team 2x

2X THE PROMISE: An Interview With KILL ORDER Director, Stunt Professional James Mark

Right near the launch of this news site, I had every intention of covering action cinema as closely and socially as I could with respect to the craft. For me, the work therein points straight to the people behind the magic – the very stunt professionals in the field shared by the likes of debut filmmaker James Mark in recent memory. Accordingly, was in 2013 that I first learned of Team 2X with respect to my own coverage. A look on their fanpage almost immediately revealed a crowdfunding campaign for an independent feature film stylized as a genuine sci-fi axtioner tweaked to echo the glory of films like The Raid and its sequel. Ambitious indeed, but provenly difficult as I learned in parallel with my own work in how to cover these kinds of projects and the tediousness and care it takes to do so. Any kind of reporting on […]

Review: KILL ORDER Fashions With Slick Martial Arts And Small Scale Sci-Fi

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been about five years since I began following up on an original sci-fi action project from stuntman and coordinator James Mark. Together with Team 2X and Iron Bay Pictures and following an extensive period of production, Mark’s debut feature, Kill Order, is finally on the way and while arguably a tough road to completion, manages to wade through the tedious some and present a noteworthy feature for its target audience. Stuntman and martial artist, actor Chris Mark debuts as David Lee, a private school student haunted by spells of mania, mysterious flashbacks and a demonic affliction that torments him on a regular basis while in his uncle’s care. It wakes up in timely fashion when a fully-armed tactical unit raids his psychology class room, ensuing a treacherous and rollicking fight to protect himself and girlfriend, May, from the small army of killers now hot on their tale. Triggered with […]

KILL ORDER: Watch The Official Trailer For The Debut Martial Arts Feature Thriller From Team 2X

Lee B. Golden III

2013 saw the genesis of an ambitious and original new endeavor from Canadian martial arts film and stunt troupe, Team 2X. That project, from industry stuntman and coordinator James Mark (Wolves), hails this week from Raven Banner with forthcoming release, Kill Order, aiming to spark a new wave of feature length martial arts movie fandom with stuntman and martial artist Chris Mark (Scott Pilgrim VS. The World) setting the stage for his own feature acting debut. When David, a troubled high school student who appears to suffer from mental illness, finds himself in a situation where he is about to be taken captive for reasons unknown, a dark power takes over his body opening the doors to a world of superhuman abilities and a past kept secret. Also starring are Dan Park, Denis Akiyama and Jessica Clement along with the mind-blowing feats of Team 2X for its November 24 premiere […]

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EXCLUSIVE: Chris Mark Debuts On The Official Sales Art For Martial Arts Sci-Fi Actioner, MEZA

Lee B. Golden III

Look to the vast reaches of the internet and it won’t be too difficult to find a number of independently produced martial arts demos and action shorts from various up-and-coming stuntfighting and film groups. Canada’s own Team 2X is a product of that evolution where their members have since righteously earned their career growth into the professional field of mainstream stuntwork, including James Mark, having proven himself for fourteen years and now with TV and film credits like Nikita, Covert Affairs, Falling Skies, Pacific Rim, Wolves and Scott Pilgrim VS. The World. Clearly for Mark, the sensible move from there was to seuge into filmmaking, and with none other than brother, fellow martial artist, stuntman and actor Chris Mark who shares similar credits with the elder Mark in addition to Warcraft, Allan Ungar’s 2015 action hit, Gridlocked, and the blockbuster DCU adaptation of Suicide Squad as of late. Thus, following several […]

Take A Look At The First Poster For Upcoming Action Thriller, MEZA: DAVID'S STORY

Lee B. Golden III

It’s no easy feat to put together an amazing, full-length martial arts movie project. Nonetheless, it’s a challenge conquered by Ontario-based film and stage performance troupe, Team 2x, led by debut director James Mark for the upcoming action sci-fi thriller, Meza: David’s Story. Team member and debut actor Chris Mark snags the title role as a troubled high school student whose latent “powers and abilities” emerge in the heat of battle, forcing him to face the secret organization he once escaped, and re-awaken the killer bred within him in order to survive. The ultimate vision for the film is said to be an exciting blend of all things people know and love about espionage thrillers a la Robert Ludlum with a touch of fantasy via the Wachowskis’, otherwise presenting a fantastic formula for a story as driven as this one, and this is all going by written word until the […]

Chris Mark To Make His Lead Debut In Team 2x's New Action Thriller, MEZA: DAVID'S STORY

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a couple of years since the folks over at Ontario-based martial arts film and stage performance troupe, Team 2X, initiated crowdsourcing for high-concept independent action adventure thriller, Genetix. Nowadays, with production having moved forward and already at its completion, the film has since taken new life under its new title, Meza: David’s Story, spearheaded by stuntman Chris Mark (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Warcraft) making his lead acting debut with brother and team co-founder, industry stunt performer and coordinator James Mark (Wolves, Falling Skies, Pacific Rim) debuting at helm. Crowdfunding initially began at in 2013, and as with most independent productions, changes in budget can ultimately determine whether original production goals can be met, or have to be changed. Information on this project currently remains obscure as the cast and crew prepare for an exclusive screening, so with any luck the team will begin their promotional campaign for […]

FIST PLUS FACE: A Formula For Action And Laughs In The Spirit Of Jeet Kune Do

Lee B. Golden III

Following successful crowdfunding efforts by executive producer Justin Chambers and writer/director and former Jeet Kune Do student Travis Laidlaw, online netizens can now view Laidlaw‘s latest contribution to the action genre in the form of the brand new shortfilm, Fist Plus Face. The project is a culmination of Laidlaw‘s fifteen years of experience in the industry, which didn’t come easy as he ended up finishing his law degree between his earlier film endeavors, and before ultimately choosing greener pastures in cinema upon moving back in Toronto. “I have always had a fascination with the camera, filming everything I did from personal short films to school projects. I never went anywhere without it.”, he writes. “I had wanted to be an actor for some time but soon I decided at this point that it was behind the camera that really interested me.”. Fist Plus Face features actor and martial arts […]

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Watch Fernando Jay Huerto Battle Internal Conflict, And Canadians In DO THE DAMN THING: IN CANADA

Lee B. Golden III

Award-winning independent filmmaker and actor Fernando Jay Huerto has returned to the internet once more with a brand new short film titled Do The Damn Thing: In Canada. Based on an original concept from friend and fellow filmmaker from Virgina, Lester Nguyen of Rising Tiger Films, Huerto‘s latest installation is a continuation of a self-titled expanded series of the same name that began in 2009, bearing different themes and classic inside jokes, and featuring a versatile selection of independent film actors from around the country and the world, best known for performing high quality fight sequences attributed to the stylings of the beloved Hong Kong action comedy genre. Do The Damn Thing: In Canada features an amalgam of independent film actors which also include Jabronie Pictures regular, Sunny Smith, and performers DL MacDonald, Alex Chung, Dennis Lafond and Fist Plus Face star Jonny Caines, all ranging from various teams throughout Canada, […]

Criminals Smell The Scent Of Fear In The New Trailer For Indy Action Short, FIST PLUS FACE

Lee B. Golden III

Writer, producer and director Travis Laidlaw has just unveiled the new trailer for his upcoming martial arts action comedy short film, Fist Plus Face. Joined by fellow producer Justin J. Chambers, the short film is the result of successful crowdfunding that led to its subsequent production in February. Fist Plus Face hasn’t hit the film festival circuit just yet as post production is close to wrapping up, so there’s still a chance for it to make other festival appearances or an online release. Dates are pending, so stay tuned. Actor and action performer Jonny Caines stars as the lead, hailing all the way from Canada via the highly-acclaimed martial arts stage performance and screenfighting troupe, Team 2X. Also starring are Dan Park, Danijel Mandic, Nikki Grant, Audrey Ferron, Tony Medici, Carl Fortin, Peter Hatch and Adam Alexander, with action choreography by Jeet Kune Do consultant Steve Ferreira. SYNOPSIS: When the patrons […]

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FILM OF THE WEEK (4/8/13): SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (2010)

Lee B. Golden III

SYNOPSIS: When a loser bassist falls in love with a mysterious real life girl from his dreams, Scott Pilgrim is transported into a supernatural battlefield of epic proportions where he must apply his unique martial arts skills to defend her from her evil exes, while mired in his own internal conflict between the fate of his band, his troubled relationships and friendships, and his own need for self-improvement. Click HERE if the embed fails to load. To me, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is one of those rare films that comes our way in an age where studios are trying to be apt to bringing an asian, manga-oriented and visionary style to certain films, particularly with films like Speed Racer, The Matrix, or even the 2004 Japanese live-action film, Casshern. For some reason or another, if not just because it theatrically premiered around the time The Expendables did, the film […]

New Poster For FIST PLUS FACE

Lee B. Golden III

The official blog for the upcoming martial arts action comedy short film, Fist Plus Face, recently unveiled its newest promo poster. The independent short film is the result of a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign effort late last year, led by producer by Justin J. Chambers, and writer/director Travis Laidlaw. The film stars martial arts performer and actor, and Team 2X member Jonny Caines, Also joining the cast are Daniel Park, Danijel Mandic, Nikki Grant, Audrey Ferron, Tony Medici and Carl Fortin, with action choreography by Jeet Kune Do consultant Steve Ferreira. The film is expected to be released in May just in time to hit the festival circuit. To read more about the latest on Jonny and Team 2X, click HERE. And remember to visit the official Fist Plus Face blog for updates, including links to where you can follow future developments on Facebook and Twitter.

Team 2X Is Ready For The Next Level With GENETIX

Lee B. Golden III

James Mark is a Ontario-based, aspiring independent martial arts action filmmaker with his own action company called Team 2x. For the past eleven years, he has also been a martial arts stunt performer for stage, film and TV, learning everything he now knows from veteran Jackie Chan stunt team member and industry action director, Bradley James Allan. James, whose current list of credits include everything from stunt performer and fight choreographer, to writer, producer, actor and director, has already begun embarking on a mission with his team to make their dreams come true, with the launch of a brand new Indiegogo campaign to help fund a unique martial arts drama titled Genetix, a production to be made in the same vein of Japanese Anime, starring his brother, Chris Mark, in the lead role. In their campaign video, James explains how it all began, from stage and stunt performer to adhering […]