I’m mad as hell.
My elected government is a wretched hive of scum ad villainy. I haven’t had a day off in weeks. I travel to another state in the morning for school then high-tail it back in the evening for more school. I messed up my already bum leg with a sprain week ago and it still hurts. I had to walk on that same bum knee 11 flights of stairs today because the elevator in my apartment is down. My computer laptop “b” and “n” keys are broken which is taking me forever to write this damn piece. My mom ain’t doing as well health wise as she oughta. I’m barely on the right side of “fair ” health my damn self.
I Feel Like I Need To Fight A Motherfucker Or Two.
Unfortunately, randomly running down the street punching mooks in the throats is a clear violation of the social contract and is likely to get me pumped full of bullets by my friendly neighborhood police force, free of charge. So what to do with my unbridled rage? Well thank the heavens, there is a slew of films and programming available this weekend that will surely scratch that ass-whooping itch, and so I, on behalf of the National Board With A Nail In It, amhere to share the good word with all ye faithful.
BUYBUST
After surviving the slaughter of her entire squad in a drug raid compromised by dirty cops, anti-narcotics special operative Nina Manigan (Anne Curtis), is eager to go head-to-head with the drug cartels that hold a bloody grip on Manila. But when her new mission in the city’s most dangerous slum goes south, the angry civilians turn on her squad. Trapped between a brutal drug gang and hordes of bloodthirsty citizens, their only option is to fight their way out, turning one claustrophobic street at a time into a symphony of apocalyptic violence.
Buy Bust fucked me up when I saw it at the New York Asian Film festival this past summer. It is a full on maelstrom of violence where no one is safe. It might seem cheap to call it “The Filipino version of The Raid“, but it really is as streamlined and savage as that great work, and some might find even more to chew on thematically with its commentary on corruption. It had a limited theatrical release in the states, but now one and all can finally revel in its mayhem as it’s released on streaming and BluRay this week.
THE NIGHT COMES FOR US
After sparing a girl’s life during a massacre, an elite Triad assassin is targeted by an onslaught of murderous gangsters.
Speaking of The Raid, the martial arts phenomenons Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim are back to bust some skulls in a a new join by Timo Tjahjanto, who previously let the bullets and fists fly with his raucous 2016 feature Headshot. Early word from Fantastic Fest is that this movie brought the house down with its unmatched level of carnage. Thanks to Netflix, the world can finally get a taste of the chaos. Very much looking forward to this and so should you, it’s streaming right now!
MARVEL’S DAREDEVIL: SEASON 3
Missing for months, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) reemerges a broken man, putting into question his future as both vigilante Daredevil and lawyer Matthew Murdock. But when his archenemy Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is released from prison, Matt must choose between hiding from the world, or embracing his destiny as a hero.
The Netflix Marvel universe has its ups and downs (probably more misses than hits at this point), but its original entry was received generally positively. Daredevil is back for season 3 and by most accounts, it hits a new high watermark of quality. Whether or not that’s due to its own genuinely remarkable execution or just in comparison to the more recent Netflix Marvel duds remains to be seen, but I think one thing we can count on for sure at this point is some tasty thrashings by our favorite ass kicking catholic sad boy.
FIGHTWORLD
This show isn’t just about fighting, it’s about the people who fight. In this gritty docu-series, actor and lifelong fight enthusiast Frank Grillo travels the globe to explore various methods of fighting and the cultures in which these traditions have evolved and endured. Follow Frank as he is given unprecedented access into these distinct worlds of combat and their practitioners, from Krav Maga fighters in Israel to Muay Thai boxers in Thailand.
This new documentary series appeared on my recommendation list recently and I’m glad i gave it a chance. Frank Grillo, who has legit fight training credentials under his belt, commits himself admirably and gleefully to the different forms of fighting arts he explores while always showing the utmost respect and admiration for the culture and people he is visiting. This feels very much akin to one of my favorite television shows from the previous decade with a similar premise: The History Channel’s Human Weapon. Actor & MMA practitioner Jason Chambers along with former professional NFL player Bill Duff would wander the earth and meet masters of different indigenous fighting styles. It was more than just a sight seeing vacation however, as at the end of each episode, one of the journeymen would be selected to use the skills they learned in a real deal bout against one of the local expert practitioners. Once you check out this new Netflix joint, I highly recommend tracking down this lost gem.
Alright, hope you all are good and stoked, ready for a weekend full of non-stop ass-whooping. Let me know how you like these shows and movies, and be sure to chime in with some other recently released kick-ass media that you think are worthy of recommendation. Get Some!!
