GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023) - Official Trailer

 Toho has finally released the official trailer for Godzilla Minus One (Gojira Mainasu Wan) the latest movie being released on Godzilla's 70th anniversary. Here is the synopsis:

After the war, Japan's economic state has been reduced to zero. Godzilla appears and plunges the country into a negative state.

I have been a Godzilla fan most of my life, so I am always interested in the latest movie being released in the franchise. Unfortunately, I haven't seen every Godzilla movie (I still haven't been able to watch Shin Godzilla, let alone the latest American movies), but Godzilla Minus One is definitely on my radar! After reading director Takashi Yamazaki's pitch for it, I am ready for this one:

"Postwar Japan has lost everything. The film depicts an existence that gives unprecedented despair. The title Godzilla Minus One was created with this in mind. In order to depict this, the staff and I have worked together to create a setting where Godzilla looks as if "fear" itself is walking toward us, and where despair is piled on top of despair. I think this is the culmination of all the films I have made to date, and one that deserves to be "experienced" rather than "watched" in the theater. I hope you will experience the most terrifying Godzilla in the best possible environment."

Godzilla Minus One comes out in Japan on November 3, 2023 for the 70th anniversary, and on December 1, 2023 in North America. I need to see this one!

 

[Fight Scene Friday] DADDY ISSUES - Anime Style Action Comedy

 It's Fight Scene Friday™, and this week's scene is a collaboration between Lorenz Hideyoshi and the Team Red Pro crew! This is an anime-influenced fight scene, mixed with that Hong Kong style. Check it out, this fight scene rocks!

 

Cassandro (2023) - Movie Trailer

 Check out the trailer for Cassandro, a biographical movie about the legendary lucha libre star. It stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Bad Bunny and is directed by Roger Ross Williams. Here is the synopsis:

Saúl Armendáriz, a homosexual amateur wrestler from El Paso, Texas, rises to international stardom when he creates the character Cassandro, the "Liberace of Lucha Libre." He upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life.

Of course, I am very interested in this movie because Cassandro is from my hometown of El Paso, Texas. I have seen Cassandro wrestle on shows here in El Paso, as well. I think it's amazing that an awesome (and well-respected) actor like Gael Garcia Bernal is playing him in this movie. I think it's so cool that Cassandro is having his story told in this way. It seems like lucha libre (and the wrestlers in it) will be treated with respect, and not like a joke like it usually is in Hollywood media. Cassandro comes out in theaters September 15, 2023 and then on Amazon Prime Video on September 22, 2023.

 

100 YARDS Trailer (2023/2024)

 Check out the trailer for 100 Yards, director Xu Haofeng's latest martial arts epic. It stars Andy On (yes, the actor from Black Mask 2 (2002) and New Police Story (2004)), Jacky Heung, Li Yuan, Tang Shiyi, and Hayden Kuo. Here is a synopsis:

100 Yards is set in 1920s Tianjin, northern China, and centers on the rivalry between the son of a martial arts master and his most talented apprentice. When the old master dies, the two face off to take over his prominent martial arts academy. But rather than obey the rule of settling disputes behind closed doors, they take their fight to the street.

This movie looks amazing, I must say. It should be noted that Xu Haofeng's martial arts movies have action that is much more realistic than most martial arts movies of today. No wirework or stylized fights. Some people like it, some people don't. I haven't seen any of his movies yet, but two of them are on my list: The Master (2015) and The Sword Identity (2011). Anyways, I hope 100 Yards ends up being good. It comes out in 2024, so keep an eye out for it!

 

Introducing House of Lee - Teaser Trailer

 Check out the teaser trailer for House of Lee, an anime series coming from Shannon Lee, Emily Yang, and Shibuya. Here is the synopsis:

House of Lee is an action/fantasy series that sees Bruce Lee fighting to assemble his Dragon Warriors before the world plunges too far into darkness and shadow. It takes inspiration from the famous Bruce Lee quote, “Those who are unaware they are walking in darkness will never seek the light.”

This trailer will be playing before the 50th anniversary screenings of Enter The Dragon in movie theaters, and the show will premiere in 2024. I personally can't wait to watch this one! It has that 80s and 90s anime look (before it was done only on computers), which I love. Let's hope it's good!

BLUE BEETLE (2023) - OFFICIAL FINAL TRAILER

 Here is the official final trailer for Blue Beetle, the latest DC comics superhero movie. Here is the synopsis:

Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE.

As I've said before, I have high hopes for this movie. It looks like it could be really good! You can see the sentai/tokusatsu influence in the action scenes, too. I am also biased towards this movie because Jaime Reyes is from my hometown (and they did film some scenes here). Blue Beetle comes out August 18, 2023!

 

Revolver Lily (2023) - Movie Trailer

 Here is the trailer for Revolver Lily, an action movie from Japan directed by Isao Yukisada, based on the book written by Kyo Nagaura. Here is the synopsis:

Yuri became a spy at the age of 16. She killed 57 people over a period of 3 years. Now, in 1924, she runs a small bar in Tokyo. Shinta is a boy whose family was murdered. He holds a key to the missing funds left by his father that belonged to the Imperial Japanese Army. Shinta asks Yuri for help and soon they become the target of 1,000 soldiers.

I must say, this movie looks really good! Let's hope this gets an international release! Revolver Lily comes out August 11, 2023 in Japan.