Welcome to the latest installment in our regular Movies You May Have Missed series here on Nerdly, in which I highlight some of, what I think, are the best movies that have flown under the radar of many or have been “forgotten” in the intervening years since its release. This time round its the Mma-themed action flick Circle of Pain.
Stars: Dean Cain, Bai Ling, Louis Herthum, Tony Schiena, Heath Herring, Kimbo Slice, Roger Huerta, Frank Mir, Miguel Torres | Written by Bobby Mort | Directed by Daniel Zirilli
Official Synopsis: Following a fighting accident, Dalton Hunt retired from the world of mixed martial arts at the top of his game. As Dalton is lured back into the world of fighting, he strides to become the warrior he once was. My Thoughts:
Ah, the straight to DVD action movie, how I love you… Essentially a mix of Kickboxer and Rocky, Circle Of...
Stars: Dean Cain, Bai Ling, Louis Herthum, Tony Schiena, Heath Herring, Kimbo Slice, Roger Huerta, Frank Mir, Miguel Torres | Written by Bobby Mort | Directed by Daniel Zirilli
Official Synopsis: Following a fighting accident, Dalton Hunt retired from the world of mixed martial arts at the top of his game. As Dalton is lured back into the world of fighting, he strides to become the warrior he once was. My Thoughts:
Ah, the straight to DVD action movie, how I love you… Essentially a mix of Kickboxer and Rocky, Circle Of...
- 1/8/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The blokes who flex their muscles in Ultimate Fighting Championship and mixed martial arts events are mostly a larger-than-life blend of showmanship and brawn – which explains why they’re increasingly being snapped up by Hollywood. With more and more Mma fighters moving into the movies, I thought I’d take a look at some of the biggest names to have made the crossover.
Tony Schiena
Winner of numerous Mma trophies around the globe, Schiena flexed his acting chops in Locked Down as a framed cop who winds up in jail and is forced into cage fighting by none other than Brit hardman turned thesp Vinnie Jones. Schiena retired from sport after breaking both his ankles (ouch!) but has since found his feet on the big screen working with everyone from Pacino to Van Damme.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Famed for fierce body slams that won him the Ufc light heavyweight title...
Tony Schiena
Winner of numerous Mma trophies around the globe, Schiena flexed his acting chops in Locked Down as a framed cop who winds up in jail and is forced into cage fighting by none other than Brit hardman turned thesp Vinnie Jones. Schiena retired from sport after breaking both his ankles (ouch!) but has since found his feet on the big screen working with everyone from Pacino to Van Damme.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Famed for fierce body slams that won him the Ufc light heavyweight title...
- 4/8/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Cagefighting kick-assery starring Tony Schiena as Dalton Hunt, a retired mixed martial arts champ forced back into the ring by a devious promoter (Bai Ling) after crippling his best friend (ex-Superman Dean Cain) in a sparring accident. Pitted against undefeated brute Colin "The Brick" Wahle (Heath Herring), Hunt finds lots of tough love while being pummelled back into shape by his unorthodox new trainer. Think Rocky with the gloves off.
- 9/27/2012
- Sky Movies
Monday night Raw 18th March, 2002. A three way match is being contested for the now defunct Hardcore Championship. The ring is a mess, garbage cans, road signs, kendo sticks, bodies are littered amongst the ring but that is before the real devastation is truly about to begin. From out of the crowd appears this monster, the size of a heavyweight and with the agility of a cruiserweight he performs his repertoire of devastating moves, laying waste to the three participants. Stood in the ring amongst the carnage ex Ecw boss Paul Heyman raises the beasts hand. The The Next Big Thing has arrived.
The next big thing had most certainly arrived, although Lesnars career was a short one it was a highly accomplished and rewarding. He captured the WWE Championship no less than three times, became the youngest competitor ever to hold the title (at the time) won the King of the Ring...
The next big thing had most certainly arrived, although Lesnars career was a short one it was a highly accomplished and rewarding. He captured the WWE Championship no less than three times, became the youngest competitor ever to hold the title (at the time) won the King of the Ring...
- 4/9/2012
- by Andrew Smith
- Obsessed with Film
On December 30, 2011 at Ufc 141, Brock Lesnar entered the octagon for the eighth time against Alistair Overeem (36-11). Two minutes, twenty six seconds, and a liver kick later, the fight and Lesnar’s career were over.
In the post-match interview with Rogan, Lesnar humbly declared his retirement after two tough years of illness, surgery, and successive losses. He was an Ncaa champion, a professional wrestler, a failed football player, and now a retired cage fighter.
Its now our job to figure out what Brock and his short, but enigmatic career actually meant.
The Fighter
Brock is a free style wrestler. Or perhaps I should say, “was” because the last time he wrestled competitively prior to joining the Ufc was way back in 2000 when he was an All-American and National Champion for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. And nothing says bad ass like a gopher. Especially the golden ones.
With a 106-5 record in college and junior college,...
In the post-match interview with Rogan, Lesnar humbly declared his retirement after two tough years of illness, surgery, and successive losses. He was an Ncaa champion, a professional wrestler, a failed football player, and now a retired cage fighter.
Its now our job to figure out what Brock and his short, but enigmatic career actually meant.
The Fighter
Brock is a free style wrestler. Or perhaps I should say, “was” because the last time he wrestled competitively prior to joining the Ufc was way back in 2000 when he was an All-American and National Champion for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. And nothing says bad ass like a gopher. Especially the golden ones.
With a 106-5 record in college and junior college,...
- 1/1/2012
- by Robert Curtis
- Obsessed with Film
The blokes who flex their muscles in Ultimate Fighting Championship and mixed martial arts events are mostly a larger-than-life blend of showmanship and brawn – which explains why they’re increasingly being snapped up by Hollywood. As rollicking prison thriller Locked Down hits the Blu-ray and DVD shelves, we look at the ten biggest hitters from the Ufc and Mma who are making the transition to the movies…
Tony Schiena
Winner of numerous Mma trophies around the globe, Schiena flexes his acting chops in Locked Down as a framed cop who winds up in jail and is forced into cage fighting by none other than Brit hardman turned thesp Vinnie Jones. Schiena retired from sport after breaking both his ankles (ouch!) but has since found his feet on the big screen working with everyone from Pacino to Van Damme. He was last seen in the straight to DVD flick Circle of Pain.
Tony Schiena
Winner of numerous Mma trophies around the globe, Schiena flexes his acting chops in Locked Down as a framed cop who winds up in jail and is forced into cage fighting by none other than Brit hardman turned thesp Vinnie Jones. Schiena retired from sport after breaking both his ankles (ouch!) but has since found his feet on the big screen working with everyone from Pacino to Van Damme. He was last seen in the straight to DVD flick Circle of Pain.
- 3/25/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Released on DVD on March 14th by Chelsea Films, Beatdown is the directorial debut feature from top Hollywood stunt coordinator Mike Gunther (Fast Five; Iron Man 2; Star Trek; Die Hard 4). The film is a hard-hitting, mixed martial arts action-thriller starring Rudy Youngblood (Apocalypto), Susie Abromeit (I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell; Sex Drive), Eric Balfour (24) and Danny Trejo (Machete; Predators) and featuring a host of Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment stars including Michael Bisping, Heath Herring, Michael Swick, Bobby Lashley and more.
When his brother is found brutally murdered, up-and-coming illegal streetfighter Brandon Becker (Youngblood) is called upon by the local mob to pay off his brother’s huge gambling debts within the week. Unable to meet the demand, Brandon goes on the run and winds up living with his father (Trejo) in a small redneck town on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. Taking a job...
When his brother is found brutally murdered, up-and-coming illegal streetfighter Brandon Becker (Youngblood) is called upon by the local mob to pay off his brother’s huge gambling debts within the week. Unable to meet the demand, Brandon goes on the run and winds up living with his father (Trejo) in a small redneck town on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. Taking a job...
- 3/11/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Circle Of Pain
Stars: Dean Cain, Bai Ling, Louis Herthum, Tony Schiena, Heath Herring, Kimbo Slice, Roger Huerta, Frank Mir, Miguel Torres | Written by Bobby Mort | Directed by Daniel Zirilli
Ah, the straight to DVD action movie, how I love you…
Yes, Circle Of Pain is the latest DVD martial arts movie to cross my path, and this one’s a doozy!
Essentially a mix of Kickboxer and Rocky, Circle Of Pain is an epic mixed martial arts extravagnza that sees retired Mma champion Dalton Hunt (Schiena) forced back into the steel cage by ruthless fight promoter Victoria Rualan (Ling) to battle the current undefeated champ Colin Wahle (Herring) in what she sees as a dream bout – one that will bring in big money for her. Unable to break his contract, which guarantees one more fight, Hunt – with the help of ageing semi-retired trainer Willy – must overcome both being out of shape,...
Stars: Dean Cain, Bai Ling, Louis Herthum, Tony Schiena, Heath Herring, Kimbo Slice, Roger Huerta, Frank Mir, Miguel Torres | Written by Bobby Mort | Directed by Daniel Zirilli
Ah, the straight to DVD action movie, how I love you…
Yes, Circle Of Pain is the latest DVD martial arts movie to cross my path, and this one’s a doozy!
Essentially a mix of Kickboxer and Rocky, Circle Of Pain is an epic mixed martial arts extravagnza that sees retired Mma champion Dalton Hunt (Schiena) forced back into the steel cage by ruthless fight promoter Victoria Rualan (Ling) to battle the current undefeated champ Colin Wahle (Herring) in what she sees as a dream bout – one that will bring in big money for her. Unable to break his contract, which guarantees one more fight, Hunt – with the help of ageing semi-retired trainer Willy – must overcome both being out of shape,...
- 1/20/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Joey Lawrence, Wesley Snipes and Michael Dudikoff will star in the independent action film "Havana Heat." According to Variety, the cast includes mixed martial arts fighter Heath Herring, Zulay Henao ("Fighting"), Lorena Rincon ("Stuck"), Raul Julia-Levy ("Epoch") and Bollywood star Nicholas Brown ("Kites").The film centers on the investigation of a Homeland Security agent based at Guantanamo Bay who's murdered while undercover in Havana. Dean Hamilton ("Blonde and Blonder") is directing. Tayrona Entertainment Group's James Ordonez and Ken Gord are producing along with Dan Meachum of Maandi Media Entertainment. Jose Antonio Ruiz-Diez and Sheila McCarthy of Tayrona are executive producing.Shooting is scheduled for November with a release date set for next summer.
- 8/20/2010
- by Adnan Tezer
- Monsters and Critics
If you’ve read this post, you’ll realise Havana Heat has the potential to be one of the most awesome B-movies ever made… But now it’s just got a whole lot more Awesome.
Producer James Ordonez, president of Tayrona Entertainment Group, has spoken to Entertainment Weekly and revealed more details about the movie – including stating that offers are out to both Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris to take roles in the film!!! Says EW:
• We begin with the plot: “Havana is a mysterious, sensuous city with gorgeous architecture, white Caribbean beaches, hot, pulsating music, vintage American automobiles and some of the most beautiful women in the world. Cid Special Agent Sean Franklin [Lawrence] and his partner, gung-ho rookie, NCIS Special Agent Brianna Evans [Fighting's Zulay Henao] are assigned undercover in Havana after another agent is murdered. At the same time, a heavyweight fight between American Ruben Palace and Cuba’s...
Producer James Ordonez, president of Tayrona Entertainment Group, has spoken to Entertainment Weekly and revealed more details about the movie – including stating that offers are out to both Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris to take roles in the film!!! Says EW:
• We begin with the plot: “Havana is a mysterious, sensuous city with gorgeous architecture, white Caribbean beaches, hot, pulsating music, vintage American automobiles and some of the most beautiful women in the world. Cid Special Agent Sean Franklin [Lawrence] and his partner, gung-ho rookie, NCIS Special Agent Brianna Evans [Fighting's Zulay Henao] are assigned undercover in Havana after another agent is murdered. At the same time, a heavyweight fight between American Ruben Palace and Cuba’s...
- 8/19/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
If, like us, you read the Variety headline “Snipes, Lawrence join ‘Havana Heat’” and needed to know more about the indie action film costarring Wesley Snipes and Joey Lawrence shooting this November, prepare to be very happy. Producer James Ordonez, president of Tayrona Entertainment Group, just gave EW some serious details about the movie and its efforts to be the next Expendables (yes, offers are out to Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme!).
• We begin with the plot: “Havana is a mysterious, sensuous city with gorgeous architecture, white Caribbean beaches, hot, pulsating music, vintage American automobiles and some of the...
• We begin with the plot: “Havana is a mysterious, sensuous city with gorgeous architecture, white Caribbean beaches, hot, pulsating music, vintage American automobiles and some of the...
- 8/19/2010
- by Mandi Bierly
- EW.com - PopWatch
Variety are reporting that Wesley Snipes (Passenger 57), Joey Lawrence (Blossom) and Michael Dudikoff (American Ninja) are to team up for the film Havana Heat, which centers on a Homeland Security agent based at Guantanamo who’s murdered while undercover in Havana…
…where betrayal and intrigue take place against a backdrop of crumbling colonial architecture and vintage American cars.
Apparently.
Also set to star in the film, which is beind directed by Dean Hamilton (who for those that don’t know, was responsible for the Pamela Anderson / Denise Richards flick Blonde and Blonder), are mixed martial arts fighter Heath Herring, Zulay Henao (Fighting), Lorena Rincon (Stuck) and Raul Julia-Levy (Epoch) plus Bollywood star Nicholas Brown (Kites).
Now I don’t know about you guys, but Havana Heat sounds like B-movie heaven to me! Snipes and Dudikoff in the same film? Genius! Now lets see more action hero pairings – it worked...
…where betrayal and intrigue take place against a backdrop of crumbling colonial architecture and vintage American cars.
Apparently.
Also set to star in the film, which is beind directed by Dean Hamilton (who for those that don’t know, was responsible for the Pamela Anderson / Denise Richards flick Blonde and Blonder), are mixed martial arts fighter Heath Herring, Zulay Henao (Fighting), Lorena Rincon (Stuck) and Raul Julia-Levy (Epoch) plus Bollywood star Nicholas Brown (Kites).
Now I don’t know about you guys, but Havana Heat sounds like B-movie heaven to me! Snipes and Dudikoff in the same film? Genius! Now lets see more action hero pairings – it worked...
- 8/19/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Just a couple of days ago, Gary and I were talking about who might appear in the Expendables sequel after finding out that it’s pretty much a dead cert to happen. Definitely on my list of people I’d love to appear is Wesley Snipes and hopefully this news might make my wish may come true.
Wesley Snipes has been cast in new (probably straight to DVD) movie, Havana Heat.
According to Empire, the story centres on a Homeland Security agent who is murdered while undercover in Havana, and the investigation which follows that death.
It will star Joseph Lawrence, Michael Dudikoff, Heath Herring, Zulay Henao, Lorena Rincon, Raul Julia Jr. and Nicolas Brown and will start shooting in November.
Now all we need is Sylvester Stallone to give him a shout and get the wheel in motion!
Thanks to the ever awesome Helen O’Hara from Empire for the heads up.
Wesley Snipes has been cast in new (probably straight to DVD) movie, Havana Heat.
According to Empire, the story centres on a Homeland Security agent who is murdered while undercover in Havana, and the investigation which follows that death.
It will star Joseph Lawrence, Michael Dudikoff, Heath Herring, Zulay Henao, Lorena Rincon, Raul Julia Jr. and Nicolas Brown and will start shooting in November.
Now all we need is Sylvester Stallone to give him a shout and get the wheel in motion!
Thanks to the ever awesome Helen O’Hara from Empire for the heads up.
- 8/19/2010
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The team-up you haven't been waiting for - Joey Lawrence, Wesley Snipes and Michael Dudikoff - is set to happen in the indie action film "Havana Heat" for Tayrona Entertainment Group, Maandi Media Entertainment and Empire Film Group says Variety.
Set against the Cuban capital's crumbling architecture and vintage cars, the story follows the investigation into a Homeland Security agent who is murdered while undercover.
Mixed martial arts fighter Heath Herring, Zulay Henao ("Fighting"), Lorena Rincon ("Stuck"), Raul Julia-Levy ("Epoch") and Nicholas Brown ("Kites") also star.
Dean Hamilton ("Blonde and Blonder") is directing and shooting kicks off in November for release next summer.
Set against the Cuban capital's crumbling architecture and vintage cars, the story follows the investigation into a Homeland Security agent who is murdered while undercover.
Mixed martial arts fighter Heath Herring, Zulay Henao ("Fighting"), Lorena Rincon ("Stuck"), Raul Julia-Levy ("Epoch") and Nicholas Brown ("Kites") also star.
Dean Hamilton ("Blonde and Blonder") is directing and shooting kicks off in November for release next summer.
- 8/19/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Well, the good news for Wesley Snipes fans is that he's back in the acting game, signing up to apear in Havana Heat, which will start shooting in November. The bad news is it's from the director of Blonde and Blonder, Dean Hamilton, and sounds a little bit like it's destined to go straight to DVD.Apparently the story centres on a Homeland Security agent who is murdered while undercover in Havana, and the investigation which follows that death. It will star Joseph Lawrence (er, Urban Legends: Final Cut), Michael Dudikoff, mixed martial artist Heath Herring, Zulay Henao (Fighting), Lorena Rincon, Raul Julia Jr. (loved your old man!) and Nicolas Brown (Kites).The film's due out next summer in a cinema (?) near you.
- 8/19/2010
- EmpireOnline
Wesley Snipes and Joey Lawrence will go before cameras this November for Havana Heat , reports Variety . The film, set in Havana, Cuba, deals with the murder of an undercover Homeland Security agent and his connection to Guantanamo Bay. Blonde and Blonder director Dean Hamiltyon is attached to direct with a cast that also includes Nicholas Brown, Zulay Henao, Heath Herring, Raul Julia Jr. and Lorena Rincon.
- 8/18/2010
- Comingsoon.net
You gotta love Wesley Snipes. Even though it looks for certain that he’s facing the confines of a comfy, warm, jail cell very soon, after an Atlanta court last month upheld the three year prison sentence on tax charges against Snipes, a brother still has to work. He’s got a wife to take of, and kids to feed.
So, towards that end, a press release was released today announcing that Snipes will begin work in November on the film Havana Heat for Empire Film Group, for release next summer.
The film’s press release claims it will follow “the same formula as the #1 new film release “The Expendables,” combining major action stars with fresh talent”. Among those stars are Joey Lawrence (they’re kidding right?), Zulay Henao (who?), Lorena Rinson (who?), Heath Herring (who?), Nicolas Brown(who?) amd Michael Dudikoff (who I haven’t seen seen or heard...
So, towards that end, a press release was released today announcing that Snipes will begin work in November on the film Havana Heat for Empire Film Group, for release next summer.
The film’s press release claims it will follow “the same formula as the #1 new film release “The Expendables,” combining major action stars with fresh talent”. Among those stars are Joey Lawrence (they’re kidding right?), Zulay Henao (who?), Lorena Rinson (who?), Heath Herring (who?), Nicolas Brown(who?) amd Michael Dudikoff (who I haven’t seen seen or heard...
- 8/16/2010
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Despite the cover’s prominent display of Kimbo Slice (who appears in the film for only a matter of minutes), Circle of Pain is a definite step forward for Mixed Martial Arts films. Whereas the two previous films that I have seen could easily be described as illogical excuses to string together some pornography and fighting footage (almost the way that Ed Wood inserted long stretches of stock footage into his films), it is significantly closer than either of those films to actually feeling like a movie. That’s not to say that it’s an especially good movie, because it’s not, but it is possible to follow a narrative thread from beginning to end, even if the thread leads, predictably, to fighting.
Dalton (Tony Schiena) used to be a fighter; in fact, he used to be the best. But he’s given all of that up now, and...
Dalton (Tony Schiena) used to be a fighter; in fact, he used to be the best. But he’s given all of that up now, and...
- 6/13/2010
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
Anyone who’s a fan of mixed martial arts shouldn’t have a hard time finding a movie on the subject these days. Even if you blow through your local video store’s entire selection, there’s plenty more on-deck for next year. Daniel Zirilli’s “Circle of Pain” is yet another entry into the increasing popular genre, and judging from the behind-the-scenes featurette courtesy of the dedicated ladies and gentlemen at MovieSet, this particular outing look promising. Seriously — no joke. You may understand once you’ve seen the clip provided below. Then again, maybe not. The film, which stars Tony Schiena, Dean Cain, Heath Herring, Louis Herthum, and Bai Ling, follows the adventures of a retired fighter and his journey back to glory. And while it certainly sounds like every other Mma-related movie currently on the market, none of them have Bai Ling And Kimbo Slice amongst their cast.
- 11/9/2009
- by Todd
- Beyond Hollywood
Go behind the scenes of ‘Circle of Pain‘ to see stunt coordinating at it’s finest. Hear about choreographing a good fight from director Daniel Zirilli, stunt coordinator Arnold Chon and actor Heath Herring. Note that the other fighter is Roger Huerta, the only Mma guy ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Synopsis: Following ... Related Posts Kimbo Slice in a MovieSet First Look: ‘Circle of Pain’ – New Mma-powered Movie Cain of Pain ~ TV’s Superman speaks from the set of ‘Circle of Pain’ MovieSet Spotlight: Director Zirilli talks with Huerta and Herring on ‘Circle of Pain’ set...
- 11/2/2009
- by Dave
- MovieSet.com
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