comedy

UNLUCKY STARS Director Dennis Ruel Thanks Fans With New Footage!

It has been three years since Barrio Brawler co-star, actor, stuntman and multifaceted independent filmmaker Dennis Ruel began his journey into the semi-successfully crowdfunded production and subsequent principal photography of his upcoming feature-length action comedy adventure, Unlucky Stars. And this week, the team behind the long-awaited film has taken to their official Facebook page to officially announce picture lock prior to the final stages of post production before its entry into the film festival circuit later this year. Described as a homage to old school Hong Kong action comedy classics of the past, the film is a longstanding love letter to martial arts action cinema for a new generation of on-looking fans and aspiring performers. The film stars Ruel along with actor Ken Quitugua and will feature action choreography and performances from a wideranging list of some of today’s most prominent rising stars of the martial arts film genre and […]

Jean-Claude Van Damme Kicks Nature In The Face In The New Red Band Trailer For WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!

Lee B. Golden III

After the unveiling a new restricted international trailer for director Rob Meltzer‘s upcoming action comedy epic, Welcome To The Jungle, we now have an official U.S. red-band trailer for the film, due out for a VOD and limited theatrical release on February 7, 2014. Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme makes his return to the big screen for this latest comedic adventure that already shows promise in pulling no punches or kicks when it comes to bringing the laughs. Check out the trailer and stay tuned for more info. SYNOPSIS: Legendary action star Jean-Claude Van Damme takes on his first comedic role and joins Adam Brody, Rob Huebel, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone, and Dennis Haysbert in “Welcome to the Jungle”. This laugh-out-loud comedy follows a group of unsuspecting office workers who find themselves stranded on a desert island when a corporate retreat led by unhinged former Marine Storm Rothchild (VAN DAMME) goes […]

DRAGON BALL FIGHT IN REAL LIFE Sees Goku As…Aladdin?

Lee B. Golden III

While there are a few Dragonball-related fan-film efforts being made for the new year to counter some of the disappointments still resonating from the James Wong-directed 2009 film, Dragonball: Evolution, some would argue this latest bit from independent filmmaker and comedy impressario Ryan Higa in Dragon Ball Z Fight In Real Life, may be one the best live-action renditions of Akira Toriyama’s classic Shonen Jump manga publication and anime to date. Hm…I wonder what Disney would think!

ENTER THE DOJO And Watch Master Ken Demonstrate "The Thrust Of Freedom"!

Lee B. Golden III

In the world of Ameri-Do-Te, your technique must be perfect to match the very standards of the one and only Master Ken…especially when learning his latest form, “The Thrust Of Freedom”, which you can now view and learn for your self in the embed at the bottom of the page. And remember, if you can match his solid technique, chances are you’re still doing it wrong. 😉 Master Ken (played by actor, writer, producer and director Matt Page), leads the class in the highly successful martial arts comedy webseries, Enter The Dojo (not to be confused with actress Maria Tran’s mini-webseries of the same name), which is set for its third season premiering on January 28, 2014. In light of this, Martial Arts Illustrated is giving away a FREE COPY of the series on DVD for seasons one and two. Check out the video below where you may also subscribe […]

Chow Yun-Fat Holds The Biggest Cards In The New Trailer For THE MAN FROM MACAU

Lee B. Golden III

The new trailer is online for writer and director Wong Jing‘s latest action comedy, The Man From Macau. Newly retitled from its previous name, From Vegas To Macau, the film sees actor Chow Yun-Fat returning to familiar territory with an old character from the classic God Of Gamblers film franchise that began in 1989 with Wong at the helm. The Man From Macau is produced by Andrew Lau and Dong Yu, and also stars Nicholas Tse, Chapman To, Annie Wu, Jing Tian, Kimmy Tong, Benz Hui, Max Zhang, Philip Ng, Sammy Sum and Natalie Meng. The film currently has multi-territorial acquisition since its appearance at the American Film Market and will make its domestic premiere on January 30, 2014 on the eve of the Chinese New Year, competing on the same weekend with Chow’s other long awaited film, The Monkey King, with action star Donnie Yen. SYNOPSIS: Super Hacker “Show […]

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Watch Fernando Jay Huerto Battle Internal Conflict, And Canadians In DO THE DAMN THING: IN CANADA

Lee B. Golden III

Award-winning independent filmmaker and actor Fernando Jay Huerto has returned to the internet once more with a brand new short film titled Do The Damn Thing: In Canada. Based on an original concept from friend and fellow filmmaker from Virgina, Lester Nguyen of Rising Tiger Films, Huerto‘s latest installation is a continuation of a self-titled expanded series of the same name that began in 2009, bearing different themes and classic inside jokes, and featuring a versatile selection of independent film actors from around the country and the world, best known for performing high quality fight sequences attributed to the stylings of the beloved Hong Kong action comedy genre. Do The Damn Thing: In Canada features an amalgam of independent film actors which also include Jabronie Pictures regular, Sunny Smith, and performers DL MacDonald, Alex Chung, Dennis Lafond and Fist Plus Face star Jonny Caines, all ranging from various teams throughout Canada, […]

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Watch The New Trailer For KICK ASS GIRLS

Lee B. Golden III

We have a new trailer for co-writer, director and co-star Vincci Cheuk Wan Chi‘s upcoming film, Kick Ass Girls. Inspired by the success of Dante Lam’s film festival favorite, Unbeatable, the film aims to be Cheuk‘s first noteworthy big screen effort into quirky female-oriented martial arts comedy produced by Charlie Wong and featuring actresses Hidy Yu and Dada Lo. The film also stars Chrissie Chau who saw her own set of challenges while filming some of the pivotal fight scenes that led to some bleeding and a swollen toe among other things. Swelling or not, Chau remained reportedly undeterred by her injuries during filming, which she expressed in an interview back in May with Cinema Online regarding her training for the film. “I got injured a lot during shooting but I still wanted to do most of the stunts myself!” she said. “When I was small I thought the action […]

Watch The New International Trailer For GRUDGE MATCH

Lee B. Golden III

An international trailer for director Peter Segal‘s upcoming boxing comedy, Grudge Match, made its way online. Produced by Bill Gerber, Mark Steven Johnson, Michael Ewing and Ravi Mehta, the film sees actors Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro playing former boxers who come out of retirement to settle an old score. The film also stars Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger and Jon Bernthal with a story and screenplay by Tim Kelleher and Rodney Rothman. Grudge Match will release on December 25, 2013 in North America, followed by its forthcoming theatrical release on January 24, 2014 in Ireland and the U.K.. SYNOPSIS: Award-winning movie legends Oscar® winner Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) and Oscar® nominee Sylvester Stallone (the “Rocky” films, “The Expendables”) star as old boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one final match. De Niro and Stallone play Billy “The Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” […]

The New Poster Has Arrived For GRUDGE MATCH

Lee B. Golden III

On Thursday, Warner Bros. unveiled the new poster for producer/director Peter Segal’s upcoming Christmas boxing comedy, Grudge Match, which you can check out below. Several other character posters have made their way online since the first trailer arrived last month. The film stars Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro old boxing rivals who decide to go toe-to-toe one more time in the ring to settle the score once and for all. Produced by Bill Gerber, Mark Steven Johnson, Michael Ewing and Ravi Mehta, the film also stars Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger and Jon Bernthal with a story and screenplay by Tim Kelleher and Rodney Rothman. Grudge Match will release on December 25, 2013. SYNOPSIS: Award-winning movie legends Oscar® winner Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) and Oscar® nominee Sylvester Stallone (the “Rocky” films, “The Expendables”) star as old boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one […]

Chozen Dons The Old Uniform In The New Webseries Teaser For AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS

Lee B. Golden III

The National Film Society’s own Stephen Dypianco and Patrick Epino have been hard at work cramming a list of who’s-who in Asian American cinema villainy history to appear in a new crowdfunded webseries they have been putting together for well over a year now. And so far, in addition to the help of writer Milton Liu and producer Diana Williams, Dypianco and Epino have been able to do just that for their upcoming inspired new webseries, Awesome Asian Bad Guys. Consider it a love letter of sorts to classic movies of the 80’s and 90’s like Big Trouble In Little China, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Die Hard and The Karate Kid: Part 2 as the new webseries brings together some of the most memorable Asian American cinema performers in history. Awesome Asian Bad Guys goes live in 2014 and stars Dypianco and Epino along with actresses Tamlyn Tomita and […]

JUST FOR LAUGHS: A Commercial Shoot Goes One Foot Too Long In FIVE DOLLAR FOOTLONG!

Lee B. Golden III

This past Tuesday, I reported that actor, stuntman and stunt coordinator Darren Bailey (The Scumbag Boss, Vigilante Diaries) was making his independent directorial debut with the upcoming shortfilm release of Surge, with actor Tyler Williams. However, those interested in a different side of the aspiring director may want to keep reading. Aside from action, Bailey also has a knack for tapping into other dimensions of film and acting, such as comedy, an experience that dates back to his previous life in Cincinnati, Ohio, partaking in such feature-length productions as Fingerman: Dr. London & The Triangle Force and Eastern College. After moving to California, he and Christopher Cowan, in a life prior to founding Thousand Pounds Action Company, created their own online comedy film group, Komikarate, which contributed to the very shortfilm, Five Dollar Footlong, in the embed you see below. In talking with Film Combat Syndicate, Bailey shares his take […]

Ryukyu Battle Royale Gets International Treatmemt With The New Title, DANCING KARATE KID

Lee B. Golden III

The title, Dancing Karate Kid (a.k.a. Ryuku Battle Royale) doesn’t exactly ring a bell as a sequel to director Shunichi Nagasaki’s 2007 brutal karate action drama, Kuro-Obi, particularly when you look at the trailer, which looks more “Stephen Chowy” than anything else (something that Chow himself probably doesn’t mind). However, in some circles believe it or not, that is exactly how it is being pitched. Quite peculiar, especially if you’ve seen Kuro-Obi. At any rate though, it has been nearly two months since the first trailer went viral, and now the rest of the world has a chance to observe the newly English-labeled counterpart with a fresh, new and comprehensive synopsis below to bring some interested minds on board director Tsukasa Kishimoto‘s latest film before its upcoming screening at Sakurazaka Theater on October 26 in Naha, Okinawa, and on November 2 at the Tokyo’s Roppongi National Art Center. Joey Beni (a.k.a. Seung Wei) […]

Fast Action And Zany Comedy In The New Project21 Indie Short, MAXIMUM IMPACT

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaker Jason Heffner is readying to premiere his latest shortfilm, Maximum Impact, at the International House Philadelphia on September 29, 2013. The film is a short action comedy produced under Heffner’s film company, Drop The Hat Productions for the Project 21 film contest in Philidelphia, and illustrates a wacky action comedy about an ex-Navy Seal living a typical boring life until he finds himself “activated” when two bumbling would-be assassins try to kill him. I spoke to Heffner this week who described a little more about what drew him to the shortfilm, telling Film Combat Syndicate, “My goal with Maximum Impact was to make an in-your-face explosive FUN movie.” He also expanded on the requirements for the Project 21 Film Festival in accordance with the conceptualization of the shortfilm, which also happens to be his 7th entry for this year’s events, saying “Each team signs up and makes a […]

A Tale Of Love, Lies And Kung Fu In The Upcoming Release Of UNA VITA DA SOGNO

Lee B. Golden III

In a year chock-loaded with promise of martial arts action talent, actor and action director Tim Man (Bangkok Knockout, Ninja 2) is one to look out for in the months and years to come. Man joins an all Italian production with a cast that includes Alessandro Paci, Eugenia Storm, Annarita Del Piano, Manuel De Nicolò and Cristina Basso, and starring Massimo Ceccherini in the upcoming May 23, 2013 Italy theatrical release from Village Entertainment titled, Una Vita Da Sogno (English translation: One Life To Dream). Directed by Domenico Costanzo, the all Italian-language action rom-com film tells the story about Lorenzo, a working-class man in his forties who falls in love with Song Lee, a prostitute who happens to think he’s rich. Overtime, their feelings for each other grow stronger despite their courtship being based on a lie. When Song’s “protector” gets involved, the truth of their identities are revealed and […]

The New Trailer For SECRETLY GREATLY Is Online

Lee B. Golden III

Twitchfilm has an amazing new update for the upcoming trailer for the June 5, 2013 release of Jang Cheol-soo’s new action spy dramedy, Secretly Greatly, produced by Kim Bang-hyun and based on an award-winning webtoon written by Choi Jong-hun called “Covertness”. Actors Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Hyun-woo and Park Ki-woong star as three North Korean spies sent undercover to live under different aliases in a poor hillside neighborhood in South Korea until they receive new orders. Rounding out the cast are Son Hyun-joo, Kim Sung-kyun, Park Eun-Bin and Lee Jae-young. SYNOPSIS: As a North Korean sleeper cell agent, Ryu-han infiltrates the South and assumes the role of a village idiot in a rural town. He observes the townsfolk and waits patiently for his mission. One day, after 2 years of playing the role of the village idiot, fellow elite spies Hae-rang, posed as a rock star and Hae-jin, posed as an […]

The New Teaser For Sono Sion's WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL? Is Online

Lee B. Golden III

Twitchfilm reported on Thursday a new trailer for a new film based on a script which director Sono Sion wrote fifteen years ago. Sion apparently has a history of making sick films that fans absolutely love. I still need to see his films myself, including the upcoming manga-based live action take on Tokyo Tribes. This week however, the action comedy, Why Don’t You Play In Hell (Jikogu De Naze Warui) is what we are offered following its September release in Japan, starring Shinichi Tsutsumi, Jun Kunimura, Fumi Nikaido, Hasegawa Hiroki, Hoshino Gen and comedic actress Tomochika, along with Tak Sakaguchi in what sadly may be one of his last hoorahs on a film set. SYNOPSIS: Muto (Jun Kunimura) and Ikegami (Shinichi Tsutsumi) are two gangsters who hate each other, but Ikegami is in love with Muto’s actress daughter Michiko (Fumi Nikaido).Meanwhile, Muto attempts to make his wife Shizue’s (Tomochika) dream come […]

SPRING IN MOTION: An Interview With KID HARU

Lee B. Golden III

Over the latter half my weekend, I got the opportunity to talk to 22-year old native Los Angelean, Devin White. On YouTube, viewers and fans know him as KidHaru – vlogger, tricker, gymnast, freerunner and indie filmmaker. You might be wondering what a name like “Kid Haru” means anyway. Well, I got that covered: KH: Kid is part of a long running gaming handle. My usernames were always Kid___. Haru is Japanese for spring. When I first created it, I thought it meant fire. I liked the element fire. So yeah. Now its funny since spring has nothing to do with me considering I was born in the winter. Aside from doing his own stuff, he also collaborates with other filmmakers and teams. His latest creation features martial arts actor and filmmaker Brendon Huor in the new shortfilm, “YouTube Self Defense“. In it, Huor stars as a parody of himself giving […]

Ross Clarkson Goes Indiegogo For HAMMER-ON

Lee B. Golden III

Ross Clarkson is an ACS and HKSC certified cinematographer and director of photography, whose body of work expands from his native Australia to Hong Kong and the U.S. His films include Undisputed 2 and 3, Belly Of The Beast and Mission Impossible (TV series) among other films, working with such filmmakers as Ringo Lam, Isaac Florentine and Simon West, and shooting some of the world’s biggest well-known actors and action stars like Scott Adkins (Ninja), Tony Leung Kai-Fai (The Victim), Jean-Claude Van Damme (In Hell) and Dolph Lundgren (The Mechanik) to name a few. Soon you will see even more of his work when Adkins returns to the screen to harness his skills once more as a ninja in the upcoming film, Ninja 2, directed by Florentine, and also starring Kane Kosugi, with action director Tim Man serving as fight choreographer. This week, Clarkson is looking to spread his wings […]

The Hunt Is On For KUNG FU JONNY!

Lee B. Golden III

Every once in a while, you come across a gem on the internet. Such is the case with the first season of the new webseries from Derptastic Films, Kung Fu Jonny, created in part by Jericho Rain, and starring co-creators/fight choreographers Jon Rodriquez and Kevin Czarneki. The series also stars Ashley Turkowski, musician Professor Kliq and Dana Dajani, and is directed by Marvin Glass, Malcolm Raay and co-writers/fight co-choreographers Eric Reithel and editor/co-star Andrew Hempfling. From the credits alone, you can pretty much tell that it was a group effort. And for a project that began nearly four years ago and just released this year, it still looks very fresh and exciting to look at. I am very glad it was recently shared with me by a fellow reader of my blog, and I look forward to the last two episodes of this ten-part series. Thanks Andrew! 😉 SYNOPSIS: Jon […]

Seshiro Always Has His Camera Handy In New DPX Action Short: Jasi VS. Anna

Lee B. Golden III

If you’re familar with the nom de plume, “Seishiro Kazama”, there is a likely chance you may have come across the work of Shaun Charney. For more than fifteen years, Charney has been a jack of many trades in the field of independent action filmmaking, from martial arts training in weapons and stunt performance, to cinematography, choreography, storytelling, editing, photography and comic book artistry. His craft shares a lineage blended with the talents of various other independent companies over the years such as Whirlwind Action, Jabronie Pictures, VJ Films and Martial Club. You can currently find his work over at his Youtube channels, Dragon Phoenix Entertainment and SSS Entertainment where he features his own inspired universe full of anime/cosplay fantasy, ninjas, comedy, street brawlers, dancers and gorgeous femme fatales executing various feats of gymnastics, tumbling, martial arts through illustrious conceptual showreels and fight scene shortfilms. One of his latest pieces […]