FIVE-A-DAY ROUND-UP: Kill Order, Luc Van Tien, Assassins And The Missing Gold, S.P.L.: Paradox, Big Brother

Going into 2018 and save for any number of major or significant action movie titles we might remember, we’re going to need a bit of a refresher. Thus, we’re topping off our inductory countdown of five-a-day titles a week totaling 100 to make note of through next year, and of course, you are more than welcome to add to the list whatever title in mind you see fit in the comments below or on our fanpage!

Five years in and now rolling out with some unworthy reviews including our own, Canadian stunt and film troupe, Team 2X, is proudly appealing to the masses with their debut effort, Kill Order. Members, stunt coordinator James Mark debuts at the helm with brother Chris Mark starring as the troubled embodiment of a horrific experiment that awakens a set of superhuman fighting skills in time to fend off entire SWAT units and hordes of metahumanoid killers at the behest of evil corporations who want him for their own nefarious ends. Expect this one to arrive in February from Raven Banner.

Luc Van Tien was certainly one film that I wanted to see going into 2017. I haven’t had the opportunity yet for a screener of my own and I haven’t heard much on any kind of U.S. acquisition, which I honestly think it deserves given the talent on hand and the demand for it in the west as far as I can see. The film is directed by Jackie Chan stunt team member Andy Long (Boyka: Undisputed) who makes his own acting debut leading the story of an ancient warrior transplanted into modern day Vietnam in search of his lost love, and he’ll have to fight through a horde of martial arts action and villany to win the day. I had the chance to interview Long before its release and I look forward to discussing the film further as well as other prospects he shares…but I especially want a U.S. release of this movie to be one of them beyond my own wishful thinking.

Director Jeff Lau is preparing to unleash a raft of kung fu fandom going into 2018 and headliner Max Zhang also leads the starpower here. Assassins And The Missing Gold is the name of this one and with respect to the plot, the title pretty much speaks for itself with Ada Choi and Andy On also starring, and with Xiong Xin Xin designating the high octane action that awaits to further propel Zhang into action stardom.

Wilson Yip’s one-off, Paradox, surprisingly didn’t hold onto Max Zhang following initial news on its development. That hasn’t stopped the film reaching critical fruition with largely positive reviews lending good press to the highly popular S.P.L. franchise as well as to actor Louis Koo who shepherds the narrative as a cop on a dark and dangerous search for his missing daughter. Wu Yue, Chris Collins and action star Tony Jaa also appear and in all likelihood will see a North American release via Well Go USA which makes things all the more sweeter.

Of course I couldn’t go into any of these entries without mentioning at least ONE Donnie Yen movie this one speaks to the latest rumblings over Kam Ka-Wai’s forthcoming contribution, Big Brother. The hype is a buzz over this being a return to the smashing MMA form that landed Yen on the map as it did with several films in the last fifteen years (i.e. S.P.L., Flash Point, Special I.D.); this one has Yen playing a high school teacher with unconventional methods and a dark past, with a cast that includes Joe Chen and Yen cohort, actor Yu Kang. Yen is in touch with fans over the film’s progress so look him up on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – whatever suits your fancy.

Ten years later the Flashpoint gang! @kenjitanigaki #raylui #喻亢 #donnieyen #flashpoint #甄子丹 #導火線

A post shared by Donnie Yen (@donnieyenofficial) on Aug 19, 2017 at 4:19am PDT

Stay tuned tomorrow for five more of our picks for 2018!