The Magnificent Ruffians (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Another Five Venoms showcase that doesn't get started until the third act. And it's the third act that delivers a plot twist that catapults the film to another level.
Great performances by the best physique (next to Bruce, of course) in kung fu cinema: Lo Meng and the villainous Lu Feng. The kung fu techniques are nothing spectacular, however all the Venoms are skilled martial artists.
This film, although not one of the greatest, is still one for the collection for the true HK flix fanatic.
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Not my favorite Venom film but still a good effort from the Venom gang.
WOW!! From the moment I saw the trailer for "Black Belt" (or "Kuro-Obi", which I like saying by the way), I knew I was in for something special! The first 15 minutes alone stopped me in my tracks and compelled me to sit back and enjoy this work of art!
"Kuro-Obi" works on all fronts: story, script, cinematography, cast and especially the martial arts. Leads Akihito Yagi (Int'l. Meibukai Goju Ryu Karate Instructor) and Tatsuya Naka (Japan Karate Association General HQ (Corp) Instructor) surprisingly give acting and film fighting performances rarely found in one thespian. Once I saw their martial techniques, I knew I was looking at truly skilled martial artists.
Regarding the action, you won't find the highly dance-like Peking opera style of choreography like Hong Kong films, or the MTV style quick editing most US films use (to hide under trained stuntmen), but what you will find is very realistic fight scenes that are very entertaining!
"Kuro-Obi" is a great film that presents a story of honor, loyalty and how we must cope in a world of good and evil. Definitely a must-have for any fan of martial arts and/or film, period! Buy it, share it!
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I knew these performers could do the moves, but they're very affecting actors, too.
Fearless Dragon (product link) Martial Arts / Comedy Cast is everything when marketing a film. That's probably why I even gave this sub-par film a look. With the likes of Leung Kar Yan, Phillip Ko Fei and Wang Lung Wei, I thought this must be halfway decent!
Boy, was I wrong! Cast can only take you so far. With a story that lacks substance and silly comedic scenes, your best bet is to fast-forward to the end fight, which is at least entertaining, mainly because of the talents of the cast. Check it out only if you've seen everything else.
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I agree, this should have been much better considering the cast. They should have kept this one serious and skipped the comedy.
The Fists Of Righteous Harmony (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure "Fists Of Righteous Harmony" is a great indie film that centers around a group of masked crime fighters who battle evil forces with martial arts and psychic powers.
Along with the great story is a riveting soundtrack/score by George Shaw that adds a level of suspense that compliments the film with dynamic impact. A very entertaining film!
Immortal [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Thriller Well I have to admit I was a little reluctant to check out this indie film from the STUNT PEOPLE. If it wasn't for their films "Contour" and "Undercut", I might not have tried this one out.
They've (THE STUNT PEOPLE) done it again, produced a feature film that is fun and entertaining. Co-star Eric Jacobus is a hidden gem, and should be contending for leading man roles in Hollywood soon!
Now, I must say the production values aren't top Hollywood standard, however, this production team is up and coming. The story, dealing with immortality, good and evil, is sometimes hard to follow; however, it's paced good enough to keep you intrigued. But don't forget this film is about the martial arts and the action is top notch and entertaining. Great camerawork and choreography!
IMMORTAL is a fun alternative to mainstream action films and, if graded with a curve, is very enjoyable.
Dirty Ho (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Great technical kung fu footwork choreography, great acting by Gordon Liu. The plot and ending are a little questionable. Check it out for the kung fu and opening scene.
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Agreed! One of Gordon Liu's best acting performances.
I agree with your rating, but was probably less disturbed by the ending than you. Yes, it was abrupt, but not really unsupportable with the court intrigues of the day.
Chocolate [2008] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure
While viewing the movie, I couldn't help but think of how awesome it would have been to view this film in a theater with other kung fu cinema fans!
The action in this movie is the kind of action that makes you say, "Daamm!! Did you see that?!" I could vividly see the downtown movie theater exploding with excitement, with every action scene.
I have to admit the start was a little slow, but something keeps you glued. Maybe it's the anticipation or curiosity of seeing martial arts cinema's newest sensation, Jeeja Yanin, strut her stuff. Or maybe it was the track record of the filmmaking team that produced this film and Tony Jaa's two smash hits. Whatever the reason, this film captivates the viewer.
The fight choreography is innovative and exciting and long overdue! My only hope is that the stunt men didn't permanentely injure themselves. Stunt work should be realistic LOOKING, without get seriously injured. Safety should always be the priority for any filmmaker!
All in all, this is a very engaging film. Go get it!
Sorry but this movie is entirely too overpraised. While it is somewhat entertaining, watching one fight is the same as watching all of them. This movie is pretty darn tedious.
Death By Misadventure: The Curse Of The Dragon (product link) Documentary / Martial Arts As an avid Bruce Lee fan, I had to see this documentary. Naturally I was looking for some new tidbits that I hadn't discovered in my many years of admiration of my childhood hero.
The info in this below-par production (use a boom or a lapel mic next time) is hard to swallow. The doc reveals aspects of Lee's life that most fans don't want to hear. I don't know why the producers feel they have to expose very personal aspects of someone's life, especially after his death. No one is perfect!
If all the information in this film is true, so what! I don't think what Bruce did hurt anyone, and we all have our vices in life. Why is it so easy to bring someone down and so difficult to uplift our fellow man?
This film is only for the die hard Lee fan who has seen all or most documentaries on the greatest martial artist of all time.
Seven Swords (product link) Martial Arts / Swordplay/Sword(s) I gave this film 4 stars for effort. The film had moments of greatness, but failed to deliver the final blow that should have catapulted this film into martial arts cinema's hall of fame.
Great cinemantography, sets and costumes were a plus.
The Young Master (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure You can't go wrong with this Chan classic! Great story and characters, along with an all-star cast that includes Yuen Biao, Whong In Sik and Shek Kin, make this a must-see!
The end fight with Jackie vs. Whong In Sik is really something to witness. You will be ehausted just watching the Chan man in action. Definitely an early Jackie Chan classic!
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Among the most remarkable of Jackie Chan's physical efforts. Almost every take must have hurt.
Shaolin Master Killer (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Almost perfect! Captures the true essence of martial arts. Made Gordon Liu an international star!
Cinema Of Vengeance (product link) Documentary / Martial Arts Well made doc on the Hong Kong film industry. Rare shots of the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest Studios which were the two main studios from the genre's heyday.
Also, great behind the scene and historical clips and interviews from Hong Kong cinema's hall of fame superstars. Great for the serious fan!
For several years I overlooked this film because of the movie stills and lobby cards I saw in magagzines and at local Asian movie theaters back in the day. The photos seemed to show a film that was geared more for Asian audiences (which is probably true) than the typical US martial arts movie fan. Since I'm not the typical US martial arts fan, I had to see for myself.
Lau Kar-Leung has done it again! The fun and creative story was a nice change from the mediocre revenge stories usually produced by Hong Kong film companies.
The story centers around the star of the show, Kara Hui Ying-Hung (YOUNG AUNTIE), who must marry her dying sifu in order to keep his inhertiance and estate from the sifu's evil brother, played by the reliable Wang Lung-Wei. The safest way to keep the inheritance out of the evil brother's hands and stay alive is to deliver the sifu's last will and testament to one of his kung fu practicing nephews (Lau Kar-Leung) in Canton. Sounds pretty easy, until the nephew's son (played by the energetic Hsiao Ho) can't come to grips with his youthful great AUNTIE's prescence and spends most of the film devising pranks and challenges to show her who's boss.
Once the silliness concludes, the REAL kung fu starts! With the action direction of Lau Kar-Leung, with the help of Ching Chu and Hsiao Ho, YOUNG AUNTIE explodes with some fantastic martial arts choreography. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it, Lau Kar-Leung has done more to promote true martial arts in film than any other film star except Bruce Lee.
Add in great performances by Tong Wai Shing, Yung Moon, and a cameo from Gordon Lui Chia-Hui and the silliness in act two was somewhat tolerable. I also enjoyed the film opening Hung Fist form by Lau Kar Leung.
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the fights were great but i hate lar kar leung's crappy comedy.
Ron Van Clief Collection [2-Disc Set] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Too bad the production values on these two films--"The Death Of Bruce Lee" and "Way Of The Black Dragon"--were so poor. The only good thing about either of the films are the talents of master Van Clief.
Good martial arts technique by master Van Clief, bad movie otherwise. Only for the nostalgia buff or hardcore kung fu cinema junkie, like myself. I give the three stars to "The Death Of Bruce Lee" ("Black Dragon's Revenge"), zero stars to "The Way Of The Dragon". Almost forgot, there is some behind the scenes footage and film commentary that will interest the old school kung fu and blaxsploitation film buff.
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Mr. Van Clief could have shone with better production values (and scripts, too, really.)
The Magnificent Butcher (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Come ooon now! As for fight choreography goes, how can you not rank "Magnificent Butcher" as one of the all time great kung fu films ever made? The cast alone should convince you that the film is one for the history books.
The script is somewhat basic, but the performances are extraordinary! Sammo, Yuen Biao, Lee Hoi-San, Lam Ching Ying, Chiang Kam, Kwan Tak Hing, Fan Mei Sheng, Fung Hak On, Wai Pak, Chung Fat and Yuen Mao all turn in some of the best work. Add in the direction and action direction of genuis Yuen Wo Ping and you have a bona fide masterpiece!!
The DVD cover convinced me to check out this Shaw Brothers 1979 hidden gem. As a fan of Hong Kong cinema since the early 70's, I thought I had seen or at least heard about all of Shaw's classics,but this one was not on the list. I'm glad I took the risk and bought this must-have for the collection!
The movie centers around three martial arts students and their master seeking revenge on a mysterious and very angry kung fu villian, played by Kwan Feng, who enjoys challenging and humiliating local kung fu masters.
The story gets interesting when the three students run away from their sifu after he loses face in a defeat to this traveling master of disaster. The students run away to learn better fighting skills in order to take revenge for their embarrased teacher.
The students eventually find masters to teach them various kung fu skills and now it's revenge time.
Hats off to action director Hsu Hsia and the always flawless Hau Chiu Sing. "Five Superfighters" is a very entertaing kung fu film.
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It could have used more budget, but there's nothing wrong with the action. It's a good film.
Undercut (product link) Martial Arts / Comedy Filmmaker Stephen Reedy delivers an exciting action film that rivals most Hollywood martial arts films in recent history!
Fun and entertaining, UNDERCUT will keep you ready to hit the back button on your DVD remote several times wondering how they did that with out killing each other.
Hats go off to the entire STUNT PEOPLE team. Hollywood take notice!
Contour (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure The STUNT PEOPLE are the most under-rated action stuntmen/stars currently in the movie business! CONTOUR, even with its limited budget, ranks as one of the best choregraphed action films in years!
For a low budget indie film, CONTOUR delivers on all accounts, as a very entertaining and fun film with interesting characters and great martial arts action.
Kudos go to the entire cast and crew, most notably writer/director Eric Jacobus and cinematographer Stephen Reedy.
These guys have skills. Get this DVD for your collection!
Dreadnaught (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Don't hesitate on this one! You have the Yuen clan directing the action and Yuen Wo Ping himself directing th entire project.
The all-star cast of Yuen Biao, Leung Kar Yan, Kwan Tak Hing, Phillip Ko Fei and Yuen Shun Yee are at their flawless best. Some of the best Peking Oprea style kung fu on film. Give a golden horse to Yuen Shun Yee as the psychotic White Tiger--the ruthless villian.
Good plot, great characters and an end fight that shouldn't be missed!
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i def agree with you though i would give it 4 stars still it's a good entertaing fu movie.
Fearless [2006] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure
2005's BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR! This is filmmaking at its best!
Props go to writers Chris Chow and Christine To for a heartwarming and entertaining story showcasing the true meaning of martial arts. Jet Li said that this film mirrors his philosophy in life very closley-maybe he added some of the dialogue also. In any case FEARLESS is a great film that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.
The martial art techniques in the film, however, are your standard Yuen Wo Ping flavor (which is always good ) we have all seen before. One of my favorite martial arts scences was a fantastically filmed chi kung empty hand set, performed by the very underrated Collin Chou.
I definitely recommend the Hong Kong Director's cut version to any version available, to experience this superbly directed Ronny Yu film.
I also enjoyed the locations, costumes and set decoration. Overall a well produced film of any genre! The academy missed one again.
P.S. Did I mention I really like this film! I think I have made my point. PEACE!!
Once Upon A Time In China Trilogy [UK SE 3-Disc Set] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure "Once Upon A Time In China" is a genre classic! It literally started the new wave of the kung fu period film. Jet Li is at his best and Yen She Kwan is one of the most underrated cinema fighters ever! His night time battle with Yuen Cheung Yan is one that must be viewed a second time to really absorb the artistry.
Regarding OUATIC II And III, as they say it is never as good as the first time. However, OUATIC II has Donnie Yen and Jet battling it out with Chinese staffs, and part III has great locations from Mainland China, interesting camerawork, and lion dancing!
All and all this set will please any true martial arts movie fan.
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#1 is among my favorites; #2 & 3 are a little bit less, but they have much to recommend them. Jet Li broke both legs (I think in the ladders battle) making #1 - but any doubling or trickery is invisible.
Five Fingers Of Death (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I have to give this film five stars first and formost because of its historical significance. This is the film that started it all, in the US. Before Fist of Fury, Snake and the Eagles Shadow and Jet Li's Shaolin Temple, there was Five Fingers of Death.
Like most old school films of the 70's you have to view this film with a curve, due to the fact that is almost 40 years old. The martial arts techniques are pretty basic compared to films from the 80's on, even though the legendary Lau Kar Wing was the action director.
Five Fingers of Death is a classic revenge story, that really has a great supporting cast such as a young Bolo from Enter the Dragon among others.
You can not call yourself a kung fu/martial arts movie fan without this film in your libary.
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I call myself a kung fu/martial arts movie fan. It's one of the first HK martial arts films I saw long ago: While I liked it then, it shines brighter now that I know the genre better. Lo Lieh is a great protagonist.
yes i totally agree with your review this is without doubt one of my favorite lo lieh films.and your right every self respected fan of kung fu films should have this shaw brothers classic sitting on there shelf.
Drunken Tai Chi (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure If the filmmakers had more money to work with on this production, I think this film would have been a five star movie. Take away a few stars for production values. Other than that, great story and great martial arts choreography by the great Yuen Wo Ping and company. Donnie Yen delivers Tai Chi moves with fantastic flare!
I agree. The merits of this movie go unsung. I like the idea of drunken tai chi. I'd like to see this style against a style like Muay Thai (i.e. Donnie Yen vs. Tony Jaa).
The Prodigal Son (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Classic! One of the best (if not THE best) martial arts films ever made! A must have for every fan of action films.
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