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‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Blu-ray Giveaway!
I’m very excited to announce that I have Five (5) Blu-rays of Sonic The Hedgehog up for grabs. The discs, all of which are sealed, also come with the Digital Code and the DVD! Entry details are below!
‘Mortal Kombat II’ Marks July 28 For 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD Release
Mortal Kombat II, headlined by Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, lands on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on July 28. Directed by by Mortal Kombat filmmaker Simon McQuoid, the feature will be available on digital come June 9th. Making over $125 million worldwide, Mortal Kombat II has a plethora of special features for its physical media release.
Read more: ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Marks July 28 For 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD Release
The narrative centers on Johnny Cage’s (Karl Urban) attempts to take down the evil rule of Shao Kahn. “Johnny Cage, when we first meet him, is a very dispirited character,” said Urban. “His career is in the tank (and) he’s a former martial arts movie star who’s fallen on hard times. And he’s not in a great way at the beginning of our story. Then by a set of circumstances he encounters Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) and Raiden (Tadanobu Asano). (They) inform him that he has been drafted into the role of defender of Earth in the Mortal Kombat championship.” Urban added that a part of the story deals with Cage finding his “inner power.”
Special features on the 4K UHD and Blu-ray versions include five featurettes: “Mortal Kombat II: Evolving the Saga,” “Building the Realms of Mortal Kombat,” “Mortal Kombat II: Choose Your Fighter,” “A ‘Boon’ To Gambers Everywhere,” and “Klose Quarters Kombat.” Cast and members along with Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon talk about the movie in the featurettes.
Rounding out the ensemble are Adeline Rudolph, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Scorpion.
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Running at 116 minutes, the film was penned by Moon Knight mini-series creator Jeremy Slater. Cinematographer Stephen F. Windon, who previously shot The Electric State and Fast X, lensed Mortal Kombat II.
Cinephiles can purchase the film next week through such digital platforms as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Will you be purchasing Mortal Kombat II on digital (June 9th) and/or on physical media (July 28). Share your thoughts on the movie in the comments!
We review Tuner, Speed Demon, and The Currents on our weekly podcast CinemAddicts:
‘The Currents’ Movie Review: “Esoteric” And “Enigmatic” Mystery Captivates
The Currents, written and directed by Milagros Mumentaler, centers on an Argentinean designer named Lina (Isabel Aimé González-Sola) who makes a stunning life decision. After she jumps off a bridge into a river, she returns to Buenos Aires transformed by the incident. Now riddled with fear over water, Lina confronts her existence and relation to others from a different and unexpected vantage point. Check out CinemAddicts co-host Bruce Purkey’s full review below!
Read more: ‘The Currents’ Movie Review: “Esoteric” And “Enigmatic” Mystery Captivates
Although Bruce Purkey ultimately recommends The Currents and adds that there are several “amazing” sequences, the movie isn’t for everyone. “I think a lot of people are going to be very frustrated by this movie,” said Purkey. “If you like real meat and potatoes movies or real bold and straightforward (films), this is not going to be for you.”
One particular scene dealing with Lina’s (Isabel Aimé González-Sola) search for her daughter around a Buenos Aires building that is worth the proverbial price of admission. “I would say for movie lovers, this sequence alone makes the movie at least worth recommending because it goes fro mthis very contemplative and beautiful movie to this very like overly romanticized (tale). I wouldn’t say it’s a dream sequence, but it’s like this weird, almost like a flight of fancy point of view that she’s having where you’re all of a sudden seeing all these different moments in the city.”
Currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Currents is a feature that I plan to watch this week and cover on CinemAddicts. Rounding out the 104 minute narrative are Mauriciou Bertorello, Sara Bessio, Esteban Bigliardi, and Jazmin Carballo.
Now playing at New York’s Film at Lincoln Center, The Currents opens June 5th at the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles. Check out Bruce’s full review below via YouTube or our CinemAddicts podcast!
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‘Carolina Caroline’ Review: Samara Weaving And Kyle Gallner Shine In Knockout Crime Thriller
CinemAddicts hosts Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes absolutely love Carolina Caroline, an engrossing crime thriller which stars Kyle Gallner, Samara Weaving, and Kyra Sedgwick. Director Adam Rehmeier reunites with Dinner in America’s Gallner for this one, and this. movie should, according to Purkey, be a “huge crowd-pleaser.” Carolina Caroline hits theaters June 5, and we have the review for you below!
Read more: ‘Carolina Caroline’ Review: Samara Weaving And Kyle Gallner Shine In Knockout Crime Thriller
Caroline Daniels (Ready or Not’s Samara Weaving) is determined to leave her small Texas town and those dreams are fulfilled after she meets a magnetic con man (Kyle Gallner). Their pairing leads to a crime infused road trip through the American Southeast. Written by Tom Dean and co-starring Jon Gries, the film runs 105 minutes.
As much as he loved Dinner in America, Eric Holmes may have a stronger passion for Carolina Caroline. “It just won’t get out of my head,” said Holmes. It keeps burroing further and further. I’m watching it going, ‘this is pretty good but it’s no Dinner in America.’ Then the furter I get away from it, I’m going ‘This might be better than Dinner in America. It’s having that effect of me.”
Bruce Purkey is more than willing for a Carolina Caroline rewatch. “It’s the world and the characters,” said Purkey. “I love them so much. I want to be there again. This is one of those kind of movies. I really love it a lot.”
Both of them believe that Carolina Caroline is one of the year’s best films and they gave the movie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Check out their full review:
Catch Carolina Caroline in theaters June 5th and share your thoughts on the movie in the comments!
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Listen to the latest episode of CinemAddicts:
Interview with Speed Demon director Jon Keeyes is up on Find Your Film:
Jon Keeyes Talks ‘Speed Demon’ Filmmaking And Katie Cassidy Collaboration
Are you in the mood for an exorcism on a runaway train? The new movie Speed Demon, headlined by Katie Cassidy, is now out in theaters, Digital and On Demand. Filmmaker Jon Keeyes talks to Deepest Dream about his ambitious new project and working with Cassidy.
Read more: Jon Keeyes Talks ‘Speed Demon’ Filmmaking And Katie Cassidy Collaboration
Speed Demon centers on Sister Lu (Katie Cassidy), a woman of the cloth who’s traveling by train from Montreal to New York City. William H. Macy is Father Novak, Lu’s mentor who tries to give her some stern but sage advice. Their lives takes a drastic turn when a demon takes over the train and threatens its passengers.
Collaborating with Katie Cassidy was a fruitful and personal one for Keeyes. “Katie wants to understand subtext and she wants to understand backstory, particularly with a character like Sister Lu that’s dealing with all of these different addictions and loss of faith. She was trying to figure out the way into her character, because that character goes 180 degrees through the course of this movie.”
“I keyed in on the scene when she’s talking with Father Novak about her addictions,” added Keeyes. “It’s a moment of clarity for an addict to recognize who they are and what they are, and their inability to actually stop. And she says, ‘There’s times when I feel like I’m possessed. I’m a recovering drug addict and I’ve been in recovery for a very long time.’ . . . I spent a tremendous amount of time talking about my own story, and then about Sister Lu’s story, and we spent that time together and she figured out how to approach that scene.”
Check out our review of Speed Demon in CinemAddicts:
Full interview with Jon Keeyes is up on Find Your Film and on YouTube:
‘Saccharine’ Spoilers And Ending Explained: Midori Francis Body Horror!
CinemAddicts co-host Eric Holmes and I discuss our respective love for the body horror film Saccharine and we also dive into spoilers. We talk about the movie (spoiler-free) for a little over 18 minutes and then we spend the rest of the video giving our Saccharine interpretations. Check out our video below!
Read more: ‘Saccharine’ Spoilers And Ending Explained: Midori Francis Body Horror!
Midori Frances Delivers A Memorable Performance In Body Horror Thriller
Saccharine centers on Hana (Midori Francis), a medical student who digests weight loss pills which are partly made of human ash! Coincidentally, Hana and several of her colleagues are working on a cadaver (which one student nicknames Bertha) and she ultimately uses parts of that body to create more pills. On top of that horrific life choice, Hana believes she sees the ghost of Bertha, and this supernatural force may be feeding of Hana’s body! When taking these pills and supposedly seeing the ghost, Hana continues to binge eat but loses weight in the process.
Now playing in select theaters, Saccharine is directed by Relic filmmaker Natalie Erika James and co-stars Madeleine Madden as Hana’s prospective love interest Alanya. Danielle Macdonald co-stars as Josie, Hana’s close friend who plays a pivotal role during the movie’s final act.
Saccharine Spoilers Start Now!
One of the big reveals from Saccharine centers on Hana’s father, as we find out that he is confined to his own room due to his obesity. Hana’s mother has been understandably overworked and frustrated as his caregiver (she installs a security camera in their kitchen!). Filmmaker James’ own father had weight issues, and part of that experience is assumedly interwoven in the story.
The third act, when Hana decides to take a growth from her stomach because she’ll be rid of Bertha’s ghost, is one of the film’s several gross out scenes. As she slashes her stomach and puts her hand inside her body, Hana understands she will eventually get close to passing out. Thus, Josie is on hand to save Hana from bleeding out and dying.
In the midst of this incision, Hana imagines herself back at the bottom of a garbage chute (which we see earlier in the story). There she encounters Bertha who gradually moves towards Hana for the final confrontation. Bertha, if I recall, puts Hana’s hand in her mouth and as she bites down we cut to the sound of a slap. Josie wakes up Hana a permanent deep sleep, saving her in the process.
Saccharine Ending Explained!
Hana and Josie attend a funeral service for the cadavers, and they pay their respects to Bertha. We are lead to believe that after Hana’s near death experience, she has cut off the connection with Bertha. Unfortunately, the ghost still lives within Hana, as her initial kiss with lover Alanya leads to Alanya’s murder (we see Hana start to bite down on Josie!).
Is is now Josie’s corpse that is on full display on a couch, and that image directly refers to an image (again, if I recall!) that was adorned on the medical school earlier in the movie. Josie is the latest “food” for Hana, as her body parts will be ground up to make more pills to make the cycle continue!
Check out our full Saccharine movie review and spoilers/ending discussion below:
Share your thoughts and review of Saccharine in the comments!
Jenn Freeman and Alexander Hammer Detail Five Year Journey Of Netflix Documentary ‘Room To Move’
Choreographer/dancer/educator Jenn Freeman’s life is spotlighted in the new Netflix documentary Room To Move. Directed and edited by her close friend Alexander Hammer, the film focuses on how Freeman’s life was profoundly affected after being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Instead of shrinking from life, Freeman pushed forward with her artistry and even mounted the ambitious production Is It Thursday Yet?. Hammer, whose life becomes synchronistically intertwined with Freeman during the making of the documentary, is also prominently featured in Room To Move. It’s a refreshingly even-eyed, visually immerstive, and insightful documentary that resonates. Check out my full interview with Freeman and Hammer below!
Read more: Jenn Freeman and Alexander Hammer Detail Five Year Journey Of Netflix Documentary ‘Room To Move’
Shooting on Room To Move started in 2021 when Jenn Freeman was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder. The documentary also focuses on Freeman’s uncompromising approach to her passion for dance and teaching (and learning) from her students. In the midst of her own trials, Freeman did not proceed from a self-centered place.
“ Growing up, I knew that my path was different than my peers and that my interests were different,” said Freeman. “There were those few educators that I had, teachers that really saw me. Those are the people that encouraged me and kept me moving forward. It just meant so much to me, and I think it instilled the desire to do that for other young people because I could see myself in my students and in other artists. I’m inclined to have the nature to encourage other people to follow their dreams or their truth in whatever that looks like. I think it’s just probably from a place of appreciating people who did that for me.”
A big part of the documentary is Freeman’s husband Ian Stuart (parts of Room To Move are from his video footage). This close collaboration among the three gives Room To Move an intimate feels sans artifice. “It’s a testament to Jen and my relation and also with Ian – we just go so close in such a personal way,” said Alexander Hammer, whose own health and mental journey is spotlighted in Room To Move. “We just also happened to be making this movie together. So bringing myself into it was a lot of encouragement from a lot of different people saying that it would be a bonus or a plus to the story. I hope they’re right – we’ll find out soon!
Catch Room To Move, now streaming on Netflix. Share your thoughts on the documentary in the comments!
‘Saccharine’ Review: Midori Francis Delivers “Fully Committed” Performance In Body Horror Film
Directed by Relic and Apartment 7A filmmaker Natalie Erika James, Saccharine centers on Hana (Midori Francis), a medical student who takes diet pills to lose weight. The pills, however, are made of human ash, and Hana’s actions lead to possible encounters with a ghost! Madeleine Madden is Alanya, a gym trainer who is the object of Hana’s affections and Danielle Macdonald is Hana’s close friend (and fellow medical student) Josie. Check out Bruce Purkey’s review below!
Read more: ‘Saccharine’ Review: Midori Francis Delivers “Fully Committed” Performance In Body Horror Film
Although Saccharine may be initially compared to The Substance, it might even harken back to a Roman Polanski classic. “It feels more like Repulsion, I think, where you have a singular character, not always trapped in her apartment, but she is trapped in her body,” said Bruce Purkey. “This thing that should be making her feel better about herself ends up making her spin more out of control. It’s a pretty interesting movie.”
Purkey praised the heck out of Relic, and although he viewed Apartment 7A as a “letdown,” he was looking forward to director/writer Natalie Erika James’ latest effort. Although he recommended Saccharine (he gave it 3.5/5 stars), he was slightly disappointed with the feature.
“The central performance of Hana by Midori Francis is really good,” added Purkey. “She’s fully committed. So that helps a lot with this movie too. So I probably sound like I’m higher on this movie than I actually am.”
Both Eric Holmes (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and I ( ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2) gave Saccharine higher marks, and I will be posting a separate article where we discuss spoilers.
Saccharine, for me, is on the same level (and it may have exceeded) Relic. The third act, when Hana finally comes into her own, is a visual tour de force from James and cinematographer Charlie Sarroff (Smile, Smile 2). The final moments should divide cinephiles, but I was totally on board with James’ uncompromising outcome. Stay for the film’s end credits!
All three of our Saccharine reviews are up on CinemAddicts, and you can also check out Bruce’s solo coverage on YouTube:
Saccharine is now playing in theaters.
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Movies Out Today: Saccharine, Sick Puppy, Reckless, Ask E. Jean
There are a bunch of films out today that we covered on CinemAddicts that will hopefully be worth your time. Are you in the mood for a supernatural/psychological thriller (Saccharine)? What about a critically acclaimed documentary on journalist E. Jean Carroll (Ask E. Jean)? If Scott Adkins is your man, we have a Reckless (pun intended!) review from Eric Holmes. Last but not least, Bruce Purkey is up in the Cinem-Attic giving his take on an absolutely unexpected featured named Sick Puppy. Listen to our latest CinemAddicts episode for details on these new films!
Read more: Movies Out Today: Saccharine, Sick Puppy, Reckless, Ask E. Jean
Company and Shudder Release.
Saccharine centers on Hana (Midori Francis), a medical student whose life takes a turn for the worse after she takes weight loss pills that are made from human ashes! To take more pills, she shaves off parts of an overweight cadaver that she and her fellow colleagues have been studying. The feature co-stars Madeleine Madden as Alanya, the object of Hana’s affections, and Danielle Macdonald as Hana’s classmate/friend Josie. All three of us loved Natalie Erika James’ Relic (Bruce was not a fan of Apartment 7A), so there was a ton of high expectations with Saccharine. We recommend Saccharine and check out our review on CinemAddicts:
Scott Adkins stars in Reckless as an ex-convict who is attempting to avoid the cops and criminals while he is trying to reclaim his share of an old heist. The feature, directed by Elliott Montello, features Vinnie Jones as the main antagonist. Eric Holmes, who has Adkins on his Mt. Rushmore of actors, compares this film to Adkins’ previous movie Accident Man. Reckless is now out on Digital and On Demand.
Check out Eric’s review of Reckless (he gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 out of 5) below:
Directed and produced by Ivy Meeropol, Ask E. Jean centers on the life of journalist/advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. The 91-minute documentary also focuses on Carroll’s lawsuit against Donald Trump (she won both times). Holmes recommends the documentary, which is currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Meeropol will be doing Q&A’s at the IFC Center tonight through May 22nd. For more information on more Ask E. Jean showings, check out its official site.
Listen to Holmes’ Ask E. Jean review and check out his interview with Meeropol:
Directed and written by Jay Reid, Sick Puppy centers on Charlie (Natasha Calls), a woman who wants her hubby John (Brett Geddes) to stop being a serial killer. Although John decides to quit his killing ways, their lives are threatened when the police come knocking on their door! Running at 105 minutes, the film contains some absolutely unpredictable subplots. Bruce Purkey gave this movie a “One Star Banger” rating, meaning although he sees the movie as absolutely ridiculous and dumb, he had a great time watching the flick! Sick Puppy is now playing in select theaters and is available on Digital via Dark Sky Films.
Check out Bruce’s Sick Puppy review on CinemAddicts:
Bruce Purkey closes out the episode with a review of the new Netflix series The Boroughs and he teams up with Joseph Bridges (a cinephile I bow down to!) for a Scarred S**tless review).
Thanks for listening to CinemAddicts. If you have Movie Recommendations and Film Reviews as well, please share your thoughts in the comments!
‘The Drama’ Ending Explained And Spoilers: Charlie And Emma Happily Ever After?
Robert Pattinson and Zendaya have tons of chemistry, but of course The Drama is not a romantic comedy. CinemAddicts hosts Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes break down the ending of this much talked about black comedy and discuss spoilers. If you have seen the movie and want to hear a few takes on the film, check out our video below. Share your thoughts on The Drama as well!
Read more: ‘The Drama’ Ending Explained And Spoilers: Charlie And Emma Happily Ever After?
Spoilers are coming in hot and heavy, so do not read further if you don’t want The Drama details uncovered!
The Drama’s Twist Hinges On One Big Secret
Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya) are a very much in love and engaged couple. Over a night of drinking wine with Charlie’s close friend Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and his wife Rachel (Alana Haim), their bond is put to the test after Rachel asks the couple and her hubby to name the worst thing that they have ever done!
The big twist which may have divided audience members is that Emma, as a teen, planned a school shooting but backed out of the plan. That is definitely way too much information, but maybe Emma believed she garnered enough trust from Charlie to keep their relationship on solid ground?
An Understandable Fracture In Emma And Charlie’s Relationship
Bruce Purkey reflected on how writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) delivered an uncompromising approach to Emma’s persona. “The relationship’s unraveling, the friendships are unraveling, the people are getting weird towards her,” said Purkey. “Emma can’t put the genie back in the bottle. But I think what’s interesting is as more of that story of her considering to do a school shooting comes out, the writer-director doesn’t let her, or us, off the hook. He keeps upping the ante.”
Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes also discuss why Emma decided not to go through with the school shooting. “I think that the other shooting allowed her to see the aftermath of what she was about to do, and I think that she was disgusted with herself.” Purkey added that he sees Emma as the story’s most “empathetic” character.
The Drama is now available to Watch At Home via a slow of digital retailers. If you purchase/rent The Drama on Prime Video, we receive a commission as Amazon Associates members.
Check out Bruce and Eric’s spoiler discussion of The Drama:
We review Mobile Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe and Forge on this week’s CinemAddicts:
‘Affection’ Ending Explained And Movie Spoilers: Jessica Rothe Role Revealed!
Were you confused by the big twist in the new horror film Affection? CinemAddicts co-host Bruce Purkey offers up spoilers to discuss the twist and I give my thoughts on the ending as well. Check out our Affection movie spoilers and ending explained post below!
Read more: ‘Affection’ Ending Explained And Movie Spoilers: Jessica Rothe Role Revealed!
Ellie Was Right Along – This Is Not Her Family!!
If you have not seen Affection and don’t want spoilers talk, you’ve come to the wrong place and proceed no further!
In the beginning of the movie, Ellie is hit by another vehicle and the story immediately cuts to her lying down in bed next to her supposed husband Bruce (Joseph Cross). She claims that he is not her hubby, and she doesn’t have a daughter (Julianne Layne). Her assertion is she is married to another man and has a son.
Bruce says she is experiencing traumatic memory loss, and he has turned off cell phone service so there is no distraction to Ellie’s recovery. They live in remote and spacious farm house out in the woods, and Burce says it is all for Ellie’s benefit. As much as Ellie tries to live within this new “truth,” she is actually right! Always trust that first instinct!
Bruce, Althought Resourceful, Is Not A Very Good Guy!
The big twist is explained halfway through the story, as we learn that Bruce is still grieving over the loss of his wife and daughter. Their DNA is still available, as he is able to generate their bodies through some incubation process, and it means that he has created numerous clones of his loved ones!
Complicating matters is another tech when has Bruce being able to extract the memories of various people, and put their memories into his computer database. Once he merges a random conscious into a clone (whether it’s the wife or daughter), that clone inherits this new consciousness. However, if the clone’s DNA does not perfectly sync up or ultimately overpower the consiousness that was uploaded, then the subject becomes more erratic. This is why Ellie had all those seizures, and once this physical state emerges, it really is past the point of no return. Upon that stage, Bruce must kill the latest version of Ellie and start from scratch!
The Third Act Goes Off The Rails – In A Good Way!!
“This is what it means to love someone,” says Bruce, as he’s digging a grave, to Ellie.
By the third act, the newest version of Ellie gets the memories of everything that has happened thanks to the actions of the previous (and now severely injured) Ellie.
Bruce’s plans go awry when injured Ellie attacks him, and new Elie sets fire to the hole, killing them both. Of course, Alice witnesses the while thing! “I’m not f**king Ellie,” says the woman who, to clarify, is not f**king Ellie.
The Ending Is Kinda Happy And Kinda WTF?
Ultimately, the woman who is not Ellie takes Alice, who is now her daughter (they are obviously bonded through tragedy) back to her original home. It’s not known if she will find her husband and son, but at leaast she and Alice (who is actually not Alice), are together.
The woman who is not Ellie, however, did not burn down the warehouse which has the gestation unit and the consciousness files. Thus a new Ellie emerges and in the final moments she walks out and says (at least I think she says): “Mercy.”
Where will this Ellie go now that Bruce is dead, and is she the exact clone of the woman who survived? And are these clones actually aliens (due to the thing on the back of their neck?). It was a little bit confusing for me, but that said I thoroughly enjoyed the wings that director BT Meza took with Affection.
Check out Bruce Purkey’s Movie Review And Spoilers coverage of Affection:
CinemAddicts co-host Eric Holmes and I also review Affection on the latest episode We both enjoyed the film more than Bruce and recommend the film:
I also did a solo review of Affection and do a deep dive on the spoilers as well. Check out my 24-minute talk on Affection which is featured on our CinemAddicts Patreon!
