swordplay

Graphic Novel-Style Action Highlights The New Teaser For Indonesian Period Drama, BARAKATI

The world of Indonesian film continues to flex its muscles with a cinematic vision that clearly shares a beat or two from that of films like 300 and its upcoming sequel next month. This particular film is called Barakati, and not much is known yet about the film’s plot, other than it centers as a period action adventure epic set somewhere possibly in the 14th century in the ancient kingdom of Majapahit on the southeast Asian island of Buton (history buffs may know better than I at this point about that period). One thing for certain is that fans of sword-and-sandal blood spillers could find Barakati interesting to check out upon its release this May and thereafter. Directed by Monty Tiwa with a script by Eric Tiwa, singer and actress Acha takes the lead with actors Fedi Nuril, Dwi Sasono, Jonathan Armstrong, and actor Tio Pakusadewo of The Raid 2: […]

The New Trailer For IRONCLAD 2: BATTLE FOR BLOOD Aims To Spill Lots Of It!

Lee B. Golden III

Fans of ultraviolent, explosive medieval swordplay action will have something to look forward to in 2014 with writer and director Johnathan English’s latest film, Ironclad 2: Battle For Blood. Set one year after the first film in 2011, English returns to repeat the success of his predecessor with co-writer Stephen McDool and its new cast, including Game Of Thrones actresses Michelle Fairly and Roxanne McKee with actor Danny Webb. Actors Tom Austen and Tom Rhys Harries round out the principle cast, with action sequences directed by 3 Days To Kill stunt coordinator Slavisa Ivanovic. Ironclad 2: Battle For Blood makes its way to UK cinemas beginning March 14, 2014 courtesy of Warner Bros. with dates expected for France (Metropolitan), Germany (Square One), Australia (Transmission), Benelux (Dutch Film Works), Canada (Mongrel), Japan (Nettai Museum), China (H.G.C. Entertainment), CIS and Baltic States (Zao West), Czech Republic & Slovakia (Bowline), Indonesia (PT Amero), […]

ICEMAN 3D II Wraps Filming

Lee B. Golden III

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’)); Post by Donnie Yen-甄子丹 Official. International action star Donnie Yen took to Facebook to officially announce the completion of principal photography for the second of his now upcoming two-part time travel kung fu epic, Iceman 3D. The news comes just over a year after beginning filming for what was once meant to be one film before budgetary concerns and other complications elongated an already grueling schedule. The news also comes ahead of Yen’s most recent highly anticipated film, The Monkey King 3D, which domestically releases later this month. A remake of the 1989 single film originally directed by Clarence Fok, the new film from helmer Law Wing-Cheong also stars Eva Huang, Simon Yam, Wang Baoqiang and Yu Kang, with Benny Chan, Lo Hoi-Pang and […]

THIRD MASTER'S SWORD Starts Production Next Year

Lee B. Golden III

Following Bona Film Group’s RMB $1B film fund launch reported in August, Kevin Ma over at FilmBiz.Asia shared some updates on a two-part list of scripts newly approved by China’s state censorship board, SAPPRFT, including Lo-Chi Leung’s The Killer Vanishes, and Derek Yee‘s long-awaited production of Third Master’s Sword; The latter film is based on the writings of late Hong Kong author Gu Long whose work inspired Yee’s lead actor credit in director Chor Yuen’s 1977 Shaw Brothers film Death Duel which starred then-actor Yee in a story centered around a swordsman whose past catches up to him after faking his own death to escape the underworld. The film has taken a while to get things rolling since its initial announcement back in 2000 with Tsui Hark set to direct with a cast that namely included actress Zhang Ziyi and actor Leslie Cheung before his death three years later, in […]

The New RUROUNI KENSHIN Dual Sequel Teaser Gets English Subs

Lee B. Golden III

In addition to an original un-subbed teaser for Warner Bros. Japan’s upcoming dual sequel releases of director Keishi Otomo‘s period epic samurai thriller Rurouni Kenshin film franchise, a new English-subbed version of the teaser has also gone viral and you can now check out that version below. Produced by Shinzô Matsuhashi and Minami Ichikawa and executive produced by Maya Fukuzawa and Hiroyoshi Koiwai, the two sequels follow the success of the first 2012 film based on the original 1994 manga from author Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the storylines focused on Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyôto Fire Arc and Rurouni Kenshin: The End of a Legend Arc. Primed for a Summer 2014 release with dates pending, actor Takeru Satoh reprises his role as the iconic titular swordsman. Other cast members, returning and new, include Emi Takei, Yusuke Iseya, Munetaka Aoki, Yuu Aoi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Yosuke Eguchi and Tatsuya Fujiwara, with Min Tanaka, Kazufumi […]

Victor Vu's SWORD OF THE ASSASSIN Comes Home In 2014

Lee B. Golden III

Releasing on February 25, 2014 courtesy of Epic Pictures Group is the long awaited fantasy martial arts swordplay epic, Sword Of The Assassin from writer and director Victor Vu. Known in its native Vietnam as Thiên Mệnh Anh Hùng (later known as Blood Letter), the film is recorded as one of the most expensive films done in Vietnamese film history. The film did hit a few snags during its film festival run in the last couple of years since its completion and release, but genre fans in North America will finally get to see another gem from the Vietnamese action industry on DVD and Blu-Ray next year. Sword Of The Assassin stars Huynh Dong, Midu, Van Trang, Khuong Ngoc, Van Anh, Minh Thuan and Jaivee Mai The Hiep, and is produced by Phuong Nam Films and Saga films, in association with BHD, the same company that delivered the biggest […]

Check Out A New Still From The Upcoming RUROUNI KENSHIN Sequels

Lee B. Golden III

Warner Bros. Japan took to the web on Saturday to unveil a new set photo for the upcoming release a new still from the upcoming sequels that will release next year for the Rurouni Kenshin film franchise. Produced Shinzô Matsuhashi and Minami Ichikawa and executive produced by Maya Fukuzawa and Hiroyoshi Koiwai, the two sequels follow the success of the first 2012 film based on the original 1994 manga from author Nobuhiro Watsuki. Rurôni Kenshin: The Great Kyôto Fire Arc and Rurôni Kenshin: The End of a Legend Arc are directed by Keishi Ōtomo and will release in the summer of 2014 with actor Takeru Satoh reprising his role. Other cast members, returning and new, include Emi Takei, Yusuke Iseya, Munetaka Aoki, Yuu Aoi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Yosuke Eguchi, Tatsuya Fujiwara, with Min Tanaka, Kazufumi Miyazawa, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Kaito Ōyagi, Maryjun Takahashi, Ryōsuke Miura and Lisa Ulliel.

The UK Gets A Trailer For 47 Ronin

Lee B. Golden III

The new UK trailer is up for the Christmas day release of 47 Ronin. The epic feature-length samurai adventure comes in light of actor Keanu Reeves‘ appearance in a steady slate of action vehicles with several films making their way to theaters, or home, including the recent digital release of Reeves‘ directorial debut of Man Of Tai Chi. The actor is also set to make his way to theaters for title role in the new hitman revenge thriller, John Wick, from directors Chad Stahleski and David Leitch, along with co-star Willem Dafoe (Out Of The Furnace). 47 Ronin also stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Ko Shibasaki, Rinko Kikuchi and Tadanobu Asano. Watch the new trailer, courtesy of JoBlo. CLICK HERE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELEASE DATES. SYNOPSIS: Keanu Reeves makes an explosive return to an action-adventure in 47 Ronin. After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow […]

Watch Two Final Behind-The-Scenes Clips From ONCE UPON A TIME IN VIETNAM

Lee B. Golden III

The last two behind-the-scenes videos for the filming of Once Upon A Time In Vietnam are now available online. The film opened in Vietnam with a star-studded premiere back in August led by actor, writer and director Dustin Nguyen who is currently promoting the film at the 18th Annual Busan International Film Festival in Korea which will last until October 12. The film is also kicking off the East Winds Film Festival in the U.K. beginning at the end of the month. Described as the first-ever film of its kind for the Vietnamese film industry, Once Upon A Time In Vietnam sees lead actor Nguyen in his directorial debut, starring as Dao, a wandering warrior monk defending an innocent village from ruthless gangsters leading to a deadly final confrontation in story of action, romance, fantasy, and good versus evil. The film also stars Veronica Ngo, Hoang (Ben) Quan Nguyen, Thai […]

Vengeance Brings Don Ferguson Back From The Dead In New Trailers For MYSTIC BLADE

Lee B. Golden III

Martial artist, actor and stuntman Don Ferguson, former wrestler-turned-actor Conan Stevens, and husband and wife film making and production duo, David and Julaluck Ismalone share a collective and admirable history together in film, most notably highlighting the boundless potential in the Thai action film industry, from Tony Jaa’s breakout role in Ong Bak, to seperate films such as Tom Yum Goong, Muay Thai Chaiya, Force Of Five and Le Fils Du Vent (a.k.a. The Great Challenge). David and Ying can also be seen busy in recent photos taken from the set of Jaa’s latest international production, A Man Will Rise, which will see Jaa, David and Conan star along with veteran action film favorite, Dolph Lundgren. For long though, David and Julaluck have also been busy applying themselves to the development, production and direction of the upcoming martial arts revenge thriller, Mystic Blade, under their production banner, Bullet Proof Films. It’s […]

FILM OF THE WEEK-5/6/13: ARAHAN (2004)

Lee B. Golden III

SYNOPSIS: A naive yet passionate Sang-hwan becomes a downtown policeman to help the good and punish the bad. But when it comes to gang crime, he is nothing but a coward. One day he gets discovered by a martial arts master and his training to unleash the true power within him begins. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Evil, Black Cloud, is set loose. Now Sang-hwan, who possesses the absolute power, becomes ‘ the one’ who must save the world. Jong Doo-hong is one of the most beloved and well respected martial arts action directors in Korean cinema history. The first film in which I caught onto his work as an actor and fight choreohrapher was director Ryu Seung-wan’s 2004 science fiction martial arts fantasy action comedy, Arahan: Urban Martial Arts Action. By this time, lead actor Ryu Seung-bum had already appeared in a few other films, including one I still haven’t seen […]

Knights Battle The Zombie Apocalypse In The New Trailer For KNIGHT OF THE DEAD

Lee B. Golden III

2014 will see the release of writer/director Mark Atkins’s upcoming period fantasy zombie swordplay action horror adventure, Knight Of The Dead. The guys over at The Action Elite were contacted recently by actor Jason Beeston who stars in the film along with Dylan Jones, Lee Bennett, and Vivien Vilela. The film is based on a screenplay co-written by Jeffrey Giles, featuring a genre-bending, gory, sword-wielding, bonecrushing and zombie killing thriller that takes everything you love about knights and chivalry, and feeds it to the zombie army waiting behind your backdoor. Fan favorites like George R.R. Martin, George A. Romero, Yudai Yamaguchi and Ryuhei Kitamura will love this film. So be sure to keep your antennas up for more info. SYNOPSIS: Hunted by assassins, a band of crusading knights escort the Holy Grail through a forbidden valley of black death. What they discover is far more terrifying than the plague. Overrun […]

The New Trailer For VIKINGDOM Is Online

Lee B. Golden III

A new trailer has been released for the new epic middle earth action adventure thriller, VIKINGDOM: THE BLOOD ECLIPSE, based on a script by James Coyne and directed by Yusry Abd Halim. The film stars Dominic Purcell as a forgotten king named Eirick who is tasked to defeat a mean and evil god of thunder named Thor, bent on ruling mankind, played by Conan Stevens. No, no…not that Thor. I said mean and evil. 😉 The film also stars Craig Fairbass, along with Jon Foo and Natasha Malthe-the latter two who are also slated to appear in the Greg Mandry film, Soldier Girls, which is currently in development. VIKINGDOM: THE BLOOD ECLIPSE is currently slated for a theatrical release in Russia this July, according to the film’s IMDb page. Stay tuned for future updates by subscribing to the film’s official Facebook page, as well as the youtube channel below. Click […]

Harvard Film Archive Slated For KING HU Film Festival Next Week

Lee B. Golden III

The Harvard Film Archive Cinematheque (est. 1979) is a public state-of-the-art theater located at the lower level of Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts on Harvard University campus. With varying ticket and membership prices and fees depending on the viewer and the event, the HFA Cinematheque hosts a 200-seat theater featuring a year-round Public Film Program that boasts a combined collection of over 25,000 film titles. The program broadcasts screenings year round between Friday and Monday afternoons and evenings, with guest speakers and filmmakers attending the events and engaging students and faculty members about their work. Next week, between March 15 through March 24, the HFA Public Film Program will present eight classic 35mm film titles from the late legendary director, King Hu (Hu Jinquan), whose credentials include over three decades in the industry in set and costume design, as well as actor, producer, writer and award-winning filmmaker. Known for […]

Michelle Yeoh Speaks Out On CROUCHING TIGER Sequel

Lee B. Golden III

Metro recently got the chance to speak to international actress and action star Michelle Yeoh about her career from her days in dance to her rise as a Hong Kong action star. Among other things, the interview also illustrates where Yeoh currently stands while it is rumored she may reprise her role in Silver Vase, Iron Knight, the sequel to Ang Lee’s 2000 Oscar and Academy award-winning epic wuxia action love story, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, set to start shooting this May. According to intial reports from Deadline, The Weinstein Company is confident it has secured the rights to Chinese novelist Wang Du Lu‘s “Crane-Iron” book series, with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon having been the fourth entry. Silver Vase, Iron Knight already has a script prepared by writer John Fusco who had this to say to Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr. about the fifth book and what it could bring in […]