THE PEASANTS

 

 

   

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writers/director DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman and Sony Picture Classics is a story of forbidden love and a life of no choices with THE PEASANTS.

The young and beautiful Jagna (Kamila Urzedowska) is a talented artist who is constantly talked about by the 19th century Polish villagers. Stories are being told by the men of the village and Jagna just ignores them having only heart for Antek Boryna (Robert Gulaczyk) who is married. The leader and richest farmer in town is Antek’s father Maciej (Miroslaw Baka) who has recently lost his wife.

It comes to his attention that the women of the village are suggesting he remarry and after going down a list of candidates, Jagna’s name is put forward. Daughter Hanka (Sonia Mietielica) is not happy to think that Jagna will be living with them and wearing her mother’s beautiful clothes and Antek fights with his father and is kicked out of the home. When a deal for land of Jagna’s own is struck, down goes the vodka and a wedding happens quickly.

There is nothing Jagna can do but accept her life as Maciej’s wife while still being talked about by the villagers but in much lower tones to keep from upsetting the new groom. When tragedy strikes, Jagna’s life becomes one trauma after the other. The only one who sees this is Mateusz (Mateusz Rusin) who wants to save Jagna before anything else can possibly happen to her.

But once an idea is in the minds of the villagers – nothing and no one is going to stop it from its path of destruction.

Urzedowska as Jagna is beautiful and a free spirit who just wants to be happy in her life without being told who to love. When it becomes clear that a deal has been struck for her life, she is not a happy bride but instead a stoic woman following along with the rituals of the village. Urzedowska is stunning in this role as she portrays the downsize of being young, beautiful and a free spirit in a time when women had no say so in their own lives. So well done!

Gulaczyk as Antek has fallen hard for Jagna and has put his own family, including his father, into the gossip soup of the village. Tearing a family apart for love, Antek can afford to become the talk of the town with no consequences, unlike Jagna. Gulaczyk gives his character a bit of obsession, a bit of cowardice and a bit of rage and tops it with no accountability. The 19th and 21st century are not so far apart with this character’s issues.

Baka as Maciej is a man who takes his village power seriously. As the top farmer in the village, he has a great deal of say about what happens. When he decides to marry Jagna, it sets up anger from his own family but doesn’t stop the rumors from flying. Baka’s performance is that of an insecure man who has so many layers that are hidden behind power.

Mietielica as Hanka is a daughter who is already angry that her father has taken on a younger wife who will take her mother’s place. She wants the family’s reputation, farm and wealth to stay intact and not fall into the hands of Jagna. The one thing I can say about Mietielica’s portrayal is that she is not going to be swayed by anyone, including her family, about how she feels.

Shout out to Mateusz as Rusin as a man who truly cares for Jagna and when the village goes rogue, it is this character who sees who Jagna truly is. I just love Mateusz’s character because he is consistent in his belief that the village is in some need of common sense.

Other cast include Cyprian Grabowski as Witek, Ewa Kasprzyk as Marcjanna, Cezary Lukaszewics as Michal, Dorta Stalinska as Jagustynka, Andrzej Konopka as the Mayor, Andrzej as Kuba, Helena Korczycka as Jozka, Sonia Bohosiewicz as the mayor’s wife, Maciej Musial as Jasio, Anna Grzeszczak as Magda, Malgorzata as Organiscina, and Lech Dyblik as Jambrozy.

Sony Pictures Classics brings television, digital content, new entertainment services, independent films and technologies to viewers. Such films as GREED, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY, THE CLIMB, CHARM CITY KINGS, I CARRY YOU WITH ME and THE FATHER are just a few of the current and upcoming releases. For more information on what Sony Pictures Classics has to offer please visit www.sonyclassics.com.

THE PEASANTS is a stunning story being told but what adds an even more mind-blowing element is the painted animation technique of the film. The telling is over four seasons that are captured in such rich depth of color. This is the same used in the film LOVING VINCENT which is also a personal favorite of mine. This film took over five years and 200,000 hours to flawlessly complete.

The Welchman’s know exactly what they are doing when it comes to creating such elegant cinematography lovingly wrapped in a fantastic story of love, gossip and treachery. Once the story comes to a jaw-dropping crescendo, the ending will either leave you totally drained or wanting to stand out in the rain.

In the end – her life is in seasons!

They are Coming OUT OF DARKNESS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Andrew Cummings and Bleecker Street is the dark and strange life when coming OUT OF DARKNESS.

Over forty-five thousand years ago humans were attempting to survive the world. A group led by Adem (Chuku Modu), a very pregnant Ave (Iola Evans), their son Heron (Luna Mwezi), daughter Beyah (Safia Oakley-Green), Adem’s brother Geirr (Kit Young) and forager Odal (Arno Luening) are looking for a new place to settle.

Finding land and a wide-open space, the group sets up shelter and start a campfire to rest while Adem and Geirr hunt for food. Almost immediately it becomes clear that something is out in the darkness. There are sounds, rattlings and a frightening reality that they are not alone. Then, the screams begin and so does the fight for survival.

On the move, Adem is now hunting for whatever has taken Heron but the very pregnant Ave can not move at the speed that they need. Settling again, there is more horror as whatever is hunting them leads them to a place where it is clear death is inevitable for anyone that gets in the creature’s way.

Sacrifices are about to be made to survive!

Oakley-Green as Beyah is the John Wick of forty-five thousand years ago as she shows no fear in anything that is needing to be done for survival. Making the ultimate decision as the group is starving and running into the fray even though she is terrified, Oakley-Green is stellar and trust when I say if I had been there (and thank gawd I wasn’t, I’d make a lousy early human), Beyah would be the person I’d stand behind. Her character doesn’t have a lot to say but when she speaks – listen!

Young as Geirr is Adem’s brother and whether he is straight out scared at everything that moves or perhaps continual berating by his brother reminding him that he is not the leader, Geirr doesn’t have leader ability. He sees Beyah as a strong warrior and looks to her when things start to get out of hand.

Modu as Adem is a brutal leader who holds a strong thumb over the group. He makes it clear that no one is going to tell him what to do and he is willing to sacrifice anyone who goes against his leadership. Evans as Ave is a very pregnant woman who is having a hard time from travelling and lack of food. Yet, when she is cornered, she is just as vicious as Adem.

Mwezi as Heron is the young boy who is the first taken. That is the hardest to take and the reason Adem goes so strong into the chase for the creature. Luening as Odal also has a tendency to question Adem’s decisions and gets a verbal beat down and a reminder of where he stands in the ranking. That doesn’t mean that Odal isn’t keeping a mental file of what is happening only to bring it up later.

Bleecker Street is a New York City film company that has brought outstanding films to the public. Their library includes TRUMBO, DENIAL, THE LOST CITY OF Z, BEIRUT, HOTEL MUMBAI, ORDINARY LOVE and THE ROADS NOT TAKEN. For more information on the titles from Bleeker Street please visit www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com.

This year director Cummings completed his debut feature film OUT OF DARKNESS with Escape Plan Productions (SAINT MAUD). In 2019, he directed the last two episodes of COLD FEET series 9 for ITV and BIG TALK, now streaming on Britbox, and in 2018 directed three episodes of BBC3's acclaimed thriller CLIQUE (S2). In 2015 he directed KAI, funded by i-D and VICE, which has been viewed over one million times on social media. Andrew's National Film & Television School graduation film RADIANCE, a supernatural thriller about a young woman with a dangerous condition, was nominated for best film at the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards, while his claustrophobic psychological drama BENEATH won Best Student Film at the Courant 3D festival in France.

OUT OF DARKNESS has received attention from the British Independent Film Awards for Best Debut Director Cummings, a win for Best Breakthrough for Oakley-Green, Best Music for Adam Bzowski, Best Hair and Makeup for Niamh Morrison and Best Debut Screenplay for Ruth Greenberg.

The story is that of the exploration of this group of humans looking to start their own village. Believing they had found a place that was unoccupied by others, it quickly became clear that humans weren’t the only thing that seem to be missing – there is nothing else either. The sounds coming from the dark seemed to be nothing like they had ever heard before.

Beyah is determined to not only find out what is happening but what is responsible. I enjoyed this character so much because there is the feeling of a young woman who was stronger than those around her realized and had leadership qualities. It reminded me of the articles I have read where women warriors are becoming more mainstream in history than realized, Beyah would certainly fit the bill.

Filmed in much darkness, it adds to the intensity, fear, shock and discovery of the story director Cummings is trying to tell calling it a “paleolithic horror” film. Filmed in the Gairloch in Scotland, the location offers up such a fantastic place with its vast lands, woods, fogs, just perfection. This is a mystery that can lead to death.

In the end – we are them!

The Conflict Begins with AIR FORCE ONE DOWN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday and available later on Digital from director James Bamford and Paramount Pictures is the chase with AIR FORCE ONE DOWN.

Agent Allison Miles (Katherine McNamara) is thrilled when her Uncle Sam Waitman (Anthony Michael Hall) brings her into the White House for duty. President Edwards (Ian Bohen) is working on a mission that has global impact and is getting ready to board Air Force One. Gathering the agents together that will be travelling with him, Agent Miles learns she is going on the trip.

What the President doesn’t know is that there is an enemy, Rodinov (Rade Sherbedgia) who wants to stop him from continuing on with his mission. There is a plan already in motion and it is about to do the unthinkable. Boarding the plane, Agent Miles is excited about the trip but keeping her feelings in check and professional.

The plane isn’t off the ground long before chaos erupts with the target being the assassination of the president. Agent Miles isn’t about to let that happen and gets the president out and away from the plane. Now they are in open territory as Rodinov sends him men to capture President Edwards with one goal, stop the mission or suffer the fatal consequences.

Agent Miles isn’t about to let either of those things happen.

McNamara as Miles is a young, eager and grateful Agent who has an uncle looking out for her. Very well versed on what her job is by protecting the president when called on, starting from the bottom-up shoots into high gear quickly. Boarding Air Force One, Miles is clear on the job but never anticipated being called on in chaos. McNamara gives her character a toughness that is equally measured by her escape partner.

Bohen as President Edwards isn’t a leader who is going to stand around doing nothing. When they come after him, along with Agent Miles, they work together to do what is necessary and both know the cost. Bohen is just as strong in character as McNamara which is what makes them a good pair in this film.

Shout out to Hall coming in as Uncle Sam who is looking out for his niece and not just because she is family but because he sees potential. I always enjoy seeing Hall in a film following his career since he was knee high to a pup!

Other cast include Max Kraus as Vlad, Paul s. Tracey as Mark Miller, Pavel Vladimirov as Toma Hasak, Trevor Van Uden as Agent Richards and Dascha Polanco as Vice President Hansen.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

AIR FORCE ONE DOWN joins in the genre of films that take on protecting the leader of the free world. McNamara gets to join the ranks of Butler, Tatum, and Ford in taking down the bad guys who want to tear into democracy. Nothing better than this particular duo working together to let the world know that bad guys don’t win.

The film is action packed from what McNamara’s character is capable of to the danger aboard Air Force One. When McNamara and Bohen get together it is clear that the enemy has plenty to worry about. As the bad guy’s monologue, Agent Miles and President Edwards already know how they will handle it and handle it they do.

It’s time to hit the theatre seats and watch the action on the big screen cheering once again putting the enemy on notice!

In the end – never take on the strong!

The Return of the Iconic THE LABYRINTH and THE DARK CRYSTAL

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to digital from Shout! Studios is the return of director Jim Henson’s THE LABYRINTH and directors Jim Henson and Frank Oz with THE DARK CRYSTAL.

In THE LABYRINTH, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is a 16-year-old who is frustrated with her family. Late coming home from a trip to the park reading her book The Labyrinth, she has to babysit her constantly crying infant brother Toby (Toby Froud). Making matters worse is discovering that Toby has taken her beloved bear Lancelot! At her wits end, she calls out to the goblins from the book to take Toby away.

When the house goes silent, Sarah realizes something is wrong. Going to Toby’s room she discovers him missing and standing before her is the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie) offering her a deal. When she doesn’t take it, he gives Sarah thirteen hours to solve the labyrinth or Toby will be gone forever.

In the King’s world, Sarah meets Hoggle (Brian Henson/Shari Weiser) and once escaping a trap, Hoggle runs into Jareth who uses him to get at the girl. Sarah meets Ludo (Ron Mueck/Rob Mills) by helping him get free but loses him quickly. When they meet up again, a trapdoor takes them to the Bog of Eternal Stench. Guarding the smell is Sir Didymus (Dave Goelz/David Shaughnessy) and his steed Ambrosius (Steve Whitmire/Kevin Clash/Percy Edwards). But a peach changes everything as once again Sarah is rescued by her friends.

Jareth learns that the group is close and sends in his army of goblins and as much as Ludo wants to help Sarah, she realizes that she must take on the Goblin King alone.

Connelly as Sarah portrays how most teens feel about babysitting any sibling let alone one that seems to spend his babyhood wrapped in a veil of tears. Once the chase is on to recover him, she begins to soften her feelings knowing that the only thing she wants from the whole experience is to have her little brother back. Connelly is so young, charming and endearing in this role and I hope she knows how many of us not only love this film but love her in it.

Bowie as Goblin King Jareth is absolutely wonderful. They found the right person to wear the costume and give us all in 1982 a reason to embrace this bad-guy character. Bowie lulls us with his unique and mystical voice all the while trying to find a way to trick a rather smart young lady. It truly is a thrill to see him in this film again and again.

Other cast/puppets include Karen Prell/Timothy Bateson as The Worm, Frank Oz/Michael Hordern as The Wiseman, Dave Goelz/David Shaughnessy as The Hat, and Karen Prell/Denise Bryer as The Junk Lady.

  

In THE DARK CRYSTAL directed by Jim Henson, is a darker story yet iconic and embraced by those who love the puppetry he uses in this tale.

On Thra, there was once a Crystal of Truth and when it was shattered, two new races came into being. The Skeksis who found ways to extend their life and the urRu/Mystics who live in the Valley of Stones. They are a gentler race and their leader is UrSu the Master. UrSu is raising a Gelfling who lost his family to the Skeksis and his name is Jen (Stephen Garlick).

Now, the Great Conjunction is happening and UrSu tells Jen he must find a way to heal the Crystal and to get the Shard from Aughra (Billie Whitelaw). If he doesn’t before the three suns meet, then the Skeksis will take over. In the meantime, SkekUng (Michael Kilgarriff) is the new emperor and wants to capture Jen.

Jen meets Aughra and he finally gets a lesson about the Conjunction as he chooses the correct Shard. Before they can talk any further, Garthim and the army arrive to take Aughra as Jen manages to escape. In the swamp, Jen sees another Gelfling in Kira (Lisa Maxwell) and discover they share memories.

Jen and Kira find a deserted Gelfling city and the prophecy that can help them. SkekSil (Barry Dennen) tells them about what happened to the Gelflings. Getting away once again, Kira, Jen and Fizzgig (Percy Edwards) are now in the catacombs trying to get inside the castle. SkekSil finds them and chaos breaks out.

Will Jen and Kira make it in time before the three suns Align to bring the Crystal of Truth together once again?

Other cast include Jerry Nelson as SkekZok, Steve Whitmire as SkekTek, Hugh Spight as Swee Lim, Toby Philpott as UrTih the Alchemist, Hus Levant as UrAc the Scribe, Simon Williamson as UrSol/ the Chanter, Jean Pierre Amiel as UrUtt the Weaver, Hugh Spight as UrAmaj the Cook,and Joseph O’Conor as UrSkeks and Narrator.

Launched in 2003, Shout! Studios is a multiplatform media company specializing in film and TV distribution, development, and production. Shout! Studios owns and manages a large portfolio of contemporary and classic feature films, series, animation, and documentaries. The company’s creative acquisition includes Aardman Animations, ALF, The Carol Burnett Show, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, the Roger Corman New Horizons Pictures Library, GKIDS, Studio Ghibli, ITV Studios, The Johnny Carson Show, LAIKA Studios, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (in partnership with creator Joel Hodgson), and Sesame Street, alongside many others. For more please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

The Jim Henson Company has remained a leader in family entertainment for over 65 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. Henson’s most recent credits include the Oscar®-winning Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix, the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock for Apple TV+, and the feature film The Portable Door for MGM+.

The bonus offerings for APPLE iTunes Extras include:

THE LABYRINTH - Commentary with Brian Froud, Reordering Time: Looking Back on Labyrinth, The Henson Legacy, Remembering The Goblin King, Anniversary Q&A, Inside The Labyrinth, Original Theatrical Trailer, Original Teaser Trailer and Original TV Spot.

THE DARK CRYSTAL - Commentary with Brian Froud, The World of “The Dark Crystal”, Storyboard Track, The Myth, Magic and the Henson Legacy, Light on the Path of Creation, Shard of Illusion, Deleted Funeral Scene, Original Skeksis Language and Photo Galleries.

These two films are the amazing creation of Jim Henson (along with Frank Oz) and they have become too iconic to the generations. I saw these films first, then my kids and now my grandchildren are seeing the wonders that were created and hold as timeless. The imagination and creativity it took to bring both of these films to the big screen is nothing short of genius.

Now, they are back to entertain families once again with their beauty because, and it must be said, that the craftsmanship of the characters and the puppets is breathtaking at the very least. The scenery that becomes another character in the story telling is a story in itself. That being said, it is time to cuddle up the family, bowls of popcorn to go around and watch LABYRINTH and THE DARK CRYSTAL back-to-back. It is generational must see!

In the end – return to the mystic and the magic!

He Believes in THE PROMISED LAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Nikolaj Arcel and Magnolia Pictures is a drama of power, love and a belief in THE PROMISED LAND.

It is Denmark in the 18^th century as Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen), giving twenty-five years of military service, asks his King for land to farm and create a settlement on the Jutland. Fighting others in the King’s court, he tells them that his own money will fund the farming in exchange for land and title. This is enough to be allowed a patent as he gathers supplies and heads to a remote piece of land, he deems farmable to begin.

Unhappy about it is Frederik De Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg) of Hald Manor, a spoiled man and heinous landowner who believed the land Kahlen has taken actually belongs to him. Especially when two of his indentured servants, Ann Barbara (Amanda Collin) and Johannes (Morten Hee Andersen) have made a run for it. Needing help to start the farm, Kahlen takes in the two servants and also tries to hire Romani Tatere upsetting Schinkel further.

That is when De Schinkel decides he will do whatever it takes to force Kahlen off the land. What he doesn’t realize is that the woman he is suppose to marry, Edel Helene (Kristine Kujath) wants Kahlen to help her get away. By becoming a nobleman, he would be able to marry her instead. The quiet Captain wants to be able to make his dream come true and moves forward with his settlement plan.

When Ann Barbara’s life changes, so does that of the young Anmai Mus (Melina Hagberg) who is taken in by Kahlen. After hard work, the first crop comes in of potatoes and it impresses the King so much that he grants him funding and settlers to expand the farm. Schinkel is so angry; he puts a plan in place that puts them all in more danger than they could have imagined.

They have never met a man more determined than Kahlen.

Mikkelsen as Kahlen is just sheer perfection in this role. A quiet man who is quite stubborn and refuses to take no for an answer from just about anyone. Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Kahlen is strong, determined and doesn’t hesitate to protect what he is trying to do and, eventually, all those who help him get there. Personally, I have always enjoyed the characters that Mikkelsen has chosen to play as no two are even remotely alike. Here he shows the resilience and eventually a heart that understands what human beings are capable of, both good and evil.

Bennebjerg as De Shinkel is a greedy, brutal and power-hungry man in a place where no one would ever think to stop him. Living remotely away from the king’s power base, he is free to crush anyone that gets in his way. Living that way for so long, a man like Kahlen sets him immediately on edge and offers him a chance to be even more cruel to everyone around him. Bennebjerg does an exceedingly good job at his role because I certainly didn’t like De Shinkel in the slightest and thought Kahlen showed great restraint.

Collin as Ann Barbara knew of De Shrinkel’s cruelty and experienced it firsthand. It is clear why she ran and quickly made herself indispensable to Kahlen, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Taking charge of his household, Collin’s portrayal of Ann Barbara is strong and is the one person who could reach Kahlen at his peak of stubbornness. She stayed by his side and did what ever it took to keep everyone safe.

Hagberg as Anmai Mus is a young girl who is turned on by almost everyone around her. Protected by Kahlen and Ann Barbara, she grows up to become part of the land and as life grows, so does she.

Other cast include Jacob Lohmann as Trappaud, Olaf Hojgaard as Preisler, Gustav Lindh as Anton Eklund, Magnus Krepper as Hector, Morten Burian as Lauenfeldt, Thomas W. Gabrielsson as Bondo, Soren Malling as Paulli.

Magnolia Pictures is responsible for such releases as SLAY THE DRAGON, JOHN LEWIS: Good Trouble, the crime thriller THE WHISTLERS, documentaries such as THE PIECES I AM and films such as the directorial debut of Italian filmmaker Filippo Meneghetti. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.magpictures.com.

THE PROMISED LAND is based on the book by Ida Jessen entitled The Captain and Ann Barbara. The film’s cinematography is just stunning as it also plays a character in the film. Open, spacious, rugged and eventually forgiving, it lends itself to the story of a man determined to bring about a new life for himself.

What I love about this story is that the dialogue isn’t run-on but instead lets the actors take control of their characters. It is in their actions that I found myself drawn to the story completely. Mikkelsen and Collin are astounding as their lead characters believe there is life to be had from the ground up.

The film premiered at the 80^th Venice International Film Festival in August 2023 and an entry for Best International Feature Film as the Danish entry for the 96^th Academy Awards. There are nominations all over the spectrum of festival and each win is well deserved.

In the end – he is taking on so much more than the land!

Prime Video Brings the Twists of Being EXPATS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Streaming on Prime Video from writer/director Lulu Wang based on the novel The Expatriates BY Janice Y.K. Lee comes the connected story of people who are trying to understand their lives as EXPATS.

Hong Kong is in an uproar in 2014 and in the midst of it is Margaret Woo (Nicole Kidman), husband Clarke (Brian Tee), children Philip (Bodhi del Rosario), Daisy (Tiana Gowen) and little Gus (Connor James) are living their best life. Helping with the children is Essie (Ruby Ruiz) who the Woo clan feels is part of their family.

On another floor is Hilary Starr (Sarayu Blue) and husband David (Jack Huston) who are trying to decide whether they want family. Dealing with fertility problems, it seems that perhaps it is more than that as a potential answer enters their lives through the twisted hand of fate. Also in the Starr household is housekeeper Puri (Amelyn Pardenilla) who knows more about what happens in their home than they do.

College graduate Mercy (Ji-young Yoo) is living in Hong Kong trying to find her place in the world. Working jobs as a catering server, she feels as if her life has been preordained to be a disaster because of a book she found as a child. Weaving her way through the streets of Hong Kong she tries to make the right choices but gets caught up in her own way.

Each woman discovers that happiness can be stripped away in a matter of a few text messages as their worlds come into question. The questions that arise from tragedy are what is right, what is wrong and what is fair are all in their own hands as they being to understand themselves and one another.

Kidman as Margaret is a woman who has accepted her life following husband Clarke through his career. Taking care of the household and children have become her life, but when tragedy strikes, Margaret becomes obsessive with everyone around not knowing how to handle it. Kidman character becomes unhinged that her life has been thrown in a direction she isn’t prepared for.  Tee as husband Clarke is the calming influence, his character is that of a man who loves his life, family and pretty much has a ‘water off a duck’s back’ to difficulties. Again, here is a character that now has to come face to face with a difficulty that is unimaginable. I enjoyed Tee’s performance as Clarke becomes truly raw and it hits hard.

Blue as Hilary is a force to be reckoned with and don’t plan on trying to get a word in edgewise when her mouth starts motoring. It is her Indian heritage that has steeped her into playing many faces in order to maintain a look of calm and togetherness. Even when forgiving someone, she hides her emotions with talks. Huston as David is one of the people who is caught up in the web of Hilary’s inability to control her talking when things become difficult. Not knowing what is place is in their marriage takes him on reckless path. Huston gives his character a mixture of that recklessness and unreliability to his marriage.

Yoo as Mercy is a young woman emotionally lost in a very large city. Working hard just to pay the rent, Yoo’s character believes something she was told as a young girl. It is so engrained into her psyche that she allows it to be the reason for bad choices. Yoo’s portrayal of Mercy is that of a young woman who will come to terms with life, and those who have been affected by a moment that can not be taken back. 

Pardenilla and Ruiz are the two women employed by the families to help with their households and children but they are still in the middle of everything that goes on. There is this invisible wall between their lives to the point where they even speak so openly that when Essie and Puri are with their friends who also work in households, it doesn’t take long for rumors to become confirmed fact. Essie loves the Woo family and Puri sees the possibility of success away from housework.

Other cast include Poon Pak Shing as Sam, Bonde Sham as Charly, Flora Chan as Olivia Chu, Blessing Mokgohloa as Pastor Alan Mambo, Sudha Bhuchar as Brinder, Jennifer Beveridge as Tilda, Lesley Chiang as Philena Song, Gabrielle Chan as Jing Woo, Elizabeth Ng as Shellac, Steven Chan as Detective Chang, Edmund Ng as Andrew, Rasha Goel as Geeta,

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. For more information, please visit www.amazon.com/Amazon-Video.

EXPATS is a look at these women and how one moment changes so much. The lives they are each living seemed far removed from one another yet one deep hurt reaches further than their lives. It turns the lives of everyone they come into contact with and all that glitters is not gold. Like the rest of us, they lose their way, realize what they’ve given up for their own dreams and, in some cases, do not know how to walk away.

The men, Clarke and David are a bit of second players in this large cast of women. That being said, their moments on screen are filled with emotions they aren’t “supposed” to feel being men. Tee and Huston are surrounded by what is expected of them rather than being able to speak their truths.

EXPATS brings the story of these characters in six episodes with the first two already aired on Prime. Each episode will be brought weekly until its final conclusion. This is a stunning piece of storytelling from start to finish.

In the end – we are what we survive!

Welcome Back to WILLY’S WONDERLAND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director Kevin Lewis and Scream Factory comes camp and horror at WILLY’S WONDERLAND.

Driving down the road in Hayesville Nevada, a quiet man’s (Nicolas Cage) car hits a spike strip that causes him to have to call for a tow truck. Being told by Jed (Chris Warner) what the cost to replace his tires and having no funds, he is offered a one-night position that would take care of the bill. All he has to do is be the janitor at Willy’s Wonderland for owner Tex Macadoo (Ric Reitz) and clean up the place.

Liv Hawthorne (Emily Toasta) bucks against her Sheriff Lund (Beth Grant), she plans to take her friends to Willy’s Wonderland to burn it to the ground. Inside, the new Janitor takes his word seriously yet feels like something is odd about the animatronics in the place. There is Willy Weasel, Arty Alligator, Cammy Chameleon, Ozzie Ostrich, Tito Turtle, Knighty Knight, Gus Gorilla and Siren Sara and he is keeping an eye on them all.

Kicking up the music, drinking energy drinks and finding a pin ball machine, the Janitor passes the time by himself. That is until Ozzie Ostrich decides to be the very first of the animatronics to attack him. While this is happening, Sherriff Lund is telling Deputy Olson (David Sheftell) the story about the town and Willy’s Wonderland which includes who the animatronics really are.

That is when Liv arrives with her friends with the intention of burning the place but first, they want to rescue the Janitor who is still inside. None of her friends believes that the animatronics are moving until they are forced to believe, and the Janitor must repeatedly step in.

They must somehow make it till morning!

Cage as the unsuspecting Janitor is cool from beginning to end without ever giving anything away. Loaded up on energy drinks, music and pinball, the animatronics do not stand a chance. He is calm, cool, collected and ready to kick some metal and plastic ass. I actually love Cage in this role because he is the only one in the film that is not losing his focus both in cleaning Willy’s Wonderland and dealing with taking out the trash. Fantastic!

Toasta as Liv is a young girl with a story of her own that is linked to Willy’s Wonderland and she has one goal – to see it turned into ashes. What she does not expect is a night filled with terror running from something that does not make any sense. Toasta is just as wild as the Janitor so they make an excellent pairing to survive.

Grant as the Sherriff tells the story of Willy’s Wonderland and it makes one’s jaw drop to think that knowing what she does, that going along to get along is okay. Let me tell you, if animatronics were freaking out my community, trust when I say it would be all hands-on deck for a fight like no other.

Warner and Reitz are in it together from start to finish playing off one another in a bid to keep Willy’s Wonderland, well, operational. Sheftell as Deputy Olson does not have a clue about the town he is living in and even after he is told there does not seem to be much of a chance that he will help the overnight janitor.

Other cast include Kai Kadlec as Chris Muley, Caylee Cowan as Kathy Barnes, Terayle Hill as Bob McDaniel, Christian Del Grosso as Aaron Powers, Jonathan Mercedes as Dan Lorraine, and Grant Cramer as Jerry Willis.

Scream Factory releases genre and horror films and television shows under Shout! Studios. They have grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

The WILLY’S WONDERLAND Collector’s Edition Special Features include “Inside Fun” Featurette, Set Tour with Actor Christian Del Grosso, “Fresh Meat” Featurette, “Colorful Darkness and the Demon-Atrons” Featurette, Trailer and Image Galleries.

Cage absolutely makes the film with his portrayal of the leather jacket turned Willy’s Wonderland t-shirt wearing one night janitor. Just everything he does has a purpose, and every situation gets the same ‘oh this?’ attitude. There is nothing that seems to surprise him which is pretty cool since everyone else around him keeps losing their minds.

I had such a fantastic time watching this film. It has a gitchiness to it as well as the feel of films from the 70’s. The story is campy, but the action is non-stop and spine tingling, literally. This is the new Friday night go to for fun times on the couch with popcorn and a group of like-minded twisted friends.

In the end – let playtime begin!