ECHO 8: FIVE-BY-FIVE Reveals New Look At Maria Tran, Takashi Hara, And More As Sequel Production Commences
Two weeks into production, new stills and BTS images are online for the next chapter in the ECHO 8 trilogy!
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Rumble into theatres for ATTACK ON TITAN: THE LAST ATTACK
The long running hit anime series ATTACK ON TITAN has reached it’s climactic ending, and fans have a unique experience heading to theatres to celebrate. ATTACK ON TITAN: THE LAST ATTACK is a new omnibus film, capturing the epic conclusion of the saga began on-screen in 2013. Originally releasing in November 2024 in Japan, the film will be available with an English language dub in the US, starting February 10th!
Hollywood Storm Circles Adrian Paul, Sheldon Lettich And More As Label Ferments Production Slate Ahead Of EFM
Actor and producer Alexander Nevsky is ramping up a trio of titles on Hollywood Storm roster ahead of EFM in February, two of which are set to go into production in 2025. The slate includes the long-awaited Savage Attack, which has been in development since roughly 2017, with Last Heroes Of Rio Bravo set to complete his Rio Bravo trilogy with co-star/director Joe Cornet back at the helm, as well as upcoming Western actioner, The Wide West. Savage Attack is billed as “The Raid meets Die Hard”, in a story centered on a CIA operative who must save his former mentor from an insane asylum besieged by hired killers. Nevsky will star alongside Nick Baillie (Malicious), Tatiana Neva (Taken from Rio Bravo) and Cornet. Highlander franchise mainstay Adrian Paul is also circling the project in a potential reunion with Nevsky since Art Camacho and Andrey Bogatyrev’s 2019’s historical sports drama, […]
ATONEMENT Signals Ronald Cheng’s Brutal Quest For Revenge In The First Teaser
Anybody else love the sound of a gritty Hong Kong thriller? Enter Atonement, the latest outing from directing duo Mark Wu, and leading man Ronald Cheng (Fatal Contact, Special ID) who shares the helm in his directing debut. Cheng plays a struggling father on a mission of vengeance when his daughter is kidnapped during their vacation in Thailand. Also starring are Chrissie Chau, Philip Keung, and young actress Fu Shun Ying for the film’s April release. Peep the teaser below along with the latest poster.
BAD BOYS: THE MOVIE Teaser Reveals The Latest Live-Action Revamp Of The Hit Manga
Fans of Hiroshi Tanaka’s manga catalogue can now find themselves re-living their fandom once again thanks to director Tatsuro Nishikawa with action drama, Bad Boys: The Movie. JO1 member Mamehara Issei will make his screen debut alongside Rihito Ikezaki of boy band INI, joining actors Jyutaro Yamanaka, and Sora Inoue, from a script by Nishikawa and screenwriter Kento Mineo. Based on Tanaka’s original 1988 Shonen Gahosha publication for Young King, the film centers on Kiriki Tsukasa (Issei), the only son of a wealthy family who instead runs away to follow in the footsteps of a legendary delinquent who helped him when he was younger. His quest to climb the ranks of gang life eventually brings him together Yoji (Ikezaki), Toshio (Yamanaka), Eiji (Inoue), forming a friendship which soon finds its integrity tested with looming gang battles to come, and Tsukasa reluctant to join in. Tanaka’s manga also found new life […]
OPERATION HADAL Scores Official Trailer Ahead Of Theatrical Release From Well Go USA
Mercenaries have occupied an offshore platform in Chinese territorial waters by force. The Chinese Navy sets sail to repel the invaders as the Jiao Long commando team prepares for a fierce fight in the deep sea. Such are the details for Operation Hadal (f.k.a. Operation Leviathan) for its North American theatrical run from Well Go USA. Dante Lam directs this, the threequel entry to his previous two patriotic actioners, Operation Mekong, and Operation Red Sea. Operation Hadal stars Xuan Huang, Yosh Yu, and Bryan Larkin. Catch the official trailer and poster below!
THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Shows Ben Affleck And Jon Bernthal Face-To-Face In First Look Ahead Of SXSW Premiere
The 32nd edition of SXSW revealed its line-up on Wednesday which now includes a first look at Gavin O’Connor’s The Accountant 2. The long-awaited sequel to O’Connor’s hit 2016 thriller from Warner Bros. Pictures reunites Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal who can also be seen in a first look now going viral online which you can view below this article. When someone close to her is killed by unknown assassins, Treasury Agent Marybeth Medina is forced to contact Christian Wolff to solve the murder. With the help of his estranged but highly lethal brother Brax, Chris applies his brilliant mind and less-than-legal methods to piece together the unsolved puzzle. As they get closer to the truth, the trio draw the attention of some of the most ruthless killers alive — all intent on putting a stop to their search. Also returning are Cynthia Addai-Robinson and J.K. Simmons, with the additions […]
CROSSED To Be Adapted For The Screen By ‘The Sadness’ Director
The Sadness has to be some of the wildest… and I mean the WILDEST shit I’ve seen in my time covering films in the festival circuit. IYKYK, and it’s a no wonder why the film’s gotten so many rave reviews from critics the world over hailing director Rob Jabbaz for his award-winning horror outing. Assuredly, it also makes him a choice selection for a particular kind of IP which brings us to THR’s Aaron Couch on Crossed, which Jabbaz will direct based on the Avatar Press publication from creator Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher). Carl Choi of Six Studios is producing along with Benjamin Hung of Retro Entertainment, and Ken Levin of Nightsky Productions, according to the report. Filmmaker Rob Jabbaz will helm a feature based on the comic book taking place in a pandemic-stricken world, in which those who catch a disease are marked with a cross-like rash on […]
OBAYASHI ’80s: THE ONOMICHI TRILOGY AND KADOKAWA YEARS Launches At Japan Society In February!
Our own Mike Garcia has covered the work of late auteur Nobuhiko Obayashi on this site for a good deal of time. He lives in Spain, although I’d imagine if he resided in my neck of the woods he’d be all-in with what’s going down at Japan Cuts on a yearly basis, particularly with next month’s run of Obayashi-directed classics titled Obayashi ’80s: The Onomichi Trilogy & Kadokawa Years. The program includes sextet of titles including I Are You, You Am Me (Exchange Students) (1982), School in the Crosshairs (1981), The Little Girl Who Conquered Time (1983), Lonely Heart (Miss Lonely) (1985), The Island Closest to Heaven (1984), and His Motorbike, Her Island (1986). Prices vary for members and non-members alike, so if you’re in town and want some classic Japanese delights in your eyes, head to the website and get your tickets before the slate’s weeklong run beginning February […]
THE TOXIC AVENGER: Cineverse Brings “Toxie” To North America In 2025
Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger revamp was another film I couldn’t catch along with the rest of the crowd at the eighteenth edition Fantastic Fest, and not for lack of trying. Word is though that the film’s level of violence and gore was inhabitable for distributors which is why some folks felt like they were taking crazy pills knowing full well at one point that a new movie was getting (or already) made. As of late, the film has a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. What’s more is Cineverse has swooped in on the famed Troma property which Blair directed, and stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage in the title role for an unrated wide release premiere later this year. The banner has all U.S. and Canadian theatrical, home entertainment, and streaming rights through a deal with Legendary Entertainment, which all but guarantees that “Toxie” himself shall […]
GOLDEN KAMUY: THE HUNT OF PRISONERS IN HOKKAIDO: Netflix Slates February Debut For Hit Sequel Series
Kento Yamazaki is giving me life this year, personally. The man is a star of multiple franchises including the live-action Golden Kamuy film from director Shigeaki Kubo, as well as its sequel series which debuted last year on WOWOW… AND a feature film continuation as I reported last month. The first film streamed on Netflix and so I can only imagine the upcoming feature will arrive all the same in due time. Meanwhile, the WOWOW series that followed is happily being included in the streamer’s catalogue beginning February 6 with Golden Kamuy: The Hunt Of Prisoners In Hokkaido, with Yamazaki and actress Anna Yamada among the roster of new and returning cast. The intense scramble for the tattooed skins finally begins! The latest trailer introduces several new characters who join the series, which dives into the heart of the story. Live and shine in this thrilling survival battle for hidden […]
IMPASSIBLE: Check Out Sebastian Kong And Virak Thun’s New Webseries Streaming For Nikon 2025
Directing duo Sébastien Kong and Virak Thun have a mini webserial entry now among the lot vying for votes of this year’s fifteenth edition of the Nikon Film Festival. The series in question? Impassible, a snackable, roughly 6 x 2″ action drama penned by Kong and Thun, and starring Steve Tran and Laura Bui, and fight sequences by Kevin Ke. Hao is in debt but has a special ability. To take the pain. He gets paid to be tortured on stream. Until one day it goes too far for his friend Liya who intervenes during a “performance”. They are hunted by Hao’s employers. The episodes are all easy to watch, and each part is shot in one take. Imaginably none of this is easy to do on one take alone, which makes you wonder how many takes there were for each part, if that, especially while filming action amid the […]
JFF Theater HER LOVE BOILS BATHWATER Review: Love as a gear of hope
A strict and self-sacrificing mother discovers that she has only a few months left to live, which forces her to leave everything tied up before leaving this world. Ryota Nakano directs this tear-jerker drama that revolves around a broken family unit that needs to be put back together before its cornerstone disappears. A story about feelings that plays its cards very well, using all the tricks that cinema has at its disposal to move even the most unempathetic of viewers. Ultimately, the film is a quality emotional journey in which the perfect conjunction between director and actors makes the viewer feel part of this cinematic family, experiencing their pain alongside them, but also the hope that the characters convey on screen. The film is available for free with multiple subtitles in the Japanese Foundation streaming platform JFF Theater until February, 1, 2025, inside their collection: “The Twists and Turns of […]
TIMUR And IKATAN DARAH Announced For Berlin As Iko Uwais Launches Uwais Pictures
Actor Iko Uwais has been reaching some increasingly newer peaks of late. The photo above, a still from his upcoming directorial debut, Timur, is just the latest first in a pending rollout of firsts hailing the martial arts star’s new production label, Uwais Pictures. Also in toe is martial arts thriller, Ikatan Darah (or Blood Bond), directed by Sidharta Tata who previously helmed TV dramas “Pertaruhan,” and action horror “Zona Merah”. Uwais and his team made the announcement at the Uwais Pictures Press Conference Launch & Slate Announcement event at XXI Plaza Senayan on Tuesday. Both films are part of a newly announced production slate under the Uwais Pictures banner, which itself specializes in fight choreography, action design and stunts. The label is set to launch the projects for the next edition of the European Film Market in Berlin which launches February 13. Timur is an action-thriller that follows the […]
BOMB: WB Japan Teases Explosive New Thriller From Akira Nagai As Production Begins
Production is firmly underway for Bomb, a new psychological suspense thriller from director Akira Nagai (Character). Warner Bros. Japan made the announcement on Monday including a super teaser in their rollout of casting news. Actors Yuki Yamada (Godzilla Minus One), Sairi Itoh (Don’t Call It Mystery), Shota Sometani (Cells At Work), and Atsuro Watabe (Masquerade Night), will star in the film. Bomb is based on Wu Seung-ho’s award-winning novel which follows the efforts of Tokyo’s Metro Police negotiator, as he is tasked with investigating a slew of bomb threats throughout the city, and a detained drunken vagrant who says he can predict when the bombs will go off. The film additionally reunites Yamada with Shota Okada (Tokyo Revengers trilogy) who is producing the new film. Principal photography is expected to wrap in March for a 2025 release date to be announced from Warner Bros. Japan. Check out the hype teaser […]
BLOODHOUNDS: K-Pop Star Rain Joins Season Two Of The Hit Netflix Action Series
I’m as surprised as anyone that Netflix series Bloodhounds is getting a second season. I didn’t expect as much considering the story arc of the first season provided enough closure, but to see another round of action and drama well on the way is a nice little pick-me-up to start the new year. Jason Kim of Officer Black Belt fame is returning to the show, back at the helm as writer and director for a cast once again led by Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, along with the new addition of recording artist Jung Ji-hoon – a.k.a. Rain (Ninja Assassin). Studio N is producing the series along with Seven O Six, and Ghost Studio, based on Jeong Chan’s hit webtoon of the same name. Read last week’s announcement below for more, and feel free to revisit my review of the first season here. The production and cast of Bloodhounds Season […]
THE SHADOW’S EDGE: Poster Revealed As ‘Ride On’ Star And Director Reteam For New Police Thriller
The wee hours of Friday saw a new poster for The Shadow’s Edge, marked for a 2025 release to be announced and starring Jackie Chan and Tony Leung Ka-Fai. The film reteams Chan with Ride On helmer Larry Yang, as well as actor and martial artist Zac Wang who made his Western debut opposite Jaden Smith in The Karate Kid (2010). The Shadow’s Edge follows the efforts of Macau’s Judiciary Police and its Criminal Investigation Department to catch a band of criminals with the help of a tracking expert pulled out of retirement. Also starring are Ci Sha, Zhang Zi Feng, Lang Yu Ting, and Wang Zi Yi, along with recording artist, Jun, of SEVENTEEN. Check out the poster below. Hat tip to Jackie Chan expert Thorsten Boose for the details.
JADE Trailer: Martial Arts Thriller Starring Shaina West Arrives On Digital In February From Well Go USA!
Well Go USA is proudly releasing Jade, the new action thriller starring actress and martial artist Shaina West (The Woman King, Marvel’s Black Widow) and Mark Dacascos (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum). Stunt multi-hyphenate and filmmaker James Bamford (Man With No Past, The CW’s “Arrow”) directs from a script he co-wrote with screenwriters Lynn Colliar and Glenn Ennis. After her brother’s untimely and accidental death at her own hands, Jade swore she’d never pick up another gun. But when she unknowingly comes between powerful businessman “Tork” and her former gang leader in their urgent search for a valuable hard drive that could single-handedly take down Interpol, she may not have a choice. With the guidance of Reese, an old friend at Interpol, Jade must come to terms with all she’s faced in the past and present to safeguard her growing family’s future. This is a pretty big one for […]
DEATH CYCLE Fuels Up With Fresh New Key Art + Stills From Gabriel Carrer’s New Motorcycle Revenge Slasher
It’s a new year, kids. That means new film festival editions in the coming months and, undoubtedly, scores of potential audiences for Gabriel Carrer’s newest giallo-inspired motorcycle revenge slasher, Death Cycle. A new round of images is now circulating courtesy of Latefox Pictures who are now in post-production on the upcoming thriller starring Matthew Ninaber (Psycho Goreman), Justin Bott (Hyperborean), Kristen Kaster (Death Valley), James Fler (For the Sake of Vicious), Sasha Ormond (A Knights War) and Wes Hill. After the death of her sister, a woman is visited by a man looking to solve a series of murders by a motorcycle riding maniac. As their shared fear escalates, the killer’s rampage continues in the city, leaving them both questioning who the real monster is. ‘DEATH CYCLE’ revisits a mix of classic giallo themes with the modern slasher genre. Carrer directs from a script by Dave McLeod. Death Cycle hails […]
KIDNAPPING INC. Trailer: Bruno Mourral’s Award-Winning Crime Romp Comes To The U.S. In February From Dark Sky
Director Bruno Mourral’s career has been a slow brew since 2006. After finally making headway with the 2017 award-winning feature drama, Kafou, Mourral came back with a vengeance to hand festivals his latest crowdpleaser, Kidnapping Inc., garnering critical acclaim after Sundance, as well as the Gold Audience Award for Best Quebec Feature the 28th edition of Fantasia last year. As of Wednesday, Kidnapping Inc. is poised for release in the U.S. on February 7 from Dark Star Pictures. The film stars Jasmuel Andri, Rolaphton Mercure, Anabel Lopez, Ashley Laraque, Gessica Geneus, Patrick Joseph, Manfred Marcelin, and Marcus Boerean. Mourral directs from a script he wrote with Andri, and Gilbert Jr. Mirambeau, and also produces alongside Mirambeau, as well as Samuel Chauvin, Yanick Letourneau, and Gaëthan Chancy. Tasked with what appears to be a simple abduction for hire, two hapless kidnappers find out that it’s anything but and end up in […]