DAMAGED

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres, Digital and OnDemand from director Terry McDonough and Lionsgate is the twisted trail that is DAMAGED.

Dan Lawson (Samuel L. Jackson) is a detective from Chicago who, five years earlier, worked on a serial killer case that was never solved. In Scotland, Glen Boyd (Gianni Capaldi) similar killings are happening and they call Det. Lawson to come and help with their investigation. Boyd is dealing with his own demons at home as he and wife Marie (Laura Haddock) are grieving the loss of his son.

Immediately Lawson visits the crime site and helps Boyd decipher clues and look for suspects. He even calls upon friend Walker Bravo (Vincent Cassel) who was his partner in Chicago. Boyd suspects a man named McGregor (John Hannah) might be responsible when a witness identifies him.

When death gets closer and closer to them all, Boyd and Lawson must work faster to find who is responsible and do whatever it takes to stop it all!

Jackson as Lawson plays this character to a tee. A detective who understands the grief of another, it doesn’t stop him from following the clues left behind by the killer. Jackson’s swagger doesn’t speed up at all and his eye for clues while everyone is scurrying around him is one of his signature moves. The twists and turns are equally as Jackson-esque and it works completely.

Capaldi as Boyd is a man dealing with a family loss and is using his job as a way to avoid wife Marie. Spending more and more time away from home, there comes a time when he must choose how to handle so he can give his all to the investigation. Boyd gives his character all the emotions and anger of a man dealing with home and work life. This scattered range is perfect for the story telling of this film.  

Cassel as Bravo is another smooth character who knows and understands the case that Lawson is working on. Helping where he can, Cassel also gives a smooth performance giving nothing away until he has to. Hannah as McGregor is a man who has is peccadillos but is he the man responsible? Hannah gives his character a straight face and no fear when the police come calling.

Other cast include Mark Holden as Captain Ford, Brian McCardie as Avery, and Kate Dickie as Kessler.

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. 

First to get it out of the way, there are a few holes in the plot of the story. There are parts of the story that could have been developed much clearer. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of mystery and I’m all for that, but either play out stories or don’t use them at all. It will be easy to spot what I am speaking of.

DAMAGES is a murder-thriller-shocker not only because of the story that it is telling but the crimes themselves. Director McDonough pushes the boundaries of serial killing and showing the audience what the killer is capable of. I wasn’t sure at first it would but then, bam, there it is, right in your face. The visuals are stunning enough that, at times, it can be sidetracking from the story – but isn’t that the goal?

Keeping the audience in suspense with characters are definetly in the hands of Jackson, Capaldi and Cassell. Keeping the plot going is the characters reactions to everything around them. Twists and turns are everywhere and it is never clear where it will happen or when it will happen, but be very clear, its going to happen.

In the end – the clues are everywhere!

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.

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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!