KODAMA: Samurai SWAT Battles Killer Yokai In Brian Tang’s Online Short Premiere!
Brian Tang’s phenomenal SXSW-selected samurai SWAT fantasy thriller is now online to enjoy!
Lee B. Golden III
About Lee B. Golden III
Posts by Lee Golden:
THE BEAST IN ME: Get A Ringside Look At The Cast In New BTS Images From The Upcoming MMA Drama
Very little can be officially said early on with Tyler Atkins’s new MMA drama, The Beast In Me, save for what’s available now via Instagram. Thanks to actors Daniel MacPherson (Land Of Bad) and Bren Foster (Life After Fighting), we now have a brief look behind-the-scenes showcasing the looks of their characters in the film, including a polaroid of a bruised MacPherson which you can see in the first slide of his most recent Instagram post from over the weekend. The post comes a few weeks after Foster also teased his role in a seperate post hinting with the caption reading in part “New hair, new character, new movie, new fights!!…”. Filming took place over the weekend set against the backdrop of an event at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, as announced last Fall. Atkins directs a cast led by MacPherson, Foster, and Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator), from […]
DEAD BEFORE THEY WAKE Review: Nathan Shepka Infiltrates Evil Sex Traffickers In A Near-Lifeless Crime Drama
Dead Before They Wake is now available on Digital Download I’ve come across the work of director Nathan Shepka prior to this year but his latest, Dead Before They Wake is my first real dive into his work. Shepka stars in the film which he also shares co-directing duties with Andy Crane, from a script Shepka wrote as well as produced under his own banner. The film is much ado with the kind of real world-driven storytelling in which human and sex trafficking is the underpinning that propels the story forward. Shepka plays Alex, a nightclub bouncer who is also known for doing favors for the right price, and people. Evan (Sylvester McCoy) is one such individual who approaches Alex one evening with a job offer: To search for a missing 14 year-old girl who is believed to have been enveloped into the city’s labyrinthine underworld of child sex trafficking. […]
ECHO 8: FIVE-BY-FIVE Reveals New Look At Maria Tran, Takashi Hara, And More As Sequel Production Commences
Two weeks into production, new stills and BTS images are online for the next chapter in the ECHO 8 trilogy!
THE DEVIL AND THE DAYLONG BROTHERS Review: A Revenge-Fueled Southern Gothic Fable That Hits All The Right Notes
The Devil and The Daylong Brothers opens in North American January 31, 2025 from Quiver Distribution. Brandon McCormick’s new film, The Devil And The Daylong Brothers, took me by surprise. It’s definitely one of those films I blindly went into a little bit, save for what I got from the trailer released last month from Quiver Distribution, and I can gladly assert how pleased I am from this latest watch. A Biblical dark fantasy fable in the American South lands us in the throes of three brothers, Ishmael (Brendan Bradley), Enoch (Nican Robinson), and Abraham (Jordan Bolden), sworn to damnation in the years since their father, Nehemiah (Keith Carradine), made a deal with the devil. In an effort to redeem their own souls, the Daylongs are contracted to kill their own extensive list of the Damned, traveling via their loyal Grace (a 1958 Chrysler Imperial), and leaving a trail of select bodies […]
Hollywood Storm Circles Adrian Paul, Sheldon Lettich And More As Label Ferments Production Slate Ahead Of EFM
Actor and producer Alexander Nevsky is ramping up a trio of titles on Hollywood Storm roster ahead of EFM in February, two of which are set to go into production in 2025. The slate includes the long-awaited Savage Attack, which has been in development since roughly 2017, with Last Heroes Of Rio Bravo set to complete his Rio Bravo trilogy with co-star/director Joe Cornet back at the helm, as well as upcoming Western actioner, The Wide West. Savage Attack is billed as “The Raid meets Die Hard”, in a story centered on a CIA operative who must save his former mentor from an insane asylum besieged by hired killers. Nevsky will star alongside Nick Baillie (Malicious), Tatiana Neva (Taken from Rio Bravo) and Cornet. Highlander franchise mainstay Adrian Paul is also circling the project in a potential reunion with Nevsky since Art Camacho and Andrey Bogatyrev’s 2019’s historical sports drama, […]
ATONEMENT Signals Ronald Cheng’s Brutal Quest For Revenge In The First Teaser
Anybody else love the sound of a gritty Hong Kong thriller? Enter Atonement, the latest outing from directing duo Mark Wu, and leading man Ronald Cheng (Fatal Contact, Special ID) who shares the helm in his directing debut. Cheng plays a struggling father on a mission of vengeance when his daughter is kidnapped during their vacation in Thailand. Also starring are Chrissie Chau, Philip Keung, and young actress Fu Shun Ying for the film’s April release. Peep the teaser below along with the latest poster.
BAD BOYS: THE MOVIE Teaser Reveals The Latest Live-Action Revamp Of The Hit Manga
Fans of Hiroshi Tanaka’s manga catalogue can now find themselves re-living their fandom once again thanks to director Tatsuro Nishikawa with action drama, Bad Boys: The Movie. JO1 member Mamehara Issei will make his screen debut alongside Rihito Ikezaki of boy band INI, joining actors Jyutaro Yamanaka, and Sora Inoue, from a script by Nishikawa and screenwriter Kento Mineo. Based on Tanaka’s original 1988 Shonen Gahosha publication for Young King, the film centers on Kiriki Tsukasa (Issei), the only son of a wealthy family who instead runs away to follow in the footsteps of a legendary delinquent who helped him when he was younger. His quest to climb the ranks of gang life eventually brings him together Yoji (Ikezaki), Toshio (Yamanaka), Eiji (Inoue), forming a friendship which soon finds its integrity tested with looming gang battles to come, and Tsukasa reluctant to join in. Tanaka’s manga also found new life […]
OPERATION HADAL Scores Official Trailer Ahead Of Theatrical Release From Well Go USA
Mercenaries have occupied an offshore platform in Chinese territorial waters by force. The Chinese Navy sets sail to repel the invaders as the Jiao Long commando team prepares for a fierce fight in the deep sea. Such are the details for Operation Hadal (f.k.a. Operation Leviathan) for its North American theatrical run from Well Go USA. Dante Lam directs this, the threequel entry to his previous two patriotic actioners, Operation Mekong, and Operation Red Sea. Operation Hadal stars Xuan Huang, Yosh Yu, and Bryan Larkin. Catch the official trailer and poster below!
THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Shows Ben Affleck And Jon Bernthal Face-To-Face In First Look Ahead Of SXSW Premiere
The 32nd edition of SXSW revealed its line-up on Wednesday which now includes a first look at Gavin O’Connor’s The Accountant 2. The long-awaited sequel to O’Connor’s hit 2016 thriller from Warner Bros. Pictures reunites Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal who can also be seen in a first look now going viral online which you can view below this article. When someone close to her is killed by unknown assassins, Treasury Agent Marybeth Medina is forced to contact Christian Wolff to solve the murder. With the help of his estranged but highly lethal brother Brax, Chris applies his brilliant mind and less-than-legal methods to piece together the unsolved puzzle. As they get closer to the truth, the trio draw the attention of some of the most ruthless killers alive — all intent on putting a stop to their search. Also returning are Cynthia Addai-Robinson and J.K. Simmons, with the additions […]
CROSSED To Be Adapted For The Screen By ‘The Sadness’ Director
The Sadness has to be some of the wildest… and I mean the WILDEST shit I’ve seen in my time covering films in the festival circuit. IYKYK, and it’s a no wonder why the film’s gotten so many rave reviews from critics the world over hailing director Rob Jabbaz for his award-winning horror outing. Assuredly, it also makes him a choice selection for a particular kind of IP which brings us to THR’s Aaron Couch on Crossed, which Jabbaz will direct based on the Avatar Press publication from creator Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher). Carl Choi of Six Studios is producing along with Benjamin Hung of Retro Entertainment, and Ken Levin of Nightsky Productions, according to the report. Filmmaker Rob Jabbaz will helm a feature based on the comic book taking place in a pandemic-stricken world, in which those who catch a disease are marked with a cross-like rash on […]
OBAYASHI ’80s: THE ONOMICHI TRILOGY AND KADOKAWA YEARS Launches At Japan Society In February!
Our own Mike Garcia has covered the work of late auteur Nobuhiko Obayashi on this site for a good deal of time. He lives in Spain, although I’d imagine if he resided in my neck of the woods he’d be all-in with what’s going down at Japan Cuts on a yearly basis, particularly with next month’s run of Obayashi-directed classics titled Obayashi ’80s: The Onomichi Trilogy & Kadokawa Years. The program includes sextet of titles including I Are You, You Am Me (Exchange Students) (1982), School in the Crosshairs (1981), The Little Girl Who Conquered Time (1983), Lonely Heart (Miss Lonely) (1985), The Island Closest to Heaven (1984), and His Motorbike, Her Island (1986). Prices vary for members and non-members alike, so if you’re in town and want some classic Japanese delights in your eyes, head to the website and get your tickets before the slate’s weeklong run beginning February […]
DROP Trailer Drops The Worst Thing That Could Happen To You On A First Date!
Christopher Landon, the man behind the Happy Death Day films and Freaky is back for more spine-chilling thrills and survival spectacle with Drop. The official trailer and poster are here with an April 11 date set from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse. Emmy nominee Meghann Fahy, breakout star of White Lotus and The Perfect Couple, plays Violet, a widowed mother on her first date in years, who arrives at an upscale restaurant where she is relieved that her date, Henry (It Ends with Us’ Brandon Sklenar) is more charming and handsome than she expected. But their chemistry begins to curdle as Violet begins being irritated and then terrorized by a series of anonymous drops to her phone. She is instructed to tell nobody and follow instructions or the hooded figure she sees on her home security cameras will kill Violet’s young son and babysitting sister. Violet must do exactly as directed […]
THE TOXIC AVENGER: Cineverse Brings “Toxie” To North America In 2025
Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger revamp was another film I couldn’t catch along with the rest of the crowd at the eighteenth edition Fantastic Fest, and not for lack of trying. Word is though that the film’s level of violence and gore was inhabitable for distributors which is why some folks felt like they were taking crazy pills knowing full well at one point that a new movie was getting (or already) made. As of late, the film has a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. What’s more is Cineverse has swooped in on the famed Troma property which Blair directed, and stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage in the title role for an unrated wide release premiere later this year. The banner has all U.S. and Canadian theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming rights through a deal with Legendary Entertainment, which all but guarantees that “Toxie” himself shall […]
GOLDEN KAMUY: THE HUNT OF PRISONERS IN HOKKAIDO: Netflix Slates February Debut For Hit Sequel Series
Kento Yamazaki is giving me life this year, personally. The man is a star of multiple franchises including the live-action Golden Kamuy film from director Shigeaki Kubo, as well as its sequel series which debuted last year on WOWOW… AND a feature film continuation as I reported last month. The first film streamed on Netflix and so I can only imagine the upcoming feature will arrive all the same in due time. Meanwhile, the WOWOW series that followed is happily being included in the streamer’s catalogue beginning February 6 with Golden Kamuy: The Hunt Of Prisoners In Hokkaido, with Yamazaki and actress Anna Yamada among the roster of new and returning cast. The intense scramble for the tattooed skins finally begins! The latest trailer introduces several new characters who join the series, which dives into the heart of the story. Live and shine in this thrilling survival battle for hidden […]
IMPASSIBLE: Check Out Sebastian Kong And Virak Thun’s New Webseries Streaming For Nikon 2025
Directing duo Sébastien Kong and Virak Thun have a mini webserial entry now among the lot vying for votes of this year’s fifteenth edition of the Nikon Film Festival. The series in question? Impassible, a snackable, roughly 6 x 2″ action drama penned by Kong and Thun, and starring Steve Tran and Laura Bui, and fight sequences by Kevin Ke. Hao is in debt but has a special ability. To take the pain. He gets paid to be tortured on stream. Until one day it goes too far for his friend Liya who intervenes during a “performance”. They are hunted by Hao’s employers. The episodes are all easy to watch, and each part is shot in one take. Imaginably none of this is easy to do on one take alone, which makes you wonder how many takes there were for each part, if that, especially while filming action amid the […]
TIMUR And IKATAN DARAH Announced For Berlin As Iko Uwais Launches Uwais Pictures
Actor Iko Uwais has been reaching some increasingly newer peaks of late. The photo above, a still from his upcoming directorial debut, Timur, is just the latest first in a pending rollout of firsts hailing the martial arts star’s new production label, Uwais Pictures. Also in toe is martial arts thriller, Ikatan Darah (or Blood Bond), directed by Sidharta Tata who previously helmed TV dramas “Pertaruhan,” and action horror “Zona Merah”. Uwais and his team made the announcement at the Uwais Pictures Press Conference Launch & Slate Announcement event at XXI Plaza Senayan on Tuesday. Both films are part of a newly announced production slate under the Uwais Pictures banner, which itself specializes in fight choreography, action design and stunts. The label is set to launch the projects for the next edition of the European Film Market in Berlin which launches February 13. Timur is an action-thriller that follows the […]
BOMB: WB Japan Teases Explosive New Thriller From Akira Nagai As Production Begins
Production is firmly underway for Bomb, a new psychological suspense thriller from director Akira Nagai (Character). Warner Bros. Japan made the announcement on Monday including a super teaser in their rollout of casting news. Actors Yuki Yamada (Godzilla Minus One), Sairi Itoh (Don’t Call It Mystery), Shota Sometani (Cells At Work), and Atsuro Watabe (Masquerade Night), will star in the film. Bomb is based on Wu Seung-ho’s award-winning novel which follows the efforts of Tokyo’s Metro Police negotiator, as he is tasked with investigating a slew of bomb threats throughout the city, and a detained drunken vagrant who says he can predict when the bombs will go off. The film additionally reunites Yamada with Shota Okada (Tokyo Revengers trilogy) who is producing the new film. Principal photography is expected to wrap in March for a 2025 release date to be announced from Warner Bros. Japan. Check out the hype teaser […]
BLOODHOUNDS: K-Pop Star Rain Joins Season Two Of The Hit Netflix Action Series
I’m as surprised as anyone that Netflix series Bloodhounds is getting a second season. I didn’t expect as much considering the story arc of the first season provided enough closure, but to see another round of action and drama well on the way is a nice little pick-me-up to start the new year. Jason Kim of Officer Black Belt fame is returning to the show, back at the helm as writer and director for a cast once again led by Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, along with the new addition of recording artist Jung Ji-hoon – a.k.a. Rain (Ninja Assassin). Studio N is producing the series along with Seven O Six, and Ghost Studio, based on Jeong Chan’s hit webtoon of the same name. Read last week’s announcement below for more, and feel free to revisit my review of the first season here. The production and cast of Bloodhounds Season […]
GHOST KILLER Scares Up A Killer New Teaser For Kensuke Sonomura’s Latest!
Back to remind us of how cool Akari Takaishi and Masanori Mimoto are is the latest official teaser for supernatural action thriller, Ghost Killer. This one goes a little bit beyond for me in terms of my adoration for the film’s director, Kensuke Sonomura whose work quickly gained traction here in the states upon the release of his feature debut, Hydra, in 2019. Imaginably, if you’re curious about Sonomura’s back catalog of stunt work, there should be plenty to dive into. I can’t remember the last time I saw Yuichi Mori’s animated spectacle, Tekken: Bloodline, which Sonomura did the action for. I loved it then, and of course there’s Mamoru Oshii’s Nowhere Girl, Sabu’s crime comedy Hold Up Down, and Kenta Fukasaku’s Black Rat to name a few, and of course, Yugo Sakamoto’s Baby Assassins franchise. Alas, Takaishi, Mimoto, and Sonomura are additionally joined on Ghost Killer by Sakamoto who penned […]