There is Terror with COME PLAY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and currently on Digital from writer/director Jacob Chase and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the unbelievable way it asks them to COME PLAY.

Oliver (Azhy Robertson) just wants a friend and so he turns to electronic devises to keep him occupied. Unable to speak, he also uses the devises to communicate with his mother Sarah (Gillian Jacobs) and dad Marty (John Gallagher Jr.). One day he discovers a story about a monster named Larry that also wants a friend.

The problem is that this particular story-book friend has evil intention. Using electricity, Larry can travel and wreak deadly havoc on their lives. Oliver begins to understand how Larry works and tries to share with his parents through drawing how it is all happening.

Believing that becoming device free would save them, Larry learns quickly what he must do to finally have the friend he is dying for.

Robertson as Oliver is a young man dealing with several issues. Recently losing a friend because of a misunderstanding, Oliver goes deeper inside himself. Using devices to communicate is necessary if his parents are going to help him. Once he discovers Larry, he begins to see the result of going further and further into the story. Robertson does not need words because he is absolutely able to convey every horror emotion with his face and that’s talent.

Jacobs as Sarah is trying to keep her family together and help her son. It is when she is brought into Larry’s web of terror that she finally understands what her son has been trying to tell her. Staying on step ahead of Larry, Jacobs is fast on her feet and gives her character the tiger protecting her cub.

Gallagher Jr. is trying to understand the stress his wife is under but the problems with Oliver seem to be driving them apart. It is when he takes the opportunity to spend time with Oliver, he learns about Larry and is not about to let the creature have his son. Gallagher Jr. is a strong father but at the same time has the frailties all fathers have.

Other cast includes Winslow Fegley as Byron, Jayden Marine as Mateo, Gavin Wright as Zach, Dalmar Abuzeid as Mr. Calarco, Eboni Booth as Dr. Robyn and Rachel Wilson as Jennifer.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

COME PLAY is certainly a thriller/horror film with a creature that has come from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. I personally think that is amazingly cool and just hearing the footsteps of Larry coming across the floor brings huge anticipation of seeing him on screen.

I enjoyed the film and writer/director Chase’s use of electronics as a mode of transport for Larry. There are many people who see electronics as becoming a horror show and I do not disagree. For Chase to wrap that feeling into a film is stellar and hugely creative. I can honestly say if something like that happened on my cell phone or Ipad – I would find the nearest woodchipper!

This is also a fun rainy evening film with the lights out and a huge tub of popcorn and I am very fond of evenings like this. COME PLAY fits everything that I want in a dark and creative horror film with intense thrills and an ending that is different yet amazing. Lights out and have fun!

In the end – he is good at taking friends!

UNDERWATER Brings Tension in the Ocean’s Depths

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director William Eubank and 20^th Century Home Entertainment comes the depths of the Mariana Trench and what is truly UNDERWATER.

Deep below the depths is a research laboratory platform that in a minute becomes a potential watery grave. Mechanical Engineer Norah (Kristen Stewart) is the first to notice the leaking vessel as the walls begin to close in and wetter rushes in. Trying to alert the crew, she finds Rodrigo (Mamoudou Athie) as they look for the safest place to be.

Making their way they find crew mate Paul (T.J. Miller), Emily (Jessica Henwick), Smith (John Gallagher Jr.) and Lee (Gunner Wright) as well as the Captain (Vincent Cassel). Knowing they have no choice but to leave the platform, the Captain decides the best route is to another platform and to go by walking!

Almost immediately there is a sense that something is down in the depths with them. The shadows come closer and closer until the creatures reveal themselves. Their goal is to take out the humans and the human’s goal is to get to the other platform alive.

Norah knows how to work the mechanics to try and keep their oxygen packs working and as the group is taken down one by one, she is more determined than ever to get to the surface!

What is down in the depths with them is nothing anyone has ever seen before.

Stewart as Norah doesn’t waste a moment jumping into action. Practically from the beginning of the film the action kicks in and so does Stewart. She thinks fast on her feet (considering what is under her feet is quickly turning to water) and is doing everything to keep her wits. This isn’t a role that will make or break Stewart, but it is a role that is pretty strong, and I don’t mind that.

Cassel as the Captain knows the only way out is through the murky waters and doing it walking in very heavy suits. Having the chance to get out while the getting was good, the Captain wants everyone to get out. I love Cassel because he is so diverse in every role he has played and can get flamboyant or subtle, but his presence is palpable.

Henwick as Emily is a young woman who isn’t having an easy time accepting what is happening and what is going to happen. She has a nervous talk and covers a wide range of subjects in a short period of time one minute and can hold a conversation with herself the next. Then again, I’m not sure how any of us would react in that situation!

Miller is the winner of the film and he is hilarious which is the tension breaker in a film loaded with it. His one-liners and need for a bunny gave us all the chance to laugh off the intensity of the story. I just love any time he’s on screen because I never know what’s going to come out of his mouth. Gallagher Jr. and Wright get a chance to run for their lives as well and once the creature is exposed, its just run or be food.

Twentieth Century Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

UNDERWATER is a mixture of genre films like ALIENS, THE ABYSS and the like but you know what – I’m good with that. UNDERWATER is an intense, humorous (thanks to Miller) and seat jumping story that doesn’t require a lot from the audience. I know that sounds a bit snarky but I don’t mean it that way at all.

There is a film that just lets you sit back with a popcorn and have a good time. I don’t know anyone that didn’t have a jump for five or six thanks to a creature that is just too creepy to be on land. Instead, there is a right amount of everything in UNDERWATER.

This is an experience of thrills and watery chills because it’s a great way to be entertained!

In the end – seven miles below the ocean surface something has awakened!

UNDERWATER Brings Tension in the Ocean’s Depths

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director William Eubank and 20^th Century Fox comes the depths of the Mariana Trench and what is truly UNDERWATER.

Deep below the depths is a research laboratory platform that in a minute becomes a potential watery grave. Mechanical Engineer Norah (Kristen Stewart) is the first to notice the leaking vessel as the walls begin to close in and wetter rushes in. Trying to alert the crew, she finds Rodrigo (Mamoudou Athie) as they look for the safest place to be.

Making their way they find crew mate Paul (T.J. Miller), Emily (Jessica Henwick), Smith (John Gallagher Jr.) and Lee (Gunner Wright) as well as the Captain (Vincent Cassel). Knowing they have no choice but to leave the platform, the Captain decides the best route is to another platform and to go by walking!

Almost immediately there is a sense that something is down in the depths with them. The shadows come closer and closer until the creatures reveal themselves. Their goal is to take out the humans and the human’s goal is to get to the other platform alive.

Norah knows how to work the mechanics to try and keep their oxygen packs working and as the group is taken down one by one, she is more determined than ever to get to the surface!

What is down in the depths with them is nothing anyone has ever seen before.

Stewart as Norah doesn’t waste a moment jumping into action. Practically from the beginning of the film the action kicks in and so does Stewart. She thinks fast on her feet (considering what is under her feet is quickly turning to water) and is doing everything to keep her wits. This isn’t a role that will make or break Stewart, but it is a role that is pretty strong, and I don’t mind that.

Cassel as the Captain knows the only way out is through the murky waters and doing it walking in very heavy suits. Having the chance to get out while the getting was good, the Captain wants everyone to get out. I love Cassel because he is so diverse in every role he has played and can get flamboyant or subtle, but his presence is palpable.

Henwick as Emily is a young woman who isn’t having an easy time accepting what is happening and what is going to happen. She has a nervous talk and covers a wide range of subjects in a short period of time one minute and can hold a conversation with herself the next. Then again, I’m not sure how any of us would react in that situation!

Miller is the winner of the film and he is hilarious which is the tension breaker in a film loaded with it. His one-liners and need for a bunny gave us all the chance to laugh off the intensity of the story. I just love any time he’s on screen because I never know what’s going to come out of his mouth. Gallagher Jr. and Wright get a chance to run for their lives as well and once the creature is exposed, its just run or be food.

UNDERWATER is a mixture of genre films like ALIENS, THE ABYSS and the like but you know what – I’m good with that. I understand that January isn’t the month for big time releases which might play well for the film. UNDERWATER is an intense, humorous (thanks to Miller) and seat jumping story that doesn’t require a lot from the audience. I know that sounds a bit snarky but I don’t mean it that way at all.

There is something awesome about the holidays being over and needing a film that just lets you sit back with a tub of popcorn and have a good time. I don’t know anyone that didn’t have a jump for five or six thanks to a creature that is just too creepy to be on land. Instead, there is a right amount of everything in UNDERWATER.

So load up family and friends to hit the theatre for an experience of thrills and watery chills because it’s a great way to start the new year!

In the end – seven miles below the ocean surface something has awakened!