Tribal: Get Out Alive (2020) Review

"Tribal: Get Out Alive" Theatrical Poster

“Tribal: Get Out Alive” Theatrical Poster

Director: Matt Routledge
Writer: Johnny Walker
Cast: Zara Phythian, Ross O’Hennessy, Rachel Warren, Thomas Dodd, Valerie Thomas, Grayson James Matthews, Charlene Aldridge, Kenan Ali
Running Time: 86 min.

By Martin Sandison

As a kid growing up in the UK during the 90’s, I adored Jackie Chan movies. They were my first taste of the vast well that is golden age Hong Kong action cinema. And I certainly wasn’t alone. Thanks to the guys and girls at VPD, many were released on to the home video market, some of which I still have in my collection. Then along came Eastern Heroes, with Ricky Baker and Toby Russell releasing countless classics, old and new. The scene was burgeoning in the UK at this time, and I still remember making my first friend who was in to these types of movies at the age of 13, something I thought would never happen growing up in small town Scotland. Now some of the people of my generation who grew up on these flicks are creating a scene in the UK: low budget films that incorporate Hong Kong style fights. Nightshooters is the pinnacle Continue reading

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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai | Blu-ray (Criterion)

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai | Blu-ray (Criterion)

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai | Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: November 17, 2020

On November 17, 2020, Criterion is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Jim Jarmusch’s 1999 cult actioner, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, starring Forest Whitaker (Bloodsport).

Read the official details below:

Jim Jarmusch combines his love for the ice-cool crime dramas of Jean-Pierre Melville and Seijun Suzuki with the philosophical dimensions of samurai mythology for an eccentrically postmodern take on the hit-man thriller.

In one of his defining roles, Forest Whitaker brings a commanding serenity to his portrayal of a Zen contract killer working for a bumbling mob outfit, a modern man who adheres steadfastly to the ideals of the Japanese warrior code Continue reading

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News, Other Notable Titles |

Hydra (2019) Review

"Hydra" Japanese Theatrical Poster

“Hydra” Japanese Theatrical Poster

Director: Kensuke Sonomura
Cast: Masanori Mimoto, Miu, Tasuku Nagase, Takaya Aoyagi, Takashi Nishina, Satoshi Kibe, Kensuke Sonomura, Tsutomu Uchigasaki, Naoki Hayashida
Running Time: 75 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Ask anyone about the best martial arts movies from Japan during the 2010’s, and chances are the unanimous vote would go to the Rurouni Kenshin trilogy, the adaptation of the manga that spanned 2012 – 2014. The reason for why these movies are so revered is interesting, in that their aesthetic completely disregards the traditional chambara conventions, in which one swift thrust of the sword would end a duel in an instant, and instead looked towards the Hong Kong action aesthetic for their inspiration. This was due to the presence of Kenji Tanigaki as the action choreographer, a long-time member of Donnie Yen’s action team, and while purists may have cried foul, it was also a reminder of how the rhythm and speed of the Hong Kong action Continue reading

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5 of the Best Mortgage Software Programs Your Brokerage Should Be Using

5 of the Best Mortgage Software Programs Your Brokerage Should Be Using

5 of the Best Mortgage Software Programs Your Brokerage Should Be Using

Mortgage software doesn’t have to be boring. Mortgage brokerage firms may think that mortgage CRM software has to be clumsy and boring, but they’d be mistaken. The right mortgage software can help you easily manage your customers’ information.

Keep reading to see the top five mortgage software programs your brokerage should use now or in the future.

1. Unify CRM

Unify CRM has a marketing library offering various marketing materials. It supplies direct mail templates and campaign ideas. You can clean and sync data to avoid making duplicates or excluding details.

There are also specific email campaign features for your benefit. If you want to better your clients’ experience through post-close marketing and real-time LOS integration, give Unify a try.

2. SureFire

True to its name, SureFire is a surefire choice for loan officers. It works with over 1,000 apps, in addition to having its very own intake online 1003 app. This app makes custom links for users and notifies you upon submission of new applications.

When clients reach loan milestones, SureFire sends in-process videos to educate them. How’s that for customer service that’s a cut above?

3. Mortgage iQ

This is a high-IQ database and mortgage CRM software. In a recent update, it launched “quick action” menus that let loan officers find their way through their most popular tasks by clicking on only one button.

With its partner relationship management features, Mortgage iQ sparks stronger relationships between officers, lenders, and realtors.

4. BNTouch

Then there’s BNTouch. A primary benefit of BNTouch is its ability to custom-design digital mortgage applications. It’s simple and fast to set up, thus satisfying its users.

BNTouch nurtures leads, providing personalized promotional materials to inform clients about the mortgage process and develop relationships with them. BNTouch works especially well for small businesses but is well-equipped for large companies too.

5. Velocify LoanEngage

Velocify LoanEngage can almost do it all. It’s an all-in-one solution for marketing and sales. It approaches lead conversion from a scientific perspective so that loan officers can automate prospecting and keep track of applicants’ sales cycles.

Its Dial-iQ and LeadManager tools can merge with SalesForce to enhance the sales process. Not only that, but Velocify has also partnered with EllieMae to offer cloud-based mortgage finance software.

Velocify’s well-suited for enterprise and mid-market systems that consistently manage large volumes of leads.

In addition to all of the above, mortgage loan origination software is just a click away.

Mortgage Software Programs for Days  

There you have it. Those are five of the very best mortgage software programs. As you can see, each program has unique strengths.

While all are powerful in their own ways, you should choose the one that helps your business the most. The next time that your mortgage brokerage firm needs new software (or even before then), give one of these programs a try.

For more content that can help your business, browse the News section of the site.

Posted in News |

The Irishman | Blu-ray (Criterion)

The Irishman | Blu-ray (Criterion)

The Irishman | Blu-ray (Criterion)

RELEASE DATE: November 24, 2020

On November 24, 2020, Criterion is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Martin Scorsese’s 2019 crime-thriller The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci.

Read the official details below:

Martin Scorsese’s cinematic mastery is on full display in this sweeping crime saga, which serves as an elegiac summation of his six-decade career. Left behind by the world, former hit man and union truck driver Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) looks back from a nursing home on his life’s journey through the ranks of organized crime: from his involvement with Philadelphia mob boss Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) to his association with Teamsters union head Continue reading

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, News, Other Notable Titles |

Deal on Fire! 13 Assassins | Blu-ray | Only $7.99 – Expires soon!

"13 Assassins" Blu-ray Cover

“13 Assassins” Blu-ray Cover

Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for 13 Assassins, a film by cult director Takashi Miike (Terra Formars).

Miike delivers a bravado period action film set at the end of Japan’s feudal era. 13 Assassins (read our review) – a masterful exercise in cinematic butchery (New York Post) is centered around a group of elite samurai who are secretly enlisted to bring down a sadistic lord in order to prevent him from ascending to the throne and plunging the country into a war torn future.

13 Assassins stars Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Iseya, Goro Inagaki Continue reading

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

Documentary ‘The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief’ to make its premier online on August 30

"The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief" Promotional Poster

“The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief” Promotional Poster

On August 30, Van Clief Productions’ autobiographical documentary The Hanged Man: The Story of Ron Van Clief will premier online.

Based on the 2012 book of the same name, the film centers on cult martial artist/actor, Ron Van Clief, who is perhaps best known for 1975’s The Black Dragon Revenges the Death of Bruce Lee and 1979’s Way of the Black Dragon and 1980’s Fist of Fear, Touch of Death.

Throughout the 1970’s, Van Clief competed in both full-contact and non-contact karate tournaments, eventually wining several national tournaments and world championships In 1994, Van Clief had a brief stint in the 4th Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he was the oldest competitor to date who fight in the UFC Continue reading

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Here’s what’s on Well Go USA’s Hi-YAH! for August

Hi-YAH!, Well Go USA’s very own Asian/martial arts streaming channel has just announced their New Release line up for the month of August, which includes a new film added to Hi-YAH! every Friday – plus an additional exclusive title that you won’t see on any other streaming channel.

But before scrolling down to see the film list, you’ll want to see the some of the NEW FEATURES that are new to the channel:

  • Hi-YAH! is now available in Canada!
  • The extended version of KUNG FU EXTRAVAGANZA Comic Con Panel is now on Hi-YAH! featuring a short version of MAYHEM (exclusive to Hi-YAH!)
  • Full version of MAYHEM featuring Peter Pham now available on Hi-YAH! Peter Pham is a real life wing chun practitioner and teacher, who recently starred in Vietnamese martial arts film THE FOGGY MOUNTAIN along side muay thai martial artist/actor Simon Kook (Ip Man 3)

And here’s Hi-YAH!’s New Releases for this month Continue reading

Posted in News |

A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabis in Sports: Everything to Know

Remember Lauren Goss?

In 2019, 11-time Ironman champion Lauren Goss was banned from competing for 6 months because the cream she was using for treating an ankle injury contained THC. Now, if you know a bit about the compounds in marijuana, then you know that THC or tetrahydrocannabinol causes euphoric effects. Meanwhile, CBD or cannabidiol, another chemical found in cannabis, doesn’t cause a “high.”

As an athlete or a fitness enthusiast, you might be wondering, what’s the real score when it comes to using cannabis? Here, we’ll talk about the use of cannabis in sports, focusing on the reasons why you should consider giving it a try to improve athletic performance.

First Things First: What Are the Laws on Marijuana for Athletic Events?

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency, all cannabinoids (natural and synthetic) are prohibited, except for CBD. That means if you plan to try CBD, you should make sure it’s not contaminated with THC, or like in the case of Goss, mislabeled.

Of course, with CBD products categorized as supplements, the FDA doesn’t regulate the market. That means it’s up to the consumer to evaluate which brands offer high-quality CBD products. If you’re a CBD beginner, it’s best to go for CBD isolate instead of full-spectrum products.

Now, if you plan to join a competition and there’s drug testing, you should err on the side of caution and just avoid taking CBD.

Understanding the Benefits of Cannabis in Sports

One of the benefits of marijuana is pain relief. For fans of CBD, it’s a better alternative to opioids or NSAIDs because there’s no risk of addiction and there are no side effects such as gastrointestinal issues to worry about.

If you’re training and you need to get relief from workout-induced aches and pains, topical CBD products are worth trying. Think about it, when you have a strict exercise schedule to follow and you can’t push through these sessions because of muscle pain and inflammation, you’ll try anything that can improve recovery time. For some athletes, that means using CBD and CBD-infused products.

Another benefit of CBD has to do with improving focus, which could be related to its anxiety-reducing effects. If you always feel pre-competition jitters or performance anxiety, taking CBD might help you calm down and just enjoy the game.

As for athletes who still want to keep in shape during the off-season, it’s worth looking into full-spectrum CBD products. It’s still advisable to steer clear of recreational marijuana, though, unless bills to legalize recreational marijuana get adopted nationwide.

Want to Know More Cannabis News and Features?

Now that you know more about the use of cannabis in sports, you might be interested in learning about the industry.

For more news on CBD, cannabis businesses, and more, feel free to check out our other articles. We also have film reviews, interviews, and other sections you might be interested in reading.

And if you liked this post, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or share it with your friends.

Posted in News |

Seized (2020) Review

Seized | DVD (Lionsgate)

Seized | DVD (Lionsgate)

AKA: Rizk
Director: Isaac Florentine
Cast: Scott Adkins, Mario Van Peebles, Karlee Perez, Steven Elder, James P. Bennett, Matthew Garbacz, David Fernandez Jr., Justin Nesbitt, Luis Gatica
Running Time: 85 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Everyone’s favorite British martial artist Scott Adkins stars as a former special force’s agent who, after his wife was killed as part of a mission several years ago, is now a single parent to the child that their relationship left behind. After being out of the game for so long and attempting to live a peaceful life, forces conspire to drag him back in, as he finds himself at the mercy of his former employers when his kid is kidnapped by them. Will they be reunited? How many people is Adkins going to punch in the face? & most importantly of all, you may well be asking, didn’t you guys already review Legacy of Lies this year? The answer to the last one is yes Continue reading

Posted in All, Asian Related, News, Other Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , |

New Trailer for Karate actioner ‘Traverse’ has Grandmaster Jun Tamegai doing the ‘Taken’ thing

"Traverse" Theatrical Poster

“Traverse” Theatrical Poster

Filmmaker Yuki Okada teams up with real life Karate Grandmaster Jun Tamegai in Traverse, a Taken-style revenge thriller that promises “real” martial arts (and none of that special effects stuff).

Read the official plot details below:

Karate master Jun and his wife Aki live in Toyohashi City with their adopted daughter Rin. The family happiness seems perfect until Aki disappears while visiting a fireworks display together. After the police discover her suicide, a world collapses for Jun. Filled with guilt, he closes his dojo and starts drinking. The relationship with his daughter seems to be broken, but when Rin is threatened by a brutal yakuza gang a few years later – now Jun has to apply all his martial arts Continue reading

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6 Critical Signs It’s Time to Deep Clean Your House

6 Critical Signs It's Time to Deep Clean Your House

6 Critical Signs It’s Time to Deep Clean Your House

Spring Cleaning isn’t the only time your home needs a good deep cleaning. You should deep clean your house periodically throughout the year. Although you dust and wipe the counters down each weekend and fold the laundry, all those cracks and hard-to-reach places need cleaning every so often as well.

Have you been looking at your home lately, wondering if it’s time for a deep cleaning? Are you not sure what to deep clean in your house or where to even begin? How will you know if it’s time to scrub down your entire home?

In our guide below, we list several signs your home will give you when it’s time to complete a deep clean. Continue reading below for everything you need to know about how to deep clean your house and know when it’s time!

1. Your Home Is Making You Sick

When a home becomes filled with dust, dirt, or even mold, it can begin to make its owners sick. Are you constantly sneezing when you’re inside your own home? Do you feel as though your allergies get worst when you’re home?

This could be due to a dust mite allergy or an allergy to mold. Although dust on the bookshelf might seem harmless, it could be the reason for your stuffy and runny nose. If mold is growing in the home, then you might not be aware of it until the problem worsens.

Deep clean your home on a regular basis to ensure all dust is removed and to spot signs of mold in the home.

2. You Avoid Specific Rooms 

Do you notice yourself avoiding specific rooms in your home? Do you dread going down into the basement to find something or in the garage? Do you keep a certain door or two in your home always shut to avoid looking inside it?

This might be a sign it’s time for deep cleaning. What lingers behind those closed doors? Are there boxes piled high to the ceiling?

Why give up the extra space those rooms provide you when a deep cleaning could be your answer? It’s time to get into those rooms and tackle the mess. The result could be a new office space, an additional or guest bedroom, and more.

3. The Walls and Carpets Have Stains

When spills happen in the home, you make sure to clean up the spill, but spills sometimes stain areas surrounding them as well. For example, if a drink spills on the floor, you clean up the floor.

What you might not realize, however, is that it also splashed on the wall, behind the trashcan, on the refrigerator door, and on top of your cabinets. Take the time to look around your home for any stains on the walls, carpets, and a few other places.

If you notice a few stains, even small ones, you’ll want to complete a deep clean to have all stains removed. Don’t forget to check the ceilings as well. Any signs of leaks or water damage stains could also be signs of mold.

You’ll want to have these cleaned, repaired, or checked out as well.

4. Stubborn Dirt Won’t Wash Away

When conducting a deep house cleaning, you’ll want to touch all rooms in the home. Then, it’s essential to look in all those places you don’t normally look at. There might be more of those places than you think.

For example, look in the window tracks, on the baseboards, and under the cabinets. There’s a good chance that there’s built-up dust or dirt in all of these places. If you can’t see to get these areas to come clean, it might be because the dirt has settled there for too long.

In this case, you’ll need to break out all your tough cleaning products and prepare to do a deep clean. There are some tips and cleaning hacks for removing stubborn dirt from these places. Be sure to do a bit of research to make the cleaning process easier for you.

5. You Haven’t Done a Deep Clean in a While

One sure sign it’s time for deep cleaning is if you haven’t done a deep clean in a long time. When’s the last time you remember scrubbing the baseboards, cleaning the window screens, and decluttering?

To start, you can make several piles of all items in a room. Make a pile of things to donate or sell, one of the items to keep, and one for stuff to throw away. This is a great way to get a lot of stuff out of the house.

Once you’ve cleared up some space, you can then begin to organize and clean!

6. The House Still Feels Dirty After Cleaning

If your house still feels like it’s dirty even after you’ve completed your normal cleaning routine, then a deep cleaning is most likely in order. No matter how many times you wipe down the counters and dust the fans, something still feels dirty to you.

At this moment, you might even want to consider hiring professional cleaning services to come in and complete a deep cleaning for you. The end result should be a refreshing feeling and a home that smells, feels and looks clean.

Do You Need to Deep Clean Your House?

Is your house screaming for a good deep cleaning? Use this guide to determine if it’s time to deep clean your house. Once you’re able to get your home deep cleaned, you’ll be left feeling refreshed and your home will appear brand new!

If you’re interested in more posts on real estate and home or a few other topics as well, then don’t forget to keep checking back on a daily basis.

Posted in News |

Disney’s ‘Mulan’ gets an action-packed Final Trailer

Jason Scott Lee “Mulan” Poster #2

On September 4, Disney’s live-action Mulan will bypass American theaters and go straight to Disney Plus’s “premiere access” section for the price of $29.99.

Liu Yifei, aka Crystal Liu (Outcast, White Vengeance), headlines Mulan, which follows a young Chinese maiden who disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father.

Directed by Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife), Mulan also stars Gong Li (The Dragon Chronicles), Jet Li (League of Gods), Cheng Pei Pei (Come Drink with Me), Donnie Yen (Ip Man 4), who will play Commander Tung, a mentor and teacher to Mulan, and Jason Scott Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II) as “villainous Khan”.

The film also features Ron Yuan (Marco Polo), Roger Yuan Continue reading

Posted in News |

Another Filipino thriller to add to your ‘Watch List’?

"Watch List" Theatrical Poster

“Watch List” Theatrical Poster

Tagalog language action-thrillers have been making somewhat of a mark in recent years (Maria, BuyBust, Metro Manila and On the Job come to mind), so the following news is definitely a welcome addition to City on Fire:

Dark Star Pictures and Uncork’d Entertainment have announced the release of Ben Rekhi’s Watch List, which arrives in virtual theaters August 21 before an On Demand release September 1.

Watch List is set against the drug wars in the Philippines. After her husband is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Maria is left to fend for her three children in a police state. As she delves into Manila’s dark underworld of cops, criminals, and drugs to find answers, she realizes the truth is never black and white, and that she must Continue reading

Posted in News |

Kung Fu League (2018) Review

"Kung Fu League" Theatrical Poster

“Kung Fu League” Theatrical Poster

AKA: Kung Fu Alliance
Director: Jeff Lau Chun Wai
Cast: Vincent Chiu Man Chuk, Dennis To, Danny Chan, Andy On, Bruce Leung Siu Lung
Running Time: 102 min.

By Paul Bramhall

Jeff Lau is one of those directors that audiences either love or hate, with the camp you fall into being largely dependent on a tolerance (or perhaps enjoyment) of his everything and the kitchen sink approach to filmmaking. Sure, it’s an expression which is frequently used to describe 80’s and 90’s Hong Kong cinema, but nobody embodied it quite like Lau. For myself, I fall into the former, being a fan particularly of his early 90’s output. Treasure Hunt and The Eagle Shooting Heroes are personal favorites, imbued with that kind of manic livewire energy that most likely got a lot of us into HK cinema in the first place.

However like so many HK directors that peaked in the 90’s, the last decade hasn’t been his finest. Kicking off with the lamentable Kungfu Cyborg: Metallic Attraction, going onto deliver probably the least needed sequel of all time with the Mainland made A Chinese Odyssey: Part Three (21 years after the first 2), and the less said about Soccer Killer the better. Despite his less than stellar work in the 2010’s, the announcement of Kung Fu League was enough to get even my jaded attention. The concept was suitably out there – four of the martial arts worlds most well known historical heroes team up together, with minor details like the fact they didn’t live in the same era being negligible. This would be the first time for Wong Fei Hung, Ip Man, Chen Zhen, and Huo Yuan Jia to share the screen togther. What’s not to like? Continue reading

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