A Japanese karate master takes a trip to LA to find his missing sister, only to find out she's been kidnapped, and is about to involuntarily take on a lead role in a live-streaming snuff film by a crazy group of crooks going by the name of Capitol Messiah.

So he does what any self-respecting karate master would do, and makes the members of the group participate in their own film instead.

Never mind the obvious budget restrictions, or the fake splatter and other not-entirely-authentic special effects: this movie's bad-ass. It's Japanese, and so if you're not used to the style you might find the overly aggressive tone of the fights a bit over the top, but if you are used to it you'll find it pretty awesome.

There's some impressive stunts, fights and chases along the way, and partial nudity that really makes the movie look the part. It's all but half-ass. It's violent. Samurai of the new age-like, but in a highly American setting.

It reminded me a bit of Rumble in the Bronx sometimes. But only a little. It reminds of Gringo-like movies too, and of Grindhouse. It's got the pace and the grind. If it's action you're after: you've got it. Gritty and good. If only some things were better it'd be a definite four. The fights call for more.

 rated 3/5: not bad

This might come in handy...

Y'all better support this one! :D Link to Kickstarter link here.

Musical you'll be, if you use ability.

Take note.

Check it out! It's a well-working, embeddable, JS-based, minimalistic, P2P communication contraption (AKA CHAT) with no frills, just everything you really need to initiate a quick convo with strangers all around the globe. First one to join becomes the host, via which all communication is relayed, and if they leave you can just refresh the page to take over. It's pretty cool.

It's also not mine, but it seemed handy and worth promoting, and the author's OK with it being here as well. For the record SHIT CHAT is the official name, and although I think something like ASTOUNDING CHAT would've been a better sounding name for it since it's not shit (nor is shit frequently chatted about there... as far as I know), it is a chat, and this has a nice ring to it too don't you think? Short. Simple. Memorable.

And not a name that raises bars or expectations all too high either.

I'll probably not be on much, but who knows, some dark and silent nights when spare time allows... who knows. Hopefully others will when I'm not.

Also keep in mind that the userbase here is not limited to CDB. This thing can be embedded anywhere, and will have the same users in every place. You never know who you might run into! Have fun.

So small a star so far away. Yet all its arms disperse our gray. Blackened barns and tarnished glades; the whitest waves they spark our days.