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

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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: ‘SHATTERED’ mixes ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘Misery’ into a thriller for the tech era.

SHATTERED

In the tradition of Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct comes this dazzling action-thriller starring Academy Award® nominee John Malkovich (RED) and Frank Grillo (Avengers: Endgame). After lonely tech millionaire Chris (Cameron Monaghan, “Shameless”) encounters charming, sexy Sky (Lilly Krug), passion grows between them – and when he’s injured, she quickly steps in as his nurse. But Sky’s odd behavior makes Chris suspect that she has more sinister intentions, especially when Sky’s roommate is found dead from mysterious causes.


Tale as old as time: Boy is lonely, boy meets girl, girl is bad for him. At first, that’s hot. Later, it’s not. Michael Douglass and Glenn Close taught us these dance moves in 1987’s Fatal Attraction. Prieto’s Shattered takes this formula, adds a helping of 1990’s Misery (James Cann plays an injured writer, and Kathy Bates is the nurse who happens to be an obsessed fan. Great movie – don’t watch if you’re squeamish about ankle torture) and gives it all a glossy high-tech setting.

Chris Decker (Shameless’ Cameron Monaghan) is our lonely boy this time around. Chris created and sold a high-tech security app while he was at MIT. Now’s he’s flush with cash, but he’s also peaked too early. That’s how he finds himself divorced, bored, and lonely in his massive Montana home. His only solace seems to be an impressive wine collection. During a late-night bottle run, he meets the mysterious and sexy Sky (Lilly Krug). She looks like trouble, but she needs a ride home, and she likes his taste in wine. What’s a guy to do?

Things get hot and heavy fast and then go wrong even faster. As in, deliriously bonkers fast. This movie is not interested in slow-burning anything – it turns the gas all the way up. Sky, of course, is not who she claims to be, and Chris finds himself in grave danger. Some films would tease this uncertainty out over many scenes, but Shattered stamps down on the gas pedal. This film burns through the plot faster than it can produce it. There’s probably another version of this film where Chris uses his own security app to slowly turn the tables on Sky – a nuanced vision of cat and mouse for the App generation. I would have also loved exploring more of the film’s snowy Montana setting.

But that film probably would have been a whole lot less visceral fun! Lilly Krug struggles a bit with the good-girl half of the film, but gamely brings Sky’s more psychopathic tendencies to life. Decker is dealt a tough hand here, his character reserved and introverted when he’s not being actively tortured. There are hints of past trauma and obsessive paranoia that I wish the film had spent more time drawing out. John Malkovich, playing a greedy landlord dressed exclusively in pastel ski jackets, chews scenery like he just finished a hunger strike.

Coming in at a tight 92 minutes, the pacing and pleasures of Shattered are more than enough to make up for any glitches in its application. You’ll double-check your password security after watching this one.


CHECK OUT THE RED BAND TRAILER: 

Lionsgate will release the thriller film SHATTERED in Select Theaters and On Demand on January 14th! Available on Blu-ray and DVD on February 22nd!

SHATTERED stars an ensemble cast of Academy Award® nominee John Malkovich (RED), Cameron Monaghan (Shameless), Frank Grillo (Avengers: Endgame)Sasha Luss (Anna), and Lilly Krug (Every Breath You Take). The film is directed by Luis Prieto (Kidnap) and was written by David Loughery (Fatale).


 

‘Deepwater Horizon’ Arriving on Digital HD December 20th and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD January 10th

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Academy Award® nominee Mark Wahlberg re-teams with director Peter Berg (Lone Survivor) in the tense, moving action drama Deepwater Horizon, arriving on Digital HD December 20th from Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE Company. Filled with powerful performances and “white-knuckle tension” (USA Today) Deepwater Horizon will be available on 4K Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital HD), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand January 10. Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh, Deepwater Horizon honors the brave men and women whose heroism would save many on board, and change all of their lives forever. This epic story of survival also stars Kurt Russell (The Hateful Eight), Academy Award® nominee John Malkovich (Best Supporting Actor, In the Line of Fire, 1993), Gina Rodriguez (TV’s “Jane the Virgin”), Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner franchise), and Academy Award® nominee Kate Hudson (Best Supporting Actress, Almost Famous, 2000).

Mark Wahlberg leads an all-star cast in this unforgettably powerful film inspired by a thrilling story of real-life heroes. For the one hundred and twenty-six people aboard the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig, April 20, 2010, began like any normal day. Before day’s end, the world would bear witness to one of the greatest man-made disasters in U.S. history. Deepwater Horizon reveals the brave acts of the men and women who rose to the challenge—and risked everything to lead others to safety.

The Deepwater Horizon 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital HD releases have over two hours of special features including an hour-long five-part series “Beyond the Horizon,” – in which Mark Wahlberg and the cast meet the real-life heroes and discuss their experiences from Deepwater Horizon –  three all-new featurettes looking at Peter Berg’s directing of the film and the incredible work involved in bringing the Deepwater Horizon rig and explosive stunts to life, and behind-the-scenes footage of how some of the most difficult scenes were shot. These releases also include tributes to America’s blue-collar workers in “Work Like an American,” featuring profiles of a real-life Deepwater Horizon firefighter, an ironworker, a longshoreman and many more hardworking Americans.  The Blu-ray of Deepwater Horizon will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. Before you start your Huntsville home theater project, consult the experts at Home Theater Pros.

The Deepwater Horizon DVD release includes two featurettes looking behind the scenes of the film and the “Work Like an American” tributes. Deepwater Horizon will be available on 4K Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.

Deepwater Horizon’s screen story by Matthew Sand with screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan and Matthew Sand.

 

4K ULTRA HD/BLU-RAY/DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES

  • “Beyond the Horizon” Hour-Long Five-Part Series
  • “Captain of the Rig: Peter Berg” Featurette
  • “The Fury of the Rig” Featurette
  • “Deepwater Surveillance” Featurette
  • “Work Like An American” Tributes

 

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

  • “The Fury of the Rig” Featurette
  • “Deepwater Surveillance” Featurette
  • “Work Like an American” Tributes

Trailer: https://youtu.be/uaia6FB4qu0

Website: owndeepwaterhorizon.com

Facebook: facebook.com/deepwaterhorizonmovie

Instagram: @DeewaterHorizonMovie

Twitter: @DWHmovie

#DeepwaterHorizonMovie

Teaser Trailer for ‘Deepwater Horizon’ starring Mark Wahlberg is here!

Deepwater Horizon

Summit Entertainment and Participant Media have released the teaser trailer for Deepwater Horizon starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Peter Berg and we have it for you below!

On April 20th, 2010, the world’s largest man-made disaster occurred on the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. Directed by Peter Berg (Lone Survivor), this story honors the brave men and women whose heroism would save many on board, and change everyone’s lives forever.

The film also stars Golden Globe® nominee Kurt Russell, Academy Award® nominee John Malkovich, Golden Globe® winner Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O’Brien and Academy Award® nominee Kate Hudson.

Deepwater Horizon arrives in theaters September 30th.