Tuesday, January 3, 2012

TRAILER TUESDAY! THE DIVIDE - AN OLD SCHOOL POST-APOCALYPTIC SCI-FI THRILLER!


I’m not a fan of the post-apocalyptic sub-genre of science fiction. Even when they are combined with action (e.g.: Mad Max or Book of Eli) I usually find them too downbeat and depressing. When they are done as straight drama (e.g.: On the Beach or The Road) I find them so depressing as to be unwatchable.
The latest post-apocalyptic film being released is The Divide. If the plot description provided by Anchor Bay is any indication, there is a definite horror slant to the story, which seems to concentrate on the psychological terror of being trapped and dying in a post-nuclear world. Here is the official description:

In this graphic and violent, post-apocalyptic thriller, nine strangers-all tenants of a New York high rise apartment-escape a nuclear attack by hiding out in the building's bunker-like basement. Trapped for days underground with no hope for rescue, and only unspeakable horrors awaiting them on the other side of the bunker door, the group begins to descend into madness, each turning on one another with physical and psycho-sexual torment. As supplies dwindle, and tensions flare, and they grow increasingly unhinged by their close quarters and hopelessness, each act against one another becomes more depraved than the next. While everyone in the bunker allows themselves to be overcome by desperation and lose their humanity, one survivor holds onto a thin chance for escape even with no promise of salvation on the outside.
This is only the third feature film by director Xavier Gens, who previously gave us the crime-drama Frontier(s) and the action-crime film The Hitman, which were both released in 2007. These films were visually stunning, but because of their subject matter, not really of interest to me. The Divide has one major attraction going for it for genre fans and that is Michael Biehn, who plays Mickey the paranoid superintendent of the apartment building that the group of survivors is hiding in. Biehn has been featured in several genre films; most notably The Terminator, Aliens and The Abyss. So for his presence alone, The Divide may be worth at least a rental.


The Divide is being released to theaters January 13, 2012. Check out the trailer and see if The Divide is a film worth a trip to the theater for you.


2 comments:

  1. Doc.

    I remember checking this trailer out some time ago and I must tell you, glad to see you spotlight it here.

    It was one of the most impressive trailers I had seen in recent memory. I'm relatively intrigued by this one.

    Cheers
    sff

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  2. As I mention in the post, Sci-Fi Fanatic, this particular sub-genre of Science Fiction is one of my least favorite. However, I do agree that the trailer – particularly the opening sequence depicting the people racing down the stairs of the apartment building after seeing the nuclear explosions in the distance – is very powerful! Still, even with the participation of my one of my favorite genre actors (Michael Biehn), this will most likely be a Netflix rental; and not a top priority one at that.

    I will be using my TUESDAY TRAILER post to not only point out movies and TV shows that I’m personally excited about, but also any SF, Fantasy or Horror films/television programs that I think may be of interest to every genre fan!

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