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Daniel Lee’s THE CLIMBERS Lands A February Blu-Ray/Digital Release From Well Go USA

Invariably one of the most fun screenings I had last year was director Daniel Lee’s The Climbers, a compelling and epic survival drama with Wu Jing and Zhang Ziyi. It’s a film that this website is especially proud to have reviewed with respect to now sharing the frontal artwork for its home release in a quote from our review in September. Here’s a longer excerpt from that piece: Lee’s take on the historic journey of The Climbers is beholden to the usual array of interpersonal relationships to cohese to drama and enhance the imminent danger our protagonists face. Wu’s Fang proves to be the most physically apt and capable through as he performs impressive feats of climbing, course running and stunts – from what would have been one of the most endearing on-screen marriage proposals, to pulling grand-scale feats of life-and-death manuevers akin to those seen in movies like Cliffhanger […]

MORTAL KOMBAT LEGENDS: SCORPION’S REVENGE Demands You ‘Get Over Here!’ And Check Out The Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

With a year to go until a new live-action film, a Spring 2020 release is in the works for Ethan Spauldings latest animated effort, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge. I’ve never seen Spaulding’s work apart from some clips, so at least I knew what I was in for with an animated film based on a fighting game property. At best, this will be an R-rated endeavor, so fans can hopefully look forward to an ample load of promising violence here. Collider brought the goods via IGN. Check it out above!

ONE NIGHT ONLY Review: In Matt Wu’s Feature Debut, Time Is Of The Essence

Lee B. Golden III

It’s daunting that actor Matt Wu has only directed one feature film in his career. The ceremony of his 2016 crime drama, One Night Only, is nothing short of deserving and well-earned for its multiple award nominations and critical acclaim. Featured performances by Aaron Kwok and Yang Zishan amplify the luminous nightlife of fictional Liberty City, a mecca for gambling in the region as we’re introduced to Gao Ye, a shameless gambling addict out of money, out of places to run, and out of time. He’s eighty-thousand yuan in the red with a loanshark and nearly resigned to his fate when he meets Momo, presumably a prostitute who invites herself into his home much to his chagrin. Reluctant to accept her company at first, he decides to bide his time and utilize her for whatever cash she can spare, between eating out, and gambling whatever is left at the nearby […]

NE ZHA: Jiao Zi’s Enchanting Chinese Animated Milestone Epic Comes Home In February And March From Well Go USA

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is still well on the way to deliver plenty of wholesome entertainment this year to Asian cinema fans. That especially includes the forthcoming sequel release, Jiang Ziya, and if you’re keen on catching it, you may also take interest in the Planos-based firm’s pending home release of its predecessor, director Jiao Zi’s critically acclaimed animated epic, Ne Zha. The film drew one of the biggest successes in the history of animation and Chinese cinema in the past year with its storied focus on a young boy born with unique powers who is recruited to fight demons, and save the community that initially fears him. The internationally-acclaimed film was also first of its kind to be selected as the Chinese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. Well Go USA Entertainment is proudly sharing the adventure on digital beginning February 25, and on DVD, […]

Coming Soon To Disc And Digital: Well Go USA’s FIRST LOVE And WARRIORS OF THE NATION

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is headlining all week this week with releases from now through next month. Chinese animated Ne Zha sequel, Jiang Ziya, bows in time for the Chinese New Year festivities next month and you can click here to check out the official trailer. On the home front, we have a pair of disc and digital titles arriving to store shelves within the span of one week, firstly with First Love, which was one of Takashi Miike’s most fantastic outings following its director’s fortnight premiere last year. The Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Award recipient for Best Reviewed Action & Adventure Film in 2019 opens in Japan next month, while Well Go USA managed to snag U.S. rights earlier on during festival season, and you can read my review by clicking here. The second title comes straight from Marco Mak in his own treatment of late for the role of […]

THE BRAVEST Review: An Explosive Tale Of Crisis Management And Soul-Searching Redemption In A City On Fire

Lee B. Golden III

Fires, volcanic eruptions, deadly earthquakes and political turmoil encompass but a fraction of the global upheaval that has since carried into the new year. Thus, Tony Chan’s visually breathtaking thriller, The Bravest, couldn’t have come at a more introspective and opportune time for Chinese cinema as the industry mapped out a specific course in the last few years, segueing from military-themed vehicles to more rescue-centric narratives as seen in films like The Captain with Hanyu Zhang, and Dante Lam’s aptly-named The Rescue. At the crux of Chan’s heroic actioner, featuring the talents of Huang Xiaoming are some of the usual themes that are inherent to a film about a team of trained professionals chisled and engrained to face danger head-on, including paying homage to the lives of those who ply their trade in real life, as well as those who make the ultimate sacrifice in the process. More to the […]

MANHUNT: Franklin Correa’s Latest Thriller Launches On Multiple Platforms

Lee B. Golden III

Independent director, actor and martial artist Franklin Correa has managed to succeed quite a bit in his efforts in the last seven years I’ve observed his work. Characteristic of the kind of no-budget indie fare his films usually sit in, they definitely bare an unmistakable lackluster presentation in terms of production quality, which is bound to irk even the most optimistic moviegoer, and admittedly, the trailer above for new thriller, Manhunt, definitely alludes to this sort of reaction. Nevertheless, I’ve always given credence to his efforts along with that of his performers, in addition to the grist of his storytelling capacity. His latest no-budget crime drama oddity looks to present this very continued potential as it launched on Tuesday. The film is available to rent via YouTube, Amazon Prime and Xumo with a DVD release TBD. Manhunt centers on Conroy (Franklin Correa), a survivalist and combat instructor forced into a […]

BATLLE OF JANGSARI Lands On U.S. Blu-Ray Combo Pack And DVD In January

Lee B. Golden III

Following up John H. Lee’s taut espionage overture with Operation Chromite, Kwak Kyung-taek (Friend) and Kim Tae-hun (Iris 2) arrived this year set upon 2019 to release Battle Of Jangsari, continuing the epic, chapterized saga chronicling the Korean War during the 1950s. Well Go USA released the feature film in theaters back in October featuring headliners like Kim Myung-min (Detective K), Choi Min-ho of K-pop boy band SHINee, and Megan Fox (Transformers). My review is available by clicking here, while the distro outlet is now setting a digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD release for January 28. At a critical point in the Korean War, a small, inexperienced battalion of student soldiers are tasked with liberating the strategic location of Incheon. With little ammunition, low food supplies and second-hand weapons, the soldiers head for the frontlines of Jangsari beach. Based on the true story of forgotten heroes of the Korean […]

PICKAXE: Now Available On Digital From Wildeye

Christina Ortega

If you’re a fan of slasher films and are looking for your next digital viewing, Wild Eye has released their latest film, Pickaxe, in digital formats. What is this one about? According to Popgeeks, “In this one, two teenagers take a visit to a small town in the middle of nowhere. There’s a legend ’round those parts, the legend of Alex Black….the murderous maniac who used a pickaxe on his victims. Many claim his story is just an urban legend. The police claim they buried Black years ago. Unfortunately, he’s resurrectable. The clueless teenagers don’t know this, and wind up performing the ritual that brings Alex Black back to life. Now that he’s terrorizing the villagers again, can they re-kill him before they meet the sharp end of his weapon of choice?” When will teenagers learn that rituals don’t usually end well? I guess I shouldn’t complain; if they ever […]

THE BRAVEST: SPHE Picks Up Explosive Chinese Rescue Thriller For January 2020 U.S. Release

Lee B. Golden III

Director Tony Chan’s explosive firefighter tale, The Bravest, had a prospective theatrical run during the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China back in August. Based on a true story, Chan directs from a script penned with Yu Yonggan, which centers on a disgraced Chief Firefighter who must put the past aside and team up with his former rookie in order to save the city when the oil pipeline in the city harbor explodes due to a calculation error. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is proudly granting a stateside audience in North America for release on Digital beginning January 14. The film stars Xiaoming Huang (The Message), Jiang Du (Operation Red Sea) and Zhuo Tan (Dying to Survive), along with Zi Yang (Ode to Joy), and Hao Ou (The Left Ear) Andrew Lau and Peggy Lee produced the film, with Carrie Wong, Yu Dong, Tu Yanping Fan Luyua and Fu […]

THE KNIGHT OF SHADOWS Unguards On Blu-Ray Combo, DVD And Digital In January

Lee B. Golden III

There is a whole row of Jackie Chan titles fans are looking forward to hearing more about going into the new year. Director Jia Yan (a.k.a. Vash) is certainly on the roster as fans in the U.S. await his newest fantasy adventure, The Knight Of Shadows, now poised to release via Digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on January 21 from Well Go USA. Pu Songling (Jackie Chan), a legendary demon hunter, is asked to investigate the mysterious disappearances of young girls from a small village. When he discovers evil forces are kidnapping the girls to feast on their souls, he sets out to save humanity from the inhuman invasion journeying through hidden worlds and colorful dimensions in this fantastical martial arts action-comedy. The film also stars Lin Peng (Dragon Blade), Ethan Juan (The Assassin) and Elane Zhong (The Resistance). Keep your eyes peeled and pre-order your copy wherever movies […]

ANGELS FALLEN: Michael Madsen Joins A Band Of Demon Hunters In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Uncork’d Entertainment will be unleashing the latest battle between good and evil from writer Amanda Barton and director Ali Zamani in Angels Fallen. The official trailer is online and stands to release on on DVD and Digital beginning January 14, 2020. After the tragic loss of his wife battling the forces of darkness, Gabriel (Houston Rhines, Criminal Minds) is persuaded to rejoin his former team of demon hunters traveling from relatively obscurity in America to the deep unknown regions of Europe. He is joined by his estranged best friend Michael (Michael Teh, Sleepy Hollow) who harbors a dark secret, the mystical Hannah (Nicola Posener, Mythica: The Necromancer) whose visions predict the future, and a motley crew of demon slayers. After losing part of his team Gabriel must confront his tragic past and decide who really is friend or foe. Angels Fallen also stars Michael Madsen to add some marketable flair […]

DRAGONS FOREVER: 88 Films Shares Key Art For Upcoming Uncut 4K Re-Release

Lee B. Golden III

If nothing else, 88 Films understands the need for posterity on physical media when it comes to classic Hong Kong cinema. For this, say what you will about previous incarnations of Corey Yuen and Sammo Hung’s hit action comedy, Dragons Forever, but the UK-based firm is finally rolling out a portion of the goods with the official key art for its re-release as announced earlier this year, as illustrated by Robert “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien. The film centers on a lawyer, an arms dealer and a career burglar (Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao) who find themselves embroiled in a mix of romantic upheaval, and a face-to-face duel with an underground narcotics operation fronting as a chemical factory. The film also stars Pauline Yeung, Deanne Ip and Yuen Wah with appearances by Billy Chow, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Phillip Ko-Fei and many more for its re-relese which will be 4K, […]

THE CORRUPTED: Catch The Official U.S. Trailer For The New British Crime Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Saban Films is bringing My Name Is Lenny director Ron Scalpello’s latest UK crime thriller, The Corrupted, to North America in select theaters, on-demand and digital beginning January 10. The film is penned by Nick Mooncroft and stars Sam Claflin along with Hugh Bonneville, Timothy Spall, Joe Claflin and Charlie Murphy star in the new crime-action pic which currently presents a pulsating new trailer ahead of release. Beneath the blinding lights and towering sights of the newly-built East London skyline, lies a dark, dangerous web of corruption. Stratford was home to the Olympic Games; decorated in the notion of legacy. But there’s little hope to be found for the recently released Liam McDonagh (Sam Claflin); a talented boxer put away for armed robbery, who wants nothing more than a peaceful life, and to reconnect with his young son Archie. But his brother Sean (Joe Claflin) is in deep, caught up […]

THE MERCENARY: Jesse V. Johnson Gets The Red Band Treatment With The Latest Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Uncork’d Entertainment is unleashing the hurt this week through JoBlo on Friday with the latest Red Band trailer for retitled action thriller, The Mercenary. Signaling the return of director Jesse V. Johnson in reunion with actor and martial artist Dominique Vandernberg (Pit Fighter, Triple Threat), The Mercenary centers on Maxx, an ex-legionnaire left for dead following a mission gone awry in South America. His newfound path to redemption and peace is halted when his former team reignites the violent fervor, forcing him to confront his demons, and become the avenging warrior he needs to be. Expect copious, R-rated action and gore in the process, as per the usual delight one seeks in any Jesse Johnson vehicle. He’s since sealed the deal this year with Scott Adkins starrer, Avengement, and will soon set up shop once more with The Debt Collector 2 in 2020. The Mercenary also stars Louis Mandylor and […]

A SERIAL KILLER’S GUIDE TO LIFE Trailer Consults You On Living A Killer Lifestyle

Christina Ortega

Previously I have found it incredibly hard to get into the fad of self-help books or life coaches. Not that I’m judging anyone who believes in these things; they’re just not for me. How can someone else be able to tell me how to be a better me? How can their rules for a better life apply to my life? Enter the debut film from writer/director Staten Cousins Roe, and produced by Forward Motion Pictures. A Serial Killer’s Guide to Life follows Lou Farnt (Katie Brayben): a 30-something, self-help addict who wants nothing more than to escape her overly controlling mother and the dead-end seaside town where she grew up. So when strange and strikingly confident new life coach Val (Poppy Roe) suddenly arrives on the scene and invites her on a road trip of alternative therapies, Lou finds the perfect opportunity to leave, and the perfect person to become. […]

STEP UP: YEAR OF THE DANCE Drops The Beat From The Far East This January

Lee B. Golden III

We’ll be hearing a lot more from actor and martial artist Ron Yuan going into the new year as he readies starring alongside Alain Uy and Mikel Shannon Jenkins in upcoming kung fu comedy, The Paper Tigers. All the same though, he’ll be kicking off the new year stateside with Step Up: Year Of The Dance, fourteen years, five movies and a YouTube series spin-off later. The film did enjoy a good run with international releases and now it’s Lionsgate’s turn, aiming for a digital home release on January 21 in the U.S. Street dancers join forces for a battle royal to determine the world’s best dance crew in this electrifying story set against the streets and stages of Beijing. Step Up: Year Of The Dance stars actress Meiqi Meng (singer, member of girl groups Cosmic Girls and Rocket Girls 101), and actors Super Dino (dancer), and Owodog (singer, member […]

THE WAVE: Catch The Trailer For Justin Long’s New Psychedelic Sci-Fi

Lee B. Golden III

Gille Klabin’s directorial debut, The Wave, is fresh from its healthy festival circulation following a premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin. The upcoming supernatural fantasy adventure starring Justin Long and Donald Faison will make it’s way to select theaters and VOD on January 17 from Epic Pictures whose trailer can currenty be viewed above. “Have you ever woken up from a dream so real that for a moment you can’t remember where you are?” Justin Long (Die Hard 4.0, Accepted, the recent Jay and Silent Bob Reboot) and Donald Faison (Scrubs, Clueless) lead the unique modern-day parable that follows Frank (Long), an opportunistic insurance lawyer, who thinks he’s in for the time of his life when he goes out on the town to celebrate an upcoming promotion with his co-worker, Jeff (Faison). But their night takes a turn for the bizarre when Frank is dosed with a hallucinogen that completely […]

Your Next Viewing: ANIMAL AMONG US

Christina Ortega

“This is a story about a monster.” Fifteen years ago, two teenage girls were murdered at Merrymaker Campgrounds. The killer was never found because the case was labeled as an animal attack and the camp was closed. Of course, this tale made the perfect inspiration for Roland Baumgarner who wrote a book about it. Fast forward to the present day when the camp is about to reopen and, surprisingly, Baumgarner is invited to attend. The woods are safe though, right? What could possibly go wrong? It is really hard to go into detail about what I liked about Animal Among Us without giving out spoilers. At an hour and a half, the slow pacing sometimes makes it feel too long. There is just enough action and the story is compelling to keep things moving and make you want to know what happens next. There were also times when I thought […]

DEAD EARTH: Wych Kaosayananda’s ‘The Driver’ Tie-In Lands An Official U.S. Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

With filmmaker Wych Kaosayananda’s The Driver hitting the streets on November 26, and Kane Kosugi’s The Rider still inbound there’s fair reason to pay mind and stay tuned to Lionsgate’s upcoming follow-up release, Dead Earth. You can take a gander at my early review here while indeed, and as Lionsgate elucidates in its announcement, Dead Earth “tells a parallel story” to the Mark Dacascos horror thriller. This one sees actresses Milena Gorum and Alice Tantayanon in a starring capacity for a quieter, slow, more atmospheric horror opus. In this searing post-apocalyptic action thriller, two young women cling to life in an abandoned resort. They must survive in silence, in mortal fear of attracting the hordes of undead that roam the Earth. When their compound runs out of fuel, they are forced into the countryside to find gas, resulting in a nightmarish encounter with survivors. But that is nothing compared to […]