drama

Amr Waked On Netflix's MARCO POLO: "Lots Of Action, Sex, Politics & Nudity!"

The December 12, 2014 premiere date for Netflix’s SVOD series, Marco Polo grows ever near, and the latest trailer premiered this week, granting a first glimpse of what fans can expect. The series itself took a few years to move forward following its initial embarkment on Starz before switching gears onto subscription video with John Fusco (The Forbidden Kingdom, Kung Fu Panda, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend) on board as series creator and producer. Leading the way is Italian actor Lorenzo Richelmy who will play the title role for the series whose story is based on the famed explorer’s adventures set in Kublai Khan’s court in 13th century China – a world replete with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry; Indeed, the Netflix-exclusive series has been selling itself on how far it will push the envelope for its 18+ audience, similar to that of other popular cable shows […]

Watch The First Episode Of Indie Martial Arts Action Webseries, CAMBODIAN KILLERS Right Now!

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and stuntman D.Y. Sao has offically launched his latest dabble in independent filmmaking with the first episode of the new webseries, Cambodian Killers. While nothing short of an experiment in film for Sao, what we get from the footage nontheless graces us with a flurry of high-impact fight choreography with a promising cast to boot. Of course though, every good martial arts film project needs a good story, and so based on Sao‘s own concept, the official series synopsis is available below, written by yours truly! Cambodian Killers presents a riveting, action-packed miniseries with a tale of crime, danger, the bonds we make, and the family we keep in the name of honor. It has been ten years since the seven-member champion high school kickboxing team, the Cambodian Killers, reigned supreme in Long Beach. A team held together under the tutelage of their master, Kru Tong, the team’s training […]

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Watch The Trailer For Chong Seung-Hyun's Shortfilm Debut, STEH AUF (GET UP)

Lee B. Golden III

The 2014 film festival circuit has been and continues to be nothing short of an adventure for actor, writer, producer and director Chong Seung-hyun in lieu of his newest shortfilm, Steh Auf (Get Up). The project is undoubtedly bringing Chong his fair share of accolades, since winning over folks at the Asians On Film Festival back in April, presenting his debut in the form of an all-too real, and likely touching, coming-of-age underdog story about a young man whose seemingly unorthodox path toward boxing is mired by the constant stigma of his mixed heritage. SYNOPSIS: Tae-shik is a 26-years old Korean-German. Despite his Korean upbringing, he cannot quite identify himself as the Korean that his parents had in mind for him. He feels adrift in turmoil, struggling to find his own identity between the two different cultures of Korea and Germany. Nonetheless, he has one thing that brings him passion […]

A Young Hero's Story Lives On In The New Trailer For THE DEAD LANDS

Lee B. Golden III

It’s not enough to say that the next biggest fan craze in action cinema will be director Toa Fraser‘s new period action epic, The Dead Lands. The reviews are already pouring in and the anticipation building following its run at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival to see what the film has to offer in presenting just what raw, hard-hitting Maori martial arts choreography looks like as one of the principle elements in Glenn Standring’s epic story of revenge and redemption layered in vast Maori culture. Actors James Rolleston, Lawrence Makore and Te Kohe Tuhaka, and actress Rena Owen star in what appears to be an exciting new film for the niche, and this week, a full trailer has finally arrived following this summer’s teaser. SYNOPSIS: After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, Hongi – a Maori chieftan’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in […]

Check Out Five New Stills From Upcoming Netflix Series, MARCO POLO

Lee B. Golden III

Following its production in Malaysia, Venice and Kazakhstan, The Toronto Sun debut a handful of five new official promo photos for the forthcoming Netflix series premiere, Marco Polo. Actor Lorenzo Richelmy stars in the title role, as the famed 13th Century sailor on his journey from Venice to China. The series comes from executive producer and creator, John Fusco, whose vision for the series is best described as a story filled with “sexual intrigue, political manoeuvring and father-son drama”, infused with martial arts action. Fusco spoke to The Toronto Sun in a recent interview with Sean Fitzgerald, where, among other things, desrcibed the genesis of the series. “On that trail, while we were all talking about the history of the Khan Empire, every now and then Marco Polo’s name would come up…” said Fusco. “And as I was on horseback, riding across, you have those long hours of riding across […]

FURY Blasts Away With A Second Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Writer and director David Ayer‘s new World War II epic, Fury, started picking up some steam over the summer having already released a featurette and a first trailer back in late June. The new war drama from Sony Pictures has since continued making headlines this month with word of its official closing event premiere for the forthcoming London Film Festival, which launches on October 8 and ends on the 19th. Accordingly, its close will take place two days after the film opens in theaters just two days prior, moved from its previous date on November 14, and now the film has a second trailer to accompany its October date. SYNOPSIS: FURY is set at the very end of World War II, in April 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theater, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank and her five-man […]

I Just Really Needed To Get This Off My Chest This Morning

Lee B. Golden III

Robin McLaurin Williams, 7/21/51 – 8/11/14 (Photo: Patch Adams, 1998 film) Saying anything about the death of legendary comedian, actor and Chicago native, Robin Williams was a little difficult for me last night. I suppose enough time has past now, the sun is up on my end, eating breakfast, at work and starting my day. I’m still affected, but moving forward is our best and only option at this point. But I’m in the mood to reflect… A few people have died this past week though…legendary action film director and producer Menahem Golan, actor J.J. Murphy who died four days into filming the new season of Game Of Thrones, mother and father who fell off a cliff in Spain while trying to take a vacation selfie as their children watched in horror…and even the hundreds and hundreds of deaths that have taken place between Gaza and Israel, and so on. In […]

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Godbout Entertainment Presents: THE TRADE (2014)

Lee B. Golden III

It was last year as Florida stunt team Genesis Action Stunts founder Anthony Giovanni Elias began emerging a little more prominently into the independent film scene that I caught wind of his participation in a thrilling new shortfilm from Emmy award-winning editor, writer, producer and director Gerald Godbout III. Featuring up-and-coming actor and producer Dennis Jusino and actor Jimmy Dempster, The Trade had its initial summer premiere on July 26 this year at Premiere Cinema 14 in Orlando, Florida, soon to earn the praises of several critics from different media sites thereafter. I don’t live in Florida, although I did have the good fortune of being allowed a screening link of my own from the director. And considering he’s gone out of his way to step from his horror cinema roots to explore the action genre in some fashion, I couldn’t reject getting on board. The Trade sees Jusino and […]

DirecTV Unveils New Original Series Trailer For KINGDOM

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Frank Grillo has been prominently making himself known in the action genre with titles like Warrior, this year’s releases of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Purge: Anarchy, and next Spring’s production of The Raid remake. It’s a notable pattern, and one in our favor as action fans as we look toward another effort that now sees the actor in a mentoring role for DirecTV’s gritty new mixed martial arts original series drama, Kingdom. The series was announced officially back in June via press release for a ten-episode program set to air exclusively on October 8, 2014 at 9:00pm EST. for DirecTV’s Audience Channel. The series was created by Bryan Balasco and Endemol Studios, and joins Grillo with actors Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker and former boyband member-turned solo artist and actor Nick Jonas, and actresses Kiele Sanchez and Joanna Going. Kingdom” is a story about family, loyalty, ambition, […]

Toshiaki Karasawa Lights Up The Camera In The New Trailer For IN THE HERO!

Lee B. Golden III

A second official trailer for director Masaharu Take‘s new drama, In The Hero is online ahead of its Japan release on September 6 courtesy of Toei. The new film, written by Keiya Mizuno and Lee Bong-Ou, presents what promises to deliver a captivating story surrounding the struggles of a passionate veteran suit stunt actor training a younger, popular prodigy ahead of a film in which the director may be more demanding of the dangerous feats he wants performed for the camera. SYNOPSIS: 48-year-old Wataru Honjo (Toshiaki Karasawa) is a big fan of Bruce Lee and works as a suit actor (stunts performer wearing costumes). He is also president of “Shimoachiai Hero Action Club”. Even though he doesn’t have the typical body type for his profession he has worked in the business for 25 years. Wataru doesn’t get along with cocky rookie suite actor Ryo Ichinose, but an incident draws them […]

MARY KOM Knocks Out The Competition In The New Biopic Teaser And Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

If you were ever looking forward to the feature-length presence of a strong female figure this summer, feel free to pan over here where international sales agent Viacom 18 is currently pushing the latest athletic biographical fight pic based on the life and times of Indian boxer, Olympian bronze medalist and biography author, Mary Kom. Actress Priyanka Chopra takes the lead in the thrilling sports drama which was announced in 2012 by producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the same year the real-life Kom became the only female boxer to qualify for the summer Olympics, on top of being a five-time world amateur champion, and then some. Mary Kom is directed by Omung Kumar and written by Saiwyn Quadras, with boxing sequences designed by Reel Sports coordinator Rob Miller (Miracle, Lahore). Currently there is some controversy regarding the film’s restricted appearance in actress Chopra‘s home state of Manipur, although the film is poised […]

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Father And Son Join Forces In The New Trailer For SNIPER: LEGACY

Lee B. Golden III

You know a franchise has been successful when it continues to remain relevant, especially for a direct-to-DVD run. It’s been more than twenty years since actor Tom Berenger took the role of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Beckett in the 1993 film, Sniper with director Luis Llosa. Five films later, minus the fourth with actor Chad Michael Collins leading, fans of the franchise have reason to celebrate with the forthcoming DVD and Digital HD release of the new film, Sniper: Legacy. Half Past Dead helmer Don Michael Paul picks up where the previous film left off with Collins in the role of Sgt. Brandon Beckett joining his on-screen father to stop a rogue sniper from killing former U.S. military personnel. The film bows at home on September 30 and now offers a trailer which you may check out below!

THE MARTIAL ARTS KID Gets A New Teaser!

Lee B. Golden III

Director and co-writer Michael Baumgarten‘s newest martial arts family drama has been on the receiving end of an intense promotional campaign this year headlined by martial arts action stars Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign going into the summer, The Martial Arts Kid marks the latest film project for Traditionz Movie 1, LLC in conjunction with N.J.-based anti-bullying organization, Kickin It, a move that puts the film’s very theme front and center with leading actor Jansen Panetierre in the title role. There isn’t a release date set just yet, but the film’s push remains on-going as it makes an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this year. And on that note, the latest teaser for the film has been granted an online viewing. SYNOPSIS: When troubled teen Robbie moves to Cocoa Beach, Florida from Detroit after his grandmother has had enough of his antics, he soon […]

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Silat Action Drama YASMINE Gets Global Distribution

Lee B. Golden III

Debut director Siti Kamaluddin is still gracing the summer film festival circuit with her newest martial arts action drama, Yasmine, starring Liyana Yus. Much to Kamaluddin‘s approval and that the folks behind the curtain over at Origin Films, the film is marking a major milestone for the director who has so far been busy touring with the film in parts of Asia, and over in Switzerland where it won best Asian film for its Neuchatel premiere earlier this month. And this week, the new film is making headlines with some astonishing updates for fans of the genre all over the world. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new film has just been snagged by Canada-based indie sales holder 108 Media for worldwide rights. The acquisition comes in light of the excitement currently building up for the film’s forthcoming North American premiere on the night of Friday, July 25 at the […]

[UPDATED]Weapons Clash In The Intense New Teaser For THE DEAD LANDS!

Lee B. Golden III

I don’t know how excited you are about seeing what period Maori martial arts action looks like on the big screen, but I’m frickin stoked! The first official teaser arrived this week for director Toa Fraser‘s new film, The Dead Lands, which has earned a pretty good headstart in building up a fair amount of hype since production process began late last year. The film has been billed as a genuine Maori-language period action drama that promises to deliver nothing short an exhiliarating, full-scale, exciting filmgoing experience. So far however, the only experience most on-lookers online have been getting were various production photos, as well as a slate of new HD stills back in June, while some have already screen the film exclusively. And the mood, as it stands, has been nothing short of upbeat. SYNOPSIS: Hongi, a Maori chieftain’s teenage son, must avenge his father’s murder in order to […]

Yellow Sun Film Presents: FAIL/SAFE

Lee B. Golden III

A beautiful hooker, a ruthless kingpin and a turncoat henchman are at the center of the new sexy short action drama, Fail/Safe, written, produced and directed by award-winning actor James Huang. The project, starring wife, actress Elizabeth Sandy is one of several short and feature film projects headlining Los Angeles-based film company, Yellow Sun Films L.L.C., which the two have been running since its establishment in 2011. A beautiful and mysterious woman infiltrates a notorious clan of gangsters to steal a priceless relic. Their fail safe system to retrieve her and the item crumbles as the henchmen turn against one another and abandon their loyalties to the alliance and the Kingpin. Fail/Safe is now online following its 2014 film festival run. Huang and Sandy are joined by veteran actor Kelvin Han Yee, actress Catherine Kresge, and actors Jerry Ying and Teddy Chen Culver. The company is currently active and seeking […]

An Assassin Fights For What Counts Most In The New Shortfilm Trailer For FREEMAN: NEW WORLD ORDER

Lee B. Golden III

France was just the place to be earlier this year, especially if your name happens to be Leroy Kincaide. The wrestler-turned-actor, producer and filmmaker has been well on the way toward a hopefully lucrative film career, and now has a new trailer as of just a few months ago for the new shortfilm, Freeman: New World Order. The project generated a good share of buzz back in May when he and his team introduced it to the Court Métrage at the Cannes Film Festival. Kincaide spoke to Film Combat Syndicate to share a summary of the overall tone of how it was received, as well as the current status of the project. “…We had some very positive feedback from buyers and distributors which made us very pleased.” he said. “So at the moment, I’m writing the script and we are looking to formulate business relationships with other industry professionals in […]

AMC Journeys Westward With Series Order For Martial Arts Drama, BADLANDS

Lee B. Golden III

Folks who have fallen in love with shows like Breaking Bad and are current viewers of The Walking Dead series can now begin preparing themselves for a little more martial arts in their line-up. Deadline is now reporting that producing partners Al Gough and Miles Millar (Shanghai Knights, Smallville) are now behind the forthcoming production of the new AMC martial arts drama series, Badlands, which, while loosely based on late author Wu Cheng’en’s often film-translated late 16th century tale, “Journey To The West”, carries a description that reads as follows: In a land controlled by feudal barons, Badlands tells the story of a great warrior and a young boy who embark on a journey across a dangerous land to find enlightenment. It’s pretty early to suggest anything in terms of how the series will look, but it will be interesting, to say the least. In the meantime, AMC executive vice […]

SWELTER Gets A New Trailer And U.S. Release!

Lee B. Golden III

Writer and director Keith Parmer‘s new gritty desert crime thriller, Swelter, is finally around the corner for North America after a long wait in the past year or so. And for the most part, as minor as action star Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s role is, it will likely appease hardcore fans with the actor dead center with the principle cast on the new DVD cover for the film which is getting a DVD, Blu-Ray and VoD release on August 12, courtesy of Well Go USA. SYNOPSIS: SWELTER is the story of the most notorious robbery in Las Vegas history. Five men, nicknamed the Rat Pack, hit the Luxor Casino for over one hundred million dollars. Four of the men are soon captured, while one barely escapes. Ten years later, after blasting their way out of a maximum-security prison, the four jailed members of the Rat Pack are hot on the trail […]

The New Trailer For COLT 45 Fires At Close Range!

Lee B. Golden III

French director Fabrice Du Welz‘s third directorial offering is on the way this summer in the form of the new action thriller, Colt 45. The film also marks a debut for writer Fathi Beddiar whose screenplay sets the stage for intense drama, toxic friendships and explosive gun battles, with epic sequences overseen by the likes of technical weapons expert Mick Gould and action auteur Olivier Schneider, whose work credits are respectively attributed to hits like The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), The Replacement Killers (1998), Taken (2008) and Fast And Furious 6 (2013). SYNOPSIS: Weapon supervisor and shooting instructor for National Police, Vincent Milès is an expert in combat shooting. He’s only 25 and the elites from all around the globe are courting him. Against all odds, he refuses to join the prestigious field squads. His life takes a crucial turn when he meets Milo Cardena, a mysterious field agent, who […]