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:

Devika Bhise in THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI (Photo By Nick Wall)

THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI Rides To U.S. Fall Release From Roadside Attractions

Lee B. Golden III

The wait has been an extensive one with post-production, a social media campaign and exclusive event screenings, but the word is now out for Cayenne Pepper Productions CEO, renowned choreographer and dancer Swati Bhise’s directorial debut, The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi. Roadside Attractions has snagged U.S. release rights to the film for a Fall release via Deadline, titularly starring Devika Bhise in this, the latest cinematic incarnation of 19th century warrior queen Lakshmibai. The director, who also executive produced Matthew Brown’s 2016 biopictoral novel adaptation, The Man Who New Infinity, also produced as well as co-wrote the film with her star, along with co-scribe Olivia Emden. Formerly titled Swords & Sceptres, Bhise’s The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi tells the true story of Lakshmibai, the historic Queen of Jhansi who fiercely led her army against the British East India Company in the infamous mutiny of 1857. Lakshmibai is known as one […]

ESCAPE PLAN: THE EXTRACTORS Lands The Red Band Treatment In A New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

If a standard short trailer for John Herzfeld’s Escape Plan: The Extractors wasn’t enough, then how about a red-band trailer for all your Stallone and Bautista needs? Both action stars headline the latest and seemingly final installment which unleashes the beast on July 2 on Digital 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. Screen legend Sylvester Stallone kicks this explosive action tale into high gear. After security expert Ray Breslin (Stallone) is hired to rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Hong Kong tech mogul from a formidable Latvian prison, Breslin’s girlfriend (Jaime King) is also captured. Now he and his team, which includes Dave Bautista and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, must pull off a deadly rescue mission to confront their sadistic foe and save the hostages before time runs out. Also starring are Jamie King, Max Zhang and Devon Sawa.

MUNA Trailer: Adesua Etomi-Wellington Is All Grown-Up With A Score To Settle

Lee B. Golden III

Having built herself a pretty visible raft of credits in television and film, actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington now stakes her claim in the genre we follow with Tempting Fate helmer Kevin Nkem Nwankor for female-fronted assassin thriller, Muna. KevStel TV is premiering the official trailer this week with a release date still pending, and with a cast that also lists Adam Huss, Sharon Ifedi, Robert Miano and Onyeka Onwenu. ‘Muna’ is the story of a spirited girl raised by her grandmother; the last surviving member of their family. Muna’s driving desire to provide a better life for herself and grandmother in the land of milk and honey, leads to shady characters that will change the trajectory. Landing her smack dab into the hands of traffickers, that experience turns her once golden heart into one driven by stone cold revenge on those who stole her innocence. In her grand plan, love was […]

BLOOD CHOKE RETRIBUTION Review: A Brutal Paint-By-Numbers Revenge Thriller Short With A Serious Death Grip

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and filmmaker Michael Hoad has been in my purview for as long as I’ve followed a number of UK stunt talents. His latest push in the past few years since doing it up in Cannes for Jean Paul-Ly’s The Division and his own forthcoming sci-fi action proof, Soner Metin’s Insurrection, currently brings us Blood Choke Retribution, a project that clearly speaks to the fanbase it aims for going forward. Save for the similar-seeming revenge tropes, Hoad, Blood Choke Retribution is a pretty simple short story to follow telling of Jack, a former special forces soldier on early leave whose hometown arrival and reunion with the wife are sourly interrupted by the emergence of a burgeoning gang looking to escalate. Jack is rendered half-blind and beaten, and his wife raped and murdered in retaliation for Jack’s meddling; Blood Choke Retribution begins in the wake of that tragedy just as Jack […]

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MAD LORD: SAMURAI OF 1000 DEATHS Review: A Worthwhile Love Letter To Auteurs Of Yesteryear And Today

Lee B. Golden III

I’ve only ever seen a sizeable handful of classic chambara and jidaigeki films in my lifetime – imaginably there’s still a world of cinema out there I want to explore, but if there’s one thing I’m thankful for, it’s the inspiration of others. Independent filmmaker Samuel Smith has his – drawn directly into his latest short period drama, Mad Lord: Samurai Of 1000 Deaths, and with none other than legendary auteur Akira Kurosawa as a key reference to venture into his own take on Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth tale. The film takes an immediate entry into the foreboding millieu of the encampment of the Black Samurai Army whose warlord (Kristofer Kamiyasu) envisions himself being murdered in his own house by a warrior from the Red Samurai Army. Fearing the lord’s mental state is deteriorating, Sokushitsu (Gana Bayarsaikhan), his loyal geisha, treats him regularly with a serving of a kind of tea […]

FURIE

FURIE: Take Home The Action And Vengeance Later This Month On Blu-Ray And DVD

Lee B. Golden III

It’s not often that Vietnamese martial arts action on film makes its way to our shores. Actress and cinematic powerhouse Veronica Ngo has left a great impression on her fans doing just that for the better part of the last twelve or so years to date having initially taken off with hits like The Rebel and Clash with Johnny Tri Nguyen among others. The Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Bright co-star’s latest strides have earned her a prime position in various entertainment aspects while maintaining her screen presence at home and abroad. That progress continued with Furie earlier this year which since made its way to Netflix outside of North America, and that’s where Well Go USA comes in, firmly officiating its debut on digital, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD beginning June 25. After putting her criminal past behind her, Hai Phuong’s (Ngo) daughter is kidnapped and Hai will […]

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JAPAN CUTS XIII: Dance With Me, Killing, Jesus, Night Cruising And More Outline Next Month’s Sprawling New York City Event

Lee B. Golden III

Following last week’s announcement of Japanese cinema auteur Shinya Tsukamoto’s centerpiece ceremony for this year’s Japan Cuts, the official line-up is now online from Japan Society along with a robust new trailer. The line-up is ripe with the usual assortment of features host to colorful cinematic stylings from a raft of directors on the feature-length and shortfilm front, as well as Q&A segments with directors. With any luck I’ll get some screening going on my end as there are several titles on this list I would love to check out, including documentary Night Cruising, Tsukamoto’s latest celebrated hit, Killing, and even Samurai Shifters among others. Tickets are available on the official website where you’ll find film trailers and details on next month’s event. Japan Society Announces Full Lineup for the 13th Annual JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema presents a […]

QUEEN SONO: Production Begins On The New South African Spy Thriller For Netflix

Lee B. Golden III

Screen Africa reports that production has officially begun on Queen Sono for Netflix. The streamer’s first original African series is billed as an action-packed spy thriller that stars Pearl Thusi (The Scorpion King: Book Of Souls) for its six episode premiere in 2020. Queen Sono is produced by Johannesburg-based Diprente (Catching Feelings), stars Thusi in the title role as an unconventional spy working for an undercover South African agency devoted to protecting the people of Africa. Also starring will be an all-local cast comprised of Five Fingers For Marseilles actor Vuyo Dabula in the role of Shandu, an ex-spy who has taken a different path. Actor Sechaba Morojele will play Dr Sid, director of the SOG, with actress Chi Mhende and actors Loyiso Madinga, and Rob Van Vuuren joining the cast as SOG agent team members. Actress Kate Liquorish plays Ekaterina, heiress of an oligarch family with ulterior motives, while […]

LEVEL UP: Saving The World Is No Game In The Official Trailer For The New Indie Action Sci-Fi

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and filmmaker Faustus McGreeves, co-director of 2016 adventure horror, Endor; is already making the retail and festival rounds with his second effort, Level Up. The project signals his solo directorial debut and has since made its mark with a premiere screening in February followed by screenings at Gen Con in Indianapolis, and just recently at Reels of the Dead Film Festival in Las Vegas this past weekend. A suburban couple get caught up in a mission that seems small scale but could prevent a global disaster. On the run from a gaggle of assasins they need to find the codes before it’s too late. The official trailer is making the rounds as well and if you’re keen, you can follow the page on Facebook by clicking here. Hat tip to Nick Messersmith for being steadfast and sending this to us.

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THE HIT LIST: June 10, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

The Hit List has taken a pretty interesting turn of late now that I actually get to host some video files on behalf of creators. It’s a blessing and I’m real thankful to those of you investing in my own YouTube channel to share your craft. You’ll see a bit of that later, while we begin with the usual raft of demo reels from some of today’s top and emerging talent in stunts and action performance. Up first is someone who rightly deserves the proliferation he’s gotten since throwing down in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Mission: Impossible – Fallout. His name is Liang Yang and his reel is up first followed by reels featuring Aaron D. Alexander, Jennifer Mitchell, Diego Ramiro, Eric C. Sun, Taylor Krasne, Danny Rivera, A.J. Gagliardi, Lauren Nguyen, Ben Tardif, Patrick Dunham, Bronte Coluccio, Jon Beal, Daniel Pera, Michelle Fisichella, Phillip Wainwright, Oliver Gough, […]

GUARDIAN: Trailblazing Emmy-Winning Stunt Coordinator Shauna Duggins To Direct Gritty Assassin Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

It was last Fall when stuntwoman and stunt coordinator Shauna Duggins won Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program, effectively becoming first woman to win in the category at the Creative Arts Emmys. Deadline broke the news at the time prior to following up with Ms. Duggins’ career progression signing with Sentient Entertainment to become a director and thus, the longtime stunt professional will now have her turnabout with Guardian, according to Anthony D’Alessandro. Billed as a “gritty action drama” that is “in the spirit of The Professional and Man on Fire”, Guardian, is described as the multi-layered story of an elite assassin entangled in a mob power struggle and a crisis of conscience after unwittingly assuming guardianship for the son of the last man he killed. Duggins, whose extensive and decorated stunt career on projects like Charlie’s Angels, Torque, Elektra, Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Fast Five, […]

GLOW: Season Three Adds Geena Davis

Lee B. Golden III

Netflix’s nostalgic hit wrestling dramedy, Glow, is readying a late summer premiere and actress Geena Davis is being formally announced to join the show’s upcoming third season. The Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress will play “Sandy Devereaux St. Clair,” the former showgirl turned entertainment director of the Fan-Tan Hotel and Casino. Netflix is running a first look teaser, as well as a pic of the actress in character as of Monday, joining her with recurring leads Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin and Marc Maron. Check it out in the gallery above, and peep season three deets below: Season 3 follows the ladies of GLOW as they take the Vegas strip by storm. Now headliners at the Fan-Tan Hotel and Casino, the women quickly realize Sin City is much more grind than glitter. Ever the team cheerleader, Ruth’s passion for the show begins to take a backseat to her growingly complicated […]

THE DIVISION: Leitch To Direct Upcoming Ubisoft Film Adaptation For Netflix

Lee B. Golden III

Active developments toward a live-action adaptation of the hit Ubisoft game, The Division, have been stirring moreso since 2016 with the casting of actor Jake Gyllenhaal and with stunt action feature hitmaker David Leitch tapped to direct just last Spring. Going forward, the word is out with Netflix announcing its acquisition of the feature film that now sets screenwriter Rafe Judkins to put pen-to-paper on the project. Joining Gyllenhaal to star and produce will be actress Jessica Chastain who will partake in the same capacity. In the near future, a pandemic virus is spread via paper money on Black Friday, decimating the city of New York and killing millions. By Christmas, what’s left of society has descended into chaos. A group of civilians, trained to operate in catastrophic times, are activated in an attempt to save who and what remains. Leitch’s 87North banner will produce alongside Gyllenhaal’s Nine Stories, Chastain’s […]

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FIST AND FURIOUS Trailer: Welcome Back Jung Doo-Hong!!!!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Ha Won-Joon’s inaugural directorial feat with Stray Dogs invites a refreshing come back for one of the action genre’s most favored and celebrated with the return of actor Jung Doo-Hong in Fist And Furious. The actor and prolific martial arts director and choreographer to hit filmmakers like Yoon Jong-Bin (Kundo), Ryoo Seung-Wan (Arahan, No Blood No Tears, City Of Violence), Kim Jee-Woon (Illang, I Saw The Devil) and Jon Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) has been nary seen on the screen save for appearing in a promotional short for Motorola with Kane Kosugi called Timeless, as well as a cameo on hit Netflix series, Sense8, and so seeing him back in his element with this first official trailer going around is definitely going to rouse the senses. And boy does a hat-tip go out to Hancinema for this lovely find! News collection, missing persons, drugs, escapes and revenge. A former […]

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Movie And Musical Majesty In NYAFF’S KOKDU: A STORY OF GUARDIAN ANGELS Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Tickets are on sale for the North American premiere for The New York Asian Film Festival’s upcoming premiere presentation of Kokdu: A Story of Guardian Angels. The live action cinematic presentation enjoins the filmic feats of directors Kim Tae-yong (Memento Mori, critically acclaimed Late Autumn) and music director Bang Jun-Seok (The Throne, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days), along with a 20-piece ensemble from the National Gugak Center. Kokdu: A Story Of Guardian Angels signals the latest partnership between the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), Film at Lincoln Center, and the New York Asian Film Foundation. As for what this all entails, there’s a trailer out and about as of last week to help sample the goods to come and you can view that above. The show has already been touring in select parts of the world now, including Germany […]

The Latest STUBER Trailer Gets The Red-Band Treatment

Lee B. Golden III

This is me catching up on some trailerage of late with Michael Dowse’s latest action comedy, Stuber. The latest red-band trailer is making the rounds and I’m actually already sold on this one. Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani look and Iko Uwais look great together and with any luck, the Stuber crew took some notes after Uwais’s previous stint in Mile 22…and no, I’m still not over it. When a mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) picks up a passenger (Dave Bautista) who turns out to be a cop hot on the trail of a brutal killer, he’s thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he desperately tries to hold onto his wits, his life and his five-star rating. Also starring are Natalie Morales, Betty Gilpin, Jimmy Tatro, Mira Sorvino and Karen Gillan.

NYAFF XVIII: Yuen Woo-Ping To Receive Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award On July 1

Lee B. Golden III

Summer is here and for cinephilic types, that means more festive film events forthcoming. Our own New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) kicks off on June 28 with a pending line-up that will also bear host to a celebration of venerable martial arts cinema auteur, Master Yuen Woo-Ping. The legendary action director, best known by the global kung fu cinema cult fandom at large and mainstream audiences for his work on The Matrix trilogy, both Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon films and the dual Kill Bill revenge saga, will be on hand to receive the Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award on July 1. The celebration will also include a 35mm presentation of seminal Donnie Yen headliner Iron Monkey (1993), Well Go USA’s presentation of Yuen’s sequel-bound Master Z: Ip Man Legacy returning actor Max Zhang to his role in the preceding Ip Man 3, and Yuen’s 1982 classic, The Miracle Fighters. […]

FAST 9: John Cena Confirmed To Star

Lee B. Golden III

It’s hard following movie news given the constant regurgitations of controversy and clickbait. Universal’s Fast saga is ripe with those sorts of things what with talk of Michelle Rodriguez wanting a more equal turn of treatment for women for the longstanding franchise, as well as Neal Moritz reportedly being fired from the franchise following a lawsuit he filed with the studio over alleged breach of oral contract and allegations of promissory fraud. This all comes six years following the death of franchise lead Paul Walker and the hard work of coping with his loss both before and after a pretty boisterous feud between three other of the franchise’s line-up during and after production of The Fate Of The Furious. The franchise is still due for a spin-off this August now with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham leading Fast And Furious Presents: Hobbs And Shaw while the studio works to develop […]

NO MAN’S LAND Adds Frank Grillo To Immigrant Survival Western Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Justin Kroll at Variety is adding to the mix some casting hype for Conor Allyn’s new modern western drama, No Man’s Land. Therein lies the intrigue and relevant nature of the film’s story scripted and screenwritten with Allyn and co-scribe David Barraza Ibañez as it’s apparently inspired by the real-life “no man’s land” between the U.S.- Mexico border on the Rio Grande and the U.S. “hard border” fences to the north. No Man’s Land will see actor Jake Allyn in the role of Jackson Greer, one-half of a father/son vigilante patrol paired with his father, played by Frank Grillo. Jackson must ride south of the border when he accidentally kills an immigrant son and his father tries to take the blame. With Texas Rangers and Mexican federales in hot pursuit, Jackson, now a “gringo” on the run, finds himself on a pilgrimage that puts him at peace with the land […]

ROBERT THE BRUCE: Angus MacFadyen’s Fight For Freedom Continues After ‘Braveheart’ In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Sugar Mountain helmer Richard Gray is poised to share his latest cut of his new sword epic, Robert The Bruce, for its premiere at Edinburgh when the 73rd edition of the festival kicks off from June 19 through 30. Best of all thusfar in the wake of Outlaw King is the return of actor Angus MacFadyen whose return to the role 25 years after portraying the character in Mel Gibson headliner, Braveheart, shows his touch hasn’t lost its edge. Scotland 1306, Robert the Bruce (Angus Macfadyen: Braveheart) crowns himself King and takes the ambition of Scotland’s freedom as his own. But he cannot overcome England’s power: defeated again and again, his army is scattered and Scotland’s nobility abandons him. Hunted, with a price on his head, he finds himself alone and wounded. The cause of freedom seems lost once more. Hidden secretly in a secluded croft of a clan pledged […]