Nails may not survive ‘10 Cloverfield’ – Thorne, Sage to star in Awesomeness Films thriller ‘You Get Me’

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LOS ANGELES, March 11, (Agencies): I’d like to apologize to those who were sitting next to me for my aggressive popcorn munching during “10 Cloverfield Lane,” the new J.J. Abrams-produced nail-biter starring a creepier John Goodman than you’ve ever seen (and that’s saying something.)

You see, the popcorn was a surrogate for my nails, which I would have bitten off completely had I not had this precious snack at, um, hand. If you’re like me, which is to say easily creeped out by unbearable tension and constant fear, not to mention intense claustrophobia, then I strongly suggest you either bring your own snacks, an old sweatshirt or a good friend’s arm to chew on.

A couple things to get out of the way: First, this film, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, is not a sequel to the 2008 Abrams-produced “Cloverfield,” though it does share a similar vibe, not to mention part of a title — which hints at a franchise (Abrams has mentioned a “bigger plan.”) And a disclaimer: We won’t reveal the end here in any way, but we WILL have to say what we THINK of the ending. If even that feels like a spoiler to you, then feel free to stop reading a few paragraphs early.

Now to the plot. We meet Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, elevating what could be a stock feisty-girl role with intelligence and occasional humor) as she’s packing to leave a boyfriend after an unexplained conflict (a famous actor’s voice is heard on voicemail). She jumps in her car and heads off. As night falls into inky blackness, we hear references on the radio to an unexplained power surge.

Then there’s a car crash, shocking in its intensity — and the opening credits haven’t even finished yet.

Michelle awakes in some sort of underground cellar. Worse, she’s chained to a wall. With ingenuity, she manages to reach her cellphone. But there’s no service.

And then she meets Howard.

Naturally, Michelle thinks Howard (Goodman, in all his imposing girth) is up to something bad. There’s that whole chained-to-the-wall thing, plus that huge lock on the heavy metal door of her cell. But, he explains, he’s not a threat — he’s a savior. Something terrible has happened up there, outside. It might be chemical, might be nuclear, might be something else. But she’s the lucky one. She’s been saved.

Escape

Soon, a third character is introduced: An amiable neighbor, Emmett (John Gallagher Jr), who insists he hurt his arm not trying to escape from Howard but trying to get IN; he supports Howard’s story of a catastrophic attack. And the three settle in for a taut, well-choreographed chamber play down in the bunker.

This is the bulk of the movie, and the best of it: The fraught dance between these three characters, with their shifting allegiances and a power dynamic that never seems clear. Which one of them is lying? Or is everyone telling the truth? Who’s the enemy, and are they outside or underground?

Smartly, Trachtenberg and the screenwriters (Josh Campbell, Matt Stuecken, and Damien Chazelle of “Whiplash”) find a way to break the tension — ever so briefly — with a bit of humor (watch for a random Santa Claus reference) and a bit of music, too. You’ll probably laugh, as I did, when you realize the soundtrack is playing “I Think We’re Alone Now.” For a minute we forget the dangers that (might) lurk, both outside and in.

But the dance will eventually have to end. Trachtenberg scares the wits out of us a few times, and then he launches into a climax that will have many talking — though I found it somewhat disappointing and frustratingly baffling. But you might love it.

Just remember to bring something to chew on.

“10 Cloverfield Lane,” a Paramount Pictures release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America “for thematic material including frightening sequences of threat with some violence, and brief language.” Running time: 103 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

In related news, it’s never too early for Oscar talk because — God willing, anyway — quality work is there to be discussed year-round. So while the 88th Academy Awards may still be fresh in our minds, and 2016 itself barely more than two months old, there’s already a performance hitting screens that deserves earmarking for year-end kudos.

But first, a question… .

How has an Oscar nomination eluded John Goodman for this long? Arguments could have been made for any number of Coen brothers films over the years (“Barton Fink,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Inside Llewyn Davis”), and he’s been in the mix with other players like “Argo” and “Flight” as of late. The 63-year-old Emmy and Golden Globe winner was a highlight of the Screen Actors Guild-nominated “Trumbo” cast last year as well.

Basically, the “it’s time” narrative is there for the taking. But that kind of thing generally conforms to traditional awards movie territory; just look at the circuit Leonardo DiCaprio recently completed. All the sweeter it would be, then, for Goodman to finally net Oscar recognition for a little genre film completely outside the Academy’s wheelhouse. Because that’s what his performance in Dan Trachtenberg’s “10 Cloverfield Lane” is. It’s Oscar-worthy.

Also:

LOS ANGELES: Awesomeness Films’ next movie is thriller “You Get Me,” starring Bella Thorne and Halston Sage.

The film, written by Ben Epstein (MTV’s “Happyland”), will be directed by Brent Bonacorso and produced by Awesomeness Films’ Brian Robbins and Matt Kaplan. Production on the film is slated to begin in April, with shooting primarily on location in Los Angeles.

In “You Get Me,” Tyler — fresh off an argument with his perfect girlfriend, Ali (Sage) — lands in the arms of sexy out-of-towner Grace (Thorne). The morning after, he finds that not only does Ali agree to take him back, but Grace is a new student at their school and is dead set on getting her new man.

“We are thrilled to be working with Bella and Halston again,” said Kaplan, president of Awesomeness Films. “They are both incredibly talented actors, and we can’t wait to bring this fresh thriller to audiences worldwide.”

Thorne (pictured above) previously starred in Disney Channel sitcom “Shake It Up.” The thesp will soon be seen in Awesomeness Films’ feature film “Shovel Buddies” (set to premiere at this year’s SXSW) and Weinstein Co.’s “Amityville: The Awakening” alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh. She also recently appeared in Lionsgate’s “The Duff” and Warner Bros’ “Blended” with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Sage will soon be seen in Awesomeness Films’ “Before I Fall,” an adaptation of the 2010 young-adult novel by Lauren Oliver. Sage recently starred in Fox’s “Paper Towns” alongside Cara Delevinge and Nat Wolff.

“You Get Me” joins Awesomeness Films’ growing roster of projects, which have been geared toward digital distribution. Those include Tyler Oakley documentary “Snervous,” which opened as the No. 1 documentary on iTunes, and last summer’s “Smosh: The Movie,” which debuted at the No. 1 comedy spot on iTunes. Last month, Awesomeness Films’ “Dance Camp” musical teen drama was one of the first original movies in the YouTube Red subscription service.

Bonacorso is represented by UTA and Underground; Epstein is represented by CAA; Sage is represented by CAA and Roar; Thorne is represented by WME and Thor Bradwell at LBI Entertainment.

Awesomeness Films is the film division of AwesomenessTV, the youth-oriented media company owned by DreamWorks Animation and Hearst.

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