THE HIT LIST - March 9, 2015

There are a LOT of videos this week, but the very last one will undoubtedly keep you here for more news in the weeks ahead...

...On that note, let's get some reels going with new footage from the folks at Eclipse Stunts, as well as Tyson Arner, Alexa Marcigliano, Leah Petersen and Kyle Thomas Schmidt, along with a new fight reel from Wolf Stunts's own David Conk who also released two cool test fights thos past week featuring Adam Lytle, Ben Aycrigg and Shane Ferrell.

Now that that's done, let's take a break and get to know a few martial artists. It was late last year that the folks over at Kung Fu Heroes took a trip to see the sights in China, including various kung fu schools. While there, they've introduced two videos for their current interview series introducing members Rachel Ott and Sebastian Castellanos. You can learn more about Kung Fu Heroes and their adventures in martial arts by visiting their official website.

The next two videos you're about to see I felt deserved pairing considering how contemplative they were. The first comes from actress and stuntwoman Amy Johnston whose latest debut editing contribution, Expressions, comes with great tribute to legendary action director Hung Yan Yan following their work on Johnston's forthcoming acting debut in Chris Nahon's Lady Bloodfight which wrapped in February. The second takes you into a stunning and contemplative and artful view of what it means to be in movement, titled Flux from directors Patrick Ryder and Alex Brock.

The fighting continues with three new short film and webseries teasers from three distinct filmmakers I've come to appreciate in the past few years since I began blogging. The first is a teaser for an upcoming test fight short titled One Cold Night from director Nathan Quattrini, filmed earlier this year between Anthony Hoang and David Lavallee Jr. Ironically, it was filmed in an abandoned warehouse on one night that just happened to be very cold...perfect huh?

The second is a teaser from Lunar Stunts' own Eric Nguyen that pays homage to the 70's in the upcoming retro crime action comedy, Tough Street, which will share limited screenings starting March 27 -- The end of the trailer gave me a small chuckle. The third is a teaser for Kiai Kick Films' webseries debut, Cornered from filmmaker Michael S. Moore which has since debuted its poster a few weeks ago Donald Brooks stars with fight choreography by Aaron Alexander, both who can also be seen in their own test fight short, Showdown Part 2 from the folks at Faux Fighting!

Last month's airing of filmmaker Bryan Sloyer's Looper: Part One was an impressive experiment in a style of fight-based storytelling that almost borders on Inception, and he now returns to us this week with Looper: Part Two which adds even more layers and wrecks to the silent conceptual drama. PeiPei Yuan stars with Jerry Quill, Alex Duong and Jay Kwon - the latter who can also be seen in the latest LBP fight gem with Sloyer titled Third Protocol just beneath.

At the rate which filmmaking continues to take shape in the past several years, it's become quite admirable how the idea of retro-revival has become so influential in that process. It's become a cult phenomenon for many moviegoers around the world and now the folks behind the official Facebook page of Scytron Entertainment are heeding the call this year.

Two new shortfilms are available on their channel as of January - the first propels you into a 16-bit dystopian neon-lit city where one man must use his own supernatual abilities to avenge his own death and rescue the woman he loves from a notorious crimeboss. Rage is name of the short with Dylan Grunn starring from a script by Ben Boyle and debut director Ryan Boosel.

The second takes you into a gritty contemporary crime story from director Russell Hasenauer in part two of his Bible Belt short film series, Angel Of The City, starring Larry Mihlon as a mysterious vigilante in the fictional crime-ridden town of Fremont where providence will him against the city's most dangerous drug peddler. Also starring are Jennifer Zefutie and Don Sweet.

Enjoy!

This next batch comes from filmmaker, actor and martial artist Taejoon Lee. Newly uploaded on his channel as of late is a dated three-part miniseries titled The K-Town Chronicles, a crime story centered on the tragic bond between two surrogate brothers with an introspective look at Korean culture and tradition, and a glimpse into what it means to be a warrior. Lee's own martial arts lineage comes from a highly respected family - the first family of Hwa Rang Do, a style wherein he earned his 8th and final Dan back in 2009 under series co-star master, Dr. DoJooNim, making him one of few in the world to reach that level in his years of training, and you can learn more about his story at this website.

Check out all three parts below (and yes, that's Mickey Rourke you see in Episode 2).

Four dudes in a fight over some emperial gold and somehow they all end up as buddies? How did that happen. Find out in Kazu Patrick Tang's latest short, Oh My Gold, an experimental homage to Jackie Chan's 1984 classic, Wheels On Meals.

The next one offers a much more fair bit of high drama than anything. Following Hisonni Johnson's 2013 short, Grayson: Earth One, the director recently unveiled his latest inspired take on the alternate DC universe in Grayson: Earth One 1.5: The Boy and The Bullet, a centered on Jason Todd, a character who takes several shapes in the DC Universe of Robin/Nightwing. I'm not too familiar with comic book lore here so those in the know probably already have an idea what's happening. It's a great effort on Johnson's end considering these projects are hard to keep consistent due to the need for funds. Johnson's a terrific filmmaker and deserves every bit of support he asks for when the time arises. See for yourself!

By the way, I wouldn't fall asleep on that Power teaser at the start. Just sayin.

Ninjas, ninja farts and ninja flip farts for the win! YouTube host Dominic "D-Trix" Sandoval kicks off the week in Add A Ninja, with performances by Steve Terada and Gemma Nguyen, the gang from Martial Club and many more.

And last but FAR from least, I told you at the top of last year that there would be some amazing surprises to come from online martial arts action favorite, Vlad Rimburg, and if you thought me to be a liar, you couldn't be anymore wrong as his latest, The Betrayal is but one of several to slowly pour out from his current work pile of stunning action pieces. This one comes directly from the innerworkings of Force Storm Entertainment and its executive overseer and founder, Noah Fleder as it now marks a huge step forward his upcoming production base. Expect an exclusive official announcement real soon from Film Combat Syndicate.

Subscribe to these channels above and click here in case you missed last week's entries. If you have a QUALITY project in the form of a shortfilm/teaser/reel you would like featured on Film Combat Syndicate, send your inquiries to filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com