For family and kids

Prepare for a Bluray Landing with MIGRATION

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from writer/directors Benjamin Renner, Gyulo Homsy, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures comes MIGRATION.

The Mallard family lives a pretty nice life on the banks of their pond. Dad Mack (Kumail Nanjiani), Mom Pam (Elizabeth Banks) and their two children Dax (Caspar Jennings) and Gwen (Resi Gazal). Mack is a bit of an anxious father constantly worried about keeping his children safe from scary things with Pam being the positive of the two.

Son Dax is a daredevil who is both a caring and irritating brother to little Gwen and she has picked up some of Mack’s nervousness. To round out the Mallard clan is Uncle Dan (Danny DeVito) who loves his family in his own way. When a group of colorful duck’s land in their pond for a bit of a rest, Pam learns they are migrating to Jamaica and she is intrigued.

Mack, however, is not so much into all the friendliness and goes about his business. Pam makes it clear that, in fact, she wants to migrate to Jamaica to see outside their little world. Knowing that he must overcome his fears, Mack decides to gather up the clan and head south. Once up in the huge sky, the family feels such freedom – which is quickly interrupted.

The Mallards discover Erin (Carol Kane) the kind of scary heron and the big city. Feeling a bit lost, they meet Chump (Awkwafina) who knows someone that can help them on their way. Delroy (Keegan-Michael Key) is a stunning exotic bird locked in a cage by The Chef! Wanting to go home, Mack decides to take on a task that brings him to a place ducks shouldn’t go, into a chef’s kitchen.

Escaping quickly, the new member of the flock is happy to be in the air again, when breaktime comes the family meets Googoo (David Mitchell) who is seriously into yoga. Since helping Delroy escape, The Chef has decided his mission is to find the birds and bring them back to his restaurant.

Not so fast, the flock of feathers might have something to say about that!

Nanjiani voices Mack, the head of the family (so he thinks) and thinks that telling his kids scary things about the world will keep them safe. It is only when his wife decides that she wants to do something different does he realize the hold he has been putting on his family. Banks as Pam is a loving wife and Mom who knows that it is time for them to do something different as a family. Once out in the world she is the glue that holds them all together.

Jennings as Dax is a thrill seeker who sometimes pushes the limits a bit to far. Gazal as Gwen is an agreeable and, at times, a duplicate of her father with fears no little bird should have but she is so dang cute! DeVito as Uncle Dan is an elderly duck who goes along to get along and does so in his own unique way.

Kane drops by as the voice of Erin the heron and keeps the Mallards on their webbed feet. Awkwafina flies in as Chump the leader of the pigeons who may be little but don’t let her size fool you. Mitchell as Googoo is as deeply meditating as a bird can get, perhaps a little too much into it to see the truth around him.

Key as Delroy is a bird of beautiful feathers who has been caged. That is until his new friends decide that it is time to be free once again, oh, and give them directions to Jamaica!

Universal Pictures has amazing films in their library and making it available for us to all experience in theatres 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.

Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the industry’s leading producers of event animated films. Bringing the DESPICABLE ME franchise, to include Minions, features some of the world’s most renowned talent. To read more please visit www.illumination.com.

Exclusive Bonus Features on 4K UHD, Bluray, DVD and Digital include Fly Hard (Mini Movie) - Chump sheds her tough-as-nails attitude, risking her life to fly through a blizzard and the harrowing streets of New York to return a prized possession to a kind woman from the park, Mooned (Mini Movie) - Following the events of DESPICABLE ME, Vector and a lost Minion are stranded on the moon, and struggle to get back to Earth, Midnight Mission (Mini Movie) - The Minions will try anything to help Agnes overcome her fear of the dark, even if it involves going into outer space.

Also included is Microphone Madness - A fun look behind-the-scenes as the cast record some of their silliest lines, Meet the Cast - In this series of behind-the-scenes pieces, we learn more about our favorite characters and the legendary comedic voices behind them, Taking Flight: The Making of - MIGRATION is an original script so brand-new characters and locations had to be developed, designed, and animated from scratch! Here, filmmakers and crew break down their process to show us what gives this film an entirely new look and feel. The Art of Flight - Using a series of production phases from storyboards to pre-viz, we peel back the feathers and reveal just what goes in to creating the avian heroes of the film, The Sound of Flight - Take a closer look at the music of MIGRATION as Composer John Powell walks us through his scoring journey. How to Draw Mack, Delroy, Chump and Gwen,

Finally, Build Your Own Pop-Up Book - Daddy duck, Mack, likes to tell his two little ducklings some…overly imaginative bedtime stories. In this fun “How To” we’ll show you how to create a pop-up book so you can tell your very own bedtime stories, Calling All Birds - They may not have cellphones, but you can call your web-footed friends anytime you want! In this fun How To, we’ll teach you how to create and customize your very own set of colorful bird whistles with The Mack Quack, The Heron Honk and The Chump Chirp and Best Nests - You don’t have to fly south –or anywhere –to find a perfect paradise for your feathered friends. Here we’ll teach you how to make the best nest for your pet ducks, or anyone flying by, including a water feeder to keep them hydrated!

Illumination has done it again with their own unique brand of animation, togetherness, fun and humor. Three generations of ladies can tell you that the laughing won’t stop from beginning to end. We are all minion lovers from the very first so anything Illumination brings to the screen we are there for.

MIGRATION is absolutely adorable in all respects, from vibrant colors, to action, to humor, this film has everything a family wants to see for the holidays. The story of family is so strong in this telling, that it seems only natural that the birds of all feathers would be flocking together. Even the pigeons finally get to have a say in how they feel about their bad reputation and it is adorable.

It is clear that Moms and Dads will have a fun time with the kids talking about what they liked the most. Let’s be clear however that all adults should be have a wonderful time just seeing it on their own. Directors Renner and Homsy should be congratulated for bringing a wonderful film to the big screen in time for the holidays!

In the end – soar into a new adventure!

Apple TV+ Delights with SNOOPY PRESENTS: Welcome Home, Franklin

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Apple TV+ and director Raymond S. Persi is a stunning look at one of the world’s most famous animated, the world’s most recognizable and beloved characters from Charles Schulz with SNOOPY PRESENTS: Welcome Home, Franklin.

Franklin (voiced by Caleb Bellavance) is a young boy who is used to moving about with his parents. Keeping a notebook given to him by his grandfather, he arrives in his new town hoping to fit in right away. His first meet is with Linus (Wyatt White) in the pumpkin patch and gets a lesson in pumpkin etiquette. Determined to make friends, he meets the very outspoken Lucy (Isabella Leo) who basically sets him straight, and Pig Pen who has an introduction of his own.

Snoopy and Woodstock are all about that surfs up but Franklin is beginning to feel a bit defeated. The cloud’s part when Franklin meets Charlie Brown (Etienne Kellici) and there is a connection. When a derby comes to town and the prize, the two become partners planning for the race. Franklin also shares with Charlie Brown what he knows about baseball and music.

Getting to know one another while building their derby car, Franklin and Charlie Brown are feeling confident of a win. But, what the two boys learn about friendship and loyalty is far more important than the group could ever have imagined.

Bellavance and Kellici as Franklin and Charlie Brown are just such wonderful characters and watching them interact is something totally new. Charlie Brown isn’t known for having close friends but I have a sneaking suspicion he has found that in Franklin and it is a beautiful and fun thing.

Other voice characters include Lexi Perri as Peppermint Patty, Hattie Kragten as Sally, Arianna McDonald as Marcie, Lucien Duncan-Reid as Schroeder, Charlie Boyle as Violet, Will Bhaneja as Shermy, Maya Misaljevic as Frieda, Jackson Reid as Harold, Jacob Mazeral as Jose, Rob Tinkler as Woodstock and, finally, Terry McGurrin as Snoopy.

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

Produced for Apple TV+ by Peanuts and WildBrain, the special is directed by Emmy Award winner Raymond S. Persi (“The Simpsons,” “Wreck-It-Ralph”) and is co-written by Robb Armstrong (“Jump Start”) along with Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano, from an original story by Armstrong and Scott Montgomery (“The Snoopy Show”). Executive producers are Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, Cornelius Uliano, Paige Braddock, Josh Scherba, Stephanie Betts and Logan McPherson.

SNOOPY PRESENTS: Welcome Home, Franklin is such a wonderful way to introduce the character of Franklin. This young boy knows what it’s like to move from place to place and attempt to make friends everywhere he goes. Relying on good advice from his grandfather, Franklin does what he can to make himself likeable but it seems to go slightly off kilter. This is a fantastic family film with subject matters that are relatable to everyone.

Meeting Charlie Brown is a turning point for Franklin but what he doesn’t realize is that it is also something very special for Charlie Brown. When the derby is presented, the two strangers become friends learning about one another because they do what most people don’t – communicate. Their stories are so sweet that these two boys are quickly at ease with one another.

Apple TV+ brings so much love with SNOOPY PRESENTS: Welcome Home, Franklin and it is a winner for fans. On race day, all of the Peanut’s characters learn a valuable lesson about friendship, loyalty and what is truly important in life. Pizza doesn’t hurt either!

In the end – friendship is the finishing line!

The Return of THE CANTERVILLE GHOST

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Kim Bordon, co-director Robert Chandler and Shout! Studios comes a treat for the family with THE CANTERVILLE GHOST.

Coming from America, the Otis family has purchased Canterville Chase, a mansion that has a history of being haunted and causing residents to go a little crazy. Husband Hiram (David Harewood), wife Lucretia (Meera Syal), young boys Kent (Bennett Miller) and Louis (Jakey Schiff) are thrilled when they enter the mansion as Mrs. Umney (Imelda Staunton) opens the door. The only one not happy is daughter Virginia (Emily Carey) who wants nothing more than to go back across the pond.

Immediately, the family wants to see Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) and the twins run around the house calling him out. Virginia makes it clear she has no intention of being happy about any of it all and goes up to her room. It takes mere moments before Sir Simon tries to frighten Virginia out of his home. The problem is, she isn’t at all! Instead, she plays on him challenging that Sir Simon that he can’t chase out her family in two weeks!

On the grounds, Virginia meets the Duke of Cheshire (Freddie Highmore) and that makes Sir Simone furious as he has anger toward the family. It seems his beloved wife Eleanor came from the Cheshire family who blamed Sir Simon for her death. Now Virginia knows a big part of the story as to the reason Canterville Chase has a ghost!

As the days pass, Virginia and the Duke become closer and her parents decide to throw a party re-introducing society to Canterville Chase. The problem is that Sir Simon is still angry and decides that the dinner not go without his own unique brand of entertainment. When things don’t go as planned, the family is upset with their ghost but Virginia feels there is something more that Sir Simon isn’t saying.

She decides to take matters into her own hands and that’s when the truth finally comes out!

Carey as Virginia is an American girl who wants to go home. She decides to use Sir Simon’s ghostly abilities to try and scare her family back to the United States. Instead, she finds herself on an adventure that has unexpected consequences. Carey truly gives voice to Virginia and it is fun, delightful and charming.

Fry as the voice of Sir Simon is hilarious most of the time (when he isn’t angry) and cannot understand how the new occupants are not frightened to have a ghost in their house. Instead, they seem to be trying to have fun with the apparition, especially the twin boys. I have always loved Fry’s work and watching him take on the vocal role of Sir Simon is everything fun about the film.

Highmore as the Duke of Cheshire is so sweet and a bit bumbly. He is immediately taken by the feisty and free Virginia. He knows that the ghost is in the house and even comes face to face with Sir Simon but nothing is going to keep him away from Virginia and happily joins in the adventure. When her life is in danger, the bumbly Duke of Cheshire finds it within himself to safe her from a fate – well, you get the point.

Laurie as the Grim Reaper gets to have a bit of fun with this character. Hiding behind who he truly is and what he is up to, Laurie takes us on a story ride with what he wants and how he plans to get it!

Shout out to Schiff and Miller as the Otis boys because, to be honest, that is exactly how I would be at their age. Challenges of a haunted house – absolutely accepted. They have no fear of any ghosts and show just how unafraid they are and it made me laugh so much.

Other cast includes Toby Jones as Reverend Chasuble, Miranda Hart as the Ghost Catcher, Giles New as the Colonel, Georgia Small as Majorie Fairfax, Keiron Self as Professor Borsakov, Bill Lobley as Lord Monroe, Elizabeth Sankey as Eleanor de Canterville, and Hugh Laurie as the Grim Reaper.

SHOUT! Studios has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST is absolute family fun for kids and the kids at heart. It has a fantastic story based on the writings of Oscar Wilde (and Stephen Fry actually played the role of the poet/playwright in the 1997 film WILDE). It is colorful, vibrant, action packed and has some very funny characters and moments.

This is the film that families can enjoy together because it is about a family and how they eventually come together. As nutty as some of the characters are, they are so much fun to watch as the story unfolds. Everyone can find something to love about the film and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

The spooky season is here and if you are looking for a good time at the movies for the whole family then visit THE CANTERVILLE GHOST for a spooktacularly good time!

In the end – it is his house not yours!

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and THE BOXTROLLS Make Their Way Home!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming on 4K Ultra HD and Bluray (and limited SteelBook Editions) from Shout! Factory are two of the most beloved films from Laika Studios with KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and THE BOXTROLLS.

In 2014, directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi brought the stop-motion animated story of the small Victorian town of Cheesebridge, Norvenia. As with all towns, there are rumors and in this particular town, underneath are trolls who kidnap babies! Leader Lord Portley-Rind (Jared Harris) and his White Hats have better things to do with his cheese eating time and hires Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) to find and get rid of the named Boxtrolls.

What they don’t understand is that Boxtrolls are actually very peaceful creatures who wear boxes and like to invent things. Someone who understands this is Eggs (Issac Hempstead Wright), a human boy who lives with the Boxtrolls and raised by Fish (Dee Bradley Baker). Trying to keep Eggs safe and away from harm, there comes the day when Eggs realizes that his family is being taken one by one!

When Fish is taken, Eggs goes above ground and is seen by Winnie (Elle Fanning) during a fair that is held to remember the disappearance of a certain Trubshaw Baby. The town believes the Boxtrolls are responsible. Winnie decides to help Eggs and in trying to rescue Fish, they discover something truly horrible about the leaders of their town and uncover those responsible!

Other cast include Steve Blum as Shoe and Sparky, Toni Collette as Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind, Nick Frost as Mr. Trout, Richard Ayoade as Mr. Pickles, Tracy Morgan as Mr. Gristle, Toni Collette as Lady Cynthia Portley-Rind and Simon Pegg as Herbert Trubshaw.

Special Features: Inside LAIKA - Discovering the Characters of The Boxtrolls with Never-Before-Seen Test Footage. Inside LAIKA - Revisiting the Puppets with LAIKA’s Animation Team. Feature-Length Storyboards, Foreword by Ramin Zahed, the Editor in Chief of Animation Magazine, Audio Commentary with Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, The Making of The Boxtrolls and Original Featurettes.

The year 2016 brought one of the most beautiful Laika stories ever and our family’s personal favorite. Director Travis Knight brought the most amazing KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS to fans who instantly fell in love.

Kubo (Art Parkinson) is a young boy growing up in feudal Japan with his ill mother. They live in a cave near the local village and Kubo earns money by performing with origami while he plays his shamisen for the villagers. His most daring story is that of his samurai warrior father Hanzo. He always leaves the audience in suspense because, in reality, he does not know how the story ends.

Being told by his mother to never stay out after dark, Kubo knows the story of how he lost his eye to his mother’s sisters and grandfather, the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes). They are looking for Kubo and will take him away if they get the chance. During the Bon festival, Kubo attends to speak to those who have passed but realizes quickly that it is sunset. Almost immediately he is attacked by The Sister (Rooney Mara) but his mother tells the boy to go find his father’s armor and then uses magic sending Kubo away.

When Kubo comes too, he is looking into the eyes of his wooden snow monkey charm in real life! Monkey (Charlize Theron) tells him the sad news of home but Kubo makes a oragami Little Hanzo to lead them to the mysterious armor. Along the way they meet Beetle (Matthew McConaughey), a bumbling protector who doesn’t remember much about who he is or how he came to be. The one thing he does believe is that he had to be Hanzo’s apprentice!

On their adventure to retrieve the amor and the Sword Unbreakable, Kubo knows he must return home and set things right for his mother, the village and the father he never knew. That means taking on the last siter and his grandfather, the Moon King.

Other cast include Brenda Vaccaro as Kameyo, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Hashi and George Takei as Hosato.

Special Features: Feature-Length Storyboards, Inside LAIKA -Revisiting the Puppets with LAIKA’s Animation Team, Inside LAIKA—Confronting the Epic Challenges of Kubo and the Two Strings, Audio Commentary with Director/Producer Travis Knight, “Kubo’s Journey” and

Original Featurettes.

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS was one of the first films my granddaughter watched and I knew immediately that she would love them all, and she does. Kubo is the story of a young man who could have easily just given way to all the sadness in his life but chose another path instead. What an amazing story to tell and it was very successful.

Parkinson as Kubo is the voice that is so memorable because it is filled with emotion, love, insecurity and a fierceness that comes in handy at the end of his journey. Theron as Monkey is wise and patient, well, most of the time but is absolutely wonderful. McConaughey is so delightful as Beetle and very funny. Fiennes as The Moon King is ferocious and focused but he’s never met anyone like Kubo!

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

The scrupulous remastering process for both titles was overseen by the team at LAIKA, led by LAIKA CEO (and Kubo and the Two Strings Director) Travis Knight, and Visual Effects Supervisor Steve Emerson, who pored over each film shot-by-shot, paying close attention to every last detail and color to present these groundbreaking films in the most dynamic format.

The use of Dolby Vision has made these films look more spectacular than ever before, with vivid colors and exacting picture quality, and with highlights brighter and essential dark elements darker, unleashing the full potential of HDR technology. The films were also mixed in Dolby Atmos spatial audio, bringing out more details and clarity in the sound, resulting in an even more immersive experience for fans.

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and THE BOXTROLLS are an absolute must have (or don’t talk to me every again) in your own home entertainment library. The stories are so rich and wonderful with message of hope, family, love, courage and triumph. Laika has cornered something wonderful here and I can not wait to see what they do next!

The stop-motion is flawless, smooth and glides along with the story and becomes a subtle character in the film as well. That is how it’s done kids – with excellence and a lot of thought into the process of not just the stop-motion but the story as well making a combination that is unmatched.

Gather the family because I do believe it is time for a Laika marathon because, like a good bucket of popcorn, you can not have just one! Now excuse me, we are preparing for our own marathon! Enjoy the shows!

CORALINE and PARANORMAN Are Classics on 4k UHD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K UHD from Laika and Shout! Factory are two classic films with CORALINE and PARANORMAN.

In 2009, writer/director Henry Selick took a story by Neil Gaiman and brought the most amazing dark stop-motion film with CORALINE.

Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is a young girl who lives with parents Melanie (Teri Hatcher) and Charlie (John Hodgman) she is dealing with the new move a pink house in Ashland, Oregon. Almost instantly she makes friends with Wybie (Robert Bailey) and an interesting black cat. Living in another apartment of the house is the very limber and eccentric Sergei Alexander Bobinsky (Ian McShane), actress April Spink (Jennifer Saunders), and Miriam Forcible (Dawn French).

Wybie gives Coraline a doll that he thought looked a lot like her but the doll has a few things to teach the young girl. A door into a parallel universe opens and waiting for her is another Mother and Father who spend their time paying attention to her. Her parents are still busy with their workaholic lives that they don’t notice their daughters’ comings and goings.

The problem comes when Coraline is visiting her other parents and they want her to stay. The only caveat is that she has to exchange her eyes and she is stunned. When she tries to leave, other mother keeps her, well, hostage. The ghosts that are trapped as well finally tell Coraline everything she needs to know to stop the madness before her real parents become part of this nightmare!

Fanning gives life to the character of Coraline as a young girl dealing with a new home and parents who seem to be lost in their work. Finding her own place, she had no idea she would also be finding her own second world. Through everything she comes to understand how the world is and that she is loved.

CORALINE Special Features include Disc One New 4K Restoration and Dolby Atmos 7.1 Mix. Disc Two Inside Laika – Discovering the Characters of CORALINE Featuring Rare Test Footage, Inside Laika – Revisiting the Puppets with Laika’s Animation Team, Character, Concept Art and Behind-The-Scenes Photo Galleries, Audio Commentary with Director Henry Selick and Composer Bruno Coulais, The Making of CORALINE, Original Featurettes, Deleted Scenes and Feature Length Storyboards.

In 2012, writer/directors Chris Butler and Sam Fell’s stop-motion film PARANORMAN came to the screen.

Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a young boy who has the unique ability to speak with his grandmother who just happens to be dead. No one believes what he can do and it causes Norman to spend a lot of time alone. Neil (Tucker Albrizzi) is also a kid who sort of understands Norman. As a school play is rehearsing a play about witch-executions, Norman’s great-uncle Prenderghast (John Goodman) tells him he has to help protect the town of Blithe Hollow.

While the play is going on, Norman has a ghoulish site of what happened in the past. His father Perry (Jeff Garlin) and mother Sandra (Leslie Mann) know that there is something happening and are more than concerned. Learning that his great-uncle has passed, imagine Norman’s surprise when he sees him in the afterlife as he tells the boy to get a book that can help.

Going with the local graveyard he thinks to read from the book but school bully Alvin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) wants to have his own twisted fun. Trying to complete his reading, Norman, Neil, his sister Courtney (Anna Kendrick) and Mitch (Casey Affleck) are chased by what could only be called zombies! That slows everything down and when a witch causes mayhem, Norman is knocked out only to see Aggie Prenderghast (Jodelle Ferland) and what happened to her.

Mayhem is hitting Blithe as vengeful spirits go after the town and Norman is the only person that knows how to stop it all and become the hero he never thought he’d be!

Smit-McPhee as Norman is a young boy also trying to find his place in this world even though he has a look inside the next. Loving his family, he also struggles with knowing that people he loves don’t truly understand him. When the other world reaches out to him, Norman does not hesitate to find out what is causing the problems and realizing that he is the key to helping!

Laika is an American stop-motion animation studio specializing in feature films. The studios is best known for THE BOXTROLLS, KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS and MISSING LINK. To see more of what Laika has to offer please visit www.laika.com.

PARANORMAN Special Features Include Disc One New 4K Restoration and New Dolby Atmos 7.1 Mix. Disc Two Inside Laika – Discovering the Characters and Effects of PARANORMAN Featuring Rare Test Footage, Inside Laika – Revisiting the Puppets with Laika’s Animation Team, Feature-Length Storyboards, Character, Concept Art and Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery and Audio Commentary with writer/director Chris Butler and Co-Director Sam Fell.

CORALINE and PARANORMAN are such iconic characters and bringing them back gives everyone another chance to update their home entertainment library. The deep darkness feeling and colors are stunning and add depth of richness to the story being told.

CORALINE started it all for my family and every film since is a joy for us. To be honest, we watch it several times a year and when it pops up on television, we know its time to pop some corn and watch again! The story is one of family, understanding and love mixed in with all the crazy stuff we love to experience.

PARANORMAN is charming and thrilling keeping in line with our favorite Laika films. Norman is a young boy also trying to find his place in two worlds. We love what he is able to do and watching this film, we constantly cheer as he tries and tries to help the people who have not shown him much understanding.

Laika always tells such amazing stories and uses stop-motion that allow families to embrace such fantastic characters. Now, both films return on 4K UHD (Limited SteelBook Edition) for the first time and that makes the holiday gift giving season even more special. Perennial favorites and critically acclaimed, CORALINE and PARANORMAN stop-motion and CG hybrid techniques were both nominated for Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Films.

In the end – these are stories of unusual kids who we love to watch again and again!

Disney Gives us a WISH Once Again

Jeri Jacquin

On 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from directors Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn and Walt Disney Home Entertainment comes a big WISH.

Asha (Ariana DeBose) is a young teen girl who lives on an island in the kingdom of Rosas. Ruled by King Magnifico (Chris Pine) and the lovely Queen Amaya (Angelique Cabral), this is no ordinary kingdom. After studying sorcery, the King is able to grant heart’s desires by collecting wishes and protecting them. He does hold ceremonies where he chooses wishes to grant.

The one thing that Asha truly wants is for her grandfather Sabino’s (Victor Garber) to have his wish granted. He has waited so long that Asha believes if she can become an apprentice of King Magnifico, he can possibly help. When Asha is interviewed, she actually sees who the King truly is and is saddens her. She feels it best to tell her grandfather and mother Sakina (Natasha Rothwell) that the wish isn’t going to happen.

Knowing the king is deceiving the people of Rosas, Asha goes to a special spot on the island and makes her own wish. Quickly, a ball of light lands causing quite a stir and upsets Magnifico! Asha names the light and Star gives the forest animals the ability to talk, along with her goat Valentino (Alan Tudyk). Magnifico sees the light as a threat and turns to a dark magic to find who is responsible for what is happening.

That’s when Asha and Star call up her friends Dahlia (Jennifer Kumiyama), Bazeema (Della Saba), Dario (Jon Rudnitsky), Hal (Niko Vargas) and Safi (Ramy Youssef), along with the people of Rosas to stand against a power that could destroy it all.

DeBose as Asha lends her voice to a strong teen character who learns that what she believes to be true is not exactly the same as what is true. Disappointed in learning that someone she looks up to is human after all, she takes it upon herself to bring the true meaning of Rosas and the people together with the help of a little ball of light.

Pine as King Magnifico starts out as quite a showman but it is what is behind the wall in the top of the castle that shows the truth. Pine gives his character the voice of a leader who isn’t all quite in favor of the good of the people. Cabral as Queen Amaya has supported her husband but becomes suspicious of what is happening when he turns Amaya away. She tries to help the King find his path and has no problem standing up for what is right.

Tudyk as Valentino is the comic relief of the animal kingdom. Once he finds his voice, he doesn’t hesitate to use it and I am all for it. Kumiyama, Saba, Rudnitsky, Vargas and Youssef are the supporting characters who are just delightful to watch. The group shows exactly what friendship is all about and also stand up for what is right.

Other cast include Harvey Guillen as Gabo and Evan Peters as Simon.

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

Bonus Features include Sing Along with the Movie, Featurette: Once Upon a Studios, 100 Years in the Making, What Makes Disney Disney, The WISH Equation, Looking Backward to go Forward, Where Dreams and Reality Collide, Asha Means WISH, The Return of the Disney Villain, Star is Born, Those Who Stand Beside Me, and When Wishes Come True.

Also, Featurette: WISH D- Classified, Featurette: Outtakes, Featurette: Deleted Song “A Wish Worth Making”, Deleted Scenes, and Song Selection.

WISH is a charming film from beginning to end. The story is one of family, love, loyalty, friendship and the kind heartedness of a young girl. She wants what is best for her family and knows that she cannot change things without the help of her loyal friends.

Star is the silent star of the film with the lightness, playfulness and steadfastness Disney has come to be generationally known for. There is silliness mixed into it all and a togetherness when it comes time for the final confrontation.

We see the film as a family and really have a wonderful time together. This is a story that reaches into children’s hearts but also gives adults something amazing as well and there is nothing wrong with that.

In the end – be careful what you wish for!

Illumination is Flying High with MIGRATION

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatre to help us all fly high through the holidays from writer/directors Benjamin Renner, Gyulo Homsy, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures comes MIGRATION.

Not so fast, the flock of feathers might have something to say about that!

Key as Delroy is a bird of beautiful feathers who has been caged. That is until his new friends decide that it is time to be free once again, oh, and give them directions to Jamaica!

The film begins with a bit of Minion fun in a short film that will have fans thrilled to see their antics once again. That beings said, Illumination has done it again with their own unique brand of animation, togetherness, fun and humor. Sitting in our seats was three generations of ladies who couldn’t stop laughing from beginning to end. We are all minion lovers from the very first so anything Illumination brings to the screen we are there for.

MIGRATION is absolutely adorable in all respects, from vibrant colors, to action, to humor, this film has everything a family wants to see for the holidays. The story of family is so strong in this telling that it seems only natural that the birds of all feathers would be flocking together. Even the pigeons finally get to have a say in how they feel about their bad reputation and it is adorable.

Walking out of the theatre it was clear that Moms and Dads had a fun time with the kids talking about what they liked the most. Let’s be clear however that all adults should be have a wonderful time just seeing it on their own. Directors Renner and Homsy should be congratulated for bringing a wonderful film to the big screen in time for the holidays!

In the end – soar into a new adventure!

Our Beloved Gang is Back with TROLLS BAND TOGETHER

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres bringing joy and fun from directors Walt Dohrn, Tim Heitz, DreamWorks and Universal Pictures is the return of the gang that knows a lot about loyalty with TROLLS BAND TOGETHER.

Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are helping friends King Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) get their walk down the aisle. During the ceremony, they are interrupted by John Dory (Eric Andre) who tells Branch that his brother Floyd (Troye Sivan) has been kidnapped.

Poppy is a little confused because she didn’t even know Branch had brothers. As the story unfolds, she realizes that her boyfriend Branch was once a member of the boy band BroZone along with Clay (Kid Cudi) and Spruce/Bruce (Daveed Diggs). As the wedding wraps up and the couple head out on their honeymoon, John Dory tells Branch that Floyd has been kidnapped by rock stars Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells)

Well, there is only one thing to do in Poppy’s mind, help rescue Floyd because family is family and she always wanted a sister. So, they head out on a trusty steed driven by as Tiny Diamond (Kenan Thompson) who is flexing his tiny independence. The mission begins with finding the other brothers who have all gone their separate ways since their BroZone days.

Poppy also meets Veva (Camilia Cabello) and a group of Trolls that are still terrified of the Bergens as more secrets are revealed. The group needs to come together once again to get the perfect pitch that will shatter the diamond that Velvet and Veneer has encased Floyd in. The journey is more than they could have ever expected!

Kendrick as Poppy is once again full of fun, optimism and love for Branch. Trying to help Bridget have her special day, she learns more about Branch and is excited in her usual Poppy way. She wants to help get the boys together once again, even if only to remember what being a brother is all about. Nothing wrong with an adventure, hair braiding, singing and scrapbooking to make life more colorful. Kendrick’s singing is always on point and so good.

Timberlake as Branch has mellowed a bit and it is clearly due to Poppy. The return of John Dory feeds back into his grump side because of unresolved abandonment issues which happens when brothers go their separate ways. Yet, on the road, he does have moments where he mellows because Floyd is the brother he was closest to in their BroZone days. Timberlake is and will always be Branch, and to be honest we have actually used Branch’s’ lines in this family’s daily life. His vocals are, as expected, awesome, fun and had everyone singing along whether they realized it or not.

Andre as John Dory is a bossy brother who doesn’t remember BroZone the way the other brothers do but he does know Floyd has to be rescued! Cabello as Veva is just as colorful, surprisingly happy and a braiding maniac like Poppy. She is an enjoyable character who has to rethink the life she has been living. Cudi as Clay realizes that not a lot has changed with his older brother but still is going to do the right thing.

Mintz-Plasse and Deschanel as King Gristle and new bridge Bridget are just so funny, lovely and deserving of all things love. They also are very loyal to their troll friends and will do anything possible to make sure they are safe and just as happy as they are. Diggs as Spruce/Bruce is living his love island life with a wife and a load of kids but when it comes to his brother, he is all in.

Schumer as Velvet and Rannells as Veneer get the opportunity to play musical villains who are spoiled, selfish and want an easy way to riches, even if it means harming Floyd. These two actors give their vocals sparks of total evilness and just as Rannells’ Veneer makes you think perhaps good is in there, he proves we are Poppy-like.

Thompson as Tiny Diamond is hilarious and basically steals every scene he is in! He may be tiny but he shines brighter than the bottle Floyd is in! Sivan as Floyd is the brother that is being held by Velvet and Veneer. He wants to do what is right and is willing to sacrifice himself to keep everyone safe. Floyd is such a sweet character that we see through a diamond bottle.

Other cast include Zosia Marnet as Crimp, RuPaul as Miss Maxine, Icona Pop as Satin/Chanille, Ron Funches as Cooper, Anderson Paak as Prince D, Kunal Nayyar as Guy Diamond, David Fynn as Biggie, Kevin Richardson as Mr. Dinkles, Patti Harrison as Brandy, Walt Dohrn as King Peppy/CloudGuy and GloZell as Grandma Rosiepuff.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

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

On a personal note, my granddaughter has been a Trolls watcher since she was two years old. Singing, dancing, laughing and being excited with her Poppy and Branch dolls is a wonderful memory for this grandma. I wasn’t sure she would want to see TROLLS BAND TOGETHER because she is now 8-years-old and into other things. I think she initially went just because we like spending time together but from the moment the film started to the very end, we laughed, sang and had such a good time together that she officially said, “Naynay, I LOVE this movie!” and I hope other families get to experience that joy this film can bring.

Just when you think there couldn’t be any storyline left for our favorite trolls, TROLLS BAND TOGETHER comes along and kicks that idea out the door. This film is absolutely stunning in color, keeps our characters just the way we love them, filled with music that everyone can relate to and an adventure that brings, literally, a boy band back together – even if for a moment.

This is exactly the film that needs to be on the screen bringing families together for popcorn, fun, singing, laughing and just a plain ole good time to be had for all. Poppy and Branch hold the characters together like they are the new Mom and Dad for both the trolls and the Bergens. The holiday season means more time for family and TROLLS BAND TOGETHER is a great reason for us all to band together!

In the end – there are some new trolls on the block!

WONKA

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Paul King and Warner Bros. Pictures come another look at the story of the chocolatier named WONKA.

Willy Wonka (Timothee Chalamet) shows up in a city somewhere in Europe with the goal of wanting the world to experience his chocolate. Losing what money he had very quickly, he meets a man named Bleacher (Tom Davis) who invites him to stay at Mrs. Scrubbit’s (Olivia Colman) place. Signing in becomes somewhat of a legal moment but sign away he does, even with a small warning from the orphan Noodle (Calah Lane).

In the center of town, Wonka sets up a bit of chocolate tasting which is met by the unhappy Mr. Slugworth (Paterson Joseph), Mr. Prodnose (Matt Lucas) and Mr. Fickelgruber (Matthew Baynton). When they see the thrilled reaction of the people, they chocolatiers call in the Chief of Police (Keegan-Michael Key) to make it stop. When he doesn’t have the money for Mrs. Scrubbit, she sends him down to the laundry until his debt is paid. Wonka meets Mr. Abacus Crunch (Jim Carter), Piper (Natasha Rothwell), Larry (Rich Fulcher) and Lottie (Rakhee Thakrar) all in the same predicament as he.

Noodle decides she can help Wonka as the two devise a plan to make enough money to free themselves from the creepy Mrs. Scrubbit and open up a place for Wonka to sell his chocolates. Frustration sets in when the Orange Man (Hugh Grant) decides to keep stealing from Wonka and Noodles wants to know the story behind it.

They gang finally has enough to open a shop and the people come from everywhere to see the wonders Wonka has created. When things go wrong, the crowd becomes angry and the three chocolatiers make Wonka a deal. Lofty makes it clear that Wonka needs to make things right but for very different reasons! Wonka and Noodles hatch a plan to make sure Slugworth, Prodnose and Frickelgruber are exposed for everything!

Chalamet as Wonka attempts to play out a version of the character a new backstory about where he comes from and more muddled facts. Sure, he can sort of sing, he gets to dance and has an orange friend so there is that going for him. Is this all snarky? Probably, and the arrow is mainly pointed at King so I’ll give Chalamet credit for being colorful and giving Wonka an innocence that he would need to explain the characters creativity.

Lane as Noodle is charming and befriends Wonka as they share a connection about dreaming about wanting more in their life. Joseph as Slugworth gets to be as evil as he wants to be, Lucas and Baynton get to go along to get alone with side comments that cause a chuckle here and there.

Colman as Mrs. Scrubbit is so amazing in this role because, after years of playing serious roles, she gets the chance to be as hilarious as she can be and I’m all for it. Adding Davis as Bleacher makes them a hilarious couple to watch. Key, Rothwell, Fulcher and Thakrar are a strong supporting cast bringing the cops and the gang along for some humor. Grant as Lofty is a different kind of Oompa Loompa and has the chance to play it with a voice that can only belong to him. The right amount of fire that had me cracking up because ‘once we start dancing….’

I have two shout-outs starting with Carter as Abacus because, and it must be said, the beloved and so missed Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey is provided his opportunity to shine and he does so brightly. The other is for Rowan Atkinson as Father Julius because, once again, he takes on the small role and makes a big splash into the chocolate holy water!

Other cast includes Sally Hawkins as Wonka’s mother, Tracy Ifeachor as Dorothy, Phil Wang as Colin, Tim Fitzhigham as the Sinister Captain, Simon Farnaby as Basil, Ellie White as Gwennie, Sophie Winkleman as The Countess, Charlote Ritchie as Barbara and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Officer Affable.

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.

King decided, as most writer/directors tend to do when destroying childhood memories, that changing the story to fit his own narrative was a good idea. What he didn’t take into consideration is that Wonka was an amazing mystery to people and we (and when I say ‘we’ I mean a few generations of ‘we’s’) loved that about him. Wonka was an enigma who created such beauty that keeping it a secret was a joy, letting us peek in was a thrill and letting our own imaginations create ‘paradise’.

Look, the best way I can say it politely is that Gene Wilder is my Wonka from 1971, Tim Burton’s 2005 version is my daughters Wonka and Chalamet’s 2023 is my granddaughters Wonka. Having said that, there is only one Wonka for me and as Chalamet is singing Pure Imagination, all I hear is Gene Wilder and I’m okay with that. In fact, my heart is sincerely okay with that and I have no regret because the heart wants what the heart wants.

I’m also not a fan of trying to lure me into someone elses vision of a film by putting in ‘easter eggs’. For me, it actually feels more like a slap to the face and a ‘neener, neener’ which turns into a one hour and fifty-six-minute dragging out of a beatdown to my inner child so thanks for that. Yes, the film is colorful and yes if you never saw the other film (even Burton’s version) a kid can get away with being naïve as to what they are truly missing.

It is colorful and it will get a good showing for families and that’s what going to the theatre over the holidays should be so I can happily give it a thumbs up for that. Now excuse me while I take my inner child out for some ice cream and some cuddles.

Gather the Family for THE CANTERVILLE GHOST

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Kim Bordon, co-director Robert Chandler, Blue Fox Entertainment and Shout! Studios comes a treat for the family with THE CANTERVILLE GHOST.

She decides to take matters into her own hands and that’s when the truth finally comes out!

Fry as the voice of Sir Simon is hilarious most of the time (when he isn’t angry) and can not understand how the new occupants are not frightened to have a ghost in their house. Instead, they seem to be trying to have fun with the apparition, especially the twin boys. I have always loved Fry’s work and watching him take on the vocal role of Sir Simon is everything fun about the film.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

The spooky season is here and if you are looking for a good time at the movies for the whole family then visit THE CANTERVILLE GHOST for a spooktacularly good time!

In the end – it is his house not yours!

She RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from directors Kirk DeMicco, Faryn Pearl, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story about the

teen struggles of RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN.

Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is an unusual 16-year-old teen finding her place in the city of Oceanside. Along with mother Agatha (Toni Collette), dad Arthur (Colman Domingo) and little brother Sam (Blue Chapman), the family is hiding an interesting secret – they are kraken’s living among humans.

Almost no one takes notice, accept a suspicious Gordon Lighthouse (Will Forte) and his trusty crab. The entire high school is excited about the upcoming high school prom except Ruby because Mom has said no. Her reason? Because she doesn’t want Ruby near the water which means she won’t be able to ask crush Connor (Jaboukie Young-White).

That when best friends Margot (Liza Koshy), Bliss (Ramona Young) and Trevin (Eduardo Franco) suggest that maybe she should, well, just go. Asking Connor is the next step but chaos happens and Ruby discovers that she is a very large kraken.

Never-before-met Uncle Brill (Sam Richardson) shows up telling Agatha that their mom wants to meet Ruby. When all the family secrets come out, Ruby decides to visit Grandmamah (Jane Fonda) and discovers she is the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas and also learns about life under the sea.

She also meets Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy), a mermaid who also has a story to tell and it involves a rivalry between the kraken and mermaids. Becoming sea-besties, Chelsea suggests that rift could be healed if they could only get ahold of a special trident.

When chaos breaks out, a kraken family bands together to save those they love in a place they call home!

Condor as Gillman gives animated voice to a very sweet, charming, quirky character. Ruby tries very hard to fit in and all seems to be going well, until it doesn’t. Learning that secrets can be painful, Ruby must come to terms with the land and sea and where she fits in between the two. My granddaughter loves Ruby!

Collette as Agatha is a very ambitious real estate mom who keeps the family together. Keeping Ruby safe has been her goal but when secrets start to come out, she has no choice but to come clean. Collette gives the voice of Agatha the same voice I heard in my head when my kids were teens. Trying to stay one step ahead is exhausting but Agatha pulls it off nicely.

Fonda as Grandmamah (accent on the ‘mah’ if you please) is hilarious as the Queen Kraken. She is thrilled to see Ruby and does what she can to show her that side of the family. Ruby believed she was the only one with mom issues, it’s good to see that not only does mom-issues run in the family but so does solidarity.

Murphy as the wicked Chelsea came along to show Ruby what she was missing under the sea and all the fun there was to be had. Of course, her intentions are anything but fun! Richardson as Uncle Brill is that Uncle, we all have and love, no matter how much mess he makes because the laughter he causes is everything.

Domingo as dad Arthur and Chapman as little brother Sam are supportive of their family and even Sam can’t help but love the family he is in. Forte as Lighthouse is on a mission to show the town that the kraken’s do exist and he’s going to get himself one.

Young-White as Connor is a teen who is more like Ruby than Ruby realizes. He is also very sweet and I was rooting for him the whole time! Young, Franco and Koshy as her loving friends Bliss, Trevin, and Margot love their very exclusive group but also find themselves expanding their world.

Other vocal cast include Nicole Byer as Janice, Echo Kellum as Doug, Juju Green as the Gym teacher and Jordan Matter as School Principal.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has an amazing film to their library. 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 Features include Deleted Scenes, Super Sea Girl Besties, Make Your Own Aquarium and so much more!

RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN is an awesomely wonderful (my granddaughter Jaycie’s words) film. It grabs colorfully onto the themes of love, family, friendship, being a teen, being a different kind of teen, acceptance, and a fierce loyalty to protect all of the above.

DreamWorks has done it again creating a visually stunning animated story but, and let’s be honest, I would expect nothing less from the studio. Always in the forefront of animation, the studio also remembers what is important to fans who love their work. Creativity, a solid story, characters that become iconic and memorable, Ruby Gillman can be added to that long list.

Family film does not even begin to describe RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN. It just has everything needed to bring the family together with the tub of popcorn for a really good time. Prepare to laugh, awwww, cheer, smile and embrace Ruby Gillman into the family and your own home entertainment library.

In the end – discover the hero just beneath the surface!

ELMO’S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR: The Nutcracker and Other Tales

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Sesame Street Workshop and Shout! Kids is the wonderful world of ELMO’S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR: The Nutcracker and other Tales.

Oscar the Grouch makes sure to start the season off with his usual un-holiday greeting but Elmo takes over quickly showing his family holiday party. Elmo wants to make sure his puppy Tango experiences his grandest first Christmas Ever. The Count arrives with gifts for Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Elmo and a special gift for Tango.

Elmo’s father begins to read the story of The Nutcracker sending Elmo and Tango off into dream land. In their dreams Tango can talk and Elmo is thrilled that they can do so many more things together. When Tango’s new toy from the Count disappears, Tango and Elmo are about to go on an adventure they never could have imagined!

With Elmo’s Christmas Countdown, (Ben) Stiller tells the story of how the countdown came to be with the help of Elmo. Elmo gets the chance to share his feelings singing with Sheryl Crow because, in their song, it’s almost Christmas. Stiller tells Elmo that he is the perfect being to help with the countdown to Christmas.

Maya Angelou tells the story of Christmas Eve on Sesame Street when Elmo Saves Christmas. Elmo gets the cookies ready as he decides this is the year that he will meet Santa Claus. Elmo meets a reindeer named Lightening and with the help of Abby and Cookie Monster, it is time to do the awesome thing and save Christmas for everyone.

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street and the amazing television show. Teaching children since 1969, Sesame Workshop is a force for change and a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder. Reaching over 150 countries, Sesame Workshop tailors to the needs of the culture and communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.sesameworkshop.org.

Sesame Street and Shout! Kids always bring the best and heartwarming brightest in entertainment for families. Being able to share them together is also what makes the holidays so fantastic. Sesame Street has been in the lives of generations so the characters not only bring new memories to the youngsters but fond memories for those of us who are not so young.

The animation is so bright and captivating, which is everything we have always loved about the Sesame Street characters. The puppeteering is fun and mixed with such great humor. Each has their own unique personalities (not to mention recognizable voices) comes through every time and is, what my family calls, reliable and filled with warmth – and that even includes Oscar the Grouch who I personally love.

The Nutcracker is a staple for the holidays so it is with ease that Elmo and the Sesame Street gang bring their own version to add to the holiday watching traditions. Celebrity guests include Maya Angelou, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin James, Anne Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, Brad Paisley, Charles Blitzen and more.

In the end – let the holidays begin!

PAW PATROL: The Mighty Movie

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Cal Brunker, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures is the next chapter in the pup’s life with PAW PATROL: The Mighty Movie.

Sky (Mckena Grace) has always been an important part of the PAW Patrol and is loved by friends Ryder (Finn Lee-Epp), Chase (Christian Convery), Liberty (Marsai Marin), Rubble (Luxton Handspiker), Marshall (Christian Carrao), Rocky (Callum Shoniker) and Zuma (Nyla Parthipan). Lately however, she has been feeling a bit unappreciated and small.

What none of them know is that Vee Vance (Taraji P. Henson) is a scientist with a plan of her own. Out in space, she wants to pull in a meteor believing she will show everyone who is the greatest scientist of all. When things go horribly wrong, the PAW Patrol save Adventure City but lose their home base. In the street, they find a large glowing meteor and move it to their ship.

Later in the evening, Sky is awakened to the pulsing glow of the meteor and what happens next is amazing. A crystal gives Skye powers of flight and strength and she shares the news and other crystals with the rest of the PAW Patrol. Now suddenly each has their own superpower and can do more to help people than ever before.

Vee Vance is taken to jail where she meets defuncted Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo and his feline gang as the two decide how they can best the PAW Patrol. When a call for help comes out, Sky decides to take matters into her own hands as she tries to prove that she is has what it takes. What she learns is that realizing her worth and the friends who care for her are the greatest super power of all.

Other cast include Lil Rel Howery as Sam Stringer, Alan Kim as Nano, Brice Gonzalez as Tot, North West as Mini, Kim Roberts as Mayor Goodway, James Marsden as Hank and Kristen Bell as Janet.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

Nickelodeon is named after the first five-cent movie theatres of the same name. Their programming includes such amazing animated series such as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show, Rugrats and Monster High. Reaching preschoolers the shows include Bubble Guppies, Blue’s Clues & You and, of course, PAW Patrol. For more information go to www.nick.com/shows.

PAW Patrol first premiered on Nickelodeon in August of 2013 and it has been a smash since. Each of the characters has found relatability with children and has even secretly kept parents and grandparents entertained. My now eight-year-old granddaughter Jaycie came into the PAW Patrol world in 2017 and was absolutely thrilled to be seeing the film with her five-year-old cousin Jeremy. Their excitement resonated from the moment the screen lit up until the last frame and pup-howled at the very end. That is the power of the pup!

Currently, PAW Patrol airs in more than 170 countries reaching 350 million households and I know very few households around me that don’t have PAW patrol merchandise. Perhaps that is not what Nickelodeon and Paramount had imagined when the green light was given to PAW Patrol in 2013, but it is wonderful that PAW Patrol has had such tremendous success and reached so many children changing lives in the process.

It is so important that families feel that what children are watching is filled with the themes that we want for them to feel loved and empowered. That offers them the possibility to make changes in the lives of families and friends in wonderful ways. Doing the right thing is not always easy, as the PAW Patrol shows, but having good friends who support one another is absolutely fantastic!

The excitement that this group of pups brings to children is so wonderful but it is so much more. It teaches the kids about friendship. Loyalty, overcoming odds and standing up for what is right. It is a wonderful thing to have a children’s television show that embraces divert and has adventure. The friendship between Ryder, who believes his biggest job is to protect his pup friends is so very charming and heart-warming.

The support of Chase, Liberty, Rubble, Marshall, Rocky and Zuma for their friend Sky is exactly how I would hope the kids watching PAW Patrol would feel when they need their friends during life’s struggles and tough times. So, gather up your own litter of pups and prepare for epic adventure that brings the pup out in us all!

In the end – unleash your powers!

SPIDER-MAN: Across the Spider-Verse Webs on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) is Spider-Woman and lives on Earth-65. Dad and police Cpt. George Stacy (Shea Whigham) has no idea what his daughter has been doing. She is still dealing with the death of her friend Peter Parker. Now, Gwen meets Vulture and is surprised when Miguel (Oscar Isaac) and Jess (Issa Rae) portal in to help her. While it is happening, Capt. Stacy corners Spider-Woman and his life is about to change as Miguel helps when Gwen needed it the most.

On Earth-1610, Miles Morales (Hameik Moore) is now dealing with his own problems coming from the Spot (Jason Schwartzman). The Spot blames Miles for everything in his life and through their spidey-match. When Gwen reconnects with Miles, they team up with Spider-Man Pavitr (Karan Soni) and Hobie Brown (Daniel Kaluuya). The Spot and Miles share a vision that is going to hurt people and the collider that allows this travel is falling apart.

Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) meets Miles, Gwen, Hobie and Miguel as they piece together what is happening with these canon events. So much so that the history of all the Spiders is causing one thing to happen to another in different times and eventually Peter Parker.

In New York, the city is being overrun by crime and the Spidey-Society find one another to try, it is Miles that is lost and Gwen assembles a team to find him because that is what the Spidey-Society does!

Steinfeld gives her Spider-Woman a strength and attitude that is needed to be amazing for this role. I appreciate what she is doing here and my granddaughter loves the character of Gwen. Whigham as George is dealing with his police work and the shock that follows in his family because of it.

Moore as Miles is a saucy teen who is dealing with the duality of life. One is being Miles the kid who goes to school and has friends etc., the other is being the and only Spider-Man. Moore gives his character the ease of a kid who really should be full of intensity. Isaac as Miguel and Rae as Jess make an amazing animated pair with their mixture of wit and making sure that working together is the most important thing.

Soni as Pavitr has a strong sense of responsibilities of being Spider-Man. It is fantastic to see the representation of this character and done so well by Soni. Kaluuya as Hobie knows what must be done because none of them are going to allow the bad guys to get away with universal craziness.

Schwartzman has moments of wit and sarcasm until he remembers why he is the way he is and then frustration turns to anger towards Spider-Man. Johnson as Parker has moved on with his life and once the Spider-Society comes to him, his days of being Spider-Man are before him.

Other cast includes Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis, Greta Lee as Lyla, Jorma Taccone as Vulture, Jharrel Jermone as Prowler. Brian Tyree Henry as Jeff Morales, Lauren Velez as Rio Morales.

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.

Bonus Material includes Obscure Spiders and Easter Eggs, Deleted Scene: Miguel Calling, I’mma Do My Own Thing” Interdimensional Destiny, Across the Worlds: Designing New Dimensions, Designing Spiders and Spots, Scratches, Scores and the Music of the Multiverse, Escape from Spider-Society, Across the Comics-Verse, Lyric Videos, and Film Commentary.

Also included on DVD are Creating the Ultimate Spider-Man Movie, Raising a Hero and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Cast.

SPIDER-MAN: Across the Spider-Verse is visually stunning which adds such a richness in and of itself. The story is a complex one and filled with twists and turns which is what makes the universe jumps so interesting.

When over 100 animators come together to create a hand drawn affected through computer animation, well, there is going to be eye candy for all. It is such a wild ride through every ‘frame’ of this film and I enjoyed it front start to finish.

Knowing that this is my son’s universe of comics, I asked if he felt it was close to the source material and his face had a big grin. He informed me that seeing it brought him back to a time when he spent hours reading comic books. That tells me the film has truly made him happy. Isn’t that what it is all about?

In the end – they must band together across the spider-verse!

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: Mutant Mayhem

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Jeff Rowe based on a screenplay by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Dan Hernandez, Benji Smart and

Paramount Pictures is the animated TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: Mutant Mayhem.

Cynthia Utrom (Maya Rudolph) from Techno Cosmic Research Institute has decided that she is going to hunt down scientist Baxter Stockman (Giancarlo Esposito) who discovered a mutagen and has tried it on insects and animals. Discovering his whereabouts, Utrom calls out her strike team to capture him and get mutagen! Things don’t go to plan and mutagen has disappeared.

Years later, on a rooftop, Michealangelo (Shamon Brown, Jr.), Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), Raphael (Brady Noon) and Donatello (Micah Abbey) are four turtle brothers who have been raised by Splinter (Jackie Chan), their rat father. All of them were covered in the green ooze of Stockman’s mutagen. Splinter has raised the boys to understand that humans are not friends and would never accept them for who they are.

Training the turtles in ninjutsu, Splinter feels he has given his boys a way to, if needs be, protect themselves. In the meantime, the turtles just want to go to school and attend prom like ‘regular’ kids do after seeing life on their phones and computers. They do get the chance to get out though when doing a supply run. On one such occasion, a crime being committed against human April (Ayo Edebiri), gives the boys a chance to actually talk to a human!

They discover that April goes to school, is a writer and currently investigating a bunch of robberies happening in the city by someone called Superfly (Ice Cube). The turtles want to help thinking this is the way to show humans they aren’t anything to be afraid of.

Learning that Superfly is needing parts for a gadget he is creating, April and the boys agree to meet Superfly under the Brooklyn Bridge. What happens there is a lesson that Splinter and the boys aren’t the only mutants in the world – they are, however, the only mutants not wanting to destroy humanity. That seems to be what Superfly wants, the destruction of humanity being upset at what was done to Stockman years earlier.

Now, the turtles, April and a few surprising allies decide it’s time to take Superfly down because, after all, that’s what right minded turtles-in-a-half-shell and their friends do!

Noon, Brown, Jr., Cantu, Abbeyas the mutant four verbally play off one another in a way that is nothing short of graceful sparing. Their brotherly relationship had everything I’d expect from brothers who are all going through teens (and all THAT means) together. They might be wrestling up a mess one minute but will protect each other at the drop of a mask.

Edebiri as April is also going through the growing pains of the teen years. Good at investigating, she puts aside those who don’t really accept her without teasing, and tries to find her way back into being just a regular teen. Chan as Splinter is so endearing and spends every waking moment making sure his boys are safe and, more importantly, happy. Such a lovely portrayal of a dad just wanting the best for his kids.

Ice Cube as Superfly was hilarious one moment and maniacal the next and extremely good at both. Wanting a bit of revenge for the way his adoptive father was treated, he has an idea that basically would wipe out the human race and the Ninja Turtles have a bit of a problem with that.

Other mutants include Hannibal Buress as Genghis Frog, Rose Byrne as Leatherhead, John Cena as Rocksteady, Natasia Demetriou as Wingnut, Post Malone as Ray Fillet, Seth Rogen as Bebop, and Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: Mutant Mayhem is an animated film that is going to hit across generations. This is how my boys (now in their 40’s) saw the turtles and now it is their sons and daughters’ chance to see what held their imaginations as children.

Everything about the film is about a deep background storyline which is important if this is anyone’s first time discovering the Ninja Turtles or just needing a refresher course. The animation is absolutely wonderful, detailed, colorful and seamless adding a deeper level to the film. The casting is comedy at its best and having Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko had me laughing almost out of my seat (think Rudd as Chuck in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL except on a skateboard and, well, a mutant).

The comedy is insanely funny! Seeing this with my family, we all couldn’t stop laughing and cheering. We were not the only ones as the audience became just as invested as we were. Watching the ‘teenage’ part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, these boys want to be accepted for who they are. That’s why their relationship with April works so well – they relate to one another, physiology aside.

I have to say that the interactions between characters is pretty funny as Ice Cube’s Superfly accepts the boys with his witticisms and more information about how they all came to be. Chan’s Splinter is just so dang adorable as a father who sees his children pulling away and wanting to do everything possible to turn their frowns upside down is stellar.

The animation more than works for the film, in fact, I think it gives it that something special and rare, a more 3-D kind of look without the headache of 3-D. Some animation can feel very flat, taking away from the film, but not this rendition of TMNT. This time around it felt like we were all experiencing something quite unique.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: Mutant Mayhem was meant to be as fun as it absolutely was. Hey, I’m 62 and remember my boys calling for me to come watch the television show with them and this time, I took my grandkid who has always loved the Ninja Turtles. That’s three generations who are all about the green, awesome masks and wanting to fight injustices!

In the end – heroes aren’t born, they’re mutated!

HAUNTED MANSION Spooks on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Justin Simien and Walt Disney Studios is the story of the iconic HAUNTED MANSION.

Ben (LaKeith Stanfield) is a paranormal tour guide who doesn’t believe in the paranormal which makes his job more difficult. He does it as a way to deal with the grief and loss of his wife Alyssa. Meanwhile, Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) and young son Travis (Chase W. Dillon) are dealing with their own new beginning moving into a mansion that needs a lot of work.

Immediately it becomes clear that the house is haunted keeping Gabbie and Travis on their toes and looking for help. Father Kent (Owen Wilson) tracks down Ben to ask him to come to the mansion and photograph what is happening using a special lens he invented. At first Ben has no motivation to go but money has a strange way of changing a mind.

Arriving at the mansion, Ben goes along to get along and it isn’t until he gets back to his own home that something has decided to move in too! Ben and Father Kent seek out Professor Bruce Davis (Danny DeVito), a historian who knows a bit about the house and its history. Deciding that the only way to find out what the house and its eerie occupants wants is to bring Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), a psychic in for a séance.

Hidden in the attic is Madame Leota (Jamie Lee Curtis) who, with the help of Harriet, decide its time to take on the specter that has been collecting spirits. Getting an object that belonged to the the very angry ghost Crump (voiced by Jared Leto), Ben and Father Kent track down something that will could change the game in their favor.

But they are running out of time as the Hatbox Ghost has made his plans very clear and it doesn’t look good for the living!

Stanfield as Ben is a man dealing with grief issues. Taking the job of photographing what is inside the mansion gives him a paycheck and that’s all he is interested in. Unfortunately, the ghosts have other plans and Ben finds himself unraveling a mystery. Stanfield is a solid, if not slightly shaken, character who begins to believe in what is happening and all in to fix it.

Wilson as Father Kent seeks out Ben for a little spiritual guidance and boy is the priest going to need it. He believes without a doubt that things are twisted and crazy in the mansion and doesn’t mind finding the right people to deal with it. Wilson is hilarious but then again, I’d expect nothing less. DeVito as Professor Davis is all in wanting to be part of every step of the investigation. Always curious about the mansion, now is his shot and DeVito makes sure his character gets it.

Dawson as Gabbie doesn’t seem to affected by the ghosts, almost accepting them even though they are making her a tad uneasy. Gabbie’s fright level never seems to get to hyped up so that makes her the sane one out of the bunch. Dillion as Travis is not happy with their current living situation and welcomes all the adults into the madness. Each has a part to play and so does young Dillion although his part takes its time.

Big shout out to Curtis as Madame Leota because no one else could have given off the right amount of crazy inside a crystal ball. The last few years has shown that Curtis just plays the roles that look like fun to do and it shows through her characters.

Other cast include Charity Jordan as Alyssa, Hasan Minhaj as the police sketch artist, J.R. Adduci as William Gracey, Creek Wilson as the Mariner Ghost, Ben Bladon as Hatchet Ghost, Lindsay Lamb as The Bride ghost, Fedor Steer as Ezra, Dany Levy as Vic and Winona Ryder as tour guide Pat.

Bonus Features Making Haunted Mansion - Hear from cast, crew and filmmakers about creating this grim grinning adventure based on the world-famous ride. See how the ghosts were "brought to life," what role new technology played, and how the wildly popular attraction inspired the film's design and 999 Happy Haunts - There are 999 Happy Haunts inside the Disney Parks' attraction...but always room for one more! See all the Easter eggs (well, maybe not all of them) where characters big, small, alive, departed, human and otherwise appear in both the movie and the ride.

Also, Deleted Scenes - Take a look at some moments that passed on before the final version of The Haunted Mansion was finished with Carol, 1 Star, Harriet’s House Of Intuition, They Say The Place Is Haunted, Between Realms, Crump Manor, Emergency Baptism, A Good Head For Business, Gag Reel with Who knew making a scary movie could be so funny!

HAUNTED MANSION is proving to be a fun family film and for anyone that remembers the ride as far back as I do, felt more like what I would expect. Although the ‘living’ characters are interesting, for me it was the not-so-living characters that I absolutely love. The ghosts are funny, devious, giggle worthy and intent on making us all jump in the theatre seats.

Director Simien captured the joy of the Haunted Mansion ride and put it on screen with fun, mystery, adventure, a bit of chaos and charm. Three generations sat at the screening and we left talking about our favorite ghosts and that is how the movie going experience should be.

It has been twenty years since the Eddie Murphy version with THE HAUNTED MANSION. The story has been revamped but what goes on in the house and the grounds of the mansion are still filled with specters and a story with bad guys wanting bad things. Turn out the lights, cuddle on the sofa with the family and enjoy the ride!

In the end – home is where the haunt is!

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA Joins the Collection of 4-Movies on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

From creator Todd Durham and Sony Pictures Animations comes the 4-Movie Collection beginning with the original HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA and finishing with HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania.

In 2012, the world was introduced to Count Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) and along with wife Martha, and their baby daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez). When sadness comes into their life, Dracula decides to open a monsters-only hotel. It is a hotel getaway for those who are looking for a break from human persecution and a safe place to raise Mavis.

On her 18th birthday, Dracula plans a party while Mavis plans to see the world but the world comes to her as Johnny (Andy Samberg) the hiker comes to the hotel. Trying to hide him is where the comedy of errors begins as Dracula must learn that Mavis is growing up. Watching this all come to pass is Frankenstein (Kevin James) and wife Eunice (Fran Drescher), Wayne (Steve Buscemi) and Wanda (Molly Shannon) Werewolf, Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade) and Murray the Mummy (CeeLo Green).

Returning in 2015, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 has Mavis and Johnny married and Dracula is about to become Grandpa Drac. Named Denisovich by Dracula, little Dennis grows up fast and grandpa is worried that he is not seeing any powers in the young boy. He also learns that Johnny and Marvis are thinking of moving to California. Dracula talks Johnny into visiting his parents and suggesting that he take care of Dennis.

While the parents are gone, Dracula tries to find ways with the help of the gang to push Dennis’ powers to the surface. The problem is, when the parents find a video posted online of their mischief, they rush home. Mavis is furious and lets her father know that they would be leaving after the boy’s birthday party.

Dracula discovers that Mavis has invited his father Vlad and isn’t happy about it knowing his father really doesn’t like humans. Now Vlad is taking the reins to make sure that his great-grandson’s powers come out. He also doesn’t know that Johnny is a human which means more chaos at Hotel Transylvania.

It’s time for a vacation when in 2018 HOTEL TRANSVYLVANIA 3: Summer Vacation delights audiences. Dracula looks around the hotel and see’s everyone paired up and it makes him a little lonely. Mavis decides to book a cruise and take time away from the hotel and takes her father, Johnny, Dennis and even Vlad aboard the cruise ship Legacy.

The captain of the ship is Ericka (Kathryn Hahn) makes everyone aboard the ship feel welcome and excited to be on the cruise. Underneath that cheerful exterior lies the truth of who Ericka is – the great grandfather of Dracula’s rival Abraham Van Helsing. She has decided that she is going to finish what Van Helsing started but, something is happening between she and the good Count.

Finally, in 2022 we get a chance to see what Johnny is made of in HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania. Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the hotel, Mavis discovers that her father wants to leave her the hotel. Mavis tells Dennis and he has plans upon plans and it stressed Dracula out. Van Helsing shows Johnny a ray that makes monsters into humans and he uses it on Johnny who becomes a dragonish monster. Drac also gets a shot of the ray gun and is now horrifyingly human.

Frank, Wayne, Griffin and Murray also become human. Mavis and Ericka are not happy with Van Helsing but it’s going to get worse when he tells them that its possible for mutations. Not only is the family in danger, but so is Hotel Transylvania!

Bonus features include HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania Mini-Movie: Monster Pets, Monster Mash-Up: Making HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: Transformania, Selena vs. Andy: A Hotel Transyl-Trivia Quiz, “Love is Not Hard to Find by Yendry, Filmmaker Commentary and more!

Multi-feature DVD and Digital Bonus includes Goodnight Mr. Foot – Short Film, Hotel Transylvania Puppy! – Short Film, “Problem” Music Video by Beck G. Featuring wil.i.am, “I’m in Love with a Monster” Music Video by Fifth Harmony, Deleted Scenes, Behind the Scenes, Filmmaker Commentary and more!

It is wonderful that the cast of Adam Sandler (and then Brian Hull), Selena Gomez, Andy Sanberg, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Fran Drescher, Kevin James (and then Brad Abrell), Kathryn Han, Jim Gaffigan, Sadie Sandler/Asher Blinkoff and the undeniable icon of Mel Brooks return to each of these films.

Each of these characters are memorable, loveable, hilarious, thought provoking, caring and family oriented. Beginning with Count Dracula, Sandler always made sure that as evil as he wanted to be, at the heart of him is a family man who wants everyone he cares about to be safe and happy – even if it makes him a little crazy. I just love Dracula, even when his eyes get all red, because of Sandler’s portrayal.

Gomez as Mavis has her hands full with a grandfather, father, husband and son, all of them with their own issues that made her original issue of freedom seem so trivial. She deals with it all in stride because she has an amazing hotel family that supports each other and is there if she needs them. Samberg as Johnny is just as nutty as he wants to be and Mavis doesn’t mind it at all. He is a good guy and that’s all you can ask for when it comes to a daughter right?

James as Frankenstein and Drescher as wife Eunice are a cute couple. She is a very strong person and Frankenstein counts on that to my way of thinking. Buscemi as Wayne and Shannon as Wanda are a constantly growing family and as much as Wayne gets irritate with the litter, there are moments where you see he wouldn’t change anything for the world. Shannon is the nurturer in the relationship and it knows exactly how to handle her wily bunch.

Green as Murray (later taken over by Key) just cracks me up as the mummy. He loves being Frank’s sidekick on things and their friendship is so important. Spade as Griffin the invisible doesn’t need to have a physical look about him, it’s all Spade being his usual comedic self with only a pair of glasses to show his presence.

The addition of Kahn as Ericka is so lovely. Isn’t it weird that I was happy Drac found someone to be with? A huge shout out to Mel Brooks because he is an amazing Count Vlad. I adore his character and he is hilarious being the vocals of the elder Count.

Finally having all four films in one collection allows families to have a Transylvania binge watching Friday night. My granddaughter and I made a date to do this and with popcorn and snacks we went from first to last in the Transylvania franchise. We laughed so much and had such a great time that I kept thinking how great this is going to be for all families.

Each of the films brings something unique in the way of life-lessons because although they are monsters, they have all the same problems, kind of, that we have. Watching the hotel family together, after a while you don’t see monsters, there is a connection between what we see and how each character makes us feel.

That is the big lesson if anything, the connection and relatability to the life problems as it also teaches us to chill out and laugh at the silliness. Fathers, daughters, travelers, friends, loyalty and chaos are a staple in each of the films and that means a lot to those of us who embrace the Hotel Transylvania franchise.

So, pop that corn, grab some drinks, snacks, grab a fuzzy soft blanket and jump on the couch with the remote and get ready for some serious family time!

In the end – they are part of our family!

It is Time to Say GOODBYE MONSTER

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Jianming Huang and Well Go USA comes the animated story of redemption in GOODBYE MONSTER.

In the world of Kunlun, Bai Ze is a healer who is a little more than just full of himself. After attempting to heal the island of Dark Spirits that haunt it, the opposite happened and destruction takes its toll. Bai Ze’s punishment for it is being expelled from Kunlun by the Masters.

Bai Ze continues to work on the Dark Spirit healing but finds himself on the run when once again his skills are getting him in trouble. Friend, now foe Kai Wang, wants the scroll Bai Ze has created but not for good. On the run back to the island where he originally took on the Dark Spirits, Bai Ze meets Yi, a young boy looking to be cured. He asks Bai Ze if he has a way to make his horn grow so he can just like the others.

As the Dark Spirits begin to rise again, Kai Wang has become a favorite of the Masters and they expect him to take care of the matter. Sending out troops to find Bai Ze, there is magic in the air and it isn’t always good. Bai Ze finds himself caring for Yi even though he acts as if he doesn’t want any part of the kid or his problems.

What Bai Ze discovers is that there is a way to redeem himself, show compassion without expecting anything but appreciation for his skills and making friends who care for him just as he is.

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.

GOODBYE MONSTER is a story rich with characters with stunning animation. Each of the characters has their own story and a place in the larger one. Bai Ze is a healer that has done everything possible to keep people away from him. It is his large ego that puts people on edge as he claims to be the ‘greatest healer of all time’ and claims it loudly.

It eventually is young Yi that begins to break through the barrier that Bai Ze has put around himself. I’d say it is almost as strong as the Dark Spirits. He is a young boy who thinks there is something wrong with him because of his horn but eventually learns that everything happens for a reason.

Bai Ze puts himself in a difficult situation when Kai Wang turns against him and shows he truly has the Dark Spirit. Wanting power and destroying the weak is what could destroy the people make the world a good place.

With the support of Yi and others who believe in the healer, Bai Ze has the chance to not only clear his name but become the healer he was always meant to be. Taking on the Dark Spirits is a way to save everyone and return life to the island once again.

That is what GOODBYE MONSTER is about, people who feel broken, those who feel unwanted and that’s what feeds the Dark Spirits and brings out the worst in those bad feelings. There are so many life lessons that this film shows and it is done with brilliant color in the animation. There is action, adventure and a story that has humor that brings giggles.

Get the family all around and experience it together.

In the end – it is a magical adventure!

Being Together is Simply ELEMENTAL

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to homes from writer/director Peter Sohn, Pixar and Disney Home Entertainment is a story of opposites attracting with ELEMENTAL.

Born of immigrant parents Bernie (Ronnie del Carmen) and Cinder (Shila Ommi) Lumen, the couple anxiously awaits the arrival of flame daughter Ember (Leah Lewis). Finding a place to live and start their own business, the Lumen’s are living the Elemental dream. Dad Bernie wants nothing more than for Ember to learn the family business so that one day he can retire and she can take over. The problem is Ember has a problem with her temper. So much so that during an anger outburst, she causes the pipes to start leaking!

Having been raised that fire does not mix with the water-folk who live in Elemental City, Ember is surprised when Wade (Mamoudou Athie) appears. He is one of the water people who is a building inspector and immediately starts writing tickets for building violations. Ember tries to stop him and when it looks like it’s too late, Wade decides he wants to help Ember. Meeting with Wade’s boss Gayle (Wendi McLendon-Covey), she tells them both that if they discover where the water is coming from, all the tickets will be forgiven.

The chase is on and in the meantime, Ember is feeling something for Wade but doesn’t know how to handle it. Wade doesn’t hold anything back as he wants to spend more time with the fiery Ember. They both begin to discover that all the myths they have been raised with don’t seem to apply and Wade has no problem showing his emotions.

Mom Cinder begins to suspect that something is going on with Ember and believes she has found love. The problem is that Dad Bernie is not going to accept Wade because he sees the inspector as someone who is not like the Lumen’s or the people of their section of Elemental City. Thinking the water problem has been solved, it not become more important than ever to work together to solve the problem once and for all.

After all, it’s only elemental!

Lewis as Ember is an on fire young adult who has been struggling to make her father proud enough to hand over the family business. Her problem is that she cannot control her temper and it has finally gotten her into serious trouble. Lewis offers us her voice to give Ember personality of fire that is so fun, lovely and full of trouble both good and not so good. I really enjoyed her.

Athie as Wade is a young man who has fallen in forbidden love and it comes from a place of pure and honest emotions. Of course, he comes from a family that seems to embrace being too emotional ad it is something that Ember is fascinated by. Athie lends his voice to a character full of love, charm, humor and everything a flame could ask for.

Del Carmen as dad Bernie tries to be so patient with his daughter and constantly brags about how close she is to taking over the family business. Coaching her on how to handle customers and make it work is important. Especially since he came from a faraway land and a family that didn’t support Bernie’s decision to come to Elemental City. Del Carmen gives us a father who loves his daughter and a pride in the life he creates for his family.

Ommi as Mom Cinder keeps an eye on the family but also has a side job helping people find love. She realizes that something is going on with Ember and is determined to discover what she is up to. There comes a moment when she reads her daughters smoke (you’ll understand when you see the film) and I just love that whole scene. It shows the courage and determination of love.

Shout out to McLendon-Covey as the big puff ball Gayle. She is tough as nails, stronger than anyone takes her for and compassionate in a way that was just amazing. The voice matches the character perfectly and I just loved her. I hope they have a Gayle stuffed puff ball because I would definetly be in line for one.

Other cast include Clara Lin Ding and young Ember, Regan To as teenage Ember, Mason Wertheimer as Clod, Ronobir Lahiri as Harold, Wilma Bonet as Flarrietta, Joe Pera as Fern Grouchwood, Matt Yang King as Alan Ripple as well as Lutz and Earth Pruner, P.L. Brown as the Doorman, Jonathan Adams as Flarry, and Catherine O’Hara as Brook Ripple.

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

Pixar Animation Studios is an American computer animation studio known for its critically and commercially successful computer animated feature films. These iconic films include the TOY STORY, MONSTERS INC., THE INCREDIBLES, NEMO/DORY, and CARS franchises as well as UP, RATATOUILLE and BRAVE. For more visit www.pixar.com.

Bonus Features include Short Film Carl’s Date, Ember and Wade, Next Stop: Element City, Paths to Pixar: The Immigrant Experience, Deleted Scenes, Intro Ember, Mom Rejects Wade, Dante Challenge, Brook Dinner, Beach Proposal.

Also, Audio Commentary - Elemental Filmmaker Commentary – Join director Peter Sohn, supe tech Sanjay Bakshi, supervising animator Mike Venturini, and directing animator Gwendelyn Enderoglu as they provide insight into the making of this remarkable animated feature while you watch it.

The language in the film was fascinating and I discovered it was created by the same man who gave us the Dothraki language from the HBO hit series GAME OF THRONES, David J. Peterson. He is also known for his creating language for THE WITCHER, THOR: The Dark World and RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON all of which are impressive films. Director Peter Sohn said, “We had a language made as well from David Peterson and they have this amazing, brilliant team trin to take fire, like the fireplace sound effects and make a language out of it.”

ELEMENTAL is a charming, delightful, emotion tugging, funny and extremely colorful film that will steal your heart from beginning to end. The story of immigrant parents starting a new life is so wonderful to see because it showed their struggles from the very beginning. Yet, it also gives us the story of Ember’s arrival and the life of the Lumen from then on. The film shows us how a family works together and support one another even though it may look different to someone else.

Having Ember and Wade be from two different worlds, one would never expect that someone would come along and write a script that disproves that theory. Yes, there may be some bubbling and calming of a strong fire, but love can even both of those things out. My 8-year-old granddaughter was ohh’ing and awwwww’ing through the whole film. When Ember and Wade were on the screen together, she was hugging me tightly on my arm and looked at me with such a big smile. That’s how I knew that this film had something special.

That is an amazing thing to happen for a film but I couldn’t help but believe that she wasn’t the only one who felt this way. ELEMENTAL has and will capture everyone from the moment it starts till the end and that is just plain impressive.

In the end – opposites react!

MAVKA: The Forest Song Charms

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD and Digital from directors Oleg Malamuzh, Sasha Ruban and Shout Factory Kids is a story of friendship, loyalty, and hope with MAVKA: The Forest Song.

The story begins explaining of the enchanted forest that holds such characters as the guardian of the forest Lesh (Marc Thompson), who oversees the creatures and, most importantly, the Tree of Life. When a human comes asking for a drop from the Tree of Life to save his ill daughter, Lesh agrees. That one decision leads to a power struggle and destruction leaving Lesh no choice but to seal themselves away from the human world.

Years later, young Mavka (Laurie Hymes) is a nymph who has a wonderful heart. She loves being around all living things and has a connection to their home. Lukas (Eddy Lee) is a young man in dire need of help. His uncle Leo is seriously ill and he needs money for medicine. That’s when he makes a deal with new town arrival Kylina (Sarah Natochenny) to go back into the enchanted forest for more Tree of Life.

Lesh gathers everyone together to tell them it is time to find a new guardian and the choice will be made at midnight. Meanwhile, Mavka discovers Lukas in the forest and plans to prove she can be a guardian but after hearing the story of his uncle, she is moved. They spend time together as Mavka loves to hear Lukas play his music. But when the time comes to gather, water nymph Ondina (Nikki Thomas) discovers Lukas and Mavka manages to help him escape with what he needs.

Kylina is not happy when Lukas returns and has nothing for her. Not trusting her ‘employee’, she tells Frol (Tom Wayland) to watch Lukas closely. The next morning Mavka finds Lukas’ flute and wants to return it to him. Making her own disguise, she goes into town and Lukas invites her to a spring festival but things to horribly wrong.

Lesh explains to Mavka that humans and the forest do not mesh together. But it is Kylina who is turning both worlds upside down with lies and treachery. The connection between Mavka and Lukas is the only thing that can stop the firestorm that is building inside the young girl.

Hymes lends her vocals to Mavka and gives us a young, strong, loving and caring girl who can not help but have a soft heart. Being teased by the other forest creatures for being that way is only a minor irritation to Mavka. Meeting Lukas, her world becomes a larger place and she wants to experience it all but can certainly do without Kylina bringing danger to everything she holds dear.

Lee as Lukas is a young man very similar to Mavka, especially when it comes to wanting to end the suffering of loved ones. When the two meet, Mavka may have tries to be aggressive but it just isn’t in her nature in that way. Lukas entertains her with music and enjoys her company, all the while in danger by Kylina as well.

Natochenny as Kylina is a piece of work! She is a walking, talking, lying, manipulating human being who doesn’t think twice about the wrong she is doing. She uses Lukas to get what she wants and when the truth is discovered, well, nasty people can get nastier!

Thompson as Lesh has a history with human so it is no surprise that having them around the enchanted forest wouldn’t be something he is interested in. His last encounter was almost deadly and now his time to choose a new guardian is something he takes very seriously (as all good guardians should). Shout out to Wayland as Frol because putting up with Kylina, he should ask for a raise!

Other cast include Scottie Ray as Lukas’s uncle Leo, Marc Thompson as Hush, Marca Leight as the narrator and Mike Pollock as the One Who Sits in the Rock.

Produced by Ukraine-based Animagrad Animation Studios and based on the Ukrainian drama “The Forest Song” by celebrated poet and author Lesya Ukrainka, MAVKA: The Forest Song unfolds in a universe that blends ancient Slavic traditions and folklore with a modern narrative that showcases Ukrainian culture, values, designs, and music. The movies has a soundtrack written by well-known Ukrainian musicians and compositions created especially for this animated adventure.

In addition to having an engaging storyline and memorable characters, this uplifting and colorful animated fairytale is bolstered by a strong young female lead character, fascinating folklores, and the relevant theme of environmental conservation.

You can pre-order MAVKA: The Forest Song now at www.ShoutFactory.com and will be available in store, other fine retailers and digital entertainment platforms. The DVD Bonus Features includes a Featurette, Music Video, and Trailers.

MAVKA: The Forest Song is such a lovely film from beginning to end. Hearing the folklore and legends of this particular enchanted forest is brilliantly done. The values of friendship, loyalty, kindness, and understanding are what make Mavka and Lukas the heroes of this story. They may be from different worlds but their beliefs are not so dissimilar.

The color of the film is absolutely stunning, vibrant and a feast for the eyes. Doing an animated film, to my way of thinking, can be difficult if not done with deep feeling and it is clear that MAVKA was done with a great deal of deep feeling. The creatures are so detailed and everything about the animations captures the imagination of any viewer from start to finish.

In the end – one heart, two worlds!

ABBY & ELMO’S AMAZING ADVENTURES

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Shout Factory Kids! And the Sesame Workshop comes the next adventures with the most memorable characters of ABBY & ELMO’S AMAZING ADVENTURES.

Abby, Elmo and Cookie Monster let us know that the best way to make friends is starting out by saying ‘hello’! Abby then spends time with Ginnifer Goodwin as they pretend to go on amazing adventures in fairy tales. The adventures don’t stop as Abby shows us how the fun can be indoors as well as outdoors.

Elmo visits Abby and her beautiful flowers and spends time with Cookie Monster with his four-legged friend Tango. Abby is upset because her watering hose is not working so Elmo and Tango decide to solve the mystery by investigating what has happened.

Elmo calls Abby to go on a virtual play date but Abby and Rudy have decided to go for a hike instead. Rudy has brought a full backpack with ‘just in case’ items and their dad let him know that there is so many other wonderful things to do being outside. Jason Mraz comes to the Sesame Street to lead a sing-a-long about being outside.

Abby introduces Elmo to Chirpy the grasshopper but almost immediately he disappears. Elmo knows that he and Tango can investigate and other Sesame Street mystery. They find other noises but none of them seem to be Chirpy. That doesn’t stop Elmo and Tango!

Cookie Monster, Elmo and Abby are in space but Cookie Monster is stuck in a crater. The three put their heads together to discover what can be done to fix the problem. Elmo and Abby refuse to let Cookie Monster give up trying. Working together is so very important so their adventure can continue!

Abby and brother Rudy go on a space mission with Basket to visit a space station. They learn about how gravity works in space, the use of solar panels, they see meteoroids and stars. They also learn how to fix a space station by being out in space themselves.

Big Bird is the Ring Master and brings everyone together to experience the greatest show of them all. Grover shows his adorable moves that entertain the crowd. When a problem arises, Elmo learns ‘I wonder, what if, lets try’. Abby and Rudy are transported to the big top where they see what goes on under the big top.

Grover takes the kids on an treasure seeking adventure showing them how his world has changed. There was a fix-it shop where the laundromat is but the clues are still there waiting for them. The treasure is a big of a surprise to everyone but Grover seems to enjoy it.

The DVD includes Comic Book Adventures, Hike Pirates, Astro Team Alpha, Sesame Circus and Treasure of Yucky Mama. There is also the Bonus of Elmo and Friends: Tales of Adventure.

Sesame Street has been in the lives of families for several generations, and why shouldn’t it? As a grandmother there is no question of the immense joy it brought my own children seeing the world through Sesame Street eyes. Watching the grandkids have their moments with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch (my personal favorite), Elmo, Cookie Monster and all the characters that have joined the family throughout the years.

Having a DVD library of Sesame Street stories allows kids to see their favorites again and again. It is like having good friends close when you need to revisit space, or learn more about how to investigate a mystery or learn about a circus. Sesame Street brings the hopes, dreams and possibilities straight to the kids presented by their iconic friends.

In the end – say hello!

Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID Comes Home

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, DVD and from director Rob Marshall and Walt Disney Studios is the new version of THE LITTLE MERMAID.

Ariel (Halle Bailey) lives under the sea with father King Triton (Javier Bardem) and her sisters. Her friends fish Flounder (Jacob Tremblay) and seagull Scuttle (Awkwafina). Trying to keep up with her on the daily is crab Sebastian (Daveed Diggs). When Ariel doesn’t show up for a family meeting, King Triton is not happy and makes it clear that it’s time for Sebastian to be her full-time babysitter.

That’s a hard job because this mermaid loves going above water and seeing how the world is on land and collecting things that fall to the sea in shipwrecks. Both are on the not-to-do list of her father. Watching in the wings is Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) who isn’t happy about being basically banished by the King so she’s always looking for ways to make him pay.

On land is Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) who loves being on the water and sailing away on new adventures. Not happy about that is his handler Sir Grimsby (Art Malik) and mother Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni). Especially when a storm sinks Erik’s ship and lands him in Ariel’s arms delivering him to the shores.

Eric gets a peak of the girl who saved him and spends his time trying to convince everyone that there was a girl who saved him. Meantime, Ariel gets herself into trouble with Ursula who tricks her into becoming human so she can experience land. Now Eric and Ariel get to spend time together and he finds himself falling for her.

Ursula isn’t about it and brings about mayhem as the truth comes in on a wave as everyone begins to see the whole world differently.

Bailey as Ariel is fine and she has a nice voice. Trying to decide between two worlds, the character of Ariel is about dreams, hopes and being different. Bardem as Triton is not only a King but a dad of almost every mermaid. Set in his ways, it is hard for him to change and it costs him.

Hauer-King as Eric is now “adopted” and not even called Prince Eric but seemed beloved by everyone around him. McCarthy as Ursula is charming and her song-take of ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ is still as catchy as the original Pat Carroll version.

Trembly as the voice of Flounder is cute who sticks by his friend Ariel no matter what. Awkwafina as Scuttle is a fast-talking seagull who is just as creative in describing sea treasures in the sea as well as on land. Diggs as Sebastian gives us Sebastian scurrying everywhere to stay out of the bad mood of King Triton!

Malik as Sir Grimsby seems to be the only smart person in this film so he can hang with me any day, plus he is a butler so there’s that.

Other cast include Martina Laird as Lashana, Emily Coates as Rosa, Christopher Fairbank as Hawkins, John Dagleish as Mulligan, Jude Akuwudike as Joshua, Lorena Andrea as Perla, Simone Ashley as Indira, Karolina Conchet as Mala, Sienna King as Tamika, Kajsa Mohammar as Karina and Nathalie Sorrell as Caspia.

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 Features include Sing Along Version – Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics, Hotter Under The Water – Discover how director Rob Marshall and his team brought the story of The Little Mermaid to life with this documentary in five chapters: A Tale Of The Bottomless Blue - Join Rob Marshall on the set of one of the most ambitious and challenging films he's ever directed, I Know Something’s Starting Right Now - Join cast members Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King and more and learn how they were cast in the film and what it was like to bring director Rob Marshall's vision to life.

Also, Down Where It’s Wetter - Dip your toes into the virtual ocean and learn about how the breathtaking underwater world was created with visual effects, imagination and a lot of talented artists, Explore That Shore Up Above - From Prince Eric’s castle to the beach, explore the above-the-sea locations and the elaborate production design behind them and Do What The Music Say - Discover how legendary composer Alan Menken teamed up with Lin- Manuel Miranda to write new songs to accompany the original classics

Song Breakdowns are Wild Unchartered Waters - Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, gets his own song, written by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Go behind the song, from the writing to the recording, to the filming on a practical ship. Under the Sea - Get a first-hand look at how professional dancers helped bring director Rob Marshall's vision to life as they stood in for the various animated sea creatures that sing and dance in this showstopping number.

As well as Kiss The Girl - Float along and get a frog's-eye view of the beautiful set built to film the live-action version of this classic song and Poor Unfortunate Souls - Join Melissa McCarthy (Ursula) as she takes us on the journey of making her character's signature song.

Featurettes are The Scuttlebutt On Sidekicks – Dive in and meet Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle, who not only have their own song, "The Scuttlebutt," but also fresh looks as they work hard to make sure Ariel and Eric kiss before Ursula's deadline. Passing The Dinglehopper – Ariel met Ariel when Halle Bailey worked with Jodi Benson — the voice of Ariel in the original animated movie — who appears in a clever cameo in the live-action film and finally, Bloopers - Laugh along with the cast as they have the time of their lives making The Little Mermaid.

Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID and expand your home entertainment library. There is nothing better than having Disney films ready for the family but, more importantly, for the kids as they grow up. My granddaughter and her cousin love sitting together and watching so many Disney classics.

In the end – be part of her world!

MICKEY & MINNIE TEN CLASSIC SHORTS – Vol. 1 is Reminiscent

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD celebrating 100 years of the most iconic mouse in the world is MICKEY & MINNIE TEN CLASSIC SHORTS – Vol. 1.

It was 1928 when Walt Disney and Ub Iweks brought a black and white animated film called Steamboat Willie. Using synchronized sound, Steamboat Willie became an instant success for its day. In 1994, the cartoon was voted 13th in the book The 50 Greatest Cartoons and in 1998, was selected for preservation with the U.S. National Film Registry.

Mickey is on a ship with Captain Pete as they head to Podunk Landing to pick up cargo. Running to the boat is Minnie who misses the boat but Mickey finds a way to get her on board. When musical mayhem ensues, it lands Mickey peeling potatoes!

That’s only one of the amazing and iconic Mickey Mouse cartoons and I remember each of them.

Mickey’s Delayed Date brings the mouse’s trusty dog Pluto into the story. Mickey is late for his date with Minnie and she is more than happy to let him know about it. Rushing to get ready, Mickey makes a few mistakes but it is man’s best friend to the rescue!

Brave Little Tailor brings Mickey to medieval times as he is given a huge task for a huge problem. He handles it the only way it can be handled, the Mickey Mouse way! On Ice Pluto is back but this time in the snow and with the naughtiness of Donald Duck. Of course, when things get out of hand, it is Mickey to the rescue. Hawaiian Holiday brings a much-needed island vacation with his pals along as well.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Mickey & Minnie 10 Classic Shorts – Volume 1 will soon be available to audiences to enjoy at home. This new collection gathers together ten classic animated shorts for the first time, including the iconic “Steamboat Willie,” and features all-new introductions from Mickey and Minnie Mouse for each short.

I was so excited when the announcement came out about the release of these very special and undeniably iconic cartoons. From black and white to full on color, the stories are charming, mischievous, sweet and funny and pure Walt Disney.

What is so amazing is that I watched these with my 7-year-old granddaughter and she laughed just as hard as I did. She asked a few questions about why Mickey looked so different in Steamboat Willie and I explained it. She just said, ‘okay’ and continued to watch. That was a bit of stunner for me. Truthfully, she has been raised on Disney films of all kinds and from all years so it made sense.

That’s Walt Disney – everything he has shared with audiences has become generational with such ease and fun. It is so easy to watch any Disney film again and again because it is everything magical for families like my own. Volume 2 is going to be so epic!

In the end – he is our one and only Mickey Mouse!

AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD, Digital and On-Demand from directors Joe Zelada, Richard Claus and Shout! Factory Kids is the tale of AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon.

Hidden deep in the jungle of the Amazon, Ainbo (Lola Raie) is a 13-year-old-girl who wants nothing more than to be the best huntress for her tribe. Zumi (Naomi Serrano) is her best friend and is about to be crowned the Queen of the Candamo civilization.

Caught in her own favorite tree trap, spirit guides Dillo the armadillo and Vaca the tapir who tell Ainbo that they are Zumi’s spirit guides. She is going to need them as the curse of Yacuruna seems to be taking over the jungle. Trying to gift them to Zumi, Dillo (Dino Andrade) and Vaca (Joe Hernandez) don’t show up and it causes the tribe to think she is lying.

Chuni (Alejandra Gollas), who takes care of the girls, causes Ainbo to run away with the nasty Atok (Rene Mujica) chasing them running into the westerner Cornell DeWitt (Thom Hoffman). In the forest, the two spirits tell her that Motelo Mama (Susana Ballesteros) the turtle can help with the quest that she is now on and talks more about Ainbo’s favorite tree. From there she finds the sloth spirit Pelejo (Rico Sola) who gives her another item on her journey to a volcano.

Coming back to the tribe, Ainbo finds that Atok and Zumi are in the company of DeWitt who promises to cure the illness of the people and land in exchange for gold. Calling upon her mother Lizeni (Yeni Alvarez), two who are against one another become one in the fight for the people of Candamo!

Raie as the voice of Ainbo gives the young girl all the emotions of a 13-year-old. She is insecure, unsure but loves her tribe and best friend Zumi. Willing to take on the journey that could save them all from destruction, she embraces all the danger with a bravery she did not know she possessed.

Serrano as the voice of Zumi may not have started out a queen but quickly let it be known she knows what to do for Ainbo and her people. Trying to understand the outlander, it becomes clear what he wants because they don’t see gold in the same way. Mujica as Atok has his own personal issues and they constantly get in the way of doing the right thing.

Andrade as Dillo and Hernandez as Vaca are wonderful companions to Ainbo on their journey. They try to help the best they can but sometimes manage to get into more chaos but it all works out for the best.

Other cast include Gerardo Prat as Conibo and Bernardo De Paula as Huarinka.

DVD Bonus Features include special Featurette About the Making of AINBOW: SPIRIT OF THE AMAZON and the Music Video.

Directors Zelada and Claus previously worked in the film THE LITTLE VAMPIRE with this film being the first animated film from the Tunche Films in Miraflores. The story itself was written by Jose Zelada. Bringing in Claus from the Amsterdam Cool Beans Studio created a collaboration between Peru and the Netherlands. The added history of AINBO is that the Zelada family lived near the Amazon Basin in the 80’s and they listened to local stories of the rain forest.

An official selection of the 2021 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and recently nominated for Best Feature, Best Sound Design and Best Original Music at the Ibero-American animation Quirino Awards in Madrid. AINBOW: Spirit of the Amazon smashed the box office in Spain and garnered international box office successes in France, Australia, New Zealand and Central America.

AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon is a colorful, exciting and wonderful film that tells a story of what is truly important to this young girl. With no concern for her own safety, she tackles every obstacle in front of her to keep moving forward to find the answer. That answer is what will save her people and repair old wounds she didn’t even know surrounded her.

The friendship between Ainbo, Dillo and Vaca are just priceless and necessary, especially when the two girls find themselves at odds over what to believe about a stranger in their midst. New alliances are made because nothing has changed for Ainbo who will do anything to stop the chaos and the destruction headed towards her village.

In the end – it is a wild jungle adventure!

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary is the Beloved E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Steven Spielberg, Amblin Pictures and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the return of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.

Elliott (Henry Thomas) is a young boy living with his mother Mary (Dee Wallace), brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore) the suburb of the San Fernando Valley. It is a boy’s night as cards, music and pizza are taking over the house. Elliott thinks he sees something in the backyard and goes to investigate throwing a baseball toward a shed and is stunned when it comes back.

Running back into the house shrieking, he tries to tell everyone there is something out there. Finding nothing, everyone goes back to having fun but Elliott decides to set a candy-trap for whatever is out there. It works and he leads the creature into his large bedroom closet.

The next day he tells Mom he is sick and she trusts him to stay home in bed. The real plan is for Elliott to spend time with his backyard find. He spends the day showing the creature around introducing him to object and food. There is also a strange connection happening between the two.

When his siblings return home, Elliott introduces E.T. announcing that he’s keeping him. They all discuss what the plan is while E.T. shows what he can do reviving flowers and fixing a wound on his new friend Elliott. When he returns to school the next day, E.T. is at home gathering objects to make a strange contraption while Elliott is having a strange reaction at school.

Now called E.T., Elliott is told that his small friend wants to ‘phone home’ and it is clear that his health is failing. The boy enlists the help of Michael to find a way to get E.T. out so he can make contact with others of his own kind. What they don’t know is that there is someone else looking for the little alien as well.

Halloween provides the cover they need dressing up and taking E. T. out of the house. But the next morning, Elliott and E.T. are very sick. Keys (Peter Coyote) finds Elliott and E.T. as a crew takes over their house. Elliott turns to Michael and his friends Greg (K.C. Martel), Steve (Sean Frye) and Tyler (C. Thomas Howell) to get the connected pair away.

What they see changes them all forever!

Thomas as Elliott has solidified himself as the young man who brought us the meaning of true friendship. This young boy did not see a dangerous creature but instead, a friend beyond the stars. He is a part of our collective childhoods and it has become generational. Though this actor has played man roles throughout his career, he will always be the most beloved as the boy who flew with E.T.

Barrymore as sister Gertie is sassy and certainly can not be bullied by her brother or anyone else for that matter. She embraces E.T. and shows him kindness from the moment she meets until the moment they part. MacNaughton as brother Michael follows along with his little brother’s friendship and plan to help get him home. I always thought this character showed such courage protecting everyone as the man of the family.

Coyote as Keys is a man who is determined to find E.T. At first his plan seems nefarious, but meeting Elliot, he explains what his true intentions are. I have always enjoyed Coyote as an actor and this is one of his most memorable roles. Wallace as mom Mary is just trying to keep her family safe. Going through her own problems with an ex-husband who prefers his own life to that of his children, she also sees what Elliot is going through and does her best to protect him.

The Bluray includes over four hours of Bonus Feature including 40 Years of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, TCM Classic Film Festival: An Evening with Steven Spielberg, Deleted Scenes, Steven Spielberg & E.T., The E.T. Journals, A Look Back, The Evolution and Creation of E.T., The E.T. Reunion, The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams and more!

It has been 40 years since E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial landed in theatres to delight and thrill audiences with his humanity, love and friendship. Matching him with Elliott only made the film even more endearing. Watching their relationship become one and the same, we saw, as Neil Diamond sang, their heart-light.

I saw E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial when I was younger, introduced my own children to the film when they were kids and now, they are doing the very same to theirs. It has been such a wonderful experience watching the film with them because it is timeless.

Spielberg brought us all something wonderful, memorable and movie lines that are still used today. The character is recognizable and still, to this day, children wear E.T. costumes on Halloween. That is the magic of E.T. who shows us all the things we hope we truly are in our hearts, on this planet or any other.

In the end – E.T. phone home!

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MAGIC FLUTE

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to On Demand and Digital in time to start the holiday season from director Victor Glukhushin and Lionsgate is THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MAGIC FLUTE.

Marie is a young girl who has just learned that a debt her father is owed has come due. Now, she and her mother might lose everything. Something strange happens when Marie sings a song and discovers that her room is about to change her. Shrinking to a small size, she is attacked by a large rate and rescued one of her very own toys – the Nutcracker named George!

From Curly the sheep, to her country of girlfriends to the Wizard, she learns that the magic spell will be lifted for her to change back. But George wants to go after the rat because the spell won’t be broken if he is not back in the room where it originated. So off they all go to find George.

They all arrive in the Land of Flowers only to be chased by soldiers and Queen Charlotte that is when George begins to remembers his life. His step-mother and step-brother Philip cast a spell turning him into the Nutcracker and tossed aside. The problem is that Marie needs him back in her room but learn that George is actually Prince George.

An agreement is made that Marie and her friends will help George and in return he goes back to help break the spell. Going back to the castle is the first step to stop the Queen from keeping the King in a trance that has him seeing rats. She wants one thing from him, the location of a magic flute!

George discovers from his ghostly family that a flute can help him with the rats in the castle. When they run into trouble, George’s friend Margaret wants to help them rescue his father. At Phillips party, Marie creates a distraction so that George can find his father or the flute.

Finding his father, they also discover even more magic and wonderment that can help them. The search brings them all to the throne room as Queen Charlotte decides to take matters into her own hands. That is until help comes from the most unlikely of places as morning comes and the reality of it all comes home for Marie.

It is true magic that breaks the spell!

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

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MAGIC FLUTE is a beautifully animated story of friendship, life and magic. All of the things we find wonderful this time of year. This is a lovely way to introduce kids to the Nutcracker adventure. The music is wonderful and adds such richness to it all.

Marie is a young girl who just wants to help her mother find an answer to their current predicament. Never in her wildest dreams did she think an adventure was going to push her in a direction of another land! Prince George is in a fight of his own for the father he loves dearly. He is skilled and knows exactly what needs to be done – but will he be able to take on Queen Charlotte?

Queen Charlotte is a hand full and determined to get what she thinks is rightfully hers.

Each character has his/her part to play and even the ostrich Red Beak, who would rather put his head in a thimble to avoid problems, discovers he can be strong when it is needed. Curly is a character that provides really silly but good one-liners and keeps everyone on track.

It is a story of love, friendship, loyalty and devotion to those they love. All of those qualities are so wonderful and the characters have us cheering for them every step of the way. This film had my granddaughter captivated from start to finish. She was fascinated with each one and wanted to know if there were stuff animals available for each one of them.

Spend some time together with the family experiencing the story that has captivated us all for generations!

In the end – their adventure is filled with magic!

Celebrate the Return of FERNGULLY

Jeri Jacquin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disney Brings a STRANGE WORLD

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Disney+ and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD on February 14th from directors Don Hall, Qui Nguyen and Walt Disney Animated Studios comes a journey through a STRANGE WORLD.

Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid) and son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) are wilderness adventurers who want to get past a mountain that seems to elude them. On the way, Searcher makes his own discovery of a plant that is full of energy. When his father Jaeger wants to continue up the mountain, Searcher knows this is something important and he calls it Pando.

Upset at his son’s choice, Jaeger goes off on his own and is missing for twenty-five years. In that time, Searcher has a wife Meridian (Gabrielle Union) and son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White) on their Pando farm. This gives energy to the town of Avalonia. Things are going well until one day Callisto Mal (Lucy Liu) arrives to let Searcher know that Pando is mysteriously losing its ability to produce power.

Gathering up an expedition of his own, Searcher discovers that Meridian, Ethan and their dog Legend has joined in the mission. Instead, they are attacked by creatures and end up in a world beneath their own but creatures aren’t the only thing lurking about. Searcher discovers his father Jaeger has been living in the strange world.

While grandfather gets to know grandson and father to son, the journey continues and what they discover at the end of the road is something that they could never have ever possibly imagined.

Gyllenhaal voices Searcher, part of a father-son adventurer team who discovers something else of importance that leads to a split with his father. Raising his own family, he starts to feel his son pull away and it is distressing. Gyllenhaal gives much feeling to Searcher and when son meets grandfather, well, things get even more interesting.

Quaid as Jaeger fears nothing and when the family meets once again, he thinks it is a chance for more family adventures. Yet, there are issues that have to be resolved between father and son – even though there seems to be an instant connection between grandfather and grandson. It seems like Quaid has a good time voicing this character.

Young-White as Ethan fits well into the clan being a bit of an adventurer in his own right. Once the adventure begins, he has a chance to have his say in regards to their world and do everything possible to correct the imbalance. Union as Meridian is no stay-at-home Mom but an adventurer in her own right. She is also very strict and certainly takes a no-nonsense approach to it all. She will remind Moms everywhere that adventure is for everyone.

Liu as Callisto wants to find out what is happening in their world and is not going to let anything get in her way. She is a bit headstrong in a group of very head strong people but when the need arises, her skills are everything they need to get the job done.

Other cast include Francesca Reale as Azimuth, Karan Soni as Caspian, Abraham Benrubi as Lonnie Redshirt, Jonathan Melo as Diazo, Nik Dodani as Kardez, Alan Tudyk as Duffle, and Adelina Anthony as Captain Pulk.

Disney+ is the subscription home streaming entertainment with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. There are exclusive originals with new feature films, shows, short form content, documentaries, and actions series such as THE MANDALORIAN. For more information, please visit www.disneyplus.com.

Bonus Features include Anatomy of a Scene: Creating a Strange World, Strange Science, Creature Feature, The Hidden Secrets of STRANGE WORLD, Outtakes and Deleted Scenes.

STRANGE WORLD takes on the issues of farming, energy sustainability, creatures great and small, family, love, adventure and forgiveness, acceptance and working together to make their world a better place. That is something I would expect from Disney in each of those forms melding into a story. The creatures are, as I would expect, very creative, funny, colorful and all things Disney.

It is an enjoyable film and one that will lead to family conversations with the content of family, love and creating clean energy. Their world is stunning, of course, but also full of life lessons that are not far from our own and that is everything.

In the end – journey to a place where nothing is as it appears!