DO NOT REPLY Brings Horror Close to Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from writers/directors Daniel Woltosz, Walter Woltosz and Gravitas Ventures is the nightmare of what can happen so DO NOT REPLY.

Chelsea (Amanda Arcuri) is a young girl who is constantly in the shadow of an older, more outgoing cheerleading sister. Trying to find her own friends, she 'meets' Brad (Jackson Rathbone) on the internet and he is interested in becoming friends which appeals to Chelsea.

Unfortunately, she uses the phone during class, and it is confiscated brining mom Mia (Ivon Milan) to school to deal with it. Getting her hands on another phone, she agreed to meet Brad at a Halloween party dressed in a cheerleader’s outfit.

Chelsea is not there long before she passed out and wakes up in a basement chained to the floor. Every young girls’ nightmare has come true, Brad is not what he poses to be and now she's trapped. Shocked to learn there are other girls in the house as well, Brad's story of Sadie (Nikki Leigh) unfolds and it is even more than Chelsea could have ever imagined.

She must stay calm and one step ahead of his plans!

Arcuri as Chelsea is a young girl looking for someone to care about her and goes about it in the most dangerous of ways. That is what the current technology has done, cause young women to become targets for predators. As Chelsea, Arcuri immediately starts to assess her situation and find a way out of it. It comes at a high price as well.

Rathbone as Brad has serious issues as his story slowly starts to unravel. Chelsea isn't Brad's first victim but she sure was going to make sure she was the last. Rathbone is charming until rules are broken, memories flood his characters twisted mind and Brad's trust is shattered. Rathbone gets a chance to use that boyish smile on the audience that quickly turns to not-so-charming when tested.

Heather (Kerri Medders) is someone else trapped in Brad's home but her story is a tad different and so are her reactions to what is happening. Medders plays a victim that trusts her surroundings and isn't pleased with Chelsea's arrival. Leigh as Sadie gets a chance to tell part of the tale, but it is one that makes Brad's behavior even more unpredictable.

Other cast include: Elise Luthman as Heather, Ashlee Fuss as Tina, Courtney Henggeler as Laura, Kaitlyn Black as Victoria, Curran Walters as Dylan, Savannah Kennick as Kristina and Thom Gossom Jr. as Dr. Hunts.

Gravitas Ventures is a worldwide film distribution company that connections the global audience of over a billion people. Celebrating 15 years, they have had the honor to collaborate with thousands of artists to share important films. Gravitas was one of the first companies to develop a global network of digital media platforms like Video on Demand with a simple mission to deliver ideas that could bridge filmmakers to audiences. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.gravitasventures.com.

DO NOT REPLY is a horror film but it is also a story that is heard time and time again about the young kids behind taken by people pretending to be their friends on the internet. The film gives us a horrifying look at Chelsea but equally horrifying is the fact that this is not far from reality.

That being said, on the film side of it, this is a game of cat and mouse, of who can outsmart who and what it takes to get out alive. There is plenty of suspense absolutely and a few moments of obviousness but that can be overlooked when the story does not stop its pace from beginning to the last frame - which will give the viewer some satisfaction.

Rathbone gives us a chilling and twisted character and Arcuri has a moment where her choice makes the jaw drop. The question then becomes - what will you do to survive?

In the end - DELETE YOUR PROFILE!

You are Never Really ALONE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from director John Hyams and Magnet Releasing is a film of not being able to get away from evil and never really left ALONE.

Jessica (Jules Wilcox) is a young woman who wants to start her life over again when her marriage comes to an abrupt end. Packing everything she can fit into her car and a tow, she takes to the road. Driving through some of the most beautiful scenery, going up a mountain she encounters a car that is going excessively slow.

Trying to get around the black SUV brings a close call that has Jessica's heart racing. Pulling into a motel for the night she wakes up ready to get even farther away from her previous life. A knock at her window makes her jump as a man (Marc Menchaca) apologizes for the previous days event. He tries to engage Jessica in conversation, but she excuses herself quickly.

Back on the road, she finds herself on a golden leaf laden, tree lined two lane road. Her nerves are on edge and seeing the black SUV coming up behind her gets 911 on the line. Its one thing after another when the Man in the black SUV does catch up to her.

Waking up in a cellar, the Man makes it clear he is not someone to be trifled with. Jessica makes her move and ends up out in the middle of the forest fighting for her life. When she comes across Robert (Anthony Heald), she gives herself hope to be free.

The Man is not quite done yet!

Wilcox as Jessica starts out an emotional wreck and knows she must start over somewhere. It is a bold move to take to the road alone but then again, she does not exactly plan to deal with the Man in the black SUV. What I enjoy about her character is that she would rather take dangerous risks than give the Man any satisfaction whatsoever. There is a scene in the woods during the rain that I was one tense second after another - I love when that happens.

Menchaca as the Man is eerie and deliberate, and I love that too! Watching him play Russ Langmore in one of my all-time favorite series OZARK, this character makes Russ seem like an evil lightweight. In ALONE, his demeanor does not change no matter his mood. That means he is laser focused on what he has planned for Jessica and perhaps the chase is more exciting than he lets on.

A small role for Heald but I was yelling at him the whole time, trust me you will be too!

Magnet Releasing is a part of Magnolia Pictures that specializes in films from the vanguard of horror, action, comedy and Asian cinema. It is also the home of classics like Tomas Alfredson’s LET THE RIGHT ON IN, Ti West’s THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, Andre Ovredal’s TROLLHUNTER, Neil Marshall’s sword and sandals bloodbath CENTURION and Tony Jaa’s ONG BAK trilogy. Recent released include the terrifying anthologies V/H/S and V/H/S/2, Xan Cassavettes’ stylish vampire film KISS OF THE DAMNED, and the sci-fi thriller THE LAST DAYS ON MARS. Upcoming films include Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT and to find out more of what is to come please visit www.magnetreleasingfilms.com.

ALONE is the kind of film I love in that it’s a mixture of nail biting, yelling at the screen, calling out things like "I wouldn't have done that!" with your brain yelling "yea, you would have". The fact that it is broken up into four points is like a tease as to what is coming without actually giving anything away. Its having a cliff hanger without actually hanging but yet you are - get it?

Having a minimal cast is always interesting to me because it is up to, in this case, two actors to bring the store meaning, keep our attention and engage us to keep watching. ALONE does all three surrounded by a third character - the forest. All around Jessica and the Man is this lush, green, swaying trees and life giving river full of hiding places and weapons - know that!

ALONE is an awesome way to end the summer and prepare for the Halloween season, whatever form that might take. There are twists, turns and our own frights of the mind to contend with in this film. The possibility of this actually happening is out there so take heed and a few lessons from our heroine!

In the end - what are you running from?

ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres for Christmas from director Ridley Scott and TriStar Pictures is the true story of greed and kidnapping when you have ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD.

John Getty II (Andrew Buchan) and wife Gail (Michelle Williams) are raising their children under the shadow of being related to the richest man in the world, J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer). When their finances become difficult, Gail suggests that John write a letter to his father and mend their relationship.

To their surprise, Getty sends a telegram asking them to come to Rome and for John to work with him. The older Getty takes a liking to his grandson Paul (Charlie Plummer) and encourages him to be a part of the family business and spending time learning about their history.

As the years pass, John falls hard into drugs and Paul is brought back home to Gail. The relationship with the elder Getty is back to where it was before and they all have little contact with him. Paul has a wild side and he tends to come and go as he pleases and Gail doesn’t know how to deal with it.

One night, as Paul walks the streets of Rome, in an instant he is kidnapped. Gail receives a telephone call informing her of it and that she is to pay a hefty ransom. Reaching out to Getty, she does not get the response of a grandfather concerned about his grandson but instead, the response of a penny pinching old man.

Getty does one thing however, brings in Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg) to work with Gail in trying to locate who might have Paul. Working with the Italian police, Chase isn’t sure he is getting the whole story about the kidnapping or the family.

Paul deals with the kidnappers, especially Cinquanta (Romain Duris) who believe that the ransom will be paid. Phone call after phone call begins to anger them as Gail tries to explain that it is not she who has the money.

This is what happens when greed meets a man with an iron will because one way or another – everyone is going to pay!

Williams as Gail is a mother who knows the dynamics of the family but isn’t about to let her son die. It would be easy to see that she might be considered a tad cold but I also understand her more than I thought I would. As each phone calls comes in and each new threat is given, Williams thought process is quite clear.

Wahlberg as Chase is a man who clearly has worked with Getty on other issues but this one is different. Trying to understand why Getty just plain refuses to participate in what is clearly a serious matter stuns Chase. Wahlberg’s character begins to invest more of himself in what is happening and doesn’t care what his employer thinks. He puts on his usual badass and makes it known that what is right is right – no matter how much money you have.

Duris as Cinquanta is a kidnapper with a weird conscience. Between a rock and a hard place, it is clear he knows the difference between right and wrong. I’m not defending the guy in the slightest but Duris gives the character his moments.

There are two winners in this film and both of them have the last name of Plummers. First, Charlie Plummer as Paul is a young man who was going through life with a strange chip on his shoulder. There is a disconnect with his parents that just has him feeling as if nothing can touch his free spirit. He is also smarter than his kidnappers give him credit for. Plummer’s performance is everything I’d expect and still pleasantly surprised.

Christopher Plummer as J. Paul Getty is absolute and stunning perfection! From the moment he is on screen, Plummer portrays the richest man in the world with such a range of non-emotion emotion. What I mean to say is when he is angry you know he is although he’s not screaming, when he doesn’t care about something it is clear that it’s not on his to-do list and when it comes to money he clearly can talk about it with such believeability that it’s jaw dropping. Plummer has always been on my list of performers to watch but in ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD he deserves an Oscar!

Other cast include: Timothy Hutton as Oswald Hinge, Marco Leonardi as Mammoliti, Giuseppe Bonifati as Giovanni Iacovoni, Nicolas Vaporidis as Il Tamia, Andrea Bodini as Corvo, and Guglielmo Favilla as Piccolino.

ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD is a journey through this family’s story in the middle of a kidnapping heard round the world. I knew about the young boy being taken but there is so much more than I didn’t know. That’s what makes this film even more interesting is that it kept my attention with one jaw drop after another.

It is an interesting look inside a family that proves money doesn’t buy happiness. The performances are brilliant but, as I said, it is the two Plummer’s that steal the entire film. Director Ridley Scott delivers with solid storytelling and gives us a thriller, drama and suspenseful look deeper inside a true story.

In the end – J. Paul Getty had a fortune and everyone else paid the price!

KIDNAP Doesn’t Stop!

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray/DVD and Digital HD from director Luis Prieto and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a chase of adrenaline when dealing with KIDNAP.

Karla Dyson (Halle Berry) is a single mother working as a waitress taking care of her son Frankie (Sage Correa). Making ends meet the best she can, spending time with Frankie at the park is extremely important. Keeping an eye on him with the ‘Marco Polo’ call out, Karla takes an important telephone call.

Panicking because her husband wants full custody, Karla takes her mind off Frankie for only an instant. In that instant she realizes Frankie isn’t answering her and turns to see a woman shoving Frankie into a car. Racing after him, a chase begins as Karla tries desperately to get anyone’s attention to help her.

Banging metal puts both cars facing one another and Karla sees the face of a man named Terry (Lew Temple) and a woman named Margo (Chris McGinn) who make it clear that they want money. Even that doesn’t go as planned when the chase begins again into a small town. Trying to get help from the local police, Karla becomes impatient and hits the road once again.

At the end of a road Karla comes face to face with Terry but no Frankie! That’s when she digs deeper and to her shock discovers that she needs to keep her cool if they are all to get out alive.

They took the wrong child!

Berry as Karla puts up with a lot from people being a waitress. Keeping her cool comes from focusing on the one thing that makes it all worth it – her son Frankie. When the horror begins Berry carries the weight of the film and certainly takes her share of the physical punishment.

Temple as Terry holds his own and although he doesn’t say much, his appearance is daunting and I certainly wouldn’t want to meet up with him. McGinn as Margo tries to sweet talk Karla believing that they only want money and it all will stop. Once these two characters get in the same vicinity of one another I couldn’t help but yell, “No! Don’t get near her!”

Other cast include Jason George as David, Kurtis Bedford as Del, Carmella Riley as Stephanie, Brice Fisher as Tyler, Andy Wagner as Dean and Aaron Shiver as Bill.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us all to experience and re-experience in our own home theatres. 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.

KIDNAP contains the Bonus Feature of a Thrilling Behind-the-Scenes Look inside KIDNAP along as well as a Digital HD copy that can be watched on television, Computer, Tablet or Smartphone.

KIDNAP is a roller coaster from start to finish as Berry carries the film into a chase that I think any mother would have participated in when it comes to their child. Being a good mother is important to Karla because of the amazing connection with her son Frankie. It becomes even more prevalent when she sees him being stuffed into a car!

From the car chases to accidents, this is a character that who isn’t about to let someone else determine either of their fates. She tries to reach out but the clock is ticking and Karla knows it. The ending is a little more than stunning with twists and turns that don’t stop until the films end.

In the end – vengeance is a Mother!

KIDNAP Brings Terror to Bluray

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL OCTOBER 17, 2017

AND ON BLU-RAY^™ AND DVD OCTOBER 31, 2017

FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

From the producers of Salt and Transformers, follow the intense journey as one mother shows how far she will go to save her child in the non-stop thrill ride, Kidnap, coming to Digital on October 17, 2017 and on Blu-ray^TM, DVD and On Demand October 31, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Produced by and starring Academy Award® winning actress Halle Berry, Kidnap is the story of a mother who must confront a parent’s biggest fear and the relentless pursuit that ensues as she grows increasingly empowered to rescue her child. Bring home the “intense, suspenseful and thrilling” (Dave Morales, Fox-TV) adventure on Blu-ray^TM, DVD and Digital and discover a special behind-the-scenes featurette that takes viewers inside the film’s powerful story.

A typical afternoon in the park turns into a nightmare for single mom Karla Dyson (Academy Award® winner Halle Berry) when her son suddenly disappears.  Without a cell phone and knowing she has no time to wait for police help, Karla jumps in her own car and sets off in pursuit of the kidnappers.  A relentless, edge-of-your seat chase ensues, where Karla must risk everything to not lose sight of her own son.  In this tense, action-fueled thriller, from the producers of Salt and Transformers, one mother’s heroic attempt to take back her son leads her to ask herself how far she will go to save her child.

For a chance to add KIDNAP to your own home entertainment library please visit http://moviemaven.homestead.com.