The Movies That Moved Me: Prachya Pinkaew’s ONG BAK
I bought this film multiple times over a few years just to make sure I had the right version. I was that persnickety and obsessed. Here’s to you, ONG BAK! 🥂
ong bak
FROM SPECIAL K TO BIG BEAR: A word with martial arts fighter and actor, Nick Kara
For many fans of action and martial arts cinema, the Thai movie Ong Bak was groundbreaking as much as it was bone-breaking. A breakout movie for the impish Tony Jaa, the movie featured actual physical contact with acrobatic stunts that were free from any wirework, prevalent in Hong Kong movies and later seen in Hollywood productions such as The Matrix (which utilized legendary fight choreographer, Yuen Woo Ping). Along with the introduction of a very traditional variation of Muay Thai called Muay Boran, the movie served as a reintroduction to Thai cinema with not so subtle hints littered throughout the movie – all of which were directed at Hollywood heavyweights such as Spielberg. Amongst all of the antagonists in the film, the one opponent that quickly became a fan-favourite was that of ‘Big Bear’, played by Australian martial arts champion, Nick Kara. Known as ‘Special K’, this Aussie appeared to […]
THE ONG BAK TRILOGY Home DVD Release Gets A New Trailer
In Thailand, you are given several names when you were born. But when Tatchakorn Yeerum took to the film stage and partook in the legendary legacy of stellar cinematic action, the world would come to know him as the one and only Tony Jaa, star of the 2003 break out hit, Ong Bak. The film, directed by Prachya Pinkaew, launched an international wave of fan hype among martial arts action cinephiles that put Jaa on the map of growing superstardom among legends like personal favorites Jackie Chan, the late great Bruce Lee, and even local legendary actor and Thai action auteur, Panna Rittikrai. The film also brought forth two epic sequels that explored the legendary etymology of the first film, with deeper scope in storytelling and stunning action sequences that defied death, and essentially, even logic. All three films have since been distributed over the years on DVD, Blu-Ray and […]
Four-Part Webseries “SLUG STREET SCRAPPERS” Ends Its First Season With Episode Three
The official Facebook page for Whirlwind Action has just made its latest announcement regarding the first season of Slug Street Scrappers: Bittersweet news:Due to repeat scheduling issues with multiple performers, Slug Street Scrappers 3 will be the final episode of the first series. There might be a new Scrappers series in the future, but for now, we plan to go out with a bang with Slug Street Scrappers 3. The trailer will be released within the next couple of days, and the full film should be ready sometime in March.However, Whirlwind Action is excited to announce it’s next web series, “Maces & Mages”. It’s a fantasy/comedy series based on the old “Golden Axe” and “Might & Magic” video game series. Casting has already begun, and production should begin in late Summer. Slug Street Scrappers originally spawned as a four-part webseries in a collaboration between two independent action film groups, Whirlwind […]