| FROZEN |
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| Written by Joseph B. Mauceri | |||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday, 04 February 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
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RELEASING: ANCHOR BAY FILMS SYNOPSIS: A typical day on the slopes turns into a chilling nightmare for three snowboarders when they get stranded on the chairlift before their last run. As the ski patrol switches off the night lights, they realize with growing panic that they’ve been left behind dangling high off the ground with no way down. With the resort closed until the following weekend and frostbite and hypothermia already setting in, the trio is forced to take desperate measures to escape off the mountain before they freeze to death. Once they make their move, they discover with horror that they have much more to fear than just the frigid cold. As they combat unexpected obstacles, they start to question if their will to survive is strong enough to overcome the worst ways to die? (Provided by studio) CREW: Director/Screenplay – Adam Green; Producers – Peter Block & Cory Neal; Cinematography - Will Barratt; Score - Andy Garfield; Editor – Ed Marx; Production Design - Bryan McBrien; Costumes - Barbara Nelson; Special Makeup Effects Supervisor – Chris Hanson; Special Effects Supervisor – Dean W. Miller; Stunt Coordinator – Kane Hodder. CAST: EMMA BELL... Parker O'Neil; SHAWN ASHMORE... Joe Lynch; KEVIN ZEGERS... Dan Walker; ED ACKERMAN... Jason; RILEAH VANDERBILT... Shannon; KANE HODDER... Cody; ADAM JOHNSON... Rifkin; Chris York... Ryan; PEDER MELHUSE... Driver. OFFICIAL WEB SITE: www.frozen-film.com **"REEL" Value:
- FROZEN’s trailer claims that given the odds an accident like this is bound to happen. It seems plausible enough but making statements such as “will do for skiing what ‘Jaws” did for swimming” is a bold statement that has more to do with the critic trying to be witty enough to get quoted in the promotional campaign then the quality of the film.
The plot leaves out just enough background content so that the superficial setup remains grounded without questioning any potential plot holes. It’s well paced and the 94 min running time easily sustained the audience’s interest. What kicks up the levels of suspense and peril is the addition of a ravenous wolf pack, and that’s okay because without a specific location there is a comfortable level of plausibility. Between the wolves and the graphic effects of frost bite the filmmakers are able to get solid reactions from the more squeamish audiences members and there was plenty of jumping and squirming in the seats. The stunts were well choreographed, the special effects were nicely done, the wolves a nice touch, and there is a better integration between those elements and the narrative that make FROZEN a superior work to director/screenwriter Adam Green’s previous films “Hatched” and “Spiral.” This is a more mature film and he demonstrates a talent for tackling more profound independent cinema projects. While every filmmaker longs to have their film play on a big screen, there were a few minor edits that could be easily overlooked on the smaller screen. Emma Bell and Shawn Ashmore are excellent at selling the suspense, drama, and tension, and I have to say that once actor Kevin Zeger’s is out of the story it’s a stronger film. There was brevity to Zeger’s performance that just didn’t capture the severity of his scenes and I just didn’t find him credible. FROZEN is opening February 5th, 2010, the weekend before Valentine’s Day weekend. Given a few of the plot points, as a date movie it would probably be better to see this opening weekend. However, if you’re looking to break up with that not special someone in your life then I would absolutely suggest FROZEN next weekend. And while it might not do what “Jaws” did for swimming it will have you questioning who you go skiing with. ** Based on the regular $12.50 ticket prices at a Manhattan theater Feb. 5th, 2010. |
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