james rolleston

The Landlord Emerges In A New Clip From THE DEAD LANDS

If you were lucky enough to catch director Toa Fraser‘s new period epic, The Dead Lands, you’re pretty much not alone joining in as one in scores of folks who’ve heralded the film with great reviews. It’s a truly dramatic tale full of intensity, deep in scope and entrenched only within cerebral majesty as a coming-of-age story with actor James Rolleston starring as the son of a chieftain on a desperate mission to avenge the souls of his people. A new clip is online as the film has just been released in select theaters and on-demand today, and if trailers and upworthy reviews still don’t meet your needs, perhaps this peak into Fraser’s universe with a fearsome performance by supporting actor Lawrence Makoare will guarantee you something special. It sure did for me, and I talk more about it in my review which you can read by clicking here. Otherwise, […]

Screener Review: THE DEAD LANDS (2015)

Lee B. Golden III

SYNOPSIS: Hongi (James Rolleston) – a Maori chieftain’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in order to bring peace and honour to the souls of his loved ones after his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery. Vastly outnumbered by a band of villains, led by Wirepa (Te Kohe Tuhaka), Hongi’s only hope is to pass through the feared and forbidden Dead Lands and forge an uneasy alliance with the mysterious “Warrior” (Lawrence Makoare), a ruthless fighter who has ruled the area for years. REVIEW: If you’re at all keen to what’s happening in film festivals, chances are you might have caught a glimpse of director Toa Fraser‘s latest contribution to period action adventure genre, The Dead Lands. The film has been highly-received by critics throughout the festival circuit as well as its audience at home in New Zealand upon its theatrical release late last year, and not for nothing either. Should you just […]

Toa Fraser's THE DEAD LANDS Scores A New Red-Band Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

And just like that, following Thursday’s poster reveal now comes the official trailer for director Toa Fraser‘s latest Maori action adventure thriller, The Dead Lands. If you’re new to the title and are looking forward to possibly seeing something truly amazing at the movies, you’re just in time as this particular gem has already earned the favorability of critics and movie goers since its domestic premiere in New Zealand after its 2014 film festival run. Yes, there are plenty of reasons to go to the movies this year, and accordingly, The Dead Lands is one to take note of! SYNOPSIS: Hongi (James Rolleston) – a Maori chieftain’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in order to bring peace and honour to the souls of his loved ones after his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery. Vastly outnumbered by a band of villains, led by Wirepa (Te […]

THE DEAD LANDS Gets A U.S. Poster And Theatrical/VOD Release Date

Lee B. Golden III

Director Toa Frasier‘s latest Maori action epic, The Dead Lands, has stood the test of time since its film festival accolades last year prior to its New Zealand release. The film is finally extending its roll-out to other territories in 2015, including in North America where it will first premiere in limited theaters and through video-on-demand beginning on April 17 following its acquisition by Magnet Releasing. As such, we now have a fresh new poster to accomodate. It’s not too different from the artwork presented last year, but its still worth taking notice. Check it out. Produced by Matthew Metcalfe and scribe Glenn Standring, The Dead Lands centers on actor James Rolleston in the role of Hongi, the son of a chieftain forced trek forbbiden territory to forge an uneasy alliance with a mysterious warrior in order to avenge his father and his tribe, and bring peace and honor to […]

Toa Fraser's THE DEAD LANDS Takes North America!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s pretty safe to say that director Toa Fraser‘s latest period action epic, The Dead Lands has become a film festival hit this season. The film has already earned its ample share of critical praise this month and plenty more can be expected as the film engages its viewership in its native New Zealand cinemas at the end of October. Fortunately, the film has already closed a huge slate of international deals last week, promising the film a much larger audience in places like the U.K. and Italy. That said, tack another one on for North America with news from Deadline that Magnet Releasing has acquired distribution rights to the film. The Dead Lands is an historic, Maori period action drama starring James Rolleston as a chieftain’s son, Hongi, whose tribe is nearly slaughtered, setting him on a mission to forge an uneasy alliance with a mysterious warrior to help […]

A Young Hero's Story Lives On In The New Trailer For THE DEAD LANDS

Lee B. Golden III

It’s not enough to say that the next biggest fan craze in action cinema will be director Toa Fraser‘s new period action epic, The Dead Lands. The reviews are already pouring in and the anticipation building following its run at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival to see what the film has to offer in presenting just what raw, hard-hitting Maori martial arts choreography looks like as one of the principle elements in Glenn Standring’s epic story of revenge and redemption layered in vast Maori culture. Actors James Rolleston, Lawrence Makore and Te Kohe Tuhaka, and actress Rena Owen star in what appears to be an exciting new film for the niche, and this week, a full trailer has finally arrived following this summer’s teaser. SYNOPSIS: After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, Hongi – a Maori chieftan’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in […]

A Warrior's Spirit Rises In The New Poster For Maori Action Epic, THE DEAD LANDS

Lee B. Golden III

Another day has arrived, and as such, another new poster has arrived for director Toa Fraser‘s Maori action drama, The Dead Lands. The new poster marks the official New Zealand release date for October 30 from Transmission Films. Check it out below: Written by Glenn Standring, the new film centers on actor James Rolleston in the role of Hongi, the son of a chieftain forced trek forbbiden territory to forge an uneasy alliance with a mysterious warrior in order to avenge his father and his tribe, and bring peace and honor to their souls. One of the biggest elements moviegoers can expect on top of its stunning New Zealand landscapes and prominence of Maori culture will be the presence of Mau rakau, an ancient style of Maori martial arts and weapons combat used for the film’s epic fight sequences, coordinated by Steve McQuillan (Ek Tha Tiger, Spartacus: Blood And Sand). […]

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[UPDATED]Weapons Clash In The Intense New Teaser For THE DEAD LANDS!

Lee B. Golden III

I don’t know how excited you are about seeing what period Maori martial arts action looks like on the big screen, but I’m frickin stoked! The first official teaser arrived this week for director Toa Fraser‘s new film, The Dead Lands, which has earned a pretty good headstart in building up a fair amount of hype since production process began late last year. The film has been billed as a genuine Maori-language period action drama that promises to deliver nothing short an exhiliarating, full-scale, exciting filmgoing experience. So far however, the only experience most on-lookers online have been getting were various production photos, as well as a slate of new HD stills back in June, while some have already screen the film exclusively. And the mood, as it stands, has been nothing short of upbeat. SYNOPSIS: Hongi, a Maori chieftain’s teenage son, must avenge his father’s murder in order to […]

Maori Period Action Epic THE DEAD LANDS Reveals New Pics!

Lee B. Golden III

The epic production of director Toa Fraser‘s new film, The Dead Lands, is sparking some amazing new coverage this week since wrapping principal photography earlier this year. The film, which is being handled by international sales agents at XYZ Films is poised to be the latest thrilling new look into a genuine Maori-language period tale of revenge and redemption from writer Glenn Standring, with Maori martial art form Mau rākau, as the backbone of the intricate and exciting new fight choreography from Steve McQuillan (The Gunman, Slow West). SYNOPSIS: Hongi (James Rolleston) – a Maori chieftain’s teenage son – must avenge his father’s murder in order to bring peace and honour to the souls of his loved ones after his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery. Vastly outnumbered by a band of villains, led by Wirepa (Te Kohe Tuhaka), Hongi’s only hope is to pass through the feared […]