Featured in The 7PM Project: September 20, 2024 episode (2024)
Story
A fading celebrity takes a black market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of himself. Ray Liotta was cast in the film in February 2022, but died in May of that year before he could film his scenes. Dennis Quaid replaced him, but Liotta is still mentioned in the director’s “thank you letters” in the credits. The bathroom mirror reappears intact after being smashed several times during the fight scene: There was some mild drug abuse. The closing credits cut to the many extras in the theater scene who were covered in blood.
There are MANY
Pump It UpWritten by Michael Hall, Leonardo StellaPerformed by Earl GregoryProduced by Julien Deguines. Let me start with the positives. The casting? Perfect. The acting?
Pretty much impeccable
All of the performances captivated me and contributed greatly to the story. The concept was phenomenal and super interesting. A very good idea for a movie. The camera work was unique and very good. The music in the movie also contributed greatly to the suspense.
So why 6 stars?
The first two thirds of the movie executes all of these things perfectly. THE END. The believable and suspenseful aspects of the story were thrown out the window to satisfy the director’s Cronenberg fantasy and desire to fully utilize the special effects budget. It felt completely disorganized, almost like they had no idea what to do with the ending or any desire to make it interesting. A movie with so much potential and I left the theater disappointed.
Side Notes: No more butt-kicking
We get what you’re trying to do, that’s enough. And if you want to gross out your audience, you’re going to have to put some effort into the writers room. It’s lazy to include exaggerated squealing in almost every scene. Check out our list of exciting new films from this year’s film festivals, including Venice, TIFF, the New York Film Festival and more.