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The future does look bleak and depressing for nuclear energy.

With the beginning of the millennium, the sci-fi film Atomica plays into world’s thirst for energy.

The sci-fi thriller, directed by Dagen Merrill, features a small and known cast with Dominic Monaghan, Sarah Habel and Tom Sizemore.

It’s set in the near future, when communications go offline at a remote nuclear power plant isolated in the desert, a young safety inspector, Abby Dixon, is forced to fly out to the facility to bring it back online. Once inside the facility, mysterious clues and strange behaviors cause Abby to have certain doubts about the sanity and perhaps the identities of the two employees on site.

Earlier this month, Lrm had an exclusive phone interview with Merrill, in which we discussed using a real nuclear silo as a set location and his spectacular all-star cast.

Atomica is currently available on VOD and Digital HD today.

Syfy Films continues to expand into the theatrical arena with their new feature, Atomica, a character-driven science fiction drama about three people who are unsure if they can trust one another as they attempt to get a futuristic power station back online. With Atomica now out in select theaters and coming out on VOD and digital HD beginning March 21st, Daily Dead recently caught up with director Dagen Merrill for our latest Q&A feature to discuss realizing his vision on a budget, how to find hope within a bleak depiction of the future, and more.

Could you give a bit of background on how you came to be involved in the project? Was this something that came to you or were you part of developing it? What about Atomica made you want to tell this story?

Dagen Merrill: I had an investor approach me about making a low-budget film.

Atomica, the new film from director Dagen Merrill, is a small-scale, character-based science fiction movie about two people stranded together in a single location and learning to live with one another while they both possibly conceal secrets. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it could also describe the Chris Pratt/Jennifer Lawrence vehicle, Passengers, from late 2016. I make this comparison not to suggest the former copied the latter—Atomica is no “mockbuster” imitation—but instead just to say that if I had to choose between Passengers and Atomica, I’d go with Atomica.

Sometime in the unspecified future, America is run solely on nuclear power by a massive corporate entity. When one of the power plants goes mysteriously offline on Christmas day, safety inspector Abby Dixon (Sarah Habel, seen most recently as a younger, hotter version of Miss Grundy on the hit CW series Riverdale) is dispatched to the...

*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by SyFy Films. Director: Dagen Merrill. Writers: Kevin Burke, Federico Fernandez-Armesto and Adam Gyngell. Cast: Tom Sizemore, Sarah Habel and Dominic Monaghan. Atomica is a science fiction and mystery film. From Lifeboat Productions, the film was originally titled Deep Burial. Completed for a couple of years now, the film has recently been picked up by SyFy Films, for a theatrical launch. The film stars only three actors: Tom Sizemore, Sarah Habel and Dominic Monaghan. All three actors gel well together as a nuclear power plant begins to meltdown. But, who is who and what is each characters' real motivation? The answers to these question are revealed in Act III. Along the way, the protagonist, Abby (Habel), shows that she is capable of anything and everything! Very much a Mary Sue, this central character required a few more foibles, to make her believable.

Science fiction stories, especially in film and television, can often set up a sci-fi scenario only to put it almost entirely to the side (making a case for why such a scenario would be used at all). Atomica, directed by Dagen Merrill, is a sci fi thriller that focuses perhas more on the 'thriller' part than the sci-fi, but is solid and engaging in its execution, creating its suspense through character conflict, rather than the sci-fi scenrario in which the story is placed. In this not-so-distant future, a company has created technology to utilize nuclear radiation as an energy source, all but eliminating the need for other sources. When the first of these energy plants seems to have stopped functioning properly, a safety inspector, Abby...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Atomica was originally titled Deep Burial. The film, from director Dagen Merrill (Beneath, 2007), stars: Tom Sizemore, Sarah Habel and Dominic Monaghan. This intriguing title has had a few theatrical showings already. The film is set for a few more on March 17th, 2017. And, the film involves a nuclear power plant, which has gone offline. An inspector finds the plant's workers, but they are acting strangely and possibly murderously. Atomica will also have a Video-on-demand launch this March 21st. The film's official trailer is hosted here. The trailer, for Atomica, is an interesting one. It shows the character Abby infiltrating the plant, which appears to be abandoned. But, one of the plant's managers eventually turns up and he may not be who he seems to be. From early reviews, the film covers a few themes. Heidi Honeycutt, at Rue Morgue, has mentioned the nihilism of this title and the cynicism: "Atomica...

Welcome back to the Weekend Warrior, your weekly look at the new movies hitting theaters this weekend, as well as other cool events and things to check out. And if you're into box office and how movies might do, come play some of the box office games at EZ1 Productions including their new Pick 5 game!

This Past Weekend:

As expected, Legendary Pictures’ Kong: Skull Island won the weekend, and honestly, the Weekend Warrior’s original prediction of $61.6 million was pretty darn close to the movie’s opening weekend which ended up at $61 million. (Unfortunately, I chickened out on Thursday because my prediction was so much higher than all others and lowered it to $58 million, which was Still closer to than every other prediction last weekend.) Also, as expected (at least by me), Hugh Jackman’s Logan took a 2nd weekend tumble as has been the case with most X-Men movies,...

"Is there something you're not telling me?" "It's under control." Syfy has released a trailer for their original movie titled Atomica, that is supposedly being released into theaters and not just on TV. Atomica is set inside a nuclear power planet in the "near future", when communications go offline and mysteriously weird things start to happen inside. The cast includes Sarah Habel starring, with Tom Sizemore, Dominic Monaghan, Phil Austin, Hahn Cho and Jennifer Spriggs. I like the futuristic sci-fi look and feel of this film, but I am worried it'll probably turn out to be a big mess. The footage is interesting until it becomes confusing and it's hard to make sense of what's going on inside this weird place. Still, it's worth a quick look. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Dagen Merrill's Atomica, direct from Syfy's YouTube: In the near future, when communications go offline...

Rome Fortune's new music video inspired by Jordan Peele's Get Out tops today's Horror Highlights, and we also have details on the campaign to make Schlitzie: One of Us and trailers for Atomica, Us and Them, and Feral.

Get Out Music Video: "Watch artist Rome Fortune’s music video inspired by the film.

In Universal Pictures’ Get Out, a speculative thriller from Blumhouse (producers of The Visit, Insidious series and The Gift) and the mind of Jordan Peele, when a young African-American man visits his white girlfriend’s family estate, he becomes ensnared in a more sinister real reason for the invitation.

Now that Chris (Daniel Kaluuya, Sicario) and his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams, Girls), have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating, she invites him for a weekend getaway upstate with Missy (Catherine Keener, Captain Phillips) and Dean (Bradley Whitford, The Cabin in the Woods).

At first, Chris reads...

Syfy Films will be releasing Atomica in select Theaters on March 17th and on VOD / Digital HD on March 21st. The sci-fi thriller film is directed by Dagen Merrill and features an all-star cast: Dominic Monaghan, Sarah Habel and Tom Sizemore. Set in the future, when communications go offline at a remote nuclear power …

The post Atomica to select Theaters first appeared on Hnn | Horrornews.net 2017 - Official Horror News Site...

The latest horror flick filled with immense badassery to be added to Shudder's library is the fifth sequel in the Phantasm franchise, Phantasm: Ravager. Also in today's Highlights: details on the Clive Barker Reel Fear Contest, Portland International Film Festival's After Dark program, release details for Slasher.com and The Eyes, a new poster for Atomica, and production news and photos for A Haunting at Silver Falls II.

Phantasm: Ravager Comes to Shudder: "Joining Shudder is Phantasm: Ravager- the final installment of the long-running Phantasm series.

In addition to Phantasm: Ravager, streaming exclusively on Shudder is the remaster of Don Coscarelli’s 1979 classic Phantasm, as well as its sequels Phantasm III and Phantasm IV.

Phantasm was recently restored by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Coscarelli, and given both a new 4K remaster and a 5.1 surround sound mix, which will be the version presented exclusively on Shudder."

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Clive Barker Reel...

Wohl most recently served as senior vice-president of worldwide distribution at Content Media and will spearhead sales on 16-24 new theatrical titles this year and digital releases.

She will also represent the Brooklyn-based film and television distribution company at markets and festivals throughout the year.

Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher, and Alan Klingenstein founded FilmRise, whose releases include Harry & Snowman and upcoming James Franco thriller The Vault.

Abramorama founder Richard Abramowitz has brought on Karol Martesko-Fenster and Evan Saxon as executive vice-president and COO, and West Coast head of acquisitions and business development, respectively.High Octane Pictures has acquired international sales rights to Stif Entertainment’s horror title Dead Story, which according to the film’s representatives generated more than three million YouTube trailer hits in the run-up to the January 20 Us VOD release. Kelsey Deanne and Chase Austin star and Jason Mcroberts and Sunil Tripuraneni produced.Syfy Films has set a March 17 theatrical, VOD and digital...

In Theaters March 17, 2017 and on VOD and Digital HD March 21, 2017 Syfy Films is pleased to announce the release of the anticipated sci-fi thriller Atomica, in theaters on March 17, 2017 and on VOD and Digital HD on March 21, 2017. The film is directed by Dagen Merrill (“Beneath,” “Broken Hill,” “Murder in the Dark”) and written by Kevin Burke (“Ultimate Spider-Man,” Marvel’s “Avengers Assemble,” “Beneath”), Fred Fernandez-Armesto and …

The post Syfy Films Releases ‘Atomica’ first appeared on Hnn | Horrornews.net - Official News Site...

The theatrical and VOD / Digital HD release of Dagen Merrill's Atomica from Syfy Films is slated for mid-March, and casting as well as a synopsis for the film kicks off today's Horror Highlights. Also: info on The Bye Bye Man soundtrack from the Newton Brothers, images and release details for the zombie film The ReZort, and a trailer for Hostage to the Devil.

Atomica Release Details & Still: Press Release: "New York, NY -- January 11, 2017 -- Syfy Films is pleased to announce the release of the anticipated sci-fi thriller Atomica, in theaters on March 17, 2017, and on VOD and Digital HD on March 21, 2017. The film is directed by Dagen Merrill (“Beneath,” “Broken Hill,” “Murder in the Dark”) and written by Kevin Burke (“Ultimate Spider-Man,” Marvel’s “Avengers Assemble,” “Beneath”), Fred Fernandez-Armesto and Adam Gyngell. The cast includes Dominic Monaghan (the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Pet”), Tom Sizemore (“Saving Private Ryan,...

Dagen Merrill's latest movie has gone by a lot of names since we first heard about it last year. Once known as Half Life and then Deep Burial, the sci-fi thriller has been re-titled Atomica and with the shiny new name comes some release news.

The movie, which stars Dominic Monaghan, Tom Sizemore and Sarah Habel, has been picked up by Syfy which plans to release it in theaters on March 17 followed by VOD and Digital HD on March 21. Though it has yet to be announced, I expect a release on Syfy won't be too far behind.

In Atomica, Habel plays Abby Dixon, a safety inspector who is sent to fix the communications network at a remote nuclear power plant isolated in the desert. "Once inside the facility, mysterious clues and strange behavior cause Abby to have [Continued ...]...

If you have found the lack of sci fi thrillers staged in nuclear power plants distressing they SyFy has answered your calls of woe. Today the Us cable network announced the release date for Dagen Merrill's Atomica (formerly Deep Burial and Half Life). The sci-fi thriller will start in U.S. cinemas on March 17th, then will be on VOD and Digital HD on March 21st. Atomica is directed by Dagen Merrill (“Beneath,” “Broken Hill,” “Murder in the Dark”) and written by Kevin Burke (“Ultimate Spider-Man,” Marvel’s “Avengers Assemble,” “Beneath”), Fred Fernandez-Armesto and Adam Gyngell. The cast includes Dominic Monaghan (the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Pet”), Tom Sizemore (“Saving Private Ryan,” “Black Hawk Down”) and Sarah Habel (“Hostel: Part III,” USA Network’s “Rush”). ...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Syfy Films announced today the release of the sci-fi thriller Atomica, in theaters on March 17, 2017 and on VOD and Digital HD on March 21, 2017. The film is directed by Dagen Merrill (Beneath, Broken Hill, Murder in the Dark) and written by Kevin Burke (Ultimate Spider-Man, Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, Beneath), Fred Fernandez-Armesto and Adam Gyngell. The cast includes Dominic Monaghan (the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pet), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down) and Sarah […]...

Read: SXSW Review: 'Uncle Kent 2' is the Craziest Movie Sequel Ever Epic Pictures Group has hit the ground running in their acquisitions ahead of the European Film Market, picking up rights for both "Uncle Kent 2" and "Half Life."  Directed by Dagen Merrill ("Beneath," "Broken Hill"), the latter stars Dominic Monaghan ("Lord of the Rings," "Lost") as a lone safety inspector as he is assigned to determine why a remote nuclear power plant has suddenly gone offline. Set in the near future, the science-fiction thriller is Merrill's fourth directorial effort and is currently in post-production.  The ambitious and creative "Uncle Kent 2" premiered at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim and plaudits for its refreshing take on sequels and its divergence from the mumblecore qualities that its predecessor had. Todd Rohal moves away from the naturalistic nature of the previous film and...

Son of a Gun

Ewan McGregor will top line Julius Avery’s Australian visceral heist thriller "Son of a Gun" which begins shooting early next year.

The story centers on a complex relationship between Australia’s public enemy No. 1 (McGregor) and his young protégé. [Source: THR]

The Grace That Keeps This World

Glenn Close, James Franco and Brit Marling will star in Azazel Jacobs' "The Grace That Keeps This World" which is based on the novel by Tom Bailey and adapted by Matthew Aldrich.

The story follows conflicts between a father and his sons that arise when a rookie environmental cop begins an investigation of hunting violations, a search which reveals a family divided by their life choices. [Source: Deadline]

Deep Burial

Sarah Habel, Tom Sizemore and Dominic Monaghan will star in Dagen Merrill's indie drama "Deep Burial". Adam Gyngell and Federico Fernandez-Armestoby penned the script.

The story is set on a...

See the theatrical trailer as well as interview clips from the family drama "Broken Hill," starring Alexa Vega, Timothy Hutton, Phil Austin, Rhys Wakefield, Andy McPhee, Rebekah Rimington and Luke Arnold. Dagen Merrill ("Beneath") directs and writes the film produced by Julie Ryan and Chris Wyatt. In the tradition of Save The Last Dance, Billy Elliott and August Rush comes the musical drama Broken Hill. Tommy was born and raised on a rocky, drought-ridden sheep station in the middle of the Australian Outback. He works at the station and does all he can to appease his demanding father but in his heart wants to be a great musician. That all changes when Tommy meets...

Paramount Classics and MTV Films are partnering on their first co-production, the thriller-horror film Beneath. Marking the Viacom subsidiaries' first entry into the horror genre, Beneath stars Nora Zehetner (the Sundance Film Festival hit Brick) and Matthew Settle (TNT's Into the West). Directed by newcomer Dagen Merrill, who co-wrote the script with Kevin Burke, the film centers on Christy (Zehetner), whose beautiful older sister is disfigured in a brutal car accident, in which Christy was the driver. Haunted by visions of the accident, Christy returns home after years away only to find that her most disturbing visions are both real and predictive.