1 comments about Defense Against A Knife-D.

1. I learned combinations and techniques that Eric Laulagnet goes over in this DVD. With a knife you learn how to defend against a person and disarm them aswell.

5 comments about Battle Royal High School.

1. Battle Royal High School has NOTHING to do w/ the live-action movie Battle Royale ...

   http://www.fpsmagazine.com/review/brhs.shtml




2. I bought this DVD because I thought like with so many other Japanese movies that the original Manga was as good or better than the cinematic version. NOT EVEN CLOSE. This sucks, it is a boring animation kung fu flick which doesn't hold a candle to Battle Royal.
   As for the comment of some others here. It might be banned in the US (hooray for the country of freedom) but here (Netherlands) it is sold in almost every record shop en even in some toy shops who also sell DVD and video games and has an Age rating of 16.



3. and hey, all you bozos out there, I've got news for you...
   
   THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KOUSHUN TAKAMI NOVEL "BATTLE ROYALE", THE MANGA BASED ON THE NOVEL, OR THE SUBSEQUENT MOVIE DIRECTED BY KINJI FUKASAKU
   
   so stop being a bunch of morons comparing this to any of the above.



4. This is another anime which features lots of machismo and gratuitous violence that I like for some unknown reason.
   
   Plot? Part of the enjoyment of this is how inane the "plot" is? Apparently, the main character (an ambitious high school student) is soul-linked to a demonic king that's in the midst of a power coup. An androgenous demon slayer and futuristic cop also get mixed up in it as well.
   
   Admittedly, I saw the dubbed version and it was unintentionally funny in several places. Where else will you hear one girl, sizing up the competition for the main character's attention, say in despair, "She's smart... and she's got a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!"



5. This is a prime example of classic splatterfest anime!
   
   The animation, although quite old, looks great, its crisp, and very detailed.
   
   Buy this if you are a fan of GORY hyper violent anime!

4 comments about Jackie Chan: The Kung Fu Years.

1. Pre-order it so I could be one of the first to watch in the country, But it's not compatible with my JVC-(DVD,VCR), or my PS2. So, before ordering, make for sure it be playable in the USA. It's suppost to be the best of the best parts and story of Jackie Chan's career! "I know, you are welcome!"



2. Like the above review I too purchased this DVD and was sad to find that it will not play in anything I put it in; DVD Player, Playstation 2, Xbox, ETC. I had bought the box set "Bruce Lee Legacy" that was distributed by the same company that did this title-"VideoAsia," and they all worked fine. I tried to find an email address or a website for the company that released this DVD, but was not lucky in my search. My advice to anyone who is into Kung Fu flicks is to stay away from anything distributed by "VideoAsia."



3. One star is not a rating of a film, but rather rating of DVD... Movie might be good, but I never got to watching it. The reason is that DVD is not playable. Nor by PS2, computer, DVD player or anything else. One of the reviewers recommends not to get "Video Asia" products, but any other Video Asia stuff worked. My advice is to watch out for a little label that says "Fortune 5 DVD". I purchased a DVD box called "Martial Temple Collection" that holds five DVDs... Four of them work well, but the one with Fortune 5 label doesn't work. Coinsidence? I don't think so.



4. I was more fortunate than the reviewers below in that my disc plays fine on my PC's DVD player. As the title suggests, this is just the early stuff that cemented Jackie as a star in Asia. Yes, the video footage is just as you would expect from films of this genre and era (grainy and poor audio) but you wouldn't be here if you expected anything different, right? The bottom line is that you will find yourself unable to take your eyes off the screen while Jackie and his talented partners are performing the most incredible Kung Fu, of many different styles, that has ever been seen on film. No special features but there are six scene selection markers on the main menu. This film tries to be a documentary with a narration by Rick Baker (nice British accent). He basically introduces several of the scenes explaining which movie they are from and some of the styles being used but there is way too little information about Jackie to be a real documentary so the film basically becomes a platform to simply show Jackie's POWERFUL talent as a martial artist - the greatest ever known!

No comments about Grapplers Quest - 8th West Coast Submission Grappling and Wrestling Championships.

5 comments about Dance of the Drunken Mantis.

1. When you see a Yuen Woo Ping film, you can pretty much gaurantee that it will be entertaining. At least the fight scenes are. I actually have owned this film for about 6 years now on VHS, and the movie is good, but it can get corney at times (like the singing in the bank?!.) But all in all a pretty decient martial arts film. Sam the Seed plays the usual character, like in Drunkin Master and does a good job, even though it's noticalble that he is not doing the more difficult moves. Watch for when Sam the Seed and Crazy Legs are drinking tea together! To me, It was the highlight of the film. Very good choreography, thanks to Woo Ping, who is one of the most talented martial arts choreographer and director. The firmiliarness of the characters, the cornyness, the slow martial arts sequences, and the unfunny comedy make it an OK martial arts film. Apart from the tea drinking sequence, the film is nothing spectacular.



2. the film quality of this dvd is not to good, but the kung fu is so great that it doesnt matter. i have seen many many kung fu movies but this one tops them all, and my kung fu brothers agree.



3. I bought this movie because I'm a huge fan of both Simon Yuen and Hwang Jang Lee and..I was horribly dissapointed.
   Not because of the quality of the movie or the action, but because I couldn't watch it. This DVD features a code called 'Insta-Action' which cheerfully allows you to jump right to the action scenes..and you can't turn it off so far as I've been able to determine. So what you get is about ten minutes of movie..fight..fight..fight..fight..end of movie.
   Videoasia should be ashamed of themselves. If you're a fan of Simon or Hwang, try and get the VHS version at your local Chinatown. Don't waste your money on this deplorable DVD.



4. I thought that this movie was slightly better. If Jackie or some other good acrobat could have played the role of Foggy in this movie it definitely would have gotten 5 stars.
   
   WARNING:the version I have is the Blackbelt theater version and it also comes with From China With Death, which really sucked. The picture quality on these movies is truly some of the worst that I have ever seen. It is watchable if you are a fan of EVERYBODY in this movie, Rubber Legs CAN'T be seen if there is a white backround.



5. This flick never stops for a breath between beat-downs. Even though it is low-budget, the choreography of fight scenes is insane.

4 comments about Ultimate Fighting Championship, Vol. 18: The Road to the Heavyweight Title.

1. this tape is worth buying for several reasons. the most important one is the true nhb debut of bas rutten. i know bas personally and he is an awesome guy, but he is even more awesome inside the cage. also worth seeing is tito's shirt following his destruction of bohlander. miletich delivers another snoozer but that's what is to be expected from him. would be better if they hadn't cut burnette's fight, but still overall very good.



2. Many fighters are hyped, but not to the extent Bas Rutten was leading up to UFC XVIII. Once it was known Rutten was signed to fight for the UFC, the press went crazy touting him as the next champion. Bas had been a former King of Pancrase and exceptional kickboxer. His legend was known, but he had never stepped in a true "NHB" fight. Rutten would not only steal the show, but do it in great fashion.

   UFC XVIII. "Road to the Heavyweight Championship", would have 2 heavyweight elimination fights, with the winners facing each other in a future show to determine the next UFC champion. But 4 other fights also were on tap. First off was Evan Tanner against Darrell Gholar, each being their first time in the Octagon. A good fight, with an exciting ending. Next up was Mikey Burnett versus Towsend Saunders. Each man had lost to current champ Pat Miletich via close decisions. This fight would be a good one, going the distance. The third would pit Lions Den fighter Jerry Bohlander against Tito Ortiz. Bohlander was considered the 2nd best middleweight in the UFC next to Frank Shamrock. His confidence was high considering he was fighting Tito Ortiz in this "tune-up". Ortiz wasn't what Bohlander had in mind, he had dumped Tank Abbott, and sought out better fighting partners since his initial UFC performance. A solid fight with a clear dominate winner. Pat Miletich would defend his lightweight title against the aggresive Brazilian Jorge Patino. Miletich was criticized for fighting boring in previous fights. He indeed is a patient fighter, but a good one at that. Jorge Patino was known in Brazil as "Macaco"(monkey). His fights with Jose "Pele" Landi are classics, and brutal(Patino once ripped the earring off Pele's ear in a fight!). So this WAS to be the fight we would see a more aggressive Miletich fight. For some reason Patino decided to walk away and play counter--the Whole fight. Two counter fighters=boring! Once again Miletich was involved in a "snoozer", but to his credit he was the aggressor and refused to fight on the ground. He was just unlucky this go around.

   The heavyweights were ready, first we would see former champ, Mark Coleman battle Pedro Rizzo. Coleman was back after back-to -back defeats. His fighting career turned sour since losing to Maurice Smith in 97. He blew out his knee, then his initial return to the Octagon resulted in a TKO by Pete Williams. This time he was back with Ken Shamrock by his side to regain his past glory. Rizzo earned this fight with his spectacular trouncing of "Tank" Abbott. The stage was set, the outcome would be a close and controversial one. The fight everyone was waiting for was last, Bas Rutten versus Tsyoshi Kosaka. Rutten was ready and focused, and the fight would go Kosaka's way until......Boom, Boom, ..fight over!!

   He did indeed live up to all the hype!




3. This is one of the greatest ufcs ever. Evan Tanner makes a good performance in the first bout. Then tito ortiz shows why he is pound for pound one of the best fighters with his total beatdown of jerry bolander. The pat miletich fight was the only boring one even though he was the aggressor. The coleman rizzo fight was good with what i thought was a bad final desicion though. And the main event bas rutten destroys kosaka in a all out slugfest. I deffinity reccomend this video



4. January 8, 1999
   Pontchartrain Cente
   New Orleans, Louisiana
   
   This was to be the night of the UFC heavyweight and there are some solid heavyweight matchups on this fight card.
   
   Darrell Gholar vs. Evan Tanner:
   This is Tanner's debut in the UFC. He shows good skills on which he would build upon over his years fighting in the UFC. He attempts a triangle choke early on in the fight. He is slammed down HARD for his troubles, but he soon overwhelms Gholar with knees and strikes. The fight ends by submission.
   
   Jeff Bohlander v. Tito Ortiz:
   This is where Ortiz begins picking-off Lion's Den fighters. He overwhelms Bohlander and is dominant throughout regulation and overtime. The fight is eventually stopped due to a cut.
   
   Pedro "The Rock" Rizzo vs. Mark "The Hammer" Coleman:
   This fight should have been a lot better than it was. Rizzo did not effectively utilize his striking skills, nor did Coleman effectively utilize his grappling abilities. The fight goes the distance and goes to the judges' cards. Don't get me wrong, the fight is not dull, it's simply not as good as it should have been, given the two combatants involved.
   
   Jorge Patino vs. Pat Miletich:
   This one is a standing battle. There are some exciting moments, but the fight also receives some boos from the crowd for periods of inactivity. It goes to a decision for the championship.
   
   Tsuyoshi Kohsaka vs. Bas Rutten:
   Rutton makes his well-publicized debut in the UFC. He had not suffered a loss in a 3-year period and his striking abilities were highly-touted coming from a Pancrase background. This turns out to be a greuling battle for the upper hand. Kohsaka, if either, seems to have a slight advantage going into the final round. It goes down to the final seconds of the fight before one man come out blazing with a flurry that ends it all.
   
   This fight helps to setup the title fight that tales place a few UFC events later. This was an exciting time in the history of the UFC heavyweight division. This is a solid event, certainly worth owning.

2 comments about Masters of Tiger Crane.

1. This movie follows the typical plot of train to inflick pain on someone who did you wrong the opening fight scene is good as well the ending there's a lot of silly kung fu here but the few good scenes help not to make this film a total waste.



2. I mean we get a decent fight at the start but the lead actor should not have been in the movie at all. he is so hard to look at, I thought he was just gonna shrivel up and die. One of my favs Hwang Jang lee(aka wong cheng li, aka the silver fox) plays the bad guy and I am warning you, do not watch this. The only reason it gets a second star is because you have to giev it a 1 at leasst you can rate a movie on this site and the final fight had some excellent kicking. The hero finally has a pre final fight where I saw a few good kicks but then the end they must have spent like a whole day on that. Hwang and teh ugly guy kick eachother about 100 times inthe finale.
   
   DVD quality-poor, full screened, but watchable
   Special features-you put the disc in and it plays, if you forget to turn it off it will just loop. HA HA.

No comments about Duel with the Devil.

5 comments about The Last Ninja - Bujinkan TaiKai USA.

1. Like most of what Hatsumi teaches, this dvd represents a combination of traditional and modern martial applications. I would say that this taikai is actually more geared to the traditional side, not that there isn't a cross-over application to modern situations.
   
   I would heartily agree with everything the other reviewers have said about the training session. Unlike Hatsumi's Quest series, this taikai has poorer sound quality and lighting. Even so, the translation is actually the best possible (Ben Jones is amazing) and helps make up for what is otherwise lacking in on the produciton end. The camera work is well done.
   
   As for the claim that this is the best dvd, not hardly. Nearly all of the other Quest-produced taikais are much much better.
   I would also say that if you are intersted in ninjutsu or bujinkan or Hatsumi, then you should do yourself a favor and check out Systema, a Russian system that is gaining more critical attention in recent years that also follows the same themes of the Bujinkan approach (lack of formality and emphasis on natural responeses and multiple attacks).
   
   When you watch this dvd, you may come away with a poor impression of Bujinkan. I would not want this to be the case, but it must be viewed in teh present context of worldwide Bujinkan training quality. It is true that members of the bujinkan in general do not know how to deleiver power, and thus do not know how to receive power. This is not true of everyone in the style. Who would tell Nagato or Hatsumi that they can't deal with a real situation? Of course they can. But in general, it is easy to see that the lagre, typically Japanese, stances are not practical for jissen gata, real life fighting. I am all for cooperative training, a hallmark Bujinkan practice, but falling onto one another or sloppily punching and hanging you kicks out doesn't help much if that is all you do. Of course not all of them do this, but the bujinkan members that I have trained with were both 4th degrees, one of whom couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag and is now a godan. Again, not all bujinakn is this way. Stephen Hayes, one of Hatsumi's top students, has noted this and adjusted his teaching to be more practical. One can only wish that Hatsumi's students, especially the American ones, would do likewise. Do you ever see Hatsumi or Nagato use such positions? Not often. But when you watch this dvd, and many of the other taikai, don't discount Hatsumi of the account of lackluster practitioners.
   
   This is not to say that Bujinkan isn't a great organization or that they are weak. I have great respect for them. I only mean to point this out for viewers. So if you have a bujinkan friend, give them a makiwara in a small room. More power with smaller, balanced stances.
   
   Please check out the Quest dvds and videos of Hatsumi. They are fantastic! But also check out Vladimir Vasiliev for a pleasant surprise and target focus training (TFT) for some serious learning.



2. This is nothing but a 3 DVD disks recording of a Documentary and training seminary on Ninjutsu. Each disk last about 1 half hour. Those giving 5 stars are probably participants themselves helping in promoting this DVD. Buy ONLY if you want to see GrandMaster Masaaki Hatsumi.
   I fast forward in between viewing 'cos it can be quite boring. So don't waste your money.I bought this DVD is b'cos of the many reviews that I read. So,don't trust reviews, including mine. It's your choice and your taste. Credits must given to the clear picture. Warning, there's no Chapters selection in all 3 DVDs.



3. This dvd was very helpful to my training. For those who are familiar with Soke Hatsumi's work,they can now see it in action, and try to understand the feeling he conveys with his artform. It is a must have for students of ninjutsu.



4. Soke Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi is absolutely wonderful. The 3 disc DVD jumps right in and starts combat. I say combat instead of teaching because in one part of the video Dr. Hatsumi states, "This is a place of war, not a school." Being that I love Ninjutsu, I really gained a lot from this Tai Kai. Soke Hatsumi's way of saying be creative with techniques and "be free" really helps. I always feel if I change the technique I will be doing something wrong but Soke teaches that is exactly what to do. Warring and Wisdom - I would absolutely recommend this DVD.



5. I never write reviews. In coming across this link I thought my insight might be valuable. TaiKai 2003, I was there, and I have this DVD. This is not an A-B-C instructional. This is footage from a three day seminar.
   
   What you learn in the Bujinkan depends upon your teacher, how you learn and retain it depends entirely upon you. I was a mid level green belt at this Tai Kai initially overwhelmed by the thought of training with a room full of Black belts and others of greater experience. My class experience had been shinken gata from the beginning, my instructor taught me real world fighting even before the official allowance post 911 from Hatsumi. So I found that even though I may not have had all of the experience I might have wished for at the Tai Kai, that in training with individuals of various ranges of skill, I was very easily able to survive and actually thrive.
   
   I did see black belts who seemed to lack the level of experience that I had. I also saw green belts who were incredibly accomplished and almost eerily smooth and proficient. It all has to do with what your teacher brings to the table, and then what you are able to absorb that is of value.
   
   The format of the Tai Kai was demonstration and perhaps talk by Hatsumi, then a flurry of activity as onlookers attempted to replicate it. Hatsumi would watch and comment and caution, and then swiftly move into the next technique. The DVD cuts out all of the floor activity but does show how selected teachers and black belts interpret Hatsumis technique as they display it on stage.
   
   When I looked around I could see that many to most people were not replicating what Hatsumi was doing on stage, even some of the demonstrating Black instructors missed the mark. But the value of the event is in getting the "feeling" of where you need to be and what you need to do in such a situation. Not stomp, kick, thrust, punch, repeat - THAT in my humble opinion will get you killed.
   
   The training in the bujinkan can be old school full on, or some degree of it. Agreed, unless there in intent behind attacks and defense the sense of danger and urgency is not there, and unless power is there then you won't know what to do when really struck. All of that is within the teaching of the Bujinkan, it depends on your instructors method. I'd caution that while hoping for a teacher to show you the way of power, pray that you haven't walked into the dojo of a sadist.
   
   You must also realzie that TIME and AGE will take SPEED and POWER from us all. Why spend a life learning a system that specializes or keys on power technique when you won't have the power needed at the time in life when you need it most? Predators always prefer the aged and weak, perceived or real. I specifically chose the Bujinkan to advance in once I discovered the age and ability of the elder Hatsumi and his instructor Takamatsu.
   
   The two main concepts 'I found' that Hatsumi teaches here and shows repeatedly in every technique are "gain a sense of the combat so that you move naturally, even unhurredly into the position best for you and least beneficially to your enemy while allowing your enemy to believe that he or she is in best position and has you dominated, struck or hurt - when you are not." AND Remove balance from your opponent and NEVER give it back. He does this over and over.
   
   Its for you to debate, discuss, or discover, but without balance you cannot have power. So if you rain in power and our angles and energy and methods remove your foundation... where are you then?
   
   I have found that once balance is removed from an opponent, you can bring a 300 pound martial artist down with all the power inherent in an 11 year old girl. Bujinkan training keeps you alive while you manuever to do this, and shows you how to direct that fall to make it breath taking, or the final crash and burn.

5 comments about Chojun Miyagi Goju Ryu Karate Do Body, Mind & Spirit.

1. Basically, 90% of the DVD is this guy talking. I guess he loves the camera alot (or himself). I wish they had spent more time with a photograph travel into the history of Goju Ryu versus just watching him stand in front of the camera the majority of the time. It's "OK" but could have been soooooo much better. So if you want a DVD that's essentially a speech in front of a camera while he blocks Miyagi's home in the background - get it. I really wish there were photo's of Okinawa, showing the roots of where this fine art was developed, photo's of the area of China where it came from. You know ~ the HISTORY of the darn thing so you can get a better feel for it. Such a waste to have the camera rolling and be in the area and not film any of it.



2. I didn't really know what to expect when I got this video, but after I
   watched it, I was very pleased. I've watched a lot of martial arts videos
   and I have never seen any of what is on this video before. There's more info
   about Miyagi sensei on this DVD than I've seen in one place before. One of
   the best DVDs in my martial arts collection.



3. I have seen a lot of martial arts videos, but I have never seen the footage that is in this dvd. This is bar none the best dvd I have ever seen on Chojun Miyagi.



4. It is great to see the history of the founder of my style Goju Ryu. I am honored to be apart of this great system and now can fully understand and appreciate where my roots came from. The depth of the history makes this best explaination of Goju Ryu I have ever seen.



5. From the number of historical inaccuracies in this amateur attempt at a karate documentary, it is obvious that the presenter knows absolutely nothing about the subject, and has made no attempt at serious research. He even makes errors with information he has "borrowed" from legitimate sources such as "The History of Karate - Goju Ryu" by Morio Higaonna and Classical Fighting Arts magazine because his knowledge of Goju Ryu in particular, and karate in general, is virtually non-existent.
   The "many little known facts" alluded to in the product description are "little known" because they are not "facts" but fiction. All in all, exactly what we have come to expect from this source.