Reviews

GANGS OF LONDON S2: E3-E6 Review: Backstabbers And Gamechangers As War Erupts On The Streets

Following my coverage of the first two episodes of the second season of Gangs Of London, I can certainly confirm that while I await the final two episodes, the next four chapters of the season only get more grim and enticing. The show is already streaming in the UK so folks overseas and anyone who can otherwise currently access it will know what’s what, but I’ll insofar disclose as much that even more twists and dark turns are on the horizon as we follow Elliot’s quest to get out, and ultimately, Marian’s fight for survival as Georgian assassin and gunrunner Koba continues his onslaught throughout London. While more is revealed about the preceding events leading into the second season, the alleged murder of Sean Wallace – played by Joe Cole in season one, it’s only a small peak and doesn’t answer the question of just what happened and why in […]

Now Streaming: BLADE OF THE 47 RONIN, Where Martial Arts And Magic Clash In Ron Yuan’s Pulpy Modern-Day Samurai Sequel

Lee B. Golden III

It was pretty much anyone’s guess nine years ago whether or not Carl Rinsch’s Lord Of The Rings-esque take on the classic tale of the 47 Ronin was going to get a sequel of any kind, as big as the aspirations (and budget) were for Universal’s 2013 box office flop. Suffice it to say that some jaws dropped when the trades reported such a follow-up to be directed by actor Ron Yuan who had long begun racking up his film credits behind the lens and with direct-to-disc/streaming releases becoming the more suitable business model for studios looking to capitalize on residual film fandom. Thus, we have Universal’s 1440 shingle joined by Netflix in rolling out Blade Of The 47 Ronin, the second chapter which is set 300 years after the events of the first film and is set in none other than Budapest, which is where Rinsch’s installment was partly […]

DIG ME NO GRAVE: Catch The First Trailer For Ranjeet S. Marwa’s New Survival Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

The first teaser trailer arrived this week for Dig Me No Grave from director Ranjeet S. Marwa. The film rejoins the director with actor Mark Strange with whom he previously shared the set for their most recent action revenge thriller, Rupture, which arrives next year in the U.S.. The cast also lists Warren Hicks and actor James Jay Bryhan, with a script by Gary A. Piazza which is based on a true story lived through Piazza’s own uncle, Scott, once upon a time. A hunter finds himself trapped under a bear for seven days only to be rescued by a sociopath who refuses to let him go. Stylistically I like what this has to offer. Compared to Marwa’s previous heavy-handed actioner, Exiled: The Chosen Ones, this one doesn’t have as many pieces on the board and with a story that sets itself in a whole other genre. That leaves plenty […]

SHADOW MASTER Review: D.Y. Sao Is Revenge, Resurrected In Pearry Reginald Teo’s Stylish Martial Arts Action Horror

Lee B. Golden III

Director Pearry Teo is no stranger to action, while most of his resumè is largely comprised of horror films. His latest, Shadow Master, combines some of the best of both genres, plugging in his penchant for costume fanfare, religious folklore, and graphic novel allure as the all-consuming backdrop for a story brimming with darkness and violence, and topped off with high-octane martial arts action. Teo is joined by the efforts of producer Chaya Supannarat, along with executive producer Prachya Pinkaew, best known for directing several Thai action hits over the years which gave rise to stars like Tony Jaa and Jeeja Yanin. That the film was once set to shoot in Thailand at one point before pandemic restrictions became an issue resulting in the production’s move to a more stateside locale within the U.S. certainly makes Pinkaew’s involvement a little more magnanimous, especially given the talent on hand. For this, […]

THE BIG GIFT Review: Jarrod Crooks Battles A Beefy, Superpowered Santa To Save Christmas

Lee B. Golden III

Wisconsin-based Jarrod Crooks has well over fifteen years on his belt as an independent up-and-comer in acting in, as well as directing or co-directing his variety of projects in both short and long form. He’s been keeping up the habit in the last decade as well, especially with action comedies like 2014’s Dispatched and a few years later with co-helmer Gregory Kuper’s Indie Guys, which I managed to see upon Crooks reaching out to me back in 2017, and which served as an abundantly pleasing introduction to his work going forward. To that end, Crooks is now planning a December screening of his latest completed work, The Big Gift. Crooks directed the film in addition to starring from a script he wrote together with co-writer/producer Erin Antilla, this time jumping into a more holiday-themed platform for his style of action and comedy direction with an interesting revisionist take on Santa […]

THE AMBUSH Review: Pierre Morel’s Latest Blows Up The Bad Guys And Hands Its Hero A Posthumous, Powerful Send-Off

Lee B. Golden III

The Middle East continues to be a hotbed of unrest. That was especially the case in 2015 when Yemen’s recognized government fell from an Islamic extremist takeover and UAE allied forces were implemented to back the Yemeni military and help keep peace in the region among civilians. This was ultimately the backdrop of a harrowing story of courage under fire that has since been adapted for the screen for Taken, The Gunman and Peppermint helmer Pierre Morel, who departs from his more escapist fanfare for Saban Films’ latest Arabic-language release, The Ambush (Al Kameen/الكمين). Our story is set in early 2018 and introduces us to the Emirati soldiers at Mocha Base, where the men commence their daily routines. Ali (Marwan Abdulla Saleh), Bilal (Khalifa Al Jassem), and Hindasi (Mohammed Ahmed) are on a mission to investigate some activity just up the road from a remote hut, only to find themselves […]

TADFF XVI Review: In H4Z4RD, Dimitri ‘Vegas’ Thivaios Rides This Explosive, Rollicking Screen Debut Until The Wheels Fall Off

Lee B. Golden III

A blend of inspiration from the works of Stephen Spielberg, William Friedkin, Stephen King, and Mario Bava, action fans and festival goers have since gotten to take on H4Z4RD, the latest effort from Cub duo, director Jonas Govaerts and screenwriter Trent Haaga. For this, we are handed a feature debut acting performance by DJ and musician Dimitri “Vegas” Thivaios of Belgian-Greek DJ duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, for a sprawling action comedy that takes you on a crazy, explosive journey throughout Antwerp about a wheelman struggling to keep his family together following a job gone awry. Thus, H4Z4RD introduces us the story of Noah (Thiavos). He’s got a cool car, and dreams of a better life for his hot, large-hoop earring-wearing babymama Lea (Jennifer Heylen), and their beautiful mermaid-for-a-daughter, Zita (Mila Rooms). He also has a troublesome best friend named Carlos (Jeroen Perceval), fresh out of a three-year prison […]

TADFF XVI Review: DAY ZERO, Zombies Run Amuck In Brandon Vera’s Debut Showstopper

Lee B. Golden III

Filipino American former/first-ever ONE Heavyweight Champion Brandon Vera’s career turn toward acting in the last several years has made a few notable strides. Erik Matti’s Anne Curtis-starrer, BuyBust, certainly had its highs with Vera sharing the mantle and pulling more than his weight, enough to now proffer him up to action fans in a perspective turn for a lead role that now brings us his newest venture into action-horror with The Ghosting director Joey De Guzman’s latest, Day Zero. It’s been eight years since ex-soldier Emon (Vera) was arrested and incarcerated for getting into a deadly brawl. With his parole coming up, the first and only priority is to stay out of trouble, especially if it means he gets to reunite with his wife Sheryl (Mary Jean Lastimosa), and meet his hearing-impaired daughter, Jane (Freya Fury Montierro), as a free man. Despite this, however, and aside from uncouth inmates looking […]

TADFF XVI Review: MEXZOMBIES, Love And Death Beyond Borders

Lee B. Golden III

Iñaki Godoy’s career is about to get a major uptick in the coming months with the pending live-action Netflix series premiere, “One Piece.” Until then, film festival heads are humbly invited to check out the burgeoning star in one of his recent feature screen roles as he battles growing pains, young love, and the undead in director Chava Cartas’s latest, Mexzombies. Set in Mexico, it’s not long before things take a deadly twist involving a dodgy chemist, shady cartel hitmen, and two stragglers caught in the crossfire as guinea pigs for an unsolicited street drug for which they have no clue of its results. This all takes place in the hours before the day of Halloween when we meet Tavo (Iñaki Godoy), a kid from the lower middle-class streets just outside of a nearby affluent gated community which he frequents by hopping over its wall, whether to spy on the […]

GANGS OF LONDON S2: E1/E2 Review: Tragedy And Betrayal Trigger Gangland Reckoning

Lee B. Golden III

Two years since the creators of the hit series Gangs Of London brought forth the fire and tumult with an explosive and pulsating first season, they’re back with a new round of episodes that now looks to ante things up with even more compelling story progression that puts our characters to a test of their wills and gumption. It’s important to bear in mind, however, that the show’s new season two campaign is very careful in keeping things cohesive and sustained, and with folks like Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery at the drawing board, the smart play was definitely to keep the momentum going with a spectacular red-band trailer last month, with footage enticing enough to keep fans of the series hooked and curious. With the show’s UK premiere already underway, Film Combat Syndicate – based in the U.S. – can help preview the first two episodes ahead of its […]

Dwayne Johnson’s Brings The Anti-Hero To Life With Black Adam

Dwayne Johnson Brings The Anti-Hero To Life With BLACK ADAM

Joe Hallett

It has a long 10 year plus journey for Dwayne Johnson’s “Black Adam” passion project, a superhero he loved since childhood “I gravitated towards Black Adam because he was one of the very few of the superheroes, supervillains, antiheroes—however you want to categorise him—who had brown skin and looked like me. “, based on DC Comics characters created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck, produced by New Line Cinema in association with Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and distributed by Warner Bros Pictures, the film finally opened in cinemas on 21st October 2022. Was it worth the wait or did it fall short as per it’s DC Comics recent predecessors. Poster Courtesy of Warner Bros UK The opening 10 minutes provides a brief but detailed backstory to Johnson’s “Teth Adam” and the history of the fictional ancient city of Kahndaq along with the powerful crown of Sabbac, which gives it’s owner […]

A Case For Better Action Movies: The Kirbys’ ACCIDENT MAN: HITMAN’S HOLIDAY Continues To Set The Standard

Lee B. Golden III

Four years after fighting for his life on the mean London streets and away from his former life at the once-flourishing Oasis, hitman-for-hire-turned-free agent “Miguel Fallonado” – otherwise known as the titular “Accident Man” himself, Mike Fallon (Scott Adkins), has since found himself on greener pastures making ends meet in the island country of Malta. With no friend or company other than the conveniently explosive and violent mannerisms of former waitress Siu-Ling (Sarah Chang) for his regular P.M.T. needs, it isn’t long before Fallon realizes his world is about to get just a little smaller with the appearance of fellow Oasis guild member Finicky Fred (Perry Benson), ensuing an informal reunion by way of an opportune, albeit tentative business partnership that also allows Fred to find his way to a love connection he met online. Just when things are going somewhat smoothly for the duo, Fallon and Fred are black-bagged […]

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BLONDE Review: Deconstructing Norma Jean into a tale of Decadence

Mike Garcia

One of the biggest icons of the XXth century, Marilyn Monroe, has finally got her long awaited biographical film. A film that its been surrounded by big controversy and has been despised by big part of Marilyn´s fandom. This non-biopic, is an adaptation of a semi-biographical fictional novel of the same name written by Joyce Carol Oates, So the approach of the film is not by any means a celebration of the myth or legacy of Marilyn but a ruthless portrayal of Norma Jean’s decadence, centering the story in her lack of a father figure, and her eternal quest of filial love. “Blonde” is a somber and deppresing journey that never gives an insight look of who Norma Jean really was, or how she became Marilyn Monroe. At any moment we get to know the woman or the myth, but we end up trapped in a tangled web of paranoia, […]

ACCIDENT MAN: HITMAN’S HOLIDAY Review: Scott Adkins Delivers One of the Best Action Films of 2022 with Hard-Hitting Aplomb!

Harris Dang

Set after the events of the first Accident Man film, Accident Man – Hitman’s Holiday continues the story of Mike Fallon (Scott Adkins, who looks like he’s having the time of his life). After defeating the people that had betrayed him and killed his ex-girlfriend, he is in comfortable exile in Malta (the country that does NOT make Maltesers). He still does the odd hit on the side for monetary gain and has a drink at the bar every now and again. But at the end of the day, no matter how much he does not want to admit it, he is all by his lonesome. Well, except his baggage of guilt in which he tries to expiate himself of it thanks to the help of the enthusiastically angry Wong Siu-ling (an entertainingly ferocious Sarah Chang), who he hires to attack him as punishment. Things start to look up when […]

Streaming Sleepers: In Jo Ba-Reun’s SLATE, Ahn Ji-Hye Crosses Worlds To Follow Her Dreams

Lee B. Golden III

I think a lot of us who watch and consume films featuring action and sci-fi and big-scale spectacle have done so largely due to our own inspiration from many of the screen heroes we’ve looked up to from the cradle. Filmmaker Jo Ba-reun’s latest, Slate, definitely takes some cues from that concept for this story, albeit indirectly, with none other than Ahn Ji-hye in her latest screen role after Han Ka-ram’s 2019 drama, Our Body. Ahn plays Yeon Hee, a would-be action star sick of stunt double gigs and looking for a shot at the lead role for a new project about to shoot. Her’s is a drive that stems from childhood dreams of wanting to be a “heroine,” a hope that she ultimately carries with her while one day journeying onto a vacant set and stumbling into a portal, landing her in a parallel world – a version of […]

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Fantastic Fest XVII Review: DEMIGOD – THE LEGEND BEGINS a Gorgeous, Action Packed Origin Story

Edward Orndorff

Every legend has it’s beginnings, and some are more explosive than others. Packed with gorgeous, extremely animated puppetry work, effects that call to mind classic tokusatsu shows such as Super Sentai in the best ways possible, and an awesome score that heightened the feeling in each scene, DEMIGOD – The Legend Begins is a film not to miss. Set in ancient Asia, DEMIGOD is the origin story of Su Huan-Jen, a popular character from a long running Taiwanese TV show. While in the show, Huan-Jen is a powerful warrior, when we meet him at the start of DEMIGOD he is simply a humble scholar, buried in debt to a librarian. Intending to use his skills as a doctor to dig his way out of this debt, he is approached by the Lord of Globe Castle; in exchange for using his healing abilities to cure the ailing Lord, his debts will be covered and he […]

Fantastic Fest XVII Review: GIVE ME AN A, Natasha Halevi’s Hellish Assortment Of Horror And Dark Humor Sends A Message To All

Lee B. Golden III

Virginia Madsen plays coach to a team of cheerleaders who perform a jubilating screed against the patriarchy, inaugurating the brutalist, vividly gruesome, horrific and satirical multi-angular stories among the fifteen shorts told in Give Me An A, the latest feature-length call to action shepherded by writer/director Natasha Halevi. Supported in part by crowdfunding efforts over at Seed And Spark following a four week shoot, the new anthology now arises at film festivals to make its case following the Supreme Court’s leaked opinion overturning Roe V. Wade back in May and their ruling a month later. The film’s inspiration from this eventful decision is made abundantly clear in Meg Swertlow’s “The Voiceless,” the first of fifteen shortfilms from Halevi’s team of directors in which here, a woman is resigned to panic and grief when she looks in the mirror and notices her mouth has been completely sealed off. The tone shifts […]

Now On Tubi: Ranjeet Marwa’s EXILED: THE CHOSEN ONES Begs You To Be Put Out Of Your Misery

Lee B. Golden III

Making an independent action film is one thing, as the hardships and challenges that come with it tend to outweigh the more prosperous and opportune aspects there could be. Trying to accomplish this sort of task is another whole ‘nother ordeal, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic, although suffice it to say, even those projects, however which way they rate, were watchable. Director Ranjeet S. Marwa came into his feature debut, Exiled: The Chosen Ones, after years of directing smaller independent projects, of which nearly all of them are unavailable to watch anywhere as of this write-up. When he took off at the top of 2020, launching a crowdfunder for Blood Rush, a new thrilling action feature in the vein of films like Headshot and The Raid, expectations were high, even including my own. To say the least, however, enough time has passed that with Blood Rush falling […]

Fantastic Fest XVII Review: HEROES OF AFRICA: TETTEH QUARSHIE, A Thrilling, Mystical Look At A Real-Life Hero

Lee B. Golden III

Tetteh Quarshie remains a celebrated figure in Ghanian history for bringing cocoa crops to his region. The “how,” of course, was tentatively subject to scruitiny when local filmmaker Frank Fiifi Gharbin set out to adapt the late 19th century agriculturalist and blacksmith’s tale for his third feature film only to hit a legal snag with Quarshie’s family earlier this year ahead of a planned screening. That his film, Heroes Of Africa: Tetteh Quarshie, is circulating at festivals otherwise indicates that the film now checks all required boxes to satisfy the Quarshie estate, and with none other than Bernard Adusi-Poku starring in the title role from a script also by Gharbin. Our story sees Quarshie endowed with an enchanted amulet by a forest deity, which she says will protect him from harm until his very last breath. Later that day, Quarshie met with weasley friend Ofui (Kwadwo Nkansah), expressing that he […]

Fantastic Fest XVII Review: HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS, A Love Story Wrapped In A Jubilee Of Zany, Cinematic Indie Wonder

Lee B. Golden III

October 3, 2022: Film duo Ryland Brickson Cole Tews and Mike Cheslik have already made strides in recent years with the harrowing 2018 adventure comedy Lake Michigan Monster, and judging by the looks of their latest endeavor, they’re clearly sticking to what works. For this, we turn to their dialogue-free Hundreds Of Beavers, marking Cheslik’s feature debut with Tews in a starring capacity for a rousing contemporary approach to a classic style of cinema, blending a little bit of everything you could enjoy while rooting for the underdog. Our pointman, in this case, is a happy-go-lucky 19th century drunkard and applejack owner named Jean Kayak (Tews), who finds himself out on his ass one day when he realizes his business has been destroyed. He’s forced to survive in the bitter and harsh elements of the wintery wilderness while struggling to keep warm against tempermental wind and trying to find ways […]