[Brian Mosely]

I usually don't post stuff like this, but I got the Region 0 DVD of this last week, and this reviewer nails it on every single point. I had first heard of this movie from reports over at Aintitcoolnews.com about the film's screening at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and got interested. Needless to say, this guy is going to blow some minds when this gets released over here. Luc Besson has picked it up for international distrubution. It will open in France in a couple of weeks and in the states later this year. Check out the French site here and take a gander at the trailer and the making-of video for a taste of what I'm talking about.

[T'wit]

I can't think who, from Hollywood, would shine most brightly as Mr. D. Balls. Which is to say, there are so many candidates, it is difficult to narrow the list.

[Brian Mosely]

http://www.indiewire.com/biz/biz_040604ongbak.html

Magnolia Gets Thai Action Hit "Ong-Bak: Thai Warrior"

by Eugene Hernandez



Magnolia Pictures has nabbed Prachya Pinkaew's "Ong-Bak: Thai Warrior." The film, acquired and re-cut by Luc Besson's EuropaCorp after its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, stars Thai martial artist Tony Jaa. The movie was a hit in France, where EuropaCorp earned nearly a million with its release of the movie.

"I have seen the future of the action film and his name is Tony Jaa," said Magnolia's Eamonn Bowles in a statement yesterday. "'Ong-Bak' contains some of the most jaw-dropping sequences ever committed to film -- no strings attached."

"Ong-Bak" refers to a Buddha statue kept in a rural Thai temple. Local villagers believe that the statue has magical powers that protect them. When the head of the Ong-Bak is stolen, villager Ting (played by Jaa) must travel to Bangkok to win it back. A sequel to the film is in the works and Jaa is also working with the same team that made "Ong-Bak" to shoot his new movie, "Tom-Yum-Goong."

Magnolia's Bowles and Tom Quinn negotiated the deal with Pierre-Ange Le Pogam and Gregoire Melin of EuropaCorp. The company plans a wide release in November.

"Control Room" and "Bukowski: Born Into This" are currently in release from Magnolia. The company will release another Thai film, the epic "Bang Rajan," in August.

[Former Dodger]

Phenomenal movie, he's an unbelievable martial artist. Some of the finest fight scenes I've seen, and a good storyline, too. My friend lent me his VCD copy and I watched it on my computer, I'll definitely go see it on the big screen!

[nickcarraway]

I don't know about ong bak, but I love ong choi.