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Wildling (2018)

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Genre : FantasyHorror
Country : United States
Director: Fritz Böhm

Cast:
Liv Tyler
Brad Dourif
Bel Powley

 

 

One of my favorite things about horror movies is the chance to see major stars appear in a scary movie before their big break. Who would have thought that Jennifer Aniston would be one of the highest paid actresses on television after Leprechaun? Or that the third sequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre would feature not just one but two Academy Award winners in Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey? Far less common is when a major star to become more known for their work in horror as they get older. It just doesn’t seem to happen. And while actors like Ben Kingsley and Jeremy Irons have dabbled in genre film few have embraced it like Brad Dourif.

After an extensive career on the stage Dourif gained notoriety in his very first film as Billy Bibbit in cinematic classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Nominated for an Academy Award and winning a Golden Globe he would have roles in cult classics like Dune and Blue Velvet. While he would become known as a supporting player and a respected character actors his life would change when he was cast as Chucky in Child’s Play. Since then he has become an icon of horror with memorable performances in Body Parts, The Exorcist III and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Still going strong with Cult of Chucky and Ready Player One his latest role is in the dark fairy tale, Wildling.

Raised in isolation, teenager Anna has only known “Daddy” her entire life. A man who has done everything he could to keep her from the outside world. When she is suddenly thrust into the rest of the world she comes to live with the woman who found her, Sheriff Ellen Cooper. Struggling with her place in the world, Ana soon learns that the truth behind the stories Daddy would tell her.

 

For an independent production, Wildling has quite the impressive cast. A horror veteran Brad Dourif is perfectly cast as Daddy. Despite a lack of screen time he makes the most of it telling a young Anna about the Wildlings, creatures with razor sharp teeth and claws that are searching for her. Part cryptkeeper and part loving father his simple yet creepy storytelling goes a long way in setting the tone for this fantasy-horror film. But as good as he and c0-star Liv Tyler are in their roles this movie truly belongs to Bel Powley.

Bel Powley is put in a tough spot as Anna. For most of the film she is silent, saying little more than a few words on screen. She has to go from unknowing prisoner to a sheltered girl being introduced to the world saying few words. Luckily for Wildling, Powley is more than up to the task. Originally presented as your classic fish out of water story you can practically see the cogs move behind Anna’s big, blue eyes in every scene. Thrust into a world she doesn’t quite understand the fear and confusion at how the world works is evident. At the same time, she never lets you forget about how menacing she can be. Throughout the film she displays quick and sudden movements showing off a more animalistic side hinted at throughout the film. A side that builds more and more as the Wildling goes on. It’s the kind of performance that sticks with you days after you finish watching.

I was equally impressed by writer-director Fritz Böhm. His first feature film he does a great job crafting a creature feature reminiscent of classics like 2000’s Ginger Snaps. He was able to find the perfect balance of fantasy, drama and horror, particularly during the first two acts. Böhm also isn’t afraid to let loose when it comes to the gore. Never feeling excessive, he is still more than willing to showcase some killer effects. Sadly, it starts to fall apart during the final act. While the first few acts are more about Anna discovering the truth about her ancestry and adjusting to a normal life the last half hour or so feels off. It’s as if Böhm felt the need to add a typical werewolf film ending but didn’t have enough time to build up to it. It’s the rare case where the film would have benefited from a good 15 or 20 minutes more.

 

Of all the monsters werewolves are perhaps the most versatile when it comes to storytelling. Due to their nature they can be either straight up monster movie or metaphors ranging from puberty to lost innocence. Wildling tries to do both to mixed results. The components are certainly there with stellar cast and a versatile debuting director. Even the story, while perhaps too familiar, is unique enough to stand out on its own. Unfortunately, a rushed third act leaves what could have been an engrossing dark fairy tale missing its happily ever after.

Rating 7/10
Links : IMDB

Wildling is available on VOD on April 13th, 2018

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‘The Witcher’ Season 3 Part 1 Review: An Epic and Riveting Adventure Continues

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In 2019, Netflix struck gold with the epic fantasy series ‘The Witcher’ and viewers started thinking that the streaming platform might be close to getting a show as massive as ‘Game of Thrones’. The first season turned out to be successful, but it was the second edition that made everyone realize how the live-action series had laid the perfect foundation for something special. Almost two years after getting a glimpse of what Ciri could do with her powers, ‘The Witcher’ is back with another action-packed season that will captivate viewers with its masterful storytelling, thrilling battles, and impeccable performances.

Season 3 of ‘The Witcher’ picks up where the previous season left off, with Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), the enigmatic monster hunter, embarking on a new set of adventures, along with Ciri (Freya Allan) and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra). This season, Geralt finds himself caught in a web of political intrigue as he navigates the treacherous world of the Northern Kingdoms. From the royal intrigues of Nilfgaard to the exploration of the elven past, the show seamlessly weaves together multiple narratives, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and adding layers of depth to the already intricate plot. Apart from that, Geralt and Yennefer continue to do anything and everything to keep Ciri safe from the bad people.

Henry Cavill (Geralt), Freya Allan (Ciri), and Anya Chalotra (Yennefer) in ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 (Netflix)

However, one of the standout aspects of Season 3 is its exceptional character development. The fantasy series continues to explore the complexities of its main characters, especially Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri. All the aforementioned characters undergo significant transformation throughout the season, allowing viewers to connect with them on a deeper level. Kudos to the writing team of ‘The Witcher’ who have done an exceptional job in fleshing out the backstories of all these characters and making them feel more relatable. Themes like destiny and the consequences of one’s choices are prevalent throughout the season. Some moments will make people realize the thin line between right and wrong by looking deep into the moral ambiguity of its characters.

Once again, the show is packed with epic action sequences that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. From extraordinary sword fights to magical showdowns, the battles are nothing short of thrilling this time around. Visually, it’s stunning, and storytelling-wise, it’s more riveting than ever.

As far as performances are concerned, Freya Allan delivers another remarkable performance as Ciri and strikes a perfect balance between vulnerability and resilience. Meanwhile, Anya Chalotra as Yennefer displays how much she has grown as an actor. Season 3 explores the emotional depths of her character most effectively and gives Chalotra the bandwidth of showing her range. However, it is Henry Cavill who takes your breath away with a scintillating performance as Geralt of Rivia. From the very first season, Cavill has successfully embodied the larger-than-life character and this time around, he just knocks it out of the park by effortlessly embodying the brooding yet compassionate nature of The Witcher.

Also, the chemistry between the three leads drives the emotional core of the show.

Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 (Netflix)

All in all, Part One of ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 raises the bar, and every aspect of the show has improved significantly from its predecessors. Season 3 proves to be a worthy addition to the beloved series and if you are a fan of the fantasy series, ‘The Witcher’ Season 3 is a much-watch.

Come and immerse yourself in the magical world of Geralt of Rivia.

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‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Adds Oscar-Nominee William H. Macy

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The Planet of the Apes trilogy headlined by Andy Serkis from the 2010s can be argued as one of the best trilogies of all-time. The technological advances made from motion capture helped actors completely transform into the apes with their interactions with human characters making the story rawer and more emotional. Now, 20th Century Studios will jump back into the world of apes with their latest, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Deadline reports that William H. Macy (Shameless, Fargo) will round out the cast for the newest chapter of the franchise.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place many years after the conclusion of War for the Planet of the Apes being led by an entirely new cast that includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Peter Macon. Details are currently unknown on whether Macy will be playing a human character or an ape. The film series has grossed almost $2 billion dollars for the studio so it’s no surprise that they’re aiming to make more Apes fims. 

Macy is coming off his biggest role ever in Showtime’s series, Shameless for which he played Frank Gallagher and was nominated for 6 Emmy Awards for his performance over 11 seasons. Macy is also a former Oscar-nominee for his lead role in the Coen Brothers classic, Fargo. Since then, he’s amassed tons of parts including most recently in Hulu’s The Dropout and a guest spot on the ABC sitcom, The Conners. Macy will next appear in the film, Maybe I Do with Emma Roberts, Diane Keaton, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. 

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Rawson Marshall Thurber to Headline ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Series for Paramount+

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Dungeons & Dragons seems to be the next major IP finding itself across multiple media formats. The move of bringing the iconic fantasy franchise will start in March on the big screen with the release of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, however, the TV series which has been in development has found its new streaming home. According to Deadline, the Dungeons & Dragons series will head to Paramount+ with Rawson Marshall Thurber (Red Notice, Skyscraper) writing the pilot and directing the first episode of the eight-episode season order.

The fantasy role-playing game has been ripe for an adaptation for years with many celebrities and actors being fans of the property since its inception. Honor Among Thieves already boasts a starry cast led by Chris Pine, Hugh Grant, Rege-Jean Page and Michelle Rodriguez, but there are no details on whether the streaming series would feature any of their characters crossing over. Dungeons & Dragons is yet another franchise starter over at Paramount in the game of streaming supremacy which will join Halo on their streaming service having done great numbers for Paramount+.

Dungeons & Dragons features multiple creatures, elves, human warriors and other fantastical entities engaging in campaigns, wars and quests to build out their respective armies. The massive Hasbro property was acquired by eOne to develop a media universe across film and television making it a priority due to its popularity and fan base that features over 50 million players. 

Rawson Marshall Thurber most recently directed the Netflix action film, Red Notice starring Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds. He previously teamed with Johnson for Skyscraper and Central Intelligence, but his career began in comedy helming popular films such as Dodgeball and We’re the Millers. Before moving into features, he also directed the very popular online short, Terry Tate, Office Linebacker. The filmmaker has also been attached to Netflix’s video game adaptation of The Division which will star Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain.

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