AIR FORCE ONE Lands on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, Digital in SteelBook from director Wolfgang Peterson is a thrill ride in the most famous planes with AIR FORCE ONE.

United States President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) is in Moscow at a dinner where he gives a speech making it clear that the U.S. ‘no longer negotiates with terrorists’. That sets a few nerves on edge but Marshall, wife Grace (Wendy Crewson) and young daughter Alice (Liesel Matthews) along with the press corps and a advisers return for the trip home on Air Force One.

What they don’t realize is that a man named Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldman), a loyalist to a man named General Radek (Jurgen Prochnow) who has been imprisoned by Russia. As easy as it looks, that’s because Korshunov has inside help and when the big move is made, the plane becomes a place of chaos. Secret Service try to help Marshall escape and the plane to land. Instead, the president and passengers are captive and the plane diverted to Kazakhstan.

But Marshall isn’t any ordinary president, he is a veteran of Vietnam and still has a few moves up his sleeve. Managing to call Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close), now everyone is on alert as to what is happening and Korshunov realizes that Marshall is on the loose. Threatening the president’s family, Marshall begins to take matters into his own hands with a plane that puts Korshunov on notice that not negotiating means just that!

Ford as the president gets an opportunity here in 1997 to be a bad-ass president. He may not be the loudest voice in the room but that’s because he processes everything happening around him. I’d rather that than all the ridiculous shouting. One step at a time Ford shows up as a man of action but with steps that are calculated and he makes it look easy and intense which is always an awesome combination.

Oldman as Korshunov is as awesome as I would want him to be. Let’s face it, the guy could do a sit down in a red velvet jacket in a high back chair reading the phone book and I’d be happy. What makes Oldman amazing his that what ever role he plays, he molds it, shapes it and presents it in a mesmerizing way to a glad audience. From vampire to futuristic shady businessman to a Gotham commissioner, Oldman knows what to give his characters that make them memorable.

Close as VP Bennett has just as much gumption as Marshall has and she certainly isn’t going to let a room full of twitchy fingered men lead her around by the high heels. I love when Close gets worked up because it rains awesomeness! Crewson as wife Grace is a thrilled First Lady until she gets a taste of the real world that a president deals with on the daily. She gets a chance to scream as only a mother would. Matthews as Alice has a few choice words of her own to say to the bad guys and I backed her up with a ‘yea, what the kid said!’.

Other cast include Zander Berkeley as Agent Gibbs, Alan Woolf as Russian President Petrov, Donna Bullock as Press Secretary Melanie Mitchell, Michael Ray Miller as USAF Axelrod, Carl Weintraub as USAF Ingraham, Bill Smitrovich as General Northwoodm, Levan Uchaneishvili as Sergei Lenski, Dean Stockwell as Defense Secretary Walter Dean, Paul Guilfoyle as Chief of Staff Lloyd Shepherd and William H. Macy as Major Norman Caldwell.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

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

AIR FORCE ONE is available on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, Digital and neatly packaged with cover artwork in an awesome SteelBook.

Bonus Features include on 4K Ultra HD Feature presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos +5.1 Audio and Theatrical Trailer. On Bluray the Bonus Feature include Feature Presented in High Definition, 5.1 Audio and Commentary with Director Wolfgang Petersen.

AIR FORCE ONE is a film that just made the 90’s so much fun, intense and awesome at the theatres. To say they don’t make them like that anymore is speaking the truth. The film gave drama, high intensity, action and a shift at every turn. Seeing it on the big screen with a tub of popcorn with Harrison and Oldman going at it was a thrill all its own.

Now, it is back! On my 75” with sound bar, I am back in the theatres with a tub of popcorn in a recliner cheering for the president and throwing popcorn at the screen’s bad guys. Except now the whole family has the chance to get in on the fun. Director Petersen definetly thought this story through before putting it on film and gave us what a true action film should look like.

In the end – the fate of the nation rests with the courage of one man!

 

 

 

It is THE REMAINS OF THE DAY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Celebrating its 30^th Anniversary on 4K Ultra HD and Digital from director James Ivory and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of two people in an extraordinary time with THE REMAINS OF THE DAY. 

English butler Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) is in charge of Darlington Hall in the 1930s belonging to Lord Darlington (James Fox). Dedicated to the house in every way, he keeps the house running smart and the staff focused. Interviewing Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) as she is hired at the new estate’s housekeeper as well as Steven’s father (Peter Vaughn).

Almost immediately Stevens and Miss Kenton find themselves at odds. Having totally different demeanors, he keeps his feeling and opinions close to his well-groomed vest and she is spirited and believes that right is right no matter what a person’s status.

When Lord Darling brings together a conference of British and European aristocrats and, among them, is American Congressman Lewis (Christopher Reeve).  Lewis is cannot believe what he is hearing these men talk about but makes it clear to Darlington that he has come to admire and appreciate England and all it has to offer.

Stevens is disappointed in his employer when he dismisses two German-Jewish maids and Kenton makes it plain she will resign. Something else is happening between Stevens and Miss Kenton and they both don’t know how to deal with it. It confuses her even more, especially when one of the maids has decided to resign to marry another of the house staff.

It all comes to a shock when godson Reginald Cardinal (Hugh Grant) arrives for a secret meeting at Darlington Hall between Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and German ambassador Joachim von Ribbentrop. The bigger shock is for Stevens when Miss Kenton decides to accept a proposal from Tom Benn (Tim Pigott-Smith) when she realizes the butler will never speak his emotional truth.

It is now 1958 and Darlington Hall is much different but Stevens is on his way to meet Miss Kenton after years of being away, it is a chance to make amends for the past.

Hopkins as Stevens is absolutely stunning in this role. He has the ability to play the straight forward butler keeping his emotions in check at every turn. His eyes may start to show feeling but he quickly reels that in as well. Every step he takes in this film is deliberate, calculated and breath taking, but then I have come to expect nothing more from Hopkins.

Thompson as Miss Kenton is a woman who clearly knows how to run a household and also does not stop at having an opinion. Ruffling Stevens feathers almost immediately, she finds herself not only getting the house in order but learning what Stevens is truly made of. She pushes his boundaries when able, challenges him when necessary and cares for him whether he sees it or not. Thompson is an actress that I have also come to admire as much as Hopkins.

Reeves as Lewis comes to Darlington Hall in the 30’s and sees the beauty of his surroundings. When the house comes up for sale, he makes it his focus to obtain it and bring his family. Reeves also trusts Stevens and again allows him to take control of the house. It is so good to see him in the film. Fox as Darlington is a man who is trying to do the right thing by his country. Trusting Stevens to run the house, he focuses on reaching out to his countrymen but in the process, becomes a man who is good in heart and not good at realizing who is using him.

Grant as Cardinal is godson to Lord Darlington and starts to become frustrated with his godfather. It is interesting to see his character go from a kid who needs to learn about the birds n’ bees to a ranting journalist who wants Stevens to understand what is happening around him.

Other cast include Ben Chaplin as Charlie, Rupert Vansittart as Sir Wren, Patrick Godfrey as Spencer, Michael Lonsdale as Dupon d’Ivry, Peter Eyre as Viscount Halifax, Peter Halliday as Canon Tufnell, Jeffry Wickham as Viscount Bigge, Lena Headey as Lizzie, Peter Cellier as Sir Bax, and Frank Shelley as Prime Minister Chamberlain.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

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

Special Features include Audio Commentary with Director James Ivory, Producer Ismail Merchant and Actress Emma Thompson, Love and Loyalty: The Making of REMAINS OF THE DAY Featurette, THE REMAINS OF THE DAY: The Filmmakers’ Journey Featurette, Blind Loyalty, Hollow Honor: England’s Fatal Flaw Featurette, Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary, Theatrical Trailer and International Trailer.

THE REMAINS OF THE DAY is not only an amazing story being told but told with perfection with Hopkins and Thompson leading the way. Every scene they are in together has me captivated and thrilled that the film is 134 minutes. Although I would have preferred a different ending, the other side of me understands the longing to try and repair the heart of the past mixed with the fact that it is, after all, the past.

The cinematography is filled with shadowing, brilliant artistry and everything one would expect to find in the era. Director Ivory has taken the 1989 Nobel Prize-winning British author Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel of the same name and wasted not one single moment.

In 1994, the film won Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins from BAFTA, and also DFWAFCA winner again for Hopkins. Plus, THE REMAINS OF THE DAY received 14 Oscar nominations including Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress for Emma Thompson, Best Director for James Ivory and Best Picture.

In the end – it is a story of devotion and love!

She is THE SOUND OF VIOLET

 

Jeri Jacquin

On bluray and DVD from writer/director Allen Wolf from the novel of the same name and Morning Star Pictures is a story of love with THE SOUND OF VIOLET.

Shawn (Cason Thomas) is a young man who works hard at his computer job and just happens to also have autism. His grandmother Ruth (Jan D’Arcy) is constantly pushing him to find a girlfriend and brother Colin (Kaelon Christopher) wants to also help. The thing is, Shawn has an idea of what he is looking for and his family just is not listening.

At a company party, Sean meets Violet (Cora Cleary) and he wants to spend time with her. What he doesn’t realize is that Violet is, for lack of a better word, a ‘working’ girl. Planning a date, he is happy to tell his mother that he has found someone he likes spending time with. Both mother and brother are surprised and interested in the girl.

Violet begins to realize that Shawn is not like any other man but she also sees that he has a lifestyle she would like to become accustomed to. What is stopping her? A man named Anton (Michael E. Bell) who controls everything Violet does – where she goes, who she sees and takes all the money she makes.

Spending time with Shawn, Violet begins to feel like there is a way out and a life that is filled with love. Shawn tells her that he has the ability to hear colors and that just melts her heart. Learning what his life is like, Violet takes in what she can be to Shawn. In the meantime, Mom and brother Colin are just about over Violet knowing that Shawn just does not understand who she truly is.

When the truth comes out, everyone discovers who they are inside. It isn’t just Shawn that needs to rethink beliefs but Shawn himself realizes he must make decision based on his happiness!

Thomas as Shawn is such a delight to watch. It is deep to watch how he relates to people, his boundaries and how they have kept him away from people, the way he perceives the world through words but in all, a huge heart. Thomas slowly comes out of a shell that has been put around him by a protective grandmother and brother and the world becomes a much more complicated place. Thomas navigates us through it and the journey is a lesson for us all.

Cleary as Violet is a young woman that has trauma of her own that she believes no one will understand. She is proven right once Grandma and brother Jake learn who she is and don’t waste any time making sure she isn’t worthy of Shawn. They are judgmental and put Shawn in a tailspin that is sad and unnecessary. Cleary gives us a look into her journey and it is equally complicated and heartbreaking. Clearly gives her character a compassion that is quirky and lovely at the same time.

D'Arcy as Grandma Ruth certainly doesn’t practice what she preaches. Like most church going women of a certain, she has her hard and fast rules on being judgmental and doesn’t waste a moment of time making that clear. It is time to show that an old dog can learn new tricks! Christopher as brother Colin is cut from the same grandma cloth! He thinks he knows what is best for his brother when in fact if he just took a moment to hear Shawn, he would have an idea of what could make his little brother happy.

Bell as Anton is a man who swooped in and brought Violet into a violent and abusive world. Control in everything and everywhere she was, Anton is a vile person who also has no trouble going after Shawn. Bell gives a powerful performance in this role.

Other cast include Nishant Ghan as Flynn, Kaelon Christopher as Colin, Malcolm J. West as Douglas, Esha More as Nadia and Tyler Roy Roberts as Jake.

Morning Star Pictures is an award-winning feature film production company that also produces the popular Navigating Hollywood podcast. The company’s first movie, IN MY SLEEP, launched theatrically as the #1 new independent movie its opening weekend in the US, sold to over 70 countries and garnered multiple awards.

The company’s second movie THE SOUND OF VIOLET was also the #1 new independent movie in theaters on opening weekend and is now available on video on demand, Bluray and DVD. Morning Star Pictures has multiple projects in various stages of development and is dedicated to the production of high-quality, thought-provoking and entertaining movies. For more please visit www.morningstarpictures.com.

The Bluray and DVD Bonus Features include Filmmaker and Cast Discuss the Making of the Film, Composer Shares How He Created the Music, Director’s Commentary with Lead Cast, Theatrical Trailer and Music Video “Anywhere But Here” by 5-Time Grammy Nominee Brandon Heath.

THE SOUND OF VIOLET is the novel set in New York City that has won numerous awards including Best Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year and the Gold Medal from Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards, and Novel of the Year by the Independent Author’s Network.

The film has received accolades by the Austin Film Festival, Cinequest Film Festival, Las Vegas Film Festival, Kairos Screenplay Competition, Colorado Film Festival, Bluecat Screenplay Competition, Script Shark Script Analysis, Final Draft Screenplay Competition, Table Read Screenplay Competition and Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition.

THE SOUND OF VIOLET is a charming film filled with lessons no matter who we are. It is about love, acceptance, change, believing that we all have worth and knowing there is a future that can be different. Yes, Shawn is autistic but he seems to have a better grasp on life and what happiness can be more so than his own family and Violet herself.

Watching these characters unfold, is a joy as director Wolf wrote the words and then brought his vision to the screen.

In the end – she is his sound of violet!

They are INVADERS FROM MARS

 

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD from director William Cameron Menzies and Ignite Films is the 1953 classic INVADERS FROM MARS.

Young David (Jimmy Hunt) is soundly sleeping until a very loud crack of what he believes to be thunder wakes him up. Running to his window to see, he quickly realizes that it is not thunder but a large flying saucer that disappears behind his house.

Excitedly waking up his parents, David’s father is scientist George (Leif Erickson) and mother Mary (Hillary Brooke). George goes to check it out and in the morning David notices something different about his father, including a mark on his neck. Things are about to get worse when he sees schoolfriend Kathy completely disappear in front of his eyes.

Going to the police himself, David meets Dr. Pat Blake (Helena Carter) who begins to believe what the boy is saying. He also meets Dr. Stuart Kelston (Arthur Franz) who is an astronomer who also believes David and now needs to convince the government and Col. Fielding (Morris Ankrum) that there is an invasion from Mars. As the military moves in, David and Dr. Blake find themselves sucked underground and captured by aliens.

Now, the race is on to stop the aliens before they turn everyone into their mind-controlled slaves!

Hunt plays the young David who must convince the adults that he is not seeing things. Of course, he deals with ‘oh you must have been dreaming’ etc., which adults are known to do when they can not bring themselves to just listen. If anything, Hunt gives us a look early into a kid and aliens genre that continues in 2023.

Franz as Dr. Kelston is on it to realize that David is absolutely telling the truth. As an astronomer, he is use to people not believing what he has to say about what is beyond. Once it is established that there is something in what David says, he is the first to jump in when the boy and Dr. Blake disappear.

Carter as Dr. Blake does not skip a beat in believing David. She asks all the usual questions in the beginning but sees the young boy is strong and straight forward. When things start going a little sideways, she immediately stays with David until they are taken, then it is David who makes it clear that he will do everything possible save the good Dr. Blake.

Ankrum as Col. Fielding realizes that the aliens are responsible for the madness and are on the case to find David and Dr. Blake and stop the intruders. He is a strong presence knowing that he will do whatever is necessary to stop what the aliens are doing.

Other cast include Walter Sande as Police Mack Finlay, Max Wagner as Sgt. Rinaldi, Milburn Stone as Capt. Roth, Charles Cane as Officer Blain, Bert Freed as Police Chief Barrows, Fay Baker as Mrs. Wilson, Janine Perreau as Kathy Wilson, John Eldredge as Mr. Turner, Charles Gibb as Lt. Blair, Gil Herman as Maj. Clary and Luce Potter as the Globe Martian.

Ignite Films Began acquiring classic film properties in the 1990s and this has built a collection of more than 80 features. Using original film elements, Ignite continues to restore and upgrade its collection for posterity and appreciation by generations of cinephiles and movie lovers, old and new. Films such as LETTERS FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN, FORCE OF EVIL with John Garfield and THE BIG COMBO, we well as Otto Premingers’ SAINT JOAN. For more information, please visit www.ignite-films.com.

Bonus Features include Brand New 4K Restoration of the Film, Restored from the Original Camera Negative and Master Positives, Restored 4K Original 1953 Trailer and a Newly Commissioned Trailer 2022, Interviews with Star Jimmy Hunt, William Cameron Menzies Biographer James Curtis and Recollections of Menzies’ Eldest Granddaughter Pamela Lauesen, Featurette with Acclaimed Film Directors John Landis, Joe Dante, Editor Mark Goldblatt, Special Visual Enthusiast and Film Preservationist Scott MacQueen.

Also, John Sayles; Introduction at Turner Classic Movie Festival in Hollywood, Before/After clips of Restoration, Original Negative and Archival Film Elements with Film Restoration Supervisor Scott MacQueen, Restored Segments in 2K of the Alternate International Version Alternative Ending and Extended Planetarium Scene, Gallery with Original Press Book Pages Behind the Scenes Photo from the Restoration Process, 20-Page Collector’s Booklet Featuring an Extensive Essay on the Restoration Process and Mars: A Nightmare of Restoration by Scott MacQueen.

It must be said, there is something totally amazing by the release of one of the first films I ever saw with aliens in it. Of course, it was a Saturday matinee on television but that was everything as a kid. I loved every bit of it, the story based on a kid, adults scrambling and the kid being front and center dealing with aliens.

It is films such as INVADERS FROM MARS that brought ideas for the aliens films we see today. Of course, the aliens of the past 30 years on film are seriously amazing but all of it had to begin with films such as this.

Bringing back memories for me, I showed the film to my granddaughter who is seven, she absolutely loved every minute of it. She cheered on David and yelled at the aliens (something she learned from me) and hated when it was over. What that tells me is that even seventy years later, even the youngest film lover can appreciate how awesome INVADERS FROM MARS truly is.

In the end – it could happen tomorrow!

He is living NORTHERN SHADE

 

Jeri Jacquin

On bluray from writer/director Christopher Rucinski and Bayview entertainment is the story of a veteran and the past with NORTHERN SHADE.

Justin McLaughlin (Jesse Gavin) is an Army veteran living on his father’s boat and steering clear from family and basically everyone for years. He works and returns to the boat day after day. A knock from police to tell him his truck has been found; Justin is confused since he gave it to younger brother Charlie (Joseph Poliquin).

Now everyone thinks Charlie has gone missing and Justin knows he must break his isolation to go out and find him. When the police aren’t interested, he meets Frankie (Titania Galliher), also a vet who tried being a cop but found private investigations more her style. Justin gets information that his brother might be with a man named Billy (Romano Orzari) who is an extreme paramilitary leader.

Going to their base, Justin discovers that instead of getting his brother, Billy wants Justin to join up and help train the men at the camp. Justin is immediately turned off having lived his own personal nightmare of war. Billy lets him go but not without a parting shock!

Surprised by his brothers decision to stay at the camp, Justin decides that he is going to get his brother no matter what he has to say about it. Frankie joins him as back up and what they discover about Billy’s plans are frightening and Charlie is caught in the middle of it. There is no time and split decisions are made in order to stop it all – but do they make it in time?

Gavin as Justin is a man haunted by his own experience growing up, a dysfunctional family and the trauma of war. What he didn’t realize is that his own self-isolation has caused pain for those who love him. Realizing he must save his brother; Gavin gives us the experience of the war memories and what happens after. He might not say a lot but his actions are clear and without question.

Orzari as Billy is just out of his mind plain and simple. He gets into the minds of those in his camp and distorts truth in order to get them to carry out his heinous plan. Orzari delivers his lines with distain and hostility to make you believe this character walks the earth today as so many of them do.

Galliher as Frankie has her own experiences with war and the trauma that it caused her during time as a cop. She lets Justin know that she understands and that getting his brother may be filled with danger but it is worth every step to save him.

Poliquin as Charlie is a young man just trying to deal with trauma of his own. His confusion comes from a brother that didn’t save the boy when he needed it the most. That confusion has turned to anger and to fill it, Billy convinces him that the camp and its people are his family and support him in everything. Poliquin gives his character the bottom line of that he just wants his pain to be heard.

Other cast include Nick Santoro as Matthew, Sheila Ball as Rachel, Alejandro Bravo as Noel Acosta, Terrance Carty as Freeman, Alex Haase as Vin, Marian Edminston as Nancy McLaughlin, Sheena Henderson as Giles, Kit Kindell as Mary, Brian McDonald as Captain Tim Smith and Rose Marie Guess as Michelle.

Bayview Entertainment has been a full-service media company committed to acquiring, developing, producing, marketing and distributing audio-visual content. With a catalog of over 3,500 titles across a wide range of genres, BayView has been home to some of the biggest names in the industry, including titles that have been nominated for or won Independent Spirit Awards, Golden Glove Awards and NAACP Image Awards, as well as premiered at festivals such as TIFF, Sundance, Slamdance, SXSW, Tribeca and Fantasia. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.vayviewentertainment.com.

The film has also voted Best Narrative Feature by the Fargo Film Festival, Best Drama Feature, Best Actor for Jesse Gavin by the Legacy Theatre Film Festival, Best Feature 2^nd Runner Up by the Woods Hole Film Festival, Best Screenplay by the Phoenix Film Festival, Best Feature by the Poppy Jasper Film Festival and Best Actor by the DTLA Film Festival.

NORTHERN SHADE covers so much with its story set during Covid. There are so many themes it actually covers. First and foremost is the dysfunction of Justin’s family prior to the military. A father who wasn’t a father and a mother who had issues of her own. He reacted terribly to both these things and took his anger out on a youngster.

Joining the military might have seemed like a good idea at the time but, as with most soldiers, there is intense trauma that has effected Justin’s ability to live day to day. Self-isolating once he returns home is one of the symptoms of PTSD and avoiding family is certainly another that has become sadly commonplace.

Trying to do the right thing by his brother, he comes into contact with the outside world again only to discover that it is just as ugly as he remembered. Justin pushes on and even if he falls occasionally, he does push on to one goal – to get his brother home once again.

In the end - bring him home!

THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING

 

Jeri Jacquin

On 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director Jim Wynorski and Lightyear Entertainment is THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING.

Abigail Arcane (Heather Locklear) has always has questions regarding the death of her mother. Heading down to step-father Dr. Anton Arcane’s (Louis Jourdan) home, she knows he has the answers she really needs.

What she does not know is that Dr. Arcane, along with Dr. Lana Zurrell (Sarah Douglas), have never stopped working on a way to stop the aging process. The way they have been doing it is messing with the genes from swamp animals and human beings! In their laboratory there are failed experiments called the Un-Men.

Almost immediately, Abigail is in danger and becomes aware of Dr. Holland (Dick Durock) also known as Swamp Thing. He makes it clear that Dr. Arcane is responsible for some of the horrific things going on in his house.

Abigail and Swamp Thing are going to do whatever it takes to stop Dr. Arcane’s horrific experiments and hold them accountable for it all.

Locklear as Abigail is a young woman looking for answers to help explain why she cannot seem to get her life together and it all has to do with her mother. It has been years since seeing her step-father and although she isn’t thrilled to return to him, Abigail has no choice. Locklear gives the performance akin to a new actress trying out her chops. That being said, she gives it her all.

Durock as The Swamp Thing is always trying to help people when trouble is around. He doesn’t manage to save everyone because Dr. Arcane has his hoodlums everywhere but he tries. Once he sees Abigail, he knows he will do whatever it takes to help her find answers and stop the experiments. Durock is a charming Swamp Thing and a very handsome pre-swamp thing and his charm comes through the plant.

Jourdan as Dr. Arcane is just as evil as he wants to be which meant that his charms didn’t work on me for one second. His experience prove he has no conscience at all and if Abigail thinks that gives her some family-like currency, it doesn’t. Jourdan is straight faced and gives his best evil.

Douglas as Zurrell doesn’t like Abigail being there and doesn’t hide it. Abigail knows she is up to something with Dr. Arcane and makes sure that when Zurrell uses her shade, she doesn’t take it from the beginning. Douglas is gets a chance to play the love-struck and just as evil Dr. Zurrell.

Other cast include Monique Gabrielle as Miss Poinsettia, Daniel Emery Taylor as Darryl, Joey Sagal as Gunn, RonReaco Lee as Omar, Frank Welker as Gigi the Parrot and Ace Mask as Dr. Rochelle.

Lightyear Entertainment is a distribution company enjoying its 35^th Anniversary. In 2016, Lightyear theatrically released TANNA, which was Academy Award nominated for Best Foreign Film. Since then, Lightyear theatrically released THE ETRUSCAN SMILE, which starred Brian Cox of HBO’s series Succession, MAZE, GOLDSTONE, A-HA: The Movie, and VOODOO MACBETH among others. For more visit www.lightyear.com.

Bonus Features include Audio Commentary from Director Jim Wynorski, Composer Chuck Cirino and Editor Leslie Rosenthal (2018), Audio Commentary from Director Jim Wynorski (2003), Interviews with Director Jim Wynorski, Editor Leslie Rosenthal, Composer Chuck Cirino and Lightyear Entertainment Executive Arnie Holland, Original Theatrical Trailer, Six Promotional TV Clips, 2 TV Spots, 2 Greenpeace Public Service Announcements, 1989 Promo Reel and Photo Gallery (Accompanied by Chuck Cirino’s Film Score).

THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING picks up as Abigail is now a young woman that still has questions about her mother’s death. Meeting Swamp Thing is the opportunity to not only discover what happened to her mother but how Dr. Arcane’s home is a place that is causing pain and destruction.

The film also has humor which made me giggle quite a bit. This film is actually a trip down memory lane because I remember when it first came out and it was a Friday night double feature at the drive in. Yes, the kids today will never know the fun of the drive-in on monster double feature night and that is such a shame.

Until the world spins right, get the family together, pop some corn and enjoy THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING!

In the end – he’s not just a plant!

 

 

JUNIPER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Matthew J. Saville and Greenwich Entertainment comes the story of connection with JUNIPER.

Trouble teenager Sam (George Ferrier) is coming home from boarding school to his home in New Zealand. Dad Robert (Marton Csokas) lets him know that grandmother Ruth (Charlotte Rampling) is staying with them. Sam is not happy when he realizes that she is staying in the room where his mother passed away.

Robert also tells Sam that he must return to England to handle some issues for his mother. That means Sam will have to be available to help if Ruth needs it and help Sarah (Edith Poor), Ruth’s nurse. Now the young man is fuming and makes it clear that he will help her but wants nothing else to do with her.

Ruth tests Sam’s patience over and over again with her relentless requests. As each day passes, he realizes he does not know much about his grandmother and Sarah can help with that. Ruth gets to learn a little about her grandson as well and manages to get his friends to help with the garden.

Spending time together, Ruth, Sam and Sarah form a connection that gives him a look into her amazing life. Sam starts to see past Ruth’s rough exterior and into the heart of someone unique and worthy of his love.

Rampling as Ruth is absolute perfection in this role. She portrays a woman who has had a life that she makes no excuses for. Distant from her son, reaching out to her grandson in the most abrasive way, she once again makes no excuses for who she is or her life now. I loved her interactions with Sam because they were honest to the point of making me laugh. The delivery tone is a ‘take me or leave me’ with the undertone of ‘you know you like me’. Rampling delivers brilliance and I am there for it.

Ferrier as Sam is the typical teenager that thinks he knows everything and has a mouth that needs a bar of soap. Making it clear to his father that being home ‘sucks’ and that he has no desire to be of any help to a grandmother he doesn’t know, Sam thinks he controls everything. Well, after meeting Ruth it is clear that Sam has met his match. Ferrier gives every ounce of a rebellious teen yet his character portrayal begins to melt whether he wanted to or not. Watching the two come together truly made me smile.

Poor as Sarah is the go between having known Ruth more intimately than her own son. She tolerates a lot from Ruth and believes that saving her soul would be of immense help to the life she has lived. That being said, she also guides Sam into truly learning to know his grandmother using patience with them both. Poor is lovely and needed in the story giving such a gracious performance.

Csokas as Robert is a man totally detached from his mother Ruth constantly telling people that she wouldn’t even share important family information. Happy to have to go to England, he leaves his teen son and a caretaker with Ruth. When Sam reaches out to him, it becomes clear what is really important to Robert. Csokas role is not a big one but his place in the story is never far from what is on screen.

Other cast include Cameron Carter-Chan as Shaggas, Tane Rolfe as James, Alexander Sharman as Timothy, and Carlos Muller as Va Donk.

Greenwich Entertainment, founded in 2017, is an independent film distribution company specializing in distinctive, theatrical-quality narrative and documentary features. To see what more is available, please visit www.greenwichentertainment.com.

JUNIPER is such a lovely tale of a woman who clearly has slim regrets about her life and a grandson who clearly has slim regrets about the stunts he pulls. These two were meant to meet and even with Ruth being ill, Sam finds out more and more about her that pulls him towards spending time with a woman he thought held no meaning in his life.

The connection and communication between grandmother and grandson made me chuckle a lot because, oddly enough, I understand it. The generations are so very far apart but, in reality, outward times might change but there is still so much that hasn’t. It is up to Ruth and Sam to discover which is which and that makes their journey intense but amazing.

Rampling is so very lovely and Ferrier is fierce when his loyalty has something worth protecting. That makes this a story of true love.

In the end – life, don’t ever water it down!