Tag: MMA movie

[Trailer] Kevin James, Bas Rutten, and Mayhem Miller Star in MMA-Themed ‘Here Comes the Boom’

Let’s get one thing straight, Kevin James has not exactly had the kind of career that would inspire a lot of confidence in his abilities as an actor. Sure, The King of Queens had it moments (not to mention all that Leah Remini goodness), but there is almost nothing that James can do to repair the mental anguish and self-inflicted bodily harm that Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Zookeeper were responsible for across the globe. We knew he was a big MMA fan, and seems like a pretty cool guy when he’s not squeezing out such 90 minute abortions as Grown Ups, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and…*checks IMDB*…GROWN UPS 2?!! 


(Oh, the horror…)

So you can understand our trepidation when we awoke this morning to find the first trailer for James’ upcoming MMA film, Here Comes the Boom, waiting for us to absorb and dissect. Because, if we’re being completely honest, there haven’t been many great (or even good) MMA films to be released since the “boom” of the sport. The fact that the latest one was staring an overweight sitcom star who is basically box office cancer didn’t exactly inspire much hope either.

And honestly, now that we’ve actually seen the trailer, we’re kind of relieved. Kind of.

Check it out for yourselves after the jump and let us know what you think. 

Let’s get one thing straight, Kevin James has not exactly had the kind of career that would inspire a lot of confidence in his abilities as an actor. Sure, The King of Queens had it moments (not to mention all that Leah Remini goodness), but there is almost nothing that James can do to repair the mental anguish and self-inflicted bodily harm that Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Zookeeper were responsible for across the globe. We knew he was a big MMA fan, and seems like a pretty cool guy when he’s not squeezing out such 90 minute abortions as Grown Ups, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and…*checks IMDB*…GROWN UPS 2?!! 


(Oh, the horror…)

So you can understand our trepidation when we awoke this morning to find the first trailer for James’ upcoming MMA film, Here Comes the Boom, waiting for us to absorb and dissect. Because, if we’re being completely honest, there haven’t been many great (or even good) MMA films to be released since the “boom” of the sport. The fact that the latest one was staring an overweight sitcom star who is basically box office cancer didn’t exactly inspire much hope either.

And honestly, now that we’ve actually seen the trailer, we’re kind of relieved. Kind of.

Check it out for yourselves and let us know what you think.

In case the video doesn’t work for some of you, here’s the film’s plot, as scribed by ComingSoon:

In the comedy “Here Comes the Boom,” former collegiate wrester Scott Voss (Kevin James) is a 42-year-old apathetic biology teacher in a failing high school. When cutbacks threaten to cancel the music program and lay off its teacher (Henry Winkler,) Scott begins to raise money by moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter. Everyone thinks Scott is crazy – most of all the school nurse, Bella (Salma Hayek) – but in his quest, Scott gains something he never expected as he becomes a sensation that rallies the entire school. 

The films stars such familiar faces as MMA legend Bas Rutten, recently released UFC fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller (who channels Louis Gaudinot before getting violently KO’d), and the recently retired Krzysztof Soszynski (who pulls off a Superman punch all the way from Krypton at the 2:07 mark). It even includes some footage of “The Polish Experiment’s” fight with Brian Stann at UFC 97. And like we said, based on the trailer, the film doesn’t look all that bad. Sure, it’s no Warrior (which I have still yet to see) or even Redbelt (which was pretty awesome), but at least it’s not James smuggling an ape into a TGI Fridays, so that’s something right? Plus, Salma Hayek.

I don’t know, perhaps I’m just trying to have a more positive outlook on life.

Here Comes the Boom is scheduled to hit theaters on July 29th.

–J. Jones

Want to Help a Cool MMA-Themed Short Film Get Made? Here’s How You Can

(Video courtesy of Kickstarter/OneMoreRoundMovie)

As longtime supporters of independent MMA films like Driven, Once I was a Champion and Numb, we wanted to help out the producers of an upcoming short film get the word out about their unique and worthwhile project.

Erwann G. Marshall, who also produced the award-winning 22-minute short “Numb,” is following up his successful entry into MMA filmmaking with a six-minute featurette entitled “One More Round.” The film, which is dependant on donations and will star Scott Epstein in the lead role, is described as “a movie that explores a fighter’s mind as he enters the final round of the most important fight of his life.”

The goal for Marshall’s grassroots fundraising campaign for the film is $10,000 to cover the costs of the project.

So far, 18 backers have contributed $1,751 and with 39 days left in the money raising drive, he is asking for donations of as little as $1 to make his vision a reality.


(Video courtesy of Kickstarter/OneMoreRoundMovie)

As longtime supporters of independent MMA films like Driven, Once I was a Champion and Numb, we wanted to help out the producers of an upcoming short film get the word out about their unique and worthwhile project.

Erwann G. Marshall, who also produced the award-winning 22-minute short “Numb,” is following up his successful entry into MMA filmmaking with a six-minute featurette entitled “One More Round.” The film, which is dependant on donations and will star Scott Epstein in the lead role, is described as “a movie that explores a fighter’s mind as he enters the final round of the most important fight of his life.”

The goal for Marshall’s grassroots fundraising campaign for the film is $10,000 to cover the costs of the project.

So far, 18 backers have contributed $1,751 and with 39 days left in the money raising drive, he is asking for donations of as little as $1 to make his vision a reality.

For more info on the project, you can go to the group’s KickStarter page HERE.

What’s a buck for the kind of cyber Playboy model dating, yoked, MENSA membership carrying high rollers who post here?

Get Ready for the Best MMA-Themed Trailer You’ll See All Week, Starring Eddie Bravo and Renato Laranja

(Video courtesy of YouTube/TwisterEddie)

If  your jiu-jitsu association advocated the use of marijuana and its membership included video and movie producers, actors and musicians, wouldn’t you spend a Sunday hitting the bong and making an awesome movie trailer?

There’s no confirmation whether or not this movie, which features 10th Planet founder Eddie Bravo, his nemesis Renato Laranja and the voice of Scott Epstein, even exists or if the preview is just a clever ruse by the 10th PJJ faithful, but fingers crossed that it’s legit. According to Bravo, it’s an independent film called “Return of the Death Knuckle,” and it is indeed real.


(Video courtesy of YouTube/TwisterEddie)

If  your jiu-jitsu association advocated the use of marijuana and its membership included video and movie producers, actors and musicians, wouldn’t you spend a Sunday hitting the bong and making an awesome movie trailer?

There’s no confirmation whether or not this movie, which features 10th Planet founder Eddie Bravo, his nemesis Renato Laranja and the voice of Scott Epstein, even exists or if the preview is just a clever ruse by the 10th PJJ faithful, but fingers crossed that it’s legit. According to Bravo, it’s an independent film called “Return of the Death Knuckle,” and it is indeed real.

Yeah, we’ve heard that one before, Eddie. Fool us once.

Exclusive: Never Back Down 2 Interview With Scottie Epstein and Michael Jai White

(Video courtesy of YouTube/CP)

MMA flick Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown got its DVD release last week, which means it’s time to find out if Todd Duffee’s Oscar buzz is legit. We sent CagePotato L.A. correspondent Scott Palmer to a ‘NBD2‘ media event at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu West L.A. earlier this month, where he spoke to director/star Michael Jai White and co-star and one of the film’s fight choreographer’s Scottie “Einstein” Epstein about the movie-making process.

A few highlights and an incredible GIF of  the thespian version of The Duffman in action are after the jump.


(Video courtesy of YouTube/CP)

MMA flick Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown got its DVD release last week, which means it’s time to find out if Todd Duffee’s Oscar buzz is legit. We sent CagePotato L.A. correspondent Scott Palmer to a ‘NBD2‘ media event at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu West L.A. earlier this month, where he spoke to director/star Michael Jai White and co-star and one of the film’s fight choreographer’s Scottie “Einstein” Epstein about the movie-making process.

Check out some of the highlights and an incredible GIF of  the thespian version of The Duffman in action:


• Epstein says that they spent a lot of time making sure that the film’s fight scenes were as realistic as possible to avoid the scrutiny of fans, who take umbrage when MMA bouts in movies seem more like a scene from a Steven Segal film than an actual fight.

• MJW says that wearing the hats of director, actor, and fight coordinator wasn’t an easy task, but he feels he was up for the challenge.

• Epstein says MMA fans who have followed the sport for any length of time will have fun trying to figure out which actual fight finishes they mirrored the stoppages in NBD2 after.

• MJW compares Epstein’s behavior on set to that of crazy diva Diana Ross.

• There will be a Black Dynamite 2 as well as a BD cartoon.

• Scott was in a movie years ago with Mike Tyson, Robert Downey Jr, Scott Caan, Jared Leto, Bijou Phillips, Raekwon, Brooke Shields, Ben Stiller, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Sticky Fingaz and Chuck Zito.

The movie is available in stores for purchase or you can buy or rent it online at outlets like Amazon and iTunes.

Check out the trailer HERE.

Video: Check Out Another Cool Scene From ‘Warrior’

(Video courtesy of Warrior/Yahoo)

Lionsgate released another clip from “Warrior” this week and the MMA-themed film still looks awesome.

In the latest preview, Tommy, played by Inception’s Tom Hardy, who will also be playing Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, steps in to work with the big dog at the gym who has knocked out all of his apt training partners. Hilarity ensues.

(Video courtesy of Warrior/Yahoo)

Lionsgate released another clip from “Warrior” this week and the MMA-themed film still looks awesome.

In the latest preview, Tommy, played by Inception’s Tom Hardy, who will also be playing Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, steps in to work with the big dog at the gym who has knocked out all of his apt training partners. Hilarity ensues.

The movie comes out September 9 and the reviews of the film, which was directed by Gavin O’Connor who also did “Miracle” in 2004, have been solid. It’s definitely worth seeing.

Check out Ben’s review of the movie HERE.