It can’t be denied that as far as martial arts movies go, the best ones come from Asia, particularly Hong Kong during their action heyday, which was arguably the 70s, 80s and first half of the ’90s. It’s tough to compete with the likes of the Shaw Brothers and the drunken master known as Jackie Chan. That said, martial arts movies were also making a foothold in the States decades ago, thanks mainly to Bruce Lee-mania following the release of Enter the Dragon. Before that movie, very few actors in Hollywood seemed like they were credible martial artists, except maybe James Coburn, a student of Lee’s, who pulled off some pretty good-looking moves in the otherwise silly Our Man Flint movies. Steve McQueen also had training but didn’t use martial arts on screen. Up to then, though, the most notable uses of martial arts in movies usually revolved around Judo,...
- 1/23/2025
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Only a ninja can stop a ninja. And only cool boutique companies like Kino Lorber can take a movie like Revenge of the Ninja and give it its own special edition Blu-ray release. Recently, it was reported that director Sam Firstenberg is on a journey to restore his martial arts film American Samurai, but one of the director’s more popular works is now getting a special physical media release with a bevy of special features. We’ve touched on the “Ninja Trilogy” from Cannon Films on our YouTube channel series, Reel Action, and Revenge of the Ninja is one of the films from the 80s that took the ninja craze and elevated it for the masses. Blu-ray.com reports that Kino Lorber is set to have the disc hit the market on May 21.
The plot description reads, “The Ninja are back! Brandishing swords and fists, leaping and kicking, wielding blow darts and explosives,...
The plot description reads, “The Ninja are back! Brandishing swords and fists, leaping and kicking, wielding blow darts and explosives,...
- 3/21/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Those of you who love martial arts movies and follow our JoBlo Original, Reel Action, on YouTube may have seen the recent spotlight we did on the Mark Dacascos 1993 capoeira movie, Only the Strong. While Only the Strong should have skyrocketed Dacascos to martial arts stardom, he would actually have an earlier credit with a smaller role in a film called American Samurai, which starred David Bradley of the American Ninja sequels. American Samurai would come from the director of many Ninja-related movies, Sam Firstenberg, for the infamous once-upon-a-movie studio, Cannon Films. Sam Firstenberg was a director who the studio often collaborated with, but American Samurai would be the first movie that Cannon took their famous scissors to and alter the film against the director’s vision.
A group on Facebook called The Official Restoration of American Samurai has been established with some news for fans of the film and genre.
A group on Facebook called The Official Restoration of American Samurai has been established with some news for fans of the film and genre.
- 3/18/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
What do you get if you take The Exorcist, cross it with Flashdance and then add some Ninjas for good measure? The answer, of course, is you get the Cannon Films cult classic Ninja III: The Domination. This was Cannon’s final entry into the Ninja trilogy, which began with Enter the Ninja and continued with Revenge of the Ninja. While Revenge was considered perhaps the greatest Ninja movie made up to that time, for some reason, Cannon decided to downgrade star Sho Kosugi to a supporting role in this wacky action/horror/MTV hybrid. Instead, Breakin’ star Lucinda Dickey plays a telephone lineworker/aerobics instructor who winds up possessed by an evil Ninja, and only a good ninja, played by Kosugi, can save her.
While maybe not a “good” movie, Ninja III is a blast, with some genuinely gonzo moments, including the now infamous V8 juice seduction scene, plus...
While maybe not a “good” movie, Ninja III is a blast, with some genuinely gonzo moments, including the now infamous V8 juice seduction scene, plus...
- 12/8/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Revenge of the Ninja is up there with the best American Martial Arts films ever made. Star Sho Kosugi had made a big impression in Cannon’s Enter the Ninja the year before, stealing the show from his (heavily doubled) co-star Franco Nero. Ninja’s became such a sensation that, in the sequel, Kosugi would be elevated to the lead, becoming the hero of one of The Cannon Group’s most profitable action movies of the eighties.
In this one, Kosugi plays Cho, a former Ninja whose home is attacked by a rival clan. He flees to the United States with his surviving son, Kane, to start an import/export business. Soon, he discovers that his company is being used to import drugs, while at the same time, an evil, demon-masked Ninja is terrorizing the city. Knowing “only ninja can defeat ninja,” Cho once again dons his ninja-yoroi to take on the baddies,...
In this one, Kosugi plays Cho, a former Ninja whose home is attacked by a rival clan. He flees to the United States with his surviving son, Kane, to start an import/export business. Soon, he discovers that his company is being used to import drugs, while at the same time, an evil, demon-masked Ninja is terrorizing the city. Knowing “only ninja can defeat ninja,” Cho once again dons his ninja-yoroi to take on the baddies,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
“The Cannon Film Guide is a treasure trove of info for Golan/Globus fans. Even diehard Cannon scholars will learn from this tome.” – Paul Talbot, author of the Bronson’s Loose! books
The unbelievable story of the legendary 1980s B-movie studio continues in The Cannon Film Guide Volume II, which covers the company’s output from 1985 to 1987, their peak production years under maverick moguls Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. This highly-anticipated sequel to the original Cannon compendium takes an up-close look at sixty Cannon movies, from deep cuts to cult classics, including American Ninja, The Delta Force, Over the Top, Invasion USA, Masters of the Universe, Runaway Train, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, King Solomon’s Mines, Lifeforce, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, and many more. Order the book Here
With hundreds of photos and more than forty interviews with Cannon directors, writers, and stars, this is an indispensable reference book for...
The unbelievable story of the legendary 1980s B-movie studio continues in The Cannon Film Guide Volume II, which covers the company’s output from 1985 to 1987, their peak production years under maverick moguls Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. This highly-anticipated sequel to the original Cannon compendium takes an up-close look at sixty Cannon movies, from deep cuts to cult classics, including American Ninja, The Delta Force, Over the Top, Invasion USA, Masters of the Universe, Runaway Train, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, King Solomon’s Mines, Lifeforce, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, and many more. Order the book Here
With hundreds of photos and more than forty interviews with Cannon directors, writers, and stars, this is an indispensable reference book for...
- 5/6/2022
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Prisoners of the Ghostland screenwriter/producer Reza Sixo Safai joins hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss his wildest cinematic experiences.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Infested (2002)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Hollywood Boulevard (1976) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary
Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021)
Mandy (2018)
Candy (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s trailer commentary
S.O.B. (1981)
The Shining (1980) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary
Robin Hood (1973)
The Story of Robin Hood (1952)
Modern Times (1936)
The Kid (1921)
The Deer (1974)
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Qeysar (1969)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Warriors (1979)
New Jack City (1991)
Colors (1988)
The Whip And The Body (1963)
Blow Out (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Porky’s (1981)
Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Glenn Erickson’s Region B Blu-ray review, Glenn Erickson’s 4K Blu-ray review
Circumstance (2011)
Ninja 3: The Domination (1984)
Flashdance (1983)
Debbie...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Infested (2002)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Hollywood Boulevard (1976) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary
Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021)
Mandy (2018)
Candy (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s trailer commentary
S.O.B. (1981)
The Shining (1980) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary
Robin Hood (1973)
The Story of Robin Hood (1952)
Modern Times (1936)
The Kid (1921)
The Deer (1974)
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Qeysar (1969)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Warriors (1979)
New Jack City (1991)
Colors (1988)
The Whip And The Body (1963)
Blow Out (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Porky’s (1981)
Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Glenn Erickson’s Region B Blu-ray review, Glenn Erickson’s 4K Blu-ray review
Circumstance (2011)
Ninja 3: The Domination (1984)
Flashdance (1983)
Debbie...
- 11/9/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Featuring: Chris Alexander, Dave Alexander, Chad Archibald, Charles Band, Yazid Benfeghoul, Justin Benson, Zack Bernbaum and many more! | Directed by Justin McConnell
If you watch independent movies, listen to the podcasts about them and follow the people that make them on social media, then Clapboard Jungle is the movie for you. Directed by Justin McConnell he films his own story as an independent filmmaker and all of the struggles that go along with it. He shares five years of his life (2014-2019) but also interviews directors, writers, producers, festival organisers, distributors and much more,giving the viewer a kind of ‘survival guide’ for anybody already in or wanting to start in the industry.
Every talking head has something interesting to say from Guilermo del Toro to Heather Buckley to Mick Garris to Gigi Saul Guerrero to Mike Mendez and many many more. They each talk about their own experiences, what...
If you watch independent movies, listen to the podcasts about them and follow the people that make them on social media, then Clapboard Jungle is the movie for you. Directed by Justin McConnell he films his own story as an independent filmmaker and all of the struggles that go along with it. He shares five years of his life (2014-2019) but also interviews directors, writers, producers, festival organisers, distributors and much more,giving the viewer a kind of ‘survival guide’ for anybody already in or wanting to start in the industry.
Every talking head has something interesting to say from Guilermo del Toro to Heather Buckley to Mick Garris to Gigi Saul Guerrero to Mike Mendez and many many more. They each talk about their own experiences, what...
- 4/9/2021
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
“Avenging Force” is an underrated, overlooked, action extravaganza starring Michael Dudikoff and Steve James, which was produced between the first two “American Ninja” films. Released by the legendary, mini-studio, “The Cannon Group,” many die hard action fans consider this to be Michael Dudikoff’s onscreen tour de force. Sam Firstenberg agrees, and even believes this is his own best movie out of the 25 films he’s directed.
On the surface “Avenging Force” is a typical slam-bang, exploitation action flick, but the social/political themes of white supremacy and systemic racism are sadly much more relevant today than they were in 1986. The villains of the film, “The Pentangle,” are an extremist militant group of powerful elites that will destroy anyone that opposes their vision of what America should be.
“Avenging Force” was originally conceived as a sequel to the Chuck Norris film, “Invasion USA,” and it is a very unique movie...
On the surface “Avenging Force” is a typical slam-bang, exploitation action flick, but the social/political themes of white supremacy and systemic racism are sadly much more relevant today than they were in 1986. The villains of the film, “The Pentangle,” are an extremist militant group of powerful elites that will destroy anyone that opposes their vision of what America should be.
“Avenging Force” was originally conceived as a sequel to the Chuck Norris film, “Invasion USA,” and it is a very unique movie...
- 1/24/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Bollywood actor Asif Basra, best known for his role in the 2006 comedy feature Outsourced, was found dead Thursday at a private guest house in Dharamsala, northern India. His death is being investigated as an apparent suicide, according to Indian news outlets. He was 53.
Born in Amravati, western India, Basra has appeared in several international English-language productions, but is known best as one of the leads in the 2006 American romantic comedy film Outsourced (see photo above), directed by John Jeffcoat and written by Jeffcoat and George Wing. He made his feature film debut in 2002 in Sam Firstenberg’s U.S./India co-pro Quicksand, then went on to appear in acclaimed Indian independent films such as Black Friday and Parzania.
In 2006, he also appeared alongside Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole in Michael O. Sajbel’s One Night with the King.
Basra also starred in several popular Hindi movies, including Once Upon a Time in Mumbai,...
Born in Amravati, western India, Basra has appeared in several international English-language productions, but is known best as one of the leads in the 2006 American romantic comedy film Outsourced (see photo above), directed by John Jeffcoat and written by Jeffcoat and George Wing. He made his feature film debut in 2002 in Sam Firstenberg’s U.S./India co-pro Quicksand, then went on to appear in acclaimed Indian independent films such as Black Friday and Parzania.
In 2006, he also appeared alongside Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole in Michael O. Sajbel’s One Night with the King.
Basra also starred in several popular Hindi movies, including Once Upon a Time in Mumbai,...
- 11/12/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Indian actor Asif Basra, known for his starring role in 2006 film “Outsourced,” was found dead in Dharamsala, northern India, on Thursday. He was 53. The police are treating the death as a case of suicide.
Basra was born in Amravati, western India, in 1967. One of the few Indian actors to have several international credits, he debuted in Sam Firstenberg’s U.S./India co-production “Quicksand” (2002), starring Michael Dudikoff. He was also noticed for his roles in acclaimed Indian indies such as Anurag Kashyap’s “Black Friday” (2004) and Rahul Dholakia’s “Parzania” (2005).
Basra rose to international prominence as one of the leads in John Jeffcoat’s “Outsourced” (2006). The same year, he was in Michael O. Sajbel’s “One Night with the King,” where the cast also included Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole.
In Bollywood, Basra had significant roles in “Jab We Met” (2007), “Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai” (2010) and “Kai Po Che...
Basra was born in Amravati, western India, in 1967. One of the few Indian actors to have several international credits, he debuted in Sam Firstenberg’s U.S./India co-production “Quicksand” (2002), starring Michael Dudikoff. He was also noticed for his roles in acclaimed Indian indies such as Anurag Kashyap’s “Black Friday” (2004) and Rahul Dholakia’s “Parzania” (2005).
Basra rose to international prominence as one of the leads in John Jeffcoat’s “Outsourced” (2006). The same year, he was in Michael O. Sajbel’s “One Night with the King,” where the cast also included Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole.
In Bollywood, Basra had significant roles in “Jab We Met” (2007), “Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai” (2010) and “Kai Po Che...
- 11/12/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
“You fool! You can not stop me! I am the ninja! No one, nothing can stop me!.”
BearManor Media has published The Cannon Film Guide, a Trilogy of Books About the Movies Released By the Legendary 1980s B-Movie Studio, Cannon Films. Order The Cannon Film Guide Here
Volume One Available Now: Over 500 Pages Covering the Company’s First Five Years under the Leadership of B-Movie Icons Golan and Globus
From 1980 until 1994, The Cannon Group was responsible for the production of more than 200 films. Quantity, rather than quality, was the key to Cannon’s game: their output included many of the 1980s’ most beloved (and notorious) b-movies. Along the way they dipped their toes into every imaginable genre of movies, made stars out of Chuck Norris and Michael Dudikoff, kicked off the ninja and breakdancing crazes, and kept Charles Bronson working into the twilight of his career. While it’s rare...
BearManor Media has published The Cannon Film Guide, a Trilogy of Books About the Movies Released By the Legendary 1980s B-Movie Studio, Cannon Films. Order The Cannon Film Guide Here
Volume One Available Now: Over 500 Pages Covering the Company’s First Five Years under the Leadership of B-Movie Icons Golan and Globus
From 1980 until 1994, The Cannon Group was responsible for the production of more than 200 films. Quantity, rather than quality, was the key to Cannon’s game: their output included many of the 1980s’ most beloved (and notorious) b-movies. Along the way they dipped their toes into every imaginable genre of movies, made stars out of Chuck Norris and Michael Dudikoff, kicked off the ninja and breakdancing crazes, and kept Charles Bronson working into the twilight of his career. While it’s rare...
- 6/26/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A few days ago, Sam Firstenberg, the Israel-born movie director behind the '80s cult classics Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo and American Ninja, was scanning a newspaper when he couldn't believe his eyes.
"It's almost bizarre — a surrealistic situation," says Firstenberg, 70.
He read about a domestic, anti-U.S. government extremist movement that had sprouted in the dark recesses of the internet and, amid recent protests over coronavirus lockdowns and George Floyd's killing, has sprung terrifyingly to life.
And the movement named itself after one of his movies.
The boogaloo movement has exploded into ...
"It's almost bizarre — a surrealistic situation," says Firstenberg, 70.
He read about a domestic, anti-U.S. government extremist movement that had sprouted in the dark recesses of the internet and, amid recent protests over coronavirus lockdowns and George Floyd's killing, has sprung terrifyingly to life.
And the movement named itself after one of his movies.
The boogaloo movement has exploded into ...
- 6/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
A few days ago, Sam Firstenberg, the Israel-born movie director behind the '80s cult classics Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo and American Ninja, was scanning a newspaper when he couldn't believe his eyes.
"It's almost bizarre — a surrealistic situation," says Firstenberg, 70.
He read about a domestic, anti-U.S. government extremist movement that had sprouted in the dark recesses of the internet and, amid recent protests over coronavirus lockdowns and George Floyd's killing, has sprung terrifyingly to life.
And the movement named itself after one of his movies.
The boogaloo movement has exploded into ...
"It's almost bizarre — a surrealistic situation," says Firstenberg, 70.
He read about a domestic, anti-U.S. government extremist movement that had sprouted in the dark recesses of the internet and, amid recent protests over coronavirus lockdowns and George Floyd's killing, has sprung terrifyingly to life.
And the movement named itself after one of his movies.
The boogaloo movement has exploded into ...
- 6/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This week, the gang at How Did This Get Made? covered Ninja 3: The Domination (1984), the final entry in Cannon Films’ so-called “Ninja Trilogy” The director of Ninja 3, Sam Firstenberg, is an interesting guy with many stories about his unlikely journey from Jerusalem to Hollywood. So many, in fact, that we’re going to save […]
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation With Sam Firstenberg, Director of ‘Ninja 3: The Domination’ appeared first on /Film.
The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation With Sam Firstenberg, Director of ‘Ninja 3: The Domination’ appeared first on /Film.
- 6/12/2020
- by Blake Harris
- Slash Film
The heyday of Cannon Films, that is when the company was led by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus back in the eighties, has been subject of fairly recent documentaries: Mark Hartley’s Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films and Hilla Medalia’s The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films. And now, for those fans of crazy cinema that would like to dig even deeper into the world of Cannon, there’s a new book out that tackles one specific filmmaker from those glorious days. Stories From The Trenches: Adventures In Making High Octane Hollywood Movies With Cannon Veteran Sam Firstenberg is a mammoth collection of interviews with the director behind such Cannon flicks as Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 3/6/2020
- Screen Anarchy
Craig Lines Jun 6, 2019
Action star Mark Dacascos achieved mainstream attention for John Wick: Chapter 3 – here, we look back at some of his greatest hits.
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
2019 has been a good year for Mark Dacascos. Not only did he make a glorious return to the big screen as super-assassin/super-fanboy Zero in John Wick: Chapter 3, but he completely stole the show. Critics and audiences stood up and paid attention to what action connoisseurs have known for some time: Dacascos is the real deal.
If you’re a newcomer, you might find yourself daunted by his massive body of work, so here’s a whistlestop tour of some of the highlights and why they’re worth watching. And if you’re an existing convert? Sit back, enjoy the memories and let us know your own faves in the comments.
In the beginning, there was kung fu…...
Action star Mark Dacascos achieved mainstream attention for John Wick: Chapter 3 – here, we look back at some of his greatest hits.
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
2019 has been a good year for Mark Dacascos. Not only did he make a glorious return to the big screen as super-assassin/super-fanboy Zero in John Wick: Chapter 3, but he completely stole the show. Critics and audiences stood up and paid attention to what action connoisseurs have known for some time: Dacascos is the real deal.
If you’re a newcomer, you might find yourself daunted by his massive body of work, so here’s a whistlestop tour of some of the highlights and why they’re worth watching. And if you’re an existing convert? Sit back, enjoy the memories and let us know your own faves in the comments.
In the beginning, there was kung fu…...
- 6/6/2019
- Den of Geek
Genre festival will screen the Nordic premiere of Stivaletti’s ‘Rabbia Furiosa’.
Genre festival Night Visions has revealed the line-up for this year’s event which will run from Nov 21-25 in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.
The screenings will include Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, Gaspar Noe’s Climax, Yann Gonzalez’s Knife + Heart, Jim Hosking’s An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn, Quentin Dupieux’s Keep An Eye Out, Leigh Whannell’s Upgrade, Joel Potrykus’ Relaxer, Emma Tammi’s The Wind, Jimmy Henderson’s The Prey, Jonas Akerlund’s Lords of Chaos, and omnibus The Field Guide to Evil.
Genre festival Night Visions has revealed the line-up for this year’s event which will run from Nov 21-25 in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.
The screenings will include Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, Gaspar Noe’s Climax, Yann Gonzalez’s Knife + Heart, Jim Hosking’s An Evening With Beverly Luff Linn, Quentin Dupieux’s Keep An Eye Out, Leigh Whannell’s Upgrade, Joel Potrykus’ Relaxer, Emma Tammi’s The Wind, Jimmy Henderson’s The Prey, Jonas Akerlund’s Lords of Chaos, and omnibus The Field Guide to Evil.
- 10/31/2018
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
There will never be another studio like the Cannon Group, the company co-owned by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, who famously churned out dozens upon dozens of low-budget genre films in the 1980s. Though known for producing mostly schlock, the Cannon run of the ‘80s is one of my favorite periods for movies, probably because they made exactly the kinds of movies I grew up loving and still do to this day.
A shameless combination of Flashdance, The Exorcist, and a ninja movie, Ninja III: The Domination is the third installment of Cannon’s “ninja” trilogy, none of which have anything to do with one another except that Sho Kosugi appears in all of them, each time playing a totally different character. It begins as all ninja movies do: on a golf course. We’re then introduced to Lucinda Dickey (Breakin’), who stars as a woman who works on telephone...
A shameless combination of Flashdance, The Exorcist, and a ninja movie, Ninja III: The Domination is the third installment of Cannon’s “ninja” trilogy, none of which have anything to do with one another except that Sho Kosugi appears in all of them, each time playing a totally different character. It begins as all ninja movies do: on a golf course. We’re then introduced to Lucinda Dickey (Breakin’), who stars as a woman who works on telephone...
- 7/6/2018
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
A master of martial arts continues to deal out creepy kung-fu from beyond the grave in 1984's Ninja III: The Domination, and to celebrate the cult movie's Collector's Edition Blu-ray release from Scream Factory, we've been provided with three high-def copies to give away to lucky Daily Dead readers!
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Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Collector's Edition Blu-ray copy of Ninja III: The Domination.
How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:
1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:
https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/
2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Ninja III Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on June 19th. This...
---------
Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Collector's Edition Blu-ray copy of Ninja III: The Domination.
How to Enter: We're giving Daily Dead readers multiple chances to enter and win:
1. Instagram: Following us on Instagram during the contest period will give you an automatic contest entry. Make sure to follow us at:
https://www.instagram.com/dailydead/
2. Email: For a chance to win via email, send an email to contest@dailydead.com with the subject “Ninja III Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on June 19th. This...
- 6/12/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Stars: Lucinda Dickey, Sho Kosugi, Jordan Bennett, David Chung, Dale Ishimoto, James Hong | Written by James R. Silke | Directed by Sam Firstenberg
After the body of a sexy bouffant-haired telephone maintenance engineer – who is also an aerobics instructor on the side – is possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja, she begins systematically killing (using her new-found ninja skills of course) the officers responsible for the ninja’s death and can only be stopped by another ninja!
One of the campest, yet coolest, of the 80s ninja movies, Ninja III mixes the becoming played-out at the time Ninja genre with something akin to The Exorcist in a film that epitomises all that is great about 80s B-movie cinema and all that was great about Golan-Globus and Cannon Films, whose demise, in my opinion, has left a huge blot of the movie landscape. Like many movies of the 80s, Ninja III...
After the body of a sexy bouffant-haired telephone maintenance engineer – who is also an aerobics instructor on the side – is possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja, she begins systematically killing (using her new-found ninja skills of course) the officers responsible for the ninja’s death and can only be stopped by another ninja!
One of the campest, yet coolest, of the 80s ninja movies, Ninja III mixes the becoming played-out at the time Ninja genre with something akin to The Exorcist in a film that epitomises all that is great about 80s B-movie cinema and all that was great about Golan-Globus and Cannon Films, whose demise, in my opinion, has left a huge blot of the movie landscape. Like many movies of the 80s, Ninja III...
- 6/12/2018
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
In the Ninja III, Christie is possessed by the vengeful spirit of an evil ninja. A 4K restoration, as well as new interviews from the cast and the film's producer, are just a few of the features included in the Ninja III: The Domination collector's edition Blu-ray from Scream Factory.
Ninja III Collector's Edition Blu-ray: "Aerobic instructor Christie Ryder becomes possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja when she comes to his aid after he was shot down. Dominated by the killer's vicious and relentless rage, she sets out to brutally attack his enemies. Her boyfriend, confused by Christie's changing personality and afraid that he might be her next victim, enlists the help of Yamada. In a life-threatening exorcism and ultimate fight to the death, Yamada proves that he is Christie's only chance for survival.
New 4K Scan From The Original Film Elements New Interview With Actress Lucinda Dickey...
Ninja III Collector's Edition Blu-ray: "Aerobic instructor Christie Ryder becomes possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja when she comes to his aid after he was shot down. Dominated by the killer's vicious and relentless rage, she sets out to brutally attack his enemies. Her boyfriend, confused by Christie's changing personality and afraid that he might be her next victim, enlists the help of Yamada. In a life-threatening exorcism and ultimate fight to the death, Yamada proves that he is Christie's only chance for survival.
New 4K Scan From The Original Film Elements New Interview With Actress Lucinda Dickey...
- 6/11/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Revenge is a dish best served cold. Ninja III: The Domination [Collector’s Edition] gets the Blu-ray treatment courtesy of Scream Factory on June 12th. Bonus features include but are not limited to a 4K restoration of the original, interviews with Lucinda Dickey and Jordan Bennett, and audio commentary. Keep reading for a look at the box art and so much more:
Press Release: The wild 80s cult classic Ninja III: The Domination [Collector’s Edition] is coming to Blu-ray from Scream Factory on June 12, 2018, loaded with exciting new special features. Customers ordering directly from will receive an exclusive poster, while supplies last.
Aerobic instructor Christie Ryder becomes possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja when she comes to his aid after he was shot down. Dominated by the killer’s vicious and relentless rage, she sets out to brutally attack his enemies. Her boyfriend, confused by Christie’s changing personality and afraid that he might be her next victim,...
Press Release: The wild 80s cult classic Ninja III: The Domination [Collector’s Edition] is coming to Blu-ray from Scream Factory on June 12, 2018, loaded with exciting new special features. Customers ordering directly from will receive an exclusive poster, while supplies last.
Aerobic instructor Christie Ryder becomes possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja when she comes to his aid after he was shot down. Dominated by the killer’s vicious and relentless rage, she sets out to brutally attack his enemies. Her boyfriend, confused by Christie’s changing personality and afraid that he might be her next victim,...
- 5/10/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Author Marco Sidelmann (The Untold, In-Depth, Outrageously True Story of Shapiro Glickenhaus Entertainment) is about to release a new book chronicling thirty years of filmmaking from filmmaker Sam Firstenberg, who is mostly recognized as one of the important in-house directors during the flamboyantly successful heyday of Cannon Group. The book itself is a collection of fresh, never-before-read interviews that begin before Firstenberg made box office hits like Revenge of the Ninja, Ninja III: The Domination, Breakin’ II: Electric Boogaloo, American Ninja, just to name a few. The interviews reveal the famed director’s origins and influences, including memories from his childhood growing up in Israel, his experiences as a film student in Los Angeles, and his early work as an assistant director and technician for...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 5/11/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Filmmaker Sam Firstenberg is mostly recognized as one of the important in-house directors during the outrageously successful heyday of the legendary Cannon Group. The journey of this interview collection starts even before he made his way to direct box office hits just like Revenge Of The Ninja, Ninja III: The Domination, Breakin‘ II: Electric Boogaloo, American Ninja, and several others. The conversations Siedelmann recorded with Sam are very thorough, and they shed light on his origins and influences, including childhood memories, private biographical chapters, his years as a film student in Los Angeles, the atmosphere he grew up around in Israel, and his early work as an assistant director and technician for people like Menahem Golan, Charles Band, Ephraim Kishon, Boaz Davidson, and many...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 4/11/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Director and documentarian Mark Hartley scores both a film history and comedy success with this ‘wild, untold’ account of the 1980s film studio that was both revered and despised by everyone who had contact with it. The ‘cast list’ of interviewees is encyclopedic, everybody has a strong opinion, and some of them don’t need four-letter words to describe their experience!
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
On a double bill with
Machete Maidens Unleashed!
Blu-ray
Umbrella Entertainment (Au, all-region
2014 / Color / 1:77 widescreen / 106 min. / Street Date April 4, 2017 / Available from Umbrella Entertainment / 34.99
Starring: Menahem Golan, Yoram Globus, Al Ruban, Alain Jakubowicz, Albert Pyun, Alex Winter, Allen DeBevoise, Avi Lerner, Barbet Schroeder, Bo Derek, Boaz Davidson, Cassandra Peterson, Catherine Mary Stewart, Charles Matthau, Christopher C. Dewey, Christopher Pearce, Cynthia Hargrave, Dan Wolman, Daniel Loewenthal, David Del Valle, David Paulsen, David Sheehan, David Womark, Diane Franklin, Dolph Lundgren, Edward R. Pressman,...
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
On a double bill with
Machete Maidens Unleashed!
Blu-ray
Umbrella Entertainment (Au, all-region
2014 / Color / 1:77 widescreen / 106 min. / Street Date April 4, 2017 / Available from Umbrella Entertainment / 34.99
Starring: Menahem Golan, Yoram Globus, Al Ruban, Alain Jakubowicz, Albert Pyun, Alex Winter, Allen DeBevoise, Avi Lerner, Barbet Schroeder, Bo Derek, Boaz Davidson, Cassandra Peterson, Catherine Mary Stewart, Charles Matthau, Christopher C. Dewey, Christopher Pearce, Cynthia Hargrave, Dan Wolman, Daniel Loewenthal, David Del Valle, David Paulsen, David Sheehan, David Womark, Diane Franklin, Dolph Lundgren, Edward R. Pressman,...
- 4/8/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
This is a "go to" festival for international filmmakers with Jewish films who want to have their films premiere in Hollywood. The 11th L.A. Jewish Film Festival May 18th through May 25.
Opening night on May 18 will be a grand, red carpet, star-studded gala at the Steve Tisch Cinema Center at the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills. Lajff will recognize the Laemmle Theater family with a special honor for their ongoing commitment to film and filmmakers. This family, headed by legendary Universal studio owner, Carl Laemmle and continuously run by subsequent three generations of Laemmles, is truly a force of nature. The Laemmle Theaters is a 75+ year old family run business which has established a sense of community through film in every neighborhood of Los Angeles they touch. The Laemmle family also supports many local organizations.
Watch this wonderful history of the Laemmle theaters in which Gregory Laemmle, the President of Laemmle Theaters, gives the Beverly Hills Historical Society a summary of the Laemmle family movie theater's history and his programming of the Fine Arts and Music Hall theaters in Beverly Hills.
Opening night film is the North American premiere of “False Flag” /”Kfulim”, a gripping espionage thriller TV series (now known as “filmed entertainment”) which premiered at the Berlinale’s inaugural Special Series section and won the Grand Prize at Series Mania. It comes from the makers of “Homeland” as it first appeared in Israel in 2015 before being remade for U.S. audiences.
Created by Amit Cohen and Maria Feldman, Amit will be present after the screening for a Q&A with actor Angel Bonanni.
Variety, October 2015 called it a “Thrill Ride. Keshet’s hot strike may continue with False Flag”
C21 Hot Picks for Mipcom 2015 said, “’False Flag’ has a touch of ‘Homeland’ about it and could be the next big Israeli drama”.
Directed by Oded Ruskin, it stars Ishai Golan, Ania Bukstein, Angel Bonanni, Roy Assaf and Orna Salinger who play five Israeli citizens who find themselves plunged into a gripping international espionage affair overnight. These ordinary people, going about their daily business, wake up one morning to discover that they are implicated in a ruthless kidnapping operation following the disappearance of the Iranian Defense Minister while on a secret visit to Moscow. News bulletins repeatedly flash their names and passport photos on screen, linking them to video footage from the kidnapping.
French pay TV channel Canal Plus acquired exclusive rights to “False Flag” for France from Keshet International. Will it be remade for U.S.??? We shall see.
In addition to the opening night ceremony, this year will be the first year for a new award. Lajff will establish the Marvin Paige Hollywood Legacy Award. Marvin Paige who died in 2014 was a classic Hollywood casting director, the go-to Hollywood star wrangler of anybody and everybody needing to get a hold of a celebrity. He worked with Lajff for its entire 11 years and his work continues with his former protégé.
Read Leonard Maltin on Marvin Paige
The Marvin Paige Hollywood Legacy Award will be presented on closing night, Wednesday, May 25th, at the iconic Beverly Hills theater, The Fine Arts, to legendary actress Marsha Hunt, formerly blacklisted and still known as a free speech and humanitarian activist today at age 98!).
Closing night film Wednesday, May 25th is the classic, 72 year old movie ”None Shall Escape” starring Marsha Hunt and directed by André De Toth, starring Marsha Hunt, Alexander Knox, Henry Travers, and written by Alfred Neumann and Joseph Than (Alfred Neumann and Joseph Than were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Story.)
"None Shall Escape" is a 1944 war film. Even though the film was made during World War II, the setting is a post-war Nuremberg-style war crimes trial. Production began August 31, 1943 and finished October 26, more than eighteen months before the war in Europe ended. About the career of a Nazi officer as shown as flashbacks from his trial as a war criminal, the film will be discussed by film historian, Professor Jan Christopher Horak with Marsha Hunt in person.
There will also be a very special screening of Israel’s beloved, 1966 film musical, “Sheni Kuni Lemel”/ “The Flying Matchmaker” featuring an appearance from L.A. local celebrity and star of the film, Mike Burstyn who starred in the film when he was just 19 years old. This is the first screening of the newly restored print from Israel - the first to be shown in the U.S. Lajff will honor this classic Israeli star with an award on the first night of the screening for “Sheni Kuni Lemel”. (Learn more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flying_Matchmaker)
Another film definitely to be seen is the first film made by Oscar-winning director of “Son of Saul”, László Nemes. The 2008,14 minute short, “ With a Little Patience” will be playing before “Fever at Dawn” on May 23. Director László Nemes fixes the camera on the evocatively stoic face of a young female office clerk, capturing her every nuance as she methodically goes about her daily routine, which leads to a solemn revelation just outside the window, where a man is waiting. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival
and was the winner at the 14th Drama International Short Film Festival.
Monday, May 23, 7:30 pm Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills program introduction by Consul General of Hungary, Laszlo Kalman
Another top film here is “The People Vs. Fritz Bauer”. If you saw the German submission for the Academy Award this year, “Labyrinth of Lies” you will know the story, but will find this film much,much more authentic and engrossing. It is the real story of the boss of the young man “Labyrinth” who is the true life hero.
Audience Award Winner at the Locarno International Film Festival, World Premiere Toronto International Film Festival 2015. Cohen Media has U.S. rights.
Its L.A. premiere will be Tuesday, May 24, 7:30 pm Laemmle’s Music Hall. Drama, Germany, 2015, 105 minutes, Director: Lars Kraume, in German with English subtitles
Top German actors Burghart Klaussner (“The White Ribbon”) and Ronald Zehrfeld (“Barbara”, “Phoenix”) star in this riveting historical thriller, which chronicles the staggering efforts of German district attorney Fritz Bauer to bring Nazi war criminal Adolph Eichmann to justice.
Few figures encapsulate the conflicted character of postwar Germany better than Fritz Bauer, the Attorney General who was instrumental in bringing the elusive Adolf Eichmann to trial in Israel. This film is both a portrait of this complex man and a riveting historical thriller that chronicles the Herculean efforts and tremendous risks undertaken en route to apprehending the chief engineer of the Nazis' Final Solution.
In the late 1950s, Germany flourishes under the economic miracle, and grows increasingly apathetic about confronting the horrors of its recent past. Nevertheless, Fritz Bauer (Burghart Klaussner) relentlessly devotes his energies to bringing the Third Reich to justice. One day Bauer receives a letter from Argentina, with information about Adolf Eichmann. He is excited by the promising lead, but obstructed at every turn by authorities with Nazi ties, many of them former higher-ups under Hitler, now in top government positions. Bauer journeys to Jerusalem to seek alliance with Mossad, the Israeli secret service. This is an act of treason — yet committing treason is the only way Bauer can serve his country.
Fritz Bauer was the Attorney General portrayed in “Labyrinth of Lies.” This is the story that led up to the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials.
Introduction: Deputy Consul General Stefan Biedermann of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany. Sponsored by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
“A La Vie” / “To Life”
Drama, France, 2014, 104 minutes
Director: Jean-Jacques Zilbermann
Starring: Julie Depardieu, Johanna ter Steege, Suzanne Clément
Audience Award Winner at Warsaw Jewish Ff 2015
Breaking Glass has U.S. rights.
Veteran French writer/director Jean-Jacques Zilbermann (“He’s My Girl” - Lajff 2011) sets his engaging new drama in postwar Paris where Hélène (Julie Depardieu), a young Auschwitz survivor rebuilds her life while searching for her friends from the camp, Lily and Rose (Johanna ter Steege, Suzanne Clément). When the women are finally reunited, they share a watershed vacation in 1962 in a seaside resort, enjoying the intimacies of life, love and faith. This emotionally complex film about the sustaining power of women’s friendship was inspired by the director’s mother and her annual vacation with the friends she made in the camps. Don’t miss this masterful film starring a trio of award-winning actresses.
“Children Of Giant”
Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqBYPp8IfQw
La Premiere
Documentary, United States 2015, 85 minutes
Director: Hector Galan
Thursday, May 19 at the Laemmle's Town Center, Encino at 7:30 pm
Marilyn Moss, George Stevens biographer, M.G. Lord, Elizabeth Taylor biographer Plus Earl Holliman (actor from the film) and Jim Silke join the panel discussion, moderated by Nick Redman.
Sixty years after the Hollywood blockbuster that dared tackle the issue of prejudice against Mexican-Americans, “Children Of Giant” explores the cultural and social legacy of the landmark 1956 drama. Starring a legendary trio—Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean—Giant is the epic story of a powerful West Texas ranching dynasty, and the Anglo-Latino tensions their characters encounter. Edna Ferber, the daughter of a Hungarian-born Jewish storekeeper, whose own encounters with discrimination informed her work, bases the film on the novel. Similarly stirred to address human rights issues after his WWII military service, Oscar-winning director George Stevens embraced the book’s controversial themes of feminism, class division and racism in the post-war American Southwest. The lavish production had an enormous impact on the dusty little town of Marfa, Texas, and the Mexican-Americans who saw it as a first exposure to their second-class status.
Rare behind-the-scenes footage and clips from the movie complement interviews with surviving cast and crew, film historians, as well as residents whose lives mirrored the social issues explored onscreen.
“Golan: A Farewell To Mr. Cinema”
Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evRsJy8GxrU&spfreload=10
La Premiere
Documentary, UK/Israel, 74 minutes
Directed by Christopher Sykes
Sunday, May 22, 7:00 pm, Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Speakers for Golan: Farewell to Mr. Cinema. Sam Firstenberg and Sybil Danning.
This film is the final chapter in the extraordinary life and career of Menahem Golan, Israeli movie director, producer, mogul and 'madman'. Golan and his cousin Yoram Globus, pursued the American Dream and turned the Hollywood power structure upside down, producing over 300 films and becoming the most powerful independent film company in the world; Cannon Films. Golan produced movies featuring such stars as Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Charles Bronson.
In his eighties and living in Jaffa, Golan looks back to his great days in Hollywood, forward to a new blockbuster, and dreams of the Oscar he has always wanted...
“In Search Of Israeli Cuisine”
La Premiere
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOd6cyFvBr8
Documentary, United States 2015, 97 minutes
Thursday, May 19, 7:30 pm Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hill
Q&A with Amelia Saltsman, cookbook author and personality and Rob Eshman, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Journal.
Sunday, May 22, 4:30 pm, Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino
Q&A with Elana Horwich, owner of Meal with a Spiel
Director: Roger Sherman
Starring: Michael Solomonov
Michael Solomonov, the James Beard award-winning celebrity chef-restaurateur travels across Israel to savor a food revolution rooted in centuries-old tradition. Developed in only the last 30 years and using both ancient farming techniques and high-tech innovations, Israel’s food scene is among the most dynamic in the world. From Tel Aviv’s most exclusive eateries to street bazaars, Israeli-American Solomonov interviews chefs, home cooks, farmers, vintners, and cheese makers drawn from the more than 100 cultures that make up Israel today — Jewish, Arab, Muslim, Christian, and Druze. This journey to his homeland reaffirms that Israeli cuisine is a beautiful and delectable reflection of the country’s unique diversity.
In a gastronomical expedition, celebrity chef-restaurateur Michael Solomonov zigzags Israel to savor a food revolution rooted in centuries-old tradition.
Israel’s food scene is among the most dynamic in the world, extending beyond falafel and hummus to include tasty ethnic and regional specialties. Having won the James Beard award for embracing these authentic flavors, Israeli-American Solomonov returns to his homeland to discover his culinary heritage anew. From Tel Aviv’s most exclusive eateries, to street bazaars, to simmering pots in family kitchens, “In Search Of Israeli Cuisine” excites the taste buds with multi-cultural recipes passed on and elevated. But even food is not immune to sectarian conflict, as Palestinian cooks chafe when their savory secrets are adapted by Jewish chefs. Equally eye-opening is the story behind the ingredients that Israel produces using both ancient farming techniques and high-tech innovations. Combining a procession of mouthwatering dishes and interviews with chefs, home cooks and farmers of all backgrounds, Oscar-nominated documentarian Roger Sherman presents a diverse portrait of the Israeli people told through the very personal language of food.
Rob Eshman, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Journal, Blog “Foodaism” to lead discussion. Additional guests Tbd. Sponsored by the Jewish Journal and the Consulate General of Israel
Food sponsored by Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill and Yrf Darca
For the full array of programming go to: http://lajfilmfest.org/...
Opening night on May 18 will be a grand, red carpet, star-studded gala at the Steve Tisch Cinema Center at the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills. Lajff will recognize the Laemmle Theater family with a special honor for their ongoing commitment to film and filmmakers. This family, headed by legendary Universal studio owner, Carl Laemmle and continuously run by subsequent three generations of Laemmles, is truly a force of nature. The Laemmle Theaters is a 75+ year old family run business which has established a sense of community through film in every neighborhood of Los Angeles they touch. The Laemmle family also supports many local organizations.
Watch this wonderful history of the Laemmle theaters in which Gregory Laemmle, the President of Laemmle Theaters, gives the Beverly Hills Historical Society a summary of the Laemmle family movie theater's history and his programming of the Fine Arts and Music Hall theaters in Beverly Hills.
Opening night film is the North American premiere of “False Flag” /”Kfulim”, a gripping espionage thriller TV series (now known as “filmed entertainment”) which premiered at the Berlinale’s inaugural Special Series section and won the Grand Prize at Series Mania. It comes from the makers of “Homeland” as it first appeared in Israel in 2015 before being remade for U.S. audiences.
Created by Amit Cohen and Maria Feldman, Amit will be present after the screening for a Q&A with actor Angel Bonanni.
Variety, October 2015 called it a “Thrill Ride. Keshet’s hot strike may continue with False Flag”
C21 Hot Picks for Mipcom 2015 said, “’False Flag’ has a touch of ‘Homeland’ about it and could be the next big Israeli drama”.
Directed by Oded Ruskin, it stars Ishai Golan, Ania Bukstein, Angel Bonanni, Roy Assaf and Orna Salinger who play five Israeli citizens who find themselves plunged into a gripping international espionage affair overnight. These ordinary people, going about their daily business, wake up one morning to discover that they are implicated in a ruthless kidnapping operation following the disappearance of the Iranian Defense Minister while on a secret visit to Moscow. News bulletins repeatedly flash their names and passport photos on screen, linking them to video footage from the kidnapping.
French pay TV channel Canal Plus acquired exclusive rights to “False Flag” for France from Keshet International. Will it be remade for U.S.??? We shall see.
In addition to the opening night ceremony, this year will be the first year for a new award. Lajff will establish the Marvin Paige Hollywood Legacy Award. Marvin Paige who died in 2014 was a classic Hollywood casting director, the go-to Hollywood star wrangler of anybody and everybody needing to get a hold of a celebrity. He worked with Lajff for its entire 11 years and his work continues with his former protégé.
Read Leonard Maltin on Marvin Paige
The Marvin Paige Hollywood Legacy Award will be presented on closing night, Wednesday, May 25th, at the iconic Beverly Hills theater, The Fine Arts, to legendary actress Marsha Hunt, formerly blacklisted and still known as a free speech and humanitarian activist today at age 98!).
Closing night film Wednesday, May 25th is the classic, 72 year old movie ”None Shall Escape” starring Marsha Hunt and directed by André De Toth, starring Marsha Hunt, Alexander Knox, Henry Travers, and written by Alfred Neumann and Joseph Than (Alfred Neumann and Joseph Than were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Story.)
"None Shall Escape" is a 1944 war film. Even though the film was made during World War II, the setting is a post-war Nuremberg-style war crimes trial. Production began August 31, 1943 and finished October 26, more than eighteen months before the war in Europe ended. About the career of a Nazi officer as shown as flashbacks from his trial as a war criminal, the film will be discussed by film historian, Professor Jan Christopher Horak with Marsha Hunt in person.
There will also be a very special screening of Israel’s beloved, 1966 film musical, “Sheni Kuni Lemel”/ “The Flying Matchmaker” featuring an appearance from L.A. local celebrity and star of the film, Mike Burstyn who starred in the film when he was just 19 years old. This is the first screening of the newly restored print from Israel - the first to be shown in the U.S. Lajff will honor this classic Israeli star with an award on the first night of the screening for “Sheni Kuni Lemel”. (Learn more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flying_Matchmaker)
Another film definitely to be seen is the first film made by Oscar-winning director of “Son of Saul”, László Nemes. The 2008,14 minute short, “ With a Little Patience” will be playing before “Fever at Dawn” on May 23. Director László Nemes fixes the camera on the evocatively stoic face of a young female office clerk, capturing her every nuance as she methodically goes about her daily routine, which leads to a solemn revelation just outside the window, where a man is waiting. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival
and was the winner at the 14th Drama International Short Film Festival.
Monday, May 23, 7:30 pm Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills program introduction by Consul General of Hungary, Laszlo Kalman
Another top film here is “The People Vs. Fritz Bauer”. If you saw the German submission for the Academy Award this year, “Labyrinth of Lies” you will know the story, but will find this film much,much more authentic and engrossing. It is the real story of the boss of the young man “Labyrinth” who is the true life hero.
Audience Award Winner at the Locarno International Film Festival, World Premiere Toronto International Film Festival 2015. Cohen Media has U.S. rights.
Its L.A. premiere will be Tuesday, May 24, 7:30 pm Laemmle’s Music Hall. Drama, Germany, 2015, 105 minutes, Director: Lars Kraume, in German with English subtitles
Top German actors Burghart Klaussner (“The White Ribbon”) and Ronald Zehrfeld (“Barbara”, “Phoenix”) star in this riveting historical thriller, which chronicles the staggering efforts of German district attorney Fritz Bauer to bring Nazi war criminal Adolph Eichmann to justice.
Few figures encapsulate the conflicted character of postwar Germany better than Fritz Bauer, the Attorney General who was instrumental in bringing the elusive Adolf Eichmann to trial in Israel. This film is both a portrait of this complex man and a riveting historical thriller that chronicles the Herculean efforts and tremendous risks undertaken en route to apprehending the chief engineer of the Nazis' Final Solution.
In the late 1950s, Germany flourishes under the economic miracle, and grows increasingly apathetic about confronting the horrors of its recent past. Nevertheless, Fritz Bauer (Burghart Klaussner) relentlessly devotes his energies to bringing the Third Reich to justice. One day Bauer receives a letter from Argentina, with information about Adolf Eichmann. He is excited by the promising lead, but obstructed at every turn by authorities with Nazi ties, many of them former higher-ups under Hitler, now in top government positions. Bauer journeys to Jerusalem to seek alliance with Mossad, the Israeli secret service. This is an act of treason — yet committing treason is the only way Bauer can serve his country.
Fritz Bauer was the Attorney General portrayed in “Labyrinth of Lies.” This is the story that led up to the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials.
Introduction: Deputy Consul General Stefan Biedermann of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany. Sponsored by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
“A La Vie” / “To Life”
Drama, France, 2014, 104 minutes
Director: Jean-Jacques Zilbermann
Starring: Julie Depardieu, Johanna ter Steege, Suzanne Clément
Audience Award Winner at Warsaw Jewish Ff 2015
Breaking Glass has U.S. rights.
Veteran French writer/director Jean-Jacques Zilbermann (“He’s My Girl” - Lajff 2011) sets his engaging new drama in postwar Paris where Hélène (Julie Depardieu), a young Auschwitz survivor rebuilds her life while searching for her friends from the camp, Lily and Rose (Johanna ter Steege, Suzanne Clément). When the women are finally reunited, they share a watershed vacation in 1962 in a seaside resort, enjoying the intimacies of life, love and faith. This emotionally complex film about the sustaining power of women’s friendship was inspired by the director’s mother and her annual vacation with the friends she made in the camps. Don’t miss this masterful film starring a trio of award-winning actresses.
“Children Of Giant”
Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqBYPp8IfQw
La Premiere
Documentary, United States 2015, 85 minutes
Director: Hector Galan
Thursday, May 19 at the Laemmle's Town Center, Encino at 7:30 pm
Marilyn Moss, George Stevens biographer, M.G. Lord, Elizabeth Taylor biographer Plus Earl Holliman (actor from the film) and Jim Silke join the panel discussion, moderated by Nick Redman.
Sixty years after the Hollywood blockbuster that dared tackle the issue of prejudice against Mexican-Americans, “Children Of Giant” explores the cultural and social legacy of the landmark 1956 drama. Starring a legendary trio—Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean—Giant is the epic story of a powerful West Texas ranching dynasty, and the Anglo-Latino tensions their characters encounter. Edna Ferber, the daughter of a Hungarian-born Jewish storekeeper, whose own encounters with discrimination informed her work, bases the film on the novel. Similarly stirred to address human rights issues after his WWII military service, Oscar-winning director George Stevens embraced the book’s controversial themes of feminism, class division and racism in the post-war American Southwest. The lavish production had an enormous impact on the dusty little town of Marfa, Texas, and the Mexican-Americans who saw it as a first exposure to their second-class status.
Rare behind-the-scenes footage and clips from the movie complement interviews with surviving cast and crew, film historians, as well as residents whose lives mirrored the social issues explored onscreen.
“Golan: A Farewell To Mr. Cinema”
Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evRsJy8GxrU&spfreload=10
La Premiere
Documentary, UK/Israel, 74 minutes
Directed by Christopher Sykes
Sunday, May 22, 7:00 pm, Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Speakers for Golan: Farewell to Mr. Cinema. Sam Firstenberg and Sybil Danning.
This film is the final chapter in the extraordinary life and career of Menahem Golan, Israeli movie director, producer, mogul and 'madman'. Golan and his cousin Yoram Globus, pursued the American Dream and turned the Hollywood power structure upside down, producing over 300 films and becoming the most powerful independent film company in the world; Cannon Films. Golan produced movies featuring such stars as Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Charles Bronson.
In his eighties and living in Jaffa, Golan looks back to his great days in Hollywood, forward to a new blockbuster, and dreams of the Oscar he has always wanted...
“In Search Of Israeli Cuisine”
La Premiere
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOd6cyFvBr8
Documentary, United States 2015, 97 minutes
Thursday, May 19, 7:30 pm Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hill
Q&A with Amelia Saltsman, cookbook author and personality and Rob Eshman, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Journal.
Sunday, May 22, 4:30 pm, Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino
Q&A with Elana Horwich, owner of Meal with a Spiel
Director: Roger Sherman
Starring: Michael Solomonov
Michael Solomonov, the James Beard award-winning celebrity chef-restaurateur travels across Israel to savor a food revolution rooted in centuries-old tradition. Developed in only the last 30 years and using both ancient farming techniques and high-tech innovations, Israel’s food scene is among the most dynamic in the world. From Tel Aviv’s most exclusive eateries to street bazaars, Israeli-American Solomonov interviews chefs, home cooks, farmers, vintners, and cheese makers drawn from the more than 100 cultures that make up Israel today — Jewish, Arab, Muslim, Christian, and Druze. This journey to his homeland reaffirms that Israeli cuisine is a beautiful and delectable reflection of the country’s unique diversity.
In a gastronomical expedition, celebrity chef-restaurateur Michael Solomonov zigzags Israel to savor a food revolution rooted in centuries-old tradition.
Israel’s food scene is among the most dynamic in the world, extending beyond falafel and hummus to include tasty ethnic and regional specialties. Having won the James Beard award for embracing these authentic flavors, Israeli-American Solomonov returns to his homeland to discover his culinary heritage anew. From Tel Aviv’s most exclusive eateries, to street bazaars, to simmering pots in family kitchens, “In Search Of Israeli Cuisine” excites the taste buds with multi-cultural recipes passed on and elevated. But even food is not immune to sectarian conflict, as Palestinian cooks chafe when their savory secrets are adapted by Jewish chefs. Equally eye-opening is the story behind the ingredients that Israel produces using both ancient farming techniques and high-tech innovations. Combining a procession of mouthwatering dishes and interviews with chefs, home cooks and farmers of all backgrounds, Oscar-nominated documentarian Roger Sherman presents a diverse portrait of the Israeli people told through the very personal language of food.
Rob Eshman, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Journal, Blog “Foodaism” to lead discussion. Additional guests Tbd. Sponsored by the Jewish Journal and the Consulate General of Israel
Food sponsored by Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill and Yrf Darca
For the full array of programming go to: http://lajfilmfest.org/...
- 5/5/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Enter the Ninja
The film that heralded the start of the ninja craze in the West, Enter the Ninja was one of many martial arts action films made by the uber-prolific producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus after they purchased Cannon Films in the late 70s.
Directed by Golan, Enter the Ninja tells the story of Cole (Franco Nero), a Westerner who is trained in the art of ninjitsu in Japan. Finishing his training he heads the Philippines to visit his war buddy Frank Landers (Alex Courtney) and his newlywed wife Mary Ann (Susan George), who are the owners of farm which is under attack from unscrupulous businessman Charles Venarius (Christopher George) because – unbeknownst to the Landers – there’s a huge oil deposit under their land! Of course having Franco Nero’s ninja on their side means that the Landers can easily see off Venarius’ henchmen. That is until he...
The film that heralded the start of the ninja craze in the West, Enter the Ninja was one of many martial arts action films made by the uber-prolific producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus after they purchased Cannon Films in the late 70s.
Directed by Golan, Enter the Ninja tells the story of Cole (Franco Nero), a Westerner who is trained in the art of ninjitsu in Japan. Finishing his training he heads the Philippines to visit his war buddy Frank Landers (Alex Courtney) and his newlywed wife Mary Ann (Susan George), who are the owners of farm which is under attack from unscrupulous businessman Charles Venarius (Christopher George) because – unbeknownst to the Landers – there’s a huge oil deposit under their land! Of course having Franco Nero’s ninja on their side means that the Landers can easily see off Venarius’ henchmen. That is until he...
- 1/31/2016
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Recent years have been Very good for fans of psychotronic cinema, especially when it comes to documentaries. We have had Jake West’s Video Nasties: Draconian Days, his follow up to Video Nasties: Moral Panic Censorship & Videotape, Andrew Leavould’s Search for Weng Weng, Wiktor Ericsson’s The Sarnos: A Life in Dirty Movies and my personal favourite, Mike Malloy’s wonderful Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films. Another film related documentary released this year was the highly anticipated Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films directed by Mark Hartley, who many cult film fans will know for his other documentaries, Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozsploitation, Machete Maidens Unleashed and his remake of Richard Franklin’s cult classic, Patrick. I remember hearing about Electric Boogaloo when it was still in the early stages of development. Ever since then I have been waiting with much anticipation.
- 6/2/2015
- by Mondo Squallido
- Nerdly
2014 has been a good year for fans of psychotronic cinema, especially when it comes to documentaries. We have had Jake West’s Video Nasties: Draconian Days, his follow up to Video Nasties: Moral Panic Censorship & Videotape, Andrew Leavould’s Search for Weng Weng, Wiktor Ericsson’s The Sarnos: A Life in Dirty Movies and my personal favourite, Mike Malloy’s wonderful Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films. Another film related documentary released this year was the highly anticipated Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films directed by Mark Hartley, who many cult film fans will know for his other documentaries, Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozsploitation, Machete Maidens Unleashed and his remake of Richard Franklin’s cult classic, Patrick. I remember hearing about Electric Boogaloo (which is how I will be referring to it for the rest of this review) when it was still...
- 12/11/2014
- by Mondo Squallido
- Nerdly
Transcendence was so bad it actually made me miss this movie. Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996) Director: Sam Firstenberg Stars: Matt Frewer, Austin O'Brien, Patrick Bergin Former gardener-turned-cyber deity Jobe is back once again to prove that Hollywood has no idea how computers work. I would like to say that Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (or Lawnmower Man 2: Jobe's War, depending on who you ask) is simply a case of a technology-driven film feeling...
- 4/23/2014
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
The 14th Annual "Gathering of the Juggalos" begins today, so now seems like an appropriate time for. Big Money Rustlas (2010) Director: Sam Firstenberg Stars: Violent J, Shaggy 2 Dope, Ron Jeremy The Insane Clown Posse meets Wild Wild West. I am not a fan of the Insane Clown Posse. Aside from the "f*cking magnets, how do they work?" viral video, I haven't listened to any of their music. I didn't even know they dabbled in film until recently....
- 8/7/2013
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
Stars: Lucinda Dickey, Sho Kosugi, Jordan Bennett, David Chung, Dale Ishimoto, James Hong | Written by James R. Silke | Directed by Sam Firstenberg
After the body of a sexy bouffant-haired telephone maintenance engineer – who is also and aerobics instructor on the side – is possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja, she begins systematically killing (using her new-found ninja skills of course) the officers responsible for the ninja’s death and can only be stopped by another ninja!
One of the campest, yet coolest, of the 80s ninja movies, Ninja lll mixes the becoming played-out at the time Ninja genre with something akin to The Exorcist in a film that epitomises all that is great about 80s B-movie cinema and all that was great about Golan-Globus and Cannon Films, whose demise, in my opinion, has left a huge blot of the movie landscape.
Like many movies of the 80s, Ninja lll...
After the body of a sexy bouffant-haired telephone maintenance engineer – who is also and aerobics instructor on the side – is possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja, she begins systematically killing (using her new-found ninja skills of course) the officers responsible for the ninja’s death and can only be stopped by another ninja!
One of the campest, yet coolest, of the 80s ninja movies, Ninja lll mixes the becoming played-out at the time Ninja genre with something akin to The Exorcist in a film that epitomises all that is great about 80s B-movie cinema and all that was great about Golan-Globus and Cannon Films, whose demise, in my opinion, has left a huge blot of the movie landscape.
Like many movies of the 80s, Ninja lll...
- 3/27/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Never in the history of this column have I wanted to watch a movie less, but so many of you sick bastards have written in and requested that I expose myself to this. And with Spring Breakers about to be a big hit, now is the time to look at the worst spring break movie ever. From Justin to Kelly (2003) Director: Sam Firstenberg Stars: Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Anika Noni Rose Corporate Synergy 101. From Justin To Kelly has "contractual obligation"...
- 3/20/2013
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
Wit the eighth Step Up sequel shuffling its way to theaters this week, we've got dancing on the mind. Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984) Director: Sam Firstenberg Stars: Adolfo 'Shabba-Doo' Quinones, Michael 'Boogaloo Shrimp' Chambers, Lucinda Dickey In order to save their community center from an evil corporate bigwig, a group of rebellious street dancers must put on the show of a lifetime! Like me, you may have used the term "Electric Boogaloo" to...
- 7/25/2012
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
Cannon Films, like any other studio yesterday or today, wanted to keep a good thing going, and for them in the 1980s it was the ninja movie. After two early successes for the studio in Enter the Ninja and Revenge of the Ninja (recall this film’s flashback here), success wasn’t guaranteed a third time in their Ninja III: The Domination. The studio took a break, as did director Sam Firstenberg, but in 1984 the studio wanted to revisit the genre, but with a twist. The deadliest art of the Orient is now in the hands of an American.
Killer Film catches back up with director Sam Firstenberg for an Action Packed Flashback for 1985′s American Ninja.
After the lukewarm reception to Ninja III: The Domination both critically and financially, Sam took a break from the genre with Breakin’ 2. “It was the company’s decision to keep the Ninja series alive,...
Killer Film catches back up with director Sam Firstenberg for an Action Packed Flashback for 1985′s American Ninja.
After the lukewarm reception to Ninja III: The Domination both critically and financially, Sam took a break from the genre with Breakin’ 2. “It was the company’s decision to keep the Ninja series alive,...
- 7/4/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
The ninja film isn’t widely loved like the samurai genre, and that’s mostly due to the lack of any significant ninja movies, especially compared to what Akira Kurosawa delivered in his career. This is a tad unfair, but let’s change that.
After directing Enter the Ninja in 1981, Menahem Golan wanted to follow this hit for his Golan-Globus Films (Cannon Films) with a sequel. In what has become widely recognized as one of the best ninja movies ever made, 1983′s Revenge of the Ninja features some of the coolest ninja action and violence, as well as sharp direction by the newcomer Sam Firstenberg, who would go on to direct some of the more popular films for Cannon Films, including American Ninja and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogalo.
Director Sam Firstenberg chats with Killer Film about his breakout hit Revenge of the Ninja in another dose of Action Packed Flashback.
After directing Enter the Ninja in 1981, Menahem Golan wanted to follow this hit for his Golan-Globus Films (Cannon Films) with a sequel. In what has become widely recognized as one of the best ninja movies ever made, 1983′s Revenge of the Ninja features some of the coolest ninja action and violence, as well as sharp direction by the newcomer Sam Firstenberg, who would go on to direct some of the more popular films for Cannon Films, including American Ninja and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogalo.
Director Sam Firstenberg chats with Killer Film about his breakout hit Revenge of the Ninja in another dose of Action Packed Flashback.
- 6/16/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Ninja III: The Domination
Stars: Lucinda Dickey, Sho Kosugi, Jordan Bennett, David Chung, Dale Ishimoto, James Hong | Written by James R. Silke | Directed by Sam Firstenberg
After the body of a sexy bouffant-haired telephone maintenance engineer – who is also and aerobics instructor on the side – is possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja, she begins systematically killing (using her new-found ninja skills of course) the officers responsible for the ninja’s death and can only be stopped by another ninja!
When I found out the Ninja lll: The Domination was available to stream via LOVEFiLM’s Playstation 3 service I knew I was on to a winner, what I didn’t bargain on was the Psn network going down mid-viewing, so thank god it came back on yesterday and I could finish my Ninja lll fix! One of the campest, yet coolest, of the 80s ninja movies, Ninja lll mixes...
Stars: Lucinda Dickey, Sho Kosugi, Jordan Bennett, David Chung, Dale Ishimoto, James Hong | Written by James R. Silke | Directed by Sam Firstenberg
After the body of a sexy bouffant-haired telephone maintenance engineer – who is also and aerobics instructor on the side – is possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja, she begins systematically killing (using her new-found ninja skills of course) the officers responsible for the ninja’s death and can only be stopped by another ninja!
When I found out the Ninja lll: The Domination was available to stream via LOVEFiLM’s Playstation 3 service I knew I was on to a winner, what I didn’t bargain on was the Psn network going down mid-viewing, so thank god it came back on yesterday and I could finish my Ninja lll fix! One of the campest, yet coolest, of the 80s ninja movies, Ninja lll mixes...
- 5/17/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Are you bored of the same old TV shows? Tired of the mainstream? Then check out this round-up of alternative movies and series showing on UK television tonight…
8.20pm Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (Sky Movies Indie)
The love of Pee-wee Herman’s life is his bicycle. When it is stolen, he is send on a wild cross country adventure after a fortune teller tells him his bicycle is in the basement of the Alamo. Along the way, Pee-wee encounters an escaped convict, a waitress with wanderlust and a jealous boyfriend, and a mysterious female truck driver.
9.00pm Banshee!!! (Horror Channel)
A group of college friends on a spring break camping trip are stalked and slashed by an unknown creature with the ability to make them hallucinate through sound waves. The survivors hold up refuge in an isolated farmhouse, cut off from all communication. Now, they have to come up...
8.20pm Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (Sky Movies Indie)
The love of Pee-wee Herman’s life is his bicycle. When it is stolen, he is send on a wild cross country adventure after a fortune teller tells him his bicycle is in the basement of the Alamo. Along the way, Pee-wee encounters an escaped convict, a waitress with wanderlust and a jealous boyfriend, and a mysterious female truck driver.
9.00pm Banshee!!! (Horror Channel)
A group of college friends on a spring break camping trip are stalked and slashed by an unknown creature with the ability to make them hallucinate through sound waves. The survivors hold up refuge in an isolated farmhouse, cut off from all communication. Now, they have to come up...
- 5/12/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Call them "cult classics." "Guilty pleasures." "Comfort movies." We all have a mental rolodex of flicks that may not be terribly popular but, for one reason or another, they resonate in a very special way. Maybe you saw it at the right moment. Maybe you just see gold where everyone else sees feces. Whatever the case, these are the special favorites that you keep stashed away for sick days. Here are some of ours.
With "Ninja Assassin" hitting theaters this week, it seemed the perfect time to put the spotlight on one my favorite masterpiece of sick-day cinema: 1985's "American Ninja."
Directed by Sam Firstenberg and starring Michael Dudikoff, Steve James ("I'm Gonna Git You Sucka") and veteran '80s ninja movie star Tadashi Yamashita, "American Ninja" was on such a heavy rotation during my childhood that I wore out several copies of the film on VHS. While it spawned at least three sequels,...
With "Ninja Assassin" hitting theaters this week, it seemed the perfect time to put the spotlight on one my favorite masterpiece of sick-day cinema: 1985's "American Ninja."
Directed by Sam Firstenberg and starring Michael Dudikoff, Steve James ("I'm Gonna Git You Sucka") and veteran '80s ninja movie star Tadashi Yamashita, "American Ninja" was on such a heavy rotation during my childhood that I wore out several copies of the film on VHS. While it spawned at least three sequels,...
- 11/25/2009
- by Rick Marshall
- MTV Movies Blog
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