eric jacobus

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THE HIT LIST – February 18, 2015

This week’s list is a few days late putting together. It should have been up on Monday night but I had every intention of sharing one video that didn’t release until the following evening. On a seperate note, I did manage to find a few teasers – one I decided not to include in this article because I wanted to learn a little more about it. It’s a challenge I hope to overcome so I can share it provided its not too late, but anyway, here’s this week’s little gathering of goods! It was last October that up-and-coming actor Ricky Barksdale was featured in full display on a teaser poster for the upcoming shortfilm, Blade: The Chronicles Of Eric Brooks. All fandom aside for its Hollywood predecessor notwithstanding, there’s plenty of reason to endorse what’s happening here, particularly with some of the impressive work accomplished by its director, Lang Yip […]

Shortfilm Review: SENSITIVE 70'S TURTLENECK TOUGH GUYS (2015)

Lee B. Golden III

As practical as it is for filmmakers to make movies set within a specific decade or a certain period in time, there’s always been something admirable when a director’s vision harkens back to a time period as recent as the last five decades, particularly the seventies. To date, it’s an era most people can still relate to given how varying cultural aspects of that time frame have inspired quite a handful of the artists living today, and to say the least, directing duo Jose Montesinos and Brett Stillo clearly fit the category. Their latest shortfilm, Sensitive 70’s Turtleneck Tough Guys, doesn’t have all the trimmings down, but it does hit most of the right notes to encompass the tone and level of satire embodying a project of this nature. Montesinos co-stars with actors and stuntmen Eric Jacobus and Troy Carbonel in a story that often switches between situation comedy and […]

IN PRODUCTION: My Interview With Eric Jacobus

Lee B. Golden III

Not many of you, or perhaps generally none of you know this about me – it was around 2007 or 2008 that I started a blog not too different from this one, with the goal of getting in touch with the online action film community. It lasted in the course of a six month trial period at a site called Freehostia, initially with the intent of purchasing extra space for more articles and such, and it was during that time period when I had already gotten in touch with a few people through MySpace (yes, it was THAT long ago). Unfortunately, for lack of a better working computer that wouldn’t crash and burn out, I never really got to add actor and stuntman Eric Jacobus to my list of contacts before then, and my free trial eventually expired. Essentially, it wasn’t a good year and to simply say that the […]

ROPE-A-DOPE 2 Gets An Online Date And Poster!

Lee B. Golden III

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 […]

THE HIT LIST – December 22, 2014

Lee B. Golden III

Christmas is approaching and hopefully you all have your gifts and stocking stuffers ready. With any luck, this could mean more of what is listed below from the creators and performers in today’s installment of The Hit List! Kicking things off with something a bit more holiday-spirited is Italian stuntteam Flying Without Fear and their new short, Stunta Clause: Una Visita Inaspettata (Stunt Claus: An Unexpected Visit). Stuntman Daniele Balconi takes the lead once more as the not-so-big guy in red as he’s forced into another annual epic battle. Good thing he’s in shape, because this creature looks pissed! This week, I have at least two reels that I feel are worth adding to the Hit List, featuring stuntmen and action actors Vonzell Carter and Eric Jacobus. Carter is best known for his collaborative efforts for the last several years with the folks over at Thousand Pounds Action Company, performing […]

Ain't No Bull In The New Teaser For SENSITIVE 70'S TURTLENECK TOUGH GUYS!

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaker Jose Montesinos (Barrio Brawler, Bert: The Emotion Picture) is back to punch you in the face with all kinds of masculine tenderness! Yes, post-production currently remains on-going for the upcoming shortfilm, Sensitive 70’s Turtleneck Tough Guys, and action-packed comedic spoof circling the eclectic era best known for such trendy tropes like sideburns, UV sunglasses, groovy music, kung fu…and of course, turtlenecks. The project is just one in a handful of collaborations between Montesinos and martial arts action favorite, Eric Jacobus, two of the main cornerstones of online independent action cinema in the past fifteen years. If you know Montesinos‘ work, you can instantly tell he has a flare for all things fashionable when it comes to 70’s and 80’s nostalgia; One of his best contributions to date was a trailer-only project titled Hell’s Kittens, a homage to sexy grindhouse action cinema at the height of popularity for the […]

Beard Man Wants His Beard Back

Lee B. Golden III

Eric Jacobus is stuck in a time loop fighting to claim his beard back from his greatest opponent yet in the new short, Beard Off. The short got an early cast and screw screening just after he and his team wrapped Rope-A-Dope 2 last week and is now available online. By the way, Jacobus is also someone who looks out for his fellow bearded bretheren, especially when it comes to eating. To learn more about his newest business venture, head over to the official website for The Beard Spoon. He makes them himself, so feel free to purchase one yourself and give some feedback.

ROPE-A-DOPE 2 Goes Ringside With New Set Photos

Lee B. Golden III

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, […]

Watch The New Re-Release From The Stunt People, UNDERCUT

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been about a decade since we got our first computer here, and for me, it marked an adventurous beginning for me on the internet as an action fan. MySpace was popular, Netscape and AOL/AIM were cool, and most importantly, my random searches for all things kung fu and film related ultimately led me to the world of indie action, and it was simply a matter of time before I would come across the official website for The Stunt People and their hit shortfilm, Undercut, directed by independent filmmaker Stephen Reedy. It was my introduction to actor, martial artist, fight choreographer and stuntman Eric Jacobus and his team prior to seeing his later work online, having grown fond of what the independent film scene is capable of for better action movies ever since. It’s people like Jacobus and Andy Leung that have brought me to where I am now as a […]

Eric Jacobus 'Wheels' Out Unseen Fight Footage From ROPE-A-DOPE!

Lee B. Golden III

It takes some pretty good editing to make a scene in a film look like something entirely different from what would have looked like another version of it. That being said, I never would have guessed the following clip was part of last year’s shortfilm festival favorite, Rope-A-Dope, starring The Stunt People co-founder, actor, stuntman and Kicktionary author Eric Jacobus. Remixed with Keith Morrison’s final fight music from the U.S. version of the 1984 Jackie Chan classic, Wheels On Meals (a.k.a. Spartan X), Jacobus revives a partial version of the final fight from Rope-A-Dope which you can check out below. Also, be sure to check out the full shortfilm now available in the same link and subscribe to the channel as well. And in case you haven’t heard, Rope-A-Dope 2 is coming. True story. Stay tuned!

Reel Time: 200+ Kicks With ERIC JACOBUS!

Lee B. Golden III

Photo © 2014 KungFuMagazine.com, republished by permission. Actor, independent filmmaker and martial artist Eric Jacobus (The Agent, Death Grip, Mortal Kombat Legacy 2) is probably one of the most technical, precise and innovative kickers working in front of a camera. And personally, after seeing his latest reel now available on his YouTube channel for indie action company, The Stunt People, I can’t remember the last time I have seen a reel where a performer did this many kicks in such an evolutionary, story-esque fashion. That’s because there probably isn’t one. And if there is, I would love to see it. In the meantime, you can now catch Jacobus‘s new reel in the following embed at the bottom of the page. It’s the most intricate reel I have ever seen, and each kick has a name as well…everything from a simple side kick to any which way one could execute a sweep, to […]

The Stunt People's Eric Jacobus Gets Engaged Behind Our Backs, And We’re Not Mad About It At All!

Lee B. Golden III

Eric and his bride-to-be take a happy selfie. It’s been roughly a decade or so since I began following the independent action scene, having become a fan of several film groups over the years and slowly accumulating my online social circle within the industry. Having said this, please forgive me for feeling a little sappy today-and no, I don’t plan on doing this sort of thing all the time as I don’t normally do this, nor do I know all the details and exploits of the personal lives of these folks. But I’m in a mood. So, I just wanted to write a special congratulations to Facebook friend, independent filmmaker Eric Jacobus‘s new engagement to lady friend Chiara. I’ve known Eric off-and-on since the mid-2000s having become a fan of his team, The Stunt People, primarily watching him in helmer Stephen Reedy’s spectactular shortfilm, Undercut, and being one of the […]

Hammergirl Launches Her Subway Assault In A New Clip From THE RAID 2

Lee B. Golden III

The North American limited theatrical premiere of writer and director Gareth Evans‘s new film, The Raid 2 is just a week and a half away with a wider release expected next month. I’m jusy going to say it: I envy everyone who has seen it other than me! The film screened over this past weekend here in New York City, followed by an event two days later at Apple Store SoHo, and were it not for the job (or my relentless cold this month), I would have attended. But, priorities remain. However, the one thing I am thankful for is being a part of a recent fan-based effort attributed to the film courtesy of independent filmmaker Vlad Rimburg whose latest short, Hammergirl, won fan-wide praise and approval among his niche, as well as the film’s select cast and crew since its airing last week. It was in August of last […]

Feel The Sting Of Action In The New Shortfilm Trailer For THE BLACK WASP STRIKES

Lee B. Golden III

A new trailer has been making the rounds for an upcoming 20-minute late 60’s/early 70’s martial arts noir comedy titled The Black Wasp Strikes. Directed by Richard and Chris Pelletier, the project initially began in 2012, as a martial arts portfolio for another associate who moved on due to other obligations, which left room for a producer to oversee the project’s potential. The Black Wasp Strikes is led by up-and-coming actor Thomas Tan who got his start in theater nine years ago, prior to taking up Judo and having since expanded his horizons in the field of stunt performancr and independent film, working among the likes of Darren Holmquist and Eric Jacobus to name a few. “I think my favorite part is the collaboration,” says Tan on what he enjoys most about fight choreography and stuntwork. “Seeing the full system come together to make a movie is a great process.”. […]

DEATH GRIP Is Now Available For Pre-Order With A New DVD Release Date!

Lee B. Golden III

It has taken a couple of years since the crowdfunded production, completion and independent distribution of actor, martial arts stunt impressario and filmmaker Eric Jacobus landed his third directorial feature, Death Grip. And with other projects in the works, this particular film has since earned a rightful place with several distributors worldwide, including its new North American home at Osiris Entertainment with pre-order period open to the public as of a few days ago, and a street date set for March 11, 2014. If you’re not yet familar with the film, check out my previous review HERE following the trailer which you can check out in the embed below. You can learn more about Jacobus at the official website for his independent stunt forum, action cimema and choreography team, The Stunt People, in light of its 13-year anniversary since its launch. And, if you happen to also be a bit […]

Slovakia Gets Its Own Dope To Rope In The New Shortfilm, NEVER SURRENDER!

Lee B. Golden III

You may recall last year that independent filmmaker and stunt impressario Eric Jacobus made serious headway in the film festival circuit with his 2013 shortfilm, Rope-A-Dope, a groundhog-style martial arts comedy that saw a dope take on the challenge of changing what he needed to derail the events that led to him getting knocked unconcious. The shortfilm left such an impression among fans that even action star Scott Adkins retweeted it on Twitter, among other important folks in the world of action. That said, as Jacobus marks fifteen years as founding member of The Stunt People, his work continues to sustain its place as a blueprint for other aspiring action actors and stunt team founders alike, including actor Julius Kmak in the good company of his people representing Slovakian indie film group 3 Media Production with their new shortfilm, Never Surrender. And while it won’t be hard to notice some […]

Want To Be A Ninja? Go Interactive In CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE NINJA!

Lee B. Golden III

Ever wish you could view a martial arts movie in the same fashion you would a fighting game? Well, multifaceted independent filmmaker Jeff Centauri has that covered with The Stunt People’s latest unveiling of the interactive gem, Choose Your Own Adventure Ninja. The footage below was shot roughly ten years ago, which is why the picture looks a bit dated. But if you enjoy this particular type of project, feel free to share it with friends, and there could be more like it ahead. Follow the annotations and let them be your guide to either victory or defeat with either Eric Jacobus or Edwin Villa as your characters. Good luck!

Eric Jacobus Breaks The Cycle In The New Shortfilm, ROPE-A-DOPE!

Lee B. Golden III

Back online with a new comedic martial arts action short is independent action star Eric Jacobus with Rope-A-Dope. Implying a narrative “groundhog day” spin on a classic boxing style coined in 1974 in accordance with Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble In The Jungle” match with George Foreman, this latest bout takes place in the California suburbs with writer, editor and director Jacobus playing the lead. Rope-A-Dope was filmed earlier this year prior to the completion of his most recent project, Future Boss with co-star and fellow independent actor and screenfighter Lorenz Hideyoshi Ruwwe. The shortfilm eventually became a fan favorite among film festival participants over the summer and can now be viewed on Jacobus‘s official channel for The Stunt People. Rope-A-Dope also stars Dennis Ruel, Shaun Finney, Yun Yang, Wake-Up Juice co-star Thomas Tan, Sergio Munoz and Jacob Gonzales. SYNOPSIS: Meet the Dope, who takes a beating by a local gang of […]

Emergency Kung Fu Is Just A Google Search Away In The New Shortfilm, FUTURE BOSS

Lee B. Golden III

The latest in a slate of exciting collaborations from The Stunt People, indie action star Eric Jacobus has unveiled a slick new short film teaming with German action film pair, brothers Lorenz and Felix Hideyoshi Ruwwe for the 80’s style kung fu sci-fi short, Future Boss. The shortfilm is the latest Team Internet gathering which Lorenz directed on location in San Francisco from April 1, 2013 through April 5, immediately after completing his previous project, Rope-A-Dope, which is still allocating throughout the film festival circuit. Future Boss takes off as car-thief Eric experiments with his own pair of Google Glasses in a failed attempt to break into a car. Just after he gives up and tosses them, he is forced to defend himself against Lorenz, who plays a terminator-style kung fu assassin from the future programmed to take out before he becomes president. Fortunately, as you will see, Eric‘s trusty […]

A Mace, A Machete And An Evil Clown Enhance The Brutality In The Stunt People's Newest Action Short, WAKE UP JUICE!

Lee B. Golden III

Independent action star and choreographer impressario Eric Jacobus is currently on the road making more action films after recently pushing his latest new shortfilm, Rope-A-Dope through the film festival circuit. And with more work on the way, today he is releasing his latest shortfilm from director Tyler Bohlman and producer Blair Kelly, Wake-Up-Juice. Jacobus has become increasingly sharp at what he does ever since he founded his indie martial arts action filmgroup, The Stunt People, forming partnerships with people like Rebecca Ahn who produced and starred in Jacobus‘s recent feature film, Death Grip. He now continues his craft with Ahn, as well as actors Jesse Chandler and Johnathan Stoddard, and actor, screenfighter and Dardrex Productions performer Thomas Tan. You can also capture Jacobus among the cast of writer/director Kevin Tacharoen’s Mortal Kombat Legacy: Season 2, produced by Lance Sloane on Septemeber 26, only on Machinima. SYNOPSIS: A computer hacker must […]