Black and Blue FIlms Managing Director Jonathan Sothcott is a busy man, besides producing eight films over the past two years he’s now capitalising on the success of his own independent productions – films such as the forthcoming Elfie Hopkins and Strippers vs. Werewolves – and has teamed up with distributor 4Digital Media to bring independent international genre films to the UK home entertainment market through his all-new “Jonathan Sothcott Presents” imprint.
Kicking off in Spring 2012, the imprint will see the release of films we here at Blogomatic3000 deem our bread and butter – low budget, full of ideas, sometimes cheesy horror. And the first two films announced sound right up my street!
First up is Two Headed Shark Attack (awesome title Fyi) starring Carmen Electra and the daughter of the Hulster himself, Brooke Hogan. Sothcott notes
I love shark movies, Jaws is my favourite film, and I see every one that comes out.
Kicking off in Spring 2012, the imprint will see the release of films we here at Blogomatic3000 deem our bread and butter – low budget, full of ideas, sometimes cheesy horror. And the first two films announced sound right up my street!
First up is Two Headed Shark Attack (awesome title Fyi) starring Carmen Electra and the daughter of the Hulster himself, Brooke Hogan. Sothcott notes
I love shark movies, Jaws is my favourite film, and I see every one that comes out.
- 12/1/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Tom Provost.s feature film debut The Presence starts with a tranquil scene of a boat traveling up river. The imagery is relaxing and beautiful but it.s accompanied by Conrad Pope.s original score which is anything but. There.s a sense of dread as the song plays on and Mira Sorvino.s character, whose name is never revealed, arrives on a remote island. The house she.s headed to hasn.t been modernized: there.s no fridge, no lights, no faucet and no bathroom. The woman arrives by herself but she.s not alone and it.s not quite clear who the film.s title refers to because there.s also more than one ghostly entity.
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
- 11/30/2011
- QuietEarth.us
The UK's Jonathan Sothcott is one of those filmmakers who we swear does not sleep. Every time we turn around the man is working on something else, and now instead of just making movies, he's busy importing them across the pond!
From the Press Release
Prolific UK horror producer Jonathan Sothcott (Strippers Vs Werewolves, Elfie Hopkins) is bringing some very different genre films to the British home entertainment market in 2012 through his ‘Jonathan Sothcott Presents’ imprint with leading indie distributor 4Digital Media.
First up, and in keeping with the spirit of Sothcott’s own instant camp classic Strippers Vs Werewolves is Two-headed Shark Attack starring uber-babes Carmen Electra and Brooke Hogan. Sothcott notes, “I love shark movies, Jaws is my favourite film, and I see every one that comes out. This one is destined to become a DVD favourite with its deliriously satisfying visual buffet of stunning babes, outrageous gore and a truly brilliant monster.
From the Press Release
Prolific UK horror producer Jonathan Sothcott (Strippers Vs Werewolves, Elfie Hopkins) is bringing some very different genre films to the British home entertainment market in 2012 through his ‘Jonathan Sothcott Presents’ imprint with leading indie distributor 4Digital Media.
First up, and in keeping with the spirit of Sothcott’s own instant camp classic Strippers Vs Werewolves is Two-headed Shark Attack starring uber-babes Carmen Electra and Brooke Hogan. Sothcott notes, “I love shark movies, Jaws is my favourite film, and I see every one that comes out. This one is destined to become a DVD favourite with its deliriously satisfying visual buffet of stunning babes, outrageous gore and a truly brilliant monster.
- 11/29/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Described on Horrornews.net as “The most innovative ghost story I’ve ever seen”, director Tom Provost’ “The Presence” is just that and more. It combines elements of drama, suspense, romance & a few “Bumps in the night” into a smartly told tale of a woman (Mira Sorvino) who retreats to an old cabin her grandmother owned to do some work. Unfortunately for her there is an apparition (Shane West) who is inhabiting the cabin when she arrives there. In addition, her boyfriend arrives unexpectedly to spend some time with her which leads to the apparition growing obsessive with her. I got… More...
- 10/7/2011
- by The Black Saint
- Horror News
*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by Lionsgate.
Director/writer: Tom Provost.
Tagline: "Don't believe everything your hear."
Lionsgate is distributing Tom Provost's The Presence on DVD today and appropriately, here is a review on this, sometimes romantic, thriller.The Presence stars Mira Sovino as "The Woman." She vacations to a nearby cabin to deal with some emotional pain. Here, there is only more suffering with a duo of ghosts tormenting her at various points in the film. "The Man" is played by Justin Kirk in a somewhat awkward style. Other film messages might also seem awkward. The film is really centered on some elements of Christian mythos including temptation to sin, the Devil and reaching a higher power through good deeds. Other viewers might find something different in theme, but this was the central message seen by this reviewer.
One could also say that the...
Director/writer: Tom Provost.
Tagline: "Don't believe everything your hear."
Lionsgate is distributing Tom Provost's The Presence on DVD today and appropriately, here is a review on this, sometimes romantic, thriller.The Presence stars Mira Sovino as "The Woman." She vacations to a nearby cabin to deal with some emotional pain. Here, there is only more suffering with a duo of ghosts tormenting her at various points in the film. "The Man" is played by Justin Kirk in a somewhat awkward style. Other film messages might also seem awkward. The film is really centered on some elements of Christian mythos including temptation to sin, the Devil and reaching a higher power through good deeds. Other viewers might find something different in theme, but this was the central message seen by this reviewer.
One could also say that the...
- 10/5/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
DVD Playhouse—October 2011
By Allen Gardner
Terri (20th Century Fox) An awkward, obese teen (Jacob Wysocki) finds himself forming an odd friendship with his equally left-of-center vice-principal (John C. Reilly), who decides to help the boy navigate his way through adolescence’s rocky road. Low key film is filled with pathos and humor, but is ultimately too laid back for its own good (not to mention too long). Worth seeing for young Wysocki’s amazing, completely natural performance, and Reilly’s goofy charm. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurette; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Mr. Nice (Mpi) Rhys Ifans stars in the true story of Howard Marks, a Welsh-born Oxford grad who gained the most notoriety in his life for being the UK’s biggest hashish smuggler during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when he wasn’t busy spying for Her Majesty’s government, hanging out with a...
By Allen Gardner
Terri (20th Century Fox) An awkward, obese teen (Jacob Wysocki) finds himself forming an odd friendship with his equally left-of-center vice-principal (John C. Reilly), who decides to help the boy navigate his way through adolescence’s rocky road. Low key film is filled with pathos and humor, but is ultimately too laid back for its own good (not to mention too long). Worth seeing for young Wysocki’s amazing, completely natural performance, and Reilly’s goofy charm. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurette; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Mr. Nice (Mpi) Rhys Ifans stars in the true story of Howard Marks, a Welsh-born Oxford grad who gained the most notoriety in his life for being the UK’s biggest hashish smuggler during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when he wasn’t busy spying for Her Majesty’s government, hanging out with a...
- 10/3/2011
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
The Presence will be released by Lionsgate on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand October 4th and the film stars Oscar winner Mira Sorvino. Also starring are Justin Kirk ("Weeds") and Shane West (A Walk to Remember). The film involves a woman alone in an isolated cabin, who becomes possessed by a malignant spirit. Sorvino's character, only known as The Woman, begins to behave strangely when her boyfriend, Kirk, comes by to check on her. Let the ghostly sparks fly on DVD in just a few days.
This is director Tom Provost's first feature film as director and some horrorphiles might recognize Provost from his screenplay and writing credit on Under Suspicion, starring Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. Under Suspicion was nominated for Best Picture in 2000 at the Oscars and here, Provost continues with the more thrilling side of genres. Special features for The Presence are inside.
Release Date: October 14th,...
This is director Tom Provost's first feature film as director and some horrorphiles might recognize Provost from his screenplay and writing credit on Under Suspicion, starring Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. Under Suspicion was nominated for Best Picture in 2000 at the Oscars and here, Provost continues with the more thrilling side of genres. Special features for The Presence are inside.
Release Date: October 14th,...
- 9/27/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Alrighty, kids! Settle in for some good old fashioned ghost-ridden spookiness by way of this exclusive clip from Lionsgate's upcoming spooker, The Presence!
From the Press Release: A hauntingly romantic ghost story comes alive this fall as Lionsgate releases The Presence on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. Starring Oscar® winning actress Mira Sorvino (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Mighty Aphrodite, 1995), the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime’s “Weeds”) and Shane West (A Walk to Remember). Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, The Presence's DVD premiere includes a “making of” featurette, audio commentary with the writer-director, and storyboards with commentary. The Presence will make its chilling debut on October 4th.
Looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, a woman (Sorvino) travels to a secluded cabin in the woods. She’s not alone, though,...
From the Press Release: A hauntingly romantic ghost story comes alive this fall as Lionsgate releases The Presence on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. Starring Oscar® winning actress Mira Sorvino (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Mighty Aphrodite, 1995), the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime’s “Weeds”) and Shane West (A Walk to Remember). Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, The Presence's DVD premiere includes a “making of” featurette, audio commentary with the writer-director, and storyboards with commentary. The Presence will make its chilling debut on October 4th.
Looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, a woman (Sorvino) travels to a secluded cabin in the woods. She’s not alone, though,...
- 9/21/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Screamworks Records has announced a soundtrack album for the indie horror thriller The Presence. The album features the original score by Conrad Pope (Pavilion of Women, the upcoming My Week with Marilyn). The soundtrack will be released both on CD and digitally on October 4, 2011. The Presence is written and directed by Tom Provost and stars Mina Sorvino, Shane West and Tony Curran. The movie centers on a woman who travels to an isolated cabin where she finds herself stalked by an apparition who has come to inhabit her space as his own. The film will be released in the Us on DVD on October 4 by Lionsgate. To learn more about the picture, visit the official movie website.
- 9/3/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
A frightening, yet enchanting ghost story comes alive this fall as Lionsgate has announced the release of The Presence on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand today. Starring Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino (Best Actress in a Supporting Role- 1995, Mighty Aphrodite), the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime's "Weeds") and Shane West (A Walk to Remember). The Presence is written and directed by Tom Provost. Look for this chilling tale to…...
- 8/2/2011
- Horrorbid
The Presence is a romantic ghost story and will be available for your viewing pleasure this October. Lionsgate will be distributing the film via DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. The Presence was written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick. The movie stars Mira Sorvino (The Replacement Killers), Shane West (A Walk to Remember) and Justin Kirk (Weeds). The official release date for The Presence is October 4, 2011. The DVD version will include the following special features:>>...
- 8/2/2011
- Best-Horror-Movies.com
With October just around the corner (Can you believe it? Where has this year gone?), it seems fitting that some good old fashioned ghost stories get cooking to send a few tingles down our spines. Will The Presence do just that? Read on for details and to watch the official trailer!
From the Press Release: A hauntingly romantic ghost story comes alive this fall as Lionsgate releases The Presence on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. Starring Oscar® winning actress Mira Sorvino (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Mighty Aphrodite, 1995), the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime’s “Weeds”) and Shane West (A Walk to Remember). Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, The Presence's DVD premiere includes a “making of” featurette, audio commentary with the writer-director, and storyboards with commentary. The Presence will make its chilling debut on October 4th.
From the Press Release: A hauntingly romantic ghost story comes alive this fall as Lionsgate releases The Presence on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. Starring Oscar® winning actress Mira Sorvino (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Mighty Aphrodite, 1995), the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime’s “Weeds”) and Shane West (A Walk to Remember). Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, The Presence's DVD premiere includes a “making of” featurette, audio commentary with the writer-director, and storyboards with commentary. The Presence will make its chilling debut on October 4th.
- 8/2/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
If you in the mood for a good old fashioned ghost story, look no further. Lionsgate has just announced the official DVD release date for The Presence. Look for the Tom Provost - written/directed film to be released on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand this October 4th. Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino stars, along with Justin Kirk and Shane West. Special Features On The DVD Include: - A "making of" featurette - Audio commentary with the w…...
- 7/14/2011
- Horrorbid
Mira Sorvino plus a supernatural stalker equals yes, we'll be watching! That's exactly the equation we'll be getting, too, as Lionsgate releases The Presence on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand October 4.
Starring Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino, the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime's "Weeds") and Shane West (A Walk to Remember).
Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, the DVD premiere includes a "making-of" featurette, audio commentary with the writer-director and storyboards with commentary.
Synopsis
Looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, a woman (Sorvino) travels to a secluded cabin in the woods. She's not alone, though, because an apparition (West) inhabits the cabin and begins to stalk her. But when the woman's boyfriend (Kirk) arrives, the spirit in the house grows darker and more obsessive. She soon starts to exhibit weird and irrational behavior,...
Starring Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino, the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime's "Weeds") and Shane West (A Walk to Remember).
Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, the DVD premiere includes a "making-of" featurette, audio commentary with the writer-director and storyboards with commentary.
Synopsis
Looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, a woman (Sorvino) travels to a secluded cabin in the woods. She's not alone, though, because an apparition (West) inhabits the cabin and begins to stalk her. But when the woman's boyfriend (Kirk) arrives, the spirit in the house grows darker and more obsessive. She soon starts to exhibit weird and irrational behavior,...
- 7/14/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Mira Sorvino ain't afraid of no ghost in The Presence.
Lionsgate will release the 2010 ghost story romance/thriller film The Presence, starring Mira Sorvino (Mimic), on Oct. 4 for a list price of $19.98.
Looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, a woman (Sorvino) travels to a secluded cabin in the woods. She’s not alone, though, because an apparition (Shane West, A Walk to Remember) inhabits the cabin and begins to stalk her.
But when the woman’s boyfriend (Justin Kirk, TV’s Weeds) arrives, the spirit in the house grows darker and more obsessive. The woman soon begins to exhibit bizarre and irrational behavior, and her boyfriend fears she’s been possessed by the ghost who’s in love with her.
Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, The Presence is premiering on DVD.
The disc includes a director’s commentary,...
Lionsgate will release the 2010 ghost story romance/thriller film The Presence, starring Mira Sorvino (Mimic), on Oct. 4 for a list price of $19.98.
Looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, a woman (Sorvino) travels to a secluded cabin in the woods. She’s not alone, though, because an apparition (Shane West, A Walk to Remember) inhabits the cabin and begins to stalk her.
But when the woman’s boyfriend (Justin Kirk, TV’s Weeds) arrives, the spirit in the house grows darker and more obsessive. The woman soon begins to exhibit bizarre and irrational behavior, and her boyfriend fears she’s been possessed by the ghost who’s in love with her.
Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, The Presence is premiering on DVD.
The disc includes a director’s commentary,...
- 7/14/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
A ghost story comes alive this fall as Lionsgate releases The Presence on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand October 4. Starring Oscar winning actress Mira Sorvino, the film also features Justin Kirk (Showtime's "Weeds") and Shane West (A Walk to Remember). Written and directed by Tom Provost (Under Suspicion), and executive produced by The Blair Witch Project co-creator Daniel Myrick, the DVD premiere includes a "making of" featurette, audio commentary with the writer-director and storyboards with commentary. Looking to escape the pressures of everyday life, a woman (Sorvino) travels to a secluded cabin in the woods. She's not alone, though, because an apparition (West) inhabits the cabin and begins to stalk her. But when the woman's boyfriend (Kirk)...
- 7/14/2011
- shocktillyoudrop.com
The Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac Announces Ann-Margret to receive the Dallas Star Award
Beautiful Boy, Ok Buckaroos and Soul Surfer named as the Centerpiece screeningsAll Selections in the Target Documentary and Narrative CompetitionsThe Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac announced today that award-winning actress Ann-Margret will be honored with the Dallas Star Award at the upcoming festival (March 31 . April 10, 2011). This marks the first announcement of the prestigious Dallas Star Award Honorees.
Poignant dramas Beautiful Boy and Soul Surfer and the world premiere of Ok Buckaroos will be featured in the coveted Centerpiece screening slots. Fourteen films will vie for the unrestricted $25,000 Target cash prize in both the Target Documentary Feature and Narrative Feature Competitions.
The selection of Ann-Margret as a recipient of the Dallas Star Award follows a Dallas Iff Honoree Hall of Fame that features esteemed greats such as Sydney Pollack, Lauren Bacall, Adrien Brody,...
Beautiful Boy, Ok Buckaroos and Soul Surfer named as the Centerpiece screeningsAll Selections in the Target Documentary and Narrative CompetitionsThe Dallas International Film Festival presented by Cadillac announced today that award-winning actress Ann-Margret will be honored with the Dallas Star Award at the upcoming festival (March 31 . April 10, 2011). This marks the first announcement of the prestigious Dallas Star Award Honorees.
Poignant dramas Beautiful Boy and Soul Surfer and the world premiere of Ok Buckaroos will be featured in the coveted Centerpiece screening slots. Fourteen films will vie for the unrestricted $25,000 Target cash prize in both the Target Documentary Feature and Narrative Feature Competitions.
The selection of Ann-Margret as a recipient of the Dallas Star Award follows a Dallas Iff Honoree Hall of Fame that features esteemed greats such as Sydney Pollack, Lauren Bacall, Adrien Brody,...
- 3/9/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
For those in Seattle, your in luck. The 2nd edition of the The Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival is this coming weekend (September 17th - 19th) and has not only a few films to satisfy, but a couple we really love.
Our own agentorange called Adam Mason's Blood River, which will be playing, a tour-de-force. You can read our review here..
A Serbian Film may have run into a few problems elsewhere, but play here in the states is never an issue.
You can check out further details and buy tickets off the official website.
Full lineup after the break.
Blood River
USA - Director Adam Mason - 104 min
A newlywed couple are pushed to the limit during a chance encounter with a mysterious drifter in a deserted ghost town.
Mørke Sjeler (Dark Souls)
Norway, France - Directors César Ducasse, Mathieu Peteul - 97 min
A revengeful father embarks on...
Our own agentorange called Adam Mason's Blood River, which will be playing, a tour-de-force. You can read our review here..
A Serbian Film may have run into a few problems elsewhere, but play here in the states is never an issue.
You can check out further details and buy tickets off the official website.
Full lineup after the break.
Blood River
USA - Director Adam Mason - 104 min
A newlywed couple are pushed to the limit during a chance encounter with a mysterious drifter in a deserted ghost town.
Mørke Sjeler (Dark Souls)
Norway, France - Directors César Ducasse, Mathieu Peteul - 97 min
A revengeful father embarks on...
- 9/15/2010
- QuietEarth.us
On August 29th, a new No Budget Film School class will be held in two parts: "Mastering Film Grammar," (how to express your story) and "From Script to Screen" (how a script becomes a film) . Both the morning and afternoon session will be taught by screenwriter/director Tom Provost (Under Suspicion) with the intention of teaching how to make the best possible film on any size budget. Tickets/Info: No Budget Film School presents "Cinema Language" Sunday, August 29, 2010: 9am-6pm Raleigh Studios - Chaplin Theater...
- 8/25/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
We reported on this upcoming horror flick not a few days ago and one of the things which really intrigues me about is that Daniel Myrick (Blair Witch, The Objective) is executive producing the flick. I know what you're saying, Blair Witch?! Seriously, forget that film, The Objective was awesome, so we're going to be watching this, and as such, I found a teaser I had missed in my first round of research. This is obviously some type of sales piece and is no way indicative of the film to come.
"Set in an old cabin isolated deep in the back-rivers of an unknown locale, a man lives a desolate, lonely existence. No electricity. No indoors plumbing. No means of communication. When a woman arrives at the cabin for some time away from a troubled marriage, we discover the man is actually a ghost. As she sets up house in the cabin,...
"Set in an old cabin isolated deep in the back-rivers of an unknown locale, a man lives a desolate, lonely existence. No electricity. No indoors plumbing. No means of communication. When a woman arrives at the cabin for some time away from a troubled marriage, we discover the man is actually a ghost. As she sets up house in the cabin,...
- 10/29/2008
- QuietEarth.us
If you had said the name Daniel Myrick not a month ago, I would have laughed. If his name doesn't ring a bell think Blair Witch, but after watching his latest film (with very low expectations) The Objective I was pleasantly surprised, it was actually a great film! So when I ran across this bit of news last week, that Myrick would be Executive Producing The Presence, which is directed by Tom Provost, and read the outline and synopsis, I though this has some great potential. The Presence has some interesting production ideas: The first third of the film is largely without dialogue and they say that "the unusual use of darkness will create a movie with a very distinctive look". It's basically an old fashioned ghost story with an updated style. "Set in an old cabin isolated deep in the back-rivers of an unknown locale, a man lives a desolate,...
- 10/6/2008
- QuietEarth.us
"Under Suspicion" accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat. Two of the movies' finest actors, Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman, turn in thoroughly artificial performances. Not terrible ones, mind you. But in having to give life to contrived characters caught up in an unconvincing dramatic situation, you can see how hard they have to work. In other words, you catch them acting.
Their admirers will certainly turn out in the early days of any theatrical release. But word will soon get around so only modest returns can be expected.
That Hackman and Freeman served as executive producers again underscores the old truism that actors are not always the best judges of what material is best for them. A French film, Claude Miller's "Garde a vue", apparently caught the eye of Hackman, who talked Freeman into doing a remake for Freeman's company, Revelations Entertainment.
But what was implied in the French film is overt in this American version. For director Stephen Hopkins hits every dramatic point with sledgehammer intensity. Clearly, the word "subtle" was never uttered on his set.
The film's setup has police Capt. Victor Benezet (Freeman) asking his old friend Henry Hearst (Hackman), one of Puerto Rico's most prominent lawyers, to drop by the station "for 10 minutes" to clear up a detail or two in a case under investigation. One doesn't need clairvoyance to suspect that 10 minutes will stretch to several hours.
Writers Tom Provost and W. Peter Iliff then throw in this additional melodramatic device: Henry has to be across the town square in half an hour to deliver a speech at a gala benefit -- attended by the captain's boss, no less.
Even more implausible, though, is the very idea that any lawyer would remain two minutes in a police station once he realizes he's being grilled as a suspect in the rape and murder of two young girls.
Whatever compels Henry Hearst to delve into every unsavory aspect of his sorry life in front of two cops -- with Thomas Jane's hot-tempered detective playing bad cop to Freeman's good gendarme -- is nonexistent in the script.
Henry's story changes often during the long night. And much of the hedging and dissembling can be traced to his rocky marriage to the exquisite and very young Chantal (Monica Bellucci). The evasions and other scraps of circumstantial evidence all point to Henry's guilt. Again, one doesn't need clairvoyance to see this as a sure sign of his innocence.
This is a fussy film, full of jump cuts, speeded-up action, overheated theatrics, fantastic plot twists and awkward flashbacks that bizarrely place Henry and his interrogators at the scene of the crimes.
Perhaps Hopkins hoped such techniques would distract from his improbable narrative. Or perhaps he felt this was a way to further hype the confrontation between cop and suspect. Who knows? One can be clairvoyant without being psychic.
UNDER SUSPICION
Revelations Entertainment and TC1 International
Director:Stephen Hopkins
Producers:Lori McCreary, Anne Marie Gillen, Stephen Hopkins
Screenwriters:Tom Provost, W. Peter Iliff
Based on the film "Garde a vue" written by: Claude Miller, Jean Herman, Michel Audiard
Executive producers: Morgan
Freeman, Gene Hackman, Maurice Leblond, Ross Grayson Bell
Director of photography: Peter Levy
Production designer: Cecilia Montiel
Editor: John Smith
Costume designer: Francine Jamison-Tanchuck
Music: BT
Cast:
Henry Hearst: Gene Hackman
Captain Victor Benezet: Morgan Freeman
Chantal Hearst: Monica Bellucci
Felix Owens: Thomas Jane
Running Time -- 111 minutes...
Their admirers will certainly turn out in the early days of any theatrical release. But word will soon get around so only modest returns can be expected.
That Hackman and Freeman served as executive producers again underscores the old truism that actors are not always the best judges of what material is best for them. A French film, Claude Miller's "Garde a vue", apparently caught the eye of Hackman, who talked Freeman into doing a remake for Freeman's company, Revelations Entertainment.
But what was implied in the French film is overt in this American version. For director Stephen Hopkins hits every dramatic point with sledgehammer intensity. Clearly, the word "subtle" was never uttered on his set.
The film's setup has police Capt. Victor Benezet (Freeman) asking his old friend Henry Hearst (Hackman), one of Puerto Rico's most prominent lawyers, to drop by the station "for 10 minutes" to clear up a detail or two in a case under investigation. One doesn't need clairvoyance to suspect that 10 minutes will stretch to several hours.
Writers Tom Provost and W. Peter Iliff then throw in this additional melodramatic device: Henry has to be across the town square in half an hour to deliver a speech at a gala benefit -- attended by the captain's boss, no less.
Even more implausible, though, is the very idea that any lawyer would remain two minutes in a police station once he realizes he's being grilled as a suspect in the rape and murder of two young girls.
Whatever compels Henry Hearst to delve into every unsavory aspect of his sorry life in front of two cops -- with Thomas Jane's hot-tempered detective playing bad cop to Freeman's good gendarme -- is nonexistent in the script.
Henry's story changes often during the long night. And much of the hedging and dissembling can be traced to his rocky marriage to the exquisite and very young Chantal (Monica Bellucci). The evasions and other scraps of circumstantial evidence all point to Henry's guilt. Again, one doesn't need clairvoyance to see this as a sure sign of his innocence.
This is a fussy film, full of jump cuts, speeded-up action, overheated theatrics, fantastic plot twists and awkward flashbacks that bizarrely place Henry and his interrogators at the scene of the crimes.
Perhaps Hopkins hoped such techniques would distract from his improbable narrative. Or perhaps he felt this was a way to further hype the confrontation between cop and suspect. Who knows? One can be clairvoyant without being psychic.
UNDER SUSPICION
Revelations Entertainment and TC1 International
Director:Stephen Hopkins
Producers:Lori McCreary, Anne Marie Gillen, Stephen Hopkins
Screenwriters:Tom Provost, W. Peter Iliff
Based on the film "Garde a vue" written by: Claude Miller, Jean Herman, Michel Audiard
Executive producers: Morgan
Freeman, Gene Hackman, Maurice Leblond, Ross Grayson Bell
Director of photography: Peter Levy
Production designer: Cecilia Montiel
Editor: John Smith
Costume designer: Francine Jamison-Tanchuck
Music: BT
Cast:
Henry Hearst: Gene Hackman
Captain Victor Benezet: Morgan Freeman
Chantal Hearst: Monica Bellucci
Felix Owens: Thomas Jane
Running Time -- 111 minutes...
- 5/15/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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