Demian Bichir – We Are Movie Geeks

BLACK PHONE 2 – Review

Hey, Halloween’s just a couple of weeks away, Hollywood studios! So where’s the new spooky, scary flicks? Well, we’ll have to wait another week or so for the new version of Mary Shelley’s classic, so how about a sequel to one of the surprise horror hits from four years ago? And it’s from the classic “monster-maker”, Universal by way of the “ghouls” that dwell in the Blumhouse. Concerned about the number in its title? Perhaps knowing that they got “the band back together”, namely the cast along with the directors and co-writer, should erase your worries. What’s that ringing noise? Do you dare to pick up the receiver and answer the call of BLACK PHONE 2?

It all actually starts with a flashback set in the late 1950s. A teenager trudges through the snow to a desolate telephone booth, somewhere in a frigid forest clearing. After a very odd, even cryptic conversation, the story springs forward to 1982 Colorado. Just outside the high school, a young man is viciously pummeled by Finn Blake (Mason Thames). Luckily, his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) pulls him off the lad. Despite being the young hero who ended the murderous reign of “the Grabber”, Finn is still challenged by bullies. But that’s not their only problem. Though papa Terence (Jeremy Davies) is finally sober, Finn is now the substance abuser, numbing his damaged psyche with bags of weed. Yet somehow he’s alert enough to stop Gwen from her dangerous sleepwalking excursions. Yes, she’s having visions again, this time of three boys murdered in the cold white woods. Could this be the spirit of their nemesis? Gwen’s dreams lead the duo to look into getting jobs at the Christian church “winter camp” called Alpine Lake. Luckily Gwen’s “wannabe BF” Ernesto (Miguel Mora) agrees to drive them there during a blizzard. At the camp’s front gate, they’re met by the horse “wrangler” Mustang (Arianna Rivas) and her father, the supervisor Armando (Demian Bichir). He tells them that other new workers called ahead and cancelled due to the fierce storm. But the trio can stay in the cabins until the roads are cleared. Gwen’s nightmares start up as things get even more weird for Finn. He answers the “out-of-order” payphone and speaks to the Grabber (Ethan Hawke) before seeing the horned, masked demon himself. Soon, Gwen’s visions give her a portal into the fiend’s deadly origins at the camp. Can the Blakes guide the campers in their mission to stop the Grabber and send him back to Hell?

Though he’s prominently featured in the marketing, the participation of Mr.Hawke raised some questions. Since the Grabber is usually masked up, or seen in various stages of gnarly wounded decay, Hawke is really delivering more of a vocal performance. It doesn’t help that the glimpses of him as the magician/balloon twister at the wheel of that old black van are that of a different actor (but then they’re part of Gwen’s visions). Mind you, Hawke delivers a threatening growl, but I recalled the rumors about the 1940s Mummy movies “starring” Lon Chaney, Jr. As for the other “originals”, the very busy Thames (this is the middle of his three 2025 flicks) makes a steadfast horror “hero” as the young man who is paying the mental “price” for his victory over evil. The memories (and grass) have dulled his eyes, but a return match seems to “jump start” his fighting spirit. That, and in protecting his adored lil’ sis’ played with equal parts sass and snark, with a touch of trembling vulnerability, by McGraw. She somehow can make most of her clunkier put-downs (this from a 15 year-old) work. Davies is also strong as a man struggling to rectify his past behavior and reconnect with the kids that will soon drift away from the nest. Mora also provides a good connection to the first flick, while scoring some chuckles as he pines for Gwen. The most compelling new character may be the grizzled Armando, played with a gravitas and protective charm by the always watchable Bichir ((love when he scolds Finn over his “goodie bag”).

Returning to the director’s chair is Scott Derrickson who co-wrote the new script with C. Robert Cargill, based on Joe Hill’s 2004 short story. I will give them kudos for not returning to that dingy basement (it does make a cameo) for a new rash of abductions and escape attempts. Though the first entries had supernatural elements, this one truly goes “all in” allowing for lots of creative effects, some CGI and many practical make-ups (even a bit of puppetry, I’m guessing). But once the Blakes get to their new setting, the story becomes fairly repetitive as Gwen drifts off to sleep in order to be menaced by the Grabber before Finn arrives just in time. And many set pieces are also derivative, as though we’re watching a late 80s Freddy Krueger knock-off set near the Overlook from THE SHINING (the red-coiled space heaters do give the cabin interiors a Hellish glow). The need for new scares and gross-out clutter up the big finale showdown as the “camper’s quest’ finally limps to a frozen finish. The fans have the original will probably enjoy seeing the “OG” cast, but for few new fans will want to jump in that icy glass booth for BLACK PHONE 2.

1.5 Out of 4

BLACK PHONE 2 is now playing in theaters everywhere

GODZILLA VS. KONG New Posters And Trailers Hit Before Adam Wingard’s Battle Of The Titans Debuts On HBO Max March 31

The battle of the Titans is coming to HBO Max in March.

From director Adam Wingard, GODZILLA VS. KONG will be released nationwide in 2D and 3D in select theaters and IMAX on March 31, 2021 and will be available in the U.S. on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release.

Check out the latest previews and brand-new posters.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes the long-awaited showdown between two icons in the epic adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong,” directed by Adam Wingard.

Legends collide in “Godzilla vs. Kong” as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The initial confrontation between the two Titans—instigated by unseen forces—is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.

The film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, with Kyle Chandler and Demián Bichir.

https://www.godzillavskong.com/

Wingard directed from a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein, story by Terry Rossio and Michael Dougherty & Zach Shields, based on the character “Godzilla” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. The film was produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric McLeod, Jon Jashni, Thomas Tull and Brian Rogers, with Jay Ashenfelter, Herbert W. Gains, Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira executive producing.

The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Ben Seresin, production designers Owen Paterson and Thomas S. Hammock, editor Josh Schaeffer, costume designer Ann Foley and visual effects supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin. The music is by Tom Holkenborg.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production.

It is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of creature violence/destruction and brief language.

LAND – Review

After what seems like years (well coming up on one in just a few weeks), lots of folks, especially urbanites, may be yearning, perhaps desperately, to get “away from it all’ and bask in the great outdoors. And for many, a weekend or so in a rental cabin in the woods, or “roughing it” on an RV, will be enough of an escape to appreciate the modern comforts (very little WiFi in the woods) and even the proximity of people. But for the main (or for most of it, only) character in this new film, that’s not enough. She wants no contact with anyone, sort of a modern-day version of a “hermit” (a phrase now mainly associated with the 60s pop group headed by “Herman”). But can she truly disconnect after being part of a major metropolis? Well, she is determined to change her view, from skyscrapers and bustling commuters to open sky and sprawling pristine acres of nearly untouched LAND.

That said metropolis is Chicago, where we first see a compact car pulling a small cargo trailer as it zips away from “the loop”. Inside is Edee (Robin Wright) who is recalling her last conversation with Emma (Kim Dickens) as she begins her long trek to Wyoming. Once there, Edee completes a business transaction with a local. He gives her a set of keys and asks her to follow his vehicle to her new home. They pull off a winding highway to a rough dirt road and arrive at a modest log cabin (and “outhouse”). She asks him to find someone to drive up after she’s unloaded to return her rental car and trailer (and collect a cash tip). He insists that she should have a vehicle of some sort, but Edee waves him away as she disposes of her cell phone. As the seller stated, it is a “fixer-upper” that consumes the next few days with cleaning, repairing, and storing her dozens of canned goods. Edee sees her rentals drive away as she returns from filling water jugs in a nearby creek. It becomes clear that Edee intends to stay here permanently, all by herself, and “live off the land”. Despite her many survival manuals, she immediately struggles in hunting and trapping “game” and planting a small vegetable garden. Soon the weather and wildlife get the best of her, as she hallucinates Emma, along with a mysterious man and a young boy. Extreme hunger and the bitter cold cause her to drift in and out of consciousness. Will Edee’s desire for solitude lead to a horrific frozen death?

As with most “against the elements” stories its strength hinges on the actor at its center. Luckily the multi-talented (wait for it) Ms. Wright is more than up for this formidable task. The challenge is a bit higher since Edee is a mystery for most of the film. By the time she arrives at the cabin, we only know that she was very sad in Chicago and that Emma (maybe a sister) cares deeply about her. We see that gloom lift from her eyes once Edee begins to prepare for her new life. There’s a sense of joy even as she sweeps out mounds of dust and surveys the “waste facility annex”. Then the frustrations and aggravations begin to build as a wave of unease fills her. Then her despair allows the ghosts, visions of her past, to drag her into a downward spiral, though a hungry bear hastens the plunge. Wright’s compelling performance compels us to root for Edee even as she frustrates us with her refusal to seek aid. But some help does come from a couple of angels, one in the form of a friendly hunter Miguel, played with warmth and humor by Demian Bichir. His kindness and patience, never pushing her to leave, rescues her physically and spiritually. Miguel somehow reignites her belief in humanity. And though she also annoys him, he still charms her with his mangled versions of rock anthems. The other angel is a Native American nurse Alawa played with “tough love” by Sarah Dawn Pledge who trusts Miguel but still thinks Edee belongs in a hospital (for the cold and hunger). And Dickens plays Emma as a very “friendly ghost” who is passionate in her pleas for Edee’s return to the world.

So what was my “multi-talented” comment about? Well, this is the feature film directing debut of Ms. Wright (she previously helmed several episodes of her Netflix series “House of Cards”). A tough “double duty” as she’s in nearly every scene, much like Robert Redford a few years ago in ALL IS LOST. She certainly captures the quiet beauty of the wilderness (Canada subs for Wyoming here), while never letting us forget its dangers. We’re holding our breath along with Edee as guttural growls awaken her from slumber on her first dark night. While showing us her struggles, Wright lets us in on the joys of her triumphs. As Edee becomes more self-sufficient (via the gruff angelic Miguel), we’re cheering on her solitary decision, though we know that Emma must be in great pain. Then we wonder if Edee can interact with society once more. Wright expertly juggles all these themes while keeping the film moving at a brisk pace, clocking in at just under ninety “tight” minutes. Helping to draw us into the natural settings is the gorgeous cinematography from Bobby Bukowski accented by the subtle music score from Ben Sollee and Time for Three. LAND is an emotional dramatic adventure that is a triumph for another great actress/filmmaker. Wright “stuff” indeed.

3 out of 4

LAND opens in select theatres on February 12, 2021

George Clooney Stars In THE MIDNIGHT SKY Trailer – Coming to Netflix December 23rd

Netflix has released this interesting trailer for George Clooney’s upcoming movie, THE MIDNIGHT SKY, debuting on December 23.

This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine (George Clooney), a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully (Felicity Jones) and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.

Clooney directs the adaptation of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s acclaimed novel Good Morning, Midnight, co-starring David Oyelowo, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir and Tiffany Boone.

THE MIDNIGHT SKY (2020) Director George Clooney on set at Shepperton Studios with David Oyelowo and Tiffany Boone on the set of The Midnight Sky. Cr. Philippe Antonello/NETFLIX ©2020

THE MIDNIGHT SKY (2020) Kyle Chandler as Mitchell. Cr. Philippe Antonello/NETFLIX ©2020

THE MIDNIGHT SKY (2020) Felicity Jones as Sully and David Oyelowo as Commander Tom Adewole. Cr. Philippe Antonello/NETFLIX ©2020

James Wan’s THE NUN Coming To Theaters July 2018

Filmmaker James Wan, director of the record-setting horror hits THE CONJURING and THE CONJURING 2, explores another dark corner of that universe with New Line Cinema’s THE NUN.

Helmed by award-winning director Corin Hardy (“The Hallow”), the new fright-fest has begun production on location in Romania. It will be produced by Wan through his Atomic Monster production company, along with Peter Safran, who has produced all of the films in THE CONJURING franchise.

THE NUN is set for release on July 13, 2018.

When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in “The Conjuring 2,” as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.

THE NUN stars Oscar nominated Demian Bichir (“A Better Life”) as Father Burke, Taissa Farmiga (TV’s “American Horror Story”) as Sister Irene, Jonas Bloquet (“Elle”) as local villager Frenchie, Charlotte Hope (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) as the abbey’s Sister Victoria, Ingrid Bisu (“Toni Erdmann”) as Sister Oana, and Bonnie Aarons, reprising her “Conjuring 2” role as the title character.

Wan’s Atomic Monster slate includes “Annabelle” and “Lights Out,” as well as the upcoming “Annabelle: Creation,” with Wan serving as producer on all. Co-creator of the “Saw” and “Insidious” franchises, Wan directed the worldwide hit “Furious 7,” and is next set to helm the highly anticipated feature “Aquaman.”

Safran also produced the sequel “Annabelle: Creation,” opening August 11th and is producing “Aquaman.”

Hardy will direct “The Nun” from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman (upcoming “It”), story by Dauberman & James Wan.

Serving as executive producers are Gary Dauberman and Todd Williams, with Michael Clear as co-producer.

Joining Hardy behind the scenes are director of photography Maxime Alexandre (“The Voices,” upcoming “Annabelle: Creation”), production designer Jennifer Spence (“Lights Out,” the “Insidious” films), editor Michel Aller (“Lights Out,” “Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension”), and costume designer Sharon Gilham (TV’s “Black Mirror”).

Win Passes To The Advanced Screening Of ALIEN: COVENANT In St. Louis

Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with ALIEN: COVENANT, a new chapter in his ground-breaking ALIEN franchise. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

Set ten years after the events depicted in Scott’s 2012 hit Prometheus, ALIEN: COVENANT returns to the roots of the director’s groundbreaking saga with a uniquely terrifying tale filled with white-knuckle adventure and monstrous new creatures. With this, the sixth installment in the blockbuster series, the visionary director edges ever closer toward revealing the mysterious origins of the mother of all aliens, the lethal Xenomorph from the original film.

ALIEN: COVENANT stars Michael Fassbender (Prometheus, 12 Years a Slave), Katherine Waterston (Steve Jobs, Inherent Vice), Billy Crudup (Almost Famous, Mission: Impossible III), Danny McBride (Pineapple Express, Eastbound & Down) and Demián Bichir. The film is directed by Ridley Scott (The Martian). The screenplay is by John Logan and Dante Harper, from a story by Jack Paglen and Michael Green. The producers are Ridley Scott, Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, David Giler and Walter Hill; and distributor is 20th Century Fox. The score is by Jed Kurzel.

ALIEN: COVENANT opens in theatres worldwide on May 19, 2017.

WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of ALIEN: COVENANT on May 10 at 7PM in the St. Louis area.

Answer the following:

What was the name of the spaceship in the original ALIEN?

Which Swiss surrealist was behind ALIEN’s frighteningly original Xenomorph?

What was the name of the cat in the 1979 sci-fi classic?

TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWERS AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.

R for sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/nudity.

Visit the official site: http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/alien-covenant

Fox Releases Cool New Poster For Ridley Scott’s ALIEN: COVENANT

Totally digging the awesome new poster for the upcoming sci-fi film ALIEN: COVENANT. The marketing folks over at 20th Century Fox have kicked it into high gear with their campaign for Ridley Scott’s return to the universe he created with a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise. The previous posters have been been genius, with their taglines of “RUN” and “HIDE”. This latest one is truly inspired!

Check out the poster now before ALIEN: COVENANT hits theaters May 19, 2017.

The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

ALIEN: COVENANT stars Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Demián Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England, Benjamin Rigby and Danny McBride.

Visit the official site: http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/alien-covenant

Watch The Scary New Trailer For ALIEN: COVENANT

The path to paradise begins in hell.

20th Century Fox has debuted a new trailer for ALIEN: COVENANT. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Demián Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England, Benjamin Rigby and Danny McBride.

Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with ALIEN: COVENANT, a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise.

ALIEN: COVENANT hits theaters everywhere on May 19, 2017.

Visit the official site: http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/alien-covenant

First Run… Then Hide In New ALIEN COVENANT Poster

20th Century Fox has released another great poster for ALIEN: COVENANT in advance of a brand new trailer debuting tomorrow, March 1st.

This latest one-sheet is very reminiscent of the one released for director Ridley Scott’s original 1979 masterpiece.

Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with ALIEN: COVENANT, a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise.

We fans can’t wait for the upcoming film! So many questions left unanswered from the 2012 film PROMETHEUS. Who were the Engineers, where did Noomi Rapace (Elizabeth Shaw) and Michael Fassbender (David) rocket off to, why were the Xenomorphs originally created?

If you’re in need of more ALIEN goodness before May, check our Steve Perry’s trilogy of novels that deal with events on Earth and in other locations in space set a number of years after the movies Aliens and Alien 3. Earth Hive is the first novel in the Aliens book trilogy, followed by Nightmare Asylum and concluding with The Female War.

Additionally, fans are still mourning the loss of ALIEN co-star John Hurt (Kane) and ALIENS Bill Paxton (Private Hudson).

In ALIEN: COVENANT the crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

In case you missed it, meet the crew in a clever prologue for the sci-fi thriller.

ALIEN: COVENANT hits theaters everywhere on May 19, 2017.

Visit the official site: http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/alien-covenant

ALIEN: COVENANT Crew Enjoy Final Meal Before Cryosleep In Prologue Video

The official prologue to ALIEN: COVENANT introduces the crew of the mission as they gather for a final meal before entering cryosleep.

Set aboard the Covenant, a colonization ship on its way to a remote planet to form a new human settlement, the main crew (all couples) and their android, Walter, enjoy their final meal together before cryosleep.

Conceived by Ridley Scott and 3AM, directed by Luke Scott, and produced by RSA Films.

Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with ALIEN: COVENANT, a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise.

ALIEN: COVENANT stars Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England, Benjamin Rigby and Demián Bichir.

The film opens in theaters on May 19, 2017.

http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/alien-covenant

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