Both of these movies come highly recommended -- by other people, because my personal copies have not arrived yet (Grrr!!!). Still, I've heard from such a wide cross-section of trusted friends and complete strangers that I feel completely confident in suggesting you check these movies out. Both were released in Region 1 DVD editions earlier this week.

Kiltro was one of the movies that people were raving about at Fantastic Fest last fall. As as our own Scott Weinberg noted at the time, Kiltro is an action flick from Chile starring "stuntman-turned-hero Marko 'The Latin Dragon' Zaror." Michael Gingold of Fangoria wrote that, despite a multitude of kung-fu movie conventions, Kiltro succeeds "due to a tongue-in-cheek approach that tweaks the genre's requirements ... and the charisma and abilities of Zaror." The DVD from Magnet Releasing includes deleted scenes, bloopers, fight training and behind the scenes footage, and storyboard action.

It's only the opening day of Fantastic Fest and already we have a pair of acquisitions to announce! Looks like Magnet Releasing, which is the new "genre arm" of Magnolia Pictures, has purchased the North American rights to Kiltro and Mirageman. Both action flicks hail from Chile, and they mark the arrival of stuntman-turned-hero Marko "The Latin Dragon" Zaror. Both movies will be playing (twice!) during Fantastic Fest, so if you're dying to see what sort of action mayhem pours out of Chile, you might want to book a quick trip to Austin.

"I've never seen anyone with Marko's power and size exhibit such agility and acrobatic skill. He's amazing to watch," said Magnet's Tom Quinn. "I haven't been this excited about an action star since the first time I saw Tony Jaa in Ong Bak." "Marko's talent and skill is unmatched," said producer Derek Rundell. "At 6'2", 210 pounds, it's magic to watch him move with such speed, power and style. We're thrilled about working with Magnet and introducing him to American audiences." Zaror's biggest gig so far was acting as The Rock's stunt double in The Rundown -- but if the guy's skilled enough to anchor two whole movies in his native land, then obviously he's got some skills.

And if Tom Quinn is comparing Zaror favorably to Tony Jaa, then I officially can't wait to see these movies.

Source: Magnolia press release