BACKTRACE

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Brian A. Miller and Lionsgate is a tale of reliving a memory on the run when you have to BACKTRACE.

Donovan MacDonald (Matthew Modine) is caught up in a 20 million dollar robbery gone wrong he barely escapes with his life. Responding to the shoot out is Det. Sykes (Sylvester Stallone) and Det. Carter (Colin Egglesfield). MacDonald is taken to the hospital ending up in a coma.

Fast forward seven years and MacDonald has recovered from his coma but can not remember anything about the robbery. Serving time in prison for a crime he can not remember, he is approached by an inmate who suggests it is possible for him to get out. As quick as it was suggested, MacDonald finds himself on the outside.

Just as quick, Det. Sykes is on the case trying to discover how he was taken out of the prison and joined by FBI Agent Franks (Christopher McDonald). What they don’t know is that MacDonald has been taken by former prisoner Lucas (Ryan Guzman), Farren (Tyler Jon Olson) and Alicia (Baylee Curran).

Giving him a drug to help regain his memory, their goal…to find the money that was lost seven years ago after the original heist but with a twist!

Modine as MacDonald carries the film as he tries to remember what it is he has forgotten. That’s hard enough but when you’re injected in the spine with a drug that makes things even crazier, well, Modine has his head full. The plot twists and turns add to his characters story all the way to the end.

Stallone as Det. Sykes only wants one thing, to find out who has taken MacDonald and why. Knowing he now has the FBI breathing down his neck, Stallone gives his usual look of ‘you don’t scare me in the slightest’ while doing his job. Egglesfield as Det. Carter is out in the field following every lead possible. McDonald as Agent Franks is always one potential face smack away from anyone he is around because of his ability to just rub everyone wrong.

Guzman as Lucas, Olson as Farren and Curran as Alicia all have a secret that is bigger than the millions they are trying to get their hands on. As much as they think they are taking all the risks, I think it is Modine’s character that pays the price for it all in many ways.

Other cast include Meadow Williams as Erin, Jenna Willis as Det. Bay, Swen Temmel as Truby, Heather Johansen as Sara, Tamara Callie as Melissa, Lydia Hull as Dr. Nichols and Sergio Rizzuto as Foster.

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

The Bluray includes the Special Features Making BACKTRACE, Cast and Crew Interviews and Trailer Gallery.

BACKTRACE is a film that starts out with a total bang and never lets up. It’s not just the action sequences that are fast, it is the story that changes from one frame to the next. Never knowing exactly what is mystery and what is greed, director Miller takes the mystery deeper into the subconscious of us all.

Coming in at 88 minutes, plan on eating nothing crunchy and don’t take your eyes off the screen because any interruption and you will miss every second of the mystery, the secrets and law enforcement that have ideas of their own.

In the end – some crimes never let you go!

THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Peter Jackson and Warner Bros. is a look at the first World War in THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD.

It has been one hundred years since the end of World War I and with over 600 hours of footage, director Jackson along with the Imperial War Museum archives and the BBC tell a story that has never been experienced before.

In those archives are also the voices of men who lived through the war from 1914 to 1918 and share every detail of their military time. When it is realized that war is coming, it wasn’t just men in their twenties signing up. Boys as young as 15 were lying about their age to join and make their way to training and to war.

For some this was their first experience in the world let along a world at war. Their stories of coming together was a mixture of leaving home for the first time and not quite grasping what they were about to do.

Jackson takes the black and white footage and colorized it and within moments we are brought into their world. The film can be seen in 2D and 3D, I saw it in 3D and it is stunning. It is his hope that by telling a small fraction of a larger story of the war that viewers will see and hear for themselves what has not been before.

In the voices of the men unfolds their life once they became soldiers and that includes every detail of marching, eating, sleeping, friendships and the life of living day to day in the trenches. The German forces are on the other side of a field and in the middle is the constant barraging of bombs.

From the very beginning of the film it is clear that this is a documentary like nothing I had seen before. Every gambit of human emotion was happening on the screen but also the response of an audience who was totally invested in the experience. There were moments of gasping and moments of chuckling and in between moments of keeping emotions together.

Transforming 100 year old footage, Jackson and his team have brought together an incredible accounting of World War I. By colorizing the footage he has brought this piece of a larger story into such perspective that it is almost hard to believe that the film is only 90+ minutes. There isn’t a moment that didn’t hold the audience captive and not one person left their seat until the film was finished.

I have spent days thinking about this film because of everything that Jackson managed to put together. He was not shy about the personal life of the soldiers nor was he shy about death in war. Once again the emotions of the film bring a quiet theatre even quieter.

THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD is an amazing documentary from beginning to end and what Jackson accomplished in four years is nothing short of stellar. Jackson also has an investment in the film as his own grandfather fought in the war and he did not receive compensation for the film. It is a documentary but I have not felt this moved by a documentary in quite a long time.

To see the young faces of the men who fought World War I in the way Jackson has presented them tugged at my heart. We have to remember that 100 years ago; these soldiers did not have the technology available today so when you wanted to get a message to someone else on the line, a soldier ran it. Tanks were experimental and crude at best and personal protection entrusting your life to the soldier next to you.

Surviving on rations and taking care of ones self was done through creativity and ingenuity that most of us today can’t even wrap our minds around. That is what this documentary does, helps us all wrap our minds around something that we’ve only read about in books. Now, that word has jumped from page to screen and given faces to it all.

THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD is a must-see on ever level and I would even go so far as to say it is filled with teachable moments. Copies of the film are already in schools in the UK. As Jackson states in the beginning, this is only a small piece of a large war and it is my hope that he continues with this work and brings more to audiences. I would be the first to watch a series of this work!

This is a telling, visually confronting and soul searching film and worth every moment in the theatre to see and experience.

In the end – this is the true experience of being a soldier.

Ticket Giveaway to THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD in San Diego

Want to see a free film? THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD from Director Peter Jackson. An extraordinary look at the soldiers & events of the Great War, using film footage captured at the time, now presented as the world has never seen.Jackson puts forth an intensely gripping, immersive & authentic experience through the eyes and voices of the British soldiers who lived it. GO TO http://www.militarypress.com/ and look for GIVEAWAYS to get your ticket!

THE HATE U GIVE Explores One Girls View of the World on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray from 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment and director George Tillman, Jr. brings a story of duality when dealing with THE HATE U GIVE.

Living in Garden Heights, Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) lives with her father Maverick (Russell Hornsby), mother Lisa (Regina Hall) and brothers Seven (Lamar Johnson) and Sekani (TJ Wright). Maverick owns a local grocery story while Lisa is a nurse so that both incomes can send their children to a school outside the neighborhood at Williamson Prep.

Starr enjoys her friends Hailey (Sabrina Carpenter) and Maya (Megan Lawless) and is especially happy with boyfriend Chris (KJ Apa).  She admits it’s like living in two different worlds but manages with both. When friend Kenya (Dominique Fishback) convinces Starr to go to a local party, she runs into friend Khalil (Algee Smith). Their party time is brief when a fight breaks out and there is gunfire.

Getting her safely away, Khalil and Starr talk about their childhood memories when a police officer pulls them over. Starr tells Khalil to do what he is told and keep his hands where they officer can see them. Questioning the officer and not doing what is asked, Khalil finds himself at uncomfortable odds with the officer. Outside the car it all happens so quickly as Khalil is shot.

Starr’s parents try to protect their daughter when the police question her but it’s all stopped when her Uncle Carlos (Common). She sees him as an important person in her life when Maverick spent a little time in prison. Also threatening her is King Lords (Anthony Mackie), a drug dealer who wants her to keep her mouth shut about the incident.

Learning that the police officer is to go before a grand jury, it becomes clear that Starr might not be able to hide her anonymity. A few people in Garden Heights know it was she in the car with Khalil that night but Starr has to hide it from those she knows as Williamson Prep. The confrontations are coming from all sides for Starr as she realizes that she must either remain silent or let the truth be known.

When a protest breaks out, Starr must make a stand and hope they all hear!

Stenberg as Starr is a young girl who was raised in the way of surviving Garden Heights while also fitting into a school she is sent to for her own protection. Jumping in between both situations, Starr has become fluent in gliding between the two. That is until Khalil is killed and she is stuck between the worlds that she maneuvered with ease just hours before. Stenberg gives a performance that is believable and solid

Hornsby as Maverick is a man with a past but it isn’t the past one might think. After meeting his wife, Mav became a family man who believes in protecting his family by making them aware of what goes on in the world. When it all comes to their front porch, there is nothing he won’t do for his family – nothing. Hall as Lisa is equally protective of her family and thinks its time to leave Garden Heights, especially when Khalil is killed and her daughter is in danger.

Smith as Khalil has a small role but an important one as what happens to him is indicative of what is happening a lot in the United States. Johnson as Seven is a young man also torn between two families but doesn’t hesitate to support his sister Starr. Wright as Sekani is a young boy who is witness to it all and makes a move that shocks everyone.

Common as Uncle Carlos is a man who is seeing the world from the view of the police and even when he tries to explain it to Starr, it doesn’t come off well. Mackie as King Lords the local kingpin is a rough man who knows where he comes from but isn’t going to change where the money is.

Other cast include Issa Rae as April Ofrah, Tony Vaughn as Mr. Lewis, Rhonda Dents as Miss Rosalie, Marcia Wright as Tammy, Al Mitchell as Mr. Reuben, Javon Johnson as Pastor Eldridge, Kurt Yue as John, Andrene Ward-Hammond as Brenda.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

The Bluray and DVD Special Features include Extended Scenes, Starting a Conversation, The Talk, Code Switching, Starr: Shine Your Light, The Heart of Georgia, Thank U Georgia, Audio Commentary by George Tillman, Jr., Amandla Stenberg, Russell Hornsby, Angie Thomas and Craig Hayes and Gallery.

Also included is Movies Anywhere which allow movies with Digital Codes to be viewed with the Movies Anywhere app for download and streaming.

The film is based on the by Angie Thomas The Hate U Give which was turned into a screenplay by Audrey Wells. THE HATE U GIVE premiered in 2018 at the Toronto Film Festival and had wide release only a month later.

The film has received awards from the African-American Film Critics Association, the American Film Festival, the Hampton International Film Festival, Hollywood Film Awards, Indiana Film Journalists Association, Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society, Mill Valley Film Festival and Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Awards.

THE HATE U GIVE takes on the tough issues and the response from both sides whether good or bad. This film is a conversation starter and I wouldn’t hesitate to show it in classrooms everywhere as a teachable moment. Just as Maverick teaches his children early, we all must teach our children early but for reasons not based in fear but mutual respect.

In the end – two worlds and one voice!

PEPPA PIG: When I Grow Up Delights on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the delightful young piglet along with family and friends with PEPPA PIG: When I Grow Up.

In class, Peppa Pig is hearing all about the choices her classmates are making as to what they want to be when they grow up. From being a policeman to a teacher, each also likes the choice of telling people what to do. Peppa is upset because she doesn’t know what she wants to be even if little brother George wants to be dinosaur.

Peppa and her family join the local flying vet to visit sick animals and doing it in an airplane! They soon get a call from their own home as baby ducks are stuck on their roof. The vet teaches Peppa to quack at the little babies to get them home to their parents on the pond.

Ms. Gazelle teaches her students to appreciate music by using their imaginations to describe what they hear. Peppa decides that the music reminds her of jumping up and down in a puddle and her friends don’t hesitate to join her while they create their own song.

Danny the dog is having a pirate themed birthday party and Peppa is thrilled. Taking the ship up stream they are all looking for the golden treasure. Grandpa Pig helps with the game and catches Grand-dad Dog taking the treasure!

Mommy Pig is going to the local firehouse to meet with other Mommy’s and Daddy Pig is off with his friends for a bit of football. Peppa and George go with Mommy Pig and get to see the new fire engine! Peppa is surprised when they get a real life fire call and it is at their home.

Tittles the Turtle is found up a tree while Pedro and Peppa rescue him but not before he gets a bumped nose. The doctor quickly shows up to fix his nose but can’t fix Pedro’s glasses. After fixing glasses, there is trouble with the dentists’ car that Doctor Dog can fix. It seems there is someone in the town for every situation.

The class is preparing for showing talent and Peppa is having difficulty picking just one to share with her friends. Pedro shows his magic, Emily Elephant plays the flute and Rebecca Bunny shares her silly noises and all of this worries Peppa.

Peppa, George and Mommy Pig prepare to take their first helicopter ride with Ms. Rabbit and they are having a blast, well maybe not so much for Mommy Pig. Daddy pig is having a fun time at the local carnival and when its time to get home, his car gets stuck in the mud and he has to call for help.

The police come to the school and teaches the students the do’s and don’ts of bicycle riding. Even teacher Ms. Gazelle learns a few lessons about properly being safe on a bicycle.

Daddy Pig got his days all mixed up thinking it is Saturday and Mommy has to work on her computer sending Peppa off to play group. At group, they decide to open a play store and help customers with what they need or think they need. When the family comes home they discover that when work is over there is plenty of time for play.

Peppa and the class learn what an ambulance does from Dr. Brown Bear and how it helps people in their community. But what happens when the doctor needs an ambulance himself? Ms. Gazelle and the entire class step in to make sure Dr. Brown Bear gets the help he needs.

The class is making their own music with rattles, all kinds of drums, maracas, cymbals, castanets, triangles and tambourines. Ms. Gazelle must teach them the difference between a bunch of wild noise and working together to make fantastic music. The best part is playing for their parents and surprised when the parents join in.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

The DVD includes the Peppasodes of When I Grow Up, The Flying Vet, Move to Music, Danny’s Pirate Party, The Fire Engine, Doctors, Talent Day, Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter, The Police, Work and Play, The Ambulance and Shake Rattle and Bang.

Peppa Pig and her family have made their way into my family and spend every day with us. My granddaughter loves the series and even has the toys to play knowing each characters name. That is how you know that a family program has made an impact, when a child embraces each character like family.

The series teaches such valuable lessons about life, friendship, family, loyalty, learning, respect and loads of fun! That is what drew me to the series from the beginning. The fact that Peppa and her brother George have the love of an extended family is very important for kids to see – and it doesn’t matter if they learn it from a cute little pig.

PEPPA PIG: When I Grow Up give children a chance to think about that very question without it becoming too serious. Instead they learn about the choices and ask the questions that could possibly plant the seed for their dreams to one day come true.

In the end – if there is a job puddle jumping then Peppa is your pig!

On 4K Ultra HD and Bluray is AIRCRAFT CARRIER: Guardian of the Seas

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from Shout Factory and Stephen Low is AIRCRAFT CARRIER: Guardian of the Seas.

Historically ships came to the forefront in the Mediterranean with the ram and sink technique of battle. The soldiers fought with swords and bows but that is what they had for the times. How times have changed!

Now, twenty six nations come together to show what their military has in their arsenal as 22,000 soldiers also come together to train in Operation RIMPAC. Leading the way in the Rim of the Pacific is the super carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan.

Captain Craig Clapperton commands this super carrier and every detail is considered to make this training a success. The ship is run on two radio active engines that spin turbines that can provide electricity to over 100,000 people. Four gigantic propeller shafts push the ship forward as speeds that are still classified.

Five thousand, two hundred and twelve military personnel make their mission a success because they work together. Leading it all is Admiral Lisa Franchetti who oversees the task of the training.

The carrier leads Japan, Canada, Norway, Singapore, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and more are the International Fleet that will participate in the training. The aircrafts begin with their take off and landings which is astounding in itself. What joins them in this training are the submarines with the newest Virginia class and this particular vessel can stay under water indefinitely!

The aircraft have also gone through changes and they must with all that is asked from their in the way of take offs and landings. These aircraft as equip now with stunning technology to not only help with the defense of countries but also to make better military choices.

SHOUT! Factory has 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 Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Produced by K2 Communications and Giant Screen Films, written and directed by Stephen Low, IMAX Aircraft Carrier: Guardians of the Seas includes the film in stunning 4K HDR10.

The Bonus Features include Audience Testimonials, F-35 vs. Bugatti vs. Human Cannonball, Usain Bolt vs. Giraffe vs. Nuclear Carrier, F-35 Navy Selects Reel, Aircraft Carrier Trailer & TV Spots.

As a history buff I truly appreciate these stories of how battleships came to be, how aircraft have become very important for our military and the history of submarines and how they constantly are changing with advances that can tell friend from foe.

What is also amazing is that it is not just about training and battle but also humanitarian aid to those people around the world who desperately need it. With every natural disaster, the military waste no time in reaching the affected area and offering all they can and I find that absolutely stellar.

Once military personnel finish with their training there is one job they have left to do, to return to their loved ones. We all know how important our military is and no one will deny that, but it is so sweet when they come home and are reunited with family who are proud of all they do.

In the end – thank you for your service!

GLASS is About to Shatter

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director M. Knight Shyamalan and Universal Pictures comes the gripping gathering of fear with GLASS.

Here we are and it has been 19 years since David Dunn (Bruce Willis) discovered he had an unusual ability and has attempted to live a low profile life. Not laying so low after two years is Hedwig (James McAvoy) and the Horde who have struck again and again. Dunn wants to find him before he can destroy more lives.

Discovering where his newest victims are held, Dunn finds them and has a showdown with The Beast. That isn’t the highlight of their meeting, the sudden surrounding of police catches them both off guard. Taken down they are both escorted to the same facility as another famous patient.

Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) is a psychiatrist who deals with patients suffering from delusions of grandeur and that includes Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson). She isn’t pleased that he has been kept sedated like a zombie since his capture. Having all three, Dr. Staple has only a few days to treat, or convince, all three that they are not super heroes of any kind.

Dunn keeps his cool and doesn’t say much because it seems that the Horde is upset and confused about the confrontation and Mr. Glass is unresponsive. The goal of all three is to get out before Dr. Staple makes sure they are committed for good.

But there are secrets to be revealed coming from unexpected places and those who will do whatever it takes to make sure it is all exposed!

That’s all you are getting from me.

Willis as Dunn slides right back into a role he took on nineteen years ago and it feels like no time has passed. That’s what I have always loved about Willis, the roles he has chosen over his career and, although a few bumps here and there, it never has changed my enjoyment of his performances. Dunn was a broken man who found a connection in his life he didn’t know existed and that is how Willis embraced the character. Nineteen years later, his personality has barely changed but his abilities have sharpened.

Jackson as Mr. Glass (yes, I said Mr.) spends a lot of time comatose but that doesn’t stop his mind from churning. Still believing in who they all are, his twitchy eye isn’t happy with the insights spouted by Dr. Staple. Speaking of her, Paulson is the monologuer of the film and she does her best to convince the gang (because the Horde does constitute a gang) that it’s all in their minds.

Stealing the entire film is McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb/ The Beast, Patricia, Dennis, Hedwig, Barry, Jade, Orwell, Heinrich, Norma and a host of others. There are moments where the camera doesn’t leave his face and characters flash seamlessly like the strobe lights in his room. Since the 2016 film SPLIT of which I’ve watched more times that I can even count, McAvoy slides right into the role of sheer madness and I’m in complete awe of his performance. Playing one or two roles is hard enough but man, oh man, does McAvoy ever show that being about twenty people including rock-hard cut Beast had me totally invested in the film.

Other cast include Luke Kirby as Pierce, Marisa Brown as Carol, Charlayne Woodard as Elijah’s Mother and Adam Thompson as Daryl. Look for Spencer Treat Clark as Joseph and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey.

There is so much here that I’m not talking about because on the screen before the film started was a message from Director Shyamalan asking, “If you guys could please keep the secrets of the film so all audiences on opening day can have the experience you are going to have, it would mean the world to me and the cast and crew”. Well, he did ask nicely so I’m going to do exactly that.

I ain’t tellin’ you sh*t in the way of details and I’m okay with doing that actually. Living in this social media world I will let someone else spoil it for you but it certainly won’t be me. The story M. Knight Shyamalan started telling nineteen years ago works for me completely in 2019.

There were a few moments where my jaw dropped as I looked around the crowd to see if anyone else had the same reaction and was thrilled. It seemed the audience was right with me when the secrets started twisting, turning and spilling in all aspects of these three characters.

Well done Mr. Shyamalan! You chose the right actors to bring your story out nineteen years ago and two years ago only to reunite us with them – all of them and what a thrill ride it is!

In the end – the world of Superheroes will be shattered!