As if to illustrate the hypothetical “So you think you’re having a bad day?,” Canadian thriller “Hammer” puts its characters through a Rube Goldbergian obstacle course of peril in the immediate hours after a hijacked drug deal. The pileup of disasters is such that this tale might easily have been spun as some kind of grotesque comedy. But .
The result isn’t a knockout, falling between the territories of crime meller and family drama without quite maximizing either element. But it works well enough in that middle ground, making for a succinct, well-crafted suspense exercise likely to satisfy most home viewers who find it via digital and VOD release as of June 5.
Will Patton’s usual authority is a big plus in the role of Stephen Davis, a working-class father who exudes a quietly firm if put-upon fortitude in a household it’s hinted has known too much strife.
The result isn’t a knockout, falling between the territories of crime meller and family drama without quite maximizing either element. But it works well enough in that middle ground, making for a succinct, well-crafted suspense exercise likely to satisfy most home viewers who find it via digital and VOD release as of June 5.
Will Patton’s usual authority is a big plus in the role of Stephen Davis, a working-class father who exudes a quietly firm if put-upon fortitude in a household it’s hinted has known too much strife.
- 6/4/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
It’s easy to tell someone we’ll do anything for family when it’s what we’re supposed to say. That’s the expectation. That’s normalcy. And the majority of us never have to test those words anyway. We don’t all weigh the risk to our lives by donating an organ or financial security by re-mortgaging a home. But those acts do loom above us. So does tough love. “You want to live under our roof? Then abide by our rules.” Enforcing that line is where things get hard because it hurts to put the group above any individual. It just might be the first step to their salvation, though, since you’re neither giving up nor closing the door on a return. You’re simply doing what you think is right and necessary.
Writer/director Christian Sparkes knows such a decision isn’t without regret, however.
Writer/director Christian Sparkes knows such a decision isn’t without regret, however.
- 6/3/2020
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
In today’s news roundup, the Bible’s Elijah is getting a movie; Will Patton, Mark O’Brien and Michael Masini get acting roles; and “Roma” will open the Savannah Film Festival.
Project Unveiled
Winter State Entertainment is launching “Elijah” as a supernatural feature film interpretation based on the Biblical prophet of the same name who confronted rulers about idol worship, Variety has learned exclusively.
Producers Hamid and Camille Torabpour said “Elijah” will have elements of “The Lord of the Rings,” “Percy Jackson” and “The Passion of the Christ” with a diverse cast and crew of women and men both behind and in front of the camera. Jhene Chase, a Saudi-American female filmmaker whose credits include “Summertime Dropouts,” will be directing from a screenplay by Hamid Torabpour and Andrew Kightlinger.
“We’re looking to immerse ourselves in a story where the impossible comes to life, and the challenges of faith...
Project Unveiled
Winter State Entertainment is launching “Elijah” as a supernatural feature film interpretation based on the Biblical prophet of the same name who confronted rulers about idol worship, Variety has learned exclusively.
Producers Hamid and Camille Torabpour said “Elijah” will have elements of “The Lord of the Rings,” “Percy Jackson” and “The Passion of the Christ” with a diverse cast and crew of women and men both behind and in front of the camera. Jhene Chase, a Saudi-American female filmmaker whose credits include “Summertime Dropouts,” will be directing from a screenplay by Hamid Torabpour and Andrew Kightlinger.
“We’re looking to immerse ourselves in a story where the impossible comes to life, and the challenges of faith...
- 10/2/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.