'Blood Hunters' (2019) Movie Review

A funny thing happens when you make a movie about fighting and actually cast people who know how to fight, the fighting looks good. Such is the case for writer/director/star Vincent Soberano’s Blood Hunters, AKA Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids. That’s the good news. The less good news is that’s basically all the film has going for it.

'Maria' (2019) Movie Review

Due to a handful of factors, it’s easy to equate Pedring Lopez’ new action film Maria to Erik Matti’s 2018 BuyBust. Both hail from the Philippines, they feature similar color palates, both have a particular mean streak, and they even share stunt choreographer Sonny Sison. And thanks to a single, but significant plot point, it’s also going to garner comparisons to Kiet Le-van’s Furie from earlier this year. 

Pedring Lopez' Action Movie 'Maria' Acquired By Netflix

I don’t generally make it a practice of noting every time Netflix acquires one random movie or another. They’re so busy snapping up films I would never sleep. But I’ll make an exception in this case, as this is a movie I’ve been dying to see. Netflix just acquired the rights to Filipino director Pedring Lopez’ action movie Maria, and it drops on the divisive service May 17.

'Maria' Trailer: Never Mess With A Mother In This Filipino Actioner

So far, March is shaping up to be great month for badass female-fronted international action movies. First up we have Veronica Ngo in Furie, which looks incredible, and though it’s full of dudes, Triple Threat prominently features JeeJa Yanin and Celina Jade. And now there’s Filipino director Pedring Lopez’ Maria to add to the pile. Check out the trailer below and mark your calendars.

'BuyBust' (2018) Movie Review

Erik Matti’s BuyBust is almost great. As it is, it’s a solid actioner, especially for those of us who favor the gritty, down-and-dirty style usually relegated to the direct-to-video realm. Especially rough around the edges and chaotic, and full of weird-as-hell flourishes, it’s mean and violent and bleak as hell—be prepared for beheadings and morally questionable dirty deeds American movies shy away from. Matti and company offer a non-stop buffet of tension and potential disaster for the stars, all wrapped in an intriguing commentary on the current state of Philippines society and the draconian drug war under Duterte.

'Buybust' Tralier: Anne Curtis And Brandon Vera Pummel Their Way Through Manila

So, if you need an infusion of gonzo action this Monday afternoon, we’re more than happy to oblige. Check out the badass new teaser trailer for Erik Matti’s Buybust, which checks off all of the items on our action wish list.

SIFF 2018: 'Chedeng & Apple' (2017) Movie Review

A bittersweet, blackly comic riff on Thelma and Louise, with a flourish of Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia thrown in for good measure, Chedeng & Apple is part road trip comedy, part lesbian romance, part off-kilter voyage of self-reclamation. After all, one title character spends most of the movie toting a Louis Vuitton bag holding the severed head of her abusive husband. Sounds like a hoot, right?

'Seclusion' Trailer: Spooky Nuns, Creepy Kids, And Satan

Tormented priests, creepy-ass children, the Devil playing mind games—I am so all-in on this trailer for Philippine horror Seclusion (Seklusyon). Check it out for yourself after the jump.

Check Out This Grim Extended Look At 'An American Serial Killer In Manila'

With a title like An American Serial Killer in Manila, you have our attention. And after taking a gander at this extended promo for the film, which is still in development, I want someone to give me a bunch of money so I can give it to these folks to finish their damn movie. Or I could just wait until they finish it on their own and buy a ticket, but I’m an impatient sort.

Watch This Trailer For Cinema One-Winning Horror Flick 'Violator'

Fresh off a victory at the Cinema One film festival in the Philippines, the debut directorial effort from Dodo Dayo, Violator, has delivered a creepy new trailer. It’s not in English, and there are no subtitles, but don’t worry, you get the point they’re trying to make, and it’s spooky as hell.

SIFF Review: 'Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings'

When I first came across “Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings” a few years ago, part of me assumed I would never, ever hear that name again. However, I also knew another part would always hopefully wonder about it. After all, a gay zombie comedy from the Philippines? That might be too much for one man to ask for.