Agreement:91% of 129 voters agree with William Giordanella's reviews Gender: Male Location: Byron Georgia
Bio: I really prefer the older movies and I've been watching alot of Fu Sheng and Ti Lung films lately. No matter how many films I watch, my favorite is still Sammo.
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Thunder Kick (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This is just bad in so many ways. Boring story, bland kung fu, and the [Tai Seng DVD] print has focus problems. There is nothing good about this movie except to see a young Bolo (for about 1 minute). I've warned you, now stay away!
The Lady Assassin (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This is one fantastic movie! Very entertaining from start to finish, with a stellar cast and a great storyline! Everyone in this film was kicking butt, including all the ladies. Highly recommended.
On The Run (product link) Action/Adventure / Crime A different kind of movie for Yuen Biao, but he is very good in what is being termed "film noir". There is zero matial arts and only a tiny bit of Biao's trademark acrobatics in this, so be prepared for a no-nonsense crime thriller. Look for Lo Lieh as a corrupt policeman. All in all a very good movie.
Bastard Swordsman (product link) Martial Arts / Swordplay/Sword(s) Normally, nobody complains more about wirework than me, but this movie is so well done that you can't help but sit back and enjoy. Everything about it works for me with the exception of the silkworm stuff at the very end, which was just a little too overboard, which is why I knocked off 1/2 a star. If you go into this film expecting a wuxia fantasy, you'll be happliy impressed. If you are expecting a realistic martial arts swordplay movie, look elsewhere. Highly recommended if you want something a little different.
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Exactly right. I prefer realistic martial arts,but this film is a kick.
The Challenger (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This would have been graded a lot higher had they decided to leave out the really bad comedy scenes. I have to say the comedy in this is just plain awful in spots, but some of the fights are just too good to rate this below average. I normally like David Chiang, but his character was really annoying, although both Norman Chu and Phillip Ko Fei are outstanding. Overall a mixed bag, which is too bad considering the cast.
The Lady Hermit (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Classic wuxia at its finest! Great teaming of Cheng Pei-Pei and Lo Lieh, and I thought Si Si was also very good, although some reviewers found her to be annoying. Highly recommended for fans of wuxia.
Robotrix (product link) Science Fiction / Girls With Guns This movie is a lot better than I thought it would be but certainly more of a guilty pleasure than a serious martial arts flick. Still, Billy Chow is always great and the ladies--well I don't need to say anything more than what's already been said. It is a very entertaining movie.
The Sword Of Swords (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure To me, Wang Yu's movies are hit or miss, and fortunately I think this one is a hit! This time he's the protector of the "sword of swords". Definitely recommended.
Shinjuku Incident (product link) Crime / Drama Wow, this movie is definitely a different turn for Jackie. There is martial arts action in this and no clowning for Jackie. I have to say that Jackie was fantastic and very believable. Some will complain that he should stick to doing the same type of movies he has always done; but if Tom Hanks would have taken that advice, he would have made more "Bachelor Party" movies instead of "Philadelphia", "Forrest Gump", "Green Mile", etc.
One Armed Swordsmen (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure A really cool idea executed to perfection by Wang Yu and David Chiang. Throw in a minor performance by the always great Lo Lieh and you have a movie that doesn't disappoint. Highly recommended.
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I WANT A WIDESCREEN RELEASE! And I HATE VIDEO ASIA! :)
The Blonde Fury (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts There just weren't enough fights in this to make it anything but average, and that's too bad because when the fights do happen they are very entertaining. Rothrock is very good in this as well, there's just too much dead time in between fights.
City Of Darkness (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Although Donnie Yen's picture is displayed on the box, he really has a small role in this one. On the plus side, there are tons of fights in this flick and most of them are very good. I knocked a 1/2 star off for some misplaced childish humor and unneccesary wirework. I also deducted another 1/2 star off for a very disappointing ending. If you like your kung fu flicks for non-stop action, you'll like this, but this is by no means perfect.
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Very true. Not perfect but still quite good. i wonder what happened to some of the younger actors in this that seemed to disappear from movies after this one.
Rage Of The Masters (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Although the bodycount is endless, this is a terrible movie featuring Wang Yu. I think there were about three people who actually looked like they had practiced martial arts; the rest were just flunkies to add to the bodycount. Add in absolutely horrible dubbing and wirework that was so bad it's laugh out loud funny. This started out with some promise, even though you've seen the "you killed my father, revenge is mine" storyline. I am a fan of Wang Yu, but this was barely tolerable to sit through.
The Assassin [1967] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This started out like it was going to be another Wang Yu classic, but after the first 30 minutes of solid action, the movie moved at a galcier's pace for the next hour and 20 minutes. I understand that they were trying to build the love story and Jimmy obtaining wealth, but again, where's the action? The finale is classic Wang Yu, but in a two-hour movie, is 40 minutes of action enough? Sorry, the answer for me is no.
Hanuman: The White Monkey Warrior (product link) Martial Arts / Fantasy Let's see...the story was confusing and dumb, the martial arts were lame and CGI-infused, and the only way you could tell that the lead was "The White Monkey Warrior" was because he scratched behind his ears like a monkey from time to time. Throw in some bad acting and you get a movie that I recommend you stay away from at all costs. Don't say I didn't warn you.
The Naval Commandos (product link) Action/Adventure / War First and foremost, it must be said that this is more of a war/espionage movie than a martial arts movie. There is some martial arts action, but considering the cast, it could be a little disappointing to some to see such little martial arts action. The cast is top notch, with David Chiang, Ti Lung, Fu Sheng, and some Venoms thrown in to boot. If you go in understanding this is a war picture I think you will enjoy it because it is quite good. Just don't expect non-stop martial arts mayhem.
The Shadow Whip (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure "The Shadow Whip" is more story-driven than action-driven, and I found this to be quite enjoyable. Cheng Pei-Pei is very good in this, although as one reviewer stated, a whip is not the most terrifying of weapons. Regardless, this one is definitely worth checking out.
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Cheng Pei-Pei was 24 when she made this: Very appealing then, and very appealing now, at 63.
Hitman [1998] (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts Underrated Jet Li film that delivers some solid comedy as well as some tight action. The other actors involved--Simon Yam, Gigi Leung, and Eric Tsang--are great, and hats off to Tsang for a comedic performance that was truly funny, not annoying. Definitely recommended for Jet Li fans!
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Not matter how many times I watch this movie I still end up hating it...
I didn't like this at all when I first saw it, but it seemed to get better on reviewing, particularly after knowing more of Eric Tsang and Simon Yam's work. They parody themselves quite well.
The Fast Sword (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Solid old school flick with a very good cast. I thought the two supporting women, Hon Seung-Kam and Wang Li, were exceptionally good.
Ong-Bak 2 (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I'm not sure what some people were expecting. It was made clear before the film's theatrical release that this was not going to be an "Ong-Bak" sequel. Let's see, Jaa went to the big city in search of a relic ("Ong-Bak"), and then he went to the big city in search of an elephant ("Tom Yum Goong"). What did you want him to go searching for this time, a lost puppy dog? I agree, naming this "Ong-Bak 2" was moronic, but it doesn't make this a bad film. It makes it a badly named film. I know some people wanted more Muay Thai, but if Tony Jaa does the same thing over and over again, people will bitch "all he can do is Muay Thai"! Bottom line, if you want to see an entertaining martial arts film, I highly recommend this one. No it's not quite as good as "Ong-Bak" or "Tom Yum Goong", but how many films are?
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What you say is correct. While Tony Jaa's Muay Thai is very attractive, he has never given any reason to think that's all he had to or meant to offer. One doesn't expect orthodox southern forms from Jackie Chan. Both stars offer a widescreen spectacle.
Flying Dragon, Leaping Tiger (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I'm surprised more people haven't seen this, because it's very good! I love when Sammo cuts back on the comedy and tweaks up the action instead. There is some wirework but it doesn't detract from the story. If you can find this, get it. You won't be disappointed.
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This was a good movie .I particularly enjoy the desert setting.
Geisha Assassin (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I don't know why, but there just seemed to be something missing in this flick. There are some absolutely beautiful scenery shots, the female lead is capable enough, but pieces of the story just missed the mark for me. The ninja scene was a little over the top and the scene where she fights the "things" from hell was a little too cheesy. Not a bad film, just one with too many faults to rate it more than 3 1/2 stars.
Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars (product link) Comedy / Martial Arts How do you make a movie with the likes of Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Jackie Chan, Richard Norton, Yasuaki Kurata, and Chung Fat nearly unbearable to watch? Easy, add four morons who want to do nothing but grope women and act like they're the three stooges (or four stooges, I guess).
This movie has some fantastic fight scenes--the fight in the Pepsi factory and the end fight where Sammo takes on Richard Norton and then Yasuaki Kurata are unbelievable--but over 80% of this flick is concerned with the four annoying morons trying to feel up anyone they can find.
I have to recommend this movie due to the amazing action sequences (these aren't the only solid fight scenes), but by all means have the remote handy to forward through the comedy bullshit and have patience. The fights are honestly that good.
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When I'm in the mood, I do like comedy, but this did push the envelope a little too much. The action sequences like you stated are quite amazing!
Enter The Eagles (product link) Action/Adventure / Girls With Guns I guess I liked this a little more than the most reviewers. I found this to be quite entertaining, the kind of flick where you microwave some popcorn, sit back, and have fun watching. None of the actors in this will win an Oscar and some of the effects are a bit hokey, but isn't it okay to watch martial arts movies for some fun? Girls with guns fans will rejoice!
Ichi (product link) Martial Arts / Drama Very good retelling of the classic "Zatoichi", this time a blind female musician is the lead. I did enjoy it, but I thought it was a little too long and there are still a lot of loose ends concerning the origin of Ichi. They definitely left room for a sequel, so I wouldn't be surprised if the tradition lived on.
Return Of The One Armed Swordsman [3-Movie Set] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure An excellent follow-up to the martial arts classic, "One Armed Swordsman", this time with Fang Gang (Jimmy Wang Yu's character) going up against the Eight Kings of Swords. This has a great story and Wang Yu really does a superb job as the One Armed Swordsman. There's a little crazy wirework, but other than that this one is definitely a must-see. Highly recommended.
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Yes. Jimmy Wang Yu, while not a proficient martial artist, is a very talented actor. He is very well showcased here.
Yes, Madam! (product link) Martial Arts / Girls With Guns The action and stunts are top notch in this flick, but there's way to much time given to the shenanigans of Shum, Moi, and Hark in the name of comic relief. It's a shame more time wasn't spent with Yeoh and Rothrock because they were excellent.
The Good, The Bad, The Weird (product link) Action/Adventure / Western I think if you could have taken the better parts of this film and the better parts of "Sukiyaki Western Django", you could have had one hell of a flick. I found both films to be uneven, despite the fact that both had their moments and both were indeed fun. I do recommend this film, although it could have been better and a lot shorter.
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A very strange film, but 3.5 stars-worthy: It has its moments.
The Sword [1971] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This is a very good flick starring Jimmy Wang Yu as an obsessed nobleman, the catch being he is obsessed with a sword, not necessarily power. As one other reviewer stated, the subtitles on the Crash Masters DVD are near impossible to read in spots, but I recommend watching this a few times if necessary. This is a solid Wang Yu flick!
Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountain (product link) Fantasy / Action/Adventure I tried to watch it twice and give it a chance, I really did, but fell asleep both times. This movie has nice visuals (especially for the time it was released), but the story just...put me to sleep. The performances were fine, but the story...put me to sleep. I am a fan of Yuen Biao, but if I can't stay awake while viewing, how can I give it more than 2 1/2 stars?
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I might rate this slightly higher, but it really is hard to make much of the plot.
A Kid From Tibet (product link) Action/Adventure Just a so-so effort from Yuen Biao. The special effects are dated and there isn't a whole lot of action, but the storyline is fairly enjoyable. There's nothing bad about this flick but nothing that lifts it above average either.
Martial Art Master Wong Fai Hung (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I'm very surprised that more people haven't seen this movie because it is quite good! Chin Kar-Lok is fantastic as Wong Fei-Hung and Lam Ching-Ying is terrific in a small role as Hwang Chi-Yin. I'm not sure how historically accurate this film is, but the action is top notch and the story is very solid as well. My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that the subtitles [on my version] are hard to read sometimes because they blend into the white background. Other than that, I highly recommend this movie.
Lady Snowblood: Blizzard From The Netherworld (product link) Swordplay/Sword(s) / Drama Many times you will see a film labeled as "classic" and the film ends up being anything but classic. Not the case here, as this film lives up to all the hype. Meiko Kaji's stare is downright scary at times, and the blood flows and spurts throughout in this tale of ultimate vengeance. Highly recommended.
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Absolutely! Meiko Kaji is the best screen swordswoman there is, and the Lady Snowblood films show her at her best.
Red Cliff 2: The Decisive Battle (product link) Drama / Historical First and foremost, it must be understood that this is not a martial arts flick but a war movie. With that being said, this is a war movie of epic proportions. Everything about this flick works: outstanding characters, terrific acting, flawless direction, great story, and on and on. One of the few times where the sequel is better than the first movie. Highly recommended.
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It's helpful having studied the actual events. This is a first class spectacle with excellent direction and very good acting.
Pantyhose Hero (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This has some of Sammo's best action work, and I don't think I need to say anything more about the political incorrectness of the film. Alan Tam does a nice job as Sammo's undercover partner, and there are some truly funny scenes that aren't associated with the gay storyline as well. Watch this for the action but be ready to groan a time or two.
Undercut (product link) Martial Arts / Comedy I actually enjoyed this more than "Contour", probably because Jacobus' character was one you could root for in this film. The action is quite good and the acting is pretty good considering the budget. A fun movie as well as a very short one.
Painted Skin [2008] (product link) Ghost / Drama As I sit down to write this review, I have to admit I'm not really sure what I just watched. This flick is part horror, part fantasy, part love story, a little martial arts thrown in, some wire work...it's just all over the place. But I have to admit, it kept my interest throughout and was never boring, even though I often wondered "where the hell is this movie going?" If you're looking for something a little different, I recommend you pick this up. However, make sure you keep an open mind when watching it.
Skinny Tiger And Fatty Dragon (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts Not Sammo's best but a fairly enjoyable fick. The story is all over the place but the fights are pretty solid, including a really nice square off between Sammo and Lau Kar Wing. If you go into this thinking it's a buddy cop flick, I think you'll enjoy it. And Karl Maka isn't as bad as some have said.
Dragon Inn [1992] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I guess I'm in the miniority in that I was disappointed in this flick. For starters, Donnie Yen doesn't see any action until the finale. I will say the storyline is solid and the three other main actors--Tony Leung, Brigitte Lin and Maggie Cheung (who steals the show)--are quite good. What kills it for me is the martial arts displayed; they are garbage as we are once again given action which uses sped up cameras and everyone flying around. The finale (which I won't ruin for those that haven't seen it), which features a fight between Leung, Cheung and Yen (who finally sees action in the last five minutes), is laughable. I'm not sure why everyone is adorning this with 4 1/2 and 5 stars. What did I miss?
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I loved everything before the ending - which was strange, but not enough to pull this film down very far.
I really like this film but agree yen`s screen time was disappointing. When he finally does show up the movie goes way overboard. 3 1/2 or 4 stars is about right
Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (product link) Martial Arts / Comedy This is a very enjoyable movie. Not quite up to "Odd Couple" standards, but this one definitely has its moments. Even Dean Shek is fun to watch in this one, and I usually hate his creepy roles.
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An excellent funny movie. I'm surprised this movie hasn't received the remastered treatment. Good action featuring excellent work from Sammo Hung and Lau Kar Wing.
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