SCREAMFEST Bring Everything We Love About Horror

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently bringing fans to the largest and longest running horror festival is Screamfest Horror Film Festival! Beginning October 11^th, the festival is being held at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.

Screamfest showcases American and international independent horror filmmakers and has been known to launch careers of filmmakers. The entries include such categories as Best Feature, Cinematography, Special Effects, Musical Score, Editing and Directing. It also has special categories for Best Student Film, Best Short, Best Documentary and Best Animation.

Starting Screamfest on Wednesday for me is the Well Go USA feature film THE LONELIEST BOY IN THE WORLD. Director Martin Owen brings the story written by Piers Ashworth of Oliver (Max Harwood), a young man who has seen plenty of death in his short life. He is the target of a high school bully but that does not stop him from noticing Chloe (Tallulah Haddon).

Visiting his mother’s grave, he decides he needs a family and begins his nighttime diggings of a new mother Susanne (Susan Wokoma), a new dad Frank (Ben Miller), a new little sister Mel (Zenobia Williams) and even a new ‘family’ dog! Keeping them away from the living is the challenge but, with the spooky holidays near, no one questions the people living with Max.

Learning from them, Max becomes more confident, surer of himself and finds that he is far more capable that he could have ever imagined. That’s what a good family can do for you – who cares if they are – well, different.

In the end – they’re dying to be his friend!

The cast did such an amazing job telling this very twisted story filled with everything you would want in a heart-warming family tale with a zombie twist. Nothing wrong with mixing the genres, especially when you get something as cool as THE LONLIEST BOY IN THE WORLD.

Then, for a bit more horror, is the film 8 FOUND DEAD! Director Travis Greene with writer Jonathan Buchanan bring the story of the perils of a trip to a town B&B. Jessie (Jenny Tran) is headed toward her family’s B&B to get ready for the next batch of guests. That would be Sam (Alisha Soper), Dwayne (Gabriel Grier), Ricky (Eddy Acosta) and Carrie (Aly Trasher).

Arriving first, Carrie and Ricky are met by Richard (Tim Simek) and Liz (Rosanne Limeres) who tell the first couple that there must be a mix up as they booked the B&B. Later, Sam and Dwayne show up and go through the same story of a mix up. Who is telling the truth and who are Richard and Liz?

Officers Blake Miller (Laura Buckles) and soon to be ex-husband Bobby Miller (Patrick Rieger) are about to enter a house of madness. Trying to piece together what is going on, they find themselves part of the mystery.

Okay, this is one where I am not saying anything except – hang on to your B&B confirmations and make sure you have a cell signal for gawd’s sake! The filming is basically kept to and around the B&B and I liked that. It keeps the viewer focused on what is happening and listening to everyone tell their side of things. Richard and Liz are exceptional in their roles and now I’m going to zip it. See it!

In the end – f*ck who dunnit, it’s who survives!

Also playing on Wednesday is the feature DEER CAMP ’86, THE LEECH and THE REVELATION. More to come on Thursday!

 

 

 

BLACK BIRD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on AppleTV+ from director Dennis Lehane is the story of a man who had it all and became careless with it in BLACK BIRD.

Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) is a handsome and impeccably dressed young man who finds himself in a position of losing money and defending a friend who cheated and lied. Thinking that event was over, his house is raided by the FBI. Now he has traded in his impeccable suits for an orange coverall.

Visiting his son is, Big Jim Keene (Ray Liotta), a former cop, tells Jimmy that local prosecutor Edmund Beaumont (Robert Wisdom) can not be bought. Pleading guilty, he discovers that everyone who promised a few years lied as the judge hands down a 10-year prison sentence. Seven months in Jimmy comes face to face with Beaumont again and with Agent Lauren McCauley (Sepideh Moafi).

Admitting that Jimmy could charm his way out of anything, Agent McCauley wants Jimmy to get information from a serial killer. In exchange for his help, Jimmy would get full commutation of his sentence. If he doesn’t get the information then he is back where he started. At first, he says no because he does not trust Beaumont, but McCauley leaves the file for him to see what they are up against – and he starts to read.

In 1994, Brian Miller (Greg Kinnear) is a Chief County Investigator for the sheriff along with Officer Holt (Trazi Lashawn) found one of the young victims in a corn field. Beginning their investigation, Miller discovers that the information they have matches with other incidences that have happened. Officer Chris Drysdale (Carlo Alban) mentions Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) and Miller’s ears are burning.

A chance to interview Hall, Miller also meets Det. Aborn (Cullen Moss) and they all think that the talk is a waste of time. That is until Larry starts talking about what he dreams about and about brother Gary (Jake McLaughlin) and then when presented with a photograph of a young woman, it all falls apart.

Miller has no choice but to take it up the chair, enter Beaumont and McCauley and deciding if Jimmy can handle dealing with a serial killer. Bring Larry in again, he again starts talking and this time about his depression and loneliness and it leads to a shocking confession. As the team gets things on paper, they are shocked once again. Brother Gary is furious with the police and refuses to believe anything they say about Larry.

Now, Jimmy is being transferred to Springfield to the prison where Larry is being held. The rules are simple, don’t make an instant friendship with Hall, don’t break any rules and the only people who know who he really is are the warden and Dr.

Outside, the court of appeals is moving forward and so is the schedule that Jimmy is on. Now the real story begins.

Egerton as Keene is a kid who has spent most of his life without doing what ever he wanted as if almost feeling bulletproof. Prison definetly is not for him so when offered a way out, he did not trust it because of lies he had been told before prison. The more he talks with the FBI, and with his father ill, Keene decides this is a way out. Egerton gives his character so much charm and, dare I say, almost as sly as Larry Hall without the murder. As he listens to the stories that are meant to free him, the walls are closing in and Egerton shows us that Keene is no longer bulletproof – he is literally crawling his way to freedom.

Kinnear as Miller is struck from the moment he is taken to the body of Jessica Roache. The look that this actor gives lets you know from that moment on, nothing is going to stop him from finding the killer. Hitting wall after wall, Miller twists, turns and dodges until he gets the answers. Kinnear does a stellar job in this role and I enjoyed it immensely which is odd considering the content of the material.

Moafi as McCauley is the proverbial dog with a bone. No one is going to convince this agent that anyone else is responsible other than Larry. Teaming up with Miller, they pull apart and piece together clues that lead to shocking revelations. Moafi gives her character courage, righteous anger and a coolness that I gave plenty of nods too.

Liotta as Big Keene is a father who is trying to do the right thing after knowing he was not the father he should have been. The problem is, now he is going overboard and puts his son’s life in danger. It was awesome to see Liotta and will be missed on big and small screens. Wisdom as Beaumont is doing his job but, in Keene’s eyes, he is not to be trusted. Alban as Drysdale can not believe that Larry could do anything wrong and refers to him as a “serial confessor”. McLaughlin as Gary is a dedicated brother who will protect him to the end – but what will it cost humanity?

Now, I save this for last because I still am stunned (but I shouldn’t be) at the performance of Paul Walter Hauser as Larry. The first time I truly noticed this actor was in the 2019 film RICHARD JEWELL and was gob smacked at his performance. When I read that he was in BLACK BIRD along with Egerton, I knew I had to see it. I was not disappointed – instead, I was disturbed, disgusted, confused, angry, yelling at the screen and exhausted by the end of the series. THAT is how you know that only Hauser could have played this role. Every moment Hauser is on screen is pure perfection (again, is weird considering the material, right?). He takes the audience on a journey as Larry of insanity, justification, weird innocence, even weirder childhood and a way of talking that is almost hypnotic and explanations that are jaw dropping.

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/.

Director Lehane should be awarded for what he has put together with a cast that is so well chosen and riveting to watch. The mixture of flashbacks, the victims’ stories and those involved whirlwind around Keene and Hall as their own story unfolds. It is the bouncing back and forth between Keene and Hall that is a match that will send the brain scrambling.

There is not one episode that wavers with the breakdown at the end of reality for almost everyone involved. The breaking point is so fragile in each of the characters that being prepared for it – I wasn’t.

In the end – only one knows the truth until now!

 

FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on AppleTV+ from director John Ridley and based on true events is the heartbreaking events of Hurricane Katrina with FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL.

Memorial Hospital and Life Care are attached hospitals in New Orleans. On August 29^th, Hurricane Katrina was making its way on to land. Dr. Horace Baltz (Robert Pine) is making his way through the hospital to keep things calm. Dr. Anna Pou (Vera Farmiga) begins to make her rounds but notices the other staff not taking the storm too seriously.

Susan Mulderick (Cherry Jones) is the Incident Commander reminds the staff that it is a functioning hospital and that they all have a job to do. Connected to Memorial Hospital is Life Care and they are dealing with their own issues. Diane Robichaux (Julie Ann Emergy) is checking in on their patients.

As the storm progresses, evacuation orders are given for New Orleans and people are now wondering what they are to do. At Memorial, the windows are shattering, gangways are swaying and the waters are coming in with no way to stop them. In the emergency room, Dr. Baltz and Dr. Bryant King (Cornelius Smith Jr.) are moving everyone up another floor. Finally, the power goes out.

Day two comes and the hospital is attempting to clean up and find a bit of normal patient care. Outside of the hospital, the looting has begun and people do not want to leave the hospital. The staff is seeing and experiencing the trauma each person experienced trying to keep everyone calm yet, they are only human with emotions of their own.

Then, the levees broke and what came after became even more cataclysmic than Hurricane Katrina. Both hospitals now know the water is coming and with no flood plan, they are reaching out to who ever can hear them for help!  Communications are crossed and no one seems to be in charge but there are those that are trying their best.

As the patients begin to be evacuated, the water inside the hospital is rising and patients are on the roof waiting.  Now comes the even harder choices and those who make them are being questioned in the aftermath. People begin helping people without being told because it is not only what is right, it is what is necessary.

After, as investigators Arthur Schafer (Michael Gaston) and Virginia Rider (Molly Hager) take on the work of discovering what happened at Memorial, everyone becomes tightlipped. The two decide to head over to Memorial and try to find out what it is the people are not talking about.    

Now comes the question of what happened to the forty-five patients found later?

Farmiga as Dr. Pou refuses to leave the hospital and the patients that need her. Doing her best to save who she can, there are choices that are could be easily misunderstood and misinterpreted. Farmiga always gives such strong performances and this is one where I am riveted by what this actress achieves and it is met with anxiety on my part. This is a stellar role and she gives an equally stellar performance.

Jones as Mulderick is so amazing I can not even begin to describe her performance. Her character is called upon to do a job that is not even in the emergency manual. Given information, then having it revoked, then told something else and trying to keep everyone calm is a role that Jones gives strength, courage and character mixed with fear. I would expect nothing less from Jones.

Pine as Dr. Baltz is a steady doctor at Memorial but as chaos begins to ensue, he can only offer solace to those who need it the most. Pine gives the performance of a compassionate that I would hope I’d see at any hospital. Smith Jr. as Dr. King watches what is happening and makes judgements on the situation and those around him. Trying to keep the staff helping the patients is his main goal.

Emergy as Robichaux is compassionate and wants the best for her patience. Pregnant, a hurricane and the aftermath of her concern for everyone around her, especially of Mr. Everett, has her emotions collapsing. What a performance.

Cast includes Adepero Oduye as Karen Wynn, Stephen Bogaert as Rene Goux, Sharron Matthews as Cheri Landry, Damon Standifer as Emmett Everett, Sarah Allen as Lori Budo, W. Earl Brown as Ewing Cook, Jeremiah Oh as Ken Nakamaru, Tammy Isbell as Gina, Katie Boland as Krsity Johnson, Darrin Baker as Dr Martin Bisley and Diane Johnstone as Wilda McManus.

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/.

FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL is one of the most intense series I think I have ever watched. It is shocking, disturbing, full of desperation, fear, anguish and the worst and best of humanity all in seven episodes.

Every cast memory should be extremely proud of their performance given the emotional material they were working with. There is not ONE character or performance that is not believable and filled with compassion, empathy and, well, frakken guts!

As the story unfolds, it does not stop at the storm or the aftermath, but delves deeper into what really happened at Memorial/Life Care and who is responsible. That being said, I think the last two episodes although still shocking, leave the door open for speculation. Focusing on one person when the potential for others being responsible should have been an issue as well.

Be prepared to be shocked and dismayed as each episode will test every human emotion imaginable, and all at once.

In the end - there are decisions that would haunt them all!

 

 

 

 

They are the GUARDIANS OF TIME

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director Stephen Shimek and Lionsgate is the story of a family and the GUARDIANS OF TIME.

Alex (Ava Torres), Sybil (Samantha Ryan), Zoey (Carley Colemon) and Theo (Nia Salaam) are good friends. When Alex and Sybils parents go out of town, they are left with Papa Nickolaou (David Fletcher-Hall) who is a bit out of the ordinary. Soon enough, the girls discover a passage in their home they did not previously know about.

Entering the door, they four girls find themselves in a strange land and the only way out is to find the pieces of a crystals to make a key that need to be assembled. They meet Agot (voiced by Nicolas Greco) who tells them what is happening and what they must do. When they are chased by creatures of all types and separated, Agot becomes wounded and the only thing that will save her is a visit to Greya (Katherine Bellantone).

Theo, Sybil and Zoey meet with Panfelos (Michael Nguyen) who refer to them as the Warriors Four and tells them brief history of where they are. He believes these girls are the warriors they have been waiting for as the Guardians of Time. Back on a very tall mountain, Agot and Alex look for Greya who helps cure the small creature. At the same time, she tells Alex her story.

Before taking the girls where they need to go, Panfelos gives them a bit of training to create things that will help them on their way. Alex becomes friends with Greya who shows her some of the magic Kyros. When reaching the temple, Agot tells Alex that he can not enter, that only a Guardian of Time may do so as she retrieves the Crystal of Kronoception.

Sybil, Theo and Zoey find a temple of their own and enter together to find their crystal. Also, each of the girls are discovering their individual special powers which could help them along the way. Now, they need shelter to hide from the darkness, a Hooded figure (Jonathan Dale Moore) and Deimos (Drew Pollock).

But is it the danger closest to them, memories resurface and that could either help them get home or trap them forever.

Ryan as Sybil is a young woman who wants to protect her young sister and friends from the unknown. As she becomes more and more aware of what is happening, Ryan brings her character strength and love them all. Although she may be seen as the leader, Ryan gives Sybil an equal place in the group of four.

Torres as Alex is so sweet but is very insecure about how she is small and unable to keep up with her big sister and friends. Coming to the other world, Torres brings Alex self-awareness and acceptance that it is not status that shows who you are but the size of your heart. She is so charming from beginning to end.

Coleman as Zoey finds her power and learns to give it its proper place. Instead of letting it take over and frighten her, she embraces and uses it to help them all. Coleman is intelligent and that brings her power into such wonderful focus.

Salaam as Theo has such a wonderful power to be able to stop time and allow the group to not only figure things out but keep those that would hurt them at bay. Sometimes a little extra time is all you need to set things right. Salaam shows her strength in this performance.

Bellantone as Freya is living in a castle and waiting for her own world to change. She is not beneath using anything around her to do it. Bellantone is straight faced and gives nothing away until it is time to do so and that is everything in her performance. Plus, she has a little secret of her own.

Nguyen as Panfelos help the girls when they are being attacked by creatures. He tells them the story of the Guardians and even helps them find their powers. Nguyen portrays his character with a history the girls need to know and yet, is helpfulness is either a good thing or bad. This young actor gives nothing away until he has to.

Greco voicing the character of Agot sets us for a surprise. Pollock as Diemos has a history and wants what the girls have but then again, all power hunger characters usually do!

Other cast includes Katie Burgess as adult Alex, Natalie Daniels as Alyssa, Jason Schwink as Jason and Harper Heath as young Sybil  

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

GUARDIANS OF TIME is a charming adventure that the whole family can enjoy. It is twists, turns, creatures, mythical places of course, yet there is so much more for this film. It is about family, loyalty, love, friendship, secrets, mystery, good guys, bad guys and a key that holds it all!

The girls each are given a special power but, in reality, they hold their own keys. Each has something they are not sure about themselves, especially Alex, but they learn along the way that with family and friends support and encouragement – anything is possible. Isn’t that what makes a good adventure? I think so.

In the end – it only takes a second to become a hero!

 

VESPER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from directors Kristina Buozyte, Bruno Samper and IFC Films is the futuristic look at our world with VESPER.

Vesper (Raffiella Chapman) is a very young girl living in the future that has such little hope. Humanity has ruined the earth as viruses and organisms have wiped out plants, animals and human beings as well. Scavenging for something to eat before a minute-by-minute existence. Living outside of the places called ‘citadels’, medical treatments are unheard of and seeds are traded with the oligarchy who live in the enclosed cities.

Vesper’s father Darius (Richard Brake) is hooked up to gadgets created by the young girl to keep him alive. Her only means of communicating with him is a floating drone that speaks what Darius is thinking. Another worry Vesper has is Jonas (Eddie Marsan), an uncle who wants to control all the kids treating them as his followers and they do what he commands and he wants Vesper.

A ship crashes close to Vesper’s home and in the wreckage, she finds Camellia (Rosy McEwen) and feels an almost instant kindship with her. She is in the same predicament in that the people of the citadel wants her captured. Vesper shares with Camellia that she may have the scientific answer to the plight of humanity.

Now, not only does Jonas want it, but those in the Citadel will destroy everything in order to get it as well.

Chapmans as Vesper gives her character so many levels of emotions. From shy and quiet, to intelligent and inventive – it is a range of everything in between. She is a survivor not only for herself, but for Darius as well and that puts a double strain on her to keep avoiding her twisted uncle. I enjoyed watching Chapmans performance because it felt done with such ease and coming from such a young actress, that is saying something. She made her own story flow within the tragedy of the entire world. So very well done.

McEwen as Camellia is also living with fear, except hers is slightly different than Vesper’s. She understands the love the young girl has for her father but Camellia also offers something Vesper has not had before – the love of someone who truly understands her. I enjoyed watching that side of their relationship grow.

Marsan as Jonas is just evil on so many levels. Turning the kids into his slaves and a personal vicious army makes Jonas ripe for something bad to happen but he always seems to just miss out. Marsan has always made playing bad guys with clean hands part of his acting repertoire as it should since he is amazing at it.

Brake as Darius is a man barely alive but for his daughter’s serious intelligence. His facial expressions are everything without ever having to say a word.

Other cast include Marijus Demiskis as Med, Markas Eimontas as Mo, Edmund Dehn as Elias, Matvej Buraykov as Boz, Titas Rukas as Beck, Markas Sagaitis as Fitz and Melanie Gaydos as Jug.

IFC Films is a leading distributor of quality talent-driven independent films. Some of the company’s successes include BOYHOOD, FRANCES HA, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, TOUCHING THE VOID, CHE, TINY FURNITURE and CARLOS. For more information on films from IFC please visit www.ifcfilms.com.

VESPER is a dark and dreary look at the world that is slowly giving up on itself. Living in the citadel buys time but, to my way of thinking, only a little more than those surviving outside the bubble. It is the mind of this young girl, who thinks outside of the ugliness surrounding her, to find the answer.

And with that comes those who want to take what you have for themselves. Vesper is a fighter to be sure, and no one could possible see that from her. That was their first mistake. This character sees life when others have given up and have turned savage in their own attempt to survive. That is what I love about Vesper, she sees what is going on around her yet instead of falling into it, she does everything to avoid it.

This New Dark Age presented by these two directors is a tad predictable yet, and let me be clear, that’s okay with me. The story is what is captivating as the journey of this young girl takes us step by step, left and right and even a few zig zags to get to the ending. It is easy to become a Vesper cheerleader because with everything she did and could potentially do, there is that piece of us that wants her to be the one that saves the world.

In the end – one seed can change everything!

The Sisters are Back in HOCUS POCUS 2

 

 Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Disney+ from director Anne Fletcher and Walt Disney Pictures is the return of three iconic sisters that are just a little bit magical with HOCUS POCUS 2.

It has been twenty-nine years since the Sanderson sisters, Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker and Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy) was around because of the Black Flame Candle. Now in Salem, Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Becca (Whitney Peak) are getting ready to throw a combination 16th birthday and Halloween party.

Going to the local magic shop, owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson) gives Becca a candle for her birthday ritual and when the girls light it, they discover it is a Black Flame Candle. Well, two virgins and a full moon can mean only one thing – the Sanderson sisters are back!

Not hip to the ways of the modern world, the sisters go on a journey with the two young girls and when things start to turn, Gilbert steps in. He is so excited to see the sisters telling them he saw what happened on Halloween in 1993 and that he has the candle and book.

Well, when they see a flyer with the name Mayor Traske (Tony Hale) on it, Winifred decides its time to even the score with the Traske family and make Salem pay as well but, they need a little Traske blood. Gilbert is more than pleased to help the sisters, while Izzy and Becca spend a little basement time alone.

Winifred is so determined to wreak havoc that she doesn’t listen to the Izzy and Becca when they try to warn her of the consequences of her spell. But sometimes you have to let a witch do what a witch is going to do.

Midler as Winifred is back to her old tricks but, it is missing something and I’m not sure what that something is. Winnie is such a grand character and the matriarch of the three that, besides her wanting revenge, and I was happy to see her back in her buck teeth again.

Najimy as Mary is still the go-along-to-get-along sister and looks fabulous. Watching her character grow a little bolder is always a good thing. Parker as Sarah is still the sweet voiced sister that continues to drive Winnie crazy but that’s what sisters are for.

Escobedo and Peak as the teen girls who did not expect to be dealing with the Sanderson sisters are pretty clever until they aren’t and then they are again. Let’s face it, the Sanderson sisters are as about as easy to deal with than two-year-old triplets so they had their work cut out for them. They are sweet in their roles and even funny.

Richardson as Gilbert is a bit of comic relief to the story as he is obsessed with the sisters and knowing their history. He is basically the historian of their lives and proud of it.

Other cast include Lilia Buckingham as Cassie Traske, Froy Gutierrez as Mike, and Hannah Waddingham as Mother Witch. Shout out to Ginger Minj, Kornbread Jete and Kahmora Hall who give us Winifred, Mary and Sarah in drag!

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more.

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.

I suppose the studios was put under a lot of pressure by pretty much everyone in the world wanting a HOCUS POCUS 2. Mainly we wanted it because of the garbage that has been coming out of Hollywood for a while now has made us all nostalgic for fun films that took us away from the world’s issues.

The thing is, if you are going to make something like HOCUS POCUS 2, writers, directors and such need to ask themselves ‘how do we get that feeling back?’. This missed the mark for me and I have no problem saying so. I’m glad to see the actresses coming back and reprising their roles but dang girls, if you are going to do that – perhaps you should have watched the original about ten times to find that mojo we were all looking for.

Truth of it is this, you can wait too long to bring characters back and that might be the Sanderson sister’s case. Even though there could potentially be room for another, once again the question the studio should asked is – should we?  Of course, my answer would be ‘nope’, you did it now let it go.

HOCUS POCUS is the film my family waits for every year. Kind of like THE WIZARD OF OZ coming to the home screen every spring – it becomes tradition. The Sanderson sisters are iconic, beloved and will always be part of the lives of those who came to know and love them in 1993!

In the end – it is a wickedly glorious return!

Netflix and Stephen King Rings Up MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from writer/director John Lee Hancock based on a novella by Stephen King is MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE.

Craig (Jaeden Martell) lives in a small town with his father attending church on Sundays trying not to think of his life without a mother. During his time at church, the young Craig meets Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland) and begins an extraordinary friendship. Spending time together, talking about everything together, Craig even introduces the elderly gentleman to a cell phone after winning money on a lottery ticket.

School is a sometimes good and sometimes bad experience for Craig. The few friends Craig has are more acquaintances and the school bully Kenny (Cyrus Arnold) that consistently puts the boys life in peril and threat. Even favorite teacher Ms. Hart (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) tries to help the boy but Craig would rather spend time with Mr. Harrigan.

He tells Mr. Harrigan about wanting to go to college and his hopes for the future as the elderly gentleman listens intently. One day, Craig comes for his visit only to find that Mr. Harrigan has passed away. Devastated to have lost someone that has affected his life so greatly, Craig is even more surprised to learn that Mr. Harrigan has taken care of things for him.

But as the days go on, the cell phone that once belonged to Mr. Harrigan begins to act strangely and Craig now goes through a time of disturbing happenings that he can not possibly explain. He also does not know if he will be able to escape it all.

Martell as Craig is a young man who has lost his mother and tries to fill the void by being a good son to his father. The relationship with Mr. Harrigan is one that does not come with any emotional strings for the boy which is freeing. It allows him to be exactly who he is and Martell gives every bit of that hidden behind the eyes of a boy who wants so much more for his life.

Sutherland as Mr. Harrigan is, as always, so very amazing on the screen. The scene where he talks about the problems with cell phones and where it will lead is so spot on that there is no way to disagree with him. That being said, what happens later on is a little more than anyone can find on Goggle that’s for sure. Sutherland is an actor I have always greatly admired and I never miss anything he is in, good or not-so-good because I know his acting is always going to be straight forward.

Howell-Baptiste as Ms. Hart is the kind of teacher many of us can relate to because we have all had that one (or two) that have made such an impact. Ms. Hart sees Craig’s struggles and knows what is happening with Kenny yet allows the young man to decide for himself how to handle it. Arnold as Kenny is a young man who clearly has a life that is out of control. There is something driving him to choose Craig and it is frightening.

Other cast include Thomas Francis Murphy as Pete, Joe Tippett as Craig’s father, Colin O’Brien as young Craig, Peggy J. Scott as Edna Grogan, Ivan Amaro Bullon as the Sheriff, and Daniel Reece as Deane Whitmore.

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If you are looking to be scared out of your wits, then MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE is not the film for you. This is more of a lessons-to-be-learned type of film with one or two moments thrown in for good measure. From the beginning it is clear that this is a Stephen King story by how it begins and the small town feel within the story.

Being that it came out in October, I was silly enough to think that perhaps it had spooks, frights and a jump now and then but alas no. Instead, the film sort of gave me a lecture on the evils of cell phones with a bit of vengeance from the grave on the side. As Mr. Harrigan finds himself a little hooked on the phone, the cautionary tale lecture on misinformation and ‘fake news’ has a 2020 ring to it which made me groan.

MR. HARRIGAN’S PHONE had the potential to be so much more but, then again, had it been more we might have been seeing another version of THE BLACK PHONE that was written by none of than Joe Hill – yes, Stephen King’s son. Makes me wonder if their writing desks are just a little to close to one another!

There is no mistaking that Stephen King is the master writer and I have curled up too many of his books. So much so that the thicker ones never left my side until they were finished. I love his writing and his mastery of storytelling. As an avid reader, I owe many nights curled up in the chair until realizing the sun was coming up to Mr. King. Some stories just don’t capture the feel of the story that unfolds in the readers mind and that’s okay. On to the next!

In the end - some connections never die!