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PARADOX Unveiled As A Part Of The SPL Franchise In The Latest Poster

PARADOX Unveiled As A Part Of The SPL Franchise In The Latest Poster

Wilson Yip’s latest, Sha Po Lang: Paradox, is on deck for an August 25 release… Yep. You read that correctly. Apparently the film’s Chinese title as shown on the newest poster now unveils the film’s standing as something of an installment of the Sha Po Lang crime saga. I can’t really explain why but given the sort of nebulous treatment of the narrative and how the characters added and otherwise written as well as the seemingly stark, spiritual aesthetic applied here, I can understand why Bravos would want to go this route. It sort of works, kind of like an anthology piece or a spin-off piece considering there is actually a third Sha Po Lang film in the works subtitled as Lord Needs War as of 2015. I guess we’ll wait see how this plays out, but the message is definitely clear either way with Yip at the helm and […]

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PARADOX Gets An August Hong Kong Release

PARADOX Gets An August Hong Kong Release

There’s nothing new in the latest trailer for Wilson Yip’s upcoming crime thriller, Paradox, although save for a release date in Hong Kong now stamped for August 25. You get Louis Koo, Tony Jaa, Wu Yue and Chris Collins among the roster along with action director Sammo Hung on board designating all available means of screenfighting brutality surrounding a story that poses more than meets the eye. Hong Kong cop Lee (Louis Koo) goes on a search in Thailand for his missing daughter Chi (Hanna Chan). Thai Chinese police officer Chui Kit (Wu Yue) lets Lee join the investigation, having no idea that Lee is going to use the mass media to hunt for clues.  A short clip which accidentally filmed Chi’s capture is uploaded to the police website, but subsequently deleted. Chui Kit and colleague Tak (Tony Jaa) tracks down the clip owner, but the evidence is destroyed before […]

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The Cast Begins Assembling For Asian Action Ensemble, TRIPLE THREAT

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. For this, I think it’s safe to say this particular picture is self-explanatory, but for the uninformed, you’re looking at just the start of a new campaign for thrilling action cinema with pre-production heavily underway for Triple Threat, the new movie from director Jesse V. Johnson. Pictured below are just two of the film’s headliners of the ensemble cast, Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais – both having been central to fan curiousity for the last seven years regarding if ever these two would see a film set together. Uwais recently completed filming Timo Tjahjanto’s Joe Taslim-starrer, The Night Comes For Us following the release of Indonesian action hit, Headshot, while Jaa, fresh from his latest online music video premiere, Groundbreaking, scored big with his appearance in D.J. Caruso’s xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage this past winter. Joining the two will […]

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The New Teaser Trailer For Wilson Yip’s PARADOX Amazes And Graces With Brutality And Drama

On the evening of the events kicking off this year’s Hong Kong Filmart, a wave of new announcements arose as well as the emergence of trailers. One particular anticipated project was the new Wilson Yip thriller, Paradox (formerly Fate), with none other than action legend Sammo Hung directing the action and a stellar cast headling the film featuring Louis Koo, Wu Yue and Tony Jaa, and as the latest teaser trailer for it details, it presents nothing short of pure promise. SYNOPSIS: When Hong Kong police negotiator Lee Chung-chi (Louis Koo) was informed about the sudden disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter, Lee Wing-chi (Hanna Chan), during her trip to Pattaya, he decides to travel to Thailand to search for her daughter’s whereabouts. There, Lee receives assistance from local Chinese detective, Chui Kit (Wu Yue), and his colleague, Tak (Tony Jaa), and also encounters American gangster, Sacha (Chris Collins).  Based on […]

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TRIPLE THREAT Multiplies The Danger With Adkins, White And Bisping; Jesse V. Johnson To Direct

EXCLUSIVE: In the months since its evolution, the highly anticipated action thriller, Triple Threat (formely Makeshift Squad) has been a bookmark for many an Asian cinema fan looking to see just how this particular “Asian-Expendables” kind of movie this will bring about. The prospects have been good, too, and notably in the wake of its casting additions including headliners Tiger Chen (Man Of Tai Chi), Tony Jaa (Furious Seven) and Iko Uwais (Headshot), and particularly with 87eleven’s own Chad Stahelski (John Wick: Chapter 2) behind the action scenes. Bearing all this in mind, an attached director has not been entirely certain with earlier names Gary Mak and Wang Xiaolie having circled the project, the latter reported by the time of its acquisition over at international sales outfit Arclight Films late last year. Moreover, with Stahelski poised to move forward with a hopeful third installment of the hit John Wick franchise […]

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Review: xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Knows Why You're Here, And You're Okay With That

Paramount Going into xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage, I honestly thought this was going to be another douchebag action movie just like both its predecessors from Rob Cohen and Lee Tamahori. Sure, the fandom of having Tony Jaa and Donnie Yen notwithstanding, I’ve reached a pinnacle in my life where I’ve begun seeing past the veil of spectacle in most Hollywood action thrillers to be a little more speculative and critical than I’ve usually been. That said, I look at what D.J. Caruso brings to the table for this third installation and on its face, it’s still as full of the usual mindless fun as the first two films, though gladly it’s not as frustrating an experience – likely due in part to the fact that after fifteen years we already have a general idea about what we’re in for, so that helps. Yes, Vin Diesel is back in […]

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xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE (2017): Same Zone, New Levels, All Xander

A good sequel is one that builds upon the established narrative of the original, taking it to surprising new places while developing its characters in new and interesting ways. This is a tall order, even when the first film practically lines up all the pieces FOR you. The original xXx (2002) couldn’t be bothered to create any narrative foundation to build on. It was purely bombast and fury, and so when it came time to resurrect the franchise, the filmmakers did the only logical thing: Develop the bombast in new and interesting ways and populate it with more cool characters than before. The result is probably the best sequel to a xXx movie we could ever ask for. When viewed today, the original xXx feels like a time capsule of the early 2000s. We got cameos by extreme sports stars like Tony Hawk (a.k.a. the coolest person in the world […]

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[UPDATED] AFM 2016: Arclight ‘Shifts To Chad Stahelski And Wang Xiaolie For Chen/Jaa/Uwais Headliner, TRIPLE THREAT

It looks like things have taken a bit of a turn for the initially announced Makeshift Squad. The film, previously announced to be helmed by Gary Mak with an “Asian Expendables” styled tone, has reportedly been restaffed with a new director, as well as retitled under the name, Triple Threat. Arclight Films is taking the film to the American Film Market for buyers with the cast currently packaged as mentioned before with action stars Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais and Tiger Chen. John Wick franchise co-helmer and sequel director Chad Stahelski and director Wang Xiaolie will partner on the film, directing from a script by Dwayne Smith which tells of a Chinese martial artist on a mission to rescue his ex-wife and son being held captive by the local drug cartels. Actress Angelababy who was also included in our initial exclusive report from September was not mentioned in the update while it […]

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Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Ruby Rose And Deepika Padukone Take Charge In The New xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Trailer

Actor Vin Diesel took to Facebook Live for the official launch of the third trailer for the upcoming release of xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage. All you need to know from there is that the film, from director D.J. Caruso, arrives on January 20, 2017. Apart from that, the recording of the live stream can be viewed below where Diesel hypes up viewers with his own insight and thoughts along with live inserts of the film’s co-stars…or just feel free to skip to the 19:30 mark to catch the goods. View post on imgur.com

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Deepika Kicks All The Butts In The Second Trailer For xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE

Director D.J. Caruso’s latest investment in Vin Diesel fandom, xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage, doesn’t arrive until January from Paramount. Nonetheless, marketing is already underway and taking quite an odd shape as of late. The first official trailer premiered only two months ago and delivered a pretty nifty tease of some ridiculous, crazy action to accomodate the grade-A cast at hand which also includes Kris Wu and Nina Dobrev and professional fighter Michael Bisping, with martial arts stars Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa standing out the biggest and best. Serving as the female lead, however is Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone who, up until now has only ever been hinted as the sultry love interest for our character. On Sunday evening, a second official trailer went viral online and showcased plenty more of Deepika being way more than just sultry. Bottomline, her stunt double makes her shine here as a […]

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EXCLUSIVE – Tony Jaa, Wilson Yip And Sammo Hung To Seize Their FATE Starting In October

International action star, actor Tony Jaa drew huge attention when we broke the news of director Gary Mak’s ensemble Asian ‘Expendables’ style thriller, Makeshift Squad. The good news is that the film is still bound for production and so you need not worry there, while, and on even better terms, readers would be wise to keep an even closer eye on Jaa starting this week. As such, Film Combat Syndicate can exclusively report that a source close to the forthcoming Chinese co-production of the new action thriller, tentatively titled Fate, has cast Jaa in a yet undisclosed role. Wilson Yip, the director of the current Ip Man trilogy and other Donnie Yen vehicles in recent memory, will direct the film, thus reuniting with Jaa since serving as producer on Soi Cheang’s S.P.L. 2: A Time For Consequences (a.k.a. Kill Zone 2). In turn, Yip joins once more with SPL (2005) […]

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EXCLUSIVE: Jaa, Uwais, Tiger, Angelababy First In Line For ‘Asian Expendables’ Thriller, MAKESHIFT SQUAD

While getting some of the biggest and notable action stars together for a single movie is no easy feat to achieve, it’s one worth celebrating when it happens. Namely, I speak of talents like Skin Trade and Furious Seven breakout co-star Tony Jaa, and Man Of Tai Chi-starring opposites Tiger Chen and Iko Uwais, all of whom have been prolific in the last three years, and if you’re wondering if there’s any meaning to my mention of their names in this article, then with any luck and smooth scheduling, we may be onto something! For this, we look to the forthcoming Chinese production of the new ensemble action thriller, Makeshift Squad, which also has Rise Of The Legend and Indepedence Day: Resurgence co-star, actress Angelababy joining the cast as the female lead. Plot and story info are not yet known, although an unnamed source with knowledge on the production contacted Film Combat Syndicate […]

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KILL ZONE 2 – A Conflict…

Full disclosure, before we begin… I watched this film with two different minds. It was a Jekyll/Hyde experience. One, incidentally, that the film itself captures in one of my favorite scenes. It is between the two principal characters on which the onion layered narrative hinges it’s caboose, and it happens in a dark, claustrophobic location; a prison cell. Tony Jaa’s character Chatchai (featuring prominently in the film, …sometimes), and Wu Jing’s character Chan Chi-Kit are having a lost in translation moment during which Jaa is attempting to convey some decidedly important information to Jing. Only, the two men speak different languages (Chitchai speaks Thai, Chi-Kit speaks Cantonese) and are forced to improvise with the use of a cellphone translator. The scene is the case I would present in court in my own defence against the TO THE HASHI my Hyde persona so eagerly sought to write. It is transcripted all […]

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The New Trailer For xXx: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Kicks Ass And Looks Dope Doing It

…And because 2017 wouldn’t be a normal year with just one Vin Diesel movie, director D.J. Caruso is poised to release the long-awaited trilogical installment to the daredevil action franchise, xXx: The Return Of Zander Cage. Bearing in mind, of course, the utter flop that came with the 2005 sequel that followed Rob Cohen’s 2002 original, the film does carry some weight in having to pick up the slack.  Well, you do get Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role once more from the earlier two films, as well as a list of beautiful femme fatales played by Deepika Padukone, Ruby Rose and Nina Dobrev. What? Not enough? Ohhh k ok, how about we throw in the first time pairing of Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa, along with UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping for good measure? Sound neat? Well, all that and more as a reward for our patience can now […]

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GIVEAWAY: Win A Blu-Ray Copy Of Well Go USA’s KILL ZONE 2 Starting Today!

UPDATE (7/15/16): This contest has expired. Well Go USA is proudly releasing director Soi Cheang’s Kill Zone 2 on DVD and Blu-Ray on July 19. That’s a bit far off from this write-up, but Well Go USA is humbly obliging three lucky Film Combat Syndicate readers with an early chance to score a free Blu-Ray copy by then, making this our SECOND giveaway attributed to the movie since our prize pack contest in May. Simply e-mail us at filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com with KILL ZONE 2 CONTEST in the subject header and tell us your favorite fight scene from any Wu Jing or Tony Jaa film. All entries are exclusive to U.S. residents only and must be turned in by July 15. Winners will be announced the following day. Good luck! In this giddily frenetic follow-up (though not a sequel) to modern martial arts epic Kill Zone (aka SPL: Sha Po Lang), action icons […]

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Check Out The DVD And Blu-Ray Art For Well Go USA’s KILL ZONE 2

Director Soi Cheang’s “giddily frenetic” Kill Zone 2 officially has a U.S. DVD and Blu-Ray release date attached. The film is still available on VoD as well but however which way you feel, this will still make a great addition to your collection, especially if there are features, and indeed there are a few. That, and of course you have the added benefit of watching Wu Jing and Tony Jaa fight on screen for the first time. There’s a third film in development now and one can only hope that its cast will be of equal screenfighting caliber, if not better, given the pedigree so far featuring the two legends from the 2004 film by Wilson Yip, on top of a terrific story to boot. Check out the press announcement and artwork below for the July home release! PLANO, TEXAS. (June 14, 2016) – In this giddily frenetic follow-up (though […]

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KILL ZONE 2 Gets A U.S. Trailer

Close to a year since the film’s release at home, Soi Cheang’s thematic sequel crime thriller, SPL 2: A Time For Consequences, has already marked itself high enough for the prospects of a third film in the weeks and months to come. With that all said and done and following an announcement several weeks ago, Well Go USA is moving forward with its release as Kill Zone 2, a new trailer for the film’s limited theatrical and VoD opening on May 13. SYNOPSIS: When an undercover cop gets too close to revealing the mastermind of a drug syndicate, his cover is blown. Double-crossed and under a false identity, he’s thrown into a Thai prison, where a guard discovers the inmate – claiming he’s a cop – is a bone marrow match for his dying daughter…and his warden may have an even deadlier operation hidden within the prison walls.  In this […]

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Michael Jai White Goes Old School In The New Trailer For NEVER BACK DOWN: NO SURRENDER

With 2016 ripe as ever for martial arts action cinema, multi-hyphenate Michael Jai White is certainly one whose name lends its share of fervor to the crowd, and even moreso since his directorial debut for the DVD sequel, Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown in which he also co-starred. That momentum now carries over for Sony’s June 7 home release of the new action threequel, Never Back Down: No Surrender with White back once more, and in great company no less with actor  former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett and the towering Nathan Jones, along with wife and actress Gillian Waters White, actor Esai Morales and sports broadcaster and actor, Stephen “The Fight Professor” Quadros. SYNOPSIS: Former MMA champion Case Walker (Michael Jai White) has kept a low profile, winning small-time regional matches after refusing to join the powerful new leagues that push performance- enhancing drugs on their fighters. Walker […]

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'Consequences' Arise This May For Well Go USA’s KILL ZONE 2

It was as of August that a plurality of fans in the U.S. and Canada spent months waiting in line for the release of Soi Cheang’s SPL 2: A Time For Consequences. The film packs a punch in almost all the right places and with a cast worthy of a big screen presentation, so much so that its box office prospects made it official for a third installment a month earlier. Thus, the wait continues for more news on that end while fans can finally take note of Kill Zone 2 (named as per the film’s renamed Wilson Yip-directed predecessor from the now defunct Dragon Dynasty). The film is releasing in select theaters on May 13, 2016 and stars Wu Jing, Tony Jaa and Max Zhang with Unda Kunteera Yhordchanng,  Simon Yam, Louis Koo, Jun Kung and Zhang Chi. Click here for my review and stay tuned for more info!

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