News

I recently reviewed the Black Widow and Hawkeye pack for Atomic Mass Games’ Crisis Protocol, and I remarked at the time that it was the first expansion I had encountered that featured a re-release of a character that existed in the core box. Where Black Widow was concerned, the updated model and character card featured the same alter-ego (Natasha Romanoff) and therefore only one Widow model can take to the field at once. That’s not the case for today’s review, for Spider-Man and Ghost Spider, because this Spider-Man is Miles Morales (compared to the Peter Parker of the core box) thanks to the multiverse storyline. Two Spider-Men (and a Spider-Woman)? Very interesting!

The original Peter Parker Spider-Man from the core box is a pretty tough customer, weighing in at a surprisingly high four threat. Miles Morales Spider-Man costs just three, and both variants have three physical, energy and mystical defence dice.

Tyron Woodley came thiiiiiiis close to beating the dog snot out of YouTube star Vitaly when a stupid prank crossed the line ... and Tyron's still fuming about it. Fyi, Vitaly is famous for screwing with big stars like Kim Kardashian -- but when he tried to punk Tyron with an ass-grabbing stunt in L.A., the Ufc star says things got really heated. "His [stunt] almost got him knocked out," Tyron said on "The Hollywood Beatdown.

Tyron Woodley says Georges St-Pierre and Nate Diaz have something in common -- they're both punk bitches.  The Chosen One went off on both fighters on 'The Hollywood Beatdown' ... blasting the Ufc stars for refusing to fight him over the past 6 months while working on a deal to fight each other instead.  He's mad. You gotta watch.  There's a lot more ... including Tyron's take on that brutal fight after the Met Gala involving Cardi B...

Tyron Woodley told Van Lathan he was proud of the way he handled himself during the TMZ confrontation with Kanye West ... but he needs to be prepared in case they ever have to fight.  The Ufc champ had been blowing us up to find out what went down at the TMZ office that day when the cameras weren't rolling ... so we let him ask away on "The Hollywood Beatdown." And that's when he gave Van...

You're gonna see Ronda Rousey in the ring sooner rather than later -- so says Tyron Woodley, who's got a strong hunch when the Ufc megastar's making her WWE debut.  Tyron broke down why the timing's perfect for Rousey to cross over to pro wrestling in this week's episode of "The Hollywood Beatdown" ... days after TMZ Sports spotted her out with Triple H.  As for the when ... the welterweight champ says it'll be at one of WWE's biggest annual events,...

We’re back again with another Movie of the Day and once again this week we’re focusing on blinkbox’s Free content. Today’s film, available without subscription, is a fantastic modern Dtv action flick, Beatdown.

Starring some of the greatest Mma stars, Beatdown follows respected street fighter Brandon Becker (Rudy Youngblood), who finds himself in debt to the mob and running for his life. Taking refuge at his fathers place (Danny Trejo) he soon gets involved in the local underground cage-fighting scene. With the help of a former Mma champion (Michael Bisping) he plans to settle his debts.

In the simplest of terms, Beatdown is the Mma version of Never Back Down, complete with town bully, underground fight scene and underdog hero – and actually that’s not a bad thing – the story works well, despite some obvious plot holes (the heroes’ brothers death being the biggest) and the...

A diamond heist turns deadly this September when Lionsgate debuts Set Up on DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Digital Download and On Demand. Action vet Bruce Willis (Die Hard) leads Curtis .50 Cent. Jackson, Ryan Phillippe (The Lincoln Lawyer) and former Ufc heavyweight champion Randy Couture (The Expendables).

This one fell under the radar, but you'll get your chance to check it out when the DVD and Blu-ray Disc release. I guess it also includes an audio commentary with co-writer/director Mike Gunther (Beatdown), a .making of. featurette and a weapons featurette plus interviews with the cast and crew.

Synopsis:

Former friends are pitted against one another after a diamond heist goes wrong. Betrayed, Sonny (Jackson) takes matters into his own hands when he partners with a notorious mob boss (Willis) to seek revenge against his former ally who took off with his loot. But when Sonny finally comes face to face with...

Who would’ve thought Bruce Willis would be heading straight-to-dvd (and Blu-ray)? On September 20th, The Set-Up starring Willis, 50 Cent, and Ryan Phillipe is doing just that, according to Lgf.

Former friends are pitted against one another after a diamond heist goes wrong. Betrayed, Sonny (Jackson) takes matters into his own hands when he partners with a notorious mob boss (Willis) to seek revenge against his former ally who took off with his loot. But when Sonny finally comes face to face with the man he’s been hunting, he’s forced to make a life-altering decision.

An edge-of-your-seat action film, the DVD and Blu-ray Disc release also includes audio commentary with co-writer/director Mike Gunther (Beatdown), a “making of” featurette and a weapons featurette plus interviews with the cast and crew. Set Up explodes onto DVD and Blu-ray Disc on September 20th.

The Moviehole has a few new stills and the DVD art:

Interested?...

Lionsgate will release the action-filled 2011 crime drama Set Up starring Bruce Willis (Red), Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Blood Out) and Ryan Phillippe (The Lincoln Lawyer) on Blu-ray and DVD on September 20.

The Blu-ray and DVD will be priced at $24.99 and $19.98.

Bruce Willis (.) and 50 Cent enjoy a libation before the shooting stars in Set Up.

Directed and co-written by Mike Gunther and co-starring former Ufc heavyweight champion Randy Couture (The Expendables), the movie concerns a thief named Sonny (Jackson) who partner with a notorious mob boss (Willis) to seek revenge against his former partner who off with the loot following a diamond heist gone awry. But matters begin to complicate when Sonny ultimately comes face to face with the man he’s been hunting and he’s forced to make a serious decision.

Set Up is co-produced by 50 Cent’s production company Cheetah Vision (which has also bought us such 50 Cent vehicles as Gun,...

Locked Down

Stars: Tony Schiena, Vinnie Jones, Dwier Brown, Bai Ling, Kimbo Slice | Written and Directed by Daniel Zirilli

Another month, another straight to DVD action movie – this one’s another from the cast and crew of Circle of Pain, and like that film, it stars martial artist turned actor Tony Schiena as another hard-done-by guy forced into a situation not of his own making.

This time round Schiena plays Danny, a respected cop from a long-standing cop family, who is framed, set up, and sent to Blackwater Prison. Locked up with the very crooks he put away, Danny must prove his innocence and watch his back. But Blackwater is no ordinary prison, it’s home to Vinnie Jones’ Vargas – a big-time gangster who still runs his criminal empire from within the walls of the prison. A criminal empire which, like any good martial arts movie, includes underground prison fights!

Here is another film with Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson getting shot. Lionsgate released the full trailer for the upcoming crime drama “Setup.” The film also stars Bruce Willis (“The Sixth Sense,” “Die Hard”), Ryan Phillippe (“Flags of Our Fathers,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer”), Jenna Dewan (“Set Up,” “Take the Lead”), James Remar (“The Girl Next Door,” “What Lies Beneath”) and Randy Couture (“The Expendables”). It is directed by Mike Gunther (“Beatdown”). The crime drama is about a group of friends who ended up betraying each other after a deadly diamond heist. It is not known when the film will be released. Check out the full trailer below and let us know what you think. Source: YouTube...

50 Cent has a production company called Cheetah Vision, which he uses to develop films that have been going straight to DVD. We recently showed you the trailer for his "Things Fall Apart" movie, and today we have the trailer for yet another film. Called "Setup," the crime drama stars 50 Cent, Bruce Willis, Ryan Phillippe and Randy Couture. It revolved around a group of friends who become involved in a potentially deadly diamond heist. The new movie is directed by Mike Gunther (Beatdown) and has already been picked up by Lionsgate for distribution including theatrical. A release date has yet to be set. Trailer: If you cannot see the player, click here.

Another week, another list of DVDs and Blu-rays out to buy from today, from crazy gross-out comedy to DVD sequels to family favourites, there’s something for everyone!

Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales (DVD/Blu-ray)

Rev up your engines for this unforgettable collection of Cars Toons starring Mater, the loveable and hilarious tow-truck from the hit movie Cars. From the creative minds of Disney Pixar come nine highly entertaining Tall Tales involving bullfights, drag races, rock concerts, monster truck showdowns and even UFOs – plus, check out the new, never-before-seen Cars Toons Mater Private Eye and Moon Mater.

Jackass 3D (DVD/Blu-ray)

Celebrating all forms of madness and mayhem, the entire Jackass crew – including Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-o, Chris Pontius, Preston Lacy and Jason “Wee Man” Acuna – returns for more side-splitting lunacy and cringe-inducing stunts. From wild animal face-offs with a crazed bull, to pitiless practical jokes – high-five anyone?...

Beatdown

Stars: Rudy Youngblood, Susie Abromeit, Eric Balfour, Danny Trejo, Michael Bisping | Written by Bobby Mort | Directed by Mike Gunther

Brandon (Youngblood) is an underground streetfighter whose brother is murdered following a fight. When the gangsters his brother was into debt to come looking for their money, Brandon goes on the run – all the way back to the small town home of his father (Trejo) in Texas. Taking a job as a labourer working for a family friend, he is introduced by a work colleague to the local underground cage-fighting scene reigned over by Victor (Balfour), whose sister Brandon just happens to fall for… After attending one of the regular bouts as a spectator, Brandon meets, and teams up with, Drake Colby (played by Ufc champ Bisping), a former Mma champion now fighting anonymously on the underground circuit. The pair quickly make their way through the local fight circuit until...

Released on DVD on March 14th by Chelsea Films, Beatdown is the directorial debut feature from top Hollywood stunt coordinator Mike Gunther (Fast Five; Iron Man 2; Star Trek; Die Hard 4). The film is a hard-hitting, mixed martial arts action-thriller starring Rudy Youngblood (Apocalypto), Susie Abromeit (I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell; Sex Drive), Eric Balfour (24) and Danny Trejo (Machete; Predators) and featuring a host of Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment stars including Michael Bisping, Heath Herring, Michael Swick, Bobby Lashley and more.

When his brother is found brutally murdered, up-and-coming illegal streetfighter Brandon Becker (Youngblood) is called upon by the local mob to pay off his brother’s huge gambling debts within the week. Unable to meet the demand, Brandon goes on the run and winds up living with his father (Trejo) in a small redneck town on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. Taking a job...

Beatdown stars a guy from Apocalypto, a bunch of Ufc fighters, Eric Balfour and Danny Fucking Trejo. Brandon (the guy from Apocalypto) and his deadbeat/dead-meat brother have a good thing going in the city. Soon to be dearly departed brother fixes up illegal street fights and bets on little Brandon, who proceeds to beat the living daylights out of anyone who’s foolish enough to fancy a pop at him, and make the siblings lots of lovely dollars.

It’s easy money and good times. It lasts the pre-title sequence. About-to-get-his-throat-cut-by-shady-gangster-types brother gets his throat cut by shady gangster types. The bad guys then come for Brandon, insisting that he’s now inherited a substantial amount of debt from big, dead bro. A little strapped for easy readies, especially sixty thousand of them, Brandon splits and goes back home, to a little town, to “get his head together” and stay with his dad.

Fighting movies like Beatdown and Locked Down aspire to many not-so lofty things. Their target audience wants blood, bruises, and breasts with a soundtrack by bands who want to be the next Linkin Park. While Locked Down aspires to these goals, it is rare to see a fighting film that wants to be The Shawshank Redemption with kung fu. Locked Down is not likely to win awards anytime soon and I cannot really recommend it. However, I did not hate this movie which is much more than I expected.

In Locked Down, Danny (Tony Schiena) is an undercover cop who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Soon after he arrives in prison, he is recruited to the underground fight club where criminals fight to the death, run by boss Anton (Vinnie Jones) and Flores (Bai Ling). Danny’s cellmate Irving (Dave Fennoy) helps Danny train for the...

Good question. It seems like he has just leaped onto the big screen plucked from obscurity, but this isn’t the case. He’s been around for a long time, and thinking along the same lines as the designer Valentino did, Skyline producers thought Balfour's presence had the charisma necessary to carry this movie to box office success.

This kind of “unknown under the radar” leverage has worked to an advantage before. Case in point: Sam Worthington in Avatar. James Cameron wanted someone no one had seen before but that audiences would find a deep connection with in order to make the blockbuster fantasy scifi epic work, so he cast Worthington. And this formula did indeed work like a charm.

Skyline (2010) - Eric Balfour as Jarrod

Yes, the fact that Worthington embodied the iconic Terminator role earlier that year whetted our appetite and made us say, “Hey! Where do I know him from?...

Beatdown is a Ufc fighting film that achieves something incredible. In a movie packed with bloody, brutal fights, it remains completely boring. After having seen Beatdown, we all of a sudden have a new found respect for successful action stars and filmmakers. You don't realize how enjoyable the good ones are until you see something like this. In Beatdown, Brandon (Rudy Youngblood) is a fighter in an underground fight club. His brother gambles away money owed to a mob boss and ends up beside the road with a slit throat. Brandon finds out about his brother’s debts and runs away. He goes home to a tiny town where his father (Danny Trejo) is still hanging out in a wheel chair and collecting his disability check. Brandon gets a job moving junk from one pile to another pile, and it turns out that his co-workers run their own hillbilly fight club.

A look at what's new on DVD today:

"Red Riding Trilogy" (2010)

Directed by Julian Jarrold, James Marsh, and Anand Tucker

Released by IFC Films

Jarrold ("Brideshead Revisited"), Marsh ("Man on Wire") and Tucker ("Shopgirl") take on the epic true crime story of the Yorkshire Ripper, the serial killer that haunted England throughout the '70s and '80s in this three-part series of films: Jarrold's "1974," which stars future Spider-Man Andrew Garfield as a journalist investigating the crime, Marsh's "1980," which follows Paddy Considine's veteran cop who suspects corruption within his own department, and Tucker's "1983," which tracks David Morrissey's detective as he makes the connection between a current kidnapping and those of years ago. (Aaron Hillis' interview with James Marsh is here.)

"Beatdown" (2010)

Directed by Mike Gunther

Released by Lionsgate

Don't you hate it when your brother's murdered, leaving you to make up his debt to a local gangster by...

DVD Playhouse—August 2010

By

Allen Gardner

Black Orpheus (Criterion) Winner of the 1959 Best Foreign Film Oscar and that same year’s Palme d’Or at Cannes, Black Orpheus is a modern-day update of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice reset in 20th century Brazil during Carnival in Rio. Director Marcel Camus offers up a visual feast with some of the decade’s most ravishing color cinematography. A classic. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Archival interviews with Camus and actress Marpessa Dawn; Interviews with Brazilian cinema scholar Robert Stam, jazz historian Gary Giddins, and Brazilian author Ruy Castro; Documentary on the film; Trailer. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.

The Last Song (Touchstone) Sentimental adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ (by Sparks and Jeff Van Wie) sentimental novel about a father and daughter attempting to repair their damaged relationship. Greg Kinnear, as the dad in question, comes off best, while tween sensation Miley Cyrus...