Ganef - Film Review

Writer/Director Mark Rosenblatt

Stars: Lydia Wilson, Sophie McShera, Danny Scheiman & introducing Izabella Dzeiwanka

A short film inspired by stories from the aftermath of the writer and director's own family’s Holocaust survival.  GANEF tells the story of a little girl, spooked by a dark tale from her mother’s wartime past, who starts to believe her adored cleaner is a thief. 

REVIEW

From the moment the film starts and fades into the opening scene of little Ruthie playing the viewer is transported into the world of innocence and joy. It quickly establishes  the bonds the child has with the house cleaner Lynn (Sophie McShera), and her own mother Mrs Hirst (Lydia Wilson). The former's willingness to break from her duties to play with little Ruthie establishes a much closer bond than with her mother, one  which soon crumbles. 

Crazy Samurai slices its way to home entertainment

Japanese action star Tak Sakaguchi, who stunned audiences in 2017 with the critically acclaimed jaw dropping action blood-fest 'Re:Born' scored a double whammy with a film that lived up to its title. Released as 'Crazy Samurai Musashi' Tak takes on the role of the legendary swordsman and philosopher Miyomoto Musahsi in an insanely bloody non stop life or death battle. Thanks to Dazzler Media, 'Crazy Samurai; 400 vs 1' makes its way to UK home entertainment so that you can enjoy 91 minutes of slice and dice action and marvel in the world's longest one take action sequence in a feature film.   

New Film 'Everything Was Fine' Tackles Mental Health Struggles

Glaswegian actor Bryan Larkin is best known as an action star in films such as 'London Has Fallen', 'Vengeance' and his critically acclaimed award winning 'Dead End Trilogy'. With his latest film Bryan takes a detour off the regular action film road to tackle a challenging role and topic; mental health. 'Everything was Fine' examines the torture and toll our mental health endures especially amidst the  global Covid19 pandemic, economic turmoil and the isolation of lockdown. The film aims to breakdown the stigma surrounding mental health, raising awareness through open dialogue, and also much needed funds for the 'Mental Health Foundation' charity.

New Bigfoot documentary Comes to VOD

It seems the fascination with the world's most famous mythical Apex predator has far from dissipated but grown with each passing year. Whether you know it as 'Sasquatch' or 'Bigfoot' the need to prove his existence is so strong many have taken up the mantle including film maker Seth Breedlove. Through his film company 'Small Town Monsters'  Seth first documented this search in the mini-series 'On the Trail of Bigfoot' which continues with his latest release 'On The Trail of Bigfoot; The Journey' out on VOD from 8th June.

Dino King; Journey to Fire Mountain Is Monstrous Fun for the Family

This year sees the return of the great monster movie epic; Legendary Pictures 'Godzilla vs Kong' saw these titans battle it out under Adam Wingard's direction, and The Asylum's 'Ape vs Monster' brought big budget fun to the small screen. Making up the trident of monster movie mania is 'Dino King Journey to Fire Mountain' an animated adventure that is fun for all the family. Dazzler Media have announced the film's release to home entertainment. Written and directed by Korean film maker Han Sang-ho 'Dino King' is the sequel to Han's 2012 debut feature 'Speckles The Tarbosaurus' which was released in 3D and was a box office hit.

Sheep Without a Shepherd Screening at Chinese Cinema Season

Trinity Cine Asia, one of the leading distributions of Asian films present a special virtual screening of the Chinese crime drama 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' as part of its 'Chinese Cinema Season' film festival. This three month online event, produced by Trinity Cine Asia in partnership with Filming East Festival and UK-China Film Collab, is dedicated to showcasing the best of Chinese cinema with over 50 films to be screened along with exclusive Q&As and discussion panels. As part of the line up 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' will be screened on 12th April and stars Xiao Yang, and features internationally acclaimed actress Joan Chen ('The Last Emperor, 'Marco polo).

Li (Xiao Yang) and his wife A Yu (Tan Zhuo, 'The Bravest') run a small business in Thailand and enjoy a happy home life with their two daughters.

IP Man Kung-Fu Master UK Release Announced.

If like so many Kung-Fu film enthusiasts you were saddened at the end of 2019's 'Ip Man 4 The Final Fight' fear not as more stories are to come of Wing Chun's legendary master. 'Ip Man Kung-Fu master' sees Yu-Hang To reprise the title role under the direction of Liming Li with a script co-written by Li with Shi Chingshui. The film also features veteran Hong Kong action star  Wong man-tak better known to fans as Michael Wong. Like 2010's 'The Legend is Born - Ip Man', the film follows the life of Ip Man as a young man prior to the events of Wilson Yip's quadrilogy starring Donnie Yen. 

Michael Moore's 'Bowling for Columbine' Free to Watch on YouTube

Controversial documentarian and activist Michael Moore has released his award winning documentary 'Bowling for Columbine' on YouTube, and everyone can watch it for free. Announced via social media on Wednesday 24th March in the wake of two US shootings within a week of each other, one in Atlanta Georgia and the second in Boulder, Colorado killing a total of 18 people.

Celebrating The best of Bristol Film with Year Long Event

 Local NGO 'Bristol UNESCO City of Film' is planning a year long festival celebrating the city's major role as a pioneer of film and the moving image. The event, #BristolFilm2021, was announced yesterday with plans for activities showcasing the many ways over the last century and a half Bristol has contributed to the world of film in both technical innovation and as a home to creative talents. It also marks the centenary of the death of the city's colourful pioneers in the field of moving image William Fries-Green.

Cine Asia announce release of The Eight Hundred

Trinity Cine Asia, the premium film label for martial arts and Asian action cinema proudly present an epic underdog tale of cunning and heroism that galvanised Chinese national pride during the second Sino-Japanese war. Directed by sixth generation filmmaker Guan Ho, 'The Eight Hundred' stars Du Chan as Lieutenant Commander Xie Jinyuan, and Tang Yixin as Yang Humin, the girl scout who delivered the Chinese national flag to the Xie and his men. The is epic tale of China's very own 'Alamo', which reportedly took more money at the box office than 'Tenet' last year is coming to home entertainment. 

It's  1937 and three months since Japan launched the invasion of China.  Japanese forces have been ordered to take control of the Sihang Central warehouse located across the international settlements of Suzhou Creek. 

Things Get Spooky in new VOD Release Dead Air

Family drama, past trauma and supernatural connections through the airways all come together for  producer, and director Kevin Hicks’ latest film ‘Dead Air’. Hicks also stars, with his wife Vickie Hicks (who wrote the screenplay and also produced the project)  in this chilling tale due for release in the US on demand from February 19th courtesy of Freestyle Digital Media. 

Whilst cleaning out his recently deceased mother’s home, William (Kevin Hicks) stumbles across some belongings of his father, who died when William was a boy. Among his father’s things, he discovers an old HAM radio and, fascinated, attempts to use it. Over the airwaves, he stumbles upon a strange woman, Eva (Vickie Hicks) who suffers from paranoia and agoraphobia, and hides a dark secret of her own. Wary at first  they slowly strike up a distant friendship with their respective radios as the only thread that connects them.

Lost girls and love hotels due for home release

Critically acclaimed psychological drama 'Lost Girls and Love Hotels' comes to home entertainment courtesy of Dazzler Media. This powerful, atmospheric tales stars  Alexandra Daddario ( 'Percy Jackson' franchise) and Takehiro Hira ('Snake Eyes') written by  Catherine Hanrahan adapted from her own novel and directed by William Olsson ('An American Affair').

Haunted by her past, English tutor Margaret has relocated to Tokyo, teaching English by day and losing herself in anonymous sexual encounters at the city’s infamous love hotels by night. 

New Film From RZA Cut Throat City Gets UK Release

Hip hop music legend and filmmaker RZA has once again steps behind the camera for the psychological crime thriller 'Cut Throat City'. Hailed by The Washington Post as a 'film noir for the graffiti and graphic novel age' RZA's latest directorial feature is a heist film set against the backdrop of one America's environmental catastrophes, and is coming to the UK courtesy of Dazzler Media. This marks RZA's third film as director after his breakthrough Kung-Fu Flick 'The Man with the Iron Fists' followed by the heartfelt drama 'Love Beats Rhymes'. '

Four boyhood friends return to New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina to find their home decimated and prospects for work swept away.

Echo in the Canyon - Documentary due for February release.

Dazzler Films has announced its release of the epic documentary 'Echo in the Canyon' celebrating one of the biggest musical explosions of 1960s and 70s. Directed by Andrew Slater, the film charts the emergence of the Laurel Canyon music scene of LA from which emerged legendary acts that include The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas and Papas. Released in the cinema in 2019 to widespread critical acclaim the film will now be available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital on demand courtesy of Dazzler Films. Laurel Canyon is a mountainous region in LA's Hollywood Hills, and is considered the birth place of modern Americana music.

[Review] - Seized Scott Adkins Gets Personal with latest film

Writer; Richard Lowry
Director; Isaac Florentine
Stars: Scott Adkins, Mario Van Peebles

Nero (Scott Adkins), a former special forces agent has retired and moved to a quiet beach town to work as a consultant and rebuild his relationship with his son. He is awakened by a phone call and message from a mysterious voice (Mario van Peebles) telling him his son has been kidnapped and to save him. Nero is under instructions to wipe out three dangerous crime syndicates and leave no survivors. However Nero must work alone and faces growing obstacles as he fights to complete his mission, while uncovering the identity of the man behind the macabre plot. The clock is ticking and Nero can't waste any time or make mistakes, or he’ll lose his son forever.