#James Demonaco

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2014: The Purge - Anarchy

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𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔓𝔲𝔯𝔤𝔢: 𝔄𝔫𝔞𝔯𝔠𝔥𝔶 (շօյկ) 𝔡𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔟𝔶 𝔍𝔞𝔪𝔢𝔰 𝔇𝔢𝔐𝔬𝔫𝔞𝔠𝔬

[directorsnarrative]

The Purge: Anarchy • Director James DeMonaco

[reelvibes91]

When The Purge debuted, it really shook up what you could expect within the horror genre. It is a high concept that allowed writer/director James DeMonaco the chance to really dive deep.

Over time, though, looking back, this was not the way to launch a franchise. The concept of a night of crime is still very interesting. People talk about the concept more than they talk about the actual movies themselves. This one, having watched it now 11 years after release, is a rather typical horror thriller. It is an isolated story when it should have been more about the destruction this night causes. They presented this wild and outlandish concept and did very little to deep dive into the ramifications and societal implications.

Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey do what they can to help carry the film from point A to Point B. However, this series should have launched with Anarchy, which ended up being the sequel.

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On August 1, 2013, The Purge debuted in Italy.

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The Purge: Election Year

Summary: U.S. presidential candidate Charlene "Charlie" Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) promises to end the Purge if she is elected. The New Founding Fathers of America aren't too happy about that, and decide to change the rules for that year's Purge.

Second sequel that amps up the satire and shows keen awareness of issues that are somehow still current in 2024.

Rating: 4/5

Photo credit: Blu-Ray Rezensionen.net

[watchit-kal]

The Purge Franchise is one of my Favorites of all Time

Personally, I do not believe James DeMonaco ever got the proper recognition for his creation. In a time of regurgitation, rinse, and repeat, he made something brand spanking new. A few weeks ago I sat down and watched every movie “in order,” so join me as I rank them and sing DeMonaco’s praises along the way. From how he chose to draw in the audience to who he chose to direct the film, James DeMonaco has earned himself a spot on my people to watch list. I honestly want to rewatch the series as well, but I just watched it a few months ago (for the third time), so it seems a tad over the top.

Now, I will admit some of The Purge fans are downright weirdos comparable to those brainless The Boys fans. There is, however, a subgroup of each that is actually capable of critical thought, and I invite you to join us as we appreciate the story behind the violence. Firstly, let’s agree on the proper timeline:

The First Purge 10/10

The Purge 7/10

The Purge: Anarchy 9/10

The Purge: Election Year* 8/10 (the timing was what was most important about this release if not for actual worldly events the timeline may have flown better)

The Forever Purge 6/10

The Purge is unique not because no one else could have ever possibly thought about, but because someone was brave enough to simply do it. No source material to pull from, no visible demand for its relation, just art. The purge debuted at a time in our country where we were being more and more divisive. I like to think The Purge explores a very probable reality for the United States. It is important to note Michael Bay was involved with the Purge franchise and that man does not pick duds. In the first Purge movie released, starring, Ethan Hawke, DeMonaco did what had to be done in order to encapsulate audiences moving forward. In order for someone to be capable of writing The Purge, you must also assume they are a great observer of people, what they care about, and how they operate. I think this is demonstrated perfectly in the order in which he wrote this franchise and also who he chose to center stories around. In the first movie we follow an upper middle class white family. People who typically should not be effected by this gruesome holiday. A husband whose income relies on the continuation of this dreary day and a family that remains grateful. It was only fitting Mr. Hawke had to meet his end by the conclusion of the film, after all his family was only targeted because of his occupation. Although, I found them painfully boring they were the perfect family to draw in the majority of the world, which hates watching white people die. It was with them DeMonaco taught us the rules of this night and began to pull back the curtain on its gruesome nature. He also showed us above all else, people can be good.

Personally, The First Purge, when DeMonaco teamed up with director Gerard McMurray, will always be my favorite of the franchise. McMurray is also responsible for Burning Sands, a beautifully shot heart wrenching story about the dangers of hazing. he is moving forward to direct The Resonant, a post apocalyptic comic book series, that he will certainly execute perfectly. McMurray has this way of telling stories through his lens that makes it impossible for you to look away. I also adore that DeMonaco is only ever willing to hand over his babies to hands more capable than his depending the story he wishes to tell. While DeMonaco may very well be Italian or something, the man is white. So, the choice to pick a Howard educated director with an affinity for telling stories of oppression for this film was not lost on me. Do not tell me about his skeletons, DeMonaco is invited to my cookout. The first purge is the tale of how the purge came to be and also the reveal of why it was really created. For me, everything about this film was perfect. The cast, the cinematography, the plot line, and the survivors. This film felt the most real and accurate of all the others (excluding the series). I would actually watch an anthology series depicting the first purge in each city.

The others are pretty repetitive, same idea different layout, the public fighting the rich. The rich starting to lose. Some rich people being kinda okay. The usual. I will say though I felt so bad about being attracted to the Cowboy Casanova initially until this past year when he also played our Black Panther villain, then I gave myself a pass, because I obviously just have impeccable taste.

Anyway sorry for the long break I have been really sick, so even this is some shit, but go watch the purge series its very underrated and tell James DeMonaco you love him.

[roseshavethoughts]

A Dark Political Thriller That Hits (Too) Close to Home: Review of The Purge: Election Year (2016)

A Dark Political Thriller That Hits (Too) Close to Home: Review of The Purge: Election Year (2016)

Synopsis- Police Sergeant Leo Barnes is tasked with protecting the presidential candidate Charlie Roan after she is targeted for death on Purge night. Director- James DeMonaco Cast- Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Betty Gabriel Genre- Horror | Action Released- 2016 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5. In The Purge: Election Year (2016), director James DeMonaco continues his dystopian saga with a…

[adamwatchesmovies]

Jack (1996)

Anyone with a trained eye will see past the schmaltz and recognize 1998's Patch Adams as a manipulative, unfunny drama that cast Robin Williams in an attempt to be both hilarious and uplifting. For years, I kept a copy of it on DVD so that whenever I heard anyone sing its praises I could give them a reality check by sitting down and watching it with them. I don't know what I was thinking wasting my time like that. This brings us to Jack, which makes Patch Adams look like a finely crafted wine. Made two years earlier, Francis Ford Coppola tries to melt your heart. Instead, you'll want to die of embarrassment.

Jack Powell (Robin Williams) was born with a strange condition that makes him age four times as fast as normal. Home schooled for the first ten years of his life, Jack is finally allowed to go to school with students his own age when his doctor (played by Bill Cosby) convinces Mr. and Mrs. Powell (Brian PKerwin and Diane Lane) that it will be good for him.

This movie has a premise but it doesn’t have much of a plot. Jack is ten years old but looks forty. The kids at school think he’s a freak until they realize he’s a giant that can easily beat any of them at basketball and walk into any store to buy naughty magazines. Eventually they realize that’s not always a good thing. So what? The idea (I think) was that it would both tug at your heartstrings and make you laugh. Jack will look like the Crypt Keeper by the time he graduates from high school. His life will be cut short. How tragic. Meanwhile, Robin Williams, everyone!

Williams isn’t necessarily bad at playing a ten-year old. He does the best he can but the role is fundamentally unconvincing. You see a grown man jump into his parent’s bed and you can't help thinking about some SNL-type skit in which one of the cast members dresses like a kid for comedy's sake. The joke there was that they're not fooling anyone. This movie asks you to suspend your disbelief. It can't be done. A couple of scenes might make you chuckle but you can so easily see that these were not part of the script; they were lines Williams threw in and the editor decided to keep. The biggest hint is that no 10-year-old would say them.

It takes no time for Jack to reach maximum cringe. Bill Cosby plays Jack’s surprisingly non-comedic doctor (he’s being unfunny deliberately) and Jennifer Lopez, his teacher. All the scenes of Jack and his friends farting in cans convince you there won't be any romantic scenes between the 10-year-old and his sexy teacher but you’re nonetheless kept on edge. This movie could get THAT bad. It’s already pretty dreadful as-is, with Jack’s best friend’s mom (played by Fran Drescher) playing the stupidest adult you’ve seen in a long time. Her son, Louis (Adam Zolotin), hasn’t been doing his homework so she’s coming over to talk to the principal. Jack pretends to be him so the real conversation can't happen. That sounds like it could work but Jack stumbles over his words so badly it’s a wonder mom believes anything he says. Maybe she thinks the "principal" is just that hot for her that he can't speak properly. This scene embodies the entire film. We see where the movie could go horribly, horribly wrong, and where it might’ve actually been hysterical in a demented kind of way.

“No! Please! Stop!” Are words you better get used to if you plan on watching Jack. Writers James DeMoncao and Gary Nadeau aimed to make a bizarre tragedy, a pumped-up version of one of those “disease of the week” dramas fused with a coming-of-age story. Or maybe Francis Ford Coppola thought Robin Williams acting like a child while everyone around him pretends like that’s a perfectly normal thing would be hilarious. I don't think anyone expected it to be the low point in many talented people’s careers. It might've been interesting if it were absurdly bad or a little more tone-deaf. As is, "Jack" is a car crash you're more than happy to look away from. (February 18, 2022)

[scififorbiddenzone]

The Purge (2013)

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Uma Noite de Crime

A purga, um período de 12 horas onde qualquer crimes é legal. IMDb Título original: The Purge (2013) – 1 h 25 min – 14 anos. The Movie DB Quando o governo norte-americano constata que suas prisões estão cheias demais para receberem novos detentos, uma nova lei é criada, permitindo todas as atividades ilegais durante 12 horas. Este período, chamado de Noite do Crime, é marcado por milhares de…

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2013: The Purge

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Last night Adam and I watched The Negotiator (1998) which he had seen before and I hadn't. Is it a GOOD movie? I'm not sure. Probably not. But it was a relentlessly entertaining watch and a fascinating case study in two native New Yorkers* plus one Angeleno – screenwriters James DeMonaco and Kevin Fox, and director F. Gary Gray – making a film that is quintessentially about Chicago.

*Technically three since F. Gary Gray was born in New York. But he was raised in L.A. and he directed and produced Straight Outta Compton. Ergo, he is as California as they come.

[fear-the-premiere]

Been hyperfixating on The Purge this past week or so. Watched the original movie, Election Year, The First Purge and just finished season 1 of the show and holy fuck it's amazing. I'm gonna watch Anarchy and The Forever Purge now that S1 is done.

There is genuinely so much I would like to say about what I've watched so far because holy fucking shit I haven't stopped thinking about this franchise. I watched The Purge (2013) for the first time several months ago then showed it to friends. I was gonna watch more but no longer had legal access (🏴‍☠️). But then after that I was a little concerned it would just get ruined because franchising tends to do that. BUT NO. SO FAR IT HAS NOT BEEN A MISS.

Again, I've only watched three movies plus one season but the way the movies explain different aspects of how The Purge affects those people in-universe. The different perspectives in the movies and the show. The NFFA government, rich v poor, the nature of humanity. THERE IS SO MUCH THERE

I could go on about this and I probably will but for now I will continue consuming this piece of media and taking everything in.

[reelvibes91]

Third films in the series always try and change things up. The Purge is no different and throws out all rules previously established in the prior films

Frank Grillo returns as Leo Barnes and the story in this film seems better suited for the character. He is the security leader of Senator Charlie Roan, a presidential candidate who wants to stop the annual Purge night.

The story allows for more world building. We get more about how the NFFA operates and their internal structure. We get some thrilling supporting stories that eventually tie into the overall Election Year theme of it all. There are no restrictions on this Purge and that allows for more unpredictability and very intense action sequences.

It's probably the best entry yet as it elevates the concept to hold weight in regards to the future of society, and everyone can understand those implications.

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On July 18, 2015, The Purge debuted in Japan.

Here's a new drawing of Rhys Wakefield!