the purge – We Are Movie Geeks

THE FOREVER PURGE In Three, Two, One – Check Out The Trailer And See Blumhouse’s Film In Cinemas On July 2

“The annual Purge will conclude in three, two, one… “

This summer, all the rules are broken as a sect of lawless marauders decides that the annual Purge does not stop at daybreak and instead should never end in THE FOREVER PURGE.

Vaulting from the record-shattering success of 2018’s THE FIRST PURGE, Blumhouse’s infamous terror franchise hurtles into innovative new territory as members of an underground movement, no longer satisfied with one annual night of anarchy and murder, decide to overtake America through an unending campaign of mayhem and massacre. No one is safe.

Welcome to the movement that began as a simple experiment: “The First Purge.” Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
© 2018 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Check out the trailer for the newest entry into this fantastic series.

https://www.theforeverpurge.com/

Adela (Ana de la Reguera, Cowboys & Aliens) and her husband Juan (Tenoch Huerta, Days of Grace) live in Texas, where Juan is working as a ranch hand for the wealthy Tucker family. Juan impresses the Tucker patriarch, Caleb (Will Patton, Halloween), but that fuels the jealous anger of Caleb’s son, Dylan (Josh Lucas, Ford v Ferrari).

On the morning after The Purge, a masked gang of killers attacks the Tucker family—including Dylan’s wife (Cassidy Freeman, HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones), and his sister (Leven Rambin, The Hunger Games), forcing both families to band together and fight back as the country spirals into chaos and the United States begins to disintegrate around them.

From a screenplay by franchise creator and narrative mastermind James DeMonaco, The Forever Purge is directed by Everardo Gout, writer-director of the award-winning thriller Days of Grace.

The film is produced by the franchise’s founding producers: Jason Blum for his Blumhouse Productions; Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller; and Man in a Tree duo James DeMonaco and his longtime producing partner Sébastien K. Lemercier. The film’s executive producers are Marcei A. Brown, Everardo Gout and Jeanette Volturno. Universal Pictures presents, in association with Perfect World Pictures, a Platinum Dunes/Blumhouse/Man in a Tree production.

THE FIRST PURGE – Review

What once might have sounded like a ludicrous idea, feels more and more like real life. And no one knows this better than the producers of THE PURGE franchise. Some may call it ham-fisted social commentary while others may need this fictional reflection of many aspects of our current climate to binge and purge the anger we feel towards our world at times. Many of the most iconic horror films in history often act as a reflection of the times they were made. Despite not currently having a government-instated 12-hr night of murder and mayhem, the producers of this series find new ways with each sequel to remind viewers that the horrors on screen are not too far from what’s happening in our streets.

As the title would suggest, this prequel in the series explains how the idea of an annual government-mandated “holiday” came to be. Staten Island serves as the testing ground for this new “experiment,” developed by Marisa Tomei’s character (in a thankless and forgettable role). Backed in part by the political party, the New Founding Fathers of America, the experiment targets the poor and impoverished communities who are encouraged to sign up for the “Purge” through a minimum payment of $5,000 if they take to the streets during the 12-hr killing spree. In typical PURGE fashion, the film follows around a number of individuals trying to survive the night.

Unlike other entries, the film largely focuses on an anti-hero who serves as the local drug dealer of the community – a suave and chilling turn from Y’lan Noel. The dealer-turned-hero story is rife with contradictions as well as plot holes, but it’s still oddly entertaining to watch him dispose of hired attackers in Rambo-esque fashion.

New to the series, director Gerard McMurray favors some striking visuals including an abundance of close-ups and overhead shots, with some stark lighting choices and audio edits as well. One striking sequence is comprised entirely of silhouettes attacking one another set against deep white smoke. Now, if only the scene wasn’t ruined by splatters of unnecessary CGI blood (one even “splashing” on the camera).

James DeMonaco may have stepped down from the director’s chair, but his voice is still ever present in the script. The story tries not to repeat the usual trappings of having a group run away or bunker down and defend themselves for the most part. Even though it ultimately ends that way, THE FIRST PURGE mixes it up by following some unlikely characters backed by motivations that defy the formula the films have done before. Unfortunately, it also includes some the clunkiest dialogue delivered by the political figures in the entire series.

Where the script has plummeted a little, the creepy-factor has reached a new high. THE FIRST PURGE is the scariest entry in the series! They have found new, disturbing ways to outfit their “Purgers.” The most inventive way that they inject a new level of creepiness into the film is through electronic, colored contact lenses, issued by the government to monitor the success of the “experiment.” Their neon-colored eyes make the men and women look like zombies in the night. Anyone with knowledge of zombie folklore can see the haunting symbolism of mind control from a higher being and the futuristic government seducing these individuals to kill.

Horror has always been a platform to discuss social and political issues. This concept of horror films reflecting our current fears is nothing new. It’s been written about at great length, and yet whenever a new horror film comes out that pushes the line with its in-your-face opinions and symbolism, critics and fans alike call foul for being “too political.” THE FIRST PURGE is nothing short of an unashamed barrage to our senses. With its message of people in power taking advantage of the underprivileged to the upsetting imagery of men in KKK robes attacking a Baptist church and men in spiked police uniforms beating a black man in a sports arena, THE PURGE series now stakes the claim of being the most radical and transgressive horror franchise. And like it or not, the annual PURGE shows no signs of lowering its megaphone or fist from the air.

Overall score: 3 out of 5

THE FIRST PURGE opens in theaters July 4th

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THE PURGE: ANARCHY – The Review

By all accounts, THE PURGE: ANARCHY was never a film I was hoping would exist. Even being a horror fan, I can’t say I wanted to see a sequel to the disappointing 2013 surprise financial hit THE PURGE. I say disappointed mainly because I was hoping for so much more from a film that advertised one night a year of chaos to the point that the streets would literally run red. What we got instead was a siege film that never fully explored the simple but kind-of genius idea of an annual purge night instated by the government to “cleanse our souls.” James DeMonaco has returned to what will surely be a new franchise, and even with the same writer and director as the first film, I think you’ll be surprised to find that THE PURGE: ANARCHY is an entirely different beast.

The evening of March 21, 2032 is where we are introduced to two couples – a young couple Shane (Zach Gilford) and Liz (Kiele Sanchez) whose marriage is on the rocks and a mother/daughter team of Eva (Carmen Ejogo) and Cali (Zoë Soul). Both couples are thrown into the horrific events of the annual Purge night. One night a year all crime including murder is legal for a 12 hour period. Thankfully for them, they are saved by a mysterious stranger named Sergeant (Frank Grillo). His armored vehicle and artillery of weapons seems to imply that he too is enjoying the “holiday.” But all we know about him is that he needs to get across town before dawn for an unknown reason and will do anything to get what he wants.

Frank Grillo is one of those actors who shows up in the background of films quite often (THE GREY and WARRIOR just to name a few). His intensity on-screen always demands attention, even if he isn’t in the starring role. With ANARCHY Grillo is finally able to sit in the driver’s seat as the male lead of the film. It may not be the juiciest role to sink his teeth in but it’s something that lets him work to his strengths. His character is more of the silent and deadly type, but once again Grillo delivers on being threatening. You may even fear him as much as the masked men running around committing crimes.

One of the benefits that this horror franchise has established is setting up the option that anyone could be a villain. More than one armed maniac or group of individuals is to be feared in this universe. Masked gangs run amok and fight to the death with one another while the wealthy are clearly just as feared as they seem to harness indispensable means to fill their purge-lust desires. The first film gave us a just a peek into this world compared to the scope of the sequel. Bloody violence is in abundance and literally feels as if it’s around every corner. With the help of cinematographer Jacques Jouffret, DeMonaco consistently finds new alleys and buildings to explore. Between the neon yellow, green and red lights that ignite the city at night and the concept of having a ragtag group trying to make their way from one end of the city to the other in a matter of hours, comparisons could be made to Walter Hill’s 1979 grindhouse classic THE WARRIORS or even Carpenter’s ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.

The political implications and the economical effects that result from the annual Purge become just as important as the gritty and grimy guts of the film. An underground, anti-government group that seems modeled off of the real life Black Panther Party – complete with a black beret-wearing leader whose hat and round spectacles scream 1970’s – uses online videos to ignite a revolution among the poor who can’t properly protect themselves during the Purge. Their inclusion here seems rather ambitious since it implies that DeMonaco is attempting to flesh out this future-set world and not just showcase the violence committed one night a year. It also sets-up an idea for a possible third or fourth film that might bring about revolution.

THE PURGE: ANARCHY is an exciting sequel that delivers suspense and action from start to finish. Much like earlier this year in the CAPTAIN AMERICA sequel, Frank Grillo succeeds in taking a simple, brute of a character and transforming him into an engaging force to be reckoned with. THE PURGE had previously setup an interesting premise but failed to deliver on the potential of the idea by delivering a tedious film that felt cheap and restrained. Thankfully the sequel has its sights to be so much more. Fans of 80’s action flicks will love this neon-colored blood-fest. Marvel Films might have cast Frank Grillo as Crossbones in their “Star-Spangled” franchise, but here he proves he would be perfect as the merciless and vengeful Frank Castle (Punisher). Even if he doesn’t return in a future installment, I’m now curious and very much excited to see what next year’s annual Purge has to offer.

3.5 out of 5

THE PURGE: ANARCHY is now in theaters everywhere

Win Passes To The Advance Screening Of THE PURGE In St. Louis

If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In THE PURGE, a speculative thriller that follows one family over the course of a single night, four people will be tested to see how far they will go to protect themselves when the vicious outside world breaks into their home.

In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity—including murder—becomes legal. The police can’t be called. Hospitals suspend help. It’s one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking.

When an intruder breaks into James Sandin’s (Ethan Hawke) gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear a family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their kids to make it through the night without turning into the monsters from whom they hide.

Directed by James DeMonaco (writer of Assault on Precinct 13 and The Negotiator), THE PURGE is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister), Platinum Dunes’ partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), as well as Sébastien Kurt Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13).

THE PURGE will be in theaters June 7.

Universal Pictures and WAMG invite you to enter to win a pass (good for 2) to the advance screening of THE PURGE on June 4th at 7:00 PM in St. Louis.

Answer the following question:

Which of your friends could you trust during THE PURGE?

OFFICIAL RULES:

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

2. SEND YOUR NAME AND ANSWERS TO: michelle@wearemoviegeeks.com

3. YOU MUST SUBMIT THE CORRECT ANSWER TO OUR TRIVIA QUESTION ABOVE TO WIN.

4. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PASSES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED. DUPLICATE TICKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

THE PURGE has been rated R for strong disturbing violence and some language.

Universal Pictures presents a Platinum Dunes/Blumhouse/Why Not Production: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey in THE PURGE, starring Adelaide Kane, Max Burkholder. The casting is by Lisa Fields, and the line producer is Gerard DiNardi. The film’s costume design is by Lisa Norcia. The co-producer is Jeanette Volturno-Brill. The Purge’s music is by Nathan Whitehead, and the film is edited by Peter Gvozdas. The film’s production design is by Melanie Paizis-Jones, and its director of photography is Jacques Jouffret. The speculative thriller is produced by Jason Blum, p.g.a.; Sébastien K. Lemercier, p.g.a.; Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller. THE PURGE is written and directed by James DeMonaco.

Visit all THE PURGE sites:

· Visit the official website

· Like THE PURGE on Facebook

· Follow @UniversalHorror and @blumhouse on Twitter and tag it #SurvivetheNight

· Watch on YouTube

· Follow THE PURGE on Google+

Watch The New Trailer For THE PURGE

Universal Pictures has released the trailer for the upcoming thriller THE PURGE.

If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In The Purge, a speculative thriller that follows one family over the course of a single night, four people will be tested to see how far they will go to protect themselves when the vicious outside world breaks into their home.

Directed by James DeMonaco (writer of Assault on Precinct 13 and The Negotiator), The Purge is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse (Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister), Platinum Dunes’ partners Michael Bay, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (The Amityville Horror, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), as well as Sébastien Kurt Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13).

THE PURGE will be in theaters June 7th.

Visit all THE PURGE sites:

· Visit the official website

· Like THE PURGE on Facebook

· Follow @UniversalHorror on Twitter #SurvivetheNight

· Watch on YouTube

· Follow THE PURGE on Google+