Bill Kong is cautious, vastly experienced and has an impeccable reputation as a key gateway between Hollywood and China to maintain. He is someone far more likely to deadpan than gush.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
So, to hear him getting into high gear with a pitch for his bucket list martial arts movie project “The Furious” immediately invites comparison with previous Kong-produced action pictures including Oscar-winner “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Jet Li’s Fearless” or the Zhang Yimou-directed “Hero.”
“I’m going to do an action movie that rocks the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give the film industry. I want to show that Asian people can still make an action movie that is better than the rest of the world,” Kong tells Variety.
Significantly, “The Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, rather than made in Hong Kong. Kong’s Edko Films is financing and producing.
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Squid Game star O Yeong-Su has been convicted of sexual misconduct over allegations he hugged and kissed a woman on the cheek against her wishes.
O was one of the stand-out performers in Netflix’s global megahit Squid Game, garnering a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Oh Il-nam.
According to reports in Korea, O was sentenced to up to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, by the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court.
The 79-year-old was charged in 2022 over allegations that he hugged a woman and kissed her on the cheek in 2017, per Korean news agency Yonhap.
He denied the charges and, after leaving court on Friday, told reporters that he would appeal the ruling, which included attending a 40-hour sexual offender treatment program.
O has previously said he held the woman’s hand to guide her around a lake. “I apologized because [the person] said she...
O was one of the stand-out performers in Netflix’s global megahit Squid Game, garnering a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Oh Il-nam.
According to reports in Korea, O was sentenced to up to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, by the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court.
The 79-year-old was charged in 2022 over allegations that he hugged a woman and kissed her on the cheek in 2017, per Korean news agency Yonhap.
He denied the charges and, after leaving court on Friday, told reporters that he would appeal the ruling, which included attending a 40-hour sexual offender treatment program.
O has previously said he held the woman’s hand to guide her around a lake. “I apologized because [the person] said she...
- 3/15/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Ween have canceled the April dates of their 40th anniversary US tour as Michael “Dean Ween” Melchiondo temporarily steps away from performing live to work on his mental health.
“At this moment in time… I need to step away from performing live in order to preserve my mental and spiritual well being, and instead focus on myself and loved ones,” the band’s co-founder and lead guitarist wrote in a social media statement. “I know this will come as a disappointment and with great inconvenience to many people who bought tickets and made travel plans, and for this I sincerely apologize.”
To close out the note, Dean Ween promised to return to the stage with the “enthusiasm, joy, and renewed sense of inspiration that our fans deserve, and that I require of myself when we play live.” Ticketholders will automatically receive a refund from the original point of purchase.
As of publishing,...
“At this moment in time… I need to step away from performing live in order to preserve my mental and spiritual well being, and instead focus on myself and loved ones,” the band’s co-founder and lead guitarist wrote in a social media statement. “I know this will come as a disappointment and with great inconvenience to many people who bought tickets and made travel plans, and for this I sincerely apologize.”
To close out the note, Dean Ween promised to return to the stage with the “enthusiasm, joy, and renewed sense of inspiration that our fans deserve, and that I require of myself when we play live.” Ticketholders will automatically receive a refund from the original point of purchase.
As of publishing,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Attention all chocolate enthusiasts! “The Pioneer Woman” is back with Season 35, and it’s sweeter than ever with an episode titled “Simply Chocolate 4 Ways.” Tune in to Food Network at 10:00 Am on Saturday, February 3, 2024, for a mouthwatering journey into the world of chocolate, hosted by the delightful Ree Drummond.
In this delectable episode, Ree whips up an array of chocolatey delights that will satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. First up, she crafts Triple Chocolate Mini Muffins that are not only indulgent but also incredibly easy to make. Then, she takes a shortcut to create Chocolatey Biscuit Donuts, ensuring a quick and delightful treat for chocolate lovers on the go.
But the chocolate extravaganza doesn’t stop there! Ree presents her homemade Peanut Butter Cups, taking this classic favorite to a whole new level of deliciousness. And to top it all off, she introduces viewers to the social media sensation,...
In this delectable episode, Ree whips up an array of chocolatey delights that will satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. First up, she crafts Triple Chocolate Mini Muffins that are not only indulgent but also incredibly easy to make. Then, she takes a shortcut to create Chocolatey Biscuit Donuts, ensuring a quick and delightful treat for chocolate lovers on the go.
But the chocolate extravaganza doesn’t stop there! Ree presents her homemade Peanut Butter Cups, taking this classic favorite to a whole new level of deliciousness. And to top it all off, she introduces viewers to the social media sensation,...
- 1/27/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
It's fair to wonder just how "necessary" a movie like "Wonka" truly is. Billed as a prequel to the 1971 Mel Stuart-directed and Gene Wilder-starring classic "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," the upcoming film stars Timothée Chalamet in the title role of a story about discovering how, as the marketing puts it, "Willy became Wonka" ... which I can honestly say is a question that never once crossed my mind before. Still, at the very least, all my fellow sweet-tooths out there are guaranteed to get their fill of chocolatey goodness, which is apparently something that translated to the actual production of the film, as well.
We previously wrote about how the filming of "Wonka" required the presence of an actual, on-set chocolatier to help bring that extra layer of verisimilitude to the cast. However, as it so happens, that went further than we originally thought. Not only did...
We previously wrote about how the filming of "Wonka" required the presence of an actual, on-set chocolatier to help bring that extra layer of verisimilitude to the cast. However, as it so happens, that went further than we originally thought. Not only did...
- 9/18/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Vijay fans are eagerly waiting for the release of his upcoming film Leo, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. But, even before that, there is a lot of buzz around his next project, tentatively titled Thalapathy 68. The film, which will be directed by Venkat Prabhu, is said to be a sci-fi thriller with a futuristic theme. The film will also mark the reunion of Vijay and Yuvan Shankar Raja, who last worked together in Pudhiya Geethai in 2003.
According to a report by Times of India1, Thalapathy 68 will have a cameo role, which the team has approached Bollywood stars for. The report claims that talks are going on with Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, who are also being considered for the role. If this turns out to be true, it will be a huge boost for the film’s pan-Indian appeal. Vijay has previously shared screen space with Shah Rukh...
According to a report by Times of India1, Thalapathy 68 will have a cameo role, which the team has approached Bollywood stars for. The report claims that talks are going on with Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, who are also being considered for the role. If this turns out to be true, it will be a huge boost for the film’s pan-Indian appeal. Vijay has previously shared screen space with Shah Rukh...
- 9/8/2023
- by amalprasadappu
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
Back on the Strip is a comedy movie directed by Chris Spencer from a screenplay by Chris Daniel and Eric Spencer. The comedy movie follows the story of Merlin (Spence Moore II), who moves to Las Vegas in hopes of making it as a magician, but instead because of his good looks and great body gets recruited into the Black male strippers The Chocolate Chips. Back on the Strip also stars Wesley Snipes and Tiffany Haddish. So, if you loved Back on the Strip here are some similar movies you should watch next.
The Full Monty Credit – 20th Century Fox
Synopsis: Six unemployed men, inspired by a touring group of male strippers, decide they can make a small fortune by putting on a striptease show of their own-but with one small difference. They intend to go the “full monty” and strip completely naked! In this hilarious, heartfelt comedy, these six...
The Full Monty Credit – 20th Century Fox
Synopsis: Six unemployed men, inspired by a touring group of male strippers, decide they can make a small fortune by putting on a striptease show of their own-but with one small difference. They intend to go the “full monty” and strip completely naked! In this hilarious, heartfelt comedy, these six...
- 8/24/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
New Delhi, Aug 20 (Ians) For the longest time, theatre actor and director Lushin Dubey was the youngest member in Delhi-based Barry John’s ‘Theatre Action Group’ (Tag) where she was part of mega productions by major playwrights. However, when she came back after a Master’s degree from the US where she learned about working with special needs children, she felt a certain pull towards contemporary social issues which demanded to be talked about.
Dubey came across Pinky Virani’s work ‘Aruna Story’ and approached her for the rights, but they had already been sold. “So I picked up her ‘Bitter Chocolate’ — I found it very relevant considering there was a need to talk about sexual abuse which had for long being pushed under the carpet but was now being talked about.”
The actor approached theatre director Arvind Gaur of New Delhi-based Asmita theatre group and they teamed up for the production.
Dubey came across Pinky Virani’s work ‘Aruna Story’ and approached her for the rights, but they had already been sold. “So I picked up her ‘Bitter Chocolate’ — I found it very relevant considering there was a need to talk about sexual abuse which had for long being pushed under the carpet but was now being talked about.”
The actor approached theatre director Arvind Gaur of New Delhi-based Asmita theatre group and they teamed up for the production.
- 8/20/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Like the first day of Lollapalooza 2023, Day Two featured competing headliners that vied for some 100,000+ people’s attention. On one side was the 1975, whose frontman Matty Healy has been making headlines, and on the other was one of the greatest rappers of all time, Kendrick Lamar.
Unlike Thursday, where it felt like every person was there to see Billie Eilish, Friday’s finales were more equally divided. So while Lamar headlined the bigger end of the park, both artists’ sides were comfortably packed at set time.
Of course, there was...
Unlike Thursday, where it felt like every person was there to see Billie Eilish, Friday’s finales were more equally divided. So while Lamar headlined the bigger end of the park, both artists’ sides were comfortably packed at set time.
Of course, there was...
- 8/5/2023
- by Althea Legaspi, Nina Corcoran and Waiss Aramesh
- Rollingstone.com
Reality TV star Kylie Jenner and actor Timothee Chalamet’s romance is reportedly over. If a new report is to be believed, Kylie “got dumped” by the ‘Call Me by Your Name’ actor after seven months of dating, reports aceshowbiz.com.
An insider told Life & Style that the mom of two blames their split on their busy schedule.
“She is telling people that things between them naturally fizzled out because they’re both busy and traveling,” the source claimed.
However, “friends are whispering that Kylie got dumped.” They also suspected that the “Dune” actor used her for publicity for his upcoming ‘Wonka’ movie.
The former star of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” allegedly tried to look like she was unfazed by the separation. “Kylie is playing it casual, but her friends know this must sting. Timothee was the first guy she really spent time with after splitting from (Travis Scott...
An insider told Life & Style that the mom of two blames their split on their busy schedule.
“She is telling people that things between them naturally fizzled out because they’re both busy and traveling,” the source claimed.
However, “friends are whispering that Kylie got dumped.” They also suspected that the “Dune” actor used her for publicity for his upcoming ‘Wonka’ movie.
The former star of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” allegedly tried to look like she was unfazed by the separation. “Kylie is playing it casual, but her friends know this must sting. Timothee was the first guy she really spent time with after splitting from (Travis Scott...
- 8/2/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
NYC Weekend Watch is our weekly round-up of repertory offerings.
Film Forum
A celebration of Ozu’s 120th birthday brings a massive series, with many playing on 35mm; a retrospective on New York movies continues with Carpenter, Mel Brooks, Cassavetes, Polanski, Woody Allen, and more; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plays on 35mm this Sunday.
Film at Lincoln Center
A retrospective of the great, underseen Marco Ferreri begins with a series of imported 35mm prints.
Roxy Cinema
35mm prints of Blade Runner, Cruising, and Control screen this weekend, while Happy Together also plays.
Museum of the Moving Image
An Asteroid City-themed series programmed by Wes Anderson and Jake Perlin includes Close Encounters and three films by the Maysles; Fassbinder’s Querelle plays in a queer cinema series.
Museum of Modern Art
A tribute to casting directors Ellen Lewis and Laura Rosenthal brings prints of Broadway Danny Rose and I’m Not There,...
Film Forum
A celebration of Ozu’s 120th birthday brings a massive series, with many playing on 35mm; a retrospective on New York movies continues with Carpenter, Mel Brooks, Cassavetes, Polanski, Woody Allen, and more; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plays on 35mm this Sunday.
Film at Lincoln Center
A retrospective of the great, underseen Marco Ferreri begins with a series of imported 35mm prints.
Roxy Cinema
35mm prints of Blade Runner, Cruising, and Control screen this weekend, while Happy Together also plays.
Museum of the Moving Image
An Asteroid City-themed series programmed by Wes Anderson and Jake Perlin includes Close Encounters and three films by the Maysles; Fassbinder’s Querelle plays in a queer cinema series.
Museum of Modern Art
A tribute to casting directors Ellen Lewis and Laura Rosenthal brings prints of Broadway Danny Rose and I’m Not There,...
- 6/9/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Although they’ve only starred in two movies together, Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp have proven to be a formidable team.
The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango finds the duo doing what they’ve been doing so successfully — you guessed it (the title gives it away), dancing!
The Christmas Waltz and Love, Romance & Chocolate were rom-coms, so although they’ll be dancing again, the romance may be a little more elusive, but never too far from our grasp.
As the story goes, Chabert stars as Constance Bailey, a no-nonsense detective who insists on doing things her way.
So far, that has meant doing everything alone.
Sure, she gets results, but it’s not like she hasn’t been looking for a partner. She has, but her stubbornness ensures they don’t hang around for long.
Partnerships can be very helpful in life, and Bailey’s career is wilting on the vine without one.
The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango finds the duo doing what they’ve been doing so successfully — you guessed it (the title gives it away), dancing!
The Christmas Waltz and Love, Romance & Chocolate were rom-coms, so although they’ll be dancing again, the romance may be a little more elusive, but never too far from our grasp.
As the story goes, Chabert stars as Constance Bailey, a no-nonsense detective who insists on doing things her way.
So far, that has meant doing everything alone.
Sure, she gets results, but it’s not like she hasn’t been looking for a partner. She has, but her stubbornness ensures they don’t hang around for long.
Partnerships can be very helpful in life, and Bailey’s career is wilting on the vine without one.
- 5/31/2023
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
Ryan Reynolds is adding fuel to the Taylor Swift and Matty Mealy dating rumour mill.
The Canadian superstar, 46, posted an Instagram Story on Wednesday, seemingly teasing the country-pop sensation about her new rumoured relationship with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy.
The “Deadpool” actor shared a snap of himself along with the hit song “Chocolate” by 1975 with the caption “Zoom Zoom” with no further context, which has led some to speculate whether the star was sending a wink and nudge in Swift’s direction.
Read More: Ryan Reynolds Plans To Bid Over $1 Billion To Purchase Ottawa Senators: Report
Ryan Reynolds — Photo: @vancityreynolds/Instagram Story
Reynolds sent out the cheeky pic to his 49 million Instagram followers as Swift, 33, is currently in the headlines for her rumoured romance with Healy, 34.
The potentially mini-trolling attempt is all in good fun as Swift and Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively, 35, maintain a strong friendship. The three...
The Canadian superstar, 46, posted an Instagram Story on Wednesday, seemingly teasing the country-pop sensation about her new rumoured relationship with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy.
The “Deadpool” actor shared a snap of himself along with the hit song “Chocolate” by 1975 with the caption “Zoom Zoom” with no further context, which has led some to speculate whether the star was sending a wink and nudge in Swift’s direction.
Read More: Ryan Reynolds Plans To Bid Over $1 Billion To Purchase Ottawa Senators: Report
Ryan Reynolds — Photo: @vancityreynolds/Instagram Story
Reynolds sent out the cheeky pic to his 49 million Instagram followers as Swift, 33, is currently in the headlines for her rumoured romance with Healy, 34.
The potentially mini-trolling attempt is all in good fun as Swift and Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively, 35, maintain a strong friendship. The three...
- 5/12/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
Brings a barrage of memories, doesn’t it?
It was the era of good music playing across the Indian mainstream as opposed to the current times when barring a few exceptions, all you hear are singers setting their voices to melodyne or auto-tune, and composers heavily synthesising their melodies to make it “audience friendly”.
However, true art and artistic integrity always make their way around as they transcend the boundaries of space and time, and Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, professionally known as Xulfi, is a true testament of this fact.
Xulfi is the lead singer of the Pakistani band ‘Call’ and is the one who sang ‘Laree Chootee’ and even featured in its music video which cross-cuts between two worlds of ‘Call’ performing for the screen and Abhay and Neha Dhupia dancing to the tune.
While in India, the larger audience may remember him for just ‘Laree Chootee’, across the border,...
It was the era of good music playing across the Indian mainstream as opposed to the current times when barring a few exceptions, all you hear are singers setting their voices to melodyne or auto-tune, and composers heavily synthesising their melodies to make it “audience friendly”.
However, true art and artistic integrity always make their way around as they transcend the boundaries of space and time, and Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, professionally known as Xulfi, is a true testament of this fact.
Xulfi is the lead singer of the Pakistani band ‘Call’ and is the one who sang ‘Laree Chootee’ and even featured in its music video which cross-cuts between two worlds of ‘Call’ performing for the screen and Abhay and Neha Dhupia dancing to the tune.
While in India, the larger audience may remember him for just ‘Laree Chootee’, across the border,...
- 5/2/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
John Lennon‘s “Give Peace a Chance” has bizarre lyrics. Notably, the band Hot Chocolate released a reggae version of the song with new lyrics. John unexpectedly embraced the song.
A sign referencing John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” | Gary Gershoff / Contributor A member of the band Hot Chocolate felt his musical talent was miraculous
During a 1998 interview in The Independent, Hot Chocolate member Errol Brown discussed how the band came together. “Back in 1968, through mutual friends, I met Tony Wilson, whose flat was almost opposite mine,” he said.
“Round this time, I began to get melodies in my head,” he continued. “Normally, I wouldn’t take any notice of them, but one day when Tony was driving the car, it happened again. Instead of ignoring the tune, I started to hum it aloud. He asked me what it was. ‘Just something that popped into my mind,’ I replied.
A sign referencing John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” | Gary Gershoff / Contributor A member of the band Hot Chocolate felt his musical talent was miraculous
During a 1998 interview in The Independent, Hot Chocolate member Errol Brown discussed how the band came together. “Back in 1968, through mutual friends, I met Tony Wilson, whose flat was almost opposite mine,” he said.
“Round this time, I began to get melodies in my head,” he continued. “Normally, I wouldn’t take any notice of them, but one day when Tony was driving the car, it happened again. Instead of ignoring the tune, I started to hum it aloud. He asked me what it was. ‘Just something that popped into my mind,’ I replied.
- 4/29/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The actor is known for roles in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Still Walking’ and ‘After the Storm’ among others.
Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe is to be honoured with the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the 16th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong next month.
The actor is known internationally for roles in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Still Walking and After The Storm, and Hideki Takeuchi’s Thermæ Romæ, for which he won his first Japan Academy Film Prize in 2013.
Abe will accept the award at the awards ceremony, which is set to be held in Hong Kong on March 12. The nominations were announced last month.
Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe is to be honoured with the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the 16th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong next month.
The actor is known internationally for roles in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Still Walking and After The Storm, and Hideki Takeuchi’s Thermæ Romæ, for which he won his first Japan Academy Film Prize in 2013.
Abe will accept the award at the awards ceremony, which is set to be held in Hong Kong on March 12. The nominations were announced last month.
- 2/6/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Fifth Season Distribution Team
Fifth Season, the TV company previously known as Endeavor Content, has announced a raft of executive appointments that constitute a major expansion of its Europe-Middle East-Africa television distribution team.
Jennifer Ebell has been promoted from senior VP of Emea sales to executive VP of Emea sales and acquisitions. Under this expanded role, Ebell will now oversee the company’s London-based acquisitions team, which is led by Liz Tang, who was recently promoted from director, content to executive director, acquisitions. Ava Mustos also joined the team in January as associate director of acquisitions from BBC Studios, reporting to Tang.
Additionally, Fabio Tinchant has been promoted from executive director sales, French Europe, Cee, Mena & Turkey to VP sales for the same markets, with the addition of southern Europe to his remit. Based in Rome, Maria Grazia Ursino has also joined as director, southern Europe.
Additionally, the company is making new hires.
Fifth Season, the TV company previously known as Endeavor Content, has announced a raft of executive appointments that constitute a major expansion of its Europe-Middle East-Africa television distribution team.
Jennifer Ebell has been promoted from senior VP of Emea sales to executive VP of Emea sales and acquisitions. Under this expanded role, Ebell will now oversee the company’s London-based acquisitions team, which is led by Liz Tang, who was recently promoted from director, content to executive director, acquisitions. Ava Mustos also joined the team in January as associate director of acquisitions from BBC Studios, reporting to Tang.
Additionally, Fabio Tinchant has been promoted from executive director sales, French Europe, Cee, Mena & Turkey to VP sales for the same markets, with the addition of southern Europe to his remit. Based in Rome, Maria Grazia Ursino has also joined as director, southern Europe.
Additionally, the company is making new hires.
- 2/6/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
It feels just like last month we were complimenting Hulu on its true crime offerings. Well, with its list of new releases for February 2023, Hulu is staying in the true crime lane. Suppose that’ll happen when you push back the release date of a series or two.
February sees the arrival of three notable true crime series on Hulu. Taiwan Crime Stories premieres on Feb. 1 and presents four true tales from Taiwan’s criminal “dark underbelly.” That will be followed by ABC News Studios’ Killing County on Feb. 3. That three-episode series ponders the question “what happens when police kill?” The most interesting true crime offering premieres on Feb. 9. That’s when Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence College shares its four-episode saga of Larry Ray and the young college students he victimized.
As far as non true crime offerings go, the third and final season of Hulu...
February sees the arrival of three notable true crime series on Hulu. Taiwan Crime Stories premieres on Feb. 1 and presents four true tales from Taiwan’s criminal “dark underbelly.” That will be followed by ABC News Studios’ Killing County on Feb. 3. That three-episode series ponders the question “what happens when police kill?” The most interesting true crime offering premieres on Feb. 9. That’s when Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence College shares its four-episode saga of Larry Ray and the young college students he victimized.
As far as non true crime offerings go, the third and final season of Hulu...
- 2/1/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Matty Healy has opened up about how his early sexual experiences meant he struggled with relationships when The 1975 became famous.
The band, who formed in 2002, found fame in 2013 with their singles “Sex” and “Chocolate”.
In a new interview with The Guardian, singer Healy said that he was already struggling with his mental health before the band began.
“F*** it, I’ve never said this before, but I’ll be totally honest with you,” he said. “I’m not going to be specific, but I had some early sexual experiences that, as I got older, were really, really difficult to deal with. It wasn’t to do with anything that happened in my family or at home, it was these… different things that happened.
“So my mental health had come through the negotiation of sex as a teenager and a young man, and romantic relationships.”
As a result, Healy says he...
The band, who formed in 2002, found fame in 2013 with their singles “Sex” and “Chocolate”.
In a new interview with The Guardian, singer Healy said that he was already struggling with his mental health before the band began.
“F*** it, I’ve never said this before, but I’ll be totally honest with you,” he said. “I’m not going to be specific, but I had some early sexual experiences that, as I got older, were really, really difficult to deal with. It wasn’t to do with anything that happened in my family or at home, it was these… different things that happened.
“So my mental health had come through the negotiation of sex as a teenager and a young man, and romantic relationships.”
As a result, Healy says he...
- 9/2/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Music
The series Akosua Adoma Owusu: The Hair Trilogy is showing on Mubi starting February 24, 2022.White Afro“What are you?”It’s the question I’m most frequently asked. I wish it were in the sense of my life philosophy or allegiances, but it’s because my appearance is just “ethnic” enough to confound whatever categories people have floating around in their heads. If I suggest that the answer is neither important, nor their business, nor polite to push for, the querent gets indignant or guileless. Often they offer their own heritage as proof demanding someone define their genetic makeup/identity (two different categories frequently conflated) isn’t rude. Though rarely meant with malice, repeatedly being asked what you are defines what you are clearly not: the default. At best it’s exoticism, but mostly it’s exhausting.In his 1903 book The Soul of Black People, W.E.B. DuBois coined and defined “double consciousness,...
- 2/24/2022
- MUBI
Zen is a Drama series focussing on an Italian detective Aurelio Zen, who is an honest cop and puts his heart and soul in solving crimes in town but also finds it difficult being the only honest cop around. In this episode, Zen is sent to a remote village in Italy to re-investigate a […]
The post Zen investigates the Murder of a Professional Fixer and tries to avoid a Political Scandal appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Zen investigates the Murder of a Professional Fixer and tries to avoid a Political Scandal appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/11/2021
- by Akansha
- ShockYa
We love these products, and we hope you do too. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not E!. Giving fitness gifts can be a bit of a minefield, but it doesn't have to be. We're of one mindset when it comes to this category: each gift should be fun! After all, working out can be a grind… so shouldn't you gift items that can make that grind a little more enjoyable—or at the very least, more fashionable? That's why we made this list of 20 goodies you can give to the Hiit fanatic, the obsessive runner, the pilates powerhouse, the zen yogini… pretty much anyone and everyone on your list who loves to...
- 10/26/2021
- E! Online
Grandson and Jessie Reyez find themselves in the fight of their lives in the new music video for “Rain,” their collaboration for James Gunn’s upcoming movie The Suicide Squad.
The new clip pairs footage from The Suicide Squad with a parallel narrative in which Grandson and Reyez find themselves in a club being roughed up by some very large paramilitary goons. With the actual Suicide Squad indisposed, it’s up to the two musicians to take matters into their own hands, and the clip ends with a big blowout...
The new clip pairs footage from The Suicide Squad with a parallel narrative in which Grandson and Reyez find themselves in a club being roughed up by some very large paramilitary goons. With the actual Suicide Squad indisposed, it’s up to the two musicians to take matters into their own hands, and the clip ends with a big blowout...
- 7/23/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Banmei Takahashi started out in the 70s as a scriptwriter for the pinku eiga (soft-porn) pioneer Koji Wakamatsu, until he founded his own production company and produced over 40 erotic movies. Takahashi’s first steps out of the adult industry came with the success of his crime flick “Tattoo Ari” (1982), which was based on the infamous Japanese mass murderer Akiyoshi Umekawa. “Tattoo Ari” became the turning point in Takahashi’s career and opened the gates to mainstream filmmaking. 27 years later, “Tattoo Ari” was followed by another biopic. But this time it wasn’t about a criminal, but about the Japanese monk Dogen Zenji, who brought Soto Zen Buddhism from China to Japan in the 13th century.
Buy This Title
So what is the movie about?
Caused by the shocking experience of his mother’s death, Dogen chooses to live as a monk. This marks the beginning of Takahashi’s movie. The...
Buy This Title
So what is the movie about?
Caused by the shocking experience of his mother’s death, Dogen chooses to live as a monk. This marks the beginning of Takahashi’s movie. The...
- 4/12/2020
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
MollywoodThe actor’s portrayal of a transperson in ‘Njan Marykutty’ won him an international award – Best Actor at the Cincinnati Film Festival.CV AravindRight from appearing as a deaf person in his debut film as hero, Oomapenninu Uriyadappayyan directed by Vinayan, Jayasurya, the mimicry artist who turned TV host and then made a transition to cinema, showed he was an actor with plenty of potential waiting to be tapped. Vinayan also cast him in En Manavanil, the Tamil remake of Oomapenninu, released in the same year, 2002. Jayasurya, who earned a Special Mention from the National Film Jury for his role as a bank manager with a stammering problem in the Ranjith Sankar directed Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam, has now gone one better by netting an international award for Best Actor at the Cincinnati Film Festival for his outstanding portrayal of a trans person in Njan Marykutty, again directed by Ranjith Sankar.
- 10/13/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
Vivek Agnihorti is a director who is known for his unique and varied films. From his debut Chocolate (2005) to Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal in 2007, to 2014’s Buddha in a Traffic Jam, Agnihotri presents cinema that always tells an intriguing story in a very stylistic way. His rare films, that garner rave reviews, are ones that have not been done and seen in cinema before.
His newest film, which is in theaters now, is another completely different project with a unique and intriguing way of telling a story. The Tashkent Files tackles the mystery of the death second Prime Minister of Independent India Lal Bahadur Shastri, Shahstri died under mysterious circumstances in Tashkent Uzbekistan, (which was a part of Soviet Russia back then), hours after signing the peace accord with Pakistan, and a whole new set of truths, each different from the other started to emerge.
Let’s set the stage...
His newest film, which is in theaters now, is another completely different project with a unique and intriguing way of telling a story. The Tashkent Files tackles the mystery of the death second Prime Minister of Independent India Lal Bahadur Shastri, Shahstri died under mysterious circumstances in Tashkent Uzbekistan, (which was a part of Soviet Russia back then), hours after signing the peace accord with Pakistan, and a whole new set of truths, each different from the other started to emerge.
Let’s set the stage...
- 4/15/2019
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday.
Last weekend saw the release of Claire Denis’ “Let the Sunshine In,” starring one of the only famous actors in the world *not* to appear in “Infinity War:” The great Juliette Binoche. From her indelible work with legendary auteurs like Jean-Luc Godard, Abbas Kiarostami, and Hou Hsiao-hsien, to her standout performances in more traditional fare like “The English Patient” and “Chocolate,” very few people in the film world have built such a dynamic and impressive body of work.
This week’s question: What is Juliette Binoche’s best performance?
Max Weiss (@maxthegirl), Baltimore Magazine
Holy smokes, Juliette Binoche has great taste in material! She also doesn’t give bad performances—and mostly gives great ones—so this was a toughie. I seriously considered her sexy and enigmatic performance in Abbas Kiarostami’s...
Last weekend saw the release of Claire Denis’ “Let the Sunshine In,” starring one of the only famous actors in the world *not* to appear in “Infinity War:” The great Juliette Binoche. From her indelible work with legendary auteurs like Jean-Luc Godard, Abbas Kiarostami, and Hou Hsiao-hsien, to her standout performances in more traditional fare like “The English Patient” and “Chocolate,” very few people in the film world have built such a dynamic and impressive body of work.
This week’s question: What is Juliette Binoche’s best performance?
Max Weiss (@maxthegirl), Baltimore Magazine
Holy smokes, Juliette Binoche has great taste in material! She also doesn’t give bad performances—and mostly gives great ones—so this was a toughie. I seriously considered her sexy and enigmatic performance in Abbas Kiarostami’s...
- 4/30/2018
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Female-fronted action movies like Tomb Raider are becoming more popular than ever before. That makes now a perfect opportunity to look back at some previously stellar, but less widely known examples.
While the female-led action films have been released since the dawn of cinema, they remain less than a common occurrence in theaters. Until now, studios just haven’t had the same confidence that audiences will turn out for female action heroes much in the same way that they do for male ones. Part of this reason is the stereotypes associated with the genre, and the connections we have with certain actors filling familiar roles. However, just because there aren’t a lot of female-led action films doesn’t mean they haven’t been any good. This is an example of 10 female-led action films which might not be that familiar to you, but definitely deserve to be.
Yes, Madam! (1985) [aka Ultra Force 2, or The Super Cops]
Director: Corey Yuen
Starring: Michelle Yeoh,...
While the female-led action films have been released since the dawn of cinema, they remain less than a common occurrence in theaters. Until now, studios just haven’t had the same confidence that audiences will turn out for female action heroes much in the same way that they do for male ones. Part of this reason is the stereotypes associated with the genre, and the connections we have with certain actors filling familiar roles. However, just because there aren’t a lot of female-led action films doesn’t mean they haven’t been any good. This is an example of 10 female-led action films which might not be that familiar to you, but definitely deserve to be.
Yes, Madam! (1985) [aka Ultra Force 2, or The Super Cops]
Director: Corey Yuen
Starring: Michelle Yeoh,...
- 3/14/2018
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
In order to be a great martial art film, a movie just has to follow one rule: keep audiences entertained. Those films produced in Thailand manage to do just that, earning the praise of being home to some of the best martial arts movies. The films may lack a serious story-line, but the incredible choreography more than makes up for it all.
Narrowing down the movies to find the best is no easy task, but we came up with what we feel are the top five best Thai martial arts films. Each movie in our list features the enchanting choreography from the late famed director and martial artist Panna Rittikrai. His films used no CGI to show off each actor’s athletic prowess.
Born to Fight (2004)
This remake of the 1986 film bears little resemblance to it beyond a title. Nevertheless, it is just as action-packed and entertaining. It follows Deaw,...
Narrowing down the movies to find the best is no easy task, but we came up with what we feel are the top five best Thai martial arts films. Each movie in our list features the enchanting choreography from the late famed director and martial artist Panna Rittikrai. His films used no CGI to show off each actor’s athletic prowess.
Born to Fight (2004)
This remake of the 1986 film bears little resemblance to it beyond a title. Nevertheless, it is just as action-packed and entertaining. It follows Deaw,...
- 8/12/2017
- by Jason Maine
- AsianMoviePulse
Katie Smith-Wong May 31, 2017
With plans afoot for a live action take on Mulan, we look at the challenges facing Disney...
After more than 50 years of making animated features, Disney have now turned their attention to live-action adaptations of their famous films. After releases such as 101 Dalmatians (1996), Maleficent (2014) and Cinderella (2015), the studio's new creative direction has earned critical acclaim and financial success. It is also making its mark on the global box office, as the recently released Beauty And The Beast remake has earned small change in the region of $1.2bn and counting.
Among the upcoming remakes planned is Mulan, which already has fans of the 1998 Disney film debating about its faithfulness to the animated feature. That's especially so given reports about director Niki Caro's indecisiveness regarding the inclusion of songs such as Honour To Us All and I'll Make A Man Out Of You, as well as the...
With plans afoot for a live action take on Mulan, we look at the challenges facing Disney...
After more than 50 years of making animated features, Disney have now turned their attention to live-action adaptations of their famous films. After releases such as 101 Dalmatians (1996), Maleficent (2014) and Cinderella (2015), the studio's new creative direction has earned critical acclaim and financial success. It is also making its mark on the global box office, as the recently released Beauty And The Beast remake has earned small change in the region of $1.2bn and counting.
Among the upcoming remakes planned is Mulan, which already has fans of the 1998 Disney film debating about its faithfulness to the animated feature. That's especially so given reports about director Niki Caro's indecisiveness regarding the inclusion of songs such as Honour To Us All and I'll Make A Man Out Of You, as well as the...
- 4/29/2017
- Den of Geek
Stars: Jija Yanin, David Bueno, Marc Nghi Hoang | Written by Sompope Vejchapipat | Directed by Rashane Limtrakul
Deu, a rock and roll drummer abandoned by her family and recently sacked from her band, finds herself being pursued by a gang of kidnappers. She is rescued from their clutches by Sanim, a master of an obscure drunken fighting technique known as Meyraiyuth. After informing Deu that she is the target of the Jaguar Gang, a group of criminals who kidnap young women and extract their pheromones to sell as a potent aphrodisiac on the black market, Sanim and his three sidekicks – Pigshit, Dogshit and Bullshit – agree to train her in their unique methods of combat. Her training complete, Deu insists on joining Sanim and the others in infiltrating the Jaguar Gang’s underground lair and bringing down their lucrative and exploitative people trafficking empire. Their mission brings them face to face with...
Deu, a rock and roll drummer abandoned by her family and recently sacked from her band, finds herself being pursued by a gang of kidnappers. She is rescued from their clutches by Sanim, a master of an obscure drunken fighting technique known as Meyraiyuth. After informing Deu that she is the target of the Jaguar Gang, a group of criminals who kidnap young women and extract their pheromones to sell as a potent aphrodisiac on the black market, Sanim and his three sidekicks – Pigshit, Dogshit and Bullshit – agree to train her in their unique methods of combat. Her training complete, Deu insists on joining Sanim and the others in infiltrating the Jaguar Gang’s underground lair and bringing down their lucrative and exploitative people trafficking empire. Their mission brings them face to face with...
- 2/12/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Craig Lines Feb 9, 2017
Cynthia Rothrock, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and more feature, as we salute the female stars of martial arts movies...
It’s arguably a rare sight when female characters lead a major genre film, and last year’s online Ghostbusters drama proves it’s still, depressingly, a controversial choice if they do. Too often, female characters are reduced to sidekicks, damsels, sex objects and caricatures. It sometimes feels like every day there’s a new statistic about women being under-represented in Hollywood and while, to some extent, things are looking brighter and more diverse by the day, it’s an uphill struggle. Still, as we wait for Hollywood to get its act together, I thought I’d celebrate a genre where awesome, strong, multi-faceted female characters have led casts as a regular occurrence for decades - martial arts!
See related Netflix's Stranger Things: Shawn Levy interview Netflix's...
Cynthia Rothrock, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and more feature, as we salute the female stars of martial arts movies...
It’s arguably a rare sight when female characters lead a major genre film, and last year’s online Ghostbusters drama proves it’s still, depressingly, a controversial choice if they do. Too often, female characters are reduced to sidekicks, damsels, sex objects and caricatures. It sometimes feels like every day there’s a new statistic about women being under-represented in Hollywood and while, to some extent, things are looking brighter and more diverse by the day, it’s an uphill struggle. Still, as we wait for Hollywood to get its act together, I thought I’d celebrate a genre where awesome, strong, multi-faceted female characters have led casts as a regular occurrence for decades - martial arts!
See related Netflix's Stranger Things: Shawn Levy interview Netflix's...
- 1/31/2017
- Den of Geek
Stars: Sasisa Jimdamanee, Johnny Nguyen, Nantawooti Boonrapsap, Arunya Pawilai, Nawarat Techarathanaprasert, Paytaai Wongkamlao | Written byNonont Kontaweesook, Napalee | Directed by Krissanapong Rachata
[Editor’s Note: Welcome to the first installment of Cine-Sunday, a new weekly feature here on Nerdly where we revisit the newly-revived Cine-Asia’s back catalogue and review the highlights. Going forward each new review will go live on Sunday’s at noon (UK time). And you can see all the Cine-Asia titles we’ve reviewed, so far, right here]
Despite their small size and inexperience, having grown up under the roof of a Muay Thai school two young brothers and their friends have become highly skilled, if undisciplined, martial artists. Sadly, the youngest of the gang suffers from an acute heart condition, which following a minor scuffle with some local bullies lands him in hospital and desperately in need of a life-saving transplant. Fortunately, a viable heart soon becomes available at another local hospital, but before it can be transferred the building is overtaken by rebel soldiers-turned-terrorists prepared to kill if their politically-driven demands are not met by the authorities.
With only four hours in which the surgery can be performed successfully, the young friends take it upon themselves to infiltrate the hospital and retrieve the donated organ.
[Editor’s Note: Welcome to the first installment of Cine-Sunday, a new weekly feature here on Nerdly where we revisit the newly-revived Cine-Asia’s back catalogue and review the highlights. Going forward each new review will go live on Sunday’s at noon (UK time). And you can see all the Cine-Asia titles we’ve reviewed, so far, right here]
Despite their small size and inexperience, having grown up under the roof of a Muay Thai school two young brothers and their friends have become highly skilled, if undisciplined, martial artists. Sadly, the youngest of the gang suffers from an acute heart condition, which following a minor scuffle with some local bullies lands him in hospital and desperately in need of a life-saving transplant. Fortunately, a viable heart soon becomes available at another local hospital, but before it can be transferred the building is overtaken by rebel soldiers-turned-terrorists prepared to kill if their politically-driven demands are not met by the authorities.
With only four hours in which the surgery can be performed successfully, the young friends take it upon themselves to infiltrate the hospital and retrieve the donated organ.
- 1/15/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
It's the beginning of the month and so it's time for another massive giveaway competition from Madman. This month, we have three massive prize packs to give away! They are:1) The Raid 2 / Panna Rittikrai Prize Pack (pictured above): - The Raid 1 and 2, Merantau (Blu-rays or DVDs)- Ong Bak 1, 2 and 3, Chocolate, Bangkok Knockout, Born To Fight, This Girl Is Bad Ass (DVDs)2) The Bridge / Killing / Protectors Prize Pack (pictured below): - The Bridge Series 1 and 2 Collections (DVDs)- The Killing Trilogy (DVDs)- The Protectors Series 1 and 2 (DVDs)3) The Manga / Anime Prize Pack (pictured below): - Volume 1 of each of these Urawasa manga series: 20th Century Boys, Pluto, Monster- Astro Boy 60s collection (DVDs)- Astro Boy 80s collection (DVDs)For...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/3/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Panna Rittikrai, the action choreographer who introduced Thai action movies to world audiences, has died aged 53.
According to local press reports, Panna died from liver disease on Sunday in a Bangkok hospital. He had been battling illness since November 2013.
Born in 1961 in Khon Kaen province, Panna started working in the Bangkok film industry in 1979 training actors to fight. After moving back to his hometown, he put together his own stunt team and started making action movies. He trained Tony Jaa and had a major hit in 2003 with Ong Bak, produced by Sahamongkolfilm.
Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, Ong Bak introduced a new style of realistic, wire-free action choreography and put the Thai martial art of Muay Thai on the world map. It was swiftly followed by Tom Yum Goong (aka The Protector), reuniting the same team.
Panna soon turned director, as well as action choreographer, and directed a string of films for Sahamongkol including The Bodyguard, Ong Bak 2 and...
According to local press reports, Panna died from liver disease on Sunday in a Bangkok hospital. He had been battling illness since November 2013.
Born in 1961 in Khon Kaen province, Panna started working in the Bangkok film industry in 1979 training actors to fight. After moving back to his hometown, he put together his own stunt team and started making action movies. He trained Tony Jaa and had a major hit in 2003 with Ong Bak, produced by Sahamongkolfilm.
Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, Ong Bak introduced a new style of realistic, wire-free action choreography and put the Thai martial art of Muay Thai on the world map. It was swiftly followed by Tom Yum Goong (aka The Protector), reuniting the same team.
Panna soon turned director, as well as action choreographer, and directed a string of films for Sahamongkol including The Bodyguard, Ong Bak 2 and...
- 7/21/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Panna Rittikrai, the action choreographer who brought us Tony Jaa and Jeejaa Yanin has sadly passed away at the age of 53. It was said Panna was suffering from a long illness, which he sadly did not come through. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this sad time.
Panna had some great movies under his belt as choreographer, he brought the world Tony Jaa (Ong Bak movies) and more recently Tom Yum Goong 2. Also we seen Jeeja Yanin come through in the movie Chocolate and Dan Chupong (Born To Fight).
Panna started off by forming his own 20 man stunt team and was driven by watching movies from Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. In an interview he once said “When the audience realises that the stunt-work is real — that they’re not special effects — they’ll regard it not only as spectacle but as something more high-impact,...
Panna had some great movies under his belt as choreographer, he brought the world Tony Jaa (Ong Bak movies) and more recently Tom Yum Goong 2. Also we seen Jeeja Yanin come through in the movie Chocolate and Dan Chupong (Born To Fight).
Panna started off by forming his own 20 man stunt team and was driven by watching movies from Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. In an interview he once said “When the audience realises that the stunt-work is real — that they’re not special effects — they’ll regard it not only as spectacle but as something more high-impact,...
- 7/20/2014
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
The Protector 2
Written by Eakisit Thairaat
Directed by Prachya Pinkaew
Thailand, 2013
Thai martial-arts star Tony Jaa started the current renaissance in South Asian action cinema alongside director Prachya Pinkaew with the 2003 film Ong-Bak, but eleven years on, the warts in their style are starting to show. None of Jaa’s subsequent films has had a comprehensible plot, and Pinkaew’s later attempts to employ computer-generated effects have not matched the down-and-dirty practical stunts in Ong-Bak. Jaa’s latest, The Protector 2,has those same problems, but it also understands the elemental appeal of a balletic fight scene.
The first Protector film (also known by the title of its uncut international version, Tom Yum Goong) had Jaa playing a rural Thai elephant tender, assaulting everyone in Sydney to find one of his kidnapped charges. The best plot summary that one can provide for The Protector 2 is, “the same elephant gets taken again.
Written by Eakisit Thairaat
Directed by Prachya Pinkaew
Thailand, 2013
Thai martial-arts star Tony Jaa started the current renaissance in South Asian action cinema alongside director Prachya Pinkaew with the 2003 film Ong-Bak, but eleven years on, the warts in their style are starting to show. None of Jaa’s subsequent films has had a comprehensible plot, and Pinkaew’s later attempts to employ computer-generated effects have not matched the down-and-dirty practical stunts in Ong-Bak. Jaa’s latest, The Protector 2,has those same problems, but it also understands the elemental appeal of a balletic fight scene.
The first Protector film (also known by the title of its uncut international version, Tom Yum Goong) had Jaa playing a rural Thai elephant tender, assaulting everyone in Sydney to find one of his kidnapped charges. The best plot summary that one can provide for The Protector 2 is, “the same elephant gets taken again.
- 5/3/2014
- by Mark Young
- SoundOnSight
Stars: JeeJa Yanin, Cho Jae Hyun, Phettai Wongkamlao, Ye Ji-won, Tae-joo Na | Written by Jong-suk Lee | Directed by Prachya Pinkaew
The Kick has one hell of a pedigree. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, who lensed to international hit Ong Bak, as well as the well-regarded Chocolate – whose star JeeJa Yanin is also in this – the movie features a wealth of Thai talent, including Cho Jae Hyun from The Isle and Phetthai Vongkumlao, who is one of Thailand’s biggest comedians.
But the real star is Tae-joo Na – in only his second ever film role – who shows the same type of martial arts skill that made Jackie Chan famous, mixing slapstick and fighting with consummate ease; and the scene in which he tries out to be a K-Pop star, blending dance with martial arts, are breathtaking.
The story is a little light – it essentially bad guys versus kung-fu family – but that doesn...
The Kick has one hell of a pedigree. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, who lensed to international hit Ong Bak, as well as the well-regarded Chocolate – whose star JeeJa Yanin is also in this – the movie features a wealth of Thai talent, including Cho Jae Hyun from The Isle and Phetthai Vongkumlao, who is one of Thailand’s biggest comedians.
But the real star is Tae-joo Na – in only his second ever film role – who shows the same type of martial arts skill that made Jackie Chan famous, mixing slapstick and fighting with consummate ease; and the scene in which he tries out to be a K-Pop star, blending dance with martial arts, are breathtaking.
The story is a little light – it essentially bad guys versus kung-fu family – but that doesn...
- 10/11/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Director: Danny Pang. Review: Adam Wing. The last time the Pang Brothers scored a hit was in 2006 with fantasy horror yarn, Re-cycle. Their collaborations have fared better than their solo offerings, but with The Detective, Diary and Abnormal Beauty under his belt, Oxide is the more reliable of the two. Danny has made some real clunkers along the way, including snooze-fest Forest of Death and In Love with the Dead. There's no doubting the visual prowess of either brother, but when it comes to great storytelling, fan favourites like The Eye and Bangkok Dangerous are fast becoming distant memories. Psycho-thriller Fairy Tale Killer is written and directed by Danny Pang, in collaboration with Thai director of photography Decha Srimantra (The Eye, Chocolate). In Lau Ching Wan (Mad Detective), Fairy Tale Killer has found a strong lead actor, but Danny also casts Wang Bao Qiang (Blind Shaft), Elanne Kwong (The Child's...
- 10/7/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Director: Prachya Pinkaew. Review: Adam Wing. Thailand's top action movie director Prachya Pinkaew - the man behind Ong Bak and Chocolate - delivers another breakthrough in action cinema with The Kick, the first Thailand-Korea joint production. Cho Jae Hyun (Bad Guy), Ye Ji Won (Hanji), and taekwondo athletes Kim Kyung Suk and Na Tae Joo, form a family of Korean taekwondo masters living in Thailand. The Kick pits them against a gang of ruthless criminals, in an endearing action movie that mixes comedy, choreography and crocodiles to blistering effect. You can't have a Thai action movie without the presence of Petchtai Wongkamloo, the pintsized comedy sidekick whose smart mouth gave Tony Jaa a run for his money in Ong Bak and Warrior King. Wongkamloo is joined by the ever-so-striking JeeJa Yanin, kick-ass heroine of Chocolate and Raging Phoenix fame, who still manages to impress despite an alarming lack of screen time.
- 9/30/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Tiff’s Midnight Madness program turned 25 this year, and for two and half decades, the hardworking programers have gathered some of the strangest, most terrifying, wild, intriguing and downright entertaining films from around the world. From dark comedies to Japanese gore-fests and indie horror gems, the Midnight Madness program hasn’t lost its edge as one the leading showcases of genre cinema. In its 25-year history, Midnight Madness has introduced adventurous late-night moviegoers to such cult faves as Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused and Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. But what separates Midnight Madness from, say, Montreal’s three and half week long genre festival Fantasia, is that Tiff selects only ten films to make the cut. In other words, these programmers don’t mess around. Last week I decided that I would post reviews of my personal favourite films that screened in past years. And just like the Tiff programmers,...
- 9/18/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
If you are looking to get your fix while waiting for Tom Yum Goong 2 to hit any sized screen near you perhaps this behind the scenes clip featuring Jeeja Yanin will quell your hunger pangs.First she talks about her character Ping Ping...Jeeja talks about her character Ping Ping in the film and how she's different from the one in Chocolate. In Chocolate she was more like a child while Ping Ping is more focused and knows what she wants and how to get it. Then she talks about the martial arts and fighting in the film..."Not just Muay Thai anymore but more modern day hand to hand. Fighting with a twin is difficult. Timing and rhythm is very important. Tyg 2 took so long to...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 9/10/2013
- Screen Anarchy
With the Thai release of Tony Jaa star vehicle Tom Yum Goong 2 edging up a quartet of new posters have released for the film focusing on four of the main characters - Jaa and Chocolate star Jeeja Yanin among them - with nary an elephant to be found anywhere. Check them out in the gallery below and remember you can click to enlarge....
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 8/27/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Thailand's top action movie director Prachya Pinkaew - the man behind Ong Bak and Chocolate - delivers another high-octane hit with The Kick, the first Thailand-Korea joint production. Cho Jae Hyun (Bad Guy), Ye Ji Won (Hanji), and taekwondo athletes Kim Kyung Suk and Na Tae Joo become heroes when they inadvertently stop a crime ring from stealing a national treasure, which doesn't go down particularly well it has to be said. If that's not enough to whet your appetite, Chocolate's Jija Yanin, who was originally trained in taekwondo, co-stars as well. The Kick smashes its way on to U.K. DVD on 7 Oct 2013. This film may contain scenes of a kick-ass nature. Synopsis: After the son of a family of taekwondo experts foils an attempt to steal a priceless Thai artefact, the family becomes national heroes - and targets of revenge by the criminal gang whose robbery the son foiled.
- 8/24/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Tony Jaa is back. It's been a tough few years for the former Buddhist monk, but we're pleased to announce the return to big screen action for one of Thailand's brightest stars. After going way over budget on the highly anticipated sequels to Ong-Bak, the first time director and star abandoned production and escaped to a secluded cave hideaway. It was his mentor - Ong-Bak director Panna Rittikrai - that stepped in to save the film. They weren't the best of friends for a little while but time is a great healer and now they're back in action, on a quest to rescue Kham's (Jaa) pet elephant. Again. The plot - as is usually the case - really isn't up to much, but Rittikrai and Jaa have something special up their sleeves. That's right, for the hotly anticipated sequel Jaa has teamed up with none other than Yanin "Jeeja" Vismitananda...
- 8/22/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
Stars: Sasisa Jimdamanee, Johnny Nguyen, Nantawooti Boonrapsap, Arunya Pawilai, Nawarat Techarathanaprasert, Paytaai Wongkamlao | Written byNonont Kontaweesook, Napalee | Directed by Krissanapong Rachata
Despite their small size and inexperience, having grown up under the roof of a Muay Thai school two young brothers and their friends have become highly skilled, if undisciplined, martial artists. Sadly, the youngest of the gang suffers from an acute heart condition, which following a minor scuffle with some local bullies lands him in hospital and desperately in need of a life-saving transplant. Fortunately, a viable heart soon becomes available at another local hospital, but before it can be transferred the building is overtaken by rebel soldiers-turned-terrorists prepared to kill if their politically-driven demands are not met by the authorities.
With only four hours in which the surgery can be performed successfully, the young friends take it upon themselves to infiltrate the hospital and retrieve the donated organ.
Despite their small size and inexperience, having grown up under the roof of a Muay Thai school two young brothers and their friends have become highly skilled, if undisciplined, martial artists. Sadly, the youngest of the gang suffers from an acute heart condition, which following a minor scuffle with some local bullies lands him in hospital and desperately in need of a life-saving transplant. Fortunately, a viable heart soon becomes available at another local hospital, but before it can be transferred the building is overtaken by rebel soldiers-turned-terrorists prepared to kill if their politically-driven demands are not met by the authorities.
With only four hours in which the surgery can be performed successfully, the young friends take it upon themselves to infiltrate the hospital and retrieve the donated organ.
- 8/8/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The full Fantasia 2013 lineup has now been revealed, and we have here the third and final wave of titles to share. Prepare to drool!
From the Press Release:
The Fantasia International Film Festival is proud to announce the rest of our 120-feature lineup that comprises our 2013 event, along with a string of additional details that mark our 17th edition as a standout. Fantasia will engulf the city of Montreal from July 18-August 6, 2013. Be sure to visit the Fantasia Film Festival website for detailed essays on every title announced here, as well as all films previously disclosed over the last weeks.
Before we get started on titles... Meet Our 2013 Juries
Main Competition For The Cheval Noir Award For Best Film
Jury President: Laura Kern (Critic, Curator, managing editor, Film Comment)
Jean-Pierre Bergeron (Actor, Director, Screenwriter)
Samuel Jamier (Co-Director of the New York Asian Film Festival, Programmer at Japan Society)
Jarod Neece (Senior Programmer and Operations Manager,...
From the Press Release:
The Fantasia International Film Festival is proud to announce the rest of our 120-feature lineup that comprises our 2013 event, along with a string of additional details that mark our 17th edition as a standout. Fantasia will engulf the city of Montreal from July 18-August 6, 2013. Be sure to visit the Fantasia Film Festival website for detailed essays on every title announced here, as well as all films previously disclosed over the last weeks.
Before we get started on titles... Meet Our 2013 Juries
Main Competition For The Cheval Noir Award For Best Film
Jury President: Laura Kern (Critic, Curator, managing editor, Film Comment)
Jean-Pierre Bergeron (Actor, Director, Screenwriter)
Samuel Jamier (Co-Director of the New York Asian Film Festival, Programmer at Japan Society)
Jarod Neece (Senior Programmer and Operations Manager,...
- 7/9/2013
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
The Fantasia Film Festival is taking place from July 18th to August 6th in Montreal and will feature over 100 films from around the world. We gave you a look at the initial lineup last month and now have an additional list of Fantasia 2013 films that will be screening, including Curse of Chucky, You’re Next, and Frankenstein’s Army:
Horror Is Child’S Play – Don Mancini’S Curse Of Chucky (World Premiere)
A rarity among genre franchises, the Child’S Play series (begun in 1988) has retained the sure-handed guidance of original screenwriter/creator Don Mancini throughout killer doll Chucky’s decades’-long reign of horror. Mancini, who will be hosting our “scar-studded” world premiere, graduated to the director’s chair with 2004’s Seed Of Chucky, after having co-written or written every entry in the series. His longevity with the project is, of course, matched by the fiendish voiceover work by...
Horror Is Child’S Play – Don Mancini’S Curse Of Chucky (World Premiere)
A rarity among genre franchises, the Child’S Play series (begun in 1988) has retained the sure-handed guidance of original screenwriter/creator Don Mancini throughout killer doll Chucky’s decades’-long reign of horror. Mancini, who will be hosting our “scar-studded” world premiere, graduated to the director’s chair with 2004’s Seed Of Chucky, after having co-written or written every entry in the series. His longevity with the project is, of course, matched by the fiendish voiceover work by...
- 7/9/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The film’s title does not lie: madcap Thai action-comedy This Girl is Badass is indeed about a very badass chick. Her name is Jukkalan, and she makes a living as a very talented bike messenger while mooning over her guitar-playing neighbor and getting frustrated with her awkward Uncle Wang. Jukkalan is badass because she is portrayed by Jeeja Yanin, a pint-sized martial arts star from Bangkok best known for flaunting her mad taekwondo skills in the films Chocolate and Flying Phoenix.
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- 6/23/2013
- by Lee Jutton
- JustPressPlay.net
Written & Directed by Petchtai Wongkamlao (The Bodyguard 1 & 2) and starring all round action gal Jeeja Yanin (Raging Phoenix, Chocolate) Thai action comedy This Girl is Badass is coming to the U.S on DVD next month, via Magnolia pictures. If you’re expecting all out action then bare in mind this is comedy heavy (which in Thailand means drag queens, and continuous wack-wack-oops sound effects punctuating every joke) but between the humour there’s plenty of Jeeja kicking ass, to enjoy. This Girl is Badass, streets: May 21, 2013. Synopsis: In This Girl is Badass, Jeeja takes her skills to the next level as a bike messenger who is hired by competing mob bosses to smuggle goods. Caught in the middle and given an ultimatum, the only way out is a confrontation erupting into a battle of bullets, face kicks and blows. This Girl is Badass trailer...
- 4/17/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
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