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Streaming Sleepers: The RED PEONY GAMBLER Trilogy From Film Movement Classics Is A Sure Win

I’m really fond of where my interest in film has taken me since I started this journey. I credit festivals for helping me open my eyes a little more, and now I can’t get enough of seeing classic kung fu, crime, and action out of boutiques like Arrow Video and even Film Movement which has been brimming its library up these days with throwbacks out of Japan. Their latest addition comes by way of a franchise out of Toei, among which a trio is now available for streaming via digital and on-demand as the Red Peony Gambler trilogy. Actress Junko Fuji headlines the saga alongside a bevy of Toei’s talent roster – several with whom the actress shares a number of screen credits throughout her career, including Ken Takakura, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Bin Amatsu and others. Kosaku Yamashita directs the 1968 first installment of these “ninkyo eiga” titles from a script […]

Streaming Sleepers: THE BIG GIFT Rewards You With Holiday-Filled Comedy Beat ‘Em Up Thrills

Lee B. Golden III

The holidays are just around the corner, folks! Alas, a shorthand push is ordered here for Jarrod Crook’s latest action comedy, The Big Gift. The film landed on Prime for a while and only recently made its debut via free ad-supported streaming service, Tubi. An unemployed father must do whatever he can to ensure his son receives the gift he wants for Christmas, even if it means battling it out with Santa. Crooks directed from a script he co-wrote with co-star Erin Antilla. I was allowed a screener at one point a few years ago and my subsequent review thusly reads in part with the following: Light-hearted, warm, and with a solemn, introspective message that doesn’t get lost on the viewer amidst the spectacle, The Big Gift marks another return to form for Crooks who deserves more ceremony and coverage than he gets. With The Big Gift, Crooks gets a […]

BLACK DOVES: Kiera Knightly Spies A Vengeful Eye In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Director Alex Gabassi’s new spy thriller episodic, Black Doves, has an official trailer and poster this week which you can check out below. Written and created by Joe Barton for Netflix, the series stars Kiera Knightley, Ben Wishaw, and Sarah Lancashire. Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, BLACK DOVES is a sharp, action-filled and heartfelt story of friendship and sacrifice. It follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a quick-witted, down to earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy. For 10 years, she’s been passing on her politician husband’s secrets to the shadowy organisation she works for: the Black Doves. When her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire), calls in Helen’s old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep her safe. Together, Helen and Sam set off on a mission to investigate who killed Jason and why, leading them to uncover […]

A Case For Better Action Movies: Timo Tjahjanto’s THE SHADOW STRAYS Casts A Bright Future For Its Director

Lee B. Golden III

I may be of the minority when I say I wish that Timo Tjahjanto‘s latest October Netflix launch, The Shadow Strays, instead released in December as did his previous streaming banger, The Big 4 in 2022. This way, at least The Shadow Strays would feel like a proper Christmas action thriller, and not for nothing either considering the film starts in a snow-driven Yakuza safehouse where a boss with a godcomplex awaits his otherwise imminent demise. The opening action scene alone may well be worth its own whole article, at that, while the film’s current run on Netflix as of last week is now the talk of any and all in the fandom, most notably fans of Tjahjanto who’ve followed the director’s Mo’ Brothers era with a stake in the horror genre that’s conjoined him with the dialogue of Asian film and action cinema fans in the years since Indonesian […]

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Streaming Sleepers: Prime Video Makes Known Cinder Chou’s ARTIST UNKNOWN!

Lee B. Golden III

Somewhere in New York City is someone (me) taken completely aback by the out-of-the-blue arrival of indie romantic action comedy, Artist Unknown, on Amazon Prime Video. Indeed Film Combat Syndicate was one of the lucky ones to get a chance and screen it outside from its festival circuitry and you can believe it’s a hearty, poignant little debut from an up-and-coming filmmaker with her first foray in the chair after years of climbing the entertainment ladder and wearing multiple hats on different productions. That’s the multi-faceted Chou for you, who directs from her own script a cast led by Kerry Lacy, Sam Jaikaran, and Sonia Mena, for the story of a struggling assistant MMA coach whose spur-of-the-moment purchase of a thrift store painting unravels a mystery far greater beyond the stroke of a brush when a chance romance ensues thereafter. The film is also just one of a few projects […]

Streaming Sleepers: Bren Foster’s LIFE AFTER FIGHTING Fights On Via Tubi!

Lee B. Golden III

I can say with full certainty that actor and filmmaker Bren Foster’s new movie, Life After Fighting, is one of this year’s best watches among the martial arts fandom. And, plenty would agree. The film opened in the U.S. on digital over the summer and enjoyed festive screenings for select audiences in the U.S. as well as locally in Australia where Foster is based. The action-packed drama sets off when an ex-champion-turned-teacher is forced to confront a chilling revelation in his neighborhood when two of his students go missing. The story intensifies well into the second half when our hero finds himself confronting the odds, turning his school into ground zero for the ultimate battle against a small army of child traffickers. Crucial to its success, in my view at least, is the heightened drama that sets in when the stakes are raised. The tangible subject matter is easily something […]

LIKE A DRAGON: YAKUZA Unleashes The Beast In The Official Series Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

The official trailer is now live for Amazon’s Prime Video Japan series adaptation of hit SEGA game franchise, Like A Dragon: Yakuza. The six-part gangland episodic will stream the first three episodes on October 24. Released in 2005 by SEGA, the ‘Yakuza’ game series was positioned as an entertaining game for adults, which found massive fanfare amongst its target audience. The series depicts the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people living in a huge entertainment district, Kamurochō, a fictional district modeled after the violent Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō, that acts as the backdrop of the gameplay. Like a Dragon: Yakuza showcases modern Japan and the dramatic stories of these intense characters, such as the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, that games in the past have not been able to explore. Like A Dragon: Yakuza stars Ryoma Takeuchi (Love You As The World Ends franchise) and Kento Kaku (From Today, It’s My […]

TEACUP: A Storm Brews In The Official Horror Series Trailer For Peacock

Lee B. Golden III

Attendees at the 19th edition of Fantastic Fest got a taste of things to come from upcoming horror thriller series, Teacup. The new Peacock episodic now has an official trailer and key art which you can view below. From modern-day master of horror and the mind behind The Conjuring and Insidious, James Wan’s Atomic Monster produces the series with UCP, joined by first-time showrunner Ian McCulloch (Yellowstone). TEACUP stars Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale), Scott Speedman (Grey’s Anatomy), and Chaske Spencer (The English) and follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive. Teacup also stars Boris McGiver, and Emmy winning actress Kathy Baker, and will stream the first two episodes exclusively on Peacock on Oct 10, with two episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays until Halloween, October 31. Watch the new trailer:

Streaming Sleepers: Killers And Killer Gimmicks Run Amuck In Chris Huo’s THE COMEBACK

Lee B. Golden III

The Comeback is currently streaming on Hi-YAH!, and is available on Digital from Well Go USA. Mainland action titles tend to fall by the wayside for me. This is mainly because I don’t have an iQIYI account like some of my mutuals do, and so I rely on the good will and economic viability of a streamer like Hi-YAH! to obtain these kinds of titles for their output to the niche Asian film crowd which I’m a part of. Alas, we get The Comeback, which marks the most recent reteaming of director Chris Huo and his Blind War star Andy On, who takes a seat here as antagonist to lead thespian Simon Yam. The streamer’s logline would have you thinking differently as it cites Yam’s role as Mr. Hua, a revered antique dealer in a small village who helps fight back against a violent gang trying to seize the properties. […]

BABY ASSASSINS EVERYDAY!: Catch The First English-Subbed Episode Via TV Tokyo On YouTube!

Lee B. Golden III

The official TV Tokyo YouTube channel has begun premiering Baby Assassins Everyday!, the new series exponent of the hit film franchise from acclaimed director Yugo Sakamoto. The show returns Akari Takaishi and Saori Izawa in the lead roles of two young adults in their daily travails to sustain a living for themselves in today’s economy while working for a clandestine guild of assassins. The first episode also features actor Takuya Kusakawa in a key role for the story as it reveals the inner workings of the guild, while the show will also introduce members of Chisato’s family, and further inclinations that things will change in the fabric of the otherwise tight bond between both lethal ladies. The series also includes franchise regulars Tsubasa Tobinaga, Atomu Mizuishi, and Tomo Nakao, along with Tokio Emoto and Hirotaro Honda more to come. The show’s arrival comes following an ongoing campaign for the third […]

Streaming Sleepers: In TERMINATOR ZERO, An Essential Reboot For A Franchise That Desperately Needed One

Lee B. Golden III

Stream Terminator Zero on Netflix. Forty years since the Terminator universe took off, the franchise saw some of the highest highs and equally low points. It became a multimedia marvel and entertainment staple within the first two films, followed by four more encompassing the universe in which heroes find themselves battling an oncoming robot/cyborg invasion on both sides of an apocalypse. The latter several are hit or miss depending on where you get your sci-fi takes, although I think it’s fair to conclude failed to live up to the property’s grand potential. If that were the case, the John Connor saga wouldn’t have faltered as it did, and the legacy star power added to the last live-action effort from director Tim Miller might have borne fruit. Perhaps its even more adequate to assert that if the creators on hand were more open instead of purblind to just condensing the story […]

Watch Akari Takaishi And Saori Izawa Take Over A Gun Range To Promote BABY ASSASSINS EVERYDAY!

Lee B. Golden III

If more Baby Assassins is what you want, then we’re bound to get it at some point. For now, regional residents in the market for TV Tokyo content will be the ones getting first dibs at Baby Assassins Everyday, the new 12-part spin-off series of the whipsmart action comedy film franchise that launched in 2021, announced back in May. Whether or not the series takes place before or after the upcoming Baby Assassins: Nice Days remains to be seen. What we do know is that the show will explore the inner-workings of the guild for which our two lead characters work as they struggle to thrive between jobs as hitwomen, and coming-of-age adults in a crummy job market. Lead actresses Akari Takaishi and Saori Izawa are in the show along with a few other faces from the franchise thusfar, while new editions also include Takuya Kusakawa, Tokio Emoto, and Hirotaro […]

Nathalie Emmanuel and Omar Sy in "The Killer" (2024) - Image via Christine Tamalet For Universal Pictures

Streaming Sleepers: In THE KILLER, John Woo’s Revival Delivers With An Acquired Taste

Lee B. Golden III

3 min. read John Woo’s latest iteration of The Killer is now streaming on Peacock. The film is Woo’s own reimagining of his 1989 Hong Kong action classic with Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee and Sally Yeh. I haven’t seen the OG film in ages to draw a comparison for this write-up, but I’m still drawn to speak on its behalf given some of the hate its gotten. Indeed, the film isn’t meant for everyone, like with most films of its kind, but there’s no question that Woo draws from his own strengths to dish out a fascinating take with a lead in Nathalie Emmanuel, who proves through and through here that she can take a lead action role to task. Emmanuel is a covert hitwoman named Zee, who works for shadowy handler Finn, played by Sam Worthington. When she’s assigned to take out a target, innocent bystander and songstress Jenn […]

Promo art for "Paris Has Fallen" from Studiocanal

PARIS HAS FALLEN: Studiocanal Debuts Poster For New Action Series Based On Hit Film Franchise

Lee B. Golden III

Studiocanal is proudly unveiling the first official key art for Paris Has Fallen, taking its cues from the Gerard Butler-led Has Fallen film franchise and now headed for the small screen. The eight-part hourlong series drama hails from Butler’s G-Base production banner along with Millenium Films and Urban Myth Films. When a terrorist group led by the villainous Jacob Pearce attacks a high-profile event, with the French Minister of Defence as their target, protection officer Vincent Taleb finds himself working with street-smart MI6 operative Zara Taylor to save the day. But when events take a dark turn, Vincent and Zara soon realize that the plan extends beyond just one politician. When they suspect that one of their colleagues in the security services is feeding information to Jacob, Vincent and Zara find themselves needing to rely only on each other. Increasingly isolated and with Jacob always one step ahead, can this unlikely pair […]

THE QUEEN OF VILLAINS Teaser Reveals Yuriyan Retriever’s Anti-Heroic Rise To The Throne!

Lee B. Golden III

The Queen of Villains unveils the untold story of Dump Matsumoto, a professional wrestler who ignited a boom in women’s wrestling in the 1980s with her cult-like following. Unlike the iconic “Crush Gals” duo, Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka, Matsumoto made her mark as the most famous heel. Dominating television screens, they became a cultural phenomenon, captivating Japan. That’s the wind up and the pitch that now comes in hand with the first teaser for period wrestling series drama, The Queen Of Villains. The five-part series is supervized by Kazuya Shiraishi from a script Junya Ikegami, and Osamu Suzuki who also developed and produced the series. Shiraishi directed the first three episodes with the latter two from director Katsuhito Mogi. The Queen of Villains stars Yuriyan Retriever, Erika Karata, Ayame Goriki, Ebi-chan (of comedy duo Marie Marie), Kyoka Sumida, Elina Mizuno, Ryoka Neya, Eri Kamataki, Urara Aryu, Momoko Hori, Sayaka […]

THE TYRANT Trailer: Park Hoon-Jung’s New Miniseries Streams On Hulu Tomorrow!

Lee B. Golden III

What I really want is a third installment of The Witch from director Park Hoon-jung. As much I enjoy his work however, I’ll take what I can get, and that includes his latest four-part action thriller series, The Tyrant. When U.S. intelligence learns that the South Korean government is working on a deadly new virus under a secretive program, they demand that all research be halted immediately and that samples be turned over. However, the team is attacked and the sample is stolen by a professional killer. With everything at stake, a U.S. agent tries to retrieve the deadly sample and what ensues is a breathtaking action-packed battle between intelligence services and unknown parties. The Tyrant stars Jo Yoon-su, Cha Seung-won, Kim Seon-ho, and Kim Kang-woo. All four parts will stream simultaneously on Disney+ Korea and stateside on Hulu beginning Wednesday.

Film Movement Plus Launches Classic Trio Celebrating Hideo Gosha

Lee B. Golden III

Friday saw the launch of a trio of Hideo Gosha classics over at Film Movement+ with Samurai Wolf, Samurai Wolf 2: Hell Cut, and yakuza thriller Violent Streets. All three titles were restored in 2K and previously screened for select theatrical audiences, and are now available for streaming. One of the best-kept secrets of Japanese genre filmmaking in the 1960s and ’70s, Gosha began his studio career in 1964 and quickly emerged as a peerless specialist in chambara (samurai) films. A few years later, a contemporary twist on the chambara formula appeared in the form of the yakuza film, and Gosha proved equally adept with modern dress action. Whether the weapons of choice were swords or snub-nose revolvers, few could match Gosha at his best for economic storytelling and sheer velocity—and these are three of his very best. Film Movement is taking the mantle on the films’ launches as of […]

DUNE: PROPHECY Second Teaser Revealed Expanding On The Hit Sci-Fi Franchise For Max

Lee B. Golden III

Denis Villeneuve has been a godsend with his revival of Frank Herbert’s Dune for the big screen. I’m eagerly awaiting his third entry which was announced back in April, while fans of the reboot can now take a gander at another offering in the cinematic universe now heading to streaming platform Max with six-part drama, Dune: Prophecy, based on the 2012 follow-up novel to Herbert’s literary IP. From the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, DUNE: PROPHECY follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit. DUNE: PROPHECY is inspired by the novel SISTERHOOD OF DUNE, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. The full cast includes Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie […]

Streaming Sleepers: Kill Time With BABY ASSASSINS 2 Over At Hi-YAH!

Lee B. Golden III

The arrival of Baby Assassins 2 to the Hi-YAH! streamer couldn’t have come at a better time. With a spin-off series drama in the works and a third film already making the festival rounds, the Yugo Sakamoto-directed franchise remains one of the most popular of its kind with its energizing lead cast, quirky and off-beat humor, and stellar action that crackles with each gun battle and hand-to-hand fight scene. Well Go USA is the North American home to the franchise thusfar having already released the first two films on home media, as well as its adjacent streamer. The second film returns Akari Takaishi and Saori Izawa in the respective roles of Chisato and Mahiro, two coming-of-age guilded members of an assassin organization still struggling to live life responsibly while intercepting two rival assassins from another company, played by Tatsuomi Hamada and Joey Iwanaga. Read my review for the film by […]

Streaming Sleepers: All Five RUROUNI KENSHIN Films Are Now Streaming On Netflix

Lee B. Golden III

Today is July 4. It is also the start of Independence Day weekend in the U.S., and, it is also high time I posted a Streaming Sleepers piece which I haven’t done in a while, and for this, we turn to Netflix in its recent release of the Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. The streamer was already home to the first installment, 2012’s Rurouni Kenshin which stars Takeru Satoh in the lead. Subscribers also got to check out 2021’s Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, and now the streamer is home to all five movies. Set against the backdrop of 1870s Japan, Satoh heads franchise as Himura Kenshin, a wandering samurai whose fearsome reputation re-surfaces amid a spate of killings. Banding together with newfound friends and allies, and armed with a pacifist sense that emboldens his use of a reverse blade, our […]