Midnight Special (Blu-ray + Digital HD Ultraviolet) June 21st

• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: 
   PG-13 
   Parents Strongly Cautioned
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: June 21, 2016
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• 
  
• Synopsis:
• Writer/director Jeff Nichols proves again that he is one of the most compelling storytellers of our time with the sci-fi thriller “Midnight Special.” A provocative, genre-defying film as supernatural as it is intimately human, “Midnight Special” follows a father, Roy (Michael Shannon), who goes on the run to protect his young son, Alton (Jaeden Lieberher), a boy with mysterious powers that even Roy himself cannot comprehend.  
• 
  
• What starts as a race from religious extremists and local law enforcement quickly escalates to a nationwide manhunt involving the highest levels of the Federal Government. Risking everything, Roy is committed to helping Alton reach his ultimate purpose, whatever that might be and whatever it costs, in a story that takes audiences on a perilous journey from Texas to the Florida coast, while exploring the bonds of love and trust, and the nature of faith.

My interview with Writer Director Jeff Nichols

• 
  

“Midnight Special” Blu-ray contains the following special features:

• Origins: Roy
• Origins: Sarah
• Origins: Lucas
• Origins: Sevier
• Origins: Alton
• The Unseen World

“Midnight Special” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

• Origins: Roy
• Origins: Sarah
• Origins: Lucas
• Origins: Sevier
• Origins: Alton
• The Unseen World

Puerto Ricans in Paris - Review / Interview

R | 1h 22min | Comedy | 10 June 2016 (USA)

*Now in theaters*

Synopsis: Two Puerto Rican NYPD detectives head to Paris to track down a stolen handbag.

At first glimpse this may seem like a redundant buddy comedy but at the core it is a funny, well written, and unique film that does its best to avoid cliches. The film stars Luis Guzmán and Edgar Garcia as two detectives sent to Paris to help solve a caper.

I spoke to Luis about the film and asked him about his involvement. As producer Luis approached writer/ director Ian Edelman about creating a solid comedy that could relate to everyone. We - Guzman and Garcia - had worked before on HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA and the chemistry was already there. We added some great on location shoots and the finished project all came together nicely.The addition of co-stars Rosario Dawson and Rosie Perez only enhance the onscreen draw.

The dialogue is very quick and the banter between the two cops if fast but also grounded in reality. They are partners but also Brother-in-Laws.  This dynamic adds a personal element to the conversations. This too was important to Luis who said they would often stop in the middle of shooting and rethink certain lines. If it was something that any of them had heard often in other films they would take it out. Never wanting to rehash old jokes or comments.

When I told Guzman that I never felt like I was watching a Puerto Rican film he was elated. He feels proud that this film is for everyone. It has a title that can be misleading but it is meant to be about two guys that are relatable with characters that are simply funny. 

You enjoy them together so much that I asked if a sequel or TV series was a possibility. Luis gave his signature laugh and would only say that anything is possible. But he did have a lot of fun making the film and would not hesitate to revisit the characters. 

Puerto Ricans in Paris is rated R for language including some sexual references. It is an adult comedy but one that is neither crude nor offensive. I give it 3.5 out of 5 macaroons'. A tasty treat for your comedic palette.

The Conjuring 2 - Review

R | 2h 14min | Horror
Review - Matt Mungle

*In theaters June 10th*

Listen to my interview with the dynamic writing duo of brothers Chad and Carey Hayes as we talk about The Conjuring 2.
Synopsis: Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

Review: When The Conjuring released in 2013 it received high praise from genre fans and critics alike. The pressure was on with this one to avoid the sophomore jinx and deliver a follow up with even more scares and white knuckle moments. Mission accomplished. 

The Warren's have many case files and have seen it all. But according to Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) this one is the most disturbing. It was the case that many called the London Amityville due to the Amityville horror a few years earlier. Was this one real or a clever attempt for attention? The Warren's front critics as well as demons to get to the truth and help a troubled family. What makes this case even more dire is the fact that Ed's (Patrick Wilson) life might also be in jeopardy. 

The screenplay is again written by the Hayes brothers who also felt the stress of delivering a solid story. They spent time researching not only the original case but going to lengths to make sure that the ominous tones were prominent and thick. Yes there are several jump and shiver moments but they are grounded in an engaging and riveting plot. 

Director James Wan takes all of these elements and uses them to scare the pants off us. The framing and subtle pans increase the terror and make each scene frighteningly engulfing. There is an art to making these films and often filmmakers take the easy routes of cliche shots and predictable grabs. Wan and his team obviously take the craft seriously and here deliver a top notch production. 

The Hayes brothers say that this one is a scarier film and it is hard to argue. Granted it is a tad long (over two hours) and at times it seems a bit drawn out. One too many conversations might make many nod off but they are few and you are quickly thrown back into the horror. 

THE CONJURING 2 is rated R for terror and horror violence. This is not a film for youngsters or those with a skittish nature. The evil is prevalent and malicious. Fans of the genre and the first endeavor will find much about this one to applaud as well. I give it 4 out of 5 habits. Make sure you have a good book ready afterwards because you will certainly be up at night. 

The Brothers Grimsby [Blu-ray]

• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: 
   R 
   Restricted
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Enter
• DVD Release Date: June 21, 2016
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• 
  
• Synopsis: 
• Nobby (Sacha Baron Cohen), a sweet but dimwitted English football hooligan, has everything a man from the poor fishing town of Grimsby could want, including nine children and the most attractive girlfriend in Northern England (Rebel Wilson). There’s only one thing missing: his little brother, Sebastian (Mark Strong), who Nobby has spent 28 years searching for after they were separated as kids. Nobby sets off to reunite with Sebastian, unaware that not only is his brother MI6’s deadliest assassin, but he’s just uncovered plans for an imminent global terrorist attack. On the run and wrongfully accused, Sebastian realizes that if he is going to save the world, he will need the help of its biggest idiot.
•  
• Directed by Louis Leterrier from a story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Phil Johnson and a screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Phil Johnson & Peter Baynham, THE BROTHERS GRIMSBY is produced by Sacha Baron Cohen, Nira Park, Peter Baynham, Ant Hines and Todd Schulman, with Louise Rosner Meyer, Phil Johnston, James Biddle, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Adam McKay, Bruce Berman, Greg Basser and Ben Waisbren serving as executive producers.  
• 
  
• Blu-ray & Digital Extras Include:
  §  Two Featurettes:
  o    “The Making of The Brothers Grimsby”
  o   “The Elephant in the Room”
  §  Line-O-Rama: Hilarious Outtakes
  §  Blooper Reel
  §  Deleted & Extended Scenes
  
  
  DVD Extras Include:
  §  “The Making of The Brothers Grimsby” Featurette
  §  Line-O-Rama: Hilarious Outtakes

Review- Matt Mungle - 

Me Before You - Review

PG-13 | 1h 50min | Drama, Romance
Review - Kimberly Mungle

*In theaters June 3rd*

Synopsis: A girl in a small town forms an unlikely bond with a recently-paralyzed man she's taking care of.

Review: When I read Me Before You it broke my heart in half…it made me angry…it made me sad…and honestly a little depressed when I finished the last page.  I strongly believe that if a book can take you on an emotional journey like that, it’s a great story.  When I heard a film adaptation was in the works, I wasn’t sure how successful it would be.  I mean, we all know, it’s nearly impossible to get all the important elements of a novel squished into 90-120 minutes of screen time.

Me Before You is the story of Louisa Clark (portrayed by Emilia Clarke), a girl who believes she is quite ordinary.  She has ordinary jobs, and an ordinary family, and an ordinary boyfriend.  When she is let go from yet another employer, she reluctantly takes a position as a “carer” for a quadriplegic man.   She is desperate to make the job work so that she can help her family make ends meet at home. 

Will Traynor (portrayed by Sam Claflin) is anything but ordinary.  He has traveled the world over - hiked the highest mountains, skied the lowest valleys, and swam the clearest oceans.  He’s had beautiful girlfriends, loads of friends, and a highly successful career in acquisitions.  And then he is injured in an accident and becomes paralyzed - confined to a wheelchair with very little movement in his arms and legs.  He has no choice but to depend on others for the most basic of care.  And of course, his mother has now hired a quirky overly-positive girl to serve as his companion.

As Louisa and Will’s relationship develops, Louisa attempts to show Will that his life can still be great.  And while Will is convinced his life will never be as good as it was, he attempts to show Louisa that she is the one who still has the potential to have anything but an ordinary life.  Me Before You is a beautiful and unique love story that will reiterate the importance of living the best life you are given.

This film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some suggestive material.  If you are curious about the novel/film comparison I would say it follows fairly closely.  Some details (quite a bit of Will’s medical/physical issues) are left out and some story-lines are modified slightly to make the film work.  The overall feeling of story is the same.  I would definitely say if you enjoyed the book or this genre in general, see it!  I took my 16 year old daughter (who had not read the book) and we both enjoyed it immensely although we did go through quite a few tissues.