martyn ford

ROBIN HOOD: THE REBELLION Tackles Opposition From All Sides With Median Results

There’s little uncertainty among some directors about how much there is to tap into for workable material for Robin Hood films. Writer and director Nicholas Winters found his in Robin Hood: The Rebellion rejoining Hooligan Escape star Ben Freeman, and for this, a story that immerses you into a war already in-progress. You get solid peformances all around, headlined by Freeman and actor James Oliver Wheatley – the latter starring as the incorrigible and evil Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff has zeroed in on Sherwood Forest, leaving its inhabitants vulnerable with Robin and Will Scarlett (James G. Nunn) taking point against the Sheriff’s men. Actor Jamie Kenna weighs in as Little John, unsettled by the incursion as well as ill-gotten ideas of Robin’s intentions with respect to his persona; John’s woes are just the first indicator that others among Sherwood’s people may have become turncoats in exchange for better prospects […]

Zombie Thriller REDCON-1 Kills And Kills Again In The Latest Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Having already seen its way through festivals and with a UK fall date approaching, tickets are now on sale for Underground helmer Chee Keong Cheong’s long awaited military zombie epic, Redcon-1. And it looks absolutely fucking bonkers. A trailer actually went live last month and was actually in Taiwanese and so obviously it wouldn’t have come my way. Such is the nature of independent films with crazy PR handling and so you’re forgiven if you’d been waiting for trailer footage since the film’s production a few years ago. As I said though… this looks fucking bonkers; Shots of undead creatures performing articulate gymastics and kicking techniques are things that you wouldn’t normally expect from a zombie film unless you were watching a award-winning certain turn-of-the-century action horror indie from Kitamura Ryuhei. Alas, it’s definitely part of the narrative here though and it sells pretty well in the trailer, promising an […]

HELLE-BOUND AND BEYOND: A Word With ‘Of Gods And Warriors’ Star, Actress Anna Demetriou

Lee B. Golden III

One of the biggest moves I’ve done this year, particularly in covering David L.G. Hughes’ latest theatrical UK release, Of Gods and Warriors, was getting to share questions with action director Jude Poyer. You can check out our interview here, as well as my review if you so fancy it while you can now take a look at this week’s back-and-forth with the film’s star, Anna Demetriou. She discusses her training, her craft and ambitions, and even discloses that she’s a singer and bartender – the former of which I can absolutely relate to as it speaks to her versatility and veracity as an artist. As such, I’m inclined to look Anna up more after this for my own research and reading pleasure, while you are more than welcome to engage this latest exchange. Greetings Anna and thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. How […]

Review: OF GODS AND WARRIORS Is An Ominous, Cyclic Tale Of Vengeance

Lee B. Golden III

Norse mythology is likely something that will never run out of angles for directors to build stories on. Hard Boiled Sweets helmer David L.G. Hughes has certainly found one in his latest effort, Of Gods And Warriors, falling short of big scale cinemafare while still managing to bring a sense of scope and gravitas to the lens. Actress Anna Demetriou makes her lead debut in a story that spans more than two decades, preset by a dark omen that falls on a royal Viking family and its patriarch, King Asmund of Volsung (Andrew Whipp). With a day’s victory in his wake and the pride of the kingdom in his hands, he makes a desperate choice implored by his half brother, Prince Bard (Timo Nieminen, to switch recently born children so that Volsung may live on with a King instead of a Queen. Now in her 20s, Helle, living as Bard’s […]

OF GODS AND WARRIORS: Female-Centric Viking Epic Smashes July UK Release Dates

Lee B. Golden III

Folks in North America still have a ways to with Saban Films steering the wheel for Hard Boiled Sweets helmer L.G. Hughes’ latest, Of Gods And Warriors. Over in the U.K. however, it’s only a matter of days now with 101 Films is readying a July 19 theatrical and July 30 BD/DVD release for new mythical epic from Misfits Entertainment, the acclaimed producers of the Tribeca Film Festival nominated McQueen. Anna Demetriou makes her lead debut as a Norse Viking princess on a mission to reclaim her destiny after being framed for her father’s murder in the mythical Kingdom of Volsung. Screen legend Terence Stamp (The Limey) stars as Viking God Odin with Will Mellor (Broadchurch, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps), Ian Beattie (Game of Thrones, Alexander), and with Martyn Ford (Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Boyka: Undisputed IV) smashing his way into viking screen history as […]

A Case For Better Action Movies…Or Why We Don’t Deserve Another Sequel After BOYKA: UNDISPUTED 4

Lee B. Golden III

Director Todor Chapkanov’s latest feature-length affair, Boyka: Undisputed 4, isn’t exactly the kind that would get the big screen treatment in North America. Elsewhere? Perhaps. Not so much here though, and it’s a shame as it was still a hope of mine that I shared as a theatergoer, albeit understandable with a limited number of screens at the least considering how rare it is to see martial arts movies these days, and of the caliber they bare in talent and content. I take this fact to mind in observing the career progression of martial arts star, actor Scott Adkins, once a stuntman and someone who has essentially woven himself into ample popularity as an action-capable actor, and with his biggest audience keen on major martial arts fanfare. It’s a succession that has not been easy – one plagued by the ever-continued proliferation of piracy that causes films like Adkins’s latest […]

BOYKA: UNDISPUTED Takes You Ringside For Brutal, Head-Bashing Sneak Peek!

Lee B. Golden III

You love martial arts movies. In some capacity or another, you love them. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be reading this article discussing the upcoming next succession of the underground fighting saga, Boyka: Undisputed, starring genre favorite and Marvel’s Doctor Strange co-star, actor Scott Adkins, someone who, by far, deserves the best shots at even bigger action movies in the months and years to come. Todor Chapkanov sits at the helm for this latest feat with Isaac Florentine taking a producer role this time around after directing two of the four films – both with Adkins in the iconic role that has become so prolific among martial arts fans. You know, like you. And with the film having finished its most recent run at Fantastic Fest last month, the reactions have been nothing short of positive and supportive. On that note, hopefully fans, you know, like you, will equate that […]

BOYKA: UNDISPUTED Sounds Off With A New Post-Production Sneak Peak

Lee B. Golden III

Goodness…it feels like forever since we first caught the trailer for Scott Adkins vehicle, Boyka: Undisputed. By far it’s one of this year’s most-hyped titles and a release date is yet to be revealed while the film itself remains in post production with director Todor Chapkanov at the helm and Isaac Florentine producing. In the meantime, a little taste of something is better than nothing and so now we’re getting a sneak peak into the film by way of a new featurette with re-recording mixer Gord Hillier and supervising sound editor Kris Casavant hailing from Nu Boyana Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria. For this, you get an action-packed intro followed by an intriguing look into the complex sound design process using Avid Pro Tools | S6 control surface, and another quick sampler at the intensely shot fight finale between Adkins and hulking actor and bodybuilder Martyn Ford. Take a look below!

'El Mariachi' Star Leads UK Action Horror REDCON-1

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a while since actor Carlos Gallardo prolifically broke out in Robert Rodriguez’s 1992 Mexican spaghetti classic, El Mariachi. Nowadays, and long since starring in several Rodriguez helmers on top of others, you’ll likely find his name popping up a bit more with news now confirming his starring and producing role next to producer Kevin Eastman of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fame for the new sci-fi action horror, Redcon-1. The folks at Epic Pictures have been shopping the film at Cannes marking helmer Chee Keong Cheong’s third turn at the director’s chair since the 2007 martial arts brawler, Underground and Bodyguard: A New Beginning in 2009. The project has been brewing for a few years now up to recent weeks in which filming set course in the U.K., with a story revolving around an octet of Special Forces on a suicide mission to rescue a scientist following a deadly […]

Watch The New Knockout Trailer For BOYKA: UNDISPUTED

Lee B. Golden III

Martial arts action star Scott Adkins (Close Range)is ready to face the odds once more in the next installment of the Undisputed franchise, Boyka: Undisputed. It took a trailer teaser late last year to whet the appetites some for fans around the world while the new film had been slow to pass since Undisputed 3: Redemption fell to the woes of film piracy. Action cinema favorite Isaac Florentine is back once more, but interestingly in the producer’s chair this time with Todor Chapkanov at the helm following a slew of sci-fi and horror dTV and film credits to his name. Sure, it’s a different name we see, but this shouldn’t have much of an effect on the film’s delivery with a cast of action actors and fight choreographer Tim Man rejoining Adkins since Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear, for a film that looks like it lives up to the solid […]

Boyka Is Back (Almost) In The New Trailer Tease For BOYKA: UNDISPUTED

Lee B. Golden III

The clock starts now with director Isaac Florentine set to take audieces ringside with Boyka: Undisputed. It’s the fourth installation of the Undisputed franchise featuring martial arts fanboy favorite, Uri Boyka played by none other than Scott Adkins whose career has seen quite an uptick this year with a few Hollywood releases now in tow. That said, it took five years for this latest mixed-martial arts quadrilogical installment to even happen what with piracy dominating the grim prospects of independent film as it struggles to thrive. With Boyka: Undisputed now in full existence and with a cast and crew that dares to impress with fight choreography by none other than Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear action stylist and co-star Tim Man, and towering Bodybuilder Martyn Ford making his acting debut, expect some of the best talent you’ll see when the film releases in 2016. And by all means, support this film. […]

BOYKA: UNDISPUTED IV Wraps, Star Thanks His Fans, Cast And Crew, Talks Future Movies

Lee B. Golden III

Martial arts action cinema has seen a ton of glory in the field of film for many years with a multitude of memorable and iconic characters to lend credit to. One such role as of late has been actor Scott Adkins‘s delivery of born-again Russian mixed-martial arts champion, Uri Boyka, following two principle roles in the direct-to-video end of the Undisputed franchise, with the sequel and threequel in 2006 and 2010 respectively, from director Isaac Florentine. Clock into 2015 well long after the third film as fans remained sizzling with hope for another installment and fans evidently got their wish in late 2013 prior to principle photography earlier this summer, and no less with a meaty handful of top notch action actors from select parts of the world all congregating in Sofia, Bulgaria for the production of Boyka: Undisputed IV. Adkins and Florentine are reunited once more with co-star and […]

New Stills And A Synopsis Surface For BOYKA: UNDISPUTED IV

Lee B. Golden III

Many a debate have been had in the last five years over the fate of a fourth installment of Undisputed, a series of films that has since spawned from a Hollywood prison boxing drama to a franchise of films that have entrenched explicit fandom within the niche for actor and action star Scott Adkins in the role of devout modern day mixed martial arts warrior, Uri Boyka. Suffice it to say, the Undisputed franchise has taken a life of its own in the martial arts genre, and while piracy nearly threatened the hopes of a fourth film, it was finally made official in late 2013 with cameras rolling nearly a year and a half later in Bulgaria for Boyka: Undisputed IV. Yes, results are coming, and I wouldn’t hold my breath for this one until at least a 2016 release as with the nature of independent cimema. Director Isaac Florentine […]