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SHADOW FIST 3 Review: The Final Chapter Welcomes New Blood For An Old School Kung Fu Showdown

Shadow Fist 3 screens for the 11th Urban Action Showcase & Expo in New York City on November 11. The last decade-plus of made-for-television martial arts and action is a proven era for those keen on entertainment of a screenfighting variety. Robert Samuels’ efforts to expand on the genre via R4 Films LLC are a generous reminder of this, including the last several years he and his cohorts have spent expanding on Shadow Fist, a concept producing a ubiquitous blend of fantasy, hip-hop and multicultural and multiethnic fruition though kung fu cinema with an old-school sensibility. Samuels and fellow creatives Robert Jefferson and exec producer Tayari Casel have since reconvened to take the journey of their indie shortfilm saga for one final leg in Shadow Fist 3, making ample use of Tijuana’s locales and resident talents. That includes a cast roster featuring burgeoning actress and Hung Ga specialist Roxalinda Vazquez […]

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12.12: THE DAY Teases A Day Of Infamy In The First Teaser For Kim Sung-Su’s New Thriller

My early Asian cinema fandom wasn’t without my enjoyment of director Kim Sung-su’s work, so it’s great to see him still at the helm. His latest is titled 12.12: The Day (f.k.a. Spring of Seoul) and rejoins him with his Asura: The City Of Madness leading men Hwang Jung-min and his Beat star Jung Woo-sung, along with Cheer Up, Mr. Lee and Emergency Declaration actor Park Hae-joon. On December 1979, Seoul had been enduring a harsh winterbefore the upcoming spring. After the assassination of President Park, martial law has been declared. A coup d’état bursts out by Defense Security Commander CHUN Doo-gwang (HWANG Jung-min) and a private band of officers following him. Capital Defense Commander LEE Tae-shin (JUNG Woo-sung), an obstinate soldier who believes the military should not take political actions, fights against CHUN Doo-gwang to stop him. The conflict between the two grows while military leaders are holding their […]

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Toronto After Dark 2023: A Quartet Of Titles To Indulge At This Year’s Festival!

The seventeenth Toronto After Dark Film Festival kicks off its five-day event well into the weekend beginning on Wednesday, October 18. For all that and more, the official website has the line-up ready for all who are curious and eager to get their tickets and badges, and for a small curtain raiser, I’m tossing my hat in the ring for a selection of four titles worth looking into as the festival rolls out the red carpet. Check out the sizzle reel above, then hit up the gallery below for the details and the official website for ticketing info!  

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HEAT 2: Michael Mann Confirms Sequel To 1995 Hit Crime Thriller Will Be His Next Film

Deadline’s Andreas Wiseman is exclusively reporting confirmation of the long-awaited sequel to Michael Mann’s 1995 hit crime thriller, Heat, as of Friday. The filmmaker made the announcement at the news firm’s Contenders Event in London while currently campaigning his latest banner work, Ferrari, starring Adam Driver. The news comes six months after Warner Bros. Pictures gave public notice of its active development of a sequel, eyeing Driver for the role of professional thief Neil McCauley, previously played by Robert DeNiro in the first film. The character is revisited in the sequel novel which Mann penned alongside co-author Meg Gardiner and released in 2021. Heat was produced by Art Linson alongside Mann who wrote the pic, and starred Robert DeNiro as McCauley opposite Al Pacino as ex-Marine-cum-Los Angeles detective Vincent Hanna. The film chronicles the arcs of both characters with Hanna’s unrelenting pursuit of McCauley right until the final climatic chase […]

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BOUDICA Review: Olga Kurylenko’s Conquest Is All The Bloody Celtic Rage

Boudica opens on digital platforms in the UK beginning October 30 from Signature Entertainment. Black Widow and The Princess actress Olga Kurylenko has a few forthcoming screen credits with director Jesse Johnson, following their previous collaboration on 2023 crime thriller, White Elephant. Their latest pairing will arrive with Johnson’s inspired 60 A.D.-set period epic, Boudica, chronicling the legendary warrior queen’s campaign of retribution against the Roman empire. The first several minutes of Boudica makes it inherently clear what kind of film you’ll be in for if an R-rating isn’t enough of a hint. Severed necks, blood geysers, exposed innards, and all-out screaming deaths are on the menu as Caesar Augustus Nero’s (Harry Kirton) military, led by Commander Paulinus (Kris Johnson), mows down hundreds of druids on the island of Mona. The event is only the latest amid Rome’s takeover of most of Europe, with Britannia being the last, ruled by […]

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THE G Teaser: Vengeance Is Timeless In The New Winter Noir Thriller Starring Dale Dickey

Touched director Karl R. Hearne is making headway going into the new year with dark new thriller, The G. The movie is slated have its World Premiere in Official Competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on November 11 before rolling out in Canadian cinemas in the new year through levelFILM. Ann Hunter (aka “The G”, played by Dale Dickey) and her husband retired to an unnamed American suburb 10 years ago to be near his family. But one day out of the blue they are snatched from their home by a corrupt legal guardian who believes they have hidden wealth. Their home and assets are legally stripped from them and they are put in a prison-like “eldercare facility,” victims of an exploding old age industry. Trapped in a corrupt and terrifying system, THE G begins to show her true mettle as she and her loyal granddaughter fight to […]

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Rob Liefeld speaking at the 2022 WonderCon at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

BLOODSTRIKE Creator Developing Live-Action Film With ‘Deadpool’ And ‘Daredevil’ Stunt Coordinator To Debut Direct

Stunt professional Phillip J. Silvera is eyeing to direct a live-action adaptation of Image Comics property, Bloodstrike. The announcement was made on Thursday with Silvera partnering to develop the film with comic creator Rob Liefeld who broke the news along with a proof-of-concept shown via Instagram. “I have waited to connect with a director with the same zeal for the material, someone who can nurture it to the finish line, be a true partner in the process” wrote Liefeld, who continued with how he met the seasoned stunt coordinator and performer on the set of 2016’s Deadpool and what transpired from there. He added that Silvera had been there for him at the beginning of his career, and expressed his love of comics and appreciation for Liefeld’s “library of Extreme characters,” explicitly naming Bloodstrike as the one that stood out. “He told me we were going to make a film […]

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Streaming Sleepers: In Dennis Law’s FATAL CONTACT, Wu Jing Hits Hard, But Emotions Hit Harder

Hong Kong filmmaker and former Milkyway Image (Hong Kong) Ltd. cohort Dennis Law found himself on some pretty green pastures in the early 2000s upon the release of Wilson Yip’s blistering call-to-arms Donnie Yen starrer, S.P.L.. He would team up a few times over with that film’s co-star, Wu Jing, in the years that followed with the production of a few more action-geared titles on their bumper, the first of which would be Fatal Contact, Law’s second directorial gig after 2005’s The Unusual Youth. Law directs the film from his own script starring Wu as Kong, a national martial arts champion and struggling Chinese opera group performer who gets lured into the world of underground fighting. Joined by girlfriend Tin and a hustler named Captain as his fighting coach, making money is the name of the game as Kong finds himself wedged as a key asset between two rival bosses […]

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YU YU HAKUSHO Live-Action Series Touts New Title Logo, December Launch Date!

Prior to this year, you couldn’t hear enough from the critics who didn’t enjoy Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop, and so it’s been a hell of a run with the streamer’s latest redemption in the eyes of anime and manga fans with its successful live-action adaptation of One Piece. Alas, the latest trials are yet to commence with director Sho Tsukikawa’s treatment of Yoshihiro Togashi’s longstanding manga classic, Yu Yu Hakusho, with a premiere date set for December 14. Takumi Kitamura of Tokyo Revengers trilogy fame stars in the lead role from a script by Tatsuro Mishima, based on the 1990 hit manga, as delinquent teenager Yusuke Urameshi, whose latest afterlife experience finds him employed as a newly appointed “spirit detective,” with powers he must learn to wield in order to protect his loved ones. The series also stars Jun Shison as Kurama, Kanata Hongo as Hiei, and Shuhei Uesugi as Yusuke’s […]

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THE IRON CLAW Trailer Teases Sean Durkin’s New Wrestling Family Biopic

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports. Sean Durkin’s newest wrestling drama is ready to come out of its corner and tug brutally at the heartstrings with The Iron Claw, which is coming to theaters on December 22 from A24. The official trailer is out as of Wednesday as well following the poster a few days ago, and with that, I stumbled upon a few thoughts posted by site contributor Matt Essary who tweeted the following about the film. I’m stunned by how accurate this looks. I was not expecting that at all. For those that don’t know, The Von Erich family story is the saddest tale in the […]

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KANE Is The Face Of Underworld Terror In The Official Trailer

KANE Is The Face Of Underworld Terror In The Official Trailer

Aussie director Blair Moore’s thrilling crime debut is ready to make some noise next month in Kane, from Saban Films. The film stars Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Jake Ryan, and Clayton Watson, from a script by Moore and with a theatrical and on-demand release November 10. In the dangerous world of crime, Benny serves under Abe, a crime boss with multiple personalities. When a gang war erupts with the notorious Frankie, Benny must confront the deadliest persona within Abe, Kane. With the next 24 hours predicted to be filled with violence, Benny questions his loyalty and contemplates joining Frankie. As the battle intensifies and secrets unravel, Benny faces a choice that could shake the criminal empire to its core. “Split Allegiance” is a gripping dark thriller that explores the blurred lines of loyalty and identity in a treacherous underworld.

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SQUEALER: Don’t Miss The Red-Band Trailer For The Latest Gruesome Crime Thriller From Stunt Veteran Andy Armstrong

Twenty seven years since his directing debut, seasoned stunt veteran Andy Armstrong makes his latest case at the helm with Squealer, coming soon from Lionsgate. Not to be forgotten of course is Armstrong’s extensive career in stunts having worked on an incredible raft of favorites like Stargate, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters and even on Hrithik Roshan actioner Bang Bang. He now directs Squealer from a script he wrote with Danielle Burgio who is also an experienced stunt performer. Tyrese Gibson (The Fast and the Furious franchise) and Theo Rossi (“Sons of Anarchy”) star in this terrifying thriller inspired by real events. When young women start disappearing in a small town, a police officer and a street-smart social worker follow clues to a remote pig farm, where they discover the local butcher has been bringing his work home. Enter the world of a serial killer and experience for yourself the […]

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THE WANDERING EARTH II: Trinity CineAsia Announces Blu-Ray, 4K Steelbook Treatment For Frant Gwo’s Hit Sequel

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Frant Gwo’s ambitious hit sci-fi The Wandering Earth or its hit follow-up The Wandering Earth II so I think a rewatch of either or one of those may be in order. The latter is certainly relevant as audiences keen on owning a copy on disc may now do so through Digital, DVD and Blu-Ray on October 30, followed by a Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook from Trinity CineAsia on December 11. Boasting incredible and epic visuals, this stunning interstellar blockbuster is a fresh prequel to one of the highest grossing films of all time, a $700m box office success, and Netflix global smash hit. Based on the popular novella by science fiction author Liu Cixin, The Wandering Earth II is a true blockbuster, directed by Frant Gwo (The Sacrifice) and starring Andy Lau (House of Flying Daggers, Infernal Affairs) and Wu Jing […]

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BAD BLOOD: Dan Tran’s New Vietnamese Action Comedy Comes To Select U.S. Theaters This Month!

Dan Tran’s latest action comedy just had its theatrical run as of August with Bad Blood, featuring Kieu Minh Tuan, Mac Van Khoa, Quoc Troung and Mai Cat Vi. Tran is now heading up its select theatrical release exclusively at Cinemark, Regal and AMC theaters through his Blue Lantern label, and the official trailer and poster are out as well. Lam, a notorious henchman, lives quietly in a poor neighborhood. When his stepdaughter is missing, he goes back to the remnants of his past criminal network for help and faces a new generation of deadly adversaries. Click here for the trailer and take a gander at some cool character art ahead of its October 27 release in select U.S. theaters, and follow the film on Facebook as well!

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BRAVE CITIZEN Masks Up For Justice In The Official Trailer!

Park Jin-pyo’s newest action comedy, Brave Citizen, is currently sweeping up deals out of Busan’s market as of last week and you can read more about it at Variety. In the meantime, Mindmark is releasing the flick in South Korea on October 25 and below are two of the latest official promotional trailers making the rounds as of the past month. An expelled boxing champion, who now is a high-school teacher, witnesses intolerable violence and throws her first punch to build justice against it, while putting on a mask. Brave Citizen is based on Kim Jung-hyun’s 2014 webtoon publication via Comico and Naver and adapted for the screen by Yeo Ji-na and Hyun Chung-yeol. The film stars Shin Hae-sun and Lee Jun-young, and is produced by Naver’s StudioN, the production label behind hit shows like “Bloodhounds” and “Sweet Home”, and features action sequences by Heo Myeong-hoeng whose credits include Park […]

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LION-GIRL Review: Come For The Spills, Thrills And Gratuity, Stay Because Kurando Mitsutake Is Worth It

Lion-Girl is releasing on Digital and on special Blu Ray and DVD beginning November 7 from Cleopatra Entertainment. Filmmaker Kurando Mitsutake is no stranger to pushing boundaries with his work, specifically targeting niche audiences with viewing experiences as old as my own, or even older than that. That particular work ethic brings with it the kind of ferocious, gritty, laissez faire approach that’s usually characteristic of independent film, and ultimately, par for the course for a project like Mitsutake’s newest and bold effort, Lion-Girl. Unabashed and gratuitous nudity, violence and gore all topped off by a mix of practical and lo-fi visual effects are on the menu for this particular venture – a visual throwback to Showa-era tokusatsu and J-Sploitation, topped off by Shonen manga inspiration with a mostly western cast leading the charge. Making this endeavor all the more possible is the reunion of Mitsutake and producer Mami Akari […]

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HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA Sets Sail With Official Teaser For Kevin Costner’s Two-Part Cinematic Western Epic

Twenty years since Open Range, actor Kevin Costner’s fourth directorial effort now arrives in the form of a back-to-back theatrical event coming in the summer of 2024 with Western epic, Horizon. The first part will see the release of Horizon: An American Saga – Part 1 on June 28, followed by Part 2 on August 16 from Warner Bros. Pictures, as announced on Thursday. In the great tradition of Warner Bros. Pictures’ iconic Westerns, “Horizon: An American Saga” explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many.  Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, Costner’s ambitious cinematic adventure will take audiences on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States […]

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Keanu Reeves mapped in "Cyberpunk 2077" as Johnny Silverhand (Photo: CD Projekt Red)

CYBERPUNK 2077 Creators Move On With AC Studios For Live-Action Project Set In The World Of The Hit Game

The Witcher game creator CD Project Red’s hit video game property, Cyberpunk 2077, is on track for live-action project development, as of announcements made Thursday. The game’s creative team will be working closely alongside Anonymous Content’s Head of Television Garret Kemble, Director of Development Ryan Schwartz, and Chief Creative Officer David Levine. Launching in 2020 from shepherds Adam Badowski, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and Gabe Amatangelo, Cyberpunk 2077 follows a player character named V who finds themselves in a war against an evil mega corporation following when a near-death heist triggers nanotech in V’s brain, introducing him to the memories of legendary rockstar and terrorist Johnny Silverhand. The game’s marketing picked up forthwith thanks to the casting of Keanu Reeves for the role of Silverhand. The game has also found success with the multi-awarded Netflix anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, created in collaboration with Studio Trigger, as well as Cyberpunk 2077: NO_COINCIDENCE written […]

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The Dirty South (2023)

THE DIRTY SOUTH: Don’t Miss The Trailer For Matthew Yerby’s New Crime Thriller

The official trailer is out for The Dirty South, the feature debut from writer/director Matthew Yerby coming next month from Cineverse. Willa Holland, Shane West and Dermot Mulroney star in the film opening in theaters, On Demand, and On Digital from November 10. Sue Parker (Willa Holland) finds herself in a desperate battle to save her family’s struggling business, which is on the brink of collapse due to her father’s neglect. When a handsome drifter (Shane West) comes into town she sees him as the only chance to prevent their bar from falling into the hands of a ruthless local tycoon (Dermot Mulroney). What starts as a simple plan to save her family, quickly spirals into larceny, lawlessness and deadly consequences.

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Fantastic Fest XVIII Review: In F. Javier Gutierrez’s THE WAIT, Redemption Is A Devilishly-Detailed Numbers Game

Rings and Before The Fall helmer F. Javier Gutierrez’s Spanish fantasy horror thriller set in the 1970s is about as dark, cerebral and ghastly as you would hope for if this particular genre is your thing. Such is the case for The Wait, currently making the festival rounds and just recently screening for audiences at Fantastic Fest and at Germany’s 30th Internationales Filmfest Oldenburg. If you’re just learning about this film, know that I don’t want to give away the juicier aspects of this story in my analysis, and so I’ll do my best to produce a more compact summary as you’re reading this. For all that and more, The Wait showcases an engaging lead performance by actor Victor Clavijo who stars as Eladio, an estate keeper working to provide for his wife Marcia (Ruth Diaz), as well as his son Floren (Moises Ruiz) who just turned of age and […]

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