Damien Garvey Movies
Fresh off the success of their inventive take on the zombie genre, Undead masterminds Michael and Peter Spierig direct Ethan Hawke in an ambitious tale of a futuristic Earth populated entirely by vampires, and the efforts made by the creatures to ensure that their food supply doesn't run out as humankind is faced with extinction. The year is 2017, and a vampire plague has turned most of the planet's human population into bloodsucking ghouls. As the population of mortals fast begins to dwindle, a vampiric corporation sets out to capture and farm every remaining human while simultaneously researching a consumable blood substitute, headed by undead hematologist Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke). His work is interrupted after stumbling onto a pocket of human survivors lead by Elvis (Willem Dafoe), a former vampire, whose past reveals a cure that could reverse the tide and save the human race. With time running out, Dalton's only hope lies in outsmarting the security forces of his boss (Sam Neill), whose goal isn't just to find a substitute, but to repopulate humanity in order to sell its blood to the highest bidder. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, (more)
This stark, disturbing drama recreates a series of tragic events that racked Australia in March 1999 -- which local police acknowledged as one of the most inexplicable and senseless cases in memory. Kate Bell stars as Rachel Barber, a 15-year-old high school student living with her parents in Melbourne. Seemingly perfect -- beautiful, intelligent, talented, well-adjusted, and poised for wonderful things -- Rachel draws endless hostility from her neighbor and former babysitter, Caroline Reid (Ruth Bradley). Caroline seems to lack every advantage that Rachel possesses -- she's an overweight, homely 20-year-old with terrible skin, chronic depression, and a dysfunctional relationship with her parents. Full of bitterness and self-loathing, Caroline drums up an evil plan that will take Rachel's life. When Rachel then disappears, her parents immediately notify the police. The authorities are unfazed -- misinterpreting Rachel as just another adolescent runaway -- and can scarcely foresee the horrifying truth about the young woman's fate. First-timer Simone North directs; Sam Neill co-stars as Caroline's distant and uncomprehending father. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- Guy Pearce, Miranda Otto, (more)
WWE Smackdown star and self-proclaimed "Doctor of Thuganomics" John Cena makes his explosive action feature debut as John Triton, an injured U.S. Marine who returns home from duty after violating a commander's order, only to have his wife kidnapped by a ruthless criminal. Robert Patrick co-stars as the villainous Rome -- who is more than willing to kill if it means staying one step ahead of the law -- and Nip/Tuck star Kelly Carlson appears as the endangered object of the vengeful veteran's affections. With nothing left to lose and enough training to take down a small army, the hard-fighting Triton sets out to rescue his wife, and ensure that the psychotic Rome receives a painful taste of Semper Fi justice. Commercial veteran John Bonito takes the rein for his feature directorial debut. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Cena, Robert Patrick, (more)
- 2004
A man with no memory is unwittingly thrown into danger in this thriller with a comic edge from Australia. As Adrian (Clayton Watson), a young man who suffers from severe amnesia and can't retain a memory for longer than 30 minutes, is being held against his will by gangsters, he struggles to figure out what has happened to him, using his collection of scribbled notes and instant photos to recall recent events. Eventually, Adrian remembers Brandon (Nathan Phillips), who works at a home for the challenged where Adrian spends his days. Brandon is a champion surfer who is sentenced to work at the home as community service after becoming involved in a vicious fight. Brandon has convinced his supervisor Maxine (Marg Downey) to let him take Adrian and palsied Trevor (Steady Eddie) to the beach for a day in the sun; Brandon, however, has an ulterior motive, as a surf competition is being held at the seashore that day. After picking up hitchhiker Jo (Chloe Maxwell), Brandon and his charges arrive at the beach, where a run-in with Gene (Damien Garvey), the leader of a local gang, takes matters in an unfortunate direction. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Nathan Phillips, Clayton Watson, (more)
- 2002
Clinging to their youthful recklessness before hurdling headlong into the dreaded world of adulthood responsibility, the graduating high school class of 70,000 head to the Gold Coast to live it up at the Australian phenomenon known as Schoolies and party themselves into oblivion. Whether by train, bus, car or limo, Blurred just goes to show that getting there is half the fun as a variety of characters experience the youthful rush of youthful abandon. Set to a frenetic pace and taking on the madness of Schoolies for the first time, director Evan Clary's freshman effort offers a rare glimpse into the wild world of Australia's equivalent to America's spring break antics. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Matthew Newton, Craig Horner, (more)
