SimonLustenberger
Well-Known Member
supertom;180645 said:
Jeah Baby!!!
Dolph Lundgren- Missionary Man trailer!!
- Thread starter supertom
- Start date
Jeah Baby!!!
A word on Missionary Man, the film has a limited theatrical release right now in San Diego. Anyone nearby should get down there and check it out- also anyone who lives in Dallas can see Dolph's flick, the Inquiry this week only as well. Two theatrical releases in one go- that's good going by Dolph! I think Sony are doing some excellent promo on MM.
Some info on the MM release here:
http://www.ultrastarmovies.com/MovieTimes.htm
http://us.imdb.com/showtimes/location/92130/-0022
http://www.sandiego.com/index.php?op...on=md&ID=62458
Who know's, Sony might feel they can do the same in a couple of months time for Pistol Whipped. Goddamn if it isn't annoying not living in the US when stuff like that happens. Dolph's moving in the right direction, so hopefully one day soon one of his films will get a showing in a UK cinema, Seagal and JCVD too.
Some info on the MM release here:
http://www.ultrastarmovies.com/MovieTimes.htm
http://us.imdb.com/showtimes/location/92130/-0022
http://www.sandiego.com/index.php?op...on=md&ID=62458
Who know's, Sony might feel they can do the same in a couple of months time for Pistol Whipped. Goddamn if it isn't annoying not living in the US when stuff like that happens. Dolph's moving in the right direction, so hopefully one day soon one of his films will get a showing in a UK cinema, Seagal and JCVD too.
Interview with Dolph Lundgren in this months DVD Review magazine on sale in the UK.
Release date for this movie is 4th February.
Release date for this movie is 4th February.
Cheers very much Craig, I didn't know that.
First official review from Seagal's buddy Vern on AICN:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35248
First official review from Seagal's buddy Vern on AICN:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35248
bwana-beast
Active Member
supertom;176675 said:
Sly can't sing, but his brother Frank is not too bad on vocals....
Some of you might be familiar with the legend that is Krom. He's given his two cents worth on the Dolph boards, regarding MM.
So far there's been 3 reviews for MM, all positive.
Krom said:
"Well first of all i would like to appologize about my last Diamond Dogs not very clear opinion from my review, seems that most of the fans didn't like it, but myself i've seen the movie with different eyes.
This review will be short as usual. It's a another step forward for his career, i hope will do good in sales and all the fans should buy it!
The movie is darker than i expected, even the video filters are almost black and white. - like the first cover-art.
The fight scenes are great coregraphed and the action is old school style with slo motion and such - some reminds about my favorite - Joshua Tree (bus station scene) and the cinematography about Depeche Mode's music video - Personal Jessus.
The final action scene RULES- like Jox said Dolph's can be a great Terminator!!!
I hope everyone will feel the same like me, that this movie is maybe one of his most serious productions. Dolph's Missionary Man is visualy styled like Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi.
I really don't know what else should i say, i don't want to spoil you
PS: I forgot to mention something and i had to re-edit my post - If the budget is between $2-4 million then in my opinion Dolph's is the best in the DTV market at this moment because his movies are looking better and better and will earn much more profit than earlier Van Damme or Seagal films! Looking for a bigger budget! "
So far there's been 3 reviews for MM, all positive.
Krom said:
"Well first of all i would like to appologize about my last Diamond Dogs not very clear opinion from my review, seems that most of the fans didn't like it, but myself i've seen the movie with different eyes.
This review will be short as usual. It's a another step forward for his career, i hope will do good in sales and all the fans should buy it!
The movie is darker than i expected, even the video filters are almost black and white. - like the first cover-art.
The fight scenes are great coregraphed and the action is old school style with slo motion and such - some reminds about my favorite - Joshua Tree (bus station scene) and the cinematography about Depeche Mode's music video - Personal Jessus.
The final action scene RULES- like Jox said Dolph's can be a great Terminator!!!
I hope everyone will feel the same like me, that this movie is maybe one of his most serious productions. Dolph's Missionary Man is visualy styled like Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi.
I really don't know what else should i say, i don't want to spoil you
PS: I forgot to mention something and i had to re-edit my post - If the budget is between $2-4 million then in my opinion Dolph's is the best in the DTV market at this moment because his movies are looking better and better and will earn much more profit than earlier Van Damme or Seagal films! Looking for a bigger budget! "
fakeshemp
Hard To Kill
I just finished watching this and it's very good for a DTV movie. The movie looks great (if a bit washed out and dark at times) and Dolph has come up with a great franchise character here...a bike riding, bible reading man of mystery who travels around helping those in need. It's basically Pale Rider in a modern setting which is no bad thing. And there's a line about a tampon which really made me chuckle...but that's just the kinda guy I am!
I kept thinking that this would have been a perfect vehicle for Seagal. I was reminded of On Deadly Ground due to the Native American characters, and at one point a character says Lundgren's character must have had military training, something that is common in Seagal's movies. Still, Dolph was in top form in this movie and it was a pleasure to watch.
I kept thinking that this would have been a perfect vehicle for Seagal. I was reminded of On Deadly Ground due to the Native American characters, and at one point a character says Lundgren's character must have had military training, something that is common in Seagal's movies. Still, Dolph was in top form in this movie and it was a pleasure to watch.
Missionary Man:
Dolph’s latest film, and his third foray into directing, is once again one of his career best. Like The Mechanik, Dolph puts to bed some of the murkier days of his back catalogue, and proves, that the best man to help bring Dolph Lundgren back into the limelight, is Dolph Lundgren! Delving once more into a film with a theme of revenge, as in The Mechanik, there might have been a niggling worry, that re-treading that ground could breed familiarity. But what Dolph delivers is an action film in style, tone, and look, that is not only far removed from what he’s previously done, but a film that just looks and feels fresh. There aren’t many action films out there like Missionary Man, on a visual, tonal level. There’s a kind of Frank Miller vibe at times, and a bit of Robert Rodriguez too.
In Missionary Man, Dolph stars as Ryder, a mysterious stranger who rides into town for a friends funeral. Pretty soon he’s rubbing local oppressor John Reno up the wrong way. As the film progresses we start to see Ryder has other motives for being in town. It’s a modern western and has some great western trademarks, including a fantastic climax. However though on paper the story has similar arcs as Dolph’s previous directing effort, Missionary Man is such a contrast. It’s a whole different style of flick, and with Dolph’s increased level or creative control since his last directing gig, it’s a more complete vision. Perhaps unfinished business that Dolph touched upon in The Mechanik.
As director, Dolph really has a great visual eye here. What’s great about the film, is that beyond the choice of super-16, it feels as if Dolph is in complete control. He’s constrained by a tight budget certainly, but he spends it brilliantly, and really creates a great atmosphere. Dolph, his DP Bing Rao, and steadicam operator, George R Niedson combine to create a visual delight. There’s some great shots in this film, and it has a feeling of being a graphic novel brought to life, particularly with some almost picturesque still shots. Dolph has gone all out here. He’s really put the work in, and he’s really experimented with his choice of shots. At times it feels quite arty, and considering this is a DTV film, and a Dolph Lundgren film, that’s quite something! The choice of super-16 is one that can be fraught with peril. There’s a graininess to it, and the way it picks up light and colour can sometimes make a film look bad if not in the hands of a capable or inspired DP. Seagal’s Urban Justice is an example of a super-16 film that looked particularly horrible. No such problems though on Missionary Man. Of course not only is the film well shot, but given it was shot on super- 16, there was the advantage of it being mastered directly onto HD. This also allowed for easier digital grading, as well as ensuring the film looked crisp. I mean this sucker has a great transfer. Dolph makes full use of the grading tool, and gives the film an almost monochrome look. The de-saturated picture adds to the foreboding atmosphere, and is also ably helped along by the low key and effective score by Elia Cmiral (Ronin, The Mechanik). Elsewhere Dolph knows action, having worked with the likes of John Woo, and he delivers here. Obviously given the budget, there’s no huge set pieces, but in a film like this, it wouldn’t feel right anyway. There’s short punctuations of violence throughout the film, before the inevitable, and just downright badass showdown. Dolph just goes Terminator on some biker dudes and it rocks the action Kasbah!
As actor, Dolph does well here too. He’s no Olivier, he knows it himself, but he plays to his strength, playing the Eastwood style man of few words, but immense badassedness (not a real word, but should be!). Parallels with Clint will be made of course, both being movie tough guys who made the jump from actor to writer and director. Dolph will not likely have the success of Clint, but he’s the straight to video equivalent I guess, and there’s no great shame in that anymore. Even Al Pacino has tasted the nectar of straight to video, even Morgan Freeman too. Dolph’s got that tough guy charisma. Nowadays what we lack in cinema is action stars, with the sheer hardness and tough as nails presence that Clint, Bronson, Arnie, Sly, and the likes of Seagal and Lundgren, used to deliver. We’ve not had any new action men come along who had the same presence, merely pretenders like Vin Diesel and The Rock. There’s also been thesp’s like Matt Damon, who while magnificent as Bourne isn’t gonna settle down into the handing people their asses genre. You do have to, with the odd exception, have to look in the direct to video market for a good old school hardass action flick, and visit the old guard like Dolph and Jean Claude. There does some to be a new resurgence now in old school action flicks foregoing the overly complex ideas, reliance on CGI, avid fart stylistics, and pg-13 namby pambiness. Along with the advent of digital screens, meaning cheaper distribution, we might just see a return to the multiplexes for the old guard. Sly’s hit a resurgence, and in the DTV market, so have Van Damme and Lundgren, and no one would deserve another shot at the big time, and the cinema, more than Lundgren, out of the DTV action heroes.
The remainder of the cast are mixed. Given the films budget, the support cast isn’t great. The incidental characters, probably including locals given a place on screen, aren’t great. Thankfully though the important roles are well filled. As Reno, Matthew Tompkins makes for a good bad guy. Also starring is August Schellenberg a very good actor who fans of Free Willy will likely remember, and he adds a bit of gravitas to proceedings. Young actress Chelsea Ricketts is superb, and surely has a bright future ahead of her (the kid who plays her older brother isn’t great to be honest- but his role is insignificant). John Enos III stars as the lead biker and Ryder’s main foe, and though he only comes in toward the end of the movie, he does a great job.
Overall, while the film won’t win originality prizes, it feels fresh because of the style. It’s just a good old fashioned R rated action film, proving big set pieces and oodles of CGI do not make a good action film (*cough* Transformers!! *cough*). Dolph is getting more assured behind the camera with every film, while also showing a versatility to switch style and tone. All three of his films have been markedly different, but Missionary Man stands out as something that is perhaps his most unique work. Action fans will not be disappointed. I’d love to see Dolph given a bit more money to play around with. Plus given how much of a badass Dolph looks during the finale, I’d hope we might see him appear somewhere in a Tarantino, or Edgar Wright flick, someone with a gift for the surprise cast. Fingers crossed, cause the big man deserves it. ****
Dolph’s latest film, and his third foray into directing, is once again one of his career best. Like The Mechanik, Dolph puts to bed some of the murkier days of his back catalogue, and proves, that the best man to help bring Dolph Lundgren back into the limelight, is Dolph Lundgren! Delving once more into a film with a theme of revenge, as in The Mechanik, there might have been a niggling worry, that re-treading that ground could breed familiarity. But what Dolph delivers is an action film in style, tone, and look, that is not only far removed from what he’s previously done, but a film that just looks and feels fresh. There aren’t many action films out there like Missionary Man, on a visual, tonal level. There’s a kind of Frank Miller vibe at times, and a bit of Robert Rodriguez too.
In Missionary Man, Dolph stars as Ryder, a mysterious stranger who rides into town for a friends funeral. Pretty soon he’s rubbing local oppressor John Reno up the wrong way. As the film progresses we start to see Ryder has other motives for being in town. It’s a modern western and has some great western trademarks, including a fantastic climax. However though on paper the story has similar arcs as Dolph’s previous directing effort, Missionary Man is such a contrast. It’s a whole different style of flick, and with Dolph’s increased level or creative control since his last directing gig, it’s a more complete vision. Perhaps unfinished business that Dolph touched upon in The Mechanik.
As director, Dolph really has a great visual eye here. What’s great about the film, is that beyond the choice of super-16, it feels as if Dolph is in complete control. He’s constrained by a tight budget certainly, but he spends it brilliantly, and really creates a great atmosphere. Dolph, his DP Bing Rao, and steadicam operator, George R Niedson combine to create a visual delight. There’s some great shots in this film, and it has a feeling of being a graphic novel brought to life, particularly with some almost picturesque still shots. Dolph has gone all out here. He’s really put the work in, and he’s really experimented with his choice of shots. At times it feels quite arty, and considering this is a DTV film, and a Dolph Lundgren film, that’s quite something! The choice of super-16 is one that can be fraught with peril. There’s a graininess to it, and the way it picks up light and colour can sometimes make a film look bad if not in the hands of a capable or inspired DP. Seagal’s Urban Justice is an example of a super-16 film that looked particularly horrible. No such problems though on Missionary Man. Of course not only is the film well shot, but given it was shot on super- 16, there was the advantage of it being mastered directly onto HD. This also allowed for easier digital grading, as well as ensuring the film looked crisp. I mean this sucker has a great transfer. Dolph makes full use of the grading tool, and gives the film an almost monochrome look. The de-saturated picture adds to the foreboding atmosphere, and is also ably helped along by the low key and effective score by Elia Cmiral (Ronin, The Mechanik). Elsewhere Dolph knows action, having worked with the likes of John Woo, and he delivers here. Obviously given the budget, there’s no huge set pieces, but in a film like this, it wouldn’t feel right anyway. There’s short punctuations of violence throughout the film, before the inevitable, and just downright badass showdown. Dolph just goes Terminator on some biker dudes and it rocks the action Kasbah!
As actor, Dolph does well here too. He’s no Olivier, he knows it himself, but he plays to his strength, playing the Eastwood style man of few words, but immense badassedness (not a real word, but should be!). Parallels with Clint will be made of course, both being movie tough guys who made the jump from actor to writer and director. Dolph will not likely have the success of Clint, but he’s the straight to video equivalent I guess, and there’s no great shame in that anymore. Even Al Pacino has tasted the nectar of straight to video, even Morgan Freeman too. Dolph’s got that tough guy charisma. Nowadays what we lack in cinema is action stars, with the sheer hardness and tough as nails presence that Clint, Bronson, Arnie, Sly, and the likes of Seagal and Lundgren, used to deliver. We’ve not had any new action men come along who had the same presence, merely pretenders like Vin Diesel and The Rock. There’s also been thesp’s like Matt Damon, who while magnificent as Bourne isn’t gonna settle down into the handing people their asses genre. You do have to, with the odd exception, have to look in the direct to video market for a good old school hardass action flick, and visit the old guard like Dolph and Jean Claude. There does some to be a new resurgence now in old school action flicks foregoing the overly complex ideas, reliance on CGI, avid fart stylistics, and pg-13 namby pambiness. Along with the advent of digital screens, meaning cheaper distribution, we might just see a return to the multiplexes for the old guard. Sly’s hit a resurgence, and in the DTV market, so have Van Damme and Lundgren, and no one would deserve another shot at the big time, and the cinema, more than Lundgren, out of the DTV action heroes.
The remainder of the cast are mixed. Given the films budget, the support cast isn’t great. The incidental characters, probably including locals given a place on screen, aren’t great. Thankfully though the important roles are well filled. As Reno, Matthew Tompkins makes for a good bad guy. Also starring is August Schellenberg a very good actor who fans of Free Willy will likely remember, and he adds a bit of gravitas to proceedings. Young actress Chelsea Ricketts is superb, and surely has a bright future ahead of her (the kid who plays her older brother isn’t great to be honest- but his role is insignificant). John Enos III stars as the lead biker and Ryder’s main foe, and though he only comes in toward the end of the movie, he does a great job.
Overall, while the film won’t win originality prizes, it feels fresh because of the style. It’s just a good old fashioned R rated action film, proving big set pieces and oodles of CGI do not make a good action film (*cough* Transformers!! *cough*). Dolph is getting more assured behind the camera with every film, while also showing a versatility to switch style and tone. All three of his films have been markedly different, but Missionary Man stands out as something that is perhaps his most unique work. Action fans will not be disappointed. I’d love to see Dolph given a bit more money to play around with. Plus given how much of a badass Dolph looks during the finale, I’d hope we might see him appear somewhere in a Tarantino, or Edgar Wright flick, someone with a gift for the surprise cast. Fingers crossed, cause the big man deserves it. ****
Nice review Supertom.
Thought the movie was pretty good, preferred The Mechanik though. Agree about the supporting cast, pretty poor. Certainly a few good recent movies from Dolph.
Thought the movie was pretty good, preferred The Mechanik though. Agree about the supporting cast, pretty poor. Certainly a few good recent movies from Dolph.
Craig Robertson;181771 said:Nice review Supertom.
Thought the movie was pretty good, preferred The Mechanik though. Agree about the supporting cast, pretty poor. Certainly a few good recent movies from Dolph.
Yeah, I still prefer the Mechanik too, cause I think there were unnecassary compromises that Dolph had to make (ie no cranes- dollys, not enough time, money, proffesional actors, not enough cameras for coverage) simply because of Andrew "The devil himself" Stevens. He overcame it pretty well but I do hope Dolph works with NU Image next time. Mechanik and Undisputed 2 DP Ross Clarkson says he loves to work with them, because you can have any of the equiptment you need.
Dolph has come in at number 26 in the rentals, with an opening weeks gross of 2.15 million dollars, that is in fact higher than Seagal's grosses since Belly Of The Beast, Van Damme's last film, and Wesley's last two. Hopefully this means Dolph will now be given the same sort of budgets as those guys, and mean he can up his scope. He deserves it and he's not only proven he can draw in as much revenue as the top dogs of DTV action films, but also proves that promotion and doing the interview circuits, really does help in the DTV world. B.O numbers amongst the supposed top dogs have been falling- cause these films are just not given any exposure beyond the main fan base. Dolph's worked hard promoting MM- and it's paid off (the screenings and short theatrical stint, must have helped). I'd love to see what Lundgren does with 10 million to play with. This was Dolph's first film in the top 50 renters since Detention which only got 780k in it's first 5 days. It's probably his highest earner since Blackjack. And has in one week- recouped it's 2 million budget.
I only wish this success befell the Mechanik, which was a better film. But in anycase, well done Dolph. He's gonna put Seagal, Van Damme and Snipes on their toes now, because he's just proved, he's capable of pulling those numbers in. Studios looking at Seagal for a certain film, may now opt for Dolph instead for example. I can't wait to see what happens with The Shepherd (terrible marketing- could be in for a disaster) and the Marker (a screener so long before release could hamper it- plus again not much marketing). The DTV action box office battles will be very interesting this year, though I suspect Wesley might just win with Gallowwalker given it looks pretty expensive.
I only wish this success befell the Mechanik, which was a better film. But in anycase, well done Dolph. He's gonna put Seagal, Van Damme and Snipes on their toes now, because he's just proved, he's capable of pulling those numbers in. Studios looking at Seagal for a certain film, may now opt for Dolph instead for example. I can't wait to see what happens with The Shepherd (terrible marketing- could be in for a disaster) and the Marker (a screener so long before release could hamper it- plus again not much marketing). The DTV action box office battles will be very interesting this year, though I suspect Wesley might just win with Gallowwalker given it looks pretty expensive.
The various places that i visit that post movie news, most of Dolph's recent efforts seem to get good previews and reviews compared with when Van Damme or Seagal movies are posted.
Managed to find Detention, will probably watch in the next week or so, still on the lookout for more of his movies. Any i should keep away from?
Managed to find Detention, will probably watch in the next week or so, still on the lookout for more of his movies. Any i should keep away from?
Detention isn't great to be honest- though it's got that so bad it's good feeling to it, just laughably bad. Dolph's pretty cool in it though. Otherwise stay clear of Diamond Dogs, Retrograde, Agent Red, and The Last Warrior, all pretty horrible. Jill Rips and Stormcatcher are also lame, but the director commentaries by Tony Hickox are excellent.
Don't know whether you've seen The Defender or not, his first directing gig. It's a forgotten gem by Dolph really, overshadowed by The Mechanik and now MM. The Defender was a good siege movie though with a good pace to it. Well made and definitely one to check out.
Don't know whether you've seen The Defender or not, his first directing gig. It's a forgotten gem by Dolph really, overshadowed by The Mechanik and now MM. The Defender was a good siege movie though with a good pace to it. Well made and definitely one to check out.