What's coming up in theatres!

PAWS OF FURY: The Legend of Hank

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from directors Rob Minkoff, Mark Koelsier, Chris Bailey, Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures is PAWS OF FURY: The Legend of Hank.

Ika Chu (Ricky Gervais) wants their town castle perfect, absolutely perfect for the visit of the Shogun (Mel Brooks). The one thing in his way is the little town of Kakamucho and its town people.

Enlisting the help of the Shogun, Ika Chu finds an unsuspecting samurai and convinces him to protect the town. Hank (Michael Cera) is a dog in cat country who is not received well by anyone and when he shows up in Kakamucho, well, they are not very welcoming. Hank discovers in the local jail a name named Jimbo (Samuel L. Jackson) who has a drinking problem because of something that happened a long time ago.

Hank realizes that Jimbo can teach him how to protect the town. Reluctantly agreeing, Jimbo tries his best to train the dog to have cat like reflexes. Watching this is a young and nimble Emiko (Kylie Kuioka) who also wants to be a samuri but Ika Chu has other plans and sends more and more warriors to try and destroy the town, including a huge Sumo (Djimon Hounsou).

That is until Hank has an idea that might save them, sometimes you have to think like a cat to be the most loyal dog!

Cera as Hank gives us the shy pup who left everything he knew because of an crazy alley encounter to study to become a samurai. Having it thrust upon him unexpectedly, Hank tries to put on a good posturing but everyone sees right through it, especially Jimbo. Wanting to fit in takes time and trust, and both of those things are not in great supply. Cera is charming as he always is.

Jackson as Jimbo is witty, drunk, smart and knows what he knows. Trying to get Hank to listen becomes quite a challenge and he must change his own thinking to train Hank for the battle to come. Jackson is witty and has a line delivery that is pure perfection.

Gervais as Ika Chu is ruthless, mean spirited and also delivers lines that cut with samurai sword precision. He is good at being bad! Hounsou as Sumo does not speak much but when he does, it is poetic and adorable.

Kuioka as Emiko is a very strong-willed young girl but she definetly has what it takes to be a part of the fight. As Yoda said, “judge me by my size do you?” because she may be small but is a powerhouse of talent and skill. Yeoh as Yuki just wants to make sure her daughter is safe but begins to see what she has to offer.

Takei as Ohga gives us his famous tag-line and makes it work each and every time. His charm just oozes off the screen as he leads the army into the battle for Kakamucho.

Other cast include Aasif Mandvi as Ichior, Cathy Shim as Little Mama, Gabriel Iglesias as Chuck, Michelle Yeoh as Yiki and George “oh myyyy!” Takei as Ohga.

Okay, first of all let me get this out. This film is basically an animated version of the 1974 film BLAZING SADDLES. People of a certain age, probably 35 and over if your parents were cool like I was then, will understand the jokes and the characters. From Gene Wilders “Jim” to Harvey Korman’s “Hedey Lamarr” THAT’S HEDLEY, to Mel Brooks’ “Governor Lepetomane to Alex Karras’ “Mongo”, they are all in the film.

The exception is that Cera’s character of Hank is not like Clevon Little’s “Sheriff Bart” as Hank is a dog who is looking to become a samurai. The only thing they have in common is that they become sheriff in a place where they are not wanted. Also, Sheriff Bart was clever and hilarious.

I appreciate what was tried here but I am not sure I understand the need for it. All the jokes and humor are wasted on the little kids who were there to see a fun film. What happened instead is that their parents were the only ones laughing, the kids were lost in the first ten minutes. Asking my granddaughter what she thought and her reply, “it was KUNG FU PANDA with cats”, out of the mouths of movie babes!

One character that resonated with the kids is, of course, Kuioka voicing the very tough and talented Emiko. This kiddy-cat is keenly aware of what is happening in her town, who is responsible and what must be done to set it all right. Emiko is also the only one who sees potential in Hank without judgement and that’s pretty cool.

Take the family for a Saturday trip into martial arts and a look at understanding and a bit of fun!

In the end – prepare to crack up!

MEN IN BLACK Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Barry Sonnenfeld and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the awesome Steelbook 25th Anniversary of MEN IN BLACK.

James Edwards (Will Smith) is a NYPD officer who loves going after the bad guys and this time it’s a freaky chase all the way to the Guggenheim. Trying to explain what happened to the perp, his questioning is interrupted by a man named K (Tommy Lee Jones) and the next thing James knows, he’s eating pie.

Giving him a card, he instructs him to show up at MIB headquarters the next morning to see what its all about. Explaining they are a secret agency that polices aliens using all sorts of extraterrestrial technology, James is all in. What that means is James is going to become Agent J and will be erased from all records.

Of course, across town, so to speak, is farmer Edgar (Vincent D’Onofrio) who has just had something bizarre land in his yard. Checking it out, he becomes an ‘Edgar suit’ for an alien who has an odd need for sugar. It also goes on a spree taking out two aliens disguised as humans and they are taken to the morgue. There Agents K and J meet the coroner Laurel (Linda Fiorentino) and they discover a little dude inside the big dudes head!

Now they know that the bug-Edgar is looking for the galaxy on Orion’s Belt, the race of Arquillians have placed a warship near earth giving them an ultimatum. That puts Agents K and J square in the middle of the potential for a galactic war. But then again, that’s what bug-Edgar wants!

Finding an escape in the 1964 New York World’s Fair Pavilion, the big guns are going to be needed. In the trunk of Agent K’s ultimate in sleek cars, Agent J finds something to suit their purposes because – they are the Men in Black!

Jones as Agent K is a straight faced and extremely serious employee who does not have time to joke around. He gets his alien (even if one time he might have had a slip) every time and takes the purpose of the MIB very, very seriously. That all being said, he does crack me up a little and is completely charming in a twisted sort of way.

Smith as Agent J is the wise-cracking one of the duo and he keeps K on his toes. Wanting to learn everything quickly, he does make a few mistakes and discovers that perhaps this was not his first go around on things. The ‘memory flashy thingie’ becomes something he is eager to use without realizing it has been used on him – a lot.

D’Onofrio as the Edgar-bug is hilarious from beginning to end. He has his own one-liners and zinger defenses that are pretty darn cool. His driving skills are a bit off and he needs to lay off the sugar but all in all a memorable character.

Fiorentino as Laurel is the coroner that gets herself in a little deeper than Agents K and J would have liked. Her role would become stronger and stronger as the story goes along as she finds herself dealing with the Men in Black.

Shout out to Rip Torn as Chief Zed because I absolutely loved him in this role because he makes the same faces I did when my kids were teens driving me nuts while I tried to keep it together.

Other casts include Becky Ann Baker as Mrs. Redgick, Carel Struycken as Arquillian, Richard Hamilton as Agent D, Jon Gries as Nick, Mike Nussbaum as Gentle Rosenberg, John Alexander as Mikey, Patrick Breen as Mr. Redgick, Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Beatrice and Tony Shalhoub as Jack Jeebs.

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

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

Special Features include on 4K Ultra HD Notes from the Director’s Chair Featurette and Designing MEN IN BLACK Featurette. Blu-ray Disc include Telestrator Commentary with Director Barry Sonnenfeld and Tommy Lee Jones, Technical Commentary with Barry Sonnenfeld, Rick Baker and Industrial Lights and Magic Team, Extended & Alternate Scenes, Metamorphosis of MEN IN BLACK Documentary, Original Featurette, Scene Editing Workshop, Storyboard Comparisons, Galleries, Music Video and Original Theatrical and Trailer Releases.

MEN IN BLACK hit theatres in 1997 and took off for the stratosphere! It is not only a fun film but it is funny, well hilarious actually, and just a good time watching the big screen. I remember taking my kids (now grown) to see it for the first time and we saw it several times after that.

When it came out on VHS – google it kiddies – the kid had to have it in their collection. Wearing that poor tape out does not even cover it. But, every time we watched, it was together as a family and we always laughed like crazy.

Now, it is time for the grandchildren to have as much fun and still watch it as a family. Get that popcorn popped, get the couch all comfy, turn down the lights and even turn on the sound bar and prepare for one of the most iconic films ever. Memorable characters, a fantastic cast and lines that are recognizable and repeatable even today. Happy Anniversary MIB!

In the end – it is all in an Earth day at work!

DC LEAGUE of SUPER-PETS

Jeri Jacquin

Flying its way into theatres this weekend from writer/director Jared Stern, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures is DC LEAGUE of SUPER-PETS.

Krypto (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) is Superman’s dog and has been since being force to leave their home planet of Krypton as a baby. Feeling wonderful about having such a best friend, Krypto becomes a little confused when he sees Superman (John Krasinski) and Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde) and becomes a little jealous.

Lois notices and suggests that perhaps they find a canine friend for Krypto. At the local shelter, Ace (Kevin Hart) and his other caged friends including PB (Vanessa Bayer) the pig, Merton (Natasha Lyonne) the turtle, Chip (Diego Luna) the squirrely squirrel and the ever-plotting Lulu (Kate McKinnon) the hairless guinea pig.

All Ace wants to do is escape and all Krypto wants to do is hang with his bff Superman. Especially since Lex Luthor (Marc Marcon) is up to no good trying to get a piece of a meteor that he thinks will give him super powers. First of all he has to get the League out of his way including Batman (Keanu Reeves), Wonder Woman (Jameela Jamil), The Flash (John Early), Cyborg (Daveed Diggs), the Green Lantern (Dascha Polanco) and Aquaman (Jemaine Clement).

His plan fails and he ends up in jail but what he does not know is that Lulu gets a hold of a piece of the meteor and deduces that it only works on animals! Breaking away from the shelter, she did not count on what happens next – all of the animals gain super powers. But Lulu has other plans as she goes straight after Superman and Krypto falls for trick that makes his powers disappear.

Krypto needs help and discovers Ace and the others. He has no choice but to ask for their help in exchange for taking them to his farm in Smallville when it is all done. Now the battle for good and evil begins as animals and humans must come together to fight a deranged hairless guinea pig. Well, it just goes to prove evil comes in all shapes and sizes!

Johnson as Krypto gives us Superman’s best canine friend. There is not anything Krypto wouldn’t do for his Super-friend wanting to keep the promise to his parents. Always faithful but completely stubborn, trying to work with Ace after he gets superpowers proves to be his biggest challenge. He is learning to be a regular dog and what friendship truly means.

Hart as Ace gives his usual comic attitude of a dog with a broken heart of his own. Yet, he is always thinking of his fellow cage-mates, well, with the exception of Lulu. Once he realizes he has super powers, teaching Krypto to get a dog, Krypto also teaches Ace how to be a superhero and have faith in himself.

Bayer as PB is charming, sweet, cute, and filled with self-doubt and there is no way you can’t love her. Lyonne as Merton is hilarious and is enjoying his new status as a superhero in a very unusual and funny way. Luna as Chip has the same insecurities as PB and his superpowers make that feeling a tad more stressful but dang if he isn’t the cutest. Now, McKinnon as Lulu was the perfect choice to play the slightly, oh lets just be honest, totally deranged hairless guinea pig who has issues and is kind of love struck in a twisted sort of way. I just love her performance and it made me laugh – a lot.

Krasinski gets to be Superman, Wilde tries to keep up with evil as Lois, and Keanu Reeves is the voice of Batman. Can we please put him up for the role? He is difficult, dark, funny and charming voicing the man behind the mask.

Shout out to Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwarts as guinea pigs Keith and Mark. They had me cracking up so much and just wanted to cuddle the stuffing out of them!

Other cast include Keith David as Zypto, Richard Arnold as Waffles, and Alfred Molina as Jor-El.

Warner Brothers is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainments with worldwide distribution to DVD and Bluray, animation, comic books, videogames and broadcasting. For more please visit www.warnerbros.com.

DC Entertainment is the entertainment company for DC Comics which is one of the largest American comic book companies. Bringing such films as JUSTICE LEAGUE, AQUAMAN, SHAZAM! and soon BLACK ADAM, fans are watching the continuing film library that is being led by such directors as Patty Jenkins, Zack Snyder, James Gunn, James Wan and Jaume Collet-Serra. For more please visit www.warnerbros.com.

DC LEAGUE of SUPER-PETS is a fun family film that will be enjoyed by everyone. There are moments that surprised me with its adult language (sort of) and humor. But then again, if you want parents who love DC to sit with their kids who love animated films, you are going to have to throw a bone to them right?

There is fun, adventure and fighting the bad guys, well, er, um, the bad-mad guinea pig. The animation is everything one would expect from DC and the cast gives the audience plenty to love and laugh about. Lets face it, we would all think it cool to have a super-pet of our very own.

In the end – sit, stay and save the world!

The Fun and Animated Story of GULLIVER RETURNS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Ilya Maksimov and Shout! Factory Kids is the call for the legend in GULLIVER RETURNS.

While sailing around in his life of adventure, Gulliver (voiced by Wayne Grayson) receives a message from Lilliput. When he arrives, he is greeted by a king (Billy Bob Thompson) he does not know and immediately put on trial for not being the giant the little town celebrates.

Standing up for Gulliver is Marcy (Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld) and confuses the king with facts (although that does not seem difficult). What Gulliver does not know is that Marcy is the daughter of his good friend Frelok (HD Quinn) who seems to be in a fog about who his friend is.

When General of Blefuscu comes banging on Lilliput’s giant door, Gulliver has to show how being a giant has little to do with size. Gathering help from the town’s people, they repair what is needed while preparing for the General to do his best to try and take what belongs to the good people of Lilliput.

Other cast include Marc Thompson as Peters, Yelisaveta Zinovenko as Squick, Tom Wayland as Pablo and Samuel Weintraub as Wesley.

Shout! Factory will be donating a portion of the net proceeds earned from the distribution of the movie from year one to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals in response to crises, which is currently active in Ukraine and surrounding countries providing meals for as many people as possible at border crossings, shelters, and other locations.

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.

GULLIVER RETURNS reunites the classic character from Jonathan Swift’s timeless tale. The king sends shocks through the town declaring that Gulliver is Gulliver but not the Gulliver they celebrate. The idea for this returning tale came about by Ukrainian President Volodymryr Zelensky who has become a symbol of the fighting spirit with a giant’s heart.

The animation has Tony Bonilla as its animation director who was part of ENCANTO and MOANA. The film is lively, fun, full of giggly scenes and yet a story that continually reminds the viewer that standing up for what is right and help those who need it the most.

GULLIVER RETURNS is definetly a family film and needs to be watched together. There is so much to talk about once the film has ended as well. Grab the popcorn and prepare to return to Lilliput!

In the end – new adventures from a big hero!

It is LIGHTYEAR in Space

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital as well as streaming on Disney+ from director Angus MacLane, Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Motion Pictures is the story of redemption for LIGHTYEAR.

Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) is on a mission with partner Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and when their ship lands, it takes no time at all to realize that there are hostile creatures who do not want them there. Trying to escape, Lightyear tries to fly their odd-shaped ship back into space and when they crash land, everyone aboard steps up to create a camp.

Their new mission is to find a way home with the creation of crystals for the hyper drive. The problem is that with each test, Lightyear returns the same age but everyone else gets older and older with every test. Hawthorne encourages Lightyear and even gives him the gift of a techno-cat named SOX (Peter Sohn). Lightyear also sees Hawthorne having a life and creating a family on the planet.

The final test run against orders brings Lightyear back 22 years later even though the flight is finally a success. Realizing everything seems to have changed, he meets Hawthorne’s granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer). She tells Buzz how much time has passed and that there are robots out to destroy the base. Referring to them as Zurg (because that’s all they say), the chase is on.

Izzy introduces Lightyear to her team with the nervous Mo (Taika Waititi), and criminally minded Darby (Dale Soules). Believing that the trio have absolutely no idea what they are doing or that they can help, that is going to have to change if they are to protect the base camp and hold on to the precious power source.

It is time for Operation Surprise and prepare for a lot of surprises along the way that even Lightyear’s new team could not have seen coming.

Evans as Lightyear gives a serious side to this character but that does not stop the comedy from coming through whether he likes it or not. Every emotion comes from Evans voice as Lightyear deals with guilt and, in a way, isolation from friendships other than Hawthorne. He grows as a person, and everyone is thrilled by the end of the film for that.

Palmer as Izzy is a chip off the space family block, well sort of. Wanting to help save the base camp from Zurg, she is smart and creative even if Lightyear doesn’t see it right away. Palmer gives her character heart and soul.

Sohn as the voice of Sox has ruined me and my granddaughter because we want our cats to be as clever and cool as he is. We love Sox and agree that we both at least want a stuffed kitty in our Disney home collection.

Waititi as Mo is endearing, twitchy, clumsy yet this character fits in perfectly with Izzy and Darby. Speaking of which, Soules cracked me up totally voicing this character who has no problem breaking parole with her skills in three-object bomb making. Calm, cool and collected – I love Darby.

Aduba as Hawthorne knows Lightyear better than anyone which irritates Buzz to no end. Yet, he truly cares for his friend. The messages she leaves keeps her presence in the film that causes a few teary-eyed moments.

Other cast include Mary McDonald-Lewis as IVAN, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Bill Hader as Featheringhamstan, Efren Ramirez as Diaz, Keira Hairston as young Izzy and James Brolin as Zurg.

Pixar has produced twenty-six feature films beginning with TOY STORY in 1995. Earning twenty-three Academy Awards, ten Golden Globe Awards and eleven Grammy Awards just to name a few. They are responsible for beloved family films such as FINDING NEMO, THE INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE, WALL-E, UP, BRAVE, INSIDE OUT and SOUL. For more about Pixar please visit www.pixar.com.

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

There is really a risk in taking a beloved character and try to bring him more ‘real’ to viewers. Most of us know Buzz Lightyear as a straightforward Space Ranger with a mission that is clear from the moment he is turned on. He is also the yin to Woody’s yang making it hard to see one without the other.

That being said, it did take me a bit to fall into the story LIGHTYEAR is trying to tell but it happened. What Disney and Pixar did was fill the screen with sounds, sayings and hints of the Buzz we came to know in 1995. I truly believe that is what brought the audience around. I heard the giggle, ‘ohhhh’s and laughter remembering and accepting – and all from the adults.

LIGHTYEAR is a fantastic family film that I truly believe is fun adventure and humor. Yes, it is a little intense sometimes but once the action roles and the story unfolds, everything comes together wonderfully. The animation is fantastic but then again, we are talking the stellar collaboration with Disney and Pixar.

In the end – to infinity and beyond!

The Sounds of VIVO

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray, DVD and includes an all-new Sing Along Edition from director Kirk DeMicco and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the song and story of VIVO.

It is the beautiful place of Havana, Cuba where Andres (Juan de Marcos Gonzalez) and his best friend Kinkajou Vivo (Lin-Manuel Miranda) spend their time playing music together. They are enjoying life together when an unexpected letter comes to the door. Marta Sandoval (Gloria Estafan) is about to retire from music and there is a history between she and Andres.

Going to Miami is a chance for Andre to finally, after all these years tell Marta his feelings for her and a song he wrote. Vivo becomes a tad jealous thinking that he will be left behind and accepting what is best for his friend. Unfortunately, their meeting is never meant to be. The arrival of Rosa (Zoe Saldana) and young Gabi (Ynairaly Simo) also changes Vivo’s life.

It is a chance to get to Miami so that Vivo can find Marta and give her the music that Andre always wanted her to hear. That can only happen if Gabi can get away from her group of girls called the San Dollars. Finally able to find Marta, Vivo watches a change in Rosa and Gabi and becomes a new resident of Miami!

Miranda as Vivo is a fun loving and loyal Kinkajou when it comes to his friend Andres. Then he knows what must be done for his friend and that’s when his adventure begins. Seeing the world in a different way and in a different city, Vivo is determined! Miranda gives a sweet spot to this character with his wonderful voice.

Simo as Gabi is not like the girls around her. She sees the world through different eyes and colors, and I could not love this character more. It is a wonderful character for young girls who are trying to find where they fit in by being themselves in unique and colorful ways. My granddaughter absolutely loved Gabi and Vivo together.

Gonzalez as Andres loves his life in Cuba with Vivo and the news of a secret love brings him so much joy. So much so that Vivo makes it his mission to do what Andres could not. Estefan as Marta lends her memories of a past with Andres as well as her voice to bring the film to a wonderful and tissue worthy conclusion.

Other cast include Brian Tryree as Dancarino, Nicole Nyer as Valentina, Katie Lowes as Becky, Olivia Trujillo as Eva, Lidya Jewett as Sarah, Christian Ochoa as Montoya, Bradon Jeffords as Mr. Henshaw, Gloria Kellett as Gloria, Leslie Baker as Bob and Michael Rooker as Lutador,.

VIVO is a colorful, wonderful, fun, musical story about loyalty, fun, adventure, love, dedication and friendship. Those are all fantastic reasons to see this film with your entire family. The music with Lin-Manuel Miranda leading the cast of characters is such a joy.

There is so much about this film that teaches children that friendship can come from anyplace, just ask a Kinkaju and love always finds its way back to someone’s heart. There is also Gabi’s story as this young girl just loves being unique and is learning that sometimes you have to stand up for that uniqueness, even if it costs just a little bit.

The animation is absolutely colorful which ask such heart and soul to the story. I watched the film with my family and trust me when I say this is one for the entire family to enjoy, of all ages.

In the end – one song can change anything!

JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION Stomps Its Way Home

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this week to Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director Colin Trevorrow and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the next chapter in the story of JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION.

The dinosaurs are now living among everyone in the world but up in the snowy mountains, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) is living the dino-cowboy-roundup life with girlfriend Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and the mysterious young girl Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon). Also living in the woods is Owen’s raptor Blue who has managed to become a parent of young Beta.

The reasons for keeping Maisie away from prying eyes is a mystery but one that others are very interested in. Seeing Owen and Claire as parental figures, that means she is also going to rebel against them a little. That is until she and Beta are kidnapped sending her parents on a journey to rescue her. Owen is keeping his promise to Blue and, with Claire, going after their girl!

In a local corn field, Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) discovers huge locust that have been modified and are on the move to destroy every crop in their path, every crop except the one seeded by Dr. Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott), CEO of Biosyn Genetics. Realizing she needs help; Dr. Sattler turns to the one person she can trust Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill).

With an invite to Biosyn from Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), that is there in to find a way to turn around the giant destroyers. On their way to Italy also is Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise), a pilot who sees the young Maisie being escorted to Biosyn. She soon runs into Owen and Claire learning that they are looking for the girl and agrees to help them.

At Biosyn, Sattler and Grant are met by Ramsay Cole (Mamoudou Athie) who introduces them to Dr. Dodgson and takes them to see Malcolm. After pleasantries, Malcolm makes it clear he wants to help the two find what they are looking for to stop the madness. Maisie is taken to see Dr. Henry Wu (BD Wong) who has much to tell the teen about her past and what makes her so special.

What they all do not know is that they are mere steps from coming together to do the one thing that should have been done years ago but life always finds a way!

Pratt is back as Owen giving us dino-cowboy vibes who wants to protect them, Claire and mysterious Maisie. Pratt goes straight for the action with his motorcycle chase, and it is fast paced, but then again, his character is being chased by raptors. Howard as Claire is trying to connect with Maisie but the “you’re not my mom” card gets played. That does not stop Claire from doing whatever she must to rescue the girl.

Sermon as Maisie is full of mystery but once it is revealed, personally not sure what it really has to do with dinosaurs or anything else for that matter. She does make a connection with Blue’s kid Beta but Sermon seems to be in the film for being a kid for kids sake. Reverting a bit to the original JURASSIC PARK, this character tries to get us to go back to something that supposedly happened but I’m not getting it.

Athie as Ramsay is a twitchy character that is taken in by Dr.’s Dodgson and Dr. Malcolm. Believing he is part of something good, it becomes clear (as it usually does with people of conscience) that bad things are being done just because they can be. Wong as Dr. Wu is something else, every time he is on the screen, he looks like he is about to either have a nervous breakdown or a good cry. Trying to change his character’s persona is a big stretch as the narrative becomes “I just want to make it right”, yea.

Wise as Kayla is a fast and furious airplane pilot that wants to collect her money and stay out of other people’s business. When it comes to meeting Claire and realizing what part Maisie plays in this, her tune changes and she becomes a super heroine of sorts. Scott as Dr. Dodgson is a little weird, a bit creepy and just not your average looking bad guy. That makes it funny to watch how his mind works.

Let’s talk Dern as Dr. Sattler, she returns and reconnects with her 1993 friends. Without missing a beat, Dern takes back her role as the excited doctor with a cause and this time it is one that could destroy the planet. Neill as Dr. Grant is still digging up the past and when he sees Sattler again, he is willing to get back out in the world and go on this crazy journey to find answers. Neill reaches in and gives us a still cagey character who seems to have an issue still with Malcolm.

Speaking of Malcolm, I am thrilled to see Jeff Goldblum back on the screen in this role. He delivers everything that I was hoping for. His character makes total sense in the way he feels and dang if he didn’t bring the laughs along with him. One-liners, observations and gestures are what make Dr. Malcolm the character that he is. I swear I spit soda through my nose when I saw the scene with the unbuttoned shirt – absolutely hilarious!

Other cast include Omar Sy as Barry Sembene, Justice smith as Franklin Webb, Scott Haze as Rainn Delacourt, Dichen Lachman as Soyona Santos, Daniella Pineda as Dr. Zia Rodriguez, Kristoffer Polaha as Wyatt Huntley, Elva Trill as Charlotte Lockwood, and Varada Sethu as Shira.

Bonus Features include A 14 Minute Extended Version, Battle At Big Rock, A New Breed of VFX, Dinosaurs Among Us: Inside JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION, Together for the First Time, Underground Dino Market, Mayhem in Malta, Scary Real, and Final Night.

There are chase scenes with raptors and the introduction of a new scarier dinosaur making the T-Rex appear to be tame by comparison. Dern, Neill and Goldblum made JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION a success. They are almost just as I remember, and it is very nostalgic to see them again. Seeing Pratt and Blue on screen together was so dang sweet.

Remembering the first time my family saw JURASSIC PARK in theatres, it was thrilling to be there again in any guise. Characters like Sattler, Malcolm, Grant, started our love for the franchise so it makes sense to bring them to join Owen and Claire to see it through. The rest is Jurassic dressing with dino-slight-of-hand.

In the end – it did not start here but it certainly should end here!

I LOVE MY DAD

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres and On Demand from writer/director James Morosini and Magnolia Pictures comes the story of a father doing whatever it takes to make up for mistakes with I LOVE MY DAD.

Chuck (Patton Oswalt) has managed to cause a distance between himself and son Franklin (James Morosini). Son Franklin is dealing with his own issues of depression and feeling isolated from the world. Trying to remove struggles from his life, Franklin blocks his dad on social media.

Not knowing how to stay in his son’s life, after a suggestion from a friend, Chuck creates a fake online account. Using a girl named Becca (Claudia Sulewski), Chuck begins a conversation with Franklin, and it takes no time at all before they are talking all the time.

When Franklin wants to talk on the phone, Chuck tries to enlist the help of girlfriend Erica (Rachel Dratch) but it all goes south quickly. There is no other choice when Franklin feels the need to finally meet Becca in person. Mom Diane (Amy Landecker) is not thrilled with the idea that Chuck agrees to drive his son to meet the elusive Becca.

But when Erica discovers how far it is all going, Chuck has some explaining to do!

Oswalt as Chuck is inconsistent, a bit of a storyteller, has more excuses than I’ve ever heard and still loves his son deeply. Trying to stay connected any way possible, he is shocked when discovering that he has been blocked from son Franklin’s online life. As an insecure parent, Oswalt gives us a man who just can not seem to get it right. The shovel he uses digs him such a deep hole that there is no turning back! Well done!

Morosini as Franklin is a young man who, if you think about it, is just as insecure and inconsistent as his father. Angry with him for his own reasons, instead of finding his way out of that hole, he also digs it deeper with being self-destructive. Finally seeing light at the end of a very dark hole because of Becca, it is cringing to watch father and son just dive into places that are uncomfortable and hilarious.

Sulewski gets a chance to come to life in an unusual way playing both a ‘real’ character and the one in Franklin’s imagination that is created by Chuck. Confused? It’s a fun thing to figure out though.

Shout out to Dratch as the very unusual boss/kinky girlfriend Erica and Howery as Chuck’s friend Jimmy. Both roles are funny, heartwarming and well done.

Other cast include Ricky Velez as Derek, Sarah Helbringer as Haley, Patrick Klein as the Counselor, Sheri Fairchild as Suzanne, and Lil Rel Howery as Jimmy.

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

I LOVE MY DAD is a quirky film about parents, their children, relationships, and the mess that social media has created with the reality of life. Life was easier when you met someone face to face and got to know them. That made it a tad easier to spot trouble or incompatibility. Social media means people have become experts at cat-phishing and lying about who they truly are.

The trouble here is that Oswalt’s character know exactly what he is doing wrong and continues to do it to find a way into his son’s life. Sometimes doing things out of love can make a dad do nutty things and Chuck certainly qualifies for doing the nuttiest things of all. Not sure I could do it but as a parent, who is to say?

I guess only Chuck and Franklin know the answer to it all.

In the end – parents do silly things for the love of their kid!

THE PRINCESS

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on HBO and director Ed Perkins is the story of the woman we all know as THE PRINCESS.

Slightly faded in memory of most unless you are English, especially with all the ruckus Prince Harry and wife have caused in recent years, THE PRINCESS is a reminder of the late Princess Diana Spencer. Told through pictures and archival footage, it begins with the excitement surrounding young Diana as she becomes engaged to the most eligible bachelor of the day – Prince Charles.

Their early interviews show a sweet Diana with Charles as they answer questions about what their hopes are for their upcoming marriage. Charles seems to be the one in charge and Diana stays true to her man!

The wedding is the event of a generation with all the glamor and spectacle one would expect in a Hollywood production. Diana looked ravishing and the people of England could not have been happier with something wonderful to celebrate. Some time later, Prince William is born bringing more happiness to the country followed by Prince Harry.

But behind closed doors, Princess Diana is struggling with unspoken rumors of infidelity by Prince Charles with his former mistress Camilla Parker-Bowles. Now the media becomes involved as he goes on the defensive with family issues and secrets. Princess Diana finds ways to spend her time with charities for AIDS, homelessness and land mines.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana finally given their release papers from one another after she gives her own television interview that shocks the country, the books and newspapers do not let up. Charles goes his way and Princess Diana agrees to drop the HRH from her title, is given a settlement and walks away with her two sons.

Life becomes different but not any less media worthy as Princess Diana is constantly being followed, not by one or two photographers but dozens and dozens. Trying to have time with her boys without the paparazzi becomes impossible.

Being seen with other men also causes a fervor for the tabloids and when she is seen with Dodi Al Fayed. He is an Egyptian film producer but more so is that he is the son of billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed. Seen boarding planes and vacationing on fabulous yachts, readers of the papers cannot get enough.

That is until August 31, 1997, in Paris, France as Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed try to escape a barrage of paparazzi into a tunnel and never coming out the other side. Instead, a crash that takes the life of Al Fayed and Princess Diana. Now the world knows, and the shock reverberates everywhere.

The funeral is one that takes over as the world, the same as witnessed the wedding 1981. The emotion was everywhere in the people but less so with the royal family. Keeping a “stiff upper lip”, Charles brings Princess Diana home as her brother Earl Spencer, Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Phillip walk behind her casket.

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.

As the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death approaches, director Perkins does not interview anyone but instead, lets the photographs and footage speak instead. What makes the documentary so revealing in a way is that the world knows more about her struggle with bulimia, depression, the emotional abuse and the monarchy that dug in its heels to a changing time.

Princess Diana did the one thing that had not been done since Queen Elizabeth became the reigning monarch, she captivated the world with every move she made. Not always a good thing for Diana but she was beginning to make head way into a life of her own when she died.

It is important to remember the work that she did for her country and around the world because it is the work that continues today. Her boys have grown up and found happiness in the way that suites them the best, even if the world does not always agree with the choices.

That being said, PRINCESS DIANA tells its own story, and we have the chance to remember, once again, that she may have been complicated but she was still, after all, the People’s Princess.

THE BLACK PHONE

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and on the streaming service Peacock from writer/director Scott Derrickson based on a short story by writer Joe Hill is the thriller THE BLACK PHONE.

It is 1978 on the streets of Denver, Colorado and a time of innocence. Finney (Mason Thames) and sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) are not living in that innocence. Being raised by an abusive father Terrence (Jeremy Davies), Finney is also being bullied at school. Saving him from one beating is Robin (Miguel Mora), who all the boys are afraid of. But there is someone lurking on the streets even more frightening than the school bullies.

Given the name “The Grabber” (Ethan Hawke), someone is grabbing boys off the street. One of the boys is Bruce (Tristan Pravong), then followed by Robin as Finney tries to keep it together. Yet, it is Gwen who is trying to avoid her dreams because they seem to be telling her what is happening. She tries to talk to her father about it but is met with an alcoholic’s response of derision.

Detective Wright (E. Roger Mitchell) and Detective Miller (Troy Rudeseal) want to speak with Gwen who tells them of her dreams of a man with a black van and black balloons. Met with skepticism, Gwen does not take any guff from anyone. On their way home from school, Gwen and Finney go their separate ways and the boy meets up with The Grabber.

Waking up in a basement, Finney realizes he is now another of the victims. The man wears a mask and speaks very little but lets the boy know that the telephone on the wall does not work. After he leaves, the phone rings and Finney answers it and hears a familiar voice telling him how to escape.

Each phone call brings Finney closer to knowing the truth about The Grabber and if he will ever get back to his family alive!

Thames as Finney carries the bulk of the film with courage, bravery and a belief in those who know more than he could ever imagine. This young actor gives up nothing as his character already knows fear and is clever which I loved. McGraw as Gwen is a spitfire, and she is not going to take anything from anyone (except maybe her father). Knowing her dreams are real, when Finney is taken – the gloves are off! I so adore McGraw’s performance!

Davies as Terrence is a tortured soul, and he makes sure that he is not alone in his misery. Constantly putting his pain onto his children, he refuses to listen to Gwen when she tries to express her dreams. Pravong as Bruce has a small role, but it sets the stage for what is to come for Finney. Mora as Robin is a boy who thought he could stop anyone, till he meets The Grabber. Mitchel and Rudeseal are cops who do not want anything to do with the paranormal but are running out of options!

Hawke as The Grabber is a man who thinks he is in control of every aspect of the kidnappings. There are twists and turns, moments of quiet madness and a boy who is not going to go down without a fight. Hawke’s character could never have anticipated such a boy would go up against him. The creepiness of Hawke’s performance is what makes the story nail biting.

Other cast include Rebecca Clarke as Donna, J. Gaven Wilde as Moose, Jordan White as Matty, Spencer Fitzgerald as Buzz, Brady Ryan as Matt, Jacob Moran as Billy, Brady Hepner as Vance and Banks Repeta as Griffin.

Peacock is a streaming service from NBCUniversal with thousands of hours of current hits and timeless classics, plus megahit movies and more. Iconic shows, hit movies & exclusive Originals, plus sports, news & always-on channels can be found. For more please visit www.peacocktv.com

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.

Bonus Features of the Bluray include Deleted Scenes, Answering the Call: Behind the Scenes of THE BLACK PHONE, Ethan Hawke’s Evil Turn, Feature Commentary and more. Plus, SHADOWPROWLER – a Short Film by Scott Derrickson.

THE BLACK PHONE is not about gore or slash, which I so appreciate, it is about the mental anguish and then mental strength of a boy and his sister. Yes, Finney is the object of The Grabber’s game, but Gwen has an important role to play as well. The cat and mice are going at it full force and the film keeps us holding our breath.

I love that it is all done in the 70’s era because that is a time when kids roamed freely and did not consider consequences. Those of us who came up in that time remember the music, the freedom of riding a bike from dusk till dawn, school crushes, bell bottoms and bullies. It is not that child abductions did not happen then; it just wasn’t headline news except in the town where it was happening.

It was easy then for someone like The Grabber to get away with what he was doing. The film gives the feel of the era, the fright of the happenings and the proper mind bend from start to finish. The only issue I might raise is the vagueness of The Grabber’s story but then again, that is part of the mystery.

In the end – never talk to strangers!

Celebrate the Return of FERNGULLY

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from director Bill Kroyer and Shout! Factory Kids is the thirty-year anniversary of the beautiful FERNGULLY: The Last Rainforest.

Living in the lush rainforest of FernGully lives Crysta (voiced by Samantha Mathis), a fairy who is very curious about everything and the world outside. Magi (Grace Zabriskie) explains to young Crysta that once upon a time the fairy folk lived with humans but were plagued by Hexxus, a dark spirit who only lived for destruction. It was the fairy folk who had him put up tight in a tree.

While Crysta and her friend Pips (Christian Slater) are having fun in the rainforest, a new friend joins them. Batty Koda (Robin Williams) is a bat who has been tampered with my humans. The fairies do not exactly like him, but Crysta wants to find out how he came to be. Taking a risk and going above the canopy, Crysta sees something that she can not explain and gets answers from Magi, not happy with those answers, she takes it upon herself to explore.

She finds Zak (Jonathan Ward), a very large lumberjack who is tagging trees that will be cut down and she is horrified. Zak does not realize that one of the trees he has marked is home to Hexxus (Tim Curry) and when a tree comes close to hitting Zak, Crysta shrinks him to her size. Trying to explain her world to Zak, they have more worries when Hexxus is freed!

Crysta explains to Zak that what he is doing is destroying their home and all those that live in it. When Hexxus comes for them, Zak realizes that he must help his friends before the machine destroys everything and it is the end of FernGully!

Mathis lends her voice to Crysta, a young fairy that does not realize yet she has such power within her small, winged body. Her curiosity is what gets the better of her but then again if she had not been so curious, she would never have Zak to help FernGully and all the creatures living in it. Mathis gives Crysta her firey spirit and it is wonderful.

Ward as Zak is a young man just plodding along living his life marking trees. What he does not realize is that he is headed for something amazing life changing. Slater as Pips wants to make sure his friend Crysta and FernGully are protected in equal measure.

Williams as Batty gives everything we have loved Williams for. Batty is hilarious, loving, and cautious and never far away from silly one-liners. Batty became a beloved character and I know this because I still have the stuffed animal I got after FERNGULLY came out.

Curry as Hexxus proved he had the voice and attitude to play a dark spirit. Of course, it is not hard to believe since he portrayed evil in the 1985 film LEGEND playing of Darkness. I just love that he gets to sing a tune because even though Hexxus is evil, I kind of liked him (minus the destruction).

Other cast includes Geoffrey Blake as Ralph, Tone Loc as Goanna, Townsend Coleman as Knotty, Brian Cummings as Ock, Robert Pastorelli as Tony, Cheech Marin as Stump, Tommy Chong as Root, Danny Mann as Ash and Anderson Wong as Rock.

Bluray includes the Special Features of New Introduction with Director Bill Kroyer, Including Never-Before-Seen Pencil, Character and Animation Tests, Audio Commentary with Bill Kroyer, Art Director Ralph Eggleston and Coordinating Art Director Susan Kroyer, “Seed of the Story” – Script to Screen Comparison with Optional Commentary by Screenwriter Jim Cox.

Also, “From Paper to Tree” – Making-Of Featurette, “Behind the Voice: Toxic Love” – Multi-Angle Scene Study, Original Featurette, “If I’m Gonna Eat Somebody (It Might As Well Be You)” Music Video and Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots.

Diana Young is the author of the FernGully stories, and this film is adapted from those very stories. The soundtrack for the film includes 14 tracks and was composed by Alan Silvestri. “Batty Rap” is sun by Robin Williams and Tim Curry lends himself to the song “Toxic Love”.

It is so amazing that Shout! Factory Kids is celebrating FERNGULLY: The Last Rainforest with this 30th Anniversary Edition. It is so important for kids to see because, although the film came out in 1992, the issues are even more crucial today. The fear of Ferngully can be seen through climate change today.

Crysta makes it clear that someone needs to stop the destruction and by reaching Zak as a human being, she has found the voice, but the fight still continues. One small little fairy knows what we all should know that the world is shared by so many that we forget that it is not all about us individually but collectively.

The animation is still amazing with its restoration and there is so much to talk about once the film is finished. I would love to see this in all educator’s classroom library as a way to reach children and explain what can happen if we do not all come together to keep our world a beautiful place. Kids get it!

In the end – one courageous sprite must save them all!

JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13 Sails to DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Dennis Ganzel and SHOUT! Kids Factory is the adventure of JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13.

Young Jim (Solomon Gordon) lives with friends Lucas (Henning Baum) and Ms. Whaat (Annette Frier) after being abandoned as a child in Morrowland. His days are filled with friendship and keeping the trains Emma and little Molly. One day the mail boat hits the rocks in the dark. Now, the King realizes they need a lighthouse.

He also reminds everyone that the island is too small for one, but Jim remembers that Mr. Tur Tur knows how to make a light that can be seen from far, far away. Finding a way to reach the desert fast, Jim and Luke meet Sursulapitschi (Sonja Gerhardt), a mermaid who takes them to the Magnetic Cliffs. She helps to find the Sea Glow which lights up the bottom of the sea.

Using the metals they find, Jim and Luke make Emma into a Perpetumobile and fly to get Mr. Tur Tur. Once there they find a half-dragon Nepomuk and he is the key to helping their mermaid friend find happiness. On their way home, they group is taken by pirates called the Wild 13. They are not very afraid because they remembered what the Golden Dragon of Wisdom, Mrs. Grindtooth, had told them about their trip.

They also find stowaway Princess Li Si (Leighanne Esperanzate) and they are all taken to the Castle Stormeye by the pirates. In the madness Jim discovers who he truly is and what he must do to not only reclaim his birthright but to save his friends from disaster!

Gordon as Jim gives his role a feeling of compassion, love, excitement and understanding of who he is and what he must do. I really enjoyed his relationship with Luke and his ability to remember clues and apply them when they seem like a riddle. Well done young man.

Baum as Lucas clearly cares about his young friend. Setting off on their adventure, Luke does not hesitate to take the young man. Constantly looking after him, he also finds himself in the middle of an amazing adventure filled with possibilities.

Esperanzate as Princess Li Si has the same love of mystery and adventure as her friend Jim. Of course, she is going to stow away to join in, even after her father expressly forbade it with dire consequences for anyone that helped her. Well, a father has to do what a father has to do!

Other cast include Eden Gough as Ping Pong, Christoph Herbst as Armel, Rick Kavanian as Wild 13, Milan Peschel as Tur Tur, Dulcie Smart as Mrs. Grindtooth, Hon Ping Tang as Han Gong, Uwe Ochsenknecht as King Alfred, Kao Chenmin as Pung Ging.

JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13 is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by German author Michael Ende. The charming book followed the success of its preceding novel Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver.

Director by Jupiter Award winner and Sundance Film Festival nominee, Ganzel is also responsible for one of my favorite films, THE WAVE. The feature film’s magic was celebrated in film festivals worldwide and was a winner at the Animago Awards, Bavarian Awards, German Film Awards and Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

They cast plays together so well with Jim and Luke as the helm of the adventure. I have to say that the characters are funny and come from the most unexpected places. The film is so colorful with the special effects from the darkest of modes to the costuming, it is just an absolutely delightful family film.

Sharing this with the family shows the adventure, joy, hope and mystery of the story and can be a part of any family night in with popcorn and couch cuddles. Join Jim and Luke on their adventure as JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13 share it all on DVD.

In the end – it’s a mysterious and exciting adventure!

Its Comedy with a REAL GENIUS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Martha Coolidge and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is time with a REAL GENIUS.

The very young Mitch Taylor (Gabriel Jarret) is about to enter the prestigious Pacific Technical University under the tutelage of Professor Jerry Hathaway (William Atherton). He wants another kid genius, Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work with Mitch in the field of laser physics. Mitch is thrilled to work with Chris but discovers quickly that Chris would rather irritate the powers that be than make the powers.

What they don’t know is that Professor Hathaway has been given a project by the CIA to create a laser weapon that could hit a target from outer space and now time is running out. He begins to put pressure on Chris, Mitch and dealing with lacky Kent (Robert Prescott). Mitch also falls for the cute and sweet Jordan (Michelle Meyrink) and Chris looks to closet student Lazlo (Jon Gries) for advice.

The only way to get what he wants; Hathaway threatens Chris that he will fail and keep him from graduation. Kent is a little jealous and plots to ruin Chris and Mitch’s’ hard work! Working out the kinks, the laser works, and the gang celebrates except Lazlo asks the big question of ‘what do they need something like that for?’

Now realizing that they might have been used by Professor Hathaway, Chris, Mitch, and Jordan have a plan of their own and they need Kent to help – whether he knows it or not!

Kilmer as Chris is hilarious, and his comedic timing is impeccable. One moment he is saying a line with perfection and then his face does a double jump and he’s on to the next thing. Seeing the film in 80’s, I loved it then and I love it even more now. It is because of Kilmer’s performance giving us fun and intelligent adventure.

Jarret as Mitch is a great sidekick to Kilmer’s Chris but, he is also a force to be reckoned with on his own. Starting out as a shy, genius star struck student, he is quickly transformed into a self-assured man on a mission. Jarret gets a chance to show his own chops and it works.

Meyrink as Jordan is as smart as everyone else and has her own quirks just like everyone else, so she fits right in with Chris and Mitch. Meyrink gives us a self-assured intelligent girl who has moments of insecurity that are not a surprise. Gries as Lazlo is so adorable, I can’t hardly stand it and his reasoning behind contests is solid and I like it.

Prescott as Kent just the comic relief on a whole other level. The teeth implant is pure genius and how Prescott portrays this character is just amazing. He’s an inept bad guy who doesn’t know he is. Atherton as Professor Hathaway proved himself the bad guy from start to finish. He has done it again and again in films because, well, if you are good at it then why not?

Other cast include Mark Kamiyama as Ikagami, Ed Lauter as David Decker, Louis Giambalvo as Major Carnagle, Severn Darden as Dr. Meredith, Beau Billingslea as George, Joanne Baron as Mrs. Taylor, Sandy Martin as Mrs. Meredith, Dean Devlin as Milton, Yuji Okumoto as Fenton, Deborah Foreman as Susan Decker and Patti D’Arbanville as Sherry Nugil.

4K Ultra HD Special Features include Feature scanned from the original camera negative and presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, reviewed and approved by director Martha Coolidge, All-New Dolby Atmos and 5.1 audio, reviewed and approved by director Martha Coolidge and Original Dolby Stereo.

Bluray Disc Features include Feature presented in High Definition, sourced from the 4K master, 5.1 Dolby Stereo Audio, “Balloon Chair” Deleted Scenes and Raw Takes Montage, TV Version of the Film and Feature Commentary with Director Martha Coolidge.

REAL GENIUS is a member in good standing with the 80’s films that have become part of our lives. Starting with my generation to my kids and now my grandkids. They get to see how much fun films were once upon a time.

Filled with humor, gags, sidekick action, jokes and so much fun, this film is everything and every reason we went to the movie theatres. I took my kids three times to see REAL GENIUS and they still love it today.

Add REAL GENIUS to your own home entertainment library because it would not be complete without it!

In the end – you need brains to act this crazy!

It is the Return of COBRA KAI with Season 4

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Netflix and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next season of the hit series COBRA KAI.

Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is working with his group Miyagi-Do and Johnny (William Zabka) is working with his group Eagle Fang with one single goal – deal with Cobra Kai. The two men are not exactly agreeing on the best way to do that. Johnny is dealing with another issue as well, a woman from the past has returned – Ali (Elisabeth Shue).

Kreese (Martin Kove) is also loading up Cobra Kai when he asks Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) to come and help him train his students but living a different way, Terry declines but there is an itch for the past. Daniel decides to ask Johnny if he wants to team up the two dojos but there egos once again get in the way. Robby (Tanner Buchanan) decides to join Cobra Kai and gives away trade Miyagi-do Karate secrets in order to win. Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) comes up with a winning idea.

Daniel is shocked to learn that his son Anthony (Griffin Santopietro) is not being bullied, but the bully! Daniel and Johnny decide that maybe its time they try to understand one another and maybe even understand their different way of teaching their students. Daniel invites Johnny, Carmen (Vanessa Rubio) and Miguel (Xolo Mariduena) to their home for dinner to talk about things. The idea is for students from both dojos learn from one another.

A bullied Kenny goes to Kreese for help but is rejected as ‘weak’, but Robby wants to help. Johnny is not happy that Daniel has taken an interest in Miguel and Kreese introduces his students to Terry as a new sensei. Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) and Sam (Mary Mouser) see Tory (Peyton List) at her place of work which frustrates her. Finally, there is a face off between Terry and Kreese and Daniel and Johnny.

The confrontation shakes Daniel, and he tells Johnny about the history between the two. Johnny tries to help Daniel, but he doesn’t want to deal with it. After a run in with Cobra Kai and a match between Daniel and Johnny, the upcoming tournament is hanging in the balance.

All-Valley board decides to add some things to the tournament and finally has a girl’s division. The only one not happy about it is Eagle Fang because they don’t have any girl members. That is until they find Piper (Selah Austria) but she joins Cobra Kai instead. Johnny finally tells Miguel about his relationship with Carmen but Miguel surprises him instead.

Both Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang are having issues with the students whether it be in fighting or personal issues that are just weighing them down. Over at Cobra Kai, Kreese begins to think that perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to bring Terry back! It’s prom time as everyone pares up but tensions flare up. Worse, Terry does the unforgiveable to one of Cobra Kai students.

The All-Valley Tournament is brutal as each of the dojos go against one another and notices Miyagi-Do technique. Trying to talk to Robby does not help. Anthony also attempts to make amends to Kenny but is met with fists instead. When the tournament comes down to it, Daniel tells Johnny that perhaps they should mix up their styles and call it ‘Miyagi-Fang’. Once again, Cobra Kai is up to no good as Terry encourages dirty fighting and bribing referees.

Daniel turns to someone that might help them!

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. Enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films, Netflix is across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere and on any internet-connected screen. For more information, please visit www.netflix.com.

DVD Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes, Blooper Reel and Karate Dad Featurette.

The cast of COBRA KAI is amazing and this series has captures the world’s attention and my own family as well. Of course, we would be interested, you’d have to be from another planet not to know the 1984 wave that was THE KARATE KID followed by more films. Then, the wave passed, and the kid was reduced to a gawd awful remake (which we won’t talk about here).

Then, in 2018, something wonderful happened! The first season of COBRA KAI made its way onto big and small streaming screens everywhere. Netflix caught on and brought it on board their slate of shows and it has just exploded. Why? Because no one gets to mess with the 80’s generation and our beloved movies and characters.

Having Ralph Macchio and William Zabka lead the way, a new generation gets to geek out with those of us who lived the viewing dream! These two actors have brought back the story and we do not even care that they have aged because, lets be real, haven’t we all? There issues are from the past but, as each season grows, their hard-headedness gets in the way from the one thing they need to grasp – they are actually on the sane side!

Bringing Kove as Kreese and Griffith as Terry back means it is a two-two fight. The kids also have a say in what is happening in their own lives and find out that sometimes what is going on is hard to know. The face kids show out in the world is not necessarily the real face of what is going on at home and in their lives.

So prepare to binge and catch up with COBRA KAI Season 4!

In the end – the Karate Kid saga continues!

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS is Delightful

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to Bluray/DVD this week from director Anthony Fabian and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a trip as MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS.

Widower Mrs. Ada Harris (Leslie Manville) is living in 1957 London as a housekeeper. Along with friends Vi (Ellen Thomas) and Archie (Jason Isaacs), she wonders about the possibility of more and looks for signs. So, its visiting with friends to have a few drinks, laugh and back to work with another client, the young Pamela Penrose (Rose Williams).

Until one day, while cleaning the apartment of Lady Dant (Anna Chancellor), she sees the most beautiful and wonderous dress. Looking at the label she sees the dress is a Christian Dior learning that Dant bought it instead of paying Mrs. Harris’ back wages. Yet, the seed of haute couture has been planted.

She gets the idea to make a plan to go to Paris and buy her own dress! Her plans start out well and then fall flat much to the dismay of Vi and Archie. Then, the hand of fate steps in and the housekeeper see a possibility for her dream.

Off to France, she immediately heads toward Dior to find that special dress. Along the way she helps the very sweet Natasha (Alba Baptista), and Mrs. Harris finds herself inside the doors of Dior. Horrified by her presence, Director Claudine Colbert (Isabelle Hupert) tries to get rid of her before the fashion show. Seeing all this, the Marquis de Chassagne (Lambert Wilson) steps in and offers his second seat to Mrs. Harris.

Watching all of this take place is Andre Fauvel (Lucas Bravo) and Marguerite (Roxane Duran) and as the show starts, Mrs. Harris is captivated by everything that comes in her view. The dress that takes her breath away is one called “Temptress”. But someone is going to make sure she does not get it.

Instead, Mrs. Harris settles for another stunning dress and her life in Paris takes so many twists and turns. Friendships, an understanding of life, fittings, and most of all, remembering what it means to believe in oneself and settle for nothing less brings Mrs. Harris more joy than she could have imagined. That and one more chance at the dream of haute couture!

Manville as Mrs. Harris is everything fantastic with her joy, sorrow, friendships, care and an English square peg in love with French haute couture, whether they like it or not. Every frame she is in is an unveiling of a part of her life she never knew could be possible. Wilson as the Marquis sees something wonderful in Mrs. Harris but there is a bit of class misunderstanding.

Hupert as Claudine is a woman who is as tough as nails. She wants nothing to do with Mrs. Harris and certainly does not want her at Dior under any circumstances. Yet, something is happening inside the sewing rooms of Dior and can not understand why. That being said, Hupert never lets us in to understand Claudine until absolutely necessary, which goes to show the strength of her portrayal.

Baptista as Natasha is a girl who also feels as if she is living out of place. Mrs. Harris offers her friendship so freely and wants her new friend to be happy. Bravo as Andre is a young man wanting to save the worries of Dior but feels that his words and plan would fall on deaf ears. Duran as Margaruite is just as adorable as she wants to be and completely taken with Mrs. Harris, then again that is a running theme with almost everyone she meets!

Isaacs as Archie is charming and sweet with a feeling of concern for Mrs. Harris. Watching her try to live outside the box she has put herself in, he watches and sees what she is truly capable of. Thomas as Vi is that ride or die best friend and she wants to be there for Mrs. Harris because, lets face it, if it can happen for her friend, anything is possible.

Other cast includes ertrand Poncet as Monsieur Carre, Christian McKay as Giles Newcombe, Freddie Fox as RAF Officer, Guilaine Londez as Madame Avallon, Dorottya Ilsvai as Mathilde Avallon, Delroy Atkinson as Chandler, Vincent Martin as Michel Simon and Philippe Bertin as Christian Dior.

Exclusive Bonus Features on Digital, Bluray and DVD include Deleted and Extended Scenes with Ada Rushes Toward the Metro, Ada Wants to Speak to Andre, Full Cabaret and Gag Reel.

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS is just, well, delightful. Seeing the struggles of this character and the wording she puts on herself is like an emotional anvil that she only let’s lift from time to time when she looks for signs. The pain of her husband and how she believes she should be treated are in a sense relatable for many.

It is only when fate steps in does she begin to see that her dreams are perhaps possible but that does not mean there will not be obstacles in her way. From judgement and the ridiculous belief that some are better than others, Mrs. Harris has her work cut out – literally. But an odd thing begins to happen, Mrs. Harris finds her voice and Paris is listening while wearing art.

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS is fun, flirty and in your face. We cannot, for one moment, forget about the fantastic haute couture because – oh my goodness – it is easy to see why Mrs. Harris fell so hard. From the first Dior dress in Lady Dant’s house to the dress of her dreams – everything in between was stunning. As a fan of period pieces and costuming, this film was my dream!

In the end – follow your dream!

They are Looking for a MIRACLE

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Bogdan George Apeitri and Film Movement is a story of a novice and a cop in MIRACLE.

Cristina Tofan (Ioana Bugarin) is a young novice in a small-town convent in Bulgaria. Needing to get away quietly to take care of a personal matter, she is helped by Sister Mina (Nora Covali). The nun’s brother Albu (Valeriu Andriuta) drives her into the city minding his own business as to why she needs to stop and change from her habit to civilian clothing.

Making her way through the city, Cristina makes an odd stop before deciding to move on. She makes an equally quick stop at the local hospital deciding it is time to go back to the convent. Hailing a cab, their drive back is filled with small chat and silence until Cristina once again asks if he could pull over so she can change.

The driver has other plans.

Marius Preda (Emanuel Parvu) is a police inspector assigned to Cristina’s case. Trying to understand her movements, he visits each place and speaks with anyone who would know anything. Back at the convent, Mother Superior and the other nuns are together on their silence, but Preda knows one nun who needs to speak up.

The case begins to tear at Preda who becomes enraged as more people do not speak – especially Cristina. She has a bigger story to tell. The only one that can speak on a moment on that day is the Dr. Matalia Marcu (Ana Ularu). Feeling like he is close to taking the law into his own hands, Preda comes face to face so to speak with the evil that men do.

Parvu as Marius is a man that becomes obsessed with the case he has been given. Knowing that there is so much more to the story than he can get from any person, the frustration begins to set in. Parvu gives us the portrayal of a man who is obsessed with what has happened to the young novice and wants to make it right, but at what cost?

Bugarin as Cristina is a quiet young girl who is caught in between worlds. Finding solace and refuge in the convent will not solve her problems and there comes a moment where she knows that. Bugarin gives us a character that is mousy in her approach with people, and in the case of her taxi driver, one moment of worldly trust leads to a horrific crime.

Other cast include Cezar Antal as Batin, Valentin Popescu as Dr. Ivan, Ovidiu Crisan as Officer Macarie, Marian Ralea as Dr. Mihaescu, Natalia Calin as Sister Sebastiana, Catalina Moga as Sister Sofia, Mirea Postelnicu as Officer Amzea, Dan Grigoras as Agent Ticu, Bogdan Farcas as Florin, Bogdan Tascu as Bordei and Ion Grosu as Officer Bodola.

Film Movement, founded in 2002, is an award-winning independent and foreign film company that has released more than 250 feature films and shorts. Theatrical releases include American independent films, documentaries, and foreign arthouse titles catalog such directors as Hirokazu Kore-eda, Maren Ade, Jessica Hausner and Ciro Guerra and Melanie Laurent. Bluray and DVD films bring such directors as Eric Rohmer, Bolle August, King Hu, Sergio Corbucci and Luchino Visconti and many more. To discover what Film Movement is all about and find out more about what they have to offer please visit www.filmmovementplus.com.

Official Selection Mostra Internazionale D’Arte Cinematografica La Biennale Di Venezi in 2021.

MIRACLE is such a mix telling the story of Cristina and Preda. One is the story of a young girl trying to solve a worldly problem in the midst of a convent. The other is the story of a man obsessed with what has happened to this young girl and the frustration that leads to a shocking end.

Keeping the cast small allows the story to play out without distraction. Simply put, the story does not become bogged down by other things which kept my interest. I wanted to know Cristina’s story and I wanted to know why Preda was pushed to the point that he was. The choice of locations to film near the bridge and wooded area become a quiet character in the story as well.

MIRACLE is also an Official Venice Film Festival Selection for Director Apetri. The DVD includes a Director’s Commentary and the Bonus Apetri Short Film ‘A Very Small Trilogy of Loneliness’. A man, a woman and a child are seen by themselves at an isolated location in three sequences that convey a haunting sense of longing and alienation.

In the end – it is about a miracle.

THOR: Love and Thunder Hammers Home

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Taika Waititi, Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the next chapter in the life of THOR: Love and Thunder.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been hanging out with the Guardians of the Galaxy for some time and putting in his hammer when needed. That is until a distress signal from Thor’s friend Sif warning him of Gorr (Christian Bale). Gorr has the Necrosword and wants to destroy all the gods for the death of a child. His next target is New Asgard!

Arriving at New Asgard, he is happy to see Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and explains about Gorr and needs help. What he does not expect is to see Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), or in her new incarnation as the Lady Thor. They do not have much time to talk about it when Gorr arrives in New Asgard and captures the town’s children.

Now they must come together to discover what it is that Gorr wants with the children and how to stop him. Thor, Dr. Foster, and Valkyrie set out with Korg (Taika Waititi) to bring together an army with the help of the gods. They reach out to Zeus (Russell Crowe) to get the one weapon that may be able to take on the Necrosword.

But Gorr is not about to back down and when a fight breaks out, it is Valkyrie and Jane that pays. Now Thor has to take on Gorr alone if he is to save the children of New Asgard and stop the evil from having its way with the entire world.

Hemworth returns as Thor, and he’s finally exercised out his previous chunky dad-bod. Back to form he is still with the Guardians trying to figure himself out. When he sees a message from a friend asking for help, he learns about Gorr and his plans. Thinking he has found his purpose and arriving in New Asgard, he does not expect to see Jane transformed. Hemsworth is funny, tries to be charming and in fight mode.

Portman as Dr. Jane, she is ill and finds herself drawn to New Asgard and Thor’s broken hammer Mjolnir. Seeing Thor once again in her new incarnation, she is enjoying her new role as a heroine for the town of New Asgard. When Thor makes it clear he is going after Gorr, Jane also makes it clear that she is perfectly capable of handling both a hammer and a bad guy.

Thompson as Valkyrie lets it be known that being a ‘king’ has not turned out exactly how she thought. But then again being a king on Asgard and being a king in New Asgard is totally different. She is responsible for a town and that means financially and for their well-being. So when Gorr takes the children, well, she is ready for a good fight.

Bale as Gorr gets a chance to play a villain in the MCU and it is as a butcher of gods. As he get bolder and bolder with his Necrosword, he fades being a human being. His one ‘wish’ is to get to a place no one else has seen to recover his daughter.

Waititi as Korg is so dang cute its ridiculous. He cares so much for Thor that he will stand with him in any battle. There is an innocence to Korg as well that is so sweet because it is honest and heartfelt. When he does go off on a subject, he makes me laugh so much. Crowe as Zeus has issues and we are still trying to figure out how a Greek god has an Italian accent, oh well.

Other cast include Jaimie Alexander as Sif, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Carly Rees as Miek, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Vin Diesel as Groot, and Chris Pratt as Peter Quill.

There are so many cameos to mention but I think it would be much more fun in the surprise!!

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.disney.com.

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com.

Bonus Features Include Gag Reel, Audio Commentary with Director/Writer Taika Waititi, Hammer-Worthy: Thor and The Mighty Thor, Shaping a Villain, Another classic Taika Adventure, Looking for Zeus, Wasting Time, A Safe Vacation and Fighting For You.

THOR: Love and Thunder is just a good time at the movies. It is the typical Thor vs. a bad guy in order to save those around him but this time he finally has a chance to come face to face with Jane. Let’s face it, he has talked about his broken heart long enough and now is the time to mend it.

A visit from the Guardians gives Quill a chance to tell Thor it is time for him to find out who he is and Gorr helps along that storyline. Returning to New Asgard, it does not take long for the battles to begin in both inner and outer space.

This is a fun time at the theatre for families so pack them up and prepare to laugh, see epic battles and see how New Asgard has grown and come together to protect one another and the universe!

In the end – not every god has a plan!

Coming to Bluray is WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Olivia Newman, Hello Sunshine and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a story of love and betrayal WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING.

Kya Clarke (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a young woman who has lived a pain filled life. As a young girl, she watched her family fall apart at the hands of her Pa (Garret Dillahunt). After abusing his wife and family, each of them slowly escaped leaving Kya behind.

Seeing what has happened to Kya are local store owners Jumpin (Sterling Macer, Jr.) and wife Mabel (Michael Hyatt). Then Kya is left alone to raise herself in the marsh and bayou outside of town. With no social skills and a fear of everyone but the store owners, Kya lives in her own wonderful creature filled world of sight, sound and art.

Now a young woman, Kya has been discovered by local boy Tate (Taylor John Smith) who brings her feathers. Slowly they get to know one another, and Kya finds love for the first time as does Chase. The town is talking and even Chase’s father offers a small warning knowing that his son has plans for his future.

Chase finally tells Kya about his plans, and she waits for his return on a designated day. When life changes things, Kya meets Chase (Harris Dickinson) who seems infatuated with the infamous ‘marsh girl’. Also, all her drawings and works are finding their way into bestselling books!

But Kya is always waiting for the other shoe to fall and when it does, lives are changed, lies and truths criss-cross and the ‘marsh girl’ fights for her life with the help of Tom Milton (David Strathairn).

Edgar-Jones as Kya brings everything to her character. There is innocence, abandonment, suspicion, desire to be loved, fear, sadness and knowing when to say nothing and observe. I enjoyed that very much about the portrayal of this character. Kya’s journey is one that is symbolically relatable in many ways because we all have, at one time or another, felt everything she feels. Well done!

Smith as Tate is a young man who sees Kya for exactly who she presents herself to be. He has seen only a small dose of her childhood but knows it is enough to cause her uncertainty. Not pushed by how the town’s people see her, it is his own future that causes a rift. Smith gives his character an equally tender heart.

Macer, Jr. as Jumpin is a man who feels a connection to the young Kya and a need to protect her and keep those that are trying to change her at bay. Marcer, Jr. exudes in his character an amazing example of a descent and devoted human being. Hyatt as Mabel is the loving mother-figure in Kya’s life but never let it be said that she does not have an opinion on life nor afraid to express it. I just love Hyatt’s portrayal of her.

Dickinson as Chase is the town boy who seems to have it all and yet knows he has to follow what his parents want. Even with that, there is a darkness that slowly shows itself and Dickinson supplies the creepies I got watching this character unfold his own story.

Strathairn as Milton is a man who sees a young Kya and never forgets how the town not only saw her but continued to see her. There was never any question that he would look out for the young woman and Strathairn’s portrayal is that of a man who can relate to Kya. Dillahunt as Pa has issues brought on by his own pain and instead of dealing with them, he becomes everything those around him fear. It is a powerful portrayal.

Other cast include Jayson Warner Smith as Deputy Joe Purdue, Ahna O’Reilly as Ma Clarke, Eric Ladin as Eric Chastain, Luke David Blumm as Young Tate and Jojo Regina as Young Kya.

Special Features include Adapting a Phenomenon, Creating the World, Women in Focus, 14 Deleted & Extended Scenes and Lyric Video “Carolina” by Taylor Swift.

Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel written by Delia Owens in 2018 and as of December 2019, over 4.5 million copies of the books were sold. Topping The New York Times Best Sellers list, it also made The New York Times Fiction Best Seller in 2020. By February 2022, the novel spent over one hundred and fifty weeks on the best seller list.

The film is very subtle in its telling and moves at a pace conducive to Kya’s surroundings. Everything is taken in small doses, just as Kya’s awakening to the life around her comes does. Using the marsh and bayou as a backdrop to tell this story makes it a living and breathing part of the film.

What I appreciated most about it all is that it follows Kya’s life from childhood to adulthood. The experiences this young girl has forms a woman who is such a mixed bag of emotions, but they are hers, each and every one with no apologies and no excuses.

The cast holds up the character of Kya but also have their own story to tell and the part they play in the young woman’s life. This is a film that should not only be seen, but experienced.

In the end – secrets are buried just beneath the surface!

It is the Story of the CAVE RESCUE

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Tom Waller, Grindstone and Lionsgate comes the story of danger, courage and hope with CAVE RESCUE.

In June 2018, a local soccer team, Wild Boars, and their coach in northern Thailand decided to go to the Tham Luang Nang Non (Mountain of the Sleeping Lady) cave as a reward for their hard work during practice. What the twelve boys from ages 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach did not know is that heavy rainfall came while in the cave and trapped their way out.

When a park ranger sees the kids bikes up against the rails leading to the cave, an all-out alert is made. The water and current kept anyone from discovering if the boys were trapped in a pocket or swept away. For two weeks no one knew anything!

Cave rescuers come from all around the world and one such diver is Jim Warny as the diver’s break through and find the boys 1.6 mile from the opening of the cave where they entered. Once the moment of joy has passed, now the serious work begins. As the floodwaters continue, they water has to be pumped out if the divers are to get through.

The monsoon season arrives and more rain so a plan is put in place that includes sedating the boys so they can be brought out panic free. In the process, Officer Saman Kunan lost his life but, on July 10th – the impossible became possible as all the boys and their coach are recovered.

Cast include Erik Brown as Erik, Lawrence de Stefano as Chris, Nopadol Niyomka as Pooyai Tun, Eoin O’Brien as USAF Sgt. O’Brien, Mikko Paasi as Mikko, Todd Ruiz as Todd, Vesse Saastamoinen as PaCOM Petty Officer, Jumpa Saenprom as Mae Bua, Nirut Sirichanya as Tourism Minister.

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 its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

A little more information about those few weeks is that over 10,000 people were involved in the rescue. There were 100 divers and rescue workers, 100 government agencies, 900 police officers and 2,000 soldiers, 10 helicopters, seven ambulances, 700 diving cylinders with a pumping of over one billion liters of water from the cave.

CAVE RESUCE is a story of bravery by those who went into the caves not knowing what they would find or what the plan was to get the boys out. They went in because it was the right thing to do! The danger came when realizing the only thing they could do was sedate the boys and put them in such a position so that if they did wake up, they would not hurt themselves or the person trying to rescue them.

That is where hope comes in. The boys waited patiently for someone to find them, and hope kept them going when it came time to do the scariest thing they could imagine. Going 1.6 miles took hours as it was a slow-moving process pushing through tight places and heavy current.

The film shows what it took to bring such an operation together but also showed how the people of Thailand from all walks of live wanted to help in any way they could. The whole event was frightening yet, everyone focused and took it step by step to do what many said was impossible.

In the end – you read the headlines now live the adventure!

THE AMUSEMENT PARK

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray, DVD and Digital from director George A. Romero and RLJE Films comes a story that is just a poignant today as it was in 1975 with THE AMUSEMENT PARK.

With an introduction by Lincoln Maazel, the viewer is reminded that senior citizens in society are not valued by society. His point about watching the film is that the park itself is the confusing and sometimes dangerous world senior citizens live in.

Maazel is an elderly man sitting in a room by himself covered in bandages and looks as if he has been abused. Entering the white room is another man who is friendly, jovial and not interested when Maazel tells him that there is nothing out there for him.

Yet, the man decides to go find out what is behind the door himself. When he opens the door, he is confronted with an amusement park. It is loud, noisy, and boisterous with people going every which way. He immediately comes face to face with swindlers for his money by overcharging for ride tickets.

The before getting on to the ride, he reads signs that are not in his favor because of his age. When the ride is over, he begins to see the treatment of the elderly with death, losing a drivers license, car accidents, price of food, trying to be kind and basically ignored when he truly needs help. When he starts to see what the man told him earlier, it is to late as he is beaten, and his tickets taken by bikers.

When a child shows him kindness, the man thinks that perhaps the world might have a heart, but it is all quickly taken away from him. Returning to the room, another man comes in.

Cast includes Harry Albacker, Phyllis Casterwiler, Pete Chovan, Michael Gornick, Bob Koppler, Jack Gottlob, Sally Erwin, and Marion Cook.

Special Features include Audio Commentary with Michael Gornick, Re-Opening the Park with Suzanne Desrocher-Romero, Bill % Bonnie’s Excellent Adventure with Bonnie Hinzman, For Your Amusement with Artist Ryan Carr, Panel Interview with Suzanne Desrocher-Romero, Sandra Schulberg, Greg Nicotero and Daniel Kraus, moderated by Shudder’s Samuel Zimmerman, THE AMUSEMENT PARK Official Brochure, THE AMUSEMENT PARK Script and Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery.

Shudder is an American over-the-top subscription video on demand service featuring horror, thriller and supernatural fiction titles, owned and operated by AMC Networks. For more information, please visit www.shudder.com.

THE AMUSEMENT PARK was shot over a three-day period in West View, Pennsylvania and originally produced in 1973. The film was actually thought lost until Romero received a copy of it in 2017. Desrocher-Romero saw to the restoration in 4K along with the George A. Romero Foundation.

The interesting thing about THE AMUSEMENT PARK is that the issues brought up in the film may have been devastating in 1975 but, they are the same issues that are present today with our senior community. What does that say about our society?

Forty-seven years later every issue brought up in Romero’s piece is alive and well and affecting senior citizens in devastating ways. From the affordability of a place to live to the cost of food and medical care, it is not a surprise that there is quite a community of elderly that are homeless.

That is probably the one issue not directly addressed in the film.

This is a very sad film to watch yet an important message. Romero had something to say about these issues and used his platform to bring it to light. I am sure he never imagined that all these years later, those same issues would be present in our world.

In the end – his world is still our world!

Season Six of OUTLANDER is Here

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital in its sixth season is the STARZ epic and successful series OUTLANDER from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

On the homestead of Frasier’s Ridge, Claire (Caitriona Balfe), Jamie (Sam Heughan), Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin) are trying to get past the episode of Claire’s brutal kidnapping. Coming up the road is their next challenge as a man from Jamie’s past, Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) is looking for a place to live peacefully.

Jamie is not sure at first, but Roger already gave permission for them to begin building. They family also meets Tom’s daughter Malva (Jessica Reynolds) who takes a fascination with the doctoring Claire does and son Alan (Alexander Vlahos). Also, Jamie is asked to become a go-between for the settlers and the Native Americans.

Fergus (Cesar Domboy) and Marsali (Lauren Lyle) are having their own issues as Fergus cannot forgive himself for what happened to Claire and finds solace in a bottle leaving Marsali in a physically dangerous place. Ian (John Bell) is still trying to bring his Scottish world to mix with the Native American world he has come to embrace. The story of why he is back at Fraser Ridge is a tale of love, sadness and a fierce protection of Claire and Jamie.

Malva becomes a student of Claire’s which comes in handy seeing her father finally agree to a surgery for his hand, but it has consequences. She also learns about ether and what it can do not knowing that Claire is using it for different means. Roger has been helping Christie’s people and even helps with the church services. He also has a feeling that perhaps it is time to look into Divination school with Bree’s blessing.

Then, Claire and Jamie’s world comes undone as Malva makes an accusation against Jamie that is going to cost them everything. Trying to decide what to do becomes a moot point when what happens to Malva causes an uprising, a gunfight and an arrest of both Claire and Jamie. The surprise is that Christie agrees to go with the Fraser’s for their safety, but it proves to not be enough.

Those that are trying to keep Claire and Jamie apart clearly do not know their history!

Balfe as Claire has brought another amazing season to the OUTLANDER series. Trying to get over the brutal kidnapping, she keeps herself busy as much as she can but there are memories that just will not let her be. Claire also realizes that dates from history are coming close and that the time at Frasier Ridge is about to change forever. What she didn’t count on was Malva, innocent in face, wicked in heart – that describes it perfectly. Balfe shows even more, this season, Claire may be strong, but she also has the same human frailties.

Heughan as Jamie continues to be the strong influence on Fraser Ridge. He tries to keep everything as fair as possible but will not tolerate anyone trying to destroy his family. Staying political without getting arrested, Jamie can not sit idly by while the world needs as many people to speak up as possible. Heughan has come a long way starting out as a wild young Scotsman to this mature statesman Jamie. A man who clearly still love his wife madly and will do anything for those he considers family.

Skelton as Bree returns as a young woman who is using her future knowledge to make life easier for those around her. It may make Roger a tad uneasy because it seems Bree has found her niche. When strangers come around, she wants to help but also, like Jamie, keeps an eye out for something to be uneasy or wrong. Skelton shows Bree as such a strong woman, and I love that about this character.

Rankin as Roger is trying to find his place. He does what he can where he can but then unexpectedly finds solace in speaking at Christie’s church. When he decides that perhaps it is time to consider Divination school, he proposes it to Bree thinking she might not be receptive. He is joyous to find out that his choice going forward is supported but it means leaving Fraser’s Ridge for a time. Rankin is such a charming character; I cannot imagine any other actor making this role so wonderful.

Jones as Christie has a past with Jamie and it is always bubbling on the surface between the two men. That being said, after Claire helps him, he begins to see them both in a different light. Even when Malva has her problem, he wants to oddly protect the Fraser’s. Jones gives his character a stubbornness that it totally outward and Claire sees through it which is probably why he enjoys her company.

Reynolds as Malva is just sweet on the outside and not so sweet on the inside so what happens to her is not a surprise. She attempts manipulation and when that does not work, she goes straight for exploiting situations in her favor and causing so much harm to the Frasers. Vlahos as Alan caught me off guard for a moment. I kept thinking ‘where have I seen those lovely eyes before’, even when he spoke, I didn’t recognize the voice. It finally hit, Phillipe from the series VERSAILLES. I was thrilled to see him once again and on the opposite end of luxury, his character has issues that are not all out yet I’m thinking.

Domboy as Fergus spent the season unable to forgive himself for what happened to Claire. Running the distillery, he finds his own solace in drinking, and it is having a dangerous effect on his family. Domboy shows such sorrow that its heartbreaking. and Lyle as Marsali is trying to understand her husband’s pain but also dealing with a fourth pregnancy that has a difficult outcome for this couple.

Bell as Ian is absolutely fantastic in this series. I have enjoyed so much watching his character grow in such unexpected ways. He is a staple of Fraser Ridge but not always in an upfront way. He is aware of surroundings and has such a keen eye for things going wrong. What we learn this season is that Ian has a story that needs telling and in doing so manages to embrace two cultures that he loves. Bell gives such an awesome performance time after time, and he is such an important character for OUTLANDER.

Other cast include Caitlin O’Ryan as Lizzie Wemyss, Robin Scott as Germain Fraser, and David Berry as Lord John Grey.

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.

OUTLANDER Season Six brings more of the life that Claire has come to embrace with Jamie and her family. The ending of last season was so sad and horrible that had lasting issues for them all, but mainly Claire.

The series is getting closer and closer to a time in history that Claire, Jamie, Roger and Bree all know is going to change things, but they are not sure how. Instead of focusing on that (as much as I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about it), they are taking care of more people moving to the Ridge, Indian issues, lies, deceptions, rumors and the stories we didn’t know until now.

Once again, OUTLANDER is a period piece, so I have been all in since season one. I embraced every part of the story being told and hated when the seasons were over. But, as a fan first, I can tell you that all the fans I know of the show are patient and want the series to end in a good place and in fairness to the characters.

The costuming is amazing, the settings are what one would expect of that time period and the actors have made each character they portray their own and we would expect no less. It is clear that Balfe and Heughan have given us Claire and Jamie’s journey and have done it so thoughtfully, wonderfully and, can I add, it looks like they have enjoyed it (even in the tough scenes).

This is a series worthy of binge watching and having season six in your own home entertainment library makes that all possible!

In the end – they are in the heart of the storm!

They Can Only DIG

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and VOD from director K. Asher Levin, Lionsgate and Saban Films comes the intensity of the DIG.

Scott Brennan (Thomas Jane) is upset that daughter Jane (Harlow Jane) has to be tracked down. Along with his wife, they discover the girl is in a local bar. Scott is not happy, and his anger is on the edge, and it leads to devastation for the Brennan family.

Years have passed and Scott is trying to reconnect with deaf daughter Jane, but she is experiencing anger toward her father. Back to his auto repair shop, he meets Victor (Emile Hirsh), a man with a job for him to do for extra cash. At first Scott is not interested but knows the money will help Jane.

Victor tells him to strip down a house that is being taken over for a new housing project. Heading out to the middle of nowhere, the work begins. What Scott and company do not know is that Victor and girlfriend Lola (Liana Liberato) are looking for something very specific. Scott is surprised when they two show up and mayhem begins.

Now Scott must do whatever he can to protect Jane from the gun toting Lola as he pieces together who Victor truly is and what it is he is digging for.

Jane as Brennan is a father who is trying to make up for the tragedy that effected his daughter so dearly. Taking the extra job is a way to get her something she really needs to show that not only is he sorry but wants the best for her. Jane gives us all of that in his character and his role does not physically look like an easy one. Yet, Jane is going to do what Jane does best, take a dangerous situation and keep it moving.

Harlow as Jane is a daughter who has every right to be upset with her father but adds a bit of teen attitude along with it. Going along with her father, things turn into a world she could never have imagined. Harlow portrays all of that rage and fear in her character until she comes to terms with everything that has kept her in a dark place. Well done young lady, well done!

Hirsh as Victor is, how should I put this, dangerously charming? He comes off with charm and a bit of twisted humor but that can turn on a dime. He has no issue with throwing his gun around but even then, he tries to be charming about it at the same time. Just a bit of twistedness to this character with dangerous undertones.

Liberato as Lola is just out and out a psychopath. She has no issue with shooting someone and actually gets upset when she does not get to. Messing with Jane’s mind while holding a gun to her head, she does not break a sweat. Her conscience is clear on everything that she and Victor are doing and won’t apologize for any of it. Wicked, wicked lady!

Shout out to Makana David as Tommy. Trust me when I say he is the nicest young man and I wish him so much success!

Saban Films was launched in 2014 and has built an impressive slate of high-quality feature films distributed with partner Lionsgate. Focusing on talent-driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production to be released across multiple platforms. Films such as SISTER OF THE GROOM, FATMAN and BREACH are part of the wonderful Saban slate, and more information can be found at www.sabanfilms.com.

DIG has twists and turns yet there are moments of predictability which I do not mind in the slightest. Jane comes on strong as a man who wants to protect his family, one event works, and one does not, and both call for him to keep his head. Harlow Jane’s character puts father Scott through the emotional paces and proves the acting apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Hirsch and Liberato together are remarkable and dangerous in their roles, and I loved it. They are on equal ground criminally but in such different ways that work beautifully. Charming insanity works as these two actors make it clear through their characters that they are not here to play – they are here to slay.

Grab the popcorn and watch the story unravel with each shovel full of dirt!

In the end – getting out is the deadly part!

THE GOOD HOUSE

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from directors Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate comes a story from the 2013 novel by Ann Leary with THE GOOD HOUSE.

Hildy Good (Sigourney Weaver) is a realtor in New England who knows the how to talk to an audience. Yes, looking directly at us all, she gives us the skinny on her business, who is making her life miserable and a family that, well, are not happy with her life choices.

One of them being her love of a drink and that love is pushing her to the brink of the worst problems she could ever imagine. Trying to keep up with the housing market, Hildy relies on Frank Getchell (Kevin Kline) to do repair work on houses she is trying to sell. They have a history as well but to hear Hildy tell it, it is a mixture of good and bad.

Hildy also gets to know her neighbor Rebecca (Morena Baccarin) who has issues of her own with a marriage that is a bit messy. The one thing they share in common is the love of a good bottle of wine. But as things around Hildy start to go a little wonky, she is also diving deeper into the bottle and not recalling things that were said and done.

One morning she wakes up after a night of drinking because the whole town is looking for someone Hildy knows. It is Frank who notices that perhaps there is a secret she does not want to tell him or really does not remember, and he wants to protect her. But there comes a moment when Hildy understands what everyone around her has been saying but it took a drop to her knees to believe it is time to change.

Weaver as Hildy is perfection as a woman who is dealing with the past, uncertainty of the present and no guess at the future. In other words, she is everyone in the world but not everyone jumps into a bottle of wine (no matter how good the wine is) to the point of blackout. That explains why, when she speaks to us, we either nod or say to ourselves ‘wait a second Hildy girl!’. The story unfolding is also full of small town living and that means nothing gets past the town gossipers. Weaver gives us all of it and so much more.

Kline as Frank is much more laid back than Hildy. He has lived his life and takes everything one moment at a time. Kline, at first, kind of gets a kick out of Hildy and her antics but once they become involved, a more protective side comes into play. Out of the two, Kline is the comedic side of the pair whether he means to or not. I have to say, ladies of a certain age need more Frank’s in the world that’s for sure. The chemistry between Kline and Weaver is everything.

Baccarin as Rebecca is a neighbor who has issues that are a little bit much for Hildy to deal with sober. Hildy tries to help by listening, but when there is a clash between fun-ship and reality, she doesn’t deal with it to well. Baccarin just wants a friend but there is something off that even I thought, ‘yeaaaaahhhh, something is off here’.

Other cast include Kathryn Erbe as Wendy, Molly Brown as Emily Good, Rebecca Henderson as Tess Good, David Rasche as Scott Good, Kelly AuCoin as Brian McAllister, Beverly D’Angelo as Mamie Lang and Rob Delaney as Peter Newbold.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

THE GOOD HOUSE is a story of a woman trying to find her way through it all but not in the right way. When the family steps in, including an ex-husband, Hildy starts to feel the walls closing in on being told how to live her life. She laughs it off and lets them know that everything is fine and even tries to sober up on her own just to prove she’s fine.

But it only takes a small thing for the world to get out of hand again and when Hildy has the chance for a big realty deal, it is that small drink that leads to a big problem. For the first time in her life, Hildy can not hide from what she could possibly have done. The only person who wants to rescue her is Frank and, lets be honest, that is not the best thing either.

Hildy is a story of denial and, filled with fear, knowing that redemption is possible when you admit that help is not such a bad thing after all. The biggest get in all this? That Hildy learns that life is messy, families will drive you nuts, careers are in constant flux, the past doesn’t need to live rent free in your head and, love can still be kinda cool.

In the end – nothing is a secret in a small town!

She is the BLONDE

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Netflix from director Andrew Dominik from the Joyce Carol Oates book Blonde is the look at the life of the most recognizable BLONDE in the world.

Norma Jeane Mortenson (Lily Fisher) starts out her life with a mother who has mental issues. Gladys (Julianne Nicholson) puts Norma’s life in danger more than once and all because of what she believes to be true. When a fire breaks out, Gladys does the unthinkable! Driving with Norma in a car going towards the fire telling the police the child’s father lives in the Hollywood Hills.

All of it puts Gladys in a mental institution and Norma going to an orphanage. Skipping ahead to 1940, Marilyn Monroe (Ana de Armas) is slowly getting the attention of Hollywood – and sometimes for the wrong and most depraved reasons. Her relationship with Charles Chaplin Jr. (Xavier Samuel) and Edward G. Robinson Jr. (Evan Williams) makes her feel safe, until her agent tells her to be careful since now the 1953 role in the film Niagara is getting attention.

The problem being, Norma is pregnant and it begins a roller coaster of emotions that make her question her own mental issues. Walking away from Cass and Eddy, she meets Joe DiMaggio (Bobby Cannavale) who is absolutely infatuated with Marilyn Monroe and proposes. While filming Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she starts getting letters from someone claiming to be her father.

Joe begins to become violently jealous of the things Norma has done as Marilyn Monroe. After shooting the dress in the windy grate scene from The Seven Year Itch, Joe becomes physically violent and the marriage is over. Soon after, she auditions for the 1955 Broadway play Magda and meets Arthur Miller (Adrien Brody) the playwright. The same thing happens as Miller becomes infatuated with Marilyn Monroe.

Moving to Maine, Norma tries to live the life outside Hollywood and the stage. Thrilled to be pregnant, once again the mental issues come into play when everything goes wrong. The cracks are beginning to show while filming Some Like It Hot and director Billy Wilder is about done with it. Her stress leads to a set doctor continually keeping her medicated.

Soon after, Norma is taken to see JKF in his hotel room. What happens there is more than she can handle because, again, it is about being with Marilyn Monroe the movie star. Returning home she discovers the death of Cass, a gift with a note that sets off an ending the world could never understand.

Ana de Armas makes it clear why she was chosen for the role of Marilyn Monroe. She manages to bring the blonde bombshell to a bit of life with her bleached hair and whispery voice. Was I taken away into this world by her performance? Honestly, occasionally I thought ‘wow, that’s a Marilyn moment’ but other times her voice kept changing and the scenes of nothingness were too long. I didn’t need to spend five minutes of my life watching her tear the house apart for her purse is an example. Then again, on the flip side, she wasn’t given the best material to work with.

Williams as Eddy has finally come into his own for those of us who recognize this actor. In this relationship with Norma/Marilyn, it becomes complicated and a bit vengeful. For those who see a familiarity, Williams was in the hit series VERSAILLES portraying Chevalier. Joining his former castmate is Tygh Runyan who played Fabien Marchal.

Cannavale as DiMaggio was in love with someone who really did not exist. His anger and acts of violence put a bit of a stain on the former beloved baseball player. Cannavale gives DiMaggio the best and worst of a man obsessed. Brody as Miller can play his character in another movie and I’d watch it! Trying to give Norma what she needs while dealing with Marilyn is no easy feat but Brody put in the effort.

Huge shout out to Nicholson as Gladys. Although her role was short, the impact was large and impressive.

Other cast include Toby Huss as Whitey, Ravil Isyanov as Billy Wilder, Catherine Dent as Jean, David Warshofsky as Mr. Z, Michael Masini as Tony Curtis, Caspar Phillipson as JFK, Sara Paxton as Miss Flynn, Rebecca Wisocky as Yvet, Tygh Runyan as Norma Jeane’s Father, Eden Riegel as Esther, Ned Bellamy as Doc Fell, Haley Webb as Brooke and Chris Lemmon as Jack Lemmon.

BLONDE is not a film for everyone and on so many levels. Personally, after sitting for an extensive period of time watching, wondered what the purpose of making this film was. I suppose being a black and white film that it could be under the guise of artistic. The portrayal by the actors is well done with the material given.

My problem lies with the sadistic, gruesome, misogynistic, drawn-out scenes of rape, talking fetuses and that’s just the beginning of my list. The two-hour and forty minutes dragged on from scene to scene of Norma’s victimization and I had to force myself to continue with it. By the end I felt like a dirty accomplice to those who did the victimizing, like a peeping Thomasina!

Director Dominik gives us nothing more than event after event of horrors to the point of making sure he has put the deep stamp of disgust with the insides of a woman’s body part. In the middle of these acts of terror are flashing cameras and crowds swallowing Norma/Marilyn up time and time again.

This is a film that does not celebrate the life of accomplishments of Norma Jeane and Marilyn Monroe. It is a slaughter of both these women who tried to live in one person.

In the end – watched by all and seen by none!

THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Apple+ from writer-director Peter Farrelly from the book of the same name by Joanna Molloy and John “Chickie” Donohue comes THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER.

John “Chickie” Donohue (Zac Efron) is living in 1967 as the war in Vietnam rages on. At home in New York, he is out with friends drinking at their favorite watering hole owned by The Colonel (Bill Murray). While drinking and talking about the funerals they are attending, it is suggested that someone needs to take the hometown boys a beer and Chickie volunteers!

That is until people in town approach him wanting things to be taken to the town’s boys and mothers wanting to make sure their sons had clean socks. Everyone is about supporting the trip. Everyone but sister Christine (Ruby Serkis) who protests the war and thinks her brother has lost his mind.

Yet, Chickie packs up his duffle bags with beer and finds a flight leaving for Vietnam and off he goes. From post to post he finds his friends offering them a beer. Some are shocked to see Chickie showing up in a place he doesn’t belong while others believe ‘well, that’s Chickie for ya’ and drink up. Jake Duggan (Jake Picking), Bobby Pappas (Kyle Allen), Tommy Collins (Archie Renaux) and Kevin McLoone (Will Ropp) try to keep Chickie safe until he can find a flight home.

Chickie even makes friends with Hieu (Kevin K. Tran), a police officer who wants to go to Oklahoma when the war is over but for now directs traffic and helps lost Americans. After tracking down a few of his friends, things start to become more and more dangerous. At the local bar, there are reporters who do not believe what Chickie is doing but journalist Arthur Coates (Russell Crowe) does.

As the Vietnamese New Year begins, so does a major offensive as the two men try to steer clear of the attack. Chickie thought he had seen the worse until driving through the streets of mass casualties and death. Boarding his flight home and returning to the local watering hole, Chickie comes to terms with the swiftness of death and what needs to be done with his life.

Efron as Chickie is a man who sort of lives moment to moment which seems to get on everyone’s nerves. Seen as a man with no goals nor driven to find any, Efron’s Chickie decides that the talk around town means he has to do something. So, he packs up a duffle of beer and heads to Vietnam for an eight-week beer run. What I like about this character for Efron is the believability, I went for every step hook-line and sinker.

Picking, Allen, Renaux and Ropp are fantastic supporting characters and I mean that in a grand way. They are on their own journeys through something indescribable in the way of war and dealing with a friend like Chickie was not in the orders. Yet, they introduced him to their world of Vietnam, accepted the craziness of their friend and came to truly believe he meant well. That’s being a supportive friend and character in a film. Well done boys!

Crowe is a late added bonus who comes to see that Chickie is not only a crazy individual for coming to a place he doesn’t need to be, but also sees his heart is in the right place even if his brain isn’t. Serkis as Christine is a sister who sees a brother the way any sister would. She is a force to be reckoned with and brother Chickie, well, isn’t and she has no trouble saying so.

Tran as officer Hieu just had my heart from the beginning. He showed no fear or bad emotion towards the American Chickie but instead, honest friendship. I just adored it.

I just love when Bill Murray pops up in a film and although his role is not a big one, listen to what his character says. He sees the world from his own experience with war but needs to understand, wars change as the weapons become more destructive. The Colonel is a part of their town, he is the grand master of serving up beer.

Other cast includes Will Hochman as Tommy, Matt Cook as Lt. Habershaw, Christopher Brown as Noodle, Joe Adler as Red, Macgregor Arney as Brendon, Hal Cumpston as Leary, Omari Chancellor as Erickson and Goya Robles as Almeida.

Apple+ is a video on demand web television that debuted in 2019. Viewable through Apple’s TV app, CEO Tim Cook wanted original content calling it “a great opportunity for us from a creation point of view”. From THE MORNING SHOW to TRYING and THE BANKER and Jason Momoa in SEE, there is plenty of choices for everyone. Plenty of genres? That is exactly what they are bringing to viewers and to see more of what they have to offer please visit www.apple.com/tv/.

THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER is a charming, funny and heartbreaking film from start to finish. Efron gives us every bit of his trip and does not sugar coat the harshness of war, not even from Chickie. From friend to friend, this character has the nerve shattering experience of survival and what those costs are the end.

Although the title of the film and its beginning have moments of comedy, the reality of what Chickie is about to do slowly comes in frame after frame. From the chopper rides, to elephants in the jungle, to knowing its time to go home – this beer run is about so much more than Chickie could have possibly imagined.

I love that Chickie, after being told to do something with his life, actually did so much. He attended Harvard School of Government and was one of ‘Sandhog’ tunnel builders in New York and even went on to become a leader. What I love even more is what you see at the end of the film so watch for that.

In the end – it is a true story of a life changing beer run!