The Heart of it is GREEN AND GOLD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Anders Lindwall and Fathom Entertainment is the story of hope, music and the love of football with GREEN AND GOLD.

Buck (Craig T. Nelson) is a farmer who does things his own way in the farmland of Wisconsin who also happens to be a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. Jenny (Madison Lawlor) is his granddaughter who is about as headstrong as he is. The two butt heads occasionally because Jenny loves her music and playing it for others to hear while Buck sees it as a dream that she should pursue. Watching the two clash is Buck’s wife Margaret (Annabel Armour) who sings in the church choir and helps around the farm.

Jenny learns that the famous Billy Reed (Brandon Sklenar) is in town and she decides to make a tape of one of her songs. When she meets him, Billy talks about his love of places like Buck’s farm and promises to give Jenny’s song a listen. Returning home Jenny she sees banker Jerry Moncton (Tim Frank) leaving but Buck won’t talk about it. Farmhand Aaron (Ashton Moio) has a bit of a crush on Jenny and loves the life on the farm.

Jenny is surprised when Billy makes his way to the farm and comes to dinner where Buck doesn’t seem all that pleased to see him but Margaret is happy her granddaughter has a friend. After a trip to town with Buck, Jenny learns that the farm is close to foreclosure and only then does she realize that she truly loves the farm. When Jerry makes a joke that he will give Buck a year to fix his finances if the Packers make it to the Superbowl, he is surprised later when the offer is accepted.

Thinking they have a chance; Jenny is even happier when Billy calls to come and talk about her music. That doesn’t stop Buck, Jenny and even Aaron from cheering every Sunday (church permitting) for their beloved team as they edge closer and closer to the big day. When tragedy strikes several times, Buck begins to lose hope but Jenny knows that there is always a way. Taking to the local airwaves, now everyone knows how special Jenny’s wide-open piece of heaven is and how close they are to losing it all!

Nelson as Buck is a man who is stuck in his ways and totally in love with the land. He sees granddaughter Jenny following in his own daughter’s path and it causes him so much hurt. Focusing on the land, he is contentious when the banker shows up as he deals with how quickly it can all be taken away. Trusting in his beloved Packers, Nelson gives his character hope that the team can save his farm. Nelson has the ability to give us a strong parental, in this case grandparent, figure but sometimes that strength comes across as arrogance. It will take several blows for Buck to realize the true meaning of his life.

Lawlor as Jenny is equally as stubborn to the point where she doesn’t listen to one thing that isn’t about what she wants musically. Singing for the crowd and writing her own songs brings her joy that she hopes fills an emptiness that she struggles to define within herself. Once she begins to understand what is truly important, Lawlor jumps in with both feet and sticks the landing about life, love and family that loves the land.

Armour as Margaret watcher her husband be stubborn and her granddaughter try to fly and she supports them both. Choir singing lady who cooks a mean supper, Margaret is truly the glue that has held and continues to hold the family together. Moio as Aaron clearly loves the land as much as Buck but with a slightly more enjoyable attitude. He sees value in how Buck runs the farm and is supportive of Jenny as well, even if he has to put his own feelings aside.

Sklenar as singer Billy Reed has something Jenny wants, a chance to sing music that matters. Sklenar is a quiet musician who sees the farm as an inspiration and Jenny as a prolific song writer. Finally, to Walsh as Scotty, in his final film performance, he gets to be what feels like an uncle to Jenny and a life long friend to Buck. He sees the divide and knows the reason for it and cheers Jenny on full force.

Other cast include Charlie Berens as the Radio Host for the ball games, Shaun Graves as Pastor Bridges, Bill Kalinak as Brozo and M. Emmet Walsh as Scotty.

Fathom Entertainment is delivering a wide variety of programming and experiences to U.S. and global cinema audiences, Fathom is the largest distributor of documentaries, faith-based and inspirational content as well as being at the forefront of bringing anime, performing arts, and classic films to moviegoers worldwide. Audiences can count on Fathom to curate and deliver exclusive entertainment at their local movie theater, allowing fans of any genre to share unique and memorable experiences on the big screen. For more please visit www.fathomentertainment.com.  

GREEN AND GOLD won awards at the Heartland International Film Festival including the Lifetime Achievement Award and Audience Choice Award. It was the Official Selection at the 2024 Austin Film Festival.

The film reaches into hearts and rattles us all around with the grandfather-granddaughter relationship. They are both stubborn and for exactly the same reason! Buck is trying to hide the feelings associated with his daughter and Jenny is trying to find her place knowing she has the same gifts as her mother. Buck is trying to hold onto his farm with everything he holds dear and Jenny thinks leaving the farm will change her life. Both of them once again are in the same boat fighting over a paddle with stubbornness.

I loved watching Nelson’s grumpiness and Armour as a wife knowing that’s exactly who she married and it made me chuckle a bit. Lawlor gives a musical performance that is so lovely and heartfelt. She may be a fiery young lady but when it comes to her music, that is where her emotions truly show themselves. Now you add football in the mix and, of course, it becomes something to cheer about on so many levels. The film is beautifully done with the final lesson of never lose hope – the one thing we sure could use reminding of right now. 

In the end – sometimes you gotta bet the farm!

Prepare for DEAD BEFORE THEY WAKE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and coming to Digital from directors Andy Crane, Nathan Shepka and Shepka Productions is a race to save lives before they become DEAD BEFORE THEY WAKE.

Alex (Nathan Shepka) is a bouncer who always seems to find trouble happening around him. Keeping to himself, a man named Danny (Graeme MacPherson) comes knocking on his door with a job that pays a lot of money. There is a young girl missing and thought to be in the hands of sex traffickers and a political figure will make it worth his while to find her. The only place to even start is with a prisoner who might know about such a ring.

He learns about Amar (Manjot Sumal) and his family owning businesses and real estate where this kind of nefarious business could happen out of sight. That doesn’t stop Alex from searching, especially when he questions Amar’s associate Ryan (Wam Siluka Jr.) in his own unique way. He slowly discovers who is involved in hurting young girls. Alex tells his girl Gemma (Grace Cordell) what he is doing and she insists that once he finds the girl, he must get all the girls free.

That is going to take some doing but as Alex’s anger grows, he knows the only way to stop the likes of Amar and his men is to take them one full force!

Shepka as Alex is a man who mainly keeps to himself. When called upon to help discover what has happened to a young girl, he finds himself mixed in a world that has no humanity. Shepka gives his character a sense of needing to seek out the injustices because he knows the law won’t. Tracking down those responsible doesn’t go without its dangers and repercussions but Shepka’s Alex can take a beating and it not going to stop him from doing what’s right.

Sumal as Amar is the flesh peddler who doesn’t take no for an answer about anything. Sending out his crew of men to find young girls to kidnap, Amar answers to only one person while raking in the money. Sumal gives his character a dastardly look and feel with no conscience about what he is doing or who he is hurting. One thing is clear, it is all about his own survival. Siluka Jr. as Ryan knows what he is doing and when confronted by Alex, finds himself in a precarious position of either giving up information or deal with a bouncer with an attitude.

Cordell as Gemma is a working teacher by day and a dancer by night trying to make ends meet. She is also someone important to Alex and that puts her in danger but not enough that she doesn’t want to help any way she can. MacPherson as Danny is the man who started it all believing that Alex is the right man for the job.

Other cast includes Kareen Nasif as Ghadir, Sylvester McCoy as Evan, David McCallum as Taylor, Michael Laughlan as Jason, Emily Crawley as Chloe, and Patrick Bergin as Holden.

Shepka Productions is a Scottish film production company that specializes in horror and action thriller movies. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Glasgow. Shepka Productions also produces and consults on films and create horror and action thriller movies such as THE BABY IN THE BASKET.

Shepka says of the film, “We wanted to base the film on real events and researched how UK sex trafficking gangs operate to give the film a grounded sense of reality. It is important to highlight what goes on every day and can often be ignored by the mainstream. We don’t feel any studio would have taken on the story in this way, it is likely to be a divisive and controversial portrayal. Ultimately there still has to be a pay-off for the audience; the film culminates   in a brutal revenge-driven showdown.”

DEAD BEFORE THEY WAKE has a bit of a 2008 TAKEN feel about it in that the character of Alex, although the money doesn’t hurt, sees that doing the right thing helps more than one person. The destruction along the way is disheartening but it doesn’t stop the character from the ultimate goal – saving lives at all costs.

The story is a solid one with a cast of characters that each hold their own whether they be a good guy or bad. Bergin as Holden shows why he can still play both sides of a character and it is good to see him on the screen. The story begins slowly but that is important in its telling and adjusting to where the scenes take us. I don’t want to say too much because there are so many twists that writing about one thing leads to another to another so let’s just say the plot continuously thickens!

In the end – what the law can’t do, he will!

 

 

 

They Underestimate THE PROSECUTOR

 

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from producer/director Donnie Yen and Well Go USA comes the story of justice and a man who will accept nothing less as THE PROSECUTOR.

Detective Fok Chi-ho (Donnie Yen) loses faith in law enforcement when a group of criminals are not convicted of crimes that he investigated. Deciding on another path, Fok spends years studying the law and joins the Department of Justice as a public prosecutor. The first case he is assigned to, with mentor Bao (Kent Cheng), is a case of a young boy and drug smuggling. Ma (Mason Fung) received a package at his home after allowing his friend Chan (Locker Lam) to use his address.

Claiming his innocence and admitting that he only did so to help his grandfather Uncle Ma (Lau Kong) with debts. His defense lawyer Li (Chu Pak Hong) and Au Pak-man (Julian Cheung) tell him that its better to plead guilty and beg for leniency. Fok is told by Chief Prosecutor Yeung Dit-lap (Francis Ng) to take the defenses offer even though he feels as if something is truly wrong with the case. After Ma is severely sentenced and seeing Uncle Ma’s horrified reaction, it bothers Fok and he decides to start his own investigation.

Almost immediately, Uncle Ma and Fok realize their lives are in danger! Fok discovers that nightclub owner Lau (Adam Pak) had a connection and it runs deep. Fok, Bao and his team put there all into discovering how all of this happened and who is truly responsible.

Yen as Detective Fok does what he does best, portray a man who wants justice for everybody, no matter who they are or their status. Not finding it within the police department, he spends years studying the law and making his way into a courtroom. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t lost his cop instincts. Meshing the cop and the prosecutor together, he makes it clear that the case against Ma needs to be reexamined and the connections found.

Fung as Ma is a young man who is trying to do the right thing in a bad situation. Once he realizes that no one seems to be on his side, he starts to accept what has happened to him. Fung gives that performance of a used pawn in someone else’s game. Kong as Uncle Ma is an elderly man who wants to be a part of his grandson’s life but sees everyone involved as crooked. Kong is charming and his performance such feeling.

Cheng as Bao realizes that he cannot keep Fok under control but once he realizes what his pupil is capable of, he happily wants to do what he can to help. Ng as Yeung has a problem almost right away with Fok as the two butt heads over their dealings with the law. Yeung portrays a man who is use to having his own way and no one question decisions but Fok doesn’t see it that way at all. Cheung as Au Pak is a clever individual who shuffles around the pieces like on a chess board. He doesn’t have a lot to say but instead watches everything and every body to make sure it all goes his way because that’s where the money is!

Other cast include Michael Hui as Judge Hui, MC Cheung Tin-fu as Lee King-wai, Yu Kang as Kim Hung, Ray Lui as Sang, Mark Cheng as Tung, Sisley Choi as Leung May-yee, Justin Cheung as Cheung Man-bing, Liza Wang as Secretary of Justice.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

THE PROSECUTOR is a mixture of martial arts action thriller and the unraveling of a mystery. Yen gets the opportunity to remind us that he is perfectly capable of still doing action sequences and bringing an intense story to fruition. Step by step the story unfolds and it doesn’t rush which I love about a good triple threat. Bringing in drama to an action film can be difficult but Yen makes it look easy both in front of the camera and behind it as its director.

Yen chooses a fantastic cast to back up the story and they each carry out their roles that bring the film together completely by its end. The choreography of the fight scenes is equal to the choreography inside the courtroom. Every twist and turn are not only physical but part of the mystery that keeps us focused and enthralled. Following the history of his own family, the character of Fok, portrayed by Yen, is worthy of every moment. The film is the reason to see everything it has to offer on the big screen.

In the end – he wants justice for all!

 

 

 

VENOM: The Last Dance

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Kelly Marcel and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next adventure with VENOM: The Last Dance.

Eddie (Tom Hardy) and his symbiote Venom are sitting in a bar in Mexico drinking and chatting away when a he sees a news report that is accusing him of murdering Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham). Now the only thing to do is go back to New York to find out what happened and straighten it out but they end up in the desert. What they don’t know is that a Xenophage is tracking them!

Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a soldier that doesn’t yet understand what is happening while decommissioning Area 51, but watches what Imperium Dr. Teddy Paine (Jeno Temple) and Sadie (Clark Backo). The women are attempting to discover the connection with the symbiote who is now part of Mulligan. Meanwhile, Eddie and Venom are attacked by the Xenophage sent by Knull (Andy Serkis) who wants the Codex.

Getting away, Eddie meets the Moon family with Martin (Rhys Ifans), wife Nova (Alanna Uback), daughter Echo (Hala Finley) and son Leaf (Dash McCloud). He and Venom see what a normal life can look like but also know they must find a way to stop what is happening. The trip leads them to sin city and the bright lights of Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Eddie can’t hide much longer and Krull wants that Codex at all cost.

Back at the defunct Area 51, the Martin is thrilled to finally see it but disappointed in what he finds. That disappointment won’t last long when Eddie, Venom and the Xenophage go at it once again. Dr. Paine and Sadie make a run for it releasing other symbioses’ that want to go against Krull’s creatures. Now the fight is on to discover a way to stop it all before the world is destroyed!

Hardy as Eddie is the straight guy to Venom’s humor. Hardy as Eddie acts as if he wants to go back in time when he didn’t know Venom. That’s the duality of their relationship – the wonderful emotions of love and hate. Yet, when it comes down to it, Eddie cares about Venom and vice versa (although a little crazier on Venom’s part). I love Hardy’s relationship with Venom and yes, I realize it’s a “character” but it is still important that this actor make it look flawless which he does.

Ejiofor as Strickland is a soldier who is doing what he is told. Once things get a little crazy, the only person he trusts is himself. Suspicious of what is really happening, he is shocked to see the Xenophage and now knows he is being kept in the dark. Ejiofor is always amazing in these character roles and I enjoy his performances. Temple as Dr. Paine along with Backo as Sadie are the two women who are working with Mulligan and his symbiote. Knowing about the Codex and dealing with Strickland bring about surprising results.

Ifans as Martin is so charming as a dad who only wants to go to Area 51 with his family. Ubach as Nova is so encouraging of her husband and wants him to be happy. Finley as Echo is a daughter going along for her father’s ride and McCloud as Leaf is a son who is enjoying the ride and meeting Eddie but doesn’t want anything to do with aliens!

Other cast include Otis Winston as Donald, Jack Brady as Jim, Ivo Nandi as Javier, Reid Scott as Dan Lewis, Jared Abrahamson as Captain Forrest, and Peggy Lu as Mrs. Chen.

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 on 4K UHD, Bluray and Digital Extras are Deleted & Extended Scenes,

Venomous Laughs: Outtakes & Bloopers, Bonded in Chaos: Tom Hardy, Author of Mayhem: From Writer to Director, Venom’s Inner Circle, Venom Unleashed: The Action & Stunts, Select Scene PreVis, One Last Dance – Tom Morello x Grandson Music Video, Savor the Last Bite: The Venom Legacy, and Brock Bottom: Mrs. Chen Interview.

DVD Extras include Venomous Laughs: Outtakes & Bloopers, Author of Mayhem: From Writer to Director and Venom’s Inner Circle.

VENOM: The Last Dance is an adventure for sure with Hardy and Venom going at it together. I have to say that it is those two characters that I enjoy the most because its just two friends who are constantly going back and forth with wit, sarcasm and even a bit of sweet friendship. The action and adventure part are evident from the very beginning and doesn’t stop until the end (which you must be prepared for).

The special effects are pretty darn good considering they are the important part of the storytelling which by the way includes Tom Hardy and Todd McFarlane. The film has received nominations from the Academy of Science, Fiction, Fantasy & Horror for Best Science Fiction Film, the Indiana Film Journalist Association for Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance and the Hawaii Film Critics Society for Best Comic Book Film.

In the end – till death do them part!

 

She Watches THE ROOM NEXT DOOR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Pedro Almodovar and Sony Picture Classics is a story based on the book What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez with THE ROOM NEXT DOOR.

Writer Ingrid (Julianne Moore) is back in town promoting her new book when she learns from a Stella (Sarah Demeestere) that their mutual friend Martha (Tilda Swinton) is in the hospital with cancer. Surprised to hear of it, Ingrid decides to visit much to Martha’s surprise. They speak of the time that has passed between them and decide that they are going to visit a lot more now that Ingrid is back in town.

Spending time with together reminiscing about their years as friends, Ingrid wonders why Martha’s daughter is not taking care of her. Martha decides to share the story of that situation of love, loss and choosing her career as a war correspondent. That is when she asks Ingrid for a favor of sorts that Martha could never have expected. Not sure how to respond, she calls their mutual friend Damian (John Turturro) to talk through it.

The women pack up and head to Martha’s lakeside home to spend more time talking and listening to one another about life and what she has experienced. Each day brings deeper conversations but it also brings about the reality of the situation between the two women and the decisions they have made.

Ingrid is conflicted about those decisions and finds herself writing daily to understand it all as Martha takes it a day at a time looking for the perfect day!

Moore as Ingrid is a woman who has enjoyed a life of traveling and writing not even realizing so much time has passed since seeing Martha. Once she does, she is compelled to spend as much time with her as possible talking about their life choices. When Ingrid has a request of Martha, that is when Moore kicks into high gear of portraying a woman who wants to be there for her friend even if she realizes the conflict within herself. I adore when Moore gets her hands on complex characters because I know she is going to bring anyone watching into the story with ease.

Swinton as Martha is equally matched with Moore portraying a woman who looks on her life with not so much regret but a sense of intense understanding. Swinton gives Martha a strength that almost says “I am not mad or upset about anything in my life” and has us believing it as well. I feel the same toward Swinton’s performances in that no matter what role she takes, I am thrilled to see where she will take me and, most of the time, its to the most unexpected places of emotion, thoughtfulness and intrigue.

Turturro as Damian is a man dealing with his own emotions yet manages to keep them in check when Ingrid needs his help. This is a softer side of Turturro and I have to say, I enjoyed it very much.

Other cast include Esther McGregor as young Martha, Alex Andersen as Fred, Alvise Rigo as Jonah and Tilda Swinton as Michelle.

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 ROOM NEXT DOOR is a totally thought-provoking film that is not mired by anything other than the thoughts and emotions of these two women. There is not outside white noise keeping us from investing totally in the story they are trying to tell. Director Almodovar keeps the surroundings to the bare minimum and I appreciate that very much in this particular case.

Each of these women has a story to tell and they do it in their own way. One talks through it and one writes through the journey of their emotions. The raw energy between these two award winning actresses is intense, amusing, caring until it swings back to intense once again. The rich love between Ingrid and Martha is not lost even if time separated them throughout their lives. Swinton and Moore command the screen together, in unison leaving me breathless at the startling conclusion.

In the end – friendship has no limit!

 

 

 

They Become THE QUIET ONES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and digital from director Frederik Louis Hviid and Magnet Releasing is the biggest heist on Danish soil pulled off by THE QUIET ONES.

Kasper (Gustav Giese) is constantly boxing training but doesn’t seem to be rising up in his sport. Taking care of wife Aaliya (Camilla Lau) and young daughter Sara (Dagmar Halse), he has to find a way to earn. Realizing that his dream is being buried by his losses, Kasper enlists Slimani (Reda Kateb) with an idea for a robbery. Putting together a team they can trust causes immediate problems since one of their partners, Hasse (Christopher Wagelin) doesn’t care for Kasper.

Maria (Amanda Collin) is a security guard that is looking for her own success. Responsible for her family, she stays on top of what she needs to do to get the job done. Once Slimani and Kasper work out the details of the robbery, each step is meticulously planned and prepared for. They also enlist the help of Joppe (Jens Hulten), Mo (Granit Rushiti) and Warsame (Amin Ahmed) to get the job done.

When the time comes, Kasper gears up with the others knowing they only have minutes to grab and go. Even the perfect crime isn’t so perfect when things begin to slowly fall apart but the group has a contingency plan for that as well. What they don’t expect is to see Maria and a spit decision might be the downfall of them all!

Giese as Kasper portrays a boxer who just can’t seem to find his punch. Not a loud or abrasive person, he gives us the most unlikely criminal. As he brings a plan to Slimani, we see that Kasper has thought out the robbery clearly. Giese gives us a character that is desperate to take care of his family but clearly doesn’t fit the killer mentality that his cohorts do.

Kateb as Slimani is just vicious in the way he looks, talks, and behaves. He has no problem taking out anyone who gets in his way, including Kasper. He is clear that his goal is to rule everything and get his hands on the money. Kateb is excellent in this role that is quite the opposite of Kasper. He gives us dark and dangerous down to the depths of Slimani’s dark heart.

Wagelin as Hasse is just a large man with an even larger attitude. He is going to do what he wants when he wants and god help anyone who stands in his way. Wagelin has the right amount of swager to bring his character a fearlessness necessary to be in the middle of Kasper and Slimani.

Collin as Maria is actually a very underdeveloped character. I have to say I was geared up to see her be more a part of the film so I think this was a missed opportunity. That being said, Collin is clearly a woman trying to show what she can do where her job is concerned and, when the time came, showed no fear and a stubbornness I respected absolutely.

Other cast include Ida Rasmussen as Pumpkin, Mohammed Abbas as Mohammed, Sandra Stojiljkovic as Elin, Victor Ivan as Josef, Anders Hove as Olaf and Anastasios Soulis as Juventus.

Magnet Releasing is a part of Magnolia Pictures that specializes in films from the vanguard of horror, action, comedy, and Asian cinema. It is also the home of classics like Tomas Alfredson’s LET THE RIGHT ON IN, Ti West’s THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, Andre Ovredal’s TROLLHUNTER, Neil Marshall’s sword and sandals bloodbath CENTURION and Tony Jaa’s ONG BAK trilogy. Recent released include the terrifying anthologies V/H/S and V/H/S/2, Xan Cassavettes’ stylish vampire film KISS OF THE DAMNED, and the sci-fi thriller THE LAST DAYS ON MARS. Upcoming films include Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT and to find out more of what is to come please visit www.magnetreleasingfilms.com.

Director Hviid says of the film, “THE QUIET ONES is about the pursuit: the pursuit of money. The pursuit of a dream. The pursuit of respect and a place in life. This pursuit is essential. Whether you follow the young bank robber with a promising talent for boxing, the Moroccan man who pulled all the strings behind a veil of lies and deceit, or the security guard who trusted in her instincts and ended up uncovering and bringing down a group of international criminals. The pursuit of something greater was shared by them all”.

He ends with, “we will witness a piece of criminal history. My ambition is to place the audience in the middle of the chaos and bring them into our group of hardened criminals.” Well, that is exactly what Hviid does. We are to pick apart each of their reasons for what they do, not excusing their acts, but focusing on the reasons for their criminal act and making it the biggest in Danish history.

It is a slow-paced film that took the characters planning step by step. There was no need for a backstory for the other robbers because their presence was enough that no one in their right mind would ask questions. It is Giese’ Kasper that is out of place in the group yet it doesn’t stop him from inserting himself in the plan and carrying it out. It is after the robbery that things get dicey and a little bit like 1991’s GOOD FELLAS. Once the crime begins, so does the action and the result of what the men have done.

In the end – it was the largest heist in Danish history!

 

It is A REAL PAIN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to Bluray in February from writer/director Jesse Eisenberg and Searchlight Pictures is a story of family, history and everything in between when dealing with A REAL PAIN.

David (Jesse Eisenberg) decides to take cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin) on a family journey back to their grandmother’s homeland of Poland and their Jewish roots. Flying into Poland, they are met by the tour guide James (Will Sharpe) and travel companions Marcia (Jennifer Grey), Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), Diane (Lisa Sadovy) and Mark (Daniel Oreskes). They aren’t even gone a day but David is missing his wife Priya (Ellora Torchia) and son.

It doesn’t take long before he also becomes nervous about Benji’s outbursts. Being the reserved, working-class husband and father, his cousin is the total opposite testing the boundaries of convention and never in one place very long. David believes that taking this trip will help them both deal with the grief of their grandmother. As the trip begins, it is clear that Benji manages to connect with the group with his charm and humor and David struggles to accept his cousins’ behavior. During one stop of the tour, the group begins to see Benji’s struggles as he confronts James’ authenticity of being the tour guide.

Finally, at dinner, David comes clear with his own emotions regarding his cousin. It all comes to a head when they visit Majdanek concentration camp. Emotions come out of everyone as they come face to face with what is still at a camp that the Germans didn’t have time to completely destroy. Each step they take, David and Benji begin to see what their grandmother survived in her younger years. Visiting her home is the final destination before the cousins go home.

Arriving home, the two have final moments to remember that they are flawed human beings but that doesn’t make them any less cousins who love one another.

Eisenberg as David seems to be afraid of everything from making sure he is solid in his job for family security to what everyone else thinks of how he handles life. When Benji comes along with his brazen attitude and charm, it makes David physically uncomfortable. The only way he can deal with it is to go along to get along. Eisenberg has the uncanny ability to play the role of the guy feeling left out, sort of the square peg in a round hole syndrome. But Eisenberg also gives David the ability to slowly let his emotions come out in a way that is scary yet loving at the same time.

Culkin as Benji gets an opportunity to let just a little bit of Roman Roy (HBO’s SUCCESSION series) out to play with wit but it is this actor’s ability to rattle off lines with razor sharp precision that is attention grabbing. It is apparent that Benji has unresolved family issues as well as personal and perhaps mental issues. As much as David is tightly wound, Benji is free flowing and doesn’t have a filter or sensor that guides him. If he thinks it, he speaks it and Culkin delivers it expertly.

Sharpe as James is the statics and facts kind of tour guide. He knows everything about where he is taking the group but when Benji puts in his two cents, however harshly, it causes him to pause. Egyiawan as Eloge is an unexpected surprise to the group, why he is there is heartbreaking but also joyful. What a wonderful addition to the tour group. Oreskes as Mark is on this tour because of wife Diane played by the very compassionate Sadovy. Grey as Marcia is trying to find herself by remember where her family came from. It is wonderful to see Grey take on this role and immerse herself in the experience of two totally different cousins.

Searchlight Pictures is responsible for such films as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, THE SHAPE OF WATER and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI. They have an extensive film library as well as documentaries, scripted series, and limited series. For more information, please visit www.searchlightpictures.com.

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The Bonus Features include Beautiful Fate: Making A REAL PAIN – Take A Tour through the heart and history of Poland while going behind the scenes of A REAL PAIN. Explore the themes of family and connection with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Experience all the humor and humanity that brought this story to life.

A REAL PAIN has been nominated for 4 Golden Globe Awards® including Best Picture, Best Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin and Best Screenplay. The film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

The film begins with the feeling a lot of us have about that one person in the family who seems like an understandable and unexpected butterfly. Loving them from afar seems to be the safest thing to do yet David decides to try and help his cousin Benji deal with the death of their grandmother by a trip. Almost immediately David realizes that his cousin is going to not only test his patience but his own beliefs in life and family.

Eisenberg and Culkin are amazing together as they bounce off one another, although it seems Culkin is doing the most bouncing. As the film progresses, it is an opportunity to watch these two cousins air out their issues, try to understand one another and grieve the one person they both saw as the miracle in their family. There are moments between these two actors that are so sublime that I fell in completely.

This is a film of love, acceptance, raw emotions, the every day life of family, history, humor, and what it takes to be part of it all. A REAL PAIN isn’t just one person, it is a little bit of us all.

In the end – there’s always something about family!