THE THING (2011) is now available on Blu-ray From Mill Creek Entertainment
From the producers of Dawn of the Dead comes the chilling prelude to John Carpenter’s cult classic film. When paleontologist Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) travels to an isolated outpost in Antarctica for the expedition of a lifetime, she joins an international team that unearths a remarkable discovery. Their elation quickly turns to fear as they realize that their experiment has freed a mysterious being from its frozen prison. Paranoia spreads like an epidemic as a creature that can mimic anything it touches will pit human against human as it tries to survive and flourish in this spine-tingling thriller.
A prequel to the John Carpenter classic from 1982!
Based on the novella “Who Goes There” written by John W. Campbell in 1938 who has been nicknamed “The Father of Modern Science Fiction”
Mary Elizabeth Winstead has recently been seen in 10 Cloverfield Lane and the FX series Fargo and will be starring opposite Margot Robbie in the upcoming Harley Quinn spinoff movie.
Joel Edgerton has been both behind and in front of the camera for such acclaimed films as The Gift, Loving and Boy Erased.
BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE: Feature-length commentary, Deleted/Extended Scenes, Featurettes and Theatrical Trailer!
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, families across the country will be getting together for that big meal and generally re-connecting. But what about those families that have split, those who are torn apart virtually at the seams? Many will be facing that reality over the next week, perhaps into the following holiday. At the heart of many of these rifts are religious beliefs about sexual orientation. But most faiths put family first? That’s the conundrum addressed in this new film about a young man who feels as though his parents are pushing him away and aside, making him a BOY ERASED. Surprisingly it’s based on a true story.
We first meet eighteen-year-old Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges) as he’s attending church services on a warm Texas evening. Next to him is his adoring mother Nancy (Nicole Kidman), and at the pulpit, preaching to the congregation is his father Marshall (Russell Crowe). Cut to the Eamons family home as Jared and Nancy load up the Towncar and drive into the night. What caused this late night trek? We flashback to the previous months, as Jared pulls away from his school sweetheart Chloe, and retreats into his thoughts. At a local college, he strikes up a friendship with another track enthusiast named Henry (Joe Alwyn). But things are more serious for Jared as he realizes he’s attracted to the older student. Before he can profess his feelings, Henry sexually assaults him during a sleepover. Emotionally shattered and confused, Jared comes out to his parents who are devastated. Marshall calls over some of the church elders to the home, and after much praying asks Jared if he will attend a camp that will “cure” him of his leanings. He agrees and its decided that Nancy will accompany him to this “day camp” several miles away. She’ll stay at a hotel, drop Jared off at the camp early in the morning, then pick him up for dinner and back to the hotel. Arriving at the camp, Jared’s cell phone and other personal items are locked away. He meets the camp director, Victor Sykes (Joel Edgerton) who convinces him that his “therapy” methods will turn him away from the sin of homosexuality. Sykes is adamant that Jared does not discuss any of the camp activities with family or friends. He’s trained by counselors on how to stand, walk, and throw a ball in a masculine “straight” way. More importantly, Sykes wants Jared to trace his family tree to find the “weakness” that sent him on his path. Jared is soon horrified by the brutal treatment of some of his fellow “campers” and rebels against Sykes. But will his mother and father get him out of the conversation center, and eventually accept him as he is?
The story is firmly anchored by the compelling performance by Hedges in the title role. With a most impressive resume (including this past month’s MID90S and the upcoming BEN IS BACK), this young talent is on his way to being a leading star for the next wave of actors to watch. Through his brooding eyes, he conveys Jared’s inner conflict and turmoil, torn between his family and faith and his true nature. With his body language, we see Jared embracing his manhood, as he stands up to the destructive forces at the camp. Fortunately, Jared has the full unconditional love of his mother Nancy, as Hedges has a real chemistry with Kidman, whose character may be the film’s joyous beating heart. At first, Nancy is there just to make peace in the household, making sure that she doesn’t “make waves”. Though Jared tries to push her aside, Nancy is able to pick up on his mood. It’s then that Kidman shows us the formidable, fierce “mama Grizzly” that will protect her child at any cost. Crowe is her stubborn “papa bear”, though not nearly as intuitive as his missus. His Marshall is deeply committed to his faith, which blinds him to understanding his son’s struggles while convinced that the camp will work. The later scenes in which the patriarch slowly opens up his heart are quite moving. The real unmovable heart may belong to the camp’s chief played by Edgerton as an unyielding tyrant, unwavering in his devotion to his “tough love” tactic and therapy. Edgerton shows us his indifference as Sykes refuses to acknowledge anyone else’s opinions or thoughts. Red Hot Chilli Peppers frontman Flea is truly effective as the most intimidating of the camp instructors (basically an enforcer for Sykes). And there are effective supporting performances by fellow camp kids Troye Sivan (who gives Jared the mantra “fake it till you make it”), Xavier Dolan, and Britton Sear, heartbreaking as the abused, doomed Cameron.
Cast member Edgerton expertly wears several hats on the film as director, producer, and screenwriter adapting Garrad Conley’s memoir. Aside from getting wonderfully subtle work from his fellow actors, he maintains a mood of warm hazy melancholy echoing the quiet sadness in Jared. Edgerton knows just when to cut away for a flashback, doling out the information slowly. It’s a soft slow build-up to the story’s centerpiece, a therapy utilizing brutal violence, which adds to the horror of the sequence. And unlike another conversion camp film from last Summer, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST, the focus is on both the subject and his parents, rather than just the other campers (who get plenty of time here). And the film ends on a note of hope while also being a rallying cry to action, telling us that far too many of these centers are still in operation, and filled with children barely in their teens. BOY ERASED is a compelling drama that will hopefully spur many family conversations.
4 Out of 5
BOY ERASED plays everywhere and screens exclusively in the St. Louis area at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinemas
Nicole Kidman stars as “Nancy” and Russell Crowe stars as “Marshall” in Joel Edgerton’s BOY ERASED, a Focus Features release.
Limina House, Focus Features, and Anonymous Content announced today that the filmmakers behind the anticipated fall film Boy Erased along with the creators of the widely acclaimed Radiolab podcast and radio program will launch a new podcast, UnErased, this fall.
The four-part podcast series will reveal the controversial truth behind the “pray away the gay” movement and conversion therapy in America. The series will be produced by Limina House, which was started by Mikel Ellcessor, the co-creator with Jad Abumrad of Radiolab.
The UnErased production team is Ellcessor, Kat Aaron, Alice Quinlan and Shima Oliaee with the author of the Boy Erased memoir Garrard Conley, whose life story and experience with conversion therapy is the basis for the film, and the film’s co-producer and cast member David Joseph Craig. Abumrad provided editorial oversight and conducted key interviews.
It is estimated that between 700,000 – 800,000 Americans have been subjected to conversion therapy – damaging and harmful practices designed to “convert” someone from gay to straight. Using original reporting, sound rich design and deep interviews with individuals who have experienced, led and criticized conversion therapy, UnErased’s four episodes will reveal a deeply troubling part of our culture. Working with The Mattachine Society, one of the foremost LGBTQIA historical archives and a major collector of conversion therapy source material, UnErased brings virtually unheard recordings and documents from key conversion therapy groups and leaders into the light and combines them with original interviews to reveal a complex, and increasingly global, attack on the health and well-being of LGBTQIA youth.
“This series, the original journalism that’s taking place, the stories that are being brought into the light, could not have happened without Joel and Garrard, David, Kerry and everyone at Focus, Anonymous and Stitcher. This is an incredible demonstration of people across creative disciplines pulling together to test new boundaries for storytelling, content delivery and community engagement. It’s our hope that fans of the film, Garrard’s memoir and the podcast series will immerse themselves in all of these different works so they can have a richer understanding of the context of Garrard’s story. It’s a story that is shared by hundreds of thousands of others and goes on today,” said Limina House producer Mikel Ellcessor. “Limina House is dedicated to creating work where new worlds of insight and emotion open up and we learn something new about ourselves and the lives we lead. Being a part of Boy Erased is a privilege.”
“Boy Erased tells a deeply personal story; UnErased tells the whole story. Combining one of the most comprehensive conversion therapy histories to date, survivors’ accounts, and exclusive interviews, UnErased will pick up where the memoir and film leave off,” commented Garrard Conley and David Joseph Craig. “We are honored and thrilled to have partnered with podcast-juggernauts Jad Abumrad and Mikel Ellcessor, and are working closely with the Mattachine Society of D.C. and other LGBTQ advocacy groups to usher our queer stories into the permanent archives of American history, where they have always belonged.”
UnErased will be made available exclusively to Stitcher Premium subscribers in the weeks before the film’s November 2 release. It will be available everywhere you get podcasts coinciding with the film’s limited release. Limina House is producing the series for Focus Features and Anonymous Content. The series is being distributed by Stitcher. UnErased is not a Radiolab production.
From writer/director Joel Edgerton, Boy Erased tells the story of Jared (Academy Award® nominee Lucas Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Academy Award® winners Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe) at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith. Boy Erased is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.
Edgerton produces alongside Anonymous Content’s Kerry Kohansky-Roberts and Steve Golin, an Academy Award-winning producer of Best Picture Oscar winner Spotlight.
Troye Sivan, Xavier Dolan, Cherry Jones, Michael “Flea” Balzary, Joe Alwyn, Emily Hinkler, Jesse LaTourette, David Joseph Craig, Théodore Pellerin, Madelyn Cline, and Britton Sear co-star. Boy Erased will be released by Focus Features on November 2, 2018.
Theodore Pellerin stars as “Xavier” and Lucas Hedges stars as “Jared” in Joel Edgerton’s BOY ERASED, a Focus Features release.
Focus Features has released three new photos from the upcoming film BOY ERASED.
The drama tells the story of Jared (Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Kidman and Crowe) at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith. Boy Erased is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.
Nicole Kidman stars as “Nancy” and Russell Crowe stars as “Marshall” in Joel Edgerton’s BOY ERASED, a Focus Features release.
Joel Edgerton stars as Victor Sykes in BOY ERASED, a Focus Features release. Credit: Focus Features
The film is written and directed by Joel Edgerton (“The Gift,” “Loving”) based on Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith and Family by Garrard Conley.
The cast includes Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, Cherry Jones, Michael “Flea” Balzary, Xavier Dolan, Troye Sivan, Joe Alwyn, Emily Hinkler, Jesse LaTourette, David Joseph Craig, Théodore Pellerin, Madelyn Cline, and Britton Sear.
BOY ERASED will be in select theaters on September 28, 2018.
Though it’s here in just a few weeks, Spring’s arrival feels years away. Alright, how about a trip south to much warmer temps. Way south, south of the border in fact. But what if things get a lot hotter than expected? Not just food that’s muy caliente, but the kind of heat you get from getting involved with the wrong crowd. That’s what happens to the title hero of this new caper comedy/ action thriller. This guy’s so out of his element. And though he does have a name, to most of the locals, here’s merely that GRINGO.
The “gringo” in question is mild-mannered Nigerian-born Harold Soyinka (David Oleyowo). He’s sharing a suburban house with his interior designer wife Bonnie (Thandie Newton) in those cold Chicago suburbs. On the way to work downtown, Harold has a breakfast meeting with his accountant who explains that he’s not only “cash poor”, he is, in fact, “poor poor”. No worries, Says Harold, he can depend on his middle management job at the pharmaceutical company. Ah, but Mr. CPA informs him of a pretty solid rumor that his firm may be merging with another big drug company (and usually the ax falls on those not at the top). Getting in to work, Harold talks with the company head (Bonnie’s working on his new loft) Richard Rusk (Joel Edgerton), who tells his ole’ pal not to worry. Oh, and he’s flying down to their factory in Mexico to go over some inventory problems. The two, along with the company’s second in command Elaine Markinson (Charlize Theron) soon arrive in the much warmer site of operation. The plant is producing a “pot pill”, a tiny green capsule that looks like a vitamin, but packs the punch of primo weed. The inventory problems were a plot between the factory director, Richard, and Elaine to sell that “product’ under the table to a local drug kingpin known as the “Black Panther” (no kidding). This deal will need to be stopped before the merger, of course. Back at the hotel, Harold finds out about the plans to fire him (the old “leave your cell phone on the table to record” trick) and hatches a plan to fake his own kidnapping. He leaves in the middle of the night and checks into a seedy tourist trap in the rough side of town. Along with the two dimwits that run the front desk, Harold calls Richard with the ransom demand (insurance will cover it, of course). Oh, also at the hotel is a young American couple, Miles (Harry Treadaway) and Sunny (Amanda Seyfried), who appear to be on vacation. But Miles is there to nab a few “pot pill” samples for some small-time drug hustlers to copy the formula (Sunny knows nothing of this, naturally). Speaking of that “pill”, the “Panther” doesn’t wish the deal to end (the plant director gets a taste of the Panther’s claws), and decides to grab the formula for himself. But it’s locked up in a safe that can only be opened by…you guessed it…Harold. Oh, it turns out that Richard let the kidnapping insurance lapse, but he does have life insurance on Harold. And so enters Richard’s brother Mitch (Sharlto Copley) to find Harold, rescue him, then, you know. Looks like Harold’s plan has backfired in a very, very big way.
Sounds pretty convoluted, eh? Well, the double and triple crosses are fairly clear thanks to the lead performance by Oyelowo who brings a real sense of pathos to the standard “patsy” role. But his panic and “sad sack” look mask a man with real smarts and determination. Rather than plunge into despair, we see his mind go into overdrive, his eyes dart about to weigh all of his options. After seeing him in so many heavy dramatic roles, it’s great to see Oyelowo flex his comedy chops. He is very funny, but the film’s comedy MVP is the wonderful Theron finally getting a role to showcase the biting wit we’ve seen on all the TV talk shows (it helps that she’s one of the film’s producers). Her Elaine uses her sexuality aggressively to further her plans, an interesting take on the current conflicts over gender dynamics. In seducing the company’s potential investors, Elaine’s completely in control, her targets both aroused and more than a bit frightened. She’s a voracious blonde barracuda, ready to dispatch anyone who doesn’t satisfy her. What a fabulous character, one that allows Theron to dominate every scene and energize the film’s sometimes sagging pace. I’d love a spinoff sequel to see her take on and take out more dimwitted dupes (she’s more than a step ahead, always). Though he’s her frequent bedroom toy, Edgerton as the blustering Richard, is merely a stepping stone (and about as smart as one). He’s the perfect preening business “bro”, with no loyalties or scruples. As his brother with morals, Copley dials down his usual mania and delivers an interesting twist on the thriller “hit man”. Unfortunately Newton and Seyfried don’t have much to do as the aloof wife and the bright-eyed innocent, though Sunny’s sweet demeanor is probably meant as an antidote to the toxic Elaine (not hardly).
Kudos are earned by director Nash Edgerton (Joel’s brother) for keeping all the “plates spinning”, meshing all the conflicting plotlines into a fairly coherent dark, nearly “pitch black” comedy. Still the script from Anthony Tambakis and Mattheew Stone could have lost a couple of subplots (the movie seems to put on the brakes too often for the meandering Miles and Sunny story). This really derails the momentum, draining its energy just as things should be heating up. And couldn’t they have changed the kingpin’s street name (every time I hear BP, I just thought of the much better film that’s probably just down the hallway at your local multiplex)? Still, there are some solid laughs thanks to the inspired comic work from Oyelowo and the marvelous magnetic “man-eater” played to perfection by Theron. Those two make the GRINGO a good, not quite great, escape from the Winter movie blues.
Sparrows are said to be social creatures. They live in colonies, flocks with others. In addition, sparrows are primarily carnivorous by nature i.e. they are meat eaters. While novelist Jason Matthews, a former Central Intelligence Agency operative, came up with the title RED SPARROW, it’s director Francis Lawrence who seems to be taking the most joy in connecting the “social” interactions and carnivorous aspects of the bird to the lead of the story.
There are times where the body can be a platform for that which is beautiful and grotesque. This can most notably be seen in the films of David Cronenberg. Lawrence and cinematographer Jo Willems (who worked together on the last few HUNGER GAMES films) begin by presenting this theme in Grand Guignol fashion with a beautifully staged turned tragically horrific ballet. And that’s just the beginning, just you wait. From there, the story frequently portrays the body as both seductive and as a piece of meat that you can slice, beat, and break down so that it’s as tender as the butcher would like it.
The Sparrows (supposedly based on a real organization) are a specially trained class of young Russian Intelligence agents who are taught to use their body as a weapon – in more ways than one if you catch my drift. They mix seamlessly among the masses, just like the patterns of the bird of the same name. From there, they can draw a person in close and feed when necessary. Not literally feed, but get what they want from their prey so that they can then fly back to the nest with the intel from their mission.
Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence) is the Russian’s newest recruit. After she’s forced into the academy out of financial necessity to care for her ailing mother and by a little bit of coercion from her uncle, she becomes involved in a case revolving around a Russian double agent and American CIA operative, Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton).
If this sounds a bit like a John le Carré novel, you wouldn’t be totally off base. Unlike that writer’s panache for making even the dullest of government paper-pushers somewhat intriguing, Justin Haythe’s screenplay fails to lend any sense of intrigue or emotion to what should be fascinating characters. Every pawn in this often laborious chess match comes off as cold and wooden, leading to a rather one-note mood. That is until you’re suddenly jolted to life by abrasive and graphic imagery.
The first hour is very sensational and quite risqué in parts, especially given such a high-profile actress in the lead. The last half doesn’t quite have the same punch as it slips into a steady rhythm. While I wasn’t clutching my pearls, the brutal violence involving wires and knives as well as the shocking nudity and depictions of sexual assault (there is more than one instance of this) will leave some wishing for more spy drama escapism.
If you can accept the brutal reality of this world, RED SPARROW is actually very artfully done. The cinematography is absolutely captivating and James Newton Howard’s score is quite beautiful as a moody set of pieces that properly completes the puzzle. Fans of espionage tales will eat up the scenery and the globe-trotting exploits. But once again, all of these compliments reflect the surface level of the film.
Like many previous cinematic assassins who carry a burden or weight so too does Dominika. Her ailing mother is presented as the catalyst for taking on her new profession. While Lawrence’s fearless performance is admirable, she’s stuck with portraying a character that seems almost too in control of her emotions. RED SPARROW is structured and wound up so tightly around this idea of power and control in intimate situations, and in the process, it has pushed the audience away by focusing only on the body and not allowing us to explore what’s going on inside.
David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron and Joel Edgerton star in GRINGO. Photo Courtesy of Amazon Studios
An exhilarating mix of dark comedy, white-knuckle action and dramatic intrigue, Gringo joyrides into Mexico, where mild-mannered businessman Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) finds himself at the mercy of his back-stabbing business colleagues back home, local drug lords and a morally conflicted black-ops mercenary. Crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal, Harold battles to survive his increasingly dangerous situation in ways that raise the question: Is he out of his depth – or two steps ahead?
GRINGO also stars Charlize Theron (ATOMIC BLONDE, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD), Joel Edgerton (LOVING, THE GREAT GATSBY), Thandie Newton (“Westworld”, CRASH), Amanda Seyfried (LES MISERABLES, MAMMA MIA), and Sharlto Copley (FREE FIRE, DISTRICT 9). Directed By Nash Edgerton.
Check out the trailer below.
Amazon Studios and STX Entertainment will release GRINGO in theaters March 9, 2018.
For the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of GRINGO, March 7, at 7:00 pm in St. Louis.
Answer the Following:
Charlize Theron’s most recent film is ___________ Joel Edgerton recently starred in which Netflix film ____________ David Oyelowo recently starred in which Netflix film ____________
ENTER 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.
A devoted daughter determined to protect her mother at all costs.
A prima ballerina whose ferocity has pushed her body and mind to the absolute limit.
A master of seductive and manipulative combat.
When she suffers a career-ending injury, Dominika and her mother are facing a bleak and uncertain future. That is why she finds herself manipulated into becoming the newest recruit for Sparrow School, a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people like her to use their bodies and minds as weapons. After enduring the perverse and sadistic training process, she emerges as the most dangerous Sparrow the program has ever produced. Dominika must now reconcile the person she was with the power she now commands, with her own life and everyone she cares about at risk, including an American CIA agent who tries to convince her he is the only person she can trust.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, RED SPARROW stars Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeremy Irons.
RED SPARROW hits theaters everywhere on March 2nd!
Enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of RED SPARROW this Thursday, February 22nd, at 7:00 pm in St. Louis.
ENTER YOUR NAME 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 FILM IS RATED R for strong violence, torture, sexual content, language and some graphic nudity.
20th Century Fox has released a new trailer and poster for the upcoming spy thriller RED SPARROW. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeremy Irons.
Watch it now.
Dominika Egorova is many things.
A devoted daughter determined to protect her mother at all costs.
A prima ballerina whose ferocity has pushed her body and mind to the absolute limit.
A master of seductive and manipulative combat.
When she suffers a career-ending injury, Dominika and her mother are facing a bleak and uncertain future. That is why she finds herself manipulated into becoming the newest recruit for Sparrow School, a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people like her to use their bodies and minds as weapons. After enduring the perverse and sadistic training process, she emerges as the most dangerous Sparrow the program has ever produced. Dominika must now reconcile the person she was with the power she now commands, with her own life and everyone she cares about at risk, including an American CIA agent who tries to convince her he is the only person she can trust.
RED SPARROW hits theaters everywhere on March 2nd.
On the heels of its thrilling second trailer, Bright’s new poster gives a closer look at Officers Ward and Jakoby, the team at the heart of this holiday season’s most heart-pounding action blockbuster.
Will Smith and Joel Edgerton bring their A-game action to the globe in the eagerly-anticipated Netflix film Bright.
Set in an alternate present-day, this action-thriller directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch, writer of Training Day) follows two cops from very different backgrounds (Ward, a human played by Will Smith, and Jakoby, an orc played by Joel Edgerton) who embark on a routine patrol night that will ultimately alter the future as their world knows it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.
The Netflix film stars Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, Lucy Fry, Edgar Ramirez, Ike Barinholtz, Enrique Murciano, Jay Hernandez, Andrea Navedo, Veronica Ngo, Alex Meraz, Margaret Cho, Brad William Henke, Dawn Oliveri, and Kenneth Choi. The film is directed by David Ayer and written by Max Landis. David Ayer, Eric Newman, and Bryan Unkeless serve as producers.
Bright will be available in select theaters and on Netflix starting December 22nd, 2017.
