blah, blah. Not even popcorn is going to save me. So apparently all life is going to die blah, blah, blah. Once again, Sersi/Anita finds out the yucky repetitive truth that Arishem is no better than the dude who created THE MATRIX. Time to call Will Smith and claim his I, ROBOT.

Sersi gets to be Optimus Prime now and I am trying to stay focused on this. The rest of the group get a little pissy and Thena has an ‘I told you so’ look on her face. Ikaris takes the group to the Amazon to find Druig who is living the communal jungle lama life. Once they tell him what’s what, his dander is up, and he is not about to give warm hugs to any of them.

Sucking the life out of the Eternals, the Deviant finally speaks and makes it clear he has a score to settle all while Thena gets to fall down weeping. Flashback time! Now in 1945 Hiroshima Phastos thinks humanity is not worth saving (speak for yourself since you started some of it dude!) and jump to present day he is now sitting around the table with Ikaris and Sersi saying he will not help. Of course, he is guilted into it by family (insert huge eye roll and sigh here).

Back in the desert of gawd knows where, they magically dig up the monolith-ship-thing where Makkari has been collecting and living. Then Ikaris is in South Dakota six days from I do not know whining with Ajak on her front porch in the middle of nowhere now blaming Thanos for everything (good gawd really?) or maybe global warming I am not sure.

As the ETERNALS split into two camps and have it out – I am over it.  

Madden as Ikaris has his hands full dealing with 7,000 years of dealing with humans as well as the rest of the eternals. He’s the big brother to the rest and is just as moody with laser eyes that do not seem to do much. Chan as Sersi has to deal with the news she is dealt about the Eternals but its even more so when she has to take over the lead with no experience in how to do that.

Jolie as Thena is crazy moody and do not let her get back in the warrior phase or you could lose a body part. Not sure what her purpose is other than being a bit nutty but okay, I could have done without the muddled accent that I have heard her do TOMB RAIDER. Dong-seok as Gilgamesh is the only one that can keep Thena’s bouts at bay, apparently is a heck of a chef and is good in a fight.

McHugh as Sprite is just that, a tiny sprite of a thing who has been with Sersi since the Eternal split up going their separate ways. She’s smarter than anyone gives her credit for. Nanjiani as Kingo has gone from a ‘superhero’ to a narcissist who needs a camera and a valet more than air apparently.

Keoghan as Druig has a serious mind of his own and is not afraid to make it clear that 7,000 years and the new info has not changed anything. He has a sharp wit that’s for sure. Hayek as Ajak gets in a moment or two but she truth and does not share it – not a good leader in my book.

Director Zhao has gone from such stellar work like NOMADLAND to this. I hope it was at least fun making.

Other cast include Hannah Dodd as Sandra, Adria Escudero as Diego, Sebastian Viveros as Jano, Bill Skarsgard as Kro, Haaz Sleiman as Ben, Esai Cross as Jack, Alan Scott as Patrick, Harish Patel as Karun, Patton Oswalt as Pip the Troll and Harry Styles as Eros.

Disney+ is the subscription home streaming entertainment with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. There are exclusive originals with new feature films, shows, short form content, documentaries, and actions series such as THE MANDALORIAN. For more information, please visit www.disneyplus.com.

Bonus Features include Audio Commentary, Immortalized, Walks of Life, Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes, Gravity, Nostalgia, Movies and Small Talk.

ETERNALS is just a hot mess of characters that had me yelling at my television, and I hate yelling at my wonderful 70 inch colorful monstrosity. I am sure this is probably a precursor to more of the films and all I can do is scream and claw my face. I just can not anymore. Thumbs up to the actors because there are moments that are a little funny, but the rest is just blah, blah, blah.

My only relief is Kingo with his ridiculous narcissism and one liners and a few good shots from Gilgamesh. Good guys, bad guys, special powers, independent thinking, attempt at romance, regret, bad intentions, lies, truths, plans, narcissism, ‘poor me’ stories, realities and the fact that no good deed goes unpunished is all mashed up into another superhero film where the planet needs saving by someone or another. Personally, with all the destruction these superheroes do to humans and the planet, I’d rather save myself!

Staying through the end credits was an accident because I was in the middle of putting together a fairy set for my granddaughter which was much more entertaining. So, without spoiling it for anyone that dares sit through two hours and thirty-nine minutes, Harry Styles makes a colorful appearance that made me slap my forehead and cry out ‘wtf?!’ and schedule a future nail appointment.  

ETERNALS is now available on Disney+ and will be released on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD February 15.

In the end – this is their beginning story.

 

 

HOTEL TRANSLVANIA: Tranformania

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Prime Video from directors Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska is the return to our favorite monster destination with HOTEL TRANSLVANIA: Transformania.

Dracula (Brian Hull) is throwing a bit of a gathering for family and friends. He has made a decision that affects Mavis (Selena Gomez) and husband Johnny (Andy Samberg). When Johnny discovers what it is, he gets carried away which spooks Dracula. Changing his mind about the decision, Mavis and Johnny are surprised.

Johnny decides he will fix everything and goes to Van Helsing (Jim Gaffigan) to become a monster and fix everything. Dracula freaks out and in the process of trying to stop Johnny showing Mavin his new monster-ness, he turns into a human! But Dracula is not the only one that gets to see the other side of being a monster.

Frankenstein (Brad Abrell) gets to see how the other half lives, Wayne (Steve Buscemi) becomes a bit seen, an un-wrapped Murray (Keegan-Michael Key) and Griffin (David Spade) is howling a new song and the machine that did the damage ends up broken. Dracula panics, as he tends to do, and asks Van Helsing how to fix it. Well, that’s where things get interesting. There is a place in the middle of a jungle that has the mysterious crystal needed to change everybody back!

Dracula convinces the guys to stay away from anyone that would see them, especially Mavis, while he and Johnny go on a mission. Then again, telling the group not to tell Mavis is like asking them to tell Mavis and when Eunice (Fran Drescher) finds out what’s happening – all monsterness breaks loose!

With the help of Ericka (Kathryn Hahn) and her monster hunting skills, they find Johnny and Dracula to help them finds the crystal – especially since Johnny is becoming more and more of a monster they cannot control!

It is a family thing!

Hull as Dracula takes up the mantle and gives his character the insanity and chaos of the scary hotel owner. When he makes the decision regarding Johnny and Mavis, the panick sets in quickly and as Dracula tends to do, tries to find a way out of it bringing mayhem. Gomez as Mavis is raising her young son and aware that Johnny can be a handful but would not change anything. Realizing what is happening between her dad and Johnny, Gomez gives her character the get up and go to try and fix what they messed up.

Samberg as Johnny is, what I consider, a hot mess kind of person. He is emotionally unable to act like an adult which is how it all starts but his heart is in the right place. Trying to make it right with Mavis, Samberg gives Johnny the faith in family and his father-in-law.

Hahn as Ericka is still happy with Dracula and will do what ever it takes to keep him from doing something silly. It also gives her a chance to relive a little of her monster hunter days. Drescher as Eunice is also all about doing whatever it takes to keep her family and friends safe.

Gaffigan, Abrell, Buscemi, Key and Spade are a barrel of fun and silliness. Trying to keep their word to Dracula, it does not work when Mavis, Eunice and Erika make it clear they are not going to take any nonsense. Let’s face it, the gang is hilarious no matter what!

Other cast includes Molly Shannon as Wanda, Asher Blinkoff as Dennis, Zoe Berri as Winnie, Asher Bishop as Wesley, Tyler Blevins as Tyler, Victoria Comez as Young Mavis, Aaron LaPlante as the Gremlin Pilot.

Amazon Prime offers television shows and original content included in its Amazon Prime subscription. Original programs such as CARNIVAL ROW, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, and THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL are hit shows. Coming soon is the next series with GOLIATH starring Billy Bob Thornton and it promises to another successful and intense series.

HOTEL TRANSLVANIA: Tranformania is a fun family film that means one thing – get the family together, pop that huge bag of popcorn, fuzzy blanket on the sofa at the ready and prepare to giggle like crazy. From the HOTEL TRANSLYVANIA family to yours, get ready for a bit of Transformania!

In the end – change can be scary!

 

It is a Wonderful World in ENCANTO

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Disney+ from directors Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Charise Castro Smith is the lovely family story set in ENCANTO.

Abuela Alma (Maria Cecilia Botero) begins with the story of how their family casita was created by magic and each of her three received the gift of a special power. The tradition continued to Abuela Alma’s grandchildren. Well, almost all as granddaughter Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) is known by to have been skipped in getting a gift.

Fifty years later, Antonio (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) will be given his gift and Mirabel supports her little cousin in every way. Trying to control her disappointment, something angry has come to Encanto. The house starts to crack and trying to explain it to Abuela Alma became difficult when they all come to look, and nothing is wrong. Mirabela discovers that she is right but needs to find out what is truly happening with the magic.

Asking Luisa (Jessica Darrow), Mirabel learns she must go to a place that the magic can not help her. Joining her in the dark caves is Cousin Antonio’s feathered friend. She also finds out that no one wants to talk about Bruno (John Leguizamo) and sister Isabel (Diane Guerrero) warns Mirabel to stop. Ruining Isabel’s proposal by Mariano (Maluma) just adds to the trouble Mirabel finds herself in.

When Mirabel discovers what is really happening with Bruno, she asks for his help only to discover that what will fix the casita is not as simple as it should be. It is time for the truths to be told and the faith to be restored when it comes to family.

Beatriz as Mirabel is a young girl dealing with the fact that she was, for some reason, not given the same gifts as the rest of her family. She is a loving, sweet and positive person until the night she sees what might happen to the casita. Beatriz gives her animated character a bravery and strength she will need to understand where she comes from and what is possible.

Botero as Abuela Alma is the matriarch of a family that continues to grow. With each celebration she sets up celebrations and leads the best she can. The problem is, she has forgotten that her family loves her but need to understand where the family started. Cabot-Conyers as Antonio just loves his cousin Mirabel and would do anything for her, he is such a good soul in a very young body.

Darrow as Luisa has always gone along to get along but has her own issues that Mirabel did not realize was inside her. Always relying on her physical strength, Luisa forgets that she has spiritual strength as well. Guerrero as Isabel is seen as the ‘good girl’ of the family and is planning to get married. As Mirabel comes to know, being the good girl and always doing what she is told is the thing that weights her lovely sister down.

Other cast include Rose Portillo as Senora Guzman, Adassa as Dolores, Mauro Castillo as Felix, Angie Cepeda as Julieta, Wilmer Valderrama as Agustin, Rhenzy Feliz as Camilo, Noemi Flores as Young Mirabel, Juan Castano as Osvaldo, Sarah-Nicole Robles as Senora Ozman and Hector Elias as Old Arturo.

Disney+ is the subscription home streaming entertainment with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. There are exclusive originals with new feature films, shows, short form content, documentaries, and actions series such as THE MANDALORIAN. For more information, please visit www.disneyplus.com.

ENCANTO is a very colorful and animated film about the generational story of family. Once Abuela Alma is given the gift of magic and a safe place to live, the family grows by leaps and bounds with the magic still all around them. They take their celebrations seriously but, as families tend to do, hide the things that make them uncomfortable like the story of Uncle Bruno!

Mirabel is a young girl who is seen as ‘the girl with no gift’ and she tries to deal with that in the most positive way possible. When the house begins to tell her things no one else can see, she becomes the casita super-sleuth to discover so much about her family. Learning to accept herself, those around her, understanding her place in it all and the history becomes the beginning of an even more beautiful life!

In the end – it is a magical house with a magical family!

 

Michael Meyers Wants to Come Home with HALLOWEEN KILLS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director David Gordon Green, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures is HALLOWEEN KILLS.

The events in Haddonfield are not over and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) once again finds herself in the hospital because of her brother. Michael has left a path of blood in his wake and shows no signs of stopping.

At the local bar, there are a few survivors of Michaels first oath of terror including Lindsay Wallace (Kyle Richards) and Tommy Doyle (Anthony Michael Hall). Attempting to take on the masked murderer, he only manages to slip through their fingers.

At the hospital, Laurie is out of surgery, granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and daughter Karen (Judy Greer) are shocked to learn Michael is still alive. Trying to warn everyone, they learn that Tommy is getting the town together to fight back.

Karen knows Michael only wants one thing – his sister! But will he come to the hospital or the one other place where his memories live? That would be the family home where Allyson and Cameron (Dylan Arnold) have arrived.

The town wants to come together but only one can make Michael come out of the shadows!

Curtis as Laurie is still as much of a badass now as she ever was. Once the loudness clears, it is Laurie who knows what must be done. She is clever and determined even with her gut in a bunch. As much as it is Michael Meyers we are afraid of, Curtis has always given us every reason to be equally afraid of her!

Greer as Karen is only interested in protecting her mother. Trying to stop the madness in the hospital is not working. When she sees what has to happen, it is not going to be a happy family reunion. Matichak as Allyson wants to get out onto the streets of Haddonfield and make Meyers pay in any way possible

Hall as Tommy is a bit of a mouthpiece with his big speeches that cause more chaos than there needs to be. Instead of hitting the streets, he hits the halls (pun intended) and it is all a bit much. He starts chaos that ends up out of control in the hospital but tries to make up for it in the streets. The problem is, he does not seem to remember who he is up against!

Shout out to a reappearance of Donald Pleasance because you cannot return to Haddonfield without him. Happy to see Will Patton as Deputy Hawkins who has his own version of that first night to tell. There is a nice scene between he and Curtis that make us hope that the next installment (because I can not see how there can’t be) Laurie might find a tad bit of happiness.

Other cast include: Thomas Man as young Deputy Hawkins, Jim Cummings as Pete McCabe, Robert Longstreet as Lonnie Elam, Scott MacArthur as Big John, Michael McDonald as Little John, Ross Bacon as Tivoli, and Charles Cyphers as Officer Leigh Brackett.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about!

Bonus Features include Gag Reel, Extended Scenes, Haddonfield’s Open Wounds, The Kill Team, Strode Family Values, 1978 Transformations, The Power of Fear, Kill Count, and Feature Commentary with Director/Co-writer David Gordon Green and Stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Judy Greer.

What I love about this film is that it did not try to reinvent the wheel. From the haunting introduction music to the pumpkin flickering the beginning credits, director Green let us embrace our memories of the 1978 HALLOWEEN. We are escorted back in time a little bit to remember the names then and current faces now of the original characters.

There is a tad bit of campy, but I embrace it as much as I do Curtis as Laurie and Castle/Courtney as Meyers. Everyone in Haddonfield who lived through 1978 has a dog in the hunt, especially Officer Leigh Brackett.

I love the small town feel of the film keeping it strictly closed in. That being said, there are bumps to get over and a wish that Laurie/Curtis was more prevalent in the film. It is not yet time to end her story as there has to be one more, just one more face to face before (and I am assuming) granddaughter Allyson takes over.

Until that happens – lock your doors, pull up the big screen and turn on the sound bar because Michael Meyers has come home again.

In the end – evil dies tonight!

DVD Brings Season 3 of COBRA KAI

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next installment of COBRA KAI Season 3.

Johnny (William Zabka) is in a tailspin trying to find a way to make things right with the very injured Miguel (Xolo Mariduena) and instead ends up in jail. The massive fight at the high school has put everyone on high alert and Sam (Mary Mouser) cannot come to grips with what happen to Demitri (Gianni DeCenzo) at the hands of Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) let alone her own fight with Tory (Peyton List). Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is out trying to find the missing Robby (Tanner Buchanan).

Daniel thinks that it is important for Johnny to help look for Robby as they search everywhere he could be. While everyone is concerned with Robby and Miguel, Kreese (Martin Kove) puts his own plans into place and teaches his own brand of karate behind Johnny’s back.

Visiting Bobby in juvenile hall for what happened to Miguel, the young man makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with anyone. Sam tries to raise funds for a surgery that Miguel needs only to have the Cobra Kai attack them. Johnny becomes involved with Carmen (Vanessa Rubio) and enjoying himself. Daniel is having trouble with his business, so he decides to go to Tokyo to negotiate with the auto business.

While there, Daniel revisits Tomi Village to find that it is much changed. He sees Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita) and Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). He learns more about Mr. Miagi (Pat Morita) and his family’s karate as well as the things that his sensei did not teach him and why. All of it leads to Daniel meeting a little someone, Yuna (Traci Toguchi), from his past that is about to change his future.

More fights between Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai happen while Daniel is away, and Johnny decides to learn more about technology and joins Facebook discovering Ali (Elisabeth Shue) is just one click away. He is also helping Miguel find his feet once again. Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) takes on Kreese and it does not end well.

Trying to get the dojo closed, hopes are dashed as Kreese makes it clear that he is not going anywhere at any time. Learning Ali is in town, Miguel helps Johnny pump up his profile to pump up his image who finally sends Ali a message. Seeing Tory again, he lets her know that revenge against Miyagi-Do is not needed.

Miguel is doing very well and returns to school only to discover what Cobra Kai has been up to and he is horrified. Daniel realizes he needs to spend more time with Sam who is still going through a hard time. A Miyagi story is necessary so dad can share with daughter that he truly understands. Johnny decides to start a new dojo called Eagle Fang Karate where he can finally teach without Kreese around.

When Daniel, Kreese and Johnny discover that the All-Valley Tournament is cancelled, they all show up to show why that is wrong which almost does not work. It is Miguel and Amanda who explain why is should go on and their friendship resumes as Robby ends up at the Cobra Kai dojo and into the waiting grasp of Kreese.

During the holidays, Johnny and Ali meet up for lunch and talk about old times and life choices. Ali asks Johnny to join her at the country club later only to discover Daniel and Amanda as the two couples share the evening, talk about old times, and laugh at themselves and their silly antics. Change is also coming for the Miyagi-Do team and the Eagle Fang as the kids get together to discuss coming together.

But Cobra Kai is coming for them and breaking into the LaRusso house, a brawl happens and a few of them realize that this is not the way and change their allegiance. Both men go to the Cobra Kai dojo only Johnny gets their first to see his son with Kreese and a fight begins, and Daniel comes in as Kreese takes them both on.

Kreese decides there is only one other person that can help him now – Terry Silver (Nick Marini). A surprise also comes around when Daniel and Johnny realize that they need each other and that their ridiculous past needs to finally be settled. The page of karate is about to be turned as two men learn from each other with a new understanding that is different but oh so cool.

History is about to be changed because two men realize that are better together than they are arguing apart!

Macchio as Daniel is trying to forget about what happened all those years ago, but things keep coming up that set his teeth on edge. Dealing with the dealership, staying close to his family and taking in young Bobby become his goals until that all seems to be chaotic. Returning to Tomi Village helped him find balance again and Macchio makes us feel like we are back in the 1986 once again. That is what is amazing about all of this, Macchio does not try to reinvent the wheel but instead gives us the memories as well as the grown-up life of Daniel LaRusso.

Zabka as Johnny clearly has issues that are consistently being drowned in a bottle of Coors Banquet beer. I do not think there are many moments on screen where there is not a bottle (or a can from time to time) in his hand. Openly admitting he spent his twenties and thirties in such a state is the beginning, it would be nice to see him put the bottle down for good. His Archie Bunker tendencies come out from time to time, but Zabka throws himself into every bit of this character. Lost in the past, Zabka gives us a Johnny that is fighting going into the future with every breath he takes.

Mariduena as Miguel is a young man with a homelife that has problems of its own, yet he learns from both Daniel and Johnny trying to find the middle ground. This young actor gives his character strength with a bit of the usual mistake making for a teenager.  Mouser as Sam is Daniel’s daughter who first had no interest in karate, then too much interest and is also trying to find a balance between the two. Mouser and Mariduena eventually try to do their share to bring peace, but it will have to wait until they are on the mat.     

DeCenzo as Demitri is a kid that tries to avoid being a part of anything karate from the beginning and even when he thinks he is ready, he balks. The thing is, Daniel does not give up on any of the kids easily and DeCenzo does not disappoint. Bertrand as Hawk starts out as a good friend to Demitri and then enters the dojo of Cobra Kai and becomes someone horrible, vicious and dangerous but everyone deserves a second chance.

List as Tory has home issues and they feed into the anger that she just cannot let go of. Trying to like this character is more difficult than I could have imagined. I can see her character in thirty years turning into a female Johnny or, at best, the sign lady Johnny hires. Henggeler as Amanda is trying to keep the family together, the business running and make sure Daniel and Johnny do not lose themselves.  

Buchanan as Robby is a young man who is dealing with an absent father and trusting Daniel to teach him. Getting a place to live and a chance at an education, it all comes crashing down when Tory starts something and lets everyone else finish it. Buchanan starts out confused, finds a nice place to land and goes back to confusion.  Kove as Kreese returns hoping Johnny will let him back in to the mix but when it does not happen the way he wants, Kreese returns to his old habits and evil returns to All-Valley.    

Rubio as Carmen is Miguel’s concerned mother who works hard for her family to keep them fed and a roof over their heads. Happy that Miguel has found something to believe in, when the injury happens, she makes sure that Johnny knows her anger. That does not mean their relationship does not take a hit, but Johnny figures it out the best way he can.

Other cast include Barrett Carnahan as young Kreese, Terry Serpico as Captain Turner, Griffin Santopietro as Anthony LaRusso, Dan Ahdoot as Anoush, Ken Davitian as Armand Zarkarian, Ron Thomas as Bobby Brown, Nathaniel Oh as Nathaniel, Annalisa Cochrane as Yasmine, Okea Eme-Akwari as Shawn Payne, Ed Asner as Sid Weinberg, Diora Baird as Shannon Keene, Bret Ernst as Louie LaRusso Jr., Aedin Mincks as Mitch, Khalil Everage as Chris, Owen Morgan as Bert and Dee Snider as the one and only Dee Snider.

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The episodes include Aftermath, Nature Vs. Nurture, Now You’re Gonna Pay, The Right Path, Miyagi-Do, King Cobra, Obstaculos, The Good The Bad and the Badass, Feel the Night and December 19.

COBRA KAI Season 3 continues the story between Daniel, Johnny and their issues from thirty years ago. Watching them get along and then not and then get along again is mainly on Johnny’s insecurities. Daniel makes a few nutty decisions as well which makes their continual ‘feud’ based mainly on miscommunication and misunderstanding.

The kids, however, are constantly in each other’s faces and fighting. I was hoping the storyline would tone that down a bit, but I tend to think as the sides continually change, the fighting will only ramp up. Macchio has not lost his ‘Daniel’ charm just as much as Zabka continues with his conflicted and insecure ‘Johnny’ who thinks with his fist instead of his head which is swimming in alcohol.

This season revisits places and people who made the original KARATE KID films so iconic. I was thrilled to see a few of them and, of course, boo’d the screen with some of the bad guys who have decided to come back to Cobra Kai. COBRA KAI has become a massive hit for the streaming service Netflix, and it makes me smile to see people wearing update tee-shirts that say ‘Cobra Kai Never Dies’.

As much as I am not a fan of resurging films and television shows, I have to say that binging on COBRA KAI has been somewhat of a bag of mixed feelings. The characters finally have a chance to tell their stories and the new characters learn these story’s but whether they use it for good will be seen.

In the end – The Karate Kid saga continues!

There is Spy Action with THE 355

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Simon Kinberg and Universal Pictures is the story of a drive, world domination and the women who will not let that happen with THE 355.

In Bogata, Columbia, there is a deal being made regarding a drive that is dangerous to the world. When a raid takes place, the drive falls into the hands of DNI Agent Rojas (Edgar Ramirez) and he is now on the run. Contacting the U.S. Government about the drive, CIA officer Mace Browne (Jessica Chastain) and Nick Fowler (Sebastian Stan) are off to Paris to negotiate for the drive.

But chaos breaks out when Rojas runs and someone else joins the mix. German BND agent Marie Schmidt (Diane Kruger) is looking for the same drive but the missions get twisted. Rojas is found by SNI psychologist Garciela (Penelope Cruz) to bring in Rojas. Mace turns to former British MI6 agent Khadijah (Lupita Nyong’o) for her special skills with computers to try and locate who has the drive and where it could be heading.

It forces Mace, Marie, Graciela and Khadijah to join forces using each of their special skills to find the drive leading them to Chinese MSS agent Sheng (Fan Bingbing). At an auction house, the drive is put up for bid but there is more going on than the women could know and betrayal is not far behind.

Chastain as Mace leads the group of women on what should have been a clean sweep in Paris. Joining forces with three other women means they have to always be one step ahead even if they feel one step behind. Chastain’s character is tough but that does not mean her emotional side is hidden – especially when she is looking for her own bit of revenge.

Nyong’o as Khadijah is savvy, fast and knows exactly what to do to get the job done. Motivated to help her friend Mace, she also becomes motivated but something much more powerful. Nyong’o gives her character tech-savvy that is pretty darn awesome.

Kruger as Marie has a history of being betrayed so it is something that she seems to be use to. She makes it consistently clear that she does not want a partner in anything she does, except now she needs all the women to get this dangerous job done. Kruger is awesome in this role and a chance to see her get tough!

Cruz as Garciela makes it clear from the start that she is a psychologist with the agent in Columbia and not an actual gun-toting agent. Worried about her family as the mission becomes more and more dangerous, something inside Cruz’s character clicks and she does her part to stop the madness. Bingbing as Sheng has a mission of her own and it is never clear what side she is on – until it is time to know it. She is the calm one in the midst of all the chaos and that can be just as powerful as holding a weapon!

Stan as Fowler is an agent that has worked with Mace before and there are subtle hints about the ending of their personal relationship. That does not stop them from being sent to Paris together to find the drive. Things go wrong and become complicated for the two as the world-wide search for the elusive drive begins.

Other cast include Emilio Insolera as the Hacker, Jason Wong as Stevens, John Thompson as Larry Marks, Hiten Patel as Ahmed-Imam, Leo Staar as Grady and Oleg Kricunov as Pyotr Khasanov.

THE 355 is an action-packed film that keeps the guessing and the jaunt around the world quick and intense. The title of the film is based on Agent 355, a woman spy during the American Revolution who worked for the patriots.

Coming in at 124-minutes, there is no moment of peace as the story plays out from the moment the film opens until it becomes clear who these women truly are. The are up against a world of men who want power and the ability to corrupt but those same men never expected to be up against “a bunch of girls”.

That was their first mistake.

In the end – work together or die alone!