Yes, Cyril Raffaelli always kicks ass, this is true.  The man has been a major behind the scenes presence in virtually every major action picture produced by Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp but Raffaelli never really got his due until he finally took the lead alongside David Belle - co-founder of extreme sport parkour - in the international hit Banlieue 13 - released on these shores as District B13.  The man is a potent fusion of power and grace and we’ve been waiting for more from him ever since.

Well, as has been well chronicled already more is coming in the form of Banlieue 13: Ultimatum, the upcoming sequel to the original hit.  As they make their way through production the film makers have been posting a series of behind the scenes videos from the picture chronicling pretty much every aspect of the production.  We posted the first three clips here but they are well beyond those three now.  In fact, yesterday they arrived at number thirteen.  And if you’re thinking that a film with thirteen in the title would want to post a little something special with video number thirteen, you’re absolutely right.  What they’ve given us is a behind the scenes look at Raffaelli and co choreographing, rehearsing and then running through a martial arts sequence at full speed.  Very tasty and you’ll find it - along with the first three clips - below the break.

Continue Reading "Cyril Raffaelli Kicks Some Ass.  Brand New BANLIEUE 13: ULTIMATUM Video!"...

Here’s a little Christmas treat for all of you Toronto area folk:  The illustrious Colin Geddes will be presenting a free screening of Sammo Hung’s Enter The Fat Dragon - projected from Geddes’ personal 35mm print - at Toronto’s Innis Town Hall on Monday December 1st at 7pm.  Yup, Sammo on the big screen for free and it’s hard to beat that.

[Twitch-O-Meters will remain at the top of the page for the duration of the day they were published. Please scroll down for today’s film news]

Time flies when you’re having fun, especially if you can’t count.

I expected that shortly we’d have to do a special Twitch-O-Meter because number 100 was coming up. But when I finished counting them all, guess what: I was already too late. Last week was actually the hundredth of these that got published.

Which makes this Twitch-O-Meter number 101.
And that gave me the idea to put up a list with links to all the 100 which had come before. 

Sometimes we do get asked what the Twitch-O-Meter is supposed to be, or what its purpose is. What it is is quickly answered: it’s a weekly column, mostly (but not always) in the form of a list or a countdown.

What the purpose is takes a bit longer to explain, but it basically amounts to this: here at Twitch, most of the time we write about news. New movies, new plans from actors and directors, new DVDs…
But we didn’t become film fans because of news. We started to love films because of specific titles, specific events, specific genre highlights. The Twitch-O-Meter was invented so we had a chance to write about things we love and hate. And to share opinions and other stuff which does not necessarily constitute news.

These are our labors of love, or at least they should be. And what have we done with the freedom this column grants us? Find out after the break!

Continue Reading "What Came Before 101: A Big List Of All Twitch-O-Meters So Far"...

Ever since the arrival of Vietnamese action flick The Rebel we’ve been anxiously awaiting whatever came next for the group of talent behind that film.  And while all have projects on the go it looks as though The Rebel villain - and, yes, former co-star on 21 Jump Street and VIP, though it looks as though his days of playing the token Asian are now well and truly over - Dustin Nguyen is first out of the gate. 

Nguyen is still preparing his directorial debut Monk On Fire but while waiting for everything to be good to go on that he has also been acting in some other productions, most notably Vietnamese action-drama The Legend Is Alive, from acclaimed arthouse director Luu Huynh (The White Silk Dress).  English information is hard to come by on this but it is a beautifully shot piece of work that looks to neatly balance character work with a healthy number of very impressive martial arts scenes, with Nguyen starring as a mentally disabled man named - wait for it - Bruce Lee whose only goal in life is to bring his beloved mother to America. Yes, there have been a number of martial arts savant pictures recently - Chocolate and Danny The Dog both spring to mind - but this looks to be an exceptionally good one.  Check the quintet of trailers below the break.

Continue Reading "Dustin Nguyen Returns In Vietnamese Action Drama THE LEGEND IS ALIVE (HUYỀN THOẠI BẤT TỬ)"...

Oh, this makes Todd a happy boy ...

Though Wilson Yip’s Ip Man - in which Donnie Yen stars in a biopic about the famous martial arts master of Bruce Lee - has not yet hit screens the stunning trailers have sparked such a wave of interest that a sequel has apparently already been green-lit.  Producer Raymond Wong spilled the beans at a recent press conference, saying that the sequel would pick up Ip Man’s story after his migration to Hong Kong where he took on disciples - including Bruce Lee - to propogate his discipline of Wing Chun.  And, yes, Lee will be a major character in this film.

Check the trailers below the break to see why this is brilliant news.

Continue Reading "IP MAN Sequel Gets The Green Light!"...

Tai, a young man arrested on a crime charge, is discharged thanks to his twin brother Tan’s dogged help. After being set free, he finds Tan in a coma with severe injuries. Tan’s girlfriend, Pang, tells Tai that his brother got involved in some risky business to raise money to fight Tai’s case. Tai feels guilty that his problems brought his brother trouble. He then traces what happened to Tan, which ultimately leads him into illegal basketball gambling. Tai wants to find out who is behind this gambling and why his brother was beaten unconscious. He finally joins the “Fireball” team ...

Yes, this is the new film from the director of the fascinating but flawed Opapatika.  Yes, it is a full contact muay thai basketball film.  Yes, it looks as though people probably got hurt quite badly while making it.  Yes, it’s a ludicrous premise, but brilliantly so.  And, yes, we have the first trailer for the picture in the Twitch Player below the break.

Continue Reading "A Full Trailer For Thai Combat-Basketball Flick FIREBALL!"...

It’s been a few weeks since we last heard from director Gareth Evans and his Indonesian martial arts film Merantau but it’s hard to blame him, really, as he’s been buried deep in active production on the film with principal photography new entering its fourth week.  Through the pre-production process Evans was posting regular weekly behind the scenes reels from the film - early efforts covered action choreography, camera and stunt tests and more - and this week, despite being busy with production, he found the time to put together another five minute behind the scenes reel, this one dedicated to introducing us to the film’s main characters and the actors portraying them.  And not only does this give us a chance to understand what he’s going for in terms of the drama but most of the interviews were shot in the training room which means plenty of behind the scenes looks at the fight training as well.

“Merantau” is an Indonesian martial arts action drama feature due for release April 2009. Written and directed by British filmmaker Gareth Evans the film showcases Silat Harimau, a branch of Indonesia’s ancient martial art of Pencak Silat. With choreography from renowned master Edwel Datuk Rajo Gampo Alam and Team Silat Harimau, “Merantau” will also introduce to the world Indonesia’s rising action star and Silat Tiga Berantai expert, Iko Uwais.

For the past 5 months Iko has been trained in Silat Harimau to perform the complex choreography designed for the film to be shot on location in both West Sumatra and Jakarta. The film also stars Sisca Jessica, Mads Koudal (Footsteps, The Feral Generation, Six Reasons Why), Laurent “Lohan” Buson (Silverhawk, Z-Team Stunts Group), Yayan Ruhian, Donny Alamsyah (9 Naga, Fiksi), Ratna Galih and Award Winning Actress/Producer Christine Hakim (Tjoet Nia Dien, Leaf on a Pillow, Whispering Sands).

In Minangkabau, West Sumatera, Yuda a skilled practitioner of Silat Harimau is in the final preparations to begin his “Merantau” a century’s old rites-of-passage to be carried out by the community’s young men that will see him leave the comforts of his idyllic farming village and make a name for himself in the bustling city of Jakarta.

After a series of setbacks leave Yuda homeless and uncertain about his new future, a chance encounter results in him defending the orphaned Astri from becoming the latest victim of a European human trafficking ring led by the wildly psychotic, Ratger and his right-hand man Luc.

With Ratger injured in the melee and seeking both his “merchandise” and bloody retribution, Yuda’s introduction to the city is a baptism of fire as he is forced to go on the run with Astri and her younger brother Adit as all the pimps and gangsters that inhabit the night hound the streets chasing their every step. With escape seemingly beyond their grasp, Yuda has no choice but to face his attackers in an adrenaline charged, jaw-dropping finale.

You can find all four behind the scenes clips - more than twenty minutes of footage in all - in the Twitch Player below the break.

Continue Reading "Meet The Characters Of Indonesian Martial Arts Film MERANTAU"...

Good news for Korean film fans:  Ryoo Seung-Wan’s hyperactive action comedy Dachimawa Lee arrives on English subtitled DVD in Korea on December 5th. 

Better news for Korean film fans:  It includes the soundtrack CD.  This is seriously pretty much worth the cost of purchase all on it’s lonesome.

Dachimawa Lee is Ryoo’s expansion of an earlier short of the same name, a period set spy caper that whisks its titular hero around the world in a non-stop series of adventures and action that play out like equal parts Inspector Clouseau, James Bond and a whole lot of Shaw Brothers films.  The film has been accused of being a bit style over substance - which is true enough - and pretty much demands that you have similar tastes to the director if you’re going to have any hope of catching even half of the many, many film references scattered throughout but I figure that last bit shouldn’t be too much of a problem around here.  It’s goofy, hyperkinetic fun and everyone involved clearly had a blast making it. Check out the trailers below the break.

Continue Reading "Ryoo Seung-Wan’s DACHIMAWA LEE Available on DVD!"...

I think most of us here are fans of Jackie Chan and I think most of us here have been shaking their heads in dismay over his recent career choices. Well don’t stop shaking just yet cause Jackie is about to get his ass whooped by none other than Lazy Town’s Sportacus. I don’t know how many of you know the candy colored world of Lazy Town, the hyper positive environment and silly slapstick aimed at small kids and the message that you need to exercise and eat healthy.
That world is the brainchild of Magnús Scheving, an Icelandic fitness champion that started out with a children’s book, which led to a stage play, which led to a TV show, which led to a world wide phenomena.
Now Scheving is one fit mofo, doing most of his own stunts, flips and jumps in the show and that apparently got the attention of one of the producers for Jackie Chan’s latest US venture, The Spy Next Door co starring George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus. The story line revolves around a babysitter (Chan) who has to fight off evil doers when one of the kids he’s babysitting downloads a top secret code.
I know, I know.

Scheving will play the main villain, a russian up to no good as they usually are in movies.
Now Scheving was on TV a couple of weeks ago talking about his involvement in this project and showed viewers the screen test he did, using his Lazy Town connections, which apparently sealed the deal for him. He did however say that he was most likely not chosen for his acting ability, he’s the first to admit that he’s not a great actor, but for his moves and agility of which he has plenty of.
I’ve crudely cut together the scenes that were shown during the interview so audio will be choppy but all that was shown is there. The reason why I haven’t posted this sooner is because I’ve been having problem with the video file, which you’ll see will have a watermark because of Microsoft VS Apple issues. But to hell with it.
Take a look at the video after the break.

Continue Reading "Sportacus to whoop Jackie Chan’s ass?"...

I’d been holding off mentioning this until the festival itself made the official announcement but it appears that the cat is well and truly out of the bag and word is circulating quickly so there’s no point in holding off any more:  Scott Sanders’ Michael Jai White starring blaxploitation throwback picture Black Dynamite will be receiving its world premiere at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.  Which means fans will have the chance to wake up the other bitches in Mormon country.

This is the story of 1970’s action legend Black Dynamite. When “The Man” murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.

Check the Black Dynamite trailers in the Twitch Player below the break.  But not if you’re at work unless you want to get yourself fired.

Continue Reading "BLACK DYNAMITE Headed To Sundance!"...

Okay, here’s one for the action film cultist in you, courtesy of the fine folks at Mondo Macabro.  For those unfamiliar Mondo are not only experts in strange and bizarre film from around the world but they love these things so much that they give them the Criterion treatment, giving their releases beautifully restored editions that treat the ultimate in B-schlock like the highest end arthouse films and the end results are always impressive.  And up next from Mondo is the first ever DVD release of 1981 Indonesian action film The Warrior, starring Barry Prima.

This outrageously entertaining fantasy flick stars 1980s action hero Barry Prima. He plays Jaka Sembung, a kind of Robin Hood figure who possesses mystical powers. As a figurehead for his country’s rebellion against oppressive invaders, Sembung is captured, tortured, and left for dead. But he returns, even more powerful than before. In desperation, the invaders resurrect an evil wizard and set him against Sembung in a fierce fight to the death.

Not only is this the first ever DVD release of this film anywhere in the world but with a brand new transfer struck straight from the negative it probably looks even better than it dead when originally projected in Indonesian theaters and what you get is a ludicrously over the top, bloody action fest.  Curious to see more?  Check the trailer in the Twitch Player below the break.

Continue Reading "Barry Prima Brings The Supernatural Kung Fu In THE WARRIOR"...

I’m still quite excited to see Scott Sanders’ loyal Blaxploitation spoof Black Dynamite.  I say still, because the first trailer looked like an over-the-top throwback to classic Blaxploitation fare, but this brand new trailer lets the cat out of the bag.  The creators are aiming for a classier version of I’m Gonna Git You Sucka or Undercover Brother (both fine spoofs in their own right).  Yum.  Yum.

This is the story of 1970’s action legend Black Dynamite. When “The Man” murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.

R.I.P.  Rudy Ray Moore.

You’ll find all the Dynamite goodness - including that of the NSFW variety - below the break in the Twitch Player.  Hit the link below for a larger version of the poster.

Continue Reading "Parody Done Right: BLACK DYNAMITE * UPDATED With The Fantastic New One Sheet *"...

[Updated with an English-subtitled trailer included below the break.]

Okey dokey. Got ourselves a new trailer for the biopic Ip Man from Hong Kong’s dynamic duo, Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen. Any and all footage continues to impress. The new trailer showed up online and you can find it embedded after the break, along with other trailers and clips. I having troubles grabbing it and loading it up on the Twitch Video Player. For now just enjoy. 

Yes, the punching to the floor is in it!

Continue Reading "New Trailer for biopic ‘Ip Man’! **UPDATE**"...

Hostess Peaches Christ is thrilled to announce that a great, big, B-movie dream of hers is about to come true!  One night only on Wednesday, December 17th, at San Francisco’s Landmark Bridge Theatre, Peaches will present—not just once, but twice at 7:00PM and 9:40PM—a Midnight Mass produced stage-show featuring cult film icon and genre superstar Bruce Cambell live and in-person.  Peaches has been dying to honor Bruce Campbell—as she says “forEVER”—and is putting together this San Franciscan evening of Idol Worship, preceding the Bay Area premiere of Bruce Campbell’s directorial debut My Name Is Bruce.  Tickets are $10.50 and can be purchased here.

Synopsis for My Name Is Bruce: When the small mining town of Gold Lick, Oregon needs to rid itself of a vengeful monster, they kidnap actor Bruce Campbell—star of the Evil Dead trilogy, Bubba Ho-tep and countless B-movie horror films—and recruit him to be their local savior.  Mortified at first, Bruce eventually goes along with the plan, convinced that it’s all an elaborate birthday present from his agent (Ted Raimi).  But the scheme goes horribly wrong when their hero, known more for fighting directors than mythical warriors, haphazardly leads the town in battle against the beast.  Confronted by a monster that’s not a guy in a rubber suit, and with the blood of innocents on his hands, Bruce has to choose between the harsh reality of Gold Lick and the sanctity of his former, artificial life.  A horror comedy written by Mark Verheiden (Smallville, Battlestar Galactica), My Name Is Bruce co-stars Grace Thorsen and Taylor Sharpe.

This is a match made in heaven … well, maybe hell (as in hella fun)!  See you there!

Cross-published on The Evening Class.

Zowie.  Every now and then a film just kind of comes out of nowhere, featuring talent that nobody’s really heard of, and yet it is done with such a sense of style, such a clear vision of what they want to do that it’s almost impossible to believe that it’s a first project at all.  Some guys have to work to develop their world and style over time while for a rare few it just seems to emerge full grown and such is the case for James Boss and Whitewall.  Here’s the synopsis, as far as it goes:

Set in a wasteland enclosed by a large white wall, the last survivor from a brutal child internment camp reluctantly takes on one final bounty hunting job to protect the idyllic life he has rebuilt.

A post-apocalyptic sci fi action flick that looks to incorporate a large dose of martial arts this one impresses on all levels.  The cinematography is gorgeous, set designs convincing and from what you can see of action and cast they all certainly look their parts.  Hell, they’ve even got the good sense to use music from Godspeed, You Black Emperor spinoff Thee Silver Mt Zion.  The big test will be with a longer reel of footage when we can get a sense for the acting but this teaser is as strong as I’ve seen in a good while.  Check it out below the break.

Continue Reading "Hugely Impressive First Teaser For James Boss’ WHITEWALL"...