BOYS FROM COUNTYHELL WILL BE RELEASED IN SUMMER 2021
Synopsis: Welcome to Six Mile Hill, a sleepy Irish backwater whose only claim to fame is the somewhat dubious local legend that Bram Stoker once spent a night in the local pub. It’s home to Eugene Moffat, a young man who fills most of his days drinking pints with his friends and pranking tourists who come to visit the gravesite of Abhartach, a legendary Irish vampire some believe to have inspired ‘Dracula.’
When a personal tragedy forces Eugene to go and work for his gruff, no-nonsense father he finds himself on the site of a controversial new road development that threatens to destroy the town’s livelihood. But strange events unfold when Eugene and the crew tear down a famous cairn believed to be the final resting place of Abhartach and they soon come under attack from a sinister force that has infected one of their workmates. As the night closes in The Boys must fight for survival while discovering the true horror of a myth that hits much closer to home than any of them realise…
Starring: Steven Randazzo, Sondra James, Aubrey Hardwick, Juliette Bennett, Gus Randazzo, Dan Fogler, Natalie Knepp, Timothy Levitch
Plot: A has-been character actor attempts to complete a movie honoring his deceased wife, when divine intervention leads him to a free-spirited actress who just might be his perfect leading lady.
Runtime: 1 Hour 27 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Making the Day starts as we meet Nick Fazio (Randazzo) who along with his son Tommy (Randazzo) visiting the grave of their wife and mother, as Nick continues to battle to get his script turned into a movie. The financial side of the script is becoming more difficult turning to different producers hoping to get the move made in his wife memory.
Once Nick gets the funds, he starts looking to make his movie, despite struggling to find the leading role of Lisa that is based on his late wife, until he meets struggling actress Samantha Vanderputten (Bennett), as it could be her big break.
Thoughts on Making the Day
Characters & Performances – Nick Fazio is a has-been character actor whose career supported his family, where he worked with the Hollywood elite. He has always had a dream of making a film about how he met his late wife, he spends most of his time trying to secure financial backing for the film, a challenge which is seeing him take on his connections he has made through the years. He is reaching his limits about getting in made, even if it is the most important part of his life. Steven Randazzo brings his years of experience to the role, where he does give one of the best performances of the year. Samantha Vanderputten is the actress that is struggling to make an impact in New York, getting bit parts here and there, always finding herself being disappointed with what she gets, she has the script fall at her feet and starts doing everything she can to help make this picture, proving she is as determined to get the lead role in a movie, showing the pure dedication required to be part of the industry. Juliette Bennett is wonderful too in her role, showing us just how easily an actress can feel chewed up in the system, but will keep fighting for their own dream. When we dive into the rest of the cast, we get the loyal agent Mike that is always trying to find connections for Nick, knowing what this means to him, we also get the connections that Nick has made through the years, showing us how important making friends in the industry really is and we get the shady figure that has put money in the film that wants it back. The performances from the whole cast are wonderful to watch, each person gives us a performances that feels nature for the conversation and environment.
Story – The story here follows a has-been character actor that is looking to make a movie to honour his late wife, but has been struggling to find the financial support to make this a reality. He does meet a struggling actress that is willing to help him find the money to make this dream a reality, but can he follow her passion to make his dream a reality. This story does give us an important insight into the actors that take on the smaller roles in films, the ones that could make a big impact, but don’t always get the recognition. We see how losing a loved one will bring to life a dream to honour them in a different way and the connections an actor makes could help make their dream a reality. The whole story does give us a look at how difficult making a movie can be without the right financial connections. As is the troubles an actor could face to try and get their break, with the endless amounts of misleading meetings or roles, with the positive motivation being the most important part of chasing the dream.
Themes – Making the Day is a drama about making a movie honour a late relative, we use the New York setting showing us the different locations people might turn for financial backing, with behind the scenes on other movies, looking for the connections to help. The locations help us see how each different person involved in making a film works in to make their part important.
Making the Day is one of the most essential films to watch this year, filled with heart, soul and dreams from the people that don’t get the praise they deserve in the film making process.
Writer: Andy Weiss, Logan Miller, Noah Miller (Screenplay)
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, Bel Powley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brian Tyree Henry, Rory Cochrane, RJ Cyler, Jonathan Majors
Plot: The story of teenager Richard Wershe Jr., who became an undercover informant for the FBI during the 1980s and was ultimately arrested for drug-trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.
Runtime: 1 Hour 51 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: White Boy Rick starts as Rick Wershe Jr (Merritt) is getting tired of his father Richard (McConaughey) behaviour in the questionable business ideas. Rick finds himself looking to make a deal with the Curry crew with Lil Man (Majors) running the operation.
What starts out like smooth sailing for Rick, soon turns sour as he finds himself in the middle of a battle between arms dealers and drug dealer, along with FBI agents Snyder (Leigh) and Byrd (Cochrane) trying to bring the Curry family down, forcing Rick to work for them.
Thoughts on White Boy Rick
Thoughts – White Boy Rick follows the teenage years of the drug lord named White Boy Rick, a teenager that stepped into the arms dealing game to protect his father and soon finds himself as an informant, turned drug lord of the area. The story shows us how one young man became one of the most famous criminals for never hurting anyone. Showing how a teenager rose to the top by playing the game that the authorities placed upon him. We do go down the road of not getting much sympathy for Rick because most of what happens is his own downfall, despite showing the kindness to help people, including his sister. The performances in the film are strong throughout, seeing McConaughey taking the supporting role does work very well in the film too. The timeline we get to follow do show quite a few years of how the world was changing, which seems to show one or two big moments per year before moving on, which takes away the position of power Rick managed to gain.
Final Thoughts – White Boy Rick is an interesting look at the rise to power of the teenage drug lord, well acted but does seem to skip over the smaller points on his rise.
Signature Entertainment presents Triumph on Digital Platforms 28th Jun
Synopsis: Triumph is an uplifting story about overcoming one’s disability. Based on a true story, this inspirational drama stars Academy Award™ nominee Terrence Howard (Hustle and Flow, Crash), RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad) and Colton Haynes (American Horror Story, Arrow). A bright and determined teen who has mild cerebral palsy strives to be a wrestler on his high school’s team and goes to humorous lengths to win over the heart of a classmate, the girl of his dreams.
Triumph was directed by Brett Leonard (Virtuosity, Hideaway) and written by Michael D. Coffey, whose personal story inspired the film.
Signature Entertainment presents Edge of the World on Digital Platforms and DVD 21st June
Synopsis: The swash-buckling Edge of the World has the sweeping scope and feel of titles like Last of the Mohicans and The Revenant and the true story part inspired both The Man Who Would Be King and Apocalypse Now. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) as Sir James Brook, the English adventurer who fought pirates and slavery to rule a kingdom as the King of Sarawak in the jungles of Borneo in 1840. His lifelong crusade to end head-hunting ultimately led him to face charges of murder and piracy himself. Also starring Lord of the Rings’ Dominic Monaghan and Game of Thrones’ Ralph Ineson and directed by first time feature filmmaker Michael Haussman.
