She Never Expected to DROP

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K UHD, Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Christopher Landon, Blumhouse and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes a mind-bending thriller of a DROP.

Violet Gates (Meghann Fahy) is a therapist in Chicago that helps people with their problems and she knows plenty about that. Surviving an abusive husband, her sister Jen (Violett Beane) talks her into going on the first date she’s been on in years. Nervous leaving son Toby (Jacob Robinson), Violet is off to meet Henry Campbell (Brandon Sklenar), a photographer she met on a dating app and now meeting her at the high-rise restaurant Palate. Nervously waiting, she chats with bartender Cara (Gabrielle Ryan) and is slightly hit on by Richard (Reed Diamond) who mistakes her for his date and Phil (Ed Weeks) a drinking pianist who doesn’t take a hint all that well. All the while receiving Digi-Drops that are odd.

Eventually Henry walks in and Violet is happy to sit down and get to know him. Almost immediately she received an influx of these drops. One of them shows a masked gunman inside her house followed by a threat to do what she is told and Toby won’t be hurt. She also can not let anyone know what is happening. That makes it difficult as each instruction becomes more and more threatening. She shows Henry what is happening but he brushes it off as pranks. As Violet does what she is asked to do, there is a strain between she and Henry but she cannot let him leave.

Violet becomes suspicious of everyone in the room and tries to watch where the cameras are and devices all of the restaurant. When the drop finally tells her what the goal is and Violet knows that she is running out of options. She needs to make the connection of what is happening and who is responsible before her family and those around her become victims of the deadly drops coming to her phone.

Fahy as Violet handles this role with smoothness even when her nerves are about to explode. This role called for keep the nervousness at a minimum, keep the eyes open for any detail and try to get ahead of the game that is being played. That can be difficult since the rules are life and death but, as my grandpa always said ‘rules are made to be broken’. Fahy as Violet does just that but takes it step by step. Not only did she make it look easy, she had me talking to the screen along with her silent thoughts. That’s how you know someone has drawn an audience in and its pretty darn cool.

Sklenar as Henry is a photographer who agreed to the date because he saw something in Violet. When she starts to go a bit off the rails, he is patient, kind, and helpful but all things can have their limits. He can’t understand what she is about but feels there isn’t a connection between them. I really enjoy when Sklenar is on screen as there is something about the way he carries his characters bringing a sense of calm when I’d probably normally be all tensed up. Watch his last few films and television role in the Yellowstone series and you will see what I mean.

Ryan as Cara is an intuitive and friendly bartender who wonders about Violet. I loved her energy through it all. Diamond as Richard is the other dating app person who is jittery but Violet is polite toward him while he waits for his own date. Weeks as the piano player is a slick, full of himself guy who sees a ‘no’ as a ‘yes’ because, I mean, all the women love him right? Well done.

Shout out to Jeffery Self as the waiter Matt. Every moment he came into scene I was laughing because I know so many waiters just like him and I love them.

Other cast include Travis Nelson as Connor, Micheal Shea as Blake and Benjamin Pelletier as the masked man.

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.

Blumhouse Productions is known for producing horror films such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, SINISTER, THE PURGE, THE GIFT, GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY, SPLIT and M3GAN 2.0. The films from Blumhouse have become instant classics and they continue to give us something to scream about! See more at www.blumhouse.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.

Special Bonus includes Feature Commentary with Director Christopher Landon: Insights from the Director on Filmmaking Choices, A Recipe for Thrills: Making DROP: Cast and Crew Discuss the Film’s Development and Thematic Elements and A PALATE FOR PANIC: Exploration of the film’s main set, Palate Restaurant.

DROP is an unexpected thriller from beginning to end to the point where you can not take your eyes off the screen or you will miss a message. That’s one way to make sure the audience pays attention. Keeping the film in basically one location through the entire story, I just love that. Remove all the superfluous noise, keep the story focused and you’ve reeled me in for sure. It is a chance to truly get to know a character and, in this case, its right in front of the screen the whole time.

Director Landon has surrounded himself with an ensemble that just flows to darn well with Fahy at the helm of the tale. It worked on me keeping the jitter factor so high that I was having a conversation with the screen a lot! The setting is magnetic and the ending was stunningly awesome. It is hard to say any more about the film without giving the plot twists away and I absolutely refuse to do that. So, grab a thriller buddy, pop the popcorn, turn out the lights and get ready to DROP.

In the end – everyone’s a suspect!

He is THE NIGHT AGENT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the first season of THE NIGHT AGENT.

When FBI Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), after saving people from a bombing, comes to the attention of the White House Chief of Staff Diane Farr (Hong Chau). She asks him to become part of the Night Agent program. Meantime, Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan) who had a career in cybersecurity, visits her family as the house is attacked and she has the telephone number that would get her to Sutherland. Farr gives instructions to Sutherland and he learns that Rose’s family were part of the Night Agent program but more becomes unraveled. Assassins are hot on their trail as Sutherland and Rose search for answers.

Someone has called the assassins Dale (Phoenix Raei) and Ellen (Eve Harlow) telling them where Larkin is located to finish what has been started. When Sutherland realizes that the posted Secret Service agents are gone, he finds Larkin and the chase is once again on with the assassins. Farr and Hawkins speak to the Campbell’s and begin to put the pieces of a puzzle together. Now the story of Farr and Hawkins comes together as well.

President Travers (Kari Matchett) wants an investigation and Farr wants more than that. When Larkin runs, Sutherland comes up with a cover in order to have time to deal with the encryption. When Farr finds out what is happening, she implicates the President. Chelsea Arrington (Fola Evans-Akingbola) is a Secret Service agent responsible for protecting the Presidents daughter Maddie (Sarah Desjardins) and is assigned with new partner Eric Monks (D.B. Woodside). Even with problems, there is something in Maddie’s school that needs attention.

Larkin, still working on the hard drive, discovers so much more than they could have imagined. Still leery of Farr, she agrees to work with her. Following leads, they meet Lorna and it becomes clear what the plans were for D.C. As everything unwinds, another target becomes clearer. Sutherland tries to question Arrington while Larkin finds a link to Andrej Pavelic. Sutherland is also investigating a link to a government contractor. The two come together to compare notes and just as quickly, Maddie is kidnapped.

Sutherland is following leads but tells Larkin she needs to stay away for her protection. Cisco is with her but Farr makes plans of her own and once again Sutherland is on the run. Ellen and Dale are following to do what they seem to do best but while that is going on, Redfield (Christopher Shyer) gives a press conference naming Sutherland as a kidnapper. Now Arrington and Monks are looking at Maddie’s art teacher and anyone associated with him. The name Matteo (Andre Anthony) is brought up and a rift between he and Redfield emerges. Wick Farr and Redfield are also dealing with footage from a nanny cam. Ellen, dealing with grief, is on a fierce and angry rampage of her own.

Sutherland and Larkin are working with Arrington and Monks as much as they can with each other. Arrington informs them about Omar “Osprey” Zadar from the Travers administration. Maddie discovers something that will help those looking find her and it leads to an all-out take down.

Redfield finally admits to Farr what he has been doing in the Balkins. Not happy, Farr does agree to work him on what should be done. Sutherland and Larkin are back on the run as Arrington wants to take Maddie back to her family and tell the truth about everything but it doesn’t go as planned. Larkin gets into Ellen’s phone and discovers Farr’s playing both ends against the middle. When Farr realizes what Redfield and Wick (Ben Cotton) have planned, she realizes how far out of the loop she actually is.

Arrington is taking Maddie to Redfield who is waiting at Camp David as he tries to use her. Farr once again works with Sutherland and Larkin and it is a whirl of events that could possibly cause the death of the President. Sutherland isn’t about to let that happen but instead, hold those accountable for everything that has happened, even if it means finding out things he must deal with on his own.

Basso as Sutherland is a strong lead in the series as a man shadowed with a rumor about a father and his own past mistakes. When he is asked to be the Night Agent, he tries to look at the role as one of upward momentum in the bureau instead of a position that might not go anywhere. Basso is quick in portraying his character as a man constantly on the move as he unravels a new mystery that might be connected to his own.

Chau as Farr is absolutely stunning. Portraying the trusted position and friendship with the President, there is nothing that gives her away. Presenting her character with monotone reactions, it seems like nothing shakes her. That doesn’t stop her from having a sharp tongue and letting those around her know that she will not fall for anything – or anyone. I loved her in the film THE MENU so to see her again in a stand out role is everything.

Buchanan as Larkin finds herself in the same position as Sutherland once was. When her family is under suspicion, she must follow the bread crumbs the best way she knows how and that is her ability to us the same technology as those around her. Buchanan is just as strong of a female lead as Chau and I love when they have moments together in scenes. Evans-Akingbola as Arrington is protecting the Vice Presidents’ daughter and also trying to find Sutherland and Larkin. She slowly learns that not everything is at it seems. Evans-Akingbola is another strong female character in the series who is trying to keep her balance in all the intrigue.

Woodside as Monk is an agent known for his duty with the former President, dealing with his own demons, he is partnered up with Arrington. They don’t trust one another at first but there comes a point where they realize they might have been put together for a reason. Desjardins as Maddie is a rebellious young woman who wants to live her own life out from under the shadow of her father’s position. Desjardins character finds herself in the middle of the intrigue but she isn’t going to go down quietly.

Raei as Dale and Harlow as Ellen are two of the strangest assassins and I’m all about following their assignment of terror. They are quick, ruthless, show no fear and Harlow’s character is the one that harbors intense rage. Throughout the series, you never know when these two show up but when they do, it’s not a good thing!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

Special Features include Episode 1 Commentary with Executive Producer Shawn Ryan, 12 Deleted Scenes, Blooper Reel, Episode 1 VFX and Episode 10 VFX. The DVD includes the 10-part episodes of The Call & Redial directed by Seth Gordon, The Zookeeper & The Marionette directed by Guy Ferland, Fathoms directed by Ramaa Mosley, Best Served Cold & Redux directed by Adam Arkin and The Devil We Know & Fathers directed by Millicent Shelton.

THE NIGHT AGENT Season One is an introduction to these characters but by its end, it is clear that there is more of the story to tell. Already cleared for more seasons, this is definetly one you want to keep on your radar. There are twists, turns, betrayals, lies, deception and relationships that can be difficult to maintain through corruption. In the midst of all of it are chases, evasions, plotting, and shocks but that is what a good series brings.

The cast brings their best and it shows from start to finish. Working together to bring this puzzle to viewers is so well done with the ensemble of talent. This is definetly a show worth binge watching, especially preparing for the next season.

In the end – heroes aren’t born, they answer the call!

 

 

AMITYVILLE: Where the Echo Lives

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to On Demand and Digital from writer/director Carlos Ayala and Lionsgate is the story of AMITYVILLE: Where the Echo Lives.

Heather West (Sarah McDonald) is a paranormal investigator who is still dealing with the death of her father who was also a renowned investigator. She receives a call from a woman who suspects there is a spirit in her home. Setting up her equipment, Heather also takes time to study the case of the young Mary Gonzalez (Breanna Rossi) who has been missing for a very long time.

When she is alone, Heather is writing her feelings and drowning them in vodka and orange juice all while avoiding her family. The one person she does want to see is John (Nick Barelli) because his problems are normal and she can handle that much at least. Back at her new investigation, she begins to feel strangely with a voice trying to warn her to stay away. She finds herself turning to others who have connections to the spiritual plane in order to heal her own pain only to free another’s.  

McDonald as Heather is a young woman who wants to make her father proud by continuing with paranormal investigations. Doing the best she can, it is only a matter of time before what is on the other side comes looking for her in its own way. McDonald gives a stoic performance never really letting the audience know who she is or what she is about, that is, perhaps the point. She doesn’t know any of that either which muddles the spiritual waters.

Barelli as friend John is dealing with normal life worries and looks to Heather for a solid relationship. He is probably the only normal thing in her life and Heather holds onto it for dear life.

Other cast include Hector de Alva as the Psychic, Adelina Monroe as the t.v. host and Carlos Ayala as Ronny Bushik.

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.

AMITYVILLE: Where the Echo Lives feels a bit like an arthouse piece with its long pauses, emotional ‘diary’ entries and special effects. Although the story is about the paranormal, it takes much of its time explaining how Heather’s life came to be mired by alcohol and her emotional state. Then again, if you believe in the paranormal, that is precisely how unfriendly spirits manage to get in (if you believe the literature on the subject).

There is not the frights and chills one expects from a story that has Amityville in its title but instead takes time to delve into the life of Heather West and what brings her to the point of finding the light. When creating the family Halloween playlist for the frightful day we all love to be scared for, add this to your playlist.

In the end – follow the voices!

The 50th Anniversary of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, VHS (yes, VHS!) and Bluray in a Chainsaw Edition from director Tobe Hooper and Dark Sky Selects comes the film that caused a stir in theatres in 1974 and is celebrated fifty years later with THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.

Driving through Texas in 1973, Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns), Jerry (Allen Danziger), Pam (Teri McMinn), Kirk (William Vail) and brother Franklin (Paul A. Partain) are on a road trip of fun. Siblings Sally and Franklin decide to stop and pay respects to their grandfather’s grave and Franklin speaks about his family’s history and their slaughterhouse. On the road is a hitchhiker and when the group picks him up, he also tells of his family’s involvement in the slaughterhouse. After a confrontation, the group kicks him out of the van!

Next to an empty gas station, they gang walks through the hold house the Hardesty family once lived but Kirk and Pam decide to go the swimming hole. When the couple comes across a run-down house, they go exploring and that starts a chain of horror events. When Sally and Franklin go looking for their friends, Sally finds herself in the same house chased by a masked man. Trying to escape, she ends up back at the gas station being told about Grandpa (John Dugan) and Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen).

The night of terror has only begun!

Burns as Sally brings the most memorable and frightening character to the screen. The chase between she and the vicious family is on in a night of terror. Through the years Burns has spoken about her role and how she never expected it to be talked about throughout the years. Supporting the film through conventions and appearances, Burns’ role in the film brought her fans world-wide. She did appear in other films and television productions such as the role of Linda Kasabian in the 1976 series Helter Skelter. Burns passed away in 2014.

The other notable character that continues to keep fans on their toes is Leatherface played by Gunnar Hansen. Every year, the costume of Leatherface is always front and center around Halloween, even fifty years later! Hansen took on roles after the film and also became an author with his Memoir on traveling with Islands at the Edge of Time: A Journey to America’s Barrier Islands and 2014 book Chains Saw Confidential.

Other cast include Jim Siedow as the Old Man, Robert Courtin as Window Washer, William Creamer as Bearded Man, John Faulk as the Storyteller and John Larroquette as the Narrator.

Dark Sky Selects is committed to delivering a meticulously curated selection of high-quality, limited edition film releases and exclusive merchandise to the collector's market. As an extension of MPI Media Group and Dark Sky Films, Dark Sky Selects hails from nearly five decades of experience in genre films, as a specialty label dedicated to preserving the legacy of iconic titles like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and modern classics like The House of the Devil. Our mission is to provide premium, collector-focused products that honor our cinematic heritage and ensure its preservation for future generations.

Dark Sky Films works with emerging talent as well as established veterans to develop, produce and finance feature films and episodic television projects. Representing films from some of most talented directors working today, such as Ti West’s THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and THE INKEEPERS, and Jim Mickle’s STAKE LAND, Dark Sky continues to identify original talent and projects to bring a vibrant slate of films to the world market, with original productions and releases such as GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR, WE ARE STILL HERE, and most recently, THE DARK and 1BR. For more please visit www.darkskyfilms.com

Bonus Features include Disc 1: 4-Feature Commentaries of Writer-Producer Toe Hooper, Actor Gunnar Hansen and Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns, Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou. Disc 2 includes the feature film.

Disc 3 Bluray Bonuses include: The Fil Which You Are About to See, Hunters of Another Kind, Documentary: The Legacy of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Cinefamily Presents Friedkin/Hooper: A Conversation About THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE Between William Friedkin and Tobe Hooper, Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw, A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen, Off the Hook with Teri McMinn, The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman, Grandpa’s Tales: An Interview with Actor John Dugan, Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview with Editor J. Larry Carroll, Deleted Scenes & Outtakes, Blooper Reel, Horrors Hallowed Grounds: TCSM, Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents “Making Grandpa”, Still Gallery, Trailers, TV Spots and Radio Spots.

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE hit theatres in 1974 setting the horror genre and movies goers teeth on edge – and we’ve loved every minute of it. Starting out with an X rating, the film was edited with a final rating of R. Reviews went from hailing is a work of horror genius to trash and everything in between. No one who has seen the film through the years can ever hear the sound of a chainsaw and not have their, pardon the pun, skin crawl for half a second. The film has continued time and time again to bring fans to its story and although there have been many incarnations since then but, purist will always be the first in line to bask in the original frights.

Available in a stunning box set that includes your own chainsaw, a 4K Ultra HD/Bluray copy and, for all the purists at heart, a VHS copy. Is it twisted to say this is so much fun to have in anyone’s home entertainment library? It is time to gather up your own group of Leatherface’s, turn out the lights, crank up the big screen television and soundbar up loud because THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE has come home once again bringing that memorable sound to chill us all!

In the end – can you survive?

The Fear is LONGLEGS

 

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD and Bluray from writer/director Osgood Perkins and Neon comes a thriller when you fear LONGLEGS.

It is 1990 and Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) is an FBI agent who seems to have an unusual gift for understanding crimes, one might even say clairvoyant. Working with boss William Carter (Blair Underwood), they are dealing with a case of unusual murder-suicides.  In each of the incidences, they find a letter signed by someone named Longlegs. What is even more unusual, the note is not written by any of the family members.

Lee begins to take each case apart piece by piece to find some similarities, one being that each family involved had a 9-year-old-daughter with upcoming birthdays. Trying to get a handle on the case, she does make her daily call to mom Ruth (Alicia Witt) who is living on her own promising to find time to see her. Ruth is understanding about her work but mainly wants to know that she is well. When she and Carter find an unusual doll at the crime scene, it is a clue that they must visit the only survivor of one of the attacks.

As they continue to follow the clues, Lee begins to feel that something is drawing her closer and closer to the answers she seeks but it is going to come at a very high cost. The thing is – sometimes you go looking for answers, you might not like what you find!

Monroe as Lee portrays an agent who is clearly into her work and not much else. Wanting to solve crimes, she delves in deep and uses her unusual ability to sense things and that comes to the attention of her boss. Monroe gives this character a haunting look and feel but, then again, what she is being asked to do is bound to bring about a sense of foreboding. It is a eerie performance and I am here for every second of it.

Witt as Ruth is much like her daughter but clearly has mental health issues. It feels as if her disconnect is what keeps daughter Lee away. When she must question her mother about her childhood, the answers are vague and unnerving. Well done! Underwood as Carter takes up the mantle to follow every lead no matter where it takes him. Noticing that Lee has uncovered so much so quickly, they go together to find clues and it gets stranger and stranger. Underwood is a strong presence with Lee being the quieter of the two and his trust in her skills is everything.

The huge shout out goes to Cage as Kobble. What a fantastically frightening transformation but it is something we should be use to. From his character of the no conscience of FACE/OFF Castor Troy, the film MANDY as Red Miller, or even the devilish Dracula in the film RENFIELD, it is easy to realize that he can play good guys of course, but man when he lets out the bad, it is BAD in the best possible way!

Other cast include Lauren Acala as young Lee, Dakota Aulby as Agent Fisk, Kiernan Shipka as Carrie Anne Camera, Maila Hosie as young Carrie, Jason Day as Lee’s father, Lisa Chandler as Lee’s mother, Ava Kelders as Ruby Carter, Carmel Amit as Anna Carter, Peter Bryant as senior FBI Agent, and the fantastic Nicolas Cage as Dale Kobble.

Neon is a film production company that is best known for such films as I, TONYA and one of the most incredible Oscar winning film PARASITE. With a total of 12 Academy Award nominations, Neon appeals to audiences that are looking for in-your-face storytelling. For more information, please visit www.neonrated.com.

Bonus Features include On-Set Interviews with Osgood Perkins, Maika Monroe, Blair Under and Alicia Witt, Feature Commentary with Osgood Perkins, The Clues, The Evidence, Dirty & Sweet, Teaser and Trailer.

LONGLEGS is a film that can swim along with SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and probably be half a lap ahead. Set in the 1990s, it has the feel of films from that era and I absolutely love films from that time period. They aren’t all blood and gore but more mental freak outs and jumps which are much more fun. There is a solid story here and I was not prepared for all the twists and turns so had to pick my jaw up off the floor once or twice.

This is what a good thriller looks like on the big screen and a big flat screen with a good sound bar. Perkins knew exactly what he was doing while writing the script, he found a cast that absolutely embraces where the characters are going and found in it all, an actor who could deliver the evil required to take us all on this mind-bending ride. Turn the lights out and be prepared to pick up your own jaw off the floor!

In the end – it’s almost-birthday girl!

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!

WHAT COMES AROUND

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Amy Redford and IFC Films is the story of past mistakes and present pain because of WHAT COMES AROUND.

Anna (Grace Van Dien) is a young girl who has found long distant love on the internet with Eric (Kyle Gallner). Keeping their relationship quiet has made it all seem too romantic and forbidden. Not even mom Beth (Summer Phoenix) and fiancé Tim (Jesse Garcia) suspect that Anna is in love. On her 17^th birthday, Anna is shocked to know that Eric is at her front door.

Bringing her a gift, Anna makes it clear that she is uncomfortable with what he has done. Yet, she enjoys spending time being with him in person. That’s when she decides to bring it all out in the open and introduces Beth to Eric. The response is that of shock for both mom and Tim but for totally different reasons.

When Beth wants Eric out of the house, Anna comes to his defense and Tim tries to keep calm with the situation. Trying to make her daughter understand, it becomes clear that the more Beth tries to stop it, the more Anna is going to make poor decisions. Even friends Brit (Reina Hardesty) and Ashley (Sierra Nicole Rose) try to tell her that the age difference is going to be a problem.

While showing a house, Eric shows up and confronts Beth about the past and now it becomes clear why she has such an aversion to Anna’s relationship. It is time for the truth to come out totally and, even as it does, each person in this situation cannot avoid the pain.

Van Dien as Anna is a young girl who is at that point in her life where she thinks she knows better than any adult in her life. Keeping her relationship with Eric a secret proves that she knows but is enjoying the feelings that come along with the budding ‘romance’. Van Dien plays the role impeccably because this is everything I would expect from a teenager. Even when the truth comes out, she does what teenagers do – whatever they damn well please. In that sense, Van Dien has captured the role perfectly!

Gallner as Eric proves to be that person mothers are scared of for their daughters. That being said, there is a little more to the story. Gallner portrays Eric as a young man who knows the problem he is causing but, like Anna, seems to know better than the adults around him. Once he arrives at Anna’s door, he can not seem to stay away no matter what. Gallner portrays Eric with a duality that comes from the well written character.

Phoenix as Beth is a woman who has finally found happiness in her life and work. Thrilled to be getting married, those emotions come to a screeching halt when Eric arrives. Trying to keep her daughter safe, it only comes off as being a controlling mother who couldn’t possibly understand how she feels in Anna’s eyes. Phoenix brings her part of the story in a way that is unexpected and intriguing, well done.

Garcia as Tim is a police officer that suspects something is wrong with the situation. Not that he agrees with what Anna is doing in the least but his cop senses tell him that there is more. He has an investment in this family that will become his and he wants to keep both Beth and Anna safe.

Other cast include Indiana Affleck as Denny, Gabriel Eckert as Leo with Paul Tew and Chase Voelker.

IFC Films is a leading distributor of quality talent-driven independent films. Some of the company’s successes include BOYHOOD, FRANCES HA, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, TOUCHING THE VOID, CHE, TINY FURNITURE and CARLOS. For more information on films from IFC please visit www.ifcfilms.com.

Director Redford has obviously learned so much from her famous father Robert Redford. There is a story here that is a mixture of family, friendships, teenage angst and secrets and Redford makes sure that they are all addressed in equal measure.

WHAT COMES AROUND addresses one of the most frightening things as a parent is the relationships happening on the internet. Impressionable young teens looking for love, acceptance, acknowledgement etc. can succumb to the attention of the wrong person. That is what happens to Anna in the sense that she is being placed in a situation where she does not have full knowledge of the facts.

The twists and turns of the story bring the film close to being a thriller but instead, lands in the middle of a warning shot across the parental bow and secrets that can wreak havoc on everyone. The cast does an amazing job at bringing both of those concepts to the film. Keeping the cast to a minimum provides the air of tension and that is the attention grabber. Bonus, the title is perfect!

In the end – look outside!

APORIA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from writer/director Jared Moshe and Well Go USA Entertainment is the thriller with APORIA.

Sophie (Judy Greer) is a woman dealing with the grief at the loss of husband, Mal (Edi Gathegi). Also trying to deal with the pain is Sophie’s daughter Riley (Faithe Herman) and it has caused emotional detachment between them.

Trying to hold down a job and take care of Riley, Sophie has the help of Mal’s good friend physicist Jabir (Payman Maadi). Seeing that the grief of Mal’s death is too much, Jabir shows Sophie something spectacular, a time bending machine.

Telling her that it could be possible to change the day Mal died by a drunk driver, Sophie, at first declines to get involved. But when seeing the man who killed her husband, Sophie decides to see if it would work.

Mal’s return brings a dilemma to Sophie and Jabir in how to continue using the machine. Their lives are now vastly different and with every use of the machine, the danger of the changes grows. That’s when these three people realize that someone has to set things right.

Greer as Sophie portrays a grieving widow who is trying to keep her life together. The struggles with her job and a daughter who clearly wants nothing to do with the life before her father’s death. The wonderful thing about Greer is that she can do comedy and drama with equal measure and success. As Sophie, Greer develops her character from grief to conscience with the hope of a successful ending.

Maadi as Jabir is a man on a mission. Using a room in his house to create the time bending machine, he clearly believes it can work and help Sophie and Riley have some happiness back in their lives. Maadi becomes the middle man between Sophie and Mal but also realizes that perhaps the world isn’t ready for his machine. I enjoy Maadi as a solid character actor and this is the reason why.

Gathegi as Mal is a man who is, at first, rightly confused about what has happened in his life and death. Once he grasps what has happened, the wondering of what good could this machine do for bringing justice in some ways. I first saw Gathegi in the 2014 series JUSTIFIED and up to the 2022 series FOR ALL MANKIND. Gathegi has a presence that draws the audience in and wants to know more about the character he plays. Well done!

Herman as Riley has become withdrawn, standoffish and emotionally unpredictable since her father’s death. Taking it out on the only person she can, Riley leans hard on her mother and also acts out at school. Herman does the teenager like a teenager would be in the strange situation Riley finds herself.

Other cast include Rachel Paulson as May, Lisa Linke as Nurse Cohen, Adam O’Bryne as Darby, Whitney Cox as Kara, Veda Cienfuegos as Aggie, Dionne Audain as Hagerty, Mann Alfonso as Mr. Abante, Coel Mahal as Mary-Lou, Grace Hinson as VP Bae and Jeffrey Sun as Prosecutor Macias.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

APORIA is a look at a family torn apart by grief and given the chance to try and correct what they feel is a wrong is dangerous. A put together machine is about to change Sophie and Riley’s lives and it won’t be a simple change either.

As a physicist, Jabir should know you cannot change the present by going back to the past, yet he shares his time bending machine with Sophie. Correcting what people believe are events that are wrong is still no answer yet, the shared grief between Sophie and Jabir pushes them forward thinking ‘oh nothing bad will happen to do this ONE thing’.

The consequences of their actions is what grips APORIA to its core and kept me watching. As we all know, making a mess it easy – it’s the clean up that can be a hot mess. This film is proof that perhaps its better not to make the mess in the first place.

In the end – reality is a continuum!

 

 

 

AIR FORCE ONE Lands on 4K Ultra HD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, Digital in SteelBook from director Wolfgang Peterson is a thrill ride in the most famous planes with AIR FORCE ONE.

United States President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) is in Moscow at a dinner where he gives a speech making it clear that the U.S. ‘no longer negotiates with terrorists’. That sets a few nerves on edge but Marshall, wife Grace (Wendy Crewson) and young daughter Alice (Liesel Matthews) along with the press corps and a advisers return for the trip home on Air Force One.

What they don’t realize is that a man named Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldman), a loyalist to a man named General Radek (Jurgen Prochnow) who has been imprisoned by Russia. As easy as it looks, that’s because Korshunov has inside help and when the big move is made, the plane becomes a place of chaos. Secret Service try to help Marshall escape and the plane to land. Instead, the president and passengers are captive and the plane diverted to Kazakhstan.

But Marshall isn’t any ordinary president, he is a veteran of Vietnam and still has a few moves up his sleeve. Managing to call Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close), now everyone is on alert as to what is happening and Korshunov realizes that Marshall is on the loose. Threatening the president’s family, Marshall begins to take matters into his own hands with a plane that puts Korshunov on notice that not negotiating means just that!

Ford as the president gets an opportunity here in 1997 to be a bad-ass president. He may not be the loudest voice in the room but that’s because he processes everything happening around him. I’d rather that than all the ridiculous shouting. One step at a time Ford shows up as a man of action but with steps that are calculated and he makes it look easy and intense which is always an awesome combination.

Oldman as Korshunov is as awesome as I would want him to be. Let’s face it, the guy could do a sit down in a red velvet jacket in a high back chair reading the phone book and I’d be happy. What makes Oldman amazing his that what ever role he plays, he molds it, shapes it and presents it in a mesmerizing way to a glad audience. From vampire to futuristic shady businessman to a Gotham commissioner, Oldman knows what to give his characters that make them memorable.

Close as VP Bennett has just as much gumption as Marshall has and she certainly isn’t going to let a room full of twitchy fingered men lead her around by the high heels. I love when Close gets worked up because it rains awesomeness! Crewson as wife Grace is a thrilled First Lady until she gets a taste of the real world that a president deals with on the daily. She gets a chance to scream as only a mother would. Matthews as Alice has a few choice words of her own to say to the bad guys and I backed her up with a ‘yea, what the kid said!’.

Other cast include Zander Berkeley as Agent Gibbs, Alan Woolf as Russian President Petrov, Donna Bullock as Press Secretary Melanie Mitchell, Michael Ray Miller as USAF Axelrod, Carl Weintraub as USAF Ingraham, Bill Smitrovich as General Northwoodm, Levan Uchaneishvili as Sergei Lenski, Dean Stockwell as Defense Secretary Walter Dean, Paul Guilfoyle as Chief of Staff Lloyd Shepherd and William H. Macy as Major Norman Caldwell.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.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.

AIR FORCE ONE is available on 4K Ultra HD, Bluray, Digital and neatly packaged with cover artwork in an awesome SteelBook.

Bonus Features include on 4K Ultra HD Feature presented in 4K Resolution with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos +5.1 Audio and Theatrical Trailer. On Bluray the Bonus Feature include Feature Presented in High Definition, 5.1 Audio and Commentary with Director Wolfgang Petersen.

AIR FORCE ONE is a film that just made the 90’s so much fun, intense and awesome at the theatres. To say they don’t make them like that anymore is speaking the truth. The film gave drama, high intensity, action and a shift at every turn. Seeing it on the big screen with a tub of popcorn with Harrison and Oldman going at it was a thrill all its own.

Now, it is back! On my 75” with sound bar, I am back in the theatres with a tub of popcorn in a recliner cheering for the president and throwing popcorn at the screen’s bad guys. Except now the whole family has the chance to get in on the fun. Director Petersen definetly thought this story through before putting it on film and gave us what a true action film should look like.

In the end – the fate of the nation rests with the courage of one man!

 

 

 

Paramount+ Frights with SIGNIFICANT OTHER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Paramount+ from writers/directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen is a weekend in the woods with the SIGNIFICANT OTHER.

Ruth (Maika Monroe) and Harry (Jake Lacy) are off for an adventure on the Red Ridge Trail. It does not take long on the trail before Ruth begins to suspect that something is off. As they continue on, Harry makes the big move on a picturesque cliff but it doesn’t get the effect he had hoped for.

Camping in the woods, Ruth discovers a deer that has been killed and it disturbs her a bit but Harry makes it alright. Later, she discovers a cave and can’t help but go inside finding a glowing blue substance on the ground. More frightening is that she is not alone.

Continuing their walk, chaos ensues and Ruth is sent flying through the woods. Couple Vivian (Dana Green) and Ray (Matthew King) find her injured and not remembering anything. They sense something is happening with her but cannot place it until Harry walks into the camp. Ruth cannot get away fast enough because her fear is pushing her hard.

She discovers that the something in the woods is more than she could have imagined as the game of cat and mouse continues.

Monroe as Ruth has a character full of issues. Going on this hike with her boyfriend seemed like the way to get out of her head. The problem is that the opposite happened but because of what she discovers. I enjoyed Monroe’s portrayal of a woman that is clearly trying to enjoy her life but has unresolved issues and now the stress of what is in the forest.

Lacy as Harry just wants to love his girlfriend and thought their time in the forest would be a way to just clear their heads – and he has a bit of a surprise. Unfortunately, the surprise is on him as he discovers his ‘human-ness’ and wants Ruth to be a part of it all. He has patience to a point but when she doesn’t respond the way he wants, the true story of what is going to happen becomes clear and frightening.

Other cast include Loudon McCleery as Jimmy and Teal Sherer as Dolores. 

Paramount+ is a subscription streaming service with content from CBS Media Ventures, Paramount Media Networks and Paramount Pictures. Leading with original series, films and sports coverage, programming also includes shows like Big Brother, The Good Fight, and Star Trek: Discovery. For more of what they have to offer please visit https://www.paramountplus.com.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER comes out just in time for the spooky season adding a bit of thrill, a bit of horror and a bit of sci-fi all mashed into a trip through the forest. It is nice when the surroundings are a character in the story as well. There is nothing to get in the way of these two characters going through their own madness.

Staying focused on Ruth and Harry, it is a constant twist and turn of events. I found myself puzzled one minute and having ‘ah-ha’ moments the next. That happened a lot through the film which made it fun in a freaky cool way.

Get out the popcorn and stay out of the woods!

They are taking on the BEAST

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Bluray, DVD and Digital in a Collector’s Edition from director Baltasar Kormakur and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the chase of the BEAST.

Dr. Nate Samuels (Idris Elba) and young daughters Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Jeffries) are on a vacation at the Mopani Reserve in South Africa. It is also a chance for Nate to visit friend Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley) who is the reserve manager. This is also the place where the girls’ mother grew up and Martin takes them to her village.

The girls are thrilled when Martin takes them all to visit a local pride and witness the wonderful connection there is between the man and male lions. Driving to the Tsonga town, they are shocked to discover what a rogue lion has done to the community. Tracking the lion, Martin is hurt and moments later Nate and the girls are attacked in their jeep.

Trying to stay in contact with each other, Martin makes it clear he is badly injured and Nate knows he needs to get to his friend. Meredith runs to help her father’s friend while Norah gives the lion a little what for with a needle! All they can do is wait with the lion very close by. A poacher’s truck pulls up and tries to rough up the group not believing the story about the lion, they soon do!

Grabbing the truck, the group makes their way to an abandoned building and not far behind is a very angry lion. Time is running out and Nate knows there is nowhere else to go!

Elba as Dr. Samuels is a man who is dealing with the guilt of his marriage and trying to make the bond stronger with his daughters. Seeing his friend again gives him a chance to talk about all the feelings he has been keeping in. Instead of a vacation, he must go into survival mode and keep it together for his friend and young daughters. Elba gives a straight on performance until the very end.

Copley as Martin clear loves what he does and is worried about his friend. Taking them to visit their mother’s village is a gesture to help the girls but what they eventually find there shakes him. Copley takes the lions hard knocks until the lion makes it clear he’s not going down without a fight.

Jeffries as young Nora is about to experience the second worst thing to happen in her young life. Yet she is strong and only wants her family to survive. She makes smart moves in the midst of panic and I think she is a pretty cool kid. Wish I could say the same about sister Meredith.

Halley as Meredith is a daughter who doesn’t listen, thinks she knows everything and when she doesn’t – wants to argue at ever turn. Clearly, I have a low tolerance for mouthy teen-characters like Meredith so my nerves were running raw the entire film. As an actress Halley is lovely and took on a motherly role of sorts toward her young sister.

Other cast include – loads of lions.

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.

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.

Bonus Features include Creating the Beast, Man Vs. Lion: The Final Battle, Making It Real: The Wounds, Film in the Beast’s Territory, Family Bond: The Cast of Beast, A Lion’s Pride and More!

The special effects of the lion were pretty cool and I thought it looked darn near realistic. Those big paws coming at the face were enough to convince me it was a job well done on the screen. This is a quick action thriller that does not stop from start to finish. There is not much in the way of delving into the characters but then again, the angry lion makes that difficult.

This is a bucket full of popcorn, yelling at the screen and full-on scare-jump ride and being at home on a comfy couch in a dark room with a big screen television is the way to go. Gather up the family and buckle up for a ride and don’t forget to look over your shoulder!

In the end – fight for family!

THE HARBINGER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on DVD from writer/director Will Klipstine and Screen Media is the secrets of a family surrounding THE HARBINGER.

Rosalie (Madeleine McGraw) is a young happy girl living with parents Daniel (Will Klipstine) and Theresa (Amanda MacDonald). Then a change happened to her and she is now withdrawn and treats her parents as if they are a nuisance. The couple decides to move to a small Midwest town to try and start over again hoping it will help their daughter.

But their fears have followed them as Daniel decides to seek help from a woman named Floating Hawk (Irene Bedard). Immediately she lets him know that there is something dangerous about what is happening to Rosalie. Also, there is a history that is just as deep and dark at what is driving their family into danger.

As townspeople begin to have accidents, Det. Hennings (Vince Duvall) decides that Daniel is responsible for it all. Who they need to be looking for is the darkness named Luc (Charles Hubbell) who is proud of everything he has done.

But when it comes time to make sacrifices, Daniel is driven by a man (Bruce Bohne) who seems to have some answers as well. The answers all begin to make sense when Floating Hawk tells him about the history between the Native Americans and Luc. More importantly, she explains about the artifacts and the meaning behind them.

McGraw as Rosalie is so amazing at being evil without giving anything away. She is stoic, straight faced and isn’t afraid to take a few people off the ground when she thinks they need it. Its an intense role for such a young girl but McGraw makes it look all way to easy. Great choice to play this role!

Klipstine as Daniel is trying to keep his family together at all costs. As their story begins to unravel, so do the memories of why everything is happening. One thing is clear, he has not been totally honest with his wife but he does miss the daughter that was once so happy go lucky. Thinking he has a handle on it all, it changes from moment to moment when being told there is only one way to help his little girl.

MacDonald as Theresa is living in a world of confusion and fear. Yes, the fear of the unknown is real but the fear of her own child is even greater. Watching husband Daniel run here and there to get answers, she tries to be supportive but the constant deaths and harassments are unraveling Mom mentally.

Bedard as Floating Hawk has the answers that Daniel is seeking, it is just a matter of will he listen. Duvall as Det. Hennings is clearly convinced that Daniel is responsible for what is happening to the townspeople, but is he really?

Bohne as the man watching the Snyder family is very expressive and is doing whatever he can to get their attention. He does this with such intense facial features and that is everything when I’m shouting at the screen ‘listen to the guy!’. Hubbell as Luc is evil with every single answer and a few shocks that Daniel and Theresa didn’t see coming.

Other cast include Teal Redmann as Dr. Emily Warren, Kate Luyben as Claire, Jeremy Gauana as a Native Warrior, Jamie Bozian as Harlan Lester, Alex Galick as Gary Woronicz, Emily Fradenburgh as Officer Daniels, Sally-Anne Hunt as Annie and Steve Monroe as John Driscoll.

Screen Media is an international distributor of television series and films, licensing content through theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, free, cable and pay television, and subscription and advertising video-on-demand platforms.  In 2017 Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. acquired Screen Media which is in its 23rd year as a leading global independent distribution company. With one of the largest independently owned libraries of filmed entertainment in the world Screen Media’s distribution capability enables direct distribution of all rights in all countries. The company is continually looking to add films and television series to its content library.

THE HARBINGER is a tale of choices, time and when it is time to pay the piper, so to speak. The cast manages to take all the twists and turns and make them even more twisty and turn-y. The film is pretty creepy from start to finish with a mix of stories from the Native Americans, mythology, relics, promises made and broken (consider the source right?).

The film comes to DVD just in time for the spooky season and THE HARBINGER needs to be put in the pile of Halloween night binging!

In the end – only death can save her!

 

He Learns to be a SPIRITWALKER

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on the martial arts service Hi-Yah! Today and coming to Bluray from writer/director Yoon Jae-keun and Well Go USA Entertainment is the thriller SPIRITWALKER.

Kang I-an (Yoon Kye-sang) is an agent working undercover on a very well-kept secret mission. The problem is, he is awakened by Haengryeo (Park Ji-hwan), a homeless man who is going through the crashed van. Realizing that I-an is awake, he tells him the ambulance is on the way and shuffles away to a nearby homeless camp.

At the hospital, I-an does not know who he is and quickly realizes that he does not even recognize his face in the glass. Finding the homeless man to ask questions, Haengryeo tells him there is only one way to figure it all out, start at the beginning. Off he goes to start looking through the wrecked car, but it does not take long before something crazy happens.

I-an is now Ji Cheol-ho (Lee Woon-san) and goes back to Haengryeo frustrated trying to figure out what is happening. It becomes clear that every 12 hours, I-an becomes someone else. In the process of finding answers, he realizes he is also looking for Moon Jin-ah (Lim Ji-yeon). During one of his changes, when he does find her, there is no way to convince her that he is I-an.

So now the mystery begins to come together as Director Park (Park Yong-woo) sends out officers to look for I-an but not for police reasons. The twists become intense and with each change, I-an comes closer and closer to discovering who is trying to kill him and more importantly – why!

Kye-sang as I-an is just so amazing to watch! Not only does he give us his view of how he sees what is happening but reacts very well with the mirror views of another face. This is an intense character to be sure and Kye-sang just rolls with each incarnation with obvious intensity (I mean who wouldn’t be a little shocked right?) but determination to discover what has happened and why. He gets a chance to use some serious martial arts and it is fast past and very cool.

Ji-hwan as Haengryeo is sheer perfection in this role. He is a little different to be sure, but he cannot help but be curious by what I-an is going through. Helping when he can and experiencing how crazy it all is – he sees it to the end. I just loved when he was on the screen because he may not understand it all, but he certainly is all in.

Ji-yeon as Jin-nah is also involved in the complex happenings that surround I-an. She is equally on the run and when strangers keep trying to save her, Jin-nah realizes that there is more here than she could possible have expected. Joining whatever incarnation is helping her, they both get closer and closer to learning who is responsible for it all.

Yong-woo as Director Park is a dog that is not going to stop until he finds out who has his bone! This character is relentless but then again, there is a deep, dark and disturbing reason for him to be on the hunt for I-an. Young-woo gives his character a clean-cut look until the frayed edges begin to show.

Other cast includes Yoo Seung-mok as Chief Lee Shin-woo, Lee Sung-wook as Yoo Dae-ri, Seo Hyun-woo as Baek Sang-sa, Hong Ki-joon as Go Joong-sa, Joo Jin-mo as Director Hong, and Park Min-jung as Cake Lady.

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment company specializing in bringing the best Action, Genre and Independent films from around the world to North American markets. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go USA Entertainment’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment currently releases three to five films per month. To see more please visit www.wellgousa.com.

SPIRITWALKER is a very cool thriller with so many twists and turns that are extremely cool. There is never time to get comfortable with the characters because director Jae-keun has other plans for us. Keeping the action consistent, each frame brings the viewer closer to the truth about it all but, of course, he leaves us hanging in the end.

This is a truly original thriller that is thought out and put on film deliberately and carefully. Every time I thought I had it, the conspiracy slipped off my fingers and I had to start again. That’s what makes a film truly fun.

In the end – no memory, no allies, nowhere left to run!