Lee B. Golden III

About Lee B. Golden III

https://mediumblue-gerbil-491410.hostingersite.com

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

Posts by Lee Golden:

ONIMANJI Poster Debut Teases New Ninja Spin-Off Excitement For 2023

Genre favorite Yoshihiro Nishimura (Mutant Girls Squad, Tokyo Gore Police, Meatball Machine Kodoku) kept busy with the festival circulation of his most recent thriller, Holy Mother. In the meantime, he’s also been hands-on with the production of his forthcoming return in 2023 with ninja actioner Onimanji, for which we now have our first poster debut below. The film is a spin-off to his 2015 ninja action adventure, The Great War of Torakage, which Nishimura directed and co-wrote, featuring actor Takumi Saito in the story of a retired ninja forced into a quest to find scrolls leading to ancient treasure for his vicious former ninja clan leader, played by Eihi Shina. The film also saw Saito crossing swords and blows with co-star Masanori Mimoto who now takes the stage for his own leading venture in the title role, in addition to serving up the fight scenery as action director. Mimoto has […]

Shinsuke Sato’s KINGDOM 3 Rings In The New Year With The First Official Teaser!

Lee B. Golden III

Bringing the trilogy full circle this year is director Shinsuke Sato with a third installment of the Kingdom saga based on the work of mangaka Yasuhisa Hara. Following the film’s announcement a few weeks ago in Toho’s 2023 line-up, we now have the film’s first official teaser to kick off the new year which you can view below. The film reunites Sato with actor Kento Yamazaki following their latest banner success with season two of Alice In Borderland on Netflix. Sato and Yamazaki paired up for the inaugural hit film in 2019 which is set against the backdrop of the Warring States period, and tells of a young slave who finds himself protecting a king in exile against his usurped stepbrother. The film also starred Ryo Yoshizawa and Kanna Hashimoto who returned for the 2022 summer sequel, Kingdom 2: To The Land Of Faraway, with both films becoming top box […]

PHANTOM Scares Up Espionage And Danger In The Latest Trailers And Posters

Lee B. Golden III

Among titles making the case for relevancy for suspensful period Korean thrillers in the new year is Phantom, from Believer helmer Lee Hae-young. CJ Entertainment is releasing the film on January 18, bolstered by a cast that includes Yaksha: Ruthless Operations actors Sol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo, as well as Lee Ha-nee (Alienoid), Park So-dam (Special Delivery), Kim Dong-hee (Season Of You And Me) and Seo Hyun-woo (The Man Standing Next). Directed from a script also by Lee, Phantom is set in 1933 during the Japanese colonization of Korea, and according to the film’s description, tells “the story of five people suspected of being a mysterious ‘ghost,’ a spy for an anti-Japanese resistance group. Trapped inside an isolated hotel, the five characters must use their wits to survive and escape while suspecting one another.” The film also has a good deal of trailer footage currently out and about, including an […]

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THE BIG 4 Review: Timo Tjahjanto’s Latest Rings Out The Year With Big Action Bang

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a minute since director Timo Tjahjanto’s newest action comedy, The Big 4, started streaming on Netflix and as full as my plate is, I couldn’t end ’22 without lending my two cents on the pic which otherwise continues the director’s nascent relationship with the streamer since 2018’s The Night Comes For Us. Until this month, that title for me stood as my favorite Indonesian action film given all the fanfare in the decade since Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim began making headway in the festivals via the work of Gareth Evans. Granted, Tjahjanto’s craft goes deeper into horror more than anything, and so when he does R-rated action, his hardcore approach is an absolute crowd-pleaser. It also compliments The Big 4, which is something much different in the sense that if you’ve seen films like Lethal Weapon or Tango & Cash or any other R-rated buddy cop or […]

BLACK LOTUS, LAYERS OF LIES, And Eight More Titles To Look Out For In 2023!

Lee B. Golden III

Hats off to Mike Garcia for keeping me on my toes with forthcoming titles opening in 2023. I initially congregated with him and a few other members of our group to help accrue a list of titles we can expect or possibly get excited for in the new year and with Todor Chapkanov’s Black Lotus back on my mental radar after breaking a press release for its production earlier this year, I felt inclined to keep it going just a little more – this time with an extra ten. Obviously there are more but I don’t have the bandwidth to map out everything that’s coming in the next 367 days, so…Enjoy the gallery below and watch to your heart’s content!

KUNG FU LION (KUNG FU LEEUW): Catch The Trailer For Froukje Tan’s Youth Martial Arts Drama

Lee B. Golden III

The Netherlands will look to take the spotlight come next year with Kung Fu Lion, the newest from Dutch director Froukje Tan. It was funded in 2021 and shot and completed earlier this year and with a cast led by former Dutch karate champion Tyrell Williams and avid kung fu wunderkind Haye Lee both making their debut feature film appearances. 14-year-old Jimmy is fanatical, strong and one of the best Kung Fu students in his school. As the roster of the new lion dance team is put together, Jimmy sees his dream of dancing in the lion’s head shattered. His Sifu (tutor) chooses newcomer Li Jié – with his impressive Martial arts jumps – for the lion head and puts Jimmy in the back. Jimmy is afraid to go against his Sifu’s wishes, but is determined to take his place back. Only, in order to do that, he must first […]

FULL RIVER RED Blends Sweeping Wuxia Veneer With Moody Mystery Noir In The First Teaser Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Hat tip to @fuforthought on the ole’ Insta for reminding all of us that a new Zhang Yimou period thriller is upon us in the new year with Full River Red. The film is the latest from Zhang who previously helmed hit espionage thriller, Cliff Walkers, which is also on deck for a sequel. Full River Red was directed from a script Zhang wrote with co-scribe Chen Yu, which takes place surrounding a mysterious incident at the home of a corrupt and powerful official, which serves to shroud behind-the-scenes efforts to assassinate him. The film’s title reportedly takes its cues from an ancient poem written by Yue Fei, a general betrayed and executed by the said official. The cast lists Jackson Yee, Shen Teng, Zhang Yi, Lei Jiayin and Yue Yunpeng for the film’s TBA release in 2023. Special thanks to @yliu99 for the poster assist.

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Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff Among Names Circling THE TRANSPORTER Bollywood Revamp From ‘Blurr’ Producer

Lee B. Golden III

A quick online search suggests a Hindi remake of The Transporter is in development with producer Vishal Rana (Blurr, Blank) heading it up out of his Echelon Studios banner. All signs currently point to an article at India Today published this week quoting Rana with the following: “We are in the process of developing a lot of scripts which are different. We are hearing a lot of stories currently from new writers. I love action, big-scale action films. So I’m making The Transporter remake. We have got The Transporter official remake rights. We plan to begin work on it next year.“ Vishal Rana as quoted in India Today (12/26) Interestingly the news comes following a few articles this year including over at Bollywood Hungama which covered the project over the summer, initially announcing Rana and director Ali Abbas Zafar (Sultan) as the shepherds behind the project. A recent report on […]

FURIES: Now In Vietnamese Cinemas Ahead Of Wider Release

Lee B. Golden III

Veronica Ngo’s hotly-anticipated actioner, Furies (a.k.a. Thanh Soi), is finally released in local cinemas, as of last Friday. Previously dated for April, the film was delayed until December 30 before finally advancing its release on the big screen a week early. Thanh Soi is one of several titles that have been planting a strong foothold for Ngo out of her Studio68 banner as the actress continued to span her screen career in other areas, most notably including the Star Wars saga, Netflix’s The Old Guard as well as its upcoming sequel, Spike Lee’s riveting drama Da 5 Bloods, and 2022 Hulu release, The Princess. Ngo helms the new installment taking the reins from director Le Van Kiet who directed the actress on the inaugural 2019 actioner, Furie, or Hai Phoung. Ngo heads a cast further led by Dong Ahn Quynh, Toc Tien, and Rima Thahn Vy. Read on: Actress/director/producer Veronica […]

Now On Netflix: Season Two Of ALICE IN BORDERLAND Delivers Deadlier Games, Love And Hope For Human Triumph

Lee B. Golden III

One of the most exciting shows currently streaming on Netflix that isn’t Squid Game just happens to be the show that did it first: Alice In Borderland. Season two, directed by Shinsuke Sato, is currently running with actors Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya leading the way once more along with a row of both new and returning characters, and some thrilling new challenges to pepper things up a bit, including Face Card challenges which up the ante even more than before. How much? Welp, it all begins following the aftermath of the final beach showdown in season one which you can read about here. From the start, Arisu (Yamazaki) and Usagi (Tsuchiya) are rejoined by Kuina (Aya Asahina) and Chishiya (Nijiro Murakami) at Shibuya crossing in the still-desolate Tokyo where the first of the Face Cards, the King Of Spades, makes its violent arrival in the form of a fast-moving […]

THE TOMORROW JOB: Catch The Official Trailer For The Sci-Fi Thriller Opening In January

Lee B. Golden III

Bruce Wemple’s time-traveling action-thriller, The Tomorrow Job, has a trailer now online from Epic Pictures Releasing. The film stars Grant Schumacher, Caitlin Duffy, Ariella Mastroianni, and Chris Cimperman. The film follows a team of thieves who use a time-travel drug to trade places with their future selves to execute the ultimate heist. When interrupted on a job the team must fix their past mistakes to prevent disastrous consequences. A dynamic mix of genres, THE TOMORROW JOB is a high-stakes sci-fi action-adventure epic with heart, humor, and fun, and an ode to beloved heist comedies of the past. The film marks a reunion for Wemple and the cast who’ve all collaborated on past features My Best Friends Dead (2021), The Retreat (2020), and Lake Artifact (2019). It world premiered at Austin’s Other Worlds Film Festival as the Opening Night Film and will be opening in select theaters January 13 and landing […]

A CASE FOR BETTER DC MOVIES….And Fandoms

Lee B. Golden III

As hard as it is to keep up with superhero lore in movie news, it is also intriguing to observe over time. Updates on development, creative choices, and casting can read as nothing more than “leaked” reports or merely suggest insight from otherwise unnamed “sources” and frankly, it’s all just bullshit to take with a grain of salt until the trade reports are published, the IMDb pages get updated, stills are distributed and a trailer is released. That’s the approach I’ve taken, although I rarely speak on superhero films until I feel like throwing my hat in the ring, and so before we segue into a new year, after one in which we’ve now born witness to some of the most divisive events on a corporate level to ever affect consumers on a massive scale since the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney, I thought I’d chime in. At least before […]

BAIAN: THE ASSASSIN M.D. Trailer Sees The Return Of A Legendary Killer And Healer For New Two-Part Saga In 2023!

Lee B. Golden III

Fuji TV vet Shunsaku Kawake is stepping out into the new year with the first of a two-part period epic based on the work of celebrated author Shotaro Ikenami who passed away in 1990. For this, we turn to the latest official trailer for Baian: The Assassin M.D. featuring Etsushi Toyokawa (20th Century Boys trilogy, Punk Samurai Slash Down, Kingdom 2) in the title role. Kawake directs from a script by Sumio Omori, who is best known for penning NHK network’s Moribito television series based on the 1996 Kaiseisha publication, “Seirei no Moribito”. Toyokawa takes the mantle as the titular acupuncturist and healer who also delivers his own brand of justice as a master assassin. The role was previously adapted for the screen in two television iterations with Ken Ogata in 1972 and Ken Watanabe in 1990, and with one film adaptation in 1981 with actor Kinnosuke Yorozuya. Also of […]

BAD CITY, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, EVIL DEAD RISE, And More: 40 Titles To Look Out For In 2023!

Lee B. Golden III

I have no doubt in my mind that next year will be jam-packed with some enticing film favorites for those of you looking to keep busy at the cinema. I and certainly a few folks among our group at FCSyndicate have a few choice picks of our own and for what it’s worth, we have a list of as many as thirty titles to bookmark in your filmgoing schedule for the year. As such, there were a few prominent favorites along with some honorable mentions I won’t list, and those are The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes which our own Christina Ortega shared with me in the past month is her choice pick for the upcoming November release out of Lionsgate. I’m also throwing my hat in the ring for Project Wolf Hunting with its upcoming disc and streaming release this year out of Well Go USA, […]

BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF Gets A Theatrical 4K Restoration In January

Lee B. Golden III

I was today years old when I learned that director Christophe Gans’ 2001 dark period action horror, Brotherhood Of The Wolf, was poised for a 4K re-release early next year. It’s currently available to buy, rent or stream but I think it’ll be a terrific chance for anyone who hasn’t seen it on the big screen like some of us. Grégoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and his companion Mani (Mark Dacascos) are sent to the countryside side by the King of France to hunt the Beast of the Gevaudan, an unknown monster said to be responsible for the murder of hundreds. They soon find themselves embroiled in petty local politics and supernatural conspiracies as they use their unique skills to end the slaughter. The film stars Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci, and was written by Gans along with Stéphane Cabel. Rialto Pictures is heading […]

JUNG_E: Netflix Debuts Stunning New Teaser For Yeon Sang-Ho’s Sci-Fi Action Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Celebrated director Yeon Sang-ho (Train To Busan, Psychokinesis, Peninsula) has kept up nicely with his relationship with Netflix, particularly with his ongoing series efforts with Hellbound and the upcoming first season of Parasyte: The Grey based on the manga. The same also goes for his next sci-fi feature effort with Jung_E, starring Kim Hyun-joo in her first movie role since her fourth film appearance in Kim Do-hyuk’s Shin Suk-ki blues before long hauling her steady career in television for various networks, including this month’s SBS premiere of Trolley. JUNG_E portrays a desolated Earth in the 22nd century that is no longer inhabitable due to climate change. Amid the chaos, an internal war breaks out in the shelter built for human survival. Victory – meaning the end of the war – now hinges on finding a way to clone the legendary mercenary JUNG_E into a scalable robot. The show teased “a […]

BABY ASSASSINS 2 Gets A Teaser For Its Spring Release!

Lee B. Golden III

The past few years have been two of Hugo Sakamoto’s best, with at least two of his films getting recognition in the U.S. along with distribution deals for A Janitor and the smash hit, Baby Assassins. The latter was especially the latest mile marker for action fans heavily glaring at their radar for titles to look out for and featuring stand-out performances by Akari Takaishi and Saori Izawa, and now the team behind the pic, which also has action director Kensuke Sonomura back on the floor, is officially confirming its sequel with a first look teaser, and a pair of posters all announcing its March 24, 2023 release. Check out all the assets below and stick around as we await more into the new year!

DEAD MAN’S HAND: Grindstone Nabs Newly Wrapped Western Revenge Thriller From ‘The 2nd’ Helmer

Lee B. Golden III

Grindstone Entertainment Group has acquired the North American rights to Dead Man’s Hand, the new Western thriller that just completed production in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pic hails from Milestone Studios and stars Stephen Dorff (HBO’s “True Detective”), Jack Kilmer (The Nice Guys, Val), and Cole Hauser (“Yellowstone”). Written, directed, and produced by Brian Skiba (The 2nd, Pursuit) under his banner SkibaVision, the film is based on the story of popular graphic novel, “No Rest of the Wicked – Dead Man’s Hand”, from authors Kevin Minor and Matthew Minor. Producing are Laurie Love and Jim Burleson, with Alan B. Bursteen, Dawn Bursteen, Barry Brooker and Stan Wertlieb exec producing. Kilmer plays Reno, a newly married gunfighter, hangs up his six-shooters when he says “I do” to his bride, Vegas. But when Reno kills a bandit in self-defense, the bandit’s brother, the ruthless Mayor Clarence Bishop (Dorff), will not let his […]

THE BATTLE AT WATER GATE BRIDGE Review: Dante Lam’s Ceremonial War Epic Is Brought To A Bloody, Brutal And Sobering Close

Lee B. Golden III

Consider yourselves still invited to check out Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, and Dante Lam’s The Battle At Changjin Lake as its ceremonial pro-Communist China sequel now remains on deck for its UK release with director Lam’s The Battle At Water Gate Bridge (a.k.a. The Battle At Lake Changjin II). The events of the first film tie directly into the second with actors Wu Jing and Jackson Lee among the numerous names and faces shepherding the story of the members of the People’s Liberation Army in its efforts to beat back the Americans during the Korean War. The new film tackles the PVA’s latest mission, which is to blow up a bridge that is strategically vital to the Americans’ retreat, and the multiple attempts at doing so between every firefight and freezing temperature. The patriotic and jingoistic sentiments are still present but not as much as in the first film, while its more […]

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MAN IN THE LONG BLACK COAT: Director Salvador Litvak In Production With New Western Crime Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

The production of Western crime thriller, Man In The Long Black Coat, was announced last week as cameras are currently rolling in Santa Clarita, California. Salvador Litvak (When Do We Eat?) is directing the pic for a cast led by Mark Feuerstein (Royal Pains, Defiance), Neal McDonough (Yellowstone, Captain America: The First Avenger), Dermot Mulroney (Scream 6, My Best Friend’s Wedding), and Christopher Lloyd (Nobody, Back to the Future). Penned by Litvak and co-scribe Nina Davidovich Litvak, Man In The Long Black Coat tells the story of a troubled teen accused of a shocking murder, and the unlikely detective who seeks to prove his innocence and expose a far more sinister truth. Lee Broda of LB Entertainment (A Private War, Call Jane, The Card Counter, Lansky) is producing next to Aimee Schoof and Isen Robbins of Intrinsic Value Films (The Last Thing Mary Saw, Experimenter, Blue Caprice). Natalie Marciano also of LB Entertainment will co-produce. […]