frank grillo

COPSHOP Action Thriller Headlines Grillo And Butler For October Production From ‘The Grey’ Director

Lee B. Golden III

While there’s no news yet on Boss Level, actor Frank Grillo is still well on the way with several projects, the latest being Copshop, once again reunitung Grillo with The Grey and director Joe Carnahan. Grillo will be joined by Greenland star Gerard Butler, headlining the project storied by Mark Williams and Kurt McLeod who wrote the original screenplay. According to Deadline’s Andreas Wiseman, Carnahan penned the most recent draft. In Copshop, a small-town police station becomes the unlikely battleground between a professional hitman (Butler), a smart rookie female cop, and a double-crossing con man (Grillo), who seeks refuge behind bars with no place left to run. The film hails from production companies Zero Gravity Management and Sculptor Media with Butler also producing with Alan Siegel at G-BASE. Carnahan and Grillo, who recently transitioned their progress on a remake of Indonesian action thriller The Raid into the tentatively-titled Zeno, will […]

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Wolf Warrior I & II REVIEW: Wu Jing fights for the motherland for the sake of entertainment

Back in the 80’s, this type of movies were made by Americans with Chuck Norris or Sylvester Stallone as action heroes, but now the world has changed and that kind of badass war action films, loaded with cheap cinematic patriotism to highlight all the virtues of the action hero are made in China. Some of them are even produced by the goverment with propaganda purposes. Some are big blockbusters as Wolf Warriors, but others are just low budget productios with zero interest that surfaces in the VOD niche. Wolf Warriors is a military action thriller directed by Wu Jing himself, in which he played a Chinese special force soldier that is confronted by a group of dangerous foreign mercenaries who are hired to assassinate him by a vicious drug lord. 90 fast paced minutes of action fest with Wu Jing as action hero, supported by Nan Yu (The Expendables 2) […]

Netflix Picks: MMA Drama KINGDOM Lands July 1, LUCIFER Adds Season Six Ahead Of August Season 5 Premiere

Lee B. Golden III

Folks who are keen on streaming their television shows and often frequent Netflix for doing so will be in good company very soon on top of its acquisition of pending series release, Cobra Kai, in addition to Warrior Nun and other amazing shows on the platform. This past week saw Entertainment Weekly break the news on Byran Balasco’s hit MMA drama series, Kingdom, which premiered from 2014 through 2017 for three seasons on DirecTV’s AT&T Audience Network. Set to stream on Netflix beginning July 1, Kingdom, from Endemol Studios, tells of the harrowing interpersonal relationships and family drama centered on Alvey Kulina (Frank Grillo), a fighting legend, and the owner of Venice, CA-based Navy St. MMA gym. Also starring are Kiele Sanchez, Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas, Joanna Going, Natalie Martinez and Kirk Acevedo. The streamer will also be accomodating a sixth season of tongue-in-cheek hit dark fantasy series, […]

Morgan Freeman and Frank Grillo

PANAMA Reteams Grillo And Freeman For November Production

Lee B. Golden III

News out of Toronto brings word that Frank Grillo and Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman will star in the based-on-true-events action thriller, Panama. Filming begins in November after Grillo wraps recent photography on John Swab’s ensemble crime thriller, Body Brokers, which began this month. In Panama, James Becker (Grillo), a rugged, decorated ex-marine is assigned by Starks (Freeman), his former commander to execute a high-value deal with shady adversaries. The two will work together as Becker takes on assassins, courts femme fatales and negotiates with the enemy in order to complete his mission and come home. Daniel Adams (The Golden Boys, An L.A. Minute) will direct from a script he wrote with co-scribe, exec producer William R. Barber. Michelle Chydzik Sowa and Michelle Reihel are producing. Highland Film Group is boarding world sales at TIFF next week. Grillo and Freeman will also be seen next year in action comedy sequel, The […]

Streaming On Netflix: On Joe Lynch’s POINT BLANK, Must Love Movies, Babies And Top 10 Hits Of Ths 80s

Lee B. Golden III

Everly and Mayhem helmer Joe Lynch‘s latest feature outing, Point Blank, will be a testament for some critics as to how some remakes fare compared to others. Produced under the auspices of production banner banner WarParty Films, the magnifying glass will especially hover for folks curious of its future endeavors, including a remake of a certain Indonesian crime thriller. It helps that enough time has lapsed for a film like Fred Cavayé’s 2010 thriller to still carry some viability for moviegoers. History notes the film would’ve once had Mark Wahlberg involved in some capacity, which probably makes the casting of Marvel Cinematic Universe co-stars Frank Grillo and Anthony Mackie all the more buoyant for fans of both actors. Following most of Cavayé’s formula with screenwriter and co-star Adam G. Simon (Man Down) adding his own touch, it’s not too long before registered nurse, Paul (Mackie) finds himself ambushed in his […]

BLACK AND BLUE

BLACK AND BLUE: Naomie Harris Battles On The Frontlines And Color Lines In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Traffik and The Intruder helmer Deon Taylor’s name is one you ought to keep bookmarked, and he’s proven this aptly with the official trailer for his latest thriller, Black And Blue. The cast brings Naomie Harris into the butt-kicking fray among the likes of Tyrese Gibson, Mike Colter and Frank Grillo who himself is just weeks away from kicking butt in Joe Lynch’s own Netflix outing, Point Blank. BLACK AND BLUE is a fast-paced action thriller about a rookie cop (Naomie Harris) who inadvertently captures the murder of a young drug dealer on her body cam. After realizing that the murder was committed by corrupt cops, she teams up with the one person from her community who is willing to help her (Tyrese Gibson) as she tries to escape both the criminals out for revenge and the police who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage. There’s especially a social […]

POINT BLANK: Mackie And Grillo Duel With Dirty Cops In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

The tenacious efforts at bringing elevated productions to the fray from WarParty Films continues onward with Everly helmer Joe Lynch’s latest work-up, Point Blank. This one has MCU franchise co-stars Anthony Mackie and Frank Grillo headlining this particular third revival of Fred Cavaye’s 2010 crime noir now poised for a July 12 release only on Netflix. Also, look carefully and you’ll spot The Raid remake screenwriter Adam G. Simon getting in some cameo defibrillator fun on screen. He’s helping remake The Raid and a whole lot more, and you’re welcome to click here for further due diligence. More on Point Blank: When his pregnant wife is kidnapped and held as collateral, Paul, an ER nurse, must team with the badly injured career criminal and murder suspect under his charge in order to save the lives of his wife and unborn child. Pitted against rival gangs and a deadly ring of […]

INTO THE ASHES - RJLE FILMS

INTO THE ASHES Burns With Suspense And Brooding In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Aaron Harvey’s third directorial outing, Into The Ashes, made the rounds over the weekend with a first trailer. The film is just the latest for Donnybrook star Frank Grillo who’s been keeping himself busy on several sets, and with at least one other title currently slated for August in Joe Carnahan’s Boss Level. With an honest job and a loving wife, Nick Brenner believed he had safely escaped his violent, criminal history. But his old crew hasn’t forgotten about him or the money he stole, and when they take what Nick now values the most – his wife – he has nothing left to lose. Confronted by the town sheriff, who is also his father-in-law, Nick must decide if he will stay on his new path or indulge in his need for revenge and force his enemies to pay for what they have done. Grillo is joined by Luke Grimes, […]

NO MAN’S LAND Adds Frank Grillo To Immigrant Survival Western Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Justin Kroll at Variety is adding to the mix some casting hype for Conor Allyn’s new modern western drama, No Man’s Land. Therein lies the intrigue and relevant nature of the film’s story scripted and screenwritten with Allyn and co-scribe David Barraza Ibañez as it’s apparently inspired by the real-life “no man’s land” between the U.S.- Mexico border on the Rio Grande and the U.S. “hard border” fences to the north. No Man’s Land will see actor Jake Allyn in the role of Jackson Greer, one-half of a father/son vigilante patrol paired with his father, played by Frank Grillo. Jackson must ride south of the border when he accidentally kills an immigrant son and his father tries to take the blame. With Texas Rangers and Mexican federales in hot pursuit, Jackson, now a “gringo” on the run, finds himself on a pilgrimage that puts him at peace with the land […]

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THE RAID: Carnahan Confirms Grillo, Character And Plot Details

Lee B. Golden III

Collider reports with confirmation that actor Frank Grillo (Donnybrook, Beyond Skyline) will star in director Joe Carnahan‘s upcoming redo of Gareth Huw Evans’ 2011 crime hit, The Raid. It’s worth noting since the IMDb page for the project has seen the actor’s name come and go while development on the project remained underwraps for the last four years. The report also cites new and specific details on the role Grillo will play in leading the cast under the stewardship of WarParty Films where he also produces the film next to filmmaker Joe Carnahan who will direct the movie. “You meet Frank’s character having just rotated back from a really, really, brutal special forces operation.” says Carnahan. “He’s got soft tissue damage in his hands, and his rotator cuff is blown out, and they take fluid off his knees, and the doctors basically tell him, ‘Listen you’re at the razor’s edge […]

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RAGUEL: ‘The Raid’, ‘Point Blank’ Scribe Adam G. Simon Sets Feature Directing Debut With New Revenge Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

EXCLUSIVE: Screenwriter Adam G. Simon isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer as he advances with female-led revenge thriller, Raguel. Best known for penning Dito Montiel’s mind-bending pic, Man Down, and upcoming action thriller Point Blank under the Warparty/Gaumont banner, Simon will set forth to make his directing debut, effectively taking the reigns with cameras rolling later this year. Simon has been at the center of all things much ado with the current production slate over at WarParty Films, shepherded principally in part by filmmaker Joe Carnahan. Long before this, Simon spent 1999 through 2009 taking on numerous trades, including as a Close Protection Specialist, private investigator and bouncer among other risky occupations. The actor and screenwriter faced homelessness a few years later and managed to reboot himself working for James Cameron and Vince Pace at their 3D studio, Cameron Pace Group from late 2013 through the following year. By then, […]

THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD Hires Frank Grillo To Save Europe

Lee B. Golden III

For all your current theatrical Frank Grillo-related needs, he can currently be seen starring in the new fight drama, Donnybrook, from IFC opposite Jamie Bell. With other productions and releases in tow along with Joe Carnahan’s Boss Level and Joe Lynch’s Netflix hustle with the Point Blank redo, fans can feel free to add another with this month’s filming of The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard from Lionsgate. With a script by returning writer Tom O’Connor, Grillo joins the Samuel L. Jackson/Ryan Reynolds two hander that features title actress Salma Hayek all from Patrick Hughes’s 2017 hit movie about a down-and-out bodyguard reluctantly partnered with his rival – an internationally wanted assassin, to take down a notorious dictator for heinous war crimes; Hayek plays wife to Reynolds’s hitman rival, played by Jackson. The Lionsgate sequel follows bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds), who’s enlisted by Jackson and Hayek’s characters to join them on a […]

DONNYBROOK: All The Rage In The Cage In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

The long-awaited official trailer for Tim Sutton’s novel adaptation, Donnybrook, is online to watch courtesy of IFC Films. Jamie Bell stars front and center along with Frank Grillo, actress Margaret Qualley and James Badge Dale for the film’s limited theatrical release on February 15, and subsequent VoD release on the 22nd. Three desperate souls must fight their way out of a dead-end world in this bracing, gut-punching glimpse into America’s dark underbelly. Earl (Jamie Bell) is a struggling ex-marine and father determined to make a better life for his family—no matter what it takes. Angus (Frank Grillo) is a violent, unhinged drug dealer who leaves a trail of death and destruction in his wake. And Delia (Margaret Qualley) is a haunted woman who will do anything to escape a life of crime she can no longer bear. In their kill-or-be-killed world, all roads lead to the Donnybrook: an illicit backwoods […]

BLACK AND BLUE: Deon Taylor’s NOLA Cop Thriller Fills Its Cast

Lee B. Golden III

Traffik helmer Deon Taylor is setting up to direct Black And Blue, starring Naomie Harris, for Screen Gems according to Amanda N’Duka’s exclusive coverage at Deadline. The Pirates Of The Caribbean and 007 franchise co-star of late is also to be joined by upcoming Donnybrook, Boss Level and Point Blank star Frank Grillo, as well as Reid Scott (Veep), Beau Knapp (Destroyer) and Tyrese Gibson. Sony’s Screen Gems is housing the production from a script by Peter A. Dowling. Harris will play a rookie NOLA cop framed for the murder of a drug dealer and pursued by both sides of the law when when her body cam footage catches the corrupt narcs responsible prior to falling to execute her as well. A seperate report for Black And Blue over at The Hollywood Reporter notes that Gibson, who will rejoin the ensemble for the ninth installment of the Fast And Furious […]

THE RAID Screenwriter Adam G. Simon Teases ‘Warrior’ Meets ‘Black Hawk Down’ In A High-Rise, And ‘A Bad Motherf*cker’ Named ‘Felix’

Lee B. Golden III

Gareth Evans may not have his hands on The Raid franchise anymore as he continues forthwith on his own serial endeavors in the U.K. for Corin Hardy’s Gangs Of London. That said, Evans is executive producing the revisal of The Raid currently being shepherded by WarParty’s own Joe Carnahan and screenwriter Adam G. Simon who moved things up another inch on the PR scale when teasing what kind of villain the new interpretation of Evans’ 2011 crowdpleaser would be like with the film set in Caracas, Venezuela. “His name’s Felix.” says Simon during his half-hour session on A Dose Of Buffa. “And he’s…a little more sophisticated, a little more lethal, a little more intelligent and cunning than what we saw in the original ‘Raid’ with that villain.”; The villain in question is the role of Tama, played phemomenally by Ray Sahetapy for the Indonesian crime original. For those not in […]

POINT BLANK: Anthony Mackie And Frank Grillo To Star In ‘Mayhem’ Director’s Remake For Netflix

Lee B. Golden III

Jeff Sneider is reporting exclusively at Collider that Anthony Mackie and Frank Grillo will headline the Netflix original English-language remake of Fred Cavayé‘s 2010 thriller, Point Blank. Everly and Mayhem helmer Joe Lynch is directing from a script by Adam G. Simon, and with Grillo producing with Joe Carnahan via their WarParty banner next to Gaumont. The film will tackle the harrowing tale that ensues following of a nurse (Mackie) forced to spring a wounded murder suspect (Grillo) from the hospital if he is to rescue his pregnant wife from the man’s brother. The two actors mark their latest film reunion since appearing in Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. The original film, conceived by Cavayé who co-wrote with Guillaume Lemans inspired a loose Korean remake in 2014 from director Chang titled The Target. Mark Wahlberg was once attached to the project back in […]

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REPRISAL: Bruce Willis And Frank Grillo Team Up To Fight Crime In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Vice and The Prince helmer Brian A. Miller is back again to bring grounded action and thrills to the masses with Reprisal, opening in theaters and VoD on August 31. Reteaming once more with Bruce Willis and now with actor Frank Grillo tacking this latest feat on as one of several titles forthcoming for his proliferation, the official trailer is now online to whet the appetite accordingly with bustling action and drama fitting for a crime thriller with stars like Willis and Grillo front and center. Jacob (Frank Grillo), a bank manager haunted by a violent heist that took the life of a coworker, teams up with his ex-cop neighbor, James (Bruce Willis), to bring down the assailant. While the two men work together to figure out the thief’s next move, Gabriel (Johnathon Schaech), the highly-trained criminal, is one step ahead. When Gabriel kidnaps Jacob’s wife (Olivia Culpo) and daughter, […]

THE RAID: Writer Adam G. Simon Divulges On Joe Carnahan’s ‘Cool Jump-Off Point’

Lee B. Golden III

Screenwriter Adam G. Simon took to WTF Nation Radio on Monday to discuss a plethora of topics such as the Oscars, the industry and a number of social issues. The noted Man-Down scribe who had no filter in offering praise for the likes of Fighting helmer Dito Montiel and Man-Down star Shia LeBeouf, also put noted co-scribe and helmer of The Raid reboot, Joe Carnahan in the crosshairs while stating his excitement on the opportunity with hosts Ice And Flash. “Dude I’m so fuckin’ stoked about this. It’s just so good to be working with great people.” said Simon who spoke of Carnahan and the film’s currently sole attached actor, producer Frank Grillo as “…two of the greatest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of fucking working with.” The Raid reboot is one of several that Carnahan and Grillo have stirring under their WarParty banner, including Ben Hernandez Bray’s feature […]

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Review: BEYOND SKYLINE Is The Sequel Sci-Fi Fandom Needs

Lee B. Golden III

The Greg and Colin Strause-directed, independent 2010 critical sci-fi flop, Skyline, left a huge enough dent in box office earnings to warrant some wiggle room for a sequel. Enter Liam O’Donnell, having worked his way up from VFX work on several projects, as well as co-scripting and producing the first film and now sets his sights with a sequel as his directorial debut in Beyond Skyline – a film that by some accounts probably wasn’t expected to happen or even supposed to. It had been four years since the first film and so no one would see an announcement up until 2014, surprising everyone curious and keen, and not for nothing either. The added touch of throwing in people like Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian would certainly pepper the hype up to a certain degree for fans fond of their work on Merantau, The Raid and it’s sequel; The mere […]

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BEYOND SKYLINE Hails The Alien Onslaught On The Official U.S. Blu-Ray Art

Lee B. Golden III

I’m absolutely fired up about the release of Beyond Skyline… except in the states there won’t be a theatrical release, apparently. Instead, Lionsgate will be rolling out the hit sci-fi sequel on DVD, Blu-Ray and VoD on January 16, 2018 in North America, pretty much crusing any of my pre-ordained hopes and dreams amid my own reporting… Fuck. Anyway, I reviewed this bastard (check back December 11) and while I won’t be including this in any of my current Five-A-Day articles which I don’t feel like re-editing since I’m currently getting over being sick and the task itself is just damn tiresome, I’m happy to be lending this one with some lip service in the coming weeks. I dug the crud out of this film and I honestly want more after this. Plotwise, sans the 2010 fumble from the Strause sibs, VFX artist Liam O’Donnell presses on here with actor […]