They Become THE QUIET ONES

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and digital from director Frederik Louis Hviid and Magnet Releasing is the biggest heist on Danish soil pulled off by THE QUIET ONES.

Kasper (Gustav Giese) is constantly boxing training but doesn’t seem to be rising up in his sport. Taking care of wife Aaliya (Camilla Lau) and young daughter Sara (Dagmar Halse), he has to find a way to earn. Realizing that his dream is being buried by his losses, Kasper enlists Slimani (Reda Kateb) with an idea for a robbery. Putting together a team they can trust causes immediate problems since one of their partners, Hasse (Christopher Wagelin) doesn’t care for Kasper.

Maria (Amanda Collin) is a security guard that is looking for her own success. Responsible for her family, she stays on top of what she needs to do to get the job done. Once Slimani and Kasper work out the details of the robbery, each step is meticulously planned and prepared for. They also enlist the help of Joppe (Jens Hulten), Mo (Granit Rushiti) and Warsame (Amin Ahmed) to get the job done.

When the time comes, Kasper gears up with the others knowing they only have minutes to grab and go. Even the perfect crime isn’t so perfect when things begin to slowly fall apart but the group has a contingency plan for that as well. What they don’t expect is to see Maria and a spit decision might be the downfall of them all!

Giese as Kasper portrays a boxer who just can’t seem to find his punch. Not a loud or abrasive person, he gives us the most unlikely criminal. As he brings a plan to Slimani, we see that Kasper has thought out the robbery clearly. Giese gives us a character that is desperate to take care of his family but clearly doesn’t fit the killer mentality that his cohorts do.

Kateb as Slimani is just vicious in the way he looks, talks, and behaves. He has no problem taking out anyone who gets in his way, including Kasper. He is clear that his goal is to rule everything and get his hands on the money. Kateb is excellent in this role that is quite the opposite of Kasper. He gives us dark and dangerous down to the depths of Slimani’s dark heart.

Wagelin as Hasse is just a large man with an even larger attitude. He is going to do what he wants when he wants and god help anyone who stands in his way. Wagelin has the right amount of swager to bring his character a fearlessness necessary to be in the middle of Kasper and Slimani.

Collin as Maria is actually a very underdeveloped character. I have to say I was geared up to see her be more a part of the film so I think this was a missed opportunity. That being said, Collin is clearly a woman trying to show what she can do where her job is concerned and, when the time came, showed no fear and a stubbornness I respected absolutely.

Other cast include Ida Rasmussen as Pumpkin, Mohammed Abbas as Mohammed, Sandra Stojiljkovic as Elin, Victor Ivan as Josef, Anders Hove as Olaf and Anastasios Soulis as Juventus.

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.

Director Hviid says of the film, “THE QUIET ONES is about the pursuit: the pursuit of money. The pursuit of a dream. The pursuit of respect and a place in life. This pursuit is essential. Whether you follow the young bank robber with a promising talent for boxing, the Moroccan man who pulled all the strings behind a veil of lies and deceit, or the security guard who trusted in her instincts and ended up uncovering and bringing down a group of international criminals. The pursuit of something greater was shared by them all”.

He ends with, “we will witness a piece of criminal history. My ambition is to place the audience in the middle of the chaos and bring them into our group of hardened criminals.” Well, that is exactly what Hviid does. We are to pick apart each of their reasons for what they do, not excusing their acts, but focusing on the reasons for their criminal act and making it the biggest in Danish history.

It is a slow-paced film that took the characters planning step by step. There was no need for a backstory for the other robbers because their presence was enough that no one in their right mind would ask questions. It is Giese’ Kasper that is out of place in the group yet it doesn’t stop him from inserting himself in the plan and carrying it out. It is after the robbery that things get dicey and a little bit like 1991’s GOOD FELLAS. Once the crime begins, so does the action and the result of what the men have done.

In the end – it was the largest heist in Danish history!

 

THE CONVERT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and On Demand from writer/director Lee Tamahori, Shane Danielsen and Magnet Releasing comes a story of preacher vs. a tribe with THE CONVERT.

It is 1830 and Thomas Munro (Guy Pearce) is a preacher who has come across the seas to a New Zealand settlement in the town of Epworth to bring spiritual leadership. Almost immediately he comes face to face with the brutality of a war between the Māori tribes. As one village is being destroyed, Munroe steps in to offer his horse in exchange for the life of Māori villager Rangimai (Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne).

Reaching the town of Epworth, Munroe soon realizes that not only is there a war between the tribes, but also between the settlers and anyone who is not them! Rangiami’s presence isn’t welcome no matter how much he tries to assimilate her. Munroe is befriended by Charlotte (Jacqueline McKenzie) who also becomes acquainted with Rangimai. Attempting to understand the conflict between Maianui (Antonio Te Maioha) and Akatarewa (Lawrence Makoare), Munroe just wants the death to end.

But, if there is to be a war, Munroe knows what side he will chose and it will bring a conclusion that is surprising!

Pearce takes on the role of Munroe and, of playing the lead character, the actor says, “Munro has come from the other side of the world to be the preacher in this town that is being set up. But there's clearly a world that has existed for many years prior to white folk arriving, and the way in which different cultures try and work together… the fragility of that and the precariousness of that is something that I find fascinating,” says Pearce. “I thought the script was immediately poignant and realistic and quite profound. And knowing that Lee was going to be making this, I just knew that there was a tenderness and an intelligence to it that perhaps others wouldn't bring.”

Ngatai-Melbourne as Rangimai is a woman struggling with the grief of death and the forced attempt to understand the colonists. It is her friendship with Charlotte that makes things bearable yet there will come a time when there is no choice but to fight. Ngatai-Melbourne gives a fierce performance of a woman who knows the pride of her tribe and will do anything to fight for it. She is stunning in this role and had me all in to her character from moment one. Ngatai-Melbourne is a Māori storyteller who is of Ngāti Porou and Ngai Tūhoe descent

Maioha and Makoare as the tribal leaders are equally as fierce as Rangimai, but one has no problem attempting to use all brutal methods possible to force power and subservience. Yes, their world is brutal but, to my way of thinking, no more brutal than other cultures who fight in a war.

Other cast include Madeleine McCarthy as Bethany, Renee Lyons as Jane Beauchamp, Duane Evans Jr. as Pahirua, Jack Barry as Harris, Jared Turner as Castor Samuels, Dean O’Gorman as Kedgley and Te Kohe Tuhaka.

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 Cassavette’s 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.

Tamahori says that Munro in THE CONVERT is “a humanist and a naturalist,” adding: “He is more interested in the world as it is, and he's a man escaping his past, not really a man of God. He's joined the Church Missionary Society to go as far away from Europe and his nightmares as possible. He thinks that coming to the farthest end of the planet will solve his problems, but it won't.” 

Keeping the location down to a minimum allows the viewer to really get into the storyline and the cinematography is as nicely brutal as one would expect of the 19^th century. The cast brings out the characters to the point that I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I admit to loving period pieces of all kinds and having the chance to explore this particular era in time of the Māori tribe is captivating.

Director Tamahori began to research the history of the Church Missionary Society enterprise in New Zealand, including members Henry Williams and Samuel Marsden. “One of them had been a soldier in the British Army,” says Tamahori. “He had a life before the Church Missionary Society, so I dived into that as a concept for our lead character and he became more realistic.”

That realism is what makes THE COVERT a beautifully dark and brutal film of two worlds at a time where one group is miserable so they make everyone else miserable with their prejudices and another group that seeks power through destruction. That’s all part of the history of our world.

In the end – a fight for peace and a heart at war!

 

 

 

His Fight Comes From THE EAST

 De Oost

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from writer/director Jim Taihutto, Mustafa Duygulu and Magnet Releasing based on a true story of a war within THE EAST. 

Johan (Martijn Lakemeier) is a young Dutch man sent to Indonesia in 1946 as the Netherlands attempt to stop the people from claiming their independence. Almost immediately Johan is curious about everything around him, especially a man known as The Turk (Marwan Kenzari).

The Turk has also noticed Johan and shows the young soldier the way around getting information, working with the higher-ranking officers and government officials and what is expected of him in return.

At first, Johan takes it all in and pays attention to what is said and done. That is also when he begins to see that there are horrible things happening to the native peoples. Trying to understand what is happening and why the man he has come to respect does not seem to comprehend the wrong being done, Johan decides he must stop it all.

He takes on The Turk and his own fellow soldiers with a shocking ending!

Lakemeier as Johan portrays the conscience of a young soldier yet the conscience of many soldiers who might not have been able to step forward. It was the strong against the weak on both sides and Lakemeier gave his character the strength to face the repercussions of standing up for something so heinous. As a young man going through so much, there is no surprise to learn it has followed him home and is in every step he takes.

Kenzari as The Turk is the mysterious man who seems to have control of everything around him. The soldiers, government and officials know who he is and know he can make things happen. Whether right or wrong seems to be of no concern to him and Kenzari gives his character a shivering coldness that makes its way through the screen and creeps me out. Well done!

Other cast include Jonas Smulders as Mattias Cohen, Abel van Gijlswijk as Charlie, Coen Bril as eddy Coolen, Jeroen Perceval as Janssen, Mike Reus as Commandant Mulder, Peter Muller as Major Penders, Huub Smit as Lt. Hartman, Putri Ayudya as Myra, David Wristers as Marcus Waterman, Robert de Hoog as Nachtegaal and Reinout Bussemaker as Johan de Vries.

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.

THE EAST is a film of war, those who participate in the wrongs of war and one man who must decide to stand up for what he knows is right. The haunting of what Johan saw would make anyone question why? The character that Lakemeier portrays is a young man who must come to terms with it long after the war is over.

It becomes one man against being a soldier, against fellow soldiers and against those who think they are justified in their behavior. Using these young men to do their dirty work is unthinkable and as stories like these emerge either through media or film, soldiers become more and more aware of their conscientious duty to cry foul when they see it.

THE EAST is a difficult film yet one that is important to watch but it allows the conversations to be had. Yes, it does remind me of the 1986 film PLATOON as well as the 1989 film CASUALTIES OF WAR. That being said, those films also brought out the injustices and conversations. Johan’s story is equally as important and Lakemeier’s portrayal is heartbreaking and relevant.

In the end – it’s a war between duty and conscience!

 

RIDERS OF JUSTICE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from Magnet Releasing, Zentropa entertainmentS3 and writer/director Anders Thomas Jensen is the story of a man who is taking on the RIDERS OF JUSTICE.

Markus (Mads Mikkelsen) is dealing with a tragedy while parenting daughter Mathilde (Andrea Heick Gadeberg). When a survivor Otto (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) from the train wreck comes forward believing that it was no accident, it brings out the soldier in Markus who wants to find out who is responsible for turning his family’s life upside down.

Otto convinces Markus that he can help enlisting friends Lennart (Lars Brygmann) and Emmenthaler (Nicolas Bro) to use their skills to find answers. When they are attacked, Markus brings them to his home where they can work on leads in relative safety. When the group of men go to the house of someone that can perhaps give them answers, Markus shows the depths of his anger.

Mathilde is being kept from all of this under the pretense that Markus is going through therapy and she is thrilled by it. She also finds herself getting close to everyone and even her boyfriend has a chance to spend time with the group. That is when things take a turn as social media might be the death of them all.

Mikkelson as Markus has the opportunity to play a rough, gruff, no nonsense character that can not but help bring people around him that are his exact opposite. The only reason he tolerates any of them is because they can help him do what he believes needs done – take out the person responsible for hurting his family. Let us be honest, Mikkelson does this type of role well in the first place but as Markus, we get to see him deal with the little bit of craziness his new house guests bring. I really enjoyed his role in this because he has to find a way to not only deal with his own issues but everyone else’s as well.

Kaas as Otto truly believes he knows exactly who is responsible and it is his way of dealing with his own guilt about the accident. A tad twitchy, he tries to reach Markus on a level that will allow the two to work together. Even after irritating Markus beyond belief, Kaas jumps into the family dynamic that is sometimes very charming even if it irritates the parental unit.

Brygmann as Lennart is another emotional bag of hot mess, but he brings to the group more ways to get information to help Markus. It is Otto that tries to keep the situation together and Lennart needs Otto to keep him together. Bro as Emmenthaler is the computer whiz but again, he is someone who can go off the rails just by touching his precious computer parts. He makes it clear he will help but no one is to make his life crazier than it already is.

Gadeberg as Mathilde is a young woman dealing with the loss of the family she loved so much. Turning to her boyfriend for some stability, it irritates her father more than it would any other father because Markus responds quickly. Mathilde lets him know how she is feeling and shares her feelings with the new group that has taken up residence in her home.

Other cast include Roland Moller as Kurt, Albert Lindhardt as Sirius, Anne Lind as Emma, Jacob Lohmann as Kenneth, Henrik Olesen as Noah, Gustav Giese as Adrian and Gustav Lindh as Bodashka.

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. To find out more please visit www.magnetreleasingfilms.com.

RIDERS OF JUSTICE is such a mash up of emotion, action, reaction, family, loss, and revenge – and that’s just the role of Markus! Adding three other people to the mix who bring their own brand of insecurities and knowledge that it is no wonder our main character feels like he is more of a babysitter than a man on a mission.

That being said, this group of five does an amazing job of checking all the boxes through every human emotion imaginable and even humor from time to time seeps its way into the story. This is also a story of revenge that gets caught up in itself to the point where it is impossible to know how each character will stop before it’s too late.

In the end – someone is going to pay!

 

THE UNTHINKABLE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and OnDemand from writer/director Victor Danell, Crazy Pictures and Magnet Releasing is a story of invasion and survival with THE UNTHINKABLE.

Alex (Christoffer Nordenrot) is a young man living in Sweden with unstable father Bjorn (Jesper Barkselius) and mom Klara (Ulrika Backstrom). The only respite in his life is Anna (Lisa Henni), a young girl who has captured his heart and broke it when it was time for her to go away to school.

After a blow up with Bjorn, Alex packs up and leaves home to start a life on his own. In that life is music that has allowed him to travel and play the music he loves. Leaving one of his concerts, Alex hears on the radio that something is happening only to get out of his car and see explosions. He receives a telephone call to let him know that Klara has died.

Returning home for the funeral, Alex does not tell Bjorn about the event. He does see Anna once again and feelings he has kept hidden return. Bjorn is busy freaking out because he believes that there is going to be an invasion of their country. Of course, no one else believes his rantings but that does not stop him from gearing up for a fight he believes is only hours away setting traps at the power plant where he works.

As explosions continue, strange soldiers get closer to home! When the town is attacked, Alex, Anna and other towns folks gather up to go to the power plant. Bjorn is shocked to see his son after years of silence between them. Listening to transmissions, they learn that there is something in the rain that will change them all.

But now is not the time for a family reunion, it is a time to survive!

Nordenrot as Alex does not understand the disturbing emotions his father is dealing with. Instead, he sees how it has twisted the family and ruin relationships. Finding solace in his friendship with Anna, even that twists in a way that he can not deal with. Nordenrot give his character a deep sense of being family-torn emotionally and physically, which in turn makes him shut out anything that is unpleasant. Because of that, he can give off an air of instability.

Barkselius as Bjorn is a man who has his own demons, and it does not take much for them to get out of their cage. Part of him wants nothing more than to love and do right by his family and the dangerous part can snap in a second and turn on the same person he claims to love. When the years go by and he is alone because of his behavior, Bjorn gives his character an inside track to what an invasion looks like and how to keep the strange soldiers at bay!

Henni as Anna gives us the young girl who goes away to school leaving a heart broken Alex behind. I will not be giving anything away here but let me just say this, young love remains in hearts for a long time. Henni is amazing as her character will do anything to protect her family, and no one or nothing is going to stop her.

Other cast include Pia Halvorsen as Eva, Magnus Sundberg as Konny, Krister Kern as Kim, Karin Bertling as Farmor, Alexej Manvelov as Tholen, Yngve Dahlberg as Emil, Niklas Jarneheim as Morbror and Arvin Kananian as Sharokh.

Crazy Pictures is a film collective from Sweden, renowned for its acclaimed and spectacular short films on YouTube with millions of viewers and screened at film festivals around the world. The group works closely together and stands for all major roles such as director, producer, scriptwriter, director of photography, production design, costume design, sound design, visual effects and special effects.

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. Upcoming films include Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT and to find out more of what is to come please visit www.magnetreleasingfilms.com.

THE UNTHINKABLE is a story that pulls in all directions. First, it is a film about the dysfunction of a family because of the unresolved issues of a husband who clearly does not want to be as he is. The film is also about young love and how heart break brings on difficult decisions and some regret.

It is also a story of survival, especially when it is never clear who it is that is trying to destroy them. Then again, when you are trying to survive does it really matter who it is? I absolutely did not try to figure out who they were, only that they kept coming and kept coming in such a way that the tension is huge.

There is so much emotion and history going on that once the roller coaster stops, it takes time to take it all in!

In the end – they never thought it could happen!

They are Being HELD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently showing from directors Chris Lofing, Travis Cluff and Magnet Releasing is the story of a marriage that is being HELD.

Emma (Jill Awbrey who also wrote the script) is a writer who is also dealing with a marriage that needs attention. Going off to a fantastic house to themselves, Emma has the chance to take a breath. Dropped off by Uber driver Joe (Rez Kempton), he is nervous leaving her alone.

Letting him know husband Henry (Bart Johnson) would be joining her shortly, Emma is surprised when he shows up earlier than she thought. It does not take long before the couple realizes someone has been in the house and that someone takes control of the house. A voice (Travis Cluff) makes it clear that the couple is to do whatever it says to do.

Emma and Henry are not about to let a voice tell them what to do and just as quickly discover that there certainly are dangerous consequences for not listening. The voice wants them to behave lovingly towards one another and reconnect in a way that is respectful and caring. Emma and Henry begin to understand that they are trapped, and compliance is the only way they can buy time to break free.

Also in that time, the voice brings out secrets in their marriage and since they have nowhere to go, they must face it all, every ugly little detail. The most important question in the midst of it all is who is the voice and how does it know so much?

The answer is shocking.

Jill Awbrey as Emma is a woman who is dealing with a lot in her life. Trauma from her past and a disconnect in her marriage, she sees their weekend at the beautiful rental as a time to heal. Well, her way toward healing is not exactly what she signed up for and The Voice is going to make sure of that. Awbrey is not only an actress in her own right, HELD is her first feature film to be sure but she has written, directed, produced and starred in short films. She is an intense storyteller and HELD is proof of that.

Johnson as Henry wants the marriage to work and for them to be happy. He has been just as lost as Emma and believes the weekend together could be just the thing they need. As The Voice begins to make demands, Johnson’s character becomes the protector of his wife that brings them closer together. Fearing for them both he wants to find out what is happening and who is responsible.

Shout out to Kempton as Joe, the Uber driver with a heart. Of course, he does not deserve to be caught up in the middle of the marital drama, but things happen. From the beginning it is clear he is a caring person but Emma is already on the edge of her last nerve, so she does not really cut him any slack. That is until he comes back to explain himself but someone else greets him instead.

Other cast include Zack Gold as Ryan Sullivan, Jener Dasilva as Graham, Jana Claire Price as Young Emma, Ian Jones as Sean, Ryan Shoos as Bobby, Liz Fenning as Jane, and Tessa Munro as Beth.

Magnet Releasing is 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.

HELD is a film about marriage, trauma, secrets, deceptions, and the possibility of getting past it all. The film is 98% relying on stars Awbrey and Johnson to keep us in the middle of what the couple is going through but once The Voice comes into play – it gets creepier than anyone can imagine.

Awbrey takes this story in directions that are frightening and kind of makes me glad I am not married!

In the end – to survive they must obey!

 

IP MAN: Kung Fu Master

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres and On Demand from writer/director Liming Li and Magnet Releasing is the next part of the journey of the person we have come to know as IP MAN: Kung Fu Master.

Ip Man (Dennis To) has settled into his life in 1949, Foshan, China as a police officer sworn to uphold the law. Knowing full well that not all policemen believe the same, Ip decides to go after mobster Third Father (Michael Wong) who is responsible for the death of his police captain. While in custody he is killed and daughter Quingchuan (Yuan Li Ruoxin) holds Ip personally responsible and as the new leader of The Axe Gang, wants blood.

Once the attack comes to Ip’s home where wife Cheung (Chang Qinyuan) and their new baby are, it becomes clear they need to leave to be safe and Ip leaves the force. Uncle is keeping a wine-drinking-eye on the situation as well. As if he does not have enough problems, the Japanese army is coming to Guangzhou to take the small port town away from the centuries worth of businesses.

When a challenge is set before him to fight in the ring, Ip knows that he must use the techniques he has learned to win. He finds himself in the company of the people he least expects to help and knows that when the time comes, they will take up the mantle of freedom in Foshan.

To as Ip Man is a character on screen that is as mild mannered as they come. Even in the face of bringing water during the birth of his child in the middle of a fight is nothing short of a stroll through the kung fu park. To gives Ip Man an honorable air about him that does not judge anyone but at the same time will protect those same ‘anyone’s’ from harm.

Ruoxin as Quingchuan begins her screen time with only one goal – to kill the policeman who is responsible for allowing the death of her father and that would be Ip. Trust me when I saw she has mad skills of her own and the fight feels evenly matched but there is one thing that prevents her from beating anyone – her rage. Calm wins over rage every time. Ruoxin gives us a villain/heroine blurring the line between them.

Wong as Third Father begins the film challenging Ip leading to an amazing martial art fighting sequence and, like Ip, is very calm. During the fight and after, he does not lose control but instead keeps his word making him an honorable mobster I suppose.

Qinyuan as Cheung who is not happy about the constant fighting that Ip does. Even during the birth of their child, she knows what is happening right outside the door.  Leaving is the only way she can be sure that their child can be safe from those ready to use Ip’s family for their vengeance.

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.

The IP MAN films with To began in THE LEGEND IS BORN: Ip Man in 2010 and KUNG FU LEAGUE in 2018. I was introduced to the IP stories by a friend who suggested I dive right into the stories that To is telling for the third time. Since then I have spent time getting to know and appreciate martial art films and the story each tells about the most interesting people such as Ip Man and other like Bruce Lee.

Is IP MAN: Kung Fu Master perfect, no, but it is perfection in the fact that there is so much more of this story that can be told. In this story, he continues to be a protector for those who need it the most and this time it is his own family. Knowing that there are those who want to be better civil servants, the lines between who that is gets blurred and the results are painful.

If you are a fan of the IP MAN franchise, then nothing anyone says will stop you from seeing the next installment coming in at eighty-four minutes. It is fast paced, fast fisted and keeps the viewer on their toes but all the while knowing that Ip is the only man that can be relied on!

In the end – he will protect those who truly need it!

12-HOUR SHIFT is a Tale of Two Kidneys

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from writer/director Brea Grant and Magnet Releasing is one of the finest looks at dark humor and horror found on a 12-HOUR SHIFT.

It is around 1999 and Mandy (Angela Bettis) is a disgruntled and drug addicted nurse at a local hospital. Preparing for her 12-hour shift, even co-worker Karen (Nikea Gamby-Turner) sends Mandy off to pop a little lift in the back to get through it all. Also on shift that she can all but guarantee will annoy her is Dorothy (Tara Perry) and Janet (Brooke Sequin).

But Mandy has something else on the side when she meets Regina (Chloe Franworth) out on the back platform. When Regina opens her cooler, Mandy places in organs while listening to cousin-only-by-marriage babble away. Heading back inside, it is clear that there is some body part selling going on at this particular hospital and many people are involved.

When Regina arrives at her destination, Nick (Mick Foley) opens the cooler to find two drinks and no kidneys. Making it clear that he would be happy to take hers, Regina promises to go find the kidney and return. Given a short amount of time to make that happen, she panics running back to the hospital to tell Mandy she needs another kidney. 

Mandy is in no mood for her and the notorious murderer Jefferson (David Arquette) has been brought in and Mr. Kent (Tom DeTrinis) will not stop complaining. So, Regina decides to take it upon herself to grab a kidney on her own not knowing Mandy is trying to help.

People are being knocked right and left, there is screaming, loads of blood everywhere, a murderer who doesn’t seem the slightest bit interested in returning to prison, cops charming nurses, Nick has sent Mikey (Dusty Warren) in with a gun, and a partner in crime who has had just about enough of all this nonsense.

Join Mandy to see how to survive your next 12-hour shift!

Bettis as Mandy is outrageous, stunning and brilliant and I actually would not mind having her as my next nurse. Perhaps it has something to do with her ability to juggle insanity…yes, but no. Maybe it has something to do with her ability to not take a kidney from Regina without anesthetic…yes, but no. It is that she portrays a character that I would hang out with any day of the week! There are moments where she says nothing but has that look and all I could think was, “I understand you girl, truly I do”. Bettis is just awesome and I loved every moment she is on screen.

Franworth as Regina had me wanting to take drugs! Oh-my-gawd what a nitwit but then again that is the point of the film. We let Bettis show us the medicinal side of insanity and Regina needs absolutely no drugs whatsoever, she is nuts on a whole other playing field. What does that translate to? Frakken good job girl, that’s what! Your portrayal brought me to Mandy’s level of wanting to knock Regina the frak out and take out her kidneys with an ice cream scoop. Oh, sorry, too dark?

Gamby-Turner as Karen is keeping it all together by the grace of God, who she readily calls upon when having a snack break. She does not react as one would expect, and I am okay with that. For me she is actually the stable one out of them all and does it with a smooth coolness. Perry as Dorothy is keeping everything ship shape which is hard to do when all the players keep changing.

Warren as Mikey is sent to the hospital looking for Regina and the kidney. When she sucks him into her plan, poor guy, things go as everything does where Regina is concerned – cockeyed. Sequin as Janet wants to keep her space in the pecking order of nurses and when she thinks Regina is trying to overlap things get ugly. Shout out to DeTrinis as Mr. Kent, I think I have run into that guy in an ER once or twice – minus his soda machine findings.

Now, lets get to Arquette! All pumped up and ready to take a few lives with ease, he does not have many lines but when he is on screen, he cracks me up when the screaming and running start. It is a small part, but I got a huge kick out of it cheering on Jefferson!

Other cast include Kit Williamson as Officer Myers, Dustin Warren as Mikey, Thomas Hobson as Derrick, Julianne Dowler as Cathy, Briana Lane as Cheryl, Taylor Aldsen as Shawna and Scott Dean as Efron.

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.

12-HOUR SHIFT is just an outstanding piece of filmmaking for so many reasons so bear with me while my fangirl comes out and gets giggly. I am a horror fan, but I don’t need tons of body ripping and screaming – this film is the horror I love. I get to laugh, jump a few times and scream at the screen things like, “oh please kill her”, “are you serious?”, “holy sh@t I wasn’t expecting that!”.  

The cast is absolute perfection from Mandy’s intolerance of her fellow employees (minus Karen) to calmness in finding donors is flawless, Regina’s outright irritating reasonings for everything to Officer Meyers giving off his best charm – there isn’t one person out of place.

The fact that Grant came up with the amazing originality of this film gives me hope that we can all see more of her work in the future. This film is so much fun that I will be seeing it again and again and will add it to my Horror Halloween list of must-see’s – just because it is so brilliant.

David Arquette is one of the producers of the film along with his wife making it a horror-family affair. The music in the film is from the band Glass as well.

In the end – pull your shift together!

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?

The Story Unravels with AMULET

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Romola Garai and Magnet Releasing is a thriller and chiller of a story that comes with an AMULET.

Tomaz (Alec Secareanu) is a homeless soldier living in the streets of London after running away from his home country. Burned out of there living space with the other immigrants, he is taken in by Sister Claire (Imelda Staunton) who finds his personal affects. She offers him a position in the house of young Magda (Carla Juri) and her ill Mother (Anah Ruddin). Sister Claire tells Tomaz that the family needs help with the house and he agrees.

The problem is that there is something very wrong in this house. Magda is a sweet young woman who cooks and takes care of her mother while Tomaz does repairs. At night he must tape his legs and hands together to not hurt himself suffering from PTSD. He tries to deal with the past and the woman named Miriam (Angeliki Papoulia) who he rescued during war and the evil war he now lives in once again.

Wanting to get as far away from the house as possible, he stays because he feels pity for Magda. When Sister Claire tells him the truth of what is happening in the house, he wants to find a way to free them all – can he?

Secareanu as Tomaz can not come to terms with what has happened in his past and the choices he made. Now, the choices are being taken away from him from the woman he trusted from the beginning. Secareanu gives us the look of a man torn between two worlds and thrown into a third one of evil headfirst. His character is filled with so much angst and it drives him in so many directions – insanity being one of them! Stellar performance.

Juri as Magda is a young woman that only knows she is responsible for Mother and their companionship is more than Tomaz understands. She wants a friendship with Tomaz but is also dealing with a duality of existence all her own. Ruddin as Mother certainly has her horrifying work cut out for her and does a marvelous job of making me jump more than a few times and a shocker at the end. Papoulia as Miriam gives us insight to Tomaz with her own story that does not come straight out with clear answers.

Now, lets get right to Staunton as Sister Claire with a ‘wow’. Trust me kiddies when I say that Dolores Umbridge has nothing on Sister Claire. She does not need a pink suit or tidy hair to scare us this time, this time it is a smile of pure evil to keep us on our toes. Staunton turns throughout the film and what you end up with is perfectly frightening.

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.

AMULET is a thriller with twists and turns like none you have seen before. There are stories within stories that still do not give all the answers the way you might expect. Instead, there are scenes that have you trying to put the pieces together and finding that its impossible because writer/director Garai only throws scraps and what twisted scraps they are.

The CGI is another character within the film that is nothing short of a tad bit queasy. Not that I minded it, just didn’t think anyone had the brashness to put it on film so brava…seriously brava! This film brings about so much that you do have to pay attention and not let anything distract you from where Tomaz is going and how he gets there. THAT will leave you breathless!

AMULET is definetly a Friday night popcorn thriller in-the-dark piece and it will have viewers scratching their heads and having conversations over what it is they just experienced. I know I will.

In the end – have faith in fear!