Acquisitions and Release

ONE NIGHT ONLY: Aaron Kwok And Yang Zishan Star In The Acclaimed Crime Drama Releasing In The U.S. On January 31

Multi-nominated actor-turned-director Matt Wu became a favorite in 2014 at Busan with his award-winning short, Stairway. He then followed suit with 2016 feature debut, One Night Only, which sparked rounds of critical acclaim upon its summer release. The film’s respective Best Picture and Best Production Design nominations at Shanghai and Taipei, and at Taiwan are considerable plusses next to its buzz from many critics, including Asian Film Strike whose L.P. Hugo deems it as “An assured, deftly-written and superbly-shot directing debut…carried by Aaron Kwok at his best.” New York-based Cheng Cheng Films picked it up that year for distribution at up to 20 locations for its own theatrical run stateside, and is now slating a January 31 release on VoD. Leading the cast are Aaron Kwok and Yang Zishan from a script by Peng Ren, and with Lei Hao, Andy On, Jie Gao and Tiantian Fan also starring. Having lost […]

Fortune Star, Janus Signal Limited Re-Release Of Jackie Chan Classics POLICE STORY And POLICE STORY 2

Lee B. Golden III

Ready to re-live classic Jackie Chan on the big screen? Word from Polygon brings news that Janus Films, in partnership with Fortune Star Media, is offering limited releases in select cities for Police Story (1985) and Police Story 2 (1988). It kind of makes you wish this campaign was a bit more commercialized and wider in its exhibitor rollout but at least these are getting some new life to ring in the new year. POLICE STORY: The jaw-dropping set pieces fly fast and furious in Jackie Chan’s breathtakingly inventive martial-arts comedy, a smash hit that made him a worldwide icon of daredevil action spectacle. The director/star/one-man stunt machine plays Ka-Kui, a Hong Kong police inspector who goes rogue to bring down a drug kingpin and protect the case’s star witness (Chinese cinema legend Brigitte Lin) from retribution. Packed wall-to-wall with charmingly goofball slapstick and astoundingly acrobatic fight choreography—including an epic […]

MVD To Unleash DOUBLE DRAGON On Blu-Ray/DVD In January

Lee B. Golden III

I’m still sort of pining for the day someone snags the movie rights to classic Technōs Japan video game property, Double Dragon; The 1994 live-action film adaptation wasn’t so hot, save for at least one explosive moment on set that led to hundreds of calls from panicked Northeast Ohioans about the set. For this, the film still remains a cherished relic for a targeted film niche, and niche distributor MVD Entertainment Group is more than willing to oblige with a first time-ever Blu-Ray/DVD Collector’s Edition. MVD made the announcement earlier last month and pre-orders are currently up-and-running at this link ahead of its January 22 release. From director James Yukich (Shawn Mendes: Live at the Greek Theatre), producers Don Murphy (Transformers, Natural Born Killers), Jane Hamsher (From Hell) and Alan Schechter (Showdown), with a screenplay written by Michael Davis (Shoot ‘Em Up) and Emmy® Award Winner Peter Gould (Better Call […]

THE TOXIC AVENGER: Legendary Acquires Feature Film Rights For Troma’s Cult Classic

Lee B. Golden III

Are you ready for more of The Toxic Avenger? Then look no further than Legendary Entertainment as they’ve just acquired the feature film rights for the cult-classic franchise that once flew the flag for low-budget indie horror banner, Troma. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz directed the original 1984 film set in Tromaville, New Jersey, and follows Melvin, a mild-mannered nerd who is consistently bullied and picked on until he falls into a fat of toxic waste. He soon turns into the repulsive-yet-lovable mutant hero, Toxie, who stands up to bullies and corruption with irreverent zeal – doing good and brutally mauling evil in no-holds-barred fashion. Opening to a tame reception in 1984, the film eventually became a cult success a year after its release, preceding several sequels in 1989 and 2000. The Toxic Avenger also expanded into a stage musical production, a children’s cartoon TV series, and a Marvel Comic. […]

Well Go USA Dates January 4 For Adventure Sequel, MOJIN: THE WORM VALLEY

Lee B. Golden III

Slated to be the first of at least two follow-ups to the 2015 tomb-raiding adventure, Mojin: The Lost Legend, moviegoers can now gather ’round for Well Go USA’s newest sequel case hailing Mojin: The Worm Valley. Fei Xing directs with a fresh new cast not of the first film, listing instead Cai Shing, Gu Xuan, Yu Heng, Marc Ma and Chen Yusi. Following in the footsteps of blockbuster MOJIN: THE LOST LEGEND and based on the bestselling novel series, MOJIN: THE WORM VALLEY once again finds legendary tomb explorer Hu Bayi on a dangerous mission as he seeks out the Tomb of Emperor Xian, located on an island of monstrous creatures in this mystical action-adventure. Mojin: The Worm Valley gets a China release one week before opening in North America on January 4.

Anno Hideaki’s NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Comes To Netflix Worldwide This Spring

Lee B. Golden III

I haven’t had much in the way of anime to take in lately. That’ll likely change in the Spring when Netflix rolls out Anno Hideaki’s hit anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. The streaming service took to social media early Tuesday to announce its worldwide acquisition of the series to release all 26 episodes of the 1995 anime from Gainax and Tatsunoko, as well as the subsequent 1997 animated films, Death & Rebirth, and The End of Evangelion. Sadamoto Yoshiyuki launched the Kadokawa Shoten publication in 1994, setting the story fifteen years following an event known as the Second Impact. As the world stands on the brink of destruction caused by Angels, humanity’s last hope lies in a UN program called NERV, its arsenal of giant mechas called Evangelions, and Ikari Shinji, and awkward 14-year old boy who, at the behest of his long absent father, is whisked away into a […]

JOHNNY Z: Martial Arts Master VS. The Undead In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

It was about a year ago that we caught onto Jonathan Straiton’s crowdfunding efforts for original action horror feature, Johnny Z. Having reunited with cohorts from his 2016 horror romp, Night Of Something Strange, Johnny Z is finally on the way this week with Hurricane Bridge Entertainment and Black Mandala hailing the first official teaser ahead of a 2019 festival run and subsequent release. Johnny Z is an action-horror feature film about a half human, half zombie named Johnny who’s blood holds the cure to the zombie epidemic. After escaping Nordac, an experimental medical prison, Johnny comes under the guidance of a martial arts Grandmaster named Jonray. Together they embark on a journey to find a missing doctor while battling their own personal demons. Johnny Z demonstrates many different forms of martial arts and is Straiton’s first bilingual film where both the main actors speak English and Spanish. Action and […]

SHINER: Don’t Miss The Official Trailer For The Upcoming MMA Action Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Seo Mutarevic’s MMA action drama, Shiner, is getting a North American digital release on November 27. An official trailer is now circulating following the film’s acquisition by TriCoast Entertainment, featuring actor-writer, Kevin Bernhardt (Dynasty, General Hospital, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth). The award-winning feature debut from Mutarevic centers on Matt, a med school dropout with a natural knack for fighting, and aspirations toward becoming an MMA champion. Inspired by his idol, he’s taken under the wing of Happy, an aging former champion and discovers there’s more to his management than meets the eye. Much to Happy’s chagrin aside from his complex coach/student situatuon is Matt’s burgeoning relationship with his daughter, Nikki, a genius multilingualist inspired to be a fighter herself. With more than enough friction building and Happy’s former manager looking to score, Matt will have to choose between either fighting his mentor and winning, or leaving the MMA world […]

AFM 2018: Revenge Thriller TWO GRAVES Digs Into Netflix

Lee B. Golden III

The Tournament and Harry Brown scribe Gary Young’s directorial debut, Two Graves, got some eyes this past June at the 13th British Urban Film Festival and will now set forth onto Netflix accoridng to Screendaily. The streaming service acquired SVoD rights from Moviehouse Entertainment who is repping worldwide sales on the revenge thriller at the American Film Market, with Front Row attaining Middle East/North Africa rights. Hailing from Gizmo Films and penned by Young, Two Graves centers on Zoe, a vengeful pathology doctor whose life intersects with Margaret, the woman who was once her son’s lover prior to his murder. Their extraordinary circumstances find the two beleagured women ensuing a plot to kidnap the son of a fearsome underworld figure, triggering shocking reveals that ultimately lead to a violent and horrifying conclusion. Rounding out the cast are actors Dave Johns and David Hayman. Two Graves is produced by Shantelle Rochester […]

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AFM 2018: Jean Reno Action Thriller COLD BLOOD LEGACY Goes To Screen Media

Lee B. Golden III

There’s no way you can look at a title like Frédéric Petitjean’s new movie Cold Blood Legacy, and not get pulled in by the intrigue of such a title. I’m guessing that’s partly what the reps at Screen Media thought in the moments leading up to their announced acquisition of the film for its U.S. release. Goldcrest Films International is shopping at AFM, starring Jean Reno from a script by Petitjean which centers on a reclusive, retired assassin whose quiet lakeside cabin lifestyle is interrupted by a woman who has crashed her snowmobile. Actress Sarah Lind (Wolfcop) joins Reno for the action thriller for a day-and-date release in early 2019. “Cold Blood Legacy is the story of one man facing up to his own fears. What is exciting for audiences is how this harsh wilderness becomes a brutal and unforgiving nemesis. It’s a breath-taking game of chess played out on […]

AFM 2018: Lionsgate Nabs THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD, Starts Filming In Spring 2019

Lee B. Golden III

Millenium was already turning the gears at Cannes this past summer for newly announced sequel, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, following Patrick Hughes’ inaugural hit last year starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. Going forward, production is expected to commence in March with Hughes back in the director’s chair and U.S. release plans now in the hands of Lionsgate according to Scott Roxborough’s update at The Hollywood Reporter. Hughes directed The Hitman’s Bodyguard which centered on a disgraced bodyguard whose troubled past with a hitman sees the two on a raucous journey of survival while a mad dictator – the subject of a war crimes investigation by the Hague – sends for their deaths. The film earned more than $180 million dollars globally while the sequel will also reunite Reynolds and Jackson once more with actress Salma Hayek back in the role of wife to Jackson’s character. Brandon and Phillip […]

AFM 2018: Veronica Ngo Actioner, FURIE, Sells To Well Go USA

Lee B. Golden III

Western audiences have gotten an ample taste over the years of what multi-faceted actress Veronica Ngo can do, most prolifically on camera. She kicked ass on her way into the fandom next to Johnny Tri Nguyen in films such as The Rebel and Clash before paving her way into Hollywood for a time in David Ayer’s Bright and Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and now she’s doing it again in Le Van Kiet’s latest, Furie, which began its campaign back in Cannes long before finally premiering an official trailer for its Vietnamese release in February. Alas, on the eve of the American Film Market with pre-sales underway, Well Go USA has officially acquired the rights to the upcoming action thriller with a release now being planned for early next year. The film joins Well Go USA’s continuous raft of content partly derived from Asian-driven movies, a few of […]

Military Drama SGT. WILL GARDNER Hails A January Release From Cinedigm

Lee B. Golden III

Cinedigm has acquired U.S. rights to Sgt. Will Gardner. Actor Max Martini (Redbelt, 13 Hours, Captain Phillips) takes on multiple facets this time starring, as well as directing from his own script. He produces as well with Michael Hagerty, under their Mona Vista Productions banner. Sgt. Will Gardner sees Martini in the title role, an Iraq War veteran who suffers from PTSD and the lingering effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which he sustained years earlier when he and his platoon, led by his fellow soldier and best friend, Tops, came under attack. Enduring painful flashbacks to his harrowing combat days and humiliating setbacks in the present, Will sets out on a spirited motorcycle journey across America in hopes of reconciling with his young son and former wife. Along the way, he encounters other veterans and a young woman who will push him to confront some of his most […]