James Bond; the name itself is known not just nationally, but internationally. And, with the release date confirmed to be 2020 for Daniel Craig’s latest movie, it’s only fair to try and pick out five of Bond’s best moments.
Dr. No – “Bond. James Bond.”
It wouldn’t be James Bond without the tagline: “Bond. James Bond.” The very first movie – Dr. No – included the statement in 1962 and it’s since become perhaps the most famous introduction ever.
Sean Connery was the man of the moment, delivering the line with coolness, suavity and confidence – features that every Bond has exuded since that very moment. Of course, it was a casino scene where Connery made his intro, playing baccarat with a Ms. Sylvia Trench.
Such a scene in the 1960s may have shocked a number of people, but, in 2019, with the incredible rise in live – and particularly online – gambling with live betting, best bingo games and slots, it seems every bit the norm.
Goldfinger – Bond meets his sarcastic match
Everyone knows that Bond is renowned for his quick wit. So, when Auric Goldfinger gave Bond a taste of his own medicine in 1964 audiences were shocked.
Connery was again the lead man, asking Goldfinger – whilst he was strapped to a table with a laser bearing down on his private parts – “Did you expect me to talk?” to which Goldfinger replied “No, I expect you to die.”
Of course, not even a betting man would predict that Bond dies, but Goldfinger showed the importance of having strong, just-as-quick-witted villains to rival 007.
The World is Not Enough – Q waves goodbye
It’s an emotional one as Q – the quartermaster at MI6 – retires from the intelligence service. Actor Dennis Llewelyn played Q in nearly all of the Bond movies until The World is Not Enough. Sadly, Llewelyn died three weeks after the film’s release in 1999.
It’s a poignant end with Bond asking Q if he is retiring or not. Q retorts “I’ve always tried to teach you two things. First, never let them see you bleed.” Bond then asks, “And the second?” “Always have an escape plan.” In triumphant fashion, Q disappears down a hole in his laboratory floor.
Skyfall – Gung-ho in Shanghai
With the improvements in technology in the past few decades, James Bond reaped the benefits. Skyfall, in general, was a celebration of picturesque magnificence, but the Shanghai fight scene in particular, drove the movie into legendary status.
A fight between Daniel Craig and villain and would-be assassin Patrice takes place on the backdrop of blue neon lights. Of course, Craig as Bond prevails, but the silhouette-like fight was a moment of pure movie perfection.
Octopussy – Pain on a train
James Bond is no stranger to danger, but when Roger Moore took off on a train’s roof to escape enemies including Kamal Khan, audiences held their breath.
Moore is attempting to stop a nuclear warhead, but finds himself dodging obstacles left, right and centre on public transport’s finest bone-rattler.
On February 20th, 2020, Arrow Video is releasing the Blu-ray for the One Missed Call Trilogy, which includes 2004’s One Missed Call, 2005’s One Missed Call 2 and 2006’s One Missed Call: Final.
Read the official details below:
An iconic trilogy of J-horror films comes to Blu-ray for the first time! Tapping into the same brand of terror as the Ring and Grudge movies, visionary director Takashi Miike (Audition, Blade of the Immortal) presents a modern, high-tech twist on that mainstay of Japanese folklore, the yurei or vengeful spirit, in the form of its own iconic antihero – the terrifying Mimiko.
In the first instalment in the trilogy, 2003’s One Missed Call, student Yoko (Anna Nagata, Battle Royale) receives a phone message from her future self, ending with her own death scream. Two days later, she dies in a horrific rail collision. As the mysterious phone curse spreads, claiming more young lives, Yoko’s friend Yumi (Ko Shibasaki, Battle Royale, 47 Ronin) joins forces with detective Hiroshi (Shinichi Tsutsumi, Space Battleship Yamato), whose sister met the same gruesome fate. But can they unravel the mystery before the clock runs out on the next victim – Yumi herself?
Mimiko’s curse continues to wreak bloody havoc in two sequels – 2005’s One Missed Call 2 and 2006’s One Missed Call: Final, in addition to spawning a TV series and an American remake. This lavish collection from Arrow Video gathers together the original trilogy – with the third instalment making its UK debut – and a swathe of in-depth bonus features for the ultimate spine-tingling experience.
Special Features:
Lossless Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and PCM 2.0 soundtracks
Optional English subtitles
New audio commentary on One Missed Call by Miike biographer Tom Mes
The Making of One Missed Call, an hour-long archival documentary on the film’s production
Archival interviews on One Missed Call with actors Ko Shibasaki, Shinichi Tsutsumi and Kazue Fukiishi, and director Takashi Miike
Archival interview on One Missed Call with director Takashi Miike
Archival footage from the One Missed Call premiere
Live or Die TV special
A Day with the Mizunuma Family
One Missed Call alternate ending
The Making of One Missed Call 2, a half-hour archival documentary on the film’s production
Gomu, a short film by One Missed Call 2 director Renpei Tsukamoto
One Missed Call 2 deleted scenes
One Missed Call 2 music video
The Making of One Missed Call: Final, an hour-long archival documentary on the film’s production
Maki and Meisa, an archival behind-the-scenes featurette on One Missed Call: Final with actresses Maki Horikita and Meisa Kuroki
Behind the Scenes with Keun-Suk Jang, an archival featurette with One Missed Call: Final’s South Korean star
The Love Story, a short film tie-in for One Missed Call: Final
Candid Mimiko, an archival location tour with the series’ iconic villain
Theatrical trailers and TV spots
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
First pressing only: Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by Anton Bitel
Studies suggest that the lack of sleep may be linked to an increased risk for poor mental health among college students. According to the research presented at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in 2019, college students increase their chances of developing mental health symptoms by 20% with each night of insufficient sleep.
To better understand why sleep is so important especially while having to deal with a lot of academic assignments, let’s get into the characteristics of a sleep cycle.
How Does Sleep Affect Mental Health?
During sleep, a person experiences the so-called “90 minutes cycles” that are comprised of two major categories of sleep. First, there’s the “quiet sleep” category, which is defined by a progression of four particular stages that are leading to the “deep sleep” category.
During the quiet sleep, the muscles relax, the breathing and the heart rate slow down, and the body temperature drops. Quiet sleep helps our body regulate physiological changes, an aspect that is heavily linked to our immune system.
The “deep sleep” category is called REM sleep. This is the period when we pass over to the dream’s realm. When we enter this stage, our body temperature, our heart rate and breathing, and our muscles are starting to function exactly like when we are awake. Various studies suggest that REM sleep contributes to emotional health and enhances memory and learning in complex ways.
What researches have found is that the lack of proper sleep and the disruption of sleep cycles are causing the neurotransmitters and our stress hormones to “run wild” and cause different negative consequences. According to statements spoken by mental health experts during the mental health awareness month, there are four main negative effects of
Impaired emotional regulation
Disrupted thinking
Increased chances of developing psychiatric disorders
Improved stress during the day
When students experience a lack of sleep symptoms, they often neglect them, thus intensifying their sleep deprivation symptoms and increasing the risk of developing various types of sleep disorders.
The Mental Health Risks of Sleep Deprivation
The lack of sleep isn’t the direct cause of mental health issues among students. In fact, there is a significant overlap between various types of sleep disorders (narcolepsy, insomnia, sleep movement disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, etc.) and mental health issues.
When it comes to students, insomnia is a very common cause of mental health disorders (often influenced by the lack of sleep). When I had to write my dissertation, I was suffering from insomnia while being overwhelmed by dozens of different other assignments. In those moments, I realized that I need expert, – excellent custom research paper writing service that can write my research for me.
There are many other students who are facing similar issues and cannot afford to outsource their responsibilities. That equals more stress and problems, which lead to more physical and mental health issues.
According to Harvard.Edu, there are three serious mental health issues that are directly influenced by sleep deprivation:
Depression
Recent studies suggest that 1 out of 5 students who suffer from depression are also dealing with symptoms of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). When further research has been effectuated, it has been shown that the majority of students who are depressed are also suffering from insomnia. The worst part is that patients who suffer from insomnia will hardly respond to depression treatments, thus leading to a never-ending negative cycle.
Bipolar Disorder
More studies from different countries suggest that 69% to 99% of patients tend to develop insomnia during episodes of bipolarity. When depression is also present, most of those patients tend to sleep excessively while also experiencing restless sleep.
Anxiety Disorders
When students don’t get enough sleep, various types of anxiety might kick in. Studies suggest that sleepless nights increase the risk of developing anxiety among students by up to 25%. It is known that sleep problems are affecting more than half of the patients who experience generalized anxiety disorders and PTSD (post-traumatic stress)
Takeaways
Even though mental health awareness became an important topic in today’s online environment, many students are still not familiar with the significant consequences of mental illnesses. If schools and colleges were to adopt a new subject, mental health should come on top of their priorities.
Rather than making students research fun argumentative essay topics, teachers could contribute to the mental health awareness movement by encouraging various mental health topics that would serve a higher purpose.
BIO: Elizabeth Skinner is a creative writer, academic tutor, and soon-to-become psychologist. She’s extremely passionate about mental health, and she’s dedicating most of her time to students who are in great need of help. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to cook oriental foods, study Chinese, and travel with her dogs.
Gambling is a fun way of letting loose and spending some quality time with your friends. Online gambling has made the fun, even better! Online gambling casinos are relatively new to the gambling scene. But in a very short period of time, they have managed to attract more and more gambling enthusiasts to their realms. There are a number of reasons why many choose to make the switch between going to a casino in person to just enjoying a gambling game online. Some people spend even more money online than they normally would on a slot machine at a gambling casino.
It’s Cheap!
The great thing about gambling online is that is costs far less than it would at any casino. When players weigh their options, they can find that they would be saving travel costs, ticket costs, and other expensive leisure costs, including pricey meals and drinks. They can just buy a few snacks from a nearby grocery store and start having fun at home. That’s why many people prefer to save those costs and perhaps use the extra cash to have a little more fun with an online game.
It’s More Convenient
Gambling online is absolutely hassle-free. All need is a functioning laptop or any online accessing device, and they’re set. Many people choose to play from the comfort of their own home or any venue that works best for them instead of having to travel. Some people also prefer to gamble at different times of the day or night. If they’ve got busy mornings at work, they can simply login in the evening and start playing, or the other way around if they have busy evenings. The great thing is, online gambling fits with most people’s conveniences and that’s why more gamers choose to opt for it.
There are Many Options
If you gamble offline, your options can be very limited. Whereas, in playing online, you can find a variety of games that suit your mood or gambling preferences. Game creators at master88 made it a point to provide a variety of games to be available both on App Store and Google Play. There are many options for betting on sports to simply having a fun card game with a group of people online. Gamers nowadays prefer to have that liberty of choice that cannot be found as easily offline.
It’s Safer
One important reason why many gamers spend more money on online betting is that it is much safer and securer than it would be to gamble offline. They can set limits for themselves and ensure that they stop once the fun stops. The risk factors are much less while online and provide more control for the players which is always a plus.
Young betters are now moving more and more towards spending their money on online casinos than they would offline for a number of valid reasons. The costs, convenience, and safety of online gambling is of great concern to gamers. Many of which find it cheaper and easier to just have fun online than at a casino. The options are limitless and it’s pretty safe. Most importantly, it’s quite fun!
On February 4th, 2020, Funimation is releasing Kingdom on Blu-ray & DVD. his upcoming period martial arts film is a Live-action adaptation of the manga series written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
From director Shinsuke Sato (Gantz) comes Kingdom, which follows a young boy (Kento Yamazaki, Death Note) who dreams of becoming the greatest general of the Qin Kingdom.
The film also stars Ryo Yoshizawa (Lost Days), Masami Nagasawa (Gintama), Kanna Hashimoto (Gintama 2), Kanata Hongo (Attack on Titan), Shinnosuke Mitsushima (Third Murder), Masahiro Takashima (Lady Maiko), Jun Kaname (Casshern) and Takao Osawa (Goemon).
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” Theatrical Poster
The final chapter of the saga from a galaxy far, far away will continue in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (aka Star Wars: Episode IX), which hits theaters on December 20th, 2019.
J.J. Abrams (Star Trek), who is also writing and producing, is back in the director’s chair. Co-writers include Chris Terrio (Justice League), Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) and Derek Connolly (King: Skull Island).
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the follow up to J.J. Abrams’Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi(2017) – and of course – the original Star Wars trilogy created by George Lucas.
Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Joonas Suotamo, Mark Hamill and of course, the late Carrie Fisher (by way of unused footage from the previous films).
New cast members include Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell and the return of Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian.
Watch the New TV Spot for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker below:
Super assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has a $14 million price tag on his head after killing a member of the High Table, the shadowy international assassins’ guild. Now excommunicado, and with an army of the world’s most ruthless hit men and women on his trail, John must find a way to survive in this third chapter of the adrenaline-fuelled action series.
Co-stars include Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix), Halle Berry (Die Another Day), Anjelica Huston (The Grifters) and Asia Kate Dillon (Orange in the New Black).
If you recall straight-to-video titles like To Be the Best, Final Impact, Fists of Iron and Isaac Florentine’s U.S. Seals II, then there’s a chance you might remember a martial artist named Michael Worth.
Worth is mostly known for his action film resume in the 90s, but over the years, he has branched out to writing and directing a number of indie films in multiple genres.
But now, Worth is bringing his personal collection into the limelight with Martial Art: A Pictorial History of Bruceploitation Posters, a beautiful limited edition book preserving a 40 year collection of original artwork posters.
Want a copy of Martial Art by next February? Visit the project’s Indiegogo page.
(Psst! From what we hear, Worth is ALSO working on some other Bruceploiation projects that are guaranteed to knock your yellow Asics off! Let’s just say he’s been hanging out – in person – with a lot of Bruce’s ‘n a bunch of Ho’s… )
Today’s Deal on Fire is the Blu-ray for Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (read our review), starring martial arts superstar Jet Li, and directed by legendary Hong Kong filmmaker, Tsui Hark (The Taking of Tiger Mountain).
The tale continues at the infamous Dragon Inn three years after it was left in ruins. A new gang has taken control of the inn as they secretly search for the nearby lost city of gold. Threatening to expose their search is the arrival of a beautiful fugitive from the palace accompanied by the swordsman who would die to protect her, and a group of assassins who will stop at nothing to find her.
Director: Andy Chin Producer: Jimmy Heung Cast: Brigitte Lin, Gong Li, Sharla Cheung, Frankie Lam, Norman Chu, Ku Tin-yi, Liu Kai-chi Running Time: 97 min.
By Paul Bramhall
Convoluted plots, a dizzying cast of characters, and breakneck pacing are all some of the defining characteristics of many a wuxia movie. From the Chor Yuen directed Gu Long adaptations during the 70’s Shaw Brothers heyday, through to the wire-filled extravaganzas of the early 90’s new wave, as a viewer unacquainted with the source material (if indeed there was any) such productions where often a test of mental agility for western audiences. Despite all of these factors though, I have a soft spot for wuxia flicks. They have an undefinable coolness to them, whether it be watching a poncho adorned Ti Lung slicing through opponents with a twirling blade, or Jet Li fending off multiple projectile swords whilst gliding through the air, there’s a poetic quality that transcends the boundaries of the standard kung fu flick.
Most importantly of all though, no matter how complex the plot gets, generally I find myself able to follow along enough to know what’s going down. Rival clans, dominance of the martial arts world, mystical weapons, and forbidden love – stick them all in a blender, and even if the portions are different every time, you’ll end up with some semblance of what to expect from a wuxia flick. Which brings me to The Dragon Chronicles: The Maidens of Heavenly Mountain. I provided this background partly as a pre-emptive excuse, partly as a cry for help, as in my 20 years of watching these movies, this 1994 slice of wuxia madness is the first time I honestly found myself having no clue as to what on earth was going on.
Less than 5 minutes in I was at a loss, and 85 minutes later things hadn’t improved. From an incomprehensibly complicated spiel that kicks things off via voice over, through to the moment the end credits appeared onscreen, the last time I felt this confused involved downing a few beers before entering an escape room. I suspect most of the blame lays with Charcoal Tan – not the name of the latest shade of fake tan – but the man behind the script, which I use in the loosest possible way. TDC:TMOHM (as I’ll refer to it from here on in) is based on the famous wuxia novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Jin Yong. You’ve probably guessed already, but to enjoy TDC:TMOHM as a coherent experience makes pre-reading the novel a must, preferably several times over followed by the CliffsNotes companion piece.
The novel has been adapted into a TV series more times than you can shake a stick at (including one being screened at the time of writing), however squeezing such a sprawling storyline into a single 90 minute movie is a daunting task. In 1982 director Siu Sang attempted to do so under the same title, which notably shares a cast member of TDC:TMOHM in the form of Norman Chu, which has long since disappeared into the annals of wuxia history. It would take 12 years for another director to step up to the table, and that director came in the form of Andy Chin Wing-Keung. Almost all of Chin’s unremarkable directorial efforts fall in the 10 years spanning 1989 to 1998, with 1994 being his most prolific year. Apart from sitting in the director’s chair for TDC:TMOHM, he’d also helm the long forgotten Hong Kong flicks Victory, Crazy Women, How Deep Is Your Love, and Why Wild Girls.
After 1998’s The Lord of Hangzhou he’d drop off the map, randomly popping up 10 years later to co-direct the Donnie Yen fantasy remake of Painted Skin, before fading into obscurity again. Out of all the titles in his filmography though, it’s TDC:TMOHM that provided Chin with his most impressive cast, offering up a trio of leading ladies that would make any Hong Kong director of the era green with envy. Taiwanese starlet Brigitte Lin would round off her bevvy of early 90’s wuxia appearances here, clocking in what would become her final appearance in front of the camera. She’s joined by Gong Li, here just a year after her critically acclaimed turn in Chen Kaige’s Farewell My Concubine, and the trio is rounded off with Sharla Cheung Man, who is probably the only actress who can claim to feature in more new wave wuxia movies than Lin, even if she wasn’t always playing the star.
Having these three actresses share the screen together in a genre such as this is largely what makes TDC:TMOHM remain watchable, even during its most head scratching moments, and there’s many. At one point a guy is brought out on a tray whose body has been cut off from the shoulders down, and is being kept alive by Lin’s evil mystical powers purely to suffer through a life of misery. Imagine a wuxia version of Basket Case, and you won’t be far off. While 1994 heralded Lin’s last year onscreen, it’s easy to imagine she never changed out of her wuxia wardrobe for the entire year. In addition to TDC:TMOHM, she also appeared in Three Swordsmen, Ashes of Time, Fire Dragon, and Deadful Melody. I was going to say she must have been so busy her feet didn’t touch the ground, then realised that considering the amount of wire-work that went into these new wave wuxia flicks, actually that statement is probably true.
Lin plays dual roles, one of an evil twin and one of a good twin, albeit the good twin barely makes an appearance due to being comatose. At this point, let me an issue a warning, that yes I’m going to attempt some sort of synopsis. With Lin playing two of the pivotal three maidens, the other role goes to Gong Li, who from what I could tell was in love with the good twin. All of them are keen to gain the trust of a martial arts master whose been fatally poisoned, but refuses to kick the bucket until his killer is exposed, and he can transfer his power to someone worthy of receiving it. That person isn’t Norman Chu, who plays the power hungry leader of an evil sect, however it could be a naive Shaolin monk (Frankie Lam) that finds himself befriended by Sharla Cheung Man. She’s a part of the evil clan, but seemingly has a good heart, and somehow in the end the monk, the maidens, and Cheung Man team up to defeat Norman Chu.
I won’t spend any more time detailing the plot, as honestly, the above description could be entirely wrong. If anyone needs to clarify any details, the good news is that Charcoal Tan is still around, having most recently contributed to the scripts for the likes of League of Gods and Legend of the Naga Pearls. There’s a certain Zu: Warriors of Magic Mountain vibe to TDC:TMOHM, from the other worldly mountain setting to the presence of Brigitte Lin and Norman Chu. Like Tsui Hark’s classic, there’s also an abundance of animated effects involving laser beam shooting and colourful twirls of energy. Indeed Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountain may have been made over 10 years earlier, but the effects on display make TDC:TMOHM appear like a product of the same era.
The abundance of energy blasts, and techniques such as the Melting Stance (self-explanatory) and Shifting Stance (the ability to teleport like a ninja in a Godfrey Ho movie), are likely there due to our three leading ladies lack of martial arts training. The action is orchestrated by Poon Kin-Kwan, who frequently co-action directed with Benz Kong To-Hoi, but here marks one of the few times he’d strike out on his own (other instances include Black Cat II and Out of the Dark). It’s unremarkable stuff for those expecting the intricate wire-work infused with acrobatics and martials arts that the likes of Tony Ching Siu-Tung would come to perfect, but remains serviceable. There’s not many flicks where you can watch Gong Li and Brigitte Lin chasing each other through the air while firing off laser beams, so for that visual alone I can’t be too hard on Kin-Kwan. It kind of felt like a more beautiful version of a TIE fighter versus an X-wing battle.
Despite the simple pleasure of seeing three of Hong Kong cinemas most iconic actresses sharing the screen together, there can be no denying that TDC:TMOHM is more than anything, an unfathomable mess. Compared to the wistful glances that both Brigitte Lin and Gong Li frequently indulge in, Cheung Man’s wacky character appears to have walked straight off the set of a Stephen Chow movie (which may have been the case, she featured in Hail the Judge the same year), and any semblance of a coherent plot is nowhere to be found. TDC:TMOHM feels like it should have been spread across at least two movies, although maybe the failure to continue the previous years Kung Fu Cult Master made producers reluctant to take the risk. Whatever the case, if you’ve seen every other new wave wuxia flick out there, TDC:TMOHM may still be worth your time, just leave your brain at the door, it’s safer that way.
Acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou (Shadow, Hero, House of the Flying Daggers) directs this 15th century period flick revolving around an elite force making a valiant stand for humanity on the world’s most iconic structure.
The film also stars Lu Han (Miss Granny), Lin Gengxin (Young Detective Dee), Zheng Kai (The Running Man), Chen Xuedong (Tiny Times 3), Huang Xuan (Blind Massage), Wang Junkai, Yu Xintian and Liu Qiong.
It’s been almost 20 years since Steven Seagal (Cartels) and DMX (Romeo Must Die) joined forces in 2001’s Exit Wounds, but we’ll soon be seeing the pair re-unite for Beyond the Law, an upcoming action-thriller directed by James Cullen Bressack (Deadly Reunion) that also co-stars Johnny Messner (Kill ’em All).
Here’s the official plot: Beyond the Law is about one man’s quest for justice in a corrupt city. When a former detective learns of the murder of his estranged son, he ventures back to the darkened streets he once knew so well. Armed, dangerous and with nothing to lose, he must take on the ruthless local mob in his mission for revenge.
According to MB, Beyond the Law hits select theaters and VOD/Digital on December 6, 2019. Don’t miss the film’s Trailer below:
When it comes to movies about “sports and gambling”, we tend to see the same list of films mentioned. Typical ones like The Hustler (1961), The Color of Money (1986), Eight Me Out (1988), Let it Ride (1989), Diggstown (1992), Hardball (2001) and Two for the Money (2005) – but if there’s one movie that’s considered an unappreciated gem within the most realistic movies of gambling, it has to be Bookies, a 2oo3 thriller directed by Mark Illsley (Happy, Texas).
Bookies centers on four college buddies who become small-time bookies. But when their antics give them a taste of success, things take a turn for the worse when their operation gets the attention of dangerous mobsters.
With names like Nick Stahl (Terminator 3, Sin City), Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That, Josie and the Pussycats), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory, Rosanne), John Diehl (Stripes, Mo’ Money), Julio Oscar Mechoso (Bad Boys, Little Miss Sunshine) and David Proval (Mean Streets, Sopranos), we can only wonder why the film never made it to U.S. theaters after its Sundance premier in 2003, but thankfully the film was discovered by a lucky audience on DVD and cable.
It’s a shame Bookies never hit the big screen, because like some of the more well-known movies of the same subject, the film features a plot that’s just as engaging and fast-paced. And don’t let the poster fool you, because this isn’t a teeny-bopper flick, it’s more along the lines of something more gritty like 2001’s Blow. Pay attention to the scene where one player turns a basketball team around. It’s a brilliant sequence!
Bookies mainly revolves around basketball, which begs the question: What if a movie was made around the subject of online Betting Sites? Let’s face it, with technology growing at such a fast pace – and people not having to to leave their house to visit a smoke-filled casino – a movie that centers around Online Gambling would be a blast!
The past, present and future of gambling movies has always been a success for moviegoers all around the world. Just look at recent ones, such as Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game, which grossed a worldwide total of $59.3 million (the film is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, played by Jessica Chastain, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game).
I personally look forward to more of these types of film. Who doesn’t like a roller-coaster ride filled with ups, downs and every type of cinematic thrill you can think of. After all, it’s human nature to get entertainment out of someone else’s conflict and comprising situation. It’s a sub-genre where the ending isn’t always happy and where the hero doesn’t always win.
Don’t miss the original Trailer for Bookies below. Who knows? Maybe it’s time to take that gamble (its DVD couldn’t be that expensive. Heck, maybe its even streaming on one of your subscription services).
The story of S.W.A.T. centers on the Chinese Special Police Unit, from their hard training to their first mission.
The film stars Jerry Jia (Once Upon a Time in the Northeast), Jin Chen (Million Dollar Crocodile), Ling Xiaosu (Painted Skin TV series) and Zhang Yunlong (The Dreaming Man), via AFS.
S.W.A.T. releases on domestically on December 29th, 2019. Don’t miss the film’s Trailer below (via AFS):
We know there are some Eric Roberts (Maximum Impact) and Martin Kove (Cobra Kai) fanatics out there – plus, it is the holiday season – so we couldn’t help but spread the word about A Karate Christmas Miracle, a martial arts movie “with a message” (you know, The Martial Arts Kid-type shit).
A boy (Mario Del Vecchio) believes that if he earns a black belt by Christmas Day his father, who went missing one year earlier, will return. A roller coaster thriller ensues, where a mystery that no one expected is unraveled – and just maybe all will witness the delivery of a miracle that can only happen on Christmas.
A Karate Christmas Miracle is being released on both Blu-ray & DVD from KDMG on November 15, 2019. The same company is also re-releasing Diana Lee Inosanto’s The Sensei on Blu-ray & DVD on the same date (it’s streaming Amazon Prime if you want to get down and dirty right now!).
Without further ado, here’s the Trailer for A Karate Christmas Miracle:
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