tiff 2014

Two Centuries Of History Set The Tone For New Martial Arts Doc, PAPA MACHETE

History can be pretty boundless, as well as beneficial, especially when covering martial arts and the cultures that exist around them. That said, 2015 became a banner year for Miami-based filmmaker Jonathan David Kane whose latest shortfilm documentary, Papa Machete, finally got an audience last month in Toronto. Covering the indigenous art of Tire machet, Papa Machete is a debut project for Kane and production company Third Horizon Media, in conjunction with The Haitian Machete Fencing Project, founded in 2004 under the tutelage of Haitian farmer Alfred Avril. The story is told through Avril’s eyes as he happens to be one of the last remaining masters and professors of the style. Thankfully, the new shortfilm also came with the good graces of a fully funded Kickstarter campaign earlier this year, not only helping to finance post production, but also to help Avril and his family, rendered homeless and living in […]

Gary Daniels Actioner, MISFIRE, Gets A Release Date And A New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Hannibal Pictures making its presence known in Canada between now and next week over at the Toronto International Film Festival. One project they’re including in their presentation this time around is the latest forthcoming action thriller release, Misfire, starring Gary Daniels as a Cole, a tough DEA agent who goes rogue and infiltrates a Mexican cartel boss after his journalist wife gets kidnapped. The film has already been making the rounds for its promotion with a flurry of trailers now available online, as well as a few impressive posters, including this one from the film’s international sales platform, Hannibal Pictures: RLJ Entertainment is finally releasing the film on North American DVD beginning October 21, 2014, and Hannibal has since unveiled a new trailer which you can now check out below. R. Ellis Frazier directed the film, and co-wrote the screenplay with Benjamin Budd. Daniels is joined by Vannessa Vasquez and Michael Greco along […]

A Warrior's Spirit Rises In The New Poster For Maori Action Epic, THE DEAD LANDS

Lee B. Golden III

Another day has arrived, and as such, another new poster has arrived for director Toa Fraser‘s Maori action drama, The Dead Lands. The new poster marks the official New Zealand release date for October 30 from Transmission Films. Check it out below: Written by Glenn Standring, the new film centers on actor James Rolleston in the role of Hongi, the son of a chieftain forced trek forbbiden territory to forge an uneasy alliance with a mysterious warrior in order to avenge his father and his tribe, and bring peace and honor to their souls. One of the biggest elements moviegoers can expect on top of its stunning New Zealand landscapes and prominence of Maori culture will be the presence of Mau rakau, an ancient style of Maori martial arts and weapons combat used for the film’s epic fight sequences, coordinated by Steve McQuillan (Ek Tha Tiger, Spartacus: Blood And Sand). […]

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Unlikely Allies Stand Together In The New Poster For THE DEAD LANDS!

Lee B. Golden III

Ahead of an official press release back in July, worldwide sales agent and production company XYZ Films debuted the latest official poster for the upcoming period Maori action epic, The Dead Lands. The film’s production at the top of 2014 teased a slate of behind-the-scenes set photos on Instagram and Twitter prior to a release of stills and a first official teaser back in July. On Wednesday, XYZ Films kicked things back into gear ahead of the film’s festival opener with a brand new poster which you can check out below, as well as festival contributor Jane Schoettle’s description of the film: In this dazzling action epic set in pre-colonial New Zealand, the young son of a murdered tribal chieftain seeks vengeance on his family’s killers by learning the ancient Maori martial arts from a legendary warrior. Set in pre-colonial New Zealand — or, as it was known to its […]

Kevin Smith Dives Into Comic Book Movie Territory With YOGA HOSERS

Lee B. Golden III

It was announced back in July that actor, writer and director Kevin Smith was developing a sequel to his upcoming September 19 horror release, Tusk. The new TIFF 2014 entry contributes as a first to the True North Trilogy which will span three films rooted itself in Canadian folklore and mythology with Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, and actress Lily-Rose Depp co-starring. As of this week, an official announcement was released stating the return of both actresses for Smith‘s new sequel, Yoga Hosers, which also include Lily-Rose‘s father, Mortdecai star, actor Johnny Depp. The film is being pitched an action adventure horror comedy which will also mark’s Smith‘s first foray into comic book movie territory with both daughters leading. Smith is popularly known as a leading voice with certain inside knowledge on what’s what these days pertaining to comic book movies and all things sci-fi and film. He’s a fan […]

Adam Wingard's New Thriller, THE GUEST Gets Release Date

Lee B. Golden III

Last year’s contained action horror thriller, You’re Next, won widespread approval from fans everywhere last year, and even left talks open for a sequel. It even put actress Sharni Vinson on my map for potential action stardom, and considering that it’s what she wants as well, I totally have her back. For this, in part, we have writer/executive producer Simon Barrett and editor/director Adam Wingard, two of the people for getting that conversation started, and while we await developments on those ends mentioned above, the duo are back with a brand new suspense thriller this year titled The Guest, starring Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser and Lance Reddick. SYNOPSIS: A soldier on leave arrives at the home of a fallen comrade. Friendly and helpful, they welcome him in, but when people start mysteriously dying in town, mayhem ensues as their teenage daughter starts wondering if […]

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Watch The New Teaser For Toa Fraser's THE DEAD LANDS Ahead Of TIFF 2014

Lee B. Golden III

The latest teaser has already gone viral for the forthcoming release of director Toa Fraser‘s new period action adventure, The Dead Lands. The film is poised for a debut at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival this Fall and the teaser has finally been allowed virility through the official YouTube channel for New Zealand/Austraila distributor, Transmission Film. Check out the announcement below which went public earlier this week: Māori action epic The Dead Lands will have its world premiere with a Special Presentation at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The prestigious festival annually launches several key international and North American films and is one of the world’s leading public film festivals, screening around 300 films from more than 60 countries every September. The Dead Lands is the fourth feature by acclaimed New Zealand director Toa Fraser (Dean Spanley, No. 2, Giselle) and is based on a script by […]

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[UPDATED]Weapons Clash In The Intense New Teaser For THE DEAD LANDS!

Lee B. Golden III

I don’t know how excited you are about seeing what period Maori martial arts action looks like on the big screen, but I’m frickin stoked! The first official teaser arrived this week for director Toa Fraser‘s new film, The Dead Lands, which has earned a pretty good headstart in building up a fair amount of hype since production process began late last year. The film has been billed as a genuine Maori-language period action drama that promises to deliver nothing short an exhiliarating, full-scale, exciting filmgoing experience. So far however, the only experience most on-lookers online have been getting were various production photos, as well as a slate of new HD stills back in June, while some have already screen the film exclusively. And the mood, as it stands, has been nothing short of upbeat. SYNOPSIS: Hongi, a Maori chieftain’s teenage son, must avenge his father’s murder in order to […]