DARK (2015)

USA/2015
Directed By: Nick Basile
Written By: Elias, Nick Basile
Starring: Whitney Able, Alexandra Breckenridge, Michael Eklund
Release Date: June 7, 2016

Have you ever had a really bad blind date with someone that is absolutely miserable to be around? Or maybe you're in any other social situation with a person that drains you mentally just by their presence and you really can't do anything about it? That is what it was like watching DARK. It was a 93 minute disaster of a date with someone that gets on your last nerve and pisses you off and the only solace is that you can see the end in sight.

Whitney Able stars as Kate, and we'll follow her through the blackout of New York City in 2003. Kate's relationship with her girlfriend Leah (Alexandra Breckenridge) is strained and Kate is mentally damaged for reasons never fully disclosed to the viewer. As the power goes down in the city Kate begins to freak out and decides to go to the local bar who is serving drinks by candlelight and pick up a guy but when he decides not to go home with her she freaks out and leaves and the freak out continues through the rest of the night as she has a run-in with a drunk neighbor who breaks in and uses the bathroom. She smashes her radio and tries to run away down the fire escape and freaks out again.

DARK is merely a series of events that the audience isn't given any real reason to care about or truly know about. Kate is a miserable character and despite our sympathy for whatever problems she may be going through she never gives any reason for us to care about her. The movie is disconnected and choppy with no organic flow. The entire thing is a mess that only gets messier as it goes along. The performances were decent but the writing and direction are awful. Don't let Joe Dante being attached as an executive producer fool you into wasting your time on this one.

That's it. I'm done with this movie.

MINDS EYE ENTERTAINMENT WITH BRIDGEGATE PICTURES AND VMI WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCE SIX-PICTURE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION SLATE

MINDS EYE ENTERTAINMENT WITH BRIDGEGATE PICTURES AND VMI WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCE SIX-PICTURE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION SLATE

 

CANNES, May 13, 2016 – Minds Eye Entertainment, in association with Bridgegate Pictures and VMI Worldwide, have financed and green lit a six-picture production slate of sci-fi, action and thriller films.  Minds Eye Entertainment will distribute the films in North America, while VMI Worldwide will distribute the titles internationally.  The six films will also be shot for the new Barco Escape three-screen, panoramic theatrical format, which fully surrounds audiences and offers the ultimate immersive cinema experience.  Portions of the films will also be shot in Virtual Reality.

Kevin Dewalt, CEO of Minds Eye Entertainment, made the announcement today at the 69th Cannes International Film Festival. 

“Minds Eye Entertainment's strength has always been to deliver exceptional production value with a talented cast at managed costs,” said Dewalt. “It's a natural progression for us to now finance and produce multiple pictures concurrently to manage budgets wisely without sacrificing first class crews and talented art departments across six films.  I am delighted to partner with VMI led by Andre Relis and Bridgegate Pictures’ Guy Griffithe on this new venture."

The first production under the deal is the sci-fi thriller THE RECALL written by Reggie Keyohara III (SEND IN THE CLOWNS) and Sam Acton King.  When five friends vacation at a remote lake house, they expect nothing less than a good time, unaware that planet Earth is under an alien invasion and mass-abduction.

The six-picture slate will be produced by Kevin Dewalt (FORSAKEN, THE TALL MAN) and Danielle Masters (FORSAKEN, WOLFCOP) and will be executive produced by Guy Griffithe (WTF: WORLD THUMBWRESTLING FEDERATION, SCHOOL SPIRITS), Andre Relis (WAR PIGS, THE PERFECT WEAPON) and Frank White (THE TALL MAN, FACES IN THE CROWD).

“We are honored to start this collaboration with such a prolific, accomplished producer as Kevin Dewalt,” said Andre Relis, president of VMI Worldwide.  “We believe this partnership with Kevin, who has a proven track record working with respectable talent in a variety of commercial and independent films, will only strengthen VMI’s continued growth, while delivering attractive, talent-driven projects to the international marketplace.  We are confident this partnership with Minds Eye Entertainment will bring great success to both companies.”

"We look forward to this exciting partnership,” said Bridgegate Pictures CEO Guy Griffithe. "The alliances we have formed will allow us to be at the forefront of some of the newest and greatest technology to give consumers a unique and captivating film experience.” 

"We are excited to have Minds Eye Entertainment on board for this new slate of movies that will be created and distributed in Barco Escape," says Barco Escape Chief Creative Officer Ted Schilowitz.   "These films join our fast-growing slate of movies that will release in the new format, as filmmakers continue to explore the creative boundaries of the cinema experience through Barco Escape. We're looking forward to bringing our exhibitor partners the kind of sci-fi, action adventure, and suspense movies through Minds Eye that we believe are a perfect fit for Escape and will appeal to audiences worldwide.”   

About Minds Eye Entertainment 

Established in 1986, Minds Eye Entertainment is located in Regina, Saskatchewan and is one of Canada’s most prolific independent production and distribution companies, internationally recognized for its commitment to distinctive film and television product and expertise in navigating international co-production and financing. Recent credits include: THE TALL MAN (Jessica Biel), FACES IN THE CROWD (Milla Jovovich), LULLABY FOR PI (Rupert Friend, Clemence Poesy, Forest Whitaker), Stephen King’s DOLAN’S CADILLAC (Christian Slater) and FORSAKEN (Kiefer Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, Brian Cox and Demi Moore). For more information about Minds Eye Entertainment, please visit www.mindseyepictures.com

About Bridgegate Pictures

Bridgegate Pictures Corp operates as an integrated film company out of Corona, California. The company engages in the development, financing and production of media products including feature films for worldwide distribution in the theatrical, broadcast and digital markets. Bridgegate specializes in commercial driven independent films that are star driven and have worldwide appeal.

About VMI Worldwide

VMI Worldwide is an international sales, film finance and production company based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2010 by Andre Relis, Some of VMI Worldwide’s past titles include HELLION starring Aaron Paul and Juliette Lewis, WICKED BLOOD, starring Abigail Breslin and Sean Bean, GALLOWWALKERS with Wesley Snipes, and WHY STOP NOW starring Jesse Eisenberg, Melissa Leo and Tracy Morgan. VMI Worldwide has cultivated an extensive network of long-term, direct relationships with the top networks, distributors and releasing companies around the globe. In the past 3 years, VMI has moved heavily into in-house production on titles including WAR PIGS starring Dolph Lundgren and THE PERFECT WEAPON starring Steven Seagal.

HOUSE OF AFFLICTIONS - Wild Eye Releasing (DVD Review)

UK/2014
Directed By: Anthony M. Winson
Written By: Anthony M. Winson
Starring: Michelle Darkin Price, Stefan Boehm, Penelope Butler
Color/90 Minutes/Unrated
Region 1
Release Date: February 23, 2016

The Film
Kate Beckley was one of England's best selling authors with her series of crime novels but it has been years since she's released a new book while dealing with the death of her young daughter. Now attempting to write a new book in a new house Kate is haunted by strange figures and visions along with other strange occurrences which become more and more violent with each passing night.

HOUSE OF AFFLICTIONS has a decent premise, at least one that I find interesting. A house that holds on to the grief and bad feelings of the events that happen within its walls and manifests that energy into evil is a decent set up for a haunted house horror film. Unfortunately the movie has zero style or pizazz. The acting is wooden and feels like everyone was doing green screen acting with little to no experience. The writing is cliche'd and generic as hell but it's probably the strongest point of the film in that it is a coherent story.

The movie could have at least been okay with good direction but there's nothing going on here. There's awkward framing, a lack of sound design that would have added some much needed production value and many of the scary moments feel like very rough rehearsals as opposed to final takes. I'm not familiar with Anthony M. Winson who wrote and directed the film but according to his IMDB page he has 8 directing credits prior to HOUSE OF AFFLICTIONS and with that sort of experience I really expect better quality and more style.

HOUSE OF AFFLICTIONS feels like an amateur project lacking style, substance and sadly, passion.

The Audio & Video
Wild Eye Releasing gives us a solid DVD featuring a 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer that looks and sounds as good as the production of the movie will allow. HOUSE OF AFFLICTIONS has a distant and thin sound and that is reflected here but it is relatively clear sounding and the levels are steady and the mix is well done. The picture is clean and has solid color reproduction with decent detail for a standard definition release. The darker scenes suffer a bit from blocking but overall the DVD has solid A/V qualities.

The Extras
-Alternate Ending
-Deleted Scenes
-Trailer

The Bottom Line
I love Wild Eye Releasing and respect them endlessly for releasing underground and obscure genre films but this one just doesn't work for me.

HOUSE OF AFFLICITONS is available HERE

REGRESSION - Anchor Bay (Blu-ray Review)

Spain, Canada/2015
Directed By: Alejandro Amenabar
Written By: Alejandro Amenabar
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Emma Watson, David Thewlis
Color/106 Minutes/R
Region A
Release Date: May 10 2016

The Film
In 1990 a wave of fear involving Satanic cults has swept the country and in Minnesota detective Bruce Kenner (Ethan Hawke) has been assigned a case of Angela (Emma Watson) who has accused her father of ritualistic rape and torture. Her father has blocked the memories and undergoes regressive memory therapy to help him relive memories that open the door on a much bigger and deeper mystery.

Written and directed by Alejandro Amenabar (The Others), REGRESSION is an engaging psychological thriller with roots its roots planted in horror films from the 60s and 70s. The story and characters make REGRESSION the film it is and carry it so that it doesn't need to rely on shocks and scares. Ethan Hawke is dynamic and strong as detective Kenner and Emma Watson is perfect as the traumatized victim who gets our sympathy. The darkness she's dealing with and a family she can't confide in make us want to hold and shelter Angela, giving her protection from the physical and mental demons. Along with David Thewlis who is great as the psychologist on the case, the entire cast is great and make Amenabar's sometimes emotionally trying script feel real.

While REGRESSION is mainly a character and story piece, there are a few creepy scenes including flashbacks of black mass and cult rituals. These scenes aren't overly explicit but instead use atmosphere, setting and camerawork to be downright unsettling. REGRESSION has a very oppressive look and feel to it. It's dreary, cold and overcast and that helps build a sense of paranoia in Detective Kenner as the story goes along and he finds himself getting deeper into something that he may not be ready for.

When the credits began to roll I found myself satisfied with REGRESSION and the twists and turns it took. The film plays on the emotions of the viewers and it is entirely possible you'll feel betrayed or cheated by the way it plays out but that is a good thing in this case. I don't think REGRESSION was perfect as some characters come in to play as a major player but are left to do very little of any significance and the story's resolution happens abruptly and it isn't the easiest pill to swallow when it does but the problems REGRESSION has don't nearly stop it from being a well made psychological piece filled with good performances.

The Audio & Video
Anchor Bay's Blu-ray of REGRESSION has all of the bells and whistles as far as the A/V is concerned. The anamorphic widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio transfer is pristine. Colors are reproduced with perfection in regards to the look of the film and the black levels are super deep and inky. Skin tones are healthy with a natural flesh tone and no signs of waxiness or excessive DNR. A DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix handles the English audio in a dynamic and powerful mix with crystal clarity. There's no trouble with background noise, distortions or damage and there are optional English and Spanish subtitles.

The Extras
Four short featurettes are included, that unfortunately largely repeat content.

-Ethan Hawke on "Bruces Obsession"
-Emma Watson on "The Complexity Of Angela"
-The Cast of REGRESSION
-The Vision of REGRESSION

The Bottom Line
REGRESSION deals with a lot of deeper issues than the surface of a psychological thriller mystery movie will show on the surface. It succeeds at being creepy and unsettling at times while being a relatively smart film.

REGRESSION is available HERE

THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY (2016)

USA/2016
Director: Pearry Reginald Teo
Writer: Josh Nadler, Pearry Reginald Teo
Starring: Ethan Peck, Natalie Hall, India Eisley
In Theaters May 13, 2016
VOD and iTunes Release Date: May 17, 2016

Thomas Kaiser has recently inherited a family estate that has been in his family for generations from an uncle he never knew and quickly finds out that the family curse has also been passed on to him and he is now forced to guard the house and the evil demons housed within its walls. While Thomas does his best to find a way to break the curse he also tries to awaken Briar Rose, a beautiful young woman kept asleep in another world that have haunted Thomas in his dreams.

THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY is an interesting and original take on the Grimm Brothers fairytale and a far departure from the Disney story we all grew up with. Director Pearry Reginald Teo shows some flare and style throughout the picture and creates a spooky atmosphere within the walls of the old house, enhanced by the evil mannequin artwork that comes to life. That is the stuff of nightmares and reminds me greatly of something I'd have seen in an episode of Are You Afraid Of The Dark. That was an example of simple yet effectively creepy filmmaking. Aside from the evil mannequins there are a few other creepy visuals including the Veiled Demon who looks like something out of Todd McFarlane's imagination.

The film mixes fantasy and horror that at times is visually stimulating but there's too much going on for its own good. By the end of the film we're left with loose ends, characters that were around for no real reason. On top of the throw away characters that stop Thomas from really being able to develop along with the story, the performances aren't great and there's too much comic relief written into them. Ethan Peck is suitably the highly of the cast as the lead.

It feels like Pearry Reginald Teo wanted to make a stronger horror film but was forced to keep the fantasy elements lighter to cater to a younger audience.It's that problem that keeps the script from feeling anything but misguided and pulled in too many directions without being able to feel comfortable in its own shoes. THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY is a missed opportunity at creating something that really stands out from the pack of week to week genre films but isn't without its merits.

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE - Kino Lorber (Blu-ray Review)

Canada/1976
Directed By: Nicholas Gessner
Written By: Laird Koenig
Starring: Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen, Alexis Smith
Color/91 Minutes/PG
Region A
Release Date: May 10, 2016

The Film
Thirteen year old Rynn lives in a secluded house outside of town with her recluse father who writes poetry and is often out of town. Rynn has caught the attention of the town pervert who also happens to be the son of their nosy bitch of a landlord who suspect that Rynn may be hiding a dark secret but Rynn is willing to protect her private life at all costs.

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE has long been on my radar as a film I've wanted to see but it eluded me until now and perhaps that's a good thing given the excellent quality of this release. Young Jodie Foster carries this film on her back, giving a strong and mature performance alongside veteran Martin Sheen who is deliciously despicable as the pervert who lusts for smart teen despite having a family of his own. Alexis Smith is instantly unlikeable and someone you're ready to see get what is coming to them which is the highest praise I could possibly give her character. The cast of the film is small, with only a few other supporting characters including Mario, the loner boy who Rynn connects with and his policeman uncle who is one of the few good guys in the movie. These key players are what make the brilliantly sharp and tight screenplay by Laird Koenig which was based on his own novel, a complete success.

The story has very few major moments of impact and while those moments carry a ton of weight to them it is the subtlety in the small things, such as Rynn withdrawing money at the bank and dialogue exchanges that really build the characters and suspense. Director Nicholas Gessner creates that suspense brilliantly with a straight forward, matter of fact style that plays into the film's simplicity and relateability. There's nothing in Hollywoodland that is preventing this film from being reality and it's that relateability that puts the viewer in a protective guardian role over Rynn. We're instantly drawn to her and want to protect her from the outside world that she's largely removed herself from but keeps creeping in on her. She hardly needs our concern or guidance but it's that intense connection that makes THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE a special film.

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE is bit difficult to describe as it is very much a suspense thriller with horror elements but it's so character driven and based around Jodie Foster's performance that you almost cheat the film of its power and importance by simply calling it a suspense thriller.

The Audio & Video
Kino Lorber gives THE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE it's high definition debut with a gorgeous looking Blu-ray that features a 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The film has a rich natural film look with healthy grain and no digital scanner noise. Colors are pure and black levels are deep with no signs of compression or blocking. Detail level is exceptional from skin tones and hair to textures and surfaces like clothing and dirt. The DTS-HD Master Audio mix features a fantastic mix with steady levels and a crystal clear sound. There's no background noise, crackling or popping and dialogue is perfectly balanced with music.

The Extras
-Audio Commentary w/ Director Nicholas Gessner
-Interview w/ Martin Sheen
-Conversation w/ Martin Sheen and Nicholas Gessner
-Original Trailer
-Reversible Artwork

The Bottom Line
THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE will please audiences across genre boundaries. Everyone should know about this mini masterpiece and there's not better way to see it than this release from Kino

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE is available HERE

DOLEMITE (Blu-ray Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

USA/1975
Directed By: D'Urville Martin
Written By: Rudy Ray Moore, Jerry Jones
Starring: Rudy Ray Moore, D'Urville Martin, Lady Reed
Color/90 Minutes/Not Rated
Region FREE
Release Date: April 26, 2016
Blu-ray/DVD

The Film
Dolemite is getting out of prison after being set up by a rival and some crooked cops. His friend Queen Bee helps him get out and has vowed to get revenge on Willie Green and get his club back with help from his gang of kung-fu fighting women.

To put it simply DOLEMITE is classic blaxploitation and one hell of a good time. Rudy Ray Moore developed the Dolemite character previously with a series of urban comedy records with raunchy titles and racy cover art. After building a fanbase he decided to self finance the DOLEMITE film without the support of his friends who never thought it would pan out. Pan out it did and we're treated to an action packed, riot of an exploitation film filled with incredible one liners and rapping monologues many of which were made up on the spot. Rudy Ray Moore totally embodies the DOLEMITE character and Lady Reed is completely believable and commands respect as the only woman that Dolemite sees as his equal. He's a slick man and she's a bad broad and they're a badass tag team.

Blaxploitation legend D'Urville Martin made his directing debut here, one of only two feature films he would helm, but shows he can handle a picture. While his direction isn't flashy Martin competently captures all of the Karate kicking, gun shooting, and gut ripping. Martin also co-stars as Dolemite's rival Willie Green and he's obviously comfortable in front of the camera and proves to be a formidable and downright ruthless foe for Dolemite. Not to be outdone, Rudy Ray Moore also proves to be a natural in front of the camera and he oozes charisma. This is his acting debut but you can already tell that he has the Dolemite character nailed down.

You don't watch DOLEMITE for the script or the artistry, you watch it for the funk and soul, the action and the laughs. There's no rat soup eating going on here, just the start of a great series of related films starring Rudy Ray Moore.

The Audio & Video
Vinegar Syndrome have preserved this classic piece of blaxploitation with a gorgeous 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer taken from a new 2K scan and restoration from a 35mm negative. While there are still some scratches and speckling present the overall picture quality is outstanding. Detail is extremely strong especially in closeups. Skin tones are gorgeously natural and fleshy without any signs of waxiness. There's a very nice grain structure to the picture and little to no digital noise. The DTS-HD Master Audio mono track sounds excellent - as good as the picture looks the audio sounds. Dialogue and music don't fight for the foreground as they compliment each other quite well. The audio is clear and crisp with steady levels and a strong body.

The Extras
-Alternate full frame "boom mic" version of the film
-Historical Audio Commentary by Rudy Ray Moore biographer Mark Jason Murray
-"I, Dolemite" - a making-of documentary
-"Lady Reed Uncut" - interview featurette
-Locations Then and Now
-Trailers
-Reversible Artwork

The Bottom Line
On the day he was born his father wore a sign that said "Dolemite is here!" On the day this disc was born the definitive version was here!

DOLEMITE is available HERE