"Deepwater Horizon" Review by Tim Hellman

'DEEPWATER HORIZON': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The new disaster flick about the 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion (which also caused a humongous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico); the catastrophe is the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history (which also killed 11 workers, and injured 17 more). The movie stars Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O'Brien, John Malkovich, Kate Hudson and Ethan Suplee. It was directed by Peter Berg; who's also teamed with Wahlberg on the 2013 war film 'LONE SURVIVOR', and the upcoming historical disaster flick 'PATRIOTS DAY'. The script was written by Matthew Sand and Matthew Michael Carnahan; it was based on the The New York Times' article 'Deepwater Horizon's Final Hours' (written by David Barstow, David S. Rohde and Stephanie Saul). Due to it's $156 million budget, the film is a pretty big disappointment at the Box Office; but it has done well with critics. I'd say it's about as good a film as I expected it to be.

The true story takes place on April 20, 2010; on the oil rig Deepwater Horizon (about 40 miles from the Louisiana coast). The drilling unit was owned by Transocean, and drilling for BP. The blowout, and explosion (on the rig that day), caused it to burn and sink; and release thousands of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This film focuses on some of the 120 crew members, that were on board; including Mike Williams (Wahlberg), Jimmy Harrell (Russell), Andrea Fleytas (Rodriguez) and Caleb Holloway (O'Brien).

The film is technically impressive, and it's well made. Berg is a talented director, at making this type of movie, and Wahlberg and Russell are great at acting in them. Although the performances are good, I don't think there's enough character development to really care about the characters. So the movie is not nearly as emotional as it wants to be. I also think spending $156 million on a film like this is ridiculous; how did the producers ever think they were going to make their money back?! It is intense, and suspenseful though.

Official Stills for the Upcoming Drama "Deepwater Horizon"

Summit Entertainment recently released stills for their upcoming film "Deepwater Horizon". The film is the latest from director Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, Lone Survivor) and starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O’Brien and Kate Hudson.

"Deepwater Horizon" hits theaters on September 30th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.deepwaterhorizon.movie.

Plot Synopsis:

On April 20th, 2010, one of the world’s largest man-made disasters occurred on the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. Directed by Peter Berg (Lone Survivor), this story honors the brave men and women whose heroism would save many on board, and change everyone’s lives forever.

Zack Braff's "Wish I Was Here" Heads to Your Living Room in October

Universal Studios recently released information for the upcoming home entertainment release of Zach Braff's "Wish I Was Here". The film stars Braff, Kate Hudson, Mandy Patinkin (Homeland) Joey King (Fargo), Pierce Gagnon (Looper), Josh Gad (Frozen), Ashley Greene (Twilight), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), and Michael Weston (Garden State).


No special features were announces at this time. "Wish I Was Here" hits Digital HD on October 14th and DVD and Blu-Ray October 28th.

Press Release:

After his indie breakout hit Garden State, filmmaker Zach Braff returns with Wish I Was Here, a comedy-drama about what it means to be at a major crossroads as a parent, spouse, and child – all at once. One of the most notable films at this year's Sundance Film Festival, Wish I Was Here will be available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack including Blu-ray™, DVD and DIGITAL HD with UltraViolet™ on October 28, 2014 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The film will also be available two weeks early on Digital HD October 14, 2014.

Aidan Bloom (Braff), a husband and father and struggling actor, lives in Los Angeles with his wife Sarah (Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson) and family. After an announcement from his own father Gabe (Mandy Patinkin of Homeland) disrupts Aidan's day-to-day existence, his decision to homeschool his children Grace and Tucker (Joey King of Fargo and Pierce Gagnon of Looper) will lead him on an unexpected journey of discovery about fulfillment and family.

Wish I Was Here's cast also includes Josh Gad (Frozen), Ashley Greene (Twilight), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), and Michael Weston (Garden State).