News

There are many modern martial arts actors that have yet to go head-to-head in any films, but that has not stopped fans from dreaming about what these matchups might be like. From major names like Donnie Yen and Keanu Reeves to rising actors, martial arts films with incredible action and storylines are also known for their stars and what they bring to the table. Marrying this visceral action and incredible fight scenes with character development is important, which is why having lead stars who can convey both of those aspects is crucial.

These performances are not relayed solely to film, however. There are plenty of martial arts television series with great performances as well, showing the wide variety of content that fans have been served in recent years with shows such as Wu Assassins and Cobra Kai. Many of these iconic martial arts actors and more have yet to fight on screen,...

Pluto TV, Paramount’s free streaming service, has revealed its May highlights. The Pluto TV May 2024 schedule includes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month programming, more anime content, new channels, and new film additions.

Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience.

The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies. It offers a wide array of genres, languages, and categories featuring movies, television series, sports, news, lifestyle, kids, and much more.

Pluto TV can be easily accessed and streamed across mobile, web, and connected TV devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Pluto TV’s growing international footprint extends across three continents and over 35 markets.

Pluto TV May 2024 Programming

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Heritage Month

To pay tribute, Pluto TV...

Monkey gods figure large in both Thai and Chinese folklore and theatre traditions with monkey god Hanuman figuring large in Thai lore with magical monkey Sun Wukong figuring large in China. And the pair are meeting in upcoming Thai action comedy Monkey Twins. Co-directed by Nonthakorn Taweesuk and Weerapol Pumartfon - the writer of Ong Bak 2 and action choreographer of Tom Yum Goong 2, respectively - builds the theatrical traditions of both countries deep into the bones of the film and given the experience and skill set of the directors it comes as no surprise that the quality of the action looks very good and there are familiar faces such as Kazu Patrick Tang in the cast. With the passing of famed action choreographer...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

I think many people will be happy with the news that Jeeja Yanin has signed on to star in the International movie series Never Back Down. Jeeja recently starred in Tom Yum Goong 2 and also shot a fight scene for a tv series in Thailand, making her mark on audiences all over the world.

It is fantastic to see Jeeja Yanin getting a role, all her hard work in past movies and constant hard training has paid off and we couldn’t be happier. Michael jai White will also appear in the movie and you never know, we could get a cameo from Tony Jaa if we are lucky.

We shall post news and updates on the movie when we hear more soon.

Jeeja working the arm lock...

Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa are two of cinema’s best action stars, but both men have seen a rough few years on screen. Yen had his solid 2011 film, Wu Xia, get lost down the Weinstein Company rabbit hole and then delivered three movies in a row (Special ID, The Monkey King, Iceman) that obscured his fighting talents behind CG, wire work and costume shenanigans. Jaa meanwhile had a very public breakdown while filming 2010’s Ong Bak 3 which left him in the wind (or in the jungle according to reports) before finally returning last year with the terribly underwhelming CG-fest of The Protector 2. Neither man is in his physical prime anymore — although they could obviously still kick our collective asses — but if their latest releases are any indication they have no plans on throwing the towel in any time soon. ———————————————– Skin Trade Two cops on opposite ends of the Earth are brought together to take down...

A24’s A Most Violent Year will dominate the Specialty Box Office New Year’s weekend. The feature began as director J.C. Chandor was releasing his previous feature, All Is Lost. A Most Violent Year will begin its limited run in the New Year, but the title will have a wide release by the end of the month. Also opening this weekend is IFC Films’ doc The Search For General Tso, which has its roots from a New York Times Best Seller. Well Go USA will bow China’s The Taking Of Tiger Mountain in exclusive engagements. The title opened number one at home when it rolled out ahead of Christmas. And Magnolia’s genre label, Magnet, will open Spanish thriller [Rec] 4: Apocalypse in five locations January 2. the title is already available via ultra-vod.

A Most Violent Year

Director-writer: J.C. Chandor

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola,...

Stars: Tony Jaa, RZA, Petchtai Wongkamlao, JeeJa Yanin, Marrese Crump, Yayaying Rhatha Phongam, Solatorn Lungluang | Written by Eakasit Thairatana | Directed by Prachya Pinkaew

I don’t watch as many fighting movies as I’d like so when I got the chance to review Warrior King 2 I was at first happy. I’m a Tony Jaa fan, especially because of Ong-Bak so when I watched this I had that movie in my mind as where the bar would be set. Maybe that was unfair or not, but Warrior King 2 is a movie that has the best of intentions, but struggles to see them through.

When Kham’s (Tony Jaa) elephant is stolen he goes on the hunt for the kidnappers, soon finding himself the number one suspect in the death of the man he believes to be to blame. With not only the police on his trail but also...

To celebrate the release of Warrior King 2 – the triumphant, breathtaking and action-packed return of modern martial arts star Tony Jaa in the high-octane sequel to the hugely successful “Warrior King” out on DVD 1st September 2014 – we have a copy to giveaway!

Directed by Pratcha Pinkaew, co-creator of Ong-Bak and Warrior King, and featuring an all-star cast including Wu Tang Clan’s RZA and JeeJa Yanin, this is a must-watch for those who love their punches fast and their kicks even faster. An adrenaline-fuelled spectacle for fans of The Raid!

Order your copy today on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BhiQoS

To win Warrior King 2 on DVD, just answer the following question:

Warrior King star Tony Jaa also appeared in which movie? Was it:

a) Rumble in the Bronx

b) Ip Man

c) Ong Bak

Email your answer to NerdlyComps@gmail.com, making sure to include your name and address.

Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week

"Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery"

What's It About? David Lynch's two season TV series had viewers riveted to figure out who killed the beaming blonde homecoming queen Laura Palmer. And maybe, just maybe, some of us fell a little in love with Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan), the curious FBI agent sent to investigate Laura's murder while enjoying many damn fine cups of coffee.

Why We're In: This ten-disc set comes with both seasons of "Twin Peaks," as well as the movie "Fire Walk With Me," plenty of featurettes, and deleted scenes (!!!!) from the beloved TV series. Not that we'll ever really know what happened in the strange little town of Twin Peaks, Wa.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"Cuban Fury"

What's It About? Nick Frost ("The World's End," "Hot Fuzz," "Shaun of the Dead") stars as a down-and-out dude named...

Herzog: The Collection I've been reviewing Werner Herzog movies for the last 13 weeks or whatever it is and all in anticipation of this new 16-film collection from Shout Factory, which finally releases today and includes Even Dwarfs Started Small, Land of Silence and Darkness, Fata Morgana, Aguirre, the Wrath of God, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, Heart of Glass, Stroszek, Woyzeck, Nosferatu the Vampyre, Fitzcarraldo, Ballad of the Little Soldier, Where the Green Ants Dream, Cobra Verde, Lessons of Darkness, Little Dieter Needs to Fly and My Best Fiend. Of the bunch I can tell you flat out Aguirre, the Wrath of God, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, Stroszek, Nosferatu the Vampyre and Fitzcarraldo are great films and that's without the special features this set contains, which are: English Audio Commentaries: Even Dwarfs Started Small, Fata Morgana, Aguirre, the Wrath of God, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, Heart of Glass,...

Panna Rittikrai, the action choreographer who brought us Tony Jaa and Jeejaa Yanin has sadly passed away at the age of 53. It was said Panna was suffering from a long illness, which he sadly did not come through. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this sad time.

Panna had some great movies under his belt as choreographer, he brought the world Tony Jaa (Ong Bak movies) and more recently Tom Yum Goong 2. Also we seen Jeeja Yanin come through in the movie Chocolate and Dan Chupong (Born To Fight).

Panna started off by forming his own 20 man stunt team and was driven by watching movies from Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. In an interview he once said “When the audience realises that the stunt-work is real — that they’re not special effects — they’ll regard it not only as spectacle but as something more high-impact,...

Muay Thai expert and martial arts star Tony Jaa returns with “Tom Yum Goong 2” (a.k.a. “The Protector 2” or “Warrior King 2”, depending on the territory), the follow up to his highly popular elephant defending 2005 hit. The film sees him reteaming with director Prachya Pinkaew and action choreographer Panna Rittikrai, who he worked with on the original, as well as “Ong Bak” and more. As expected from a sequel, the film sticks to the concept of its predecessor and, for better or worse, takes things up several notches, with a bigger budget, 3D effects and even crazier large scale action scenes. Jaa again plays Kham, the film opening with him living a peaceful life in the countryside and teaching young kids martial arts while taking care of his beloved elephant Khon, a sacred beast he is sworn to protect. After Khon is snatched again and Kham is framed...

Finally, Tony Jaa fans can get their hands on an English subtitled version of Tom Yum Gooong 2. More fights, more action and more Elephants than ever before. The fact that Tony Jaa's Tom Yum Goong 2 aka The Protector 2 has already taken Thailand by storm isn’t surprising, and as long as you're not expecting the next Ong Bak, reviews suggest that Tony Jaa is getting back to what he does best. Which is a big relief for fans of action cinema. The Hong Kong DVD is available to buy from May 21, 2014. Pre-order your copy here. Synopsis: Kham (Tony Jaa) has become the suspect in the murder of Suchart, the influential owner of an elephant camp, who was killed by three punches to the dead spots by a martial arts expert, and Kham was the last one seen at crime scene. He needed to run away from the...

I recently had the chance to see The Protector 2, which is available right now on VOD on iTunes and Amazon. The Protector 2 is actor Tony Jaa’s follow-up to The Protector, which has one of the most impressive long continuous shots I’ve ever seen in an action film. Based on the strength of that shot alone, I […]

The post ‘The Protector 2′ Is The Most Insane Martial Arts Film of 2014 appeared first on /Film.

The Protector 2

Written by Eakisit Thairaat

Directed by Prachya Pinkaew

Thailand, 2013

Thai martial-arts star Tony Jaa started the current renaissance in South Asian action cinema alongside director Prachya Pinkaew with the 2003 film Ong-Bak, but eleven years on, the warts in their style are starting to show. None of Jaa’s subsequent films has had a comprehensible plot, and Pinkaew’s later attempts to employ computer-generated effects have not matched the down-and-dirty practical stunts in Ong-Bak. Jaa’s latest, The Protector 2,has those same problems, but it also understands the elemental appeal of a balletic fight scene.

The first Protector film (also known by the title of its uncut international version, Tom Yum Goong) had Jaa playing a rural Thai elephant tender, assaulting everyone in Sydney to find one of his kidnapped charges. The best plot summary that one can provide for The Protector 2 is, “the same elephant gets taken again.

When Tony Jaa was announced as being part of the cast of the upcoming "Fast and Furious 7," die-hard action fans the world over got very, very excited. While the actor is barely known in the United States (despite some intrepid distributors' very best efforts), he is one of the more exciting performers in action films today, nimbly combining the physical comedy of Jackie Chan with the hard-nosed brutalism of Chow Yun-Fat; he's an actor whose death-defying feats are colored with subtlety and emotional grace. So it's with some excitement that Jaa has chosen to make a sequel to perhaps his very best film, 2005's "The Protector." Both films feature Jaa going to extraordinary lengths to hunt down his stolen elephant, and while "The Protector 2" loses some of the lustre of the first film, it's still a frequently thrilling, sometimes downright jaw-dropping extravaganza from start to finish. Martial arts films...

It's interesting to look at the number of upcoming films this month that I've already seen. Obviously I've already seen and reviewed The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (read my review here), which hits theaters this weekend, officially marking the start of the 2014 Summer movie season even though it seem Captain America: The Winter Soldier already did just that. I've already seen (and enjoyed), but have not reviewed Jon Favreau's Chef and the Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne and Zac Efron comedy Neighbors, both of which hit theaters on May 9. Also opening that same weekend, only in limited theaters are Atom Egoyan's awful Devil's Knot as well as Richard Ayodae's nod to Terry Gilliam (admitted or not) The Double (read my review here) starring Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska. Both of those films I've seen and didn't necessarily care for either, though Devil's Knot is a true waste of time. On...

New Release

The Protector 2

R, 1 Hr., 44 Mins.

Thai martial-arts maestro Tony Jaa’s newest film overloads on terrible F/X that rob the film of the actor’s usual brute-force balleticism. Also, RZA plays the bad guy — and someone needs to tell the Wu-Tang master that he can’t act (or fight). The Protector 2 does have a loony charm (actual line of dialogue: “You lost your elephant again?”), and Jija Yanin Wismitanan has a scene-stealing turn as a lady warrior seeking — wait for it — vengeance. (Also available on iTunes and VOD) B- —Darren Franich

New Release

Beneath the Harvest Sky

Not Rated,...

This weekend, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone return in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" opposite a villainous Jamie Foxx (check out their hilarious Unscripted below!), the unstoppable Jack Bauer is back and out of hiding this Monday in "24: Live Another Day," Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin come to DVD in the romantic-drama "Labor Day," and TLC premieres its new reality show "Omg Emt!" on Saturday.

Also in theaters this weekend: "Walk of Shame" stars Elizabeth Banks as a reporter stranded after a one-night stand with only hours until the most important job interview of her life. Inspired by a true story, "Belle" follows the illegitimate, mixed-race daughter of a Royal Naval Admiral as she is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle. In "Ida," a young nun is on the verge of taking her vows in 1960s Poland when she discovers a dark and deep family secret dating back to the Nazi occupation.

You don't mess with a man's elephant, especially if that man is Thai martial artist Tony Jaa.

In The Protector 2, Jaa's country bumpkin Kham goes in search of his beloved tusked "brother" Khon, who's been snatched by a cabal of criminals led by a kingpin (RZA) who plans to use him in a political assassination plot.

The ensuing story turns out to be hopelessly convoluted and nonsensical, the ridiculousness matched by Jaa's comical reactions during skirmishes, the pratfalls of cop Mark (Phetthai Vongkumlao), and the multiple instances in which bad guys on bikes clumsily drive off rooftops and bridges to their deaths.

Director Prachya Pinkaew's hectic editing and breakneck pacing turns the action spastic, and his lack of interest in anything approaching co...

Plot: Country-boy Kham's (Tony Jaa) beloved elephant Khon is once again kidnapped. Rather than by a cartel of poachers, this time his disappearance is engineered by a gangster (RZA) somehow connected to a terrorist plot to interrupt peace talks at a conference held in Bangkok. Review: There's a clever moment in The Protector 2 (known elsewhere was Tom Yun Goong 2) where RZA tells Tony Jaa's Kham how impressed he was with his work in Sydney (referring to the first...

Tony Jaa is one of this generation’s most underrated cinematic martial artists, ruling foreign cinema with furious Muay Thai fury – but you wouldn’t know that from The Protector 2. In fact, for anyone who doesn’t know Tony Jaa’s body of work, avoid The Protector 2 at all costs. Go watch Ong-bak or The Protector, two phenomenal displays of fluid fighting that show Jaa’s real talent – not this horrid clusterf#ck of laughable green screens, cartoonish villains, Star Wars sound effects, and dizzying cinematography. Usually movies with constant badassery contain moments of exhilarating fighting, but the longer Prachya Pinkaew’s train-wreck of a sequel lasted, the more I debated if being pummeled by Tony Jaa in person would have been more enjoyable. At least my eyes would have been swollen shut?

Already having rescued a special elephant he’s meant to protect, Kham (Tony Jaa) finds...

RZA plays a crime boss/lord in 2 films coming to theaters over the next 2 weeks: first, the Luc Besson-produced actioner Brick Mansions, an English-language remake of the 2004 French action film District 13, directed by Camille Delamarre from a script penned by Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen and Bibi Naceri, which opens this Friday; and second, the sequel to the "extreme fighting" thriller, The Protector 2, which will hit theaters May 2nd. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, the Magnolia Pictures film stars Tony Jaa as a crime scene witness running from the police who gets involved with a crime lord (Lc) played...

Well folks, it’s April and over the last couple weeks, we’ve seen movie studios step up their marketing for some hotly anticipated films. We’ve been flooded with new trailers, images, and posters for a variety of films slated to hit this year, which can mean only one thing...Summer Movie Season is right around the corner (seems like just yesterday we were handling the 2013 Summer Movie Awards)! With the wealth of films hitting in these upcoming months it’s easy for moviegoers to be overwhelmed. Thus, as we have in years past, we present our Summer Movie Guide, so you know what’s coming, when, and decide for yourself if a film is worth your time. Come inside to learn about all that May has to offer!

We’re running this guide very similar to how we have in the past. We’re breaking down each page...

For a brief while there in the first decade of the 2000′s it looked like Thailand’s Tony Jaa was laying claim to the title of best action star of the 21st century. Ong Bak introduced him as a viable and extremely capable action lead, and the next few years saw that status confirmed with two sequels and The Protector (aka Tom Yum Goong). And then he went nuts. In his defense he was trapped in an incredibly restrictive contract and his ego had grown to elephant-sized proportions, but that’s a long story for a different day. The good news is that he looks to in the process of making a comeback. He’s currently filming Fast & Furious 7, has two Dolph Lundgren films in the can and is rumored to be attached to sequels for The Raid and Spl. He also made a sequel with the same people whose tight grip almost drove him mad. The Protector 2...

If I could have it my way, most every movie starring Tony Jaa wouldn't feature fight scenes such as this one featuring Jaa, for the most part, getting his ass kicked by RZA wearing a suit and tie. Yes, RZA. I don't turn on a Jaa film to watch him getting thrown through set walls or to see how well he's able to make it look like he can't take out an opponent as weak as RZA in a matter of seconds. Jaa kicks ass, he doesn't get his ass kicked, least of all by a guy in a business suit. Sorry, not believing it. Oh, and what's the bit with the hat at the beginning of this clip and the guy that stumbles away flailing his armsc yt id="guySfo1Pgw0" width="500" The Protector 2 is On Demand now and will be in theaters on May 2. Here's the lengthy...

Tony Jaa is back in The Protector 2 , now available On Demand and in theaters on May 2, and we've got an exclusive 3-minute fight clip from the action film! In the sequel, Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home . the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body . all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launch a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin nieces of Boss Suchart (Jija Yanin Wismitanan and Teerada Kittisiriprasert) are out for revenge. But luck is on Kham.s side when he runs into Sergeant Mark (Mum Jokmok), an Interpol agent sent to Thailand on a secret mission. As Kham is hunted by...

We have an action-packed clip from The Protector 2 for you today, featuring the film's star, Tony Jaa, kicking all forms of ass (mostly with his knees and elbows) in a parking garage. The film is a follow up to 2005's The Protector aka Tom Yum Goong, which had Jaa's character traveling to the big city to retrieve his pet elephant. This one has a much more convoluted plot, but that's okay, since we really just want to see Jaa beat the living hell out of...

The extreme fighting sequel The Protector 2, currently out on iTunes, will hit theaters May 2nd. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, the Magnolia Pictures film stars Tony Jaa as Kham, a crime scene witness running from the police who gets involved with a crime lord (Lc) played by RZA, who - obsessed with "collecting top-class martial artists from around the world" - runs an underground fighting ring. The film also stars Mum Jokmok, Marrese Crump, Jija Yanin Wismitanan, Ratha Pho-ngam, Kazu Patric Tang, Kalp Hongratanaporn and David Ismalone. Here's more about the film: Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home – the...

Magnet Releasing is announcing the release of The Protector 2 on iTunes/On Demand for this March 27 and in theaters starting May 2. The Protector 2 is directed by Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter Prachya Pinkaew (Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, Tom-Yum-Goong). The film stars Tony Jaa, RZA, Mum Jokmok, Marrese Crump, Jija Yanin Wismitanan, Ratha Pho-ngam, Kazu Patric Tang, Kalp Hongratanaporn and David Ismalone.

Synopsis

Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home – the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body – all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launch a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin nieces of Boss Suchart (Jija Yanin Wismitanan and Teerada Kittisiriprasert) are out for revenge. But luck...

To celebrate the release of Tony Jaa's The Protector 2 and Kitano Takeshi's Beyond Outrage on DVD in Australia, Madman is giving you, our dear readers, the chance to win a DVD pack that includes some of the best Thai action and Kitano Takeshi films. First prize (one winner): All of the pictured movies on DVD - The Protector 2, Ong Bak 1, 2 and 3, Chocolate, Outrage, Beyond Outrage, Kitano Takeshi Boxset (Violent Cop, Boiling Point and Sonatine)Second prize (three winners): Either The Protector 2 or Beyond Outrage on DVD.For a chance to win, all you have to do is to follow these two steps:1) Tell me in 25 words or less, which of the movies in the prize pack you like the most and...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Thai action star Tony Jaa is back to kick some more ass in a sequel to his 2005 film The Protector. The Protector 2 was directed by Prachya Pinkaew, who not only directed the first film but also worked with Jaa on Ong Bak. the movie also features some amazing fight choreography by Jaa and his mentor, Panna Rittikrai. Some of the stunts they pull off look absolutely insane! You just have to watch the trailer to see the awesomeness for yourself. If you haven't seen the first movie yet, it's definitely worth watching.

Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home – the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body – all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to...

I may not have been a big fan of The Protector (I simply couldn't figure out what was going on with the elephant), but the sheer awesomeness of Tony Jaa makes pretty much anything worth seeing. Now Jaa and director Prachya Pinkaew are re-teaming for The Protector 2 and from the looks of it, there are no elephants in this story.

Jaa is dropped back into the cityscape but this time, he's on the run from a murderer and ends up embroiled in an underground fighting rink. Yes, this reeks a little of Man from Tai Chi (review) but instead of Keanu Reeves, The Protector 2 has RZA being a badass. Win.

The Protector 2 will debut on iTunes on March 27 and limited theatri [Continued ...]...

Back in 2003, Tony Jaa was the biggest name in punching things, thanks to the release of “Ong Bak,” the Thai martial-arts film that, at the time, provoked a similar reaction to “The Raid,” only set in Bangkok instead of Jakarta. “Ong Bak 2” didn't quite pan out so well, however, and although Jaa is set for a role in “Fast & Furious 7” he's never broken out in the west. Nor has Prachya Pinkaew, who made “Ong Bak” and who also directed Jaa in “The Protector,” which came out stateside (in a somewhat cut-down version – thanks, Harvey) in 2006. Now, though, “The Protector 2” is on its way, and it's gathering a little more attention thanks to the presence of RZA, erstwhile Wu-Tang clan leader (actually, I think Wu-Tang membership is for life) and current martial-arts enthusiast: he directed and acted in martial-arts insanity-fest “The Man With the Iron Fists” in 2012, and behold, here he is in Bangkok,...

Reuniting with his Ong-bak and The Protector director, Prachya Pinkaew, martial arts star Tony Jaa jumps back into sequel territory with The Protector 2, a follow-up to the 2005 hit, also known as Tom Yum Goong. The first film featured Jaa as a rural fighter named Pham who travels to the city in order to retrieve his prized elephant from some nasty villains. The sequel puts Pham back in the city, but he's no longer trying to save an elephant as he's on the run for suspected...

The RZA versus Tony Jaa? Yeah, I’m gonna go with the Thai guy. Check out a new U.S. trailer for director Prachya Pinkaew’s “The Protector 2,” the follow-up to his and Jaa’s “Tom Yum Goong,” aka “The Protector.” The sequel finds the Thai dynamo running around, well, somewhere. The point is, he’s still kicking, punching, kneeing, and elbowing the crap out of everyone. Seriously, dude is violent! But hey, that’s how you gotta be these days with these bad guys. Amirite? I’m personally not sure what the hell the plot is all about (what, he’s an assassin, too?), but Todd Rigney knows, cause he already reviewed the film here. Boss Suchart is the owner of an elephant camp. When he is murdered, all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was seen with the victim before he died. Kham is forced to...

The only thing worth mentioning when it comes to Tony Jaa's The Protector was the staircase tracking shot. It's more than three minutes of balls-to-the-wall action and it's all caught in one shot. Check it out at the bottom of this post. I say this as Jaa has reteamed with Protector helmer Prachya Pinkaew (who also helmed Jaa's breakout feature, Ong Bak) for The Protector 2, which co-stars RZA, Mum Jokmok, Marrese Crump, Jija Yanin Wismitanan, Ratha Pho-ngam, Kazu Patric Tang, Kalp Hongratanaporn and David Ismalone and will be released by Magnet on iTunes/On Demand March 27 and in theaters May 2. Here's the plot: Boss Suchart is the owner of an elephant camp. When he is murdered, all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was seen with the victim before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launch a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin nieces of...

Magnolia Pictures has released the first trailer for Prachya Pinkaew’s action-packed sequel, The Protector 2, starring Tony Jaa, RZA, Mum Jokmok, Marrese Crump, Jija Yanin Wismitanan, Ratha Pho-ngam, Kazu Patric Tang, Kalp Hongratanaporn, and David Ismalone.

The film follows Boss Suchart, the owner of an elephant camp. When he is murdered, all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was seen with the victim before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launch a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin nieces of Boss Suchart (Jija Yanin Wismitanan and Teerada Kittisiriprasert) are out for revenge. But luck is on Kham’s side when he runs into Sergeant Mark (Mum Jokmok), an agent sent to Thailand on a secret mission. In another twist, Kham is drawn into an underground fighting ring run by Lc (RZA), a crime lord who’s obsessed with collecting top-class martial artists. Lc’s fighters are branded by numbers,...

After making a splash with Tom Yam Goong, or The Protector as it came to be known in the United States, action star Tony Jaa is back nine years later with The Protector 2. The sequel sees Jaa running from the police and getting involved in an underground fighting ring where he'll have to contend with Lc (RZA), a crime lord who’s obsessed with collecting top-class martial artists from around the world. Of course, the action is the star here (even though it's silly), and Jaa is kicking some serious ass in this first trailer. And apparently, this one will be released in 3D this time, so the fists and feet will be flying at your face. Watch! Here's the first trailer for Prachya Pinkaew's The Protector 2, originally from Apple: Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his...

Tony Jaa is headed back to Us shores with the impending release of The Protector 2 (aka Tom Yum Goong 2 aka Tyg 2) on iTunes March 27th prior to a theatrical run starting May 2nd.And that can mean only one thing: A new trailer cut to feature as much of the film's minimal English language dialogue as possible. Plus people being punched. Boss Suchart is the owner of an elephant camp. When he is murdered, all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was seen with the victim before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launch a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin nieces of Boss Suchart (Jija Yanin Wismitanan and Teerada Kittisiriprasert) are out for revenge. But luck is on Kham's...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

U.S site Collider have scored themselves an exclusive first look at the North American one sheet for Tony Jaa’s TYG2-3D, so we’ve swiped it for your viewing pleasure. An extreme fight movie, Protector 2 is full of fists, elbows, kicks and daredevil stunt scenes and amazingly choreographed fighting moves that will pump hot blood through the body of all action fans. Magnet Releasing will release The Protector 2 on iTunes/On Demand March 27, 2014 and in theatres May 2, 2014. Synopsis: Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home – the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body – all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launches a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin...

U.S site Collider have scored themselves an exclusive first look at the North American one sheet for Tony Jaa’s TYG2-3D, so we’ve swiped it for your viewing pleasure. An extreme fight movie, Protector 2 is full of fists, elbows, kicks and daredevil stunt scenes and amazingly choreographed fighting moves that will pump hot blood through the body of all action fans. Magnet Releasing will release The Protector 2 on iTunes/On Demand March 27, 2014 and in theatres May 2, 2014. Synopsis: Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home – the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body – all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launches a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin...

The trailer is now online for the martial arts action sequel The Protector 2 , starring Tony Jaa. Check it out in the player below along with a new poster in the gallery viewer at the bottom of this page! Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, The Protector 2 also stars RZA, Mum Jokmok, Marrese Crump, Jija Yanin Wismitanan, Ratha Pho-ngam, Kazu Patric Tang, Kalp Hongratanaporn and David Ismalone. Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home . the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body . all evidence points to Kham (Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launch a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin nieces of Boss Suchart (Wismitanan...

U.S site Collider have scored themselves an exclusive first look at the North American one sheet for Tony Jaa’s TYG2-3D, so we’ve swiped it for your viewing pleasure. An extreme fight movie, Protector 2 is full of fists, elbows, kicks and daredevil stunt scenes and amazingly choreographed fighting moves that will pump hot blood through the body of all action fans. Magnet Releasing will release The Protector 2 on iTunes/On Demand March 27, 2014 and in theatres May 2, 2014. Synopsis: Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home – the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body – all evidence points to Kham (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launches a pursuit. Meanwhile, the twin...

Today's MPAA ratings bulletin brings word Wally Pfister's sci-fi feature starring Johnny Depp, Transcendence is in the can and has a PG-13 rating and a G-rating is awarded Fox's Rio 2, while A Haunted House 2 gets an R-rating... too bad, guess the elementary schoolers won't be able to attend, but at least those with the Iq of said elementary schoolers will still be able to purchase a ticket. Then comes New Line's tornado thriller Into the Storm and a thriller titled The Signal, which apparently involves a hacker luring a group of kids to the desert, has received a PG-13. I have listed the complete bulletin directly below. After The Dark Rated R For some violence, sexuality and brief drug use. All Stars Rated PG For mild language and a brief scuffle. Alpha Alert Rated R For language and some violence. The Boxcar Children Rated G Brawl Rated R...

Tony Jaa reunites with the team that helped make his name in the martial arts world, but both he and co-star Jeeja Yanin are eclipsed by impressive up-and-comer Marrese Crump in this otherwise underwhelming action sequel.There is a moment midway through Tom Yum Goong 2 when RZA's principle villain Lc begins monologuing to our captured hero, Kham (Tony Jaa). "We were all real impressed with what you did in Sydney," he declares, "but the last five years have been so disappointing". In this moment, Lc speaks not only for himself, but for martial arts fans the world over. After the one-two punch of Ong-Bak and the first Tom Yum Goong, Jaa looked set to conquer the martial arts world. But his apocalyptic meltdown during production...

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More fights more action and more elephants than ever before...the fact that Tony Jaa's 'Tom Yum Goong 2′ aka 'The Protector 2’ has already taken Thailand by storm, isn’t new news, but where we’ll get our hands on a copy is the question. Well (good old) Hong Kong has just become the prime suspect in that mystery, because it’s due to open there in November. English subtitled pre-orders on standby?! Synopsis: Kham (Tony Jaa) has become the suspect in the murder of Suchart, the influential owner of an elephant camp, who was killed by three punches to the dead spots by a martial arts expert, and Kham was the last one seen at crime scene. He needed to run away from the authorities and the hunt by Suchart’s twin nieces. Luckily, he was helped by Sgt. Mark of Interpol who was sent from...

It’s not a good idea to give Tony Jaa anything sacred or precious. Chances are someone is just going to steal it, kill it, or cook it. “Ong Bak” director Prachya Pinkaew’s “Tom Yum Goong 2″ (aka “The Protector 2″) finds the hero from the original film searching for a missing elephant one more time. Here’s hoping he has better luck this time around. In addition to Jaa, the upcoming sequel features Petchtai Wongkamlao, Marrese Crump, JeeJa Yanin, Dan Chupong, Rhatha Phongam, and RZA. I’m particularly excited about JeeJa Yanin’s involvement with the flick. I could literally watch that girl kick phone books for 90 minutes. Do people still use phone books? Never mind. I feel old. Check out this synopsis: Kham is the last in long line of guards who once watched over the King of Thailand’s war elephants. Traditionally, only the perfect elephants could successfully help defend the throne.

2 Autumns, 3 Winters

Film Movement has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Sebastien Betbeder's "2 Autumns, 3 Winters." The story follows two friends in their early-thirties over two falls and three winters, as one falls in love while the other has a stroke.

Blood Ties

Lionsgate has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Guillaume Canet’s English-language directorial debut "Blood Ties" in a $2 million deal. Lionsgate's Roadside Attractions will release the film, a remake of "Les Liens Du Sang," which follows two brothers, one a cop and one an ex-con. Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Zoé Saldana, James Caan, Matthias Schoenaerts and Mila Kunis star.

Blue Is The Warmest Color

Sundance Selects has acquired U.S. rights to Abdellatif Kechiche's French-language drama "Blue Is the Warmest Color" starring Lea Seydoux and Adele Exarchopoulos. The story deals with a young girl's first love and includes explicit lesbian sex scenes. It has also drawn rave reviews at Cannes.

Back in April (here), it was announced that Tony Jaa would be returning to Thai films in The Protector 2, after his “retirement”. It’s beginning to look like The Protector 2 just might be the end-all-be-all of ass-kicking movies, with the cast of martial artists director Prachya Pinkaew is lining up for the film, which will be in 3D. Joining Jaa, is Chocolate‘s Jija Yanin of course, and newly added to the cast are: Dan Chupong (Dynamite Warrior, Ong Bak 3), Kazu Tang (Bko: Bangkok Knockout) and American martial artist Marrese Crump (RZA’s The Man With The Iron Fists).

No word on the plot. The film is expected to be out in Thailand sometime in mid-2012.

Sources: Twitch, Marrese Crump...