Bill Oberst Jr. Praises Matt Copko's Performance in Werewolf Rising

NEW YORK - Sept. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Award winning actor, writer, director, and producer Matt Copko is receiving great reviews for his starring role in the soon to be released feature film Werewolf Rising. Even award winning veteran actor and co-star Bill Oberst Jr. is extolling this rising star as “impressive”. Copko is dangerously beguiling as Johnny Lee, an escaped con who returns to his old stomping grounds and angles his way into the life of Emma, a city girl seeking refuge in the country. Often compared to Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale, Copko is described by critics as sexy, sensuous, and intense.

Werewolf Rising centers around Emma (Melissa Carnell), a recovering alcoholic who returns to her childhood home to escape the big city and all its temptations. As she settles into the secluded residence for some well-needed rest, relaxation, and soul searching, a mysterious neighbor emerges from the shadows.  They say Johnny Lee (Matt Copko) is dangerous, but Emma can't deny her attraction to him.  He seems harmless enough... but a darker persona lurks, and when it rises from the depths, even Johnny Lee can't control the outcome. She's in for a wild ride with Johnny.  Emma's peaceful retreat soon shifts to chaos, as a recurring violent nightmare plagues her sleep and howling wolves echo through the trees. When Emma discovers Johnny in an abandoned church, shivering in a pool of blood, barely alive, the nightmare suddenly becomes real.

Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CipHmWVCVWE



Release date: October 14, 2014

Matt Copko Biography

Copko was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the multi-talented Copko moved to Los Angeles as a young man garnering his first screen credit in Bradford May (http://imdb.com/name/nm0561879/)’s Devil’s Prey (http://imdb.com/title/tt0245866/). He then joined the Screen Actors Guild following a role on TNT’s Bull and appeared opposite Craig T. Nelson (http://imdb.com/name/nm0005266/) on The District (http://imdb.com/title/tt0247087/). His prodigious talent made an immediate impression in Hollywood landing him quite a number of lead and supporting roles over the years.

For his most recent starring role, Copko has received rave reviews in Werewolf Rising, a feature film by writer-director BC Furtney. He also appears in a pivotal supporting role in Omega Kayne’s Her, named Best Short Film at the San Diego Black Film Festival. Copko gives outstanding performances in the feature films Rediscovered, shot in Manila, Philippines, and The Lavender Field, which was also written, produced, and directed by Copko.

Copko’s other producing credits include numerous feature films such as the action/comedy Just Another Day in the Neighborhood, starring Ryan Francis (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290310/) (Hook) and Zane Huett (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1287507/) (Desperate Housewives), and the horror film Harvest Moon, now available on Netflix. Copko produced several award-winning short films such as Lost Love (http://imdb.com/title/tt0472127/), Till We Stop Having Fun (http://imdb.com/title/tt1076868/), and What Are the Odds (http://imdb.com/title/tt0429239/), starring Sharon Leal (http://imdb.com/name/nm0495095/) (Dream Girls), Jon Abrahams (http://imdb.com/name/nm0009016/) (Scary Movie), and Steven Shirippa (http://imdb.com/name/nm0771993/) (Sopranos).  He also wrote, directed, and starred in Odd Man Out with Philip Jeanmarie (http://imdb.com/name/nm1126268/) (Power Rangers Wild Force) and crowd favorite sex-comedy Dirty Laundry.

Copko divides his time between New York, Los Angeles, and Pennsylvania. He is presently in development with numerous feature projects, including a vigilante justice trilogy with a supernatural twist, to be filmed in Philadelphia.

Personal statement about movies:

"I believe Cinema is the highest art in the modern world, because it combines elements of all the others, and the effect can be exquisitely moving, because it reflects the essence of humanity--in all its dazzling colors, rich textures, phenomenal sights, and inspiring sounds--and conveys overwhelming emotion that touches the soul.  The power of cinema is undeniable.  The responsibility of filmmakers should not be taken lightly."

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1214035/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattcopko

Twitter: @MattCopko