Tuesday 28 February 2023

TRAILER: 65 - Starring Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt

 

In the sci-fi thriller 65, pilot Mills (Adam Driver) and Koa (Ariana Greenblatt) are stranded on Earth 65 million years in the past after a catastrophic crash on what they first think is an unknown planet. With only one chance at rescue, they must navigate a treacherous terrain filled with prehistoric creatures in order to survive. Written and directed by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, and produced by Sam Raimi, Deborah Liebling and Zainab Azizi,

Cast:

Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman

65 is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 17, 2023, by Sony Pictures Releasing.

Monday 27 February 2023

COMPETITION: Win She Said on DVD starring Carey Mulligan

She Said on DVD from 6th March 2023

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and a copy on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 

Inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation that shattered a corrupt system by empowering women to speak out, SHE SAID is available to Download & Keep February 20, 2023, and on DVD & VOD March 6, 2023, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment with exclusive bonus content.

Based on the bombshell New York Times investigation, SHE SAID follows the remarkable true story of how reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor went from underdogs to inspirations by shattering the silence surrounding sexual assault in Hollywood. Determined to expose the truth many fear to tell, Megan and Jodi’s partnership shakes up the system, empowering courageous women to retake their strength through stories of survival in this extraordinary film from Emmy®-winning director Maria Schrader (“Unorthodox”;I’m Your Man), featuring captivating performances by two-time Academy Award® nomineeCarey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman,An Education) and Zoe Kazan (The Big Sick, The Plot Against America),with Mulligan’s performance receiving a BAFTAnomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3xVhtjz

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who are the real life journalists this film is about?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 13-03-23
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Saturday 25 February 2023

TRAILER: Marlowe - starring Liam Neeson and in cinemas and on Sky Cinema from 17 March

 


Today Sky reveals the official trailer for Marlowe, a new Sky Original film starring Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List, Taken) in his 100th film, Diane Kruger (Inglorious Basterds,) and Academy Award® winner Jessica Lange (King Kong, Feud) – plus an ensemble cast including Adewale Akinnuoye- Agbaje (His Dark Materials), Danny Huston (American Horror Story), Alan Cumming (Goldeneye) and Colm Meaney (Gangs of London).

Marlowe is directed by Academy Award® winner Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, The Company of Wolves) and written by William Monahan (The Departed), based on the novel The Black-Eyed Blonde by John Banville. The Sky Original film will be released in cinemas and on Sky Cinema on 17 March and will also be available on streaming service NOW.

This neo-noir crime drama, which is set in the elegant era of the late 1930s, brings Old Hollywood to life as it follows private investigator Phillip Marlowe (Liam Neeson), who is hired to locate the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress (Kruger). It appears to be a simple case, but Marlowe (Neeson) quickly finds himself in the seedy side of the Hollywood film business, unwittingly caught between a legendary actress (Lange) and her rebellious, ambitious daughter (Kruger).

Thursday 23 February 2023

FIRST LOOK IMAGE: On A Wing and a Prayer - Starring Dennis Quaid

Directed by Sean McNamara

Written by Brian Egeston

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Heather Graham, and Jesse Metcalfe 

Produced by Autumn Bailey-Ford, p.g.a., Roma Downey, p.g.a., Karl Horstmann

Co-producer/film subject Doug S. White

Executive producer Marco Henry

Runtime 102 minutes

In this extraordinary true story of faith and survival, On a Wing and a Prayer follows passenger Doug White’s (Dennis Quaid) harrowing journey to safely land a plane and save his entire family from insurmountable danger, after their pilot dies unexpectedly mid-flight.

Tuesday 21 February 2023

ONE NIGHT ONLY - Heathers: The Musical in UK cinemas for One Night Only on 28th March

 

From Kaleidoscope Entertainment comes the stage recording of the award-winning, West End hit Heathers: The Musical will be coming to cinemas nationwide for a one-night-only special event on 28th March.

Based on the 1989 cult classic film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, the musical adaptation follows Westerberg High student Veronica Sawyer, whose dreams of popularity finally start to come true when she’s taken under the wings of the three beautiful, yet impossibly cruel Heathers. But when mysterious new kid, teen rebel J.D arrives in town, Veronica realises that whilst it might kill to be a nobody, it’s murder being a somebody…

Fans of the musical are in for a treat because the live recording, which was made at The Other Palace in London, features some of the incredible 2022 cast, including Ailsa Davidson, who plays Veronica Sawyer in the musical, Simon Gordon, who plays J.D., Maddison Firth, who plays Heather Chandler, Vivian Panka, who plays Heather Duke, and Teleri Hughes, who plays Heather McNamara.

Mhairi Angus plays Martha Dunnstock in the recording, while Vicki Lee Taylor plays Ms. Fleming, Veronica's mother. Kurt Kelly is played by Liam Doyle, Ram Sweeney is portrayed by Rory Phelan, Andy Brady, Jermaine Woods, Benjamin Karran, Chris Parkinson, Eleanor Morrison-Halliday, Mary-Jean Caldwell, Hannah Lowther, and May Tether round out the cast. 



REVIEW: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania - Starring Paul Rudd & Evangeline Lilly

Review by Jon Donnis
In my opinion the Ant-Man franchise is the least interesting out of the whole Marvel Universe, and although the first film was entertaining due to it's light hearted nature, the second film, which I rewatched recently was a bit of a fart in church, and with the next big Marvel bad guy being featured for the first time in Quantumania, I had high hopes.

During her time imprisoned in the Quantum Realm, Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) meets Kang (Jonathan Majors), an exiled traveler who promises that if she can assist him in reassembling his Multiversal Power Core, they can both escape the realm. When they finally succeed in fixing it, Janet has a vision of Kang destroying and capturing entire timelines. After Kang explains that he was banished by his own variants out of fear, Janet becomes hostile with him. Outmatched, Janet enlarges the Power Core with her Pym Particles to make it useless.


After the Battle of Earth and in the present day we find Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has now become a successful memoirist and has been cohabitating with Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly). Due to her activism as a teenager, Cassie (Kathryn Newton), Scott's daughter, spent some time in jail before her father helped her be bailed out. Cassie discloses that she has been developing a device that can make contact with the Quantum Realm while visiting Hope's parents, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet. As Janet learns this, she becomes terrified and slams the gadget shut, but the message is received, causing a portal to open and drag the five of them into the Quantum Realm. Natives in an uprising against their ruler find Scott and Cassie, while Hope, Janet, and Hank explore a sprawling city to get answers.

Lord Krylar (Bill Murray), the governor of the lavish Axia community in the Quantum Realm and a previous ally of Janet's, tells Hope, Janet, and Hank that things have changed since she departed and that he is now working for Kang, who is now in charge of the kingdom. The three must escape and take Krylar's ship. In the meantime, rebel leader Jentorra (Katy O'Brian) informs the Langs that Janet's association with Kang contributed to Kang's ascent to power. Kang's men shortly launch an assault on the rebels, commanded by M.O.D.O.K., who turns out to be Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) after surviving his apparent death at Scott's hands.



What follows is your typical Marvel film, with amazing visual effects, good guys overcoming the odds, and saving the day. Very predictable as is most Marvel films. The first thing I need to mention is that the film retains its lighthearted nature, but as you will see with the Darren Cross / MODOK character, they perhaps go a bit too far, as the ridiculous look of the character totally takes me out of the film every single time he is on screen. (Jump the shark moment?)

I also have a few questions, like why some of the creatures in the Quantum Realm look human, it makes no sense whatsoever, some of the other creatures look great, weird and wonderful etc, but the human characters are never addressed or explained in any way. This was always an issue I had with Star Trek and other Sci-Fi films and TV shows, you travel into another dimension, travel billions of miles, and yet you meet people who look the same as you do. It is just laziness in my opinion.


Quantumania is an ok film, kids and fanboys of Marvel will like it, Kang is a MASSIVE let down as the next big cross over bad guy, making him human, just makes him seem normal, and never do you sit back as say WOW like you did when you saw Thanos. And since Kang is now set to feature in multiple films, I cant help feel that they have really set up some films to fail. Time will tell, but Kang was very "meh" to me.

Evangeline Lilly is an excellent actress, but I feel like she didn't get enough lines or screen time in the film, I would love it if a nerd out there would do some maths and let me know.

Paul Rudd is excellent as he always is, in the part, and it is always nice to see Bill Murray on the big screen, but his role is pretty small.

All in all, Quantumania is an ok film, not particularly memorable, but not bad by any stretch, it is just a good paint by numbers Marvel film. No risks were taken, all boxes were ticked. Kids and adults alike will go to the cinema, and have a nice night out.


The Good
Marvel are pretty good at knocking out superhero films these days and Quantumania is another one to add to the ever growing list. Great special effects, a nice light hearted film, with some funny moments.

The Bad
I literally just finished watching the film, and I am already forgetting large chunks of it. They did Corey Stoll bad in this film, the MODOK character looked ridiculous, and not in a funny way. Not enough Evangeline Lilly, and at no point did I ever feel like any of the main characters were in serious peril. Kang is a terrible bad guy, and unfortunately we are now stuck with him.

Overall
Marvel can churn movies like these out with their eyes closed, and this felt like one that was all about keeping things safe. No risks, no real peril, no overall storyline advancement. Great visual effects. Nice humour and a decent story.

I score Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania a perfectly safe 7/10

Out Now.

Monday 20 February 2023

COMPETITION: Win Cursed Films Series One on Blu-ray



Cursed Films Series One on Blu-ray from 27th February 2023

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on Blu-ray to give away.

Synopsis: 
Dive into the bloody, beating heart of horror history with Cursed Films, a thrilling five-part documentary series examining the stories behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic, spine-chilling cinematic masterpieces: Poltergeist, The Omen, The Exorcist, The Crow and The Twilight Zone movies.

Writer-director Jay Cheel (How to Build a Time Machine, Beauty Day) explores the power of the seminal movies that scare and ensnare and the legends that surround them. This Shudder Original is one of the streaming channel’s most popular series and is now set to fascinate fans with its Blu-ray and digital release on 27 February 2023, courtesy of Acorn Media International.

The captivating series delves into the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously “cursed” horror film productions. From the mysterious accidents that took place on the set of The Exorcist, to bombings during the making of The Omen and the rumoured use of human skeletons on the set of Poltergeist… these stories are legendary amongst film fans and filmmakers alike. But is there truth in the tales?

The docuseries includes interviews with a stellar line-up of experts ­–  including The Exorcist star Linda Blair, director Gary Sherman (Poltergeist III) and the late renowned director Richard Donner (The Omen, Superman, Lethal Weapon) – alongside a host of directors, producers, editors, actors, writers, podcasters, psychologists, academics, historians, fans, critics, witches and more.

Skilfully put together with a unique, nuanced take, Cursed Films gives an in-depth, enthralling insight into some of the most pivotal horror films ever made and will entrance, entertain and enrich all film fans.

SPECIAL FEATURES include: Director’s Audio Commentary for All 5 Episodes

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3ElcOuJ

Enter now for a chance to win.

How many parts are there to the documentary?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 05-03-23
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win This England on Blu-ray



Dazzler Media presents This England on Blu-ray and DVD from 20th February 2023

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on Blu-ray to give away.

Synopsis: 
From BAFTA winner Michael Winterbottom (Greed, The Look of Love) and boasting a powerhouse performance from Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh (Belfast, Death on the Nile), This England is based on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first months as Prime Minister.

This compelling series traces the impact of the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. The drama takes us inside the halls of power, as Johnson (Branagh) grapples with COVID-19, Brexit, and a controversial personal and political life. Interwoven are stories from around the country: scientists racing to understand the virus; the doctors, nurses and care-home workers on the frontline; and ordinary people whose lives were thrown into turmoil.

Co-starring Ophelia Lovibond (Minx) and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), This England is a riveting, timely series not to be missed. 

Dazzler Media presents This England on Blu-ray and DVD from 20th February 2023. From BAFTA winner Michael Winterbottom, this acclaimed series boasts a powerhouse performance from Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson.

Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3lPNjvp

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who stars as Boris Johnson in This England ?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 05-03-23
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Friday 17 February 2023

TRAILER: Condor's Nest - Starring Michael Ironside, Jackson Rathbone, Arnold Vosloo, Jorge Garcia, Bruce Davison, Jacob Keohane, Al Pagano, Corinne Britti & James Urbaniak

 

From Icon Film Distribution comes the release of wartime revenge thriller, Condor's Nest. Directed by Phil Blattenberger, the film will be available on Digital from 20th March at https://apple.co/3kNpGms and on DVD from 3rd April at https://amzn.to/3Y0MUUM

Condor's Nest stars Michael Ironside (Top Gun, Total Recall), Jackson Rathbone (Twilight), Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), Jorge Garcia (Lost), and Bruce Davison (X-Men, Ozark) as well as Jacob Keohane, Al Pagano, Corinne Britti & James Urbaniak.

Ten years after the fall of Nazi Germany, vengeful American aviator Will Spalding travels across South America in pursuit of Colonel Bach, the sadistic officer who executed his bomber crew during World War II. Joining forces with an Israeli agent and an atomic scientist, the team encounters more than they bargained for as they pursue Bach across jungles and deserts, waylaid by betrayal, amphetamine-crazed Nazis, and their own dark secrets.


Thursday 16 February 2023

TRAILER: John Wick Chapter 4 - Starring Keanu Reeves


Synopsis: John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane


Tuesday 14 February 2023

REVIEW: Bandit (2022) - Starring Josh Duhamel, Mel Gibson and Elisha Cuthbert

Review by Jon Donnis
Bandit is based on the true-life story of Gilbert Galvan Jr (aka The Flying Bandit). Gilbert Galvan Jr escaped from a prison in Michigan in 1984, he then crossed the border into Canada and went on to rob 59 banks and jewellery stores while being chased by a police task force. He still holds a record for the most consecutive robberies in Canadian history.

The film starts off with Gilbert Galvan Jr (Josh Duhamel) robbing a bank, we get a quick look at his methods and before you know it, we get "Four Years Earlier" flash up on the screen and Gilbert Galvan Jr explaining to the camera what he did. Although we get a bit of 4th wall breaking at the start of the film, this doesn't continue throughout, although the film is narrated by the Gilbert Galvan Jr character.


We find Galvan being sent to prison, and then 6 months later he escapes by literally jumping the fence in the minimum-security prison he had been sentenced to. He manages to get to Canada, where he realises quickly he needs to start a whole new life for himself.

He quickly assumes the identity of Robert Whiteman after buying an ID off a homeless man. And before you know it, he falls in love with social worker Andrea Hudson (player by the super talented Elisha Cuthbert). Unable to look after her, he turns to robbing a bank, which he finds out he is very good at. He starts flying around the country, robbing multiple banks in multiple cities each day. A news station labels him The Flying Bandit.


With the takings from a bank robbery not being big enough for him to fund the start to his life, he turns to loan shark and local gangster Tommy Kay (Mel Gibson) to help him get bigger opportunities. As his crimes continue, he catches the eye of Detective John Snydes (played by Néstor Carbonell), who makes it his life's mission to catch Galvan.

Based on the 1996 true crime book The Flying Bandit by Robert Knuckle, Bandit is a fun film, that moves along at quite the pace, despite being nearly 2 hours long.


Josh Duhamel is incredibly convincing as Gilbert Galvan Jr/Robert Whiteman, and this is very much his film, especially considering that Mel Gibson takes a back seat, pretty much only appearing in limited scenes from his character's bar. Elisha Cuthbert is excellent as Andrea Hudson, and Nestor Carbonell has nailed down the detective roll these days and does a great job as John Snydes.

Because we know this is based on a true story, it adds an extra element of intrigue to the film, for those who are aware of the real life story or who have read the book, the ending is no surprise, we also get a question and answer scene with the real Gilbert Galvan Jr, as well as a "what happened to..." for the various other characters.

I really liked this film, and think it is perhaps the best film of Josh Duhamel career. A real stand out performance.


The Good
Great pace, really likeable characters, fun set pieces and really well filmed.

The Bad
I perhaps would have liked to have seen Mel Gibson a bit more, especially since he is front and centre on the poster.

Overall
I really liked this film, and can't recommend it enough.

I score Bandit 9/10

Out now on Apple TV - https://apple.co/3Nod9As
ALso available on Amazon Prime at https://amzn.to/3YwN7zG


TRAILER: Adopting Audrey - Starring Jena Malone

 

Central City Media has confirmed that their latest drama, Adopting Audrey will be released across digital platforms from 13th March and will be screening at this year's Glasgow Film Festival. 

Directed by Michael Cahill (King Of California), the film stars Jena Malone (Donnie Darko, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), Robert Hunger-Bühler (Money.Murder.Zurich., The Saboteurs) & Emily Kuroda (Gilmore Girls, The Good Doctor). 

Fired from her seventh job in two years and estranged from her family, Audrey (Jena Malone) dwells in a distinctly modern solitude, relying on Youtube for companionship. One night, a video rabbit hole leads her to the world of adult adoption, and she is inspired to try it herself.

Audrey finds an adoptive family whose dysfunction mirrors her own and forms an unlikely bond with the misanthropic patriarch, Otto (Robert Hunger-Bühler), who is rough around the edges and has a few strained relationships of his own.

Adopting Audrey is an offbeat tale of a woman’s longing to belong and features stand-out performances from Jena Malone and Robert Hunger-Bühler as two people finding common ground in their idiosyncrasies. Based on a true story, Adopting Audrey is a funny and heartwarming film which serves as a reminder that sometimes the best kind of family is the one we choose.

Adopting Audrey  will be available on Digital Download from 13th March

TRAILER: My Sailor, My Love - Starring James Cosmo and Bríd Brennan

 

A powerful and romantic tale of a second chance at love and the power of redemption. 

When the right person comes along, anything can happen. After becoming concerned about her father Howard (James Cosmo, Braveheart), Grace (Catherine Walker, A Dark Song) hires a caretaker in the form of Annie (Brid Brennan, Brooklyn). As a result of his recluse nature, Howard initially rejects any help from Annie, but gradually the pair begin to bond, and Howard re-considers opening his heart to love and to be loved once more. 

My Sailor, My Love is directed by Klaus Härö (Letters to Father Jacob) and written by Jimmy Karlson (Mother of Mine) and Kirsi Vikman (Mother of Mine).

My Sailor, My Love screening at Dublin International, Glasgow and Borderlines Film Festivals in early March, before releasing in UK and Irish cinemas 10th March.

Monday 13 February 2023

TRAILER: The Fearway - Directed by Robert Gajic

Join The Fearway at your own risk… this tense, gripping horror takes us on a terrifying trip along a never-ending open road that you may never return from. Directed by Robert Gajic (Lucky), this fearsome feature is set to arrive on UK digital platforms on 13 February 2023, courtesy of Reel 2 Reel Films.

A young couple embark on what should be a fun romantic road trip... But their plans are quickly derailed when a mysterious being follows them, abuses and harasses them.

As the situation worsens, they desperately seek help from anyone they can... But who Can they trust? Will they reach safety, or will death come fast?

Fasten your seatbelts for The Fearway – an adrenaline-charged, petrifying ride-of-your life… or death.

Out on UK digital platforms on 13 February 2023, courtesy of Reel 2 Reel Films



Saturday 11 February 2023

REVIEW: Jane (2023) - Starring Madelaine Petsch, Chloe Yu and Chlöe Bailey

 
Review by Jon Donnis
I do like a good dark psycholical thriller, so when I first heard about Jane a month or so ago, I found myself eagerly looking forward to the release.

From director Sabrina Jaglom, "Jane" is a really interesting and at times eerie film about how far you are prepared to go to achieve your goals in life.

Plot

"Seemingly perfect and incredibly ambitious high school senior Olivia (Madelaine Petsch) struggles with grief and anxiety following her best friend Jane’s (Chloe Yu) suicide. Now she is consumed by her ambition to get into the prestigious and highly competitive Stanford. But alarm bells start to ring when new girl Camille (Nina Bloomgarden – Fatherhood) arrives and threatens her place on the debate team… which could scupper her entire future.

Reconnecting with old friend Izzy – played by Chlöe Bailey from the successful five-time Grammy-nominated sibling R&B group Chlöe x Halle – the two decide to dig up dirt on Camille and when they discover they can access Jane’s old social media profile, they use it to wreak havoc on anyone and everyone who stands in their way.

What starts out as seemingly innocent taunting quickly descends into something far more sinister. Principal Rhodes – deftly played by Academy-Award® winning actor Melissa Leo – attempts to help Olivia, but as she experiences increasingly frightening panic attacks, things spiral out of control… and she is forced to confront her darkest impulses. Can she stop the destruction… before it goes too far?"

Madelaine Petsch puts in a very strong performance as the film's lead Olivia. This is part psychological thriller, and also part ghost story, although you are never quite sure what is real and what is madness.

At roughly 80 minutes the film is the perfect length, it pops along at a good pace, there is no filler, and despite the characters all supposedly teenagers, it never feels like you are watching a teen film, if that makes sense. Doesn't hurt that Madelaine Petsch is 28 in real life, but that is American casting for you.

The film walks a fine line between psychological thriller and ghost story, it could have been very easy for the film makers to resort to classic tropes, and go mad with the haunting aspect, but they manage to do a really good job of leaving the viewer guessing. There is a slight twist at the end, nothing mind blowing, but it does leave you thinking.

The Good

I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The short run time, tight script and strong performance from Madelaine Petsch lifts this film up, perhaps higher than you would expect. The film deals well with the aspects of suicide, bullying, and keeping secrets. And ultimately asks the question, if you were in the position of the main character, would you do what she did?

The Bad

If you were expecting more of a ghost story, you might be disappointed, although there are some elements of that, this is firmly a psychological thriller.

Overall

This is a good film, easy to watch despite the story elements involved, a strong story and good performances mean it is a film you should check out.

Out on digital on 13th February from 101 Films.

Watch on Apple TV at - https://apple.co/3ipg3db

Friday 10 February 2023

TRAILER: IP MAN: THE AWAKENING premieres on the Icon Film Channel 20 Feb + in UK cinemas 24 March

 

A brand-new entry in the landmark film franchise based on Bruce Lee’s legendary teacher, Ip Man: The Awakening is a fresh story in the martial arts saga and a tightly choreographed, fight-filled spectacle not to be missed!

While visiting Hong Kong, a young Master Ip intervenes in a kidnapping attempt, unintentionally igniting a turf war with a ruthless human trafficking ring. In retaliation, the gang kidnaps one of Ip Man's close friends, leaving him with no choice but to challenge the group's notoriously brutal boxing champion head-on.

Headlined by Miu Tse, the young star of Jet Li classics, Legend of the Red Dragon and The Enforcer, Ip Man: The Awakening also stars Chen Guan Ying, Zhao Yu Xuan and Hao Yan Fei.

Ip Man: The Awakening premieres on the Icon Film Channel from 20th February 

Sign up for a 7-day free trial at Iconfilmchannel.uk or via the Icon Film Amazon Prime Video Channel at https://amzn.to/3DeYEL9

Get ready for epic martial arts action as Ip Man: The Awakening premieres exclusively on the Icon Film Channel from 20th February, before releasing in selected UK cinemas on 24th March.


TRAILER: The Middle Man - Starring Pål Sverre Hagen


Sovereign has just released the new trailer and poster for Bent Hamer’s quirky black comedy THE MIDDLE MAN released 10th March in UK cinemas.

Norwegian writer/director Bent Hamer’s eccentric comedy drama is set in a small town plagued by accidents and economic woes, where one man has the unenviable job of breaking bad news to its citizens. Featuring a superb performance by Pål Sverre Hagen (Kon-Tiki’s) as the titular character with the thankless job, the supporting cast includes Aksel Hennie (The Trip), Nicolas Bro (Riders of Justice), Rossif Sutherland (Possessor), and Don McKellar (eXistenZ), with a terrific role for Due South’s Paul Gross, here playing the town sheriff. THE MIDDLE MAN is deliciously funny, very dark and superbly entertaining, with a hint of the Coen brothers’ Fargo, and a unique European/American flavour of its own.

Visually rich, wonderfully dry and filled with beautifully scripted, enigmatic exchanges between the town’s buttoned-up citizens, THE MIDDLE MAN is an offbeat treat, shot through with Hamer’s skewed yet ultimately compassionate view of humanity.

Hamer’s debut feature Eggs was nominated for the Golden Camera award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995, and won the International Critics Award at the Toronto Film Festival; his 2003 comedy drama Kitchen Stories won numerous awards, including best film at the Amanda Awards in Norway, and Best Director at the Copenhagen International Film Festival; and his 2005 film Factotum, an adaptation of the Charles Bukowski cult novel, starring Matt Dillon, won Best Director at the Copenhagen International Film Festival.

Synopsis: Frank Farrelli takes on the job as a middle man in the God-forsaken town of Karmack, USA, a community in a depression so deep that they need a middle man to professionally communicate more of the bad news.

Tuesday 7 February 2023

REVIEW: Plane (2023) - Starring Gerard Butler and Mike Colter

Review by Jon Donnis
I like a good action thriller, and i like Gerard Butler, so what better way to spend my evening than watching the new film Plane. Although I think they should have come up with a better name for the film, imagine searching for Plane on a search engine hoping to find the film first time out!

Former RAF pilot and commercial airline pilot, Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler), is navigating Trailblazer Airlines Flight 119 from Singapore to Honolulu with a layover in Tokyo. However, a severe storm in the South China Sea causes substantial damage to the aircraft, forcing Brodie to make an emergency landing on the rebel-controlled Jolo Island in the Philippines. Tragically, a stewardess and an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) officer who was escorting a wanted homicide suspect, Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), were killed during the landing.


In response to the crisis, Trailblazer's crisis manager, Scarsdale (Tony Goldwyn), is summoned to New York City and quickly arranges for a private military team to rescue the passengers as local authorities are unable to intervene in the dangerous rebel territory. Brodie, accompanied by Gaspare, venture into the jungle in search of assistance, when Brodie turns his back, Gaspare disappears. At an abandoned warehouse, Brodie struggles to make contact with his superiors but does manage to contact his daughter to inform her of their location, but while doing this he is immediately ambushed by a rebel. Despite the setback, Brodie is able to subdue the attacker, and the Gaspare re-appears to help. As they continue searching, they stumbled upon a ransom video production site operated by the rebels. In a race against time, they hurry back to the plane only to find it had already been taken over by the rebel leader and local warlord, Datu Junmar (Evan Dane Taylor). The ruthless leader kills a Korean couple who attempt to escape and take the remaining passengers and crew hostage, demanding large ransoms from their families. This leaves Brodie and Gaspare the only ones who can save them, while they wait for the private military team to come rescue them all.

This is an all action film, which starts off with the stress of a flight going wrong, something everyone who has ever flown can understand, as turbulance turns into something worse. The film is split quite well between the flight and then the survival on the island. The part on the plane mainly used to introduce us to the passengers and pilots.


Gerard Butler is back to his best in the film, and the always likeable Mike Colter as Gaspare the criminal with an interesting backstroy is the perfect partner for Butler as they take on the bad guys.

The visual effects on the plane and the crash landing are excellent and highly believable. The acting all round is of a high quality, and the story although not particularly original, is good enough that it will keep your interest throughout. At about 1 hour 40 minutes, it is perhaps 10 minutes too long and I am sure they could have cut it down to make the magical 90 minute mark.


The Good
Strong cast, decent story and some good visual effects.

The Bad
A little bit unoriginal, a stupid name for a film and ten minutes too long, other than that this is a pretty decent film.

Overall
A simple and straight forward action thriller, with a good enough budget that everything looks great, a strong cast just makes everything better.

I really enjoyed this film, and can recommend it to anyone for a nice evenings viewing.

I score Plane a solid 8.5/10

Watch now on Apple TV - https://apple.co/3Yf6ehn
You can also get the paperback of the film at https://amzn.to/3DKqnnp


TRAILER: Bad City - Starring Hitoshi Ozawa and Mitsu Dan

 

This is Bad City; enter if you dare for a brutal, bold and battle-filled Japanese action-thriller from Kensuke Sonomura (Hydra, Baby Assassins, I Am a Hero). The seasoned stuntman and action coordinator turned director brings his action nous to the fore with his fierce homage to V-Cinema, starring one of the genre's biggest names… Hitoshi Ozawa. This kick-ass film makes its UK debut on 6 March 2023 courtesy of 101 Films.

Welcome to Kaiko City – a broken town filled with crime and corruption – where the financial corporations and even the prosecutors are rotten to the core and the mafia and Yakuza drag it even deeper into the depths of depravity.

The area is plagued by poverty and criminals rule the roost. When corrupt businessman Gojo, in collaboration with Korean crime boss, Kim Seung-gi, decides to run for mayor, they start a campaign of vicious violence, intent on eliminating every rival mob who get in their way – whatever it takes.

The violent crime investigation division believes there’s only one man who can bring down the evil criminals for good – Toroda (Ozawa) – a fallen police captain serving time for murder. When he’s secretly released from prison and put in charge of the special task force – all hell breaks loose.

With all-guns blazing and fearless determination, he’ll stop at nothing in his ruthless campaign to bring down the very evil that threatens not only the peace of the city but the very lives of everyone who resides there.

For epic street brawls, martial arts mayhem, gritty gangster storylines, electrifying action sequences and fantastic performances –  pay a visit to this Bad City.

Released on digital 6 March 2023

TRAILER: Jethica (2023) - Starring Callie Hernandez

 


Lightbulb Film Distribution has asked us to share the poster and trailer for dark comedy-horror, Jethica.

Following its World Premiere at SXSW, the film played at Busan International Film Festival, Mayhem Film Festival (UK Premiere) and Abertoir Horror Festival.

Directed by Pete Ohs, the film stars Callie Hernandez (Under The Silver Lake, The Endless), Ashley Denise Robinson (The Watchman, The Beta Test) and Will Madden (Mean Spirited, The Wolf of Snow Hollow).

Jethica will be released On Demand and Download in the UK & Ireland from Feb 6.

In this darkly comedic SXSW oddity, Jessica lives in fear of a man named Kevin who follows her everywhere she goes. While on a road trip, she reconnects with Elena, an old friend she hasn't seen since high school. Elena has been hiding out at her deceased grandmother's ranch in New Mexico. When Kevin mysteriously appears again, Jessica and Elena seek help from beyond the grave to get rid of him for good... but Kevin is different from other stalkers and won't move on so easily.

“Jethica has such an endearing quality; the offbeat humour, the chemistry between the two lead characters, and Kevin (the stalker), whose skewed perspective allows meaningful conversations between the abuser and the abused. Director Pete Ohs is a visionary filmmaker – an exciting new voice in elevated-genre. We are thrilled to be bringing his latest feature to audiences in the UK and Ireland.” commented Sales & Acquisitions Director, Peter Thompson.

Jethica will be available to own or rent in the UK & Ireland from Feb 6 via AppleTV at https://apple.co/3R7fyRz

Monday 6 February 2023

REVIEW: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira

Review by Jon Donnis
I wasn't much of a fan of the first Black Panther film, as it was pushed purely on identity politics as opposed to substance. In other words, "watch this film, or you are a racist", which is a terrible way to promote a film. So I was in no rush to watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, especially since the original star of the film, Chadwick Boseman had tragically died. Some have suggested that the franchise should have just been left alone after his death, but Hollywood rarely cares about sentiment when there is money to be made.

With all that said, I think it is worth seeing Wakanda Forever as a stand-alone film, forget about the fascist overtones of the original film, (race superiority, nationalistic tendencies, building a giant wall around your country to keep people out, refusing to share your technology, healthcare and so on with poorer nations around you), and instead really try to see this as a film in its own right. The general story has the leaders of Wakanda fighting to protect their nation in the wake of King T'Challa's death, from a bunch of blue Aquaman type people from the sea. 


The film starts with Shuri (Letitia Wright), the sister of the king of Wakanda, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman who we obviously do not see outside of flashbacks from the first film), believing that a "heart-shaped plant" might heal the disease that is killing the monarch. After Erik Killmonger destroyed the herb, Shuri makes an unsuccessful attempt to synthetically recreate it before T'Challa passes away.

One year later, other countries are pressuring Wakanda to share its vibranium, and some people are trying to take it by force. Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett ) begs Shuri to carry on her research on the plant in an effort to produce a new Black Panther who will defend Wakanda, but Shuri declines since she thinks the Black Panther is a character from the past that needs to stay history. The CIA and U.S. Navy SEALs use a vibranium detector to find a prospective vibranium deposit underwater in the Atlantic Ocean. The CIA suspects Wakanda is to blame when a squad of blue-skinned, water-breathing superhumans led by Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) destroy the mission. Bypassing Wakanda's sophisticated security, Namor approaches Ramonda and Shuri. He accuses Wakanda of creating the vibranium detector.

He gives them an ultimatum, deliver him the scientist responsible for the vibranium detector, or he will attack Wakanda.


CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) informs Shuri and Okoye (Danai Gurira) that the scientist in question is MIT student Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), and they travel to the college to find her. The FBI and Namor's warriors are pursuing the group, and after Okoye is defeated, Shuri and Williams are taken underwater to meet Namor. Ramonda deprives Okoye of her position as general of the Dora Milaje in retaliation for her inability to defend Shuri and looks for Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), who has been residing in Haiti since The Blip. Namor reveals to Shuri his vibranium-rich underwater realm of Talokan, which he has kept hidden from the rest of the world for generations. Namor suggests an alliance with Wakanda against the rest of the humanity because he is angry with the surface world for enslaving the Maya, but threatens to destroy Wakanda if they refuse.


The rest of the film is very much a battle between the Wakandans and the Talokans. With the blue people seemingly getting the upper hand in pretty much every battle. With us being told that the Wakandans were the superior race in the first film, seeing them face a bigger threat than themselves was welcoming, as it helped to humanize them and perhaps even humble them too.

This is a very female driven film, but it never feels forced, which is often the case. I thought that the cast stood tall, regardless of race or gender. This is very much a film for Letitia Wright, and she does a great job, and ultimately becomes the new Black Panther.


The Good
A decent if unoriginal story that seemed very separate from the rest of the Marvel films, which is a good thing in my opinion, and in many ways the film did away with a lot of the divisive rhetoric from the first film. Excellent visual effects as you would expect from Marvel. And strong performances from Letitia Wright and Tenoch Huerta Mejía.

The Bad
There is a question about if you should just leave well alone when a central character of a film has died. The Black Panther label feels like an anchor at times, and perhaps they should have separated themselves from that completely. Letitia Wright could have just battled to become Queen of Wakanda and basically ended up in the same place.

How do you have the excellent Martin Freeman in a film and give him such a small part, he works best when thrown into situations that the character is uncomfortable with. He brings the humour and light-hearted scenes that you need in a film like this. I felt he was sorely underused.

Overall
I did not like the first film, but I did enjoy this one, I thought it was miles better, it has a strong largely female cast. 

I score Black Panther: Wakanda Forever a strong 7.5/10

Out on Home Entertainment from February 15th, and you can pre-order at https://amzn.to/3x05CQU