Watch the all new trailer for Verity below:

Here’s the official synopsis below:

Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson) is a writer in need of work when she is contacted by Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett). Jeremy’s wife is bestselling author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), and due to a mysterious accident, she is unable to finish her successful book series. Jeremy asks Lowen to complete the series, and while working on it, she discovers a manuscript that raises questions regarding Verity’s psychological well being and possible links to her publications.

Filmmaker Michael Showalter (Oh. What, Fun., The Eyes of Tammy Faye) really changes up here, as he jumps headfirst into this unsettling, and rather at times gruesome new tale of obsession, lust and identity and presents a Grand-Guignol like tale that instantly pulls audiences in. Set to a freakish rendering of Kylie Minogue’s ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, Verity is sure to deliver a fright.

Dakota Johnson, herself no stranger to tales of wild obsessions and wanton scandels, is almost cast against type as ambitious writer Lowen Ashleigh who is pulled into a world that takes her for a hell of s freakish ride, and she’ll certainly be on edge. Juxtaposing her is Acadmey Award-winner Anne Hathaway as the now quadriplegic Verity Crawford… or so she appears to be, but as Lowen looks further a terrifyingly dangerous secret lies at the very heart of Verity’s position. Josh Hartnett rounds at the cast as Verity’s seedy husband Jeremy, and he’s a man with his own desires, and isn’t to worried about temptations… or getting caught.

The whole picture has an almost Misery style quality to it, but it’s almost the reverse, where the invalid is now the monster, and it’s every one’s turn to a victim. Showalter balances the utter terror of this burning psychological thriller, with an almost haunted house-monster picture, and Verity is going to keep audiences on edge.

Ready yourselves for sheer psychological terror when Verity arrives in cinemas this October.

The post Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway deliver pure shock value in ‘Verity’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

A man and his teenage daughter realise they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event while watching a concert.

M. Night Shyamalan has made a career for himself as a filmmaker who’s not afraid to stretch himself narratively and look for new avenues to scare his audience. He takes audiences back into an arena of pure kinetic tension and mounting paranoia in Trap. Shyamalan reveals his cards up front in Trap, as everyman Cooper (Josh Hartnett) takes his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert for high-flying pop star Lady Raven (Saleka Night Shyamalan). But there’s a catch: Cooper is, in fact, a brutal and efficient serial killer who already has his next victim in wait, and then cottons on to the fact that this whole concert is actually a large trap to ensnare him and stop him before he can get his next kill in. And from there, it gets very interesting. Shyamalan is upfront with his narrative, but this is a picture of severe twists and turns, all led by Hartnett’s shifty and feral killer, and you’re kept on your toes the whole way through.

Josh Hartnett was the teenage heartthrob of the early 2000s, and he’s made a full circle turn as an actor and has now returned to Hollywood and the studio system to show off just what he can do. And he really goes for it here in Trap. When we’re first introduced to Cooper, he’s portrayed as your everyday, doting dad, but in a shift, his real self rises to the surface, and we then realise we’re in for an incredibly dangerous performance. As Cooper, Hartnett shows off a unique mask, with a ‘faked’ level of interest and empathy that he uses to placate those around him, and what we’re looking at is a monster playing at being normal. In his performance, it’s almost as if Hartnett’s senses are heightened, and he’s damned wired as we see his own sense of self-preservation come into play, and things get nasty quickly.

Hartnett gives a very layered performance in Trap, and while it would be easy for this role to simply become one-dimensional, through the narrative playing out we see him almost questioning the uncontrollable darkness that sits in his soul. Hartnett does play Cooper as a straight-up monster, but there’s also reconciliation with the last shred of humanity in his soul and the love that he has for his family, even if they are used as a shield to help hide his devilish impulses. Trap allows Hartnett to play with a persona and a character that we’ve never really seen him play with before, and this is a narrative driven by his own impulse. Hartnett keeps audiences guessing with his performance, and due to the situation, you never know what he’s about to do next, and it’s damn nerve-racking.

Trap grabs you by the throat, and it’s fun to watch a horror picture that is driven singlehandedly by a character. There’s also a point of difference with its ‘Silence of the Lambs thrown into a Taylor Swift Concert’, and it keeps Cooper’s movements and actions fresh. Minute by minute, you’re kept prime in your seat, and Shyamalan does a fair few unexpected things that will keep audiences off guard. This mixture of mounting paranoia and sudden violence throws you back in your seat. Trap is a film for an audience looking for a slightly intellectual thriller, where the established rules are broken in favour of something different, and unexpected territory is then explored.

M Night Shyamalan’s Trap is a cloistered and stressfully tense watch, and gives us a performance from Josh Hartnett that we hadn’t yet seen before. It’s twisty and dark, and with an intriguing character, and thanks to his dark motives and impulses, you’ll find yourself gripping your seat rest with dread.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

The post ‘Trap’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Watch the new trailer for Trap below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A father and teen daughter attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event.

The first teaser trailer for Trap promised an intense and taut cinematic experience as Hartnett’s doting father, Cooper, revealed his dark and shadowy side. You see, Cooper is actually a vicious serial killer dubbed ‘The Butcher’ and is intent on making his next savage kill. But his actions are suddenly thrown into doubt as he’s forced into a corner at a pop concert for celebrated singer Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan), which is actually a trap set to ensnare him by the police.

This second trailer picks up on the action and places Hartnett’s Cooper with his back against the wall. Descended further into his savage animal instincts for survival, Cooper will bring out the horror to evade capture… and get his kicks at the same time.

This new trailer makes for an extreme watch, and it’s clear that Shyamalan is pushing Hartnett in a new direction in terms of performance. It’s particularly fun to watch Hartnett play against type and shed his heartthrob status for that of a pure-blooded monster, and nothing is given away in the trailer. Shocks and surprises are sure to abound in Trap, and audiences seeking a rush will get it with this picture.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Trap (@trapthemovie)

It will be truly shocking when Trap arrives in cinemas on August 1.

The post Josh Hartnett turns into a monster in ‘Trap’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Elite spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed up with some of the world’s best operatives, Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star, Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett), to help them on their globe-trotting mission to save the world.

Regarded as the king of machismo action cinema, celebrated filmmaker Guy Ritchie makes his long-awaited return to cinemas with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, a wickedly fun spy-adventure-thriller that injects a dose of new energy into the genre and will leave audiences grooving in their seats. This is a film that is pure Ritchie, as a crack team of ace spies combats black market dealings, double-crossing mercenaries, vicious gangsters and one very slimy arms dealer in order to save the world. And it’s a rush. Joining forces again with long-time collaborator Jason Statham, hot off their work together on the intense and dark Wrath of Man, Operation Fortune offers Ritchie and Statham a new road to speed down and its cracking pace, bold action and pitch-perfect comedy is what cinema fun is made of.

As one of the best directors working today, Ritchie brings his own brand of creativity to the screen once more and again he mixes things up with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. This global-spanning spy adventure is packed full of classic flair mixed with some cutting-edge drama, and Ritchie goes to town with this picture. With an equal mix of crackling gunfire, heavy punches, and terrific banter between a whole host of very unique espionage characters, Operation Fortune is the director’s take on the classic spy team-up film, and he keeps his audience’s heart racing the whole way through.

Once again front and centre is Ritchie’s long-time collaborator and good friend Jason Statham, and this time he mixes it up as the intrepid super-spy Orson Fortune, who has some very interesting quirks. This modern-day spy is a dashing man of action who has a real fondness for the good life and who is all too happy to max out his agency’s expense account to enjoy it. But in addition to the tailored suits, private jets and vintage wines, he’s also an exceedingly capable and exceptionally dangerous individual who knows his way around a gun, and Statham brings his usual can-do attitude to the film’s action scenes. Along with kicking ass he also gets to crack plenty of jokes, and it’s very apparent that he had a blast with this one-of-a-kind spy.

Paired with Statham’s Fortune and mixing it up is Aubrey Plaza as the sultry and quick-witted Sarah Fidel, the team’s computer expert and hacker. And this is Plaza in a performance unlike you’ve ever seen her before. Plaza is exceptionally glamorous and alluring as Fidel, but also dangerously astute and she likes nothing better than to push Statham’s button. And the result is comedic brilliance. Plaza also isn’t content to just sit behind a desk either, and she jumps head-first into the fray, and goes all out with the film’s exceptional action scenes.

Continuing in his return to form is Hollywood hunk Josh Hartnett who has been making quite a big comeback as of late and again he turns in another stellar performance here in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. Cast as Hollywood’s biggest star Danny Francesco, Hartnett portrays an outlandish, childish buffoon who is forced into joining Fortune’s team, after his penchant for debauchery gets him into trouble and soon has to take on the biggest role of his career. Hartnett leans heavily into this over-sexed, drugged-up poser of a movie star and he’s an absolute riot in the role. He also gets some serious time behind the wheel in the film’s stunning car chase and lives out a Steve McQueen fantasy as he slams on the accelerator in a wild chase scene that will flaw audiences.

Finally bringing Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre together is the one and only Hugh Grant and he gives one very naughty performance as the playful, but dangerous billionaire arms dealer Greg Simmons. Brash, uncouth, loud and crass, Grant gives a transformative performance as one of the world’s most dangerous villains who like his money, his cars and his women, and who poses quite a threat in Operation Fortune. From the moment he appears on screen Grant steals every scene that he’s in and his presence is undoubtedly the best part of the film. This is Grant unlike you’ve ever seen him before, and Ritchie knows how to help him take it to the next level, and this is one devious and menacing villain you won’t soon forget.

For those who like their spy films with exotic locations, explosive action and decadent glamour, well, you’ll be very happy with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. This is a fast-paced kinetic piece of cinema, and its pure pop energy will absolutely speak to audiences who are looking for a rush. Thanks to his innovative and rapid style of filmmaking, Ritchie invests a real sense of creativity and energy into this picture and the results show on the screen. This is the spy genre done the way we like it, and the end product demands to be seen on the big screen.

From beginning to end, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is pure class and proves why Guy Ritchie is one of the most exciting and dynamic filmmakers working today. Narrative, action, character and comedy all come together for an exhilarating time at the movies with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.

Image: Roadshow Films

The post ‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

After the intense rush of action that they delivered in 2021’s Wrath of Man, Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham are heading back to cinemas for a good ol’fashioned jaunt into the espionage genre with Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre…and this is a spy film that is guaranteed to be a very slick ride.

Watch the brand new trailer below:

Here’s the official synopsis for Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre:

In the film, super-spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives (Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone), Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

Presented as a globe-trotting action-adventure, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre follows ace super spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) and his hand-picked team (Aubrey Plaza, Bugzy Malone) who work for spymaster Nathan Jasmine (Cary Elwes) who have to stop the sale of a deadly new weapon to the lavish and loud billionaire arms dealer Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant), and the only way they can get Simmonds attention is to blackmail Hollywood’s biggest star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them do it.

From there it’s a rush of double-crosses, gunfights, fistfights, car chases, explosions, scintillating seductions and all-around crazy moments as Fortune and his team race against time to stop Simmonds from getting his hands on this diabolical weapon.

For anyone wondering what a Jason Statham James Bond would look like, well, Orson Fortune is pretty much that character and he cuts a dapper figure as this very rough and ready character who fits out a tuxedo perfectly, but who can also go to work with his fists when needed.

Changing gears this time around is Aubrey Plaza and she cuts a stylish, sexy, glamourous figure as a member of Fortune’s team. Known for her dry wit, Plaza changes gears here as this alluring and capable secret agent and she completely hold her own in the trailer and in my opinion her performance here is going to be a real revelation.

This isn’t the first time Guy Ritchie has ventured into the spy genre as he brought a sense of retro cool back to the big screen with 2015’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and his work here on Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre continues in that vein. Slick, sexy and action-packed, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre also has a terrific comedic buzz about it and is Guy Ritchie just the way we like it.

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre looks like a solid action spy film and will make for a very time at the movies when it arrives IN CINEMAS next year on January 12, 2023.

Images: Roadshow Films

The post Guy Ritchie brings out the dapper spy cool in ‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Watch the all-new trailer for Wrath of Man now:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A mysterious and wild-eyed new cash truck security guard named H (Jason Statham) surprises his coworkers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.

Ritchie and Statham go old school with the action here in Wrath of Man, and this is a back to basics action piece that brings to life that classic no-holds-barred action of the late 1970s, and audiences who are seeking a rush will be in for all kinds of fun with this one.

Set to a dark and moody remix of Johnny Cash’s famed ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ the first trailer for Wrath of Man goes for it with everything that it’s got and promises an intense ride with plenty of turns and twists. Ritchie by all accounts has had a blast going to work again with Statham, and these two really have created something intriguing, with action that goes right for the jugular.

Ritchie has also assembled a cracking supporting cast for Wrath of Man which includes Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Laz Alonzo, Raúl Castillo and Scott Eastwood as the film’s lead bag guy and the target of H’s fury.

Wrath of Man is shaping up to be the perfect action vehicles for film fans who have been wishing for a rush, and after the long-dry spell of COVID-19 I can think of no better film to get audiences back out into cinemas for an experience that is sure to get them amped up as Statham cracks skulls and takes names.

Get ready for a hard-boiled serving of explosive action cinema when Wrath of Man arrives in cinemas on April 29.

Image: Studio Canal

The post Jason Statham brings explosive action to ‘Wrath of Man’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.