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A divisive action thriller is now climbing its way up the Prime Video charts three years after it was first released. Starring action movie icon Michael Jai White, best known for the likes of The Dark Knight and Spawn, As Good As Dead has now found its way at #6 in the top 10 movies on the Amazon streaming platform as audiences and action fans tune in to watch the action movie superstar once again demonstrate why he is one of the best martial arts actors in the business.

Directed by R. Ellis Frazier and written by Michael Jai White himself, As Good as Dead stars Inception and Sniper star Tom Berenger alongside White, with the rest of the cast comprised of Louis Mandylor, Gillian White, Michael Copon, Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden, Luca Oriel, Roberto 'Sanz' Sanchez, Mauricio Mendoza, Guillermo Iván, S.E. Perry, Mario Zaragoza, Vincent Di Paolo, Andrew Dasz, and Dillon Wilson.

Charlotte Kirk (Duchess) is set to topline Myra, an indie drug thriller from veteran action director R. Ellis Frazier.

Others in the cast include Gary Daniels (The Expendables), Mike Ferguson (Showdown at the Grand), Roberto Sanchez (2 Fast 2 Furious), Mauricio Mendoza (Deadpool 2), and Corin Nemec (Place of Bones).

Currently in production in Tijuana, Myra follows an ex-gang member (Kirk) of the same name who escapes to Tijuana, Mexico with $2 million in bearer bond loot after a botched robbery in Los Angeles. When Tony (Daniels), Myra’s gang leader and long-time lover, realizes that he has been robbed, he goes hot on Myra’s trail. Myra has 36 hours to cash out the bonds, emancipate herself from the gang and start her new life. However, Tony isn’t her only adversary. Also trailing her are local gang leader (Sanchez) and a corrupt cop (Nemec), proving the time-honored point that blood...

When you see images of Charlotte Kirk looking like a tough action heroine, you usually expect those images to be from a Neil Marshall film, as the couple has recently collaborated on Duchess, The Lair, and The Reckoning – but yesterday, the folks at Coming Soon unveiled a trio of images that show Kirk as the tough heroine in the upcoming action thriller Myra, and this is not a Neil Marshall movie. Currently in production in Tijuana, Mexico, Myra is coming our way from director R. Ellis Frazier, whose previous credits include Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright, Dead Drop, Misfire, Rumble, 8 Days Carlo, Larceny, Legacy, Hustle Down, Repeater, As Good as Dead, and Day Labor. The images that show Kirk as the title character can now be seen in this article.

Scripted by Frazier and Benjamin Budd, Myra follows an ex-gang member who escapes to Tijuana, Mexico with...

We are grateful to Mr. Michael Jai White for taking the time to sit down with us so that we may bring you this interview where we talk about his new film, As Good As Dead, his past projects (like Black Dynamite), and a couple of hints about what he’s been working on and what we can look forward to!

One of the most prolific names in action cinema is Michael Jai White. He made his incredible mark by taking on a complex role in his breakthrough performance as Mike Tyson in the HBO original film, Tyson, which can still be viewed on HBO Max. He was the first and only actor to date to bring the cult comic superhero Spawn to life on the big screen. And today, you can see him in his new action film, in which he stars and wrote, titled As Good As Dead.

Michael Jai White has been an electrifying presence in action movies for decades, and he brings that power to the screen again in his new movie As Good As Dead. Directed by R. Ellis Frazier and written by White himself, As Good As Dead was produced by White's production company Jaigantic Studios, and can currently be seen in theaters and on digital platforms.

In As Good As Dead, a kid named Oscar (Luca Oriel) in Nogales, Mexico begins to learn martial arts from a mysterious man named Bryant (White). However, after a video of Oscar using his skills in an Mma tournament goes viral, some old enemies of Bryant's from his time as a DEA agent track him down. With Oscar and his family also targets, it is up to Bryant to stop them.

Related: Every Martial Arts Style Michael Jai White's Iceman Uses In Undisputed 2

Screen Rant speaks to...

Screen Rant is thrilled to present an exclusive clip from Saban Films' upcoming action thriller Repeater. The new movie follows John Smith (Paul Sidhu), the skilled hitman whose recent messy job has drawn the wrong kind of attention. No longer in the good graces of his employer, Smith accepts a high-stakes open contract set up by his handler, Edgar Mann (Corbin Bernsen).

With Smith hunting down a new target in the border towns of Mexico, the hacker-activist Jean Rousseau (Nick Moran) has a poorly timed crisis of conscience. Now, with a target on both their backs, Smith and Rousseau must outmaneuver gangs, Smith's fellow contract killers Botha (Gary Daniels) and Sykes (Kristanna Loken), and the powerful people that Rousseau has threatened to expose. Repeater will join an impressive line-up of December theatrical releases with its debut in select theaters on December 9 followed by an On Demand and digital release on...

Repeater Trailer — R. Ellis Frazier‘s Repeater (2022) movie trailer has been released by Saban Films. The Repeater trailer stars Paul Sidhu, Kristanna Loken, Nick Moran, James Faulkner, Corbin Bernsen, and Gary Daniels. Crew Benjamin Budd and R. Ellis Frazier wrote the screenplay for Repeater. Name created the music for the film. Name crafted the cinematography [...]

Continue reading: Repeater (2022) Movie Trailer: Paul Sidhu & Kristanna Loken star in Saban Films’ Hitman Action Thriller...

"Do whatever it takes." Saban Films has revealed a trailer for an indie action thriller titled Repeater, from action director R. Ellis Frazier. Unfortunately this isn't a time loop sci-fi, it's one of these dime-a-dozen trash action films they're dropping all the time these days. "Find. Kill. Repeat." For hit man Smith, these are the only words to live by. But a botched job forces him to take a high-stakes open contract arranged by his handler. Smith's latest target? The hacker-activist Rousseau, who has run afoul of corrupt corporations and powerful men like Silver. In the border towns of Mexico, Smith confronts local gangs, competing contract killers Botha and Sykes, and a crisis of conscience with deadly consequences. The film stars Paul Sidhu, Kristanna Loken, Nick Moran, James Faulkner, with Corbin Bernsen and Gary Daniels. Ugh this looks as generic and as forgettable as they come, everything is so derivative and uninteresting.

Exclusive: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles today announced the winners of its 10th annual Best of Nfmla Awards.

The list included Huella‘s Gabriella Ortega (Best New Filmmaker), Tracey Deer’s Beans (Best Feature Film), Nelson G. Navarrete and Maxx Caicedo’s A La Calle (Best Documentary Feature Film), Ciara Lacy’s This Is the Way We Rise, JJ Shpall’s Date Nite, Isabella Issa’s Yellow Girl and Me, Sarah Clift’s The Birth of Valerie Venus, Gustavo Milan’s Under the Heavens (Seiva Bruta), Bastien Dubois’ Souvenir Souvenir, Devone X. King’s Last Black Man (Best New Media & Experimental), Arnold Mwanjila’s Taliya (Best Screenplay), I Make Good Sounds at Parties‘ Russell Goldman, Yellow Girl and Me‘s Dior Wilson, Sweet Potatoes‘ Luke Sargent (Best Cinematography), From Here‘s Christina Antonakos-Wallace and Aletta Von Vietinghoff (Best Film Editing), The Fire Next Time‘s Jose Pablo Ramirez (Best Sound Design) and Livin’ in the Light‘s Onry (Best Score).

The Best of Nfmla Awards look to recognize the best talent in independent cinema from around the globe. This year’s edition included 125 nominees across 16 Award categories. All nominated projects screened as part of the Nfmla Monthly Film Festival 2021 season which ran from January 1st, 2021 through December 31st, 2021. Best New Filmmaker winner Ortega claimed a 3,000 Anthony Rhulen grant, with numerous other winners nabbing grants of 2,000. Over 5,000 in Blackmagic Design equipment will also be awarded to select winners, with post host Picture Shop hosting a post-production workshop for all nominees and winners.

Nfmla is a Los Angeles-based arts and culture non-profit organization that works year-round to highlight the works of independent artists. Its full list of 2022 Best of Nfmla nominees can be found here.

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Exclusive: Doc10 today announced its first-ever awards program, which this year will honor documentary filmmakers N. Bird Runningwater and Jessica Devaney.

The inaugural Luminary Award, celebrating filmmakers that shine a light on vital social issues, will be presented to Runningwater, who has supported such films as Billy Luther’s Miss Navajo and Heather Rae’s Trudell. The Vanguard Award, created to honor innovative and important documentary filmmakers, will be presented to Devaney, producer of some 17 shorts and features, including 2021 Doc10 selection Pray Away.

“The inaugural Luminary and Vanguard Awards were born to celebrate and promote the power of independent filmmaking,” said Doc10 co-founders Steve Cohen and Paula Froehle. “Jess and Bird represent the now and the future of great, cinematic documentary producing and how independent, fearless storytelling can promote real change in our world.” The 7th Doc10 documentary film festival will run from May 19-22 at the Davis Theatre and the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. To find out more about it or to purchase tickets, click here.

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Exclusive: Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy) will exec produce and star in the sci-fi thriller Space Racer, from writer-director Erik Bernard (Free Dead or Alive), with NFTs related to the film to be released by Karman Studios at the Cannes Marché du Film.

The pic from Bernard’s Rebel 6 Films and Gemini Films takes place in the year 2084. It finds Earth beginning to look to space for survival, at a point when it’s barely able to sustain human life. At this juncture, humans have contacted alien race, with pilot James Colt earning the opportunity to represent Earth in its first intergalactic race.

Bernard and Lyndon Tait wrote the script for the pic, which is intended to set up a trilogy. Kevin Grevioux (Underworld) is producing, with Velasquez, Bernard and Courtney LeMarco (Hoarders) exec producing, and Jasmin Espada (Free Dead or Alive) serving as co-producer. Velasquez is represented by Insurge-Ent and Innovative Artists; Bernard and LeMarco by Espada PR & Entertainment; and Grevioux by Brent Johnson of One Entertainment.

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Exclusive: Toric Films‘ Ojan Missaghi and David Wachs will be seeking distribution for their films Day Labor, Out of Hand and Deadly Games at this year’s Cannes Film Festival—with actor Gilles Marini (The Rookie) also on hand to promote the company’s slate.

Day Labor watches as a Latin American veteran seeks work as a day laborer in order to keep his family afloat. A regular day turns into a deadly game of survival when he is mistakenly dropped off at a private ranch in El Paso, Texas to be hunted for sport. R. Ellis Frazier directed the pic, which stars Amy Johnston, Louis Mandylor and Danny Arrory.

Director Brian Skiba’s Out of Hand is a thriller centered on Valerie (Louise Linton), a charismatic and sophisticated college professor who is married to a younger personal trainer heartthrob, David (Pierson Fode). When the couple leaves town to a secluded cabin in Lake Tahoe, things start to unravel. William Baldwin, Joana Metrass , David Wachs and Christy St. John also star.

Then, there’s Deadly Games, in which four female influencers are invited to paradise island to partake in a million-dollar opportunity by a crypto mogul, fighting to gain the most subscribers during their weekend for the paysite contest. When one of the girls ends up dead, and the murder gets kept a secret, the influencers get more than they bargained for. Missaghi directed and produced the pic, which stars Marini, Metrass, Vanessa Angel, Roberto ‘Sanz’ Sanchez, Krista Kalmus and Emelina Adams.

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Exclusive: Lost Souls collaborators John F. Uranday and Bobby Cloud will be bringing their new indie drama Depth of Field to Cannes’ Marché du Film.

The film directed by Uranday tells the story of Charles (Rafael Petardi), a widower who has given up on life, until he meets a foster child next door that changes his life forever. It also stars George Stroumboulopoulos (The Communist’s Daughter), Jay Acovone (Fox’s Lethal Weapon), Carrie Quinn Dolin (Bruce Almighty), Ella Thomas (NCIS: Los Angeles), Diana Diaz (Music) and Thea Saccoliti. Producer Cloud, who is also an attorney, co-wrote the script with Uranday, with Jeffrey Stevens serving as a story contributor. Uranday also produced, along with Orlin Dobreff, Mike G, Rafael Petardi, Tom Summers and Tristan Salas Henry, with Stroumboulopoulos serving as exec producer. Uranday and Cloud are repped by Espada PR & Entertainment.

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Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to the romance Bristol Fashion, with plans to release it across internet and satellite platforms on June 7th.

The film tells the story of a young transgender woman, Christina (Lea Nayeli), who escapes her troubled home to find solace in a dilapidated boatyard. When she buys a broken-down boat for that purpose, she gets more than she bargained for in the boat’s owner, Esteban (Raul A. Perez)—warm, funny and dying to take her to dinner. He gives her a place to stay on an abandoned barge and helps her fix up the boat, and slowly but surely, they find themselves navigating the sometimes-messy waters of a straight man falling for a trans woman.

Pierre Guillet and Timothy John Foster wrote and produced Bristol Fashion, with Guillet directing. Richard Difrisco also stars. Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire the film directly with Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films. Its trailer can be found below.

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Exclusive: Deadline has a new trailer for Lisa Hepner and Guy Mossman’s feature doc The Human Trial, which Abramorama is releasing in North American theaters and on its Watch Now @ Home virtual cinema platform on June 24th.

More than a decade in the making, the film follows a groundbreaking clinical trial that peels back the headlines to show the sweat, passion and sacrifice behind every breakthrough cure. In 2011, Hepner and her husband Mossman heard about a radical stem cell treatment for diabetes, a disease that shockingly kills more than five million people each year. Driven by a desire to cure Lisa of her own type 1 diabetes, the filmmakers were given unprecedented access to a clinical trial—only the sixth ever stem cell trial in the world. What follows is an intimate journey with the patients and scientists who put themselves on the line to be first.

Hepner scripted the project and produced alongside Jonathan Formica (Lost & Found) and Kristin Lesko (O.J.: Made in America), with diabetes org Beyond Type 1 exec producing alongside Amy Rapp (The Woman Who Wasn’t There), Marla Oringer, Greer Wylder and Thom Scher. Check out the trailer for The Human Trial below.

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Exclusive: Deadline has an exclusive clip from the feature doc Since I Been Down, which is set for release on VOD on May 24th.

The film from director Gilda Sheppard stakes us to Tacoma, Washington. Influenced by the national drug war frenzy and the fear-based culture of punishment in the 1980s and ’90s, Tacoma sacrificed its most vulnerable children to a life behind bars. These children, who are now adults, cannot be silenced. As we hear them tell their stories, bravely, unapologetically, we realize: This is the story of ‘Everytown USA’.

June Nho Ivers, Saman Maydani and Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss produced the doc, with Sheppard and David Menschel serving as executive producers. Our exclusive clip from the film can be found below.

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Hallie and Audrey McPherson will be bringing their dramedy Earthquake Country to Dances With Films on Saturday, June 18th at 7:15 p.m. Pst.

The film written and directed by The McPherson Sisters centers on Rhyme Osbourne (Lydian Blossom), who is fed up with her mother’s alcoholism and delusions of grandeur and her father’s literal inability to get off the couch. On her eighteenth birthday, Rhyme puts into motion a plan that will cut ties with her family—for good. Set in 2007 in the seemingly idyllic Ojai, CA, the film is a coming-of-age story that explores the creation of family mythology, the malleability of memory, and the sometimes suffocating intimacy of the nuclear family.

Deborah Marks-Bertling, Alex Sorian Brown, Todd Caroll, Nigel Vonas, Melina Emilie, Madison Widener and Kyle Hester also star. Pic was produced by the McPhersons and Melina Hayum.

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Filmmaker Alex Proyas‘ production outfit Heretic Foundation and development company Mystery Clock Cinema this week announced a co-production/financing partnership with the UK-based 108 Media, which has launched worldwide sales and packaging on his latest feature, the horror Sister Darkness.

The female-driven film marking the first of several forthcoming collaborations between the parties is set in the UK in the 1930s—at a time when women were marginalized and exploited. It follows the newly-wed but unhappy Alice as she stumbles across her doppelgänger Isla, whose existence is a mystery seeped in a tale of bloody retribution against her oppressors, the hellish supernatural nightscape, and a dread uprising against the deceitful aristocracy. Pic will go before camera in Australia later this year.

Proyas negotiated his multi-faceted deal with 108 Media’s CEO Abhi Rastogi and President (Production) Justin Deimen, with support from Rod Smith and Steven Rosser (Legal Counsel), General Manager & Executive Producer Andrew Robinson, Studio Producer Erasmo (Raz) Raimundo, and Craig Emmanuel of Paul Hastings in Los Angeles.

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Gkids has acquired North American rights to writer-director Atsuko Ishizuka’s first original feature Goodbye, Don Glees!. The distributor will release both the original Japanese-language version of the film and an all-new English-language dub in theaters this year, on the heels of the film’s February 2022 release in Japan.

The film produced by the acclaimed studio Madhouse follows the story of three friends over the course of one summer, as their backyard adventures turn one small incident into a life-changing journey. It features the voices of Ayumu Murase, Natsuki Hanae, Kana Hanazawa and Yuuki Kaji, and is represented internationally by Kadokawa.

Stars: Tom Sizemore, Bai Ling, Paul Sidhu, Kevin Gage, Raymond J. Barry, Vanessa Angel, Noel Gugliemi, David Fernandez Jr., Victorya Brandart, Luis Gatica, Geoffrey Ross, Brad Potts | Written by Benjamin Budd | Directed by R. Ellis Frazier

Like many low budget action films, there is a constant, uneasy tension between ambition and what is possible. Hustle Down is aiming to be a Michael Mann thriller, but the constraints constantly degrade the experience. Whether it is low budget cameras, direction, or uneven acting.

An almost unrecognisable Tom Sizemore (with dyed black hair and looking elderly) is running around (and gosh is it a sad sight) in a cheap shirt, avoiding cartel hitmen.

I barely recognise the wispy voice of Tom Sizemore here, nor his ghoulish countenance and I certainly don’t recognise his ripe acting. He was one of my favourite actors for a long time, and it is so sad to...

Exclusive: Actor Robert Lasardo is making his feature directorial debut with the crime thriller American Trash, starring in the pic currently in production in Los Angeles, alongside Costas Mandylor and Lorelei Linklater.

Set amidst a social crisis in the decaying world of Los Angeles, American Trash watches as the city freefalls into environmental ruin, chaos and a complete drug epidemic. Milles Carpis (Lasardo) leans on the support of some new age hippie friends as they guide him away from violence when the woman he loves (Linklater) is murdered, subsequently turning to Detective Anderson (Mandylor) for help in his search for her killer.

Diana Ramos-Santiago Carter, Josh Webber and Jerry G. Angelo are producing the film scripted by Lasardo.Lasardo is represented by Dtla Entertainment Group; Mandylor by Global Creatives Agency and Anthem Entertainment; and Linklater by Linda McAlister Talent and The Green Room.

Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has picked up North American rights to Hustle Down, R. Ellis Frazier’s action-comedy, and will release theatrically in October.

The deal was struck with Ultramedia, which is handling international sales rights and screening the pic in Cannes.

The movie stars Tom Sizemore (Heat), Paul Sidhu (Repeater), Bai Ling (Crank: High Voltage), Kevin Gage (Heat), Raymond J. Barry (Training Day), Vanessa Angel (Weird Science), and Noel Gugliemi.

It follows Cully (Sizemore), a two-bit hustler and the driver for a Baja drug cartel, who finds himself relying on skilled-but-reluctant bounty hunter, to stay out of the grasps of a merciless assassin, and vicious thugs led by a rival gang leader after he steals a money car stuffed with cash meant for his boss.

Robert Beaumont produced, Benjamin Budd wrote the screenplay.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Gravitas and excited to see how North American movie-goers receive...

Friday, Jan. 22 Palm Springs Film Festival will Honor Gary Oldman with Chairman Award

The Palm Springs International Film Awards has announced that Gary Oldman will be the recipient of the Chairman’s Award for his performance in “Mank.”

“Gary Oldman gives another mesmerizing performance as Herman J. Mankiewicz in David Fincher’s “Mank.” Oldman plays the role to perfection as the films follow the screenwriter’s journey while is co-writing the script for Citizen Kane,” said Harold Matzner. “We are delighted to recognize one of this generation’s greatest actors, Gary Oldman with this year’s Chairman’s Award.”

Oldman, who has starred in “The Darkest Hour” and won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill, was previously honored at the festival with the Desert Palm Achievement Award in 2018 and International Star Award in 2012.

In “Mank,” (streaming on Netflix) 1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing wit and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J.

Stars: Luke Goss, Louis Mandylor, Elya Baskin, Audrey De León, Roberto ‘Sanz’ Sanchez, Mark Krenik, Ian Sharp, Renton Pexa, Marshal Hilton, Alain Mora, Matt Valvardi | Written by Robert Orr | Directed by R. Ellis Frazier

Former pop star turned actor Luke Goss has had an interesting post-pop career, carving his own path in Hollywood, appearing in a number of action movies since his star-making turn in Blade 2. He has put in some great performances in a bevy of direct-to-market action movies, in particular the Death Race Dtv sequels – two of my personal favourites of his. What makes Goss such a good action star is, honestly, his smouldering good looks and a quiet demeanour. Thanks to which, he can pull off a smooth spy role and a quiet hard man of action hero proportions. In Legacy he does both, playing MI6 agent Gray – who in the opening calmly and smoothly (with...

Us, UK, Spain, CHIna, Italy snap up Legacy.

Los Angeles-based Premiere Entertainment Group will launch worldwide sales at the Efm in Berlin next week on in-house production and Mena Suvari thriller Locked In after shooting wrapped in Pennsylvania.

Separately, the company has licensed a raft of territories on Luke Goss thriller Legacy, including a Us deal with ITN Distribution.

Premiere plans to show exclusive footage at the market on Locked In, which also stars Jeff Fahey, Jasper Polish, Costas Mandylor, Manny Perez, and Bruno Bichir.

Carlos V. Gutierrez makes his feature film directorial debut from his original screenplay about a...

Hannibal Media launches sales in Cannes.

Drew Van Acker, whose credits include TV series Pretty Little Liars and Devious Maids, has joined The Punisher’s Thomas Jane on the crime thriller Crimson Blues as Hannibal Media launches talks with international buyers on the Croisette.

The producers have lined up a summer shoot for the project about a hard-boiled San Diego detective who teams up with a recently arrived Midwestern officer to investigate a gangland killing.

R. Ellis Frazier will direct from a screenplay by Robert Mearns.

Shailene Woodley thriller Misanthrope to kick off Benelux output deal for FilmNation, The Searchers...

Stars: Dolph Lundgren, Corbin Bernsen, Louis Mandylor, Jocelyn Osorio, Isaac C. Singleton Jr., Eddie J. Fernandez, David Fernandez Jr., Luis Gatica, Steven Dell, Mauricio Mendoza, Geoffrey Ross | Written by Benjamin Budd, Scott Windhauser | Directed by R. Ellis Frazier

Jack (Lundgren) is a former CIA contractor who now oversees a team of elite thieves. One night in a small Mexican town, they flawlessly execute an intricate heist. On the way to a lucrative payout the Mexican authorities suddenly apprehend them. When the authorities bring them in, Jack finds himself face-to-face with Agent Price (Bernsen), his former CIA handler. Agent Price informs Jack that he s being sent to La Muerte, a high-tech, impenetrable fortress. La Muerte operates as a black site for high profile detainees from Mexico’s war against the Cartels. No one knows where it is…or that it even exists, and those who enter do not leave the facility alive.

Larceny

Dolph Lundgren will star in R. Ellis Frazier's action-heist thriller "Larceny" based on a script by Benjamin Budde. R. Ellis Frazier, Justin Nesbitt and Geoffrey Ross will produce.

The story follows a former-operative-turned-professional-thief (Lundgren) contracted by the CIA to break into and take information from the safe at a top secret Mexican prison facility. One problem though, a local cartel boss sends professionals to siege the facility and take back his money which is also in said safe. [Source: Variety]

Miracles from Heaven

Queen Latifah and Martin Henderson have joined Patricia Riggen's faith-based drama "Miracles From Heaven" at Sony Pictures. Based on Christy Beam's book of the same name, the film is slated to open March 18th next year.

The story recounts how the author's young daughter miraculously overcame an incurable, life-threatening digestive disorder. Jennifer Garner plays the mother, Henderson will play the father, and Latifah will play...

In advance of its release on DVD and VOD on October 21, we have an exclusive clip from R. Ellis Frazier's movie Misfire to share with you. A fearless D.E.A. agent waging a one man crusade against drug cartels on the U.S.-Mexico border, Cole (Gary Daniels) will stop at nothing to bring down the bad guys. When his ex-wife is kidnapped and his brother framed for it, Cole's battle against the cartel becomes personal. With the help of local reporter, the headstrong and hot-blooded Gracie, he navigates the deadly Tijuana underworld run by brutal kingpin Raul Montenegro. Now the clock is ticking down to a final showdown where justice will be decided at gunpoint. In the clip, Cole negotiates the return of Raul's son, Cesar, in...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Visit SydneysBuzz Reports for the complete Fall 2013 Rights Roundup Report.

With an entire new line-up of films Lighting Entertainment is present at Afm this week. The Santa Monica-based company dedicated to the worldwide distribution and licensing of independent content with a focus on quality theatrical films, has 10 new features in the market. Among them there are comedies, several thrillers, and heartfelt dramas.

Here is Lighting Entertainment's Afm line-up

We Gotta Get Out Of This Place

Director: Zeke Hawkins, Simon Hawkins

Cast: Jeremy Allen White, Logan Huffman, Mackenzie Davis

With his best pal Bobby and his girlfriend Sue getting ready to leave town for college, troublemaker B.J. steals money from his boss, Giff, so he can treat his friends to a wild weekend of partying. Unfortunately, the stolen money belonged to a dangerous gangster known as Big Red. The three teens are forced to rob a local money-laundering front to settle their debt and buy their freedom. They are driven into a world of organized crime to fight for their lives. Deception and insecurities among the three friends increase the tension leading to the heist, making it uncertain who will come out on top — or even alive.

Freezer

Director: Mikael Salomon

Cast: Dylan McDermott, Peter Facinelli, Yuliya Snigir

Robert (Dylan McDermott), an average guy with an average life, is tested beyond human endurance when he awakens to find himself locked in an industrial freezer by Russian thugs. The gangsters threaten his life unless he returns the $8 million dollars he stole from them. The only problem is, Robert has no idea what they are talking about. Searching his surroundings, he discovers Sam (Peter Facinelli) under a pile of boxes in the corner, beaten and battered.

As both men fight for their lives before freezing to death, the truth about their situation slowly reveals itself…

The Reckoning

Director: John V. Soto

Cast: Luke Hemsworth, Jonathan Lapaglia, Viva Bianca

A detective discovers a mysterious video while investigating the roadside execution-style murder of his partner. The footage, shot by two teenagers, reveals murky details behind the death of their sibling in an unsolved hit and run case. The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey to find them, he quickly uncovers a bloody trail of murder...that leads all the way back to him!

Healing

Director: Craig Monahan

Cast: Hugo Weaving, Don Hany, Xavier Samuel, Robert Taylor, Anthony Hayes, Jane Menelaus

After 16 years in prison, Viktor Khadem (Don Hany) is a man who has almost given up on life.

For his final 18 months, he is sentenced to Won Wron, a low-security, rural prison where Senior Officer Matt Perry (Hugo Weaving) has established a unique program to rehabilitate broken men by giving them the responsibility for the rehabilitation of injured raptors – beautiful, proud eagles, falcons and owls. Against all odds, Matt takes on Viktor as his number one test case, introducing him to Yasmine, the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle with a 2 metre wingspan. If these two can tame each other, anything is possible. Healing is a powerful, moving story of redemption, the discovery of hope and the healing of the spirit – in the most unlikely place, for the most unique men, through the most unusual catalyst.

Inspired by a true story, Healing is a new Australian feature film written and directed by Craig Monahan, the multi-award winning director of The Interview (selected for Montreal, Seattle, Flanders and 30 other international Festivals); and Winner of Best Film - Australian Film Institute Awards

The Wonders

Director: Avi Nesher

Cast: Adir Miller, Yuval Scharf, Yehuda Levi, introducing Ori Hizkiah

This story focuses on Arnav, a graffiti artist and bartender living in Jerusalem. Always wearing a mask, he paints at night, and yearns for the day that his beloved ex-girlfriend Vax will return to him. But when Arnav sees a mysterious stranger forced into an abandoned apartment one night by three bearded men, he becomes involved with a hard-boiled investigator, a gorgeous mystery woman, and the conflicted mysterious captive himself. The captive, Shmaya Knafo, leads a cult of fanatically devoted followers who believe he can see into the future. Knafo may possess supernatural powers, or he might be just a clever con man. As dark, incriminating secrets come to light, Arnav is drawn into a world where lines blur between fact and fiction, and reality and imagination. When loyalties shift, Arnav finds his life turning stranger than his art. His attraction to Knafo’s mystery might be the artist’s way of reaching nirvana...or prove to be a fatal attraction.

Gus

Director: Jessie McCormack

Cast: Michelle Monaghan, Radha Mitchell, Jon Dore, Michael Weston, Mimi Kennedy

Lizzie (Radha Mitchell) longs to start a family with her husband Peter but is unable to conceive. Her best friend Andie (Michelle Monaghan), single and adrift, gets pregnant from a one-night stand and offers to give Lizzie the baby. Reluctantly, Peter agrees to be the child's father, and before he knows it Andie has moved into the guest room for the duration of her pregnancy. When Peter also invites his ne'er-do-well brother to the house, chaos ensues, testing the limits of friendship, family and a marriage. "Gus" depicts the deeply human struggles of these four people, taking a funny and poignant look at the ways we try to plan ahead when life has something else in mind.

Cavemen

Director: Herschel Faber

Cast: Skylar Astin, Camilla Belle, Chad Michael Murray, Dayo Okeniyi, Alexis Knapp, Kenny Wormald

Fed up with one-night-stands and empty relationships, La playboy Dean realizes that he wants something more out of life than just a party. With a little inspiration from his nine-year-old nephew and his best friend Tess, Dean decides to try his hand at finding true love for the first time - which proves to be much more difficult than he thought in modern-day Los Angeles! After a few hilariously bad first dates and some awful advice from his over-sexed guy friends, Dean begins to realize that the true love he has been seeking may be much closer to home. But when he is forced to make a decision between the girl he knows is perfect for him and the seductive party-girl of his fantasies, will Dean finally grow up…or will he just continue the party?

Storm Rider

Director: Craig Clyde

Cast: Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, C Thomas Howell, Danielle Chuchran

After her father loses his fortune and family home, a privileged teenage equestrian is forced to give up her beloved championship horse and is sent to live in the country with her reclusive uncle. She struggles to adjust to life on the secluded ranch without any friends, her horse, or her Dad, who has been sent off to prison. But after she meets the nice boy from the neighboring ranch, and is gifted a young horse , Stormy, she soon settles into her new life and realizes that this is perhaps where she was meant to be all along. A heartfelt family drama about second chances, finding happiness, and making the impossible possible.

Dead Drop

Director: R. Ellis Frazier

Cast: Luke Goss, Cole Hauser, Nestor Carbonell

After being shot by his best friend, pushed out of a plane, and miraculously surviving a dead-drop from 5,000 feet, Michael awakens to a living nightmare. His memory is limited, and psychotic tendencies have begun to creep in. Defying the orders of his CIA handlers, Michael re-inserts himself into the dangerous Mexican smuggling ring where he was operating deep under cover. He snakes his way through the underbelly of Northern Mexico, hunting for Santiago, the cartel boss who Michael believes threw him out of the plane and who is also holding his girlfriend hostage.

American Idiots

Director: Robert Taleghany

Cast: Jeffrey T. Schoettlin, Sean Muramatsu, Caroline D’Amore, Madeline Merritt

After losing the girl of his dreams to another man, Wyatt and his posse pack their suitcases and head out on the craziest, screwball road trip to Las Vegas to win her back. With less than twenty-seven hours to break up her wedding, they must make it before it is too late without falling apart at the seams and living up to their names... American Idiots!

Hey guys, here’s something interesting – we have the first (teaser) poster and official synopsis for R. Ellis Frazier‘s upcoming action movie Repeater, which stars Dolph Lundgren and Michael Jai White in the leading roles. As you’re going to see, this action-packed international thriller is all about: Find. Kill. Repeat. Sounds like we’re dealing with a serious badass in here?

In case you’re not so familiar with the whole thing, we will first inform you that R. Ellis Frazier directed the movie from a script he co-wrote with Benjamin Budde.

It centers on an expert assassin hired to track down a notorious hacker who has leaked information about global governments and corporations, but finds himself a target in the aftermath of the job.

Or, if you prefer the official synopsis:

John James Smith is noted international man-hunter and killer-for-hire, and his mission leads him to the dangerous underworld of Tijuana,...

In case you’re not so familiar with this title, let us right here at the beginning inform you that Dead Drop is an upcoming action movie which comes from director R. Ellis Frazier and stars Luke Goss in the leading role. Guess that should be enough for action-fans, but still – we’re here to share more cool stuff from the whole thing! So, here’s the first trailer and poster for the movie that will teach us that sometimes, our best friends can be our worst enemies…

Written by Ben Budd and directed by R. Ellis Frazier, the movie centers on Goss’ character – a CIA operative named Michael, who is shot by his best friend, pushed out of a plane, but miraculously survives the dead-drop from 5,000 feet.

Waking up to his living nightmare, Michael re-inserts himself into the dangerous Mexican smuggling ring where he was operating deep under cover...

Maya Entertainment has also started production on the crime thriller The Repeater. This title stars Luke Goss (Death Race 2), Bai Ling (Locked Down) and action star Gary Daniels (The Expendables). The film is currently in pre-production, so details are limited. However, a concept poster is available, which features Goss and the tagline: "Find, Kill...Repeat." As well, the film deals with a criminal underworld in Mexico and a mercenary for hire, who must face "the most feared man in the world" (Maya Entertainment).

Unbelievably, actor Luke Goss found his first big break in show business with the British Pop Music world, where he charted at least thirteen singles. This band was formed with his brother, Matt Goss before disbanding over contract disputes with their management. Then, Goss transitioned to stage acting in the play "Grease," in London, England. Cinema awaited. Blade II (2002) would be one of his first roles,...

Stealing ten billion dollars is kind of a big deal. Across the Line quickly starts off with Mr. Charlie Wright (Aiden Quinn) undergoing interrogation by the FBI in order to get things straight about missing money. Knowing he has been caught committing his Ponzi scheme, Charlie makes a run for it down south to Mexico. It is now up to agents Hobbs (Mario van Peebles) and his partner to catch the tricky banker.

Charlie Wright’s exile in Tijuana has created a stir of attention between the FBI, Mexican gangsters, and even the Russian mob. Jorge Garza (Andy Garcia) head of the Garza family empire in Mexico is trying to get his hands on Charlie so that he can pay off some deep debt that he has with some Mexican gangsters. This is a life and death situation for Jorge. His younger brother Gabriel (Danny Pino) is next line to head the family business.

A look at what's new on DVD today:

"Cronos" (1993)

Directed by Guillermo Del Toro

Released by Criterion Collection

After years of being out of print, Guillermo del Toro's feature debut is getting the Criterion treatment and del Toro has gone all out to make it one of the best discs ever with new interviews, his 1987 short "Geometria," two audio commentaries, a video tour of his home office, and more.

"300 Killers" (2010)

Directed by Matt Jaissle

Released by Midnight Releasing

A police chief (Johnny Andrews) who sees his city falling under the thumb of a ruthless drug dealer and sends out his best detective (Anthony Tomei) to put a stop to it in Matt Jaissle's action film.

"Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright" (2010)

Directed by R. Ellis Frazier

Released by Maya Home Entertainment

Aidan Quinn stars as a billionaire who flees to Tijuana after he's on the run...

Trailer for indie crime drama The Exodus of Charlie Wright, written and directed by R. Ellis Frazier. The film’s ensemble cast includes Mario Van Peebles, Aidan Quinn, Andy Garcia, Luke Goss, Bookeem Woodbine and others.

It centers on Charlie (Quinn), a Los Angeles billionaire financial whiz who goes into a self-imposed exile in Tijuana, after he’s revealed to have been heading a Ponzi scheme. On the chase are a Mexican gangster (Garcia), a federal agent (Van Peebles) and thugs sent by a former client (Goss) looking to retrieve his money. Flick has a 2011 release date… not sure if it’ll see theatres, or head straight to video/VOD.

Mario Van Peebles, will join other B-listers, Andy Garcia, Luke Goss and Aidan Quinn, to star in The Exodus of Charlie Wright, to be directed by R. Ellis Frazier, who also wrote the screenplay.

The film is described as an “indie crime drama” that centers on Charlie (Quinn), a Los Angeles billionaire financial whiz who goes into a self-imposed exile in Tijuana, after he’s revealed to have been heading a Ponzi scheme. While looking for the woman he abandoned there 25 years before, Charlie is pursued by a Mexican gangster (Garcia), a federal agent (Van Peebles) and thugs sent by a former client (Goss) looking to retrieve his money.

Shooting begins next week in Mexico and Los Angeles.

Van Peebles can next be seen in Things Fall Apart (which he’ll also direct), starring 50 Cent.

Sounds like a straight-to-video project to me. But, who knows… it could be one of...

Andy Garcia, Mario Van Peebles, Luke Goss and Aidan Quinn will star in the independent crime film "The Exodus of Charlie Wright." According to The Hollywood Reporter, R. Ellis Frazier is writing, directing and producing the film. Geoffrey Ross is also producing. Frazier wrote and produced "The Line" and "Confessions of a Pit Fighter."Shooting is set to begin next week in Mexico and Los Angeles. The plot focuses on a billionaire financial whiz from Los Angeles named Charlie (Quinn) whose empire collapses when it is revealed that he was running a Ponzi scheme. He hides out in Tijuana while being pursued by a Mexican gangster (Garcia), a U.S. federal agent (Van Peebles), and thugs sent by a former client (Goss).

Andy Garcia, Mario Van Peebles, Luke Goss and Aidan Quinn have all joined the cast of the indie crime drama "The Exodus of Charlie Wright" says The Hollywood Reporter.

The story follows Charlie (Quinn), a Los Angeles billionaire who goes into self-imposed exile in Tijuana when his fraudulently built empire crumbles.

Searching for the woman he abandoned there 25 years before, Charlie is pursued by a Mexican gangster (Garcia), a federal agent (Van Peebles) and thugs sent by a former client (Goss).

R. Ellis Frazier ("La linea," "Baines") penned the script, is directing and will produce alongside Geoffrey Ross. Filming kicks off next week in Mexico and Los Angeles.

Andy Garcia, Mario Van Peebles, Luke Goss and Aidan Quinn will star in "The Exodus of Charlie Wright." R. Ellis Frazier is directs from his own screenplay as well as producing alongside Geoffrey Ross. The independent crime drama starts filming next week in Mexico and Los Angeles. Story tells of Charlie (Played by Quinn), a Los Angeles billionaire financial guru who, after his empire is revealed to have been a Ponzi scheme, decides to go into exile in Tijuana Whilst searcing for a woman he left there 25 years before, he is pursued by a Garcia's character who is a Mexican gangster. Also on the hunt are a federal agent (Van Peebles) and men sent by a former client (Goss) aiming to retrieve his money.

Andy Garcia joins the R. Ellis Frazier-directed indie crime dramaAndy Garcia, Mario Van Peebles, Luke Goss and Aidan Quinn have joined the indie crime drama The Exodus of Charlie Wright, which is being written and directed by R. Ellis Frazier.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story centers on Charlie (Quinn), a Los Angeles billionaire financial whiz who goes into self-imposed exile in Tijuana after his empire is revealed to have been a Ponzi scheme. While looking for the woman he abandoned there 25 years before, Charlie is pursued by a Mexican gangster (Garcia), a federal agent (Van Peebles) and thugs sent by a former client (Goss) looking to retrieve his money.

Production begins next week in Mexico and Los Angeles.

Andy Garcia, Mario Van Peebles, Luke Goss and Aidan Quinn will star in writer/director/producer R. Ellis Frazier's indie crime drama The Exodus of Charlie Wright . According to The Hollywood Reporter , "the story centers on Charlie (Quinn), a Los Angeles billionaire financial whiz who goes into self-imposed exile in Tijuana after his empire is revealed to have been a Ponzi scheme. While looking for the woman he abandoned there 25 years before, Charlie is pursued by a Mexican gangster (Garcia), a federal agent (Van Peebles) and thugs sent by a former client (Goss) looking to retrieve his money." Geoffrey Ross also is producing the project, which begins shooting next week in Mexico and Los Angeles.

Andy Garcia, Mario Van Peebles, Luke Goss and Aidan Quinn are set to star in "The Exodus of Charlie Wright." R. Ellis Frazier is writing, directing and producing the indie crime drama.

Geoffrey Ross also is producing the project, which begins shooting next week in Mexico and Los Angeles.

The story centers on Charlie (Quinn), a Los Angeles billionaire financial whiz who goes into self-imposed exile in Tijuana after his empire is revealed to have been a Ponzi scheme. While looking for the woman he abandoned there 25 years before, Charlie is pursued by a Mexican gangster (Garcia), a federal agent (Van Peebles) and thugs sent by a former client (Goss) looking to retrieve his money.

Garcia, repped by Paradigm and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, next appears in the Renny Harlin-directed drama "Georgia."

Van Peebles, repped by Fortitude, next appears in and helms "Things Fall Apart," from co-writer/star 50 Cent.

Goss,...

Los Angeles-based Maya Entertainment has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the crime drama "La Linea," starring Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta and Esai Morales.

Directed by James Cotten, the film is set in in Tijuana and follows a veteran assassin, played by Liotta, as he tracks down the head of a crime cartel, played by Esai Morales, who has taken over from a character played by Andy Garcia.

The cast also includes Armand Assante, Joe Morton, Bruce Davison, Jason Connery, Michael DeLorenzo, Valerie Cruz, Jordi Vilasuso, Danny Trejo, Kevin Gage and Gary Daniels.

It was produced by Geoffrey G. Ross and R. Ellis Frazier, who also wrote the screenplay.

Endeavor repped the producers in the deal, which was negotiated for Maya by executive vp Jose Martinez Jr. and Alex Raminfar.

A release date has not yet been announced.