THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP DEAD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from director Michael Mailer and Lionsgate is the suspense thriller THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP DEAD.

Russ Potter (Cole Hauser) is not very popular with the town’s folk at present. After talking them into investing in the market, it all goes belly up and people are furious. Russ tries to explain that he lost money as well but that does not resonate with the towns people at all so he is keeping his head down and staying out of the way.

Stopping at the local café for a cup of coffee, waitress Delaine Moore (Jaimie Alexander) tries to cheer him up. Being friends since they were in high school, she manages a smile out of him before she has to return home to take care of an ill father. That’s when something odd begins to happen. Russ starts receiving soft spoken but ominous calls.

Taking his concerns to Sheriff Thurmond Fowler (Morgan Freeman), he does not get much sympathy. The word is out and the Sheriff believes that whoever is doing it has a legitimate grudge against Russ. Days pass and the phone calls continue. Trying to help, Delaine invites Russ to her house to have dinner and since he only lives next door he is delighted.

The two get, well, close and that only makes things more difficult when Delaine’s father is murdered! Now things are about to get heated, confusing and complicated in the most shocking ways.

Freeman as Sheriff Fowler has such a laid-back attitude and knows his town very well. It is a bit of fun to my way of thinking that he took this role. By that I mean there is not a lot to it but Freeman makes sure you pay attention every time he is on screen and I loved it.

Hauser as Russ is a man who has made a huge mistake in a small town. Now if it had been a big city, then maybe it would have been easier to smooth things over. Nope, and now he is paying for it with angry townspeople and nasty looks – except from Delanie. Don’t let that handsome face fool you, Hauser as Russ has a few tricks up his sleeve as well.

Alexander as Delaine is a waitress trying to make ends meet and keep up with debts. Adding a bit of fun with Russ is just a big tip so to speak. Taking care of her father, the truth starts percolating to the surface and Delaine has no choice but to face it and Alexander is one cool plate of lettuce!

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP is a thriller to be sure and the twists and turns will have you yelling ‘no way!’. It is a slow-moving piece but it is a sleepy town with lots of secrets and to move any faster would be a crime. Friendships are empty, relationships have a purpose and what it all boils down to is murder.

Keeping is within these three characters is what makes the story. I actually like a story that doesn’t go off into fifteen-million characters and doesn’t finish with a yell from me. Keep it short, keep is within a who-dun-it realm and I’m all in.

THE MINUTE YOU WAKE UP DEAD is not a fast paced, action type thriller, it is wrapped in a small town where everybody knows everyone else’s business and that can get you killed.

In the end – don’t trust a soul!

HEART OF CHAMPIONS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Now showing from director Michael Mailer and Vertical Entertainment is the story of working together as a team with the HEART OF CHAMPIONS.

Coach Jack Murphy (Michael Shannon) has come to Beeston University to be a part of the varsity rowing team. Captain Alex Singleton (Alexander Ludwig) rules with a sort of iron fist and sarcasm that does not really help the team. John (Alex MacNicoll) is the soft space between Alex and the rest of the team.

Murphy makes himself quite clear from the beginning, learn to row as a team or get off the team. He especially makes it clear to newcomer Chris (Charles Melton) arrives with an emotional chip on his shoulder.  He also needs to deal with Alex’s father (David Elliott) who has a history with the coach and is not afraid to throw it in his face.

Chris is in love with Sara (Lilly Krug) who introduces her friend Nisha (Ash Santos) to John. A rift, as if they need another one, already exists between Alex and John over Sara keeping tensions high.

But as the team learns from one another, they grow as a team and Coach Murphy believes that they have the potential to do what has been impossible for so long – beating the Harvard team. As they get close to that match, the team begins to break apart and a tragedy causes them all to believe that going on may be impossible.

The possible and impossible meet on the water.

Shannon as Coach Murphy comes into his position with unresolved issues that haunt him. Seeing the potential of the rowing team, he starts coaching as if they no nothing which they actually do not. There is so much disconnect with the varsity team that Shannon gives his coach thoughtfulness, and instead of just talking – he actually gives examples that they can embrace. Shannon has always been an acting I have watched closely because of the roles he chooses (i.e. Nine Perfect Strangers is an amazing example).

Ludwig as Alex is a young man who is being pushed toward the Olympics by a father who sees nothing but glory. Trying to please both his father and be loyal to a team that he has finally come to understand and want to be a part of is the battle he faces. Ludgwig shows the duality that will eventually be his downfall when choosing a path that is so destructive.

MacNicoll as John is a very empathetic young man who sees his team as a brotherhood and would do anything for them – even Alex. He works hard and loves girlfriend Sara being a focus of his life as well. Seeing the potential for the team is exciting and he even wants to help the coach with his goal of winning. MacNicoll is charming, funny and caring in this role and well done.

Melton as Chris has a history that he does not want to share with anyone and that gives the impression that he is uncaring and standoffish. The only person who manages to break through it is John and they become fast friends. Melton hides the pain of his character well and only let’s slip what he wants when he wants, and it is powerful and painful.

Krug as Sara is entertaining, charming and realizes that there is strain between Alex and John. Santos as Nisha is opinionated and makes an instant assessment of Chris without really knowing him. Once she does, the two work their way through an intense relationship.

Vertical Entertainment is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. They have won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in OTHER PEOPLE and the film won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Limited Release, Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW, a BAFTA and three Independent British Independent Film Awards as well.

HEART OF CHAMPIONS is a story of the lives of the young men on the rowing team. Trying to find their way to being cohesive not only on the water but on land as well. Finding the right coach, it is only when Jack Murphy arrives does it mean that they might have finally found someone who can handle the group of young men.

Watching them grow on screen from sarcastic and broken apart to a team that comes alive on the water is what makes this film enjoyable to watch. There are issues that each of the characters face and some face them head on and other fight the demons that seem to take them down the wrong road.

Gather any team together and watch to see how a team become a family of brothers that learn to face it all together.

In the end – talent wins races and courage creates champions!