Danny Collins (2015) & Ricki And The Flash (2015)

Danny Collins (2015)

C. – 106m
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 - Widescreen
A.K.A.: Imagine, Idol
Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Plummer, Katarina Cas, Melissa Benoist, Josh Peck and Scott Lawrence.

An aged Rocker’s manager finds a letter to his client from John Lennon and shares it with his client. The rocker then decides to reconnect with his family. Inspired by a true story, this film is not exactly a feel good film but it has an interesting story. What it lacks in subplot plot points it makes up for with heart and good performances. This film should be on a double bill with the very similar film Ricki And The Flash (2015).

Trivia: Al Pacino agreed to do the movie but only if Bobby Cannavale played his son in the film. Originally Sir Michael Caine was cast in the role of the manager but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. And in a deleted scene Gene Simmons taught a group of background actors how to sing backup vocals.

Rated: [R] – Language, Drug Use & Some Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ricki And The Flash (2015)

C. – 101m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ricki & The Flash
Dir.: Jonathan Demme. Writer: Diablo Cody
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Rick Springfield, Ben Platt and Diablo Cody.

An aged rocker who is in a complicated relationship moves in with her ex-husband temporarily to help her daughter get back on her feet during her divorce after finding her just married husband cheating on her. While the premise sounds depressing, the film is actually intelligent, funny and moving. The material brings Diablo Cody back into the swing of things after her 2013 clunker, Paradise (2013). Everyone is in top form form here! Would be good on a double bill with the similar Danny Collins (2015).

Trivia: Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer are mother and daughter in real life too. This was Jonathan Demme’s final film before his death in 2017.

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Material, Brief Drug Content, Sexuality & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

Beauty and The Beast (1991 & 2017) Film Review by Nate Taves

Movie Artwork for Beauty and The Beast (1991)

Beauty And The Beast (1991)

C. – 84m. (Original Theatrical Cut) / 91m. (Special Edition)
Aspect Ratio: 2.70:1 – Widescreen – IMAX Special Edition Release
1.85:1 – Widescreen – Intended
1.78:1 – Widescreen – Blu–ray 3D & 2D
1.66:1 – Widescreen – Original Negative
1.50:1 – Widescreen – IMAX Release – Animated
A.K.A.: Beauty And The Beast: Special Edition and Beauty And The Beast: 3D

Starring: Robby Benson, Jesse Corti, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, Bradley Pierce, David Ogden Stiers, Brian Cummings and Frank Welker.

A beautiful young woman named Belle takes her father’s place as captive to a Prince who is under a spell that rendered him a beast. “A tale as old as time,” gets an animated facelift from the Disney Studio and it pays off wonderfully. The visuals are dazzling, particularly in 3D and the music will make one’s heart swell with emotion. A must watch children’s classic! Academy Award Winner: Best Original Score & Best Original Song: “Beauty And The Beast”.

Trivia: It took the Disney studio three tries before they were able to make a go of making this film. Many scenes were storyboarded but were not animated. Angela Lansbury, Mrs. Potts, thought another character should sing ”Beauty And The Best” but made a recording of the song ,“just in case,” as viewers know, the recording made it into the film. Julie Andrews was originally considered for the role of Mrs. Potts before it was offered to Angela Lansbury. The last part of the Cogsworth’s line, “Flowers, Chocolates, and promises you don’t intend to keep…” was adlibbed by David Ogden Stiers. And finally: Jackie Chan did the singing and voice work for Beast in the Chinese Mandarin dub of the film.

Rated: [G]

Out Of Print on VHS, but Available on 3D / 2D Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

Beauty and The Beast (2017) Movie Poster

Beauty and The Beast (2017)

C. – 129m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Standard Release) / 1.90:1 – Widescreen (IMAX); 3D & 2D. – Live Action

Screenplay By: Stephen Chbosky.

Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evens, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Sir Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci.

Beauty, Belle (Emma Watson) takes her father’s (Kevin Kline) place as the prisoner of the Beast (Dan Stevens). Can true love form between the captor and his prisoner so the spell will be broken? If you have seen any other version of this story, particularly the original Disney animated film version, you know it can and does form. Like the aforementioned animated classic this is an equal in terms of hitting all the right notes. Unfortunately the songs being padded does drag the film down a notch from the animated classic’s rating. It is however still worth a watch and should please adults and children alike.

Trivia: Sir Ian McKellen was originally offered the part of Cogsworth in the original Disney Beauty And The Beast (1991), but turned it down. Ryan Gosling was offered the role of Beast but turned it down to be in La La Land (2016) with Emma Stone, who won an Academy Award for Best Actress for it. Emma Watson became friends with screenwriter Stephen Chbosky while making The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012) and brought him on to work the script after Guillermo Del Toro exited the project as writer and director. And finally: Emma Watson said she was bored during the filming of the, “Be Our Guest,” scene. According to her, the crew would tell her jokes to keep her entertained and elicit genuine giggles that could be used as reactions in the film.

Rated: [PG] – Some Action Violence, Peril & Frightening Images.

Released theatrically in 3D & 2D. Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy (in 2D only).