2 comments about Pride Fighting Championships: Bushido, Vol. 2 - Team Japan vs. Team Chute Box.

1. This was the second volume of a continuing series of great Pride: Bushido events. The theme of Bushido in the beginning was pitting one fight team against another with rules more geared towards excitement and constant progression to finish. While the latter hasn't changed, it has become a great show in which to give the greatest welterweight and especially lightweight fighters around the world a chance to show their skills.
   
   This particular card's theme was that of Team Japan vs Team Chute Boxe. Chute Boxe is one of two top Brazilian fight teams that are arguably the best in the world. They are very good strikers primarily that are very multi-dimensional, and love stomping and "soccer kicking" downed opponents. They hardly ever stop fighting, have incredible stamina, and are some of the most exciting fighters in the world. Most Japanese fighters tend to prefer the ground game, using submission tactics and being very technical, etc. Most of them never give up and have great heart.
   
   Overall, I found this event to be very decent and entertaining. I do however feel there were a few mismatches. Specifically Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic vs Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva vs Ikuhisa Minowa,Takanori "Fireball Kid" Gomi vs Jadson Costa, and Mario "Zen Machine" Sperry vs Mike "Batman" Bencic. Although it did also have it's share of very competitive matches as well. The card had some great debuts from some popular fighters in smaller organisations in Japan such as Yushin Okami, Ryuta Sakurai, Ryuki Ueyama, the very tough Akihiro Gono, and of course the top Lightweight fighter in the world currently, Takanori Gomi.
   
   If you're not familiar with Gomi, he's currently undefeated in Pride, and has been on a roll since he got there. Racking up 9 consecutive wins so far. He comes from a judo background but wrestling and boxing are his specialty. He likes to mix it up with the best of them standing, but doesn't mind going to the ground and instituting his great ground and pound. His only two losses in his whole career come from Joachim Hansen and BJ Penn, two other great fighters.
   
   If you're already a fan of Mixed Martial Arts and especially Chute Boxe, I'm sure there's no doubt this is already in your collection. But if you want a decent fighting event with some guys getting destroyed don't hesitate to pick this up. This dvd is worth it just for Gono vs Shogun alone in my opinion. A very exciting fight.



2. the second series of bushido is full of great fighters such a wanderlei silva,cro cop,shogun rua,sean sherk,takanori gomi,mario sperry and yushin okami.
   
   All of this fighters are up and coming superstars.
   Buy this dvd if you are a true fan of mma.
   best fights;
   1)shogun rua vs gono 2)okami vs ryuta sakurai 3)rodrigo gracie vs hayato sakurai 4) cro cop vs yamamoto

5 comments about King Kung Fu.

1. This fine piece of cinematic history is a part of the rich history of Wichita, KS. It provides a stunning display of A-class acting coupled with cutting edge video mixing to create a dazzling mirage of scenes that will change your view of B movies. A must have for any movie lovers library!



2. How many films can righteously claim the adjective "phantasmagorical" in respect to it's inexplainably preposterous, outlandish, fanciful, freakishly dead-on out-and-out totality of grinding to the earth of all that is coveted within the all-encompassing cinematic recipe book? Only one, and this does it whole hog. Why even deign to make another movie? What possible use is any other reel of celluloid after this gem stormed the theaters in the mid 70s? None, I say! None!
   Bravo, beloved monkey! Bravo! Bravo!



3. For the idiot within this is a must have.



4. I love awful movies from the 70's / 80's as much as the next guy but was pretty disappointed with this one after such a promising box cover and plot. It's an intentional comedy on about the level of a children's tv show, just super silly slapstick and dialogue in places, not even as sophisticated as 'the three stooges'. Majority of scenes are pretty long and drawn out, slow pace. Certainly some aboslutely hilarious points but sadly not something I could watch twice, not genius.
   
   PS the 'kung fun' scenes take up approx 1% of the entire movie, even the starring gorilla appears very rarely.



5. This was an extraordinary movie with a forceful performance by Tom Leahy (Major Astro of local Wichita, Kansas TV fame). The story is complex and interwoven. There is humor, drama and romance.
   
   King Kung Fu was an ape raised in a remote monastery. While you might think that most simians would have no heart or intellect, Fu has both. As we romp through Wichita, Kansas it is clear that a surprise climax is in store.
   
   The final scenes shows Rae Fae torn between her love for the confused ape and her previously rebuffed paramour. That tragedy, it seems, has removed the scales from both their eyes.
   
   This movie is a MUST HAVE !! Outstanding acting. Superior cinemaphotography. Excellent directing. You can't go wrong with this movie, a glass of wine and someone you love on a long winter night.
   
   King Kung Fu will clearly go down in movie history ....... Leahy should clearly have received a best support actor Oscar for this movie.
   
   God bless all of those involved in this wonderful production.
   
   Densel Myers
   Yukon, Oklahoma
   Raised A Hilltop Kid and Major Astro Fan In Wichita, KS

2 comments about Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain.

1. I would not recommend this movie at all. First of all, the theme is just the very old revenge clash with love type, like all of Kim Yong's fictions. This is among one of the unsuccessful Kim Yong stories. The best would probably be Condor Hero and Return of the Condor Heros. Book and Sword is good too. As for the TV series making, it's made for the naive audience. Even my mom laughed at the silly plots, so many flaws to the logic of the story line.



2. This is a multilevel, multifaceted tale of courage and honor in the face of almost inconceivable treachery. The scope of the story is certainly Shakespearean in breadth as well as in its characterization. If the "good guys" are a little too good at times, the "bad guys" are really bad! One of them could easily be a stand-in for Iago in "Othello." This series is well worth the money and the time.

1 comments about Police Combat Tactics One.

1. Lt. Dillon,
   
   My name is Mark and I am a Police Officer in the province of Ontario. I am a member of a Detachment which is situated in a small northern community in the Northwest Region of the province. Our Detachment polices this community, the surrounding bush area and two First Nations Reserves. The detachment presently consists of 6 Provincial Constables and our Detachmnet Commander, our closest back up is approximately 270km to the south and West. Therefore officer safety and knowing how to stay alive in harrowing situations has become paramount. I have already been in a situation where difusing a fight between bar goers turned into the crowd of 30 people becoming very hostile towards myself and my partner. Luckily cooler heads prevailed and the instigators in the crowd were moved along.
   About a week later I received your DVDs Police Combat Tactics 1 & 2 - our General Headquarters' library had them on file and I had ordered them several months back. They could not have come at a better time. I watched them with my wife and was instantly impressed. The techniques are simple to follow and they work very effectively - I had her try them on me. She's 4ft 10" and 110lbs and I'm 5ft 11" and 210lbs and she got me down and under control each move we tried.
   The purpose for my letter is to thank you for producing these DVDs and to also see if you had anything on paper - an instruction manual that could be e-mailed to me as a quide when training. I understand if that is not possible, but would appreciate anything you could send. More importantly thank you in advance for teaching me the skills to survive - I thank you, my wife thanks you, as do our families.
   
   Take care and stay safe.
   
   Sincerely,
   
   Mark

No comments about Samurai Swordsmanship, Volume 1: Basic Sword Program.

2 comments about Avenging Boxer.

1. A young man (played by Peter Chang) watches his father die and grows up wanting to revenge. The story is pretty basic here. Its a bad movie for the most part, but luckily there are some incredible fight scenes.
   
   Lung Fei makes a cameo at the start and takes on Cassanova Wong. Some nice kicking by Cassanova, and Lung Fei is defeated easily. Only a warmup of what's to come.
   
   After like an hour of no good action, Cassanova gets to fight again. He fights Chan Wai Lau who has a good role as one of Peter Chang's 2 teachers. Chan Wai Lau is a great comedic actor with decent fighting skills, and he performs about as well as he can against Cassanova. He makes good use of a pipe as a weapon, but Cassanova is too much for him.
   
   Next up is what I figured would be the highlight of the movie, Wong Wing Sang vs Chia Kai. I am a big fan of both actors, so I was expecting greatness, and that's exactly what I got. Chia Kai does an AMAZING stunt at the beginning where he jumps off of a wall and lands on a table. Awesome fight with good acrobatics and good fist work.
   
   Next Chia Kai takes on Cassanova. Its possibly even better than the Chia Kai Wong Wing Sang fight.
   
   Just when I thought the action couldn't possibly get any better, they somehow turn the choreography up a few notches in the final fight. I have only seen Peter Chang in a few movies and this is the only one I have seen where he has a leading role. You may recognize him as the guy with the gun who fights with Wang Chung in Shanghai 13. His acrobatic skills are up there with just about anybody. Its a shame he was only in a handful of movies because he could have been a big star. Major talent completely wasted. Anyways, the final fight is 12 minutes long and one of the best fights I have seen in awhile. I have watched this movie every night for a week and I just can't get over how good the choreography is. Not only will Cassanova Wong fans love this movie, but any kung fu fan will be blown away by the final 30 minutes.
   
   4/5
   
   I have the Phoenix DVD and the picture quality is a bit above average and its partly widescreen. Sound is decent. English and Japanese tracks, no original language option. For some reason Chan Wai Man is on the cover of the DVD, but he isn't in the movie.



2. Cassanova Wong ("Warriors Two") stars as the bad guy in a plot that you've essentially seen in a 100 (or more) kung fu films. Yet, this is still totally worth checking out. The occasional point of view from the villain is also kinda different and appreciated.
   
   Peter Chang is given an amulet by his father prior to the old man's death at the hands of an assassin (Wong). Chang witnesses the death, but knows no kung fu, and the only revenge he would be able to obtain, would be on Wong's knuckles. He flees and joins a group of traveling acrobats, learning what he can as he goes. Though Wong doesn't know who the boy is, he keeps running into him as he tracks the amulet. Eventually a thief named Stumpy steals the item, leading to some confusion about the identity of the person Wong is looking for, which inadvertently buys Chang more time to train.
   
   Peter Chang is quite an acrobat and it's surprising that he hasn't been in more movies. This film starts with a decent fight, then wallows for a while in "plot" development and unfunny shenanigans. Then the end has about 4 good, lengthy fights in a row as Cassanova Wong kicks his way to the people he is seeking. The finale takes place in a barn, filled with ropes, barrels, and hay, and is one of the best fights I have seen in a long time. Very creative and well executed.
   
   Distributed by Black Lotus films, the partially widescreen picture quality is pretty good. English dubbed only, and some of the voices are bad and don't fit well. Minor complaint though. This movie was the subject of much lament for me as I repeatedly passed on its purchase when it was available last summer at a local chain for $4.99. Had I even the slightest idea it was this good, I'd have bought several to pass on to friends. It was 5 bucks, starred Cassanova Wong, and it was kung-flippin'-fu! Well, live and learn, I reckon. 3.5/5
   
   1979. aka: Method Man; Fearless Young Boxer; The Avenging Boxing

1 comments about Old Skool Killaz, Vol. 2 - Golden Buddha Collection.

1. DRESSED TO KILL
   The movie is about this guy who wanders into town to find out he is being hunted down by a secret clan! The picture is not bad! To me, it's watchable! The full screen doesn't ruin the fight scenes! The kung fu is odd with different styles! The movie is all around weird! But this is the second best movie out of this collection!
   
   THE MASK OF VENGENCE
   This movie is about some guy who must help the Mask Clan (I guess) to kill a blind, crippled, one-armed man! Out of all these four films this one has the best picture! Still suffers from the white flakey crap on the screen but very tolerable! The full screen ruins some the kung fu luster but still watchable! The kung fu is a bit Carter Wongish (meaning clumsy and oafish) but still it's admirable with this movies kookiness! All around this is a pretty weird but exciting film!
   
   REVENGE OF THE SHAOLIN MASTER
   Mr. Delon Tan is being framed by some evil government offical for stealing rice for the refugees and now he's beinh hunted by everone! If you are a Yuen Wo Ping fan then this is the film you wanna check out (he choreographs the fights and not the director)! The picture is tolerable, a little unwatchable in the night scenes! The kung fu is great! This is why I love Yuen, NOT BECUZ HE DID THE FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY FOR THE MATRIX, cuz he simply knows how to make a kung fu movie! All around this movie is the best out of this collection!
   
   SAMURAI DEATH BELLS
   I didn't quite understand the story! This is the worst out of all the movies for this collection! Not becuz it's a bad movie, becuz of screen fitting! Yes, everytime a camera gets a close-up on somebody's face, his mouth would be cut out of the picture! And the full screen sort of ruins the fights in this movie! The picture is good but ruined by screen fitting! THe fights were good but again ruined by screen fitting!
   
   OVERALL: The only reason not to get this collection is becuz of picture quality and screenfitting (and if you hate english dubbing as much as I do and I'M AMERICAN.... english dubbing)! I can't speak for everyone about the picture quality, but I thought the picture in all these films were exceptional! The full screen effect continues to be a problem (especially with Samurai Death Bells) but in the end this a descent product! And this is coming from a guy who loves kung fu cinema too death! So only avoid if you're nik pickey about picture and screen fitting!

3 comments about Stone Warrior- Chinese Strength & Health Program.

1. Great form of exercise and definitly a challenging form of qigong for the advanced practitioner, martial artist looking for some form of expansion to their training. The only downside is you will not find any of the internal basis or what have you on about the Stone Warrior or Iron Wire/Thread qigong on the disk, but it is the advanced portion of their system so they probably expect you know about the internal or historical aspects already.



2. Okay, I gave a pretty bad review of this dvd originally because it didn't play right. But after viewing it without the technical problems, I would like to say that it is a pretty good program and given the rarity of the subject matter, a good addition to any collection. Ancient muscle conditioning? Not many dvd's out there on the subject. I've edited my original review and it won't allow me to give it more stars, but I'd give it 4. Sorry, Mr. Keen, if I cost you sales on this. I commend you for putting this out.



3. 
   I'm sorry that you were not happy with the production. If the DVD is faulty, please send it to me for a replacement.
   
   No, not filmed in the basement but in a 5,000 sq ft hall where we were hosting the seminar.
   
   Yes, out of breath because the exercises are under full tension and demonstrated at full tension. If you're not out of breath with the exercise, you are not pushing enough.
   
   Iron Vest is the internal set, Stone Warrior is all external. Please visit my site for more details on the complete Chinese Strength & Health Program.
   
   We will refilm this DVD to make the atmosphere more appealing.
   
   Thank you for your help.
   
   Sincerely,
   Thomas Keen
   Keen's Martial Arts

No comments about Tang Soo Do Forms Volume 2: Black Belt.

1 comments about Shotokan Karate Kata Volume 2: Black Belt Forms.

1. This DVD does not show proper form or rythem to traditional Shotokan karate. I was given this DVD and I'm glad I did not spend money on it. Steve Flores does not show the form or strength that a world class instructor should. Don't waste your money