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I PLAY ROCKY Climbs the Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps, Unveiling First Poster Ahead of Its November Release

The promotional campaign for Amazon MGM Studios’ highly anticipated biographical drama I Play Rocky has hit its stride with the official unveiling of its first teaser poster. Directed by Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly (Green Book), the artwork brilliantly weaves the franchise’s deep Philadelphia roots into the real-life struggle of its creator. The poster makes immediate use of one of cinema’s most famous images—the triumphant, arms-raised victory pose at the top of the 72 stone Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. A massive black cutout takes the shape of the classic Rocky victory stance. Framed inside the center of the silhouette is actor Anthony Ippolito (The Offer) as a young, resolute Sylvester Stallone walking down a cold city street. Stamped directly across the layout is the film’s central narrative focus: “The True Underdog Story.” Rather than a traditional sports biopic, I Play Rocky dramatizes the frantic, desk-to-screen production behind the 1976 […]

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In Memoriam: DAVID WORTH, Director of Kickboxer and Cinematic Architect of Bloodsport, Dies at 86

The martial arts film community is in mourning following the passing of legendary cinematographer, director, and B-movie maestro David Worth, who died on September 7, 2026, at the age of 86. Worth leaves behind an indelible blueprint on the action genre, having served as the visual architect for Bloodsport (1988) and the director behind the global phenomenon Kickboxer (1989) Leading the tributes was action icon Jean-Claude Van Damme, whose early career was profoundly shaped by Worth’s eye for combat choreography and cinematic style. “From Bloodsport to Kickboxer, David’s talent and vision helped create two martial arts classics that changed my life,” Van Damme shared in an emotional statement. “Thank you for your friendship and for the magic we made together. Rest in peace, my friend. You will always be part of my journey.” David Worth didn’t just capture fights; he helped craft the aesthetic that defined late-80s and early-90s action […]

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IN MEMORIAM: Shaw Brothers Legend And ‘Boxer From Shantung’ Star CHEN KUAN-TAI Passes Away At 80

The martial arts cinema world is mourning today following the devastating news out of Hong Kong that legendary actor, director, and action choreographer Chen Kuan-tai has passed away at the age of 80. Reports from local media indicate that the revered screen icon, affectionately known to generations of fans as “Brother Tai,” died on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following a suspected brain hemorrhage. Chen’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary era for kung fu cinema. Spanning over five decades, his career bridged the gap between raw, real-world martial arts mastery and the golden age of cinematic action choreography. Unlike many of his contemporaries who came from operatic backgrounds, Chen was widely celebrated as one of the Shaw Brothers Studio’s very first professionally trained, legitimate martial artists—a distinction that lent an unmistakable, fierce authenticity to every frame of his filmography. Born on September 24, 1945, Chen Kuan-tai’s path to the […]

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