Saturday, September 5, 2015

'Seppuku' Japanese Film

Support indie films! 'Seppuku' is an important film that sheds light on the perils of the Japanese, against a backdrop of the U.S. culture

Seppuku is a Japanese-American cinematic folk tale that chronicles the ritual death and rebirth of Mari Yoshimori. It looks through the lens of a psyche molded through generations by the legacy of internment, a tragic event tucked away in the dark corners of America’s past. 

 Mari Yoshimori holds the U.S. record for the fastest 400 meter time in track and field. Shortly before Olympic trials, she learns that she has a potentially career-threatening torn hamstring. This news crushes her soul. Not listening to her doctor or mother’s advice, Mari keeps training, and pushes herself too far. So far that the powers of nature thrust her into the depths of a psychological purgatory. While there, she meets her spiritual sidekick, Bettari. Petite, cute and mysterious, she communicates through a handwritten sign as she playfully lures Mari deeper into her domain. Only Mari can decide whether Bettari intends to guide or destroy.

The cool thing is that they are making an impact film promoting awareness. They are using Seed and Spark so Check Out the link @   http://www.seedandspark.com/studio/seppuku

There is a video from Executive Producer 
Daryn Wakasa
On that Seed and Spark Page.

Facebook @  https://www.facebook.com/SeppukuJAFilm?fref=ts
IMDB @ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4968024/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

Keep reading Dan's Movie Report later in 2015 for an exclusive update!

'Check Point' in Production now! Exclusive Photos! Exclusive Report!


 

 Above Photo: Bill  Goldberg on the warpath! (C) Chasing Butterflies Pictures, a Dan's Movie Report exclusive!

Update October 2015: 'Check Point' will have an impact on an awaiting audience at Comic Con in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as it makes its world trailer premier Saturday, October 24th (currently scheduled for 3PM in Room A).   Attending the event will be Director Thomas J. Churchill and WWE legend Bill Goldberg to promote the highly anticipated film .  Comic Con is an incredible and exciting pop-culture convention held all over the country with a show floor that plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television.  "Check Point" will be at the top of everyone's list.  For the Sante-Fe Comicon info go to: http://www.santafecomiccon.com/





Greetings movie fans, here at Dan's Movie Report I am here to get you ready for perhaps one of the most important indie films to be released in 2016. 'Check Point' deals with the touchy subject of homegrown terrorism. With the rise of the "lone wolf"  attacks in various U.S. cities, a film like 'Check Point' Will have an impact. 'Check Point' has a large cast of epic cult action folk. Tyler Mane from 'X-Men' and wrestling. Bill Goldberg another amazing wrestling star, Michelle Lee (Please check out her exclusive interview on Dan's Movie Report @ http://www.dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2013/09/michelle-lee-interview-exclusive-mortal.html

Michelle Lee burns up the screen as Suzie! "China Doll" (C) 2015 Chasing Butterflies Pictures

One aspect that excites me about this production is the physical and weapons training the various actors already have coupled with stylish gun training Michelle Lee has, check out this bad ass demo! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h84a4Wo3NM  Fred Williamson, and William Forsythe, also bring in experience in action. If action floats your boat 'Check Point' will tip it over! HAHA!


Check out the rad pic above of Niko as Deputy Parks! (C) 2015 - Chasing Butterflies Pictures

Expect gun play, and a thoughtful story in 'Check Point' . A scary reality, homegrown terrorism is, and really never dealt with in film much, you have international terrorists, war films, and crime dramas, should prove a raw edge.

The amazing William Forsythe as Sheriff Thomas Hancock! (C) 2015 Chasing Butterflies Pictures

Check out this exclusive 35 second chat about the controversial nature of 'Check Point' by 
Michelle Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zb1-3XH-hI

Please note all photos and videos were supplied exclusively to Dan's Movie Report (C) 2015 Chasing Butterflies Pictures!

Keep watching later in 2015 for more exclusive pictures and video on this fantastic film, on your home for exclusives:

Dan's Movie Report
 

Summary on IMDB: (C) A. J. Perez.

Port City North Carolina: During a routine camp out, a local vagrant discovers plans for an invasion in America. When he tries to notify the local Sheriff about his discovery, the Sheriff dismisses his claims and has him locked up for loitering. When the Sheriff notices odd interactions with other towns folk he begins to look into the vagrants' claim of a sleeper cell living amongst the locals within this small town. After evidence of a beheading is exposed, others begin to fear that the insurgents attack on hometown USA. Questions and tempers begin to rise. Why this little beach community with it's Norman Rockwell way of life? A town where everyone knows one another... or so they thought. When the truth is blind and justice seems lost, It will take an army of five unlikely heroes banding together to infiltrate the insurgents and foil their invasion plans. War is Hell and Hell comes home at the Check Point.

'Check Point' has an official website @  http://www.checkpointthemovie.com

Already the film has a presence on Facebook @  https://www.facebook.com/CheckPointMovie?fref=nf 
Check out the newly minted 'Check Point' Youtube Channel @  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2668VTNks0fvHH-iBd3UPg
Blast the IMDB page @ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4519400/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1



Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Juju Chan Releases New Fitness Videos, Juju Power Club Is Activated!

Star of the new 'Crouching Tiger' film and 'Fist OF The Dragon', Juju Chan is well known for her fitness, and the intense training sessions she partakes in to keep her body in tip top shape ready for action.

She works out in Hong Kong and has become a positive influence on many ladies attending her Sunday training sessions. Juju decided to take it one step further with detailed exercise videos, with the newest one containing English subs!

With each training session Juju is getting more toned as well so the benefits are not just for those she teaches.

The latest video can be found here on Youtube @  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1EP2iJ7BH4

Juju also has activated her official Youtube Channel @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0x662JCCKX_ST-bOVg3fmQ

Watch for more exclusives on Dan's Movie Report, and a new Juju Chan autographed photo contest later in the year! 

The Beautiful Ones – Movie Review (Dan's Movie Report) © 2015 Danny Templegod

Photo Credit: IMDB



Special thanks go to Jesse V. Johnson, for allowing me an early viewing of this project! The Film Screens in LA Sept 26th! 'Santa Monica Promenade Playhouse', click the Facebook event page for details The Beautiful Ones - LA Indie Artists Film Festival https://www.facebook.com/events/1615408265379253/

In an era of 4k television and ultra HD theatrical releases, 'The Beautiful Ones' is a hard slap in the face in a black and white world! Hearkens back to the classics, who shall remain nameless! If I name them, 'The Package' may come my way!

Written and directed by Jesse V. Johnson, 'The Beautiful Ones' is gangster noir for a modern generation. The film follows the adventures of Gabriel Tancredi , (Ross McCall) and his exploits in the world of the mob. The characters in the film add the color, so the black and white filming technique is not even noticed.

The film has a cool, laid back narrative by the lead character. More often than not this is not needed in a film, but in 'The Beautiful Ones' it serves as a background informational plot device and creative character development. Quite interesting is how Gabriel describes the characters he meets with the narrative. My personal favorite part is the interplay between Gabriel and Angela Morot (Jesse Schram) There are copious references to Steve McQueen, and the sexy Angela, has some classic lines including referring to herself as Peggy Cummings from 'Gun Crazy'. Over the next few minutes lines about Steve McQueen are traded between the two characters, and the interplay is classic guy and girl dialogue. Afterwards Gabriel goes into a detailed narrative about her, and the visuals are of Angela moving in slow motion around the home, exudes a narrative deeper than any nude scene, because the viewer is forced to imagine what happens.

As the film progresses, the audience is introduced to various nefarious characters, and no, I will not spoil it! This is a thinking man's mafia/gangster film. Are there gunfights, yes, are there smoky rooms, yes, however, the thoughtful dialogue in 'The Beautiful Ones', coupled with the life altering climax, make for a spectacular film, worthy of academy mention.

All involved with the film obviously took time to get lighting, sound and ADR just right. Watching my screener in HD with headphones, allowed 'The Beautiful Ones to come alive, from the opening sultry tones of Angela, right up to the gun play to the exhilarating climax. Thanks to the attention to detail in 'The Beautiful Ones', the film has a definite repeat watch factor, and recommended for home viewing when it becomes available! This is my modern day Citizen Kane and my top film for 2015, 'The Beautiful Ones' scores a damn near perfect 9.5 out of 10, The film should develop a cult following at film festivals, and deserves a worldwide theatrical release in 2016.

Dragon Blade Movie Review (2015)



 Above Photo Credit: MovieExclusive.com This is a really cool Pre poster I located, mad props to the original site who posted! http://www.moviexclusive.com/


Being a fan of Jackie Chan since 1979 when I watched Snake in the Eagle's Shadow on Saturday afternoon on a local TV station, I was absolutely blown away that the master of farcical action could explode into a hard hitting battle epic like Dragon Blade.

Based in part on the legend of control of the Silk Road, with an international cast of the fantastically gifted Adrien Brody as the maniac Tiberious. A battle scarred and ostracized legion leader, who breaks free, portrayed with zeal by John Cusack. The additional cast is also amazing! Well acted and thought out. Obviously took time not just to learn the lines but to blast them out, like a war cannon!

I hate spoiler reviews so let me just say, the 2 hour and 4 minute films is epic, ultra violent, and has perhaps some of the finest filmed action sequences ever produced. Jackie himself is the action coordinator, of the 65 million dollar Chinese production.

As a fan of seeing films in their full broadcast I was rather perturbed when the massive John Woo epic Red Cliff was truncated from 2 two hour films to one 2 and 1 half hour film. I Sincerely hope that the US release is not truncated, nor altered to PG-13.

The costumes, massive battle sequences, I am sure would have cost 150 mil if a US production, and to witness such creativity, is an impressive sight. These were mainly location based sets, and trust me, it looked amazing, at a mammoth scale.

Oddly enough I actually wanted about another 10 to 15 minutes of character building,  but by the end, I figured out why they did not, no spoilers!

Do not let anyone spoil this film for you, the path is worth the payoff, support great films like this! Impressive respect to everyone involved, I sincerely hope Jackie continues in this new direction.

Overall this film is a must own category, a 9 out of 10! Get it uncut!

The film releases to the US September 4th!

Blast it on the web right now! FB @ https://www.facebook.com/DragonBladeMovie?fref=ts
Official Site @  http://lionsgatepremiere.com/dragon-blade
Support LionsGate! Go!