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FANTASIA XXIII: Audience Award Winners Announced

The 23rd Fantasia Festival is about wrapped and finished until next summer. I still have one film to work on though I do have a bit of a window before its release, so I think I’m good. Tackling this festival was a little more dexterous, although thankfully I managed to get in some viewing time. One title I’d caught up with long prior was The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil which is taking home top honors for Best Action! Feature. Other Audience Award recipients were announced as well, chosen from 138 feature films and over 200 shorts. I didn’t get to check out Promare which won Best Animated Feature but GKids is rolling that one out next month so hopefully I’ll get lucky. I definitely wanted to check out the Best Asian Feature winners, including Shinobu Yaguchi’s Dance With Me which also screened at Japan Cuts last month. Kiril Sokolov’s […]

ALICE IN BORDERLAND: ‘Kingdom’ Star And Director Tackle New Netflix Survival Thriller Series

Lee B. Golden III

Netflix is announcing an all-new original series with Alice In Borderland, based on Haro Aso’s popular manga reteaming Kingdom star and director, actor Kento Yamazaki and celebrated director Shinsuke Sato. Also starring is actress Tao Tsuchiya who last paired with Sato for 2015’s Library Wars: The Last Mission. Yamazaki will play Alice, an aimless, jobless videogame addict who finds himself swept into a desolate version of Tokyo with his two best friends when a strange light appears. They soon discover they must fight for their lives, competing in one dangerous game after another in order to survive with the help of extraordinary climber, Usagi, played by Tsuchiya. Aso’s thrilling life-or-death game manga originally published in 2010 and onward from Shonen Sunday Super/Weekly Shonen Sunday. Sato is best known for hits like The Princess Blade, The Library Wars trilogy, Gantz, Bleach and Inuyashiki and now takes to a limited U.S. theatrical […]

THE MATRIX: AMC And Dolby Invite Fans In The U.S. To Jack Into The Action For One Week Starting August 30

Lee B. Golden III

Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Warner Bros., and AMC Theatres are staking in their efforts toward a one-week re-release of the Wachowskis’ supersized sci-fi action hit, The Matrix. Starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving, the film will open in more than 135 Dolby Cinema at AMC locations across the U.S. on August 30. Originally released on March 31, 1999, The Matrix was an innovative game changer for its stunning visuals (i.e. “bullet time” a la Blade), transformative storytelling, and award-winning action Yuen Woo-Ping’s applications of martial arts and high-flying action building on the successes of kung fu hits such as Iron Monkey and Fist Of Legend. Pre-production saw the cast committ to extensive literary research in order to understand the depth and overall meaning and vision of the story. Reeves, already a household name following hits like Speed and Point Break, plays Thomas Anderson, a low-key computer […]

JuJu Chan on the set of WU ASSASSINS (2019)

THE INVETERATE DRAGON: A Roundtable Chat With Acclaimed Martial Arts Star, Actress JuJu Chan

Lee B. Golden III

Distinguished martial arts star and actress JuJu Chan left a spritely impression with Adrian Castro’s award-winning short, Hit Girls alongside Maria Tran back in 2013 in my own discoveries. She’s been a sight to see ever since with hopes all the more prevalent that she’d become a greater film presence in due time, missed opportunities notwithstanding. To say the least, the uptick in work over the last several years has been gradual and hugely welcome. Her status as a Hong Kong national athlete with accolades earned in Taekwondo and Thai boxing have paved the way for opportunities to work with and stand among the best in entertaimment with a current raft of TV and film titles coming forthwith. For most action fans, the upcoming Netflix streaming release, Wu Assassins, couldn’t come any sooner, and with Indonesian action superstar Iko Uwais dominating the fray with a vision of fight choreography that […]

HALO: Upcoming Showtime TV Adaptation Adds Natascha McElhone, Bokeem Woodbine And More

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Pablo Schreiber’s upcoming stint with sci-fi action series drama, Halo, is hailing a larger cast list as of Friday. The series will be based on the hit xBox game franchise and now signals acclaimed actress Natascha McElhone (Designated Survivor, Californication), Emmy nominee Bokeem Woodbine (Fargo), acclaimed Indian actress Shabana Azmi (Fire), Bentley Kalu (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Natasha Culzac (The Witcher) and Kate Kennedy (Catastrophe). Halo comes from Showtime and 343 Industries, along with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin TV. Production launches later this year in Budapest for a 2021 premiere with Schreiber retaining his lead role as Master Chief Spartan John-117. As Showtime elucidates, McElhone take on the dual roles of both enigmatic, smart and conflicted Dr. Catherine Halsey – creator of the Spartan supersoldier program, and Cortana, the most advanced AI in human history, and potentially the key to the survival of the human race. Woodbine joins in as […]

Balboa Productions, Flame Ventures Plotting Hour-Long Dolph Lundgren Action Drama

Lee B. Golden III

The hits are heavy for what Flame Ventures is now planning for an hour-long action drama series being developed by the label’s own Tony Krantz who will exec produce. The project, pitched this week to sevral major networks (sans ABC) aims to reunite Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren with the latter to star. Drama vet Ken Sanzel (Reef Break) would write and showrun, as well as executive produce the series which sees Lundgren starring as the U.N.’s “secret special agent” at the Department of Safety and Security, “…a one-man S.W.A.T. team and hostage negotiator.” Stallone, currently looking to beef-up action-oriented projects at Balboa with partner Braden Aftergood, is also exec producing with Lundgren’s manager at Zero Gravity, Craig Baumgarten. The series marks the latest potential joint venture for Lundgren and Stallone who’ve been an iconic screen presence together since going the distance as opponents 34 years ago in Rocky IV. […]

THE BATTLE: ROAR TO VICTORY: Don’t Miss The International Trailer To Won Shin-Yeon’s Action-Packed Epic

Lee B. Golden III

Won Shin-yeon’s latest thrilling war epic with The Battle: Roar To Victory, is poised for an August 7 release just around the corner. Time will tell if and when we’ll get some acquisition news but we have an international trailer currently making the rounds to help garner some eyes. Based on the Bongo-dong battle in 1920, which remained a great victory within the Korean independence battles In 1920, when Korea is under Japanese rule the Korean Independence Army’s Hae-chul (YOO Hae-jin) and his subordinates are carrying out the operation to deliver funds to the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai. During the operation Hae-chul is reunited with Jang-ha (RYU Jun-yeol), a young squad commander, whose mission is to defend Samdunja. They unite and trap the Japanese soldiers in Samdunja, soundly defeating them. Now they’re chased by Japanese troops and Hae-chul finds out that Jang-ha’s mission isn’t over yet. A crucial yet […]

THE REMAINDERS: Derek Kolstad-Penned Revenge Thriller Adds To Syllabus For Rakuten H Collective Launch

Lee B. Golden III

Screenwriter Derek Kolstad is adding to his roster once again for the forseeable with two-handed revenge thriller, The Remainders. Trade sources have all confirmed Kolstad is screenwriting the project, which remains a mystery as far as distinct plot details go, while listed among the now burgeoning production and distribution slate at newly-formed Rakuten H Collective Studio as of Thursday. The label was formed from Japan’s Rakuten and L.A.- based H Collective, and will steer in-house film production and financing, IP management. The company has also adjoined to the additionally formed Rakuten Distribution, aimed at targeting Japanese releases of projects produced by H Collective, including summer horror hit, Brightburn. Kolstad was recently added to the crew for development of Falcon And The Winter Soldier for Disney+ and is also penning the fourth consecutive John Wick film opening from Lionsgate i.n 2021. (Variety)

Well Go USA Adds TOP KNOT DETECTIVE And More To The Hi-YAH Network!

Lee B. Golden III

Directors Aaron McCann and Dominic Pearce have done richly in making names for themselves having assembled a delightful little mockumentary from down under with the Des Mangan-narrated Top Knot Detective. For good measure, my review is available here. In the early 90s a little known Japanese Samurai/Detective series hit Australia where it quickly became a cult hit. In Japan it was called ‘Ronin Suiri Tentai (Deductive Reasoning Ronin) but in Australia it is know only as ‘Top Knot Detective’! The good folks at Well Go USA are looking onward and upward this year with a raft of Hi-YAH! releases between now and 2020, adding Top Knot Detective to its library launching on HI-YAH! beginning August 1, 2019. Below, Well Go USA also unveiled an online Hi-YAH! spot to highlight future titles now pending for the martial arts-spruced-up network, including Donnie Yen actioners Big Brother and upcoming Ip Man 4, The […]

FANTASTIC FEST XV: Prepare Yourselves With The First Wave!

Lee B. Golden III

The film festival season is far from over if you’re living in or near Austin right about now with the fifteenth installment of Fantastic Fest set to kick off September 19 through 26. The festival is launching its first wave as of Wednesday to get things stirring and with a list already making its appeal to the masses as one of the largest genre festivals in North America – from the intense new nailbiter 4×4 and Taika Watiti’s satirical shenanigans in JoJo Rabbit, to Takashi Miike’s highly-anticipated Well Go USA release, First Love, and AGFA co-presented titles like She Mob and Tammy And The T-Rex. Read on and stay tuned for the full line-up! AUSTIN, TX — 30th July, 2019 — Reaching the milestone of fifteen years, Fantastic Fest continues to champion groundbreaking international genre films, bringing a diverse array of global filmmakers to Austin in a highly-controlled explosion of […]

EXCELSIS: ‘Blood, Sweat And Tears’ In Two New Production Stills

Lee B. Golden III

Director Jaze Bordeaux’s latest effort with WMMA sports drama, Excelsis, is out with two new stills which you can view in the gallery above. Production wrapped back in February hailing from Universe Pictures Group and Mr. Bravo Entertainment, and starring actress Karlee Rose. Rose plays Cassady Jones, an amateur fighter whose big break lands before her following her involvement in a melee that shocks the sports world. The EFC (Excelsis Fighting Championship) is currently in the most tumultuous period of its history as Jones and and seven other female competitors are given an opportunity to fight in a tournament to crown a new champion. Understanding that her big break is at hand, Cassady comes to the realization that it’s not just in another fight, it’s the fight for everything. Rose leads a cast that includes Gemini award winner Richard Zeppierri, actresses Andrea Drepaul, Kathry Aboya, Avaah Blackwell and actor Alex […]

SWEET GIRL: Jason Momoa Rejoins ‘Braven’, ‘Frontier’ Producer For Netflix Revenge Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Jason Momoa‘s got a little bit of time before dipping into an Aquaman sequel. Indeed he’ll be using some of it reuniting with Frontier series exec producer and Braven producer Brian Andrew Mendoza for Sweet Girl at Netflix. Mendoza will debut in the chair this time helming a revenge thriller that sees Momoa as a widower out to avenge his wife’s death whilst protecting the only family he has left — his daughter. Gregg Hurwitz and Philip Eisner penned the script prior to its latest draft from Will Staples. Momoa and Mendoza are producing next to Brad Peyton (San Andreas) and will be rejoined by Frontier producers ASAP Entertainment’s Jeff Fierson. Martin Kistler (On the Roam) will exec produce. “I’m excited to partner with Netflix once again. I’m putting a dream team together from Brad and Jeff to my best friend, Brian, who has been my partner for over ten […]

Otakon 2019: Cyberpunk Anime BUBBLEGUM CRISIS Averts As A Reigning Classic

Cesar Alejandro Jr.

You can find more extensive Otakon 2019 coverage at Filmsmash.com Director: Katsuhito Akiyama, Masami Obari, Hiroaki Goda The year is 2032. The city of Tokyo has turned into a sprawling metropolis now known as Megatokyo. With the advancement of robotics, mechanized servants known as Boomers are now a part of our everyday lives. However, whenever a Boomer loses control and goes berserk, a vigilante group of armored women known as the Knight Sabers fight to protect the public and expose the secrets of the Genom Corporation, the company responsible for developing the Boomers. One of the unarguable classics of 80s anime, Bubblegum Crisis is a complex science fiction series full of action, stellar music, and hand drawn animation that puts pretty much anything made these days to shame. Boasting rich themes and inspiring countless anime in the years since, Bubblegum Crisis was become the defacto representative of the ‘cyberpunk’ genre. […]

Fantasia Review: In Jovanka Vukovic’s RIOT GIRLS, A Love Story With A Body Count

Lee B. Golden III

It’s a “bittersweet cocktail” indeed as the official Fantasia Festival summary for director Jovanka Vuckovic’s new road thriller, Riot Girls, elucidates. Darkly comedic, wry and plentifully violent with a lively pulse thanks to its soundtrack, the film is fully loaded with adventure and exceptional performances from its young cast, and a cute pug. Set in an alternative 90s period where a mysterious anomaly has eradicated the world of adults, Vuckovic’s dystopian suburban tale introduces Nat (Madison Iseman) and Scratch (Paloma Kwiatkowski), two girlfriends on the road scavenging for items. Their domain lies within the East side of Potter’s Bluff, a rural township divided opposite its authoritatian West side, annexed by the Titans, a self-styled regime of toxic teenage jocks who rule any, every and all, coming and going. They all reside at the same camp with Nat’s brother, Jack (Alexandre Bourgeois) who helps their camp survive off what he can […]

Review: Joseph M’Bah’s EXPO Tries To Thrill While Stumbling At The Basics

Lee B. Golden III

Joseph M’bah’s new action thriller, Expo, details what looks to be a straight forward fugutive/rescue action thriller on its face. Largely, what you get is a flawed, low-budget offering that’s better acted at times than it deserves, and even with a few good action scenes to make it worth your while. Derek Davenport is Richard, a down-but-not-out ex-soldier newly on his first day working as a driver. That afternoon he’s forced to pick up his little sister, Sarah (Amelia Haberman) to rehearsal at the expense of a pick up job for another customer (Hayley Vrana) who gets taken in a van and kidnapped. Detective Moro (Michael C. Alvarez) suspects Richard’s involvement due to his own criminal past, and is soon arrested. Eventually freed thanks to his lawyer, Richard has no choice but to take matters into his own hands with the help of a performance enhancing drug, his old skillset, […]

KUNG FURY 2: Now Filming, ‘X-Men’ Actress Joins Cast

Lee B. Golden III

Production is reportedly underway in Bulgaria for Kung Fury 2 according to Amanda N’Duka’s scoop at Deadline. Cameras are also expected to roll in Germany while word also brings that Alexandra Shipp is joining the cast of the feature-length sequel to the crowdfunded hit 2015 short from star/writer/director/producer David Sandberg. N’Duka’s report confirms the former X-Men franchise actress will replace Baby Driver co-star Eiza Gonzalez for the role of Rey Porter, a news anchor who will do anything to get the best story. That story ultimately culminates in the city of Miami in 1985 where our hero as he leads the Thundercops, the ultimate police force assembled from across history to defeat Adolf Hitler. The plot thickens when one of their own is killed and as the team disbands, a mysterious villain surfaces to aid the Führer’s quest to attain the ultimate weapon. Now, the greatest damn cop of all […]

Fantasia Review: Jimmy Henderson’s THE PREY Is A Decent Throwback To 90’s Action Fare

Jacques Karavasilis

After the last credits rolled and the lights were turned back on, I turned to my friends Sébastien and Debby. They both looked pleased with their latest, respective movie experience, so I ventured: “An honest, decent throwback to 90’s action fare?” The responses were unanimous. Now, don’t get me wrong! The Prey is nothing to write home about (even though I admit to taking pleasure in sharing this review with you), but it is still a decently crafted action yarn; yes, the kind that used to make their way to our Cineplex’s or VCR’s in the early 90s. For instance, picture an independent director/producer attempting to create their own version of something akin to First Blood, but with very little money. You get the idea? The premise behind Jimmy Henderson’s (Jailbreak) The Prey is far from original: An undercover cop in a remote jungle prison is forced to become human […]

BYSTANDER: Lucarelli & Minniefield’s New Crime Thriller Premieres This Month At AOF Megafest XV

Lee B. Golden III

The 15th Annual Action on Film International Film Festival and Writers Competition (MegaFest) 2019 is under way in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the good folks at Mountain Wind Productions, that also means the debut premiere of their feature film, Bystander, which is one of two projects the banner is presenting at the festival. Giuseppe Lucarelli and David Minniefield direct the new crime thriller which follows Pittsburgh’s Chief of Police as he takes up the charge against human trafficking after his daughter is kidnapped by a notorious serial killer. Lucarelli penned the script as well as join a cast led by David Whalen (The Loudest Voice), Matthew McCurdy and Arash Mokhtar (The Blacklist) and Sara Torres (The Vampire Diaries). “We’re honored to have been selected for the Action on Film MegaFest and to see Bystander listed among the other high-quality and powerful films,” says Lucarelli, Mountain Wind Productions Founder. “It’s a […]

ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP Official Trailer: “You’re Welcome, America!”

Lee B. Golden III

The most joyous delights right now about the new Zombieland: Double Tap trailer right now is probably seeing the returning cast in all its glory; this sequel from director Ruben Fleischer has been a long time coming and with an October 18 release in store, Woody Harrelson looks like he’s right at home. And surely enough we’ll be too. A decade after Zombieland became a hit film and a cult classic, the lead cast (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Stone) have reunited with director Ruben Fleischer (Venom) and the original writers Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick (Deadpool) for Zombieland: Double Tap. In the sequel, written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and Dave Callaham, through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, these four slayers must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, […]

Well Go USA: Smart Cinema USA First-Run Theatrical Release Pocket Cinema App Officially Launches In North America

Lee B. Golden III

North American moviegoers closely following Asian filmgoing trends now have a new boon in the midst with the official launch of Smart Cinema USA. Next to its pantheon of hit titles currently available on the Hi-YAH! channel, Smart Cinema USA is now ready to test for Apple/iOS and Android devices, launching in partnership with Well Go USA Entertainment following its successful rollout in Italy and Spain last year. Using 4G/5G, cloud computing and new technologies, Smart Cinema USA aims to take things to the next level as a “pocket cinema” platform that aims to improve efforts for Chinese cinema to break into the Hollywood-dominated market. The app will host only theatrical releases – not VOD – for consumers on a pay-per-view basis. According to the announcement, the platform is “designed for the habits of the North American user …localized with targeted features in terms of interface, content-language, login and payment […]