News

NE ZHA: Well Go USA Hits Back Into Theaters With An English-Dubbed Re-Release On January 31

Well Go USA has proudly debuted an English-dubbed trailer announcing a select theatrical re-release of Jiao Zi’s animated epic, Ne Zha. The move comes in honor of Chinese Lunar New Year, as well as a conciliatory gesture for concerned moviegoers stateside as China mitigates an ongoing viral crisis in several cities, forcing an influx of theater cancellations, and the closure of millions of theaters this weekend. The Planos-based distribution firm previously released Ne Zha in Mandarin last Summer and Fall, including in IMAX 3D, after becoming a high-earning milestone animated success on several fronts for the Chinese film industry. The film’s sequel, Teng Chen and Wei Li’s Jiang Ziya (locally titled Legend Of Deification), had its Lunar New Year release temporarily shelved in China, as well as in the U.S. with Well Go USA delaying the film’s February 7 release until further notice. In NE ZHA, a young boy, Ne […]

ONE NIGHT ONLY Review: In Matt Wu’s Feature Debut, Time Is Of The Essence

Lee B. Golden III

It’s daunting that actor Matt Wu has only directed one feature film in his career. The ceremony of his 2016 crime drama, One Night Only, is nothing short of deserving and well-earned for its multiple award nominations and critical acclaim. Featured performances by Aaron Kwok and Yang Zishan amplify the luminous nightlife of fictional Liberty City, a mecca for gambling in the region as we’re introduced to Gao Ye, a shameless gambling addict out of money, out of places to run, and out of time. He’s eighty-thousand yuan in the red with a loanshark and nearly resigned to his fate when he meets Momo, presumably a prostitute who invites herself into his home much to his chagrin. Reluctant to accept her company at first, he decides to bide his time and utilize her for whatever cash she can spare, between eating out, and gambling whatever is left at the nearby […]

Lunar New Year Weekend Releases Delayed As China Faces Coronavirus Outbreak [UPDATED]

Lee B. Golden III

UPDATE #2: On Thursday, Well Go USA signaled its own tentative delay of their U.S. release of animated Ne Zha sequel, Jiang Ziya. The movie was to premiere this weekend in China, with the Planos-based Texas distributor slating a February 7 release. The move falls in line with other planned releases overseas from China for Lunar New Year titles as China continues to mitigate its ongoing crisis with the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Well Go USA has issued the following statement: Because of contractual obligations, Well Go USA must postpone our release of the film as well. We understand that this will be frustrating but we will keep our fans up to date. We ask that you stay patient, and keep the Chinese community in your thoughts during this time. UPDATE #1: On Thursday, Warner Bros. Pictures and CMC Pictures have shelved their respective North American releases of Detective Chinatown 3 […]

XTREMO: ‘Full-On’ Spanish Action Movie Movies Forward At Netflix With ‘Tracers’ Director

Lee B. Golden III

Following his parkour exploits on Taylor Lautner crime thriller, Tracers, director Daniel Benmayor is at the helm for Xtremo for Netflix, per reports on Wednesday from Variety‘s John Hopewell and Jamie Lang. Xtremo will star Oscar Jaenada (Luis Miguel, Hernán), as well as action specialist Teo García who penned the story with Genaro Rodridguez, and with a script by Iván Ledesma. The film picks up two years after protagonist Max’s brother Lucero betrayed their family, killing Max’s father and son and leaving Max for dead. Now, hungry for revenge, Max begins a checklist-style spree of revenge killings after Lucerno’s hitmen mercilessly kill the family of Leo, Max’s new teenaged protégé. Xtremo is described as a breakout for Spain’s market following the local successes of Netflix releases like Ryan Reynolds thriller 6 Underground, crime series Money Heist and action drama Triple Frontier. The film is billed as a full-on Spanish action […]

David Leitch To Direct KUNG FU For Universal; Confirmed To Direct ENTER THE DRAGON

Lee B. Golden III

David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Fast And Furious: Hobbs And Shaw) will direct the feature-length adaptation of classic martial arts drama, Kung Fu. Mike Fleming Jr. confirms the news at Deadline in an exclusive that also notes the production is housed under Universal Pictures who’ve optioned the rights. Originally birthed by martial arts screen legend Bruce Lee, the show took on new life with David Carradine starring in the original TV drama from 1972 through 1975. In that series, Carradine plays Kwai Chang Kaine, a shaolin monk who initially ventures out to the 18th century old West in search of his brother. The series was then followed by two feature films and a spin-off television show titled Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, co-starring Chris Potter, and efforts followed years later to revive the property, at one point revealing Bill Paxton’s potential involvement 2011 as director – six […]

FRIENDS OF FCSYNDICATE

Lee B. Golden III

The links below come courtesy of folks who’ve lended their support to the growth and viewership of this site since 2013. Feel free to click below and support these businesses! Well Go USA wellgousa.com Evelyn Vaccaro evelynvaccaro.com/ VaccaroCreative.com Reel Deal Action reeldealaction.com Lurie Strupinksy, LLP luriestrupinsky.com Art School Dropouts artschooldropouts.com Rising Tiger Films Risingtigerfilms.com Lunar Stunts Action Cinema https://www.youtube.com/lunarstuntsactioncinema Screen Combat Guys screencombatguys.com Kamen Ramen Studios www.youtube.com/kamenramenstudios Metro Camera Cars metrocameracars.com Saga Action Arts sagaactionarts.com DC Stunt Coalition dcstuntcoalition.org Breakfall Studios breakfallstudios.com Reel Kinetic Action Design ReelKinetic.com Tuyet Vong Photography tuyetphoto.com Joining All Movement www.JoiningAllMovement.com JAMCast Podcast www.TheJAMCast.com Travis Wong www.TravisWong.com Mary Christina Brown marychristinabrown.com Peipei Alena Yuan Peipeiyuan.com Cryptik Soul cryptiksoul.bandcamp.com Redline Action Design https://www.facebook.com/Redline-Action-Design-115553476494851/ Elite Fitness Training https://www.facebook.com/Elite-Fitness-Training-214905558590015/ Karleena Gore https://onlyfans.com/karleenagore Film Smash filmsmash.com The Action Elite theactionelite.com ScreenAnarchy screenanarchy.com Limelight Media wixsite.com/creationsbycass Cyber Ninjaz cyberninjaz.com Terraform My Yard terraformyard.com College Park MMA cpmma.net Margo Graff http://www.margograff.com/ Mike […]

DARNA: Production Is Underway Casting Jane De Leon For The Upcoming Filipina Superheroine Movie

Lee B. Golden III

There will be more superhero news to cover outside of the Western world in 2020, with the start of production for Darna, as announced by ABS-CBN Star Cinema on Monday. Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna, Goyo: The Boy General) is directing the adaptation with actress Jane De Leon starring in the title role, following the departure of actress Liza Soberano last April. Based on the Ace Publications, Inc. comic book line from late creative duo, illustrator Nestor Redondo and author Mars Ravelo who launched the character in 1950, comic book lore on Darna tells of Narda, a young girl who stumbles upon a glowing white stone which she learns are the remnants of deceased extraterrestrial warrior; She transforms into the heroine by swallowing the stone and shouting her alter-ego’s name, granting her “the allure of Venus, the glory of Apollo, and the strength of Samson”. She can fly, fight using various […]

MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: SCORPION’S REVENGE Signals Key Art And Details From Warner Bros. Animation

Lee B. Golden III

It was last year at the tail-end of any thick speculation regarding a live-action film that Revenge Of The Fans touted news of an animated Mortal Kombat movie featuring the voices of Joel McHale (Community) and Jennifer Carpenter (Dragged Across Concrete). It wasn’t exactly news I welcomed at first given the 20+ years of frustration I felt from waiting for new live-action Kombat, but time does change perception; The live-action film from director Simon McQuoid is one year away from its release from Warner Bros. Pictures, while its neighboring animation shingle is now par for the course with Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpions Revenge. The Hollywood Reporter has a look at the film’s new logo, with casting info that sees McHale and Carpenter in the respective VO roles of struggling movie star-cum-special ops kombatant Johnny Cage, and high-ranking special forces operative Sonya Blade. The VO cast also lists the following: •Jordan […]

TALITHA KUM: International Ass-Kicking Kung Fu Nuns Tackle Sex Trafficking In A New Epic Martial Arts Series

Lee B. Golden III

Variety’s John Hopewell brings word of a new Spanish action series now forthcoming in Talitha Kum. Marialy Rivas (Young & Wild) is directing the action drama from a script by Chilean playwright Manuela Infante (Invisible Heroes), and writers Enrique Videla (The Pack, Dignity, HBO’s Profugos). Talitha Kum culminates around a global covert organization of ass-kicking kung fu nuns who train in the confines of Convent of Sisters of Charity, before applying their deadly skills against Mexico’s most feared gangs to help free young girls from sex trafficking. Our story is set in Tenanchingo, Tlaxcala, South-East Mexico, where Magdalena, a young cloistered nun with fierce martial arts prowess, receives the call to infiltrate the criminal underworld of sex slavery just as war breaks out between rival gangs. As the rest of Hopewell’s report elucidates on Magdalena, though she’s “One hell of a bad ass when it comes to martial arts, Magdalena […]

WAVELENGTH: A Word With ‘The Wave’ Writer Carl W. Lucas

Christina Ortega

About a week ago I was given the opportunity to see The Wave before it’s limited theatrical and video on demand release (January 17th, mark your calendars). I enjoyed the film so much that I just had to request an interview with the writer, Carl W. Lucas. He was kind enough to take the time to answer my emailed questions. If you’re curious about the writer of the sci-fi comedy, read on to learn more about him: I just watched The Wave and thoroughly enjoyed it. I know this is probably too common of a question, but where did you get the idea from for this film? So glad you enjoyed it! The inspiration came from multiple sources. I was incredibly inspired by the surreal and trips visuals that Gille Klabin was making for his low budget music videos and I really wanted to write a script that showcased those […]

DETECTIVE CHINATOWN 3: Warner Bros. Pictures Picks Up Mystery Crime Comedy Threequel For U.S. And Canada; Trailer Revealed

Lee B. Golden III

Warner Bros. Pictures has gladly taken the wheel in repping North American distribution rights for writer/director Chen Sicheng’s Detective Chinatown films since 2015. The crime-solving adventure comedy franchise has been a blockbuster hit since then, with the first installment earning more than $120.6 million internationally; The 2018 sequel scooped $544 million worldwide, and is currently ranked No. 6 on the list of highest-grossing films in China. The franchise has since brought its latest installment to the fray with Wanda Pictures’ Detective Chinatown 3, with actors Liu Haoran and Kung Fu Killer star Wang Baoqiang reprising their roles once again for a wide day-and-date U.S./Canadian rollout starting January 24. Presented in English and Chinese subtitles, Detective Chinatown 3 sees Liu and Wang returning to the screen in the respective roles of mismatched partners Qin Feng and Tang Ren, who journey to Tokyo to help a Japanese investigator solve the high-profile murder […]

Coming Soon To Disc And Digital: Well Go USA’s FIRST LOVE And WARRIORS OF THE NATION

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is headlining all week this week with releases from now through next month. Chinese animated Ne Zha sequel, Jiang Ziya, bows in time for the Chinese New Year festivities next month and you can click here to check out the official trailer. On the home front, we have a pair of disc and digital titles arriving to store shelves within the span of one week, firstly with First Love, which was one of Takashi Miike’s most fantastic outings following its director’s fortnight premiere last year. The Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Award recipient for Best Reviewed Action & Adventure Film in 2019 opens in Japan next month, while Well Go USA managed to snag U.S. rights earlier on during festival season, and you can read my review by clicking here. The second title comes straight from Marco Mak in his own treatment of late for the role of […]

Your Next Viewing: ANGELS FALLEN

Christina Ortega

What do you get when you mix angels, demons, demon hunters, and a mystic who can see the future? You get an action-packed battle between good evil otherwise known as Angels Fallen. The action-horror was released on January 14th and if you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the trailer: I was first drawn to this film because it sounded like a really long episode of Supernatural and for me the only disappointing thing about it was that Michael Madsen’s role was not as big as I thought it’d be. Otherwise, I was pulled into the story right away and needed to see what would happen to Michael and his team. In case the trailer wasn’t enough, here’s the official summary: The Prophecy says that on January 14, 2020 Michael Madsen and Nicola Posener will see Angels Fallen. After the tragic loss of his wife battling the forces of darkness, Gabriel […]

THE RESCUE: CMC Officially Announces North American Release Plans For Dante Lam’s Explosive Action Epic

Lee B. Golden III

CMC Pictures is making it official this week with release plans for director Dante Lam’s explosive Chinese action epic, The Rescue. The film is now slated to open on January 24 in the U.S. and Canada in time for the Chinese Lunar New Year, playing in all major markets ahead of its China, Australia, New Zealand and UK rollouts. Billed as one of the most expensive Chinese films ever made, costing $100 million dollars to produce, The Rescue stars Eddie Peng (Rise Of The Legend, Operation Mekong, Immortal Demon Slayer) as the maverick captain of a Chinese rescue team that must quell its internal upheaval, and embark on death-defying land, sea and air mission to save survivors of a fiery offshore catastrophe. The Rescue marks the first cinematic venture to showcase the China Rescue & Salvage (CRS), a lesser-known division of the Chinese Coast Guard. Founded in 1951, the unit […]

HBO Max Head Signals End Of Original Content Production For Cinemax

Lee B. Golden III

A new report at Deadline on Wednesday cites HBO Max Chief Content Officer who told the crowd at this year’s Television Critics Association that Cinemax would not be producing any more original content. The word is also that original shows already on Cinemax would not be carried over to the new SVOD service which officially announced part of its slate and pricing late last year. Set in 1870s San Francisco, Warrior debuted last April, shepherded by exec producers Shannon Lee and co-creators Justin Lin, Jonathan Tropper and Danielle Woodrow, and starring Andrew Koji (upcoming Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins) as a gifted fighter whose efforts to reunite with his long lost sister find him deep in San Francisco’s Tong criminal underbelly as a Hop Wei hatchetman in order to survive. A second season was made official in June and was also filmed and wrapped with Joe Taslim and Dustin Nguyen […]

Cinepocalyse IV Announces Senior Programmer, Open Submissions

Lee B. Golden III

Katie Rife, Senior Writer for The A.V. Club, will serve as Senior Programmer of this year’s fourth installation of the Cinepocalypse Genre Film Festival. The event will return once more to the Music Box Theater in Chicago, Illinois where the festival will commence from June 4 through 7. Rife’s promotion comes after previously taking the reigns on the festival’s shorts programming, wherein she will also steer the feature programming for the festival. “Genre festivals have been my home as a critic for many years, and it’s thrilling to get the opportunity to be more deeply involved as a festival programmer,” says Rife. Cinepocalypse has been host to Music Box audiences with a slate of dynamic and entertaining sections, accomodating guests such Lana Wachowski (The Matrix Trilogy, Sense8) Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Doctor Strange), celebrated auteur and Spike Lee collaborator Ernest Dickerson (Tales From The Crypt) the late Larry Cohen, and horror […]

Your Next Viewing: THE WAVE

Christina Ortega

Have you ever watched a movie that when it ended, you wanted to watch it again, but still wondered what you had just watched? The Wave is kind of like that, but not in a bad way. I mean, the main character spends most of the movie tripping on some drug, so of course not everything is very clear. This film is what you get when you mix drugs, Justin Long, some trippy maybe time-altering drug, Donald Faison, and a missing wallet: a trippy but funny tale with a twist of time travel. Interested? Here is the synopsis from Epic Pictures: Frank, an opportunistic insurance lawyer, thinks he’s in for the time of his life when he goes out on the town to celebrate a soon-to-be promotion with his co-worker, Jeff, but their night takes a turn for the worse when Frank is dosed with a hallucinogenic that alters his […]

KUNG FU GHOST: Jennifer Linch’s Feature Debut Adds ‘Grandpa’ To Cast

Lee B. Golden III

Pre-production continues for actress/filmmaker Jennifer Linch’s feature directorial debut, Kung Fu Ghost. The supernatural action comedy is modeled off of Linch’s own take on the kind of kung fu narrative that hasn’t been seen in years. Linch is currently training for the film under instructor Donald Atchison in which she herself will star as Daisy, a woman forced to defend herself against treasure-hunting criminals when she inherits her late grandfather’s estate – now believed to be haunted by mysterious spirits, including that of a young man named William, to be played by Noah Sargent. The film has also lined up actor David S. Dawson for the role of Grandpa, in addition to previously announced actor Roze for the villain role of Warren. Parisian cinematographer Jerome Dolbert lensing as director of photography, with Jason Truong and Shane Alexander serving as action designer and stunt coordinator, respectively. Robert Brooke Eldridge is exec […]

JIANG ZIYA: Catch The Official Trailer For The Spectacular CG-Animated Feature Follow-Up To ‘Ne Zha’

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is taking the reigns this season for sweeping fantasy adventure, Jiang Ziya. Following Jiao Zi’s 2019 blockbuster summer hit, Ne Zha, the new Chinese CG-animated sequel from debut directors Cheng Teng and Li Wei will open on February 7, which sits two weeks after its China bow. Jiang Ziya, a top commander in the divine army of the Kunlun Sect, is victorious in the battle between the Heavenly powers and the Shang dynasty. Before he can ascend to his new position among the Gods, he is ordered to execute the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon who threatens the mortals’ very existence. But when the Fox Demon shows him the secret to her power, an innocent human girl, he is unable to complete his task resulting in his banishment to the mortal realm forever. Ten years later, atop the ruins of war, Jiang Ziya is again given a task that […]

FINAL GIRLS V: Four Days Of Variety Horror And Genre Talk To Explore Next Month In Berlin

Lee B. Golden III

The fifth installation of the Final Girls Berlin Film Festival kicks off on February 6 at City Kino Wedding. Attendees will get to bask in a four-day adventure into female centric and non-binary horror from notable and emerging directors and producers, in what festival co-director Eli Lewy calls the “most expansive and international yet, presenting a wide array of films by visionary filmmakers that represent the diversity and originality that can be found in the current horror landscape.” Below are several galleries highlighting the festival’s landscape consisting of eight curated short film blocks, nine feature films, a horror-inspired self-defense workshop, an exhibition, a festival party with multimedia drag performances, and specialist talks on horror martyrs, made-for-TV horror, ‘female monsters,’ and ‘bad mothers’ in Mexican horror cinema. “Horror is a very elastic term,” adds fellow co-director Sara Neidorf, “and we’re excited to discover films that make us question and expand our […]