The movie adaptation of Michael Koryta’s ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’ will be out on Friday, May 14, 2021. Photo: google
Michael Koryta is The New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including “The Prophet.” His last three novels, “The Ridge,” “The Cypress House,” and “So Cold the River” were all The New York Times notable books and nominated for several national and international awards. Koryta’s work has been translated into more than twenty languages. A former private investigator and newspaper reporter, Koryta graduated from Indiana University with a degree in criminal justice. His 2014 book “Those Who Wish Me Dead” has been adapted into a movie of the same name and will be released in United States on Friday, May 14, 2021 in theaters and on HBO Max. It stars Angelina Jolie and Nicholas Hoult. (amazon, 2021)
In “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” when fourteen-year-old Jace Wilson witnesses a brutal murder, he is plunged into a new life, issued a false identity and hidden in a wilderness skills program for troubled teens. The plan is to get Jace off the grid while police find the two killers. The result is the start of a nightmare. The killers, known as the Blackwell Brothers, are slaughtering anyone who gets in their way in a methodical quest to reach him. Now all that remains between them and the boy are Ethan and Allison Serbin, who run the wilderness survival program; Hannah Faber, who occupies a lonely fire lookout tower; and endless miles of desolate Montana mountains. The clock is ticking, the mountains are burning, and those who wish Jace Wilson dead are no longer far behind.
Surf dog Ricochet survived COVID and continued saving lives by training a service dog puppy for a combat marine veteran. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Ricochet is a certified therapy dog, first-ever surf therapy dog, champion surf dog and celebrity star of the IMAX film, Superpower Dogs. She provides human-animal intervention for veterans and active-duty service members recovering from combat PTSD, moral injury, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. She has won scores of awards for her substantial work in human-animal intervention and healing. She also provides canine-assisted surf therapy and adaptive surfing to kids with autism and other special needs, differently abled individuals, wounded warriors and veterans with PTSD. (Surf Dog Ricochet, 2021)
Surf Dog Ricochet’s paw·té·gé, a seven-month-old black lab puppy named Balboa has been training with Ricochet as a service dog for Staff Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV Ret (Griff), a Marine combat veteran with PTSD. Griff is Ricochet’s costar in the IMAX film, Superpower Dogs now showing at theaters that have finally re-opened, and is on Hulu as well. Ricochet worked with Griff as a therapy dog which ultimately led to their co-star status in the film. Ricochet and Griff originally met during a canine therapy clinic at Balboa Hospital, now called the Naval Medical Center San Diego. The puppy, Balboa was named after the place that brought Ricochet and Griff together.
Due to the stay-at-home orders and social distancing brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Ricochet’s therapy dog work with the military, as well as her canine-assisted surf therapy and adaptive surfing were suspended in March of 2020. After two months, Judy Fridono, Ricochet’s guardian noticed that she appeared aloof and depressed. “Ricochet’s entire life had been remarkably busy providing in-person support to others. But when Covid arrived, everything came to a complete stop. Because Ricochet had too much time on her paws, coupled with her need for human interaction, I was afraid she would not survive the pandemic. She’s 13 ½ years old now and I worried she would feel her life no longer had meaning and would check out,” said Fridono.
That is when Fridono, a service dog trainer had the idea of enlisting Ricochet’s help in the training of a PTSD service dog puppy for Griff. Training is time intensive and they certainly had an over-abundance of time. So, Ricochet became a mentor to the puppy, and the puppy became a paw·té·gé to Ricochet.
Griff served our country, kept us safe, sacrificed family, and so much more but he returned home fighting PTSD. Military recruits go through rigorous training to learn how to fight a war, but nobody teaches them how to come home after experiencing horrific battlefield atrocities. Every 65 minutes a veteran takes their life by suicide. That is one of the reasons Ricochet is helping Griff continue his healing journey with a service dog. She is committed to helping him in his recovery through healing. The things Griff experienced and saw in Afghanistan are too horrific to utter out loud but Balboa will know when Griff is anxious, having a panic attack, or a night terror. Balboa will know how to calm Griff and help him navigate further through recovery. Balboa will know because Ricochet will teach him.
Recognizing Griff’s service to our country, Ricochet is providing Balboa at no cost to him with the help of her supporters. The cost of raising and training a puppy to be a service dog for a veteran is not cheap. In fact, it can run upwards of $25,000. This includes training, placing, providing support, vet bills, wellness checks, food, treats, bones, supplies, grooming, vaccinations, license, monthly preventatives, wellness checks, team training, and other miscellaneous expenses. But just as importantly, Ricochet’s legacy will live on through Griff and Balboa… and that is priceless.
The movie adaptation of Tom Clancy’s ‘Without Remorse’ will be released on Prime Video on April 30, 2021. Photo: google
Tom Clancy was an international thriller author. Starting with “The Hunt for Red October,” all thirteen of his previous books have hit #1 on the The New York Times bestseller list. His books, “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games,” “Clear and Present Danger,” and “The Sum of all Fears” have been made into major motion pictures. The latest one is “Without Remorse,” which shows how an ordinary man crossed the lines of justice and morality to become the CIA legend Mr. Clark. It is a spin-off of the Jack Ryan film series and stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Guy Pearce. Release date on Prime Video is Friday, April 30, 2021. (amazon, 2021)
“Without Remorse” is set during the Vietnam War, it serves as an origin story of John Clark, one of the recurring characters in the Ryanverse. It introduces Clark as former Navy SEAL John Kelly and explains how he changed his name.
Movie synopsis: (Wikipedia) In a war-torn region of Syria, an elite team of US Navy SEALs led by Senior Chief John Clark rescues a CIA operative taken hostage by ex-Russian military forces. Three months later, in apparent retaliation for his role in the mission, Clark’s pregnant wife Pam is murdered by a squad of Russian assassins. Despite being shot multiple times himself, Clark manages to kill all but one of the attackers before being rushed to the hospital. In Washington D.C., Clark’s friend and former SEAL team member Lt. Commander Karen Greer meets with CIA officer Robert Ritter and Secretary of Defense Thomas Clay to discuss response options. Leaked news of Russia’s unprecedented attack on American soil has caused the already-strained relations between the two nations to sour further. If something is not done soon, the result could be a full-scale war. Healed from his injuries, Clark tracks down a corrupt Russian diplomat who issued the passports to his wife’s murderers and at gunpoint forces him to give up the name of the surviving assassin.
This year’s TCM festival will include Michael Douglas introducing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on HBO Max. Photo: Turner Classic Movies, used with permission.
Calling all film fans – Yesterday Turner Classic Movies (TCM) released the extensive lineup of talent, films, and exclusive content for the 2021 TCM Classic Film Festival, airing from Thursday, May 6 through Sunday, May 9 at two virtual venues: the TCM network and the Classics Curated by TCM Hub on HBO Max. The virtual festival features more than 100 films and over 30 special guests across Turner Classic Movies Channel and HBO Max. (EG-PR, 2021)
Last year’s Special Home Edition of the TCM Classic Film Festival was one of the first festivals to shift to an all-virtual experience at the onset of the pandemic, and this year, viewers can expect even more stars, movies, and ways to watch.
Programming and Talent highlights of the Festival include:
Opening Night on Thursday, May 6 at 8p.m. ET features the 60th anniversary screening of West Side Story (1961) with stars Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn giving new and exclusive interviews. Opening Night will premiere simultaneously on TCM and HBO Max
The Masters collection on HBO Max, featuring interviews with directors Barry Levinson (Good Morning, Vietnam) and Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, USA)
Debbie Allen introduces Fame (1980) and sits down for an exclusive interview
Michael Douglas introduces One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) on HBO Max
Jacqueline Bisset introduces Bullitt (1968) on TCM and on HBO Max
The world broadcast premiere of Bill Morrison’s latest short film on TCM, let me come in (2021), featuring decayed film reels from the lost German silent film Pawns of Passion (1928) and co-presented by the Los Angeles Opera
A tribute to iconic comedian Martin Short with Clifford (1994) and Innerspace (1987) on HBO Max
SF Sketchfest Presents a table read of Ed Wood’s Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959) on TCM, adapted by comedian Dana Gould and featuring Maria Bamford, Bobcat Goldthwait, Oscar Nuñez, Laraine Newman, Bob Odenkirk, David Koechner, Janet Varney, Jonah Ray, Paul F. Tompkins, Gary Anthony Williams, Baron Vaughn, Deborah Baker Jr. and Kat Aagesen
Fans will also be able to engage with the Festival at live virtual events and experiences throughout the weekend including:
The return of fan favorite Meet TCM panel where network execs share insight into the network, how programming is scheduled and produced, and a preview of upcoming events and series, will be live on Wednesday, May 5
Club TCM, a staple at the in-person Festival, is going virtual this year. Fans can join on Zoom to hear from TCM hosts and festival talent, learn something new, and share their love of classic movies with fellow fans
Live Tweets and Instagram Lives with Festival talent and hosts – follow along with #TCMFF
The official TCM Classic Film Festival Boutique featuring limited-edition merchandise such as a new host pin set, mugs, t-shirts, popcorn salt, and more
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world highlighting the entire spectrum of film history. TCM features the insights from Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz along with hosts Alicia Malone, Dave Karger, Jacqueline Stewart and Eddie Muller, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests and serves as the ultimate movie lover destination. TCM produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs, and hosts a wealth of material online at tcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. Fans can also enjoy a TCM curated classics experience on HBO Max.
HBO Max® is WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer platform, offering best in class quality entertainment. HBO Max features the greatest array of storytelling for all audiences from the iconic brands of HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and much more. The streaming platform initially launched in the United States in May 2020. This year, it will expand into Latin America and the HBO-branded streaming services in Europe (the Nordics, Spain, Central Europe, the Baltics and Portugal) will be upgraded to HBO Max.
Feral is a Mexican horror documentary. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Latin American Cinematica of Los Angeles will host a virtual presentation of the Mexican horror documentary Feral on March 26, 27, 28, 2021 – Friday through Sunday. Due to the current COVID pandemic, the Latin American Cinematic of Los Angeles is having a socially distanced screening of Cine Nepantla for the first time. The streaming will be available online for $5.00 starting Friday March 26 until Sunday the 28 and will be followed by a discussion in English And Spanish with director Andrew Kaiser and Guido Segal, Screenwriter and movie critic. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)
Feral takes place in Oaxaca in the 1980s and begins with a news broadcast of the fire that destroyed a building. In interviews of the witnesses, they verify that a man lived there with three children. Later, an investigator confirms that the cause of the fire was undetermined and the identity of the children, age around 10, could not be established but the man was identified as Juan Felipe de Jesús González. The case was not investigated further. The bodies were claimed by Eustaquio Díaz Méndez, a close friend of Juan Felipe who helped him get settled in the area. To find out the truth, the documentary style film pieces together interviews with the native villagers, family members, and personal video journal entries.
Juan Felipe de Jesús González was a monk for five years but left when he and other monks, who were taking part in psychoanalysis, were excommunicated by the church. He settled in the mountains of Oaxaca and one day he and Eustaquio found a boy living alone in the wild. Juan Felipe decided to take the boy in to attempt rehabilitate him back to society and insisted on videotaping the sessions. Later, he took in another boy and girl who he found chained inside a nearby cage. After he baptized them he named them Cristobal, Antonia, and Juan, after religious martyrs. At first he seems to be making a difference, but when improvements stall, Juan Felipe becomes frustrated and blames himself. The neighbors become suspicious and he becomes known as the bizarre man who is kidnapping children. Not only was he an ex-monk, but he also had a difficult upbringing by a devoutly religious mother, so in the end, he feels like he has failed to save the young children’s souls. It is left to the audience to decide what happened, but the general feeling is that he killed the children, set the fire, and then killed himself.
Feral is labeled a horror movie but it is more like a mockumentary that sets out to investigate the actions that resulted in the tragic fire that killed four people. It also documents one man’s quick descent from confident ex-monk who believes in psychoanalysis to religious zealot plagued with self-doubt who ends up doing the unthinkable. Due to the film using found footage to tell the story, it has a voyeuristic feel and often creates a creepy vibe, but it is not scary. The character development is extraordinary and by the end of the movie, the audience comes to empathize with Juan Felipe. The shock value is high when it comes to seeing the savage children onscreen but it serves to make us examine what truly makes us human and what constitutes acceptable social behavior. It also explores the role religion plays in morality and ethics.
Director: Andrés Kaiser Year: 2018 Duration: 98 Minutes Spanish with English subtitles
The award-winning documentary Brewmance will be releasing on video on demand on all major platforms on April 13, 2021. Photo: Brocklamation Films, used with permission.
Giant Pictures presents a Brocklamation Films Production: Brewmance. Produced and directed by Christo Brock (Touch The Wall), it will be releasing on VOD on all major platforms on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (EG-PR, 2021)
The American Craft Beer movement began with a group of restless homebrewers searching for something genuine and flavorful. Today it has evolved into a redefinition of beer and an international cultural phenomenon. That uniquely American spirit of rebellion and innovation survives in two groups of homebrewers from Long Beach, California who are looking to open their own breweries and bring their beers to the world. These include a Christian father-son team who grew close over making beer and a retired rock star looking for the “quiet” existence of a brewery owner.
With the insight and commentary of legendary brewers Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada), Fritz Maytag (Anchor Brewing), Charlie Papazian, Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River), Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Jim Koch (Boston Brewing) and others, Brewmance reveals the soul of craft beer in the heart of America.
Christo Brock is an American Producer, Director, and Editor best known for the iconic swim documentary Touch the Wall, the sports films Spirit of the Marathon and Hood to Coast, and the craft beer documentary Bremance.
VOD PLATFORMS: US: Apple TV (iTunes), FandangoNow , Google Play, Vudu, Microsoft Store. Google Play, Altavod, Vimeo On Demand and InDemand on Comcast, Spectrum, Cox and major cable providers. CANADA: Apple TV (iTunes), Google Play, Microsoft Store, Vimeo On Demand UK: Apple TV (iTunes), Google Play, Microsoft Store, Vimeo On Demand
Dan Sundstrom (Ten Mile Brewing) Photo: Brocklamation Films, used with permission.
Latin American Cinematica of Los Angeles is hosting the screening of Feral, a Mexican horror documentary. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Latin American Cinematica of Los Angeles will host a virtual presentation of the Mexican horror documentary Feral on March 26, 27, 28, 2021 – Friday through Sunday. Due to the current COVID pandemic, the Latin American Cinematic of Los Angeles is having a socially distanced screening of Cine Nepantla for the first time. The streaming will be available online for $5.00 starting Friday March 26 until Sunday the 28 and will be followed by a discussion in English And Spanish with director Andrew Kaiser and Guido Segal, Screenwriter and film critic. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)
The concept of Nepantla refers to the experience of living in-between two or more cultures. Nepantla is the Nahuatl word used to describe the “in-between-ness” Mexicas (Aztecs) felt under Spanish colonization. Building from this concept, Cine Nepantla aims to create a space in which meaningful dialogue among audiences of different socio-economic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, genders, sexualities, nationalities, and religions can take place and effect change.
About Feral: This tragedy took place in the late 1980s. Somewhere in the Oaxacan mountains lay the burn-out remains of a shelter that housed a psychoanalyst priest who was obsessed with rehabilitating savage children to place them back into society. Through videotape diaries, the audience is treated to a portrait of a man whose singular pursuit of this goal had him excommunicated from the church he holds dear, separated from society, and plagued by a self-doubt which chipped away at his humanity. A more sinister picture begins to emerge as interviews with individuals from the nearby village and his close family appear. It is a dark secret that may hold the key to the disappearance of the priest and the destruction of the shelter. A small cast of remarkable actors helps keep the atmosphere tense, tight, and frightening in the build-up to a haunting and unforgettable climax. A brilliant, intriguing debut that marks Kaiser as a talent to watch.
Director: Andrés Kaiser Year: 2018 Duration: 98 Minutes
The Latin American Cinematica of Los Angeles (LACLA) is a leading institute of cinema exhibition with the year-round programming of Chicanx, Latinx, and Latin American films. Founded in 1997 by a group of Los Angeles-based Latinx cultural activists and cinema enthusiasts in response to the lack of local, as well as national, exhibition of spaces for Latinx and Latin American cinemas. Each component of LACLA is passionately committed to the cultivation of cultural expression and exchange among students, educators, filmmakers, and community members of diverse backgrounds through the art of cinema.
The Video on Demand release of the documentary After the Murder of Albert Lima is set for Thursday, March 18, 2021. Photo: google
The award-winning documentary After the Murder of Albert Lima tells the story of a son obsessed with capturing his father’s killer. Paul Lima has spent over a decade seeking justice for his slain father, Albert. Though convicted, Albert’s murderer has remained free in Honduras. After years of the legal system failing him, Paul takes the unorthodox step of hiring two bounty hunters to travel with him to Honduras to track down and capture his father’s killer. This riveting, and, at times, darkly comedic documentary explores both the importance of family and the dangers of taking the law into your own hands. This Crackle original will be premiering exclusively on Crackle in the US on Thursday, March 18, 2021. (EG-PR, 2021)
Documentary features: running time: 97 minutes/ Language: English / Country: USA, Honduras. Director: Aengus James, Executive Producers: Van Toffler, Floris Bauer, Jude Harris, Meredith Vieira; Producers: Amy Rapp, Aengus James, Colin King Miller, Paul Lima. A Gunpowder & Sky/This is Just a Test/Meredith Vieira Productions Production Official Selection: DOC NYC, Woodstock Film Festival and many more.
Aengus James is an award-winning filmmaker and television producer. His recent works include Scandalous (Magnolia, CNN, BBC), the untold story of The National Enquirer, Undercover Billionaire (Discovery), and the GLAAD Media Award-winning I Am Jazz. Aengus began his career serving as Barry Levinson’s cinematographer in Poliwood. After the Murder of Albert Lima follows Aengus’ directorial debut and IDA award nominated documentary comedy American Harmony. He has created and directed content for global brands and non-profits, and his work has received numerous honors including special recognition from the White House and the United Nations for raising awareness on issues including veterans’ mental health and women’s healthcare around the world. Aengus is the co-founder and head of This is Just a Test.
Crackle Plus owns and operates ad-supported VOD networks Crackle and Popcornflix and garners 50 million streams of its movies and TV shows per month, making it one of the largest AVOD streaming platforms in the U.S. Crackle Plus has over 80,000 hours of content available across all its networks, and premieres at least one original and one exclusive program each month, differentiating it from other AVODs.
My Name is Pedro opens on Video On Demand and DVD on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
My Name is Pedro, the award-winning film from first time director Lillian LaSalle, explores the seemingly impossible journey of South Bronx Latino educator and maverick, Pedro Santana, a former “special ed” student, whose mantra is – every kid can learn despite their circumstances. A The New York Times profile of his “Out Of The Box” teaching techniques, thrusts him into the spotlight, which creates great opportunities for change but also has its downside – public school politics which, despite the cries of students and parents alike, threaten to take him down. A documentary with unpredictable twists and turns, it harnesses a compelling message of optimism, hope and tragedy. My Name is Pedro is an essential and timely reminder of the importance of great educators that exist within the infrastructure of our country’s public education system. (EG-PR, 2021)
It will be released on VOD and DVD on Tuesday, February 23 in the US, Canada, and UK. VOD: Amazon, Apple TV, iTunes, GooglePlay, Youtube, Vimeo on Demand and Fandango NOW. Cable: Verizon, Comcast, Charter, Cox, and Wave Broadband. Documentary (USA), 127 Minutes, in English.
OFFICIAL SELECTION AND AWARDS: Winner: Best Documentary, Golden Door International Film Festival Winner: Spotlight on Documentary Award, St. Louis International Film Festival Winner: Audience Award, Chicago Latino International Film Festival Winner: Audience Award, Brooklyn Film Festival Winner: Award of Merit, Impact Docs Winner: Honorable Mention, Woodstock Film Festival Official Selection: Women’s Filmmaker Showcase, BAFF Official Selection: San Diego Latino International Film Festival
My Name is Pedro is a powerful and poignant documentary about one man’s effort to reach even the most challenging students. As a child, Pedro Santana struggled in school early on and stuttered sometimes, except when he was onstage. He became an educator, mentor, and community leader because his work went beyond the school grounds. His goal was “I want to have an impact in people’s lives” and he truly influenced students as well as their families and everyone he met. While living in a culturally diverse community, he was able to cross the cultural divide. Like most people who think “outside the box,” he rattled the status quo and became a target of those who pushed back. The lesson to be learned is that the best way to honor someone’s memory is to keep his or her work alive.
“The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kind.” – Dalai Lama
‘The Spine of Night’ will premiere at this year’s virtual SXSW. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In SXSW Film Festival 2021 news, Yellow Veil Pictures has acquired the sales rights to the animated fantasy “The Spine of Night.” It will premiere in the SXSW Midnighters section of the festival which will run virtually from Tuesday March 16 through Sunday March 20, 2021. Written and directed by Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King, the cast includes Richard E. Grant, Lucy Lawless, Patton Oswalt, Betty Gabriel, Joe Manganiello, Abby Savage, Larry Fessenden, and Rob McClure. (EG-PR, 2021)
From Gorgonaut Pictures, “The Spine of Night” is an ultra-violent, hand-rotoscoped epic fantasy inspired by the cult classic works of animators Ralph Bakshi and Frank Franzetta. The film is set in a fantasy land ripe with magic and intrigue where a dark force is unleashed sending mankind into an age of ruin. It falls on heroes from different eras and cultures to fight back. This epic begins many years ago when an ambitious young man steals forbidden knowledge from a sacred plant and, as he falls to its darker temptations, unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. As his power grows over the years, there are many who stand against him. Among them are a daring tomb-robber, star-crossed lovers, a maniacal necromancer, winged assassins, and an undying guardian.
