‘THE LINE’ (2024) Frat boy shenanigans, danger, and loyalty. Alex Wolff leads a slick drama that will infuriate you.

utopia logoTHE LINE

The Line poster

Director Ethan Berger’s Tribeca 2023 film THE LINE hits theaters this week. The film follows Tom, a scholarship student desperately seeking the approval of his fraternity brothers and the perks that encircle them. After starting a relationship with classmate Annabelle, a girl his peers find unsuitable, Tom finds himself trapped between tradition and danger.

the line 1The script never shies away from the cringiest of frat behavior. Don’t feel bad for your repeated eye rolls. The soundtrack is perfect for 2014.

the line 2Austin Abrams gives pledge O’Brien a much-needed vulnerability within the hyper-toxic masculinity but also counters with his own brand of hideous aggression. Much like Tom’s, his facade is more nuanced than at first glance. Abrams is great as he challenges the system. Bo Mitchell plays Tom’s roommate Mitch Miller with an infectious exuberance. He’s a hurt kid who overcompensates for not fitting in. Mitchell is spectacular.

The-LineAlex Wolff instantly became a legend in Hereditary. As Tom, he plays both sides of the card. Tom is a genuinely good person and a weak sheep, and Wolff pulls it off effortlessly by digging into Tom’s unresolved trauma. He delivers an emotional rollercoaster for the audience.

the line Alex wolffTHE LINE has an authenticity that is infuriating, which is a compliment. It touches on privilege in a marvelously slick manner. The film boasts a finale that is nothing short of perfect. THE LINE is a film that every parent should watch and something every frat brother should acknowledge.

The Line Trailer:

Opens in select theaters on October 18th,
expands on October 23rd

Synopsis

The Line is a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college fraternities and blind adherence to tradition.



Alex Wolff stars as Tom, a scholarship student desperate to break free from his working-class background who is charmed by the prestigious KNA fraternity’s promises of high social status and alumni connections that open doors. But upon beginning a romance with Annabelle (Halle Bailey), a classmate outside of his social circle, and the manipulative schemes of his fraternity president (Lewis Pullman) unfolding during the hazing of new members, Tom finds himself ensnared in a perilous game of ambition and loyalty.



About the Director



Ethan Berger was born and raised in Los Angeles. He has his B.A. in Film Studies from Wesleyan University. He started his career as an editor before transitioning to writing and directing commercials. He’s made nationally televised spots for brands like Jordan Brand and Stella Artois and web spots for Nike and Intel. He was a writer and a producer on the 8-part mini-series “More Than an Athlete” for ESPN, chronicling the rise of LeBron James, Mav Carter, Rich Paul, and Randy Mims. His debut narrative The Line, which he wrote and directed, premiered at Tribeca Festival in the summer of 2023.


Director: Ethan Berger

Screenwriters: Ethan Berger, Alex Russek

Producers: Alexandre Dauman, Jack Parker, Adam Paulsen, Lije Sarki

Executive Producers: Taylor Grant, Zack Purdo, Ramanan Sivalingam, Dustin Zhang, Magnus Rausing, Ryan Alexander, Stacey Grant, Jay Van Hoy, Marc Porterfield

Cast: Alex Wolff, Lewis Pullman, Halle Bailey, Austin Abrams, Angus Cloud, Bo Mitchell, Cheri Oteri, Scoot McNairy, Denise Richards, John Malkovich

Cinematographer: Stefan Weinberger

Production Designer: Francesca Palombo

Costume Designer: Akua Murray-Adoboe

Editor: Ted Feldman

Composer: Daniel Rossen

Casting Director: Chris Freihofer

Country: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 100 minutes

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Review: ‘Patriot’s Day’

The terror attack on the 2013 Boston Marathon is the subject of the new Peter Berg movie Patriot’s Day, a story of one cities courage and strength in the face of adversity. The film follows the attack and the events following as the FBI and Boston police begin the manhunt for the people responsible for the senseless act. Mark Wahlberg leads an all star cast in this powerful rendition that will give you a first hand account of the men and women behind the scenes work that brought the terrorists to justice.

Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) is a Boston police officer at the center of the action after brothers Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Alex Wolff) and Tamerlan Tsarnaev (Themo Melikidze) plant man made bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon killing and wounding spectators and participants. Following the events, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman), Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in the FBI’s Boston field office (Kevin Bacon) and Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick (Michael Beach) assemble a task force to hunt down those responsible for the heinous attack. We’re introduced to victims of the attacks including Jessica Kensky (Rachel Brosnahan) and Patrick Downes (Christopher O’Shea), a young married couple injured during at the finish line, Officer Sean Collier (Jake Picking), a young MIT security guard who encounters the brothers on the run and Dun Meng (Jimmy O. Yang), a young Chinese native abducted by the brothers during their escape and Watertown Police Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese (J.K. Simmons), one of the men responsible in the completion of the manhunt. Each story gives us insight into the effects the attacks had on a multitude of people throughout the Greater Boston area.

Director Peter Berg, a veteran to strong telling of dramatic content, provides a carefully crafted telling of the events by focusing on the emotional aspect of those effected without over politicizing. It allows the audience to experience the aftermath of a horrific attack and the work that goes into catching the bombers. The pace is thrilling and the acting is superb. Patriots Day is a wonderful film that honors the men and women of Boston and the strength of that great city. It’s a film not to be missed.

Stars:

4 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

No

Trailer:

‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2’ Trailer is Here! Opa!

635748046714667272-xxx-my-big-fat-greek-wedding-2003-74997664Gold Circle Entertainment and HBO present a Playtone production of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time.  Written by Academy Award® nominee Nia Vardalos, who stars alongside the entire returning cast of favorites, the film reveals a Portokalos family secret that will bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.

The film also stars John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Elena Kampouris, Alex Wolff, Louis Mandylor, Bess Meisler, Bruce Gray, Fiona Reid, Ian Gomez, Jayne Eastwood, Mark Margolis, Andrea Martin and Michael Constantine.

Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Waking Ned Devine) directs the next chapter of the film that will be once again produced by Rita Wilson and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.  Paul Brooks and Steve Shareshian return to executive produce alongside Vardalos and Scott Niemeyer.  Universal Pictures will distribute the comedy domestically and in select international territories.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 hits theaters March 26, 2016