DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from director Simon Curtis and Focus Features based on the story created by Julian Fellowes is the ending of an era with DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale.

It is the 1930’s and the Crawley family is learning to literally change with the times. Beginning with the visiting the London stage show with Guy Dexter (Dominic West) and assistant Barrow (Robert James Collier). Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), Countess Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) and husband Bertie (Harry Hadden-Paton) go backstage and meet the ever-popular Noel Coward (Arty Froushan). It is the height of the season and the next evening Lady Petersfield (Joely Richardson) has a ball and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is dressed to the nines. That is when Mary’s world comes once again crashing as news of her marriage changes her social status.

Coming back to England is brother Harold (Paul Giamatti) who is visiting to update Cora on their late mother’s estate bringing advisor Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola). The family happily returns to Downton welcomed by butler Carson (Jim Carter) who is turning over the reins to Andy (Michael Fox) under the watchful eye of Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan). He is not the only one retiring as Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) is also preparing to depart Downton and leaving it in the hands of Daisy (Sophie McShera). Anna (Joanne Froggatt) is still by Mary’s side as is husband Bates (Brendan Coyle) caring for his Lordship. Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) and Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle) are still part of the downstairs staff as well. They all know what is happening with Lady Mary and, as always, keep their knowing to themselves.

Arriving at Downton as well is Tom Branson (Allen Leech) bringing daughter Sybbie (Fifi Hart) to visit and be a support to the family and Lady Mary. Isobel (Penelope Wilton) also comes to the family to talk about the upcoming family-community event asking Daisy and Mr. Carson to be part of committee much to the dismay of Sir Moreland (Simon Beale). If all of this wasn’t enough on the Crawley calendar, decisions on changes that have Lord Grantham must now make in order to keep their legacy growing.

Each come to terms with where they have been in their time at Downton Abbey and know that change is not always something to fear.

Other cast include Paul Copley as Albert Mason, Douglas Reith as Lord Merton, Lisa Dillon as Princess Arthur, Sarah Crowden as Lady Manville, Oliver Barker as George, Eva Samms as Marigold, and Rose Galbraith as Lady Gwendoline.

Focus Features’ mission is to make a lasting impact on global audiences by creating the home for artists to share diverse, distinctive stories that inspire human connection. Focus Features is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies that brings entertainment and news to a global audience. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.focusfeatures.com.

Now, let me get my Downton Abbey teapot of Earl Grey, teacup/saucer and my delicate plate of madeleines and box of tissues before I start this. Okay, here we go –

I accidentally discovered DOWNTON ABBEY in 2011 while watching another success story with The Great British Baking Show. For year, those shows were my Sunday night back-to-back fun that I could not get enough of. The cast of DOWNTON ABBEY drew me in immediately (as I am a huge fan of period pieces in television and film) and the storyline was riveting, powerful and thought provoking. The Crawley family, being led by Lord Grantham, are important to the community providing positions in the household as well as farming. From the beginning, the family dynamics were so interesting with Cora being the American wife and three daughters who were clearly so very different. Navigating their world from two different perspectives and finding themselves lost occasionally, Robert and Cora were the stabilizing force of Downton. All of it played beautifully by Bonneville and McGovern with an ending that they deserved that was graceful and loving.

Mary, Edith and Sybil were headstrong, insecure, lovely and met the challenges that the world brought them. Mary found Matthew, Edith found Bertie and Sybil found her prince charming in Tom Branson. Dockery as Mary saw more than her fair share of difficulties but the fact is, when the time came, she knew how to stand tall no matter who tries to knock her down in a time where women scratched harder than we, today, could have imagined. Carmichael as Edith began as a shrinking violet in life, love and an older sister who, at times, was not very nice. Yet, the more she experienced, the more she literally grew and deserved a loving and happily ever after. Findlay played Sybil for years and has never been forgotten season after season up until the last.

Stevenson played Matthew and he, as well, was not forgotten for Mary and I adored that about her. Patton as Bertie gave us a man who was content in his life and when it turned around, he became secure in who he was to become with Edith at his side. Now let’s talk Branson, Leech gave us a bit of Irish rebellion while wearing a chauffer’s uniform. He loved Sybil, lost himself in trying to mix working class with Downtown Abbey and it was a story within itself. I loved watching Leech grow and it was so well done.

Downton could not have been without the staff who kept the household together beginning with Mr. Carson. His story began as a young man working in the Crawley household working his way up to butler and always keeping an eye on Lady Mary. He was tough, secretly gentle but always, always put Downton first! That caused a few eyerolls from Mrs. Hughes, played by Logan, who was a woman of straight talk, a shoulder to cry on and believed that every person in service could be more than they could ever have imagined. Sharing the downstairs was the woman behind the dinners as Mrs. Patmore, played by Nicole, who made the kitchen her place of creation with pride in those she cooked for. Keeping her company was McShera as Daisy, a wide eyed, questioning and sometimes moody “sous chef” who often wondered if she’d ever be as good as her mentor. She does finally find a life with Andy, played by Fox, who shares his story of climbing the ladder of service but with a subdued character that made him instantly likeable.

Taking care of Mary’s needs was Froggat’s Anna, a woman with heart, soul and a person that trouble seems to follow on the regular. I just adored the character of Anna as such a stable force among the downstairs and even when her life was just in shambles, she found her way back. Mr. Bates might have had something to do with that strength; Coyle is a man wounded by war but finds a safe space and a kinship with Lord Grantham while also being the man who takes care of the head of house. When his life becomes a roadmap of chaos, it is Anna that helps him consistently so watching their ending in this film was everything anyone could have hoped for. Mr. Moseley, played by Doyle, is the insecure bumbler of a footman who always seems to find himself on the ins and then the outs of Downton until he accidentally stumbles into a line of work that he enjoys and provides. It also gives him a chance at love with Miss Baxter; Cassidy portrays her as a woman who is used for his back history until the day she stood tall and made a new life for herself. Who was using that back history? Well, that would be Mr. Barrow played brilliantly by James Collier. This actor spent years perfecting the man who we all loved to hate and then love again. A mixture of complexities had everyone guessing every episode whether we all wanted to shake him or hug him. In the finale, Barrow finds the missing piece of his life in silent film actor Guy Dexter played by West.

Wilton as Isobel takes the center controls with the absence of Maggie Smith as the Dowager Violet Crawley. Taking the lead in representing the family for the township, I adore her ability to remain steadfast and even cutting when she needed to be and what a relationship between Isobel and Violet that can never be matched or repeated ever again. In the final film, West returns as Dexter to say his final farewells to the Crawley’s and brings along Noel Coward in the form of Froushan and I loved every moment he was on screen. Giamatti returns as Cora’s brother Harold and is taught a lesson in sisterly tough love but knows he can always come ‘home’.

The film is stunningly beautiful with the costuming, the score is everything we have come to know and memorable and, of course, Downton Abbey itself in the form of Highclere Castle. Every time a vintage car pulled in it was the light sound of pebbles below the tires, the front door castes and the sound of the click of the latch, the library that held so many teas, the staircase that is surrounded by stunning artwork, the gallery that overlooked so many events, the lush green vast lawn that anyone would be happy to stroll along – all of it, breathtaking. There are many castles in Europe but to Downton Abbey fans, there is only one that stole our hearts. Not stolen really, more like held onto it until the saga came to its conclusion, then returned it to us with a bow and a ‘thank you’ for the years of dedication we also had to the show.

Finally, to creator Julian Fellowes, how can this woman ever thank you for your thoughtfulness, your ability to tell an amazing story that has kept the world captivated and talking, the time it took for your imagination to find its way onto paper then screen and for taking us all year after year on a journey as the world changed in so many ways for Downton and its inhabitants. These characters grew, changed, felt their worlds collapse only to be rebuilt into something stronger, found amazing joy, unexpected friendships, death of beloved characters and birth of new additions to the family. Thank you for giving me Violate Crawley in the body of Maggie Smith, the woman who had my heart and spoke the words I always wanted to on so many occasions. You kept her front and center even after we all had to say goodbye. It was all you sir, and the words ‘thank you’ feel not enough to express what you have brought to us all.

As I sit here and sit the last drop of my tea, I am comforted in the knowledge that right behind me is a Blu-ray of every season of DOWNTON ABBEY as well as the films that followed. Anytime I wish, I can return to the characters that I have loved so much. DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale was a hard watch, yes. Kleenex worthy? Absolutely. There are moments that just wrecked me and when the lights came up in the theatre, I was so surprised to see that there wasn’t a dry eye in the seats. We all looked at one another and sort of giggled, passing tissue and felt that we had just experienced one of the best endings of a series ever. Strangers had become talking friends walking out of the theatre with tears turning into laughter and hugs. It was an extraordinary experience and, I will remember it. Or, in the words of the Dowager, “My dear, a lack of compassion can be as vulgar as an excess of tears”.

In the end – the time has come to say goodbye!

 

 

 

BAU: ARTIST AT WAR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Sean McNamara, ShowBiz Direct and Republic Pictures is the story of a talent that saved many lives with BAU, ARTIST AT WAR.

Joseph Bau (Emile Hirsch) is a Jewish artist living in Krakow, Poland in 1943 as the Nazi’s wreak havoc across Europe. He is a talented artist but also talented at creating identification cards for his people feeling the need to be of help. The one person who isn’t happy about it is father Abraham (Eugene Lipinski) which upsets mother Cyla (Pam Kearns). Living in the Krakow, they are all rousted late in the night by soldiers sent to ‘liquidate’ the ghetto by sending all to the Plaszow concentration camp.

Kommendant Goeth (Josh Blacker) almost immediately calls Bau to his office wanting to use his artistry and map making skills. There, he meets Itzhak Stern (Adam Tsekhman), Oskar Shindler’s (Edward Foy) accountant who sets him up for the work Bau is to do. By day he fulfills the duties of map maker to stay alive and by night uses his art to bring a bit of joy to the other survivors. He also meets the lovely Rebecca (Inbar Lavi) who sees Bau as a little strange but intriguing.

Goeth’s henchman Franz Gruen (Yan Tual) has issues with Bau and has made it his personal mission to be as brutal as possible toward him. That doesn’t stop Bau from getting deeper in the camp learning more about Schindler and Itzhak’s plans and about Rebecca. The time will come when all must sacrifice in the name of the people and the name of survival. Years later it will be time to hold accountable those who tried to destroy a nation and Bau has a story to tell with unexpected help.

Hirsch as Bau gives us a look inside the life of an amazing artist who also had a talent for comforting people and helping to save them as well. Bau is a complex person from the very beginning as Hirsch gives his portrayal light in the darkest of times. Aware that every move that anyone in the camp makes could result in death, Hirsch’s Bau walks carefully and teeters on the edge of danger many times. This portrayal is moving and still allows for moments of smiles and hope.

Blacker as Goeth is the man everyone is afraid of and rightfully so. His willingness to end life has no limits and the constant threat by anyone around him is palpable. There seems to be only one person that doesn’t feel his wrath as Blacker doesn’t hesitate to take on the role of a man that is pure evil. Below him is Tual as Gruen, a man perhaps more ruthless than Goeth as he finds a twisted sense of accomplishment in his ending of life. He becomes focused on Bau and it brings on such brutality that spreads into others. Tual is also an actor bravely taking on a role that brings on such a visceral reaction of those watching, so well done.

Tsekhman as Stern works in Goeth’s office keeping things running smoothly and takes Bau under his wing as it were. Seeing the potential of what Bau can do for the cause of saving lives, Tsekhman’s role as Stern is one of strength, courage and cunning all in the name of helping his people survive insurmountable odds. Foy as Shindler is a man who has plans of his own that started out one way and turned into another. Taking advantage of the war for financial gain, it doesn’t take long before he realizes that he can do so much more than that and knows exactly how to make it all work.

Lavi as Rebecca meets Bau and isn’t sure what to make of him. Standing back, she watches how he is with others in the camp and especially with the young boy Michal and her heart changes. I love the strength Lavi shows in her portrayal of Rebecca and I was horrified at the scene with Goeth and held my breath many, many times. Lipinski as Abraham is a father who wants what’s best for his son even if he doesn’t truly understand him. Once they are in camp together, he begins to understand who he truly is and what he offers those around him. Kearns as mother Cyla understands her son Joseph and enjoys his sense of artistry and humor. She clearly is portrayed as a loving person and we see that in Kerarns’ performance. 

Shout out to Zuckerman as Michael who shows up in Bau’s life in 1971 with secrets of his own and has the chance to hear Bau’s story from beginning to end. 

Other cast include Chris Cope as Mietek, Michael Benyaer as Saul, Boris Bilic as Nathaniel, Aias Dalman as Michal, Dalias Blake as Alesky, Tori Griffith as Dyta, Leslie Deschutter as Alicija, Craig Erickson as Karl Richter and Josh Zuckerman as Michael.

Showbiz Direct is a pioneering motion picture distribution company dedicated to transforming the landscape of movie distribution. They stand as a direct catalyst for bringing deserving content into the limelight ensuring that voices have a chance to be heard and visions have the opportunity to be seen on the big screen. For more please visit www.showbizdirectdistribution.com.

Republic Pictures, originally founded in 1935, is revitalized under Paramount Global Content Distribution. Their library includes such films as BLACKBERRY, MILLERS IN MARRIAGE, MOTHER MOTHER, TWINLESS and BAD APPLES. For more please visit www.paramountmovies.com/Republic-Pictures.

BAU: ARTIST AT WAR is a remarkable film that could easily be watched alongside SCHINDLER’S LIST. The cinematography of black and white dotted with color brings an appreciation of the two eras being portrayed. The subject matter is always one that tugs at the heart because of the fear and intensity it brings up, especially in the world we find ourselves in now. People taken for no other reason than their Jewish ancestry, people taken because they were seen as inferior to a man with inferiorities of his own making, seem familiar?

The cast does a stunning job of bringing the story of Joseph Bau in this film. The running time of two hours and 10 minutes is worthy of every moment. This history of Joseph and Rebecca Bau is a stunning one and should be a teachable moment, and serve as a reminder to us all. Rebecca helped survivors of the Holocaust deal with their pain and Bau eventually worked for the Mossad and the Israeli Intelligence Agency returning to Israel in 1950.

In the end – it is all about love!

He Hears LONDON CALLING

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Allan Ungar and Quiver Distribution comes the story of hits and unlikely friendships with LONDON CALLING.

Tommy Ward (Josh Duhamel) is a well-known hitman in the UK. Boss Harry (Arnold Vosloo) sends him out of an important hit and it has gone, well, really bad. Now, with a bounty on his head, Tommy has to say goodbye to his son and get out of London going to the one place he hates – Los Angeles. A few years has passed and now Tommy works for Benson (Rick Hoffman) doing the same odd hit here and there and finding what he does best – trouble!

The word gets out internationally that Tommy is in L.A. and one interested person is Freddy Darby (Aidan Gillen) who has a bone to pick with him. Tommy wants to get back to London to see his son and Benson suggests a trade, a plane ticket for help with son Julian (Jeremy Ray Taylor). Julian is a kid into video games and larping which has dad Benson just believing that the family business will disappear if he doesn’t grow up. The trade is this; take Julian to look for the next hit, Alistair McRory (Neil Sandilands) and see it through.

Tommy really isn’t happy with the arrangement but finds himself wanting to help the young man, especially after learning he’d been bullied by his larping group. The lessons begin in shooting, hand to hand ‘combat’, and how to scare people into doing what they want. They get to practice on Seamus McRory (Brandon Auret), Alistair’s brother. As if the pair isn’t busy enough, let’s not forget Darby and his axe that needs grinding. The most unlikely pair getting into the most ridiculous trouble soon discover that this twisted friendship has heart!

Duhamel as Tommy clearly had several good years as a hitman and his name is known to everyone in the game. Something is not quite right but Tommy refuses to hear anything about it, even when a grave mistake sends him to L.A. I love Duhamel’s attitude which is almost that of a grumpy old man. Being a hitman seems to be the only thing that eases the steam from a very hot kettle. There is also a soft spot that Julian taps into and it can be a good or bad thing depending on how you take the chaos!

Taylor as Julian is a kid who is floundering a bit and he finds solace in larping which, by the way, is still a thing enjoyed by a lot of people Feeling the strain between he and father Benson, it is an escape that it both helpful and hurtful. Being sent with Tommy, Julian takes everything he learns in stride and Taylor is a combination of hilarious and needing a warm hug to bat away the insecurities of this character.

Hoffman as Benson is just the worst of the worst of bosses. He has no problem leaving a trail of bodies all over L.A. and happily throws money at Tommy to make it happen. When he is confronted by his son’s issues, like a boss he appointments someone else to handle it. When Darby shows up, its dollar signs, not a father’s love that motivates him. He’s creepy and icky which Hoffman pulls off with ease. Gillen as Darby is just a hot mess that wants to be the one to end Tommy and a trip to L.A. seems like a fun way to do it.

Sandilands as Alistair is just bat-doo-doo nuts and I am all about it. His character is twisted, all over the place and in need of some intense therapy. That being said, if you’re going to have a madman running after you, Sandilands character of Alistair is the guy to get the job done. Auret as brother Seamus knows Alistair is a sandwich short of a picnic but hey, he’s family and that means everything so let the war begin. 

Other cast include Daniah De Villiers as Erika, Daniel Thomas as Arthur, Daniel Lasker as Barnabus, Jazzara Jaslyn as Darya, Ntlanhla Morgan Kutu as Amos Woodley, Finnley Barnett as Oliver and Karl Thaning as Ricky.                                           

Quiver Distribution helps filmmakers distribute to worldwide audiences on platforms such as iTunes, Google Play and Netflix. Premier works with every major studio and 100’s of independent distributors providing solutions and servicing their content in 100’s of digital retailers and broadcasters across the globe. For more information on Quiver Distribution please visit www.quiverdigital.com.

LONDON CALLING is a mixture of action, suspense, drama, comedy and a few unlikely hitmen. There are twists and turn that bring unexpected surprises with giggles that can’t be suppressed. Duhamel and Taylor together make a great team in the midst of the reasons they are having to get a job done. They learn to understand one another which keeps them moving toward a day of larping and a reunion with family.

Director Ungar takes the story on a ride that matches Tommy’s gold toned 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix. Tommy is supposed to be teaching Julian how to be a ‘man’ but it is their relationship that helps them both grow up. The cinematography is fast and explosive to say the least which adds to the weird telling of the film. Hang on to your gun because this is going to get outlandish and entertaining.

In the end – this isn’t any ordinary babysitting job!

 

 

 

 

 

PRISONER OF WAR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and VOD from director Louis Mandylor and Well Go USA in a story by Scott Adkins is the story of war and those who fight being the PRISONER OF WAR.

Wing Commander James Wright (Scott Adkins) is in the British Airforce during the Battle of Battan in 1942. He is shot down, captured and taken to a prison camp where he is marked for death. Wright is not about to let that happen and makes a daring escape but is recaptured and brought before Lt. Col. Benjiro Ito (Peter Shinkoda). Believing he has plans for Wright, to his surprise, he never anticipated anyone like this soldier.

Wright meets the other prisoners of war along with Beardy (Michael Walton), Jonesy (Gary Cairns), and Sgt. Gabrielle Villanueva (Michael Copon) who introduce their leader Captain Collins (Cowboy Cerrone). They fill him in on what is happening at the camp and how there are other camps much worse. Yet Wright is about to find out how Ito deals with punishments in the camp but, the rules are about to change. Ito sees that this soldier has been heavily trained and puts that training to the test.

Not waiting around to see what Ito has planned for the prisoners; Wright comes up with a plan that needs the help of everyone in the camp. One person he did not expect is Teresa (Gabbi Garcia), a nurse who is kept in the camp by Ito. The problem is the watchful eye of Captain Endo (Masanori Mimoto) who wants desperately to be the one to put Wright down. As the plan gets put into place, they group will only have a short window of time to get away before Ito and his men shoot to kill.

Adkins as Wright is a soldier who is sure of himself and doesn’t let anything rattle him, at least he doesn’t show it. Always watchful, it helps him stay one step ahead of anything coming after him, even Ito. The other prisoners quickly trust him and believe that his plan, although put together quickly, will work because they are doing it together! Adkins gives us a pilot who doesn’t fight to end life but fights to avoid it at all costs. I enjoyed his performance mainly because it was more brains over brawn and the martial arts was a bonus.

Shinkoda as Ito is a ruthless man who has no issue with punishments or pitting man against man. Once he experiences Wright’s abilities, he uses it for two purposes and neither of them are worthy of humanity. Trying to keep his emotions in checks, he slips occasionally and Wright is there to take note. Mimoto as Endo is an angry soldier who sees nothing redeeming about any of the prisoners but especially Wright. Trying to convince Ito to let him handle it, his frustration grows in intensity.

Copon as Villenueva takes to Wright immediately and believes that he can make an escape possible. Cerrone as Collins also sees what the pilot can do and how it has an effect on Ito but believes in an escape is possible. Walton and Cairns will follow strength and that includes newcomer Wright. Garcia as Teresa is a captive as well as Ito uses people for his own purposes. She sees that Wright can be the way out and I love that there is a woman in the mix.

Shout out to Asano as Shunsuke as he brings the past and present together.

Other cast include Shane Kosugi as Corporal Hirano, Fitim Krasiqi as The Greek, Pauline Lopez as Ana, Xin Wuku as The Monster, Andrei Kasushkin as Edgar and Kansuke Asano as Shunsuke Ito.

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.

Director Mandylor is known on screen for such roles as Marcus in THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT, Ethan Hill in DAYLIGHT’S END, John Caputo in 3 DAYS IN MALAY and as Nick Portokalos in the hit film MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING and the sequels that followed. 

Adkins history in film makes PRISONER OF WAR a perfect fit. Trained in the styles of taekwondo, judo, kickboxing, capoeira, Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do and Wushu, it offered roles in actions films such as THE EXPENDABLES 2 (2012), ZERO DARK THIRTY (2012) up to DAY SHIFT (2022) and JOHN WICK: Chapter 4 (2023). His other film in 2025 is SKYLINE: Warpath. About his martial arts beginnings, Adkins says, “I started when I was ten years old. I did judo because my brother and dad took part in it. They eventually stopped but I kept going. I got into taekwondo for many years and was a fan of martial arts films from the start.”, so it only makes sense he would use his skills in film.

PRISONER OF WAR is a war film yes, but there is so much more to it. It is a story of survival and camaraderie in the grip of that survival. Wright comes in not to be a supersized hero who wants to take out everyone, but instead focuses on saving as many as he can with the help of fellow prisoners. Even when coming up against an aggressor like Ito, Wright/Adkins refuses to capitulate. The cast adds a layer of complexity that comes with any story of war and an ending that is unexpected!

In the end - captured in war and unleashed in battle!

 

The Group Takes THE LONG WALK

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Francis Lawrence, screenplay by JT Mollner, Vertigo Entertainment and Lionsgate is a story from the Stephen King novel THE LONG WALK.

The United States has become a dystopian world under the control of a totalitarian regime that has a yearly contest. Young men are chosen to walk at a designated pace or are removed until only one is left to collect a prize. One such young man is Raymond Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) who is about to leave his worried mother Ginnie (Judy Greer). Immediately Garraty makes friends with Peter McVries (David Jonsson), Arthur Baker (Tut Nyuot) and Hank Olson (Ben Wang).

Before setting off, the Major (Mark Hamill) makes the rules simple but the most important one is – keep walking! Surrounded by military vehicles and weaponized soldiers, the walk begins. Mile after mile, the group keeps it to small talk except for Garraty’s group who try to lighten their situation. Collie Parker (Joshua Odjick) has a stern face and doesn’t say much, Curley (Roman Davis) moves swiftly with Rank (Daymon Wrightly), Gary Barkovitch (Charlie Plummer) can’t help being obnoxious and Stebbins (Garrett Wareing) looks like doom.

Each step the boys take tightens their friendships as they share in the ‘what if’s’ and the possibilities of winning and losing.

Hoffman as Garraty is a young man who has seen his share of heartache but keeps it to himself. Finding friendship in the group of boys becomes the one thing to hold onto with each passing mile. Hoffman gives us a character that is complex, kind, protective and focused. His flow seemed so natural and perfectly paired with Jonsson. Speaking of Jonsson as McVries, he is almost the twin of Garraty in ways and means. He is also clear on the reason to be walking and finds a protective kinship with Garraty and I truly loved watching the two together. Jonsson gives us a character that is a leader without actually realizing he is and that serves his character well.

Nyuot as Baker is thrilled to be part of the group and is the naïve walker in many ways. It is not that he is unaware, he just chooses to see things simpler than most. Davis and Wrightly as Curley and Rank try to stay focused but get wrapped up in emotions that don’t serve them well. Plummer and Wareing as Barkovitch and Stebbins are the thorn to many of the boys on the walk. They test and taunt a bit which, under normal circumstances, would typically be considered normal but, this situation is far from normal.

Greer as Ginnie is a mother who clearly is having a difficult time being separated from her son. Wishing he had made a different choice, Greer gives us the heartache and struggle to let go. Odjick as Parker is doing his best to not becoming part of any clique or friendship group. He has his eyes on the prize and doesn’t want connection with anyone. Odjick’s character says more with his expressions than with words.

Shout out to Mark Hamill as the Major. If you didn’t know it was him you wouldn’t know it was him. Hiding behind large reflective glasses and military uniform, he is the voice that was suppose to encourage but felt more like condescending honest or even teasing with cruelty to me. I am happy anytime I see Luke Skywalker, oh sorry, Hamill on the screen and this role was his chance to be hands-off wicked.

Other cast include Jordan Gonzalez as Richard Harkness, Noah de Mel as Ewing, Thamela Mpumlwana as Pearson, Jack Giffin as Ronald, Keenan Lehmann as Larson, Dale Neri as Percy Grimes, Teagan Stark as Patrick Smith, Sam Clark as Tressler, Emmanuel Oderemi as Zuck, and Josh Hamilton as William Garraty.

THE LONG WALK is probably the closest to the source of Stephen King’s book to be put on film. The amazing part is that he wrote in in 1967 while still in college at the University of Maine. His first completed novel, finally published in 1979 but not under the name of Stephen King but of Richard Bachman. It wasn’t until 1985 when the world would come to know the name of Stephen King (which I like much better).

The film is a gambit of emotions from shocking, to sadness, to feeling a bit uncomfortable listening in on conversations and back to shock again. There is no way to avoid these feelings as the entire film is the boys walking, talking and seeing things no one should ever see or experience. Lawrence may have allowed us to listen in on the conversations but never, ever let us forget for a moment that stopping has consequences. 

Keeping the road as a character in the film, the audience doesn’t have to worry what’s on the right or left because the story is right in the middle, right on the road. The cast is absolutely amazing with powerful performances as each actor playing their characters exactly how I would see and hear a group of boys behave with profound skill. It is the violence that is harsh and the choices each young man has to make it absolutely heartbreaking. Well done all around.

In the end – the task is simple, walk or die!

 

 

JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH Roars Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K UHD, Bluray, DVD and Digital platforms from director Gareth Edwards, Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH.

It has been several years since the last take on the dinosaurs and Earth is becoming a problem for the creatures. The cause of it is that the environment, air, weather etc., just do not help their survival. One place where they are managing to survive are several tropical locations are similar in many respects to what they need, be can thrive and it be forbidden for anyone to go there.

Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) meets with Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), a woman with a certain set of skills that Krebs needs to take on a special mission. He asks that she go to the dinosaur island to obtain blood samples that can create medicine to save lives. After striking a deal, they go to the one person who would know how to find the exact dinosaurs needed – Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) who agrees to go along. Zora finds help, and a boat, from longtime friend Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali).

Out in the ocean, dad Reuben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) is sailing with daughters Teresa (Luna Blaise), Isabella (Audrina Miranda) and Teresa’s boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono). As the boat glides through the water, they are bumped by something strange. What they could never have imagined it what was circling them! Kincaid hears a distress call coming from Reuben and makes the decision to go and rescue them. It takes no time before the boat becomes the new target.

Racing to get to the island, if they thought they were any safer on land, they would be wrong as Reuben and his family are separated from those on the boat once again. Knowing they are under a serious time constraint, Zora, Krebs, Duncan and Dr. Loomis continue on to get their samples are met by some amazing animals but they are different dinosaurs, genetically different. In the jungle, Reuben and his family remember hearing the others talk about a village and believe it might by where they can meet up with the others.

Each step they take brings them closer to creatures who do not want them on their island and survival means staying one large step ahead of anything chasing them, including a Distortus Rex!

Johansson as Zora is a woman who, for the right paycheck, can be bought for covert missions. Quick with a sample weapon, she spends time watching everyone around her come face to face with dinosaurs. Johansson gives us a straight forward character who wants to get the job done and get as many people out alive as possible. She is the rough and tumble Ellie Sattler or Claire Dearing, maybe it’s mercenary thing.

Bailey as Dr. Loomis is an Alan Grant type character who is disappointed that people seem to have lost their curiosity for dinosaurs. That, in itself, took the story into a realm because there isn’t a kid (or grown up for that matter) that wouldn’t be all over dinosaurs living in the world. Bailey gives us a man who agreed to help find creatures that will help medicinally. The character of Dr. Loomis gives Bailey an innocent kind of charm in the midst of chaos and dinosaur madness.

Friend as Krebs is a familiar character in his actions and reasons for finding the mutant dinosaurs. His eyes roll with dollar signs and no one is going to get in his way, and I mean no one. Happy to see Friend on the screen even if his character is one I’d have thrown overboard early in the film (kidding). Ali as Duncan knows and understands Zora having worked together before. He may be on a dinosaur mission but he isn’t willing to sacrifice anyone or anything and I like that about his character.

Garcia-Rulfo as Reuben is a father who obviously is clueless to the world around him. On a boat with his kids (in a forbidden area) and a boyfriend that would make excellent dino-bait, it’s just one disaster after another. Blaise as Teresa screams and runs extremely well. Iacono as Xavier is the dude all parents are afraid to find next to their daughter, he has his moments and a few of them bring laughs. Miranda as Isabell is very cute and even cuter when she meets Dolores.

Other cast include Philippine Velge as Nina, Bechir Sylvain as Leclerc and Ed Skrein as Bobby Atwater.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

Exclusive Bonus Features are Alternate Opening, Deleted Scenes (Raptors and Mutadon Attack), Jurassic World Rebirth: Hatching a New Era (The World Evolves, Off the Deep End, Trekking Through Thailand, Rex in the Rapids, Don’t Look Down, and Mini-Mark Mayhem), Gag Reel, Meet Dolores, Munched: Becoming Dino Food, A Day at Skywalker Sound, Hunting for Easter Eggs, Feature Commentary with Director Gareth Edwards, Production Designer James Clyne, and First Assistant Director Jack Ravenscroft, and Feature Commentary with Director Gareth Edwards, Editor Jabez Olssen and Visual Effects Supervisor David Vickery.

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.

Director Edwards says of the film, “There is an aesthetic I’ve been chasing my whole career, that the 70s, 80s and 90s look. Now you can film with a 360 camera, put it into software and get a 3D environment. The quality is so good that it is nearly photo-real perfect.”

In 1993, JURASSIC PARK hit theatres and just literally roared at the box office. It was and still is an amazing film filled with excitement, drama, dinosaurs, screaming and yelling (and a lot of it from the viewing audience). Audiences couldn’t get enough of the film seeing it time and time again and, like me, have it as part of a home entertainment library of films. That is followed by THE LOST WORLD: Jurassic Park (1997), JURASSIC PARK III (2001), JURASSIC WORLD (2015), JURASSIC WORLD: Fallen Kingdom (2018), and JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION in 2022. Where does this leave JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH?

A mish-mash of easter eggs dropped here and there for fans of the previous films. This seemed more focused on the human story. The dinosaurs were there of course but instead the stories of those who were there and why seemed to take center stage.

If you are a die-hard fan of JURASSIC PARK then the film will be a summer joyride but if you are a JURASSIC PARK purest, one might be like my family finding a mixture of good and not-so-good about the ride. There is a bit of humor, there are characters that might seem familiar in behaviors to past characters and a few jump moments because, I mean, who would expect a dinosaur to be napping next to shore! The drink cups and popcorn footprint ‘bucket’ are pretty awesome though!

In the end – your home and their world!

A Winning HBO Series with THE WHITE LOTUS Season 3

 

Jeri Jacquin

Now on DVD from creator Mike White is the HBO Original THE WHITE LOTUS: The Complete Third Season.

Zion (Nicholas Duvernay) is attempting to try meditation with Amrita (Shalini Peiris) when gunfire breaks out leaving him wondering where mom Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) is. A week prior, a boat comes to port with Rick (Walton Goggins), girlfriend Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), Timothy (Jason Isaacs), wife Victoria (Parker Posey) and their kids Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Piper (Sarah Hook) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola). Also, actress Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) and friends Kate (Leslie Bibb) and Laurie (Carrie Coon). Already on shore is Chloe (Charlotte Le Bonn) and Greg (Jon Gries). Fabian (Christian Friedel) meets the guests along with hotel owner Sritala (Lek Patravadi).

The resort is already a buzz with Rick being upset that the person he came to see isn’t there, Kate and Jaclyn talk divorce, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) finally talks with health mentor Mook (Lalisa Manobal) about his feelings. Belinda and Pomchai (Dom Hetrakul) have something going, Saxon can’t stop himself from being inappropriate, and Timothy tries hard to avoid the calls that are plaguing him. Victoria is dealing with a big of worry about a tsunami which sets Piper off believing it is a foreboding. Piper finally gets to do what she came for and visits a monastery for her thesis. Belinda might know someone and does what anyone would do.

Fabian might have made a mistake by giving Gaitok a gun but Mook sees it as promotion potential. Ricks detachment from Chelsea has her wondering what is happening and gets an unexpected answer. Lochlan also gets an unexpected discussion with Piper about her monastery visit. Timothy can’t get away from his problems and finds a questionable way to deal with it and Gaitok confronts him. Chloe takes the younger crowd to a Full Moon party and supplies the ‘party favors. Jaclyn, Kate and Laurie go clubbing and meets up with guys and makes a night of it, literally.

Belinda is surprised by her son Zion catching her in an awkward situation. Greg is suspicious of the happenings around Saxon and Lochlan. Timothy’s situation has caused him to think about doing the worst things possible. Rick is not done trying to meet Jim Hollinger (Scott Glen) and involves Sritala in his scheming. It doesn’t take but a moment for Rick to make it clear why he is in Thailand and it isn’t for his mental health. Mook decides to go out on a date with Gaitok and she learns his security guard secret. Chelsea tries to help Saxon with his wileyness, but some guys you can’t help.

Piper finally tells her parents the truth of her visit to Thailand, after a girlfriend disagreement, Laurie remembers why she is friends with Jaclyn and Kate and Timothy turns everything upside down in a blender of pina coladas. Jim and Rick finally have their moment and it is after that Sritala changes everything and it seems the only one walking away from this in a positive way is Gaitok!

Goggins as Rick doesn’t have the same thrill as his girlfriend about being in Thailand. That could be because he is there with a mission in mind and it has nothing to do with a vacation. Watching him unpack with health mentor Amrita, he blurts out a past that might explain the present.  I have to say that honestly, I love everything Goggins does so when I heard he was on this season, I tuned in for it. I love when he takes on a character that is spicey or standoffish and the character of Rick gives me both. Wood as Chelsea is a young woman who can’t understand why Rick is behaving a bit mean with her. This is a rather cheerful and outgoing young lady and her man is starting to take the joy out of her.

Isaacs as Timothy is a man with a problem, and that problem is the law. Trying to stay out of it is proving to be a challenge no matter how many phone calls he takes. It is his thoughts about how to get out of it that are disturbing. Posey as wife Victoria seems disjointed on this trip but things begin to happen around her that make it impossible to not have an all-out reaction. Hook as Piper has brought her family to Thailand for one reason but it is clear she has another reason. Out of all the people at the hotel, I think she is the sanest one of all.

Schwarzenegger as Saxon is a sex starved degenerate of a son who doesn’t hesitate to see that he has a problem – but that’s what narcissism does. He is absolutely the peacock of the hotel and doesn’t mind what anyone thinks of what he says or does. Nivola as brother Lochlan admits that he is a people pleaser but finds himself going way to far. Caught between what sister Piper is doing and how brother Saxon behaves may be the thing that pushes him over the edge.

Monaghan as Jaclyn is an actress taking time away to rekindle her friendships. Getting the gossip in person feels so much better than their yearly telephone calls. Bibb as Kate doesn’t mind filling Jaclyn in on what has been happening as their first dinner. The scene between Monaghan and Bibb is girl talk but also feels like a chipping away at a friend yet I loved it. Coon as Laurie is going through problems of her own and trying to hide it from the others. I just love Coon and especially her latest role as Bertha Russell in the wildly successful hit THE GILDED AGE also on HBO.

Rothwell as Belinda is such a charming character. She is at the hotel on her own but it is clear that she feels like she is missing something in her life. Finding it in Hetrakul as Pomchai, it makes her wonder whether staying is something she really wants but at the same time so cute! Manobal as Mook gets the joy (and I laugh when I say that) to deal with the guests and their idiosyncrasies. So charming and lovely, I don’t think I’d be as gracious as Mook and well done Manobal. Thapthimthong as Gaitok is not only a little love sick, but will do anything to move up the ladder and impress Mook. He is equally as charming as Manobal and if I were a big roller I’d tip both of them beyond belief.

Shout out to Patravadi as Sritala, the colorful and outspoken hotel owner who comes in and out at will. She is also a wonderful singer. Also, Friedel as Fabian who tries to keep things running smoothly but his facial expressions say it all.

Other cast include Ke Huy Quan as Kenneth, Scott Galloway as Chuck, Rob Carlton as Rupert, Yothin Udomsanti as Pee Lek, Suthichai Yoon as Luang Poor Teera, Yuri Kolokolnikov as Vlad, Julian Kostov as Aleksei, Morgana O’Reilly as Pam, and Arnas Fedaravicius as Valentin.

HBO Home Entertainment brings critically acclaimed and groundbreaking programming throughout the world. Releases include the global hit Game of Thrones, True Detective, Girls, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, True Blood, The Wire and Entourage. The company's catalog contains hundreds of titles including Big Little Lies and Band of Brothers. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

The episodes include Same Spirits New Forms, Special Treatments, The Meaning of Dreams, Hide or Seek, Full-Moon Party, Denials, Killer Instincts, and Amor Fati.

The Special Features include Invitation to Set: Welcome to Thailand, Thai Tea, Closet Tour, Unpacking Each Episode, and Get to Know the Characters.

THE WHITE LOTUS: The Complete Third Season gives so much complexity, twists and turns, and getting to learn about each guest is so intriguing. Taking on some dark topics, they are wrapped in the kind of humor that I like. Like a warmed towel, the story slowly unwraps and keeps us comfortable so that we have no issues waiting for it all to explode. Carbon based units are difficult enough, those at THE WHITE LOTUS are ripe with their insecurities and fears but have no problem having a few drinks under the sun.

Watching all these problems under the stunning setting of Thailand, it would normally make one wonder how it’s possible to have any problems at all. Of course, the monkeys probably knew these were human train wrecks before their feet could make an impression in the sand upon arrival. Goggins is sublime, Isaacs has me as nervous as a turkey at Thanksgiving, Posey had me laughing, Schwarzenegger was good at being ridiculous, the trio of Monaghan, Bibb and Coon reminded me of groups of girlfriends I know, and Manobal and Rothwell are so endearing and charming.

This series definitely deserves to be binge-watched because one at a time is just torture. I intentionally left off details because I hate when someone gives everything away. It is much more fun to have a clue about the characters but get the deep dive while watching on one’s own. Also, this is a perfect series to have friends over to share and with the DVD you can do just that. No commercials only a fun get together with strangers in Thailand!

In the end – same luxury new reservations!