THE DAMNED – The Review

IMG_5123.CR2

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. It was a dark and stormy night. Five travelers on a remote mountain road get caught in a flash flood and their car runs off the road. Even though they were warned not to take the road they are on by local law enforcement. Some are slightly injured; the only building for miles around is a strangely isolated, forebodingly huge house high on a hill.

Wait, it gets better. The old man who appears to be the only inhabitant does not want them to come in the house; they beg and plead since some in their group are injured. The bearded old man reluctantly lets them in to give them shelter, but orders them not to go anywhere in the building but the lobby. The building is an inn but nobody has signed the register since 1978 you see.

Naturally the American (Peter Facinelli, the Twilight franchise), his English fiance’ (Sophia Myles ) his daughter (Nathalie Ramos), the daughter’s boyfriend and a television journalist (Carolina Guerra) all do what characters in a horror movie have to do in order for it work; go where they were told not to, do what they were told not to and then suffer horrible consequences.

And in what has become a new cliché’ for horror films, there is no cell phone reception at this lonesome place, and no land lines either.

To be fair THE DAMNED (originally titled Gallows Hill) does bring some fresh air to some well worn horror movie situations. For starters the movie is set in Columbia and well over half the dialog is in Spanish. All the actors are on top of the material and there are several jump out of your seat moments and some truly creepy ideas.

THE DAMNED goes in unexpected directions and I can respect that in any film. When the visitors go into the basement of the house (dark of course and only one flashlight) they discover a little girl locked in a boarded up closet. We immediately suspect that we’re in torture porn territory and we couldn’t be more wrong.

The little girl, named Anna Maria, is not at all what she appears to be, and naturally, as it must, all hell breaks loose and there is much carnage, mayhem and spilling of blood. All of the actors literally throw themselves into the spirit of the thing. The ladies in particular come up with some bizarre body language and movements, creepy looking stuff that must have been inspired by the Japanese horror films like Pulse and Ringu.

THE DAMNED is well worth a look if you love horror movies, other movie geeks may not be so generous.

THE DAMNED is available on VOD now and in select theaters August 29.

Watch it on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-damned/id894432607

THEDAMNED_27x40_1Sheet

THE DAMNED, Starring Peter Facinelli And Sophia Myles, Coming To VOD July 25

THEDAMNED_27x40_1Sheet

Adding another spooky entry into the supernatural thriller genre comes THE DAMNED.

The film follows American David Reynolds (Peter Facinelli), widowed from his Colombian-born wife, who flies to Bogota with his new fiancée (Sophia Myles) to retrieve his rebellious teenage daughter Jill (Nathalia Ramos).

En route to the city of Medellin, a car accident leaves them stranded in a rundown isolated inn. When they discover the old innkeeper has locked a young girl in the basement, they are determined to set her free. But have they made a terrible mistake?

aka GALLOWS HILL, the film is written by Richard D’Ovidio (THIRTEEN GHOSTS) and directed by Victor Garcia (RETURN TO HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL). Here’s a look at the trailer.

Stars Peter Facinelli (The Twilight Saga, Nurse Jackie), Sophia Myles (Transformers: Age of Extinction, Underworld), Nathalia Ramos, Carolina Guerra (Da Vinci’s Demons), and Sebastian Martínez.

IFC Films will release THE DAMNED On Demand July 25 and in theaters August 29.

Rated R.

https://www.facebook.com/GallowsHillMovie

https://twitter.com/GallowsHillFilm

IMG_5101.JPG

IMG_5123.CR2

IMG_3313.JPG

Dinobots, Autobots & Decepticons Star In Massive New TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION Spot

TF4_Unrated_Payoff_1-Sht_v2[1] (1)

New footage has been revealed in this thrilling new 60 second spot for TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION is the fourth film in director Michael Bay’s global blockbuster franchise. Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Li Bingbing , Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, T. J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor and Titus Welliver star.

The film begins after an epic battle that left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history… while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs.

With help from a new cast of humans, Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

In T4, John Goodman will play Autobot Hound, Ken Watanabe will play Drift, while Peter Cullen reprises his role as the voice of Optimus Prime, and Frank Welker takes on another new character, Galvatron.

Rounding out the voice-over cast are actors John DiMaggio, Mark Ryan, Robert Foxworth and Reno Wilson. DiMaggio and Ryan will take on the new characters Crosshairs and Lockdown respectively, while Foxworth reprises the role of Ratchet and Wilson returns as Brains.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION is
in theaters 6.27.14

Official site: TransformersMovie.com
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformers #Transformers

(c) 2014 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. HASBRO, TRANSFORMERS, and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. (c) 2014 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

TRANFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

Hot New Poster And Trailer For TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION Stomps In

tf42764x4096v11

Watch the brand new trailer for TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION. From Paramount Pictures, the film hits theaters on June 27th.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION is the fourth film in director Michael Bay’s global blockbuster franchise. Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Li Bingbing , Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, T. J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor and Titus Welliver star.

The film begins after an epic battle that left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history… while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs.

With help from a new cast of humans, Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet.

In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

Fans can tweet using #TransformersPremiere for a chance to win a trip for two (2) to Hong Kong to be among the first to see “TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION” and IMAGINE DRAGONS at the world premiere. Open to U.S. residents ages 18+.

Enter by May 30, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. PDT. No purchase necessary. For official rules and promotional details, visit

http://www.transformersmovie.com/TwitterSweeps/OfficialRules.pdf

Get the official Transformers: Age of Extinction movie app, available now on iOS and Android! Choose your side and complete missions.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hasbro.transformers4ageofextinction

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transformers-age-extinction/id840319083?ls=1&mt=8

Official Website: http://www.transformersmovie.com/

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformers

(c) 2014 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. HASBRO, TRANSFORMERS, and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. (c) 2014 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

unknown-38

New TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION Poster

unknown-38

A whole lot of heavy metal is going on in the world of the Autobots and Dinobots in the new poster and photos for Paramount Pictures’ TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION.

Optimus Prime and Grimlock star in the brand new banner, while the latest images came online today, via USA Today, and feature the Autobots donning their weapons and armor.

1399829398000-Bumblebee-TRANSFORMERS-AGE-EXTINCTION-MOV-jy-4659-

Last week Paramount Pictures announced that director Michael Bay had tapped John Goodman and Ken Watanabe to voice two all new Autobots in his highly anticipated, fourth film in the global blockbuster franchise.

Goodman and Watanabe join legendary voice actors Peter Cullen and Frank Welker.

Goodman will play Autobot Hound, Watanabe will play Drift, while Cullen reprises his role as the voice of Optimus Prime, and Welker takes on another new character, Galvatron.

Rounding out the voice-over cast are actors John DiMaggio, Mark Ryan, Robert Foxworth and Reno Wilson. DiMaggio and Ryan will take on the new characters Crosshairs and Lockdown respectively, while Foxworth reprises the role of Ratchet and Wilson returns as Brains.

A new chapter in the Transformers universe, TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION stars an all new live action cast lead by Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Li Bingbing , Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, T. J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor and Titus Welliver.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION begins after an epic battle that left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history… while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans, Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

The film is produced By Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. Based on Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures. Written By Ehren Kruger. Directed By Michael Bay.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

Get the official Transformers: Age of Extinction movie app, available now on iOS and Android! Choose your side and complete missions.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hasbro.transformers4ageofextinction

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transformers-age-extinction/id840319083?ls=1&mt=8

http://www.transformersmovie.com/

(c) 2014 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. HASBRO, TRANSFORMERS, and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. (c) 2014 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

John Goodman and Ken Watanabe To Voice Two New Autobots In TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION; Download The Movie App

tf4tsroptimusfinal

Director Michael Bay has tapped John Goodman and Ken Watanabe to voice two all new Autobots in his highly anticipated film TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION, the fourth film in the global blockbuster franchise from Paramount Pictures.

Goodman and Watanabe will join legendary voice actors Peter Cullen and Frank Welker.

Goodman will play Autobot Hound, Watanabe will play Drift, while Cullen reprises his role as the voice of Optimus Prime, and Welker takes on another new character, Galvatron.

“I am pleased to welcome two gifted and versatile actors, John Goodman and Ken Watanabe, to the world of Transformers,” said Bay. “And to reteam with Peter and Frank, who have brought Transformers characters alive from the beginning. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best voice talent in the business, and together we will introduce several exciting new robots to fans of the franchise around the world.”

Rounding out the voice-over cast are actors John DiMaggio, Mark Ryan, Robert Foxworth and Reno Wilson. DiMaggio and Ryan will take on the new characters Crosshairs and Lockdown respectively, while Foxworth reprises the role of Ratchet and Wilson returns as Brains.

A new chapter in the Transformers universe, TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION stars an all new live action cast lead by Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Li Bingbing , Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, T. J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor and Titus Welliver.

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION begins after an epic battle that left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history… while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans, Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

The film is produced By Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Ian Bryce. Based on Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures. Written By Ehren Kruger. Directed By Michael Bay.

Peter Cullen is known throughout the world as the voice of the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, on the popular 1980s cartoon series “The Transformers” and in Michael Bay’s “TRANSFORMERS” film franchise. Additionally, he has voiced the robots Ironhide, Slugslinger, Streetwise, Wingspan and Nightstick. He has lent his voice to “Winnie the Pooh’s” Eeyore on everything from cartoons and television commercials to theatrical promotions. His film credits include the voice of the title role in the remake of “KING KONG,” and the inhuman alien sounds in “PREDATOR.”

Frank Welker has voiced many recurring characters in “The Transformers” animated series, including eight of the original 14 Decepticons, Megatron, Galvatron, Soundwave, Skywrap, Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage and Ratbat. On the big screen, he appeared as Soundwave and Ravage in “TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN” and as Soundwave and Shockwave in “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON.”

10273126_688850334483750_2252453426012245183_o

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor John Goodman has lent his voice to numerous animated projects, including the films “CARS,” “MONSTERS, INC.,” “MONSTERS UNIVERSITY,” “THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG,” “THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE” and “THE JUNGLE BOOK II,” as well as NBC’s animated series “Father of the Pride.” His recent live action films include the Academy Award®-winning “ARGO” and “THE ARTIST,” “THE MONUMENTS MEN,” “TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE,” “FLIGHT,” and “EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE.” His many television credits include “Roseanne,” “Damages,” “Community,” “You Don’t Know Jack” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”

Stage, film and television actor Ken Watanabe played General Tadamichi Kuribayashi in “LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA,” the Chairman in “MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA” and Lord Katsumoto Moritsugu in “THE LAST SAMURAI,” for which he was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor. His most recent work includes roles in “BATMAN BEGINS,” “INCEPTION” and the upcoming “GODZILLA.”

Robert Foxworth is an accomplished stage and screen actor. He starred in the television series “Storefront Lawyers,” “Falcon Crest” and “LateLine,” and appeared as a recurring series character on “Six Feet Under,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SUV” and as a guest on “Brothers & Sisters,” “Boston Legal,” “Bones,” “The West Wing” and “Gilmore Girls.” His recent Broadway credits include “August: Osage County” and “Twelve Angry Men.” Foxworth voiced the role of Ratchet in “TRANSFORMERS,” “TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN” and “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON.”

John DiMaggio’s voice-over work includes television, film and video games. He has lent his voice to “Futurama,” for which he won an Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Television Production, “The Simpsons,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “American Dad,” “Penguins of Madagascar,” “Adventure Time with Finn and Jake,” “Kung Fu Panda (TV),” “Barnyard” and “Chowder.” He previously voiced Leadfoot and Target in “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON.”

Mark Ryan has been combining his acting, singing, writing and directing talents in a successful international career for more than 30 years. He performed in several major musicals in London’s West End, including four years in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit “Evita,” originating the role of Magaldi and then playing Ché. He originated the character of Nasir for the cult British TV series “Robin of Sherwood“ and has appeared in dozens of films and television series, both in the U.S. and UK. He previously voiced Bumblebee and Jetfire for the “TRANSFORMERS” film franchise and recently co-starred in the premiere season of “Black Sails,” Michael Bay’s provocative new television series for Starz.

Reno Wilson currently stars on the hit CBS comedy “Mike & Molly” as Officer Carl McMillan. He has appeared in such films as “MIGHTY JOE YOUNG,” “ROUGH DRAFT,” “FALLEN,” and “WHITE HYPE.” As an accomplished voice-over artist, he gave voice to the Decepticon Frenzy in “TRANSFORMERS,” the Autobot Mudflap in “TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN,” and Brains in “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON.”

Get the official Transformers: Age of Extinction movie app, available now on iOS and Android! Choose your side and complete missions.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hasbro.transformers4ageofextinction

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transformers-age-extinction/id840319083?ls=1&mt=8

Watch the Official Transformers: Age of Extinction Movie App Trailer

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION opens in theaters on June 27, 2014.

http://www.transformersmovie.com/

TRANFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION

Optimus Prime Stars In New TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION Teaser Trailer and Poster

tf4tsroptimusfinal

Not only do we get the first real look at Dinobot Grimlock, but Optimus Prime returns as head of the Autobots in the brand new poster and trailer for Michael Bay’s TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION.

Meet Shane and Tessa in the new TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION posters.

tf4tessa-characterr3tf4shane

The fourth chapter stars Mark Wahlberg, Kelsey Grammer, Jack Reynor,  Han Geng, Nicola Peltz, Li Bingbing, Sophia Myles and Stanley Tucci.

The film re-unites the filmmaking team from the hit franchise, including producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto and Ian Bryce, executive producers Steven Spielberg, Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian and is written by Ehren Kruger, based on Hasbro’s Transformers Action Figures. The score is by Steve Jablonsky.

From Paramount Pictures, TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION will be in theaters June 27th.

Official site: TransformersMovie.com

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformers  #dinobots

https://www.youtube.com/user/TransformersMovie

TRANFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION
Photo credit: Industrial Light & Magic

tf4tsr1shtcade

Chinese Actress Li Bingbing Joins Michael Bay’s TRANSFORMERS 4

Li Bingbing

Michael Bay and Paramount Pictures jointly announced today that Chinese actress Li Bingbing (“RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION”) has been cast in the eagerly awaited TRANSFORMERS 4. The actress joins Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz and Sophia Myles in the fourth installment in the hit series of movies based on the best-selling Hasbro toyline. Paramount Pictures will release the film on June 27th, 2014.

“I am excited to have Li Bingbing join our cast and to be shooting portions of the movie in her native China. I have always aspired to work with the best actors and this cast is especially exciting now with the addition of Li,” said Michael Bay.

Li’s recent hits in China include the Tsui Hark-directed “DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME” and “1911.” She has already begun to cross over into American films, most recently co-starring in the Paul W.S. Anderson-directed “RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION,” and before that “SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN” and “FORBIDDEN KINGDOM.”  She was recently named Variety’s “Asian Star of the Year” which was celebrated in Los Angeles last month.

“I am thrilled to get to work with Michael Bay. ‘TRANSFORMERS’ has influenced generations in China and the movie franchise has a massive fan base. I am very happy to be able to join this international production. Thank you Paramount for the invitation! Looking forward to it!” said Li Bingbing.

t4

Paramount, China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises announced this past April a Cooperation Agreement regarding the production of “TRANSFORMERS 4” in China. Under the agreement, China Movie Channel, under the State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT), will cooperate with Paramount in broad-based support of the production of the film in China.  “TRANSFORMERS 4” is expected to be released in China on or about June 27, 2014. The parties also intend to cooperate in a number of other areas related to “TRANSFORMERS 4,” including the selection of filming sites within China, theatrical promotion, and possible post-production activities in China as well as casting of Chinese actors and actresses in the film.

This agreement represents the first time that China Movie Channel will work with a western studio in the production of a major motion picture.

“We are delighted to see Ms. Li Bingbing being selected for a major role in ‘TRANSFORMERS 4,’ a very successful global film franchise,” said Yan Xiaoming, Chairman of China Movie Channel.  “Ms. Li is an excellent and famous Chinese actress with many fans in China. She has had many successful projects with China Movie Channel and M1905.com in the past. We wish her every success in ‘TRANSFORMERS 4’ and with the worldwide audience that will enjoy her great talent.”

Said Sid Ganis, Chairman of Jiaflix, “Li Bingbing is an enormously talented Chinese artist who is fast becoming a worldwide movie star and is a great addition to a stellar cast.”

Shooting this summer in multiple locations in the U.S. and China, the film is directed by Bay and re-unites the filmmaking team from the hit franchise, including producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy & Tom DeSanto and Ian Bryce; and executive producers Steven Spielberg, Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. TRANSFORMERS 4 is written by Ehren Kruger, based on Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures.

The third, and most recent installment of the franchise, “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON,” is the fifth highest global grossing film of all time with $1.124 billion dollars of worldwide box office success.  The “TRANSFORMERS” movies are among the most popular films ever released in China, and Michael Bay is among the most popular directors with Chinese audiences. “TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON,” released theatrically in 2011, grossed $165 million in China and more than $1.1 billion worldwide.

TF3-Title