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Liam Neeson has three movies in IMDb's top 250, which is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Outside of starring in flicks that many movie buffs regard as some of the greatest of all time, however, his general output is pretty good. His "old man Neeson" era has produced a slew of action gems, and his performance in "The Naked Gun" remake was critically acclaimed, proving that the beloved comedy franchise can continue without Leslie Nielsen and the gang. Neeson is a reliable hand, and he has a strong track record for producing hits, but he's also starred in some turds — and said turds have produced even worse sequels.

In 2021, Neeson starred in Jonathan Hensleigh's "The Ice Road," a Netflix action-thriller about some truckers who set out to save a group of people after they get stuck in a diamond mine. Neeson's character, Mike McCann, is the punch-happy driver tasked with leading the dangerous rescue mission,...

Looks like Antonio Banderas is trading in his black Corinthian leather boots for the wide, open sea because the longtime actor is set to lead a new action-packed thriller titled Above and Below. According to Variety, Banderas will star alongside Disney alum Laura Marano, who famously starred in the 2011 Disney Channel series Austin & Ally and the 2013 series Liv and Maddie. Marano also appeared in 2016's Oscar-nominated film, Lady Bird. As stated by the outlet, Banderas and Marano will star beside Christina Ochoa and Mario Tardón (Risen). Variety also reported that filming for the upcoming action flick has officially begun in Spain.

Though Above and Below is still in early production, the film is described as an “action-packed thriller, full of twists,” so it sounds like it will be a certified must-watch for movie-goers. The movie is set to follow a group of friends who set out for a memorable vacation.

Antonio Banderas has boarded Jesse V. Johnson’s action thriller “Above and Below,” produced by Spain’s Af Films, with Christian Mercuri’s Capstone Pictures acquiring worldwide distribution.

Laura Marano stars alongside Christina Ochoa, Mario Tardón (“Risen”) and Banderas.

Written by Tony Giordano and helmed by British stuntman turned writer-director Johnson, “Above and Below” has begun filming in Spain.

Capstone Global will oversee worldwide distribution, with London-based Capture, Capstone’s recent joint venture with Signature Ent., handling international sales.

Described as an “action-packed thriller, full of twists,” the film starts with a group of friends setting off for an unforgettable vacation. What begins as an adventure of partying and diving quickly turns into a nightmare when they are attacked by criminals in open waters.

Trapped in the depths of the ocean, surrounded by sharks and with a ruthless enemy lurking above, Tatiana – the lead role played by Marano – must use...

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Diablo is an action thriller film directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza from a screenplay by Mat Sansom. The 2025 film follows Kris Chaney, an ex-convict who kidnaps the daughter of a Colombian gangster to keep his promise to the girl’s mother. They are soon chased by ruthless killers hired by her father, and now Kris must do everything he can to stay alive. Diablo stars Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Alana De La Rossa, Lucho Velasquez, and Diana Hoyos. So, if you loved the bloody action, thrilling story, and entertaining characters in Diablo, here are some similar movies you should check out now.

Avengement Credit – Samuel Goldwyn Films

Avengement is an action thriller film directed by Jesse V. Johnson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Stu Small. The 2019 film follows Cain Burgess, a convicted criminal who breaks out of...

Stars: Thomas Jane, John Malkovich, Nick Moran, Dominique Tipper, Dean Jagger, Patrick Bergin | Written and Directed by Jesse V. Johnson

Opening with the well-worn quote “One riot. One ranger.” from which it takes its title, One Ranger the new film from action specialist Jesse V. Johnson quickly segues into a scene of Texas Ranger Alex Tyree tying up his horse before rousting a stereotypically drunken Native American fugitive.

That’s interrupted by a call to deal with a crew of bank robbers in an Atv, who’ve left a trail of dead lawmen in their wake. He manages to kill three of them, but the leader, former Ira operative turned killer for hire Declan McBride, makes it to Mexico.

That’s where British Intelligence, in the form of Agent Jennifer Smith, enters the picture. The Mexican authorities have arrested McBride, but won’t officially hand him over to the US or the UK.

The lead actor and martial artist who broke onto the scene with one of last year’s best and most underrated action movies has revealed that he has now wrapped on a new action thriller project. Bren Foster, who so impressed genre fans with last year’s Life After Fighting, the tale of a martial arts instructor who must use his skills in the real-world when two of his students are abducted by human traffickers, has now revealed the first look and details about his new upcoming action outing, The Farmer. And it sounds just as thrilling.

Taking to social media, Foster revealed several images from the set of The Farmer, confirming that the action movie has now wrapped and declaring it a “banger.”

“And that’s a wrap on The Farmer, what an absolutely amazing experience. So much passion and drive from everyone involved. Hopefully something special is made...

A story born from the love of man and dog struck gold with the neo-noir action thrillerJohn Wickin 2014. Growing into a franchise, it's enjoyed for its expertly executed fight sequences, the compelling performance of a retired assassin seeking vengeance by Keanu Reeves, and the intricate world-building, featuring a secret society of assassins known as the High Table. What began as a simple tale of grief and revenge evolved into one of Hollywood's most stylish action franchises.

John Wick was created by screenwriter and producer Derek Kolstad, whose love for the work is well-documented. Although he's now best known for Wick, just before it exploded, he linked up with the mighty and beloved 'tough guy' star, Dolph Lundgren, for not one but two action films. Kolstad wrote 2012's One in the Chamber, directed by William Kaufman, and 2013's The Package, directed by Jesse V. Johnson, which are currently streaming for free.

Exclusive: Rosario Dawson is headlining the supernatural horror thriller Unmerciful Good Fortune from Tirsa Hacksaw, a veteran A.C.E. film and TV editor who is making her feature directorial debut.

Project, which Dawson is producing, is adapted from award-winning playwright Edwin Sanchez’s show of the same name.

Dawson plays Maritza Cruz, a high-end celebrity attorney, pulled into a headline-making case involving Fatima, a cunning young waitress who is accused of serial poisoning and murdering 28 people. Fatima’s defense takes a darkly mysterious turn when she claims to have the psychic ability to see how someone will die when she touches them and reveals she is killing people to prevent a “fate worse than death.”

Other producers include Tom DeSanto, Corey Large, and Brian Kirchoff for Rising Tide Entertainment. The film is executive produced by Jordan Wilson and Hackshaw. Pia Patatian’s new production and sales company,...

Exclusive: Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser and Bryan Cranston have joined Al Pacino in the mystery thriller Assassination. The film will be directed by Barry Levinson from a script by David Mamet, Levinson and Sam Bromell.

The film offers up a new take on the JFK conspiracy, centering around Kilgallen (Chastain), one of the most famous voices in media at the time. When she suspects that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone, she uses her fame and influence to find President John F. Kennedy’s real killer. Part murder mystery, part film noir, Kilgallen’s journey will put her up against the CIA, mafia bosses and the FBI, all who would love nothing more than to make her and this story disappear.

“Dorothy Kilgallen was the first female crime reporter in America. She was the only woman to ever cover the JFK case. The only reporter to speak with Jack Ruby.

Exclusive: Aaron Eckhart will star in the Jesse V. Johnson-directed action thriller Scorpion, written by Corey Large (Detective Knight trilogy) and Edward Drake (Gasoline Alley).

In the movie, a CIA assassin goes into hiding after he takes the fall for a failed mission. When he reappears on the grid so does his past to tie up loose ends, and the only way to protect his daughter is to take down the agency chief who set him up.

Scorpion is produced by Large through his 308 Enterprises. The film is executive produced by Arclight Films’ Gary Hamilton, Jordan Nott, Pia Patatian, Jamie Thompson and Jon Keeyes and financed by Pink 308. Arclight Films is handling global sales.

Eckhart received a Best Actor Musical or Comedy Golden Globe nomination for Jason Reitman’s Thank You for Smoking and received an Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance in...

You’ve probably heard Sean Murray’s music without knowing it. A composer for nearly 40 years, his work has appeared on dozens of soap operas, action movies and cultural touchstones like TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Call of Duty video game series. His most fruitful collaboration has been with his longtime friend Jesse V. Johnson, a director of low-budget/high intelligence genre movies—the latest of which, Chief of Station, a spy thriller starring Aaron Eckhart, was released in May. Both Murray and Johnson are students of old Hollywood, and their films and scores honor the spirits of their idols. Filmmaker: […]

The post Kill the Piano Player: Composer Sean Murray on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Call of Duty and Jesse V. Johnson first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

You’ve probably heard Sean Murray’s music without knowing it. A composer for nearly 40 years, his work has appeared on dozens of soap operas, action movies and cultural touchstones like TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Call of Duty video game series. His most fruitful collaboration has been with his longtime friend Jesse V. Johnson, a director of low-budget/high intelligence genre movies—the latest of which, Chief of Station, a spy thriller starring Aaron Eckhart, was released in May. Both Murray and Johnson are students of old Hollywood, and their films and scores honor the spirits of their idols. Filmmaker: […]

The post Kill the Piano Player: Composer Sean Murray on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Call of Duty and Jesse V. Johnson first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Ham-fisted thriller about a CIA operative flung into a world of pain when he finds out his late wife may have been a Russian agent lacks any subtlety or intrigue

Judging by his recent filmography, Aaron Eckhart is making a play for the Liam Neeson “geri-action” market. This latest thriller, directed by straight-to-streaming action kingpin Jesse V Johnson, is pitched close to Charles Bronson territory, with the perma-scowled Eckster speaking in a menacing lean-in whisper, and at one point telegraphing his status as a grief-stricken widow/ticking timebomb by slumping against the cold-cuts fridge in the supermarket.

Eckhart plays CIA operative and outgoing Budapest bureau head Benjamin Malloy, whose Algerian wife Farrah (Laëtitia Eido) is about to take over from him before she is killed in a restaurant bombing on their anniversary. Catapulted into a world of pain, he’s nudged closer to the edge when internal affairs later identify...

Exclusive: Aaron Eckhart and Devon Sawa are teaming with director Jesse V. Johnson for Thieves Highway.

Red Sea Media is handling foreign sales here at the Marche du Film in Cannes.

Travis Mills’ penned the crime thriller which Corey Large (One Ranger) is producing through his 308 Enterprises banner.

EPs are Kirk Shaw, Jordan Nott and Jon Keeyes (White Elephant). BondIt Media Capital and Pink 308 will finance the feature.

Eckhart plays an Oklahoma Stock Detective in over his head in the Breaking Bad world of modern cattle rustling. Eckhart and Johnson previously collaborated on Vertical’s Chief of Station which is currently in theaters and streaming.

Ex-stuntman, Johnson says, “Thieves Highway is a passion project, for Aaron and me. We spent a lot of time developing Travis Mills’ script, embracing factual anecdotes and actual characters...

Warning: Spoilers for Chief of Station below!

Aaron Eckhart continues his successful transition into the action genre with Chief of Station, showcasing his action chops. Chief of Station reunites Eckhart with Erased co-star Olga Kurylenko in an enjoyable slice of action cinema that delivers on thrilling setpieces. Fans of Eckhart's action roles will be pleased to know that he is committed to the genre, with future projects like Classified in the pipeline.

Those who enjoyed Aaron Eckhart in The Bricklayer need to check out his latest movie, which continues his recent career trajectory. Eckhart first came to people's attention as the star of In the Company of Men and Your Friends and Neighbors, which were controversial dark comedies from director Neil Labute. Eckhart's movie CV has been a wild ride since then, covering major blockbusters (The Dark Knight), Oscar-winning dramas (Erin Brockovich), disaster movies (The Core) and even a little...

Aaron Eckhart returns to action as CIA veteran Ben Malloy in Chief of Station, showcasing his love for the spy genre and intense fight scenes. Eckhart worked closely with director Jesse V. Johnson to develop Ben's backstory, adding depth to his character in the fast-paced thriller. The film features a talented ensemble cast including Olga Kurylenko and Alex Pettyfer, with Eckhart praising their professionalism and dedication.

Aaron Eckhart is back in the action sphere with Chief of Station. Though better known to some for his more dramatic fare in the likes of Thank You For Smoking, Sully and Bleed For This, the Golden Globe nominee has been steadily building his resume in the world of action-thrillers, ranging from his acclaimed turn as Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight to co-starring in the first two Fallen movies with Gerard Butler and 2023's Rumble Through the Dark.

In Chief of Station, Eckhart stars as Ben Malloy,...

Director Jesse V. Johnson and Olga Kurylenko reunite for spy thriller Chief of Station, marking their third collaboration together. Kurylenko plays Krystyna Kowerski in the action-packed film, teaming up with Ben Malloy to uncover the truth behind his wife's death. Kurylenko enjoyed working with Johnson and Aaron Eckhart, praising the movie for its emotional depth and thrilling action sequences.

Olga Kurylenko is reteaming with director Jesse V. Johnsonn for the spy action-thriller Chief of Station. The movie marks the third pairing between Kurylenko and Johnson, with the duo having first worked together on the Michael Rooker and Bruce Willis-led White Elephant and the historical action-drama Boudica: The Queen of War. Outside their collaborations, Kurylenko is best-known for her roles in 2007's Hitman adaptation, 2008's Max Payne adaptation, Daniel Craig's second James Bond outing, Quantum of Solace, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Black Widow.

Chief of Station revolves around Ben Malloy,...

Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Laetitia Eido, Chris Petrovski, Alex Pettyfer, Nina Bergman, Nick Moran, Olga Kurylenko | Written by George Mahaffey | Directed by Jesse V. Johnson

Ben Malloy is the CIA’s Chief of Station for The Baltics. Or at least he was until, in the film’s opening minutes, his wife Farrah, who was also in the intelligence business, is killed by an explosion. Six months later he’s unable to get over her death and his son Nick blames him for his mother’s death and won’t return his calls.

The final straw however comes when the agency calls him in for questioning, trying to frame her as a double agent and freezing him out. He decides to head back to Budapest to look for answers on his own. While John, his former assistant and now his replacement, brushes him off, Farrah’s former boss Hitchens points him in...

I don’t know what the point of half-baked spy movies is anymore, and the heroics of one man somehow always work out against an entire army of baddies. Jesse V. Johnson’s Chief of Station is a feeble attempt to make the audience believe that this espionage thriller offers something fresh. Former CIA Chief of Station Benjamin Malloy must clear his dead wife’s name when she’s accused of treachery, and we follow the worn-out agent dealing with the double agents and maintaining a healthy relationship with his genius son.

Spoilers Ahead

What happens in the movie?

We’re introduced to Ben Malloy and John Branca intercepting an operation led by Fsb chief Evgeny. Their mission is successful, and Evgeny threatens Ben for doing this to him. Ben is a veteran of this game, and he pays little attention to the threats and goes to celebrate his wedding anniversary.

To celebrate the releae of Chief of Station, the new action film opening in US cinemas this weekend, we sat down with star Olga Kurylenko to find out about her latest action-packed endeavour alongside The Dark Knight star Aaron Eckhart and Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike).

Former CIA European Station Chief Ben’s world comes crumbling down after his wife, a former operative, dies in a terrible accident. After receiving cryptic intel that his wife’s death might not have been an accident, Ben heads back into the shadowy underworld of Eastern Europe, teaming up with a former adversary to unravel a conspiracy that challenges everything he thought he knew about his wife and the agency he worked at for more than 20 years.

Chatting to us about the new film, Kurylenko chats about re-teaming with director Jesse V. Johnson and the trust they have built up over their previous films, why...

“Chief of Station” is a new live-action ‘spy thriller’, directed by Jesse V. Johnson, starring Aaron Eckhart, Olga Kurylenko and Alex Pettyfer, opening May 3, 2024 in theaters:

“…after learning the death of his wife was not an accident, a former ‘CIA’ officer and ‘Station Chief’ is forced back into the espionage underworld…

“…teaming up with an adversary to unravel a conspiracy that challenges everything he thought he knew…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Vertical Entertainment has released the first trailer for Chief of Station, a spy thriller starring Aaron Eckhart as a former CIA Station Chief who is forced back into the espionage underworld after learning that the untimely death of his wife was not accidental. Teaming up with a former adversary, he seeks to unravel a conspiracy that challenges everything he thought he knew,

In addition to Eckhart, Chief of Station also stars Alex Pettyfer, Olga Kurylenko, Nick Moran, Chris Petrovski, Daniel Bernhardt, James Faulkner, Laetitia Eido, Isobel Wood, and Nina Bergman. The movie was directed by Jesse V. Johnson, written by George Mahaffey, and produced by Steve Lee Jones for Bee Holder Productions and Matthew Shreder for Concourse Media.

In a statement, Vertical’s SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi said: “After our recent success working with Aaron on our release of The Bricklayer, we’re looking forward to bringing another must-see...

"You once asked me to work for you, now I'm asking you to work for me." Vertical has revealed the official trailer for another Jesse V. Johnson-directed action thriller film titled Chief of Station, which means you can pretty much ignore this right away and skip it entirely. Unless this kind of bland action is your jam. The trailer below is free to watch at least (Johnson also directed the Boudica movie last year). This one drops on VOD to watch in early May. After learning the untimely death of his wife was not accidental, a former CIA Station Chief is forced back into the espionage underworld in Eastern Europe, teaming up with an adversary to unravel a conspiracy that challenges everything he thought he knew. Aaron Eckhart stars as Ben, along with Alex Pettyfer, Olga Kurylenko, Nick Moran, Chris Petrovski, Daniel Bernhardt, Laetitia Eido, James Faulkner, Isobel Wood,...

Revenge (Shudder), Only God Forgives (Radius), Mandy (Rlje Entertainment)Graphic: The A.V. Club

The appeal of the revenge thriller is simple: it’s catharsis. A grim power fantasy that taps into the irrational parts of our brains that crave satisfaction after being wronged. Of course, in life, most people will...

The new spy thriller Chief of Station is set to hit stateside. The film, which stars Aaron Eckhart and Olga Kurylenko, comes from the production companies Bee Holder Productions and Concourse Media Film. The movie has now also secured a distributor as Vertical purchased the U.S. rights and has plans to release the project domestically in May 2024. Matthew Shreder, a producer on the film, says, “Chief of Station is an elevated spy thriller that delivers impressive action, suspense and Bond-esque vibes. Vertical is the perfect partner to bring this film to audiences nationwide and we look forward to seeing them launch it in a few months.”

According to Deadline, in the plot of the film, “Eckhart plays Ben, a former CIA European Station Chief whose world comes crumbling down after his wife, a former operative, dies in a terrible accident. After receiving cryptic information that his wife’s death...

Exclusive: Vertical has acquired U.S. rights to spy thriller Chief of Station starring Aaron Eckhart, Olga Kurylenko and Alex Pettyfer.

The Bee Holder Productions and Concourse Media film is being lined up for a May 2024 domestic release.

Eckhart plays Ben, a former CIA European Station Chief whose world comes crumbling down after his wife, a former operative, dies in a terrible accident. After receiving cryptic information that his wife’s death might not have been an accident, Ben heads back into the shadowy underworld of Eastern Europe, teaming up with a former adversary to unravel a conspiracy that challenges everything he thought he knew about his wife and the agency he worked at for more than 20 years.

Supporting cast includes Nick Moran, Chris Petrovski, Daniel Bernhardt, James Faulkner, Laetitia Eido, Isobel Wood and Nina Bergman.

The film was written by George Mahaffey (Heatseekers) and directed by Jesse V. Johnson. Producers are Steve Lee Jones for Bee Holder and Matthew Shreder for Concourse.

Concourse handles sales and has sold the project around the world. Financiers include Ashland Hill Media Finance, Filmology Finance, Blue Rider Media, and Tip-Top Productions. Other producers include Simon Williams, Daniel Kresmery and Jonathan Halperyn.

Executive producers include Jack Christian, D.J. McPherson, Rob McGillivray, Ben Stranahan, Julien P. Bourgon, Matthew E. Chausse, Juliana Lubin, Walter Josten, Patrick Josten, and Joseph Lanius. Co-producers include Tyler Condon, Kevin Human and Evangelo Kioussis.

Vertical’s SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi commented: “After our recent success working with Aaron on our release of The Bricklayer, we’re looking forward to bringing another must-see film to action fans looking for their next adrenaline hit. And Chief of Station certainly delivers it.”

“Chief of Station is an elevated spy thriller that delivers impressive action, suspense and Bond-esque vibes,” said Shreder. “Vertical is the perfect partner to bring this film to audiences nationwide and we look forward to seeing them launch it in a few months.”

Current and upcoming Vertical releases include 2023 Cannes Film Festival opener Jeanne Du Barry, directed by Maïwenn who stars alongside Johnny Depp; Sophie Barthes’ The Pod Generation starring Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor; Berlin Film Festival 2023 opener She Came to Me directed by Rebecca Miller and starring Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei and Anne Hathaway; and 2023 Independent Spirit Award winner Emily the Criminal with Aubrey Plaza.

Stars: Ryan Padilla, Lorenzo Lamas, Zhan Wang, Craig Ng, Alyssa Leanne So, Rylan Williams, Paula Rae-Taylor, Andrew Pinon, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Michael Madsen | Written by Jose Montesinos, Jacob David Smith | Directed by Jose Montesinos

Prepare to Die, the new Tubi original from director Jose Montesinos and co-writer Jacob David Smith begins like many classic martial arts films such as The 18 Bronzemen, as a child watches his family killed in front of them.

In this case it’s young Diego Padilla who sees Blaine Richtefield kill his father and is forced to hear what Richtefield’s goons did to his mother. He tells his driver Silas to kill the boy but instead has him smuggled into China. There he lives and trains in martial arts with Silas’ brother Bingwen and his daughter Xin Yi. He wants to return to Texas and avenge his parents, but Bingwen forbids it. However, when he...

Exclusive: Filming has wrapped in Europe on The Daily Wire’s adventure series The Pendragon Cycle.

Starring in the series are newcomer Tom Sharp as Merlin, Rose Reid (Finding You) as Charis, Myles Clohessy (Fire Island) as Uther, actress turned conservative commentator and YouTuber Brett Cooper (Heathers) as Merlin’s wife, Ganieda, and Alex Laurence Phillips as Pelleas.

Supporting cast to have joined since our last update include Daniel Fathers (The Witcher: Blood Origin) in the role of the Atlantean king, Avallach; Chick Allan (House Of The Dragon) as Gorlas, and Nicholas Boulton (Shakespeare In Love) as Morcant. Allan is best known as a stuntman on multiple films and TV series. Boulton also appeared in one ep of Game Of Thrones.

Additionally cast in the series are Steve Varnom, Colin Cunningham, David Brooks, Paul Clerkin, Christopher Sciueref, Thor Rosland, Thomas Tidiman, and Travis Mills.

The series is directed by Daily Wire founder Jeremy Boreing,...

Brace yourselves for an epic journey back in time with Boudica: Queen of War, the latest masterpiece from director Jesse V. Johnson. This riveting historical drama takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the tumultuous life of Boudica, a legendary Celtic queen who defied the might of the Roman Empire. In this intense and visually stunning film, witness the fearless Boudica, portrayed by an incredible cast, as she rises from the ashes of tragedy to become a symbol of rebellion and empowerment. As the Queen of the Iceni tribe, she faces the oppressive forces of the Roman army and battles for the freedom and dignity of her people.

Written and directed by Jesse V. Johnson, Boudica: Queen of War stars Olga Kurylenko, Clive Standen, Lilibet Butanaseva, Litiana Butanaseva, Nick Moran, Lucy Martin, Peter Franzen, Dominique Vandenberg and Rita Tushingham. You can also read another review of the film right here.

Filmmaker Jesse V. Johnson discusses his long-gestating passion project, Boudica: Queen of War, and how finding the right person to play Boudica was crucial for the film's development. Johnson highlights the unique challenges of directing Boudica, a historical epic, compared to his previous action and martial arts films, emphasizing the need for authenticity and realism in portraying ancient warfare. The director expresses his admiration for leading lady Olga Kurylenko, praising her performance as Boudica and her ability to embody both the wife and mother as well as the warrior aspects of the character.

Filmmaker Jesse V. Johnson is a well-seasoned stuntman and stunt coordinator, which prepared him well for the travails of directing action movies. Johnson is well known for such action movie hits as Accident Man, Triple Threat, Avengement, and The Debt Collector movies, with his films often teaming him with high-level and respected martial arts stars like Scott Adkins,...

Exclusive: Following their collaboration on the Aaron Eckhart spy thriller Chief of Station, Bee Holder Productions and Concourse Media are partnering again with filmmaker Jesse V. Johnson for the action-packed political thriller, Raider, which follows a galvanizing Commander in Chief.

Raider tells the story of the first Independent U.S. President in history who wins by a landslide and is sworn into office, but who quickly discovers that the presidency has been controlled by a powerful shadow organization for decades. Principled, unrelenting, and unusually capable, this president resolves to fight back in order to save his family and the country from evil forces. J. Craig Stiles, who also teamed with Bee Holder on Miranda’s Victim, penned the screenplay. Bee Holder Productions will produce and Concourse Media is handling sales and financing.

Bee Holder CEO Steve Lee Jones says “Our lead is a classy and honorable guy who simply says enough is enough!

In the upcoming musical romantic comedy “That’s Amore!,” audiences will have their chance to see John Travolta doing what so many of his fans love to see him doing — singing and dancing with a smile on his face.

The star’s enduring popularity certainly isn’t lost on writer-director Nick Vallelonga, who won two Oscars for writing and producing the 2018 hit “Green Book,” and is thrilled to be finally getting the film off the ground. “I’m constantly writing and developing scripts, and I’ve always had Travolta in mind for the role. I got to work with John on a George Gallo film [“The Poison Rose”] and I was his stand-in for a week on ‘Staying Alive,’ so I’ve always been a big fan of his work. He just makes you happy when you see him on screen, and I’ve always dreamed of making this movie with him.

Stars: Olga Kurylenko, Clive Standen, Lilibet Butanaseva, Litiana Butanaseva, Nick Moran, Lucy Martin, Peter Franzen, Dominique Vandenberg, Rita Tushingham | Written and Directed by Jesse V. Johnson

Writer/director Jesse V. Johnson opens his latest film, Boudica, on an impressive note. Roman soldiers march through a dark, fog-enshrouded, forest. It’s creepy and ominous as if something unseen is waiting for them. And there is, a group of Druids who kneel, chanting in a clearing. The warrior goddess they hoped to summon doesn’t save them and the legion graphically slaughters them.

Meanwhile, in Britania’s Icini Province, Prasutagus rules alongside his queen, Boudica. Despite having to deal with the Roman occupiers life is good for them and their daughters Bre (Lilibet Butanaseva) and Aife (Litiana Butanaseva; On the Morning You Wake (to the End of the World), The Bay of Silence, The Wheel of Time, Kiddyzuzaa).

That is until Prasutagus...

Given the dramatic nature of her life and the esteem in which she is still held nearly 2,000 years after her death, it is surprising how little interest cinema has taken in the Ancient Iceni queen Boudica. This take on her transformation from queen consort to outcast to legendary leader, and the rebellion which followed, was a passion project for writer/director Jesse V Johnson, who spent many years bringing it to fruition. Though less spectacular than it might have been due to obvious budgetary limitations, it ought to make its mark, thanks in part to a powerful central performance from Olga Kurylenko in the title role.

Kurylenko has a long history of lending her talents to independent films and enabling them to punch above their weight. it would be impossible to tell this story without such a charismatic lead, but she’s more than that: she’s versatile, which is vital,...

"Boudica" is a new Roman-era action feature, directed by Jesse V. Johnson, starring Olga Kurylenko, Nick Moran and Clive Standen, now playing in theaters:

"...'Boudica' is a 'Celtic' warrior who rules the 'Iceni 'people alongside her husband 'Prasutagus'. 

"Then the King dies at the hands of Roman soldiers, leaving Boudica's kingdom without a male heir as the Romans seize her land and property. 

"Taken to the edge of madness and determined for revenge, she successfully rallies the different Celtic and Brit tribes...

"...to combine forces and wage an epic, unprecedented war against the insurgent Roman empire..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Derek Kolstad is an American screenwriter and film producer who is best known as the co-creator of the John Wick franchise, one of the most successful and acclaimed action series in Hollywood. He has also written and produced other action films and shows, such as Nobody, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Splinter Cell. In this article, we will rank his movies from the worst to the best, based on our personal opinion and some facts from his biography123.

6. The Package (2012) The Package Trailer

The Package is a direct-to-video action film starring Dolph Lundgren and Steve Austin. It was written by Kolstad and directed by Jesse V. Johnson. The film follows a courier who must deliver a mysterious package to a crime boss while being pursued by rival gangs and corrupt cops. The Package is a generic and forgettable action flick that wastes the talents of its lead actors.

Olga Kurylenko unleashes beast mode as a revered British warrior seeking bloody vengeance against ruthless Roman oppressors. Boudica: Queen of War falls short on exposition and character development but delivers a quasi-historical actioner with gruesome glee. Limbs are hacked off, entrails torn out, and more throats slit than a slaughterhouse before Thanksgiving. There's also a curious use of fantasy and mystical elements that don't quite deliver the intended impact. The story told had room for dramatic depth beyond the carnage. An opportunity was missed for a more engaging experience.

In 61 Ad, the Roman scholar Tacitus records the events that led to Britania's revolt. Roman legionaries massacre Druids who kneel before them on the island of Mona. They invoke the prophecy of a queen before their deaths. She will punish the conquerors for desecrating their lands. Meanwhile, King Prasutagus (Clive Standen) of the Celtic Iceni tribe lays in bed with his wife and two daughters.

One of the most defiant historical figures to take a stand against the Roman Empire at its peak was Boudica, a warrior queen who led a rebellion against the Roman occupation of Britain in the first century. The tragedy of Boudica is recounted in the new historical action movie Boudica: Queen of War. Though Boudica begins as a vassal to the Roman Empire, she is betrayed by them after her husband is killed, along with her daughters. Having lost everything, she rallies the Britons to raze the Roman presence to the ground.

In an interview with Cbr, Boudica: Queen of War star Olga Kurylenko and filmmaker Jesse V. Johnson explain their deep connection to the historical figure. They also reveal the origins of the film and share the lengths the production went to do the story of Boudica justice on the screen.

On Fire's Fiona Dourif Discusses Her 'Really...

Olga Kurylenko is one actress who always chooses to push the boundaries rather than settle for something fairly facile. Her new film Boudica: Queen of War, is a physically grueling project, but at the same time, it lacks the gritty feel it was trying to evoke. The story is in fact well documented, with many films depicting the trials and tribulations of Boudica, who ultimately became a fierce warrior and led the Saxons’ war against the Romans in the first century. Written and directed by Jesse V. Johnson, the film tries to capture the essence of Boudica’s life, beginning from the days she was married to Prasutagus, the king of Britannia, all the way up to her death in 62 A.D. Olga Kurylenko takes on the responsibility to portray Boudica and make it her own, but the shoddy direction and the lazy writing don’t do justice to her fierce performance.

Sharpen your sword and show us your war face because Saban Films‘s Boudica: Queen of War trailer is soaking the soil with blood as battle cries echo throughout the plains. In Boudica: Queen of War, Olga Kurylenko plays a mother whose life is stolen when high-ranking members of the Roman Empire storm her lands, slay her family, and brand her a nobody in the eyes of the aristocracy. Unfortunately for the Roman Empire, the people still see Kurylenko’s character as their queen and would follow her onto any battlefield without question. Given the name Boudica by her loyal subjects, the would-be queen inspires her followers to take up arms in the name of freedom from the Roman Empire. What follows is a bloodbath of epic proportions as rage leads to a plan to topple the corrupt Romans and their overlords.

Jesse V. Johnson directs from his own script,...

"We are in a time of extreme peril, we fight for our freedom!" Saban Films has revealed an official trailer for a historical epic called Boudica: Queen of War, the latest action film from this guy named Jesse V. Johnson who keeps making trash action trash films year-after-year. It's inspired by the true story of Boudica - who was a queen of the ancient British Iceni tribe, who led a failed uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in Ad 60 or 61. She is considered a British national heroine and a symbol of the struggle for justice and independence. Ukrainian-French actress Olga Kurylenko stars as the titular hero. The eponymous Celtic warrior who rules the Iceni people alongside her husband Prasutagus. The King dies at the hands of Roman soldiers, leaving Boudica's kingdom without a male heir and the Romans seize her land and property. But she will rally her people and fight back!

"Boudica: Queen of War" is a new action feature, directed by Jesse V. Johnson, starring Olga Kurylenko, Nick Moran and Clive Standen, releasing November 2, 2023 in theaters:

"...'Boudica' is the 'Celtic' warrior who rules the 'Iceni 'people alongside her husband 'Prasutagus'. Then the King dies at the hands of Roman soldiers, leaving Boudica's kingdom without a male heir as the Romans seize her land and property. Taken to the edge of madness and determined for revenge, she successfully rallies the different Celtic and British tribes to combine forces and wage an epic, unprecedented war against the insurgent Roman empire..."

Click the images to enlarge...

New Delhi, June 20 (Ians) In an effort to combat online fraudsters, dating app Tinder and its parent company Match Group on Tuesday said that it has blocked nearly five million spam and bot accounts in the first quarter of 2023.

According to Match Group, there are an average of 44 spam accounts removed across its portfolio as an effort to help curtail suspected fraudulent accounts either blocked at sign-up or before a user sees them.

“By implementing a combination of technology, human moderation, and user education to encourage reporting of suspicious activity, we are able to help remove the vast majority of spam at sign up or before a user ever sees it,” Jess Johnson, director, safety product, Match Group, said in a statement.

Moreover, Tinder said spammers have evolved their tactics over the last few years to exploit common member behaviours, such as posting a social handle in their bio to...

Former movie stunt performers turned filmmakers are currently killing it in the action movie genre. Well, of course they are. Who knows how to shoot, direct, and choreograph action better than the men and women who put their bodies and lives on the line, to give audiences the best action movie experiences possible? Chad Stahelski has delivered one of the best, if not the best action movie franchise of all time with John Wick, and Jesse V. Johnson has been delivering jaw-dropping martial arts epics for years with martial arts legend Scott Adkins typically being in the lead role.

Sam Hargrave, who previously worked as Chris Evans' stunt double through all of his MCU appearances, has more than proven he is one of the best stunt performers turned directors around, with his Netflix Original action movie blockbuster, Extraction. Hargrave's directorial debut was an action movie tour de force. It's full of jaw-dropping action,...

For those unfamiliar with Tubi, they are a completely free streaming service which has an absolutely ridiculous selection of films, many of which offered in high quality high-definition transfers. For those not in the know, they are also one of the services that pays filmmakers the best and are very open to smaller budget films. They do present the films with ads, but that is a small price to pay for a great selection of fun films. Scrolling their offerings by genre is also the closest one can get to the video store experience of yesteryears. Here’s a list of five fun action movies on Tubi, kind of like a “Staff Suggestions” section at your local Mom & Pop video store.

Crackerjack (1994)

The first in a series of mid-range budget action films, although each movie had a different lead (with Judge Reinhold an unlikely action hero in the first sequel...

Stars: Thomas Jane, John Malkovich, Nick Moran, Dominique Tipper, Dean Jagger, Patrick Bergin | Written and Directed by Jesse V. Johnson

Here’s a quick one for you… is there anything better than a Jesse V. Johnson movie?

Rhetorical question really because the answer is fairly obvious… No, no there is not because we bloody love this director here at Nerdly. This time out we don’t have frequent collaborator Scott Adkins but we do have the one true Punisher Thomas Jane, along with John Malkovich, that man Nick Moran and The Expanse’s Dominique Tipper.

Texas Ranger Alex Tyree (Jane) is out and about on the hunt for a small-time criminal when he stumbles upon a much bigger crime being committed. After taking out three of the baddies, he is tasked with escorting the fourth who manages to escape the lawman. Tyree is drafted in by British Intelligence to come...

One Ranger is a film written and directed by Jesse V. Johnson starring Thomas Jane and Dominique Tipper. With John Malkovich, who is the great attraction to watch this thriller of (international) cultures encountered.

A b-movie whose great success in finding back the essence of the genre.

Without this being necessarily attractive for the viewer.

Movie Review One Ranger (2023)

Do you feel like reliving the times when video stores were the keepers of magnificent secrets? Yes, they once guard them and we all discovered a culture and, Tarantino included in the pack, we became kind of “cultured” by renting movies that, although entertaining, were not going anywhere.

One Ranger is situated in this genre, in that of an inconsequential thriller film that, however, knows how to make a tribute to b-movie thrillers and gives us one nod after the other.

Jesse V. Johnson knows what he has and how to use it,...

As the saying goes, you can take the man out of Texas … but apparently he’ll drag an arsenal of Lone Star State clichés wherever he goes, at least in “One Ranger.” Stuntman turned writer-director Jesse V. Johnson’s latest action programmer has Thomas Jane as a Texas Ranger so ornery-tough he makes even Chuck Norris look too nice, called upon to chase terrorists overseas for no obvious reason at all. Well, perhaps the reason is simply to indulge some viewers’ notion that Texamurricans just naturally shoot ’n’ smack them foreign evildoers better. Those not buying such logic will find this mediocre effort ridiculous as well as uninspired. Lionsgate is releasing the feature to 11 U.S. theaters as well as digital and on-demand platforms on May 5.

After a text prologue bluntly offering the idea that it takes just one Ranger to handle an unruly mob, or presumably anything else, we...

One Ranger follows a Texas Ranger (Thomas Jane) as he is recruited by British Intelligence (Dominique Tipper) to help track down and stop a dangerous terrorist from attacking London. It’s a buddy comedy that is packed with action. Written and directed by Jesse V. Johnson, the film also stars John Malkovich, Nick Moran, Patrick Bergin, and Dean Jagger.

The Expanse fans will be thrilled to see Naomi Nagata and Detective Joe Miller back together for this one. This time they work much more closely, in roles that we have never seen them tackle before. Dominique’s British Intelligence Officer is smart, tough, and quite savvy, playing beautifully off Jane's ranger character.

Related: Why The Expanse Ended With Season 6 And Whether There Will Be More

Screen Rant sat down with Dominique Tipper to talk about coming back together with her The Expanse co-star. She discussed what it was about this movie that drew her in,...

While modern character complexities found within the Western genre have surely widened since the days of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers with movies like 2007’s No Country for Old Men and 2015’s The Hateful Eight that show the psychological side of the cowboy, these films both came out over ten years ago. With such a wide gap between the two groups, there is no greater time for this category of film to be having a true revival on the big screen. With the help of a director that specializes in action thrillers, Lionsgate Films is hoping to aim for the high mark with a soon-to-be released movie that puts a modern spin on an old character.

Releasing on May 5th into select movie theaters, on demand, and digital media, One Ranger drops Texas ranger Alex Tyree (Thomas Jane) into London with a fiery new partner (Dominique Tipper) to stop a...