Following in the wake of Searching and Missing, the next “Screenlife” thriller on the way is titled Resurrected, and it comes courtesy of Searching producer Timur Bekmambetov.
Deadline reports today that XYZ Films has acquired North American rights to Resurrected, which is being billed as a sci-fi thriller. Dave Davis (The Vigil) stars in the film.
“Plans for the film’s release have not yet been disclosed,” Deadline notes.
“Resurrected is set in a near future where the Catholic Church has found the secret to resurrection. They only grant a second life, however, to sinless believers under 65. Stanley, whose son was the first to be resurrected, finds the awful conspiracy behind the secret to eternal life, and now the Church will stop at nothing to prevent him from exposing the truth.”
Egor Baranov (Netflix’s S’parta) directed the pic, which was co-produced with France’s Logical Pictures (The Deep House), in association with Pulsar Content.
Deadline reports today that XYZ Films has acquired North American rights to Resurrected, which is being billed as a sci-fi thriller. Dave Davis (The Vigil) stars in the film.
“Plans for the film’s release have not yet been disclosed,” Deadline notes.
“Resurrected is set in a near future where the Catholic Church has found the secret to resurrection. They only grant a second life, however, to sinless believers under 65. Stanley, whose son was the first to be resurrected, finds the awful conspiracy behind the secret to eternal life, and now the Church will stop at nothing to prevent him from exposing the truth.”
Egor Baranov (Netflix’s S’parta) directed the pic, which was co-produced with France’s Logical Pictures (The Deep House), in association with Pulsar Content.
- 5/15/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: XYZ Films has secured North American rights to the sci-fi thriller Resurrected, starring The Vigil‘s Dave Davis, from international sales agent Pulsar Content. Plans for the film’s release have not yet been disclosed.
Produced by Timur Bekmambetov’s Bazelevs, the company behind such titles as Searching and Wanted, Resurrected is set in a near future where the Catholic Church has found the secret to resurrection. They only grant a second life, however, to sinless believers under 65. Our protagonist Stanley (Davis), whose son was the first to be resurrected, finds the awful conspiracy behind the secret to eternal life, and now the Church will stop at nothing to prevent him from exposing the truth.
Egor Baranov (Netflix’s S’parta) directed the pic, which was co-produced with France’s Logical Pictures (The Deep House), in association with Pulsar Content. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, with Baranov...
Produced by Timur Bekmambetov’s Bazelevs, the company behind such titles as Searching and Wanted, Resurrected is set in a near future where the Catholic Church has found the secret to resurrection. They only grant a second life, however, to sinless believers under 65. Our protagonist Stanley (Davis), whose son was the first to be resurrected, finds the awful conspiracy behind the secret to eternal life, and now the Church will stop at nothing to prevent him from exposing the truth.
Egor Baranov (Netflix’s S’parta) directed the pic, which was co-produced with France’s Logical Pictures (The Deep House), in association with Pulsar Content. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, with Baranov...
- 5/15/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom still divides fans. Some love it; others think it’s too dark and mean-spirited. Director Steven Spielberg himself has always said that the film was a product of an unhappy time in his life, but even still, the movie paved the way for his successful, long-lasting second marriage to the film’s co-star Kate Capshaw. With Ke Huy Quan, who memorably played Indiana Jones’ kid sidekick Short Round, back in the limelight for Everything Everywhere All At Once, we thought now would be a great time to look back at this divisive entry in the series.
Indeed, the filmmakers were under a lot of pressure to top Raiders of the Lost Ark. George Lucas opted for the then-novel approach to make the film a prequel, showing how Indy’s archeologist was once more interested in money than heroics, only to change his tune...
Indeed, the filmmakers were under a lot of pressure to top Raiders of the Lost Ark. George Lucas opted for the then-novel approach to make the film a prequel, showing how Indy’s archeologist was once more interested in money than heroics, only to change his tune...
- 3/1/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Face Off journeys into the Future for an epic battle: Demolition Man vs. Minority Report!
We’ve seen many different and iconic visions of futuristic societies in film, from the distinctive fire-belching skyline and perpetual rain of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner to the towering chaos of New York in The Fifth Element. There’s the grimy concrete of Dredd’s overcrowded Mega City One, the utopian domes of Logan’s Run, the vibrant cyberpunk metropolis of Akira’s Neo Tokyo, and who could forget the hoverboards and holograms of Back to the Future Part 2’s more pleasant Hill Valley circa 2015. Huh, it’s weird to think that all Back to the Future movies take place in the past now.
But for this episode, we’re going to visit the worlds of two other well-known sci-fi/action movies that, perhaps surprisingly, share a few similarities: Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report starring Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell,...
We’ve seen many different and iconic visions of futuristic societies in film, from the distinctive fire-belching skyline and perpetual rain of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner to the towering chaos of New York in The Fifth Element. There’s the grimy concrete of Dredd’s overcrowded Mega City One, the utopian domes of Logan’s Run, the vibrant cyberpunk metropolis of Akira’s Neo Tokyo, and who could forget the hoverboards and holograms of Back to the Future Part 2’s more pleasant Hill Valley circa 2015. Huh, it’s weird to think that all Back to the Future movies take place in the past now.
But for this episode, we’re going to visit the worlds of two other well-known sci-fi/action movies that, perhaps surprisingly, share a few similarities: Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report starring Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell,...
- 2/26/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Face Off: The JoBlo original series that puts two worthy foes in the ring for an epic clash! Whether it’s a pair of movies, actors, iconic characters, franchises, originals vs. remakes, directors, or whatever else we can think of, it’s time for a showdown!
In this episode, it’s a Battle of the Bonds! During the 1990s, Pierce Brosnan took over the iconic role of suave agent 007 for four gadget-filled films, followed by Daniel Craig in a more modern, grittier take on Ian Fleming’s famous superspy. But who was the better Bond? And did No Time to Die sway your opinion? Only one way to find out: Face Off!!
Who do you think did it better? Pierce Brosnan’s fantasy-like 007 or Daniel Craig’s down-and-gritty James Bond. Let us know in the comments.
This episode of JoBlo Face Off was written by Daniel Woburn, narrated and produced by Dave Davis,...
In this episode, it’s a Battle of the Bonds! During the 1990s, Pierce Brosnan took over the iconic role of suave agent 007 for four gadget-filled films, followed by Daniel Craig in a more modern, grittier take on Ian Fleming’s famous superspy. But who was the better Bond? And did No Time to Die sway your opinion? Only one way to find out: Face Off!!
Who do you think did it better? Pierce Brosnan’s fantasy-like 007 or Daniel Craig’s down-and-gritty James Bond. Let us know in the comments.
This episode of JoBlo Face Off was written by Daniel Woburn, narrated and produced by Dave Davis,...
- 1/22/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Face/Off ranks as the most universally acclaimed of director John Woo’s North American output. While Hard Target is a cult classic, and Broken Arrow was a solid hit, 1997’s Face/Off was the first time Woo got to really flex his action chops, being granted creative control by the studio. It’s his only American film that comes close to matching his Hong Kong classics like The Killer and Hard-Boiled. The result was a star-driven action extravaganza that became one of the biggest worldwide hits of the year.
In it, John Travolta plays Sean Archer, an FBI agent looking to avenge the death of his son at the hands of a terrorist for hire named Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). He manages to catch Troy, but not before the terrorist places a bomb somewhere in Los Angeles, leading to a wild plot. Archer will take the catatonic Troy’s face and...
In it, John Travolta plays Sean Archer, an FBI agent looking to avenge the death of his son at the hands of a terrorist for hire named Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). He manages to catch Troy, but not before the terrorist places a bomb somewhere in Los Angeles, leading to a wild plot. Archer will take the catatonic Troy’s face and...
- 1/11/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
It’s safe to say a lot of lives were forever changed in 1987 with the release of Robocop, led by Peter Weller in the titular role and directed by auteur Paul Verhoeven. The deliciously violent film was praised as a weirdly humorous work of outsider art rooted in deeper meaning. Seriously, can you imagine a major studio releasing this now? It’s nearly impossible to fit the movie into a box: it’s a sci-fi action picture, a horror movie, a satire, a philosophical drama about what it means to be human. It’s a hard R even by today’s standards, and yet it also targeted kids with video games and action figure tie-ins. This movie had a Toy Line from Kenner! The 80s were a helluva time.
It took a while before the inevitable happened: a remake saw the light of day in 2014 from Brazilian director Jose Padilha,...
It took a while before the inevitable happened: a remake saw the light of day in 2014 from Brazilian director Jose Padilha,...
- 1/8/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Let’s settle this debate once and for all; despite what anyone says, 1988’s Die Hard is most definitely a Christmas movie. It may be the greatest Christmas movie ever, although there are more challengers to the throne than you may think. One of the eighties’ other most influential action movies, Lethal Weapon, which came a year before Die Hard in 1987, is itself one heck of a good Christmas movie. Like Die Hard, no one thought of it as a Christmas movie when it first came out. Die Hard was a summer movie, while Lethal Weapon came out in March. Yet, over the years, it became a yuletide favorite, and indeed it has some rich Christmas themes, such as the importance of family, second chances, redemption and more.
Of course, both movies also happen to be among the best action flicks of their respective eras, so in this episode of JoBlo Face-Off,...
Of course, both movies also happen to be among the best action flicks of their respective eras, so in this episode of JoBlo Face-Off,...
- 12/31/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
One word that comes to mind when you hear the title Die Hard is “definitive.” After all, it’s widely considered star Bruce Willis’ definitive role. Still, it’s also, arguably, the definitive action movie and even the definitive Christmas movie by some (in a debate that’s grown a bit tiresome). Indeed, Bruce Willis as John McClane, fighting terrorists in the Nakatomi skyscraper in Los Angeles, is a defining image of the eighties. Director John McTiernan, writers Steven E. De Souza and Jeb Stuart, and star Bruce Willis crafted a carnage-filled epic grounded by a very human hero – John McClane, who was a notable departure from the icons of the genre at the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. McClane was no superman. Instead, he was human, flawed and broken-hearted over his failed marriage. His only goal was to rescue his estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) and get home for Christmas with his kids.
- 12/14/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
It goes without saying that Quentin Tarantino is one of the most exciting and brilliant writer-directors living today. Since he broke big all the way back in 1992, cinephiles anticipate new Tarantino movies like the way sneakerheads await new Air Jordans. Tarantino’s movies are notable for their quirky melding of ultraviolence and comedy, their outstanding casts imbued with Quentin’s patented clever dialogue, and as of late, for the way they rewrite history to make us revel in an alternate universe where good triumphs over evil. Even though Tarantino has sworn to be retiring after 10 movies — yes, Kill Bill counts as 1 movie — we hope the filmmaker doesn’t make retirement permanent.
Everyone has their own ranking of Qt’s movies — never an easy venture, mind you — but today we’re focused on two of his later classics: 2009’s Inglourious Basterds, and 2012’s Django Unchained. Both Oscar-winning movies are bold, frequently outrageous,...
Everyone has their own ranking of Qt’s movies — never an easy venture, mind you — but today we’re focused on two of his later classics: 2009’s Inglourious Basterds, and 2012’s Django Unchained. Both Oscar-winning movies are bold, frequently outrageous,...
- 12/4/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Presence: "XYZ Films is proud to announce that Christian Schultz's Presence will land on North American VOD on November 17th, following a thrilling festival run that included Popcorn Frights and Panic Fest.
After leaving New York after a mental breakdown, Jennifer (The Kominsky Method's Jenna Lyng Adams) is contacted by her best friend about good news concerning their joint business venture. Within the hour, Jennifer is boarding a private plane and walking down the dock to a billionaire’s private yacht.
All seems well, except that Jennifer is plagued by violent, unsettling visions. Is her unchecked anxiety attempting to self-sabotage her once again... or has a sinister presence latched onto her?
Directed by Christian Schultz from a screenplay co-written with Peter Ambrosio, the film is produced by Donny Broussard, Thomas Johnston, Isaiah Laborde, Murray Anthony Roth, and John Paul Summers. The ALLaBorde Films production stars Jenna Lyng Adams (The...
After leaving New York after a mental breakdown, Jennifer (The Kominsky Method's Jenna Lyng Adams) is contacted by her best friend about good news concerning their joint business venture. Within the hour, Jennifer is boarding a private plane and walking down the dock to a billionaire’s private yacht.
All seems well, except that Jennifer is plagued by violent, unsettling visions. Is her unchecked anxiety attempting to self-sabotage her once again... or has a sinister presence latched onto her?
Directed by Christian Schultz from a screenplay co-written with Peter Ambrosio, the film is produced by Donny Broussard, Thomas Johnston, Isaiah Laborde, Murray Anthony Roth, and John Paul Summers. The ALLaBorde Films production stars Jenna Lyng Adams (The...
- 11/13/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Pulsar Content and XYZ Films have teamed up to handle sales on “Bloat,” a horror movie starring Ben McKenzie (“Gotham”) and Bojana Novakovic (“Devil”).
The movie is set up as an international co-production between Timur Bekmambetov’s banner Bazelevs, whose credits include “Wanted,” “Unfriended,” “Searching” and “Resurrected,” France’s Pulsar Content (“The Deep House”) and Japanese production company flag Co., Ltd.
Written and directed by up-and-coming Tokyo-based horror filmmaker Pablo Absento (“Shi”), “Bloat” tells the story of a mother (Novakovic) and two sons who are vacationing in Japan. The father of the family (McKenzie), who is a military officer, is away stationed in Turkey. During their stay outside Tokyo, their younger son almost drowns in a lake. Soon after the accident, the parents realize that something is wrong with their boy.
Filming began in New York earlier this year and wrapped up in Tokyo in October. The post-production is set...
The movie is set up as an international co-production between Timur Bekmambetov’s banner Bazelevs, whose credits include “Wanted,” “Unfriended,” “Searching” and “Resurrected,” France’s Pulsar Content (“The Deep House”) and Japanese production company flag Co., Ltd.
Written and directed by up-and-coming Tokyo-based horror filmmaker Pablo Absento (“Shi”), “Bloat” tells the story of a mother (Novakovic) and two sons who are vacationing in Japan. The father of the family (McKenzie), who is a military officer, is away stationed in Turkey. During their stay outside Tokyo, their younger son almost drowns in a lake. Soon after the accident, the parents realize that something is wrong with their boy.
Filming began in New York earlier this year and wrapped up in Tokyo in October. The post-production is set...
- 10/28/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Watch the Trailer for Presence: "After leaving New York after a mental breakdown, Jennifer (The Kominsky Method's Jenna Lyng Adams) is contacted by her best friend about good news concerning their joint business venture. Within the hour, Jennifer is boarding a private plane and walking down the dock to a billionaire’s private yacht.
All seems well, except that Jennifer is plagued by violent, unsettling visions. Is her unchecked anxiety attempting to self-sabotage her once again... or has a sinister presence latched onto her?
Directed by Christian Schultz from a screenplay co-written with Peter Ambrosio, the thriller is produced by Donny Broussard, Thomas Johnston, Isaiah Laborde, Murray Anthony Roth, and John Paul Summers. The ALLaBorde Films production stars Jenna Lyng Adams (The Kominsky Method), Dave Davis (The Vigil), and Alexandria DeBerry."
Available on VOD November 17th from XYZ Films
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Sweet Molly: "Salt Lake City - Utah filmmaker, award nominated director and writer,...
All seems well, except that Jennifer is plagued by violent, unsettling visions. Is her unchecked anxiety attempting to self-sabotage her once again... or has a sinister presence latched onto her?
Directed by Christian Schultz from a screenplay co-written with Peter Ambrosio, the thriller is produced by Donny Broussard, Thomas Johnston, Isaiah Laborde, Murray Anthony Roth, and John Paul Summers. The ALLaBorde Films production stars Jenna Lyng Adams (The Kominsky Method), Dave Davis (The Vigil), and Alexandria DeBerry."
Available on VOD November 17th from XYZ Films
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Sweet Molly: "Salt Lake City - Utah filmmaker, award nominated director and writer,...
- 10/21/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Presence Trailer — Christian Schultz‘s Presence (2022) movie trailer has been released by XYZ Films. The Presence trailer stars Jenna Lyng Adams, Dave Davis, Alexandria DeBerry, Major Dodge, and Octavio Pisano. Crew Peter Ambrosio and Christian Schultz wrote the screenplay for Presence. “Produced by Dave Davis, Isaiah Laborde, John Paul Summers.” Plot Synopsis Presence‘s plot synopsis: “After leaving [...]
Continue reading: Presence (2022) Movie Trailer: A Sinister Presence May Have Attached itself to Jenna Lyng Adams...
Continue reading: Presence (2022) Movie Trailer: A Sinister Presence May Have Attached itself to Jenna Lyng Adams...
- 10/20/2022
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
"One bad dream can't ruin everything." Or maybe it can?? XYZ Films has revealed an official trailer for an indie horror thriller film titled Presence, marking the narrative feature debut of up-and-coming filmmaker Christian Schultz. This initially premiered at Panic Fest and will be out on VOD in November next month. Two young business partners are invited to a week-long private yachting voyage with a potential investor. At night, Jennifer's dreams begin to bleed into reality as the others realize that Jennifer may have unknowingly brought something sinister on-board. What dark secrets is she hiding from them? This stars Jenna Lyng Adams, Dave Davis, Alexandria DeBerry, Major Dodge, & Octavio Pisano. Unsurprisingly the film looks entirely unoriginal, with plenty of cliche tropes, topped off with a rich guy and a big yacht. Watch out. ›››
View the Post: Scary Trailer for Yacht Horror 'Presence' Starring Jenna Lyng Adams...
View the Post: Scary Trailer for Yacht Horror 'Presence' Starring Jenna Lyng Adams...
- 10/20/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Walter Hill’s The Warriors is a cult classic. Since its release in 1979, audiences have returned to this tightly woven tale of a gang of rebels stuck on a rival territory following a big gang meet-up gone awry. There’s so much quotable dialogue, and it kicked off a fantastic run for director Walter Hill, including 48 Hrs, Streets of Fire, Extreme Prejudice, and even the recent Dead for a Dollar. However, the film was rife with issues, including a leading man being fired early in production and full-scale riots that erupted after the movie opened.
The Warriors is a celebrated slice of cinema that taps into the urges of fans, letting them live a gang fantasy on the silver screen, unlike other films. People still dress as the warring factions for Halloween, and video game developers have used the movie as a template for territorial scuffles for generations. What...
The Warriors is a celebrated slice of cinema that taps into the urges of fans, letting them live a gang fantasy on the silver screen, unlike other films. People still dress as the warring factions for Halloween, and video game developers have used the movie as a template for territorial scuffles for generations. What...
- 10/12/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
J-Horror Bloat featuring Gotham star Ben McKenzie and Beyond Skyline actress Bojana Novakovic has finished up its principal photography in Japan, Bloody Disgusting learned today.
In the film…
“The story unfolds around a mom (Novakovich) and two sons who are vacationing in Japan while the father of the family (McKenzie), a military officer, is away stationed in Turkey. During their stay outside Tokyo, their younger son almost drowns in a lake. Soon after the accident, the parents realize that something is wrong with their boy.”
The filming locations included Tokyo, featuring one of its most recognizable sights, Shibuya Crossing, as well as Yamanashi, known for the iconic Mount Fuji. According to the tradition with all Japanese horror films, Bloat shooting began with a blessing at a local temple, explains the press release.
Bloat is written and directed by Tokyo-based horror filmmaker Pablo Absento. The new horror will feature Bon Koizumi,...
In the film…
“The story unfolds around a mom (Novakovich) and two sons who are vacationing in Japan while the father of the family (McKenzie), a military officer, is away stationed in Turkey. During their stay outside Tokyo, their younger son almost drowns in a lake. Soon after the accident, the parents realize that something is wrong with their boy.”
The filming locations included Tokyo, featuring one of its most recognizable sights, Shibuya Crossing, as well as Yamanashi, known for the iconic Mount Fuji. According to the tradition with all Japanese horror films, Bloat shooting began with a blessing at a local temple, explains the press release.
Bloat is written and directed by Tokyo-based horror filmmaker Pablo Absento. The new horror will feature Bon Koizumi,...
- 10/3/2022
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Fans widely saw 2012’s Dredd as the movie that finally got Judge Dredd right. The 1995 Sylvester Stallone film was a notable flop, with Stallone’s career taking years to recover, and many thought the idea of making a movie based on the 2000 A.D character wasn’t going to be in the cards. However, the 2012 film, which starred Karl Urban in the lead opposite Olvia Thirlby and Lena Headey, was adored by fans and is considered one of the best sci-fi action films in recent years. Yet, it was a financial bust, and behind the scenes, there was a lot of drama involving the credited director, Pete Travis, and writer-producer Alex Garland.
Like The Raid: Redemption, Dredd takes its approach to action floor-by-floor in a dilapidated apartment complex. With bullets whizzing by, drugs consumed, and a bounty on the heads of our heroes, Travis’ film takes the title character beyond his limits.
Like The Raid: Redemption, Dredd takes its approach to action floor-by-floor in a dilapidated apartment complex. With bullets whizzing by, drugs consumed, and a bounty on the heads of our heroes, Travis’ film takes the title character beyond his limits.
- 9/14/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
It’s not a stretch to say that James Cameron’s The Terminator might be one of the most influential movies of all time. Produced on a shoestring budget, The Terminator introduced the world to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 and Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor, mother of the human resistance. In this original classic, Arnie’s T-800 is a terrifying figure, much different from the heroic character we’d come to love in the sequels. Here, he’s sent back to kill Sarah Connor before she can give birth to her son John Connor, only to be protected by a heroic soldier from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn). With its iconic, menacing score by Brad Fiedel and novel FX via Stan Winston, The Terminator is considered by many to be one of the best sci-fi action hybrids ever. Still, the road to the big screen was not easy for James Cameron’s epic.
- 8/23/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Question – what do The Fonz and Iron Man have in common? Well, you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out as two legends of the entertainment business battle it out To The Death! Well, maybe not quite as extreme as that, but it will be one grueling fight as we traverse across galaxies, encounter the supernatural, race Formula One vehicles, and generally find all sorts of drama by taking a closer look at the careers of two of the most important figures still working in the film and television industry today.
With the newly released Thirteen Lives, a dramatic account of the real-life event that saw a group of young soccer players and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand, as well as the continued success of the Star Wars franchise through The Mandalorian on Disney+, what better time than now to compare the vastly different yet...
With the newly released Thirteen Lives, a dramatic account of the real-life event that saw a group of young soccer players and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand, as well as the continued success of the Star Wars franchise through The Mandalorian on Disney+, what better time than now to compare the vastly different yet...
- 8/15/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Spider-Man: No Way Home lead this year’s film nominations for the Critics Choice Association’s second annual Super Awards, with five noms apiece including Best Superhero Movie. Evil and Midnight Mass tied for the most television nominations, each earning six noms including Best Horror Series.
The Critics Choice Super Awards, are designed to honor the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across movies and TV, including Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror and Action categories. Winners will be revealed on Thursday, March 17. The Super Awards, which will not be telecast this year, are a separate entity from the Critics Choice Awards, which honor the best in film and TV and will air on the CW and TBS on Sunday, March 13.
Here are the nominations for the second annual Critics Choice Super Awards nominations:
Film
Best Action Movie
Gunpowder Milkshake
The Harder They Fall...
The Critics Choice Super Awards, are designed to honor the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across movies and TV, including Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror and Action categories. Winners will be revealed on Thursday, March 17. The Super Awards, which will not be telecast this year, are a separate entity from the Critics Choice Awards, which honor the best in film and TV and will air on the CW and TBS on Sunday, March 13.
Here are the nominations for the second annual Critics Choice Super Awards nominations:
Film
Best Action Movie
Gunpowder Milkshake
The Harder They Fall...
- 2/22/2022
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Shang-Chi: The Legend of the Ten Rings” lead the nominations for the second annual Critics Choice Super Awards, an awards show designed to celebrate the kind of superhero, sci-fi/fantasy, horror and action films that aren’t usually honored by the critics.
The Critics Choice Association announced the nominations on Tuesday morning, with “Spider-Man” and “Shang-Chi” each receiving five nominations, including Best Superhero Movie. “No Time to Die,” “The Harder They Fall,” “The Suicide Squad” and “Don’t Look Up,” the Adam McKay comedy classified by the Critics Choice Association as a science fiction or fantasy movie, received four each.
Last year’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, “Titane,” was classified as a horror film by the Cca and received three nominations. Other films with that many noms included “Black Widow,” “Candyman,” “Free Guy,” “Last Night in Soho,” “The Green Knight,” “The Last Duel” and the...
The Critics Choice Association announced the nominations on Tuesday morning, with “Spider-Man” and “Shang-Chi” each receiving five nominations, including Best Superhero Movie. “No Time to Die,” “The Harder They Fall,” “The Suicide Squad” and “Don’t Look Up,” the Adam McKay comedy classified by the Critics Choice Association as a science fiction or fantasy movie, received four each.
Last year’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, “Titane,” was classified as a horror film by the Cca and received three nominations. Other films with that many noms included “Black Widow,” “Candyman,” “Free Guy,” “Last Night in Soho,” “The Green Knight,” “The Last Duel” and the...
- 2/22/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Critics Choice Association announced the nominations for the 2nd annual Critics Choice Super Awards, honoring the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across film and television.
Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and Jon Watts’ “Spider-Man: No Way Home” led the film nominations with five noms each. Two of the three Peter Parkers landed acting mentions for Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland, but Tobey Maguire was omitted from the list.
“Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” the four-hour cut of his superhero film with Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot, also landed in the best superhero movie category alongside “Black Widow,” “Eternals,” “Shang-Chi,” “Spider-Man” and “The Suicide Squad.”
On the television side, Paramount Plus’ “Evil” and Netflix’s “Midnight Mass” led with six apiece. Disney Plus dominated the superhero categories with multiple nominations for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Hawkeye,” “Loki” and “WandaVision.”
The winners will...
Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and Jon Watts’ “Spider-Man: No Way Home” led the film nominations with five noms each. Two of the three Peter Parkers landed acting mentions for Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland, but Tobey Maguire was omitted from the list.
“Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” the four-hour cut of his superhero film with Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot, also landed in the best superhero movie category alongside “Black Widow,” “Eternals,” “Shang-Chi,” “Spider-Man” and “The Suicide Squad.”
On the television side, Paramount Plus’ “Evil” and Netflix’s “Midnight Mass” led with six apiece. Disney Plus dominated the superhero categories with multiple nominations for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Hawkeye,” “Loki” and “WandaVision.”
The winners will...
- 2/22/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“Gotham” star Ben McKenzie and “Instinct” actress Bojana Novakovic are attached to star in the new J-horror film “Bloat,” Variety can reveal.
Produced by Bazelevs, the production banner of Screenlife pioneer Timur Bekmambetov, “Bloat” is a co-production with Russian streaming platform Okko, French production and sales house Pulsar Content (“The Deep House”), and Japanese production company flag Co., Ltd.
Filming has already started in New York and will continue in Japan. Pic marks the first time Okko has co-financed an international production. Pulsar Content will handle international sales and is launching pre-sales at the European Film Market.
“Bloat” stars McKenzie as a military officer stationed in Turkey while his wife (Novakovic) is vacationing in Japan with their kids. During the stay, their younger son almost drowns in a lake. Soon after the accident, the parents realize that something is wrong with their boy.
McKenzie’s critically acclaimed roles include the...
Produced by Bazelevs, the production banner of Screenlife pioneer Timur Bekmambetov, “Bloat” is a co-production with Russian streaming platform Okko, French production and sales house Pulsar Content (“The Deep House”), and Japanese production company flag Co., Ltd.
Filming has already started in New York and will continue in Japan. Pic marks the first time Okko has co-financed an international production. Pulsar Content will handle international sales and is launching pre-sales at the European Film Market.
“Bloat” stars McKenzie as a military officer stationed in Turkey while his wife (Novakovic) is vacationing in Japan with their kids. During the stay, their younger son almost drowns in a lake. Soon after the accident, the parents realize that something is wrong with their boy.
McKenzie’s critically acclaimed roles include the...
- 2/11/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The Vigil
The first two acts of Keith Thomas’ film are effective enough, as a young man named Yakov, having recently left Orthodox Jewish community after a traumatic incident, is tasked with keeping vigil over a recently deceased man who he soon finds had been targeted by a dangerous spirit. But it’s in the third act when the film becomes truly special as Thomas merges themes of Jewish demonology, grief, and faith into perhaps the most satisfyingly bittersweet ending of any movie this year. Huge credit is also due to Dave Davis, who as Yakov carries a lot of the heavy lifting both in the turmoil from his past and the terrifying entity that’s got him in its crosshairs. It’s quite haunting and also incorporates interesting themes about finding your path in the world even after living through unimaginable heartbreak.
Halloween Kills
If you’ve listened to...
The first two acts of Keith Thomas’ film are effective enough, as a young man named Yakov, having recently left Orthodox Jewish community after a traumatic incident, is tasked with keeping vigil over a recently deceased man who he soon finds had been targeted by a dangerous spirit. But it’s in the third act when the film becomes truly special as Thomas merges themes of Jewish demonology, grief, and faith into perhaps the most satisfyingly bittersweet ending of any movie this year. Huge credit is also due to Dave Davis, who as Yakov carries a lot of the heavy lifting both in the turmoil from his past and the terrifying entity that’s got him in its crosshairs. It’s quite haunting and also incorporates interesting themes about finding your path in the world even after living through unimaginable heartbreak.
Halloween Kills
If you’ve listened to...
- 1/6/2022
- by Bryan Christopher
- DailyDead
Russian-Kazakh multi-hyphenate Timur Bekmambetov has teamed up with MarVista Entertainment, Endeavor Content and Pulsar Content on a slate of feature films in his pioneering Screenlife format that will be presented to buyers at the TIFF market.
Bekmambetov told Variety during the Toronto Film Festival, that the rapid growth, critical recognition and box-office success of Screenlife films – which take place almost entirely on smartphones and computer screens – prove the format is “more than just a gimmick.”
“It is the first time the presence of Screenlife movies at a major film market is so prominent,” he said. “Just a few years ago, film festivals and industry events used to have only one or two [Screenlife] pictures in the program or in the sales slate, but now it’s already multiple studios and distributors producing and promoting dozens of movies set on a computer or a smartphone screen.”
Two of the six titles Bekmambetov...
Bekmambetov told Variety during the Toronto Film Festival, that the rapid growth, critical recognition and box-office success of Screenlife films – which take place almost entirely on smartphones and computer screens – prove the format is “more than just a gimmick.”
“It is the first time the presence of Screenlife movies at a major film market is so prominent,” he said. “Just a few years ago, film festivals and industry events used to have only one or two [Screenlife] pictures in the program or in the sales slate, but now it’s already multiple studios and distributors producing and promoting dozens of movies set on a computer or a smartphone screen.”
Two of the six titles Bekmambetov...
- 9/14/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Timur Bekmambetov, the Russian writer-director-producer behind such pics as 2004’s “Night Watch” and 2008’s “Wanted,” has just started shooting his latest production, the English-language sci-fi thriller “Resurrected” in L.A. with Dave Davis.
Up-and-coming Russian director Egor Baranov, whose credits include the Russian B.O. hit trilogy “Gogol” and Netflix’s “Sparta” series, is directing the film. Bekmanbetov is producing “Resurrected” with Maria Zatulovskaya through the banner Bazelevs, with David Meadeb at Logical Pictures, in association with Aleksandr Fomin at Pulsar Content, the sales banner launched by Gilles Sousa and Marie Garrett.
The film is being made using Bekmanbetov’s pioneering Screenlife storytelling and technology, revolving solely around the screen activity of characters who are seen through their digital devices. Bekmanbetov previously delivered several hit films in this Screenlife format, notably “Searching” which was released worldwide by Sony, as well as the “Unfriended” franchise released by BlumHouse and Universal, and “Profile,...
Up-and-coming Russian director Egor Baranov, whose credits include the Russian B.O. hit trilogy “Gogol” and Netflix’s “Sparta” series, is directing the film. Bekmanbetov is producing “Resurrected” with Maria Zatulovskaya through the banner Bazelevs, with David Meadeb at Logical Pictures, in association with Aleksandr Fomin at Pulsar Content, the sales banner launched by Gilles Sousa and Marie Garrett.
The film is being made using Bekmanbetov’s pioneering Screenlife storytelling and technology, revolving solely around the screen activity of characters who are seen through their digital devices. Bekmanbetov previously delivered several hit films in this Screenlife format, notably “Searching” which was released worldwide by Sony, as well as the “Unfriended” franchise released by BlumHouse and Universal, and “Profile,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Unfolding over the course of one evening in the Hasidic community of Boro Park, Brooklyn, Keith Thomas’s debut feature, The Vigil, gets more unsettling the darker the night gets. Dave Davis plays Yakov, a young man experiencing difficulty living a newly secular life. As securing a job has proved difficult, he agrees to a friend’s impromptu request to serve as a shomer, watching over the cold body of a local man, Rubin Litvak, before the deceased is laid to rest. Anticipating an easy few hours of surfing the web on his smartphone, Yakov settles in for his watchman duties. Unfortunately […]
The post "We Spent a Lot of Time Choosing Lenses": Keith Thomas on The Vigil and His Forthcoming Firestarter Adaptation first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "We Spent a Lot of Time Choosing Lenses": Keith Thomas on The Vigil and His Forthcoming Firestarter Adaptation first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/2/2021
- by Erik Luers
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Unfolding over the course of one evening in the Hasidic community of Boro Park, Brooklyn, Keith Thomas’s debut feature, The Vigil, gets more unsettling the darker the night gets. Dave Davis plays Yakov, a young man experiencing difficulty living a newly secular life. As securing a job has proved difficult, he agrees to a friend’s impromptu request to serve as a shomer, watching over the cold body of a local man, Rubin Litvak, before the deceased is laid to rest. Anticipating an easy few hours of surfing the web on his smartphone, Yakov settles in for his watchman duties. Unfortunately […]
The post "We Spent a Lot of Time Choosing Lenses": Keith Thomas on The Vigil and His Forthcoming Firestarter Adaptation first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "We Spent a Lot of Time Choosing Lenses": Keith Thomas on The Vigil and His Forthcoming Firestarter Adaptation first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/2/2021
- by Erik Luers
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Synopsis Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn’s Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante (Menashe Lustig) to …
The post “The Vigil” Opens This Friday – Supernatural Horror in Hasidic Brooklyn appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post “The Vigil” Opens This Friday – Supernatural Horror in Hasidic Brooklyn appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 2/25/2021
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
They are called shomers, folks who sit by a recently deceased family member or loved one, often in shifts, to watch over the body before burial. It’s a centuries-old Jewish tradition, designed to keep the soul of the dead safe from harm. Should a relative be unwilling or unable to perform this duty, it’s possible to pay a professional to sub in. It’s an honor and a calling, though there are some pitfalls in the shomer-for-hire business one needs to be aware of. The likelihood of extreme...
- 2/25/2021
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
The Vigil Trailer — Keith Thomas‘ The Vigil (2019) movie trailer has been released by IFC Midnight. The Vigil Trailer stars Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig, Lynn Cohen, Malky Goldman, Fred Melamed, Nati Rabinowitz, Moshe Lobel, Lea Kalisch, Ethan Stone, Spencer Zender, Dun Laskey, and Rob Tunstall. Crew Keith Thomas wrote the screenplay for The Vigil. [...]
Continue reading: The Vigil Trailer: A Jewish Burial Ritual turns Sinister in Keith Thomas’ 2019 Supernatural Horror Thriller...
Continue reading: The Vigil Trailer: A Jewish Burial Ritual turns Sinister in Keith Thomas’ 2019 Supernatural Horror Thriller...
- 2/12/2021
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
The Vigil: "Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante (Menashe Lustig) to take on the responsibility of an overnight "shomer," fulfilling the Jewish practice of watching over the body of a deceased community member. Shortly after arriving at the recently departed's dilapidated house to sit the vigil, Yakov begins to realize that something is very, very wrong."
Written and Directed by Keith Thomas, Starring Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen
Opens in Select Theaters, on Digital Platforms and VOD on February 26th
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Safer At Home: "Two years into the pandemic, a group of friends throw an online party with a night of games,...
Written and Directed by Keith Thomas, Starring Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen
Opens in Select Theaters, on Digital Platforms and VOD on February 26th
----------
Safer At Home: "Two years into the pandemic, a group of friends throw an online party with a night of games,...
- 2/10/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
"It won't let you leave..." "Mrs. Litvak - what won't let me leave?" IFC Midnight has unveiled the full-length official trailer for the supernatural horror film titled The Vigil, which originally premiered back at the 2019 Toronto Film Festival. Marking the feature directorial debut of writer / director Keith Thomas, the horror film is set in the Orthodox Jewish community in Borough Park, Brooklyn, and steeped in Jewish lore and demonology. A young Brooklyn man who agrees to be a "shomer", hired to sit in overnight to watch over a deceased member of his former Orthodox Jewish community, finds himself opposite a malevolent entity. Starring Dave Davis as Yakov, with Menashe Lustig, Malky Goldman, Lynn Cohen, Fred Melamed, Ronald Cohen, and Nati Rabinowitz. This looks utterly terrifying. There's not even a lot shown in this trailer, but it seriously creeps me out anyway. Horror fans of all kinds should definitely keep an eye on this.
- 2/10/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Following its well-received run on the festival circuit (including its recent Audience Award win at Popcorn Frights Wicked Weekend virtual Halloween celebration), Keith Thomas' The Vigil is coming to select theaters, Digital, and VOD on February 26th from IFC Midnight, and ahead of its release, a haunting new poster has been revealed.
You can check out the new poster below, and in case you missed it, read Lindsay Traves' in-depth interview with Thomas, who is also directing the new adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter.
Written and directed by Thomas, The Vigil stars Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig, and Lynn Cohen.
Synopsis: "Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante...
You can check out the new poster below, and in case you missed it, read Lindsay Traves' in-depth interview with Thomas, who is also directing the new adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter.
Written and directed by Thomas, The Vigil stars Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig, and Lynn Cohen.
Synopsis: "Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante...
- 1/15/2021
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The Vigil Opens February 26th in theaters and VOD. It will be available on these platforms:
Digital Platforms: iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu, PlayStation, Xbox. Cable Platforms: Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Altice (Optimum), Cox, DirecTV, AT&T, Bend Broadband, Buckeye, Guadalupe Valley, Hotwire Communications, Metrocast, Suddenlink, Wow Internet Cable, Rcn, Midcontinent Communications
The Critics love The Vigil!
“Proof that bible-thumping priests and haunted converts can’t have all the spooky fun. The filmmaking maintains its gripping spell all the way through; A remarkable showcase for Dave Davis, who commands every scene.”– Eric Kohn, IndieWire
“A devilish, bone-crunching chiller. The Exorcist comes to Borough Park. “– Jordan Mintzner, The Hollywood Reporter
“A fresh take on the religious/demon possession film. Feels like a breath of fresh air.”– Joe Lipsett, Bloody Disgusting
“Cultural context enhances an effectively creepy chiller. Anything might be (and usually is) hiding in the shadows. Davis is excellent.”– Dennis Harvey,...
Digital Platforms: iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Vudu, PlayStation, Xbox. Cable Platforms: Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Altice (Optimum), Cox, DirecTV, AT&T, Bend Broadband, Buckeye, Guadalupe Valley, Hotwire Communications, Metrocast, Suddenlink, Wow Internet Cable, Rcn, Midcontinent Communications
The Critics love The Vigil!
“Proof that bible-thumping priests and haunted converts can’t have all the spooky fun. The filmmaking maintains its gripping spell all the way through; A remarkable showcase for Dave Davis, who commands every scene.”– Eric Kohn, IndieWire
“A devilish, bone-crunching chiller. The Exorcist comes to Borough Park. “– Jordan Mintzner, The Hollywood Reporter
“A fresh take on the religious/demon possession film. Feels like a breath of fresh air.”– Joe Lipsett, Bloody Disgusting
“Cultural context enhances an effectively creepy chiller. Anything might be (and usually is) hiding in the shadows. Davis is excellent.”– Dennis Harvey,...
- 1/14/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Tagline: "He Did Not Leave You." The Vigil is a horror movie steeped in Jewish tradition. Set in Brooklyn, Yakov offers to spend the night with a corpse, to ward off evil. But, this ancient practice leads to the discovery of a demonic force. As well, this title is from director Keith Thomas (Arkane) and stars: Dave Davis ("The Walking Dead"), Malky Goldman (The Alien), Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen. The film's official movie poster and trailer are here. The trailer shows Yakov (Davis) with the body under a sheet. Strange events take place as this character confronts a sinister evil. IFC Midnight will show The Vigil this February 26th. On this date, this thriller will be available across the United States, with the film set to show in more territories soon. Release Date: February 26th, 2021 (Digital). Director/writer: Keith Thomas. Cast: Dave Davis, Malky Goldman, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen.
- 1/11/2021
- by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Invites You to Celebrate the First Night of Hanukkah with an Early Look at Written and Directed by Keith Thomas Starring Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen Opens in Select Theaters, on Digital Platforms and VOD on February 26th “The Vigil is proof that bible-thumping priests and haunted converts can’t have all the spooky …
The post The Vigil, A Tale of Supernatural Horror Steeped in Ancient Jewish Tradition, Opens Feb 26th | New Teaser Trailer appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post The Vigil, A Tale of Supernatural Horror Steeped in Ancient Jewish Tradition, Opens Feb 26th | New Teaser Trailer appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 12/28/2020
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
Stars: Dave Davis, Fred Melamed, Ronald Cohen, Lynn Cohen, Menashe Lustig, Malky Goldman | Written and Directed by Keith Thomas
The debut feature from writer-director Keith Thomas, engaging and atmospheric horror The Vigil centres on Yakov Ronen (Dave Davis), a young man who has recently joined a self-help group for Jews struggling to adjust after leaving a tight-knit Orthodox community. In addition to processing a deeply traumatic event, Yakov is also struggling financially, so when his former rabbi Reb Shulem (Menashe Lustig) offers him $400 to sit as shomer and watch over the body of a recently deceased Holocaust survivor (Ronald Cohen), he is more or less forced to accept.
As The Vigil explains up front with captions, being a shomer means protecting the recently deceased person from evil spirits or demons. Unfortunately, Mr Litvak had spent most of his life being haunted by a Mazzik (similar to a Dybbuk), so Yakov...
The debut feature from writer-director Keith Thomas, engaging and atmospheric horror The Vigil centres on Yakov Ronen (Dave Davis), a young man who has recently joined a self-help group for Jews struggling to adjust after leaving a tight-knit Orthodox community. In addition to processing a deeply traumatic event, Yakov is also struggling financially, so when his former rabbi Reb Shulem (Menashe Lustig) offers him $400 to sit as shomer and watch over the body of a recently deceased Holocaust survivor (Ronald Cohen), he is more or less forced to accept.
As The Vigil explains up front with captions, being a shomer means protecting the recently deceased person from evil spirits or demons. Unfortunately, Mr Litvak had spent most of his life being haunted by a Mazzik (similar to a Dybbuk), so Yakov...
- 12/24/2020
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
An orthodox Jewish ritual gets a haunted twist in writer/director Keith Thomas’ new horror movie from IFC Midnight, “The Vigil.” The film originally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it scored critical acclaim out of the Midnight Madness section. This horror movie set over the course of one night will open in available theaters, plus on VOD and digital platforms, February 26. Watch the the first trailer below.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, ‘The Vigil’ is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn’s Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante (Menashe Lustig) to take on the responsibility of an overnight ‘shomer,’ fulfilling the Jewish practice of watching over the body of a deceased community member.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, ‘The Vigil’ is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn’s Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from his former rabbi and confidante (Menashe Lustig) to take on the responsibility of an overnight ‘shomer,’ fulfilling the Jewish practice of watching over the body of a deceased community member.
- 12/13/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
"There is something very, very wrong here..." IFC Midnight has revealed a teaser trailer (to celebrate the start of Hanukkah today) for the supernatural horror film titled The Vigil, which originally premiered at last year's Toronto Film Festival. Marking the feature directorial debut of writer / director Keith Thomas, the horror film is set in the Orthodox Jewish community in Borough Park, Brooklyn, and steeped in Jewish lore and demonology. A Brooklyn man who agrees to be a "shomer", hired to sit in overnight to watch over a deceased member of his former Orthodox Jewish community, finds himself opposite a malevolent entity. Starring Dave Davis as Yakov, with Menashe Lustig, Malky Goldman, Lynn Cohen, Fred Melamed, Ronald Cohen, and Nati Rabinowitz. This looks super creepy! The premise is scary to begin with, but the glimpses of horror we get in this (and that poster!) are very scary. Already nervous about watching this.
- 12/10/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Following its well-received run on the film festival circuit (including recently winning the Audience Award at Popcorn Frights' Wicked Weekend), Keith Thomas' The Vigil is coming out in select theaters and on Digital platforms and VOD on February 26th from IFC Midnight, and a new teaser trailer has been unveiled ahead of its release.
Written and directed by Thomas, The Vigil stars Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen. You can watch the new teaser trailer below, and in case you missed it, check out Lindsay Traves' in-depth interview with Thomas, who is also directing the new adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter.
Synopsis: "Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from...
Written and directed by Thomas, The Vigil stars Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen. You can watch the new teaser trailer below, and in case you missed it, check out Lindsay Traves' in-depth interview with Thomas, who is also directing the new adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter.
Synopsis: "Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is supernatural horror film set over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn's Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Low on funds and having recently left his insular religious community, Yakov (Dave Davis) reluctantly accepts an offer from...
- 12/10/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Premiering at last year’s TIFF in its Midnight Madness section, Keith Thomas’ horror feature The Vigil takes place over the course of a single evening in Brooklyn’s Hasidic Borough Park neighborhood. Starring Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig and Lynn Cohen, we follow an overnight “shomer,” the Jewish practice of watching over the body of a deceased community member, though with a supernatural twist. Ahead of a February release, and timed with the first night of Hanukkah, IFC Midnight has now debuted the first trailer.
C.J. Prince said in our TIFF review, “If there’s anything going for The Vigil, it’s the setting. Aside from the title cards at the start, Thomas doesn’t spend much time giving exposition about the community he’s focusing on, which works to the film’s benefit for the most part. But no matter how much cultural specificity one can put in their film,...
C.J. Prince said in our TIFF review, “If there’s anything going for The Vigil, it’s the setting. Aside from the title cards at the start, Thomas doesn’t spend much time giving exposition about the community he’s focusing on, which works to the film’s benefit for the most part. But no matter how much cultural specificity one can put in their film,...
- 12/10/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Toronto-based company also acquires Spiral, Deathcember
Raven Banner has acquired Canadian rights to Keith Thomas’ SXSW supernatural horror debut The Vigil, one of several pick-ups announced by the Toronto-based company on Tuesday (November 10).
The film, a SXSW official selection this year that premiered in 2019 Toronto Midnight Madness, centres on a man who encounters a malevolent force when he is tasked with watching over a deceased member of his former Orthodox community.
Raven Banner brokered the deal with Elle Driver and plans to release The Vigil alongside US distribution IFC Films in early 2021. Dave Davis and Malky Goldman star.
The company...
Raven Banner has acquired Canadian rights to Keith Thomas’ SXSW supernatural horror debut The Vigil, one of several pick-ups announced by the Toronto-based company on Tuesday (November 10).
The film, a SXSW official selection this year that premiered in 2019 Toronto Midnight Madness, centres on a man who encounters a malevolent force when he is tasked with watching over a deceased member of his former Orthodox community.
Raven Banner brokered the deal with Elle Driver and plans to release The Vigil alongside US distribution IFC Films in early 2021. Dave Davis and Malky Goldman star.
The company...
- 11/10/2020
- ScreenDaily
The scenario was unfathomable. The details traumatized an entire region. On March 25, 1975, 12-year-old Sheila Lyon and her little sister, 10-year old Katherine, walked half a mile from their home to a shopping mall in Wheaton, Maryland, and were never seen again. Who Killed the Lyon Sisters?, will detail the cold-case investigation will premiere Saturday, Nov. 28 at 9 p.m. Et.
“The tragic disappearance of these two young women is every parent’s worst nightmare, and completely shifted the dynamics of parenting back in 1975,” Investigation Discovery’s Henry Schleiff said in a statement.
Investigation Discovery’s two-hour special features the findings which came from the reporting of bestselling author Mark Bowden. Bowden followed the case from the beginning. “When news of their disappearance broke, a community was rocked to its core,” reads the press statement. “Residents wondered if someone within their community was responsible, and parents who once felt safe letting their...
“The tragic disappearance of these two young women is every parent’s worst nightmare, and completely shifted the dynamics of parenting back in 1975,” Investigation Discovery’s Henry Schleiff said in a statement.
Investigation Discovery’s two-hour special features the findings which came from the reporting of bestselling author Mark Bowden. Bowden followed the case from the beginning. “When news of their disappearance broke, a community was rocked to its core,” reads the press statement. “Residents wondered if someone within their community was responsible, and parents who once felt safe letting their...
- 10/20/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Before helming the upcoming new adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter, Keith Thomas directed The Vigil, which has been acquired by IFC Midnight and is slated for a February 26th, 2021 release.
You can read the press release with full details below, and in case you missed it, read Lindsay Traves' previous interview with Thomas.
From the Press Release: New York, NY - IFC Midnight announced today that it is acquiring U.S. rights to writer-director Keith Thomas’ feature debut, The Vigil, a supernatural horror film with a Hasidic Jewish twist. The Vigil stars Dave Davis (Bomb City), Malky Goldman (Unorthodox), Menashe Lustig (Menashe), Fred Melamed (A Serious Man), and Lynn Cohen (Munich). Producing is Raphael Margules and J.D. Lifshitz of BoulderLight Pictures alongside Adam Margules (Menashe). Additional notable credits within the filmmaking team include editor Brett W. Bachman, composer Michael Yezerski (The Devil’S Candy), and cinematographer Zach Kuperstein.
IFC Films and BoulderLight,...
You can read the press release with full details below, and in case you missed it, read Lindsay Traves' previous interview with Thomas.
From the Press Release: New York, NY - IFC Midnight announced today that it is acquiring U.S. rights to writer-director Keith Thomas’ feature debut, The Vigil, a supernatural horror film with a Hasidic Jewish twist. The Vigil stars Dave Davis (Bomb City), Malky Goldman (Unorthodox), Menashe Lustig (Menashe), Fred Melamed (A Serious Man), and Lynn Cohen (Munich). Producing is Raphael Margules and J.D. Lifshitz of BoulderLight Pictures alongside Adam Margules (Menashe). Additional notable credits within the filmmaking team include editor Brett W. Bachman, composer Michael Yezerski (The Devil’S Candy), and cinematographer Zach Kuperstein.
IFC Films and BoulderLight,...
- 10/7/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Exclusive, Updated: IFC Midnight has acquired U.S. rights to filmmaker Keith Thomas’ supernatural horror feature debut The Vigil after a bidding war for the pic. The movie, which is billed as having a Hasidic Jewish twist, made its world premiere at TIFF 2019 in the Midnight Madness Section and was slotted for SXSW 2020.
Blumhouse previously was set to distribute The Vigil. Thomas is directing the reboot of Stephen King’s Firestarter starring Zac Efron for Blumhouse, Universal and Weed Road Productions. IFC Midnight purchased the movie from BoulderLight. IFC Midnight and BoulderLight respectively had notable genre theatrical day and date pandemic mini-hits over the summer, IFC with The Rental and Relic and BoulderLight with Becky. Overall, IFC made close to $5M during the pandemic fueled by its genre fare. IFC Midnight is planning a Feb. 26, 2021 release date for The Vigil.
Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is...
Blumhouse previously was set to distribute The Vigil. Thomas is directing the reboot of Stephen King’s Firestarter starring Zac Efron for Blumhouse, Universal and Weed Road Productions. IFC Midnight purchased the movie from BoulderLight. IFC Midnight and BoulderLight respectively had notable genre theatrical day and date pandemic mini-hits over the summer, IFC with The Rental and Relic and BoulderLight with Becky. Overall, IFC made close to $5M during the pandemic fueled by its genre fare. IFC Midnight is planning a Feb. 26, 2021 release date for The Vigil.
Steeped in ancient Jewish lore and demonology, The Vigil is...
- 10/7/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
For thousands of years, religious Jews have practised “The Vigil”; a ritual that takes place after a member of the Orthodox community passes over. During this, the deceased’s remains are observed by a “Shomer” watchman who recites psalms to comfort the departed soul and protect it from “unseen evil”. This watchman is usually a friend or member of the family but you can also get paid Shomers who are hired to sit the vigil when no one else is available. This forms the basis of writer/director Keith Thomas’ debut feature, during which delectable dread is plaited and tent-pole terrors deployed.
The set up sees thirty-something protagonist Yakov Ronen (Dave Davis) leave his Orthodox Jewish community to start a new life in New York City. Yakov is then approached by an old community colleague who asks him to act as Shomer for late Holocaust survivor Ruben Litvak. Yakov accepts...
The set up sees thirty-something protagonist Yakov Ronen (Dave Davis) leave his Orthodox Jewish community to start a new life in New York City. Yakov is then approached by an old community colleague who asks him to act as Shomer for late Holocaust survivor Ruben Litvak. Yakov accepts...
- 7/30/2020
- by Daniel Goodwin
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This horror yarn has an authentically Jewish setting and an expressive central performance from Dave Davis, guarding a corpse from evil
Jewishness – especially its historical traumas – has flowed freely into the DNA of horror, from the German expressionists to Roman Polanski and William Friedkin, even Darren Aronofsky. But there have been relatively few culturally specific Jewish horror films, and this is where Blumhouse Productions, with its eye for a canny hook, comes in. The Vigil, by debut writer-director Keith Thomas, doesn’t examine rising antisemitism, so it doesn’t have the same contemporary punch as Get Out had regarding Black Lives Matter, or The Invisible Man for #MeToo. But, set mostly in one house in the Orthodox community of Boro Park, Brooklyn, with reams of Yiddish dialogue, it is all the same an authentically Jewish and reasonably competent chiller.
Jewishness – especially its historical traumas – has flowed freely into the DNA of horror, from the German expressionists to Roman Polanski and William Friedkin, even Darren Aronofsky. But there have been relatively few culturally specific Jewish horror films, and this is where Blumhouse Productions, with its eye for a canny hook, comes in. The Vigil, by debut writer-director Keith Thomas, doesn’t examine rising antisemitism, so it doesn’t have the same contemporary punch as Get Out had regarding Black Lives Matter, or The Invisible Man for #MeToo. But, set mostly in one house in the Orthodox community of Boro Park, Brooklyn, with reams of Yiddish dialogue, it is all the same an authentically Jewish and reasonably competent chiller.
- 7/30/2020
- by Phil Hoad
- The Guardian - Film News
Since prehistoric times, the period between death and the disposal of a body has been considered dangerous. It's a liminal period, a time when life has gone but the body remains an active presence, influencing the living. most civilisations have developed special rituals for dealing with it. In Judaism, that means sitting shiva, watching the body and reciting scripture until the formal period of mourning is complete and the funeral can occur. When somebody dies with no family to take care of this, an appropriately experienced stranger has to be drafted in, helping to make sure that the soul leaves the body successfully and that the body does not fall prey to malignant spirits in search of a host.
Yakov (Dave Davis) is not a practising Jew. He has left a particularly insular community and is trying to get to grips with life in the wider world. But going it alone.
Yakov (Dave Davis) is not a practising Jew. He has left a particularly insular community and is trying to get to grips with life in the wider world. But going it alone.
- 7/29/2020
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
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