A ragtag group of folks from a small town band together when the unexpected is thrust upon them. Think The Walking Dead (RV and all), but with aliens.. and sped up in time. The intersection of different personalities makes for an intriguing story of survival. There is a beautiful first visual, and perhaps an homage to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, as we are introduced to the threat. But that does not last long. In a matter of seconds, mass explosions and hysteria as a heavily armed alien army approaches the local rugby game and obliterates the scene. It’s pretty exhilarating immediately. You are invested in these folks. The alien armor is designed in a RoboCop meets Cybermen (Doctor Who) fashion. While I wasn’t a huge fan of their appearance underneath, I’ll forgive it for all the other positive aspects. Our group takes aim at not only survival but fighting back, and making a new life for others. The film pushes forward in time quickly covering a ton of story ground. The performances are great. The FX are pretty stunning. This could have easily been an entire series. Occupation is truly action-packed and phenomenally engrossing. It goes far beyond the normal invasion movie. At its core, Occupation is about humanity.
Saban Films will release the upcoming sci-fi film OCCUPATION in theaters and on VOD and Digital HD on July 20, 2018.
The film was written and directed by Luke Sparke (Red Billabong)and starsDan Ewing (“Home and Away,” “Power Rangers R.P.M.”), Temuera Morrison (Aquaman, Green Lantern), Stephany Jacobsen (Alex Cross, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”), Rhiannon Fish (“The 100,” “Home and Away”), Zachary Garred (“General Hospital,” Marriage of Lies), Izzy Stevens (“Puberty Blues,” “Underbelly”), Charles Terrier (“Interface,” King of Ashes), Charles Mesure (“Once Upon a Time,” “The Magicians”), Trystan Go (“Small Town Hackers,” “The Family Law”), Felix Williamson (Peter Rabbit, The Great Gatsby), Jacqueline McKenzie (The Water Diviner, “The 4400”), Aaron Jeffery (Turbo Kid, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), and Bruce Spence (Winchester, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales).
Sometimes I forget how talented Keanu Reeves truly is. He can take a pretty lifeless role and make it into something we weren’t expecting. That being said, these talents are really wasted in Siberia. It’s a poor man’s John Wick. The pace is often excruciating. When it is on, it’s vastly entertaining. The potential lies within the higher stakes, action-oriented scenes, but since they are few and what feels like far between it’s tough to stay on the train. 50 minutes into the 1:44 minute run it finally feels like,”Ok now we’re getting somewhere!” Alas, it will be 15 more minutes until something relatively interesting occurs. The script really takes it damn time getting to the point.
The performances are strong. Ana Ularu is vastly underutilized opposite Reeves. There is so much going on behind that tough girl veneer, a sadness that you want to fix. She has a brilliant presence but has been diminished to sex doll with a heart of gold. Someone write her a juicy role, please. Molly Ringwald appears for what is tantamount to a cameo, speaking of underutilized. Her performance in this year’s Tribeca selection, All These Small Moments is proof we need her back in our lives on a more permanent basis. Reeves, as Lucas Hill, diamond dealer trapped in a lackluster marriage and put in a shady work position, is the only saving grace. The problem being, you can feel the pained longing to kick some real ass. Ultimately, Siberia ends up being a midlife crisis cry for help, more than anything else. It left me cold and a bit empty.
presents
A film by Andrew Fleming
Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd make a convincing couple in this absurdly hilarious and heartwarming comedy. Coogan plays eccentricity to the max as reality tv chef and newfound grandfather. His commitment to a joke, visually or otherwise, has definitely met its match in costar Paul Rudd. What makes Rudd’s performance so spectacular is the subtle mannerisms and genuine emotional connection to his character’s backstory. Redemption and the desire to make the relationship between Erasmus and Paul last drives the performance’s authenticity. Jack Gore as mistreated young Bill is the epitome of a child with no filter. Although still so young, he possesses the maturity that any writer or director would die to work with. The comic chemistry is delicious and the film’s message that a family is about love and learning is front and center through raunchy humor and tender truth. It’s a gorgeous nod to the LGBT community and their families. We need more of these stories. I have to say that Ideal Home is undoubtedly one of my favorites of the year. I am sold. 
Paul Rudd gives a stunning performance as the real-life and incredibly enigmatic “Moe” Berg. A former catcher for The Boston Red Sox, a Princeton grad, and all-around genius of a man, Berg speaks 7 languages and has the guts to take on a mission to save the world. Rudd, someone who has a natural talent for improvisation and making us laugh until we pee ourselves, carries this dramatic film like a true movie star. While his Ant-Man training certainly came in handy for this particular role, playing Berg is further proof that Rudd is underutilized outside his typical comedic fare. More dramatic roles could boost him into award season regular status. The complexities of this man are not lost in the complicated narrative of history. Three cheers to the writers on that front. The superb editing heightens the action and intrigue that leaves the viewer fully engrossed. The film easily captures what might seem like a crazy premise, use a former baseball player as a spy, until you are let into the eccentric and bold mind of Moe Berg. With striking sets and costumes and alongside a massively hard-hitting cast (the likes of Jeff Daniels, Mark Strong, Sienna Miller, Guy Pearce, Paul Giamatti, Hiroyuki Sanada), The Catcher Was A Spy is an exciting historical period drama that delves into one of the most unique stories of the WWII era.
One boisterous man was the driving force in Hollywood glamour and parties in the 70’s. He is also responsible for one of the most beloved movie musical of all time. Allan Carr was essentially a self-made PR maven. The irony of his eventual takedown by the critics that once thought he spun gold is not surprising. This film gives us everything from interviews with Carr during his ups and downs, intimate sit down interviews with friends and peers, and even footage from the infamous academy awards ceremony. But the best part of this film is feeling like you’re now part of the history of the best of Allan Carr. Who doesn’t love Grease?! La Cage is legendary. His love of the golden age of Hollywood combined with Broadway gave the world a plethora of entertainment that was someone’s cup of tea at any given point, regardless of the monetary success. Thank goodness for Allan Carr and his fabulousness. Cheers to Allan up in that malt shop in the sky.
There are so many disturbing elements in this narrative. From the real-life alt-right radio that quietly screams at you during pensive moments, to the cyclical nature of abuse. Discreet gets under your skin as it crawls into your brain. The augmented sound is somewhere in between nails on a chalkboard and brilliance. Discreet calls attention to a section of the population that feels ashamed and threatened by their desires. Travis Mathews has tapped into something many want to keep private. Performances from the entire cast pervade your viewing experience. Their effect is undeniable. The twisted plot depicted is worthy of your time, although be prepared to squirm for numerous reasons.
High school relationships, especially among girls, can turn on a dime. Emotions are in high gear which means even small miscommunications can take down friendships. In the new film The Honor List, we discover that what tears us apart can bring us back together.
High school, in general, is no cake walk, but this film delves into the cliche pitfalls of popularity in creative ways. The characters are flawed, as they should be. Each of the four main characters with their own personality and ideas. But it’s in those differences that allow the script to shine. Some of the most enduring relationships I still have from high school are with people with whom I share interests but we could not be more different from one another in most aspects almost 20 years later. True friendship happens over small moments that shape who we become. The Honor List will do well with a Freeform demographic. It’s a bit bold and very honest if not slightly saccharin at times. It would be something I would recommend Moms watch with their kids. 
Here and Now is the reason we still sit in a dark theater to experience a film. Sarah Jessica Parker is breathtaking and raw. The sound editing is stuff dreams are made of. It is noticeably heightened and for good reason. People’s cell conversations accost her while music fills the gaps in between. We track her in real time because time and sound and regret are the keys to this elegant film. Along with some stunning handheld camera work, there is simply not a hair out of place in this film’s storytelling. Here and Now explores the human connection between beauty and loss and life choices. You will be moved in ways you will never see coming. Check out the clip below for a slice of heaven that is Here and Now. *Formally titled Blue Night*
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