Saturday, August 3, 2019

Vlad Rimburg Unleashes Wolf Warrior 2 Previs Clip!

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers, in an effort to spotlight on stunts, check out this bad ass clip from Vlad Rimburg!  Wolf Warrior 2!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlrm8uouKc0&feature=youtu.be


In the clip with this team:



Wolf Warrior 2 - Hospital Fight Previs Previs Action Design by: Sam Hargrave Vlad Rimburg Thayr Harris Fernando Chien Performers: Micah Karns Fernando Chien Monique Ganderton Thayr Harris Tara Macken Matt Berberi Dennis Ruel Jimmy Chhiu Filmed by: Vlad Rimburg Thayr Harris Edited by: Vlad Rimburg Previs Action Direction: Sam Hargrave Vlad Rimburg Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vladrimburg Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/vjvlad https://www.youtube.com/vladrimburg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vladrimburg... Email: vjvlad@yahoo.com Don't Forget to Subscribe :)
Very Cool to see this in the theater!! Check out my review! http://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2017/08/wolf-warrior-2-2017-movie-review-dans.html

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Hollow Point (2019) Movie Review (C) 2019 Dan's Movie Report








Above: Official poster for Hollow Point (c) 2019 Halcyon Films


Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers. Already a lot of buzz regarding the latest film from director Daniel Zirilli, Hollow Point. Daniel and star JuJu Chan are in China at the 5th annual Jackie Chan International Action Film Awards. Hollow Point is chosen as one of the top 10 action films of the festival and JuJu Chan was chosen as a nominee for the best action actress. Check out this amazing photo from Antony Szeto below at the festival

Above: Daniel Zirilli and JuJu Chan (c) 2019 Antony Szeto
 

Composer Nicholas Rivera was awarded for his musical score in Hollow Point. At the 2019 NIAFFS (Noidentity International Action Film Festival) which took place June 29th 2019 in Seville Spain. Executive Producer and Star Dilan Jay was on hand to accept the awards, which also included awards for director Daniel Zirilli and Ayhan Tongadur. Often composing is a lonely business, having to sit in a room by yourself syncing the music to a quiet film track. Composers often have to go through a myriad of demands by various producers and the film director, delivering the finished project in a limited amount of time. Nicholas is a creative individual, who puts passion into his craft. Very deserved to be recognized for his efforts in Hollow Point. Nicholas may not be walking red carpets, but in order for the others involved in the film to be able to, it is hard to deny that a great score is what makes a film, Jaws anyone?

Now that the film is actually for sale on Amazon, in the U.K. and has had a couple of film fest screenings, now is a great time to review the film, putting my two and a half cents in. Before getting into this review a full disclosure, I recommended JuJu Chan and DP Carmen Cabana to the production, having introduced the two of them at the Widescreen Film Festival in 2017.

Hollow Point at the core is a revenge film as a college professor's wife and child are gunned down in cold blood for just being witness to a crime. Dilan Jay, in his film debut is the Executive producer and star. He portrays the professor character Noolan Cooray. Dilan is just getting his feet wet in the film business, coming from a musical background, he is creative, perhaps he may have bitten off more than he can handle jumping into the lead character. His effort is commendable, but might have been better served to start out in a smaller role prior to.

The script to Hollow Point was written by Chad and Evan Law, along with director Daniel Zirilli. I thought the script and dialogue was interesting and entertaining. The dialogue had purpose, not just being filler to pad an action yarn.

Daniel Zirilli has directed many excellent independent action films. Although he gets as much as he can out of the people involved, I feel that at times some elements of the films he has directed are slightly hampered. Not his fault, as budget constraints and outside forces seem to curtail his hard work. Please someone give this man a proper budget! Check out our earlier interview. http://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2016/04/director-daniel-zirilli-interview-dans.html

Connect to him @  https://www.facebook.com/popartfilms/


One element of Hollow Point I really enjoyed was the camera work overall. Carmen Cabana is the director of photography on Hollow Point, and I must say, the way she frames the action, well lit when it needs to be and proper angles for the fight scenes and dialogue scenes give a more polished feel to the film. I firmly feel that a good DP can really enhance even a low budget film, and Hollow Point is for sure one of the best shot films Daniel Zirilli has directed.

The cast of Hollow Point consists of veteran actors mixed with newcomers and at times, some of the acting is a bit uneven, that said, Michael ParĂ©   Luke Goss and Jay Mohr are seasoned pros and give Hollow Point a more prominent feel than the average B movie. The trio do their best at stern looks and intense dialogue, underscoring the seriousness of Hollow Point.

The big acting surprises here are actresses Natalie Burn and JuJu Chan. Natalie Burn portrays detective Emily Plaza and really seems to take to the role. Not only does she deliver her lines with authority, her mannerisms belay the demeanor of an officer, trying to get to the bottom of the situation. Natalie downplays her good looks, going more for a streamlined no nonsense approach to the project. Actress JuJu Chan, who will be soon seen in the upcoming Wu Assassins, pulls out all of the violence and verisimilitude needed for her role as the mercenary/scout Amanda Ray. Finally a script, a director and a DP in a film uses JuJu to her potential. JuJu has significant dialogue, and copious fighting, in Hollow Point, usually it is one or the other. As I disclosed earlier, I recommended JuJu to Daniel Z, about 3 yrs ago, but I can honestly say she really worked hard on this film and was definitely into the script and working with her good friend Carmen as the DP. It shows when people work hard.

Pointing out some other aspects of the film, location a kick ass house for one of the lead bad guys, a dank warehouse, the Los Angeles scenery is on display with some cool outside photography. I helicopter was used in the final police take down, this added to the overall scope of the film. The flow of the film is fast, not much time is wasted on fluff. Coming in at one hour and twenty-nine minutes including credits crawl, the film length feels about right,

Some gripes I have, the first one being the editing of the shots, especially during the final action sequence. The quick cuts between Dilan's confrontation with the bad guy and JuJu's killer fight, left me a bit frustrated, I kind of wish we are privy to the entire Juju fight first and then the Dilan climax separately. Both elements are very good, yet splicing them together seemed to lesson the effectiveness of the two. Even though the are taking place at the same time, giving them their own space even a minute or two each would have made both more satisfying. 


Above: Hollow Point (c) 2019 Halcyon Films
 

The lighting for the most part is very good. My only issue is the very beginning raid, it is just too dark to properly see our mercenary group. The camera angles are fine, just needed to be lit from above like a flood or street light illuminating the area. The actors in the scene have some cool moves, yet due to the darkness the audience is not able to see them. I did a second pass with the brightness on my DVD player and the TV all the way up. It helped a bit but still very dark.

Dilan Jay is a good singer, however due to the type of film this is with extreme violence, and torture, his sweet soulful voice and mellow music seemed out of place. Hollow Point needed more hard tribal drums and perhaps some heavy metal music, yep I said it, when things get crazy.

Above: JuJu Chan and Dilan Jay share a moment in Hollow Point (c) 2019 Halcyon Films

Normally I do not like a small cast, but in Hollow Point, it seems too many side characters are introduced and detract from the main focal point of the plot. There is a lavish pool party, with an endless array of beautiful ladies, the scene is supposed to establish the upper crust lifestyle of the bad guys, but we already know this from the house one of them resides in, luxurious with huge open windows.

Arnold Chon does a great job with the stunts and action. Having to deal with a wide variety of abilities is difficult. He has to craft the action based on the talents of the various actors, within the framework of the script. Arnold is a pro, and I would definitely like to see some of his behind the scenes fight set up.


Although far from perfect, Hollow Point merits a rent or a buy if you like action films. With successful film festival runs, the movie is gaining momentum, look for a release in the USA later this year. I struggled with the rating, overall I give the film a 7 out of 10, some elements are amazing, some are a bit sub-par, but scoring this on a scale of B movies under the million dollar budget Hollow Point is pretty good. I will say if you do not like B films, or action films, perhaps Hollow Point is not for you, but being used to this type of film and comparing it to films in the same category, it is pretty good.



The film is available to buy, from Amazon U.K. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollow-Point-Luke-Dilan-Michael/dp/B07SFQ3931 the DVD is under 10 USD!!

Check out the Facebook Page for Hollow Point @  https://www.facebook.com/hollowpointfilm1/


Above: Trailer for Hollow Point (2019)

Official Hollow Point trailer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ksPSLu8EvM

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Tamiko Brownlee New Action Reel! #StandUpForStunts (Dan's Movie Report)

 Above Photos: Left -- Tony Chu, Right: Tamiko in Son's Of Anarchy

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-flix.com readers. In light of the recent serious injury to stunt man Joe Watts in the U.K. On the set of Fast & Furious 9, I am think it is so important as journalists to name stunt people for their achievements and undeniable importance to the film world. Stunt people risk their lives, not only to save the actors from dangerous situations which can end their career., but often are asked with increasing pressure to do more daring physical actions for the enjoyment of the audience. 

With the overtaking of Avatar as the top grossing film of all time, Avengers: Endgame has some truly amazing stunts. Today I must spotlight one of my personal favorite stunt action professionals: Tamiko Brownlee. Tamiko recently doubled Mantis in Avengers: Engame, doubled the Ghost character in Ant Man & The Wasp, and a did a brutal fight sequence doubling the actress Lauren Cohen in Mile 22, where she literally was thrown and slammed against the wall so hard that it would have probably put a normal person in a hospital.

Tamiko has a new stunt action reel out now and it showcases her talent and willingness to fight for herself, and on film. Tamiko is a professional, I also hope to see her in more speaking roles, like she was a character on the show Mistresses. Tamiko has a clear speaking voice and could easily play the parts of the characters she doubles.


Her latest video reel is edited by the amazing Vlad Rimburg, please blast his YouTube Channel for more information @  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gqdWG_t48srAYk4NwZkmA



For further information please check out our 2015 interview @ Http://www.dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2015/01/exclsuive-tamiko-brownlee-interview-c.html

Please make sure you follow her on social media @

Official Website: https://www.tamikx.com/

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

NETFLIX Wu Assassins New Trailer out! 10 Episode Series Due Out August 8th!

Above: Actress JuJu Chan kicks some unlucky, or lucky guy in the face in Wu Assassins!


Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix readers. Today, July 23rd 2019 the trailer finally dropped for Netflix series Wu Assassins. The highly anticipated series stars Iko Uwais and Katheryn Winnick. Wu Assassins also enlists Mark Dacascos, Lewis Tan, and JuJu Chan, Celia Au, Li Jun Li from Quantico and Tommy Flanagan from Sons of Anarchy! Full Cast list @ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8652642/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

Judging from the trailer the 10 episode series looks to have some supernatural elements with shape shifting and extra powers beyond fighting. The action looks very entertaining with a wide variety of fighting styles and settings. I am quite sure that after the rather tepid Iron Fist, that this team will do a much better job. It is important as the main character Iko is a martial artist.

In addition this is a cross roads for Netflix. The company stock needs to rebound, also with increased competition from Disney Plus in November, Netflix needs new intellectual properties that are their own not licensed. With all of the Marvel shows coming off of the service by the end of 2021, Netflix will lose more than 100 hours of their programming. Hopefully Wu Assassins marks a rebirth for their series production.

Go to www.netflix.com for further information. Series is scheduled to be unleashed August 8th!


Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Actress Tracee Lee Cocco Interview (C) 2019 Dan's Movie Report

 All Photos: (C) 2019 Paleoman Enterprises LLC Licensed exclusively to Dan's Movie Report Interview was conducted by Eric courtesy of  The Cosmic Cafe Show on the set of the film. The interview was transcribed by Russ Emanuel. Please visit https://cosmiccafeshow.com/ for more information.

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers. The Assassin's Apprentice has begun principal photography on the second short film in the series entitled 'The Assassins Apprentice: The Silbadores of La Gomera'. Veteran actress Tracee Lee Cocco has been cast as Gwen in the production. She chats about her experience on Star Trek and how she became involved in The Assassin's Apprentice. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the text ride with Tracee.



DMR: Deep Space Nine was my favorite of all the series as it was intellectual and culturally diverse, curious if you have a favorite moment on the show? I also just wanted to say I so much loved your work and everyone's on that show.



TLC: Probably my favorite moment on Deep Space Nine was when I played a Ferengi and I was in the bar scene with Quark. Yeah.  And there was also, I was in a video game I believe where I was a bar-back also, in Deep Space Nine. But I’m not quite sure, it was either that or Voyager but, yeah, Ferengis were fun.





DMR: I am curious, as well if you still maintain strong friendships with anyone in particular to this day. Even beyond the Trek Conventions?



TLC: Probably have to say Marina (Sirtis). Yes, her and I exchanged numbers, we text each other every now and then. But, when I do see the other cast members at conventions, oh my gosh, they drop everything and come over and hug me. It’s great. But yeah, Gates McFadden too, her and I, yeah. They’re very cool to me when I see them.





DMR: Finally, what attracted you to TAA2 and how did you come to be involved.



TLC: Well, I came to be involved through Paul Hickman. That’s how I met Russ (Emanuel) and I know Ryan (T. Husk). What attracted me was, I saw the first one and it was awesome. They’re all a bunch of great people and it’s a great production. And I’m honored that they gave me the opportunity to play Gwen, who’s an assassin herself but she’s retired. Maybe she can, I don’t know, come back later, hint, hint! Anyway, it’s a great production, the people are great, the cast and crew are all awesome, they made me feel great. I’m pretty sure this one’s going to kick butt too, so, I can’t wait to see it.



Thank you for the insight into Deep Space 9 and The Assassin's Apprentice, looking forward to witnessing the action unfold, please connect with Tracee Lee Cocco on her social media accounts: