The Secret Rivals (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure That aside, this movie has a simple plot and very good fights. A highlight of this film is Wong Tao practicing forms! I would love to know what style(s) he really practiced. Most of his films are very good and quite inexpensive. This is is a classic and a keeper.
I actually bought this one by mistake, but with the new Zoke Culture discs, you really cannot pass on the remastered, original language DVDs. Well, I have to say that this movie is actually pretty good for the first half-hour. One of my favorites, Leung Kar Yan, is in it and shows off some neat sword work, but fans beware he is killed off early in the movie. This really starts the uninteresting plot that just has too many "twists" and really odd, un-needed additions to the plot that made this movie a chore to watch. It is sad too because even with the excessive wire fu, the choreography is pretty good. I do not regret buying it but it is not classic. It was good to see Kara Hui have some strong performances, but in the end the writers/directors had her play the pretty typical weeping/wimpy woman role. Odd thing, in one scene she is destroying people, but when in the scenes with the main character she becomes martially inept. That was annoying. Still, if you like sword-play movies (and this has about two really good hand-to-hand scenes) and/or you are a collector, it’s worth having.
The Green Jade Statuette (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure This is a very good movie. The most annoying thing about this is the [dubbed version]. Every time I think to watch this again, I think about those corny limey accents that just do not mesh with Asian martial arts, and I watch something else. Otherwise it is a great movie, especially for the price they have it at HKFlix and if you are a fan of Chi Kuan Chun and/or Mei Fei.
Invincible Pole Fighter (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Some history for those who say this feels like two movies in one. Fu Sheng, who does a GREAT job of the brother having gone mad after witnessing the execution of his family, was killed during the production of this film and it was halted for about two years. Fu Sheng was a favorite student of the great Lau Kar Leung, and his death nearly devasted Lau. When the director returned to this movie, his half brother Gordon Liu was put into the lead role and the whole movie's tone became very heavy and angry, as is evident in the scene when G.L. first goes to the temple demanding refuge. You will never see a Gordon Liu character so hell bent on killing. That said, he showcases some incredible pole work. His fight with Ko Fei before he leaves the temple to seek revenge is off the charts. That last fight scene will have you covering your mouth and checking for your teeth!
Born Invincible [PanMedia] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Okay, first let me say that generally I am not a Carter Wong fan. Secondly, I have watched a LOT of old school martial arts movies. This is a WINNER! I held off for tthree years and finally bought it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, aside from C.W., three of my favorites are in this movie: Lo Leih, and Jack and Mark Lung. The fighting is great, the story pretty typical, but very watchable. The only thing I did NOT like about this film is that annoying whistle-like sound effect that is used whenever C.W. gets positioned to fight. Believe me, for this price you cannot go wrong. I even like C.W. as the "invincible" villain in this.
Wheels On Meals (product link) Martial Arts / Comedy I did not like much about this movie at all. I know this famous fight with Benny the Jet was supposed to be all that, but it was not enough to save this movie for me.
Spiritual Kung Fu (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure What makes this movie bad is this concept that Jackie is taught and led by the spirits. Actually, that is not bad, but that we can see them annoyingly prancing around in tights ruins this movie. I guess that was the comedic effect. What is good about this movie is the storyline, the twists, and the fighting. A lot of people do not know just how good Jackie Chan is because they are put off by the comedy. This is one movie where I have to work to not let all the annoying fairy-like spirits get in the way of my enjoyment of the movie. Otherwise, I would rate it higher.
Shaolin Temple [1976] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure One of the BEST martial arts movies EVER, with an outstanding cast. There is nothing I can say here that has not already been said about this movie, except: get it and watch it with "Five Shaolin Masters". Interestingly, although this came out 4 or 6 years LATER, it is the prequel to "Five Shaolin Masters". Almost all the greats are in this one, including very young Venoms actors, but of course the focus is on Ti Lung, David Chiang, Chi Kuan Chun, and Fu Sheng, all of whom are in the sequel, along with Meng Fei.
My Life's On The Line (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I have a poor quality version of this and still LOVE this movie. I am hoping that at some point I can get it in its original language. It has a great story, some twists, and some great fights. Any flaws are redeemed during that last fight scene that goes on for a significant legnth of time. I have to say this whenever I watch this guy, I find it hard to believe that Leung Kar Yan is and was never a martial artist. He has some of the best hand to hand combat I have EVER seen on screen. This is a good movie!
Heroes Two (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts Chen and Fu play the rebel heroes they were famous for playing: Hung Hsi-Kuan and Fang Shih-Yu (Fong Sai-Yuk), respectively. Fang Shih-Yu is remorseful and hell-bent on helping to rescue Hung Hsi-Kuan after he unwittingly helps with his capture because he does not realize who he is. This has never been one of my favorite movies, mostly because I love Chen but am only lukewarm to Fu. It does belong in any old school collection, however.
Grand Master Of Death [Ground Zero] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I have to say that it has taken me some time to warm up to Fu Sheng. This is an impulsive-hothead-refusing-to-be-bullied movie, and it costs him and his family. After some training, he comes back for revenge. I watched this movie two years ago and can remember few things about it. I do remember that last fight scene and how incredible I thought it was, along a growing respect for Fu Sheng. Worth the buy!
Five Superfighters (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure There's nothing particularly special about this movie, however it is not a bad movie either. It is one of those movies that you get and are happy if it cost under $10. Not a classic, but definitely worth the buy and watch! And probably much better in the original language.
Five Shaolin Masters (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Although it came out 4 or 6 years prior, "Five Shaolin Masters" is the sequel to "Shaolin Temple" ("Death Chambers"). The story is historically significant and even touching, the martial arts incredible. Many of the Shaw Brothers heroes and villains are in this one. It is good to see Meng Fei hold his own next to some big names. My favorites are Ti Lung, Johnny Wang, and Chi Kuan Chun, who uses about 10 different styles when he fights Fung Hak On (who, by the way, does mantis fist better than anyone!). Watch this movie, but only AFTER you have watched "Shaolin Temple", which has most of the same cast. It is a bit odd to see a sequel where all the actors are considerably younger, but believe me, you will get more out of the story if you do it this way!
Five Deadly Venoms (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure If there were only two martial arts films that no true collector should be without, most people would say "Shaolin Master Killer" is one of them. I am telling you "Five Deadly Venoms" is the other! Great martial arts, intrique, double crossing, a storyline that actually makes sense, great fight scenes, and all SIX Venoms. The only drawback, as usual, is that Lo Meng is killed off early in the movie. If you are new to Venoms movies, THIS should be the first you watch. If you know who the Venoms cast members are, then that ruins the mystery right up front.
Dirty Ho (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Liu is a prince who is more interested in fine arts than he is in ascending to the throne. One of his more ambitious brothers is trying to have him assassinated.
What makes this such a stand out are all the fight scenes that are done incognito. To hide who he is from his protegee, Liu literally has fights while at art viewings and dinners so inconspicuously that only the people he fights know what is happening. Some scenes were a bit over the top for me, but then again it might play out better in the original language. One of the most creative martial arts movies to be watched.
Dirty Ho (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Absolutely classic! This movie made me fall in love with Lo Lieh. He plays the villain with such coolness, arrogance, and an indifference towards his opponents that just gives him an air of supremacy. This, typically, has a revenge plot, but pay attention to the detail about "soft" and "hard" power. Liu is a stubborn fighter hell bent on taking revenge, but he first has to learn from his sister in law how to best combine the two types of powers. Great fight scenes! Liu and Lo always have such great chemistry on screen together.
Most people who give this movie a low rating do not understand the historical/cultural story that is being told. As is always the case, Lau Kar Leung shows the brotherhood, honor, and discipline bestowed upon practitioners of Hung Gar and lion dancing. This is an outstanding cast consisting of the three famous Liu (Lau) brothers and Chen Kuan Tai. It is about school rivalry. The sub-plot is that Kar Leung is also a wanted killer. Lau Kar Wing is pursing him. Another sub-plot deals with Wong Fei Hong’s father’s refusal to teach him Kung Fu, so his father’s teacher teaches him instead and impresses upon him the values of forgiveness, humility and never humiliating your opponent. All of this comes into play when Fei Hong (Gordon Liu) ends up facing real life older brother/director/choreographer Kar Leung. The training fights with Kuan Tai are wonderfully realistic, and all of the fights between the Lau brothers showcase traditional Hung Gar forms, especially the weapons--something that is hallmark of his movies. If you want blood and gore, this isn’t for you. If you want history, culture, and real martial arts, this should be in any real old school collection as well as its sequel, Martial Club.
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Or perhaps most of the people who gave it low ratings did so because it is a subpar effort with uninspired fight sequences.
Chinese Super Ninja (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure I got this only because my favorite Venom, Lo Meng, is in it. I did not get the original language version. Anyone who is a Venoms fan knows how Lo Meng is treated in too many of their early movies. I thought that he would be at least one of the STARS surrounded by this cast. NOPE. I am happy I did not pay too much. I think I had to start watching this 3 or 4 times to finish it. I think people get this for Ricky Tien. I am just not a fan! This is one of the rare times when I cannot even remember the storyline and I refuse to watch it again to be reminded!
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Suspend your disbelief and just let the great action and performances entertain you. I like Lo Meng also but Ricky Tien and Chun Wai Man were great. This is a very entertaining film!
I'm not sure buyers do so just because of a specific actor. It's the insane action that makes this movie so notoriously watchable. The stars are only a small fraction of the attraction.
The Bastard (product link) Action/Adventure / Martial Arts If you want realistic fight scenes and/or a good story, this is for you. I almost passed this by, but the price and original language convinced me to buy this. "The Bastard" is a naive boy who befriends a beggar girl on his search for his father. He does find his father and this is when he learns some very harsh lessons about the variety and complexities of human nature. At times heart wrenching, this is also a movie that makes great use of realistic martial arts and values such as frienship, honesty, love, and poetic justice.
The Shaolin Kids In Hong Kong (product link) Comedy / Martial Arts I bought this because I thought it was an old school Gordon Liu film. It is nothing of the kind. Today, I watched the ending of this film after having it for about 4 years and never giving it a chance. It still isn't what I like to watch. But what it is, is a screwball comedy about two students of Liu's who get into all sorts of trouble after going to Hong Kong without permission. He shows up to save the day. Lots of screwball comedy along with some impressive fighting by the children. Liu does end up fighting Wang Lung Wei, just like in the 70's. The action is sped up, but it works well for the type of movie this is. A good one for kids, if you do not mind the fighting.
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