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Men in Black was a sci-fi genre game-changer. At a time when many were conflicted about whether other-worldly aliens and tech-heavy gadgets could be "cool," one of Hollywood's coolest men, Will Smith, proved that not only could sci-fi be fashionable, it could always come with its own hip-hop track that dominates the music charts. Fast-forward 15 years, and the franchise might not be as favorable as it once was with critics, but the latest third installment, appropriately titled Men in Black III, is an undeniable hit with audiences.

An Academy Awards fiasco and a mellowing of his acting career later, and many are still looking back fondly on Smith's filmography, in particular, this sci-fi franchise. Per FlixPatrol, as of July 21, 2025, Men in Black III is one of the ten most-streamed movies on Starz in the U.S. Back alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Smith stars in the third installment that takes the...

Though controversial figures like Joe Rogan and Conor McGregor and organizations like the UFC have turned mixed martial arts into one of the most popular sports in the world, that popularity has failed to translate to the world of cinema. "Rocky" and "Raging Bull" showed what full-contact competitive fighting sports could uniquely bring to the sports subgenre, and the continued success of the "Creed" series proves that the appetite from audiences for this sort of film persists despite the Marvel-ification of the movie theater.

So why aren't there more Mma movies? It's likely because what few have been produced have, on the whole, been critical failures. But that doesn't mean this sub-subgenre is doomed altogether. We've found the 10 best Mma movies ever made, the best qualities of each arguably revealing what qualities future films need to master before entering the theatrical octagon themselves.

Read more: The 25 Best '80s Action...

Lionsgate will be giving the “bone-crunching action thriller” The Weapon, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire), Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints), and Jack Kesy (12 Strong), a limited theatrical release on February 17th – and a digital and VOD release scheduled for the same day. With those releases just a couple days away, we’re proud to share an Exclusive clip from The Weapon that offers a preview of some of the movie’s action – and yes, there is some bone-crunching involved! Check it out in the embed above.

Directed by Tony Schiena, who also has an acting role in the film, from a screenplay by Michael Caissie (co-writer of the Al Pacino film Hangman), The Weapon has the following synopsis: Tony Schiena is Dallas, a one-man killing machine on a mysterious rampage. His attacks on biker gangs and meth labs anger the Vegas mob boss who’s holding Dallas’s girlfriend hostage.

The Weapon is a movie directed by Tony Schiena starring Tony Schiena, Bruce Dern, Sean Patrick Flanery and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Dallas is a one-man killing machine on a mysterious rampage. His attacks on biker gangs and meth labs anger the Vegas mob boss who’s holding Dallas’s girlfriend hostage. But who is Dallas working for? Even torture won’t make him talk… and he won’t stop until justice is served.

Release Date

17 February, 2023...

"We are gonna have to take control." Lionsgate has unveiled an official trailer for an action thriller titled The Weapon, yet another of these extremely bland, derivative action films they're always dumping out on VOD right away. Actor Tony Schiena is making his directorial debut, and also stars as the lead character. Dallas is a one-man killing machine on a mysterious rampage… His attacks on biker gangs and meth labs anger the Vegas mob boss who's holding Dallas's girlfriend hostage. But who is Dallas working for? Even torture won't make him talk… and he won't stop until justice is served. The film's cast also includes Cuba Gooding Jr., Sean Patrick Flanery, Jack Kesy, Bruce Dern, and Annalynn McCord. This looks as boring and as uninteresting as any action film can, with the most generic and obvious plot ever. Just skip it. ›››

View the Post: Bruce Dern & Tony Schiena in Generic...

Screen Rant is happy to present an exclusive first look at the trailer for a new action film, The Weapon. This bone-crushing thriller focuses on a man who kills without hesitation or remorse. Tony Schiena directs and stars in the film, which features Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire), Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints), Jack Kesy (Deadpool 2), Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern (The Hateful Eight), and Anna Lynne McCord. The Weapon will be released in select theaters, Video On Demand, and on digital on February 17.

Dallas (Schiena) is a one-man killing machine out on a murderous rampage. At the behest of his mysterious boss, he's attacking biker gangs and meth labs, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Unfortunately, his string of attacks has angered a Vegas mob boss, who just happens to be holding Dallas' girlfriend hostage. Captured and tortured, Dallas withstands the violence...

Exclusive: Italian director and producer Michela Scolari’s English-language fiction feature debut Sicilian Holiday has wrapped shooting and is now headed into post-production.

The film stars rising acting talents Lilly Englert and Francesco Leone as an actress and a sculptor who meet on a Southern Italian island.

Other cast members include Claudia Gerini, Rocco Ancarola, Ivo Romagnoli, Felix Maximillian, Tony Schiena, Fuschia Kate Sumner, Lee Levi, Nicoleta Nuca, Jerry Ying, and Marcia Sedoc.

The film marks Scolari’s first fiction feature after the award-winning documentary Paolo Rossi, The Heart of a Champion and the upcoming Romania-shot documentary The Jokers.

Scolari also takes producer credits with her company Filmin’ Italy, alongside its CEO and cast member Romagnoli; American producer Adam Leipzig under the banner of his Credential Media Venture, Attilio de Razza at Italian company Tramp Limited.

Welcome to the latest installment in our regular Movies You May Have Missed series here on Nerdly, in which I highlight some of, what I think, are the best movies that have flown under the radar of many or have been “forgotten” in the intervening years since its release. This time round its the Mma-themed action flick Circle of Pain.

Stars: Dean Cain, Bai Ling, Louis Herthum, Tony Schiena, Heath Herring, Kimbo Slice, Roger Huerta, Frank Mir, Miguel Torres | Written by Bobby Mort | Directed by Daniel Zirilli

Official Synopsis: Following a fighting accident, Dalton Hunt retired from the world of mixed martial arts at the top of his game. As Dalton is lured back into the world of fighting, he strides to become the warrior he once was. My Thoughts:

Ah, the straight to DVD action movie, how I love you… Essentially a mix of Kickboxer and Rocky, Circle Of...

The blokes who flex their muscles in Ultimate Fighting Championship and mixed martial arts events are mostly a larger-than-life blend of showmanship and brawn – which explains why they’re increasingly being snapped up by Hollywood. With more and more Mma fighters moving into the movies, I thought I’d take a look at some of the biggest names to have made the crossover.

Tony Schiena

Winner of numerous Mma trophies around the globe, Schiena flexed his acting chops in Locked Down as a framed cop who winds up in jail and is forced into cage fighting by none other than Brit hardman turned thesp Vinnie Jones. Schiena retired from sport after breaking both his ankles (ouch!) but has since found his feet on the big screen working with everyone from Pacino to Van Damme.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson

Famed for fierce body slams that won him the Ufc light heavyweight title...

They are known by many names in many cultures. In Persia they are called "Bakhtak." In Japan, they are the "Kanashibari." In Mexico they're called the "Subirse el Muerto" and the "Suk Ninmyo" in New Guinea. In America, they are known as "Shadow People." They are very real, yet no one who has seen them have lived to describe them. Are you willing to believe? Victims report waking from sleep to find themselves paralyzed, a noise buzzing in their head, while a shadowy figure stands watches them, or sometimes even climbs onto their bed. The sightings are widespread around the globe for centuries, but many are afraid to talk about their encounters. According to experts, these appearances may be tied to a medical mystery of unexplained nocturnal deaths.

Anchor Bay Films presents the March 19th Blu-ray and DVD release of the supernatural thriller, Shadow People. Starring Dallas Roberts (The Walking Dead,...

Cagefighting kick-assery starring Tony Schiena as Dalton Hunt, a retired mixed martial arts champ forced back into the ring by a devious promoter (Bai Ling) after crippling his best friend (ex-Superman Dean Cain) in a sparring accident. Pitted against undefeated brute Colin "The Brick" Wahle (Heath Herring), Hunt finds lots of tough love while being pummelled back into shape by his unorthodox new trainer. Think Rocky with the gloves off.

Another horror flick has found a home at Cannes as THR reports that Arclight Films has struck a multi-territory deal with Anchor Bay Entertainment for Matthew Arnold's directorial debut Shadow People! Read on for the latest!

The film, inspired by true events, concerns a radio talk show host (Dallas Roberts) who's drawn to exploring paranormal activity by a caller and an unexplained death. Alison Eastwood plays a Cdc investigator. Mariah Bonner, Bryan Massey and Tony Schiena also star. Matthew Arnold helms from his own script.

Synopsis

Shadow People is a psychological thriller that explores the rare medical phenomenon known as Sunds (Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome). Millions of people across the globe have had encounters with what they describe as dark, shadowy creatures that visit them at night. Sometimes horrifying, sometimes deadly, these nocturnal intruders have been described as early as man's first recorded writings. But what are they?...

The first trailer has arrived online for Matthew Arnold's latest flick Shadow People, and as you may have guessed just from the title, it's nice and dark ... and spooky of course! Dig it!

The film, inspired by true events, concerns a radio talk show host (Dallas Roberts) who's drawn to exploring paranormal activity by a caller and an unexplained death. Alison Eastwood plays a Cdc investigator. They join a cast that includes Mariah Bonner, Bryan Massey and Tony Schiena. Matthew Arnold helms from his own script.

Thanks to DC reader Avery for the heads-up!

Synopsis

Shadow People is a psychological thriller that explores the rare medical phenomenon known as Sunds (Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome). Millions of people across the globe have had encounters with what they describe as dark, shadowy creatures that visit them at night. Sometimes horrifying, sometimes deadly, these nocturnal intruders have been described as early as man's first recorded writings.

The movie business sure moves fast sometimes. Just days after changing its title from The Door to Shadow People and releasing the first ever stills, the first teaser one-sheet has arrived for Matthew Arnold's latest flick and it's appropriately creepy.

The film, inspired by true events (of course), concerns a radio talk show host (Dallas Roberts) who's drawn to exploring paranormal activity by a caller and an unexplained death. Alison Eastwood will play a Cdc investigator. They join a cast that includes Mariah Bonner, Bryan Massey and Tony Schiena. Matthew Arnold helms from his own script.

Synopsis

Shadow People is a psychological thriller that explores the rare medical phenomenon known as Sunds (Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome). Millions of people across the globe have had encounters with what they describe as dark, shadowy creatures that visit them at night. Sometimes horrifying, sometimes deadly, these nocturnal intruders have been described...

The Cannes Film Festival is a big event filled with big deals, big movies, and big strategic moves. One of which has just been made as the previously announced film The Door has switched its name to Shadow People. To make the change complete, we've got the first three stills for you!

The film, inspired by true events (of course), concerns a radio talk show host (Dallas Roberts) who's drawn to exploring paranormal activity by a caller and an unexplained death. Alison Eastwood will play a Cdc investigator. They join a cast that includes Mariah Bonner, Bryan Massey and Tony Schiena. Matthew Arnold helms from his own script.

Synopsis

Shadow People is a psychological thriller that explores the rare medical phenomenon known as Sunds (Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome). Millions of people across the globe have had encounters with what they describe as dark, shadowy creatures that visit them at night.

Spike TV has picked up six unscripted pilots from such producers as SallyAnn Salsano (Jersey Shore), who is behind Pawn Games, a pawn shop-set version of her hit for the network Repo Games; Ben Silverman; Tom Forman; David Page; and companies Zodiak USA and Zoo Prods. “All feature real men in real high-stakes situations with great take-away information,” said Spike's Evp original series Sharon Levy. The orders are part of Spike's effort to broaden its target male audience from the core men 18-34 to men 18-49 demos. The network is ready to pick up to series all of the pilots that turn up well. Spike's upcoming reality series include Bar Rescue, InkMasters and Car Boss as well as the returning Deadliest Warrior and Auction Hunters. Here is a list of Spike's newly picked up pilots: The Sheriff With 15 years of experience in the intelligence community on three continents, Tony Schiena...

Spike TV is making the best of some dreary situations -- six new unscripted pilots it announced Wednesday include a pawn-shop offshoot of the new "Repo Games" and a series that follows a professional evictor. But the male-targeting network is also offering some shows that sound outright inspirational -- in a testosterone-filled kind of way. The Ben Silverman-produced "The Sheriff" follows law enforcement expert Tony Schiena and his team as they visit different sheriff's departments and learn new crime-fighting techniques. "Hungry Men at Work," meanwhile, offers a high-stakes take on cooking...

Vinnie Jones, Ufc Legends Kevin ‘Kimbo Slice’ Ferguson and Rashad ‘Sugar’ Evans, plus championship Martial Artist Tony Schiena star in Locked Down, a no holds barred prison thriller with real punch. which is out on DVD and Blu-ray now.

Danny (Schiena) is a respected cop who gets set up and sent down. Once in prison, he must assess his best means of proving his innocent and getting out, in a world where normal rules don’t apply. In underground cage fighting system dictates survival of the fittest. The fights are governed by the formidable Vargas (Jones) and Danny has no choice but to compete. With the help of fellow inmate who happens to be a former mixed martial arts champion, Danny devises a scheme to bring justice and clear his family name…if he can just get out of the cage alive.

Thanks to the folks at Lionsgate Home Entertainment...

Vinnie Jones has enjoyed varying degrees of success since trading a career in professional football for acting. After an auspicious debut in the early breakout hits from Guy Richie to high profile roles in Hollywood action fests such as Gone In 60 Seconds and X-Men: The Last Stand, Jones seems to currently be dwelling in straight to DVD territory which is where we find him in Locked Down, a prison based action film released on Blu-ray and DVD this week.

A shamed cop must fight to defend his integrity after being incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, and forced to compete as an underground cage fighter. Danny (Tony Schiena) was a good cop, but now he’s serving hard time. His reputation tarnished after an investigation went awry, Danny does his best not to draw attention to himself while he’s on the inside.

Unfortunately for Danny, the...

Locked Down

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

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

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

The blokes who flex their muscles in Ultimate Fighting Championship and mixed martial arts events are mostly a larger-than-life blend of showmanship and brawn – which explains why they’re increasingly being snapped up by Hollywood. As rollicking prison thriller Locked Down hits the Blu-ray and DVD shelves, we look at the ten biggest hitters from the Ufc and Mma who are making the transition to the movies…

Tony Schiena

Winner of numerous Mma trophies around the globe, Schiena flexes his acting chops in Locked Down as a framed cop who winds up in jail and is forced into cage fighting by none other than Brit hardman turned thesp Vinnie Jones. Schiena retired from sport after breaking both his ankles (ouch!) but has since found his feet on the big screen working with everyone from Pacino to Van Damme. He was last seen in the straight to DVD flick Circle of Pain.

Another week, another list of DVDs and Blu-rays out to buy from today. It’s a mixed bag this week, with killer sharks, elevator accidents, blackploitation, scary homes and plenty of arse-kicking!

Black Dynamite (DVD)

When “The Man” murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House. Michael Jai White stars as Black Dynamite, a gun-toting, nunchuck-wielding, ladies man and soul brother.

Circle Of Pain (DVD)

After a fight that went tragically wrong, Mma champion Dalton Hunt (former world karate champion Tony Schiena) retired from the ring vowing never to return. But when a ruthless promoter discovers there s one fight left on his contract, a clash is set up with The Brick, the fearsome new and undefeated title holder.

Circle Of Pain

Stars: Dean Cain, Bai Ling, Louis Herthum, Tony Schiena, Heath Herring, Kimbo Slice, Roger Huerta, Frank Mir, Miguel Torres | Written by Bobby Mort | Directed by Daniel Zirilli

Ah, the straight to DVD action movie, how I love you…

Yes, Circle Of Pain is the latest DVD martial arts movie to cross my path, and this one’s a doozy!

Essentially a mix of Kickboxer and Rocky, Circle Of Pain is an epic mixed martial arts extravagnza that sees retired Mma champion Dalton Hunt (Schiena) forced back into the steel cage by ruthless fight promoter Victoria Rualan (Ling) to battle the current undefeated champ Colin Wahle (Herring) in what she sees as a dream bout – one that will bring in big money for her. Unable to break his contract, which guarantees one more fight, Hunt – with the help of ageing semi-retired trainer Willy – must overcome both being out of shape,...

Bleeding hell! Charlie Picerni's 'The Bleeding' is coming to DVD, but we're not entirely sure they need to bother - it's not exactly brilliant stuff. Anchor Bay will be releasing the action horror in association with Gigapix Releasing and Iron Bull Films. 'The Bleeding' stars Brit Vinnie Jones ('The Midnight Meat Train'), Michael Madsen ('Kill Bill'), Armand Assante, Dmx, Tony Schiena and William McNamara. The saving grace here is it also stars hot model Rachelle Leah and sexy tatt artist Katherine von Drachenberg (both shown below). Read on to check out the cover art....

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

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

There's something about movies concerning talk show hosts we dig. From Talk Radio to even Pump up the Volume, there's just something about them. Especially when they're horror themed like Pontypool, etc. Well, there's another one coming our way so the question beckons ... will you answer the call?

According to Variety Alison Eastwood (pictured right) and Dallas Roberts will star in The Door, which will be produced by Capote producer Michael Ohoven.

The film, inspired by true events (of course), concerns a radio talk show host (Roberts) who's drawn to exploring paranormal activity by a caller and an unexplained death. Eastwood will play a Cdc investigator. They join a cast that includes Mariah Bonner, Bryan Massey and Tony Schiena.

Matthew Arnold helms from his own script, and production is under way in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Look for more soon!

- Uncle Creepy

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Alison Eastwood, Dallas Roberts, Mariah Bonner, Bryan Massey and Tony Schiena are set to appear in The Door , written and directed by Matthew Arnold. Roberts will play a radio talk show host who, according to Variety, is "drawn to exploring paranormal activity by a caller and an unexplained death." Eastwood is playing a Cdc investigator. The thriller is now shooting.

HollywoodNews.com: My issue with “The Fighter” is that it looks like the kind of low-end Mma fight melodrama that Tapout puts out a few times a year. Take away the big stars and director David O.Russell, and it’s just another movie from the people who brought you “Circle of Pain,” “Unrivaled,” or “Beatdown” (I have to watch this stuff for work related reasons). For that matter, Mark Wahlberg isn’t that much better of an actor than the likes of Hector Echavarria or Tony Schiena. I’ve long believed that Donnie Wahlberg is the far superior, far more natural and credible performer of the two.

To read more go to Mendelson’s Memos.

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Despite the cover’s prominent display of Kimbo Slice (who appears in the film for only a matter of minutes), Circle of Pain is a definite step forward for Mixed Martial Arts films. Whereas the two previous films that I have seen could easily be described as illogical excuses to string together some pornography and fighting footage (almost the way that Ed Wood inserted long stretches of stock footage into his films), it is significantly closer than either of those films to actually feeling like a movie. That’s not to say that it’s an especially good movie, because it’s not, but it is possible to follow a narrative thread from beginning to end, even if the thread leads, predictably, to fighting.

Dalton (Tony Schiena) used to be a fighter; in fact, he used to be the best. But he’s given all of that up now, and...

Anyone who’s a fan of mixed martial arts shouldn’t have a hard time finding a movie on the subject these days. Even if you blow through your local video store’s entire selection, there’s plenty more on-deck for next year. Daniel Zirilli’s “Circle of Pain” is yet another entry into the increasing popular genre, and judging from the behind-the-scenes featurette courtesy of the dedicated ladies and gentlemen at MovieSet, this particular outing look promising. Seriously — no joke. You may understand once you’ve seen the clip provided below. Then again, maybe not. The film, which stars Tony Schiena, Dean Cain, Heath Herring, Louis Herthum, and Bai Ling, follows the adventures of a retired fighter and his journey back to glory. And while it certainly sounds like every other Mma-related movie currently on the market, none of them have Bai Ling And Kimbo Slice amongst their cast.

Earlier this evening, the Laemmle Sunset 5 over in West Hollywood hosted the premiere of the new indie vampire flick The Bleeding with several members of the cast in attendance. We spotted several of the stars on the red carpet including Michael Mattias (who also served as a producer), tough guy Michael Madsen, Tony Schiena, Armand Assante and many more. Luckily for Shock Till You Drop, we got the chance to chat with the two lovely leading ladies of the movie, Rachelle Leah (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and Miss Katherine von Drachenberg aka Kat Von D to all you La Ink fans. In The Bleeding , Michael Mattias plays ex-us Army Ranger Shawn Black who's on the hunt for the brutal killer of his parents when he discovers a terrifying family of vampires led by Cain, The Vampire...