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FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Goes Live-Action In 2017!

This year, I’ve found myself a new hobby in catching up with as much anime that I’ve missed in the last fifteen years or so as I possibly can. I’m having fun with it as I’ve already seen five series and currently in the middle of a sixth, which now brings me to even more homework I’ll be doing between now and 2017. For this, I speak of the sci-fi action series, Fullmetal Alchemist which debuted a manga from author Arakawa Hiromu in 2001 before venturing into several animated shows and a feauture film in the decade that followed. Reports in the last 12 hours from Japanese media outlets (forwarded through Crunchyroll) are now buzzing over news of a new feature film in the works for 2017 with Ashita no Joe helmer Sori Fumihiko directing and Hey! Say! JUMP’s own Yamada Ryosuke (Assassination Classroom) cast to portray protagonist, Edward Elric. […]

STREET FIGHTER: RESURRECTION – Episode 3 Summary & Review

Lee B. Golden III

Katrina Durden as Decapre in “Street Fighter: Resurrection”, courtesy of Machinima Last week’s second episode of Street Fighter: Resurrection saw things escalate quite a bit following actor Alain Moussi’s emergence as the formerly dead Army Major, Charlie Nash. Substantively, it was the most action-packed episode thusfar as our characters finally began taking shape with the signature action scenes and techniques fans have come to know and love about filmmaker Joey Ansah’s live-action rendition of the Capcom property via Machinima, and for what it’s worth, save for Machinima’s teething nine-minute weekly increments of the show on go90, I have yet to be disappointed. Episode three, “Mission Critical”, goes live this week with actors Mike Moh and Christian Howard back in the respective roles of franchise favorites Ryu and Ken, who were previously summoned by Interpol to assist a sting operation in London involving an illegal arms deal. The mission moves forward […]

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Legendary Digital's ELECTRA WOMAN & DYNA GIRL Make A Stylish Entry In The New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

So how do you go about the goal of reviving a 70’s television cult classic like Electra Woman & Dyna Girl? Well, leave that to Legendary Digital who have finally arrived with an official trailer following a teaser last summer. Comediennes, actresses Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart star in their respective title roles, and accompanied by your usual doses of comedic wit and superhero action to boot. YouTube phenomenons Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart star in an updated version of Sid & Marty Krofft’s classic ’70s TV series ELECTRA WOMAN & DYNA GIRL, bringing the property to a new generation of viewers. ELECTRA WOMAN & DYNA GIRL follows two superheroes Electra Woman (Helbig) and Dyna Girl (Hart) as they move from Akron to Los Angeles in hopes of making it big in the crime fighting world, only to find competition with other vigilantes and infighting amongst themselves. Both Helbig and Hart […]

Catch The New International Trailer For WARCRAFT: THE BEGINNING

Lee B. Golden III

Right about now you’ll be seeing a lot more TV spots in the coming months with the release of Duncan Jones’s latest, Warcraft: The Beginning, on June 10. In the meantime, a new international trailer is making the rounds and with a likely franchise of its own pending, hopefully the crowd will come out in support of this latest adventure flick outside of the comic book movie niche. SYNOPSIS: From Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures comes Warcraft, an epic adventure of world-colliding conflict based on Blizzard Entertainment’s global phenomenon. The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: Orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide […]

Watch The Gruesome New Trailer For Hashimoto Hajime's ZEBRA

Lee B. Golden III

Director Hashimoto Hajime’s latest, Zebra, looks about as violent and eccentric as one would enjoy in a Japanese gangster thriller, all courtesy of manga author Obata Fumio’s 2010 publication which explains some of the peculiar costuming. Actor Ryusei Ryo leads the cast with a script by Takahashi Izumi that centers on an extortionist who mistakenly targets an unassuming member of the Yakuza…big mistake. The new teaser trailer has arrived and offers good and plenty to give interest to. Suga Kenta, Hinami Kyoko, Takahashi Maryjun, and a sinister-looking, grey-haired Kato Masaya round out the cast among others for the film’s May 21 release in Japan.

THE HIT LIST – March 28, 2016

Lee B. Golden III

I’m currently getting over a cold, but hopefully you’ve rested well from your Easter weekend as the past two days have been brimming with all things Batsy and Super. Otherwise, here and now and once more, we attribute our day of the week to an article filled with things that make up a lot of the entertainment you see on the big screen, thanks to none other than the stunt community. It’s a little shorter than preferred but I think you’ll still get your fill, in my opinion. Getting things off to an excellent start this week is actor and stuntman Eric Jacobus with his latest movelist performance attributed to Tekken game villain, Heihaichi Mishima, followed by reels from filmmaker and action director Bueno, stunt performers Ryan Robertson, tricker Vellu Saarela, Aviel Ayoung, Curt Wheeler, Nick Stanner, and Steve Bravler, and a fan reel knitted with scenes attributed to celebrated […]

Check Out The Killer Sales Poster For Ho Yuhang's MRS K

Lee B. Golden III

If there were ever a time to get excited for director Ho Yuhang’s new action thriller, Mrs. K, that time would be at least by about now with the festivals already in full swing, and heralded Shaw Brothers veteran Kara Hui on par for what’s been deemed as her final action film for some time now. One can only hope this may go another direction, of course, but with teaser footage currently due, she’s not doing bad at all with some of the latest images gaining traction this season, including the latest sales poster which you can view below! SYNOPSIS: Mrs K is a housewife who lives in a quiet suburban neighborhood with her husband Mr K and their daughter Lil’ K. One day, a stranger shows up to blackmail Mrs K. He’s an ex-cop who knows about her unseemly past. But he doesn’t seem to pose much threat and […]

Check Out The Trailer For The 6th OLD SCHOOL KUNG FU FEST At NYC’s Metrograph!

Lee B. Golden III

Live in New York City? Love cult Asian action classics? Got some free time on your hands in the next few weeks? Then consider yourself properly met in the criteria for the forthcoming 6th Old School Kung Fu Fest which is being held from April 8 through 10, and with a plurality of amazing titles from the Golden Harvest library you’re more than welcome to catching on the big screen at the Metrograph in New York City come showtime! Subway Cinema, the crew behind the legendary New York Asian Film Festival (now in its 15th year), is teaming up with Metrograph to unleash the 6th edition of the annual Old School Kung Fu Fest (OSKFF), which celebrates the rarest, wildest, and most incredible martial arts and action cinema from the sixties to the nineties. Declared “an intensely amazing event” (Badass Digest) and a “kick-ass fest” (Time Out New York), this […]

L.O.R.D.: Watch The New Teaser For Guo Jingming's 3D Epic

Lee B. Golden III

There’s no question that filmmaker and YA novelist Guo Jingming has gained a loyal following despite the voices of some naysayers. Nowadays and having carried himself through with the Tiny Times film franchise, he’s drawn quite the curiosity with some earlier promo pics of actress Fan Bingbing among the cast in motion-capture suits for his latest ambitious venture, L.O.R.D.: Legend Of Ravaging Dynasties. Guo’s own Western epic novel series, “Ages Below Critical”, serves as the basis for the new film with the story set in the mystical city of Odin and with a 3D release set for September, the newly arrived teaser clearly indicates those mo-cap suits were put in good use. Check out the new teaser below and look closely as you’ll spot actress Bingbing in complete C.G.I. form. Kris Wu, Yang Mi, Chen Xuedong, Amber Kuo, William Chan, Yan Yikuan and Aarif Lee among others also star.

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Gets A Full Trailer, Because That's How Cool Batman Is

Lee B. Golden III

Taking a page from the version of Batman The Lego Movie gave us in 2014, director Chris McKay has arrived with an effort of his own for fans of the Bat with the new film, The Lego Batman Movie; In case you’re asking yourself this, yes, of course they were going to call it that, and this Batman wouldn’t have it any other way. SYNOPSIS: In the irreverent spirit of fun that made “The LEGO® Movie” a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up. The film opens on February 10, 2017 with Will Arnett voicing […]

Michael Jai White Goes Old School In The New Trailer For NEVER BACK DOWN: NO SURRENDER

Lee B. Golden III

With 2016 ripe as ever for martial arts action cinema, multi-hyphenate Michael Jai White is certainly one whose name lends its share of fervor to the crowd, and even moreso since his directorial debut for the DVD sequel, Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown in which he also co-starred. That momentum now carries over for Sony’s June 7 home release of the new action threequel, Never Back Down: No Surrender with White back once more, and in great company no less with actor former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett and the towering Nathan Jones, along with wife and actress Gillian Waters White, actor Esai Morales and sports broadcaster and actor, Stephen “The Fight Professor” Quadros. SYNOPSIS: Former MMA champion Case Walker (Michael Jai White) has kept a low profile, winning small-time regional matches after refusing to join the powerful new leagues that push performance- enhancing drugs on their fighters. Walker […]

Chris Nahon's LADY BLOODFIGHT Rumbles Online With A New Behind The Scenes Featurette

Lee B. Golden III

Actress and martial artist Amy Johnston once sparked the internet with a conceptual action sequence choreographed by James Young in 2012. Since then, her budding stunt career has rightly taken off while others in more advantageous positions began taking notice, namely over at Voltage Pictures as of a few years ago for Johnston’s now forthcoming lead debut in Kiss Of The Dragon helmer Chris Nahon’s new thriller, Lady Bloodfight. Bey Logan’s script casts Johnston in the role of Jane, a troubled backpacker in Hong Kong who incidentally becomes the prospect of a Wudang champion for an underground martial arts tournament, ultimately pitting her against opponents both in the ring, and hidden in the shadows. Johnston stands among a plurality of talented female screenfighters for this one as the film finally comes to fruition since developing several years ago as a female-centric loose remake of the 1988 Van Damme classic, Bloodsport. […]

Watch The Trailer For Deepak Tijori's New Romantic Fight Drama, DA LAFZON KI KAHANI

Lee B. Golden III

With the rules on international remakes as malleable as ever, director Deepak Tijori is taking a page from South Korea’s own Always helmer Sang Il-Gon. For this, we get Da Lafzon Ki Kahani, shot on location in Kuala Lumpur for the backdrop of a proper underdog story of love, redemption, and drama as heavy-handed as the action looks. SYNOPSIS: A contemporary love story centered on ex-mixed martial arts artist Sooraj (Randeep Hooda) and sculptor artist Jenny (Kajal Aggarwal). He has closed his doors to the world and she remains spirited despite visually imapaired. Their fate intertwines when their past are revealed in their blooming relationship. The first trailer arrived back in December and with a March date in India now set for June instead, you can check out the most recent version below.

TO THE HASHI: Winner, Bizzaro Superman.

Lee B. Golden III

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice opened wide to much anticipation this past Friday, heralded by a backlash of negative word-of-mouth that continues still. The consensus: it’s not a total loss, but it’s not the big cinematic triumph we all hoped for. And maybe, it can be argued, that’s our fault. Indeed, we went in with expectations the scope of such that would make even a tall Bonaparte blush. Well, the same can be said about Snyder and Co.; that their aesthetic failure to hit the mark and resonate with audiences and critics alike was predicated on their overzealousness in approach. Sad Ben Affleck has since gone viral, and many of us are in tern are already practicing the cosplay version of it. “I’m just here so I don’t get fined.” Many die-hard fans of the source material, the easiest of them to please, they’ll praise anything with their favorite […]

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Jaggers' Vampire Thriller, CORBIN NASH, Lines Up Hauer, McDowell, Feldman And More For Next Week

Lee B. Golden III

News over at Deadline reports that Game Of Thrones Season 6 co-star Dean Jagger’s new vampire thriller from StarTree Productions, Corbin Nash, will commence principal photography next week with location details pending. Jagger will star from a script by himself, Christopher P. Taylor and brother Ben Jagger who will direct this, his sophomore gig at the helm following the 2012 drama, The Paddy Lincoln Gang. Save for other unknown plot specifics, the gist of the story centers on Jagger in the title role – a New York City cop who, in the course of looking for his parents’ murderer in Los Angeles, is turned into the ultimate killer. The cast juxtaposes Jagger with a well-seasoned cast line-up; Bruce Davison, in the role of Nash’s dangerously secretive stepfather, joins actor Malcolm McDowell as a blind prophet and Rutger Hauer as a mysterious stranger with The Lost Boys vet Corey Feldman signaling […]

Xu Haofeng Up To Direct THE MAGIC BLADE Remake

Lee B. Golden III

Author Xu Haofeng has earned some much-deserved praise for etching out stylish, contemplative action and drama on film in recent memory, namely titles relative to his 2013 anthology, Hiding Behind The Blade; The latest film of the bunch, The Final Master, has already become an award-winning feat since screening for audiences late last year and is now on deck for a North American release in May from UEP. Indeed, 2016 does mark another great year for Xu as we move forward, and especially with remakes of classic Shaw titles now abound with Chor Yuen’s 1976 career-defining thrill with Ti Lung and Lo Lieh, The Magic Blade, on deck for a redo of its own with Xu reportedly at the helm. Novelist Gu Long wrote the original novel that inspired Yuen’s adaptation centered on the “exploding peacock dart”, a weapon at the center of two rival swordsmen who embark together on […]

Sammo Hung And Andy Lau Lay Tracks In Two Music Videos For MY BELOVED BODYGUARD

Lee B. Golden III

Depending on what songs you listen to, action legend Sammo Hung’s new movie, My Beloved Bodyguard (a.k.a. The Bodyguard) can bode either as a fun and family-friendly flick or a poignant and brutal action thriller. On its face, however, is the insistence of both given the trailers we’ve seen and so there’s no doubt that the film will be a see-saw of emotion throughout, and that also comes in the wake of two music videos circulating online ahead of the film’s release Co-star, actor and singing sensation Andy Lau performs the first song titled “Forgive Me”, with second titled “Grandfather’s Love Letter”, as performed by Hung and young talent, Jessica Liu. My Beloved Bodyguard opens next week throughout Asia. (Hat tip to Said Chaou for contributing to this article)

Watch Two Suspenseful Trailers For Lee Chul-Ha's INSANE

Lee B. Golden III

Director Lee Chul-Ha brings an intense-looking new thriller next month with the new film, Insane. Several videos are online to get a glimpse of the explosive intrigue and mystery that sets the stage for actress Kang Ye-Won and prominent K-drama actor Lee Sang-Yoon in his third feature film stint. SYNOPSIS: A star producer Nam-su is now on suspension for manipulating facts for television. While searching for an opportunity to redeem his name, an unidentified source sends him a notebook. It is the diary of Sua, the sole survivor of a mysterious fire in Medical K, a mental clinic, and the key suspect in the murder of her step-father. Nam-su investigates the case, soon finds that something’s fishy. To get this exclusive, he interviews Sua, but she denies not only the murder, also the existence of her step-father. She only witnesses the abuse committed in Medical K where she has been […]

Ninja War Erupts In The New Teaser For SANADA TEN BRAVES

Lee B. Golden III

Shochiku and Nikkatsu are taking a page or several once more from the Warring States era and transitioning it for the big screen later this year. For this, we look to Makino Nozomi’s Nippon TV 60th anniversary stage play, Sanada Ten Braves, one of several iterations of the classic story of ten ninjas in service of samurai warrior Sanada Yukimura in late Sengoku/early Edo Japan. Next to its play are a fair share of adaptations in games, anime and manga properties that came before. So why the fuss? Well, we now have a new feature film courtesy of 2LDK, 20th Century Boys and Eight Ranger helmer Yukihiko Tsutsumi who co-starred in the play last year with Makino next to actors Nakamura Kankuro and Matsuzaka Tori; Both latter actors are back for their roles along with a bearded Kato Masaya among the new film’s larger cast as seen in the new […]

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Stephen Fung Sets Course For May For THE ADVENTURERS

Lee B. Golden III

Flagship Entertainment staked a major claim last week during this year’s Hong Kong Filmart, marking a joint venture between CMC (China Media Capital), Warner Bros. and TVB. The announcement included an inaugural slate of up to twelve titles ranging from various genres and budgets and a select number of them already in tow with cast and/or a chosen director. One of those titles includes The Adventurers, which hosts filmmaker Stephen Fung in the director’s chair with word that production will commence in May with My Beloved Bodyguard and The Monkey King 2 3D co-star Feng Shaofeng starring. Plot details are thin but the Flagship announcement hints at a story centered on an overseas treasure hunt, while an actress and other casting announcements remain pending. Fung’s made some great strides since landing on the radar among a new generation of talent in the 90’s and 2000s, notably in titles like Gen-X […]