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Fantastic Fest XVIII: Full Line-Up Includes Studio Selects, Genre Delights, Fantasy, Action, Horror And Docs to Exicite This Year’s Audience

I just spent the last ten minutes feeling restless as all hell after getting a quick glimpse of the line-up for this year’s edition of Fantastic Fest. I’m looking at listings for the new martial arts drama 100 Yards, South Korean delights like Cobweb, Concrete Utopia, and the spriteful Killing Romance which also opened this summer for NYAFF, Yudai Yamaguchi’s One Perecenter and the long-awaited Baby Assassins 2 which just screened in Montreal, RKSS’s We Are Zombies, Jamie Childs’ Jackdaw which first took off earlier this year at EFM, Thomas Negovan’s latest presentation of 1980’s Caligula, Soviet-Era action comedy The Invisible Fight which was just picked up by LevelK for world sales out of Locarno, Macon Blair’s Toxic Avenger and Richard Somes’ Triggered (Topakk) which will also have its day in the UK for the 24th edition of FrightFest this month… And these are just some of the selections worth […]

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Pigeon Shrine FrightFest UK: SUITABLE FLESH, TRIGGERED (TOPAKK), FARANG And More Announced In The Full Line-Up

The next edition of Pigeon Shrine FrightFest 2023 hit the ground running on Tuesday announcing its full line-up of titles screening for its UK venues beginning August 24. Guest line-up and shortfilm schedules are in tow as well, while passes and single tickets are currently on sale for anyone looking to attend. The line-up itself starts with Suitable Flesh, the latest from Everly and Point Blank helmer Joe Lynch, and continues with a list of stirring selections like Enter The Clones Of Bruce Lee, Onur Tukel’s Poundcake, Jenn Wexler’s The Sacrifice Game, Erik Bloomquist slasher Founders Day which is also getting its Popcorn Frights premiere this Friday, Richard Somes’ Pinoy gory wartorn action thriller Triggered (Topakk), and Xavier Gens’ latest martial arts-fueled Farang (a.k.a. Mayhem!) which just landed IFC Films for its U.S. release after premiering for Fantasia earlier this month. There’s more included in the announcement. Read on for […]

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FIGHTER Flies Online With A New Motion Poster For Siddharth Anand’s Indian Air Force Actioner

Viacom18 Studios and Marflix have announced Fighter, a new Indian air force military action adventure rejoining Bang Bang! and War duo, actor Hrithik Roshan and director Siddharth Anand. The first official motion poster teaser is now running online with production signaling a January 25 release next year on the eve of India’s 75th Republic Day. Shamsher Pathania, an aspiring young man, fulfills his lifelong dream of joining the Indian Air Force. As he faces rigorous personal challenges, Shamsher must rise above his own limitations to be a true hero of the Indian Armed Forces. Fighter also reunites Anand with Pathaan leading lady Deepika Padukone who will next be seen in the Shah Rukh Khan-led Jawan and in the Hindi/Telugu Prahbas starrer, Kalki 2898 A.D., and also stars Anil Kapoor whose next appearance will be later this year in Animal starring Ranbir Kapoor. Anand has been making a killing in the […]

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Fantasia XXVII: THE ROUNDUP, HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS, More Announced Among Audience Award Winners

The 27th edition of Fantasia Festival has come to a close and the audience awards have been announced as of Monday. I didn’t get to screen and cover as many films as I wanted to this year so I’m walking away a little disappointed, but I’m particularly pleased to see some of these selections getting their deserved reception, namely Mike Cheslik’s Hundreds Of Beavers and Don Lee actioner The Roundup: No Way Out, the latter which I haven’t seen yet and hope to rectify at some point in the not-too-distant future. Reviews are catalogued here for this year’s edition if you’re interested in the write-ups. As for all else, read on for the winners and keep an eye open for forthcoming date annoucements on Fantasia XXVIII! August 15, 2023 – The Fantasia International Film Festival wrapped its successful 27th edition last week on August 9th. In addition to the previously […]

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BIG BAD 2023: NINJA 2, UNDISPUTED 3 Announced As Scott Adkins Double Feature For First Edition

The Big Bad Film Fest action movie festival has announced the two titles heading up the Scott Adkins Double Feature for its first edition in Los Angeles later this month with Ninja 2: Shadow Of A Tear (2013), and Undisputed 3: Redemption (2010). Both selections will screen for festival attendees on Sunday, August 27 at 2pm at the Look Dine-In Cinema Glendale. The pair are directed by action auteur Isaac Florentine whose works have contributed impeccably to Adkins’ meteoric rise to action cinema stardom in the twenty years that followed their first pairing on 2003 military actioner, Special Forces for Millemium Films. Adkins’s debut as Uri Boyka in Florentine’s Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006) paved the way for a new screen figure to fuel martial arts action fan-service, ensuing its third chapter in 2009. After redeeming himself from his previous defeat to George “Iceman” Chambers, Boyka and fellow in-mate […]

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Michael Worth’s HOUSE OF FANGS Invites Eastern And Western Martial Arts Screen Legends For New Campaign At IndieGoGo

Actor and filmmaker Michael Worth (Killing Cupid) is aiming to reunite a bevy of kung fu cinema laureates with his latest effort, House Of Fangs. The film is billed as a dark action comedy tooled as a modern action tale that harkens back to the style and sensibilities conveyed in beloved martial arts titles from banners like Golden Harvest, Shaw Brothers and Seasonal Film Corporation. Here to ante things up even further to anchor the promise of a true throwback piece is a list of casting potentials that includes Angela Mao Ying (Enter The Dragon), Dragon Lee (The Clones of Bruce Lee), Bruce Le (Enter The Game of Death), Chiu Chi Ling (Duel of the 7 Tigers), Bruce Li (Bruce Lee The Man, The Myth), Don Wang Tao (The Hot, The Cool and The Vicious) and Bruce Leung (Kung Fu Hustle). Rounding out the casting hopefuls are Michael Dudikoff (American Ninja […]

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100 YARDS: Check Out The Official Festival Trailer For The New Martial Arts Drama Coming To Toronto

Martial arts period drama 100 Yards has been acquired by Well Go USA. The film will release in 2024 following its festival run, which includes an upcoming centerpiece premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this fall. 100 Yards previously screened in Shanghai back in June. Set in 1920s Tianjin, northern China, the film stars Jacky Heung and Andy On, and tells of the son of a martial arts master and his most talented apprentice, and their fight to take over a prominent martial arts academy. As the story goes, rather than obey the rule of settling disputes behind closed doors, they take their fight to the street. Also starring are Bea Hayden Kuo, Tang Shiyi and Li Yuan, and also marks a reunion with martial arts choreographer Duncan Leung and The Grandmaster co-writer Xu Haofeng, who co-directs the new period martial arts flick with Xu Junfeng. “100 Yards masterfully […]

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WARRIOR – Season 3, Episode 9 – “The Harsh Reality of Who We Are”

When episode 8 ended, Lai infiltrated Strickland’s household. After dispatching Strickland’s guard Shaw, Lai faces off with the man himself in a swordfight. The aftermath has Nellie bringing the defeated Lai back to Ah Toy. Broken and fueled with rage, Nellie stands by Ah Toy, preparing to face off with Strickland themselves. Ah Sahm sees Yan Mi in private, showing her the new counterfeit bills that Young Jun’s men made. Fearful, he urges her to leave San Francisco which she pleads with him to follow. Young Jun learns that Father Jun’s condition is getting worse. The two have their words together as Father Jun urges Young Jun do what’s right, sharing their last moment as father and son. Leary learns about Strickland’s working practices, discovering that their deal is no longer valid. In retaliation, Leary has the Donahues destroy Strickland’s tracks. Strickland responds by having men fight Leary. With Atwood […]

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FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE Gets An Uncut 30th Anniversary 4K Redux In U.S. Cinemas In September

Film Movement Classics is proudly commemorating Chen Kaige’s high-acclaimed fifth film, Farewell My Concubine, with a debut theatrical release in the U.S. next month. The release will comprise a 4K restoration of the 1993 film, complete with the original and and uncut version featuring late cinema legend Leslie Cheung, beginning with screenings at New York’s Film Forum on September 22, with additional markets to follow. Read the announcement onward and do catch the newest trailer as well! One of the most important motion pictures ever made, FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE is a film of undeniable cultural and social relevance. An innovative, modern production set amidst the deep-seated traditions and vivid tapestry of the Peking Opera, it was selected as one of the “100 Best Films in Global History” by Time magazine and remains the only Chinese-language film to ever win the Palme d’Or. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Film Movement Classics […]

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DEVILS: Cineverse Takes South Korean Crime Thriller For Screambox Release

The 27th edition of Fantasia wraps this week, and that includes the announcement of acquisition news for some select titles. Kim Jae-hoon’s psychological thriller Devils is no different as the flick is now poised for a U.S. run following its pickup by Cineverse last week, according to Deadline’s Liz Shackleton. You’re gonna get a kick out of this one. The film stars Oh Dae-hwan and Jang Dong-yoon in the story of a Seoul Major Crimes unit whose mission to catch a band of serial killers initiates a shocking turn of events, unraveling a tale of body-swap mystery and gruesome intrigue. The movie will launch this Fall on Screambox, which is powered by Bloody Disgusting. Brad Miska, Managing Director of Bloody Disgusting/Cineverse, said: “Screambox fans are going to go nuts for Kim Jae-hoon’s psychological thriller. The film’s suspense and psychological intensity are reminiscent of the classic thriller Face/Off infused with a […]

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NIGHT OF THE CAREGIVER: ITN Takes New Supernatural Thriller For August Release

ITN is proudly releasing director Joe Cornet’s new horror thriller, Night Of The Caregiver. Opening in North America on August 15, the film also joins Cornet with a cast headed by Eileen Dietz (The Exorcist), Natalie Denise Sperl (Mank), and Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight). Hospice nurse Julia Rowe is hired to be caregiver for Lillian Gresham, who lives in an isolated house in a remote area. Although she is terminally ill, the elderly Lillian is a cordial and sweet lady. However, as the night goes on, Julia suspects something demonic is also dwelling in the house causing she and Lillian to be in grave danger… The film also rejoins Cornet with Alexander Nevsky (Gunfight At Rio Bravo, Taken From Rio Bravo) who produced the pic via his company, Hollywood Storm. Cornet exec produced alongside Eric Brenner and Douglas “Fini” Finical with a score Sean Murray, and screenplay by Craig […]

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CYBER FIGHTER IndieGoGo: Jack Into William Joseph Hill’s New Proof-Of-Concept Martial Arts Action Comedy Sci-Fi Campaign

It’s been close to ten years since I’ve mentioned actor and martial artist William Joseph Hill’s name on this site. Not that he hasn’t been busy – quite the opposite, with other film projects and even getting a book published at one point. That brings us to Hill’s newest effort with Cyber Fighter, a shortfilm adaptation of his 2019 novel. Hill’s Indiegogo campaign is now up and running following completion of virtually half the film, with hopes of bolstering his proof-of-concept with enough momentum before audiences and market banners to get a feature film going in the not too distant future. Chronically underemployed and klutzy un-athletic videogame designer Brian Baldwin takes a temp job at major defense contractor Kirkman Enterprises, where he meets software programmer Humbert Cloogey who convinces him to volunteer to be the test subject for Cyber Fighter: A revolutionary new training program for military recruits.  As part […]

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WARRIOR – Season 3, Episode 8 – “Weddings are not for Everyone”

Weddings have different customs and traditions. In Chinese traditions, there is the tea ceremony and games are played for the groom to see the bride. These games range from the groom singing in humiliation, paying everyone with money and doing a ridiculous dance. Having your groomsmen beat you up with bo staffs and your best man fight you is something I’ve not heard of. The episode is written by Wang Chao himself: Hoon Lee and features no cold open. The Hop Wei, Ah Toy, and Chao attend Mai Ling and Li Yong’s wedding while Buckley is officially sworn in as mayor. The Long Zii elders speak with Li Yong to keep an eye out on Mai Ling, making him question what actually happened to Long Zii himself. Leary plans to get the Donahues out of jail but cannot avoid being arrested, the person he turns to is O’Hara. O’Hara goes […]

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French Actioner MAYHEM! Goes To IFC Films For U.S. Release In 2024

Just ahead of its upcoming premiere at Fantasia in Montreal, Xavier Gens’ Mayhem! is on deck to release in 2024 from IFC Films. The film stars Nassim Lyes along with Olivier Gourmet, Loryn Nounay, Vithaya Pansringarm and Sahajak Boonthanakit, from a script by Magali Rossitto, Guillaume Lemans and Gens. Here are the programming notes via the fest’s Matthew Kiernan: Sam (Nassim Lyes) is a man without freedom. With a few months left on his prison sentence, the amateur boxer enters a work furlough program that allows him to taste the freedom to come. But that freedom proves elusive and a tragic event forces Sam to flee to Thailand, where years later he believes he’s found it with a loving wife (Loryn Nounay) and daughter. They hope to build a new life on a beachfront property, but ruthless local gangster Narong (Olivier Gourmet) stands in their way. In order to obtain […]

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3 DAYS IN MALAY: Don’t Miss The Official Trailer For Louis Mandylor’s New War Thriller

Saban Films is poised to release 3 Days In Malay, a new war thriller from actor and director Louis Mandylor and screenwriter Brandon Slagle. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Quentin “Rampage” Jackson also star in the film for its select theatrical, on-Demand and digital release beginning August 11. Inspired by a true story, Marines stationed at an airfield in Malay during WWII get wind of a coming raid by the Japanese. Unable to get reinforcements approved, they engage in a harrowing  3-day battle against enemy forces. Starring Louis Mandylor, Cowboy Cerrone and Quinton Rampage Jackson.

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Japan Cuts XVI Review: In THE THREE SISTERS OF TENMASOU INN, Life Goes On, Even In The Hereafter

The early 2000s turned out to be a prosperous time for me when it came to my absorption of Asian films and niche DVD releases. Filmmaker Ryuhei Kitamura landed on my radar as one of several auteurs leading the charge, sending audiences off with early zombie gangster sci-fi and jidaigeki hits like Versus, Alive, Aragami and Azumi, and ultimately getting to prove to fans that he was readily capable of delivering more solemn and pensive characters and stories on screen. Kitamura’s work shepherding Tsutomu Takahashi’s “Sky High” manga for television and the big screen became exemplary of this, and I’ve always held onto the 2003 adaptation as a favorite that Kitamura might one day return to. That this is what precisely happened as of late last year was something I didn’t expect, and for reasons obvious to those in the know as I wasn’t online as much as I wanted […]

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Trailer: Animated Adventure WARRIOR KING Arrives In Theaters This Month From Cineverse

Cineverse is proudly releasing animated adventure Warrior King in theaters on August 25. Lu Qi directed the pic written by Lu Wunan & Wang Yunsheng. This Chinese animated epic fantasy is based on the true story of King Gesar. born to a divine lineage and destined to become a great hero and ruler. As a young man, the future king grew up exiled in a realm overrun by menacing demons and monsters. When evil forces threaten his home, he embarks on a heroic journey to save his people and fulfill his destiny as a legendary leader. The story of Gesar is considered one of Central Asia’s literary classics and was passed down in oral tradition for some 1,000 years, as well as literary, poetic and stage play versions. Its Tibetan iteration may now be the most prominent, It is certainly one of the longest, running to over 100 volumes and […]

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Silent Comedy Adventure HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS Lands At Raven Banner For International Sales

Mike Cheslik’s feature debut, Hundreds Of Beavers, has landed at Raven Banner for international sales. The film has been running the festival circuit for nearly a year since its world premiere last year at Fantastic Fest, and just picked up another festive screening at Fantasia Festival in Montreal. Featuring action and stunt sequences by Jon Truei, Hundreds Of Beavers reteams Cheslik with Ryland Brickson Cole Tews who stars in the snow-driven silent adventure as Jean Kayak, a happy-go-lucky 19th century drunkard whose applejack business is destroyed by an intrusive beaver population, forcing him to survive the bitter wilderness with the occasional merchant trade. When the local merchant learns that his newest customer has eyes for his daughter, the disapproving merchant instead challenges Kayak to become North America’s greatest fur trapper in order to gain his blessing. Tews also penned the script with Cheslik, marking their latest reunion following Tews’ 2018 […]

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Japan Cuts XVI Review: In Kaz I Kiriya’s FROM THE END OF THE WORLD, Mankind Stands Trial Once Again In The Face Of Oblivion

Nearly twenty years after breaking onto the scene with Casshern, filmmaker Kaz I Kiriya only has a small handful of films on his resumè. His 2015 film, Last Knights, didn’t fare as well compared to his debut, or even his 2009 release, Goemon, which I didn’t think should have led to such a large career gap between then and now. Kiriya had another project in the works back in 2019 as well with an adaptation of Tendo Arata’s “The Mourner,” which never came to pass, and as it stands, might not ever if its chosen casting remains or talk of Kiriya’s exit from directing are true. If you’re looking to catch up on any of Kiriya’s work, Goemon is unceremoniously available for only half its duration on Funimation’s streaming app and so frankly I don’t blame anyone for taking the wheel to find other legitimate measures of seeing the film […]

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NYAFF XXII Review: Anastasia Tsang’s A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT, A Figurative And Fond Hands-On Love Story

I grew up with a number of hobbies and passions. Between drawing, music and even acting, I was certain I was going to take up one of these. Don’t ask me how I got here instead or we’ll be here until the bar closes… Indeed though, if you’ve ever taken up the arts or any kind of artisan work, chances are you can identify with films that hinge on craftsmanship as a crucial element to drive a story forward. The emotional journey a character goes through to maintain what feels in large part like a dying art is certainly what takes shape when looking at Anastasia Tsang’s feature directing debut, A Light Never Goes Out. Grief and loss are added to the mix in Tsang’s freshman feature, taking centerstage as Mei-hsiang (Sylvia Chang) is still struggling to cope with the untimely passing of her husband, Bill (Simon Yam), six weeks […]

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