DVD Reviews

BACK TO THE FUTURE Brings its 40th Anniversary to 4K

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from director Robert Zemeckis celebrating the 40th Anniversary are films that are beloved and so iconic with BACK TO THE FUTURE, BACK TO THE FUTURE II and BACK TO THE FUTURE III.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Welcome to Hill Valley in 1985 and the life of teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) who lives with mom Lorraine (Lea Thompson), dad George (Crispin Glover), brother Dave (Marc McClure) and sister Linda (Wendie Jo Sperber). Mom seems to have a problem with the drink, dad is constantly being bullied by boss Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) and the only consolation is girlfriend Jennifer (Claudia Wells). Marty also has a friend in scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and really enjoys spending time with him when he’s not working on playing music.

Doc calls Marty to the mall to show him a time machine he’s made out of a DeLorean with a flux capacitor powered by plutonium. Well, the plutonium was sort of lifted from some angry people and a shoot out happens in the parking lot but Marty accidentally does the 88 miles per hour sending the DeLorean through time. Well, now Marty is in 1955 and doesn’t know how to get back home. A series of incidents bring him face to face with his mom and dad as teens but he doesn’t have time for that. He finds Doc and explains what has happened as they both discover another source of power and it has to happen soon or Marty’s future could be in jeopardy.

Once home, Marty is in for a huge surprise!

BACK TO THE FUTURE II: Marty isn’t home very long before Doc shows up in the DeLorean letting him know he must accompany him into the future because there are problems. This time they take Jennifer (Elisabeth Shue) with them! It seems Marty and Jennifer have children and now Marty Jr. is in trouble going up against Biff’s grandson Griff (Thomas F. Wilson). Doc knows the only way to fix this is by Marty taking his son’s place to handle Biff and his shenanigans.

Jennifer finds herself in her future home and learns about what Marty’s co-worker Douglas is up to and it could hurt the family. Biff, in the meantime, has found the Delorean, returned to 1985 and found a way to become wealthy. Now things have changed again and this time his mother Lorraine is involved! Now Marty must do some sleuthing himself to find out what is really going on and set things right.

Doc finds himself in a place Marty never could have imagined he’d go!

BACK TO THE FUTURE III: Marty gets a letter and it seems Doc has found himself in 1885 and the only way to get to him is find the DeLorean left with Doc 1955’s help. Follow? Even though Doc has told Marty not to come, that’s not about to stop him. Arriving in the west and with a damaged DeLorean, Marty finds himself in the presence of his great-great-grandparents Seamus and Maggie McFly who take him in. Asked his name, he replies, “Clint Eastwood” and all around him is the new town of Hill Valley.

Immediately, Marty recognizes Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen as Biff’s relatives and they are just as much a problem as they are in the future. Doc and Marty realize the only possibility of getting home (since there is no plutonium or lightening), that a locomotive will have to work. Doc meets schoolteacher Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen) and he’s smitten. At a town festival, Buford challenges Doc to a showdown and it’s hoped they will be gone by then. As with all things that Doc and Marty are involved in, things get chaotic and quick thinking needs to happen which is good since Marty knows how Buford is. On the locomotive, there one chance to get home turns into the most unexpected result.

Then again, Marty and Doc always do the unexpected!

Fox as Marty made a name for himself on the television series Family Ties which led to him playing the iconic character of a young man with an interesting life. After seeing the first film, there is no one else who could possibly play the role of Marty then or now. Fox had the amazing ability of timing with his humor, facial expressions that are hilarious and played opposite every character in such a way that he made it look easy. Maybe it was easy for him because, honestly, it looked like a blast to do. Fox is the reason for such repeatable lines such as, “you made a time machine…out of a DeLorean?” and so many more. I still hear people say things from the films still today and clearly, anyone who is a BACK TO THE FUTURE fan will know them instantly and from which film.

Lloyd as Doc is another character that can not be played by anyone else – ever. In the films he is clever, hilarious faces and embodied the character full on in all three films. Playing along side Fox, these two actors bounced off one another in such a way it flowed and kept us all entranced from the first film to the last. That is important because films in the 80’s had, and still have, such an impact on people that I don’t think the character of Doc would have worked without him. Instead, he gave us so much in this role that returning for all three films is nothing short of appreciated by fans and stellar in every way possible.

Thompson as Lorraine also gets the chance to play a teen, then Mom and future Mom. As a teen she was absolutely charming and cute, as a mom she showed the vulnerability of questionable youngster choices and it follows her when Biff pulls his nasty stunts. I loved watching Thompson in all three films and, as with Fox and Lloyd, she will always be Lorraine. Glover as George was the dad that just couldn’t seem to cut a break in the family life and as a teen, it took one moment with his sons help to change his future. That is food for thought even today, one choice can change everything.

Wilson as Biff and all the Biff incarnates is mean, vicious, hilarious, silly, and mainly a generational bully. That being said, well done sir, well done! I remember in the theatre people yelling at Wilson’s Biff being very unhappy with his shenanigans which is the sign that he was doing something very right. I’m a firm believer that if an actor can cause massive outrage, then his craft deserves a golf clap – if not several.

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.

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.

Bonus Feaures include All New Content 40 Years Later: Reflecting on the Future, Back to Hill Valley, Untold Stories of BACK TO THE FUTURE, TCM Classic Film Festival Panel, and A Mystery is History. In other words, 90 minutes of All-New Bonus!

Legacy Bonus Features include Tales from THE FUTURE: 6-Part Documentary, Deleted Scenes (Commentary by Producer Bob Gale), An Alternate Future: Lost Audition Tapes, The Hollywood Museum Goes BACK TO THE FUTURE, BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical Behind the Scenes, Could You Survive the Movies? BACK TO THE FUTURE, OUTATIME: Restoring the DeLorean, Looking BACK TO THE FUTURE, and The Physics of BACK TO THE FUTURE with Dr. Michio Kaku.

Also, Huey Lewis and the News “The Power of Love” Music Video, ZZ Top “Doubleback” Music Video, BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Ride, Archival Featurettes, Behind the Scenes, 2015 Message from Doc Brown, 2015 Commercials, BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Animated Series (2 Episodes), Michael J. Fox Q&A, FAQs About the Trilogy, Theatrical Trailers, Q&A Commentary with Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale and Feature Commentary with Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton.

It was 1985 and the theatrical experience was turned upside down as throws of people went to theatres because of a movie called BACK TO THE FUTURE and it was a monster hit. Yes, I was at the theatre with my kids as well at the time. My sons were especially taken with the films and it was Fox that got them into skateboarding and puffer vests along with attempting one liners – okay, they were funny. The same reaction happened with BACK TO THE FUTURE II and III. Audiences had embraced the characters of Marty and Doc because, at that time, adventure, imagination, creativity and originality was everything in the theatre.

These three films were a reason for entire families to go to the theatres together. It was “wholesome” entertainment, not exactly a word we hear much now. Everyone had a great time, everyone laughed, everyone cheered and everyone left the theatre in a fantastic mood. Can you imagine? No technology, no phones, no ipads etc., just a family going to the movies together to have a wonderful time. Maybe that is why these films are so nostalgic for the 80’s crowd, because it is reminiscent of a time of focus on family films and family fun – not to mention an amazing soundtrack that most of us can still sing today.

So, gather the kids and grandkids for a three-film experience that is memorable and see it through a new generation’s eyes with BACK TO THE FUTURE, BACK TO THE FUTURE II and BACK TO THE FUTURE III.

In the end – nothing better than a time machine for fun and adventure!

SONG SUNG BLUE Sings on to Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from writer/director Craig Brewer and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of love and music with SONG SUNG BLUE.

Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) is at a state fair to do a Don Ho impersonation when he meets Claire Stengl (Kate Hudson) who hits the state fair stage singing Patsy Cline. It is the 80’s and she suggests that Mike might want to be a Neil Diamond singer. Instantly, he finds himself drawn to her and, at the same time, decides that perhaps it’s time to try her suggestion. Meeting up with her again, they start to find their melody together.

Deciding to call themselves Lightning and Thunder, they become a Neil Diamond tribute band. They also marry and bring together Claire’s daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson) and son Dana (Hudson Hensley) with Mike’s daughter Angelina (King Princess). As their shows start to take off, they find themselves opening for Pearl Jam and joined on stage with Eddie Vedder. As fast as they rise, the faster they fall when Claire is hit by a car and all their lives begin to change.

While Mike is keeping his health issues a secret, Claire goes into a depression from the accident, and the kids don’t know exactly how to deal with the adults. When Claire can’t handle the situation any longer, Mike steps in and tries his best to keep the family together doing odd jobs. Once she realizes the effects all of this is having on her family, she urges Mike to bring Lightening and Thunder back to the stage once again.

Their biggest gig is about to happen with a dream of meeting their idol about to come true.

Jackman as Mike is a man who just wants to perform for audiences. When he meets Claire, his life changes in ways he never expected. Once the performances take off, Mike, Claire and the family are thrilled going from one experience to the other. Jackman gives the performance of a man who has his past issues but he sees a forever future with Claire. The performance is charming and fun.

Hudson as Claire is a mom with two kids who finds a connection with Mike and music. Together they are a duo that works but when her life is changed by an accident, she doesn’t know how to deal with her feelings. It is the needs of her family and the music that brings her back for a performance that is filled love and excitement.

Anderson as Rachel is a young woman struggling with the adults around her. There comes a moment when she is stuck between her own problems and handling a family that feel broken. Anderson does a spectacular job. Hensley as Dana is thrilled with Mike and his mother and is their biggest fan. Princess as Angelina wants what’s best for her father and, like Rachel, is her parent’s biggest supporter.

Other cast include Mustafa Shakir as Sex Machine, John Beckwith as Eddie Vedder, Jackie Cox as Babs, Fisher Stevens as Dave Watson, Cecelia Riddett as Grandma Stengl, Sean Krill as Buddy Holmes, Michael Imperioli as Mark Shurilla and John Belushi as Tom D’Amato.

Bonus Features include Extended Performances, One Plus One Equals Three, Lightning in a Bottle, Eye For Style and Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Craig Brewer.

SONG SUNG BLUE is definitely an emotional film and one that Neil Diamond fans can embrace. The characters are so complex with each having issues that could make or break any family. It is the music that is the glue to the story with a great chemistry between Jackman and Hudson.

It is definitely a ride into the 80’s with clothing styles, hair, cars and even the houses looking a bit Brady Bunch. The added nostalgia is the television show the family watches like Richard Dawson in Family Feud (Google it kids!). Every song is a Neil Diamon hit and fun to watch Jackman and Hudson perform. The film is a mixture of memorable music and the story of those who embraced it.

In the end – inspired by a legend and bound by a dream!

PREDATOR: Badlands

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from director Dan Trachtenberg and 20th Century Studios is the other side of PREDATOR: Badlands.

Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) and his brother Kwei (Mike Homik) are in the midst of intense and dangerous training. Dek wants to be made part of the Yautja tribe and wants his father Njohrr’s (Ruben de Jong) approval. Part of that is doing what other’s have not been able to – hunt and capture the Kalisk on the planet Genna. After a fight breaks out, Kwei sends his brother off in a ship on his mission.

Landing on Genna, Dek immediate faces creatures and now he becomes the hunted in many ways. Trying to escape them, he meets Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged android belonging to the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Missing the lower half of her body and convincing Dek that he needs a tool to help him find the Kalisk, he begrudgingly agrees. In the fight for food, a creature Thia names Bud becomes part of the group causing Dek even more agitation.

Finding Thia’s campground destroyed by the Kalisk, she tells him about another android named Tessa that is like family to her. Attempting to fix herself with the equipment that survived an attack, Dek takes on the Kalisk. What they also get is a team from Weyland-Yutani led by none other than Tessa as they are both taken prisoner because Weyland-Yutani Corporation wants what the Kalisk has.

Dek and Thia decide that this is not how it’s going to go down at all – this is when Dek, Thia and Bud take matters into their own hands and a reckoning is due!

Schuster-Koloamatangi comes out swinging as Dek. Covered completely in special effects and masks, it doesn’t stop him from showing he has what it takes to jump, slash, climb and carry around an f/x android. It is not a bad way to be a leading man at all. His character proves that size doesn’t matter when you have skill and dedication. Starting out hard as nails, he begins to understand the world off his planet and Schuster-Koloamatangi portrays that.

Fanning gets the chance to play double duty as two androids Tessa and Thia. Thia is the one that has a grasp of the planet and its creatures but also has a heart of gold whether that was hardwired initially or not. Tessa, however, is the angry android that wants to please MU/TH/UR and doesn’t care what she has to do to accomplish that goal. Well done Fanning for getting your chops all over this film with humor, no legs for a time and lots of special effects.

Other cast include Stefan Grube as the voice of Kwei, Rohinal Narayan as the voice of Bud, Alison Wright as the voice of MU/TH/UR and Cameron Brown as Smyth.

Twentieth Century Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.20thcenturystudios.com.

Bonus Feautures include Deleted & Pre-Visualization Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary: Sand Trap-Squirt Canyon-Tessa vs. Abe-Razor Grass-The Outpost-Super Power Loader Extended, Featurettes: Embodying the Predator, Authentic Synthetics, Building the Badlands, Dek of the Yautja and Audio Commentary with Director Trachtenberg.

PREDATOR: Badlands takes the Predator franchise and mixes it up the Alien franchise. It isn’t difficult to figure out which is which with the ships, equipment and concept of getting whatever Weyland wants no matter the cost or who pays the price. This is definitely a film for sci-fi fans with that combination. Schuster-Koloamatangi and Fanny completely carry the film from start to finish and it’s actually quite enjoyable.

Watching it on a large flat screen with a sound bar is pretty cool as well. So, turn off the lights, pop that popcorn and meet the mash up. Not everyone the franchises thought was bad, actually is. Perhaps we have misunderstood them both all along…nahhhhhhh!

In the end – first hunt, last chance!

He is Born to be a SAMURAI FURY

Jeri Jacquin

On Digital and coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Irie Yu is a story of fighting for those who cannot find for themselves with SAMURAI FURY.

It is the fifteenth century in Japan and there is a devastating famine and plague running rampant in the country during the Muromachi dynasty. Ronin Hasuda Hyoe (Oizumi Yo) wanders the countryside seeing the pain and suffering by the people who are dealing with the emperor and Honekawa Doken (Shin’ichi Tsutsumi), a longtime friend but now believe different things. Hyoe understands that there is only one way to stop the shogun who puts people in indentured servitude, is by gathering the people to fight.

Hyoe meets Saizo (Kento Nagao), a young man who has a mind of his own and isn’t about to bow to anyone. Seeing something in Saizo, Hyoe believes he can set the young man on a path for serving others but Saizo needs to be trained up. Proving that so, Hyoe tries to take on a government passage that taxes anyone trying to get through which puts people in danger. The fight shows the young man why he needs training.

Doken knows that Hyoe is working against the grain of things while he constantly remembers their younger days together. The problem is Doken became corrupted by money and power but Hyoe stayed true to service to people. Now, with Saizo joining Hyoe once again, that can take all those willing to fight oppression and change the face of their world.

Yo as Hyoe is a man who moves through his world gracefully and without attracting attention. He tries to touch as many lives for the good as possible and shows the look of a man who hides the disgust he feels. This is where Yo shines in this role and there were moments that just touched me. Also, his moments of comedy are giggle worthy if not totally charming. The action sequences are spot on and what one would expect from a film with the word “samuri” in the title.

Nagao as Saizo is unrecognizable in the beginning and is totally out of control almost in a way that probably kept his character alive. No one wants to mess with crazy. Once he calms down, Saizo gives us the story of a young man who begins to experience what Hyoe is all about and wants that for himself. He may have fought the training but, as with meeting Hyoe, he does begin to see where it can lead him for his life and for others. I really enjoyed Nagao and his humorous moments were spot on.

Tsutsumi as Doken is clearly a conflicted character. Enjoying the richess he steals from others and all the glory that comes with it, he also tries to find a middle ground in his friendship with Hyoe. Letting this slip and that slip by, Tsutsumi’s portrayal also gives way to the fact that there has to be a point in time where a choice has to be made – and he makes it. The fight scenes give Doken a chance to show clearly what his leadership is made of and not even those above him stand a chance to take what he feels is his.

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

The battles in this tale are fast paced and the visual are along the lines of most Japanese epic films like this one. It is almost like a film from three different perspectives. Hyoe as a wandering ronin who looks to do good where he can, Saizo who has been put through the hardship of his country but refuses to back down and Doken, a man who is conflicted by friendship and greed. That kept the movie interesting as if to see which road each of these characters takes to their goal.

Director Irie takes a bit of unknown history as Hyoe is in Japanese history but only as a small footnote believing him to be a Masterless Samuri or Ronin who led a rebellion. Ryosuke Kanine wrote the 2016 novel entitled Muromachi Burai that talks about an uprising of the common people of Japan. I am a huge fan of historical novels and even more thrilled when they are turned into action films. Irie turns that bit of history into a 135-minute action adventure that offers up perspectives that add a richness to the story itself.

In the end – he fights for those who cannot!

It is the Return of M3GAN 2.0

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K Ultra HD and Bluray from writer/director Gerard Johnstone and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the return of M3GAN 2.0.

It has been a few years as Gemma (Allison Williams) has now become a writer and spends her time advocating for AI regulation while working with cybersecurity expert Christian (Aristotle Athari). Cady (Violet McGraw) is growing up quickly and is following a bit in her aunt’s footsteps studying computer science. Their life is a bit more normal than previously when Gemma learns that the military and a Col. Sattler (Timm Sharp) have an android named Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno) that has gone a bit rogue.

Gemma is worried for Cady and attempts to find ways of protecting her from anything that comes into their home. What she didn’t count on was that M3gan (Amie Donald) is in her home as well and it is her presence in their smart house that warns of what is to come. Offering to help, she convinces Gemma to find her a ‘body’ to help gain access to the information they need. Hacking into the system, M3gan gets them all home, including Gemma, Cole (Brian Jordan Alvarez) and Tess (Jen Van Epps) and shows them a way to create a, well, super M3gan that can take on Amelia.

Secrets are coming out left and right as Gemma and Cady try to keep up with what is actually happening and how to stop it. When Cady is taken, the one thing Gemma knows is very true – M3gan will do whatever is necessary to keep Cady safe and that means no one or nothing will get in her way – no one or nothing.

Williams as Gemma has tried to bring a stable home together after the last run in with M3gan. Writing a book and speaking out for accountability in AI creation and use, having to return to a bad time just wasn’t on her bingo card. Her character of Gemma is smart, a bit of a wisecrack when necessary and trying to be a good role model for Cady and M3gan can test all of that. McGraw as Cady is in her teenage eye-rolling heavy-sigh I-know-best era which always drives me a bit crazy. McGraw does give her character a tough exterior while pretty much being a softie in the middle.

Athari as Christian was Gemma to be a part of the work they are doing and isn’t happy when Gemma rather be on her own. Athari gives us a slick and smart character that really doesn’t know what he’s getting into. Sharp as Sattler is gunning for Gemma without actually understanding what he is doing but then again, you can’t tell a government guy anything.

Donald as M3gan is just stunning as this character. She has all the right moves and with the help of Davis’ voice, they make a perfect good/bad bot. Alvarez as Cole is the bumbling dude who works with Gemma but carries a few chips on his shoulder. Van Epps as Tess also works with Cole and Gemma and is the calmer of the two focused only on stopping Amelia.

Shout out to Jenna Davis as the stunning voice of M3gan. Her humor and horror is unmistakable in that voice and we love it! Also, Jemaine Clement as Alton Appleton showing corruption has its price.

Exclusive Bonus Features include Unrated Version Upgraded with enhanced kills, deleted scenes and more blood & carnage, Total Upgrade: Making M3GAN 2.0 Equipped with some killer upgrades, the team that unleaded M3GAN returns, Droid DNA Unveil M3GAN 2.0 as she prepares to tackle rogue military asset Amelia, The Art of Slaying The cast and stunt team discuss creating and executing the film’s most explosive and gruesome action sequences and Scene Breakdown: Embrace AI Convention From a dance battle to a blood fest, this breakdown will show how each department worked together to create this epic and deadly sequence.

M3GAN 2.0, especially the unrated version, will give fans a little more than they expected. The little robot turns into a bit of a John Wick in dancing shoes and a humor setting that is really good. The action and fight scenes are set in some pretty cool settings and nothing gets in the way of it all. The cast reuniting for the film makes it so much more fun to watch and definitely should be on the Saturday night cozy couch double feature.

We are definitely M3GAN fans and M3GAN 2.0 turned out to be even more fun than the first film that came out in 2022. Don’t keep up waiting for a follow up!

In the end – she can never be erased!

MASTER AND COMMANDER: The Far Side of the World

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Digital and Bluray for the first time ever from director Peter Weir and 20th Century Studios is the epic ocean story of MASTER AND COMMANDER: The Far Side of the World.

It is 1905 and Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) is heading his ship HMS Surprise. After an attack by the French ship Acheron, Captain Aubrey is making repairs at sea but not before being attacked again. The race is on to keep the enemy away from British ships so the captain heads for the Galapagos Islands. The ships surgeon Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany) is thrilled at the prospect to be able to collect specimens from the island to study and record along with the young Lord Blakeney (Max Pirkis).

Reaching the islands, Captain Aubrey, First Lt. Pullings (James D’Arcy) and crew are surprised to see a dingy of men who were attacked by Acheron and managed to escape. Ready to go after the enemy again, the seas aren’t on their side as the crew begins to grumble about their predicament. After an accident, Aubrey returns to the island giving the men a brief respite. What the captain and crew could have never expected was what comes next. What the enemy never saw coming was an experienced captain and crew who never gave up!

Crowe as Captain Aubrey has a reputation on the high seas as a man who knows how to sail, even in dangerous waters and being chased enemies. The crew hold him in high esteem and follow his orders because they trust him completely. Now that they are chasing the French enemy ship, Crowe gives his character of Aubrey intelligence to outwit his enemy one moment while still being able to care for his crew with equal intensity. It is hard for some members of his crew to understand him, but Crowe’s performance had me raising an eyebrow whenever a crew member stepped a toe out of line. I just love this film period but Crowe’s performance always brings me back to the film again and again.

Bettany as Maturin is the ships surgeon that sees more of the effects of fighting side of war on the high seas. Caring for the men is most important to him but in his off hours he dives into the world of flora, fauna and animals he is excited to see in the Galapagos. He takes Lord Blakeney under his wing when he discovers that they share a curiosity for all things nature and science but also has the respect of the crew. He tells Aubrey straight, even if it causes tension between friends and I liked that about his character. Bettany has comes such a long way in his career but I have to say I enjoy characters he portrays with a bit of spunk.

D’Arcy as Pullings keeps a close watch on Aubrey and learns everything he can. He wants one day to captain a ship of his own but learns how difficult, challenging and frightening it can be. What I enjoyed about Pullings character is that in the beginning there is such hesitation but man, when he gets an emotional rush from the captains’ speeches and actions, he just comes out cannons blazing. Pirkis as Blakeney is a kid doing grown up things in a time of war where there are thing happening that a child shouldn’t see in the form of wounded and death. Yet, I can imagine that this is how Captain Aubrey was at that age – wise, strong and curious.

Other cast include Edward Woodall as 2nd Lt. Mowett, Chris Larkin as Captain Howard, Robert Pugh as John Allen, Lee Ingleby as Holom, Max Benitz as 3rd Lt. Calamy, Richard McCabe as Mr, Higgins, Ian Mercer as Mr. Hollar, David Threlfall as Killick, Bryan Dick as Nagle, Mark Lewis Jones as Mr. Hogg and Billy Boyd as Barrett Bronden.

Bonus Features include Delete Scenes, Historical and Geographical Trivia Track and Pop-Up Map.

MASTER AND COMMANDER: The Far Side of the World 4K Ultra HD Bluray release is housed in a collectible two-disc SteelBook set, featuring striking, navy-and-gold nautical artwork that reflects the film’s epic scale and maritime themes. The exterior showcases a richly detailed compass rose and a bold illustration of Captain “Lucky Jack” Aubrey, while the interior reveals a sweeping ocean vista with Russell Crowe poised against story seas – offering fans the ultimate collector’s edition.

Newly restored and remastered from the original elements, this stunning 4K release is presented with Dolby Vision HDR and Atmos audio delivering breathtaking pictures and immersive sound offering fans the definitive home viewing experience of the acclaimed epic.

Crowe, Bettany, D’Arcy, Pirkis and the entire cast made this film the epic memorable film that it is. Bringing the intensity of war on the seas, away from home and limited in help if anything were to go wrong, everything falls to the Captain and Crowe carries that weight to perfection. The cinematography is equally brilliant and director Weir knew exactly how he wanted the film to look and made it come to life. Twenty-two years ago, MASTER AND COMMANDER The Far Side of the World hit theatres and today the film is still as epic.

In the end – Captain and crew are ready for battle!

JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH Roars Home

Jeri Jacquin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the end – your home and their world!

THE PRIESTS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital from writer/director Jang Jae-hyun and Well Go USA is the story of faith against the darkness for THE PRIESTS.

In Seoul, Father Kim (Kim Yoon-seok) discovers that a young girl of his parish, Young-shin (Park So-dam) may be possessed by a demonic spirit. Attempting to get approval for an exorcism with the Dean of clergy (Kim Eui-sung), Father Kim realizes that those who make the decision agree to it but not officially. What he does need is help and is being assigned a deacon to assist. Deacon Choi (Gang Dong-won) is a slightly wild young man but agrees be part of the exorcism. Almost immediately, after meeting with the former Deacon of Father Kim’s, Choi begins to have strange dreams.

Although Choi believes he is being sent to assist Father Kim, he is also being told to watch his every move by the superiors. When he finally meets Father Kim in person, he is just as flippant as he was on the telephone. The two men prepare for the ritual as Choi begins to record what is happening, never realizing the horror that awaits. He, like the Deacon before him, can’t get away fast enough leaving Father Kim alone.

Coming to terms with his past and running out of time, Choi and Father Kim waste no time in the final battle for a young girls’ very soul.

Yoon-seok as Father Kim is a man who clearly understands what it takes to be part of exorcisms. He also realizes that the church he is a part of won’t officially condone what he is doing yet also isn’t going to stand in his way. There is a history between Father Kim and Young-shin as the priest is not going to stop until there is a resolution. Yoon-seok gives his character an emotional dedication but also a hardened outer shell that keeps others at bay. The story is intense and Yoon-seok is one hundred percent in the game!

Dong-won as Choi is a Deacon who doesn’t exactly follow the rules all together. When given a chance to be part of Father Kim’s ‘mission’, he agrees to keep an eye on him for the church as well. Dong-won gives a character of a young priest who has his own traumatic past that he covers up with an attitude that might be out of the realm of a priest. Becoming part of what Father Kim is doing offers him insight into what it takes to be a man of the cloth with faith for those who need him.

So-dam as Young-shin has the rough part of the film with very frightening scenes of possession and trust the demon isn’t playing. I have always those thought who portray possessed individuals go through hours of make up and prosthetics to put on a performance that is meant to fill the audience with fright and terror, So-dam does so beautifully.

Other cast include Son Jong-hak as Monsignor, Lee Ho-jae as Father Jeong, Nam Ill-woo as Abbott, Kim Byeong-ok as Professor Park, Cho Soo-hyang as Agnes, Park Woong as Bishop, and Jeong Ha-dam as Shaman Young-joo.

THE PRIESTS is an intense story that has so many moving parts. Of course, it is about a young girl tormented by a demon(s) but it is also the story of two priests who each have past trauma of their own. The major issue for them is keeping their personal feelings about the past out of their minds as to not interfere with the exorcism. Actors Yoon-seok and Dong-won are absolutely fantastic together giving the audience riveting moments of what it takes for these two men to come together with faith in what needs doing.

This is an amazing and dark story that easily falls into the category of very cool possession films with its cinematography and special effects. I have been a fan of this genre since I was knee high to a grasshopper so when I say this one needs to be added to the list of must-see, believe it. What is even more spectacular is that the story really does bring more mental frights than the gory. That gives it high marks on my scary o’ meter because, honestly, I would rather you scare me with the unknown than a bucket of gore.

The film has made its awards rounds including nominations and wins from the Buil Film Awards, Women in Film Korea Awards, KOFRA Film Awards, Max Movie Awards, Chunsa Film Art Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, Asian Film Awards, Korean Film Producers Association Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards.

In the end – they are always here!

DARK NUNS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital from director Kwon Heyok-jae and Well Go USA is the next chapter in the world of faith versus evil with the story of DARK NUNS.

Sister Junia (Song Hye-kyo) is a woman of faith who is trying to find a way to help young boy Hee-joon (Moon Woo-jin) who seems to be possessed by a powerful spirit. Having studied under Father Kim, she has been given the nickname “Dark Nun”. Dealing with doctors who do not agree with her assessment of Hee-joon, Sister Junia believes that an exorcism is the only thing that will save the boy. Needing help, she turns to Sister Michaela (Jeon Yeo-been) a protégé of Father Paolo (Lee Jin-wook).

Taking Hee-joon to former nun and Shaman (Kim Gook-hee), Sister Junia does this because she knows she has dealt with all this before. Quickly, everything seems to only get worse and difficult for the boy. Father Paolo takes the boy to a nearby monastery as Sister Junia and Sister Michaela race to be as well. As the two nuns begin to understand one another and their unique gifts – they can finally work together. Disappointment that Father Kim and Father Choi cannot help them, Sister Junia rethinks their plan.

The day arrives for the exorcism and Sister Junia is prepared. The place is Hee-joons own home and items requested from the Vatican arrive. Now, the spiritual believers drive the exorcism to save a Hee-joons life with an unexpected third to fight the final battle!

Hye-kyo as Sister Junia is a solid woman of faith and knows that she might be the only person that can possible save Hee-joon. Her past is something of a mystery but when her story comes to light, she is even more of a heroine for me in this role. Using the teachings of her mentor, when things don’t come together the way she would like, like the start woman she is, pivots to make sure the demon doesn’t get ahead of her. I loved watching Hye-kyo take this role by the bit and putting so much into it that the believability is totally off the charts. My jaw dropped several times when tidbits came out that I was all in till the end.

Yeo-been as Sister Michaela is a woman coated in mystery. Not a warm nun as I would expect but once she realizes what her fellow nun is doing, there is a tad bit of spike and lack of faith that isn’t going to help. There becomes a moment when she realizes that the Dark Nun needs helps not only with the exorcism but the faith in what they are doing is right. It was very cool to see all aspects of Yeo-been’s character and it developed slowly and, quite honestly, perfectly.

Woo-jin as Hee-joon gets the very same applause from me as did his possessed predecessor in the film THE PRIESTS. The number of special effects is astounding and Woo-jin puts it all together in a performance that is slightly more frightening than the prior film. I give props where props are due and Woo-jin gets it from me for sure.

Huge shout out to Shin Jae-hwi as Ae-dong. There are moments in a film when something happens that makes one want to stand up and cheer and Jae-hwi gave me that moment. Other cast include Huh Joon-ho as Father Andrea and Gang Dong-won as Deacon Choi.

DARK NUNS is a follow-up to the 2015 film THE PRIESTS and the awesome news here is that although it is the ‘next’ film it absolutely stands out on its own. I love films that can be part of a franchise but yet have the ability to tell their own story with characters that are unique. DARK NUN does exactly that and even with a few similarities, it works with the formula. The cast bring their own take on the characters they are portraying and I am a huge fan of Song Hye-kyo as Sister Junia. Her story is absolutely strong in the film of a woman who doesn’t follow the norm of being a nun.

The effects are fantastic in the telling and the mixture of faith and mythology are well written and fit like a glove on the screen. Everyone in the film has a role to play and the meshing is unique and brings an intensity that I was just loving from moment to moment. Once again, I am more into this genre of films that allows time for character development so when things get intense and the demons come out to play – I’m invested!

For this double feature of THE PRIESTS and DARK NUNS, get the snack tray loaded up, turns the lights off and remember, you might just want to believe.

In the end – they are ready to face the forbidden dark!

Continue the Journey with OUTLANDER: The Complete Season 7

Jacquin

Coming on a Collector’s Edition Bluray, Bluray and DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the continuation of OUTLANDER: The Complete Season 7.

As Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Ian (John Bell) try to get to Claire (Caitriona Balfe) who they think is in prison, don’t realize she has been taken to a ship to help a captain’s pregnant wife. That doesn’t mean the murder charge hanging over her head is forgotten. Tom Christie (Mark Jones) is keeping an eye out for Claire and her whereabouts as he promised Jamie on the road when Claire was taken. Back home, Roger (Richard Rankin) is still about his ministry as Brianna (Sophie Skelton) is close to giving birth to their second child.

Tom Christie decides there is only one way to save Claire and sends her back to Jamie. Once home they begin to pick up the pieces of their homelife but it doesn’t last as the family must make the sacrifice to send Roger, Brianna and their children back through the stones. Soon after, there is a horrifying arrival in Frasier’s Ridge that brings Claire and Jamies world upside down again. That is when Jamie decides it is time to keep his promise and take Ian home to Scotland. Now in Scotland, Brianna and Roger open a chest that has been closed for over 200 years.

Not making it to the ship home, Jamie is called up to the Continental Army as all three head to Fort Ticonderoga. Also nearby is William (Charles Vandervaart), Jamie’s son who is a British soldier and now father and son are on opposite sides of a war. Back home in the future, Brianna finds a job as their son Jemmy (Andrew/Matthew Adair) and daughter Mandy (Rosa Morris) find creatures around their home. Their parents find it amusing in a way but are more concerned about the letters they are reading from Claire and Jamie about the battles and caring for the wounded. Jamie is also dealing with his cousin Brig. General Simon Fraser (Angus Macfadyen) who he has to fight. Claire has help from Dr. Hunter (Joey Phillips) and his Quaker sister Rachel (Izzy Meikle-Small) who actually helped William when he was wounded.

Roger is feeling a bit out of sorts seeing Brianna working but is offered an opportunity at Jemmy’s school to teach Gaelic to those who want to learn. Rob Cameron introduces himself as one of Brianna’s employees and invites himself to dinner. Right before the dinner, Roger finds Buck (Diarmaid Murtagh) from 200 years ago in his yard! They work out both situations and Buck begins to understand what happened to him going through the stones. Again, there isn’t much time to breathe when Rob (Chris Fulton) takes Jemmy and no one knows why. One thing is for certain; it has something to do with the Spaniards that Jamie and Jemmy only know about. Now Roger and Buck must go back through the stones to find them.

In the past, Jamie is fighting on the field again and when it is time to stop, a request is made that will allow Jamie and family to head to Scotland and they are thrilled. Ian has become fond of Rachel and asks her to take care of his dog until he returns not knowing that William also has eyes for Rachel. In Scotland, they arrive just in time as Ian’s father Ian Sr. (Steven Cree) needs him as does his mother Jenny (Kristin Atherton). Jamie decides its also time to make amends with his own past. Claire receives a letter from their friend John (David Berry) that his nephew Henry Grey (Harry Jarvis) needs surgery and can she come quickly. Jamie encourages her to go and he will join her as soon as he is finished in Scotland. When she arrives, she performs the life saving surgery only to be under suspicion by the British later. Receiving bad news, Claire falls into a grief that cannot be explained and has to make a decision in order for she and her family to avoid the British. When Jamie returns there are fights to be had, disagreements that are made difficult, Jamie and Washington, Brianna and Mandy deciding to find Roger and Jemmy. That means Claire and Jamie must deal with more trials before they see Fraser’s Ridge again.

Balfe as Claire continues her role and it continues to tug at the hearts of fans. At the end of last season, it looked as if Claire was not going to get past what happened to her at the hands of kidnappers. Fans know that she might be down for a moment but will get back up and handle what ever is to come in the time she now calls home. At the end of season 6, she is taken away from Jamie once again and for something she didn’t do. The character of Claire means Balfe gives us a look at the deep strength her character has and continues to give under circumstances we can’t even wrap our heads around in this day and age. Balfe is our collective Claire and the final season means our questions might be answered about the Fraser future.

Heughan as Jamie is a guy’s guy and does not hesitate to do what he must for his family and his newly adopted country. It might not always be a decision that will make Claire happy but when he makes his beliefs known, Jamie is the guy you want on your side. Heughan has taken Jamie from a young man into a wiser man with a purpose and that is his family first (which is extensive), neighbors and country (both Scotland and the Americas). The fact is, as much as Claire is the person you want on your side, Jamie is also someone you want in your corner. He makes the hard calls and won’t ask anything of anyone he wouldn’t first do himself. That’s what makes him perfect for Claire, she is exactly the same way and they know that about one another.

Rankin as Roger gives us a bit of faith but doesn’t hesitate to stretch that and doing things that might not exactly fall into a religious’ category. He has such a good heart and loves his family as well. Rankin gives Roger such heart and soul that is so strong in his character that I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role. He doesn’t always do the right thing but it manages to work itself out and I love that. Skelton as Brianna is just as strong willed as her mother and she doesn’t care if they are living 200 years in the past, she is going to make it work her way. She has seen her mother struggle and it has made her stronger. Skelton gives us a perfect mash then and now.

Berry returns as Lord John and refuses to let political differences get between his friendship with Jamie and Claire. It is a fine line and it does get crossed momentarily but it is done because John believes he owes Jamie more than he can ever repay. That is also because of Vandervaart as William, a young man just beginning his military career and learning the lessons of war can change a person and the lessons of love can be just as disappointment. He knows about the Frasers and the friendship with his father Lord John, but he’s about to learn more than he could have bargained for. Jones reappears as Tom Christie with a tale of his own to tell and his heart still aching for a love he can not have.

Murtagh as Buck makes an appearance at Roger and Brianna with his own story of the stones to tell. Once he realizes how it works and where he fits in it all, he wants to help make things right when Jemmy disappears. Cree returns as Ian Sr. and he gets the opportunity to reconnect with his son again, Native American appearance and all. Atherton as Jenny is thrilled to see her family again and explains to her son why he needs to return with Claire to the new life he created for himself. Jarvis as Grey puts shock in his uncle’s way of thinking and I cheered for his decision. Phillips as Dr. Hunter is surprised to see what Clare is capable of medically and keeps an eye on his sister Rachel. Meikle-Small as Rachel is a young Quaker woman who is about to defy her faith by falling for someone her brother doesn’t believe will be accepted by their faith.

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.

The Bluray and DVD Bonus Materials include Four Outlander Untold Scenes, Blooper Reel and Deleted Scenes.

The episodes include A Life Well Lost, The Happiest Place on Earth, Death Be Not Proud, A Most Uncomfortable Woman, Singapore, Where the Waters Meet, A Practical Guide for Time-Travelers, Turning Points, Unfinished Business, Brotherly Love, A Hundredweight of Stones, Carnal Knowledge, Hello Goodbye, Ye Dinna Get Used to It, Written in my Own Heart’s Blood, and A Hundred Thousand Angels.

OUTLANDER: The Complete Season 7 is a run from start to finish. Each episode brings the life of Jamie and Claire to a full-on race to the final Season 8 (which I’m patiently waiting to see). Beginning in 2014, fans have been following their adventures (or misadventures depending on your outlook) and now, eleven years later, Season 7 sets us up for what it to come in the final season and I’m already teary eyed. All good things must come to and end, right?

This season meshes a 200-year difference and how they connect and it’s so complicated that you might want to get a pen and paper out to make a chart. Okay, so it has to be a really long piece of paper because the stories have taken us on quite a ride. Jamie and Claire have carried this series to places of heartache, love, friendship, family, torment, periods of time, countries, and have had their hearts torn for being a trusting and loyal couple. Once again, we are taken into their story of war, destruction, two-sides, and pain. Through all of that, these two characters have interconnected with others fans have come to love like Roger and Brianna, the duality of who people can be like Ian and unrequited love like Tom Christie and Lord John.

OUTLANDER has never once disappointed fans and Season 7 is no exception. So, gather up a group of Outlandians and prepare to binge. Once the story starts, there is no waiting to see what happens next!

In the end – our history is now!

They are the THUNDERBOLTS*

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD from director Jake Schreier and Marvel Studios comes a team that call themselves THUNDERBOLTS*.

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) is starting to wonder about her career choices thinking about her time being trained as a Black Widow and now employed by CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). It comes at a perfect time as de Fontaine (don’t forget the “de”) is up against it as an investigation trying to impeach her looms large. Trying to stay one step ahead, de Fontaine begins to cover up her work at O.X.E. Group. Belova is told this will be her last mission by going to O.X.E. Group and find out who is stealing from the company.

Well, when Belova arrives, she is met by John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen) and Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko) and after an all-out brawl, they begin to realize what has happened. The woman who sent them on a ‘mission’, was actually hoping them would take each other out. During their discussion, a man falls out of nowhere and tells the group his name is Bob (Lewis Pullman). Their now ex-boss is upset that the group has decided to come together as a team – with Bob. Managing to capture Bob, de Fontaine works her charm when she discovers he has abilities given to him by the Sentry trials.

Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) is Belova’s dad and after hearing a plot against his daughter, decides to help the group he calls “Thunderbolts”. Another person watching all of this closely is Congressman Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) who wants the group to testify against de Fontaine. The problem is Bob when de Fontaine brings out all his superpowers that the Thunderbolts can’t handle, especially with the spread of The Void. That isn’t going to stop the misfit heroes from doing the right thing!

Pugh as Yelena Belova is a disillusioned assassin who is having trouble dealing with her issues. When de Fontaine convinces her to do one more job, Pugh’s character goes with the flow. That is until she realizes that no one can be trusted! I enjoyed Pugh’s performance as a woman who doesn’t really take much guff from anyone and yet, shows a soft side towards Bob. She is strong and smart, if only Belova can get out of her own way. Well done!

Louis-Dreyfus as de Fontaine is absolute fantastic. She is a woman who attempts to stay one step ahead of the guillotine with her plotting, planning and fancy footwork. This character is not easily jarred while others panic around her. Louis-Dreyfus gives this villain all that is necessary to make us love and hate her at the same time. Harbour as Shostakov is a dad who wants to make things right with his daughter. Continually being on her side, no matter how it looks or sounds, Harbour gives us the complexities of their relationship and the silliness from time to time of an embarrassing dad and I am here for it all.

Russell as Walker is a man who wants to keep the title of Captain and the suit that looks familiar in the Avenger world. He starts out letting everyone know he can handle anything that happens but finds himself having to adjust his thinking to be part of a team. He has his moments that totally made me laugh, well done sir. John-Kamen as Starr has her own gifts and, like Belova, patience isn’t one of them. She fits in perfectly with the band of mercenaries. Kurylenko as Dreykov is all about the mission and that is what gets complicated until what is happening becomes clear.

Shout out to Stan as Buckey Barnes who knows that de Fontaine needs to be stopped quickly. Realizing it may be the band of misfits that can help him get the job done, he ends up realizing there is more to their story and he can relate from his own past. Always glad to see Stan back in Buckey boots and he does so without missing a step.

Other cast include Chris Bauer as Holt, Wendell Pierce as Gary, Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel, and Gabrielle Byndloss as Olivia.

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 on 4K, Bluray and DVD include Deleted Scenes with Door is Unliftable and Gary Announcement, Assembling a Team, Around the World and Back Again, All About Bob, Sentry & The Voice, Gag Reel, and Director’s Audio Commentary.

THUNDERBOLTS* is a fast-paced, superhero film that fights its way through twists, turns and an amazing cast to make that all happen. Led by Pugh, I just love how each has their story to tell and we all get a chance to experience that. The fight begins between two government factions and, as always, it ropes in others to help keep their powers in place. The problem is, you can’t ask those to help you that you’ve tries to eliminate right? That’s when the fun begins.

The film is fun, funny and dark which is hard to pull of as director Schreier managed to do quite well. Marvel brings something pretty cool with these ragtag would-be heroes dealing with their own issues in the middle of a city destructing crisis. Mixed in is humor, charm and villainy in all the right places. As always, stay tuned after the credits.

In the end – not super, not heroes and not giving up!

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of JAWS

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital celebrating 50 years of scarring us out of the water from director Steven Spielberg and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment,

based on the Peter Benchley novel, is the (and I know you hear da-dum, daaaa-dum in your head) fear of JAWS.

Sheriff Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) and his family live on Amity Island. It might be wonderful for most people but the small-town lawman doesn’t like water. Waking up to a phone call that a girl is missing after a swim, he finds himself coming face to face with the worst-case scenario. When he gets the news that it is a shark attack, the sheriff wants to put up signs warning swimmers but it met by Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) who sees it differently.

Deciding to cave to the mayor but be vigilant, days later another life is lost. Now the town puts up $3,000 for someone to catch the shark responsible. Local shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) says he will do it, but for a larger sum. Brody calls for help and Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) arrives to not only confirm the shark kills but decides to take it on himself to go out and see what is in the night ocean. When the shark is seen again and this time Brody’s son is in danger, Brody gets the mayor to agree to Quint’s demands.

Now Brody, Hooper and Quint take to the sea in the Orca to look for the shark that has been plaguing Amity Island. They come in contact with the 25-foot great white shark and realize that what should have been a quick turnaround back to dock – is not. This great white shark puts itself against the three men in a race against life and death!

Scheider as Brody is just absolute perfection as a man who takes the position of authority in a small town. Once a big city cop, Amity provides him with the sun and surf vibe of a town that is isn’t fast paced or dangerous – well, it wasn’t anyway. I just love him in this role (besides the film 52 PICK UP) as his character is confronted by something he cannot see or predict. His fear of water and what’s in it, Scheider reacts as we would expect and doesn’t disappoint. It is a character that we watch grow from beginning to end doing what he needs to for his family, the town and the sea.

Dreyfuss as Hooper is the expert, the humor and the Boy Scout of the film. Knowing exactly what the town is facing, Hooper is the guy no one listens to because he isn’t an “islander”. It should be known that I’m a huge Dreyfuss fan (remember GOODBYE GIRL?) and his role as Hooper is strong and the necessary as the buffer between Quint and Brody but with the worst jokes of the two. There isn’t one thing about Dreyfuss’ performance that can be picked on, not one thing. Fifty-years later, he is connected to his role at Hooper and it must be said, there isn’t a thing wrong with that.

Shaw as Quint is the third point in this triangle of a shark story. In his role as Quint, Shaw doesn’t give a frog’s butt what anyone thinks about him or what he does. He is clear with the town about what he wants to cure their problem and nails on a chalkboard never looked, or sounded, better. Once on the boat, Shaw gives us a man who doesn’t know when to say when but instead is going up against a creature that is just as determined as he is. Trying everything he knows, it becomes a game of cat and mouse – but which is which? Shaw is a consummate actor that I had watched for years before this role in swashbuckler roles and there is a bit of that here in the way he handles Hooper and Brody but there is an intensity that Shaw brings when death is knocking on the side of his boat. Just epic!

Other cast include Lorraine Gary as Ellen Brody, Carl Gottlieb as Meadows Jeffrey Kramer as Hendricks, Chris Rebello as Michael Brody, Jay Mello as Sean Brody, Lee Fierro as Mrs. Kintner, Jeffrey Voorhees as Alex Kintner, and Craig Kingsbury as Ben Gardner. An appearance can also be found of author Peter Benchley.

Bonus Features include The Making of JAWS, The Shark is Still Working: The Impact and Legacy of Jaws, Jaws: The Restoration, Deleted Scenes and Outtakes From the Set and Original Theatrical Trailer.

The novel Jaws arrived on bookshelves in 1974 and became an instant hit among readers. It isn’t surprising that Spielberg grabbed onto it and brought it to screens nationwide to become the highest-grossing film spawning three follow-up films. It is John Williams that put the music to the film that is so memorable that it’s part of our lexicon today and used to express suspense and even fright. In 2021, the Library of Congress selected the film JAWS for its preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

JAWS, in all honestly, kept me out of the ocean for a few summers and cautious after that! Anyone that says it didn’t bother them needs to take a lie detector test! Spielberg took Benchley’s story and gave it all the intensity that I would expect in a story that took us all on a wild ride 50 years ago. Watching the film again and again and again over the years hasn’t changed that one bit. Although we all have aged, this story never will.

Phrases such as “you’re gonna need a bigger boat” and “Mary Ellen Moffett – she broke my heart” are only two of the iconic lines from the film. Watch and find your own favorite lines. So, turn out the lights, turn up the sound bar and pop the biggest batch of popcorn because JAWS is a film that deserves to bring thrills and chills – even fifty years later and fifty years into the future.

In the end – Amity Island has everything and it’s the perfect feeding ground!

He is THE AMATEUR

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Digital and coming to Bluray and 4k Ultra HD from director James Hawes and 20th Century Studios is a man who is THE AMATEUR.

Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) is sending his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) off to a conference in Europe while he goes to his job at the CIA as a cryptographer. Getting straight to work, his job is secretive but he is good at it. When he is called into the office of boss Director Moore (Holt McCallany) and Director O’Brien (Julianne Nicholson) where he is told that his wife has died and Charlie is horrified. Almost immediately he begins his work discovering what happened, how and who is responsible. Bringing it up to his superiors, he makes it clear that all Charlie wants is to handle the situation himself.

When they don’t approve, he is sent Hendo Henderson (Laurence Fishburne) to give him some help in what he is planning to do. While Training, Henderson makes it clear that some people just aren’t simply capable of killing. While he is away, Moore is attempting to discover what Charlie might know and tear his house and office apart. They want to know what is he doing with the information but they obviously don’t understand what Charlie can do. His intelligence gives him the edge as he manages to slip away from everyone and follow the trail to Europe. There, he finally meets contact Inquiline (Cailtriona Balfe) who does her best to help find those responsible for Sarah’s death.

The trail is brutal and full of secrets that go deeper than Charlie could ever have imagined. When CIA operative O’Brien (Jon Bernthal) attempts to wrangle him in, he once again knows how to slip the boundaries they attempt to place on him. No matter how much the CIA uses its technology, they forgot one thing – Charlie created that technology!

Malek as Charlie is a man devastated by the loss of his wife and disgusted by the CIA’s lack of action. Deciding that if they won’t do anything, he will use all he has learned as an analyst play out in the real world. Malek plays a grieving husband but, when his character goes rogue, he does so in such a calm manner. The Agency thinks they are able to corral him but you can’t capture someone who you’ve always underrated. This is such an awesome character for him to play and adds a layer of thrill with the combination of political, psychological and action in the vein of THE BOURNE IDENTITY (2002) among so many others. Malek has cemented his place in that line up.

McCallany as Moore is a stern character who can not get Charlie to understand that there are things at play that he doesn’t know about. Once Charlie goes rogue, he is not only dealing with that, but feeling the breath of Director O’Brien all over his neck. I have come to so appreciate McCallany’s body of work and I just love his strong characters. Nicholson as Director O’Brien understands that Charlie is devastated and enlists the help of Moore to keep their noses clean. She gets the suspicion that Charlie isn’t going to let the death of his wife go unanswered. Nicholson always plays such a strong character and it is the same here.

Fishburne as Henderson attempts to train Charlie but also realizes that training him to kill someone just isn’t working. He is impressed by that Charlie can do but it doesn’t mean it will help him with his goal. Fishburne is just that – Fishburne. A consummate actor who can do any role you put in front of him. This isn’t a large role but it is a good one. Bernthal as O’Brien sees Charlie as a friend and wants to help but so people you just can’t get to understand and Charlie is one of them. Again, the role isn’t a large one but keep you spidey senses on high alert.

Balfe as Inquiline is someone that Charlie has been in contact with for a while but never in person. When he arrives in Europe, it is Balfe’s character that guides him in the direction he needs to go. I just love seeing Balfe as I am a huge fan of OUTLANDER and here she begins to separate herself from that role and onto something thriller in another genre.

Other cast includes Adrian Martinez as Carlos, Marc Rissman as Mishka Blazhic, Joseph Millson as Ellish, Barbara Probst as Gretchen Frank, Alice Hewkin as Ali Park and Henry Garrett as the Chief of Staff. Look for the cameo of Marthe Keller who starred in the 1981 film as Elizabeth.

Bonus Features include The Team, The World, The Pool, The Score, and Deleted Scenes.

Robert Littrell specialized in espionage novel having been a journalist and novelist writing about the spy world of the CIA. He wrote the screenplay before the novel with the title The Amateur: A Novel of Revenge IN 1981.

Malek, having played a Bond Villain in the 2021 film NO TIME TO DIE gets the opportunity to play the other side of a thriller and proves he can do both. In the role of Charlie Heller, he is as smooth as they come, smarter than his superiors could ever have imagined and determined to do what the agency won’t. He has no problem using his intelligence and abilities to keep everyone at arm’s length until he finishes what he started. Just brilliantly done.

The cast brings so much to the political table with secrets, mysteries, lies, no trusting and, best of all, no idea who they are dealing with. I love that part of the film as each thing Charlie pulls off, there is someone in the background shaking his head in disbelief. That makes watching so much more enjoyable because rooting for Charlie is what it is all about. Nothing or no one is going to stop the inevitable.

In the end – do not underestimate him!

She Never Expected to DROP

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K UHD, Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Christopher Landon, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes a mind-bending thriller of a DROP.

Violet Gates (Meghann Fahy) is a therapist in Chicago that helps people with their problems and she knows plenty about that. Surviving an abusive husband, her sister Jen (Violett Beane) talks her into going on the first date she’s been on in years. Nervous leaving son Toby (Jacob Robinson), Violet is off to meet Henry Campbell (Brandon Sklenar), a photographer she met on a dating app and now meeting her at the high-rise restaurant Palate. Nervously waiting, she chats with bartender Cara (Gabrielle Ryan) and is slightly hit on by Richard (Reed Diamond) who mistakes her for his date and Phil (Ed Weeks) a drinking pianist who doesn’t take a hint all that well. All the while receiving Digi-Drops that are odd.

Eventually Henry walks in and Violet is happy to sit down and get to know him. Almost immediately she received an influx of these drops. One of them shows a masked gunman inside her house followed by a threat to do what she is told and Toby won’t be hurt. She also can not let anyone know what is happening. That makes it difficult as each instruction becomes more and more threatening. She shows Henry what is happening but he brushes it off as pranks. As Violet does what she is asked to do, there is a strain between she and Henry but she cannot let him leave.

Violet becomes suspicious of everyone in the room and tries to watch where the cameras are and devices all of the restaurant. When the drop finally tells her what the goal is and Violet knows that she is running out of options. She needs to make the connection of what is happening and who is responsible before her family and those around her become victims of the deadly drops coming to her phone.

Fahy as Violet handles this role with smoothness even when her nerves are about to explode. This role called for keep the nervousness at a minimum, keep the eyes open for any detail and try to get ahead of the game that is being played. That can be difficult since the rules are life and death but, as my grandpa always said ‘rules are made to be broken’. Fahy as Violet does just that but takes it step by step. Not only did she make it look easy, she had me talking to the screen along with her silent thoughts. That’s how you know someone has drawn an audience in and its pretty darn cool.

Sklenar as Henry is a photographer who agreed to the date because he saw something in Violet. When she starts to go a bit off the rails, he is patient, kind, and helpful but all things can have their limits. He can’t understand what she is about but feels there isn’t a connection between them. I really enjoy when Sklenar is on screen as there is something about the way he carries his characters bringing a sense of calm when I’d probably normally be all tensed up. Watch his last few films and television role in the Yellowstone series and you will see what I mean.

Ryan as Cara is an intuitive and friendly bartender who wonders about Violet. I loved her energy through it all. Diamond as Richard is the other dating app person who is jittery but Violet is polite toward him while he waits for his own date. Weeks as the piano player is a slick, full of himself guy who sees a ‘no’ as a ‘yes’ because, I mean, all the women love him right? Well done.

Shout out to Jeffery Self as the waiter Matt. Every moment he came into scene I was laughing because I know so many waiters just like him and I love them.

Other cast include Travis Nelson as Connor, Micheal Shea as Blake and Benjamin Pelletier as the masked man.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY, SPLIT and M3GAN 2.0. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com

Special Bonus includes Feature Commentary with Director Christopher Landon: Insights from the Director on Filmmaking Choices, A Recipe for Thrills: Making DROP: Cast and Crew Discuss the Film’s Development and Thematic Elements and A PALATE FOR PANIC: Exploration of the film’s main set, Palate Restaurant.

DROP is an unexpected thriller from beginning to end to the point where you can not take your eyes off the screen or you will miss a message. That’s one way to make sure the audience pays attention. Keeping the film in basically one location through the entire story, I just love that. Remove all the superfluous noise, keep the story focused and you’ve reeled me in for sure. It is a chance to truly get to know a character and, in this case, its right in front of the screen the whole time.

Director Landon has surrounded himself with an ensemble that just flows to darn well with Fahy at the helm of the tale. It worked on me keeping the jitter factor so high that I was having a conversation with the screen a lot! The setting is magnetic and the ending was stunningly awesome. It is hard to say any more about the film without giving the plot twists away and I absolutely refuse to do that. So, grab a thriller buddy, pop the popcorn, turn out the lights and get ready to DROP.

In the end – everyone’s a suspect!

DUNE: Prophecy Brings Season on to 4K Ultra HD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and currently on Digital from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, Legendary, HBO and creators Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker is DUNE: Prophecy.

It is ten thousand years before the Kwisatz Haderach when sisters Valya (Jessica Barden) and Tula (Emma Canning) Harkonnen join the Sisterhood. The women are trained to be Truthsayers to the Great Houses of the Imperium. Valya (Emily Watson) eventually becomes Mother Superior and works to solidify Emperor Javicco Corrino’s (Mark Strong) bloodline while at the same time dealing with Arrakis and spice. Soldier Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) has caused a disturbance for Truthsayer Kasha Jinjo (Jihae) while Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) is being rebellious in her own way.

Empress Natalya (Jodhi May) is making claims against Duke Ferdinand (Brendan Cowell) and Valya uses Sister Lila (Chloe Lea) to reach out to a deceased Mother Superior. Constantine tells Richese (Laura Howard) the truth about Ynez husband and it is clear that Desmond is a force that no one can control as he moves like a ninja through the politics. Valya realizes that he wants to totally destroy the Sisterhood and attempts to subdue him. Valya’s past has much to do with her history with the Atredies and her sister Tula (Olivia Williams) but both are dealing with it still in the present with Lila.

Valya is now the truthsayer to the Harkonnens yet Desmond tells Javicco to remove them from the Landraad. Tula uses acolytes and their dreams to learn about Shai-Hulud but also, Lila wakes from her deep sleep. Using Theodosia’s (Jade Anouka) ability to shapeshift, Valya tries something unusual. Once Javicco makes Desmond a Bashar, he wants to find a way to catch Valya for her hand in the spice and after a raid, she gets Mikaela (Shalom Burne-Franklin) to Arrakis. Javicco decides to send Constantine (Josh Heuston) to Arrakis to quell problems.

The shock becomes who Desmond is and each of the pieces in the game change up but not before Valya, Keiran (Chris Mason) and Ynez arrive on Arrakis!

Watson as Valya is just perfection in that she is exactly how I would see a Bene Gesserit looking. She has the amazing ability to do the most underhanded things with a straight face and a glare in her eye. Her performance is intense, and adds to the mystery of the story that is constantly in flux. Williams as Tula and Valya’s sister means there is a lot of family drama to unfold in the package. Learning what she has done and what she plans to do is equally as intense as Watson and Williams make the perfect pair.

Strong as Javicco is an actor that I have followed for so many years. Each performance and character he brings to life will either be full of sympathy or wrath, Javicco is a hard package to unwrap but I am here for every second of it. Lea as Sister Lila doesn’t realize what she is in for with the Harkonnen sisters who seem to be on their own path. Then again that is true for any of the characters that get in their way.

Fimmel as Desmond, oh my gosh have I missed him on screen. He left us all emotionally stranded after the A&E series VIKINGS and he did television series work with RAISED BY WOLVES and BLACK SNOW. When I learned he was to be in this serious, I have to admit that it pushed me toward the show even more. As Desmond, he is a man on a mission even if others don’t know what that is or why. I am thrilled to see what his character is capable of next, as are the 15+ million viewers.

Other cast include Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen, Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen, Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline, Barbara Marten as Sister Avila, Camilla Beeput as Reverend Mother Dorotea, Cathy Tyson as Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul, Hannah Khalique-Brown as Sister Farouz, Tessa Bonham Jones as Lady Richese, Charlie Hodson-Prior as Pruwet Richese, Sam Spruell as Horace, Karima McAdams as Sister Nazir, Mark Addy as Evgeny Harkonnen, Polly Walker as Sonia Harkonnen, Earl Cave as Griffin Harkonnen, Milo Callaghan as Orry Atredies, David Bark Jones as Vergyl Harkonnen, Archie Barnes as Albert, Tabu as Sister Francesca.

The episodes include The Hidden Hand, Two Wolves, Sisterhood Above All, Twice Born, In Blood Truty, and The High-Handed Enemy. Also included are over an hour of bonus content, five extended featurettes including Building Worlds and Behind the Veil, and one all-new-bonus features exclusive to the 4K UHD, Bluray and DVD.

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.

Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with Legendary Pictures, Legendary Television and Digital Media and Legendary Comics divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to worldwide audiences. Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world’s most popular intellectual property. For more please visit www.legendary.com.

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.

DUNE: Prophecy is inspired by the novel Sisterhood of Dune written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. The series is a stunner or “fire” as the kids say now. As a fan of the original 1984 film, it was always a question of history for me. How and why did the Bene Gesserit start, what was their goal and why? These are just very basic questions because I actually have two sheets of paper with more. For fans of the story, they also have questions about the Bene Gesserit that I probably haven’t even thought of.

Not to mention, there are lines from the film that have found their way into every day life, like when someone says to you, “who does the/she think he/she is?” the reply would be, “he is the Kwisarts Hatarak!” and DUNE: Prophecy is well on its way. When someone asks you about today’s political climate, the response is “The Imperium is a circus of fear and rumor”. That is one way to know that your audience is being reached effectively!

DUNE: Prophecy has amazing cinematography that is absolutely part of the story. This is a world put together with the brushstrokes of a masterpiece and details that are unforgettable. To say it is a dark tale is pretty much an understatement as every character is twisting and turning the story at their own whim. As a fan of intrigue and the war of houses vying for supremacy, this series needs, honestly, more than six episodes for a season. You listening HBO?

The patriarchy thinks they are in charge and the sisterhood is fine with letting them think so because it offers them a chance to do what they want in shuffling their world. It brings about the supernatural world that each character is trying to control and bend for their own reasons. Each step is choreographed by one of the characters and in lies the intrigue and juicy scheming that audiences crave in their series viewing. The bonus to all this is the excellent casting choices that bringing all of this together in a bow of perfection. Congratulations all around and with a second season coming, DUNE: Prophecy on 4K UHD, Bluray and DVD is a great way to rewatch and catch things you might have missed!

In the end – power lies in the shadows!

He is the STRIKING RESCUE

Jeri Jacquins

On Bluray from director Siyu Cheng, writer Guo Haiwen and Well Go USA is an intense story of revenge and action with STRIKING RESCUE.

Bai An (Tony Jaa) is a man grieving and angry at the loss of his family that he is being blamed for. The anger is aimed at He Yinghao (Philip Keung) believing that he is not only responsible but part of underhanded dealings. He decides to go after him through his daughter He Ting (Chen Duo-Yi). It begins by learning where she goes to school and learning about the driver Wu Zheng (Eason Hung). Making his move, he assesses the situation discovering that is a little friction between He Ting and Wu Zheng.

At home, Ting is not happy with her father who she believes doesn’t understand her. Trying to help is Lu Ping (Peng Bo) who is Yinghao’s right hand person in the company and has compassion for the young girl. The next day, on their way out, their cars are attached and Yinghao is captured almost immediately, the assailants now attack the car with Tingting in it and Wu Zheng is fighting anyone coming near. Bai An sees what is happening and intervenes swiftly taking Tingting away.

Out of control bad guy Clay (Michael Mao) wants Yinghao to sign a control giving up control of shipping for his own nefarious purposes. He knows the only way that will happen is by finding Tingting. Now, the word is out on every corner that there is a bounty for Tingting and it wouldn’t hurt if they took out Bai An either. What they don’t know is who they are up against as Bai An become close feeling the need to protect the young girl from anyone who might hurt her.

Against his anger, Bai An must make a decision on who to trust and protecting the daughter of that man he considers his enemy.

Jaa as Bai An is remarkable in this film. He comes in as a man bereft at the death of his family with a plan that is aimed at one person. In the process, he is put in the middle of something he hasn’t had time to figure out because he is running for two lives. Jaa gives his character everything one would expect but so much more. There is even a bit of a joke in the film by Tingting, but listen carefully because it goes by pretty quick. Jaa truly does make the film a ride to watch from start to finish and I was in it every minute.

Duo-Yi as Tingting is a teenage girl who has issues with her father. Of course, the moods and feeling unheard are par for the course. When Bai An comes into her life, it is something she would never have expected. Violence, stories of her father and trusting a stranger are something that she can not avoid. Duo-Yi plays of Jaa extremely well and makes her presence clear when she gets the chance to be a bit tough herself. Keung as Yinghao is a father determined to figure out how to fix the relationship with his daughter which might prove to be difficult. His dealings in business are what started everything and it has the possibility of ending badly for all.

Hung as Wu Zheng has had it up to his eyeballs with Tingting’s attitude but knows his place with Yinghao. When things start going badly, he goes on the hunt for Bai An as he also needs to understand what is happening and who is responsible. Hung gives us sly and resourceful but is he a good guy or not? Find out for yourself. Mao as Clay is just as vicious of a character as he wants to be. I mean out and out vicious! He has a plan and no one, and I mean no one is going to stand in his way. I’ve seen bad guys in film but this one is bad to the bone and Mao will give anyone watching – chills!

Other cast include Junjia Hong, Tianqi Zhang, Bolin Yu and Zing Yu. The film is in a mixture of English and Mandarin.

STRIKING RESCUE is a fast paced (which is surprising since its running time is 111 minutes) and doesn’t have a second of downtime. The game becomes who do you trust and who do you know to be lying with every word that comes out of their mouth. It seems the person who is wanted by the cops may be the only one any of them can trust and that’s saying a lot. The characters are so well played by each actor as Jaa leads them down the path of destruction to get to the truth.

There are fantastic martial arts from both men and women which I enjoyed very much as well. I mean why should the guys have all the fun. This film has so much intensity and action, it is an assault on the senses in the best way for fans of this genre. Director Cheng makes quick work of what writer Haiwen put in the script and these two have brought a visual and story high of a film and they should be extremely proud of it. The action sequences are fast and pretty darn fantastic to watch as the pace of the film might have you holding your breath so make sure to exhale!

In the end – a father’s fury in unleashed!

The Thriller of THE WOMAN IN THE YARD

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray and Digital from director Jaume Collet-Serra and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes a tale of death and shock over THE WOMAN IN THE YARD.

Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) is the mother of Taylor (Peyton Jackson) and Annie (Estella Kahiha) as they are grieving the loss of her husband David (Russell Hornsby). Healing from her own wounds, she finds herself struggling to get back into life. During breakfast, Annie notices a woman sitting across the street from their home, just sitting. Taylor wants to be the first to question her but Ramona grabs her crutches and tries to converse with the woman dressed in black (Okwui Okpokwasili).

Not getting any answers from the woman, Ramona returns to the house and tells the children to stay away from her and starts locking down the house. Then the woman moves closer to the house and Taylor feels the need to get rid of the woman. Ramona is becoming frustrated with him as the boy pulls up a chair and watches the woman outside. Also, outside is the family dog Charlie who senses danger.

Unable to go for help herself, the tension inside the house grows as the woman gets closer and closer. Taylor has had enough and confronts the woman only to discover that it is Ramona keeping secrets from her children. That’s not enough to help the family as they struggle to find a safe way out but will it come in time to save them?

Deadwyler as Ramona is a woman dealing with the loss of her husband and all that goes with it. Her wounds are not only physical but emotional that causes her to detach from the children that need her. Deadwyler gives a strong performance showing the struggle of it all and not realizing that she causing her family more pain. There is a fusion of what she knows is true and what lies out in their yard and it is painful for her.

Jackson as Taylor is a teenager who thinks he knows everything. Angry at his mother for her finding respite in sleep, he lashes out, is hurtful and thinks he is doing the right things no matter what she says. I’m not a fan of teen angst so if the idea was for me to dislike the kid, well, he did a great job of making that happen. Kahiha as Annie is a sweet little girl who is also dealing with the loss of her dad and is sad seeing her mother becoming a shell of a person. Yet, she is also a strong little girl who refuses to give into what ever is trying to break her family up. This young actress is just amazing from start to finish.

Okpokwasili as the Woman is frightening as she sits in a chair covered in a black dress and veil. I can’t even imagine how anyone would deal with seeing this figure appear out of nowhere and mystically move closer to a home. What a chance to play a mysterious figure and keep us all waiting for that veil to lift!!

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and SPLIT. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.com.

Bonus Features include Making THE WOMAN IN THE YARD and Beneath the Veil.

THE WOMAN IN THE YARD is a thriller that will leave people guessing from one scene to the next. The twists and turns are made even more so because the film is located in one specific and isolated place. I enjoy the kind of film that keeps me locked into that space because it begins to feel as if there is no way out of that wide open space. In fact, it is mesmerizing watching Taylor just stare out the window as the woman moves closer and closer.

The drama is full on intense and the secrets are subtle in trying to understand what this family is going through. It is a look at sadness, grief, hurt, secrets and what that can bring into a home trying to force a mother and her children apart. The anger that surrounds them fogs the real issues that they are facing and more importantly, blinds them to the answers outside their own front door.

Keeping the cast basically inside the house, there is nowhere to hide as Deadwyler, Jackson and young Kahiha provide every human emotion possible in the one hour and twenty-eight-minute run for their lives. Turn out the lights, cuddle up on the sofa with a fluffy security blanket and settle in for a story that lives in the darkness right along with you.

In the end – don’t let her in!

TOMBSTONE Returns on 4K Digital

Jeri Jacquin

Now on 4K through Digital (Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home) from director George P. Cosmatos and Walt Disney Home Entertainment comes the return of the classic western TOMBSTONE.

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) is a man everyone knows as a retired officer of the law. It is 1879 and Wyatt meets up with his brothers Virgil (Sam Elliott) and Morgan (Bill Paxton) in Tucson, Arizona. Deciding to settle down, they are joined by Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) who is ill with tuberculosis. The brothers decide to open up a saloon and casino to make their fortune. It doesn’t take long before they encounter the infamous Cowboys. Curly Bill (Powers Boothe) is one of them and during a stagger, he shoots the town marshal.

Watching him get away with murder, Virgil becomes the new marshal banning weapons in the city limits. Although Wyatt is in a relationship with Mattie (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson) who has a big problem, he finds himself drawn to the lovely actress Josephine Marcus (Dana Delany) who is in town performing with Mr. Fabian (Billy Zane). The Cowboys are going after the Earp brothers leading to a gunfight that brings the family in danger. If they think the brothers are going to go down easy, they don’t know the Earp brothers that includes Doc.

Now, the Cowboys are on the run because there is a new marshal in town and he vowed to put an end to the Cowboys reign of madness. A few of them have crossed over to Wyatt’s side and the chase is on. Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) is determined to fight on as Doc begins to fall from his illness. Taking respite at rancher Henry Hooker’s (Charlton Heston) place, one move change everything for Wyatt and his family cementing their names in history.

Russell as Wyatt is cool as a cucumber, until it is time not to be. Wanting to get away from being a lawman, he found that money owning a saloon and casino. Russell plays his role by watching everything that happens around him and sees things others might not notice which is why he is quick to draw when necessary. I just love his portrayal of Wyatt and the strength to lead his family. Even as things fall apart for him personally, Russell gives us a leader, strategist and a man who will protect his family at all costs. It is riveting to watch the story unfold and Russell’s part in the story.

Elliott as Virgil is, and let’s be honest, sheer perfection. He fits in a western with his southern drawl and tall presence so playing Virgil works. Portraying Virgil, he is a family man and wants to do what’s best for his family. When they are in danger, Elliott’s Virgil becomes a lawman with Wyatt keeping and eye on everything. Anything Elliott does is very cool indeed so having him as part of this cast is iconic. Paxton as Morgan believes in Wyatt and trusts that he will do the right thing. He sees Wyatt as the leader of the family and follows when it is time to take on the bad guys, Paxton’s Virgil is right in the mix.

Kilmer as Doc Holliday created a memorable character with line delivery that are said even today thirty years later. This role brings a sickly man with a southern drawl who would do absolutely anything for Wyatt. He sees him as a brother and Kilmer is spot on from the moment he steps on the screen. It is a mixture of admiration and sadness to see the film once again as Kilmer steps onto the scene. He gives Doc smarts, razor sharp sarcasm, an intense feel of a man who doesn’t let much get by him. Kilmer will always be remembered for his infamous delivery of the line, “I’m your Huckleberry” (it basically means ‘bring it on!’) and has been put in the world-wide vocabulary. I’ve heard so many people use it and Kilmer made it happen.

Boothe as Curly Bill is a gun slinger that isn’t afraid to take on the Earps, in fact, he makes it look like a game that nothing will stop him from winning. He gives tough looks, sly grins and the right menacing attitude, well done Boothe. Beihn as Johnny Ringo is a man who is looking for a fight, and if he can’t find it, he will create it. Chaos is a drug to him and no one will get in his way, and that includes his own gang. Beihn gives it his evil all and it works splendidly.

Delaney as Josephine falls for Wyatt knowing of his relationship at home. That doesn’t stop her from getting to know him and realizing his life is filled with danger. Delaney is lovely in this character who doesn’t rattle easy but also doesn’t suffer fools. Shout out to Charlton Heston as Hooker! He fit in with the rest of the cast and although his role is a small one, Heston is an actor for all seasons and I was thrilled to see him in the initial release of the film.

Other cast include Billy Claiborne as Wyatt Earp III, Harry Carey, Jr. as Marshal White, Billy Bob Thornton as Johnny Tyler, Peter Sherayko as Texas Jack, Jon Tenney as Johnny Behan, Stephen Lang as Ike Clanton, John Corbett as Johnny Barnes, Buck Taylor as Turkey Creek, Thomas Haden Church as Billy Clanton, Tomas Arana as Frank Stillwell, Joanna Pacula as Big Nose Kate, Michael Rooker as Sherman McMasters, Paula Malcomson as Allie Earp, Lisa Collins as Louisa Earp, Paul Ben-Victor as Indian Charlie, Terry O’Quinn as John Clum, Frank Stallone as Ed Bailey, John Philbin as Tom McLaury, Jason Priestley as Billy Breakenridge. The film is narrated by the legendary Robert Mitchum.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment 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!

Bonus Materials include The Making of Tombstone with An Ensemble Cast, Making an Authentic Western, The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Director’s Original Storyboards: O.K. Corral Sequence, Trailer and TV Spots.

TOMBSTONE is an iconic film that hasn’t shown any signs of stopping even 30+ years later. It is a film that is cinematically thrilling to watch and if you love westerns, I think you might agree with me. The authentic look on the screen is an added character in the film. The story doesn’t hold back as the fight is not just in the streets but the saloons as well. Lines such as, “You called down the thunder!” and “I’m your huckleberry” have continued to enthrall people who are not going to let a film like this fall. Yes, I’ve used those a time or two myself and I’m proud to admit it.

Releasing the film is a mixture of thrill and sadness with the recent passing of Kilmer. Recently at CinemaCon, co-star Tom Cruise said of him, “I’d like to honor my dear friend Val Kilmer. I really can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how honored I was when he joined TOP GUN and returned for TOP GUN: Maverick.” Even Russell said, “We had a tremendously trusting relationship. He was a sharp guy; I found his reasoning to always be solid on anything that had to do with the movie.”

This story is one that has always fascinated me being a history buff, and the story is based loosely on the events that lead up to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. It also follows Wyatt’s revenge on the Cowboys as history refers to it as Earp Vendetta Ride. It is clear that the director was going for total authenticity down to the actor’s learning weaponry and the unmistakable mustaches. All of that is what drew audiences into theatres, then to DVD, Bluray and now amazing 4K HD and it is well deserved.

It is time to saddle up and ride once again with the Earps into history. Grab popcorn and turn up the soundbar as TOMBSTONE is a film that deserves to be enjoyed again and again.

In the end – justice is coming!

It is a Plan in HARBIN

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from writer/director Woo Min-ho and Well Go USA is the thriller of Korean history when meeting in HARBIN.

It is 1909 in Korea as the country prepares for annexation to Japan. A group of comrades of war, including Woo Deo-sun (Park Jeong-min), Kim Sang-hyun (Jo Woo-jin) and Chi Jae-hyung (Yoo Jae-myung) decide that they cannot let this happen. Plans are being made to stop it by assassinating the Korean leader Hirobumi Ito (Lily Franky) in Harbin. Ahn Jung-guen (Hyun Bin) is leading his group of men but there is someone who wants him. Gen. Tatsuo Mori (Park Hoon) is tearing the group apart to find him. An incident happened during the war that has made Ahn Jung-guen the focus of Mori’s attention.

Ito makes it clear that he doesn’t fear those who want to attack him. Instead, a mole has been put in the group but Ahn Jung-guen’s men realize that something is amiss. None of this stops their mission but it does cause mistrust on everyone’s part. Each in the plot know their roles in the mission and each are aware of the dangers they face. Reaching out to Ms. Gong (Jeon Yeo-been), she helps the men get to their destination and briefs Ahn on the mission’s final stop in Harbin.

It is a game of cat and mouse with the prize of a country attempting to save itself!

Bin as Jung-guen is a quiet man with a conscious. In war he was against taking the lives of his prisoners and of them - was Mori. Much to the dismay of his brothers in arms, the character of Jung-guen is clear about his beliefs. Bin gives us a man who now must make right the belief in his country’s independence and never forgetting those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to make that happen.

Hoon as Mori has a moment on his knees that followed him after the war. His obsession with Ahn takes over every part of his life. He is devious in how to get close to him but the one thing he doesn’t count on is the determination of Ahn and those who want Korea’s freedom. Jeong-min as Deo-sun as believes in what they are doing and follows Jung-guen cautiously. Woo-jin as Sang-hyun has his part to play in the plan and it can turn the plan even deadlier.

Other cast include Kim Ji-oh as Otani, Lee Tae-Hueong as Jo Do-Sun, Lee Kang as Ahn Se-ho, Yoon Yeo-won as Shin Jae-Sik, Tongha Pak as Yamada, Son In Young as Kim Seong-Baek, Lee Dong-wook as Lee Chang-seop, Ego Mikitas as Vladimir Kokovtsov and Jung Woo-sung as Park Jeom-chul.

Bonus features include The Making of Harbin.

HARBIN is an intense film starting out with how each of the characters believe in their fight for Korea and how it follows them well beyond the battle field. Planning an assassination takes time and trust, that can be difficult when everything is surrounded by tensions of two countries and another putting in their two-cents. The feel of the film is gritty and cold which is exactly how I would see their world in 1909.

Director Woo Min-ho also wrote and directed such films as THE SPIES, INSIDE MEN and THE DRUG KING as well as THE MAN STANDING NEXT. The later film won an amazing number of awards from the 40th Korean Association of Film Critics’ Awards, 7th Korean Film Producers Association Awards, Cine 21 Awards in categories of Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

As a period piece, HARBIN is exactly what I enjoy keeping the story straight forward and not clouding it with a lot of things that it just doesn’t need. It is a story of men during a time of war and a country in crisis. Both of those bring the story together of a group of believers who only had one goal – to save their country. It may have taken 36 years to do it but the fighters kept the flame alive till it actually happened.

In the end – they band together so others can be remembered!

CAPTAIN AMERICA: Brave New World Lands on 4K Ultra HD

Jeri Jacquin

Today on Digital including Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Fandango At Home and coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD from director Julius Onah and Marvel Studios comes the next chapter of CAPTAIN AMERICA: Brave New World.

It has been a few months since Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) has been elected President of the United States. His first order of business is to send Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) to Mexico to stop classified information from being sold by Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito). They get the information but Sidewinder gets away. Torres is a young gun and Wilson tries to keep in in check as the Falcon-in-training as they don’t have the same powers as Steve Rogers.

To help Torres, Wilson takes him to Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a former super soldier who doesn’t take any noise from Torres. Ross wants Wilson and Torres to come to the White House for a world-leaders gathering and wants Captain America to reform the Avengers. At the gathering, Ross talks about adamantium found on an island in the Indian Ocean. During his speech, music begins and chaos breaks out and those responsible are in a daze.

When Sidewinder is captured, it is discovered that Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) has something to do with it all. There is more to it than Wilson and Torres could have ever imagined. Each step they take brings them closer and closer to the answers of who is responsible for all the mayhem. As Wilson feels as if he is not capable, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) not only shows up for his friend, but help Captain America and the Falcon stop the one person who is truly responsible.

Mackie has taken the mantle of Captain America and it comes with a lot of insecurities. Wanting to be the man Steve Rogers saw when handing him the shield, he begins to question whether he is the right man for the job. While dealing with that, he is also worried about Torres and the young man’s bit of arrogance thinking he is ready for anything. Confronted with Ross’ request about the Avengers, it all comes with more questions than answers. Mackie is taking his new roll seriously wanting to show his characters insecurities and frailties in a human way and it works.

Ford as President Ross wants to keep the country strong and wants Wilson to bring back the Avengers to make that possible. Allowing Wilson and Torres to be a part of his plan is something both men understand – until everything has been turned outside

Ramirez as Torres is a hot shot of a kid who believes he is ready to be the new Falcon and jumps into the roll with little concern for the danger. That is where he and Wilson run into a bit of a problem. It is mostly on-the-job training as Torres and it could cost both super heroes in the end. Ramirez is charming and funny which works but he also begins to understand what it means to be the Falcon. Lumbly as Bradley is a man dealing with his own demons from the past as an imprisoned super soldier who has try to move on with his life. Being honored to attend the White House, someone is using that to bring Bradley back to a place he thought he’d never see again. Lumbly is a solid character and adds more back history to the story.

Shout out to Esposito as Sidewinder who, as always, plays a character that is cool as a cucumber, Tim Blake Nelson as Dr. Samuel Sterns and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes.

Other cast include Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, Xosha Roquemore as Leila Taylor, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, Johannes Johannesson as Copperhead, William McCullough as Dennis Dunphy and Takehiro Hira as Ozaki.

Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes: A Heartfelt Thanks, The Mission and Stick Around, Assuming the Mantle, Old Scores, New Scars, Gag Reel and Audio Commentary.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: Brave New World is an action-packed film but then again that’s how it goes with superheroes! Mackie steps up to the shield having spent his time as The Falcon and now makes his own mark. That also means letting Marvel pave the way slowly for his own story to unfold even if some don’t have the patience to wait for that. The story gives viewers a solid vibe and that means a ride, especially with the Red Hulk making his appearance.

There are so many changes and shake ups in the MCU, the film starts the year off followed by waves of upcoming films. This year alone there is THUNDERBOLTS, IRONHEART, THE FANTASTIC FOUR and more so CAPTAIN AMERICA: Brave New World offers up a new road that all fans are going to go down happily. Get the family together, pop the corn and put the shields up because now we can all watch it again and again!

In the end – the future favors the brave!