English actress Stephanie Leonidas is making her Hallmark Channel debut while playing Amy in the new film A Very Venice Romance and you might be curious to learn more about her personal life!
The 39-year-old actress is best known for roles in SyFy’s Defiance, Netflix’s Feel Good, ITV’s Endeavour VII, and the fantasy film MirrorMask.
Stephanie is also a celebrated stage actress in the UK.
In her personal life, Stephanie has been married since December 2016 and she’s been in a relationship with her husband for 19 years now!
Keep reading to find out more…
Stephanie is married to actor Robert Boulter, who is also a celebrated stage actor in London. He initially had a role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as a stand-in for a young Luke Skywalker, but his scene was cut from the finished movie.
On her Instagram page, Stephanie celebrated her 16th anniversary...
The 39-year-old actress is best known for roles in SyFy’s Defiance, Netflix’s Feel Good, ITV’s Endeavour VII, and the fantasy film MirrorMask.
Stephanie is also a celebrated stage actress in the UK.
In her personal life, Stephanie has been married since December 2016 and she’s been in a relationship with her husband for 19 years now!
Keep reading to find out more…
Stephanie is married to actor Robert Boulter, who is also a celebrated stage actor in London. He initially had a role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as a stand-in for a young Luke Skywalker, but his scene was cut from the finished movie.
On her Instagram page, Stephanie celebrated her 16th anniversary...
- 9/30/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Matthew Lopez’s Olivier Award-winning two-part West End production The Inheritance will make its Broadway debut this fall, producers Tom Kirdahy, Sonia Friedman Productions and Hunter Arnold announced today.
The play, a re-envisioning E. M. Forster’s Howards End set in 21st Century New York, will begin previews at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Friday, Sept. 27, with an official opening night on Sunday, Nov. 17.
The producers said casting will be announced in the coming weeks. The West End cast featured Hugo Bolton, Robert Boulter, Andrew Burnap, Hubert Burton, John Benjamin Hickey, Paul Hilton, Samuel H. Levine, Syrus Lowe, Michael Marcus, Jack Riddiford, Kyle Soller, Michael Walters and Vanessa Redgrave.
Directed by Stephen Daldry and designed by Bob Crowley The Inheritance won the 2019 Oliver Award for Best Play. As described in today’s announcement, the two-parter “begins with a gathering of young,...
The play, a re-envisioning E. M. Forster’s Howards End set in 21st Century New York, will begin previews at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Friday, Sept. 27, with an official opening night on Sunday, Nov. 17.
The producers said casting will be announced in the coming weeks. The West End cast featured Hugo Bolton, Robert Boulter, Andrew Burnap, Hubert Burton, John Benjamin Hickey, Paul Hilton, Samuel H. Levine, Syrus Lowe, Michael Marcus, Jack Riddiford, Kyle Soller, Michael Walters and Vanessa Redgrave.
Directed by Stephen Daldry and designed by Bob Crowley The Inheritance won the 2019 Oliver Award for Best Play. As described in today’s announcement, the two-parter “begins with a gathering of young,...
- 6/6/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Craig Russell, Robert Pugh, Hannah Daniel, Sheena Bhattessa, Richard Mylan, Kai Owen, Aled Pugh, Robert Boulter, Kevin McCurdy, Steve Meo, Dominique Dauwe, Marc Rhys, Tsilala Brock, Sophie Melville, Richard Corgan | Written and Directed by Peter Stray
DJ Steve Dennis (Craig Russell) decides to return home to the small town of Cwmtwrch, Wales to hold a New Year’s Eve Party, with the hope of getting some new investors interested in his new business venture. Unfortunately for Steve and his guests, aliens have decided to invade, leaving them no choice but to defend themselves against the invaders.
Alien Party Crashers has a rather complicated plot, with the various events crossing over several decades, which involves abductions, time travel, killer aliens and several bodies falling from the sky. It seems an ambitious project with the low budget, but as the events unfold the various seams of the plot come nicely together,...
DJ Steve Dennis (Craig Russell) decides to return home to the small town of Cwmtwrch, Wales to hold a New Year’s Eve Party, with the hope of getting some new investors interested in his new business venture. Unfortunately for Steve and his guests, aliens have decided to invade, leaving them no choice but to defend themselves against the invaders.
Alien Party Crashers has a rather complicated plot, with the various events crossing over several decades, which involves abductions, time travel, killer aliens and several bodies falling from the sky. It seems an ambitious project with the low budget, but as the events unfold the various seams of the plot come nicely together,...
- 3/14/2019
- by Philip Rogers
- Nerdly
You’ve no doubt heard of Flashback Friday and Throwback Thursday, but what about Movie Trivia Monday (trademark pending)?
We jest, of course, but tonight brings us some news from the depths of Twitter, where Adam Frazier of FirstShowing has relayed a never-before-seen piece of concept art from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Initially uncovered by Reddit, this artwork is allegedly pulled from a Force Awakens deleted scene in which Rey encounters a young Luke Skywalker.
Upon further inspection, we’re more inclined to believe young Luke, played here by Robert Boulter, was intended for the movie’s opening, before J.J. Abrams and Co. decided against it – essentially, the fabled cut would have shown Luke’s famous lightsaber drifting through space following his clash with Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.
Via Twitter:
Rey’s “Force Vision” in The Force Awakens originally included Luke & Vader’s duel from The Empire Strikes Back.
We jest, of course, but tonight brings us some news from the depths of Twitter, where Adam Frazier of FirstShowing has relayed a never-before-seen piece of concept art from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Initially uncovered by Reddit, this artwork is allegedly pulled from a Force Awakens deleted scene in which Rey encounters a young Luke Skywalker.
Upon further inspection, we’re more inclined to believe young Luke, played here by Robert Boulter, was intended for the movie’s opening, before J.J. Abrams and Co. decided against it – essentially, the fabled cut would have shown Luke’s famous lightsaber drifting through space following his clash with Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.
Via Twitter:
Rey’s “Force Vision” in The Force Awakens originally included Luke & Vader’s duel from The Empire Strikes Back.
- 11/26/2018
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
There is a deleted scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens that would have featured a flashback of the lightsaber duel between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back.
This scene would have been featured in Rey’s vision when she picks up Luke’s long lost lightsaber. They even cast a different actor to play the young version of Luke Skywalker and that actor was Robert Boulter.
A photo of Boulter in full costume and make-up has popped up online showing the actor in the role. As you will see below, all of the details of Luke Skywalker’s look from the film have been meticulously recreated for this scene. It’s cool, but it’s also a little weird seeing a different actor in the role of Luke Skywalker. I imagine they would have touched up the face with some CGI to make him look more like a young Hamill.
This scene would have been featured in Rey’s vision when she picks up Luke’s long lost lightsaber. They even cast a different actor to play the young version of Luke Skywalker and that actor was Robert Boulter.
A photo of Boulter in full costume and make-up has popped up online showing the actor in the role. As you will see below, all of the details of Luke Skywalker’s look from the film have been meticulously recreated for this scene. It’s cool, but it’s also a little weird seeing a different actor in the role of Luke Skywalker. I imagine they would have touched up the face with some CGI to make him look more like a young Hamill.
- 11/26/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Stars: Craig Russell, Robert Pugh, Hannah Daniel, Sheena Bhattessa, Richard Mylan, Kai Owen, Aled Pugh, Robert Boulter, Kevin McCurdy, Steve Meo, Dominique Dauwe, Marc Rhys, Tsilala Brock, Sophie Melville, Richard Corgan | Written and Directed by Peter Stray
DJ Steve Dennis (Craig Russell) decides to return home to the small town of Cwmtwrch, Wales to hold a New Year’s Eve Party, with the hope of getting some new investors interested in his new business venture. Unfortunately for Steve and his guests, aliens have decided to invade, leaving them no choice but to defend themselves against the invaders.
Canaries has a rather complicated plot, with the various events crossing over several decades, which involves abductions, time travel, killer aliens and several bodies falling from the sky. It seems an ambitious project with the low budget, but as the events unfold the various seams of the plot come nicely together, even though...
DJ Steve Dennis (Craig Russell) decides to return home to the small town of Cwmtwrch, Wales to hold a New Year’s Eve Party, with the hope of getting some new investors interested in his new business venture. Unfortunately for Steve and his guests, aliens have decided to invade, leaving them no choice but to defend themselves against the invaders.
Canaries has a rather complicated plot, with the various events crossing over several decades, which involves abductions, time travel, killer aliens and several bodies falling from the sky. It seems an ambitious project with the low budget, but as the events unfold the various seams of the plot come nicely together, even though...
- 11/28/2017
- by Philip Rogers
- Nerdly
Nikki Baughan Aug 25, 2017
Canaries is a British feature getting a Horror Channel FrightFest screening this weekend. We've been taking a look...
Think of big screen science fiction, and it’s likely to bring to mind glossy images of alien spacecrafts obliterating the White House, monsters running amuck in New York or Tokyo, or a post-apocalyptic Los Angelean wasteland. It’s perhaps unsurprising that these are the moments which linger in our collective consciousness; on screen at least, such cataclysmic events are usually clustered around the world’s big cities, with filmmakers giving little thought to how they might play out elsewhere.
There have been exceptions of course, such as classics like Village Of The Damned (1960) and The Stepford Wives (1975) and, in more recent years, UK filmmakers have also been looking to redress the balance. Marc Price set his 2008 zombie movie Colin on a suburban British estate, for example, while Stephen Fingleton...
Canaries is a British feature getting a Horror Channel FrightFest screening this weekend. We've been taking a look...
Think of big screen science fiction, and it’s likely to bring to mind glossy images of alien spacecrafts obliterating the White House, monsters running amuck in New York or Tokyo, or a post-apocalyptic Los Angelean wasteland. It’s perhaps unsurprising that these are the moments which linger in our collective consciousness; on screen at least, such cataclysmic events are usually clustered around the world’s big cities, with filmmakers giving little thought to how they might play out elsewhere.
There have been exceptions of course, such as classics like Village Of The Damned (1960) and The Stepford Wives (1975) and, in more recent years, UK filmmakers have also been looking to redress the balance. Marc Price set his 2008 zombie movie Colin on a suburban British estate, for example, while Stephen Fingleton...
- 8/24/2017
- Den of Geek
It's been known for some time that the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens will look to use returning cast members from the classic Original Trilogy to pass the torch to a new set of heroes. However, if rumors about the J.J. Abrams-directed sequel prove true, then the film may also be passing another torch regarding its narrative style to utilize Abrams' signature use of flashbacks. Now, it seems that one strong source of rumors has pointed to an actor being cast as a younger version of an iconic Star Wars character for that very purpose. Warning: Potential Spoiler material ahead! Seriously, this could be a major reveal if proven true and you have been warned. Proceed With Caution! According to a recent report from Making Star Wars, claiming insider access to the production, actor Robert Boulter has been cast in the Star Wars sequel for the role...
- 2/27/2015
- cinemablend.com
Chicago – In this edition of the HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: DVD, one lucky winner will clean up with three DVDs from Magnolia Pictures for the movies “Donkey Punch,” “Severance” and “Splinter” plus a full-size poster for “The Oxford Murders” signed by cult-favorite director Álex de la Iglesia!
“The Oxford Murders” stars Elijah Wood and John Hurt. The film premiered on video on demand, Xbox and Amazon.com on July 7, 2010 and opens in theaters Aug. 6, 2010. “Donkey Punch” stars Robert Boulter and Sian Breckin. “Severance” stars Toby Stephens and Claudie Blakley. “Splinter” stars Charles Baker and Jill Wagner.
To win your free DVDs and poster courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer a question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for “The Oxford Murders” with Elijah Wood and John Hurt.
“The Oxford Murders” stars Elijah Wood and John Hurt. The film premiered on video on demand, Xbox and Amazon.com on July 7, 2010 and opens in theaters Aug. 6, 2010. “Donkey Punch” stars Robert Boulter and Sian Breckin. “Severance” stars Toby Stephens and Claudie Blakley. “Splinter” stars Charles Baker and Jill Wagner.
To win your free DVDs and poster courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is answer a question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for “The Oxford Murders” with Elijah Wood and John Hurt.
- 7/16/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Two TV shows and two indie horror movies comprise the final edition of the infamous HollywoodChicago.com Round-Up for March. Both shows already have cult followings and the movies are likely to build ones of their own.
There are several major titles hitting DVD and Blu-Ray this week - “Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Seven Pounds,” “Marley & Me”. These are the minor ones that have hit stores in recent weeks or are just about to do so.
“Cracker: The Complete Collection” was released on March 10th, 2009.
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars - A Galaxy Divided” was released on March 24th, 2009.
“Donkey Punch” & “Shuttle” will be released on April 7th, 2009.
“Cracker: The Complete Collection”
Photo credit: Acorn Media Who doesn’t want nearly a day’s worth of highly acclaimed mystery movies? “Cracker” with Robbie Coltrane is one of the most beloved series of mysteries of the last several decades.
There are several major titles hitting DVD and Blu-Ray this week - “Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Seven Pounds,” “Marley & Me”. These are the minor ones that have hit stores in recent weeks or are just about to do so.
“Cracker: The Complete Collection” was released on March 10th, 2009.
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars - A Galaxy Divided” was released on March 24th, 2009.
“Donkey Punch” & “Shuttle” will be released on April 7th, 2009.
“Cracker: The Complete Collection”
Photo credit: Acorn Media Who doesn’t want nearly a day’s worth of highly acclaimed mystery movies? “Cracker” with Robbie Coltrane is one of the most beloved series of mysteries of the last several decades.
- 3/31/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Magnolia Pictures recently released this brand new movie poster from the upcoming horror film “Donkey Punch” by director Oliver Blackburn and starring Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Tom Burke. Synopsis: After meeting at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, seven young adults decide to continue partying aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the ocean. But when one of them dies in a freak accident the others argue about what to do, leading to a ruthless fight for survival. For more info, be sure to check out the official “Donkey Punch” website here. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the latest movie news and more from “Donkey Punch”.
- 1/26/2009
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
Release Date: Jan. 23
Director: Oliver Blackburn
Writers: Oliver Blackburn and David Bloom
Cinematographer: Nanu Segal
Starring: Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Julian Morris, Jay Taylor, Jaime Winstone
Studio/Run Time: Magnolia Pictures, 99 mins.
The phrase from which this film takes its name is likely familiar to many who have been to college in the past decade or who know someone from a fraternity. The film, in fact, broaches the subject in much the way I imagine most of us originally heard it: via flirtatious talk about over-the-top and almost certainly unreal sexual maneuvers. Donkey Punch takes this and turns it into a reality that conforms with what doctors would tell you about the move, which is that not only does it have no basis in reality, but it’s also potentially lethal. In the film, it most certainly is the latter.
Director: Oliver Blackburn
Writers: Oliver Blackburn and David Bloom
Cinematographer: Nanu Segal
Starring: Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Julian Morris, Jay Taylor, Jaime Winstone
Studio/Run Time: Magnolia Pictures, 99 mins.
The phrase from which this film takes its name is likely familiar to many who have been to college in the past decade or who know someone from a fraternity. The film, in fact, broaches the subject in much the way I imagine most of us originally heard it: via flirtatious talk about over-the-top and almost certainly unreal sexual maneuvers. Donkey Punch takes this and turns it into a reality that conforms with what doctors would tell you about the move, which is that not only does it have no basis in reality, but it’s also potentially lethal. In the film, it most certainly is the latter.
- 1/23/2009
- Pastemagazine.com
Magnolia Pictures just released this brand new official movie trailer from the upcoming horror film “Donkey Punch” by director Oliver Blackburn and starring Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Tom Burke. Synopsis: After meeting at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, seven young adults decide to continue partying aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the ocean. But when one of them dies in a freak accident the others argue about what to do, leading to a ruthless fight for survival. For more info, be sure to check out the official “Donkey Punch” website here. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for the latest movie news and more from “Donkey Punch”.
- 1/23/2009
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
British thriller Donkey Punch hits Us screens in limited release on January 23rd (and be available on HDNet Ultra VOD)and today there's a clip from the flick that you can check out at Arrow in the Head Here. And as an added bonus this clip explains to you what a Donkey Punch is, so goodbye sex party awkwardness and hello sexual awakening! The movie is directed by Oliver Blackburn and stars Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Ray Winstone's kid Jaime Winstone. In the film, a man applies a donkey...
- 1/21/2009
- by James Thoo
- JoBlo.com
ShockTillYouDrop.com has posted an exclusive clip from Donkey Punch , which will be available on HDNet Ultra VOD and in theaters January 23. Directed by Oliver Blackburn, the movie stars Jaime Winstone, Julian Morris, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Jay Taylor and Robert Boulter. After meeting at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, seven young adults decide to continue partying aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the ocean. But when one of them dies in a freak accident the others argue about what to do, leading to a ruthless fight for survival. Watch the clip here !
- 1/16/2009
- Comingsoon.net
See the trailer for the intense thriller from Magnet "Donkey Punch," starring Julian Morris, Tom Burke, Jay Taylor, Jaime Winstone, Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Nichola Burley. Magnolia's Magnet Releasing arm sends this one out in the U.S. on January 23rd after running in the U.K. on July 18th last year. The story follows four guys who plan to use their "Donkey Punch" on three hot girls they meet. After taking them ...
- 1/15/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the trailer for the intense thriller from Magnet "Donkey Punch," starring Julian Morris, Tom Burke, Jay Taylor, Jaime Winstone, Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Nichola Burley. Magnolia's Magnet Releasing arm sends this one out in the U.S. on January 23rd after running in the U.K. on July 18th last year. The story follows four guys who plan to use their "Donkey Punch" on three hot girls they meet. After taking them ...
- 1/15/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the trailer for the intense thriller from Magnet "Donkey Punch," starring Julian Morris, Tom Burke, Jay Taylor, Jaime Winstone, Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Nichola Burley. Magnolia's Magnet Releasing arm sends this one out in the U.S. on January 23rd after running in the U.K. on July 18th last year. The story follows four guys who plan to use their "Donkey Punch" on three hot girls they meet. After taking them to a swanky yacht for serious partying, one debaucherous act goes too far, leaving someone dead and turning this teenage joy ride into a weekend of bloody bedlam.
- 1/15/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
See the trailer for the intense thriller from Magnet "Donkey Punch," starring Julian Morris, Tom Burke, Jay Taylor, Jaime Winstone, Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Nichola Burley. Magnolia's Magnet Releasing arm sends this one out in the U.S. on January 23rd after running in the U.K. on July 18th last year. The story follows four guys who plan to use their "Donkey Punch" on three hot girls they meet. After taking them ...
- 1/15/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"Donkey Punch" has finally released its trailer. Posted exclusively on Yahoo! Movies, the less than two-minute video starts off with a scene showing three women enjoying their holiday in Spain. While having a drink at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, they meet four men who offer them to continue the party on one of the men's yacht.
When the party gets wilder, one of the ladies dies in a freak accident. Though in the beginning all six agree to throw her body overboard to avoid troubles with the police, some change their minds due to their own fears and consciences, leading to a ruthless fight for survival.
Directed by Oliver Blackburn who also wrote the script with David Bloom, "Donkey Punch" is a British suspense thriller with a tagline "This Party Is Going Overboard". Having been released in the U.K. on July 18, 2008, the movie starring Nichola Burley, Tom Burke,...
When the party gets wilder, one of the ladies dies in a freak accident. Though in the beginning all six agree to throw her body overboard to avoid troubles with the police, some change their minds due to their own fears and consciences, leading to a ruthless fight for survival.
Directed by Oliver Blackburn who also wrote the script with David Bloom, "Donkey Punch" is a British suspense thriller with a tagline "This Party Is Going Overboard". Having been released in the U.K. on July 18, 2008, the movie starring Nichola Burley, Tom Burke,...
- 1/14/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The folks at Magnet Releasing passed along a look at the official poster for the UK thriller Donkey Punch ( review ). Oliver Blackburn's film fall in with Magnet's Six-Shooter Film Series and hits theaters in a limited run on January 23rd. Jaime Winstone, Julian Morris, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Jay Taylor and Robert Boulter star. Synopsis: Three gorgeous ladies on holiday in a Mediterranean beach town are determined to let their hair down and leave their troubles behind. The festivities begin at a nightclub, where libations flow and libidos grow. As luck would have it, they encounter three charming lads who are more than eager to provide them with what they are looking for. Collectively they make their way to the yacht where the men crew. Caught up in the hedonistic wave...
- 12/2/2008
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Magnolia Pictures sent along a first look at the U.S. poster for British director Olly Blackburn’s Donkey Punch. The movie begins its limited theatrical release January 23 as part of the company’s 6-Shooter Film Series.
Scripted by Blackburn and David Bloom, Donkey Punch takes place during a yachting trip by a group of hedonistic 20somethings, during which one of the guys performs the titular violent sex act on one of the girls. She winds up dying, setting off conflicts and further violence and death among the group. The cast includes Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Julian (CRY_WOLF) Morris, Jay Taylor and Jaime Winstone, with makeup FX by Paul (Doomsday) Hyett; an official website will be open soon here. Look for a feature article on Donkey Punch in Fango #280, on sale in January.
Scripted by Blackburn and David Bloom, Donkey Punch takes place during a yachting trip by a group of hedonistic 20somethings, during which one of the guys performs the titular violent sex act on one of the girls. She winds up dying, setting off conflicts and further violence and death among the group. The cast includes Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Julian (CRY_WOLF) Morris, Jay Taylor and Jaime Winstone, with makeup FX by Paul (Doomsday) Hyett; an official website will be open soon here. Look for a feature article on Donkey Punch in Fango #280, on sale in January.
- 11/24/2008
- Fangoria
Check out the latest movie trailer from the upcoming horror film “Donkey Punch” by director Oliver Blackburn and starring Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin and Tom Burke. Synopsis: After meeting at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, seven young adults decide to continue partying aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the ocean. But when one of them dies in a freak accident the others argue about what to do, leading to a ruthless fight for survival.
- 6/10/2008
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
Via the first ever trailer, if you head on over to Maxim UK you can get your first ever look at Magnolia Pictures' (Magent Releasing) Donkey Punch (review). While still looking for a release date here in the States, the film by Olly Blackburn hits UK cinemas on July 18. Check out the film's official website for more on the film, which centers on the freak death of a partygoer on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean and the conflict that arises among the surviving passengers. Jaime Winstone, Tom Burke, Julian Morris and Robert Boulter all star in the film that had it's world premiere at this past Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
- 6/5/2008
- bloody-disgusting.com
Sundance Film Festival
PARK CITY -- The recent horror-film subgenre of mischievous young people on holiday getting into more trouble than planned takes to the open waters in Donkey Punch, a formulaic yet clever chiller that offers generous doses of sex and violence aboard a luxury yacht.
Its characters grow increasingly crazed and frantic in Act 2, and by the third, the filmmakers seem to catch the virus: That's when the meticulously reasoned psychological underpinnings of the group paranoia and logical design of character interactions go overboard in an absurd, indeed laughable orgy of grotesque deaths.
The British film, a first effort with a modest budget and no-name cast from director Olly Blackburn, keeps its eye on its commercial hooks long enough to reel in audiences for a couple of weeks of theatrical play before segueing to cable and DVD rentals.
The film neatly develops a sense of foreboding even in its frivolous first minutes where young Brits with handsome bodes frolic in the bars and on the beach of Mallorca while on holiday. Three girls from dreary old Leeds are out for a weekend of fun and perhaps naughtiness. Sexually confident Lisa (Sian Breckin) and free-spirited Kim (Jaime Winstone) are determined to distract downcast Tammi (Nichola Burley) from recent boyfriend woes.
They hit the bars and run into three blokes from London who coax them back to the yacht they are crewing on for the summer. Marcus (Jay Taylor) is a smooth operator, but Bluey (Tom Burke) has a look of danger in his face. Josh (Julian Morris) comes across as an innocent, so interest lies in how everyone will pair off. Then the girls meet the fourth crew member, Sean (Robert Boulter), Josh's older brother and the most mature of the young men.
Kim promises the reluctant Tammi the party will last for "only a drink," but this gets forgotten when everyone decides a late afternoon cruise would be ideal. Champagne leads to party drugs and frank talk of sex. When Bluey colorfully describes a "donkey punch," a sharp blow to the neck of a female during intercourse to increase male pleasure, you just know that Blackburn and co-writer David Bloom have found the opening for their thrill ride.
Soon everyone heads to a bedroom below deck except for Tammi and Sean, who remain above for a meaningful conversation, designating these two as the adults of this lot. Lisa and Bluey naturally pair off, followed by Marcus and Kim. Josh whips out a video camera and, again, you just know that tape is going to play a role.
In a spirit of male camaraderie, Bluey offers Josh his chance with a compliant Lisa and against absolutely no expectations Josh tries out that donkey punch. Moments later, Lisa is dead. The group divides along gender lines about how to respond.
The men all want the women to tell police that Lisa, dazed by drugs and alcohol, fell overboard. The women opt for the truth. Sean probably would agree with the women except that his younger brother is the one who will rot in a Spanish jail. Quite believably, the women do not know how to summon help in a foreign language with ship-to-shore equipment they cannot operate.
The men, lead by bad-boy Bluey, enforce their point of view with Brute Force so the body is buried at sea. Soon after, a kitchen knife gets buried in Bluey's chest. The contest of savagery and survival is on. A rifle turns up and is pointed at the women. A distress flare goes off in someone's gut. A woman breaks out of confinement by breaking through a glass door with her body. Then someone finds a chainsaw. A chainsaw on a yacht? Now you know Blackburn and Bloom are desperate.
The bloodbath looses all logic as the filmmakers ignore fairly well drawn characters in favor of grotesque deaths. That third act needed a real twist, something to surprise an audience while elevating their story above the usual cinematic carnage. It never gets one.
The film, actually shot in waters off South Africa, does get maximum mileage out of virtually a single set, a few lethal props and seven actors. But a much smarter film was possible.
DONKEY PUNCH
The U.K. Film Council and Film4 in association with Screen Yorkshire and EM Media present a Warp X production
Credits:
Director: Olly Blackburn
Screenwriters: Olly Blackburn, David Bloom
Producers: Angus Lamont, Mark Herbert, Robin Gutch
Executive producers: Peter Carlton, Lizzie Francke, Hugo Heppell, Will Clarke
Director of photography: Nanu Segal
Production designer: Delarey Wagener
Music: Francois-Eudes Chanfrault
Costume designer: Sarah Ryan
Editor: Kate Evans
Cast:
Sean: Robert Boulter
Lisa: Sian Breckin
Bluey: Tom Burke
Tammi: Nichola Burley
Josh: Julian Morris
Marcus: Jay Taylor
Kim: Jaime Winstone
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
PARK CITY -- The recent horror-film subgenre of mischievous young people on holiday getting into more trouble than planned takes to the open waters in Donkey Punch, a formulaic yet clever chiller that offers generous doses of sex and violence aboard a luxury yacht.
Its characters grow increasingly crazed and frantic in Act 2, and by the third, the filmmakers seem to catch the virus: That's when the meticulously reasoned psychological underpinnings of the group paranoia and logical design of character interactions go overboard in an absurd, indeed laughable orgy of grotesque deaths.
The British film, a first effort with a modest budget and no-name cast from director Olly Blackburn, keeps its eye on its commercial hooks long enough to reel in audiences for a couple of weeks of theatrical play before segueing to cable and DVD rentals.
The film neatly develops a sense of foreboding even in its frivolous first minutes where young Brits with handsome bodes frolic in the bars and on the beach of Mallorca while on holiday. Three girls from dreary old Leeds are out for a weekend of fun and perhaps naughtiness. Sexually confident Lisa (Sian Breckin) and free-spirited Kim (Jaime Winstone) are determined to distract downcast Tammi (Nichola Burley) from recent boyfriend woes.
They hit the bars and run into three blokes from London who coax them back to the yacht they are crewing on for the summer. Marcus (Jay Taylor) is a smooth operator, but Bluey (Tom Burke) has a look of danger in his face. Josh (Julian Morris) comes across as an innocent, so interest lies in how everyone will pair off. Then the girls meet the fourth crew member, Sean (Robert Boulter), Josh's older brother and the most mature of the young men.
Kim promises the reluctant Tammi the party will last for "only a drink," but this gets forgotten when everyone decides a late afternoon cruise would be ideal. Champagne leads to party drugs and frank talk of sex. When Bluey colorfully describes a "donkey punch," a sharp blow to the neck of a female during intercourse to increase male pleasure, you just know that Blackburn and co-writer David Bloom have found the opening for their thrill ride.
Soon everyone heads to a bedroom below deck except for Tammi and Sean, who remain above for a meaningful conversation, designating these two as the adults of this lot. Lisa and Bluey naturally pair off, followed by Marcus and Kim. Josh whips out a video camera and, again, you just know that tape is going to play a role.
In a spirit of male camaraderie, Bluey offers Josh his chance with a compliant Lisa and against absolutely no expectations Josh tries out that donkey punch. Moments later, Lisa is dead. The group divides along gender lines about how to respond.
The men all want the women to tell police that Lisa, dazed by drugs and alcohol, fell overboard. The women opt for the truth. Sean probably would agree with the women except that his younger brother is the one who will rot in a Spanish jail. Quite believably, the women do not know how to summon help in a foreign language with ship-to-shore equipment they cannot operate.
The men, lead by bad-boy Bluey, enforce their point of view with Brute Force so the body is buried at sea. Soon after, a kitchen knife gets buried in Bluey's chest. The contest of savagery and survival is on. A rifle turns up and is pointed at the women. A distress flare goes off in someone's gut. A woman breaks out of confinement by breaking through a glass door with her body. Then someone finds a chainsaw. A chainsaw on a yacht? Now you know Blackburn and Bloom are desperate.
The bloodbath looses all logic as the filmmakers ignore fairly well drawn characters in favor of grotesque deaths. That third act needed a real twist, something to surprise an audience while elevating their story above the usual cinematic carnage. It never gets one.
The film, actually shot in waters off South Africa, does get maximum mileage out of virtually a single set, a few lethal props and seven actors. But a much smarter film was possible.
DONKEY PUNCH
The U.K. Film Council and Film4 in association with Screen Yorkshire and EM Media present a Warp X production
Credits:
Director: Olly Blackburn
Screenwriters: Olly Blackburn, David Bloom
Producers: Angus Lamont, Mark Herbert, Robin Gutch
Executive producers: Peter Carlton, Lizzie Francke, Hugo Heppell, Will Clarke
Director of photography: Nanu Segal
Production designer: Delarey Wagener
Music: Francois-Eudes Chanfrault
Costume designer: Sarah Ryan
Editor: Kate Evans
Cast:
Sean: Robert Boulter
Lisa: Sian Breckin
Bluey: Tom Burke
Tammi: Nichola Burley
Josh: Julian Morris
Marcus: Jay Taylor
Kim: Jaime Winstone
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 1/31/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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- 11/29/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
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