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THE MAZE RUNNER Gets A Limited IMAX Release This September!

Lee B. Golden III

YA novel-based action adventure thrillers continue to remain popular in film with the forthcoming release of Wes Ball’s directorial debut, The Maze Runner. Over a year since filming on-location in Louisiana, the production stayed well in touch the fans online, hosting Q & A’s, garnering attention at conventions and showcasing promotional art ahead of the film’s release, in addition to showing exclusive trailers and clips now available online. As it stands, all hopes for the announced sequel, The Scorch Trials, which Ball himself hopes to begin shooting this Fall, rests on the film’s hopeful success upon its release in Taiwan, North America and the United Kingdom. And this week, IMAX Corporation is adding a bonus for fans and followers of author James Dashner’s book series and the upcoming film. Read on, and check out the latest trailer and clips just beneath! LOS ANGELES, Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX; […]

Reel Time: SHAWN BERNAL

Reel Time: SHAWN BERNAL

Lee B. Golden III

Actor, martial artist and stuntman Shawn Bernal recently unveiled his newest demo reel ahead of his latest interview with Film Combat Syndicate. A member of LBP Stunts Chicago, Bernal‘s craft is rooted most significantly in the independent film scene, having worked on several conceptual projects, some involving the collaboration of a handful of other teams from around the internet. Bernal discussed all this and much more about his career in his latest interview, which you can check out by CLICKING HERE. In the meantime, his newest stunt reel is now available below. .

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Director Guy Bleyaert’s New Action Thriller, TRANSIT 17 Is In Production

Lee B. Golden III

As of August 2, 2014, actor, writer, producer and director Guy Bleyaert began shooting his newest feature film, Transit 17, his second directorial offering from his U.S./Belgium-based production banner, Macromedia Filmworks. A Facebook page is up and running for the movie where fans are able to catch some of the film’s current artwork and production updates from the film’s set in Belgium and Holland. View the production poster below: The film’s cast so far stars two of the U.K.’s finest, lead actor Silvio Simac (Transporter 3, Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing) and lead actress Zara Phythian (Underground, Warrioress). Rounding off the cast are a mix of performers, several whom have worked with Bleyaert before, including Lost TV series co-star Kimberly Stall, as well as Stilian Keli, Brain Slaine, Martin van Maris, Themo Melekidze, Patrick Micheli, Gunther Vanhuysse and Daniel Paba. Filming is currently in its early stages as Simac and […]

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Help Fund Filmmaker A.J. Singh's New 80's Hong Kong Action Homage, FALLING ASH

Lee B. Golden III

Currently in progress is a new crowdsourcer for the latest contribution to the martial arts action genre from UK-based filmmaker, A.J. Singh. The longtime film purveyor is spearheading a funding effort for the new film, Falling Ash, in which he will also star as the lead. Among a few other essentials, the project has secured a cast, namely actor and martial arts performers Silvio Simac and Mark Sears, and actress Marysia S. Peres. Singh‘s new film is the latest in what he suggests will be a promises will be a “unique of blend character-driven plot, with a grounded sense of reality; combined with the quality of action, prevalent in Hong Kong Cinema of the 1980’s”. Here’s the setup: Ashwin ‘Ash’ Singh (AJ Singh) is a man who’s never had luck on his side. His ‘simple’ life on the streets soon changes when he saves the life of Alvaro ‘Al’ Ciancio […]

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Arcade Killers Presents: MR. & MRS. PANOUVIC

Lee B. Golden III

If anything, 2014 has been another great year foreseeing the continued legacy of online independent action. This time, we pan over to independent filmmakers and multifaceted stunt performers Jay Kim, and husband/wife duo Slobo and Duy Panouvic – three members of their newly established team, Arcade Killers. The team recently launched their new experimental test fight short, Mr. & Mrs. Panouvic – slightly more dark in its comedic delivery and very much sillier in its reminiscence of a similar 2005 action flick with stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie; If anything though, it’s a nice little sampling for what may lie ahead in the coming and weeks and months following the team’s launch in May in Cape Town, South Africa. Arcade Killers has since based themselves in their new home in Germany following their sponsorship by the South Africa branch of the popular sportswear company, New Balance. The team has […]

FILMS, FAMILY AND SUCCESS: A Word With Actor And Stuntman, SHAWN BERNAL

FILMS, FAMILY AND SUCCESS: A Word With Actor And Stuntman, SHAWN BERNAL

Lee B. Golden III

This interview was a long, long, LONG time coming!… Actor and stuntman Shawn Bernal is one of three people I posted about last year ahead of what would have hopefully been an earlier interview at the time. Unfortunately due to Bernal‘s career obligations, we never got around to it, although I have been able to keep up with the team’s activities as much as possible just as Film Combat Syndicate was starting out. So far, it’s been a fun journey watching Bernal at work over at LBP Stunts Chicago. Nowadays, many of the team members, including stuntman, independent filmmaker and LBP orginal, Emmanuel Manzanares have found themselves immersed in their careers as Hollywood stuntmen. Still, at the end of the day, Bernal‘s love and appreciation for the independent film community he has been a part of for close to seven years now, has never waned. Point in fact, the slowly growing momentum […]

Godefroy Ryckewaert Presents: SHADOWS OF 13

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaker, martial artist and stuntman Godefroy Ryckewaert is starting to have an affect on me. I first wrote about him late last year and he’s beginning to stand out more and more with each project. This time around, he’s collaborated with select members of France-based Casade Demo Team for their newest shortfilm, Shadows Of 13. Martial artist and actor Daren Nop stars in his first ever shortfilm role on top of writing the story and script, as well as designing the action sequences and stunts. However, there is more here than just watching an amazing display of martial arts action, and it comes with a damn good story setup. Shadows Of 13 is a terrific character study on heroism, and the importance of never taking an act of kindness for granted. It’s one of the best online action pieces I have ever seen and I never thought it would […]

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Get Ready For Iron Dragon TV In September!

Lee B. Golden III

Martial arts action cinema is currently getting another revival as of next month. Multi-faceted actress, stunt professional and media mogul Janell Smith, acting CEO of Iron Dragon Productions is leveling up this September for the launch of a new television network. The new network purports the longstanding brand she has carried since her early start in personal fitness. On top of being a film fan and her on-set experience, Smith herself is also a purveyor of several martial arts styles, including Tukong Moosul – based on its roots in South Korean military commando training. And with her growing credentials in entertainment, it’s clear to see how deserving she is of this opportunity, and I look forward to seeing what happens with her future endeavors with Iron Dragon TV. SAN JOSE, Calif.– (BUSINESS WIRE) — NanoTech Entertainment (OTC Pink:NTEK), a pioneer in bringing state-of-the-art television experiences to consumers, announced today that […]

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KUNDO Gets A New Trailer For Its North American Theatrical Release!

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaker Yoon Jong-bin set out with a specific goal in mind back in Spring of last year. With a stellar cast, great script and set pieces and an amazing action director on hand, Yoon managaed to craft an amazing Robin Hood-style action adventure story filled with some colorful characters, touching stories, a dash of humor, and a layer of some of the most epic martial arts action scenes you would be lucky to see on the big screen. That film came in the form of Kundo: Age Of The Rampant, with an ensemble cast led primarily by actors Ha Jung-Woo and Kang Dong-Wan and featuring choreography by acclaimed action director Jung Doo-Hung (Arahan: Urban Martial Arts Action, G.I. Joe: Retaliation) and it ultimately became one of the biggest movies of the season. North American distribution Well Go USA eventually acquired the rights to the movie which will now get its […]

87 Eleven Presents: BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a remarkable year so far for the folks over at 87 Eleven Action Design. Now more than ever, they’ve taken to social media to showcase numerous pre-viz fight clips and short action vids for fans who love action cinema in any capacity. Accordingly, their platform is exactly where actress and stuntwoman Heidi Moneymaker has positioned herself this week for her newest shortfilm release, Behind Every Great Man. Filmed on-location in Germany over the summer, Heidi wrote and directed, as well as provided pre-viz choreography for the new project, which was shot in the course of a rigorous schedule as everyone involved was working on a movie at the time. Heidi is joined by sister, actress and stuntwoman Renae Moneymaker, along with Germany-based stunt company Reel Deal Action members Can Aydin, Cha-Lee Yoon and Phong Giang, who played an intergral role in their collective three-day team effort. The result? […]

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Vlad Rimburg Presents: X-MEN – GAMBIT Concept Short

Lee B. Golden III

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner may be on the way to getting Channing Tatum on set for a new Gambit movie. However that may be, what does bring curiosity is how the character would look in a live-action setting following actor Taylor Kitsch’s rendition of the classic Marvel character for the 2009 film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Of course, leave it to the inspired creativity of independent filmmaker Vlad Rimburg in lieu of his new Gambit-attributed X-Men concept video now available on his YouTube channel. Rimburg, whose own resume of awesome independent shortfilms over the last fifteen years have abstained from use visual effects-enhanced fight choreography due to lack of time and convenience. So this is not to say that Rimburg has not yet caught onto the trend, but quite the opposite, especially in an age where superhero movies now dominate the box office. “I love it!” says Rimburg. “Chris Clements, our […]

AOF 2014: Z-Team Films Set To Premiere Its Debut Feature, DIE FIGHTING!

Lee B. Golden III

Not enough can be said about how good it is to witness something as amazing as the latest offering from our friends over at Z-Team Films. The production banner title is the latest evolution of the eponymous team French team that found its beginnings in China with Fabien Garcia, Yannick Van Dam, and brothers Lohan and Didier Buson making excellent short films for the online action fan base within the past decade. As we speak, I’m currently working on talking to a few of the team members in light of their latest long-awaited labor of love, The Price Of Success, which has since taken new life with the new title, Die Fighting following an initial trailer back in May of last year. The film is the first foray into feature-length directing territory for Fabien who also wrote the screenplay and stars alongside Lohan and Dider who also co-produced the film […]

The New Trailer For RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS Keeps The Flames Burning!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Keishi Otomo‘s second installment of the Rurouni Kenshin franchise, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, has had a stellar run between its film festival appearance in Montreal for Fantasia 2014, as well as in Japan where it sold over six-hundred thousand tickets on the weekend of August 1, becoming Japan’s biggest weekend opener of the year. The film is just now opening in the Philippines and there is no word yet on further releases if any, but Warner Bros has a new trailer for the forthcoming finale, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, which opens in Japan on September 13. The film stars a number of returning cast including Takeru Satoh reprising his role one last time as the titular swordsman, opposite actor Tatsuya Fujiwara who plays Kenshin’s nemesis, Makoto Shishio. Watch the new trailer below, and stay tuned for more info!

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TeamBay Presents: GUN FIGHT PREVIZ with Stina Amedick

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a while since I shared any content from an indie group. Luckily the folks at TeamBay were kind enough to bring us something cool to look at in the form of a new pre-viz test fight clip featuring Stina Amedick. It’s a cool little experimental video from fellow martial arts cinematic action stylist and indie filmmaker Vi-Dan Tran, directing yet another impressive project from independent talent. And of course, who can deny a tough female lead in anything? Right? Check out the video below, and feel free to open the description for more info on TeamBay!

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Shane Black Lines Up To Direct 'Remo Williams' Reboot,THE DESTROYER

Lee B. Golden III

Director Guy Hamilton’s 1985 mystical action caper comedy classic, Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, a live action version of the mens’ action novel franchise, The Destroyer, was a cult hit at the time despite mixed reviews and poor commercial performance. Nonetheless, it kept fans clammoring for a sequel, or even so much as a reboot, which was finally announced back in 2009. This week, the official word now is that Iron Man 3 helmer Shane Black is coming abord to direct The Destroyer, a live-action revival of the classic character, from a script by Fight Club scribe Jim Uhls, and novel co-author James Mullaney. Mullaney was one of the latter authors who continued the mens’ action novel series from its genesis in 1971 from then-partners Warren Murphy and late author Richard Sapir before its end in 2008. Deadline describes it as follows: Williams was a Newark cop until he was […]

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New York City Set To Kick-Off The Premiere Of Martial Arts Crime Drama, BRUSH WITH DANGER

Lee B. Golden III

A new announcement has gone viral this week hailing the arrival of new blood for the martial arts action genre. Award-winning Indonesian martial arts and film brother/sister duo Ken Zheng and Livi Zheng have traveled the world in winning acclaim for their dynamic tournament performances within the past decade and it appears the two are now ready to hit the big screen with the forthcoming release of Livi‘s directorial debut, Brush With Danger, with both siblings starring. Venues in Los Angeles and San Francisco will premiere the film on September 26 and October 3 following its kick-off premiere in New York City, for which Businessweek has the latest press release with all the details you need. For more info, visit the official website. Filmmaker Livi Zheng’s motion picture debut “Brush with Danger” will premiere September 19, 2014 at the Cinema Village theatre in New York City, it was announced today. Livi Zheng, Ken […]

Kevin Smith Dives Into Comic Book Movie Territory With YOGA HOSERS

Kevin Smith Dives Into Comic Book Movie Territory With YOGA HOSERS

Lee B. Golden III

It was announced back in July that actor, writer and director Kevin Smith was developing a sequel to his upcoming September 19 horror release, Tusk. The new TIFF 2014 entry contributes as a first to the True North Trilogy which will span three films rooted itself in Canadian folklore and mythology with Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, and actress Lily-Rose Depp co-starring. As of this week, an official announcement was released stating the return of both actresses for Smith‘s new sequel, Yoga Hosers, which also include Lily-Rose‘s father, Mortdecai star, actor Johnny Depp. The film is being pitched an action adventure horror comedy which will also mark’s Smith‘s first foray into comic book movie territory with both daughters leading. Smith is popularly known as a leading voice with certain inside knowledge on what’s what these days pertaining to comic book movies and all things sci-fi and film. He’s a fan […]

Hip-Hop Martial Arts Flick, BATTLE B-BOY Gets A U.S. Release!

Lee B. Golden III

The business of filmmaking and distribution is always a mystery, particularly regarding how long it takes for some movies to release. The good news is that eventually they do, especially if you’re a fan of hip-hop and martial arts action, in which case, you’re in luck! Director Frank Lin‘s award-winning and ground-breaking hybridized action comedy, Battle B-Boy, made quite some noise while making the film festival rounds a few years ago. The film became a favorite among onlookers and ultimately won The Golden Angel Award for Best Independent Film at the Chinese-American Film Festival (CAFF) in Hollywood almost two years ago. The film eventually saw a partial video-on-demand release in the U.S. courtesy of Gravitas Ventures with nare a word said on a hopeful DVD release or a set date. Fortunately, that is about to change with the film’s brand new ownership over at North American distributor base Cinema Epoch, and […]

Watch The Full Trailer For NIGHTWING: THE SERIES

Lee B. Golden III

If you hace been keeping up with the official Ismahawk Facebook page, you’ve likely had the privilege of keeping up with any and all updates pertaining to their latest epic Batman-inspired DC fan project, Nightwing: The Series. Created by lead actor and producer Danny Shepherd, and co-producer Jeremy Le, the project has taken a couple of years to evolve with the help of crowdfunding and an arduous post-production process with director Adam Zielinski at the helm. A teaser finally launched back in March, and with a solid premiere date now set for September 29, 2014, Nightwing: The Series breathes new life with a full length trailer, with all the trimmings. SYNOPSIS: “Nightwing: The Series” follows the story of Batman’s former sidekick, Dick Grayson aka Robin. After a falling out with his mentor, Dick abandons Gotham and everyone in it. Emerging in the City of Bludhaven years later, Dick takes on […]

The Body Count Rises In The New UK Trailer For ZERO TOLERANCE

The Body Count Rises In The New UK Trailer For ZERO TOLERANCE

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a little over half a year since director Wych Kaosayanada‘s long-awaited 2012 bilingual crime thriller, Angels, took new life as Zero Tolerance, starring Dustin Nguyen, Sahajak Boonthanikit and Gary Daniels. A few casting changes and reshoots this this time around helped gear the film toward a more action-oriented fanbase with the addition of martial arts action stars Kane Kosugi and Scott Adkins who were finally seen in the film’s first trailer back in May. This week, a new version of that same trailer is now online with some added subtitles in a few spots; It’s the same trailer, really. But the curiosity still stands as it’s been about two years since anyone outside of Thailand saw any version of this film, and Asian cinema fans are sure to appreciate the work here even moreso with the added action muscle in any capacity. SYNOPSIS: Zero Tolerance is a high-octane […]