Writer/producer/director/actor Heather Graham’s passion project, Chosen Family, harkens back to a kinder and gentler time. The characters brought to fruition on screen are a reflection of some of humanity’s best traits. There is conflict present in the storyline, but it is quite subdued.

Ann (Heather Graham) is a successful yoga teacher who has a penchant for bad boyfriends and putting other people’s happiness before her own. Her home life includes a wayward sister, Clio (Julia Stiles), a bible bashing father, Alfred (Michael Gross) and a passive/aggressive mother, Dorothy (Julie Halston). The three do their best to manipulate Ann to their own benefit.

When Ann finally seems to have found a suitable boyfriend in construction ace Steve (John Brotherton), things start to turn around for her. However, when Steve’s daughter Lilly (Ella Grace Helton) enters the equation, things go awry, and Ann is faced with some tough decisions to make.

There is a place for films this simple and direct, and it would seem churlish to disregard the work for not being more complicated and angst-ridden. Graham’s attempt to show that personal strength comes in many varieties and looking after one’s own direction in life is paramount to internal happiness is a message that will always carry value.

“CHOSEN FAMILY” is now available on DVD and digital, including Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and more, in Australia and New Zealand!
Rob Hudson
www.walkdenentertainment.com

CHOSEN FAMILY tells the story of Ann (Heather Graham), a yoga teacher on a path for inner peace amidst the chaos of her manic family, crazy sister (Julia Stiles) and miserable dating life.

Her good friend Max (Thomas Lennon) sets her up with a cute, divorced dad, Steve (John Brotherton), who has an adorable 7-year-old daughter, but the latter grows increasingly jealous and competitive as Steve and Ann grow closer.

“CHOSEN FAMILY” will be available on DVD and digital, including Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play and more, from SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2025, in Australia and New Zealand.
www.walkdenentertainment.com

There’s always been something wrong with Esther…

Esther’s terrifying saga continues in this thrilling prequel to the original and shocking horror hit, Orphan.

After orchestrating a brilliant escape from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Esther travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family.

Yet, an unexpected twist arises that pits her against a mother who will protect her family from the murderous “child” at any cost.

Orphan: First Kill stars Julia Stiles, Isabelle Fuhrman, Rossif Sutherland, Matthew Finlan, Morgan Giraudet, Hiro Kanagawa, Jade Michael, Samantha Walkes and will be released in Aussie cinemas August 25!
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To enter this great competition, just fill out the entry form below:

Orphan First Kill Competition

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Competition will be drawn August 3, winners will be notified by mail.

The women do take advantage of the men but it is done in such a way as to drag all concerned through the gutter. The targets and their platinum cards pay extravagantly for the privilege of their company but the women doing the fleecing are also losing something.

Jennifer Lopez as the girl’s ringleader, Ramona shows real application to the role and her athleticism is impressive. Her character has a steely core but this resolve is not used for anything even close to noble. Her narcissism is her strongest trait.

As a cautionary story, Hustlers has some value. As an indictment of a period of time filled with wanton excess and heightened male chauvinism, the women come out of this film looking no better than the men.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/roadshow

Their scheme pays off and the women ride a wave of extravagance, living a life of decadence and glamour. But when greed gets the best of them, friendships are threatened and the law starts closing in.

HUSTLERS is directed by Lorene Scafaria and stars Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Julia Stiles, Mercedes Ruehl, Trace Lysette, Mette Towley, Madeline Brewer and Frank Whaley.

HUSTLERS releases in Australia in theatres on October 10, 2019.
www.facebook.com/roadshow

Their scheme pays off and the women ride a wave of extravagance, living a life of decadence and glamour. But when greed gets the best of them, friendships are threatened and the law starts closing in.

HUSTLERS is directed by Lorene Scafaria and stars Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Julia Stiles, Mercedes Ruehl, Trace Lysette, Mette Towley, Madeline Brewer and Frank Whaley.

HUSTLERS releases in Australia in theatres on October 10, 2019.
www.facebook.com/roadshow

As an action piece, it gets the job done but as a proper Jason Bourne movie, it’s quite the disappointing experience. Gone are almost all the clever ways Bourne can extract himself from trouble and in their place are just Teflon walks in the park. Moments where no real menace can really stick.

He gets out of almost every jam with just brawn and no brain. Julia Stilles is very much underutilized as well and sadly exits early and takes with her the only character that links Bourne to a friendlier past. In the place of proper story telling are a series of spectacular action sequences that not only strain the law of physics to their breaking point but also tend to wear the viewer out. Pokemon Go

If this edition reignites the franchise that will be a good thing because Matt Damon fills this role splendidly when given something to really sink his teeth into. Next time out let’s hope for far more intrigue and much less outlandish action.

Rob Hudson
www.jasonbournemovie.com.au