Drunken Master (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Ah....I first saw this film in Japanese, then in Cantonese, then in English. I hate the US just released version as it is not the original soundtrack (at least they kept all the fights intact). I don't know how anyone can look at this film and slam it. It is one of the best of the genre, in my mind topping "Magnificent Butcher" and others in the same period. Jackie is incredible in this film, one only has to look at the multitude of fights throughout to see. I wish I could find the original Hong Kong dubbed version ( I have a bad copy). All I can say is for those who claim to not like this film, either don't understand films, or don't understand kung fu, or both.
This is the first Venom film I ever saw thanks to Black Belt theatre in the early eighties. I have to say, upon first viewing, this is a BAD MO FO!! For it's time, I thought the heroic storyline, and the characters themselves pushed the 'heroic bloodshed' genre created by Chang Cheh to it's limits. If one like CTHD, then this is the ultimate in 'escort' films.
Of course, due to the time it was made, there is a certain distiguishable difference in the choreography compared to a say, Iron Monkey, but for it's time, the Venoms displayed top-notch martial skill, and this acted as a tune up for upcoming barn stormers like Unbeatable Dragon, Killer Army, Shaolin Rescuers a.k.a. Avenging Warriors of Shaolin (the BEST, to me). I loved this film so much I'm trying to think of a way to re-write the screenplay into a more international version to make a movie!! One of the top three Venom films!!
Lion Vs. Lion (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure Awesome fighting...just blows you away. This is an old school romp that puts Lo Meng at his absolute best! The story is equally intriguing, as Wang Lung Wei is featured (again) as the villain. BUT, you almost fear for his life as there are other bad guys who try and take him out! Awesome, awesome choreography. I'll put it this way, this is the BEST Shaw film not to feature Lau Kar Leung or the Venoms. You will not lose out purchasing this movie!!
Sun Dragon [Crash Cinema] (product link) Martial Arts / Action/Adventure
Billy Chong and Carl R. Scott...this is my first and favorite movie from Billy Chong, seen in the early eighties. The story...is dumb. The fights...MAGNIFICENT! I would put this films fights against ANY martial arts film for pure adrenaline pumping action. ANY!
The story: One of the first Eastern Westerns of that era, Billy Chong leaves China and goes west. Now, mind you, due to budget constraints in the costume department, these people in the wild west wear Polaroid shades and multi-colored tanks tops, and there is a native American warrior who has a hatchet straight from your local hardware store, but other than that...
So Billy tries to fit in, fighting local thugs in a tough man contest. 'They' are bad, Billy looks good. Enter Carl R. Scott, who is orphaned by the local gang led by Louis Neglia (?) in a Chuck Norris type role. ( I swear, if the two were acting in the same room, you could not tell them apart!)
Anyway, Carl is beaten near death, found by Billy, and learns LEOPARD (check it...LEOPARD!) kung fu. AAAA-AWE-SOME!
So they become sort of blood brothers, and kick everybody's A**...totally with incredible style and finesse. This type of action is reminiscent of Bruce Lee and Hwang Jang Lee mixed with Lau Kar Leung pacing. It is THAT good. This has to be seen to be believed. Forget the story...the first time you see Billy Chong fight in the saloon, you will rewind forever. And Carl R. Scott (haven't seen him anywhere afterwards) although he is black, MOVES like a Chinese. People who know Chinese martial arts films and American martial arts films know what I mean. The dude is fluid, hell, graceful, and a fresh breath of air after having sat through the Norris/VanDamme/Speakman/whoever era. His multiple opponent fight at the factory is also great, and when you catch your breath from that one, the film hits you with the Billy fight in the saloon.
This is a must buy for anyone who loves the fighting in martial arts films. It will immediately go into your top ten list!
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Little Dragon Fan is right, this has some great fight scenes but this was ultra low budget. For a film set in the old west, I could see machinary in the back ground. Did anyone else notice the actors were wearing clothes from the 70's?
I have to agree with you about how great the fight scenes are in this film, but the story and production of this film are so under developed, I don't think it would make any top ten list. I do think it is a film to have if you really like screen fighting
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