filmcombatsyndicate.com

Fantasia Review: In Abner Pastoll’s A GOOD WOMAN IS HARD TO FIND, Mom Knows Best

Lee B. Golden III

Strong feminine protagonists each come at their own measure from project to project. While some are constructed better than others, an inherently worthwhile angle to build a story on, particularly to the benefit of filmmaker Abner Pastoll who ultimately finds his in feature debut, A Good Woman Is Hard To Find. Actress Sarah Bolger leads the cast in a role that conveys a stoic, reclusive existence that ultimately comes out of its shell, finding redemption in one of the darkest corners of the human psyche. She plays Sarah, a recently widowed and living as a single mom with her two children, son Ben (Rudy Doherty) and daughter Lucy (Macie McCauley). The neighborhood they’re in dredges up nothing short of terrible memories and regret for Sarah’s mother (Jane Brennan) in the wake of rumors regarding the life of Sarah’s now late husband. Reasonably, life has been more cumbersome for the family, […]

Made In Chinatown

MADE IN CHINATOWN Trailer: Meet Vinny

Lee B. Golden III

Writer and producer Mark Wiley’s Made In Chinatown is firmly planting its feet in for its freshman premiere at the third annual Newark International Film Festival which kicks off its 4-day event in September. The cast will be in attendance and for this, the Robert Samuels-directed kung fu comedy feature hails the feature acting debut of stunt performer Jay Kwon has been a staple in independent online action cinema for as long as most can remember. Kwon plays “Vinny” Chow, an oddball Korean-American New Yorker who sets out to join the ranks of the Italian mob and become a made man to win the girl of his dreams. His exploits soon land him smack dab in the trenches of the city’s illegal condiments trade with the long-arm of the law in close pursuit. Also starring are Tony Darrow, Theresa Moriarty, Vincent Pastore, Raymond J. Barry and Shuya Chang with action […]

Rossatron Talks DRUNKEN MASTER 2: The Best Fight Scene Ever?

Lee B. Golden III

For nearly fifty years, revered action cinema luminary Jackie Chan has dazzled the big screen with the kind of captivating, innovative and death-defying stuntwork that has made his career what it is today. His 1994 kung fu cinema diptych with Lau Kar Leung, Drunken Master 2, remains nothing short of one of his highest marks in this regard. YouTuber Rossatron took to his platform last week to highlight why in a new video essay discussing the film’s final fight scene and what makes it work so well for the film’s sake. Enjoy his insights on the matter, as well as the stellar footage enclosed. Also, click here to buy the movie.

PicsArt_07-21-05.10.23.png

SDCC 2019: Marvel Hails BLADE Reboot Prospects With Mahershala Ali

Lee B. Golden III

For years fans wondered if or when actor Wesley Snipes would reclaim the role of hit comic book action horror franchise, Blade. On Saturday night, the conversation changed drastically at SDCC with the announcement of actor Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, Alita Battle Angel) set to star. Visually upgraded from its 1973 comic book likeness by author Marv Wolfman and illustrator Gene Colan, the Blade franchise took off in 1998 under director Stephen Norrington with Snipes starring in the title role, a modern day dhampir (a semi-human with vampire genes) waging a vengeful age-old one-man war against vampires. Snipes produced all three films with Guillermo del Toro sitting in for the 2002 sequel, Blade 2, while franchise screenwriter David S. Goyer sat in for the third, Blade: Trinity (2004), which suffered more critically and controversially despite the trilogy’s overall commercial success. Following the character’s short stint in a live-action TV and seperate […]

THE WITCHER

SDCC 2019: Netflix’s THE WITCHER Teaser Revealed

Lee B. Golden III

Andrzej Sapowski’s long-standing IP, The Witcher, is finally coming to life in live-action as Netflix has unveiled the official teaser for the upcoming episodic adaptation at Comic-Con Henry Cavill leads the new fantasy adventure series telling of the exploits of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia who wanders to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. When destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile Continent together. The sorceress Yennefer will be played by Anya Chalotra (The ABC Murders, Wanderlust). Actress MyAnna Buring (Ripper Street, Kill List) will lead the magical academy at Aretuza in the role of Tissaia, with Mimi Ndiweni (Black Earth Rising) and Therica Wilson-Read (Profile) as novice sorcerers Fringilla and Sabrina, and Millie Brady (The Last Kingdom, Teen Spirit) as the outcast Princess Renfri. […]

Riot Girls

RIOT GIRLS Official Trailer: Two Gangs + Zero Parents = All Out War!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a straight blast covering movies now screening in Montreal and I’ll be doling out my reviews in due time. The same goes for one of this year’s exciting feats recently wrapped at Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival with director Jovanka Vuckovic’s own Riot Girls readying some Fantasia Festival fun on Sunday, July 28. Vuckovic’s 1990s-set feature debut is penned by Katherine Collins and centers on two girlfriends, Scratch (Paloma Kwiatkowski) and (Madison Iseman) who set out to rescue Nat’s brother from a squadron of fascist jocks in a world where the adult population has been decimated by a deadly plague. The film also stars Alexandre Bourgeois, Munro Chambers, Ajay Friese, Evan Marsh and Jenny Raven. Good Deed Entertainment’s genre shingle, Cranked Up, acquired North American distribution rights to the new distopian action comedy which Fantasia’s own Justin Langlois bills as “a bittersweet cocktail of DEGRASSI, punk rock and […]

FIERCE TARGET Teaser Introduces Actor And Martial Artist Tamas Nadas

Lee B. Golden III

Making the rounds as of late is word of a new indie action thriller titled Fierce Target. The film stars aspiring actor and multi-award winning martial arts champion Tamas Nadas (Millenium Bugs) and hails from writer/director Emilio Lavizzi. Fierce Target is just the latest evolution for the actor and director, both European immigrants who previously worked together on a short called The Exchange in 2007. The partnership was pretty expedient following auditions as the two became best friends forthwith, paving away for their latest endeavor. Billed as a cross-betwern The Transporter and Snatch, with intense character driven, innovative kick ass action, Fierce Target sees Nadas in the role of a rebel thief whose world collides with a 12-year old girl on the run from a nefarious Senator who is now targeting them both. Lavizzi also stars along with actress Chloe Gunther Chung, l Bryan Hanna (Mega Shark vs Kolossus), Fabrice […]

MV5BNTFmODVlNzEtNzZjMS00MDc3LTk1MWEtZmY5MWMwYzliZTI3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQ0MzA0NTM@._V1_.jpg

A Beginner’s Guide to DOCTOR WHO

Christina Ortega

Have you ever heard the of the “TARDIS” or “dalek” and thought someone was making up words? Have you seen people cringe when a weeping angel statue is near? Do you have friends who say the word “spoilers” and then grin? Do you have friends who love bow ties or weirdly long colorful scarves? These are all related to the wonderful world of Doctor Who and if you have ever wanted to learn more about this show, here is your beginner’s guide. Step right in and let me take you on a brief tour of the Whovian universe, but watch your step: this fandom is bigger on the inside. So what is Doctor Who? To put it simply, Doctor Who is a science-fiction TV show that debuted in 1963. It began as an educational show meant for a family audience, using time travel to teach about historical moments and science. […]

814WbQdna7L._SL480_.jpg

Your Next Read: ONE WORD KILL

Christina Ortega

One Word Kill is a young adult science fiction book written by Mark Lawrence. I was lucky enough to get this book from Amazon in April as part of the First Reads offer, though it was not available for purchase until May first. It is the first in the Impossible Times trilogy. The book opens with 15-year-old Nick Hayes finding out that he has cancer and that his odds of survival aren’t good. Believe it or not things only get weirder from there when a stranger follows Nick and asks for his help. The stranger carries news about the future and needs Nick and the rest of his Dungeons & Dragons-playing friends to help make sure future events happen as they should. Is life imitating the game? Is the game dictating their life events? And can Nick and his friend help the stranger? You have to read to find out. […]

A SCORE TO SETTLE: Nicolas Cage Makes ‘Em Pay In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

RLJE Films is proudly presenting Shawn Ku’s latest directorial feat with actor Nicolas Cage in A Score To Settle. The film also stars Benjamin Bratt, Karolina Wydra, Mohamed Karim and Noah Le Gros and looks to open in select theaters, VOD and Digital HD on August 2. Cage plays Frankie Carver, an ex-con fresh out after serving 19 years of hard time. Diagnosed with a fatal condition, he sets out on a desperate quest to make amends with his son while plotting a bloody course of revenge against his old gang.

SDCC 2019: TOP GUN: MAVERICK Official Teaser Revealed!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been quite the while since director Joseph Kosinski took to the helm with twice the Tom Cruise for futuristic sci-fi, Oblivion. They’re back together now and with San Diego Comic Con in full steam, the official teaser for Top Gun: Maverick is now here. The plot is largely a mystery though the general knowledge is that the iconic role of Maverick – played by Cruise since the 1986 film – will be an instructor in a technologically advanced world. Matt Donnelly at Variety quotes Cruise stating the following during the Hall H panel: “…to me, ‘Top Gun’ is about competition.” In the trailer shown, that sentiment is alive and well but its not about skilled pilots fighting against machines — this time, they’re battling drones.” Peter Craig, Justin Marks, and Eric Warren Singer penned the script. Rounding out the cast are Miles Teller and returning actor Val Kilmer, with […]

Master Z SDCC

SDCC 2019: Win One Of Two Limited Edition MASTER Z: IP MAN LEGACY Blu-Rays From Well Go USA [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is proudly making one heck of a banner year out of 2019 thusfar showcasing its titles around the world in many festivals abroad with its releases both current and forthcoming. NYAFF darling and martial arts action legend Yuen Woo-Ping is no different as his latest sequel-bound martial arts actioner, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy, makes its way around festivals as well as a U.S. release on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital. To boot, the Planos-based firm along with in-house Asian action brand, Hi-YAH!, have also inducted 500 LIMITED EDITION Blu-Ray copies with AMAZING new art work being brandished at San Diego Comic Con at booth #4829 in Hall G. We’re proudly presenting that artwork exclusively in the gallery above in full, AND we are proudly joining Well Go USA in giving away TWO COPIES. Just send an e-mail to filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com with MASTER Z SDCC in the subject header, […]

PicsArt_07-18-09.22.34.png

AFFD XVIII: Inuyashiki, Miss Baek, Fly By Night, Samurai Marathon, Zombie Parties And SO Much More Fun Starting Tonight!

Lee B. Golden III

The 18th annual Asian Film Festival of Dallas kicks off as of today through July 25 with a tasty raft of titles. Lee Min-Jae’s undead rural comedy, The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale, is poised to launch this year’s events, screening at the Angelika Film Center (Mockingbird Station) at 7pm, followed by a zombie-themed party at AKAI, a speakeasy inside Musume, located in the Arts District. This festival is ripe with other titles that have already drawn acclaim and movie fans are gonna want to sink their teeth into, including Zahir Omar’s seething Malaysian crime thriller Fly By Night starring Sunny Pang, and director Lee Ji-Won’s evocative and captivating Han Ji-Min drama, Miss Baek – both delighful feats for their screenings earlier this year at the NYAFF Winter Showcase and you can read my reviews and coverage here and here. Other titles attendees might take interest in include Well Go […]

PicsArt_07-17-05.49.25.png

FANTASIA 2019: Well Go USA’s THE DIVINE FURY Gets A Late Addition, Don Lee’s THE GANGSTER, THE COP, THE DEVIL Gets An Encore

Lee B. Golden III

Kim Joo-hwan’s supernatural MMA thriller, The Divine Fury, is officially screening as a late addition to this year’s 23rd edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival. A day after its South Korean release, the film will screen on August 1 immediately following Hiroyuki Imaishi’s animated powerhouse feature debut out of Studio Trigger, Promare. Well Go USA has slated an August 16 U.S. select theatrical release. The Divine Fury is written and directed by Kim and boasts a dazzling mix of horror and mixed martial arts starring Park Seo-jun (Parasite), Woo Do-hwan (Tempted) and Ahn Sung-ki (The Divine Weapon). Park plays a champion fighter who, as a child, abandoned his Christian faith, only to become afflicted with stigmata as an adult. When he realizes that he may at the center of a demonic plot to take over the Earth, he uses his martial arts prowess to take out the ghouls sent […]

MV5BZmQ3ZThiNzEtOGYwMC00NjEyLWI4MTMtZmVhZmYzNTc4ODgwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc5Mjg0NjU@._V1_SY1000_SX1500_AL_.jpg

FARMING Trailer: Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Got A Story To Tell

Lee B. Golden III

Years in the making since making headway with his 2004 short of the same name, actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Faster, Suicide Squad), is ready to leave an impression with his latest feature debut, Farming. The subject matter is pretty damn brutal itself here going by the official trailer, dealing primarily with racism and bigotry, and the ugly consequences and fallout of self-hate, echoing a lot of what the world still deaks with to this very day. The project has already seen life on the festival circuit and will soon gather moviegoers for a release in the UK beginning October 11. Based on his own life story, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s FARMING charts the extraordinary journey of a young fostered Nigerian boy who, struggling to find an identity, falls in with a skinhead gang in 1980’s England. Farming stars Damson Idris, Kate Beckinsale, John Dagleish, Jaime Winstone, Genevieve Nnaji and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

NYAFF Review: Zhang Wei’s THE RIB Invokes A Beautiful Tale About Acceptance And Revealing What Is Already There

Cesar Alejandro Jr.

Transgendered Huanyu (Yuan Weijie) seeks to get reassignment surgery to physically become a woman; however, before the operation can take place, Huanyu must convince his father Jianguo (Huang Jingyi) to sign off on the procedure as parental consent is needed. Being a devout Christian, Jianguo is adamantly opposed to such a thing and the revelation about the secret life of his only son rattles him and his faith to its core. As father and son try to reconcile their dreams and needs as a family, Huanyu must also come to terms with how the society in China will react when he becomes fully outed and a woman. A powerful examination on the modern state of LGBT politics and social order in China, Director Zhang’s intimate and beautifully shot film features stellar acting and direction but fares less well when compared with similar efforts from Western countries considering the plethora of […]

SANGKAR: The Fight For Redemption Begins In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

As long as I’ve chased the film markets in Asia, I long for the days when Malaysian cinema like Kabir Bhatia’s new movie, Sangkar, can get a wider audience. At long last though, we finally have the official trailer now live and running ahead of the MMA action drama’s August 29 release with Remy Ishak, Zul Ariffin, Niezam Zaidi, Mira Filzah and Nik Adam Mika starring. MMA fighters Adam and Johan take on each other and this results in Johan being seriously injured. Distressed by this, Adam tries to atone for his mistakes by helping out Johan’s family. At the same time, Johan struggles with his own life for his family’s sake. To earn more money to give to Johan’s family, Adam decides to fight an international MMA fighter.

DON’T LET GO: Jacob Aaron Estes’ Supernatural Murder Mystery Gets An Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

A week since Jacob Aaron Estes’ Sundance entry landed a release base from Blumhouse, OTL Releasing and Briarcliff, suspense thriller Don’t Let Go unveiled its official trailer on Tuesday. After Detective Jack Radcliff’s (David Oyelowo) family appears to be victim of a mysterious murder, he receives a startling phone call from his niece (Storm Reid), seemingly from the past. Now Jack must race to unravel a mystery to prevent a death that has already happened. I gotta say…that summary had me doing a double-take, twice! Also starring are Mykelti Williamson and Brian Tyree Henry. opens in theaters August 30!

THE KING’S MAN Commits To His True Duty In The First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

It’s high time the next chapter of the Kingsman franchise commences with director Matthew Vaughn’s latest entry, The King’s Man. Trading balls-to-the-wall spy gadgetry and spectacle for a more grittier, grounded wartime take, the prequel lines up an ensemble cast that brings Ralph Fiennes to the forefront of the saga with a new hero. As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in The King’s Man. Fiennes is joined by actress Gemma Arterton, and actors Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson and Daniel Brühl, with Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance. The King’s Man opens in theaters on February 14.

PicsArt_07-14-11.15.39.png

DAISY SCARLETT: Screenwriter Ben Trebilcook’s British Spy Thriller In Developlent With ‘Foxtrot Six’ Executive Producer [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Screenwriter Ben Trebilcook has been relatively known of late for his efforts toward scripting a new installment of the Die Hard franchise. His longest struggle, however, lies with his latest prospective original novel IP, Daisy Scarlett, which has seen an evolution that dates back as far as 1994. “Though it has a couple of big set pieces, it’s a lot more raw than Bond.” says Trebilcook who also describes the project as once in the vein of a female Indiana Jones, later taking on several names before landing on the more preferred female James Bond-type. That progression, he tells me, led to a few legal wranglings and pub conversations while maintaining at least one other Daisy concept for which his agent once sought after the likes of actresses Sharon Stone and Sarah Michelle Gellar. The aspiring film scribe and South London educator had been pursuant of a screenwriting for as […]