Varied Celluloid

Beyond Outrage

Posted by Josh Samford On June - 4 - 2014ADD COMMENTS

	Beyond Outrage (2012)

Director:	Takeshi Kitano
Writers:	Takeshi Kitano
Starring:	Beat Takeshi, Toshiyuki Nishida, Tomokazu Miura, and Fumiyo Kohinata

The Plot: This sequel to Takeshi Kitano’s 2010 film Outrage takes place in the years following the events of the first movie. Otomo (Beat/Takeshi Kitano) is shown serving time in prison with very little interest in the yakuza life. However, the police are soon rattled when a government official is revealed to have been murdered in what appears to have been a yakuza execution. Corrupt detective Shigeta (Yutaka Matsushige) is placed on the case along with his straight-edge partner, and Shigeta immediately begins investigating the new leader of the Sanno-Kai syndicate, Kato (Tomokazu Miura). Detective Shigeta instigates as much turmoil in the Sanno-Kai syndicate as he can, but when his first attempts to cause internal struggle within the group is foiled, he turns to Otomo in order to find an ally. Otomo had a falling out with the Sanno-Kai, but will he be pressured back into “the life”?

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News, Reviews

Jeans Blues: No Future

Posted by Josh Samford On June - 3 - 2014ADD COMMENTS

	Jeans Blues: No Future (1974)

Director:	Sadao Nakajima
Writers:	Takeo Kaneko and Sadao Nakajima
Starring:	Tsunehiko Watase, Meiko Kaji, and Ryôhei Uchida

The Plot: Hijiriko (Meiko Kaji) is hostess at a bar, Jiro (Tsunehiko Watase)nis a low-rent hood who is working with his buddies on their biggest score yet. In the same night, both of these outsiders run away from their jobs, but Jiro happens to take all of the prize money from this “big score” and now all of his old friends want him dead. So, with a laundry list of people searching for them, these two find a bond with one another and are soon enjoying their newfound riches. However, few great things are meant to last.

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News, Reviews

No Holds Barred

Posted by Josh Samford On May - 22 - 2014ADD COMMENTS

	No Holds Barred (1989)

Director:	Thomas J. Wright
Writers:	Dennis Hackin
Starring:	Hulk Hogan, Joan Severance, Kurt Fuller, and Tommy “Tiny” Lister.

The Plot: Rip (Hulk Hogan) is the World Wrestling Federation champion, and if there’s one thing you can say about him: he is loyal. So, when Brell (Kurt Fuller), the head of the World Television Network, tries to persuade Rip to jump ship and join his network, he turns him down flat. Brell isn’t used to being turned down though, so a war is immediately declared between the two men. This leads Brell on a quest to find someone equally as magnetic and tough as Rip, which leads him to some local dive bars that are packed with numerous roughnecks who fight in no-holds-barred fighting competitions. Brell decides to make these vulgar events into television history and gives them the name, “Battle of the Tough Guys.” During the first event, Brell finds his man. A monster known as Zeus (Tommy “Tiny” Lister) steps forward and destroys the competition. Soon, Brell is doing everything in his power to set up Zeus vs. Rip, and he will go to any length necessary to make this match happen.

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News, Reviews

Special ID

Posted by Josh Samford On April - 24 - 2014ADD COMMENTS

	Special ID (2013)

Director:	Clarence Fok
Writers:	Kam-Yuen Szeto
Starring:	Donnie Yen, Tian Jing, Andy On and Colin Chou.

The Plot: Donnie Yen plays Chan (aka Dragon), an undercover officer from the Hong Kong police department. He has been rooted into the world of Hong Kong organized crime for such a long period of time that he has now covered his body with tattoos and completely changed his way of life. When things get a bit too hot back in Hong Kong, Dragon is sent as a “Special Identity” to the mainland where he is to interact with his former student Sunny (Andy On). When he arrives, he is paired with mainland officer Fang Jing (played by Tian Jing) and this duo must find a way to bring down Sunny while also keeping Dragon safe, which may be a lot trickier than it sounds.

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Reviews

HEIR – A Practical FX Horror Film Kickstarter

Posted by Josh Samford On February - 24 - 2014ADD COMMENTS

Richard Powell and the folks over at Fatal Pictures may not be household names, but for those who have seen their body of work, it’s hard not to be impressed. Their short films Consumption (2008), Worm (2011), and Familiar (2012) are among some of the best independent short films that I have personally come across. Familiar showed this talented group moving into the world of body horror and adult ideas, but it sounds as if their next feature, HEIR, will be even more ambitious! And you too can be a part of it!

Fatal Pictures are in the last two weeks of their Kickstarter for HEIR and things are looking good, but now is your opportunity to be a part of it. The film, which looks to pair Fatal Pictures once again with Robert Nolan (one of the strongest leading men in the indie film world), is looking for a budget of $17,000 and they are getting close to reaching that number. For just $20, you can help get this project funded and also score a copy of the movie on DVD for yourself! The plot synopsis for the movie is as follows:

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After connecting with a stranger of similar interests online, Gordon and his young son Paul, embark on an ill-fated road trip in which Gordon aims to indulge a secret passion. Before the day ends, a horrible truth will be uncovered and a harsh lesson will be learned. HEIR is a monster movie unlike any other, it is a bleak and fantastical examination of one of societies darkest taboos that aims to stimulate the mind and wrench the gut with equal power.

Give the Kickstarter a look and hopefully throw them a few bucks. While you’re doing that, you can check out their previous short film Familiar for free! I am sure you will be impressed. I will end this with some of my favorite artwork posted on the Kickstarter page. This is looking excellent.

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