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:

Review: Le Van Kiet’s FURIE: Veronica Ngo Is All The Rage!

The exciting allure of multi-faceted woman of business and talent, actress Veronica Ngo, is yet to be ever fully realized in the western world, a fact made clear with bit roles in The Last Jedi and hit fantasy crime pic, Bright – both big, major films that pass the muster, but definitely younger in comparison to the fandom Ngo has drawn up for herself since emerging as the venerable showstopper alongside Johnny Tri Nguyen in films like The Rebel and Clash. She earned a stake in Dustin Tri Nguyen’s feasibly entertaining sword fantasy, Once Upon A Time In Vietnam, and in Yuen Woo-Ping’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny. Soon, and much to our delight, the actress will be seen in Well Go USA’s own release of her latest Studio68 production, Furie, a film less so in the vein of The Raid and definitively more Taken to that affect; […]

Arrow Video: THE GRAND DUEL, IN THE AFTER MATH, SPIRAL, YAKUZA LAW And More Announced For May

Lee B. Golden III

Arrow Video is doling out another in a raft of finely-tuned releases on Blu-Ray in the US, UK and Canada. Giancarlo Santi’s 1972 spaghetti western, The Grand Duel is just one and with a freshly uploaded trailer just above. Among the lot you also have Yakuza Law from the highly-heralded Godfather of J-sploitation, Ishii Teruo, Charles E. Sellier Jr.’s The Annihilators (which for me comes straight from the old VHS bin of yesteryear), and J-horror, Sprial, which is now available on Amazon Prime. There are seven titles in the gallery below with all the details you need. Tap them for larger view and scroll down for all the announcements, tech specs and pre-order links.

Netflix’s ALTERED CARBON: SEASON TWO Lays Out Its Cast

Lee B. Golden III

It was announced last summer that Netflix’s neo-noir sci-fi action series, Altered Carbon would get a second season following its successful first outing last February. Joel Kinnaman, Ato Essandoh, and actresses Matha Higareda and Dichen Lachmann led the cast inspired by the Richard K. Morgan’s celebrated novel set in a future where people can “stack” a human conciousness and revive it in a humanoid-like “sleeve”. Also joining with performances by Will Yun Lee and Byron Mann, that’s what plays out for Kinnaman’s role as Takeshi Kovacs, a deadly operative once a member of an elite group of rebels known as Envoys fighting against the new world order. This sets the stage for his reawakening by a wealthy political influencer looking to solve his own murder, which led to an explosive battle between Takeshi, and a woman from his dark past. For this, the story continues with season two now in […]

ESTABLISHING ‘ORDER’: Producer Bruno Marino Talks The World-Building Potential Of Upcoming Sci-Fi Thriller ‘ENHANCED’

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been more than six years since stunt professional James Mark got the engine running for his 2018 debut, Kill Order. He kept his creative stride a second feature with crime thriller, On The Ropes, and with a continued eye for the chair, he’s looking to build on the world birthed in Kill Order with the new sci-fi thriller, Enhanced. Enter brother and fellow stunt cohort Chris Mark who saw his acting debut in Kill Order which took more than five years to complete with a release. In addition to fight choreography, he switches gears for the narrative as the villain opposite starring Wolves and Goon 1 & 2 actor George Tchortov who leads the cast for the film’s hopeful release later this year. For this, I managed to get into touch with the producers about the project, which, according to its plot, “follows a disenfranchised soldier and a super-power […]

LOVE’S TWISTING PATH Is One Paved In Action, Romance And Swordplay In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Having etched his place in film history as nearly sixty years in, folks can now celebrate director Nakajima Sadao’s latest return to narrative storytelling. Following a two-decade hiatus, his new film, Love’s Twisting Path, brings ceremonial fervor for jidaigeki fans featuring actress Tabe Mikako, and fellow stars Kora Kengo and Kimura Ryo. What unfolds is a love story set at the tail-end of Edo period in Kyoto, entangled by blurred nuances of human emotion amidst the turmoil of war between the Shogunate’s regime and local dissidents. At the center of it all is a former master-turned-ronin named Tajuro, the beautiful tavern owner named Toyo who loves him despite his dismissals and self-positioning as guardian to her property, and Tajuro’s younger and admiring step brother, Kazuma. The official trailer is now online along with poster art following the film’s Kyoto Interntaional Film and Art Festival premiere last year.

RIDING THE WAVE: An Interview With “MARIA” Star, Actress Cristine Reyes

Lee B. Golden III

When talking Philippine cinema in 2019 for action fans, engaging the dialogue may almost always certainly include the successes of one of its most celebrated auteurs, Erik Matti, whose award-winning ripped-from-the-headlines crime thriller, BuyBust, scored hugely among festival crowds last year. Going forward, the concurrent efforts of other directors may certainly be noted – folks like Pedring Lopez whose 2015 accolades earned in Manila with action horror, Nilalang, especially earned him a place on our radar and the world markets. Two horror features later, he’s back and following suit with his own female fronted actioner, Maria, starring Cristine Reyes in her first-ever action role. The official trailer has already garnered well over three million views and shares on social media much to Pedring’s credit, and certainly to that of Ms. Reyes who I managed to garner some answers in our first interview. In my view, this is pretty huge for […]

The Official Trailer For NUNCHAKU AND SOUL Will Either Have You Dancing, Or Running And Screaming

Lee B. Golden III

Writer/director Koba Akiyoshi’s debut, Nunchaku and Soul, is gearing up for a world premiere at the 14th Osaka Asian Film Festival. The line-up is packed with genre faves and indie delights, one of which thusfar includes Koba’s film which sits among ten other titles for the Indie Forum. Numata is a shy, bespectacled beanpole of a middle-aged guy who manages a restaurant. His only charm point, if you can call it that, is his ability to use nunchaku, a weapon he became obsessed with as a child but never really had any call to use in actual combat. An encounter with a cute woman named Reiko leads him to attend a dance class and the chance to win her heart in a dance contest. Alas, Numata doesn’t have the moves… Meanwhile, across town, Soma, a funk soul brother, is facing the breakup of his long-running band. The other members are […]

Teaser: BAD POLICE Is Rife With Lee Sun-Kyun’s Bad Language

Lee B. Golden III

It was back in 2016 that Warner Bros. Korea would be ramping up its production slate and it’s doled out quite a few treats since then, save for Kim Jee-woon’s Ilang adaptation which I still enjoy. This year, the banner will look to rectify things with its latest offering, Bad Police, opening March 21 and starring Take Point actor Lee Sun-kyun with a logline that cites “A story about a bad cop standing up to an even worse society.”. That’s not much to go on while there’s little to suggest there’s some shared basis with Abel Ferrera’s memorable 1992 Harvey Keitel crime opus, Bad Lieutenant, but I can definitely see the basis for some inspiration. Best of all on top of the casting of Lee who puts on in amazing show in my first viewing of his work with 2014 pic, A Hard Day, is the credit to director Lee […]

Dark Stallone Superhero Pic, SAMARITAN, Lands At MGM

Lee B. Golden III

Well on the way with his final bow as the title role in Rambo: Last Blood, actor Sylvester Stallone of Creed and Creed II fame can now be seen active with what’s being described as a “dark, fresh take on the superhero genre” according to Amanda N’Duka at Deadline. The film? Samaritan, now home at MGM following a bidding war that closed this week. News of the film broke back in October last year with Stallone set to star. The film sits among a raft of forthcoming productions from Stallone’s Balboa banner. Stallone is developing Samaritan along with Braden Afternoon and MGM. Bragi F. Schut, who penned the upcoming Inversion starring Samuel L. Jackson, wrote Samaritan and will exec produce.

DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE: Mel Gibson Intends To Collect In The Official Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

Director S. Craig Zahler is exactly the kind of director you’re looking for if you want a film that leaves a lasting impact. Last year’s head-stomping hit with Brawl In Cell Block 99 proved to be an entertainingly violent allegory on redemption from the Bone Tomahawk director and apart from any of the reviews stemming from its screening last year at Venice, his newest entry, Dragged Across Concrete, seemingly teases something that could almost be just as brutal and chilling, and just as soulful by way of its soundtrack. DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE follows two police detectives who find themselves suspended when a video of their strong-arm tactics is leaked to the media. With little money and no options, the embittered policemen descend into the criminal underworld and find more than they wanted waiting in the shadows. Summit Entertainment presents, a Unified Pictures production, a Cinestate production, in association with Look […]

KESARI: Akshay Kumar Leads The Fiery Charge In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and action star Akshay Kumar is back for another in Bollywood’s usual delivery of sweeping epics in Anurag Singh’s latest, Kesari. Singh co-pens with Girish Kohli and also features actress Parineeti Chopra for a March 21 release. Kesari is an unbelievable true story based on the Battle of Saragarhi, 1897. Touted as one of the bravest battle ever fought, 21 courageous Sikhs countered 10,000 invadeers. These saffron clad warriors fought valiantly against all odds and changed the meaning of bravery. This Holi, celebrate the spirit of bravery & sacrifice with Kesari.

Jimmy Henderson’s THE PREY Finds Hunting Ground In The UK

Lee B. Golden III

One of the most thrilling features coming our way comes from the creative auspices of director Jimmy Henderson (Jailbreak) following last year’s festival outing, The Prey, Cambodia’s first $1 million dollar-budgeted action feature. The film premiered at Busan and at BFI in London and is currently in the market for buyers by way of internatonal sales agent, Raven Banner. Among the lot via Deadline, we now have fledgling distro banner Lightbulb Film Distribution stepping up to the plate and picking up for its UK-bound release with a date now pending as of last week at EFM in Berlin. Actor and martial artist Gu Shang Wei, stars in the film as an undercover cop swept away amidst a botched raid, forcibly incarcerated and left to fight for his survival among prisoners hunted for sport in a maniacal warden’s deadly game for rich, affluent huntsmen. Also starring are Vithaya Pansringarm and actress […]

KISS KISS: Don’t Miss The Official Trailer For Dallas King’s Sultry And Savage Tournament Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Following a raft of shortfilms back in 2011 and 2012 and shooting behind the scenes on Mitsutake Kurando’s Karate Kill, filmmaker Dallas King chose to grow his craft from then on. He has several features already in his resumé, including Ink & Rain which has since garnered a fair release in China through IQIYI, and now another on the way titled Kiss Kiss which has since released an official trailer and release plans through Cleopatra Entertainment. After a glorious night at the strip club, the film follows dancers, Kiss (Hopkins), and her best friends Treasure (Dae) and Kurious (B) as they are led by newcomer Tia (Castellon) to an exclusive wine tasting. A beautiful day turns tragic when they wake up having been seduced by their captor and special forces veteran, Gibson (Wagner), as he orchestrates a fight night that has each girl to battle against Fortune (Rae) and Dream […]

DISPATCHED: Stream Jarrod Crooks’ New Martial Arts Cop Comedy Now On Amazon Prime

Lee B. Golden III

I sort of feel like independent filmmaker Jarrod Crooks deserves a much bigger spotlight than he has now. I’ve expressed this back in 2017 to some affect in reviewing of his third feature, Indie Guys, which stands as one of the most delightful action comedies I’ve ever seen – packed with gems and plenty of space to allow Crooks and fitting cohorts like Film Combat Syndicate favorite, co-star José Manuel to do what they love most and are pretty damn good at. I honestly don’t know when that one will be out, although I look forward to covering Crooks’ endeavors in due time. Meanwhile, his third feature, Dispatched, had a local release throughout his home state of Wisconsin where he’s based, and at long last after five years in limbo, the film is now available on Amazon Prime Video where consumers can rent or purchase and support Crooks’ efforts. He […]

THE HIT LIST: February 18, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

I have to say, the past week has been a real test for me, but I look forward to having a better year than how things have been of late. As for now, it’s time to get back to the business of showing you all what’s what in our weekly endeavors with The Hit List, starting with the usual stunt and action reel adventures from around the web. We begin with an almighty reel by David William No fresh with snippets from Blindsided, Altered Carbon, The Matrix Trilogy and more. Following that are reels by Antjuan Rhames, Caitlin McNerney, Dani Medina, Jonathan Mercedes, Heinrich Laurent, Amanda McLeod, Sam Desmond, Scott Hoffman, Michael Blouin, Tarmo Hietala, Michaela McAllister, James Ortiz, Vitas Lebas, Dave Cutler, Melissa Spolar, Bryce Garcia, Richard Cotta, Mark Whitman, PeiPei Alena Yuan, and a dazzling, brutal fight choreographer reel by one of the industry’s finest out of South […]

Jarrod Crooks’ INDIE GUYS Delivers The Cinematic Love/Hate Relationship You Crave (Reprint)

Lee B. Golden III

I have to credit my latest interview subject, actor and rising star José Manuel, whose own career progression has been much more mobile than I imagined over the past several years. At some point back then, it appears his journey landed him somewhere in Wisconsin and in the throes of writing/directing duo, actors Jarrod Crooks and Greg Kuper, leaving in their wake what I think is one of the most discernible odes to cinema and the love of cinema to date. Indie Guys presents a hilarious, healthy and hearty mix of mumblecore comedy and drama at the forefront of our tale telling of local indie filmmakers Ian (Crooks) and Gordon (Kuper) as they struggle to complete their newest and most ambitious action movie with only a skeleton crew and, much to their chagrin, no money. From bizzare auditions and casting near-complete strangers at the last minute to creative differences that […]

Wes Craven’s SWAMP THING Emerges From The Murky 80s Classic Onto UK DVD/Blu-Ray In March

Lee B. Golden III

I was never exposed to Wes Craven’s 1982 classic iteration of DC property, Swamp Thing, growing up, whereas I instantly remember Jim Wynorski’s 1989 sequel that also returned now late actor Dick Durock in the dual role opposite Heather Locklear. Alas, it just so happens that UK distro banner 88 Films is also rolling the red carpet out for this one which has Ray Wise starring principally with Durock’s iconic performance for a dual format DVD/Blu-Ray release on March 25 release. Long before superhero movies were packing out multiplex cinemas, Freddy Krueger creator Wes Craven followed-up the success of Richard Donner’s Superman with this fondly remembered DC adaptation that brings a comic book favourite to life! Following the success of The Hills Have Eyes, Swamp Thing shows Craven adapting his style from less rough ‘n’ ready thrills and spills – and the result is an adventure thriller featuring a mutant-monster […]

Netflix Officially Cancels THE PUNISHER And JESSICA JONES

Lee B. Golden III

The trades are officially reporting that Punisher and Jessica Jones are no more with Netlfix completely purging itself of its Marvel TV roster. Via The Wrap: “‘Marvel’s The Punisher’ will not return for a third season on Netflix. Showrunner Steve Lightfoot, the terrific crew, and exceptional cast including star Jon Bernthal, delivered an acclaimed and compelling series for fans, and we are proud to showcase their work on Netflix for years to come,” Netflix said in a statement. “In addition, in reviewing our Marvel programming, we have decided that the upcoming third season will also be the final season for ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones.’ We are grateful to showrunner Melissa Rosenberg, star Krysten Ritter and the entire cast and crew, for three incredible seasons of this groundbreaking series, which was recognized by the Peabody Awards among many others. We are grateful to Marvel for five years of our fruitful partnership and […]

INEMURI IWANE: Swords Clash In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

The first official trailer is finally here for director Motoki Katsuhide’s latest, Inemuri Iwane, headed for Japan screens on May 17 from Shochiku. The film takes its cues from Saeki Yasuhide’s Futaba Bunko novel series and its three-volume NHK TV series follow-up. The film centers on Matsuzaka Tori (The Blood Of Wolves, Sanada 10 Braves) in the role of Iwane, his two friends, Kinpei and Shinnosuke, all who train at the same dojo, and Kinpei’s younger sisters, Shinnosuke’s wife, Mai, and Iwane’s fianceè, Mao. Blood begets blood when Kinpei kills Shinnosuke for murdering Mai in a jealous rage, forcing Iwane’s hand in a duel in the wake of an already-decimated brotherhood. The film was adapted for the screen by Fujimoto Yuki and also stars Emoto Tasuku, Sugino Yosuke, Yoshine Kyoko and Miyashita Kanako among the cast.

Drawing On Human Nature, Phil Blattenberger’s POINT MAN Crosses Bullets And Bigotry

Lee B. Golden III

Debut director Phil Blattenberger’s Point Man goes hard and heavy on the dogs of war in an award-winning racially-charged military drama that draws enemy fire and friendly fire too close for comfort. The very first scene entails a black soldier on the front lines getting shot in the jungles of Vietnam after leading a platoon in a firefight. We then meet our trio of black soliders central to the narrative, engaged in a debate on the presumed chance positioning of negroes in a squad of soldiers. Among the three, Andre (Christopher Long) is insistent on the affirmative that the positioning of negroes are more methodical than some choose to believe. This serves as more of a side note to the rest of the story as it unfolds with Andre and fellow cohorts Joe (Chase Gutzman) and Felix (Marcus Bailey) joined by their platoon on a mission led by Lieutenant Sutter […]