
dennis ruel


THOSE WHO GO TO HELL…AND BACK: An Interview With Emmanuel Manzanares
Back in 2012, I had been about four or five years away from the online action community since its burgeoning began over at The Stunt People forum – the unfortunate perks of not having a working computer, sadly.

THE MAN WHO FEELS NO PAIN Dishes Out Plenty In The New Official Trailer
The road sure seemed like a longer one between now and last year’s Toronto premiere for Vasan Bala’s The Man Who Feels No Pain. The reason for such windows apart from any sort of meticulous and otherwise necessary film bureaucracy is beyond me, but at long last, moviegoers are just a few weeks away from seeing Abhimanyu Dassani and actress Radhika Madan light up the big screen, Rope-A-Dope style through the efforts of action stylists Eric Jacobus and Dennis Ruel.



UNLUCKY STARS: Dennis Ruel’s Indie Action Comedy Feature Debut Is Online To Watch For FREE
When you look at the cadre of independent creatives in martial arts cinema who’ve impacted the internet, there’s no way you can miss the name Dennis Ruel. He’s germinated amply from his roots at The Stunt People with the exhilarating indie action classic, Contour, to starring and even directing feature films of his own, namely the 2016 crowdfunded action comedy, Unlucky Stars, and with that, ultimately becoming no stranger to the hurdles and woes of independent cinema.

THE HIT LIST: January 15, 2018
We’ll still have more where that came from next week. Feel free to endulge in last week’s treats in case you’ve missed out and remember to SHARE the Hit List with friends and subscribe to the channels for support. And of course, if you or someone you know makes equally kick-ass content that deserves the eyes and ears of our Hit List audience, hit us up at filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com!


The 'Best Of The Best' Is Unveiled In The New Story Trailer For UNLUCKY STARS!
I don’t always get quoted in trailers, but when I do, I consider it somewhat of a milestone achievement and it’s always humbling. So as much as I ramble about movies, it’s great to see the recognition, especially from debut director Dennis Ruel whose newly releasing film, Unlucky Stars, is taking off with plenty of high marks and praise from fans and critics alike. And surely enough with this film lending itself as an homage to the immortal legacy of the Hong Kong action comedy, a film like this undoubtely deserves a following, as well as all the support it can get from anyone who has ever loved kung fu cinema.
Alas, the film is currently set for an exclusive screening event on Thursday with a Q and A segment to be included with the cast and crew, so more information will definitely follow after this week as it readies a limited theatrical release. On that note, feel free to take a gander at the stylish new poster below along with a batch of new promotional character graphics from the film, and a brand new story trailer…and yes, that’s Best Of The Best 1 and 2 co-star, legendary actor, martial artist and stunt coordinator Simon Rhee in case you were wondering.
As for all else that came before and after my quote, you may read my review here.

Dennis Ruel's UNLUCKY STARS Bows This Month! Watch The First Official Trailer!
When Peru’s Biggest Action Film Star and Jordan’s newest rising talent find themselves pursued by a notorious Bookie, a pair of private investigators are forced to choose between their job and their conscience.
THE HIT LIST – January 12, 2015
The equipment involved here all comes from DJI, and best serves as an example of how advancements in camera-operating technology can better meet the needs of today’s generation of filmmakers. I would imagine this is also a cinematographer’s dream that these devices become more practical as tools that are helpful in the creative process, as well as affordable, time-saving and cost-effective, and if this isn’t the case just yet, hopefully it will be, as this latest online gem so demonstrates.
ROPE-A-DOPE 2 Gets An Online Date And Poster!
Internet martial arts action sensation, actor and stuntman Eric Jacobus has made a name for himself with over a decade of innovative choreography and storytelling to fulfill the voracious needs of genre fans everywhere. He certainly achieved great notoriety with last year’s shortfilm release, Rope-A-Dope, which became a festival hit prior to its acclaim online earning the approval of fans virtually everywhere. However, if you thought he was just going to rest on his laurels and end it there, think again.
Hopefully you managed to catch the last batch of set photos from principal photography from the summer. The first installment started things off pretty small, and rightfully so, as you can expect an even larger ensemble cast of performers for an even crazier set up of comedic action featuring Jacobus as our lead against fellow Stunt People member, stuntman and actor Dennis Ruel reprising his role. Only this time, the Dope’s next misadventures will unfold, revealing just a little more about the Martial Arts Mafia, and the curse that consumes him in his quest to stop the vicious cycle that puts him in a neverending loop of defeat.
Rope-A-Dope 2: Return Of The Martial Arts Mafia is releasing online on January 12, 2015 to commemorate the 14th anniversary of The Stunt People. And for this, peep at the new poster below by actor Wildchild Gil Sanabria, and follow the shortfilm on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.
ROPE-A-DOPE 2 Goes Ringside With New Set Photos
Independent filmmaker, martial arts action cinema favorite Eric Jacobus is back once more with the current filming of the action comedy follow-up short, Rope-A-Dope 2: The Return Of The Martial Arts Mafia. The sequel officially began production back in May, roughly a year since the first installment, Rope-A-Dope, was released, featuring Jacobus in a Groundhog Day-style short story about a Dope who wakes up everyday re-living the same bad luck over and over again until he finds a way to break the vicious cycle, leading to a hyper-kinetic final fight with a gang of martial arts thugs, led by Barrio Brawler co-star, actor and longstanding member of The Stunt People, Dennis Ruel.
Produced by Hollywood stuntman Clayton J. Barber and Death Grip co-star, actress Rebecca Ahn, Rope-A-Dope ultimately began its film festival run last summer, leading to a second place award at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival last November, and an award for best short film at the Sundial Film Festival in California earlier this year, among other things. This time, Jacobus and his team are back with an immensely talented line-up of action actors and stunt performers helping embody the Dope’s next misadventures as we learn more about the Martial Arts Mafia, and that the Dope is not the only one who can restart the day.
Filming is expected to continue from now through Monday with a hopeful release sometime in the Fall. In the meantime, a batch of new set pics are now making the rounds courtesy of the team, and you can now check those out below. And while you’re here, subscribe to the official Facebook page and spread the word!
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