He is OPPENHEIMER

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital from writer/director Christopher Nolan and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the intense story of our time about a man named OPPENHEIMER.

J. Robert Oppenheimer is a young man in 1926 studying theoretical physics in Germany after transferring from Cambridge. Earning a PhD. he continues to study in Switzerland and takes to quantum physics back in the United States. Marrying biologist Kitty (Emily Blunt) and starting a family, he begins teaching at the University of California at Berkeley.

Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) learns in 1928 that nuclear fission has been discovered and he knows that it can be used as a weapon. A few years later he is approached by Army General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon) and asked to lead the creation of the atomic bomb also called the Manhattan Project. The war with Germany is making the project a priority and Oppenheimer is dealing with an affair with Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh).

Groves says he knows of Oppenheimer’s past but it doesn’t negate the need for the project. So, the team comes together with Isidor Isaac Rabi (David Krumholtz), Edward Teller (Benny Safdie), Enrico Fermi (Danny Deferrari), Leo Szilard (Mate Haumann) and David Hill (Rami Malek) moving them all to Los Alamos, New Mexico. Oppenheimer even consults with Albert Einstein (Tom Conti) but when Hitler’s reign is destroyed, the question of needing the bomb becomes paramount.

President Truman learns that the Trinity test worked and now his eyes are on Japan. What happens after is the U.S. government comes for Oppenheimer starts with AEC Chairman Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey, Jr.) opening up his life book but has personal goals as well. There are hearings and truths that come out and all in an attempt to use Oppenheimer as a scapegoat.

Murphy as Oppenheimer is stunning in this role. From the moment he is on the screen, his character is surrounded by louder voices yet my eyes are focused on Murphy. This is a look at a man who is made to look like a villain and a mad scientist who had no thought about what his creation could do. Instead, Nolan gives us a look at everything and everyone surrounding his life only to discover that the path is not as diabolical as history tried to portray. Murphy is flat out brilliant and that doesn’t seem enough praise for this work.

Blunt as Kitty is woman/wife/mother who had struggles of her own. Seeing her life with Oppenheimer going in one direction, she learns that it had the potential to take away who she was. Knowing her husbands work is important, Blunt’s portrayal of Kitty is of a woman who turned a blind eye to just about everything around her.

Downey, Jr. as Strauss is a man on a mission and it has nothing to do with the United States, it is his own selfish and personal goals. He spends his time trying to convince everyone around him of what is good and evil and when it boils down to it, evil lives close to home. To be clear, I love almost everything Downey, Jr. has ever done on screen and as his career has grown (and past Iron Man – don’t get me started on that or I’ll cry), the role of Strauss was brilliantly cast and Downey, Jr. makes it his very own.

Pugh at Tatlock is a woman who has her own issues and can not seem to let go of Oppenheimer. Pugh gives her character a combination of allure, insecurity and intelligence with more questions about her life than the movie has time to answer.

Other cast include Ronald Auguste as J. Ernest Wilkins Jr., Christopher Denham as Klaus Fuchs, Devon Bostick as Seth Neddermeyer, Trond Fausa as George Kistiakowsky, James Urbaniak as Kurt Godel, Gustaf Skarsgard as Hans Bethe, Josh Peck as Kenneth Bainbridge, Tom Jenkins as Richard C. Tolman, David Rysdahl as Donald Hornig, Jack Quaid as Richard Feynman, Olli Haaskivi as Edward Condon, Louise Lombard as Ruth Tolman, Emma Dumont as Jackie Oppenheimer, Guy Burnet as George Eltenton, Michael Angarano as Robert Seber, Rory Keane as Hartland Snyder, and Alex Wolff as Luis Alvarez.

Also, Josh Zuckerman as Giovanni Lomanitz, Gregory Jbara as Sen. Magnuson, Tim DeKay as Sen. Pastore, Harry Groener as Sen. McGee, John Gowans as Ward Evans, Macon Blair as Lloyd Garrison, Scott Grimes as Counsel Strauss, Jefferson Hall as Haakon Chevalier, Tony Goldwyn as Gordon Gray, Dane DeHaan as Kenneth Nichols, James D’Arcy as Patrick Blackett, Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer, Casey Affleck as Boris Pash, Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence, Jason Clarke as Roger Robb, Casey Affleck as Boris Pash, Matthew Modine as Vannevar Bush and Kenneth Branagh as Niels Bohr.

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 http://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 http://www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Special Features include The Story of Our Time: The Making of OPPENHEIMER, Meet the Press Q&A Panel: OPPENHEIMER, To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb and more!

The cast is so large that it would be impossible to speak on all the performances but know that they are absolutely stellar. I do want to shout out to Conti as Einstein and although he isn’t on the screen much, the moments are important. Also, Branagh as Bohr and again, it is not a huge role but he puts his stamp on the beginning and the end.

Although most viewers may not grasp quantum physics or hydrogen bomb theory etc. (honestly, I can barely do algebra), it is fascinating to see it come to life. It is an actual character to be watched in the film, it is a character that takes up the screen both verbally and physically with only one purpose – to scare the living daylights out of us all.

OPPENHEIMER is one of the best movies of the year and it is intense, jaw dropping, thought-provoking and worthy of conversations. The cinematography is equally all of those things but I would expect nothing less from Nolan. Writing and directing this film means he was totally invested in the outcome and that, my friends, is unique and filled with originality. I can say it’s going to be difficult for Nolan to beat this, but I have a feeling he will.

In the end – the world forever changes!

He is Dealing in RETRIBUTION

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Nimrod Antal, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate comes one man’s fight for his family when facing RETRIBUTION.

Matt Turner (Liam Neeson) is a busy business man who has been spending more time on his phone than with his family. One morning, wife Heather (Embeth Davidtz) insists that Matt take kids Emily (Lilly Aspell) and Zach (Will Champion) to school. It is chaos to get in the car, especially when son Zach is having parental issues.

Once on the move, Matt tries to calm down a jittery client who wants to back out of a deal and let’s partner Anders (Matthew Modine) know all is well. In the meantime, a cell phone is going off in the car and no one seems to know whose it is. That’s when Matt discovers there is a bomb in his car and he is not allowed to get out without it exploding.

Being led around the city by a voice he doesn’t recognize, the kids are getting nervous about what is happening. Trying to get answers, two things are clear – the caller wants a lot of money and is not going to let Matt or the kids out of the car until he gets what he wants. In the meantime, the police are now on the alert but they don’t have the whole story.

Then again, neither does Matt.

Neeson as Matt is back to doing what he does best, one a mission to protect the ones he cares about. This time he is doing it from behind the wheel trying to solve who is responsible and why he and his family are chosen to be put in danger. Trying to explain himself seems to fall on deaf ears so Neeson takes care of it all by himself.

Aspell as Emily in sitting in the backseat learning what is happening and trying to remain calm. That’s pretty stellar for a young actress in the middle of chaos and explosions. Champion as Zach played his part but, once again, a smart mouthed teenager and that I can’t get behind. I get that his character is feeling misunderstood but I’d rather throw Zach out of the moving car and take my chances than listen to his garbage.

Modine as Anders is in business with Matt and they are working hard to make is a success. He also becomes caught up in whatever the mysterious caller is up too. Nice to see Mariner Modine on screen again even if in brief moments.

Other cast include Arian Moayed as Sylvain, Emily Kusche as Mila, Luca Markus as Kat, Bernahrd Pieck as Captain Dregger, Pils Groger as Luc Etienne and Noma Dumezweni as Angela Brickman.

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.

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

RETRIBUTION is an action ride of mystery until the very end. Neeson takes us on the slow ride through each stop bringing the clues closer and closer as the character of Matt is puzzled about why its all happening. With his kids in the car, it brings another level of intensity because, lets be honest, when it comes to our kids, we probably would make the same choices as Matt Turner.

Even though the situation is based on being in a car and only a cell phone call for dialogue, it is the tension and watching the character Matt Turner try to get one step ahead. It’s hard to think what to do next when stuff if exploding all around and the cops are chasing.

Those who are thrilled with Neeson films are not going to be disappointed. He has made himself into a late career action hero and most of us are on board with it. Director Antal has clearly made himself seen and heard in Hollywood being a part of one of my favorites from Apple TV+ series Servant and two episodes from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. He has also been a part of the films VACANCY, ARMORED and PREDATORS.

So, stay in your seat at all times because standing up could get you killed.

In the end – just don’t stop!

BACKTRACE

 

Jeri Jacquin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the end – some crimes never let you go!

47 METERS DOWN Brings Teeth with Little Bite

 

Jeri Jacquin

In theatres this Friday from writer/director Johannes Roberts and Dimension Films comes blood in the water when you are 47 METERS DOWN.

Lisa (Mandy Moore) is dealing with a broken heart while on a trip to Mexico bring along sister Kate (Claire Holt). Deciding that Lisa needs more excitement in her life, Kate shows her sister the fun side of a night out. Meeting Louis (Yani Gellman) and Benjamin (Santiago Segura), the two men talk the girls into shark diving.

Knowing Captain Taylor (Matthew Modine) and for one hundred bucks the girls have the opportunity to go in a case surrounded by sharks. Lisa isn’t sure about doing any of this but is swayed by Kate to do something exciting in her life.

Taking an outboard to a larger ship, the girls watch as Javier (Chris Johnson) chums the water and Louis and Benjamin get into the cage lowered into the water. Lisa and Kate watch in excited nervousness as 20 foot sharks swim around the boat.

When it’s the girls turn, Lisa still isn’t convinced and once again has to be convinced by Kate. Once in the water however, Lisa loosens up to see the beauty becoming excited by it all. It is all fun and games until a cable comes loose and the girls are sent screaming 47 meters down.

Immediately they realize that they will soon be out of air, Kate knows that the weak signal in their headsets means she has to get out of the cage. Reaching Taylor at the boat, he tells them help is on the way and to stay in the cage.

The sharks have other ideas as the girls deal with air, depth of water, potential bends, and fear of what is swimming in the deep.

Moore as Lisa is a young woman who is dealing with the breakup of a man she thought was her life. Swayed into letting her hear down a bit, she goes one step to far into the waters. Holt as Kate is the fun loving sister and Lisa makes a point of saying so. Both of their performances brought the audience into a blood frenzy of their own (which I will explain later).

Modine as Taylor has a small role as the rusty boat captain and it was because of him that I chose to see the film. Call it supporting a fellow one-time IB’er as my motivation to see his performance. Hey, no matter how big or small, bad or good, there is something to be said for small town supporters! Gellman, Segura and Johnson are the supporting shark-bait potentials.

I’m not going to put a rating on 47 METERS DOWN because there is a duality here that I need to write about. First of all, this is the best-worst-best shark film I’ve seen in a long time. The dialogue is horrible and the story line totally unbelievable. From the moment the cage goes down it’s an epic underwater sh*tshow. Everything is wrong with it and sitting in the theatre I have to say biting my tongue became impossible. Come to find out I wasn’t the only one having that problem.

Here is where it gets good-bad; the audience began to participate in the film verbally! There were hollers from the upper seats, popcorn being thrown at the screen coming from every direction, really loud head smacking, serious belly laughs, loud groans of frustration and the phrase, “oh hell no!” every 2 minutes.

There is one scene where Kate picks up an underwater flashlight and turns it on to which my friend Vince sitting next to me says out loud, ‘Turn the light off! Jeeeez!’ and sent the crowd cheering. During another scene I became so frustrated with the character Lisa I said, not as loudly, ‘you deserve to get eaten!’ and the lady behind me spit her soda laughing.

So, what happened is that 47 METERS DOWN turned into an audience participation film that was absolutely fantastic! We all became film-friends with total strangers and said out loud what each was thinking which brought even more cheers and fun to the event. I couldn’t believe what was happening around me since the last time I experienced something similar was in 1975 with THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.

Look, 47 METERS DOWN, like all shark films have a difficult goal because of the 1975 film JAWS. That film is epic and although challengers to the throne come and go, it has yet to be de-toothed as the king of shark films. This film doesn’t have a hope in hades of being anything more than an under water court jester.

Now, for the cool news – there is about 10 minutes of the film that are frakken awesome. So much so that people were jumping in their seats, screaming out, hollering and yelling in such a way that you couldn’t even hear the film sound. Nicely done underwater work with sharks that I never want to see again – okay I’m going to see it again. Once again audience participation took over. Nope, that’s all you get from me on that!

Walking out of the theatre it was agreed by mostly everyone leaving that the film was an audience event that made the poor story weirdly forgivable. People were laughing and yet talking about the film in a way that is normally reserved for, dare I say, a good film. That is the duality of this film that will continue to be talked about as I see 47 METERS DOWN becoming a cult classic and fodder for the Mystery Science Theater 3000 guys (and please invite me to be part of that when you do guys!)

Mandy – congratulations on This is Us and I can’t wait for season two! Claire – I’ve always loved you in The Originals and glad to see you back! Matt – what can I say dude, IB’ers in this town are kinda diggin’ you no matter what so kudos!

In the end – no help above and no