Tag: Tony Jaa

‘Ong Bak 2’ Gets US Distributor

ong-bak2

Magnolia Pictures, the Wagner/Cuban Company’s group, announced today it had picked up the US distribution rights to ‘Ong Bak 2’, the Tony Jaa-directed sequel to ‘Ong Bak: The Thai Warrier’.   The film was originally released in Thailand in December of 2008, and will be released theatrically by Magnet (Magnolia’s genre label) later this year.

“When we first saw the original ‘Ong Bak,’ after picking our jaws off the floor, we knew we wanted to be in the Tony Jaa business. It put us on the map as a home for the best in genre fare, and helped make our genre label Magnet possible,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “We’re beyond thrilled to be able to carry the franchise forward and continue our relationship with Tony, Sahamongkol, and the entire creative team involved.”

“We are exceptionally happy with the deal with Magnolia,” said Gilbert Lim, Executive Vice President of Sahamongkol Film International. “They did a wonderful job with the release of the original ‘Ong Bak,’ and it feels great to be back in business again with ‘Ong Bak 2.’ I am certain that the movie is in great hands.”

The original ‘Ong Bak’ was an amazing accomplishment in martial arts filmmaking, and it made an instant, international star out of Jaa.   There has been a lot of controversy surrounding ‘Ong Bak 2’s production, but it looks like we are finally going to see what Jaa has in store for us when he steps behind the camera.

Source: Magnolia Pictures

Review: ‘Chocolate’

“Jija† Yanin Vismistananda plays a young autistic girl, Zen, who grows up next to a Muay Thai boxing studio. Through observation, Zen absorbs the teachings and the techniques of Muay Thai. When her mother’s hospital bills start escalating, Zen and her cousin set out to collect debts from the gangsters that owe her mother money, which leads to an escalating series of death-defying fights.

Continue reading Review: ‘Chocolate’

‘Ong Bak 2’ opens in Thailand

Despite all of the problems that were publicized about the production of ‘Ong Bak 2’, the movie has opened in Thailand and apparently is doing very, very well. Cinematical found a site that has a review of the movie, which is probably all we will get until a DVD gets released. Here is a snippit of the review:

None of it is wasted. The end result is a surprisingly coherent film, even with its labyrinthine path that encompasses Suriyothai-style palace intrigue (as well as period-costumed opulence). The narrative doubles back on itself through childhood flashbacks and, ultimately, betrayal, in a story about a young man who is all too easily swayed by the power of the dark side as he sets about to exact revenge for the deaths of his parents.

The framework allows Jaa explore many styles of martial arts. To pass his test to become bandit leader, he shows he’s the best with a Japanese sword, in kung fu and muay Thai. He singlehandedly conquers a bull elephant with his fists and makes an entire herd of pachyderms bow down to him. He gurgles a jug of wine and lays waste to the slave traders with some drunken boxing a la Jackie Chan in Drunken Master. Shirtless and bleeding, he does his best Bruce Lee impression while wielding a three-sectional staff.

If you want to read the rest of the review, head over to ThaiFilmJournal. I am pretty damn stoked to see this, and hope that someone picks up distribution to the US.