Stallone And Jordan Meet In The First Official CREED Trailer

Close to forty years since actor Sylvester Stallone paved the way for one of his biggest most successful movie franchises to date, his latest puts new blood into the ring that nonetheless aims at revitalizing the spirit and tone of a young and driven protagonist. For this, we seek to wonder if Fruitvale Station helmer, Ryan Coogler's latest, Creed, will begin to accomplish what four decades have done for Stallone in the longstanding Rocky saga, though it's safe to suggest that our leading man, Michael B. Jordan, has stepped up to the plate and is, as much of this may sound as a pun to many, going for it!

SYNOPSIS:

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures comes award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s “Creed.” The film explores a new chapter in the “Rocky” story and stars Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role. The film also reunites Coogler with his “Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed. 

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa. 

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring. 

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

There's no doubt that this will be one of the most nostalgic films to come this holiday season as ardent as it is for moviegoers loyal to the iconic mainstay. It's a legacy that Jordan has clearly immersed himself in based on the brand new trailer that has just released, and with Stallone's own approval at that, may hopefully deliver faithful fans a respectful and beloved boxing movie classic for future cinephiles.

Creed opens in theaters on November 25. Watch the new trailer!

This fall, your legacy is more than a name. See @TheSlyStallone and @MichaelB4Jordan in the new trailer for #CREED: https://t.co/Kmb8b3SZew

— CreedMovie (@creedmovie) June 30, 2015

Screener Review: AWAKEN (2015)

REVIEW:

Seldom do I have the chance to see survival thrillers and I always welcome them as part of my film enjoyment, especially if the trailer convinces me enough. Certainly, it has done so with the presence of actress, writer and producer Natalie Burn who puts every piece of herself into her latest role in Mark Atkins' new film, Awaken, which already has just under a dozen wins and one nomination stemming from its film festival run in the past several months.

The film sets our leading lady in the role of Billie Kope, alone on a quiet beach front on a remote island far from civilization. Briefly disoriented and her clothes mildly disheveled, she wakes up and emerges into the jungle wilderness only to find herself accompanied by seven other strangers being chased by men in camouflage. Soon it becomes clear that this is no island paradise as Kope acquaints herself with her fellow island dwellers as they desperately try to figure out who is holding them against their will, and why. However, Kope has a few ideas of her own as she's been searching for her missing sister for five years, and the harder she fights for freedom, the closer she gets to the answers she seeks along with the gruesome nature of her captors' true intentions.

Writer and director Atkins spearheads this latest feature from Burn's own film banner, 7Heaven Productions, which also brings together a few other well known antagonists, like actor Jason London who plays Rich, a corrupt doctor whose shady specialty is what drives the very motive of our heroine's personal mission, as well as her own survival and that of her crew. Vinnie Jones portrays, Sarge, the pointman of his own small squadron of jungle commandos in charge of rounding up one survivor at a time at any given point at Rich's behest, while actress Daryl Hannah offers her portrayal of Mao, something of an otherwise rich and powerful crimeboss who arrives to Rich's island headquarters grieving and desperate to cure her ailing daughter.

On the other side, our principle island survivors don't stand out much with the exception of actor Michael Copon in the role of Nick, along with Daz Crawford as Stitch, a would-be British SAS soldier, and actor Phillip Tan who doesn't always get a lot of screen time in films but always manages to make it work, and here just as so in the small role of Todd whilst serving as the film's fight coordinator. Actor Edward Furlong sort of disappears halfway in the film, but not before throwing in a few much-needed comedic gems as former Mexican prison inmate, Berto, who is always ready to make friends, especially if they're gorgeous women, and veteran thesp Robert Davi gives us one of the film's few pivotal performances as the grisled and withered leader of the tribe, Quentin. Other notable performances come courtesy of actors David Keith, Michael Paré and actress Christa Campbell who plays Rina, Rich's right hand woman.

To be forthright, the story is well-paced between much of the action, harrowing high-seas danger and some of the more gory macabre imagery toward the end. More prevalent beyond this point, however, is the drama and upheaval between our antagonists and a few other characters that come with shades of grey to make the plot more interesting; London gives one of the film's strongest and memorable performances along with Davi, Hannah, Paré in his limited screentime, and even Jones whose appearance does plenty of justice for fans delighted by his usual cockney dialect and salty, seasoned look.

At the heart of it all, collectively, the film opens plenty of doors for Burn to showcase her acting skills in accordance with her own physical traning and prowess. Her evolution throughout the story is almost entirely well-balanced between the action, drama and even a bit of the small romantic subtext she shares with Copon from time to time. As for the action, the fights are few and far between but when they occur, Burn shines brightly. Exchanges between knives, fisticuffs and full-out brawling outline much of the choreography and Burn delightfully fits right in, and much to her credit with various flashback sequences featuring Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, that help originate her character's skills.

Just a few of the film's scenes midway throughout do get a little taut and contrived after a while, which is imaginable for a film that often stays contained mostly in one setting. Other than that, Awaken presents a workable story that provides an enjoyable feature-length run for an audience more keen nowadays on action movies drawn toward strong female roles.

The film is easily an introduction for many not too familiar with Burn until now, though those with a good eye may have quickly spotted her on the big screen in last year's The Expendables 3. It was my foray into Burn's filmic skillset in addition to her musicianship as she also sings for the film's soundtrack. Conclusively, Burn is the whole package here, and I personally hope that with Awaken and the momentum she gathers from the film's warm festival reception, that it lands her bigger roles in the near future.

Arc Entertainment is releasing Awaken in the U.S. on DVD July 7.

THE HIT LIST - June 29, 2015

This week's Hit List is definitely running light, but there are definitely a few gems worth sharing here, including a Film Combat Syndicate Exclusive!

But, first things first as the Hit List kicks off with a thrilling new stunt reel playlist for the week. The highlights including feats from Jaime DiLeo, Miles Brew, Juan De la Cruz, Rachel Lynn David, Kawui Joa, Mounir Quazzani, Brett Praed, Taylor Hemmeter, Matt Kennedy and the latest team action reel from Michael Lehr, Katelyn Brooke, Narayana Cabral and others at Fight Factory Stunt Team. The awesome reel beneath the playlist comes directly from Vimeo via fight choreographer Jimmy Lui!

Jimmy Lui Fight Choreography Reel from Jimmy Lui on Vimeo.
The folks over at Washington D.C.-based Rising Tiger Films are currently readying to lend some festival eyes to their latest dramatic action crime short, Black Scar Blues. I had the pleasure of posting my own review of the project and I proudly stand by it...and apparently so does director, actor and fight coordinator Leroy Nguyen who included a quote from me on the poster he will be using to help present the project to various festivals until its public airing later this year; I rarely get quoted on posters, so this was a joy to come across. Peep it.

And now we get to the action, and to get things started is a brand new clip from the upcoming sci-fi action short, Blue Hope. Starring and directed by Marina Voruz with actor and martial artist Austin Jorgensen, the short tells the story of Jack and Lana, whose romantic fate will be determined in a brutal reunion long after Lana's sudden disappearance and inexplicable "transformation".

The shortfilm is currently undergoing a few festival entries by October with plans for a November airing while both Voruz and Jorgensen set the course for another upcoming action comedy project. In the meantime, here's a small montage-cut of the climatic fight from Blue Hope!

And then there was that one time actor, stuntman and YouTube creative Devin "@KidHaru" White challenged actor and filmmaker Joey Min on whether or not a dog could be elegantly used as a deadly kung fu weapon. That was fun!

As I usually say, its never too late or early for Halloween. As such, horror seems to be the running theme at the moment and a few of these next videos come with a twist.

The first of the batch comes straight fron the folks over at Genesis Action Stunts who are usually more geared toward stylish choreography bits. This time they're a little less graceful but even moreso brutal in their latest array of exchanges between iconic horror mainstays, Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers; You can pretty much guess who lives and dies at the end of that one.

The latter two come from the gang over at WTFLOL who are no strangers to cult fandom in the past few years of their existence. They managed to succeed in their adherence to filmlore with their 2014 fan short, Marvel Zombies vs. The Evil Dead which initially aired at the bottom of 2013 prior to being briefly censored at the behest of Marvel. Legal stuff occurred, things happened, hands were shaken and the project finally went back up early last year, and to much approval from fans.

You can watch it for yourself here if you're just now seeing it. I've only just discovered it for myself and a project like this comes just in time with Starz packaging a brand new Ash serial TV reboot. But apart from that, WTFLOL is in post production with their sequel short, Ash VS. The DC Dead, featuring fellow character faves Green Arrow and Lobo in its latest trailer.

Watch all three videos below!

This one isn't a scripted drama or other, but a trailer for an upcominng three-part serial documentary from online womens' periodical, Cleo. Writer Lizza Gebilagin is at the center of this latest experiment in the form of Fight Like A Girl, showcasing what happens when a writer journeys into the world of MMA training in a seven-month regimen that will before ultimately determining her skillset in a competitive arena. The series launches on July 7, so you would be wise to subscribe.

The folks over at Z-Team Films have already made headway with the most recent online digital release of their cult action feature hit, Die Fighting. This time they are taking their efforts to a new dimension - a dystopian future with Earth's natural resources near depletion and mankind leaning on virtual extinction...

Essentially, enter Drained World and watch Fabien Garcia kick and bash the shit out of some zombies, basically.

It's awesome to follow various martial artists and performers alike who not only show off their prowess, but also share their amazing adventures, and actor and tutorialist Aaron "Gingerninja" Gassor has definitely has his share so far. From the gym to comic-cons, catch all his videos right now on his channel, and if you're new to his craft, here's a cool trailer to help warm you up!

And lastly, comic book creator and leading Marvel mainstay Stan Lee broke the internet back in May for filmmakers on the web when he annonced World Of Heroes, an intricate new program for creatives in conjunction with Lee's POW! Entertainment and YouTube Spaces at select global locations. Now, the time has come for the rollout and director John Wynn's latest, Call To Heroes takes the lead with a story centered on The Forge Academy, whose young and gifted pupils, brought together by devastation and tragedy become mankind's last defense against superhuman evil. Watch and enjoy!

Click here to catch last week's Hit List and be sure to subscribe to these channels. And, if you or someone you know has QUALITY content they would like shared in a Hit List piece, send an email at filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com

FUNimation and Fathom Announce U.S. Screening Dates For DRAGON BALL Z: RESURRECTION 'F'!

FUNimation and Fathom Events are staking their claim this summer once again with Toriyama Akira's latest, Dragon Ball Z: Ressurection 'F'. It's one more reason for anime fans non-residential from Japan's audiences to head to the theaters this summer and considering its a limited release, this is a great opportunity to catch the exciting follow-up from last year's Battle Of Gods. Not to mention that the Dragon Ball Z franchise is Toriyama's brainchild, so the fact that he directed and treated this one should be a no-brainer.

Catch the official press release with all the release specs below, as well as the latest trailer!

Hot on the heels of last year’s summer blockbuster, “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods,” the internationally beloved animated franchise, Dragon Ball Z, is back in theaters with a highly-anticipated new release: “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F,’” presented by FUNimation Entertainment in partnership with Fathom Events. “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” is the second feature personally supervised by series creator, Akira Toriyama. The event will be presented on the big screen in select cinemas across North America from August 4 -12, 2015. Fathom Events is proud to be showcasing the movie in more than 500 U.S. cinemas on Tuesday, August 4, Wednesday, August 5, Saturday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 11 at 7 p.m. (local time). 

Tickets for “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.DragonBallZ.com and www.FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented in more than 1,000 select movie theaters in the U.S. and Canada. (theaters and participants are subject to change). 

“Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” showcases the return of Frieza—one of the anime world’s greatest villains—as well as God of Destruction Beerus and Whis from “Battle of Gods.” In this latest story, Frieza is resurrected and takes his revenge on the Z-Fighters of Earth. Goku and Vegeta must reach new levels of power in order to protect Earth from their vengeful nemesis. 

U.S. and Canadian fans are eagerly awaiting “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F,’” which is already a smash hit in Japan. According to Deadline Hollywood, “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” opened at number one in Japan, as the only territory where “Fast & Furious 7” did not top the box office charts on its opening weekend. 

“We are pleased to partner with FUNimation once again, to bring the popular Dragon Ball Z franchise to our network of U.S. cinemas,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, was a rousing success, and we know that anime fans will respond just as enthusiastically to Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F.’”

Higuchi Shinji's Live-Action ATTACK ON TITAN Is Coming To FUNimation!

Times are good for fans within a specific film niche, especially when those in power can heed to the call of its base - a case none too far from that of the ilk in line for Higuchi Shinji's live-action Attack On Titan tête-à-tête between August and September through Toho Company based on the popular manga and anime. For this, we can lend three cheers to FUNimation for representing the Americas for the releases of both film's ahead of the company's July-slated world premiere screening of the film in Los Angeles at the Egyptian Theater in addition to events at San Diego Comic-Con 2015 with Higuchi in attendance.

Times are good, indeed. Details are below and the latest trailer for the film's release in Japan is here!

FLOWER MOUND, Texas, June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- FUNimation Entertainment is proud to announce today its distribution of the theatrical, home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast rights to the upcoming Japanese live-action feature film "Attack on Titan" across the Americas (North America, Central America and South America). The film will be released by Toho Co. Ltd. in two parts in Japan on August 1 and September 19, 2015. Series creator Hajime Isayama worked directly with the film's producers to create the screen adaptation.  

"Attack on Titan" is based on the popular manga series of the same name ("Shingeki no Kyojin" in Japanese), which tells the story of a world where most of humanity has been destroyed by giants and where the last of mankind fights to survive behind three concentric walls – walls that were once impenetrable to the giants. With more than 50 million copies in print today, "Attack on Titan" has also inspired four spin-off manga as well as a 25-episode anime series which FUNimation both simulcast and released to home video in North America. 

"Attack on Titan" director Shinji Higuchi will be making a special appearance at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) for an autograph session with fans on Sunday, July 12, at 1:00 p.m. PST at FUNimation's booth (#4135). Following SDCC, FUNimation Entertainment and Toho Co. Ltd. will host the world premiere of "Attack on Titan" (Part 1; in Japanese w/ English subtitles) at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, July 14. The SDCC special appearance and  premiere are being held to promote the August 1 release of part 1 of the film in Japan and will include a red carpet event featuring special guests – Haruma Miura and Kiko Mizuhara, who portray Eren and Mikasa in the movie respectively, along with director Shinji Higuchi. 

"FUNimation is honored to host the world premiere of Attack on Titan here in the United States with Toho," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of FUNimation Entertainment.  "Attack on Titan is truly a worldwide phenomenon and we are excited to bring the live action movie to theaters across the Americas later this fall." 

Invited guests to the premiere, including celebrities and media, will be among the first in the world to see "Attack on Titan." A limited number of tickets will be available to fans via FUNimation's social channels.

Ochiai Ken's UZUMASA LIMELIGHT Is Headed To The U.K.!

Ochiai Ken's suspenseful swordplay drama, Uzumasa Limelight became an award-winning festival sensation during its run last year and it's safe to suggest that many of the critics who have seen it all stand behind this one. It's an ardent homage to a bygone era of stylish stunt acting with longtime veteran Fukumoto Seizo in his debut lead role after half a century of having established himself in the world of swordplay genre and action on film, which undoubtedly makes Uzumasa Limelight one worthy of moviegoers' utmost attention.

SYNOPSIS:

Uzumasa (Kyoto) is considered the Hollywood of Japan. 

It has produced many “jidaigeki” films (period dramas with sword fighting) that are loved by many Japanese, and are highly praised all over the world. These films wouldn’t be what they were if it weren’t for the “kirareyaku” (actors whose main job is to be killed by the lead star). Men who are killed, without ever being lit by the limelight… 

This story is about those men, the unsung heroes of classic jidaigeki films. They loved and respected the art, even when the production of classic jidaigeki films began to dwindle. Using Charlie Chaplin’s film “Limelight” as an underlying theme, the admirable story of these men dealing with a new generation and fading craftsmanship is told with melancholy and soul.

Third Window Films is releasing the film in the U.K. with a date soon to be announced and Twitchfilm brought the exclusives, including a trailer for you to watch below.

Terminator Contest: Win Your Own T-800 Model From Sideshow And ThinkGeek!

Not that I have the space for one in my own home these days, but when I was younger, I always wanted a full-size T-800 model Endoskeleton from the Terminator franchise. I was a big fan then and I even played the virtual arcade game as much as I could, but as for my own fascination with it, it wouldn't go as far as owning my own Terminator.

Well, least now there are people who are making this possible for fans of the franchise. With Terminator Genysis releasing in theaters this week, Sideshow Collectibles and ThinkGeek are having their own T-800 giveaway. The contest ends late August with winning announcements in September, and all the details to enter the contest are in the following press release issued earlier this month!

For die-hard Terminator fans, it doesn't get any better than this. Just in time for this summer's most anticipated sci-fi blockbuster, Terminator Genisys, Sideshow Collectibles and ThinkGeek have teamed up to announce the ultimate Terminator Giveaway. 

Valued at nearly $6,000, one lucky Skynet sympathizer will take home the ultimate grand prize, a T-800 Endoskeleton Life-Size Figure from Sideshow Collectibles. 

Dedicated to building a future free from human error, Sideshow's artisans have faithfully reconstructed this iconic movie machine with screen-accurate, life-like detail. The menacing cyborg stands over 6 feet tall on an environmental display base littered with bones and debris, clearing a path of destruction with its impressive futuristic plasma guns and a skeletal grin that will send shivers down your spine. Complete with piercing infrared eyes and blue base-strip lighting, this is the ultimate museum quality representation from the Terminator film legacy for your home theater or office space. 

But fear not future survivors, if you miss out on this grand prize, there's still hope! One runner up will score a huge "Futuretech" themed prize pack, valued at $900, courtesy of ThinkGeek. This amazing treasure-trove of survival gear is packed with everything you'll need to ready yourself for the war between man and machines, including: a TGX Battalion Tactical Backpack, Solar E Panels for charging all your gadgets, Vapur Eclipse Anti-Bottle, Swedish FireSteel to start a spark, Lithiumcard Hypercharger for your phone, LuminAid Solar inflatable lamp, Tablift tablet holder, Kicker KPw Wireless Speaker System, Astro A30 gaming headphones, Pro Tech Precision Screwdriver Set perfect for sixth scale figures, Universal Gadget Wrist Charger, credit card sized light bulb, Instant photo printer and film, Wallet Ninja 18-in-1 Pocket Multi Tool, and a DoohicKey wrench and box cutter keychain. Whew! When the time comes, you'll be fully prepared to lead the human Resistance. 

Participants can enter the contest online by visiting Sideshow's website (Sideshow.com/T800Contest), and attendees of this year's San Diego Comic-Con can stop by the Sideshow and ThinkGeek booths to also enter and get a firsthand look at these amazing prizes. Judgment Day comes when this contest ends on August 29th. We will BE BACK to announce the winners on Monday, September 7, 2015. 

There is no fate but what we make for ourselves, so fulfill your destiny by entering for a chance to win the ultimate Terminator Giveaway! 

Hasta la vista, baby! 

Enter here:Sideshow.com/T800Contest

COLOMBIANA 2 Is In Development At EuropaCorp

One other takeaway from EuropaCorp's CineEurope2015  presentation this week is one that definitely may have been longawaited for moviegoers fond of actress Zoe Saldana. By 2011 she had already claimed the female lead in J.J. Abrams's rebooted Star Trek film in 2009 with a career big enough to give her a solo spotlight in future titles, namely director Olivier Megaton's assassin thriller, Colombiana.

Tackling the hitwoman genre, the film was written by Besson with co-scribe Robert Mark Kamen with a story that puts Saldana at the center of a professional killer's tale of love, mystery, espionage and danger as her career brings her closer to avenging the death of her parents at the hands of a Bogota crime boss. The did commercially well though not enough to be a notable success, and it ultimately drew ire of critics aplenty while taking nothing away (if not very little) from Saldana's status as a rising star in her own right. She's since gone on to stake her claim in Star Trek: Into Darkness and its upcoming third installment next year, in addition to Marvel's multiphase superhero franchise with James Gunn's Guardians Of The Galaxy and its upcoming sequel and James Cameron's Avatar saga until 2019, among others.

Clearly, it's easy to see why EuropaCorp is eager to see to help make Colombiana 2 work as per its latest announcement at the expo, and hopefully the right director will aid these efforts in doing so.

Stay tuned for more info!

H/T: Indiewire

MONK COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN And Kicks Ass In A New International Trailer!

A North American release date remains pending for director Chen Kaige's latest offering, Monk Comes Down The Mountain. In the meantime, with trailers running about, Sony Pictures Australia unveiled its latest trailer several days ago for its own release on July 2, and while earlier trailers have shown more of the film's comedic tone, this one certainly engages the martial arts spectacle and fantasy much more.

SYNOPSIS:

In the film, when a young monk is forced to leave his impoverished monastery, he relies on his extraordinary martial arts skills to survive in the outside world. In search of a mentor, he crosses paths with a Kung Fu master who is in possession of the Book of Secrets, which reveals the lost art of the deadly Ape Strike Kung Fu technique. The rare book is coveted by a sinister father and son who will go to any extremes to obtain it. The monk finds himself immersed in a deadly battle to protect both the book and his master. 

The footage here certainly does lead actor Wang Baoqiang justice along with Aaron Kwok and Chen Chang among others getting in on the high-flying fight action choreographed by Ku Huan-Chiu (Journey To The West, Monster Hunt). Plus, international appeal is key here, especially with Sony Pictures representing the film globally, so this trailer is a job well done.

The film is also releasing the same weekend in China in IMAX and IMAX 3D. Watch the trailer below and stay tuned for more info!

The Monk

THE NEXT GENERATION: PATLABOR - TOKYO WAR Gets A Director's Cut And A New Trailer!

Fanfare remains ongoing for the long standing Patlabor franchise in its currently-rebooted iteration, The Next Generation: Patlabor. A seven part episodic series of twelve 48-minute shows leading up to its feature film back in May did the trick in revitalizing Headgear's popular manga/anime franchise as per the brainchild of acclaimed co-creator Oshii Mamoru spearheading the project along with a handful of directors, and it's been no easy feat.

The post-production process ultimately took its toll and the film proceeding the series, The Next Generation: Patlabor - Tokyo War, written and directed by Oshii, ultimately led to the decision of leaving room for two versions. As such, following an announcement a week after its theatrical release back in May, the latest trailer for the film's "Director's Cut" version is now up and running with 27 minutes of new footage to add more to the intense drama and resolve surrounding our newfound story of the underdogs at the Section 2 patrol division of the Metro Police.

SYNOPSIS:

At the end of the 20th century, there was a rise in crime due to the illegal use of Labors, humanoid robots specifically designed for heavy industrial work. To combat these new Labor crimes, the Metropolitan Police Department created the Special Vehicle Section 2 Patrol Labor unit.  

But by the early 21st century, the decline in Labor crimes has many thinking the so-called “Patlabor” program is no longer necessary and should be discontinued due to its high cost and maintenance. As Special Vehicle Section 2 faces demobilization, a state-of-the-art combat helicopter is stolen from the Self-Defense Forces by terrorists who now threatens Tokyo and the city’s 10 million inhabitants!  

Lurking 500 meters above the city and fully armed with cannons, air-to-surface rockets, missiles and the latest thermo-optical camouflage, the “Invisible Helicopter” Gray Ghost launches an attack on the Rainbow Bridge. Special Vehicle Section 2 becomes the police’s last line of defense, but will they be able to stop the violence or discover the true goal of the terrorists?  

The battle between the old-fashioned police Robos and the most advanced combat helicopter begins!

Actress Mano Erina returns along with Fukushi Seiji, Oota Rina, Chiba Shigeru and Kakei Toshio. Watch the new trailer below ahead of the film's October 10 release!

H/T: ANN

Bukaw Tests His Starpower For THONGDEE: THE WARRIOR

Former K-1 champion, professional fighter Bukaw Banchamek is moreso a lesser known action actor aside from having also appeared in Nopporn Watin's 2010 period thriller, Yamada: The Samurai Of Ayothaya. Nonetheless, that hasn't stopped him from the prospects of taking his potential beyond the ring and onto a movie set, and his latest move now appears to be yet another period actioner in the form of Thongdee: The Warrior.

It's more familiar territory for Thai action cinema it seems - a village backdrop, tribal ambience and a little romance with stylish action relative to the usual flying knees and elbows, mixed with what looks like a mingling of Chinese martial arts as well with another actor. But more importantly, it's Bukaw in the lead, and in an industry that now remains looking for its next big regional star in a post-Jaa era, it looks as if they've found him and it's safe to say he looks the part.

DESCRIPTION:

Phraya Phichai was a Siamese general serving under King Taksin. After the fall of Ayudhya in 1767, Phraya Pichai and Chao Phraya Chakri (who later become the first King of Chakri Dynasty) followed Phraya Taksin in repelling the Burmese and reuniting Siam. They were considered Phraya Taksin's left and right hands.

Though lacking in certain post-production ornaments, there are two versions of the clip now available online with one lasting over five minutes (that's the one you can watch below) and various ramblings from Thai media reports that The Troop Of Ghost and Panya Raenu trilogy helmer Bin Bunluerit is in line to direct the film beginning this October. Hopefully there will be more information on this as soon as it's available, so stick around and put this one on your radar for future reference.

LUCY Gets A Sequel!

Jesus H. Mother of all cookies and cream!

Sources over at THR have reported that EuropaCorp is lending a nod to a Lucy sequel as per the studio's English title slate presentation a CineEurope 2015. The first film starred Marvel leading lady Scarlett Johansson in a role that sees her racing against time when a drug she is forced to smuggle for a Korean crimeboss leaks through her bloodstream, granting her unique abilities.

It's a mind-bending story fantastically built around the question behind what one could achieve if they reached 100% usage of the human brain, and its a concept director Luc Besson was smart to play with having earned close to $460 million dollars globally, with Universal earning a chunk of that for its U.S. run. Besson himself wasn't too sure about a sequel considering the ending but told folks at WonderCon last year that he would consider it if the film was huge enough.

I guess this means he considered it. Stay tuned for more info!

Chris Pine And Zachary Quinto Confirmed For A Fourth STAR TREK Film

Star Trek: Beyond is reportedly revving up production this week in Canada and the word now is that lead actors Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto have signed onto a fourth film, according to THR. Both, who respectively reprise the roles of James T. Kirk and Vulcan-born Spock, were reportedly optioned a fourth movie as the result of concessions made by Paramount when the intial 7-year deal in 2007 prior to the two appearing in J.J. Abrams 2009 reboot, Star Trek, expired last year as development on the upcoming third film languished.

As a result, compromises were made to help stave off settling anything in court, which, incidentally, allowed not only for a bigger pay for both actors, but the additional attachment of a fourth film which essentially confirms a fourth Star Trek is now in order. The third, to be directed by Fast And Furious franchise helmer Justin Lin, with a script by co-star, actor Simon Pegg and co-scribe Doug Jung which forsees our crew of the USS Enterprise well underway in their 5-year mission into deep space. Zoe Saldana, John Cho and Anton Yelchin, also round out much of the cast with expected appearances by Idris Elba and Kingsman actress Sofia Boutella.

The course is set for a July 8 release next year. Energize!

ASSASSIN Gets A New Trailer Starring Danny Dyer

Vendetta star, actor Danny Dyer is back as a killer on the run from his employers in the writer, producer and director J.K. Amalou's latest, Assassin. Multiple Media Entertainment Inc. is releasing the film on July 1 with Dyer starring alongside Martin Kemp and Gary Kemp whilst lending U.K. audiences some more action for its local niche. Check out the latest trailer!

SYNOPSIS:

A cold, calculating and ruthlessly efficient contract killer (Danny Dyer - EastEnders) breaks the rules of his profession and falls for a beautiful young woman whose father he has been hired to kill. When Jamie’s world breaks down, he must turn against his criminal employers (Martin & Gary Kemp - The Krays) to save the woman he loves. From the producers of Goodfellas, Casino and Rise of the Footsoldier comes a fiery new action thriller, exploring the darker side of love and revenge.

Stunt Duo To Direct Real-Time Aaron Eckhart Actioner, LIVE!

Hollywood stunt professionals partaking in directing their own movies is always a feat to look forward to. It doesn't always happen but when it does, it does so with a general appeal toward the fans its meant for, and Lionsgate/87Eleven's cinematic rendering, John Wick is one of the more prominent examples in thay effort.

Take that into account as we meet Darin Prescott and Wade Allen, two top second unit directors and stunt coordinators who will be spearheading Live!, the new production by Solution Entertainment in association with Fubar Films. Newly cast actor Aaron Eckhart certainly has the gravitas it takes to maintain an action role and he's done so in films like I, Frankenstein, Erased and Battle Los Angeles, so Live! is especially opportune for Eckhart to help keep that going, as well as the trend of stunt professionals getting behind the lens. (H/T: Deadline, /Film)

Los Angeles, CA (June 25, 2015) – Aaron Eckhart (OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN, THE DARK KNIGHT, upcoming BLEED FOR THIS, MY ALL AMERICAN and Blumhouse/Universal’s INCARNATE) is set to star in the high concept action film LIVE!, it was announced today by producers Myles Nestel (THE NOVEMBER MAN, LAGGIES), co-founder and partner of The Solution Entertainment Group and Skip Williamson (UNDERWORLD franchise, GAMER, CRANK) of 5B Artist+Media. 

The Solution is producing the film, which will begin principal photography in October.  Onboard to fully finance and co-produce is Fubar Films, headed by producer Colin Bates (MAGGIE). Executive producers are Fubar Films’ Peter M. DeGeorge, William Stetson and Lindsey Howery. 

The Solution’s Lisa Wilson and Craig Chapman and Sentient’s Christopher Tuffin and Renee Tab are also executive producing the film.  LIVE! marks the first picture in a multi-picture collaboration between Fubar and The Solution.  The Solution is also handling worldwide sales on the project. 

Written by Jeremy Drysdale, LIVE! will be co-directed by award winning second unit action directors/stunt coordinators Darrin Prescott & Wade Allen (JOHN WICK, INSURGENT, DRIVE, THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, 2 GUNS) who will make their directorial feature film debut. 

Shot in real time, the original script tracks disgraced cop, Kyle Penny (Eckhart), on his hunt to rescue Police Commissioner Volk’s kidnapped daughter, trapped somewhere in the city with only 80 minutes to live.  A deranged killer on his heels, Penny’s only hope is teaming with Ava Brooks, an ambitious young online reporter who films the wild chase live. 

“There are very few independent action movies being made and this one truly kicks ass,” said producer Nestel. “We’re thrilled to have Aaron star as he will bring an intensity and authenticity to the role of Kyle Penny that will elevate the material to another level.  And with Darrin and Wade at the helm, LIVE! will set the bar for today’s action audiences.  We are so excited that this is the first project that we are partnering with Fubar on and look forward to this being the first of many!” 

“Having worked shoulder to shoulder with Darrin and Wade on several action films over the years, I could not be more amped to watch them in the director’s chair where they will bring out many of the stunts and action sequences they have always wanted to do,” added Williamson.  “Teaming them with a true actor of Aaron’s caliber will create something the action crowd will love.” 

On behalf of Fubar, Colin Bates added: “We are thrilled to be coming onboard LIVE! and to join forces with The Solution in the first of many co-productions. The intensity and uniqueness of the script combined with the talents of Darrin, Wade and Aaron make for a sure fire success.” 

Aaron Eckhart stars opposite Miles Teller in The Solution’s highly anticipated boxing biopic BLEED FOR THIS.  Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, the film will be released by Open Road Films. Eckhart is also starring in MY ALL AMERICAN which will be released in the fall, as well as Blumhouse/Universal’s INCARNATE.  Eckhart’s previous credits include playing Harvey Dent aka “Two-Face” in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed and worldwide box office sensation THE DARK KNIGHT and OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN with Morgan Freeman and Gerard Butler. He will reprise his role in the sequel, LONDON HAS FALLEN, coming to theatres in January 2016 through Focus Features. Eckhart was nominated for a Golden Globe for his leading role in THANK YOU FOR SMOKING. 

Eckhart is represented by CAA and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof + Fishman. Prescott and Allen are managed by Cory Brennan at 5B Artist+Media.

LEGEND Gets A New Trailer With Tom Hardy And Tom Hardy Starring!

If there were ever a dual performance to look forward to, it's with what Mad Max: Fury Road star, actor Tom Hardy appears to have accomplished in acclaimed screenwriter Brian Helgeland's latest, Legend. Based on author John Pearson's 1972 novel, the story here set in London's swinging era bodes just nicely with Hardy immersing himself as Reggie and Ron Kray - two notorious twin brothers with very distinct personalities rising in the criminal ranks. You can imagine what all else factors into that sort of decision making as things mount with more sizzling drama, grit and danger, and it's nice to see such an actor seemingly pulling it off so well.

SYNOPSIS:

From Academy Award® winner Brian Helgeland comes the true story of the rise and fall of London’s most notorious gangsters, Reggie and Ron Kray, both portrayed by Tom Hardy in an amazing double performance. LEGEND is a classic crime thriller taking us into the secret history of the 1960s and the extraordinary events that secured the infamy of the Kray Twins.

The film's release in the U.K. and Ireland has since been booted up two to its new date on September 9. Check out the trailer!

Moviehouse Picks Up Noir Actioner, THE BEAUTIFUL ONES For International Sales

Crime, romance, passion and danger are the major outline in director Jesse Johnson's latest noir action flick, The Beautiful Ones. It certainly bodes as one of the most impressive thrillers I've ever seen, laden with numerous stylish tropes attributed to classic 60's and 70's cinema and celebrity without losing its own sense of identity, and we certianly have actor Ross McCall to thank for that.

The film is currently making the film festival rounds for screening as it just recently premiered for attendees at the Cayfilm Festival last weekend. Incidentally, the challenges of getting a film out and about sooner than later are always long and winding, so you may imagine how rewarding a feeling it is to be one step closer to accomplishment through international representation; I bet Johnson himself understands that feeling now that sales agents in UK-based Moviehouse Pictures have finally picked it up, so this is some pretty good news here, especially if you're looking forward to more quality action cinema.

I also had the pleasure of screening the film myself earlier this month and you don't have to take my word for it, but I think it's safe to say that Moviehouse has a promising product on its hands, and it shouldn't be too long before the U.K. gets a release date of its own after this announcement. Peep it below!

Director Jesse V. Johnson and Producer Anthony Pugliese have appointed UK based Moviehouse Entertainment to handle international sales for his new film The Beautiful Ones. 

The Beautiful Ones stars Ross McCall (24), Fernanda Andrade (The Devil Inside) and Brian Tee (Jurassic World) and is a contemporary re-telling of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet set in Los Angeles’ criminal underworld. With heavy action overtones, stylishly shot in monochrome and set over a matter of a few days, Gabe Tancredi (McCall) relentlessly pursues Eva Romano (Andrade) knowing he’s putting his very life in danger from hit man Casper (Tee) amongst many others. 

Johnson directs The Beautiful Ones following The Package and Green Street Hooligans II amongst others, he’s also an accomplished stuntman with credits including The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Lincoln, Mission Impossible III and War of the Worlds. Johnson is repped by Deborah Del Prete’s Coronet Management. Johnson said ‘I’m delighted to have completed The Beautiful Ones and am really looking forward to seeing the audience reaction to this unusual telling of a classic and think it will appeal to fans of classic cinema.' 

The deal was concluded with Moviehouse Entertainment’s co-managing director and Head of Acquisitions Mark Vennis who said, ‘We’re really happy to have made this deal with Jesse. He’s a film maker of huge talent with a head full of great ideas, The Beautiful Ones being the latest. We think the Distributors will love it.’

Jason Statham Confirms His Return In FURIOUS 8

Lest I be the one to tell you what happens at the end of director James Wan's Spring blockbuster hit, Furious Seven, you can catch the movie in an extended edition Blu-Ray with over 100 minutes of behind-the-scenes content this September. Incidentally, you will also spend some of the best two hours and change of the saga as a whole with film chock-filled with intensity, poignancy and explosive action, followed by a heartfelt farewell to franchise principle, late actor Paul Walker who played Brian O'Connor.

In the meantime, franchise newcomer, action legend Jason Statham was on hand this weekend with several of the principle stars this weekend to usher in Fast And Furious: Supercharged, the newest ride at Universal Studios, and Access Hollywood managed to get in just a few words with Statham about a few things, including the next film, Furious 8. Statham took the villainous reigns in Furious Seven as rogue assassin Deckard Shaw as he sought vengeance against in pursuit of the team who crippled his brother, Owen (Luke Evans) in Furious 6, targeting Dom Toretto as he and his team of road warriors jet-ascend to Abu Dhabi in search of a high-tech super-computer chip that grants anyone the ability to target anyone in the world, anywhere and anytime.

The next installment, Furious 8, is already slated for an April 14, 2017 release, and much to the credit Universal Pictures for the film's $1.5 dollar successful run at the box-office worldwide and beating 2012 superhero flick, Avengers as the highest grossing movie of all time as of this week. Of course, Statham knows all this, as big a deal as it is, and so he gladly graced the interwebs confirming his return to the role of Deckard in his brief one-on-one with Access Hollywood.

Diesel, as well as action superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift star and Furious Seven co-star, actor Lucas Black are among those expected to return for their roles in the next film while the studio plots out the remainder of the Fast And Furious saga. On a seperate note, Statham is also up for a possible return to the role of Chev Chelios in a third installment of the Crank trilogy while recently expressing his interest in sharing some screentime again with his fellow Furious Seven co-star, Thai action star Tony Jaa.

Something tells me either one or both of these will happen. Stay tuned for more info.

Jing Boran Gives Birth To Royalty In The New Trailer For MONSTER HUNT!

China's recent dealings and inner-workings with Hollywood are lending quite a bit of visual muscle these days in Asian cinema. Animation specialist Raman Hui is certainly ready to benefit from this as he's now taking cues from his earlier time at Dreamworks for titles like Antz and the Shrek trilogy for his latest directorial offering, Monster Hunt, in a milestone effort to echo the same production qualit throughout Asia. Edko's Bill Kong produces the film with a script by Hui along with Alan Yuen, and the premise is a perfect fitting for Hui to flex his creative muscle for Asia's Journey To The West crowd.

SYNOPSIS:

In a fantasy world far, far away, monsters ruled the earth. Then came human’s all-out war in an attempt to seize the land. They eventually succeeded in driving the monsters into the dark mountains. Ever since, the two races have lived in their separate worlds, until now. The monster world writhes in chaos as the dark lord plots to overthrow the throne by ordering the assassination of the pregnant monster queen, forcing her to take refuge in the human world. During the deadly pursuit, the dim-witted Tianyin (Jing Boran) is caught up in the middle. In order to save her heir, the dying monster queen spills her egg into Tianyin’s mouth, making him the bearer of the future monster king. Now the most wanted man, Tianyin and the newborn monster’s lives are at stake. Miraculously, rookie monster hunter Xiaonan (Bai Baihe) saves the day. She offers to protect Tianyin under the condition that they sell the newborn monster for a good profit. Who would have thought, the fate of the human and monster races would lie in their hands. Do they have what it takes to confront the danger ahead?

Golden Horse Award nominee, fight choreographer Ku Huan-Chiu (Journey To The West, The Monk) directs the stylish action accompanying many of the special effects-laden shots you'll find, and it looks most impressive. View the trailer right now ahead of its July 16 release, and check out a batch of posters and banners just beneath!

Monster Hunt

A HARD DAY Gets A July Release From Kino Lorber!

Writer and director Kim Seong-hun's recent suspensful thriller, A Hard Day, was one of the most excellent films brought into the fray back in 2014, hitting loads of high-notes among critics and festivalgoers alike after its run in South Korea. Thankfully, a more commercial response for audiences in the U.S. isn't too far off with a select theatrical release date on July 17, and as such, we now have a trailer to accomodate you at the very bottom.

SYNOPSIS:

Driving back from his mother's funeral, homicide detective Gun-soo runs over a man in a dark rural street. In a moment of desperation, he dumps the body in a coffin alongside his mother. A few days later, Gun-soo flips through a listing of open cases and finds his accident victim. His colleague is on the accident case and is slowly making progress. Making matters worse, a witness steps forward, a detective named Park. For a reason unclear to Gun-soo, Park wants the body. Without another choice to depend on, Gun-soo digs his mother's grave and retrieves the body, only to find gunshot wounds on it. As Park's threats become more vicious and hits closer to home, Gun-soo decides to face Park head-on once and for all.

H/T: City On Fire

Mark Romanek To Direct Explosive Heist Biopic, NORCO

One Hour Photo and Never Let Me Go helmer Mark Romanek is poised to direct the new biographical heist thriller and while it's based on a true story, the premise alone is bound to give way for thrilling intensity and heightened drama to accomodate the action. It does also come with the staunch reminder of just how close art has come to imitating life, and especially in the wake of how today's municipal local powers implement authority in America today.

I'm pretty sure that despite any and all upheaval, this is a movie that people are ready for. Cue the press release for Norco from last Monday:

MadRiver Pictures announced today that Mark Romanek (NEVER LET ME GO) is in final negotiations to direct NORCO. MadRiver Pictures will finance and produce the actioner, which is based off a script written by Adair Cole (SAN PATRICIOS). Producers are Marc Butan and Mason Novick (JUNO, RICKI AND THE FLASH) with Edward Fee (THE LAST STAND) executive producing, and Michelle Knudsen (500 DAYS OF SUMMER) co-producing. 

NORCO is inspired by the true story of a 1980 North Corona, California bank robbery and manhunt. The robbers were heavily armed with assault rifles, shotguns and pipe bombs. The subsequent shootout and high speed chase was the most violent in American history, and resulted in the destruction of over 30 police cruisers, the downing of a police helicopter and countless injuries. The famed shootout changed law enforcement forever and resulted in officers arming themselves with automatic weapons, the first step in today’s militarization of the police. 

MadRiver’s Marc Butan said: “Adair wrote a script that tells this story with a raw, almost matter-of-fact intensity that it makes you feel like you are there.  Adding Mark to the mix brings it all home, as he is one of the few filmmakers out there who provides the visual style this piece calls for but also gets the performances from actors. 

Director Mark Romanek is represented by CAA and LBI Entertainment, and writer Adair Cole is represented by UTA and MXN Entertainment. 

Butan launched MadRiver Pictures in Cannes following an initial capitalization from a round of private and strategic investors and a $30 million revolving equity investment from Vendian Entertainment. The company plans to finance and produce a broad slate of 3-4 wide release films per year in the $15-50 million budget range. 

The existing MadRiver Pictures production slate includes: A WILLING PATRIOT starring Liam Neeson, which recently was acquired by Open Road Films; John Hillcoat’s TRIPLE 9 starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet, Aaron Paul and Anthony Mackie, which will also be released by Open Road on September 11, 2015; Burr Steers’ PRIDE & PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES starring Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston and Lena Headey, based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s bestselling novel, which will be released by Screen Gems on February 19, 2016 and James Gray’s THE LOST CITY OF Z starring Charlie Hunnam, which begins principal photography in August.

The New ATTACK ON TITAN Trailer Is Just Ballistic!

There's no doubt in anyone's mind at this point that the fandom behind the hit anime/manga, Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack On Titan is already revved up for Higuchi Shinji's newest live-action adaptation. A first trailer for the sci-fi epic twofer has already circulated the internet as of earlier this year, and now with film just a little over a month away from its release, a brand new trailer is up and running with our heroes armed and in flight!

SYNOPSIS:

The sudden arrival of the Titans–mysterious, gigantic humanoid creatures who devour human beings one after the other–brings mankind to the brink of extinction. Fast-forward more than 100 years later. What remains of the human population now live in relative peace behind massive walls that were erected to defend themselves against the Titans. Yet once again, that peace is shattered when a Titan measuring over 50 meters tall smashes through the wall, allowing a horde of other Titans to enter. The protagonist, Eren, had been resigned to a life confined behind these walls. Nothing I do would make a difference, he thought. But when he joins the “Outer Wall Restoration Team” set up to fight against the Titans, he is reunited with Mikasa, a childhood friend and someone he had long rued not being able to save. The new recruits embark on a mission to obtain explosives, which had become rare and precious, before getting past the waves of Titans to plug the gaping hole in the wall, with humanity’s survival on the line. Will there be a future for Eren and Mikasa, and for mankind itself?

The first of the two-parter premieres in Japan cinemas on August 1 with the second releasing on September 19, and much to the credit of Higuchi's upcoming tie-in live action series set to air on Docomo's dTV streaming service between both films.

Yes, it's a good season to be a fan of this. Watch the new trailer right now!

Dakota Fanning-Led Thriller, BRIMSTONE Begins Production With Kit Harrington Joining The Cast

Filming has reportedly begun for the latest desert survival thriller, Brimstone. Actor Kit Harrington, fresh from his death on HBO's Game Of Thrones has joined the cast according to THR, and will play an outlaw with an integral role in a story led by actress Dakota Fanning (Man On Fire, Push, The Twilight Saga); Both respectively replace Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska who were attached back in February.

SYNOPSIS:

Retribution is coming… 

Prepare yourself. For something very special 

A triumphant epic of survival set in the searing wilds of the Badlands, the menacing inferno of the old American West. A tale of powerful womanhood and resistance against the unforgiving cruelty of a hell on earth. 

Our heroine is Liz, carved from the beautiful wilderness, full of heart and grit, accused of a crime she didn’t commit, hunted by a vengeful Preacher – a diabolical zealot and her twisted nemesis 

But Liz is a genuine survivor; she’s no victim – a woman of fearsome strength who responds with astonishing bravery to claim the better life she and her daughter deserve.

Winter In Wartime helmer Martin Koolhoven writes and directs in reunion with actress Carice Van Houten, with Guy Pearce as the relentless reverend on the hunt. Paul Anderson, Jack Roth and Carla Juri also round out the cast with Els Vandevorst producing for the film's release early next year.

Finnish Indie Superhero Flick, RENDEL, Needs Your Help!

The film industry in most places around the globe haven't exactly been bustling with superhero movies of their own in the wake of all the Marvel and DC fandom at hand. There are some successes though and if you're keen enough, you'll notice them if not already, and it's assuredly a continuing theme you will see from time to time.

Bearing that in mind, enter Finland where roughly seventeen years after conceiving the concept on paper in math class, Finnish filmmaker Jesse Haaja is acting solidly on delivering Finland's newest bilingual action-packed superhero movie, Rendel by next year. Active development and production on the film itself has been on-going for a few years now and it's been largely worth it for Haaja whose support base has drawn many an approving nod from the cast and crew, as well as noted names within and around Cannes like Iron Sky helmer Timo Vuorensola, Big Game cinematographer Mika Orasmaa and War Of The Dead director Marko Makilaakso.

As such, the film had launched crowdfunding measures about a month or more ago, and their latest Indiegogo campaign is ending in just a few days well far from its goal. The money being sought is slated to help give Rendel the extra post-production oomf it needs to impress and dazzle the niche it's meant for, and there's a handful of footage online to help showcase just a glimpse of the potential when finished.

You find some of that footage in a clip released online late last year below the page, as well as the Indiegogo campaign video now up and running.

SYNOPSIS:

RÄMÖ (Kris Gummerus) is a good husband and loving father struggling with unemployment in the country crushed by depression. As a last resort to save his family from bankruptcy, he accepts a job in a criminal organization called VALA. The organization is led by merciless Mr. EROLA (Matti Onnismaa) and his son ROTIKKA (Rami Rusinen). 

In his new job RÄMÖ makes a horrible mistake. As a result, Mr. EROLA orders RÄMÖ, his wife ANETTE (Minttu Tamski) and his daughter ENNI (Roosa-Maria Mäkinen) to be killed. RÄMÖ is woken from his nightmare by a mysterious woman MARLA (Alina Tomnikov), who whispers him the words: every single member of VALA must die. RÄMÖ is no longer the man he used to be. He has become RENDEL and the only reason for his existence is revenge.

The clip is stated to be the first of three, so I imagine there may be more. In the meantime, Haaja needs all the help he can get, so click here and satisfy your curiousity a little more.

Watch The Full Trailer For Choi's Espionage Thriller, ASSASSINATION

Director Choi Dong-hoon's newest period espionage thriller, Assassination, is poised for a limited U.S. release on August 7, 2015 as of a week ago. In the meantime, moviegoers at home in South Korea can look forward to catching this one close to one months from now on July 22, so it's high time we saw a full trailer which is finally online with Choi's enlistment of principles, including actress Gianna Jun and actors Lee Jung-Jae, Oh Dal-su, Ha Jung-Woo, Cho Jin-woong and Lee Kyoung-young.

SYNOPSIS:

Early 1900s Korea was under Japanese occupation and many Korean resistance activists were based in China, hiding from the Japanese authorities.The year 1933 in Shanghai, a command to covertly assassinate the Japanese Army’s commander is given to AHN Ok-yun, a top-notch sniper sentenced to death. For this task, YEM Sek-jin, an agent of the interim government extricates AHN Ok-yun and her comrades from the prison. But the grand plan is exposed to Japan by an internal spy and a hit man, Hawaii-Pistol is being hired to get rid of AHN. The assassination squad arrives in Korea without knowing hit-man's chase. Can she make the impossible mission completed?

No subtitles are available, but the new trailer is jam-packed with action, drama and moments of pure intensity that should keep your hype going. Check it out just below!

Live Action Game Adap, RAMPAGE, Casts Dwayne Johnson!

Hmk... it hasn't exactly been very long since actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made headlines with the upcoming remake of Big Trouble In Little China, on top of the latest series premiere of the HBO original series, Ballers. Point in fact, he's also just off of a hugely successful run having starred in director Brad Peyton's disaster flick, San Andreas lending further credence to his starpower, so it's no wonder that Johnson is still one of the most sought after actors today.

Well, leave it to the various trade sources on Tuesday, including Deadline now circulating the news of Johnson's latest attachment to the forthcoming adaptation of the classic 1986 Midway game, Rampage. New Line Cinema is backing the film with producer Beau Flynn and a script by Non-Stop scribe Ryan Engle which sees Johnson taking on three monsters who ramble and pillage major cities - a gorilla, a lizard and a wolf. No director has been cited yet while FlynnPictureCo. and Rickard Pictures are also behind the film's development and subsequent production slatednfor next summer after Johnson finishes filming scenes for Universal's Furious 8.

Johnson is currently filming Rawson Marshall Thurber's upcoming action comedy, Central Intelligence for next June. Stay tuned for more info!

Universal Pictures Announces FURIOUS SEVEN Home Release Details!

Universal Studios premiered the latest Fast & Furious: Supercharged ride today, headlined by it's star-studded cast. Alas, today was obviously the best day for Universal Pictures to announce the forthcoming extended edition of Furious Seven, directed James Wan. The eighth installment is still developing for its expansion to New York City and elsewhere and a director is still being sought after as far as anyone knows; I'm sure fans are hoping for Justin Lin to return. We'll see.

The unstoppable global franchise built on speed delivers its best, biggest and boldest film yet as Furious 7 blasts onto Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on September 15, 2015 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Grossing over $1.5 billion dollars worldwide at the box office, Furious 7 tears up the screen with more gravity-defying stunts, adrenaline-fueled fight scenes and pulse-pounding action than ever before. The Blu-ray™ features the all new extended edition with even more explosive thrills, along with the official music video of the chart-topping “See You Again” performed by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth and over 90 minutes of exclusive bonus features, making an indispensable addition to the Fast franchise collection. 

The entire Fast & Furious cast unites in purpose for an epic international adventure, hunted by a vengeful assassin from Abu Dhabi to London to Tokyo and the Dominican Republic as they try to retrieve a highly advanced piece of espionage technology, and rescue the gifted hacker who created it. Furious 7 also bids a touching farewell to Paul Walker, an integral member of the Fast family. 

The film reunites franchise favorites Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black and introduces newcomers Jason Statham (The Expendables franchise, The Transporter), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, Gladiator), Tony Jaa (Ong-bak), Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones), Ronda Rousey (The Expendables 3) and Kurt Russell (Poseidon, Escape From New York).

One crew. One last ride. The #Furious7 Extended Edition Blu-ray is coming September 15, 2015! http://t.co/IDxMGA6oG0 https://t.co/tNB2f9F2K8

— #Furious7 (@FastFurious) June 23, 2015

And The New SPIDER-MAN Is...

It's taken three years since Sony revamped Marvel's Spider-Man franchise with actor Andrew Garfield following Tobey MacGuire's preceding trilogy. It begs the question however: How many Spider-Men does it take for a famed comic book movie franchise to work on the big screen?

Yes, you're forgiven if you're fatigued by all of the Spidey-hype. I know I was, and all while Sony was left with a huge epic mess of its own last year through a series of damming e-mail hacks (they're developing a movie on it too, because why not?). Rest assured though, they've picked up the pace since then with both companies merging for a new Spider-Man movie venture all while Marvel continues to blow minds with inked character Miles Morales taking the comic book reigns. The movie itself is keeping its Peter Parker iteration though, and more annoucements are to come after today. Until then, there were six candidates before there were two, and now actor Tom Holland is poised as the lead for a 2017 release.

The actor also just completed Brendan Muldowney's upcoming period epic, Pilgrimage, which is now in post production and is pending for a release later this year, so Marvel's announcement was pretty timely.

Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios are proud to announce that after a full worldwide casting search, Tom Holland will play Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the next Spider-Man film, in theaters in IMAX and 3D on July 28, 2017.  The film will be directed by Jon Watts, director of "Cop Car," the upcoming thriller that made its debut earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.  

Marvel and Sony Pictures, and producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal conducted an extensive search for both the actor and the director.  The studios and producers were impressed by Holland’s performances in "The Impossible," “Wolf Hall,” and the upcoming "In the Heart of the Sea," and by a series of complex screen tests.  Following Marvel’s tradition of working with the brightest next wave of directors, Watts also went through multiple meetings with Feige, Pascal, and the studio, before winning the job. 

Commenting on the announcement, Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group Chairman, said, “It’s a big day here at Sony. Kevin, Amy and their teams have done an incredible job.  The Marvel process is very thorough, and that’s why their results are so outstanding.  I’m confident Spider-Man will be no exception.  I’ve worked with a number of up-and-coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is just such an outstanding talent.  For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom’s screen tests were special.   All in all, we are off to a roaring start.” 

Feige commented, “As with James Gunn, Joss Whedon, and the Russo brothers, we love finding new and exciting voices to bring these characters to life.  We spent a lot of time with Jon and find his take and work inspiring.” 

Pascal added, “Sony, Marvel, Kevin and I all knew that for Peter Parker, we had to find a vibrant, talented young actor capable of embodying one of the most well-known characters in the world.  With Tom, we’ve found the perfect actor to bring Spider-Man’s story into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.” 

Sony Pictures will finance and release worldwide the next installment of the $4 billion Spider-Man franchise on July 28, 2017, in a film co-produced by Kevin Feige and his expert team at Marvel and Amy Pascal, who oversaw the franchise launch for the studio 13 years ago. Together, they will collaborate on a new creative direction for the Web-Slinger. 

Spider-Man, embraced all over the world, is the most successful franchise in the history of Sony Pictures, with the five films having taken in more than $4 billion worldwide.