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New Release Date For THE PURGE

The latest in action horror comes from Universal Pictures with the new film, The Purge. The film has moved up from its original June 7, 2013 release date to May 31, 2013. The film stars Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Edwin Hodge and Rhys Wakefield and is written and directed by James DeMonaco. SYNOPSIS In the near future, the United States has become a utopia; unemployment rates are at 1% and crime is at an all-time low. The only reason things are like this is because the U.S. government has enacted a program called “The Purge.” For one night out of the year, over a 12-hour period, all criminal activity, including rape and murder, is legal. Emergency services are suspended. Hospitals are closed. Nothing is against the law. The Purge acts as a catharsis for the American people, a chance to release the pent-up rage they keep inside of […]

FILM OF THE WEEK (4/22/13): THE PRODIGY (2005)

Lee B. Golden III

SYNOPSIS: When a gang enforcer crosses paths with a cerebral killer, a body count ensues setting off a chain of events leading a trail of blood, death, mystery, and questioned alliances that will force one man to take on the ultimate evil in a brutal fight to the finish. The Prodigy is another hidden gem that I got to see on cable a long time ago. I remember the first time streaming the trailer for it on Twitchfilm when they had one of their old formats up. And all I knew was that looked like a pretty good crime thriller with a horror twist to it, and I looked forward to it. So I finally got around to seeing it on TV, though I couldn’t finish it because I was at the day job and had to miss more than half of it. In the days after, I got to […]

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Ninjas Clash In The New Trailer For SINS OF THE DRAGON

Lee B. Golden III

There are a lot of martial arts movies to look forward to this summer, especially with the Action On Film festival readying to roll out some big heavy hitters, one of which includes Ross Boyask’s indie actioner with star and co-director Cecily Fay, Warrioress. Well, with the latest report from The Action Elite, martial arts fans can add one more to the roster of official film selections expected to hit the AOF fest along with the 2013 Fright Night Film fest this summer with the release of producer/director Joey Copora’s SINS OF THE DRAGON, starring Shannon Lee Haines, and co-starring writer and choreographer Kale Sweeny. SYNOPSIS: The worlds of martial arts and fantasy collide in this magical and action-packed flick about adventure and revenge. The world of the four Dragons is falling apart, and only one warrior, chosen by the cosmos, has the power to restore the balance and save […]

Japan Gets A Home Release Date For DREDD

Lee B. Golden III

When Dredd underperformed at the box office late last year, it was a heavily-dealt blow to cult fans everywhere who not only love the franchise, but also paid great credibility to director Pete Travis and screenwriter Alex Garland for their unique vision of the future post apocalyptic action sci-fi crime story with action star Karl Urban in the lead. While Dredd may have faltered in efforts for a sequel, the film did exceptionally well in Blu-Ray, DVD and digital download sales. Moreover, in addition to the work of independent filmmaker Oliver Holingdale and Dredd producer Adi Shankar working on their own short film projects, Dredd is also being promised a sequel by way of an impending comic book release. Fans can still purchase the film, as it is still being newly relased throughout the world depending on where you live. This summer, Japan is slated to release the film domestically […]

Mike Chat Talks XMA In The UK With SG Action

Lee B. Golden III

From L to R: Jim Key, Sam Ingram, Mike Chat, Martin Wan and Dominic Conolly. I have not been able to stay in tune with the tokusatsu community for a long time. But back in the 1990’s and onward, when I was much younger, I was a Power Rangers fan, and a regular viewer probably up until high school when priorities started coming first. Fast forward to 2013, and the Power Rangers show is still going strong in one form or another, with some former cast members making oft appearances at Comic-Cons and martial arts seminars in America and everywhere in the world. One of those people happens to be Mike Chat from Power Rangers: Light Speed Rescue. Some may even know him either as the “Wizard” from the pseudo-reality TV show WMAC Masters, actor Paolo Montalban’s stunt double in Mortal Kombat: Conquest, or most namely, the founder and pioneer […]

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New Teaser Clips Have Arrived For MARIO WARFARE Season One

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaking company Beat Down Boogie some major groundwork when filmmaker Micah Moore got inspired one day to create costumes for what would turn out to be an historical installation in online entertainment with the release of Mario Warfare: Episode One. Since then, following the release of episode two with a crowdfunding campaign to help finance the production of future episodes, Beat Down Boogie has been making great progress with the production of at least five more episodes since earlier this year. I asked Micah earlier this week about what fans can expect from upcoming episodes. “Mario has to face his destiny and become a hero.” he says. “Peach has to discover the responsibility of guiding a Kingdom, even if it is a shattered one.”. However, that isn’t enough. So a couple of goons decided to take the series writer, editor, producer and director Micah Moore hostage in an attempt […]

Possible Synopsis For DIE HARD 6

Lee B. Golden III

20th Century Fox is fast tracking production of the sixth installment of the Die Hard franchise. Actor Bruce Willis, who has played the lead role in film now five-part film series as the larger-than-life New York Detective John McClaine, announced the film upon the theatrical release of A Good Day To Die Hard, which also stars Jai Courtney. On Saturday, senior writer Eoin Friel over at The Action Elite was recently contacted by producer Jacqueline Swift with new information about the possible plot details that await the sixth installment: We were contacted by Jacqueline Swift who said there’s a rumour going around that British screenwriter and author Ben Trebilcook who penned a couple of Die Hard 4 drafts a few years back has done a treatment for a sixth. It is set in Japan and involves the Nakatomi Corporation having a commendation for John McClane on the 25th anniversary of the Nakatomi […]

New Teaser For Keanu Reeves's MAN OF TAI CHI

Lee B. Golden III

Today is another epic day in the history of martial arts action cinema as the new teaser for the upcoming film, Man Of Tai Chi is finally online. The film is actor Keanu Reeves‘s directorial debut and it is coming out swinging in total tournament movie fashion! Reeves also stars in the film along with actor, martial arts stunt veteran and star Tiger Hu Chen in his first lead. Other cast names include Karen Mok, Iko Uwais, Jeremy Marinas, Steven Dasz and Brahim Achabbakhe and Ocean Hou. Lemore Syvan and Daxing Zhang are producers. Johnny Lee and Sharon Miller are serving as line producers. The film, based on a screenplay by Michael G. Cooney, is a co-production from China Film Group, Wanda Group and Village Roadshow Pictures will also feature Reeves opposite lead actor Tiger Hu Chen in his first starring role. Yuen Woo-Ping is the film’s action director, along with Chad Stahelski and Jon Valera designing and coordinating the fights. I will […]

Tom Hiddleston Is Up For A Lead In THE CROW Remake

Lee B. Golden III

Relativity media issued a press release in January of last year announcing the development of a remake of the 1994 sci-fi fantasy action drama, The Crow, to be directed by F. Javier Gutierrez with a screenplay by Jessie Wigutow. Between reports within the last few years, several directors, including Stephen Norrington and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo were named to directed, with lead actors as recently as Mark Wahlberg, James McAvoy and Bradley Cooper whose likeness was used to illustrate some conceptual artwork for the film at the time. Since then, developments have been slow to materialize until this week with a new report forwarded by Screenrant which entails a dinner attended by producers and actor Tom Hiddleston, who sent the producers a make up test he did in London. According to the article, he is scheduled for a “proper” make up test in the near future. After about two or three […]

The French Promo For ONLY GOD FORGIVES Is Online

Lee B. Golden III

Prospects for Nicolas Winding Refn‘s upcoming crime drama, Only God Forgives, continue to look better and better. After a 20 second teaser and finally getting two decent trailers and some release dates, I’m very happy to see the info on this film come together. And though I haven’t seen any of Nicolas’s films yet, I have no reservations about starting here when this film comes out. Check out the new trailer for the upcoming Cannes premiere on May 22. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas and Vithaya Pansringarm will be starring in Isaac Florentine’s upcoming Scott Adkins actioner, Ninja 2. ONLY GOD FORGIVES opens everywhere July 19, 2013, courtesy of Radius-TWC.

A Mercenary And A Cowgirl Ninja Crack Zombie Skulls In The New Shortfilm, AIM FOR THE HEAD

Lee B. Golden III

Award winning independent action filmmaker Fernando Jay Huerto and actress and co-director/producer Sarah May Jewell are hitting the internet airwaves with the latest shortfilm from Jabronie Pictures, AIM FOR THE HEAD. As per the release of the Jabronie Pictures DVD which is currently on sale at the Jabronie Pictures official website, Friday’s release is not to be mistaken as a sequel to previous “Aim” titles in the Jabronie Pictures catalogue; AIM FOR THE HEAD is an interwoven film between Aim For The Head: A Guide To Zombie Defense, Aim For The Heart: A Guide To Vampire Defense, Gunpoint 2 and one of Jay’s latest films, Heart Shot Grand Prix: Bullet With Butterfly Wings. The shortfilm also stars Anthony Noceda and Rommel Andaya, along with Gina Mauro who also took charge of the zombie make-up effects. SYNOPSIS When a viral outbreak turns the population of a small town into zombies, the local government […]

J. CHEUNG Set To Star In Hip Hop Martial Arts Drama GOD NEVER SLEEPS

Lee B. Golden III

The streets of Hong Kong will light up the night later this year with two big international names in music and film. Martial artist, veteran hip hop artist, action director and choreographer, actor, and thr3guys co-founder J. Cheung (pictured above) is set to star in a new Hong Kong urban martial arts action crime drama called GOD NEVER SLEEPS. The film is one of a slew of collaborative projects as of late being fast tracked in Hong Kong with veteran Hong Kong cinema expert and filmmaker Bey Logan, who is co-writing and co-producing the screenplay with hip hop media and art syndicate, writer and director Damon Dash (seen left) who is helming the film under his DD172 banner. Dash’s previous film and acting credits include State Property, State Property 2, Weapons, Paper Soldiers, The Woodsman, Death Of A Dynasty, Paid In Full and Highlander: Endgame. Cheung, who goes by the […]

Kristen Scott Thomas Wants Blood In The New Trailer For ONLY GOD FORGIVES

Lee B. Golden III

It may be a while before Only God Forgives gets a wider release on July 19 after its Cannes’ run this May. But we still get to see another full trailer for the film, splendidly showing more action, tension and drama, coupled with fists, kicks and actor Vithaya Pansringarm promising you may never want to be in the same room with him if you are on his bad side, especially with that big ass sword! The film also stars Kristen Scott Thomas along with Ryan Gosling in his second film with director Nicolas Winding Refn since their previous film, Drive. Radius-TWC will be handling U.S. distribution. SYNOPSIS: Ten years ago in Bangkok Julian killed a cop and went on the run. Now he manages a Thai boxing club as a front for a drugs operation. Respected in the criminal underworld, deep inside, he feels empty. When Julian’s brother kills a […]

Updates On Scott Adkins And Randy Couture Post DISTANT SHORES Cancellation

Lee B. Golden III

Martial Arts Movie Junkie recently forwarded updates regarding the cancellation of the production of the film Distant Shore. A source at Scott Adkins Fanz stated no other reason except that funding for the project at the last minute. The film was set to begin filming before the production of Expendables 3, starring Expendables alumni Scott Adkins and Randy Couture in a story described as a cross between Phillip Noyce’s 1989 thriller, Dead Calm, and Joe Carnahan’s 2012 action adventure film, The Grey, about a couple who sail out to the ocean to committ suicide, only to find themselves fighting for their survival after being interrupted by the arrival of another mysterious vessel. The film was to be produced by Joe and Jack Nasser under their production banner NGN Releasing, along with Studio City Pictures, with a screenplay by Dan Benamor and Evan Jacobs, and Dominic James helming. Unfortunately, this is not the […]

Dustin Nguyen And Roger Yuan Cross Swords In The New Trailer For ONCE UPON A TIME IN VIETNAM

Lee B. Golden III

Vietnam will get a first hand look at all the action when ONCE UPON A TIME IN VIETNAM (a.k.a. Lua Phat) gets its explosive theatrical release on August 22, 2013. The film is directed by, as well as starring Dustin Nguyen. The film also sees Dustin back on the screen with Vietnamese femme fatale Thanh Van Ngo, with whom he also starred in opposite Vietnamese action lead Johnny Tri Nguyen in THE REBEL. Also in the film are rising action star Jason Ninh Cao, actors Thai Hoa and Dinh Ngoc Diep, and American martial artist, actor and stunt performer Roger Yuan who also served as the film’s action director. Wych Kaosayanada, who also directed Dustin’s previous Thailand-based actioner, ANGEL, also operated the cinematography for this latest fantasy swordplay actioner. The film tells a story about a townspeople who recruits a stranger to help defeat a crime boss who has overtaken […]

The Latest On Upcoming Film, LADY BLOODSPORT

Lee B. Golden III

Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bolo Yeung in Bloodsport (1988) A while back a little film came out that launched martial arts actor Jean-Claude Van Damme to Hollywood superstardom. That film was called Bloodsport, which remains an iconic addition to the list of American action film hits of the late eighties, helping formulate and shape the way Hollywood created big action films for moviegoers alike. Eight years later, Bloodsport would evidently build its own home video franchise, shining the light on new action star Daniel Bernhardt to take the reigns of Van Damme as a new character. Since then, Van Damme began revitalizing his career, despite the failed efforts to reboot the 1988 martial arts classic with “Salt” director Phillip Noyce, with a script by Robert Mark Kamen who chose not to include Van Damme’s character in it, due to the dissociation from the first film; The superstar documented that telephone […]

Hiroshi Adachi And Shogo Moriyama In SHOWDOWN

Lee B. Golden III

The future continued to look promising for Hiroshi Adachi, then, who left his home in Tokyo to attend San Francisco State University in 2008. It was then that he met and befriended the founder of The Stunt People, Eric Jacobus, setting off a chain of events that would allow Hiroshi to apply his 15 years of martial arts training to the field of independent action films in such projects as Ness, Graduation, Hand Over Fist, and the feature film, Detective Story which is currently available on DVD at the Stunt People Store. Adachi-san recently hit the internet once again, co-starring with friend and rising actor Shogo Moriyama for a new shortfilm hot off of Hiroshi’s Youtube channel, Showdown. The film is an experimental take on Bourne-style choreographical vision of action by stunt coordinators like Jeff Imada, Jeff Ward, Oliver Schneider, David Forman and Ron Balicki. This type of choreography has […]

Joe Taslim's Breaks Out The Big Moves In 2013

Lee B. Golden III

I have to say, this week’s developments have been difficult to keep up with. In addition to the news regarding the involvement of Wesley Snipes and Mel Gibson in The Expendables 3, new reports also indicate Indonesian action star Joe Taslim is also up for a role in the upcoming blockbuster action thriller. Taslim, hailing all the way from Indonesia with the successful release of director Gareth Evans‘s international martial arts action blockbuster hit, The Raid: Redemption, is looking to make his mark on Hollywood, especially with the release of the upcoming Fast And Furious 6 where he will be joined by some of the newest faces in the frachise, including Gina Carano and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This May will also see continuing prospects for the action star when the Steven Sheil action horror film, Dead Mine, gets a VoD release on May 2, 2013, followed by a DVD […]

[UPDATED] STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSINS FIST Co-Creator JOEY ANSAH Talks To SHOGUN GAMER

Lee B. Golden III

There are only 16 days left for the Kickstarter campaign to help get the funding needed for the series production of STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSIN’S FIST. Co-creator and co-star of the Capcom-backed series and 2010 Street Fighter Legacy shortfilm Joey Ansah has been urgently and adamantly pushing for public funding for the project since backing away from other major financiers who were willing to grant the project with strings attached. As it is expected that Ansah and co-creator and stunt performer Christian Howard will reprise their roles from Legacy as Akuma and Ken, respectively, the official Facebook page recently began announcing new actors to be attached to the project, including Kyle Pryor as Ken’s father, XMA stunt performer and actor Mike Moh as Ryu, and Japanese actors Togo Igawa as Gotetsu, Akira Koieyama as Gouken and the latest name from the far east, Japanese actor Shogen as Koieyama-san’s younger counterpart of […]

The Future Is On Fire In The New Action Short, BLOOD DRAGON: THE CYBER WAR

Lee B. Golden III

Well, this was a pleasant piece of film to wake up to! I’m not totally endowed in knowledge about videogames, but that doesn’t stop Corridor Digital’s latest collaborative project from looking as ridiculously and unapologetically AWESOME as it does. Yes, the EMC Monkeys have done it again with Blood Dragon: The Cyber Wars, the latest short film based on the FarCry trilogy of videogames that began in 2004. The shortfilm features EMC Monkeys member Xin Sarith Wuku in an dark and post-apocalyptic world filled with androids, explosions, big guns, lazers, swordfighting and all kinds of retro-cool set pieces filled with 80s and 90s cyberpunk nostalgia. There isn’t much else for me to add without either spoiling it or boring you about it with more writing. All I know is that the prospects that await for this amazing martial arts stunt team are looking pretty good in 2013. Be ready to […]