Tag Archives: Ruby Modine

‘DEAD GIVEAWAY’ (Philadelphia Film Festival 2025) Female buddy comedy meets whodunit.

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philadelphia film fest logoDEAD GIVEAWAY

Dead GiveawayIan Kimble brings a laugh-out-loud murder mystery, DEAD GIVEAWAY, to the Philadelphia Film Festival. After waking up hungry, with a hangover and a murdered stranger in her bed, Jill’s (Ruby Modine) day spirals into chaos as she navigates a tied-up man in her closet, an unconscious roommate, and a knife to her best friend’s neck. The goal? To get to brunch by 3:00 pm.

What does one do upon the discovery of a dead body? Call your best friend, obviously. Jill ropes in Lia, making her a potential accessory after the fact. But Jill is convinced she had nothing to do with the mystery man in her bed. Avoiding her uptight roommate and the string of men that keep coming to the door, these besties must try to remember how their night went down, and that they are still friends jonesing for brunch.

Still 3- Mikaela Hoover and Ruby Modine DEAD GIVEAWAY (Credit_ VP Independent)Mikaela Hoover is Lia. Her disgust with both her current predicament and the rather gross crime scene is only outdone by her aserbic wit. She has a familiar energy, something we have seen in classic comedy duos of the most successful sitcoms. Hoover’s distinct look matches that tangibility. Ruby Modine is hilarious. Jill, like Lia, is generally messy and self-assured. Modine harnesses a manic energy that nails the genre. The two share unhinged chemistry. It is a delightful pairing. 

Kimble and DP Anthony Berenato Jr.‘s editing is everything in this script. The audience gets bits of information in the real-time chaos of piecing things together. Combined with the camerawork, we get a perfect mix of quirky and engaging. 

The premise is an entirely absurd whodunit. You think you know what is going on, but do not get comfortable. If you are a true crime baddie, and who is not these days, DEAD GIVEAWAY will make you laugh and yell at the screen, because frankly, Jill and Lia should know better. The laughs are bottomless. Cheers to Ian Kimble and the entire team for delivering something delicious.

DEAD GIVEAWAY Clip:

Friday, October 17 at 9:45 PM (World Premiere)
Location: Film Society Center
1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Sunday, October 26 at 8:00 PM
Location: Film Society East
125 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Review: ‘Satanic Panic’ reaches (oc)cult classic status.

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presents

SATANIC PANIC

SYNOPSIS:

Sam’s first day as a pizza delivery driver is not going according to plan. At the end of a long day and not enough tips, her last delivery turns out to be for a group of Satanists looking for someone to sacrifice. Now in a fight for her life, Sam must fend off witches, evil spells and demonic creatures, all while trying to keep her body – and soul – intact.

Poor Satanists, just trying to sacrifice a virgin to bring a hell beast to walk the earth. But that darn virgin keeps getting away! Satanic Panic has practical effects that are an awesome combination of mildly silly and completely, on-point disgusting. The sets and costumes absolutely rock. But, it’s the performances and writing that kick major ass. Rebecca Romijn is goddamn spectacular. Her commitment to physical comedy is pure genius and her timelessly gorgeous face is a delight to watch on-screen. Ruby Modine gets the best, rapid-fire dialogue in the film. She’s so nonchalant you’ll be fully immersed into the wacky plot- which actually has this unexpected emotionally redemptive element involved. It is classic occult set up at its finest with extra surprising moments sprinkles in. Haley Griffith as our ingenue Sam is refreshingly innocent. She is the representation of loyalty and street smarts. Seamlessly mixed into entertaining genre goodness, the film also takes aim at generational headbutting and classism. Director Chelsea Stardust guides Satanic Panic into the cult genre with humor and a bit of magic storytelling from Grady Hendrix and Ted Geoghegan.

RLJE Films will release the horror film SATANIC PANIC in Theaters, On Demand and Digital on September 6, 2019.

SATANIC PANIC stars Hayley Griffith (“The Loudest Voice”, “The Mysteries of Laura”), Ruby Modine (“Shameless”, Happy Death Day franchise), Rebecca Romijn (X-Men franchise, “Star Trek: Discovery”), Arden Myrin (“Insatiable”, “Shameless”) and Jerry O’Connell (Stand By Me, “Billions”). The film was written by popular horror author Grady Hendrix (“We Sold Our Souls,”  “My Best Friend’s Exorcism”) and directed by up-and-coming director Chelsea Stardust (“Into The Dark”, Seeing Green).

World Premiere at the 2019 Overlook Film Festival 

Official Selection of 2019 Fantasia Film Festival