Mark Dacascos is one of the most skilled fighters in the industry, but is too often overshadowed. Here are some of his best films.

Mark Dacascos has been around on our screens since 1989, playing mostly in films that required fighting skills which he has in spades. With over 80 parts in film, television, and even video games, the man has made his mark. His martial arts background is impressive, being the son of Al Dacascos, one of the founder of Wun Hop Kuen Do (WHKD) Kung Fu, he has been trained from a young age and it shows. Mark Dacascos is one of the most skilled fighters in the industry, something that shows through many of his roles. Here are our picks for the best Mark Dacascos movies.  

Only the Strong (1993) 

Early on in his career, but not exactly at the start, this film is one that helped put Dacascos on the map. Yes, he had done other work, but for most action film fans, this capoeira film really shows his talent as an actor and a martial artist. The film itself is entertaining and has a few interesting story points. It also helped bring capoeira to US audiences and give Dacascos a starring role that really fitted his skills and capacities. The film comes and goes on streaming, but it’s more than worth checking out. It also helps show how the actor evolved from his early roles to his current roles. 

Crying Freeman (1995) 

We could have gone with Double Dragon or The Redemption: Kickboxer 5 as his next one, but really, Crying Freeman is where it’s at and it led to another one of his best films, Brotherhood of the Wolf. This one is a comic book adaptation that is beloved by some while the rest still have no idea it exists. Directed by Christophe Gans for whom this was a first feature, the film is all about the titular character played by Dacascos and his turn as Yo Hinomura aka Freeman is excellent here. While the film is very 1990s-dated, the performance is on point and the martial arts on display from Dacascos show that he really can fight and make it look fascinating at the same time. His work here is strong and mesmerizing while the film itself is a fun watch. This is also the film where he met his wife, Julie Condra. 

Drive (1997) 

Here, Mark Dacascos plays an enhanced human, a man who is a protype and on the run, so many are looking for him and wanting him either back under their control or dead. He pairs up with a random dude to go survive in this seemingly random film for the actor. Once watching, one can really see why he took the part as it’s fun and it’s a bit insane, bringing a lot to the screen. Dacascos’ performance carries the movie and makes it more than worth a few hours of time to watch it. Drive recently received a re-release with all the bells and whistles on Blu for collectors, showing that the film has legs and is still quite loved by action film fans.  It’s definitely one of the best Mark Dacascos movies ever.

Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) (2001) 

Possibly THE Mark Dacascos performance here. In this period piece, Dacascos plays Mani, an Iroquois whose tribe was decimated by the French waging war on the locals in what is now known as Quebec. As he was the translator for the lead of the film here, the Chevalier de Fronsac, he was spared and now has traveled to France with him where they have been called to the Gevaudan to elucidate a mystery around a beast that kills the locals. This film, on its own, is a must-see, it’s a period piece, an action film, a horror film, a fantasy film, and so much more. Here, Dacascos gets to show that he can act and that he is one badass dude. His first fight sequence against two ladies armed with metal claws is absolutely stunning. The part has clearly been built around him and his capacities and he is given the space to just be. The film as whole is not about Mani, but his presence is very much felt throughout, and the film would not have been as impactful without him. From this and 1995’s Crying Freeman, it’s clear that pairing Christophe Gans with Mark Dacascos leads to great cinema. 

Maximum Impact (2017) 

This one seems to have gone below the radar for many people. It’s a different type of part for Dacascos and he plays it very tongue-in-cheek and like a parody of action stars taking themselves way too seriously. His work here is just quirky in the right way and his fighting style shows throughout. It’s a fun film to watch and one with some of the oddest casting choices in an action movie, yet they all somewhat work. Dacascos is the bad guy here, one that is a cinematic cliché and who acts in such ways that he can only be described as being extra. The character is silly, but he also shows how some folks in the industry take themselves way too seriously. For those who have followed his career for years, this won’t come as too much of a surprise and his fans should enjoy watching him go over the top and maybe chew a bit of scenery. This film is very much a throwback to the direct-to-video days of the 1980s and 1990s and is one of the least known Mark Dacascos movies, but also one of his best. 

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) 

The current obsession of action fans, the John Wick series, has made it a habit of bringing on actors who both can act and fight, people with very particular skills, so seeing Dacascos in this film was not a surprise. He is brought in to be one of the villains taking on Wick, but they don’t just bring him on board here, they introduce him as a chef, which can only be a nod to his time as the Chairman on the US version of Iron Chef. His character has some development, but not too much, his presence is purely to give Wick a worthy opponent and he does a great job at this. He brings his martial arts skills, his comedic timing, and his ways, making it a part that is fully his.

Of course, his career is still booming, so more excellent parts are coming from this man of course. What do you think are the best Mark Dacascos movies?

For years, Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net.” In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up and coming, or well established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences, and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at [email protected].This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of…

CHOGRIN

CHOGRIN is a bilingual artist and storyteller from Guayaquil, Ecuador, currently residing in Los Angeles. His work is inspired by American and Japanese pop-culture and for the last decade he has worked in the animation industry for companies like Cartoon Network, Disney, and Netflix. His artwork has been featured in multiple galleries and publications around the world. He’s currently writing and directing his own animated projects, as well as making limited-edition art toys, and writing new bilingual stories for the publisher lil’ libros.

JOBLO: What got you started as an artist?
CHOGRIN: I grew up with a healthy dose of tv shows, movies, comics, and video games that made me want to get a piece of paper, colored pencils, and draw my favorite moments and characters from them.

I think I was 5 years old when I watched The Wizard of Oz for the first time on my Grandma’s TV. All the vivid colors, characters, moments, and emotions compelled me to draw and color what I like to call my first “masterpiece.” I remember my drawing featured Dorothy, The Tinman, The Scarecrow, and The Lion all walking on the yellow brick road, with The Wicked Witch hovering behind them. It was one of those moments I can still remember like it was yesterday. It was almost like tunnel vision… I couldn’t stop what I was drawing until it was done. I remember being very proud of it. I also remember my Grandmother being impressed by it and rewarded me with these Tak-A-Toy 50th anniversary figures:

Sadly, I don’t have the drawing, but I’m hoping it is in my Grandma’s house somewhere…

The big “AHA!” moment for me was when I watched the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film in the theater. After the turtles are defeated by The Foot and retreat to April’s farmhouse, there’s a scene where April is drawing each Turtle. That scene blew my mind and was part of sending me down the path of wanting to get better at art. I wanted to be able to draw the turtles as good as her drawings. One of my dreams is to maybe someday own one of those original drawings. I think they were done for the production by art director Karen Steward. For lack of better words, the turtles were key into mutating me into the artist I am today.

Other big artistic moments and revelations to me were experimenting with Mario Paint…

And Jurassic Park really got my gears going about film, stop-motion animation, computer graphics, sound design, and dinosaurs of course!

Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?

Growing up I pretty much drew anything I liked on TV and that I saw in comics. A good mix of Anime, Disney, and Spawn. As I got older, I loved the works of Oswaldo Guayasamin, Diego Rivera, Akira Toriyama, Jack Kirby, Mike Mignola, Guillermo del Toro, Kevin Smith, Gutierrez, John Romita Jr., Charles Burns, Frida Kahlo, Dali, Moebius, and Picasso.

Between college and working in the animation industry I was able to develop my drawing style even more with the guidance of many amazing artists/mentors and friends like Brian Biggs, Christian Patchell, Joe DidoMenico, Bob McKnight, Ken Boyer, Phil Rynda, Eric Gonzalez, Nick Jennings, and Jorge R Gutierrez. I started looking at artists that would influence my drawing style like Al Hirschfeld, Osamu Tezuka, Ub Iwerks, Shotaro Ishinomori, E. C. Segar, , Maurice de Bevere (Morris), Dante Quinterno, Al Columbia, and The Fleischer Brothers.

People often say that my work reminds them of a hybrid of Astro Boy and Popeye. That is the best compliment I could ever get, because that’s the stuff I love and get my main inspiration from.

In 2014, I had the opportunity to put together an Official Popeye Art Show in collaboration with King Features Syndicate. It was a dream come true for me, as it was also a tribute to my abuelito, Manuel Game Peña, who was part of the Ecuadorian navy, and very much my real-life Popeye.

Who do you really dig these days, follow on Instagram?
Alban Ficat, Bridget Bilbo, Erick Martinez, Ehimo, Jared Circusbear, Dibbs, Nicolas Brosseau, Awesombrosos (Sebastián & Diego Ramirez), Cinema Fantasma, Flavia Z Drago, DuzMachines84, Burn353, SGorbio

What advice would you have for budding artists today?
Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to learn and grow along with each project. Always keep sight of your dreams and aspirations, but also stay humble, and leave space for unexpected projects that may come your way.

Also, apply and take on as many internships and work opportunities as possible while you’re in school and in your 20s.

What should we be looking out for from you in the future?
My current toy and merch collaborations with Stranger Things, Kevin Smith, and Onyx The Fortuitous.

Also here’s the poster and teaser trailer for my animated short film, “Lucky Brave’s Sunshine” which was recently selected to participate in the academy award qualifying festival, Chilemonos.

My bilingual children’s book, Kid del Toro. Written by me and illustrated by Pakoto Martinez. Available HERE.

Being a fansite, we have to ask you… What are some of your favorite movies/TV shows of all time?
Ah!!! So many! I’m a big fan of the animated medium, Amblin-esque movies or what I like to affectionately call “kids in peril” movies, movies based on cartoons, toys, or games, monster movies, and the Tokusatsu genre in general.

Here’ a list in no particular order: The Wizard of Oz, Popeye (the Fleischer years), Astro Boy/Tetsuwan Atomu (The 2003 series), Welcome to Pooh Corner (1983), Teddy Ruxpin TV movie and cartoon, Mickey Mouse Shorts, Ub Iwerk’s Flip the Frog shorts, He-man and the Masters of the Universe, Ni En Vivo Ni En Directo (1997), Dr Expertus, Beakman’s World, Beetlejuice movie and cartoon, Invader Zim, Flash Gordon (1980), Maya The Bee (1979), Lucky Luke, Bravestarr, Choujyu Sentai Liveman, Kidou Keiji Jiban, Saint Seiya (Los Caballeros del Zodiaco), Captain Tsubasa (Super Campeones), El Chavo del Ocho, JAWS, Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, Princess Monoke, Moby Dick (The Gregory Peck version), The Super Mario Super Show, The Wizard, The Goonies, The Monsters Squad, Gremlins 1 and 2, HOOK, Carrusel (1989), Maria la del Barrio, Roger Rabbit, Aladdin (1993), Ghostbusters 1-3, The Real Ghostbusters, Extreme Ghostbusters, Everything TMNT related, Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park 3, Super Mario Bros Movie (1993), The Flinstones Movie (1994), Popeye the Movie (1980) The Masters of the Universe Movie (1987), Might Morphin Power Rangers the Movie (1995), and Power Rangers (aka Saban’s americanized version of Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger/Super Sentai), Amelie, April and the Extraordinary World, The City of Lost Children, Cronos, Hellboy the Golden Army, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Devil’s Backbone, Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Frankenweenie, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Superman (1978), Fright Night 1 and 2 (the originals), Memories (1995), Jumanji (1995), Basket Case (1982), Brain Damage (1988), The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, Adventures in Dinosaur City, Prehysteria!, Blank Check, Encino Man, Once Upon A Forest, Ferngully, Dragonball, Lupin the Third, Outlaw Star, Cowboy Bebop, Pleasantville, Ghost World, Art School Confidential, Osamu Tezuka’s Metropolis, Tetsujin 28 (the Imagawa version), Giant Robo (The Imagawa version), Cyborg 009 (2001 version), Pinocchio in Outer Space, Pinocchio (1940), Del Toro’s Pinocchio, Caveman (1981), Chucky (1988), It (1990 Mini-series), Breaking Bad, Barry, Frankenstein (2004 mini series), The Karloff Frankenstein trilogy (1931-1939), Samurai Jack, Primal, Clerks 1 & 2, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Tusk, Interstellar, Adventure Time, Regular Show, Close Enough, LOVE (Paul Rust series), The Matrix, StepMonster (1993), The Spookies, The Willies, Star Wars (Episodes 4-9), LOTR (og Trilogy), Surf Ninjas, 3 Ninjas, Brigsby Bear, Sea Prince and the Fire Child, Problem Child 1 & 2, Stay Tuned, Condorman (1981), Maya and the three, El Tigre, The Book of Life, the Captain America movies, The Rocketeer, CHE films (by Steven Sonderbergh) Everything Everywhere all at once, Lady in White (1988), Radio Flyer (1992), The Powerpuff Girls series & Movie, Kid Cosmic, Blankman, Where the Wild Things are (2009), La Bamba, Guardians of the Galaxy, Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies, Rashomon, Night of Creeps, Godzilla: Final Wars, Lovecraft Country, Back to the Future Trilogy, Futurama, The Muppets Christmas Carol, The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Dead Man’s Chest, The Pirates of Dark Water, Swat Kats, Nacho Libre, Hot Rod, Cinema Paradiso, The Dennis the Menace Movie (1993), The Addams Family, Wednesday, La tropa Rex, The Odd Couple (1968), Brazil, 12 Monkeys, Akira, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Persepolis, Event Horizon, Starship Troopers, Trick ‘r Treat, Krampus, Vertigo, Fox’s Peter Pan & the Pirates, Captain Planet, Garden State, Juno, Fievel goes West, Galaxy Quest, Mystery Men, Space Jam, The Mask (1995), Cuphead, Thundercats, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, A Goofy Movie, The Real Adventure of Jonny Quest, Deep Rising, The Mummy (1999), Indiana Jones films (yes, all of them), Matinee (1993), Explorers (1985), Innerspace, Gladiator, ALIEN, Prometheus, The Burbs, Rover Dangerfield, The Venture Bros, Dexter’s Laboratory: Ego Trip, Amor Estranho Amor, No mires para abajo (2008), Tortilla Soup (2001), SideWalls (Medianeras), Sin City, Rango, Sing Street, Little Shop of Horrors (Director’s Cut), Stir of Echoes, Sleepy Hollow (1999), Contact (1997) Re-Animator, From Beyond, Batman the Animated Series, Star Trek TNG, Star Trek: First Contact, Out of the past, Double Indemnity, LA Confidential, Night Moves, Under the Silver Lake, The Long Goodbye (1973), Casablanca, Willow, Ernest Scared Stupid, Fantastic Fungi, The Life Aquatic, With my Heart in Yambo, The Death of Jaime Roldos, The Mars Underground, Fire of Love, Stranger Things, Dinosaurs (1991), Dinosaucers, Dino-Riders, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Los Espookys (Season 1), The Changeling (1980), The Exorcist III, Y tu mama también, The Frighteners, Most of all King Kong movies, Documentary Now, Frankelda, Virus Tropical, Desperado, Once upon a time in Mexico, Once upon a time in Hollywood, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, the thing, the fog, Kika (1994), Spawn the animated series, and Unicorn Wars.

Scroll down to check out some of our favorite art pieces from CHOGRIN as we continue to follow his journey across his Website and social media hubs: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / IMDB / YouTube / Store / Kid Del Toro / Linktree / Sideshow / UVD Toys / I Am 8 Bit / Fortuitous Films / Big Cartel

Alien

Cuphead

Dexters Laboratory

Donkey Kong

Frankenstein

Ghostbusters

Guillermo Del Toro

Guru Del Toro Anatomy

The Headless Horseman

Hellboy

He-Man vs. Skeletor

Kevin Smith

King Koopa

Krampus

The Monster Squad

Popeye

Popeye

Spawn

Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens

Stranger Things

Super Mario

Trick ‘R Treat

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was originally predicted to hit $120 million this weekend, but early numbers have it coming in at just $110 million.

Numbers have begun rolling in for this first week of the summer movie season, and after pulling in $17.5 million in Thursday previews, it is looking like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is going to open a bit softer than expected with just $110 million which puts it in the same range as the last Marvel film to hit theaters, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania which debuted with a franchise best $106.1 million a few weeks back. For Guardians however, if that $110 million sticks, it will represents a $36.5 million decline from the previous entry in the series. 

Count me as one of the people who has been disappointed by the last few MCU films, so I can definitely understand regular audiences who are weary of heading to theaters for this newest comic book film, but this one is actually good! Don’t just take it from me or our own Chris Bumbray who gave it an 8/10 in his review, take it from the 96% audience score and the A cinemascore. For me, this felt like an old school MCU movie. It was a bit darker than we are used to in a Guardians movie, yet it still maintained the comedy, actual comedy, not the cringey, roll your eyes stuff we have come to expect from comic book movies. The good news for Vol. 3 is that next week sees no huge competition with the exception of the Ben Affleck/ Robert Rodriguez R rated collaboration Hypnotic, so with good word of mouth the Guardians will hopefully not see a comic book standard 60% drop off. 

Chris Pratt does have something to smile about, as he will be the lead of the top two box office finishers this weekend as The Super Mario Bros. Movie drops down one spot in its fifth week with what is looking for right now as an $18-19 million weekend. That would represent around a 55% decline from last week, which is a bit sharper than I had anticipated, but with nearly $520 million at the domestic box office and over a billion at the worldwide box office, I’m sure no one is complaining about this weekend’s numbers. 

Third place looks to be Evil Dead Rise with an additional $5-6 million taking its total to just under $54 million domestic and over $100 million at the worldwide box office, making it the first film in the Evil Dead franchise to hit that number. That’s pretty promising considering the producers have said they want to release a new Evil Dead film every two to three years.

Lionsgate holds the fourth and fifth spot on the list with two vastly different films. First up is the severely under-performing Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with what is looking like a mid $3 million finish as the film struggles to hit just $15 million after two weeks of release while John Wick: Chapter 4 continues its impressive run with an additional $2-3 million as the potentially concluding chapter to the hit franchise hits over $180 million domestic with over $400 million worldwide. Who are we kidding, with numbers like that, I look forward to Chapter 5! 

It looks like the other new release of the week, Love Again, will be able to slip into the top five for the weekend with between $2-3 million. Not the best numbers in the world, but a top five finish is nothing to shake your head at.

Have you been able to check out Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 yet or has the prospect of yet another comic book movie not excite you ? Let us know in the comments section and don’t forget to check back tomorrow when we have a full rundown on this weekend’s box office numbers.