web counter
 

There's Something on the Boat, Some Thing: "The River" Trailer

By Steven Lloyd Wilson | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (8)

o-trailer-for-abc-s-the-river-from-paranormal-activity-s-oren-peli.jpg.png

Oren Peli made his name making a horror film for three dollars that was actually good and Steven Spielberg made his by making big budget fun movies that were actually good. So we’ve got the anti-Saw and the anti-Bay teaming up here to make a television series, “The River.” Of course, Spielberg being executive producer is a label that’s been rather diluted at this point, what since his name started being used on local furniture commercials.

The trailer for “The River” has been out in the wild since May, but we seem to have missed it the first time around and ABC has begun advertising it for its midseason replacement slot, so it felt topical. The premise is science fiction horrory: an explorer disappears in the Amazon, and after six months his locator beacon turns back on. An expedition (composed partially of family) sets out and scary hijinks ensue. It’s like Heart of Darkness in that there’s a river and horror. OK, it’s not like Heart of Darkness.

Here’s the official blurb:

Famed explorer Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned. The shocking truth about his disappearance is out there, somewhere, just waiting to be discovered. To the millions of kids who grew up watching his nature show, Dr. Cole was a hero. To his own son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), he was more of an enigma. Now, six months after he vanished, Lincoln is finally ready to bury the past when Dr. Cole’s emergency beacon suddenly goes off. At the urging of his mother, Tess (Leslie Hope), Lincoln reluctantly joins her on a search for his father. To fund the rescue, they agree to let Dr. Cole’s cagey ex-producer, Clark (Paul Blackthorne), film the mission documentary-style. The mixed crew of old friends and new acquaintances includes the sexy and resourceful Lena (Eloise Mumford), loyal mechanic Emilio (Daniel Zacapa) and lethal bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Kretschmann).

“The River” premiers in February on ABC, trailer below. And apologies for the copy with ads in front of it. ABC has determined to disable embedding on any copies on YouTube because otherwise people might be tempted to tell other people about their show, and they can’t be having that:

Hey, at least they’re getting to use all the sets from “Off the Map,” so that should keep costs down.









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← G.I. Joe: Retaliation Trailer: Suck It, Stephen Sommers | The Flowers Of War Looks Like A Master Oscar-Baiter: U.S. Trailer (And Posters) →









Comments

I kind of nodded off reading the synopsis, and didn't bother with the trailer. Your comment about Spielbergs record as an executive producer didn't go far enough. I'd say he's becoming the Britta Perry of executive producers.

Posted by: Groundloop at December 13, 2011 10:26 AM

I don't know... as a movie, sure. As a miniseries, yeah. As a regular series... how about no?

This will get dragged out and dragged out, with questions piling on top of questions and no answers in sight. Then it will get cancelled about the time everyone is interested in it.

I think I'll pass

Posted by: OldRod at December 13, 2011 10:41 AM

Ever since reading The Lost City of Z, I can't get enough of Amazonian mysteries -- real or unreal. And while I'd rather someone adapt that, I'll probably make do with this. Hey, it can't be any worse than "Terra Nova" right, SLW?

Posted by: RobP at December 13, 2011 10:49 AM

Why does Lena have to be "sexy" and resourceful? Why can't she be dowdily asexual and just plain brilliant?

I ask, because sometimes it feels like women are not allowed to just be successful, they are also supposed by sexy and beautiful as well, or their accomplishments mean nothing. Sigh. I mean, look at Walter on Fringe for chrissakes. No one's putting him in a push-up bikini. I suppose it could be worse: the trope of the female scientist in a bun and glasses, who becomes beautiful when she lets her hair down and gets contacts.

I'm kind of kidding, because I do want my TV stars to be easy on the eyes, but at times it irks.

Posted by: lurkette at December 13, 2011 11:02 AM

Now, six months after he vanished, Lincoln is finally ready to bury the past when Dr. Cole’s emergency beacon suddenly goes off.

Well, he does come from down in the valley, where mister when you're young, they bring you up to do like your daddy done.

Famed explorer Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned.

He took a wrong turn and he just kept going?

[/Springsteen]

Posted by: Pete at December 13, 2011 11:41 AM

So it's Blair Witch meets Lost meets Predator?

Pass.

Posted by: the other courtney at December 13, 2011 1:46 PM

I love Joe Anderson, recently saw two of his films. He was the lead in Operation: Endgame and the deputy in The Crazies. Both movies streaming on Netflix. I was hoping he would be doing more films but happy to watch him weekly instead. Or not, this could get cancelled after one week.

Posted by: dsoup at December 13, 2011 2:53 PM

The horror ... the horror ...

Posted by: , at December 14, 2011 4:36 AM