The first look photo has been released for the upcoming action thriller LAND OF BAD starring Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (DreamWorks’ Gladiator, Universal Pictures’ A Beautiful Mind), Liam Hemsworth (Independence Day: Resurgence, The Hunger Games), Luke Hemsworth (HBO’s “Westworld”), Milo Ventimiglia (NBC’s “This is Us”), Ricky Whittle (STARZ’s “American Gods”), Daniel MacPherson (Poker Face, Apple TV+’s “Foundation”) and Chika Ikogwe (Netflix’s “Heartbreak High”).
Directed by Will Eubank (20th Century Fox’s Underwater, Focus Features’ The Signal) and co-written by Eubank and David Frigerio (Lionsgate’s Crypto, Focus Features’ The Signal), Highland Film Group has locked distribution deals in key territories for Land of Bad with Rialto Distribution for Australia and New Zealand, Wild Bunch for Germany, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, YouPlanet Pictures for Spain, NOS Lusomundo Audiovisuals for Portugal, Spentzos Film for Greece, Vertical Entertainment for Eastern Europe, Moviebox for Turkey, MovieCloud for Taiwan, Pictureworks for India, First Run Inc. for South Korea, Imagem Filmes for South America, Filmfinity for South Africa and Eagle Films for the Middle East. As previously announced, Land of Bad has also been sold to Signature Entertainment for the UK, Ireland, France and Scandinavian distribution.
Reaper (Russell Crowe) is an Air Force drone pilot supporting a Delta Force special ops mission in the South Philippines. After the mission goes terribly wrong, he has 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. The Tier One team on the field is joined on the battlefield by Kinney (Liam Hemsworth), a green Air Force JTAC who is thrust into the middle of a high-stakes extraction. But the ground mission suddenly turns upside down and becomes a full-scale battle when the team is discovered by the enemy. With no weapons and no communication other than the drone above, Reaper becomes the young operator’s only ticket out of The Land of Bad.
The film is produced by Broken Open Pictures’ David Frigerio, Will Eubank, Volition Media Partners’ Adam Beasley and Michael Jefferson, R.U. Robot and Highland Film Group and executive produced by John Stalberg and Cindy Bru.
Shooting is underway on Land of Bad on Australia’s Gold Coast and South-East Queensland after starting production in September. Highland Film Group is representing international rights to the film.
Highland Film Group’s current sales slate includes Ben Brewer’s survival action-thriller Sand and Stones starring Nicolas Cage; William Eubank’s action thriller Land of Bad starring Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth and Luke Hemsworth; Rod Blackhurst’s Blood For Dust starring Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington and Josh Lucas; Adam Cooper’s crime thriller Sleeping Dogs starring Russell Crowe; Neil LaBute’s Fear the Night starring Maggie Q; Tim Sutton’s fictional music biopic Taurus starring Colson Baker, Maddie Hasson, Scoot McNairy and Ruby Rose; Daniel Casey’s Wardriver starring Dane DeHaan; Rusty Cundieff’s 57 Seconds starring Morgan Freeman and Josh Hutcherson; John Stalberg Jr.’s Muzzle starring Aaron Eckhart; Andy Fickman’s One True Loves starring Simu Liu, Phillipa Soo and Luke Bracey; Savage Salvation starring Robert De Niro, John Malkovich and Jack Huston and Adrian Grünberg’s shark actioner The Black Demon starring Josh Lucas.
This week’s new film release may seem like more of a Summer escapist flick with an average Joe traveling across the globe and acting like the ole comic trope “the fish out of water”, That notion is somewhat re-enforced by the film’s star, who’s mostly known for musicals and comedies, and by the movie’s marketing team, who are ‘selling it” as a zany romp, Much as with DOG from earlier this year, don’t judge a flick by its cast or ads. That’s because the story’s protagonist is headed to Vietnam… in 1967, the definition of a “hot spot”. Now if this mix of whimsy and social/political upheaval in the “swingin’ 60s”, sounds a bit like the recent Best Picture Oscar winner THE GREEN BOOK (which was set five or six years before this), well you’re pretty perceptive because this is from the same filmmaker who hopes to entertain and enlighten us once again with this true story all about THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER.
The “run” actually starts in a neighborhood bar in Manhattan on that fateful year. The “mainstays’ are telling tales and busting…chops, as John “Chickie” Donohue (Zac Efron) cajoles the owner/bartender, known affectionately as “The Colonel” (Bill Murray) to put a brew on his “tab”. The spirits are deflated a bit when the TV spews out more images of the deadly combat overseas. Cut to late the next morning as Chickie is rousted out of bed by his bombastic “old man”. Since Chickie’s a merchant marine, and unmarried, he’s crashing with his family since he’s often out to sea for months. The only thing that Pops insists on is that he attended weekend mass. The local church is an oasis of calm after he endures the heated arguments between his folks and his college-age sister Christine (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis). She actually protests the US involvement “over there” at the nearby park, which is the scene of a brawl involving Chickie and a “pub pal”. Back at said “watering hole”, the Colonel wishes he could do something for “the boys” awww, even if he could just bring them a beer. Suddenly an idea pops into Chickies’ pickled brain. He’ll bring the neighbor gang beers since he can work on a cargo ship headed to Nam. He finds out a vessel is shipping out, then fills a battered gym bag full of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) cans, along with some cash, letter, and other trinkets from “service families” and dashes to the docks. Before ya know it, he’s in the harbor pleading with his CO for a multi-day leave. Begrudgingly, Chickie gets 72 hours. From there he’s checking names off his list, giving out “not-so-cold ones”, and grabbing truck and copter rides from staffers that think he’s CIA (he is wearing a plaid Sear short-sleeve shirt and jeans). But as Chickie gets farther “in-country”, the horrors of battle may take him down, despite the help of a grizzled news “photog” named Coates (Russell Crowe). Can Chickie get back to his boat in time, or will this “goodwill trip” cost him his life?
With great energy and physicality, Efron dives into this character role in an attempt to break out of the “teen dream’ matinee idol parts. And he often succeeds. His Chickie has goofy charm to spare as he fumbles to express his often conflicting motivations. He truly wants to help the “guys from the block”, but his enthusiasm colors his world view. Chickie thinks that the fellas only need to be shown that their hometown’s behind them. Of course, the guys he finally finds, think that he’s misguided and reckless (“too stupid to get killed”). Efron conveys that sweaty panic as his eyes are fully “opened” to the dirty deeds done in the name of “country”. Doing much to pry those “lids” is Crowe who has the necessary gravitas to “spill the beans” while dodging the bombs to deliver the unvarnished story. Unlike his array of action heroes, Coates is content to click the camera rather than a pistol, as he adopts Chickie almost as a pet or a naive son who must be sent back. Of course, Chickie may not get the neighborhood guys to listen, men like The Colonel, who Murray embodies with none of his snarky attitude. Rather, he’s as straight and unwavering as his impressive silver “buzzcut”. As for the gangs at his pub, the funniest might be Hal Cumpston as Leary, a doofus who switches his opinion with lightning speed (“a flip-flopper”). Lighting up the screen is Kristen Carey as the mother of one of Chickie’s best pals who is MIA. Her inner light for him glows brightly, though we can see that she is braced for the worst.
The aforementioned director is Peter Farrelly, who also co-wrote the adaptation (with Pete Jones and Brian Hayes Currie) of the book the real Chickie wrote with Joanna Molloy. He keeps the story flowing fairly smoothly, though a few of the brief flashbacks tend to slow down the tale’s progression (blips of Chichie with his MIA bud). Plus he goes deep into the heated family dinner table verbal battles that seem to be sparking back up in more recent political and philosophical “showdowns”. But, unlike 2018’s THE GREEN BOOK (four years, really), there’s little time for character interaction. Chickie’s time with the old NYC guys feels truncated as he has to keep moving, and any chemistry with Coates is drowned out by the bombs and bullets. And frankly, the GIs make few impressions as some wonder if they can ever really return home. Some of the “pencil-pushers” who think that Chickie is an “undercover” provide a bit of levity, but it’s scarce. And despite the “R” rating, much of the conflict feels too “tidy” as Chickie can easily reconnect with folks on the way. It feels less DEER HUNTER” and more GOOD MORNING VIETNAM, as the horrors force Chickie into an awareness (maybe a bit “woke”). As Mr. Joel sang, “the good ole days weren’t all that good”, but this is a tune that’s been played too often making this feel like a slightly elevated basic cable dramedy. Perhaps a few brews from the bag would’ve made THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER go down easier, but it just leaves the viewer with a throbbing movie hangover.
2.5 Out of 4
THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER opens in select theatres and streams exclusively on AppleTV+ beginning Friday, September 30, 2022
Today Apple unveiled the trailer for the new Peter Farrelly directed, Zac Efron and Russell Crowe film, THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER, based on a true story.
Look for it on Apple TV+ on September 30, 2022.
To show support for his neighborhood friends serving in Vietnam, Chickie Donohue (Zac Efron) decides to do something totally outrageous: travel to the frontline by himself to bring the soldiers a little piece of home — their favorite can of American beer. However, what started as a well-meaning journey quickly turns into the adventure of a lifetime as Chickie confronts the reality of this controversial war and his reunions with his childhood buddies thrust him into the complexities and responsibilities of adulthood.
Based on an incredible true story, “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” is a heartfelt coming-of-age tale about friendship, loyalty and sacrifice.
Hailing from Skydance Media screenplay is adapted by Farrelly, Brian Currie and Pete Jones, and is based on the book The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty and War, by Joanna Molloy and John “Chickie” Donohue. Producers are David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger on behalf of Skydance, with Andrew Muscato and Jake Myers. The book/source material became a New York Times best seller when it was published in 2020 and generated stories of this journey across a wide spectrum of media and news programming.
Well, we’ve made it through the soaring temps and the dangerous fireworks displays of the big three-day holiday weekend. I think a reward is in order, perhaps a trip to one of our favorite cinematic “getaways”. I’m referring to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or the ole’ “MCU” as many fans have dubbed it. Sure, it’s been almost two months to the day since our last visit, but don’t you want to be taken away in the cool confines of your local multiplex? A head’s up: unlike the last two entries, our favorite Sorceror Supreme is nowhere to be found, though longtime fans will recognize a supporting player from his comics series (I’m not a spoiler, so that’s all). But we are familiar with this character, dating back to 2011. He’s not the oldest Marvel comics character, even though his roots stretch back thousands of years. Really. Now he’s truly venturing into unchartered territory as the only solo Marvel hero to have a fourth film in his franchise (technically, THE AVENGERS are at that number, though I count INFINITY WAR and ENDGAME as one king-sized epic). Brace yourself true believers, but don’t plug up your ears (you’ll miss some witty quips) for the one-two punch of THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER.
Prior to that logo we love (look for both Moon Knight and Ms. Marvel in the letter windows) we’re taken to a desolate scorched alien planet where a father named Gorr (Christian Bale) struggles to keep himself and his pre-teen daughter alive. After tragedy strikes, he sees an oasis in the distance, a lush haven for the deities he worships. There Gorr exacts his revenge using a special sword, becoming the “God Butcher”. Cut to a cave entrance by the ocean where the towering rock-skinned alien Korg (Takia Waititi) entrances a group of youngsters with the exploits of his BFF, the “Space Viking”, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth). Since we last saw him in ENDGAME he left New Asgard on Earth, handing the governing reigns to “king” Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) to explore the universe with those “heroes for hire”, the Guardians of the Galaxy (Chris Pratt and all the members of the MCU series). During his time with them, Thor loses his bloated belly and gains muscle, more than ever before. And he irks Starlord by becoming a bit of a “showboat. And he gains a rep as a swashbuckling ladies’ man, though his thoughts still turn back to the Earth-born Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). After receiving a gift of twin giant magical flying goats from a grateful planet (they may have wanted to be rid of the screaming beasts), he learns of a menace that murders god-like beings on other worlds. Further investigation leads him to believe that New Asgard is next on his “hit list”.Meanwhile Dr. Foster faces her own crisis as a deadly disease almost drains her of life. After Earth science has failed her, she is drawn to the same spot hoping for a New Asgard cure. When Thor and Korg arrive at their old home, Gorr and his gigantic spider-like creatures are destroying the “tourist trap”. Thor is stunned when he, Korg, and Valkyrie are joined by Foster, in full armor and wielding the hammer Mjolnir as the “Mighty Thor”. But they’re not enough to stop Gorr and his minions from grabbing the Asgardian children and whisking them off to an unknown world. Will Thor and his friends enlist the help of the “God-world”, Omnipotent City, run by Zeus himself (Russel Crowe)? And just what is Gorr’s real master plan? Most importantly, will Thor and Jane rekindle their passion, if they can survive the powerful Gorr. And if they somehow triumph could her powers be only temporary?
Let’s raise a glass (maybe a magic Uru hammer instead) to the superb comedic skills developed over the last eleven years by Mr. Chris Hemsworth (just being specific as his “bros” Liam and Luke are pretty talented, too). Though he’s stumbled a bit in similar funny turns in the GHOSTBUSTERS reboot along with MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL (with Ms. Thompson), he’s truly made the Thunder God his own signature role, one that delivers more than laughs and a well-sculpted biceps. He’s got an infectious clumsy charm as he navigates through ordinary worlds and unexpected tenderness in dealing with “lesser mortals” and even the weirdest of creatures. He could be the movies’ most engaging “himbo’ since the glory days of “Arh-nold”. Oh, but there’s his romantic side as he fumbles to keep his ‘cool” around the now “super-charged” Jane. A big “welcome back to the franchise” to Ms. Portman after sitting out the last entry, RAGNAROK (though she did a flashback for ENDGAME). She shows us Dr. Foster’s all-too-human vulnerability as she realizes that all of her intellect can’t delay fate. But there’s also an exhilaration as she taps into her action heroine persona. Luckily the story provides us with a villain truly worthy of an ultimate Viking duo. Once again Marvel strikes cinema gold by casting another Batman (like Keaton in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING) as a formidable ‘baddie” with Bale bringing intensity and stunning humanity (ala’ Thanos and the recent Scarlet Witch), and a wicked sense of “gallows humor” to the twisted being who will let no one stand in his pursuit of his (kinda’ relatable) goals. Joining the forces of good is the always compelling Ms. Thompson who shows us that Valkyrie is more than a wild “warrior woman”. There’s a dim glaze in her eyes as she deals with the mundane as the royalty of New Asgard. Townhall meetings and public relations (cutting a commercial) have almost drained her spirit. When she teams with her old pals, it’s as if an electrical switch has been flipped, which also jolts her snarky wit back into focus. Waititi is just as fun as the “rock monster” with a “laid back” attitude, content to observe and “back-up” his thunder bro’ will also taking a bit of the p#*s out of him. One of the film’s biggest unexpected delights is Crowe sending up his action hero past (GLADIATOR comes to mind) as the pompous but fairly clueless Greek “God of gods” who seems more interested in mortal-style pleasures of the flesh.
Once again, Waititi establishes himself as an astounding cinema triple threat, doing a superb “mo-cap” as Korg, directing and co-writing the screenplay with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (he had similar duties on JO JO RABBIT and snagged a well-deserved Oscar for the adaptation). In his second Thor outing, Waititi truly makes the franchise his own, somehow going seamlessly from hilarious comedy to bombastic action, then switching from a tentative romance to heart-rending tragedy and even a smidgen of nail-biting horror and suspense. We can even say he’s given us a pretty darn cool mini Guardians of the Galaxy movie (to tide us over till Jim Gunn’s trilogy finale next year). And kudos to the many artisans and craftspeople for creating these incredible worlds of wonder, going from the “eye candy’ of the alien realms (love the crystal-like cities) to the tacky theme-park kitsch of New Asgard (love the multiple cruise ships in the harbor) to the spooky realm of Gorr, recalling the eerie silent cinema sci-fi and surrealist imagery of a hundred years ago. It all works thanks in large part to Barry Idione’s cinematography and the tag team music score from Michael Giacchino and Nami Melumad. During the sequence in Omnipotent City, I wanted the camera to linger a bit longer in order to drink in the imaginative renderings of the deities of different cultures and planets (that’ll be a great BluRay bonus feature). Balancing the action and cosmic journeys are nice bits of playful humor (who knew an ax could be jealous of a hammer). While many franchises will seem to be “running on fumes” by the fourth installment, this series actually feels re-energized, ready to take us on more cosmic capers full of danger and delights. Hopefully, those are in the works (those Marvel magicians are always plotting and planning), but for now, fans of high-flying adventure (and chuckles and swooning passion) will get their multiplex-money’s worth of derring-do with THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, where it’s always “hammer-time” (and a very good time).
3.5 Out of 4
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, July 8, 2022
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe directs and stars in the upcoming thriller POKER FACE, from a script he co-wrote with Stephen M. Coates (John Doe: Vigilante). The cast includes Emmy nominee Liam Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky and Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. Set in the world of high stakes poker, Crowe stars as billionaire gambler Jake Foley who gives his best friends a night they’ll never forget, a chance to win more money than they’ve ever dreamed of. But to play, they’ll have to give up the one thing they’ve spent their lives doing everything to keep….their secrets. As the game unfolds, the friends will discover the real stakes they’re playing for, the biggest stakes of them all. The film, which was shot in New South Wales, Australia, is currently in post-production.
POKER FACE is produced by Gary Hamilton (Arclight Films) and Keith Rodger (Fear Of God Films). Also producing is Arclight Films’ Ying Ye and Ryan Hamilton (Academy Award® nominated First Reformed, Hotel Mumbai, Possessor), actor/producer Addam Bramich, Catchlight Studios’ Jeanette Volturno (Academy Award® winner Whiplash, Get Out) and Jason Clark (Ted & Ted 2, Emmy Award winner® Cosmos A Spacetime Odyssey), as well as Matt Williams (Twist, Killers Anonymous). Arclight Films’ Brian Beckmann, Walter Josten, Joe Thomas, Mikael Borglund, Romilda De Luca and Alceon Entertainment Partners are executive producing, alongside Julia Stuart and Laura Grange from Sky.
Crowe previously directed Warner Bros.’ The Water Diviner, which won multiple awards including Best Picture at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards.
A Hamilton Entertainment production, Poker Face is financed by MEP Capital, Alceon Entertainment Partners, and Sky, alongside Australian funding entities through the NSW Government’s Screen NSW Made in NSW fund. Co-Producer Sky will release the film as a Sky Original in the UK and Germany.
Arclight Films is also handling worldwide sales rights for the film.
“With the undeniable talent of Russell in front of and behind the camera, and the brilliant supporting cast, we are delighted to be part of this incredible project. Poker Face is a high stakes thriller with the game everybody loves at its core – it’s an edge of your seat ride we know the worldwide buyers are responding to,” said Arclight Films Chairman Gary Hamilton.
In the realm of classic animated shorts, many plots hinged on the main character (often the “series star”) losing their patience, as their frustrations cause them to go into “action” or even “revenge” mode (often with the sight gag of steam spewing from their ears or through the tops of their noggins). Popeye’s “I’s had all I kin’ stan’ an’ I can’t stands no more!”, Bugs Bunny’s “Of course you realize this means war!”. and even Droopy Dog’s “Know what? I’m mad.”. This would spill into live-action flicks, with the gentle cowboy or farmer taking a stand. In the 1970s, epitomized by NETWORK’s Howard Beale ranting, “I’m as mad as Hell and I’m not gonna’ take it anymore!”, the normal guy, the everyman was pushed into the breaking point in comedies like THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE and thrillers like DEATH WISH (and its many sequels and rip-offs). As the decades passed, this theme took a much darker turn particularly in 1993’s FALLING DOWN with Michael Douglas striking back at his oppressors until he became more of a monster than any of them. After an exasperating five months, we’re being lured back (cautiously) to theatres with another Oscar-winning lead to take down all who would chip away at his dignity and sense of “fair play”. Yes, this is a dude who’s completely UNHINGED.
The story begins (as do most of Snoopy’s best) on a dark and stormy night. Behind the wheel of a leviathan-sized sports truck sits “The Man” AKA Tom Cooper (Russell Crowe), a mountain of rage and oozing sweat, washing down prescription pills with cans of cold brew, and staring intensely at a suburban two-story (even as he lets a match burn down to his fingers). Finally, he crawls out of the cab and leaves behind a scene of death and destruction when he slides back in and drives away. On another side of town, soon -to-be-single mother Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is rattled from her slumber by a call from her divorce attorney Andy (Jimmi Simpson). He’s got more bad news, the least of which is that she didn’t set her alarm. She’s got to drop her son Kyle (Gabriel Bateman) off to school on her way to work as a hairstylist at an exclusive salon. After a quick breakfast with her “rent-free” roommate brother Fred (Austin P. McKenzie) and his fiance Mary (Juliene Joyner), while the morning news features an on-the-scene report from last night’s carnage, Rachel and Kyle hop in her run-down SUV, “engine light” flashin’ all the way. Traffic on the major streets is at a standstill. As is the highway. The only choice is those iffy “side streets”. As the cars thin out, Rachel finds herself behind a huge truck that will not heed the green “go” light. She leans on her horn and zips around it just in time to join another “jam”. And who pulls up beside them? The offended truck driver, Mr. Cooper. He rolls down the window for a nice lil’ “chit chat” and suggests that she apologizes. He is very disappointed in Rachel’s response. So much so that “teaching her some manners” becomes his sacred mission. Thus begins a deadly game of “hide and seek” (more like “find and maim”), one the stretches over several miles and countless agonizing hours.
And that’s not counting this most agonizing hour and a half (the runtime). Ugh, this hardworking cast certainly doesn’t deserve this punishment, but they neither do we. Michael Douglas emerged fairly unscathed from that 90s thriller I mentioned earlier. The same can’t be said for Mr. Crowe, but he didn’t suffer as much as Dennis Quaid did in last year’s dim-witted thriller THE INTRUDER (thankfully no face-licking here). Perhaps we’re now seeing a sixty-year flip on those “mature actress” nail-biters like WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?, LADY IN A CAGE, or DIE, DIE MY DARLING. Instead of the “glamour queens” we’re getting the former “leading men” now playing monster menaces. On this front Crowe goes all in, teeth gritted, eyes and nostrils flaring through an everpresent “sweat glaze”, literally Hell on wheels. In a couple of brief sequences, his character dons a mask (not a hockey one) of genteel civility, though it never seems to “fit”. This repugnant “shaved Grizzly” is not much of a challenge to the still gifted actor (really, check out BOY ERASED or THE WATER DIVINER from the last five years). Perhaps he thought it would be fun “slumming” in this urban horror tale (didn’t work out that way for the audience). And though he gets “top billing” the story’s main focus is Pistorius’s Rachel who is played as a cliched frazzled (soon to be), divorcee, right from a basic cable-TV “rom-com”. That’s until the plot requires her to put up a hard-edged “front” in order to raise the “ire” of Cooper. Pistorius does emote the right degree of frenzied panic even as she tosses common sense out the window in order to get going to another “white knuckle” bit. The talented Simpson is wasted as another bit of “cannon fodder” for the “beast-man”, while Bateman does well as Rachel’s frustrated perplexed pre-teen who is, of course, a tech whiz (at least they didn’t toss in the “surly attitude” cliche).
At least director Derrick Borte keeps the story moving during its 90-minute runtime, though many of the scares are telegraphed early by ham-fisted editing, constant close-ups, and thunderous background music and noises (there’s little difference). Oh, but that story. After the first act, Carl Ellsworth tosses out every bit of reality, charging along, driven by Cooper. right into the land of lunacy, bursting through any reasonable “suspension of disbelief”. When a brutal, vicious murder occurs in a crowded well-lit area, and absolutely no one approaches Cooper (two or three could tackle even a man of his, to put it gently, “considerable girth”) I exploded with the first of many animal excrement declarations (a good thing the theatres aren’t open for advance review showings). This is part of an incredibly intricate plan that Cooper hatches just moments after the traffic signal clash (phones are switched, and devices hidden within seconds). And soon the meanie’s “ever-presence” becomes a tired bit of business (think Droopy the Mountie minus any style and wit). Everything finally collides (literally) when call-backs to the first act (“Where’s my candy-cane….?”) spill over autos that escaped from the FAST AND THE FURIOUS realm of near-zero gravity (or gravitas). It’s good that the city remains nameless since no law enforcement appears till midway through the mayhem, which may be why the “wanted” Cooper (in the first eight minutes) is leisurely cruising the many maze-like streets. It all collapses in a heap with a final fade-out denouncement that will surprise nobody, but baffle anybody who’s seen the Police operate in any capacity. UNHINGED is unbearable, unbelievable, and nearly unwatchable save for some skilled stunt work. That raises it from zero to…
One-Half Out of Four
UNHINGED is playing in select theatres and drive-ins everywhere
You have to watch these hilarious and clever new videos featuring Russell Crowe as he promotes Solstice Studios’ UNHINGED. As this is the first movie to open in theaters since the quarantine, these light, funny vids are the perfect way to get moviegoers to see film.
Directed by Derrick Borte and co-starring Caren Pistorius, this edge of your seat thriller takes something we’ve all experienced – road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion.
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe stars in Unhinged, a timely psychological thriller that explores the fragile balance of a society pushed to the edge, taking something we’ve all experienced- road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion. Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is running late to work when she has an altercation at a traffic light with a stranger (Crowe) whose life has left him feeling powerless and invisible. Soon, Rachel finds herself and everyone she loves the target of a man who decides to make one last mark upon the world by teaching her a series of deadly lessons. What follows is a dangerous game of cat and mouse that proves you never know just how close you are to someone who is about to become unhinged.
Solstice Studios and Ingenious Media present a film by Derrick Borte, starring Russell Crowe, Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Bateman, Jimmi Simpson and Austin P. McKenzie. Casting is by Mary Vernieu, CSA & Raylin Sabo, CSA, with Music by David Buckley and Costume Design by Denise Wingate. The film was edited by Mike McCusker ACE, Steven Mirkovichm ACE and Tim Mirkovich ACE, with Production Design by Fredrick Waff and Cinematography by Brendan Galvin. Guy Botham, Crystal Bourbeau, Mary C. Russell, Christopher Milburn, Gareth West, Peter Touche and Anders Erden serve as Executive Producers. Unhinged is produced by Lisa Ellzey, Mark Gill and Andrew Gunn and written by Carl Ellsworth.
“Its time to leave the house and hit the road, because movie theaters are open!”
Solstice Studios’ UNHINGED, starring Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, will be releasing nationally on Friday, August 21st across the United States.
WAMG is giving awayUNHINGED Fandango Gift Cards good for 2 so you can see it in theaters!
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Unhinged marks the first new studio film to open with a wide release since the COVID-19 shutdown nearly five months ago, and we are confident that the edge-of-your-seat thriller will remind you what you’ve missed about seeing movies on the big screen.
Exhibition partners around the nation have gone to extensive lengths to ensure that the return to moviegoing is a safe entertainment experience; employing advanced sterilization and filtration methods, social distanced seating, no touch payment systems, and many other measures to prioritize safety over all else. Without their thorough commitment to safety, they would not be proceeding with this release.
Advanced tickets for the release of Unhinged are on sale Now!
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe stars in Unhinged, a timely psychological thriller that explores the fragile balance of a society pushed to the edge, taking something we’ve all experienced- road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion. Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is running late to work when she has an altercation at a traffic light with a stranger (Crowe) whose life has left him feeling powerless and invisible. Soon, Rachel finds herself and everyone she loves the target of a man who decides to make one last mark upon the world by teaching her a series of deadly lessons. What follows is a dangerous game of cat and mouse that proves you never know just how close you are to someone who is about to become unhinged.
Solstice Studios and Ingenious Media present a film by Derrick Borte, starring Russell Crowe, Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Bateman, Jimmi Simpson and Austin P. McKenzie. Casting is by Mary Vernieu, CSA & Raylin Sabo, CSA, with Music by David Buckley and Costume Design by Denise Wingate. The film was edited by Mike McCusker ACE, Steven Mirkovichm ACE and Tim Mirkovich ACE, with Production Design by Fredrick Waff and Cinematography by Brendan Galvin. Guy Botham, Crystal Bourbeau, Mary C. Russell, Christopher Milburn, Gareth West, Peter Touche and Anders Erden serve as Executive Producers. Unhinged is produced by Lisa Ellzey, Mark Gill and Andrew Gunn and written by Carl Ellsworth.
UNHINGED has been given a new release date of August 21.
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe stars in Unhinged, a timely psychological thriller that explores the fragile balance of a society pushed to the edge, taking something we’ve all experienced- road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion. Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is running late to work when she has an altercation at a traffic light with a stranger (Crowe) whose life has left him feeling powerless and invisible. Soon, Rachel finds herself and everyone she loves the target of a man who decides to make one last mark upon the world by teaching her a series of deadly lessons. What follows is a dangerous game of cat and mouse that proves you never know just how close you are to someone who is about to become unhinged.
Press release:
We are excited to announce that Unhinged will open August 21st, 2020, making it the first new wide release in American movie theaters since they shut down in March due to Covid-19.
While our release date plans for Unhinged have changed a few times due to the dynamic nature of reopening movie theaters in the midst of a pandemic, our desire to give moviegoers a safe viewing experience, and our ongoing commitment to our exhibition partners – large and small – have remained unwavering. We know that theaters won’t be open in every city or county when we launch. However, we anticipate that the vast majority of movie theaters will be open and ready to meet what nationwide polls consistently show is substantial pent-up audience demand to see new movies in theaters.
That said, no opening in this time period will be largely about the opening weekend. A significant number of additional theaters plan to open in our second week, and with a relatively light schedule of competitive films, the expectation is that “Unhinged” will open more modestly but stay in theaters longer.
Moviegoers have expressed a clear desire to return to theaters this summer (80% say they will definitely attend), while making it equally clear that they want the experience to be both comfortable and safe. Our partners in exhibition have answered this call by employing advanced sterilization and filtration methods, social distanced seating, no touch payment systems, and many other measures to prioritize safety over all else. Without their thorough commitment to safety, we would not be proceeding.
John Fithian, President and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners, stated, “On behalf of the U.S. exhibition community, I want to thank Solstice Studios for their commitment to bringing Unhinged to theaters, and for doing their part to help reinvigorate the theatrical movie business. Movie theaters are able to safely reopen with thorough health and safety measures in many states across the country, but if studios wait until 100% of the theaters are open, it will be too late. We need supporters like Solstice Studios, and Unhinged is the perfect film to kick off the opening of theaters to capture the last weeks of summer box office, followed by Tenet on Labor Day weekend and a strong fall schedule.”
On the International front, Unhinged opened number 1 in Germany on July 16th to a great result, and remained the number one film this past weekend. Our global expansion continues in Australia, New Zealand and the UK this Thursday, 7/30.
Solstice Studios was founded on the belief that nothing matches the theatrical moviegoing experience, and we are proud to play our part in bringing that beloved experience back to audiences across the globe. Last year, the theatrical film industry grossed over $11 billion in the US alone. Its revitalization is as important to our economy and the many local businesses that support and benefit from movie going, as it is to our culture and preserving our rich creative history as storytellers.
Thank you for joining us in supporting our local movie theaters. See you at the movies in August!
Russell Crowe stars in this first trailer for UNHINGED, the first new film to open in America’s movie theaters in accordance with state public health department safety guidelines on July 1.
Unhinged is a psychological thriller starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe from Carl Ellsworth, the writer of Red Eye and Disturbia and Lisa Ellzey, the producer of Warrior and Kingdom of Heaven. It takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy. “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.
The film is directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer) and also stars Caren Pistorius (Slow West, Mortal Engines), Gabriel Bateman, Jimmi Simpson and Austin P. McKenzie.
Here’s the official press release:
America’s movie theaters will show their first new film on July 1st, Unhinged, a thriller starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe. The move comes in response to a new poll that shows more than 80% of Americans want to go out to the movies in July. The U.S. release of “Unhinged” will follow or coincide with theater openings in nations around the globe, including Australia, China, The Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan—with a number of additional countries likely to announce openings in late June or July.
Theater plans to open safely across the United States will comply with all state public health department guidelines and are expected to include such measures as socially distant seating (capacities of 25-50%), staggered show times to reduce crowding, and more time between each show to allow for increased cleaning.
“We made this decision after extensive consultation with the National Association of Theater Owners and leading theater chains,” said Mark Gill, President and CEO of Solstice Studios, which produced and will release the film in the U.S. “Those conversations have convinced us there is a way to meet pent up demand for the theatrical experience safely.”
