No comments about Shito Ryu Karate Kata 5 Kosokun Sho & Shiho Kosokun.

5 comments about Fearless (Director's Cut Edition) DVD.

1. This is much, much better version of the film we were treated(?) to in North American theatres - and it makes that version look like the rushed hachett job it was. It's a real shame that many Americans, even hardcore Jet Li fans, may never see this film the way it was intended to be seen.
   
   Not only has the fight against the Thai boxer, and Michelle Yeoh's bookend scenes as a Chinese diplomat trying to sell the International Olympic Committee on including wu shu in the Olympics been restored, but lots of incidental footage that wasn't in the U.S. theatrical cut, and adds. Combined with the original score that works much better, esp. in the fight scenes where the sound cues interact better with high points in the action, and you have a much, much better movie experience here.
   
   In fact, now that the original whole has been restored, I am sure people will see the film for what it is, less a kung fu movie (despite the convention/cliche-laden plot) and the biopic it was meant to be. In that it's closer to Spike Lee's "X', than memorable, but thematically relatively lightweight productions like "Fist of Legend" (which could function as a kind of sequel to this film) or any of Jet Li's collaborations with Tsui Hark, "Swordsman II", and the "Once Upon a Time in China" movies.
   
   Burn your DVD copies of the North American release and get this instead. And make a spectacle out of it. The distributers of martial arts films in this country have got to learn not to tamper with Asian films. I am sure if this version had been released instead, the critical reviews and word of mouth would have been far better - even attracting those who don't usually go in for the kung fu genre.



2. When I originally saw the movie I thought meh, it was o.k. This true version makes any others pale in comparison. You actually get a plot and some valuable words of wisdom. It really is criminal what was done to the other versions of the film. Even the subtitles are superior in this version. Plus it's cheaper in general than the american versions. I bought mine in chinatown for 18 dollars but have seen it for 16 online. Well worth the price. It is region 3 so make sure you have a universal player or just watch it on your computer. What a great story and swan song.



3. FEARLESS is one of the BEST Kung Fu films I've seen in a long time. The film is based on the real-life tale of the legendary Huo Yuan Jia, founder of the Jin Wu Federation. Up to this day, is still considered to be one of best established Kung Fu schools. "Fearless" is among Jet Li's best; right up there with his most memorable roles as Wong Fei Hung and Fong Sai Yuk. Some may say that "Fearless" is a prequel (of sorts) to Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" (aka. Chinese Connection) and Jet Li's "Fist of Legend", where the two renowned stars play Huo's greatest students.
   
   The story may be a bit simple, but delivers a strong message NOT to be ignored. It explores the consequences of revenge and the sin of hubris. Arrogance is a strong taint in one's soul and vengeance darkens it. The message is that tolerance and understanding is the way of a TRUE master, humility his tool and above all, honor is the true goal. Huo learned quite a lot in his experiences, and what is more important is that he learned from his mistakes.
   
   The theatrical cut of "Fearless" was very good, but it did suffer a bit in pacing. Now, with this Director's cut, we see why. The theatrical release was edited in a way that action films were cut, now, re-cut and re-edited; Fearless is better than ever. It now feels more of a dramatization and re-edited in a way a TRUE Martial Arts Epic should be...
   
   There are major differences in the director's cut, with 40 minutes more footage. It includes the opening sequence with Michelle Yeoh and while the previous release started in the middle of the action, this cut begins the story with Huo in a boat. I will outline the scenes because I can still remember (I saw this version last year)since this film gave me such impact with its message.
   
   1. Opening sequence with Michelle Yeoh as a diplomat, in the bid to consider Wu Shu in the Olympics.
   2. This cut shows more of Huo's childhood. From his determination to study Wu Shu that he stole his father's notebooks that leads up to his second encounter with the boy who had beaten him after Huo's father was beaten in a match.
   3. Huo's arrogance is explored, he is often in a disagreement with his best friend.
   4. After he had fled the town and found by farmers. There are additional scenes where he mends. He learns more of the farmers' lifestyle and becomes puzzled how these simple people can be so gentle and humble in their ways. He admires how they care for an old ailing bull. Huo's blossoming relationship with the blind girl is more explored.
   5. Now, this is the keeper; this scene was included in the theatrical release in Thailand. Huo defends the honor of a child who is accused of stealing an animal, he offers himself for punishment while an "incense" still burns. He engages a Muay Thai fighter in combat but instead of fighting back, he only defends himself and ends up saving his opponent's life.
   
   Now, for the question; is the director's cut worth owning? A RESOUNDING YES...in spades!! Jet Li is in his absolute best in this film. Not only do we see him in excellent fights (choreographed by Yuen Woo-Ping), in this cut we also see his skills as an actor. The extra 40 minutes of footage is worth every penny.
   
   I have the REGION-3 Hong Kong release from EDKO. Unfortunately, there is NO official all-region version. There are a few unofficial ones in Amazon, but be careful, their quality is way below standards.
   VIDEO/AUDIO: 2.40 Anamorphic Widescreen. The picture is flawless, strong blacks, radiant colors and nary a speck of dirt or compression artifacts are visible. Clean and sharp, exceptional video from EDKO. 5.1 Dolby EX/6.1 DTS-ES Mandarin track is clear and powerful. Need I say to use the DTS-ES track if you're able.
   
   Final thoughts:
   Jet Li claims that this will be his last WU SHU film. ( I hope not)
   Movies like this are the reason why I love my multi-region dvd player. Director Ronny Yu has definitely redeemed himself with "Fearless" after his abysmal "Bride of Chucky". You're forgiven, Ronny!
   (Freddy vs. Jason, anyone?)
   HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!! [5 stars]



4. 
   Why this movie got butchered when it got to America is beyond me! I found a seller who sells this as Region 1 -- I bought it and it's perfect! This is the only way to see this movie -- and shame on the movie company who re-edited it -- pure sacrilege! Buy this movie in it's full Hong Kong unedited version ! This is the one you want -- NO SH&T !



5. The Director's Cut of Jet Li's Fearless, which runs 37 minutes longer and is generally regarded as the definitive version, is finally being released on official Region 1 DVD. At 141 minutes, it fleshes out the story more, makes some points more clear, and includes several more minutes of martial arts action, most notably a scene where the hero battles a Thai fighter. A subplot featuring Michelle Yeoh is restored.
   
   The upcoming release isn't a special edition, and there won't be many special features. The two-disc set will include the Director's Cut, the PG-13 US theatrical cut (103 minutes), and the only slightly different unrated US version (104 minutes), both previously available on DVD. The special features are similar to those on the current unrated DVD, the featurette "A Fearless Journey" (16:04) and some cut scenes (reportedly more than one--there was only one deleted scene on the previous Region 1 releases).
   
   It will be in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen, with English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, and optional English subtitles.
   
   Fearless is the highly fictionalized story of the real-life Huo Yuanjia (or Yuan Jia), a hero of Chinese martial arts who died almost a century ago. The son of a wise martial arts champion who refuses to teach him, Huo teaches himself by, among other things, watching his father train. Lacking his father's humility, he is a most skilled fighter but commits shameful acts that, when he finally sees their devastating consequences and recognizes his failings, drive him to become an aimless wanderer. Through the kindness of humble people he recovers and eventually redeems himself in several dramatic ways.
   
   This is a high-budget, beautifully produced martial arts film that will be enjoyed by more than the usual martial arts fan. Though it doesn't have quite the same pretensions, those who enjoyed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Hero and don't mind a fair amount of violence will probably also enjoy this.
   
   If you don't have Fearless on DVD yet and can wait until July, you'll probably want to get the Director's Cut, especially since the shorter US cuts are also included.
   
   No Blu-ray edition has been announced, but it will undoubtedly arrive eventually.
   
   The Amazon page to pre-order the Region 1 Director's Cut is here.

5 comments about Snake Deadly Act.

1. This movie begins with a fight. No words, no music. Just a great opening fight. That sets the tone for this Old School classic. Snake style & Eagle claw are spotlighted here. Good movie with a unexpected ending. A Must get if you like animal style movies. Subs are sometimes hard to read but who needs subs when its mostly fighting.



2. SNAKE DEADLY ACT (1980) is an exciting kung fu film with several well-staged fights, some interesting characters, and a cast of kung fu favorites. Of chief interest is the casting of Fung Hak On, normally a villain, in the central role of a snake fist expert who waits a generation to get revenge on the monkey style expert, Kuo (Wilson Tong), who defeated him in the spectacular fight scene that opens the movie. Twenty years after that fight, he returns to the town where Kuo rules the roost and very gradually befriends Kuo's son (Ng Kwan Lung), a skilled fighter in his own right who, despite his privileges, uses his power to help the town's underdogs. Fung endeavors to teach the son snake fist (along with some "drunken footwork") and puts young Kuo through a series of grueling training exercises that are much more intense than normal for the genre. Fung keeps his ultimate agenda well-hidden until the very end.

   With his beady eyes, bulging cheekbones and square jaw, Fung Hak On (sometimes billed as Feng Ko-An) boasted a powerful tough-guy presence reminiscent of such American action stars as Charles Bronson and Jack Palance. Fung normally played rather flamboyant kung fu bad guys (WARRIORS TWO, ENTER THE FAT DRAGON, MAGNIFICENT BUTCHER), but here he plays a more layered personality, someone who gains our sympathies early on and draws us into the story. Also in the cast are Angela Mao, as a shady brothel owner; Cheng Kang Yeh, as a hapless con man; Bolo Yeung, as a traveling strong man; and all-purpose villain Phillip Ko as Kuo's mysterious housekeeper.

   The tape comes in a low-cost edition that, surprisingly, offers a letter-boxed transfer of a widescreen print in its original language, Cantonese, with English subtitles. It's rare to see an old-school kung fu movie in its proper widescreen dimensions and without the usual awkward English dubbing.




3. In my opinion this flick is about average. Grossly overated!! Still worth watching the "LOBSTER STYLE",,weired, but very entertaining for real!!



4. From 1980.
   
   The snake style used in this movie makes the snake from 5 Deadly Venoms look like a joke. The first scene is an incredible fight between Fung Hak-on (Last Hurrah for Chivalry) and Wilson Tong (Daggers 8). They are enemies and the match ends with neither being killed.
   
   Ng Kwan Lung stars as a young man who loves kung fu. He is willing to fight anyone who causes trouble. His father is played by Wilson Tong and it is suspected that his father and others are thieves. Fung Hak-on looks to teach the kid kung fu so they can fight the thieves together.
   
   The story is nothing too special, but not bad. I was very surprised by the end of this movie. The kung fu is superb, no doubt about that, but the ending is what bumps this movie up to a 4 star rating. And what other movie will you find a lobster kung fu style? Almost as cool as Yasuaki Kurata's crab style that he uses in Shaolin Challenges Ninja.
   
   All of the actors are amazing kung fu performers. The first fight is probably the best, but there are plenty of other good fights. Chan Wai Man (Blooded Treasury Fight) looks great, Angela Mao Ying (Enter the Dragon) looks just as good as she always does, and Phillip Ko (The Boxer's Omen) never disappoints. And look for a cameo from Bolo.
   
   3.5/5
   
   Picture quality on the Groundzero Eastern Heroes DVD is above average for a kung fu movie, and the picture is letterboxed. Let's all say it together- YAYYYY, it's letterboxed! English dub sounds good.



5. Wilson Tong directs and stars along with Fung Hark On in this slight variation on the standard martial arts classic. The film opens with a pretty sweet fight between the two leads as they argue about who defiled whose spouse and other assorted topics. After the opening credits we forward several years to find Tong's son, Kuo (Kun Lung Ng, in his only starring role) pretending to be Dudley Do-Right and getting into trouble, when suddenly Fung Hark On shows up to save him and eventually instruct him in the deadly art of the Snake Fist.
   
   Pretty sweet flick. Plenty of fights with most of them pretty good, and a few of them very good. It also has an interesting ending that I didn't quite see coming. This even has a cameo from the great Bolo Yeung as a street performer, similar to his stint in the classic "King Boxer". My only complaint (other than my obligatory gripes about editing) would be that the training scenes are too brief and rather monotonous. I am a fan of animal styles and would like to see a more detailed portrayal.
   
   Groundzero delivers a pretty good version of this DVD; that is if you ignore the erroneous information on the back cover. The picture quality gets speckled in a few spots but mostly it's very good and in widescreen. Granted it's hard to gauge just how widescreen when the opening credits list someone as the "oducer". Though it is English dubbed, it has subtitles anyway, in case case you wanted to listen to baseball. I had a difficult time deciding: 3.5 to 4. Either way it's recommended.
   
   1980. aka: "Snake Fist, Drunken Step"

No comments about Escrima Kadena de Mano Basics.

3 comments about The Stomp (The Soul Assassins Collection).

1. This is a martial arts video from the late 60's; if you're looking for STOMP, the dance group that uses various things to make sound with, don't buy this tape!



2. This title and the other DVD's that came up with the search, as well as the lack of information can lead one to believe this is a video starring the group "Stomp". It is, in fact, a martial arts film that has nothing to do with music. I did not watch it, so this review isn't about the content of the video...just a warning to potential buyers. I bought it under the "new and used" section and was told by the seller that in returning it I would have to pay a re-stocking fee as well as all shipping charges which will probably amount to the price of the video. More information about the DVD could have prevented this.



3. On like the other two fools who rated this flick a 1 star, simply because they inadvertently came across it by accident,,looking for some rock group called "The Stomp" I'm actually rating this flick for the actual cinematography and choregraphy, and must say it's not bad. This flick actually has a tight plot. It's about a secret kung fu manual which everyone wants,,,this manual hold the secret of ancient and secret kung fu. The manul was actually tattooed on the back of,,,well,,I won't spoil it for you,,,but I do recommend you check it out. It has many swords play,,aswell, an equal amount of real old skool kung fu fighting!!! This flick is not the best I've seen, but it sure as hell does not deserve a 1 star, by the previous goofs!!

3 comments about Firepower.

1. Ahh, Firepower, I've had this flick on an old VHS tape for years and I was Stoked to see it come out on DVD.
   
   For a low budget action flick it's pretty entertaining, the "plot" is fairly simple, 2 cops go undercover as "Death Ring" fighters in order to uncover the wareabouts of a secret lab producing a fake AIDS vaccine, theres something about a wife who doesn't want the lead guy to be a cop anymore and a Death Ring hostess who wants out of the "Hellzone" but thats all just background noise. The real focus is the fighting, and theres lots of it! Theres some great one on one fighting to be seen in the Death Ring, as low lives battle it out for prize money while an entertaining ring announcer gives the play by play we get to see some pretty good work with the fists, feet and various weapons.
   
   Also, one can't understate the positively glowing acting of Jim "Ultimate Warrior" Hellwig, when this man says "Get me out NOW!" boy you really feel it.

   So if you're looking for some breezy fun for 90 minutes you can't go wrong with this flick.




2. this is a fun flick, but i hate that gary dies in it :(



3. Firepower is one of those cheesy martial art movies that tries to take place in the future and the result is even more cheesiness that is just a 1980's looking future. I can't help but notice how this simply makes part of the film suffer, but not all is lost. There are plenty of fights in this film, and it stars familiar faces Chad Mcqueen (Karate Kid, Martial Law) and Gary Daniels (City Hunter, Rage, Bloodmoon).
   
   The year is 2007, and well, here we are also in 2007. Fortunately our real-life 2007 isn't as trashy as this one and there are no "hell-zones" present, where most of the action in Firepower takes place. Chad Mcqueen and Gary Daniels star as a pair of cops who go into the underground world of "Death Ring" fighting to uncover some mysterious aids vaccinethat is supposedly present there. The story doesn't stop there, and eventually deals with personal issues and emotions for the 2 cops.
   
   Overall, the story is ok. There is a huge surprise near the end I did not expect from a film like this. The fights are really the only decent thing about Firewpower. If you are into underground cage fighting with weapons and screaming spectators, this is that kind of movie. None of the fights are exceptional, but most are good and solid for a martial arts film. Gary Daniels is definetly more skilled in Firepower than Chad Mcqueen, which is ironic when the end of the film is near.
   
   A basic martial arts film that is a typical B action movie. The setting in the future makes it suffer more than it should with all its cheesiness glory, but other than that expect an average film.

3 comments about Death Ring.

1. This was a daisy of a movie. When I first got it, i was stoned and I thought it would be funny to see Don Swayze in an acting movie, but then something funny happened. The movie!!! The original script called for Swayze to blow Norris in the cave, but they thought that was too obvious (If you buy the DVD, it's in the deleted scenes). It was like old times! Anyways, you'll get your bangs for your bucks. Look out for Skylord's uncanny timing, "All birds are clumsy on the ground". The batting cage scene is a trip.
   Or a TRIPle, if you're scoring at home. I once went to the cages stoned with my roomate. We couldn't hit a curveball for beans! But back to the movie, buy if you have a spare lincoln bill lying around. The final scene is a real ass-ripper!
   
   Dayton Vachs has never been cooler!!!!



2. In 1992, the film world was graced with the creation of the greatest movie ever. Well, maybe not to conventional moviegoers, but to real men and B fans everywhere, Death Ring is the definition of humans living that one moment when they achieve perfection. Chad McQueen and Don Swayze are the dynamic duo that are to B what Redford and Newman are to real movies. Swayze's contorted faces and McQueen's tough attitude and sleeveless denim vest(yeah, they're snaps) make this the best B effort yet. Then when you throw in Mike Norris and his wonderful overacting (take special notice to the completely unnecessary shoulder roll at the end of the movie- One of our favorites)and the always terrible Billy Drago. Drago's character, Denton Vachs, is the diabolical mastermind behind a human manhunt in which he kidnnapps Norris and offers the world greatest hunters(including the immortal Apache) a bounty to kill Mr. Collins on Vachs's private island. Is this the perfect premise for B? Come on. Does Sid the Elf jump out of a stocking? The planets just aligned on this one. So, if you're looking for a life-altering 90 minutes, involvig human safari, watch the best movie ever:Death Ring. It is hands down the winner of the Sid the Elf Lifetime Achievement Award for Best B Action.



3. This is one of the best B Movies I have ever seen. A stellar B movie cast of stars who are relatives of big name actors (McQueen, Norris, Swayze) and a really enjoyable none too serious plot. Billy Drago stars as the sadistic hunter orchestrating a death ring tournament (bit like Battle Royale). Dom Swayze is a guy who survived a previous death ring hunt and is now living in a cave wearing the same clothes for 6 months. Norris is the expert they call in to be hunted this time around, and Chad McQueen is his mate Skylord Harris who wants to come to his rescue. Although it's nonsense this is the most enjoyable kind of nonsense. Action packed, funny and reasonably well acted. B movies don't come much better than this.

No comments about Okinawa Makiwaras Training.

1 comments about Expect No Mercy.

1. Here we have another production with the ever famous duo of martial arts actors Billy Blanks and Jalal Mehri - great martial artists who are laughable actors that when paired together create a so bad its good movie. On top of it, this movie deals with martial arts combat in a virtual reality system - oh dear. Someone was smart to let Anthony De Longis and Michael Blanks (Billy's brother) be in this film because they save it - and so does the non-stop action.
   
   I figured that any virtual reality action coming from a 1996 B-martial arts flick would be a joke, and yes it is bad. Thankfully the entire movie doesn't really revolve around that. There is a virtual reality martial arts academy, where students train through this program, but the academy is actually used as a front. The academy's leader "Warbeck" (Wolf Larson) thinks he is God, and runs a secret assination program with some of his fines men - Damian (Anthony De Longis) and Spyder (Michael Blanks). I never knew De Longis could fight, but he does ok in this film, and steals the show at times, being just dirty in the film. Michael Blanks is always a treat for me. Though he rarely has a line, he always plays a villain (Dragon Fire, Circuit, Bloodfist 6) He has longer legs than his brother, and the results are impressive leaps and kicks that look great.
   
   There is so much action in this film its crazy. Unfortunately, some of it takes place in the virtual world and looks like pure crap. Most of it does take place in the real world. The movie even begins with some great action, and again, the charcaters Damian and Spyder get to show off as the bads guys. Later in the film, both Billy and Michael fight each other in what is probably the best fight of the film. It's a 4 minute fight that looks pretty good, and Michael Blanks kicks his brother's butt pretty good for awhile. Jala Mehri gets to fight Anthony De Longis on a rooftop in the end, which is an ok fight. The final fight is Billy Blanks against Wolf Larson. In addition to being a pretty bad actor, I didn't think Larson was all that good of a fighter and even though its a lengthy fight of several minutes, the final fight could have been better.
   
   Yeah, this is a pretty bad movie that's very cheesy and all the usual American B-movie stuff. But it somehow still manages to be very entertaining, with tons of martial arts action and some great villains. Its a pretty easy watch when you just don't want to think.

4 comments about Revenge of the Drunken Master.

1. Muy buena versión de la parodia del Maestro Borrachón.



2. This one seemed like it was going to be pretty good. Wong Fei Hung music at the start and a guy who seems to be decent at acrobatics. Then he fights the Blood ninja gang, a minute into the movie! Then I struggle through a bit more and Eagle Han shows up as one of the heroes!!!! So basically it becomes pretty much unwatchable whenever the "Drunken Kid" fights because he is so bad with the choreopgraphy, but then Eagle Han starts lighting people up with his fist forms and unbeatable kicks. There is a hilarious moment in the finale when the bad guy uses these stupid symbols to throw at the 2 heroes, then he runs away. Drunken Kid screams out for him to come back then immediately the villian comes back and says "I'm back". Now if anyone knows what was up with Eagle Han putting his finger into Drunken Kid's belly button at the end to gain super powers or something and then still gettign whooped on then let me know. But, this is a Godfrey Ho movie so if you have come up with a conclusion for the belly button thing, you may have some serious problems.
   
   Picture quality is watchable on the Video Asia version and it is probably in it's original format since I don't even know if Godfrey Ho knows what widecreen is. There is also a short and sweet kung fu demonstration from Hsiao Ho(Mad Monkey Kung Fu) and also a good interview with him.



3. Accidentally discovering the operations of the Blood Ninja gangsters, a mischievous young man masters the skills of the Drunk Fist and proceeds to fight against them. But the gangsters join forces, vowing to kill him before the young master destroys them all. Good one but there are better titles!



4. I see many flaws in this film.
   
   1. "You're a rat and a trap."
   
   2. "Do you have any proof of his death." Said the antagonist. Ninja assassin reply's "Yea, I brought you his bottle."
   
   3. A woman's husband dies and she asks the drunken kid "Please make me laugh, again." Drunken kid reply's "One dollar for an hour and 5 dollars for all day."
   
   4. A girl gets raped by a co star of the film then she calls him nice then he jets.
   
   5. The girl who was raped finds the rapist and then she feeds him.
   
   6. At the final battle, the bad guy is trying to kill drunken kid with drum high hats; Then the rapist saves the day.
   
   7. Oh lastly, the drunken kid does not get drunk.
   
   
   If this was a kung fu movie, I have evidence that it is not a good one. If it is a comedy, then it was a brilliant one. So if it is a comedy- four stars, because they did their job. But Video Asia has promoted is a martial artist film and it's horrible. Also, this is a spoof of Jackie Chan's Drunken Master and Sammo Hung's Spooky Encounter.