1 comments about Okinawa Kobudo Bo Vol. II.

1. I found this DVD to be an excellent learning tool for these Bo kata's. It is one of the best practical explanations of how the Bo really works

2 comments about Combat Pistol.

1. The film features John Shaw, and some other Mid-south institute trainers teaching a shooting class. The camera is a bystander, and the training is not directed to the camera / viewer, but rather to the class Shaw is instructing. The result of this is that you really don't get proper instructing, but only presentation of the techniques and drills Shaw is using. During the whole instruction, Shaw speaks directly to the camera only once. There are parts of an interview added, where Shaw explains some things that were not covered in the film (they propably were handled in the shooting class, but were left out of the film).

   The film is more like a presentation of some shooting drills and techniques, and a commercial of Mid-South institute, rather than a proper training film.

   The picture quality is good, exept that sometimes the camera is zooming to a detail, when it should shoot a bigger picture. The sound is mushy on some instances.

   In conclusion, this is not a very good film. There are some good points made, but as the instruction is not directed to the camera, from time to time you have a hard time grasping them. And without the hands-on training the shooting class attendees receive, there is not enough detail in the film.

   Run time: 40 minutes

   My DVD disc included 5 extras, run times ranging from 6 to 9 minutes each, subjects covering issues on gun and calibre selection, and some marksmanship basics. One of the extras was of exellent quality, otherwise they were average. The rating is for the feature film only, with extras the rating would be 3 stars.




2. 
   In this video John Shaw demonstrates the advantages of firing guns smoothly and efficiently rather than in a rapid rush movement to shoot. He uses the weapon's recoil time interval to prepare for the next shot to fire or to point to the next target at which to shoot. This involves control of the weapon's recoil, efficient use of the recoil time interval and economy of movement by the shooter and proper, efficient shooting positions to eliminate time wasted in inefficient shooting habits.
   
   I agree with the previous reviewer of this DVD that there is not enough detail in the film. But no instructor is perfect. I don't think that John Shaw and the instructors he works with to teach are the best teachers nor even near being the best. But, I did learn a few little things by watching and listening to them in this video DVD.
   
   The previous reviewer of this DVD seems to think that because John Shaw and the other instructors with whom he works are speaking to a class and not to the camera, the viewer of this DVD can't learn much of value. I can't disagree more. You can see demonstrations. You can hear the instructors. You can imitate their actions with your own weapon to try what they are demonstrating. The previous reviewer's reasoning assumes that observers can't learn anything unless they are present and active participants. If that was true, no video instruction would worth anything. Furthermore, if that was true, we would learn nothing in any class even if we were in attendance unless the instructor was directing his attention to each individual in the class. Seems to be an absurd assertion to me.
   
   But, the DVD and John Shaw's instruction could have been improved to maintain its value to the viewer.
   I think that there are too many scenes in the video that are not related to the topic: scenes of SWAT police and military special forces training in other disciplines: hand to hand combat, attack dog training, running an obstacle course, audio on crime and gun casualty statistics, and even a preacher praying. All of this was not related to the topic of how to train to use a pistol in combat. Many of the scenes look like they came out of the "COPS" TV show. Some guys might like to watch all this stuff. I felt that it was a waste of time and video footage.
   
   Over all, the video is worth watching and does not cost as much as some other videos on handgun use.
   
   The video extra in which Tom Campbell of Team Smith & Wesson demonstrates how to control pistol recoil in order to shoot at a target with a sequence of rapid shots while staying on target is excellent.
   
   People who are thinking about buying a semi-automatic handgun but don't know which handgun is right for them should watch the extra videos on this DVD on selecting a pistol. These video extras examine 10 criteria for selecting handguns based on the handgun's features and type of ammunition rounds used in handguns.
   
   John Shaw also instructs in a DVD called Combat Shotgun Seminar and he appears in video extras on the video, Navy Seal * Tactical Shotgun For Self-Defense in which he demonstrates shotgun speed shooting and use of an MP-5 assault rifle.
   
   You might also be interested in Lenny Magill's series of videos on pistol self-defense applications which he produced with Bill Wilson, an impressive, fast marksman and Ken Hackathorn, another expert on combat shooting. Just scroll down to the "Search Products Tagged with" text box and enter lenny Magill to see listing of these.
   
   Other related products you might be interested in:
   
   How to Shoot Fast & Accurately
   
   
   Handgun Workout--DVD
   
   
   Tactical Pistol Marksmanship: How to Improve Your Combat Shooting Skills
   
   
   Surgical Speed Shooting: How To Achieve High-Speed Marksmanship In A Gunfight
   
   Advanced Self Defense, Volume 1--DVD
   
   Advanced Self Defense, Volume 2--DVD
   
   Advanced Self Defense, Volume 3--DVD
   
   Advanced Self Defense, Volume 4--DVD
   
   Advanced Self Defense, Volume 5--DVD
   
   
   
   
   
   

No comments about A Force of One.

4 comments about Heart of the Bujinkan Volume I.

1. Shidoshi Chris Carbonaro provides a very clear demonstration of fundamentals for the aspiring Ninja. As someone new to Bujinkan, I have found this incredibly more useful than photos and descriptions in books. You get to hear the Japanese names properly pronounced, see the elements executed several times in practice and in application. I am really looking forward to the next release in this series.



2. It's not flashy and the production values are not the absolute best, BUT this is one of the most useful videos I've seen in some time. Shidoshi Carbonaro breaks down the Sanshin No Kata, Torite Kihon Gata, and Koshi Sanpo Gata for easy analysis and practice. For readers who are not familiar, these are kata forms that contain many of the fundamental principles of Budo Taijutsu. The importance of understanding these kata cannot be overstated.
   
   In the dojo, newer students are always asking, "What can I practice on my own?" This is it. If you're serious about studying Budo Taijutsu, and don't have these kata down, I would strongly recommend working out with this video.



3. The DVD is 20 mins long, with a bonus feature at the end, which is 17 mins long. Amazon has it stated that it's 40 mins long, but this is not the case, unless of course you want to include the informal bonus material. The 20 minute version demonstrates the basics of the martial art, which everyone should first master; and the bonus feature is simply showing one of his training sessions. Half way through this bonus feature / class training session however, there's a minute and twenty seconds where I got a black screen with no sound, which then returns to normal. Either this is bad editing on their part, or I just received a faulty copy. Overall I liked the DVD and will find it useful. The camera is filmed at a good distance, (just showing his entire body); many times he repeated every technique from the opposite angle so that you could better see what was being done; and his voice is loud and clear. Improvements could be made however. For example, there were a few cases where the instructor demonstrated a technique, and stopped to say that "it's this bone of the hand that you are trying to break", but he did not provide a clear close up of what he was doing, as there was only one camera being used!!! The person filming tried to zoom in to give us a better view, but this was not shown at an ideal angle, so it wasn't completely clear. Alternatively, he does not give the name for the particular bone within the hand he is referring too, or at least he doesn't give us the name in English. It is only shown from a distance, or a zoomed-in bad angle. This may be good enough for some, but may be completely lost on others who are new to the art. This is my first instruction video of the Buj, so I cannot provide any comparisons. I am also relatively new to the art, so I cannot comment on the instructor's taijutsu, but from a beginner's perspective, it looked good. Overall, it's a very short DVD; it has valuable information; and I liked it.



4. This is the best video on ninjitsu I have seen so far. Clear understanding of basics are taught, as well as some intermediate stuff. Chris presents a crystal picture of bujikan taijitsu in this video.

4 comments about 5 Element Kung Fu.

1. You can buy this ALOT cheaper than advertised here and for either price its a good deal.Especially for Kung Fu Fans.No scence in telling the plot funner for you to find out, and i see so many of these flix i may get it half way confused with another film. But i do no this is a pretty good one with some good fight scenes hang in there for the final battles and you'll get your Kung FU craving all satisfied!



2. Whatever you do do not buy this movie. I have over 200 of these movies and this is honestly the worst movie I have ever seen. The extras are usually pretty good on the wutang stuff but this is only mediocre. Do not spend more than $4 on this.



3. I usually agree with that "Morgoth Dude", however with this one I must dis-agree. I too have approximately 240 of these old school kung fu movies, and I feel this particular one "5 Element fung Fu",,is not entirely that bad. Infact it's pretty decent. Lots and lots of old school kung fu fights. The story is pretty good and equally inportant, the DVD transfer acceptable. Not a bad put out from the Wu Tang Crew. I purchased this movie for approximatly $3.96 (Canadian)at Walmart here in Toronto,,and I would have paid $10.00,,it would have been worth it!!



4. Please dont purchase this film on DVD at all. Instead get the VHS because it is great and much better

No comments about Bruce Lee Complete Collection 5 DVD set.

No comments about Wing Chun - Biu Ji - Thrusting Fingers & Focus Power DVD.

5 comments about Charlie's Angels [UMD for PSP].

1. I did not expect much when i put this DVD in the player and found myself surprised. No, this was not a great film by any means, but it was it silly, sexy fun. If you don't take it serious you are in for an ok 90 minutes.
   
   Once again, Cameron Diaz shows why she is one of the hottest females in film. Her charecter is silly and comes off as a "dumb blonde", but she is oh so easy on the eyes.



2. Having been a Charlie's Angels fan from years ago, I do miss seeing Farrah from then, but, Drew, Lucy and Cameron are a very good update from the original. They are awesome in both features. You need to see it if you like the original Charlie's Angels tv show.



3. The lack of credibility in the plot and the offensive story line brings into light just how stupid the original TV show was. Had that show been promoted initially as a comedy it would have put the issue to bed very early on in the piece. However, the undiscerning will actually take this incredulous drivel seriously and that fact is really a joke. I have done various forms of martial arts myself in mixed groups and I know from experience that the women cannot compete with the men in serious contests. Not that the women I trained with weren't competent. But there are certain psychological and physiological factors that make inter-gender contests inappropriate- and indecent. [Not that decency has ever been a consideration for the entertainment media.]



4. Charlie's Angels is one of the few movies next to the MI series that is a good adaption of the tv show on which it is based. All of the angels are perfectly cast and the action sequences directed by MCG are tight. Bill Murray is very funny as Bosely and it's a shame he wasn't be in the sequel. All in all good fun.



5. This movie is nice. It's fun and interesting. those 3 characters are best fit on this movie. I was laughing a lot. I like this movie. This movie is not boring. This movie was starting good.

1 comments about Fighting Championships: Inferno.

1. PRIDE 27: Inferno
   
   Fight Card:
   Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Dan Bobish
   Cory Peterson vs. Sergei Kharitonov
   Alexander Otsuka vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua
   Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Dos Caras Jr.
   Mark Kerr vs. Yoshihisa Yamamoto
   Gan McGee vs. Heath Herring
   Ron "H20" Waterman vs. Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic
   
   As you can see, not a thrilling fight card, but worth adding to your collection for PRIDE lovers.

5 comments about Chinese Odyssey.

1. It is the best of best among Stephen Chow's movies. (Both Part One and Part Two)
   
   It's not only the slapstick style of humor which is sort of typical in his movies, the conversations in the movie are funny and brilliant too.
   
   Again no English subtitle version can do justice to its full wit and flavor, which, I guess, a Chinese version of Woody Allen's movie would be terrible in this respect too.
   
   Like the effect of some childhood rhyme that everyone remembers, to break the ice among a group of Chinese college students, just recite some words from this movie or sing the "Only you" song from it, you can bring the joy that will immediately spread and light up everyone. Guaranteed! It is a cult.



2. It will laugh you to death, and then move you to life (and tears), and then laugh to death again, and again, and again.
   No words can do justice to this movie. Sadly, you have to know Chinese (or even Cantonese) to fully appreciate it. This great movie definitely deserves a 6. It is better than Kung Fu Hustler. Strongly recommend it to anyone who knows or is studying Chinese. Buy it, watch it, NOW!



3. "A Chinese Odyssey: Pandora's Box" and "A Chinese Odyssey: Cinderella" is a two-parts series movie. Together, it is my favorite Chinese movie of all time. It's a modern and humorous twist on the famous Chinese story of "The Journey West" (also known as "The Monkey King"). In the first part, the Monkey King has been reincarnated as Joker, the leader of a group of bandits...
   
   However, I'm confused by the picture that's shown on this listing. That picture is for "Chinese Odyssey 2002"--clearly a movie NOT made in 1995, with a completely different cast of actors. It stars Tony Leung (a supporting actor in Jet Li's "Hero") and singer/actress Fay Wong. It's not the same movie as described here.
   
   Edit: Looks like Amazon has removed the picture I was talking about, so I've taken a bit of time to scan and upload the front and back covers of this DVD.



4. I saw this movie many many times. Faye Wong and Tony Leung shows
   groundbreaking performance.
   They made such a nice couple here. Amazingly funny.
   But they have to work on the subtitles, they can do better.



5. The Monkey King has been captured after he tried to eat the Longevity Monk. After this opening confrontation, the story moves to a small town full of bandits and Stephen Chow is their leader. He is named Joker. He lost his kung fu abilities and has been left partially blind. 2 devil women come to town and they are looking for a man with 3 birthmarks on the bottom of his foot. Then they find out that Stephen Chow is really the Monkey King, but Chow has no idea what they are talking about. The Monkey King was banished from his body for 500 years and those 500 years have passed. There is also the Monkey King's friend King Bull who is causing terror and wants to eat the Longevity Monk. But the Longevity Monk gave his life to save the Monkey King from being killed forever. Now the Longevity Monk is being reborn.
   
   So obviously the story is complicated to say the least. Part 2 is even harder to understand, but both movies are still a lot of fun. The comedy is given in generous proportions and there is also plenty of action to liven things up even more. The action is mainly sword fighting and it is done very well, as expected from Ching Siu Tung. The fighting reminded me a lot of The Moon Warriors. Now this is only the first part of the story, part 2 is called A Chinese Odyssey, Part 2: Cinderella.
   
   3.5/5