Lee B. Golden III

About Lee B. Golden III

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Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!

Posts by Lee Golden:

Park Sung-woong and Jung Woo-sung in A MAN OF REASON (2023) - Acemaker Movieworks

Violent Means Be Damned, Jung Woo-Sung Is A MAN OF REASON In The Latest Trailers

Actor Jung Woo-sung’s new movie, A Man Of Reason is finally surfacing after making headline acquisition news late last year for its still-pending North American release through Epic Pictures Releasing. Alas, Acemaker has been rolling out some teaser and trailer footage as part of its campaign for a little over a week now for South Korean audiences, with a release date now set in the region for August 15 For some, living an ordinary life is the toughest mission. After ten years in prison on behalf of his boss, Su-hyuk is released, but the boss doubts his loyalty. When Su-hyuk visits his long abandoned girlfriend, he finds out that he, now, is a fathe of a young girl. He wants to cut ties with the gang, but the boss is not ready to release him, and hires a notorious killer. The killer takes the daughter as hostage, and Su-hyuk decides […]

THE ISLAND Review: Shaun Paul Piccinino’s Practicable Revenge Thriller Sees Michael Jai White Taking The Fight Home

Lee B. Golden III

The Island arrives in select theaters, on demand and digital July 21 from Saban Films. The Caribbean islands of St. Kitts & Nevis has been bustling in recent years with film production. Such is the plush backdrop of beachfronts and island greens that foundate the deceitfully paradisac locale mired in a bed of criminal corruption now challenged by one vengeful cop on his quest for justice in The Island, from director Shaun Paul Piccinino (The Lackey, American Fighter). As for just how bad is the criminal element in the corruption, the film needs but only the first five unsettling minutes, provided you’re not the kind to wince at the sight of blood. Written by Michael Caissie and Philippe Martinez, we meet Los Angeles detective Mark (Michael Jai White) as he and partner Phil (Jackson Rathbone) have wrapped up a drug bust gone awry when suddenly, Mark gets a call informing […]

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RANSOMED Signals August Release For Well Go USA Hostage Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is slating an August 4 theatrical release for the new action adventure thriller, Ransomed (Unofficial Operation as South Korea knows it). Kim Sung-hoon directs a cast led by Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon, and the official trailer and gallery are here to help seal the deal. After a South Korean diplomat to the Middle East suddenly receives a coded message from an abducted colleague who has long been presumed dead, he volunteers to lead the dangerous rescue mission. But when the plan goes awry, he is forced to team up with a local taxi driver—the only Korean expat he can find—and go deep into the heart of Lebanon in a final desperate attempt to bring their fellow countryman home.

Streaming Sleepers: Shinsuke Sato’s KINGDOM And KINGDOM 2: FAR AND AWAY Charge Into Battle On Netflix!

Lee B. Golden III

Any day is a good day when there is Shinsuke Sato-related news to report, and I nearly cried when I learned this. Laugh and judge me as you may, I don’t care. These are the happy tears, buddy… Netflix has just released Sato’s 2019 epic, Kingdom, along with last year’s blockbuster sequel, Kingdom 2: Far And Away, both starring Alice In Borderland’s Kento Yamazaki and based on Yasuhisa Hara’s hit manga. Kingdom sees Yamazaki in the role of Xin, an orphan who vows vengeance after losing a dear friend, striving to become the world’s greatest general. The sequel continues with Xin joining a ragtag infantry to fend off a far-superior invading army. Actors Kanna Hashimoto and Ryo Yoshizawa also return to headline both films, as well as Sato’s trilogical installment, Kingdom 3: Flame Of Destiny. That film opens through Toho in Japan next Friday, stateside Netflix launch pending, fingers crossed […]

NEVER SAY NEVER Scores North American Releases Next Friday

Lee B. Golden III

Wang Baoqiang’s new MMA drama, Never Say Never, is coming to North American theaters on July 28. The company is issuing an official trailer with updated keyart ahead of theater announcements to be made over at the official website soon. The film also stars Wang in a story based on true events, which follows one man’s quest to give underprivileged children a fighting chance, and the fallout that ensues when a viral video shapes public opinion into wide backlash and controversy. Also starring are Chen Yong Sheng, Zhang Yi Tong, Shi Peng Yuan and Wang Xun among others.

THE MONKEY KING Teases A ‘Most Epic, Most Spectacul-Errific-Amazing-Derful’ Hero In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Chinese folklore finds new life on Netflix thanks to Stephen Chow whose exec producer credits are attached to Anthony Stacchi’s latest directorial offering aptly titled The Monkey King. The film features a VO cast led by Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy, Ron Yuan, Hoon Lee, Stephanie Hsu, Andrew Pang, Andrew Kishino, Jodi Long, James Sie and BD Wong. The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a monkey and his magical fighting Stick as they team up on an epic quest where they must go head to head against gods, demons, dragons, and the greatest enemy of all, Monkey’s own ego! The Monkey King takes to its throne on Netflix beginning August 18.

THE WHITE STORM 3: HEAVEN OR HELL International Ultimate Trailer Arrives Ahead Of Thursday Premieres

Lee B. Golden III

We’re at the final leg of the current campaign for the international releases of The White Storm 3: Heaven Or Hell from CMC Pictures. A new “ultimate” trailer is now out this week as the film readies to hit screens in North America, Australia, New Zealand and the UK on July 20, on the same day of Louis Koo’s on-hand intro of the film’s NA premiere at the Walter Reade Theater for the New York Asian Film Festival. Here are the programming notes via NYAFF: Genre maestro Herman Yau follows his highly successful showstopper The White Storm 2: Drug Lords (NYAFF 2019) with this even more hyperbolic and gritty entry in the gonzo super-cops vs. crazy crooks series. Hong Kong movie legends Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, and Sean Lau appear together for the first time on the big screen. Yau ups the ante, setting the action in the notorious Golden […]

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Streaming Sleepers: Make A Run For RÒM, Now On Tubi!

Lee B. Golden III

Here’s another delightful streaming surprise for ya: Ròm, from debut director Tran Thanh Huy is now streaming on Tubi. I caught this as a recommendation by a mutual tending to duties for the 19th New York Asian Film Festival back in 2020. Tran Anh Khoa stars in the title role opposite Nguyen Phan Anh Tu in Huy’s often kinetic, bustling urban survival drama, about a 14 year old orphan on borrowed time as he’s forced to square off against rivaling numbers runners amid Ho Chi Minh City’s illegal underground lotto network. You’re welcome to defer to my review for some extra highlights, but this film is sometimes one of those films that takes residency in my head when I look back on the titles I’ve covered, wondering if anyone else will get to see it. Alas, check out the trailer below as well if you so fancy it, and wonder […]

The purpose of this photo is to illustrate Nicolas Cage as a highlight for the upcoming Fantasia International Film Festival, with photo use provided to press by the festival.

Fantasia XXVII Cancels Nic Cage Award Ceremony

Lee B. Golden III

Small programming note for anyone minding the business goings-on with the 27th edition of Fantasia. The festival announced over the weekend that Nicolas Cage is rescinding his invite to this year’s festivities in response to the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ). We’re sad to announce that due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Nicolas Cage will no longer be able to attend the festival next weekend. We’ll be updating our website regularly as we receive news from other announced guests while circumstances evolve. Our hearts are with the actors, as well as with the WGA, and we hope to see the unions get a fair deal soon. Cage was set to receive the Cheval Noir Career Achievement Award at Fantasia, which is also screening his latest film from director Yuval Adler, Sympathy For The Devil. The film also stars Joel Kinnaman and is set […]

The purpose of the poster is to showcase the artwork intended to spotlight the upcoming festival and its dates.

Fantasia XXVII: ‘Assassins’, ‘Cats’, Vamps, Kick-Ass Ex-Cons And More Curtain Raiser Selects For This Year’s Festival

Lee B. Golden III

I’m still not entirely sure if the wizards over at Fantasia Festival have outlined the full list of titles to come. They have made some surprise announcements with last minute titles and so I’m keeping my eyes peeled just in case my suspicions are correct. Until then, as always, the requisite “curtain raiser” article is now up and running ahead of Fantasia next week and in case you’re not yet excited (and you should be), the latest announcement line-up can be viewed here. I’ve taken the liberty of assembling a gallery of ten-point-eleven selections to help brew your interest. Simply tap the images on the browser, then tap the “i” icon to scroll down and read the summaries. Honorable mentions go to Czech sci-fi thriller Restore Point, South Korean cop actioner The Roundup: No Way Out, Yuval Adler’s Nicolas Cage headliner Sympathy For The Devil, Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s unnerving contained thriller […]

MUTRAH MATROUH Trailer Sees Scott Adkins Kicking Nazi Ass Amid WWII Shenanigans

Lee B. Golden III

British action star and global genre fan fave Scott Adkins continues to carve a niche where and when he can. For this and following his first Egyptian stint in Karmouz War (a.k.a. No Surrender), we now journey back to the region for the latest from director Wael Ehsan with action comedy, Mutrah Matrouh. The film hails from El Sobky Productions and stars Mahmoud Hemida who leads the 1940-set action comedy about a man whose family vacation takes a turn for the worse when they suddenly end up at the center of a war between Britain, and Germany’s Nazi regime. You can guess where Adkins comes in per the trailer and always in fine form, and beating up Nazis is always a welcome feat around these parts. Also starring are Karim Afifi, Laila Ahmed Zaher, and Shaima Seif for the film’s local July 19 release.

NYAFF XXII: A Look At Some Of The Live Action Narrative Shorts Showcasing At The Festival

Cesar Alejandro Jr. and 1 more

The 2023 edition of the New York Asian Film Festival kicks off today, and if you’re lucky, you’re going to be in for quite a few selections that are only exclusive to in-person attendees, as well as award ceremonies for stars Louis Koo and Ryohei Suzuki, and filmmaker Lee Thongkam to name a few. There will be other events permeating the festival as always, and you can learn more about them at the official website. As for coverage, movie reviews will go up as the next few weeks ensue, while friend and contributing writer Cesar Alejandro Jr. is turning in a raft of live-action narrative shortfilm write-ups to help steer things along. Feel free to follow him at Threads where he’s just getting started! All Your Fault, PD Director: Kim Sun-yeun While shooting on a small film, a producer who faces verbal abuse and unpleasant working conditions is forced to […]

RIVER WILD Steers Rocky Waters In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment will release River Wild on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD on August 1. The film – a revisal of Curtis Hanson’s original 1994 thriller – is directed by Ben Ketai who co-wrote with Mike Nguyen Le. Joey (Leighton Meester) fears there could be trouble ahead after her brother Gray (Taran Killam) invites Trevor (Adam Brody), a childhood friend with a troubled past, on their whitewater rafting adventure with two tourists. Once they become stranded in raging rapids, the thrill-seeking trip quickly turns from exciting to utterly terrifying as the rafters are trapped in a desperate fight for their lives, all while someone seems intent on sabotage to ensure shocking secrets stay buried. To survive the wild river, Joey will have to face her fears, and everyone will have to develop killer instincts before they’re torn apart by deception aboard the raft, or by deadly waters wreaking havoc […]

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NIGHT OF THE ASSASSIN Review: Kwak Jeong-Deok’s Heroic Bloodshed Debut Wields With Vitality

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA’s premiere Asian film streamer, Hi-YAH!, will launch Night Of The Assassin on July 21, with an August 8 release on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD. Kwak Jeong-deok’s feature debut arrives in the U.S. with Night Of The Assassin, a period story set during a tumultuous time where power is up for grabs between anyone seeking it, and willing to hire anyone deadly enough to help get it. Inan (Shin Hyun-joon) is one such person – a fearsome swordsman with skills to match the reputation he’s earned. One fateful night, however, a long-dormant pulmonary illness surfaces, forcing him to seek a healer only to be advised that his next battle could be his last. A year later, the wayward Inan finds himself roaming a mountain village whereupon after stopping a gang of bandits from harrassing a tavern owner named Seon-hong (Kim Min-kyung), she takes him in for a day […]

SONS OF SUMMER Ride More Than Dangerous Waves In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

The official trailer is out for crime thriller Sons of Summer. The film stars Temuera Morrison, Isabel Lucas and Joe Davidson for its theatrical, on-Demand and Digital release on July 28 from Lionsgate. In the spirit of Point Break comes this dazzling thiller that mixes crime action and incredible surfing stunts. To mark the anniversary of his father’s death, Sean takes his friends on a road trip to his surfer dad’s favorite beach. But Sean’s drug-dealing friend forces him to do one last favor – steal a heroin shipment from a local mobster – and the crime lord retaliates by kidnapping Sean’s girlfriend in an attempt to get his drugs back. Can Sean get back to town in time to save both her life, and his own? The film is directed by Clive Fleury with a script by Phillip Avalon and Greg Clayton, and is produced by Avalon along with […]

Get A First Look At The Teaser For New Doc About Late Legendary Athlete Antonio Inoki

Lee B. Golden III

Following its announcement earlier this year at New Japan Pro-Wrestling Wrestle Kingdom 17, the first official teaser for (translates via Japanese websites as) “Looking For Antonio Inoki” has dropped ahead of its October 6 release in Japan from Gaga. The film is a hybrid documentary with interviews, dramatizations and archival footage, produced by Ryuhei Tsutsui and Yusuke Wakabayashi, and directed by Keisuke Wada and Mitsuhiro Mihara. Inoki was a living legend, prolific mixed martial artist and wrestler who carved a name for himself in sports and in politics by 1989. He passed away last October at the age of 79, nearly marking a year until the new release of the doc which also commemorates the NJPW’s 50th anniversary. Check out the teaser!

Streaming Sleepers: The Time Travel Saga To Settle Old Scores Begins In TOKYO REVENGERS On Crunchyroll

Lee B. Golden III

If there’s one thing that bothers me the most – at least as I write this, it’s when news of a film makes it to a legit accessible streaming platform here in the states and there’s barely a blurb about it newswise. At any rate, consider this a call to action as Tsutomu Hanabusa’s live-action adaptation of Ken Wakui’s Tokyo Revengers is now streaming on Crunchyroll two years after its release. The film stars Takumi Kitamura in the role of a loser who finds himself able to travel back-and-forth in time while mitigating with the brother of the only woman he’s ever loved, and tasked with traveling back to high school in order to prevent her present day death. I got to screen the film during Fantasia XXV and you can read my review here. Needless to say, it was a blast to check out, and with the two-part sequel […]

The purpose of this image, credited to CJ Entertainment, is to highlight the film's event screening for festival goers. The image shows Won Bin in a still from the movie, THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (2010)

Big Bad 2023: Lee Jeong-Beom’s THE MAN FROM NOWHERE Signals New Action Film Festival Launching In LA Next Month!

Lee B. Golden III

The inaugural Big Bad Film Fest is partnering with Secret Movie Club and Well Go USA’s exclusive Asian film streamer, Hi-YAH!, to host a repertory screening of Lee Jeong-beom’s multi-award winning hit 2010 action thriller, The Man From Nowhere. Tickets are now on sale for the August 26 screening as the first of the festival’s ten-title presentation to be announced, with the remaining line-up set to go live in the next few weeks. Produced by Opus Pictures, Lee’s third film pairs him with lead actor Won Bin (Guns And Talks, Mother) and then-burgeoning screen talent Kim Sae-ron (A Brand New Life). Bin plays Tae-Sik, a reclusive widower whose newfound friendship with a neglected young girl named So-mi, finds him thrust into the seedy underworld when she is suddenly kidnapped by a vicious gang. Hell-bent on justice after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Tae-sik treads into a dark […]

Devastating GODZILLA: MINUS ONE Teaser Stomps Its Way Online!

Lee B. Golden III

Hollywood and Japan continue to bear their own dueling iterations of Godzilla franchise, and with Adam Wingard still on deck for next year’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire over at Legendary. As for the latter, it’ll be Returner and The Great War Of Archimedes helmer Takashi Yamazaki hailing a November 3 release for Toho’s newest Reiwa era-set incarnation, Godzilla: Minus One. The start of production was last March before finally breaking news at last year’s Godzilla Fest, with plans to otherwise commemorate the franchise’s 70th anniversary by next year. According to Toho International’s Koji Ueda in a new piece at Forbes, Godzilla: Minus One will share continuity with Toho’s previous film, Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi’s 2016 with box office smash hit, Shin Godzilla. “Set in a post-war Japan, Godzilla Minus One will once again show us a Godzilla that is a terrifying and overwhelming force, which you already […]

WALID: Megat Sharizal Leads Malaysia’s War On Child Trafficking In The Official U.S. Trailer For Areel Abu Bakar’s New Martial Arts Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

The official trailer is live for Walid, the new Malaysian action thriller from award-winning director Areel Abu Bakar. Outsider Pictures is running weeklong screenings in New York at Cinema Village from July 28, and in Los Angeles at Laemmle Glendale from August 11 with Bakar in attendance with lead actor Megat Sharizal. Bakar directs from a script he wrote with Hafiz Derani, which stars Sharizal in a story that draws into the plight of child trafficking and xenophobia against other migrants living in Southeast Asia. Walid (Sharizal) lives a simple small town life, donating his time to teaching under-privileged children, as well as repairing electrical items for the villagers. One day he notices a young girl, Aisha, hanging around his class and invites her to join. A bond builds between teacher and student until it is shattered by a local crime syndicate that snatches Aisha and the other children. When […]