The Runner is a political drama film by Austin Stark that is set in the aftermath of the 2010 BP oil spill.
The film stars Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas), Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave), Connie Nielsen (Gladiator), Peter Fonda (Easy Rider), Wendell Pierce (The Wire) and Bryan Batt (Mad Men), “The Runner” is a political drama film by Austin Stark that is set in the aftermath of the 2010 BP oil spill. Continue reading
Containment is a new British thriller from writer/director Neil McEnery-West and screenwriter David Lemon.
The film stars Louise Brealey, Sheila Reid and Lee Ross.
In a similar vein to films such as Outbreak, Contagion and Attack the Block the film’s story follows a group of tenants stuck in a tower block as a bunch of government officials in HazMat suits seal off the area for no apparent reason. This really is all a set-up for the human stories of those involved which explores areas such as parental relationships, race, class and the elderly. This aspect of the film is at least compelling and ably played by the cast; another driving force of the film is the ‘US & Them’ relationship between the tenants and the Haz-mats though not really covering any new ground here. This film works better in the human story aspect.
The film is fairly well shot but again doesn’t really stand out visually and thriller aspect of this film doesn’t really hold up to expectation which is instead pinned on the story and drama. It plays like a taught thriller at times but ultimately is not successful in this aspect and is inconsistent.
Now available. in select cinemas and VOD in UK.
3/5
This new thriller from writer/director Ken Sanzel follows the story of two illegal gun fighters (the type of fight where they use live rounds and wear bullet proof vests for spectator sport).
The film stars Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto and Ryan Kwanten.
From writing/directing duo Howard & Jonathan Ford comes the sequel to 2010’s The Dead. Whilst the original was set in Africa we switch continents for this film which has a similar story but set (and shot) in India this time. Released on DVD in the UK by Altitude.
The film stars Joseph Millson, Meenu Mishra and Anand Krishna Goyal.
An American engineer (Millson) teams up with a surviving orphan street kid (Goyal) to trek 300 miles across stunning but deadly rural Indian landscapes to the now infested slums of Mumbai to try and save his pregnant girlfriend (Mishra). Continue reading
101 Films have released this classic film from Jean-Claude Van Damme and director Sheldon Lettich (Writer -Rambo III) on Blu-Ray in the UK for the first time as part of their ‘Cult Classics’ collection .
Upon receiving news that his brother in Los Angeles is seriously injured, Lyon Gaultier (Van Damme) deserts the French Foreign Legion from a remote outpost in North Africa. Fleeing from two of the Legion’s security force who have orders to bring him back at any cost, Lyon reluctantly turns to the illegal, bare-knuckles underground fighting circuit to raise the money he needs to help his brother’s family.
This story of the conflicted fighter who is expected to throw a fight is nothing new in Cinema; these stories have been told many times. The foreign legion element is the only thing that is new here; but not that new. Released in 1990, this film seems like a hang-over from the 80s. And as if we needed it pointing out, the largely distracting music cues that burst in at various times make this abundantly clear. Is this really necessary? The cinematography really dates this film as-well, shot like a wannabe Rocky.
Written by Benjamin Gummery
The story revolves around Richard Sullivan (Timothy Muskatell); an innocent man that is sentenced to die. But in this prison, there are fates worse than death as the Warden (Bill Oberst Jr.) and his guards have become thoroughly corrupted with their absolute power.
“THE CHAIR is, at first glance, your average prison horror/thriller. But just beneath the dark and gritty surface, there’s a story – and a film – about the struggle to survive, the abuse of power, and the isolation and despair that all human beings face in their final hour.”
“There are no demons or zombies here – the only monster on death row is man“.
John V. Knowles describes himself as “Geek. Atheist. Cyberpunk. Film nerd. Sci-Fi & Horror nut. Mac addict. Typophile. Coffee enthusiast”. Together with his wife Lotti he runs the production company Weirdsmobile which produces shorts & features.
John recently had his feature-film directorial debut with the horror/comedy ‘Chastity Bites‘. See our full review here. We spoke to John about his film career and his love of technology.
“………no matter how hard it was to make or how it turned out, just take a moment to relish the fact that you did actually make a MOVIE”
From writing/directing team Andy Phelps & Jake Hawkins comes the British zombie thriller/comedy Zombie Resurrection. Interestingly; this was originally written as a screenplay to sell; but with lack of interest the writers chose to take the project on themselves.
After a short intro scene; we break into an animated title sequence with a booming 
score…..they are really building it up here. Will it live up to this intro?
This soon establishes itself as an a group survival zombie flick…as the group is travelling to a new encampment in the post zombie apocalypse. However the overtone to begin with is purely comical and farce with accents to match; perhaps taking it’s cues from Shaun of The Dead. Continue reading
The 1991 thriller Toy Soldiers is being released for the first time on Blu-Ray on the 2nd June by 101 Films as part of their ‘Cult Film Collection’. It is probably arguable however whether this film deserves cult status. It fits in with the typical action/military films of the late 80s/early 90’s; but this is no WarGames.
This was the directorial debut of Writer/Director Daniel Petire Jr. who is better known for his comedic writing on films such as Beverly Hills Cop an Turner & Hooch. Some of that humour is also seen here but is not nearly as effective as his other works. The cast includes Sean Astin(The Goonies, Lord of the Rings), Wil Wheaton (Stand By Me), Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentlemen), Andrew Divoff (Air Force One), Mason Adams (Lou Grant) and Denholm Elliott (Indiana Jones).
Regis High School, an exclusive prep school for delinquent teens becomes the target of a terrorist hostage-taking when Columbian drug lord and terrorist Luis Cali (Divoff) travels to the US to negotiate the release of his father and it is left to a group of student pranksters (Astin, Wheaton etc.) to outsmart the terrorists.
Pre-release review thanks to distributor StudioCanal.
Based on the best-selling novel by S.J. Watson. The film rights were initially acquired by Ridley Scott; who then brought Rowan Joffé on board as Director (he also wrote the screenplay).
Before I Go To Sleep tells the story of Christine (Nicole Kidman); who suffers from anterograde amnesia and wakes every day with no knowledge of her surroundings and how she came to be the way she is. She goes through life haunted by a past she can’t recall and a present she cannot fathom.
She lives with husband Ben (Colin Firth) who helps her to deal with her condition but we discover she has also been secretly seeing Dr. Nasch (Mark Strong) who is helping her to recover her memory through a video log. With his help she begins to piece together the pieces of her life; sometimes contrary to what she has been told. Continue reading
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