5 comments about Legendary Weapons of China.

1. While there are at least 5 or 6 Lau films I would put above this, Legendary Weapons is still a wonderful kung fu film. Let's see, we have Lau Kar Leung himself in a starring role, Lau Kar Wing in a spectacular fight with many different weapons, Kara Kui, Hsiou Hou, and Gordon Liu in a great fighting role. The director manages to live up to the title of the movie and manages to top what you may be thinking of it going in. While it is not one of the most exciting movies ever, the last 30 minutes will absolutely blow you away.
   
   It is also odd seeing Hsiou Hou from Lau's 'Mad Monkey Kung Fu' and 'Cat Vs. Rat' in a serious role. He gets in a couple of moments of comedy but don't expect the norm with him on this one. It is a joy seeing all of Lau's great stars that he brought up in this. Even Fu Sheng has an extended cameo and most fans of his will enjoy seeing him on screen but others will not like his part in the movie.
   
   This release from Image Entertainment is very good. Crystal clear picture quality and great 5.1 and 2 channel sound in the Mandarin dialogue. Many will be very pleased to see an English track on here. All 3 tracks have great sound quality. Unfortunately this release does not have any special features except for trailers. It does not even have the liner notes that the previous Image releases have had. No big deal to me though since I had never seen this wonderful movie. Overall this is an outstanding release. Very nice to see a couple of American DVD companies stepping up to the plate and giving American kung fu movie fans the releases they have been waiting for for a very long time.



2. When I first saw this awesome movie on Drive-In Movie (channel 5) back in the day I liked it. However, it didn't have those familiar Australian voices, it had these new voices on the dubbing. Many Shaw Brother flicks that were made after 1980 had these different U.K. voices, and they sucked big time. It actually affected the acting negatively. Now, Image Entertainment changed all that. It's like a whole new film.
   
   Along with "Master Killer" this is one of Liu Chia-Liang's (Lau Kar-Leung) best. This one also stars his half-brother Gordon Liu, but Liang (along with his other brother, Liu Chia-Yung a.k.a. Lau Kar-Wing) take on the lead roles. Co-starring are Chu Tieh Wu (the villain from "Jade Claw"), Hsiao Hou, Kara Hui Ying-Hung (both were Liang's students) and the late Fu Sheng. Widescreen, beautiful, crisp picture. Awesome original Chinese track (even includes the English dub), and a bunch of trailers showing the rest of the growing catalogue of Image acquisitions.
   
   I'm not really going to go into the plot because if you're reading this, all you need to know is it's from Shaw Brothers. It takes place during the Boxer Rebellion, and this movie even reveals the hoax of witchcraft, magic and being bullet-proof toward the end. Absolutely amazing martial arts (choreography by the Liu brothers, Hsiao Hou & Ching Chu), especially the fifteen minute end fight, which includes everything from hand-to-hand to the 18 weapons. It also includes the name of the weapon appearing on the screen when one of the Liu brothers use it. Yeah, I know fu, too. I hope this is a sign of things to come from Image Entertainment.



3. the fight scenes are awsome in this movie but it could have been alot better they have some A list actors in this film for it to be dull as it is the plot sucked in a way but the best part of the film was the end the dimestration of the diffrent weapons used.....



4. Image's release of Celestial's remastering of this Shaw Brothers' classic should quench the thirst of those who waited for years for a decent version on DVD. This flick makes the top-10 list of a lot of old-school critics. In that capacity I think it's a little overrated, but if you like classic kung fu movies, it's a must-see.
   
   It's now the 1900's and the world is changing. The Industrial Revolution has thwarted any last attempts the world has of living in harmony with nature. Misery loves company and China is full of potential labor and natural resources, so goons from all over the world are pestering them to join in the carnage. The country is divided. Groups of rebels are trying to preserve China's way of life, but meet with resistance from the preferred weapon of the westerner... the gun. Still believing that the right amount of kung fu training will overcome the rifle, the Spiritual Sect continues to sacrifice pupils in perfecting the art of deflection. Lei Kung (Lau Kar Leung, directing the film and the fights) tires of watching his brothers die needlessly. Eventually realizing that these changes are inevitable, he decides to leave the sect. Not content with letting him go peacefully, the sect's leader (Lau Kar Wing) dispatches 3 fighters (Gordon Liu, Kara Hui, and Hsiao Hou) to find him; though the only one who is aware of the other two, secretly sympathizes with Lei Kung.
   
   This movie is very different and one of Lau Kar Leung's better directed films. There are a lot of cool, brief, ninja-like exchanges between the major players before the captivating extended finale involving the 18 members of the film's title. There is also a long comic sequence with Alexander Fu Sheng pretending to be Lei Kung in an attempt to draw out the old master. Though it's an odd mix, it is well done if you're patient enough between fights. I wasn't real big on the hypnotism kung fu, but it's brief and adds to the individual flavor of the movie.
   
   The picture is as crisp as a new dollar-bill and will disappoint no one. Celestial has done an amazing job on all of the Shaw Bros. flicks, but some really stand out; this is one of them. Kara Hui don't hurt none neither. The language tracks include the original Mandarin and an English dub.
   
   1982. aka: "18 Legendary Weapons of China", "Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu"



5. I only have one complaint: it would not play in my dvd player.
   Overall it was good

No comments about Famous Swordsman.

3 comments about Chok Dee: The Kickboxer.

1. HEY IF YOU ARE FAN OF THAILAND MOVIES AND EVERYTHING ABOUT THAI BOXING THIS MOVIE IS FOR YOU THE FIGHTS ARE NOT EXTRAORDINARY AND NOT SO MUCH VIOLENT BUT THE STORY IS GOOD
   AND THE TIME GOES SO QUICKLY THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CHOK DEE 2 BUT I DON T KNOW IF THEY WILL DO IT
   SO YOU CAN BUY IT NO PROBLEM IT IS A VERY GOOD MOVIE



2. Dida Diafat is not a known name in the United States. He is a French former world champion in Thai Kick boxing, who emigrated to Thailand and became the first non-Thai to win numerous Thai fighting titles. In CHOK DEE, Dida plays himself as Ryan, a former French prison inmate who has learned the rudiments of Thai fighting from an older inmate. Upon his release, Ryan flies to Bangkok to try to enter a school of kick fighting. He is refused entrance since he is a non-Thai. The bulk of the film is how he convinces the school's trainers to enroll him and once having done so, prepare him to fight in competition.
   
   The problem with CHOK DEE is that the director did not know whether to film a KARATE KID with Dida in the Ralph Macchio role, a ROCKY with Dida as Sly, or even KICKBOXER with Dida as Jean Claude Van Damme. The result is a gritty pastiche of all three. That is not necessarily a bad thing either, so long as Dida would have been permitted to take center stage as the focus of action. Instead, they muddled the plot by introducing a number of subplots that worked at cross purposes with an otherwise strong performance by the surprisingly frail looking Dida, who can truly act better than he can fight. In order for a martial artist to resonate with the audience, he needs a worthy opponent. Look at Tong Po, the villainous Thai fighter from KICKBOXER, who pushed JCVD to his limits. In CHOK DEE, Dida's opponents were interchangeable and I had a hard time keeping straight one from the other. What I liked about Dida is that he limited his fighting mostly to the ring where he engaged in sanctioned bouts with rules. Tony Jaa, by contrast, another Thai movie martial artist fought numerous street thugs in a manner that distracted attention from fighting one on one and redirected it, Bruce Lee style, to one on many. Dida has natural dramatic talent and he has a future in film, even if that future has no punches or kicks in it.



3. once the story takes over this film gets really,really good!
   and i 've seen a lot of horriable martail art films.
   
   and this is quite good, buy it you watch it alot, its like the movie "iron and silk" but better directing and photography

3 comments about Aikido's M.Saito Jo.

1. This DVD has 6 sections. BUT you can not access via DVD technology. You must watch it through in order.
   
   Section 1. One man techniques with Jo; Assorted strikes, Defensive counters and Combinations. The 28 Jo Kata is quickly demonstrated.(Don't blink)
   Section 2. 2 person Jo attacks and counters. Some really awesome moves. Lots of variations.
   Section 3. The 31 Jo kata. Performed from 2 angles. The fontal veiw is of little use because of speed.
   
   The first 3 sections are B/W achival silent film footage. Which is old and very over exposed and the speed is fast. It would be hard for a person with little to no experience to learn the form. If you have forgot the form like me it is possible to pick it up again.
   
   Section 4. A talk about Aikido and O'sensei. Some still photos. Basically a waste of time.
   
   Section 5. Color video; 2 person demonstrations of moves and exercises. All empty hand. Some Atemi demos. These are good but only done once. There is a voice over which tries to give the name of the move but it is not timed correctly.
   
   Section 6. Is very poor quality of M. Saito teaching a workshop on sword. You can not really hear anything nor make out anything worthwile.
   
   I gave this 3 stars because....it is the only JO dvd on the market. I forgot it over 7 years ago and really want to re-learn it. It also has some good demonstrations. M Saito is truly masterful with the Jo and of course with Aikido. But the quality of this DVD doesn't allow it to really shine.



2. Aikido Saito's Empty Hand DVD
   Aikido Saito's Jo DVD
   Aikido Saito's Sword DVD
   I wasn't expecting a great deal from "lost footage", but to say these are "high quality" is way off the mark. The first 10 minutes (approx.) of each DVD consists of 2 short films in B&W showing various aikido techniques. These are old, grainy and look like they have been copies from old film stock to VHS and then to DVD. As old historical footage of Saito Sensei, they are interesting and worth viewing.
   
   The annoying problem with these three DVDs is that the second and third sections of each DVD are identical. The only parts which are different are the first 10 minutes in B&W, which do indeed concentrate on Sword, Jo and Empty Hand as claimed in the titles.
   
   The second section is in color, again old, grainy, but is taken from old professional video stock so that it is relatively clear. It is a documentary type section showing training at the Iwama dojo and demonstrating a number of techniques. This is the longest section at about 30 minuets, interesting and worth viewing, but I don't need three copies of it.
   
   The last section is an old home video of Saito Sensei teaching bokken. The video is very bad, breaking up in parts and the audio is virtually inaudible, which makes the section fairly pointless since Saito Sensei is trying to describe subtle differences in position which you can neither see properly on the old video nor hear explained. I definitely don't need three copies of this.
   
   I would have been happier getting one DVD for the same price with the 6 historically sigbnificant B&W short films and the old documentary section and a bit of honesty about what is actually on the DVDs.



3. It's a old flim that they put on a DVD, it dooes not look good at all. Don't but it.

5 comments about Lady Snowblood 1 (Ws Sub).

1. "Shurayukihime"--Lady Snowblood
   
   This is the brutal depiction of a violent heart beating solely for revenge. From the child's first breath, her ultimate purpose was ingrained deep within her soul. This bloody tale of malevolence inspired the Kill Bill movies.
   In comparison to Tarantino's masterpieces, this movie doesn't have the dynamic special effects or perfectly orchestrated melees, but the fight scenes are still enthralling plus more realistic. This killer is more believable than Uma Thurman and the other miscast group of misfit samurais. Plus, there really is a spiritual presence resonating throughout this entire story.
   This is an awesome revenge movie. If you liked Kill Bill, give this one a look.



2. For such an old film Lady Snowblood doesn't seem very old fashioned. It's a tale of revenge which is very bloody and if the story seems tired, it's actually told in a fairly original way. Told in chapters (like Kill Bill) these story moves at a slow pace but you know each small part will have it's own climax - so there's never to long to wait before a new development.
   
   The film also incorporates an extended scene where the story is told via illustrations (the story is based on a bestselling manga, and this is a technique which is also `borrowed' by Kill Bill, albeit in an animated style) and it's with this mixture of storytelling techniques that the film seems quicker and more lively than it actually is. This is of course a good thing. The lovely Kaji Meiko plays Yuki, otherwise known as Lady Snowblood, otherwise known as the crazy woman out for revenge. For the most part Yuki's un-expressive face manages to reflect all kinds of anger as well as a real sadness. Watching her facial expressions really translates this sense of untrust. The film looks amazing, contrasting all sorts of wide camera shots with close-ups, incorporating the landscape as well as close-ups of faces and with the added use of the weather (she isn't called Snowblood for nothing), Lady Snowblood pulls you into its narrative.
   
   Again, Tarantino nicked some of the framing ideas and compositions of shots, and you can hardly blame him because they're so effective. For an example of this, simply see the scene where the group is looking down on Yuki's mother - laughing and smirking at her - and you get a sense of the way this film works on a `back to basics' level. Lady Snowblood seems to reduce themes, character and camera shots to a primitive level, it's only flourishes are the way the story is told. The action is also handled very well - swords swing leaving gushing blood and all sorts of detached limbs - while maintaining an ironic beauty. Blood on snow (like her name) is quite beautiful, but disturbing. Despite its b-movie plot, this is a film which is full of style. Lady Snowblood is an excellent revenge-flick and all-too an obvious influence on some contemporary cinema. It's not the most subtle film, but it has a huge amount of character and is still a step above the average hack-and-slash revenge story. It's one of those films that surprises you at how good it is and almost begs for a repeat viewing.



3. this revenge movie copied a lot of ideas from dumas' novol only changed it with a female character. it's with a loose and even a bit simple-minded comic book like storyline. since it's titled with a word of 'blood', the whole movie was full of red blood. the directing of this movie was very primitive too.



4. You can definitely tell how Kill Bill was inspired by this movie but it is so much more. Sleek fight scenes make this movie even better!



5. I saw this film yesterday when it for the first time ever became available in a Swedish uncut version newly remastered with excellent sound and picture quality (thank you Njuta Films).
   I was pleasently surprised to see that the film had a timeless feel to it it could have been last year instead of thirtyfive years ago. Meiko Kaji (known from the "Stray Cat Rock" and "Female Prisoner #701" series) gives an excellent performance as the woman born in prison to take revenge for the brutal murders of her mothers husband and son(?)and subsequent rape of her mother by the murderers.
   While her mother dies at childbirth she has informed the prisoners of her her intentions for her daughter Yuki and one of them takes the child when she is released to a buddhist monk to train so that she can fulfill her mothers dying wish for revenge.
   When she leaves the monk twenty yers later she is skilled in the ways to use a sword, which she proves again and again in one swordfight after another, with blood gushing and limbs flying in the over the top filmaking style with which most of the Japanese exploitation movies are made.
   In comparision with "Sex and Fury" starring Reiko Ike which came out the same year and have a similar them of revenge, and is even more over the top with more explicit nudity and torture scenes, "Lady Snowblood" have a more structured story telling and is wellpaced. Both actresses however give a similar performance with a still face and only the eyes giving the expression of the emotion the charater is feeling.
   The fight scenes are well executed and directed with good camerawork.
   In the final scene we are reminded of the old adage "When you set out for revenge you'd better dig two graves".
   All in all a very good and entertaing film.
   And as for this film being the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill", I believe he got the inspiration from many exploatation films from the 1970's, films like "Coffy", "The Street Fighter", "Death Wish" and countless others like them.

5 comments about Black Mask.

1. First off, the action in this film is great. Jet Li can kick some major butt, and the scenes with him and Françoise Yip are very good.
   
   The detective friend is funny, the dub is amusing, they went with a kind of Bogart vibe on the voice.
   
   The dub for the girl Tracy is annoying... high pitched and whiney, but she's a plucky enough character to not be completely irredeemable.
   
   All in all, good action movie, and Jet Li is pretty studly as the Black Mask. (although corrugated cardboard is not what I'd have pictured as good mask material)



2. Now obviously the new rap music and great american voices they put on make it as bad as possible. But then again, the movie certainly is no gem in it's original language version, that is for sure.
   
   The whole movie had above average action sequences, but the story was unbearable. Not the story itself, but the execution of it is the worst possible. It goes from sickening moments to almost little kid parts between Jet and teh girl. Just freaking horrible.
   
   So the dvd is full screened, music is stupid, voice dubbing is almost as bad as the "jet li collection" movies, but you will get a few good points one or two good laughs, and a decent finale.



3. I enjoyed Jet Li in this movie...never mind the dubbing, I can look past that and enjoy the move for what it is...fantasy/action. Four stars...



4. I owned this movie in VHS and wanted it on DVD. Great action flic by Jet Li



5. i am a huge jet li fan and of course HAD to have this movie. and i did really like it. i think i would have liked it more had it not beed overdubbed in english and had no chinese language option. something for the studio to think about when they undoubtedly end up rereleasing it.

5 comments about Executioners.

1. I didn't understand the hype surrounding The Heroic Trio. Personally, I feel that pop art is just for crackheads. The Heroic Trio had such an unbelievable plot that I couldn't watch it. This movie, on the other hand, had a more believable plot. The action scenes, though limited were great. Anita Mui is pretty good with the sword. Michelle Yeoh should have had more screen time. Maggie Cheung looked so much better in this movie than she did in The Heroic Trio. Overall, this was a wildly entertaining movie. All of the explosions were tight. The only thing that sucked was the annoying little girl.



2. I don't know what it is about this movie, but it's horrible. That's a particularly sad thing to say after Heroic Trio is one of the best Hong Kong movies in a long time. I'm not sure if I'm annoyed with Michelle Yoeh's prolonged death or her prolonged presence with nothing to do for the rest of the movie, or the fact that the husband is killed 20 minutes into the movie.

   It's not just that this is one of the dumber Hong Kong movies I've seen, it's also that it had a potential to be really great. It has great stars, it's a sequel to an amazing movie and it just falls flat. Too many places where nothing's happening, dumb jokes, awful musical montages and the fight scenes don't excite me.

   Nothing really to recommend in this movie. I suppose if you are a diehard fan of Anita Mui, Michelle Yoeh or Maggie Cheung (whose better in Green Snake) watch it, but be prepared to be disappointed.




3. A very unsatisfying sequel to the wonderful "Heroic Trio." The movie is dark and quite frankly very depressing. Three of the most likable major characters die horribly. Defeat and darkness seem to be the major themes here. There are also other problems; the villain is unbelievably silly, even by HK action movie standards. Master Kim, the villain, spends much of his time in the movie talking to a severed head. Michelle Yeoh is barely in the movie, and much of Anita Mui's screentime is limited to domestic scenes with her husband, who apparently has forbidden her to be Wonder Woman now that she has a child. Maggie Cheung has to carry a lot of the plot (such as it is) as a result, and she's definitely not up to the task in this movie. Instead of appearing scrappy and self-reliant, as in Heroic Trio, her character in "Executioners" comes off as shrill, mean-spirited, and not very bright.

   But I don't know if anyone could have worked with this ruin of a plot. Even by HK action standards, the plot is lacking. Several of the most interesting plot threads that began in Heroic Trio (the fact that Wonder Woman and Invisible Girl are sisters, for example) are dropped completely or handled poorly in this movie. The characters are denied the depth and humanity they could have had. The actresses (for the most part) do the best they can with the script (except for Cheung, who really is not very likable here), but the overall pessimism and ugliness eventually overwhelms them - and everyone else in the movie.

   Overall, this sequel is very disappointing. I can wholeheartedly recommend "Heroic Trio," but not this movie. Fans of the first film would be well advised to give this one a pass. There's really nothing to recommend this depressing, sludgy mess.




4. Its hard to say that this movie was awesome, but it was close. I enjoyed the performances of the actresses more than the plot. AS strange as this may seem, each of the stars, possed skills that set them apart from the others. Anita Mui gave an outstanding performance with her talents using the sword. Not to say that Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung gave there best to make this movie a classic. But the movie dragged at points. THe women made the movie worth the view!



5. This film's prequel, The Heroic Trio, end with a triumphant mood as the sexy trifecta of Wonder Woman, Invisible Girl and Thief Catcher make good and rid China of a demon from Hell who threatened the very existance of mankind. When Executioners opens, it would seem that no one was paying attention to the evil people who lived on Earth because China (and the rest of the world by extension) is devastated in a post-holocaustic setting without clean water and with very little future to look forward to. The Trio comes out of semi-retirement to battle the evil forces of monstrous megalomanics and military murderers. Throw in a couple of superhuman freaks and the battleground is set. But fans of Heroic Trio should be forewarned: even though Good must always defeat Evil, there are very few happy endings in Executioners. It's a very sad film that emphasizes the need for sacrifice in order to acheive the Greater Good. And this film has sacrifices in spades.

   On the bright side, it's well acted and Anita Mui stands out in a stunning performance that features her mercurial beauty and her martial arts guile. Michelle Yeoh is Michelle Yeoh and there's no greater compliment than that. Maggie Cheung treats the film as though she's slumming with a B-script instead of starring in an A-level art film but she's still a treat whenever she's chewing up the scenery with her grumpy outbursts. Anthony Wong provides the necessary touches of Evil that make you yearn for the Heroic Trio to hasten his demise. Damian Yau will make you cry.

   The music is, as always, a plus in any HK film that features Mui.
   
   Don't sit back and expect a rollicking good time. This is heavy duty fare here. But's it's probably the most-layered and intense HK film that you'll see in a good long time.

5 comments about Chinese Super Ninjas.

1. THIS DVD LIKE SO MANY RELATING TO THE SHAW BROTHERS COLLECTION THAT ARE NOT RELEASED BY CELESTIAL PICTURES ARE A SHAM !! I WILL NOT SUPPORT SOME LOW DOWN PIRATES LOOKING FOR A QUICK BUCK !! IF IT AIN'T A CELESTIAL RELEASE IT AIN'T WORTH A DIME !!!



2. This movie is definately a classic, man they had the O.G. dude from 5 Venoms, Toad, in there whoopin some serious tail. Then you got homeboy with the long hair, who escapes, kills that girl what was her name?zenji or somethin...then he kills all the Ninjaz, he represented big time...man, 5 stars doesnt even say it all, what more can i say i luv it



3. I've never really been big on kung fu with the many different weapons,,however, I really enjoyed this particular flick, due to my main man Lo Meng (Toad),,,I enjoy any flick that has him in it,,,he is the man for real. He was absolutly outstanding in this movie, which is why I gave it a 5 star!
   Respectively,,if you're really into the kung that has weapons,,this one is a keeper...three words,,TOUGH, TOUGH, TOUGH!!!!



4. If you have seen 'Kid With the Golden Arm' and thought the action in that was amazing, you ain't seen nothin yet. Ricky Tien('Shanghai 13', 'War of the Shaolin Temple') is one of the most athletic kung fu stars ever and shows supreme weapon handling in this, and Lo Meng is so awesome he actually makes you believe that he can defend himself against a samurai sword using no weapon at all!
   
   After character actor Shen Chan(not Chang Shan) decides to use a Japanese fighter in a contest between 2 schools, the Japanese fighter dies and the Five Element Ninja challenge the school themselves. You may have heard of Five Element Ninja before in Godfrey Ho movies, and even some pretty good flicks, but this is where it came from! So the master assigns some of his fighters to take on the different elements. They find out real quick that these ninja can fight really good and they all die. Nice to see Chan Wai-Man as the leader of the ninja. He was usually best in boxing types of movies since he was a real fighter in the ring, a great figher I should add, but he is superb in this movie even though there is no real hand to hand. What also may have helped him look the part is that he was(maybe still is) in fact a real gangster. Those tattoos all over his back and frontside are real! I also have to point out how sweet it is how in an American movie, there will be a really cool scene where the villain doublecrosses someone and then pulls out his gun and just shoots everyone himself(or herself of course). Well, Chan Wai-Man is a great villain and it is even cooler when a similar scene happens in this movie. Instead of guns, his men just throw ninja stars and kill everybody as gruesomely as possible with their various ninja techniques. You have to be a fan of the genre to get the full enjoyment out of this, but not necessarily. Any fan of the Lone Wolf and Cub movies and great Chang Cheh films will be very happy with this masterpiece of cinema. It is just splendid.
   
   Now since this is a Chang Cheh film, there for sure will be some training. Don't expect it to be anything extreme like 'Invincible Shaolin', but it has some very fun training sequences. And of course after training, revenge.
   
   I want to note that I have seen many heated discussions on the internet on what a TRUE Venoms film is. The consesus is that it has to have at least 3 Venoms and it HAS TO BE directed by Chang Cheh. I personally consider Ricky Tien a Venom(the 8th for me), not one of the "true" 5(even though there were originally 6 in '5 Deadly Venoms'), but he is still one of Chang Cheh's Venoms. Now to finish breaking this down, under the criteria I have stated, this is not considered a Venoms movie since there are only 2 Venoms in it. The real question is, does that matter? The answer is no doubt, a big fat NO! It is a comic book movie, and the finale gets even crazier than you could ever imagine! 'Shanghai 13' is one of the greatest kung fu movies ever in my opinion, and is very similar to this. Both have mindless plots, just the way I like it. Not a lot of story, but the director just lets his kung fu stars do their thing. The ending of the final fight in 'Shanghai 13 was a disappointment, but there is no disappointment in 'Chinese Super Ninjas', and I can guarantee you that. Maybe the greatest ending to a movie ever.
   
   So maybe it is not considered a true Venoms film by a lot of people, but it is still a GREAT Chang Cheh flick and bloody as can be. By far one of the best Shaw Brothers movies ever(top 100), and yet another reason that it is so sad the Shaws closed up prematurely, even though they still had all of this outstanding talent on hand and could no doubt have made great movies for many more years. :(
   
   I also have to point out that this movie has Ping Yu-tai, he is known for his big nose and is the guy that uses the slingshot in 'Crippled Avengers'(aka Mortal Combat), and is in almost every single Venoms movie ever made, and so are a couple other guys as well. So, you could say there are really 11 or 12 true Venoms. Anways, I must move on since I could talk Venoms all day(though I know some would not mind).
   
   One final note on the movie-Lo Meng only has a few fights but he is absolutely out of this world! I don't think I have ever seen him look this good, and that is saying a heck of a lot. And if you think Lo Meng looks good, wait until you see the end of this!
   
   4.5/5 from me. This is one of those where I am stuck in the middle between a 4 and 5, but it is just so much fun that I can't give it any less than the highest rating possible. It is my guess that Ricky Tien(Cheng Tien-chi ) had a hand in the action, but whoever did this movie put together some of the finest weapons choreography ever. The fighting is so tight and fluid, you just won't be able to look away from the screen. This is a MUST have in any kung fu movie collection.
   
   Look for this to be remastered some time in the near future by Celestial! And that means you will finally be able to throw away that full screened version. Man I hope Celestial remasters this soon(I hope they still have it in good condition in their vault), so then it can be seen in all it's widescreened glory. Best of all, we will be able to fully view all of those great sets and smoke effects! I will be sure to post here how it looks.



5. Wow! I thought I could depend on the opinions of other kung fu fans when making purchases on amazon, wrong! This movie is highly overrated and is not the classic everyone says it is. I'm the first one to give this a 3 and rightfully so. Its worth a watch and then after that you have no reason to keep it around.
   
   Why is this movie so overrated? I dont know, the ninjas maybe? Anyhow the storyline is very corny. For one, why would a master with wisdom send his best fighters out to fight something they have no clue about? Not only that but he already knew it could be a trap and that the ninjas do lots of tricks. Didnt make much sense.
   
   Then after some chick helped knock off your brother and your whole army, why would you second guess killing her? Saying, was I right(for killing her)? Here is a simple outline to this movie. Chinese go against ninjas and get slaughtered leaving Chinese with their 2 best men. One of the best men falls for a chick that the ninjas use to draw outlines of their well guarded house. Chick completes the mission and ninjas slaughter everyone except one of the best men because the chick likes him. Best fighter escapes and goes on to learn ninja. Him and his 3 new brothers go and counter the 5 element ninjas. The end.
   
   Its just not that good. Buy it and judge for yourself. But if you're a true fan of good kung fu flicks, you'll understand that this isnt a 5 or a classic. Last hurrah for chivalry tears this to pieces. Fearless, 36 chambers, and even the Jade claw tears this apart. This cannot be put up there with the greats because there isnt anything great about it. The best part to me was the last fight where the lead ninja had various tactics and weapons like the spiked feet and the foot cuffs. That was a good last fight. Everything else was corny and poorly thought out.

5 comments about Fun To The Core.

1. THIS IS SO PERFECT FOR GETTING BACK IN SHAPE. So simple but you can feel it burning! I love this workout because I can do it AT HOME,



2. This is the kind of workout that I have been looking for. It covers balance, strength, core training, and allows me to increase the difficulty when I am ready. It is a workout you can use for a lifetime and never get bored. I've recommended it to my friends and my adult children. You will love it.



3. Not being a "workout person" I was amazed at how easy and effective the workouts on this video are. With my Busy lifestyle, I always have the excuse I couldn't find the time to workout. Not anymore. I can do the core and balancing exercises Benjamin teaches anywhere at anytime! Thanks!



4. I was having problems with my right leg; andeed, I had a noticeable limp. Rather than take my internists suggestion and consult with an orthopedic surgeon, I took my problem to my wife's personal trainer, Benjamin Cox. Under his guidance, I now regularly do sets of stretching and balance exercises, and my limp is gone. The DVD allows me to follow his lead and exercise at home. My overall feeling of healthiness has improved greatly. I highly recommend it.
   
   Dr. Herbert Waltzer, Ph.D.



5. This video was about as fun as dental work (with apologies to my excellent dentist). The instruction was lacking, the trainer lacked charisma and energy, and even he had difficulty with some of the moves. Combining the balancing with the strength work takes practice and coaching, but the trainer just went into each move without any kind of information about how to do so. (I've worked out for years, but would have needed help finding ways to do the upper body work while standing on one leg.) I went to Target after watching the dvd once and bought The Firm for $12.00 (rather than $19.95), which is much better and more effective.
   M. Yarosh

5 comments about Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart in Peril.

1. In this 4th installment of the series, Director Misumi Kenji was replaced by Saito Buichi -- although I feared the series' quality would deteriorate, I was pleasantly surprised at the nuances Saito lent in his own adaptation.
   
   Still only a third of the way through the manga series myself, "Baby Cart in Peril" adopts episodes from early volumes and introduces a later (for me: unknown) episode that involves (finally!) a showdown between Ogami and Retsudo!
   
   As usual, the film does a good job giving screen time to other characters allowing them to develop. O-Yuki, the assassin willing to bare her vengeance, is a powerful and interesting character. Daigoro gets more and more screen time as in this movie for the first time, he wanders off alone. The little boy is so charming in this film (like the third installment) -- I love his scowls: talk about inhabiting a character. Combined with the nearly concrete stare of Ogami (actor Wakayama Tomisaburo), this movie confirms it still has the magic. Somehow these nearly opaque actors convey incredible emotion. I just wish I knew what Wakayama was looking at -- he never eyes the action or the camera directly.



2. This movie is maybe the best of the Lone Wolf and Cub series and I tell you why:
   
   - I saw four movies of Lone Wolf and Cub:
   * WHITE HEAVEN IN HELL is good because Ogami Itto (main character) use everithing he got to kill the bad guys but that battle is more like a Ski battle in a snow mountain.
   * LAND OF DEMONS is also good because Ogami battle many enemies in a big dojo with one sword like Uma Thurman did in Kill Bill and he use the lance only a few times.
   * SWORD OF VENGANCE is the original and he only use the sword and the lance like in LAND OF DEMONS.
   * This one (Baby Car in Peril) is the best because he use the sword, the lance, the machine gun, the two swords, small shurikens and blades like in WHITE HEAVEN IN HELL but this time the settings are in a war camp.
   
   THAT'S ALL FOLKS Thank you for lisen!!!!



3. Here's a lesson in the value of reading on-disk liner notes. There are four short pages of notes on Animeigo's version of LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART IN PERIL.
   
   Page one tells about the Mountain Witch and Kintaro. Both legendary figures in Japan. The mountain witch, or yamauba, is the `fairy of the mountains,' old and haggard in appearance with a thin face and wild white hair. The mountain witch cares for the mountains; kintaro is a child of super-human strength and skills, something like our Paul Bunyan, I guess. Important stuff to know because the character Ogami Itto (Tomisaburo Wakayama,) the ronin Lone Wolf, has contracted to kill (for the usual 500 pieces of gold) is the beautiful young Oyuki, who has been slaughtering the Yagyu clansmen sent out to assassinate her. Oyuki has a tattoo of the Mountain Witch on her back and one of a nipple-seeking Kintaro covering her chest. Besides being a superbly skilled warrior, the lovely Oyuki will distract her opponents by removing her blouse while in battle. Whatever it takes to awe and shock.
   
   Page two describes the `Yagyu New Shadow Style' of swordscraft. Lone Wolf and Cub is set in 17th century Japan, and every episode I've seen so far - this is my third - concentrates on sword fighting styles and techniques. The New Shadow Style is the type favored by Yagyu Gunbei, Ogami's bitter rival. Ogami, as we're reminded in every film, was the Shogun's Official Executioner until betrayed by the pernicious Retsudo. Gunbei was a disciple of Retsudo's, and he fought Ogami for the Executioner position and, save for what may have been a technicality (watch the film and decide for yourself,) defeated Ogami. Although each film in the series tells a particular story - in this case that of Oyuki and Ogami's contract to kill her - they all also flesh out the big story. I really should have started these in sequence, but I've been picking them up haphazardly. In any event, the Gunbei-Ogami rivalry is fleshed out in this one, even though it hasn't a whole lot to do with the main story.
   
   Page three tells us about the goumune, or `street beggars,' of feudal Japan. Lone Wolf and Cub spend a lot of time traveling through the poorer communities of Japan and observing the outcasts and the looked down upon. As the goumune clan leader observes to a rude Yagyu thug sent by the Shogun to bring Ogami back, in a speech that distantly echoes words Shakespeare wrote for Shylock, the goumune may be reviled and looked down upon, but they eat, drink, and expel waste like any other human. And, like any other human, they value courtesy and a show of respect. Translated into terms I can understand - roughly and imperfectly translated, I realize - the goumune are something like the dirt farmers in westerns. Like I said, it's a rough translation - goumune are valued less than `human beings,' according to the notes, at a ratio of about 7 to 1. Still, in terms of firepower a group like the Yagyu clan - Ogami's chief enemies since the betrayal that forced his with-cub exile in a land between heaven and hell, between life and death - a group like the Yagyu clan have it all over the goumune. Not unlike the big bad ranchers pushing around the frightened and huddled sod busters in a lot of westerns.
   
   We learn the Owari fief was a major commercial crossroads during the time the events in this movie took place on page four.
   
   Lone Wolf's willingness to mingle with and befriend, and at times defend, the despised, sets him apart as a true samurai. Or a classic cowboy hero, come to think of it. He's imperturbable to the point of being a sphinx and proficient as heck with the sword. There's a lot of blood in these movies - when a bad guy gets his legs cut off at the knees the prop department empties a couple of quarts of krylon red #5 all over everything. In this movie alone I'd guess they were buying the stuff in 50-gallon drums. It may have played brutal in 1972, but it just seems a little cartoonish today. Not in a bad way, mind you. Lone Wolf and Cub was born of a Japanese comic book series and these movies are vividly visual. If the strange names and customs make watching this movie sound like work, it's not. They're a lot of fun, very well produced, visually pleasing, and containing a hero-and-a-half you can root for.



4. Ogammi has to track down and kill a nude female assassin for our viewing pleasure in the 4th installment of the LW and C series. Once again, Tomisaburo Wakayama puts on one of the greatest acting performances I have ever seen. In this one we find out the reason that Ogami's house was always meant to be destroyed from the day he was appointed as the Shogun's second. Of course the Yagyu are involved and of course you are guaranteed to see some of the greatest action ever when Ogami slices up everybody in the super long final fight. One thing that you find out in this movie is that Ogami Itto is not invincible. That certainly makes things more interesting.
   
   I have the Red Sun distributed version of this. The DVD is anamorphically widescreeded with flaws that can only be seen with a magnifying glass. The trailers have 2 Zatoichi ones and 2 LW and C ones including Baby Cart in Peril. The real special feature is the liner notes. They continue to bring important information up like the Shadow Sword technique among a few other things.



5. You have to hand it to the late Tomisaburo Wakayama, he was definitely different than many of the characters to come out of 1970s. I first saw this film years ago, and always thought this particular episode was one of the better ones of the series. For those who are not used to this type of action type of ninja-samurai style of film, keep an open mind. These are not Kurosawa, or Kobayashi type of films, however, that does not mean they are not entertaining. First of all though, be prepared for plenty of violence and mayhem. As the character Ogami (Tomisaburo Wakayama), [brother of the late Shintaro Katsu of Zatoichi fame] was larger in life than many characters who came out of the 1970s.
   
   This is fun, exciting, and don't take it too serious enjoyment. What I always liked about the Lone Wolf and Cub series was that it was hilariously different than many of the films that were available in the USA: if you were lucky enough to catch them at the theatres. Since I spent a lot of time at theatres with my best friend in downtown Los Angeles, I was exposed to these types of films. I have come to understand that these films have been released as a package, and that the films are very well restored. I have not seen these new DVD releases, however, I would recommend that you purchase the set as a whole, if all six episodes are packaged together, and the price is reasonable. Since I already have these in the format as they are, I am content with these for now. Give these films a chance, they are interesting, and truly enjoying films. [Stars: 4.5]