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CONTOUR: Eric Jacobus Soon To Release Original Cut Of His Hit 2006 Martial Arts Indie Comedy For Free On YouTube

Actor, stuntman, motion capture performer, video essayist and filmmaker Eric Jacobus (“Mortal Kombat Legacy”) will be releasing his 2006 hit action comedy, Contour, for free on YouTube in the coming weeks. Jacobus made the announcement last week in a community post on his channel last week, further offering followers a chance to provide feedback with an advanced screening. Billed as the “black & blue” edition (as illustrated by the film’s original poster), Contour was the next major step for Jacobus and his fledgling team of aspiring stunt performers known as The Stunt People, after co-directing Immortal with Chelsea Steffensen, and winning big with MTV shortfilm crowdpleaser, Undercut. The team had already begun crafting several shortfilms as it assembled its members from various parts of California over time. Contour stars Jacobus who plays Lawrence “Law” Young, a shiftless thug indebted to a weasley boss posturing himself as a martial arts pioneer. […]

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Jet Li Action Thriller BLACK MASK Kicks Off MVD/Eureka North American Catalog Partnership

Director Daniel Lee’s 1996 gory action sci-fi thriller, Black Mask, will get a hyper-kinetic Blu-Ray revival in North America later this year through a new deal announced on Tuesday between genre labels MVD and London-based Eureka Entertainment. The two brands announced the distribution deal which would pave the way for a North American rollout of Eureka’s award-winning Blu-ray catalog to North America for the first time. “It’s extremely exciting to be partnering with MVD for our North American physical and digital distribution,” said Kevin Lambert, former Head of Content at Arrow Films who joined Eureka! in 2023. “We can’t wait to get our first releases out to US retailers, and we look forward to bringing the best of auteur and classic cinema, including our celebrated Masters of Cinema series, to a wider audience. It is a big new step forward for the company, and I’m sure Blu-ray collectors will be […]

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KINGDOM: THE FLAME OF DESTINY Review: Secrets, Lies And Intrigue Heat Up Shinsuke Sato’s Already Propulsive Third Chapter

Kingdom: The Flame Of Destiny is streaming on Netflix. Filmmaker Shinsuke Sato is staying the course with his sprawling action adventure saga that is Kingdom, based on the work of mangaka Yasuhisa Hara and with production banner CREDEUS Inc. in his wheelhouse. With a fourth film in toe, Netflix subscribers now have a chance to run the current three-film course leading up to the latest installment, Kingdom: The Flame Of Destiny, segueing to the next phase of Sato’s Warring States epic with Kento Yamazaki, Ryo Yoshizawa and Kanna Hashimoto each reprising their roles. Also among the returning cast are actors Nana Seino and Masami Nagasawa, and Takao Osawa, the latter in what continues to be the most pivotal role of the whole franchise, possibly. To get the gist of what I’m saying, and if you haven’t done so yet, I recommend watching the first two installments. Otherwise, Kingdom: Flame Of […]

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HOT & SPICY Teaser Signals Jia Ling’s New Chinese Boxing Comedy Coming In February

Actress, filmmaker and comedienne Jia Ling is glovin’ up for the February mainland release of Hot & Spicy (a.k.a. YOLO as it’s intetnationally titled), and the first official teaser is making the rounds. Ling, who lost 110 pounds training for the part, plays a social recluse who finds new direction in life after emancipating herself from home, finding her new lease on life in the world of boxing. The film also stars Lei Jiayin as her boxing coach, along with Zhang Xiao Fei, Yang Zi and more. Catch the teaser and latest poster below!

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JACKDAW: Vertigo Burns The Midnight Oil With An Official Trailer For The English Rust Belt Crime Flick!

JACKDAW is an unrelenting action thriller set over the course of a single night against the backdrop of North East England, an area where breathtaking coastal landscapes meet the brutality of industry. Jack Dawson, a former motocross champion and army veteran, returns to his hometown to care for his brother after their mother dies. Hoping to start a new life, he takes what could be a life-changing job for an old school friend turned local criminal, Silas.What should have been a straightforward pick-up of a package in the North Sea turns into a nightmare when Jack is double-crossed, and his brother is kidnapped. As he fights for survival and searches for answers, Jack encounters friends and adversaries old and new across a violent night-time odyssey through England’s Northern rust belt. Jamie Childs’ newest crime thriller arose last year during Fantasia Fest and was a blast during its run. Starring Oliver […]

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THE PROMISED LAND: Icon Reveals Official Trailer And Key Art For Nordic Western Starring Mads Mikkelsen

A select theatrical release is now pending with a February 16 date for BAFTA-nominated writer-director Nikolaj Arcel’s Nordic Western, The Promised Land. Mads Mikkelsen leads the cast along with Amanda Collin, Simon Bennebjerg, Kristine Kujath Thorp and Gustav Lindh. In 1755, the impoverished Captain Ludvig Kahlen sets out to conquer the uninhabitable Danish heath in the name of the King. But the sole ruler of the area, the merciless Frederik de Schinkel, who believes the land belongs to him, swears revenge when the maid Ann Barbara and her serf husband escape for refuge with Kahlen. This powerful Nordic western had its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it was in competition for the coveted Golden Lion. It was also selected for TIFF and Telluride Film Festival in 2023, earning strong reviews. The Promised Land has been chosen as Denmark’s entry for Best International Feature at the Oscars, with Mikkelsen […]

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OHRYIS PROJECT: Don’t Miss The Trailer For The Upcoming Indie Sci-Fi Thriller

Director Dana Cowden is well on her way with some new sci-fi for the new year in the form of Ohryis Project. The film hails from Cowden and her indie banner Buffalo Productions which previously produced their most recent intergalactic sci-fi release, Nova. A single mom on a routine flight sees something her company is hiding and wakes up on a prison outpost in deep space. She’ll do whatever it takes to get back home to her girls, but first she’ll have to find out why inmates go missing to stay alive. Ohryis Project stars Shannon Lepard, Juliet Chevelle, Steven Dudley, Sai Piña, Leila Annastasia, Kathy Center, Eric Roberts, and is also produced by Janell Smith and IronDragon Productions. More updates and info are available to track at the film’s social media campaign.

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ALIENOID: RETURN TO THE FUTURE U.S. Teaser Launches Ahead Of January Release!

Any day is a good day when you find out that Well Go USA is giving Alienoid fans the back-to-back sequel treatment announcing Alienoid: Return To The Future. Indeedy, a January 26 U.S. release has been tacked onto the official teaser now running online which you can view below. After locating the Divine Blade, a shaman and a modern-day woman race through time to battle a powerful alien commander intent on destroying mankind in ALIENOID: RETURN TO THE FUTURE, Part II of Choi Dong-hoon’s epic sci-fi action series. Alienoid had an amazing run with critics. To boot though, that a sequel now exists is also something of a remarkable feat considering the first film made way less than half its reported budget. I’m a lamen like most outsiders who don’t work in entertainment so I fail to understand how this sequel was possible, but I’m happy its here considering I […]

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MR. AND MRS. SMITH Shoot Their Shot In The Official Prime Video Series Trailer

MR. AND MRS. SMITH Shoot Their Shot In The Official Prime Video Series Trailer

Putting a serial spin on 2005’s Doug Liman-directed action spy rom-com now brings an official trailer for Amazon Prime’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Maya Erskine stars along with Donald Glover who also created the series with Francesca Sloane. Two lonely strangers land a job working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travels and a dream brownstone in Manhattan. The catch: new identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. & Mrs. John and Jane Smith. Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier, espionage or marriage? Mr. & Mrs. Smith launches on Prime Video beginning February 2.

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BORN TO FLY Lands In The UK Next Month!

In this epic story, a group of elite aviators undergo rigorous training to be recognised as official test pilots. Led by their experienced commander, the men are tasked with testing the latest fighter jets. As they soar to new heights, the unexpected happens when an engine fails and catches fire, causing the aircraft to spiral out of control. Despite facing near-death situations, they persevere and gather crucial data under extreme circumstances. However, with the deadline for delivery of the fighter jet quickly approaching, their challenges become increasingly difficult. Can they successfully complete their mission? With breath-taking aerial sequences and high-stakes action, Born to Fly is an adrenaline-fuelled ride that showcases the unwavering determination and bravery of test pilots. Director Liu Xiaoshi’s high-flying jet-fueled thriller, Born To Fly, is landing in the UK from the good folks at Trinity CineAsia on Blu-ray and Digital beginning February 5. Starring Wang Yibo, Jun Hu […]

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HALO Official Teases An Explosive Second Season!

Last month’s first look at CCXP now brings an official trailer to accompany the series return of Halo, from Paramount+ on February 8. Actor Pablo Schreiber is back in full garb as Master Chief following the definitive events of the first season in which our titular protagonist is forced to question everything he thought he knew, in an epic battle pitting him against intergalactic foes, and even friends. In season two, Master Chief John-117 leads his team of elite Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. In the wake of a shocking event on a desolate planet, John cannot shake the feeling that his war is about to change and risks everything to prove what no one else will believe – that the Covenant are preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold. With the galaxy on the brink, John embarks on a journey to find the key to humankind’s […]

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LAYERS OF LIES Official Trailer Kicks Off The New Year With Ramin Sohrab’s Breakout Action Adventure!

Invariably, the festival crowd has had its fill with Iranian-Finnish action adventure Layers Of Lies and now folks keen on catching it at home can expect to do so with a digital, cable, satelite and DVD release set for January 23. The film stars and is directed by actor and martial artist Ramin Sohrab, headlining the first ever action production out of Iran for a production with more than its fair share of stories on how the movie came to pass, details to which Sohrab alludes to openly in our 2022 interview. Written by Sohrab and co-writer Christopher Larsen, Layers Of Lies centers on Sam, a firefighter thrust into a life-or-death forced to take matters into his own fighting hands when a mysterious foe looking for vengeance kidnaps his wife while on a couples’ getaway in Tehran. Also starring are Finnish actress, martial artist and recording artist Jessica Wolff, along […]

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LIGHTS OUT: Frank Grillo Knuckles Up For The New Action Thriller Coming In February

Director Christian Sesma kicked loads of ass in the Ryan Kwanten-led Section 8, featuring scores of action sequences by Luke Lafontaine and featuring the screen stylings of Scott Adkins. Alas, I did tell Sesma recently I’d definitely get on board with his latest, Lights Out, which now sees Sesma rejoining with select cast members of his prior thriller along with leading actors Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer and Jaimie King. A homeless veteran, Michael “Duffy” Duffield (Grillo), is always on the move, until he meets a talkative Ex-Con, Max Bomer (Phifer). Max notices Duffy’s skills after he gets into a bar fight and offers him a well-paying job. Duffy agrees and discovers that the “job” is competing in underground fight clubs. The pair make a ton of money on the first fight and decide to travel to LA so Duffy can atone for his past and Max can pay back a […]

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MY HOME HERO: THE MOVIE Teaser Sees A Father On The Run From Both Sides Of The Law

Warner Bros. Japan is setting sail this Spring with My Home Hero: The Movie, the new feature film successor following up on the hit TV drama that aired last Fall. That show’s director, Takahiro Aoyama, makes his feature debut on the film based on the 2017 manga, from a script by Susumu Funabashi who also penned the show. Starring Kuranosuke Sasaki (Godzilla Minus One) in the lead role once more, the film takes its cues from the events of the series chronicling the aftermath of what happens when a mystery novelist discovers his daughter’s abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. He takes matters into his own hands having never committed a crime until now, and it’s not long before he finds himself on the run from the law, as well as the lawless. Tae Kimura and Asuka Saito also star along with Shuichiro Naito, Kyohei Takahashi, Takuma Otoo and […]

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DEAD MAN Sees Choi Jin-Woon Fighting For Survival In The Official Teaser Trailer

The first teaser trailer is up and running for Dead Man, the latest noir crime thriller from Bong Joon-ho’s The Host scribe, writer/director Ha Joon-won. The film stars Cho Jin-woong (Believer, Believer 2) in the title role and tells of a man who has made a career of selling his name to businesses for a price, only to find himself framed for embezzling millions in cash, imprisoned and declared dead. His only way out of this nightmare is to escape with insider help, and uncover the truth. Also starring are Kim Hee-ae (The Moon) and Lee Soo-kyung (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations), and will open in South Korean cinemas on February 7 from Plus M.

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SUITABLE FLESH Is Coming To Shudder And AMC+ This Month!

Shudder and AMC+ subscribers can now take to the latest announcement from the AMC Networks-led platform for its exclusive January 26 streaming launch of erotic supernatural horror thriller, Suitable Flesh. The film is directed by Joe Lynch (Mayhem, Chillerama) and is adapted from H.P. Lovecraft’s cult favorite short story, and stars Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Bruce Davison, and Barbara Crampton. Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby becomes obsessed with helping a young patient who’s suffering from extreme personality disorder. However, it soon leads her into occult danger as she tries to escape from a horrific fate. Suitable Flesh was produced by Crampton, Bob Portal, Inderpal Singh and Joe Wicker. The film is also part of Shudder’s larger upcoming Janaury line-up which includes cult hits like The Thing, Donnie Darko, The Eldery, and much more. Check out the latest promo below, and feel free to sift through my review of Lynch’s scintillating thriller.

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THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU Feature Continuation Of The Hit Show Films This Year!

The next phase of “The Mandalorian” is in development for the big screen as the trades are reporting as of Tuesday. Series exec producer Jon Favreau is on board to direct, as well as produce alongside Kathleen Kennedy, and Dave Filoni. Tilted The Mandalorian & Grogu, the new film follows up on the three-season success of the hit aforementioned series which launched in 2019, spotlighting a new arc in the sprawling Star Wars saga with actor Pedro Pascal in the title role. The series is one of several live-action takes in the universe featured on the Disney+ service, along with “The Book Of Boba Fett,” and last year’s Rosario Dawson starrer, “Ashoka,” with others pending including “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” and Leslye Headland’s “The Acolyte” with Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae. “I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” said Favreau. “The prospect of […]

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CRIMINAL Creators Tapped To Shepherd New Prime Video Series Adaptation

A Prime Video series adaptation is officially pending based on the multi-Eisner Award-winning graphic novel, Criminal. Creators/authors Ed Brubaker (Westworld, Batman: Caped Crusader) and Sean Phillips on board to exec produce. More from Deadline via Brubaker in 2019 from Monday’s report: “Criminal tells the interweaving saga of several generations of families tied together by the crimes and murders of the past,” … “And one of the big events in many of these characters’ pasts, which has been referenced since the very first Criminal story, was the death of Teeg Lawless. Before we even met Teeg, we knew that he had died when his son was a teenager, but other than the identity of his killer, we have never told the rest of that story. It’s just been a ghost haunting the series, as Teeg Lawless has become one of the most popular characters in the comic.” Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva reports […]

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THE CHILDE Blu-Ray Review: A Lean And Mean Cat-And-Mouse Thriller From Park Hoon-Jung

I have yet to see the complete resumé of filmmaker Park Hoon-jung’s work. What I can assert for the most part from what I’ve seen is that if you’re looking for an absolute thrill, you won’t be disappointed. His most recent effort, The Childe, is exemplary of this. Little was known about this film’s plot from the outset of its release campaign, and brilliantly so considering what little there was to promote without being spoilery, for the most part. For what its worth however, the logline is simple enough to be enticing for anyone who loves an envigorating cat-and-mouse thriller out of South Korea, particularly one whose story is set between worlds, and with a cast of lead actors whose roles are budding opposites with one another whilst ultimately finding commonality as the plot thickens. This story puts the viewer right into the gruesome world of a mysterious figure (Kim […]

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ECHO 8 Trilogy: Casting Call Underway For ‘Five By Five’ And ‘Beyond’ Through February

Film duo Maria Tran and Takashi Hara are kicking off principal photography in Q1 2025 for the back-to-back production of the sequels to the independently produced Australian noir action psych thriller, Echo 8. A casting call is now underway with submissions to be sent by February 8. The Echo 8 Trilogy represents a collection of urban action assassin films with a female- led perspective, crafted under the creative direction of Maria Tran and penned by Elizabeth H. Vu. This trilogy takes audiences on three distinct cinematic journeys: “Echo 8” (2023), “Five By Five” (2025), and “Echo 8 Beyond” (2025). Five By Five: Set three decades prior to ‘Echo 8,’ the prequel ‘Five By Five’ unveils the enigmatic Agent 5’s grief-stricken existence and his gradual spiral into chaos while climbing Zodiac’s hierarchy. Echo 8 Beyond: After the occurrences of ‘Echo 8,’ Anna finds herself pursued by lethal Zodiac operatives tasked with […]

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