News

BLEACH: Fukushi Sota Goes Full-Fledged Soul Reaper In The First Official Teaser

It’s pretty odd. It’s been nearly a year since we learned that Blade Of The Immortal co-star Fukushi Sota was to star in an adaptation of manga author Kubo Tite’s longstanding property, Bleach, for Warner Bros. Japan. We’ve seen at least a few behind the scenes pics of Fukushi in costume while much has been little ado with who else would join the cast. I reckon with the film’s 2018 date approaching that this may change and hopefully that will change. It has a noteworthy director in Sato Shinsuke whose partial credits include The Princess Blade, Library Wars, zombie hit thriller I Am A Hero and hit manga adaptation Death Note: Light Up The New World, the latter which hits the Fantasia floor later this month. With Bleach, its legacy hasn’t been that of complete success, but it stood as a terrific read and viewing for the manga and anime […]

KIDNAP: Catch Halle Berry’s Fast And Furious Mission To Rescue Her Son In A New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

From its languishing state in a flailing production banner to much-deserved fruition for the movie going masses, Luis Prieto’s Kidnap is getting the big screen treatment on August 4. Aviron Pictures released a third official trailer on Thursday to keep the momentum going until then, and while the trailers have all but show similar footage, this one does pull back the curtain just a little bit on the mystery and intrigue the film aims for. A typical afternoon in the park turns into a nightmare for single mom Karla Dyson (Academy Award winner Halle Berry) when her son suddenly disappears. Without a cell phone and knowing she has no time to wait for police help, Karla jumps in her own car and sets off in pursuit of the kidnappers. A relentless, edge-of-your seat chase ensues, where Karla must risk everything to not lose sight of her son. In this tense, […]

JOJO'S BIZZARE ADVENTURE: DIAMOND IS UNBREAKABLE Lands An International Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

It was no mere feat announcing the recent NIFFF appearance of acclaimed director Miike Takashi. Having left a mark this Spring with the highly celebrated Blade Of The Immortal, his latest return to festival furor will have him at Fantasia for the North American presentation of his other live-action manga adaptation, JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable. Previous iterations of the title had it hinting as the first of more than one chapter which would be fitting if Warner Bros. Japan saw fit to expand on the property. This latest treatment would adhere to the fourth phase of the JoJo saga with actor Yamazaki Kento leading the cast as a high school student uniquely gifted with the mysterious ability to call on a Stand – a spiritual anomaly of which there appear to be many lurking in town in one form or another through its secret users. Fantasia programmer Rupert […]

THE ADVENTURERS: Andy Lau And Jean Reno Square Off In The Latest Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Fans of heist thrillers have at least one coming down the pipeline with the release of Stephen Fung’s Once A Thief reimagining, The Adventurers. Aside from Woo-homages there may be, and of course there may be, Fung looks like he’s handled this one prerty well and with a cast looks more than ready to bring something outstanding to the big screen. Sophisticated burglar Dan Zhang (Andy Lau) walks out of prison after a three-year term. Dan reunites with his wingman Po (Yo Yang), an expert in computer hacking and weaponry. They are soon joined by Red (Shu Qi), a beautiful and intelligent chameleon. The trio cleverly find their way into a star-studded charity auction and successfully steal priceless jewels under the surveillance of Pierre (Jean Reno), a hard-boiled French detective who sent Dan to jail three years earlier. Dan goes to find help from his surrogate father Kong (Eric Tsang), […]

Derek Kwok’s WU KONG Unleashes The Beast In The Final Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

As far as I know, CMC Pictures may well still extend its July 13 release of director Derek Kwok’s latest fantasy epic, Wu Kong, into U.S. cinemas. I’m currently awaiting comment in that regard while it has otherwise been confirmed that the film will definitely see its day in Montreal for a North American premiere at Fantasia on July 18. The trailers have certainly hinted at something pretty rather essential in the wake of so many adaptations of the character which have generally been geared toward family-friendly audiences. This one looks like its got some meat on its bones for sure and festival programmer Rupert Bottenberg expands with his own insight with the following summary per the Fantasia website: Born atop the Flowers and Fruit Mountain, Wu Kong – the one who will become known as the Monkey King – has a heart of stone. The heavenly general Ji Hua […]

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GINTAMA: Beetlehunting, Swashbuckling, And A Battle For The Ages In Three New Promos For The Live-Action Adaptation

Lee B. Golden III

With a Japan release on July 14 in tow, Fukuda Yuichi’s latest live-action manga/anime treatment, Gintama, will be having its world premiere at Fantasia Festival in Montreal a day earlier. The film stars actor Oguri Shun who has become a personal favorite of mine in the last fifteen years or more since seeing him opposite Ueto Aya in Kitamura Ryuhei’s Azumi and in Miike Takashi’s Crows Zero and subsequent sequel. Yes, I’m a fan, and not for nothing either with regards to Gintama; I first learned of this movie late last summer which eventually led me to start bingewatching all of well over 300 episodes (4 seasons) of the hit series and ultimately falling in love with the show overall. I still probably couldn’t give you every nook and cranny of what happens, but for the major arcs that occur in between, I would say there is plenty to build […]

PARADOX Unveiled As A Part Of The SPL Franchise In The Latest Poster

Lee B. Golden III

Wilson Yip’s latest, Sha Po Lang: Paradox, is on deck for an August 25 release… Yep. You read that correctly. Apparently the film’s Chinese title as shown on the newest poster now unveils the film’s standing as something of an installment of the Sha Po Lang crime saga. I can’t really explain why but given the sort of nebulous treatment of the narrative and how the characters added and otherwise written as well as the seemingly stark, spiritual aesthetic applied here, I can understand why Bravos would want to go this route. It sort of works, kind of like an anthology piece or a spin-off piece considering there is actually a third Sha Po Lang film in the works subtitled as Lord Needs War as of 2015. I guess we’ll wait see how this plays out, but the message is definitely clear either way with Yip at the helm and […]

FANTASIA 2017: The Full Line-Up And Final Wave Have Arrived!

Lee B. Golden III

The full line-up is now online for the 21st edition of Fantasia Festival as of Wednesday following last month’s first wave. For this, Fantasia has listed the final wave of titles to be included in the program among its worldly line-up of bizzare, compelling, enthralling and outright entertaining selections. One such title I’m pretty pleased to see moving is Germat zeron action comedy Plan B, a martial arts action milestone for the city of Berlin as well as the global stunt community and its talented crop now looking to spread their wings as principles, namely the film’s starring cast – Can Aydin, Cha-Lee Yoon and Phong Giang. Another I’m delighted to see is Bin Bunluerit’s latest swerve from comedy into brooding action and drama, period flick Broken Sword Hero which made its way to screens in Thailand back in February marking a heralded theatrical debut success for the film’s star, […]

The New Trailer For WOLF WARRIOR 2 Is All About The Click-Click-Boom!

Lee B. Golden III

Lest we lose track of the trailer profusion for Wu Jing’s forthcoming sequel thriller, Wolf Warrior 2, a fourth has now made its way online ahead of its July 28 release. It’s a three-week wait until the film’s open in China so one might expect to see a lot more from the from’s current campaign and with some hopeful tidbits on its release. Wu makes his return following the 2015 blockbuster as a maverick sniper who takes his next fight to a wartorn African country pitting him against actor Frank Grillo. You get a few glimpses of that action along with a heavy-handed dose of unrelenting villainy from Grillo and co-star, action actor Aaron Toney, as well as loads of slickness and coolness between the editing, shots, money shots and perpetual gun cocking all to let you know that this is going to be one cool action movie for your […]

DUNKIRK Gets A 70MM Widescreen Formatted Limited Release As Tickets Go On Sale

Lee B. Golden III

Adding to the summer moviegoing fervor as of yesterday’s announcement, Christopher Nolan period war epic, Dunkirk, is now looking to leave a mark this season at the box office with a milestone 70MM widescreen presentation at select theaters. Much of the film was captured on IMAX in high-resolution 2D lensing to embolden greater scope and breathtaking image quality during production, and apparently its standing as one of Fandango’s top five highly-anticipated summer titles has further driven the incentive some. “I have been a longtime proponent of film – particularly the IMAX film format – as a storytelling medium,” said Christopher Nolan. “The immersive quality of the image is second to none, drawing the audience into the action in the most intense way possible.” 100 standard 70mm installations plus 31 70mm Imax theaters is the current expected count thusfar. Official tickets and location details for the 70mm premiere are available now […]

Exhibit The Legacy Behind WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES In The Latest Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Sizing up to be a worthwhile finale for 20th Century Fox’s most recent franchise endeavor with the Apes saga, War Of The Planet Of The Apes is now amassing some notable reviews from critics while staying on its toes through its July 14 release. A new legacy-themed trailer is now online that reintroduces the story within the first two films that now culminate the the third film, directed by Matt Reeves who helmed the second installment in 2014. In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel […]

BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES 2 Lands A Second Official Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

The likelihood of acquisition news for audiences overseas seems imminent nowadays for director Lu Yang; His new movie, Brotherhood Of Blades 2 opens on August 11 in China and a new trailer has arisen to stir the pot some until then. While investigating a case, Shen Lian becomes wrapped up in his own conspiracy. In order to prove his innocence, he teams up with Bei Zhai to clear his name before time runs out. Actor Chang Chen returns to this prequel setting with actress Yang Mi, with actor Zhang Yi (Mountains May Depart) and Berlinale Silver Bear-winning actress Xin Zhilei (Crosscurrent) also starring. Check out the trailer!

South Korean DRUG WAR Remake Now Underway

Lee B. Golden III

Director Johnnie To’s 2012 film, Drug War, was a staunch and stark crime thriller with a compelling story, riveting characters and haunting finale. The film won a raft of awards and nominations around the world through 2014 next to its rave reviews at the time, now begging to see if its remake value stands with equal merit. That litmus test is now being applied through the lens of Arahan: Jangpung Daejakjeon (2004) scribe, The Silenced (2015) helmer Lee Hae-young with production underway as his fourth feature film set for next year. Actors Cho Jin-woong (A Hard Day) and Ryu Jun-yeol (The King) will reimagine the respective roles as such, per To’s film, intially centered on a Hong Kong drug enforcement whose lead detective successfully captures a key witness – an elusive, conniving drug lord now forced to work with the police to infiltrate a bigger criminal empire or face the death penalty. Also […]

THE HIT LIST: July 3, 2017

Lee B. Golden III

It sure sucked being sick this past week. It’s what slowed down a lot of content going into the weekend on top of work (yes, having to work while sick is a thing that exists. Call your Congressman and let’s end this atrocity! ?) Well, at least not right away. Thankfully I’m on better straits and this week’s Hit List is back and ripe with all you love and enjoy about this site and what and who we try to discover and keep up with. Heather Woods is one of those very people as we kick off this week’s playlist of stunt and demo reels followed by the performances of Austin Durden, David Russell Graham, Airon Armstrong, Kate Mah, David Lavallee Jr., Fernando Jay Huerto, Ai Ikeda, Gee Alexander, Alex McCaslin, Kate Cochran, Stephon Reynolds, freerunner Sydney Olson‘s most entry for Red Bull Art of Motion 2017, and a new […]

Review: BITCOIN HEIST (2017) …Vietnamese Crypto Heist Film? Count Me In!

Review: BITCOIN HEIST (2017) ...Vietnamese Crypto Heist Film? Count Me In!

I don’t know much about Vietnamese cinema so upon receiving the blurry DVD combo for Bitcoin Heist was a treat on a hot summer day. It’s pretty much standard content in the options; you have your subtitle and audio choices, but it does come with a bit of trailers from Vietnam. Not sure if I’d be able to see some of these films, but at least if you guys like this movie, you can try to track down some of the films. Now, I don’t know most of the talent in this movie, but I have heard of the Youtuber, Than Pham, and Vietnamese Rapper, Suboi, as some of the leads of this film. Right from the very start, the movie feels like a big budget Hollywood film and what better genre to tackle that larger than life feel but a “heist” film. And I LOVE heist films. And this […]

THE BATTLESHIP ISLAND: Watch The Official U.S. Trailer For Ryoo Seung-Wan's Thunderous War Epic

Lee B. Golden III

Lest you think you’re running out of reasons to enjoy your summer at the movies, Ryoo Seung Wan’s new period epic, The Battleship Island is finally rolling out with an official U.S. trailer this week. The film is kicking off with a Buena Park premiere at CGV Cinemas in California ahead of a rollout that will slowly expand throughout the state as well as in Seattle, Washington by August 4. During the Japanese colonial era, roughly 400 Korean people, who were forced onto Battleship Island (‘Hashima Island’) to mine for coal, attempt to escape. The film Hwang Jung-min, So Ji-sub, Song Joong-ki, Lee Jung-hyun and Kim Su-an. Spot the trailer and official U.S. poster below, and visit the official CJ Entertainment USA website for exact exhibitor locations and dates.

Hey Austin, TX! IRON DRAGON TV ACTION FEST Debuts This August. Peep The Official Line-Up!

Lee B. Golden III

The launch of Iron Dragon TV in late 2014 was nothing short of a milestone effort for a fledgling banner looking to help represent Asian action and martial arts cinema for netizens and U.S. fans alike. Its current growth, led by founder, Iron Dragon Productions CEO, actress and martial artist Janell Smith, has since begun lending its flourishing stage to available creatives since then and as we speak, it all comes down to the first-annual Iron Dragon TV Action Fest which kicks off in Austin, Texas on August 11 and August 13. The official website has made available its entire line-up of shortfilm in several blocks and host to a raft of titles both familiar and new (Clayton Barber’s Blindsided, Benedict Sanderson’s Kung Fu Darling, Paul Dreschler-Martell’s John Wick Origins: Kirill and Andrew Suleiman’s You Can’t Hear Me, You Can’t See Me to name a few), as well as celebrity […]

THE BEAUTIFUL ONES: Jesse V. Johnson’s Gangster Noir Romance Kills In Color In The Official U.S. Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

While action fans wait patiently for what’s to come with Jesse Johnson’s newest on Accident Man and Triple Threat, his most recent topic of acquisition, The Beautiful Ones, already comes as a highly accredited piece of work. The film, starring Ross McCall (Band Of Brothers) as a L.A. mob family shylock who falls in love with a rival family’s daughter amid a brewing turf war, was brilliantly shot and screened in Black and White, coupling it with an aesthetic that lended its signature appeal and making it the kind of film that we nary see this day and age. Close to never, in fact. Thus, one has to wonder why Gravitas Ventures, after acquiring the film in February, would even bother selling it in color. That appears to be the case now in the most recent trailer making the rounds as if it looks to sell a different movie almost […]

Going ‘Under Siege’ With S.W.A.T. UNDER SIEGE Director Tony Giglio

Review: BITCOIN HEIST (2017) ...Vietnamese Crypto Heist Film? Count Me In!

While the original series harkens from the mid-70’s, the franchise has proven to withstand the test of time in part because of the relevance of the subject matter along with a very iconic ear worm of a theme song. SWAT has been steadily making its way back into the limelight starting with a 2003 reboot featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeremy Renner, and Colin Farrell. 14 years down the road and other iterations of the show have been made along with a pilot for a tv reboot helmed by Justin Lin. However we don’t have to wait for them to wrap shooting as the newest installation in the franchise, SWAT: Under Siege starring Sam Jaeger, Michael Jai White, and Adrianne Palicki is slated to release this August! Last week Film Combat Syndicate scored a great interview with Director Tony Giglio and got to pick his brain a bit: Hey […]

HiGH&LOW: THE MOVIE 2 – END OF SKY Brings New Enemies Into The Arena In The First Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Determine what you may with the currently-active HIGH&LOW series and film saga. Following its Japan debut in late 2015 and its renewal along with the feature films that came after, it’s clear that the folks at Shochiku and at Japanese talent agency LDH, inc. had something fresh on its hands when initial trailers and posters popped up. Boasting some major big time stuntwork and high-caliber action to accomodate the drama on the big and small screens, HiGH&LOW ramped up its case setting up camp in the town of Mugen, now splintered between five deadly gangs and with two mysterious pot-stirrers getting in the mix with the gang collective now known as S.W.O.R.D.. The film, and its prequel, HiGH&LOW: The Red Rain, have only ever been made available in Japan as with the rest of its IP and one sure hopes that will change for Westerners avidly following the fandom about […]