Above: Poster for Torpedo U-235 from Epic Pictures. Used for promotional purposes only not monetized.
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers. The good folks
at Epic Pictures have a new war film that will be available to stream
May 19th and DVD and blu-Ray on May 26th.
Torpedo- U35
World
War II: Resistance fighters accept a suicide mission to deliver a
stolen Nazi submarine carrying atomic uranium. Hunted by Hitler’s
army, the crew must outwit the German Navy to bring the cargo safely
to America.
Above: Poster for 'The Legion' (C) 2020 Saban Films used for promotional purposes only, not monetized.
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers. With the
quarantine running on two months now, I am always on the lookout for
new films to watch, thanks to Bai Ling, I heard about a new film
called 'The Legion'
Supposedly
inspired by true events, the synopsis: “Nero's reign. The invasion
of Parthia has been a fiasco. Two Roman legions have been brought to
a stand still in the snowy mountains of Armenia, and the men are
dying slowly in the cold. The rest of the Roman army is in Syria,
only two weeks march away but the mountains swarm with Parthian
patrols. Noreno, a half-Roman, is entrusted the mission of crossing
the mountains to ask for help. However, he might not be the best
option, he's an expert runner, but he despises Rome. “
The
cast of 'The Legion' includes Vladimir Kulich as Marcus, Mickey
Rourke as Corbulo, and Bai Ling as Amirah. An eclectic mixture of
talent, yet the film feels a bit smaller in scope than it needs to
be. For a sword and sandals type of film, though there is action and
peril, it seems the characters move through the film at a very
relaxed pace. The music is quite good, setting the tone, but seems
like the entire film needed more action and less dialogue, During the
talking scenes characters have time to stand around and have a
dialogue all the while being supposedly chased. The tension level is
high when a character scales a cliff, and the cinematography is quite
amazing, almost impossible to believe.
The
scene drags on a bit too long though, and then it is followed by a
more relaxed pace, and a monologue.
Director/Producer
Jose Magan, who also served as one of the film's writers, seems to
enjoy the genre, and I will say that the visuals on 'The Legion' are
quite strong, opting for outside shots rather than green screen for
some of the film. Obviously there are budget constraints, but the
quest, a short cut two week march to found support for their army.
The countryside in Spain, where The Legion was filmed serves as a
nice backdrop for the quest.
As far
as the acting, just seems like the characters are kind of reading
their lines, not really pushing as hard as they can for tilm. Marta
Castellvl has a great first scene, actually I kind of wish she was in
the film more. I like her character as she shows a bit more quiet
intensity and emotional range. Less is more and often dialogue is not
needed to convey emotion. She assists the weary traveler, remaining
silent and stoic.
The
quest to find help is the focus on the film, I just wantd to see more
plot deveopments and complications, save for the random enemy and
challenging terrain. Is the movie bad, no it is just far to relaxed
and laid back to be an enjoyable action film. Yes there is some
battles, just too much down time.
I
really like Mickey Rourke, in The Legion he literally is performing
dialogue, which is a bit detached from the film, basically a
monologue, and it seems it could have been inserted into any film of
this period, only by changing the names. He has has a scene in the
end, which he drops an F bomb, quite sure F bombs are not used in
67AD and probably not much English either in Rome and Syria, where
the movie takes place.
Bai
Ling has a cool scene in the end, she plays some sort of Mistress yet
an empress, gotta love Ms Ling, she is sultry and always delivers
some crazy lines. Again Bai Ling is a minor character that needed
more screen time.
Overall
'The Legion' is average film, I cannot say I recommend buying this,
but as a lazy streaming afternoon, well, it may be OK. 'The Legion'
rates a slightly disappointing 5 out of 10. To rent or buy, go to
Amazon:
Above: Aaron Toney starts things off in 'Round 2'! Quarantine Fight Challenge!
Below: Full 5 minute film on YouTube
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers, Aaron Tony
over at Zero Gravity has created a brand new quarantine video with
many of his action friends! This one has high production values and
just amazing editing! Many of the actors dressed in the costumes of
people they double. This one has studio quality editing and action
and could easily be in film festivals when they get started again. It
is really amazing what Aaron and his buddies have come up with. Most
of the earlier action videos, while amazing and creative, are simple
shot on Iphones or phone cameras, this one really is high quality
with stellar audio!
Special
mention to the entire VFX team! Miguel Fernandez, Dave Macomber,
Brian Ho, Caine Sinclair, Omar Zaki, and Chris Clements. You guys did
a really pro job, I say get the team together again on a feature
action flick!
Amy Johnston becomes a sultry Sonya Blade with a sword in 'Round 2'
Aaron
used four people as stunt coordinator, Including Brian Ho, Chad
Bellamy, Monique Ganderton, and Noon Orsatti. All amazingly creative
pushing the limits of human action. Stunt Coordinator Monique Ganderton has an
equine action sequence including jumping off as Laura Croft from Tombraider! See photo below:
My
friend Lauren Mary Kim is of course The Mandalorian! Hah!
The 5
minute short, has some seriously high production values, and of
course it can not be monetized as the actors are dressed like various
superheroes! Aaron made this short to keep his skills and the skills
of the various performers in the video sharp. Plus in this new real
of social distancing, experiments have to be made and tested to see
what sort of entertainment will be allowed. I see more of this, and
yes drive In movies and concerts!
Above: Gangs of London Poster from IMDB (C) 2020 Sky TV Used for promotional purposes only not monetized.
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report and www.action-flix.com
readers. I could not wait, NowTV and Sky networks have unleashed what
I call, the finest action series ever. It happened. Gangs of London
checks every single box in the action/crime drama saga, skirting a
level only the first two Godfather films could hope to achieve. Even
as amazing as the Sopranos was, it left many questions unanswered,
and ambiguous characters. Gangs of London defines the players,
defines the good and bad characters, then tells you not to believe
what is shown.
Above: Colm Meaney the bad ass gangster! (C) 2020 Sky Networks, for promotional use only not monetized.
What
happens here is with a proper budget, Gareth Evans (The Raid) along with
fellow co-directors Xavier Gens and Corin Hardy, have fleshed out
literally a gangster tale where the story is not implied, but unfolds
in front of us, the audience. We do not hear about people getting
tortured and killed, we are thrust into each scene with an fervor
unmatched. I refuse to spoil any of this series as so many events
happen that a crucial to the development of the intricate story. I
will say this, the series is NOT for the faint at heart as, there are
limbs being severed, heads being drilled and a water torture scene.
Gangs of London, is shockingly intense in violence, but there is such
a detailed story to back it up. Keep binging and re-watch.
Above: Michelle Fairley (C) 2020 Sky Promotional use only not monetized
Essentially
there are several factions. You have the Wallace family with Mother
Marian Wallace, played by Michelle Fairley ('Game Of Thrones'), and
her two sons Sean and Billy, who are part crazy and part scared, but
always aggressive. Michelle Fairley's Marian is perhaps my second
favorite character, she is given a lot to do and say and she has some
motherly instincts yes, but being around my age ha she has a wily
veteran aggressive streak that is quite refreshing! The second big
family is the Dumani family lead by Ed Dumani, deftly portrayed by
Lucian Msamati. The family is an enigma, as the father is a big crime
lord yet his son is up to be mayor. There is a group of mercenaries
seemingly going rogue and working for whoever is paying them. Kind of
like a paramilitary force. The basically go in an leave no survivors.
Incidentally, Wallace family also includes in an extended cameo, Colm
Meaney from Star Trek fame, he plays like the uncle and OG violence
patriarch. My favorite of the lot is Narges Rashidi as Lale, she
portrays a part that is worth exploring further. Overall some very
memorable character development and dialogue in 'Gangs of London'
Here
is an excellent short documentary on the female characters of 'Gangs
of London'
Above: Narges Rashidi as Lale, just being her aggressive and tormented self! (C) 2020 Sky Network for promotional use only not monetized.
The
character of Lale would in ever other movie or TV show be some
bearded stereotypical Middle Easter man, and more often than not, a
nondescript throw away character. Kudos to the entire show production
team to recognize the extremely high level of talent Narges possess,
and really develop an aggressive yet sympathetic character. No
spoilers of course but there is a scene in which Narges basically
goes on a killing rampage, and in real life Narges hard to escape the
horrors of the 80s Iran/Iraq War. The powerful scene, is not just
random killing, there are emotional scars on her face, and as her
character goes further into the series, she becomes the anti hero.
The crap she has to put up with, and being a leader of men, even
though she is not a man, is truly astonishing. I say EMMY!
Finally
of course there are the police officers, who actually are integrated
into the story as some are corrupt, yet some are just a step behind.
Although she has a smaller role, I kind of liked Jing Lusi as
Detective Inspector Vicky Chung. Even though she is often late on the
scene she knows what is going on and warns her fellow officers. My
only small gripe is she was just not given enough to do, but
hopefully she will be back for season 2.
Actor
Lee Charles has a crazy fight in Gangs of London and look for a
future interview on Dan's Movie Report, I wish he was in the show
longer. Many of the what I call single episode or minor characters
actually are quite entertaining.
The
accouterments of the show are very solid, lighting, acting, scenery
musical score, yes it is a BRITISH crime drama, I am USA based and I
can understand it, not that hard, I see people complaining. I say get
headphones and turn up the volume and be non distracted watching it.
Don't play on your phone, put the dogs and kids to bed. And watch it.
I would say watch it two episodes or three per day for the duration,
do not stop an episode halfway through let it play out, they are
53-58 minutes in length and the season of Gangs of London is 9
episodes. I mean, during this Covid situation, no real excuse not to
binge the show in a two week period.
Overall,
the series is just excellent, having all of the elements in action of
'The Raid' with the quality story telling of 'The Godfather', and the
character intricacies of 'Goodfellas'. Gangs of London season one
rates a 10 out of 10, it is my third perfect score in my 11 years
writing on Dan's Movie Report. Binge, binge, and binge again,
watching out for the ladies of Gangs of London, they are the crazy
ones!
Above: Poster from IMDB (C) 2020 Samuel Goldwyn Films
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers. Director Jesse
V. Johnson has sent back his interview for the second installment of
the Debt Collector series!
Check
out the Synopsis: Debt collectors French and Sue get to work doing
what they do best _ cracking skulls and breaking bones _ as they
chase down the various lowlifes who owe money to their boss, Tommy.
They're summoned to Las Vegas to collect from a dirty casino owner,
who happens to be a vicious ex-lover of Sue's. Meanwhile, a notorious
drug kingpin is on the warpath to kill French and Sue to avenge his
brother's death. Facing danger from all angles, the pair will have no
other choice but to fight their way out of an explosively dangerous
situation. Written by
mehradkins
