Annabelle Wallis – We Are Movie Geeks

MALIGNANT – Review

By Marc Butterfield

The Halloween season kicks off with director James Wan’s MALIGNANT.

The story is about a woman, Madison, played by Annabelle Wallis. Madison’s husband is killed in their home by an intruder and she’s left for dead. She’s pregnant and she loses her baby in that incident. She experiences major traumatic emotion from the incident and ends up developing a psychic connection to her attacker. She starts having visions of the attacker and his murderous deeds. Now she’s trying to help the police capture this killer whilst trying to unravel the mystery of why she is connected to the killer and at the same time, trying to not get herself killed in the process. It is a unique take on the “seeing through the eye of the killer” sub-genre.

Let me start by saying that whatever your expectations of MALIGNANT are, they are probably not correct. The movie starts off with a long scene set in the past that reminds one of “The Re-Animator” in both quality of set and acting, but that is not to say that it’s a bad thing. In fact, it may be the perfect way to set up the whole movie. There are a ton of clues, but also a ton of misdirection, and things that don’t make sense later do, and things that start off making sense at some point stop.

Wan himself has called this a “gender-bender” and a “genre-bender”, and both are accurate. It’s difficult to say too much about this film without giving it away though. The star of the film is Annabelle Wallis, and she does a great job here seeming at once to be both determined and terrified. She pulls the range in from each end, and you feel like she’s a victim who wants to come out of this alive, but also believable as a real woman, not a superhero. Determination, after all, is a great trait, but if you’re one hundred pounds, you are NOT a combatant. The rest of the cast are great supporting players. Her sister, played by Maddie Hassan, shows a constant, deep love for her sister, supportive and protective, even though she is the younger sibling. George Young and Michole Briana White are the detectives trying to get to the bottom of the murders, playing competent, yet sometimes incredulous cops. The pair are great at helping move the story along, and you sometimes feel like they are aiding the audience discount some clues, while also misleading you with their conclusions.

The last 20 minutes felt like non-stop action, which is well choreographed, and over-the-top violence that was almost cartoonish, and even a little darkly amusing. The talented artisans’ phenomenal work include director of photography Michael Burgess and editor Kirk Morri (“Aquaman,” “The Conjuring 2”), production designer Desma Murphy (art director, “Aquaman,” “Furious 7”), as well as costume designer Lisa Norcia (“Insidious: The Last Key”). The movie is made much more sinister with a score by Wan’s longtime collaborator Joseph Bishara.

Don’t miss out, it’s one of Wan’s best yet, and a story that you’ll be discussing with your friends who saw it. Filled with campy surprises and jump scares, MALIGNANT is colossal fun.

3 1/2 out of 4 stars

MALIGNANT is in theaters now and on HBO Max. Rated R for strong horror violence and gruesome images, and for language.

Watch The Trailer And See The First Poster For James Wan’s Monster Movie MALIGNANT – Opens In Theaters And HBO Max On September 10

Fall will creep in before we know it and so will the scary movies.

“Malignant” is the latest creation from “Conjuring” universe architect James Wan (“Aquaman,” “Furious 7”). The film marks director Wan’s return to his roots with this new original horror thriller.

In the film, Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.

“Malignant” stars Annabelle Wallis (“Annabelle,” “The Mummy”), Maddie Hasson (YouTube’s “Impulse,” TV’s “Mr. Mercedes”), George Young (TV’s “Containment”), Michole Briana White (TV’s “Black Mafia Family,” “Dead to Me”), Jacqueline McKenzie (“Palm Beach,” TV’s “Reckoning”), Jake Abel (TV’s “Supernatural,” the “Percy Jackson” films) and Ingrid Bisu (“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” “The Nun”).

In an interview with IGN, “Wan calls Malignant a blend of several genres. “It’s horror, but it’s also a traditional thriller. It’s psychological, it’s serial killer, but it’s also potentially a monster movie.” This brings us back to Gabriel and the question of who or what they are. “My goal was to create a villain that you’re not quite sure what it is. Is he a demon? Is he just a human serial killer or someone’s figment of someone’s imagination? Is he an imaginary friend that has come to life? It could be any of those things. And I think that’s part of the fun with the film is trying to work out what the hell this thing is.”

Wan (“Aquaman,” “Furious 7”) directed from a screenplay by Akela Cooper (“M3GAN,” upcoming “The Nun 2”), story by Wan & Ingrid Bisu and Cooper. The film was produced by Wan and Michael Clear, with Eric McLeod, Judson Scott, Bisu, Peter Luo, Cheng Yang, Mandy Yu and Lei Han serving as executive producers.

Behind the scenes, Wan was joined by his frequent collaborators, director of photography Don Burgess and editor Kirk Morri (“Aquaman,” “The Conjuring 2”), production designer Desma Murphy (art director, “Aquaman,” “Furious 7”), as well as costume designer Lisa Norcia (“Insidious: The Last Key”). The music is by Joseph Bishara, who has composed the score for all seven films in “The Conjuring” Universe, among many others.

New Line Cinema Presents, In Association With Starlight Media Inc. and My Entertainment Inc., An Atomic Monster Production, a James Wan Film, “Malignant,” will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures on Friday, September 10, 2021 in theaters nationwide and on HBO Max via their Ad-Free plan in 4K UHD, HDR10, and Dolby Vision on supported devices; it will be available on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release.

“Malignant” has been rated R for strong horror violence and gruesome images, and for language

James Wan Announces MALIGNANT Wrapped And Will Release On Sept. 10

James Wan has announced that his new film MALIGNANT has finished via Instagram and Facebook, along with this image.

MALIGNANT comes out September 10th. I finally wrapped it last week. This was supposed to be my “little horror thriller” I do between the big ones, but the pandemic pushed it as long the big ones. I’m super excited for this film. I don’t even know how to describe it. I wanted to do something original and genre-bending, and different to my other work, but still in the spirit of the horror-thrillers I grew up with. More to come. #MalignantMovie
James Wan

Here’s the official site via WB: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/malignant

It was announced December 17, 2019 that shooting wrapped in Los Angeles on Atomic Monster’s “Malignant,” the latest creation from “Conjuring” universe architect James Wan (“Aquaman,” “Furious 7”). The film marks director Wan’s return to his roots with this new original horror thriller.

Plot details are being kept under wraps.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5WBOXPh7J7/

Wan is also producing the upcoming MORTAL KOMBAT set for a release nationwide on April 16, 2021 in theaters and HBO Max.

“Malignant” stars Annabelle Wallis (“The Loudest Voice,” “The Mummy,” “Annabelle”), Maddie Hasson (YouTube Originals’ “Impulse,” “Novitiate,” “I Saw the Light”), George Young (“A Bread Factory” Parts 1 & 2, “Containment,” HBO Asia’s horror mini-series “Grace”), Michole Briana White (“Lila and Eve,” “She Hate Me,” “Encino Man”), Jake Abel (“Another Life,” “Dirty John,” “Love & Mercy”), Jacqueline McKenzie (Netflix series “Pine Gap,” “Halifax: Retribution,” “Romper Stomper: Next Gen”), and Ingrid Bisu (“The Nun,” “Toni Erdmann”).

Wan directed from a screenplay by Akela Cooper (“M3GAN,” “The Nun 2”) and JT Petty, story by James Wan & Ingrid Bisu.

The film is produced by Wan and Michael Clear, with Richard Brener, Eric McLeod, Bisu, Judson Scott and Starlight Media’s Peter Luo serving as executive producers. The film is being independently financed through Starlight Media and Midas Innovation.

Behind the scenes, Wan was joined by his frequent collaborators, director of photography Don Burgess and editor Kirk Morri (“Aquaman,” “The Conjuring 2”) and production designer Desma Murphy (art director, “Aquaman,” “Furious 7”), as well as costume designer Lisa Norcia (“Insidious: The Last Key”).

Scheduled for release in theatres and on HBOMax on September 10, 2021, “Malignant” is a presentation of Wan’s banner, Atomic Monster, Starlight Media and New Line Cinema, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, and in China by Starlight Media.

Check Out the Trailer and Poster For THE SILENCING starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Annabelle Wallis

THE SILENCING WILL BE AVAILABLE ON DIRECTV July 16, 2020 AND IN THEATERS, ON DIGITAL AND ON DEMAND August 14, 2020.

Check out the trailer:

In THE SILENCING, a reformed hunter (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and a sheriff (Annabelle Wallis) are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse when they set out to track a killer who may have kidnapped the hunter’s daughter five years ago.

THE SILENCING stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Annabelle Wallis, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin

TAG (2018) – Review

Enough with the frivolity down at the multiplex, we’ve got another film opening this week that was “inspired by true events”. Seriously (usually very very), they’re stories of triumph against the elements (as with the recent ADRIFT) or bravery in the face of injury or disease (BREATHE, STRONGER, and countless others). Just a minute, you’ve seen the TV ads and trailers for the last few months so you know it’s a comedy. Now that’s a real rarity, little seen hybrid mix, like the “jackalope”. Needles to say it’s been somewhat exaggerated or enhanced for the big screen. The reports of a pack (around a dozen) of buddies now in middle age (being generous here) who have set aside one month every year to continue a game of tag started while they were in grade school (so we could say it’s based on a classic game like CLUE or BATTLESHIP, but there’s no boards or dice involved, just hands and legs) has seen exposure in print and on the TV news (CBS Sunday Morning just rebroadcast their profile). For the flick they’ve cut back the squad to five and they guys are trim and in their early forties (and of course, a couple of them are extremely photogenic). Oh, and the game is much more violent (slapstick, you could say), because audiences would expect that for an “R” rated game of TAG.

In the movie’s opening moments we see the elaborate planning of “tag” player “Hoagie” Malloy (Ed Helms) to deliver the “touch” to business tycoon Bob Callahan (Jon Hamm). Bob becomes “it” just as he’s beginning an interview with a reporter from the Wall Street Journal, Rebecca (Annabelle Wallis). She’s intruiged by the ensuing chaos, so the guys explain. Every year, during the month of May, they continue a game of tag begun in their youth. Of course you can’t tag back the guy that just made you “it”. And the fella’ that’s it at the end of those 31 days is the loser (nope, no real winner). This time Hoagie has a master plan to finally make one of their pals “it”. Jerry (Jeremy Renner) has successfully stayed hidden in May (and he’s super fast, too). Seems that Jerry’s getting hitched on the last day of the month in Portland. As Jake Blues would say, “It’s time to get the band back together”. This all seems much more interesting to Rebecca than an interview, so she tags along. But she’s not the only lady, since Hoagie’s wife Anna (Isla Fisher), though not a player, is psyched to help track down their “white whale”. Soon their two other buddies, laid-back herbal enthusiast Randy AKA Chilli (Jake Johnson) and quirky, soft-spoken Sable (Hannibal Buress) join the journey. Their first run at Jerry is disrupted by his nervous fiancee Susan (Leslie Bibb), She’s scared that they will ruin her big weekend. During a truce they set up new ground rules: no tag at the wedding rehearsal, the following dinner/reception, or at the actual ceremony. They all agree, though Hoagie and his crew continue their efforts to get Jerry alone and end his streak and finally make his “it”.

The cast is an interesting mix of comedy TV vets, stand-up comedians, and even an action flick staple. The leader of the mayhem is probably Helms’s Hoagie, who’s doing a less awkward take on his HANGOVER patsy while bringing lots of energy and a demented zeal to his quest. Hoagie’s likable, but completely hyper-focused on his “Jerry hunt”. Almost matching him in his mania is Fisher as wife Anna, whose fiery spirit matches her hair color. Though unable to tag, she’s a valuable addition the the guys’ mission. And Fisher is a most delightful “firecracker”. Plus she gets to team up with a co-star from the 2016 underrated farce KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, Jon Hamm, who once again plays against his leading man looks to display his formidable comic skills and getting more physical via the great slapstick sequences. Buress can still steal scenes with his off-kilter line delivery, seeming to “toss off” killer quips. Johnson’s also great with a snarky joke, given with a laid-back wiseguy charm. Unfortunately the constant “weed” bits wear out and become an easy laugh or a scene ender with CGI smoke wafting from his lips. The best surprise may be the work of Renner, doing an inspired parody of his action movie roles from THE BOURNE LEGACY and Hawkeye in the Marvel movies. Jerry has a soft side, but Renner plays him as a closed book for much of the action, preferring to be the smug “man in control”. This makes for an odd pairing with Bibb as his future bride. Susan often comes off as a shrill “fun-killer” and her manic “bride-zilla” can be a bit “over the top”, but Bibb truly commits in her performance. That role is more compelling than Rebecca, who’s mostly the wide-eyed observer and “voice of reason”, but kudos to the striking Wallis for bouncing back from last year’s twins of trash, THE MUMMY and KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD. Also representing the ladies is Rashida Jones, the talented star of TV’s “Angie Tribeca” and “Parks and Recreations”, who is underused as the former high school sweetheart of two of the guys (invited by Jerry to split the team). Her character is the source of a particularly crude joke about their teen years. Jones deserves better. But there are some nice turns by stand-ups Sebastian Maniscalo and LilRel Howery (so hilarious in GET OUT), along with comic actors Steve Berg (he really wants in the game), SNL vet Nora Dunn, and Thomas Middleditch (love that fabulous ponytail) from HBO’s “Silicon Valey”.

First time feature director Jeff Tomsic does his best work in the movie’s “game” scenes, using the “slow-mo, speed-up, then quick back to slow” effect in some many action flicks, enhanced with some CGI for the facial impacts. This also gives us time to hear the characters’ thoughts as they try to avoid being “it”. But it’s more Three Stooges-style violence were they might only need an aspirin rather than a trip to the ER. Unfortunately Tomsic couldn’t smooth out some of the kinks of the hit-and-miss script this is indeed based on a Wall Street Journal article (written by a dude, though). In one third act plot point a phrase describing a “pregnancy mishap” is repeated so much, that it becomes distasteful, annoying, and insensitive (every mention was fingernails on a chalkboard). But the biggest problem may be the lack of chemistry between the actors. They don’t seem like guys that would still want to hang out for a full month year after year. The hospital-set finale with one player in dire straights feels like a forced attempt at pathos and comes off as clunky. Luckily the flick cuts to a wonderful montage that succeeds in giving viewers the ole “warm fuzzies”. But this and the action sequences aren’t quite enough elevate TAG above its schoolyard roots. Dodgeball, it ain’t.

3 Out of 5

WAMG Giveaway – Win THE MUMMY Blu-ray – Stars Tom Cruise

When an ancient evil rises up to seek revenge on our world, relive the epic saga in The Mummy, unleashed onto Digital on August 22, 2017, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on September 12, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Packed with over an hour of special bonus content, experience never-before-scene footage and hidden secrets The Mummy has within with stars Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, Russell Crowe, and Jake Johnson.

Now you can own THE MUMMY on Blu-ray. We Are Movie Geeks has four copies to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite movie about Mummys? (mine is BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’S TOMB!). It’s so easy!

Good Luck!

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES. NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.

2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.

An ancient evil is unleashed after centuries of captivity and her lust for revenge threatens to destroy the world in The Mummy, a spectacular saga coming to Digital onAugust 22, 2017 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray^™, DVD and On Demand on September 12, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible franchise, Top Gun) battles the ultimate evil in a breathtaking version of the legendary and mystical monster that has captivated and terrified humankind for centuries. With more than an hour of never-before-seen bonus features, The Mummy 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray^™ and DVD reveal the deepest secrets behind this sumptuous and wonder-filled epic.

Thought safely entombed deep beneath the desert, an ancient princess (Sofia Boutella, Star Trek Beyond,Kingsman: The Secret Service) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day. Her malevolence has grown over millennia and with it come terrors that defy human comprehension. From the sands of the Middle East through modern-day London, The Mummy balances wonder, thrills, and imagination.

The latest action-packed entry from director and producer Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek Into Darkness, Now You See Me) and producer Chris Morgan (Fast & Furious franchise), The Mummy also stars Oscar^®winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind), Jake Johnson (Jurassic World, “New Girl”), Annabelle Wallis (King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, “Peaky Blinders”), and Courtney B. Vance (“American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson,” Terminator Genisys).

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TO 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™ AND DVD:

Deleted and Extended Scenes
Cruise & Kurtzman: A Conversation Rooted in Reality – Tom Cruise and Alex Kurtzman discuss the making of The Mummy.
Rooted in Reality – Filmmakers and cast reveal how they broke away from old tropes and traditions to create a dynamic and realistic 21st century monster movie.
Life in Zero-G: Creating the Plane Crash – Watch Tom Cruise, Annabelle Wallis, and the crew shoot the incredible plane sequence.
Meet Ahmanet – Sofia Boutella shares the excitement of reinventing a monster icon.
Cruise in Action – A behind-the-scenes look at Tom Cruise’s most memorable Mummy stunts.
Becoming Jekyll and Hyde – Find out how the casting of Russell Crowe brought a bold new dimension to the roles of Jekyll and Hyde.
Choreographed Chaos – Watch as cast and filmmakers create an epic outdoors clash between ancient and modern worlds.
Nick Morton: In Search of a Soul – Tom Cruise describes what drew him to play a man seemingly without a soul.
Ahmanet Reborn Animated Graphic Novel – Witness Ahmanet’s descent into the monstrous underworld as she is reborn into the Goddess of Chaos and Wrath.
Feature Commentary with director and producer Alex Kurtzman, and cast members Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis and Jake Johnson

FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Tom Cruise, Annabelle Wallis, Sofia Boutella, Jake Johnson, Courtney B. Vance, Marwan Kenzari, Russell Crowe
Casting By: Francine Maisler_CSA
Music By: Brian Tyler
Costume Designer: Penny Rose
Edited By: Paul Hirsch _ACE, Gina Hirsch, Andrew Mondshein _ACE
Production Designers: Dominic Watkins, John Hutman
Director of Photography: Ben Seresin _{BSC ACE}
Executive Produced By: Jeb Brody, Roberto Orci
Produced By: Alex Kurtzman _p.g.a, Chris Morgan, Sean Daniel _p.g.a, Sarah Bradshaw
Story By: Jon Spaihts, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet
Screenplay By: David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie, Dylan Kussman
Directed By: Alex Kurtzman

DOLBY ATMOS® SOUNDTRACK
The Mummy Blu-ray^™and 4K Ultra HD will feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar. Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – 4K Ultra HD:
Street Date: September 12, 2017
Copyright: 2017 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Number: 61188191 (US)/ 61188192 (CDN)
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Layers: BD-66
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: PG-13 for violence, action and scary images, and for some suggestive content and partial nudity
Language/Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Sound: English Dolby Atmos, Spanish and French DTS Digital Surround 5.1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY^™:
Street Date: September 12, 2017
Copyright: 2017 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Number: 61168754 (US)/ 61168764 (CDN)
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: PG-13 for violence, action and scary images, and for some suggestive content and partial nudity
Language/Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Sound: English Dolby Atmos/Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French DTS Digital Surround 5.1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD:
Street Date: September 12, 2017
Copyright: 2017 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Number: 61168755 (US)/ 61168765 (CDN)
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen2.40:1
Rating: PG-13 for violence, action and scary images, and for some suggestive content and partial nudity
Language/Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1

The film will be available on 4K Ultra HD in a combo pack which includes Ultra HD Blu-ray^™, Blu-ray^™ and Digital. The 4K Ultra HD will include all bonus features on the Blu-ray^™ disc.

4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
Blu-ray^™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
DIGITAL lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.

THE MUMMY Starring Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella Unleashes on Digital August 22nd and Blu-ray & DVD September 12th

When an ancient evil rises up to seek revenge on our world, relive the epic saga in The Mummy, unleashing onto Digital on August 22, 2017, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on September 12, 2017 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Packed with over an hour of special bonus content, experience never-before-scene footage and hidden secrets The Mummy has within with stars Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, Russell Crowe, and Jake Johnson.

Deleted and Extended Scenes
Cruise & Kurtzman: A Conversation Rooted in Reality – Tom Cruise and Alex Kurtzman discuss the making of The Mummy.
Rooted in Reality – Filmmakers and cast reveal how they broke away from old tropes and traditions to create a dynamic and realistic 21st century monster movie.
Life in Zero-G: Creating the Plane Crash – Watch Tom Cruise, Annabelle Wallis, and the crew shoot the incredible plane sequence.
Meet Ahmanet – Sofia Boutella shares the excitement of reinventing a monster icon.
Cruise in Action – A behind-the-scenes look at Tom Cruise’s most memorable Mummy stunts.
Becoming Jekyll and Hyde – Find out how the casting of Russell Crowe brought a bold new dimension to the roles of Jekyll and Hyde.
Choreographed Chaos – Watch as cast and filmmakers create an epic outdoors clash between ancient and modern worlds.
Nick Morton: In Search of a Soul – Tom Cruise describes what drew him to play a man seemingly without a soul.
Ahmanet Reborn Animated Graphic Novel – Witness Ahmanet’s descent into the monstrous underworld as she is reborn into the Goddess of Chaos and Wrath.
Feature Commentary with director and producer Alex Kurtzman, and cast members Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis and Jake Johnson

4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
Blu-ray^™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
DIGITAL lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.

THE MUMMY – Review

With a property like THE MUMMY, you could take it in a couple of different directions. You have the horror route: Universal and Hammer Studios both went this route in the 1930s and 50s, proving that the schlocky idea of a looming curse can be presented in a sophisticated and chilling manner. You have the adventure route: The 1999 MUMMY remake gave us a fun, Indiana Jones character in a pulpy page-turning excursion. As Universal begins its journey to create their own cinematic universe like Marvel – currently titled Dark Universe – an attempt is made to go in both directions at that same time, without successfully capturing either experience very well.

When Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) and Chris Vail (Jake Johnson) aren’t slinging jokes (bad ones, at that) during missions for the Army, the duo like to steal antiquities to sell on the Black Market. A treasure map leads the pair to a town overrun by enemy fire, but thankfully, their old day job comes in handy and a team of soldiers rescues them. In doing so, they discover a hidden burial temple beneath the town. Cut to Nick and Chris now partnering with archaeologist Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis) to investigate the tomb of Ahmanet. After killing her family centuries ago and attempting to partner with the dark Egyptian god Set, Ahmanet was buried alive for her sins. Now, as the trio excavate her tomb to bring her back to London, Nick begins to have weird visions and a special connection to this undead bachelorette.

THE MUMMY (2017) feels like a Hollywood product instead of a cinematic escape into a Dark Universe. You have the current blockbuster color palette of juxtaposing blue and orange throughout, as well as the old “villain getting caught and put in prison” trick, which leads to a dramatic monologue (think films like SKYFALL and THE DARK KNIGHT). What’s most egregious though is the over explanation in the script and the overuse of flashbacks to make sure that the audience understands everything along the way. It treats the audience like they’re stupid, constantly reminding us of what happened in the mummy’s past and harping on the fact that this dot connects to this dot – yes, we know that the red stone has to go with the knife and that they need to be rejoined.

The person that seems the most confused by all of the action is Tom Cruise. In what might be his most miscast role yet, Cruise struggles to find the direction of where to take the character (again, like the film itself). One minute he is a smart aleck thief, the next he’s a standard hero saving the girl, and then he even has to serve as the cursed and confused victim. Because the script and story is attributed six people, the push and pull of the narrative has made Cruise feel as if he’s just coasting through this one.

Yet, for all the bad elements incorporated into it, at least a few elements come across as fresh and not dusted-off ideas. The role reversal of the man being the one that’s possessed by the Mummy and not the woman is different enough to warrant some merit. Not to mention, having Jenny be the smarter and stronger leader that superstar Tom Cruise is equally as refreshing. Annabelle Wallis seems up to the task, even if her performance feels a little too dry.

What works the best in the film is the occasionally fun horror aesthetics. There’s an EC Comics flair going on at times with musty tombs, English graveyards, and the undead rising from their tombs. Watching Tom Cruise punch and kick his way through an undead Knights Templar army just makes for fun Sam Raimi-esque horror.

Aside from some haunted house visuals and a few nods to other horror classics – though some inclusions like AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON and LIFEFORCE feel more like borrowed elements than homages – THE MUMMY doesn’t serve as a satisfying horror film. The dead air from unfunny jokes and forced one-liners also means that it doesn’t act a satisfying comedy or buddy film either. Finally, the action scenes fall far short of anywhere near the word thrilling, so it fails as an adventure film as well. As much as I love the idea of these Universal Monsters coming together again on the big screen, these classic tragic creatures deserve an entrance that feels more classic than contrived.

Overall Rating: 2 out of 5

THE MUMMY opens in theaters on June 9th

Armie Hammer Star In Intense Trailer For MINE

This action-packed military thriller stars Armie Hammer (FREE FIRE, THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.) as a U.S. soldier who, stranded in the desert for 52 hours after a mission falls apart, must fight for survival against his enemies, the hostile environment, and the creeping psychological toll of his treacherous situation.

Check out the trailer from Well Go USA Entertainment below.

Annabelle Wallis (ANNABELLE, THE MUMMY) and Tom Cullen (WEEKEND) co-star in this tense, explosive film from the producer of BURIED and THE CONJURING.

MINE opens in theaters and On Demand April 7, 2017.

https://www.facebook.com/MineMovie/

Aaron Paul in COME AND FIND ME arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD January 17

Starring Aaron Paul, the white-knuckle crime thriller, COME AND FIND ME, arrives on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD and Digital HD January 17 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The film is currently available On Demand.

Aaron Paul gets caught in the dangerous criminal underworld as he searches for his missing girlfriend in the gritty crime thriller Come and Find Me, arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD and Digital HD January 17 from Lionsgate. The film is currently available On Demand. From director Zack Whedon, this white-knuckle thrill ride also stars Annabelle Wallis. Come and Find Me will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for the suggested retail price of $24.99 and $19.98, respectively.

Check out this incredible trailer:

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

David and Claire’s idyllic relationship comes to an abrupt and mysterious end after Claire disappears without a trace. Devastated but incapable of letting go, David follows her trail down a frantic and increasingly dangerous path. Shocked at discovering that Claire was living a double life, he’s forced to risk everything if he ever wants to see her again.

CAST

Aaron Paul TV’s “Breaking Bad,” Triple 9, Need For Speed

Annabelle Wallis TV’s “The Tudors” and “Peaky Blinders,” Annabelle

Zachary Knighton TV’s “Happy Endings,” The Hitcher

and Garret Dillahunt TV’s “Raising Hope” and “Justified,” Looper

BLU-RAY/DVD/DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES

“Unravelling the Mysteries of Come and Find Me” Featurette
Filmmaker Commentary with Writer/Director Zack Whedon and Producer Chris Ferguson

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