Section 8 | Blu-ray (Image)

Section 8 | Blu-ray (Image)

Section 8 | Blu-ray (Image)

RELEASE DATE: November 15, 2022

On November 15, 2022, RLJE Films is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for Section 8 (read our review), a Christian Sesma-directed (Take Back) actioner starring Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Dolph Lundgren (Black Water), Dermot Mulroney (Hanna), Scott Adkins (Debt Collectors) and Mickey Rourke (Take Back, Double Team).

Section 8 also stars Robert LaSardo (Death Race), Maurice Compte (Narcos), Geoffrey Blake (Midway), Paul Sloan (Vigilante Diaries), Mary Christina Brown (Vigilante Diaries), as well as Blue October singer Justin Furstenfeld, who is making his acting debut in the film.

Section 8 tells the story of a former soldier who, after avenging the murder of his family, is sprung from prison and recruited by a shadowy Continue reading

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

Ghost Warrior | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Ghost Warrior | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Ghost Warrior | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

RELEASE DATE: 2023

Early next year, Kino Lorber is releasing the Blu-ray for 1984’s Ghost Warrior (aka Swordkill), an inventive fantasy-adventure from cult-movie king Charles Band (Parasite).

Suddenly awake after 400 years of frozen sleep, a valiant samurai warrior struggles to survive the harsh challenges of modern-day Los Angeles. This action-packed tale is the thrilling saga of Yoshi (Hiroshi Fujioka, High Seas Hijack, In the Line of Duty III), a master of Japan’s 16th-century fighting arts who is accidentally frozen in time and miraculously revived in the 1980s. On the run from the institute that ended his sleep of centuries, Yoshi must pit his ancient skills and power against the forces of a violent and confusing world. He has vanquished enemies from a distant time—but can he prevail on the streets of the future? Ghost Warrior co-stars the wonderful Janet Julian (King of New York).

The “unthawed traveler Continue reading

Posted in DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles, News |

Haze (2005) Review

"Haze" Theatrical Poster

“Haze” Theatrical Poster

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto
Cast: Shinya Tsukamoto, Takahiro Murase, Takahiro Kandaka, Masato Tsujioka, Mao Saito
Running Time: 49 min.

By Henry McKeand

Shinya Tsukamoto’s films have always presented a claustrophobic view of the world. Even in massive and open urban landscapes, Tsukamoto’s characters are trapped by the oppressive man-made structures that surround them. There’s the sense that concrete and steel are capable of closing in at any time, overwhelming and overpowering helpless human bodies.

It’s fitting, then, that Tsukamoto would explore an aggressively literal version of this claustrophobia with 2005’s Haze, which centers on a man trapped in an uncaring concrete maze. Initially screened as one of the digital short films of the 2005 Jeonju International Film Festival in Korea, Haze is Tsukamoto at his most uncompromising.

The plot seems simple at first. A man (played by Tsukamoto himself) wakes up in a cramped, dark space with no real recollection of how he got there. With his back against the floor, his nose is an inch away from a massive concrete ceiling. He can barely turn his head, let alone find his way out. It’s a jarring first scene that expertly captures the despair of the situation. Tsukamoto has long been one of cinema’s most tactile filmmakers, and he gives every harsh slab of cement a gritty Continue reading

Posted in All, Japanese, News, Reviews | Tagged |

What are the Best Free UI/UX Courses with a Certificate?

You must be familiar with the term ‘User Interface.’ Whenever we perform any work on a mobile phone or laptop, the things that we see on the screen, like text, buttons, images, sliders, entry fields, and so on, are nothing but a part of user interface. The person working behind the scenes who decides how an application should look like is called the UI designer. Now, you will come across a similar concept called UX or user experience. It basically relates to how easy or tough it is to interact with the elements of the user interface that UI designers create for an application. If the user experience is good, a person will find it smooth and intuitive while using the application. 

Today, companies are investing huge sum of money in the mobile and web experiences of users and hiring UX designers to ensure that the users have a seamless experience when using their applications. With the growing demand for UX designers, people are seeking the best UI/UX course to gain work-ready skills and take their career to the next level. You too can do so if you have some basic knowledge of UI/UX design. If not, you can’t judge whether a given training course is worth your time and money. This is where free courses can help. Fortunately, you have some free of cost training courses related to UX design to help you learn the subject from scratch. 

This article lists your top options for a free UI/UX course online and provides a small description of each. 

Here goes the list!

UX Design Short Course 

Training Provider – CareerFoundry

This self-paced beginner-friendly course will give you a complete overview of UX design, why it matters, and the skills required to succeed in this field. The UX design tutorial involves a video introduction, written lesson, hands-on activity, and interactive quiz. You will understand how UX design happens, the areas within UX design, skills like empathy and prototyping that are best suited for UX designers, and how to craft a UX design portfolio that grabs the attention of potential employers. 

The program is ideal for those who want to get a sense of whether UX design is suitable for them before investing in any paid course. If you like the course, then you can enroll in CareerFoundry’s paid course – UX Design program that covers all the advanced concepts.  

Product Design by Google 

Training Provider – Udacity 

Your game-changing idea will become a tangible product that you can turn into a business around, thanks to this course, which inspires you to do so. Enroll in this 2-month program to understand concepts like UI/UX practices, product validation, Google’s Design Sprint, and the process to set up and track actionable metrics. It is taught by industry pros and involves rich learning content and interactive quizzes. The lesson on UI/UX helps you learn how to go beyond visual style to grasp material design, user flows and personas, and building for accessibility. Further, the instructor will teach you how startups make design decisions and how you can learn from senior designers at Google. 

The course involves no prerequisites; there only needs to be a problem at hand to be solved and openness to feedback. By the end of the program, you will have a clear idea of how to perform a Google Design Sprint that is developed at Google Ventures. 

Free UX Design Curriculum 

Training Provider – Springboard 

Go through 40 hours of in-depth curriculum to learn UX design that involves the best techniques and methods like personas, user research, wireframing and prototyping. Some of the top skills covered in this training program are design research methods, interviewing users in real-world scenarios, user-centered design techniques, creating personas to define users, and the deliverables that a UX designer is expected to produce. 

The program is designed for aspiring designers, engineers, product managers, entrepreneurs, and anyone willing to learn more about UX design. If you like this free training program by Springboard, you can also take up its paid course – UX Bootcamp: Become a UX Designer, Job Guaranteed. 

Apart from these top options, you can also consider taking a paid course as mentioned below. Enroll in it if you are sure about starting a career as a UX designer. 

UI/UX Design Expert Master’s Program 

Training provider – Simplilearn 

Dive into the world of UX research, user-centric design process, UI styling, usability testing, wireframes and prototypes with Simplilearn’s comprehensive training program. You will become aware of the top approaches to all UI/UX design development stages, along with design thinking and information architecture. The program lasts for 4 months (5 to 10 hours per week) and lets you have experiential learning through real-life innovation projects. As a learner, you will be able to build an impressive design portfolio with attractive designs that showcase your brand to the world. 

With 8x higher interaction in live online classes, you will learn and practice the concepts with multiple project labs to stand apart as an industry-ready UI/UX designer. Moreover, Simplilearn offers Job Assist services wherein you will be guided on how to prepare for interviews, how to polish your resume, and get in touch with potential employers.  

Happy Learning!

Posted in News |

Studying Skills: 5 Ways Students Can Improve

Good study skills can make a big difference in your educational outcomes. Effective studying guarantees good grades. Despite this, schools rarely teach students how to study effectively. For instance, note-taking is an essential part of learning, but they teach few students how to do it. In most instances, teachers tell you to take notes but not what to record or how to use them to learn.

The good news is that reliable data exists on how to study. Research has shown that different note-taking methods are better for reviewing, memorizing, and reading textbooks. You can improve your study habits by following the skills in this post. You’ll be sure you receive better grades if you use them.

Take Practice Tests

A practice test aims to improve memory more efficiently than passively reviewing the material. Today, tests aren’t just for evaluation. Through testing, you exercise memory retrieval, which enhances learning. When answering a test question like this comprehensive predictor test, you must actively use your long-term memory. It creates more and better paths to the answer. Next time, you will find the solution more quickly. 

It is easy to conduct practice tests. If you have a textbook, you can answer questions from it or make flashcards. Online practice tests are often available for free. Ensure that you can get the correct answers. Practice is the best way to determine if you answered the questions correctly.

Establish a Daily Study Routine

It’s time to try something new and less stressful if you can’t squeeze all your study time into a few long days. Make time for studying every day, whether you have exams, because what you do every day is more important than what you occasionally do. It is essential to remain consistent once you have established good study habits and to make it a routine that you can maintain from one year to the next.

As long as your study sessions are part of your monthly schedule, you don’t have to find time for them. Consider your commitments, such as chores, activities, and appointments, before planning your week or month. Now you need to stay dedicated to your new study schedule.

Choose a Good Study Spot

A distraction-free environment will help you stay focused on your assignments. While the library has always been a good place for academic work, if you prefer a different location, ensure you have everything you need to succeed. You may find other study spots on campus at your university. While some university campus cafeterias can be pretty busy, there is usually just enough quiet for students to study while eating.

Make sure your study zone has rules. Keep your door closed when you don’t want to be disturbed. Avoid answering the phone or sending text messages, as these will interrupt your concentration. It’s important not to overlook your home. Dedicating a space in your home or apartment just for studying is essential, away from distractions.

Organize Lesson Notes

It is not uncommon for people to write their lecture notes in notebooks, making them look like an 8-year-old scribbled in them! That’s why recording your professor’s lectures is a good idea to understand them better. You can do this by transcribing the recorded lecture notes. In this way, you can go back and review what you didn’t understand. Rewrite those notes so that they are more legible and review-friendly as you check them. It will be worth it on the day of the exam.

Research has proven that reviewing your notes after class and repeating the lesson enhances information retention. You can improve your study skills by rewriting your lecture notes. When you rewrite them, you will recall the context better, and if you reorganize them into an outline, you will understand the lesson more completely.

Positive Thinking

The more time students spend studying a subject, the less likely they will succeed. Rather than promoting learning, negativity will overshadow most of it. Learning complex concepts and becoming more confident in the material are the goals of studying, and students should approach it this way.

Teachers and parents can promote positive thinking by encouraging students. Students will subconsciously think more positively about themselves and their abilities if they see motivational quotes, positive pictures, or other positive phrases in the study environment. Whenever students study, they shouldn’t begin with the most challenging material. By starting with more accessible material, they will experience success sooner and, as a result, are more motivated to learn the complex ones.

Conclusion

Besides being reasonably easy to use, each study skill above is also reasonably practical. There is no need to wait for training or practice to make your skills more effective. It is best to start by trying them out. Try one and see what happens. Put it down on paper. You can then pick another option from the list and see the changes.

 

Posted in News |

Netflix’s Top Animated Shows: Where to Start

As the days where animated shows were seen as products made exclusively for children fade into the distance, more and more adults are beginning to delve into the world of animated shows, cartoons, and animes. With popular US shows like Rick and Morty taking the world by storm and Asian anime Attack on Titan holding some of the top-rated IMDB episodes of all time, it’s only so long before the nay-sayers give in to the hype and watch some good old animated shows. If you’re not familiar with animated shows, here are some great reccomendations of where to start using your Netflix subscription.

Source: Unsplash

Disclaimer (Don’t say you weren’t warned)

Netflix is known for having a pretty good algorithm; that is, the shows they recommend to you based on your previously watched are normally pretty good – and relevant! Well, although this world of animated TV is amazing, the genre is quite a bit different from the rest of the content on Netflix, meaning your recommendations will be skewed pretty heavily after delving into these. If you turn out not to be a fan of these specific shows and find your feed filled with unwanted recommendations, ExpressVPN’s guide on how to delete your history might help you’re watch list going forward. Otherwise, enjoy your heavily anime-filled recommendations and get stuck into this amazing world of TV!

Avatar: The Last Airbender

This may be a controversial start because, technically, the show is American and only ‘anime-inspired’. However –  this show is a great hybrid of American /Asian TV culture and a classic animated series. The show follows Aang, a young boy who was born with the gifts of the Avatar – an immortal being destined to bring together the tribes of each element (water, earth, air, and fire) in peaceful harmony. When the Fire nation threaten to take over, Aang must master his ability to bend all four of the elements in order to overcome his adversity, alongside his newfound friends Katara and Sokka.

The show is pretty light-hearted throughout, though it has some really cool animated fight scenes, perfectly capturing the classic Asian-Anime style scenes with a tinge of American culture just leaking through.

Source: Unsplash

Demonslayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

While this is a relatively new anime, the show is host to some of the best drawn scenes in the genre that make for quite the visual spectacle.

After losing his family to a demon, Tanjiro pledges everything he has to becoming a Demonslayer – an epic fighter who protects the vulnerable people of the world from the dangers of the evil ones. This anime is breathtakingly stunning and accumulates into a sensory spectacle, where the fight scenes are guaranteed to leave you in awe. With his infallible determination, unbreakable virtue, and awesome fighting ability, Tanjiro encompasses everything a classic Shonen Anime character should have and this show will definitely leave you wanting more, which is why Demonslayer makes for such a good starter animated series. While only the first season is on Netflix currently, we should be able to expect the second season soon – exciting stuff!

Posted in News |

Some About Sugar Daddy Sites

Sugar Daddy sites are intended for wealthy and successful older men and attractive young women who need financial support to live lavish lifestyles. These platforms help connect two people who are looking for a partner to spend quality time with. The relationship depends on your personal needs and choices.

The dating arrangement can be long-lasting or to meet each other’s needs for one time. Sugar Daddy could forever fall in love with his beautiful Sugar Baby while they are dating.

What are Sugar Daddy Sites?

It is a well-constructed social media portal that facilitates communication between the older and younger generations to fulfill their mutually beneficial relationships. Before diving into the journey of love, they make a relationship agreement that involves limits, benefits and other conditions. If both of you are in a position to satisfy your basic needs and desires, you can proceed with a closer connection.

In essence, a sugar daddy and a sugar baby interact based on a “mutually beneficial relationship”: a man gets his partner and the woman will receive financial support. They can set the boundaries of their relationship before going out together, which implies a close dating bond or something more than that. However, some girls do not allow any physical connection.

How to Make Sugar Daddy Dates?

There are over 20 free sugar daddy websites where you can search for a relationship for love, money, and companionship. Sign up to find a perfect and ideal match, create your profile and search for that special someone based on mutual interests and compatibility levels.

People on Sugar Daddy Sites

Beautiful, charming and attractive girls who need financial support or girls who prefer luxurious and fantastic life can be found on these websites. Women often look for a wealthy and wise man who can provide them with financial support and a luxurious lifestyle. And a rich older man is primarily interested in a relationship or a partner for the rest of his life. They can search and connect with a perfect partner who meets their requirements in terms of shared interests and desires.

Why are Sugar Daddy Sites So Popular Now?

Sugar daddy sites are popular for creating sugar relationships and arranging to connect two people. They have been operating for more than two decades, providing high-quality services in accordance with your privacy and guidelines.

Sugar Daddy Sites Statistics

Every day, a large number of users visit these websites. Here are some statistics to familiarize yourself with:

  1. SugarDaddyMeet: more than 5 million visitors every month.
  2. Looking for fix: more than 11 million visitors per month.
  3. Elite Singles: About 5.1 million users each month.
  4. Be Naughty – Over 11 million monthly visitors.
  5. Rich Meet Beautiful Site: More than 4 million targeted users.

The Main Advantages of Sugar Daddy Sites

  1. Make Your Own Decisions

You are entering a virtual entertainment world where you can make your own rules and decisions. There is no room for games and flirtations! These dating platforms are a new hope for the old generation to find and fall in love with the young. Live the life of romance, love and excitement!

  1. No Strings Attached Sugar Daddy Dating Relationships

Sugar daddies don’t need to commit to serious relationships. Obligations cannot be imposed in case the sugar daddies want to interrupt the relationship with the couple. Everything is predefined and clear for sugar babies before starting a relationship. They will receive financial support, gifts and vacations until the relationship ends.

  1. Young and Attractive Partner

A man who was busy building his empire to achieve success and high-level status that he lacked in order to cultivate a stable and healthy relationship. These platforms can help them connect with beautiful and young women. You can even make someone jealous by taking your lady to public events.

  1. Feel Young

Make your connections with a beautiful lady who has a lot of energy and is ready for love affairs. She has chosen to spend her quality time with you. She is in the prime of her life, and you have spent your youth building an empire to live a rich and luxurious lifestyle. Now is the time to experience exciting moments with a young beauty. So relax and make every day of her life worth spending quality time here.

Where to Find Sugar Daddy Sites?

Sugar daddy dating is a huge niche with many free sugar daddy dating apps and websites. You can easily find sugar daddies and sugar babies at:

  • Ashley Madison
  • SugarDaddySeek
  • sugar daddy for me
  • elite singles
  • sugar daddy
  • miss trip
  • sugar daddy reunion

Sugar daddy dating apps

  • sudy
  • Rich Meet Beautiful
  • What is your price
  • miss trip
  • looking for fix
  • be naughty

How to Choose the Best Sugar Daddy Sites?

Choosing the right platform depends on your needs and wishes. Are you looking for a lasting and real relationship? There are several types of these services so that people can connect based on mutual agreements.

Browse all the sugar daddy dating sites and sign up for the one that is right for the relationship you want to build with your partner.

Love has no limits. Anyone may need financial or emotional support at any stage of their life. Whether you are young or old, an ideal partner is essential for your well-being. Sugar Daddy Dating features many platforms that meet the needs of all users (young and old). Wise, older, mature adults hook up with an ideal young couple to end their loneliness. Young and beautiful women entered into a relationship with older and wise men for financial support to continue their education, live, etc.

The study has shown that free sugar daddy sites help create relationships of mutual interest and benefit, sometimes leading to lasting connections between two souls. They built their relationships by sharing their thoughts, daily routine and lifestyle, developing a strong emotional feeling for each other that strengthens their bond no matter what.

Also read how to find a sugar daddy on Twitter?

Posted in News |

New series based on JCVD’s ‘Kickboxer’ titled ‘Operation: Kickboxer’ in the works from ‘Kickboxer: Retaliation’ team

"Kickboxer" Theatrical Poster

“Kickboxer” Theatrical Poster

An upcoming new series from showrunner Gary Scott Thompson (The Fast and the Furious), based somewhere in the Kickboxer franchise universe, is in the works from executive producers Todd Garner (Mortal Kombat) and Dimitri Logothetis (Jiu Jitsu), who directed 2018’s Kickboxer: Retaliation (the sequel to the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance).

The series will revolve around Michael Sloane, a new character in the franchise, who has yet to be cast. We should rule out the return of  stars who previously played Sloane characters (both Alain Moussi and Jean-Claude Van Damme both played Kurt Sloane; Dennis Alexio played Eric Sloane; and of course, Sasha Mitchell played David Sloane), save for a co-starring role, a cameo, or the possibility of portraying a totally different character, as per Van Damme Continue reading

Posted in News |

Deal on Fire! Dynasty | Blu-ray | Only $14.99 – Expires soon!

Dynasty | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Dynasty | Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)

Today’s Deal  on Fire is the Blu-ray for 1977’s Dynasty (aka Ming Dynasty or Super Dragon), a groundbreaking, 3-D kung fu feature directed by Mei-Chun Chang (Kung Fu Kids).

Read the official details:

For the first time ever, Dynasty is presented in a New 4K remaster in Compatible 3-D, so you can view it on any system. The package has both BD3D polarized AND anaglyphic (red/cyan) 3-D versions, and contains one pair of anaglyphic 3-D glasses with information on how to acquire additional glasses.

When an emperor’s son is accused of treason against the throne, he ends up Continue reading

Posted in Deals on Fire!, News |

The Roundup | Blu-ray (MPI Home Video)

The Roundup | Blu-ray (MPI Home Video)

The Roundup | Blu-ray (MPI Home Video)

RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2022

On December 13, 2022, MPI Home Video/Capelight is releasing the Blu-ray & DVD for the 2022 box office smash, The Roundup (aka The Outlaws II).

Directed by Lee Sang-yong (4th Period Mystery), this South Korean actioner stars Ma Dong-seok, aka Don Lee (Unstoppable, Champion, Along with the Gods, Train to Busan).

South Korea: Geumcheon Police’s Major Crimes Unit is given a mission to extradite a fugitive who fled to Vietnam. Beast cop Ma Seok-do (Ma Dong-Seok) and Capt. Jeon Il-man (Choi Gwi-Hwa, Project Wolf Hunting) intuitively realize that there’s something wrong with the suspect’s willingness to turn himself in and uncover a series of crimes committed by a terrifying killer named Kang Continue reading

Posted in Asian Titles, DVD/Blu-ray New Releases, Martial Arts Titles, News |

Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday (2022) Review

"Accident Man 2: Hitman's Holiday" Theatrical Poster

“Accident Man 2: Hitman’s Holiday” Theatrical Poster

Director: George Kirby
Co-director: Harry Kirby
Cast: Scott Adkins, Ray Stevenson, Perry Benson, Sarah Chang, Javad Ramezani, George Fouracres, Flaminia Cinque, Beau Fowler, Faisal Mohammed
Running Time: 96 min. 

By Paul Bramhall 

It’s been 4 years since the first Accident Man hit the screen in 2018, or to put it in Scott Adkins terms, 17 movies ago (11 of which he was the star!). The DTV genres hardest working action star, his appearances in 2022 so far have been relegated to what are essentially extended cameos in the vampire flick Day Shift and forgettable Section 8, so the news that there was going to be a sequel was reason for fans to be excited. Landing in the form of Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday, Adkins closes out the year with a role that places him front and center.

Wearing multiple hats once more, including producer, choreographer, coming up with the story, and of course starring, Adkins wisely brings back many of the cast and crew from the original. In front of the camera Ray Stevenson (last seem hamming it up in the Tollywood mega-hit RRR) is back as Adkins’ mentor, as is Perry Benson as the assassin Finnicky Fred. Behind the camera Stu Small has again penned the script (who seems to have made a career out of scripting Scott Adkins flicks!), and frequent Adkins collaborator Tim Man also returns as an additional choreographer. When we say ‘additional’, the reason is Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday comes with a whopping 6 fight choreographers, with main choreography duties going to the trio of former Jackie Chan Continue reading

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

Big Time Gambling Boss | Bu-ray (Radiance Films)

Big Time Gambling Boss | Bu-ray (Radiance Films)

Big Time Gambling Boss | Bu-ray (Radiance Films)

RELEASE DATE: January 3, 2023

On January 3, 2023, Radiance Films is releasing the Blu-ray (Region A) for Kosaku Yamashita’s 1968 Japanese yakuza thriller, Big Time Gambling Boss.

An atmospheric tale of gangland intrigue written by Kazuo Kasahara (Battles Without Honour and Humanity) and starring Tomisaburo Wakayama (Lone Wolf and Cub, New Battles Without Honor and Humanity) and genre legend Koji Tsuruta, Big Time Gambling Boss is one of the all-time classics of the yakuza genre. Paul Schrader called it the richest and most complex film of its type, while novelist Yukio Mishima hailed it as a masterpiece.

Tokyo, 1934. Gang boss Arakawa is too ill and a successor must be named. The choice falls on Nakai, but being an outsider he Continue reading

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

Top 5 Movies About Gambling

Are you organising a movie night with friends who are interested in a gambling thriller? Maybe you are preparing for a weekend of fun and gambling in Las Vegas.

Whether it’s craps, baccarat, roulette, or poker, a gambling film is a great way to learn more about your favourite casino game. It can be a great inspiration before you try it out for real at online casinos on casinotop3, for example. Fortunately, it is not difficult to locate the best gambling films.

To assist you in making an informed decision, listed below are the 5 best gambling films. So, break out the popcorn and gather your friends because the show is about to begin!

21 (2008)

It can be difficult to find a true-life gambling film that is packed with suspense, excitement, and humour. The classic film 21 by Robert Luketic provides all of these and more. It is both serious and humorous, which is why IMDB’s 6.8/10 rating does not do it justice.

You may forget that the film is based on the true story of six MIT students who were taught to count cards by their unconventional math professor Micky Rosa (played by Kevin Spacey). After multiple weekend trips to Las Vegas, they eventually took The Strip casinos for millions in blackjack winnings.

The story of Ben Campbell (portrayed by Jim Sturgess), a talented student and aspiring physician, is perhaps the most heartwarming. Ben joins the card-counting team because he is unable to secure $300,000 to attend Harvard Medical School. Unfortunately, power and greed prevail over the students, jeopardising their plans.

High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)

Stu Ungar needs no introduction if you follow the poker world closely. He is a well-known poker expert renowned for being the first player in the World Series of Poker history to win three Main Event tournaments. Unfortunately, he gambled away the vast majority of his poker winnings.

Michael Imperioli portrays the high roller Stu Ungar in High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story, an independent biographical film about his fascinating life. Vidmer’s documentary covers every aspect of the player’s life, from when he had everything and experienced hedonistic highs to when his life imploded. The film spares no expense in depicting Stu’s meteoric rise to the pinnacle of poker gambling and subsequent equally meteoric fall.

Rounders (1998)

It is somewhat difficult to find a gambling film that is both humorous and dramatic. Rounders offers a little bit of everything, including a script filled with drama and a star-studded cast (with the ranks of Matt Damon as the main star, as well as Edward Norton and John Malkovich). What else could you want?

In Rounders, Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) must defeat Teddy “KGB,” a Russian gambling baron, in a high-stakes poker game. McDermott’s girlfriend, Jo, is pressuring him to give up gambling at home. However, he must use his poker winnings to cover his college expenses.

The tug-of-war between the couple continues until McDermott’s friend Lester is released from prison and required to repay an old debt to the KGB. The showdown unfolds in front of your eyes, with much table talk and poker bluffing strategies.

Casino Royale (2006)

James Bond (Daniel Craig’s 007) attempts to defeat Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a well-known terrorist financier, in Casino Royale, which is arguably one of the most famous gambling films ever made.

MI6 enlists Mr Bond’s assistance to defeat Le Chiffre at the poker table after learning that he intends to use high-stakes poker to raise funds for terrorist activities. Bond not only displays remarkable bluffing strategies but also manages to dismantle Le Chiffre’s organisation.

Casino Royale is one of the most popular and viewed James Bond films. The film receives an outstanding eight stars on IMDb and scores points in every category, from the cool gambling moves to the action sequences.

The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover is a humorous (and somewhat literal) parody of the gambling idiom, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” The film is not centred on gambling, but there are several gambling-related scenes scattered throughout. 

Doug (portrayed by Justin Bartha) and his three friends Alan (Ed Helms), Stu (Zach Galifianakis), and Phil are involved in a series of mishaps (Bradley Cooper). Two days before Doug’s wedding, the odd crew decides to travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party.

The following morning, however, the trio has no recollection of what transpired the previous evening. Interestingly, they, too, are lost and unable to locate the groom. Now, now. Just hours before the wedding, the three groomsmen must assemble their thoughts and search for their missing friend.

The first Hangover film was such a huge success that Warner Bros. released Hangover II in 2011 and Hangover III in 2013. Each film in this series is not only hilarious but also provides an exaggerated depiction of Las Vegas and its imposing casinos. Can we maintain optimism regarding the release of Hangover IV?

Posted in News |

Female Yakuza Tale | Blu-ray (Discotek Media)

Female Yakuza Tale | Blu-ray (Discotek Media)

Female Yakuza Tale | Blu-ray (Discotek Media)

RELEASE DATE: December 27, 2022

On December 27, 2022, Discotek Media is releasing the Blu-ray for Female Yakuza Tale (aka Love Free-For-All), a 1973 Japanese crime thriller directed by Teruo Ishii (Blind Woman’s Curse).

Female Yakuza Tale stars Reiko Ike (New Battles Without Honor or Humanity), Meika Seri (World of Geisha), Jun Midorikawa (Sex & Fury), Emi Jo (Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion), Toru Abe (Cops vs. Thugs) and Kanjuro Arashi (North Sea Chivalry).

Inquisition And Torture is an anarchistic apex in the career of Japanese cult director, Teruo Ishii, whose fifty year resume includes Horror of Malformed Men and Bohachi Bushido. Notoriously lacking restraint, sexy ‘pinky violence’ star, Reiko Ike, returns in this Continue reading

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

Project Wolf Hunting (2022) Review

"Project Wolf Hunting" Theatrical Poster

“Project Wolf Hunting” Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Hong-Sun
Cast: Seo In-Guk, Jang Dong-Yoon, Sung Dong-Il, Park Ho-San, Jung So-Min, Ko Chang-Seok, Jang Young-Nam, Choi Gwi-Hwa, Son Jong-Hak
Running Time: 121 min.

By Paul Bramhall

When it comes to cinema the concept of using one location for a narrative to play out in always produces intriguing results, usually lending itself particularly well to the action and horror genres. From the building that the SWAT team needs to fight their way out of in The Raid, to escaping the zombie masses trapped within the confines of a train in Train to Busan. Director Kim Hong-seon played with a similar theme in his 2012 debut The Traffickers, a dark and grimy black market organ trafficking thriller that mostly took place within the confines of a ferry operating between Korea and China. Hong-seon also scripted his debut, and while the end result showed some promise, the overly serious approach and a plot which frequently tripped up on its own attempted cleverness ultimately saw it fall short.

After the release of his debut Hong-seon took a step back from directing his own material, instead becoming a rarely out of work director for hire. He’d follow it up by helming the 2014 caper flick The Con Artists, with the senior citizen thriller The Chase coming next in 2017, and fully embracing the horror genre for 2019’s Metamorphosis. All are serviceable entries in their respective genres, however are also all fairly unremarkable, with nothing standing out in any of them to recommend a viewer proactively seek them out. Whatever small signs of promise that were shown in The Traffickers, indicating Hong-seon could be a force to be reckoned with if he can find the right balance, alas seemed destined to not come to fruition. So it was with a sense of tentative anticipation Continue reading

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