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TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN Gets The Greenlight For Amazon Series

Paramount Pictures It only took five movies prior to announcements last Fall, but with 13 Hours co-star John Krazinski pegged for the lead of the new small screen adaptation, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Amazon is making it official with a series now in tow for their Amazon Prime streaming service. At least three of the films are classics while the character, as created by the aforementioned author through his popular series of titular espionage novels which began in 1970, apparently continues to bear some creative significance even up to this year, and so I’m looking forward to see what new can be brought to the fray for a serial approach. Read the following: SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today announced it has greenlit Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan from Paramount and Skydance Television, to debut on Amazon Prime Video. The one-hour, 10-episode dramatic series is slated to star John Krasinski (13 Hours, […]

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[UPDATED] JEAN-CLAUDE VAN JOHNSON Is Just Getting His Day Started In The New Amazon Prime Teaser

So, it’s another morning and you’re Jean-Claude Van Damme, waking up to start you’re day. What do you do? Well, such is the question our lead character answers on his way to pick up the morning paper and toast some pop tarts in his pajamas as a private contractor working undercover as his alter-ego in the new teaser for Jean-Claude Van Johnson, which also stars Kat Foster, Phylicia Rashad and Moises Arias. SYNOPSIS: Jean-Claude Van Damme comes out of retirement to put on once again the mantle of his alter-ego, undercover private contractor Jean-Claude Van Johnson. “Johnson’s” cover as the lead role in a re-imagined action film version of “Huckleberry Finn” lands him right back in the midst of the danger he secretly always craves–but most importantly, back in the orbit of Vanessa, his fellow operative and the woman he loves? Depending on your tastes, it may not be what […]

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THE HIT LIST – August 15, 2016

Well, my weekend was another work weekend. Apart from that I just played it low key and tuned into some more anime and more Hit List content, and I didn’t think I would find a lot to load for the second playlist. As you’ll see, I found plenty to share amid all you can now enjoy in this week’s installment, including a new set of stunt and action demo reels Joseph Ray Santos, Erika Keck, Jon Miguel, Monica Lopez Aleman, Paul Drechsler, Ben Van Huis, Michaela McAllister, Sean Kohnke, Darren Holmquist and Gibb Diaz Ng Yu. Rounding it out is a spiritual tribute to the one and only Jean-Claude Van Damme from filmmaker and well known independent action extraordinaire, Vlad Rimburg. Highlights from many of his earlier hits such as Cyborg, Kickboxer, Double Impact, Lionheart, Hard Target and Timecop are all included with an opening theme central to the exposition […]

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Circus Road Films Picks Up Rising Tiger Feature Debut, BLACK SCAR BLUES

There’s no question that an enduring climb awaits anyone working their way up the ladder in independent film. As such, with one’s own production of a full-length, self-produced and funded feature-length project, landing a distributor is a terrific and incredible milestone, and one that now officially precedes the future that awaits actor and independent filmmaker, Leroy Nguyen of Rising Tiger Films. Fresh from a long-winded, near six-year endeavor of stops and starts, his feature debut, Black Scar Blues has officially landed U.S. distribution at Circus Road Films following acquisition updates last October. Since its evolution as an award-winning short, the newly-completed movie stars Nguyen and actor Edmond Shum in a martial arts-infused Scorsesean tale of two drugrunners, best friends whose ideologies clash before and after a serious of violent incidents. Nguyen made the announcement publicly on Monday, adding “…This is a HUGE step for us, as I NEVER thought we’d […]

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100 BULLETS Takes Gruesome Comic Book Vengeance Through A Real-World Lens

I have to thank certain directors in my purview who are a bit more abreast of other up and coming filmmakers than I have been able to keep up with. And for this, we now look toward a very special project that will undoubtedly raise eyebrows and flutter hearts from filmmakers Matt and Simon Halsall (If I Only Had A Heart). Thus, take a gander at 100 Bullets, an inspiring webseries take on the popular Vertigo comic which, for this iteration, pits actor Min Jung Kim as a soldier in the heart of North Korea, mourning over the death of his wife and is given a unique opportunity to avenge her. Apart from the narrative brings a heavy-handed, attentive look past the façade of faux peace and harmony, casting a bright light onto the very darkness and horror of a dictatorship that has walls itself from the rest of the […]

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TIFF 2016: Mo Bros' HEADSHOT Wraps With New Images, Official Trailer Possibly Next Month

After two years of post-Raid hype and it’s plain to see how painstaking it feels just waiting for the next big Iko Uwais-led action movie to hit the big screen. Thankfully, the time since then hasn’t entirely been for naught with the Merantau star making a few notable splashes in Hollywood whilst keeping things afloat on the local end, and principally with hit horror genre duo, the Mo Brothers – Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel (Macabre, Killers). Plans to work together have come and gone in the past few years but has since led to the production of the new action thriller, Headshot, with Uwais back on camera as an amnesiac with a head wound whose violent past comes back to haunt him. The film officially completed production on August 11 with plans set in motion for its world premiere for the Midnight Madness line-up at next month’s Toronto International […]

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ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY – All Is As The Force Wills It In The New Trailer

There’s no question that much ado will be about anything and everything Star Wars as 2016 comes to a close. Director Gareth Edwards’s newest, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, unveiled a first trailer back in April, invoking a stunning visual homage to George Lucas’s classic vision that spins off mid-way of the six-film cannon focusing on the story of the Rebel Alliance as it planned to infiltrate and steal the plans to the Death Star. Additional filming has since taken place to liven things up some and so we now await to see just what that entails upon the film’s release this December. In the meantime however, as promised by last week’s trailer tease ads courtesy of the Rio Olympics, a brand new trailer is officially out and about, and filled to the brim with characters and lines that ultimately speak to you, including more for the Donnie Yen […]

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BAD BOYS FOR LIFE Gets A 2018 Date From Sony

Titles are everything, especially for a film franchise with an extensive fanbase that dates back more than a decade. Such is is the case for the 1995 blockbuster actioner, Bad Boys from Michael Bay, an ample heavy-hitter for the 90’s action niche and perfectly ripe with as many one-liners as we can take right down to the rapid fire finish. Actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence led the movie as Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett – two odd-couple best friends and devout Miami detectives forced to switch roles in order to protect a murder witness amid the upheaval of an Internal Affairs investigation of their department. The film’s success ultimately led to a sequel in 2003, adding Gabrielle Union in the role of Marcus’s sister who turns out to be much more than anticipated for her brother while investigating a smuggling ring that extends to Cuba. The deadpan humor and […]

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ATTACK ON TITAN: PART ONE Gets A Trailer For Funimation's DVD/Blu-Ray Release

Funimation is in our good graces this season after living up to its ends with the limited theatrical releases of Higuchi Shinji’s Attack On Titan two-parter last year. Alas, this Fall, the first of both films inspired by the original work of manga creator Isayama Hajime is finally making its way to a DVD/Blu-Ray release on October 4, and so they’ve unveiled a new trailer to accomodate. SYNOPSIS: When the Titans first attacked, life for mankind was forever changed. Fearing the massive man-eating humanoids, survivors constructed three enormous walls for protection. From that point on, humanity lived safely behind the walls”for the time being. A century later, life is peaceful. Eren and his friends live inside the walls, yearning to explore beyond the borders they’ve always known. But the opportunity comes sooner than expected when a Colossal Titan appears above the wall. With a single kick the barricade is pierced, […]

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The Lego NINJAGO Movie Gets A Full Cast Line-Up

We still have The Lego BATMAN Movie coming in February along with whatever Warner Bros. Pictures has planned for a sequel to the 2014 Phil Lord/Chris Miller film. In the meantime, the studio has finally announced its official cast roster for Charlie Bean’s directorial debut, The Lego NINJAGO Movie following earlier news back in June. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t be surprised if the studio had plans for a cinematic universe here between all the films. More importantly though, I kinda can’t believe I’m talking about movies about a brand of toys I played with as a kid…and this may go on for a while. Oy. Where are the humans?! Ahh.. oh well, as far as saving graces are concerned, action star Jackie Chan has first billing here, so, that’s nice. BURBANK, Calif.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–The main cast has been put together for “The LEGO® Ninjago Movie,” a […]

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MECHANIC: RESURRECTION Delivers An International Trailer For Japan's Release

Director Dennis Gansel’s forthcoming sequel, Mechanic: Resurrection, has been a little light in its marketing since debuting an official trailer a few months ago. Some promotional spots are online as well but there’s not a lot of noise, although I do know that there have been a few early screenings and the mood I’m getting is for that of what sounds like an imperfect, albeit kick-ass thrillride to enjoy when it hits theaters. All in all, fans of action star, actor Jason Statham may have something worthwhile awaiting them this summer with a story that follows up Simon West’s efforts back in 2011 remaking the Charles Bronson action classic. Actresses Jessica Alba and Michelle Yeoh, and actor Tommy Lee Jones are also in the midst and with an August 26 U.S. release not too far off, we now have an international trailer with extra doses of new footage in which […]

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THE TIGER (2016): An Epic Journey, Examination, Poem, And Tragedy All In One

I am reminded of a parable upon watching this film. I will lead with it. One finds himself trapped on the edge of a cliff between two hungry tigers. Doomed either way, the subject yet finds peace in spotting a lone strawberry. The advice of the story is to pick the strawberry and eat it, the message arriving at its apex; appreciate the inevitable finality of life, and triumph over apathy by devoting yourself fully to the moment. It is what I got from it, anyway. And it informs, in part, my perspective on The Tiger. Indeed, a great many classic stories come to mind. The short story To Build A Fire by Jack London. Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. And Michael Cimino’s film Deer Hunter.  WORLD BUILDING, AS A CASE FOR MOTIFS:: Choi Min-sik, (star of Park Chan-Wook’s Old Boy, a very interesting and prescient reference in this context) stars […]

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JACK REACHER Gets A New Promo And Poster

Lest you forget, we still have the matter of actor Tom Cruise’s return to the fray as the title character in the new movie, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. The film, inspired by author Lee Child’s hit novel series, is readying a release on October 21, and a brand new official poster is making the rounds which you can check out below! SYNOPSIS: Jack Reacher: Never Go Back follows the title character as he returns to Virginia to meet the head of his former unit. But she’s missing, he’s being charged with a crime committed nearly 20 years ago, and he may even have a daughter. Making things right will lead him on a cross-country chase to uncover the truth – and maybe even a family. Also starring are Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge and Robert Knepper. A new minute-long promo is online as well and dishes out the goods aplenty […]

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The Rock Sends His Regards From Prison With The FAST 8 Stunt Team

Forgetting any of the other infractions being discussed in other headlines, what the production of F. Gary Gray’s Fast 8 is about this week is the sick action that awaits when the film opens next year in April. In that respect, leave it to co-star and producer Dwayne Johnson who has been on the warpath promoting the film with various bits and pieces of video from the set, including updates on what’s expected to be the prison fight scene of all prison fight scenes. For this, we get the latest ceremonial Instagram post courtesy of Johnson, accompanied by the team led by stunt and fight coordinator J.J. Perry – best known for his work on Undisputed: Last Man Standing, The Tournament, Warrior, The Expendables 3 and Chad Stahelski’s upcoming action sequel, John Wick: Chapter Two. Might I add, I had the humbling opportunity of chatting with Perry late last year […]

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Zheng Sibs To Lend Their INSIGHT With Yayan Ruhian For Next Year

After proving themselves in 2014 with their award-winning debut action picture, Brush With Danger, Indonesian martial arts film duo – filmmaker Livi Zheng and brother, actor Ken Zheng are poised to return to the set for their latest endeavor, Insight, from Stellar Films. The director announced the film in a press conference week with Ken set to star in the film which is being described as a poignant, heartfelt action thriller that tackles family tragedy. Make no mistake though, for the production is readily doling out its ample share of martial arts action at the behest of none other than Yayan Ruhian who is serving as fight choreographer. Ruhian’s own career has since remained upscaling following the Gareth Evans-helmed Merantau and both installments of the Raid film saga before further numerous local Indonesian productions, and ultimately earning a cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens late last year. Further news […]

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Universal's SCARFACE Seeks Antoine Fuqua To Direct

Director Antoine Fuqua is getting a terrific start to his Fall this year. His newest remade Western spectacle, The Magnificent Seven, set to open this year’s Toronto International Film Festival on September 8 before opening wide just a few weeks later, and in the wake of already earning his approval among the remake crowd for his take on the 2014 revenge/redemption actioner, The Equalizer. That said, we now bring our attention to Brian DePalma’s own remade hit gangster opus for Universal Pictures, Scarface, which became an instant classic since its release in 1983 with respect to the 1932 original from Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson. Here with actresses Michelle Pfeiffer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and actor Stephen Bauer, it was Al Pacino who stole the show with his visceral and iconic portrayal of Tony Montana, a Cuban political refugee whose ruthless race to achieve the American dream within Florida’s criminal […]

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BOYKA: UNDISPUTED Sounds Off With A New Post-Production Sneak Peak

Goodness…it feels like forever since we first caught the trailer for Scott Adkins vehicle, Boyka: Undisputed. By far it’s one of this year’s most-hyped titles and a release date is yet to be revealed while the film itself remains in post production with director Todor Chapkanov at the helm and Isaac Florentine producing. In the meantime, a little taste of something is better than nothing and so now we’re getting a sneak peak into the film by way of a new featurette with re-recording mixer Gord Hillier and supervising sound editor Kris Casavant hailing from Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria. For this, you get an action-packed intro followed by an intriguing look into the complex sound design process using Avid Pro Tools | S6 control surface, and another quick sampler at the intensely shot fight finale between Adkins and hulking actor and bodybuilder Martyn Ford. Take a look below!

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Has THE CROW Finally Landed A Star?

Warner Bros. There’s good news for fans of the 1994 cult fantasy action thriller, The Crow who have been waiting patiently for the reboot of the hit underground graphic novel. As it turns out, Corin Hardy is back on board following his departure from the project late last year, and, a new actor is in the running to lead the cast. Relativity Media in its recent recovery from bankruptcy in the past year has undergone quite a revamp as the film endured a revolving door of names coming and going like Bradley Cooper, Luke Evans, Alexander Skarsgård, and even Jack Huston before he moved over to lead MGM’s Ben-Hur remake. Now, word from Variety brings actor Jason Momoa into the fold to possibly play the title character – a musician whose heinous murder ensues his resurrection at the behest of a mystical crow, to take flight with his own brand […]

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Smrz's 24 HOURS TO LIVE Rounds Out With Hauer, Cunningham, Anderson And More

Production has since commenced this summer for stunt professional Brian Smrz’s latest stint in the director’s chair, 24 Hours To Live. Underway in South Africa, the film is already the prospect of a new wave of immersive theatrical entertainment by way of Barco Escape with Ethan Hawke starring as a career assassin who gets killed on the job, and is subsequently resurrected by his employer for a second chance at redemption. This week, the film is officially adding actor Rutger Hauer to the roster which now includes Common, actress Xing Qu and actor Paul Anderson. Zachary Dean wrote the script based on an original write-up by Ron Mita and Jim McClain, marking Smrz’s sophmore stint at the helm since his 2008 directorial debut, Hero Wanted (2008). Fully financing the movie is Fundemental Films whose respective chairman and international president, Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhan are producing next to Thunder Road’s […]

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ALTAR ROCK Adds James Remar To The Apa, Eisley, Adkins Starrer

Things have been a bit stagnant for sometime now for Romeo Must Die and Cradle 2 The Grave helmer Andrzej Bartkowiak. His career behind the camera seemed to have grown into itself some working with the likes of Jet Li and Steven Seagal, though his critically panned 2009 film, Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun Li hasn’t given him much room for work, most notably with the looming cancellation of Scott Adkins headliner, Dark Deal a year later. Nowadays he’s slowly re-emerging into the fold once again, having served as executive producer in reunion last year with C2TG co-star, action star and debut director Mark Dacascos on Russian star Alexander Nevsky’s Showdown In Manila. He’s also paired with both stars for his forthcoming return to directing in the upcoming action comedy, Maximum Impact, while he’s since begun his latest at the helm for the new romantic indie thriller, Altar Rock, […]

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