Friday, January 25, 2019

Polar (2019) Movie Review (C) 2019 Dan's Movie Report

Above: Poster for Polar on IMDB - Used for informational purposes.


Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers. Netflix is a unique service. There, I said it. As soon as the Jonas Åkerlund film Polar popped into my feed I was like, it is Friday night, need something twisted to view after tackling my overgrown shrubs with a manual lopper. That aside, I was tired, a bit cranky, just the mood for this truculent and unabashed, violent spectacle.

Polar is Jonas Åkerlund 's attempt to channel is inner Q.T. ! Mixed of course with a dash of No Country for Old Men. Essentially this film is about a hit-man nearing mandatory retirement age, which is 50, yes no one wants a senile hit man! BOOM! Yes, they say that in the film. OK I know I am senile, now especially after watching Polar. The film works in some ways, but feels overdrawn in others.

Starting on the slightly negative side, the film is actually too long, I know, when is a 118 minute film too long, but it is. Hard to tell if it was to try to throw more action and torture in there, or was this meant for two cuts an R rated one and an unrated one, what was on Netflix was bonkers, probably the most sex and violence crammed into the same movie, since Irreversible, which was 96 minutes, and plenty long enough. The side characters, such as the owner of a shop, are in extended scenes, and some of them seem, unnecessary as the film makers want to force the fact that he is trying to live a normal life, but he can't and then we see gruesome flashbacks of his work as an assassin. I mean, after one or two or three we get it, actually one flashback was enough to convey the idea he was experiencing PTSD and there is a particularity horrible scene near the beginning, involving a dog, that was ridiculous, yes I am sure it happens, but come on, why at that time, prior to establishing his character.

Those negatives aside, ultimately I really enjoyed the ride, once the film decides it wants to send out a hit squad after him. A flamboyant leader like a semicircle in a suit decides that he is costing the “Company” too much and wants him retired for good. I must say, this is perhaps the craziest hit squad, in the spirit of the movie Se7en they are sent to his various residences looking for him and rather than leave whoever is occupying alone they find crazy ways to kill everyone.

This produces perhaps my favorite character of the entire film, Fei Ren, as Hilde. OK now she gets the villain right! She is not over acting she is breathing quiet insanity to the role. She reminds me of a mixture of Lucy Liu in Kill Bill, and Kelly Hu in X-Men 2. Trained assassins, yet seething underneath. She is tall and has a commanding angular presence. Of course Mads Mikkelsen as the lead protagonist, Duncan Vizla is great as usual, he is a total acting pro. His character goes through the gambit of torture and emerges, still ready to do battle.

Kudos go to Pär M. Ekberg he did a wonderful job as cinematographer. The audience is in on the action, everything is shot clean, up close, and clear, not in the shadows. We see and feel the violence and sex, yeah and there is a lot of that as well. I mean, I hate to be a prude, but wow, finally an action film where the sex scenes are not filmed with soft focus haha, It was raw and manic!

Whew, OK I am not going to spoil the story, plot, etc... damn I hate when reviewers do that! First of all, decide if you can handle the material prior to, if you liked Kill Bill, No Country for Old Men, and Irreversible, you will like this, if gore, extreme violence and nudity are things that turn you off, I would say "El passola!"

As a fan of this genre, this is an easy 7.5 thumbs up out of 10 thumbs, sometimes I am all thumbs! I will give Fei Ren, a 11 out of 10! She brought some sexy flair, as the cold, emotionless, yet intellectual villainess!

I mean Netflix is killing the game now with unabashed original content! This service is a must have! Go to www.netflix.com and sign up and log in! ------ 

Follow Fei Ren on twitter as of this writing she has under 1,000 followers!  https://twitter.com/Feifeiren

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Actor Marko Zaror Chats ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL!! (C) 2019 Danny Templegod! Exclusive!

Above: Alita Poster from IMDB. Used for promotional interview purposes only.


Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers and of course readers of Action-Flix.com Today is a special treat, I was holding this interview for a bit to celebrate the release of the massive Battle Angel film on Valentine's Day. The Interview was actually part three multi part interview, this is the final chapter for now. I plan to revisit Marko following the release date of Battle Angel and as we get closer to the release of Invincible! Sit back, relax, get some tea, and soak in the sun of action with Marko Zaror, Honor in action 3-2-1- GO!!!


DT: I know you are excited for the impending release of Alita: Battle Angel coming up on Valentine's Day amd are not allowed to chat about plot details, but chat about your experiences on the massive 200 million dollar production from James Cameron directed by Robert Rodriguez.

MZ: The experience on Battle Angel was great, I already completed all of my parts awhile back. I had a short period of rest then had to return to continue filming. I am just so honored to be part of this production. Robert (Rodriguez) just called me direct and said Marko, I have a role for you. I must say being part of that world is amazing. I can honestly say this is the most amazing experience I have ever had on film. In terms of production everything it was just on a massive scale. It was like being transported to another world. To be a part of this project was amazing, I am just so happy and grateful.

DT: Discuss the set of the production must have been astonishing.

MZ: What I can talk about is how amazed I am with the technology used in Battle Angel. The production size and scope is just huge, yet everyone on set is a total professional. How they are working integrating all this animation to the production while we are acting. It may be common, but I have never seen such a technologically advanced film set before. For example I never saw someone acting and then in a screen next to the actor, there is a CGI robot right next to them. It was asttonishing. I have dots on my face and body to superimpose my facial features in an animated yet realistic way. The camera used it to motion capture the movement. So in the screen next to it you see your character and what you are landowning acting next to you It was a surreal experience! I am really looking forward to the release and enjoying every moment!

Above: Autographed photo from Savage Dog, new contest to begin later in 2019!!!!

DT: Thanks Marko must have been a wonderful and enlightening experience, wrapping up this brief preliminary interview, what are some of your long term goals and what are things you would like to change about the action film world?

MZ: for future projects, I just first would like to state how happy I am for my career path this year. I am always trying to stay open to new experiences and new collaborations., that is my plan. I am wanting to stay open and connected to my inner self. I want to make the right decisions. I want to be picking and choosing the right projects to be involved in. I am hoping eventually we complete the Zambo Dende project ( it was never completed as of 2019) actor Darren Shahlavi passed soon after the initial short was completed) Zambo is a character I would love to represent. He is such a strong character. I have a lot of projects (Invincible just completed) I have a project that I am writing and developing so I will see where that goes.

DT: Thanks Marko as always great work on the interview.

MZ: Yes Danny, thanks to you for always supporting the action world, and my career.

Check out the Marko Savage Dog exclusive shoutout! 

Follow Marko on his official Twitter feed @ https://twitter.com/markozaror?lang=en


Watch for more exclusives on Dan's Movie Report, and the top action site on the web www.action-flix.com

Check out the extensive 2017 interviews on Dan's Movie Report  http://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2017/08/actor-marko-zaror-chats-defenders-dans.html
Defenders

The 4000 word full two part interview: https://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2018/08/actor-marko-zaror-interview-2017-dans.html




Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Action Film Triple Threat Explodes With Official German Blu-Ray Cover!

Above Photo: from Jesse V. Johnson's social media page

 Update 1-23-19- Not sure if it is Official, as no German release date has been announced and Tony Jaa's Manager points out that Michael Bisping is missing from the poster and Tony Jaa is the lead and Celina Jade is the female lead. I sent out an inquiry to find out the full story.


Greetings valued Dan's Movie report readers. Recently unleashed, is the official German Blu-Ray cover for Triple threat. Director Jesse V. Johnson unleashed it on his social media feed.The film officially releases March 22nd in the USA! 

My associate in action John Jerva over at www.action-flix.com has some new coverage with regards to this Well Go Entertainment film




OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: A hit contract is taken out on a billionaires daughter intent on bringing down a major crime syndicate. A down and out team of mercenaries must take on a group of professional assassins and stop them before they kill their target.

John Jerva states: "f you didn't know already, the film also stars  Michael Bisping, Celina Jade, Jeeja Yanin, Jennifer Yang, Ron Smoorenburg, Michael Wong, and Monica Mok. We also know that the running time for the film is 96 minutes long. Action maestro Jesse V. Johnson helms the film and we are surely in for a rousing and high-octane display of fisticuffs and firepower with this one. Dare I say instant classic? This film will surely be one that we all will watch again and again. This is why slo-mo was created for Blu-Ray players my friends."


Watch for a massive push of coverage for this film, including cast interviews and contests once the film releases to DVD! Keep reading both sites Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com for more further into 2019. 




Well Go USA has an official page set up for the film, which should see a limited theatrical run if all goes according to plan. Jump Kick your browsers to http://www.wellgousa.com/films/triple-threat


Here is the teaser trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZlc95kwZ2o


Monday, January 21, 2019

Tayah Kansik - Acting & Action Spotlight! (C) 2019 Dan's Movie Report



Both Photos Above: From Tayah's Facebook Page. Used for promotional purposes only.

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers. I read many lists, on several well informed websites, that said, as much as I enjoy a rundown of today's most amazing videos, I feel it is time to start, well restart something on my site which I have done prior, and that is spotlight a particular person in the business for his or her prowess, and so they are not lost in the mix of a dozen videos, thus giveing them the opportunity to shine on their own. More than 7 years ago I did a spotlight for the amazingly talented actress Aurelia Scheppers and I feel it is time once again to revisit this idea, but on a more permanent basis. My plan is to try to do two spotlights per month, more if I am slow with interviews but two per month, showcasing either new talent, or talent that is solid, yet has flown under the radar, due to the person being outside the U.S., or just more in the indie scene. Again I am not limiting this to action, as most of you know my site covers all types of films, and all types of people. If you know someone in this character please reach out.

I was really encouraged on promoting the actress and action lady Noon Nardia @ http://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2017/10/actress-nardia-noon-spotlight-thailand.html
Now she is a team member of Jaika Stunts and is working on many projects throughout the world.

I feel that as a writer, I have not only a responsibility to my readers, but a responsibility to all talented people the world over to connect to make great films, TV shows and commercials. Although I no longer am involved with Widescreen festival, one amazing thing this has done is show me that film is truly worldwide!

Today let me start by introducing Tayah Kansik to my world of insanity. Tayah and I have been chatting and I find her to be quite engaging as she balances her personal protection work, which is rather secretive, and her film work, which is of course more public.


Her latest action reel has been posted thanks to my buddy Dean Meadows @

An older Thai Boxing reel is @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mSGkaK6ctE



I am in a 2019-Bollywood film “Operation Cobra” I was the lead actress’ Bodydouble.(fight scenes on high roof and high wall climb)

Action Feature film “Hushed” finished filming Dec 2018, I play the role of Emily Mark Strange’s wife.(Awesome cast including Mark Strange and award winner Director Danny Darren, Shane Hart, Crispian Belfrage amongst others...

Projects early this year...Feb 2019 filming for VvsV as the role of Beth (Kat Clatworthy and Maria Lee Metheringham).

Biggest role I have to date currently I am in preparation for “Scorpion Girl” to be filmed this year in LA. I play the lead nemesis “Jane the Punisher”

Tayah is a cool lady, with many skills, and a humble attitude. Look for her in Redcon 1 and Scarlet Cross in 2019!, among other projects! Watch for more on your home for exclusives Dan's Movie Report.


Sunday, January 20, 2019

TRIBAL - GET OUT ALIVE Begins Pre-Production! New Facebook Page Activated!!

Above: Zara ready for battle, from the Tribal Facebook Page!!



Tribal – Get Out Alive Begins Pre-production! New Facebook Page!

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers, just spoke to Zara Phythian and she informed me that in a few weeks production will ramp up in earnest on the new action film Tribal. Get ready for exclusive set reports and videos, as the film commences filming! For the mean time Zara has asked that action fans worldwide like the fresh Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/Tribal-Get-Out-Alive-563146574138899/

New Twitter Page @  https://twitter.com/movie_tribal

The film's Producer Kelvin Brierley has an official Twitter as well @  https://twitter.com/BrierleyKelvin




Watch for more! Everything will be unleashed beginning Spring 2019!!! Keep checking back with Dan's Movie Report!