"Rounders" Japanese Theatrical Poster

If you have a hobby that you’re passionate about, it can be good to watch a movie that focuses on the same interest. There’s a great film out there for all poker players that, even though it wasn’t a massive box office hit when it was released in 1998, has now gained something of a cult status amongst poker aficionados. The film is Rounders, starring Matt Damon, Ed Norton and John Malkovich, and it’s all about the world of underground poker.

Today, if you like playing poker, you can play whenever you want online – with no need to join illegal and risky games like those featured in Rounders. The introduction of online gaming into the world of gamers and the sheer diversity available online nullified many of the risk associated with gambling. Big multi-million dollar online casinos such as BGO, 32Red and 888 are offering many promotions and options from the safety of one’s home. Table poker and video poker features in the selection casino games at bgo and other online sites and there are lots of different poker varieties to choose from there. But in the world of Rounders, poker was a game played illegally and underground.

The film begins with Damon’s character Mike McDermott, a poker playing law student, losing his $30,000 bankroll to a Russian gangster called Teddy KGB (Malkovich). Rounding is when you move from city to city, playing illegal, high stakes poker games. As McDermott’s finances are wiped out by this loss, he promises his girlfriend he will quit poker and concentrate on his studies instead.

The plan changes, though, when McDermott’s childhood friend Lester ‘Worm’ Murphy (Norton) gets released from prison but only has five days to clear debts and wants McDermott to team up with him using ‘rounding’ as a way of getting the money together. McDermott agrees to help, but insists on not cheating, as Worm wants to do. Just as they almost reach the target amount, Worm is caught cheating (even though he agreed he would play straight) and does a runner, leaving his mate to deal with the consequences.

Of course, it turns out that the person Worm (and now McDermott) owes the money to is Teddy KGB, so McDermott again faces him in a showdown game of Texas Hold’em. This time he wins, not only paying off Worm’s debt but also getting back the original $30,000 that he lost. The film ends with McDermott leaving university and his girlfriend and heading off to the World Series of Poker main event in Vegas.

This leaves a perfect opening for a sequel and it’s been on the cards (excuse the pun!) for a while. Originally set for release in 2012, and then postponed to 2014, it seems that the project has been put on hold due to the fact that Miramax doesn’t think it will do well at the box office. Both Damon and Norton have been said to be keen to take part in a sequel, but it’s one of those where we’ll have to wait and see what happens. Until then, here’s the original trailer for the original Rounders.

"Vendetta" Theatrical Poster

There’s some serious buzz surrounding Stephen Reynolds’ upcoming feature simply titled Vendetta. This gritty UK action flick has been called “Death Wish for 2013″ (Loaded Magazine) and “A Brit answer to First Blood” (Total Film). I don’t know about you guys, but these bold quotes alone make me want to watch it right now.

Here’s the official brief plot: Special ops interrogation officer Jimmy Vickers (Danny Dyer) tracks down a gang who slaughtered his parents. With police closing in and his old unit on his trail, he has to to evade capture long enough to complete his gruesome crusade.

Vendetta also stars Vincent Regan, Nick Nevern, Bruce Payne, Josef Altin and Tony Denham. Anchor Bay’s UK Blu-ray has a December 31, 2013 street date, so a North American release should be just around the corner. Until then, check out the trailer at Film Combat Syndicate.

"Kick Ass Girls" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Our friends from Film Combat Syndicate have the scoop about a new martial arts-comedy called Kick Ass Girls, directed by newcomer Cheuk Wan Chi. We feel the title is a bit misleading, because the film looks extremely light hearted and goofy, even for a “martial arts-comedy.”

Here’s the official synopsis: Bao co-founds a boxing gym with her intimate friend TT. But their friendship is broken over a boyfriend. Bao invites Miu to be the real precedent of “Girl Boxing Company”. They intend to attract male customers with their beauty. TT with grudge comes back and makes trouble. Meanwhile, the mystery Lady Zhuge is looking for female bodyguards for her business trip in Malaysia. Three girls decide to protect her for the generous rewards. Beyond their expectations, they are sold by human traffickers and forced to participate in the underground boxing games held by a local gang.

Kick Ass Girls stars Chrissie Chau (Men Suddenly in Love), Hidy Yu and Dada Lo (Bruce Lee, My Brother). So, a bunch of attractive girls kicking ass (kinda)… what’s not to love? Watch the trailer and see for yourself.

Updates: New trailer has been released. – Thanks to Film Combat Syndicate for the heads up!

"Grudge Match" Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout — 50 years after their last match. Rocky’s Sylvester Stallone and Raging Bull’s Robert De Niro star in Grudge Match, an action-comedy directed by Peter Segal (Get Smart) and written by Entourage creator Doug Ellin and

With Stallone, 65, and De Niro, 68, Grudge Match will be interesting. Does this mean De Niro is going back to the gym? Remember how cut he was in 1991’s Cape Fear? Sure, it was 21 years ago, but with the right trainer, we all know the wonder capable of anything. Rocky Balboa vs. Raging Bull… how cool is that?

Updates: In semi-related news, MGM is taking action against the upcoming Raging Bull II, based on the novel of the same name by Jake LaMotta. MGM claims that LaMotta has a contractual obligation that gives MGM rights to make a film based on his book.

The currently in-production unofficial sequel to Raging Bull, which has William Forsythe playing the aging LaMotta (Mojean Aria plays him as a younger man) is directed by Martin Guigui (Benny Bliss and the Disciples of Greatness). The film also stars Cloris Leachman, Penelope Ann Miller, Joe Mantagne, Tom Sizemore and Paul Sorvino. The director and star of the original film, Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro, are not involved in the sequel in any way, shape or form.

Look for Grudge Match in theaters on November 15, 2013. | Check out the first ‘behind the scenes’ photo of De Niro and Stallone in boxing gear. | The Playlist has a handful of new photos. | Watch the first trailer. Also, Grudge Match now has a Christmas Day release. | First poster. | Second poster is now available. | De Niro, Stallone, Hart and Arkin character posters.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the newest trailer!

"A Better Tomorrow" Japanese DVD Cover

According to imdb.com, pre-production has started on RockLand, which will star Chow Yun-fat (A Better Tomorrow), Ringo Starr (of The Beatles) and Eric Roberts (Best of the Best). RockLand marks the feature debut of Valeri Davidiouk; oddly enough, Davidiouk has four films in pre-production mode, including another one called Rockland Boulevard, which has a completely different plot and cast.

Anyways, here’s the official plot to RockLand: Two friends, a fighter and a wrestler, take on a lunatic crime lord, in order to save a young girl, and protect the professional fighting industry from organized crime.

We’ll have more information about RockLand as it becomes available. Personally, I think this whole project should be taken with a grain of salt. But hey, you’ll never know.

"Collision" DVD Cover

Like most film distribution companies, Lionsgate is no stranger to re-titling imported movies to fit the North American market (earlier this year, they released Coweb under the title Ninja Masters). They’re latest re-title is the Luc Besson-produced, French action-thriller Intersections, which they’re now calling Collision.

Collision is directed by David Marconi (The Harvest), who is best known for writing 1998’s Enemy of the State and 2007’s Live Free or Die Hard. The film stars Roschdi Zem, Jaimie Alexander and Frank Grillo.

Here’s the official plot: On their honeymoon in Morocco, Scott and Taylor Dolan set off on a day trip through the Sahara. When something goes terribly wrong, the couple find themselves stranded in the middle of the remote desert with no way home. Soon, lies and betrayals are revealed, and they discover that nothing happens by chance.

Lionsgate is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Collision on January 28, 2014. A newly edited Lionsgate trailer should hit youtube at any day, until then, here’s the original international trailer.

"Kabisera" Promotional Poster

A few months ago, we posted about Erik Matti’s acclaimed Filipino thriller, On The Job, which was recently picked up by Well Go USA for North American distribution. Now, there’s another buzzworthy Filipino film titled Kabisera, and it’s on the verge of making its mark at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival 2013.

Directed by Borgy Torre (aka Alfonso Torre), Kabisera (the tagalog word for “capitol”) is about a man who is drawn into the world of drug trafficking in the Philippines. Kabisera stars Joel Torre (On The Job), Arthur Acuña, Ketchup Eusebio and Bernard Palanca.

No word on a North American release, but here’s the trailer. We’ll keep you updated. – Thanks to DiP!

"Kung Fu Fighter" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Thanks to Film Combat Syndicate, we have new information regarding Tanxing Chen’s (the actor also known as Dragon Chen or Chen Star) latest film, Kung Fu Fighter, which will be released in China on November 15, 2013. If you don’t recall who Tanxing Chen is, last year, we posted a story about his previous film, Nunchucku.

The plot for Kung Fu Fighter involves a character named Cheng (Tanxing Chen), who accidentally kills his “competition” during a martial arts movie audition. After serving 7 years in prison for manslaughter, Cheng changes his identity and starts a new life. Because of his kung fu abilities, Cheng gets another chance at success. However, he’ll have to overcome some rough obstacles in the process.

We’ll have more information on Kung Fu Fighter as it comes. Until then, head over to FCS for a trailer and a featurette.