thriller
Rama Gets Down And Dirty In A New Clip From THE RAID 2
While I can assure you that the picture above represents nothing close to the latest clip from director Gareth Evans‘s new film, The Raid 2 (and at best, we can just hope to see those ambitious-looking moves in another film in the not-too-distant future), the following footage is just a taste of the brutal, dirty, scrubby, nasty awesomeness that awaits the film’s nationwide release just hours from now.
Expect bruises, broken bones, ans maybe some hurt feelings. That’s all I’ll say about it.
You can learn a little more about that clip in THIS behind-the-scenes featurette about two minutes in. And remember! The cast and crew of The Raid 2 are hosting a Google Hangout VERY soon, and you may want to CLICK HERE to learn more if you wish to join in.
The bloody mayhem ensues in North America and Canada TOMORROW!!!
H/T: Apple Trailers
Emotions Run High In This Explosive New Trailer For THE CRYING MAN!
Korean action cinema continues its reign on the niche of action cinema genre fans around the world with rich, meaty and captivating film work. And what better way right now to prove this than the dazzling new trailer for director Lee Jeong-Beom‘s upcoming assassin thriller, The Crying Man?
Not much is known about this particular film except that it centers on a love story between a professional hitman and his next target, which sounds like a variant of what many of us may have seen in previous assassin films like it. But based on what we are seeing in this latest trailer, fans who enjoyed Lee‘s previous work on the 2010 hit thriller, The Man From Nowhere could very well enjoy what his latest offering has put together, with lead The Warrior’s Way star, actor Jang Dong-gun starring. Also joining in is The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift and Mortal Kombat Legacy: Season 2 co-star, actor Brian Tee etching in his first-ever Korean film.
Actresses Kim Min-hee and Kang Han-na round out much of the main cast, with the film’s forthcoming release set for this June.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Louis Koo Tackles Government Corruption With Explosive Results In The New Teaser For Z-STORM
Coming off of an exciting year of hit releases like Drug War and The White Storm, actor Louis Koo is starting the year off just right with his latest appearance in the new teaser for director David Lam’s upcoming crime thriller, Z-Storm. The film has been announced for a summer release following this year’s earlier events at the Hong Kong FilMart where it was also presented by producer John Chong on behalf of Pegasus Motion Pictures who is distributing the new film.
Koo takes the lead with Firestorm co-stars, actors Gordon Lam and Lo Hoi-Pang in a riveting story of Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and its inquiry with a charity fund embroiled in a government Ponzi Scheme that ultimately turns into an explosive life or death investigation. Actresses Dada Chan and Janelle Sing, and actors Michael Wong and Liu Kai-chi round the principle cast.
Check out the teaser below, and some extra banner art toward the bottom of the page.
H/T: City On Fire
THE RAID 2 Director's Next Martial Arts Movie To Film Back-To-Back With THE RAID 3
Photo from ClickOnline by Jack McGlynn (2013)
Lately it feels like I cannot go a day or a week without talking about writer and director Gareth Huw Evans and his latest film, The Raid 2. Pure hype and excitement, followed growing impatience and total anxiety would be a good way to state how things have been for fans in the last nine months since the film wrapped principal photography and four months since Evans, joined by lead actor Iko Uwais and other select cast and crew members began touring the world over to promote the film. Fortunately after two weeks of limited releases, loyal fans including in North America, the U.K. and abroad will finally get to see the film starting this Friday, with further dates and locations to follow. And with all the praise the film has thusfar received in light of all the talk there has been about the third film of the franchise, Friday just can’t come fast enough.
One could also argue the anticipation that lingers in light of the long trickle of news updates on the current development of The Raid 3, which Evans has also gone on record declaring he would not touch on right away, while working on other films, including a seprtate martial arts movie that will bring Evans and Uwais back together. “…I don’t have any plans to do The Raid 3 within the next two or three years so I’m going to take a break from that franchise for a bit.” said Evans in a partial statement quoted from an interview with Crave Online late last month. “I want to do some bubthings outside of Indonesia for like two films, then come back to Indonesia and shoot The Raid 3. I have another one I want to shoot with him first. Still in the action genre and it’s something that [Uwais] needs to train for for a fair amount of time. You have to make good with some weaponry, my friend.”
Following up with that report is the latest interview with the actor now available at Screendaily where it is now being reported that after working on a seperate gangster action film titled Blister, he will work on that very same aforementioned martial arts movie, now back-to-back with The Raid 3. This obviously gives genre fans plenty of time to catch up on The Raid franchise while Evans continues to branch out to other ideas as a means of gaining further wisdom as a filmmaker to benefit the industry at home. “The idea is that if I do these projects outside Indonesia, I’m going to learn a lot and I can bring that back to the Indonesian film industry.” says Evans. “Indonesia gave me everything, if I hadn’t gone off to do that documentary [The Mystic Arts of Indonesia: Pencak Silat], I wouldn’t be here today.”
As for the current state of The Raid 3, with no other information except the film will take place two hours before The Raid 2 ends, Evans continued teasing about the film as he has been for quite a while now. “I’ve got an idea and I already know what the storyline is, and it’s such a departure from the previous two, …I already see it being smaller in terms of duration, but the scope and the scale is still big only on a different level, a bit more controlled. It’ll be fun to do.”
Only time will tell before we get to learn more about what that all possibly means by 2017, on top of what we can expect from the heavy duty training Evans mentions for Uwais earlier on in their standalone martial arts film. In the meantime, the two are serving as action director and fight choreographer for director Timo Tjahnanto’s new action thriller, The Night Comes For Us, which just locked its principal cast of new AND familiar faces led by actor Joe Taslim. And of course, the folks over at Merantau Films and XYZ Films are producing these gems, so I’m already dold.
On a seperate note, The Collective, joined by independent filmmaker and festival organizer Jeff Lunzaga have officially set the date for this year’s Herofest 2014 action movie festival to kick off on May 25, 2014 at the Berkeley Community Media in Berkeley, California.
And guess who is endorsing it?…
Better yet, just watch.
HELIOS Gets A Second Full Trailer!
Off the heels of star-studded events at this year’s Hong Kong FilMart, a second trailer is out for the forthcoming release of the new action-packed international thriller, Helios. The film just recently made headlines as it landed a place on the latest release slate for Media Asia Entertainment Group as the company celebrated its 20th anniversary last month, launching a “new era” in the business of film at home and abroad.
Helios is directed by Sunny Luk and Longman Leung with actors Nick Cheung, Jacky Cheung, Shawn Yue and Chang Chen leading the principle cast. A release date is still pending.
Check out the new trailer, and feel free to watch Media Asia’s celebratory vignette in the following embed announcing their new line-up, including Helios, Urban Games and many more.
SYNOPSIS:
South Korea’s most wanted criminal Red Bandit uses the uranium stolen from North Korea to make a mobile nuclear bomb, which is scheduled to change hands in Hong Kong in the next 6 hours.
Helios – Trailer 2
H/T: Filmsmash
Roll Call! New Preview And Posters For THE EXPENDABLES 3
With November Man star, actor Pierce Brosnan reportedly tapped to star in a future extension of the blockbuster action franchise for The Expendables, fans of the film series now have one more film to look forward to following this summer’s forthcoming release of The Expendables 3, with returning and new cast members led by actor Sylvester Stallone.
The film is being directed Patrick Hughes who is now poised to sit at the helm for the American remake of filmmaker Gareth Evans’s 2011 crime thriller, The Raid, following the stellar success of the original film’s 2014 sequel. And with The Expendables 3 back in the headlines this week with a new “roll call” preview, fans can now get a slightly deeper glimpse into what Hughes has in store for in case some of you might be new to his work. And if you’re not, then chances are you’re already a fan, and with good reason.
In addition, Thursday’s new preview is accompanied by sixteen character posters hosted exclusively by four sites on Tuesday which you can check out below, featuring Blood Father star, actor Mel Gibson, actors Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren and Jet Li, and many more.
Watch the new “roll call” for The Expendables 3, which bows on August 15, 2014.
H/T to Lee Mason for the editing help.
SYNOPSIS:
In The Expendables 3, Barney (Sylvester Stallone), Christmas (Jason Statham) and the rest of the team come face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables – but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables’ most personal battle yet.
Baseball Bat Man Beats The Competition In A New Clip From THE RAID 2
The Raid 2 was one of the best cinematic experiences of my life. And I am seriously not kidding. And with any luck, we will see more of these actors back on the big screen in a much major way, including actor Very Tri Yulisman who steps out to cause his own brand of trouble in the latest new clip from the film.
Written, edited and directed by everyone’s favorite filmmaker, Gareth Evans, Yulisman stars alongside actress Julie Estelle who play two lethal, uniquely gifted killers, brother/sister duo Baseball Bat Man and Hammer Girl, out to enact an agenda driven by a notorious gangster who plays an important role in the challenges lead actor Iko Uwais will face as he sets out take down Indonesia’s intense network of mob activity and police corruption. The question remains however. ..does it end there? Well, with a third film on the way, it probably doesn’t. And seeing this film would be a good way to keep up, provided you saw the first one of course. And if you haven’t done so, then do it. Just do it.
The Raid 2 opens everywhere on April 11. Check your local theater listings!
H/T: Crave Online
Artwork by @jock4twenty
Darkness Is A Ninja's Ally In The New Shortfilm, ASSASSIN
Netizens are well on their way to witnessing several independent filmmakers delve into live action production inspired by beloved Japanese classic anime and manga properties, with one of the most popular being Dragon Ball Z. Such is the case with writer and director Mariusz Scislowicz whose work can currently be viewed on his official page for the project HERE.
On that note, after kicking off his latest venture into the action genre with a screening earlier this year for his latest experimental martial arts action shortfilm, Assassin, featuring actor David Cheung, Scislowicz recently unveiled the new shortfilm through his YouTube channel below. And if you are into ninja heroics and gritty action capped off with some gruesome kills, then this is a nice little indie gem which should satisfy. Plus, I’ve talked about some of Cheung’s work before, and needless to say, he’s quite talented and worth looking out for on the long haul.
Check out Assassin below and remember to subscribe to the links in the description for more exciting content.
THE PURGE: ANARCHY Takes The Fight Outside In The Official Trailer
Writer and director James DeMonaco‘s is cranking it up this summer for the forthcoming release of The Purge: Anarchy. Following up the success of the first film which released last year, the sequel now takes the battle to the streets of a not-too-distant future America where in order to sustain record crime lows and economic highs for the rest of the year, the government decriminalizes all crimes, allowing the nation one night of virtually complete lawlessness.
All hell breaks loose, body counts ensue, and its every man, woman and child for himself. And its the perfect setup for a film franchise that has something pretty good going for itself, in my opinion. I enjoyed the first movie for its gritty delivery as an action-horror piece, and I believe this one is well on its way to a impressive second act.
As noteworthy mention, both films bare the name of blockbuster filmmaker Michael Bay, who produced both movies, as well as the forthcoming release of the Jonathan Liebesman-directed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – the latter of which fans far and wide are still sorting their opinions on since Thursday’s first teaser, which I completely understand. In the meantime, with The Purge: Anarchy set to take affect this summer, hopefully you saw the first and enjoyed it as much as I did. If not, you may want to do so in order to catch up.
SYNOPSIS:
The New Founding Fathers of America invite you to celebrate the annual Purge. The sequel to 2013’s runaway sleeper hit will be released on Friday, July 18, 2014. Returning alongside writer/director/producer James DeMonaco to produce the next chapter of the thriller are Blumhouse Productions’ Jason Blum (Paranormal Activity and Insidious series), alongside Sébastien K. Lemercier (Assault on Precinct 13, Four Lovers) and Platinum Dunes partners Michael Bay (Pain & Gain, Transformers franchise), Brad Fuller (The Amityville Horror, A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Andrew Form (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th).
The Trailer For THE WHITE-HAIRED WITCH OF LUNAR KINGDOM Now Mystifies You With English Subs And New Posters
With director Jacob Cheung‘s new film, The White Haired Witch Of Lunar Kingdom roughly a month away from its opening day, we now have a new, English-subbed version of the official trailer that went viral earlier this month. The film is well into its promotional cycle with behind the scenes footage, character posters and screenshots from the movie scattered all over the internet this month as the marketing continues to gear itself toward fans of two of Asia’s most popular celebrities in recent years, lead actress Fan BingBing and actor Huang Xiaoming.
As for the film itself, and as with most films being remade and remarketed for today’s generation of movie lovers, fans familar with the title character’s previous film appearances will also have a chance to interpret Cheung‘s new 3D revival of the classic character will work when the film finally releases on April 25. So the next several week should prove more useful should we get to see a new trailer, and we just might.
For now, check out the current footage below, in addition to a few new character posters, and stay tuned for more info.
SYNOPSIS:
In the twilight of the Ming Dynasty, the Imperial court is plagued by corruption as tyrants rule over the land. With the Manchurians preying on a weakened empire, war is imminent.
The situation is even worse near the northwest border, where widespread famine is rapidly claiming lives. To save the victims from further suffering, sorceress Jade Raksha fights the soldiers that oppress people for their own gain. As payback, local government officials decide to pin the murder of Governor ZhuoZhonglian on Jade, turning her and the members of her cult into wanted fugitives for a crime they didn’t commit.
Eliza Dushku Takes On A Hidden Enemy In The New Pilot Shortfilm, THE GABLE 5
Kevin Tancharoen may have abstained from his former prospects as the hopeful director of a once-promised live action Mortal Kombat feature film, but his filmmaking days are clearly far from over as he has since moved forward with other creative ideas at his disposal. As such, we are now accommodated with Tancharoen‘s s brand new shortfilm, The Gable 5, which sees Dollhouse star and TV genre icon, actress Eliza Dushku as the unwitting subject of a government-sanctioned off-the-books experiment to find a way to end mankind’s capacity for war.
Dushku expressed her excitement for the project in a recent interview with Crave Online, stating, in part, the following: “I loved this idea of deconstructing science and psychology to change current and future humanity. It’s something that we attempted — and were limited in doing — with ‘Dollhouse.’ It’s in the same vein and we of course, jam packed it full of asskicking.”. Tentatively, The Gable 5 is a standalone pilot for a potential webseries that could happen if things look up. It’s a far cry from Tancharoen‘s previous area of focus, but it looks just as impressive and entertaining. And considering that Tancharoen also co-wrote this particular pilot, The Gable 5 represents a further amplification of him as a very strong writer on top of being a stellar director.
Mortal Kombat needs him badly. That’s just my opinion.
In the meantime, watch some magic happen in The Gable 5 right now, courtesy of Machinima Prime. James Morrison and Steve Harris also star, with action sequences designed by Larnell Stovall.
DESCRIPTION:
In a remote location, a secret facility exists unlike anything the world has ever seen. Run by Dr. Conrad Gable, a renowned neurologist, the facility is years ahead of it’s time when it comes to the technology it’s using to research the human body. With an unlimited budget backed by a classified department of the government, Dr. Gable’s motives appear to be for the greater good of humanity. – The chance to create a drug so powerful it could be used to win every battle, every war, with no casualties.
Now all he needs are, 5 test subjects…
The Hunt Begins In The New Action Shortfilm, SECOND LIFE
Following a trailer just unveiling last month, filmmaker James Lee unveiled his newest creation in the form of the action packed shortfilm thriller, Second Life. The project is one of several embody the workload highlighting the recent launch of Lee‘s independent film production and entertainment platform, Doghouse 73 Pictures, which already contains an impressive resume of shortfilms and ambitious new works spanning science fiction, romance, horror, and of course, spectactular screenfighting action.
Presenting signature stunt coordination and fight choreography by Low Angle Productions, Second Life is Lee‘s latest foray into action, exploring Western-stylized and conventional martial arts choreography after working on the 2012 action flick, The Collector. Here, the format hosts two parallel scenarios illustrating their own elements of mystery, suspense and danger, featuring initial performances by actress Charlene Meng and actor Michael Chen, with actor Michael Chin leading the way for the second act. And on top of the action, we also see more characters in the mix (including that of the director himself near the end), all of which hint at multiple layers outlining a broader scope for a potentially bigger story than what is seen here.
And so what exactly does all this mean? Well, it could mean a webseries. But that is up to you and how much you will share and support this shortfilm, which you can now check out below.
To read my previous interview with James Lee, CLICK HERE.
Machinima Prime Presents: DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION
The new shortfilm arrived this week for actor, writer and director Moe Charif‘s latest shortfilm contribution, Deus Ex: Human Revolution. I’m not at all familiar with the video game, nor have I yet learned the state of this particular project as to whether or not it will go toward anything larger as far as a webseries or even a feature film. But for a live action adaptation based on a video game in an age where all film adaptations based on games are subject to particular scrutiny, this one appears to pleases the viewing masses quite a bit.
Check it out below, and if you so wish, check it out twice!
SYNOPSIS:
Based on the video game Deus Ex Human Revolution, the film dives into the world of Adam Jensen, a serif industries’ security consultant that gets augmented after an incident that almost took his life away. Although the film doesn’t follow the narrative of the game exactly, it remains true to the theme while focusing on the relationship between Adam Jensen, and his ex girlfriend Megan Reed, a scientist hand picked by Serif Industries to head Cybernetic Augmentations. Megan is taken by the Illuminati and is asked to assist them in turning on a mysterious device but she refuses to cooperate. Jensen has been looking for Megan since she was kidnapped and has finally pinpointed her location. Adam faces a complication that he did not account for; Yelena Federova, an Augmented assassin is at the facility where Megan is being held. The film also taps, even if briefly, into Adam’s mind and the struggle he must face on daily basis.
Check Out The New Poster And Promo For 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY
A new promo trailer aired on Tuesday for the forthcoming premiere of 24: Live Another Day, along with some brand new courtesy of broadcasting. This is the third of three promos aired so far since the last Super Bowl, and considering the audience the show has built since 2001, this particular special event is clearly looking to top itself.
May 5 is when the clock starts again. Set your watches and TV sets!
24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY is a thrilling new event series set to restart the ticking clock on the groundbreaking and Emmy Award-winning drama.
The high-octane saga reunites the Emmy Award-winning team of executive producer Howard Gordon; star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland; co-creator Robert Cochran; executive producers, Evan Katz, Manny Coto, David Fury, Brian Grazer and director Jon Cassar. It also will retain the real-time, pulse-pounding, fast-paced format with split screens and interweaving storylines.
Set and shot in London, the suspenseful event series once again will follow the exploits of heroic agent JACK BAUER (Sutherland). Four years ago, Jack was a fugitive from justice. Now an exile, he nevertheless is willing to risk his life and freedom to avert yet another global disaster. Tracking Jack are CIA head STEVE HARRIS (Benjamin Bratt, “Law & Order”); CIA agent KATE MORGAN (Yvonne Strahovski, “Dexter”), who is both resourceful and ruthless; JORDAN REED (Giles Matthey, “Jobs”), a smart and sophisticated CIA computer tech; and ERIK RITTER (Gbenga Akinnagbe, “The Wire”), a sharp, strong and arrogant field operative. Calling the shots is JAMES HELLER (William Devane, “The Dark Knight Rises”), now President of the United States. Heller is flanked by his Chief of Staff MARK BOUDREAU (Tate Donovan, “Damages”), who is married to Heller’s daughter — Jack’s former flame, AUDREY (Kim Raver, “Revolution”). Meanwhile, a hardened CHLOE O’BRIAN (Mary Lynn Rajskub, “Firewall”), Bauer’s CTU confidante, is now working underground with high-profile hacker ADRIAN CROSS (Michael Wincott, “The Crow”). Guest stars on 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY include Golden Globe Award winner Judy Davis (“Life with Judy Garland”) and Golden Globe Award nominee Stephen Fry (“Alice in Wonderland,” BONES). The harrowing day will have Jack attempting to thwart an unthinkable terrorist attack that could change the world forever.
Watch The Riveting New Trailer For BRICK MANSIONS
Actor Paul Walker‘s tragic death has been a high point of focus for a few of the studios currently responsible for completing and promoting the late actor’s last two films, one of which include the upcoming Parkour action remake, Brick Mansions. Unlike the forthcoming release of Fast And Furious 7, Walker had already completed all of the post-production work he was needed for on Brick Mansions within days before the sudden car crash on November 30, 2013 that claimed his life and that of friend and businessman Roger Rodas. And in the months since, EuropaCorp and Relativity Media made it clear that they would revamp their promotional campaign before it began so that they could promote the film in a way that would honor the actor’s memory.
Take that in mind as we now look at the latest second trailer for the film, marking Luc Besson protegè Camille Delamarre‘s directorial debut. While much of the analysis among observers so far is that it basically resembles the original 2004 Pierre Morrel helmer almost beat for beat, today’s second trailer does carry a more definitive effect as we are offered small, split-second glimpses into the depth of Walker‘s character, Damien, and the rift between him and actor RZA‘s role as the villain, Tremaine. In my view, aside from the similarities drawn between both films, this particular promo does an exceptional job at putting Walker front and center with actor and parkour impressario David Belle as the driving force of the high-speed action both actors will endure. In my opinion, whether or not you approve remakes, I think Brick Mansions is going to deliver a fine spectacle with tons of action and a good story, with a largely exceptional cast headlined by one leading man in the middle of his finest hour in the world of cinema.
Brick Mansions opens April 25. Support this film. Don’t let it tank.
SYNOPSIS:
In a dystopian Detroit, abandoned brick mansions left from better times now house only the most dangerous criminals. Unable to control the crime, the police constructed a colossal containment wall around this area to protect the rest of the city. For undercover cop Damien Collier (Paul Walker) every day is a battle against corruption. For Lino (David Belle), every day is a fight to live an honest life. Their paths never should have crossed, but when drug kingpin, Tremaine (RZA) kidnaps Lino’s girlfriend, Damien reluctantly accepts the help of the fearless ex-convict, and together they must stop a sinister plot to devastate the entire city. With stylized action featuring thrilling Parkour stunts (David Belle is the co-founder of the physical training discipline), Brick Mansions puts an entertaining twist on the action genre.