mma

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Gary Daniels Takes Center Ring In The New Teaser For BULLPEN FIGHT CLUB

Lee B. Golden III

A longstanding favorite among action fans around the world for many years, actor and martial arts action star Gary Daniels continues to put his best foot forward with a few titles well on the way to a release. Those title include Ara Paiaya’s Skin Traffik, Wych Kaosayanada’s Zero Tolerance, and one of a few new films for director R. Ellis Frazier called Misfire, which was already picked up for multiterritorial distribution earlier this year, including for North America by way of Image Entertainment. All films mentioned above have teasers and some info to support info about their respective storylines, unlike Frazier‘s current production which also offers something peculiar to bare in mind for Gary fans and action cinephiles alike. That film is called Bullpen Fight Club, and its newly unveiled teaser doesn’t do much to quell the curiousity about its intended plot, except that what ever it is will involve […]

KICKBOXER Lands Larnell Stovall For Action Director

KICKBOXER Lands Larnell Stovall For Action Director

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a very weird day for writing on my end, as I reported earlier today that award-winning fight choreographer J.J. Perry would be directing the fight scenes for the upcoming production of director Stephen Fung’s Kickboxer remake. The update came in a recent interview hosted at The Action Elite with the film’s lead actor, martial artist and stuntman Alain Moussi. Just minutes after I shared the article on my Facebook page, I was immediately contacted by a stuntman in my friend list who has recently worked with Perry that he would not be directing the action for the new film. So, ultimately I unpublished the article and contacted Perry myself right away to apologize for the confusion and he indicated he was alright by it before also informing me that seasoned martial artist, stunt professional and fight choreographer Larnell Stovall would be working on the film’s principle fight scenes […]

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Shane Warren Jones Faces The Fight Of His Life In The Trailer For FIGHT TO THE FINISH

Lee B. Golden III

There’s a specific niche calling for filmmakers to bring forward actors who know how to bring their acting talents to the forefront of an action lead role. Such is the case with actor and martial artist Shane Warren Jones, best known for his memorable performance as Cyrax in the final episode of Kevin Tancharoen’s stellar season one finale of Mortal Kombat Legacy, back in 2011. Up-and-coming as an actor with minor TV and film roles within the past decade, Jones shows he is clearly ready to tackle the demands of a lead actor with his latest performance in writer and director Warren Sheppard‘s upcoming mixed martial arts drama, Fight To The Finish, with actress Tamara Fernandez, actor Caleb Smith and WCW and WWE wrestling vet Sal Guerrero. The film is still in post-production with a release date currently in the works. In the meantime, the most recent trailer went online […]

WARRIOR Prepares A Hindi Remake With Lionsgate

WARRIOR Prepares A Hindi Remake With Lionsgate

Lee B. Golden III

The martial arts action genre continues to play heavily in India’s highly productive market despite anyone’s notice of these films beyond their borders. So, it still a delightful surprise to see such films come about, and much to the chagrin of some critics, that includes remakes which are pretty typical in Indian cinema as directors sometimes remake their own films or that of other directors, local or abroad. In this instance, we take the name Gavin O’Connor whose 2011 feature-length mixed martial arts drama, Warrior, was a critical hit, but flopped in the U.S.. This week, that film falls at at the feet of Bollywood writer and director Karan Malhotra for the Hindi remake with lead actor Sidharth Malhotra (pictured above) and potential addition, action hero Akshay Kumar respectively portraying the roles previously played by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. The original film’s distributors at Lionsgate are producing the remake […]

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Kozo Takeda Takes Center-Ring In The New MMA Action Drama, DEATH MATCH

Lee B. Golden III

As common as it is nowadays to see the birth of an acting career with former fighting athletes, filmmaker Arty Morgan (a.k.a. Atsushi Muroga, helmer of the Gun Crazy film franchise) isn’t afraid to do step in the ring and do just that. In fact, he did so about a few years ago on location in the Philippines with the production of his latest action drama, Death Match (once known as The Death Match: Fighting Fist Of Samurai Joe). The film appears to be the English-language feature-length screen debut of former welterweight K-1 kickboxer Kozo Takeda who has already done some television work within the past few years. This time, Takeda takes the stage as a former mercenary who partakes in street fights to help a woman pay off her unclaimed debt to a gangster, following a six-year prison sentence for rescuing her from her abusive husband by killing him. The […]

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BRUTAL Is The Name Of The Movie. For The New Trailer, It's An Understatement.

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a while since we heard from writer and director Donald Flaherty who has been busy promoting his latest contained mixed martial arts action sci-fi thriller, Brutal. A trailer went viral in October last year and eventually had its share of exclusive screenings. Nowadays, it appears Flaherty is ready to stir things up following its debut at Cannes, which means some brand new sales ink. It also means a trailer, and no, it’s not for the faint of heart. But it’s safe to say that this little gem isn’t exactly geared toward the PG-13 crowd. Grown folks only, kids! Check it all out below! SYNOPSIS: BRUTAL centers on Trevor (Morgan Benoit), abducted from his backyard at the age of fifteen by an unseen alien presence. Forced into nearly two decades of savage fights to the finish against other abductees inside an unearthly mixed martial arts arena, Trevor has evolved […]

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[UPDATED] EMC Monkeys Presents: A Hybrid Special ID (SPL/Flash Point) Fan Short Tribute To Donnie Yen

Lee B. Golden III

The internet is full of movie-inspired fan fights created by some of the most aspiring content creators throughout the world. I have seen my fair share of these fan fights over the years and a pretty good handful of them are able to do the trick of replicating much the same excitement based a particular fight scene, be it through the choreography or overall pacing and tone. And the latest contribution to such creativity comes with the return of the EMC Monkeys film crew for a Donnie Yen-infused tribute to Special ID (by way of SPL and Flash Point) featuring principal performances by EMC member Malay Kim and guest actor Michael Lehr. When I learned of this project from Kim last month, I was surprised to find out that he had not yet seen Special ID, which really re-drew my idea of what we would see here. And based on the footage […]

Reel Time: MICHAEL LEHR (2014)

Reel Time: MICHAEL LEHR (2014)

Lee B. Golden III

Since the new year started, I’ve written quite a few times on some work recently released online featuring the action performance stylings of stuntman and actor Michael Lehr, a favorite of mine being his most recent test fight for LBP Stunts Chicago with stuntman Alex Hashioka. I’ve personally enjoyed writing about him, and needless to say, he’s got some amazing things in the works this year, particularly for fans of Hong Kong action and MMA, in addition to a few other things I will continue to learn a little more about in further hopeful conversations in due time (even I have to learn certain things in a timely fashion). I will say that I recently had the honor of taking an early look at one fan fight Lehr performed with another stuntman I have written about before, and honest to goodness, I know you will love it too. In the meantime, […]

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MMA Action Drama TAPPED-OUT Gets A New Trailer And U.S. Release Date

Lee B. Golden III

Mixed martial arts still plays an important role in the action genre, and director Allan Ungar‘s most recent feature-length directorial debut looks to capitalize on it later this year with the forthcoming U.S. release of his new dramatic MMA headliner, Tapped Out (formerly known as Tapped), featuring lead actor and Karate champion Cody Hackman. The film was picked up in November last year by Lionsgate Home Entertainment who have a new press release out with all the info you need, and a new trailer just beneath it. Enjoy the action-packed underdog story Tapped Out, arriving on DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Digital HD, Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View May 27 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Starring MMA Champion Krzysztof Soszynski (Here Comes The Boom), MMA Champion Anderson Silva (Like Water), MMA Champion Lyoto Machida, Jess Brown (TV’s “Omega”), Daniel Faraldo (Anything Goes), along with Martin Kove (The Karate Kid trilogy) and Michael Biehn (Grindhouse), Tapped Out follows […]

Reel Time: ANESTI VEGA (2014)

Lee B. Golden III

Action fans may recall a conceptual featurette that was released pitching what is in the works for actor, martial artist and Floridian native Marrese Crump’s forthcoming production of Formless with actor, RZA. The project has since been in development for a number of years to date, now slightly prolonged further in part due to one of its earlier announced cast members, former Middleweight MMA champion Anderson Silva rebounding from a broken left leg during UFC 168 late last year, while Crump and the cast and crew focus on tentative obligations and potential future projects. In the meantime, Crump’s electrifying pitch for Formless brings our attention to some of that very footage now seen in the latest cinematography reel from multifaceted action film professional, martial artist and fellow Floridian, Anesti Vega, whose works have landed him the attention of numerous amazing film professionals as of 2005, from the independent scene and getting […]

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"Are You Ready!?!" Watch The New LBP Test Fight Short, THROWDOWN!

Lee B. Golden III

Michael Lehr and Alexander Hashioka-Oatfield trade shots in the LBP short, THROWDOWN Independent filmmaker Emmanuel Manzanares continues to entertain the masses this month with a brand new pound-for-pound action short titled Throwdown. Filmed just this past Sunday, the project is one in a continual series of the usual experimental pieces representing the body of work by LBP Stunts Chicago as Manzanares expands his craft with other stunt performing actors in front of the camera, this time with LBP member Alexander Hashioka-Oakfield and West coast-based Fight Factory’s own Michael Lehr. I spoke to the two performers this week leading the way with Lehr, who recently appeared opposite actor and director John Wusah in their latest collaboration titled Valiant just last week. And it just so happens that while Lehr has been familiar with LBP’s work for a long period of time, Throwdown is his first pairing with Manzanares and anyone from […]

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Catch The New NSFW Trailer For RED X PINK!

Lee B. Golden III

Continuing his latest string of action features with beautiful women front and center is famed Alpha Stunts founding member, action director and filmmaker Koichi Sakamoto with his newest feature action flick, Red X Pink. In addition to being a martial arts drama, Tokusatsu fans will also be happy to see a few familiar faces among the cast, including veteran Kamen Rider cast member, model and actress Yuria Haga, along with actresses Asami Tada, Ayame Misaki and Rina Koike, which should grant a little something for big boys and girls everywhere who are familiar with some of Sakamoto‘s work as of late. However, if you aren’t, then you’re just in time to check out a brand new full trailer ahead of the film’s February 22, 2014 Japan release. And yes, a NSFW warning is in order. SYNOPSIS from Sci-Fi Japan: Kadokawa Pictures presents “the birth of a new erotic × young […]

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The Gloves Come Off In The New Trailer For ARAGURE 2: ROPPONGI VS. SHIBUYA

Lee B. Golden III

Take the life of a gangster-turned-store owner who loves to fight, throw him in Japan’s underground fighting tournament and what do you get? Well, here, you get a ferocious sequel in director Hajime Gonno‘s newest film, Aragure 2: Roppongi VS. Shibuya. Following the events of the first film released earlier in 2013, Gonno returns to direct from a screenplay once again by Masao Ikegaya with several returning cast members, including lead actor Nobuyuki Suzuki with Yuya Endo and Shuhei Nogae. Also starring are actors Tamiyasu Cho, Shingo Kawaguchi and Shingo Mizusawa, actress Shizuka Nakamura and actor Hiroaki Kitami. The film bows in Japan on February 22, 2014. SYNOPSIS: Seiya (Nobuyuki Suzuki) of Roppongi works at a store in Shibuya which is run by his senior. He doesn’t get used to working there and dislikes his job. He’s also unable to fight which he enjoys. Seiya becomes stressed by his situation. He is then asked […]

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The North American Release Of SPECIAL ID Gets A New Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

International martial arts sensation Donnie Yen is expected to continue making global headway with the forthcoming releases of his new slate of films, including both parts of the Law Wing-Cheong-directed Iceman 3D, and the fall U.S. release of his newest “Journey To The West” rendition of The Monkey King 3D. With any luck however, Well Go USA’s latest limited big screen North American release of director Clarence Fok‘s latest Hong Kong MMA cop thriller, Special ID, will lead to better prospects for its lead actor who made his breakthrough with a short string of small roles in the U.S. after debuting in the 2000 film, Highlander: Endgame. Yen is hyped as a truly big deal at home, and fans worldwide, especially in America, are in agreement that the acclaimed martial arts action star deserves way more than just a few speaking lines before getting killed off in the second act. […]

Watch The New Trailer For KICK ASS GIRLS

Lee B. Golden III

We have a new trailer for co-writer, director and co-star Vincci Cheuk Wan Chi‘s upcoming film, Kick Ass Girls. Inspired by the success of Dante Lam’s film festival favorite, Unbeatable, the film aims to be Cheuk‘s first noteworthy big screen effort into quirky female-oriented martial arts comedy produced by Charlie Wong and featuring actresses Hidy Yu and Dada Lo. The film also stars Chrissie Chau who saw her own set of challenges while filming some of the pivotal fight scenes that led to some bleeding and a swollen toe among other things. Swelling or not, Chau remained reportedly undeterred by her injuries during filming, which she expressed in an interview back in May with Cinema Online regarding her training for the film. “I got injured a lot during shooting but I still wanted to do most of the stunts myself!” she said. “When I was small I thought the action […]

The New Teaser For BRUTAL Spells In Blood

Lee B. Golden III

The new teaser is out for the upcoming mixed-martial arts science fiction action thriller, Brutal. The film stars The Forbidden Kingdom co-star, lead actor and martial artist Morgan Benoit, and former New York Giants player Jeff Hatch making his feature-length screen debut. The film was shot in the summer of 2012 between May and June, and will play for attendees of up to 500 people at the exclusive screening at Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California on November 5, including the film’s cast and crew, prior to it’s pending wide release date lock. Brutal also stars Dave Mattey, Stacey Jorgensen, Renata Green-Gaber, Christina Brooks and Andrew Flaherty, and features fight choreography by Chris Torres and Colin Follenweider. The film is produced by co-star Mario Kenyon, and producers Dylan Griffith and Sally Shepard, and is written and directed by Donald Flaherty. SYNOPSIS: BRUTAL centers on Trevor (Morgan Benoit), abducted from […]

A Cage Fighter Returns To The Ring For More Than The Championship In The New Trailer For CHAVEZ: CAGE OF GLORY

Lee B. Golden III

Mixed martial arts action, sports and drama are fused into an underdog story of a man fighting for his family and his own redemption in the new trailer for Chavez: Cage Of Glory. The film stars longtime actor, writer and director and award-winning martial arts master, Hector Echavarria, alongside actors Danny Trejo, James Russo and Steven Bauer. The film also stars actress Sadie Katz and co-screenwriter, producer and ’80’s and ’90’s veteran action film favorite Patrick Kilpatrick. Chavez: Cage Of Glory is set for release on September 13, 2013 from Destiny Entertainment. SYNOPSIS: Barely being able to make ends meet and doing everything he can possibly do to cover his ill son’s growing medical bills, Hector Chavez turns to his fighting roots in the underbelly of of LA. His amateur Mixed Martial Arts videos go viral grabbing the attention of the world’s top MMA federation. Hector is then given a […]

The New Trailer For UNBEATABLE Packs A Punch!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Dante Lam‘s newest MMA action drama, Unbeatable, came online with a slightly somber trailer last week. This week, the film is pounding the internet with a new Hong Kong trailer with more action at a faster pace, kicking things off in high flying fashion featuring Nick Cheung, who unanimously won Best Actor during the closing ceremony of the 16th Shanghai International Film Festival on Wednesday, along with child actress and co-star, Crystal Lee. Cheung stars opposite Eddie Peng, along with Mei Ting, Philip Keung, Jack Kao, Andy On and Wang Baoqiang, based on a story and screenplay co-written by Lam along with Candy Leung, Jack Ng and Fung Chi-fung. Ling Chi-wah and Henry Chan directed the action sequences. SYNOPSIS: After a stint in prison for participating in underground boxing, 48-year-old Fai is knee-deep in debt with no solution in sight. Once a contender in the boxing world, he is now a broken man […]

The New Trailer For MMA Hits Online

Lee B. Golden III

The new trailer for Dante Lam‘s latest action drama, MMA (a.k.a. Unbeatable), is officially online. The film stars Nick Cheung, Eddie Peng, Mei Ting, Crystal Lee, Philip Keung, Jack Kao, Andy On and Wang Baoqiang. MMA is based on a story and screenplay co-written by Lam along with Candy Leung, Jack Ng and Fung Chi-fung with action choreography and coordination by Ling Chi-wah and Henry Chan. Ling’s credits include having worked on Lethal Weapon 4, Jet Li’s 1998 action thriller Contract Killer, Donnie Yen-starrer 14 Blades, and the Yuen Woo-Ping epic action adventure, True Legend. MMA is reportedly slated for an August 8, 2013 release. Stay tuned for updates. Cheung is also slated to star in the upcoming release of Benny Chan‘s latest crime thriller, The White Storm later this year. SYNOPSIS: After a stint in prison for participating in underground boxing, 48-year-old Fai is knee-deep in debt with no […]

Attend A Special Q & A Screening For FISTS OF LEGEND With Kang Woo-Seok!

Lee B. Golden III

Before Kang Woo-seok’s latest Mixed Martial Arts action feature, Fists Of Legend, becomes South Korea’s first-ever film to debut both domestically and internationally in the same week, CJ Entertainment America is hosting a public screening and Q & A session to share the film on Monday, April 8, 2013. This event marks director Kang’s two-day visit in America to discuss the film with fans and promote its upcoming South Korea release on Wednesday, with a limited theatrical release in the U.S. this Friday to follow suit. Fists Of Legend (a.k.a. The Legendary Fist), which has no relation to the classic 1994 Jet Li actioner of the same name, is based on an original webtoon about a group of friends, once heralded in their teen years as legends, who must now face each other as rivals in the ultimate prize-fighting competition. The film stars Hwang Jeong-min, Yoo Joon-sang, Lee Yo-won, Yoon Je-moon, […]